Live on Without Me

NARRATOR: (Enters stage in front of drawn curtains. Walks to center stage and speaks.)To live, to laugh, to love, to leave the world a better place. Is that not the destiny of each human to walk the earth? To change even a single soul, who then may change the world? (Exits)

The curtain rises upon a small outdoor café located in downtown St. John's, and the general area surrounding it. The café appears upon stage right, the street being the area at the front of the stage. It is a pleasant café, not very large, but welcoming to its clients, with flowers on the tables and numerous plants surrounding the patio. The furniture is simple cast-iron garden sets, the chairs with brightly patterned cushions. Situated upon stage left is a small local bank-there is a door, and an ATM built into the wall under the bank's sign. The inside of the building is not visible, as there are no windows. Stage lights are fully up, making appear to be a bright summer afternoon.

A teenager wearing glasses, a polo shirt and kakis is sitting in the café at one of the larger tables by himself, writing in a red pocket-sized notebook and sipping from a large mug. Five sets of cutlery and menus for the café are sitting on the table, making it appear as if he were waiting for a group of friends. A girl appearing to be his age, dressed in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, enters stage left, looking fairly lost. Spotting the other teenager she wanders over to the table, approaching him.

KIRIA: (mildly irritated) Well. It looks like I've found you, Dave. It took long enough! Your directions stink. Next time we all meet somewhere, I'm deciding where. (Pauses) How come no one else is here yet?

(As Kiria speaks, Dave looks up, places his pencil on the table, and smiles.)

DAVE: I have no idea why we're the first ones here. We usually end up being dead last. (Sighs) .sorry about it being here, Kiria. We thought you knew where it was. Can you forgive me?

KIRIA: Of course! You're being sweet enough to come down here with us, so I think I can forgive you. It was a nice walk, and it's not like I kept everyone waiting. They're keeping us waiting for once!

DAVE: Yeah.for once. I'm glad you can forgive me. It would be terrible if you were that mad. (Motioning at mug) I got myself something to drink, and we're not going anywhere for a while. (Gesturing to the other chairs) You might as well have a seat.

KIRIA: (Sitting and picking up a menu) Sure. Anything you'd recommend?

DAVE: Hmmm. Try the Citrus Twist, I think you should like it.

KIRIA: Alright, that does sound good. I'll try just about anything once. Sooo, what you writing?

DAVE: Not much. Just some more poetry. It's nothing that good, but I like doing it once in a while.

KIRIA: You do it more then once in a while! You do it a lot. And personally, I think it's really good! (Picks up notebook and starts reading the latest entry) Yeah right, this isn't very good!?
"So many months
Have come and gone,
Since first I saw your face.
Since that day, I have felt
My feelings flare to life.
Unknowingly, I have
Let you steal my heart.
And now, you hold it
Within your grip.
Yet, you are unknowing
Of your precious burden.
And I have feared
To speak my heart.
Today, maybe I shall.
Will you accept my soul?"

DAVE: (In all sincerity) Exactly. It's not good at all. It probably never will be.

KIRIA: (glaring at Dave in irritation) WHY can't you accept that you're good?! If I were this good, I'd be looking for a publisher!

DAVE: I write for pleasure. It's a way for me to express myself without being violent...or really dramatic. (Grins)

KIRIA: Fine. But I still wish you'd accept that you can write.

DAVE: Fine. I can write. (Evil grin) But not well! (Pauses, watching Kiria as she waves over the waiter and orders. After the man leaves, he softly clears his throat.) Kiria.

KIRIA: Yeah?

DAVE: I don't really know how to say this but.well.will you go out with me? I've been thinking about it for a while. I just never had the nerve to say so. That poem I wrote was for you.

KIRIA: (Stares at Dave in stunned silence for several moments, blinking) I never knew you felt that way. (Pauses, as if thinking about it) Sure I'll date you! (Gets up and walks around the table, pulling out the chair next to him and giving him a hug) You know.I like you too. (Smiling broadly) What a pair we make! To shy to say anything, but feeling the same thing!

DAVE: Yeah. Well, we got it out at last, didn't we?

KIRIA: (nods, then pulls her chair closer to Dave's, leaning her head on his shoulder) At last. How long have you felt it?

DAVE: I...I...I really don't know. It's like I always have. You've been there for me always, right from the beginning. I can't remember life without you.

(From down the street (in the stage left wings) a female voice yells out "Hey!" or some such sentiment. Four other teenagers-Patrick, John, Kate, and Jenna enter as a group and sit down at the table with Kiria and Dave.)

JENNA: Sorry we're so late! When we got to Kate's house to pick her up, she wasn't ready and then John got us lost! (Playfully punches John's shoulder) But we're here now, so lets get started!

(Everyone other than Dave and Kiria sit down, pick up their menus and scan them for something to eat. Jenna sits next to Patrick, her boyfriend. Kate seats herself next to John.)

KIRIA: Ok. First things first, I guess. Can I tell them Dave?

(All of the teenagers look up expectantly from their menus at Kiria.)

DAVE: Sure. Why not, now that you've pretty much said it already?

KIRIA: YAY! (Hugs Dave fiercely then looks at everyone else somewhat sheepishly) We're going out.

KATE: NANI!? Since when?

DAVE: A few minutes ago. She read something she shouldn't have.

PATRICK: Well. I guess Congrats are in order then.

KIRIA: Thanks guys.

(The four new arrivals glance down at their menus for a few moments, talk quietly, then look up and John waves over the waiter.)

WAITER: (enter stage right, walk over to table) Yes? Can I help you?

JENNA: Yes thanks. We'll have a Strawberry-Lime Spring, a Brown Bandit Milkshake, a Southern Surf, and.a Blueberry Comet.

WAITER: Of course. That will be right out. (Exits through the door in the set)

JOHN: So. Did any of you guys go to anime last night? I couldn't make it. I had to watch a couple of kids for a few hours.

KATE: That's too bad. It was really good. They showed a few episodes of Vandred and Spirited Away. You haven't seen that yet, had you?

JOHN: Nope. (Pouts) It's not fair. I've wanted to see those for so long!

PATRICK: I have them both home on my computer, but I haven't watched them yet. When we're finished here do you guys want to go to my house and watch them?

KATE: I've already seen it all twice, but I really liked it, so sure.

JOHN: Sounds good to me. What do the rest of you think?

JENNA: Sure. I didn't get to go last night either, and I didn't get to watch them yet either.

DAVE: Same here.

KIRIA: (glances at watch) I can't. I have an appointment in half an hour. Sorry guys. I'm going to have to go in a minute. I might as well go pay for my drink now. I didn't realize you were going to be so late or I would have changed it. (Exits through door in set for several seconds and then walks back over to table.)

KATE: I'm sorry Kiria. It's entirely my fault. Are you mad?

KIRIA: No. I'll live. I can meet up with you guys later at Pat's. It's no big deal. Later! (Waves and leaves the café, walking towards stage left. The sidewalk is deserted. Suddenly a man wearing a mask runs out from the bank, a large bag in his hands.)

ROBBER: Move it girl! (Points revolver at Kiria)

KIRIA: N.NO! I won't move!

ROBBER: FINE! THEN DIE! BITCH! (Shoots Kiria in the side and runs off to stage left, exiting)

DAVE: KIRIA!! (Runs out of the café and over to Kiria, who is lying on the ground, bleeding and half-conscious) KIRIA!? Are you alright?

KIRIA: (barely able to speak through the pain) Help.

DAVE: (turns to face the café in desperation) ONE OF YOU! CALL AN AMBULENCE!! NOW!

(John, Kate, Jenna and Patrick run into the café. They return in a few seconds, circling Dave and Kiria, kneeling, standing, or crouching, all four attempting to comfort the two. Minutes later, the ambulance arrives and Kiria and Dave leave. The other four exit stage left, running. Close curtain.)

NARRATOR: (Enters stage in front of drawn curtains. Walks to center stage and speaks.) One courageous action, one wish to uphold justice, one ticket to pain, suffering, maybe even death - that's all it takes to change it all. Who will save those who act? The bystanders? Or others who would have done it, only you got there first? (Exits)

End Scene One.

Scene Two. The curtain rises upon a large hospital room, occupied by a hospital bed with a small night table beside it, two large, comfortable chairs and a small table on stage left, and the door into the room is lost in the wings on stage right. Other then the few pieces of furniture, the room is sparse, white, and clean. Kiria's parents and brother Alexi are standing on the right side of the bed, while Dave stands a solitary vigil on the other side. Patrick is sitting in one of the chairs, and Jenna is in the other, her head in her hands, crying. All cast are frozen in position. Stage lights are dark, except for the spotlight on Dave, who turns toward the audience and speaks.

DAVE: Well. That's it. She just showed so much courage, yet she's going to die. GOD DAMN HIM! No one deserves this fate. No one! Why can't they save her? In our world today, a person can flick a switch and kill thousands, yet they can't save one single person? Why doesn't this seem right? So she got shot. So it hit her something-or-other. Yet we still can't save her? WHY NOT!? (Sighs) Well. That's life. The just die while those who break the law go free. "Cowards die many times before their deaths. The Valiant die but once." Or so Shakespeare said. So she'll only die once! But what about the life she could have had? The joys she could have experienced! What about that? (In a quieter tone.) We would have graduated next year. I was going to ask her to go to the prom with me. Now she won't even have the chance. All because of one man. Why should one man have the right to decide when a person should die? WHY?

(The stage lights come up, the spotlight is turned off. All cast begin to move. Kiria's father hold's her mother. Alexi has his arms crossed, his face is brooding. Patrick gets up to stand behind Jenna, holding her. Dave turns back to Kiria's bed. She is propped up on several pillows, her face white, her eyes closed. As if she senses Dave's presence, her eyes open and she turns her head to look at him.)

KIRIA: (Whispering, loud enough to be heard. Barely.) Dave.please. Listen.

DAVE: (Tenderly) I'm here. I'm here. But you shouldn't be talking.

KIRIA: I don't care. You.have to listen. (Pauses, her head falling back against the pillows, her eyes still open. Her arm reaches up, somehow, and grasps Dave's hand. He leans in, and Kiria whispers something to him. He gently kisses her hand, and she closes her eyes. Still holding Dave's hand, her breathing slows, finally stopping. Dave stands up, eyes closed. He turns to her parents and their eyes meet.)

ALEXI: So it's true. Life will bring you pain by itself. It is our responsibility to create joy. (Pauses) She's gone. At least.she's no longer in pain. (Leans in and kisses her forehead.) Goodbye, little sister. We'll miss you.

(The lights dim, and once again the spotlight is focused on Dave, as he turns towards the audience and comes to the front of the stage.)

DAVE: Those are words I shall never forget. The last words to come from the lips of my first girlfriend. "Live on, live strong, live happy, live love, share life. Most of all, Give." To tell the truth, I have no notion of where she drew the strength to speak. I probably never shall. But I will remember. In memory of Kiria, that is what I shall do. I will live without her, somehow. I will learn to love again. I will live, I will give, and I will love. For her. Always, for her.