The Pink Box

Dark Comedy, Future Nostalgia, Meta

Present day

Characters:

All women/woman identifying persons cast, excluding THE SHADOW (m).

EVELYN (female, mid 20s): funny despite it all, can bring levity to a situation 

THERAPIST (late 50s/early 60s): EVELYN’s therapist

GUY (Doubled as RILEY and GEORGIA): Just that. He is just a guy.

GEORGIA (late 20s): EVELYN’s older sister

RILEY (mid 20s): EVELYN’s friend from college

STAGE MANAGER (any age, any gender): the stage manager

THE SHADOW (male, late 20s/early 30s): Redacted in his final form. TV Static. Phantom Virus from Cyberchase fame.

Character notes: 

GUY should be thought of as puppet-like. Add or remove costume pieces to differentiate between the men EVELYN references.

ACT I

Scene One: Session

Curtains open. 

Lights up on EVELYN as she enters, carrying a pile of old journals.

EVELYN: Alright, I’ve had it!

Downstage center she drops the journals in front of an armchair, cozy but old. She sits. Lights up all the way, we see EVELYN’s therapist sitting in a matching armchair, She is upstage right from EVELYN. We can see things that make the idea of a therapist’s office. A clock, stress balls, a calendar, a motivational quote on a poster, etc.

THERAPIST: What’s all this?

EVELYN: My journals! Not a single one has given me any sort of answer. Journaling will help me process? Well it hasn’t and here is my proof!

THERAPIST: I can understand your frustration, but there aren’t usually quick fixes to these kinds of things.

EVELYN: I’m angry. Fed up! 

THERAPIST: About? 

EVELYN: It’s been six years! Six years and I’ve hardly made a dent.

THERAPIST: A dent in what, exactly?

EVELYN: (holding her hands in prayer position) My healing journey. 

THERAPIST: Ah. Say more.

EVELYN: Going back and re-reading my old journals was just depressing. It’s a mix of sadness and rage, but I don’t know. There is something else. It’s uncomfortable. 

Beat.

I have to tell myself there is nothing to be done. No schemes, no revenge, no grand apologies or reconciliation. There is nothing.

Beat. 

It’s a liminal space.

I don’t know. There is this stuck feeling that I thought would be gone by now.

THERAPIST: Mhmm.

Beat.

There is an idea that life is like a spiral. An event happens and then you move away from it, until later you come back around. It’s still there, it still happened and holds weight. The good thing though is that you are different at each pass of the spiral, as you get further and further away. Sometimes we feel stuck even when there is progress.

EVELYN: Yeah. I like that. I like that imagery. 

THERAPIST: Now, circling back– no pun intended– What makes you think you’ve made no progress.

EVELYN: Well… I. I know this isn’t something I will  move on from. I know it was, “traumatic,” but I guess I thought by this point I wouldn’t still be doubting myself about what happened, or how I feel about it. Like, okay, literally there has been some progress, I think I’m a lot more stable then I was a few years ago. I guess, I mean sometimes it can be hard to have patience for my “healing.” We’ve been doing this a long time now, and they aren’t as often, but I’m still having those nightmares. I still think about it all the time. My brain is locked and I can’t remember where I put the key. Six years and I still have this cloud hanging over me.

THERAPIST: Mm, well with dreams I recommend taking them with a grain of salt. You know, I wouldn’t follow it to a T, but dreams can be rich with metaphor. These dreams likely still happen because there is something bubbling up that your brain and body want you to reckon with. Next time you have a dream, I would be curious to hear about it. If you’re able to remember it, write it down.

EVELYN: I’ve been avoiding journaling, honestly. It’s been like a year. But yeah, I feel like when I was younger the only way to stop a recurring dream was to talk about it. Maybe it’s the same with this.

THERAPIST: What makes you want to avoid writing?

EVELYN: Frustration, mostly. Like I’m talking myself in circles. Ruminating too much. Maybe if I didn’t think at all I’d feel better about things. And it always comes back to Redacted? Why does he get that power? 

Beat.

I once had a professor who called it my, “material.” I was kind of stunned when she said that. Like the “material” is major depressive episodes and PTSD. It’s this painful stuff I’m purging out of myself. And it sneaks into every story. It escalates itself. Can I pick different “material?” I didn’t want that one. Logically, I know what she meant. Write what you know and write it well, like your life depends on it. So, you do because you finally beat writer's block. Am I exploiting or liberating myself?

THERAPIST: Two opposing ideas can exist at the same time.

EVELYN: (Banter) It always comes back to that.

THERAPIST: You can always bring your writing into session. We could talk through it, it might give you some more clarity.

EVELYN: Yeah. I guess I don’t know where to start. And maybe that’s why I’ve been avoiding it too, I guess. It feels overwhelming, like there is so much I want to say, but writing it down would make it real.

THERAPIST: How about a dialogue? You could try by starting with a conversation, if he was here right now what would you say?

EVELYN: Okay sure.

Beat.

What were your intentions? Why did you betray me like that?

THERAPIST: Good start. My only suggestion is don’t ask questions. It takes away the power of what you’re doing, almost like asking for approval, or that you need something from him. But the last part of what you said, what do you think he would say to that?

EVELYN: I think he would get defensive. He would probably say he was just joking around, that I need to let it go. I guess.

THERAPIST: Right. Would someone who cared about you say those things to you?

EVELYN: (sighs) No. And I know that. I want an apology so badly. I know I won’t get one. I’d like to make peace with that someday.

Lights down on the THERAPIST. 

EVELYN stands up from her chair and stretches. The Pink Box appears on her chair, but she does not acknowledge/know it is there.

EVELYN: (to the audience) My wants are pulling me in different directions. I want clarity, but I don’t want to think about it. I want an apology, but would I want to forgive? Some people find peace in forgiveness, maybe I can get there one day. There is this part of me that is still 19. That part of me wants to be friends again. But I can’t even say his name without feeling like I’m giving up some amount of power. Redacted. (incredulously) Two opposing truths can both be true blah blah blah.

EVELYN picks up one of the journals and looks at it, sadness and hope.

I used to be good at journaling. From 6th grade through high school I was diligent. I guess it was kinda fun to re-read some of these really old ones. The crushes and the gossip and the drama. Life felt so dramatic. 

Beat.

A dialouge. Dia-o-log. I can do a dialouge. But it’s not just one conversation I can dictate onto the page. It’s these feelings. It's an aura that I can’t capture on film. You have to hear him to understand.

Beat.

It would almost be easier if I - did it? You know, I could act it out. Make it tangible.

Beat.

(rolling her eyes) Might as well just put on a play.

GEORGIA, RILEY, the THERAPIST, and the STAGE MANAGER enter, as if EVELYN willed them to do so.

EVELYN: Oh! 

Beat.

I didn’t mean right now.

The actors do not move. 

Beat.

It’s funny, my old therapist in college suggested I write a play about my feelings. I never did because, well, I guess I didn’t. Besides, a play? It’s a dumb idea.  

The actors still do not move.

No, I can’t let my avoidance win again. 

EVELYN ponders, suddenly struck with inspiration.

Fine! My cast and crew! Hmmm, what else? Oh yes, our antagonist.

STAGE MANAGER reveals a puppet on a stick. It looks like a ghost, just black.

EVELYN: Perfect! For this story we will be going back to the scene of the crime! College!

A glittering sign drops from the ceiling. It reads: State College University. We hear thunder, dun, dun dunnnnnnn!

EVELYN: Now, let’s see what am I missing…(Duh) A script!

Lights out.

End of Scene.

Scene Two: So I Met This Guy

Lights up on EVELYN and the THERAPIST, sitting in their armchairs, holding scripts in their hands. EVELYN sits crisscrossed.

EVELYN: (to THERAPIST) So this isn’t exactly about him, but I felt like it was related. Kinda working in reverse. 

The THERAPIST nods. EVELYN clears her throat, and reads from the script to the audience. Scene 1. “So I Met A Guy.” STAGE MANAGER walks across the stage holding a glittering sign a la boxing match girlies.

EVELYN: Okay so… I met up with this guy.

RILEY enters as GUY. His entire presence should exert a stereotypical, one night stand douchebag energy. He is wearing a backwards baseball cap. He stands close to EVELYN, close enough to interact but not close enough to invade personal space. When they engage in conversation they never look at each other, just out to the audience.

EVELYN: (reading from script) Right away I could tell like, this isn’t the one, but hey, free dinner right? So we get back to his truck at the end of the night and he is looking at me like he is gonna lunge at me, but then he kisses me. We go back to his and all I can think is, “boy apartment.” The only thing in the living room is a huge flat screen TV. He has no bed frame. 

Beat.

So we’re kissing, and his hand comes up to the base of my neck– (GUY holds his arm out like he is choking someone, trying to be kinky and sexy, but it does not translate well) No pressure, it’s  there, until it's not.

GUY: Yeah, you like that? (His grip tightens) Yeah I bet you like that. 

EVELYN: (to GUY) Um.. yeah? (To the THERAPIST) And then he winds up his other arm- (GUY winds up his arm) And he slaps the shit out of my boob. (Simultaneously, GUY does as told and makes a smacking motion) 

THERAPIST: (off book) Oh?

EVELYN: That’s what I said! I said, (reading from script, speaking to GUY) UM, OW! Don’t do that again! (Turns to THERAPIST) And then–  I still had sex with him? (GUY pumps his fist in the air) Like WHY did I do that? I should have gone home and iced my boob!

GUY exits. 

EVELYN: That was a year ago, but now I have boundaries and I'm better at saying no to things. I wait until I'm comfortable. Looking back I’ve grown! 

Beat.

But, have I?

GEORGIA as GUY enters, no baseball cap, his presence has shifted to represent a different man from EVELYN’s past. Maybe he wears a leather jacket or glasses.

EVELYN: There was this guy a few months ago. We were kissing- (GUY starts kissing the air as if it's her mouth. Lots of teeth and too much tongue. It’s funny to watch but GUY thinks he is being sexy as hell) Well, no he was eating my mouth. I said (reading from script to GUY) Could you please use less teeth?

GUY: Okay bet. 

GUY continues doing exactly the same thing.

EVELYN: Then he was pulling my hair (GUY does as instructed) and it hurt so much, I finally said (reading from script to GUY) Hey, that’s too much, (to THERAPIST) and he’s like:

GUY: Bet. (Continues on, as if EVELYN said nothing)

EVELYN: And after all that. I still had sex with him… twice.

GUY thrusts his hips into the audience like a male stripper, exits.

EVELYN: (reading from script) It’s so unfulfilling, but I’m horny for love! I wish I could step outside my body and shake myself sometimes like HEY do not bring this dude back to your place! In the moment it's hard to stop myself. My new rule is no sex until the 3rd date.

THERAPIST: (Reading from the script) Well, nobody's perfect. It's hard when you’re alone, in your room, on your bed. There are certain signals that the bed gives off, intended or unintended. You can do a lot more with a door closed than out in the open, like at a park or a restaurant! But, remember what you really want is connection.

(off script) You make me sound so eloquent.

EVELYN: (off script) Well, yeah, you are!

(reading from script) I keep thinking about this book I read a few months ago by Peter Ho Davies. Towards the end he writes, “shame is a lie someone told you about yourself.” That really stuck with me. If society hadn’t taught me certain things I wouldn’t feel bad about them- like, if I existed on an island with no socialization, would I feel shameful about the sex I’ve had? If I didn’t have the foundation already built in my psyche that casual sex is bad would I still feel this disgust. I mean I think I would. I need to feel like a human with another human.

Beat.

And, I feel like I’ve been set up? Ever since high school I thought, good for the girls who can get out there and have one night stands and feel empowered. I don’t feel empowered. I feel gross- when he’s putting his clothes back on, walking out the door, with no plans to ever see me again– I know it’s not like this for everyone.

Beat.

I guess it’s not if you’re well adjusted.

Beat.

It’s so hard to want romance when I believe I can’t have it. I’m on the platform, waiting for my train, and I’m so excited to see it pull up- only for it to emerge on the opposite side. Why does no one want me? Why can’t it be easy for me? The whole time when I’m hooking up with someone I’m constantly questioning myself- do I look fat? What is my face doing? I think about my body and the way I look at myself in the mirror after a shower.The shame I feel about my wanting. Wanting to be beautiful and loved.

Beat.

(To THERAPIST, setting down the script): That’s kinda all I have right now.

THERAPIST: (putting the script aside) It’s very compelling. Wanting to be beautiful and love. Aren’t those things that everyone wants? Why shouldn’t you have those experiences?

EVELYN: Hmm. 

Beat.

I feel used. Disposable. Of course, I’m so grateful to the people in my life who do show me love. I feel so guilty that their love isn’t enough. There’s a void I need to fill. I guess all those guys who made me feel like shit proves the theory I already have in my head about myself. That no one will ever want to love me like that.

THERAPIST: Remember EVELYN, you are not a soothsayer. You can’t predict the future.

EVELYN: Right. 

THERAPIST: Maybe it’s time to check in with yourself about what you are looking for in a partner. Write out the qualities you’d like a partner to have, how you would like to feel with them. Seeing everything written out might help reinforce how you feel. Next time you go on a date with someone, or even before the date, compare it to the list and see how they hold up.

EVELYN: In the past I have thought more about getting a guy to like me and it was almost an afterthought how I was feeling about him. Like will he like this lipgloss? Does he think it's hot when I wear my hair up? Instead of pausing to think like, is he even funny? And usually they aren’t. I discredit myself so quickly. The date is fun because I’m fun. They’re my jokes.

Beat.

Yeah. I think I’ll try that. I’m tired of this blame. I’m the one who has been failed here. I know I deserve better than these guys! I’m a CATCH!

THERAPIST: Yes! Exactly. Don’t let yourself forget it.

Beat.

Now, what you’ve written, I think it is a good starting point like you said. But this isn’t really about Redacted. How do you feel this relates back to your experience with him?

EVELYN: I guess what happened with him makes me question my judgment.

THERAPIST: Say more.

EVELYN: For a while like. It sounds, whatever, it sounds how it sounds. For a while I really thought he had those qualities. After everything I felt so dumb. How could I fall for him? But now, I look back on those years and feel a bittersweetness. There is something really sad about the loss of a crush. The excitement. Catching your breath when you see him in the dining hall. Butterflies when he kisses your cheek.

THERAPIST: How would it feel if you said that to him?

EVELYN: Scary.

Lights out. 

End of scene.

Scene Three: Cereal

GEORGIA enters, holding a box of cereal, and sees The Pink Box on the kitchen table. She’s never seen this before. She ignores it and starts making a bowl of cereal. 

As she begins to eat she looks at the cereal box, inspects the back. She puts it down. Eats. She looks at The Pink Box again. She reaches to pick up The Pink Box.

Enter EVELYN.

EVELYN: Put that down!

GEORGIA: I didn’t even touch it!

EVELYN: How’d it get over here then?

GEORGIA: It was here when I sat down. Maybe it grew legs.

EVELYN: Funny.

GEORGIA: Chill.

EVELYN sits and makes herself a bowl of cereal. GEORGIA keeps eating and minding her business. EVELYN does the same as GEORGIA did, examining the cereal box while she eats.

EVELYN: So did you still wanna go to the mall later?

GEORGIA: Sure. (They resume eating) So…

EVELYN: Sew buttons.

GEORGIA: Came up with that yourself, huh? What’s in The Box?

EVELYN: It’s some things.

GEORGIA: What's with the cryptic?

EVELYN: I’m not being cryptic!

GEORGIA: Well you’re being intentionally vague!

EVELYN: It's some of my things, some… souvenirs.

GEORGIA: You’re so weird.

EVELYN: You’re the one who took it in the first place.

GEORGIA: Nuh-uh!

EVELYN: Yuh-huh!

GEORGIA: Whatever! I don’t care!

EVELYN: Whatever! 

(to the audience) I love my sister, GEORGIA. We can annoy each other in such a...primal way. Sometimes I want to lunge at her and rip her hair and gouge her eyes out, but she’s one of my favorite people.

They resume eating. EVELYN steps away from her seat at the table, spotlight on her only.

EVELYN: (addressing the audience.) You ever do something you know you shouldn't? Last night I did the thing I shouldn’t have. Nothing crazy, just some light internet stalking. When I see someone that knew Redacted (Upstage a light comes on showcasing the puppet from scene 1.) specifically people that knew him then…I try to remember if they knew what was happening. What they made of it. Figure out if they are still friends with him. I know it’s not healthy, but I kind of spiraled down a rabbit hole of memories.

Beat.

GEORGIA knows some of the details about what went down, but I’m realizing we’ve never fully addressed everything. She was actually the one who introduced us. She was a sophomore, he was a freshman, and I was a junior in high school. 

The space transforms into a college dorm room. There is a couch, a minifridge, a TV, music playing, and a pennant that reads State College University. EVELYN sits on the couch, a red solo cup in her hand, and a water bottle in the other.

GEORGIA enters.

GEORGIA: You know you’re not going to feel anything if you chase every sip with water.

EVELYN: It’s important to stay hydrated.

GEORGIA: Whatever, enjoy your wine coolers. (She pulls a bottle of Svedka out of the minifridge.) I’m taking a shot!

EVELYN: Wait! Okay, I want one too.

GEORGIA and EVELYN cheers and throw the shots back. GEORGIA begins to pour herself another one while EVELYN makes a face and chugs some water. There is a knock off stage.

GEORGIA: Oh that’s them!

EVELYN: (to the audience.) GEORGIA was throwing a party. Everyone was super friendly. And then I saw him. 

GEORGIA enters holding Redacted, who now has transformed from the black puppet on a stick to a larger, complex marionette puppet, should still be ghostly. Redacted sits next to EVELYN on the couch.

EVELYN: He was cute. Funny. Easily distracted. Later that night, everyone had left. I got up to pee. He was still drunk, laying on the couch. I grabbed him a blanket. (She drapes it over the puppet). He said to come closer, I knelt beside him and asked if everything was okay. He wrapped me in a hug. Warm. As I went to pull away, he tried to kiss me. I pulled away and he laughed saying it would have probably been a bad idea because I was sixteen.

Beat.

It would have been my first kiss. (GEORGIA and Redacted exit.)

Beat.

When I ended up at the same school as GEORGIA, it was nice to have another friendly face on campus. Freshman year he was one of my closest friends. We told each other everything. But by the next spring, things had changed. At the time some friends told me:

RILEY and the STAGE MANAGER enter. STAGE MANAGER enters as Friend #2, holding a script, a piece of paper taped to their chest that reads Friend #2.

STAGE MANAGER: Oh well, I can still be friends with him, right? 

EVELYN: Or,

RILEY: You have to cut him out of your life!

EVELYN: And I did, but they didn’t. So I keep tabs. He got engaged. Valentine’s Day. Cliche if you ask me. It felt like he won, but my friends told me:

RILEY: He doesn’t “win.” He is a psychopath.

RILEY and the STAGE MANAGER exit.

EVELYN: After that I reined it in. I stopped looking for him. Intentionally. Sometimes I think I see him. It’s never him, but every time my heart stops for a second. I can’t help but wonder, what has he been up to? How was the wedding? 

Beat.

Fucker.

EVELYN makes her way back to the table. 

EVELYN: But all that made me get The Box out of its hiding spot. I could have sworn I put it away. I’m not going to open that Pandora's box again. 

Lights back up.

GEORGIA: I’ll drive.

EVELYN: Okay. By the way, would you mind reading this with me?

GEORGIA: What is it?

EVELYN hands GEORGIA a script.

EVELYN: It’s this thing I’m doing. For therapy.

GEORGIA: (skimming the pages) Wooooahhh.

EVELYN: It’s a little rough around the edges. Go to page 10.

GEORGIA: Cool!

(She flips to page 10) You’re writing a play about Daddy Issues?

EVELYN: No! Well. I mean, sure that’s like the root, or “initial injury” as my therapist puts it. The other day she said that I have “a daddy hole that needs to be filled.” I know what she meant but Jesus.

They laugh.

GEORGIA: So more of a case study on the detrimental effects that daddy issues have on the psyche?

EVELYN: Kinda? I feel weird bringing dad into it. I don’t want it to be reduced to “daddy issues,” it’s more about my experience with men as a whole. Especially after everything with. Redacted.

GEORGIA: Redacted?

Beat.

EVELYN: Yeah, remember what I told you about sophomore year?

GEORGIA: Oh. Yeah. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t realize how impactful that was for you.

EVELYN: Yeah, I don’t think I did at the time either.

GEORGIA: Why don’t you get rid of it?

EVELYN: Of what?

GEORGIA: The Box.

EVELYN looks at The Box. Then her sister.

EVELYN: It’s really not that interesting.

GEORGIA: Then why do you still have it?

EVELYN: Where do I begin? I’m overly sentimental, I romanticize the past, I run away with nostalgia, etc, etc.

GEORGIA: What’s in it? A bleeding heart?

EVELYN: (feigning a smile) How’d ya guess?

Beat.

I mean. It’s what anyone puts in a box.

I thought everyone had a box at some point.

GEORGIA: Oh, I’ll do you one better– desk drawer filled with letters!

The sisters laugh.

EVELYN: Do you feel like you have daddy issues?

GEORGIA: Mmm. I’m the oldest daughter I’ve got plenty of issues.

EVELYN: What did you end up doing with the letters?

GEORGIA: I kept them for a few years, almost forgot they were there, actually. Eventually I threw them out. It was time to let go of them.

EVELYN: I guess I’m nervous I’ll regret it?

GEORGIA: So far I haven’t! I mean I re-read some of them first, and it made me laugh. Like why was I with him? He was so whiny and pretentious.

EVELYN: I remember!

GEORGIA: But then I tossed them. It didn’t feel worth it to keep them around.

EVELYN: Well a desk drawer, that’s precious real estate!

GEORGIA: So.

EVELYN: Yes.

GEORGIA: So maybe toss it? It has bad vibes.

EVELYN: It’s not a haunted doll, GEORGIA.

GEORGIA: Might as well be!

EVELYN: Whatever!

GEORGIA: It might as well be a ball and chain around your ankle. Don’t let him live on with you.

EVELYN: I guess it’s like, my proof. Proof that something happened. That someone cared about me. 

GEORGIA: I care about you.

EVELYN: Ditto. Mall?

GEORGIA: Ready when you are.

Lights out.

End of scene.

Scene four: The Box

EVELYN lays on her bed sleepover style facing the audience. There are no real walls, but there are posters and art on the “walls,” and a desk. She's on her bed writing in a notebook. The STAGE MANAGER enters. They are wearing all black and a baseball cap, holding a clipboard.  

EVELYN: Just the stage manager I was looking for! (she looks down in her notes) I’m sorry to say, but Friend #2 has been voted off the island.

STAGE MANAGER: Oh, darn I was really warming up to the role.

They laugh.

EVELYN: Some bad news, there is an issue with the play.

STAGE MANAGER: What’s that?

EVELYN: It’s too much.

STAGE MANAGER: Too much, what? Work?

EVELYN: No, it’s more like the emotional side effects. It’s just bringing up a lot of feelings.

STAGE MANAGER: Well… I mean, wasn’t that the point?

EVELYN: I– the audience is getting bored of me droning on! 

STAGE MANAGER: That feels like deflection.

Enter RILEY.

EVELYN: Not true!

RILEY: Hi babe! How’s the writing going?

EVELYN: Ehhh.              STAGE MANAGER: I’ve been killed off. Be right back.

RILEY: What’s wrong?

EVELYN: Well, I set out to write something to feel better, and it’s like… well I guess it is helping but not how I was expecting? I feel like I’m hitting a wall, like there is something in my way and I'm trying to push past it, because they say the only way out is through. But I'm stuck! It’s like swimming in a pool of jell-o.

RILEY: What do you normally do if you have writer’s block?

EVELYN: None of my usual stuff is working. I have pages of free writes and they are all fluff. That’s too generous, they are trash.

RILEY: Come on! I’m sure it’s not that bad! Whenever you’re working on something new you always say it’s the worst thing you’ve ever written, and it never is.

EVELYN: (to the audience) RILEY and I met through our college theater group.  

EVELYN: I mean yeah, it could be worse. I think some of it is at least funny.

Enter STAGE MANAGER.

STAGE MANAGER: Well, how are the new pages coming? 

EVELYN: There aren’t any.

STAGE MANAGER: Okay, well what am I supposed to tell the cast.

EVELYN: Ugh, okay, okay. Give me a minute. EVELYN flips through her notebook, stopping at a random page. Ah! Here’s a fun one: Scene about trimming my pubes, question mark!

RILEY: Love!

STAGE MANAGER: So you’re changing the play to be about pubic hair? They take out a cigarette. You got a light?

EVELYN: Desk. We can pivot!

STAGE MANAGER lights up, puts the lighter back, starts smoking. They lean against the desk.

STAGE MANAGER: I’m not sure the director is going to like that. 

EVELYN: Very funny. I am the director, so I’ll love it. Problem solved.

The STAGE MANAGER looks at the clipboard in confusion. 

STAGE MANAGER: Sorry, I don’t have you down as director.

EVELYN: Wait, what? Of course I'm the director. That doesn’t make any sense.

STAGE MANAGER: That’s not what this says.

EVELYN: Well what does it– 

RILEY: Oh, shoot, I forgot my script. I’ll see you later!

RILEY exits.

STAGE MANAGER: Oh hey, you dropped this.

STAGE MANAGER picks up The Pink Box which was sticking out from under EVELYN’s bed this whole time and puts it on her bed. They check their watch.

STAGE MANAGER: Breaks over. 

Being to leave hurriedly. 

I need those pages! 

EVELYN sits up and eyes The Box. She is in a trance. She reaches her arms out and holds it in her lap looking down at it. 

SHADOW: (whispering) Opennn!

Slowly, she lifts the top of The Box off. Light wind pushes back her hair, think Harry getting matched with his wand. Then quickly shoves it back down before it is close to opening. Shaking herself out of it, she puts The Box back on the bed. She gets up and paces the length of the room. 

EVELYN:(to audience) This is actually none of your business!

She goes back and picks up The Box. 

EVELYN: I don’t know how this even got here.

Beat.

See, I knew this play was going to be a bad idea. And what does that even mean? I’m not the director? This is like kinda my thing, so if anyone is going to write, star, and  produce, it only makes sense that I would be director, I mean naturally!

Beat. She looks at The Box again.

Maybe it’s time to let go of this. I mean there isn’t anything of real value. 

(To audience) What’s in The Box! (a la Seven) I know, you’re on the edge of your seat. You know what, sure. For old time’s sake since I’m trashing it anyway.

She opens The Box and dumps the contents onto her bed.

First up we have some photos, boring. Next, a Christmas card, some Valentines. What else… oh, a bubble gum wrapper. 

(EVELYN stands, walks downstage to a set of an apartment staircase, Metal with 1970s stained carpeting.) 

We went grocery shopping and he bought me a piece of bazooka bubble gum from one of those quarter machines. He carried a case of water to the car, and in the parking lot asked if I wanted him to be my boyfriend.

He was making fun of me. The night before he was teasing me about being a virgin. I panicked! What if it never happened for me? In my anxiety spiral I asked if he could help with my predicament, as a friend of course. He said no.

That night we were at a cast party, he was crying outside on the stairs. 

(she sits on the stairs, next to THE SHADOW. THE SHADOW is leaning on EVELYN’S chest.) 

EVELYN: Breathe.

THE SHADOW: It’s so fucked!

EVELYN: I know. It is.

THE SHADOW (drunk, slurring, too loud): I’m never going to let anything bad like that happen to you. (He strokes the length of her nose.)

EVELYN: (Snapping out of it immediately, standing and walking away.) This is. Pathetic. No, okay, I’m not gonna do that. It’s not pathetic, it's normal. Everyone has a box. Or has had one. I think maybe it’s time.

She gathers up the items, and the other items she didn’t show the audience and puts them back in The Box.

Beat.

It’s The Box. That’s why I can’t write. The Box can’t be here. It’s becoming too representative.

EVELYN takes the trash can next to her bed and puts it in front of herself. She throws The Box into the trash.

EVELYN: That’s already so much better. See, now the creative juices are really flowing. I can get more pages cranked out! No problem.

EVELYN exits the stage. Lights out.

End of scene.

Scene five: So I Met a Guy part two

Lights up on EVELYN.

EVELYN: clears throat reading from her script. So I Met A Guy, part 2! STAGE MANAGER walks across the stage holding a glittering sign a la boxing match girlies.

Lights up on the THERAPIST.

EVELYN: So, I met this guy.

GUY enters wearing a button down shirt, tucked in.

EVELYN: (reading script to THERAPIST) He was very tall and slim. He had an accent and spoke six languages. We go to dinner and he is laying it on thick. I’m beautiful, stunning, gorgeous. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling like maybe I’m finally getting somewhere, ya know? The conversation feels deeper than most first dates. After dinner we walk in the park and kiss. And I wish it had  ended there! We go back to my place which is risky, but I’m feeling strong in my constitution. We’re only kissing! And then he says,

GUY: (flirting) C’mon, you can’t do this to me. Let’s have sex. 

EVELYN: Maybe next time.

GUY: Baby please, you can’t do this to me.

EVELYN: Uhh. Let’s just keep kissing.

EVELYN: (to THERAPIST) I’d love to tell you that’s all we ended up doing, but then he says,

GUY: Man, you are driving me crazy girl.

EVELYN: Oh yeah?

GUY: Let’s have sex. 

EVELYN: I don’t know.

GUY: Why not, don’t you want to feel good?

EVELYN: I only want to have sex with someone who’s my boyfriend.

EVELYN: (to THERAPIST) And so I’m thinking, that's the end of the conversation, but then he says,

GUY: I could be your boyfriend.

EVELYN: (As she says this GUY is rapidly pumping into the air) And, I folded! And he… well he was very…excited?

GUY: I finished.

EVELYN: (To THERAPIST) I’m very understanding when it comes to things like that. It happens! But then he asked,

GUY: Wanna smell my balls?

GUY exits.

EVELYN: (To THERAPIST) After thinking about it for a day, and I didn’t like how he kept pushing, so I gently told him I didn’t think it was going to work out. Then he wouldn’t stop calling me, so I blocked him.

THERAPIST: (reading the script) I think you did a great job of stating your boundaries, I’m sorry he pushed up against them. That’s not something you want in a partner. 

EVELYN: Exactly. So I tell myself I need to be more selective, I need to listen to my gut. I need to get off the apps. But then I met this guy.

GUY enters wearing round glasses.

EVELYN: He had these cute round glasses and beautiful skin. We had dinner and he paid.

Before we met up he mentioned he was in a long term relationship not too long ago and that he would want to take things slow, which is great for me because I’ve basically taken a vow of celibacy.

THERAPIST gives a look of “say more.”

EVELYN: I wrote up this contract for myself.

I, EVELYN, will not give or receive hand stuff, oral, or penetrative acts unless the man in question is my boyfriend. Necking and frenching is allowed.

We were walking through the park and I ask him point blank, (to GUY) So how long ago was your break up? He says:

GUY: Uh, a few weeks ago.

EVELYN: (to THERAPIST) A few weeks out of a long term relationship? Seems a little soon to be back on the dating scene to me, but relationships are so nuanced. Maybe he wants to get back out there, but then I can’t help myself, so I ask, (to GUY) how long was long term? (To THERAPIST) And he says,

GUY: Seven years.

EVELYN: (to GUY) Oh! Wow haha… 

(To THERAPIST) And so now I’m like woah woah woah. 

SEVEN years? 

I’m a speck of dust to seven years.

Beat.

We went back to his place, andddd he did finger me, BUT I decided that was pretty inoffensive and I have made an addendum to the contract. 

GUY exits. EVELYN and THERAPIST set down the scripts.

THERAPIST: And how are you feeling now?

EVELYN: I’m surprised by myself, but I’m not feeling particularly regretful about that? He was nice enough, but he isn’t ready for a relationship. It actually doesn't even matter cause last week I met this guy.

EVELYN looks towards where GUY usually stands, but he is not there. She scans the area for a moment, STAGE MANAGER comes out on stage with a clipboard, and shares a confused look with EVELYN. They shrug. STAGE MANAGER motions for her to press on.

EVELYN: The bar we went to looked like an airport in the tropics. At first I can’t really tell if he likes me. He’s stoic. When he makes me laugh, he smiles. Sweet smile.

And when the date is coming to a close, he was driving me home and I’m thinking when he parks the car I’m gonna kiss him. We ended up kissing all night.

THERAPIST: Well this all sounds really positive. Are you going to see each other again?

EVELYN: Yes! We actually were texting before this. Next Friday we are going out again. And the best part? He asked me. 

THERAPIST: Oh, that’s always nice!

EVELYN: I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, but it does feel like this could be something positive.

THERAPIST: You’re allowed to feel excited. You did mention you miss having a crush.

EVELYN: There is a little bit of fear, though, not even about it not working out. I guess it’s always in the back of my head, reminding myself you don’t know this person. Any first date I go on I always have a brief moment of, ‘what if he is bad?’ Not laughably bad like the time a guy tried to finger my belly button– like bad. Can you ever truly know someone? What are they hiding?

THERAPIST: It’s natural for someone who has experienced trauma like you to be resistant to taking things at face value, but at this point it is only a second date. You are still collecting data! You can make a more informed choice the more you learn about him.

EVELYN: Right. But, with this guy, I don’t really feel that. I feel like I want to get to know him more, but not so much as a protective measure. I’m excited. I haven’t been on a second date in a year.

   End of scene.

Scene Six: Line?

EVELYN and RILEY sit at a table stage left. RILEY is wearing a shirt that reads, State College University. College vibes.

RILEY: Man I hope they fire him. Horrible teacher. God he is such an ass!

EVELYN: Agreed.

RILEY: He made that poor girl cry in class. A freshman! Yeah that will really get more people into the major.

EVELYN: Only a few more weeks of classes and then we never have to listen to him ever again. It’s going to be a beautiful day.

RILEY: Sooo true. Oh my god, okay, not to objectify, but did you see that girl’s ass? 

EVELYN: Haha, what, no?

RILEY: Those jeans look amazing on her.

EVELYN: Women have great butts, there! I said it.

RILEY: Why don’t you date women!

EVELYN: It’s not that easy.

RILEY: Now that my friend, is a self-limiting belief!

EVELYN: Maybe if I was better adjusted when I was younger, I’d be more gay? Like if I wasn’t constantly seeking approval from men maybe I would have more brain space to flirt with women! If I didn’t feel so deeply compelled to get male attention maybe I would pursue my girl crushes. Or just generally, I would have more room in my brain to think.

Beat.

RILEY: There was that girl in New York! You frenched that girl!

EVELYN: (laughing) Big whoop! One kiss from a woman– that’s a real resume.

RILEY: It’s a start!

EVELYN: Whatever, I have too much homework anyway. I have to do my laundry.

RILEY: The pile of work I have to do for this class… It’s cruel and unusual.

EVELYN: At least we have comforting, warm, delicious dining hall food to get us through midterms.

RILEY: Oh my god, wait, did I tell you about what Casey said the other day in rehearsal.

EVELYN: Lemme guess, something about the great power of scientology?

RILEY: She would not stop talking about the sanctity and special wonderfulness that comes with being pregnant. Dude, I wish you’d been there, she would NOT stop using the word womb. I coulda hurled. You have to audition for stuff with me next semester.

EVELYN: Oh because you make it sound so appealing. 

RILEY: Casey aside! It’s a good group of people.

EVELYN: I mean, it’s been hard this year. Redacted is always around and everyone worships the ground he walks on. 

RILEY: Don’t think about him, you don’t deserve this.

EVELYN: And you guys get to keep hanging out with him?

RILEY: He is a dangerous person for you to be around.

EVELYN: But not as dangerous for everyone else? It’s not like he is gonna do something like… abusive. 

RILEY: Well, he already has.

EVELYN: What?

RILEY: He already has. These aren’t things friends do to each other. You’re being manipulated.

Beat.

EVELYN: Last May, during finals he took me to the beach in the middle of the night. 

(EVELYN stands and walks center stage. A perfect circle of moon light shines down on her.)

It was a full moon, but the sky was pitch black and where it met the water it was like an optical illusion.

(Sound of waves crashing.)

We were running along the shoreline and laughing at nothing, taking off our shirts. I let the moon hypnotize me. I laid down in the sand, and closed my eyes. 

(As she does this, THE SHADOW appears. He stands above her, lowering himself, straddling her hips. He lowers his face indistinguishable, almost staticy, to her neck). 

His voice felt warm on my neck. 

(He traces her face with his fingers.)

He asked me if I felt relaxed. He told me to focus on the sound of the waves crashing, memorize it and replay it when I got anxious. To think of him.

He kisses her on the lips. He keeps kissing her. She tries to kiss him back but he stands to leave. She stays a moment, and stands again.

He bought me an ice cream cone and drove back on the highway, windows down. That was the last time I saw him before the summer.

Moonlight fades away, EVELYN sits back down with RILEY.

RILEY: I didn’t know that. 

Beat.

Why would he…I mean he’s…gay?

EVELYN: How am I supposed to reconcile these two different versions of him?

RILEY: You don’t, you have to walk away from him.

EVELYN: It’s complicated.

 RILEY: He is crazy! You’d be crazy to try and fix this.

EVELYN: I don’t want to fix anything, I just want an apology.

RILEY: Well you’re not gonna get one.

EVELYN: Ouch.

EVELYN gets up from the table and faces the audience. We can no longer see the RILEY.

EVELYN (Addressing the audience, perplexed, even a bit shaken): That last part isn’t in the script. You weren’t supposed to see that. I didn’t write that. I mean… I didn’t write that.

Um… line?

EVELYN waits for the STAGE MANAGER to appear. They do not. A microphone rolls onto stage.

EVELYN: Oh! (she picks it up, stands center stage with a spotlight on her.)

Um. (nervous laughter) I’m not really sure–

STAGE MANAGER appears reading off a clipboard.

STAGE MANAGER: EVELYN! The line is: “As if you haven’t heard me drone on enough, now I’m holding a mic. In act 3 I will use a megaphone.”

EVELYN: What? That doesn’t make– I didn’t write that.

STAGE MANAGER: No, the line is, “Have I convinced you yet? To believe me?”

EVELYN: What?

STAGE MANAGER: Well, isn’t that the point? Of the play.

EVELYN: I don’t know. No, not really? No.

Lights dim.

EVELYN can no longer see the audience. It’s like the audience is now peeking behind the curtain.

EVELYN: Where did everyone go?

She travels upstage; there are four doors surrounding her. They open to nowhere. She tries one, but it is locked.

EVELYN: Hello?

The wooden doors rattle, and there is a gust of wind. As it pushes past her the rattling becomes overwhelming. EVELYN covers her ears. There is a crack and a thud which startles her. She jumps away from the doors in horror to see they now read (one word/door) Let Sleeping Dogs Lie in haunted house black light text. In front of them all in a spotlight is The Pink Box.

EVELYN screams!

Lights down.

End of scene.

End of Act One

ACT II

Scene Seven: Cast Bonding

EVELYN’S room. Set up for a sleepover.

GEORGIA: And I was like wait let me text my socialist friends!

EVELYN: God, I’m sorry again, I can’t believe that happened.

RILEY: Okay, but remember when we would steal the food at the end of events and bring it to parties? We were working smarter not harder.

EVELYN: I mean I’ll never say no to bread!

RILEY: I’m glad we are doing this!

GEORGIA: Me too.

EVELYN: Well, thank you both for helping me out with all this…stuff lately.

GEORGIA: Always. They hug.

EVELYN: I’m just glad it's all over.

RILEY: What is?

EVELYN: The play!

GEORGIA: You mean finished?

EVELYN: No, it’s just over.

GEORGIA: Oh…really? 

EVELYN: I decided it's easier if I just kinda move on. You know? Besides, I have a boyfriend now, I’m happy, I feel stable mostly.

GEORGIA: Right.

RILEY: EVELYN, did the stage manager not tell you? 

EVELYN: Tell me?

RILEY: The director wants more pages. That it’s not done.

EVELYN: Oh?

GEORGIA: I was gonna say.

EVELYN: Okay well I don’t know who the director thinks they are but I’m the one in charge here, okay. And the play has served its purpose.

RILEY: Totally, yeah.

GEORGIA: And we respect that.

Beat.

RILEY: I mean unless things aren’t totally wrapped up.

EVELYN: I think it is as wrapped up as it can be.

GEORGIA: Is it? Or are you scared?

EVELYN: What! No, no, I’m not scared. What gave you that impression?

GEORGIA and RILEY exchange a look.

RILEY: You seemed pretty shaken up after last rehearsal. I know you’re upset about losing the puppets, but we can replace them.

EVELYN: When did we lose the puppets?

GEORGIA: Puppets aside, I thought what you had so far was a good starting point. You shouldn’t give up on yourself.

EVELYN: It’s all in the past! I can’t keep dredging up old unpleasant memories. I have a life to live. I need to be living in the present with everyone else. That’s probably what he’s doing.

RILEY: I wasn’t going to say anything but I found a voicemail. I totally forgot about it, but I thought I should tell you. It was Redacted. He left it at like 2 am a few months ago. I can play it if you want.

GEORGIA: Let’s hear it.                                    EVELYN: What did he say?

EVELYN: No, no wait. I don’t want to hear his voice. What did he say?

GEORGIA: God he is such a freak.

RILEY: Let me pull it up.

Beat.

Okay, it says, “Hi RILEY, sorry for calling so late, hope I’m not bothering you. I was thinking about our time at SCU, those were some good times. I miss you, we should find a time to get together. Hope you’re having a good start to Summer!”

There is a silence and uneasiness in the room. 

EVELYN: That is so. Weird?

GEORGIA: Creepy. 2 am?

EVELYN: Honestly that’s maybe the least surprising thing.

RILEY: It’s just like why now? I haven’t heard from him in like gosh I don’t know, five years maybe?

EVELYN: I…I don’t know.

RILEY: We weren’t even close like that, we did like once scene together for that festival, but that was it! So random.

GEORGIA: EVELYN, how are you feeling?

EVELYN: Unsettled. It just feels like out of nowhere this person is invading my personal space. Again!

RILEY: I’m sorry, should I not have said?

EVELYN: No, it’s okay. It’s not you. He is the problem. I guess this is just a reminder that he still exists. He is more than a puppet in my play. He is a real person, with a real life. It makes me sick and drives me crazy.

GEORGIA: I just don’t want you to preservating on this.

EVELYN: Oh, well, you’re too late.

RILEY: Your life is so much better without him in your head, maybe just try to not think about it too hard. I mean look at you. You’ve written more than you have in a long time! You’re with someone new. These are all positive things. You have a lot of good things going for you.

EVELYN: Yeah, I do. But, I guess I thought that was the happy ending. A relationship built on trust and communication and feeling safe. Feeling loved. And of course, I’m so grateful for feeling that way with someone. Maybe the play isn’t done.

RILEY: How’d you mean?

GEORGIA: If you need to take a break no one would blame you.

EVELYN: Having a boyfriend isn’t the end. It’s not the end of the play. I would have to be a princess to have a happily ever after.

GEORGIA: You’ve come really far though.

EVELYN: I appreciate it. I appreciate both of you so much. Maybe let’s just start the movie. My brain needs a break.

RILEY: You got it! Rom-com coming at ya!

They start watching the movie. The TV’s glow lights their faces. RILEY and GEORGIA stay looking at the screen. EVELYN stands. She turns her head back to her bed, slowly. The Pink Box comes into the spotlight. She starts touching her face, then clawing at it.

EVELYN: Go away! 

Lights out.

End of scene.

Scene Eight: Alone

The THERAPIST and EVELYN are sitting in their chairs.  

EVELYN: This time I was using my vibrator and everything felt normal and good, and then it felt wrong and I needed it out. It was like this panic out of nowhere. I don’t even know what I was thinking. My mind was blank.

THERAPIST: It sounds like you may have been dissociating.

EVELYN: Oh.

THERAPIST: Can you think of a time you experienced something like this?

EVELYN: I guess not. No.

THERAPIST: No, dear, that’s not your line.

EVELYN: Huh? 

THERAPIST: I said it’s not uncommon for stress to manifest differently than we are used to.

EVELYN: Right. It did remind me of Redacted. 

THERAPIST: I see. And how is that?

EVELYN: Afterwards I felt so alone.

Beat.

With him it didn’t matter what I wanted. I felt like a ghost. Me and my heartbreak were invisible to the world. I felt illegitimate. 

THERAPIST: Your feelings, you mean?

EVELYN: Yes. We weren’t dating, I mean that was never going to happen and I knew that. But we had this kinship. I felt so desired. I felt pretty. When he’d put his hand in my back jean pocket I felt sexy. Hopeful. Two people find each other. That’s romance.

Beat.

That night he was… I don’t know. It was a party, ya know. Everyone was having fun. If we hadn’t all been completely inebriated maybe someone would have– But we shouldn’t have had to do anything.

Beat.

When he… I couldn’t help but want it for a second.

Beat.

I actually don’t want to talk about this. 

THERAPIST: Why not?

EVELYN: (gesturing to the audience) It’s irrelevant to my play. 

THERAPIST: How so?

EVELYN: Because. My play is over.

THERAPIST: Is that the truth? Or avoidance?

EVELYN: (choking up) I don’t want them to know what happened. It’s mine.

THERAPIST: A problem shared is a problem cut in half. Let’s keep working.

EVELYN: Okay.

Beat.

I was drunk. Not so drunk I couldn’t stand but. Drunk enough. A little high. We were in a different room from the party. I wanted to talk. We’d been in this weird fight,  If someone else had walked in the room maybe he…when he started taking off his clothes I was like okay c’mon, stop. He was laughing and repeating to himself, “I am Brett Kavanaugh.” Then he was in his underwear, and his breath was this horrible mix of tequila and mountain dew. When he started pushing against me, kissing my neck. I was…relieved. He started whispering to me, “You’re my baby, you’re my baby,” and I laughed. But then he pinned my hands to the wall, I realized I couldn’t move. It didn’t go on very long, but I can’t remember how it ended. He put his pants back on. He ignored me the rest of the night.

Beat.

He was gay. I’ve never said that. I mean, when we first met he had a boyfriend. He had boyfriends on and off the whole time I knew him. I told myself it was funny and sweet when he would kiss me and pull me into closets. He couldn’t actually like me like that. It felt so real. Whispering he wants to be with me in the dark. Light spilling through the slats. Seven minutes in heaven. I didn’t count, I’m a girl.

Beat.

THERAPIST: But it did count. It counted for you.

Beat.

EVELYN: Yeah.

THERAPIST: What do you think you want next?

EVELYN: I have all these hang ups on men. I know he isn’t the initial injury as you would say but he made a pretty huge wound. Sometimes, I like to think I’d get an apology. I don’t think that will happen. I’ve found some stories of people out there who have reached out to the person who assaulted them and forgiven them for closure I guess. Is that harmful to think about? I don’t know that I would forgive, but I’d like to be given the option. I’d love to be offended by him in conversation and throw a glass of red wine in his face. I just think it would feel good.

THERAPIST: What you are saying is completely normal. You have such a full heart. Wanting to make amends makes sense for someone like you.

EVELYN: So should I?

THERAPIST: I think you need to start with forgiving yourself. The way you talk about the assault, or more generally him– you were only a teenager. You felt seen by someone, how could you not love that?

EVELYN: Right. If I only had a dollar for every time someone told me I was too hard on myself.

THERAPIST: What if it was a dollar every time you showed yourself some compassion?

EVELYN: (Laughing the way someone does after they have cried) Right. Well, uh, in other news I think my play is cursed.

THERAPIST: Oh! Like MacBeth!

EVELYN: Yeah! Wait no– we can’t say that word.

THERAPIST: Right, I’m sorry. But, you wouldn’t be the first. Many writers probably experience what you are going through now.

EVELYN: It’s getting hard to tell what is real and what is the play.

THERAPIST: And if they are one in the same?

EVELYN: I’ve created this shapeshifting monster in my psyche. He has become a caricature of himself. What if I was wrong this whole time and he is just this normal person who does normal things out in the world?

THERAPIST: Life is messy. This play is more than what happened then, it is also affecting you in The Now. Your story hasn’t ended yet.

EVELYN: I want it to end. The play I mean, not my life.

THERAPIST: EVELYN, you can end it whenever you’d like. It was just a thought experiment, and it doesn’t have to be anything more.

EVELYN: I feel like I’m in a maze and I keep running down dead ends. Imprisoned in my own creation.

THERAPIST: Have you tried burning down the place?

Lights down.

 End of scene.

Scene Nine: Retrospective on Motel Sex

Lights dim only a spotlight on EVELYN.

EVELYN: Motel sex. The smoking room. Meeting explicitly to hook up. Looking back the sex wasn’t very good. It never was. Physically, it was uncomfortable the whole time, but I wanted to be wanted.

We showered. I sat on the bed wrapped up in a towel and watched him get dressed. I wasn't so naive to think we were staying the night but I thought maybe we could sit and talk? He tied his shoes.

I felt heartbroken in a way. My heart was a croissant filled with jelly. Flaky pastry cascading into my chest cavity. 

The feeling wasn’t new, just louder this time. It got louder until one night I lowered myself to the ground. I couldn’t breathe. My crummy heart, only jelly.

Beat.

That sounds melodramatic. (Don't be mean to yourself.)

Beat.

I think that is what hurts the most about it. There was friendship and there was love, at least for a time. There are never going to be words that place the exact feeling of loss and grief. That’s why people write, paint and put on plays. 

Beat.

EVELYN: Me and my boyfriend, we were watching The Shining. Johnny felt too familiar. Erratic, impulsive, violent. When Wendy was hiding in the bathroom the fear was familiar too. I was sad about what happened, it was the anniversary. But, he is cool. We are having a great night. Cookies are in the oven. He has his arm around me and whenever I flinch at a sudden noise he squeezes me a little. He rubs my back, rakes his hand through my hair. This feels like a new beginning, but when Wendy escapes, and Johnny’s frozen head sticks out of the snow I’m glad he died. He couldn’t scare her anymore. Couldn’t hurt her. Fuck Johnny.

Beat.

I asked him if he knew who Robin Becker was and he said no. I said ‘she has this poem, It's about the anniversary of her mother’s death. It’s a beautiful sunny day but she has to keep reminding herself to feel sad about the loss of her mother.’ 

and he said ‘that sounds very profound.’

Two opposing ideas can exist at once. That’s a callback.

Lights down.

End of scene.

Scene Ten: The Shadow

EVELYN walks across a dimly lit, barren stage. There is a fog. A brain fart.

EVELYN: Where is everyone? 

From the other side of the stage, we see THE SHADOW. A shadow of a man begins to take shape. We cannot see any of his features. His voice is low and hard.

THE SHADOW: Remember the night in the woods. 

EVELYN does not turn to face THE SHADOW. She takes a moment.

EVELYN: Go away.

THE SHADOW: C’mon I just got here.

EVELYN: Don’t care. Go away.

THE SHADOW: It’s a nice memory. 

EVELYN: You’re messing up my play. 

THE SHADOW: (he has fully materialized) Without me there wouldn’t be a play.

EVELYN: That’s not true! I’m the writer. I created you and I can erase you.

THE SHADOW: You can’t erase history.

EVELYN: Stop telling me what I can and can’t do.

THE SHADOW: Why? I like directing you.

EVELYN is forcefully turned around, not in control of her movements. She faces him.

EVELYN:(she begins to speak, but it hits her) The director? This whole time, it was you?

THE SHADOW: You finally caught up, thank you for joining the class (he gestures towards the audience).

EVELYN: Why can’t you just leave me alone?

THE SHADOW: Where’s the thrill in that?

EVELYN: Please I can’t take this anymore. You’re driving me crazy.

THE SHADOW: Can’t become something you already are.

EVELYN: No! I’m not crazy, I’m not!

THE SHADOW: Let’s put your mind at ease then.

A small table opposite THE SHADOW appears. It has an older chunky tv remote on it under a spotlight.

THE SHADOW: Come onnnnn. You want to.

EVELYN tries to resist but takes a step forward. He is still controlling her movements.

THE SHADOW: Let’s roll back the tapes.

EVELYN contemplates.

Take it!

EVELYN looks up to face THE SHADOW, but he is gone. The spotlight on the remote has gone out. EVELYN is silent for a moment and takes in the scene. 

EVELYN: Fuck this. 

EVELYN exits, taking the remote with her.

Lights down.

End of scene.

Note: The transition into the next scene should feel almost seamless/instantaneous.

Scene Eleven: Showdown

Immediate lights up when EVELYN enters her room. The Box she threw away earlier is back on her bed. 

EVELYN: Alright! Very funny. The Box is back! You think I care? You think I give a shit!

No one answers her calls. After a moment EVELYN approaches the bed. She seems more angry than anything but is afraid to touch it. She turns away and starts searching in her room, opening desk drawers and throwing around piles of clothing. Finally she produces a lighter. She tries it once– it's got gas.

She grabs the box from the bed and as she is about to light it THE SHADOW reappears. 

THE SHADOW: You think you can light me up like that? Burn away our memories?

EVELYN: I’m not listening to you.

THE SHADOW: Just one scene.

EVELYN: Go away!

THE SHADOW: Come on, Evie. Press play, ruminate. Here I’ll play you my favorite clip. 

Upstage, an old TV turns on. Slowly as the clip plays the TV rolls forward. Movie day in school but evil! What’s on the screen doesn’t matter so much as long as the audience can hear the audio. The scene on the TV is a memory. A conversation between EVELYN and THE SHADOW. They are outside clearly on a college campus, but away from the noise. The image on the screen doesn’t totally appear until a few moments into the conversation. 

They laugh.

TV EVELYN: Well cheers to them. 

They both raise their red solo cups.

TV SHADOW: You know. Actually, no I shouldn’t say it. 

TV EVELYN: What? Come on, you can’t do that.

TV SHADOW: I was really worried about you. Last semester.

EVELYN: Turn it off!

THE SHADOW: Oh but we haven’t gotten to the best part yet!

TV EVELYN: Ah well. Hey, I made it out alright. And I wouldn’t have without you, so thanks.

TV SHADOW: I mean. You know. 

They look at each other, it lingers. TV SHADOW leans in and kisses TV EVELYN.

TV SHADOW: I love you.

The scene continues to play on a loop, the audio dimming out.

EVELYN: Turn. It. Off!

THE SHADOW: No, no, we are just getting started.

EVELYN: Oh yeah? What about this? EVELYN pulls out the remote. She points to turn off the TV, and the scene stops playing, but the screen glitches, and starts playing another one only audio. THE SHADOW laughs a horrible strangled laugh. Instead of  being a viewer, EVELYN is now speaking in unison with her TV counterpart.

EVELYNS: Please can we talk!

THE SHADOWS: There is no point. 

EVELYNS: Are you going to ignore me forever?

THE SHADOWS: You are trying to sabotage me! I could have gotten in trouble at work. 

EVELYNS: All I’m trying to say is that I'm worried about you.

THE SHADOWS: If you really cared about me you would drop it!

EVELYNS: You made me feel– at the party, all I want is some I– I don’t know, acknowledgment!

THE SHADOWS: You’re such a hypocrite. We were both drunk, it’s a double standard you can’t be mad at me.

EVELYNS: Mad? You grabbed me! You pushed me against a wall!

THE SHADOWS: And you know I wouldn’t have done that without reason.

The scene cuts and EVELYN drops to her knees, panting.

EVELYN: This is torture. Please, I'm begging. 

THE SHADOW: I’m not finished!

EVELYN looks at the remote in her hand. She takes it and throws it at the TV smashing it. There is a loud feedback sound, and the stage is flooded with what looks like an electrical storm.

EVELYN: This is MY play!

THE SHADOW moves towards her aggressively and pushes her to the ground. She’s on the ground and doesn’t have time to get up. She raises her arms to defend her face and looks away. Before THE SHADOW can strike, the rest of the cast storms the stage from all directions and start screaming a battle cry, they jump on to him and beat him. While he is disoriented and fighting them off EVELYN searches for the lighter she has misplaced; it is a frantic scene as the fight ensues. EVELYN empties the contents of  The Box into the trash can, it then tosses The Box itself into the trash. She tries to use the light but it won’t catch at first. Eventually it catches erupting in huge flames; it is almost comical. As she stands EVELYN looks bewildered at what is actually inside of the trash can. She reaches into the fire and palms an anatomically correct bleeding, flaming heart. It’s warm and living, and it is hers. The struggle with THE SHADOW continues, but then he manages to shake everyone off with his mind control, he charges towards EVELYN. She crushes the flaming heart into THE SHADOW’s chest with her own battle cry before he can grab her. He screams in agony, it is a piercing sound.

The lights go out. Only EVELYN is lit by the fire. It’s a brief, serene moment.

The flames continue.

Lights out.

End of play.

Written 2024-2025

Art Credit: Helene Graham