PASSAGES - EPISODE 2, ACT 5
Oct. 21st, 2007 03:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kashiwritesPrevious: 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.
KYLE – Yes she does. She’s never given any sign that she’s interested in me romantically, and I’ve never given any encouragement to the idea. You know what I think this is? You’re jealous. You actually feel threatened.
CONNOR – Jealous! How could I possibly be jealous. I know you’re gay. It’s Tylor who doesn’t. I’m just worried she might get hurt.
KYLE – Well, don’t worry. I’d never allow her to be hurt. I care about her too much for that. Don’t you trust me?
CONNOR – Sure I trust you. But sometimes we’re blind to the things that are closest to us. And I just think it would be so much easier for you if you went public.
KYLE – (LOOKS AWAY MOROSELY) “Easier.” When you use a word like that, it’s obvious we come from very different backgrounds.
CONNOR – What do you mean?
KYLE – Look at your family. They’re so supportive. It’s no big deal to them that you’re gay. They accept you as you are because their beliefs allow them to be open to that. But my family... (HE SHUDDERS) If my father ever found out, he’d kill me. He’d absolutely kill me. Just for starters.
CONNOR – I know he’d be furious. At first, anyway. But usually, after people have time to get used to the idea –
KYLE – No! Not him. He’d never be able to accept my being gay. His beliefs would never allow it.
CONNOR – People change, Kyle.
KYLE – The entire world would have to change. He would have to change his beliefs about everything in the whole world. I can’t ask that he destroy himself that way.
CONNOR – Just so long as you don’t destroy yourself instead.
KYLE – Connor. (HE PUTS HIS HAND ON CONNOR’S). Things aren’t really too bad the way they are now. I’ve never been happier in my life. If I came out to everyone, that would be destroyed. I’m not going to allow that. Now. Can we drop it? I don’t want to ruin our evening. I was hoping it might go in…a different direction.
CONNOR – (SMILES KNOWINGLY) Oh, were you? And what sort of direction was that? (KYLE LIFTS CONNOR’S HAND AND STARTS KISSING AND LICKING THE FINGERS) Ah. That direction. And people try to tell me you’re shy...
V.B) VICKERY LIVING ROOM. KEVIN IS STILL STARING AT BLYTHE, BUT THE FOCUS HAS WIDENED AND WE CAN SEE ARTHUR IN THE DOORWAY, SHAKING HANDS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GRADUALLY STARTING TO TAKE THEIR LEAVE.
KEVIN – Are you out of your mind, Blythe? Audrey is a high school student. She has to be only – what? – sixteen?
BLYTHE – She’ll be eighteen next month. Legal age. For everything, Kevin.
KEVIN – I think I’m disgusted.
BLYTHE – Well, you seem to preoccupied with her...
KEVIN – She just did me a very great favour. I’m grateful. Don’t read anything more into it than that. My God, what kind of dirty old man do you think I am?
BLYTHE – Alright, don’t get so excited. I apologize for everything.
KEVIN – Sure you do.
BLYTHE – I do. Abjectly. Oh, Adrian. (FLAGS HIM AS HE’S WALKING PAST) I think it’s time we go. We’ve taxed the family enough today.
ADRIAN – You’re probably right. (HE PUTS A HAND ON KEVIN’S SHOULDER) Listen, old man. You know if there’s anything I can do, you just need to ask.
KEVIN – Thanks, Adrian.
ADRIAN – And I understand you’re not going back to Boston?
KEVIN – Not for this term, anyway.
ADRIAN – So you’re just going to kick back and relax for a while?
KEVIN – Actually, I was hoping my father would let me work with him in some capacity. A kind of hands-on application of what I’ve been learning in school.
ADRIAN – Well, I hope he agrees. Then you and I might be working together. I’ll teach you everything I know about the business, though I’m still picking up a lot of it myself. Justin would probably be the better teacher.
KEVIN – Maybe the three of us can do something together.
ADRIAN – The team of the future. Maybe we can. Well, Blythe. Time to go.
BLYTHE – Right. I have a very big day coming up.
KEVIN – Giving a little fashion show, are we?
BLYTHE – Don’t be so condescending, Kevin. I’m expecting a riot outside the salon tomorrow.
KEVIN – Excuse me?
BLYTHE – I’m getting a new shipment of furs tomorrow, and I’ve heard a rumor that there’s going to be a protest.
ADRIAN – I still think you should ask the police to oversee things.
BLYTHE – Based on a mere rumor? Hardly. And I don’t want them involved in my business, anyway. You ought to know what an adverse effect that could have on my kind of clientele.
ADRIAN – And a riot would have a better effect?
BLYTHE – It might, yes. (ADRIAN EYES HER SCEPTICALLY)
KEVIN – Think of it, Adrian. All those scruffy, sandal-wearing nature types in their shapeless, hand-woven natural fibres.
BLYTHE – And no makeup.
KEVIN – Exactly. And all these scruffy, penniless nature types turn up, asserting their moral superiority, saying what a bad thing it is to wear fur. What proper snob can resist the temptation to rush out and buy a wardrobe full of the things?
BLYTHE – I’ve had my sales almost double, sometimes, the day after one of these demonstrations.
ADRIAN – (ADMIRINGLY) You’re utterly devious. I had no idea. I think you could teach uncle Arthur a thing or two.
BLYTHE – Trade secret. Keep your mouth shut. Well, Kevin… (SHE KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK) Take care of yourself.
KEVIN – I will, Blythe, thank you.
ADRIAN – See you later, Kevin.
(BLYTHE AND ADRIAN WALK OVER TO ARTHUR AND GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF TAKING THEIR LEAVE. PAIGE APPROACHES KEVIN.)
PAIGE – Hi, Kevin.
KEVIN – Hi there, Paige. (HE PUTS A COUSINLY ARM AROUND HER SHOULDERS) How’re you doing?
PAIGE – I’m okay. How are you? I think that’s more important.
KEVIN – We’re all putting on a brave face. But it isn’t easy.
PAIGE – I know. My dad was worried about all of you. He’s been really worried about Ryan.
KEVIN – (VERY INTERESTED IN HER REMARK) Oh yes? Why was he so worried about him?
PAIGE – I don’t know exactly. But Ryan has been acting pretty weird since your mom...you know...
KEVIN – ‘Weird’? How?
PAIGE – It’s hard to describe. He keeps asking my dad a lot of questions about what happened to your mom...you know, if she’d been sick for a long time and never told anybody, or if it was something sudden. Every time I saw him the last three days, that’s all he seemed to talk about. When he wasn’t worrying about you.
KEVIN – Me? What did he say?
PAIGE – Oh, stuff like, he couldn’t wait to talk to you, and everything would be fixed when you got home.
KEVIN – Well, he’s right about that, Paige. I’m going to fix everything, I promise. That’s one reason I’m staying home this semester. I’m even going to talk to your father, once things settle down. So we’re all going to be alright.
PAIGE – I hope so. We’ve all been so sad to start with, it made everything worse to see him. I’m glad you’re home.
DARCY – (APPROACHES) Paige, dear. Your mother was looking for you. I think your family’s already on their way to the car.
PAIGE – Okay. Well, I guess I gotta go.
KEVIN – Give my respects to Audrey in class tomorrow.
PAIGE – You’re kidding. Right?
KEVIN – I am, actually. See you later, Paige. (SHE DEPARTS)
DARCY – Well, almost over. I’m so glad.
KEVIN – So am I.
DARCY – You must be tired. Flying from Boston, and then everything else today.
KEVIN. – Yeah. A little.
DARCY – Uncle Nelson gave me some pills to help me sleep. Do you want to take some?
KEVIN – I doubt I’ll need the help, Darce. But thanks. I guess everybody’s been taking this hard. Paige was telling me that Ryan’s been acting quite strangely since he found out about mother.
DARCY – Oh, you have to remember, Kevin. He was probably closer to her than any of us. I’m just glad you’re home. He’s really not the same without you, you know. He really loves you. (KEVIN LOOKS AT HER CONTEMPLATIVELY FOR A LONG MOMENT. SHE GLANCES TOWARD THE DOOR.) Oh. There are some people I need to say good-bye to. Do you mind?
KEVIN – Go ahead. We can talk later.
(SHE WALKS AWAY. KEVIN SPOTS RYAN SITTING ALONE AT THE OTHER END OF THE ROOM, AND WALKS OVER TO STAND IN FRONT OF HIM)
RYAN – Hi.
KEVIN – Hi. (PAUSE) You okay?
RYAN – Drained.
KEVIN – So am I. (HE HESITATES. SPEAKS UNCERTAINLY) I suppose we ought to talk...
RYAN – How’s your face?
KEVIN – What?
RYAN – Your face. Where I hit you.
KEVIN – (TOUCHES IT) I’ll be alright. (RUBS IT A LITTLE AND SMILES.
RYAN – Kev. I would like to talk. But can we do it tomorrow? Today has just been too much.
KEVIN – I know what you mean. Okay, Ryan. Tomorrow.
RYAN – (SIGHS) I still can’t believe she’s gone...
KEVIN – Ryan. Get something to eat and then go to bed. That’s what I’m going to do.
RYAN – So early?
KEVIN – We’ve got an excuse, I think.
RYAN – Yeah...okay. I’m going to hunt down a sandwich. You coming?
KEVIN – Be there in a minute.
(RYAN GETS UP AND SORT OF STAGGERS SLEEPILY AWAY. KEVIN SAGS IN TURN INTO THE CHAIR, WATCHING HIS BROTHER GO WITH A TROUBLED EXPRESSION. THEN HE LEANS FORWARD AND PUTS HIS ELBOWS ON HIS KNEES, RESTING HIS FOREHEAD ON HIS PALMS)
V.C) – UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM. IAN SLOUCHES IN A DESK AT THE VERY BACK OF THE ROOM. A TEXTBOOK AND NOTEBOOK SIT ON THE DESK – CLOSED. HE WATCHES OTHER STUDENTS COMING IN, AND IT’S OBVIOUS HE WISHES HE WERE ANYWHER BUT HERE. ONE HAND SITS ON TOP OF THE BOOKS, AND HE OPENS AND CLOSES IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, AS THOUGH IT’S STIFF.
THERE IS AN INTERVAL DURING WHICH NO STUDENTS COME IN. THEN A WOMAN ENTERS, OBVIOUSLY THE INSTRUCTOR, AND HEADS FOR THE FRONT OF THE ROOM. IAN UNCONSCIOUSLY STRAIGHTENS A LITTLE IN HIS CHAIR. THERE IS ONLY ONE DESK FREE, RIGHT BESIDE HIS.
FINALLY THE LAST STUDENT RUSHES IN, MAKING FOR THE EMPTY DESK. SHE PLOPS HER BOOKS ON IT AND LOOKS UP. IT IS AUDREY. SHE AND IAN STARE AT EACH OTHER FOR A LONG, FROZEN MOMENT. THEN THEY GROAN SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND SHE SITS DOWN AS HE LOOKS AWAY IN DISGUST.
Next: Episode 3, Act 1
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.
KYLE – Yes she does. She’s never given any sign that she’s interested in me romantically, and I’ve never given any encouragement to the idea. You know what I think this is? You’re jealous. You actually feel threatened.
CONNOR – Jealous! How could I possibly be jealous. I know you’re gay. It’s Tylor who doesn’t. I’m just worried she might get hurt.
KYLE – Well, don’t worry. I’d never allow her to be hurt. I care about her too much for that. Don’t you trust me?
CONNOR – Sure I trust you. But sometimes we’re blind to the things that are closest to us. And I just think it would be so much easier for you if you went public.
KYLE – (LOOKS AWAY MOROSELY) “Easier.” When you use a word like that, it’s obvious we come from very different backgrounds.
CONNOR – What do you mean?
KYLE – Look at your family. They’re so supportive. It’s no big deal to them that you’re gay. They accept you as you are because their beliefs allow them to be open to that. But my family... (HE SHUDDERS) If my father ever found out, he’d kill me. He’d absolutely kill me. Just for starters.
CONNOR – I know he’d be furious. At first, anyway. But usually, after people have time to get used to the idea –
KYLE – No! Not him. He’d never be able to accept my being gay. His beliefs would never allow it.
CONNOR – People change, Kyle.
KYLE – The entire world would have to change. He would have to change his beliefs about everything in the whole world. I can’t ask that he destroy himself that way.
CONNOR – Just so long as you don’t destroy yourself instead.
KYLE – Connor. (HE PUTS HIS HAND ON CONNOR’S). Things aren’t really too bad the way they are now. I’ve never been happier in my life. If I came out to everyone, that would be destroyed. I’m not going to allow that. Now. Can we drop it? I don’t want to ruin our evening. I was hoping it might go in…a different direction.
CONNOR – (SMILES KNOWINGLY) Oh, were you? And what sort of direction was that? (KYLE LIFTS CONNOR’S HAND AND STARTS KISSING AND LICKING THE FINGERS) Ah. That direction. And people try to tell me you’re shy...
V.B) VICKERY LIVING ROOM. KEVIN IS STILL STARING AT BLYTHE, BUT THE FOCUS HAS WIDENED AND WE CAN SEE ARTHUR IN THE DOORWAY, SHAKING HANDS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GRADUALLY STARTING TO TAKE THEIR LEAVE.
KEVIN – Are you out of your mind, Blythe? Audrey is a high school student. She has to be only – what? – sixteen?
BLYTHE – She’ll be eighteen next month. Legal age. For everything, Kevin.
KEVIN – I think I’m disgusted.
BLYTHE – Well, you seem to preoccupied with her...
KEVIN – She just did me a very great favour. I’m grateful. Don’t read anything more into it than that. My God, what kind of dirty old man do you think I am?
BLYTHE – Alright, don’t get so excited. I apologize for everything.
KEVIN – Sure you do.
BLYTHE – I do. Abjectly. Oh, Adrian. (FLAGS HIM AS HE’S WALKING PAST) I think it’s time we go. We’ve taxed the family enough today.
ADRIAN – You’re probably right. (HE PUTS A HAND ON KEVIN’S SHOULDER) Listen, old man. You know if there’s anything I can do, you just need to ask.
KEVIN – Thanks, Adrian.
ADRIAN – And I understand you’re not going back to Boston?
KEVIN – Not for this term, anyway.
ADRIAN – So you’re just going to kick back and relax for a while?
KEVIN – Actually, I was hoping my father would let me work with him in some capacity. A kind of hands-on application of what I’ve been learning in school.
ADRIAN – Well, I hope he agrees. Then you and I might be working together. I’ll teach you everything I know about the business, though I’m still picking up a lot of it myself. Justin would probably be the better teacher.
KEVIN – Maybe the three of us can do something together.
ADRIAN – The team of the future. Maybe we can. Well, Blythe. Time to go.
BLYTHE – Right. I have a very big day coming up.
KEVIN – Giving a little fashion show, are we?
BLYTHE – Don’t be so condescending, Kevin. I’m expecting a riot outside the salon tomorrow.
KEVIN – Excuse me?
BLYTHE – I’m getting a new shipment of furs tomorrow, and I’ve heard a rumor that there’s going to be a protest.
ADRIAN – I still think you should ask the police to oversee things.
BLYTHE – Based on a mere rumor? Hardly. And I don’t want them involved in my business, anyway. You ought to know what an adverse effect that could have on my kind of clientele.
ADRIAN – And a riot would have a better effect?
BLYTHE – It might, yes. (ADRIAN EYES HER SCEPTICALLY)
KEVIN – Think of it, Adrian. All those scruffy, sandal-wearing nature types in their shapeless, hand-woven natural fibres.
BLYTHE – And no makeup.
KEVIN – Exactly. And all these scruffy, penniless nature types turn up, asserting their moral superiority, saying what a bad thing it is to wear fur. What proper snob can resist the temptation to rush out and buy a wardrobe full of the things?
BLYTHE – I’ve had my sales almost double, sometimes, the day after one of these demonstrations.
ADRIAN – (ADMIRINGLY) You’re utterly devious. I had no idea. I think you could teach uncle Arthur a thing or two.
BLYTHE – Trade secret. Keep your mouth shut. Well, Kevin… (SHE KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK) Take care of yourself.
KEVIN – I will, Blythe, thank you.
ADRIAN – See you later, Kevin.
(BLYTHE AND ADRIAN WALK OVER TO ARTHUR AND GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF TAKING THEIR LEAVE. PAIGE APPROACHES KEVIN.)
PAIGE – Hi, Kevin.
KEVIN – Hi there, Paige. (HE PUTS A COUSINLY ARM AROUND HER SHOULDERS) How’re you doing?
PAIGE – I’m okay. How are you? I think that’s more important.
KEVIN – We’re all putting on a brave face. But it isn’t easy.
PAIGE – I know. My dad was worried about all of you. He’s been really worried about Ryan.
KEVIN – (VERY INTERESTED IN HER REMARK) Oh yes? Why was he so worried about him?
PAIGE – I don’t know exactly. But Ryan has been acting pretty weird since your mom...you know...
KEVIN – ‘Weird’? How?
PAIGE – It’s hard to describe. He keeps asking my dad a lot of questions about what happened to your mom...you know, if she’d been sick for a long time and never told anybody, or if it was something sudden. Every time I saw him the last three days, that’s all he seemed to talk about. When he wasn’t worrying about you.
KEVIN – Me? What did he say?
PAIGE – Oh, stuff like, he couldn’t wait to talk to you, and everything would be fixed when you got home.
KEVIN – Well, he’s right about that, Paige. I’m going to fix everything, I promise. That’s one reason I’m staying home this semester. I’m even going to talk to your father, once things settle down. So we’re all going to be alright.
PAIGE – I hope so. We’ve all been so sad to start with, it made everything worse to see him. I’m glad you’re home.
DARCY – (APPROACHES) Paige, dear. Your mother was looking for you. I think your family’s already on their way to the car.
PAIGE – Okay. Well, I guess I gotta go.
KEVIN – Give my respects to Audrey in class tomorrow.
PAIGE – You’re kidding. Right?
KEVIN – I am, actually. See you later, Paige. (SHE DEPARTS)
DARCY – Well, almost over. I’m so glad.
KEVIN – So am I.
DARCY – You must be tired. Flying from Boston, and then everything else today.
KEVIN. – Yeah. A little.
DARCY – Uncle Nelson gave me some pills to help me sleep. Do you want to take some?
KEVIN – I doubt I’ll need the help, Darce. But thanks. I guess everybody’s been taking this hard. Paige was telling me that Ryan’s been acting quite strangely since he found out about mother.
DARCY – Oh, you have to remember, Kevin. He was probably closer to her than any of us. I’m just glad you’re home. He’s really not the same without you, you know. He really loves you. (KEVIN LOOKS AT HER CONTEMPLATIVELY FOR A LONG MOMENT. SHE GLANCES TOWARD THE DOOR.) Oh. There are some people I need to say good-bye to. Do you mind?
KEVIN – Go ahead. We can talk later.
(SHE WALKS AWAY. KEVIN SPOTS RYAN SITTING ALONE AT THE OTHER END OF THE ROOM, AND WALKS OVER TO STAND IN FRONT OF HIM)
RYAN – Hi.
KEVIN – Hi. (PAUSE) You okay?
RYAN – Drained.
KEVIN – So am I. (HE HESITATES. SPEAKS UNCERTAINLY) I suppose we ought to talk...
RYAN – How’s your face?
KEVIN – What?
RYAN – Your face. Where I hit you.
KEVIN – (TOUCHES IT) I’ll be alright. (RUBS IT A LITTLE AND SMILES.
RYAN – Kev. I would like to talk. But can we do it tomorrow? Today has just been too much.
KEVIN – I know what you mean. Okay, Ryan. Tomorrow.
RYAN – (SIGHS) I still can’t believe she’s gone...
KEVIN – Ryan. Get something to eat and then go to bed. That’s what I’m going to do.
RYAN – So early?
KEVIN – We’ve got an excuse, I think.
RYAN – Yeah...okay. I’m going to hunt down a sandwich. You coming?
KEVIN – Be there in a minute.
(RYAN GETS UP AND SORT OF STAGGERS SLEEPILY AWAY. KEVIN SAGS IN TURN INTO THE CHAIR, WATCHING HIS BROTHER GO WITH A TROUBLED EXPRESSION. THEN HE LEANS FORWARD AND PUTS HIS ELBOWS ON HIS KNEES, RESTING HIS FOREHEAD ON HIS PALMS)
V.C) – UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM. IAN SLOUCHES IN A DESK AT THE VERY BACK OF THE ROOM. A TEXTBOOK AND NOTEBOOK SIT ON THE DESK – CLOSED. HE WATCHES OTHER STUDENTS COMING IN, AND IT’S OBVIOUS HE WISHES HE WERE ANYWHER BUT HERE. ONE HAND SITS ON TOP OF THE BOOKS, AND HE OPENS AND CLOSES IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, AS THOUGH IT’S STIFF.
THERE IS AN INTERVAL DURING WHICH NO STUDENTS COME IN. THEN A WOMAN ENTERS, OBVIOUSLY THE INSTRUCTOR, AND HEADS FOR THE FRONT OF THE ROOM. IAN UNCONSCIOUSLY STRAIGHTENS A LITTLE IN HIS CHAIR. THERE IS ONLY ONE DESK FREE, RIGHT BESIDE HIS.
FINALLY THE LAST STUDENT RUSHES IN, MAKING FOR THE EMPTY DESK. SHE PLOPS HER BOOKS ON IT AND LOOKS UP. IT IS AUDREY. SHE AND IAN STARE AT EACH OTHER FOR A LONG, FROZEN MOMENT. THEN THEY GROAN SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND SHE SITS DOWN AS HE LOOKS AWAY IN DISGUST.
Next: Episode 3, Act 1
