January 6, 2001
Here's the second part. Please send any feedback to weirdsisters@hotmail.com. Thanks!
//The back doors of the theater slam open and Quatre stalks down the aisles, wearing all black. On his head, as serious as a peacock, sits a large wide brimmed hat that should be straw, but instead is silk. He walks to the front of the theater, standing one foot from the first row. Taking a moment to wipe a false tear from his eye, the blonde inhales deeply. As he speaks, a fugue played on the piano floats out over the audience, reminiscent of the music from before.//
Quatre: //loudly// It's a shame, what a shame! It's such a terrible thing to have happened! So young!
//Enter Trowa, just after the door has closed. He too slams the door open.//
Trowa: //quietly as he walks// I light a candle for the deceased. I light a fire that burns within...//continues chanting as he joins Quatre//
//Enter Hilde. She emerges from the stage and jumps down to stand beside Trowa. She looks like she has been crying. She pulls out a cigarette and lights it, offering the lighter to Trowa for his candle. Trowa stops chanting; the lights go on just as the candle is lit.//
//From the ceiling, five gold paper stars hang to emphasize the time of day. Duo limps onstage with his invisible crutches and stands at the front of the stage, not seeing Trowa, Quatre, or Hilde.//
Duo: //opens invisible door// Who's there? Hello?
Hilde: It's us, Duo! Here, give me that! //grabs candle//
Trowa: Trowa and Quatre and Hilde, Duo.
Quatre: Yeah, the whole gang, back together! Like old times! //punches an invisible opponent// Hey, you gonna play in the game tomorrow? Man, Westminster won't know what hit 'em!
Hilde: Yay, ra ra Duo. //deadpanning//
Duo: //whispering to himself// Oh Q...
Quatre: What? Come on, Duo! You can't be seriously thinking about running away with Heero.
Duo: //still whispering// You too...?
Trowa: Yeah, he's a Jap, a nothing--
Duo: Not now, Trowa! If you guys don't want to wish me luck, get the hell off my front stoop.
Hilde: //increasingly anxious// Hell, can't a girl smoke a cigarette at her boyfriend's house? You know my parents would kill me if they saw me doin' this in their house... You're getting uptight, Duo. Come on! //slings an arm around his waist// We can crash some parties, get drunk off our asses--
Duo: No.
Quatre: //resentingly// Let the girl finish! You're always cutting people off, Duo!
//From offstage, a window opens.//
Zechs: Oh dear, is there a mutiny in the ranks?
Duo, Quatre, Trowa: Shut up, Zechs!
Hilde: //waves flirtingly at Duo's brother// Hey Zechs! Why's your brother such a wet rag?
Duo: That's enough, Hilde, my Pop's asleep and he's ready to kill me as it is! //sighs//
Hilde: //slowly// Did you have another fight with him? //She becomes increasingly angry.// You shouldn't do that! He's an old, old man and he's just a little cranky because he's so tired, Duo, he's *so damn tired* from all the shit--!
Duo: I'm sorry, Hilde, don't cry--
Quatre: And there you go again, telling people what to do! I think you're a tyrant, Duo, a real tyrant!
Zechs: A tyrant! A tyrant! //makes parrot noises and laughs//
Trowa: //shakes his head//
//Enter Heero, from the back of the theater, wearing all white.//
Duo: Heero! //hobbles to the side// You're early, I'm not packed yet--
Trowa: He can't go.
Quatre: Definitely not.
Hilde: Oh hell, who cares? //glares in resentment at Heero//
Heero: I'm not either. We're not going tonight, Duo.
Duo: Why not? //innocently// Are you having second thoughts?
Heero: Never! I just...
Trowa: You just what? Can't imagine binding A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN IN PERMANENT SERVITUDE--
Duo: //hisses// Keep it down, Trowa! Jesus, you'd think you were such a quiet boy--
Trowa: //smirks//
Quatre: //catches on// I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT SO TOO! IN FACT, THERE'S A LOT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW. THERE'S A LOT YOUR OWN FATHER DOESN'T KNOW, DUO--
Zechs: Shit, now you're in for it! //snickers//
//Shuffling noises can be heard off-stage. Treize's voice sounds far away, getting closer in time with his footsteps.//
Treize: Duo, God damn it, is there someone out there at this ungodly hour?
//Trowa and Quatre run and hide to the side. Hilde smokes her cigarette. Duo and Heero embrace passionately.//
Heero: I'm sorry, Duo, I really am! I love you! //He whirls Duo around, making him laugh.//
Treize: Your mother is awake now, and so am I, and there's hell to pay, boy!
Duo: I love you too! //forlornly// Oh!
Heero: I'll come by in the morning. Be ready. //kisses Duo's cheek//
Treize: //pauses// It had DAMN well better not be that Japanese bastard, I'll get out Grandfather Abram's musket--
Duo: //excitedly// I will! I'll be ready, Heero! I love you!
//Treize emerges just in time to hear Duo say, 'I love you'; Heero runs out of the theater.//
Treize: //wearing a robe and slippers// --way back from the Revolution, and RUN HIM THROUGH WITH THE BAYONET! //blinks// Duo? Hello, Hilde.
Hilde: Hello, sir. //grinds cigarette out on the stage// I love you too, Duo. //hugs him tightly and whispers in his ear// Don't ever expect me to cover for you like that again, you asshole.
Duo: I know, I know.
//Exit Hilde, Trowa, and Quatre through the back doors of the stage.//
Treize: So, there's the girl, eh? //grins// Good boy, good boy, Duo! Now, go to bed at a decent hour, Duo. You need your rest for tomorrow.
Duo: //nods// Yes, Pop.
//As soon as Treize is gone, Duo begins to cry.//
Duo: //softly// Shit! //louder// Shit! Oh...//throws down crutches and walks offstage with no limp. The lights dim to a dull gray. Two gray blurs rush onstage and rip down the stars hanging from the ceiling, stomp on them like a dead dream, and run off.//
//A Duo dressed in a t-shirt and jeans runs onstage and catches an invisible basketball, going up for a lay-up. Behind him follow Trowa and Quatre, also wearing jeans. They wear black t-shirts. Softly, a piano is playing in the upper register.//
Duo: Hey, great assist, Trowa!
Trowa: //laughs// It was nothing. You haven't seen anything yet! //Picks up basketball and takes a shot with his eyes closed.// Oh crap!
Quatre: //hand shielding his eyes// That is definitely in the other yard, Trowa. Hell, I'm not going to get it.
Duo: It's just Mrs. Jacobson's yard, guys!
Quatre: No, my mother said that Mrs. Jacobson ran off disgracefully with a man half her age. There's a new family living there. //sighs// Great, and my mother just bought me that basketball. She said--
Trowa: We don't care.
Quatre: Oh.
Duo: Well, I need to practice! Hey! //bangs on fence// Is anyone there?
//A soft muffled voice from offstage replies. Almost patriotically, the piano switches to the Star Spangled Banner.//
Voice: Yeah?
Duo: Hey, I think our basketball went into your yard. Can you see it? Would you mind--
Voice: No.
Duo: Hey, come on, be a sport!
Voice: I'm not supposed to leave the house.
Duo: Why not? Did your *mother* say so?
//Trowa snickers; Quatre kicks him.//
Voice: My mother's dead.
//Quatre gasps and runs over to the fence, standing on his tiptoes as he tries to peer over.//
Quatre: How awful! Who makes you grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch? My mother made me grilled cheese and soup today and--
Voice: No one. I make them.
Duo: //jovially// I'll bet you're a pretty good cook.
Voice: Flattery will get you nowhere.
Duo: Who's flattening?
Voice: Baka. //He sounds like he is almost laughing.//
Trowa: Look, Duo, I don't think he's going to get the ball--OW! Hey, watch where you're throwing it!
Duo: Thanks man! Hey look, you wanna come play with us? We could use another guy; Trowa and Quatre are gettin' killed playing against me. //snickers//
Quatre: Yeah, we ar--HEY!
//The music abruptly stops and an older voice rings out.//
Older voice: HEERO! What are you doing?
Heero: Nothing. Just looking at the trees.
Older voice: Talking to yourself again, aren't you? You're an odd one like your... Go outside and play with the kids.
Heero: No.
Older voice: Don't be difficult.
Heero: I'm not fucking difficult--!
//The sound of a hand on a cheek resounds throughout the theater.//
Older voice: //gasping// Your mother--would not have stood--for such disobedience! Now go outside! Good boy, Heero...
//The lights dim quickly. Scuffling noises can be heard, and then a pounding bass begins again. The lights eventually brighten, stopping just before full illumination. The unrequited lovers re-enter and sit in their chairs, some faces new, some old.//
Hilde: I loved him more than life itself. I would have given my life for him.
Trowa: And I.
Quatre: And I.
Catherine: And I! I would have thrown myself into the pits of hell to feel his skin next to mine...//begins to cry, burying her face in her hands. When she looks up again, there are long black rivers of mascara dripping down her cheeks.//
Trowa: It's okay.
Relena: Justice must be extracted.
Wufei: Yes. Justice for his death.
//The lights dim again and the ensemble exits, dragging their chairs with them. The music switches to a lighter, happier tone as Duo enters, holding Heero's hand. They are dressed in the same clothes from the very first scene; Duo whistles the Star Spangled Banner. Duo also carries a backpack.//
Duo: Told you! Isn't it gorgeous out here? Smell the fresh pine!
Heero: Yeah, it is. Are you sure you know where you're going?
Duo: //laughs// 'Course. Don't be so worried. //pauses// You're not worried about...right?
Heero: Definitely not.
Duo: Right.
//They walk around the stage in random patterns, talking. Duo breaks the silence, as if the weight of it is too uncomfortable to bear.//
Duo: Well, I--I'm not worried. I love you.
Heero: I know.
Duo: //waits for a few moments// Aren't you going to say it back? //fiddles with his braid//
Heero: Duo...
Duo: //bursts out// Because I mean, I wouldn't want you to say it if you didn't really mean it! And we wouldn't be doing this if you didn't mean it... I...
Heero: You're confusing yourself, Duo. What you feel is what you feel, and I can't change that. Not that I would want to.
Duo: I *am* confused.
Heero: It's okay.
//Duo halts, twitching nervously.//
Duo: We're here. //takes off backpack and begins to unpack// I... Do you want to... I mean...
Heero: I'm going to take a walk, okay? //kisses Duo//
Duo: Okay. Don't let any bears eat you.
//Heero laughs and walks off-stage as Duo unfolds a blanket and spreads it on the ground. Biting his nails for a few minutes, he considers.//
Duo: What did that mean?
//Duo takes off his jacket and folds it into a pillow.//
Duo: Of course he loves me. He doesn't need to say it. //makes a face//
Heero: I'm back. //stops short of the blanket// I guess this is it. //Duo stands and takes his hands.// It's kind of weird...
Duo: //kicks off his shoes// Are you scared?
Heero: No!
Duo: //smiling// Not the least bit nervous?
Heero: NO. //pauses// Maybe a little. //kicks off his shoes and suddenly hugs Duo// It won't change anything.
Duo: ...Is that a good thing?
Heero: I don't know. You tell me.
//They sway slightly as the patriotic music stops entirely. Two drums beat out of sync with each other, slowly, softly.//
Heero: //suddenly// Are you scared?
Duo: //his voice breaks// Yeah. You okay?
Heero: Yeah.
//They begin to kiss. With every passing second, the drums grow louder and eventually move to beat together, indistinguishable from the other. Duo pushes down the strap of Heero's tanktop, covering his shoulder with kisses. The two boys lie down on the blanket gingerly.//
Heero: Duo...
//The braided American slides a hand up Heero's shirt, caressing gently, eliciting soft pants. Duo moves to lie between Heero's legs, hands supporting his torso.//
Duo: Is this okay...?
Heero: //quietly// Yeah.
//The lights begin to dim as their moans grow louder. Their voices and the drums intermingle, rising to a fevered pitch, the stage completely dark. A moment later, Duo's breath can be heard as he gasps for air. The lights brighten to show Duo, in a basketball uniform, standing with his hands tugging his shorts, bent over, out of breath. Heero is gone; Treize enters, wearing a running suit and a whistle, looking ten years younger.//
Treize: Boy, you are out of shape! Another 10 laps for you!
Duo: Oh coach, I'm so tired--!
Treize: Don't 'Oh coach' me, Duo! Win! Win! WIN!
//The stage goes black and the squeak of sneakers, a whistle blowing, and gasping sounds fills the air. Off-stage, Duo and Heero speak.//
Heero: Duo! Are you okay--?
Duo: Just a bad dream, Heero.
Heero: Fine.
Duo: What are you so upset about? //Duo is clearly shaken.//
Heero: You won't even talk to me!
Duo: Not like you do either. What's this?!
Heero: That-is-nothing.
Duo: It's a *bruise*, Heero.
Heero: You crushed me when you fell on me.
Duo: When did I fall on you?
Heero: After...
Duo: It was there before, Heero. Nice try. He hits you.
Heero: All parents slap their disobedient children.
Duo: No. It's not right.
Heero: Your father hits you.
Duo: Pop is another story; that's not the point...
Heero: ...We're fighting. We said we'd never fight.
Duo: I know. God, they just make me so crazy! My father, and my mother--
Heero: //shushes// It's okay, don't cry, it's okay--
Duo: I wish we could just run away.
//The words 'run away' echo throughout the stage. The lights brighten to reveal Heero, laying on a box that symbolizes his bed. Off to the side of the stage, Duo is packing his invisible things into a suitcase. The lines are in couplets, Heero and Duo's parts spoken simultaneously to different parts of the audience.//
Heero: Run away. God, Duo, I'd love to. Spend the rest of my life with you. Always wake up to the sound of your breath on my ear, your face next to mine. Love you. Love you. Love you.
Duo: Tomorrow. We'll go tomorrow, in the morning. The morning.
Heero: Because that's what I really want, to _spend_my_life_with_Duo_. I love Duo. I do!
Duo: The morning can't come fast enough. I'll get to see him again...
Heero: If I didn't love him, we wouldn't have--
Duo: Once wasn't enough. God, if only to see his face one last time!
Heero: //without Duo// Then *why*, Heero? //sits up and swings his legs over the side of the box// Why?!
Duo: //without Heero// I need to see him again. I need to see him now...feel him...inside him...I...
Heero: //without Duo// I--
Duo: //without Heero//...feel...
Heero: //without Duo// --divided myself into different people without ever knowing. And now I don't know how to face him. //Piano music begins to play in the background, softly, something like a Druidic dirge.// Part of me wants to go. Part of me-- //He coughs, trying not to show his tears.// All she had in the end was regret. All we ever have. //Heero walks offstage.//
//As Heero speaks, Duo finishes packing and drops his suitcase off the stage as he moves to Heero's part of the stage and knocks. Heero, dressed in all black, answers the door solemnly. The light dims to signify a flashback.//
Heero: Hey Duo! You're a little early, dinner's not ready--
Duo: That's okay! I just wanted to see you... //smirks//
Heero: Oh. Well, come in. It's been pretty quiet since my father...
Duo: Yeah...
//Both look away.//
Heero: Why don't--! //Duo pushes Heero inside and kisses him softly.// Duo, what are you doing? Y-you just--
Duo: //blushes// Oh my God. Oh my God. I can't--I'll go. I'll go. I'm sorry, just forget that I kissed you. //He turns to go, moving towards the end of the stage with his head bowed. Just before he is about to fall over the edge, Heero speaks.//
Heero: No!
Duo: //looking down// No?
Heero: No. The chicken's almost done. And I need someone to help stir the rice while I set the table. //He runs out of the house and grabs for Duo's hand and holds it for a moment, the theater going black.//
//Duo walks in through the back doors in the theater, picks up his suitcase, and stands in front of the stage, gaze scanning the audience as one would the night sky. He sits down on the edge and thinks.//
Duo: It's really happening. God damn it, we're going to run away and get married. And we'll live in a little house by a--a lake, and he can write and I'll... I'll go into business, and make millions! We'll show them. We'll show them all. //He stands and carries his suitcase onstage, depositing it in the corner, then sits back on the stage. The lights dim slightly; Heero walks in, wearing all white, from the back entrance of the theater and sits next to Duo. They begin kissing.//
Duo: //unbuttoning Heero's shirt// Pop won't be home for another three or four hours; he's taking Mom out to dinner and then to a movie. We've got the house all to ourselves. Consider this an early seventeenth birthday present.
Heero: //eyes suddenly wide as he sees Treize enter// Duo...Duo...!
Duo: //smirks// I--
Treize: Duo, can you believe it, the drive-in's closed--//He suddenly freezes as Duo's head jerks up. The American has one hand behind Heero's head and another closed firmly around a tan nipple.//
Duo: Pop!
//A low drum begins to beat in the background, speeding up as the tension mounts.//
Treize: Duo. Du-chan. How...how...with this? //He gestures wildly to Heero; Une enters, primping her buns.//
Une: Treize? What's going on? Duo, what's this boy doing on our couch?
Duo: Pop, I--
Heero: //to himself, almost angrily// --can explain? Explain away, you asshole, explain it all away.
Treize: //pointing to Heero// So you're the one, you bastard, you've corrupted my son--
Une: Duo, what's happening? Who is this?
Duo: Heero, don't go! Wait a minute, I'll walk you home, it's really late--
Heero: Iie, Duo, I can walk home without my holding my father's hand--
Treize: --with your chink ways! Get out of my house! If I so much as smell you near him again, I'll call the police and they'll haul you off to a juvenile detention center where you belong!
Une: WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!
//Everyone stops dead. The drum ceases.//
Une: //sobbing, as she tears at a string of pearls around her neck. With every accusation, she throws another pearl at Duo.// Is this why, Duo? Your good mood? Your good grades?
Duo: Mom, no, I--
Une: Don't try and lie to ME, Duo, I'm your mother and I KNOW! I know when my baby is in love, and after Zechs, I certainly should know when he's in love with another boy! Does this explain the studying at a friend's house, the 'dates' with Hilde? Your 'hiking trip' into the mountains? JUST YOU AND NATURE, RIGHT DUO?!
Heero: I should go...
Duo: //grabs Heero's arm// No, wait, don't go. I don't want to fight like this.
Une: //seems to realize that she is being ignored again// DOES IT?! DUO, ANSWER ME! //She slaps Duo hard, the blow ringing in the absence of music.//
//Duo suddenly bursts into tears and runs offstage, holding his face. Ayumi Hamasaki's song, "ever free" begins to play in the background. All moving in slow, liquid motion, Treize, Une, and Heero descend down the side steps of the stage and form a line in front. Hilde, Quatre, Trowa, Catherine, Relena, Wufei, and Zechs emerge from the wings, all sheltering the light of a candle behind their hands. They all, except for Heero, wear black. Heero steps forward and speaks.//
Heero: //loudly// It took us almost two days to find Duo. He had hidden in the basement of the school and refused to come out. In the end, it was Une and Hilde who discovered muddy sneaker prints along the cement path. We began making plans to run away the next day. We were both sixteen.
End Part Two
Third part...not exactly forthcoming. --;
Ariana and Bianca
Please send comments to: weirdsisters@hotmail.com