Lungs

Duncan Macmillan

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781849437585
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Performing Arts
• Edition: 1

'I could fly to New York and back every day for seven years and still not leave a carbon footprint as big as if I have a child. Ten thousand tonnes of CO2. That's the weight of the Eiffel Tower. I'd be giving birth to the Eiffel Tower.' In a time of global anxiety, terrorism, erratic weather and political unrest, a young couple want a child but are running out of time. If they over think it, they'll never do it. But if they rush, it could be a disaster.They want to have a child for the right reasons. Except, what exactly are the right reasons? And what will be the first to destruct – the planet or the relationship?

Lights up.

W A baby?

M Breathe.

W A baby?

M I was just thinking.

W About the future.

M We’d have to change how we live.

W The planet, use less

M no, that’s, well yes but that’s not

W okay.

M I’m freaking you out.

W Not / freaking me out.

M Completely. You thought you’d be the one.

W No.

M The one to say it, yes. To say yes, yes okay, I’m ready, yes, let’s do it, yes.

W That’s

M to put the pressure on, yes, / to try to convince me to

W pressure? Put the pressure on, I’m not a a a a

M we’re having a conversation. That’s all that’s happening. All that’s happening is we’re having a conversation.

W You’re having a conversation.

M We’re having a conversation.

W A conversation you’re starting.

M A conversation I’m, yes, that I’m trying to start.

W A conversation that you’re deciding to start now.

M Yes.

W In Ikea.

M I hadn’t planned to.

W No. Okay. Yes. Okay.

M Do you want some water / or

W that kid with the panda is staring.

M You’re hyperventilating.

W Don’t exaggerate.

M If it’s too much

W it’s not / too much.

M If it’s too much we can put it back in the box, just put a lid on it and lock it away and then later when you’re feeling less freaked out / we can

W I’m not freaked out.

M Alright fine okay.

W I’m not freaked out I’m just surprised. I’m surprised I’m thrown. Is what I am. Like from the top of a skyscraper. I’m

M freaked out.

W I’m not.

M You are.

W I’m completely freaked out yes because why don’t you ever, how can you, why didn’t you, why would you not talk to me about this / I wish you’d let me IN I wish you’d let me IN to your head. Into your fucking impenetrable fucking

M I’m talking to you now. I’m telling you now. We’re talking, we’re talking now, we’re having a conversation. When should I have

W we’re not. We’re not. This isn’t a conversation.

M Okay.

W It just isn’t.

M Okay.

W I don’t know what it is but I know for fucking certain it’s not a

M right okay okay.

W Can we at least get out of the queue? Everybody’s

M of course, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to just

,

W yes. I need a minute. Can we put it back in the box?

M There’s no rush.

W Just to

M there’s no hurry.

W Catch my breath.

M It’s a conversation.

W Have a walk or something. Ten minutes. Meet you back at the car.

M O...