Time Waits One Act Play CARL: Oh yes. Ms. Ahlee.

Haven't seen you for

a month since...
(EXCERPT)
ABEEY: (Enters.) Carl, towel la. (Gives towel.)
By Debbie Ann Tan Did you kill?
CARL: (Takes towel. Says slowly.) Kill?
Characters
AHLEE 55, second-generation Chinese
Filipino (They sit. ABEEY wipes her hands with her
own towel.)
ABEEY 55, twin sister
CARL 30, Chinese mestizo
AHLEE: Abeey! Silly.
VOICE on radio
Carl, we were just talking. I said you surely
Place made killing in stock market.
Chinatown, Binondo Don't mind her, she's just ignorant.
Set has clock collection in a corner. CARL: (Laughs.) Tita Abeey is so cute.
Time
ABEEY: (Laughs.) Thank you. Eat cake.
The present. Afternoon. There's a magnetic field
lightning storm in the air. AHLEE: Isn't this your favorite?
CARL: Yes. Love those. Thank you both.

(PREVIOUS DIALOGUES NOT INCLUDED,
EXCERPT STARTS HERE)
CARL enters.
AHLEE: Carl. Did you get wet? Sit, sit.
ABEEY: There's hot tea. I'll get you towel.
(Leaves.)
AHLEE: Yes, towel. Towel.
CARL: I'm ok. How are you, Ma'am Ahlee?
ABEEY: So, what's the big news?
AHLEE: Abeey! Let him eat and rest.
ABEEY: Eat and talk. That's rest.
AHLEE: In his due time.
CARL: Well, it's actually, very personal.
ABEEY: Oh? Tell us. I'm used to you two
talking money matters.
AHLEE: Because it's our job. (Pause.) It WAS
my job.

AHLEE: I'm no longer your boss. CARL: Now, you get to do it for fun and
personal, investment.
CARL: Tita Ahlee.
AHLEE: Yes. Sure. As long as you're there to
AHLEE: Sounds so old. be my trader.
CARL: (Laughs.) Hindi kasi ako sanay. What CARL: Certainly, Ma’am.
do I call you?
AHLEE: So, did I earn today? (Laughs.)
AHLEE: Just Miss Ahlee.
CARL: (Laughs along.) We most certainly did.
ABEEY: We? Means you and she. And me? CARL: Oh yes. Okay. Excuse me. (Leaves.)
CARL: Certainly, Tita. All of us. AHLEE: Abeey, do we have enough food if he
stays for dinner?
AHLEE: Abeey, can you get, (Touches CARL's
back.) a T-shirt for Carl? ABEEY: Just enough. Why? Is he staying?
ABEEY: (Leaves reluctantly.) Shouldn't be hard AHLEE: We should feed him before he goes
to find one, size is not too big. home.
CARL: I'm ok po. ABEEY: He's not assistant anymore.
AHLEE: It's fine, Carl. Abeey is happy to get AHLEE: Can still be a friend, can't he? (Pause.)
you shirt. And you should let us talk. He might be shy to
open up with you around.
CARL: Kakahiya. But thanks. About...
ABEEY: Maybe he's got problem that's why
AHLEE: Did you think I was foolish to get that
he's here.
early retirement package?
AHLEE: Don't presume.
CARL: No, it's okay.
ABEEY: Cause if good news, if he made
AHLEE: I just felt suffocated in that office.
money, he would shout out loud all ready.
CARL: Competition talaga.
AHLEE: He's very private.
AHLEE: I noticed everything.
ABEEY: He is? Or is that you?
CARL: You're the boss. It's your job.
CARL: (Unseen.) Nice curtains.
AHLEE: I was the boss. It was my job.
AHLEE: Abeey! He's coming, now go.
CARL: Still can't get used to you not being
ABEEY: Ho ho. I'll just cook another dish. And
there.
heat up leftovers.
AHLEE: Noticed everyone. And you...
(ABEEY leaves.)
CARL: They have to report to you. And me?
AHLEE: Fine.
AHLEE: I saw in you the way I was.
CARL: (Enters.) Love your bathroom curtains.
CARL: (Laughs.) I owe you a lot. For five years
(Lingers over AHLEE.) Where did you buy it?
you trained me.
AHLEE: I think we have extra. I'll tell Abeey to
AHLEE: A quick learn. Enthusiasm.
give you.
CARL: Thank you. Great teacher.
CARL: No, no. I'm just asking.
AHLEE: I can still teach...
AHLEE: You're always so curious.
ABEEY: (Enters with T-shirt.) This will be
CARL: I also love your clock collection.
body fitting for you.
AHLEE: From Asia to Europe. Antique and
CARL: No problem, Tita. (Starts to change.)
new. (Pause.) But they've all stopped this
ABEEY: (Stops him.) Carl. Go to the CR. afternoon.
(Again, wipes her hands.)
(CARL approaches the collection, but stops
midway.)
AHLEE: (Continues.) Just before you came.
CARL: All of them? Weird ha. (Pause.) I can
take a look.
AHLEE: Abeey says she's going to change
batteries tomorrow.
CARL: They may just need some adjustments.
Or some knocks, you know, untog.
(Laughs.)
AHLEE: (Fondly.) Don't you dare, Carl.
(Lightning, thunder and static lighting the
collection. CARL goes to collection area and
freezes.)
AHLEE: What's your scientific assumption,
Carl? Not the untog method.
(Pause.) Carl? (Looks at him.) Carl?
(Goes to the collection area.) Carl?
CARL: You're right. They've all stopped.
AHLEE: Carl? Did you hear me call you just
now?
CARL: Yes. Why?
AHLEE: How many times?
CARL: Just once.
(AHLEE moves away from the collection.
CARL freezes.)
AHLEE: Can you hear me when I say, I
love...love...
(Goes to CARL.) Did you hear me just now?
CARL: (Is puzzled.) Something going on?
AHLEE: No. But I need you to tell me what
you heard last.
CARL: It's the same question. You asked me
how many times you called my name.
AHLEE: And you said?
CARL: Once.
AHLEE: Then?
CARL: Now. Now you came and asked what I
just said.
AHLEE: It's fine, Carl. (Pause.) We have time.
(CARL is tinkering with the clock collection.)
AHLEE: (Continues.) You don't have to fix
them.
CARL: Except for maybe the batteries, I don't
know what could be wrong.
AHLEE: How could you know?
CARL: You're right. I don't know mechanical
stuff.
AHLEE: You can try.
CARL: I find these interesting-automatic,
winding, cuckoo, ceramic, metal, clay...
(AHLEE leaves the collection area. CARL
freezes. AHLEE paces around.)
AHLEE: Abeey. Abeey.
ABEEY: (Enters.) What's this? Calling like
there's fire, sheesh.
AHLEE: Is anything strange?
ABEEY: Apart from you? No.
(ABEEY starts to clean up.)
AHLEE: Stop. Can you see Carl?
ABEEY: Standing by the clocks. (To CARL.)
Careful there, Carl.
AHLEE: And?
ABEEY: So? Carl standing by the clocks.
AHLEE: I want you to watch.
ABBEY: I have enough going on in the kitchen.
AHLEE: Just watch. (Goes to CARL.)
CARL: ...chrome, gold-plated, genuine silver,
crystal...
AHLEE: Did you notice I was gone, Carl?
CARL: Really nice collection. Gone where?
AHLEE: I went to the kitchen to speak with
Abeey.
CARL: Did you? All I know is you're standing
here.
(Pause.) Are you going to ask what I last said?
'Coz I don't remember.
AHLEE: (Laughs.) You can stay here forever,
Carl. Seeing that you enjoy the clocks so much.
CARL: I'm asking myself if I have a favorite.
AHLEE: Which would it be?
CARL: I've more to look at.
AHLEE: Take your time. (Leaves the collection
area.)
(CARL freezes. AHLEE goes over to ABEEY.)
AHLEE: So?
ABEEY: Don't waste my time. (Starts to leave.)
AHLEE: I don't think time can be a waste.
(Pause.) Tell me.
ABEEY: What do you want me to say?
AHLEE: Abeey, there's no trick or threat here.
Just tell me whatyou saw.
ABEEY: He and you standing there.
AHLEE: What were we talking about?
ABEEY: Nothing.
AHLEE: We were talking.
ABEEY: No you were not.
AHLEE: You saw me go there, yes?
ABEEY: Yes. Now I need to go back to the
kitchen.
AHLEE: Wait, Carl and I talked, then I came
back.
ABEEY: No, you went here. Then you were
there then came back in seconds. So, excuse me.
(Leaves.)
AHLEE: (To herself.) Time passes here, but
there, time stops.
(Pause.) When I'm there, it continues like
normal. How come I'm the only one
affected?
Abeey... (Realizes she's alone.)
Is this Twilight Zone? Sure feels like Star Trek.
Siao khi lo.
(Shrugs. Goes to CARL.)
CARL: Could this be my favorite?
AHLEE: Carl?
CARL: What is your favorite, Ms. Ahlee?
AHLEE: Maybe...maybe the one with a heart on
its hand.
CARL: Nice one. Very feminine taste.
AHLEE: I suppose it is. But a trader should see
two meanings to every transacton
CARL: You're right. Timing is the key. Then, I
think my favorite is the big key design.
AHLEE: Good choice. That design is in the
shape of a Victorian Key.
CARL: Nice for a living room.
AHLEE: Sure. You plan on renovating your
house? Or are you moving?
(Silence.)
CARL: Can we go back to the sofa?
AHLEE: Sure. Lets... (Stops.)
(CARL is at the border of the collection area and
is caught in "static." He is frozen there.)
(AHLEE moves to him and gets stuck herself
They are both frozen. ABEEY enters.)
ABEEY: Are you two just going to stand there?
(ABEEY unknowingly crosses the border.
Sparks. AHLEE and CARL are free.)
ABEEY: (Looks at the clocks.) They're ticking.
AHLEE, CARL: They are?
ABEEY: (Is exasperated.) Ah, you two. (Dusts
the clocks.)
(CARL moves to the sofa. AHLEE follows.
They sit.)
CARL: I'm sorry I haven't been coming here.
AHLEE: You're busy, I know.
CARL: Remember, when after work, I used to
accompany you here? I miss the dinners.
AHLEE: I couldn't let you leave without full
stomach.
CARL: My Mom was happy 'coz she didn't
have to worry about my dinner. They could
clean the kitchen early.
AHLEE: Glad your mother knew you were
always getting care. And will always, if you
need.
CARL: Of course. You're my great mentor.
AHLEE: Carl.
CARL: Ms. Ahlee.
ABEEY: Ehem, dinner.
CARL, AHLEE: Dinner?
AHLEE: Did time just fly us by?
CARL: I didn't notice.
ABEEY: It's almost 6:30. Come on, early
dinner. Early to clean up so, he can go home
early, too. Not good to stay with this weather.
AHLEE: Can you give us a few minutes,
Abeey?
ABEEY: Don't be long. Not good to eat cold
food.
CARL: We'll be there soon, Tita Abeey.
Thanks.
ABEEY: I'm expecting you to eat a lot.
CARL: Of course. Every time I'm here for
dinner, I leave with a big stomach.
ABEEY: Yes, with matching pabaon. Nothing
less for you, Carl.
AHLEE: Abeey. Mang ya gaw sung.
ABEEY: I'll give you five minutes. If you're not
there, l'm eating alone.
(ABEEY exits.)
CARL: I got what you said to her.
AHLEE: You're Fookien is better, too, ha?
CARL: Having known you, made me want to
learn more of our culture. Remember, my
grandpa is Chinese.
AHLEE: It's an advantage, especially dealing
with Chinese Filipino clients.
CARL: Yes, it is. Any language is an advantage.
But Fookien is very useful. You're right.
AHLEE: I was thinking, Carl, I wanted to say
this. It's just a good thing you came today. A
month, I haven't seen you.
CARL: I know. I was going to say...
AHLEE: Let me just say it. I want to continue
teaching you. Stocks. Trading. Fookien. That is,
if you have the time.
CARL: That would be an honor, Ms. Ahlee.
AHLEE: And you don't even have to call me
that. I'm not your boss. I'm just a...
CARL: Great teacher. Great mentor.
AHLEE: We can have it Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays, and the weekends.
CARL: That would be great.
AHLEE: Good. Come this Monday.
CARL: I've also something to tell you.
Remember, you mentioned me moving house.
Well, soon.
AHLEE: That's good. Time to be independent.
You're a big boy.
CARL: I've met the most inspiring person in my
life. She makes me decide things. Make things
right.
AHLEE: Yes?
CARL: She makes me see life and feel life
more. And more. And more. Life.
AHLEE: Yes?
CARL: It has made me realize, I miss her when
I'm not with her.
AHLEE: Yes?
CARL: So, "marry me," I asked.
AHLEE: (Whispers.) Yes.
CARL: And so, we are going to...I will be...her
father gave us a condo. You will be there at the
wedding, right?
AHLEE: (Whispers.) Yes.
CARL: It's two weeks from now. I'll ask her to
send you the invites. That's why I'm extra busy.
AHLEE: Are you going to say who you're
marrying?

(END OF EXCERPT)