An Untitled Experience

Nicholas Walsh

Scene One

(Late morning. Action takes place outdoors in a space amidst wildlife. The set contains only a swing set upstage-right. All else is green space. Actors, dressed similar to that of present day wear, are immersed in the audience. They each speak with individual members of the audience simultaneously. Following their initial questions/comments, conversation is improvised.)

Christian. Is this the first play you’ve seen outdoors?

Chloe. (speaking with another member of the audience) Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, but would you happen to know whether there’s more than one play on the bill tonight?

Caitlin. (speaking with another member of the audience) It feels nice to be witnessing theatre outside again.

Courtney. (flirting with another member of the audience) Where have you been all my life?

Carol. (starts to cry in an attempt to motivate a member of the audience to inquire how she is doing. If no one inquires…) Excuse me. Would you happen to have a tissue, by chance?

(After ten minutes of conversation, the connection that has been developed between actor and audience member is broken. Christian, Chloe, Caitlin, Courtney, and Carol interrupt conversation.)

Christian. Oh shoot, would you excuse me? My Blueberry is calling me. (begins to move towards stage improvising conversation with another individual on the line)

Chloe. Hold that thought. Just a sec. I thought I felt something vibrating. (opens up cell phone and begins to move towards stage)

Caitlin. (laughs) Oh, this old thing. (pulls out digital camera) I just got it actually a few days ago. Yeah, I’ve been bringing it everywhere since… it’s attached to me. In fact (pause) hmmm -- I think it’s telling me to take advantage of a photo op. (looks to stage) Excuse me one moment. (begins to move towards stage)

Courtney. What kind of music you into? (after audience member answers…) Oh, yeah, they’ve got some good stuff, for sure. I can appreciate those vibes, but I’m more into this new-age genre bending/mixing stuff lately… like the sounds on my Y-Pod. You want to have a listen?

(Courtney offers one half of cordless headphone to audience member. If he accepts, then Courtney waits a few moments until audience member offers it back, places headphone in her other ear, slowly becomes hypnotized by music, and begins to dance towards stage. If audience member declines, Courtney places headphone in other ear, slowly becomes hypnotized by music, and begins to dance towards stage.)

Carol. I feel as though I’ve just gotten to the point where I can’t stand that my husband needs to know of my whereabouts at all hours of the day. He’s constantly sending me digi-mail on my mp4 player. It gets frustrating, you know. I feel this disconnect with him because of it. (pulls out mp4 player, smirks) As I’m speaking in fact, I just received a message. I’ll be back. (begins to move towards stage)

(As Christian, Chloe, Courtney, and Carol are all immersed in their various electronic devices centre-stage, Caitlin sets up to take a photo, as the four become a group. Once the flash goes off, all except Caitlin freeze in their current positions. Caitlin walks downstage-left, physically and mentally involved in viewing the photo she has just taken. She begins to speak directly to the camera, playing with its varying features.)

Caitlin. What the fuck is this person doing? Let’s crop her out. (pause, then Courtney, furthest stage right, shrinks and lays on the ground, back towards audience) There we go. Hmmm… I’m not liking how bloody dark it is here. How about we increase brightness ten percent? (Christian, Chloe, and Carol unfreeze, remove shirts, and throw them into audience. They reveal similar shirts, only a bit brighter than those they threw away. They then freeze themselves in previous positions.) Nah. That looks like shit. Let’s change that back. (Christian, Chloe, and Carol slowly move their eyes to look at Caitlin, unfreeze, and retrieve their shirts in the audience. They put shirts back on, and freeze themselves in previous positions.) Maybe if I zoom a little. (Christian, Chloe, and Carol move their positions downstage-centre.) That looks… alright. (to audience) What do you think? (waits for response) I don’t know. Something’s just not right. (pause) This thing is fucking controlling my life. I have to turn it off. (She turns it off. In doing so, Christian, Chloe, and Carol all shrink, and with Courtney, crawl off-stage. Caitlin continues speaking directly with audience.)

Scene Two

Caitlin. This thing. This thing. I remember. What do I remember? It seems so long ago.

(Chloe enters walking stage left to stage right attached to cell phone. She pays no attention to Caitlin.)

Chloe. I thought I told you to sell on the digi-free zone. --

Caitlin. Excuse me.

Chloe. We have to get out while we can. It’s decreasing --

Caitlin. Excuse me.

Chloe. -- by the second. (exits)

(Christian enters walking stage right to stage left attached to Blueberry. He pays no attention to Caitlin.)

Christian. I am talking to you.

Caitlin. Do you remember --

Christian. I am --

Caitlin. -- when it was we are?

Christian. -- talking too. (exits)

(Courtney enters walking stage left to stage right attached to Y-Pod. She pays no attention to Caitlin.)

Courtney. (singing) Surf Surf Play Play Money Money Mo --

Caitlin. Would you stop for one second!

Courtney. -- ney. Surf Surf Play Play Money Money Money.

Caitlin. It really wasn’t that long ago!

(Caitlin finds it hopeless getting any attention. She crouches down on the grass, making herself small. After a few moments, she stretches out her legs and leans back. She lays down, making mock snow angels. Laughing, she rolls around in the grass. Carol enters with reading glasses and a book. She is eating an apple, as she sits down on a swing. Caitlin notices her, stands up, walks over to her, and sits down on an adjacent swing. After a few moments, Carol speaks.)

Carol. (in a serious tone) You know, Hemingway really was a chauvinist.

(Carol turns to look at Caitlin. Caitlin recognizes this, and turns. They smile and laugh, as Carol bookmarks the page, and closes the book.)

Caitlin. What are you reading?

(Carol places the book on the ground, takes one more bite of her apple, then places her apple on top of the book.)

Carol. (chewing) Oh, just some of Irigaray’s early writings.

Caitlin. (confused) I thought you were reading Hemingway.

Carol. (pause) No.

(They begin to swing together. While swinging, they glance at each other. There is a momentary absence of dialogue. All that is heard is the creaking of swings. Caitlin is pleased, and finally breaks the silence.)

Caitlin. Who is Irigaray?

Carol. My lover.

Caitlin. Oh…

(Carol turns to Caitlin, smiles, and laughs. Caitlin realizes she is just fooling her, and laughs as well. Carol stops the swing. Caitlin follows. Carol reaches out her hand. Caitlin accepts hand.)

Carol. Here. Come with me.

(Carol runs Caitlin into the audience.)

Scene Three

Caitlin. Where are you taking me?

(Once Carol reaches a space in the audience just big enough to seat both her and Caitlin, they stop.)

Carol. Is this good?

Caitlin. Sure?

(Carol sits. Caitlin does likewise. Sitting on the grass, Carol is noticeably more comfortable. Carol sits looking at the stage, while Caitlin looks at Carol.)

Caitlin. What’s your name?

Carol. It’s nice seeing things from a different perspective. (pause) Well, once and a while anyway.

Caitlin. (pause) Yeah.

Carol. (looks at Caitlin for a few moments) I’m Carol. (smiles)

Caitlin. Good to meet you, Carol.

(Carol and Caitlin continue to stare at each other; Carol enjoys the fact that Caitlin doesn’t instantly respond with her name.)

Carol. (whispering in Caitlin’s ear) Who are you?

Caitlin. (Laughs, as she does not expect Carol’s physical intimacy of whispering close to her. The laughing turns into a melancholic sigh. Caitlin looks to stage.) I wish I knew.

Carol. Yes. Me too.

Caitlin. (continues staring at stage) My name’s Caitlin.

Carol. (leans over in a child-like manner) Caitlin. Caitlin. I like the name Caitlin.

Caitlin. (smirks) You do?

Carol. (smiles) Yeah. I do. It’s nice. You see too many people naming their kids Jeremiah or Kiwi.

Caitlin. (laughs and turns head to Carol) I have never met a Jeremiah or Kiwi.

Carol. Well, obviously you’ve never met my cousin Kiwi then.

Caitlin. I suppose I haven’t. (pause) Your cousin’s actually named Kiwi? (begins picking at the grass)

Carol. The strange thing is that he actually hates Kiwis. Not the people from New Zealand you know, but the fruit.

(Caitlin begins to laugh. Carol joins in. Carol notices that Caitlin is becoming more physically involved in this conversation. Carol likewise begins to pick at the grass.)

Carol. (picks up two pieces of grass) Do you know how to whistle?

Caitlin. I do.

(Carol begins to whistle using the pieces of grass.)

Caitlin. How do you do that?

Carol. I thought you knew how to whistle?

Caitlin. Yeah, but not that way. (Caitlin begins to whistle the tune of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”.)

Carol. Let me guess. (Caitlin keeps whistling. Carol tries to hum the words.) It’s that classic Gabriel tune, isn’t it?

Caitlin. Peter Gabriel?

Carol. (Carol begins laughing, and gently pushes Caitlin’s shoulder) What other Gabriel is there?

(Caitlin smiles at Carol. Caitlin looks down, and gently pushes Carol. They each take a few silent moments basking in this new light of their relationship. They then both look at each other. Carol opens her arms to Caitlin, and they hug. Holding hands, they sit back together, and watch as on-stage action carries through the next scene.)

Scene Four

(Christian enters from upstage-right talking on his Blueberry, as Chloe enters from downstage-left talking on her cell phone.)

Christian. Would you be able to send me that file again. My Blueberry's been acting up on me late --

(Christian trips over the wooden logs that are holding up the horizontal metal bar on the swing-set. Falling to the ground, Christian loses handle of his Blueberry.)

Chloe. I can't talk for long. I'm actually not even sure if I can have cell phones in a theatre. But I'm not technically in a theatre, really --

(Chloe comes across Blueberry either physically or visually. She notices Christian slowly getting up off the ground, dusting himself off. She closes her cell phone, and picks up the Blueberry.)

Chloe. Hi.

Christian. Hey.

Chloe. You alright?

Christian. Oh, I'm fine, aside from slight embarrassment.

Chloe. What do you have to be embarrassed about?

(Christian looks Chloe. After a few seconds, he smiles, and offers his hand to Chloe.)

Christian. My name's Christian.

Chloe. Chloe.

(Chloe mistakes Christian's introductory gesture, as his desire to have his Blueberry back. She offers him the hand with the Blueberry in it. Christian takes the Blueberry from Chloe, as they exchange a brief laugh.)

Christian. Thanks.

(Chloe and Christian exchange ominous glances. Chloe begins to exit stage right. Christian begins to tap the Blueberry in slight nervousness.)

Christian. Hey, wait a minute. I really want to say thank-you. Thank-you.

(Chloe turns to look at Christian. They look briefly at one another. Christian throws Blueberry over the audience. Chloe is shocked and confused.)

Chloe. What'd you do that for? Are you crazy?

(Christian looks back at Chloe, smiles. Chloe smirks.)

Chloe. Or maybe just rich.

Christian. Rich? (pause, and turns head away from Chloe) With what?

Chloe. (physically moves herself, so that she is more in Christian's view) Money, of course.

Christian. (turns head back to Chloe) I do have money, but --

Chloe. But what?

(Christian pauses for a few moments, then walks over to Chloe.)

Christian. (smiles) You want to take a walk with me?

Chloe. (smiles, turns head, brushes hair back nervously, then looks back to Christian) As long as you’re not some sort of --

Christian. Serial killer?

Chloe. Rapist.

Christian. Well, I guess you’re just going to have to --

Chloe. Trust you?

Christian. Take your chances.

(They smile and turn to begin their walk through the centre isle of the audience.)

Scene Five

Chloe. So…

Christian. I hope I’m not taking you away from anything important.

Chloe. No no. (pulls out cell phone, glances at time) I still have some time on my lunch.

Christian. Ahh. You work around here?

Chloe. Yeah.

Christian. (pause) I used to live around here when I was younger.

Chloe. How long ago was that?

Christian. Oh, about ten years now. I used to live just around the corner from here actually. Would you like to see my old place?

Chloe. Sure.

(Christian and Chloe exchange glances and brief smiles, as they walk together in silence. They happen upon Christian’s old property.)

Christian. This is it.

Chloe. You lived here?

(Christian looks to Chloe, then looks back at property.)

Chloe. It’s nothing but open space.

Christian. I know. (pause) There’s this company in town… kind of close by. They convinced the city that there needed to be more open green space.

(Chloe opens her eyes widely, as if coming to a realization.)

Christian. It’s a nice cause, for sure. I mean, I’m all for the environment; I was a part of the (half-laughs) Earth Patrol in elementary school, but…

(Christian stares at his old property, and Chloe consoles him for his lost memories. She hesitates, but eventually places her hand on his shoulder. This sudden physical intimacy jars Christian out of thinking of his past life.)

Chloe. You were a part of the Earth Patrol?

Christian. (laughs) I was, yeah.

Chloe. (laughs) So was I.

Christian. (smiling) No way.

Chloe. Yes way. Except it wasn’t called the Earth Patrol at my school. We were the Green Machines.

Christian. The Green Machines. I like that. (pause) I like that.

(Christian and Chloe exchange a quiet, welcoming look. They then look away briefly. Christian rubs his hands together, claps once, and looks to Chloe.)

Christian. (smiles) How much time you have left?

Chloe. It doesn’t matter.

Christian. It doesn’t matter?

Chloe. Yeah.

Christian. (pause) Well, you mentioned this was your lunch. (standing up) How ‘bout we get something to eat? (offers hand to Chloe, who is still sitting) Would you mind if I accompanied you?

Chloe. (stands, accepting Christian’s hand) Not at all.

(They walk together back in the direction of the stage.)

Scene Six

(As Christian and Chloe walk along the side of the audience, they come across Courtney setting up a fresh fruit market stand. Music is heard played by a street performer, James, in the background. Dressed in rags, he sits on a stool roughly ten feet from the market stand playing an acoustic guitar. Courtney hums along to it.)

Christian. Are you into the farmer’s markets?

Chloe. I’d say so, yeah. Although I haven’t been to one in years. I grew up on a farm actually.

Christian. You did?

Chloe. Mmm.

Christian. So you’re a farm girl?

Chloe. Yeah. Hometown of Millbank, Ontario. Or should I say middle of nowhere, Ontario?

Christian. Why should you say that?

Chloe. Nothing around. It wasn’t even really a town. Just a few neighbouring farms and the like.

(Christian and Chloe stop to look at and feel the various fruits at the market stand. Courtney continues to hum along to the music.)

Christian. Did you know your neighbours very well?

Chloe. Fairly well, I’d say, yeah. (pause) Too well, perhaps.

Christian. Too well?

Chloe. Seeing the same faces everyday gets tiresome after a while. I can remember in my mid-teens. All I wanted to do was get to the city.

Christian. I would hardly call this a city.

Chloe. Well, bigger than Millbank anyway.

Christian. Yeah, that’s true. It kind of has that mix of a small town feel with big city flavour. It’s nice.

Courtney. What can I get you fine folks?

Christian. (to Chloe) You getting anything?

Chloe. Yeah. Would I be able to grab a pound of these grapes here?

(Courtney begins wrapping up grapes.)

Chloe. And a basket of those pears?

Courtney. Absolutely.

Christian. (to Chloe) You like your pears.

Chloe. I do.

Courtney. (Hands Chloe the basket of pears.) Never underestimate the quality of a fine pear. Here. (offers Christian a pear) Have a taste.

Christian. Oh, no, I’m alright. Thank-you though.

(Courtney pauses, smiles, and looks at Christian momentarily.)

Courtney. I insist. You won’t regret it.

Chloe. Oh, c’mon Christian. Take the pear.

(Christian, pleased at hearing Chloe utter his name for the first time, relents, and takes the pear.)

Christian. Okay okay. Two against one. (takes pear from Courtney) Thank-you.

Courtney. You’re welcome.

Chloe. (smiles) How much do I owe you?

Courtney. How about we just call it an even five?

Chloe. Sounds good. Just a second. (searches for some cash in her purse) I wasn’t expecting I would be using cash today.

Christian. (to Chloe) Need anything at all?

Chloe. No, I think I’m alright. Thank-you though. (She hands Courtney five dollars.)

Courtney. Thanks. (pause, as Courtney puts away the cash) Enjoy!

(Christian and Chloe smile in the direction of Courtney, and continue their walk. Courtney begins to hum to the music again.)

Christian. She was nice.

(Christian takes a bite from the pear.)

Chloe. She was. (pause) Hey, you want to sit down to eat?

Christian. Where?

Chloe. How ‘bout right here?

(Christian and Chloe stop.)

Christian. Oh, you mean like a picnic?

Chloe. Yeah. (pause) Like a picnic.

Christian. Sure.

(They sit down together to eat, and watch as action carries through the next scene.)

Scene Seven

Carol. (stands up to stretch) Well, that was a little different.

Caitlin. (follows Carol’s lead, and stretches as well) Yeah.

Carol. Not too often you have to look behind you to watch a play.

Caitlin. (yawning) No. It’s different. (She is finding it difficult to walk to centre-isle.)

Carol. Hey. You alright there?

(Caitlin stumbles. Carol reaches out arm for support. Caitlin grabs on to Carol.)

Caitlin. Yeah, I’m okay. Just my feet are somewhat asleep.

Carol. Sometimes I like when that happens.

Caitlin. Why?

Carol. To know that you’re not always in control. Gives you a better sense of your body somehow, y’ know?

Caitlin. I guess.

(As they continue to walk, there is a brief awkward silence between Caitlin and Carol. Carol begins to move to the music still being played by James. After a while, she notices Caitlin’s smile. Carol begins to dance around Caitlin, as Caitlin continues walking towards stage.)

Caitlin. Do you dance?

Carol. (slides hand gently down Caitlin’s back) I am dancing.

Caitlin. (smiles) No. (laughs) As in competitions.

Carol. Here. (offers hands to Caitlin) Join me.

Caitlin. (reluctantly) I’m not really a dancer.

(Carol keeps hand offered to Caitlin. Caitlin finally accepts. Caitlin is initially slightly shy in dancing. They are also a little awkward with each other to begin with. The more they dance towards the stage, the more comfortable they become. They finally reach the stage.)

Carol. Everyone’s really a dancer.

Caitlin. People just don’t care to know it.

(Dancing stops. Carol sits on the grass facing stage-right, as a hint of melancholy has come over them. Caitlin sits on the grass facing stage-left, back-to-back with Carol.)

Carol. I care to know it.

Caitlin. (leans head back, then turns it slightly towards Carol) I know you do, Carol.

Scene Eight

(Christian and Chloe toss some coins into James’ guitar case. James finishes his song, gathers the change that he collected, and packs his guitar. His actions are observed by Christian and Chloe, who continue to eat the fruits they bought from the market.)

Christian. (to Chloe) Do you like to dance?

(James begins walking down left isle.)

Chloe. When I was really young I took ballet lessons. Does that count?

Christian. Of course that counts. To be honest, I took ballet too.

Chloe. How old were you? Or do you still take ballet?

Christian. No, unfortunately. I was really little. Probably, I’d say about five, six years old. Around then.

Chloe. Why did you stop?

(James stops behind audience, and looks on. Caitlin and Carol lie back looking up to the sky.)

Christian. Not sure. I think, when I was in it, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. But I look back on it, and think of it as a positive experience. Something unique compared to other guys I knew… and know now anyway.

Chloe. That was the same with me. Not just the ballet though.

Christian. Oh yeah?

Chloe. It’s something that followed me through later years too. Like only later, sometimes much later, do I realize that certain activities were enjoyable, or as you mentioned, positive experiences, at least.

Christian. Exactly. What kind of activities are you thinking about?

Chloe. Well, one in particular comes to mind. When I was in grade two or three, all my teachers -- and my parents too -- they would force me to read. Not sure if they were trying to teach me how to read because I could read just fine. It felt like they were just forcing me to read, and it felt pointless to me.

Christian. What kinds of things would they get you to read?

Chloe. Oh, just like, the classic Dr. Seuss books and --

Christian. (puts on a munchkin voice) Ah yes, I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.

Chloe. -- and (laughs) Clifford, you know, the big red dog.

Christian. I know Clifford, yes.

Chloe. Anyway, when I was a teenager, I looked back on when I was younger, and thought to myself that, yeah, reading was a positive thing for me. So I began to start picking up books, and reading. And enjoying it. Just reading. All the time. You can imagine I was quite the outcast in high-school.

Christian. Oh, what matters is what you are now. (pause) And now it’s difficult to even find actual books these days. Unless you want to spend a fortune.

Chloe. (smiling) You mean, unless you’re you?

Christian. (laughs) Hey hey, c’mon now, that was a low blow.

Chloe. Just kidding. (Chloe reaches for Christian’s arm, gently pushing him) I’m just kidding. But I know what you mean though. You can’t even pick up an actual book in a library anymore. (pause) At least, not around here anyway.

Christian. Everything has to be downloaded and what not.

Chloe. Yeah. (smiles) At least the Lorax will be happy.

Christian. (smiles) At least the Lorax will be happy.

(Christian and Chloe continue to eat, and watch as on-stage action carries through the next scene.)

Scene Nine

(Lying down on the grass centre-stage, Caitlin turns head to look at Carol’s apple and book. She then looks back up to the sky, and waits momentarily before saying her first line.)

Caitlin. You’re apple’s not lookin’ too healthy.

(Carol laughs. She sits up, leans back on hands, looks over to apple, then back to Caitlin, who is still lying down.)

Carol. No. It’s really not. (smiles) I’ll leave it for the squirrels.

Caitlin. (sits up, leans back on hands) And when was the last time you saw a squirrel?

Carol. Not for a while actually.

Caitlin. (smiles and pauses) Are you going to leave your lover for the squirrels too?

Carol. Who?

Caitlin. Your lover.

(Carol winces at Caitlin, then finally realizes she’s speaking of Irigaray. She gets up to retrieve the book, leaving the apple in its place. After doing so, she walks over to Caitlin, and hovers over her.)

Carol. (to Caitlin) I am not going to leave you to the squirrels. Now, here, give me your hand.

(Carol offers Caitlin her hand to help lift her from the ground. Caitlin accepts.)

Caitlin. I’m not your lover.

(Caitlin and Carol begin to walk towards stage left.)

Carol. No. (smiles at Caitlin) You’re not. (pause) But you do know I think Hemingway a chauvinist.

Caitlin. Well, I thought that was just common knowledge.

(Caitlin and Carol laugh. Caitlin sits downstage-left, opposite to Christian and Chloe downstage-right.)

Caitlin. I’m sorry. I just like the grass.

Carol. (joining Caitlin) So do I.

(The next two scenes, Scene Ten-a and Scene Ten-b, occur simultaneously, allowing the audience to choose which characters they feel more intimate with, and which relationship they’d rather commit their attention to.)

Scene Ten-a

Caitlin. Carol.

Carol. Yes?

(Caitlin begins moving closer to Carol.)

Caitlin. Carol.

Carol. Yes?

(Caitlin rests her head on Carol’s shoulder.)

Caitlin. Who are you?

Carol. You already asked me that question. You know.

Caitlin. No, I don’t. Where did you grow up? (Carol smiles) Do you have any siblings? (Carol begins to laugh) What are your favourite television programs?

Carol. Those things don’t matter.

Caitlin. Why don’t they matter?

(Carol leans back smiling and shaking her head, as Caitlin stares at her anticipating a response. After a few moments, Caitlin looks away from Carol. They stare outward to the audience in the same direction. Time passes in silence. Carol then begins to whistle Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” once again. Caitlin joins in. They look at each other, smiling, and whistling.)

Carol. (laughs) That’s what matters.

Caitlin. What’s that?

Carol. Everything is just so much more interesting if the world is right there in front of you. Life is not a memory. Life is not a television program. Life is not digital.

Caitlin. (smiles and pauses) I’m glad we met Carol.

Carol. So am I.

(They exchange glances. Carol turns away shyly.)

Caitlin. Hey, how ‘bout we get something to eat?

Carol. Sure. After all, I’ve already allowed those squirrels to take half my lunch from me.

(Caitlin and Carol stand up.)

Caitlin. (laughs) Yeah.

(They begin walking stage right.)

Carol. I know a small market just around the corner from here.

Scene Ten-b

Christian. So do I. (Chloe turns to Christian) Like the grass, I mean. Thank-you for the suggestion. It’s been a while since I’ve had a picnic.

Chloe. Well, yeah, I just figured... if we have the space right here in front of us we may as well take it. When was the last time you had a picnic?

Christian. (pause) I was thirteen, I guess. Yeah. (pause) Now it’s almost as if we have to look over our shoulder.

Chloe. What do you mean?

Christian. I mean a lot of environmental groups... I think they may sneak up behind us or something, like from behind that tree, y’ know --

Chloe. That’d be quite amusing. (laughs) Just seein’ a whole group emerge from the forest.

Christian. (laughs) Yeah. Yeah. Except they wouldn’t be emerging from the forest, but rather from a boardwalk through the forest or something. And they wouldn’t actually come over here to yell at us for being on the grass, but rather yell from the boardwalk for fear of damaging the earth.

Chloe. (laughs) Exactly. Either looking over our shoulder for that or for a person ready to lay concrete for some kind of infrastructure purpose. (sarcastic) But no, they’re not really destroying the environment because, after all, there will be green space on the rooftop.

Christian. Yeah. (smiles then pauses) There’s no contact up there. Well, except for the birds and the like. (Chloe laughs) It’s all just so isolated. I mean, think of where we are now. We could have, as they were mentioning, squirrels running up to us here, or close by anyway. That’s not going to happen up there. There’s no connection. And why is it we need that connection?

Chloe. So we don’t become self-obsessed zombies?

Christian. So we don’t become self-obsessed zombies? (laughs) I like that one. Yeah. So we don’t become self-obsessed zombies. (pause) I’m glad I connected with you, Chloe.

Chloe. Me too, Christian. (pause to share a glance with Christian) And not through one of these either (laughs while indicating cell phone).

Christian. (smiles) We’re glad to actually have met each other.

Chloe. Yes. (smiles) Actually.

Christian. (pause then begins to stand up) How ‘bout we keep walking for a bit, eventually part ways, (helps Chloe to her feet) and agree to meet up a little down the line?

(They begin walking stage left.)

Chloe. Sure. But I kind of liked how we met up today.

(Christian, Chloe, Caitlin, and Carol cross paths, turn to audience, join hands, and bow. They all gesture to Courtney, who also bows. James begins to walk down centre isle playing his guitar, as the actors walk into the audience, and begin to once again converse with the individuals they were initially conversing with at the outset of the show.)