26
List of Characters
RICHARD
JAIME
DANIEL
EMILY
BRETT
JACK
Setting
A place before life and death.
Time
Timeless
ACT I
SCENE 1
(DANIEL, RICHARD, EMILY, and
JACK are sitting in a
circle. Kind of like an AA
meeting, but without the
somber aspect.)
DANIEL
(False cheeriness) Hello everyone! My name is Daniel, and I will
be your facilitator to the mortal plain. Now, this first meeting
is going to be very brief. I’m going to go over the rules, and
then we’ll all introduce ourselves.
(JACK and EMILY clap, nod
their heads in approval.
RICHARD, not paying
attention, is a little slow
on the uptake. DANIEL
notices.)
DANIEL
(To RICHARD) HEY. You listening? This is important stuff.
RICHARD
Yeah, sorry, sorry.
DANIEL
Alright, the rules. Rule # 1: Do not make bonds here. The time
for that is on EARTH. Not here.
Rule # 2: You can look into your future on Earth. However, there
is no changing what you see. What you see is what you get.
Rule # 3: Do not break or try to change any of these rules. If
you do, the punishment is miscarriage on Earth. You will not be
born.
(Murmurs from JACK and
EMILY. Nothing from RICHARD)
DANIEL
(To RICHARD) Hey, understand that?!
(RICHARD nods.)
DANIEL
Good. Alright, let’s introduce ourselves. Why don’t (Points at
EMILY) you go?
(EMILY stands)
DANIEL
You don’t have to stand.
(She remains standing. DANIEL
shrugs.)
EMILY
Ok! My name is Emily, I’ve been waiting to be born for 253,966
days, and I just got my birth date, 297 days from now! I’m so
excited to meet my birth mom and dad!
JACK
Hey, that’s great Emily, good for you!
DANIEL
Nice to meet you Emily. Now, if you could please take a seat…
(She reluctantly sits.)
DANIEL (Cont’d)
Thaaank you. Why don’t (Points at JACK) you go next?
(JACK also stands. DANIEL
just looks at him.)
DANIEL
You guys don’t have to stand.
(JACK continues to stand.)
JACK
Howdy, my name’s Jack, I’ve been here 186,275 days now, and I’ve
been chosen to be born 186 days from now. I’m just really
excited for sports, I mean, that just sounds so fun, ya know?
EMILY
Right on Jack, I like the accent, going to fit you real well on
Earth!
DANIEL
Yeah, wow, that’s great Jack. (Turns to RICHARD) Alright bud,
your turn.
RICHARD
Um, ok. My name is Richard, I’ve been around here for 7,815
days, and-
(At this moment, JAIME walks
in. Quiet and gracefully.
Unnoticed by all but
RICHARD. Silence for a
moment. He stares at her.
DANIEL notices RICHARD’s
silence, turns to see
JAIME.)
DANIEL
Oh, hello! You know you’re late, right? We’ve already gone over
the rules and are in the middle of introducing ourselves.
(She says nothing.)
DANIEL
(Sighs) Sit. Rules: Don’t form bonds. You can look into your
future, but you can’t change it. Do not break or try to change
rules. This will result in a miscarriage. Got it?
(JAIME comes to sit in the
circle, next to RICHARD.
She nods. Silence.)
EMILY
(Happily) Richard? You were saying?
RICHARD
(Shaken out of his stupor)(Flustered, fumbling.) Uh, right,
right, like I was saying, my name is Richard, I’ve existed for
7,815 days, and I’m due to be born in, well, 365 days.
EMILY
Wow, you’re so YOUNG. It’s incredible you were chosen this
early! You must feel so honored!
RICHARD
(About JAIME) Yeah, I guess I do…
JACK
Well, it’s a pleasure to meet ya bud. (Slaps RICHARD on back) Ya
like sports?
DANIEL
Alright guys, let’s settle down. Let’s have our final guest
introduce herself. (To JAIME) Please.
JAIME
(A beat) Hello. My name is Jaime. I’ve been here for 6,976 days,
and I will be born in 365 days. Same as Richard.
EMILY
OOOOOOOOoooooooo, two young ones Jack! Isn’t that refreshing!
What a coincidence!
JACK
Sure is, that sure is.
(The whole time, RICHARD has
been stealing glances at
JAIME. She notices.)
DANIEL
Alright guys, see you next week. Enjoy this final ‘before birth”
stage. After this, you’re on your way to being born. Please
remember the rules though. Do not form attachments. It’s better
this way. Understood?
(He looks at everyone in
turn, making sure his words
register with everyone.)
DANIEL
Great. That’s it for today. If you need any help, try figuring
it out. If you can’t, well, find me I guess. Bye.
(DANIEL leaves first, perhaps
a little hurriedly.)
(JACK leaves next, saying
goodbye to everyone.)
(EMILY, the last to leave,
hugs and bubbly goodbyes.)
(RICHARD and JAIME are left
together, alone.)
RICHARD
Hi.
JAIME
Hi.
RICHARD
I’m Richard.
JAIME
I know. (Smiles) I’m Jaime.
RICHARD
(Smiles) Hi Jaime.
(… RICHARD and JAIME look at
each other)
(Something unspoken is
happening.)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF SCENE 1)
ACT I
SCENE 2
(JAIME and RICHARD walk into
the clearing. Water in the
distance. Serene, wonderful,
magical.)
JAIME
Wow… This is just… Beautiful, Richard.
RICHARD
Yeah, it’s… It’s special here. I’ve never taken anyone with me
before. Kept it to myself I guess.
JAIME
Well, thank you. For bringing me.
RICHARD
(Smiles at her.)
JAIME
Can I tell you a secret? {Richard nods yes)
I love it here. I’m happy here. I don’t want to leave this
place.
RICHARD
I know. There’s so much to do, to see. So many people to meet.
JAIME
Have you ever thought about what it’s like?
RICHARD
What do you mean?
JAIME
Being born. Leaving this place. Forgetting everything. It just
seems so… sad.
RICHARD
Yeah, it does. Will I even be me anymore? I could be a whole
other person. I like me now.
JAIME
You will be. You just have to find yourself, buried beneath the
clutter.
…
…
Do you think we’ll ever meet each other? After we’re born?
RICHARD
I never thought about that. Yes. I don’t know. How will we even
know?
JAIME
I hope we will. I like this, Richard. What we have. And we’ll
know. On some base level, I’ll know it’s you.
…
I’ll know it’s you.
(They’re sitting on a bench.
He grabs her hand. They sit,
together.)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF SCENE 2)
ACT I
SCENE 3
(EMILY, JAIME, and
RICHARD are back in their
group meeting. There is a
noticeable spot where JACK
once was. DANIEL joins the
others.)
DANIEL
Well, there goes Jack. I wish him the best.
EMILY
I’m going to miss Jack, and his accent!
DANIEL
We know you will Em. That’s why we don’t form bonds here. Well,
that’s all for today. I’ll see you all next time.
(DANIEL leaves, leaving
EMILY, RICHARD, and JAIME.)
EMILY
I can’t believe Jack’s gone! I’m so happy for him.
(Beat)
That means I’m next! Only 111 days left.
(Excitement fades slightly.)
Can I tell you guys something?
JAIME
Yeah, of course Em, that’s what we’re here for. What’s wrong?
EMILY
I chose to look at who my family was going to be on earth.
RICHARD
Oh, wow. Who are they?
EMILY
I’ve always wanted a family to love. To love me. To be a part of
something… wholesome.
(Beat)
(Beat)
EMILY (Con’t)
My father is a drunk, who beats my mother, and my mother is a
drug addict who already hates me…
(EMILY is now upset. Her
usual cheerful self is gone.
JAIME and RICHARD have never
seen her like this before,
they don’t know what to
say.)
JAIME
… She doesn’t even know you yet.
EMILY
It’s just… I’ve always imagined being part of a normal, happy
family. That’s all I ever wanted. I remember one of my friends
from a long time ago. She looked into her future. She told me
about how her mom brushed her hair. How her dad danced with her
at her wedding. That’s all I wanted. And this is what I get.
JAIME
Emily… No. You don’t deserve that. How could they… do that to
you?
RICHARD
Emily, listen to me. That’s not going to happen. We’re going to
fix this, ok?
EMILY
What do you mean?
RICHARD
We’re not going to let this happen to you Emily.
JAIME
Richard. That’s grounds for a miscarriage.
RICHARD
We’re going to fight this!
EMILY
But, Richard, there’s nothing TO do. This is it. We can’t fight
ANYTHING. You can’t change that. I was chosen, for this family.
It’s better to live a life than not, right? I mean, everything
happens for a reason.
RICHARD
I don’t know, but Emily, how can you just accept this?
EMILY
Because, there’s no choice about this.
(Beat)
Anyways, maybe I can help! Maybe they’ll learn to love me. Or
maybe they won’t.
(Beat)
The two of you are still so young. You don’t know what I mean,
but you will soon. Your turns are coming. Look, I’ll see you two
soon, ok?
(EMILY leaves. RICHARD
and JAIME are left
alone.)
JAIME
Richard…
RICHARD
I know. I can’t believe it. She doesn’t deserve that. It’s not
right.
JAIME
No, Richard, she’s right. Our day is coming. They’re taking us
from this place… from each other.
(This truth sinks in.)
JAIME
I don’t want to lose you Richard.
RICHARD
Jaime, listen to me. I know we’re not supposed to make these
bonds here. But we have. We’re connected now. Jaime, I…
JAIME
Don’t say it.
(…)
RICHARD
I love you.
(…)
RICHARD
Jaime? I love you.
JAIME
I love you, Richard.
(They are close. Touching
each other. Looking at each
other. They lean in, kiss,
ever so gently, tenderly, a
first kiss, a thing of
beauty.)
(They pull away, still
holding each other.)
(He pulls her into him, holds
her.)
JAIME
You’ll find me?
RICHARD
I promise.
JAIME
You can’t promise that.
RICHARD
I can. There has to be some way to change this. I’m going to
find something. I’ll meet you tonight, at our spot, ok?
JAIME
Ok.
(RICHARD leaves to find `
answers. JAIME is left
alone. After a time, DANIEL
meets her.)
DANIEL
You wanted to see me?
JAIME
Yes. I… want to see my family. Who they’re going to be. What’s
going to happen.
DANIEL
(Perplexed) Are you sure you want to do this? Look at Emily.
What she saw. There’s no telling what you’ll see.
(JAIME nods in assent.)
DANIEL
Ok. Hold on a second.
(He walks away for a moment.
When he comes back, he has
BRETT with him.)
DANIEL
This is Brett, he’s an associate of mine. He’s going to help you
pierce the veil and see into the mortal plain.
(JAIME nods again. BRETT
steps towards her.)
BRETT
Hello Jaime. Now, this process, while simple, can be very
upsetting. Sometimes, it’s better not to know what’s in store.
Remember, we are merely viewing your future through a portal.
There is no changing what you see. Are you sure you want to do
this?
JAIME
Yes. I want to see.
BRETT
It is not recommended.
(She gives him a look.)
BRETT
Ok. Breathe deeply for me.
(JAIME begins breathing
deeply. After a moment,
Brett touches her forehead.
Another moment. A
little smile creeps across
JAIME’s face. Then a big
one. A look of wonder. Joy.
Then slight concern. It
builds. She begins murmuring
to herself.)
JAIME
No… No… No, no. No… No, no. No no no no NO.
(Fear is displayed on her
face now. BRETT and DANIEL
look on with concern. She
begins shaking a little,
gets a little louder. Before
it gets any worse, BRETT
steps in, touches her
forehead. She collapses,
breathing heavily.)
JAIME
(To Herself)
He’s not there… He’s not there…
BRETT
Who’s not there?
JAIME
RICHARD! He’s not there, he’s not there…
(BRETT looks at DANIEL
questioningly.)
DANIEL
Richard is another member of her group, I-
BRETT
Daniel, you know better than to allow that. (To JAIME) Jaime,
please understand. I know this is hard to accept, but what
you’re feeling, it isn’t real. You’re not able to make
connections here.
JAIME
Why not?
BRETT
Because this is not life! Life is waiting for you. On Earth.
That’s where you bond. Where you love.
JAIME
But I love him now. Here!
BRETT
I’m sorry Jaime. It’s not real. (To Daniel) I’m giving you
express approval to do whatever you need to do, and do it right.
We’ll need to talk about this after you clean up the mess,
understood?
(DANIEL nods. BRETT walks
offstage.)
DANIEL
Jaime, I’m sorry, I should have…
JAIME
I love him!
DANIEL
You have no idea where you’re going to end up. You just go.
That’s why this can’t happen.
JAIME
Don’t send us, *push our dates back!
(*Pity smile from DANIEL)
DANIEL
I can’t do that.
JAIME
But…
DANIEL
There’s nothing I can do.
(JAIME sags in defeat. DANIEL
doesn’t know what to do. She
murmurs something.)
DANIEL
What?
JAIME
… Send me now.
DANIEL
And Richard?
JAIME
He won’t understand.
I can’t love him here, knowing that we are separated on earth.
Send me now.
DANIEL
This is what you want?
JAIME
Yes.
(…)
DANIEL
There’s no going back.
(She nods.)
DANIEL
Ok.
JAIME
Tell Richard I’m sorry. Tell him I tried. But we can’t change
this. I wish we could.
(DANIEL leaves)
(…)
I love you.
(The room pulses. A rumbling
starts. It’s getting louder,
like an approaching wave.
The room goes bright, then
darkness. She’s gone.)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF SCENE 3)
ACT I
SCENE 4
(DANIEL is alone, waiting.
RICHARD finds him.)
RICHARD
I can’t find Jaime.
DANIEL
She’s gone.
(This stops RICHARD dead in
his tracks.)
RICHARD
What do you mean, gone?
DANIEL
She’s been born.
RICHARD
How is that possible? Our dates were the same.
DANIEL
She chose to leave.
RICHARD
That’s not… She wouldn’t do that.
DANIEL
She saw where she was going. What happens to her, her life… You
weren’t in it.
RICHARD
She couldn’t have… She didn’t know! We could have still been
together!
DANIEL
Destiny doesn’t lie, Richard.
RICHARD
I don’t accept that. I won’t. Why did you let her go?!
DANIEL
It was her choice.
RICHARD
It’s not. If it were we’d choose to be together!
DANIEL
That’s not your choi-
RICHARD
Yeah, it’s not.
(…)
Send me down.
DANIEL
What?
RICHARD
Send me. After her.
DANIEL
Richard, there’s nothing you can do. It’s done.
RICHARD
I love her. Now send me. That’s MY choice.
(…)
(…)
DANIEL
I hope you find what you’re looking for.
(DANIEL leaves.)
RICHARD
I promise.
(The room pulses. A rumbling
starts. It’s getting louder,
like an approaching wave.
The room goes bright, then
darkness. He’s gone.)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF SCENE 4)
ACT 1
SCENE 5
(Lights up. DANIEL and BRETT
are standing center stage.)
BRETT
They both wanted to go early?
DANIEL
Yup.
BRETT
That’s too bad.
DANIEL
…I really wish we could do something for them, you know?
BRETT
Enough of that talk. If you even want a chance of…
DANIEL
Brett.
BRETT
What did you do?
DANIEL
I’m sick of this. Standing by. Who are we to decide who or when
these people love? They should have that right, even if it’s a
mistake. I gave them a chance, Brett. A small one. I gave them
what I wish I got.
BRETT
You’ve imbalanced the entire cosmos, so two people have a chance
to meet?! This is beyond bad, Daniel. It’s irreprehensible. I’m
sorry, but I have to inform upper management.
DANIEL
I understand.
BRETT
… Daniel, now you’ll never be sent down to earth. You’ll be
miscarried. Always.
DANIEL
I know.
(BRETT turns to go.)
This feels right.
(BRETT stops)
BRETT
Save some face. Turn yourself in.
(BRETT walks away. DANIEL
remains motionless for a
moment.)
DANIEL
(Quietly)
Good Luck.
(He walks off to join BRETT.)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF SCENE 5)
ACT 1
EPILOGUE
(In the darkness, we hear
babies crying. Fades. “These
Eyes” [Song] plays. A video
appears. A montage of life
events for a boy and a girl
appear. Video ends. Song
fades. JAIME and RICHARD
bump into each other.)
BOTH
Sorry.
(They both chuckle. Look at
each other. Something
crosses over JAIME’s face.)
JAIME
Do I know you?
(A small smile creeps over
RICHARD’s face.)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF EPILOGUE)
(END OF PLAY)*
