IN THE LINE OF DUTY (A short Science Fiction play) copyright 1991, all rights reserved

 EXPLANATION-- THE SETTING IS THE NEAR FUTURE. AARON ANDERSON, AN ASTRONAUT HAS THE CHANCE TO GO ON THE FIRST MISSION TO ANOTHER STAR, THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE HIS FAMILY BECAUSE THE JOURNEY WILL TAKE OVER FIFTEEN YEARS EVEN AT THE INCREDIBLE SPEEDS THE SPACECRAFT WILL TRAVEL IT IS THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME. IN THIS FUTURE SOCIETY IT IS ACCEPTABLE AND EXPECTED THAT HE WILL LEAVE HIS FAMILY. SIMILAR TO THE SOVIET UNION THIS NATION SELECTS ITS BEST AND BRIGHTEST AND PUTS THEM IN TRACKS FOR LIFE.

 

AARON IS A NATIONAL HERO.HERE HE IS TALKING WITH HIS PSYCHOLOGIST WHO IS IN FACT SECRETLY HIS BEST FRIEND. DR. FITZMAN IS ABOUT FIFTY-FIVE WHILE AARON IS ONLY THIRTY-FIVE. THEIR LONG FRIENDSHIP IS A SECRET BECAUSE THERE IS CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN AN ANALYST AND HIS PATIENT EVEN IN THIS WORLD THAT IS RESPECTED. IF THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND THE UNPROFESSIONAL NATURE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WERE FOUND OUT, THEY WOULD NEVER SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN.

 

AARON HAS A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE.

 

(Lights rise on Dr. Fitzman's office. Aaron lies back in a

reclining chair)

 

(Dr. Fitzman is seated in a straight-backed chair)

 

Aaron: "Try to understand. I want to be part of the future."

 

Dr.Fitzman: "Are you sure you don't want to be the future? Isn't it too big you,for all of us? Of course you'll be part of the future no matter what-- that's not the problem, is it? What is the real truth that your so fond of seeing up there in the spaces between stars and the shadows the sun leaves on cold metal."

 

Aaron rises, walks around)

 

Aaron:"But this way I can be the future, the real future.

Can't I? My heartbeat will be slower than the passing of Earth

days. My breathing will be slower than that. Time will sleep while I do."

 

Dr.Fitzman: "Will it really? I'm not so sure time ever sleeps, Aaron. So what will be one more crowning achievement or just be a drop in the bucket? What's really important to you here. By the time you get back it might just be cooling radioactive dust waiting for you. And then there's that little boy of yours. He's here now isn't he-- right here in your life. Are you planning to give that up. But then you could go zipping of to the stars. It'd be a lot of fun wouldn't it? Excitement thrill, the thrill of a lifetime. But look what your leaving. Is this what you want to do?"

 

Aaron:"I shouldn't have to choose. This is everything I've

always wanted. This isn't fair."

 

Dr.Fitzman: "This is life. And if this is everything you ever wanted who is that little boy and who is that wife of yours?"

 

Aaron:"This is my dream. And besides that you know I should. No one, not even Laura, would tell me not to. Only you. And everyone out there thinks you're in here telling me to do it. Its so funny. Its a riot, isn't it?"

 

Dr.Fitzman: "I'm not laughing and neither are you. Are you? You don't seem to be. Think of what you'll be missing out on. Family vacations. Tony growing up to be a man. And if you think you have dreams-- well wait 'til you hear his. It'll be like his first words all over again. Believe me I know. I know."

 

Aaron:"I could leave her. She'd forgive me, probably already has or did it when we met. I don't know. I don't know how to know anymore. It was easy before. I could see things the way they do. It was all so damned clean, antiseptic, academic. Now look at me."

 

Dr.Fitzman: "I am looking at you. I'm looking at a man. Now get out of here-- its time to choose. Make up your mind. Good luck."

 

(Aaron stands in doorway)

 

Aaron: "Thanks. Goodbye, maybe forever, maybe not. Let's see how the cards fall. I think I know already, but I will for sure before I'm out the door. Gee and I remember the first time I heard him Cry too. Jesus it was loud...and beautiful too. Goodbye."

 

(steps out door)

 

Aaron:"Hello."

 

(pauses, then yells out)

 

Aaron:"Hello!"

 

(end of scene)