A Beginning

SCENE 1 - A VOID IN SPACE, RAPHAEL IS INTRODUCING THE PLAYS EVENTS TO THE AUDIENCE

The stage is furnished in the beginning. Raphael walks in front of the stage and starts to address the audience.
RAPHAEL -- I remember the first time on a twelfth step call. I think I had a year or so at the time. I had just left a meeting I think.

STEVEN (Enters.) If I remember this right, you had just left Beckys house.

RAPHAEL--Whatever. Anyway. This guy called me and said that Annabelle had called from Central Office. I think it was Annabelle.

STEVEN--It was. She had been volunteering at the time.

RAPHAEL--Anyway, you had gotten a call from Central Office, and I was super, super excited about it. I had never been on a 12th step call before.

STEVEN--You were excited. I couldnt figure out why until you said something about it being your first 12th step call.

RAPHAEL--I thought it was going to be like the movies. We go in there. We talk for an hour. He sobers up, and we all go out for ice cream.

STEVEN--Yeah, that isnt an unreasonable expectation at all.

RAPHAEL--Whatever, so anyway, I knock on the door of the saddest looking house on the block. I think you were behind me. And I hear this guy screaming through

the door...

SCENE 2 - INT. SMALL LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The small, modestly furnished living room is dim. Jim is alone in an easy chair with a small lamp on, head bowed slightly forward staring ahead blankly, sitting in a chair. Two AA members are on Jims door step.
RAPHAEL I just cant wait to help somebody. Service work. Yay! (Raphael knocks on the door.)

JIM--(Startled. Shouting through the door.) I dont wanna buy anything.

STEVEN--(Alert) Its Steven and Raphael from the Central Office. We arent selling anything. You called us.

RAPHAEL--Yeah were here to save your life. (Steven elbows Raphael and makes a cut it out motion with his hand under his chin)

JIM--(Confused and looking around in a frightened manner.) I cant vote. Im a felon. I dont want your petition. I cant read. And I dont like religious folks.

STEVEN--Well, its the AA Central Office sir. Alcoholics Anonymous?

RAPHAEL--Does this always happen like this? You dont think hes drinking right NOW, do you?

STEVEN--No, couldnt be that. He probably just had too much rum cake. Why dont you ask him for a piece of it. On second thought dont.

JIM-- (Gets up slow and goes to the door. He throws a beer can over the AAs heads into the trash.) Get inside before the neighbors see you. Excuse my trash can.

Raphael? Who named you?

STEVEN--(Motions to Raphael to sit down. Raphael looks pissed off.) Were not here about all that, Jim.

RAPHAEL--You do remember calling us, right? Dont you remember anything? You called us.

JIM--Easy, Donatello. You all want something to drink?

RAPHAEL--Are you sick, Jim. Theres a lot of cough medicine in here. (Sits down. Pulls a bottle from his seat cushion.) Jeez. (Puts the bottle on the floor.)

JIM--Oh I see you brought your own. Yeah, Ive had a cold for 30 years.

RAPHAEL--(Steven looks at Raphael sort of aggravated.) It aint mine, he must have stashed it. STEVEN-- (Steve joins Raphael on the couch.) No we dont want a drink, thanks, lets just have a seat here.

RAHPAEL--(Shakes his head.) Maybe I need one; a Coke that is.

JIM--(Sits on the couch.) I dont like mixed drinks. You know, I do think that I called some kinda rehab or drunk tank. I cant remember. I think I probably overreacted. I got fired, but I think it will all work out. I hated that job anyway. The boss got pissed every time I took a two hour lunch. What a pansy. I got me an unemployment check coming on Friday. Im feeling a little better now. None of it had anything to do with my drinking anyway.

RAPHAEL--(Looks around the house with a disgusted look.) Really. It seems like every time I got fired it was cause I was drinking...

STEVEN--(Stares at Raphael and looks back at Jim.) Well, Jim, that does sound like it could be worse. Why were you taking two hour lunches?

JIM--(Pulls a bottle out from under the chair cushion.) I was just watching the TV at the bar over there by the shop. I might have had a couple, but that aint nothing. (Takes three big gulps from his bottle.) Man has a right to have a drink, doesnt, and watch a little Jerry Springer? What are afternoons for?

STEVEN--Well, why do you think you got fired?

JIM--I dont think he liked my face.

STEVEN--Did your boss ever talk to you about your lunch breaks?

JIM-- All of the time. (Plays the harmonica.)

RAPHAEL--Did you ever try to not go to the bar? Maybe just grab a sandwich?

JIM--You just cool down, Donatello.

STEVEN--Now, be nice to Raphael. Lets not forget that you did call Central Office, and they did call us. What kind of shop did you work in?

JIM--I worked in a tire shop. I used to have my own car lot, but she took it.

RAPHAEL--Oh, were you married? I couldnt imagine why she left.

JIM--Ill let that one slide you little ...

STEVEN--(Tempering Raphael, glaring at him) I wont let that one slide, but well get to that later. We arent gonna talk about that here in this mans home.

JIM--No, no. Thats alright. I guess I screwed that up, too.

RAPHAEL--Well, what caused her to leave?

JIM--Well, she said it was because of my drinking.

STEVEN--Why do YOU think she left?

JIM--I just think that things werent working out. She said that I was coming in too late. I never helped around the house. I was always complaining about work. You know, we owned a car lot together, and she has it all. (Takes a couple of gulps off his bottle.)

STEVEN--Is that bourbon helping?

JIM--I dont know. How long are yall gonna be here. Are yall hungry? I think I got some cold chicken.

RAPHAEL--Cold chicken? How bout a side order of cigarette butts to go with it?

JIM--Alright, forget it. Nevermind.

STEVEN--We dont want any chicken hot or cold. We already ate.

JIM--I can microwave it. I think I got some. (Goes to the kitchen - walk off stage Comes back and sits down with a pizza box.) I dont have any cold chicken. I guess I meant pizza. (Opens the pizza box and pulls out one piece.) Theres one piece. I guess yall can fight over it. Thats strange, someone put a cigarette on in this box.

Probably the delivery boy.

RAPHAEL--Im hungry now. Can we order some take out?

JIM--How long do yall plan on staying?

STEVEN--(Puts his face in his hands a moment) You just ate, Raphael. None of us are hungry, not even you Jim. Have a seat.

RAPHAEL--Yeah, so we can go soon.

STEVEN--Now what was this about your wife?

JIM--Well, fellas. I dont expect you to be spreading this around. I lost my job. My wife is gone. She owns the business that we used to own together, and our kids live with her. She hasnt let me see them in a few months. Maybe we ought to talk about this drinking thing. Shes got some hot shot running our business, talking to our kids, and he doesnt know anything about cars or her or me or nothing. Anyway, arent yall here to fix my drinking and get me my life back?

STEVEN--I dont know if we can get that life back, but we can help with the drinking part. It sounds like youre not doing a great job running your life and you know your drinking is a problem. Thats a pretty good start.

RAPHAEL--It is a pretty good start.

JIM--So, Im confused. I guess you two used to drink and have quit drinking at some point. So why did he bring his bottle with him?

RAPHAEL--Thats your bottle Jim, I quit drinking almost a year ago.

JIM--A year ago! Holy...

STEVEN--Yeah, Jim, I havent drank in almost nine years now.

JIM--Nine freakin years.

STEVEN--Yeah, man. It seems like yesterday.

JIM--Seems like an eternity to me. I cant imagine that.

STEVEN--Yeah, sometimes I cant imagine it either.

RAPHAEL--Neither can I.

STEVEN--Yeah, but AA showed us the way out.

JIM--AA? Thats Alcoholics Anonymous isnt it?

RAPHAEL--Yeah, Jim. You called the Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous.

JIM--Alcoholics Anonymous. Jeez. So thats who I called.

RAPHAEL--Sure did, Jim.

JIM--So, how did yall manage to not drink. I tried to quit a couple of times, especially when I was trying to keep the marriage and my business together. Id think about it, and then Id be over at the bar for a couple. A couple turned into a few, and then she would start calling, and Id be home at last call.

RAPHAEL--Thats that mental obsession.

JIM--Mental what? What are you talking about?

STEVEN--Well, me and Raphael, and I suspect yourself have some issues going on with us, and one of these is referred to as a mental obsession.

JIM--What do you mean issues going on?

STEVEN--Well, if youre like us, Jim, and I gotta think at this point that you may very well be, we have what the doctors call a mental obsession.

JIM--Doctors?!

STEVEN--Yeah, some medical professionals seem to think that unlike normal drinkers, we have a mental obsession which means that prior to taking the first drink, we cant with any sufficient force, recall the suffering that our drinking caused us of even a week or a month ago. So, Jim, in my case for instance, I cant think of a situation in which I didnt end up drunk all night - good, bad, or otherwise. It became a normal course. In spite of whatever I needed to do that night, that next day or whenever, I ended up drunk, and it was because I couldnt keep from taking that first drink. Thats what we mean when we talk about the obsession. It overrides all other thoughts or ideas.

RAPHAEL--I was drunk in court.

STEVEN--(Looks at him.) Yeah, you were, werent you?

RAPHAEL--(Smiles.) It was my first DUI and my second disorderly. The first time I got a public intox.

JIM--Well, thats alright. I remember getting let out once and having a six pack on the way home. A few road pops.

STEVEN--Well, naturally. What else are you supposed to do?

JIM--Well, I was supposed to take the kids to school and open the shop, but I didnt make it. That was pretty much the last straw.

RAPHAEL--Yeah, that last one. I ended up coming home, and going to AA with my court papers the next day.

STEVEN--Well, Jim, how long ago did your wife leave you?

JIM--Shes been gone six months now. We just finalized the papers. I signed over the business to her. I thought about burning that place down with that hot shot guy in it, but then I thought about the kids, and they need that income.

STEVEN--Jim. Let me ask you something. Did you ever drink when you didnt want to?

JIM-As a matter of fact. This last bender that Ive been on, I told myself I was done. That was right about the time that I got fired.

STEVEN--Let me ask you this. When you started drinking, did you ever have a problem stopping?

JIM--You two are getting a little personal, dont you think?

STEVEN--Im just wondering if you share the other issue that me and Raphael have. Whats known as a physical allergy to alcohol.

JIM--Allergy? I aint allergic to nothing. Whats an allergy supposed to mean?

RAPHAEL--It means that I drank to overcome a physical craving beyond my mental control, and if you are an alcoholic like us, you may have been doing the same thing. I cant start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving which we believe is the manifestation of an allergy, an uncontrollable craving that I had to satisfy by drinking more alcohol.

STEVEN--(Pats Raphael on the back.) As far as we know, Jim, there is no relief for that. The only relief we have from the craving is entire abstinence, and thats part of what Alcoholics Anonymous helps us do. Obviously, entire abstinence is impossible if were constantly thinking about drinking. Its a peculiar mental twist.

RAPHAEL--Thats Stevens way of saying that the first drink gets us drunk. AA is all about keeping us from taking that first one.

JIM--(Sits up in his chair and glares at Raphael.) Is it, Raphael? Is that your peculiar way of saying blah, blah, blah?

RAPHAEL--Well, uh, Jim, I...

JIM--Relax, bud. Ive heard about you people before. The preacher told me about you all, said that you all have some kinda funny Bible, called the blue book or something like that.

STEVEN--Is that why you called us, Jim? Because the preacher said that you might call us to help you quit drinking, and you knew that we could help?

JIM--I called, because I gotta do something, and I dont know who else would be better to talk to about this than yall. Isnt this what youre supposed to know about?

RAPHAEL--How did you know to call AA, Jim?

JIM--Well, Im not gonna call Burger King about it, Raphael. Who you gonna call, Ghostbusters? I thought about callin Charlie Sheen, reckon he could help?

RAPHAEL--Dont quit your day job, but since you already got fired...

JIM--You little son of a...

STEVEN--(Breaks them up.) Hey, hey. It is good that you called us. All that we want to do is be helpful to you in this situation.

RAPHAEL--Honestly, Jim, when I met this guy, and he was talking to me like this, I wish I could have been as pissed off on the outside as you are right now.

JIM--Were you scared to share your feelings, Raphael?

RAPHAEL--I was scared to do anything, Jim. I was scared to go get the last check from my job where I got fired. I was scared to go home after my DUI, and I sure as hell was scared of going to AA to ask for help with something that I didnt even think I had a problem with. And you can bet your life I was scared of the prospect of even a day with or without a drink.

JIM--I was drunk in church. After I got back in the pew, some smoke drifted into the church from the bathroom. Apparently I hadnt put my cigarette out all the way, and when the preacher, nice guy, asked me about it, he really ended up asking me why I was drunk on Sunday morning. I forget what I said, but he ended up telling me about you all. I guess I was thinking about that when I called you. Anyway, I spoiled the sermon that day. Some wise crack pulled the fire alarm. I think those phonies were happy to get out early anyway. Half were asleep, the other half were checking their Blackberries. Buncha phonies.

STEVEN--Well, we arent church, Jim, but we have found that churches do have a lot to offer.

JIM--Well, what do you have to offer?

RAPHAEL--Like we were saying before, we have a way for you to get out of the mess that youve made for yourself. All you have to do is follow a few simple suggestions.

JIM--What kinda suggestions?

RAPHAEL--Assuming you want to quit, we have a few suggestions. Are you familiar with the 12 steps? Have you ever heard of those?

JIM--I watched a made for TV movie about them once.

RAPHAEL--Ooh! Which one?!

JIM--I dont remember a thing about it, except that it sucked.

RAPHAEL--Well, that figures. Ill say, you are Mr. Consistent. When was the last time that you ran across something that didnt suck? Jeeze.

STEVEN--The 12 steps arent quite the way that they appear in movies. They arent that dramatic, and they dont come with corny scenes and soundtracks.

RAPHAEL--Hey, that might be cool.

STEVEN--Okay, okay, Raphael. Anyway, Jim, the 12 steps are just a path to get you to a place where alcohol isnt the focus of your life and where it doesnt have to be the focus anymore.

JIM--That seems simple enough. Would it be weird if I stepped out for a drink?

RAPHAEL--(Looks at Steven.) Are you...

STEVEN--Would you mind holding off til we are done here. You might give Raphael a panic attack. So, anyway, the 12 steps... Do you know anything about what the 12 steps ask you to do?

JIM--Isnt the first one about how there are no other gods before me or something. Moses wrote em or caught em out of the sky, right?

STEVEN--Thats not quite right. Those are the Ten Commandments, not the Twelve Steps.

JIM--Why did you all add two?

STEVEN--The first step asks you to admit that youre powerless over alcohol and your life is unmanageable. All that means is that you just need to admit that you cant control your drinking and that you cant do anything about the path that your life has taken.

JIM--Well, that seems harder the way you said it. You said two things, and I just said one.

RAPHAEL--I dont think so. When you were talking about the marriage and the car lot and getting fired, it seems like you wanted to say that your life is unmanageable, and when you were talking about your drinking, you sounded pretty convinced that you are having a problem controlling it.

STEVEN--And lets not forget that you just asked a couple of AA members for permission to drink.

JIM--If we are going to go through all twelve like this, you boys are in for a long one. I dont have anywhere to be tomorrow morning.

STEVEN--Let me ask you something else, Jim. I know you mentioned going to church. What do you think about God?

JIM--Ut-Oh. Here we go...

STEVEN--Im not looking for a conversion. Im just asking you about your idea of God.

JIM--I dont think hes too happy with me right now. It might take a stack of Bibles and a baptismal drowning to settle that one.

RAPHAEL--Oh, I dont know, Jim. Theres an awful lot of people who have felt that way, but have found that there is hope.

STEVEN--If I asked you to talk to God like youre talking to me, what would you say?

JIM--Id ask why I cant talk to God like Im talking to the ninja turtle over there.

STEVEN--Im trying to be a little more serious now, Jim. I want to know how you understand God. I cant stres how important this is for the alcoholic that needs some real help.

RAPHAEL--I didnt like it when he started talking to me about God either.

JIM--Well, to be quite honest with you, I have been dropping a few lines to God lately.

RAPHAEL--It looks like hes answered your prayers.

STEVEN--(Pats Raphael on the shoulder.)

JIM--Ive always heard that God has a sense of humor, and he went and sent me a ninja turtle named Donatello.

RAPHAEL--Well, you know, Jim, the Ninja Turtles were good guys. And...

STEVEN--Raphael, stop. I knew this was going to happen if I brought you along on one of these. I swear, its a wonder that you hadnt gone off and...

JIM--Hes right, they were good guys. Whats God got to do with my drinking anyway. He doesnt mind a little drinking. I was brought up Catholic, you know.

RAPHAEL--No, Jim. What I found is that no human power - no person or law or promise or oath - could keep me from picking up that bottle and heading straight into the spree.

STEVEN--So, what were trying to say here, Jim is that youre in a pickle. No matter what you or anybody else did to keep you from drinking it didnt and likely wont work. Once we start, we cant stop, and theres no power to keep us from picking up the first one.

RAPHAEL--And even more than that, theres many reasons for us to stop, and it still didnt matter. Youve talked about that. So, you could just go on drinking, and you can die slowly or rot somewhere.

STEVEN--Or the alternative. You can try to do what we are suggesting here. We are offering the chance to start a process that doesnt happen overnight. The meetings that youve seen on TV are just a part of it. We do meet often to talk

about our lives and to listen to how others beat this game.

RAPHAEL--Theres girls there, too!

STEVEN--But other than that, we are offering a change that sometimes starts slow but is powerful enough to save you from your drinking. There is the likelihood that it will get worse.

JIM--Im still listening, and Im interested in what youve got to say. I just dont know about all this God business. I told you that Im no stranger to church, but it doesnt seem like it has helped any.

RAPHAEL--I was raised in the Church, too, Jim. And that was great, and I didnt have any problem with the concept of God.

JIM--What the heck do you have to suggest to me?

STEVEN--My Dad went to church every day, and he was a jerk. I dont go, and I havent been in a little while. It hadnt meant much to me.

RAPHAEL--So, the problem I faced wasnt understanding that there was a God, but I didnt know what to do with it. I know a lot of people who do both, but I know plently of people who just attend AA. Its not what you think that counts, but what you are willing to believe, and what you are willing to do.

STEVEN--This whole program was designed to get you to a higher power that you can use. And guess what else, youre in luck. We dont care what you believe. What matters is that it makes sense to you.

JIM--You know what, I cant handle all of this business right now. I thought we were supposed to be talking about quitting drinking.

STEVEN--The thing is, Jim. Were not those religious folks, but you are right, we need to be talking about not drinking before we can talk about being sober.

RAPHAEL--I agree, so I am going to ask you something that Steven asked me. Are you willing to try what we are about to suggest in order to save you from an alcoholic death?

JIM--I need a drink. Do you all wanna hear some music? Yall might need some of this, too. (Finishes the bottle.)

RAPHAEL--(Frustrated.) Okay, okay, Jim. We dont wanna hear any music.

JIM--(Swats at the air like hes killing flies.) Did yall see that?

STEVEN--(Looks at Raphael with raised eyebrows shakes his head a little) Uh, yeah Jim I think you got him.

JIM--So, let me ask you this. Can I still go tailgating if I decide Im willing to do what you say?

RAPHAEL--I still do.

JIM--Yeah, you tailgating with your cokes.

RAPHAEL--Oh I have plenty of fun if thats what you mean. Theres a whole world that I didnt know I was missing.

JIM--Did I offer you all some chicken?

STEVEN--I know that I had never have lived much of a life. Tell me how this sits with you. No matter what my present circumstances, I know that I live in a new

and wonderful world. You ever felt that, Jim?

JIM--What the hell are you talking about? I think I threw up in my mouth.

RAPHAEL--I remember when I first met Steven. When Steven started talking to me like this, I wasnt sure what he was saying. Then, he started giving me a few suggestions. He asked me to give him a phone call, meet him at an AA meeting, go for coffee afterwards, and I held onto what he asked me at the first meeting, What do you have to lose? That was easy, there was nothing left to lose. I just had to be willing to believe that what this guy was telling me could help.

JIM--Im not sure if I can do all of that. I dont ask for help.

STEVEN--I didnt either. But, Jim, Im not sure how to say this except that when I was swatting at stuff that wasnt there I needed some help, even if was just medical help for a few days.

JIM--She sent you over here, didnt she? I knew she was gonna pull something like this when I forgot to send my check out to her. All she wants is that damn check.

RAPHAEL--Have you ever been to a detox, Jim?

JIM--Hell no! Whats that?

STEVEN--You know the flies arent there, dont you?

JIM--You mean them damn bats.

STEVEN--Okay, okay, Jim. Thats fine. Were here to help you. Were just concerned about your well being.

JIM--Why the hell would you care about me?

STEVEN--Were not getting anything from this. We do this to keep ourselves from drinking. Youve reminded me tonight of many reasons why I dont want to go back there.

RAPHAEL--We see ourselves in you Jim. We were in the very same position, and somebody cared enough to come and see us, and in our cases, it worked.

STEVEN--We care about the alcoholic thats still hurting, because we were there.

RAPHAEL--We found a way out, and we want to share that with you. Whether or not you take us up on what were telling you is up to you. We succeeded the moment we tried to share what Alcoholics Anonymous has done for us. Sobriety is our gift and reward.

STEVEN--When they came and saw me, I was in your chair. They said that if I could say yes to three simple questions, I would have half the battle won. Did I have a problem? Did I want to do something about it, and did I need help? If I could answer yes to all three, I had half the battle won.

RAPHAEL--So what weve been trying to do here, Jim, is to get you to consider these questions.

JIM--You all sound like one of those pamphlets the judge hands out.

STEVEN--Maybe, but like we just said. Theyre not loaded questions. Were just trying to get you to consider what were telling you. We arent trying to save you. Were here to help you.

JIM--You all keep on saying that youre trying to help me.

RAPHAEL--We are. Thats why were here. You called us, because you said you needed help.

JIM--Yeah alright.

STEVEN--Would you be willing to consider those questions I offered to you?

JIM--What were they again? You all talk so much, its hard to keep track.

STEVEN--The first one is, Do you believe you have a problem?

JIM--I got all kinds of problems.

STEVEN--Do you have a problem with drinking.

JIM--Yeah, yeah! I got a drinking problem. (Pulls his empty bottle and holds it up.)

STEVEN--(Pulls another empty bottle from under his seat.) Heres another one. (Jim takes it and puts it next to the other one.) Do you want to do something about it?

JIM--I guess I better had.

STEVEN--Thatll do. That just leaves the last question, Jim. Do you think that you need help, or do you want to keep trying to do this thing on your own.

JIM--I called you. You might as well help if youre here.

STEVEN--Okay, Jim. Thats real good.

RAPHAEL--It seems like youve done the first step.

JIM--Does that mean Im cured?

RAPHAEL--No, it means that youve made a real good start.

JIM--Okay. Do you all have an extra one of those brochures you can leave with me?

STEVEN--We dont have anything like that. We have the 12 steps, and they are in this book. (Holds up a small Big Book.)

JIM--Is that that Blue Book, or big book they were talking about? It doesnt look very big. Lets say I do decide that I want some help? Where do we need to go, down to the river? How much does it cost? Am I going to be gone like a week, or what?

STEVEN--Providing that youre serious, Jim. I really need to ask you how long youve been drinking on this last bout?

JIM--When you asked me before, I think that I said it has been a week. Its been about a week. I got fired about a week ago, and I hadnt done much else. Not much else to do that I can see.

STEVEN--The reason I ask that, Jim is because Im trying to think about whether or not you need to have a doctor watch you come off the booze?

JIM--I thought you said I was going to a meeting. Ive been drunk longer than this before, and I think that I can shake it off with a little sugar unless you have some Xanax. That would be better.

RAPHAEL--No, we dont have that.

STEVEN--But thats why Im asking.

JIM--I dont need anything. I was just giving you a hard time. Ive been drunk longer than this. You boys sure are persistent.

STEVEN--If you dont think that you need medical attention, well start up with going to some meetings.

RAPHAEL--I can help you get rid of these bottles.

JIM--Whoa! I dont know about that.

RAPHAEL--Well, somebody did it for me, and I want to do it for you.

JIM--Can we take a rain check on that one?

STEVEN--Would you like to go to a meeting in the mean time? We need to make a plan to go soon. I know that Raphael and I will be going tomorrow afternoon.

RAPHAEL--Its a real good one. Theres lots of new guys.

JIM--Like how many?

STEVEN--That doesnt matter. Well be there.

JIM--Let me think about that. Is there a smaller one that we could go to?

STEVEN--You can figure all of that out later. Whats important now is making a plan to go.

RAPHAEL--And cleaning up the bottles, too.

STEVEN--Lets get the meeting straightened out for now.

JIM--I guess I could go if you two are there.

STEVEN--Well even come and pick you up beforehand, Jim.

JIM--Thats a good thing, because Ill either be crawling, walking, or riding with yall.

STEVEN--I dont know what else there is to say.

RAPHAEL--This is my phone number, Jim. (Hands Jim a piece of paper.) I can answer anytime of the night.

STEVEN--Me, too, Jim. (Takes the paper and scratches his number down, too.)

JIM--Okay. Ill put it here where I can find it. (Tucks it in his shirt pocket.)

STEVEN--If you get to shaking, call us, and take a nip. Do you have enough?

JIM--I think this might be enough. Plus I think I have a stash that yall havnt busted yet.

STEVEN--If you feel like it, say Thank You before you go to sleep. I know you dont feel like thanking anybody with your family sleeping somewhere else and some guy

working your job for you, but something has happened here this evening worth saying Thank You about.

RAPHAEL--Heres that book, The Big Book. Ill leave it right here and call you in the morning to see what ended up happening.

JIM--Well, I just remembered something I may have to do tomorrow afterall.

STEVEN--Jim, you do what you have to do. God knows we know you have to. Just remember, if every door slams in your face, AAs door will always be open to you. And well be there.

JIM--Hmm. Yeah.

RAPHAEL--Do you need anything else, Jim?

JIM--No, I guess you boys can head out.

Raphael and Steven get up and leave on their own. Jim sits alone. Picks up the bottle that is half full. Sits it back down next to the Big Book and the slip of paper with Raphaels and Stevens number. He watches his hands for a second. Then, he buries his face into his palms. The scene ends with Jim staring at the bottle and the book before walking off stage. Back stage Jim puts on a clean shirt and freshens up a bit.
SCENE 3 - RETURN TO THE VOID IN SPACE WHERE WE STARTED.

Raphael and Steven walk back in front of the stage like they had in the beginning.
RAPHAEL--And then after all of that, we left.

STEVEN--(Follows Raphael.) We went and ate somewhere I think. It was the worst meal ever.

RAPHAEL--I sure was happy to have it after all of that.

JIM--(Joins Steven and Raphael.) I did not offer you all cold chicken that many times.

RAPHAEL--No, you did.

STEVEN--When was the last time you ate cold chicken, Jim? Was it 30 days ago?

JIM--I dont know. The last time, I think, was when your wife cooked us dinner.

STEVEN--Shes a pretty bad cook, but Im happy to have her.

JIM--Yep. Whats that youre always saying? Well get there?

RAPHAELThats what he says.

JIM--You say it all the time now, too, Donatello.

THE END.