Exhausted

Thursday, Sep 1, 2011

9:30 p.m.

Exhausted

(Alex at the apartment, on the phone talking to his Mom.)

Alex- We worked from 7 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moving furniture up and down three flights of stairs.

Mom- What kind of furniture?

Alex- Anything you can think: chairs, desks, dressers, mattresses, box springs, love seats, couches.

Mom- Are you tired?

Alex- Yes.

Mom- They put you to work.

Alex- Yeah. We haven’t really gotten a chance to explore the city at all.

Mom- You’ll get to.

Alex- Yeah, I know. It feels odd, though. Usually, whenever I come to Chicago, the first thing I do is go to the Art Institute or Millennium Park.

Mom- Where are you living?

Alex- Logan Square. It’s the new arts community.

Mom- Is it nice?

Alex- Yes. I’ve seen a bunch of really awesome murals.

Mom- Well… good. I’m glad to hear that you’re liking it.

Alex- We made a lot of money today.

Mom- That’s good.

Alex- Yeah, at least a hundred dollars.

Mom- But at a price.

Alex- My arms are going to be feeling it tomorrow.

Mom- You’ll be fine.

Alex- I know. I have to. Tomorrow we do the same thing.

Mom- Well, I’m glad to you called and I hope that everything goes okay.

Alex- Yeah, how’s everything at home.

Mom- Oh good. You know… we don’t do too much of anything.

Alex- Yeah…

Mom- Have you talked to your brother?

Alex- No, I haven’t. I will.

Mom- Okay. You should.

Alex- I will.

Mom- Okay, well have a good day—Oh! Do you need me to send you anything? Clothes? School supplies? Anything?

Alex- No, not yet. I’ll tell you if I do.

Mom- Okay… how’s the weather?

Alex- Uhhh…. Fine.

Mom- Oooooo-kaaaaay.

Alex- Sorry, I’m not so talkative, I’m just… really beat.

Mom- It’s fine. I’ll talk to you soon.

Alex- Okay. Bye.

Mom- Bye.

(Alex hangs up.)

(Alex sits on the couch, hunched over, tired.)

(Jamie enters the room, just as beaten.)

Jamie- I’m exhausted.

Alex- Yes.

(Silence)

(The CTA train roars outside the window. A motorcycle is heard revving outside. Police sirens follow.)

Jamie- We’re going to miss the silence of the country.

Alex- Sooner than later.

*