Ugly Lies the Bone Page 5
’Cause this is my home. It’s the only place I’ve ever called that. And now it’s – gone – I think…
There’s um, there’s an Applebee’s now… Pizza Hut? There never used to be that kind of – the hotels all look empty. My friends moved away or are married – and – my mom.
VOICE…
JESSI don’t know where to go… Hello?!…
VOICEThe game is unfamiliar so it doesn’t remind you of the past. So it doesn’t cause more pain. The virtual world can have profound, quantifiable effects on the real one. It has the power to – change your reality. But it isn’t reality itself.
JESSThis is me. And my sister – Look, she was so pretty. This is what we look like.
She holds up the board, now covered with pictures of her old life.
Look… Look at me!
VOICEI would do – anything more… if I could –
JESSPlease.
VOICEIt wouldn’t work.
I – I can’t.
Lights shift abruptly.
JESS lowers herself to the couch.
KACIE enters and sees the destruction of the photo wall. Almost cries, but doesn’t let herself. Takes a deep breath.
KACIE…How’re you feeling?
JESSWill everyone stop taking my temperature every two seconds?!
KACIE pulls out a toolkit and hammer. She puts photos back on the wall.
KACIE fixes what she can.
KACIE looks as if she is about to scream. Stops herself. Picks up another nail. And the hammer. And fixes. Hammering hard until she slams right through the sheet rock, hacking at the wall with direct strokes.
Kacie!
KACIE stops. JESS turns towards her.
KACIEI’m fine. I am –
JESS/ Kacie.
KACIEI am trying REALLY hard to keep it together.
JESS…I’m sorry…
KACIEWe are all… fine.
KACIE pulls the hammer out of the wall, stands there, holding it. JESS makes room for her on the couch.
JESSWill you come sit. Just sit down.
KACIE climbs into the couch next to JESS, foot to head.
They look at each other, neither knowing what to say. JESS rests an arm on KACIE’s legs. Beat.
…You have – the hairiest toes.
KACIE starts laughing.
I’m serious, shave them or something. You look like a hobbit.
They laugh. Beat.
KACIEI REALLY… needed to go on vacation. I was looking forward to being outside, seeing snow…
JESSSo – go –
KACIEI. Invested my vacation fund… It’s really not the worst thing –
JESSKacie, you gave him your money?
KACIEIt’s my problem.
JESSWhat’re you –
You could – You could be doing anything…
You could literally do anything you want…
KACIE…
JESSKacie, you are living my life.
KACIE…
JESSPlease.
Please don’t waste it…
Beat.
Get your stuff. You’re coming with me.
(Struggling to stand.)
Get your stuff, let’s go.
Lights shift quickly downstage.
KACIE stands in the therapy area, clutching her purse. JESS enters.
She said it’s fine.
VOICEI didn’t say it was fine…
KACIE and JESS look up for the voice.
Jess said it was an emergency…
She asked for a favor.
Don’t go telling anyone –
JESSNo, of course. We never saw you do this.
VOICE…You never get to see me anyway.
JESS laughs.
JESSDid you just make a joke?
VOICEJust – no, no I didn’t.
Just put the headset on.
JESS takes KACIE’s purse from her and helps her into the headset.
JESS(To KACIE.) I’ll pick you up when you’re done.
VOICE(To KACIE.) …When you’re ready… open your eyes.
KACIE steps forward. Her jaw drops. She looks up and to the side.
She sees the world for the first time… and maybe it looks like paradise.
She reaches hands for the sky, moving with more grace than JESS will ever be capable of, grasping at infinity.
JESS watches her for a moment and then goes.
KELVIN appears in the living room, staring at his phone, grinning stupidly, undressing to boxers, lounging on the couch.
Lights out on KACIE as JESS enters the house, still holding KACIE’s bag and phone.
KELVIN jumps up.
KELVINOh!!! Uh – Kacie texted me to come over right away, she said we had the whole house to ourselves.
JESS throws KACIE’s phone at him.
JESSYeah, you mentioned you like to text a lot.
KELVIN(Uncomfortably.) Oh! – that was you? Why do you have your sister’s phone?
You’re, uh… hilarious…
KELVIN backs up, JESS draws closer.
Can you – go-go stand over there – I wanna get my shorts on.
She throws his pants.
JESSPull up your capris and let’s go.
KELVINI’m not – what?
JESSI want you more together if we’re gonna fight.
Beat.
KELVIN…Are you – what?
JESSI am going to hit you. If you don’t wanna defend yourself, that’s your choice.
KELVIN looks at her uneasily. JESS moves closer, steadying herself on the walker. As KELVIN backs up, she threatens him with each inch, taking her time.
A girl in my unit strapped her chest down with bandages ’cause she was nursing when she got deployed. Then we all started doing it. ’Cause we felt tougher like that. But now I feel tough all the time.
She moves closer, brings her fist back and punches, hurting herself, but hurting him more.
He stands there, not sure what to do, rubs his face, looking sad more than anything else.
Come on.
KELVINWhat?
JESSCome on!
She pushes him.
Punch me… Punch me, I can take it! I am strong. I could take anything you throw at me.
Fight me. Give me a fight! Let’s GO, let’s GO! GIMME A FIGHT. I am stronger than YOU!!
There is no fight in KELVIN at all.
KELVIN(Hurt, scared.) …Why do you hate me so much…
JESS…
KELVIN– I don’t get it.
JESS…
KELVINStay – stay over there, please!
JESSDid you take her money? Her vacation fund.
KELVINYeah and I booked our vacation!
Beat.
She has too much to deal with, she’d nevera done that for herself.
JESS…What?
KELVIN– booked airfare and campsites in Yellowstone with her half. I paid for sleeping bags, coolers, a little stove – even had to get bear spray and a tent.
(Flatly.) … Surprise.
Beat.
JESS(Remorseful.) Oh my God.
KELVINI don’t get it. I got you a job, threw you a party, I made decorations and used all my ink! – Your sister gave me a whole list of people to invite so I drove up and down, stopping into places, inviting everybody –
Beat.
JESS…Did you go to a gas station?
KELVINWhat?
JESSDid you, by any chance, invite a guy that works at a gas station…?
KELVINYeah, Steve something, right? Stupid hat.
JESS…
KELVINYour sister was pissed he didn’t show.
Beat. JESS is dumbfounded, devastated.
JESSI – I have to, I have to go.
She limps back to her walker, moves for the door…
KELVINI – think I’m – the only person who didn’t know you – before… So I guess you have to hate me… But if it’s okay by you… I’m not gonna hate you back.
Beat. JESS is s
topped by this – almost smiles, almost nods. At the very least, she acknowledges him for the first time and then exits into the convenience store.
STEVIE is mopping. The bell rings when she steps through.
STEVIEOh!
Hey you…
He smiles openly, affectionately.
I’ve been missin’ my favorite customer. Gets lonely up in here without my stalker.
He creaks his smile wider. She’s not going for it.
I thought about bringin’ you scratch-offs, but didn’t wanna support your gambling habit…
JESS…
STEVIENo? Nothin’?… Heh.
(As if the mop handle was a microphone.)
Is this thing on?
JESSYou knew I was home… And you didn’t come see me?!
STEVIEWhoa there –
JESSI had to go find YOU?
Beat.
STEVIEI thought you didn’t know I worked here… You said you just came in.
JESSI drove around looking for your car, Stevie… You were the only person invited to that party I would have wanted to be there.
Beat.
Why didn’t – did you not wanna see me?
STEVIE/ No, no –
JESSOh God! And when I came in – you knew it was me and – oh my GOD.
Beat.
Did you pretend not to know me.
STEVIENo, no – we were just suddenly talking – I don’t – things are complicated a little.
JESSWhy didn’t I hear from you after the other night?
STEVIE…
JESSWhy do I have to be the one to come here?!… Again.
STEVIE… How ’bout we start over?
JESSYou didn’t even visit me in the hospital.
STEVIEYou were in Texas!
JESSI was in there fourteen months!!
How ’bout a card?
STEVIE(Exploding.) And write WHAT?!
JESS…
STEVIE…I’m – I’m gonna start over.
STEVIE rings the bells on the door.
Hi you…
JESS…
STEVIEThen you would say hi –
JESS…
STEVIEWanna sit?
The floors are sticky, these kids turned the slushees on, then left. Turns out I’m uh, not so good at noticing things.
JESS…
STEVIECan you – maybe sit down…
JESS…Why?
STEVIEThere are things – once – said. Can’t be – unsaid…
JESSI am aware of how talking works, Stevie?
What’re you doing?
STEVIEI want – one – normal second with you before –
JESSAre you breaking up with me again?
STEVIEYou dumped me, but let’s not –
JESSDo not say it like that.
STEVIEWell it’s true.
JESSI had to go back.
STEVIE(A sharp shift.) No, you volunteered.
Beat.
And I was fine waiting through round one, round two. But –
JESSYou’re the one who made this an ultimatum.
STEVIEYeah, well.
I didn’t think you’d choose what you did.
Long beat.
JESSThe people there, Stevie.
STEVIEBut you didn’t have to go!
JESSThe women.
STEVIEYeah –
JESSWhen I’d take off my helmet and they saw I was like them –
STEVIEYeah, I know –
JESS– they’d look in my eyes, ask to touch my hair –
STEVIEYou’ve told me, I know –
JESSI’m good at my job. I follow orders, it makes sense. Back here I don’t really get what the hell’s going on!
STEVIEI think all that’s – great. I think it’s – I really do. But – you need to understand… This – is all I ever wanted… Work. Come home. Put something funny on TV. Go to bed. Hopefully – next to somebody. That’s about – all I can handle.
JESS…
STEVIEMost people just wanna be happy.
Beat.
JESS– Are you?
STEVIE…
JESS…
STEVIE…
JESS…
STEVIE…
JESS…
STEVIEYou would not have stuck around town as the wife to a gas-station attendant.
JESS…
STEVIEThat’s just – not who you are.
Beat.
JESSI have to believe what I did was right.
That’s why I went back. To finish. So – (Indicating herself.) this – (Indicating her and STEVIE.) this – (Indicating it all.) This was not for nothing.
This was NOT for nothing. I’d go back again if I could. This CANNOT BE FOR NOTHING!!
JESS goes to exit.
STEVIEJess!
He rushes to the door, but doesn’t know what to say.
JESSWhat?
STEVIE…
JESSWhat?! Say it, say something!
STEVIEI – I wish I could quit my life to take care of you, that’s it. Or, or gone back in time and fuckin’ sat on top of you to make you stay, then flew over and – shot everybody in the head to stop this from happening, agh – I sound like an idiot! I think you are – – –
He searches, but the right words don’t exist.
Like – – – – – –
He instead gestures something grand.
And … I – want you to have, just –
(Still searching.) – all the things…
JESS…
STEVIEAll the things that’re good.
JESS…
STEVIEBut I can’t give ’em to you.
JESSI didn’t ask –
STEVIEBut, but – it’s not – why you think… The – thing about my life is… it’s already – going… And it would take – a braver person than me to – fix that.
He collapses on to the stool, exhausted by what he’s said.
She meets him on the other stool. He looks at her, helplessly…
JESS slowly unwraps her head scarf. Her scalp is bare. Surgeries have left checkered, charred skin, patches of hair. She is more naked now than if she’d taken off all her clothes.
He sees her. Really sees her. Straight through to the bone…
He doesn’t look away…
He kisses her shoulder… They lean on each other a little.
They sit in the quiet understanding of what has been said and will never be said; that strange pause, or last breath of togetherness, right before everything is about to change.
It starts to snow in the convenience store.
Soft white feathers float down.
The small Christmas tree grows to a substantial height.
A wintery forest emerges, breaking through and taking over the convenience store.
As the scene transitions, snow piles gather.
VOICE(From another place.) On a scale of one to ten?
JESS(Almost a whisper.) I dunno.
VOICETry to know…
JESSNot today. Don’t make me today.
VOICECome here…
The snow storm has started. We need to test your strength.
JESSI’m not ready.
VOICEForward motion is what you need.
JESSBut it isn’t real. This, at least, is real.
Beat.
VOICE…What is pain?…
JESS…
VOICELiving here, right now, while remembering all you once were, all you were capable of.
To get rid of pain, we let go.
And when we do that…
We see the world not for what it was.
But for what it is.
JESS(A whisper, to STEVIE.) – bye.
STEVIE’s light fades into the background and the convenience store disappears.
VOICEPain –
JESS(Breaking down.) I don’t know. I don’t know.
VOICEYou’re so close to the top. Keep going –
Here comes the storm…
JESS runs and ru
ns as wind and feathers blow around. The storm picks up, but she manages to weather it.
JESSMore.
The storm increases.
More.
The storm increases, but she stands strong.
More. More! More!!
The storm grows and grows.
VOICEA few more steps, there you go!!!
JESS(Yelling to the wind.) What’s next? Just tell me what’s next!!!!
The storm stops abruptly.
VOICE…You’ve reached as far as I’ve programmed.
JESS…What?
VOICEYou made it across!!
Congratulations.
JESSIs that – That’s it?
VOICEYou did it. That’s the whole game.
JESSWe’re – we’re done?
VOICEJessica –
JESSI did EVERYTHING you asked. And now you’re done with me?!
VOICEOf course not, no –
We can do this again and again and again – for as long as you like.
There will never be an end, if you don’t want there to be.
Give me a few moments here, I’ll resend you to the beginning.
Long beat. JESS is devastated.
JESS…But when’s it actually. Over?
VOICEYour body is durable. It fights back –
JESSNo –
VOICEIt takes time, but your body is already doing the work, atom by atom –
JESSCome on –
VOICEIn the accident, your leg snapped and an army of blood vessels guided bone back to bone. And the skin of cadavers was placed / on burns, exposed nerve endings.
Your body – accepted this.
Regeneration.
JESSNo –
no
…
no –
VOICEIs your primary response, passed down from cavemen.
Your body is conditioned to survive.
To want to survive. To regenerate broken fingernails, hearts, and bone. Your body know things will get better on a molecular level.
JESS…That’s not what I’m asking.
Just –
How long till I’m fixed?
VOICE…
JESS…When am I Done?
‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’ fades back in, low at first.
VOICELittle by little, you’ll see.
You are not built to endure.
You are built to recover…
JESS…
The music grows.
VOICEWhen you’re done… is up to you.
JESS steps up to the trees with her walker, examining her snow, her world.
She steps forward as the music grows louder.
‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’
Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrrah, hurrah!
She picks the walker up as much as she can and valiantly smashes it into the trees, the snow, the virtual world.