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Bradley Herman 6048 E Otero Dr Centennial, CO, 80112 (303) 981-5399 BradleyJHerman@gmail.com Nothing 1

Characters

Gerard: Gerard is a grad student in his mid twenties. He wants to desperately tell his girlfriend Sylvia that he loves her but has been unable to do so with words. Gerard is fairly introverted, but does open up to his good friends and those close to his heart.

Sylvia: Sylvia is an up and coming free lance photographer in her mid twenties. She has strikingly red hair and is Gerards girlfriend. Sylvia is also fairly introverted but does have a passion for life. She wants to keep her past a secret from Gerard as her father was abusive to her mother, but she has escaped that and would prefer not to re-live it.

Clive: Clive is Gerards best friend. Clive is cocky and confident, but in the best kind of way. He is a fun loving sort, who always jokes around, but is there for his friend when he needs to be.

Sienna: Sienna is Clives (current) girlfriend. She is straightforward and doesnt hide anything. She brings out all Clives better qualities.

The DJ: The DJ acts as an intermediary between the audience and the characters on stage. His radio broadcast rocks the audience back into the grim events of the present while providing an alienation effect which distances the characters from the outside world.

The Operator: The operator serves as the false sense of hope. She brings Gerard back down to earth. She is the voice of reason; the sense of order in a world of chaos.

The Callers: The various callers provide a backdrop to the world in which we see Gerard and Sylvia spiraling. They root the story in the present and in reality.

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Scene A crashed car in an indiscriminant location, somewhere in the United States. Time Anywhere between 1995 and modern day. Winter. ACT I Scene 1 SETTING: There is large bare tree with a crashed car down center. Two large projection screens on either side accompany it. The stage is otherwise bare. AT RISE: After house lights have dimmed there is an abrupt black out. No sound. After a few haunting moments in the blackness a radio broadcast begins to fade in, mid conversation. The lights fade up on the car as the broadcast becomes clearer and louder. It is night and raining steadily. Gerard is discovered in the crashed car. His head is bleeding a bit. He is unconscious. DJ thanks Brian. Alright, this is Julie. What do you want to say Julie? JULIE (A bit confused) HelloDJ Hey Julie, who do you want to shout out to? JULIE I want to tell all those women drivers giving us a bad name: get off the road. If you didnt get up early enough to do your make up, or fix your hair, or whatever its your fault. We should havent to suffer cause your doing it in your mirror. DJ (Chuckling) Amen. Thanks Julie. 97 Three, The Word. Whos this? CHUCK Chuck. Nothing 3

DJ Hey Chuck. What do you want to say? CHUCK I want to tell my boss that he can go to Hell. Ive worked there for six years and have hated him from day one. DJ Where do you work? CHUCK Im a consultant for Schmitt and Associates. Over on Broadway. DJ Right on, Chuck. Thanks. Alright, this is 97.3 The Word. Its Freedom Friday. Have something to say? Youve got full freedom to say whatever to whoever. Dans on the phone (Radio broadcast continues. Gerard slowly regains consciousness. He is moving very slowly, and is gradually gaining an awareness of what has happened. He looks about briefly. Still moving slowly, and looking quite groggy, he produces a cell phone and dials. The radio broadcast has still been playing, but slowly fades down.) OPERATOR (Over the broadcast) 911 Emergency. (LIGHTS FADE) (END OF SCENE) Scene 2 19 months before the crash. Lights come up stage right. Gerard and Clive are sitting at the bar of a local restaurant. Very minimal furniture. Two stools and a bar. The rest is projected on the screens. GERARD Wait, so you and Kathy broke up? CLIVE Nothing 4

Dude, Kathy and I have been over for a while. GERARD Where the Hell have I been? CLIVE I dont know, man. GERARD Weird CLIVE You were probably busy doing your teacher stuff or something, Im sure I told you. GERARD I dont know CLIVE Come on man, I would have told you that. Really, you were probably just wrapped up grading papers or somethingGERARD Dont even mention grading papers. (Beat) Their last set was so bad CLIVE Couldnt have been that horrible GERARD You have no idea. I think a blind monkey with no fingers could probably type better papers than my students. CLIVE (Laughing) Wow. GERARD Yeah. Pause. So you and Kathy are really over huh? Werent you saying how she could be the one and all that? CLIVE Yeah well I was dumb and nave I guess. Love struck blah blah blah. It happens. (Beat) Ill find another, plenty of fish and all that crap. Nothing 5

GERARD Yeah, I guess. Pause. Clive takes a sip from his beer. Gerard has been idling looking at his. CLIVE You ok, man? You seem sort of out of it. GERARD What? No- yeah. I just, I think my students are just pissing me off CLIVE You sure its just your students? I mean, Ive never seen you get this worked up about them. GERARD Theyre just frustrating thats all. Pause. CLIVE Wheres Sylvia? Havent seen much of her these days. GERARD She just didnt feel like coming out tonight. No reason. CLIVE Everything ok between you two? GERARD Yeah. I justI dont know. Im just yeah-Yeah, everythings fine. CLIVE You sure? Short pause GERARD (With a defeated sigh) I tried to tell her yesterday. CLIVE Still no luck? GERARD No. (Beat) It was perfect. I knew it was right, she knew it was right and I just... couldnt. Nothing 6

CLIVE (Very sympathetically) Hey man, youll get there. Youve got time. From what I can tell shes not going anywhere. GERARD Yeah, I know. Im just- I ruined it. Again. I was so close, I was thinking it, everything in my body was saying it, but when I opened my mouthnothing. Pause. Clive gives him a pat on the shoulder. CLIVE She knows, though. Thats what counts. Pause. GERARD Yeah I guess Long Pause. So, you been seeing anyone else? Figured I should ask since youll probably have married, had two kids and divorced by the next time I hear about her. CLIVE What? And ruin my chances with you? Not a chance. GERARD Oh shut up. CLIVE No man, I think this is getting serious. This is what, our third date? I think if you play your cards right youre entitled to some action. (LIGHTS FADE) (END OF SCENE) Scene 3 Present. Lights come up on crashed car. Gerard is unconscious again. Just as before the radio broadcast fades in mid conversation. It is still raining.

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DJ Why dont you give us that number again? JARED Sure. Its 417-522-0117. DJ Thanks Jared. 97.3 The Word. It is a wet one out there folks, so take your coats with you this evening wherever you find yourself. Alexis is on the line for this freedom Friday. Alexis. ALEXIS Hi. DJ Whats on your mind Alexis? ALEXIS I wanted to tell my boyfriend Steve something. The radio broadcast continues uninterrupted underneath the following conversation. OPERATOR Sir? Gerard stirs momentarily, his eyes remain closed. DJ Go ahead. ALEXIS I love you with all my heart. I hope youre listening. OPERATOR Sir? Can you hear me? Sir? DJ How long have you two been going out Alexis? ALEXIS Two years. DJ Steve, I hope you just heard that. Thanks Alexis. 97.3 Whos this? LOU This is Lou. Nothing 8

Gerard opens his eyes. Confused he looks about. His head is still bleeding, though it seems to have slowed some. He is still moving quite slow. He looks down at the phone in his hand. Slowly he raises to his ear. GERARD Hello? DJ What did you want to say Lou? LOU I wanted to put a plug in for my business, Center City Movers. Were a local business, um straight forward, reasonable rates. If you need some professional movers or know someone who does, why not look us up? OPERATOR Sir we have emergency vehicles standing by, can you tell me where you are? DJ You got a phone number for our listeners Lou? LOU Yeah its 267-690-6859, again thats 267-690-6859 for Center City Movers. DJ Alright Lou great. LOU Thanks. GERARD Umits Gerard tries to look around but winces in pain. ItsI cant. I think my back I DJ This is 97.3 The Word here for this freedom Friday After the break weve got Karen on the phone who wants to talk about child care OPERATOR OK, sir, Im going to stay on the line with you. Is anyone else in the car? Gerard seemed not to have heard. Sir? The radio broadcast continues as the lights fade. (END OF SCENE) Nothing 9

Scene 4 17 Months before the crash. Lights fade up on either side of the car. Sylvia is stage left, sitting on her bed. Gerard is stage right, laying in his own bed. Gerard has been trying to sleep. Its around 12 AM. Gerard and Sylvia are on the phone with each other. SYLVIA Did I wake you? GERARD No. SYLVIA Liar. GERARD No, really. I couldnt sleep. SYLVIA Something on your mind? GERARD Just thinking about how wonderful you are. SYLVIA Awyoure so cheesy! GERARD I know, right? I cant believe I actually said that(long pause) How was the funeral? SYLVIA Fine. GERARD you ok? SYLVIA (Quietly) Yeah. (Beat) I just dont know how Im supposed to feel.

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GERARD Yeah. SYLVIA I mean my mom cried, but I just sort of stood there. That sounds so terrible GERARD No. You barely knew the guy. SYLVIA But my mom cried, obviously I should have cared some. GERARD Your mom fell in love with him. Part of her probably still does. (Silence) I dont think youre a terrible person. Everyone just grieves differently, give it time. Pause. SYLVIA When I was six he built my sister and I a playhouse in the backyard. It really wasnt anything too fancy, but to meto me it was the world. I used to spend hours in there. I remember it had this one window on the side where wed always play drive through. Mom would make us lunch and wed always sneak some away to play with. Rachel would always be the customer. Shed come around in this little wagon we had and would always order these ridiculous meals. Lobster. Steak. It didnt matter what I served to her, peanut butter and jelly, a cheese sandwich. We knew it was lobster. (beat) It had these white panels for the sides that glowed in the sun. I remember thinking it was the perfect house. How could anyone ever have anything better? It was just perfect. GERARD It obviously meant a lot to you. SYLVIA When we were at his house today, I saw it. It was still there in the backyard. Untouched. The yard was filled with weeds, and the ground was mostly dirt, but it was still there. Perfect. Glowing in the sun just like always. I wanted to sit inside. I wanted to disappear. Nothing bad could happen in there. How could anything bad happen? I just wanted to pretend that everything was back the way it was. There is a long silence. GERARD (quietly) I know.

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There is a long silence between them. Gerard sits up on his bed but says nothing. Both merely listen to the others breathing for some time. SYLVIA (Obviously changing the subject. The following should be spoken with the same mood as before but as an attempt to light the mood a bit) Did you have fun with Clive? GERARD Eh, we just did the usual. SYLVIA I kind of thought youd still be out. GERARD Yeah, well, Clive got a bit preoccupied. SYLVIA Oh? GERARD Some girl was giving him looks all night, so I finally told him to just go talk to her SYLVIA Oh. GERARD Yeah. SYLVIA Wellgood for him I guess. GERARD Yeah. I dont really think anything will happen, but I wasnt going to hang out at the bar and look like a loser. SYLVIA Thats understandable. Pause, more silence. SYLVIA So, some guy emailed me about my photos. GERARD Yeah? Nothing 12

SYLVIA I dont think its anything really serious or anything. GERARD Its something at least. SYLVIA Yeah. Pause. GERARD Well thats good. At least someones recognizing your talent. Its a start SYLVIA (Distantly) Yeah. Pause. GERARD (A return to the earlier mood, quietly, concerned) Hows your mom holding up? SYLVIA Shes still pretty shaken up, but shell be fine. Shes asleep now, so thats good I guess. GERARD Good. You know Im here for you right? Id do anything for you. SYLVIA I know. I just Im not sure if I actually need anything. I cant feelits like my body just wont functionGERARD (Quiet, reassuringly as he can) I know. Itll probably be that way for a while. Youre brain just needs to figure things out, give it time. Pause. Get some rest. Youve had a long day, try to sleep. SYLVIA yeah, II guess. Pause. Nothing 13

I love you Gerard. Silence. Gerard tries to speak but makes no sound. I know (LIGHTS FADE) (END OF SCENE) Scene 5 18 Months before the crash. Lights fade up on Gerards apartment, stage right. Sylvia enters the room clearly upset, Gerard is right behind her. GERARD Why dont you just tell me? SYLVIA I cant! GERARD Why? SYLVIA I just cant, its not any of your business.

GERARD Not my business? Youre my girlfriend. No one else knows you better then me, and I still dont know anything about you! I dont know where your from, where your were born. What was your dad like? Just tell me. SYLVIA NO! You dont get it. Its just notGERARD What, its not what? SYLVIA Nothing. Nothing 14

GERARD No. Tell me.

SYLVIA You dont get it Gerard. Youre from this perfect family. Your parents loved you and provided for you. You come from this perfect little background with your perfect little house and perfect parents. Im not like that. You justyou cant understand. GERARD Then help me to. Im here. Now. Im not going anywhere. Just let me in. Let me help. SYLVIA She sits on the bed. You cant help! GERARD (Shouting very loudly) WHY NOT? Silence. SYLVIA (Almost to herself) You just cant. OK? Pause. GERARD (Quietly) My life isnt perfect. SYLVIA What?

GERARD I said my life isnt perfect. My parents werent these saints you think they are. My house wasnt some sort of Eden to grow up in. Pause. SYLVIA Ill bet it wasnt my Hell.

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She quickly exits, Gerard considers following, then defeated, slumps onto his bed. (LIGHTS FADE) (END OF SCENE) Scene 6 12 months before the crash. We are at the same restaurant from scene 2, stage right. This time it is at a table in the bar area. Sylvia sits at one side of the table with Clive and Sienna on the other. There are beers and cocktails on the table. Music is playing and there are sounds of lots of people. The bar is packed. CLIVE So I here youre moving studios. Some guy is really interested in your work, huh? SYLVIA Yeah. Lucky break I guess, well see how it pans out. CLIVE Thats cool though, at least you get to do something you love. SYLVIA Yeah. Pause. Gerard enters with a beer and a cocktail. He sits next to Sylvia. GERARD They were out of Skyy so I got you Grey instead. SYLVIA Thats fine. GERARD (to Clive) Seems awfully packed tonight, any reason? CLIVE Winter break man. SIENNA Nothing 16

All the undergrads are out so its time to drink. GERARD Ah. CLIVE Did you here about JBs party? GERARD Yeah, I dont know if were going to make it. SYLVIA Yeah, my mom is going to be in town that week so I may have to use this guy as my escape from them. GERARD (teasing, suggestively) Youre gonna use me, huh? SYLVIA You bet ya cowboy. She grabs him by the collar very suggestively. Her face inches from his. Im going to use you all week. Shes about to kiss him then: for shopping, wrapping presents, cooking, cleaning Sienna and Clive laugh GERARD Hardy Har. SIENNA Oh! I love this song, come dance with me. CLIVE (With a non-combative sigh) Oh alright Sienna exits. Clive gets up taking one last swig from his beer. GERARD Wow. (whip noise) CLIVE Hey man, what can I say. The lady has needs. He grins. Clive exits. Gerard and Sylvia watch them dance. After a while:

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SYLVIA I really would never have imagined him dancing before. GERARD Yeah, I can see why. SYLVIA So, is she the one youve been telling me about? GERARD Yeah. SYLVIA What was it, sierra or something. GERARD Sienna. SYLVIA Right. Slight pause. Shes cute Ill give him that much. Pause. Still watching. GERARD Shes good for him. SYLVIA Yeah. GERARD Is your mom really coming up during JBs party. SYLVIA She might. I really dont think shell care if we go though, I just dont like JB that much GERARD Hes alright, you just have to take him in small doses. SYLVIA Every time I talk to him hes just a jerk. GERARD

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He is a jerk. Probably even an asshole, but thats him. Once you accept him as an asshole its not that bad cause then you expect him to be an asshole so its not surprising. SYLVIA Wow. Been dying to tell that to someone, huh? GERARD That obvious? Pause. SYLVIA We can go if you want. I heard the weather was supposed to be pretty nice. GERARD Well he always gets this place in the mountains since his dads like super rich or something, so the weather may not be the greatest up there. SYLVIA We can still go if you want. You cant leave my side though, I hate being that awkward girl in the corner. GERARD You wont be the awkward girl in the corner. Youll be the stunning redhead stuck with that loser on her arm. SYLVIA Aw. My cute little loser. GERARD Thanks? She playful kisses him. Clive and Sienna enter. Those were some pretty slick moves there Clive. I especially like this one. Gerard does some over the top dance move. CLIVE Oh shut up. Gerard and Sylvia laugh. CLIVE Do you guys want anything else?

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SYLVIA Im good GERARD Yeah, I think were going to take off pretty soon. CLIVE You want anything babe? SIENNA Just some water, thanks. Clive exits. So howd you get into photography? Did you study it or anything? SYLVIA Um, no not really. Its just always been something I was interested in. I remember getting one of those cheap kiddie cameras when I was little and taking pictures of everything so my mom got me a real camera when I was in high school and its just something Ive done since. GERARD Yeah, I have my writing, she has her photography. At least one of us has been somewhat successful. SIENNA I didnt know you write. What do you write about? GERARD Umwell Im trying to write a novel about this older gentleman in the 50s who unexpectedly lost his wife, but Im sort of stuck. My editor keeps telling me its too simple and not believable I dont know I just cant seem to get into his head, to feel (brief pause) ah, forget it. Its nothing. Ill just end up boring you. Clive enters. CLIVE Looks like the party is winding down, probably ought to think about taking off babe. SIENNA Yeah, Ive got work early anyway. They all get up and get their coats on. Gerard puts some money down on the table, they walk outside where it is snowing. Music and sounds of the bar can still be heard, though it is quieter and more peaceful outside. Nothing 20

CLIVE Alright man, Ill see you later. Give me a call sometime tomorrow, well talk about this weekend. GERARD Sounds good. CLIVE Sylvia: always a pleasure. SIENNA Goodnight, it was a pleasure finally meeting you. SYLVIA Likewise. Well have to get together again sometime. Drive safe. GERARD Night. Gerard and Sylvia watch them exit. Gerard is still watching them but Sylvia has turned her attention fully to Gerard. She says nothing, but merely hangs onto him. Gerard waves as the lights from Clives car pass, Gerard finally notices Sylvia. They stand in the snow embracing each other for a short while neither talking. Finally: SYLVIA Dance with me. Gerard is hesitant, but says nothing. Slowly they begin to dance. Gerard has Sylvia tightly embraced to him. Sylvia has her head buried in his chest. Both are clearly just enjoying each others company. They dance for the entire song, slowly swaying. (Her head still comfortably settled in his chest) I love you Gerard. He slowly looks down at her, still holding her tightly in his embrace. She looks into his eyes knowingly for a few moments, then buries her head back in his chest. (Warmly) I know. (LIGHTS FADE) (END OF SCENE) Scene 7 Nothing 21

OPERATOR Sir? Short pause. Sir can you hear me? Are you ok? Pause. (More insistent) Sir? GERARD Wha- Are youImyeah- IOPERATOR Sir. Sir? Can you tell me where you are? Can you describe it for me? GERARD Imyeah, itsitsum OPERATOR Sir, are you ok? Can you move sir? GERARD Imare you ok? OPERATOR Thats right: are you ok? Are you hurt? Pause Sir? GERARD My headits OPERATOR (Very insistent. Staccato) Are you ok? GERARD YeahImmy head, its we ... (beat) just send help The following has been playing since the beginning of the scene. DJ

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Alright, welcome back. It is freedom Friday people and that means Im taking your calls. I want to here from you the people here at 97.3 The Word. Matt, youre on the air. MATT Uh, hello DJ Matt. Whats on your mind? MATT Yeah, hey. I want to tell all you ladies out there, if youre going to flaunt it, stop getting angry when we window shop. Youre not wearing those low cut shirts or high cut short shorts for any practical reason. If you dont want the guys looking cover it up. DJ That makes a lot of sense Matt, thanks. Youre on 97.3, whos this? SHERYL This is Sheryl. DJ How are you doing Sheryl, what do you want to say? The radio broadcast continues per usual for a bit before fading with the lights. (END OF SCENE) Scene 8 24 hours before the crash. Lights fade up stage right. Gerard is at his apartment doing the dishes. He is on the phone. GERARD What? No. (pause) Yeah. (brief pause) Yeah. (brief pause)

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No, its cool. Hey, you going to JBs tomorrow? (pause) Yeah. She said she might skip it this year. (pause) Yeah I dont(slight pause) No, her moms in town again. You know how she gets. (pause) Yeah No- Ill talk to her. Maybe shes forgotten last years mess. (brief pause) JB was just being a dick, as usual. (brief pause) No, he was drunk. Ill see if I cant get her to come. (long pause) Hey, Im going to beat you this year. (pause) Yeah, after cheating! (brief pause) That was totally cheating! (pause) No, Ill talk to her; see if I cant change her mind or something. (pause) Yeah. Alright. Catch you later.

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(pause) Wha(brief pause) Yeah. I will. Alright. Talk to you later. Bye. Gerard hangs up the phone and continues doing the dishes. (LIGHTS FADE) (END OF SCENE) Scene 9 Lights fade up on the car. The radio fades up with it and plays throughout the following scene. It is still raining. Gerard is awake but barely conscious. For a while all we see is Gerard trying to regain awareness. OPERATOR Sir? Pause. Sir you need to tell me where you are. Pause. Sir, are you there? Can you tell me where you are? Silence. SYLVIA (Soft and airy) Gerard? Pause. (louder, but labored) Gerard? GERARD (reassuringly as he can) Nothing 25

Im here Gerard props up Sylvia in the passenger seat, holding her in his arms. She should not have been seen in the car prior to this moment. SYLVIA Gerard Pause. She speaks nothing, but says so much with her eyes. I cant- GerardII cant- (beat) I love you Gerard. GERARD He fakes a smile. Hey. Hey, dont say that, youll be fine. Youre going to be fine. You can tell me later. SYLVIA I do. GERARD I know, youyoull tell me youre going to be fine. (Into the phone) Hello? OPERATOR Sir? GERARD (trying to keep it together but failing) We need an ambulance. We need an ambulance! OPERATOR Sir, tell me where you are. GERARD (unnerved) We justsend an ambulance. (to Sylvia) Sylvia, youre going to be ok, theyre going to send help. Its all going to be ok. OPERATOR Sir, just tell me where you are. GERARD Just send help! Please send help! (To Sylvia)Youre going to be ok. SYLVIA (softly) Gerard? Nothing 26

GERARD Youre fine, itll be fine. Youll tell me later. (Into the phone) Shes bleeding, oh God shes bleeding, please help! OPERATOR Sir. You need to tell me where you are. Can you describe it? GERARD (holding back tears) Its theres a tree-I just we need an ambulance, PLEASE! SYLVIA (louder, more urgent) Gerard? GERARD Hey, Im here. Im right here. Just hold onGod SYLVIA I love yoGERARD I know. I know. Youre going to tell me later. Im going to tell you even - I am. Just. Hold on. Its going to be alright. Youre going to be alright. Hold on Pause. She looks knowingly into his eyes. SYLVIA (soft and reassuringly) I love you Gerard. Silence. Gerard cant move. He cant even look at Sylvia. No matter how hard he tries to speak, he can make no sound. After some time (Almost inaudible) I know There is a long pause. Only the sound of the rain and the radio can be heard. OPERATOR Sir. Pause. Sir?

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Short pause. Are you there? Can you tell me where you are? GERARD (to know one in particular, desperately) Were going to JBs, were on our way toSylv? She doesnt move. SYLVIA? He hugs her tightly. (chaotic, broken)Were going to JBs. Were on our way to JBs. We need help were on our way Everything is going to be ok, youre going to be ok - theyre sending help. Its ok - youre going to be ok Sylv. Silence. (distantly)Youre going to be ok The radio broadcast continues unphased. Gerard is left alone on stage tightly holding Sylvia while the radio plays in the background. The following has been playing since the beginning of the scene. ( And what did you want to say Sharon?
rd

DJ

SHARON This weekend is the 3 annual 3k for 3k breast cancer fund raiser. Were asking people to come out and walk or run 3k and for each person participating our sponsors have agreed to donate $30 dollars, so were hoping that through the participants and any donations given we can raise our goal of $3,000 dollars which will be donated for breast cancer research. DJ That sounds like an excellent cause Sharon. Do you have a time and place people can come? SHARON Its going to be this weekend at City Park. Registration is at 8 and the run will begin at 9. Its all free and its for a great cause so we hope to see a great turn out. DJ Excellent. Good luck Sharon. 97.3 The Word, whos on the line? JOE Nothing 28

Joe. DJ Hey Joe, whats on your mind? JOE I just wanted to let all of your listeners know that traffic is pretty bad on the interstate, probably because of the weather, so Id advise finding another route. DJ Im sure a lot of folks are thanking you Joe. How long have you been stuck there. JOE OhId say about an hour now. DJ Ouch. Stay strong joe. JOE Thanks DJ 97.3. This is Ben, whats up Ben? BEN Hey, I wanted to talk about those internet dating sites DJ Alright, what about them BEN Well my friend and I were talking about them the other day and we came to the conclusion that they were responsible for all the high divorce rates in this country. DJ How do you figure that BEN Well, there are all these commercials where these couples are shown that have married about a year or two after meeting and it makes them look all happy, but the divorce rates in this country are enormous and we thought that these sites were encouraging people to marry early before theyre really committed. DJ Thats an interesting theory Ben.

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BEN I just wanted to say that and see what other callers might think. Thanks DJ Alright, thanks Ben. 97.3 the Word, what do you think, are dating sites responsible? Karens on the phone. KAREN Hello DJ Hey Karen, whats on your mind? KAREN I just want to tell all the guys listening: you need to start figuring women out. Im getting sick of meeting these interesting guys at bars and night clubs who just end up being complete jerks. Learn how to treat a lady fellas. We want a gentleman, not a pig. DJ You here that guys? Thanks Karen. 97.3 The Word. Its freedom Friday and we are taking all kinds, so give us a call. Have something to say? Were giving you full freedom to say whatever is on your mind. Youre on the air. JAMES Hello DJ Whos this JAMES Uh, this is James DJ What have you got to say James JAMES I wanted to talk about all this technology we have now a days. All these devices and social networking sites are acting as self monitoring applications. DJ What do you mean James? JAMES Well, it just seems to me like people are more interested these days in giving up their privacy by constantly leashing themselves to technology. Unplug yourselves people. Turn off the cell phones, shut down the computers, and just enjoy being in a black hole.

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DJ Well there you have it. Unplug yourselves. Thanks for the call James. JAMES Hey thanks. DJ 9.73 The Word, whos on the line? MAX Max DJ Whats up Max? MAX Hey I just wanted to shout out to my wife, Betsy. Youre the best honey. Love you lots. DJ Thats sweet Max. How long have two been married. MAX Itll be 6 months next weekend. DJ Well it sounds like congratulations are in order. Im sure Betsy is a lucky woman. MAX Heh, I think Im the lucky one. DJ Yeah. Alright thanks Max. Missy is on the phone for this freedom Friday. Missy. MISSY Yeah. DJ What did you want to say Missy? The radio broadcast continues playing nonstop and fades with the lights. (END OF SCENE) Scene 10 )

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3 months after the crash. Lights fade up. The car is now gone. All that is left is the tree which now has a wreath of flowers leaning against its base. No one is seen on stage. The following is a voice over. GERARD (Slow with building desperation) Its been 3 months to the day since it happened. You told me once that you didnt know how you were supposed to feel. (Pause) You said you couldnt feel. You dont know what Ive give to be that way. All I can do is feel. I feel angry and guilty and sad all the time. What I wouldnt give just to be devoid of everything. I just want to hear your voice. Just once. To tell me everything will be ok. To tell me how much you miss me, because I miss you so much. I cant think of anything else. Youre my life. All I have reminds me of you. (He pauses) I just keep playing that night over and over in my head. I remember thinking about all the things we did. How wonderful you are. How I can never find anyone like you again. I want to tell you how much I love you. I do. I think of absolutely nothing else, but how much I want you to know. That night. I couldnt I wanted to so much but I just couldnt. You told me it would all be ok. You told me how much you loved me. (Pause) And I just - I said nothing. (Long pause, lights fade) (Whispered) I miss you so much. (END OF SCENE)

Scene 11 3 months after the crash. The following scene takes place in complete darkness. No lights should be visible on stage at all. The radio broadcast slowly fades in. DJ Alright sports fans, its that time of the month again. No, not that time fellas, its the last Friday of the month and that means were giving you the freedom to say whatever youd like. Need to rant? Want to advertise, maybe you just want to say hi to mom, give us a call. Ninety seven three, The Word, this is Stacy. (Brief pause, silence) Stacey, what do you want to say? STACEY I just want to say hi to my boyfriend. Love you baby! DJ Whats your boyfriends name Stacey?

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STACEY His names Sean. DJ Seans a lucky man. 97.3, whose this? MIKE Mike. DJ Whats on your mind Mike? MIKE I guess I just wanted to comment on the protesters at the capitol right now. I mean, I support their whole pro-environment thing but I just cant take them seriously when theyre handing out bottled water to the people protesting. DJ That is confusing. Whend you see that Mike? MIKE It was today on lunch. DJ Thanks Mike. Ninety seven three The Word, whose on the line? GERARD (Hesitantly) This is Gerard. DJ Who do you want to shout out to Gerard? GERARD (Hesitant, Distantly) I want to tell Sylvia something. DJ Alright, whos Sylvia Gerard? GERARD Shesshe waBrief pause, then with determination: Shes my girlfriend. Nothing 33

DJ Ok Sylvia. Gerard has something to tell you. GERARD (Very hesitantly, almost a whisper) I want to tell you thatI just want to saySilence. DJ What did you want to say Gerard? (Beat, silence) Gerard? Looks like we lost Gerard. Its freedom Friday so give us a call. This is your radio and we want to her from you at 97.3 The Word. Music starts playing as if being broadcast through the radio. It is the same song Gerard and Sylvia danced to in the snow earlier in the play. The music plays for a few moments in the blackness before fading away forever. (THE END)

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Authors Notes This is still quite a work in progress. I definitely want to write many more scenes between Gerard and Sylvia to establish their background more and make them more real. I think this will serve quite well as the audience will (hopefully) feel like someone they know has actually just died in front of them. I want to play around with the radio broadcasts some and see if I cant get more out of them. Would this be full length play material?

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