AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR TEARS BY JEFFREY LO
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DREW waiting at baggage claim.
He rubs his eyes.
They are red.
DREW looks at the person next to him.
DREW:
Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m fine.
I just –
The flight was fine. Not bumpy at all or anything. Real smooth…
Are my eyes red?
Yeah.
I thought they were…
I’m fine. I’m fine.
I was just…
I was watching American Ninja Warrior.
Pause
And crying,
Yeah, I know. I was surprised when it happened to.
I mean, of course I’ve watched the show before but I haven’t really seriously paid attention to it.
And here, I was on the flight so I have nothing else going on but paying attention to the show…
And…
The thing about the show is…
It’s just a bunch of people supporting one another.
Like – intensely supporting each other.
It’s what I imagine a Crossfit gym to be like but less… scary. You know?
And I don’t know if it’s something wrong with me or just the state of the world or whatever but…
All of these people cheering each other on and supporting one another…
It got to me. I was in tears!
And sure it’s still a competition but you couldn’t see it from these athletes.
Or these crowds.
Everyone wanted everyone to succeed.
Starts to tear up.
And it was just nice… you know?
You don’t see that anymore…
Beat
In one episode, there was this 23 year old guy who was a teacher in Parkland, Florida.
Yeah, that one. Apparently he saved 30 kids’ lives during that school shooting
And here he was – just wanting to bring some joy to the school –
A ton of his teacher colleagues were there SCREAMING for him.
Just going BANANAS.
…
AND HE DID WELL.
All of that put together,
On the flight,
I just lost it.
Full on ugly crying at this point.
Oh god, it’s happening again.
I’m so sorry.
Spots his luggage.
Oh that’s mine.
Grabs his luggage from the belt.
Wipes his face of the tears all over his face.
Umm…
Yeah. I’m gonna grab a LYFT.
Nice to meet you.
DREW exits.
END OF PLAY.