Thursday, 11 September 2014

Meeting Myself

(We pan into the bedroom window of Reuben's Room. Its a messy pig-stye covered in Doctor Who DVDs , Posters , and other Memorabilia. Reuben is sitting up, playing on his new phone when he's supposed to be having a lie-in like his mother told him to. He looks at the photo's of his past self on his wall . He sips from the cup of tea that is on his desk. And suddenly he spills it all over his lap, saying the worst words he could think of.)
REUBEN: Son of a Nutcracker!
(A small skinny boy in a black futuristic cape and mask is in the room.)
REUBEN: Who are you?
BOY: I'm your past self. Don't you recognize me? Scruffy long hair, bluey-green eyes, covered in sellotape from making things, dressed in a Darth Vader costume?
REUBEN: Oh.
BOY: Ring any bells?
REUBEN: Ah. Well how did you get there?
(The boy gives Reuben a what-do-you-think look)
REUBEN: David Tennant turned up?
BOY: Yeah.
REUBEN: So, I'm guessing you wanted some advice for the future. I'm guessing from those red eyes that you've just come back from school. Bully trouble?
BOY: No. Okay yes. How did you know?
REUBEN: Duh, I'm your future self.
BOY: Ieuan said that Doctor Who isn't real. I think he is.
REUBEN: Of course he is.
BOY: And he said the TARDIS will run out of petrol. But that can't happen because the TARDIS will go on forever.
REUBEN: Yes. He's still on now.
BOY: Really!
REUBEN: Yeah! Guess what! David Tennant comes back in 2013.
BOY: David Tennant leaves?! Oh no.
REUBEN: And so does Rose.
(The boy looks stroppy. He soon calms down.)
REUBEN: So you wanted advice. What do you want advice on?
BOY: Maths. I don't understand it. Mum says I still haven't learnt my number-bonds . But I don't even know what they are!
REUBEN: It's easy. One add Nine is Ten. Two add Eight is-
BOY: You sound like Mummy. What did you do to your hair?
REUBEN: I've dyed it! I did it on holiday in Swanage.
BOY: You look like a girl.
REUBEN: Says you, with your long hair! I wouldn't worry though, everyone will have it like that soon. Even Harry Potter!
BOY: I'm not allowed to watch Harry Potter because of the scary dog in Prisoner of Azbin.
REUBEN: Azkaban.
BOY: Whatever. What about other stuff in Maths?
REUBEN: Well, when you get to year Six you start learning about this thing called Algebra.
BOY: Algy bra?
REUBEN: No,  algebra.
BOY: Whatever.
REUBEN: But it puts letters and numbers together.
BOY: My worst nightmare. Except from losing my Sonic Screwdriver.
REUBEN: Don't worry, you'll get another one. A better one.
BOY: Okay then. Oh, and that's the other thing.
REUBEN: What?
BOY: Girls.
(A long pause.)
REUBEN: Ah. Well don't go out with them. Not until you're Sixteen.
BOY: But I'm only eight!
REUBEN: No way. No girls. Listen to Beth Teo! She will tell you not to have a girlfriend, but if you do it's got to last five years.
BOY: But India is so-
REUBEN: Shh!Oh yeah. I just want to say. I know how you feel about your Dad.
(He sits next to him.)
REUBEN: You don't have to be scared of him. He won't do anything. He's just a silly man.
BOY: I wish my step Dad would really be my Dad.
(A single tear drops from Reuben's face. )
REUBEN: Oh mate. He is.
(They have a long hug)
BOY: Will I be a big film maker when I'm older?
REUBEN: Yep. And you'll have a laptop and a camera, and even a TARDIS!
BOY: Cool!
REUBEN: And the best part is that you'll have friends .
BOY: Really?
(The boy is utterly taken aback.)
BOY: I don't believe you.
REUBEN: You will. I promise. And soon you'll be having a big party with them. A grown-up party!
BOY: Awesome.
(He hears the sound of the TARDIS from outside.)
BOY: Oh. I better go.
REUBEN: Just so you know , you'll be taller than Mummy soon.
BOY: Oh yeah, I forgot to say, I taught Indy to say 'Bottom'!
REUBEN: Haha, nice one.
(They give each other a high five.)
BOY: It's been great meeting you.
REUBEN: It's been good to meet you too.
(The boy starts walking to the door.)
REUBEN: Oh. And one more thing. Spend more time with Jacob. He'll be a great mate.
BOY: Okay.
(He goes to the door.)
BOY: Thank you.
(He walks out. The wheezing groaning sound of The TARDIS leaves the room. Reuben goes back to his business as if nothing had happened.)


Written by Reuben Roper, aged 13. 

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