Dynamite Blue story · Pocket Stories
Terry's Dream
Sean Terry takes the stage with the gag notebook he spent 17 years preparing. Delusion is forever.
18 scenes, 126 lines
1. Scene 1
3 linesSean Terry.
Dynamite Blue's first employee.
A man who spent 17 years preparing for comedy.
2. Scene 2
18 linesDynamite Blue office. Sean Terry is sitting at his desk. A thick notebook in front of him.
Sean Terry flips through the notebook. Again. And again.
Terry, what's that?
Comedy notebook.
17 years' worth.
...17 years??...?
I've been taking notes since my security team days...
While on patrol. Even on my days off. Even while eating.
Why... exactly?
Sean Terry closes the notebook. He looks straight ahead. Very serious.
I know that one day I'll stand on stage... Hehe
That day has come.
...What stage?
Stand-up comedy.
That mister??
Okay.
...Fighting.
Khahahaha! Just you wait!!
3. Scene 3
10 linesSmall theater. A small stage. A single microphone. People sit in the audience. The lights turn on.
Sean Terry appears. Very solemn.
I've prepared for this stage today.
I've spent 17 years preparing.
It's been since my security team days.
I jotted down jokes while on patrol. Even on my days off. Even while eating.
He pulls out a thick notebook from inside his jacket.
This is the result. Seventeen years' worth of comedy is all here.
I'll finish everything today.
I'm joking. Just five.
4. Scene 4
6 linesFirst.
Reads seriously. Lifts her head.
I wrote this, but I can't read it myself.
Look at the notebook again. Tilting it, flipping it, examining it from every angle.
I wrote this 17 years ago so the handwriting is...
I'll go second.
5. Scene 5
5 linesSecond.
Why are math books always so sad?
There are too many problems.
Silence in the audience.
...We have some distinguished guests.
6. Scene 6
7 linesThird.
I hear a lot that my jokes are like a refrigerator.
...That's lame.
Silence in the audience. Sean Terry gazes at the audience for a moment.
Everyone. I know you're holding back your laughter right now.
No one is holding back.
It's fine. The climax is still to come.
7. Scene 7
8 linesFourth.
This is so hilarious. I think I need to mentally prepare myself.
Close my eyes. Deep breath. Do nothing for 30 seconds.
Done.
A joke I made back in the security team days. Do you know what ice cream thieves hate the most?
It's Nuga Ba. Like, who would look...! That's what it sounds like. Hahaha
Silence in the audience. Sean Terry looks at his notebook, then at the audience, then back at his notebook.
I'm not impressed either, honestly.
8. Scene 8
10 linesSean Terry steps forward. Very serious.
Well. Finally. This is the last one.
Something I prepared for 17 years. Noting and re-noting since my security team days.
Honed and refined even after joining Dynamite Blue.
That's the best joke of my life.
Sean Terry slowly opens the notebook. The last page. About to read. Stops. A long Silence.
The last page is.
It was a receipt.
Sean Terry closes the notebook. He bows respectfully.
Thank you for watching today's performance.
9. Scene 9
4 linesBlackout. 5 seconds. Lights come back on.
Sean Terry appears again.
Ah.
The next performance will be in 18 years.
10. Scene 10
13 linesBehind the small theater. An empty hallway. Sean Terry sits alone. A notebook rests on his lap.
Sean Terry flips through the notebook. The last page. Something is written behind the receipt.
Security team's last day.
I got fired today. I have nowhere to go.
But on the way home from work, people were laughing. I laughed too.
Starting tomorrow, I should make people laugh.
Sean Terry closes the notebook.
Khahahaha!!
My comedy is the best, as always!!
Next time it's gotta be really funny.
18 years should be enough, right?
Sean Terry walks. Humming to himself.
In an empty hallway. Only Sean Terry is smiling.
11. Scene 11
13 linesA few weeks later. Dynamite Blue office. Sean Terry is making invitations. One by one, carefully.
It's written on the invitation. 'Sean Terry's 2nd Standing Comedy - This Time We're Really Laughing -'
Lain!
What?
Sean Terry extends the invitation.
...Again?
This one's actually hilarious.
You were the same way last time.
Last time was just a warm-up.
Lain receives an invitation. She turns back and lets out a slight sigh.
You better come!!
...Yeah.
Sean Terry stands up holding a stack of invitations. He begins placing them one by one on his colleagues' desks.
12. Scene 12
6 linesSmall theater. The audience seats are packed.
...It's completely packed.
Thank you. Sincerely.
Alright, let's begin. Here's the first act.
Do you know what number wakes everyone up?
Five. Everyone st...! That's why.
13. Scene 13
2 linesSilence in the audience. Someone in the back row quietly stands and leaves.
It's the bathroom. Take your time.
14. Scene 14
2 linesThe second gag. All three leave at once.
All three heading to the restroom together. You two are quite close.
15. Scene 15
2 linesThird joke. Five people leave.
What did everyone have today?
16. Scene 16
3 linesFourth gag. Nearly half of it's gone.
That's strange. Is the restroom at the theater smaller today?
I need to file a complaint later.
17. Scene 17
7 linesFifth joke. All the remaining audience members stand up. They all file out like a receding tide.
Sean Terry gazes out at the empty auditorium.
...Everyone's here. All going to the bathroom at the same time.
Alone on the stage. Waiting. Waiting.
...It doesn't seem like she'll come back.
She gazes at the empty auditorium once more. Her expression remains unchanged.
...That was a great performance.
18. Scene 18
7 linesBlackout. 5 seconds. The lights come back on. Sean Terry stands alone.
A bundle of invitations in hand.
Ah.
I sent invitations to my Dynamite Blue colleagues.
No one came.
Everyone seems busy.
He puts the invitation inside his jacket. Sean Terry exits.