Making a Scene

At the beginning of January Dave Morgan’s character mask class will be presenting their class project in the Margetts and I wrote the script they’re performing.  If you’re interested, talk to me and I’ll give you the details.  It’s gonna be a really good show.  Anyway, this is an excerpt from the script.  The play takes place during a marathon dance during the Great Depression and it hops between Robert’s experience in the dance with his partner Gloria and different memories of his past that the dance conjures up.  In this one, he remembers an old girlfriend named Wendy.  (The “harsh spotlight” referred to at the end is connected to an ongoing monologue we see pieces of throughout the play where Robert addresses what is referred to as an “unseen entity.”)  It might be a little confusing but it’s probably not too bad.  Enjoy.  (And be depressed.)

VOICE
And for you lovebirds out there enjoying the show our band has a special dedication.
(Music starts.)
Just for you, here at the world championship marathon dance, ladies and gentlemen.  There’s nothing like it in the world!

GLORIA
Ugh, had to be this song.

VOICE
Come on kids, let’s give ‘em a show!
(The couples begin dancing with more enthusiasm.  From amidst them, WENDY emerges, unnoticed by everyone but ROBERT.)

WENDY
(To ROBERT.)
You hear that?  You remember that song?

VOICE
The fun is just starting, ladies and gents.  You’ve never seen folks more in love.

WENDY
You’ve gotta remember, Robert.  Our first dance.  Right inside there, that song they’re playing now.

ROBERT
(Crossing to her.)
Course I remember.

WENDY
It’s just starting.  C’mon, let’s go back inside.
(Begins leading him inside the dance hall.)

ROBERT
(Leading her away from the dance hall.)
I’ve gotta get you home.  It’s late.

WENDY
Robert Syverten, you haven’t got a romantic bone in your body!

ROBERT
(Pulling her close.)
Ah, yeah?  Maybe I’ll just have to dance you home if I can’t get you there any other way.

WENDY
Maybe you will.
(They dance along with the couples from the marathon.  GLORIA addresses ROBERT.)

GLORIA
(Laughing bitterly.)
Just the kind of crock they need to sell tickets, isn’t it.  Tell ‘em all we’re in love.  Everybody out here’s doin’ it for love, never mind the thousand bucks.

ROBERT
(To WENDY.)
You were wearing that yellow dress, I saw you from across the room.  Your friends laughed when I asked you to dance.

WENDY
They weren’t my friends.  Never saw those girls again.

ROBERT
Not since you got some beau taking up all your time.
(WENDY laughs.)

GLORIA
A partner’s just who gets you through.  You pick someone strong enough, any more’s asking too much.

ROBERT
(To WENDY.)
You remember how nervous I was?

WENDY
What did you have to be nervous about?

ROBERT
Dancing with the prettiest girl there.
(Imitating himself.)
I, uh…Miss, I was wonderin’ if you, uh…If you’d do me the honor…

WENDY
(Hitting him playfully.)
It wasn’t as bad as all that.

ROBERT
I must’ve been stepping all over your feet too.

WENDY
They’re big enough.

ROBERT
Hey.
(Kisses her forehead.)
I’m talking to Hollywood’s next big starlet here.
(He dips her.)

WENDY
Your dancing sure got a lot better.

ROBERT
I’ll say.
(They continue dancing until GLORIA cuts in and addresses ROBERT.)

GLORIA
You’re getting a goofy look in your eyes.

ROBERT
Huh?

GLORIA
You’re not getting any ideas, are you?

ROBERT
What, no!  No, of course not.

GLORIA
Geez, don’t be so shocked.

ROBERT
No, I…There was a girl.  Back home, you know?

GLORIA
(Rolling her eyes.)
Of course there was.
(Beat.)
Was she a special girl?

ROBERT
Ah, never mind.
(Looks at WENDY again.)
She was real special.
(Begins dancing with WENDY again.  GLORIA watches.)
Couple years older, been married before, but I didn’t mind.
(ROBERT and WENDY dance and the other couples clear off.  GLORIA stays and watches the remainder of the scene.  ROBERT pulls WENDY closer and kisses her.)

WENDY
I love you, Robert.
(ROBERT is silent.)
Did you hear me?

ROBERT
I…yeah.
(Goes in for another kiss.  She pulls away.)

WENDY
You don’t have anything to say to me?

ROBERT
Wendy…

WENDY
No, just…Forget I said it.

ROBERT
Hey, come on.

WENDY
I thought I’d let you go first.  A girl can only wait so long…

ROBERT
I know, I just, I didn’t want to say it if I…
(Stops himself.  WENDY breaks away from him.)
No, Wendy come back.

WENDY
This is what I get for going with a younger man, I guess.

ROBERT
Please.  Wendy, please.
(Takes her hand.)

WENDY
(Facing him.)
I wasn’t trying to make you do anything, make you say anything you didn’t-

ROBERT
I know.  Wendy, you know…how I feel about you.

WENDY
I don’t, Robert.

ROBERT
You know I like being with you.  I want you to be happy.

WENDY
I know.

ROBERT
It’s just, how can I talk about things I don’t know anything about?

WENDY
You love your momma, don’t you?  You love that little sister of yours.

ROBERT
It’s different with you.

WENDY
I sure hope so!

ROBERT
Maybe there’s just not enough.  Could be I don’t have…enough love for…

WENDY
(Struck painfully by this.)
For me.

ROBERT
I don’t know what I’m saying.  I told you, Wendy, I can’t talk about something like this.
(Beat.)
Wendy, please.

WENDY
(Getting close.)
I know it’s hard to talk about, Robbie.

ROBERT
I’m sorry.

WENDY
We don’t have to talk about anything right now.
(She kisses him.)

ROBERT
Maybe it was a mistake, this, you and me.

WENDY
No, no.  Sshhh…
(She tries to kiss him again but he pulls away.)

ROBERT
But who would’ve taught me how to love somebody?

WENDY
Just hold me, is all you have to do.

ROBERT
You need more than that.

WENDY
Then give me more, Robbie.  As much as you can.

ROBERT
Wendy, I’m sorry.  I just wanted a dance.  I don’t know how everything got carried away, but…I’m sorry.
(Begins to move away.)

WENDY
(Stopping him.)
Don’t, Robert don’t go.  Please, I don’t need that.  I don’t need you to love me.  Just stay.  I just need you to stay.

ROBERT
Wendy, I shouldn’t-

WENDY
Please.
(ROBERT crosses to her.)
You don’t have to love me, don’t have to say it, alright?  It…wasn’t fair.

ROBERT
I…just…

WENDY
I know.

ROBERT
I’m sorry.

WENDY
Ssshhh…I know.
(He holds her.  Silence for a moment.)
But maybe one day?

ROBERT
(Breath.)
I guess we never know about that.

WENDY
(Pause.)
Just stay here.  It’s our song.
(ROBERT holds her in silence.  They begin to kiss and make their way across the space to a pool of light in which ROBERT and WENDY sink to the floor still kissing.  The other couples move back in and continue their dance as the song comes to a close.  The bell rings.)

VOICE
(No longer in memory.)
And wasn’t that a treat, ladies and gentlemen?  They’ll take a quick break now but they’ll be right back.
(The couples begin to exit into the dressing rooms.  ROBERT breaks away from WENDY, who has fallen asleep, and rejoins GLORIA.)

GLORIA
(To ROBERT.)
You didn’t see her much after that, did you?

ROBERT
How’d you know?

GLORIA
It’s how the story ends, you can always tell.

ROBERT
How about this one?  How does this story end?

GLORIA
(Frowning.)
I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.
(ROBERT is silent.  He turns back and looks at WENDY.)
Everybody gets the hell beat out of ‘em.  Doesn’t matter if it was you or anybody else, bruises are bruises.  She woulda got ‘em anyway same as all of us.  We don’t live long enough to see if they heal.  Just long enough to hurt.
(Silence.)
But there I go, talking like that again.
(ROBERT says nothing and GLORIA turns and exits into the dressing room.  ROBERT continues to stare at WENDY when he hears an argument escalating as FRANK chases BASIL out of the dressing room.)

FRANK
I told you, hands off.

BASIL
Cool it, alright?  I didn’t even touch her.

FRANK
Last time I’ll tell you, keep your eyes on your own partner.

BASIL
I’ll keep my eyes wherever I want.

FRANK
I’m warning you.

BASIL
Yeah?  I’d like to see what you’re gonna do about that.
(FRANK lunges at BASIL and ROBERT steps forward to separate the two.  KID comes out of the dressing room and helps break up the fight.)

FRANK
Let go!  Get off!
(Etc.)

BASIL
He can’t do nothin’.  Gimme your best shot.
(Etc.)

KID
Hey!  Calm down, both of ya.
(MATTIE and GENEVA come out of the women’s dressing room.  ROBERT instinctively crosses to protect GENEVA.)

MATTIE
Kid?  What’s going on, Kid?

KID
Go back inside, Mattie.

BASIL
(Pushing his way into the dressing room.)
No way in hell I’m wasting my time on the likes of you.

GENEVA
Basil.
(ROBERT gently restrains her from speaking or following him.  He ushers her quietly into the dressing room.)

KID
(To FRANK.)
Cool it, alright?
(FRANK scowls and exits into the dressing room.)

MATTIE
Everything okay?

KID
It’s fine.
(To ROBERT.)
You alright?

ROBERT
Fine.  Thanks, for the help.

KID
Can’t get mixed up in something like that.

MATTIE
(Eyeing ROBERT.)
Who’s this?

ROBERT
Oh.  Robert Syverten.

KID
Better get inside, pal.
(Crossing to MATTIE.)
And you better go lie down.  Might not be room in there.
(Pulls her in seductively.)

MATTIE
Not right now, Kid, I’m tired.

KID
Fine.
(Crossing to the dressing room.)
I’m tellin’ ya.  Before anyone starts askin’ questions.
(Exits.  ROBERT goes to follow him.)

MATTIE
You’re not sweet on her, are you?

ROBERT
Who, the…Oh, no.  Not sweet on her.

MATTIE
She’s got a fella, you know.  You’re Gloria’s partner, right?

ROBERT
Yeah.  I guess I’ll…
(Goes to exit.  Light changes on WENDY and she wakes.)

MATTIE
Robert?

WENDY
Robert?
(ROBERT’s eyes are fixed on WENDY.)

MATTIE
You didn’t tell me where you’re from.

WENDY
(Looking around.)
Robert, are you there?

ROBERT
Uh, Arkansas.

MATTIE
Pretty tiring, these dance marathons, don’t you think?

ROBERT
Oh, sure.

WENDY
Where’d you go?  Robbie?
(Rises to look for him.)

MATTIE
You’ve got a nice face.  Your partner must talk till you’re crazy.

ROBERT
What…Why do you say that?

MATTIE
It’s just nice, talkin’ to you.  Feels nice.  Sorry about Kid, he’s a little rough.

ROBERT
(Turning to face her.)
What?  No, I don’t mind.

MATTIE
She won’t like you talkin’ to me.  Your partner.

ROBERT
I don’t think she’d care.

MATTIE
I think I’ll go lie down.  Nice to meet you too.
(Exits.  ROBERT watches her go.)

WENDY
(Exiting, still looking.)
Robert?  Robert!
(ROBERT goes to follow her but stops when the harsh spotlight comes back up on him.  He turns and addresses the unseen entity.)

ROBERT
I never tried to hurt anybody, Your Honor.  Honest to God, I never wanted to hurt anyone.  Maybe I got mixed up, I donno.  But it was hard in there, I don’t think anyone knows how much, not until you’ve been there.  People were hungry, they didn’t feed us with everything we needed.  Days would go on by and I saw their eyes getting darker.  Not dark just…dull.  Like streetlights right before they go out.  Flickering on sometimes but settling down again.  Mine probably looked the same if I ever looked in a mirror.  There wasn’t any point of mirrors after a while.

Okay, I realized I never ended this delightful little romp through Romcomland.  So, here is the conclusion.

LUKE
I just hope you don’t get sick of me.
(HALEY suddenly kisses LUKE.  It’s a long kiss with plenty of saliva involved.  He recoils at first, then relaxes into it for a moment.  Gently, he pulls away.)
I guess there’s no point in…If we’re both sick, you know.
HALEY
Right.
LUKE
Did I mention you’re…really good, at that?
HALEY
I think you did.
(Sits down on the couch.)
Well, symptoms should be starting any minute now.
LUKE
What?
HALEY
I told you it takes a little longer for me.
LUKE
Oh.
HALEY
So, hold on to your hats.
(Small laugh, then silence.  A thought strikes LUKE.)
LUKE
Did you say Dani was moving in with her boyfriend?
HALEY
What?
LUKE
Dani.  Your roommate.  I thought you said-
HALEY
Oh yeah.  Eventually.  You know, Dani and commitment.  Well, I guess you don’t know.
LUKE
But I do.  I mean, what you told me.  That she finally convinced him, isn’t that what you told me?
HALEY
Oh, I don’t know.
LUKE
After all the time they’ve been together, she finally wore him down, that’s what you said.
HALEY
Well, it’s the truth.
LUKE
And that you’d been helping her move all day.  The day of the party.
HALEY
She’s…here and there.  Sleeps wherever she ends up at night, you know Dani.
LUKE
No, I don’t.
HALEY
(Beat.)
Well, I’m surprised you remember that.
LUKE
Me too.  Didn’t you say, I donno, something like, “It’s too bad the woman has to take all the initiative these days.”
HALEY
I most certainly did.
LUKE
Hmm.
HALEY
Listen, Luke.  I thought I’d run into you again, or I’d have to walk past your desk and make small talk, or, I donno, you’d actually call.  And I didn’t see you because, obviously.  And so I thought, you know, this once I can make it happen.  And if I have to lie a little, or maybe be a little forward…
LUKE
Or expose yourself to a pandemic.
HALEY
Right.  That.  And I’m not crazy, I’m not.  You’re just…Worth it.  Worth being a little crazy.  I mean, I thought you were.  Was I wrong?
LUKE
(Thinks.)
I hope not.
HALEY
Me too.
(Beat.)
I can go, if you want.
LUKE
It’s too late now, you’re already sick.
HALEY
You think so?
LUKE
Come over here, we’ll make sure of it.
HALEY
Hey, slow down, we’ve got a few more days here.
LUKE
Right.
HALEY
(After a pause.)
Yahtzee?
(LUKE smiles and nods and HALEY starts setting up the game as the lights fade.)

LUKE
(After a pause.)
Look, I’m sorry about the name-
HALEY
Forget it.
LUKE
No, I’m a jerk.
HALEY
…Go on.
LUKE
That’s all I had, really.
HALEY
Oh.
LUKE
I mean, I could explain myself but we have, what, another week on these couches.
HALEY
Good thinking.  You might just make it worse.
LUKE
I guess I deserve that.
HALEY
You deserve a lot more than that.
LUKE
Fine.
HALEY
But in the interest of being quarantined together…
LUKE
Hey, this was your idea.
HALEY
Uh huh.
LUKE
(Notices that she’s been cleaning.)
You don’t have to clean up.
HALEY
I know.
LUKE
You’re sweet.
HALEY
How are you feeling?
LUKE
(Sitting up.)
Better.
HALEY
Good.
LUKE
Not better enough to play Yahtzee, but, you know…
(HALEY throws a pillow playfully at him.)
You’re probably not feeling great right now either.  You should lie down.
HALEY
No, I’m fine.
LUKE
Well, I doubt you’re fine.
HALEY
I mean, other than the…flu.
LUKE
Seriously, just relax.
HALEY
(Sitting.)
It hits everyone differently, the doctor said.
LUKE
You said you have a fever?
HALEY
It might’ve gone down.  I took some Tylenol.  Anyway, it’s in the very beginning stages, you know?
LUKE
Yeah.  You just got diagnosed…
HALEY
Yesterday.
LUKE
Oh.
(Beat.)
It’ll be nice not to be alone in here anymore.
HALEY
I know.  Crazy timing.
LUKE
I’m surprised you even remembered Tony.
HALEY
He was at the party.
LUKE
I know you met him.  Did he, uh, remember your name?
HALEY
I’m not sure.  I opened with, “I’m Haley, that girl who made out with your brother at the party.”
LUKE
He thought it was pretty funny.  Just, because I don’t usually…
HALEY
Yeah, I know.
LUKE
Where’d you see him?
HALEY
At Chipotle.
LUKE
Ah.  He loves it there.
HALEY
Me too.  Lunch and dinner, at least for me, I don’t know…
LUKE
Oh yeah.  But wasn’t it your roommate who ran into him?
HALEY
What?  Oh, yeah.  Yesterday.  I saw him…last week sometime.
LUKE
Okay.
HALEY
Yeah, sorry, that was confusing.
LUKE
No no, just a little.
HALEY
I’m probably not thinking straight.
LUKE
I did really like you.
HALEY
What?
LUKE
At the party.
HALEY
I thought we weren’t talking about that.
LUKE
Yeah, I just thought I could do something to get out of this hole.
HALEY
Oh, okay.
LUKE
I thought you were interesting.  Honestly.  I mean, we did talk for a while.
HALEY
But you didn’t ask my name.
LUKE
There was never really an opportune moment, if you recall.
HALEY
So that’s it?
LUKE
And I was a little embarrassed.
HALEY
Because we…
LUKE
No.  I mean, a little.  Anyway.
HALEY
Why?
LUKE
It’s not important.
(Breath.)
I just didn’t know who you were.
HALEY
You mean, my name.
LUKE
Well, obviously.
HALEY
You really didn’t know we worked together?
LUKE
Ah, no.
HALEY
Because, I mean, you didn’t even introduce yourself.  You talked like you knew me.  That’s why it wasn’t so weird when you-
LUKE
Yeah, I thought I did.
(Beat.)
I told you, I don’t do that kind of thing with strangers.
HALEY
So you…Why’d you think I was from Indiana?
LUKE
I was just asking.
HALEY
I don’t believe this.
LUKE
Don’t believe what?
HALEY
You thought I was someone else.
LUKE
You just looked familiar!
HALEY
That’s why you said…It all makes sense.
LUKE
No, stop it.  It doesn’t matter who I thought you were.
HALEY
Are you serious?
LUKE
The fact is, you were interesting.  You.  I was talking to you, I mean, we were sitting together for an hour before anything.  I honestly thought you were great, you were just so refreshing.  And, yeah, I thought you were a girl named Theresa from my sixth grade class, but she was the hottest girl in the sixth grade, so really it’s kind of a…
HALEY
Are your going to finish that sentence?
LUKE
No, I’m not.  My point is, you were there and you hate Dave Matthews and you read Sedaris.  And we made fun of the fauxhawk guy for ten minutes.  And you’re beautiful and funny and smart and, as it turned out, a great kisser.  And how was I supposed to ask your name after that?
HALEY
If I was so great wouldn’t it be worth finding it out.
LUKE
I just figured, you know, I’m damned if I do, I’m damned if I don’t.  That situation.
HALEY
What?
LUKE
It was too late, die cast, bridge burned.  I just figured I’d screwed things up enough already but at least I could save you from…I don’t know.
HALEY
I wouldn’t have minded.  Well, I guess I would mind at first.  But I really liked you too.
LUKE
I have a way of convincing girls that’s not a good idea.
HALEY
Yeah, you seem to be trying pretty hard at it right now.
LUKE
No, I just-
HALEY
Yeah.  I know.  But stop.
(Suddenly struck by dizziness.)
Oh, wow.  Dizzy all of a sudden.
LUKE
(Rises.)
Are you alright?
(Hands her the bowl.)
HALEY
(Setting the bowl down.)
I’m fine.
LUKE
(Sitting next to her.)
Dizzy spells.  It’s on the list.
HALEY
Yeah, well…
LUKE
(Feeling her forehead.)
You don’t feel warm.
HALEY
I told you…Tylenol.
LUKE
You’re not feeling nauseated.
HALEY
No.
LUKE
Light headed.
HALEY
Just for a second there.
LUKE
You don’t really seem to have any symptoms.
HALEY
Maybe not like yours.
LUKE
Are you achy?
HALEY
Yes.  That’s what tipped me off.
LUKE
Because you look fine.
HALEY
Really?
LUKE
You just don’t look sick.
HALEY
I swear.
LUKE
I’m not saying you’re not.  Just wondering.
HALEY
It’s coming.  These things just take longer for me.
LUKE
Yeah?
HALEY
Yeah.  And, I mean, how bad can it be?  You don’t look so bad.
LUKE
I look like death on a stick right now.
HALEY
Oh, come on.
LUKE
Yeah, I guess we’ll just see.  I mean, we’ve got a whole week together.
HALEY
Yeah.
LUKE
I just hope you don’t get sick of me.
(HALEY suddenly kisses LUKE.  He recoils at first, then relaxes into it for a moment.  Gently, he pulls away.)

Here is installment number two.  (Also, a caveat: art imitates life.  There are elements of life mixed with elements of fiction in everything I write.  If we’re good friends you can probably spot some of the elements of life.  Please don’t, however, draw any conclusions from those things.  They’re probably unfounded.  My writing isn’t nearly that significant.)

HALEY

Hello, all.  So, as some of you may know/care about, I have recently been diagnosed with the swine flu and quarantined until my symptoms are long gone and can no longer hurt me or anyone else.  As such, I have a lot of time for writing for the next few days.  In addition to catching up on my various responsibilities I’ve started a new little project called (tentatively) “Swine Flu: A Love Story.”  I’ll post sections as time passes to assure everyone that I am alive and well enough to be writing romantic comedies.  Installment number one…

(A living room.  LUKE is lying on a couch, reading.  There is a knock at the door.  He rises to answer it, making a feeble attempt at straightening himself up on the way.  Standing at the door is HALEY.)

LUKE

Oh.  Hey.

HALEY

Hey you.  How are you?

LUKE

Ummm, alright.  I’d invite you in, but, uh…

HALEY

Yeah, I heard.

LUKE

Yeah, so…What’s up?

HALEY

You look like you’re doing better.

LUKE

Better than…

HALEY

I just heard you were pretty bad for a couple days.

LUKE

Oh, yeah.

HALEY

But you’re better.

LUKE

Getting there.

HALEY

That’s good.  So, listen.  I’m…sick.

LUKE

What?

HALEY

I know.  Crazy.  Woke up this morning, fever, achey, sore throat.

LUKE

Oh no, are you serious?

HALEY

Yes.  Terrible.

LUKE

I’m so sorry.  It wasn’t…

HALEY

No, it wasn’t you.  I haven’t seen you in forever.

LUKE

Right.

HALEY

How have you been?

(Off his look.)

Right, yes.  Silly question.

LUKE

What do you think you have?

HALEY

Well, I know it’s flu.

LUKE

You do.

HALEY

Sure, all the symptoms, right?

LUKE

Sure.

HALEY

I don’t know where I got it, I mean, who ever knows?

(Beat.)

You could invite me in, now.

LUKE

Oh yeah, I guess, all things considered.

(She comes in and he closes the door behind her.)

What’s in the bag?

HALEY

So…funny story.

LUKE

I’m ready.

HALEY

My roommate Dani, you remember her?

LUKE

Yes.

HALEY

She ran into Tony at Chipotle, total coincidence.  He told her he moved into your aunt’s house, I guess, until you get better.

LUKE

Right.

HALEY

And Dani is freaked out about this whole thing.  She just started a new job and she’s been spraying Lysol all over everything.

LUKE

Uh huh.

HALEY

She said she’d call you about it but I guess, uh…

LUKE

Call me about what?

HALEY

And Tony was totally cool with it.

LUKE

You’re…staying here.

HALEY

I swear she said she’d call.

LUKE

I believe you.

HALEY

If this is weird at all…

LUKE

No, just a little.

HALEY

But it beats being alone.

LUKE

Of course.

HALEY

You won’t even know I’m here.

LUKE

Don’t be silly.

HALEY

I didn’t realize your brother just left you here.

LUKE

Yeah, his band has a gig this weekend.

HALEY

Is it a big deal?

LUKE

Any gig is a big deal.

HALEY

Wow.

LUKE

I mean, to be perfectly honest.

HALEY

I didn’t realize he was still doing that.  I saw them one time.

LUKE

Oh, what am I telling you for then?

HALEY

Yeah, I definitely know.

LUKE

So, lie down, I mean, get comfortable, it’s probably worse for you right now.

HALEY

Worse…

LUKE

Worse than it is for me.

HALEY

No, it hasn’t hit me too hard yet.  Can I get you anything?

LUKE

I think I’m good.  Help yourself to whatever.

HALEY

Okay.  Thanks.  I brought Nila Wafers.

LUKE

I love Nila Wafers!

HALEY

I know!  You mentioned it…One time.

(Shrugs, feigning casualness.)

LUKE

I probably won’t be very exciting company.

HALEY

What were you reading?

LUKE

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, actually.

HALEY

Oh, funny.  A girl at the office was reading that.

LUKE

Yeah, my upstairs neighbor heard I was quarantined and dropped off some books.  She reads a lot.

HALEY

That was nice of her.

LUKE

Yeah.  She didn’t stay long.

HALEY

Didn’t want to risk it.

LUKE

Exactly.

(Looks at the book.)

I think this would be a lot funnier if I’d read the original.

HALEY

I’m so happy I’m not the only one who hasn’t read that.

LUKE

It’s one of the things you pretend you’ve read, you know?

HALEY

Exactly!

LUKE

Of course, there’s plenty of guys who haven’t.

HALEY

I guess so.  You just seemed…

LUKE

Like that type of guy, right?

HALEY

What, the…reading type?

LUKE

Sure.

HALEY

That isn’t bad, is it?

LUKE

I guess not.

HALEY

So, I’ll leave you to it.

LUKE

(Putting the book down.)

I’m kind of done for now I think.

HALEY

Don’t let me-

LUKE

No, I’d rather talk to you than…

(Feigning disgust.)

Read.

HALEY

(Laughs.)

You really are that kind of guy.  So, this girl upstairs.  Is she…I mean, are you…You’re just gonna let me keep going.

LUKE

We’re not anything.  She and I.  Just friends, I guess, since she brought the books and stuff.  Before that, I don’t know.  She saw Tony with all his things and asked what was up.

HALEY

That’s funny.

LUKE

I guess.  She’s nice.  She’s a nurse I think, unless I’m totally making that up.

HALEY

That’s good, to have good neighbors.  I have a guy across the hall who brings over leftovers sometimes.  He must be a chef or something.  I mean, ah-mazing.

LUKE

Yeah, maybe I should have moved in with you.  I mean, for the week.

HALEY

Is that how long it takes?  A week?

LUKE

That’s what they told me.  One week or twenty-four hours after symptoms go away, right?

HALEY

Oh, right.

LUKE

Is it bad I’m kind of loving the time off?

HALEY

No.

LUKE

I mean, it’s not like it’s vacation, I’m vomiting.

HALEY

Vomiting?

LUKE

Oh, not for a couple days now.  I’m kind of on the downward…Yeah, not today at all.

HALEY

I guess that’ll happen to me, soon enough.

LUKE

Maybe it won’t hit you as hard.

HALEY

Yeah, that’s true.  These things usually don’t, actually.  I have a pretty strong…constitution, and everything.

LUKE

Stronger than mine, I guess.

HALEY

What can I say?

LUKE

I’m not really coming off very masculine, am I?

HALEY

Well, I caught you at a bad time.  And I’m just not very reactionary.

LUKE

I guess we’ll see.  Swine flu is known to be surprising.

(Beat.)

I just made that up.

HALEY

Oh good.

LUKE

Why’d you ask, about the girl upstairs?

HALEY

Does she have a name?

LUKE

Christina.

HALEY

Pretty.

LUKE

So…

HALEY

Just curious.

LUKE

It didn’t have anything to do with…

HALEY

Right.  Elephant in the room.

LUKE

That’s why I was worried you got it from me.

HALEY

It was so long ago.

LUKE

Just a couple weeks.

HALEY

Still.  Two weeks.

LUKE

You’re probably right.

HALEY

I mean, it might have been.  Does it take a while sometimes?

LUKE

Maybe.

HALEY

I guess.  I mean, it crossed my mind, obviously.

LUKE

Listen, I’m sorry.

HALEY

(Quickly.)

For what?

LUKE

Well, if I gave you the virus, I guess.

HALEY

Oh, it wasn’t your fault.

LUKE

Yeah, I mean, it wasn’t exactly one-sided.

HALEY

I just meant, you didn’t know you were sick.

(Beat.)

But the other thing wasn’t your fault, either.  Entirely.

LUKE

Not like I didn’t have any part in it.

HALEY

Obviously.

LUKE

I was surprised, but that doesn’t mean anything.

HALEY

Surprised by what?

LUKE

By what happened.  Not the flu, but-

HALEY

We made out.

(Pause.)

Just, might as well say it.

LUKE

Sure.

HALEY

Surprised?  Again?

LUKE

A little.

(Beat.)

I was just a little…You know, the end of a long day…

HALEY

Oh.  Yeah?

LUKE

not that I didn’t want it.

HALEY

Uh huh.

LUKE

And I…liked it.

HALEY

That’s nice, good to hear.

LUKE

I’m just not usually the kind of guy who does that.

HALEY

Right.

LUKE

I’m the kind of guy who…reads and…

HALEY

Vomits.

LUKE

(Laughs.)

Yes.

HALEY

Well, I don’t think it would take me that long to get sick.  So, you’re off the hook, as far as that goes.

LUKE

That’s a relief.  So this was just…crazy timing.

HALEY

Crazy.  Yes.

LUKE

Okay.  Good to know I didn’t…contribute to the pandemic.  I like to think I’m a responsible citizen.  As soon as I felt anything I was at the doctor’s, getting tested.  No risks.

HALEY

No risks.

LUKE

Not…usually.

(Beat.)

Crazy timing.

HALEY

(Lying down on the other couch.)

I’ll sleep here.

I’m working on a play called “See to Believe” right now and this is a scene that occurs in the middle of the play, a flashback that takes place three years before the rest of the play.  In it, Alex, a well-known painter of religious art, paints his blind son Tristan.  I’d really like to get some honest feedback about it.  Like, based on this would you want to see/read the rest of the play?  Does it seem over the top?  Manipulative?  Weird?  It’s a first draft so be as brutal as you want to be…

(Three years earlier.  TRISTAN is seated near ALEX, who is painting.)
TRISTAN
At first I thought I was gonna have to be naked.

ALEX
What?

TRISTAN
Just, posing.  Rae heard “posing” and just laughed…

ALEX
Oh.
(Forced chuckle.)
No, no.  This isn’t weird for you, is it?

TRISTAN
I…guess not.

ALEX
I could just use a photo but that’s never the same.

TRISTAN
Okay.  Do you need me to hold more still?

ALEX
That would be helpful.

TRISTAN
Alright.

ALEX
So how is everything?

TRISTAN
Uh, fine.  School is school.  Rae is good.

ALEX
You two are spending a lot of time together.

TRISTAN
Yeah, it’s been four months.

ALEX
What has?

TRISTAN
That we’ve been dating.

ALEX
Four months, really?

TRISTAN
Yep.

ALEX
That went fast.

TRISTAN
For you too?

ALEX
She’s a very nice girl.

TRISTAN
Yeah.
(Beat.)
I think I love her.

ALEX
Wow.  You, uh…

TRISTAN
I just mean I think I do.  I don’t even really know…Just, I feel different about her than about anyone else and…

ALEX
And you think you love her.

TRISTAN
Sorry, this is kind of weird to talk about.

ALEX
No it isn’t.

TRISTAN
I hadn’t told anyone about it.  I wasn’t even gonna bring it up.

ALEX
We can talk, you know.

TRISTAN
Yeah.

ALEX
We should at least be able to…

TRISTAN
We can talk.  Okay, so let’s talk.

ALEX
So, you’re in love.

TRISTAN
Well, how do I even know?

ALEX
If you think you are, it usually means…Well, how do you feel when you’re around her?

TRISTAN
The, uh…the whole thing.  Hearing her voice or feeling her hands on me…

ALEX
Okay…

TRISTAN
No.  Just, when I’m with her I feel better.  I feel different than with anyone else.  Yeah, like I said…

ALEX
That sounds legit.

TRISTAN
Yeah, all the cliches.

ALEX
You should tell her.

TRISTAN
Really?

ALEX
I don’t know, why not?

TRISTAN
I can think of a lot of reasons.

ALEX
Okay, stupid question.

TRISTAN
She might not feel the same way, she might freak out if I told her, she could think I’m more serious than I am.  I donno.

ALEX
Or maybe she’s waiting for you to say it.

TRISTAN
Maybe.

ALEX
I mean it is your choice.

TRISTAN
But you think I should go for it.

ALEX
No, it doesn’t matter what I think.

TRISTAN
Course it does.

ALEX
Then, yes.  Tell her.  If you really think it’s real.  But, again, that’s up to you.  Like I said.

TRISTAN
Okay.

ALEX
But if you want to know what I think…

TRISTAN
I asked.

ALEX
Right, you did.

TRISTAN
You think I should tell her.  Okay.
(Beat.)
We can talk, right?

ALEX
I’m sorry about that.  It’s just that I don’t know the whole story.  With you two.

TRISTAN
How long did you think we’d been together?

ALEX
Oh, I don’t know…

TRISTAN
You’ve met her, right?

ALEX
Don’t be silly.

TRISTAN
Just checking.
(Beat.)
Do you, uh, think she’s pretty?

ALEX
Who?

TRISTAN
(Chuckling.)
The queen of England.

ALEX
Oh, RaeAnne.

TRISTAN
That’s the one.

ALEX
Well, of course I do.  She has a great smile, very cute…Her eyes are…
(Trails off as he becomes engrossed in his work.)

TRISTAN
Sorry, I’m talking to you while you’re painting.

ALEX
What’s that?

TRISTAN
I just won’t talk.  You can’t paint my mouth if it’s moving.

ALEX
You can talk.

TRISTAN
I’m distracting though, right?  How many times did you tell me-

ALEX
(Stopping.)
Hey.
(TRISTAN listens intently.  ALEX looks at him.)
RaeAnne is beautiful.  She has an infectious smile, a…smile that makes you want to smile back.  And her eyes are grey most of the time but I swear they get more color when she’s looking at you.  Like they’re soaking something in.

TRISTAN
I think she smiles with everything, have you noticed that?  It’s, what was it, infectious with me too.

ALEX
There you go.  When you feel yourself smile, you can, I don’t know, pretend you’re seeing it on her.

TRISTAN
I never wanted to ask anyone that before.

ALEX
Did you just…wonder?

TRISTAN
Yeah.

ALEX
Well, she is.  Beautiful.

TRISTAN
(Wryly.)
I’m missing out, huh?

ALEX
Of course not, of course you’re not.  You’re the one, you can…

TRISTAN
Dad.

ALEX
(Beat.)
Yes.

TRISTAN
(With forced casualness.)
Like most stuff, right?

ALEX
Tristan.

TRISTAN
No, it’s not like it’s news.

ALEX
We see the world differently.

TRISTAN
You see the world.

ALEX
We experience it-

TRISTAN
Differently.  Yeah.

ALEX
It’s not better or worse.

TRISTAN
Oh, this one’s my favorite.  “It’s just different.”

ALEX
I just mean-

TRISTAN
Because of my acute sense of smell, because I get to smell the world.

ALEX
What?

TRISTAN
Geez, are we really this…I get this enough from my art history teacher.

ALEX
Oh.  You’re taking art history?

TRISTAN
Elective.  It was a scheduling error.  Or just a sick joke.

ALEX
Very sick.

TRISTAN
Rae’s in the class so I stayed.  Plus it’s an easy A, I’m excused from every assignment.

ALEX
Wow.

TRISTAN
Just, you don’t have to talk like that to me.

ALEX
Alright.

TRISTAN
Which you would know if you ever…

ALEX
What’s that?

TRISTAN
You’re the one who said we didn’t talk.

ALEX
I didn’t say that.

TRISTAN
Well, we don’t.  Talk.  So, no big deal.  You don’t have to try and cheer me up or whatever.  So don’t worry about that.
(Beat.)
And I can just let you work.
(ALEX looks at him sadly, then resumes painting.)

ALEX
I never said I couldn’t talk while I was painting.

TRISTAN
You never said anything while you were painting.

ALEX
Did you every really try?

TRISTAN
Are you serious?

ALEX
No, sorry.

TRISTAN
I used to play a game, you know.  I’d come in here when I knew you were working and I would sit down somewhere and just wait.  I thought it would be easy for you to see.

ALEX
I didn’t?

TRISTAN
Sometimes you’d notice on my way out.

ALEX
Why didn’t you say anything?

TRISTAN
Why didn’t you?

ALEX
What is going on with you, Tristan?  I don’t know where this is even coming from.

TRISTAN
What?

ALEX
Is this some…rebellious streak?

TRISTAN
I don’t know what you’re…A rebellious streak?

ALEX
We used to be close.

TRISTAN
Well, I’m sure it makes you feel a lot better, me experiencing things just like any normal child.

ALEX
Tristan.

TRISTAN
Right?

ALEX
I’m trying, Tristan, I’m trying to be with you.

TRISTAN
I know.

ALEX
I never wanted to exclude you from my work.

TRISTAN
You couldn’t really help that.

ALEX
I’m trying to make things right.

TRISTAN
How?

ALEX
Any way I can?  Tristan, I’m sorry.  I should know how long you’ve been with your girlfriend, and I should be able to tell that you’re in love for the first time.  And I should have something more…paternal to say about it.

TRISTAN
I’m sorry I brought it up.

ALEX
And you shouldn’t be sorry you brought it up.

TRISTAN
Okay.

ALEX
That’s my fault too.  It…all is.  I take responsibility anyway.

TRISTAN
(Pause.)
I’m sure it isn’t all your fault.

ALEX
Regardless.
(Beat.)
So hold still.
(They both smile.  ALEX resumes painting.)
What’s this party you’re going to tonight?

TRISTAN
Just, one of Rae’s friends is graduating.

ALEX
And it’ll be a good party?

TRISTAN
No drugs, nothing crazy.

ALEX
Drinking?

TRISTAN
What?  I don’t…Probably some people’ll be drinking, I donno.

ALEX
Mom was okay with that?

TRISTAN
I didn’t tell her that.  It isn’t a big deal, there’s always someone drinking.

ALEX
Always?

TRISTAN
I just mean, at these parties, lots of people show up.  But it’ll be fine.  Rae said the guy’s parents’ll even be there.

ALEX
Can I call them?

TRISTAN
You could.  You could trust me.

ALEX
It’s not you I don’t trust.

TRISTAN
Do you trust Rae?

ALEX
Sure.

TRISTAN
Because what happened, I mean that was just-

ALEX
I know.

TRISTAN
Is that why you’re freaked out?

ALEX
I’m not freaked out.

TRISTAN
We’re not even…doing anything like that anymore.  Anything.  We don’t even want to.

ALEX
Good.

TRISTAN
I mean, we want to, but we decided, you know?

ALEX
That’s good.  You do have to be careful.

TRISTAN
I know that.

ALEX
This isn’t something you can just shrug off.

TRISTAN
I know that.

ALEX
Has she found out yet?

TRISTAN
I don’t know if she’s checked.

ALEX
She hasn’t-

TRISTAN
She was just…wondering.  Thinking out loud probably.

ALEX
Thinking out loud?

TRISTAN
If she was pregnant, I think I’d be the first to know.

ALEX
I should hope so.

TRISTAN
But why would she be?

ALEX
It’s what happens, son.

TRISTAN
If she’s worried about it, she’ll check it out.

ALEX
And you’re sure she hasn’t?

TRISTAN
She’s just been getting sick, feeling weird, skipped her period.

ALEX
Getting sick?

TRISTAN
Coincidence.

ALEX
You seem so sure.

TRISTAN
One time, Dad.  What are the chances-

ALEX
She needs to find out.

TRISTAN
(Breath.)
I know.

ALEX
And you should talk to Mom about it.

TRISTAN
You haven’t told her?

ALEX
It’s not for me to tell.

TRISTAN
Just seems like you would.

ALEX
And she’s not the only one you should talk to.

TRISTAN
I get it, I know.

ALEX
This is why you don’t let something like this happen.

TRISTAN
Obviously.

ALEX
Among other things.

TRISTAN
But the party.

ALEX
Maybe you two shouldn’t be alone together.

TRISTAN
We’re gonna be in public.

ALEX
At someone’s house.

TRISTAN
We’ll stay in the backyard.

ALEX
That’s where the alcohol will be.

TRISTAN
How would you know the layout of these things?

ALEX
I was a kid once.

TRISTAN
I’m not a kid, Dad.

ALEX
I’m only saying, you know how bad decisions sneak up on you.

TRISTAN
I told you-

ALEX
I know.  I realize.

TRISTAN
We’re more careful now.  About everything.

ALEX
And you don’t think there’s anything wrong with the party?

TRISTAN
We’ve been to these kind of things before.

ALEX
You have?

TRISTAN
Everyone has.  You were a kid once.

ALEX
Yes, but I never drank, I never did drugs, I never-

TRISTAN
Neither will I.  See?
(Beat.)
I’m not stupid, Dad.  I won’t do anything stupid.

ALEX
Alright…

TRISTAN
I mean, not now.  Not anymore.

ALEX
I know.

TRISTAN
We won’t even be home late.

ALEX
Midnight.

TRISTAN
What?

ALEX
Midnight, or no deal.

TRISTAN
Fine.

ALEX
You know I’m only looking out for you.

TRISTAN
Yeah.
(Beat.)
Thanks.
(Beat.)
And she’ll find out.  I tell her to find out for sure.  And we can all relax.

ALEX
(Tries to think of a response but cannot.  Paints.)
Maybe I should give this to RaeAnne.

TRISTAN
The painting?

ALEX
You think she would like it?

TRISTAN
You’d be a better judge than I would.

ALEX
Right.

TRISTAN
She seems to like what she sees.

ALEX
She does.

TRISTAN
She’d probably love it.

ALEX
In that case it’s definitely good I didn’t have you do this naked.
(No response.)
Just, a joke.

TRISTAN
Good one.

ALEX
I’m doing head and shoulders, kind of a profile, a view from the side…It’ll show the side of your face-

TRISTAN
I get it.

ALEX
You have a lot of colors in your hair.

TRISTAN
Really?

ALEX
Just natural highlights, RaeAnne probably loves it.  Three or four different browns.

TRISTAN
Sweet.  Am I being still enough?

ALEX
You’re fine.  I think I’ll use a muted aquamarine for your eyes.

TRISTAN
Aquamarine?

ALEX
It’s a greenish blue.  Color.  I might try and get that silvery tint to it, they have this almost metallic…well…

TRISTAN
(Pause.)
My eyes are blue?
(ALEX stops painting and turns slowly to look at TRISTAN.)
I just didn’t ever know.

ALEX
You didn’t ask.

TRISTAN
Never seemed very important.

ALEX
They’re a light blue.
(TRISTAN nods.)
They were the first thing anyone ever noticed about you after you were born.  You know, “Look at those eyes.”

TRISTAN
Wow.

ALEX
All babies have blue eyes, but yours were different.  And they didn’t change or fade.

TRISTAN
Well, I certainly didn’t work them very hard.

ALEX
(Chuckle.)
Right.

TRISTAN
(Smiling.)
Good to know.

ALEX
(Pause.)
You’re beautiful too.

TRISTAN
(Laughing awkwardly.)
Okay, Dad.

ALEX
I don’t know if you’d ever ask that question.  But, so you know.
(No response.)
People say you look like me.

TRISTAN
I’ve heard that.

ALEX
I can’t always see it, but there are some times when I do, when I feel like I’m looking in a…Like I’m looking into myself.

TRISTAN
Then I open my mouth.  Right?

ALEX
Tristan.

TRISTAN
Okay.  Um, thanks?

ALEX
You’re much more handsome than me, of course.

TRISTAN
Of course.  That’s why you wanted to paint me?

ALEX
I…yes.

TRISTAN
Why did you?

ALEX
Want to paint you?

TRISTAN
Yeah.

ALEX
I should be allowed to paint my son.  Shouldn’t I?

TRISTAN
I didn’t say you weren’t allowed.

ALEX
I know, I meant…
(Beat.)
Because it’s all I know.  It’s all I know how to do.

TRISTAN
What?

ALEX
I think every parent wants to do everything for their kids, right?

TRISTAN
Yeah…

ALEX
And maybe some other father actually can.  Do everything.  But I just paint.  I used to be a hero if I got you a bottle of milk, or found a toy for you.  But all I’ve ever really know how to do, you know.

TRISTAN
There’s nothing…No one can fix me, Dad.

ALEX
I know.

TRISTAN
You’re the one who told me that.

ALEX
But you think I didn’t wish I was wrong?

TRISTAN
So painting me is supposed to change something?

ALEX
Yes.

TRISTAN
It’s supposed to heal me?

ALEX
No-

TRISTAN
You really think-

ALEX
No.  Of course not.

TRISTAN
Because it’s impossible.

ALEX
Nothing is supposed to be impossible.

TRISTAN
Okay, barring a miracle…
(No response.)
Dad?

ALEX
I still believed in that when I was your age.

TRISTAN
Miracles?

ALEX
Sight to the blind, that isn’t unheard of.

TRISTAN
The doctors said-

ALEX
I know what the doctors said.

TRISTAN
But you think they’re wrong.

ALEX
Don’t we all?  Isn’t that what we believe?

TRISTAN
(Pause.  Simply.)
I’m not a miracle.

ALEX
That isn’t your fault.

TRISTAN
It isn’t yours either.
(ALEX says nothing.)
Did you ever try?

ALEX
What?

TRISTAN
Try to do something, to give me a blessing, something like that?

ALEX
The doctors said it was impossible.

TRISTAN
Oh.
(Pause.)
So what do we believe in?

ALEX
I can’t answer that for you.

TRISTAN
That’s not what you and mom have been saying for however many years.

ALEX
We never tried to make those decisions for you.

TRISTAN
You told me what I should believe.

ALEX
No.  We told you what we believe, we tried to share the truths that we know.

TRISTAN
Except you don’t know them.  Except you don’t really believe that, what you told me.  Because your little boy, your beautiful son can’t see your paintings.  Isn’t that what you just said?

ALEX
Everyone goes through trials-

TRISTAN
Oh, come on!  Dad.  You think I don’t…You know, we both sat in the same church hearing the same crap about the blind received their sight and we believe in a God of miracles-

ALEX
We do.  I believe in that.

TRISTAN
But you still believed the doctors.  That I was screwed.

ALEX
Don’t say “screwed.”

TRISTAN
Why would you believe them?  All these years you never even tried to help me?

ALEX
Of course I tried.

TRISTAN
You said you never-

ALEX
I didn’t say that.
(Attempts a smile.)
You’re supposed to have an acute sense of hearing too.
(No response.)
It didn’t work.  Obviously.  And I believed it would, I believed so much I would open my eyes from that prayer and you’d be looking right back up at me.  I almost couldn’t keep mine closed because I didn’t want to miss it, that moment.  We found out early, pretty soon after you were born.  It’s easy to tell.
(Beat.)
I know I’ve never had perfect faith, but I don’t think anyone’s ever believed like I did that night.  You were six days old.  And I could feel angels and I could hear every hymn just kind of reverberating in my ears.  And it was the goose bumps on the back of the neck and it was the warmth spreading all over and all of that.  And I kept my eyes closed, I didn’t need to see anything, I didn’t need proof.  And I squeezed my eyes tight, I remember.
(Beat.)
And they did the same tests, and nothing.  And I fought away anything that told me I’d been wrong because it was a trial, I was sure it was some trial of faith and I’d heard my whole life about faith precedes the miracle and taking a step into the darkness and I was sure it was coming, that it would take a little while, that you’d get better slowly maybe but you’d get better.  And I was sure.
(Beat.)
I think your mom still is.

TRISTAN
She thinks I’ll get better.

ALEX
Of course she does.

TRISTAN
That some day, out of the blue…

ALEX
Stranger things have happened.

TRISTAN
But you don’t.

ALEX
(Breath.)
Maybe it’s possible and I just don’t know how.

TRISTAN
How…

ALEX
To believe.  Some people have that kind of faith, some people would have been able to…I don’t know.

TRISTAN
Why do you still go, then?  To church.  Why do you take me-

ALEX
Because I’m not strong enough to go on without something to hope for.  I can’t just think we’re alone.

TRISTAN
Even if we are?

ALEX
You don’t think that.

TRISTAN
Dad-

ALEX
Tell me you don’t really believe that.  Please.

TRISTAN
What difference does it make?

ALEX
It means that’s what I’ve left you.

TRISTAN
Come on.  It has nothing to do with you.

ALEX
These are decisions you need to make for yourself.

TRISTAN
I…did.  What are you talking about?

ALEX
I don’t think we have to have this conversation now.  When you’re older-

TRISTAN
I can get my hopes up and have them all shot to hell-

ALEX
Hey!
(Beat.)
I think that’s enough.

TRISTAN
You remember that painting you did of Jesus resurrected?

ALEX
Yes.  Do you remember that?

TRISTAN
There was this group of ladies from church, they came over for some meeting with Mom and she showed it to them.

ALEX
When was this?

TRISTAN
It wasn’t done yet, I think.

ALEX
And she showed them-

TRISTAN
I promised not to tell you.  But they stood there looking at it, talking about how beautiful, you know, the basic stuff everyone says.

ALEX
And you were sitting quietly in that chair, seeing if they-

TRISTAN
They would have noticed.  No I was just…around.  And these ladies, a couple of them were crying, Mom was crying.  Talking about, I donno, bearing their testimonies almost and how looking, or, yeah, “just seeing it,” they said, “just seeing it could make anyone believe.”

ALEX
That isn’t true.

TRISTAN
They thought so.  And one of them actually turned to me, and told me how amazing you are and didn’t I think so.

ALEX
(Disbelievingly.)
No.

TRISTAN
I just stood there and I think she got awkward and figured if she didn’t say anything I would forget she was there.

ALEX
I told her not to…show people…

TRISTAN
Why are all your paintings religious?

ALEX
Not all of them.

TRISTAN
But most.

ALEX
I told you, it’s all I know.

TRISTAN
So?

ALEX
It’s the language I speak, I think it’s how I learn.  It must be good for something.

TRISTAN
So it’s all because you want it to be true.  You want all of this to make sense.  All the stuff you were raised with, and everything Mom believes in.

ALEX
It does make sense.

TRISTAN
How?  How does it all fit together?

ALEX
I don’t have all the answers, I don’t need to have all the answers.

TRISTAN
If you want me to see it, help me see.  Show me!

ALEX
I can’t!

TRISTAN
It doesn’t fit, Dad.

ALEX
You don’t fit!  You’re the piece that doesn’t fit.
(Silence.)
I need you to help me see it all.

TRISTAN
Maybe that’s the problem.

ALEX
Maybe.

TRISTAN
Does Mom feel this way?

ALEX
Mom wakes up every morning sure that a miracle is on its way.  Every morning, no matter how she felt the night before.

TRISTAN
Does she know you do?

ALEX
Feel this way?

TRISTAN
Yeah.

ALEX
No.  You know, this was all supposed to make us happy.  That’s what the Savior said, that was the whole point.

TRISTAN
And you want me to be happy.

ALEX
Even if I can’t be.

TRISTAN
I don’t know if I can.

ALEX
No.

TRISTAN
I can’t, Dad.  I just can’t see it.

ALEX
You should have had someone to make it all better for you.

TRISTAN
There’s no one like that.

ALEX
But there is.  Just because I couldn’t be that for you-

TRISTAN
No one expects you to be God.  I think not even God would expect that, you know?  I think all you had to do was love me.

ALEX
That’s all I could do.

TRISTAN
Then don’t you believe in a God who knows that?  Like, he wouldn’t expect more than that?  Don’t you believe he loves you?

ALEX
Do you?

TRISTAN
I don’t know.  Dad, I’m sorry, but I don’t know-
(Stops as ALEX puts a hand tenderly on his shoulder.  ALEX crouches down in front of where TRISTAN is sitting.  He stares at him for a moment.)

ALEX
I want to show you something.
(ALEX stands up and brings TRISTAN to join him.  Over the following he leads TRISTAN to the easel and stands behind him.)
I always loved to read about Christ, healing.  How it’s mentioned so casually, “He went forth and the people came to him and they were healed,” something like that.  Just like healing was just what he did.  That he couldn’t help it.  Maybe it’s all he knew how to do, all he needed to know.
(ALEX picks up his brush and palate.  He mixes his paint and gets some on the brush.  He takes TRISTAN’s hand and places the brush between TRISTAN’s fingers.)

TRISTAN
Dad.  What are you doing?

ALEX
(Guiding the brush in TRISTAN’s hand to the canvas.)
Aquamarine.

TRISTAN
(Stiffening.)
No, I shouldn’t-

ALEX
Ssshhh…
(Paints.)
Looking straight ahead, there’s an intensity there.  There’s a concentration.

TRISTAN
Am I smiling?

ALEX
Infectiously.  You’re very good for someone who had to teach himself.

TRISTAN
Do I smile with my eyes?

ALEX
I wish you could see it.
(Moves the brush back to the palate.)
More paint.

TRISTAN
You aren’t alone.  You said you had to believe you’re not alone.

ALEX
I know.

TRISTAN
I’ve never felt alone.  Even if I can’t…Even if you can’t share with me, the things-

ALEX
Ssshhh, you’re the artist.
(Brings the brush back to the canvas.)

TRISTAN
I thought the face was on the other side.

ALEX
There’s a mirror, you’re…looking back at yourself.

TRISTAN
I can see?

ALEX
I believed I could heal you.
(Lifts the brush from the canvas.)

TRISTAN
What else?

ALEX
(Resuming with a different brush.)
The first thing the nurse said at the hospital?  You’ve got my jaw.

TRISTAN
Jaw?

ALEX
Well, your eyes were closed.
(Lifts TRISTAN’s hand and brush up to the canvas, guiding the strokes.)
Straight down, then in.  Like that, you see that?

TRISTAN
I…
(Continues “painting.”)
Dad.

ALEX
It makes you look strong.
(Guides the brush stroke again.)

TRISTAN
I don’t…
(ALEX takes TRISTAN’s other hand and places it on the side of TRISTAN’s face.)

ALEX
There.

TRISTAN
I can’t.

ALEX
Just…see.
(ALEX lets go of TRISTAN’s hand slowly and TRISTAN continues to paint, feeling along his jaw.)
Never say you’re not a miracle.
(TRISTAN notices he is painting alone, stops abruptly and turns to ALEX..)

TRISTAN
Dad?
(ALEX reaches out for TRISTAN’s hand.  TRISTAN holds on and reaches up with his other hand to touch ALEX’s face.  He places his hand gently on ALEX’s jaw.  He blinks.)
Dad.

ALEX
I’m right here.

TRISTAN
Dad.
(Silence.  His eyes begin to move around, surveying ALEX’s face.)
I heard something warm sometimes, I wanted to see.  Like it’s behind your eyes, and there’s room for just enough.  And still room for me, just enough.  It’s brown, isn’t it?

ALEX
Tristan?

TRISTAN
I guess I didn’t get your eyes.
(Reaches up and feels ALEX’s jaw.)
It is.

ALEX
What are you…

TRISTAN
Do you always look at me like that?

ALEX
You can see me.

TRISTAN
I’m okay, Dad.

ALEX
I know.

TRISTAN
Can I see it?  The aquamarine?

ALEX
Turn around.

TRISTAN
(Not moving.)
I couldn’t imagine a face.  I heard “face,” but I could only feel it.  And the windows.  Someone told me there was this much light.

ALEX
It’s a sunny day.

TRISTAN
It must be hot.

ALEX
Turn around.

TRISTAN
We should always have light.
(Turns around slowly.  Waits a moment, then places his hand on his face again.)
There were three browns in my hair?

ALEX
At least.  You see?

TRISTAN
That must be nice.

ALEX
Mom’s eyes are hazel, as sort of brown-green.  Yours are different.  They’re just yours.

TRISTAN
I’m looking straight ahead?

ALEX
There’s an intensity there.  Do you see it?

TRISTAN
Show me.

ALEX
It’s right here.

TRISTAN
Dad.
(Beat.)
Show me.
(ALEX is frozen.  Does not respond.)
I need you.

ALEX
(Putting his hands on TRISTAN’s shoulders.)
Tristan.

TRISTAN
Just show me, I need you to-

ALEX
No!

TRISTAN
Dad…

ALEX
(Turning TRISTAN around and looking at him.)
No, Tristan.  Show…Tell me what you see.
(TRISTAN says nothing.)
More light?
(No response.)
Please.

TRISTAN
Please, Dad.
(A moment passes in silence.  Slowly, ALEX once again takes TRISTAN’s hand and places the brush between the fingers.  He guides the hand up to the canvas.)

ALEX
Here.
(He continues to guide TRISTAN’s hand and explain the painting as the lights fade.)