From 'Snapshot of My Family' by Elyse Pitock

Snapshot of My Family by Elyse Pitock -

(c)Elyse Pitock, 2008

Except: Scene 7 features the main character, Jocelyn, and her

antagonist-brother, Aaron, who has Asperger's Syndrome. Amy is their

mother.

Scene 7

setting: living room

JOCELYN

We've already established that Aaron is different. But Aaron is also the

same as most other kids. He likes to make up jokes-

AARON

Humans have many problems. Pollution, anti-curiosity. Today I'm going to

talk about anti-curiosity. They just don't like curiosity. I can even

tell you a story about it. Once I was walking down a street when a

familiar feeling gripped me. Curiosity. Well, I wanted to find out what

human flesh tasted like. So, I asked the nearest person. "Hey! Can I eat

your head?" And he said, "No! I want to stay alive!" So, then I asked

him if I could eat his foot and he said, "No! I use that!" So I asked

him if I could eat his fingers. And he rudely said "No!" So I went up to

the nearest policeman and I explained the whole story to him and I asked

him to help me convince him to let me eat his arm. Next thing I knew I

had a tranquilizer dart up my nose and some moldy bread in my pocket.

And the next evening I woke up on a dinner plate.

(Dissolves into hysterics.)

Get it?

JOCELYN

He likes to play video games, especially this one Star Wars one. .

.Aaron, Mom says to set the table!

AARON

(Sitting in a chair with a video game control)

After I die.

JOCELYN

In the video game, or in real life?

AARON

This is not just a game. This is a matter of life and-

JOCELYN

Just answer the question.

AARON

In the quote unquote "game."

JOCELYN

He hates doing his homework.

AMY

Aaron, did you finish your homework?

AARON

No.

AMY

Why not?

AARON

It's a free country.

AMY

Yes, it is, but that doesn't mean you don't have to do your homework.

AARON

Yes it does.

JOCELYN

Aaron is different. But it doesn't mean he's stupid and it doesn't mean

he isn't human, which is something that people like Ella and Lee have

yet to learn.

(Jocelyn crosses to kitchen table. Amy exits.)

AARON

I hate homework.

JOCELYN

I know, but saying that over and over again isn't going to get it done.

AARON

I know, I know, you've told me a million times. But I hate it so much.

JOCELYN

Stop being negative. Look here: Anne gets on the bus at 8:11. When she

gets to her bus stop, she  walks for seventeen minutes to get to school.

She arrives at school at 9:00. What time did Anne get off the bus?

AARON

8:39.

JOCELYN

How did you do that so fast?

(Checking Aaron's answer on a calculator.)

AARON

I guessed.

JOCELYN

It was wrong. Try again.

(The doorbell rings.)

JOCELYN

I'll get it. Hi, Patrick!

PATRICK

Hi.

JOCELYN

How are you?

PATRICK

Good. I was wondering if Aaron could come outside to play baseball with

us.

JOCELYN

He has to do his homework, but- well, let me ask him. Aaron, it's

Patrick!

AARON

Patrick B. or Patrick R.?

JOCELYN

I don't know. Come here.

PATRICK

Hi, Aaron.

AARON

Hi, Patrick B.

PATRICK

Can you come play baseball?

AARON

Hold on. I'll ask Jocelyn. Jocelyn, can I go play baseball with Patrick

B.?

JOCELYN

Sure. . .but you have to do your homework later.

AARON

Okay.

JOCELYN

Wait.

AARON

Yeah?

JOCELYN

Where are you playing?

PATRICK

Just down the street.

JOCELYN

Okay. If you go anywhere else, tell me. And- do you have your watch?

(Aaron rolls back his sleeve to reveal four watches on his

wrist.)

Be back by six, okay?

AARON

I will.

(Aaron and Patrick exit. Amy enters.)

AMY

Did Aaron finish his homework?

JOCELYN

No.

AMY

Jocelyn!

JOCELYN

Patrick "B." invited him to go play baseball.

AMY

Patrick? Oh, from next door. . .yes, but Jocelyn, he needs to finish his

homework. It always takes him such a long time.

JOCELYN

I know, but he hardly ever gets invited anywhere. I just thought-

AMY

It's okay. Just go get him.

JOCELYN

Go get him? He's making friends!

AMY

But playing sports? Aaron isn't half as athletic as most of those boys.

JOCELYN

So you'd rather he was lonely than he tried to make friends?

AMY

If he tries and fails too many times, he won't want to try again. I

don't want him to get hurt.

JOCELYN

Isn't that exactly the attitude that you always tell me not to take? You

have no faith in him!

AMY

Of course I do! I'm not discussing this with you.

JOCELYN

All I want is for him to be normal.

AMY

Normal? Define normal.

JOCELYN

Not Asperger's!

AMY

That's not fair.

JOCELYN

You don't even try!

AMY

What's that supposed to mean?

JOCELYN

You just let his weird habits go and you let him obsess over Star Wars,

and you don't care that your son is crazy!

AMY

I accept his quirks. And I'm the one who pays for three kinds of

therapy- there's no cure for Asperger's. We can only do our best.

JOCELYN

He's not getting any better! I'm the one who's always telling him, "Chew

with your mouth closed." "Don't tell someone if you think their shirt is

ugly." "Stick up for yourself."

(The doorbell rings.)

"It's okay to break the rules sometimes."

(Amy opens the door. Aaron is standing there.)

AMY

How was it?

AARON

Nobody would pick me for their team. And Patrick B. tried to make them

but then Tim said that then Patrick B. couldn't play either.

(He starts crying. Amy tries to hug him, but he pushes her

away.)

I don't like that.

AMY

Let me hug you, Aaron.

AARON

I don't like it. Why did you force me to go outside?

JOCELYN

I didn't!

AARON

Yes you did! You want me to be ridiculed!

(He leaves.)

JOCELYN

Aaron!