Last scene of the act... finally (and no, I wasn't purposefully trying to torture you).
10. A Place in Space
REUL rolls into space between planets in their orbit. BOLO is there but his back is turned. We never see his face.
REUL
One hundred twelve, one hundred thirteen, one hundred fourteen. (sees BOLO) I knew I’d find you out here somewhere!
She runs over to BOLO and hugs him tightly. He just stands there.
BOLO
Uh, hi?
REUL
It’s okay if you don’t recognize me. I know you’re disconnected and, actually, now that I think about it, you’ve never met me like this before so you wouldn’t recognize me anyway… but wow is it good to see you. (she hugs him again). I was afraid you’d disappeared.
BOLO
I’ve been here for a very long time. (beat) What’s your name?
REUL
Oh, I’m sorry. How rude. (extends her hand) I’m Reul.
BOLO (shakes her hand)
Bolo. Nice to meet you.
REUL looks around.
REUL
Space, huh? You always said you’d find a cool spot out here. It looks so real. Just what I always imagined space would look like.
BOLO
It is real.
REUL
Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that it wasn’t. It’s just so… high-resolution. I’m not used to seeing environments like that here. But then again, I’m not used to actually being in these environments myself either, so what do I know. (explores some more) I wonder how you found this…
BOLO
I made it.
REUL
You did?
BOLO
When I was logged on, of course.
REUL
You really made this? It’s incredible.
BOLO
Thanks. I wish I could remember how I did it, but I don’t have much memory right now. That’s okay though. I don’t really need it to enjoy the view.
REUL
Nope. Don’t need a thing.
They enjoy the view together.
BOLO (pointing)
See that planet out there? The smaller one that’s glowing? It’s my favorite.
REUL
You mean Earth?
BOLO
What’s that?
REUL
Ha! Um…. That’s a tough one to explain…
BOLO
Don’t bother. I probably wouldn’t remember anyhow.
REUL
It’s a nice planet. Although it’s kind of having a rough time right now. Hopefully its inhabitants figure out how to help it soon.
Beat.
BOLO
I wish I could go there.
REUL
Really? How come?
BOLO
I’m not sure really… maybe it’s because of the glow. Do you know why it does that?
REUL
I suppose it’s something to do with all of the sunlight it soaks up. It must keep radiating it even in the darkness.
BOLO
What’s sunlight like?
REUL
Mmmm… it’s … delicious. It makes you feel warm and tingly and full of life. I’d have to say, one of the best things about being alive is feeling the sun fill up your body.
BOLO
Does it make you feel real?
REUL
Yeah… it does.
BOLO
I wish I could feel real.
REUL
Why? Don’t you like it here?
BOLO
It’s fine but I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on something. Something big.
REUL
I think everyone feels like they’re missing out on something. That’s why people make places like this -- other worlds where the things that seem impossible in their ordinary realities can come true.
BOLO
Nothing impossible has happened yet to me.
REUL
I’m standing here with you. And I’m human. That’s pretty impossible if you ask me.
BOLO
No offense, but it doesn’t make me feel any different. I mean, I’m happy for your company, but I’m still here and Earth is still way over there.
A beat.
REUL
You know, I think I’m mad at you.
BOLO
Why?
REUL
You created this amazing place in space and you never once brought me, your best friend in all of virtuality, here.
BOLO
You’re my best friend?
REUL
Aloe is. And we’re pretty much the same person.
BOLO
Aloe… sounds familiar. Maybe she’s the one I made this for.
REUL
You made this for someone?
BOLO
It was going to be a surprise.
REUL
What were you waiting for?
BOLO
I don’t know. Probably to finish it.
REUL
It’s not finished?
BOLO
It’s kind of an infinite project.
REUL
I suppose it would be. But I don’t think you should wait any longer.
BOLO
No?
REUL
No. I’ll bring Aloe here soon. Maybe she could help you finish it.
BOLO
It’d be nice to have some help. It’d be nice to have a best friend too.
REUL
It is nice.
A moment. REUL wanders a bit, poking around.
BOLO
I don’t mean to be impolite, but how did you get here?
REUL
Not sure, exactly. I guess I just willed myself here.
BOLO
What does that mean?
REUL
It means I thought really hard about where I wanted to be and then my will kicked in and made it happen.
BOLO
But you didn’t even know this existed.
REUL
Nope. But I knew you had to be somewhere.
Beat.
BOLO
You think I could get to Earth that way?
REUL
I don’t know. I guess it depends on how much will you have.
BOLO
I’m not sure how much I have. Maybe I don’t have any.
REUL
You won’t know unless you try.
BOLO
Do you want to go with me?
REUL
Well, I have to get back sometime anyhow. Why not?
BOLO
How do I start?
REUL
Close your eyes.
BOLO
Okay.
REUL
Now picture yourself getting closer to Earth.
BOLO
It’s hard.
REUL
I know.
BOLO
I keep forgetting what I’m supposed to be doing.
REUL
Maybe you should try counting. That seemed to help me.
BOLO
Okay. Where do I start from?
REUL
How about 100? That’s always a good place.
BOLO
Okay. Here goes. (he takes a deep breath) One hundred…. one hundred one… one hundred two… one hundred three…
BOLO begins slowly moving towards Earth.
REUL
You’re doing it!
BOLO
I am?
REUL
Keep counting!
BOLO
I think I just got scared.
REUL
Why?
BOLO
It’s going to be totally different than this world, isn’t it?
REUL
Yep. For one thing there’s gravity. No flying on Earth.
BOLO
Seriously?
REUL
Unless you’re a bird. And there’s also this horrible thing called time. And there’s pain, which can be really difficult but then there’s also emotion, which can be wonderful. There’s going to be a lot for you to adjust to. Are you sure you want to go there?
BOLO
No. But I know I don’t want to stay here waiting forever to be logged back on. What if that never happens? What if I’ve been completely forgotten? I think I have to go.
REUL
Then keep counting.
BOLO
You’re coming too, right?
REUL
Yep.
BOLO
Okay. Let’s do it. (a deep breath) From one hundred four?
REUL
Okay.
REUL & BOLO
One hundred four… one hundred five… one hundred six…
They begin moving towards Earth together as they continue counting up to one hundred fourteen.
BOLO
One hundred—
An alarm sounds in the distance.
REUL
-- Wait. Did you hear that?
BOLO
What?
REUL (beginning to panic)
Something’s wrong. I can’t move.
VOICE
She’s not breathing for herself!
The alarm gets more insistent and louder.
REUL
The alarm. It’s getting so loud!
BOLO
I don’t hear anything.
VOICE
Check her blood gases! What’s her Co2? What’s her exchange rate?
REUL
Don’t leave me Bolo, I’m scared.
BOLO (grabbing her hand)
I’ve got you, don’t worry.
The alarm becomes a steady tone as the heart monitor flatlines.
VOICE
Cardiac arrest!
REUL
The stars… they’re getting so close. Can you see them, Bolo? Are you still here?
BOLO
I can see them. I’m right here.
VOICE
Heart rate absent for one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve….
End of Act I
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
scene 9 -- The Password
I'm upping the ante from now on to 12 comments (from different folks) before I'll post the next scene. There are 4 reasons for this:
1) The play is starting its ascent towards a climax.
2) While I know what happens in the rest of the play, I haven't actually finished it and I need time to write it!
3) I just added all of the cast from Stars (which Luke is directing at LT here near Chicago) so there are lots more people on the blog now.
4) I want more people to be caught up with the reading and leave comments!
Hope you think it's worth your comments!
9. The Password
SAM and ALEXANDER sit in front of the battleship game. ALEX makes a move and wins again. 3rd time. Of course he wants to play again. SAM is saved by his phone ringing (what’s the ringtone?). He goes to get it out of his coat.
ALEXANDER
You can’t answer that.
SAM
Of course I can. It’s my phone.
ALEXANDER
You said no electronics tonight.
SAM
I meant computers and TVs.
ALEXANDER
But you said electronics. And your phone is an electronic.
SAM
I’m going to answer it. It could be important.
ALEXANDER
Who is it?
SAM (looking at the number)
My friend in Chicago.
ALEXANDER (swipes the phone from SAM)
Doesn’t sound important.
SAM
Alex. Give me my phone.
ALEXANDER
You’re breaking the pact.
SAM
I’m the one who made it so I can break it. Give it.
ALEXANDER
Then that means I don’t have to follow it either, right?
SAM
Alex.
ALEXANDER
Right?
SAM
Fine. 15 minutes. But if your mom comes home early, I’m not going to cover for you. She’s the one who grounded you from the computer.
ALEXANDER
Yes! Dinorun here I come!
ALEX throws phone to SAM and runs over to the computer. SAM answers his phone. JUSTIN appears on his cellphone.
SAM
Hey.
JUSTIN
Finally. Don’t you have voicemail?
SAM
Turned it off. My mom was leaving the longest messages. Nice timing, by the way. You just spared me a fourth round of Battleship.
JUSTIN
You’re playing without me? Didn’t we used to have a pact?
SAM
Ten years ago, maybe. Believe me. There weren’t any other options.
JUSTIN
So that’s what Canooks do in their dorms. I thought for sure it’d be hockey related. If not Labatt’s and hockey related. But I guess it’s Battleship. Huh.
SAM
I’m babysitting. Otherwise there would definitely be Labatt’s and sure, why not a little hockey on the side.
JUSTIN
Canada’s the coolest.
SAM
Yeah it’s pretty cool. I’m wearing two sets of long johns today.
JUSTIN
Seriously? It still feels like fall here. Although it’s supposed to change this week. It’s so nice there are still dandelions growing.
SAM
Damn. That’s pretty nice.
JUSTIN
I know. Couldn’t believe it when I saw them. This entire field behind the museum was just covered in them.
SAM
Which one?
JUSTIN
Science and Industry.
SAM
I miss that place.
JUSTIN
It misses you.
A loud horn.
SAM
Where are you? The middle of an intersection?
JUSTIN
Downtown. On Dearborn somewhere between… Archer and (looking at the street signs) 24th.
SAM
What are you doing down there?
JUSTIN
Walking.
SAM
Isn’t that the South Side?
JUSTIN
South Loop.
SAM
Are you crusin’ for a bruisin’?
JUSTIN
It’s interesting over here. People are actually hanging out instead of rushing everywhere. It’s not sterile. Even the litter here is colorful.
SAM
Okay…
ALEX (into headset)
Are you cruisin’ for a bruisin’ Cactusman?
SAM
Nice plagiarism, Alex.
JUSTIN
Who’s Alex?
SAM
The kid. He’s playing some interactive computer game –
ALEX
DINORUN! The greatest game on Earth!
JUSTIN
Wow.
SAM
Yeah. He’s obsessed.
JUSTIN
Hey, that reminds me. I’ve been thinking about sc11oloB.
SAM
Oh yeah? Any ideas?
JUSTIN
Well, it was written in the cover of his Brief History of Time book, right? So I was thinking it probably has something to do with time travel.
SAM
Right. That’s totally it. My brother must have had a time machine and sc11oloB was the password. You’re a genius.
ALEX (into headset)
Whoa. My babysitter’s brother had a time machine!
SAM (to ALEX)
No he didn’t, Alex. Stop eavesdropping.
JUSTIN
That’s not where I was going with that.
SAM
No?
ALEX (into headset)
Nevermind. But he did have some top-secret password they’re trying to decode. “sc11oloB.”
SAM
Alex! That’s private.
ALEX
Cactusman has a score of 15,000 on Decoderkings. He can crack it for you. Can’t you, Cactusman?
SAM (to JUSTIN)
I’m going in the other room. This kid is unbelievable.
JUSTIN
On the internet there’s a social networking group for pretty much everything imaginable, right? There has to be one for time travel. Hell, maybe there’s even some game for it. Can’t you totally picture Elliot on something like that?
SAM
And how I am supposed to verify that? Google “time travel games and/or social networks” and then type this password into each of them? I don’t even know his username. I’d be looking for the next half century.
JUSTIN
There can’t be that many.
SAM
In cyberspace? Come on, it’s infinite.
JUSTIN
No it’s not. Everything comes to an end. Even the internet.
SAM
Do you have proof?
JUSTIN
www.endoftheinternet.com.
SAM
That’s an actual site?
JUSTIN
Yep.
SAM
What’s on it?
JUSTIN
Ads.
SAM
Figures.
JUSTIN
I know. When we die it’ll probably be the same thing. No heaven or hell. No reincarnation. No massive explanation. Just ads.
SAM (too seriously)
I hope not.
JUSTIN
Sorry. I didn’t really mean that.
SAM
Remember that night at the Ledge this summer? Me, you and Noelle?
JUSTIN
Of course. The night of the meteor shower.
SAM
I never told you guys this, but I… I saw him then.
JUSTIN
Elliot?
SAM
I was looking down into the pool at the reflections of all the stars and that’s when he appeared. We had a conversation.
JUSTIN
What did he say?
SAM
He said he was hanging out in the stars, looking through some huge telescope down at Earth. He said if he tuned in, he could hear what was going on here.
JUSTIN
Wow.
SAM
I know.
JUSTIN
Do you think he’s still listening?
SAM
I’m not sure. But I like thinking of him out there, just hanging in some galaxy. (beat) He always wanted to see space.
A moment.
JUSTIN
See, this time travel thing… I think there’s something there. It’d be so much easier if you could just get on his computer and look through his bookmarks.
SAM
I know but I couldn’t even figure out the password for that.
JUSTIN
Weren’t your parents going to get it hacked?
SAM
That was my idea, but they’ll never do it. They’re too afraid of what they’ll find.
JUSTIN
That sucks.
SAM
I know. Someday I’ll get my hands on it, but I can’t help but think there’s a reason I need to figure it out now.
JUSTIN
I have that feeling too. Like it’s the one missing piece that will help you understand the whole picture and after you find it, you can just set the whole puzzle aside.
SAM
I’m never going to set it aside.
JUSTIN
You know what I mean. Not forget about it, just stop trying to make sense of it all and let it be.
SAM
I’m never going to set him aside.
JUSTIN
I know, Sam. Me either.
ALEX (from the other room, into headset)
Score! Xalex wins again! (beat) No you didn’t. I got like five super eggs. (beat) The worms don’t count for anything. They’re just bonuses. (beat) Are not. (beat) Are not! (beat) ARE NOT!!! Ughh! (he throws the headset to the ground and stomps loudly next to it). Take this Cactusman!!!!!
SAM (runs to ALEX)
Alex!!! Chill dude!
ALEX (pointing to the headset)
He says he beat me and he so didn’t! I finished first! Look!
SAM
It’s just a game, Alex. Take it easy.
ALEX (picks up the headset and talks into it)
Did you hear that, Cactusman? Sam says it’s just a game. (beat) I know! (laughs hysterically).
SAM (to JUSTIN)
Oh man am I glad we were born in the ‘80s. These cyberbabies are wacked out.
ALEX (eyeing SAM)
Cyberbabies?
SAM (to ALEX)
Yes, baby. You just threw a tantrum like a two-year-old.
ALEX
Whatever. (into headset) Hey, Cactusman. Sam says we’re babies. I know!
JUSTIN
You know what’s weird?
SAM
Huh.
JUSTIN
Kids on the internet is totally an upper class thing. I’m looking around this neighborhood and all these kids are out here playing, some of them causing trouble too, but still, they’re outside. In our neighborhood there aren’t any kids outside anymore. They’re all kept sterile and indoors.
SAM
That’s sad.
JUSTIN
I don’t understand what’s happening to the world anymore. It all feels so fake.
SAM
I hear ya.
JUSTIN
You do? Even over there in Canada?
SAM
Nothing’s felt real the past seven months.
JUSTIN
No.
ALEX (yelling, very annoying)
Oh, Sam!
SAM
I should probably get going. This kid needs a lot of attention.
JUSTIN
Yeah, my battery’s about dead anyhow. Oh hey… I just realized I’m right by Chinatown. Weird Maybe I’ll get some noodles.
SAM
Grab a fortune cookie for me.
JUSTIN
Will do. I’ll give it to you when you’re home.
SAM
Three more weeks.
JUSTIN
Sweet.
SAM
Adios.
JUSTIN
Peace.
SAM walks back into the computer room where ALEX is sitting way too peacefully.
SAM (wearily)
What’s going on?
ALEX
Oh, nothing.
SAM
What’s in your hand?
ALEX
The meaning of your little password.
SAM
What password?
ALEX
“sc11oloB.”
SAM
There’s no way you figured that out.
ALEX
Cactusman did. He’s the best.
SAM
How old is he?
ALEX
Eight and half.
SAM
Yeah, I highly doubt an eight and half-year-old could have discovered the significance of this random password, let alone in five minutes.
ALEX
Well, he did.
SAM
Okay. Show me.
ALEX
On one condition.
SAM
What’s that?
ALEX
You have to tell me why you want to figure it out so bad.
SAM
That’s a tall demand for a short dude.
ALEX
Do you want it or not?
SAM
Alright. I’ll tell you why, but only if your little friend’s decoding works.
ALEX (extending hand)
Deal.
SAM (shakes)
Deal. (ALEX hands SAM the piece of paper.) Second Chance? What’s that?
ALEX (guffaws)
You’re kidding?
SAM
What?
ALEX
You really don’t know what Second Chance is?
SAM
No.
ALEX
Oh man. I can’t wait to tell Cactusman! Dude, even my parents know what Second Chance is!
SAM
So what is it?
ALEX (going to the computer)
Only the biggest thing to ever hit the internet. It’s like an entire world.
SAM
What do you mean?
ALEX
Just sign in.
SAM
How?
ALEX (points to the piece of paper)
With your user name and password.
SAM (reads the paper)
“Bolo.” That’s his username?
ALEX
It’s “oloB” backwards. And then the whole thing is the password. Try it.
SAM
There’s no way.
ALEX
All you’ve got to do is type it in. Either it’ll work or it won’t.
SAM
It won’t. (begins to type).
ALEX
You’ll see.
SAM
Now what?
ALEX
Click “enter Second Chance.”
SAM clicks. An intense moment.
COMPUTER VOICE
Welcome back, Bolo.
SAM gasps and turns off the computer immediately.
ALEX
You’re never supposed to force quit a computer like that!
SAM (dazed)
Sorry.
ALEX
Why’d you do that?
SAM
Your mom… I thought I heard her car.
ALEX
Oh. (ALEX looks out the window. SAM collects himself a bit). Nope. Not her. But she will be home soon. (ALEX tends to the computer). I’ll have to restart her and shut her down correctly or my mom will know something’s up. I’m actually forbidden from Second Chance. They have a parent lock on the program and everything but Cactusman helped me break in. I don’t know what they think is so adult about it. It’s just a bunch of people flying around and acting like kids anyhow. Are you alright? (SAM is lying on the couch perfectly still. He doesn’t respond.) Hey, you’re doing it aren’t you? The nothingness thing. You’ve got it, don’t you? What’s it like?
SAM
I don’t know. Nauseating.
ALEX
Gross.
SAM
I guess Sartre was right.
SAM sits up slowly.
ALEX
So was Cactusman. Now you can tell me what’s so important about that password.
SAM
It’s a long story.
ALEX
I’ve got time. (The sound of a car pulling into the drive.) Shoot! She’s home. (SAM starts putting on his coat). You’ll tell me next time, right? (beat) Sam?
SAM
We’ll see.
ALEX
You shook on it!
SAM
I know.
ALEX
Then you have to tell me.
SAM reaches for the piece of paper by the computer, but ALEX is too fast and grabs it first.
SAM
That’s mine, Alex.
ALEX
No it’s not. It’s your brother’s.
SAM
My brother’s dead. He killed himself seven months ago. (beat) Can I have it please? (ALEX passes him the paper). Thanks.
SAM exits.
1) The play is starting its ascent towards a climax.
2) While I know what happens in the rest of the play, I haven't actually finished it and I need time to write it!
3) I just added all of the cast from Stars (which Luke is directing at LT here near Chicago) so there are lots more people on the blog now.
4) I want more people to be caught up with the reading and leave comments!
Hope you think it's worth your comments!
9. The Password
SAM and ALEXANDER sit in front of the battleship game. ALEX makes a move and wins again. 3rd time. Of course he wants to play again. SAM is saved by his phone ringing (what’s the ringtone?). He goes to get it out of his coat.
ALEXANDER
You can’t answer that.
SAM
Of course I can. It’s my phone.
ALEXANDER
You said no electronics tonight.
SAM
I meant computers and TVs.
ALEXANDER
But you said electronics. And your phone is an electronic.
SAM
I’m going to answer it. It could be important.
ALEXANDER
Who is it?
SAM (looking at the number)
My friend in Chicago.
ALEXANDER (swipes the phone from SAM)
Doesn’t sound important.
SAM
Alex. Give me my phone.
ALEXANDER
You’re breaking the pact.
SAM
I’m the one who made it so I can break it. Give it.
ALEXANDER
Then that means I don’t have to follow it either, right?
SAM
Alex.
ALEXANDER
Right?
SAM
Fine. 15 minutes. But if your mom comes home early, I’m not going to cover for you. She’s the one who grounded you from the computer.
ALEXANDER
Yes! Dinorun here I come!
ALEX throws phone to SAM and runs over to the computer. SAM answers his phone. JUSTIN appears on his cellphone.
SAM
Hey.
JUSTIN
Finally. Don’t you have voicemail?
SAM
Turned it off. My mom was leaving the longest messages. Nice timing, by the way. You just spared me a fourth round of Battleship.
JUSTIN
You’re playing without me? Didn’t we used to have a pact?
SAM
Ten years ago, maybe. Believe me. There weren’t any other options.
JUSTIN
So that’s what Canooks do in their dorms. I thought for sure it’d be hockey related. If not Labatt’s and hockey related. But I guess it’s Battleship. Huh.
SAM
I’m babysitting. Otherwise there would definitely be Labatt’s and sure, why not a little hockey on the side.
JUSTIN
Canada’s the coolest.
SAM
Yeah it’s pretty cool. I’m wearing two sets of long johns today.
JUSTIN
Seriously? It still feels like fall here. Although it’s supposed to change this week. It’s so nice there are still dandelions growing.
SAM
Damn. That’s pretty nice.
JUSTIN
I know. Couldn’t believe it when I saw them. This entire field behind the museum was just covered in them.
SAM
Which one?
JUSTIN
Science and Industry.
SAM
I miss that place.
JUSTIN
It misses you.
A loud horn.
SAM
Where are you? The middle of an intersection?
JUSTIN
Downtown. On Dearborn somewhere between… Archer and (looking at the street signs) 24th.
SAM
What are you doing down there?
JUSTIN
Walking.
SAM
Isn’t that the South Side?
JUSTIN
South Loop.
SAM
Are you crusin’ for a bruisin’?
JUSTIN
It’s interesting over here. People are actually hanging out instead of rushing everywhere. It’s not sterile. Even the litter here is colorful.
SAM
Okay…
ALEX (into headset)
Are you cruisin’ for a bruisin’ Cactusman?
SAM
Nice plagiarism, Alex.
JUSTIN
Who’s Alex?
SAM
The kid. He’s playing some interactive computer game –
ALEX
DINORUN! The greatest game on Earth!
JUSTIN
Wow.
SAM
Yeah. He’s obsessed.
JUSTIN
Hey, that reminds me. I’ve been thinking about sc11oloB.
SAM
Oh yeah? Any ideas?
JUSTIN
Well, it was written in the cover of his Brief History of Time book, right? So I was thinking it probably has something to do with time travel.
SAM
Right. That’s totally it. My brother must have had a time machine and sc11oloB was the password. You’re a genius.
ALEX (into headset)
Whoa. My babysitter’s brother had a time machine!
SAM (to ALEX)
No he didn’t, Alex. Stop eavesdropping.
JUSTIN
That’s not where I was going with that.
SAM
No?
ALEX (into headset)
Nevermind. But he did have some top-secret password they’re trying to decode. “sc11oloB.”
SAM
Alex! That’s private.
ALEX
Cactusman has a score of 15,000 on Decoderkings. He can crack it for you. Can’t you, Cactusman?
SAM (to JUSTIN)
I’m going in the other room. This kid is unbelievable.
JUSTIN
On the internet there’s a social networking group for pretty much everything imaginable, right? There has to be one for time travel. Hell, maybe there’s even some game for it. Can’t you totally picture Elliot on something like that?
SAM
And how I am supposed to verify that? Google “time travel games and/or social networks” and then type this password into each of them? I don’t even know his username. I’d be looking for the next half century.
JUSTIN
There can’t be that many.
SAM
In cyberspace? Come on, it’s infinite.
JUSTIN
No it’s not. Everything comes to an end. Even the internet.
SAM
Do you have proof?
JUSTIN
www.endoftheinternet.com.
SAM
That’s an actual site?
JUSTIN
Yep.
SAM
What’s on it?
JUSTIN
Ads.
SAM
Figures.
JUSTIN
I know. When we die it’ll probably be the same thing. No heaven or hell. No reincarnation. No massive explanation. Just ads.
SAM (too seriously)
I hope not.
JUSTIN
Sorry. I didn’t really mean that.
SAM
Remember that night at the Ledge this summer? Me, you and Noelle?
JUSTIN
Of course. The night of the meteor shower.
SAM
I never told you guys this, but I… I saw him then.
JUSTIN
Elliot?
SAM
I was looking down into the pool at the reflections of all the stars and that’s when he appeared. We had a conversation.
JUSTIN
What did he say?
SAM
He said he was hanging out in the stars, looking through some huge telescope down at Earth. He said if he tuned in, he could hear what was going on here.
JUSTIN
Wow.
SAM
I know.
JUSTIN
Do you think he’s still listening?
SAM
I’m not sure. But I like thinking of him out there, just hanging in some galaxy. (beat) He always wanted to see space.
A moment.
JUSTIN
See, this time travel thing… I think there’s something there. It’d be so much easier if you could just get on his computer and look through his bookmarks.
SAM
I know but I couldn’t even figure out the password for that.
JUSTIN
Weren’t your parents going to get it hacked?
SAM
That was my idea, but they’ll never do it. They’re too afraid of what they’ll find.
JUSTIN
That sucks.
SAM
I know. Someday I’ll get my hands on it, but I can’t help but think there’s a reason I need to figure it out now.
JUSTIN
I have that feeling too. Like it’s the one missing piece that will help you understand the whole picture and after you find it, you can just set the whole puzzle aside.
SAM
I’m never going to set it aside.
JUSTIN
You know what I mean. Not forget about it, just stop trying to make sense of it all and let it be.
SAM
I’m never going to set him aside.
JUSTIN
I know, Sam. Me either.
ALEX (from the other room, into headset)
Score! Xalex wins again! (beat) No you didn’t. I got like five super eggs. (beat) The worms don’t count for anything. They’re just bonuses. (beat) Are not. (beat) Are not! (beat) ARE NOT!!! Ughh! (he throws the headset to the ground and stomps loudly next to it). Take this Cactusman!!!!!
SAM (runs to ALEX)
Alex!!! Chill dude!
ALEX (pointing to the headset)
He says he beat me and he so didn’t! I finished first! Look!
SAM
It’s just a game, Alex. Take it easy.
ALEX (picks up the headset and talks into it)
Did you hear that, Cactusman? Sam says it’s just a game. (beat) I know! (laughs hysterically).
SAM (to JUSTIN)
Oh man am I glad we were born in the ‘80s. These cyberbabies are wacked out.
ALEX (eyeing SAM)
Cyberbabies?
SAM (to ALEX)
Yes, baby. You just threw a tantrum like a two-year-old.
ALEX
Whatever. (into headset) Hey, Cactusman. Sam says we’re babies. I know!
JUSTIN
You know what’s weird?
SAM
Huh.
JUSTIN
Kids on the internet is totally an upper class thing. I’m looking around this neighborhood and all these kids are out here playing, some of them causing trouble too, but still, they’re outside. In our neighborhood there aren’t any kids outside anymore. They’re all kept sterile and indoors.
SAM
That’s sad.
JUSTIN
I don’t understand what’s happening to the world anymore. It all feels so fake.
SAM
I hear ya.
JUSTIN
You do? Even over there in Canada?
SAM
Nothing’s felt real the past seven months.
JUSTIN
No.
ALEX (yelling, very annoying)
Oh, Sam!
SAM
I should probably get going. This kid needs a lot of attention.
JUSTIN
Yeah, my battery’s about dead anyhow. Oh hey… I just realized I’m right by Chinatown. Weird Maybe I’ll get some noodles.
SAM
Grab a fortune cookie for me.
JUSTIN
Will do. I’ll give it to you when you’re home.
SAM
Three more weeks.
JUSTIN
Sweet.
SAM
Adios.
JUSTIN
Peace.
SAM walks back into the computer room where ALEX is sitting way too peacefully.
SAM (wearily)
What’s going on?
ALEX
Oh, nothing.
SAM
What’s in your hand?
ALEX
The meaning of your little password.
SAM
What password?
ALEX
“sc11oloB.”
SAM
There’s no way you figured that out.
ALEX
Cactusman did. He’s the best.
SAM
How old is he?
ALEX
Eight and half.
SAM
Yeah, I highly doubt an eight and half-year-old could have discovered the significance of this random password, let alone in five minutes.
ALEX
Well, he did.
SAM
Okay. Show me.
ALEX
On one condition.
SAM
What’s that?
ALEX
You have to tell me why you want to figure it out so bad.
SAM
That’s a tall demand for a short dude.
ALEX
Do you want it or not?
SAM
Alright. I’ll tell you why, but only if your little friend’s decoding works.
ALEX (extending hand)
Deal.
SAM (shakes)
Deal. (ALEX hands SAM the piece of paper.) Second Chance? What’s that?
ALEX (guffaws)
You’re kidding?
SAM
What?
ALEX
You really don’t know what Second Chance is?
SAM
No.
ALEX
Oh man. I can’t wait to tell Cactusman! Dude, even my parents know what Second Chance is!
SAM
So what is it?
ALEX (going to the computer)
Only the biggest thing to ever hit the internet. It’s like an entire world.
SAM
What do you mean?
ALEX
Just sign in.
SAM
How?
ALEX (points to the piece of paper)
With your user name and password.
SAM (reads the paper)
“Bolo.” That’s his username?
ALEX
It’s “oloB” backwards. And then the whole thing is the password. Try it.
SAM
There’s no way.
ALEX
All you’ve got to do is type it in. Either it’ll work or it won’t.
SAM
It won’t. (begins to type).
ALEX
You’ll see.
SAM
Now what?
ALEX
Click “enter Second Chance.”
SAM clicks. An intense moment.
COMPUTER VOICE
Welcome back, Bolo.
SAM gasps and turns off the computer immediately.
ALEX
You’re never supposed to force quit a computer like that!
SAM (dazed)
Sorry.
ALEX
Why’d you do that?
SAM
Your mom… I thought I heard her car.
ALEX
Oh. (ALEX looks out the window. SAM collects himself a bit). Nope. Not her. But she will be home soon. (ALEX tends to the computer). I’ll have to restart her and shut her down correctly or my mom will know something’s up. I’m actually forbidden from Second Chance. They have a parent lock on the program and everything but Cactusman helped me break in. I don’t know what they think is so adult about it. It’s just a bunch of people flying around and acting like kids anyhow. Are you alright? (SAM is lying on the couch perfectly still. He doesn’t respond.) Hey, you’re doing it aren’t you? The nothingness thing. You’ve got it, don’t you? What’s it like?
SAM
I don’t know. Nauseating.
ALEX
Gross.
SAM
I guess Sartre was right.
SAM sits up slowly.
ALEX
So was Cactusman. Now you can tell me what’s so important about that password.
SAM
It’s a long story.
ALEX
I’ve got time. (The sound of a car pulling into the drive.) Shoot! She’s home. (SAM starts putting on his coat). You’ll tell me next time, right? (beat) Sam?
SAM
We’ll see.
ALEX
You shook on it!
SAM
I know.
ALEX
Then you have to tell me.
SAM reaches for the piece of paper by the computer, but ALEX is too fast and grabs it first.
SAM
That’s mine, Alex.
ALEX
No it’s not. It’s your brother’s.
SAM
My brother’s dead. He killed himself seven months ago. (beat) Can I have it please? (ALEX passes him the paper). Thanks.
SAM exits.
Monday, April 7, 2008
scene 8 -- Spokes on the Wheel
8. Spokes on the Wheel
REUL’s hospital room. REUL is in her bed, BETH is sitting in a chair and KAIYA is standing on her head.
REUL
Whoa.
BETH
You’re totally crazy.
KAIYA (to BETH)
From my point of view, you’re the one who’s upside-down and therefore crazy.
REUL
How long are you supposed to hold it?
KAIYA
Three minutes minimum to flush out the kidneys. Longer if you can.
BETH
Doesn’t it hurt your head?
KAIYA
Nope. (She comes down) It actually makes it feel all light and happy. Mmm… and a little dizzy sometimes.
REUL
That’s pretty much how I’ve felt ever since I woke up.
KAIYA
Yeah?
BETH
It’s probably the anesthesia.
REUL
That wore off a while ago.
BETH
Well there’s probably an after-effect. I mean being put to sleep for so many hours must really impact your system.
REUL
Sure, but it’s more than that.
An awkward beat. BETH does something weird to keep the conversation halted.
REUL (changing the subject)
Kaiya, that’s so cool you’re learned that in college. Can you imagine if everyone had to learn to do a headstand? The world might be an entirely different place.
KAIYA
I know, that was my prof’s point. It really helps put perception in perspective -- it all depends on what angle you’re looking from.
BETH
What type of class was it?
KAIYA
Religion. Monks and Mystics. This week instead of an essay we had to practice being upside-down.
BETH
Do you get graded?
KAIYA
Of course. It’s based on discipline, improvement, and quality of observations. We talk about our experiences in class.
BETH
Weird. And I thought college was supposed to be hard.
REUL
Can you do it?
BETH
You know what I mean. Exams and twenty-page papers and whatnot.
KAIYA
It probably will be for you.
REUL
Are you still thinking about applying to Columbia?
BETH
I don’t know anymore. I’d like to go somewhere with you. Are you still thinking about music school?
REUL
You know, college is probably the furthest thing from my mind right now.
BETH
Right, sorry.
Another awkward silence. KAIYA wants to speak, but bites her tongue. REUL tries to change the subject again when she senses BETH’s discomfort.
REUL (to KAIYA)
So how are things with your roommate? Is she used to New York yet?
KAIYA
Oh yeah. Noelle’s in love with New York. And everyone in it.
REUL
Uh-oh.
BETH
What, did she turn hoochie or something?
KAIYA
No, she’s just always “going out to coffee” with a different dude. I can’t blame her. She dated the same guy all through high school so this is like the first time she’s been single. She was bound to go a little boy-crazy. This week it’s her assistant professor. He’s 30 and French.
BETH
And she’s a freshman?
KAIYA
Yep.
REUL
She’s a French major too, isn’t she?
KAIYA
Oui, oui. She thinks it’s l’amour.
BETH
Please.
An awkward beat. They’ve run out of things to say.
REUL
What’s it like outside?
KAIYA
It’s getting cold finally. And gray. Typical December.
BETH
Oh god. We’re talking about the weather.
REUL
I haven’t been outside in forever.
BETH
I know it’s just… it just seems so fake talking about that right now. And roommates. And school. It’s my fault. I didn’t think talking about what you went through would be the best thing.
REUL
Why?
BETH
I don’t know. I guess I was afraid it might push you over the edge or something.
REUL
I could tell I freaked you out earlier. You practically ran out of the room.
BETH
You just seemed so… out there.
REUL (smiles)
I was ”out there.” I was out of my body the whole time I was in surgery. It was amazing.
KAIYA
Do you remember it?
REUL
I did at first but it’s starting to get foggy. So much happened that just doesn’t make sense in this reality – like I met Aloe in some strange realm of virtual reality. We had a really good conversation. I talked to Bolo too, I think, but that is so blurry right now. I hope I can remember it. And then I left the world all together and became light… see, that doesn’t even make sense in these words but it felt so real. It was real. More real than this right now even. (a moment) It’s hard to explain. I want to but I don’t want to change it by trying to squeeze it into this language when it doesn’t fit.
BETH
What is real anyhow? That has to be one of the most abstract words there are.
KAIYA
We were actually discussing that this morning in my class. We learned about these monks back in Israel or somewhere who went into the desert and deprived themselves of food and water and people because they wanted to discover what it meant to be human – the bare minimum of what it means to be real.
REUL
Did they figure it out?
KAIYA
Yeah. They found that love was the only thing that made them feel real. They were religious, right, and so they came up with this symbol of God as a big wheel. The Earth is the outer circle, God is the hub, and the people are the spokes. They saw that the more you try to get closer to the other people, the closer you get to the hub and the closer you get to hub the closer you get to other people. So basically feeling real is all about connecting with the others around you in your search for the center.
BETH
You know, I think I feel the most real when I’m with you guys. Not we’re talking about stupid stuff, but when we’re laughing or crying or hugging or… dancing. I don’t even know how to make sense of last night, but I felt so connected to both of you (to REUL) and you weren’t even really there.
REUL
I was there.
KAIYA
You remember?
REUL
I remember singing and feeling loved. I think that’s why I came back, actually. I wasn’t ready to give that up yet.
A moment.
BETH
You really think you died?
REUL
The doctors said my heart stopped. They had to resuscitate me. And I’ve never experienced anything close to what I did last night.
A beat and then BETH and KAIYA hug REUL, squeezing into her bed.
KAIYA
We’re so glad you’re here.
REUL
Me too.
BETH (begins signing quietly)
Sur le pont d’Avignon…
KAIYA and REUL join in and sing the song in rounds.
KAIYA
You know, you look pretty dang good for someone who just came back from the dead.
REUL
Thanks.
BETH
It’s true. You’re glowing.
REUL smiles and looks down at her hands. BETH and KAIYA snuggle in closer to her.
REUL’s hospital room. REUL is in her bed, BETH is sitting in a chair and KAIYA is standing on her head.
REUL
Whoa.
BETH
You’re totally crazy.
KAIYA (to BETH)
From my point of view, you’re the one who’s upside-down and therefore crazy.
REUL
How long are you supposed to hold it?
KAIYA
Three minutes minimum to flush out the kidneys. Longer if you can.
BETH
Doesn’t it hurt your head?
KAIYA
Nope. (She comes down) It actually makes it feel all light and happy. Mmm… and a little dizzy sometimes.
REUL
That’s pretty much how I’ve felt ever since I woke up.
KAIYA
Yeah?
BETH
It’s probably the anesthesia.
REUL
That wore off a while ago.
BETH
Well there’s probably an after-effect. I mean being put to sleep for so many hours must really impact your system.
REUL
Sure, but it’s more than that.
An awkward beat. BETH does something weird to keep the conversation halted.
REUL (changing the subject)
Kaiya, that’s so cool you’re learned that in college. Can you imagine if everyone had to learn to do a headstand? The world might be an entirely different place.
KAIYA
I know, that was my prof’s point. It really helps put perception in perspective -- it all depends on what angle you’re looking from.
BETH
What type of class was it?
KAIYA
Religion. Monks and Mystics. This week instead of an essay we had to practice being upside-down.
BETH
Do you get graded?
KAIYA
Of course. It’s based on discipline, improvement, and quality of observations. We talk about our experiences in class.
BETH
Weird. And I thought college was supposed to be hard.
REUL
Can you do it?
BETH
You know what I mean. Exams and twenty-page papers and whatnot.
KAIYA
It probably will be for you.
REUL
Are you still thinking about applying to Columbia?
BETH
I don’t know anymore. I’d like to go somewhere with you. Are you still thinking about music school?
REUL
You know, college is probably the furthest thing from my mind right now.
BETH
Right, sorry.
Another awkward silence. KAIYA wants to speak, but bites her tongue. REUL tries to change the subject again when she senses BETH’s discomfort.
REUL (to KAIYA)
So how are things with your roommate? Is she used to New York yet?
KAIYA
Oh yeah. Noelle’s in love with New York. And everyone in it.
REUL
Uh-oh.
BETH
What, did she turn hoochie or something?
KAIYA
No, she’s just always “going out to coffee” with a different dude. I can’t blame her. She dated the same guy all through high school so this is like the first time she’s been single. She was bound to go a little boy-crazy. This week it’s her assistant professor. He’s 30 and French.
BETH
And she’s a freshman?
KAIYA
Yep.
REUL
She’s a French major too, isn’t she?
KAIYA
Oui, oui. She thinks it’s l’amour.
BETH
Please.
An awkward beat. They’ve run out of things to say.
REUL
What’s it like outside?
KAIYA
It’s getting cold finally. And gray. Typical December.
BETH
Oh god. We’re talking about the weather.
REUL
I haven’t been outside in forever.
BETH
I know it’s just… it just seems so fake talking about that right now. And roommates. And school. It’s my fault. I didn’t think talking about what you went through would be the best thing.
REUL
Why?
BETH
I don’t know. I guess I was afraid it might push you over the edge or something.
REUL
I could tell I freaked you out earlier. You practically ran out of the room.
BETH
You just seemed so… out there.
REUL (smiles)
I was ”out there.” I was out of my body the whole time I was in surgery. It was amazing.
KAIYA
Do you remember it?
REUL
I did at first but it’s starting to get foggy. So much happened that just doesn’t make sense in this reality – like I met Aloe in some strange realm of virtual reality. We had a really good conversation. I talked to Bolo too, I think, but that is so blurry right now. I hope I can remember it. And then I left the world all together and became light… see, that doesn’t even make sense in these words but it felt so real. It was real. More real than this right now even. (a moment) It’s hard to explain. I want to but I don’t want to change it by trying to squeeze it into this language when it doesn’t fit.
BETH
What is real anyhow? That has to be one of the most abstract words there are.
KAIYA
We were actually discussing that this morning in my class. We learned about these monks back in Israel or somewhere who went into the desert and deprived themselves of food and water and people because they wanted to discover what it meant to be human – the bare minimum of what it means to be real.
REUL
Did they figure it out?
KAIYA
Yeah. They found that love was the only thing that made them feel real. They were religious, right, and so they came up with this symbol of God as a big wheel. The Earth is the outer circle, God is the hub, and the people are the spokes. They saw that the more you try to get closer to the other people, the closer you get to the hub and the closer you get to hub the closer you get to other people. So basically feeling real is all about connecting with the others around you in your search for the center.
BETH
You know, I think I feel the most real when I’m with you guys. Not we’re talking about stupid stuff, but when we’re laughing or crying or hugging or… dancing. I don’t even know how to make sense of last night, but I felt so connected to both of you (to REUL) and you weren’t even really there.
REUL
I was there.
KAIYA
You remember?
REUL
I remember singing and feeling loved. I think that’s why I came back, actually. I wasn’t ready to give that up yet.
A moment.
BETH
You really think you died?
REUL
The doctors said my heart stopped. They had to resuscitate me. And I’ve never experienced anything close to what I did last night.
A beat and then BETH and KAIYA hug REUL, squeezing into her bed.
KAIYA
We’re so glad you’re here.
REUL
Me too.
BETH (begins signing quietly)
Sur le pont d’Avignon…
KAIYA and REUL join in and sing the song in rounds.
KAIYA
You know, you look pretty dang good for someone who just came back from the dead.
REUL
Thanks.
BETH
It’s true. You’re glowing.
REUL smiles and looks down at her hands. BETH and KAIYA snuggle in closer to her.
Friday, April 4, 2008
scene 7 Attendant le Coeur
7. Attendant le Coeur.
NOELLE is in her dorm room, waiting excitedly. She is dressed to go out on a fancy date. She looks like she is trying to be older than she is. She also looks like she is trying to be French (but in a cool way, not in a beret way). She looks at her phone. She looks out the window. She sits. She looks in the mirror. She sits. She looks at her phone. She applies lipstick. She takes it off. She sits. She looks at her phone. She reapplies the lipstick. She sits. She taps her feet. She begins counting. In French.
NOELLE
Un, deux, trios. Quatre, cinq. Six, sept, huit, neuf, dix. (She looks out the window again. She sits). Onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize. Dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, vingt. (She looks at her phone. She looks out the window as she continues counting). Vingt-et-un, vingt-deux, vingt-trois. Vingt-quatre, vingt-cinq, vingt-six, vingt-sept, vingt-huit, vingt-neuf…(she pauses, looks at her phone. It rings!) Trente!!! (She jumps up and down and then takes a breathe and answers) Allo? (a beat) Oh no, it’s Noelle. (beat, she smiles hugely as she listens) No, you’re not calling France, Adrien. (beat) I’ll be right down. (she hangs up and squeals then very dramatically and très French, grabs her heart). Mon coeur! (She grabs her purse and exits with an extra bouncey step to her gait.).
NOELLE is in her dorm room, waiting excitedly. She is dressed to go out on a fancy date. She looks like she is trying to be older than she is. She also looks like she is trying to be French (but in a cool way, not in a beret way). She looks at her phone. She looks out the window. She sits. She looks in the mirror. She sits. She looks at her phone. She applies lipstick. She takes it off. She sits. She looks at her phone. She reapplies the lipstick. She sits. She taps her feet. She begins counting. In French.
NOELLE
Un, deux, trios. Quatre, cinq. Six, sept, huit, neuf, dix. (She looks out the window again. She sits). Onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize. Dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, vingt. (She looks at her phone. She looks out the window as she continues counting). Vingt-et-un, vingt-deux, vingt-trois. Vingt-quatre, vingt-cinq, vingt-six, vingt-sept, vingt-huit, vingt-neuf…(she pauses, looks at her phone. It rings!) Trente!!! (She jumps up and down and then takes a breathe and answers) Allo? (a beat) Oh no, it’s Noelle. (beat, she smiles hugely as she listens) No, you’re not calling France, Adrien. (beat) I’ll be right down. (she hangs up and squeals then very dramatically and très French, grabs her heart). Mon coeur! (She grabs her purse and exits with an extra bouncey step to her gait.).
Thursday, April 3, 2008
scene 6 - Waiting
6. Waiting
The hospital waiting room. KAIYA walks in. She has her headphones in and is singing. BETH is clearly upset.
BETH
Where have you been?
KAIYA (suddenly very worried)
What happened? Is she okay?
BETH
She’s awake.
KAIYA
That’s awesome! I knew it! Where is she?
BETH
In her room.
KAIYA
Are the doctors in there?
BETH
I don’t know.
KAIYA
What’s going on? Why aren’t you with her?
BETH
She’s acting really strange. She doesn’t seem like herself.
KAIYA
What do you mean? Did she recognize you?
BETH
Yes… she’s just… she thinks this is a dream.
KAIYA
What?
BETH
She can’t distinguish reality anymore. She thinks she died and was shot into space and then fell back down to Earth and now she thinks she’s dreaming and she wants to wake up.
KAIYA
Whoa.
BETH
Yeah.
KAIYA
Did she die?
BETH
I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to ask anyone what’s going on.
KAIYA
Because that would explain what we saw--
BETH (interrupting)
--It doesn’t explain anything.
KAIYA
We felt her kiss us goodbye and now she’s saying that she died? I don’t think it gets more obvious than that.
BETH
I don’t know what I felt.
KAIYA
Don’t say that. This is too big to brush off like that. We need to talk to her. I bet a lot of things will come together after that.
KAIYA heads towards REUL’s room. BETH stops her.
BETH
Don’t mention what happened last night.
KAIYA
Why not?
BETH
It might confuse her even more. I think she’s really fragile right now.
KAIYA
And we’re not?
BETH
We didn’t just get a tumor removed from our brains.
KAIYA
I don’t see how telling her about our experience is going to confuse her. I know she’d want to know. If it was you, you would too.
BETH
No I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to know that I’d had some out-of-body experience as a ghost or whatever and gone and danced and sang with my friends and then told them goodbye. I wouldn’t even want to know that was possible, let alone hear that I’d actually done it. What do you do with information like that? You can’t ever go back to normal, that’s for sure.
KAIYA
What exactly is normal and why is it considered a good thing? Maybe it’s not. Maybe normal is what’s wrong with our world. Maybe it’s that thing that’s always keeping the door to possibility locked shut. Maybe it’s what causes brain tumors.
BETH
Right.
KAIYA
Well? It makes sense to me. All that possibility with no place to go, it just gets balled up in the brain and grows and grows and grows until it starts to explode. Why not? It’s not like anyone knows what actually causes them.
BETH
I just… I want my friend back.
KAIYA
She is back. She’s back from the dead, sitting right there in that room waiting for us to be her friends. Friends aren’t afraid of telling each other the truth, right? (Beat. KAIYA notices Beth is starting to cry. She hugs her and her tone softens). They’re also not afraid of telling each other that the truth scares them. That they don’t want to lose each other. That without them, life doesn’t feel like life.
BETH’s crying has gotten messy. She tries to compose herself.
BETH
I’m snotting on you.
KAIYA
It’s cool. I’m wearing my snotshirt.
Laughter, which makes BETH cry more and messier.
BETH
Ugh. This doesn’t make any sense. She’s freaking alive and I can’t stop crying.
KAIYA
It’s been a rough few days. And besides, you always do everything backwards anyhow.
BETH
Thanks.
BETH finally collects herself.
KAIYA
You ready?
BETH
Yeah. (They head towards the room.) But, Kaiya?
KAIYA
Huh?
BETH
Please don’t bring it up right now. We don’t want to push her over the edge.
KAIYA (rolls her eyes)
You never give up. (A breath.) Fine. But I’m not keeping quiet if that’s what she wants to talk about.
They enter REUL’s hospital room.
The hospital waiting room. KAIYA walks in. She has her headphones in and is singing. BETH is clearly upset.
BETH
Where have you been?
KAIYA (suddenly very worried)
What happened? Is she okay?
BETH
She’s awake.
KAIYA
That’s awesome! I knew it! Where is she?
BETH
In her room.
KAIYA
Are the doctors in there?
BETH
I don’t know.
KAIYA
What’s going on? Why aren’t you with her?
BETH
She’s acting really strange. She doesn’t seem like herself.
KAIYA
What do you mean? Did she recognize you?
BETH
Yes… she’s just… she thinks this is a dream.
KAIYA
What?
BETH
She can’t distinguish reality anymore. She thinks she died and was shot into space and then fell back down to Earth and now she thinks she’s dreaming and she wants to wake up.
KAIYA
Whoa.
BETH
Yeah.
KAIYA
Did she die?
BETH
I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to ask anyone what’s going on.
KAIYA
Because that would explain what we saw--
BETH (interrupting)
--It doesn’t explain anything.
KAIYA
We felt her kiss us goodbye and now she’s saying that she died? I don’t think it gets more obvious than that.
BETH
I don’t know what I felt.
KAIYA
Don’t say that. This is too big to brush off like that. We need to talk to her. I bet a lot of things will come together after that.
KAIYA heads towards REUL’s room. BETH stops her.
BETH
Don’t mention what happened last night.
KAIYA
Why not?
BETH
It might confuse her even more. I think she’s really fragile right now.
KAIYA
And we’re not?
BETH
We didn’t just get a tumor removed from our brains.
KAIYA
I don’t see how telling her about our experience is going to confuse her. I know she’d want to know. If it was you, you would too.
BETH
No I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to know that I’d had some out-of-body experience as a ghost or whatever and gone and danced and sang with my friends and then told them goodbye. I wouldn’t even want to know that was possible, let alone hear that I’d actually done it. What do you do with information like that? You can’t ever go back to normal, that’s for sure.
KAIYA
What exactly is normal and why is it considered a good thing? Maybe it’s not. Maybe normal is what’s wrong with our world. Maybe it’s that thing that’s always keeping the door to possibility locked shut. Maybe it’s what causes brain tumors.
BETH
Right.
KAIYA
Well? It makes sense to me. All that possibility with no place to go, it just gets balled up in the brain and grows and grows and grows until it starts to explode. Why not? It’s not like anyone knows what actually causes them.
BETH
I just… I want my friend back.
KAIYA
She is back. She’s back from the dead, sitting right there in that room waiting for us to be her friends. Friends aren’t afraid of telling each other the truth, right? (Beat. KAIYA notices Beth is starting to cry. She hugs her and her tone softens). They’re also not afraid of telling each other that the truth scares them. That they don’t want to lose each other. That without them, life doesn’t feel like life.
BETH’s crying has gotten messy. She tries to compose herself.
BETH
I’m snotting on you.
KAIYA
It’s cool. I’m wearing my snotshirt.
Laughter, which makes BETH cry more and messier.
BETH
Ugh. This doesn’t make any sense. She’s freaking alive and I can’t stop crying.
KAIYA
It’s been a rough few days. And besides, you always do everything backwards anyhow.
BETH
Thanks.
BETH finally collects herself.
KAIYA
You ready?
BETH
Yeah. (They head towards the room.) But, Kaiya?
KAIYA
Huh?
BETH
Please don’t bring it up right now. We don’t want to push her over the edge.
KAIYA (rolls her eyes)
You never give up. (A breath.) Fine. But I’m not keeping quiet if that’s what she wants to talk about.
They enter REUL’s hospital room.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
