Act Two – ¡Viva la Home!

Scene 3

Adam: (Enters stage right into the doors of his house). Hi mom. Hey Costello!

Costello: (Shocked). Hey, Adam.

Adam: How about fishing this weekend. You and me?

Costello: Uhm… sure. I can make plans.

Adam: Awesome.

Laura: (Smiles). It's really late, dear. I was about to call.

Adam: Yea, no worries.

Laura: It's almost 10, darling.

Adam: I'm fine.

Laura: Well, go unpack your things and come back downstairs.

Adam: Alright. (The doorbell rings). I'll get it. (Answers the door to find Noelle and Forrest at the door).

Forrest: Can we talk?

Adam: Come with me…

Laura: Hey there, Noelle! How was the trip?

Noelle: I'll be sure to let you know all about it in a few!

Laura: Can't wait! You guys wanna stay for dinner or did you already eat?

Forrest: We'll stay. Thanks for the invite.

Laura: No problem.

Adam: Guys… (Signals them to go upstairs and they all head stage left to his room. Noelle and Forrest sit on his bed and Adam stand up against the wall).

Noelle: What is all over your shirt?

Adam: (Looks down). Oh, candle wax.

Noelle: Should I ask?

Adam: Long story. Hey, did you guys ever know a Frederick Home?

Forrest: Like, a person?

Adam: Yea…

Forrest: Not that I recall. You Noelle?

Noelle: Name doesn't ring a bell.

Adam: I didn't think so.

Noelle: Why?

Adam: Because I think you guys set me up?

Noelle: What are you talking about?

Adam: The letter! The giant poem about finding myself. I bet you're trying to fake not knowing this Frederick to trick me…

Forrest: (Laughs). Yea, that was my doing.

Adam: Seriously?

Forrest: The letter was.

Adam: Of all people you made something that elaborate?

Forrest: Pretty good, huh?

Adam: Yea, but what about the candle?

Noelle: How come you didn't tell me this when we were at the dealership Forrest?

Forrest: Because I didn't wanna ruin the thrill of the adventure.

Adam: You followed me!

Noelle: For a little. We were concerned.

Adam: (Sighs). What was up with the candle?
Forrest: I did take a psychology class in one of my years of high school. Just because I dropped out doesn't mean I left without learning something.

Adam: So you don't know a Frederick?

Forrest: What did this Frederick tell you?

Adam: He talked to me about how I should change.

Forrest: And…?
Adam: And I wanted to be like him.

Forrest: I think you've come to your senses.

Adam: What?

Forrest: Adam, just to be sure, is "Know Thyself" even in your notebook?

Adam: (Flips through it). I don't have any quotes by Socrates in here.

Forrest: Then how did your journey end?

Adam: Good question…

Forrest: You thought it ended because the candle went out. Your mind told you that when the candle burned out you would see that quote no matter what.

Noelle: Did you just call him mental?

Forrest: In a good way.

Adam: So Frederick…

Forrest: I dunno what he stands for. I swear to anything, I do not know a single guy in my life called Frederick. Think about it... What he might represent or something in depth like that. It'll come to you. Maybe he was just a stranger that saw you in the car and wanted to help?

Adam: How come the perfect person that I wanted to be appeared right there in front of me? He said he'd gone through the same things I've gone through. He said he knew you guys all his life.

Forrest: I dunno. But we three have known each other forever, since we were in the play pens and I don't remember a Frederick.

Adam: (Stands there with his mouth open wide). But you two did know me…

Noelle: Yea, your point?

Adam: Forrest, you're saying that lighting the candle tampered with my psyche? The whole burning till I find myself thing, that was all me creating that in my head?

Forrest: To toy with your mind. Did it work?

Adam: (Smiles and breathes deeply). I'm glad I've lived my last days on Earth as Adam. Now I can be Frederick.

Forrest: What? Don't go changing names on us. It'll just confuse us more!

(Adam stares at him with a smile).

Forrest: Did the toying with your mind work or not?

Adam: Oh, I assure you, more than enough.

The End.