Overview
- Female: 0
- Male: 2
Context
Peter was inside the bar, about to propose to his girlfriend, Amy, but his brother has just rugby tackled him out of the bar onto the street. Jack is determined to stop Peter from going through with the proposal. He cannot stand Amy, and believes that she is not right for his brother. However, Peter is angry with Jack for intervening and the two brothers square up to each other on the street. They are not close any more, and their estrangement is evident.
to read the context for this scene from Dead Man Walking and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Text
[They stumble out of the bar still fighting.]
PETER I’m out. I’m out. Jesus.
He swipes at Jack.
PETER I was kind of in the middle of something important, you ass-hat.
JACK This couldn’t wait.
They stop fighting and pull it together a little bit.
Peter straightens himself out. Jack takes a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
JACK (holding out the pack) Have one.
PETER Maybe after.
Peter heads back into the bar. Jack grabs his arm and pulls him around.
PETER I don’t want a cigarette right now.
JACK You never want one anymore.
PETER Yea. ‘Cause cancer and sh#t.
JACK Jesus, Petey. You’re so whipped.
PETER (correcting him) Peter. And I’m not whipped just because I don’t want cancer.
JACK No, you’re whipped because you never used to care about getting cancer and now you do. You’re (imitating Peter’s girlfriend Amy) Peter now. You’re different.
PETER Yea, I’m less likely to get cancer. So it’s a good different.
JACK
Well nobody else thinks so.
Jack goes to light a cigarette.
PETER Can you not?
Jack moves the lighter away from the cigarette.
JACK If you say second hand smoke kills, I will punch you.
PETER I was gonna say ‘cause I wanna to get this done. And Amy hates the smell.
Jack goes to light it.
PETER You of all people knows it does though.
Jack stops before lighting.
PETER I’m just saying - how do you explain yourself to all those sick kids? How do you look them in their sweet little faces and smile while lighting up the very thing that is secondhand killing them?
JACK The kids don’t have cancer from second-hand smoke.
PETER Not even one of them?
Jack is quiet.
PETER How do look yourself in the eye?
JACK How do you?
PETER How do I what?
JACK Look at yourself - knowing that your with Amy. Amy - the cancer of people.
Peter is stunned. He takes a step back towards the door, but something stops him. He turns back around.
PETER No, I’m not just gonna ignore your sh#t anymore, Jack. Are you f#&king serious? What is wrong with you? That’s a f#&ked up thing to say.
JACK No, it’s not. She killed you. Like cancer. She killed you and I won’t let you marry her.
Links
Dead Man Walking was developed with The CRY HAVOC Company
For licensing inquiries, please contact [email protected]
More Scenes
All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners.
Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.