PASSAGES - EPISODE 2, ACT 1

Cast of Characters (opens in new window)

Previous: Episode 1, Act 6



I. A) RUMINATIONS RESTAURANT. THE DINNER CROWD IS JUST STARTING TO TRICKLE IN; TWO OR THREE DUOS ARE ALREADY SEATED AT TABLES, AND A YOUNG WOMAN IS WALKING TO A TABLE, DUMPING A BACKPACK ON IT AND SITTING DOWN. A WAITRESS DELIVERS A COUPLE OF CAPPUCINOS TO ONE COUPLE, AND THEN GOES OVER TO THE NEWCOMER'S TABLE. THERE IS TRENDY MUSIC COMING OVER THE SPEAKERS. TYLOR STANDS NEAR THE BAR, CHATTING WITH THE BARTENDER, BUT KEEPING AN EYE ON EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON. CONNOR WALKS IN THE DOOR AND PAUSES, LOOKING AROUND. AS HE SPOTS TYLOR SHE WAVES, AND BECKONS HIM OVER.


TYLOR - Hi Connor. How're you doing?

CONNOR - Great, Tylor. Sorry I called so last minute. Were you able to…?

TYLOR - No problem at all. (SHE LEANS OVER THE BAR AND ASKS THE BARTENDER: ) Is it under there? I put it aside -- (HE RUMMAGES AROUND AND BRINGS UP A BOTTLE IN A BAG) -- that's it, thanks. (TYLOR TAKES IT OUT OF THE BAG AND DISPLAYS IT FOR CONNOR) How's this? Will it do?

CONNOR - It'll more than "do," Tylor. It's exactly right. You're a genius and I owe you. I couldn't believe I forgot to buy wine for tonight.

TYLOR - Sounds important. Do you have a special evening planned, with special company?

CONNOR - Well…yes, actually…

TYLOR - I'm intrigued. Who's the lucky guy?

( Continue Episode 2, Act 1 )

Next: Episode 2, Act 2 

PASSAGES - EPISODE 2, ACT 2

Previous: Episode 2, Act 1

II.A) VICKERY LIVING ROOM. MANY OF THE GUESTS HAVE COME INTO THE ROOM AND ARE STANDING AROUND IN LITTLE GROUPS, TALKING QUIETLY. ARTHUR, DARCY, RYAN, AND KEVIN ARE BASICALLY AS THEY WERE AT THE END OF THE LAST SCENE. PAIGE AND AUDREY STAND TO ONE SIDE, WATCHING THEM.


AUDREY - What's going on? Why is he -- is it Ryan, or Kevin? -- why is he so mad at -- whoever the other one is?

PAIGE - The one who's mad is Ryan. The one who he knocked down is Kevin.

AUDREY - You can really tell? I'm impressed. So why is Ryan so mad?

( Read the rest of Act 2 )

Next: Episode 2, Act 3

PASSAGES - EPISODE 2, ACT 3

Previous: Episode 2, Act 2


III.A) CONNOR HOLLISTER'S LIVING ROOM. CONNOR AND KYLE PULL BACK OUT OF THEIR EMBRACE AND SMILE AT EACH OTHER. CONNOR STEPS BACK AND MOTIONS FOR KYLE TO COME IN.


KYLE - I know I'm a few minutes early...

CONNOR - Do you think I mind? As though I haven't been ready for a long time already. I've been looking forward to this all day.

KYLE - So have I. I feel like it's been weeks since we really talked.

CONNOR - Days, at least. Sit down and relax. Would you like some wine?

KYLE - Yes, thanks. (HE SITS AND WATCHES CONNOR POUR THE TWO GLASSES) Con, listen. I'm sorry about what happened at Tylor's. I didn't realize you knew her.

( Read the rest of Act 3 )

Next: Episode 2, Act 4

PASSAGES - EPISODE 2, ACT 4

Previous: Episode 2, Act 3


IV.A) VICKERY LIVING ROOM. KEVIN AND RYAN FACE EACH OTHER. BEHIND THEM THE OTHER WELL-WISHERS ARE STILL MILLING ABOUT AND TALKING QUIETLY. KEVIN TAKES A SLOW, DELIBERATE SIP FROM HIS DRINK.


KEVIN - If you think I'm ignoring you, you can always hit me to get my attention.

RYAN - Kevin -- I'm sorry!

KEVIN - Oh. Well. That makes it alright, then.

( More of Act 4 )

Next: Episode 2, Act 5 

PASSAGES - EPISODE 2, ACT 5

Previous: Episode 2, Act 4


V.A) CONNOR’S LIVING ROOM. CONNOR AND KYLE STILL STAND FACING EACH OTHER. THEN KYLE MOVES BACK TO THE COUCH, SITS DOWN, AND PICKS UP HIS WINE. HE TAKES A SIP.

KYLE – Connor, don’t be ridiculous. Tylor’s no more in love with me than she is with you.

CONNOR – I know what I saw, Kyle. She was showing you off to me.

KYLE – She was introducing me to you. There’s a difference.

CONNOR – I know. My point exactly. (HE RESUMES HIS OWN SEAT)

KYLE – Honestly, we’re just friends. You should know that better than anybody.

CONNOR – I know that. And you know that. But Tylor doesn’t.

( Finish Act 5 )

Next: Episode 3, Act 1 

THE ALLY - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - A Subject Broached

Maes Hughes waited outside the door, toes tapping. He knew he was almost a half hour late, but he didn't think Gracia would mind too much. He hoped not, anyway. It was all because the first flower shop he went to was closed for some reason, so he had to hunt down another one. He hoped she wasn't mad. She was taking an awfully long time to answer the door. What if she'd left?

But no. He could hear footsteps in her front hallway now, and finally the door was opening, and there she was, asking anxiously, "Maes, are you alright? I was starting to worry that something had happened to you. Come in, please." She ushered him in and closed the door, her eyes darting up and down his tall form, looking for possible injuries. 

( Read the rest of Chapter 1 )

 
Next: The Ally - Chapter 2

THE ALLY - Chapter 2

Previous: The Ally - Chapter 1

Chapter 2: The Test

It was, Hughes decided later, one of the more surreal evenings of his life. It began innocuously enough, as he and Roy strolled down the street toward the house Gracia rented. Roy didn't say much, but he exuded reluctance all the way. It had taken quite a bit of persuasion to get him even to agree to this, and Hughes could tell he still wasn't entirely convinced he should be here.

It was unnerving, too, to see how Roy's eyes constantly swept the street, back and forth, before and behind, ceaselessly on the alert for danger. Part of the reason was that the habits learned in Ishbal were hard to overcome, even now that the danger had been left behind. But this was more than habit. This was a haunting. Hughes saw the shadows in his friend's eyes, shadows of memory and fear. He couldn't guess how many ghosts inhabited the street with them. 

( Read chapter 2 )

 

Next: The Ally - Chapter 3

 

THE ALLY - Chapter 3

Previous: The Ally - Chapter 2 


Chapter 3: Aftermath

Maes reflected that he was spending a lot of time lately, escorting people down the street who really didn’t want to go with him.

“Are you sure we should bother him so soon?” Gracia fretted as she strove to keep pace with his long strides.

He slowed down. “Roy did say we should talk today,” he reminded her.

“But it’s barely noon. Maybe he’d like more time. I wonder if he really wants to see either of us yet.”

“I know Roy,” Hughes said. “He’s been expecting me since dawn. If I didn’t show up, he’d be really surprised.” He caught her skeptical glance, and laughed. “He’d know I’d be so worried about him that I couldn’t stay away. If I didn’t show up, he’d think something had happened to me.” 

( Finish  )