The Pillow
EMILY is sitting on a plane moving her neck and tapping her feet. She’s sitting in the aisle seat. There’s a passed-out man at the window seat.
ENTER: TOM. He motions Emily to get up so he can sit. She gets up and Tom sits down in the middle seat.
TOM: Are you alright? You look a bit... Stiff. Afraid of flying?
EMILY: No, it's my neck. (Frustrated) I use the window if I can- (motions to Tom and the man) so I can lean.
TOM: But if you can’t? Like right now?
EMILY: When I go to Germany, I have a middle seat. My girlfriend has the window so I can lay on her.
Tom holds out a neck pillow.
TOM: Why not use one of these?
Emily takes it.
EMILY: It’s for my neck? (She gives it back) I don’t want to be one of those people.
Tom puts it behind her neck.
TOM: I use one.
EMILY: (Settling into the pillow and getting dazed) You do?
Tom rolls his eyes.
EMILY: (Getting comfy) It is actually quite squishy... But I can’t just lay down--
TOM: And you can’t do bad neck things.
EMILY: (Realizing) OH MY GOD! I’m one of those people!
TOM: They also have blow up ones that travel better.
EMILY: And here I am. Sitting next to one of those people.
TOM: You are one of those people.
EMILY: (Quietly) ...I am one of those people.
The plane engines whirr, signaling the plane is taking off.
Tom looks smug as Emily is agonizing about her new comfort.
END SCENE
