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By Savannah Haze Date: 2001 Jul 11 Comment on this Work [[2001.07.11.15.17.8708]] |
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SCENE NINE (PRESENT, BUT BEGINS AS A DREAM) (Allie is swinging on a playground. A female voice calls) VOICE "Allie! You need to come inside now. You've been playing long enough." (Allie jumps off the swing and begins walking. Then she stops, looking around her. She sees no one.) ALLIE (confused) "Who said that?" VOICE "It's me, baby. Had to say it for old times' sake." (Allie turns to face a woman who appears to be in her late 50's or early 60's.) ALLIE "Mama?" MOM (looks around as if to say "Is anyone else standing here.") "Yes?" ALLIE (still confused, tears appear at the corner of her eyes) "Am I dead?" MOM "No, honey, you're still very much alive." ALLIE (whispering) "Then how did I get here? (a little louder) How did you get here?" MOM "Oh, baby, I never left you. I've always been here. Not physically, but I've never been far away." ALLIE "Then why have you take so long to show up? It's been over a year since you--(Allie trails off). MOM "You can say it, Allie. It won't hurt my feelings. I'm sorry I haven't visited before now. I just didn't think that you were ready." ALLIE "Not ready? Not ready for you to let me know that you're at peace? That you're watching over me?" MOM "Allie, I had to let you get used to not having me around. That's reality and you have to learn to accept it. It's not my place to interfere. I probably should have come to you sooner. Can I blame it on choir practice?" (Allie looks at her doubtfully and quietly scoffs.) MOM "Oh, Allie. Don't be so stubborn. Why would I lie to you now? He had His reasons. Don't be so bitter." ALLIE "Well, maybe it's easier for you. I don't buy into the heavenly angels and streets of gold stuff anymore. If God exists and He's so good then He wouldn't have taken you away." MOM "Allie, why won't you--no, wait. Listen to me, Allie. I'm not here to convince you to believe in God. Save your arguments." ALLIE "Good, because we'd be here for awhile. (calmer) Why are you here, Mom? I mean, I'm glad you are, but why now?" MOM (taking her by the hand and leading her to a merry go round) "Here. Let's sit. It's been a while since we talked." ALLIE (softly) "Mom, I talk to you all the time." MOM "Yes, I know. But I get the feeling that you can't hear me talking. (Pause) Honey, I'm worried about you." ALLIE "Worried? Mom, I'm fine. I just..." MOM (gently shushing her) "Now just listen to what I have to say. I know what's going on; I see it all. Allie, I'm worried about the decisions you've made. And the ones you're making." ALLIE (shaking her head) "You came all the way back to chastise me? Mother, I'm a grown woman." MOM "Yes, you are, Allie, but grown women make mistakes, too. I just don't understand why you can't you reconcile things with Seth? He's a good man, and he loves you so much. He's all alone now and to make matters worse, you're seeing Michael again..." ALLIE "Please don't start in on Michael. You know how much I loved Michael. MOM "You made a commitment..." ALLIE "Yes, a commitment to myself long before I even met Seth. A commitment to take charge of my life and be my own person. I'm tired of everyone making decisions for me. I will never be happy until I learn what makes me happy. I have to search for my place in life and that includes searching for the people that make me happy." MOM "You sound like you've been reading one of your father's blasted self help books." ALLIE "I'm serious, Mom. Listen, I know you're worried. But you've got to put a little faith in me." MOM "I do have faith in you. You're a good girl, Allie. But you think too much with your heart instead of your head. You have to be sensible about the decisions you make and the people you let in your life. Now what about Seth?" ALLIE "What about him?" MOM "He needs you." ALLIE "Mom, I left Seth a long time before I walked out that door. I hadn't been there for a long time. If he'd just realize that this wasn't his fault, he'd see that he's better off. There's no way he was truly happy with me. He just wouldn't stop loving me and let go. He's an honorable person, and I'm thankful that he's been a part of my life; but he's not what I need. I want passion; I want to be consumed by someone." MOM "And Michael is going to be everything that Seth isn't?" (Allie stops; her hands rest in her lap.) ALLIE "I don't know." MOM "You're risking a good thing for an uncertainty?" ALLIE "It's not a risk. I don't want to stay with Seth. Yes, it's horrible to do this. Yes, I'm karmaically screwed. But I have reason to live now. I'm taking everything slowly and I feel that I'm headed in the right direction. I may end up with Michael. I may end up in Asia. Who knows? But I have nothing tying me down and that makes me happy. (Pauses and looks directly at her mother) And I want you to be happy for me." MOM "I am, honey. I'm glad you're happy. But I want you to stay happy. I've done a lot of living, too. I just don't want you to spend your life dealing with regret." ALLIE "I'm not going to regret my life if I live it out. If I make mistakes, so be it. Wherever I end up, I want to know I got there on my own terms. MOM (sighs) "You're so much like your father. He scared me to death sometimes with his sky diving and mountain climbing." ALLIE (taking her mother's hand) "And do you know what he says his only regret is?" MOM "Yes, that he... ALLIE "That he never convinced you to go with him." (Her mother looks at her and smiles. She takes Allie's other hands in hers.) MOM "You're a smart woman, Allie. Remember, though, there's more hearts at stake here than just yours." (Her mother leans over and kisses her on the forehead. Allie closes her eyes. The camera zooms in on her eyes.) (ALARM CLOCK BUZZER. Allie's eyes fly open. She slaps the clock and looks at the time. She rolls over and holds her pillow. There is a note beside her bed. She picks it up and sits up to read it. It says: "Didn't want to wake you. Meet me at the little fountain in the park at 4:00. I have a surprise for you. Love, Michael". Allie smiles and stands up from the bed. She smiles as she stretches. ALLIE (quietly as she looks at her parents' picture on the wall) "Thank you, Mama. (looks at the letter in her hand) But these are the things I live for." (Allie puts the letter on the nightstand. Our view focuses on the letter and the clock behind it that says 2:30) End Scene |