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 Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:49 am
What About Love?
Characters
– Aribelle (Ari) Lewis –
22 years old, Aribelle was born and raised in Phoenix, New York; a small village in the town of Shroeppel. Her parents were Stacy and Colby Lewis. Aribelle graduated from John C. Birdlebough public high school and went on to pursue a career in primary education. Throughout middle school and high school, Aribelle dated Sawyer Mayes, a boy who she was so sure of that she was going to marry him, but then found out he was lying to her and using drugs, so she left him. She rebounded reluctantly, but quickly due to Ronnie’s constant insistence, and began dating Tyson Rodriguez, Sawyer’s best friend. She was going into her third year at New York State University when longtime boyfriend, Tyson, proposed to her, and it was during that following December that Tyson was killed in a drive by shooting.
– Veronica (Ronnie) Lewis –
19 years old, slender, about 5’4, shoulder length blonde hair, dark eyes. Born and raised in Phoenix, New York, youngest and only other daughter of the late Stacy and Colby Lewis. She is just out of high school and is taking a year off from education. Her parents died in her sophomore year of high school, her father of natural causes and her mother, later that same year, in a car crash. She moved in with Ari until the end of her junior year when she started renting an apartment with a friend across town. In high school, Ronnie was on the drill team and competition ballroom team. She will start attending Julliard for dance in autumn. There’s something about Ronnie that just draws people to confess their secrets to her, so she knows everything about everyone in Phoenix, pretty much.
– Sawyer Mayes –
23 years old, slim, muscular, between 6’0 and 6’4, brown hair, grey eyes. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Phoenix, New York with his mom when he was in the fifth grade. His father ran off before he was born, so he never knew him. All his childhood and teenage years, he looked for that father-like figure to fill in that empty void in his life, but his mom hated men. In middle school, he met Ari and he gained the courage to ask her out, they dated all through middle school and high school. In his junior year of high school, Sawyer’s mother started dating a druggie. Sawyer found his stash one night and was curious enough to try it, he was hooked. Ari soon noticed the difference and dumped him and then went after HIS best friend, no hesitation. After the druggie left his mom, they (his mother and he) were addicted to the substances. His mother was desperate, overdosed, and died not long after his high school graduation. He moved out of state to seek treatment for his addiction and has been there every day SINCE his mother’s death, telling himself that he doesn’t want to die young. When he hears of Tyson’s death, he finally admits it to himself that he’d been doing it all for Ari all along, but she was gone, impossible for him. But with Tyson’s death he realizes that Ari isn’t gone. She’s still there. He travels back to New York to set things right after all these years.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:09 pm
[Curtains open to reveal a dim lit apartment. Against the right side wall are several framed photos of some of Ari and Tyson’s life moments together. There is a TV set alongside the wall and a couch and end table parallel to it. There is a door on the right side, artificial light peeking out from beneath it. The back wall has two doors, the one of the right side of the back wall is closed and the one on the left is open slightly. There is a table set in the middle of the main room, a counter jutting out from the left of the second door from the back wall, a sink on the opposite side, joined again by another counter with stove/oven on the other side, a row of cabinets running above them along the left side wall. There’s window above the sink and a bowl of fruit in the center of the table.]
Ari:
[Ari enters the apartment through the door on the right wall and turns on the light switch next to the door. Closes the door. She puts her work bag down next to the door and then takes off her coat and drapes it over the back of the couch. She slowly makes her way around the arm of the couch and gracefully sits down – good posture. She reaches for the remote on the end table and turns on the TV. A menu comes up on the screen with a single tab saying, “PLAY”. She presses something on the remote and pictures of Tyson Rodriguez’s life make their way across the screen. She starts to cry softly and then curls up on the couch.] I miss you so much. [There’s a knock at the door, but she doesn’t answer, doesn’t respond.]
Ronnie:
[There’s a pause at the door, and the knob starts to turn. It swings open and Ronnie resituates the grocery bags in her arms.] It is FREEZING out there! [She looks over at Ari for a moment and then proceeds to the kitchen and sets the grocery bags down on the closest counter. Ronnie looks up to see that the slide show has come to an end after she’s sorted through and thrown away the grocery bags.] I talked to Maria again today. She’s said it’s getting a little easier every day. [Ronnie starts organizing the groceries by type and turns the burners on “high”. She beings putting groceries away, and while she’s putting one away in a higher cabinet, she loses her balance and puts her hand down on the heating burner in attempt to catch her fall.] Damn it! [She rushes to the sink and turns the faucet on cold and lets it run over her hand as she reaches in the medicine cabinet to find something to help her hand.]
Ari:
[Ari makes her way over to the kitchen area and sits at the table. She looks at Ronnie with a saddened look on her face.]
Ronnie:
[Ronnie finds several bottles of painkillers, antidepressants, and some drugs that she doesn’t even recognize. She pulls one out and examines it.] What the…? [Examines closer] What the hell are THESE, Ari?!
Ari:
[Ari looks up at her blankly.]
Ronnie:
[Ronnie glares at her and then at her reddening hand. She shakes the water off of it and stomps toward Ari with one of the bottles in her hand.] What are you doing with these?!
Ari:
[Ari finally looks away from Ronnie to look at the table as she draws circles on it with her fingers. Ronnie shakes her head and slams the bottle down in front of Ari and then grabs the phone off of the wall and dials a number.]
Ronnie:
Sawyer, get over here. [pause] It’s Ronnie, who else? [pause] Just… just get over here! NOW! [Ronnie slams the phone down on the receiver and goes back to the medicine cabinet and finds some gauze. She douses it in cold water and then wraps it around her hand. She fishes through the rest of the drugs, whispering unintelligently all the while. She stops and turns to face Ari.] What the hell are you THINKING? Do you know what these things could DO to you? [She points over at the cabinet.] Do you honestly not remember those stories dad used to tell us? How mom CRIED so damn hard when she heard about Uncle Joe? Do you really want to do that to the rest of us, Ari? [Pause – no reply from Ari.] Aribelle Rachelle Lewis! I am TALKING to you!
Ari:
[Ari looks up from the table to Ronnie furiously.] Mom’s not HERE anymore!
Ronnie:
[Ronnie storms toward Ari.] Do you THINK [Ronnie slams the table with her fist.] That I haven’t NOTICED that?
Ari:
She’s gone, Ronnie. [Ari looks down at the table as he voice begins to quiver.] He’s never going to come HOME.
Ronnie:
[The anger in Ronnie’s face subsides and a saddened look takes over. She puts her arms around Ari.]
Ari:
I’m not like Maria. He’s never coming home.
Ronnie:
[comforting] It’s going to be alright.
Ari:
[whispered] I’m forgetting him, Ronnie…
Ronnie:
What?
Ari:
I can’t remember certain things about him.
Ronnie:
Like what? What do you mean?
Ari:
I can’t remember what his laugh sounds like, [her voice gets louder, but she’s crying.] What his voice sounds like!
Ronnie:
[Ronnie pulls away to look at Ari. And then walks back to the cooking area and fills a pot from a cabinet with water and sets it on the burner. Ari sobs loudly. Ronnie sighs and heads back over to her. Ronnie wraps her arms around Ari tightly as she cries.] Shh… it’s going to be alright. Everything is going to be just fine.
Ari:
[Ari pushes away from Ronnie, offended.] How can you say that? [She stands up and steps away from her.] It’s not going to be FINE! This isn’t some god damn tea party! When all of this is said and done, Tyson is still dead! He’s gone. [She walks over to Ronnie and looks at her down her nose.] Gone, Ronnie. Don’t you get that? Nothing is going to be alright!
Ronnie:
Only because you’re making it like that, Ari! You can CHANGE this! I know you can!
Ari:
[Ari narrows her eyes and shakes her head slightly at Ronnie.] Don’t you preach to me. Don’t you DARE preach to me! [Ronnie shakes her head furiously, Ari goes back into the living area and curls up on the couch, drawing her knees to her chest. Ronnie slams things around as she cooks and dumps the noodles rather furiously. The front door opens without a knock and in walks Sawyer. Ari looks up at him and smiles halfheartedly.] Hey Sawyer.
Sawyer:
Hey, Ari. [He turns to Ronnie.] What’s going on? [Ronnie raises her eyebrow at him and tilts her head for him to come closer so Ari can’t hear what she has to say. Sawyer walks over to the kitchen area and props his elbows against the opposite side of the counter.]
Ronnie:
Come here. [Sawyer looks at her uncomfortable, but crosses to the other side of the counter.] What do you know about, [she gestures to the drugs], these?
Sawyer:
[Undertone] What the heck…? [Looks away from drugs and then to Ronnie.] Are those… Ronnie, is she…?
Ronnie:
[Ronnie nods] They’re hers.
Sawyer:
[Sawyer looks back over to Ari and speaks through gritted teeth.] Get over here, Ari. [Ari looks up at him, doe eyed, but doesn’t move.] Get your sorry a** over here right now!
Ari:
[Her doe eyed look changes to anger.] Don’t talk to me like that. Tyson NEVER talked to me like that! [She gets up from the couch and stands right where the mind draws the line between kitchen and living area. Ronnie looks at her venomously, Ari glares at Sawyer.] What are you even DOING here?
Ronnie:
Ari, what the hell is your problem?!
Ari:
[Ari just laughs falsely and shakes her head.] I don’t care what you think. [She storms four steps to the bathroom and then slams the door behind her. Sobs can be heard through the door.]
Sawyer:
[Sawyer looks at Ronnie and shakes his head.] Way to go. You happy, Ronnie? Now she’s locked herself up in there. Are you going to go patronize her? Maybe go tell a brick wall to get out of your way? Personally, [narrows eyes and nods slightly] I think you’ll have better luck with the wall.
Ronnie:
Oh shut up! Don’t act all high and mighty! You were the one who made her upset in the first place!
Sawyer:
You told me to come over here!
Ronnie:
Yeah, because I figured you’d know just what the hell this [gestures dramatically to the drug cabinet] is all about!
Sawyer:
[Pissed off] Oh and why’s that?
Ronnie:
[Laughs] Really?
Sawyer:
[Narrows eyes in a mix of hatred and disgust] Those days are gone. I’m better now.
Ronnie:
[Gloating] Is that what you are? Better? Sure didn’t look like then when you were eying her stash.
Sawyer:
For once Ronnie, could you just hold your breath, quit talking? For ONCE? I mean, think about it, she just lost her fiancé! We can’t expect her to get better so soon.
Ronnie:
Oh look who’s talking now. [Rolls eyes.]
Sawyer:
Tyson was a good man, okay? I might hate him, but for Ari’s sake, I won’t let it show. I’ll push that away. He was good to her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:11 pm
Ronnie:
Good to her?
Sawyer:
Yes, Ronnie. He was good. He’s not the kind of guy who would beat a girl or bring her down. I knew him. He would never hurt her – physically or mentally. He probably would have rather thrown himself off of a bridge… I almost did.
Ronnie:
[flabbergasted] I’m sorry? You thought he was good to her?
Sawyer:
Yes! Okay? Glory, glory, HALLELUJAH ! Lord Almighty, let it be!
Ronnie:
[Whispered. Looks down at floor.] You really don’t know… [Sawyer looks at her in surprise, barely hearing her in his rant.]
Sawyer:
[arrogant] I’m sorry, what was that? Can you speak up? Let the world hear your cry, Ronnie Lewis! Let them know what you’re saying, damn it!
Ronnie:
[looks up at him and shakes her head. Sad.] You really don’t know, do you?
Sawyer:
[obnoxious] Ladies and gentlemen, let’s see what’s behind door number –
Ronnie:
SHUT UP! [Slaps him across the face, then lowers voice to a whisper.] Tyson cheated on her. Okay? He slept with another girl! [Sawyer – shocked speechless.] It was last January, to be exact. In the middle of their relationship. Get it? He. Was not. GOOD . To. Her.
Sawyer:
Wait… this girl… that’s not… she’s not… he didn’t… I mean, it wasn’t with you, right? [Ronnie looks at him doe eyed and Sawyer smacks the counter hard.] s**t! It better not have been with you!
Ronnie:
Hell no! [Sawyer runs his hand through his hair, relieved.] It was some stupid slut from the basketball team. I would never do that to Ari! Especially with Tyson – ew! No.
Sawyer:
Does Ari know? [Ronnie shakes her head.] Why the hell not? [He turns to go barge through the door to tell her. Ronnie maneuvers around the counter and grabs his arm with both of hers. He stops.]
Ronnie:
I promised she’d never know. She. Can’t. Know! Especially now! It would ruin her. Maybe… maybe if he was alive, but this… this would break her. We can’t tell her. I shouldn’t have told you. [She drops his arm and walks back to the kitchen. She slumps down against the counter and sits on the floor. She draws her knees up to her chest and sighs.] It’s all my fault.
Sawyer:
What? No, Ronnie. It’s not your fault.
Ronnie:
Yes it is!
Sawyer:
[Sarcastically] Are you, a tree hugger fresh out of high school, confessing to the murder of Tyson Rodriguez?
Ronnie:
[Glares at him.] No, you dumb a**. I’m talking about… never mind. You wouldn’t get it. You of all people would never understand.
Sawyer:
I’m not stupid. I’ll understand.
Ronnie:
It’s not about how smart you are!
Sawyer:
Then tell me!
Ronnie:
You wouldn’t understand!
Sawyer:
[through gritted teeth] Tell me.
Ronnie:
No.
Sawyer:
[Hissed] Now.
Ronnie:
No!
Sawyer:
Tell me, damn it! [He grabs the arm of her gauzed hand and pulls her to stand up on her toes, almost off of the ground. Ronnie whimpers.]
Ronnie:
You’re… hurting… me! [She struggles to make him let go.] Let go! [Sawyer loosens his grip on her arm and Ronnie pulls her arm out of Sawyer’s grasp.]I told her to go after Tyson, alright? [Furious] After she left you, she was a mess.
Sawyer:
You…
Ronnie:
She needed something that would help, like a quick fix. [Smiles halfheartedly.] So I sent her straight to Tyson, I knew he was a total bad a**, but I didn’t know you guys were friends. [Sawyer glares at her and shakes his head.] Okay, so, maybe I did know. But it was your fault! You took her heart and ripped it apart! You’re lucky she found Tyson.
Sawyer:
Lucky? You call this lucky?! I’ve got no life ahead of me Ronnie, and you think I’m lucky!?!
Ronnie:
Quit thinking of yourself!
Sawyer:
You’re the one who said I’m lucky!
Ronnie:
Well, you love her don’t you? If she had a happy relationship for just that little while, then you’re lucky! Even if you love her just a little bit!
Sawyer:
That was in highschool.
Ronnie:
I’m not stupid, Sawyer. I see the way you look at her. You still love her. You know you love her! You’re just not man enough to say it! That’s it! I was right in getting Tyson and Ari together! Even if it was for that short while and he was a cheating b*****d. [Spiteful] Better to say than an addict, right?
Sawyer:
[Snappy] Get out.
Ronnie:
[Stubborn. Fold arms across chest] No.
Sawyer:
I said [ragged breathing, nostrils flare, shaky voice] get out!
Ronnie:
You’re not really going to… cry? Are you? [Sawyer’s eyes start to water. Ronnie’s wall of arrogance and ignorance goes away and she looks sincerely sad.] I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things I did. It was… wrong.
Sawyer:
GET OUT! [Slams fist on counter]
Ronnie:
I’m sorry Sawyer. [Retreating to front door.] I’m sorry for everything I ever did that hurt you. You really do love her… I just… it was years ago! I was a child! I didn’t know what to do! I just wanted my sister back!
Sawyer:
[Tapping fingers against counter, shaking his head, nostrils flared, lips tight, eyes shut.] You have four seconds to get out.
Ronnie:
[Rushed] I’m so sorry. [Ronnie turns and runs, slamming the door behind her.]
Sawyer:
[he paces around the apartment, checking out all of the pictures, books, and DVDs along the walls and shelves. He fingers through them, examining each and every object. When he comes to the pictures, he’s upset. And turns on his heel and heads back to the kitchen. He starts pulling the drugs out of the cabinet and lines them up on the counter. After they’re in two neat rows, Sawyer walks toward the bathroom door which Ari is behind and knocks softly. She doesn’t respond.]
Sawyer:
Ari? Can… can I talk to you? [No response] Remember when I first asked you out? I was so nervous, my hands were sweating and I was so afraid you could hear my heart beating. I barely heard you when you said… do you remember what you said? [Waits for a response, but Ari says nothing.] well I do, ‘sure. How about a Saturday matinee?’ I had to replay your words several times before I was able to put two and two together and realize that you’d agreed on the date. [chuckles] Wow that was so long ago… I can’t even remember what that movie was about, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:12 pm
Ari:
[Through door. Barely audible from the opposite side.] What do you want?
Sawyer:
[Sighs. Looks to the ceiling, fighting back many answers.] How about we start with you coming out of there?
Ari:
Why should I?
Sawyer:
Well, for starters it would make this whole conversation thing better. It’s easier for me to talk to someone if I can see them usually. Something to do with interaction or something, I think…
Ari:
[REALLY short laugh, cuts it off almost immediately.] Why do you do this?
Sawyer:
Because I want to talk to you.
Ari:
No, not what you’re doing right now… but, everything. You’re upset at me at first and then – BAM! – you’re Mr. Nice Guy again. I don’t know who you are.
Sawyer:
Yes you do. You know me.
Ari:
Do I?
Sawyer:
Please come out of there, Ari. [There’s a silence and then shuffling can be heard from the other side of the door. It opens and Ari comes out, headphones hanging from her pocket by a thin white chord. Her eye makeup is smeared and fades down her cheeks. She pulls the sleeves of her sweater up over her hands and wipes some of the ruined makeup away from her face. Ari looks up at Sawyer, about a foot and a half away from him.]
Ari:
Why did you make Ronnie leave?
Sawyer:
I didn’t make –
Ari:
I’m not deaf. These walls aren’t soundproof, you know.
Sawyer:
It’s… complicated. She’ll probably want to tell you.
Ari:
I want you to tell me seeing as you’re the one who’s here. It’s not fair for you to kick my sister out of my apartment. Who do you think you are? What do you think you’re doing? [He doesn’t say anything, just stares at her.] Ugh! You’re so infuriating! [She steps forward and hits him in the chest. He isn’t fazed.] Why don’t you say something?!
Sawyer:
[Blurt out] I love you. [Slow down] I always have loved you. Ever since I saw you back in middle school I thought, Wow. I could marry that girl. Even if I just got one date with her, I’d be happy for the rest of my life.
Ari:
[Quiet] you got your date. [Sawyer doesn’t seem to hear]
Sawyer:
What I did as a junior… I was stupid. It was reckless, careless, and childish. I should have known better – no. the worst part is, I did know better. But Devin… he told me that if I took them, I’d be stronger, that I’d be more of a man and that girls would like me better. I thought it would make you like me more. But it didn’t. It made things terrible. It was the worst choice I ever made, I was so stupid. I realized that the day we broke up.
Ari:
[Sad] You should have realized it sooner. [Sawyer shakes his head.]
Sawyer:
I know. But I think it happened for a reason. After high school, I moved out of my mom’s place, away from Devin and his business. I didn’t even bother with packing my things. Every day after that, I constantly struggled. I didn’t want to lose myself again, not after what you’d said. I joined this club kind of thing, a sort of AA for users. I think you helped more than just me in that group – you’re words they’re so powerful. It’s impossible not to love you. Do you realize that, Ari? I never stopped loving –
Ari:
Stop. Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear it. [Sawyer looks at her with a pained expression.]
Sawyer:
[whispered] But I love you.
Ari:
But it’s not fair! Sawyer, I can’t love you. I… I never… when Tyson died, he took my heart with him. I have nothing else left to give. Tyson was my soul mate, my everything. I can’t just replace him.
Sawyer:
I’m not saying I want to replace him. I love you, Ari.
Ari:
But I can’t love you! It wouldn’t be fair for you to be in a relationship like that! I’ve been through that, I’m not going to put you through that hell. To always be second to something else. It hurts, like a sledge to the chest, Sawyer. I don’t want to put you through that.
Sawyer:
How can you love him still if he didn’t love you!?
Ari:
What are you saying? Do you hear yourself? Are you listening to me at all, or are you just blocking me out? Nothing’s changed since high school, has it? Tyson loved me. And I know that he’s waiting for me now. It wasn’t his time to go, but God must have had different plans for us. He needed Tyson up there and me down here. But Tyson and I, we will be together again. Our love will never die.
Sawyer:
Damn it, Ari! Tyson isn’t the savior you make him out to be! He’s just as bad as the rest of mankind! [Ari goes to slap him across the face, but he catches her wrist and doesn’t let go.] You can fight it all you want, but you know he didn’t love you like I did. Like I still do.
Ari:
[She glares up at him, ignoring the hand he caught.] You don’t love anyone other than yourself, how can you compare yourself to Tyson?
Sawyer:
Face the facts, Ari! He’s not waiting for you in your precious heaven! He’s in hell if there is one! Burning with the rest of the sinners! He cheated on you less than a year ago, and he never told you. He. Didn’t. Love. You.
Ari:
[Yelled] You b*****d! [She goes to slap him with her other hand, but he catches it too.]
Sawyer:
I know you love me still. [He kisses her. She fights to get him away from her, but there isn’t much she can do without her hands. He pulls away and drops her hands.] Think about it. [He turns for the main door.]
Ari:
There’s nothing to think about.
[Sawyer exits]
Ari:
[Ari goes into the kitchen and pulls a glass out of the cupboard, fills it with water and takes a swig. She looks at it, and then throws it as hard as she can at the main door across the room.] I HATE YOU! [She pulls out a few more glasses and chucks them at the closed door as if he still stood there.] I hate you! I hate you! [She breaks down into sobs and lays her head against the counter with all of the drugs arranged on it. Ari looks up with rapid speed just as the sound of creaking floor boards can be heard from behind the unopened door.]
Ari:
[BARELY even Whispered] Tyson? [She walks away from the counter and towards the closed door. She stands there for a moment, but then slowly opens it.] Oh my god. Oh my god. I thought you were… everyone said you were… I saw you though! You were… you were… [Tyson steps out of the room, and looks at her blankly.] Tyson what’s wrong? [He shakes his head and smiles, presses a finger against her lips to silence her. She shivers from the coldness of his touch. He turns and walks around the apartment.] What happened? How are you not dead? [Tyson walks over to the kitchen and Ari chases after him, Tears falling freely, now. Happy tears.] I’m so glad you’re back! I thought… I thought I’d never see you again! I was afraid… Tyson, I love you so much. When they told me that you’d been shot and killed… I didn’t believe them – and I was right! I knew that poor man lying dead in that room wasn’t you! You couldn’t ever look so peaceful! [Laughs.] I missed you so much. [Tyson looks at her and smiles crookedly. He pushes forward one of the bottles of pills and then leaves the kitchen and starts for the bedroom again.] Wait… where are you going? [He looks at her and smiles.] Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me again! I can’t stand to live without you! It’s hell! I can barely wake up in the morning. Tyson, please! Don’t leave. [He presses his finger against her lips again and turns her around. He points at the drugs he’d pushed forward. When she turns around, he’s closing the door behind him.]
Ari:
[Screamed.] TYSON! [She opens the door as quickly as she can, but there isn’t anything behind it. She searches quickly, then the bathroom. When she’s through searching, she’s sobbing again. Whispered.] I love you. [She pulls out another glass from the cupboard and fills it full with water. She examines the pills Tyson pushed forward and then, without hesitation, opens the bottle and swallows a few with water. Then a few more. And a few more after that. She smiles and closes her eyes.] Thank you. [She heads back over to the couch and lies down. She turns the TV back on and hits “loop play” on the DVD Slideshow. Her breathing slows evenly, like, she’s sleeping, but she’s still fully awake.]
Ronnie:
Just shut up and stay right there, okay? I’ll go in first, just park it for now. [The front door opens and in walks a severely ticked Ronnie. She came to chew out Ari and give Sawyer a chance, but then the open bedroom door catches her eye. She walks toward it as if she’s hypnotized, drawn to it. She disappears through that open door and after a few minutes of looking around the room, enters the main room again. The food on the stove is boiling over. Whispered/rushed.] s**t. [She quickly makes her way to the kitchen, turns off the burner and pulls the pot off of the burner. Now the TV screen catches her eye and she sees Ari lying on the couch. She suddenly remembers what she came back in to do and marches right up to the couch, ready to deliver her “lecture”, but when she sees Ari, she knows something isn’t right.] Ari?
Ari:
[Ari looks up, but doesn’t really focus. Smiles slightly. Loose, raspy, weak voice.] Hey, what are you doing here? [A sudden realization crosses her eyes. Rushed.] I have to tell you something! Come here!
Ronnie:
[Gives her an odd look.] What? [Leans down a little bit toward Ari.]
Ari:
Tyson was here! I saw him! He isn’t dead Ari! He’s been alive, all this time!
Ronnie:
[Shocked] What?
Ari:
I don’t know where it is that he’s been, but he’s been hiding! He’s not dead! He’s alive! For the last two weeks, I’ve felt as if my life was over, but I saw him!
Ronnie:
What did he say?
Ari:
[Confused look on her face.] He didn’t. But he loves me. He only wants what’s best for me and now we can be together again!
Ronnie:
Ari, I’m sorry but Tyson is dead! There’s no way he’s alive! You saw him at the viewing – did he look alive to you? You need to quit doing this to yourself and move on! You can’t stay engaged to a dead man for the rest of your life!
Ari:
He came back for me. [Laughs.] Maybe you’ll find a guy like him someday, too. Someone who will come back and prove anyone and everyone wrong. I hope you find someone like Tyson one day.
Ronnie:
[Shouted] He’s DEAD, Ari! He’s dead! He was shot twice in the chest and once in the neck – you think someone could survive that? What are you thinking?! Are you on – [She sees the counter out of the corner of her eye. The drugs are all spanned out across the counter and Ronnie walks toward them slowly. She sees one of the bottles is on its side, the cap off. She examines it. It’s mostly empty. Wavering voice.] Tyson…? [Dynamic – louder] s**t, Ari! What the hell is wrong with you? [Ronnie rips her cell phone out of her pocket and dials 9-1-1, pressing the machine tightly against her ear. She goes into a state of shock and starts reading through the directions, warnings, and precautions on the back of the bottle. Shouted.] SAWYER!
Sawyer:
[Sawyer enters, when he sees Ronnie is examining the medicines, he turns quickly to see Ari on the couch and he freaks out. He looks back at Ronnie, then back to Ari and rushes over to Ari and kneels down next to the couch.]
Ronnie:
[Looks away from the bottle and over to Ari. Wavering voice, then speeds up.] My sister… I think sh-she overdosed? [She pauses while the dispatcher replies.] I don’t know what it is! I’ve never seen it! It’s in a different language! [Pause again, longer thing time.] She’s hallucinating – she said she saw her dead fiancé!
Ari:
[Screamed] He isn’t dead!
Sawyer:
[Looks at Ronnie, then back to Ari and covers her hand with his. Ronnie is still talking to the dispatcher.] Shhh… It’s okay Ari. Everything is going to be alright.
Ari:
I know.
Sawyer:
All these years, Ari, I’ve been lying to myself. I told myself that the only reason I kept on going was because I didn’t want to end up like my mom, or those bums you see in all of those stupid documentaries… But the truth is, Ari, I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I first saw you. [He stands up and sits in front of her on the couch.] I’m sorry for what I did, and I know that just that one word could never make up for all the things that happened, but I love you, Aribelle! And I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to realize it. But everything is going to be okay now, Ari! [More to himself than her. Not very convincing.] Everything is going to be alright.
Ari:
[Nodding, drowsy, smiling.] I know.
Sawyer:
I just… I love you! Why did you do this?! Damn it, Ari! Why would you do this to yourself? You’ve SEEN what these do, you’ve seen it firsthand! [He waits for her to answer, but she doesn’t.]
Ronnie:
[Slams her cell phone down on the table and lets out a sob. Slumps down into one of the kitchen chairs.] The paramedics are on their way. They’re going to help you, Ari. [She rests her head in her hands and then rests her head and arms on the table. Whispered.] I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner… I could have… I could have…
Sawyer:
Look at her, Ari! [Points to Ronnie] Look what you’re doing to her! Why would you want to do this?! [Softer] Just tell me why, let me understand.
Ari:
He…[pauses, out of breath. Weak.] He came back for me.
Sawyer:
NO! He didn’t, Ari! [Totally loses it.] He did not come back for you, he has not come back for you, he can’t, he won’t, he never will! He’s dead – and he was a jerk in life! Why can’t you see that!
Ari:
You don’t understand.
Sawyer:
No, YOU don’t understand! Why would you do this?
Ari:
[Barely audible] He loves me. He’ll always love me. [Closes her eyes and takes shallow, far between breaths.] We get to be together this way… nothing will tear us apart ever again. [She pauses, her eyes still closed, it looks like she’s falling asleep.] Ronnie? [Her voice cracks and she winces. Ronnie pays her no mind.] Sawyer… will you… get her over here for me?
Sawyer:
[He looks at her and then turns to Ronnie. Normal voice volume.] Ronnie, Ari wants you.
Ronnie:
[Ronnie looks up and then suddenly stands from her chair and makes her way over to the couch. She kneels down next to where Sawyer is, right across from Ari’s face. She says nothing. She looks at her sisters and such a pain crosses her face that it all but completely wrecks her.]
Ari
[Ari opens her eyes slightly, constantly blinking and only a little, but she can see Ronnie’s face. Barely audible.] You have so… much ahead of you.
Ronnie:
[Ronnie breaks down completely and starts to cry, not holding back anything anymore.] And so do you! Sawyer, he REALLY loves you, I think he – no. I know he would do anything for you! Don’t leave him just when he’s finally come back! And if not for him or yourself… then, Ari, for me! Please! I can’t lose you! I’ll have no one left, please! Please. Don’t leave me. I can’t imagine life without you.
Ari:
[Barely audible, eyes staying open less and less.] You’ll have… a brilliant career… a big, happy… family… You’re going to be… everything I ever… wanted to be.
Ronnie:
[Shaking her head.] No! No, Ari, not without you! I’ll never see you again!
Ari:
[Smiling ever-so-slightly.] We’ll meet again someday… promise… promise to tell me… everything?
Ronnie:
[Shaking from sobs.] Ari, no. You can’t… I can’t… the paramedics have got to be here by now. [She tries to calm her breath, but it doesn’t work. She rubs her face, getting rid of the tears and traces of them and then stands up.] Maybe they can’t get in. [Ronnie exits through the front door.]
Ari:
[Her muscles start to lose tension and relax.] Don’t ever… let her… forget… how much I loved my baby… sister.
Sawyer:
[Moves closer toward her. His voice finally starts to shake noticeably.] I’m not going to let you die. I love you Ari, and I won’t let you leave me now.
Ari:
[Starts coughing violently. Still barely audible.] You don’t get it. [LONG pause.] You were always a good friend to me… but I never loved… you.
[Sirens can be heard outside; red and blue lights flash in the window over the sink. Sawyer stares at Ari incredulously. The lights fade, and the curtain closes.]
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:01 am
oooooooooooooooo its a play well theres just 1 problem....you havent made it a movie yet man id so pay the stupid 7 bucks 2 watch this is really gud plz keep writein
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:01 pm
It's very dramatic but I like it because the drama has meaning biggrin I like it
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:07 pm
So it isn't overkill then? Or too cheesy?
I mean, it is supposed to be a drama,
I just don't want it to become cliche... : /
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:36 am
I think its great biggrin Don't change it!!! Do you plan on having people perform it?
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:10 pm
Well, hopefully.
It was a project for my theatre class and I went overboard... Haha.
If it's among the top three in the class, then the teacher will enter them into competitions for us and people every year have won these competitions from his class and have gone to places like New York to see their plays performed - I hope I win. (:
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:02 pm
I hope you win as well xp
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:11 pm
Thanks! Hopefully I will!
Hopefully. (:
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