I am a playwright. So this is how I am filtering the news of the massacre in Newtown, Conn.

“28 Dead”, Part 3
(A short play)
By James E. Garcia

(SCENE: A diner in Newtown, Conn. It’s 8:30 a.m. The normally bustling restaurant is quiet. It’s been more than a week since 20 children and six employees at Sandy Hook Elementary were massacred by 20-year-old Adam Lanza. PETER is seated at his usual spot at the end of the counter. He sips a cup of black coffee and stares out of the large plate glass window that looks out onto the city’s main street. The diner’s owner, Mary, approaches and tops off his coffee.)

MARY
(after a long pause)
What’re you looking at?

PETER
(another pause)
Don’t know. It’s a different place, Mary.

MARY
Yeah.

PETER
It doesn’t even look the same. I mean, it looks the same… but—

MARY
Yeah, I hear you. (a long beat) You gonna eat anything?

PETER
They said I can have his body today.

MARY
That’s good, isn’t it?

PETER
Not sure what to do. I suppose I’ll take him home.

MARY
Makes sense.

PETER
Funny how it took— I guess it’s not funny…

MARY
What.

PETER
Just thinking how it took him …10… maybe 15 minutes to…do what he did, but it took more than a week to bury them all.

MARY
Peter—

PETER
I know what you’re thinking.

MARY
….You shouldn’t be here.

PETER
Where should I…be, Mary?

MARY
This isn’t really the best place—

PETER
(an agonizing scream)
Why?! Where is…?!

(A couple and their two children seated at a booth across the room and an elderly couple turn shuffle and eye Peter nervously.)

PETER cont.
(collecting himself)
Sorry folks…(a loud whisper) I’m sorry…I truly am—

MARY
That’s what I’m talking about. You’re scaring me, Peter—

PETER
I know…I’m sorry…I’m—

MARY
It’s alright. I’m just worried. You really outta be talking to someone.

PETER
(urgent)
I’ve been talking to someone. I guess he just can’t hear me, but I’m talking and talking and hoping he’ll give me—

MARY
You mean, God?

PETER
No, I’m done talking to God for a while, at least. I’ve been talking mostly to Adam—

MARY
(exasperated)
He can’t..! (now lowering her voice and leaning in) You can’t talk to him…He’s gone, you’re not. (off his look) I know you know all of this…but you gotta get control of yourself, Peter.

PETER
(almost a murmur)
The thing is I’m in complete control. (a pause) Having your son murder 20 innocent kids, his mother …and all the others has way of focusing the mind.

(Mary’s right hand starts to shake. She doesn’t notice the coffee spilling from the pot she’s been holding.)

PETER cont.
You’re getting it on the floor. Let me help you —

MARY
No!

(MARY practically tosses the coffee pot onto the counter. Then, collecting herself, she notices the couple and their children nervously gathering their coats to leave.)

MARY cont.
People don’t know you like I do.

PETER
You want me to go.

MARY
I want you to be… okay. (calling to the couple, trying to keep her voice from cracking) Thank you for coming. No…No, don’t worry about the check. It’s on the house. You have a good day.

(As the family exits, the elderly man and woman at the counter rise and start to follow. The man tosses a $10 bill on the counter.)

MAN
Is he going to be alright?

PETER/MARY
Yes.

MARY
Yes…He’ll be fine. He’s just a little upset about everything… that’s happened.

MAN
Understandable. Anything we can do?

MARY
No, sir…No…but thank you. You two enjoy your day.

WOMAN
Take care, honey. It was good food.

MARY
Thank you.

(As the couple exit, Mary crosses quickly and locks the door behind them.)

PETER
(a nervous laugh)
Looks like I’m the one causing trouble now.

MARY
Peter, Adam wasn’t well. That’s not your fault.

PETER
I knew Adam was sick. We all knew. We just didn’t know how bad. We…I mean, how could anyone know? How could we imagine—

MARY
Right…So why beat yourself up?

PETER
(exploding)
BECAUSE WE DID KNOW! WE KNEW, MARY! I knew! I knew and I couldn’t stop him. I knew the guns were in the house. I knew his mother couldn’t control him. I knew…and I couldn’t bear to see him that way. (falling to his knees and weeping uncontrollably) I couldn’t bear to know! I couldn’t bear to know.

(Mary crosses to PETER and as he places her hands on his head.)

MARY
It’s alright, Peter. It’s gonna be alright…

(As Mary pats his head gently, she gazes through the plate-glass storefront window and watches a passing school bus. Heeding a red light, the bus stops for a moment in front of the diner and Mary’s eyes catch the frightened stare of a small girl looking in her direction. After a few seconds, the light changes, the bus lurches forward, but neither Mary nor the girl avert their gaze.)

MARY cont.
(a whisper)
It’s gonna be alright.

-END OF PLAY-