TOUCHING THE OTHER SIDE

A one-act play
By Kerisa Van Gorden

Contact:
Kerisa Van Gorden
223 14th St. NW
Cleveland, TN 37311
kvango00@leeu.edu
(615) 627-6527

CHARACTERS

JULIET
--an actor in her early 20s playing as a 16-year-old American boarding school girl with an
interest in acting
ROM EO
--an actor in his early 20s playing as an 18-year-old American boarding school boy with a
romantic but ocassionally hotheaded disposition
M ERCUTIO
--an actor in his early 20s playing as an 18-year old American boarding school boy with a flair for
the dramatic and a severe case of brain trauma
ROSALINE
--an actor in her early 20s playing as an 18-year old American boarding school girl whose goal is
to become a teacher and a nun.
NARISSA
--an actor in her mid 20s playing as a Capulet family friend who often defaults to the flow of
popular opinion
CHORUS M EM BER
--an actor in his mid 30s playing various roles, including government employees and M r. Riviera,
a boarding school teacher

SETTING

Present day, a boarding school in Tennessee. There are several locations: an abandoned mill, a
class hallway at the Verona Boarding School, a central courtyard, a girl's dorm room, and the
exterior of the House M ontague dormitory.
The structures of the mill should be minimalistic, enough for the audience to understand what
they are looking at and to lend the setting a sort of rustic charm, but no more.
The class hallway should be set up so that it leads into a foyer that takes up most of the stage.
The audience should be able to see actors when they are in the hall and when they have entered
the foyer.
The central courtyard's primary piece is a large, tiered fountain, and the dorm room should
contain at least a bed.
The exterior of the House M ontague dormitory should have the appearance of a large building
that has been set on fire and doused to keep the building from collapsing entirely. Even if the
visible walls are not collapsed in any way, there should at least be scorch marks and ash stains to
show the ordeal the building has gone through.

SCENE 1
(The stage is set with the outlying buildings of a modernday abandoned mill. A flipped over car lies outside the
mill, stage right. A body lays a few feet away from the
car, and another body is crumpled on the ground on stage
left. A third body lies hidden behind the one next to the
car. ROM EO stands downstage and to the left, watching
the scene nervously. JULIET is stuck under the car and
forces her way out. She crawls to the body lying next to
the car and caresses its face.)
JULIET
Romeo? Romeo, talk to me. Say something, damn it!
(Romeo reaches for her.)
ROM EO
What do you want me to say? Tell me what you want to hear, and Ill try to say it to
you!
JULIET
(unable to hear Romeos ghost)
You actually did it, didnt you?
(She picks up the gun in the dead bodys hand and
examines it.)
I heard you fire, but I didnt think youd actually shot yourself. I thought you would
wait, try to see me one last time...
(Romeo tries to reach Juliet, but it is as if there is a barrier
between them, and he cannot touch her.)

2.

ROM EO
Im sorry! I only wanted to be with you again. I couldnt bear the thought of you dead
and alone.
(Juliet leans down and starts, as if she heard something.
Then, as if shes found some inner resolve, she fervently
kisses the lips of Romeos body. She lays the gun on the
ground as she does so.)
JULIET
I may not know how to fire a gun-(She scrambles around the car, looking for shards of
broken glass.)
--but I will find a way to join you. I wont let death keep us apart.
(She kneels next to Romeos body, shoves the glass into
her wrists, and falls down, dead.)
ROM EO
JULIET!
(Stricken, Romeo finally breaks through the barrier and
embraces Juliet. Juliet rises, moving the third hidden body
to take her place on top of Romeos body. Romeo helps
Juliet up and holds her against his chest.)
ROM EO
Oh, Julie. I never thought Id hold you again. But you didnt have to-JULIET
Romeo? Is this real?
ROM EO
Yeah, Julie. Youre dead, but youre not dreaming. Im really here, and Im never gonna
leave you again. I promise.
JULIET
But if this is real, then where are we?

3.

ROM EO
Were...were at the mill. Its just we dont have bodies anymore.
(Romeo points out their bodies to Juliet. Juliet stares at
the bodies and steps away from Romeo, clearly
disturbed.)
ROM EO
(anxiously)
Juliet? Hey, I know its strange, but you get used to it. It only took me a couple minutes.
Its not so bad being like this, you know?
(He steps toward her and tries to take her back into his
arms. She hugs herself and backs into the car.)
Isnt this what you wanted? Didnt you want to be with me?
JULIET
I wanted to be with you alive. I wanted us to run off together, to have a life together.
ROM EO
We can still do that. Heck, we could go anywhere, do anything!
(Juliet shoves Romeo in the chest.)
JULIET
Thats not what I mean! I didnt just want us!
(Romeo uses the momentum from Juliets shove to pull
her closer to him. He looks like hes comforting her, but
hes really ignoring most of what shes saying.)
Its not that I dont want to be with you, I do. Its just...there were things I wanted to do
that were about more than being with you. Doesnt that make sense?
ROM EO
Yeah. And I think I can make it work.
JULIET
What do you mean?

4.

ROM EO
Well, I know I said we could go anywhere and do anything, and we could, but Ive been
thinking about this, and-JULIET
Weve been dead for less than an hour. How have you managed to have time to think
about anything?
ROM EO
Im a fast thinker. Anyway, Ive been thinking we could live here. We wouldnt have to
stay all the time, I guess, but look at this place.
(He steps away from her and gestures at the mill.)
These buildings hold our story! Can you imagine anything more romantic?
JULIET
Is that all you think about? Romance?
ROM EO
I wasnt finished. Like I said, these buildings hold our story. Other lovers, men and
women like us, come here. They may be under the same strains we were, fighting the
same battles against family politics and petty rivalries. We could encourage them, make
them see that true love is possible.
JULIET
Thats not what I meant, Romeo... And how are we supposed to encourage them? Were
dead, for Christs sake.
ROM EO
M aybe so, but I could have sworn you heard me trying to speak to you, back when you
got out of the car and wanted me to say something. You stopped, right before you kissed
me. You did hear me, didnt you?
(There is a slight pause.)
JULIET
I...Im not sure.
(Sirens wail offstage followed by the rumble of a car
coming to a stop.

5.

CHORUS M EM BER runs on from stage left and gapes

at the scene of the wreck and the suicides. He speaks into
his radio.)
CHORUS M EM BER
Get an ambulance down here, stat, and tell the Capulets theres been a terrible accident.
They were right to send us after Paris when they couldnt make contact with him.
(Juliet trembles visibly.)
ROM EO
Julie? Whats wrong?
(Romeo takes her hands and rubs them. M eanwhile, the
Chorus member seems to be listening to the operator on
the other side of his radio.)
JULIET
What do you think? M y parents...theyre going to be here. Theyre going to see me. And
Ill have to see them looking at me, at my body. And theres nothing Ill be able to do for
them. Just watch them in their pain!
ROM EO
Were you not listening to me? We can communicate with the living, I know it! Its just
gonna take some luck and practice on our part. You could try talking to your parents,
telling them okay. Telling them youre happy.
CHORUS M EM BER
As in Ive got three bodies down here, and they all look dead, goddamnit! Any more
stupid questions? No? Good.
(The Chorus member exits stage left and quickly returns
with yellow caution tape, which he uses to mark the
perimeter of the scene, completely oblivious to the two
ghosts.)
JULIET
Romeo, Im dead! Dead, dead, dead, and it doesnt matter what kind of disembodied voice
they hear, Ill still be dead, and thats not going to change! You think I can just whisper
their pain away and make it all disappear, I wish I could, but I know I cant.

6.

(Juliets voice breaks, and she curls in upon herself.)

And I cant, I cant watch them falling to pieces...just from looking at me.
(Romeo cradles Juliet against his chest.)
ROM EO
We dont have to stay out here. You dont have to watch. We could go into the mill, start
our new life together. Ill be with you every step of the way.
JULIET
But-(Romeo kisses her before she can argue with him.)
ROM EO
Its going to be okay.
(Romeo and Juliet remain in their embrace. The Chorus
member finishes blocking the area off and surveys the
scene.)
CHORUS M EM BER
I hope the ambulence gets here soon. I would hate to be the paramedic trying to keep
M rs. Capulet at a distance from all of this.
JULIET
Okay. Lets go.
(Romeo leads Juliet into the mill and offstage. Blackout.
End of Scene 1.)

SCENE 2
(Romeo and Juliet are sleeping on the floor inside one of
the mill buildings. The walls are graffitied with fluid,
sinuous shapes and abstract representations of nature.
The two are facing each other, and Romeos arms are
wrapped around Juliets back.)

7.

JULIET
Romeo? Are you awake?
(Romeo opens his eyes.)
ROM EO
Yeah. Im not sure I even went to sleep. M aybe we cant sleep anymore.
JULIET
Well, its not like we need to. But thats beside the point.
(She sits up. There is a slight pause. Romeo sits up
slowly.)
ROM EO
Im listening.
JULIET
I know, I know, Im just trying to think of how to say this.
(She takes a deep breath.)
Okay. I know you want to stay here. But I just dont. I dont see the point of it. Yeah,
we had sex here and died here and all of that, but we lived at the school. Thats where we
met. Thats where our friends and families are. Thats where we were trying to
accomplish our goals for the future. I would much rather go back there than stay here.
ROM EO
What do you mean, youd rather go back? Last night, you were freaking out about your
parents seeing you dead. Now you want to see how the entire school takes it?
JULIET
Its different from last night, okay? Seeing my parents...that was more about them seeing
my body. Them seeing me dead. At the school, theyll just know Im dead, and theyll
know by the time we get there.
ROM EO
Okay... But I still dont understand why you would want to go back. They were our
friends and our family, but I dont see them that way anymore. Theyre the reason were
dead, Juliet.

8.

If it werent for their prejudice and their meddling, none of this would have happened,
and you seemed really upset about us dying in the first place last night. Why do you
want to go back to the people responsible for your death?
(Juliet scrambles up and begins pacing. Romeo rocks to
his feet, a concerned look on his face.)
JULIET
Why is it so hard to explain this to you?! I told you, I want to do more than just be with
you. I want our lives to mean something.
ROM EO
And I told you, they can mean something.
(He starts mirroring her movement, trying to get her to
look at him.)
Julie, thats why I want to stay here. Our lives demonstrate the power of true love. No
matter what the Houses do now, whether they stop fighting or keep up the feud, the
school is never going to be about love. The school is about studying and academics. This
place-JULIET
You say that like studying, like vocation, like everything we were working toward before
we met, isnt important!
ROM EO
Im not saying its unimportant, but isnt love much more important than all that?
(Juliet stops, and Romeo approaches her carefully. She is
frustrated and close to tears.)
Wouldnt it be better to be in a place where we fit, where we naturally belong?
JULIET
I dont know. I dont know anymore.
(Romeo hugs her from behind.)
Do you really think they stopped fighting?

9.

(Romeo hesitates before answering.)

ROM EO
Yeah. I think they did. But they dont need our ghosts to go through with making peace.
They have memories of us for that.
(Juliet steps away from him and faces him.)
JULIET
How can you be sure?
ROM EO
What do you mean?
JULIET
How can you be sure they stopped fighting? Do you really think we meant that much to
them?
ROM EO
Of course I do! Did you not hear your father last night, weeping about his fear and hatred
and attempts to control you?
JULIET
(sulkily)
I was trying not to.
ROM EO
Well, I heard him, and your mother, too. They know what they did to us, and theyre
going to make amends.
JULIET
And will your parents let them? You didnt overhear the M ontagues sobbing and
promising forgiveness last night, did you?
ROM EO
Youre really not going to give up on this, are you?
JULIET
Why should I? If you were so sure that everything was better, then you wouldnt be so
hesitant about going back, now would you?

10.

Youre just scared that Im right, and us killing ourselves didnt change anything, that our
lives really arent a sign of true love, that everything you think is wrong!
(Romeo gets visibly angry and narrowly avoids grabbing
her roughly.)
ROM EO
This is stupid. Damnit, Julie, why cant you just be happy for us? I mean, we love each
other, dont we?
(Juliet looks a little abashed. She nods.)
JULIET
I do love you. I do. I just...
(She crosses her fingers behind her back where Romeo
cant see.)
I want to see them. I want to be at peace about my past before...before we start over
here.
ROM EO
Okay. We can do that. Hey, Im sure youve got nothing to worry about.
(He kisses her forehead. She smiles weakly, and they
walk offstage, leaving the mill behind. Blackout. End of
Scene 2.)

SCENE 3
(Inside the Verona Boarding School. Romeo and Juliet
stand in a foyer with doors leading outside. Opposite the
doors, a hallway that leads into the rest of the school.
There is DIM LIGHTING in the foyer, and the hallway
is black. It is evening outside; the sun will set soon. Juliet
is looking down the hall, ignoring most of what Romeo
says.)

11.

ROM EO
So, what do you think? From what I could tell, theyre at peace with each other. I bet
Tybalts expulsion helped with that somewhat, but he wasnt the only aggressive
hothead here. If they wanted to, they could be fighting without him, but theyre not.
JULIET
M mm.
ROM EO
Julie? Isnt this what you wanted to come and see? I told you they would be fine. I told
you we made a difference.
(There is a slight pause. Romeo waves his hand in front
of Juliets face.)
Uh, Julie?
JULIET
What? Oh! Oh, Im sorry, I was just thinking.
ROM EO
I could tell. But youve seen the school now. Dont you think its time we headed back
home?
JULIET
Oh. Hmm. Well.
ROM EO
Whats gotten into you, Julie?
JULIET
Nothing! I just... Did you notice that M ercutio never left the building with the others?
ROM EO
M erc? I didnt even notice he was here. Its good to know hes out of the hospital now. I
was afraid Tybalt killed him when they got into that brawl.
JULIET
Yeah, which is why you proceeded to punch Tybalt senseless right away and get
yourself expelled.

12.

ROM EO
Look, I didnt want to get expelled, and Tybalt was asking for it. I didnt care if he
insulted me, but no way was I going to let him destroy M erc like that and get away with
it.
JULIET
Well, anyway, I think M ercutio is still in the building. Its strange for him not to go to
rehearsal right away.
(M ERCUTIO enters the hallway and walks toward the
foyer. He seems normal, no bruising or other external
evidence of an injury.)
Do you hear that? I wonder if he finally decided to leave the classroom.
(Juliet twists her hands nervously and turns her attention
away from Romeo completely. Romeo places his hand on
her back and also turns his attention toward the hallway.
M ercutio enters the foyer. He walks straight past the
ghosts and toward the exit. He stops at the door and
stares at the handle. He looks from his hand to the handle
and frowns. Romeo and Juliet watch in concern.)
ROM EO
What is he doing? Why doesnt he just leave?
JULIET
I dont know. It seems like he cant figure out how to pull the door open.
ROM EO
Thats ridiculous! A kid can figure out how to pull a door open, no problem. You really
think M ercutio cant?
(Juliet ignores Romeo and walks up to M ercutio. She
tries to pick his arm up, but her hand passes through his
body. She tries to shove him forward with no effect.)
JULIET
Damn it!
(She takes a deep breath.)

13.

M ercutio, can you hear me? Please try to hear me. I know Im dead, but you need to get
to rehearsal. Youre supposed to be playing Hector in the Iliad, remember? All you need
to do is open the door and walk to the theater. Just push on it like this.
(She pushes against the door, and her hand goes through.
She moans, and Romeo walks up to her.)
ROM EO
Uh, Julie?
(Juliet whirls on him.)
JULIET
WHAT?
(M ercutio winces and puts his hands over his ears. He
looks around, confused, and turns away from the door
entirely.)
M ERCUTIO
M r. Riviera?
(Juliet turns to look at M ercutio, something akin to awe
on her face.)
JULIET
He heard me.
ROM EO
I told you we can cross the barrier. Im still not sure exactly how, but you see we can do
it.
(Juliet beams at Romeo and hugs him tightly.)
JULIET
Oh, I love you, Romeo!
ROM EO
(chuckling)
I love you, too, Julie.

14.

JULIET
Do you think we can try to help him?
ROM EO
I dont see why not. Though it does seem strange that hes having any difficulty in the
first place. Ill try to get the door open, and you try speaking to him again.
(Juliet nods several times, and they set to their appointed
tasks.)
JULIET
M ERCUTIO, CAN YOU HEAR M E?
(Romeo winces, but M ercutio doesnt respond. Juliet
frowns. Romeo is focused on Juliet, and Juliet is focused
on M ercutio when the door bursts open and the Chorus
member walks into the foyer in the garb of a teacher. He
is panting, as if he ran across the campus to get to the
building.)
CHORUS M EM BER
M ercutio! There you are! Oh, thank God.
(M ercutio turns to look at the Chorus member.)
I should have known not to trust that one of your classmates would help you back to
your dorm.
M ERCUTIO
Back...to my dorm?
CHORUS M EM BER
Yes, where else would you go? I know its not that late, but your RA is waiting there
with your dinner.
(M ercutios brow furrows. He tries and fails to open his
mouth and then makes meaningless gestures with his
hands. The Chorus member shakes his head and leads
M ercutio out of the building. Juliet covers her mouth
with her hands and looks ready to weep.)

15.

JULIET
Oh, Romeo. Tell me thats not the same M ercutio you knew.
ROM EO
No, youre right. Theres something wrong with him. Hes barely functioning. How is he
even still in school?
JULIET
Does it matter? His teachers obviously think he can still succeed. And we can help! With
some practice, we can talk to him, encourage him, remind him of what he should be doing
and where he should be going. M aybe we can even open doors for him and push him in
the right directions.
ROM EO
Whoa, whoa, slow down, Juliet! Were not staying here. You said you wanted to come
and see everyone, and we did. I thought you wanted us to start over now.
JULIET
I do. I want to start a life with you and be with you, but why cant w e do that here? No,
its not as romantic as the mill, but there are still things we can do, people we can help.
Ways to tell our story.
ROM EO
This is about M ercutio, isnt it? How come you know him so well?
JULIET
We were in theater together. He taught me everything I know about it except for what I
learned from the teachers. Are you mad that I want to stay and help him?
(Romeo folds his arms over his chest and glares out the
doors.)
ROM EO
Im mad that you want to stay and be with him!
(Juliet takes Romeos arm and looks up at him
pleadingly.)
JULIET
Romeo, thats not what I meant at all! Its not just M ercutio. I mean, I was just using him
as an example; I dont love him or anything like that.

16.

ROM EO
Then lets go.
(He walks through the door and faces her, staring her
down. Juliet gulps and follows after him. Blackout. End
of Scene 3.)

SCENE 4
(The school courtyard. A tiered fountain with a pool base
is in the center, and perhaps a tree or two are artfully
placed on the grounds. Romeo and Juliet enter stage right,
having just left the academic buildings foyer. The sun is
low but not yet setting. Romeo marches purposefully
forward, Juliet dawdling behind him. Suddenly,
ROSALINE storms onto the scene from stage left.)
ROSALINE
Jesus, M ary, and Joseph, Narissa, no! I wont do it!
(Romeo stops in his tracks, startled. Juliet comes up next
to him, more intrigued. Huffing, NARISSA hurries
onstage after Rosaline. Juliet glares at Narissa and takes
Romeos arm possessively, but not out of jealousy.)
NARISSA
But why not, Rosa? Cant you see its perfect? What better way can you think of to
cement the new peace, the new union, between M ontague and Capulet?
(Rosaline whirls on Narissa and laughs darkly. She makes
a point of getting in Narissas space, attacking the other
woman with her posture.)
ROSALINE
Not my circus, not my monkeys, Nari. And what if we did become this symbol, eh?
What if we went through with this lunacy and it all fell apart? Horror of horrors, what if
Benvolio and I broke up after you all pushed us together? M aybe the Houses would go
right back to fighting. Heavens knows theyre hotheaded enough to do it. No, I dont
want any part in your schemes. You asinine meddlers are going to have to figure out how
to cement the peace yourselves.

17.

(Narissa, Romeo, and Juliet all speak at once, each with a

different inflection.)
NARISSA
(shocked)
Rosaline!
ROM EO
(angry)
Rosaline!
JULIET
(surprised, but in an awed way)
Rosa?
(Rosaline turns toward Romeo and Juliet, her face ashen
as if she is about to cry.)
ROSALINE
Julie?
NARISSA
Do not change the subject, Rosaline! This is unacceptable behavior from you.
(Juliets instinct is to shrink away, but she stands firm
and lets go of Romeos arm. Romeo gives her a confused
look.)
ROSALINE
Quiet, Nari! I thought... I thought I heard little Julie, saying my name.
(Narissa takes Rosalines hand and guides her to the
fountain. They sit on the edge of the pool base, Narissa
on the left and Rosaline on the right. They do not touch.
Juliet walks up and sits down next to Rosaline, placing
her invisible hand over Rosalines. Romeo follows Juliet
slowly but does not sit. He stands with his arms folded
across his chest.)

18.

NARISSA
(gentle)
You must have imagined it, my dear. Do you miss her?
ROSALINE
What kind of a question is that? Of course, I miss her! She was like my little sister when
she first came here.
NARISSA
Then think of her if I cant persuade you. Dont you think she would have wanted you to
find true love? Oh, she must have thought it the most important thing in the world!
(Juliet flinches at this pronouncement, but Romeo beams
and sits down next to Juliet, his posture becoming much
more relaxed.)
ROM EO
Tell her, Julie! Tell her that Narissa is right.
(Juliet bites her lip but has no time to speak.)
ROSALINE
The most important thing in the world? Nari, it killed her before she even had the chance
to do anything with her life!
NARISSA
Perhaps not with her life, but she did so much with her death. If she hadnt died, the
Houses would still be at war, and we would have lost her anyway. She would have
eloped with Romeo, and you probably never would have seen her again.
(Romeo places his arm around Juliets shoulders. Juliet
looks down at her lap.)
ROM EO
(defensive)
As if that would have been a bad thing!
ROSALINE
So now what? Youre telling me that its better for Juliet to be dead?
(Rosaline stands up, and Juliet looks up, leaning against
Romeo as she watches Rosaline.)

19.

Well, I tell you that youre wrong. About Juliet, about me, about this whole damn
business! But youre not going to give up, are you? None of you will, and in that respect,
Im going to respond exactly how Juliet did. Im not going to let you control me!
(Juliet hunches over, starting to rock herself back and
forth. Romeo tries to get her to look at him.Rosaline
walks back the way she came, and Narissa scrambles after
her, grabbing her arm and tugging on her.)
ROM EO
Julie? Whats wrong? Talk to me, sweetheart.
(Juliet shakes her head.)
JULIET
Please, Romeo. Its too much right now.
ROM EO
What do you mean? Whats too much?
(Narissa succeeds in getting Rosalines attention and
dragging her back onto the stage.)
NARISSA
What do you mean, Rosaline? Where are you going?
ROSALINE
Where I was planning to go after I graduated, but I cant stay here any longer with you
and the school breathing down my back. Find another Capulet to date Benvolio. I wont
do your dirty work for you.
(Romeo jumps to his feet and moves to go after
Rosaline.)
ROM EO
Well, if you wont try to talk some sense into her, Juliet, then I will. She has no idea what
shes saying.
(Juliet scrambles to her feet and grabs his arm.)

20.

JULIET
Romeo, just stop, okay?
NARISSA
Rosaline, have a heart! The boy is in love with you! Have you no pity or compassion for
him?
(Romeo tries to shrug Juliet away.)
ROM EO
But she needs our help! She and Benvolio both do! Cant you see?
ROSALINE
No, he has enough pity for himself to make me sick. And if anyone in this whole debacle
needs pity and compassion, its M ercutio, whos determined to get his degree despite
what everyone else says about him.
(Rosaline yanks herself away from Narissa, and Romeo
angrily tries to go after her. Juliet holds him back.)
ROM EO
(attempting to be intimidating)
ROSALINE!
(Rosaline shows no signs of having heard Romeo but
continues with her thoughts on M ercutio and the school.)
ROSALINE
M aybe the school should think more about helping him and less about finding a live pair
of star-crossed lovers to champion and fawn over.
(Rosaline exits. Narissa clenches her fists, and her body
contorts into a posture of extreme frustration.)
NARISSA
Damn that stubborn girl!
(Narissa stomps offstage. Juliet finally releases Romeo,
and he turns on her, towering over her.)

21.

ROM EO
What the hell, Julie? Why did you stop me? I could have shown her how wrong she is
and saved her and Benvolio from their misery!
(Juliet folds her arms over her chest; she isnt backing
down now.)
JULIET
What makes you think she would be so happy if she found true love? And what makes
you think that shed want to be in a relationship with Benvolio, of all people? Did you
not hear the contempt in her voice when she talked about him? You know nothing about
her!
ROM EO
I dont have to know anything about her! How could she not want what we have? How
could she not want true love?
JULIET
(nearly screaming)
I dont know, maybe because she decided a long time ago that she wanted to become a
nun! Or did you forget that little detail about her?!
ROM EO
(sulkily)
Its not like I forgot. I did want to date her before I met you, you know. But do you
really think she could be happy living like that? Especially after you know what its like
to have someone to love?
JULIET
Stop it, Romeo. Just stop.
(Romeo shakes his head.)
ROM EO
I shouldnt have let you convince me to take you here. Its changed you, Julie. Cant you
see that Im worried about you?
(Romeo caresses her face.)
JULIET
Youre not worried about me. Not really.

22.

ROM EO
But of course I am. This place is hurting you, Julie. Its making you lose your faith. We
need to go back to the mill where you wont have to worry about your memories of these
people attacking and confining you.
JULIET
No.
(Romeos hand and arm stiffen, his fingers barely
touching her cheek.)
ROM EO
But Juliet-(Juliet distances herself from Romeo and clenches her
fists.)
JULIET
No. You leave if you want. Im staying here. This is where I want to be.
ROM EO
But you died to be with me! How can you want for us to be apart?
JULIET
I didnt say you had to leave. I only said that Im staying here. If you decide to stay, then
well work on figuring this relationship thing out and find a way to live together.
(Romeo approaches her aggressively.)
ROM EO
This relationship thing is figured out! Were dating. Were in love. We were going to get
married! Theres no way to find and nothing to figure out! I love you, you love me, and
were going to do whats best for us, which is getting away from this school.
JULIET
(yelling)
And what if I dont anymore? Damn it, Romeo, sometimes you and your assumptions
make me wish I was dead!
(Romeo leans toward her, arms outstretched in a pleading
gesture.)

23.

ROM EO
Juliet, that doesnt even make any sense!
(Juliet covers her face with her hands.)
JULIET
Stop trying to control me!
(Juliet runs from Romeo, exiting stage left after Rosaline
and Narissa. Romeo is left on the stage, staring after her.
He shakes his head and meanders toward the fountain,
sitting down on the ledge. He puts his face in his hands.
Blackout. End of Scene 4.)

SCENE 5
(A split stage. Stage right, Rosalines dorm room. She is
packing her things together, drawers opened crazily and a
suitcase on her bed. Juliet sits on the bed watching her.
Stage left, Romeo is in the courtyard, still sitting on the
fountain ledge. There should be a small sheet hanging
from the ceiling near the back of the stage. The scene
starts with the whole stage LIT for a second or so.
LIGHTS SHIFT to Rosalines room, but Romeo does not
freeze.)
ROSALINE
I cant believe this. Four years here, I almost have my degree, and I feel like I have to
leave in the middle of my last term because these knuckleheads wont leave me alone!
First it was Romeo making ga-ga eyes at me from across the hallway, and now this!
(She aggressively throws something into her suitcase.)
JULIET
Is it really so bad, do you think, Rosaline? Being in love? It didnt used to be that way,
not for me, at least.
ROSALINE
If only the whole school wasnt against me! I mean, I could handle it if I just had to deal
with Benvolio. Ive done that before. But now...

24.

(She shakes her head and clenches her fists.)

Now I cant walk down the halls, enter a classroom, without someone asking me when
Benvolio and I are going to get together, when were going to make things right. Huh, as if
that would make things better again.
JULIET
Im sorry, Rosaline. I didnt mean to do this to you. You know that, right? I just wish I
wasnt so confused myself. I wish...
(Juliet should express some emotion of sadness, longing,
and frustration. A nervous laugh or squeezing her arms
around herself or something similar.)
I wish you could help me! And Im not even sure you can! I dont know if youd
understand.
(LIGHTS SHIFT to the courtyard. Again, Rosaline and
Juliet remain in motion, Rosaline still packing and Juliet
still trying to process her thoughts.)
ROM EO
(voice cracking)
Im sorry, Julie. Im sorry.
(He lifts his head and rubs his hands together, looking
around the courtyard as if he can find answers there.)
How did we end up like this? I didnt mean... I wasnt trying...
(He shakes his head.)
God, I screwed up so bad. I just wanted what was best for us. I wanted us to be able to
remember.
(LIGHTS SHIFT to the sheet. The actors onstage freeze.
Shadows or puppets should be used to enact the
following scene, spoken by Romeo and Juliet with their
eyes closed. The scene begins with Romeos shadow
alone on the screen.

25.

Juliet drives up and gets out of her car. Narissa is in the

passenger seat and drives the car away, leaving the two
lovers alone. Juliet runs up and embraces Romeo.)
ROM EO
(throaty, disbelieving)
You actually came.
JULIET
Of course I did. Did you really think Id leave you hanging? Or maybe you thought Id
forget.
ROM EO
I dont know what I thought. I just know I wouldnt be able to stand it if you didnt
make it.
JULIET
Really?
ROM EO
Honest to God. Come on.
(He makes a grand, flourishing bow.)
Your dinner awaits you.
(Juliet laughs. Romeo takes her hand, and the
puppets/shadows mimic walking and then stop in front
of a doorway. Juliet gasps.)
JULIET
Oh, its perfect! You really did think of everything, didnt you?
ROM EO
That was the goal. Shall I escort you to your seat, my lady?
JULIET
(with mock formality)
Why, thank you, kind sir.

26.

(The puppets/shadows mimic walking forward again, and

Romeo helps Juliet sit down. He then walks around and
sits down facing her. They are sitting on cushions on the
floor, and their dinner is a picnic spread out on a blanket
between them. They begin eating.)
JULIET
Romeo?
ROM EO
Yes, Juliet?
JULIET
Do you really think we can make this work? What if everyone finds out?
ROM EO
What are they gonna do, try to get us expelled? I know itd be awkward, but its not like
there are rules against anybody dating anybody else.
JULIET
What if our parents find out?
(Romeo crawls over to Juliet and takes her onto his lap,
holding her close.)
ROM EO
Theyre gong to find out eventually, you know. If we get married. When we get married.
JULIET
I know that, but thats not now. Thats in the future. It seems a lot less scary than if they
found out right now. Right now, they could separate us, disown us, do anything, really.
ROM EO
I know. Heck, they might disown us after were married and theres nothing else they can
do about it. Im willing to take that, risk, though, to be with you. Together, we can work
through anything.
JULIET
You really think so?
ROM EO
I wouldnt say it if I didnt believe it. Dont you believe it, too?

27.

JULIET
I believe you.
(There is a slight pause.)
Romeo?
ROM EO
Yes, Juliet?
JULIET
I love you.
ROM EO
I know, Julie. I love you, too. M ore than anything.
(Juliet turns around in Romeos arms.)
JULIET
No, Romeo. I love you.
(She kisses him, a passionate kiss. There is a slight
pause.)
ROM EO
Are you sure?
JULIET
Yes.
ROM EO
Wait a second.
(He slides her off his lap and starts moving the leftover
food off the blanket.)
Do you want me to blow the candles out? They might get knocked over.
(Juliet nods.)

28.

JULIET
I think itll be easier if I cant see you all the way.
ROM EO
Hey, we dont have to do this.
JULIET
No, I want to. Im just nervous is all. Arent you?
ROM EO
(a little breathless)
Yeah.
(Romeo mimics blowing candles out, one by one.)
ROM EO
Hwooh, hwooh, hwooh, hwooh.
JULIET
Hwooh.
(As Juliet blows out the last candle, the LIGHTS
SWITCH OFF. The stage is dark.)
ROM EO
Juliet?
JULIET
Im here.
(Crawling noises. Then the sound of two people bumping
their heads together. Romeo and Juliet giggle nervously.)
ROM EO
Whoops. You okay?
JULIET
Ahuh. Gosh, and I thought rehearsing to play Briseis was awkward.
ROM EO
M aybe because this is real and thats pretend.

29.

JULIET
Yeah. Romeo?
ROM EO
Yes, Juliet?
JULIET
Youre not going to let anything bad happen to me, will you?
(There is a very slight pause, just enough for Romeo to
sound sincere.)
ROM EO
Never.
(LIGHTS UP on the full stage. Romeo and Juliet open
their eyes.)
ROM EO
I meant it, Juliet. I wasnt going to let you get hurt. I didnt mean for you to die!
JULIET
Oh, Romeo. I know you didnt mean to break your promise. I know you care more about
me than anyone else in the world. I just dont understand the way you work sometimes.
Its like you forget who I am, forget how I told you I wanted to touch the human soul and
breathe life into another persons art.
(Juliets voice gradually rises in pitch and intensity, her
anger and frustration bubbling over.)
You told me I was a jewel among women for saying those things. Dont you remember,
the night we first met? And now I feel like youve taken all that back, like youre stifling
me, like you cant live with anything if its not done your way!
(LIGHTS SHIFT to Rosalines room. Rosaline slams her
suitcase shut and leans forward.)
ROSALINE
Why do they think everything has to be their way?! I dont understand it! Im part of
this school, too. Shouldnt I get a say on my place in it?

30.

(LIGHTS SHIFT to the courtyard. Rosaline is still

breathing heavily in her room.)
ROM EO
Ill find a way to make it better, Juliet. I promise, Ill find a way. Just let me take you
away from here. Let me take you back to that night, just me and you with nothing
between us.
(LIGHTS SHIFT back to Rosalines room. Rosaline
glares at the door, but it is with a wounded anger. There is
more pain than hatred in her posture and voice.)
ROSALINE
I didnt come here to get married. I didnt think any of us did. We came here to learn, to
move toward something bigger than ourselves, to find the place where we fit into the
world.
(She closes her eyes and tilts her head back.)
And I found it, too. I know what I want with my life.
(She looks directly at the audience.)
Call me crazy if you want, but I know. I want to teach, but even more than that, I want
to be able to reach out to children who have no one else. Juliet knew.
(She looks down at her suitcase.)
She didnt laugh at me, either, when I told her I wanted to become a nun. A missionary
nun, I guess you might say.
(Juliet scoots closer to Rosaline on the bed and places her
hand on Rosalines.)
JULIET
(firm, focused)
No, I didnt laugh. I was a little nervous at first, Ill admit. I thought maybe you should
talk more with your Father Confessor about it, and well, I thought a lot of things. But I
trusted you. Now I kind of wish Id trusted you with more.

31.

(Rosaline starts and jerks away from Juliet, pale and stiff.
She puts her hands over her ears.)
ROSALINE
I am not going crazy. Lord have mercy, its like staying here is literally driving me insane.
(LIGHTS SHIFT to the courtyard. Romeo curls his
fingers in his hair.)
ROM EO
Agh, this is driving me insane!
(He jumps to his feet.)
Ive got to find her. Ive got to fix this before its too late.
(Romeo exits stage left. LIGHTS SHIFT to Rosalines
room. Juliet scrambles to her feet and tries to touch
Rosaline reassuringly in some way, but she cant.)
JULIET
(nervous, speaking too fast)
Oh, gosh, Rosa, thats not what I meant! I meant... No, thats not it. I wanted to talk to
you, okay? Please! I need to talk this out with you. Please dont be afraid...
ROSALINE
Im not sure if I want to hear her voice again or if that will only make it worse.
(Rosaline lets her hands drop to her sides slowly.)
Oh, Julie! Im not sure about this, you know. It feels an awful lot like running away, and
you know I told you never to run away. I told you to be strong. I just, I dont know if I
can anymore. Not with you so recently gone.
JULIET
Well, Im doing my best to come back if youd just listen to me!
(She scrubs her hand over her face.)
Im gonna have to work on this. If only--

32.

(She stops herself before finishing the thought. Fire truck,

ambulance, and police car sirens wail in the distance,
quickly moving closer. Juliet and Rosaline jerk to
attention and exit stage right at a run. Blackout. End of
Scene 5.)

SCENE 6
(LIGHTS UP on Chorus member as a policeman standing
in the center of the stage. The rest of the stage should be
dark except for M ontague House, which should glow
with an orange-ish red light. M ontague House takes up
most of stage right, and the buildings entrance faces the
stages center. This is the Houses front entrance, which
looks out on an open field and the road leading off
campus. The front of the building is in flames, and a fire
truck sits upstage, keeping the fire at bay with a water
hose. In one hand, Chorus member holds a flashlight and
scans the stage with it. He listens in to his radio and nods
a couple of times.)
CHORUS M EM BER
Ive got everyone moved to the other side of the building, and were doing a full
evacuation just in case we cant get this thing under control.
(The radio crackles, a quick question.)
Yes, we identified the witness. Kingsleys questioning him now, and well work on
getting a warrant in the morning. Okay. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
(LIGHT FOLLOWS Chorus member as he walks around
the back of M ontague House, giving it a wide berth, and
exits. For a moment, the stage is dark except for the
headlights of the fire truck and the glow of the burning
building. LIGHTS UP on Rosaline and Juliet as they
enter downstage from the right. Rosaline is using her
phone as a flashlight. She gasps and crosses herself after
the Roman Catholic fashion.)

33.

ROSALINE
M other of God! What on earth happened?
JULIET
(under her breath)
Id bet my tongue whoever did it was a Capulet. I told Romeo that our deaths hadnt
really changed anything!
(Rosaline looks around, looking for someone, anyone.
Juliet stays close to her, hovering like a protective
guardian angel.)
ROSALINE
Everyone must be in the courtyard, away from the fire. Heavens, I hope no one got hurt!
(She shakes her head.)
Well, I shouldnt just stand around here. They might need help back there calming the
younger students and getting them out of the way. Theres no telling what kind of chaos
is going on.
(LIGHT FOLLOWS Rosaline as she goes to exit the way
she came. Juliet trots after her. The Chorus member as
M r. Riviera enters and collides with Rosaline. Romeo is
trailing the Chorus member and instinctively jumps back
from the collision. If he enters the light, it should be only
for a moment, not long enough for Juliet to notice. Chorus
member and Rosaline should stumble off-balance for a
moment, but Chorus member grabs Rosalines shoulders
and rights her.)
CHORUS M EM BER
M ercutio, is that you?
ROSALINE
M r. Riviera? What are you doing here? Shouldnt you be helping the other teachers with
the M ontague students?
CHORUS M EM BER
The M ontague students?

34.

(There is a slight pause. Chorus member stares at

Rosaline, puzzled. Rosaline folds her arms over her chest
and gives him a pointed look.)
Ah yes, the M ontague students! You mean with the evacuation and all. Well, Im sure
they can handle all that without me. Tell me, have you seen M ercutio?
ROSALINE
(suspiciously)
Not since this morning. Why?
CHORUS M EM BER
Oh, dash it all, because hes missing, thats why! I thought perhaps he had wandered
around here since he used to spend a lot of time with the M ontagues-JULIET
Or maybe he went to the theater because he knows hes supposed to have rehearsal.
CHORUS M EM BER
--but...
ROSALINE
He wasnt here?
JULIET
Good grief, its like everyones forgotten one of the most important chunks of his life!
(Romeo steps around toward Juliet.)
ROM EO
(with a hint of jealousy)
Everyone but you apparently.
(Juliet starts and takes a step back, not trusting, not
wanting him there.)
CHORUS M EM BER
I didnt get the chance to look. Now if youll excuse me, Ill be on my way. I suggest you
return to your dorm before curfew.

35.

(As Chorus member turns to leave, Romeo runs up to

Juliet and takes her hands.)
ROM EO
Im sorry, Julie. I didnt mean... I didnt mean to say that. It just kind of slipped out. Oh
gosh.
ROSALINE
It was you who saw the fire first, wasnt it? You called the police in. Who did this, M r.
Riviera?
CHORUS M EM BER
(stiffly)
I dont know. Good evening, Rosaline.
(Chorus member exits. Rosaline scowls.)
ROSALINE
Teachers!
(Rosaline exits, following after Chorus member. Juliet
turns her face away from Romeo and nods toward the
exit.)
JULIET
Hes lying.
ROM EO
I know. I was looking for you when the cops pulled him aside to ask some questions.
JULIET
You were?
ROM EO
Yeah. I wanted to apologize. Im sorry I got so angry at you. I shouldnt have yelled and
let myself get so upset. And...and I think youre right now, about the school. I told you
that they didnt need us anymore, but its not fixed yet. I know that now.
JULIET
Because you know who set your House on fire, is that it?

36.

ROM EO
Dont be like that, Julie. Are you even listening to me?
JULIET
Yes. You were trying to apologize and tell me why I was right about the school. Go on.
ROM EO
Juliet! Gosh, darn it, why am I even trying?
(Romeo turns away from her and makes nervous, agitated
motions. Juliets posture loosens slightly, but she does
not approach him.)
JULIET
Well, who was it?
(Romeo turns to face her.)
ROM EO
What?
JULIET
Who set the House on fire? I know it was a Capulet. I guessed that. And I can see it in
your eyes, like you dont want to hurt me by saying the name.
(Romeo looks down, self-conscious.)
It was Tybault, wasnt it? I cant think of anyone else whod be hot-headed enough for
the job. But I thought he was expelled! Didnt you overhear some of the kids talking
about it earlier today?
ROM EO
M hm. Turns out he snuck back on campus. Guess he wasnt satisfied with the Houses
being at peace.
(He kicks the ground and paces a little bit.)
God, it almost makes me want to haunt him forever instead of staying here!
JULIET
Why dont you? You could haunt him, you know. Do anything you want to do.

37.

ROM EO
But I wouldnt have you. I came to make things right between us, Juliet, to help us find
our way back to each other. Granted, Im still not sure this school is the best place for us,
but I can see that they need us now. I want to help them, just like you wanted me to.
JULIET
No, I wanted to help them. Cut the crap, Romeo. All this talk is about you, you, but this
isnt about you, its about me! You came here to apologize to me, and I dont think
youre really sorry at all! This whole time, you havent asked me once, not once, about
what I think or want or anything. So you want to stay here now? Thats great. Thats
freaking fantastic! But what do you think Im going to be doing while youre going around
saving everybody from their own insanity, hm? You think Ill just be trailing along and
doing whatever you say?
ROM EO
Actually, I think you should leave.
JULIET
(disgusted)
Oh my God!
ROM EO
Would you hear me out on this?
JULIET
I dont really want to, no.
ROM EO
Please, Julie, just listen!
JULIET
Why should I listen to you when youve ignored literally everything Ive said or tried to
do since we died? Why?
(Romeo is confused at first, but realization starts to dawn
as the LIGHTS FADE to blackout. End of Scene 6.)

38.

SCENE 7
(Romeo and Juliet have not moved. They remain still,
frozen in place. M ontague House is no longer burning.
The fire truck has done its work and is still. LIGHTS UP
GRADUALLY on the stage as the other characters enter
and take their places. The stage should not be fully lit
until at least most of the characters are present. M ercutio
enters from stage right behind Romeo and Juliet. He faces
the audience.)
M ERCUTIO
I want to be an actor, but my brain has forgotten how. I know, but I cannot remember.
They tell me to stop trying to remember.
(Chorus member as M r. Riviera enters from stage right
and walks past M ercutio. He also faces the audience.)
CHORUS M EM BER
I want the war to end, but I am reminded of it every day.
(He glances at M ercutio quickly, angrily, and then turns
back to the audience.)
We thought reason, disguised as passion, had won. That victory was a lie.
(Rosaline enters from stage right, moving close to Juliets
position but still remaining upstage. She faces the
audience.)
ROSALINE
I want to teach, but they have other plans for me.
(She turns her head and glares at Chorus member.)
Why did they let me come here if it wasnt going to change what I did?
(Narissa enters from stage left, and walks toward
Rosaline. She keeps her distance and looks at her
wistfully.)

39.

NARISSA
All I wanted was for the children of my friends to find love. It was something I never had.
I was only trying to save them.
(A scrim begins to descend slowly, separating Romeo and
Juliet from the others onstage. Everything that happens
behind the scrim should happen at the same time as
Romeo and Juliets conversation. There should be no
breaks separating the action that is simultaneously
occurring on the two different planes of existence.)
JULIET
I want you to answer me, Romeo! You dont get to brush this away. Why should I have
to listen to you?
(Romeo looks away from her, hunching over and curling
in on himself.)
ROM EO
I dont know.
JULIET
You dont know? Is that the best you can do?
ROM EO
I dont know! Damn it, Juliet, its not like Ive had to think about it before. Youve
always listened to me! Its not a should or should not thing, its the way it is, for Petes
sake.
(Juliet looks ready to attack, and Romeo senses he said
something wrong. He adopts a pleading tone.)
Or at least the way it always has been! You cant bust me for that.
(As the scrim is descending, Chorus member finds
M ercutio and leads him off stage right.)
JULIET
Yes, I can, and I am!

40.

ROM EO
Well, what do you want from me? Do you want me to kneel, to grovel? Do you want me
to beg at your feet for forgiveness because I erroneously believed you wanted me to take
charge? I dont have the answer this time, Julie, okay? There, I said it. Is that what you
wanted?
JULIET
I want you to listen to me.
ROM EO
Well, Im listening as hard as I can right now, I swear on my own damn grave.
(Behind the scrim, Narissa finds Rosaline and grabs her.
They struggle for a moment in a battle of words and
physical force, but Rosaline breaks free and exits stage
right. Narissa exits stage left, dejected.)
JULIET
I dont need you to act all self-righteous for taking charge as you say. I...I want your
help for some things. Sometimes I feel like I need it.
ROM EO
(exasperated)
Then why-JULIET
Dont! Interrupt!
(Romeo and Juliet fume at each other for a moment,
nostrils flaring and looking like they want to break
something.)
ROM EO
I-(He stops himself from speaking and turns away, trying
to keep his emotions under control.)
JULIET
You what?

41.

ROM EO
Nothing.
(Juliet nods and presses forward.)
JULIET
What I was going to say was that even though sometimes I feel like I need you and
everything seems more stable when Im around you and I love it when you take care of
me, its not always that way. Sometimes--ooh--sometimes, I really dont need your help,
and I know exactly what I want to do without you telling me!
(Romeo looks back at her, confused again.)
ROM EO
Wait a minute. Are you saying that you still love me?
JULIET
Well, yeah, but thats not the point. Did you hear anything I just said?
(Romeo takes her hands.)
ROM EO
But Julie, that is the point for me. I thought I was losing you to this place, that staying
her meant you didnt want to stay with me.
JULIET
Why would you think that?
ROM EO
I...I dunno. Didnt you ever feel like some places were us and some places werent?
Didnt you ever get that connection?
JULIET
Not really, no. You mean like the mill? I cannot stand your fixation on that place.
ROM EO
But I need that place, Julie. Just like you need the people here.
JULIET
We cant have both, Romeo. I understand that now. I didnt before.

42.

ROM EO
No, I think we can. Not all at the same time, but we can work both in. Work together.
Work for each other.
(Juliet turns away from him slowly, nervously.)
JULIET
I dont know.
(Romeo walks up behind her and wraps his arms around
her slowly, carefully, afraid hell do something wrong
again. She lets him, but she doesnt lean into him.)
ROM EO
M e neither. But we could give it a go. Please.
(Juliet hesitates for a moment. She closes her eyes and
leans back into Romeo.)
JULIET
Okay. Ill give you one go. Well come back here later and try.
ROM EO
What do you mean later?
(Juliet steps away from Romeo and turns around to face
him. Not quickly or with a lot of excitement and gusto.
She is calm, weighing options and confirming things
within herself.)
JULIET
Its too late to give it a go today. We should go back to the mill tonight, maybe practice
some before we come back.
ROM EO
You really mean that?
JULIET
Yeah, I think so.
(They dont embrace. They simply smile at each other,
nervous but expectant. Blackout. End of play.)