By Marlo Berberian
(Lights up, two people meet.)
SAM: Hi there.
MARISSA: Um, hello.
SAM: Hello.
MARISSA: …hi?
SAM: Hi.
MARISSA: Do I know you?
SAM: Yes.
MARISSA: I do?
SAM: No, I lied.
MARISSA: Why?
SAM: I don’t know.
MARISSA: You don’t?
SAM: Actually, I do.
MARISSA: (pause) You do?
SAM: Yes
MARISSA: Well, why?
SAM: Because.
MARISSA:(uncomfortably) I have to be somewhere. (she starts to leave)
SAM: Wait, don’t go.
MARISSA: (firmly) I have to be somewhere.
SAM: No you don’t.
MARISSA: …yes I do.
SAM: Please stay.
MARISSA: (pause) I really have to go.
SAM: So… what about this weather?
MARISSA: (slowly warming up to him)Its um, nice.
SAM: I like you.
MARISSA: I’m sure.
SAM: No, I really like you.
MARISSA: (surprised) You do?
SAM: I think you’re beautiful.
MARISSA: I have to go.
SAM: Are you scared of me?
MARISSA: Yes.
SAM: Well, don’t be.
MARISSA: I’m sorry, I am.
SAM: Will you marry me?
MARISSA: I don’t even know you.
SAM: Is that a no?
MARISSA: Yes.
SAM: It’s a yes?
MARISSA: No, it’s a no.
SAM: Oh.
MARISSA:I don’t know you, sorry.
SAM: I’m Sam.
MARISSA: I’m Marissa.
SAM: Now we know each other.
MARISSA: No, we don’t.
SAM: I’m going to die.
MARISSA: Of course, we all die.
SAM: I’m going to die soon.
MARISSA: You don’t know that.
SAM: I do.
MARISSA: You do?
SAM: The doctors told me yesterday.
MARISSA: They did? I’m sorry.
SAM: I have one week to live.
MARISSA: What do you have?
SAM: Cancer.
MARISSA: My mother had cancer.
SAM: Did she live?
MARISSA: No.
SAM: (pause) I'm sorry.
MARISSA: It’s alright.
SAM: I think you’re beautiful.
MARISSA: Thank you.
SAM: I don’t want to die.
MARISSA: No one does.
SAM: That’s true.
MARISSA: Are you scared?
SAM: Yes.
MARISSA: I would be too.
SAM: (pause) Will you be my wife?
MARISSA: Will I marry you?
SAM: Yes.
MARISSA: (thinks) Yes.
SAM: Yes, you will?
MARISSA: Yes I will.
SAM: Really?
MARISSA: Really.
SAM: Is it because I’m dying?
MARISSA: Partially.
SAM: That’s okay.
MARISSA: I think you’re very kind.
SAM: I think you’re beautiful.
MARISSA: Should we celebrate?
SAM: Yes
MARISSA: Lets go then
SAM: Marissa?
MARISSA: Yes?
SAM: I’m not scared anymore.
MARISSA: You’re not?
SAM: I’m not.
MARISSA: (pause) I think I love you.
SAM: I love you too.
(lights fade out) - - -
A little lost. A little scared, but ready to take risks. It's time to take risks.
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