Written by Joe Janes
4/19/09
91 of 365
CAST:
HANDSOME MAN, 30’s
CAROLINE, 80’s
GENE, 30’S
TERRY, 20’S
2 MEN IN COVERALLS
(Scene opens on the Handsome Man near Caroline’s bedside. She is ill, but this is not a hospital bed. It is a lush bedroom, perhaps in a mansion. She wears a crushed velvet dress and has long gray hair. She is very frail. The Handsome Man appears to be in his 30’s, fit, healthy and well dressed.)
HANDSOME MAN
Caroline. I have brought your favorite book to read.CAROLINE
Hold my hand.HANDSOME MAN
Of course.(They do and they sit quietly for a moment.)
CAROLINE
Do you remember that time in Africa?HANDSOME MAN
Yes. I do. We had that incompetent guide who tried to lead us across a river.CAROLINE
I missed jumping on to that rock and fell.HANDSOME MAN
I had to run along the riverbank to grab you and pull you out.
CAROLINE
You were always there for me.HANDSOME MAN
You weren’t in any real danger.CAROLINE
Let me see your face, again.(The Handsome Man turns his head towards her. She lifts her hand and touches his cheek.)
CAROLINE (continuing)
I don’t expect that.HANDSOME MAN
What’s that?CAROLINE
The coldness.HANDSOME MAN
I’m sorry.CAROLINE
It’s not your fault. HANDSOME MAN
I’m going to miss you.CAROLINE
I’m not buying that. You’ll forget about me.HANDSOME MAN
No. I don’t think so. Even if I did, there would be an empty spot in my memory. I would know you were there. That something was there. Something special.CAROLINE
That spoils the dream, though, doesn’t it?HANDSOME MAN
The dream?CAROLINE
Dream that I am young.HANDSOME MAN
Perhaps another time.CAROLINE
Dream that I am young and hold me.(The Handsome Man holds Caroline for a moment. It is very tender. He notices something about her. He lies her back down. There is an echoing “clack” sound as harsh overhead lights flick on. Two men in coveralls enter and place Caroline in a body bag. They remove her as the rest of the scene plays out. A man, Terry, and a woman, Gene, in lab coats, enter. They walk over to the Handsome Man.)
GENE
Heartbreaking, ain’t it, kid.TERRY
Ever get used to that?GENE AND HANDSOME MAN
No.GENE
He was talking to me. ...Help me with the faceplate. It needs to be a long lost girlfriend by 5 o’clock.(She takes the remote control she’s holding and clicks it at the Handsome Man. He quickly “shuts off,” tilting his head back. Gene shows Terry how to remove the Handsome Man’s face as lights fade to black.)
