The Man

Stop.

What do you mean, stop? It was terrifying; I’m still shaking. I don’t want to be alone in this!

Just stop. Please.

I don’t think you understand. I was standing there, next to that little boulder that looks like it has a face. You know which one I mean.

Yes, but...

Please. I was standing by that boulder and enjoying the view. All I wanted was fresh air. The water was so smooth, it looked like a mirror. It was incredible, with not even a wisp of a breeze to stir the slightest ripple. I was just taking in the way the trees looked twice as tall and how the clouds made the water look as if it was littered with cotton balls. No, don’t walk away from me. I need you to listen to me! I don’t know who else to talk to.

Stop following me.

Ellie. You are my closest friend. In fact, you’re probably my only friend. I came straight here. I have nowhere else to go. 

Do you think I don’t know that? Kal, you are a special person. Truly. But I cannot be here for you in this. I’m tired. So tired. Of all of this.

But this is different. You have to believe me. It’s different, I swear!

It’s never different, Kal. Never. Please go home.

I saw him, Ellie! No, please don’t shake your head. Please don’t look at me like that. This was real! It’s all real. I wouldn’t lie to you!

You wouldn’t mean to lie to me. You have to go.

Please. He was there. He was there! On the opposite shore. He was standing beside the water, and he was staring at me. He had on that same long black coat, and it was moving in the wind. And then he wasn’t just looking, he…

You said there was no wind.

What?

Earlier. You said the water was smooth because there was no wind.

The wind picked up, then. It must have. His coat was moving, so there had to have been wind!

Kal. You need help.

I do need help! I need someone to protect me! He’s going to get me. I barely got away. He looked at me, Ellie. Straight in the eyes. I’ve never felt more exposed. He’s going to find me. I just know it! Ellie. Stop, please. No, don’t shake your head. I’m telling you the truth, Ellie! I promise. I promise. I’m not making this up. He bent down and he...what are you doing?

I’m calling the police.

What?

I’m calling the police.

I heard you. Why would you do that?

Because you need help. You need to go to a special place. 

No, I need protection. He had a gun, Ellie! A big gun! He pointed it straight at me, and then I ran as fast as I could. I just turned and ran. And then I looked back, and he wasn’t there anymore. He’s following me. Please, you have to help. Put down the phone.

Kal. I’m sorry, but there was no gun, and there was no man. 

How can you say that? You have to believe me. Please.

Kal. Look around the room. Look outside. We are in the middle of one of the safest suburbs in the area. People are walking their dogs and children playing in their front yards. The lake is always surrounded by local hikers and families out for strolls. There is no way a mysterious man in a long black coat with a big gun would casually be hanging around. Last week you saw him on the bus. The week before, you saw him on that corner down the street. When will you understand that there is no man? I’m sorry, Kal. Really truly. Please. Don’t cry. Here, I’ll put down the phone. See? I don’t want to hurt you, I swear it. I want to see you get better. No, don’t cry. Do you need to sit? Let me get you some tea.

I’m not sick, Ellie! I’m not making this up. He was there! He had a gun, and he is after me!

Kal, I don’t know what to tell you.

I need to leave town.

I couldn’t understand you. Say that again. Take a breath. Do your best to calm yourself.

I need to leave town. He’s going to keep following me. I need to go somewhere else. Will you come with me?

I’m not going anywhere. This is my home.

But you’re not safe either. He’ll get us both. Any day now, I’m sure of it. We have to leave!

Kal. Let’s try to ground ourselves here.

I don’t need to ground myself! We don’t have time. I don’t have time. He’s coming!

What are five different things you see around the room?

I don’t need to ground myself, Ellie! I’m tired of no one believing me. I’m tired of being scared all the time. I’m just so tired.

Okay. Well, maybe I need some grounding. Let’s calm down together—just five things. I’ll start. I see white curtains behind the couch. Your turn.

Okay. If you think it will help you, that’s fine. I see Max cleaning himself in the hallway. His coat is black, just like the man’s coat.

Let’s not talk about the man for a minute. I see my fiddle leaf fig in the corner, soaking up the sunlight.

I see my shoes, sandy from the lakeshore where I saw the man.

Kal, please.

Fine.

I see the tv on the wall over the fireplace.

I see the man walking up to the front door.

Kal! Stop!

Ellie! I see the man walking up to your front door! He’s here! Ellie, please! Call the police! Where did you put the phone? Ellie? Ellie!

There’s a man outside my front door.

Please, we have to call for help! We have to leave! Ellie! 

He’s standing there staring at us. He’s wearing a long black coat. Oh my god.