Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama
Troy HillAct II, Scene 6
Scene 6.
Al and Audrey in a coffee shop.
AUDREY
She told you? You must all be so disgusted.
AL
No. Audrey, no. First of all, the only reason Karen said anything was because I was insane trying to find you. I went over there at midnight the first night to find out if they had seen you. And she didn't tell me then because she didn't even put it together. It was days later that it occurred to her that what you -- what happened that night might have something to do with you going missing. She knew you were drunk and had been under stress. And even then we didn't really know if it had anything to do with anything. We thought you had been abducted or worse. Is that why you ran away, because you thought we would all think you were disgusting for kissing Karen?
AUDREY
Well, sort of.
AL
But Audrey, what's the big deal? You caught a buzz and did something silly. So what?
AUDREY
But you don't understand.
AL
Then tell me.
AUDREY
How can I?
AL
Audrey, please. I've been searching for you. I came all the way here. You know I love you. Whatever it is -- I can deal with it, okay? We can pray about it.
AUDREY
Promise?
AL
Yes, of course...I promise.
AUDREY
Well, okay. Here goes. Well, how can I say this? It wasn't just because I was drunk -- what I did.
AL
Okay.
AUDREY
I'm in love with Karen.
Pause.
AL
Okay.
Pause.
AUDREY
See?
AL
I said okay. (Beat) How long have you ... felt this way?
AUDREY
Oh Al, I just don't even know who I am anymore. I don't know what I've done. And I don't know what to do.
AL
It's okay honey. It's okay. You've been brave, sweetheart. That's what you've done.
AUDREY
I don't know what to say to the Lord. How to pray about this. Or even if I believe in all that anymore. Everything's crashing in.
AL
Everything's going to be okay.
AUDREY
How do you know? It's like this big black cloud. I can't get out. And then with everything that's going on in the world, who cares? We're all going to die.
AL
Audrey, hey, listen. It's okay. You're upset.
AUDREY
I have to breathe. I have to breathe.
AL
You can do it. Just talk to me, okay? And the Lord. And I'm sure He'll work everything out. You must have been so scared. (Oh, baby.)
AUDREY
How can you be so understanding?
AL
I love you Audrey. I wish you had talked to me about it. I don't know. I guess I can understand. Maybe we could have worked it out together. Prayed about it together.
AUDREY
Mom and Dad are going to flip out.
AL
Probably. It's okay. I just wish you would have talked to me about it. We could have talked.
AUDREY
Oh come on.
AL
Why not?
AUDREY
What was I going to say? Al, honey, I think I'm a lesbo?
Beat.
AL
So you thought you could talk to Todd about it, is that it?
AUDREY
I guess. I don't really know what I was thinking.
AL
So what did he say? Was he surprised?
AUDREY
He doesn't know.
AL
What do you mean?
AUDREY
I still haven't talked to him. I showed up at Jon's. He's been so sweet. I thought Todd still lived there.
AL
He doesn't?
AUDREY
They broke up.
AL
Oh, I think Jon mentioned...
AUDREY
And we started talking, me and Jon, and then. I don't know. It was so easy talking to Jon. Then he got me to see his friend -- a psychotherapist. I just haven't really felt like talking to Todd yet -- I don't know why. It's just all so much. And now that I've been here staying with Jon, I'll have some explaining to do. I mean they broke up. It might be weird. I just can't handle Todd on top of everything else.
AL
Hold on. My head is spinning a little here. It's okay. It's just a lot to take in. You're seeing a shrink?
AUDREY
Four sessions in a week.
AL
Jeez, the guy must be making a killing. But that's great -- that you're doing that. And Jon? He doesn't mind you're staying there even though Todd's gone?
AUDREY
I don't think so. I mean I keep asking him to make sure. He almost seems to like it. I'm trying to help around the house and buy groceries. We get along fine. I've been taking money out of our account.
AL
How do you think I figured out you were here?
AUDREY
Oh yeah. (Beat) I'm glad you're here.
AL
I'm glad you're okay.
AUDREY
But Al. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know how I'm going to live, but I don't know if I'm coming back. I want to stay right now. I like the doctor or whatever he is. I'm not saying our marriage is over. I just don't know. I'm sorry.
AL
It's okay baby. We'll ask the Lord for help.
Long pause.
AL
Audrey, can I ask you something?
AUDREY
After what I've said? I'm pretty sure you're allowed to say anything you want.
AL
Now, I'm just curious for myself. I don't mean anything bad about you. I just -- I'm wondering about something. Don't get mad.
AUDREY
Well what?
AL
Do you think we...do we have... make love good? I mean, do you enjoy it?
AUDREY
Of course Al. Gosh. I mean, well, sometimes. Of course I enjoyed it because I love you.
AL
But?
AUDREY
Well, it just seems like it shouldn't be so much work, that's all. It shouldn't be that hard. It wasn't always work. That's not what I'm saying, but sometimes, often I guess, it was work -- like we were trying really hard.
AL
The way you talk about it makes it sound like it's all in the past.
(Pause)
But I know what you mean.
AUDREY
I mean maybe that means I am a... a lesbian. And that's why it was the way it was. It was my fault. I'm sure it was. I didn't bring the right spirit to it. I made it bad. I don't know.
AL
No, Audrey, it's not your fault. It takes two to tango, right?
AUDREY
But that's what I'm saying. Maybe I wasn't that moved by the dance. I wasn't a good partner.
AL
Well, it's not about blame here, Audrey.
AUDREY
I'm so sorry Al.
AL
It's not your fault. I never. You were the first. Our wedding night. I don't have much experience. I always said it was for God. No premarital sex.
AUDREY
I know. I loved you for that.
AL
But I don't know, maybe it was just an excuse.
AUDREY
For what?
AL
Maybe I was just scared.
AUDREY
Oh, Al, everybody is. And guys lie about it.
AL
I know -- in high school. But even in college. I think maybe I just didn't really want to.
AUDREY
What are you saying?
AL
I don't know.
AUDREY
You didn't want to with me either?
AL
No, of course I did. I'm just saying. I don't know. Maybe I didn't want it enough.
Next Page:
Act II, Scene 7 (page 17 of 22 pages)
All Pages: See the entire play on one page
Table of Contents: Home Again
Go To:
Issue 6 or Lodestar Quarterly home page
|
