rock on the ground in frustration and begins pacing around Charlie .)
CHARLIE
( Charlie awkwardly tries to change the subject .) There ’ s a lot of things I wanted to do . I always dreamed of being an astronomer . My teacher said I was too stupid , though . And I wanted to meet a guy , start a family . Watch my baby sisters grow up . I wanted … to be in a play , to read all the classics . I know , weird things for a “ self-centered , stupid jock ” to wish for . Going in a cave was also on my bucket list . Guess I got to do that one . Are you gonna talk at all ? Because this is kind of uncomfortable and I can ’ t tell if you passed out . What did you want to do in your life ?
NOAH I ’ m almost done writing a book . I want to publish it . I want to go to Italy . I want to experience having a real best friend . It ’ s not that I ’ m quiet , you know . My mind is so loud , I can barely ever get a word out .
What do you mean , “ loud ”?
CHARLIE
NOAH It ’ s just … layers and layers of annoying sounds . Like a steam wand in a coffee shop , and a spoon in a garbage disposal , and a fire truck , all creating a cacophony of doubts and fears and I ’ m too lost in there to speak .
CHARLIE That sounds exhausting . My mind is like …
( Charlie looks around .) … actually , kind of like this cave . A hollow kind of quiet , where whatever I tell myself echoes over and over again .
NOAH Wait , but why did you listen to that teacher that said you couldn ’ t be an astronomer ?
CHARLIE It wasn ’ t just her . My mom felt bad , but we both knew I wouldn ’ t have time to do well in school , taking care of all my siblings all the time . My mom put me into soccer to try to “ channel my anger .” I was constantly missing practices and games . The team let me hang out with them , but I was never really accepted by anyone .
NOAH