This is a short, sexless piece in which the speaker has just learned that the listener is ending their relationship with them. Resigned to this, they have just one request:

"Use me up before you go."

--

Note for performers:

I think the character can be voiced in a variety of ways. Upset, emotional. Near tears, or simply desperate. Or more passive, stoic. They could be throwing themselves into it, or more slowly stumbling forward. My main advice is to go slowly, especially between lines. Have fun with it, to the extent that you can with such material.

The text itself mentions no gendered parts and can be performed by, and addressed to, any gender. If you would like to include gender-specific terminology, you are welcome to do so.

If you like, you can improvise sex after the final line.

As always, your performance is yours alone, and I defer to your interpretation of the text.

Thanks for reading.

--

I...

I knew this was coming.

I understand that you have to go.

You told me a thousand times that this wouldn't last.

That I wouldn't last.

And I listened. I did.

You know me. I listen to every word you say.

I'm not sure someone like you can understand the effect your words have on someone like me.

When you speak, I don't have to think.

Your voice is more convincing than my own thoughts.

I love that.

Not having to think.

My own thoughts didn't get me very far, did they?

Was there anything of me that drew you in to begin with?

Or was it the invitation of an empty canvas, greedy for an artist?

I tried to be better for you.

I tried to read the books you said were good, dress the way you liked me to dress, speak the way you wanted me to speak.

But underneath all that, I was still me.

Not good enough.

And that's all right.

I was able to forget that, for a little while, while I was with you.

That was an incredible gift. To forget my inherent weakness, and stupidity, and uselessness.

For a while I felt like a different person.

A person who might, one day, be worthy of you.

But I never was.

I understand that now.

If you feel you owe me anything after our time together, I have one request.

Please use me up.

All of me.

I don't want there to be anything left when you go.

I know in the past you've been holding back.

Now you don't have to.

Whatever it is that you want to say to me.

You can say it.

Whatever it is that you want to do to me.

You can do it.

I give you permission to do it.

I *want* you to do it.

The greatest thing I will ever do is let you use me as you like.

I don't want there to be any borders between us.

No barriers between what you want and what I can give you.

I want you to take and take and take until there is nothing.

I don't want there to be anything left for someone else to enjoy.

Not even me.

All the partners you're going to have after me will diminish you, at least a little.

Because that's the problem with strong, smart, capable people, right?

They defend themselves.

Not like me.

But, after tonight, I'll have something they never will.

I'll have seen you as you really are. With no limits.

I think that's why I was put on this Earth.

The reason I was born.

To see you like that.

I think it will be beautiful.

That's all I want to be, after this.

A witness.

A shadow.

A scar.

A memory of something beautiful that happened to me.

So please begin.

-=End=-