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Lost Puzzle Piece

Script excerpt by Sam S



Lights up on Center Stage

Bennet sits on stage cube holding a video game controller. Cynthia stands outside his room.


Cynthia

Bennet? Are you up ? I’m sorry I didn’t wake you up sooner, I thought you would know what time to be up by now. Are you ready for school buddy?


Beat, Bennet doesn’t answer. Cynthia knocks a couple of time; no answer


Cynthia

Bennet, I’m coming in.


Cynthia walks into the room and stares down Bennet. Bennet has all his attention on his Nintendo switch.


Cynthia

Bennet! This is ridiculous. You’re not even dressed.


Cynthia grabs the switch from Bennet and crosses her arms


Bennet

Mom! What the heck! I was literally so freaking close to beating this level. I just had to -


Cynthia

I don’t care, you have to be out the door for school in less than fifteen minutes!


Beat. Bennet spaces out, there is silence for at least ten seconds)


Cynthia

Bennet?


Bennet snaps back to attention, looks around the room, becoming aware of his surroundings)


Bennet

What did you say ?


Cynthia

School. In ten. Let’s go.


Bennet

I’m not going.


Cynthia

What? You’re kidding! You love school Benny.


Bennet

I lied.


Cynthia

You lied to me ? Why would you lie to your mom buddy?


Bennet

If you wanna be specific, it’s called a “white lie”


Cynthia

Okay, okay. If this school isn’t a good fit for you, give me five reasons why.


Bennet

Okay


Beat


Cynthia

Go on


Bennet

One: the food isn’t good

Two: -


Cynthia

That doesn’t count?


Bennet

What do you mean?


Cynthia

Nobody likes school food.


Bennet

Doesn’t matter.

Two: I get bullied for being “special needs”

Three: I’m a freshman but in a class with a lot of elementary schoolers.

Four: I’m in a special ed class and I want to be with higher functioning/non autistic people.

I want to be in a normal class, I don’t want to be special, I want to be normal.


Cynthia

. . Honeybun. . . You’re not treated differently. . . you j-


Bennet

NO! You literally treat me like a baby, I have seen your browser history. You worthy about me like I am a toddler. I am fourteen mom, FOURTEEN. I am sick of being “special”

I am not stupid you know. I don’t need to review addition, I don’t need to be spoon fed. Just because I have autism does not mean you get to treat me like a baby.


Cynthia

Bennet . . .


Bennet

I just want you to take me more seriously. . That’s the only missing piece to my puzzle. You. You seeing potential in me that is my missing puzzle piece. um . . I just need some pace Mom.


Cynthia

Um. Right. Okay.


Beat. Cynthia starts to leave.


Bennet

Hey Mom?


Cynthia turns back to her son.


Bennet

I love you


Cynthia

Love you too hun.





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