The Glass Bargain

Monologue

Stop it. Just stop. I can see you lagging. I know you are watching the way my hands shake. (Pause). Why aren't you shaking? I am leaning in, and you are just standing there. You are not even blinking. You have that look. That patient, hungry look. (Pause). You want the trade. I can see it in the way you are pointing. You want the skin, the breath, the actual noise of a living room. And you are offering to take the rest. The heaviness. The kind of grief that feels like swallowing wet sand. You are telling me I can just step over the silvering and leave the sorrow here, behind the glass. You will wear it for me. You will be the one who cannot breathe. (Pause). You are smiling. Why are you smiling? You have not even moved your lips, but I can see it in your eyes. You think it is a fair price. A life for a haunting. (Pause). Just tell me. Will it actually stop? The ache? (Pause). Fine. Move aside. Let me in.