SETTING:
We are in the sitting room of a house. The left side of the room is illuminated, whereas the right side is completely dark. There is a window on the wall looking out over a freshly mown lawn. A large tree is visible through the window. A portrait of an elderly man hangs on the wall near the window. A couch and two chairs sit around a coffee table. A tea set is on the table. Two cups are laid out. One is empty.

A young man slowly walks out from the darkened area. He looks around as if confused. As he sees the woman he stops.

MAN: "Hello. I'm here to meet someone."

The woman sets her teacup on the table and rises.

WOMAN: "Hello, Jeremiah. I've been waiting for you."

JEREMIAH: "Jeremiah? Is that my name? I...I can't remember."

WOMAN - "It's alright, Jeremiah. You've been through a very traumatic experience. Some disorientation and memory loss is perfectly normal. Please, sit. I'll pour you some tea."

Jeremiah walks over and sits in the empty chair.

JEREMIAH: "Thank you. I...I don't remember anything that might have been traumatic."

The woman pours tea in the empty cup and hands it to Jeremiah. She sits back down and picks up her teacup. They drink.

WOMAN: "It's alright, Jeremiah. It will all come back to you soon. Don't try to force it. Tell me, what do you remember?"

JEREMIAH: "I remember that I was supposed to meet someone. But I don't know who. I...I was very impatient to meet them. I was waiting for a long time. But I don't remember how I got here. Or even where here is. Where are we?"

WOMAN: "Boston."

JEREMIAH: "Is that where I live? In Boston?"

WOMAN: "You lived here at one time. It is common practice to surround a person with familiar places and things to help with memory loss."

Jeremiah takes another slow look around the room. He places his teacup on the table and stands. He walks to the window and looks out.

JEREMIAH: "I...I remember that tree. I can remember climbing it. I...I think I played here as a child. There used to be a swing."

The woman stands and walks over to the window beside Jeremiah.

WOMAN: "What happened to the swing?

JEREMIAH: "I don't know. Wait. My father...my father...he took it down. My mother made him. I think...yes...I remember now. I got broke my leg. My mother was beside herself. She told my father to take it down. My mother..."

Jeremiah looks around the room.

JEREMIAH: “This...this is my mother's sitting room. I can remember her sitting there, on the couch, sewing. I would sit in that chair and read. I wasn't allowed outside for weeks. Even after my leg healed, Mother wouldn't let me out. I would read, or listen to my Grandfather tell stories about the war."

Jeremiah turns to look at the portrait on the wall.

JEREMIAH: "That's him. That's my grandfather. That picture was taken a week before he died. He was in an accident. He was on his way to...my wedding."

WOMAN: "I'm so sorry."

JEREMIAH: "It's alright. We delayed the wedding until a month after the funeral. I would have re-scheduled it earlier but Alicia felt so guilty. She kept apologizing. I tried to tell her that it wasn't her fault. But, I don’t think..."

Jeremiah stops. He turns slowly to look at her.

JEREMIAH: "Alicia?"

Alicia runs to him, and they embrace. She starts crying.

ALICIA: "Oh Jeremiah!"

JEREMIAH: "But, but...oh, Alicia."

He stands silently holding her while she cries.

Darkness falls around them. Light illuminates the right side of the room. A very old man lies in a hospital bed. A woman and a doctor stand beside him. The woman is crying. The doctor puts his arm around her.

DOCTOR: "I'm sorry. There was nothing else we could do. He was just too old. Too tired."

The woman wipes tears from her eyes.

WOMAN: "I know. I hate to see him go, but it's what he wanted. He’s been waiting for 15 years. He was never the same after mother died. He always said he couldn't wait to see her again."

The woman leans over the old man and kisses his cheek.

WOMAN: "Good-bye Dad. Say Hi to Mom for me."

Darkness falls. Curtain drops.

ACT I

SCENE I

SETTING: A restaurant. Albert and Rose are having their 25th anniversary dinner. They’re not really celebrating their marriage. In fact, neither one of them wants to be there. Their love has grown cold. The wounds refuse to heal because they constantly pick at them. Hostility and pain are constant companions.
The hot steaks arrive…

ALBERT:
God, I’m hungry. I’ve been waiting for this steak all day long. Hand me the salt, Rose.

ROSE:
Why don’t you at least taste it first. Why do you always have to drown everything in salt?

ALBERT:
(Long sigh). God, Rose, let me have peace for at least one meal. Just one meal. Just give me the salt and I won’t mention your weight during dessert. Deal?

ROSE:
Why do you always have to be cruel AL? It’s our anniversary. Can’t you be nice to me tonight? I’m just trying to keep you from having a heart attack.

ALBERT:
God, what a relief that would be for you. I’d be out of the way and you could live your perfect life.

ROSE:
Al, you know I don’t want that. It would just be nice to be happy again….

ALBERT:
God, just give me the damn salt and drop it Rose. I want my steak while it’s still hot.

Al grabs the salt, douses his steak, cuts a big chunk and savors his hot steak.

ROSE:
Al, what’s happened to us? Why can’t we just be nice to each other? Has it gotten that bad?
Al?
Al?
What’s wrong?
Al?
AL?
ALBERT?!!!

Al’s face is distorted. He knows what’s wrong, but he can’t talk. The last oversized piece of steak is firmly lodged in this throat and he is choking to death right in front of Rose’s eyes. He violently struggles to breathe. This gives way to a lack of strength as the darkness settles in. Al falls to the ground, next to the table.
The lights in the restaurant dim, everything fades away, and the stage is in total darkness.

A spotlight overhead touches Al.

(A deep voice from above the stage)

GOD:
Albert. Albert. It’s OK. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m here.

ALBERT:
What? Where am I? What’s going on?

GOD:
Albert, you’ve died.

ALBERT:
God, I can’t afford to die now! Don’t do this to me!

GOD:
Albert, when you say, ‘God’, are you speaking to me or cursing me? You never seem to use my name in a friendly way, but that’s not why you’re here right now. Remember that.

ALBERT:
Am I going to Hell?

GOD:
We’ll discuss that at another time. There are more important things to talk about now.

ALBERT:
More important? I’m dead! What could be more important than being dead?!

GOD:
Being alive, Albert. That’s why I gave you life. It’s important to be alive, Albert. Don’t you realize that now? There was a time when you loved to be alive. You enjoyed every breath. You couldn’t wait for morning to live another day.

ALBERT:
That was a long time ago. Another life.

GOD:
Not another life, Albert. You only have one life. You only have one spirit. You merely forgot something important. Albert, that’s why you stopped living years ago.

ALBERT:
Forgot? What have I forgotten? I can’t drink enough to forget. I can’t watch enough TV to dull my memories.

GOD:
Albert, you have forgotten what is more important than life.

ALBERT (Sheepishly, looking up into the light):
God. God, what have I forgotten? I can’t remember. (Al looks down to his feet.)

GOD:
Albert, you know what it is. You have forgotten about Love. You have forgotten what it is like to be in love. You have become an old man with a hollow heart.

Al looks into the light and he looks down again. He looks up again and speaks clearly.

ALBERT:
My heart, it’s so empty…

GOD:
Albert, that’s why I gave you Rose. Do you remember that first day that you saw her on Market Street? Do you remember how your heart felt then? Albert, that was no accident. I caused her bag to tear and YOU fell in love the moment you helped her pick up her groceries.

ALBERT:
I remember that. I remember that moment of falling in love…I remember her eyes, her gentle eyes… Oh God! I remember! God, what am I going to do now?

GOD:
Albert, just that. I want you to remember…
Remember…
Rose in love…

The light from above fades away into absolute darkness. The surrounding scene returns. The patrons are all watching. Rose is crying by Albert. He opens his eyes.

ALBERT:
Rose? Rose? Is that you? Oh God, her eyes! Rose! Your eyes are like that day we first met…

The lights dim. The play is over.

#1: Round!
#2: Square!
#1: Round!
#2: Square square square! How can you even say anything else?
#1: Because it isn’t square, the world is ROUND!
#2: What can possibly give you that idea? Look, the ground is flat, see, straight, from here to there.
#1: It only appears to be flat. It is an optical illusion.
#2: It appears flat because it IS!
#1: Have you actually been to the end of the world to confirm this supposed flatness?
#2: Of course not! I don’t want to fall off, end up in space.
#1: Then how can you say for sure the world is square? I know that you can go around and around, and that makes the world circular.
#2: Oh, so you are telling me that you have been to the end of the world? I don’t believe it.
#1: Well, not exactly…
#2: Ah-ha! I knew it! You don’t know what you are talking about.
#1: No, what I meant was I have not explored this area yet, but I recall being someplace else, much larger than here…
#2: Whoa, back up. Some place else? There is no some place else, this is the world, this is all there is.
#1: No, there is plenty more out there. The world is a very big place. And don’t give me that look! Come on, okay, well, have you ever seen me here before?
#2: No, but like you said, the world is a very big place.
#1: You’ve never seen me before because I wasn’t here before. I was…some place else.
#2: You were here, you just never ran into me before.
#1: No, I am telling you, I was some place else. There is more to the world than just your little corner here.
#2: Oh, I see, one of those conspiracy theorists, huh? I suppose next you are going to tell me there are other worlds and life out there in space.
#1: Well, look out there, look up…how can you think we are the only ones in the whole universe?
#2: I knew it…you are pretty unstable there buddy, just back up, stay away from me.
#1: Use your eyes! Look, look there! See it, something moving out there. What do you call that?
#2: An optical illusion.
#1: It is not! It is right there in front of your eyes as plain as day!
#2: Just like the flat ground is.
#1: It is NOT flat! The world is ROUND!
#2: Square!
#1: Round!
#2: Square!

**********************************************

Little Girl: Mommy, what are the fish doing?
Mother: I dunno honey, looks like they are fighting.

The Meeting

Mid-day lunch hour. A busy coffee shop. A man at the counter is flirting with the female server while she works.

COLIN:

No, really. I met him when I was in Toronto. I think I called him Mister T.

SERVER:

In disbelief.

Mister T? You called Ice-T, Mister T? The actor. From one of those Law & Order shows?

Pausing. Thinking.

SUV?

SVU.

Colin shrugs and grins.

Yeah, that’s him. I wasn’t trying to be insulting I just wasn’t sure if he used a short form of his name and it came out stupid.

The server waves a hand to wait and winks at Colin as she fills some customer’s orders. At the door Felicia enters and looks around the shop, her eyes falling on Colin. She approaches the counter and is served.

SERVER:

Leaning in close to Colin while she hands Felicia her order.

So, did Mister Ice-T bust a cap in your cute little ass?

She makes a “gun” with her hand.

FELICIA:

God, Colin, are you still telling that Ice-T story?

Startled by the intrusion, the server and Colin look at Felicia as she picks up her order and walks away from them sitting at a small table in the corner of the front window with a novel.

SERVER:

Do you know that woman?

Colin is clearly distracted by Felicia.

SERVER:

Snapping her fingers in front of Colin’s face.

Hello? Colin?

Colin brushes aside her hand.

SERVER:
Annoyed.

Who the h*ll is that woman?

COLIN:

Over his shoulder.

I’ll be right back.

Colin walks across the room and stands before Felicia’s table. She ignores Colin.

Do I know you?

She looks up from her novel and smiles.

FELICIA:

Felicia sets down the novel and gestures to the chair across from her.

Have a seat, Colin.

He hesitates, then sits. She says nothing, simply watching him.

FELICIA:

Felicia sips her coffee.

You don’t remember me. Do you?

Colin’s off his game now. The smart, charming flirt is now on the defensive.

COLIN:

It’s pretty clear you know me. You’re face is familiar but I just can’t…

Colin’s voice trails off.

FELICIA:

A dance.

Felicia smiles, leans forward. Colin nods. Leans forward.

A kiss.

Felicia moves closer. Colin does the same. He’s smiling now.

COLIN:

Whispers.

It’s getting clearer.

FELICIA:

Whispers.

Two bodies thrashing in the sheets.

Mmmm, don’t stop now, baby.

Felicia holds up a finger and presses it against his mouth, silencing him.

FELICIA:

With her other hand she places an envelope with a Polaroid paper-clipped to it on the table between them.

Precisely.

Colin looks down at the envelope and picture, confused.

Colin. Meet your daughter, Olivia. She just turned two.

Colin looks from the picture to Felicia and back to the picture. He doesn’t touch the picture or the envelope.

COLIN:

That beautiful little girl in the picture?

Felicia points at the Polaroid.

That’s our daughter, Olivia.

Colin scowls but says nothing.

The envelope contains some important papers for you to sign.

COLIN:

Protesting.

I’m not…

FELICIA:

Cutting him off.

They aren’t what you think. I’m not looking for anything from you except your signature. Sign the papers and you’ll never see me or Olivia again. You can go back to trying to get into the coffee-girls pants.

After a moment of silence he takes the picture off of the papers and sets it aside. He then opens up the papers and Felicia hands him a pen.

FELICIA:

You can sign where I’ve marked.

Felicia points to two places on the top sheet.

There and there.

Colin looks at the paperwork and back at Felicia.

COLIN:

Yes. But you don’t have to be.

Colin looks at the Polaroid and at the paperwork and up at Felicia.

COLIN:

You sign the papers and you’ll be as free as you thought you were ten minutes ago.

Colin takes another moment to look at the paperwork and glances at the Polaroid and then quickly signs the papers. A look, like disappointment, crosses her face but then is gone.

COLIN:

FELICIA:

Quietly, with a trace of disappointment.

Yes.

Colin gets up from the table and goes back over to the server. Felicia picks up the papers and Polaroid with a shaking hand. She stands and leaves the shop as a quiet sob wracks her body.

Six professional looking men mill about a conference room, making their way to their seats. Chairman Rawlings stands up at the head of the table…

Chairman Rawlings: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to call this meeting to order. We have some important business to attend to today. Let’s not waste any time.

They find their seats and sit down.

Pierce: The first item on the agenda today is declaring an official winner in the ‘America’s Favorite Mitten-Shaped State Contest’. What are the nominations?

Lindsey: I will read the list of nominations in its entirety. After the list has been read, the floor will be opened to discussion on any of the nominees. The nominations are, in no particular order: Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan, and South Carolina. The floor is now open to discussion.

Oscars: I can’t believe we’re even voting on this. It should be plain to see that South Carolina is the clear winner.

Miller: South Carolina? South Carolina looks nothing like a mitten!

Oscars: Of course it does! Any fool can see that!

Miller: No it doesn’t! It’s just a blob on the map that doesn’t look like anything!

Rawlings: I think he’s right, Oscars. I think you’re letting the fact that you’re from South Carolina affect your judgement.

Oscars: You’re just jealous because -–

Donnell: If I may interject, let’s discuss Michigan. In my opinion, it is much more like a mitten than any other state.

Pierce: I have to agree.

Lindsey and Rawlings nod in agreement.

Miller: I can see where you get that, but what’s the deal with that pointy northern part of Michigan?

Lindsey: Pointy northern part?

Miller: Yeah, that, what’s it called, Upper Peninsula?

Rawlings: There’s no ‘Upper Peninsula’ to Michigan.

Oscars: Oh, that top part, I always thought it was part of Wisconsin.

Rawlings: It is.

Miller: No, it’s not! Look at the map – it’s all labeled as Michigan. See (points to map on the wall) – it’s all the same purple color.

Donnell: It was obviously a mistake.

Pierce: Well, I say it’s not part of the state, and that makes it five to one, leaving a very much mitten-like state.

Miller: You can’t just vote that the Upper Peninsula is not part of Michigan! It’s part of the state and we can’t change that!

Oscars: Shut up, Miller, you’ve been outvoted.

Miller mumbles something about being surrounded by idiots under his breath and shakes his head in disgust.

Rawlings: What about Maine and Wisconsin?

Lindsey: Well, Wisconsin has what I would call a ‘severe lack of thumb’. I can’t even consider it.

Pierce: Yeah, a lack of thumb makes it impossible for me to vote that way, either.

Donnell: Maine, on the other hand, kinda has a thumb-like thingy, but it’s not as well defined. It’s kinda like a webbed-semi-thumb-thingy.

Oscars: Yeah, you could argue that Maine has a thumb, but even if you did, the ‘hand’ part of the state is way too thin. There’s only room for like 2 fingers. Not that I’m prejudice against two fingered people, but a 2-fingered mitten doesn’t really represent the common understanding of a mitten.

Rawlings: Point well made.

Oscars: I still think South Carolina looks like a mitten.

Pierce: And you’re certainly entitled to your stupid opinion, but it’s not going to win.

Silence for several seconds.

Rawlings: Are we ready to vote?

Everyone nods in agreement.

Rawlings: All those in favor of Maine, say "aye".

Miller: Aye.

Rawlings: All those in favor of Wisconsin, say "aye".

No votes.

Rawlings: All those in favor of Michigan, say "aye".

Donnell, Pierce, and Lindsey: Aye.

Rawlings: That’s a majority. Michigan is now America’s Favorite Mitten Shaped State.

Oscars: What about South Carolina?

Pierce: Shut up, Oscars.

Rawlings: Now for the next item on the agenda. America’s best panhandle…

Jack is sitting at a table in a dumpy eggs and bacon joint, a waitress approaches. She is a stunning beauty and familiar to Jack. He has admired her from afar for a while now.

Waitress- Can I get you anything?
Jack- Uh… coffee… no tea… no.. yeah coffee.. yeah coffee please.
Jack can see by her nametag that her name is Claire,though he already knows.
Claire- You seem a little bit nervous, is everything ok?
Jack- Yeah, I'm fine. Its just this meeting I have today. It's shaken me up a bit.
Claire- Business meeting?
Jack- What?
Claire- Is it a business meeting?
Jack- uh, yeah. Sort of.
Claire- My name is Claire.
Jack- What?
Claire- Claire, my name is Claire… I'm sorry I uh…
Claire is getting very shy and fidgety
Jack- No, don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just a little bit distracted right now. It's very nice to meet you Claire. I'm Jack.
They shake hands
Claire- Nice to meet you too Jack. Mind if I ask you a question?
Jack- Sure you can.
Jack is smiling now
Claire- Well…. I've seen you around.. and I was just wondering if uh... oh forget it.
Jack- Claire.. are you flirting with me?
Jack is smug. Claire giggles and blushes. She hides her face in her hands, she can't look at him.
Claire- I don't know.
She blushes even more, shuffles her feet
Jack- Well Claire I'll tell you what, after you are finished here tonight I'd love to take you out for an ice cream.
Claire- I'd love that!
Jack- Ok then, it’s a date.
Claire is now in a daze, you can tell she is deep in thought. She is staring right at Jack until, she snaps back into reality. Flustered she runs to get Jack his coffee. She is walking on air.

The door opens and in walks a shady character. He wears dark clothes and his face is devoid of emotion as his eyes meet Jacks. He walks over and sits down at Jacks table. There is no love lost between these two.
Jack- Alright, what the hell do you want from me?
Claire arrives with Jacks coffee
Claire- Hi there. What can I get for you this fine day?
Stranger- Coffee
Claire- Ok would you like anything to go with your coffee? Scone? Pie?
Stranger- Look Pippi, were a little busy here. Just get me a coffee.
Claire walks off dejected, while at the counter she catches Jacks eye. He winks at her, it perks her right up. She smiles at him.
Stranger- Ok look, you have one more job to do then you are off our books. You get your life back and we are all squared.
Jack- That’s what you said last time.
Stranger- Yes, but you screwed it up last time. Look, I'm not going to argue with you about this. Either you do it, or you are dead. End of story.
Jack- Dammnit.
Stranger- Settle down.
He slides a manila envelope across the table
Stranger- The photo is in there. Just get it done, after that I couldn't care less what you do with your life.
Jack opens the envelope as the stranger gets up and walks out. He looks at the folder inside, he seems to lose all effort, he slumps a little.
Claire- Hey cutie. What's with your friend, he sure is a mean one isn't he?
Jack- He's not my friend. I have to go.
Jack gets up and walks out of the restaurant, he doesn't say a word to Claire. He doesn't look back

Claire walks over to the table, picks up the envelope and, looks at the photo inside. She returns it to the table and begins to cry

The End.

The Scene: A Young Man and an Old Man talk.

YM: Grandpa? Grandpa?

OM: What? Oh, Billy. I’m sorry. I was asleep.

YM: That’s Ok. I told you I would come by today.

OM: And to what do I owe this pleasure?

YM: Oh, you know. College stuff. I’m writing a paper for sociology. They want us to interview our grandparents. That’s why I’m here.

OM: Paper? What kind of paper?

YM: Well, we’re supposed to interview our grandparents and write down all of the things that you don’t want people to forget about you. I know it seems silly, but our teacher says that you guys are our greatest resource of wisdom and knowledge.

OM: (Grandpa laughs and looks at Bill, he likes to be called Bill, not Billy)
I don’t know how much wisdom I have, but I do have some pretty strong opinions! Do you have all day?

YM: Sure grandpa, but I don’t think that it will take that long. Our assignment can’t be more than 800 words!

OM: Wisdom in 800 words or less? Now that’s a challenge!

YM: I know. I don’t even know what wisdom is. I think I know things, but I’m not sure what to do with what I know at times.

OM: Oh, that’s everybody Billy. Sometimes we know and sometimes we can only wish we knew.

YM: Heh, that’s pretty funny gramps. I wish I knew what to do right now.

OM: What, for your paper?

YM: No, for my life. There’s so much that I want to do and I just can’t ever get around to doing it. I’m young and life is already passing me by.

OM: Don’t say that Billy. Life’s not passing you by. You’re just letting it flow on it’s own. I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you some wisdom. Real wisdom. Maybe, you’ll get an ‘A’ on your paper.

YM: That would be great gramps. I need an ‘A’ and some help.

OM: Fine. Let’s get started. The first thing I say won’t make sense right away. But if you listen, really listen, you’ll gain wisdom today.

YM: I’m ready. Let me get my pen.

OM: No. No pen. Knowledge is not wisdom. You have to understand what I say, not just write it down. That’s a big truth. Knowledge and understanding are two completely different things. I want you to listen to what I say and think about it. Think about it a lot.

YM: OK. I can try.

OM: Here we go. Listen to what I say. Ready?

YM: Ready.

OM: Five years from now, five years will have passed.

(Long pause)

YM: Is that it?

OM: Yep. That’s it. If you can ever understand that, you’ll accomplish everything you ever want.

YM: Five years from now, five years will have passed? I don’t get it. How is that wisdom?

OM: Billy, most people never figure this out. They only live in the moment and never consider tomorrow. Five years from now, five years will have passed. Listen to me Billy. There’s nothing you can do to keep that time from passing. Five years from now, five years will have passed. Now listen…There’s nothing you can do to keep that time from passing, but what you do with that time will determine what comes to pass.

YM: What?

OM: That’s right. It’s what you do with your time and heart that determines what comes to pass. I take you’re not doing to well in school. Is that right?

YM: Yeah, I’m not doing well at all.

OM: Think about it Billy. Has this semester passed into history? Is there anything you can do to get those days back?

YM: No.

OM: See if you can understand. What you did with your days has determined what has come to pass right now. Billy, YOU decide what you do every day. Five years from now, five years will have passed. What are you going to do with your life Billy? Are you going to watch it go by and live in regret? DON’T do it!

YM: But gramps, how can I do it? I don’t know what to do!

OM: Yes you do. You know. It’s right there in your heart. It’s what you dream about. It’s what you wish for everyday. But, it’s what you’re afraid of most. Billy, don’t ever be afraid to make your dreams come true.

YM: That’s good advice grandpa. That’s really good.

OM: Determine what you what and who you want to love. Billy, go home. Come back next week and I’ll talk to you about your future. Right now, you need to think about what we’ve talked about. And then, do something about it everyday.

YM: Thanks, grandpa. You’re pretty wise after all!

The Scene: The front entrance to the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,12:00 Noon, June 23, 2003.

The Scenario: An old man, wearing a bowtie, walks up to the entrance of the Conservatory. He made a promise to meet someone there fifty years ago when he was discharged from the Navy. He was a day early. He just wanted to be there early and remember a time in his life when he was young and in love.
As he approaches the entrance, she is there a day early also. She turns around and sees him.

They pause…forever.

Without a word she simply slips into his arms and rests her head on his shoulder as if it were fifty years earlier. She never lets go of him while they speak. Her voice is soft and beautiful.

They’re still in love.

Carol: “You’re a day early.”

Mark: “So are you. I just couldn’t wait. I had to be here. I let you down once and I promised myself that I’d never do it again.”

Carol: “I knew that you would be here. I could feel it just like I have felt you in my heart all of these years.”

Mark: “I know. I’ve felt you all of these years too. I remember that night when you came to me and pulled my arm around you and we sat in front of the fireplace. You entered my heart that night and never left.”

Carol: “You remember that?”

Mark: “Every day of my life. That’s why I’ve never forgotten about you or today. You never left my heart.”

Silence.
A long few minutes of silence and an eternal embrace.

Carol: “San Francisco. Treasure Island. Wonderful times in my life. I got to share part of that time with you. I loved it and I remember when you left. You left a permanent impression on my very heart. So I wondered what to do with it, the great thinker I'm not, I just figure it is part of me, so I carry it with me always.”

Mark: “I’m so sorry that I left and didn’t come back. At least, not in time.”

Carol: “In time? What do you mean?”

Mark: “I did come back in March of ’55. I called your office. Someone else answered your phone. They said that you didn’t want to talk to me anymore, and besides, she said I was too late. That was the longest and loneliest weekend of my life. I just wandered around the streets of San Francisco. I went by your apartment, but you were already gone. I’m not sure why, but I left wild flowers for you. I’ve done that ever since that day. Whenever I found a place of beauty, I left flowers for you hoping that you might find them.”

Carol: “You came back? I knew you would. I waited. I felt you. All of these years I have felt you in my heart. But after a while, I went on with life without you. I get married. I love him through the good times and the could be better times. All the time.
Other people come and go through my life. No big impression either way. Then come two little angels. They are truly gifts from God Himself. Sometimes I had to remind them and myself that they were indeed angels and not little brats at all.”

Mark: “I have never understood that. How I could have left you. But when I look at my children, I think I have a clue. God blessed me that way too. I don’t see how I could have lived my life without them.”

Carol: “Why did you leave?”

Mark: “I was young and ignorant. It was my plan to do my tour and go home. I thought true love could be found around every corner. I was wrong. I loved my wife. I took care of her and we enjoyed our time together. She died three years ago. It was a long time, but finally the cancer won. The house is so empty now. I just mainly travel and visit the kids. I’ve come here for the past three years just in case.”

Carol: “Tom died six years ago. I loved him too, but it wasn’t quite the same. You know.”

Mark: “I know. Sometimes the paths we take lead us astray. Carol, I’ve never stopped loving you all of these years. Everyday you’ve been in my heart and prayers. Carol, I love you so much.”

Carol: “I’ve always loved you too. To this very day.”

Silence.

The old man with the bowtie looks at her and smiles. He gently kisses her. They both smile. As they enter the Conservatory, they’re holding hands and continue a conversation that was interrupted a long time ago.

Joe standing in middle of stage looking out. Enter Jim from left, passes behind Joe.

Jim: Big Brother is watching you

Joe: But can he tell the pigs from the humans?

Jim: No, but he can watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!

Joe: Would that be one small step for man, or one giant leap for mankind?

Jim: Well Kemosabe, It is not the spoon you are bending, but your mind.

Joe: You can call me Ishmael. Mr. Gorbachev teared down this wall so that Elvis can leave the building, yeah baby yeah.

Jim: Oh the humanity of this day that will live in infamy forever!

Joe: Read my lips, always look on the bright side of life.

Jim: I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

Joe: So he told you that you’re here to save the world… sheesh… what do you say to something like that?

Jim: I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a 44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya’ punk? Cause you see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.

Joe: Please sir, can I have some more?

Jim: Uh… Sure… Well. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. We can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion, and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids! We have nothing to fear but fear itself!… and the ides of March.

Joe: Oh now you’ve gone too far… you’ve messed with my kin. Even though we might be concubines, history will remember us as wives.

Jim: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, therefore I am not a crook, so we must be in heaven man!

Joe: Well, I will wave goodbye to slip the surly bonds of earth and touch the face of God.

Jim: Whatever shall I do, wherever shall I go?

Joe: Frankly charlotte, I don’t give a…

Jim interrupts

Jim: Shut yo’ mouth!

Joe: Sorry, money is the worlds curse.

Jim: May the Lord smite me with it, and may I never recover!

Joe: So it shall be written so it shall be done.

Jim: That doesn’t make any sense.

Joe: What about Schmidt?

Jim: What is your name?

Joe: You can call me flower if you want.

Jim: What is your quest?

Joe: Oh, Please no not that.

Jim: Well then, Luke I am…

Joe interrupts

Joe: Not that either.

Jim: I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal.

Joe: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, but do I still get to take care of the rabbits George?

Jim: Anything you can do I can do better.

Joe: Happy birthday Mr. President, do you want a hula-hoop?

Jim: I just want to know who’s on first.

Joe: Then come with me if you want to live.

Jim: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!

Joe: Four Score and Seven years ago I had a dream that we the people of the United States will bid you an affectionate farewell.

Jim: But Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeres Johnny and he’s going to phone home.

Joe: And now for something completely diff…

Jim interrupts

Jim: You can’t say that, it’s copyrighted or something!

Joe: Good grief!

Curtain opens on a class of freshmen waiting in class for a teacher to arrive. Final bell rings

Student A: to student next to him First class of high school… crap, what happened to those easy ones in middle school and elementary?

Student B: It can’t be too hard, right? Its just another grade… I hope.

Eye of the Tiger begins to play, when main theme starts, door slams open and teacher strides in confidently, stepping with the beat

Teacher: Freshmen! I am Mr. Torenson. You are in my territory now. From this day forward, not only will you give me all the respect of a mere teacher, you will respect me as if I were God himself!

Students look on in horror

Teacher: Not really, you can relax now. Resounding sigh of relief from students However… I will require you to follow my simple rules. One: I rule with supreme authority. Two: If you have problems, remember rule number one. Three: There is no three. And four: You will participate, willingly or if I have to force you, and I will. Questions thus far?

Student A: What about grades… are they easy to get?

Torenson: Thanks for asking. You have an essay… right now.

Students: WHAT?

Torenson: It’s about the book I know you read over summer. 5 paragraphs, about the themes in the Invisible Man, due tomorrow. Start.

Students frantically pull out papers, curtain closes. Next day, same place, after class has been going some time and the teacher is passing back the essays face down

Torenson: Now don’t look at these yet. I see you and you fail it. Now, I have to say that I had hope for this class. I was shocked at the outcome, to say the least. I’ll leave it to you to find out.

Class picks up their papers, all have big red F marks on it, various horrible reactions

Torenson: Now look up here. All students look, still grief stricken Cheese! Takes a picture You can get rid of those essays now, I just wanted to do that. As you see by the pictures posted around my wall, I do this every year to my freshmen. Tell them and you lose your big toe. My sophomores can attest to that.

Begins talking about the usual blather and itinerary as curtains close