The Natural Flights
A Drama in Two Acts
by
Michael Thomas Tower
(Performance time: Approximately 1:45)
© 1998-2004 Michael Thomas Tower
All Rights Reserved
Inquiries regarding performance rights
should be directed to the author
MTTower@aol.com
NF0410b
Synopsis
Anchored in triumph and tragedy, marked with laughter and tears, this is the story of friendship -- about a group of friends who, in the midst of adversity, realize their need of, and value to, each other. They confirm a common bond of extraordinary character as they individually and collectively deal with the assault of personal and societal pressures that many men encounter, or foster themselves, when dealing with homosexuality, bi-sexuality, inter-generational relationships, fear of coming out, and bigotry. These are people who share their love and strength in facing the harsher forces of life.
Characters
Jess -- 33 years old.
Douglas -- 39 years old. Jess's lover.
Vincent -- 57 years old.
Ami -- 20 years old. In love with Vincent. (French pronunciation: ah-MI.)
Bill -- 35 years old. Thin, due to his need for a liver transplant.
Hampton -- 42 years old. Bill's lover.
Catherine -- 58 years old. Jess's mother.
Fletcher -- 37 years old. Jess's brother.
Manny -- 64 years old. Catherine's friend.
Indicated ages are merely suggestions but, in some cases, meaningful in relation to another's age. Douglas is the only one whose age is specifically mentioned. It is significant that Ami appear to be in his late teens or early 20s.
Setting
The time is the present, covering a period from early June to mid September. There are brief flashbacks of a few months or a few years.
The primary set is the San Francisco apartment of Jess and Douglas. They are men of average means and good taste, and the style and furnishing of their second-floor apartment reflect this. It's a homey and comfortable space that friends enjoy.
The script refers to a battery-operated pendulum clock hung on a wall where the time can be seen by the audience. The clock runs in real time; the time is set for each scene. If it can be installed so this change can be made from backstage, that would be preferable; otherwise it will may be changed from the front during scene blackouts.
Secondary Settings
Within Act I (pages 20–22) there is a brief flashback to the deck of a sightseeing boat, defined simply by a small lighted area within the primary set.
Act I – Scene 4 is in a bar, defined by a small lighted area.
Act I – Scene 6 is a small area defined by light, with armchair, representing an area in Vincent's apartment.
Act II – Scene 2 is a small area defined by light, with a table and two chairs, depicting a café.
Act II – Scene 4 is a series of vignettes, moving between various characters, with playing areas defined by light. This scene must be staged in such a manner that some changes can be made to the primary set while this is taking place. In some of these scenes, characters will be using a telephone. No other props or furnishings are required, although chairs or stools could be used in some of the scenes if practical.
Costuming
Bill's need for a liver transplant will have caused a distinct protrusion in the abdominal area, higher than the swelling of pregnancy. It will look very much like a medium-sized watermelon underneath his clothing. Also, Bill always carries a cell phone when he has the abdominal protrusion.
Also for Bill there will need to be women's clothing for the final scene.
Act I - Scene 1
Time: A Sunday night in early June. The clock indicates about 11:20.
On stage: jess, douglas, vincent, ami, catherine, hampton and fletcher.
(At rise, fletcher is standing in the opening of the kitchen door, laughing and talking with people out of view of the audience. douglas is talking on the intercom. jess is tending to his host duties in the living room. hampton, sitting at the dining table, is restless and distracted. catherine, standing at the table, gathers dishes. vincent and ami are in private conversation.)
douglas
(At intercom, looking toward Catherine)
Catherine, Manny's down front with the car.
catherine
I'm not ready to go. What's his damned hurry?
jess
I'm telling you, Mother: That man doesn't like us.
catherine
(To Douglas)
Tell him to come on back up here.
(To Jess)
He's got no problem with you ...
(douglas turns back to the intercom to talk briefly.)
jess
Never wants to get too close to us ...
catherine
You know he's shy.
jess
Nervous as hell around us ...
catherine
He's not used to city people.
jess
Always in a hurry to get away ...
catherine
Crowds bother him.
jess
So -- you've noticed it, too.
catherine
He's from Stockton. Whole different social structure.
jess
The look in his eyes -- same look Dad had, from the time I was nine years old.
catherine
You and your father may have had your problems, but he loved your petits fours.
jess
I asked Manny if he liked petits fours. He wanted to know if it was anything like Crazy Eight.
catherine
He did not.
hampton
What's going on in there?
jess
Fletcher has his little gaggle of lesbians to play with.
fletcher
We're talking.
jess
You're flirting.
fletcher
Am not!
douglas
You do it all the time.
fletcher
Well, have to keep in practice for when I run into some straight chicks. Besides, I drove most of these babes off several minutes ago.
(fletcher picks up a bottle of wine and exits through kitchen door. ami and vincent move to the kitchen door to check on activities then exit into the kitchen.)
jess
Manny's been around enough that he should be getting used to your delightful son and his friends. What does he say about us, anyway?
catherine
Nothing, really ...
douglas
He was more standoffish than usual tonight.
catherine
I don't know what's on his mind. You forget I hardly know the man ...
douglas
(To Jess)
Why don't you sit -- relax for a while?
jess
What I need is an aspirin.
(There is a loud noise off stage. Immediately hampton rushes out hall door. jess runs to follow him. douglas goes to the doorway and looks after them.)
catherine
Good Lord, what happened?
douglas
Something with Bill, I think.
catherine
Wasn't he lying down?
douglas
Just a second ...
(jess enters hall door and goes to douglas. vincent, having heard the noise, enters through kitchen door. fletcher steps in from kitchen.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
What happened?
jess
Bill fell against the shower door.
douglas
Thought he was in the bedroom.
jess
Felt sick, tried to get to the toilet. Would you help Hampton with him? I'm going to phone his doctor, get him to the hospital ...
(douglas exits hall door. jess has phone in hand.)
(off stage) bill (off stage)
I'm not going to the damned hospital!
jess
(Calling to Hampton off stage)
Hampton?
(off stage) hampton (off stage)
(Exasperated)
Don't call the hospital.
jess
(To himself, replacing phone)
Stubborn ... stupid ...
catherine
He didn't drink anything, did he?
jess
You know he doesn't drink anymore.
fletcher
He didn't look good when he got here.
vincent
Looked dreadful this morning. He shouldn't have come out tonight.
jess
Said he wouldn't be able to make many more of our get-togethers ... wanted to while he could ...
catherine
Is he really that sick now?
fletcher
I don't know how he gets around like he does.
jess
Too bad Bill's illness did away with the gaudy glitter of Lady Belle in full dress. We may never see the likes of that again.
vincent
You used to bitch about it all the time.
jess
That's before I knew we might lose it.
(ami enters through kitchen door. he moves to vincent and slips his arm around him.)
vincent
He'll keep going till he drops. Can't stand being stuck at home if there's even one bright light flickering somewhere in this wicked, wonderful city.
ami
Hey, why all the gloom at this end of the world?
vincent
Oh, it's Bill. He fell ...
(hampton and douglas enter hall door.)
hampton
Guys, I'm sorry, but I've got to take him home.
douglas
Shouldn't he go to the hospital, Hampton?
(bill appears in the hall doorway.)
bill
I said I'm not going to the damned hospital!
(Although it's apparent that Bill is ill, he manages reasonably well on his own. hampton's constant assistance is not always needed.)
hampton
Obstinance personified. Home it is.
bill
I'll be okay.
(To the others)
By the way, I am now a lady of leisure. Friday was my last day at work.
hampton
Finally got him to go on sick leave.
bill
I am no longer administrative ass-instant to that cyber-satan at Shit Systems Software. I hope the next time he hits his ENTER key, it launches his interactive doorway to Hell. And now, with absolute humility and tons of remorse for even thinking such things, I take it all back.
hampton
He says he's going to be pleasant and agreeable. Even taken a vow of nicety.
catherine
Has he read the rules?
hampton
He's new to the order. Be patient with him.
jess
What brought on this change that won't last till midnight?
bill
I don't want Saint Peter thinking I'm too big a bitch for the soprano section.
catherine
Listen to him, Jess.
jess
I'm not a soprano.
hampton
Come on, let's get you home.
ami
Want me to get your car for you?
(hampton gives his car keys to ami.)
hampton
Oh, thanks, Ami. It's down about half a block ...
(ami gives vincent a quick kiss on the lips, then exits front door.)
bill
Let me say my goodnight to the women.
(hampton and bill exit through kitchen door. jess and vincent move close to talk privately.)
vincent
I still can't believe someone like that actually likes me, Jess.
jess
Ami? It's obvious he does, Vincent. From what I see, it just might be a little more than simply liking.
vincent
No no! How could that be? God, I wouldn't want anything more. He really is very sweet, but I'm sure he's into me for something.
jess
What are the signs of his ulterior motives?
vincent
There are none. Wish there were.
jess
Because ... ?
vincent
It would be a familiar scenario. I have experience with that kind of thing.
jess
Oh, come on now ...
vincent
I've known him ten months, he's lived with me six, and I have no complaint -- except that ... well, I know how my life works.
jess
Insufficient cause to make your case, as Hampton would say. You need evidence.
vincent
And there is none. Never asks for money. Pays his share of rent, utilities.
jess
He's still working, isn't he?
vincent
And makes a decent wage. The smile on that face is worth money when you're selling men's wear at Macy's on Union Square.
jess
I know. Went in last week to say hi and came out with a shirt and two ties I don't need.
vincent
You needed them, love. We both buy groceries, take turns cooking. He treats me to dinner at least once a week. Helps with the housework, fixes leaky faucets and loose hinges, faulty plugs and all kinds of exotic breakage.
jess
And he's turned your backyard into a showplace.
vincent
Fit for a queen of any gender. Has his own car -- jalopy, but he loves it.
jess
His skateboard is worth more than that car.
vincent
He's home every night and seems to need no friends other than mine, which I gladly share.
jess
He really is a sweet guy, Vincent.
vincent
His greatest fault may be that he thinks Bruce Willis is a good actor.
jess
He's young. He'll learn.
vincent
Pleasant to be with, responsible for himself, considerate of me. Dammit, Jess, he's the best lover I've ever had, so I know something's very wrong.
jess
That's the kind of relationship I could be envious of.
vincent
You? -- who has one of the world's truly superior marriages? My dear, you'll never have cause to be envious of me.
jess
One never knows what Mack truck is coming up over the hill on the wrong side of the road.
vincent
Well, it's the cute ones that are the scheming ones, and those such as I can be the vulnerable patsies waiting with hearts open and eyes closed -- until it's very much too late. I don't want that to happen, Jess. Not again.
jess
I think you're worrying about nothing.
vincent
I'd just die if it turned out Ami were really setting me up for something. I keep telling myself I will not let this old faggot get hurt -- not again, not at my age. I swore off all that kind of nonsense years ago.
jess
Stop worrying about it and just accept it as being very good companionship.
vincent
Well, my dear, let me tell you it's a good deal more than "companionship." The boy is superb in other invigorating ways -- ways I'd almost forgotten existed.
jess
Enjoy, Vincent. You deserve it.
vincent
Oh, please, let's not base rewards on what is deserved. I could never redeem all the demerits I earned in my youth, and what wonderful memories those are. I just wish I could get over this feeling that I should bring along crayons and coloring book in case he gets bored.
(hampton and bill enter through kitchen door and head for the front door.)
bill
Jess, we're on our way. Thanks for everything.
hampton
I'll give you a call tomorrow.
bill
I'm sure it must have been a wonderful party. Sorry my entertainment wasn't up to par.
(vincent, jess and douglas have moved to bill and hampton so hugs can be exchanged.)
hampton
Thanks for everything, Jess ... Douglas. Sorry we put a damper on things ...
jess
Don't be silly, Hampton.
(bill and hampton go to front door.)
douglas
I'll go down with them. Be back in a minute.
(bill, hampton and douglas exit front door.)
fletcher
Hey, little bro', you look tired.
jess
Unalterably bedraggled.
fletcher
Are you still in that silly thing at Marines Memorial?
jess
That "silly thing" is by Moliére and it's a classic, you dunce --
fletcher
Too damn funny to be a classic ...
jess
Runs two more weeks, Thursday through Sunday. I'm auditioning all over the place, but I wouldn't mind a rest.
fletcher
How 'bout I move that bunch in there down the street to the corner watering hole. Would that help you out?
jess
Yes! Get them down there, then you come back.
fletcher
Most of them are hanging off the fire escape by their hairy little toes anyway.
(fletcher exits through kitchen door.)
vincent
Oh, I forgot to tell you -- it looks as though I'll be directing one of Shepard's old warhorses at the Magic next season. Definitely want you to audition.
jess
That could be morose for both of us.
(fletcher sticks his head in from the kitchen.)
fletcher
These little dogies are eager to trot, so I'll head'em up and move'em out.
(ami enters through front door, closing the door behind him. fletcher exits.)
vincent
Everything okay downstairs?
ami
Yeah. Douglas will be up in a minute. Where did everybody go?
vincent
Fletcher, bless his straight little dysfunctional soul, served as party wrangler to move the restless beasts down to the corner cocktail lounge so these fine folk could get some rest.
ami
Fletcher's going to the muff mall?
catherine
(Amused)
Ami!
ami
That's what they call it. Man, that could be interesting.
jess
Well, a Monday night should be pretty tame.
(douglas enters front door, leaving the door unlatched, and joins the conversation. Then, unnoticed by the others, manny enters front door and stands near the window, looking down at the street.)
catherine
Did Fletcher tell you that he and Denise broke up?
jess
At least he didn't marry this one.
douglas
Manny said he'd be right up.
manny
I'm over here.
catherine
Oh, sorry, didn't see you come in.
(manny stays at the far end of the living room, his connection to the others tenuous.)
vincent
We should be going, Ami ...
jess
Stick around. Got a lot of coffee to throw out if we don't drink it.
vincent
I thought you wanted some time to yourselves ...
jess
It was the self-invited crowd I didn't need. I'm not sure how that happened ...
douglas
Janice has a very big mouth.
vincent
Which I surmise is an asset in her circle.
jess
You're the ones we wanted here tonight.
catherine
You look tired, Jess ...
douglas
Come on over and join us, Manny.
manny
Don't want to be in the way ...
vincent
Come on. We won't bite ... hard.
(jess distributes cups and pours coffee. manny comes nearer, yet stays back a bit from the group.)
jess
I'm at the point tonight where I don't feel like beating around the bush. So, for starters: Manny, you and Mother have been chumming around for a couple of months, you've been here several times, we've talked, even had a clumsy laugh or two, but seems to me we still come up with the fact that you don't very much like us queer boys, do you?
catherine
Jess!
jess
For two months he's been staring at me when he thinks I'm not looking, doesn't want to look me in the face, avoids us like we have leprosy or something. We don't need this!
manny
I, uh ... didn't know I was doing that. I'm sorry.
jess
Manny, I was picking up on people's raised eyebrows and squinty eyes long before I knew what the contortions were all about. Fact is: We bug you.
manny
No no, it's not that! Guess I'm just not, uh, used to being around ... people like ... you know ...
jess
Believe me, Manny, you've been around gay men.
catherine
Jess, stop it! There is no reason for you to attack him like this!
jess
I don't want the bull shit! This is the one place where we can be ourselves. I feel like it's been violated.
catherine
Oh for God's sake, Jess! Manny isn't coming in here to tear things apart. All he wants is a little friendship --
manny
(Interrupting)
Catherine, it's okay. I probably haven't been very friendly, I guess. Didn't mean to act that way. I'm really sorry. I'll try to be better company.
jess
God! Now you're halfway likeable.
manny
I can be -- if you'll give me another chance.
catherine
You shouldn't have had the party tonight, Jess. You said you weren't feeling well ...
jess
That's not the problem. There's other crap going on. We wanted all of you here tonight to tell you something ...
(To Douglas)
Shall we go ahead with it, Douglas?
douglas
I, uh ... it's up to you.
jess
I'd rather have more support than that.
douglas
I'm with you. Go ahead.
jess
Wanted Bill and Hampton here, and Jess, too ...
vincent
Come on, Jess -- quit beating around the bush.
jess
It's my bush and if I want to beat around it ...
(A beat; then quickly, while courage is there ...)
Douglas and I are splitting up.
(Everybody immediately becomes very still and quiet with questioning faces of disbelief. Suddenly ami erupts.)
ami
Goddammit! Why? You were the ones I thought could do it! Because of you, I honest-to-God thought it could be done! Why are queers like this? Why do we fuck up every goddamned good thing that happens to us?
(Near tears, ami runs off, exiting hall door. vincent goes after him. manny moves away from the group.)
douglas
Sorry, guys. We just didn't know a better way to break it to you.
catherine
I hope this is another one of your very bad jokes, Jess.
jess
He's quit his job, and started packing. Does that sound like a punch line?
catherine
Damn you! Damn you both! You've been together for, what? -- ten years?
douglas
Nine years.
jess
And six months, one week , two days ...
catherine
Well whatever it is, work it out. You've had your little problems before ...
jess
This isn't the same thing.
(vincent enters from hall door.)
catherine
Is he all right?
vincent
He said he's ... scared.
jess
Scared?
vincent
Because if this could happen to you, it could happen to anyone. You two have been the symbol of what can be to him -- to all of us. Dear God, I thought death would be the only thing to tear any of us away.
He told me he loves me, wanted us to have as good a relationship as ... what we thought you two had. But if you can lose it, anyone can. That's what he said.
jess
Oh God, Vincent ...
douglas
Vincent, listen. Let me tell you something that I think you should know. I don't know if this really important, but you need to know --
(ami enters from hall door.)
ami
(Interrupting)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to act like a baby. Jess ... Douglas ... guys, don't ... please don't do this.
(A pause; no answer -- then, as if in physical agony ...)
I don't want to be here. Can we go, Vincent?
vincent
Yes, I suppose ...
(To the others)
I'll, uh ... talk to you later.
jess
I wish you'd stay, Ami.
ami
I'm feeling really sick to my stomach right now ...
vincent
I guess we better go. I'll call you later.
(As vincent and ami head for the front door, douglas calls to them.)
douglas
Vincent, could you stop by Bill and Hampton's, check on them?
ami
I'll get the car.
(ami exits front door.)
vincent
Are you sure it's got to be this way?
douglas
It's all settled, Vincent.
catherine
Is there something stronger than aspirin around here?
douglas
Probably. Let's check the bathroom.
(douglas takes catherine by the hand and they exit hall door.)
jess
Vincent, you said Ami told you that he loves you ...
vincent
Yes. I'm afraid he did.
jess
And he'd never told you that before tonight?
vincent
I had hoped he was fond of me in some genuine, general, generic way. I truly never wanted to hear those words from him, spoken the way they were.
jess
And what did you tell him?
vincent
That I appreciated his feelings, his nice thoughts ...
jess
Buy you couldn't tell him that you love him?
vincent
Oh good Lord no! I would never do that!
jess
Oh, Vincent ...
vincent
I would never love him! -- not to be in love! I would never let that happen! And I wish to God he hadn't said the words to me!
jess
Why?
vincent
The hurt, my friend -- the horrible fucking hurt. Thirteen years ago when Stefan and I ripped ourselves asunder, I swore that was the last time for me -- the last time being "in love" would ever be a part of this old boy's daily anguish. I swear, every day it was like having impacted molars extracted without Novocain while my balls were clamped in a vice -- all in exchange for those very brief moments of bliss, or the mere illusion of it as it turned out. And then the breakup comes and one realizes that all the pain you suffered was only little pricks compared to what the big prick is going to put you through now. Oh, don't get me wrong -- I still love men in the grand and sweeping sense. I'll feed them and fondle them and bathe them and bed them. But I'll be damned if I fall in love with one of them again. I'm fond of Ami. That's quite enough.
jess
In your very generic way. No wonder he's scared.
vincent
I'm not the one who frightened him.
jess
You better be sure of what you're doing, Vincent.
vincent
I'm quite sure of what I am not doing.
jess
It isn't so hard to tell someone you love him, Vincent.
vincent
It's a very long leap across very deep chasms. I'd lose my footing -- I know I would.
(douglas and catherine enter. vincent lays a quick kiss on Jess's cheek and waves to the others.)
(continuing) vincent (continuing)
'Night, all. Bénir notre amitié..
douglas
(To Jess)
Be back in a second.
(To Vincent)
I'll go down with you.
(they exit front door, closing door behind them.)
catherine
There's more coffee if you want some, Manny.
manny
I'll get it. Thanks. You feeling okay?
catherine
Slight headache. I'll be fine as soon as Douglas's dental pills kick in.
douglas
Thank God for root canals.
(As the conversation continues, manny goes to the pot and takes it around to fill others' cups before pouring his own.)
(continuing) catherine (continuing)
So what's the latest on Bill's situation?
jess
Continuing downhill. Sitting around hoping somebody with a good liver of the right kind has a quick, clean accident that does him in.
catherine
How long will he have to wait?
jess
He's a long way from the top on a very long list. The problem is that he's O-negative, so the chances of a compatible liver coming up are just about zero. But, if they did get one, he could bypass a lot of people on that list who aren't O-negative.
catherine
How long can he afford to wait?
jess
Six months, maybe, if he's lucky.
catherine
Hampton's putting up a very brave front.
jess
That's his Boalt Hall training. I'm afraid he's coming apart inside.
catherine
We all thought they were the most unlikely couple ...
(lights dim; spot (moonlight) comes up downstage and bill [without stomach protrusion] and hampton stroll into the light, drinks in hand. they stop, look into the distance.)
bill
Lived here for years and never took one of these cruises around the bay.
hampton
Best way to see the city -- at night, when it's clear.
bill
It's beautiful.
(A pause, as they sip their drinks.)
(continuing) bill (continuing)
Hampton ... I've been thinking about ... you know, what you asked me the other night ...
hampton
And?
bill
I, uh ...
(A beat)
I've never met a man like you. If I'm not careful, I could probably really, very deeply, fall in love ...
hampton
I was hoping you already had.
bill
I wouldn't want to do that to you.
hampton
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
bill
I'm not marriage material, Hampton. Settling down ... I've tried it -- enough to know that ...
(A beat)
I just don't have what it takes.
hampton
And just what does it take?
bill
I have no idea.
hampton
We've seen a lot of each other these past few months, Bill. I've gotten to know you. I know what I feel for you. I know what I am with you. I think I know what we could be together.
billWe're so damned different it's comical You're a lawyer. I'm an office clerk by day and a drag queen by night.
hampton
Not every night.
bill
That doesn't set well with a lot of men.
hampton
That's a part of who you are. And I love who you are.
(A beat)
Don't you feel anything for me, Bill? This can't possibly be so damned one-sided!
bill
Hampton, I do care about you. A lot. Enough that ... I don't want to be the big mistake of your life.
hampton
I'm not asking you to be my mistake, Bill. I'm asking you to be my lover ... my partner ... my life-mate.
bill
Hunh! Love! ... I used to think that was all two people needed to have a happy and wonderful relationship ...
hampton
No, love isn't everything. But it is the key to whatever else we could have together.
bill
If it were real. If I could only know ...
(It's a tender but inconclusive moment. spot fades. bill and hampton exit, full lights come up and the scene interrupted continues.)
jess
We knew both of them before they met, and we had a good laugh when we heard they were dating. When they moved in together, we gave it a month tops. That was -- what? --
catherine
Six years ago?
jess
Don't think I've ever known a better couple than them.
catherine
I know one couple who had them beat on every count.
jess
Don't, Mother. Don't start. Don't get involved in this!
(fletcher and douglas enter front door, shutting the door.)
catherine
How can I not be involved? I love you both. There are days that, frankly, I like Douglas a lot better than I like you. He's never the bitch you can be.
jess
He doesn't have the teacher I have.
catherine
If you think I'm going to let this happen without some ...
(Looking at Fletcher)
Did you get clued in?
fletcher
I did and if you're getting ready to tie these two idiots to the village rack and flog the shit out of them, just tell me where I can get a cane.
catherine
(To Jess)
See, even the ruling retard of relationships knows a good one when he sees it.
fletcher
Oh come on, Mother.
catherine
Come on what? You've been married twice and cohabited once -- Danielle could find her way into every man's bedroom except yours, Donna could never get over her great love affair with Jack Daniels, and Denise just wanted someone to take care of her overactive appetite, her underactive personality, and her inactive bank account. I hope I live long enough to see you move on to another letter of the alphabet.
jess
Wonder why it is no one ever asks me where I got my testy tongue.
douglas
Catherine, look, Jess and I have been working with this for almost a year. We're doing the thing that's best --
jess
(Interrupting)
You're trying to be logical with her. It's not going to work.
catherine
I want you both to understand that I'm not going to sit idly by and just watch this happen ...
jess
Idle is not one of her speeds.
catherine
I know what you were like before you met Douglas. You were going to Hell in a pink ruffled handbasket, sleeping around since you were in high school ...
fletcher
Junior high actually ...
(Simultaneously ...)
catherine What do you know about it? |
jess Just shut up, Fletcher. |
fletcher
Excuse me!
catherine
Sorry, Douglas, didn't mean to throw our dirty laundry in your face ...
douglas
You are digging deep in the hamper ...
catherine
Douglas, I remember when Jess brought you home that Sunday for dinner. Had nothing to microwave, so you ended up finding things in the kitchen I didn't even know were there and preparing a marvelous meal. Can't imagine you weren't doing just fine before he grabbed on to you. I hope he's been good for you in some way, but I know he doesn't always know the difference between being an anchor and an albatross.
douglas
That's not the case, Catherine. You're way off base ...
catherine
Then I don't understand ...
douglas
Jess has been very good for me.
catherine
So what is the goddamned problem? Get it worked out! This is stupid! Now I'm feeling sick to my stomach ... Come on, Manny. Let's go.
(To Jess and Douglas)
Get it worked out! You hear me?
(manny shakes hands. catherine and manny exit front door, closing the door behind them.)
fletcher
Got to love the woman.
jess
It's entirely optional.
douglas
You weren't at the bar very long, Fletcher.
fletcher
It got dull real quick. None of the babes in there paid any attention to my suave maneuvers.
jess
Fletcher, they're all lesbians.
fletcher
Well, yeah, I know that, but ...
jess
And that's a lesbian bar.
fletcher
Well shit, I did not know that!
jess
Well shit, why didn't you open your eyes?
fletcher
I've been around you guys too much. Can't tell the difference between straight and gay anymore.
jess
You didn't notice there were no other men there?
fletcher
Figured it was just less competition. Besides, those lesbos sure as hell didn't mind me putting the move on them here.
jess
They were teasing you, Fletcher. And don't call them lesbos.
douglas
Or babes.
fletcher
They don't like that?
jess
Not from you.
fletcher
So ... what is the problem?
jess
The problem, bro', is that you come over here and hang out with gay women, thinking you're going to get some, then when they laugh in your face --
fletcher
(Interrupting)
That's not what I'm talking about! What's the deal with you two? Why are you breaking up?
jess
Oh, come on, Fletcher. Don't you start in on it, too.
fletcher
Just us men here now, so to speak. We can talk frankly. Somebody got something going on the side and get caught at it?
douglas
You're way out of line, Fletcher.
jess
(Overlapping)
Stay out of it, Fletcher. Just shut up. Maybe it's time for you to go home ... so to speak.
fletcher
She's right, you know. What Mom said. Thing is -- and I know you don't want to hear this -- but you and I are an awful lot alike.
jess
Nuh-uh!
fletcher
Look at your relationships. Mine have had the general worth of low-grade bat guano, and yours were just as bad before you met this guy.
jess
I don't want to talk about it!
fletcher
Recounting only the "meaningful" boyfriends, there was ... Danny ... Drew, and Dennis ... Dawson -- oh that one was a prize --
(To Douglas)
He stole Mother's good silver.
jess
I paid her for it.
fletcher
Derek, I think it was. Then, uh, Donald and David -- at the same time --
jess
They were twins.
fletcher
Then you met Douglas and your whole life changed. And what is it with us that we're caught in the D's? Somehow you made it work, but ... thing is, Jess, you finally got the relationship you needed and now you're willing to just give it up.
jess
Why does everybody talk like I was handed this goddamned relationship on a silver goddamned platter, and now I'm going to hand it goddamned back? Jesus! No one gets a relationship. You have to build the damn thing. That's one thing in life you've got to fucking make!
fletcher
Fine! You built a really good relationship and now you're calmly sitting here -- okay! Not so calmly! -- but you're just waiting for the demolition crew to roll up and swing the frigging ball. I think you're just plain fucking stupid.
jess
This wasn't a decision I made all by myself, for God's sake!
fletcher
Then you're both stupid.
Man, get hot under the collar, you sober up. I'm going home before the dregs of my life come back into focus.
jess
Where is "home" now, by the way?
fletcher
The apartment on the back of Mother's garage.
jess
That's a storage room.
fletcher
I pushed the junk over to one side. Now it's a studio apartment -- sans kitchen or bathroom.
jess
Or heating or windows. Lordy, she couldn't get more than twelve hundred a month for that.
fletcher
The location is worth it.
jess
Oh, yeah, you've got a classy Pacific Heights parking spot. And what's your last-call pickup line in the Union Street bars now? "You wanna go with me to the back of my mommy's garage?"
fletcher
You trying to make me suicidal?
jess
Is it working?
douglas
How about coming over Saturday to watch the game, Fletcher? If you're here, he kind of has to let me turn it on.
fletcher
(To Jess)
Would you make some of those sticky Rice Krispy things?
jess
Hell, no!
fletcher
Petits fours?
jess
Only if you take them with tea instead of Tang.
fletcher
Blcch!
(To Douglas)
I'll let you know. There's a new babe at work that I'm going to put the move on tomorrow. Maybe I'll have a long, lucky weekend.
douglas
I'll expect you around one o'clock Saturday.
fletcher
I'll bring the beer.
jess
If her name starts with D ...
fletcher
Her name is Zelda, smart-ass.
jess
Then it better work out 'cause alphabetically speaking, you're getting real close to zelibacy.
fletcher
(To Douglas)
Her name is Darlene, but I'd never let that little brat know it.
(fletcher exits front door.)
douglas
Nobody made it easy tonight, did they?
jess
You didn't expect sympathy, did you?
douglas
Just ... harder than I thought it would be.
jess
You know, Douglas, I can't imagine that you'll ever be with anyone who loves you as much as I've loved you.
douglas
I don't ever expect to.
jess
Well that's a surprising response ...
douglas
You feel like being honest tonight, so I'll be honest, too. The love we've had -- I'd be very lucky to have it as good again.
jess
And yet you choose to walk away from it.
douglas
You know why I have to do that.
jess
I'm not going to be sitting around pining for you, I hope you know.
douglas
Wouldn't expect you to.
jess
Not going to perch on the phone, waiting and hoping.
douglas
Can't imagine you ever perching.
jess
Oh, I used to. Other times ... other men. But ... I'm not going back to the way my life was before we met.
douglas
Look, I know Catherine was exaggerating things ...
jess
No ... she wasn't.
douglas
So, neither of us qualifies for sainthood.
jess
My life was a fucked-up mess, and then, with you, I found all the reason I needed to turn things around. Hell, I'm surprised I survived my early years.
douglas
You're a very strong person. Give yourself the chance to find that out.
jess
Well I don't mean to overdo the self-confidence crap now. Don't know what I'll do ... how I'll survive this. I'm not staying in this apartment. The quicker I'm out of here, the better.
douglas
(A beat)
I want to stay in touch with you, Jess.
jess
You're full of surprises tonight.
douglas
I don't want to lose you from my life -- completely.
jess
If you're going to make a new life for yourself. as you say you must, you've got to cut all ties. If you're not willing to do that, then there's no point in making this move.
douglas
Shit. I know ... you're right.
(A beat)
I really do appreciate you being as understanding as you've been.
jess
You mean for not being bitchier? Dirtier?
douglas
Some people would have.
jess
Oh, there was a time ... when I would have tried, at least, to wheedle and scheme and get my way.
douglas
You've never done that to me.
jess
More than loving you, Douglas, I respect you. You're the first man I ever met that I respected. I couldn't play dirty with you. It couldn't have been an honest relationship.
(A beat)
And now there will be no relationship at all.
(A beat)
I think I played fair ... and I lost.
(A pause)
Shit, I'm going to get ready for bed. I'm tired.
(jess exits hall door.)
douglas
I'll just put dishes in the sink ...
(off stage) jess (off stage)
Don't mess with them. I'll clean up tomorrow.
douglas
Only take a few minutes ...
(jess enters hall door, carrying blanket, sheet, pillow and pajamas.)
jess
Please. I want to get to bed.
douglas
We don't have to sleep separately like this.
jess
Yeah, we do.
(douglas switches off overhead lights, leaving the room dimly illuminated by a lamp by the sofa.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Good night.
douglas
Good night.
(jess turns his back and, assuming Douglas has left the room, takes off his clothes. When jess is standing there naked, his back still to Douglas, douglas makes some slight noise that jess hears.)
jess
You still here?
(douglas is removing his shirt.)
douglas
Unh-huh.
jess
Why? ... What are you doing?
douglas
Nothing.
(A beat. douglas is removing his shoes.)
jess
You're not going to do the dishes now, are you?
douglas
Nope.
(A beat. douglas unfastens the top of his pants.)
jess
Douglas?
douglas
Hmm?
jess
Go on to bed.
(douglas pulls the zipper of his pants down. In this quietness, it's a very loud sound. jess grabs his pajamas and throws them on as he speaks.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Oh no you don't!
douglas
What?
jess
No no no none of that! You just keep everything in and get out of here!
douglas
Jess --
(jess has his pajamas on and is preparing the couch for sleeping.)
jess
No! I mean it. I'm off the pill. We're all done with ... that.
douglas
I'm not aware we ever made that decision ...
jess
Some things go without saying!
(douglas, unnoticed by Jess, lets his pants drop and steps out of them. Wearing only undershorts, he moves to Jess. When he puts his hand on Jess, jess jerks upright from his bed-making task, grabbing the pillow and holding it in front of his crotch as he faces Douglas.)
jess
No! No no no no no! Not interested! Get away from me!
douglas
Please, Jess. I really do want to be with you tonight.
jess
You've made it very clear that you do not want to be with me! That is what we have finally dealt with here. What you want right now is to shoot your load and that is your problem and I'm simply not interested.
douglas
Drop the pillow and tell me that.
jess
Fuck you!
douglas
That'll work.
(jess jumps under the covers on the couch before removing the pillow from his crotch.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
If this is what you want, then let me sleep out here. You've slept on the couch for the last few nights and I don't mind --
( jess
(Interrupting)
I'd rather sleep here. Want to read for a while.
(jess has reached to a nearby table and picked up a book which he opens to a marked page. It's one of the The Cat Who series.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
You realize how many things this stupid cat has read through, fallen from, knocked off, walked in or pissed on to solve these crimes? ... Someone should do a gay version of these things. "The Cat Who Gave It His Best Shot," "The Cat Who Tried Too Hard," "The Cat Who Thought It Would Last."
douglas
What about "The Cat Who Needs Some Loving"?
jess
How about "The Cat Who Had to Jerk It"? Go -- do it quietly.
(douglas starts to exit, then turns back.)
douglas
Jess, thanks for not telling what's behind all of this.
jess
They love you, but they wouldn't be kind to you.
douglas
Yeah. ... Well ... good night.
jess
Good night.
(Several seconds pass, then douglas reappears in the hall doorway. jess, reading his book, isn't aware Douglas has returned until he speaks.)
douglas
Jess, I've been thinking that we would go our separate ways in two weeks -- when we say our goodbyes, I get in my car, drive away. But ... now I see ... it's already happened. There was a moment ... some one moment ... somewhere ... didn't even know it ... when we ... parted.
And ... I don't remember the last time that we kissed ... the last time I held you in my arms when we went to bed ... last time we had sex. ... Those are just things that we did ... naturally, easily. ... Didn't know I needed to remember each single time because one of those times would be the last time. ... Don't even remember the last time we held hands ... you hugged me ... we laughed together. ... So much that we did, for the last time ... and I don't remember them.
(douglas hesitates a moment, then exits.)
jess
(Softly, to himself)
I do.
(A moment passes, then jess reaches to the lamp and turns light off, leaving the room with the dim illumination of the light coming in the window from outside.
(Then light dims slowly out.)
-- End of Scene 1 (Act I) --
Act I – Scene 2
Time: Less than an hour following the conclusion of Act I. The hands on the clock indicate about 1:30.
On stage: jess.
(lights come up to the point where they were at the end of Act I -- night light through the window. Everything is just as it was, except jess is in a different position on the couch and the bedding is disheveled.
(intercom buzzes. jess doesn't move. intercom buzzes again. jess stirs. intercom buzzes again. jess groggily works himself up from the couch and fumbles around until he finds the phone.)
jess
Hello?
(Hearing only dial tone, jess slams the phone down. he makes his way back to the couch, just about to lie down when intercom buzzes again. Finally he realizes where the sound is coming from.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
(Looks at clock)
Who the hell ...
(jess goes to the intercom to talk, turning on a light.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Yeah?
bill's voice on intercom
Jess, this is Bill. Buzz us in.
jess
Bill? What in ...? Hampton with you?
hampton's voice on intercom
I'm here, Jess. Buzz us in!
jess
Anything wrong?
hampton's voice on intercom
Open the damn -- never mind, Bill jimmied the door and we're on our way.
(jess unlatches the front door and exit through the hallway. In a moment he returns with a robe and is putting it on when hampton and bill enter front door.)
bill
(Noticing Jess's pajamas)
What are those? Isn't there something on page thirty-two, paragraph six, of the faggot's handbook about never never never wearing pee-jays?
jess
Bill, what the hell you doing, running around in the middle of the night --
bill
(Interrupting)
I'm here to take care of things. Isn't it always up to Aunt Bill to take care of things? Vincent came by and ... You damned idiots! What in hell do you think you're doing? You have been the glue for this ragtag little gaggle of queer maniacs, and I'll be goddamned if I'm going to sit by and watch this thing unravel like this. Where's Douglas? I want Douglas out here.
(douglas enters from hall door, tying belt of his robe.)
douglas
Did I hear my name being regurgitated? What in hell's going on?
bill
Oh excuse me if we were making too damned much noise for you, you fucking lunatic!
hampton
Calm down, babe. Not going to do any good to work yourself into a stroke --
bill
(Interrupting)
I'll calm down when we get things settled here. Vincent told us about Ami getting upset tonight, and what he said is the truth. If this can happen to you two, it can happen to any of us. You are the ones we knew this would never happen to.
jess
Well, obviously you're not as smart as you thought you were, which I thought you knew --
douglas
(Interrupting)
Bill, what's going on with Jess and me has nothing to do with anyone else.
bill
(Interrupting)
It sure as hell does! You have been the proof for all of us! We've needed you!
douglas
You two are the ones with the great relationship. You'll will be stronger ten years from now than you are today. You'll see what I mean --
bill
(Interrupting)
I could really embarrass you right now, Douglas, because ten years from now, I will have been dead, oh -- what will it be, honey? -- close to ten years, don't you think?
hampton
Bill, sweetheart --
bill
(Overlapping/interrupting)
What's going on with you two?
jess
Bill, listen to me. We're not going to have this discussion. We're splitting up.
That's it. Settled. There's nothing more to say. Anything else is just use talk --
bill
(Interrupting)
Oh there's a lot more to say about it. My God, I've never known two people that loved better than you two. You've been so damned good together. I just want a simple, honest answer: Why? Come on, Jess, we've known each other too long ...
jess
Bill, please, this isn't something that I can talk about now --
douglas
(Interrupting)
Don't put this on Jess, Bill. Not the demand for an explanation -- not now, not ever. The decision to end this relationship is my decision. And it wasn't an easy decision to make. Fact is, he doesn't want us to break up. I love Jess. I love him very much. But in two weeks I'll be gone.
bill
Oh, how film noir. Foggy, mysterious, understated and overacted. What's showing tomorrow night, Casa Fucking Blanca?
Wish to God I didn't give a rat's left ball about your sorry ass, Douglas, because I'd like to twist your head around and cram that brainless lump up there where you'd never smell the roses.
Shit, I can't go at this the way I used to. I need to get home. Loving can be so damned painful. Dear God, whoever came up with the stupid idea, anyway?
(bill and hampton are at the front door when bill turns back.)
(continuing) bill (continuing)
Douglas, you will be at the memorial service, won't you?
douglas
What memorial service?
bill
Mine, you imbecile! You better be there -- or I'll haunt your sorry ass forever, even if your head is up it. I will be back to finish this!
(bill and hampton exit front door.)
douglas
Good Lord, had no idea people would react this way.
jess
You expected balloons and a stripper?
douglas
We're going to feel like shit in the morning, if we don't get some sleep.
jess
Nothing new. Let's get back to bed.
douglas
Sorry, Jess. Didn't know we'd get this kind of repercussion.
jess
Don't know how you could have expected anything else. After all, we did have what everybody, including me, thought was about the ...
(Stops, stares at Douglas a few hard seconds ...)
My God. Is it possible you really don't know what we had?
douglas
Jesus, Jess, of course I know what we had --
jess
(Interrupting)
Get out of here. Go back to bed. ... Please. I want to get some sleep.
(douglas hesitates, then exits hall door. jess lies down, reads a few seconds, then intercom buzzes. douglas jumps up to answer it.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Yes ...
hampton's voice at intercom
Jess, this is Hampton. Manny's down here, wants to see you.
jess
What does he ...? Oh jeez. Yeah, okay.
(jess unlatches the door. douglas appears at the hall door, dressed only in shorts -- or nude.)
douglas
What now?
jess
Manny's on his way up.
douglas
What does he want?
jess
Have no idea.
douglas
Want me here?
(A beat as jess sighs and eyes Douglas, his sexual longing apparent and not well disguised.)
jess
Get out of here. I'll yell if I need you.
(douglas exits hall door.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
(To himself)
Damn, Douglas, don't do that to me!
(manny knocks softly on the unlatched door.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Manny? Come on in.
manny
Sorry to bother you. Hoped you were still up.
jess
I wasn't, I was -- don't worry about it. Nothing wrong with Mother, I hope.
manny
Oh no. Took her home. We had coffee, talked a spell. Been driving around. She's awful upset about you and Douglas getting a divorce. Well, don't guess you call it that, do you?
jess
Would if we could.
manny
Reason I came over ... want to apologize for ... well, way I been acting.
jess
Both did already, didn't we?
manny
Well, yeah, but you were maybe kind of right about ... I mean ... I'm just now kind of beginning to understand a bunch of stuff myself.
jess
You've lost me.
manny
Well ... you see ... it's just that --
(A beat)
Man, don't know if I can do this, but, well ... you see I was oh, twenty-one, I guess, when I kind of maybe began to sort of admit to myself that I had, uh, homosexual tendencies. That's what I called them. You know -- having tendencies seemed a lot better than being something like that. I was already married then and Jeannie, my daughter, was real little. A couple of years later Randall was born. Well, you see, I knew I had these feelings, but I never did anything about them. And back then, where I lived people didn't just come out and say they were homosexual, way they do now. Wasn't sure if I was one -- don't guess I could have actually defined it ... just knew some of these feelings I had were ... you know ... like ... something different from ... how other guys felt and ... Jeez! ...
(Unseen by the others, douglas, wearing robe, enters the hallway and listens to the conversation.)
(continuing) manny (continuing)
The marriage wasn't very good, and I reckon that was one of the reasons, but we were married for several years before we got divorced. She met someone she liked better. That was okay with me -- I couldn't get the marriage to mean very much. I never remarried, had a few lady friends along the way -- and the few times I went to bed with one of them, found myself thinking about ... other things, and feeling confused because I did.
After the divorce I'd see the kids regular till they didn't want to do the daddy stuff so much anymore. Then Randall went off to college. He was nineteen, twenty maybe, when he wrote to tell me that he was gay -- didn't want to have to live a lie around me, he said. And I didn't know what to say to him. Deep inside I was glad for him. Even kind of jealous, I guess, because he could be open about his feelings and I couldn't ever do that.
jess
What did you finally say to him about it? ... about him being gay?
manny
Nothing. Ignored it -- like he'd never even told me. Met him for lunch one time, pizza place over on Church Street -- he was living in San Francisco then -- and he introduced me to another young man that I thought maybe was his ... friend. Just ignored the guy with him. Didn't know what to do. Part of me wanted to say, Good for you, I know how you feel, and I'm really happy for you. Instead, I ... just ignored it. Just couldn't get the words out.
His mother and sister let him know right out that they didn't want anything to do with what they called his sinful ways. They ran him off, boasted about it. I let him slip away because I was a coward. We gave him nothing but grief. Exchanged Christmas cards a while, then that stopped. Finally, guess he decided that I didn't want anything to do with him either. Couldn't blame him. Whole family let him down.
jess
It's never too late to let him know how you feel.
manny
Well ... see ... he was killed in a car wreck nearly five years ago. I went to his funeral. Saw that man there -- the one he'd introduced me to years before -- friends all around him, comforting him, like he was the most grieving one.
jess
His lover.
manny
Yeah. That's what I figured. Wanted to go up to him, but I was scared ... no idea what to say. He looked over, recognized me I think, and ... I just turned and left. Could anybody have done it any worse?
Anyway, about me being uncomfortable around gay people ... it's got nothing to do with you. It's me. I did some awful rotten stuff that can't ever be fixed.
I know now that if a man is supposed to be with a man, nothing can take the place of that. But if you let your time get away from you, you lose it all. That's where I am, Jess. I won't ever be with a man in a ... close way. Too late now. My train pulled in ... and I never got on board. It went some place without me I can never go now.
jess
It doesn't have to be that way, Manny. There are other trains -- later ones, going to the same place ...
manny
They don't seem to match my schedule now.
Your mother told me about you and Douglas -- what a good thing you've had. I'm real sorry that you'll be losing that.
jess
Thanks, Manny. Appreciate that.
manny
Never knew my son as a gay man because I was a stupid jerk. And I never knew just how much I'd really missed till I met you, your friends. Wanted you to know, Jess, that I really don't have anything against you at all. None of you. Hope you can believe that.
(When manny holds out his hand to shake, jess pulls him into a hug that's awkward for manny, but appreciated.)
jess
Thanks, Manny.
(douglas exits to bedroom. manny goes to front door.)
manny
Sorry to have bothered you, so late and call ...
jess
I'm glad you came by.
manny
Good night.
jess
Good night.
manny
Oh. About your mother and me? We're just friends. She seems to like it that way. She probably figures I can't get it up anymore -- I imagine that's one of the reasons she likes me. That, and I've got money to put into real estate.
jess
That would do it. But she does genuinely like you. And now ... I can see why.
(manny exits front door. jess closes the door behind him. The door does not latch. jess walks to the hall door, stops in the doorway, looks toward the bedroom, leans against the door jamb. Desires go through his mind and he is trying to let reason rule -- which it finally does. he walks back into the living room, switches off lights, night light coming through the window as the only illumination. jess goes to the couch and lies down.
(lights fade.)
-- End of Scene 2 (Act I) --
Act I – Scene 3
Time: About an hour following the end of Scene 2. The clock shows that it is about 2:35.
On stage: jess.
(lights come up to illuminate the stage as it was at the end of the previous scene. It's quiet, except for the deep breathing of jess's sleep. The front door, which was left unlatched, opens slowly. ami stands there, looking into the room, although his identity may not be readily apparent. Moving stealthily, he enters the room, closes the door behind him, quietly making sure it's latched. he moves slowly and silently across the room to a chair where he sits facing the couch. he sits very still. After several seconds, lights fade.)
-- End of Scene 3 (Act I) --
Act I – Scene 4
Time: Several months previously.
On stage: vincent and ami.
(A spot of light defines the area where vincent and ami stand. There is the sound of dance music and the hubbub of a bar. Perhaps colored lights flash and a mirrored ball reflects to provide bar atmosphere.
(vincent and ami stand next to each other; vincent is trying to ignore Ami. Both have drinks in their hands.)
ami
We keep running into each other here.
vincent
(Cheerlessly)
Do we?
ami
Third time tonight . . . and a couple of nights ago we were both righthere --
vincent
(Interrupting)
We don't run into each other -- you keep running into me.
ami
Sorry. It's just that I think you look like a really nice guy --
vincent
(Interrupting)
Look, little boy, you're barking up the wrong queer.
ami
What?
vincent
I don't play your games. I may not get it as often as I'd like, but I haven't reached the point where I'm willing to pay for it. Go peddle your prick to some other sagging old faggot.
(vincent turns away from Ami; ami keeps his eyes on Vincent; ami is amused by Vincent's reaction. Aware that Ami is still watching him vincent finally turns back to him.)
(continuing) vincent (continuing)
Besides -- I have no money. I'm in theatre.
ami
You're starving? Homeless?
vincent
Well ... no ... it isn't that bad.
ami
Then it wouldn't be an act of charity if I invite you to dinner.
vincent
I beg your pardon?
ami
I'm hungry. There's a place couple of doors down -- pretty good if you like pasta and other things Italian. Do you?
vincent
What's with you? I'm being rude and you don't get it.
ami
The rudeness isn't really you. You have a very special snarl just for me, and, gotta tell you, it's turning me on. Hey, I've seen you with other people in here. You're nice to everybody else. Eventually, you're going to be nice to me.
vincent
Do hold your breath.
ami
Look, the thing is, I'm attracted to older guys ... good-looking ones ... nice ones ... like you. Honestly!
vincent
(Sarcastically ... but softening)
Oh, please ...
ami
This is a truly authentic flirt I'm trying here. You're making it rough on me.
(A beat)
So ... do you like Italian?
vincent
Are you Italian?
ami
(Laughing)
Food.
vincent
Well, I like the food better than the men. The men always seem to be ... overdone.
ami
I hate to eat alone ... and I really wish you'd join me.
(vincent laughs derisively, turns away from Ami. But ami keeps his gaze on Vincent. After a few seconds, vincent turns back to him.)
vincent
You're serious.
ami
You're cute.
vincent
You're hazardous.
ami
You're weakening.
(vincent hesitates, thinking. Then he holds his glass up, looking at the ice cubes.)
vincent
Well ... I don't want another of these ...
ami
The friends you came in with --
vincent
I met them at a bookstore an hour ago. I haven't put them in my will yet.
ami
Go tell them we're headed down the street to Domenic's. We'll be back when we're stuffed. Point me out so they'll know who to have arrested in case you disappear -- I live in room two-forty of that firetrap across the alley.
(vincent thinks a moment..)
vincent
As if they would fucking care.
(they exit together. lights fade.)
-- End of Scene 4 (Act I) --
Act I – Scene 5
Time: About an hour later than Scene 3, Act I. The clock is set at about 3:30.
On stage: jess and ami.
(In the darkness, there is the sound of a street-sweeper passing outside. lights come up gradually to illuminate the scene just as it was at the end of Scene 3 -- the light of the night coming through the window. jess and ami are in the same positions as at the close of that scene. jess stirs. There is the sound of a siren racing by outside.
(jess turns and tangles up in a mess of blanket and sheet. ami sits in the chair -- wide awake but quiet.
(There is the sound of another siren passing by. jess sits up.)
jess
Jesus Christ, I love this noisy city!
(jess groans his displeasure at being awakened. he reaches over and turns on a lamp. Before he can adjust to the light ...)
ami
(Softly)
Hey, Jess, I'm here.
jess
(Startled)
Jesus! Ami?
ami
Didn't want to scare you.
jess
Didn't quite work. What are you doing here?
ami
Waiting for you to wake up. Need to talk to you.
jess
How did you get in?
ami
That door down there is real easy to jimmy ...
jess
So I hear.
ami
And your door wasn't latched. So ... here I am. You better be more careful. I could have robbed you blind.
jess
Thanks for not. How long have you been here?
ami
Hour maybe.
jess
Why didn't you wake me up?
ami
Didn't want to bother you.
jess
Didn't stop anybody else.
ami
And gave me a little more time ... think about things ...
jess
Does Vincent know you're here?
ami
Left a note, case he wakes up before I get back. If he was really asleep. I couldn't sleep.
jess
A lot of that going around.
ami
Sorry I freaked out tonight. That surprised me.
jess
No harm done. Matter of fact, maybe some good will come out of it.
ami
I meant what I said, about you and Douglas. I get this heavy clump in my stomach every time I think about it. Just seems like a really dumb thing you guys are doing ...
jess
Sorry, Ami. It's just something we're all going to have to get used to.
ami
When you get right down to it, being a faggot is just a real shitty way of life, isn't it?
jess
No! It's not, dammit! God, I hate when gays say that about themselves! I'm glad I'm gay. I'm proud to be gay.
ami
But things are always getting screwed up!
jess
That's life, Ami. Whether you're straight, gay, arachnoid or bacterial, life gets screwed up. Do you think you could be anything else?
ami
No no, 'course not. I've known since I was eleven years old I was gay.
jess
You accepted that when you were eleven?
ami
Yeah.
jess
You're lucky.
ami
I knew I was what I was. Didn't decide to be, I just am.
jess
So what's the problem?
ami
Why does it have to be so damned hard?
jess
Oh, man, Ami. I know a lot of things must be confusing for you right now. Vincent told us you'd just come to San Francisco from up north right before you two met, so this whole "gay lifestyle" deal has got to be very different for you.
ami
Yeah ... well ... that's kind of something I wanted to talk about.
See, when I met Vincent I just figured he was somebody to hang out with for a while. I like older men. He was a nice guy. I liked him right off. He was nowhere near as cranky as he pretended to be. I knew that. What I didn't know was that I was, uh, going to ... really fall for the guy.
I told him tonight that I love him.
jess
And do you? Really?
ami
Yeah, Jess. I do. I really do. I've been afraid to tell him because I didn't know what he'd do. I know it doesn't make sense to some people that a guy my age would go for someone his age. But that's what I like -- what I'm comfortable with. I don't try to figure that out anymore.
Tonight it just blew up inside my head how bad it would be if I didn't have him. It just came out -- I knew I loved him, but afraid of losing him.
jess
He told me.
ami
What I wanted was to hear him say that he loves me, too! But I got the feeling ... sometimes I get the feeling that ... that maybe he doesn't even like me very much. That he's afraid of something ... maybe afraid of me.
jess
Ami, everyone has fears. You have fears. You're afraid right now. Of something. I don't know what it is, but you're afraid. So maybe Vincent's fear has some basis after all.
ami
What? What's he got to be afraid of?
jess
You.
ami
Me?!
jess
That if he falls in love with you, he'll end up being hurt.
ami
See, that's the kind of thing I'm talking about. If we go around being afraid all the time, how do we get the good stuff out of life?
jess
We don't. Not as long as we're afraid.
(ami sits quietly for several seconds, coming to an awareness that causes an obvious inner turmoil.)
ami
Oh God, Jess! Goddammit!
jess
What?
ami
I am going to hurt him.
jess
Ami ... !
(A beat)
What do you mean?
ami
Oh, God, Jess, I swear I never intended to hurt Vincent ... but that's what's going to happen!
jess
What are you talking about? ... What?!
ami
I haven't told him some things ...
jess
Oh, Jesus! What's going on? You hurt Vincent, you little shit-head, and so help me I swear to God ...
ami
Jess, please, I never meant it like that! You guys mean so much to me. You're ... friends. The first real gay friends, hell, any kind of friends, I've ever had. And as much as I want to be with Vincent -- I want to live with him and make our life together ... I'm afraid of what it'll do to him when he ... finds out about ... my past.
jess
Oh Christ.
(A beat)
So let me guess: You're not the innocent little farm boy we've been led to believe.
ami
My parents ditched me when I was thirteen ...
jess
"Ditched" you?
ami
They knew I was gay and they made it real clear what they thought about that. And I had three older brothers who liked it even less. We lived up in Mendocino County, not much work, so when my dad got a chance to get on a construction crew in Santa Barbara, the whole family took off. My mother said she knew I'd be happier going to school in Fort Bragg, which she didn't know. They got my Aunt Sissy to let me live with her and her no-good husband. Owned a little store and jumped at the chance to get slave labor. They didn't care anything about me. I got tired of being hungry, having nothing, made fun of ... being alone, having no friends, being chased by a drunk old man with a shotgun and some pretty strange ideas about what he thought I owed him. So the day I turned sixteen, I took enough money from the cash drawer to get a one-way bus ticket heading south.
jess
To San Francisco ...
ami
Where else?
jess
Polk Street?
ami
I staked out better territory -- around the Mark Hopkins.
jess
You were a hustler.
ami
That's the nice word for it. I did what I thought I had to do. Nothing I'm proud of. Oh, I'm out of it now. And in case you're wondering, I've been tested and I'm clean.
jess
I was wondering.
ami
Did okay, money-wise. Never had to live on the street. Still have a savings account I started for college. Got my GED.
I've been out of that over two years now. Enough was definitely enough. But, see, I told Vincent I come from this nice family, just got into town couple of months before we met ...
jess
I don't know, Ami, what Vincent may do with this. But you've got to tell him.
ami
I know ...
jess
This could be his reason not to go too far with you ...
ami
I don't want to lose him. What can I do?
jess
Be honest with him. Give him time. As well as I think I know Vincent, I don't know what he'll do.
ami
(More to himself)
I love him. I really do.
I've learned so much from you guys. You've helped me a lot. I'll miss Douglas like crazy. Bill, too, if he doesn't make it ...
jess
Yeah. We all will.
(The phone rings and jess quickly grabs it.)
(continuing; on phone) jess (continuing; on phone)
Hello. ... Hi, Vincent. ... Yes, he is. ... He's fine. We've been talking.
ami
Tell him I'll be home in a few minutes.
jess
He said he'll be home in a few minutes. ... I'll tell him. ... You, too, Vincent -- very much. Good night.
(Hangs phone up)
He said he'll wait up for you.
ami
Aw, and he doesn't want to admit he loves his Ami.
jess
Well, just so you'll know, he sounded more pissed than pleased.
ami
Anh, I can change that
Did Vincent ever tell you how I got my name? He gave it to me.
jess
Who? Vincent?
ami
Yeah. I thought it was Spanish when he started calling me that. Hungarian maybe? I don't know languages. But he said,
(Doing bad imitation of Vincent)
"No no no, you silly little heathen, it is French! Ami!"
(Imitation concluded)
He was very careful about the pronunciation.
jess
Means "friend," doesn't it?
ami
He didn't like my other name.
jess
And what was that?
ami
Well, the name on my birth certificate is Raymond. But I never used that in my whole life. Till he started calling me Ami, I was known as Skeeter.
jess
No wonder he changed it. Can't imagine a kid named Skeeter making money on the streets of this town.
ami
It worked great when I put a little Tennessee drawl with it. But that name's got a history to it now that I don't want anything to do with.
Well, I better go -- try to get Vincent to sleep.
jess
Ami, listen to me. He may really be falling in love with you. Don't you dare wait till he tells you that to spring this on him.
ami
I'll tell him. Soon.
(ami pulls jess into a tight hug, then gives him a big smack on the lips.)
ami
If I didn't have Vincent, and you were twenty years older, I'd go after you.
(jess gives ami a playful smack on the butt.)
jess
Get out of here.
ami
Talk to you later.
jess
Drive carefully. Probably fog out there.
(ami gives him a thumbs-up as he exits front door. jess goes to phone, punches a button, waits a moment ...)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Vincent, Jess. He just left. ... He wasn't. ... What? ... That's about three hours from now. ... No no, I appreciate it. Hell, I'll probably still be awake. I'll check it out. Thanks for telling me. ... You, too. Talk to you later.
(jess switches off the light and heads back to the couch.
(lights fade out.)
-- End of Scene 5 (Act I) --
Act I – Scene 6
Time: A few minutes after the previous scene.
Setting: Vincent's apartment living room -- a small area defined by light.
On stage: vincent and ami.
(vincent sits in a chair, wearing a robe; ami kneels in front of Vincent. ami's gaze is fastened on Vincent. vincent avoids looking at Ami.)
ami
I'm sorry, Vincent. I should have told you before. I never meant it to be a lie.
(A beat)
At first I didn't think it mattered. But I didn't know I was going to fall in love with you.
(A beat)
Please. Can't you forgive me?
(A pause. vincent stirs, seeking a response.)
vincent
I appreciate your telling me all of this. I do. But ... you won't understand that ... the real problem here is not your past. The problem is my past -- a history of abject failure when it comes to lovers. I just don't want to dig up old bones and shards and ghosts put to rest.
ami
What are you talking about?
vincent
You're a very sweet young man. Truly, I'm extremely fond of you. But, please -- you simply must not be in love with me.
ami
But I am!
vincent
That's foolish! Absolutely stupid! You could have your pick of any man in this town. There is no reason you would choose me to be "in love" with. I'll not accept that. I'll not let you do it. I will not fall prey to it.
ami
You won't let me love you?
vincent
I have no control over what you feel or do or decide. But I will not be in love with you. That will not happen. Know that. I will not let it happen.
ami
You think love is a choice?
vincent
I know love is a choice. That is one of the good things you learn as you grow older. And my choice is never to fall in love again. Not with you; not with anyone.
ami
Don't do this, Vincent ...
(vincent pauses to think through carefully his next statement.)
vincent
I think I'll take a drive up the coast -- leave tomorrow, come back, oh, Thursday. If you would, please ... be out of here by the time I return.
ami
What?! You think I can just turn all of this off and walk away?
vincent
Drop the keys through the mail slot when you're through, make sure there's food and water for Bitsy till I get back --
ami
(Interrupting)
Do you think that's the way it works? -- the way I work? -- just walk away from the man I love?
vincent
We've had our little fling and now it's time for us to go our ways --
ami
(Interrupting)
Goddammit, Vincent!
(Goes to Vincent)
Look at me! Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me! Look at me, dammit, and see if you can tell me to get out of your life!
vincent
Don't do this, Raymond, because I ...
(A beat -- then, directly and deliberately ...)
... I do not love you. I will not love you. Please ... just ... pack up and leave.
(ami stares at Vincent for a few moments.)
ami
I don't understand. How can you ... how could anyone just ...
(A beat)
It's love you're throwing away, Vincent. Love. How can you just ... throw it away?
(In anguish, ami hopes that Vincent will relent. After a moment, vincent stands, preparing to leave the room.)
vincent
I'll sleep in the guest room.
(ami stares after Vincent as vincent exits and lights fade.)
-- End of Scene 6 (Act I) • End of Act I --
Act II – Scene 1
Time: The following morning. The clock on the wall shows about 6:20.
Setting: The living room.
On stage: NO ONE.
(lights come up to indicate early morning. There are lights on in the room. The couch is cleared of bedding.
(jess comes in hall door wearing undershorts and T-shirt. A tag in the collar of the T-shirt is turned up and sticking out. jess is carrying other clothes which he puts on as the scene progresses. he sips coffee as he can.
(douglas enters hall door wearing robe and dealing with his grogginess. he will pour coffee and putter around as they converse.)
douglas
Didn't get much sleep last night, did we?
jess
I know I didn't.
douglas
There wasn't anyone after Ami, was there?
jess
Sorry. Was hoping we didn't wake you up.
douglas
Hadn't been to sleep.
jess
So you heard his story?
douglas
Yeah.
jess
What do you think?
douglas
Jess, I, uh ... I knew about Ami.
jess
You what?
douglas
Some of it, good guess at the rest of it. Even though I don't work at the bank anymore, I shouldn't be talking about customers, but -- well, Ami has an account there.
jess
Good God, Douglas, this isn't exactly just a "bank thing."
douglas
I know, but ... well ... this is quite a while back. He used to come in every Monday morning. I remember because all the tellers wanted to wait on him. He had that kind of rapport with everybody. Always cash that he deposited -- to the account of Raymond Eugene Thatcher. Several hundred dollars each week. Didn't look like a drug pusher, so I kind of figured the next most logical thing. I hadn't seen him in the bank for a long time, but I recognized him when Vincent showed up with him and I remembered who he was.
jess
You don't think he recognized you? -- when Vincent introduced him?
douglas
Usually in my little cubicle. He probably never saw me. But after Vincent told us he was new in town, and I knew that wasn't true, I checked his account record -- just to see what I could find out. It's been something like two years since he made a cash deposit. Then there were a few weeks with no deposits before he started using ATM for what I'd guess were paychecks. Been a lot less going into his savings account over the last couple of years, but he has a few thousand there.
jess
So maybe everything is on the up-and-up now.
douglas
Hope so. At first I figured it didn't really make any difference -- be around a few days, then gone. So what if the guy wasn't completely honest about when he got to town or what he did. Then by the time I realized Ami might be around for a while, I didn't know what to do.
jess
You should have told Vincent!
douglas
I did ... last night, when I walked down with him. He said he already knew.
jess
What?
douglas
Reminded me he knows people all over this town with very busy tongues and some use them to talk. He's known for quite a while.
jess
Cripes! No wonder he doesn't want to fall in love with him. Poor Vincent -- hiding what he knew from us, even from Ami. What a mess.
douglas
You're up early. What's going on?
jess
Vincent told me about a movie shoot in the middle of the night. I mean that's when he told me -- he only found out when he got home last night.
douglas
And you've got to be there at dawn?
jess
One day on location -- casting extras on site. I'll shmooze and maybe pick up a few bucks.
(jess is at the front door, about to leave. douglas moves toward him as he speaks.)
douglas
Wait a second, Jess ...
(As douglas reaches out to him, jess pulls back, which causes douglas to hesitate in his movement.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
Was going to fix your collar ...
(douglas reaches over and pushes the T-shirt tag down and out of sight.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
Good luck.
jess
Thanks.
(jess exits front door quickly, closing the door behind him. douglas goes to the window, looking down for several seconds, following Jess's passage as he leaves the building. The phone rings. douglas answers it.)
douglas
Hello? ... Oh, hi, Catherine. ... He just left. Early movie shoot. ... None of us did, I guess. ...You're down where? ... Well of course you can -- but God, Catherine, look, there's no point in ... oh, shit, hold on a second.
(Presses button on phone)
Hello. ... Well, hi yourself. Something wrong? ... Because you're not supposed to phone here unless it's an emergency. ... That's not the kind of emergency I meant, Terry. You knew I'd phone this evening. ... Well, it's only two more weeks. Little less. ... That would be rushing things. ... Yeah, Friday was my last day. ... There are things to get done. ... Things. You know. All the stuff you have to do to move. And I have, uh, obligations here. Can't just take off. Things are going on that ...
(Suddenly remembering Catherine)
Oh, crap, hold on.
(Presses button on phone)
Catherine? Hello? Shit!
(Presses button on phone; goes to window)
Terry? I've got to go. ... No, that's the reason I said not to phone here. Too many people around, no privacy. ... Yeah, nine o'clock your time.
(Still looking out window)
Look, I've got to go ...
(The intercom buzzes. douglas presses the button to open the front door.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
Sorry, but I've really got to go now. Talk to you tonight. ... You too.
(he hangs up.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
Damn!
(phone rings. douglas grabs it, answering sharply.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
Hello. ... Vincent? ... What -- ? ... Vincent, calm down, can't understand you. ... What do you mean, he ran away? ... What the hell did you expect him to do? ... Well, if he didn't take his car -- ... Vincent, look, don't let this -- ... Hello? Ahhh!
(As douglas hangs up the phone, a series of sharp, quick knocks is heard at the front door.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
(Crossing to front door)
Jesus! Why would I ever want to leave any of this?
(lights out.)
-- End of Scene 1 (Act II) --
Act II – Scene 2
Time: Less than an hour following the previous scene.
Setting: A table at a café.
On stage: vincent.
(lights come up on vincent staring vacantly at the cup of coffee in front of him. he is nervous and disturbed. A scone is on a paper plate nearby.
(After a few moments, ami walks up slowly to the table and stops. vincent glances up, tries to cover his surprise, then looks away.)
ami
Hi. ... Went back to the apartment -- saw you were gone.
(A beat; no answer)
Thought you might be here. Best croissants in town, you always said. ... Okay if I sit?
(With a slight arch of an eyebrow and flick of a finger, vincent gives his consent. ami sits.)
(continuing) ami (continuing)
Why do you have a scone? You don't like scones.
(A beat)
Remember? Me, scone. You, croissant.
(vincent slides the plate with the scone over to Ami. ami ignores the scone, hesitates a moment, then reaches to take Vincent's hands. vincent pulls his hands away, but not abruptly or harshly. ami brings his hands back to himself.)
(continuing) ami (continuing)
Vincent, I've got to talk to you. ... Will you listen to me? Just let me talk a minute, you listen?
(vincent holds up his hand as a signal to be quiet. Then there are moments of silence before vincent speaks.)
vincent
You cannot possibly know how very frightened I am right now.
(they stare into each others' eyes for a few moments. Then ami reaches over with one hand to take Vincent's hand, and vincent lets him take it. After a moment, ami lifts his other hand and puts it to Vincent's cheek. vincent lifts his eyes and they look at each other, acquiescence and tenderness obvious.
(lights fade.)
-- End of Scene 2 (Act II) --
Act II – Scene 3
Time: A Sunday afternoon, nearly two weeks following the end of Act II. The clock on the wall is set at about 4:20.
Setting: The living room.
On stage: bill, jess, douglas catherine, and hampton.
(A party atmosphere prevails. The dining table is covered with linen table cloth, punch bowl and cups, and the remnants of a wedding cake. There are wedding decorations around the room, and there are opened presents with wrappings strewn around.
(bill is in a chair, looking no better than when we last saw him. jess and douglas are the busy hosts. catherine alternates between helping and socializing.)
catherine
That was such a beautiful ceremony.
jess
I think you cried as much as I did.
catherine
When are they leaving on their trip?
douglas
Five o'clock tomorrow -- A. M.
jess
Like an imbecile I said I'd take them to the airport.
douglas
I told you I'd take them.
jess
You know I'm just bitching. Wouldn't miss seeing them off for anything. By this time tomorrow they'll be steaming away from San Diego on a ship heading for the Mexican Riviera.
catherine
I'll miss them.
douglas
They'll only be gone a week.
jess
Costing way too much, but they want a honeymoon to remember --
(jess is interrupted by manny and fletcher, coming in, each carrying two bottles of champagne.)
douglas
We don't need this much champagne.
(hampton looks into the hallway, then hurries back in and goes for his camera.)
hampton
They're coming.
(all look toward the front door. fletcher play-toots the trumpeting entrance. ami and vincent enter. hampton takes pictures.)
fletcher
Toot, too-too-too toot, too too toot, toot, toot.
ami
Don't look now, Fletcher, but your toot's a little flat.
vincent
Good Lord! What a to-do! -- and I love it.
jess
Okay, folks, gather 'round. Grab your champagne.
(everyone gets champagne.)
douglas
Okay, Jess, let's have the toast.
jess
Not everything that happens in our lives is good. But some of it is so damned good it makes up for all the rest -- and this is one of those times. The love we all have for you is so enormous you cannot imagine it. It is that love that speaks from the bottom of our hearts to wish for you the very best of life, the very best of love, and the very best of each other -- always.
(all raise their glasses high with jess.)
(continuing) jess (continuing)
Love, health, happiness.
vincent
Amour, santé, bonheur.
ami
Mi amigos!
(all laugh and cheer and drink, vincent and ami kiss. Then vincent signals for quiet.)
vincent
My dear friends! I have a toast to make.
(vincent turns to face ami.)
(continuing) vincent (continuing)
I have known little bits of happiness through the years of my life. But now I have it in great abundance. Thank you for coming my way, Ami, and for being no less than yourself. That, as it turns out, is all I need. With every bit of my heart and soul, I love you.
(Glasses are again lifted in toast, and vincent and ami again kiss.)
ami
Quiet, quiet! My turn, now!
Vincent ... you know I love you. God knows I tell you enough. But I really, really mean
it, so I'll say it some more: I love you. I've had more love in the time we've been together
than most people ever get in their whole lifetime. And now we build our life. The rest of our
days together -- man, I'm looking forward to that! Thank you for loving me, Vincent
-- and
for letting me love you. You make me feel so ... full. Je adore, tu adores, nous adorons.
Now I'm going to say just three little words that I don't want you to ever forget, Vincent:
You my man!
(Again the toasting, cheering, laughing; again vincent and ami kiss. bill makes his way to Vincent and Ami.)
bill
To you, Ami, for reminding us that new friends are wonderful and needed. To you, Vincent, for assuring us that old friends are marvelous and reliable. And to you both, for showing us that love still works.
(bill raises his glass as others respond with "Cheers," "Salud," etc.)
(continuing) bill (continuing)
Now haven't we been maudlin enough for a while? Let's get this damned party going.
(someone turns on the stereo; vincent and ami dance to the music. As people move around the room, various assemblies occur that mark the following conversations that include only the involved individuals.)
hampton
You look tired, babe. Why don't we go home?
bill
I'm okay.
hampton
You'd be more comfortable at home. I could read to you. Got another Faye Kellerman at the used-book store yesterday.
bill
Can't leave now. This is too good.
catherine
Manny, thank you for helping with things today. They couldn't have gotten it done without you.
manny
Didn't do that much. You've got a good family here, Catherine. I like them. They're fine folks.
(The sound of Bill's cell phone is heard. hampton hears it, rushes to take it from Bill and answer it.
(jess overhears the conversation between Manny and Catherine from this point.)
catherine
I'm sorry you're leaving, Manny. I'll miss you, you know. I like having you as a friend.
manny
Yeah ... me, too. But I'm just not made to live in the city, I guess. Not comfortable around so many people all the time. So many cars, so many buildings, so much of ... everything.
catherine
If you'd just learn to park where you don't get tickets ...
manny
It's a lot more than that. I'm really just a simple country boy.
catherine
You better come back and visit.
manny
Oh, sure, I'll do that. Got to check on that apartment house you sold me.
(they melt back into the group. hampton turns off the phone.)
hampton
(Announcing to all)
They've got a liver!
(Running to Bill)
Come on, we've got to get to the hospital.
douglas
Where's your car?
hampton
Right in front.
bill
I don't have my bag.
hampton
I'll get your bag later. Now come on.
douglas
Do you need help?
hampton
Just need to get to the car.
jess
Call us, Hampton -- soon as you find out something.
bill
Hold it. I don't have my running shoes on.
hampton
I'll call ...
(everyone is excitedly rushing bill and hampton out the front door, wishing them well.)
vincent
Well, something else to make this a wonderful day. Couldn't be any better, if it wasn't for Douglas leaving tomorrow. But then that's what encouraged us to do this so soon. We wanted him to be a part of it.
jess
I'm glad you did.
vincent
How soon before we know what's going on with Bill, I wonder.
(douglas walks up to them.)
jess
You know Hampton will call as soon as he knows anything.
vincent
Douglas, Jess, thank you both so much for the beautiful reception. And for engineering the ceremony. If it weren't for you two, this group would have no class at all.
douglas
It was mostly Jess.
jess
That's true.
vincent
Lord, who would ever have thought I'd be going through another one of these bashes -- and this is the nicest yet, don't you think?
jess
Especially when you consider that all the others took place in the back of a bar, three minutes before closing time, with men you'd known less than an hour.
vincent
Don't knock it. Some of those relationships lasted through the weekend.
douglas
You two are quite the handsome pair. Your taste in men has improved considerably.
jess
Being sober this time may have had something to do with it.
vincent
Well, there's a reason that love is blind, and it's been to my advantage. However, this time I definitely don't have to hide him under a basket.
jess
And who made it all happen?
vincent
Oh, you, of course, dear heart -- for giving my young man some very wise counsel, and to both of you for convincing me that it was okay to accept possibilities. What unnecessary burdens we create for ourselves.
(ami comes over to vincent.)
ami
Hey, captain, I'm getting lonesome without you.
vincent
Well, now, we can't let that happen, can we, sailor boy?
(they move back into the group.)
fletcher
Am I behaving myself okay today?
douglas
Has someone said you have a behavior problem?
fletcher
My little brother warned me to keep my hands off the gay girls.
douglas
Never figured out why you wanted to make a play for them anyway.
fletcher
Worst thing about coming to the parties you guys have is that I never get kissed.
douglas
Well we wouldn't want you to go home feeling short-changed.
(douglas grabs fletcher's face and playfully plants a big kiss right on his lips, which startles fletcher, who jerks away from the clinch and starts furiously wiping his mouth with his hand.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
Now you're infected! You can never, ever be totally straight.
fletcher
God! Tongue and everything! I've got to go find some mouthwash. I don't know how you guys do it! Shees!
(fletcher rushes to exit hall door, wiping at his mouth.)
douglas
(Laughing; calling to Fletcher)
That wasn't tongue!
(fletcher will return to the room when he's had time to rinse. douglas blends back into the group.)
jess
Manny, I heard you talking to Mother. Sorry you're leaving San Francisco.
manny
Yeah. It's rough being here, Jess.
(Looks around to make sure of privacy)
I won't ever . . . come out. Thought about trying, but I just can't do it. I'm too old for that kind of a change in my life. But it's just too hard to be around it all the time and not be a part of it. Hell, now I don't fit any place.
jess
I wish you'd stay ... give it a chance.
manny
I think I did.
jess
You've become our friend. We'll miss you.
manny
Miss you, too. You're awful good people. By the way, you know you told me it wasn't too late to tell my son how I feel? You were right. Went to his grave yesterday ... stood right there and apologized, told him how I feel about things ... about him ... told him about you folks, what you mean to me. Hope he heard me. Have to think he knows how sorry I am for what I did to him. I mean, it's not like it should have been -- sure doesn't make up for being the kind of father that I was to him. But ...
jess
You did what you could, Manny. And that's enough.
(douglas makes his way over to where Jess is as ami and vincent join them.)
ami
Hey, guys, thanks for everything. We're going to get home -- my lover-man's a little tired. If you don't mind, we'll come by later to pick up the loot.
vincent
I really wish you'd refer to those items as gifts, especially when we're still around the people who gave us the loot.
ami
We have dinner reservations ...
vincent
At Masa's, if you can believe it.
ami
... and we want to relax a little first.
vincent
It's been a wonderful day, but I am tired.
ami
Come on. I'll give you a massage before we go to dinner.
vincent
Did I die and go to heaven, or what? You're still on to take us to the airport in the morning, Jess?
jess
Douglas is coming, too.
douglas
Wouldn't miss it.
ami
Great! -- as long as there's room for two huge suitcases.
(catherine joins them and gives them both a hug, manny shakes their hands.)
catherine
Oh, I'm so happy for you two. Have a good trip.
vincent
Thanks, Catherine. You really are one of my favorite people -- definitely my favorite female.
catherine
Couldn't hope for more.
ami
And you're plenty good too, Manny.
manny
Y'all have a good time.
vincent
Thanks again!
(ami and vincent exit front door.)
catherine
Jess, sit down and I'll get this place cleaned up.
jess
Everybody sit and relax. I'll do it tomorrow ...
catherine
Fletcher, you can help me. Douglas, you sit, too.
(douglas sits. Without being asked, manny also helps with the cleanup.)
catherine
Douglas, we care about you so much, as pissed off as we might be. You've been a part of us for a lot of years, and now you're simply going to walk out the door and disappear. You're not treating us with much courtesy.
douglas
I'm sorry, Catherine ...
jess
Don't look at me. I have nothing to say about this.
douglas
Look -- I, uh ... don't think any of you will understand.
(douglas looks at Jess, seeking support.)
jess
Do whatever the hell you want to. I am no longer a factor in your decision-making.
douglas
All right.
(A beat)
Look ...
(A beat)
I am not gay ... I'm bisexual. And there is a difference. Living as a gay man, as I have for the last several years, isn't enough for me. There have been a lot of good things about this, but that's because it was with Jess. I wouldn't have had that with any other man. I'm sure. But it's not enough for me. Not ... anymore.
This has always been a problem for me, but I managed to handle it until the last couple of years. It's not just sex. It's the intimacy, the emotional connection, the social dynamics. I need a woman sometimes. I hoped I could find a solution without messing things up for Jess and me. I thought about getting a girlfriend, hoping Jess would understand but knowing I'd probably have to do it behind his back. And that's not the kind of relationship we've had. Besides ... I want a family. I want kids. Want to be a father.
catherine
This isn't fair to Jess. You lead him on for all these years, and then you just --
( jess
(Interrupting)
He didn't lead me on, Mother. He told me he was bisexual way back at the beginning. I've known bi men and I've never known one who was satisfied only with a man. But I fell in love, he said he wanted to try it, that was enough for me. I've been afraid all along it might come to this.
manny
Douglas, be real careful about what you're losing.
douglas
Manny, I know what I'm losing. But when I think about what I'm gaining, I think it's worth it. I'm thirty-nine years old. If I'm going to be a father, I've got to get started.
catherine
Can't make a baby by yourself.
jess
Oh, great, now we're going to have a sex-education class.
douglas
I got in touch with an old high school sweetheart a while back. Hadn't had contact in several years, but it was like we'd never been apart. She went through a divorce couple of years ago. Never had kids, wants them. Went to see her several weeks ago. Sorry, Jess -- the one time I hid something like that from you. The weekend you and Vincent went to that theatre festival in San Diego. We hit it off real good, and I think things could move in the right direction.
fletcher
So where are you going?
douglas
I can't tell you. I can't risk any of you showing up in my new life. Please understand. I wouldn't have an explanation.
manny
So you're going to hide a big chunk of your life.
douglas
I've got to, Manny. Sometimes it seems ... we've got to.
I told Jess how to get in touch with my Aunt Rose in Bakersfield. If he really needs to reach me, he can contact her, she'll get a message to me.
fletcher
Douglas, I'm going to tell you something that I mean from the bottom of my heart. You're a first-class asshole.
jess
Don't, Fletcher ...
catherine
I love you, Douglas, but I hate that you've let this happen. Jess, I'll come back and help clean up tomorrow. We better go, Manny. I have an appointment to show that place on Green Street.
(catherine and manny and fletcher prepare to leave.)
fletcher
I'll come over after he's gone -- help you get things squared away.
(fletcher exits front door. catherine gives jess a kiss on the cheek.)
jess
Fletcher's pissed because he's losing a playmate.
catherine
Douglas ... goodbye. You take care of yourself.
douglas
Thanks for everything, Catherine. You'll never know what you mean to me.
(catherine gives douglas a big hug. Then she moves toward the front door. manny goes to douglas and shakes his hand.)
manny
You be careful. And when you have those kids -- you be good to 'em.
(catherine and manny exit front door. A few seconds pass as jess and douglas sit and relax.)
douglas
Shall we get this chaos cleaned up?
jess
Don't feel like messing with it. Do you have everything done?
douglas
Close my bag, pitch it in the car, I'm on my way.
jess
Suddenly it sounds so simple.
douglas
Didn't get to tell Bill and Hampton goodbye. Call and leave a message on their machine, I guess.
jess
Hampton will call.
douglas
Are you going to be okay, Jess?
jess
Sure.
douglas
You know how I worry about you.
jess
You're good at breaking bad habits.
(A beat)
Didn't know you'd already lined up some beaver.
douglas
Jess!
jess
What! I'm supposed to be nice about this?
douglas
Would you have wanted to know?
jess
No.
douglas
I didn't think so.
jess
Didn't want to know now, either.
(A beat)
So, what are you going to do when you get all settled down in the little white house with the white picket fence and the sweet little lady with the apron, and then oops! suddenly there's that uncontrollable need to be with a man. Whether it's cuddling and touching and kissing and purring, or a quick and nameless blow and go, you're going to need a man sometimes. Do you know where the bookstores are? Video booths? Gay bars in some other town where no one knows your name? Back alleys and truck stops and shopping mall restrooms? Have you mapped out your sanity routes?
douglas
It won't be like that! If I do need ... something ... maybe I'll meet another married bi man who needs a good friend to be with sometimes.
jess
Oh, there must be thousands of those.
douglas
As a matter of fact, there are.
jess
I can see you now, prowling AOL and Yahoo at night after your wife's in bed, using the screen name she knows nothing about. Hiding Playgirl and Drummer in a box in the corner of the garage. Stashing gay videos in the back of the closet underneath your gardening shoes, praying she leaves the house long enough for you to cram one in the VCR so you can drop your pants for five minutes. And don't tell me that won't happen, because it will.
douglas
It won't -- but even if ... it's not as important as everything else.
jess
The monster is there -- and it will demand your attention.
douglas
I'd really like it if we didn't fuss like this. Not the way I want to spend our last few hours together.
jess
Yeah. Me either.
(A beat)
Once the decision was made, I thought I'd start getting over you. But I guess that doesn't start till you're gone.
(Several seconds pass in silence.)
douglas
I will miss you, Jess ...
jess
Don't, Douglas.
douglas
Let me talk. Just listen.
I'm really sorry it came down to this. We've had good years together. There's so much that I'll miss -- strolling the Japanese Tea Garden, Land's End. Fall weekends in Mendocino with ocean sunsets that defy description. Russian River and the redwoods, tasting our way through Napa vineyards -- Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur.
I'll miss snuggling when it rains through the night and sleeping late on a Sunday morning when it's foggy, you waking me up with fresh-ground French roast and toasted cinnamon-raisin bread. I'll never see a spotlight on a stage without thinking of you, or a spinach and feta pizza, or a movie with Anjelica Huston. You won't ever be out of my life. I'm leaving with so many good memories.
jess
And I'm stuck with the really bad one.
douglas
That's not fair.
jess
I think it is.
(A beat)
I may keep the apartment. We spent so much time fixing it up ... and the plants like it here.
douglas
Wish you would.
jess
It's only an adjustment. What's one more?
douglas
Let me know if Bill doesn't make it. Please. I'd want to know.
jess
Yeah ... okay ...
(A beat)
I'll miss you, too, you know.
(A beat)
That's it. I'm not going into detail.
(There are several seconds of silence.)
douglas
You want to do something? That movie at the Clay we were talking about. Want to see that?
jess
Now?
douglas
Last chance to do something like that together.
jess
Not really in a movie mood, I guess. You go ahead.
douglas
Nah. Not if you don't want to. Unless you'd rather be alone ...
jess
No ...
douglas
Oh, hey, the second part of that thing about early Rome we started watching on channel nine -- that's on tonight.
jess
Want some popcorn to go with it?
douglas
Sure.
(jess moves toward kitchen.)
jess
Buttered or candied?
douglas
Candied, if we have milk to wash it down with.
jess
Cinnamon or caramel?
(lights fade.)
-- End of Scene 3 (Act II) --
Act II – Scene 4
Time: A collection of minutes that spans three months.
On stage: NO ONE.
(These sketches shift between two or more small separate playing areas defined by light. As lights fade out on one sketch it comes up on the next so action flows continuously.
(light comes up on jess and douglas. douglas has car keys in his hand.)
douglas
Well ... guess this is it.
(A beat)
Thanks for everything Jess.
(A beat)
That's not the right thing to say, is it? ... Can't think of anything that seems ... quite right.
(A beat)
I cleaned the filter on the furnace. ... And don't forget garbage -- Tuesday nights.
(A beat)
Oh, I found that Streisand CD we thought we'd lost. Second Broadway one? Mixed in with some of my books ... put it on the shelf with the others ...
(A beat)
Well ... better be going.
(douglas makes a move to jess. jess responds immediately and they embrace tightly.)
jess
Be happy, Douglas. Be safe.
douglas
You, too.
(jess releases and quickly turns and leaves. douglas looks after him, then turns and leaves.
(light fades out and ...
(light comes up as fletcher walks into the light.)
fletcher
Hey, Jess, you going to be okay?
(jess enters.)
jess
Of course. Why wouldn't I?
fletcher
You guys really did have a good thing going.
jess
A relationship is like chocolate mousse: At first, it looks great. But once you get into it, it all falls apart.
fletcher
You're beginning to sound like Vincent.
jess
The old Vincent. He's singing a different tune now.
fletcher
What is the matter with me, Jess? Why can't I find the right kind of woman?
jess
What's the right kind?
fletcher
I don't know ...
jess
Maybe that's the problem. You go out window shopping and end up impulse-buying. You're a smart man, Fletcher, but something in your brain just fucking turns stupid when it comes to women.
fletcher
Maybe I'm gay.
jess
Please, we don't need your kind.
fletcher
The best relationships I've seen have been gay ones.
jess
Ever had a girlfriend you didn't meet in a bar?
fletcher
Is that possible?
jess
Try it. Talk to women when they're sober. In the light. You might be surprised at what you find.
fletcher
Yeah ... well ... maybe ...
(light fades as ...
(light comes up on vincent and ami standing in a very relaxed manner, dressed in shorts with open shirts or no shirts, wearing sandals. vincent is carrying a beach towel, ami is carrying a bottle of sun screen. Music of a Muzak nature is playing in the background.)
ami
You're going to get so blistered. You want some more lotion?
vincent
You put anymore of that emollient on me, I'll fricassee.
ami
"Emollient"? "Fricassee"?
vincent
Grease. Cook.
ami
I'd like to talk like you do. Could you teach me?
vincent
Yo, dude.
ami
(Cracking up)
I don't talk like that. Hey, put some more of that stuff on me, would you?
(ami offers his chest and stomach for anointing.)
vincent
Do you really need more?
ami
No. I just like to feel your hands all over me.
vincent
I am not putting my hands all over you -- out here on deck.
ami
Then let's go some place where you will.
(vincent rubs lotion on Ami.)
vincent
Given time for sufficient maturation, I think you're going to qualify as a dirty old man.
ami
I think I have a master teacher.
vincent
Behave yourself!
(ami grabs vincent and kisses him. vincent pulls back, although enjoying the play.)
vincent
Not here, you elfish oaf!
ami
Who's going to see us in the middle of the Pacific?
vincent
About two thousand straight people on this very same ship!
ami
Who just happen to be very, very jealous of me.
(light and music fade out on Vincent and Ami and ...
(light comes up on an empty space. fletcher saunters into the light.)
fletcher
(Yelling)
Hey, Mommy dearest! You home?
(catherine enters, putting on her coat.)
catherine
Don't yell like that. What if I had guests ...
fletcher
Do you?
catherine
No ...
fletcher
I knew that.
catherine
No you didn't. I cleaned your messy room today.
fletcher
Aw, the place was just getting homey ...
catherine
The place was getting smelly.
fletcher
Where you going?
catherine
Helping Hampton get things ready. Bill's coming home from the hospital tomorrow.
fletcher
Already?
catherine
He's doing better than anybody expected. Come with me. We could use your help.
fletcher
Can we stop at McDonald's on the way?
catherine
Good Lord, you haven't grown a single brain cell since you were twelve. Which Happy Meal toy do you not have?
(they walk off as light fades, and ...
(light comes up on manny. he has phone in hand, as though ready to dial but hesitant to do so. Finally, he starts punching in a long-distance number, then stops, considers, hangs up. light fades out, and ...
(light comes up on jess. he has phone to his ear.)
jess
Bill, I appreciate you serving as my social secretary, but I can find my own dates, when I'm ready. God, I hate getting back into the dating life. ... He was very nice, I suppose -- beneath that practiced arrogance. I asked him if he liked Rigoletto, and he said he wasn't much for Italian food. ... I didn't say he was my type, I said he was full of tripe. And I'd still like to know who the idiot is that decided musk should ever be bottled. ... I am not lonesome -- and I'm glad to know you're getting back to your old self, even though you are driving me nuts. ... Well, let me talk to Hampton -- you know, the sane one in your family. ... You, too, sweet one.
(light fades out on Jess as it comes up on hampton, with phone to his ear.)
hampton
Hi, Jess. ... Yeah, I thought a new liver might refine his devilish streak -- didn't phase it. ... Oh, you know Bill. He thinks Charlie Manson could have been released if he'd just found the right man. Me -- I think he probably did. ... He's doing good. Doctor's amazed at his progress. Says he's going out dancing some Friday night soon. He's bought a new dress for the occasion. ... All of us, of course -- like old times. ... Give it a little more time, Jess. You'll get there. ... Yeah. ... Yeah. You, too. ... Okay. Talk to you later.
(hampton hangs up as light fades out, and ...
(light comes up on ami. he is pacing, muttering. When he speaks, it is with hackneyed theatricality.)
ami
"If I were ever to leave you, it would be for reasons" ... "it would be for reasons" ... "for reasons ..." -- "reasons ..." -- "reasons ..." --
(Trying to remember the line)
"If ever I were" ... "If I were ever to leave you, it would be for reasons" -- "for reasons I cannot" ... "it would be for reasons I cannot" ...
(vincent has come into the light, carrying a script in one hand.)
(continuing) ami (continuing)
Jeez, you guys get up there and make it look so easy. I've got this frigging little part in this frigging little play, and I can't figure out what to do with a single frigging line. Did you take your pills?
vincent
Forget the play. Forget the script.
ami
Did you take your pills?
vincent
Forget the pills. Relax. ... Relax your face. ... Relax it. And your shoulders. Everything! ... Now look at me. ... Take a deep breath ... and talk to me. Say the words, but just talk to me.
ami
(With a deliberate "theatrical" delivery)
Did you take your pills?
vincent
Ami!
ami
Okay, okay. ...
(No better than before)
"If I were ever to leave you, it wouldn't be" --
vincent
(Interrupting)
You're not relaxing! You're not talking! You're acting like you're acting! Relax, then take it from the top of that speech.
(vincent places his hands on Ami's shoulders to help him relax. ami reaches out to Vincent, and the mutual reaching becomes meaningful touch. Then ami relaxes and steps back. he begins the lines unsurely, but the lines improve as he speaks them, taking on meaning and depth, so that the last two sentences are personal, meaningful.)
ami
"You drink of the middy waters of musgiving --" Shit!
(Starting over)
"You drink of the muddy waters of misgiving, when I offer to you the clear sweet springs of assurance. I have made promises to you that I will not break. You have made promises to me that I do not doubt. So why should we not find our happiness in the force of our devotion. If I were ever to leave you, it would be for reasons beyond my control -- reasons I cannot deny and cannot choose."
vincent
That's it! That's the way to do it!
ami
But I wasn't acting!
vincent
Ah-ha, see? You were so good you didn't know you were acting.
ami
Well, shit, this is easy!
vincent
Now we're in trouble again!
(light out on Vincent and Ami, and ...
(light comes up on fletcher, talking on the phone.)
fletcher
Hi. It's me -- Fletcher. ... Hey, thanks. Me, too. ... Yeah, I enjoyed it. ... Nah, really. I don't mind a little sentiment in a movie. ... Did not. There was something in my eye. ... You'd never been there? Oh, those are the best hamburgers in town. ... Hey, me too. And I know a great place for Indian food. ... How about Saturday? ... Great! I'll make reservations, pick you up at six-thirty? ... You, too. Bye-bye, Edie.
(Hanging up)
Hot damn!
(light out on Fletcher, and ...
(light up on catherine and hampton.)
hampton
I'm scared, Catherine.
catherine
Probably just a minor infection, Hampton. They'll get it under control.
hampton
What if he's rejecting the transplant?
catherine
The doctor say that might be happening?
hampton
No ... but you know how doctors are ...
catherine
I know how you are. You're worrying about nothing.
hampton
You don't know that. Catherine, I can't lose him. I just can't!
catherine
Hampton, it will be okay. Everything will work out just fine ...
hampton
Don't give me the damned platitudes. I know you mean well, but crappy little phrases like that don't do any good.
catherine
All right, Hampton. Let's put it on the line. Fact is: Bill may die. We've known all along that was a possibility. But, since Bill isn't dead, it's just as true that he might not die. Isn't it? ... Well -- isn't it?
hampton
I'm still scared.
catherine
Hampton, if Bill does die, you go on. That's what happens. That's what we do. Part of living is that we lose -- and go on. But there is no reason to think that Bill's in real danger. Now come on. Let's go see what we can find out.
(they walk into the darkness as light goes out; then ...)
(light up on jess and vincent.)
jess
Vincent, you've got to get some rest.
vincent
How can I rest? A week till opening, stage manager comes down with the Black Plague ...
jess
Three-day flu. Everybody's getting it ...
vincent
Dimmer board went out and the part won't get here in time, and Ami didn't get that promotion he should have gotten ...
jess
I told you I'd do stage manager till Mike gets back, which will be before opening -- they're renting a dimmer board, it will be in place tomorrow -- it is two weeks till opening, not one --
vincent
More time for things to go wrong ...
jess
-- and Ami said he didn't care about the stupid old promotion anyway.
vincent
Oh but we did!
jess
You're being your regular old cranky self before an opening and you're driving everybody insane.
vincent
Oh, my dear, what do you think I'm doing to myself?
jess
It was a good rehearsal tonight. Now Ami is waiting for you in the lobby -- get out of here.
vincent
I told him not to bother fixing dinner, but I hope he did.
jess
He smells like garlic.
vincent
God bless the children who care for the beasts.
jess
And God bless the beasts, my friend.
(vincent walks away, jess looks after him, as light fades on Jess.
(light out on Fletcher as he hangs up.
(In the darkness a phone rings. On the third ring, light comes up on phone. As the phone continues to ring, douglas walks into the light to answer it.)
douglas
Hello. ... Oh, Aunt Rose. Hi. ... Yes. ... Yeah, I know the number. ... Fine -- everything's fine. ... Uh-huh. ... Listen, Aunt Rose, let me give you a call back later, okay? This may be something I need to -- ... Yeah, sure. And thanks a lot.
(douglas hangs up, breathes deeply, then quickly starts punching in a long-distance number from memory. Only a couple of seconds pass, and then ...)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
It's me, Jess. What's up?
(Several seconds pass as he listens, then registers the anguish caused by what's he's hearing.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
What?!
(Listens for several seconds more)
Oh, God, Jess. ... Oh no! ... Shit! Goddammit! ... How is he doing? ... Tell him I send my love. ... I wish I could come, but -- I don't know. ... I know you do. ... Yeah -- appreciate it. ... How are you doing with this, Jess? ... I told you you're stronger than you think you are. ... Yeah, I know -- always check your weather when I watch the news. ... Me too. ... Problem is -- I don't know how to get off the phone with you without saying things we, uh, don't say anymore. ... Yeah. ... Okay if I give you a call tomorrow? -- check on things? ... Thanks. ... Give everyone my very best. I love you all. ... Thank you, Jess. Bye.
(douglas hangs up the phone and stands there, motionless, for several long seconds, then bows his head and sobs quietly as the light slowly dims.)
-- End of Scene 4 (Act II) --
Act II – Scene 5
Time: Approaching dusk on an evening in mid September, two days after the end of previous scene. The hands of the clock on the wall are set to 9:55, but the clock is stopped -- the pendulum is not swinging.
On stage: No one.
(The light in the living room is only that coming in the window, awash with the reddish-orange aura of the sunset. Any sounds are the street sounds from outside.
(We hear the sound of a key being inserted in the front door, then the door opens and jess enters. he is carrying a large framed photograph, backside to audience, which he sets down out of the way. catherine comes in behind him. jess turns on lights.)
jess
Might as well leave the door open. Everybody will be here in a minute. I propped the downstairs door open.
catherine
I was surprised Douglas came. Showing up at the church, not telling anyone he was coming.
jess
He'll never be able to cut the tie he has with this bunch. Were you able to get in touch with Manny?
catherine
Phoned twice. Left messages, when the service was. He must be out of town. Haven't heard from him since he left. He said he might go to Hawaii. Is Reverend Gilliland coming over?
jess
No. As soon as we got out of there, they had a commitment ceremony. The circles of life.
(fletcher enters front door with bag of ice.)
fletcher
Had to park a block away -- my hands are freezing!
(Exiting through kitchen door with bag of ice)
Where you want it?
jess
What do we need ice for?
(fletcher returns.)
fletcher
Thought somebody said we need ice.
(Noticing the stopped clock)
Hey, Jess, what's with the clock? Broken?
jess
Ran down, I guess -- don't know how to wind it up.
fletcher
It's not a wind-up clock. Battery, dunce.
jess
Well, Jesus, how the hell am I supposed to know that?
catherine
Fletcher, look in the refrigerator and get some olives. I'm suddenly hungry for olives.
(fletcher exits into kitchen.)
(continuing) catherine (continuing)
If there's anything to drink, get that, too.
(offstage) fletcher (offstage)
What's this foil-covered bowl?
jess
Leftover stroganoff I'm saving for tomorrow.
(offstage) fletcher (offstage)
Can I have some?
jess
No! It's too good for you.
(hampton comes in front door carrying bags.)
(offstage) fletcher (offstage)
I don't see anything to drink in here.
hampton
Got some cola. And a bottle of champagne. Somebody mentioned a toast ...
(Following Hampton, bill has entered front door, looking terrific. he no longer has the abdominal protrusion, and he's "dressed" -- beautifully, impeccably, tastefully feminine. There's not the flamboyance there might be at another time, although the dress is more suitable for partying than mourning. fletcher enters from kitchen)
bill
That would be me. Figured we'd want to do one.
hampton
Babe, I told you to wait in the car till I could get back down and help you.
bill
Hell, I could do the Bay to Breakers. Well, not in these heels, maybe ...
hampton
Sit down over here ...
bill
Sweetie, I am fine.
catherine
Your nursemaid days are over, Hampton. He's recovered.
hampton
He recovered too far, you ask me.
jess
So much for that old vow of nicety.
fletcher
Anybody heard anything new about that so-called police investigation?
hampton
Oh, yeah, with the information they got, it could have been any number of males of any age, any size, and not necessarily of a mammalian species. We'll die of old age before this one is solved.
bill
They'll claim it's the same anti-gay Martians that were roaming the streets last year.
jess
No matter how you slice it, life is tough. Then, when it's time to check out, all we want is lover and friends and family close by, but what did it turn out to be for him? He was held face-down on the hard concrete of a filthy sidewalk streaked with piss and caked with vomit, and the steel-toed boots of angry strangers he never saw in his life pounded his head and bruised his body and smashed his bones. Forced to lie there, helpless, thinking, All I wanted to do was pick up a few groceries -- he'll be home soon and he'll be hungry, I want to fix him dinner. He was used to hearing laughter and music and birds and the ocean and the whispers of his lover, but all he could hear then were the shouts and screams: "I hate you, fucking cocksucker! Go to hell, you filthy faggot!" -- echoing up and down the dark streets, bouncing off the empty buildings. He screamed for help while people ran and hid, and he was left with the ones who laughed at his screams and laughed at his pain and laughed at his blood running out on the street. Then they're laughing and joking and running away, leaving him to die ... more alone than he's ever been in his life.
(fletcher moves to jess, pulls him completely into an enfolding embrace, consoling him.
(douglas appears at the open front door, knocking lightly before he steps in. he is holding the hand of someone not yet in view.)
douglas
May we come in?
all at random
Of course. | Come on in. | Wondering where you were. | Finally. | Sure.
(douglas comes in holding vincent's hand.)
vincent
Oh, there's the photograph. I'm glad it's here.
(vincent takes the photograph and sets it in a prominent place. It is a photo of Ami. Then vincent notices Bill and turns to him.)
(continuing) vincent (continuing)
Oh, my beautiful, beautiful Belle. Thank you so much for dressing for the occasion.
bill
Normally I wouldn't have -- something like this.
vincent
But I asked you to. Thank you. He loved you in that dress.
(hampton comes up and listens in on the conversation.
(douglas has glanced at the stopped clock. During the next few minutes, he exits into the kitchen, returns with a battery, and goes to the clock. he puts the battery in the clock, starts the pendulum, checks his watch, sets the hands to about five o'clock.)
bill
It's the only frock he ever saw me in -- only other time I've dressed since the operation. The dance we all went to last week ...
vincent
And you danced the first dance with him.
bill
Well, I was hardly up to my old self.
vincent
Your grace and elegance were flawless, my dear. He talked about it when we got home -- how beautiful you were, how well you danced, how much he enjoyed the evening -- all of us out on the town together. He had so looked forward to one of our outings.
hampton
(To Vincent)
I danced with him that night, too. Hope he didn't talk about that.
vincent
I believe he said you marred the shine on his right shoe.
hampton
And did he laugh about that?
vincent
He found the fun in everything that night.
hampton
Thank God.
vincent
And I danced the last dance with him. Oh, such little moments that pass so quickly, disguising their priceless worth.
(Having finished setting the clock, douglas goes to Jess. others engage in unheard conversations)
douglas
It takes one C battery. They're in the drawer by the refrigerator.
jess
I thought it ran down -- I didn't know where the key was.
douglas
Surprised you didn't take the pliers to it.
jess
Couldn't find those, either.
douglas
The tool box is on the floor of the hall closet.
jess
I wanted you to think I was doing just fine.
douglas
I think you are.
jess
You're looking better than I hoped you would.
(A beat)
I don't mean that, Douglas. You know me: Why say one nice word when four bitchy ones will do.
(A beat)
I hope everything's good for you.
douglas
Not always easy. Been some rough moments ... time or two wondered if I did the right thing.
jess
Yeah ... me, too.
(A beat)
You probably did.
(A beat)
I want you to be happy.
douglas
Terry and I are getting married in three weeks.
jess
Congratulations.
douglas
Funny thing is ... well, we're going to try it on our own, but we may have to adopt. Seems that, uh, I'm shooting a lot of blanks.
jess
Well hell! We could have adopted!
(A beat)
Sorry. I know ... wouldn't be the same.
douglas
I don't care how we get the kids, as long as we get them.
jess
Does she know where you are?
douglas
Yeah. Well, she's knows I lived in San Francisco, have friends here. Just doesn't know a lot of the detail.
(A beat)
She doesn't know about you.
jess
Douglas, I'm not saying this because I want you to come back ... because I don't -- anymore. But, I don't want you to get all screwed up. Don't do anything you're not sure about.
douglas
I don't think I will.
(A beat)
I'm glad you kept the apartment.
jess
Funny thing -- the memories that I thought would make it hard to be here are the ones that make it bearable. I didn't know it would work that way.
douglas
Maybe that's because we were able to let go and still care.
jess
It's more than just caring, Douglas. Always will be.
douglas
Yeah ...
(A beat)
I'll be flying back tonight.
jess
I hope you have a good journey, Douglas -- all the way.
douglas
Hmp. I just remembered one of our picnics. Long time ago. Golden Gate Park. It was a warm
day for this town -- bright, sunny, still. We'd found one of those quiet, green hideaways that
took us away from everyone else in the world. You'd made a salad with asparagus, tomatoes,
onion, egg. Grilled garlic chicken with roasted green peppers. Sweet French bread still warm
from that bakery over on Fillmore ... fresh, sweet peaches we got at a store on Clement
...
jess
So juicy you stained your new shirt with the first bite.
douglas
A Chardonnay from Sonoma County we'd recently discovered that wasn't too sweet. We sat on the cool grass, under a tree, near a little waterfall that was the only sound. I pointed out a butterfly ... fluttering in and out, on and around the flowers. Flitting, lighting, resting -- wings, slow lazy fans ... then flaring with brilliance as it lurched to find another bloom. Suddenly you picked up a book you'd been reading and turned right to a page you'd marked, and read a line I've never forgotten. "The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure ..."
jess
"... but from hope to hope."
(A beat, and then they engage in a meaningful embrace of friendship, devoid of the lovers' intimacy.
(During the last few minutes, hampton, fletcher and catherine have opened the champagne and poured eight glasses. they pass them around. they move into a casual arrangement that puts the focus on vincent.
(As catherine finishes passing glasses around, she realizes they have an extra glass.)
catherine
Oh, dear, we poured one too many.
vincent
No, Catherine.
(Sets the extra glass in front of Ami's photo)
He wouldn't want to miss out on the celebration.
There are those in this world who think they can destroy a life and by so doing, destroy its meaning and its force and its result. It doesn't work that way. Never has -- never will, for what they seek to destroy only grows stronger. But the angry and the ignorant do not learn.
(Turns to Ami's photograph and speaks with intimacy)
À notre amour, mon ami, mon amant.
(Turns to the group)
What we have loved, we have not lost.
(vincent raises his glass fully, as then do all.)
(continuing) vincent (continuing)
To love!
all
To love!
vincent
To friends!
all
To friends!
(they drink their toast. all mill around and visit -- steeped in the fellowship that binds the group.
(manny steps into the open front door, looks around, spots Vincent, and goes to him. As manny gets to vincent, pulling him into an embrace, others notice Manny's presence. they acknowledge his presence with pleasure and some move to go to him as ...
(lights fade.)
-- End of Play --