Stage + Screen

(CONT'D)

REESE

Do you remember when we were kids? We decided to make a promise that we would never let each other feel alone. Well, it was something like that right? That we would always be there for each other. We’re family. We would always have each other’s backs.

LACEY

Yea over by the river.

REESE

Yea, we took our bikes over to throw shit in the water. We made wishes. The bigger the splash the bigger the wish. You wished your Mom was dead, even though I knew you just wanted her to come back.

LACEY

And you wished you were a witch. So you could cast spells on all the 8th grade girls that bullied you. Do you still wish that?

REESE

No. Although I still hate them, and I'm 100% sure their lives are shit, whether my spells worked on them or not.

LACEY

Truth.

REESE

Do you ever think about trying to find your mom?

LACEY

My Mom wouldn’t want to be found.

REESE

Because of Bill?

LACEY

That and she was trying to lose herself I think. From what I remember, or I guess what I’ve been told.

REESE

Maybe she changed.

LACEY

Maybe.

REESE

I feel like I know them better now. Like since we are almost the age they were when they left us.I understand why she couldn’t do it. Because I don't know if I could either. Be a Mom. I guess that’s one thing we can give Bill credit for.

LACEY

What?

REESE

He didn’t leave you. He took care of you the best he knew how. No one can say he doesn’t love you no matter how messed up he is.

LACEY

I guess.

REESE

It’s weird. I’m half relieved but also half disappointed he wasn’t here. I thought about it, you know? On my way over. Seeing you. Seeing Bill. What I was going to say.

LACEY

Why?

REESE

I don’t know. Maybe because I wanted to yell at him. For the way he treated us. Or maybe to just be around him. It just feels like home I guess.

The girls sit in silence for a few

moments.

LACEY

He's ... He's gone.

REESE

What?

LACEY

He’s dead.

REESE

What? What do you mean?

LACEY

I mean he’s dead Reese.

REESE

You said he was in Chicago or Detroit or something.

LACEY

Yea well I lied.

REESE

Wait what? Lacey?

LACEY

I’ve been lying to everyone.

REESE

What are you talking about Lacey?

LACEY

HE’S FUCKING DEAD REESE!

REESE

What happened? You’re scaring me.

LACEY

I don’t even really know.

REESE

Then how do you know he’s dead? Maybe he just hasn’t come back yet.

LACEY

Because I saw his body.

REESE

What? Come on Lacey stop!

LACEY

It’s true.

REESE

What are you talking about? What happened?

LACEY

I couldn’t find him, ok. I was trying to call but his phone was turned off. I was worried but I didn’t want to ask if anyone had seen him. I don’t know...I guess you know then people might take advantage of the situation. So I kept putting it off in my mind. I looked around town a bit. Usual places he would use or party. I woke up a few mornings later and headed straight back to the fire pit, the one further back on our property. By stoney pond. I hadn’t looked back that far, I guess because it’s so damn cold.

(MORE)

LACEY (CONT'D)

I don’t know it was like I knew from the moment my eyes opened, that he was back there and something was wrong. Took me forever to get back there through the snow. When I got to the fire pit there was a big lump covered in snow next to it. I wasn’t scared, or sad. It’s like I already knew. I knew everything that had happened. Well except if he meant to shoot up that much, or if it was an accident. I sat in the snow next to him until I couldn’t feel my feet or hands. Not crying, just thinking. I guess about what I was supposed to do next.

REESE

Lacey...Oh my god. I mean, I don’t understand. I can’t believe it. Is he? Is he still?

LACEY

No, I took care of it.

REESE

What? Lacey, what do you mean? How?

LACEY

I didn’t want them to have finally caught him. I guess I just didn’t even believe it myself, even though it was laying right next to me. So I came back to the house and got the stuff to start up the fire pit.

REESE

Are you fucking kidding me?

LACEY

It’s what he would have wanted Reese. Don’t look at me like that. Please. Honestly he wouldn’t want anything else. As long as I was there. Right? I mean you know that’s true? Right?!

REESE

When was this?

LACEY

About two weeks ago.

REESE

Lacey! Why didn’t you say something?

LACEY

I didn’t tell anyone.

REESE

Why?

LACEY

I don’t know.

REESE

So you’ve just been pretending like he’s alive?

LACEY

Yea I guess.

REESE

Why even keep this up? What’s the point? You need to wake up. Listen to me, I want you to leave with me. Just like I wanted you to last time. But now this time Bill can- he's done, he’s done controlling you. Scaring us into thinking we need him. Using you as his mule. You’re not a drug dealer for fucksakes!

LACEY

Look around Reese! I AM! What do you want me to say? I’m not a college girl, I’m not some housewife, I’m just like him! It’s the only job I’ve ever had. I didn’t work at the grocery store or a farm in the summer. I didn’t play sports or join clubs. I was here. Getting the door. His goddamn secretary and the fucking store keep! It’s a revolving door of supply and demand. Seriously… how dare you! I know what I am but what the hell are you? Huh? Because you seem to have everyone else figure out right? What about you? Who fuck are you?!

REESE

Stop saying that! This isn’t about me! How long do you think you can keep this up for before someone realizes and you get robbed or worse?

LACEY

It’s my problem, okay! Not yours!!

REESE

Listen to yourself. Take a minute. This is crazy Lace!! You’ve been lying to yourself and everyone around you. You don’t even know, someone could have been back there with him and they might come for all his shit, because they know he ain’t here. We need to get the fuck out of here!

LACEY

If they haven’t come yet then they aren’t going to.

REESE

Lacey please listen to me. You are not like Bill!

LACEY

YES I AM!!

REESE

No you’re not!

LACEY

Stop it! I am! I think I am, okay!? I don’t know what else to do. I..I..really don’t. I’ve been sitting here for the past week staring at the wall, just waiting. I don’t even know for what. I’m running out of supplies. I can’t even do the only thing I’ve ever done, without him here to help me. I'm a shittier version of him! And now you're here. Why Reese? Fuck! Why did you come back? What am I supposed to do? I don’t know what to do!!

LACEY falls to her knees on the

floor crying and REESE rushes over

to comfort her.

REESE

Hey, it’s okay Lace. I’m here for you. It’s okay. Everything is going to be fine. You’re free now. You’re finally free. Look at me. You’re so brave and strong, I know you're going to be just fine. Come here it’s okay.

LACEY and REESE embrace, REESE

slowly lifts LACEY’s face in her

hands and wipes away her tears.

She kisses her gently then more

passionately

REESE (CONT’D)

Let me help you feel better.

LACEY

Reese, I can’t. It’s just I don’t...

REESE

Shh, It’s ok. I get it. I know how you feel and I don't expect anything from you. I love you so much Lace that even if I can’t have you, I want to help you be whatever or be with whoever you need to be. Honestly. It’s not about me or us. Just you. Please let me help you.

LACEY

But what if this is all I’m supposed to be?

REESE

It isn’t.

LACEY

How do you know that?

REESE

Because I know you. And you’re so much bigger than all this. When we were kids, we knew we had to get out of here. Remember? We stayed up in your room talking about all the things we wanted to be. You wanted things just as much as I did. And he took those things from you. Those dreams. He made you forget them, and think this was it. That this is all you could be. Well it isn’t. And this is your chance.

LACEY

I’m scared Reese.

REESE

I know, I was too. I still am. Sometimes I think change feels like fear, But we can do this. Together.

LACEY

Ok.

REESE

Ok?

LACEY

What do we do?

REESE

Let’s get out of here. Just stuff anything you need in a bag, and leave the rest behind. Better yet, let’s set this bitch on fire. Let it burn just like Bill. We can go wherever you want. Anywhere you ever imagined. And if you don't know, I’ll just take you to some of my favorite places. I’m sure you have some money stashed away in here. Let’s just start new lives. Holy shit Ace, I can’t believe this is happening.

LACEY

Me either.

REESE

Hey, I promise everything is going to be ok. This is the start of the beginning you know!

LACEY

Yea. It is.

REESE

Fuck this place! We don’t need anything here anymore! There’s nothing left for us!

LACEY

I guess not.

REESE

Oh man Lacey! This is it. No one can control us or stop us anymore.

LACEY

But we don’t even know what to do.

REESE

It doesn’t matter. Now it’s us against the world. This little shit hole town can go to hell and everyone in it. Let’s do this!

LACEY

I just need a minute. Can you just give me a little time?

REESE

What do you mean? Are you okay?

LACEY

Yea I’m fine. I need maybe an hour or two. Just to go through some of the stuff here.

REESE

Like what? Come on, you don’t need any of this junk. If I leave you're just going to chicken out or some shit.

LACEY

I won’t. I promise. I just need a little time. To…to say goodbye.

REESE

Oh.

LACEY

I’ll meet you at your parents. Get the car ready. I won’t be long.

REESE

Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you here, it’s dangerous.

LACEY

I’ll be fine.

REESE

I can stay, or wait outside or something.

LACEY

No Reese. I need to do this alone.

REESE

Are you sure? Because I don’t mind, I’ll wait as long as you need.

LACEY

No, please go. I need this. I’ll meet you soon.

REESE walks towards the door and

opens it. She turns back toward

Lacey like she is going to say

something.

LACEY (CONT’D)

I’ll be there Reese.

REESE exits. LACEY stands in the middle of the room looking at the door. She locks the door. Slowly she turns and looks around the trailer. She walks over to the kitchen and opens one of the

cabinets. Grabbing multiple bags of what appears to be various drugs she walks over the couch and sits and drops them on the coffee table next to the shotgun. She exhales

deeply and leans back on the couch as she stares forward into

nothingness.

Lights on BILL standing

downstage.

BILL

Lacey, get your ass in here. I need you to run something down to Rick’s for me, then dinner will be almost ready, tomato soup and noodles, your favorite. We don’t have enough for Reese to stay for dinner, but you girls can play after you get done eat’n. Hey Lacey, you hear me? Well then come on now, get in here. It’s time to come home kid.

The lights slowly fade black on

LACEY and BILL.

The End.