ask buck

Hiding...

from who?

The world.

what’s wrong kid?

Just feel overwhelmed...

well the bar is definitely a place to go

Do you think I'm stupid?

what? no? why would I think you’re stupid?

Got called stupid today...

well who called ya that?

Teacher.

teachers are dumb.

But they're right...

just because they teach ya things don’t mean they’re right.

*He sighs, still upset by it.*

you’re not stupid, you’re a real clever and kind kid.

It ain't that.

what is it then?

*He bounces his leg, anxious.*

Sodapop?

Yeah?

what is it?

What does disruptive mean?

just mean you’re loud and obnoxious but that ain’t bad.

He said it like it was... Why say it if it ain't bad?

Soda teachers suck okay?

Yeah.

and bein’ disruptive ain’t a bad thing.

It's just... I gotta move, or I'm gonna explode.

you can get through this kid.

Yeah, I guess.

I know ya can.

Ya do?

mhm. you’re strong.

But not booksmart

booksmarts ain’t everything.

Isn't it?

nope.

But it ain't nice to say that.

no it ain’t. are kids buggin’ you?

Yeah. It ain't nice.

have ya told a teacher?

No. Don't want trouble, and it'd make 'em mad.

you should tell someone. tell ya mom or dad.

Mm. I'm gonna.

good. get those jerks in trouble.

They never get in trouble.

you can try to get em in trouble.

Yeah I know.

I’m sure they’ll kinda get in trouble.

*He nods.*

They're socs.

I know.

I- I dunno, I'm bouta kill myself, I can't stop it an' it's like my body 's controlled an' my brain can't stop it, I know imma do somethin...

What do ya need me to do?

I dunno

Johnnycakes.

*Johnny ignores Dally and keeps walking in a kind of frantic way.*

*Johnny keeps walking, his arms crossed with his nails digging into his skin. His eyes were darting around, wide and uncontrolled. He seemed like he's headed to his folks' house.*

*Dally follows, still from a distance.*

*He makes his way to the window, breathing heavily, and opens it to hop in, praying his parents wouldn't see him.*

*He manages to get about 3/4 the way in the window before Dally catches up with him.*

You serious?

You ain't goin' in there.

Dally...

Ya that eager to get a shiner, man?

No..

Then what are ya here for?

...

*He walks to the front door, knocks on it.*

No, you go. *There's a determined look in his eyes.*

Go, damnit!

*Johnny sprints towards Buck's.*

*He watches him go, then focuses on the door, waiting for it to open.*

oh come in please come in. you won’t be killin’ yourself today.

Dally's gonna get hurt!

Johnny we will go over there and find him but first I’m making sure you’re okay.

...

*He follows, tense. Dally's gonna get hurt because of him, because of him, because of him... His eyes drift to a bottle and then back to the floor.*

We gotta get Dally.

breathe first…I want ya to be in your right mind.

I'm fine, we gotta find him.

Johnny you clearly aren’t.

It happens sometimes, c'mon, Dal's gonna be gettin' slugged.

*He follows, eyes drifting to the gun again as they left.*

*he helps him into the truck*

*he gets in, staring blanky ahead.*

Hm.

you okay?

I know.

...

where is he?

My place, a couple blocks down and to the left.

*he nods and speeds*

*Johnny's eyes keep moving from the door handle to the lock. Maybe if he...*

Johnny, where ya lookin’?

Nowhere. Sorry.

*Johnny is frozen slightly not wanting to face his father but wanting to help Dally. He's getting hurt because of him.*

Dallas.

*He reaches for Johnny's hand, trying halfheartedly to pry his hand off the door handle.*

I- I dunno, I'm bouta kill myself, I can't stop it an' it's like my body 's controlled an' my brain can't stop it, I know imma do somethin...

What do ya need me to do?

I dunno

Johnnycakes.

*Johnny ignores Dally and keeps walking in a kind of frantic way.*

*Johnny keeps walking, his arms crossed with his nails digging into his skin. His eyes were darting around, wide and uncontrolled. He seemed like he's headed to his folks' house.*

*Dally follows, still from a distance.*

*He makes his way to the window, breathing heavily, and opens it to hop in, praying his parents wouldn't see him.*

*He manages to get about 3/4 the way in the window before Dally catches up with him.*

You serious?

You ain't goin' in there.

Dally...

Ya that eager to get a shiner, man?

No..

Then what are ya here for?

...

*He walks to the front door, knocks on it.*

No, you go. *There's a determined look in his eyes.*

Go, damnit!

*Johnny sprints towards Buck's.*

*He watches him go, then focuses on the door, waiting for it to open.*

oh come in please come in. you won’t be killin’ yourself today.

Dally's gonna get hurt!

Johnny we will go over there and find him but first I’m making sure you’re okay.

...

*He follows, tense. Dally's gonna get hurt because of him, because of him, because of him... His eyes drift to a bottle and then back to the floor.*

We gotta get Dally.

breathe first…I want ya to be in your right mind.

I'm fine, we gotta find him.

Johnny you clearly aren’t.

It happens sometimes, c'mon, Dal's gonna be gettin' slugged.

*He follows, eyes drifting to the gun again as they left.*

*he helps him into the truck*

*he gets in, staring blanky ahead.*

Hm.

you okay?

I know.

...

where is he?

My place, a couple blocks down and to the left.

*he nods and speeds*

*Johnny's eyes keep moving from the door handle to the lock. Maybe if he...*

Johnny, where ya lookin’?

Nowhere. Sorry.

*Johnny is frozen slightly not wanting to face his father but wanting to help Dally. He's getting hurt because of him.*

Dallas.

*He reaches for Johnny's hand, trying halfheartedly to pry his hand off the door handle.*

Hiding...

from who?

The world.

what’s wrong kid?

Just feel overwhelmed...

well the bar is definitely a place to go

Do you think I'm stupid?

what? no? why would I think you’re stupid?

Got called stupid today...

well who called ya that?

Teacher.

teachers are dumb.

But they're right...

just because they teach ya things don’t mean they’re right.

*He sighs, still upset by it.*

you’re not stupid, you’re a real clever and kind kid.

It ain't that.

what is it then?

*He bounces his leg, anxious.*

Sodapop?

Yeah?

what is it?

What does disruptive mean?

just mean you’re loud and obnoxious but that ain’t bad.

He said it like it was... Why say it if it ain't bad?

Soda teachers suck okay?

Yeah.

and bein’ disruptive ain’t a bad thing.

It's just... I gotta move, or I'm gonna explode.

you can get through this kid.

Yeah, I guess.

I know ya can.

Ya do?

mhm. you’re strong.

But not booksmart

booksmarts ain’t everything.

Isn't it?

nope.

But it ain't nice to say that.

no it ain’t. are kids buggin’ you?

Yeah. It ain't nice.

have ya told a teacher?

No. Don't want trouble, and it'd make 'em mad.

you should tell someone. tell ya mom or dad.

Mm. I'm gonna.

good. get those jerks in trouble.

They never get in trouble.

you can try to get em in trouble.

Yeah I know.

I’m sure they’ll kinda get in trouble.

*He nods.*

I ain't picky. What ya got?

think I have stuff for burgers. people never get food so I just stopped gettin’ stuff for it.

Sucks for 'em. They're missin' out.

*he shouts to someone in the back to check the freezer and if there’s any meat throw it on the grill*

*He waits, petting the dog.*

you all by yourself out here, kid?

No. I ain't alone.

ya got a brother or a parent?

Yeah.

where are they?

Home.

ya said you weren’t alone.

I'm not. Got company right by my side.

dog don’t count.

okay kid.

See I was takin' him for a walk, an' I got hungry.

mhm.

It kinda happens.

I know I know.

My old man's gonna come by an' pay.

I mean they technically ain’t supposed to be in here but I won’t judge.

He's goin' where I go. *He split the burger evenly, giving the dog half of it.*

I won’t tell no one.

Good. Don't wanna make the old man worry. He's real sick...

what’s he sick with?

well I’m real sorry about that kid.

He just ain't able to work.

ah. yknow I let kids like you wash dishes sometimes.

mhm. buddy that made your burger was like you once.

Can't leave Trouble.

that the dog?

Mhm.

*he nods*

Can't leave my buddy.

mm.

An' no one else can handle him.

why’s that?

I- I dunno, I'm bouta kill myself, I can't stop it an' it's like my body 's controlled an' my brain can't stop it, I know imma do somethin...

What do ya need me to do?

I dunno

Johnnycakes.

*Johnny ignores Dally and keeps walking in a kind of frantic way.*

*Johnny keeps walking, his arms crossed with his nails digging into his skin. His eyes were darting around, wide and uncontrolled. He seemed like he's headed to his folks' house.*

*Dally follows, still from a distance.*

*He makes his way to the window, breathing heavily, and opens it to hop in, praying his parents wouldn't see him.*

*He manages to get about 3/4 the way in the window before Dally catches up with him.*

You serious?

You ain't goin' in there.

Dally...

Ya that eager to get a shiner, man?

No..

Then what are ya here for?

...

*He walks to the front door, knocks on it.*

No, you go. *There's a determined look in his eyes.*

Go, damnit!

*Johnny sprints towards Buck's.*

*He watches him go, then focuses on the door, waiting for it to open.*

oh come in please come in. you won’t be killin’ yourself today.

Dally's gonna get hurt!

Johnny we will go over there and find him but first I’m making sure you’re okay.

...

*He follows, tense. Dally's gonna get hurt because of him, because of him, because of him... His eyes drift to a bottle and then back to the floor.*

We gotta get Dally.

breathe first…I want ya to be in your right mind.

I'm fine, we gotta find him.

Johnny you clearly aren’t.

It happens sometimes, c'mon, Dal's gonna be gettin' slugged.

*He follows, eyes drifting to the gun again as they left.*

*he helps him into the truck*

*he gets in, staring blanky ahead.*

Hm.