BEN & ANDRÉ
Quantum love and dark humor.
By Benjamín Gavarre Silva
© BENJAMÍN GAVARRE SILVA
Please contact this address for production inquiries
or permissions: gavarreunam@gmail.com
"An actor who remembers every lifetime, and a
philosopher who tries to explain chaos with logic. Across infinite versions of
Earth, Ben and André are destined—doomed—to meet. BEN & ANDRÉ (Quantum
Anomaly) is a journey through the cracks of reality where love is the only
constant that survives the collapse of time. A glitch in the system? In this
piece of fragmented realities, Ben hopelessly follows André through dimensions
where 'coffee' (the drink) doesn't exist, names mutate, and the universe
pixelates, proving that even in the strangest anomaly, some presences are
impossible to forget. Earth 0, Earth 1, Earth 2... the setup shifts, but the
pull remains. Through sharp dialogue and quantum leaps, the author presents a
play where time is a map that lies and memory is the only bridge over the abyss
of uncertainty."
CHARACTERS
- ANDRÉ: Philosopher, 38 years old. Analytical,
skeptical, and effortlessly untidy in an elegant way. He is the anchor of
logic in a crumbling universe; a man trying to explain with reason what
can only be felt with memory.
- BEN: Actor, 25 years old. "The Traveler".
Cynical, passionate, and vibrant. He carries the weight of a thousand
lifetimes and the knowledge of every Earth. He is the quantum anomaly who
insists on loving André, over and over again, through time.
ACT ONE
SCENE 0
EARTH 1
(Indifference)
(A gray city street. Traffic noise. The lighting is
flat and cold. ANDRÉ walks with a newspaper tucked under his arm. BEN walks in
the opposite direction. Their shoulders brush as they pass each other. Neither
stops. No eye contact. The world keeps spinning as if nothing happened).
SCENE 0.1
EARTH 1
(The Map)
(The same street, but with a slightly warmer light.
ANDRÉ is waiting at a bus stop. BEN approaches, looking lost).
BEN
(A bit rushed)
Excuse me, do you know which bus takes me to Lieja
Street?
ANDRÉ
(Without taking his eyes off his newspaper, points a
dry finger at a metal sign right in front of them)
The map is right there. Exactly twelve inches from
your nose.
BEN
(Awkward)
Ah. Right. Didn't see it. Thanks for the... kindness.
ANDRÉ
(Dry)
Don't mention it. That’s what maps were invented for.
(BEN stares at the map, annoyed. ANDRÉ gets on the bus
without looking back at him).
SCENE 0.2
EARTH 1
(The Setup Said Yes)
(A pedestrian street. ANDRÉ is walking slowly. BEN is
right behind him. Both stop at the exact same time in front of a bookstore
window display. They look at each other).
BEN
(With a strange familiarity)
I feel like I owe you an apology, but I don't even
know what for.
ANDRÉ
(Puzzled)
Funny. I feel like giving you a sarcastic comeback,
but I just don't have the energy.
BEN
(Smiles)
I'm Ben.
ANDRÉ
André. Heading downtown?
BEN
Wherever, André. I feel like if we walk down the same
street, the world will stop vibrating in this weird way.
(They start walking together, chatting quietly as they
disappear into the distance. It is the quiet beginning of the first romance).
SCENE 0.3
EARTH 1-2
(The Glitch)
The Anomaly
(A bookstore-café. ANDRÉ has a stack of books and a
cup of coffee loaded with sugar cubes. BEN has a cup of chai tea. There is a
vibrant complicity between them).
BEN
I love how you skim through the books you’re about to
read while drinking coffee... or in your case, your daily dose of sugar with a
splash of caffeine.
ANDRÉ
(Laughing)
Yeah, yeah, you're hilarious. What I don't get is how
you can actually drink that green tea. It smells like a dusty old pharmacy.
It’s... very healthy, I guess.
BEN
At least my calorie intake isn't a direct assault on
my pancreas. Look, one more sugar cube and that cup is going to become
sentient...
&&&&&&&
*
´+*
$%&/&”!!!
(Suddenly, a metallic hum vibrates through the air.
The lights flicker violently. Reality "pixelates" for a second. A
sound like cracking glass is heard. BEN shuts his eyes tightly. When he opens
them, the light is colder and sharper).
BEN
(Dizzy)
Did you see that? It was like a flash of lightning...
André, are you okay?
ANDRÉ
(Looks at him blankly, holding a glass filled with a
thick green liquid)
Lightning? The sun has been out this whole time. And
why are you calling me that?
BEN
(Confused, staring at the glass)
Calling you what? And where's the coffee? What is that
green smoothie?
ANDRÉ
It’s my spinach juice. For my triglycerides. And you
called me "André"—just like that, with the fancy accent on the
"e", like you’re some French count or a high-end Beverly Hills
stylist. My name is Andrés.
BEN
Andrés? But you absolutely hate being called Andrés.
You say it sounds like an accountant.
ANDRÉ
(Frowning)
An accountant? I'm an ethics professor, Benjamin. And
stop making up weird words. What on earth is "Caffeine"? Sounds like
rat poison.
BEN
(Stunned)
What do you mean, what is it? Coffee, caffeine... Duh.
The stuff in coffee. You were literally just drinking coffee... with a mountain
of sugar.
ANDRÉ
That milk of magnesia chai tea of yours has officially
rotted your brain. What's next? Are you going to tell me the sky is green?
BEN
(Looks at his cup: the tea is now a thick, chalky
white)
Magnesia! But we were just drinking coffee... André,
listen to me!
ANDRÉ
(Becomes serious, slightly offended)
You're still doing it. "André"... it sounds
so pretentious, so fake. You actually creep me out a little when you get all
"artsy" like this. I’m getting the check.
(ANDRÉ raises his hand. BEN stares down at his cup of
milk of magnesia. He looks at the books: the titles are written in a bizarre,
shifting alphabet. The journey has begun).
SCENE 4
EARTH 3
(The Aquarium)
(An aquarium submerged in a deep cobalt blue light.
The constant bubbling of water is heard. BEN is standing in front of a massive
tank, rehearsing with exaggerated theatrical projection. ANDRÉ is sitting on a
nearby bench, reading).
BEN
(Shouting at the tank)
"Because... what is reality, but a bad rehearsal
for a premiere that always gets canceled?!"
ANDRÉ
(Without looking up, sharp)
Hey, actor... take it down about three notches with
that loud voice. You’re not in your living room.
BEN
(Stops. Stares at him with an uncomfortable intensity)
Up close, your eyes are even more expressive. You have
the eyes of someone who has already forgotten me.
ANDRÉ
(Stunned, but flattered)
You have no filter. I think I like that.
BEN
We knew each other from other Earths. In one, you were
a blue-eyed monk and I was the demon tempting you with forbidden fruit.
ANDRÉ
Are you always this charming?
BEN
Now your eyes are brown and you’re overweight.
ANDRÉ
(Gives a cynical chuckle)
You were doing so well, and then you blew it.
BEN
You’ll forgive me for anything I say. Even when I tell
you uncomfortable truths.
ANDRÉ
Why so confident?
BEN
I know exactly what you’re about to say, André...
you're going to invite me to a Paganini concert.
ANDRÉ
(Stays silent for a second)
How the hell...?
BEN
I just know. Time isn't a straight line, André.
ANDRÉ
That's the second time you've used my name...
BEN
There are things floating in the air... Ben... My name
is Ben.
SCENE 5
EARTH 4
(The Faculty)
(An outdoor parking lot. It's raining. ANDRÉ is
picking up some dropped books from the ground. BEN arrives with a yellow
umbrella and helps him).
BEN
Heavy to read, or just heavy to carry?
ANDRÉ
(Hostile)
Oh, great. Another one of my students. Go away before
my bad luck rubs off on you.
BEN
(Undeterred, closes the umbrella)
Your car isn't too far off, let me help you.
ANDRÉ
How do you know where my car is? Are you stalking me?
BEN
(Picks up a book, opens the umbrella, and shields him
with it)
I’m not going to let you catch galloping pneumonia,
Professor.
ANDRÉ
(Surprised)
Right, you're trying to be nice because you need a
good grade...
BEN
And you don't get involved with students.
ANDRÉ
That’s exactly what I was going to say... I don't get
involved with students. You look more like a theater kid than a philosophy
major, am I wrong?
BEN
(As they walk)
"Does the car exist even if I can't see
it?", "Why do cars and people exist?", "If we didn't exist,
what would Nothingness be like?"... If Nothingness existed, it would be something...
therefore, all of existence is a total absurdity.
(ANDRÉ stops. They look at each other).
ANDRÉ
You’re a philosopher too, Ben.
BEN
What makes you say that? Did I tell you my name?
ANDRÉ
(Confused)
I don't know. Is your name Ben?
BEN
(Smiles)
On every single Earth.
ANDRÉ
Right... Hilarious. My name is André.
BEN
Everything's going to be fine... André...
ANDRÉ
No doubt... (Pause) I have to go. I'm getting
soaked.
BEN
I told you, André, I’ll walk you to your car... you
parked it where you always do. You know you're completely predictable.
ANDRÉ
If I'm so predictable, you must know this conversation
is over.
BEN
I know. I'll catch you around.
ANDRÉ
In a play, right... I knew it.
(ANDRÉ walks away smiling. BEN closes his umbrella,
smiling too).
SCENE 6
EARTH 5
(The Pier)
(A lonely pier. Sunset. ANDRÉ runs in, out of breath.
No one is there. BEN appears from the shadows, dressed differently).
ANDRÉ
Late. I'm so sorry I'm late.
BEN
I had already left. But I'm not the same guy you know.
ANDRÉ
What are you even talking about?
BEN
You were going to stand me up...
ANDRÉ
I wasn't going to come at first, but...
BEN
Whatever... The "other" Ben left. You
wouldn't get it... You showed up late here, but on other Earths, you decided
not to show up at all.
ANDRÉ
Are you out of your mind?!
BEN
I'm leaving, but if you ever look for me, just
remember you stood me up.
ANDRÉ
Seriously, you get so weird sometimes...
(BEN walks away, humming a Paganini tune).
ANDRÉ
Are you really just going to walk away? (Pause)
I am not chasing... after... (Pause) Wow, you're actually gone. (Pause)
Forget it.
SCENE 7
EARTH 6
(The Taxi)
(Interior of a taxi. Torrencial rain. Amber light.
ANDRÉ climbs in, dripping wet. BEN is already sitting there).
ANDRÉ
Oh, sorry, I thought it was vacant.
BEN
It's not. But get in anyway. The world is sinking and
the driver doesn’t even speak our language.
ANDRÉ
(Confused)
Thanks. I'm heading to...
BEN
(Interrupts him)
Lieja and Varsovia. We're going to your apartment, the
one with that Art Nouveau lamp you absolutely loathe but can’t bring yourself
to throw away.
ANDRÉ
(Tenses up)
"We're going"? Who the hell do you think you
are? Are you following me?
BEN
I was waiting for you, which is different. Under that
suit, you’re wearing your t-shirt inside out because you think it brings good
luck...
ANDRÉ
Alright, this is a prank. My mother is behind this,
she's the only one who knows that stuff.
BEN
Your mother? That professional of hypocrisy?
ANDRÉ
Look, I'm getting out. Driver, pull over!
BEN
You don't remember it because it hasn't happened—at
least not on this Earth. Your mother is not going to like your actor friend.
She's going to treat me like total garbage.
ANDRÉ
This is literally the first time I've ever seen you in
my life.
BEN
Those glasses you wear are always the exact same
model, are they your third pair? Doesn't matter, they're always blocky and
tortoiseshell... Poor turtles.
ANDRÉ
This is... this is just a coincidence. You're just
shooting blindly into the dark.
BEN
Call it whatever you want, philosopher. But karma is a
total bitch. On the last Earth, you decided not to deal with someone as
problematic as me... you stood me up at the pier... and you never looked for
me. How about you let me tag along to your place so we can smooth things over.
Hey, at least we're sharing a cab now. Progress.
ANDRÉ
Driver!
SCENE 8
EARTH 7
(The Subway)
(Interior of a subway car. Cold, flickering light. A
muffled rattling sound. ANDRÉ and BEN are at opposite ends. Dreamlike
atmosphere).
ANDRÉ
(Hoarse voice)
I don't know why you keep staring at me.
BEN
(Slowly)
I wasn't staring at you... I was staring right through
you.
ANDRÉ
I know you...
BEN
(Laughs)
Yeah, it just clicked... you have the most trite way
of hitting on people...
ANDRÉ
You remember too.
BEN
It’s always been kind of similar. Other times on a
pier, other times...
ANDRÉ
I'm getting off at the next stop.
BEN
I know, you're going to take me with you... to your
house.
ANDRÉ
(Stands up as the train brakes)
Who told you...
BEN
Lieja and Varsovia... you know, the third floor, no
view of the street. I'm a good guy, André.
ANDRÉ
Now you're actually creeping me out. You know my
address, you know my name... Were you one of my students?
BEN
You wish. We already knew each other from before...
The world is a recurring loop, the universe is a small world...
ANDRÉ
So according to you... the universe is like a
disposable tissue.
BEN
Exactly... This is our stop.
(They step off the train together, perfectly matching
each other's pace and rhythm).
SCENE 9
EARTH 8
(The Only Face)
(On the pier, looking out at the sea. A long silence).
ANDRÉ
It's weird. I look at you and I feel like your face is
always the exact same, even if the world changes. It’s unsettling to think that
out of thousands of people, time and space somehow agree just to make this one
specific face the right one. Not any other. This one.
BEN
(Softly)
The universe is way stranger than you can ever
imagine, André. We don't choose the face. The face chooses us when we have
nowhere else to go.
SCENE 10
EARTH 8
(Trouble at Lieja and Varsovia)
ANDRÉ
I don't get why you're making such a big deal out of
this. It’s a wedding, it’s my family. You could try being nice for a change.
BEN
It’s not just the wedding: it’s the religious service
I don't belong to, it’s wearing a suit I don't own, it’s traveling to a
distant, boring place...
ANDRÉ
And it’s my beautiful family.
BEN
And it’s your horrifying family. On the last Earth...
ANDRÉ
Here you go again. On the last Earth, my mother tore
your eyes out.
BEN
Close enough... If there's one constant across
universes, it's that the Moon is close to Venus and your mother is a total
witch.
ANDRÉ
Leave the witch alone... And for your information...
the Moon is close to the three Venuses, Ben.
BEN
True, there are so many Earths now that I get confused
sometimes. All the more reason not to go to the wedding; your mother is
probably plotting to murder me so she can marry you off to a successful
banker...
ANDRÉ
Ah, yeah, she actually did mention something about a
banker... Of course, you already knew that. But don't worry, this time I'll let
you skip it.
BEN
Oh, well in that case, I'm absolutely going. I'm
heading straight out to buy a suit. Coming with?
ANDRÉ
I knew it, you are so predictable... and you’re the
one who supposedly knows every planet.
BEN
Earths.
ANDRÉ
Whatever. Let’s go.
SCENE 11
EARTH 8
(Domestic Life)
(A warm apartment. BEN is examining the lamp).
BEN
It’s unbelievable. On every single Earth, this lamp is
just as hideous. It’s the only true universal constant—the lamp and your mommy.
Love fails, governments fall, stars change, but this lamp is always grotesque.
ANDRÉ
(From the kitchen)
I happen to like it! It gives off a perfectly honest
white light.
BEN
It feels like an interrogation room, André. (He
steps closer) Come here. Let me look at you.
ANDRÉ
(Joking)
What is it now? Do I have blue eyes in this version?
Is my nose... longer? Let me guess, I have pointy Elf ears here...
BEN
(Holds his face)
No. I could get used to this face. It’s exactly the
same everywhere. It's weird that the universe insists on this slightly crooked
nose and this birthmark on your cheek.
ANDRÉ
Well, I'm a classic model, Ben. I don't go out of
style.
BEN
You are my reason to always come back: my rock, my
anchor. It doesn't matter if you're a successful professor or a broke, bitter
teacher at a bus stop... it's always you. Even if you drink your coffee
jet-black and with way too much sugar here.
ANDRÉ
It's the perfect combination. Maybe sugar didn't even
exist on your other Earths.
BEN
No. On other Earths, you were a little taller and you
were an insufferable vegan. You have no idea how much I missed this smell of
steak and caffeine, your cynicism... and your hefty bank account.
SCENE
12
THE
LAST EARTH
(The Sea of Mercury)
(A black sand beach. A heavy, dense sea of mercury. In
the sky, three Venus planets form a perfect triangle).
ANDRÉ
Look at that. The Three Venus Planets. Did you know
they're the brightest objects in the sky?
BEN
(Sad)
You've told me that already... on every single trip.
But this is just a dream, André... the last one. See this sea of mercury? If
you step into it, you turn to gold. I'm growing rigid from remembering you so
much. When you wake up, will you remember me?
ANDRÉ
You could be quite the poet if you didn't talk so much
nonsense. It’s wonderful to watch everything end... Look at that. Everything
just went dark all of a sudden.
BEN
We always end up here. But each time you know a little
less, and I’m a little more tired.
ANDRÉ
(Whispers)
I feel like if I let go of you, I'll start floating
into space. I feel like I owe you more than one lifetime.
BEN
You owe me a Paganini concert.
ANDRÉ
(Smiles)
Deal. First thing tomorrow. Paganini, seriously?
BEN
(Looks up at the three Venuses)
Stay just like that. Don't think. Just let the mercury
shine. It’ll all pass, like it always does.
(They look at each other, smiling. The glow of a
massive Moon floods the stage once more as they hold hands, and the sound of
the metallic sea swells until it covers everything).
THE
END
MULTIVERSE
TRACKING INDEX
|
Scene |
Earth |
Title |
Identity
Marker |
|
0 |
Earth
0 |
Indifference |
Strangers |
|
0.1 |
Earth
1 |
The
Map |
André
(The Beginning) |
|
0.2 |
Earth
1 |
The
Setup Said Yes |
André
(Connection) |
|
0.3 |
Earth
1-2 |
The
Glitch |
Andrés
(The Anomaly) |
|
4 |
Earth
3 |
The
Aquarium |
André
(Subtle Physical Difference) |
|
5 |
Earth
4 |
The
Faculty |
André
(Role Discrepancy) |
|
6 |
Earth
5 |
The
Pier |
Ben
(The Loss) |
|
7 |
Earth
6 |
The
Taxi |
Andrew
(Emotional Distance) |
|
8 |
Earth
7 |
The
Subway |
André (The Universe as a Tissue) |
|
9 |
Earth
8 |
The
Pier |
Ben
(The Only Face) |
|
10 |
Earth
8 |
Trouble
at Lieja |
André
(A Wedding) |
|
11 |
Earth
8 |
Domestic
Life |
Ben
(Acceptance) |
|
12 |
Last
Earth |
Sea
of Mercury |
André & Ben (This too shall pass) |
