Lodestar Quarterly

Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama

Home Again

Troy Hill

Act II, Scene 9

Scene 9.

A couple weeks later. Jonathan's apartment. Jon and Audrey are flipping through magazines.

JONATHAN
I've had my eye on this dollhouse at the MOMA Design store for years. It's so amazing. It's really modern, like a Frank Lloyd Wright. No that's wrong -- more post-modern.

AUDREY
Uh huh.

JONATHAN
Some of the walls are translucent red and green and purple so you can see into the house, and there's a set of dolls that come with it -- a mom and dad and a girl and boy and a cat and dog! And, it's really pricey -- but you can get these miniature Eames chairs and sofas to decorate the house with. It's so cute.

AUDREY
Where are you thinking of putting the nursery?

JON
Well, we'll obviously have to get another place. I'm ready to buy something anyway and I can write off a lot of it since I work at home. We'll need more bedrooms if we're really all going to stay together.

Al walks in unnoticed by Jonathan.

JON
I've got so many ideas for the nursery -- it's going to be darling. I love the Noah's Ark theme. We could do a whole animal thing with the crib as a boat maybe -- stuff like that. I have a friend, well, a few friends who are designers. And I know a buyer at Bloomies who handles the children's department, so we can have our pick of little baby dresses!

Al puts a hand on Audrey's shoulder from behind.

AL
What if it's a boy?

JON
Oh, Al, hey. Um, well, of course -- footballs and stuff. I was just saying -- I know some people who can help.

AUDREY
Do you know a good pediatrician?

JON
I can get a referral. But you know, I don't want to be a gender nazi. Boys and girls should get a variety of toys to play with -- dolls and baseballs and everything. Let them decide what they want. We don't want to enforce stereotypes. (Pause)

AUDREY
Uh huh.

AL
Uh huh.

JON
Besides, this is all still very hypothetical, but we're all adults here. We understand that right?

AL
One day at a time.

JON
Absolutely. We're all learning from each other.

AUDREY
I need to call Mom and Dad soon.

AL
Yeah you do. Me too. I need to get to the store.

AUDREY
I just don't know where to even start.

JON
You guys have a lot going on and you need to take care of yourselves first and foremost right now. Don't make yourselves do anything you don't feel ready for. They all know you're safe and sound. That's what matters. We should all pray about it.

Al and Audrey look at Jonathan surprised.

JON
I want to take you guys to a church I like.

AL
You go to church?

JON
Oh yes. At times. Of course I go to temple. But some friends of mine go to a great Unitarian church in the village. I feel very welcome there. And it's just very spiritual. I think you guys will like it. I think people of any faith can feel comfortable there.

AL
Great.

AUDREY
That sounds nice. It does feel like a family -- all of us -- the three of us. Doesn't it?

AL
Yeah, it does.

JON
Isn't it great?

AUDREY
Speaking of family, I can't believe I haven't seen Todd yet. The longer I wait, the harder it is because it keeps getting more awkward to explain.

JON
Oh, Todd'll be fine. I think we can expect some initial drama, but he's fairly resilient.

AL
He seems like it. But you know, this is all kinda crazy -- for anybody.

JON
Well perhaps we should all get together before the show and talk things out.

AUDREY
I don't know, you guys. He gets really stressed before these things. He takes it all so personally. I'm not sure, but I don't think we should put all this on him now that it's so close to the opening.

JON
I think you're right Audrey. He does get so neurotic around these things, you wonder why he does it to himself.

AL
He must love it.

AUDREY
That must be it. Hey Jon, did you and Todd go to the church you were talking about?

JON
Oh no. I couldn't get Todd in a temple, much less a church.

AUDREY
I didn't think so. Well, we'll just all have to get him to go.

JON
Good idea. Hey I came across this Bible verse I'd like to share with you guys.

AUDREY
Really?

AL
Well, what is it? I'm glad I'm not the only one who quotes the Bible!

JON
It's Corinthians 5:17.

AL
Uh huh.

JON
"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

Next Page:   Act II, Scene 10   (page 20 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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