Lodestar Quarterly

Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama

Home Again

Troy Hill

Act II, Scene 1

Act II

Scene 1.

Janice and Todd walk about an empty, raw space -- a loft in South Williamsburg. Perhaps the stage is stripped of everything but a tea kettle and cups.

JANICE
I love the space.

TODD
It's not that cheap.

JANICE
It's in the budget. We can do it.

TODD
I just want to start all over again.

JANICE
I think you have.

TODD
I feel ... free.

JANICE
We are.

TODD
I'm so excited to be working on a project -- you know -- I care about.

JANICE
I know you are.

TODD
Do you think... you're not much like my mother, right?

JANICE
I hardly think so. Why do you ask?

TODD
Oh, it's just, Jon and I were having this discussion...never mind. It doesn't matter.

JANICE
I'm sure.

TODD
But I'm glad you're not. Like my mother.

JANICE
Okay. I love this space. I'm just aching to get started.

TODD
Did you get the sketches I sent?

JANICE
Oh yes. It's going to be a magical process. I love your designs for the space. The only thing is -- I realize that the walls roll and can and should be moved about the space -- but why the separate bedrooms?

TODD
I just thought. I mean I assumed that we would want some privacy.

JANICE
For what?

TODD
For sleeping. I don't know. I mean. You know. Creativity begins in solitude.

JANICE
No. You see that is part of the process. That is at the heart of this piece. Don't you understand? What?

TODD
Well, it's kind of strange. I didn't know...

JANICE
Oh come on. It's not like I'm waiting to jump your bones. You are so full of yourself.

TODD
What?

JANICE
I'm not interested in having sexual intercourse with you. What happened was a long time ago. When you stayed with me in Cinci nothing happened. Just a massage. See? You're safe.

TODD
I'm not worried, I just...

JANICE
You've agreed to be a part of this project. I thought you understood what it would entail. It's about two people and a space and change -- growth. I thought you were interested.

TODD
I am, look, this is crazy, we'll work it out. We've only just begun.

JANICE
I know we will. You're a genius. My genius.

Beat.

TODD
I've got to go pick up some final things from Jon's.

JANICE
Well don't get carried away. We don't want too much clutter. The idea is freedom and impermanence.

TODD
I know.

JANICE
Do you want me to go with?

TODD
No. I think that might be a little awkward.

JANICE
Why? Is he jealous? Did I steal his man away?

TODD
Well, I know it seems ridiculous. But I think he does actually see it that way to a degree.

JANICE
How silly. Well, he's not exactly a great mind, is he?

TODD
Janice, take it easy, okay?

JANICE
Oh I know you were fond of him. And why not? He's nice enough. He just doesn't understand you like I do. He can't help himself.

TODD
Alright, well, I'll be back in a couple of hours.

JANICE
I'll make dinner.

TODD
Actually, I was going to have some dinner with Jon.

JANICE
Oh?

TODD
Yeah, you know, have some closure. All that.

JANICE
Okay, but don't take too long. And don't let him talk you into anything.

TODD
Yeah, okay.

JANICE
Come here.

She embraces him.

JANICE
I don't want to have sex with you. I love you, but that's not what this is about. This is about something much deeper. The work.

TODD
I know.

JANICE
Go tie things up with your old lover.

TODD
See you later.

JANICE
Just remember, no one will ever understand you the way I do.

Next Page:   Act II, Scene 2   (page 12 of 22 pages)

All Pages:   See the entire play on one page

Table of Contents:   Home Again

Troy Ernest Hill (misterhill@nyc.rr.com) is a playwright and actor in New York City, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. In the eighth grade he won the "Most Outstanding Student Award," and in the eleventh grade the Creative Writing Award. Since that time, it's been more or less a downward spiral. He is currently in the Off-Broadway smash Birdy's Bachelorette Party, and he is a white belt in karate.

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