135 West 26th Street 12th Floor New York, NY 10001 Tel: 212-675-9234 www.kognito.com Audition Script: Hector Age 36 Hector always considered himself a career soldier. He’s a senior explosive ordnance disposal technician in the Air Force. He’s good at his job and he’s saved countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. But lately his dedication to his military career has been wavering… and maybe it’s time for him to move on. So while he’s waiting to get sent on what will be his last deployment, he’s getting a head start by taking classes at a local college. His change in heart might have something to do with the death of his best friend, Staff Sergeant James Marshall, who was shot by a sniper four years ago while he and Hector were disarming an IED. Hector has always been quiet and reserved, but the anniversary of James’ death is approaching and he’s holed up in his apartment. Direction: In this monologue, Hector is talking to his friend Nate, a fellow veteran, about the complex emotions the anniversary of James’ death stirs up. His speech is deadpan and concrete, not overwrought; he is masking his intense pain, keeping it together in front of his buddy. If the mask slips, it is infrequently and only momentarily. NATE: ¿Quieres hablar de lo que le ocurrió a tu amigo? O sea, no pasa nada si no quieres; solo pregunto. HECTOR: (suspiro) No hay mucho que contar. (pausa) Íbamos en un convoy y vimos un artefacto explosivo... John salió para manejar el robot. Me puse a buscar una chocolatina en la mochila… Oí zumbar la bala del francotirador, miré fuera, y... John ya estaba muerto. (pausa) Pero me tocaba a mí conducir el robot. Él solo se estaba haciendo cargo porque quería anotar más horas en su hoja de servicio… Si no, me habría tocado a mí. No debería haberle dejado manejarlo. Y aqui estoy ahora, destrozado por todo el asunto. Un guerrero de verdad estaría enfadado, querría… Querría vengarse. Pero yo… Yo no soy un guerrero. Solo soy un triste don nadie. Direction: In this monologue, Hector explains what happened after his conversation with Nate. He is matter-of-fact, but his gratitude for Nate is palpable. HECTOR: Puede que él no lo sepa, pero Nate me salvó la vida aquel día cuando se acercó para hablar. Es que no veía nada por lo que vivir y… No veía ninguna solución… Pero Nate siguió viniendo a mi casa y me ayudó a darle un poco de sentido a las cosas. Me ayudó a superarlo. (respira profundamente) Eso sí, no pude dejar de pensar en John y lo que ocurrió y… Seguí bebiendo. Bebí y bebí hasta acabar dejando la universidad. De todos modos, ahora tengo un trabajo normal. Voy poco a poco, superando cada día. 2014 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved. Confidential Information. Page 1 of 1