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!