Act Two, Scene Eight
(James sits alone, on patio, sipping a cup of coffee. Deborah enters.)
Deborah:
James, hello.
James:
Hi.
Deborah:
(sitting)
You okay?
James:
Sort of, just thinking about some stuff Shaggy was talking about--
Deborah:
What about?
James:
Toxins in the environment, the air, the food we eat. Like they're out to get us..
Deborah:
James, you can't let this get you down--
James:
What am I supposed to do? Fight? But how?
Deborah:
(reaches across table and taking his hand)
I don't know but there's got to be away.
James:
(taking her hand)
Yeah, there's got to be some way.
(Their eyes meet.)
Do you want to get out of here, take a walk?
Deborah:
Sure.
(They get up and slowly walk downstage, holding hands.)
This feels nice.
James:
Yeah, comfortable.
(They walk in silence. Approach donkey)
You got any nickels?
Deborah:
Oh, god, yeah.
(They both pull wallet out of pants/purse and count out change. They cross to donkey.)
Deborah:
How did this get started anyway?
James:
I don't know, Shaggy and Matthew found it first, then took us all here. Its been a thing ever since.
Deborah:
Our thing!
(James laughs, finishes "feeding the donkey", then turns to Deborah. They share a moment.)
James:
Why do I feel so comfortable? With you?
Deborah:
I don't know, its just what is, I guess.
James:
Yeah, what is. But, I feel like I could tell you anything, like I've known you before we met.
Deborah:
Yeah, I feel the same.
James:
Thanks for, being there.
Deborah:
No problem.
(They kiss, she pulls away.)
I'm sorry...
James:
I'm not.
Deborah:
But Matt...
James:
He'll understand, I think he saw this happening anyway.
Deborah:
Really? I didn't think...
James:
I know. It'll be okay now.
Deborah:
I'm just so overwhelmed. How can I be feeling this? Just snuck up on me. I like Matt, I think I love him, in away. But then you are there...I feel like I need you but don't need you. Its not a basic need for living, but a need of the...the heart. Its like that line from Shakespeare I love so much..."My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."
James:
Its more than just fire, bells, and whistles. It just is.
Deborah:
Like Wuthering Heights!
James:
Oh, yeah right, you were saying the other day. What about it?
Deborah:
I've always felt, well, that's always been one of my favorite books. And, now I kind of feel like I'm living it, sort of. You know that line, "if all else fails and he survives, I should still continue to be."
James:
Right. So, I'm Heathcliff and you are Catherine?
Deborah:
Yeah, something like that.
James:
So, you going to die and I'm going to go on, somehow?
(They both laugh.)
Deborah:
But, seriously, do you believe in destiny? Fate?
James:
Yeah, definitely.
Deborah:
What's the difference or are they the same thing?
James:
Fate is...the journey, destiny is the final destination, as it were.
Deborah:
Like fate is the people and events that get you where you are going, to your destiny?
James:
Yeah, something like that.
Deborah:
I'll buy that.
James:
(taking her hand)
I can see that we are cut from the same cloth.
(He kisses her hand. Lights fade in on Shaggy, stopping Matthew as he heads to patio with coffee.)
Shaggy:
I met someone.
Matthew:
Really?
Shaggy:
Her name's Ashlynn. So beautiful. I think she could be, you know, the one.
Matthew:
Really? That serious?
Shaggy:
Well, I mean, I just met her. But, I got a good feeling about this one.
Matthew:
Congrats, man. When do I get to meet her?
Shaggy:
Oh well, we'll see.
(They both laugh.)
Deborah:
I love you, James.
James:
I love you too, Deborah.
(They lean in and kiss.)
(lights fade out.)
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