AZUL CELESTE-a play in two acts

By Hannah Gilbert

Act 1 Scene 1-Grace’s House

(As the lights go up, we see Grace in her room sleeping in her bed. Suddenly the silence in the room is shattered and is filled with the sound of an antique alarm clock on Grace’s side table. Grace moans rolls over and turns it off. Sleepily she stumbles out of bed and finds her way into a kitchen. Grace peels off a yellow sticky note off of the fridge and begins to read the note aloud.)

Grace: What’s this? Oh, it’s a note. Hmmmmm……Dear Grace, I have made you some coffee and I hope it’s not cold by the time you’ve awoken.

(Suddenly, Elisa, Grace’s mother’s, voice comes in with Grace’s from backstage. They read together.)

Grace and Elisa: Dinner for tonight is cooking in the crock-pot. I have an appointment with a client at noon and then……

(Grace’s voice trails off and now it is only Elisa reading although Grace’s lips continue to move.)

Elisa: I am going to pick up Harold at LAX. Please, Grace, put on a happier face for your father. He does love you and next week he’s leaving again. He is so stressed about his job. I’ll see you tonight dear. Love, Mom.

(Grace puts the note on the counter. She walks to the dining room and takes a seat.)

Grace: Daddy’s coming home. (She sighs heavily. Angela walks into the room.)

Angela: Hey moron, do yourself a favor, stop talking to yourself this early in the morning. It’s bad for your already fleeting mind.

Grace: Thanks Angela, I’ll do my best.

Angela: Don’t get sarcastic with me. (Looks at the note) What’s this?

Grace: It’s mine.

Angela: Yeah, yeah. (Snatches the note out of Grace’s hands and reads.) “I’ll see you tonight dear”?

Grace: Give it here!

Angela: You little suck-up. I’ll admit Grace, you play the part, Mommy’s little angel. And wicked Angela is just a pitiful mess, nothing but a scrap of tassels for the buzzards to feed on.

Grace: I can’t control their love for you. Angela, have I ever done anything to cross you? Have I hurt you, hit you, or scorned you in any way? You can’t say that I‘ve done anything. I have done nothing but love you.

Angela: You haven’t done anything? You lie! You were born. And that, Grace, remains your one and only fault to me. But it is a hurt I will not forgive you for.

Grace: I don’t understand. Why do you want to hurt me? Why don’t you love me, need me, like I need you? Remember when I was little, Angela? Remember playing in the garden and singing at night? Remember love, and hugs, and kisses? But you bring this onto me, onto us. And why?

Angela: I won’t make it home for dinner. Tell Daddy that his cursed daughter says “hello”. (She exits)

Grace: Why don’t you understand?

(Tim appears at the door the moment Grace finishes her sentence. He sets his backpack down and knocks impatiently on the door. Grace gets up and answers it. When Tim sees her he looks at her strangely.)

Tim: You’re still in your pajamas?! We need to get to school Grace. Grace? (She’s not listening.) Are you all right? Your eyes are hollow.

Grace: What?

Tim: Your eyes. I know something’s wrong when your eyes get hollow, when nothings going in and nothings coming out. So tell me, what’s the matter?

Grace: Angela just left.

(Tim scoots up onto the table. He motions for Grace to follow and reluctantly she does. It’s obvious they’ve done this before. They swing their legs and continue to talk.)

Tim: And?

Grace: She’s terribly mad at me. I don’t get it. What did I do? What did I say?

Tim: Did you know that the largest fart in the animal kingdom is that of the donkey?

(Tim succeeds in making her laugh. She giggles for a moment, stops and then realizes that she still has more to tell.)

Grace: Guess what?

Tim: What?

Grace: My dad’s coming home, tonight.

Tim: That’s wonderful. I’ll bet you’ve missed him.

Grace: I guess I did. I mean, it’s been different without him and now……

Tim: What about now? You had to have missed him.

Grace: I did. But I changed. I had almost erased him. I had forgotten his eyes. (She pauses.) I had forgotten the sweet smell of his cologne and the scent of soft leather mixed with the pipe tobacco he used to smoke. But for a while I liked him being gone. It was easier… (She’s really dreaming now.) I remember the days…. (Sadness overwhelms her.) Oh, Tim you’re staring at me so strangely.

Tim: Beautiful eyes. (He gazes at her then realize what he’s doing.) I mean, I’m so sorry, Grace. I didn’t know how his absence affected you so much.

Grace: Tim, you’re the sweetest. God must have a liking for me (she grasps his hand) because he sent me you.

Tim: I know.

Grace: Promise me something.

Tim: What’s that?

Grace: That even when we’re old, we’ll be there for each other until the very end.

Tim: I promise.

Grace: Good.

Tim: (Long pause) But….what happens when there’s only one of us left?

Grace: I don’t plan on dying anytime soon. And unless you do we won’t have to worry about that for a long time.

Tim: If I died would you be lonely?

Grace: Yes. But since God did send you to me, you must have high admiration from him. If you go first, put in a good word for me, you know, to the big man upstairs.

Tim: Who says I’m going to heaven when I die?

(He laughs. Grace gives Tim a warm hug. Tim embraces her in a brotherly-like manner. She steps back.)

Tim: You’d better get dressed.

Grace: I’ll be right out.

(Grace goes into her room, pulls some clothes off of her desk, and then exits offstage.)

Tim: I want to tell her I love her. When I embraced her I felt all the powers of the world were at my fingertips. When I think of her I’m invincible. I wrote on note cards, developed a plan. But now this. I need to be a good friend to her, now, at this stage. I can’t be more than a friend.

(Grace appears in her room now dressed in her uniform for school which matches Tim’s. She stops and sits on her bed, deep in thought.)

Grace: Even after all of it I still wish he was here.

Tim’s: Grace?! Are you ready? We need to leave.

Grace: I’m ready.

(Graces picks her backpack up out of a corner and slings it over her back. She walks into the kitchen where Tim stands, waiting for her.)

Tim: You know I might get a new best friend. One that’s not so slow in the mornings.

(Tim gives Grace a nudge.)

Grace: Who would walk you to the bus stop? We live pretty far away from any neighbors.

Tim: Good point. You know, I never thought of that.

Grace: Who says I’m your best friend anyway?

(Grace nudges him back.)

Tim: I’m hurt. We’ve only spent every waking moment with each-other since birth.

Grace: Where would I be without my Tim?

Tim: You do care!

Grace: Of course I do!

(They giggle and laugh until they almost fall over. We they regain themselves Tim looks at his watch.)

Tim: It’s a quarter after seven. We’ve got to go now or we’ll never get to school.

(Grace heads toward the door still mildly laughing.)

Grace: Would that be such a drag?

Tim: Another brilliant point.

Grace: Come on.

(Grace pulls Tim out the door and they exit. The lights go down.)

Act 1 Scene 2-School Hall

(Grace and Tim enter the school and walk unnoticed through a crowd of bustling teenagers all wearing the same uniforms as them. They are loud and boisterous. When pairs of them stop and say their lines they stop downstage center. A pair of high strung girls is first.)

Shelly: So anyway Tina, I bought these jeans at the mall and aren’t they stylin’?

Tina: They totally are. Next thing you know they’ll be the hottest thing in school.

Shelly: Well you should have heard what Michael said about them. I mean he is my boyfriend. I’m distressed, completely distressed. There are no words to describe the feelings I have. It’s like I’ve gone dumb or something.

Tina: Well you are a blond.

Shelly: No, not that type of “dumb”.

Tina: How many types are there?

Shelly: Sometimes I fear your head will drift away, being so light from lack of a brain. You remind me of Michael.

Tina: Am I really that stupid?

Shelly: How do I look?

Tina: Fine. But, what did Michael say, Shelly?

Shelly: Well I walked up to him and asked how he liked these new jeans. You’ll never guess what he said. He was all like, “They’re okay.”

Tina: You poor thing. If my boyfriend said that to me I would be devastated.

Shelly: I mean if he said something like, “You look cute” or “That’s totally hot” I would be all right with it. But no, he says “okay” like he doesn’t even have an opinion about anything anymore.

Tina: So are we talking about license to dump him off like a sack of potatoes?

Shelly: Tina! How vile! That is such an insensitive and ferocious thing to say! Anyway……………… (She pauses as if totally and completely hurt by Tina’s question)……..yes I am so-o-o-o-o-o dumping him.

(They walk away. Shelly is leading at a high pace and Tina is nervously following after. Two boys come up next.)

Michael: I don’t understand girls and I never will, Tommy! They’re maniacal, selfish, and yapping cats. Shelly is the worst. All she does all day is chatter. She talked so fast yesterday that she mixed her sentences together until I could almost drink them out of a glass.

Tommy: I love football.

Michael: Are you paying attention to what I’m saying?

Tommy: No.

Michael: Now I know the bible isn’t true. If it was, three days after God created woman, Adam would have asked for his rib back.

Tommy: I guess I like hockey too.

Michael: I’m trying to tell you what happened.

Tommy: What happened?

Michael: Well you knew Shelly and I were going steady right?

Tommy: No, but go on.

Michael: Well, she came to school today in these flashy jeans, and she was flirting all around the soccer team.

Tommy: I like soccer as well. Or is it soccer that I don’t like? Well, if football comes first and hockey comes next…..now look you’ve gotten me all messed up.

Michael: She was flirting! Trouncing around them, acting like she’s not mine, that’s what she was doing.

Tommy: But she’s your girlfriend, Michael.

Michael: Tommy! Don’t you think I know that? Anyway, I went up to her and asked her what she thought she was doing. She gave me the typical “I don’t know what you’re talking about” look and said, “Well Michael, how do you like my new jeans?” I just didn’t know what to say.

Tommy: who is your favorite football player?

Michael: I couldn’t say anything mean or nasty to her so I just said that they were okay. Now I’m sorry I said anything at all.

Tommy: I’m so glad I’m obsessed with sports with no time for a girlfriend because I don’t understand girls either.

(The students fall back into more upstage territory while Grace and Tim move into the front.)

Tim: Bye Grace.

(Grace waves over her shoulder as Tim exits offstage. She does not look where she is going and Tommy bumps right into her. She is forcefully knocked to the ground and her books fall everywhere.)

Tommy: Watch it, freak.

(The students laugh and exit offstage as Grace puts her palm on her head and winces at her obviously bruised shoulder. She takes a moment to recover and then crawling on the floor, she gathers her books. As she returns to her feet she looks at her watch.)

Grace: Oh no. I’m late again to class. There is no way of avoiding detention now.

Act 1 Scene 3-Classroom

(Grace enters the classroom. Mrs. Van Gook stands teaching the class, all in the same uniform as Grace and Tim and sitting quietly in their seats, the laws of geometry. As the door opens, Mrs. Van Gook flips her head around mechanically. She marches up to Grace.)

Van Gook: Look at that clock.

(Mrs. Van Gook points to a clock on the wall.)

Grace: I see the clock, Mrs. Van Gook.

Van Gook: Don’t answer back! Through your puny teenage eyes can you also see what time it reads?

Grace: It is three minutes past eight.

Van Gook: And tell me also, Grace, how late that makes you to my classroom.

Grace: Three minutes late, Mrs. Van Gook.

Van Gook: Well at least you can add and tell time. But one thing you never seem to be able to do, Grace Hannon, is to walk into my class at eight o’ clock.

Grace: I know it’s not worth explaining but it really wasn’t my fault. I was…….well I was walking…….and I was carrying my books, and I wasn’t looking where I was going……and……..and……..

Van Gook: That’s quite enough! You have just about tried my patience as far as it will go. Sit down at your desk.

Grace: Really you must understand that………

Van Gook: The only thing I care to understand is the fact that you have been late two days in a row and now you are being terribly rude. Back-talking is an ugly quality, Grace. Do you understand that? (Grace remains silent.) I asked you a question. Now answer me. Do you understand?

(Grace sighs and gives up.)

Grace: Yes, I understand.

Van Gook: Well, I see that you’ve finally come to your senses.

(Just as Mrs. Van Gook says this Miss Coon comes bursting in the room.)

Miss Coon: Hello!

Van Gook: Well what a surprise! Class, please bid our librarian, “good morning”.

All Students: Good morning, Miss Coon.

Miss Coon: Good morning, class.

Van Gook: Why are you here? Is there a staff meeting? I don’t remember there being a staff meeting at this time.

Miss Coon: No, no.

Van Gook: Then, my dear, why are you here, right now, at this important moment in time, wasting my time?

Miss Coon: I just wanted to speak with Grace a moment if that’s all right.

Van Gook: That’s fine. I need to go to my desk anyway. This student’s detention slip needs to be filled out.

Miss Coon: Detention?! What has “this student” done?

(Miss Coon puts her hand on Grace’s shoulder. Grace winces from the bruise.)

Van Gook: Look she’s making that face even now!

Grace: I got a bruise from….

Van Gook: And now she’s speaking out of turn.

She has been tardy two days in a row and just a moment ago she smart mouthed me in front of the class.

Grace: I didn’t smart mouth you. It was just that…….

Van Gook: You see? She interrupts me like this all the time. I don’t know what to do with her except send her straight to detention. Now, if you’ll excuse me…

(Mrs. Van Gook goes back and sits at her desk and begins writing diligently. Grace turns to Miss Coon, eager to hear what she has to say.)

Grace: You wanted to see me?

Miss Coon: Grace, detention?!

Grace: Yes, I know. I know.

Miss Coon: Why can’t you just get to class on time? And mouthing off to Van Gook?! What’s come over you?

Grace: She didn’t know the whole story.

Miss Coon: You could be the best student alive if you wanted to.

Grace: I know.

Miss Coon: I see so much potential in you. I see the love in your heart and the talent in your mind for literature. I really do see greatness in you.

Grace: Thank you, Miss Coon.

Coon: Just, please try, Grace, and I know you will, to get to class on time.

Grace: I’ll try.

Miss Coon: Now for what I’ve brought for you….

Grace: Is it a book?

Miss Coon: It most certainly is. I’ll admit it took me a long time to find a book in the library that you hadn’t read yet.

Grace: What’s its name?

Miss Coon: “Old Yeller”! I know how you adore dogs so. This book is about one.

Grace: It is?

Miss Coon: It is. Oh Grace why don’t you have a dog?

Grace: My mother doesn’t like dogs and my father…..well he’s allergic; sneezes until the rooster crows every time one’s around. Thank you for the book!

Miss Coon: You’re most certainly welcome. Make sure to come return it the minute you finish.

Grace: I will.

Miss Coon: Maybe you can read it during detention.

Grace: Oh I will. There’s nothing better in the world for a girl to do but to sit and get consumed by a book.

(Mrs. Van Gook stands up from her desk and walks over to Miss Coon and Grace. She hands a tiny slip of paper to Grace.)

Van Gook: All right that’s enough chit-chat. Grace, do you see this? (Holds up a yellow note) This is your detention slip. Please go to room 503. You have detention for the rest of the day.

Grace: All day!

Van Gook: (Points her finger out the door.) March!

Miss Coon: Well I need to be on my way. Goodbye, Grace. (She stares Mrs. Van Gook up and down.) Mrs. Van Gook.

(As Miss Coon leaves, the lights dim.)

Act 1 Scene 4-Grace’s House

(Grace enters the front door. Elisa and Harold are sitting at the table set before in Scene 1.)

Grace: Dad!!

(Grace sets her backpack down and reaches over to give her dad a loving hug. Harold jumps out of his chair just in time to purposefully avoid Grace’s oncoming squeeze.)

Elisa: Come now, Harold, hug your daughter.

Harold: Elisa, please I am very tired. I was just on a six hour plane.

Elisa: Just the same she only wanted a bit of love from her father. Come here Grace, sit at the table.

(Grace, who is now deeply depressed from Harold’s lack of affection, slumps down in the empty seat. She glares at the food on the table and almost gags.)

Grace: I ate at school. I’m not hungry.

Elisa: That’s fine dear, fine.

Grace: I read the most interesting book at school. It’s about a dog and he finds this family….

Harold: Dogs! They’re terrible animals. Why read a silly book about them?

Grace: It’s a wonderful book. It’s called “Old Yeller”.

Elisa: That’s a movie, dear, we’ll rent it and you can watch it on the television. Harold, I made your favorite, corn-beef and cabbage.

Harold: No. No. I don’t want any.

Grace: I don’t want to rent it, I want to read it.

Elisa: Here’s your plate, Harold.

Harold: I said I don’t want any!

Elisa: Please dear, don’t be that way. A bit of dinner will do you some good.

Harold: For God’s sake! Elisa, I am exhausted. I really just need sleep.

Elisa: Don’t be ungrateful.

Harold: Ungrateful? Ungrateful!

(Grace sees the situation at hand.)

Grace: Mother, let Dad go to bed.

Elisa: No, Grace.

Grace: Please, you don’t want him to….

(Elisa stands up, pushing her chair as she goes up.)

Elisa: Shut up, Grace! This doesn’t concern you!

(Harold stands up to be level with Elisa while he shouts.)

Harold: Don’t tell her to shut up and how dare you call me ungrateful!

Elisa: Well I suppose I’m not aloud to say anything these days with you dictating the house.

Harold: (He yells overpoweringly.) This is absolutely unbelievable! I come home to my family and I get no respect whatsoever!

Elisa: Maybe you would get more respect if you were home more!

Harold: So the truth comes out. I put up with a lot, Elisa I really do. But this is unbearable. I’m out slaving away, trying to get a new computer project up and running at the office and you are here just being spiteful! Now who’s ungrateful? I’m just trying to pay the bills.

Elisa: I’m a lawyer, Harold. I pay the bills too.

Harold: Why am I wasting my time here? I must say I loathe the both of you.

Grace: The both of us! What have I done?

Harold: You‘re alive.

Elisa: How absolutely intolerable! You can’t talk to your child that way!

Harold: You told her to shut up!

Elisa: Well I didn’t mean it. I bet you don’t even miss us when you’re gone. How else could you stay away from your family so long?

Harold: FAMILY! All that there is, is Grace and you!

Elisa: I have Angela.

Harold: Ha! She’s quite a piece of work!

Elisa: Are you having an affair?

Harold: My God! Well I suppose I could be having an affair. I could be out somewhere with a beautiful girl and a house that respects me!

Elisa: Well go ahead and move! No one is stopping you!

(Grace runs up to Harold, throwing her arms around him, as she says her line.)

Grace: Dad, no!

Harold: Get away from me! (Harold peels Grace’s hand off his sides, backs up, and slaps her across the face. She falls to the ground.) You pitiful little nothing! You’ll learn to stay out of adult affairs.

Act 1 Scene 5-Grace’s House

(Grace appears in her room dressed in her school uniform. She puts her hand to her face where she was slapped. She flinches at her own touch and bursts pitifully into sobs. Angela enters the bedroom.)

Angela: What are the crocodile tears for?

Grace: Go away and leave me alone!

Angela: I just want to know why you’re sobbing like that.

Grace: Why would you care?

Angela: I don’t know I…..

Grace: It’s nothing. Go to school.

Angela: (Suddenly concerned.) Something really is wrong, isn’t it?

Grace: So what? You hate me.

Angela: Just tell me. What have you got to lose?

Grace: Mom and Dad they were fighting and something terrible happened.

Angela: They do that all the time. What was different about this fight?

Grace: Dad, our dad, hit me. (Angela gasps.) It didn’t hurt as much as the words he said. Maybe he doesn’t love me. Maybe it’s not me he loves more, it’s you. Angela, am I a nothing?

Angela: Is that what he said? Look, he didn’t mean it. Just go out into the kitchen. Everything will be as normal, I know it.

Grace: But Angela…..

Angela: Go.

(Grace leaves Angela and goes into the kitchen. Angela sits on the bed and covers her face with her hands. She knows the situation. Harold sits waiting for Grace.)

Harold: Listen, tomorrow is Saturday. Tomorrow your mother will be at work. And you, being the rotten little thing that you insist to be, are coming with me……….to the track.

Grace: Oh no! Dad, please don’t make me go. I could stay home, go to Tim’s, anything.

Harold: I am your father! I say what happens and what doesn’t!

Grace: I hate the horses, it smells awful, and we stay there until forever.

Harold: Well, you better get used to forever. You are going whether you want to or not.

Grace: I refuse to go. I won’t.

(Harold picks up Grace’s backpack. He opens it and pulls out “Old Yeller”. He throws it to the ground and squishes it with his foot. Grace yelps and flies to the floor where she weeps over her book.)

Grace: Oh my God! Dad, my book!

Harold: That’s enough of the trash those books fill your head with. You’re going with me to the track. Now get to school.

Grace: The bus! I missed the bus!

Harold: Then walk.

Grace: Its four miles to get even within a block of the school.

Harold: Get out!

(Grace picks up her backpack, her mangled book, and her jacket and runs full speed out the door. Harold yells after her.)

Harold: Go! And expand that little rat’s brain.

(Harold storms out. Elisa is left alone. A moment passes then there’s a knock at the door. Elisa answers it. Francisco enters. He speaks with a thick French accent.)

Francisco: My darling! My love! I’ve longed to see you but there always seems to be people about. Your daughter, (he sneers) your husband.

Elisa: Francisco! What are you doing here?

Francisco: What am I doing here? I have come to see my French poodle in which I’m having a scandalous affair.

Elisa: Francisco.

Francisco: Baby!

(Francisco tries to pull the moves on Elisa but she pushes him away.)

Francisco: What’s the matter? Your husband doesn’t know does he? Don’t worry, love, we’ll run away to my land in France where the wine is red (he pauses for effect) and the company is warm.

(Francisco laughs and kisses up Elisa’s arm.)

Elisa: No, no Harold has no idea. But Grace…..

Francisco: Grace! I knew it! The brat has revealed us! She is no perilous threat! Boarding school is always a possibility!

Elisa: No! I mean, no, Grace has no idea either. It’s just that she’s so unhappy. I don’t know why. I give her everything.

Francisco: Children are a blessing, my Elisa, a blessing for sure but we don’t have to fret over them always. Why my boy, Chip, dropped out of school months ago but I can’t sit and worry about it, right?

Elisa: Of course! Francisco you really are a dear, and yet (she giggles) a beast.

Francisco: I know, my darling, my precious French poodle. Everything will be all right. Francisco is here. (He flashes a comedic look towards the audience.) How about a romantic breakfast on the beach just for two?

Elisa: I’d adore it!

(They grab hands and gallop out the door.)

Act 1 Scene 6-School Hall/Library

(Grace and Tim are walking down the school hall towards the library.)

Tim: What’s the matter? Are you hurt? What’s on your face?

Grace: Oh Tim, I wish I could tell you. I really wish I could.

Tim: I’m your best friend and you’re upset. I want to help you. Please tell me. Or at least let me help you to the library.

Grace: Well, all right.

Tim: Tell me.

Grace: My….my…. dad. He…… you see he was mad……and he….he said some things that he didn’t mean. Then he hit me.

Tim: Oh Grace.

Grace: I mean he didn’t mean to…….it’s only happened twice before. But I’ve never ever told another soul until today

Tim: I’ll kill him, I will.

Grace: Tim, you’re so silly. You just don’t have your head on straight sometimes.

Tim: I know I couldn’t kill him……..but I’d try for you.

Grace: I have to go. We’re at the library already.

(Grace starts walking. But then Tim stops her and takes her by the arm.)

Tim: Grace?

Grace: Yeah.

Tim: Are you gonna be all right?

Grace: I don’t know. I don’t know!! Nothing makes any sense anymore. I love my father. I really do. But in my soul I just feel that…….

(Grace breaks into sobs and falls into Tim’s arms. Tim has a very surprised look on his face but then he softens and he comforts her.)

Tim: That what?

Grace: That he doesn’t love me.

Tim: Grace, I…..I have to…..I need to tell you something.

Grace: This isn’t a good time, Tim.

Tim: It’s important.

Grace: Okay, Tim. What is it?

Tim: Your father may not love you…..

Grace: Yes?

Tim: But I do.

Grace: What?

Tim: Remember in the spring when we went to the carnival last year? We bought two snow cones. It was hot and you got tired so I brought you away from the carnival and then I surprised you with a picnic on the hill. You remember?

Grace: I remember.

Tim: You remember how it felt? The tingly feeling of us, you and me, being together, do you remember?

Grace: Yes.

Tim: That’s the way I feel about you.

Grace: I don’t understand.

Tim: When I’m with you, it’s like I’m flying and I can’t come down. You know? It’s like a permanent high. Do you understand now? I love you.

Grace: Tim, the jokes on you. I knew you’d say something like that to make me laugh.

Tim: No, I mean it.

Grace: You do?

Tim: Yeah.

Grace: Thank you, I guess.

Tim: I know it startled me too.

Grace: Tim, I……

Tim: Please say you love me too.

Grace: Tim, I need to think about this.

Tim: Grace….

Grace: Please, a lot has happened in my life. The world is ending and now it’s just beginning.

(She takes his hand sweetly and reassures him.)

Tim: Tell me, tell me you love me and have loved me always. Tell me that you want me to be by your side always. Why won’t you say anything? Don’t you love me too?

Grace: I have to go.

Tim: I understand. Go on to the library. I’ll see you after school.

(Grace walks into the library. Tim disappears offstage. Miss Coon is sorting books at her desk. When Grace enters, Coon takes a nearby table and sits down. She motions for Grace to sit. Grace puts her backpack on the table. She sits.)

Coon: Hello Grace. You’re here a little early usually I see later on in the day.

Grace: Yes. Well I’m here now.

Coon: So what do you need? You couldn’t have finished “Old Yeller” already.

Grace: No.

Coon: Are you all right? What’s this bruise on your cheek? (She reaches out to Grace but Grace pulls away.)

Grace: It’s nothing.

Coon: Why are you here?

Grace: Well I……

Coon: You’re really quiet.

Grace: I’m sorry.

Coon: For being quiet? Jeez Grace, don’t apologize.

(Grace pulls the mangled book out of her backpack. The cover is hanging out of it and pages are falling out like rain.)

Coon: Oh my.

Grace: I’m so sorry Miss Coon.

Coon: What happened to it?

Grace: My dad he was very angry and…….I meant my dog got a hold of it and he tore it up.

Coon: Grace, you don’t have a dog. What were you saying about your dad?

Grace: Nothing, he didn’t have anything to do with it? Why would he?

Coon: I don’t know. You answer me that. Tell me the truth.

Grace: I dropped it in the river.

Coon: What river?

Grace: The big one?

Coon: You’re lying to me.

Grace: So what! You don’t need to know the truth. All you adults do is lie. All you do is hurt other people! Why should I tell the truth to the same people that lie to me?

Coon: I have never lied to you. I never will.

Grace: I have to go.

Coon: Did he hit you?

Grace: What are you talking about? Who? No one hit me!

Coon: You’re father. He ruined the book too didn’t he?

Grace: I really need to go now.

Coon: It’s all right. (Coon holds Grace’s hand lovingly in hers.) You can tell me.

Grace: Leave me alone. (Grace pulls away from Miss Coon, throws the book across the room, and runs out of the library.)

Act 1 Scene 7-Seats/Stable

(Grace and Harold arrive at the track. They sit in the seats as the bell rings and the horses go by.)

Harold: I’m going to place a bet. (He grabs Grace’s arm and squeezes it hard.) Stay here.

Grace: You’re hurting me! (She pulls away.)

Harold: Shut up! I’m telling you to stay here. I better not come back and find that you’re gone. I won’t come a-looking for you. I’ll just drive home! Do you hear me?

Grace: It’s after four. Shouldn’t we be getting home?

Harold: Did I not just tell you to shut up?

Grace: Yes. (She’s almost whispering now because of her fear.) You did.

Harold: I’ll be back in five.

(Grace watches Harold walk away. Soon the lights go down making it feel later in the day. She looks at her watch.)

Grace: I’ve been sitting here for more than an hour. I wonder what’s keeping him. I guess I’ll go look at the horses. (She looks over at the stables.) That’s not too far away, so I’ll see him if he comes back.

(Grace steps out of the seats and walks to the stables at the other end of the stage. Seeing that there’s nothing there but some hay, a tack room, and an old fence, she looks around and begins to climb on it. Suddenly a Hispanic man appears from backstage. Grace doesn’t see him but she begins to fall off the fence. The man rushes up and catches her then returns her to her feet.)

Marquis: You slip. You be more careful next time.

Grace: I was trying to see the horses.

Marquis: There are no horses here. This is barn C. All horses are at barn A.

Grace: Why are you here, sir?

Marquis: Don’t call me “sir”. My name is Marques.

Grace: Well nice to meet you, sir. I must be getting along. If you’ll excuse me…..

Marquis: You talk funny. You dress funny too!

Grace: This is my school uniform. You’re Hispanic.

Marquis: (He laughs.) Yes. Yes I am.

Grace: I see. Well goodbye. (She begins to walk away.)

Marquis: Wait! Do you want to see some horses? I’ll take you to one.

Grace: I hate horses.

Marquis: You hate them? The most beautiful animal in the world? Have you watched them run, play, show loyalty to people? Have you watched them run on the painted sand or swim in the river? How could anyone hate horses?

Grace: I do.

Marquis: Then why you up on the fence looking for them? I saw you.

Grace: I wasn’t looking for anything, I was bored. My father…..he is………anyway I was just looking for something to do, nothing more.

Marquis: I work here.

Grace: And? What’s the significance of that?

Marquis: You asked me after you fell. You asked me what I was doing here. Well what I’m doing is work. I thought you’d like to know.

Grace: I don’t care.

Marquis: You should.

Grace: Why?

Marquis: I don’t know. But it seem like you need to care about a lot more things than you do.

Grace: You are by far the weirdest person I’ve ever met.

Marquis: I agree that I am strange. But so are you. You walk on fence when you know you will fall. You dress like soldier in American army. But we haven’t met.

Grace: What?

Marquis: We haven’t met yet.

Grace: Yes we have.

Marquis: No we haven’t. I’ve told you my name but I still don’t know yours. Is it Marge? You look like Marge.

Grace: I’m Grace.

Marquis: It’s nice to meet you, Grace.

Grace: It’s been interesting……. (Starts to walk away)

Marquis: Who hit you? You have a cardenal; I mean a bruise on your face.

Grace: (She sighs, and then turns around.) Is it that obvious?

Marquis: Yes. You see this, here? (Points to her cheek) That matches this contusión over here. You can see the hand print.

Grace: How do you know all that?

Marquis: I had some amigos a while back. They got into fights all the time. I had to know this things to help them.

Grace: Where are they?

Marquis: One was killed about a year ago. The other two…..well I’m not sure what happened to them. They left their wives, sold their casas, and joined single and sinful vida.

Grace: Vida? You mean life.

Marques: Yes, life.

Grace: Oh.

Marquis: But who would hit you?

Grace: No one hit me. I fell.

Marquis: No, no. You just said….

Grace: I don’t want to talk about it.

Marquis: Okay.

Grace: You mean you’re not going to push me into telling you?

Marquis: No, of course not. I don’t want you to tell me things that you really don’t want to. What kind of person would I be? Even a Hispanic one. Grace, one person should never put another person under pressure unless it is good pressure.

Grace: No one’s ever done that for me before.

Marquis: You mean being nice? That’s funny.

Grace: I guess a lot of things are funny about me.

Marquis: The people with no class are labeled like me. But I believe that the true graciousness lies in the way you treat other human beings, not how much money is cradled in your pocket.

Grace: That’s very noble.

Marquis: What does this mean, noble?

Grace: It means having a moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor.

Marques: I would like to think so. Want to have lunch with me?

Grace: I guess my Dad’s not coming back. (She looks at her watch again.) You’re going to eat lunch now? It’s past five.

Marquis: Yeah. I know it’s a bit different. But look how different I am already. Why don’t you come? I’m not poisonous.

Grace: Okay.

Act 1 Scene 8-Seats/Stable

(Grace and Marques are sitting at a table next to the barn. There’s a nice tablecloth on the table and they look like they’re laughing and having fun.)

Marquis: Tim sounds like a nice boy. I want to meet him, someday.

Grace: He is. But I’ve never laughed like this before with him.

Marquis: What do you mean by this?

Grace: He’s so confusing. Why, just this morning he told me he loved me. Tomorrow he’ll probably feel something different again.

Marquis: I don’t think so. Do you love him?

Grace: I don’t know.

Marquis: That’s a big thing, for a boy your age, to start admitting his love.

Grace: I don’t want to love him. We’ve been friends for so long. It wouldn’t be the same. He just had to tell me news that was going to change our friendship forever at my weakest time.

Marquis: After your father made your book ruined.

Grace: Yes.

Marquis: I’m sure Tim was confused. You were upset and it was coming inside of him.

Grace: I’m confused too. I don’t have time for love right now. I barely have time to spend with him as a friend. Tim’s around me all the time and I’m still so lonely. It’s like there’s an empty space left for someone to fill.

Marquis: That empty space…..it’s waiting for a father.

Grace: I have a father. But I guess he’s not a real one is he?

Marquis: I try to remember, when I am sad that…. Well, it’s all in a phrase. Say this, “azul celeste”.

Grace: Azul celeste. What does it mean?

Marquis: It means blue sky.

Grace: Blues sky

Marquis: Yes. When I am sad, I say this to myself and I remember that even though the sky is grey one day it will always turn blue the next. You see, Grace? It stays blue forever.

(Grace touches his cheek.)

Grace: You are very wise.

Marquis: It keeps those empty spaces away.

Grace: With this news from Tim, I suppose I have an empty space for a best friend too.

Marquis: I can be your friend. I hope I can help you.

Grace: You’ve been a world of help already. We’ve only known each other…. (She looks once again at her watch)……..for two hours and thirty minutes. And look how we’re talking, like we’ve known each other for centuries.

Marquis: You can understand my broken English?

Grace: Yes, all of it.

Marquis: We’ve been sitting here that long?

Grace: Its seven thirty.

Marquis: You should be getting home, to your casa and your familia.

Grace: How? My dad’s gone. But you can leave. I’ll stay here. I bet you’re wife is waiting for you at your house.

Marquis: I don’t have a wife.

Grace: But you must be at least thirty.

Marquis: I’m thirty two años.

Grace: Then why aren’t you married?

Marquis: Marriage isn’t something you plan to happen. It happens when it happens. I never met the right one.

Grace: I hope you do.

Marquis: Me too.

(Suddenly Harold rushes from backstage. He looks around at the empty seats and then spots Grace with Marques. He stomps up and grabs Grace by the arm.)

Harold: Why weren’t you in the seat where I told you to sit and wait?! And why are you hanging around with this trash?

Grace: You said you’d be five minutes. It’s been more than three hours!

Harold: We’re going home! Now get away from that Spanish man and come with me.

Marquis: I’m from Mexico.

Harold: Spain, Mexico, they’re all the same.

Grace: We were eating lunch.

Harold: You were eating lunch at night? You must be crazy. Come on Grace, he’s a madman! Not only that but a pervert.

Grace: I assure you that those aren’t his intentions.

Harold: What other “intentions” would a man like that have with brat like you? You’re coming home.

Grace: You’re acting very strangely.

Harold: Come here!

Grace: I want to stay and……….

Harold: You ain’t staying anywhere!

Grace: Are you drunk? (She suddenly realizes the big mistake she has just made.) I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it. Please! (He comes towards her, Marquis struggles with Harold but is pushed aside.) Dad! Harold! No!

(Harold punches Grace hard in the stomach. She curls up on the ground. He literally drags her off stage. Marquis stands up to stop them but then he decides against it and sits back down.)

Intermission

Act 2 Scene 1- Grace’s House

(It is very dark in the house. Grace sneaks out into the kitchen. Angela is waiting for her. Grace tries to run to the door but Angela meets her there and turns on the kitchen lights.)

Angela: What are you doing?

Grace: Nothing.

Angela: Where are you going? It’s almost five in the afternoon. Mom and Dad will be home soon.

Grace: You weren’t supposed to be home yet. You told me yesterday that you were staying at a friend’s house.

Angela: I had a sudden change in plans.

Grace: I’m going out.

Angela: To where?

Grace: I’m going to Tim’s. We have this huge project at school it’s on the life cycle of……fish…… that’s it……..fish. We’re swamped with work and it’s really important that we get it all done.

Angela: You are such a terrible liar. Do you remember that one summer when we all went out to the lake? You found a turtle and you got really attached to it, remember? You hid that silly turtle in your jacket. And when Mom asked what the lump on your stomach was, you said “I don’t know Momma. Maybe I’m pregnant!”

(Both of the girls burst into laughter.)

Grace: She let me keep the turtle. But she made me give it to May Lila that lives down the street.

Angela: It grew too big.

Grace: So I’ll see you later. (She heads to the door again but once more Angela blocks her way.)

Angela: You’re going to visit Marquis aren’t you?

Grace: I have to see him.

Angela: You saw him four days ago.

Grace: You know about that?

Angela: Yeah. I’m sorry I spied on you. But I had to know what was going on.

Grace: Did you tell Mother? Or Father?

Angela: I didn’t tell anyone.

Grace: You didn’t?

Angela: You’re my sister. How could I put you through that?

Grace: Why wouldn’t you? I’m “Mommy’s little angel”, remember?

Angela: I’ve learned to care for you, to love you. I should be there for you.

Grace: Does this mean we’re friends? You don’t hate me anymore?

Angela: We can be friends. I don’t hate you. As long as you still want to be friends with me.

Grace: Of course I still want to be friends with you. I’ve always wanted this.

Angela: I think in some small way I did too. Now go on, you don’t and Marquis will be worried.

Grace: Thank you, Angela. I love you.

Angela: I love you too. Now go on! I mean it!

Act 2 Scene 2- Classroom

(Students buzz about talking about this and that. Tim and Grace stand downstage gabbing.)

Tim: So what’d you do on Saturday? I called all day but no one answered the phone.

Grace: I was out an about. I spent most of the weekend with Marques.

Tim: Since when are you so social?

Grace: Since now. We had a pick-nick on Sunday. He makes the best enchiladas.

Tim: Wait a second, his name is Marques and he makes enchiladas? Grace, you never said that he is a Mexican.

Grace: Tim! Are you prejudice or something? He’s not like the stereotype. He’s really nice and he’s really human.

Tim: Human! He probably doesn’t even speak English.

Grace: He speaks perfect English! We laughed like I never laughed before.

Tim: I guess you really like him a lot.

Grace: I know I can trust him.

Tim: And you can’t trust me?

Grace: No. I guess not.

Tim: Do you want to go to the movies on Wednesday night?

Grace: I’m sorry Tim, I can’t.

Tim: You’ve been spending all your time with this dirty Mexican. You haven’t paid any attention to the best friend that loves you.

Grace: A dirty Mexican!!

Tim: He’s probably some perverted child killer. He doesn’t love you. I do.

Grace: I don’t love you, Tim.

Tim: What? What are you talking about?

Grace: I DO NOT LOVE YOU!

Tim: I don’t understand.

Grace: A week ago you told me you loved me.

Tim: I did and I meant it.

Grace: You couldn’t have. You know what else? I loved you back. I don’t anymore.

Tim: You don’t know what you’re saying.

Grace: Yes I do! Now I realize that you’re just a prejudice. You are just like everyone else. I don’t know what I ever saw in you. I do not love you, not at all.

Tim: You’re standing me up for some guy you met two weeks ago?

Grace: Yeah. I guess I am.

(Grace starts walking out of the classroom. Tim yells after her.)

Tim: That’s fine! Just fine!

Act 2 Scene 3- City Park

(Marques and Grace have a pick-nick set up. Grace is lying on her back and Marques is doctoring the wound on her stomach. They’re talking and laughing as before.)

Grace: When did you move here from Mexico?

Marques: I was ten.

Grace: Only ten?

Marques: Yeah only ten.

Grace: Why were you so young?

(Marques frowns and decides to change the subject.)

Marques: How does this feel?

(He pokes her stomach and feels around.)

Grace: What is that that you’re poking?

Marquis: That is the place right under your costillas, your ribs. That is where Harold hit you. He hit you so hard he knocked the wind out of you.

Grace: It feels better.

Marques: He needs to stop hitting you.

(Grace sits up and pulls down her shirt.)

Grace: I know but I can’t stand up to him.

Marques: You can.

Grace: How?

Marques: By using what’s inside. It’s all there, in your heart. You just have to open the doors and let them come out.

Grace: Let who come out?

Marques: The little voices that will help you tell him. Just give it a try.

Grace: Your English is getting better.

(Silence.)

Grace: I’ll try.

Marques: How was school?

Grace: It was okay.

Marques: What made it “okay”?

Grace: Tim and I.

Marques: Tim and you?

Grace: Yeah. I’m afraid we’re not friends anymore.

Marques: What happened?

Grace: He insulted you. He called you terrible things and I got angry with him.

Marques: Grace, you shouldn’t have had a fight with your best friend on my account.

Grace: It needed to be done.

Marques: Then why are you so sad?

Grace: No reason.

Marques: There’s got to be a reason.

Grace: Well there isn’t.

Marques: There’s a reason for everything. I won’t push you to tell me but sometimes it’s better to let things out.

Grace: It was my fault, the fight.

Marques: I thought it “needed to be done”.

Grace: It really didn’t.

Marques: Then apologize.

Grace: But I told him I didn’t love him.

Marques: But you do don’t you?

Grace: No.

Marques: You can always tell me the truth you know.

Grace: Yes.

Marques: Yes?

Grace: Yes I suppose I do love him.

Marques: Then why don’t you tell him? Let him know! Doesn’t he need to know what’s most important to him?

Grace: You know what? I need to tell him, don’t I? I’ll tell him I’m sorry and I’ll tell him the truth. He deserves the truth.

Marques: Yes he does.

Grace: But what about what he said about you?

Marques: What did he say about me?

Grace: I shouldn’t tell you.

Marques: Grace, I’ve been called a lot of things, living in this country. It’s not easy for people like me here. I’m sure whatever he said I’ve heard before.

Grace: He called you a dirty Mexican.

Marques: That’s not so bad. He didn’t mean it. He was jealous and I don’t blame him.

Grace: It’s bad enough.

Marques: Grace, Tim’s never met me. And he’s probably been brought up to hate Hispanics. It’s normal prejudice. Right now, Mexican immigrants might be having a hard time. But give him time and give him patience.

Grace: I wish I was as forgiving as you.

Marques: You’re so young. You need time and patience too.

Grace: I wish someone could tell my sister that.

Marques: Never mind. You should tell your friend what he needs to know.

Grace: I wouldn’t know when to tell him.

Marques: Tell him now!

Grace: I will. (She begins to run off stage and she yells behind her.) I will!

Act 2 Scene 4-Street/Alleyway

(Tim walks along the street talking to himself and contemplating about Grace. The alleyway is behind him.)

Tim: I can’t believe her. Marques, enchiladas, laughing like they’d never laughed before? What a humiliation. I just can’t believe it! She laughs with me. We’ve had some great times. What was she thinking?

(Chip, Tony, Fats, and Jumper appear in the alley. They listen to Tim talk but Tim doesn’t see them.)

Tim: She’ll be sorry when he gets her. That’s right; he’ll steal her money or kidnap her. Then she’ll think of me! When she’s lying in a gutter somewhere, she’ll be so sorry she never listened to me!

(Chip and the gang jump out and surprise Tim.)

Chip: What do we have here, fellas?

Jumper: (He gets down in Tim’s face.) Who you talking about slick?

Tony: He is pretty slick. Looks like a busy body.

Chip: Who are ya talkn’ about, friend?

Tim: Nobody, just a friend at school.

Fats: She doesn’t sound like too much of a friend. Ay, Tony?

Tony: She doesn’t at all. I say we give him something to whine about.

Chip: Hey, hey, let’s not get violent. We got a brother in trouble here.

Tim: I’m not really in any trouble.

Tony: You are now.

Chip: Cut it, cats! Let’s listen to his problems. That’s the friendly thing to do.

Fats: I don’t feel like bein’ friendly.

Tim: I was actually on my way home.

Jumper: Home? You a homebody, slick?

Tim: No. My name’s Tim.

Chip: I’m Chip. These are my men, (He points to each gang member as he says their names) Jumper, Fats, and Tony.

Tim: It’s nice to meet you.

Tony: So formal.

Fats: Look at his digs. He’s wearing some type of uni-form-o. What do you think it is, Jumper?

Jumper: I think it’s a cult outfit. You in a cult, slick?

Tim: This is my school uniform.

Tony: (Mimicking Tim.) This is my school un-i-form.

Chip: You go to school to get ed-u-cated?

Jumper: Get ed-u-cated slick?

Tim: Yeah, I mean I want to be smart.

Tony: Sounds like ya had a little trouble with your girlfriend at your ed-u-cated school.

Tim: She’s not my girlfriend. She’s was my best friend. But now…

Chip: Now what, friend?

Tim: Well she’s hanging out with some ho-hum Mexican.

Fats: She dumped you for a Mexican?

Tim: I guess I don’t have a friend in the world.

Fats: We’ll be your friends. Won’t we, Tony?

Tony: Yeah I guess so. We could be your pen- pals. (He laughs.)

Jumper: We’ll be your friends.

Chip: Yeah, we’ll be here for you, man.

Tim: Really?

Chip: Definitely. You can be part of our gang.

Tony: Not part of our gang, Boss!

(Chip turns sternly around towards Tony.)

Chip: Are you arguing against me, Tony?

Tony: No, Boss, I just meant that….

Chip: Meant that what? I don’t want to have to teach you a lesson in front of God and everyone.

Tony: He can’t be part of our gang, Boss.

Chip: Sure he can. All he needs now is a little initiation ceremony.

Fats: Should I get out the good stuff, Chip?

Chip: Most definitely, Fats.

Tim: Good stuff? What’s that?

Chip: A little form of heaven.

Tim: Drugs?

Chip: That’s such a harsh word for ‘em.

Tim: Isn’t that bad for you?

Chip: Not at all. Boys, show our new man, Tim, our stash and make sure he’s well taken care of.

Jumper: Gladly, boss.

(Tony, Jumper, and Fats lead Tim to the back of the alley and they disappear offstage.)

Act 2 Scene 5- Street/Alleyway

(Grace is walking down the street right past the alleyway. Chip is in the alleyway watching her contently. Grace does not see him and she looks around hopelessly.)

Grace: Tim!! Tim!! Where is he? I know he comes this way after school! Tim!! Tim!! Where are you?!

Chip: You must be the chick that broke his heart.

Grace: Excuse me? What’s your name?

Chip: You broke his heart real bad, Missus.

Grace: Do you know Tim? Who are you?

Chip: I’m Chip. Tim was very depressed because of you.

Grace: I asked you if you know him.

Chip: Yeah I know him. He came by here today. My boys took care of him.

Grace: Took care of him?

Chip: Yeah, better than you did. He’s probably in la-la land by now. He’s floating over the sun. That’s what it does to you, puts you into a nice happy place.

Grace: Can I see him?

Chip: Don’t worry your pretty little head about Tim. We gave him our very best hospitality.

Grace: Who’s “we”?

Chip: I told you, me and my boys.

Grace: I’ve never seen you around school. You’re a gang, aren’t you?

Chip: Harsh words.

Grace: Aren’t you?

Chip: I guess you could call us that.

Grace: I don’t want Tim hanging around people like you.

Chip: People like me?

Grace: Yes, people like you.

Chip: Ha! Who are you honey, his mother?

Grace: No. I’m his friend and I want to see him.

Chip: He said that you two weren’t friends no more.

Grace: Then he was mistaken. Let me see him!

Chip: Don’t get excited. I’m afraid you’ll have to offer something to trade.

Grace: I don’t have any money.

Chip: It’s not money I’m after.

(Chip puts his arm around her waist. Grace pulls away.)

Chip: A kiss perhaps?

Grace: I’d sell my soul before I even thought about kissing a scumbag like you.

Chip: Heavy words, heavy words. It’s a shame a little thing like you has to have a mouth like that.

Grace: I want to see Tim.

(Chip grabs her by the shoulders and pulls Grace closer to him. He tries to kiss her but she screams and struggles away. She runs offstage.)

Chip: To bad Tim’s floating over the clouds. Like I said, doll-face, la la land. (He laughs evilly.)

Act 2 Scene 6- Grace’s House

(Grace is in her room. When she walks into the kitchen Elisa and Harold are sitting at the table waiting for her.)

Elisa: Where do you think you’re going?

Grace: To the park.

Harold: I told your mother about your friend.

Grace: Tim?

Harold: Don’t play dumb with us. I’m talking about Marques. I’ve watched you follow him around the park. You look like his little whore.

Elisa: This is intolerable, Grace. You can’t just befriend some adult.

Harold: It’s sick.

Elisa: We don’t even know him.

Grace: What’s wrong with having an adult for a friend?

Harold: It’s not right that a thirty two year old, Hispanic, man would befriend a fourteen year old girl.

Elisa: It’s not normal, honey.

Grace: He’s not like that.

Harold: I don’t doubt he’s not. I think he’s worse.

Elisa: He’s from Mexico, Grace.

Grace: Mom, he’s been like a father to me.

Harold: (He stands.) I am your father.

Grace: (She stands to challenge him.) No you’re not! You are a self-centered pig that only gets pleasure in hurting people.

Harold: (He raises his hand, ready to smack her.) What did you say?

Grace: Marques has been a better father then you ever have!

Harold: Just say that again. I dare you.

Grace: If you were a real father you’d care for me.

Harold: That’s it! I’ll…….

Grace: Do you love me?!

Harold: What?

Grace: Do you love me or my mother? Do you love us?

(Harold lowers his hand and looks down at Grace and Elisa. He picks up his coat and leaves the house. Grace and Elisa sit in silence for many moments and then suddenly there’s a knock at the door. Grace goes to answer it. It’s Marques.)

Grace: Marques! What are you doing here?

Marques: I looked you up in the phone book. I need to talk to you.

Grace: Please come in.

Marques: (He does so.) Is this your mother?

Grace: Yes this is my mom.

Marques: She’s beautiful.

Elisa: (She stands up from the table and holds her hand out to shake his.) It’s so nice to meet you, Marques. I’m Elisa.

Marques: Is Grace’s father here?

Elisa: No. No he’s not.

Grace: He got angry and left.

(Elisa backs up the counter and puts some of her best china under the sink. She moves to the cupboard and hastily takes off her jewelry and stores them in there.)

Marques: He didn’t hurt either of you did he?

Grace: No. But he’ll be back.

Elisa: As soon as he comes home Grace will apologize.

Marques: Whatever the fight was about I don’t think Grace is the one to blame.

Elisa: And why is that?

Marques: Elisa, your daughters and you are subject to much abuse from your husband. Why don’t you do Grace and yourself some good and separate yourselves from that monster you call a husband.

Elisa: He’s not a monster.

Marques: Look at both of your daughters. Do they deserve this? Do you deserve this?

Grace: Mom, please listen to what he says.

Elisa: What do you suggest, Mr. Marquis, that I leave my husband?

Marquis: I’m suggesting you do something fast, before someone gets seriously injured.

Elisa: (Moment of silence.) Marques, I was wrong about you. You’re right something needs to be done.

Marques: You’re doing the right thing.

Elisa: I know I am.

Marques: Grace you and I need to talk.

Grace: Can I go, Mom?

Elisa: Yes you can go. But be back before six.

Grace: Okay.

Act 2 Scene 7- Grace’s House

(Elisa is in the kitchen reading the paper. There’s a knock at the door. Elisa answers it. It’s Francisco. Elisa motions for him to come in. He does so and they both sit at the table.)

Elisa: I’m glad you came.

Francisco: My baby calls and tells me that she’s signing divorce papers in the morning. Of course I came! I’m so happy!

Elisa: It’s not as you think.

Francisco: How is it not? Now we can dump our silly children and move to France!

Elisa: It isn’t like that.

Francisco: It’s as we’ve dreamed! No more hidden affairs. No more secret meetings! Just you and me forever, my darling!

(Francisco begins to kiss up her arm.)

Elisa: I can’t see you anymore.

(Comedic-ly he stops in mid-kiss.)

Francisco: What?

Elisa: This affair stops now.

Francisco: What are you talking about, powder puff?

Elisa: I can’t cheat on my husband as easily as you can cheat on your wife.

Francisco: But you’re leaving him in the morning! Why is my baby, my darling, leaving me?

Elisa: Because she has two children to take of; to love and for once to do the thing that’s of their best interest.

Francisco: I don’t understand.

Elisa: Go home, Francisco! And tell your son, Chip, “hello” for me.

(She pushes him out the door and slams it in his face.)

Act 2 Scene 8- City Park

(Marquis and Grace are sitting in the park. They’re both silent, no more laughter.)

Grace: What’s the matter?

Marquis: I’m leaving.

Grace: Do go where? Why?

Marquis: It’s hard to explain.

Grace: It’s all right. Start from the beginning.

Marquis: You are too young to know.

Grace: Am fourteen years old, Marques, I’m not a baby.

Marquis: No you are not.

Grace: Start from the beginning.

Marquis: Mexico is a different world.

Grace: Are you going to Mexico? When are you coming back?

Marquis: I’m not.

Grace: What?

Marquis: When I was little my family was very poor but when my father died, we couldn’t survive. So my mother carried me across the border when I was ten.

Grace: What are you saying, Marques?

Marquis: I’m illegal, Grace. My mother died when I was sixteen and I’ve been moving around the country, hiding, ever since.

Grace: We’ll keep hiding you. They haven’t found you yet!

Marquis: Yes they have. I’m being deported tomorrow.

Grace: You could run away and live at my house. We’d always be together.

Marquis: No, Grace. You’re not listening to me.

Grace: Can’t you come back?

(Tears steam down Grace’s face. She knows now, that she will never see him again.)

Marquis: When my mother died, I was an orphan. I was alone in a country I didn’t know. I did some bad things. I……I stole money from gas stations and I smuggled food out of stores.

Grace: Come on, we’ll go to my house and we’ll think of something.

Marquis: I already told you! The police came to my apartment today. I’ve got to go back to Mexico, maybe spend some time in jail.

Grace: No! (Grace falls into Marques’s arms sobbing.)

Marquis:It will be all right. I promise.

Grace:No it won’t! I’ll never see you again.

Marquis:I’ll always be with you.

Grace: No! You can’t go. You can’t leave me!

Marquis: I have to. No matter what I will be with you every day.

Grace:Always?

Marquis: Always.

Grace: Promise me.

Marquis: I promise. As long as azul celesteBlue skies will be in our hearts forever. We will be together. I promise you.

Grace: I love you. As a father I do.

Marquis: And I love you very much.

Grace: I wish you were my father.

Marquis: If I would ever have a daughter, I would want her to be just like you.

Grace: Really?

Marquis: Yes, really. Now, it’s time for our goodbyes.

Grace: I’ll miss you so much.

Marquis: Goodbye sweet child.

(Marquis holds her hand and begins walking away. His fingers slip out of hers. She whispers as he disappears from sight.)

Grace: As long as the sky is blue. Azul celeste, forever.

Act 2 Scene 9- School Hall/Library

(Grace is walking down the school hall. She passes the students silently. Miss Coon is in the library. She’s on the phone and appears to be upset.)

Coon: Oh my God! (Pause) Yes I will tell her right away. (Pause) Yes, Goodbye. (She hangs up the phone.)

(Miss Coon rushes out into the hall and stops Grace.)

Coon: Grace! I don’t know how to tell you. I don’t know how to bring this to you at this time in your life. Oh no! Oh no!

Grace: Miss Coon! What is it? What is it? Tell me, please!

Coon: It’s Tim.

Grace: What? What?! What about him?

Coon: He passed away this morning. He’s dead. I’m so sorry!

Grace: No. (She falls to the floor and cries.) No. No. Not Tim. Not Tim.

Coon: It was drugs. They killed him.

Grace: Where was he?

Coon: Some alleyway. I don’t know anymore. Oh child! I am so sorry.

Grace: It couldn’t have been Tim. It was a different Tim. Someone else’s Tim. Not my Tim. Not mine.

Coon: No, honey. It was Tim. Just pray now, Grace. Just pray.

Grace: No! No it wasn’t! It couldn’t have been! It couldn’t have been. (She bursts into helpless sobs.)

Coon: It’s all right, dear, it’s all right.

Grace: First Marquis, now Tim! I’ve lost them both!

Act 2 Scene 10- Graveyard

(Grace is in black as she steps onto the stage. Tim’s grave is in the middle of a deserted graveyard. It’s after the funeral now and all is silent. Grace walks up to the gravestone and kneels. She puts a finger to her lips and then presses it against the grave. On the stone it is written, “Timothy Taylor 1989-2004 Beloved Son and Friend”.)

Grace: I’ve thought a lot today. About the times we had, just you and me. You were my only friend for so long. And I took you for granted. Didn’t I? I’m sorry for that. The truth is I love you, Tim. I always have. But I never told you, well you, you deserved to know. You know, I remember that time at the park when you caught me after I fell out of that tree. I still broke my arm. I’d have broke a lot more if you hadn’t of been there. You went to the hospital with me and you held my hand while the doctor set the bone back in place. I thank you for those times. Tim, I should have been there to catch you when you fell. But I didn’t. I should have been there for you when you needed me. And I wasn’t and I’m sorry.

(Grace sits there, on the ground, for a long time and then Chip comes up behind her.)

Chip: I’m sorry too.

(Grace turns around to face him but she is still sitting on the ground.)

Grace: What are you doing here?

Chip: Look, I just wanted to come and see where he was buried.

(She stands and begins to yell at him.)

Grace: You have no right to be around him anymore! Chip, you killed him! He’s dead because of you. Well, I’ve got news for you, Chip. You can’t hurt him anymore. So get out of here!

Chip: He was my friend too.

Grace: You’re the reason he’s dead.

Chip: Don’t you think it’s a little bit of your fault too? Listen, believe it or not, I cared about the guy.

Grace: You cared about him, huh? What were his last moments, Chip? I want to know. Did he reach to the sky with one hand, moaning for his creator? Did he laugh, and then slump down silent? Did he think of me? Of you?

Chip: I wasn’t there. Tony was with him.

Grace: Tony?

Chip: Yeah, Tony. He’s one of my men.

Grace: You mean one of the guys in your gang watched him die?

Chip: Yeah that’s what I mean, okay Miss Perfect? Sometimes in life we don’t turn out the way our parents wanted us to.

Grace: Why am I talking to you? Like I said before, you should just leave.

Chip: He just wanted to be different.

Grace: Is he different now, Chip? Is he? He’s DEAD! He’s dead because of us! Because of you! Because of me! If I could only hear his voice again I’d…..

Chip: I meant……

Grace: Is he different now that he’s lying in the cold ground? Well, is he? I want to know! ANSWER ME!

Chip: I didn’t know the drugs would kill him.

Grace: It’s too late.

Chip: I didn’t know.

Grace: That’s what drugs do, Chip. They kill!

Chip: Well it’s a risk I take.

Grace: A risk you take.

Chip: Yeah.

Grace: Well, I hope this doesn’t leave you. I know it’s silly but I hope that when you go to sleep at night he’s there haunting your dreams. I hope that you feel remorse ever single solitary day of your pitiful life. I hope you think about him every day. Because I will, I will.

(The lights go down.)

Act 2 Scene 11- Empty Stage

(A mid-aged woman walks to center stage. She’s silent and just looks to the sky.)

Grace as a Woman: It’s been twenty years, Marquis. Where are you? I guess you’ve forgotten me by now. What if you’re hurt? Or dead? Wouldn’t you have sent me a sign if you were? What’s the use of talking to clouds?

(A man about the same age as her walks in.)

Charles: Grace, the children are hungry. Are you coming in for dinner?

Grace as a Woman: Yes, Charles I’m coming.

(A tiny girl walks in and hugs Grace’s waist.)

Lizzy: Mommy when are you coming inside?

Grace as a Woman: In just a minute, Lizzy. Give Mommy a little bit out here on her own.

Lizzy: A letter came for you!

Grace as a Woman: It did?

Lizzy: Yes. William taught me how to open the mail box.

Grace as a Woman: Oh he did, did he?

Lizzy: Mmmm-hmmmm and he said this is for you.

(Grace takes the note from her daughter.)

Charles: Come on Lizzy; show me how you learned to open the mail box. I’ll see you in a bit honey.

(He kisses Grace on the cheek and Lizzy and he exit. Grace opens the letter and reads aloud)

Grace as a Woman: Dear Grace, I hope you still think of me. Mexico is beautiful and the trees are green this time of year.

(Suddenly, Marquis’s voice comes in with Grace’s from backstage. They read together.)

Grace and Marquis: I miss you. I’ve thought of you every day since I left. I hope this note has found you in good health.

(Grace’s voice trails off and now it is only Marquis reading although Grace’s lips continue to move.)

Marquis: I bet you’re all grown up. Maybe you have children by now. I’ll bet you’re still beautiful though. It doesn’t matter. I’m a free man now, Grace. I can go and do whatever I please. I’m married. I met the right one. Her name is Mia and she reminds me of you. I’m coming to visit in a week. I’ll meet you at the park at three o’ clock where we had our picnics. I’ve always been with you Grace, even if you haven’t felt me there. I promised you and I kept my promise. As long as the sky is blue. Azul celeste. Love, Marquis.

(Lights go off, curtain down.)

THE END