Lodestar Quarterly

Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama

Home Again

Troy Hill

Act I, Scene 8

Scene 8.

Todd stands near the door with his bags in the kitchen getting ready to go. Jack is at the table drinking coffee. He gets up at some point to join in "the goodbyes." Sarah is with Todd at the door.

SARAH
I'm glad you came to visit me.

TODD
Yeah, it was nice to see everyone.

SARAH
Have a safe trip back.

TODD
Yeah, you know, Jon was sorry he couldn't make it this time.

SARAH
Oh?

TODD
Yeah. He felt he should be here for me, but I knew you would all be totally traumatized. Especially you.

SARAH
Are you angry with us about something?

TODD
Well, you know, it's like, I mention his name and you just immediately change the subject.

SARAH
Well, what do you want me to do? I mean, there've been a few of them. Am I supposed to invite them all into my home?

TODD
This is obviously different.

SARAH
Is it? And besides, it's not like I have to talk about Dad all the time.

TODD
Yeah, well, I don't pretend he doesn't exist.

JACK
Your mother worked real hard to make this a nice visit for you.

TODD
I know. Look. I got to go.

SARAH
You know, if you're upset with us, why don't you just tell us?

TODD
Um.

Sarah reaches up to Todd and squeezes his shoulder looking into his eyes.

SARAH
You know, no one will ever love you as much as we do.

TODD
Yeah, well, I hope not. You know, don't. Just. I've got to go.

SARAH
It was just too short. Next time you'll have to stay longer.

TODD
No, I won't. I probably won't come at all. You know what? I'll come with Jonathan next time, or I won't come at all.

SARAH
Is this some kind of ultimatum?

TODD
Yes. I guess it is.

SARAH
Are you saying, are you saying that your love for us is conditional?

TODD
No, I'm not the one saying that. Or yes, I don't know. Don't turn this around.

SARAH
Are you saying... Let me ask you a question.

TODD
Okay.

SARAH
Who's more important to you, him or us?

TODD
Why are you asking me that?

SARAH
Well?

JACK
Your mother just wanted to make things nice for you. She made all your favorites.

SARAH
Are you saying it's us or him?

TODD
No, you are.

The sound of a car in the driveway.

TODD
There's Janice. I've got to go.

Todd exits.

Next Page:   Act I, Scene 9   (page 9 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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