SANCTUARY

CITY
BY MARTYNA MAJOK
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Sanctuary City had its world premiere at New York Theatre Workshop Folks.
(James C. Nicola, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing
Director) on September 21, 2021. It was directed by Rebecca Frecknall, G ages 17-21, female
with Caitlin Sullivan serving as the remount director. The scenic and B ages 17-21, male
costume design were by Tom Scutt, the lighting design was by Isabella Henry older, male
Byrd, the sound design was by Mikaal Sulaiman; the production stage
manager was Merrick A. B. Williams. G and B were born in other countries and brought
to America young.
The cast was as follows: Henry is first generation. Born in America of
B....................................................................................... Jasai Chase-Owens immigrant parents.
G............................................................................................... Sharlene Cruz All have American mouths. All raised working class.
Henry................................................ Austin Smith, Julian Elijah Martinez
Place.
Sanctuary City was developed, in part, at the 2018 Sundance Institute
Theatre Lab. Newark and thereabouts.
2001-2006.

A bare stage. And then perhaps a surprise.

***
***
indicates a new memory

Dialogistics.

Slashes // indicate overlap.

Ellipses ... are active silences.
(Non-italicized parentheses) within dialogue are meant to be
spoken.
Notes.

The countries of origin can suit the actors chosen. No character,

however, is of Western European origin/ethnicity, or from a
country of greater liberalism than the United States, especially
as it relates to marriage equality in 2006 or earlier. These
characters have grown up within working class multicultural
America. They have connections, feelings, and knowledge
of their countries of origin (or, in Henry’s case, the country of his
parents) but I limited moments of this in the script in an effort
to encourage wider, more inclusive casting across subsequent
productions, which need not replicate the casting of the original
production. I hope this translates to more opportunities for
actors from various backgrounds—as well as more opportunities
for and versions of this story. In the original production at
NYTW, G was Dominican, B was Haitian, and Henry was of ANNA:
Ghanaian descent. But G or B or Henry can be Vietnamese, And poor Katey when you’re away? What does
Pakistani, Ecuadorian, Uzbek, Uighur, Eritrean, Brazilian— she do?
just some amongst many options and possibilities. I invite Anna looks at Kate.
you to use this play to mindfully reflect the realities of your
KATE:
community, as it relates to class and immigration. B wants to
Oh, I continue.
stay in America because this is where he’s made his life, not
because he isn’t proud of or does not love where he comes from.
—Harold Pinter, Old Times
He feels his home to be here, as well as the specific future he
imagines for himself.

There are no props or mime in the first part of the play beyond
the two objects specified.

Avoid sentimentality and self-pity. They have no currency in

these characters’ world.

These characters are fighting this hard because they love this
hard. Moments of cruelty and possession are born from the
intense fear of losing their safest home in this world—each
other.
 ***
***

(Knock knock knock on a window. Late night. Winter 2001.)

G Can you let me in

B You climbed up the fire escape?

G Can I come in

B What time is You know I have a test //

tomorrow—

G Open the window

B (cont’d)—first period—

G Quick before someone calls the cops

B No one’s gonna No one ever calls the // cops

G Or just come downstairs and // let me in

B Hold on

G It’s freezing

B Hold on

G it’s freezing

B HOLD—

(window’s open)

G I didn’t wanna wake yer mom, // buzz the

B It’s freezing

G (cont’d) so I climbed up the

B Where’s yer coat?

1
G I know it’s late B Yer neck

B Where’s yer coat? It’s freezing. G (cont’d)—one day I’ll—

Fuck it’s freezing.
B Did you see yer neck?
G I know.
G It’s at home.
(He sees her.
He knows. B What?

A gust of wind.) G My coat.

Didn’t have a chance to grab it.
B What happened. Can you close the window?, My arm’s (hurt)—// I (can’t)—

... B Yeah.

G Can you close the window. G I never wanted to hurt someone so fuckin bad.
For him to hurt so fuckin
*** First opportunity I get, man, I’m outta there.
***
B Is your mom okay?
(Knock knock knock on a window. Spring 2002.)
...
B She’s goin back— ...

G (surprised to see him here) what the fuck G Can I get under yer blanket real quick?

B She’s goin back! B Yeah.

G What? Who—Hold on, Manager’s lookin at me. G It’s cold.

B I don’t know what to do. B Better?

G (cont’d) Just—meet me outside. G Yeah.

B I don’t know what to do. B Good.

*** G Can I crash with you tonight?

***
***
B What happened. ***
G What happened.
G Can’t wait to get away from—
2 3
B She’s goin back G She didn’t wanna wait til you finish school?

G Who? B No.

B Back home, my mom G But it’s just one more year!

G // Back—? B // No—

B (coded short hand language of being in public, finality) She’s goin back. G Yer senior year!

She’s afraid of stayin in the country. There’s some shit at B No she doesn’t wanna wait.
work, she said. Boss keeps takin money from her tips cuz,
y’know, he can, what’s she gonna do?, report it?, to who? And I’ve been here ten years, man Ten years, we’ve been That’s
she’s afraid what happened to Jorge’s gonna happen to her half my life More than half my I got everything here. Yeah,
and so she’s goin back. like, my family’s there. But everything from over half my
life?: that’s all here.
And cuz of September.
Cuz of the towers. G Why would she just go—

G keep yer voice they think i’m in the bathroom B I don’t know what to do.

B (re: 9/11) Like—now anything can happen. Now anything G —without you?
can happen here too now.
She didn’t say that but B ...
So she’s goin back.
G She came here fer you. So why would she be goin back?
G What about you? Without you?
...
B She said I can decide. ...
Did something happen?
G Decide what.
...
B If I wanna stay. // Or go back. ...

G WHAT. B I don’t know what to do.

B Yeah. ***
***
G Did she give you a day—?
(Late night. Quiet. In bed.)
B Like now Like she’d love to know right now. Soon. Real soon.
I’m seventeen, she says. Almost grown, she says. So she says I ...
can decide what I wanna do. ...
4 5
 ... B Yeah.
Yeah prob’ly you should maybe don’t.
G I got blood on yer sheets.
***
B Oh— ***

G From my arm. B What are you gonna say at school? About yer face—
I’m sorry.
G I’m not goin.
B It’s okay.
B Yeah.
G I’m sorry. Yeah prob’ly you should maybe don’t.

B It’s okay. ***

It’s fine. ***

I’ll say it’s mine. B What are you gonna say at school? About yer eye—

*** G I’m not goin.

***
B Yeah.
G But then what’re you gonna do about next year? Can you
graduate? ***
***
B If I stay.
B What are you gonna say at school? About—
G What about college?
G I’m not goin.
B I can’t go.
B Yeah.
G Why?!? Yeah prob’ly you should maybe // don’t.

B Unless I pay for it myself. G Last time this shit happened, (remember?, my eye?), Miss
Which Romano saw, sent me to the nurse, nurse called my mom,
I can’t go. mom said I fell, then she freaked the fuck out on me when
I came home. She said to say I fuckin fell, whatever. Said to
*** say I always fall, I fell. Which I think they’ll buy once.
***
B I can bring you the homework.
B What are you gonna say at school tomorrow?
About yer arm, yer neck— G Say I’m sick.

G I’m not goin. B The flu?

6 7
 *** ***
*** ***

B I can bring you the homework. B I can bring you the homework.

G Say I’m sick. G Say I’m sick.

B The flu. B Chicken // pox.

G Used flu last time. G Used that already.

B A cold? B Right. Measles?

G Yeah just say a cold. G (“no”) Mm.

*** B Mumps.
***
... G The fuck’s mumps?
...
B Stomach bug.
B I’ll bring you the homework.
G No.
...
B Why.
G (not looking at him) say I’m sick
G Cuz no that’s nasty no.
B A cold?
B Lice.
G something longer
G NO.
B Right.
B Crabs.
G (cont’d) need a few days this time

... (She is not amused.

He is.)
B Chicken pox?
B A cold.
...
G Yeah I think it’s fine to use a cold again.
G yeah
say chicken pox B A cold.

8 9
 G A bad one. G I don’t wanna get separated. Or for her to go to Fish Kill
Road.
B A really bad // cold.
B It’s just for guys.
G DON’T SAY LICE.
G So where do you they send women? They gotta have
*** somewhere to put the women. Where’s the women go?
***
B I don’t know.
B I can bring you the homework. Further away.
I guess.
G Say I’m sick. The flu.
...
...
G I don’t wanna get separated.
B Are you sure you don’t just wanna tell // somebody—? I don’t want anything like
Like Fish Kill
G (finality) No. I know there’s people Even if it’s just for guys
She’s scared they’ll send us back if they find out what’s goin I know there’s people there on Fish Kill Road.
on at home. Behind wire.
I see them. We drive by and I see.
B Who? There’s barbed wire and people and I don’t wanna go.

G (cont’d) Or just her. B You wouldn’t hafta go—

She’s scared they’d separate us.
G That place is real.
B Who would send you back? It’s just better not to talk about anything that happens at
home.
G America. If they wanted to investigate. If they like—checked. Better I say I fell.
She worked with a fake social security for years. He’s Or have the flu.
threatened to report her before. Everyone’s more, y’know—
(careful/nervous) B Maybe it would be good to be separated.

B Yeah. G Not from my mom.

G —cuz of September. Cuz of the towers. B No but—

Or maybe they’d put me in some kind of—some place for
kids—separate us. I don’t know if she even knows specifically G (firm finality) She’s never gonna leave him. You think I haven’t
what to be afraid of but she is. She’s scared. There’s that place asked?
on Fish Kill Road. In South Kearny. The place Rogelio’s dad
got sent to. I asked.
...
B That’s just for guys, that place, // I think. You want me to hide under yer bed?, from yer mom—
10 11
B It’s okay. G So?

G (cont’d) Or I can just jet right now. Before she wakes up. If B So when she overstayed her visa, so did I.
you need me out.
G But you were a kid.
B It’s okay, my mom won’t care.
B We were supposed to go back nine years ago.
G (cont’d) I’ll just walk around the neighborhood. Go to Tops.
Hang out there. Eat some eggs. I didn’t finish the math G And you were supposed to know that? You were supposed to
anyway. buy a plane ticket? At fuckin, eight?—

B You can just stay here. B Doesn’t matter.

G I’ve been comin by a lot. G You were a kid.

B So stay. Eat breakfast with us. B It doesn’t matter. If they find out how long we’ve been here,
we won’t even be allowed back for another ten fuckin years.
G You eat breakfast?
G Don’t go.
B Not usually but. I could.
... ***
***
G Yeah?
(The urban version of crickets.)
B We could. Together, yeah. I got eggs.
Stay. ...
...
***
*** G Yer mom’s gonna think we’re sleepin together.

G Don’t go. B We are sleepin together.

B Then I’d end up just like her. If I stay in the country, I’d be
just like my mom, doin whatever job—shitty job—whatever G I mean like, together.
shitty job would take her just to fuck her over down the line.
B I don’t think so.
G But you went to school—
...
B (cont’d) Always scared.
G WHY THE FUCK NOT.
G You did like, all of school here.
***
B Doesn’t matter. My mom brought me over. And she kept me ***
over.
12 13
B Which B No fuck that you know how fuckin hard I worked since
I can’t go. comin here fuck that.
I get better grades than fuckin, everyone in there.
G But why? I work harder than
Fuck that.
B Cuz I can’t pay for that! For college? By myself?
***
G Neither can I but—aid. ***

B I can’t apply for aid. G G’night.

G Why. B G’night.

B CUZ I’M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. G Hey.

... B Yeah?
...
G Thank you.
G okay wow cuz I never scream at you when you ask me //
questions B No problem.

B We came here legal but we didn’t stay here legal. We over- G For real though. Thank you for lettin me stay.
stayed. So I’m a fuckin criminal, according to Here. I could
pay for school. If I could pay for school. They’d like, take my B It’s okay.
money—If I had—like, happily Listen I could do a lotta things G’night.
if I had money.
***
(finality) I can’t get aid. Can’t apply for federal financial aid. ***
Can’t go.
G Hey.
G Yer mom can’t help? B Yeah?

B (firm finality) My mom is leaving. G Thanks.

... B All good.

... G’night.

G What about community college—? ***

***
B No.
G Hey—
G But you could // still—
B (impatient) Yeah?
14 15
 ... G Thank you.

G (quietly, feeling like a burden) thank you B (it is) It’s okay.

... ***
***
B (truly) Anytime.
Goodnight. G Thank you.

*** B (it is) It’s okay.

***
G I owe you.
G We’ll find a way for you to stay. Thank you.

B There isn’t one. ...

G We’ll make one. (Nighttime.)

B I don’t know if I can even Like how would I even My ...

mother’s workin a full-time job for this roof AND she has to ...
borrow money from me sometimes. Comin home like, half-
a-person, after work, exhausted. How’m I gonna do all that B (in G’s first language:) Goodnight.*
AND school? How’m I gonna do that?
...
G You can live with me! At mine’s!
G (in B’s first language:) Goodnight.
B You don’t even wanna live at yours.
...
***
*** B/G Goodnight.

B Good // night. ***

***
G Hey.
G I can help you pay rent.
B Yeah?
B What?
G Thanks.

B (it is) It’s okay.

*Note: If B and G’s first languages are the same (for example, both Spanish),
you may consider changing G’s line to “Bonne nuit,” as a play on the language
*** she (or he) may be learning in high school. Feel free to play with whichever
*** version feels more alive.
16 17
G On this apartment. I’m over here all the time. We sort of G She’s gonna leave him! We’re leaving!
kind of already live together here, sleep to—I sleep here
sometimes. So I should help. I can pay. ***
***
B Fer a year and then yer gone.
B And how’re you gonna help me pay rent?
G ...
G With my job.
B “First opportunity you get, man.”
B And how much you make? Hundred a week?
G Just—finish school at least.
G Varies.
B And then what?
Keep workin at the restaurant? Moppin floors? B Can’t bank on varies.
Washin dishes?
Go to war? G It varies but I’m there almost every day after school except
See if they’re checkin papers. Thursdays.
Ship out with all the seniors still failin algebra. Shit I’ve come away with a HUNDRED sometimes just on
Be like a fuckin, high school reunion—in Afghanistan. Fridays cuz of tip-out.

... B Really?

G We’ll find a way for you to stay. G Almost once yeah almost.
If things keep goin how they’re goin at home, I’ll be at yer
*** place a lot.
***
B (concern, not inconvenience) Really?
(Knock knock knock on a door. Lost. Autumn 2002.)
B (heartbroken) She left. G Unless you don’t want me to.

G What? B No yer good.

B She’s gone. G Doesn’t look like anything’s gonna change. So I’ll prob’ly be
here a lot.
*** If you’ll like, have me.
***
...
(Knock knock knock on a window. Found. Autumn 2002.)
B I’ll make you a key.
G (elated) We’re leaving!
G So I’ll contribute.
B What? That way, you won’t hafta do this completely alone.
And you can finish school.
18 19
 ... B What?

B You sure? G She’s a citizen now! She was takin all the tests, secret! She
got a naturalization certificate, a restraining order, and a
G Make me a key. fuckin moving company, all secret! We’re gonna, when he leaves
for work, we’re gonna pack up all our shit and GO.
...
... B When?

B Yeah. G Tomorrow morning. Today! In a few hours! TODAY! Movin

Yeah okay. guys are comin soon as he’s gone then we gotta pack up
Yeah maybe I can do this—Yeah. everything we can and haul that shit out fast. We gotta be
outta there by 4, when he’s back from work.
G And you can rent out the extra room! Back to an empty fuckin apartment!
She had this shit planned for months. (proud) Fuckin, months!
B What room? I can’t believe it. We’re finally leaving! And I don’t even hafta
switch schools!
G For extra money. You can rent out the extra
room in this apartment! B (something off) That’s great.

B ... G I know!

G When she. Eventually. B Congratulations.

To yer mom.
B ...
G We’re both moving!
G Sorry.
B On becoming a citizen.
***
*** G Oh and I’m one too!

B Yer leaving? B What?

G My mom ‘n I! G She snuck me in right under the deadline.

B Where? B What do you—?

G Schuyler Ave! Like right on the border! Close! G Right under the wire. Cuz if yer under 18, if the kid’s under
18 when the parent gets it, then it gets transferred to the kid.
B How did she—? Automatic.

G She got naturalized! B So you didn’t hafta pay none of those fees?

20 21
G Guess not! ...

B Or hafta take the test? (And she realizes.)

G Nope! B (“right,” an end) I’ll make eggs.

...
... ***
... ***
I’m sorry—
G And you can rent out the extra room!
B You gonna need help?
With packing? B What room?

G We got the guys— G For extra money. You can rent out the extra room in this
apartment!
B I know but do you need more help?
You gotta pack up an entire apartment in how long? B ...

G Yeah but it’s during school. G When she. Eventually.

B So how are you gonna— B ...

G My mom’s gonna call ‘n say I’m sick. G Sorry.

She planned that shit too!
B It’s okay.
B So I’ll say I’m sick.
***
G No but you’d hafta miss school. ***

... G When?

B (he did) I didn’t do the math anyway. B (heartbroken) This morning.

... ...
...
G Okay.
Okay! Tomorrow, then. G (doesn’t know what to say)...did she say goodbye to you?

B You wanna crash here? Tonight? B (not an answer to her question) I rode the train with her to the
One last time? airport.
Helped carry her stuff.
G Why one last time? They don’t let you wait anymore. Did you know that?
They don’t let you wait with yer person that’s gonna board the
22 23
 plane. G It’s okay.
Cuz of September.
So if yer not gettin on a plane, they don’t let you past security. ***
I watched it out the window. ***
Watched for hours.
Imagined her in one of em. B There’s so much to pack.
Knew she was in
one of em. G (thrilled) There is
Flyin away. so much
... to pack!
...
... B I mean you could just leave him a mess right?
fuckin, of course we said goodbye If there’s shit you don’t want.

G sorry G True.

B We’ve been sayin goodbye since she bought the fuckin ticket. B (cont’d) Shit you don’t wanna clean.
You wanna crash?
G Yeah.
G Tonight?
B Yer never comin back so leave that Fuck a mess.
B With me? At mine’s?
G I thought about pissin in his bed.
I don’t wanna go back there.
By myself— B Why don’t you.

G Yeah. // I can. ...

B I know you got yer new place now. G (unspoken: ‘actually...’)

G I’d love to crash. B (unspoken: ‘just sayin...’)

B She left a glass of water on the table. ...

She drank out of it this morning and left it on the table.
It’ll still be there. G We’ll see how we’re doin on time.
There’s gonna be parts of her all over the apartment.
Things she left. Clothes she wants me to donate. ***
I don’t think I can... ***

G It’s okay. B (heartbroken) Would you want any of em?

B Thanks. G What.

24 25
B Her clothes? And it’s closer to you than my new place is gonna be.

*** ***
*** ***

G Let’s start with the clothes. G (pissed) There’s another one.

B (on a mission) Clothes. B Another // what.

G I can do that if you wanna box the books. G We JUST moved and there’s already another guy. Like a
weed. Like a fuckin— At least he doesn’t knock her
B (on a mission) Books. unconscious—YET—that I KNOW OF—YET—Just—
I dunno, man. I can’t seem to keep a dick outta
G I dunno how I coulda done this shit alone. Even with the that woman.
guys.
...
B (gimme the) Tape.
Yeah I dunno how you coulda either, those guys’re garbage, B That woman gave you life.
get yer money back.
G Yeah well so did yers and here we are.
G I’m gonna miss this place. Can I crash.

... ***
***
B How could you miss this place?
G You still can’t sleep?
G Twelve years. B ...

B Yeah but. G Don’t you have a test tomorrow? It’s late.

G Longer livin here than anywhere else. B (quietly) There’s so much stuff. She left a life of stuff.
Than
Longer than I known you even. G You don’t hafta do this all right now. Come to bed.

B Still. B Would you want any of em?

G It’s a place I was. G What?

I’m from here.
Even though I was born in B Her clothes?
I’m from here. ...
Wherever I end up endin up, ...
I’ll have gotten there from this place. Here.
... You don’t have to // if—
26 27
G No—just—you sure you don’t wanna keep this? ***
***
B If you like it, take it.
B Thank you.
G You sure? I owe you.

B Take it. ...

... G (it is) It’s okay.

G Thank you. ***

***
B But don’t throw it out okay. If you take it, don’t just throw it
out. G No fuckin way

G Okay. B Cmon

B Wear it. G It’s racist!

Like, sometimes.
B Not if I’m tellin you it’s okay
...
G This is so fucked up
G Come to bed.
B So you’ll do it?
***
*** G No

G Good // night. B Cmon!

B Hey. G Why can’t you just write a note? I could forge a note.

G Yeah? B Just be glad they don’t want her to come in.

I’m calling.
B Thanks.
G No!
G (it is) It’s okay.
B It’s ringing
***
*** G I’m not ready!

B Thank you. B You’ve heard her talk enough // times—

G (it is) It’s okay. G This is so racist

28 29
B (cont’d) —you’ve had like, 9 years of research B What’d they feed you tonight?

G This is so racist G Penne vodka sauce.

B It’s ringing B YES.

G This is so Hello! ***

(in B’s mother’s accent) Yes—Hello! Good morning also to you. ***

B (quiet) yes! B What’d they feed you?

(G is mortified.) G Penne vodka sauce.

G Yes Hello Yes, Um, So, My—son B YES.

B (quiet, finds this hilarious) oh my god G With chicken.

G is sick. B YES FUCK YES.

The flu.
***
(B stifles laughter. ***
G sees this.)
B What’d you get tonight?
No sorry.
Lice. G Spaghetti.
He is disgusting yes and cannot be in school Tell everyone
Thank you Bye. B Oh.
Okay.
***
*** ***
***
B What’d they feed you tonight?
B What’d you get tonight?
G Chicken Milanese.
G Chicken—
B Nice.
B YES.
G I brought some.
***
B WHAT. ***

*** B What’d they give you? What’d you get tonight?

***
30 31
 G Actually so they want us to eat family meal at work G There might be somethin in the fridge.
now actually.
B Not much. Want me to run // to the store—
B Oh.
G Why don’t you check?
G Cuz people Yeah Cuz people take too much.
B ShopRite’s // open still—
B Sure.
G Why don’t you just check the fridge.
G Bring it home.
For their actual families. ...

B Right. (B suspects something.)

G You eat? ...

... G Check the fridge.

B Yeah. ...

*** (He looks at her, suspiciously...

***
...and moves to an unseen fridge.
B What’s that?
He looks inside.
G Chicken // Milanese.
...
B WHAT!
His face changes.
***
*** She lights a lighter.
This is the only time we see a physical object in this entire
B What’d they give you tonight? section.
It glows between them.)
G Oh I’m so sorry. I forgot to grab food.
G (singing) Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,
B You didn’t eat? Happy—

G I forgot. (She sees his face.)

B Oh. (serious, grave) I’m sorry.

Okay. I meant it as a nice thing.
You hungry?
32 33
 B (resisting tears — of loneliness) I know. ***
***
...
B Where’ve you been?
G (“for your loss,” that she can’t be here) I’m sorry.
G (“nowhere good”) Can I get under yer blanket real
*** quick.
***
B Yeah.
G Where’ve you been?
It’s 3 in the— G It’s cold.

B (as he enters, passes her by, exits to bed) Out. ...

(A door shuts.) B Better?

... G Yeah.

G (alone, sass) Okay. ...

...
***
*** (The feeling of home.)

G Where’ve you been—? Yeah.

B Goodnight Out Goodnight. B Good.

*** ***
*** ***

B Where’ve you been? (Knock knock knock on a window. Spring 2003.)

G Where’ve you been? B (jumps, annoyed) jesus christ.

B (unspoken: Oh okay. You want a secret too.) (Knock knock knock on a window.)

G (unspoken: Yeah I want a secret too.) G (knocking) Can you open the // window?

B (sass) Okay. B the fuck—

G (sass) Okay. G (knocking) Hello!

B (to himself) are you fuckin kidding me right now

34 35
G (still knocking on window) What? I can’t hear you! B What.

B I’m comin. G I got // in—

G (can’t hear, still knocking) You gonna open the // window? B Where.

B I’M COMIN AND I’M OPENIN IT NOW. G ...Boston.

... ...
... ...
...
B Scholarship?
G You mad?
...
B I’m exhausted. These fuckin essays, fuckin, homework I’m ...
just not I’m not doin this fuckin math homework. Fuck ...
math. Fuck all of math. They called me into work tonight
and what could I say. Now it’s 2am I’m so tired I don’t even (re: in her bag) What’s that?
WHY DON’T YOU JUST TAKE THE FUCKIN STAIRS.
G A bottle.
G Tradition. The rest of a bottle.
To celebrate.
B You have the key.
B ...
G I left it.
Can I crash? (G feels the absence of his joy for her. And she turns away from him.)

B I’m not doin well, you know. G You can copy my math.

G Yer sick? ***

***
B No. I’m // not—
B Check the fridge.
G What’s wrong?
G Why.
B I’m tellin you. I’m not doin well. In school. I’m not doin well
with any of it. Work. I can’t keep up. I’m so tired. I’m so Like B Why don’t you just check the // fridge.
It’s like I’m runnin in my sleep. Everywhere. All the time.
Runnin. Use the key. Please. Next time. G It’s not my birthday // Why’re you stealin my idea.

G I got into school. B Just—

Check the fridge.
...
36 37
 ... B Yeah but.

(She does, suspiciously. G And then I gotta buy a dress?

Her face changes.)
B It doesn’t hafta be expensive though.
There isn’t a song for it but
G A limo—
Congratulations.
B The bus, man, I don’t know who you think I am.
...
Oh no. G And I gotta hang with these clowns all night?
For seventy dollars?
G (through tears of appreciation) We clearly can’t put shit in
fridges! B There’ll be food!

B No. G For seventy dollars!?!

(“no way”) I dunno, man.
G Thank you. I dunno.

B Congratulations. ***
***
...
B You look so good.
G (“you have no idea how much”) Thank you.
G You look so good.
***
*** B No you look so // good.

B So you wanna go with me? G Shut the fuck up.

G To the fuckin—? B You do You look so good.

B Cmon! G I’ll punch you in the face.

G (“lame”) That shit’s so— B I’d punch you in the face you’d still look good.

B What. ...

G You like that shit? G Where do I put this expensive ass flower shit?

B You don’t wanna dress up? B (moved) You got me a—?

G Isn’t it like, 70 dollars? Don’t they want like, seventy a head?

38 39
G It’s fuckin tradition. B I lied. Gave a friend’s address in Kearny. So I could
You wanna do it yerself? go to the better school.

B No you. ...

G Okay how do I—? G I don’t know if you wanna tell em that.

B I think you—Here, there’s a— B You asked!

G Yeah G We’ll hafta figure that one out.

Okay. Who was the teacher?
B Just yeah pin it on my FUCK OW // FUCK
B Which?, when?
G FUCK
G Third grade, when we—
B TAKE // IT OUT
B Miss Ramirez.
G FUCK
G What color was her hair?
***
*** B Gray.

G When did you meet? G What’s the best pizza in town?

B Third grade. B It asks that?

G What school. G No but—

B Franklin. B Can we skip to the harder ones?

G Where was it located? G We should start with the basics.

B Hundred Davis. B But we know this shit.

G In? G We should start with the basics.

B Kearny. ***
***
G You went to a public school in Kearny but listed in
your application your address during that time as B I got you some flower shit too.
being in Newark?
G Aw.

40 41
B Fer yer wrist. …

G Aw. They stare out at prom.

B But now there’s blood on the petals. ...

You wanna put it—?
Then B moves ever so slowly…
G No you. You put it. You Can Put It On My Wrist, Sir.
No wait! …til he’s dancing.

B What. G is mortified. Wants none of it. Nope. No thanks.)

G (sly) Do it on the bus. ***

***
***
*** G (annoyed, challenging) Fine. What did the two of you
have in common? Where did you go for dates? When
B Just skip to the harder questions— did your relationship turn romantic? Wanna start
there? When did your relationship turn romantic?
G They could trick us. Wanna start there?

B How? All this shit is true. There’s nothin to ***

memorize. No new information. ***

G What if you forget? (A fun LOUD song that was popular in 2003. Something like
OutKast’s “Hey Ya!”
B I’m not gonna forget where I went to school. Or They’re having a great time.)
where we met.
G THIS IS THE WORST.
***
*** B YEAH.

(The recognizable beginnings of a corny song that was popular in 2003. G I HATE THIS.
Something like The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.”
B I KNOW YOU DO.
B and G enter prom.
G I HATE THIS SO MUCH.
G instantly sprouts a look of judgment and regret. She is above this.
B is not. (She’s having the greatest time.)
He’s kinda into it, in fact.
SPIN ME!
Then he sees G’s face. Full of opinions and blame.

42 43
 *** In summers, they’d keep it chained out in front, to the fence,
*** while they were inside makin dinner—

G (cont’d, still annoyed, challenging) Did your parents B How you know they were makin dinner?
approve of the match? Why or why not? Have you
ever had an argument that resulted in one of you G You could hear the pots and pans from the street.
sleepin in another room? Who, and which room—? And everything else you could hear that too.
Which I guess meant people could hear everything that was
B (“stop”) Okay. goin on in our place.
They could hear it from the street.
G (still annoyed) No where you wanna start Where do you Which I guess meant nothing at all to people, I guess.
wanna start You don’t like how I started so where do
you wanna start? B You want any of this?

*** G (“no”) I’m good.

*** They kept the dog tied up outside cuz I guess it got in the
way when they were makin dinner.
(Distant popular music from 2003. Near the end of the night. My stepfather would be comin back from work or from
They are somewhere more secluded, apart from the rest of prom. wherever, the bar, someone’s stoop, and...
A slowness. They smoke. Smoke around them. I think he knew I was watchin.
They stare forward. That from the window, I would watch him.
They’re connected enough to not need to look at each other.) I think he knew cuz, on his way home, he’d stop at that dog.
He’d kneel down next to that dog.
... And he would pet its big ugly head with the softest hands I
... ever seen.
... He knew I was watchin.
He knew I was watchin him care for something.
G He knew I was watchin. That he had the capacity to be good to something.
That he was able to do that.
... If that was what he wanted.
I started a lot of the fights—
(They stare ahead.)
B (fact, not pandering/comforting) No you didn’t.
...
... G Didn’t stop em.
Didn’t ignore him.
There was this dog on my street. If I’d just kept my mouth shut and more often.
My old street. Prob’ly wasn’t always worth The Last Word when the guy’s
Neighbors’ dog. got a hammer in his hand. Kitchen knife.
Big.
Ugly big. B I got another bottle if you, in my jacket, // the pocket—
Head like a fist.
A big grey fist.
44 45
G Nah. G Do you miss her?
Wait what kind.
...
B Vodka. ...

G Nah yeah I thought you might have something else. B I’ll send her the pictures of us.
Still got the vodka I DuckTaped to my leg. You in yer dress.

B That’s gonna hurt later. G She prob’ly thinks we’re sleepin together.

G I shaved. B I don’t think so.

B There are easier ways to do things. ...

... G What’re you gonna do about next year?

(They stare out.)

B Keep workin.
...
... G At the—
...
B Yup. Pays. Close to home.
G It was worth it. I guess. And they feed me after shifts.
The seventy dollars.
G Did you hear back? From any of the // schools—
(They stare out.)
B (end of conversation) Can’t afford it. Cmon let’s go
B That chicken parm. inside—

G Yeah that was bomb-ass chicken fuckin parm. G I wanna help you.

(They stare out. B You can help me go inside.

Smoke.)
G I’m serious.
B That cheese— I wanna help you.
How can I help.
G Hey.
(a proposal) I’m a citizen now so.
B Yeah.
(B realizes. Knows exactly what she means.)
G Thank you.
B ...
B It’s okay.
46 47
G How can I help. (Alone. Private. Quiet.)

*** B what time does your spouse arrive home from work
*** who takes care of payin the bills
do you have a joint bank account
G (still annoyed) Have you met each other’s parents? where
How often do you see each other’s parents? Where
do they live? When was the last time you saw them? ***
Where? For how long? What color are their kitchen ***
curtains—?
G (a proposal) I’m a citizen now so.
B Let’s skip back.
(B realizes. Knows exactly what she means.)
G Back to the—?, // uh-huh thought so.
B ...
B The more basic ones, yeah.
G How can I help.
G Okay.
When did you meet? ***
***
B Third grade.
(Alone. Private. Quiet.)
G What school.
B what did the two of you have in common
B Franklin. who proposed to
did your parents approve of the
G Where was it located? why or
when did your relationship turn romantic
B Hundred Davis.
***
G In?
***
***
(The last song at prom. Something like K-Ci & JoJo’s “All My Life.”)
***
...
G I’m serious.
I wanna help you.
(They dance.)
How can I help.
...
***
***
...

48 49
B Hey. B Cuz I’d really do this.

G I step on yer feet? G THEN LET’S REALLY DO // THIS.

B Hey. B (‘not so loud’) Okay. // It’s late.

G Yeah. G WE’RE REALLY GONNA DO THIS.

B (the biggest gift in the world) Thank you. B That man’s starin at you.

... G I’M GETTING MARRIED STARE ALL YOU WANT.

G It’s okay. B He looks mad.

*** G I CAN TAKE HIM.

***
***
(The late night public transit bus ride home from prom. ***
Enthusiastically drunk.)
(G is over these questions. She knows this.)
G Oh shit are we on the Express?
B What size is your bed? Twin, // Queen, or—?
B “How many people attended the wedding?”
G Twin. But eventually Queen.
G (drunk-happy) Every people!
B Do you have a mattress, futon, or
B “Where was it held?” waterbed?

G Could we elope? // You wanna elope? G Waterbed, who wrote these? Yeah we have a twin //
waterbed.
B Oh shit could we elope?
B Who sleeps on each side of the—?
G I’d elope.
G (points to self) Left.
B Then we wouldn’t hafta feed people! (points to B) Right.
“Did you go on a honeymoon? // Where?”
B What form of contraception (birth control) // do you
G Yeah, man, where we goin! use?

B Are we really doin this? G I know what contraception // means.

G I’m really doin this are you really doin this? B I’m just reading what’s there what’s
written there!
50 51
 *** G Home visit?
***
B Yeah.
(The quiet of task-doing.)
G ...
B Yer not gonna fold that?
B Just—leave me some like, personal things.
G I did fold that. Things you’d leave at a—y’know. Makeup. Underwear.
An earring.
B You just sorta rolled it.
G ...
G That’s folding.
B Just leave me something of yourself.
B You’ll need warmer clothes than that.
***
G They give you sweatshirts there. ***

B You gotta buy those. G When was your wife’s Oh Jesus when was your
wife’s last menstrual period?
G No everyone wears one they give you them.
B Yer gonna hafta make me a chart.
...
... G Have you ever had an argument that resulted in one
of you sleeping in another room?
(as if to self, not happy) There’s so much to pack.
B ...
B Can I keep this?
G Who, and which room?
G What.
B ...
No I’m takin that with me.
G Why?
B Can you bring it? When you come back? At break?
We’re gonna need pictures. Proof. Of years together. ***
***
G We can take more before I go. And at break.
B Just leave me something of yourself.
B You’ll need to leave me some of your things.
***
G What things? ***

B For my room. In case of a home visit. G Who, and which room?

They surprise you sometimes, drop by where you live.
52 53
 B ... B You’ll be back soon.

G Why? G I’ll be back in December.

What do you disagree about?
B Not Thanksgiving?
***
*** G Depends.

B Just leave me something of yourself. B Really?

Before you go.
G Depends who she’s got in that apartment with her, yeah.
***
*** B Just come stay with me.
If you came down for Thanksgiving, we could just do it then.
G What do you disagree about?
G I’ll only have like, a day off—for—
*** I’ll be back in December. At the latest. For winter break.
*** But we can call all the time. We’ll talk all the time.

B Hey. ...

G Yeah? B Are you nervous?

About...?
***
*** G School? B —the marriage?

B What do you disagree about? ...

*** (G looks at B.)

***
G Hey. ...
...
B Yeah?
*** B Don’t be nervous.
***
G I wish I’d flown.
(The bus stop. G keeps looking after the bus, in nervous anticipation.)
B Then we wouldn’t get to say goodbye.
G These bags, it’s like I’m movin my whole life away. You know they don’t let you wait anymore with yer—

B Boston’s not far. G (hears bus approaching) Oh no!

B It’s gonna be okay.
G Feels far, Boston.
54 55
G I can still turn back. ...

B It’s gonna be great. G ...where did you...

G I don’t wanna go. I don’t wanna // get on this B My mom left it for me.
bus. In case.

B You’ll be back soon. ...

...
G (a threat, to someone offstage) HEY MAN.
(Carefully and respectfully, he takes her hands.
B He’s just // It’s okay Is this the kindest way a man has ever touched her hand?
He puts the ring in the palm of her hand.
G (a threat) HEY. And she puts her hand over his.
They hold all four hands.
B (cont’d) He’s just gonna put em under // the bus. And look at each other.)

G WHAT IF THEY FALL OUT. ...

B Good luck.
B They won’t.
...
G WHAT IF SOMEONE TAKES MY SHIT.
G Good luck.
B I think you made it pretty clear to everyone on that bus they
shouldn’t. ...
...
G I don’t like they took my bags.
B/G I’ll see you soon.
B It’s okay.
(A light goes off.
G (cont’d) I don’t like any of this. Dark.)
***
B Hey. ***

G (cont’d) I don’t wanna— In dark, they part.

B Hey. Two people stand apart, alone, in different cities.

(He holds out a ring. Weeks.

This is the only other time we see a physical object in this section.) Months.

... Years.
...
56 57
 *** G (re: drinking more) Actually I thought we could—
***
B I’m getting you water.
(A light goes on.
Winter 2006. A few days away from a new year. Very late night.) (He goes into the kitchen.
She, alone in the space, taking it in.)
B (off) Hold on Can’t find my // keys—
G Did you take it down already? The...?
G (off) Oh I’ve got mine.
(He enters with water.)
(A key in a door.
A string of Christmas lights has been turned on. Did you take it down?
...The Christmas tree?
This is what we may or may not see:
B No.
A small apartment in the Ironbound section of Newark. Just didn’t really bother after that first year.
A top floor of a four-story building located on a residential street, just Or the second year.
around the corner from the main drag. Or the third.
This place belongs to people who work often and work late. (re: mother/family) It’s different without—
It is a mixture of things bought at the ABC store on Ferry St, the
Goodwill or the Kmart over the bridge in Kearny, and inherited from G Right.
roommates now long gone. And family who came over for a summer to
work, now also long gone. B Yeah—family—So I didn’t think, a tree, // y’know—
On the walls are a few things brought over in a suitcase from across an
ocean many years ago, now collecting dust. Things made of straw or G Right.
wicker. Art purchased at the dollar store.
There is nothing intentionally kitschy about this place. B —that there was really any point.
It is someone’s genuine attempt to make a home out of the things they have
on hand or can afford. ...
Beyond the windows, we hear the last of the night’s drinkers, a car or two
pumping merengue. Not you though.

A cat walking up a fire escape. G What?

Nighttime in a small city.)
B Different.
B and G enter.
Winter coats. G carries a wine bottle. G (pleased) Yeah?
Tension between them.
B is not happy to see her. G feels it.) B Still drink like // it’s yer last meal.

G (re: lights) That’s nice. Where’s the tree? G Oh.

B Not this year. You need water?

58 59
B Like everything’s just—yours. G I remember the schedule.
Yeah.
Yer exactly the same. B You thought I was lying // to you?

G Well if it’s free, I’m gonna drink it. I’m not wasteful. G No.

B Who said that shit was free? B Look I’m sorry—

G What? G It’s okay.

B That shit tonight was not free. B (jab) —I’m sorry I had to work.
(“fuck you”) Here’s yer water.
G // Wait.
G (“fuck you too”) Thank you.
B (cont’d) None of that shit that you consumed tonight // was
free. ...
...
G Did you hafta pay for all those?
B (ending the night) So listen I’m gonna // need to head to bed
B I woulda, yeah, if someone saw. So next time you decide to soon—
ambush me at work—
G Oh shit did I give you this? Here. It’s wine. Merry Christmas.
G Next time you won’t be workin when we made plans. Belated.

B (jab) I will always have to work. B You shouldn’t have—

... G Yer welcome.

G Why’d you keep refillin my glass // if— B (cont’d) —I work at a bar.

B Had to give you something to do. G Can I crash?

G I came to see you. ...

B Yeah but I got called into—I said we’d reschedule. B Bus is still runnin.

G (sore point) We did. Couple times. Been tryin to see you since I G It’s not actually. Not the 40. Last one left a half hour ago.
got in but said they got you workin every day.
B You need money for a cab then?
Even Monday.
When they’re closed. G No.

B Holiday season’s different. You looked up the schedule? B (“bye”) Okay. So.
60 61
G She’s got this other guy in the apartment now. (CRACK.
B turns back to see she’s opened the wine.)
B So where’ve you been staying?
G It’s a twist off.
G There. While I was waiting for you.
(An irrevocably open bottle of wine between them.)
B For me to what.
I didn’t want any barriers and/or obstacles I’ll grab glasses.
G Appear. Respond. I came down to see you. Not to sleep on
their couch and get twenties jacked from my purse. You think (She exits to the kitchen. Takes off her coat.
I’m on vacation? Here? He stands there, alone. Angry to be trapped.

B Okay so if you need money— G enters, with glasses, muscling an energy of Everything’s
Fine.)
G No!
G (re-entering) It’s good to be back. This place. The fire escape. I
B Then what. missed this place—

G I’m goin back in a few days. B I think you need to go home.

B And I’ve been workin all night. ...

G I brought a bottle. G You called me down here.

B And thank you but do I hafta drink it now? B I called you last month. And you didn’t come.

G I didn’t get a chance to talk to you at all // at the bar. G You told me not to!

B I was workin. On gettin you free // drinks. B (‘just go’) It doesn’t matter.

G I didn’t want free drinks. G (cont’d) When I called you back, you told me don’t come.

B You seemed to. B Well you had exams. So.

G I wanted to see you. G I told you I would though! I said fuck exams, soon as there’s
a bus, there’s no bus outta Boston at two in the morning,
B And you saw me. You saw the place. Like you wanted. You what could I do—
got everything you wanted—
B It doesn’t matter—
G How’s yer mom—
G (cont’d) And then you said don’t come—
B You already asked me that. So I can walk you
over to Penn and you can catch a cab— B And you listened. So.
62 63
G I’m here. I’m here now. B So am I. I’ve been here. For three and a half years, I’ve
been here. I felt like I had the key, a key, in my hands. I
B Well it was nice of you to stop by on your way to a future. never felt that before in my entire life. I made plans. Schools.
What schools I might—Doors opened up for me, everywhere,
G ... in my mind, the things I could imagine for myself. There
were things I was finally able to really imagine for myself.
B Nice of you to make the time. The trip. The effort. I was gonna join the world I live in. The world you got to live
Eventually. Nice to finally fuckin see you. You know they cost in for three and a half years. And then—a letter.
a dollar, some of these busses? From Boston. If you book early.
Here. G Stories were comin out every day, what could happen, if we
were caught—Lady jailed five years, couple in Texas fined a
(A dollar. Which she won’t take. So he drops it before her. Cold.) quarter-mill—

Hope your next visit will be just as pleasant. B I was always up front about what you’d be risking.

G Wanna practice? G Yeah well it didn’t sink in. It didn’t sink in til it did.

... B Three and a half // years—

B What. G Last month. At two in the morning.

It didn’t sink in how much I was risking
G When did you meet? til you called me last month,
What school? at 2 in the morning,
What did the two of you have in common—? and were finally,
actually
B Why’d you back out. Up Front.
Wanna start there?
How bout Why’d you back out, wanna start there? I ignored the stories, the news, my feelings—any feelings I
coulda had—for anyone else. I never even kissed anyone. For
G ... three and a half years. I wore the ring. And then you called.
And it sunk in.
B What.
Please. Cuz no.
Cuz all I got was a letter. After three years of waiting. Three You were not always up front.
and a half years of planning. Tellin me you changed yer About everything.
mind. No.
...
G What if I changed it back? You shoulda told me.

B Just like that. B I didn’t tell anyone.

G I’m here. G Yeah but you should have told me.

64 65
B You knew. You always knew. G Shit sorry. I’ve been loud.

G // Yeah but— B No she’s gone this week. Got family in Philly so she’s there
now. Through New Year’s.
B That that could happen, you knew. I just don’t wanna go in her room while she’s away.

G It wasn’t supposed to. G No problem.

B You never asked me not to. B Trust, y’know. Cuz of trust.

G I didn’t think I needed to! If it’s a quarter-mill or jail! G Yeah. Couch is fine.
Or I could—
B Well what did you expect—?
B What.
G For you to be smarter.
G No yeah couch is fine.
B No one knew.
B I’ll get you sheets.
G And not that.
(He does. She feels strange here for the first time.
B // What did you expect. He returns with sheets. She tries to change the temperature, lower the
tension.)
G Not a call like that—
G Surprised you had as many people at the bar tonight. Figured
B What did you expect. people’d be with family.

G Nothing! B Well that’s not a thing everybody has.

Congratulations.
G ... I know that.
(She takes their ring from her pocket.
Leaves it—) B Oceans away, for a lotta people.
It’s actually been a pretty good week for me at work. Busy,
I wish you both the best. this neighborhood.
(re: immigration status) There’s a lot of us that can’t go home.
(—and moves to exit.)
(He tosses sheets at her.)
B You can crash on the couch.
You for real?
(She stops.)
G ...
If you have to.
Had to get a roommate so the other room’s got— B You’d do this?

66 67
 (She drops the sheets. G (cont’d) This would be both our lives if we’re caught.
Takes back the ring. So I would just need to know before June 4th if
Looks him in the eye. you feel safe. With your witness.
And puts it on her finger.)
B I do.
B When.
G Really.
G Name the day.
B Yeah.
B June 4th.
...
G (“yer a dick”) My graduation?
Okay. G Really.
June 4th.
B Yeah.
B Bring yer mom.
...
(B tests her.)
(G tests him.)
We would need one of our moms there. For photos. As a
witness. G You think we’d need to answer personal stuff in the
interview?
G And you already have yours?
Your person. B Like about money?
To witness.
G Like about our bodies.
B I thought about it. Yeah. I dunno, it might be...
B ...
G Yeah.
G You think they’ll ask about our bodies when they bring us
B Nice. G Pretty fucked up. into separate rooms?

... B Like, what our bodies are like?

G So you feel safe? With your witness—? G Personal things, yeah. Things only we’re supposed to know
about each other.
B Yeah.
B Why.
G —bein involved in all this? Cuz it’s a lot. It’d be a lotta fuckin
trouble. G You think they might?

B I know that. B They might, maybe.

68 69
G So what should I know. G Then you’ll have to describe it to me.
What it might be like.
B What. With you.

G About yer body. ...

...
B ... ...

G I head back in a few days— What do you look like.

B We don’t hafta talk about this now. ...

...
G Then when. ...

B Are we really doing this? B ...I um—Really?

G When would we talk about that. I...

B I don’t know. I have a mole here. (points somewhere on his chest)

The honeymoon. I think you saw that when we went down the shore.
I guess we’d go over that on the honeymoon. And here. (points somewhere else on his chest)
And...here. (gestures around an intimate area)
G Always looked forward to that.
G Where?
B Me too.
B There.
G Never went on vacation. Here.

B I’d always looked forward to it too. G I think I have one there too.
And here. (points to her collarbone)
... And here. A few here. (points to the back of her neck)
... And here. (points to one of her ribs)
... And two here. (points to the inside of one of her thighs)

G You think we’d have to... B You got a lot.

B What? G There might be more. I can check later on myself. For you.

G ...on the honeymoon? B Yeah I’ll check on me too.

... G You have one here.

B I don’t think so. Not like, actually. (She touches a part of his face.)
70 71
 You missed that one. ...

What are you like? When you— (Henry stops. Returns.)

B We’re doin this right now? HENRY Did I just fuck everything // up?

G It’s the only part we haven’t covered. So if you wanted to tell B No no no it’s okay, come in.
me—or show me—now’s the time. I’m here.
HENRY I tried calling—
I make noise when I’m—
B I’ve been at work since four. // Didn’t get a chance—
B Okay.
HENRY Since four? You can’t keep doing this to yourself.
G When I’m about to—
B I know. “Wrong apartment”?
B I don’t think they’d ask us this—
HENRY Well it was either that or (re: paper bag) “Somebody
G What about scars. order delivery?”
Things that might turn into scars. From apparently that restaurant that’s got
Bruises. everybody’s house keys.
Chicken parm.
B ... Surprise.

G Any scars. B Aw.

Bruises—
(The two men kiss. Committed lovers.)
(Keys in a lock.
They both turn toward the sound. HENRY I was getting nervous something happened.
A man at the door.
Henry. B Something did.
Wearing an overnight backpack, carrying a paper bag.
He sees a woman in the apartment—and freezes.) (B gestures towards G.
And now Henry recognizes her.)
...
... HENRY ...

HENRY Sorry wrong apartment. G ...

(Henry exits.) HENRY Is this...?

B You don’t have to— G Yeah.

(“come back”) Henry!
...
72 73
 ... B I wasn’t planning on it but—

HENRY (“look at that”) Huh. HENRY What’s she doing here.

G What. B Visiting.

HENRY Uh-huh. HENRY But what’s She said she didn’t wanna do this.

G What. B She changed her mind.

HENRY ... ...

G ... HENRY (“we’re not doing this”) No.

B ... B It’s a lot to ask someone to risk a quarter-mill and

five years in jail.
HENRY (to G) Can you excuse us—?
HENRY It’s a lot to ask of you. To hold out hope for // all this
G No thank you. time—

B (to G) Could you though? B What’s our other option? What other option do I
Fer like, a minute? have? Marry you?

G ... HENRY I wish you could.

...
... B Well I wish a lotta shit.
... I can’t wait for something that might never happen.
... I can’t watch all my days disappear into a stupid
... under-the-table restaurant job on Ferry Street. I
panic every time I jaywalk I’ll get locked up in a
(Eventually, she moves to exit—stops, turns back to take her wine glass fuckin detention center.
with her, showily mistrustful of Henry—and continues to exit.
HENRY So don’t jaywalk.
B and Henry watch her disappear into the bathroom
until they think she can’t hear them. B I want to start my life. My life...I’m losing it.
Then turn to one another.)
She’s goin back in a few days. Tonight might be my
HENRY I thought we weren’t doing this anymore. only chance—

B She just showed up at the bar, then she asked to HENRY Why don’t we just ask one of my // friends—
come up, I didn’t think she was gonna wanna crash—
B No one knows me like she does. No one else could
HENRY She’s spending the night? do this.
74 75
HENRY We need to talk about—Just— // hold on. HENRY Y’know what:

B She’d be doin a huge thing for me. For us. (WINE. Henry brought a bottle too. A nice one.)

HENRY And when she backs out? I can’t watch you go Let’s all have a glass. Get to know each other. You
through that // again— and I don’t really, y’know, know everything there is
to know about each other. We can talk about the
B I’ll be fine. honeymoon—

HENRY You were not fine, baby, I was there. You barely left G Oh we talked about—
the bed for a week—This whole month, you’ve //
been a ghost. HENRY Since I’d be coming on the honeymoon.

B I’ll be fine. (G looks at B.)

HENRY (cont’d) Every time you don’t pick up your phone, I ...
think I’ll find you // in the bathtub—or the closet—
B ...I was gonna mention...
B It’s not a big deal if she crashes.
HENRY (a bad joke) I mean I gotta get something out of all
HENRY To who it’s not a big deal? this!

G (returning) I brought wine. G You’d be getting a lot.

HENRY Oh are we // staying up? HENRY So would you. Did you decide on a
number?
B (to Henry) If that’s okay?
B Let’s // start over.
G But you can go, Henry.
If yer tired. G A what?

HENRY No I’m awake. HENRY Your fee.

G We were gonna practice a little. I dunno if he told G For what.

you—
HENRY Your services.
HENRY He told me, yeah, that you’re re-considering.
...
G So you can go home.
G I don’t want money.
...

76 77
HENRY I think you will once you’re outta that school ‘n back HENRY Not really, no. B I mean, not really really.
in this world.
It’s not easy out here. G I think we’d hafta do it pretty really.

G I know. B She knows, Henry. HENRY Cuz of your mom?

HENRY You’ll be paying off that school a while. G ...

G I’m on scholarship. HENRY Is that why you never wanted to get married—really?
Never seen it go well?
HENRY So was I. And then I graduated. You know it’s not
all scholarship right? G (to B) What else you tell him?

G What. HENRY Did they love each other?

HENRY When they say you got an award, it’s not necessarily G Who.
a scholarship. Sometimes those awards are loans.
HENRY Your examples. Of folks for whom it didn’t go well.
G (had no idea) ...yeah I know. In marriage.

HENRY You might wanna look into that. G For whom, // wow.
We insist. On paying you.
If you actually did this...we’d insist. Cuz it would HENRY You go to school in Boston fuck yeah for fuckin
be a lotta work. Lotta time. Some money would be whom.
helpful along the way. Like if you need a hotel.
G I think they did, yeah.
B (“can you not?”) okay I think they really did, yeah, once.

HENRY So no one ever loved you? HENRY And what happened?

G Wow. B Okay. // Starting over. G (finality) A lot.

HENRY (cont’d) You don’t believe in love? ...

Maybe some people shouldn’t marry for love.
G I do. For what they say is love. At first.
Some people maybe it’s better they marry for other
HENRY You never wanted to get married? things.

G I am getting married. HENRY (as if Boston were G’s name) Like what, Boston.

HENRY I mean really. G Kindness.

Respect.
G We would be. Really. Some “love” can maybe blind yer respect.
78 79
HENRY It shouldn’t. B (to both) You wanna practice?

G No. HENRY (to B) Can I talk to you in private?

It shouldn’t.
Should it. G Nope.

HENRY Yeah maybe you shouldn’t marry-really. If that’s how HENRY My face was not speaking to your face.
you think of love. Maybe a situation like this would
be the best option for you actually. G Nothing can be private between us.

G A situation like what. HENRY Among us, Boston.

HENRY (re: B’s desire) Something that would never...y’know. G If we’re really doing this, then nothing can be
private. There’s people whose only job it is to smell
Me, I always wished I could. out deception in exactly what we’d be doing. So
Marry. nothing can be private—anymore—among us.
For love.
HENRY (to B) I don’t like this.
(B draws to Henry. Affection.
G watches, feeling outside of it.) G Then what would you like, Henry?
How would you like to help the man you wish you
G Yeah well it’s too bad you can’t. could marry for love?

So listen you got me here the rest of the night (re: B) HENRY By marrying him.
yer workin all the time and I’m in class or studyin
or work-studyin all the time— G Well that’s a solid plan.

HENRY so busy HENRY It passed in Massachusetts.

G (cont’d) So if you really wanna do this— G States don’t // count. Not for citizenship.

HENRY Why the sudden change of mind. HENRY I know that.

G What. G (cont’d) Not even for a green card.

HENRY Why are you here. HENRY I know that. Obviously I know. Still, just the fact of
Massachusetts—
...
G One state.
G (to B) To help someone.
HENRY Is a huge deal.
...

80 81
G One state and nothing since. You need the whole HENRY And all for free.
country to agree—all fifty // states—first to even let
you marry and then for that to count— G I never wanted money.

HENRY —to recognize, Correct, on the national level and HENRY And you’d close up shop? For the entire two year
then for that to count for citizenship, I know. waiting period—after a wedding—and the entire three
year period—after the interview—you’d close up shop?
G Yeah? What do you know about it? For five-plus years?

B Henry goes to law school. G Been doin it these past three.

... HENRY Have you?

G No he doesn’t. G And a half, yeah.

(to B) No one’s gotten any calls about me at two in
HENRY Yeah I really do though. the morning.

... HENRY So what’s in it for you?

G Where. G I made a promise.

(Henry’s pleased she asked. HENRY Three and a half years ago.
He presents his ID.
She walks up to it. G That’s right.
Sees the school is impressive and she hates that.)
HENRY But you’re here now.
...
... Why didn’t you do it earlier? I’m just curious. Before
you left. Or after your first semester. Your first year.
I heard the buildings are ugly. Second. Third. Why didn’t you do it as soon as you
could—?
B Henry actually knows a lot about this. He coached
his parents for the citizenship test—in high school— G Cuz we’re doin it now.

G Oh yeah that’s nice so what’s his solution for you? HENRY Uh-huh.
Just wait it out for Alabama, Arkansas, and the I’m not going anywhere.
other forty-seven to agree? For that DREAM Act, any
news? G Okay.

I can offer you something actual. Something HENRY I’m part of this.
concrete and now, not just some hope for Someday
Maybe. G We’ll see but okay.

82 83
B He is. ...
I’d like him to be. ...

HENRY (to B) I am. HENRY Okay y’know what. There’s some fuckin cheese in
the fridge. I’m gonna put it on a fuckin plate ‘n
G Fine. Then I guess you’ll both have to agree. You we’re gonna eat it—
have to agree—both of you—that I’m the only person
who could do this. Well enough to not get caught. B ...That brie I brought from work?
Decent enough not to just take your money and run.
Or extort you. Good enough to let you be a part of HENRY Did you eat it.
this, Henry. To do any of this at all. ...
Here then Here’s some chicken fuckin parm Do you
HENRY If you // do it. know he loves chicken // parm—

G (cont’d) You’d both need to agree if three and a half G I do.

years has been a long enough test of all that.
HENRY Please excuse me while I plate this shit
HENRY Til you found out about me, // it seems, Wine?
and called it off.
G Please.
G Right.
HENRY Yer welcome.
Til I found out. About you. After you’d been together—
apparently—for years. Two—that I know of. Makin B (“I’m sorry”) Henry—
decisions about me, for me, while I knew nothing.
And had no one. And all while you’ve been at law HENRY I want what’s best for you.
school, Henry—harboring a criminal. Technically. I want you happy.
Aiding and abetting THIS. (re: herself & B) A felony. But you need to be sure this is how.

I mean, from the outside, it might even look like (Henry exits to the kitchen.
I was purposefully misled. Doesn’t it? From the
outside, I mean. To a court of law. B and G alone. A strange air between them.
G is pleased to have won the moment—then feels B pull away.
HENRY ... B is aware how much this is costing Henry. B’s angry to be in this
situation. And ices G out.)
G I guess you’d both need to agree I’m the best option
he has. To start his life. ...
...
That is, if that’s something you would like. If that’s
something you would like, Henry, for the man you G (trying to connect) When did we meet?
say you wish you could marry for love.
...

84 85
B ... What else should I know?
... As your witness?

G What school. B (quiet love) thank you

B ... HENRY First “date”?

...
G Well we’ve known each other forever so. It’s hard to
G Where was it located? really pinpoint // exactly—

B Hundred Davis. HENRY (to B) Is that how she’s gonna respond?

(to G) Is that how you’re gonna respond?
G In? First date.

B ... G The movies. Two-for-one Tuesday.

...
HENRY Which was when.
G What’s the best pizza in town?
What did the two of you have in common—? G ‘98. Let’s say—

B Not much anymore. HENRY When exactly.

(Henry enters, behind them.) G Summer. Junior high.

G What’s your favorite aspect of your partner? HENRY What’s each other’s shoe size.
You remember our old answer?
B Both of us? G Like, current
B Her kindness. Fuck—eight? six? shoe—nine? Ten!

G What did the // two of you— HENRY (to G, a brag) He’s a twelve.
Brand of shampoo, both of you, go.
B (cont’d) Was our old answer.
B Um... G I...can check.
HENRY You met in Miss Ramirez’ class. ESL. Third grade.
You forgot your lunch. She shared hers. You brought HENRY Deodorant.
extra the next day to pay her back. Your idea. You
were the only two students to move up to English- B Really? G Old Spice?
speaking classes that next year. Both your favorite
color’s blue. Cobalt. Teal. And the best pizza in town HENRY Brand of toothpaste.
was Joe’s.
B Wouldn’t we use G We can just
Is. the same // one? make a list of
Joe’s. this stuff.
86 87
HENRY Yes, Love, ideally, that’s what you’d both answer. B My mom left a ring.
What’s your favorite aspect of your partner.
G (genuine) I didn’t wanna go.
G His kindness. B Her—...yeah.
B I carried it around for days cuz I knew she was
HENRY When did you decide to get married? leaving.

G High school. B Right after high G He was always there when I needed him.
school. Not long
after. B She was—

HENRY Who proposed to whom. She was always there.

When I needed her.
B I did.
G (genuine) ...What did you do while she was away?
G He did. My last day in town.
B I worked.
HENRY Where. How. Saved.

B At the bus stop. G Wasn’t much money to visit. But we talked all the
time.
G He waited with me at the bus.
B A lot of the time, yeah. We’d talk.
B Her last day in town.
G I sent postcards.
G I didn’t wanna go.
B She sent postcards.
B My mom left a ring.
I carried it around for days cuz I knew she was G And books.
leavin for school.
B Thank you.
G You did?
G From my classes. Yer welcome.
B In my pocket. I safety-pinned it inside my pocket so She’d call. At night.
it wouldn’t fall out. Every night.
I carried it for days. Before she went to bed, she’d call.

G He proposed at the bus. B I took the bus up to Boston once. To see her.

B Her last day in town. G ...He took the bus up to—

G I didn’t wanna go. B But she didn’t see me.

88 89
 ... B I would have walked away.
... Let her pretend she didn’t see me.
I’d never take that away.
I took a bus. The trees. The books.
The T. As much as I...,
And I walked to her campus to find her. I couldn’t.

I snuck into a class. I smelled the books. I sat ...

on leather. I watched the people. I felt the life. ...
Someone let me in a door. Thought I was a student.
Just forgot my ID. They let me in. Didn’t think ...Why’d you stay away?
twice, they let me in. I listened to lectures. I raised
my hand. I answered a question. About a book I’d G ...
read. Coincidence, I’d read that book. I got it right.
The question. Very right. Made people wonder B (not unkindly) ...All this time.
who I was, who’s this guy, people wondered who I Why’d you stay away.
was. I found the dining hall. Someone swiped me
in. Forgot my ID, I said, so they let me in. Didn’t G Money.
think twice. I ate the food. I went for seconds. I ate Time. And money.
dessert. I touched the stone. I walked the grass. I
passed by windows. I heard the laughs. I watched (B is disappointed and further saddened by her answer.)
the night. And I went home.
Guilt.
... About the trees and the books.
... Guilt about not loving it up there.
When that’s all you ever wanted.
G Did you see her? And guilt about loving it.
Sometimes.
B I did.
...
G But she didn’t see you? ...

B No. I’m sorry.

G What if she did. ...

What would you have done. ...

... B (heartbroken) It’s...

... (He can’t say “okay.”)

...

90 91
HENRY When did your relationship turn romantic. B Yeah.
And then we.
...
G Yeah.
(B looks back at Henry.
Who has been witnessing a genuine relationship...and is ...
becoming concerned.) ...

... HENRY You’ve really created a little...Yeah...world. For

yourselves.
B She used to climb up my fire escape at night. And
I’d sneak her into my bedroom. I’m nowhere in your story.

HENRY They’ll want more details than that. ...

B I don’t think they will. B ...Well...no...

Really?
HENRY I think they very likely might, My Love, if that’s
how you’re gonna answer. HENRY I’m gonna be nowhere in your...

B This didn’t actually happen. B I’m not doin this for fun.

HENRY Well don’t tell them that. HENRY I know.

When did your relationship turn romantic. It’s just a thing I’m fully realizing.
That’s all.
B She used to climb up my fire escape at night and I’d
sneak her into my bedroom and one night... G How long have you known each other.

HENRY Yeah? HENRY Two years. And a half. // Almost.

B —it turned romantic. G No, me and him.

How long have you known each other.
G I used to climb up his fire escape at night and he’d
sneak me into his bedroom and one night, as we’re ...
layin there, close cuz his bed’s a twin, one night as
we’re layin there, I feel his breath on my neck. HENRY Since third grade. B Thirteen years.

And it feels like he’s peelin back my skin. G Two-thirds of our lives.
Just from his breath on my neck. First kiss?
He says my name.
He knows I’m awake but he says my name. B (concerned about Henry) I don’t remember when we
And then we said.

92 93
G May 22nd B (wounded) That’s not why she left.
What’s your favorite aspect of your partner.
HENRY (to B) We don’t have to // do this. Not like this.
B His kindness.
G I’m not convinced.
HENRY ...
B She left cuz it was harder here for her—
B (moving to him) His ambition. His intellect. His body.
His mouth. HENRY It would be G I’m not
His kindness. years of this. convinced.
First kiss: First day. June. In the city. I
missed my train. Last one of the night. On purpose. B —and cuz of September—
How many lies have you had to tell for me. How
much have I asked of you— HENRY Baby, do you want years // of this?

HENRY It’s okay. B I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to have to
do any of this. For this to be my only option—
B How late would I call and how quick would you
pick up— G Tell me about his body, Henry. // In case they ask.

(Henry kisses B. ‘It’s okay.’) B No.

G What’s yer favorite part of her body. G (cont’d) Anything distinct I should know? Any scars,
// bruises—
B No we’re done.
B No, we’re done for the night.
G What’s yer favorite part of // her body.
G (cont’d) Anything like that? Scars? Bruises? You know
B We’re done. he called me that night—

G His mouth. What’s yer favorite part of // her body. HENRY Okay.

B Her hands. HENRY (to B) You G (cont’d) Middle of the night, cold as hell he said—He
don’t have to called me from a payphone and said someone had
do this. kicked him out // without his shoes.

G I’m not convinced. Did your parents HENRY I didn’t kick him out—
approve of the match Why or why not
Why or why not Did your mother fuckin G (cont’d) He was walkin around Newark at night in
wish we were sleepin together? the cold without his shoes—

... HENRY We had a fight. B I left.

94 95
G And you kick him out without his shoes? It’s his G (cont’d) First time I ever heard your damn name was
apartment. over sobbing on a payphone! I got nervous cuz who
the fuck was fuckin Henry—
B He didn’t—// I just—
HENRY I am.
G (cont’d) You called me! He // called me!
G (cont’d) —and would he risk a quarter-mill
B I called you Yeah I called but you weren’t here. You and five years in jail?
stayed in Boston.
HENRY I am.
G I told you to go to my mom’s.
G Not like I am. You could deny. You could say you
B I wasn’t gonna go to yer mom’s in the didn’t know. You could step away.
middle of the night.
HENRY I haven’t.
G You coulda come to Boston.
G (cont’d) You don’t have to risk a quarter-mill // and
B I had no shoes! five years in jail—

G What did you do that night? HENRY I would if I could.

B I went to a diner and waited til the Kmart opened, G (cont’d)—just to help somebody.
bought some shoes, and went to work. I just—I
needed to talk that night. To someone. To you. We HENRY You’d be getting paid.
had a // fight—
G Would you risk all that just to help someone?
HENRY We had a fight and now we’re fine people fight. But
do you know what he did when you backed out? I HENRY Yes.
couldn’t get him to eat. Shower. He wouldn’t leave
the bed for a fuckin week. G Okay so you go marry someone.

G I got nervous. HENRY I don’t— // What— B What?!

HENRY No you became aware of what this really is. This G (cont’d) If it’s so easy then you go marry // someone
isn’t some game, some fuckin fantasy. This shit is for and help her—
real.
HENRY (cont’d) What are you even—This isn’t a trade.
G Then why the fuck did I not even know about you
til a fuckin month ago—? G Then you can’t know how scary this is. You can’t tell
me shit about this.
HENRY Prob’ly cuz he knew it’d go THIS well.
B He’s not marrying anybody.

96 97
HENRY Unless it’s you. B (lost) I’ve been hiding and lying for the past thirteen
years of my For every For just basic human Because
G WHICH YOU NEVER WILL. YOU WILL NEVER I didn’t get some Some paper means I cannot be a
DO THAT. YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO full person here. I have had to hide who I am at
EVER LEGALLY DO THAT IN THIS COUNTRY. every fuckin turn of my life—
IT’S 2000 FUCKIN 6 ALMOST 7 IN A FEW
FUCKIN DAYS SO IF IT HASN’T HAPPENED HENRY I know that.
NOW IT NEVER FUCKIN WILL. YOU WON’T
EVER, EVER MARRY HIM. B —I’ve been lying so long I’m not even sure what’s
real.
...
... HENRY Then maybe you should question a couple things in
... your life.

HENRY Well. G Yeah maybe you should question a really major

Neither will you. thing in yer life. If you don’t know what’s real.

G I’m helping. B ...

HENRY You seem to want love so fuckin bad, you’d settle for G I got nervous and I’m sorry but I’m here. I’m ready
it fake. to risk a quarter mill, jail, whatever future I might
have—for you. So you can be a full person here.
G ...
HENRY And what’s that gonna cost him.
HENRY The only reason someone takes someone’s fuckin
shoes is so they stay. G You.

I didn’t want him goin out in the middle of the ...

night in fuckin November. You think I wanted that?
I went out to look for him. All night. While you (to B) I don’t trust him.
stayed in Boston. I knew. I suspected. But he said
no. She’s not like that. I knew but he kept saying B You don’t know him.
She’s not like that. And so we had a fight. We had
a fight that night—about you. And then you backed G That’s not my fault.
out. And you proved me right. I wish you coulda
seen what that did to him, your backing out, cuz B If you’da come down anytime in the last year you
then you’d never put him through that again. You would’ve met him.
wanna help? You’re here to help? Yeah? Up to what
point? G Not even his name. That he existed. I didn’t even
know a Henry existed.
G ...
B (re: sexuality) But you always knew—
HENRY (to B) Do we have to do this? Is all this worth it?
98 99
G Not that a Henry was currently existing. Currently B You weren’t!
stealing your shoes and // doin who-knows-what-else
to you— I promised myself I wouldn’t take anything else. Told
myself, She’d be doin this huge thing for you—for
B We had a fight—once— the rest of your life—so don’t ask a thing more of hers.
Don’t ask to come up. Or for her to come down. But
G Didn’t seem like just a fight when you called. I never three and a half years...I thought you’d at least have
heard those kinda sounds outta you— wanted to.

B And you didn’t come. But you had something to lose.

You found something more than just me...to lose.
G I’m here now.
It’s a beautiful world up there. Boston. If I were you,
B You never heard those sounds and still you didn’t // I might not have come back either. But it’s ending.
come. It’s ending soon.

G You wanted me to take a bus in the middle of the Where you gonna crash when life breaks for you
night from Boston? next. Or has it already?

B YES. ...
How can I trust you?
G You better be sure Henry’s worth ten hour shifts on
G (lunges for him) Take off yer shirt. yer feet. Not seein yer mother for years. The
crushing fuckin panic every time you see a cop. You
B What. // No. better be sure he’s worth me walkin out. I hope your
secret fuckin boyfriend of two and a half years
G Take yer clothes off. Lemme see what “once” looks would be worth every second of Fish Kill fuckin
like. // Lemme take a look at Henry’s “once.” Road.

B That’s not what this is. What’s it gonna be.

G (cont’d) My mother denied it too // til she got ...

naturalized— ...
...
HENRY I’m not like your house.
(B becomes nervous.)
G (cont’d) Kept thinkin he’d follow her, blackmail
her, fuckin, disappear her who’d know? Who’d care ...
about her fuckin—unregistered body somewhere?
B Why won’t you say anything.
B Henry was here when you weren’t.
HENRY I can’t choose for you.
G I was always // here.
100 101
B ... (G understands this means an end.)

HENRY If all your days disappear into an under-the-table G Third grade

restaurant job on Ferry Street, you’ll resent me. Franklin
Hundred Davis
B No— Kearny
He waited with me at the bus
HENRY As much as I’d like to, I can’t be the one to choose Carried it around for days in his pocket
this. My last day in town
His kindness
B Why do I have to?
(She removes the ring.
HENRY I didn’t make the terms. And returns it to B’s hands,
as he had once placed it into hers.)
...
Good luck.
(B looks at Henry. At G.
At Henry. (G moves to gather her things. Moves to exit.)
At G.)
HENRY (to B) I’m sorry.
B You would go ahead with a wedding?, with all
the tests, questions? With livin with me, livin in B It’s...
Newark, with all the hiding, the lying, the risks, for
two more years—at least—and who knows how much (He can’t say “okay.”)
longer after that, you’d do that?
HENRY We could ask one of my friends—
G Yeah.
B No.
B You’d do all that? I don’t want to do this again.
If I throw Henry out of my life?
Maybe we can just...live our life somewhere else.
G Yeah. If it’s this or Fish Kill Road.
Maybe I can finally see my mom.
B Then no.
Would you come with me?
G ... If I had to move back?

B No. (G stops at the door, turns back.

Henry clocks he’s being watched by G. And B.)
...
Would you // come?

102 103
HENRY Let’s get ready for bed. I lost too much of my life already to that. Even
before this. I’m done with that.
...
... B I know but—Maybe—

To live? HENRY We never talked about this.

B Yeah. B Why would you want to stay in a country that

doesn’t want me in it?
HENRY Really?
(Henry realizes something. And it breaks his heart.)
...
We never talked about this. HENRY This isn’t gonna stop.
No matter what you choose, this isn’t gonna stop.
B We’re talking about it now. You never talked about going back before. You never
wanted to. And if you did, you’d blame me—
HENRY What would we do there?
B No.
B We’d live our lives, a version of our lives, like we’ve
been living here. HENRY You would. And if you don’t go through with this—
with her—then every night you came home and
HENRY There is no version of my— nothing’s changed, it’d be my fault.
Let’s talk in the // morning.
B No. Just—
B Henry.
HENRY (cont’d) It’d be my fault you stayed.
HENRY I’m going to school here. Studying the laws of here.
What would I do there? B Let’s just go to bed.

B You could go to school there, study there— HENRY (cont’d) And if you left, that would be my fault.

HENRY Baby. I know like, all of two words of— B Just forget I even—

B I didn’t speak English when I first came. You’d learn. HENRY We wouldn’t make it.
Here or there.
HENRY My family’s all here. And if you leave, you won’t be allowed back.
And all of that would be my fault.
B You can visit your family. They can visit I’m sorry.
you.
B No—Listen—Just—We’ll keep living how we’ve been
HENRY Wouldn’t it just be more hiding? living—
Another version of hiding. There. For you and me.
I’ve done so much of that. For so much of my life. HENRY She should stay.
104 105
B Henry—please. G ...stayin over.

(B clings to Henry, trying to hold him here in some way.) B Is that what you meant when you said “this” the first
time? Stayin over? You shouldn’t be stayin over?
HENRY This was never for me. So you could stay with me.
You were never doin this for you and me. G ...

(Henry softly pulls away from B. B Please.

B feels abandoned—again. G Maybe you should think about things a little //

And he throws Henry away. more—
Henry looks at B At his back.)
B No. Please.
(a gift) It was never for me.
G Why don’t we talk in April // when—
(Henry turns to exit. Sees G there.)
B No.
(a curse) But it was definitely never for you.
G During break. If I’m back. Maybe we could...talk
(And HENRY exits. again then.
...What are you doin for New Year’s?
B stands there, an island of grief.
And then he sees G.) B Workin. Just stay the night—

... G It’ll be light out soon. I could also just walk.

...
... B You could stay here.

B ...You gonna need another blanket? G I know.
Or is that enough, I know.
what I set out? (re: ending up here) I could.

... I’ll call you in April?

G I can just catch a cab. B Only if you—

B Yer not gonna stay? ...

G I don’t think I should be doin this. G (an end) Okay.

... I really liked practicing.

B “This”? B I know.
106 107
G I really liked...our time. ...
what are you gonna
B Please don’t call.
(The sounds and lights of another day,
G Okay. another night,
another week,
...Happy— another year,
years.
... Years passing by a young man in a small city.)

B You can say it. what are you gonna

G Happy New Year. (Lights.)

B Thank you.
. end of play .
G (genuine) Happy New Year.
And
Good luck.

(G exits.

B is alone.

The sounds of an empty apartment and a small city, beyond the windows.

B holds the ring.

B goes to the window. He opens it.

The sounds of the small city fill the apartment.

The light of approaching day.)

B when did you

decide
what do you have in
when did your
relationship
did your parents
why or
have you ever had
have you ever
108 109
 SANCTUARY CITY
BY MARTYNA MAJOK
CAST
1W, 2M (see author’s note)

SYNOPSIS
In post-9/11 Newark, NJ, two teenagers who were brought to
America as children become one another’s sanctuaries from harsh
circumstances. When G becomes naturalized, she and B hatch a
plan to marry so that he may legally remain in the country and
pursue the future he imagines for his life. But as time hurtles on
and complications mount, the young friends find that this act
challenges and fractures the closest relationship either has ever
had.

“I have rarely seen a play that so effectively embodies the way external forces—
in this case, immigration policies in the United States—distort the inner lives of
actual humans. What love is, and can ever mean, is lost in the muddle between
the heart and the law.”
—Jesse Green, The New York Times

THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE

www.theatricalrights.com www.theatricalrights.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-63852-136-5
110