Duration: 2 minutesGender: NonbinaryAge: Young AdultGenre: Dark Comedy

Context: On the night an asteroid is due to hit, Danni calls her parents. We hear only her side as the call turns painful.

Danni: Mom. Mom, hey listen. I’m glad you got back to me I gotta talk to you — uh, there’s some stuff, is dad home? (Pause) Yeah? Can you, can you put him on too? (Pause) Hey dad. I miss you both yeah. (Pause) No everything’s fine — okay everything’s not fine. You guys see that light in the sky? (Pause) no see it’s not a comet actually it’s an ast — (Pause) what? What? That’s not why I called — (Pause) Brit? No, uh no we broke up — (Pause) No. That does not mean I’ve ‘come to my senses,’ that means she was a gin guzzling nitwit who thought some douchey frat-bro at the bar was worth throwing — you know what never mind, it’s not a fun story. For me. (Pause) yeah but it’s not a ‘phase’. (Growing cold) uh huh. Uh huh. Uh huh. (Pause) Jason sounds like a real chump — champ! I mean champ. Uh huh. No. that’s awesome, actually go ahead. Invite him over. (Pause) next Friday night? Great. Yeah. Around seven. Meatloaf? Sure. I’ve been a vegetarian for the last four years, but meatloaf sounds great. (Pause) I am not using my sarcasm to mask my feel — okay. (Pause) The green dress? (She looks at her watch, looks out the window) You know what? Yes. I will wear the green dress. I’ll uh — shave my legs, and I’ll see if Nikki will let me borrow her pumps — (Pause) No that’s not slang for “what I do” — (Pause) Mom — listen I — would it really be that bad? If I was, you know if I was um more like, um Jason? You always wanted a — son — right? (Choked laughter) Mom? (Pause) Hey Dad. (Pause) I’m not trying to work her up, but it would be really stellar if you guys could just — (Pause) okay. Ok not another word. I’ll see you Friday. (Pause) Yeah. Yeah. The sky sure is bright. (Pause) love you too. (She hangs up, stands still for a minute, then —) FUCK.

Link to Purchase Title

Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner