I want to say no, but I agree anyway

Full dialogue

1. The evening before a day off. A message arrives from the manager: “There’s no one to work tomorrow. Can you cover? You’d really help us out.” The reply field already says: “Yes, of course.”

2. Red puppet

   Wait. We’ve been dreaming all day about not having to get up to go anywhere tomorrow.

3. Blue puppet

   I see that. But there really is no one to work.

4. Red puppet

   And we really have no energy left. We didn’t even manage to have a proper dinner today.

5. Blue puppet

   It’s one day. We’ll rest afterwards.

6. Red puppet

   When? Our next day off is already taken. We promised that to someone too.

7. Blue puppet

   If we say no now, they’ll have to find someone else. Someone might get called in at the last minute.

8. Red puppet

   We’re being called in at the last minute too.

9. A brief pause.

10. Blue puppet

    I like that people count on us.

11. Red puppet

    So do I. But the message only just arrived, and we’ve already typed “of course.” We didn’t even check what we have planned tomorrow.

12. Blue puppet

    We know what’s planned tomorrow. Nothing special.

13. Red puppet

    Rest. Does there have to be something special to say no?

14. Blue puppet

    Try writing: “I can’t, I want to stay home.” How would that sound?

15. Red puppet

    As though I have a day off?

16. Blue puppet

    As though everyone is struggling, and I’m choosing comfort.

17. Red puppet

    But I’ve covered several times already. Would saying no once cancel all of that out?

18. Blue puppet

    I don’t know. I just remember them saying at the meeting that they can always rely on us. That felt good.

19. Red puppet

    For me too. Now it’s hard to say no and keep that true.

20. A pause.

21. Blue puppet

    How people see you at work matters. A lot depends on it.

22. Red puppet

    I understand. I need this job. But so far the manager has only asked. And we’re already imagining they’ll stop valuing us if we say no.

23. Blue puppet

    Maybe nothing will change. But I’ll still have to go in afterwards and face everyone.

24. Red puppet

    And if we agree, we’ll turn up tired. We’ll feel irritated and wait for someone to at least notice what it costs us.

25. Blue puppet

    We can hope they’ll notice.

26. Red puppet

    Last time they said “thank you” and moved on. And I spend the whole day feeling angry. Even about ordinary requests.

27. Blue puppet

    Because we want them to understand: we’re not simply free with nothing else to do.

28. Red puppet

    But the reply says “Yes, of course.” How would they know?

29. Both puppets fall silent for a moment.

30. Blue puppet

    I don’t want to look like someone who counts every extra minute.

31. Red puppet

    But I already do. Just silently. I remember how often I help out, how often I stay late. Then I wait for it to come back to us someday.

32. Blue puppet

    Sometimes it does. People accommodate us too.

33. Red puppet

    Yes. That’s why I’m unsure. I want to help. But today, when the message arrived, my first thought was: “Not this.”

34. Blue puppet

    And then: “We can’t let them down.”

35. Red puppet

    And it already feels awkward even to think about how I’m feeling.

36. A pause.

37. Blue puppet

    Honestly, I want to be the person they choose first. The one they trust.

38. Red puppet

    And sometimes I want them to ask first whether we have the energy.

39. Blue puppet

    Maybe that’s why they wrote “can you”?

40. Red puppet

    Maybe. But I read it as “we’re counting on you.”

41. Blue puppet

    So do I.

42. A brief pause.

43. Red puppet

    Remember when someone else said no recently? They just said tomorrow wouldn’t work.

44. Blue puppet

    I remember. They went on looking.

45. Red puppet

    We didn’t stop respecting that person.

46. Blue puppet

    No. But when I say no, I feel I need to explain every last detail. And preferably have a reason no one can argue with.

47. Red puppet

    And tiredness doesn’t seem like that kind of reason.

48. Blue puppet

    Not even to me.

49. The phone screen lights up again.

50. Red puppet

    The reply hasn’t been sent yet.

51. Blue puppet

    I know. I keep thinking about how to write it so no one is disappointed.

52. Red puppet

    And I’m thinking about how to wake up tomorrow without feeling angry if we say “yes” again.

53. A pause. End of scene.