Unto the Dust

Scene I

(Curtain opens. Two men, DAMON and CHARLEY are digging a grave. There are tombstones all around and it is dark. DAMON lifts his hat and wipes his brow)

DAMON

How many more do we have tonight?

CHARLEY

Just one. It may start to rain, so we better hurry.

(They keep digging and soon we hear loud thunder. The two men look at each other.)

DAMON

Damn it. We're gonna have to finish tomorrow morning before the funerals. Shit. What time did John say they were heading over here?

CHARLEY

Eight.

DAMON

Well, I guess I'll see you here at five.

(They carry their shovels off stage and lights come on, signifying morning. Several well-dressed people, including GABRIELLE enter one at a time, heads down. The priest enters and we see DAMON and CHARLEY standing off to the side smoking, not really paying attention.)

PRIEST

We gather here today in honor of Emanuel T. Hemingway. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him.

(The priest bows his head and several seconds of silence follow.)

PRIEST

We bless you and ask God to have mercy on your soul and grant you eternal life with him. Amen. Now I would now like to ask Gabrielle Hemingway to say a few words about her father.

(GABRIELLE walks towards the priest and pulls out a slip of paper from a pocket of her coat.)

GABRIELLE

My father was a caring man. Was. I'm still getting used to talking about him in past tense. I didn't see much of him. He did work in a lot of places. Helping others. Showing them the power and forgiveness of God. He tried to show me. He tried to tell me that God loves me. That he always will. I listened but I didn't understand. I didn't know how to believe in something that was invisible. How to be sure? But today something has happened for me. I remember my fathers words as I prepare to bury him in the ground and... and I know that he was right. Only a few weeks ago dad was alive, sitting on the couch next to me, about to leave again. But he was there. Visible. Now he is not. (now stammering, looking around nervously) I think he was right about God. I think... maybe. I hope he is. I want to be able to see my father again. And if anyone deserves to meet God face to face, it's my dad. Maybe we'll be reunited again, but until that day, I can only have faith.

(She carefully places the piece of paper back in her pocket and walks towards the back of the crowd. People are crying. During her speech, DAMON's attention has been turned to her. The body is buried and he walks over to the crowd to approach GABRIELLE)

DAMON

Hi. I heard your speech. It was lovely.

GABRIELLE

Oh. Thank you. Did you know my father?

DAMON

Your father? No. I dug his grave. I mean... I'm sorry. I work here

GABRIELLE

No, it's okay. You have an important job. (she pauses) I'm Gabrielle.

DAMON

(takes off his hat and politely shakes her hand)

Damon. A pleasure to meet you. I wish it were better circumstances though.

GABRIELLE

Me too. (pause) Would you like to come back to my house for the get-together we're having? It's the least I can do to repay you for your work.

DAMON

My work? Digging graves? I get paid per grave, miss. There's no need.

GABRIELLE

I know. But I'd like you to come. You've been very kind. I... I just wouldn't expect someone like you to have such compassion for a grieving person.

DAMON

Someone like me? A grave digger?

GABRIELLE

A grave digger. I mean, you deal with dead people all the time. One would think you'd be... immune to the effects of death.

DAMON

(laughing a little)

We don't really deal with dead people. Just dirt.

GABRIELLE

I see. But the invitation still stands. I'm sorry if I was rude about the whole “grave digger” thing.

DAMON

Not at all. And I'd love to come.

Scene II

(Curtain opens and we see a restaurant setting with a bar as well as tables. Many of the tables are filled and DAMON and CHARLEY are sitting at the bar facing the audience, drinking beers.)

DAMON

I love her.

CHARLEY

No, I love her.

DAMON

But she didn't invite you to her house. You didn't even talk to her!

CHARLEY

I know. I'm kidding. But she's hot. Smokin'. (he takes a sip of his beer)

DAMON

Come on. She just lost her father.

CHARLEY

Whatever. You got any cash on you?

DAMON

Are you kidding? We've only had three deaths this week. I got the same as you, if not less. I'm not paying for your drinks.

CHARLEY

Just this one. I bought smokes earlier. I'm broke.

DAMON

Fine. But you have to pay me back. If I'm gonna ask Gabrielle out, I'll need money to take her somewhere nice. She's nice. I mean classy. She wouldn't come to a place like this.

CHARLEY

I thought you were all concerned about her dead father and her stupid feelings. You're gonna ask her out? Dick.

DAMON

Hey, what am I supposed to do? Wait? How long? She's gonna forget me in a few weeks. I gotta get in there now. I love her. I need to see her.

CHARLEY

Whatever. Dick. One more beer?

DAMON

No. I need to save some.

CHARLEY

You're just gonna spend it on more smokes. One more beer.

DAMON

God. Fine, here you go. But I'm leaving.

(DAMON throws some cash as CHARLEY and walks out of the bar.)

Scene III

(The stage is clear and we see DAMON walking home in the night. He hears some choking noises and a cry for help. He starts running and sees a man lying on the ground clenching his chest.)

DAMON

Are you alright?

MAN

My heart... Please. Call 911.

DAMON

(reaches in his pocket and takes out a cell phone, then hesitates.)

MAN

Oh, thank God you arrived. Thank God. Oh, God it hurts. Did you call 911?

DAMON

I called them when I heard you yell out. They're on their way.

MAN

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Ahhh.

DAMON

It's okay. They're coming. Just relax. Take some deep breaths.

(DAMON stands there for a while as the MAN struggles. After a few moments, MAN gets quieter and quieter and it is apparent that he has died. DAMON looks around then checks the MAN's pulse. He nervously walks offstage.)

Scene IV

(Funeral scene again. This time attention is on CHARLEY and DAMON. They are smoking in the same corner as when the Hemingway funeral was taking place.)

DAMON

It's too bad about this guy.

CHARLEY

What guy?

DAMON

The guy. The one that's being buried today.

CHARLEY

Oh yeah. I guess it's sad. He was old though. People have heart attacks. And we got a paycheck. So stop feeling so sorry for these people. Ever since Gabrielle or whatever, you've been acting all sappy. Cut it out.

DAMON

I'm not acting sappy. It's just that... what if he could have been saved? Like, what if someone was there; could they have called an ambulance and gotten him help in time? Someone should have been there.

CHARLEY

Dude, apparently it was two o'clock at night. Who the fuck is going to be around to help this guy? Knock it off, pussy.

(Damon sighs, and his posture straightens; he is trying to shrug it off, to be cool.)

DAMON

I think I'm gonna pay Gabrielle a visit today.

CHARLEY

Jesus, Damon.

DAMON

What? I'm just talking. I mean, like you said. We got paid today. Why not take her out?

CHARLEY

(spits on the ground)

Well, at least you've stopped crying about Mr. Old Guy over there. Go get laid, man. You need it.

(DAMON ignores that last comment, puts his cigarette out with his foot and walks towards the back of the stage. He keeps walking as the funeral people leave as well as CHARLEY. As soon as the stage is cleared, DAMON stops walking at the side of the stage and knocks on a door.)

GABRIELLE

(answers)

Oh. Hello. Damon?

DAMON

Yes, hi, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

Is something wrong? Would you like to come in?

DAMON

No, nothing's wrong. I just wanted to see if I could take you to dinner.

GABRIELLE

Now?

DAMON

Yeah. Well, it doesn't have to be now. Just... sometime.

GABRIELLE

Umm, yeah. Yeah, that sounds good. I haven't been out in a while. Since the funeral really. Wow, it's already been three weeks. Ok, yeah. Let's go now. It'll be good for me.

DAMON

(ecstatic)

Alright! Where would you like to go?

GABRIELLE

Anywhere.

DAMON

Well, lets get going then.

(He takes her hand and she walks with him away from the house)

Scene V

(The same bar that CHARLEY and DAMON were at earlier. This time, DAMON and GABRIELLE are sitting at one of the tables drinking and eating.)

DAMON

What do you think of this place?

GABRIELLE

It's okay.

DAMON

I apologize. We could have gone somewhere else.

GABRIELLE

No, this is fine. The food is pretty good actually.

DAMON

So, how does it feel?

GABRIELLE

What?

DAMON

I'm sorry. Going out. How does it feel getting out of the house?

GABRIELLE

Oh. Really good, actually. It didn't really seem like that long of a time... until you came to my house. Days just blended together. Being here, being outside, kind of makes me realize how much time has passed. But that's not bad I guess.

DAMON

Well, it's not bad that you got out. I mean, I'm glad you came here with me tonight. I really like you.

GABRIELLE

(eyes opening as if she is waking up)

Aww. That's sweet. I think I like you too. I don't know much about you though.

DAMON

Well, you know what I do for a living. You know that I like you... (laughs) Ever since that speech you gave. It was beautiful. I wanted to tell you that.

GABRIELLE

Thank. (Her eyes are welling up) I don't really even remember what I said.

DAMON

You had that piece of paper. Weren't you reading off of that? You should have saved it.

GABRIELLE

The piece of paper... No, that was a picture of my father. Would you like to see it?

DAMON

Of course. Unless it would be too painful.

GABRIELLE

You are very kind. Here, let me show you. (she pulls the picture out of her purse and hands it to DAMON) He was a priest. After him and my mother had me, he decided to join the seminary. My mom was devastated, but they were actually really good friends until... you know. A few weeks ago.

DAMON

Wow. (hands the picture back to her which she puts back in her purse) You said you didn't see him much?

GABRIELLE

Yes. He traveled a lot. To different countries. He did a lot of charity work. And he preached to lots of people. Some called him a prophet. He was very passionate about what he believed in. I think he did it because he wanted to spread the feeling he felt to as many people as he could. That's why I don't hold it against him. That he wasn't around all the time.

DAMON

It seems like he was really amazing. It's too bad you couldn't go with him whenever he went.

GABRIELLE

I could have. I did one time, but it was strange. My mom didn't like it anyways. She wanted me home. To focus on school and my own life. She wasn't much for the religion. I guess I wasn't either.

DAMON

What about now?

GABRIELLE

Well. I think I feel a sense of obligation to his beliefs. Just because he died or something. Like I need to carry it on. Because he was so important to so many people. How can I just let that die with him?

DAMON

It won't. If anything, it will get stronger. Plus, it's not your job to carry on with your dad's passion. He probably wouldn't have wanted that. He probably would have wanted you to pursue your own passions. At least from what I've heard about him from you... he would have wanted you to be happy. Which is not easy, I know. After someone that important to you leaves.

GABRIELLE

(first takes a sip of her drink)

Has anyone you were close to ever died?

DAMON

Umm. Yes.

GABRIELLE

(quieter)

Who?

DAMON

(the whole time looking down)

My whole family. The ones I grew up with. Mom, Dad, Carrie, James. Not all at the same time, of course. Mom went first. She was a little old to have James. She was 47. She died right after he came out. Didn't even get to see him, I don't think. Then James. He was 4 months old and got this cold. We took him to the doctor and they said he would be fine. Gave him medicine. He didn't make it. Carrie was away at college. Started to get into drugs after mom's death, and when she heard about James, she freaked. Overdosed a few weeks later. Then it was just me and my dad left. It was completely strange. No talking. We hardly looked at each other. I was 17 at the time. I left eventually and two years later my dad was next. I guess he had a brain tumor and never knew about it.

(DAMON looks up)

GABRIELLE

Wow. I... I think that's all I can say. Wow. And I'm sorry. So sorry. That must have been awful.

DAMON

I can't believe I just told you about that. I never talk about that. It just came out. I'm sorry.

GABRIELLE

Don't be sorry. You should talk about it. It would probably do you good.

DAMON

Do you want to get out of here?

GABRIELLE

Sure.

(They get up and leave, the whole time GABRIELLE glancing at DAMON, looking concerned)