Me and me

Present Kevin: Don’t do it.

Past Kevin: Excuse me? (turns arounds – looks around the room. Can’t see anyone speaking).

Warning past me about smoking

Present Kevin: I suggest you don’t start… smoking. It turns out to be a very wrong move for us.

Past Kevin: This is really weird. Who is speaking to me? I don’t see anyone else in the room.

Present Kevin: That’s because I’m you but… nearly 40 years down the road. How old are you now?

Past Kevin: Am I having some kind of nervous breakdown or something? I’ve heard about these things. First you start hearing voices… then you start answering them when all you’re actually doing is talking to yourself.

Present Kevin: No. You’re OK. We’ve just been given an incredible opportunity to speak to each other over the years. So? How old are you?

Past Kevin: Oh man! What the…

Present Kevin: Can you please just answer the question?

Past Kevin: I’m 25.

Present Kevin: Good! See? Was that so hard? I’m 65.

Past Kevin: Yes but… why can’t I see you. How come I can only hear you?

Present Kevin: Maybe the powers-that-be wanna spare you from seeing yourself 40 years from now. You should be thanking them. It’s not a pretty sight.

Past Kevin: But who the f***…

Present Kevin: Hey now… watch the language, will you?

Past Kevin: Listen. I’m just coming home to my apartment.

Present Kevin: You reek of cigarettes.

Past Kevin: Yeah? And?

Present Kevin: They’re gonna kill ya. If not they’re gonna do their best to make your life miserable – health wise.

Past Kevin: What are you talking about? Everybody smokes.

Present Kevin: What year is this?

Past Kevin: 1970

Present Kevin: Aaah.

Past Kevin: Aaah, what?

Present Kevin: Cigarette harm is just really beginning to be known right about now. Congress required all cigarette packages distributed in the United States to carry a health warning, and since 1970 this warning is made in the name of the Surgeon General. Cigarette advertising on television and radio was banned, effective September 1970.

Past Kevin: Oh yeah. We know all about that. Hey listen – my Mom & Dad smoke, my sister smokes, even my grandmother smokes – everybody’s fine.

Present Kevin: Give it a few years.

Past Kevin: Waddya mean?

The damage isn't instant

Present Kevin: I mean it takes a while for the harm to build up in your body, the damage to your lungs, the emphysema – the cancer. It probably won’t become apparent for another 30-40 years.

Past Kevin: Oh...I see what you’re saying. No… my family doesn’t get cancer. We have heart attacks! Ha, ha, ha.

Present Kevin: Heart attacks are funny?

Past Kevin: No – sorry. Didn’t mean that. I’m just saying we’re pretty strong and if the time comes when I feel as if cigarettes are hurting my me and my life – I’ll stop.

Present Kevin: Just like that?

Past Kevin: Yeah…why? How hard can it be?

Present Kevin: Oh… you’ll find out. Trust me. You’ll find out.

Past Kevin: What?

If only past me knew...

Present Kevin: Listen – I wish you the best of luck in everything you do in your life. I could tell you a few things and how to avoid some heartache but – all I’m going to urge you to do is quit smoking as soon as you are possibly able.

Past Kevin: Man – you’re really hung up on this smoking thing aren’t you.

Present Kevin: You would be too if you knew what I know.