brianna’s soul-blighted scars a play in five acts by ...€¦ · table of contents act i pgs....

BRIANNA’S SOUL-BLIGHTED SCARS _____________________________ A Play in Five Acts by Jonathan Wilson

Table of Contents Act I pgs. 1–42

Scene 1 ................................ pgs. 1–7 Scene 2 ................................ pgs. 8–14 Scene 3 ................................ pgs. 15–21 Scene 4 ................................ pgs. 22–34 Scene 5 ................................ pgs. 35–42

Act II pgs. 43–72


Act III pgs. 73–124


Act IV pgs. 125–160

Scene 1 ................................ pgs. 125–132 Scene 2 ................................ pgs. 132–137 Scene 3 ................................ pgs. 138–148 Scene 4 ................................ pgs. 149–160

Act V pgs. 160–190

Scene 1 ................................ pgs. 160–174 Scene 2 ................................ pgs. 175–190

Cast of Characters

Brianna Dutton: A pretty, intelligent, insecure and shy 17-year-old.

George Hamilton: Brianna’s 18-year-old boyfriend. John Dutton: Brianna’s father in his late

40s. Sarah Dutton: Brianna’s beautiful,

intelligent, and protective mother in her late 40s.

Lloyd Nicholson: John’s best friend in his

late 40s. Samuel Hamilton: George’s father and

prosecutor in his mid 50s. Flora Hamilton: George’s mother in her early

50s. James Gallagher: A member of CSI in his mid

30s. Miranda Campbell: A member of CSI in her early

30s. Andy Marks: A police officer in his late

20s. Thomas Mitchell: A defense attorney in his

early 50s. Hon. Samuel Teasdale: A Federal Judge. Doctor: A doctor. Nurse: A nurse. Bailiff: A bailiff. Guards: Guards in the courtroom. Jury: Twelve jury members.

Scene Various locations in Danbury, Connecticut & Brewster, New York.

Time In the year 2011.

I-1

Brianna’s Soul-Blighted Scars

ACT I

Scene 1

SETTING: A double set. On stage left is Brianna’s bedroom. At center stage is a small hallway running from upstage center to downstage center. On stage right is the master bedroom. The master bedroom is very well furnished and highly decorated with old photographs and paintings. There is also a sculpture of a bald eagle at the corner of upstage right. Brianna’s bedroom includes a bed, a dresser, chest, and desk with a chair. Brianna’s room should appear to be clean. A small diary is placed on the edge of her desk.

AT RISE: BRIANNA is sleeping in bed at the

start of the play. At first she is sleeping calmly. Suddenly, she thrashes violently in her bed. Her voice is full of pain.

BRIANNA

No . . . no . . . please, I don’t want this. No . . . no! I don’t want this! No! No! No!!! Don’t do this to me!

(BRIANNA throws the covers off her in panic and screams.)

Help me! Help me, somebody!

(Offstage, we HEAR footsteps racing to the stage. Enter SARAH in a robe. SARAH quickly turns on the lights. Alarmed by BRIANNA’S screams, SARAH runs to BRIANNA and shakes her.)

SARAH

Brianna! Brianna!

I-2


BRIANNA Somebody help me! Please, somebody!

SARAH

Brianna! Brianna, wake up!

(BRIANNA slowly wakes up and first sees SARAH’S eyes.)

BRIANNA

Mother? (Overwhelmed, BRIANNA throws her arms around SARAH sobbing hysterically.)

Mother!

(Stunned by her daughter’s trauma, SARAH wraps BRIANNA tightly and almost sobs herself.)

SARAH

It’s all right, my beautiful Brianna. It’s all right. It’s all right.

(Enter JOHN, tired.)

JOHN What was all that screaming?

SARAH

I think Brianna had another nightmare, dear.

JOHN Again?

SARAH

Brianna, tell me what happened.

BRIANNA I . . . I can’t . . . I can’t say it! It was so horrible!

(BRIANNA breaks down, shivering.)

I-3


SARAH Please, tell me, Brianna. Tell me everything. Your father and I want to help you.

(BRIANNA shakes her head.)

BRIANNA

I can’t talk about it -- I mean, it was . . . it was not as bad as you think.

SARAH

Brianna, you know we don’t appreciate it when you’re lying to us.

BRIANNA

It won’t help me to talk about it.

JOHN We respect your privacy, pumpkin, but we’re worried about you. We can’t have you screaming like this every night. Think of your relatives, your friends, and your neighbors. Think of the people who love you.

SARAH

We love you more than anything in this world. We want you to be happy.

BRIANNA

Look, I’m nearly an adult, okay? I -- I can take care of myself now. I will wash up, go to sleep, and everything will be back to normal.

SARAH Brianna, darling --

BRIANNA S--Stop treating me like a child!

(BRIANNA runs out of the room and in a small fit of rage and slams the door behind her. Her diary falls off the desk and opens up.)

I-4


JOHN How many times has this happened now? I can’t keep track anymore.

SARAH

I’m so worried about her, John. We’ve tried everything we could possibly do, and nothing’s working.

JOHN

Let’s talk about it tomorrow morning. I have an important meeting at the office and need a good sleep.

(JOHN opens the door, ready to leave. JOHN looks to SARAH and waits for her. SARAH notices Brianna’s diary with red stains on the floor. Curious, SARAH walks over to the diary to put it back on the desk when she glances at something in the diary. SARAH’s face becomes tightly transfixed on the page.)

Sarah, what are you doing?

SARAH There’s something here about --

JOHN

We cannot invade our child’s privacy. We have been over this before. Good girls do not gain confidence from snooping parents, nor do they gain any respect.

SARAH

I would’ve respected that if I hadn’t --

BRIANNA (off) Mother? Father? Are you still there?

(Panicking, SARAH closes the diary and quickly puts it back on her desk.)

SARAH

Y--yes, dear.

I-5


(Re-enter BRIANNA.)

BRIANNA What’s wrong?

JOHN

We were --

SARAH Making sure it wasn’t too warm in the room. Sometimes, nightmares can happen when it’s really warm at night.

BRIANNA

Oh, everything’s fine, Mom. Everything’s fine.

SARAH Let me tuck you in, dear.

BRIANNA

But, Mom --

SARAH Shhh . . .

(SARAH motions BRIANNA to get back into bed. BRIANNA returns to her bed as SARAH gets the bed sheets and gently covers BRIANNA with them. SARAH feels BRIANNA’S forehead. SARAH speaks very softly.)

Just rest, my little angel. (SARAH smiles sweetly.)

Just go back to sleep. Sleep well and think only of pleasant dreams.

(SARAH kisses BRIANNA’S right cheek.)

Goodnight, Brianna.

BRIANNA Goodnight . . . Mother.

(BRIANNA tries her best to sleep peacefully. She closes her eyes and shifts her back to her

I-6


parents. Exit JOHN and SARAH to their bedroom. They turn off the lights. We hear footsteps as they return to their bedroom. The door opens and closes. Lights in the master bedroom turn on brightly.)

JOHN

So what was the big idea of --

SARAH Keep your voice down! We can’t let Brianna hear what I need to tell you.

(SARAH whispers into JOHN’S ear about the nightmare.)

JOHN

What? You actually read her diary? How could you!

SARAH This is very serious, John. That diary mentioned something about one of her nightmares, and it really --

(SARAH turns around, horrified.)

JOHN

Honey, are you all right?

SARAH (nods)

Look, we really need to call the police right now.

JOHN Why?

(SARAH whispers into JOHN’S ear about the nightmare. JOHN is dumbfounded.)

That’s impossible. We’ve raised our daughter perfectly. Nothing like that could happen to her. Why would she even have a dream about something like that? That’s --

I-7


SARAH This is no laughing matter, John. This nightmare concerns our daughter . . . our daughter! We have to do something about this.

JOHN

But the meeting tomorrow, Sarah --

SARAH You know what? Fine! Go to your meeting. Disregard your daughter’s safety. I can’t believe you’d talk to me that way about her.

JOHN

I never meant to say it like that. (SARAH looks away from him. JOHN sighs.)

All right, we’ll talk about it more tomorrow morning, but please. We need to get to bed.

SARAH

You need to get to bed.

JOHN Come on, honey. I’m trying to be reasonable.

SARAH

So am I. Goodnight. (SARAH gets into bed. JOHN watches her get into bed. JOHN sighs.)

JOHN

Goodnight, darling.

(JOHN turns the lights off.)

(BLACKOUT)

(END OF SCENE)

I-8


ACT I

Scene 2

SETTING: Brianna’s bedroom. AT RISE: SARAH walks into the bedroom.

SARAH notices the bed is neatly made. SARAH shakes her head with disapproval.

SARAH

How many times did I tell Brianna I was washing the bed sheets today?

(SARAH starts removing the bed sheets from the bed. As SARAH removes one pillowcase, a key drops out of it. SARAH picks up the key.)

Hey, is this the key to her desk? (SARAH rushes to the desk. SARAH looks at the key.)

Oh, I know I shouldn’t intrude, but I won’t stand for my daughter’s nightmares anymore. I must get that diary.

(SARAH tries the key to the desk, but it doesn’t work.)

Damn it! Why have a key in a pillowcase then? (SARAH looks again around the room and notices the chest with a lock attached to it.)

Why is her chest locked? (SARAH thinks to herself. SARAH walks over to the chest, and tries the key on the lock. It frees the lock. SARAH opens the chest.)

Ugh, why would she put sweaters in here? She has all this closet space . . .

(SARAH pulls out a few sweaters to empty the chest.)

Another key! This must be the one.

I-9


SARAH (cont’d) (SARAH grabs inside for the key. SARAH runs over to the desk and tries the lock. SARAH unlocks the desk. Frantic, SARAH opens the desk and finds the diary inside.)

Here it is! Oh, should I open it? (SARAH puts the book back, and then stops.)

I must. My daughter could be in trouble. (SARAH looks as if about to open the book again, and then stops. SARAH shakes her head again.)

No, no parent should read her child’s diary. It’s not right.

(SARAH puts the book back into the desk drawer and closes the drawer. Before she locks the drawer, she stops again.)

No! What if my ignorance would allow the worst to happen? (SARAH thinks to herself, worried.)

No, for the greater good, for Brianna’s soul, I have to know. I just want my Brianna to be happy again.

(SARAH opens the desk drawer again and takes the diary out.)

May God forgive me for my invasion of her privacy. (SARAH opens the diary, and begins poring through it, smiling.)

Oh . . . (SARAH laughs.)

I remember our family trip to Plymouth Rock. She was only ten at the time. How fun that was. We even had Lloyd come along. We had such a good time together.

(SARAH flips through the pages until she finds several pages stained in red. She stops at one, reads it, horrified.)

I-10


SARAH (cont’d) M--my baby! No, no! This cannot be!

(SARAH drops the diary, horrified.)

How could she have these dreams? How can she write them like this? Brianna, oh my poor Brianna . . .

(SARAH picks up Brianna’s diary and reads through the last red-stained page. SARAH starts crying.)

Brianna! Oh, darling! There’s no way this could have happened to you. There’s just no way!

(SARAH looks around the room with panic in her eyes. SARAH puts down the diary, and then immediately opens her cell phone from her pocket and dials 9-1-1. SARAH exits out the door and closes it. The scene darkens briefly. The lights turn on to full power again. The door opens. Enter SARAH, JAMES, and ANDY.)

Thank you for coming so soon. I’m so worried about my daughter.

JAMES

We understand your case, ma’am, but you must understand the legal process for your case will be very difficult if we don’t have absolute proof a crime has been committed.

SARAH

Read through her diary!

ANDY Ma’am, please remain calm. Now explain slowly and carefully what happened from the beginning.

SARAH

Last night, I was awakened by my daughter screaming in her bedroom. I rushed to her room and woke her up. I asked what happened, but she wouldn’t tell me anything. She ran out and slammed the door. This diary was sitting on the edge of her desk.

I-11


(SARAH picks up the diary and points to the pages stained with red.)

SARAH (cont’d) It fell to the floor and opened up to these red-stained pages here.

(JAMES and ANDY, wearing latex gloves, inspect the stained pages of the diary.)

ANDY

What do you make of these pages, James?

JAMES This isn’t Hawaiian punch or red paint for that matter.

SARAH

It can’t be what I think it is?

JAMES We won’t know until we have probable cause to --

SARAH

Read what’s on those pages. I implore you to!

JAMES Do you realize what you are asking us to do?

SARAH

Would you rather have these dreams come to life over and over again?

ANDY

James, you know we can’t read it. We don’t have probable cause. No justification.

JAMES The girl could be a victim. And if a crime really has taken place, we will know through here and consult the victim’s testimony.

ANDY All right, but I don’t want any FBI agents on our doorstep giving us the can.

I-12


(JAMES reads through the pages and looks rather disturbed. JAMES takes his camera and photographs the stained pages. JAMES takes a pair of scissors and snips a very small piece of the corner of one of the stained pages. JAMES grabs the corner with pliers and places it into a sealed bag. JAMES gives the bag to ANDY.)

JAMES

How long have these nightmares been occurring, Mrs. Dutton?

SARAH They’ve been going on for about a year.

(JAMES and ANDY frown.)

JAMES

That’s quite a long time. Has she talked to you about them before?

SARAH

Yes, but they’re nothing like this.

JAMES Have you done anything to help her with these dreams?

SARAH

We have, but we never knew what they were about. Not very well, I mean. She has never been completely honest with us about them.

ANDY

All I can say is: make sure your daughter is safe. Keep a close eye on her whereabouts.

JAMES A very close eye on her. Be strong for your daughter. It will be hard, but she needs a strong sense of emotional support. You have to be her pillar.

I-13


SARAH I understand, sir.

ANDY Well, I think that’s everything. We should be on our way.

SARAH Wait a minute, Officer! I just thought of something. For some time, there’s been a boy around my daughter more often than usual. I think he might have something to do with her dreams. May I file a restraining order on him?

JAMES

Perhaps. You will have to go down to the county courthouse and file one with the judge. You may get a temporary one if you can convince the judge she’s in immediate danger.

SARAH All right. Well, I’ll go down to the county courthouse then. I must protect my daughter.

ANDY

Just out of curiosity, Ma’am, whom exactly are you protecting her from?

SARAH

From her boyfriend: George Hamilton. They go to the same high school together. They’ve been dating for some time.

ANDY

All right, Ma’am. We’ll inspect this bit of evidence from the pages and get back to you.

SARAH Thank you so much for your help.

(SARAH goes to the window and looks out.)

JAMES

You’re quite welcome, Ma’am. Well, I think that wraps up every --

(SARAH gasps, alarmed. SARAH points out the window.)

I-14


SARAH There he is! I see him!

JAMES Who, Ma’am?

SARAH It’s George. He’s with my baby.

(to ANDY) Oh Officer, can you please get him away from her?

ANDY We’ll do everything we can.

JAMES Come on. Let’s go downstairs.

(Exit JAMES and ANDY. SARAH returns to the window.)

SARAH

Oh Regina, my poor baby, why would you keep this from me?

(BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE)

I-15


ACT I

Scene 3

SETTING: Outside Brianna’s house, on the sidewalks. There are a couple of trees and houses in the background. It is afternoon, and the background should appear bright and sunny.

AT RISE: BRIANNA and GEORGE are walking

slowly together side by side down a sidewalk. They hold hands.

BRIANNA

I--I had a wonderful time talking to you again at lunch, George. I’m . . . I’m very glad you walked me home.

GEORGE

Me too. You know I’d do anything for that pretty smile of yours.

(BRIANNA blushes and smiles.)

BRIANNA

I’m sorry if I’m--I’m not as outgoing as th--the other girls.

GEORGE

Hey, that doesn’t bother me at all. I think shy girls are pretty cute.

BRIANNA

Really?

GEORGE Yeah.

BRIANNA

M--maybe we could go to the movies sometime this weekend?

(GEORGE smiles.)

GEORGE Hey, a lot of my friends have seen Inception. They really liked it. Have you seen it?

I-16


BRIANNA N--no. I--I don’t go out to the movies very often.

(GEORGE and BRIANNA stop walking.)

GEORGE

What do you like to do when you’re not at school?

BRIANNA Well, I--I like to study painting.

GEORGE

Really?

BRIANNA Yeah, and music.

GEORGE

What kinds?

(BRIANNA blushes.)

BRIANNA Ballets.

GEORGE

There’s nothing wrong with ballets.

BRIANNA I--I used to dance in a ballet when I was younger.

GEORGE

See, you’re already more interesting than you think. You know what many of the dumb jocks do on the weekends?

BRIANNA

What do they do?

GEORGE Look for beer like it’s gold. And they study women as if they were studying the dictionary.

(BRIANNA looks very uncomfortable.)

What’s the matter, Brianna? I’m only thinking of how silly some people are.

I-17


BRIANNA Not everything in this world is a silly matter.

(GEORGE puts a hand gently on her shoulder.)

GEORGE

But Brianna --

(BRIANNA pushes his arm away.)

BRIANNA

Not to me.

GEORGE Look, I’m sorry if I said something to hurt you. From now on, if I say something that makes you uneasy, just kick me.

BRIANNA

Kick you? And you won’t be angry?

GEORGE Me? Come on. I’m a tough guy. I can take anything.

(BRIANNA kicks him hard in the knee. GEORGE flinches, and then covers his knee.)

Wow, that was pretty good. But don’t kick me that hard, will you?

(BRIANNA starts to chuckle. Then, GEORGE starts to chuckle. Next, both GEORGE and BRIANNA burst out laughing.)

BRIANNA

I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.

GEORGE You haven’t?

(BRIANNA immediately stops smiling and turns away.)

I-18


BRIANNA Oh, no. I mean--I have before, recently. It’s just, I--I only meant . . . you know, with someone I’ve only started dating.

(GEORGE looks at her cautiously.)

GEORGE

Are you all right, Brianna?

(BRIANNA quickly moves away from GEORGE.)

BRIANNA

I--I’m fine, George! It’s just . . . nerves.

(GEORGE approaches BRIANNA.)

GEORGE

You know, I--I’ve been feeling the same thing too.

(BRIANNA looks uneasy.)

BRIANNA George?

GEORGE

About you, I mean.

BRIANNA (confused)

W--what do you mean?

GEORGE I think you’re very pretty, Brianna. You’re very bright and . . . inspiring and . . . and resplendent.

BRIANNA (blushing)

Um, thank you, George. Y--you’re a very sweet man.

GEORGE You’re a very sweet woman yourself. And I’ve . . . I’ve --

(GEORGE leans closer to BRIANNA to kiss her. Enter ANDY suddenly.

I-19


ANDY grabs GEORGE and pulls him away. BRIANNA is alarmed.)

GEORGE (cont’d) Hey, let go of me!

BRIANNA

O--Officer, what’s going on?

ANDY Are you George Hamilton?

GEORGE

Yes, sir.

ANDY And you are Brianna Dutton?

BRIANNA Yes?

ANDY Andy Marks, officer of the Danbury Police Department.

(ANDY shows his ID to GEORGE and BRIANNA.)

We’ve been asked to inform you to leave Miss Brianna Dutton alone for the time being.

GEORGE (confused)

What? Why?

ANDY There’s a restraining order being issued against you, to stay away from Miss Brianna Dutton.

GEORGE

A restraining order? Brianna, what’s going on?

BRIANNA I--I don’t know.

GEORGE

How could you do this to me?

BRIANNA But I--I didn’t do this! I never called the police.

I-20


GEORGE Then why is there a restraining order against me?

BRIANNA

I don’t know! I didn’t do anything!

ANDY That’s enough, Mr. Hamilton. Now move along and stay away from Brianna. Let this be your first and last warning.

GEORGE

When can I see her again?

ANDY Move along, Mr. Hamilton. Or would you like an escort to the county jail?

GEORGE What? I haven’t even done anything, yet you’re threatening to put me in jail?

ANDY

If you don’t leave, I can charge you with failure to comply with the orders of a police officer.

BRIANNA Oh Officer, don’t! He’s done nothing wrong! Please, don’t arrest him!

ANDY We won’t, as long as he obeys the restraining order being set by Mrs. Dutton.

BRIANNA (confused)

My mother?

(GEORGE huffs his annoyance.)

GEORGE

I don’t believe it. What’ll my parents think? To think I went to all this trouble just to go out with you, and now your mother is trying to take you away from me. It’s just not fair!

(Exit GEORGE.)

I-21


BRIANNA George, please! It’s not my fault! George!

(angered) Where is my mother?

ANDY

Inside. She is very worried about you.

(Exit BRIANNA, embittered, and ANDY.)

(CURTAIN) (END OF SCENE)

I-22


ACT I

Scene 4

SETTING: In the Dutton kitchen. The kitchen should look normal as if to represent a typical family without any substantial conflicts.

AT RISE: SARAH sits at one of the chairs by

the table. SARAH looks worried. Across from SARAH sits JAMES. Enter BRIANNA and ANDY. When SARAH sees BRIANNA, tears fill SARAH’S eyes.

SARAH

My beautiful Brianna. (SARAH wraps her arms tightly around BRIANNA sobbing.)

Oh Brianna, you’re all right. (BRIANNA gently pushes SARAH away.)

BRIANNA

(angry) Mother, what’s going on? Why are you filing a restraining order on George?

SARAH

Sit down, Brianna. Please.

(BRIANNA sits.)

BRIANNA He’s a nice young man, Mother. How could you? Now he’ll hate me and never go out with me again.

SARAH

How could you date someone like him?

BRIANNA What are you talking about?

SARAH

That--that criminal! How--how could he . . .

I-23


SARAH (cont’d) (SARAH gasps. SARAH almost starts crying.)

How could he --

JAMES Mrs. Dutton, it’s best not to discuss the situation with your daughter this way.

BRIANNA

What’s going on? George is not a criminal.

JAMES Andy, would you wait outside? I’ll handle things from here. Thank you for bringing her back to the house.

ANDY My pleasure. I’ll be waiting.

(Exit ANDY. BRIANNA looks a little more frustrated and impatient.)

BRIANNA

Can someone please tell me what’s going on?

JAMES We will answer your questions soon. First, we would like to ask you some questions. Your answers of course will be confidential.

BRIANNA

Questions about what? You take my boyfriend away from me, and now all you want to do is ask questions? You’re pathetic. You’re all pathetic. You don’t know how I feel.

SARAH

Brianna, please. This is very important. Now please answer their questions.

BRIANNA About what?

JAMES

Your actions in the last few days.

I-24


BRIANNA Fine. Will you get rid of the restraining order once I’ve made my point?

JAMES

That depends. How long have you been going out with George Hamilton?

BRIANNA

For three days.

SARAH (puzzled)

Three days?

BRIANNA Why are you surprised?

SARAH Haven’t you been going out with him a lot longer than that?

BRIANNA

No, it has only been three days. (SARAH shakes her head.)

What? What did I say?

SARAH It’s nothing. Really, it was just -- must have been a mother’s instinct that came over me.

JAMES

How did you meet him?

BRIANNA Well, we have honors trigonometry and AP Psychology together. He--he’d always turn to me and smile just before class, and he’d ask me about all kinds of things.

JAMES

Of what sort?

BRIANNA Well, the things a sweet man usually asks, such as “How are you?” “Do you like Justin Bieber or Radiohead?” You know, we talked to each other the way friends would.

JAMES How long have you known him?

I-25


BRIANNA Since the beginning of the school year, but I never really knew him until we started talking two months ago.

JAMES

And just recently, you’ve started dating?

BRIANNA (blushing)

Um, yes . . . very recently. Look, what is the point of all these questions? He’s not a bad guy, okay?

JAMES

We’re getting there. Have you experienced any noticeable differences in your lifestyle since you’ve started dating him?

BRIANNA

Not really. (BRIANNA smiles to herself.)

Except I have a boyfriend for the first time in a long time.

JAMES

Since when? When did you last have a boyfriend?

(BRIANNA looks at JAMES fearfully.)

BRIANNA

L--look, can’t we do this some other time? I just --

SARAH Brianna, darling, this question is extremely important. Please help the police officer.

(BRIANNA huffs her annoyance.)

BRIANNA

It’s--it’s been four years since I had a boyfriend, okay? SARAH

Do not snap at us, Brianna! I will not tolerate that kind of behavior, especially in the presence of a police officer.

I-26


BRIANNA But what’s the point? You’ve yet to explain why there are police officers here and why you’re filing a restraining order on George.

JAMES

The reason for that may upset you too much.

(BRIANNA becomes upset.)

BRIANNA W--what do you mean? You’re already upsetting me by not telling me anything.

JAMES

One more question. What do you know about George Hamilton?

BRIANNA Do you promise this will be your last question?

JAMES

That’s rather selfish to ask.

BRIANNA You people are all the same! W--why does everyone keep pestering me about my personal life?

(BRIANNA turns away.)

SARAH Look, Brianna . . . I’ve been worried about you for the last few weeks. I can only recall three times in the last two months you haven’t awakened me, and --

(BRIANNA turns around.)

BRIANNA

(terrified) No . . . no, I won’t talk about my dreams. I won’t . . . there’s nothing to tell!

SARAH

But Brianna, your nightmares!

BRIANNA How dare you, Mother! To bring police officers to this house when you know nothing at all!

I-27


SARAH Brianna, please calm down!

BRIANNA

But I can’t calm down! I can’t!

(We HEAR a KNOCK at the door.)

SARAH

I’ll go see who’s at the door. I’ll be right back.

JAMES No, not alone. I’m coming with you.

(Both SARAH and JAMES exit stage left. SARAH opens the door.)

LLOYD (off)

Sarah, it’s wonderful to see you again!

(BRIANNA jumps from her seat, deeply frightened. BRIANNA clasps her hands to her face. She trembles, gripping her hands tightly to the back of her chair. BRIANNA bolts out the backdoor.)

SARAH (off)

Hello Lloyd. Won’t you come in? Officer, this is Lloyd Nicholson. He’s a very good friend of ours.

LLOYD (off)

Is everything all right? Why is there a police car on your driveway? Did something happen here?

SARAH (off)

It’s about Brianna.

LLOYD (off) Really? About what?

SARAH (off)

About her new boyfriend, George Hamilton.

I-28


LLOYD (off) So she has a boyfriend now?

SARAH (off)

Just in the last few days. We’re having a hard time getting her to talk. Perhaps you could help us.

LLOYD (off)

To talk? I might be able to persuade her.

SARAH (off) She’s just in the kitchen over here.

(SARAH, and JAMES, and LLOYD move to center stage.)

LLOYD

Didn’t you say she was here?

SARAH I did. Maybe she went to the bathroom.

LLOYD

I’m sure she’ll be glad to see me again. (LLOYD smiles to himself.)

SARAH

Tell me. Where have you been lately? It’s been a while.

LLOYD Busy. Working. Life’s not been too kind on me recently.

SARAH

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Can I get you something? LLOYD

No, no thank you. I don’t want to trouble you.

SARAH No, it’s quite all right.

(SARAH walks to the refrigerator, opens it.)

Now please, tell me what you’d like.

I-29


LLOYD All right. How about a Miller Lite?

(SARAH grabs a bottle of Miller Lite.)

JAMES

So, how did you become acquainted with the family, Mr. Nicholson?

LLOYD

Through her father. John and I go a long way back, to our childhoods.

(SARAH sits down at the table and hands the bottle to LLOYD.)

Thank you, dear friend. (LLOYD smiles to himself. LLOYD sits down and places one hand over SARAH’S hands. LLOYD opens the bottle and takes a drink. SARAH sits back down.)

SARAH

Oh Brianna. I--I can’t imagine what’s going through her mind. What could have possibly happened to her?

LLOYD

Who knows? There are things the young hide from the old, and things the old hide from the young; some that are good, and some that are terrible. Perhaps it is better we do not ask of it at all.

SARAH And do nothing? How can you say such a thing?

LLOYD

Let her try figuring things out. She’ll learn.

SARAH Oh yeah? Try sleeping here for a week and you’ll think differently about my daughter.

I-30


LLOYD No, Sarah. That won’t be quite necessary. I think you’ve made your point. I’m sure John would agree.

(LLOYD takes a sip of beer. We HEAR the sound of a garage door OPENING. SARAH looks suspiciously towards the sound of the garage door opening.)

SARAH

John must be back already, but why so early? He’s usually at the office for another hour.

LLOYD

Perhaps he’s sick?

SARAH (annoyed)

Who knows? I’m never sure what’s going on with his job these days.

LLOYD

So who’s this George Hamilton, this boyfriend of hers?

SARAH I don’t know, some boy she met at high school. Brianna claims she’s been dating him for only a few days -- but that’s impossible! She’s been miserable for a very long time, and I think that vermin has something to do with it.

(LLOYD thinks to himself, satisfied. We HEAR the sound of a garage door CLOSING. SARAH looks in the direction of the garage door.)

LLOYD

It’s possible, but we’ll never know unless we get her to tell the truth.

SARAH

What would you do, Lloyd?

I-31


(Enter JOHN. JOHN looks flustered and impatient.)

LLOYD

Well, personally, I --

JOHN Honey, why is there a police car parked on our driveway?

(JOHN notices LLOYD. JOHN smiles.)

Oh, hey Lloyd! What are you doing here?

(LLOYD looks pleased to see JOHN.)

LLOYD

Hey, John! I just happened to stop by when I noticed the police car outside myself.

SARAH

Officer, this is my husband, John Dutton.

JOHN How do you do, Officer?

JAMES

Likewise, Mr. Dutton.

(JOHN shows increased impatience.)

JOHN

Now why are the police here?

SARAH I called them.

JOHN

Why did you do that without telling me?

SARAH (frustrated)

You know what we talked about last night --

JOHN What? This again? I have told you we cannot assume anything about Brianna. It’s not our business to inter --

I-32


(SARAH stands up quickly.)

SARAH

(distressed) But she is our child! And I can’t stand our daughter screaming at night anymore! I know you can’t, either!

JOHN

So you call the police just because she has nightmares?

SARAH There’s more to it than that, John. This is serious.

JOHN

How serious? (Cautiously, SARAH approaches JOHN. SARAH whispers to JOHN. JOHN looks outraged.)

How could you read her diary again?

SARAH I was afraid for our daughter. Afraid.

JOHN

Reading our daughter’s diary is the last thing a reasonable parent does. How do you expect our daughter to trust us? That’s what she needs right now. Trust, and you’ll be trusted.

SARAH

At the sake of possible harm coming to our daughter?

JOHN Why is there reason to worry?

(JOHN crosses the room.) Our family has always been honorable to this city. We have no enemies. We have no reason to be calling the police.

JAMES

I think in this case, sir, your wife has every right to call us.

JOHN

On what grounds?

I-33


SARAH Honey, please! Our daughter will be back any minute now.

JOHN

Really? And just where, may I ask, is Brianna going?

SARAH (confused)

Wait, what?

JOHN When I came home, I saw her get into her car on the driveway.

SARAH (stunned)

What do you mean she was leaving? Why didn’t you stop her?

JOHN I asked her, and she said she was running an errand for you. She just drove off. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.

(SARAH shakes JOHN.)

SARAH

(agitated) You idiot! Our daughter just lied to us!

(SARAH looks more stressed and worried.)

Oh Brianna, why would you do that?

(JAMES pulls out his walkie-talkie and activates it.)

JAMES

Andy, come in. Did you see Brianna leave the house?

ANDY (off) Yes I did. She just turned onto I-84 heading west.

JAMES

Good work. Make sure not to lose sight of her. ANDY (off)

Will do. She’s heading across the New York border as we speak.

I-34


JAMES Roger that.

(JAMES puts his walkie-talkie back on his hip.)

SARAH

(confused) New York? Why on earth is Brianna going to New York?

JAMES

I can’t say for sure.

SARAH Well, we must catch her.

JAMES Let’s go.

(Exit JAMES and SARAH. LLOYD laughs to himself.)

LLOYD

So the young troubled girl runs fast into the distance. The only question is: how far can she go?

(CURTAIN)

(END OF SCENE)

I-35


ACT I

Scene 5

SETTING: A room at Heidi’s Inn. This scene

is part of a double set. The scene stage left is inside her motel room. The scene stage right is the parking lot outside the motel.

AT RISE: BRIANNA is seen climbing onto the

bed. She looks miserable and deeply troubled. There is an air of insecurity about her.

BRIANNA

(crying) What was he doing there? That man . . . that horrible man. You bastard! I’ll never forgive you! Never! Never!!!

(BRIANNA covers her head with a pillow. BRIANNA screams "Never!” loudly under the pillow, then removes her head from underneath it.)

I can’t go on like this. I--I don’t know what to do anymore.

(BRIANNA sinks her head back into the pillow, sobbing.)

I’m so alone. I need someone. Oh God, I need someone to help me!

(We HEAR the phone ring. BRIANNA answers the phone.)

Hello?

(Lights at stage right turn on. Enter SARAH, JOHN, JAMES, and LLOYD. LLOYD stays in the shadows, while the other characters remain close together.)

I-36


SARAH Brianna, what do you think you’re doing running out to a motel this late at night?

BRIANNA

Motel? What are you talking about?

SARAH We’re right outside your door.

BRIANNA (gasps)

What?

SARAH Brianna, you have to come out. You can’t stay here.

BRIANNA

Come out? But I’m scared, Mother!

SARAH Now you listen to me, young lady. You terrified us when you ran away from home. You come out this instant.

BRIANNA I’m not going anywhere until school tomorrow.

JOHN

Honey, let me talk to her. (JOHN takes the phone.)

Brianna, we checked you out of the motel. You can’t stay in there any longer.

BRIANNA

What? Why did you do that?

JOHN Stop arguing with us right now! Are you going to come out, or do we have to have the police bring you out?

BRIANNA (upset)

No, please. I--I’ll come quietly. I’m sorry, Father.

JOHN You have five minutes, Brianna. Five minutes. You understand?

I-37


BRIANNA Yes, Father.

JOHN

We’ll be waiting. (JOHN hangs up the phone, agitated.)

What’s gotten into her?

(SARAH takes the phone from JOHN, equally agitated.)

SARAH

What’s gotten into you? How could you talk to her like that?

JOHN

She has never acted this irresponsibly before.

JAMES Has your daughter shown any signs of mental illness recently?

JOHN What kind of insinuation are you trying to make? My daughter is a normal teenager. She would never sink to such levels of insanity.

JAMES

She could become suicidal with the way things are going.

SARAH Officer!

JOHN How dare you! She would never think of killing herself. She has always been the true spirit of an American teenager, the happy, carefree daughter that I know.

(BRIANNA moves to the window. She peeps out the window cautiously, and then gasps, panicking.)

BRIANNA

No! It’s him! Why is he here with them? No! No!!! I

I-38


BRIANNA (cont’d) have to get away! I have to get away!

(BRIANNA runs back to a pillow and muffles a loud, disturbing scream.)

I don’t want that to ever happen again. I don’t, I don’t!

(Lights at stage left turn off. JOHN moans, shaking his head.)

JOHN I just don’t understand what’s going on with her. Why is she acting like this?

SARAH

Maybe, if you paid more careful attention to your daughter, you would know how miserable she has been for the past few months.

JOHN

It’s not my fault I keep being called back to the --

(SARAH gasps. Enter BRIANNA suddenly, running to her car. JAMES chases BRIANA.)

SARAH

Brianna! Stop! Where are you going?

JAMES I’ve got her!

(JAMES catches BRIANNA. BRIANNA struggles with JAMES.)

Stop struggling! BRIANNA

No, you must let me go!

JAMES You are not going anywhere! Do you want to be arrested for resisting an officer?

BRIANNA

No.

I-39


JAMES Then stop fighting me!

SARAH Honey, please! Don’t make it worse for yourself.

(BRIANNA stops struggling. BRIANNA tears up again.)

BRIANNA

But I have to leave! You don’t understand.

JOHN I don’t know what you are playing at, but you will not try to trick us again.

(JOHN shakes his head, quite displeased.)

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Why did you worry us like this?

(BRIANNA cries. BRIANNA looks up warily into her father’s eyes.)

BRIANNA

I--I’m so sorry, Father. (BRIANNA looks down at the ground shamefully.)

I’m a bad girl; I know I am. (BRIANNA sniffles. SARAH wraps her arms around BRIANNA.)

SARAH

Honey, you are not a bad person. You’re our only daughter and we love you.

(SARAH unwraps her arms and puts her hands on BRIANNA’S shoulders.)

What your father means is . . . we were so worried about you.

(SARAH glares at JOHN.)

JAMES Mr. Dutton, I suggest we take Brianna to the station for

I-40


JAMES (cont’d) questioning.

(JAMES places BRIANNA in handcuffs. JAMES escorts BRIANNA to the car.)

JOHN

That’s fine with us, sir.

SARAH But --

JOHN

Honey, if the police can help us, we should be grateful. We must know why she is doing these irrational things.

SARAH All right, but I don’t like it.

BRIANNA (sniffling)

So I . . . I’m being arrested then?

JAMES That depends whether you are willing to cooperate with us.

(BRIANNA sighs.) Come on. Get inside.

(JAMES opens the door. BRIANNA sits in the backseat of the squad car.)

BRIANNA

But what about my car?

SARAH I’ll drive it home for you, dear. Where did you put your car keys and the motel key?

BRIANNA

They’re in my right pocket.

(SARAH grabs the car keys and a keycard. JAMES closes the door.)

I-41


JAMES Okay, let’s get going, Andy.

ANDY

Right behind you. (JAMES and ANDY get inside the car. JAMES lowers his window.)

SARAH

Honey, will you make sure everything is out of Brianna’s room and return the motel key?

(SARAH gives the motel key to JOHN.)

JOHN

Yes, I will, dear.

(Exit JOHN.)

JAMES All set?

SARAH

Yes, we can leave now.

(Exit SARAH. JAMES and ANDY start the car. LLOYD emerges out of the shadows and walks to the police car. BRIANNA sees LLOYD approaching her. Scared, she is about to scream when LLOYD shakes his head and waves a finger at her disapprovingly. She shivers and covers herself to hide from him. BRIANNA cries to herself, rocking her head uncontrollably. LLOYD smiles to himself. Exit LLOYD. BRIANNA kicks the windowpane in front of her.)

I-42


BRIANNA (weeping)

Oh God, why did it happen to me?

(CURTAIN)

(END OF ACT)

II-43


ACT II Scene 1

SETTING: In a room at the police station. AT RISE: BRIANNA is sitting at a table.

JAMES is leaning over the table next to BRIANNA. ANDY is standing next to the door. JOHN is seated at the table across from BRIANNA and SARAH is seated in between them. JAMES

Miss Dutton, do you realize the dangers of running away? Why did you drive away in your car?

(BRIANNA stares down at the ground.)

BRIANNA

I--I wasn’t thinking, all right? What else can I say?

JAMES Miss Dutton, we need your full cooperation.

(BRIANNA becomes more aggressive.)

BRIANNA

W--what about what I want? Doesn’t that matter? Doesn’t it?

JOHN

Brianna, you stop that right now! Good Heavens, I have never heard you speak like this. Now apologize to Officer James for behaving like a child.

(BRIANNA looks frightened and casts her head down to the floor.)

BRIANNA

I--I’m sorry, Officer. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. (BRIANNA starts weeping to herself.)

II-44


JAMES Mr. and Mrs. Dutton, would you mind stepping outside the room while we continue to speak with Brianna?

JOHN

Yes, come along, dear.

SARAH But John --

JOHN

Let them handle it, darling.

(SARAH sniffles while nodding. Exit JOHN and SARAH. As JOHN and SARAH leave, enter MIRANDA.)

MIRANDA

So, this is our charming debutante.

JAMES Indeed. Brianna, this is Miranda Campbell, member of the CSI in Connecticut. She also has previous experience in counseling and therapy.

MIRANDA

Would you mind stepping out, gentlemen?

JAMES But --

MIRANDA

Girl talk, James. Now, shoo.

ANDY Come on, James. Let her take over from here.

(JAMES nods.)

JAMES

We’ll be back in ten minutes to see how things are going.

(Exit JAMES and ANDY. BRIANNA grabs a tissue and blows her nose.

II-45


MIRANDA watches BRIANNA carefully.)

MIRANDA

So, you are seventeen, and a senior in high school? (BRIANNA nods. BRIANNA hugs her knees to herself.)

Do you have any plans for college?

BRIANNA I--I don’t know where I want to go yet.

MIRANDA

Is there anything you really like in particular?

BRIANNA Well . . . I like painting and ballet.

MIRANDA

So do I. What artists do you like?

BRIANNA Degas and Raphael.

MIRANDA

Such wonderful artists, weren’t they? (BRIANNA nods.)

I love The Dance Class. It’s such a beautiful painting. (BRIANNA nods.)

How about Ballet Rehearsal? Have you seen that painting?

BRIANNA Yeah, the girls in it are so pretty.

MIRANDA

Aren’t they? I have an art book I usually keep at the office to look at. May I share it with you?

(BRIANNA smiles a little.)

BRIANNA

Oh, that would be splendid.

MIRANDA Wait right there. I’ll be right back.

II-46


MIRANDA (cont’d) (Exit MIRANDA, briefly. BRIANNA hugs her knees again with her arms. She sighs, looking really tired as if about to fall asleep. Re-enter MIRANDA with two different books. The door closes loudly, startling BRIANNA.)

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Here, this book has so many wonderful paintings.

(MIRANDA sits down across from BRIANNA at the table.)

Take a look. Tell me if there any paintings you like.

(BRIANNA looks over the book cover. She opens it and starts to pore through it a little bit. BRIANNA smiles when she reaches a few paintings of ballet dancers.)

BRIANNA

I like these here.

MIRANDA Which ones? Point to them.

(BRIANNA points to a painting.)

Ah, this one is a fabulous painting by Degas. Look at all the lovely dancers. So graceful, so innocent, so naïve, so young . . .

BRIANNA

. . . and so pure.

MIRANDA What do you mean, “so pure?”

BRIANNA

They’ve--they have good hearts.

MIRANDA Do you feel you have a good heart yourself?

II-47


BRIANNA I--I think I do. I mean I . . . I always try to do what’s right.

MIRANDA

You need not be modest. I know what you mean. Let me show you one of my favorite paintings, by Diego Rodriguez. He’s one of my favorite painters.

(MIRANDA skims through the pages to the painting.)

This painting is translated as “The Coronation of the Virgin.”

(MIRANDA shows BRIANNA the painting.)

BRIANNA

“The Coronation” . . . (BRIANNA studies the painting very closely.)

The Virgin’s eyes . . . they express so much. (BRIANNA looks as if she’s come to a horrifying realization.)

They . . . they--ah! (After screaming, BRIANNA covers her face in her hands.)

Please close the book! I don’t want to look at any more paintings.

MIRANDA

But Brianna, you just told me you love painting. Don’t you like --?

BRIANNA

Of course I do! I just don’t want to see that painting right now.

MIRANDA (puzzled)

All right. We don’t have to look at any more paintings if you don’t want to.

(MIRANDA puts the book down on the table.)

Tell me, Brianna, do you like sculptures?

II-48


BRIANNA Oh yes. I think there are some very beautiful sculptures, such as the statues of Aphrodite.

MIRANDA

They are really beautiful, aren’t they? Here, I brought you this book on some sculptures.

(MIRANDA shows the cover of the sculpture book. BRIANNA looks at the book and then screams, covering her eyes.)

BRIANNA

No . . . no, take that book away from me!

(MIRANDA puts the book down, away from BRIANNA.)

MIRANDA

You’re not afraid of the book, are you?


BRIANNA

It’s not the book. It’s . . . it’s --

MIRANDA It’s okay, Brianna. You can talk to me. Don’t be afraid.

BRIANNA

Are there any sculptures that aren’t . . . naked?

MIRANDA There are many different women clothed and unclothed. Is that a problem?

BRIANNA It’s not the women. It’s the men.

MIRANDA Ah, I see. Well, I’ll tell you what. We did very well today.

II-49


(MIRANDA grabs the books.)

BRIANNA

(surprised) Wait, that’s it?

MIRANDA

Yes, I think so. You’ve shown me what I needed to know. And what’s important is we’ve become acquainted. I’m sure you don’t mind that, do you?


I know that sounds strange, but remember. I’m not the police officer or your parents. I’m simply Miranda, all right?

(We HEAR a KNOCK at the door. Enter ANDY and JAMES.)

JAMES

How is everything going with Brianna?

MIRANDA She did very well.

(MIRANDA walks to JAMES.)

Can we talk in private, James?

JAMES Uh, sure.

(to BRIANNA) We’re done today with questions. You’re okay, Brianna. Everything seems to be fine. Andy, take Brianna to her parents.

ANDY Come on, Brianna.

(BRIANNA walks to the door. She stops at the door and turns to MIRANDA.)

BRIANNA Good-bye, Miranda. It was nice meeting you.

II-50


(BRIANNA bows her head. Exit BRIANNA, followed by ANDY.)

JAMES

So, what did you find?

MIRANDA I think I know what scares Brianna.

JAMES

You found out the whole story?

MIRANDA Take it easy, tough guy. You certainly think women spill everything to the first man they meet.

JAMES

So what scares Brianna? (MIRANDA whispers in his ear. JAMES frowns, puzzled.)

How did you come up with that conclusion?

MIRANDA Through the paintings and sculptures. She screamed when she saw Michelangelo’s sculpture of David on the cover.

(MIRANDA shows JAMES the book.)

JAMES

Why would Brianna be afraid of something like that?

(MIRANDA puts the book down.)

MIRANDA

I didn’t ask. This seems really bad, James. We need to learn why she’s afraid of it and see if we can get her some help from a psychologist.

JAMES

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

MIRANDA Why not?

II-51


JAMES We might be hurting her if we put her into some kind of rehabilitation program without knowing what we’re dealing with.

MIRANDA But James --

JAMES We can’t make that kind of recommendation to her parents yet. We need more time. We don’t have enough information.

MIRANDA

I know, but certainly she must have another referral. I --

JAMES Miranda, you know we cannot refer her to any kind of counseling yet without having all the evidence we need, even to suggest anything of the sort. If things become clearer over time, and she has to come back here for some reason, maybe you could recommend someone to her.

MIRANDA

Yes, perhaps you’re right. Oh James, I hope you’re right.

(BLACKOUT)

(END OF SCENE)

II-52


ACT II

Scene 2

SETTING: Lloyd’s apartment. The interior should be nicely furnished so as to seem pleasant.

AT RISE: LLOYD and JOHN are sitting across

from one another in two comfy chairs. They are laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

LLOYD

So, you are leaving in two days?

JOHN Yes, indeed. We have a party to attend.

LLOYD What kind of party is it? JOHN Well, it’s a reunion circle of the old Connecticut names of Danbury.

LLOYD Oh, a family reunion of sorts? JOHN In a way, but it’s for adults only. We’d let Brianna come with us, but she’s still too young to go with us.

LLOYD Really? Too young to go to a family reunion? JOHN Yes, because it’s membership-based like Sons of the American Revolution. You have to be eighteen to enter. LLOYD Oh, I see. JOHN And she’s not eighteen yet. LLOYD Huh, imagine that. So, how big will this reunion be?

II-53


JOHN Pretty big. We are talking about 10 to 11 generations of New England descendants coming for this. About 500 to 600 people. LLOYD Impressive. JOHN Yes, indeed. LLOYD And are you related to any of them with certainty?

JOHN I can’t remember whom off the top of my head, but I know some families are connected to ours, like the Davenports, the Bishops, the Beaches, the Burrs, and the Ives.

LLOYD

Remind me who your ancestor was.

JOHN Thomas Dutton of England.

LLOYD

That’s right. I forget that little tidbit here and there. Will the Gould’s be there?

JOHN

Of course. They have a big part in the festivities. The Webster’s are going to be there too. I never liked them very much: always boasting things with vocabularies too thick for pleasant conversation.

LLOYD

What is Brianna going to do then?

JOHN I don’t know. She’ll most likely just spend the night at home, curled up reading a book quietly, like a good girl.

LLOYD

You speak approvingly of her, considering what she’s put the family through recently.

JOHN

I expect nothing less than the best from my daughter.

II-54


JOHN (cont’d) That’s how she was raised and how she ought to behave.

LLOYD

You know, speaking of Brianna, I’ve heard she has a new boyfriend. I think his name was George, wasn’t it?

JOHN

That’s right, George Hamilton.

LLOYD What do you know about him?

JOHN Well, he comes from a wealthy family. His father Samuel is one of the most respected lawyers in Connecticut, in all of the New England states.

LLOYD

Impressive. Do you work together in the same building?

JOHN No. His father is head of his own law firm. I heard he’s been very successful lately.

LLOYD And from what I heard, Brianna and George haven’t been together that long.

JOHN Not sure, really. My wife even tried to place a restraining order on him recently to prevent him from coming back to the house.

LLOYD My, how overly protective!

JOHN But when they went to court last week, the judge dismissed the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence. LLOYD I can only wonder: why so protective? JOHN Yes, indeed, for she certainly has her reasons.

II-55


LLOYD Such as?

JOHN (chuckles)

Can you believe this? She thinks my daughter is crazier than we thought, as if she needs to check into rehab.

LLOYD

Why?

JOHN I don’t know. She said something in Brianna’s diary disturbed her.

LLOYD Did you read it?

JOHN No, I’m her father. I wouldn’t even think of it. It doesn’t make any difference what it might have said. All I know is this kind of worrying is becoming unnerving. There’s no point in dragging these issues out as if they form part of a murder case.

LLOYD

That’s taking things a little too far, isn’t it?

JOHN Yeah, you’re right. Come to think of it, why are you so interested in George Hamilton?

LLOYD

Well, I . . . I haven’t been in touch with the family for a week or so, and I needed to catch up on what’s going on.

JOHN

I suppose, but we talk all the time.

LLOYD Do you think Brianna is telling the truth?

JOHN

Who knows? Girls these days are so peculiar.

LLOYD Name one who isn’t.

II-56


JOHN Again, we’re on the same channel intuitively. You know what? Teenagers are teenagers. If it’s God’s will they have drama spells, let them have their little drama spells now and then, and when they get into college, grow up.

(LLOYD laughs.) I’m serious. I don’t recall my sisters acting like this when they were in high school. We didn’t think so much about our social lives. We just made friends, had good times, and annoyed the teachers every once in a while.

LLOYD

I think your daughter is going to be just fine. She’ll have everything under control.

JOHN

So do I. (JOHN’S cellphone vibrates.)

Hang on a second. I have a message. (JOHN takes out his cell phone to read a message. JOHN puts his cellphone back in his pocket.)

I have an appointment with a client in forty minutes, and I need to be going. It was good to see you, my friend.

LLOYD

Same here. Good luck with that numbskull, whoever he is.

JOHN Numbskull? Hey, you’ve got the right word for that moron. See you later.

(Exit JOHN.)

LLOYD

(chuckles) Bye. So Brianna, are you going to come clean? I should find out how influential I still am these days . . . on her soul.

(BLACKOUT)

(END OF SCENE)

II-57


ACT II

Scene 3

SETTING: High School library. AT RISE: GEORGE and BRIANNA are sitting

together at a table working on homework. They are the only ones left in the library. BRIANNA looks troubled and unable to concentrate on her homework. GEORGE looks busy, writing things on a notebook. GEORGE looks up in a few seconds to notice BRIANNA’S lack of focus and distress.

GEORGE

Hey, you haven’t touched your homework in the last five minutes. The library is closing soon.

(BRIANNA packs up her things in her backpack.)

BRIANNA

I don’t care about it. I can’t even think about it.

(GEORGE stops working.)

GEORGE (concerned)

What’s wrong, Brianna?

BRIANNA I--I don’t --

GEORGE

Please tell me.

(BRIANNA gets out of her chair.)

BRIANNA

I don’t like the way things are going between us. GEORGE

(hurt) Why?

II-58


BRIANNA We can’t talk to each other most of the time because we’re not supposed to be seen together. We have to . . . do homework together as an excuse for . . . for me.

GEORGE

For you?

BRIANNA Yes. For reasons, for reasons that are . . . pulling us apart.

GEORGE

Do you not like me anymore, Brianna? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?

BRIANNA (alarmed)

N--no, George! It’s not about that. It’s --

GEORGE Then why are you doing this? It’s just not fair, Brianna! I can’t take you anywhere because of your mother. And to think I had to go to court for that restraining order, I mean . . . she’s so desperate to keep me away from you. I don’t get it. Why is she so overly protective of you?

BRIANNA I don’t know.

GEORGE Come on. Why does she think I’m the devil?

BRIANNA I don’t know!

GEORGE

I’ll tell you what your mother is. She’s a nut!

BRIANNA Don’t you talk like that about my mother!

GEORGE

Then why is she afraid of me? Huh? What did I do to you?

BRIANNA You haven’t done anything wrong.

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GEORGE Really? Then why does she still think I’m the bad guy?

BRIANNA

I’ve told you and I’ve told you. I don’t know! My mother won’t tell me why.

GEORGE

That’s the dumbest excuse I ever heard!

BRIANNA It is not! I would never lie to you about something this close to my heart.

GEORGE

Well, that just makes me sick. It’s obvious I’m the bad guy and the troublemaker. Yes, I understand it all now.

(GEORGE starts packing.)

BRIANNA George, please! I never wanted our friendship to turn into something like this.

GEORGE

Neither did I, but it’s clear to me you don’t want to be with me and you hate me. Is that your little dark secret you keep hiding from me? You hate me, don’t you?

BRIANNA No, that’s not true.

GEORGE You don’t want me around me anymore, do you?

BRIANNA No, George! That’s not true!

GEORGE Go on. Say it. Say it!

(BRIANNA starts to tear up. She looks deep into his eyes.)

BRIANNA

No! I can’t. I . . . I could never hate you, not for anything.

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(GEORGE stands up, and then moves away from BRIANNA.)

GEORGE

Then why leave me with nothing but questions? (GEORGE turns around, back to BRIANNA.)

Let me ask you something. Do you know what it means in the army when you’re ordered to “fight to the last man?”

(BRIANNA shakes her head slowly.)

When soldiers, no matter how tired, hungry, and fearful they are for their lives, must go on and “fight to the last man,” they fight with everything they’ve got. They fight to their very last to protect something and will gladly die for it. That’s what a friend like me would do for you.

BRIANNA

George --

GEORGE Those are the kinds of friends that do not sway, not for anyone, not for anything. But if that cause isn’t there, then what’s the point? Why have a friend who sacrifices almost everything to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped? Why have a friend who gains nothing in fighting a lost cause for another?

BRIANNA George, I --

GEORGE I’ll tell you who’d rather hurt a good friend. That’s a thief, a criminal who’s selfish enough to keep secrets just to spare him from pain. I guess you’ve never understood that, and I pity you for it. Think it over and ask if you have a friend whose causes you’d fight for.

(GEORGE packs his things.)

It’s a shame a friend like you can only treat me like dirt. Thanks for nothing.

(GEORGE starts to leave. Frightened, BRIANNA runs to him and grasps his hand tightly.)

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BRIANNA George, wait!

(GEORGE stops, turns around and looks at BRIANNA carefully.)

GEORGE

Well, what is it?

(BRIANNA looks fearfully into his eyes, but filled with a sense of awe in place of fear.)

BRIANNA

Did you . . . did you really mean what you said? That I’m worth fighting for?

(GEORGE nods. BRIANNA tears up. BRIANNA does not look away.)

George, you’re not just my friend. You are the only one who keeps me going, the only one who makes me . . . happy.

GEORGE

Brianna --

BRIANNA Oh, please forgive me. I know I’ve been terrible to you, and I don’t want you to be angry with me, okay? I’m sorry, and maybe it’s not enough. It’s just that . . . no one has ever made me feel like . . .

(BRIANNA looks away.) I’m so important.

GEORGE

You are important, Brianna. BRIANNA

Not just some . . . some nobody I’ve been turning into because I . . .

(BRIANNA looks into his eyes.)

I . . .

(GEORGE looks hopefully into her eyes.)

II-62


GEORGE Yes?

(BRIANNA and GEORGE hold each other’s stare. Then, in a fit of rage, BRIANNA bursts into tears. She turns from him and slams the table with her fists.)

BRIANNA

It’s so unfair!!! Why did it happen to me? (BRIANNA breaks down, crying.)

GEORGE

Brianna . . . (GEORGE touches her shoulder. At first, BRIANNA tenses at his touch. Then, she looks into his eyes. Suddenly, she wraps her arms around him, sobbing. GEORGE encircles her in his arms. He strokes her hair and kisses her head several times. Slowly, GEORGE takes hold of her head with both hands. BRIANNA briefly opens her eyes to see he is looking at her. She closes her eyes and continues crying. GEORGE leans towards her and kisses her very gently. BRIANNA opens her eyes wide, but before she breaks away, GEORGE pulls away. Very cautiously, she leans her head towards him and kisses him back. Then,

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GEORGE places one of his hands on the back of her head and pulls her gently towards him for another kiss. They kiss at a quickening pace for approximately three seconds. Suddenly, she pulls away, terrified.)

BRIANNA

Please don’t hurt me! (BRIANNA covers her head, shivering.)

GEORGE

Brianna, are you all right? Y--you’re shivering.

BRIANNA (weakly)

I--I’ve always . . . I’ve always liked you, George. (more strongly)

I’ve always liked you . . . (GEORGE moves closer to BRIANNA to comfort her.)

GEORGE

Brianna --

BRIANNA But we can never be!

(BRIANNA grabs her backpack quickly.)

GEORGE

But Brianna -- BRIANNA

We just can’t! (BRIANNA dashes out the library in tears. Exit BRIANNA.)

II-64


GEORGE Brianna!

(GEORGE watches her fly out the library. He slams the table with his fists in frustration.)

Damn it, Brianna!

(GEORGE sinks into a nearby chair and sighs.)


II-65


ACT II

Scene 4

SETTING: A room at the police station. AT RISE: JAMES and ANDY are sitting around

in two chairs talking quietly when MIRANDA enters the room.

MIRANDA

I have the results from Brianna’s diary.

JAMES How does it look?

MIRANDA

Not good at all.

JAMES So it’s blood then?

(MIRANDA nods.)

MIRANDA

The worst part is it’s not Brianna’s. I’ve spent hours combing the archives for a link to this sample and found nothing.

JAMES

In the entire country? That’s bullshit!

ANDY Well, these things happen.

JAMES

I thought this would break the case wide open. ANDY

Hey, chill out. What we need is a break. It’s lunchtime, and I’m going. Are you coming?

JAMES

In a minute, Andy.

ANDY Well, if you’re not there in a minute, I’m off on my own.

II-66


(Exit ANDY.)

JAMES Is there anything else you found from that blood test?

MIRANDA

We do some have technical information to work with. The bloodstain is not recent.

JAMES

How old, would you reckon?

MIRANDA Older than six months at least.

JAMES

That doesn’t give me plenty of room to work with.

MIRANDA It’s not fresh blood. If it were, it would be a simple feat to unravel the DNA coding.

JAMES

You know, I wonder why we have all this technology that’s so advanced when at times it accomplishes nothing for us. It just makes me sick.

MIRANDA

Well, would you prefer we solve this case like Sherlock Holmes?

JAMES It might make things easier. Just using your wits instead of a dumb computer that doesn’t work . . . yeah, I would buy that.

MIRANDA (chuckles)

You take me so seriously it’s actually funny.

JAMES (chuckles)

Well, let’s catch up with Andy before he takes off.

(BLACKOUT)

(END of SCENE)

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ACT II

Scene 5

SETTING: Brianna’s room. AT RISE: BRIANNA stands at her window

watching the street. Enter JOHN and SARAH.

SARAH

Brianna! Brianna, we are heading out.

BRIANNA Have a good time, Mother.

SARAH

Please call us if there’s any trouble. If you can’t reach us by cell phone, we’ve left the number of our hotel with you. Are you sure you’ll be all right?

BRIANNA

I can take care of myself, Mother.

JOHN Don’t be afraid to tell us if anything is out of the ordinary.

SARAH

Call the police if you have to.

BRIANNA Okay. I will.

SARAH

I know you’ll look out for yourself. God Bless you. (SARAH hugs BRIANNA.)

BRIANNA

Thanks, Mother. Have a good time.

JOHN Be safe, darling.

(JOHN hugs BRIANNA.)

II-68


BRIANNA Thanks, Father.

SARAH

We’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Bye, Brianna.

(Exit JOHN and SARAH.)

BRIANNA Good-bye.

(BRIANNA returns to the window and watches the car drive away. She sighs somewhat pensively. Enter LLOYD. He walks in very quietly without being noticed. BRIANNA turns around, looking down at the floor, thinking to herself. Then, she looks up and sees LLOYD. BRIANNA gasps with shock. She looks overwhelmingly terrified.)

W--what are you --? H--how did you get in here?

LLOYD That’s no way to greet your guest, Brianna. Didn’t your parents ever teach you any manners?

BRIANNA

Y--you aren’t sensible enough for manners!

LLOYD Being rash won’t help you tonight.

BRIANNA

I--I’m calling Father!

LLOYD I don’t think so. You know what will happen if you do.

BRIANNA (trembling, frightened)

No--you wouldn’t . . . you wouldn’t do that to me again. You promised. You promised! I did everything you asked.

II-69


LLOYD I’m not denying what you’ve done for me. You’ve been a very good girl, the way a daughter obeys her father. She should be seen, but not heard.

(BRIANNA moves to wall. With her back to the wall, she has her hands pressed firmly against the wall.)

BRIANNA

What do you want with me then?!

LLOYD Why did you run away from the house?

BRIANNA

Y--you know very well why I ran away.

LLOYD Oh, I certainly do. Did you know what you were thinking when you ran away?

BRIANNA

What do you want from me?!!

(LLOYD approaches BRIANNA. BRIANNA cowers. BRIANNA moves closer to the upstage-left corner of her room, keeping her back to the wall while continuing to watch LLOYD fearfully.)

LLOYD

You have disobeyed me twice in the last week. You have been a very bad girl.

BRIANNA N--No, you don’t mean that. You don’t mean that . . . no, no, no . . . you don’t mean that. I know you don’t mean that!

LLOYD

Who is George Hamilton? You never told me about him.

II-70


BRIANNA W--why should it matter to you? If I--if I like somebody, that’s my business.

LLOYD

How dare you snap back at me! You forget this is my business too. It hurts my dear heart when you parade the school hallways, flashing your eyes at every boy in sight. You told this boy the truth, didn’t you?

BRIANNA

No . . . n--nobody knows the truth, except me. I swear.

LLOYD You keep it that way. Oh, you better keep it that way. Don’t get close to that boy.

BRIANNA

You have no right to tell me what to do. Now go away! Go away!!!

LLOYD You forget you have disobeyed me.

BRIANNA

Go away before I . . . before I call the cops on you!

(LLOYD chuckles.)

LLOYD Good luck. You’ll never get to a phone in time.

(BRIANNA draws her cell phone and is starting to dial when LLOYD lunges towards her and smacks the phone from her hand. LLOYD tightens his grip on her wrist. BRIANNA cringes with pain. She starts to cry.)

BRIANNA

No, please! Let go of me! (LLOYD smacks Brianna’s face with his right hand. BRIANNA yells in agony.)

II-71


BRIANNA (cont’d) Please, let me go! I won’t call the cops. Just don’t hurt me again.

LLOYD

That’s three times you have disobeyed me in just the last week. You know very well what that means, don’t you?

(BRIANNA gasps. BRIANNA struggles to free herself from his grip.)

BRIANNA

No! No!!! (LLOYD tightens his grip on BRIANNA. BRIANNA struggles, but cannot escape. BRIANNA starts bawling.)

You wouldn’t do that to me again. You promised! You promised!!!

LLOYD

You poor child, I do not feel sorry for your impudence, even in the slightest.

BRIANNA

I’m sorry. I’m sorry! Please, I’ll do anything if you let me go. I--I don’t want to be hurt again.

(BRIANNA continues weeping.)

LLOYD

You don’t? Well, you already hurt me three times, and I don’t like it when girls sow such injury into full-grown men and expect they can get away with it just because they’re women.

BRIANNA (sniffling)

Please, I’ll do anything. Really. Just don’t hurt me.

LLOYD Don’t be a spoiled brat. Such cries for mercy are unbecoming. Do you know what happens to scabrous minxes like yourselves?

II-72


(BRIANNA struggles again to escape. She is crying uncontrollably. Her chest heaves. She is panting, panicking, trying desperately to break free. LLOYD slaps her face hard. BRIANNA pants even more frantically. LLOYD gropes her. BRIANNA cringes. LLOYD brings his face close to her right cheek and hisses at her.)

LLOYD (cont’d) They get exactly what they deserve.

(LLOYD drags BRIANNA with him and turns off the lights. He drags her offstage. The stage is completely dark. BRIANNA screams as loud as she can.)

BRIANNA

No! No! No!!!

(CURTAIN [gradually as BRIANNA’s sobbing fades away])

(END OF ACT)

III-73


ACT III

Scene 1

SETTING: Brianna’s room. It is part of a double-set. Stage left is Brianna’s room. Her room now has a painting of “The Coronation of the Virgin” placed on the wall above her bed. Stage right is the front door entrance including the stairway up to Brianna’s room and part of the living room.

AT RISE: BRIANNA is alone in her room

seated on her bed sobbing.

BRIANNA It can’t be . . . it just can’t be! I feel it. I feel it in the rotten depths of my horrid soul. Oh, Lord Almighty! Have mercy on thy faithful servant!

(BRIANNA sobs.) Have mercy!

(Dim lights, stage left. Enter GEORGE. GEORGE calls BRIANNA on his cellphone, but receives no answer. GEORGE sighs. GEORGE walks up to the door and knocks on it.)

GEORGE

Hello? Is anyone there? (GEORGE shrugs and starts to leave when he looks back and notices Brianna’s window is open.)

Strange, her window is open, but the house is all shut up. (GEORGE knocks on the door again.)

Hello? (GEORGE still receives no answer. GEORGE tries the door handle to see if it’s unlocked. The

III-74


door opens. GEORGE gives another odd look at the door. GEORGE cautiously peeks inside, and then sets foot in the house. GEORGE closes the door.)

GEORGE (cont’d) Hello? Is anyone here?

(GEORGE looks around the room.)

Mr. Dutton? Mrs. Dutton? Brianna? (GEORGE walks up the stairs quietly.)

Hello? (As GEORGE walks up the stairs, the lights on the stage dim to total darkness. We still hear footsteps walking up the stairs. We hear the sound of a door being opened. Suddenly--)

Brianna!!! What are you doing?

BRIANNA Stay back, George! No one can save me now!

GEORGE

Don’t do it!!!

BRIANNA It’s all over!

GEORGE

No!!! (We HEAR FOOSTEPS hastening, and then a GUNSHOT. The stage must be silent for three seconds for suspense.)

Brianna, why? Why?

BRIANNA I want to die!!!

(BRIANNA bawls hysterically. The lights return to full

III-75


power. GEORGE is behind BRIANNA. GEORGE is locking her arms and is struggling to keep her from reaching for the gun.)

BRIANNA (cont’d) Let go of me! I want to die!

GEORGE

I’m not letting you go, Brianna!

BRIANNA If you love me, let me go! I have to die!

GEORGE

If you love me, you won’t fight for the gun or . . . or do anything stupid. Do you hear me?!

BRIANNA

I can’t bear it! Everything has to end!

GEORGE No, it doesn’t!

(GEORGE takes the gun from BRIANNA. BRIANNA continues sobbing.)

Brianna, just talk to me. I want to help you. Tell me what’s wrong.

BRIANNA

I can’t!

GEORGE You must.

BRIANNA

I can’t!

GEORGE But you must!

BRIANNA

But I can’t!!! I can’t, George! I can’t! I would die if I told you.

III-76


GEORGE Brianna, listen to me very carefully. Are you listening to me?

(BRIANNA nods.) Brianna, I don’t know why you tried to pull that off, but if you . . . you . . . damn it, Brianna! Did you think about how I would feel about it? How miserable I would be?

BRIANNA

I did, and--and it would be better for the world to be rid of me. I’m nothing but trouble!

GEORGE

That’s not true! Brianna, what is it that hurts you? Tell me. Oh please, Brianna, tell me.

BRIANNA

No, George. For everyone’s sake, I can’t tell you. Not Mother, not Father, not anyone.

GEORGE

But Brianna --

BRIANNA No!!!

(BRIANNA breaks from GEORGE and runs to her bed in fright. She clings to one of her pillows and sobs a little. GEORGE looks on with a look of resignation.)

GEORGE

All right then. If you won’t tell me, if no one will tell me why you are this way, there is someone who will.

(GEORGE puts the gun to his head. The lights dim.)

BRIANNA

No, George! No!!! (We HEAR a GUNSHOT. The lights turn on again. BRIANNA has her arms

III-77


wrapped so tightly around GEORGE to keep him from moving.)

BRIANNA (cont’d) George, you idiot! What were you trying to do?

(GEORGE drops the gun. GEORGE looks shaken.)

GEORGE

L--let me kneel.

(BRIANNA releases GEORGE. BRIANNA smacks GEORGE hard on the face.)

BRIANNA

What were you trying to do, you f*****g moron?

(BRIANNA sinks to the floor crying. GEORGE kneels and folds his hands in prayer.)

GEORGE

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for sparing Brianna Dutton’s life and showing how important her life really is. Father, if there is only one thing You can answer, then answer this. Tell me what insanity would drive the love of my life to plead for a swift and merciful end to it all.

(GEORGE starts to show tears. BRIANNA looks up from her crying and sees tears running down his face.)

Please, Heavenly Father, if You shall never answer another in my lifetime, let this one be known. Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(For a moment BRIANNA watches GEORGE as she weeps for him.)

BRIANNA

Oh George . . . I’m so sorry, so sorry for everything.

III-78


(BRIANNA wraps her arms around GEORGE.)

GEORGE

I’m so glad you’re here with me. (GEORGE smiles.)

Truly. (GEORGE brings her face close to his.)

I love you, Brianna Dutton. Beyond all truths. Beyond all things.

(BRIANNA stares at the window. BRIANNA parts from GEORGE and walks to the window looking sadly down at her front yard.)

BRIANNA Really? And would you . . . would you still love me if I told you what has happened to me . . . after all these years: m--my most terrible secret?

(GEORGE cautiously approaches BRIANNA. GEORGE takes her left hand and rubs it in both of his. GEORGE searches for her eyes to force BRIANNA to look at him.)

GEORGE

It doesn’t matter what you say, Brianna. You, Brianna. You are the only person, the only thing that matters. I want to understand your pain, Brianna. I want to know why you are like this.

BRIANNA

George . . .

GEORGE Please, darling. Please tell me.

(BRIANNA looks directly into GEORGE’s eyes.)

BRIANNA

George, I --

III-79


(BRIANNA runs to her pillow and gives a loud muffled scream.)

GEORGE

Brianna!

(BRIANNA cries for a little bit. BRIANNA tries very hard to prevent herself from breaking down into sobs again.)

BRIANNA

C--come closer to me, George. (GEORGE approaches BRIANNA, appearing unafraid.)

Closer. (GEORGE kneels down beside her bed. BRIANNA wipes the tears from her eyes.)

Closer, so I can touch your face. (GEORGE leans his head towards her, inches away from her face. BRIANNA takes hold of one of his wrists.)

Feel my forehead.

(GEORGE touches her forehead. GEORGE is alarmed.)

GEORGE

You’re burning with fever! (BRIANNA nods.)

We can’t just sit here. We have to call a doctor. (GEORGE springs for the door. BRIANNA grabs his wrist before he can bolt for the door.)

III-80


BRIANNA Not yet, George. Not yet. Not until I explain what’s happened to me.

(BRIANNA looks over towards the painting on the wall mounted above her bed.)

You see that painting up there on the -- on the wall? Do you know what that is?

(GEORGE shakes his head.)

That is “The Coronation of the Virgin,” a painting by Diego Rodriguez.

(GEORGE looks at the painting, then turns to BRIANNA.)

GEORGE

I--I really do like it, Brianna. It’s so beautiful. But what does that --?

BRIANNA

Please. (BRIANNA presses her fingers to his lips.)

“So beautiful.” That’s the kind of feeling you have for me, isn’t it? One so beautiful.

(BRIANNA sits up.) Look at her eyes. Do you see where they are glancing?

(GEORGE looks at the painting, then back at BRIANNA with uncertainty.)

GEORGE

Y--yes?

(BRIANNA looks down at the ground before looking back at GEORGE.)

BRIANNA

She knows herself. She knows she is benevolent, kind, modest, innocent, and pure. For all my life, I wanted to be like her. For all my life, I wanted to do what she did.

III-81


BRIANNA (cont’d) For all my life, I wanted to be the happiest of all women, the best of all women, for that special man who I’d call someday my husband. For all my life, I wanted it to be that way. But no. No! No!! Ever since my fourteenth birthday, I was a tortured wit. I was a broken heart. I was a woman of terrible shame, one so foul that it happened not once, not twice, but five! Five times! I don’t deserve anyone for what has happened to me.

GEORGE

Brianna --

BRIANNA Look at me now, George. Up and down. Go on.

(GEORGE inspects BRIANNA very closely.)

GEORGE

You’re still fair and beautiful as ever, Brianna. Not . . . that much different anyway.

BRIANNA

I--I may look fine now, but I won’t be in three months. Two weeks ago, I weighed 120 lbs. Last week, I was about 121. Now, I’m 123.

GEORGE

Brianna?

BRIANNA Soon, everyone is going to know. Everyone will know what happened to me, and there’s -- there’s nothing I can do about it! Nothing!

(BRIANNA’S voice trembles.)

Nothing about that bastard!!!

GEORGE That bastard?

(GEORGE looks horrified.)

You don’t mean . . .?

(BRIANNA starts crying shamefully.)

III-82


BRIANNA Yes, George.

(GEORGE is completely dismayed.)

GEORGE

No. It can’t be! No! Oh Brianna, why?

BRIANNA I didn’t want it! I didn’t want it, George!

(GEORGE looks very angry.)

GEORGE

Don’t lie to me! How could you do this to me?

BRIANNA No! George, I --

GEORGE

Oh, sure. You think I believe that? Is that how you’ll explain this to your parents? How do you think they’ll react when they find out? Do you really think they are just going to buy your excuses too?

(BRIANNA is paralyzed with fear.)

BRIANNA

George . . .

GEORGE What do you think they’ll do? They’ll ask you how it happened. They’ll ask who did this to you.

(BRIANNA regains her voice.)

BRIANNA

I’m telling you I didn’t want it!

GEORGE Then why did you do it?

BRIANNA

I--I --

III-83


GEORGE Why did you do it?

(BRIANNA struggles to speak. Her eyes are watery and her chest heaving.)

BRIANNA

H--he has ears . . . he knows e--everything t--that I do. If he f--f--finds out what I tell you, h--he’ll kill me.

(BRIANNA starts shivering.)

He’ll kill me! And no matter where I run, he’ll find me. He’ll kill me cold-blooded. He’ll kill me after the last time he . . . he . . .

(BRIANNA struggles so much to complete this sentence. BRIANNA looks deeply into GEORGE’S eyes while trying so hard to make the words come out. BRIANNA closes her eyes, while sobbing and trying to contain her feelings, but BRIANNA cannot hold them any longer.)

After he . . . after he rapes me!!!

(BRIANNA sobs uncontrollably. GEORGE is petrified, yet slowly begins sobbing. GEORGE cries with her.)

GEORGE

Oh Brianna . . . (GEORGE holds her tightly in his arms, feeling so terrified and sorry for her.)

Brianna . . .

(BRIANNA cries his name very painfully.)

III-84


BRIANNA Georgie!

(BRIANNA holds GEORGE so tightly in her arms. They cry together. The lights dim very slowly to complete darkness. After ten seconds of silence lights return to full power left stage. The crying has dissipated. GEORGE is rocking BRIANNA gently in his arms.)

GEORGE

Brianna?

BRIANNA Yes?

GEORGE

I . . . I’m . . .

BRIANNA Please, don’t say another word.

GEORGE

But I have to know. Who did this to you?


BRIANNA

I’ll tell you. I will. I promise. But please, I--I don’t want to cry anymore.

GEORGE I understand.

(GEORGE gets angry.) But . . . how can someone be so cruel to you, do that to you? I--what would possess such a man to do that to you? To hurt you?

BRIANNA

You do believe everything I’ve said, don’t you?

III-85


GEORGE Every word of it. I have to believe it. It’s the only thing that makes sense. It explains why you were always so shy, why it took so long to persuade you to go on a date, so long to get you to smile, to say “Hi,” to hold my hand, and to . . . to --

(BRIANNA looks into his eyes.)

BRIANNA

Fall in love with you?

(GEORGE looks into her eyes and nods.)

GEORGE

P--perhaps. But why didn’t you tell me? Really?

BRIANNA I thought that you’d . . . that you’d hate me; that you’d run from me; that you’d never want to see me again; that you’d never want to be with me again.

(BRIANNA backs away.)

GEORGE

Brianna?

(BRIANNA looks earnestly into his eyes.)

BRIANNA

I’ve never met anyone like you, George Hamilton. And I . . . I can’t bear the thought of losing you.

(BRIANNA grips one of his hands tightly with both of her hands.)

GEORGE

Neither can I. (GEORGE places his free hand on top of hers.)

Listen to me, Brianna. If you’re here at home alone, and find yourself in this situation with that man again, get out of this house, and run. You understand?

(BRIANNA nods.)

III-86


GEORGE (cont’d) You get out and run! Run straight to my house, okay? And don’t you stop running! Goddamn it, you better not stop running.

(Enter SARAH at stage left, creeping up the stairs. SARAH plants herself behind the door so as not to be seen, not even from the opposite corner of the auditorium.)

BRIANNA

I will. I promise. (GEORGE and BRIANNA embrace once more.)

Oh George, how am I going to tell my parents?

GEORGE There is only one way to tell them. You must tell them.

BRIANNA

Tell them? Tell them? If I explain this to them, no matter how hard I try, no matter how much I know, no matter what I’d say, my parents would never believe me.

SARAH

Never believe what, Brianna?

(BRIANNA gasps. SARAH storms in, angry.)

BRIANNA

M--Mother! I can explain! Please, let me explain! SARAH

I told you quite clearly this trespasser is not allowed on my property, and I told you quite specifically he is not welcome here. I’m calling the police!

GEORGE

Mrs. Hamilton, you must not do that!

SARAH I very well can and will. This is my property, and you know very well you aren’t supposed to be here with my

III-87


SARAH (cont’d) daughter.

(SARAH loses her coldness and becomes emotional.)

What a shame! To think my daughter would keep such a lie from me, cover herself with tears and bad dreams just so she could be with you.

GEORGE That’s not the truth!

SARAH

It is, too, and you know it! You plan to elope with my daughter, my only precious daughter.

GEORGE

No!

SARAH Yes! And you won’t be abducting my daughter from my house. Not while I’m around. Now get out of here!

GEORGE

Do you want to know why I was here? Do you really want to know why I was here?

(GEORGE becomes emotional, passionate and sincere.)

To protect her. To protect your daughter’s life! If I had not been here when I did, Brianna would have killed herself! Killed herself!

(BRIANNA starts tearing up again.)

Killed herself because no one would believe her.

(SARAH notices BRIANNA crying. SARAH looks at BRIANNA apprehensively.)

SARAH

Brianna, is this true? (BRIANNA nods. BRIANNA continues to whimper. SARAH is stunned. SARAH is nearly brought to tears.)

But why?

III-88


BRIANNA Please, Mother. I don’t want to cry anymore. All I’ve done is cry. Please, let me just have one moment of happiness. One moment of peace.

(SARAH shakes her head with disapproval.)

SARAH

I don’t understand what all this nonsense is about, but whatever it is, I’m still calling the police.

GEORGE I saved Brianna’s life! I swear on the one thing I can give you.

SARAH

You have nothing to swear upon.

GEORGE Nothing, except my honor.

(SARAH looks at GEORGE at first with curiosity, then with disgust.)

SARAH

Your honor? Teenagers have no sense of honor. You call sleeping with my daughter honor?

BRIANNA

He never did that to me, Mother!

SARAH Outrageous! Honor is the one word a teenager neither believes in, nor even understands what it really is.

BRIANNA

Mother! (BRIANNA stands up hastily.)

I--I -- (BRIANNA starts to look dizzy.)

I’m feeling -- (BRIANNA faints, falling back onto the bed.)

III-89


GEORGE & SARAH Brianna!

(Both GEORGE and SARAH run to BRIANNA’S side.)

SARAH

Don’t you touch my daughter! You get out of my house right now!

GEORGE

I won’t leave her! I love her, Mrs. Dutton.

SARAH I’m not going to repeat myself. You get out, or I’ll --

(SARAH feels BRIANNA’S forehead.)

Oh my god! She’s running a fever. Grab the thermometer from the bathroom. It’s on the top shelf. Quickly!

(GEORGE exits stage left, running.)

Oh Brianna, what has happened to me? (SARAH starts tearing up.)

I’m failing you. I can’t protect you anymore from this beast.

(Enter GEORGE with the thermometer and gives it to SARAH. SARAH places the thermometer into her mouth. Ten seconds pass. SARAH takes out the thermometer.)

104! I’m calling the doctor.

GEORGE But you can’t call the doctor. Not until she tells you --

SARAH

That’s enough talk from you! Now I will call the police if you don’t leave this house this instant. Do you hear me?

(SARAH stands up and walks to the door.)

I’m going for the phone right now and calling the police. (Exit GEORGE sadly. As GEORGE exits, SARAH watches him leave. BRIANNA awakes as soon

III-90


as he leaves. SARAH weeps.)

SARAH (cont’d) Oh Lord, will this madness ever end?

BRIANNA

George? Mother?

SARAH Brianna!

(SARAH rushes to her daughter’s side.)

Brianna, darling, are you all right?

BRIANNA I don’t feel very well. I feel very sick.

SARAH (alarmed)

I’m calling for an ambulance. Just stay in bed and relax, okay?

(SARAH rushes to the phone and dials 9-1-1.)

Operator, I need an ambulance! My daughter needs medical assistance, quickly!

(BLACKOUT)

(END OF SCENE)

III-91


ACT III

Scene 2

SETTING: A waiting room in the hospital wing.

AT RISE: The DOCTOR, SARAH and JOHN are

standing, talking. Both JOHN and SARAH look very worried.

JOHN

No, no, no, no. Perhaps we just misunderstood you. Tell us once more what you just said, Doctor.

DOCTOR

I made myself clear, Mr. Dutton.

SARAH But it can’t be true!

DOCTOR

I understand this is hard news to bear. There will be many difficult trials ahead for you and your daughter. I recommend taking her to a good pediatrician to check up on her and make sure everything goes smoothly.

(SARAH turns away.)

SARAH

I--I don’t know what to say.

(The DOCTOR puts a hand on SARAH’s shoulder to comfort her.)

DOCTOR

You don’t have to say anything, Mrs. Dutton, but try to be as understanding as possible.

(SARAH looks at the DOCTOR.)

SARAH

May we see our daughter?

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DOCTOR Soon. She’s doing some additional tests at the moment. For now, you’ll still need to wait here. I wish you the best of luck, for you and your daughter.

(JOHN lowers his head to the ground.)

Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Dutton. (Exit DOCTOR. JOHN paces around the room, with a beguiling appearance of calmness. SARAH sits down at a seat, distraught.)

SARAH

Oh John, my only daughter, my only child. Why? Why did it happen to us?

(Suddenly, JOHN goes into a rage.)

JOHN

That damn wretch! (JOHN paces back and forth.)

It just doesn’t make any sense! Good girls do not do things like this. That woman cannot be my daughter.

SARAH

But she is, John. There is nothing we can do about it.

JOHN Nothing you can do about it. I have no daughter.

(SARAH stands up.)

SARAH

John!

JOHN She is not my child!

SARAH

She is our child! You cannot disown her any more than we can disown our faith in God.

III-93


JOHN The Lord would never do this. Not to us! This is the Devil’s creation.

(Enter GEORGE with flowers.)

GEORGE

Mr. and Mrs. Dutton, is Brianna okay?

JOHN Go away, you rouge!

SARAH

John!

GEORGE I just wanted to know if she is all right.

JOHN

I’ll tell you what will make things all right. You will go home this instant and get away from my daughter.

GEORGE

I come as her friend and I come because she asked me to.

JOHN I don’t care what you have to say. You are not welcome to see my daughter, and you are not going to see her again.

GEORGE

But I --

SARAH George, just do what he says.

GEORGE

But Mrs. Dutton --

SARAH Please?

GEORGE All right. Will you just make sure she gets these flowers?

(SARAH nods. SARAH takes the flowers.)

III-94


SARAH Please go now, George. We’ll give these to her.

(SARAH puts the flowers on the coffee table. GEORGE starts to walk away, but then stops and turns around.)

GEORGE

I’m so worried about her, you know. I just want to know how she is.

JOHN

You don’t need to know anything more than that she’s fine. Now get lost.

(GEORGE bows his head and walks away. Exit GEORGE. JOHN shakes his head in frustration.)

That fool is always making a mess of himself, every time he shows up around here.

SARAH

Oh John, who would do this to our daughter? And why?

JOHN That George Hamilton . . . he must have done it. Teenagers are naïve to prudence and common sense, born without the upbringing of religion. They have no regard for another’s feelings but their own, no regard for another’s future but their own, and no regard for another’s levity, not even for their own. They are “the wicked that shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

SARAH No, John! They are the needy, the poor that shall never be forgotten.

JOHN

Maybe they are. But that damn George Hamilton should be burned at the stake. He’s malicious, all right. Always wanting to be alone with her . . . always wanting things from her.

SARAH

I . . . I don’t believe he could have done such a thing.

III-95


JOHN What are you trying to say? That the only person who could have done this to Brianna would not do that?

SARAH

John, you remember what I told you, about George saving her life this morning.

JOHN

I still don’t believe him. (JOHN paces back and forth.)

Even if it’s true, he was trying to save his skin. He was most likely reckless and lucky he didn’t kill her.

(JOHN stops pacing.) But let’s suppose he wasn’t reckless for one minute. Why would he be at our house?

SARAH

To . . . to save her from killing herself.

JOHN But why would that woman try to kill herself?

(JOHN resumes pacing.) With my gun! I kept that gun locked in the safe in our closet with a combination lock. Only I knew the combination. How did she figure it out? What drove her to do it?

SARAH

I don’t know, but think of her shame. What could be worse than carrying such shame for life?

JOHN

Worse? At this rate, she will have far worse things to bear in her life.

SARAH But John, nothing can be worse than the shame she carries now. Oh darling, even if we don’t know why it happened, we have to help her in every way we can.

(Enter BRIANNA, laying down in a rolling bed, and NURSE, who pushes her bed. SARAH and JOHN do not notice the rolling bed.)

III-96


JOHN But you know what she has done. Brianna has scarred the Dutton name for life. Her unspeakable act of atrocity against our virtuous name . . . she has ripped it to shreds, tore the glory of our family history apart!

SARAH

But John --

JOHN She is not my daughter!

(BRIANNA starts to cry.)

BRIANNA

No, my father hates me. He hates me.

(JOHN is terrified. JOHN turns around and sees BRIANNA sobbing in the rolling bed. JOHN looks terrified.)

JOHN

Brianna --

BRIANNA I thought you loved me. I thought you believed in me. I thought my family always believed in me.

(BRIANNA starts bawling. JOHN starts panicking.)

JOHN

Brianna, I--I didn’t mean it! Brianna! (BRIANNA continues to cry without stopping. Exit NURSE and BRIANNA.)

Brianna!!!

(The doors behind the NURSE and BRIANNA close. The doors lock in place. JOHN knocks on the door and tries to force it open, but it won’t budge. SARAH approaches JOHN and slaps him.)

III-97


SARAH I can’t believe you! Who the hell do you think you are? You are not my husband. There is no way my husband would ever do that to my daughter or to me. You shame me for having married you; you shame me for having to listen to your tirades; you shame me for hurting my daughter, and shame me for having no regard for any human frailty but your own. You are nothing but a wicked golem!

(Exit SARAH crying. JOHN paces about the room angry. JOHN yells.)

JOHN

Oh yeah? What does anyone know about human frailty?

(JOHN picks up a few magazines and throws them on the ground. JOHN kicks over the coffee table with the flowers. JOHN sits down on a chair, bringing his hands to his temples. JOHN weeps.)

(BLACKOUT & CURTAIN)

(END OF SCENE)

III-98


ACT III

Scene 3

SETTING: Lloyd’s apartment. AT RISE: LLOYD is sitting in a rocking

chair reading a book. The audience should clearly see the title of the book, which is “Les Liaisons dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

LLOYD

Well, well, well. She certainly was a bad girl, wasn’t she?

(LLOYD chuckles to himself as he continues to read the book. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. LLOYD puts the book down on the table beside his chair. LLOYD goes up to the door and opens it. Enter JOHN.)

Hello, John. What brings you here? (LLOYD closes the door behind JOHN.)

You don’t look so good. Can I get you something to drink?

JOHN Thank you, Lloyd, but I don’t know how long I will be here.

LLOYD

Why? What’s happened?

(JOHN whispers into LLOYD’s ear. LLOYD looks concerned.)

LLOYD

I’m very sorry, John. I haven’t seen your daughter since the incident at the motel. When will she return?

JOHN Well, we are bringing her home tomorrow morning if her health remains in good condition.

III-99


LLOYD It’s a shame Brianna would do something like this.

JOHN

I know. Why would she? She has no right to do so.

LLOYD What are you going to do about it?

JOHN I don’t know. I have to think about it. How will I explain this to my neighbors? How will I explain this to my relatives?

LLOYD

Try to stay calm, my friend. There’s nothing worse than getting furious over a matter like this.

JOHN

These are morals that I’m dealing with, Lloyd. I should not be worrying about the fate of my daughter. No father should be worrying about such things when his daughter acts accordingly and does not think to do anything dishonorable.

LLOYD

You are saying this is not dishonorable?

JOHN Of course this is dishonorable! Such a thoughtless act is a direct violation of God’s principles.

LLOYD

How is your wife taking this?

JOHN Not very well. She left me stranded at the hospital.

(LLOYD shakes his head with disapproval.)

LLOYD

Did you get into a fight?

JOHN Yes, I did. I . . . said some things I shouldn’t have.

LLOYD

Like what?

III-100


JOHN Well, I . . . I said that . . . I have no daughter.

(LLOYD crosses his arms.)

LLOYD

Have you apologized to her?

JOHN Not yet, but I’m going to. I don’t even know how to apologize for something like this.

(JOHN sighs to himself. JOHN slumps into a chair.)

I feel like such an unworthy parent.

LLOYD Relax, John. No family is perfect. You’ll figure a way out of this.

JOHN

What would you do, best friend?

LLOYD If I were you, I would apologize to your wife. Do everything you can to get on her side. I would think your daughter needs both parents to overcome this ordeal.

JOHN

That’s a good idea. (JOHN pats him on the back.)

Thanks for helping me out, my friend. You always seem to know what to do. It’s no wonder I have always looked up to you in these situations.

LLOYD

Thanks, John. You’re going to be fine. JOHN

Well, I should be getting home. The sooner I apologize to my wife, the less painful it will be for the whole family.

(JOHN walks to the door.)

III-101


LLOYD John, do you know who is responsible?

(JOHN stops and turns around.)

JOHN

(bitterly) There is only one person who could have done such a thing. That person is George Hamilton. Pish! You just can’t trust a single teenager to do anything right anymore.

LLOYD

I guess you can’t.

JOHN Well, see you later, Lloyd.

LLOYD See you later, John.

(Exit JOHN. LLOYD closes the door behind JOHN. LLOYD’S behavior changes drastically from a calm demeanor to hateful ire.)

That stupid bitch! That wicked, ungrateful, and impudent strumpet of all Danbury, Connecticut! How dare she seek vengeance upon me by partaking in such guiltless pleasures! She is trying to undermine me. Yes, that’s what she’s doing!

(LLOYD opens a drawer from a nearby cabinet and pulls out a gun. LLOYD admires the gun as he continues talking.)

Once that louse returns home, when the time is right, we’re going to have a long talk. This nonsense has being going on for far too long. She really needs to settle down. And I think I know just how to do it.

(LLOYD grins to himself rather cruelly.)

What she needs is an ultimatum.


III-102


ACT III

Scene 4

SETTING: Brianna’s Room. AT RISE: BRIANNA is alone and is seated at

her desk. BRIANNA reads a note.

BRIANNA “Dear Brianna, your father’s car stalled on interstate 90. I have left to pick him up. We hope to return by 7:00 this evening.”

(BRIANNA stands up and drops the letter.)

7:00! That’s two hours from now. (BRIANNA rubs her stomach.)

Ugh, I hate this vermin inside me. (BRIANNA hears a window break. BRIANNA gasps and looks terrified.)

What was that? (BRIANNA rushes to the end of the stage, looks down the stairs to find LLOYD climbing the stairs to her room. Frightful, BRIANNA closes the door and locks it. BRIANNA starts pushing her dresser towards the door.)

Come on! Move! (BRIANNA finishes blocking the dresser and stands back. LLOYD tries to open the door, but it is locked. LLOYD pounds on the door. BRIANNA is very scared.)

LLOYD

Oh Brianna . . . I know you are in there.

III-103


(BRIANNA gasps. BRIANNA walks quietly towards her window.)

LLOYD (cont’d) Be a good girl and open the door.

BRIANNA

Y--you are not coming near me again. D--do you hear me?

LLOYD Oh, so you are in there. Listen very carefully to what I’m about to say. If you don’t open this door, I’m going to force it open and break through.

BRIANNA

N--no, y--you don’t want to do that.

LLOYD But I will. We have something very important to discuss.

BRIANNA

No we don’t.

LLOYD Your life depends on it, my dear. It would be most unfortunate for you to go on being the bad girl you are.

(BRIANNA starts crying.)

BRIANNA I--I will not be pushed around anymore!

LLOYD

All right. You asked for it. (LLOYD breaks the door down and pushes the dresser aside forcefully. LLOYD strides through the room towards BRIANNA. BRIANNA becomes very frightful.)

You really are a bad girl. I can see why.

BRIANNA You know why too. I--it’s your fault!

III-104


LLOYD Oh, is it? Did I not suggest from the very beginning you better think twice before you decide to do . . . grown-up things?

(BRIANNA yells painfully.)

BRIANNA

You’re a ghoul!

LLOYD It’s not my fault you are a bad girl. You wanted that boy’s attention, craved his attention, and didn’t think about me. It’s too bad that that the only thing a bad girl like you wants is attention. And this . . .

(LLOYD becomes enraged. LLOYD grabs a handful of BRIANNA’S shirt.)

. . . this is how you thank me? (LLOYD slaps BRIANNA very hard twice. BRIANNA cries even more painfully. LLOYD lets go of BRIANNA. BRIANNA retreats to a corner of the room. LLOYD yells at her bitterly.)

Go on. Admit it! You slept with him, didn’t you?

BRIANNA N--no. No!

LLOYD And now, he’s responsible! What debauchery! What carnal craving dregs! You’re worse than a sow; you’re worse than a whore. You’re nothing but sin itself.

(BRIANNA starts to yell.)

BRIANNA

But this monster . . . this is your making!

LLOYD I don’t believe you. You lie to me.

III-105


BRIANNA You--you don’t believe me? T--then, you better explain the results of the paternity test I’m going to take.

LLOYD

Is it really . . . mine? My own? (LLOYD starts to look shaken by the idea. LLOYD paces about the room.)

Do you know what will happen if you take that test and it proves to be mine too?

(LLOYD shakes his head with disapproval. LLOYD speaks almost nonchalantly.)

You’re going to have to die if you do that.

(BRIANNA becomes extremely terrified.)

BRIANNA

No! No! Y--you can’t! You wouldn’t kill me!

LLOYD Really?

BRIANNA

And if I d--don’t?

LLOYD Then I won’t kill you.

BRIANNA

And what if this thing looks like a monster, j--just like you?

(LLOYD thinks for a moment.)

LLOYD

Then you leave me no choice. (LLOYD draws his gun. BRIANNA screams. LLOYD approaches BRIANNA.)

You better say your last prayers now. You might as well forgive yourself for your sins to God and your pathetic crimes to me. You will honor me before I kill you as mine.

III-106


(LLOYD approaches BRIANNA.)

BRIANNA

S--stay away from me. (BRIANNA starts to shudder.)

Stay away from me!

(LLOYD grabs BRIANNA’S left arm and pulls BRIANNA to him. LLOYD starts tearing her clothes, ripping them off her body. LLOYD hisses in her ear.)

LLOYD

You are mine now, and as soon as I’m through with you, you will die.

BRIANNA

No!!! (BRIANNA draws a concealed knife and stabs LLOYD in the chest. LLOYD flinches at the pain and lets go of BRIANNA just long enough for her to flee with the knife. Exit BRIANNA crying. LLOYD draws his gun. LLOYD’S breathing is raspy.)

LLOYD

You wretch! You may run, but when I find you, you’ll perish forever!

(Exit LLOYD, dashing.)


III-107


ACT III

Scene 5

SETTING: George Hamilton’s living room. The room should look pleasantly furnished and quaint. The room includes two comfy chairs with a small round oak table in between them, a sofa that faces the wall, a coffee table in front of the couch, a flat-screen television in the corner, a fireplace along the wall, and a stack of wood next to the fireplace.

AT RISE: GEORGE is sitting on the couch,

eating dinner from a plate, watching television when the doorbell is rung rapidly. GEORGE puts the plate down on the coffee table. GEORGE gets up and approaches the door. He opens it. BRIANNA enters, shivering and panting. Her clothes are all torn, and BRIANNA looks miserable. GEORGE gasps at the sight of her.

GEORGE

Brianna! What happened to you?


BRIANNA George!

(BRIANNA falls to the floor wailing.)

GEORGE

Brianna!

(GEORGE picks up BRIANNA in his arms and carries her to the couch.)

BRIANNA

I don’t want to live anymore!

III-108


(BRIANNA’S breathing turns into rasps.)

GEORGE

Who did this to you? Is it the same man? Where is he?

BRIANNA He’s . . . he’s been following me. Watching my every move.

GEORGE

Who, Brianna? Who?

(BRIANNA panics.)

BRIANNA I’m . . . I’m so afraid! I’m so scared!

(GEORGE shelters BRIANNA in his arms.)

GEORGE

I’m calling 9-1-1. Wait right there!

BRIANNA (screams)

Don’t!

GEORGE Why?

BRIANNA

You can’t, George. If you do, then I’m dead. I’ll die if word breaks loose to the neighborhood.

GEORGE

But I must, Brianna.

BRIANNA No, no! We have to get away from here right now. Oh George, you have to help me!

GEORGE

How? You won’t let me dial 9-1-1 or get help. Wait a minute! My parents are coming back home from work soon. They can help you.

(Enter LLOYD from the front door. LLOYD is

III-109


wearing a large black coat with black gloves. LLOYD’S breathing is raspy.)

LLOYD

The poor thing . . .

(BRIANNA gasps. BRIANNA clutches very tightly to GEORGE’S leg.)

BRIANNA

No! Stay away from me! Leave me alone!

GEORGE Who are you? What do you want?

LLOYD

I was wondering why she ran all the way here. That’s unbecoming for a girl like her.

BRIANNA

Don’t listen to him, George! He’s --

LLOYD Not another word, Brianna.

(LLOYD draws a gun from his pocket. GEORGE scrambles off the couch and pries himself from BRIANNA’S grip around his leg.)

GEORGE

You stay away from Brianna, whoever you are.

(LLOYD points the gun at GEORGE. GEORGE backs up only a little bit.)

LLOYD

How pathetic. Boys like you don’t know anything about girls.

GEORGE

You don’t, either!

III-110


LLOYD My, aren’t you the clever pushy type?

GEORGE

Y--you aren’t welcome here, you cad. This is my house, and you have no business to be here. Get out!

LLOYD

Is this what you call bravery? You’re pathetic. She doesn’t deserve a moron like you. Get over here, you bitch!

(LLOYD unlocks the safety pin from his gun. GEORGE starts to get angry.)

GEORGE

You don’t talk to Brianna like that. Do you hear me? You don’t . . . ever . . . talk to Brianna . . . like that!

LLOYD

Words, words, words. You’re boring me. Let go of the girl this instant.

GEORGE

You get out of my house. Now!

(LLOYD shakes his head in disbelief.)

LLOYD

You don’t seem to get it, do you? You are in no position to negotiate or threaten me.

GEORGE

I will not stand here and let you threaten my girl like that. I may not have a gun, but I have one thing you don’t: honor.

(LLOYD bursts out laughing.)

LLOYD

How stupid! Brianna, come here now!

BRIANNA No! I--I won’t go!

III-111


(LLOYD moves forward towards BRIANNA.)

LLOYD

I said --

(GEORGE gets in front of BRIANNA.)

GEORGE

You stay away from her, you coward!

LLOYD Don’t try to play hero, you stupid child. That’s how a young boy like you dies.

(At first hesitant, GEORGE takes a step closer.)

GEORGE

You know what? I bet you couldn’t fight me without your gun. You have no respect for yourself. That’s why you have to use it. I bet you all the money in the world you’re such an old craven little coward you can’t throw down your gun and fight me like a man.

(GEORGE puts up his fists, ready to fight.)

BRIANNA

George!

LLOYD You really are pathetic, child.

GEORGE

And you are really dishonorable, vagrant.

LLOYD Stop playing games!

GEORGE

Oh yeah? Fight me. I’ll show you who’s playing games.

BRIANNA George! Don’t do it!

III-112


(GEORGE lunges for LLOYD’S gun rather quickly and struggles for control. LLOYD snickers at him.)

LLOYD

You’re really pathetic, for a boy. (LLOYD punches GEORGE with his left hand really hard. GEORGE stumbles to the ground.)

BRIANNA

George!!!

(LLOYD walks over to BRIANNA with his gun still drawn. LLOYD seizes BRIANNA by her torn shirt. BRIANNA starts to shiver uncontrollably.)

LLOYD

Now you are coming back with me. You understand?

(GEORGE gets back up on his feet. Though a little dizzy in his gait, GEORGE takes a thick piece of firewood and smacks LLOYD’S head with it, but not too hard. LLOYD immediately drops BRIANNA, and after flinching from the pain for a few moments, he seizes GEORGE and chokes him. LLOYD hoists GEORGE above the ground.)

BRIANNA

George!

III-113


(Panicking, BRIANNA sees the plate on the coffee table. BRIANNA takes it and smashes it on LLOYD. LLOYD flinches again and drops GEORGE onto the floor. GEORGE scrambles to his feet.)

LLOYD

You know what happens to women who fight me? They die. (LLOYD draws his gun, ready to fire. GEORGE takes another piece of firewood and with all his might smashes the wood against LLOYD’S skull, causing it to bleed.)

GEORGE

Don’t you dare shoot Brianna! (LLOYD raises the gun again, but faintness takes hold of him. LLOYD drops his gun and falls to the ground. GEORGE rushes to the gun and takes it, aiming it at LLOYD.)

You want to try that again?

BRIANNA George!

(BRIANNA runs into GEORGE’S arms. GEORGE pushes BRIANNA away.)

GEORGE

Call 9-1-1 right now!

(BRIANNA runs to the telephone. Exit GEORGE very briefly. GEORGE returns with a rope and binds LLOYD’S hands and

III-114


legs. When GEORGE finishes binding his arms and legs, LLOYD is roused from his spell.)

BRIANNA

I’m dialing.

(BRIANNA dials 9-1-1.)

LLOYD You’ve just issued your own death sentence, Brianna.

(LLOYD tries to get up, but he can’t. GEORGE points the gun at LLOYD.)

GEORGE

You stay where you are! Don’t even think of trying to escape.

(LLOYD stops fidgeting. BRIANNA is trembling.)

BRIANNA

9-1-1, I--I need the police immediately! (Exit BRIANNA. Enter SAMUEL and FLORA.)

SAMUEL

What on earth is this?

GEORGE Father! That man is a criminal.

SAMUEL What?

(Re-enter BRIANNA.) BRIANNA Yes, I’ll stay on the line, but please hurry!

FLORA Is he a burglar or something?

III-115


GEORGE No, he’s much worse, Mother. He’s the guy who --

BRIANNA

Don’t say it, George!

GEORGE He tried to take Brianna away. He was going to hurt her.

FLORA Look at him, Samuel. He’s bleeding badly.

(Exit FLORA walking quickly.)

SAMUEL

You better have a very good reason why you did this. I can’t bear to think that my son would commit such a crime.

(Re-enter FLORA, walking quickly, with a damp cloth. FLORA kneels down and cleans LLOYD’S wounds on his head.)

FLORA

The poor man . . . he seems so kind and gentle.

SAMUEL Who is this man? And why did you bind his hands?

BRIANNA

That is no man. His name is Lloyd Nicholson. He may be my father’s best friend, but he’s no godfather to me!

GEORGE (stunned)

Your godfather? Brianna, is this true? (BRIANNA whimpers, then nods. GEORGE rushes to BRIANNA and holds her.)

Oh Brianna, you’ve been through so much.

(BRIANNA looks earnestly into GEORGE’S eyes.)

BRIANNA

Don’t let him hurt me again.

III-116


GEORGE He won’t, Brianna. You are safe now.

LLOYD

Safe? My goddaughter is certainly safe and sound, but not with your arms around her.

(Enter JAMES and ANDY.)

JAMES All right, everyone. Step aside.

ANDY

Hands up, everyone!

(EVERYONE, except JAMES and LLOYD, raises their hands in the air. ANDY walks over to LLOYD and unbinds his hands. ANDY then handcuffs LLOYD. Enter JOHN and SARAH.)

JOHN

Lloyd! What happened to you?

SARAH Brianna!

LLOYD

How do you think I feel? (LLOYD coughs blood.)

JOHN

Brianna, what is all this? You better have an explanation for your behavior.

SARAH

Oh darling, are you okay?

BRIANNA I -- I --

JAMES

Lloyd Nicholson, you are under arrest, charged with the rape of Miss Brianna Dutton --

III-117


(JAMES keeps talking as JOHN interjects.)

JOHN

Rape? Impossible!

(BRIANNA breaks from GEORGE, turns away, deeply ashamed. SARAH looks overwhelmed with grief.)

BRIANNA

No, he said it!

SARAH Brianna . . . no, not my poor baby!

JAMES

-- physical assault on a minor, and for trespassing.

JOHN What lunacy is this? My best friend would never do that!

(BRIANNA becomes increasingly tormented.)

BRIANNA

Now everyone knows --

JAMES You have the right to remain silent --

BRIANNA Everyone --

(ANDY takes out his walkie-talkie and activates it.)

ANDY

10-15, we have him in custody. Over.

JOHN Release my friend! He’s innocent!

BRIANNA

Everyone --

III-118


JAMES Anything you say may be used against you in the court of law.

BRIANNA

No -- (BRIANNA stops abruptly and faints.)

GEORGE and SARAH

Brianna!

(GEORGE and SARAH run to BRIANNA.)

ANDY

11-41, requested at 153 Connecticut Avenue. Over.

(ANDY puts away his walkie-talkie. JAMES escorts LLOYD outside.)

JAMES

You have the right to an attorney --

LLOYD Save me, John! You know I’m innocent!

ANDY 10-4, over.

(Exit JAMES and LLOYD. BRIANNA awakes. SARAH starts crying.)

SARAH

Oh Brianna, Brianna, why didn’t I listen to you?

SAMUEL I’m so sorry, Mrs. Dutton. Everything is going to be all right now.

BRIANNA

Mother, George, I -- I feel --

GEORGE Brianna --

III-119


(JOHN seethes with anger. JOHN points at GEORGE.)

JOHN

You stay away from my daughter, you liar!

SARAH You heard what the police officers said.

JOHN

They’re wrong! They have to be! My best friend would never do such a thing to my daughter. It’s George who should be arrested.

SAMUEL

How dare you accuse my son of committing such an unspeakable act!

(FLORA looks distressed, cradling her head in her hands.)

JOHN

You know very well he’s behind all this.

FLORA There’s no way my son could have done such a thing.

JOHN Really? Well, if he didn’t do it, then who did? Do you think my daughter just turned all this into one giant hoax?

BRIANNA Father, that’s not true! Please listen to --

JOHN Don’t you interrupt me! You’re supposed to live up to the highest standards of a Christian in our household. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, to think you’d call 9-1-1 and accuse my best friend of such an atrocity.

BRIANNA

No, Father! No! (BRIANNA cries again.)

III-120


SARAH John! How can you say that in front of our daughter?

GEORGE

I would never do anything to harm Brianna. Never!

JOHN Oh yeah? Youth doesn’t know anything about propriety or saving face! You want to prove me wrong? Why don’t you try saying that staring down a barrel of a rifle right in your face, and we’ll see where that leads you.

(SARAH walks up to JOHN and slaps him.)

SARAH

You stop accusing people of things they didn’t do, or I’ll ask Andy to take you away.

JOHN I know what adolescence is! It’s cynical; it’s a tyrant to morals; a tyrant to civilization; a pathetic egocentric label for an irresponsible, irreconcilable, irrepressible, immodest wench of childhood. Do you think I don’t know a selfish ingrate when I see one?

GEORGE Mr. Dutton --

JOHN Do you think they know any better about what’s best for them? Adolescence . . . its school of behaviors . . . it’s our future; it’s a plague for all adulthood, for all society that is to come.

GEORGE

All right, Mr. Dutton. Have it your way. Officer, go ahead. Put the handcuffs on me; take me away.

SAMUEL

Son, what are you doing? You have nothing to prove to Mr. Dutton.

GEORGE

Do I? I saved a woman’s life, but I’m not a hero? I asked a police officer to arrest me and handcuff me, but that makes me look stupid and the scorn of society?

III-121


SAMUEL George, don’t you talk back to your father!

GEORGE

I’m sorry, Father, but I do have something worth saying, if you don’t mind.

JOHN

A child is to be seen, but never to be heard.

GEORGE Oh, and I suppose my testimony isn’t going to matter when I go to court because I’m a teenager.

SARAH

John, don’t spur him any further. Just let it go. You can’t fight a battle impossible to win.

(GEORGE approaches ANDY and pleads on his knees.)

GEORGE

Officer, please? Arrest me! If I have anything to prove to people that believe I’m nothing more than a troublemaker, then let me make a sacrifice.

ANDY

I cannot do that. GEORGE

But you must!

ANDY I’m sorry, but I will not do that.

(GEORGE stands up.)

GEORGE Then how do I prove I’m more than just a selfish teenage brat to him? Even in my house, at 18 years of age, I can’t do anything. I’m still looked down upon as a child. Look at this. Look what I just did! Do you really think that this is something an ordinary everyday good boy does?

(GEORGE walks to JOHN. ANDY is stupefied and does not answer.)

III-122


GEORGE (cont’d) Your daughter over there is my cause. My cause! I would even die for her. She is worth loving and worth fighting for. Why don’t you fight for her, Mr. Dutton?

(JOHN shows surprise.) Just take one moment and look mercifully into her eyes. Look on one of God’s creations and forgive her. But you can’t. I pity you. You’re no father to Brianna.

(GEORGE goes to BRIANNA’S side and comforts her. BRIANNA wraps GEORGE in her arms and starts tearing up again. SARAH glares at her husband. JOHN looks confused.)

JOHN

I . . . I don’t . . . (JOHN turns away from them.)

This is too much! I don’t know what to believe anymore.

(Exit JOHN hurriedly.)

SARAH Brianna, is it absolutely true that George never did anything foul to you? Ever?


BRIANNA Mother, I love George more than anyone. He has never done such a thing to me.

(SARAH looks into both BRIANNA’S and GEORGE’S eyes. SARAH smiles with a tear in her eye.)

SARAH

I see the truth. The Lord has blessed us all. (SARAH weeps, wrapping BRIANNA in her arms. BRIANNA, in turn, crying

III-123


with joy, wraps her arms around SARAH.)

BRIANNA

Oh Mother, you . . . you really do believe in me.

SARAH I’m so sorry, Brianna. I was horrible to you. I never should have acted the way I did.

BRIANNA

You believe in me, Mother. That’s all that matters.

(SARAH looks at GEORGE without letting go of BRIANNA.)

SARAH

And George, I see now you never were trying to take advantage of my daughter. You have been true to your word. Can you forgive me?

(GEORGE nods.)

GEORGE

You know Brianna means everything to me, Mrs. Dutton.

SARAH (smiles)

I’m very thankful to you for saving my daughter’s life three times.

(SARAH lets go of BRIANNA and hugs GEORGE.)

GEORGE

(blushes) Three times?

SARAH

For stopping my daughter from killing herself, for stopping Lloyd from hurting her again, and for saving her soul. You are a man of honor to our household, George. No matter what my husband says, from this day forward, you’ll always be welcome to our house.

III-124


BRIANNA (shouts joyfully)

Mother! (BRIANNA wraps her arms around SARAH again. Enter JAMES.)

JAMES

Mr. George Hamilton, you are to be rewarded for saving her life. You have our gratitude and the gratitude of Danbury.

GEORGE (smiles)

Thank you, Officer. I am honored indeed, but, truly, there is no greater honor for me than to fight for the woman I love.

(BRIANNA beams at GEORGE. SARAH smiles and is teary-eyed to see BRIANNA smiling.)

(CURTAIN) (END OF ACT)

IV-125


ACT IV

Scene 1

SETTING: Brianna’s room. The room should look orderly as if everything were back to normal. There is a new painting adorning the wall next to the door. This painting is “The Peale Family” by Charles Wilson Peale.

AT RISE: BRIANNA is looking out the window.

Enter JOHN. JOHN knocks on the door.

JOHN

May I come in? (BRIANNA nods. BRIANNA doesn’t look away from the window. JOHN approaches BRIANNA.)

Brianna, I know you’re very unhappy with me, and I know why.


BRIANNA

No, you don’t. You don’t know anything.

JOHN Brianna --

BRIANNA

You never will understand what I have gone through. Never.

JOHN Brianna --

BRIANNA

And now I don’t matter at all to you. (BRIANNA starts breaking down.)

Why don’t you visit your best friend in jail?

JOHN I didn’t mean to --

IV-126


BRIANNA Didn’t mean to what, Father? Get me upset?

JOHN

It’s more than that.

BRIANNA I love you, Father. I want you to believe me, but you won’t listen to me. You won’t listen to anybody.

JOHN

Darling, it’s not that I do not believe what happened. It’s just that this whole story makes no sense to me.

BRIANNA

Of course it doesn’t! You don’t want to believe me, do you? You would rather believe in your best friend than in the truth? Don’t you know how terrified I am of that . . . that evil man? How he . . . touched . . .

(BRIANNA starts crying. JOHN looks really shaken by her emotional outburst. JOHN puts a hand on BRIANNA’S shoulder.)

JOHN

Brianna --

(BRIANNA jerks his hand away.)

BRIANNA

Don’t touch me! Your touch is as filthy as his!

JOHN I just wanted to --

BRIANNA

You’re too late! (BRIANNA crosses the room.)

You can’t undo my past. You can’t make these bad memories go away. You can’t make my bad dreams go away. You can’t make anything bad go away, period.

IV-127


JOHN But I can be your Father, as I have always been.

BRIANNA

Then why won’t you believe in me? Why?

(JOHN sits down on her bed.)

JOHN

I want to understand, but there are a few things I need to know.

BRIANNA

Like what?

JOHN If Lloyd --

BRIANNA Don’t say his name. I can’t stand that name any longer.

(JOHN sighs.)

JOHN

If my best friend really did what you say before, why didn’t you tell your mother and I sooner?

BRIANNA

He . . . he wanted to kill me. He was here, Father, and he tried to kill me. Don’t you get it?

JOHN

That’s what I don’t understand.

BRIANNA Your best friend fathered this.

(BRIANNA rubs her stomach.)

George would never do that.

JOHN Then why would you befriend George? How can you be in a relationship with someone your age? Doesn’t that . . . terrify you?

IV-128


BRIANNA It terrified me too, Father, but I . . .

(BRIANNA sits down in her chair.)

I’ve learned to trust George. I don’t know how to explain it all, but he . . . he’s always been patient, kind, and understanding with me. When he asked me to Homecoming in September, I remember how hurt he looked when I told him how I didn’t feel comfortable about going. He was such a gentleman.

JOHN

I remember you didn’t go to Homecoming with anyone. Or did you?

BRIANNA

No, Father. I didn’t go with anyone.

JOHN I believe you, Brianna. I do.

(BRIANNA smiles.)

BRIANNA

Every other day, George would find a way to make me smile. (BRIANNA becomes more animated and cheerful.)

One time, at school, he gave me a pot of chrysanthemums. He was walking down the hallway with them.

(BRIANNA blushes.) You know why? When I asked him what they were for, he said they were for the beautiful smile I gave him the other day.

(JOHN gives a small smile.)

JOHN

That does sound very sweet, Brianna, but don’t you ever wonder why any boy would do so much to gain your affections?

(BRIANNA stands up, agitated.)

BRIANNA

Father, if only you took the time to know George, you would know how sweet and kind he is. Why do you have to be so negative?

IV-129


JOHN I’m worried he is leading you astray.

(BRIANNA starts to get angry.)

BRIANNA

You and that evil godfather of mine are the ones leading me astray.

JOHN

Don’t you talk back to your father!

BRIANNA Is that all you have to defend yourself, Father? Mother at least took the time to understand what I’m going through. You don’t.

JOHN

Now that’s not true.

BRIANNA That’s just how you are. What do you do? You go to work, while I never see you. You may listen to Mother, but you never listen to me. Some lawyer, you are! You may be able to defend your “clients,” but you won’t even defend your own daughter. Why? Is it your reputation? Is it your best friend?

JOHN Honey, you know that’s not true.

BRIANNA I may not know why, but I do know one thing. A good parent doesn’t do what you do.

JOHN (surprised)

Darling --

BRIANNA A good parent doesn’t fight his child. A good parent fights with her.

JOHN

I understand --

IV-130


BRIANNA No, you don’t! Do you ask me about how I’m doing at the rehabilitation program? No. Do you even ask me how I am? No. You . . . you don’t even tell me you love me anymore.

(JOHN starts to get upset.)

JOHN

Brianna, please. Listen to me.

BRIANNA No. Why should I? I don’t even know who you are anymore. You’re . . . you’re not the father I once knew. Even worse . . . you’re not the father I once loved.

(JOHN’S voice sounds painful as he speaks.)

JOHN

You are my only daughter and the only daughter I love.

(BRIANNA shakes her head. BRIANNA starts getting upset, but doesn’t cry.)

BRIANNA

No, you don’t love me. At least, not anymore. The father I once had always loved me, and he always, always believed in me.

JOHN

I do love you, Brianna, more than anything in the world.

(BRIANNA tries so hard not to cry.)

BRIANNA

(yelling) You lie! Lying is the only thing you know how to do.

JOHN That’s not true! I --

BRIANNA

I don’t want to listen to you anymore. Leave me alone!

IV-131


(BRIANNA stands up and points at the door.)

BRIANNA (cont’d) Now!

(BRIANNA goes to her desk, sits down, and finishes her homework. BRIANNA does not look back at JOHN or pay him any attention. JOHN stands up. JOHN walks over to BRIANNA.)

JOHN

Brianna, whenever I go to work, I always think about you. (JOHN waits for BRIANNA to reply. BRIANNA does not acknowledge his presence and continues working.)

I . . . I just want you to be happy.

(JOHN looks at the ground, defeated. He walks to the door. As he leaves, JOHN notices “The Peale Family” painting. JOHN turns to BRIANNA to find her still working. Looking depressed, he sighs. Exit JOHN. After the door closes, BRIANNA surrenders to her emotions, weeping.)

BRIANNA

Father! Oh God, why did this happen to me?

(BLACKOUT)

(END OF SCENE)

IV-132


ACT IV

Scene 2

SETTING: Visiting area of a prison.

AT RISE: LLOYD is seated on a stool on one side of the barrier waiting. Enter JOHN, who sits down on a stool across from LLOYD.

LLOYD

Hey, John! About time you finally showed up. I was beginning to think you were never going to come and see me.

JOHN

Look Lloyd, we really need to talk.

LLOYD I don’t have that kind of luxury or the time. I’m in jail!

JOHN

I know that, but there is something very important that I need to know, which only you can answer. It’s about Brianna.

LLOYD

Wait a minute. Wait a minute! Don’t you trust me?

JOHN I do. That doesn’t mean I know everything about you or everything that you do.

LLOYD

Well, what is it? After all, you dragged me out of my cell to see you.

JOHN

Did you ever touch my daughter inappropriately?

LLOYD Don’t you think a good friend would start off by asking a more befitting question? I mean, no “how are you?” Or “are you enjoying your time in prison?” Why would you start off this way?

IV-133


JOHN Can’t you see I’m confused? I don’t know what’s true anymore and I won’t stand for it any longer. I want to know the truth, precisely.

(LLOYD chuckles to himself.)

LLOYD

That’s quite vain to desire, my friend. Most people do not ever get that wish granted. When they do, they certainly are skeptical and cynical of the answers they receive.

(JOHN leans his head closer to the glass, bending over the table.)

JOHN

Lloyd, let’s stop playing games. All right? If you are my friend, then answer my question with absolutely, one-hundred percent honesty. I mean it. Was my daughter telling the truth about what happened between the two of you?

LLOYD

John, you are my best friend --

JOHN Answer my question, Lloyd!

LLOYD

Do you really want to know?

JOHN Yes, I want to know!

LLOYD

Are you absolutely sure?

JOHN Goddamn it, I want to know!

LLOYD Friendship is such a precious gift, isn’t it? It’s something society takes for granted, doesn’t it? We never seem to question it once we have it. Trust is strong with our friends, so much that we value our friends more than

IV-134


LLOYD (cont’d) our family with the problems of everyday life, yet do friends these days ever question each other? Even over the slightest faults? Do they ever really measure the strength of their own friendships?

JOHN But Lloyd --

LLOYD Let me tell you something about society, friend. It’s full of people who think friends are the answers to all problems. Nowadays, betrayal never comes to mind even in the most obvious presentation. Even worse, you find one friend accepts his friend’s betrayal and goes along with it because of their need for each other’s friendship. Isn’t that pathetic? I’ll tell you what’s even more degrading; you don’t trust me at all and believe in me anymore. If you really are my friend, you will not question our friendship any further.

JOHN Was my daughter telling the truth?

LLOYD

You certainly believe your damn daughter’s lies and expect me to be the culprit.

JOHN What do you mean?

LLOYD She is the one to blame.

JOHN

What are you talking about?

LLOYD You see, as a little girl, Brianna considered me as a stepfather because you were often away on business trips for months at a time. To neglect your daughter so --

(LLOYD clicks his tongue several times with disapproval.)

JOHN

Stop wasting my time and tell me the truth!

IV-135


LLOYD I wouldn’t be so impertinent, if I were you. You are just as responsible for what happened to her.

JOHN What do you accuse me of? What are you talking about?

LLOYD Do you remember Brianna’s 14th birthday party? I’m sure you do, don’t you?

JOHN

Yes, I remember her crying uncontrollably at the end of the party. She said it was the worst party she ever had, but she never really explained why.

LLOYD

That party was at your request. You asked me to host Brianna’s delightful little party, and, believe me, I was more than willing to do so. Unfortunately, I did not come outside right away for the festivities, as I was, what you would call, “predisposed.”

JOHN

What does that mean? What the hell were you doing?

LLOYD Let’s just say your daughter walked in when my hands were in contact with libidinous areas of the body.

(JOHN looks angry.)

JOHN

You’re incredible, for a liar. My best friend would know better than that. He would never do such a thing.

LLOYD

You don’t understand, John. That’s the problem. In fact, what you don’t understand is that all this really happened. You don’t want to believe it happened.

JOHN

How could you . . . how could you be such an incontinent bastard?

LLOYD

Why don’t you watch your tongue?

IV-136


JOHN S--shut up! You listen to me.

LLOYD

No, you listen to me. It’s your fault you never paid attention to your daughter. At least I could control your daughter.

JOHN

You wretched fiend! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

LLOYD It’s you who should be ashamed. So neglectful of your own family indeed. You couldn’t take care of your daughter. You couldn’t even take care of your wife.

JOHN

Why are you bringing my wife into this?

LLOYD She had a very important part to play in this affair as well.

JOHN

You can’t be serious?

LLOYD Oh, so now you understand. So busy with your job you’ve never been able to nurture your wife with care and understanding.

JOHN

I never neglected her!

LLOYD So you say, but that’s not what she told me. Did you know your wife was often very lonely while you were away? I used to keep her company at nights while you were away in California or Nevada for your clientele years ago. She was often in distress and needed someone to talk to and keep her happy regularly. Once, she wished she had married me instead because I was making her happy.

JOHN

That can’t be true!

IV-137


LLOYD Oh, but it is. It certainly is. I don’t know how you can be married to such an extremely beautiful woman and disregard the unhappiness of a woman who cares so deeply about her family.

JOHN

You mean to tell me you put your hands . . . (angered)

. . . on my wife?

LLOYD I wish! It’s one thing I dearly regret because if I had my way with her and your wife wasn’t so moral, I would have made her the happiest woman alive.

JOHN

Stop it! I don’t want to hear any more of this! You are an intolerable wretch! I always looked up to you as my best friend, so close for so many years. We shared everything together, our childhoods, our college years, and our adulthood. How could you do this to me? How could you do this to my daughter?

(Enter JAMES.)

JAMES Time’s up, Lloyd. Time to go back to your cell.

(LLOYD glares at JOHN.)

LLOYD

Now that he knows the truth, I think we’ve said enough. I’m rather glad we had such an intelligent conversation.

JOHN

You are the very filth I read about on the Internet, the very scum that winds up on the news, the very vermin that remains behind bars for crimes of insanity. I hope you’re found guilty on all charges.

(Exit JOHN. JAMES drags LLOYD away. Exit JAMES and LLOYD.)


IV-138


ACT IV

Scene 3

SETTING: George’s living room. AT RISE: GEORGE is sitting at a table doing

some homework. Enter FLORA.

FLORA How is Brianna doing, sweetheart?

GEORGE

She’s doing okay, Mother. She told me she’s been making plenty of progress at the rehabilitation center.

FLORA

I’m so proud of her. She’s been through so much, yet she is willing to fight. It’s something to be proud of.

GEORGE

I’m very proud of her too. Her courage to keep going is one thing I love about her.

(FLORA smiles to herself.)

FLORA

George, you know I wouldn’t say this without being sincere, but I’m worried about you.

GEORGE

Why?

FLORA I don’t know how you’ll be able to maintain a relationship with Brianna. How can it possibly keep going?

GEORGE

What do you mean, Mother? We’ve been through so much. We can get through anything if we stick together.

FLORA

But you know what’s going to happen. Once she has it, what are you going to do? Won’t you . . . feel any resentment about it?

IV-139


(GEORGE shrugs his shoulders.)

GEORGE

Well, I did at first, but I understand it’s not her fault. She never wanted it.

FLORA

If you stay with her, you may come to regret it.

GEORGE There’s no way I could regret it. I love her so much I . . . I want to ask her to marry me.

(FLORA is alarmed.)

FLORA

No, George! No, that is the one thing you can never do.

GEORGE What do you mean I can’t?

FLORA

I don’t want you to even think about it.

GEORGE Why?

FLORA

You would be unhappy, very unhappy. You have to go to college. That’s the only way to get a promising career. Your education is absolutely important.

GEORGE

Isn’t what I want important too?

FLORA You have to be objective about this, George. You have to understand the situation Brianna is going through right now. If you don’t, you’ll never realize why the two of you cannot be married to one another.

GEORGE

But I love her!

FLORA Don’t push me!

IV-140


(FLORA quickly lightens up.)

FLORA (cont’d) Listen, George. You know how much I love you. As much as this hurts, I only say this out of concern for your future and happiness. You’d be better off breaking up with her than to remain together.

GEORGE

How could I? We feel so perfect and happy together. I could never break up with her. I wouldn’t have the willpower to do it.

FLORA

It is a dream that would doom you for the rest of your life.

GEORGE

I’m still young, Mother. Even if I make a mistake, I can change it for the better.

FLORA

Perhaps, but how long do you think it will be before you realize your mistake and change it? I tell you --

(We HEAR a KNOCK at the door.)

Oh, who could that be? (Exit FLORA.)

GEORGE

There’s no way I would ever break up with Brianna. Never! Mother just doesn’t understand how I feel about her.

(GEORGE resumes working on his homework. Re-enter FLORA. FLORA kisses GEORGE’S head.)

FLORA

It seems you have a visitor, George. (FLORA points to a spot behind GEORGE. Enter BRIANNA. GEORGE turns around and sees her. BRIANNA looks larger at the stomach than before.

IV-141


BRIANNA and GEORGE smile.)

FLORA (cont’d) I’ll leave you two alone. Call me if you need anything.

GEORGE

I won’t, Mom, but thank you.

(FLORA puts a hand on GEORGE’S shoulder and whispers into his ear.)

FLORA

I have to admit though: you two look so cute together.

(FLORA pats George’s back and then chuckles to herself. Exit FLORA. GEORGE and BRIANNA look into each other’s eyes and then rush into each other’s arms. They kiss. GEORGE studies her eyes.)

GEORGE

How are you?

BRIANNA Terrible. Just terrible.

GEORGE

Why?

BRIANNA The trial . . . it’s coming soon, and I have to take the stand.

GEORGE

There’s no need to worry. You’re going to win for sure. You won’t fail.

BRIANNA

But I’m scared. Really scared. What if that bastard goes free? If he does, he’ll either kill me, or he --

IV-142


GEORGE If that happens, I’m not letting him anywhere near you. I don’t want him anywhere within a mile of you.

BRIANNA

Me neither.

GEORGE How soon?

(BRIANNA looks down and rubs her belly. BRIANNA looks back up into his eyes.)

BRIANNA

Not for another couple of weeks.

GEORGE Can I get you anything?

BRIANNA

Just water, please. (GEORGE nods, then exits briefly. BRIANNA sits at the chair next to George’s papers at the table and starts to read through one of them. BRIANNA smiles at his paper. Re-enter GEORGE with a glass of water. GEORGE sets the glass down beside BRIANNA.)

Thank you, George.

GEORGE Anything for my darling. Enjoying my horrible writing?

BRIANNA

It’s not horrible. I like it.

GEORGE You always say that.

BRIANNA

But I do. This is quite good.

IV-143


GEORGE In what way?

BRIANNA

Well, in that you wrote it. (BRIANNA takes a sip of water. GEORGE walks over to the couch, then sits down.)

GEORGE

Come here, Brianna. (BRIANNA stands up and brings her glass of water with her. BRIANNA sets the glass on a coaster on the coffee table. BRIANNA sits down next to GEORGE.)

Why didn’t you didn’t tell me you were coming?

BRIANNA I wanted to surprise you.

(BRIANNA forms a half-smile.)

GEORGE

You’re always full of surprises. (BRIANNA cuddles up beside GEORGE. GEORGE wraps an arm around BRIANNA.)

Do you want to watch a movie? Now that Inception is on DVD, we can watch it together.

BRIANNA

Not today. I just want to be with you.

GEORGE (smiles)

I guess that’s not such a bad idea, huh?

(BRIANNA kisses GEORGE once. They hug once again.)

IV-144


BRIANNA I love you, George. Really.

GEORGE

As do I, Brianna. As do I. (BRIANNA breaks away from GEORGE. BRIANNA starts to look sad.)

Brianna, is something else bothering you?

BRIANNA I don’t mean to complain, but you’ve been so nice to me, so good to me. I--I don’t know if I deserve all this.

GEORGE

What do you mean? A woman should always be cherished, whether a friend or a lover.

BRIANNA

I mean, with all of the good things you’ve done for me, I just . . . can’t feel . . . happy.

GEORGE

Well, talk to me. What makes you unhappy?

BRIANNA It’s nothing I could put into words, but . . . imagine you live on planet Melancholy and can never leave. You want to leave so you can be free and happy. Just to be happy, but you can’t takeoff. You don’t know how because you’ve lived there for so long.

GEORGE

Don’t you like being with me, Brianna?

BRIANNA Of course I like being with you. I adore every moment I’m with you.

(BRIANNA forms again only a half-smile.)

Yet I can’t stop worrying about . . . about . . . oh George, do you think I could ever get it back?

GEORGE

Get what back, darling?

BRIANNA That feeling of joy. Could I ever get it back?

IV-145


GEORGE Of course you can. You must smile more often, even when you’re sad. Smile, no matter how much it hurts.

BRIANNA

Could I ever get back the friends I’ve lost? Could I ever get them back?

GEORGE

It depends. Do you want them back?

(BRIANNA nods.)

BRIANNA For the last three years, ever since it happened to me, I was alone. Alone. Alone. I was nothing but alone. I was sad. Sad. Sad. It was always this way, day after day. The world was cold. Cold. Cold. My heart was lost. Lost. Lost. Lost. Life has always been that way for me since that bastard cursed me, and I . . . I . . . I shouldn’t say anymore.

GEORGE

Don’t stop, Brianna. Keep talking.

BRIANNA Y--you’re not bothered or . . . troubled by what I say?

(GEORGE shakes his head.)

I lost everything, George. Everything. Everything was lost to me. I lost my happiness; I lost my friends; I lost my sense of strength. I lost it all because of what he did. I’ve been hiding for so long from everyone. For so long, I don’t know what to think. I don’t know what to believe. Life goes on and on . . . and I’m not part of it!

GEORGE Brianna --

BRIANNA

I’ve lost so much, George. So much from life.

GEORGE No Brianna. You’ve gained something few will ever understand.

BRIANNA

What do I have? What do I have but sadness and suffering?

IV-146


GEORGE That’s just it. Your capacity for suffering, your sense of compassion, and your understanding of it . . . I don’t know anyone who knows your pain or understands it . . . just as well as you.

BRIANNA

It isn’t fair though! Why did it have to happen to me? Tell me, George.

(GEORGE thinks for a moment.)

GEORGE

I don’t know what to say. Is there supposed to be an answer? Then let me ask, why was the Earth created? Why are we alive? As much I want to answer those questions, I don’t know how to answer them. Nobody does. The only way you might find out is to go on.

BRIANNA

Go on?

GEORGE How else can you learn anything if you don’t? How else can you change your future for the better if you don’t?

BRIANNA

But I don’t want this baby. I don’t want it, yet I keep growing. And my father . . .

(BRIANNA gets teary-eyed.)

GEORGE

What about your father?

BRIANNA He still doesn’t believe me. He’d rather believe his best friend because I’m still a child.

GEORGE I’m so sorry to hear that, Brianna.

BRIANNA Oh George, what if my father puts me out on the street after the child is born?

IV-147


GEORGE He can’t do that, Brianna.

BRIANNA

But what if he does?

GEORGE Then I’ll ask Mom if you can stay here.

BRIANNA (surprised)

You really mean that?

(GEORGE kisses BRIANNA.)

GEORGE Doesn’t that tell you the truth of my feelings?

BRIANNA

Oh George . . . (BRIANNA wraps her arms around GEORGE.)

I’m so glad I have you. I’m so grateful that . . . I can share these feelings with you, and you won’t think I’m foolish.

GEORGE

I only know you want to be happy. So do I.

BRIANNA But it’s impossible.

GEORGE

No, it isn’t. Why don’t you try kicking me again and see if that’ll help?

(BRIANNA chuckles rather awkwardly.)

BRIANNA

Kick you?

GEORGE That’s it. Keep going.

BRIANNA

Do you really think I would kick you again?

IV-148


(GEORGE speaks playfully.)

GEORGE

I bet you can’t.

BRIANNA Don’t try me.

GEORGE I bet you can’t.

BRIANNA

I will kick you.

GEORGE Nah, you’re not going to kick me unless I kick you first.

BRIANNA (smirks)

Guess again.

(BRIANNA stands up, kicks GEORGE in the leg hard and stomps on his foot. GEORGE flinches a little. GEORGE starts jumping on the other foot holding up the foot that BRIANNA stomped on. BRIANNA starts to laugh. GEORGE laughs with her.)

(CURTAIN) (END of SCENE)

IV-149


ACT IV

Scene 4

SETTING: Courtroom. It should be small in size to invoke the feeling of things being up close and personal.

AT RISE: BRIANNA sits at the witness stand.

SARAH, JOHN, GEORGE, FLORA, and KAREN (and a few additional EXTRAS) are seated in the gallery. SAMUEL is the prosecutor sitting down at one desk. THOMAS, the defense attorney, is sitting down at another desk with LLOYD. The JUDGE is seated at the bench. SAMUEL walks up to the witness stand.

SAMUEL

Miss Dutton, I know this is going to be very hard for you to do, but I must ask you to be as cooperative as possible and please tell the courtroom in your own words what happened recently on the evening of October 12.

(BRIANNA tries really hard not to cry as she speaks.)

BRIANNA

My parents . . . they were going to a grown-up family party. I . . . I was at home, and then --

MITCHELL

Your Honor, could you ask Miss Brianna Dutton to speak up? I’m having trouble hearing her testimony.

JUDGE

Please speak a little louder and more clearly, Miss Dutton.

BRIANNA Y--yes, Your Honor.

(BRIANNA speaks more loudly.)

A--a--and then, I turned around, and I saw him . . .

IV-150


(BRIANNA points to LLOYD.)

BRIANNA (cont’d) . . . at the door.

SAMUEL

Did he say anything to you?

BRIANNA Y--yes. He told me I was a v--very . . . v--very bad girl, told me I was w--wrong to date George Hamilton.

SAMUEL

And?

BRIANNA I was . . . I was really s--scared. I tried to call my p--parents, but he . . . he --

SAMUEL

What did he do?

BRIANNA He grabbed my wrists and chucked the phone away from me . . . and then he hit me, hit me, hit me, and cursed at me.

(BRIANNA starts tearing up.)

A--and t--t--that bastard, he . . . he --

SAMUEL Did what?


BRIANNA

He threw me . . . on the bed. T--tore off my clothes. Unclothed himself. Sneered at me with that evil grin. And he . . . he f--forced me onto him . . . said that girls like me don’t deserve h--happiness. H--he . . . laughed at me. He hurt me. He planted this evil spawn inside me.

(BRIANNA wails.) Oh God, why did it happen to me?

(BRIANNA drowns in sobs.)

IV-151


SAMUEL Your Honor, I move to a five-minute recess to let Brianna recover.

MITCHELL

I object in consideration of that motion, Your Honor.

JUDGE Motion denied.

(SAMUEL looks at the JUDGE with disbelief.)

Continue with your witness, Mr. Hamilton.

SAMUEL Are you all right, Brianna?

(BRIANNA nods.) I know this is very hard for you. You’re doing very well. I need you to bear with me a little longer, okay?

(BRIANNA nods, while sniffling.)

Was this the first time that this man ever . . . took advantage of you?

(BRIANNA appears to have greater self-control.)

BRIANNA

No. T--that was the t--the fifth time.

(The JURY and the AUDIENCE at the trial are alarmed by this piece of news. The JUDGE slams the gavel on the desk signaling order.)

JUDGE

Order in the court, please. Thank you.

SAMUEL How often did this happen?

BRIANNA

O--once a year. On each b--birthday I’ve had since I was fourteen.

IV-152


(The AUDIENCE is riled again at the sound of things. We HEAR CRIES of “Immoral!” “How can that be?” “That bastard!” “Is it all true?” The JUDGE slams the gavel again, harder this time.)

JUDGE

Order! Order in the court, I said!

(The AUDIENCE is settled down.)

Please proceed.

SAMUEL

Before this man became more aggressive towards you, were you happier then?

BRIANNA Y--yes, I was. I had . . . lots of friends, lots of interests, and loved my life. I had . . . a couple of admirers too.

SAMUEL

You were like any other girl who never experienced anything like this before?

BRIANNA

T--that’s correct.

SAMUEL Since these horrible things have happened to you, you’ve also experienced very bad dreams. Is that right?

BRIANNA

Y--Yes. (BRIANNA looks like she is about to cry again.)

I . . . I had so many that have haunted me, of demons like that man over there, who would do these horrible things to me, and I . . . I still have them. I can’t fight them. I can’t get rid of them.

IV-153


SAMUEL And on more than one occasion, they caused trouble not only for you, but also for your parents?

BRIANNA

T--that’s right. I would often scream for them to stop, and my parents would have to come in, turn on the lights, and wake me up.

SAMUEL

And did these horrible things the defendant did to you incite thoughts of suicide?

(BRIANNA looks up into SAMUEL’S eyes. BRIANNA bursts into tears again.)

I hope that these tears, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, will account as some kind of evidence by a woman of good conduct and fair standing in society. That is all for now, your Honor.

(SAMUEL sits down at his table.)

JUDGE

Cross-examination, when you are ready. Mr. Mitchell?

MITCHELL Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.

(MITCHELL stands up and approaches BRIANNA.)

Miss Dutton, have you been a virgin before these incidents occurred?

BRIANNA

Y--yes.

MITCHELL Did you take kindly to the defendant before you turned fourteen?

BRIANNA

Y--yes. He . . . he seemed a little eerie sometimes, but he never . . . never thought of me as anything more than a good girl.

MITCHELL

And you said this happened to you five times?

IV-154


BRIANNA Y--yes.

MITCHELL

And when asked why you never told anyone about the incident sooner, you said he threatened to kill you?

BRIANNA

Yes.

MITCHELL And when did he threaten to kill you?

BRIANNA

A--after it happened.

MITCHELL Were the lights on when you saw someone enter your room on the night of October 12?

BRIANNA

Yes, they were. His face . . . was so vividly clear . . . and grotesque.

MITCHELL How were you able to keep those feelings, those experiences a secret for four years?

BRIANNA

T--that’s --

MITCHELL I am asking a fair question. How did you keep them secret?

BRIANNA

I . . . was afraid to tell anyone. I kept my feelings and dreams in a journal at home. P--please don’t ask me any more about them. T--they are too much for me.

MITCHELL

You never told anyone, not even your closest friends?

BRIANNA Not until I . . . told George.

MITCHELL

Your boyfriend?

IV-155


BRIANNA Yes.

(MITCHELL walks back to his desk. MITCHELL looks through papers, stopping upon one, reading it. MITCHELL returns to the witness stand.)

MITCHELL

How long did you wait until you admitted your pregnancy?

BRIANNA Until I . . . I told George first.

MITCHELL

So you told George Hamilton the truth first, is that right?

BRIANNA Yes.

MITCHELL

And he was the first one to know, apart from you, is that correct?

BRIANNA

Yes.

MITCHELL And you had never seen a doctor about it prior to telling your boyfriend?

BRIANNA

Y--yes, sir. MITCHELL

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury . . . (MITCHELL walks to the jury.)

. . . our witness has just confided to us that she informed her boyfriend of her pregnancy before telling anyone else. Why is that, do you suppose? Is it because he’s just a nice guy? No. It tells us two things. One, she was too terrified to tell her parents that she was carrying a fetus in her womb without her parent’s knowledge. And two -- well, let me put it this way.

IV-156


(MITCHELL paces back and forth.)

MITCHELL (cont’d) It’s natural for the wife to tell her husband first that she’s going to have a baby. Logical, isn’t it? Wouldn’t the father love to know the results of their activities together? In this particular case you have two teenagers who get together and act irresponsibly because they are ignorant and do not act appropriately in society. We can understand from this testimony that the only reason why a woman like Miss Brianna Dutton would conjure a story like this is because she is lying to save herself and the one person most important to her: the man that she loves.

(BRIANNA is shocked with disbelief.)

SAMUEL

Objection, Your Honor!

JUDGE Overruled.

(BRIANNA stands up defiant, angered.)

BRIANNA

How dare you! How dare you call me a whore and my boyfriend a bastard! You think in your complacency you know the true story. And you think I’m nothing but a slut? You don’t know a damn thing. Nothing! Nothing of what I’ve been through! Nothing about my life! Nothing about the constant shame I endure dreading that man . . .

(BRIANNA points to LLOYD.)

. . . dreading that devil will return at my doorstep; fearing for my life he’ll kill me or hurt me again; begging for an end to it all because I can’t stand it. You can’t even begin to comprehend my soul-biting scars. Women like me don’t know what to do with themselves, and you . . . you insist women like me are whores because they wanted it, because they “got what they deserved?” You are telling me women who are raped want this. I wanted this? That incompetent bastard ruled my life with an iron will! And you don’t believe me? You think I’m proud for what I’ve done? You think I’m smiling? Look at me! Look at me!

(Tears stream down BRIANNA’S face.)

IV-157


BRIANNA (cont’d) I am alone in the world, and you think this makes me happy? Do these look like tears of joy running down my face? No! They’re tears of shame and humiliation. Why can’t you see the truth? I didn’t want this! I never wanted it!

(Suddenly, BRIANNA screams. Her knees buckle.)

The pain . . . it’s coming . . . oh God, why did it happen to me?

(BRIANNA screams again.) The contractions!

(The AUDIENCE panics. SARAH rushes over to BRIANNA. The GUARDS restrain SARAH. GEORGE gets up from his seat.)

SARAH

That’s my daughter in there!

(The JUDGE starts pounding the gavel very hard.)

JUDGE

Order! GUARD #1

Get back to your seat before we throw you out.

(GEORGE rushes towards BRIANNA.)

GEORGE

Brianna! (The JUDGE pounds the gavel even harder.)

JUDGE

Order!

SARAH I’m her mother!

IV-158


JUDGE (screams very loudly)

Order!!! (EVERYONE stops, stunned. BRIANNA continues to scream and pant.)

You will all sit down until the questioning is over.

SARAH But my baby is --

JUDGE

Out!!! Out, you pest!

SARAH (yells tearfully)

I ought to sue you, you knave!

JUDGE I don’t care at this moment. I want peace, and you have all tested my patience long enough. Out, you!

(The GUARDS escort SARAH out.)

SARAH

This is what you call justice? (Exit SARAH and the GUARDS.)

JUDGE

Now, you will continue your case, Mr. Mitchell, in complete silence!

(The JUDGE slams the gavel again, frightening MITCHELL.)

MITCHELL

Your Honor, I . . . have no further questions.

(MITCHELL hastily retreats to his desk. SAMUEL stands hastily. At this moment, the GUARDS re-enter.)

IV-159


SAMUEL Your Honor, I am not interested in rebuttal. I move we recess until tomorrow.

MITCHELL

Agreed, Your Honor.

JUDGE Quiet, please!

(calmly) Now, given the current state of events, the court shall continue --

(BRIANNA lets out a terrible scream.)

Guards, get her out of this courtroom. Now! (The GUARDS rush to BRIANNA and escort her out of the courtroom. Exit BRIANNA and GUARDS. Exit GEORGE, running after them.)

As I was saying, we’ll continue with the next witness at 8:00 AM, tomorrow! The court is adjourned!

(The JUDGE slams the gavel very hard.)

BAILIFF

All rise.

(All in the AUDIENCE and the JURY rise. Exit JUDGE swiftly and furiously. After the JUDGE leaves, exit JURY and LLOYD with a GUARD escorting him out. Exit EVERYONE, but JOHN.)

JOHN

(sobbing) My baby. Oh Brianna! I’ve failed you. I’ve failed you as a father!

(CURTAIN) (END OF ACT)

V-160


ACT V Scene 1

SETTING: A delivery room in the hospital. AT RISE: BRIANNA is sitting up in a

hospital bed. SARAH sits beside BRIANNA.

SARAH

How are you doing, Brianna?

BRIANNA I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’ll never want a child ever again!

SARAH

Keep breathing, Brianna. You’re doing all right.

BRIANNA Oh mother, everything has been so hard for me. It’s too much.

SARAH

Why didn’t you tell me about what happened to you before?

BRIANNA I will if you tell me why you tried to place a restraining order on George.

SARAH

I accidentally read through a part of your diary.

BRIANNA Mother!

SARAH

I’m sorry, darling. It was about one of your dreams. I was so scared for you I didn’t know what to think, so I called the police.

BRIANNA

Then you knew . . . about what happened . . . before I even told George?

SARAH I didn’t read enough of your journal to know it was true.

V-161


SARAH (cont’d) The one dream alone disturbed me so much I couldn’t read any more of it.

(SARAH starts tearing up.)

I was so frightened for you. I thought George might have done something terrible to give you those nightmares. I’m so sorry I hurt you. I thought I was doing the right thing.

BRIANNA It’s all right, Mother. I was so scared he would kill me if you knew and that you wouldn’t believe me, a teenage girl who claimed such a thing.

SARAH

I would believe her. You are my daughter, and I know that you would never lie about such horrible things to me. I love you so much, Brianna.

BRIANNA

Oh Mother. (BRIANNA and SARAH hug.)

Is George . . . here?

SARAH I saw him drive here earlier.

BRIANNA

Can you let him come in?

SARAH Brianna, he is not the father of that baby.

BRIANNA

But I need him!

SARAH Brianna --

BRIANNA

Please?

SARAH No.

BRIANNA

Please! I’ll die without him!

V-162


SARAH Do you really love George Hamilton?

BRIANNA

Oh Mother . . . if he asked me to marry him, I would say yes.

SARAH

Brianna --

BRIANNA I know . . . it’s all wishful thinking, but --

SARAH

You’re still too young to be thinking about such things. A woman must make the most of her education first.

BRIANNA

But how? How can I with this?

SARAH Your father and I will take care of it for you when you’re gone.

BRIANNA

But you can’t do that! This is my burden . . . my fault for not standing up for myself!

SARAH

I know, dear. It’s hard. I know, but your education is so important, more than ever before. You need your mind to grow.

BRIANNA

Do you really want to do that?

SARAH We have to share the burden together. It’s going to be tough, but there’s no other way. You must find what you really want in your life. You can’t be just a mother, Brianna. You have to find your place and become useful to society.

BRIANNA I understand, Mother. Now please, can you let him in?

SARAH I’ll go and ask him.

V-163


(Exit SARAH. Enter DOCTOR.)

DOCTOR

Hello again, Brianna. How are you doing?

BRIANNA I feel fine, but I don’t feel any contractions going on.

DOCTOR

Hmm, that’s strange.

BRIANNA I’m not sure why that is.

DOCTOR

Well, this is probably part of what some doctors call the calm before the storm breaks. The real test of all mothers will be tested when the storm comes.

BRIANNA

This is no SAT exam I ever took!

DOCTOR It certainly isn’t. Wasn’t your mother here just a moment ago?

BRIANNA

Yes, but she’ll be back soon.

DOCTOR Remember. This will be hard. Whatever happens, you must keep pushing. It must come out. Do you understand?

BRIANNA

Yes, sir.

DOCTOR I’ll be back in a few minutes to check up on you.

(Exit DOCTOR. Enter SARAH and GEORGE. GEORGE stands at the door.)

SARAH

George, come on. Brianna asked for you.

V-164


GEORGE But this isn’t right. I can’t go inside. It’s not my child.

BRIANNA

George! Please, I need you.

GEORGE Brianna, I --

BRIANNA

Don’t leave me here alone. If I die giving birth to this beast --

SARAH

You won’t die from giving birth to the baby. Now stop talking such nonsense.

GEORGE

But it just doesn’t feel right for me. I mean it’s awkward.

BRIANNA

George, please don’t go. I just want you here.

GEORGE Brianna?

BRIANNA

You’re the only man that matters to me. Whatever happens, please, just don’t leave.

GEORGE

Oh Brianna . . . (GEORGE steps inside and walks towards her.)

I might regret this, but I’ll . . . I’ll stay. Oh God, what am I doing?

BRIANNA George?

GEORGE

That I’m going to stand in here watching you give . . . do you really want me to see you give birth to that thing?

V-165


BRIANNA You’ve seen so much of me, George, of my heart, of who I am. I wouldn’t want anyone else but you here.

SARAH

You mean that I’m not wanted here?

BRIANNA N--no, Mother. I didn’t mean it that way. Now George, listen very carefully. I want you to tell me to keep pushing this out.

GEORGE

What?

BRIANNA You have to be my coach. Tell me to never give up. That’s the George Hamilton I know, the man who has always believed in me.

GEORGE If it . . . really means that much to you, then I’d be honored to be your coach. It’s just . . . I really don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

BRIANNA

You’ll be fine, George. I know you will be.

GEORGE You were wonderful in the courtroom, Brianna. I . . . I never heard you speak so well.

BRIANNA

I didn’t know I had it in me. It just came out so quickly I had no idea what I was saying.

GEORGE

No matter what happens, I . . . I still love you, Brianna.

(BRIANNA smiles with joy.)

BRIANNA

Oh George! (GEORGE leans to kiss her, but suddenly BRIANNA feels a contraction and starts

V-166


screaming again. The screams frighten GEORGE.)

GEORGE

You’re scaring me!

BRIANNA It’s pushing! I feel it leaving me. It’s pushing again.

(Enter DOCTOR and NURSE.)

DOCTOR

Any news?

SARAH She just started feeling the contractions again.

BRIANNA

Oh God, why is this happening to me?

DOCTOR All right. Standby. We are going to handle this delicately.

(The DOCTOR leans down at the front of the blanket. The DOCTOR goes under the blanket so we can’t see him clearly. The NURSE assists the DOCTOR as needed.)

Now Brianna, I need you to push. (BRIANNA exerts herself trying to push.)

BRIANNA

It hurts!

SARAH You have to keep pushing, Brianna!

(BRIANNA tries really hard to push. The effort exhausts BRIANNA.)

V-167


BRIANNA I . . . I can’t do it. It’s not going to come out.

SARAH

You have to keep trying.

(BRIANNA pushes very hard again. BRIANNA screams.)

BRIANNA

Lloyd Nicholson, I hate you so much! I’m going to kill you!

(BRIANNA pushes again. BRIANNA pants.)

I can’t do it. I can’t do it. It’s never going to come out.

(GEORGE wraps her hand in both of his.)

GEORGE

Don’t give up, Brianna. Fight with me. Don’t you stop pushing!

(BRIANNA pushes again.)

DOCTOR

I see the head. You’re doing great.

BRIANNA This is so hard. Goddamn it! Why am I doing this?

GEORGE

Shut up and push!

BRIANNA Don’t tell me to shut up!

(BRIANNA pushes, screaming.)

DOCTOR

That’s it. The head is coming out now.

GEORGE Push, Brianna!

V-168


(BRIANNA pushes again.)

SARAH You’re doing splendidly, Brianna.

GEORGE

Come on! Keep pushing!

(BRIANNA screams again, pushing with all her effort.)

DOCTOR

The chest is starting to come out.

(BRIANNA pushes again. BRIANNA looks so tired.)

DOCTOR

It’s almost out.

GEORGE You’ve got this, my love. You’re almost there. Come on! One more push!

BRIANNA

But I can’t! I’ll die!

GEORGE You won’t die. I swear it. Now push!

SARAH

Push, my darling!

(BRIANNA strains with all her might to push.)

GEORGE

Push!!!

(BRIANNA screams loudly as she pushes. The DOCTOR brings a BABY out from underneath wrapped in a blanket.)

DOCTOR

And it’s out. Quickly, the umbilical chord.

V-169


(BRIANNA pants with relief. BRIANNA is unable to speak. The DOCTOR and NURSE cut the umbilical chord, then bring the BABY to a table to work and check on the BABY. Strangely, the audience hears no sound coming from the BABY. The DOCTOR examines the BABY. Distressed, the DOCTOR hands the BABY to the NURSE.)

DOCTOR (cont’d) Take it to intensive care immediately!

(Exit NURSE with the baby in the blanket.)

SARAH

Doctor, what’s happened?

DOCTOR We’ll let you know very soon. We’ll be back in a minute.

(Exit DOCTOR. Motherly instinct suddenly overtakes BRIANNA.)

BRIANNA

My baby . . . my baby! Is it a boy? Or a girl? Where did it go?

SARAH Didn’t you hear? The baby was taken to intensive care.

BRIANNA

Why?

SARAH I don’t know.

BRIANNA

Oh, my baby!

V-170


(GEORGE slumps into a chair beside the bed.)

GEORGE

I can’t believe I just went through all that.

SARAH Isn’t it a beautiful thing, George?

GEORGE

It’s ugly! It looks like the most miserable part of a woman’s life next to --

(Re-enter DOCTOR.)

BRIANNA Doctor, where’s my baby?

DOCTOR

Brianna, we brought it to intensive care, and . . . and --

BRIANNA Please. What happened to it?

DOCTOR

It was not . . . it was not . . . it had no heartbeat. We did everything we could, but we --

(BRIANNA is terrified. SARAH and GEORGE look at BRIANNA with great dismay.)

BRIANNA

No . . . no . . . it’s . . . oh, my baby! (BRIANNA mourns for her baby.)

Oh God, why . . .?

(GEORGE is at her side consoling her.)

SARAH

Oh Brianna, I’m so sorry.

(SARAH embraces BRIANNA tenderly.)

V-171


DOCTOR The infant was a male. Weighed 7 lbs. with blue eyes and light brown hair. Will you name him?

(SARAH looks at BRIANNA with worry. BRIANNA looks really exhausted.)

BRIANNA

I will . . . I will never give a name to that . . . to that vermin. Even if it was mine, I will not name the spawn of that horrible man.

SARAH Brianna, are you sure?

BRIANNA

Yes, I am. He can burn in Hell with Lloyd for all I care.

DOCTOR Mrs. Dutton, there are some things I would like to discuss with you about the birth. Will you excuse us, Brianna?

BRIANNA

Thank you . . . thank you for everything, Doctor.

DOCTOR I’m glad you’re all right. I know you are upset now, but look on the bright side. You still have a long life ahead of you and an entire world of hopes and dreams.

(Exit DOCTOR and SARAH.)

GEORGE

That was really disturbing. I never thought I would see something like that today.

(BRIANNA starts grieving again.)

BRIANNA

But my baby . . . why? Why, why, why?

GEORGE I --

V-172


BRIANNA Why couldn’t I have him? Even if he were vermin from that devilish spawn of man, why did he have to . . .?

GEORGE Brianna --

BRIANNA

That bastard Lloyd gave me this baby and then took it away. (BRIANNA is extremely angry.)

That bastard! I hate him! Oh, my poor baby . . . (BRIANNA starts to cry.)

GEORGE

Don’t cry again, Brianna. After all, it was vermin to you. You never named it. Why should you be upset?

BRIANNA (sniffles)

You don’t understand, George. For one moment, I was a mother. Even if . . . it was something I didn’t want, I had someone to care for, someone to nourish and love with all my heart. But this . . . God did this to me. He took my baby away! Why have You done this to me?

GEORGE Don’t break the Ten Commandments on the spawn of the devil!

BRIANNA

Then why did this happen, George?

GEORGE I don’t know.

BRIANNA

Well, you’re no help.

GEORGE Do you know what I think? I think you’re extremely lucky.

BRIANNA

How can you be so inconsiderate?

GEORGE Think about it like this. What if you and your baby switched places? What would your parents do for that

V-173


GEORGE (cont’d) child? What kind of life could the baby live without you?

BRIANNA

I . . . I don’t want to think about it, but I . . . I wonder if it would’ve been really hard for him.

GEORGE

What if you both lived?

BRIANNA I don’t want to think about that either. It’s too much.

GEORGE

Don’t you see? The death of that vermin is a miracle.

BRIANNA Don’t . . . don’t call my baby a vermin!

GEORGE Why?

BRIANNA

Just because I call him a vermin doesn’t mean you can. You have no idea what it has done to me. Oh God, what do I have now? I have no honor left in the world. I am a louse, a maggot that belongs to the lowest level of society.

GEORGE

No you are not.

BRIANNA Yes, I am! And suppose every teenage girl who bears one of these feels absolutely proud of herself to raise something like this, yet what guilt she must endure for her inconstancy and promiscuity. Why couldn’t she bear witness to reason? Why did she fail to uphold chastity as a religious vow? Why didn’t she think first of her future? Oh George, my baby was the answer to all those questions, but now, it’s . . . it’s gone, taken away from me, and I am left with nothing. Nothing but questions!

GEORGE

No, you have something new. A new beginning--yes! That’s what you have, Brianna. God gave you this single chance to build your life anew. You are free now, free to make your own choices.

V-174


BRIANNA Really?

GEORGE

Of course. And you’ll be even freer as soon as the verdict is read for your child’s father.

BRIANNA

No, I won’t be free. He’ll get away. He’ll come back to haunt me again. He’ll impregnate me or try to kill me again, and I . . . I won’t be able to stop him. I --

(GEORGE kneels at her side.)

GEORGE

If he does, I will be with you, and I will stop him.

(BRIANNA weeps as GEORGE takes his hands in hers.)

BRIANNA

Georgie. (BRIANNA and GEORGE embrace.)

(CURTAIN)

(END OF SCENE)

V-175


ACT V

Scene 2

SETTING: The courtroom. AT RISE: Everyone, except the JUDGE and

BAILIFF, is present in the courtroom. Enter BAILIFF.

BAILIFF

All rise for the Honorable Judge Samuel Teasdale. (EVERYONE rises. Enter the JUDGE. The JUDGE sits down at his desk.)

Thank you. You may be seated, everyone.

(EVERYONE sits down.)

JUDGE Members of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

(A MAN from the JURY stands up holding an envelope in his right hand.)

JURY

We have, Your Honor.

JUDGE Very well. Please hand me your verdict.

(The BAILIFF approaches the jury stand and takes the envelope. The BAILIFF brings the envelope to the JUDGE. The JUDGE takes the envelope. The BAILIFF returns to his seat and sits.)

Before I open the contents and read the verdict, does the defendant have any final words?

(LLOYD stands up.)

LLOYD I certainly do, Your Honor.

V-176


(BRIANNA starts shivering.)

LLOYD (cont’d) Ladies and gentlemen, we all know I am the reason you are all here. As we all know, law is a conniving little devil we have to fumble with in the course of our daily lives. No matter what happens to me, we all know who is really at fault here. Brianna is to blame for her curiosity to figure out where I was on her 14th birthday, for if she had never found me and asked me what I was doing, I would never have given her the answer right there.

(BRIANNA stands up suddenly, enraged.)

BRIANNA

That’s not true! I knew what was going on when I found you sitting there naked and admiring the photographs of my mother!

(The AUDIENCE gasps. SARAH is petrified.)

SARAH

What?

JOHN No, that can’t be!

BRIANNA

It’s true! I --

(The JUDGE slams down the gavel.)

JUDGE

You are out of line! Please sit down.

BRIANNA But I’m telling the truth!

SARAH

Is this the reason why she was . . .? Am I to blame for my daughter’s . . .? Oh God, why did this happen to me?

(SARAH sobs hysterically. Exit

V-177


SARAH, rushing out of the door.)

BRIANNA

Mother! (BRIANNA runs after her. Exit BRIANNA.)

GEORGE

Brianna! (GEORGE stands up to run after BRIANNA.)

FLORA

Sit down, George! You can’t go after them!

GEORGE But --

FLORA

Sit down!

(GEORGE sits down with contempt. The JUDGE pounds the desk with the gavel again. The JUDGE looks furious.)

JUDGE

That’s it. No more talking. No more unnecessary interruptions. Sit down. Stop talking. No moving.

(JOHN gets up to walk to the center of the court.)

That includes you walking towards the center of the court.

JOHN

I want to know --

(The JUDGE slams the gavel again and stands up.)

V-178


JUDGE Sit back in your seat. I don’t care what your desire is.

(JOHN sits back in his seat.)

I’ve had quite enough of this drama. If you want to start a soap opera sometime, be my guest. Just do one thing. Don’t do it in my courtroom!

(The JUDGE sits down and tears the envelope.)

LLOYD

Your Honor, I have not finished my final statement.

JUDGE Don’t mess with me. Your final statement is finished.

(Re-enter SARAH and BRIANA. SARAH and BRIANNA quickly return to their seats in the gallery.)

Remain standing, please. (The JUDGE puts on his glasses, and then reads the verdict.)

Mr. Lloyd Nicholson, the court has found you guilty by unanimous conviction of the jury for the rape of Miss Brianna Dutton of Danbury, Connecticut. You are hereby sentenced to prison for eight years with possibility for parole in six if determined to be on good behavior. You will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.

(LLOYD looks at BRIANNA with anger. BRIANNA shies away and cries to herself. SARAH holds BRIANNA, comforting her.)

SARAH

He deserves more than that.

(The AUDIENCE whispers in hushed tones.)

V-179


JUDGE This case is at an end. My patience has been tested long enough. Court is adjourned.

(The JUDGE slams the gavel down.)

BAILIFF

All rise.

(Everyone stands up. Exit JUDGE out the back door. The GUARDS lead Lloyd Nicholson out the front door. Exit BAILIFF. JOHN blocks the path to the door as LLOYD arrives at the door.)

JOHN

I can’t believe you! You took out all your emotional frustrations on my daughter because you were in love with my wife?

LLOYD

It seems you weren’t listening when I told you I’ve always loved your wife.

(JOHN glowers at LLOYD with such anger.)

JOHN

I’ll never forgive you. I’ll never forgive you. Even when I die, I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done to us.

LLOYD

And to think, you always trusted me with all of your secrets. Just what do you think will happen when I am released from prison?

JOHN

If I ever see you again, I’ll break your spine for what you did to my daughter, you indolent snitch!

(JOHN strangles LLOYD while the AUDIENCE watches with frenzy.

V-180


JAMES breaks JOHN and LLOYD apart.)

JAMES

Break it up, John. Break it up.

JOHN One thing is for certain.

(JOHN points a finger at LLOYD.)

You will never be in my will!

LLOYD Shut up, John! You don’t talk back to your friend like that.

JOHN

You’re not my friend anymore! (JOHN storms out of the courtroom. JAMES follows behind JOHN. Exit JAMES.)

ANDY

Outside, criminal! You’ll have plenty of thinking to do. (Exit ANDY and LLOYD.)

BRIANNA

Oh, George! It’s finally over! (BRIANNA runs into GEORGE’S arms, sobbing.)

GEORGE

Oh Brianna, I knew you were going to win this case from the beginning.

BRIANNA

Thank you. (BRIANNA sniffles to herself. At this point, re-enter JOHN.)

JOHN

George . . .

V-181


(GEORGE looks up at JOHN.)

JOHN (cont’d) You were right all along. I have been a complete fool this entire time.

SARAH (surprised)

John?

BRIANNA (surprised)

Father?

JOHN I never realized how much I needed my friend’s trust. When we grew up, that’s what we used to help each other. Apparently, he never trusted me completely. Even trust, it seems, can father a helpless victim.

(to GEORGE) I cannot ask you to forgive me, but if there is anything that I can do for you, please ask.

GEORGE

There is something I would like to ask, Mr. Dutton.

JOHN And what would that be?

GEORGE

Well . . . if it’s all right with you and Mrs. Dutton, and most importantly, if it’s all right with you Brianna --

(BRIANNA looks up at GEORGE.)

I would like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.

(BRIANNA is shocked.)

SARAH George!

JOHN

You would ask my daughter to marry you after something like this?

GEORGE The thing is, Mr. Dutton, I know Brianna very well now, and

V-182


GEORGE (cont’d) I . . . I have come to love her and appreciate her for the right reasons.

(SARAH expresses uneasiness towards that statement.)

We mean so much to each other, and I . . . I want to make her the best woman in the world. I want her to shine forever. I want to make her . . . my wife.

JOHN You have been honorable in all ways to be to my daughter, and for that, I thank you. If you mean what you say, and are willing to put your entire being into making my daughter happy, I would accept your proposal.

SARAH

I . . . I would also agree.

GEORGE You mean you don’t like it?

SARAH

Oh no! No. I was just . . . you know, surprised, that’s all.

(GEORGE gazes upon BRIANNA with delight. GEORGE’S voice should be full of rapture.)

GEORGE

And what about you, Brianna? Will you marry me? Oh tell me, Brianna. Please!

(BRIANNA looks around the room uneasily.)

BRIANNA

Mom, Dad, could we be alone for a while?

SARAH Certainly. Please think it over.

JOHN

And be careful, Brianna, very careful.

V-183


(Exit JOHN and SARAH. BRIANNA runs to the witness stand and cries.)

GEORGE

Brianna! (GEORGE runs over to BRIANNA.)

What’s wrong, Brianna? Aren’t you happy, happy for us? Won’t you tell me those words that I want to hear? Won’t you speak those lustrous words of joy for me? Oh Brianna Dutton, will you marry me?

(BRIANNA turns around and looks at GEORGE with a very different look on her face, of cold realization, showing a complete transformation of her character. It is in essence a new BRIANNA in form.)

BRIANNA

I . . . I cannot do that, George.

GEORGE (stunned)

What do you mean? I’ve saved your life three times! I’ve fought for your life at the price of my own. I’ve given everything for you. Everything! Isn’t this what you want? A man who fights for the woman he loves? To the brink of death itself? Don’t you want to be with someone who’d love you forever?

BRIANNA

I just . . . I cannot accept it. (BRIANNA looks down at her feet.)

GEORGE

But why?

BRIANNA It’s just . . .

(BRIANNA sighs.)

V-184


BRIANNA (cont’d) It’s just --

GEORGE Brianna, you do love me, don’t you?

(BRIANNA looks up into GEORGE’S eyes.)

BRIANNA

Yes. I do love you, George.

GEORGE Then please. Please accept the greatest honor any woman can ever receive from a man.

(GEORGE kneels before BRIANNA. GEORGE folds his hands over hers.)

Please Brianna . . . will you marry me? (BRIANNA looks away and does not answer. GEORGE is enraged.)

I don’t believe this! How could you turn me away like this? After all we have been through together, after all we sacrificed for each other, how could it come to this? I love you, Brianna!

(BRIANNA looks back at GEORGE.)

BRIANNA

I know you do, George. Believe me. I do too. I want to be married to someone like you, someday. It’s just . . .

(GEORGE turns his head and starts to walk away. BRIANNA walks up to GEORGE and stops him.)

Oh George, you must know I want to. Really. There’s just one problem.

(GEORGE turns around, looking hopeful and desperate.)

GEORGE

What is it? Name it, and I’ll fix it. Then there’ll be no problems. You’ll have more than you could ever ask for.

V-185


BRIANNA It’s just that . . . it’s not enough for me.

GEORGE

(puzzled) What do you mean?

BRIANNA

You may be able to turn me away from my past, but you cannot heal my heart.

GEORGE (worried)

Are you all right, Brianna?

BRIANNA George, half-an-hour ago, I would have screamed “yes” if you had proposed. I would have rushed into your arms with hugs and kisses aplenty, but it’s no use. I see it now.

GEORGE

See what, Brianna?

BRIANNA Marrying you won’t cleanse me of my torments. I have nightmares I can’t control, past regrets I can’t let go, and anxieties that plague my soul.

GEORGE But Brianna --

BRIANNA Think about it. Can you really take a mentally troubled woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?

GEORGE

But I thought this was all behind us.

BRIANNA Not another word.

(BRIANNA presses a finger to GEORGE’S lips.)

It’s getting more and more difficult for me every minute to explain. It’s just . . . there’s only one way I can heal myself of my troubles.

(BRIANNA takes a deep breath.)

V-186


BRIANNA (cont’d) And that requires a terrible price.

(GEORGE looks at BRIANNA fearfully.)

GEORGE

No, you don’t mean . . .

(BRIANNA looks sadly into GEORGE’S eyes.)

BRIANNA

I’m sorry, George. I wish I were better, but I’m not. And there’s no way it can go on like this.

GEORGE (mortified)

No! No! You can’t do this! I love you, Brianna! I love you!!!

(GEORGE cries.) Why Brianna? Why are you doing this to me?

BRIANNA

Oh George -- (BRIANNA cries with GEORGE.)

I don’t want to do this either, but I have to!

GEORGE Then don’t do something you don’t mean!

BRIANNA

But I do mean it! We have to break-up if I am ever going to heal myself.

GEORGE

But this makes no sense! Why would you betray me like this?

BRIANNA

I’m not betraying you! I’m not. (BRIANNA approaches GEORGE.)

Oh George, I’ve demanded so much of you. You have been so sweet, so caring, and so wonderful. Truly, I wish I could be your wife, but you deserve much more than what I can give you.

V-187


GEORGE That doesn’t explain anything. Please, be honest with me. Why are you doing this?

BRIANNA

I have to go into more therapy, George. The sessions I’ve been through for the past few months have not been enough. There are just . . . too many soul-biting scars to heal.

(GEORGE looks at the ground, defeated.)

GEORGE

Then I guess you don’t need me anymore.

BRIANNA That’s not true! I don’t know what I’d do without you. You mean so much to me. You are one of the closest friends I can talk to now, and I don’t want to lose that.

(BRIANNA folds his hands in hers.)

I’m setting you free, George, free so you can find what you want in life too.

GEORGE

But Brianna --

BRIANNA Don’t become another prisoner in my dungeon. Few ever escape it to know the truth that lies beyond it.

GEORGE

You’re sacrificing our love for the two of us?

BRIANNA (nods)

Listen. If we find years later we still love each other and want to get married, and you propose to me again, then I’ll accept. Until then, we have to let go and go our own ways.

(GEORGE sighs.)

GEORGE I don’t want to do it, but --

BRIANNA

It is the only way we can both truly find happiness.

V-188


(GEORGE thinks to himself.)

GEORGE

Now I understand what my mother told me about our relationship. I see now what you mean too, much better than I did before. Thank you, Brianna.

BRIANNA

And thank you for listening to me. I have always appreciated it, most sincerely.

GEORGE Well, I guess this is good-bye?

BRIANNA I’ll see you in school tomorrow, all right?

GEORGE

I’ll see you tomorrow then. (GEORGE starts to leave.)

BRIANNA

George! (GEORGE stops.)

Before you go, would you kiss me good-bye?

(GEORGE turns around, approaches BRIANNA and kisses her as passionately as he can. BRIANNA responds to his kisses in turn. Both BRIANNA and GEORGE embrace very tightly. Shortly afterwards, both BRIANNA and GEORGE pull away together.)

GEORGE

I hope you will become a very strong woman at heart. Good-bye, Brianna.

(Exit GEORGE.)

V-189


BRIANNA Good-bye . . . George . . .

(BRIANNA watches GEORGE leave. When the door closes, BRIANNA sinks to the floor and cries to herself. Enter JOHN. JOHN runs to BRIANNA.)

JOHN

Brianna? What’s happened? Are you all right?

BRIANNA I . . . I let him go. Oh Father . . . it was so hard to do.

JOHN Why did you do it?

BRIANNA I did it for us. We will only be happy and find what we want when we’re apart. We will never find it if we remain together in a romantic cloud of disillusion.

JOHN (smiles)

I am very proud of you. That was a very brave thing you did. A good girl must always build her conscience first.

(BRIANNA smiles.) Brianna, I’ve been a horrible father to you. We know that’s true. I cannot take back everything I have said and done to you. I cannot ask you to forgive me, no matter how terribly sorry I am that I have hurt you, but know this. I am turning over a new leaf from this day forward and am going to fight for all victims of rape. Starting tomorrow, I am making a pledge to form an anti-rape campaign all over the world and raise awareness of the psychological problems that it causes.

BRIANNA

Oh Father . . . (BRIANNA weeps with joy.)

. . . that’s the sweetest and most wonderful thing you can do for me.

(BRIANNA hugs JOHN, kisses both his cheeks, and holds him tightly.)

V-190


BRIANNA (cont’d) I love you, Father!

(JOHN smiles and has tears in his eyes as he holds BRIANNA tightly in his arms.)

JOHN

I love you so much, my beautiful daughter. (JOHN kisses both of BRIANNA’S cheeks. JOHN backs away to behold his daughter BRIANNA.)

You are my little angel, and I want to see you rise to Heaven.

(BRIANNA, in tears, beams a heartwarming smile, full of love and happiness. BRIANNA holds JOHN tightly in her arms.)

BRIANNA

Oh Father . . . (Both BRIANNA and JOHN remain locked in each other’s arms embracing.)

(CURTAIN)

(END)

brianna’s soul-blighted scars a play in five acts by ...€¦ · table of contents act i pgs....

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