Do You Remember - Take 2

8/2/2019 Do You Remember - Take 2

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FadeBy Ori N. Bensimhon

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

WENDELNURSE

ROSEMARY

DOCTOR

SCENE 1

Hospital Room, afternoon. WENDEL, a

frail-looking man of 49 is asleep in his

hospital bed. The room is still and silent

except for the steady beeping of his heart

monitor. He is connected to no less than 3IV bags and has an oxygen tube lain under

his nose. There is an untouched hospital

meal on a rollaway table, between the bed

and the visitors chair.After a few

moments, NURSE enters through Stage

Right doorway and holds the door behind

her.

NURSE

-right in here. Hes resting now, but you can have a seat if youd like to wait.

ROSEMARY, 47 enters hesitantly. She

cannot tear her eyes away from WENDEL.

ROSEMARY

Thank you.

NURSE

Theres a coffee machine down the hall, to the left. We also have a surprisinglydecent cafeteria if you-

ROSEMARY

Thank you, but Ill just wait.

ROSEMARY crosses to the visitors chair

and sits, her eyes neverleaving WENDELs

still form.


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NURSE

Of course. Someone will be in shortly to check on his drips. If you need anything, you

remember where the reception desk is?

ROSEMARY

Yes, thank you.

NURSE nods and backs out of the doorway,

closing it behind her. ROSEMARY continues

to sit and stare at WENDEL for a beat

before she finally sets down her handbag

and begins to remove her coat, her gaze

rarely drifting from him. As she is freeing

her arms from her sleeves, she accidentally

knocks over a juice cup on the rollaway

table. She lets out a startled Oh! as it hits

the floor. As she frantically bends downand paws the table for napkins to clean her

mess, WENDEL begins to stir. He notices

ROSEMARY, who is too distracted soaking

up the juice to look up.

WENDEL

Hey.

ROSEMARY

OH!

Startled, she almost falls back onto the

soaking napkins, but catches herself. They

make eye contact and for a moment, the

room is completely still, as if in a painting.

They break eye contact and look away

from each other as ROSEMARY picks

herself up, rises and sits back in the chair.

WENDEL

Ididnt think youd actually come.

ROSEMARY

Yeah. Well. Full of surprises arent we?

Long pause.

ROSEMARY

Why am I here? Why did you have them contact me, I mean?


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WENDEL

Youremy emergency contact.

ROSEMARY

Why, after everything? After 20 years?

Pause.

WENDEL

Youre stillmy emergency contact. Haventbeen in here since

ROSEMARY

Long time.

Long Pause.

WENDEL

Did they- the doctors, I mean. Did theytell you?

ROSEMARY

Brain tumor.

WENDEL

Yeah.

Pause.

ROSEMARY

Same as your dad, right?

WENDEL

One better. Same place.

Pause.

ROSEMARY

Im sorry.

WENDEL

Arent we all?

Long pause.

WENDEL

Do you- do you remember? When my dad waslike this?


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ROSEMARY

Its not easy to forget.

WENDEL

No.

Pause.

WENDEL

You told metold me itd all be okay.

ROSEMARY locks her gaze back on

WENDELs face. He continues to stare into

the distance as he speaks.

WENDELIt helped. Even then, I knew you were lying to me, but it helped.

Silence. WENDEL finally turns to meet her

gaze.

WENDEL

Tell me again.

Long pause as they continue to stare at

each other, like deer caught in headlights.

ROSEMARY breaks her gaze and looksaway.

ROSEMARY

You know I cant.

WENDEL

Justplease. Tell me.

ROSEMARY continues to look away. She

takes a deep breath and tells him,

robotically.

ROSEMARY

Everything will be fine. Youre going to be okay.

WENDEL

Liar.


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ROSEMARY is the first to break. A smile

slowly creeps across her mouth. Upon

seeing this, WENDEL bursts out laughing.

After a few moments, ROSEMARY slowly

joins in with some chuckling. They are both

still smiling when their gazes meet, as theycompose themselves.

WENDEL

Its been too long.

ROSEMARY

It has.

Blackout.

SCENE 2

ON PROJECTION SCREEN: POV of a young

girl getting off an elevator and frantically

walking down a hospital hallway into the

waiting room. She freezes when the frame

falls on a young WENDEL embracing his

mother, his head buried. They are both

crying and comforting each other. The girl

slowly moves toward the pair when the

video is interrupted by the entrance ofNURSE.

SCENE 3

NURSE

Ms. Blye?

Rosemary jumps, startled. She quickly

realizes that she must have drifted off, asshe looks over at WENDEL and sees that

hes asleep, too.

NURSE

Im sorry to disturb you, but our visiting hours are almost over.


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ROSEMARY quickly gets up and stretches

out before putting on her coat and picking

up her handbag. NURSE makes her way

over to WENDELs instruments and begins

to check his vitals.

ROSEMARY

Sorry, I must have nodded off.

She turns to stare at WENDEL as she

makes her way for the door.

ROSEMARY

Ill be back tomorrow afternoon.

She drifts into the doorway, but lingers. A

few beats go by and she remains as still asWENDEL while NURSE continues to busy

herself. Finally, NURSE looks up at her. She

abruptly turns and leaves. Blackout.

SCENE 4

Hospital Room, afternoon. WENDEL is

struggling to slide himself back in his bed

when ROSEMARY enters. She pauses for a

brief moment before recognizing what heis trying to do and hurries over to help.

WENDEL

Its fine, Ive got it.

ROSEMARY stops in her tracks, a few feet

from the bed. She continues to stare timidly

as WENDEL struggles and ultimately gives

up and settles. He looks back at her and

notices the Tupperware in her hands.

WENDEL

Whats that?

ROSEMARY

Hm? Oh- Ibrought you these.


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She moves to the bedside table, sets down

her handbag and smiles hesitantly as she

opens the container to show him. WENDEL

stares at the container for a moment in a

stunned silence.

ROSEMARY

You used to beg me to make them all of the time.

WENDEL continues to stare at the

container.

ROSEMARY

You still like them, dont you?

WENDEL turns to fix his gaze away from

her.

WENDEL

Wow. I mean I- yeah. Thanks. Im off of solid foods now, but I cant see a few pieces

hurting anything.

He laughs. ROSEMARYs smile quickly

vanishes. After a beat, she gestures for

WENDEL to take some food from the

container.

WENDELThanksagain.

He takes and eats some. ROSEMARY sits

down in the chair, pulls the bedside table

closer and places the container on it.

WENDEL

I forgot. I forgot all about these what do you call them?

ROSEMARY

Sweet squares.

WENDEL

Right.

Pause.


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ROSEMARY

You still like them, though?

WENDEL

Theyre amazing, thank you. They taste likehigh school.

ROSEMARY

Like high school?

WENDEL

Not in any bad way. They just remind me of it. How you used to bake them and hand

them out to our friends.

ROSEMARY

Id always save you a big handful.

Pause.

ROSEMARY

ButI didnt make these in high school. It was at college.

WENDEL

What are you talking about?

ROSEMARY

I started making these in college. I couldnteven boil water until I was out of the

house.

WENDEL

No. No, I have this distinct memory of you passing them out in homeroom. In Mr.

Scotts class.

Pause.

ROSEMARY

Del. We werent in Mr. Scotts homeroom. We had Ms. Atlas.

Silence.

WENDEL

Rose. Thanks so much for coming back. And for the?

ROSEMARY

Sweet squares.


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WENDEL

Yeah. Thanks. I dont mean to kick you out, but Im feelingtired, thats all. Would itbe all right if we picked up tomorrow? Or another day?

ROSEMARY

Sure. Ill just go, then.

A long pause. ROSEMARY stares at

WENDEL as he looks off into the distance.

Finally, he turns to look at her and she

quickly breaks her stare, grabs her

handbag and gets up. She exits, slowly.

SCENE 5

ON PROJECTION SCREEN: POV college-ageROSEMARY looking down at a book. A

timer dings and she looks up to reveal a

college dorm kitchen. She quickly gets up

and opens the oven, taking out a glass tray

with the same baked Sweet squares we

saw in the last scene. She tries to break off

a tiny corner, but burns herself. She runs to

the sink and runs water over her hand.

There is a knock at the door. She looks over

at it, turns off the sink and makes her way

over to answer it. When she opens the door,we see a college-age WENDEL standing in

the doorframe.

WENDEL

Hey.

ROSEMARY

Oh, hey.

WENDEL

Listen, I was thinking about last night.

He gently takes her hand in his.

WENDEL

Do youmaybe want to go out for dinner this weekend? Not as friends. Aswell,

more?

Pause.


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ROSEMARY

Are you sure we should-

WENDEL

I dont care. Rose, weve known each other for years and youre my best friend.

He puts his arms around her back and

brings her in, closer.

WENDEL

We should.

Silence.

ROSEMARY

okay. Lets do it.

WENDEL beams.

WENDEL

What smells so good?

Blackout.

SCENE 6

Hospital Room, early morning. WENDEL

struggles with a water bottle, unable to

coordinate the aiming, tipping and

drinking of the liquid. NURSE enters and

WENDEL abruptly quits his task, sets the

water bottle down and tries to subtly wipe

his face clean.

NURSE

Good morning, Mr. Sloane.

WENDEL

Morning.

NURSE

How are you feeling today?


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WENDEL

Fine.

NURSE

Any pain?

WENDEL

Any more, you mean?

Pause.

WENDEL

Yeah. My back.

NURSE

Where in your back? Can you be more specific about the pain?

WENDEL

I dont know- Its sore.

NURSE

Hm. Let me take a look.

NURSE moves in to hold and brace

WENDEL.

NURSEIm going to lean you forward on three, okay?123.

NURSE helps lift WENDEL forward and

examines his back.

NURSE

Hunh.

WENDEL

What is it? Whats wrong now?

NURSE

Nothing to worry about, Mr. Sloane. Youre starting to develop some bedsores, so

well just have to come in to shift you a little more frequently. Ill be back in just aminute to massage them out.

NURSE helps WENDEL sit back and exits

the room. WENDEL sits still for a moment,


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NURSE resumes massaging

WENDEL

Shes just a friend.

NURSEReally? Hm.

WENDEL

What?

NURSE

Nothing. It didnt come off that way. At first.

WENDEL

Oh.

Pause.

NURSE

How longve you known each other?

WENDEL

Long time.

Pause.

WENDELSince we were kids.

NURSE

Wow. She live nearby?

WENDEL

About an hour away. Not far.

Silence as NURSE continues to rub out

WENDELs sores.

WENDEL

Still. I never thought shed show.

NURSE

People are full of surprises.


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WENDEL

20 years since the last time we saw each other. Helluva surprise.

NURSE

20 years? What kept you two apart so long?

WENDEL

Itsa long story.

NURSE

Well, Ill be here a while. -if you feel like getting into it.

Long Pause.

WENDEL

Things didnt end well.

Pause.

WENDEL

I- She hurt me. Bad. So bad, I kind of started to lose sight of myself. I put myself away

for a while.

NURSE

You mean-

WENDEL

Psych ward. Yeah.

Pause.

NURSE

What happened?

WENDEL jerks in pain.

NURSE

Oh- sorry!

WENDEL

Its fine. Are we done, now? Canwe turn me back over?

Pause.

NURSE

Sure. I think weve got the blood flowing again, now.


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NURSE positions herself to help WENDEL

turn over again.

NURSE

So, what happened?

Long pause.

WENDEL

Just turn me over and Ill tell you.

NURSE

Right. 123.

She turns WENDEL onto his back. And then

pulls up the bedside chair and sits, waitingfor WENDEL. He looks away before he

begins to speak.

WENDEL

We met as kids. In high school. We were best friends almost from the start. We were

with each other for all of the big things. I was with her when her niece was born and

she was there for me when my dad died. We even ended up going to the same

college. Thats where thingsdeveloped. Me, herand everything in-between.

NURSE

Mm Hmm.

WENDEL

What?

NURSE

You are more than friends.

Silence.

WENDEL

Were.

NURSE

Were then. You have a history.

WENDEL

Thats about all we have.


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NURSE

But why?

Long pause. WENDEL takes a deep breath.

WENDEL

She hurt me. She cheated. We had a pretty typical college romance; we broke up and

made up more times than I can count. We always went back to each other, though.

Ended up together, again. Until then, anyway.

Pause.

WENDEL

I lost it. I had a nervous breakdown and had myself committed.

Long pause.

NURSE

Absolutely no offense meant, butdont you think thats kind of an extreme reactionto a breakup?

Silence.

WENDEL

She strung me along for months while she was with him.

NURSE

Well, alright. But still

WENDEL

Im not saying it was entirely justified. I was under a severe depression for months,

already. Roseshe was all that was still keeping me grounded. When I lost that- her.

When I lost her, I might as well have lost everything. It took me half a decade to

bounce back.

NURSEWow. Imsorry. Thats awful. I-

Intercom blares, Code blue in room 213.

Code blue in 213.

NURSE

guess I have to go.


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Silence. She lets out a whimper. WENDEL

gets up and gathers his clothes while her

gaze remains locked on the far wall. He

opens the door and it casts some light onto

the wall where she is looking. She turns

away from it and the camera focus blursmore.

WENDEL

She didnt mean a thing.

Pause. Door shuts and ROSEMARY begins

to cry audibly. Video fades to blackout.

SCENE 8

Lights up on ROSEMARY seated in the

bedside chair, trying to stifle her crying.

WENDEL is lying still in his hospital bed,

his monitors still beeping, steadily. NURSE

walks in and pauses when she sees

ROSEMARY.

NURSE

Im sorry- would you like another few minutes?

ROSEMARY

No. No, its alright. Dowhatever it is you need to.

NURSE

It isnt much.

Silence as NURSE moves to WENDELs

monitors and begins to check all of the

levels.

ROSEMARY

why did he sign it?

NURSE

Im sure its the same reason most people do: He knew what he was facing. He didnt

want to suffer.


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Pause.

ROSEMARY

Right. It was a stupid question.

NURSENo, Im sorry. That was abrupt.

Long pause.

NURSE

I dont want to overstep.

ROSEMARY

But?

NURSEBefore he took this turn, he told me.

Pause.

NURSE

About your past together. Aboutwell, how it ended.

ROSEMARY

He-what did he say?

NURSE

That he had a breakdown. That you broke his heart.

ROSEMARY lets out a shocked burst of

laughter.

NURSE

Its okay, Im not judging you. Its justhes on his deathbed. Hes not waking up. Iveseen this sort of thing often enough that I can tell you: make peace. Whatever you

did, whatever happened? Get closure now. While you can.

Pause.

NURSE

Just my advice.

Silence.

ROSEMARY

Thanks.


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Pause.

ROSEMARY

I think I'll take it. If you don't mind...?

NURSE begins to back out.

NURSE

I'll be back in about 20 minutes.

NURSE exits. ROSEMARY stares at

WENDEL from where she is standing.

Silence. ROSEMARY laughs, but when she

speaks, it's through tears.

ROSEMARY

You jackass.

She composes herself and moves to the

bedside chair. She sits. Silence.

ROSEMARY

You fucking jackass.

Pause.

ROSEMARY

You sign your own death warrant and your last words to the world are-

Pause.

ROSEMARY

You were everything. And now you're...god, I don't even know. I carried that night

with me for years, always looking over my shoulder. Jesse, the car and everything. I

thought- I knew I couldn't do this anymore. We-

Pause.

ROSEMARY

Twenty years and then you...this?

Long pause while she tries to fight off the

tears.


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ROSEMARY

You fucking...jackass.

She begins to weep, silently. Lights fade.

SCENE 9

Throughout this scene, everything remains

onstage, in action from the last scene,

under dimmed light. ROSEMARY reacts to

her memories while they play, behind her.

ON PROJECTION SCREEN: POV of

ROSEMARY, 27 pulling a fresh batch of

sweetsquares out ofthe oven. Her nails

are freshly painted and she is dressed for a

night out. She is in an apartment kitchen.

She sets the pan on the counter, takes out a

large knife and begins to cut the squares

up. When shes almost done, there is a

knock at the door. ROSEMARY pauses and

listens for a moment. She checks the clock

on the wall, then leans out of the kitchen

and looks down the hallway. She pauses

and then carefully sets the knife down and

makes her way over to the door. She

pauses, just as her hand is about to turnthe locks.

ROSEMARY

Who is it?

WENDEL

Its me. Del.

She proceeds to unlock the door. When she

opens it, we see WENDEL, 29. He is clearly

somewhat distressed, but trying to hide it.His gaze rarely connects with the camera.

ROSEMARY

...Del? What's wrong?

WENDEL

Nothin'. Mind if I come in?


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She steals a quick glance at the nearest

clock.

ROSEMARY

Uh- sure. I've got to get going in a couple of minutes, though.

Pause.

WENDEL

Where you headin'?

Camera gaze drops to the floor.

ROSEMARY

Ohnowhere special.

WENDEL

Where?

ROSEMARY

I uh- have to meet my mom. She wants me to come by andtalk.

WENDEL

Oh.

Pause.

WENDEL

You certainly dressed for the occasion.

Camera gaze shifts back to WENDEL.

ROSEMARY

Yeah. Im going someplace else, after.

Pause.

WENDELWhere to?

ROSEMARY

Justout. Im just gonna go out for a bit. You know, hit up the bars with some friends

from work.


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WENDEL

Oh. Cause, uhI knew you had the night off and I thought-

Pause.

WENDEL

Rose, Icame here because I had something to tell you.

Long pause. ROSEMARYs gaze remains on

WENDEL as he wrestles up the courage to

continue.

WENDEL

Rose. I still lov-

ROSEMARY

Del. I know.

Pause. WENDELs gaze locks into the camera.

ROSEMARY

But, you know how I feel.

WENDEL continues to look into the camera

as his heart breaks. He then tears his gaze

away, back to the floor.

WENDEL

yeah.

She moves a step closer to him.

ROSEMARY

Del, Im sorry. But, weve had this talk. A few times.

Pause.

ROSEMARY

You know I still love you. Justnot like that, anymore.

A smile starts to creep across WENDELs

face.

WENDEL

Yeah. Its fine- really. I just figured Id give it one last college try, yknow?

Pause.


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ROSEMARY

Del

WENDEL

Seriously. Its fine. Here, can we hug on it? As friends, I mean? Platonic hug?

Pause.

ROSEMARY

Alright.

They move towards each other and hug.

After a beat:

ROSEMARY

Sowhile were talking like this.

The embrace is suddenly broken. Camera is

brought to face WENDEL as he holds

ROSEMARY out. Long pause.

WENDEL

Yeah?

ROSEMARY

Im going out with Jesse, tonight.

Long pause as WENDEL stares into the

camera, stunned. He breaks his gaze and

looks away.

WENDEL

I thought you told me there was nothing there?

ROSEMARY

I lied- Im sorry, but I knew how youd react.

Silence.

WENDEL

No. You didnt.

WENDEL turns to leave. ROSEMARY moves

toward the door to stop him.


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By this point, WENDELs heart monitor is

beeping loudly and quickly. He is coding.

ROSEMARY finally takes notice of what is

happening.

ROSEMARYGod. Im sorry. What happened,whatever you think happenedIm sorry. Im sorry

that we threw away the last 20 years. Im sorry. Just stay. Please.

DOCTOR enters hurriedly. As he makes fast

strides over to WENDELs still form, the

machines sound WENDELs death knell.

The doctor slows. He switches off the heart

monitor and checks WENDELs pulse.

DOCTOR

Time of death: 3:42pm, June 19th.

He moves towards ROSEMARY.

DOCTOR

Im sorry.

ROSEMARY stares off into the distance.

Long pause.

ROSEMARY

Arent we all?

DOCTOR

Ican give you a fewmore minutes in here. If youd like to be alone with the body?

ROSEMARY continues to look out.

ROSEMARY

Sure. Some time with the body. Thank you, Doctor.

DOCTOR exits.

ROSEMARY takes a deep breath and makesher way over to the body. She looks down

at WENDEL. Lights dim.


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SCENE 11

Action remains in motion onstage.

ROSEMARY reacts to what she

remembers.ON PROJECTION SCREEN:

POV of ROSEMARY, 27. Blackness. A

phone rings loudly. ROSEMARY flips

on the lights and looks at her alarm

clock, which reads 4:13am. She picks

up the phone.

ROSEMARY

Hello?

JESSE

Rose, what the fuck?

ROSEMARY

Jesse? Whats wrong?

JESSE

That psycho-stalker buddy of yours is whats wrong!

ROSEMARY

What? What are you talking about?

JESSE

Hes lost itrose. Im calling the cops!

ROSEMARY springs out of bed and starts

pulling on whatever clothes are lying

around. She is getting dressed for the rest

of this conversation.

ROSEMARY

Calm down! What happened?

JESSE

He followed me home, Rose.

ROSEMARY

Del- no way. Are you sure it was him? Did you see him?


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JESSE

I thought I saw his car, but I figured I was being paranoid and went to bed. I woke up

when I heard the psycho son of a bitch smashing my Mustang!

ROSEMARY

What?

JESSE

He smashed in everything he could, but the windshield.

ROSEMARY

Are you sure? Did you see him?

JESSE

He left a note.

ROSEMARYThatscrazy. What did the note say?

JESSE

I dont thin-

ROSEMARY

Jesse.

JESSE

Touch her again and see what happens. Now, you know I can find you.

Long pause.

JESSE

RoseI think its written in blood.

ROSEMARYs gaze falls to her feet. Pause.

She lets out a long sigh and starts to

tremble.

ROSEMARY

Call the cops.

Video out.


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SCENE 12

Lights back up. ROSEMARY abruptly

gathers her coat and handbag, still staring

at WENDELs body. She shakes her head as

she walks out.

ROSEMARY

I said goodbye a long time ago.

She exits. Lights down on the still and silent

room. Blackout.

Do You Remember - Take 2

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