DONT STOP

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Molly Rice
PO Box 1922
Gambier OH 43022
HYPERLINK "mailto:mollybrice@gmail.com" mollybrice@gmail.com
512.496.1357
Copyright ! 2007

CHARACTERS:
The Past
MARA: 15. High School Sophomore. Not exactly pretty. Light pools around her; shes
hard not to look at. She is propelled by a fearful hidden engine. Something about her
suggests molten lava.
BEA: 15. High School Sophomore. Mildly pretty. Commands and solicits scant attention.
MARA is her demigod; she is MARAs handmaid.
KK: 14. High School Freshman. Decidedly pretty. Monumentally insecure and quietly
cruel to herself.
MAT: 17, High School Senior. good-looking and he knows it. Graceful and assured in his
body.
RY: 17, High School Senior. OK-looking, easygoing, pudgy.
The Present
MOTORHEAD DUDE: 32, talks ninety miles an hour. On crank?
KK: 29, a Community College adjunct professor. 28.
RY: 32. Still OK-looking, easygoing, pudgy.
BEA: 30. Still mildly pretty, quiet.
The Distant Past
MAT: 15.
MARA: 13.
All characters are played by the same actors, regardless of time shifts.
NOTES ON CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS
The teenagers should be played with the complexity, darkness, humor and gravity
inherent in the original experience of being a teenager. Any impulse to stereotype them
or comment upon their behavior through the lens of adulthood should be strongly
resisted.
The teenagers live in a suburb of a large city. They go to public school. References are
made to suburbs of Houston, Texas.
NOTES ON MUSIC:
References are made to specific songs and music artists. In future productions, the
producing organization is responsible for acquiring any rights necessary for use of these
songs.

NOTES ON STAGING:
As a staging possibility, consider separating audience members at the door, seating
female audience members together and male audience members together. Using this
seating arrangement, the play can be staged so that one sex has a subtly privileged
view of some scenes: they may be closest to the scene, may be able to see the
speaking character(s) better, etc. When that happens, the other sex has a view of the
privileged sex watching the scene, as well as a limited view of the scene itself.
NOTE: Notations for which sex is privileged in each scene are suggestive only, except
in the first and last scenes.

Scene is staged to privilege the men

Were in BEAs bedroom
Its pink and purple
But mostly pink
Its Victorias Secret meets Barbie meets middle-class teen clutter
Its the texture of silky blonde hair that smells like expensive shampoo
Its the pink of hidden tender folds of skin and softball practice sunburn
BEA wears clothes that are a lot like MARAs
MARA always looks a little better in them
Theyre both laying back on the bed
Legs hanging over
BEA
Ok ok
Chicago White Sox
Pause
MARA laughs
BEA
What is it?
MARA
Like, some guy with a boner with just his socks on
BEA laughs
BEA
Youre so weird
What about
San Antonio Spurs?
MARA
Hell yeah
Get yer ridin gear

Do we even have to talk about how hot cowboys are

BEA
Totally
OK, what about
Cleveland Browns?
Pause
MARA
You dont wanna know
BEA
Is it gross?
MARA
So gross
BEA
Ewww
OK
Ummm
Houston Astros?
MARA
Whats an astro?
BEA
Something to do with the stars
MARA
I dont know
Maybe a star tattoo
BEA
On his thing?

MARA
Yeah
I bet Motorhead Dude in homeroom has one
She twitches like MOTORHEAD DUDE
BEA
Hes so fucked up
They imitate MOTORHEAD DUDE headbanging
They sing a little I Jus Lie by Snot
You think he has a star on his dick?
MARA
No no no
A Slayer tatoo
But his dick is so small it only says Sla
They laugh
BEA
Okay okay okay
Seattle Mariners
MARA
Mmmm
Sailors
Sailors sailors sailors
A sea of sailors
BEA
How can every single name of a sports team make you think about doing it?
MARA
I dont know
Im just made that way
Its my special talent

BEA
Do you think about it like all day?
Pause
MARA
Yeah
Pretty much
BEA
Slut
MARA
Bitch
They hi-five casually
Pause
BEA
You see Jenny today?
MARA
What in the hell was she thinking?
Yellow
Some people canNOT wear yellow
BEA
And its like all happy-smiley-face yellow
MARA
Like somebody-strangle-me yellow
BEA
Some people should just pretend yellow doesnt even exist
MARA
I dare you to tell her that tomorrow
BEA
Ill get right on that

MARA
Hell yeah you will
MARA shoves her, laughing
MARA starts looking thru a pile of BEAs clothes
MARA
Like half of these are mine, girl!
BEA
You let me borrow em
MARA
I know
Picks out a pink baby tee
MARA
Wear this sometime
Itd look good on you
BEA
Yeah?
BEA holds it up to herself
MARA
You have nice tits, you should show em off
BEA
You think so?
MARA
Duh
BEA checks out her tits in the mirror
MARA snickers
BEA stops checking herself out
Pause

MARA
Hey put this one on
I wanna see it on you
BEA
K
She puts a button-down shirt on over the one shes wearing
MARA
Youre such a prude
BEA
Shut up
MARA checks out the shirt on BEA
MARA
Nah
It makes you look fat
MARA takes the shirt off BEA slowly
MARA stands very close
Beat
BEA
Mara
MARA
Yeah
BEA
You ever think about like
MARA
What?
BEA

Like
What you want
MARA
What do you mean
BEA
I mean, like, most of all
MARA
In life?
BEA
Yeah, I guess
MARA
All the time
BEA
What do you want
MARA
Money
A lot lot lot of money
BEA
For what?
MARA
For everything
A credit card
A Lamborghini
Shoooooes
So many shoes I cant count em
BEA
What about like real life stuff
MARA

Spike heels
And strappy ones
And boots out the ass
BEA
No, I mean real life stuff
MARA
You mean like jobs and shit?
I have no idea
BEA
You know, jobs and other stuff
MARA
What other stuff is there
BEA
Well
Like
People
You ever think about people
And like
Want something
Like maybe if youre sitting around
And you think about somebody
And you think
I just want to be
like, whatever
or
I just want them to do
whatever to me
thats all I want
Pause
MARA
Girl you know I do

BEA
You do?
MARA
If we could just get together
One more time
I know I could get him into it.
BEA
Oh
Mat
MARA
If hed call me.
BEA
I dont think hes gonna
MARA
Shut up.
Thats a dumbass question anyway, what do I want
I feel like a dumbass when I think about what I want
It makes me feel like a idiot
A baby
A lame ass baby
Of course Mat, who else?
BEA
Hes just a guy
MARA
Fuck are you talking about?
Pause
BEA
Mara

Its not gonna happen

MARA
DONT SAY THAT.
It is gonna happen.
He just doesnt know it.
BEA
Its not you
Hes just like that
MARA
You dont know.
BEA
Youre
Its not you
Lots of people would want to be with you
Lots
Hes just like that
MARA
You dont know.
BEA
Mara
Everybody knows
MARA
You dont know what happened.
You dont know what I know.
BEA
Well tell me
Pause

MARA
Nah.
BEA
What about other people
They could be like that too
MARA
Nah.
BEA
You could want them too
MARA
Nah.
Pause
BEA
Well
You know
You got your friends
MARA snorts
BEA
Whats wrong with friends
MARA
You cant do it with them.
BEA
Who says
Just kidding

FEMALE DANCE
Scene is staged to privilege the men
Hot hip hop blares from the walls
THE WOMEN come out
They begin to dance
By themselves at first
Then slamming, athletic, in unison
Embedded in the dance is a repetition that echoes the hand-slapping games girls
play
Its fun
They love this dance

Scene is staged to privilege the women

BEA sits in her counselors office
We are looking in through the walls
Theres a macram planter hanging in front of the dirty window
Theres a tapestry from Guatemala on the wall
The counselor is invisible
The counselor is a 27 year old, liberal vegetarian
Shes just out of grad school
She has bad skin and is passionate about saving teens
She originally wanted to work with inner-city kids but discovered the money
wasnt enough for organic vegetables and a Prius payment
She really does want to help, though
BEA
What does she have? I dont know
I dont know
For real, I just dont know
I wish I did
Cause
Then Id have it too
Your office is always so hot
The invisible counselor cracks a window
Pause
Well, I mean, part of it is
You know.
Guys like her
Well they like her but then she like freaks them out too

She freaks everybody out

BEA laughs a little
She can be scary
To me? Yeah, sometimes, a little
I dont know. Shes-- sort of-BEA laughs
Guys dont, like, know what to do with her
They want her but then they dont know
She likes this one guy, Mat, hes a real ass
Well not an ass but like, a player
Shes on his tip all the fuckin time
But thats the thing
She just wants what she wants
And she wants Mat
Bad
Besides Mat?
I dont know
Clothes
Money
Shoes
You know
Who knows
But whatever it is shell get it. Or else shell like burn it down. Cause when she wants
something shes like this, this arrow. Like this like black- shiny- arrow shovin itself thru
everything. Thru all the fuckin noise, you know, all the stupid noise in the halls, the
static, and here comes Mara clear as a bell thru it all. Like a hugehot-- fist slammin
thru it. Like a Vin Diesel movie or somethin. Or like how Vin Diesels sposed to be but

isnt really, cause its not real with him, with him its all mirrors and special effects and
film tricks and shit.
But with Mara its for real. Awesome. Like awesome, like as in awe. Theres nobody like
that. Unstoppable. Theres times when-Theres times when I cant stand too close to her. Its like she has these waves comin off
her, this thing and its hot and its so fuckin strong and its like damn I want it, I want it,
cant I have that too. I want to stand close, too close, I want to get inside her so itll rub
off. But Im scared. Like nervous. Like, stop it. Turn it off. I can hardly stand it-What?
Long pause
Nah
Nothin I dont already want to do
Oh you know, just things
(laughing) Last week she got me to-Juststuff.
Looks right at the counselor
Smiles
Long long pause
You hate that, dont you.
When I sit here and dont say anything.
It makes you, like, twitch.
Long long pause
You know what?
You cant make me say shit.

You cant make me.

Nothin you do can make me say shit.
Long pause
BEA puts her earbuds on
Plays her Ipod
Sings along
Ignoring the counselor
Your skin
Like white white sand
Or snow that tastes
Like honey
Im swimming in lava
Its hot and its red
Im burning in lava
Cover me with sand
Soothe me in snow
Make me shimmer
Make me wet
Make me
Different

FEMALE DANCE
Scene is staged to privilege the men
Music starts
THE WOMEN line up across from each other
They walk toward each other in pairs
Hand-slapping girl games have become high fives
They high five each other: casual, a secret joke about boys
Keep high fiving each other, different pairs each round
It becomes a communication, a transmission
They become energy moving along an intricate circuit whose paths only they
know
Their bodies begin to emit bursts of feminine electricity
Its a little unnerving

Scene is staged to privilege the men

MARA and BEA on BEAs bed
MARAs brushing BEAs hair
A silent driving rhythm builds in this scene to MARAs beating of the bear (think
The Rat by the Walkmen)
MARA
Are you sure?
BEA
I saw her
MARA
Are you sure
BEA
Yeah, yeah
MARA
Are you sure it was Mat
BEA
Yeah, I saw them two
Mat and KK
At the mall
Ow!
MARA
Youre not fucking with me
BEA
No
MARA
You wouldnt fuck with me
Bea gives MARA a Who Do You Think I Am look
MARA
That bitch

BEA
I know
MARA
Fucking bitch.
BEA
I know I know
MARA
Fucking freshman cunt.
BEA
I know I know
I know
Could you stop brushing-MARA
Im gonna slap her face.
BEA
You should
MARA
Next time I see her Im gonna slap her face right off.
BEA
Yeah

MARA
Im gonna tear her hair out.
BEA
Yeah
MARA

Just tear it out.

BEA
Rip it out
MARA
Rip her curly hair out by its straight roots.
BEA
Yeah yeah
MARA
Till theres like little blood drops and and pieces of skin on the ends.
BEA
Ewww
Yeah
MARA
Im gonna kick her in the cunt.
BEA
(laughing)
Oh yeah
MARA
In gym where everybody can see, Im gonna kick her in the cunt so hard it swells and
looks like a package when she wears those tight jeans.
Im gonna crack her fuckin pelvis open.
So she cant ever fuck anybody again.
BAM BAM BAM
BEA
Yeah yeah
MARA

And hell be like you fuckin girl-boy!

Get the fuck away from me!
Get The Fuck Out!
MARA does some Tae Bo kicks
Im gonna
More
Im gonna
More
Im gonna
Wilder
Faster
They get wilder and more vicious, shes a psychotic ninja flashing around the
room
MARA
Out of breath
Im gonna scratch her.
BEA
Yeah
MARA
Im gonna put on Lee press-ons and then Im gonna scratch her.
BEA
Oooh yeah
You could get acrylic nails
Those are super thick
MARA
Yeah.
And Im gonna tear her skin up with my nails
On her neck

Keep tearing and tearing

BEA
Yeah
MARA
Till I get down to her voice box
And then Im gonna tear it out.
BEA
Yeah
MARA
So she cant even talk to him
Cant even squeak.
BEA
Fuck yeah
MARA
With my claws
Like a cat!
BEA
Hell yeah
MARA makes the catfight sound
BEA makes the catfight sound
They both keep making the catfight sound
Until theyre screaming the catfight sound
Its totally scary
MARA
And then, and then
And then Im gonna find a crowbar.
BEA
Uh-uh!
MARA

Uh-huh.
A fuckin crowbar.
Im gonna pick it up
Real slow
Real calm
Like this-MARA picks up the brush
Smiles
MARA
Cmere
Cmere kitty
Here kitty kitty
Youre goin down, baby girl.
She slams the brush into a teddy bears head
Then again
Then again and again and again
Feathers fly from pillows
Bloodand
Brainsand
Fucking eyeballs exploding
Fucking
Whole body into it
She cant stop
Stuffing is flying out
--hair blowing up everywhere
pieces of skin and
Making growling angry cat noises
She THRASHES
Its totally scary
BEA
Fuck!

Hey hey
Watch out for Meisha
Girl you cracked his nose
MARA
Good.
BEA
Bitch
MARA
Whose side are you on?

BEA
Mara
Mats not all that
Hes sort of skinny
MARA
I like skinny guys.
BEA
Still though
MARA
What the fuck, you totally had a crush on him.
BEA
That was last year
MARA
Hes pretty hot though.
To me.
BEA
What about Ry
I think he likes you

MARA
Hes like, pudge.
BEA
Yeah
MARA
I mean, no offense.
BEA
Whatever, Im over it
MARA
Since when?
BEA
Since like Spring Break
Pause
KKs gonna be at Constantines
MARA
Oh yeah?
BEA
Uh-huh
MARA
Im there.
Pause
BEA
Shit Mara
MARA
What?
BEA

Nothing
I mean, shes just a freshman
MARA
So what?
BEA
She doesnt know any better
MARA
I dont give a fuck.
She does it
She has to pay.
BEA
What about Mat
MARA
Dude, hes a guy
He cant help it.
Pause
BEA
What are you gonna wear to Constantines
MARA
Ass kickin clothes.
BEA
No, really
MARA
I dont know yet.
Pause
BEA
You can borrow my stud belt

MARA
K.

FEMALE THRASH
Scene is staged to privilege the women
MARA and BEA are joined by KK
They all begin their dance
They move in intricate circuits whose paths only they know
Then suddenly begin to emit the pure energy of feminine fury
They grunt and shout wordlessly
Its muscular and violent
Its uncontrolled and frightening and stunning
Its both machine-like and intensely human
Its disturbing
It builds
MARA ends up in line behind KK at Constantines party

Scene is staged to privilege the men

Were all crowded into the party at Constantines house
Constantine is our Italian friend in school whose face is always a little too shiny
He smells a little like cooking oil
But everybody likes him
(He poses no threat)
The noise of people like a stupid human radio
MARA is in line behind KK
KK is very cute
Waiting in line for a drink
MARA
Hey KK.
KK
Hey
MARA
Whats up.
KK
Nothing much
Whats up with you
MARA
Nothin much.
Whats left up there.
KK
I dont know, I think just the wine
MARA
What is it, Gallo?
KK
I dont know

MARA
Fuckin jug wine.
Tastes like shit.
KK
I hear its all Constantine could get
He took it from his parents restaurant
MARA
Bluuh
KK
I dont know, its ok
Pause
KK
Better than like Zima or something
MARA
I like Zima.
Pause
KK turns back around in line
MARA
Cool nail polish.
KK
Thanks
My sister got it for me in Hawaii
It like changes color in sunlight
Pause
KK
Thats a cute bag

MARA
Thanks.
KK
Is it Kate Spade?
MARA
I think so.
I dont know.
I mean I got it at the mall.
KK
Cool
KK turns back around in line
Time passes
MARA
Where do you get your hair colored?
Or do you do it yourself?
KK
Its not colored
Its my natural color
What?
MARA
Nothing.
Youre lucky.
KK
Thanks
KK turns back around in line
Time passes
MARA

You seen Mat around?

KK
No
MARA
Do you know if hes coming?
KK
How would I know?
Pause
MARA
I dont know.
I have a CD for him.
KK
Cool
Pause
What is it?
MARA
Its Missy Elliott.
KK
Really?
MARA
Yeah
Why?
KK
Nothing
It just doesnt seem like his type
I like it, though

MARA
He told me to bring it.
KK
I dont think hes coming
MARA
I thought you said you didnt know if he was coming.
KK
I dont
MARA
Uh huh.
KK turns back around in line
Pause
Pause
Without turning around
KK
I dont know what you heard
but its not true
MARA
None of it?
KK
Uh uh
Pause
MARA
Those are cute jeans.
I wish I could wear jeans that tight.
KK
You totally could

MARA
Nah
Whered you get em?
KK
At the mall
MARA
Which mall do you go to?
KK
Westwood
MARA
You dont go to Sharpstown?
KK
Nah, Westwoods closer
I havent gone in forever, though
Im grounded
MARA
Your mom let you come here?
KK
Snuck out
Shift
MARA
Cool
KK
Plus I have dance now after school
MARA
What kind

KK
Hip hop
I used to take ballet
But I got anorexia and my mom took me out
She hates hip hop but all the singers have fat asses so she figures its OK for me to do
it
They laugh
MARA
Youll have to show me some things
Some like moves or whatever
KK
Its fun
Pause
MARA
Can you sneak out tomorrow
KK
Yeah
MARA
Theres a party downtown
KK
Hell yeah
The line moves
MARA
Tyler looks pretty hot tonight
KK
Yeah

MARA
He can dance
KK
Nuh-uh, look
Hes totally cribbing off Ry
They laugh
The line moves
MARA
Finally
Jug wine

MALE DANCE
Scene is staged to privilege the women
Music starts (Super Sex by Morphine?)
THE MEN (MAT, RY and MOTORHEAD DUDE) come out
They start to move in unison
Their dance grows from the tiny gestures of come here that men emit when
they want to fuck
They deliver growing bursts of man-sex energy in rhythm
They love this dance
Their excitement grows

Scene is staged to privilege the men

MARA and BEA at the mall
BEAs wearing MARAs pink baby tee
Were hanging out at the Food Court, watching them
MARA
All Im saying is whyd you fuck with me
BEA
I didnt, I saw them
MARA
You know how I get
BEA
I know
MARA
Whered you see them
BEA
Here at the mall
Outside the JC Penny
MARA
What day
BEA

Tuesday
MARA
You saw Mat and KK here on Tuesday
BEA
Yeah
MARA
You sure

BEA
Yeah, yeah
MARA
(makes buzzer sound)
Wrong
She has dance on Tuesday
BEA
How do you know?
MARA
She told me
BEA
What, are you guys like friends now or what?
MARA

BEA
She mustve skipped dance
Pause
MARA
She didnt skip dance, Bea
BEA
Yeah, she did, Mara
MARA
Besides, she doesnt go to Sharpstown
She goes to Westwood
Pause
You dont have dance on Tuesday
BEA

What?
MARA
You heard me
BEA
Mara, thats such bullshit
MARA
What is?
BEA
Nothing
MARA
Youre free as shit on Tuesday afternoons
And so is Mat
BEA
Are you crazy?
MARA
Just saying
Pause
Shift
Hey Bea.
I think you should get your ears pierced.
BEA laughs
MARA
Im serious.
B stops laughing
Pause

BEA
I told you Im never doing that
MARA
I think you should do it.
Lets go do it right now.
BEA
Yeah, right
MARA
Itll only hurt for a minute.
What is your deal with that anyway?
BEA
Its
Come on Mara
Lets go to Express
MARA
Its time to get over it.
Bea.
BEA
What
MARA
Were gonna go get your ears pierced.
BEA
Mara
You were there when I tried it
MARA
Yeah I know, you were a big Pussy.
BEA
Fuck you

God I hate that word

Im not going to
MARA
Come on, Bea.
Do it for me.
BEA
How long have we been best friends?

MARA
Its such a small thing to ask.

Member Mrs. Evans?

The first day of first grade
You getting us in trouble making us
laugh
You were all like, Think of dead dogs,
think of dead dogs
which never worked
Just made us laugh harder
Member, Mara?

If youre telling the truth youll do it.

Just think of all the earrings youll be
able to wear.
Where were you Tuesday, Bea.
Theres those silver ones at Banana
Republic.
And those long dangly ones they have
at Target now.

BEA
KKS A FUCKING LIAR
Ill be sick
MARA
Stop being a Pussy.
BEA
Im gonna be sick Mara
Mara please
MARA
I might even let you borrow those sapphires I got for Christmas.

BEA
Please
I promise you Im telling you the truth
I promise you
MARA
All right then.
Lets go.
BEA
Oh God
BEA is terrified
MARA guides her off
Stops:
MARA
Hey.
Ill buy the studs.
MARA kisses BEA on the cheek

Scene is staged to privilege the women

KK at the Snow White Diner as its closing
Theres a barely-touched plate of fries in front of her
The Snow White Diner is cracked Formica with yellow coffeepot burns from when
waitresses pause at tables to flirt with truckers
Its sugar packets still printed with logos from the sixties
KKs wired on residual X and too many cups of coffee
Her best friend JENNYs sitting in the booth listening
Were sitting at the next table eavesdropping
KK
Well, so she gave me two hits like half an hour before.
I know! And she takes me inside this club, she takes me and the lights you know how
they are in those places it was like a
ok it was like the lights had a special kind of, they were all like on and off they said
something I couldnt read, there was a way they were blinking that-- my eyes, they could
like, they started to like get it, I felt like I got something, I understood something and it
started to, everything seemed real clear all of a sudden, you know what I mean?
and she took me to the back where Jason was, you know Jason? Vitamin X? thats his
DJ name or whatever, he was spinning back there and I couldnt do anything I was so
fucked up hes like hey, but I cant even
you know
make words
and hes likeOK, I know this is gonna sound gay but Im thinking, hes part girl hes so
hot hes got that white skin and hes so skinny and
I love gaps in the middle of the two front teeth
They make me think, what could I slip in there
Hes busy so he tells me to go dance
And
So
Mara

Shes dancing under this one yellow light

God this sounds so gay
But
Jenny, do you think Maras pretty?
No, I didnt either
But something
I couldnt stop looking at her
It was so weird
There she is with this like halo this this glow thing around her head
and shes dancing and I keep, so I get-OK it might have been the X but I dont care
Oh my God Jenny I cant believe Im telling you this
I dont care
Who cares
Whatever
Anyway so I go over there and she
I was thinking her hairs like fire
Like I dont know what
Do you wanna hear this?
Jenny If you ever tell anyone Ill fucking kill you
Ok so her hair its flashing
And so
Like
I start dancing with her
Im like, who does your hair
And shes like, I do it myself
And heres the-Its sort of-I start to like feel my
My thighs thru my jeans, you know

I feel them in this real like heavy sort of way

and they feel real like tight and strong
Like stronger than they are
Cause theyre not strong in real life
Theyre totally flabby actually
But it felt like they were
Almost like expanding
And I feel them moving under me
And the music
And I want to, like, press into-- god this sounds so gay
But so I get closer
And then a little closer
Theres something about her
Shes so
Always like
Like a guy, sort of
Kind of like
Get The Fuck Out Of My Way.
Get To The Back Of The Line.
KK marvels at this
KK closes her eyes
And shes like up against me
And like
Man
And then I hear Kelly over there in the corner shrieking
Shes laughing that hard
And you know what, Jenny?
Im like, cool
Thats cool
Shes laughing
Im like
So what, she can laugh
Im dancing
Im fucking dancing

I never felt like that in my whole life.

What?
Shut up
Pause
We just danced
So what
I had to climb in the window so my mother wouldnt wake up

MALE DANCE
Scene is staged to privilege the women
THE MEN start up their dance again
They do a Get To The Back Of The Line number
They start running across the stage and chest-butting each other
Its fun
They grunt
They laugh
Masculine electricity begins to jolt across the room
Its a little unnerving
MAT and RY break away
They go and sit down at their booth in the Diner

Scene is staged to privilege the men

Were still at the Snow White Diner
Days later
MAT and RY are in a booth
RYs eating pudding
Theyre 17
Were in the same booth we were in before, eavesdropping
MAT
This place always stays the same
RY
Yeah
Nobodys done shit to it since like 1962
Isnt it weird how we always get the same booth
That chick Gina is working today
They give each other a Damn, Id like to tap that ass look
Then stare at GINAs ass for a while
MAT
Shes in college
Pause
RY looks at MAT
RY shakes his head in wonder
RY
No way
MAT
Not yet
How can you eat that?
RY
Its good, man
Not as good as my moms though

MAT
Nothing heres as good as your moms
RY
Thats the truth
Pause
Dude I cant believe we found it in all that mud
MAT
Did you see it before I dug it out
it looked like a dead baby, I swear
RY
What
MAT
It did
All curled up
For a minute I thought thats what we were gonna find
RY
Dude
What would we do
MAT
Run
RY
Hell yeah
Like the wind
Thats fucked up
MAT
I bet its happened before
In this neighborhood, too

RY
Fucked up
Pause
MAT
Janet called me again
RY
Dude
What did she say
MAT
I didnt talk to her
RY
You werent home
MAT
I was home
I didnt answer
RY
Why not
MAT
I dont know
RY
Dude, she wants to talk
She has huge tits
Pause
RY
What the fuck
MAT
I dont know

She calls me too much

The fries are pretty good here
RY
What does that mean
MAT
Shes sweatin me
And plus-Its kinda shitty
Im a dick
RY
Out with it
MAT
Shes sort of fat
RY
What the fuck
Fat
Shes hot
MAT
Told you its shitty
You dont think shes fat
RY
Hell no
Shes tight work
Shes fat if you think like J Lo is fat
Which if you do youre stupid
Shes no bigger than Mara
MAT
I know

Pause
RY
Wait a minute
Youre kidding me
Were talking about MARA
Dont tell me thats why you guys
MAT
Sort of
RY
Whoa whoa whoa
I thought you said you got bored
MAT
Its hard to explain
RY
Explain
Cmon man
The food comes
RY takes MATs food
MAT
What the fuck
RY
Not till you tell me
MAT
Its weird
RY
Tell me

MAT
Well
Like
No, man
RY
Out with it
Pause
MAT
Shes so
I dont know
You know
Big
You know?
Shes not a
Real
Girl
Pause
Okay
Like
One day we went to WaterWorld last summer, you know?
I had a season pass
And she was wearing shorts and this like halter, she looked really hot
RY
Hell yeah, Mara has a great ass
MAT
And we were in line for the Super Slider
RY
I love that ride

MAT
Yeah, and it was a really long line
We were waiting for like ever
And it was really hot
And then all of a sudden this guy this asshole in these fuckin green parachute trunks
and this like gay Pink Floyd t-shirt just like totally cuts in front of us
And Im like, dude, fuck you, get to the back of the line
And he just like goes off on me
Hes like you and your fat girlfriend this and fat that and all this shit and Im just like,
what the fuck?
And I just freeze
I cant say a fuckin word
I cant move
And suddenly Mara just loses it
Shes like threatening to take this asshole out
And shes like up in his face and yelling
It was amazing
It totally freaks the guy out
So he just goes fuck yall and takes off
And I look over at Mara and shes all like sweaty and her face is red cause shes all
pissed, her hair is all over the place, this one curl sticking to her forehead that wont go
back, every time she like smoothes back her hair this one curl keeps popping out and
hanging down
And Im just likeI cant even talk
I feel likeI dont know, like throwing up and jacking off and laughing all at the same
time
In my head Im like, this is the most beautiful fucking creature on the face of the earth
Im like,
Ry, for a minute Im like
I could marry this girl
And, but it makes me feel sick, you know
So we go around WaterWorld or whatever, and then like two hours later its time for us
to go

And so were walking over that bridge, you know that bridge that you have to go over,
that overpass thing that goes back to the parking lot?
And were walking over that thing and Maras a little ahead of me and I look down at her
legs
And I see these, whats it called, these like dimples on the back of her legs
RY
Cellulite
MAT
I guess
RY
My mom has that
MAT
It reminds me of mud thats been walked all over
And Im like, dude is right, shes fat
And then Im like, no, that dude is an asshole
But I keep thinking about it
I cant help it
Shes fat
And all of a sudden it makes me really sad
RY
Youve never had a girlfriend for more than a week since her
MAT
I know
Pause
She makes this little, like, sound when she sleeps
Sounds like a
A baby animal or something
A kitten
Or something

RY cracks up
MAT
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
You cant even get a girlfriend so shut the fuck up.
Long pause
RY
Its raining again
MAT
Yeah
RY
You gonna eat that
MAT
Nah
RY eats MATs food

MALE THRASH
Scene is staged to privilege the men
The MEN run onstage
They all immediately begin to emit pure masculine energy
They grunt and shout wordlessly
Its joyous and terrifying and explosive
Its intensely violent and thrilling
Its both machine-like and overwhelmingly human
Its disturbing
It builds
They run offstage laughing crudely
MARAs voice cuts through their laughter

Scene does not privilege either sex

MARA and BEA come into BEAs room
MARA turns on the radio
BEAs earlobes are bleeding down her neck
Shes sheet-white
Looks like shes going to pass out
MARA is cheerful
What happens here is a sexual event
A loss of virginity for both
MARA
See, how bad was that?
BEA
Whyd you have to pull on them like that?
MARA
It helps them heal faster
BEA starts cleaning the blood off her neck
MARA
Here, let me do that
BEA
Just be careful
MARA
Duh
BEA
Ow!
Please, Mara
MARA
Pussy

Pause
BEA
Mara
MARA
Yeah
BEA
Are we cool now
Pause
MARA
What the fuck are you talking about
Cool
I was born cool
Oooh, its my song
She turns up the radio to a raunchy hip-hop song
Lip synchs and dances
Starts dancing raunchy
Gets in BEAs face
BEAs squirming
Uncomfortable
MARA stops suddenly
MARA
Youre wearing my shirt
BEA
Yeah its great
MARA
Thats my shirt
BEA
Yeah
You told me to wear it

MARA
I changed my mind
Take it off
BEA
Hahaha
MARA
Take it off.
BEA
Mara
MARA
I said take it off.
NOW.
BEA takes off MARAs pink baby tee
Standing exposed in her bra
MARA looks her up and down
MARA
You wanna be like me?
I said you wanna be like me?
BEA
Fuck you, Mara
MARA
You want to be like me.
BEA
OK
MARA
Dance.
You heard me.

BEA dances
Awkward
Frightened
Come on Bea.
What the fucks wrong with you.
Do it.
BEA gets into it
Raunchier
Come over here.
MARA pulls BEA onto her lap
BEA lapdances
MARA kisses BEA
MARA slaps BEA hard
You fucking cunt.
BEA starts to cry
Then starts to laugh
MARA starts to laugh
Theyre kids again for a minute
BEA
Mara, he aint worth it
MARA stops laughing
Turns off the radio
MARA
What did you say?
BEA
You and me
Ive known you my whole life
MARA
So you did it.

BEA
Mara
You know.
MARA
Say it.
BEA
Will you be my friend again
MARA
Say it.
BEA
I did it
MARA walks toward BEA slow
MARA
Say it again.
MARA picks up the brush
Keeps walking toward BEA
BEA
I did it
MARA keeps walking toward BEA
MARA
Again.
MARA keeps walking toward BEA
BEA
I did it
MARA
Again.

MARA stands over BEA

Theres a little of her shadow on BEAs face
BEA
I
THRASH shudders through MARAs body
Then she slams the brush into BEAs face
BEA
Not my face
MARA brings it down on her head
BEA tries to block it-- sound of smack on a palm
Like a high five
MARA brings it down again
Again
As MARAs hitting BEA:
MARA
Bea
Bea
Stop me
BEA
Between blows
Mara
Mara
MARA
It hurts
BEA
Yeah
BEA grabs MARA so tight she cant breathe

BEA releases MARA

BEA lays back on the bed
You can hit me
You can hit me
Just not on my face
BEA runs her hand over her bare stomach
MARA touches BEAs stomach
MARA looks beyond BEAs room
They look into each other
MARA gets up and walks out
Lights out
We sit in the dark and silent for a while

Scene is staged to privilege the women

MARA sings
She sings like a little girl, pure, clear, dreaming of her wedding day
Voices of actors playing BEA, KK, MOTORHEAD DUDE, RY, and MAT coming
from the dark in a spoken chorus
Ten years pass during the song
MARA (sung) one of these
2
3
4

da-ays
Im going to find him
Im going to find him
Im going to find him

MARA (sung) Im going to find him

2
(breathes out of pursed lips)
3
(breathes out of pursed lips)
4
(breathes out of pursed lips)
MARA (sung) Hes shining bri-2
like a
3
what, like a
4
like a, I cant

--ghtly in my dreams
(breathe
sharp in thru teeth)

MARA (sung) One of these da---ays

2
dont turn around
3
hes over there
4
dont, dont (slow sly laugh)
MARA (sung) Ill turn and see him
2
shhh (quick stop)
3
shhh (quick stop)
4
shhh (quick stop)
MARA (sung) Dark as a doorway, tall as trees
2
3
4
MARA (sung) One of these ni---ights
2
Do you, is this a place that you

3
4

Have you everdo you

I dont think Ive seen you, have I?

MARA (sung) Ill come home smiling

2 (cont.) have you ever, I dont think Ive seen
3 (cont.) is this a place that you
4 (cont.) do you, is this a place that you
MARA (sung) One of these niights
2
stupid people, its like, STATIC, like a
3
stupid human radio playing nonstop
4
stupid human radio playing nonstop in
this place, hush
MARA (sung) Ill get to sleep
2
(inbreath) ssssssssss
dont
3
(inbreath) ssssssssssss dont
4
(inbreath) ssssssssss

dont

MARA (sung) And all my tears

2
3
4
MARA (sung) Will turn to diamonds
2
(quick inhale of breath)
3
(quick inhale of breath)
4
(quick inhale of breath)
MARA (sung) Just as theyre falling
2
3
4
MARA (sung) From my cheeks
2
3
4
MARA (hum)

(hum)
(hum)

2 (hum, contd.)
3 (hum)
4 (hum, contd.)
MARA stands and joins the hum
Lights out
The hum continues
The hum stops
Scene is staged to privilege the men
MOTORHEAD DUDE, drinking a 40
Hes now 32
Hes talking to an invisible stranger outside a 7-11
Whos smoking a cigarette waiting for his girlfriend to take a break
Shes the clerk at the 7-11
Were watching from our car at the intersection
Waiting for the light to turn green
MOTORHEAD DUDEs wound up
Air guitar
Nervous energy
Talks too fast, motormouth
Every now and then erupts into hardcore thrash singing of I Jus Lie by Snot
(lyrics in italics)
MOTORHEAD DUDE
Hes sposed to call me on the pay phone
The pay phone the pay phone the pay phone
Hes a little late
A little late
Oh yeah
Hes my man
MymanMymanMymanMymanMat
We go out
He can walk into the club into fucking anywhere and nail anybody
Just pick from em all,

Whatchou feel like tonight

Redhead, blonde, brunette
Like flavors of ice cream
Just pick one and start lickin
Its all up to him
Hes un-stoppable
The master operator
Like that song
I Jus' Lie Like your type
I'm telling you what you want to hear
Or do you really take me true?
It's what you need to feel before you
Spread them legs for me
You like that band?
Snot?
Yeahyeahyeahyeahyeah
You look kinda familiar
You go to my high school?
Sharpstown?
Class of 01
Go fuckin Apollos
What the fucks an Apollo
Fuckin spaceship that blew up
Ha ha
Does this phone even work
Hes a little late
He does whatever the fuck he wants
Class of 01
Damn thats fifteen years
Thats fuckin crazy
We got tight after graduation
Down at the club
He likes a little amp now and then
Gets him goin goin goin like the energizer bunny

Ha ha
And he dont give a shit
He Dont Give a Shit
Fuck em once thats all
Or twice if he feel like it
BAM BAM BAM!
Dont give a fuck that mothafucka
An they cry
Oh yeah they cry when hes done
But he dont give a fuck
He turns his back
Literally
Turns His Back
They slobber on the other side of his back
Snot running down their face crying
They say, turn around, talk to me
An he says fuck you, bitch, get out
Myself I know the excuse
So sorry you got used again
And of course I'll call you later
Now shut up
Get out
This one fell short
You wonder why?
Get out!
An they leave
An he laughs
An hes high and wide
On top of the world
Its fuckin
Damn
Hes a little late
You know what

I think thats his favorite part

The Get The Fuck Out
Way better than the fucking
The Get The Fuck Out
Its my favorite part for sure
When he turns like a viper and
Bares his fangs and makes a snake noise
An then they leave
An he orders a pizza
An we amp it up
His voice gets loud
He spars a little with me
Hes got a good build
Nice curve right here you know
Works out
An hes tan
He can do chin ups
Damn, when he pulls up its like
Its like its like rocks rollin all up under his skin
I wanna take a knife and slit him open
And let the rocks roll out on the floor
And swallow up a couple of em
Haha
An then when he gets rid of the chicks
We watch TV
The Pirates
Or just Futurama, whatever
Good times
My man
He tells me about fucking em
Crazy shit
Backdoor and pearls and all that
Even some crazy ass voodoo shit
Black candles and fresh blood
Any way he wants it

I want the details, you know

I want the picture in fuckin technicolor
Wanna crawl inside it
Live in it you know
Wanna be one of those chicks
Wanna feel it
Wanna be it
Wanna feel it
Wanna be it
THRASH
Damn
Sometimes
Sometimes I get on his nerves
scoot the fuck over
What are you in love with me or something
haha
I
I Jus' Lie
I Jus'
I Jus'
I Jus' Lie just to fuck you
I Jus'
I Jus' Lie
Yeah hes my man
He makes me glad Im not a chick
Hed fuck me an be like
Get Out
GET OUT
Soon as my dick does your mouth you're goin' south
Soon as my dick does your mouth you're goin' south

I never have to get out

Im always there when hes done
With a fuckin pizza
Hey hey hey
You goin
You goin
All right then
MOTORHEAD DUDE stand and watches the guy leave
Sticks his Ipod earbuds in
Long pause
Suddenly changes speeds
Listening to a ballad
Same ballad as BEA listens to in the counselors office
Sings along
MOTORHEAD DUDE (sings in falsetto)
Your skin
Like a brown
A brown
Like thick slick mud to drown in
Like honey mud
Im swimming in sparks
Its hot and its white
Im burning in a shower of sparks
Cover me with mud
Soothe me in mud honey
Make me thick
Make me wet
Make me
Different

MALE THRASH
Music starts
The men continue to emit frightening masculine energy
Suddenly
Theres a melody line that doesnt match with the others
Its sweet and private
MOTORHEAD DUDE is caught by it
It holds him and wont let go
He stops moving
Although he wants to thrash
He cant stop listening to it

Scene is staged to privilege the men

We are in the Snow White Diner
Same booth as before
But now its remodeled
A 50s theme chain restaurant
Plastic Wurlitzers at every table playing 50s tunes, Billy Joel and Elton John
RY, 32, a little pudgy, is eating pudding
Talking in low tones to Jenny, who should never wear yellow
JENNY is now thick-waisted
In sweats and a yellow shirt
In high school she was the buddy
Never the date
She hasnt had a date in two years
RY
--Yes, Jenny, I know, were getting old.
-- Well youve said it like ten times today.
-- I know, I know.
This place has changed. Look at this. Fake fuckin fifties shit. Its all like plastic.
Same booth, though.
Mat and I always got this booth.
Yeah, I did see him.
It wasgreat. Hes the same. Kind of.
I dont know.
Well
This
Look, if I-- will you
Nothing.
Pause

Long pause
Ok. But
Ok. So we go out for a drink, and we talk, its all the same shit, its great to see him, you
know. Same old Mat. Same old stories except now I dont know any of the girls. And I
drive him home. And hes in the front seat and hes like, so Ry, lets get together again
before you leave, you know, we should hang out more than once every fourteen years.
And Im like, yeah, I know, man. And hes leaning out of the car, about to get out and I,
you know, I-- put my hand on his back, kinda. Just like, hey man. I mean all this stuff, he
told me all this stuff I never knew about him, about his house burning down when he
was a kid.
Yeah, it burned down when he and his brother were at Astroworld.
His dad thinks his mom did it.
Yeah.
So-- hand on his back, whatever. Hes wearing this jacket, its dark, it feels sort of shiny
but its not, its a great jacket, I wonder where he buys clothes. He always has such
great clothes.
--Shut up. I just like his clothes.
So but then he like sort of turns around and we hug, you know, one of those weve
known each other for twenty years, Im really glad we could get together hugs, you
know? That kind of hug.
And then he pulls back from me and hes at that distance, a few inches from my face,
that distance, and the lights on, the whatever, interior light that turns on when you open
the car door and Im not even thinking really, I just-- look at his mouth, its right there,
and up into his, you know, his face, or eyes ortheyre green, I never knew that--- and
then for some reason I have no idea why, I will never know, I like, my eyes go back
down to his mouth, hislips, you know, and this is, that must be the signal, that must
have been it and butand then also I make a move, I dont know why, just a little shift,
ajust a tiny, maybe half an inch and were I mean I didnt
Pause

But I mean its really happening.

Kissing.
Hard.
But like it feels like hes
it feels like hes
like
eating my mouth, his mouth is moving, I can feel his lips moving and his mouth is open
wide, its like taking me in and by this time Im really shaking, I mean literally shaking
and then hes down to the skin on my neck, eating my neck, I mean hes, but I swear to
god hes eating me, and Im making these little sounds and thinking like wow like how
could I ever possibly stop now, hes going to have to, I can hear myself from real far
away, like as if I was out on the street listening. Its like hes made of magnets, my skin
wont pull away from him, I keep telling it to but I just have to stay there touching till he
lets me go.
And then its sort of over. And he pulls himself away from me, about an inch, just an inch
so theres no room for the world outside to come like rushing in yet, my legs are like
goddam jelly, Im trying to act like Im not shaking like a fucking leaf, and he goes, he
says,
Whispering:
Well that took about twenty years.
Long pause
--What?
Yeah, I know. Im like, this is Mat.
--No, but I dont think he is. I think its justlikeme and him we always had a
I dont know.

--No. It wasnt like that. It was more

I dont know.
I just
I wanted
It does NOT mean hes gay. He fucked tons of girls in high school. After he quit Mara he
was like a fucking machine.
Pause
Why didnt he fuck you? I dont know.
Pause
Youre gonna make me answer that?
Well, cause you were
I dont know, you were
You were toosmart.
Sort of.
No, you were pretty. You were just
You wouldve hadquestions or something.
He wasnt into questions.
And you were sort ofseparate, you know? Like, KK and Bea and Jenny and all them,
they were all sort of the same girl, you know? Kind of blended together. He likes girls
like that. Youre not that way. Youre just totally-- you.
Yeah, like Mara, sort of.
Well, yeah he did fuck Mara, but
Look, are you just trying not to get it?
Well you asked.

Pause
What?
Would I do you?
You mean now?
Pause
Wait a minute. You think Im
Yes you do.
Just say it.
Say it.
Im not.
Bullshit.
Id fuck you right now.
Yes I would.
I would.
I will. Right now.
I will.
Do you dare me?
Is that what you want?
He changes
Hes brute and a little frightening

This is not the RY we know

His voice lowers to a whisper
Is that what you want?
Huh?
I will fuck you right here.
I will fuck you in the bathroom of this fucking diner.
Dont taunt me.
I will fuck you so hard you cant breathe.
So hard you dont know your own name.
Is that what you want?
Is that what you want?
Go wait for me in the bathroom.
I dare you.
Go wait for me.
Now.
Justnow.
Go in there.
Lock the door.
Pull down your panties.
Bend over the toilet.

Wait for me.

Now.
Tiny THRASH
RY stands up
Long pause
Long pause
Heads for the bathroom

MALE THRASH
Thrash music is fading
Sweet music is louder
MAT and RY are emitting masculine energy
MOTORHEAD DUDE stands still
MOTORHEAD DUDE begins to sway
RY begins to slow down
Begins to move to sweet music
Sweet music gets a little louder
MOTORHEAD DUDE and RY move on their own
MAT keeps thrashing to his fading music

Scene is staged to privilege the women

KK, 29, is at home on the phone
KK has changed
Shes pulled-together, professional-looking, more composed
KK is talking to her best friend JENNY who never gets laid
Were listening through the thin apartment wall
KK
OK, OK, hang on, Im getting to it. So were into it. And its great, hes really good at it,
Im thinking, hes so young, when did he get all this practice? Its great.
21.
Its just nine years difference.
If I was a guy would you be saying that? No, youd be like, Way to go. Game on, man.
No, he was my student last semester.
Did I say it was smart?
No.
Because everyone in my department is ten years older than me. No more older men.
Im the boss now. Im like, You wanna be with me? Get to the back of the line.
OK, ok, so were doing it. And then after a while hes like, turn over.
So I go, Say it again.
Cause I like it when he tells me what to do.
So he says, Turn over.
God, I love that.
And we keep going-What?
You dont like it from behind, ever?

Oh, wow.
I love it. It makes me feel like a cat.
She makes the cat sound
Laughs
Never?
Maybe youve never tried it with the right guy.
Well, theyre all different shapes, you know, I mean if hes the right shape and size it
might
Ok, ok. So were doing it, and suddenly I feel his finger on myyou know, my--.
You know. Mymy asshole? God.
Yeah.
I know. But so Im like, oh, shit, right? Whats he got going on back there?
Well, first he just sort of Im not sure whats going on. I can feel a little something, and
its nice, but its not too intense. And then things get a little moreinvolved.
And then suddenly theyre REALLY involved.
Um, no.
I just sort of went with it.
Uhyeah.
No. It felt good.
I dont know. I mean, I got into it. Little by little. It felt good. And at one point Im thinking,
whats down there to feel good? Theres no, sort of, procreation reason for it to feel
good, but Im thinking, damn, you cant argue with the facts. And the fact is its feeling
pretty good.

But then all of a sudden he makes this sound. Just a little, sort of, sound. And Im just
like, whoa. Wait a minute. I see whats going on. Hes getting off on the fact that Im his
professor and I am letting him fuck me in the ass. And for a split second Im totally
revulsed and Im about to stop the whole thing.
But then Im like, whoa, that sort of turns me on too. Can you believe that? It did. And at
the same time Im thinking, oh my god, oh my god, Im a feminist, can I even be doing
this?
And then-And then it starts to hurt.
Really hurt.
Somethings happening, its changing, the-- its off track somehow, somethings tearing, I
think Im bleeding, you know, and it really hurts. So I tell him to stop.
And he says no.
And I mean its like fire, ripping into me with all this force, Im getting scared, I have no
control, I cant see his face, hes just tearing into me. Im sick, you know, Im like tearing
open, I have to get out, to sort of claw myself out, like NOW. And I hear myself from far
away, Im making these sort of desperate sounds, and theyre turning into words. And in
my own voice I start to hear this,
The phone drops to her shoulder
thisI goI go-Dont stop.
Dont stop.
Dont stop.
Tiny THRASH
KK is silent for a long time
The phone slowly returns to her ear

Yeah.
Yeah.
I did.
I came.
I know.
I know.
I dont know.
I dont know what to think.
I
Is it
I mean is it
OK?

FEMALE THRASH
The music starts with the MEN moving their different ways
All the music is softer now
Were closer to silence
KK joins the men
Moving in her own new way
They all move for a while
The MEN leave the stage
KK is left moving in her own new way
She finds herself at the High School Reunion

Scene does not privilege either sex

BEA and KK at the fifteen-year high school reunion
Theyre both waiting in line for drinks
KK is in front of BEA in line
Theyre 29 and 30
BEA is still conventionally pretty but less stylish than KK
BEA is pregnant
We are in the corner
Constantine is trying to talk to us but were watching BEA and KK
KK
Hey.
BEA doesnt hear her
KK
Hey.
BEA turns around
BEA
Oh my God, KK!
How are you?
KK sees shes pregnant
KK
Whoa.
BEA
Yeah
KK
Im sorry, that was rude-BEA
Its OK
Its been happening all night

You look great

KK
So do you
They laugh
Is this your first?
BEA
No, second
KK
Wow, thats
BEA
Yeah
My little boys two
So
Pause
BEA
Whats up with you?
KK
Oh, you know.
Im a classics professor now, can you believe that?
BEA
Yeah, I heard
At the University of Houston, right?
Pause
KK
Yes.

What do you do now?

Or
Are you
Working?
BEA
Im a bank teller
At First National
Out in Alief
KK
Oh, great!
Pause
Is your husband
Are you-BEA
Hes around here somewhere
KK
What does he do?
BEA
Hes a restaurant manager
KK
Oh
BEA
Are you married?
KK
No
BEA
Kids?

KK
No
Pause
BEA
Hey, look over there
Its Motorhead Dude
KK
He looks exactly the same
BEA
Hes such a weirdo
What happens to people like that
KK
I guess, nothing
KK laughs
Pause
KK
Looks like Mat didnt show.
BEA
No
Are you surprised?
I see him around sometimes
KK
Oh yeah?
How is he?
BEA
Hes losing his hair
They laugh
Long pause

KK
Looks like Mara didnt show either.
BEA
No
KK
Have you talked to her at all?
BEA
No
KK
I always thought you guys would stay in touch.
BEA
Yeah
Nope
Pause
BEA
Wanna hear something funny? I just heard Constantine telling somebody she became a
titty dancer and had a bunch of kids
They laugh
BEA
Man I love this dip
Its great being pregnant, you can eat whatever you want and nobody cares
KK
I cant imagine
BEA
What, eating whatever you want?
KK

No
Being pregnant
Whats it
like?
BEA
What part? The throwing up or the getting fat or the squeezing it out?
KK
I dont know
I mean
I always think
When I see pregnant people
theres somebody IN there
in their bodies
BEA
Yeah
Shes definitely in there
KK
Its a girl?
BEA
Yeah
Wanna feel?
Pause
KK
OK
KK puts her hand on BEAs stomach
Long pause
They sway a little
The baby kicks
KK
Wow

How does it feel

BEA
When she kicks?
KK
No, I mean
Yeah, but I mean
The whole thing
I mean, is it
BEA
Oh yeah
It changes you
Pretty much forever
KK
Thats so scary
BEA
I know, it is at first
Its hard
Scary
It sort of
It turns your whole life upside down
Youre not just you anymore
Youre you plus somebody else
Its great
I think
Anyway
Its what happens
KK
Yeah

Pause
But you change them, too
BEA
Who
KK
Your kids
BEA
Yeah, I guess I do
I guess we take turns changing each other
KK
Yeah
Pause
Pause
KK
Whats it like giving birth
BEA
It hurts like a bitch
But you cant separate it from the huge perfect thing thats happening
You cant untangle them
Smiling
Its
Theres nothing like it
Pause
Pause
BEA
You want some wine?

I think theres some red left

Hey look, theres Ry
And Jenny
Oh my god, shes wearing yellow
Some people never learn

MALE/ FEMALE THRASH

Everyone onstage together
Moving in their own new way
No music
Silence
We can hear them breathing
Making sounds as they move
Its human
And beautiful
And a little mechanical
And unnerving
MARA strides behind them all
She walks up to MAT whos still thrashing
She takes his hand
Breaks his spell
She leads him into the past

Staging privileges the men to best see MARA and the women to best see
MAT
MARA is 13
MAT is 15
MARA and MAT are having sex
They are going slow
Its difficult
Each move hurts MARA
MARA
Ow ow ow-MAT
Im almost-MARA
Is it supposed to
MAT
Just a little more-MARA
I think you have to-MAT
Wait-MARA
--stop, its too-MAT
I cant, Im almost-MARA
Stop please-Pause
Ow! Stop

Pause
STOP
MAT
Okay, okay
MAT pulls out
Are you okay
MARA
Yeah
Theres some blood
Not much
MAT
Oooh
Dont show me
MARA
I wasnt going to
Long pause
MARA
Hey
MAT
Hey
MARA
Can I ask you a question?
Pause
MAT
Yeah

MARA
Does it always feel like that?
MAT
Like what
MARA
Hurt like that?
MAT
I dont know
MARA
Maybe we did something wrong
MAT
No we didnt
Lets stop talking
Pause
MARA
What do you want to do now?
MAT
Go to sleep
They lay down
MARA feels herself under the sheet
Long pause
Sits up, her hand still feeling between her legs
MARA
Oh
MAT
What
MARA

Nothing
Its
Its different
MAT
What do you mean
MARA
Down there
Its different
MAT
Oh
Are you
Is it ok?
She takes his hand, puts it between her legs
He pulls away
They both shiver with the coldness of the gesture
She takes his hand again
She guides his hand between her legs
She guides his hand to the spot for him to feel
They stay like that
MARA
There.
Feel that.
The rim around it.
Where you were.
MAT
Yeah
MARA

Its a totally different shape now.

Its sort of jaggedsee there?
It used to be smooth there.
MAT
Does it hurt?
MARA
No.
It just feels different.
Itll never go back to the old shape.
Ill be like this forever now.
Where you were.
Long pause
They look at each other
Awkwardly
Tenderly
For a split second they can picture forever
She smiles
END OF PLAY

PAGE 1