EarWyrm
EarWyrm
Cadence
A couple tries to keep their relationship alive while undergoing a difficult surgical procedure.
Performed by Denise Simone and Joel Vilinsky
Written & Produced by Matt Musgrove
Music by Tess Makena
Co-editing by Cherron Arens
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If you enjoy stories please follow us!
EarWyrm.org
Instagram
Twitter
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/EarWyrm)
CADENCE
by Matt Musgrove
The opening dialogue can be playfully improvised.
EVEE
Just hold still.
ADEN
Oh right, thank you, that's what I
need to do. You know exactly what I
need.
EVEE
Well, your hands are shaking.
ADEN
Well, they're not supposed to.
EVEE
First time doing this procedure?
ADEN
Feels like it.
EVEE
Jesus, I've never seen you shake
like this before.
ADEN
You must be special.
EVEE
Uh huh. I'd help calm you down, but
I can't see what you're doing right
now.
ADEN
It's better if you don't know.
EVEE
Well that makes me super
comfortable.
ADEN
I've made the incision.
EVEE
(very uncomfortable)
Oh -- okay. You already did it?
ADEN
Yeah.
EVEE
Does it look bad? I mean, what does
it look like? I'm -- is --
it's fine, I'm fine.
ADEN
You're very fine. Everything's
okay. It's not the incision I'm
worried about.
EVEE
What?
ADEN
This area above your collar bone -
looks like it's been -- and I could
be wrong - but it looks like some
sort of...Danger Zone?
EVEE
You're the worst.
ADEN
No, my professional opinion is you
need to be careful with this area,
you could get extremely turned on.
EVEE
(laughs)
Uh huh, keep talking cowboy.
Beat
ADEN
Don't go. Please.
EVEE
Why do you do that? Everything was
light and flirty and fun, then the
guilt trip. We've talked ad nauseam
-- you have to be okay with this.
You'll be fine. The kids will be
fine. We've prepared, we've talked
- I know. This isn't my first
choice. But the tired cliche "shit
happens" is at our door and you
have to be okay with it. Let's just
chill and enjoy this little time we
have, here, now, please?
ADEN
You understand where I'm coming
from right?
EVEE
Yes. I get it. And I hate to say it
but it's a little selfish.
ADEN
Selfish? You're my
[wife/husband/partner].
EVEE
And you need to be okay with being
alone. You have to stop. I'll be
fine. My parents will be there if
anything goes wrong. So. Let's --
(breathes out)
Blank slate. Look at me.
(beat)
Hi.
ADEN
Hi beautiful.
EVEE
(warmly)
That's better. And you're a liar, I
don't even have my wig and makeup
on.
ADEN
Doesn't matter.
EVEE
(Smiling)
Don't.
ADEN
Well it's true.
EVEE
And you're too sweet.
ADEN
You are.
(beat)
Does it hurt when I do this?
EVEE
No, it feels okay.
ADEN
And that?
EVEE
Nope, I don't feel anything.
ADEN
That's good.
EVEE
Alright you can kiss my neck if you
want. No one's here...
ADEN
Keep it professional sweetie.
EVEE
Oh I need to keep it professional?
Mr. Danger Zone.
ADEN
Uh huh.
EVEE
And Doctor patient fantasies are
your favorite...
ADEN
Stop.
EVEE
Come on, we've watched --
(beat)
Okay, wait. Before you do that --
(nervously exhales)
Now I'm feeling weird. Just give me
a sec. Okay you can hold my hand
now.
ADEN
Only when you're ready.
EVEE
Mh hm. Go ahead.
A hum of a machine.
EVEE
(exhales)
I don't like this.
ADEN
It's okay sweetheart. Keep those
hazel eyes pointed up. Don't look
down.
EVEE
I can't.
ADEN
Remember when we gave blood after
9/11? You were a champ with that
needle.
EVEE
(smiles)
I was quite proud of myself. YOU,
on the other hand, passed out.
ADEN
There you are. There's that smile
and relentless digging I've grown
to love. No. I was woosey, that's
all. I felt woosey, how many times
can I say woosey for you to
understand the non-pass-out state I
was in was woosey. The nurse, or --
are they? Are they nurses?
EVEE
I think they're volunteers.
ADEN
She immediately unhooked me, after
I filled half the damn bag.
Evee laughs.
ADEN (CONT'D)
It's not funny. A grown ass adult
with a juice box and half a pint of
blood missing. And they threw it
away. 'Cause I didn't fill the
stupid thing? It's not right.
EVEE
It was perfect. You were nauseous
and dizzy, and I saved a life.
ADEN
Yeah yeah.
(long beat)
I took you for granted.
EVEE
Why do you say that?
ADEN
Throughout my thirties. Definitely
in my twenties. I was always
looking ahead at my career and
challenges, and the kids. It's hard
to know the value of what you have
when life's on autopilot. But
that's what you do -- that's what
you have to do. You have to look
ahead. Because you were always
there. The bad, the good.
(beat)
Maybe I didn't take you for granted
-- I don't know what I'm trying to
say. I'm boring myself just talking
about it --
EVEE
No this is good.
That right there, was the most I
think you've ever opened up to me --
ADEN
Now it's too late.
EVEE
(laughs)
And now it's too late.
The machine sound powers down.
ADEN (CONT'D)
Well, that's it.
EVEE
Look at that. I survived.
(beat)
Okay, now what're you doing?
ADEN
You know what I'm doing.
EVEE
Please just walk me through it.
ADEN
Needle and sutures.
EVEE
Ugh, the needle.
ADEN
I need to let go of your hand for a
second okay?
EVEE
(uncomfortable)
Mhh.
ADEN
(beat)
I know. Just for a second.
EVEE
It doesn't hurt. Just feeling
vulnerable.
ADEN
Breathe.
EVEE
I can't.
ADEN
I'm talking to myself.
EVEE
Dork.
(Beat)
Thank you for doing this for me. I
know this must be excruciating.
ADEN
Yeah it's pretty rough. But you
wanted me to do this before you
left. So, here we are. The hardest
thing I think I've ever done in my
life.
(beat)
No biggie.
(frog in throat)
Well, I uh, I'm done. Thanks for --
coming in.
(breaking)
I can attempt to do your nails,
hair, and makeup, it's not my forte
but I can do a bang up job at
making you look like Ru Paul --
EVEE
(laughs)
Oh sweetheart, I'll keep my
dignity, thank you. You can give me
a foot rub though --
And this isn't the last time.
I'm not leaving till tomorrow. We
still have the going away
celebration.
ADEN
The last time it's just us.
EVEE
I love you. Don't let this destroy
you. Let's say I decide to come
back in a few years. Would I want
to see you unhealthy, depressed,
peeing into bottles, surrounded by
cats? Would you want that for me?
ADEN
I know, I'd want you to be happy
and live an amazing life.
(sniffs)
You know I do this for a living
right?
EVEE
Then do it. Psychiatrists see other
psychiatrists, doctors see other
doctors, funeral directors --
ADEN
I know.
EVEE
Just because you're an expert
doesn't make you immune. Please
listen to me on this, listen to
yourself. Go see someone okay?
ADEN
I know, but it'll never go away.
EVEE
No it won't. And it'll come in
waves. But you know what helped me
through my Mother's death? I looked
in the mirror and really asked
myself. "What do I want? Not you,
not the kids, not my Dad. What do I
want to do for me? Watch a movie?
Start a garden? Exercise? Be with
friends, listen to an audiobook,
play a game or puzzle? Anything for
my mental health." And I don't mean
be selfish, in any way. Once I
figured out my mental health I was
able to be there for all of you.
I did things that made me happy and
guess what. Every day I started
feeling a little better.
ADEN
I know.
EVEE
No. Stop saying "I know." Listen to
me. Do something nice for yourself.
A little bit everyday. And what a
relief I won't be there to nag you
along the way.
What would make you happy?
ADEN
Have you stay. And nag me.
EVEE
Take my hand again. Feel my cheek.
Touch my lips. I'm already gone
sweetheart. And I love you so much.
I wish I could see the funeral and
everybody there. I'm sure you
pulled all the strings to make it
beautiful. And I don't mean my
sutures.
(smiling with tears)
You want to brush my hair?
ADEN
Yeah, I'd like that.
EVEE
I'm going to go now alright?
ADEN
Okay.
EVEE
Have an amazing life sweetheart. Be
good to yourself. Keep moving
forward. And have fun for fuck's
sake.
ADEN
Yeah. I will. It just hurts.
I'll keep moving forward.
(deep breath)
You still there?
Closing credits.
