The Debt

( A bank setting, The teller is tapping on a laptop)

Teller: (looks up) Now.... Mr Owen.

(Owen approaches teller)

Teller: What can we do for you Mr Owen?

Owen: Yeah look,... it's a little hard to explain...umm.... I guess I'm really worried, because... well, I was talking with a friend yesterday... and I've found out that I... well, I owe a huge debt... and I'm trying to work out a way of paying it.

Teller: paying what ?...

Owen: The... debt.

Teller: (surprised) Oh.... you want to... pay the debt yourself?

Owen: Yes.... I just didn't realise before... that I owed this debt... or even the consequences of having it ... and well, I want to find out how much it is, and I'd like to pay it myself.

Teller: Well....umm... let see... (taps of computer) Mr Owen wasn't it.

Owen: Yes...

Teller: (still tapping) Ok... here we are,..... Number 4, Given Road.

Owen: That's right.

Teller: OK,... I've got you on the screen here (taps again).. I'll just go through your debts... (taps away again as through scrolling through listings)... (after about 10 seconds).... OK...

Owen: (Looks up, interested) Yes....

Teller: Uhh... That's... page 1! .... (he keeps on tapping for another 10 seconds while Owen waits impatiently)... (finally) Right,.... that's the total here (points to screen)

Owen: (scanning the figures on screen) Oh... OK..... is it that figure above the phone number there?

Teller: Ummm.... (pauses)...... that's not a phone number....

Owen: (shocked) Oh.... (realising) Oh..... wow.....look, I had no idea... that... That I owed so much... I mean... It's there, and it looks right,... I just had no idea that it all added up like that. I don't know how I can possibly pay that kind of debt back.

Teller: (agreeing) You know, ... you're right.... it is quite a considerable debt.

Owen: (thinking, pacing stressing) Look... there must be a way.... umm... perhaps.... perhaps I could DO something.... umm.... helping you out......mowing lawns for you on the weekend or something?

Teller: (shaking his head) No, I'm sorry, You can't pay back your debt that way.

Owen: (A little more agitated) Well, there must be a way.... something I can do .... (thinking again)... look - what if I set aside a special day each week, and came in here.... and I could bring a small amount of money each week to put in, and well,.... you could teach me... and I could learn from you, ... and even help out around here a little bit when I can.

Teller: (shaking again) I'm sorry Mr Owen, but you can't pay your debt that way.

Owen: (almost angry).... But... there must be something..... (clutching straws)... OK - what if I promise to make a really big effort to try not to get into any more debt.... to do my best to stay away from debt for the rest of my life.....

Teller: Look, I'm sorry, But you just can't pay your debt like that.

Owen: (now he's angry) But that's not fair! - You're telling me I owe this debt, but I can't pay it... and there's NOTHING that I can do to pay the debt I owe....

Teller: That's right Mr Owen, even if you could afford to pay the price - which you never could - there's absolutely no way for you to pay this debt.

Owen: But.... But... why not?

Teller: It's quite simple Mr Owen,... Your debt has already been paid in full.

end.