MILE 40 "Space"

 

LOCATION: The Mission District

 

 

SKYLER & KELLY

(Sitting at a pop-up outdoor cafe in the Mission)

 

SKYLER

We’re new here to the Mission… but it’s our home now-

KELLY

Our old house-

SKYLER

Where we used to live-

KELLY

Wasn't very big-

SKYLER

Where we live now is, well…

KELLY

It's not very big either.

SKYLER

But then, it's in the heart of the city-

KELLY

It's… well, it’s comfortable-

SKYLER

Not too big, not too small-

KELLY

Just right, I guess?

SKYLER

Yeah. Who knows?

KELLY

We can't afford to move again…

SKYLER

So we pay our dues...

KELLY

And we make do…

SKYLER

I mean this'll have to do...

KELLY

Where else are we going to live?

SKYLER

We love it here, it's funky but the neighborhood is getting cleaned up and-

KELLY

They’ve got good burritos!

SKYLER

This was the only space available that we could afford.

KELLY

And they have the nerve to call them lofts. When I think of a loft, I think of-

SKYLER

Big open spaces.

KELLY

You know, lofty. There aren't even any raised ceilings in our place.

SKYLER

It is kind of cramped for a three bedroom.

KELLY

And parts of the neighborhood are still like a demilitarized zone-

SKYLER

But it's getting better. More tech folks are moving in all the time-

KELLY

Yes, but there isn't a single SUV parked on the street that doesn't have at least one long scratch mark-

SKYLER

All down one side, I know. Those dirty homeless people-

KELLY

Vandals.

SKYLER

They're just expressing their frustration-

KELLY

Well it's childish. If they can’t afford it here they shoud just leave-

SKYLER

Thank goodness we have a big enough garage for both of our vehicles-

KELLY

I had no idea how big a Suburban was until he came home with it-

SKYLER

And it barely fit next to our Tesla. Well, we're just lucky.

KELLY

We found this place before it "officially" went on the market.

SKYLER

So yeah… we’re special like that. I’ve got connections… you know how it is-

KELLY

And uh, sure, we're happy here.

SKYLER

Yeah. We're happy here… you know, for now…

KELLY

Until something else…

SKYLER

You know… better-

KELLY

Bigger!

SKYLER

Comes along.

KELLY

Or until there's another big earthquake-

SKYLER

And BOOM! Some more space opens up.

KELLY

Just kidding, of course-

SKYLER

I’m not. (pause) HAHAHA!

KELLY

Oh, you! HAHAHA!

 

THEY SIP THEIR ESPRESSO DRINKS AND LAUGH

 

 

 LISTEN  to a clip from 49 Miles
Performed by Danielle Cain and Tim Kniffin

Recorded by black box theatre.com
music by Curious Quail
"Apart we are together"