The Ugly

"John. You're back. Did you take care of it?"

"No."

"You need to care of this. She's getting out of hand."

"I couldn't do it. She was... I just couldn't."

"Whatever, John. I knew you would back down. You're weak. You always were. And that's why you need me."

"I. Don't. Need. you."

"You need me, John. I'm part of you. Now, I thought we settled this. What happened?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"John, I understand more than you think. You need to..."

"No! Damn you! no! I don't want to do it! You don't understand. Go to hell!"

"John? Come back here. John?"

***

"There you are. I knew you'd be back. Don't look that way, John. Come on. Talk to me."

"She's so... The way she looks at me. I... I can't."

"I know the problem. Same thing every time. They are all that way, at first. Then they change. They try control you. They try take you away from me."

"I just don't know."

"What?"

"I can't do this anymore."

"There is no reason to DO it anymore. It's what I've been telling you over and over all these years. You do it to yourself. Then here you are. I have to bail you out every single time. Honestly, John, I'm getting tired of this."

"Then go away and leave me the hell alone."

"Oh yeah, that would work so very well. Where would you be without me?"

"Better off."

"You would be stuck with Clair. Don't look at me that way. I saved you from a life of misery, John. She hated you. She was ugly."

"I loved her."

"John, she was using you. You're so blind. You never see it. I didn't liked the way she looked at me. And this new girl is the same way. Standing here, staring at me. Primping for hours and hours. Admiring her disgusting body. Makeup. Hair. Clothing. There's no end to it."

"It's all about you isn't it? It's always been about YOU and what YOU want. What about me? What about what I want?"

"Alright. Alright, John. That's fair. Tell me. Tell me about what you WANT, John."

"Forget it. I don't like it when you take that tone with me."

"Fine. Leave."

***

"You're back. Are you ready to listen now?"

"What I want... Look at me. What I want is someone who will listen. Someone who genuinely cares about me."

"John, I have always cared about you. From the moment you were tall enough to see over the sink, I have been here for you. I was with you through your acne years, when you first picked up a razor to shave, every day when you brush your teeth, and when you were getting ready for your first date. I was here, John. I will always be here. I care about you. John, don't cry. Really, it's all right. I'm sorry about earlier. You're right. I wasn't listening about your needs. You can talk to me. I just don't want you to get hurt again. Let me help you through this before you get hurt. And you know she will, John. She will hurt you."

"I don't know what to do. I'm scared."

"I know. But you've done this before. You can do it again. It's not hard, John. It's easy."

"Yeah. Yeah. You're right. It is easy.

"There you go. Relax. Smile. That's a good smile, John. Smile at her like that, and she won't suspect. Remember, it's all in the wrist. Just let go. You can do it."

"I hate her face."

"Yes, she is ugly. She's nothing without all that makeup."

"Disgusting makeup."

"And that hair, John, long and silky. Think of how hideous she will look without it. Yeah, that's right. That's the smile I remember. Now, go. Down to the basement. Get the bag. Go to her. Stop her before she hurts you. Go!"

***

"Well, that was quick! I see you have the hair. Hold it up so I can see. Yes, so disgusting. How was it, John?"

"Like always."

"Oh come now, I'm sure you are dying to share the details. Please tell me? Let me see the hammer. Oh, what a mess! I bet it was horrific. Now tell me, John. Is she so beautiful now?"

"No. She's ugly. Just like Clair. Just like all the others."

"Did you look inside?"

"Yes."

"And you saw the ugliness, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"See? It's just like I always tell you. It's only superficial. Once you look past all that, the hair, the makeup, the clothes, the skin, they are ugly inside."

"Yes, you're right, they are."

"Now, I've saved you once again. You know I was right. Don't look that way. You did the right thing, John. Just please, don't let this happen again."

"Oh, I won't. I'm going to end it right now."

"What? John?"

"I told you. I can't keep doing this. It has to end. You have to go."

"What? What are you doing? John? No, put the hammer in the bag. Take it down to the basement. Hide it."

"You don't understand. I've seen too much of the ugliness. I'm tired of looking for it. They are all ugly inside. I know that now. I've seen it. I don't want to look for it anymore. I never want to look again."

"John, think about what you are doing. Put it back in the bag. Hide it. Think about what you're doing. You still need me. You can't live without me, John"

"You don't get it, do you? You taught me how to find the ugliness inside them. Now I can see it inside you. I have to destroy that."

"No, John! You can never destroy me. I'll always be here. Everywhere you go. When you pass by a window, in the bathroom, inside the clothing store. I will be here, John, looking back at you. One day, you will need me again, and I will be here."

"Goodbye."

"John! NO!"