Official Rain and Zoe 2.14.23

RAIN AND ZOE SAVE THE WORLD
A play by Crystal Skillman
Original Score by Bobby Cronin
REPRESENTATION:
Carter A. McGowan
Sendroff & Baruch, LLP.
1500 Broadway, Suite 2201
NY, NY 10036
T: 212-840-6400
cmcgowan@sendroffbaruch.com
AUTHOR CONTACT:
www.crystalskillman.com
Crystalskillman@me.com
646-247-6596
ii
Characters:
Zoe, a young 20s something actor playing 16. Driven, exudes confidence, but is very
vulnerable. Erratic and wild. A commander with a mission, Zoe is driven. She always
plows forward for her cause, at times loses sight of others' feelings. As the play
progresses, she begins to listen more. She misses her mother deeply, keeps this to herself.
An off-beat sense of humor. Has lived in Lakewood since around five years old. She has
a deep sense of standing up for what’s right, and protecting others, perhaps at times with
too much zest. Pure extrovert.
Rain, a young 20s something actor playing 16. Incredibly kind, thoughtful, and
perceptive. Calm and stable. He is not shy, but self reflective. Excels at science and loves
solving problems. Recently moved to Lakewood, only to find he barely fits in, and is
bullied. He just moved next door to Zoe who is now his next door neighbor. Rain always
looks before he leaps, but as the play goes on, plows ahead on his own in unexpected
ways. He has a strong gut instinct. A terrific debater. Pure introvert.
Player One (M), thoughtful. Plays: Bike Dad and others.
Player Two (F), impulsive. Plays: Moon and others.
They each have a playful energy, ability to jump into playing other characters distinctly.
Casting: This is an multiracial cast.
Setting: A cross country play. West to East. Starting in Seattle.
Time: Now, now, now.
Style: In this play, there is a two person ensemble (Players) who play all other roles; it is
revealed as we go on who they are.They are present for the whole play. The natural
noises heard are also created by them (Coyotes, Owls, etc). Noises from machine made
things (Motorcycle, refinery) may come from sound design. In staging keep in mind the
power of this play is in the theatrical, and give over to that playfulness. This is a play of
the imagination.
Text: When text is in brackets like this [] these are modern/pop culture references that
can be updated production to production.
Music/Songs: This adventure play has songs/musical sequences as well as some

underscore for moments of Rain and Zoe journey (Tracks Available). For songs, lyrics are
in italics.
ACT ONE
PROLOGUE - “THE HIGHEST HILL”
(A bare white stage. Bright light finds Player One, 40s,

who enters, a backpack over his shoulders. He steps
towards the audience, about to join a crowd ahead of him.
He stops when he sees Player Two, 40s, who enters. She
also carries a heavy backpack, about to join the crowd. A
rally of some kind.)
PLAYER ONE
What do you say when you don’t have the words?
(Raises his hand. A “hello”. Player Two sees him.)
PLAYER TWO
How do you show how you feel?
(She raises her hand. Player One steps forward to her.)
PLAYER ONE
I have so many questions.
(She steps forward.)
PLAYER TWO PLAYER ONE

Why? Why....
(Beat.)
PLAYER TWO
Sometimes one story is your whole life. It gives you strength.
PLAYER ONE
It gives you courage. You play it over and over in your head until ...
(Player Two pulls out of her bag a red journal. Zoe, a

sixteen year old girl, enters and snatches it.)
ZOE
Ug. Don’t get sentimental.
(Rain, a sixteen year old boy, enters.)

2/14/23 2
RAIN
Ready ... set... Let’s go.
PLAYER ONE
(Chuckling)
Right.
RAIN
A story.
PLAYER TWO
Of two.
PLAYER ONE
Or four.
ZOE
(Introducing him)
Rain.
RAIN
(Introducing her)
Zoe.
PLAYER ONE
(Gesturing to himself and Two)
We’ll play everyone else.
RAIN
A ride.
(Zoe looks to audience.)
ZOE
That’s why they came, to ...
ZOE PLAYER TWO

Connect! Connect ...
PLAYER ONE
To go on an adventure.
RAIN
To remember why.
2/14/23 3
PLAYER ONE
But ... why?
PLAYER TWO
We keep asking that, we’ll never begin.
(Zoe turns on the radio. Player One instinctually jumps

in. He voices the radio.)
NPR/PLAYER ONE
Good morning Lakewood, Washington. This is KUOW. In news, following the release of the
latest climate crisis report which warns that the serious efforts of warming are only *
worsening, environmental activists are preparing for the biggest protest yet against the
conglomerate East Coast Energy Solutions which will be happening in just seven days. In
other news, the supreme court --
(Zoe turns off the radio and starts scribbling on a piece of

paper.)
PLAYER TWO
Our story technically starts with a note....
(Zoe makes it a paper airplane, tosses it.)
From ... Zoe, a teenage rebel ...in her own mind to ...
PLAYER ONE
Rain. Just turned sixteen.
(Rain catches the note and starts reading it.)
PLAYER TWO
Recently moved next door... a genius ...
PLAYER ONE
In his own mind...
(Rain breathes heavy after reading note. Looks at Zoe.)
PLAYER TWO
While Zoe confidently waits for Rain, she reads her mother’s journal.
(Zoe opens journal; an image of her room is projected

around her.)
2/14/23 4
ZOE
(Reading)
“Every day is a new action. Every day we try again. But today - my girl - my Zoedonia - we
will make our biggest impact.”
(Rain starts to approach Zoe’s house.)
“The sun is shining and we’re setting out. Day one.”
(Player One holds up a window frame. Player Four steps

up on a stool and peers through it.)
PLAYER TWO
The boy climbs a damn tree...
PLAYER ONE
Zoe knows he’s watching.
(Player Two “reaches into” the projection of Zoe’s room,

pulling out an actual guitar she hands to Zoe.)
ZOE
(Strums, sings:)
Time to make a change
There’s no cause without effect
Time to make them act
Connect, connect ...connect.
PLAYER ONE
He opens the window.
ZOE
Don’t Need a War on Climate Change ...
... We Need a Revolution,
A Revolution,
(Fumbles playing, then lands okay:)
A Revolution...
PLAYER ONE
She’s not the best at guitar.
PLAYER TWO
Not as good as her mother, but she tries!
PLAYER ONE
He likes the way she plays.
2/14/23 5
PLAYER TWO
But he’ll never tell her.
(The Players move to the side of the playing space,

watching.)
2/14/23 6
SCENE ONE - “THE NOTE”
(Rain has now climbed through the window. Zoe plays it

cool.)
RAIN
Zoe!
ZOE
Oh Rain - Hey. What did you think of the song?
RAIN
It’s cool.
ZOE
Cool.
RAIN
Sooooooo......Why did you leave this note under my front door this morning?
(From their “sidelines”, Player One and Two have

become their parents.)
RAIN’S MOM
RAIN! WHERE ARE YOU?! Don’t you hide in the neighbor’s yard! You have to go to
school!
ZOE
So... Mommy has to make you go to school huh?
RAIN
And you can’t keep your voice down?!
ZOE
(Whispers)
Want a cigarette?
RAIN
Hells yes.
(Player Member tosses them cigarettes and lighter. Zoe

quickly lights up; Rain tries.)
2/14/23 7
RAIN’S MOM
Rain. WE ARE GOING TO SCHOOL TODAY - ON THE COUNT OF TEN!
(Rain’s Mom starts softly counting.)
RAIN
I’m not going.
ZOE
Aw, why not? I just love Nathan Hale High School.
RAIN
Really?
ZOE
Aren’t you loving it?
(Rain’s mom is still counting.)
RAIN
About your note --
ZOE
Seriously, I’d just stay there all day if I wasn’t suspended.
RAIN
I know you got suspended. Everybody knows.
ZOE
It just happened two days ago.
RAIN
Yeah, well. People talk, you know.
ZOE
(“That’s so cool!”)
Really?
(Playing cool)
What do they say?
RAIN’S MOM
... Ten! That’s it!
2/14/23 8
ZOE’S DAD
Zoe ... Honey. I have Rain’s mother down here. She thinks he’s in there with you. Now you
know I wouldn’t open the door without your permission. But is that true? Is that boy Rain in
your room?
ZOE
Yeah, he’s REALLY enjoying himself, Hayden.
(Beat.)
HAYDEN
Okay! Well, we’ll give you some time to make the right choice Zo. We’ll wait.
RAIN’S MOM
Wait?!
RAIN
You call your dad Hayden.
ZOE
Good to meet you fellow product of liberal zombies.
RAIN
(Like “what”)
Zombies?
ZOE
You’ve been here what...
RAIN
Three months.
ZOE
And have you seen how people walk around our neighborhood? Like a light’s gone out. We
used to have rallies here, now there’s a noise ordinance. Not the most stimulating place to
move to sadly. Sorry about that.
RAIN
Thanks, I guess?
ZOE
I had to write you. And apparently you’re not on social. Hence the note --
RAIN
You could have gotten my number from school and texted me--
2/14/23 9
ZOE
Please! If you haven’t noticed I’m not like all the other --
RAIN
Zombies, I get it.
(back to quoting from note)
“Dear Rain, I’m going to the environmental protest in Philly at East Coast Energy Solutions.”
You want me to go with you.
ZOE
It’s gonna be huge - we can’t miss it -- and I know you care --
RAIN
We barely know each other --
ZOE
I sit next to you in Ms Pallon’s science class.
RAIN
And you’ve never said a word to me and then ask me this...
ZOE
I saw you present your science fair project in class. It rocked.
RAIN
My presentation exploded.
ZOE
So cool.
RAIN
It was my own fault, having a miniature rocket, that was overkill --
ZOE
But you are killing it.
RAIN
...
ZOE
I’ll never forget it.
2/14/23 10
RAIN
...
ZOE
Really.
RAIN
(Reading note:)
“I need your help. I promise you an adventure.”
(Getting boldly close to her. She’s now nervous.)
ZOE
How’s the black eye?
RAIN
It’s fine.
ZOE
School can be treacherous.
RAIN
It’s no big deal.
RAIN’S MOM
Rain!! That’s it! I’m coming in there!
ZOE’S DAD
It’s okay. Honey. Poptarts are ready. I’m glad you’re making friends but Rain’s Mom really
needs him to go to school.
RAIN’S MOM
NOW!
ZOE
So what time do we leave tonight?
RAIN
Wait. I’ve got a little sister. My mom... This protest is in Philly.
ZOE
That’s where you moved from right?
RAIN
Yeah, and we can’t afford plane tickets. This trip would take days.
2/14/23 11
ZOE
Seven days. Two words: cross country.
RAIN
How?
ZOE
The motorcycle in your garage.
RAIN
The Ducati monster?
ZOE
It’s electric?
RAIN
It’s my Dads. So, no.
ZOE
Not ideal, but it’ll have to do. We have a plan... thanks to Zoe Cartwell - Master Planner!
(Beat.)
RAIN
We do something like this, there’s no going back.
ZOE
That’s how legends are born.
RAIN
Legends?
ZOE
(Diving in with zest, selling in her glory)
“Why Tonight?” Because tonight is the night of all nights! Tonight is a night of legacy where
two teens decide their fate. And on the night of that decision the world was changed for
future generations to come. Because from the protest they go forth to meet - harmony and
peace to the broken world will be restored. And forevermore their names remembered in the
history books, which edits and leaves out any actual truth to history, because - but what we
do tonight...will start to truly unravel an oppressive, racist, truly motherfucking sexist bullshit
system that threatens our very planet. And we will... what you and I do... will be remembered
in the history books. The earth will turn rich again with life. The skies will turn actually blue
again, we’ll see the stars. They’ll burn bright. And we’ll look in each other eyes and we will
see - we’ll live forever. Free.
2/14/23 12
RAIN
... (Processing: Damn, this is a sexy proposal!)
ZOE
It’s my manifesto. What do you think?
RAIN
It rocks.
ZOE
Right?! Not like one of those crazy ones written by crazy people....
RAIN
Totally.
ZOE
All we have to do is go.
RAIN’S MOM
RAIN!
(Standoff. Rain and Zoe stay fixated on each other.)
RAIN
(Loudly, to parents)
I’m coming down!
RAIN’S MOM
Finally... !
RAIN
(a “yes”)
Tonight.
ZOE
Yes! Tonight!
RAIN
(Quickly/ embarrassed)
About what you wrote at the end of the note ...
ZOE RAIN
Look if you /don’t care ... I didn’t say/I don’t care.
2/14/23 13
(A beat standoff then:)
RAIN
My mom passes out at ten.
ZOE
I don’t do dick before midnight.
(Beat. Players look to each other.)
PLAYER ONE
First ride.
(Player Two smiles, nods.)
(Lights go out. The sound of a garage door opening. A

clip light is flicked on. We see it’s connected to
handlebars.)
(Lights fill in Rain and Zoe admiring these handle bars.

Rain “gets” on the motorcycle.)
2/14/23 14
SCENE TWO - “FIRST RIDE”
ZOE
Okay!... Rain...?
RAIN
My dad taught me but...
(He “steps off”. Zoe bucks him up.)
ZOE
Hey, no worries.
(Zoe takes the helm. Rain hops on. Zoe pantomimes

turning the key.)
PLAYER ONE
Careful.
RAIN
My dad would want us to be careful.
(Zoe jumps on, revs it up.)
ZOE
Full tank. Haven’t seen him around. Your dad.
RAIN
No.
(Rain gets on. Zoe “revs” up again.)
RAIN
Where did you learn how to ride?
ZOE
Youtube!
(Zoe flicks on the headlight that glows.)
ZOE
Clutch! Feed in the throttle! Foot dragging the rear break --
(The motorcycle jolts ahead.)

2/14/23 15
RAIN
Brake!
(Zoe brakes. Bike jolts, but does stop.)
RAIN
Not -
(Bike jolts forward again.)
Bad. Left leg shifts gears.
ZOE
Oh.
RAIN
We only really need that if we need to increase speed. Now, easy. Take your time --
ZOE
Let’s ride!!!
(They take off. The stars shine.)
RAIN
(Looking around as they ride:)
Holy shit --- yeah!
ZOE
We’ll be there in no time! Oh! I know a great game! “What’s natural?”
RAIN
What’s that?
ZOE
It’s a game! Shout out whatever you see. The one who points out the most natural things
wins.
The Mountain!
RAIN
(jumping in, playing)
Uh .... The moon!
ZOE
Bugs!
2/14/23 16
RAIN
A mall! Shit!
ZOE
Ha! I win.
(As she drives, Player Two shares footage of Zoe’s Mom

protesting as Zoe imagines it [Player Two plays Zoe’s
Mom] is projected. Zoe talks to this fantasy projection as
she drives.)
PLAYER TWO
(Speak-Sing)
Connect, Connect, Connect ...
ZOE’S MOM (ON FANTASY VIDEO)

(Talks directly to Camera/Zoe)
Hurry!
ZOE
(Speaking to herself/Mom)
We’re coming as fast as we can Mom! See you soon! I promise.
(Projections fill in the vast landscapes they pass: a variety

of landscapes... lakes... mountains in the distance.... Day
approaches night ... the sun is setting.)
2/14/23 17
SCENE THREE - “LOST AND FOUND”
(A large national park. Crickets. Sounds of nature in the

darkness. Rain and Zoe get off/ “park” the bike. They
flick on electric light lanterns and take in the enormity of
their surroundings.)
RAIN
We’re lost.
ZOE
We’re not lost.
(Their lanterns catch Players sitting on either side.)
PLAYERS
They’re lost.
(Lights focus on the teens.)
RAIN
Zoe... it’s been one full day and --
ZOE
Yeah, and that’s!
RAIN
750.4 miles --
ZOE
Yeah! So cool!
RAIN
So cool. But we’ve been on this road already- didn’t we see that cactus?
ZOE
Shit.
RAIN
We’re lost.
ZOE
We’re not lost! By the power of Googlemaps! With barely one bar of service --
2/14/23 18
RAIN
In Yellowstone National Park.
(Reaches into backpack.)
I’ve got a park map.
ZOE
Awesome!
(Zoe takes out a bag of trail mix and munches.)
RAIN
(Looking at map)
Hmm....
ZOE
Lay it on me.
RAIN
(Pointing to map)
We entered on ... this side, so we must be somewhere around here, but we want to be ... here.
ZOE
Okay so let’s go “partner.”
(Rain looks at her quizzically.)
I’ve seen, like, in like westerns, you have get as much distance down as you can the first day.
RAIN
(While concentrating on map)
Westerns?
ZOE
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, High Noon, you know, “partner”.
(Rain stares at her blankly.)
It’s not me. Haydon loves that stupid old stuff, it’s like you know, so stupid, but you know --
RAIN
Concentrate.
ZOE
Gotcha. Yes! Map.
RAIN
To cross the whole canyon, it’s going to take another four hours.
2/14/23 19
ZOE
Okay, let’s get back on the road --
RAIN
It’s too dark. We’re exhausted.
(Looks to a peppy Zoe popping nuts.)
Or should be. Maybe we should camp.
(Unseen, Players makes coyote noises.)
ZOE
Ohhhh I bet there’s coyotes everywhere.
RAIN
Yeah, maybe we should get going actually...
ZOE
(Looking at map)
Sure, then maybe we could set up camp where the bears are....
RAIN
Uh, let’s stay here.
ZOE
In just a few hours, we ride at dawn.
RAIN
Okay... partner.
ZOE
Hey!
RAIN
Hey....?
ZOE
Cross country in seven days. We are awesome!!
RAIN
So awesome.
(Rain takes out a bag of rice, beans, etc.)
So what else did you bring to eat? Besides nuts.
2/14/23 20
ZOE
I freaking love nuts.
RAIN
Well we can’t just eat trail mix all the time.
ZOE
That’s not true. People live off trail mix. Climbers have the energy to climb Mount Everest
from eating just nuts and berries. I saw it on a documentary.
RAIN
Okay.
ZOE
Don’t worry. I’ve got tons of cool stuff. Look, we set up camp here tonight. We figure out a
new route tomorrow. We’ll be fine. And these helmets are genius!
RAIN
We turned off find our phones.
ZOE
No one is going to spot or track us. We’re outlaws!
RAIN
By taking all your dad’s cash ... there must be like a thousand here.
ZOE
It’s my savings anyway. College fund, you know.
RAIN
No I don’t.
ZOE
(Embarrassed)
It’s stupid. It’s more important that we use the money for this. Besides --
RAIN & ZOE

Capitalism is evil.
ZOE
But someone has to pay for the journey.
RAIN
I get it.
(Zoe still feels guilty, presses:)

2/14/23 21
ZOE
But ...?
RAIN
If you have that kind of money it just means you can make different choices.
ZOE
But we’re using the money for good. We’re in this together.
RAIN
Yup. We are lost together.
ZOE
It’s gonna be fine. And College is stupid.
RAIN
Uh-huh.
ZOE
I mean I go to Syracuse or Yale or whatever and what happens? Overdosing on meth
probably.
RAIN
Like those caffeine pills you keep taking instead of stopping to set up camp?
ZOE
Like that! Probably. Somebody like me - you cage me up - I won’t last long.
(Zoe’s phone rings a silly ring. Rain grabs it.)
RAIN
(Seeing who is calling)
Poppa Hayden. It’s your dad, partner.
ZOE
And decline.
(She shuts it off over his shoulder, Rain has phone.)
RAIN
You should at least text him so he knows you’re alive.
(Offers phone to her, she hesitates.)
Poppa Hayden .... 206-406-4321...
(He starts to text.)

2/14/23 22
ZOE
Don’t! We can’t write our parents. We’re on our own.
(Rain gets quiet.)
Just ... enjoy it. Stop holding back.
(Zoe howls.)
C’mon, doesn’t the sky make you want to just ...
RAIN
No actually, the sky reminds me, the light’s almost gone, and we haven’t slept in a day.
(Thunder.)
ZOE
OKAY! Camp, you were right okay. Somehow I’m feeling a storm.
RAIN
Was the thunder a hint?
ZOE
OKAY SETTING UP CAMP!!! LET’S GO!
(Rain starts taking out gear from his backpack. Zoe is

excited to set up camp, but doesn’t seem to know what to
do.)
RAIN
Aren’t you even going to ....?
(Zoe tries to hide that she’s looking at her phone.)
ZOE
Totally.
RAIN
Are you googling how to set up camp?
ZOE
Noooo.
RAIN ZOE
Zo ... No, no, I’m good,
Seriously, you don’t know how - I got this,
How to do any of this? hang on,
Do you? wait for it ---
2/14/23 23
(Zoe has put together the tent. It looks weird.)
ZOE
Ta-da!
RAIN
Nice, it’s getting late, we need --
ZOE & RAIN

Firewood.
RAIN
Yeah. We can cook the rice and beans, I brought ....
ZOE
Great!
(Zoe helps gather firewood too. They work together.)
RAIN
Look.
(Zoe is starting to make a fire.)
It’s so dark out, you can see the stars ... *
(She has made a fire. Rain is stunned. He smiles.)
RAIN
Wow... okay.. Where’d you learn to do that?
ZOE
Scouts. “Campfire cookout.” Only badge I completed.
RAIN
Wolf Cubs. With my friend Mike in Philly.
RAIN & ZOE

(Loving the memory/hating it)
Scouts.
ZOE
They loved me. Until I shoved a box of girl scout cookies up Stacy Campbell’s va jay jay.
RAIN
You are sick.
2/14/23 24
ZOE
Kidding ... or do they still haunt her to this day ... mwahahahhaah.
RAIN
Sick.
(But he smiles. Zoe grows quiet.)
What?
ZOE
Nothing.
RAIN
Are you sad?
ZOE
Why?
RAIN
I don’t know I’ve never seen you quiet. It’s weird.
ZOE
Well I feel good. I’m successfully boiling water. And I’m just ... it’s important to me. This
trip.
RAIN
Zo ...
ZOE
I like when you call me Zo. Hand me my guitar.
(He does; she strums.)
ZOE
My mom wrote this. When I was a kid, she’d sing these songs to me all the time. She’s an
activist.
(Hands Mom’s book to him)
This was her journal.
RAIN
Yeah. Lia Cartwell.
(Flipping through)
She’s a big activist, huh.
2/14/23 25
ZOE
Yeah she used to be a journalist, but then they were asking her to do all these fluffy, like, life
affirming stories.... silly segments on like baby pandas being born at the zoo and shit ...
RAIN
And then?
(Beat. She avoids.)
ZOE
What about your dad?
(Beat. He avoids.)
RAIN
Play me something.
(Zoe flips thorough Mom’s journal, pointing to a page,

strums, and sings.)
ZOE
Back when I was younger
We’d hang the laundry out
After washing in cold water
To help the dreaded drought
While water drips with oil

Across the countryside
We drink from plastic bottles
That wash up with the tide
Time to make a change

There’s no cause without effect
Time to make them act
Connect, connect ...connect.
RAIN
Your mom wrote it.
ZOE
Yeah. Do you play?
RAIN
I can but ... you have to be cool about it.
2/14/23 26
ZOE
I’m cool.
(Rain plays his music on his phone. Zoe listens:)
ZOE
Wow ... it’s ...
RAIN
I love making beats. I get inspired by the stars, you know they don’t twinkle all the same,
they each have their own rhythm that put together creates the sound of the universe.
(Gets nervous about geeking out:)
Okay I sound really dumb now, I’m stopping, this is dumb.
ZOE
I love it.
RAIN
Thanks. What you said in the note ...
RAIN ZOE
About us. About the protest.
(Beat. Fine if that’s the way she wants it.)
RAIN
Sure.
(Rain picks up a book.)
ZOE
What are you doing?
RAIN
Reading.
ZOE
A comic book?
RAIN
Graphic novel.
ZOE
The Walking Dead?!
2/14/23 27
RAIN
Classic, right? It’s really moving actually, especially how the families work together --
ZOE
Zombies are moving?
RAIN
They have courage, strength, resilience.
ZOE
But it’s not real.
RAIN
Look, we need to rest, we have a big day of travel ahead. And I always read before I go to
bed.
ZOE
But we have to go over what we’re going to do when we get there.
RAIN
Okay, like what?
ZOE
Well, it’s going to be a huge crowd.
RAIN
I won’t be in it.
ZOE
But we’re protesting together.
RAIN
I hate noises, and crowds, I’ll be here right behind you - to the side - away from massive
groups of strangers --
ZOE
But it’s not the same. In real life, you have to throw yourself into the center of things. You
can’t stand on the sidelines.
RAIN
Okay we can talk about it in the morning,
ZOE
I have a story! Of Courage! Strength and resilience. And it’s true.
2/14/23 28
RAIN
Okayyyy.
(Zoe stands dramatically.)
ZOE
This is the story of the Zombie Queen ...!
(Suddenly the Players appear behind a lit screen. Their

shadows reenact this story, as Zoe tells it. They enact the
story in an improvised manner as they hear what Zoe
says.)
RAIN
I can listen to stories not about zombies.
ZOE
THE STORY OF THE ZOMBIE QUEEN --
RAIN
Okay!
ZOE
I need participation. I need a little love up in this corner.
RAIN
TELL ME THE STORY OF THE ZOMBIE QUEEN.
ZOE
Once upon a time long ago in the early aughts, not long after the Kyoto agreement was first
forged --
RAIN
Okay...
ZOE
There was a Zombie Queen.
RAIN
A human who was a zombie or .... ?
ZOE
No! A mother who sought to break through to the mindless populace --
2/14/23 29
RAIN
So they’re the “Liberal zombies”. She’s the Queen of them, but she’s --
ZOE RAIN
Not a zombie herself. Not a zombie.
RAIN
(Considering the problematic storytelling)
Hm.
ZOE
So.... (unsaid: Should I go on)
RAIN
What happens next?!
ZOE
(Back to storytelling:)
The Zombie Queen had a daughter. She loved that daughter very much. Her name was
Zoedonia.
RAIN
Oh this is about you.
ZOE
Irrelevant ....
(Back to storytelling:)
Her mother was Queen of the Zombies! Who just finished reading her five year old daughter
her favorite bedtime story --
RAIN
Communist Manifesto.
ZOE
(embarrassed)
Where the Wild Things Are.
(Beat.)
RAIN ZOE
Let the Wild Rumpus start! Yes!
2/14/23 29A
(The Players jump up and down behind the screen as

monsters; Zoe is excited Rain is into her story. She snaps
back into gear:)
2/14/23 30
ZOE
So Zoedonia’s mother, The Queen --
RAIN
Lia Cartwell.
ZOE
Maybe. YES! Lia put her to bed and left, left her daughter and sleeping husband and went on
an assignment. She was a journalist!
RAIN
Covering baby pandas, etc ...
ZOE
Until Lia, Queen of the Zombies, met her good friend Zombie Jimmy --
RAIN
Zombie Jimmy?
ZOE
Yeah. He had been a protester most of his life - but was working at some bar and they got
talking and the Queen of the Zombies realized he loved activism and he had a lot of muscles
... at times she was tempted to give it all up.
RAIN
Tempted?
ZOE
She wanted to be happy.
RAIN
Why wasn’t she happy?
ZOE
The point was the Queen wanted connection.
RAIN
Wait. Were they having an affair?
ZOE
Maybe. Yes. Irrelevant!
RAIN
Woah...
2/14/23 31
ZOE
Zombie Queen and Zombie Jimmy and all his big bulging muscles --had made it to the worst
refinery on the east coast in Philly. They went INSIDE. To film everything! Expose it all!
They had gotten the plans to the refinery from a worker who joined their cause. They went in
to SHUT HER DOWN. BUT ...
RAIN
But ...
ZOE
Jimmy was weak. The cops had gotten to him. Convinced him to turn against his lover the
QUEEN OF THE ZOMBIES. It was for her own good they said. To help her. The minute
they went in. He grabbed her camera from her. She struggled and in the struggle, he ended up
holding a gun to her throat!
(Behind the screen, in shadow, Jimmy holds a finger gun,

two fingers pressed violently to Zoe’s Mom’s throat.
Though just “acting out the story”, it’s scary.)
ZOE
Wait!
(The Players pop their heads out from the screen. They
look at each other while Rain and Zoe have this quick
“mini-debate”.)
ZOE
Now, violence doesn’t work.
RAIN
It can create an effect.
ZOE
Yes, sometimes you have to --
RAIN
Burn it down. But when do you know it’s absolutely necessary?
PLAYER ONE
Violence is a last resort.
PLAYER TWO
A temporary solution.
2/14/23 32
ZOE
My mother I know, if she could have, she would have found another way --
RAIN
What did your mother do?
(Zoe nods to the Players who snap back into position

behind the screen enacting the story.)
ZOE
A gun was held to her throat. She didn’t cry. To her once lover now enemy Jimmy she said,
“Give me the camera, let me talk. We’ll give up...” As he reached over, she took the gun she
shot him.
(Zoe’s Mom “shoots” Jimmy.)
RAIN
She killed him?
ZOE
No - the leg - BOOM. But he never walked the same again.
(Jimmy walks away limping.)
ZOE
She had let him live-considering what he’d done -that was more than gracious. Still the
activists weren’t charged. She was.
RAIN
What happened to her? The Zombie Queen?! I mean your mom --
ZOE
Six years in prison.
RAIN
And then where did she go?
ZOE
The Zombie Queen’s husband never told me ... never told his own daughter.
RAIN
Your father never told you where she was? Why?
2/14/23 33
ZOE
He was scared and when you’re scared your heart grows small and you get weak, your soul
disappears ... story over.
(Zoe takes out the journal. She flips through it, takes out
a map.)
ZOE
There! We’ll try this back road tomorrow and get back on I-90 eventually.
RAIN
We’re following the same route as your mom?
ZOE
Yup. I pieced it all together from her journal.
RAIN
But you talked to her... you said she called you --
ZOE
Look, this protest I’m going to. It’s with all her friends. This woman Cindy she’s organized
everything - it’s pretty amazing --
RAIN
But your mom didn’t ... she didn’t call you?
ZOE
(Uber confident:)
How could she? She mustta gone underground, you know? After getting out - the police were
watching her like a hawk! So clearly she needs to lie low - off the grid - so she can keep
protesting - keep up her work.
RAIN
Then how do you know she’s going to be at the protest?
ZOE
The morning after I got suspended, I turned on the news and I saw her - with her
demonstrator friends setting up. She was in the background, it was just a second, but I know
it’s her.
RAIN
You know what your Mom looks like after disappearing for ten years?
2/14/23 34
ZOE
Totally. She’s waiting for me. We just have to get there is all. That’s why I asked you.
RAIN
What are you talking about?
ZOE
Everyone is going to be coming to the table with something impressive. Planning to scale
walls, chain themselves. We’ve got to make a statement.
RAIN
A statement.
ZOE
Yeah I’ve got tons of supplies!
(Zoe pulls out of her bag several random objects.)
RAIN
Clay, paint, glitter, more glitter --
ZOE
It’s biodegradable, made from plants, I checked!
RAIN
String, pipe cleaners -
ZOE
I raided Target’s Arts and Crafts aisle!
RAIN
Battery, wires ... Yeahhhhh. What are you going to build here?
ZOE
It’s what you’re going to build. Like your presentation in class that I saw before --
ZOE RAIN
I got suspended you know -- You got suspended, I know --
ZOE
What you were trying to do with that rocket. You can make it work now. Your point was so
great - something about wormholes and a workaround for an Uncertainty Theory --
RAIN
Heisenberg! Thanks - I was way into him way before binging Breaking Bad ... wait. What *
would I build?
2/14/23 35
ZOE
Well as a fellow activist it would be something peaceful that makes a mark.
RAIN *
Okay, this is a lot. *
ZOE *
But when we get to the protest, I wouldn’t bring up your theory of using space *
exploration to deal with the climate crisis... I mean we do need to save the planet we’re *
living on. *
RAIN *
Space exploration helps us understand our planet. We need research. Not just protests. *
ZOE *
Actions make politicians listen. And “with action hope comes.” Greta Thurnberg. *
RAIN *
“The good thing about science is it’s true whether or not you believe in it.” Neil Degrasse *
Tyson. Zo, the damage done by everyone before us, you have to admit -- *
ZOE *
I won’t be afraid. I believe in our lifetime we can fix this. *
RAIN *
Yes, but Zoe ... it is our lifetime... and it looks like these days we should explore other *
options. *
(Beat. Zoe doesn’t know what to say.)
ZOE
It’s been a long day. Let’s get some sleep.
(Rain looks at the weird tent Zoe’s made.)
RAIN
In that?
(Zoe continues trying to fix it.)
ZOE
Why not? It’s great!
(The tent pole breaks. It’s ruined.)
Uh, okay. It’s warm. We don’t need blankets or anything.
(Zoe lies down on the grass. Rain lies down next to her.)
2/14/23 36
ZOE
The sky. What do you see when you look up there?
RAIN
Points.
ZOE
You mean like constellations.
RAIN
Like dots on a grid. I see these bars ....
ZOE
Like a prison? You look up into the starry night Van Gough sky and see a prison?
RAIN *
I think about us up there. There might be a time when space exploration is needed. *
ZOE *
I love that, but we do need to save the planet we’re living on. *
RAIN *
Space exploration helps us understand our planet. We need research. Not just protests. *
ZOE *
Actions make politicians listen. And “with action hope comes.” Greta Thurnberg. *
RAIN *
“The good thing about science is it’s true whether or not you believe in it.” Neil Degrasse *
Tyson. Zo, the damage done by everyone before us, you have to admit -- *
ZOE *
I won’t be afraid. I believe in our lifetime we can fix this. *
RAIN *
Yes, but Zoe ... it is our lifetime... and it looks like these days we should explore other *
options. *
ZOE *
This is why this protest is important. This is why what we can bring to the protest is *
important -- *
RAIN *
You’re right we should go to sleep. *
2/14/23 36A
*
It’s not as simple as that. Zo, about the note... *
(Player One makes a shadow figure with his hands: an *

Owl. He becomes the voice of the Owl.) *
OWL ONE
HOO.
ZOE
Listen!
OWL ONE *
HOO.
ZOE
Do you hear that?
OWL ONE
HOOOOOOO.
ZOE
Owls.
RAIN
I don’t hear it.
OWL TWO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
2/14/23 37
ZOE
Yeah. Right there.
RAIN
Owls.
OWLS
HOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOOO
ZOE
Owls. There are two.
OWL ONE
HOO!
OWL TWO
HOO!!!
RAIN
Yeah, you hear that right after?
ZOE
I do!!!
RAIN
Motherfucking Owls!
(Owls continue to do short hoots through the scene.)
ZOE
Are they fucking?
RAIN
What is wrong with you?
ZOE
When they fuck do you think it’s fuzzy ... like soft?
RAIN
What?
ZOE
Like their feathers.
2/14/23 38
RAIN
Jesus, I don’t know. Go to sleep.
ZOE
I don’t like to close my eyes.
RAIN
Well ... it’s kinda necessary .... Look Zoe ...
(Beat. They are close together.)
RAIN
I don’t think it’s soft. The owls. I don’t know if they know they’re soft. We don’t know how
they feel. *
(A beat between them. Will they kiss? Rain searches

Zoe’s eyes, it’s clear she wants him too ... but he turns
away:)
RAIN
Zo ... You’re wrong. I can’t build anything like what you’re asking for. *
ZOE
Why? Because you’re afraid.
RAIN
That’s... what? What does that mean?
ZOE
I’m just saying I planned this whole thing, and now you won’t even try to ---
RAIN
Plan? What plan?
ZOE
What are you saying?
RAIN
We are lying on the ground in the cold. This trip isn’t anything like your manifesto. It’s half
baked at best, but ...
(Now it’s all really coming out:)
...we couldn’t bake - even if we wanted to - you’ve brought no real food or supplies, you’re
using an old road map, you have no idea if this plan is going to work at all, or if your mom is
going to be there, or ... !
2/14/23 39
ZOE
She’ll be there. Why don’t you believe me?
RAIN
Why won’t you talk about what you wrote at the end of the note!
ZOE
I shouldn’t have to!
RAIN
Okay, this is not working, okay.
ZOE
Are you mad?
RAIN
....
ZOE
You look mad.
RAIN
It’s okay. We don’t need to yell like...We’ll just... We’ll get to Philly, then we’ll split up.
ZOE
But ---
RAIN
I’ll figure it out.
ZOE
We’re on this ride together. That’s not the plan.
RAIN
You mean the plan you made up in your head without telling anyone until they were stuck in
Yellowstone National Park, Zoe Master Planner?
ZOE
Fine. Put on the radio.
RAIN
Why?
ZOE
I can’t sleep without the radio.
2/14/23 40
(Rain puts on the radio. The Players voice what is playing

on the radio as we hear all the terrible things happening
around the world.)
PLAYER ONE
[Terrible World News blip one ....WAR IN UKRAINE PERHAPS? ]
PLAYER TWO
[Terrible World News blip two ....]
(As the Players voice news blips, time starts to pass into
early dawn. Rain and Zoe get back on the bike.)
2/14/23 41
SCENE FOUR - “THE WHY OF EVERYTHING”
(Lights fully bump up and Rain and Zoe on the bike in

motion. Hours later. Dawn is approaching. Rain is
holding onto Zoe, zoned out. Zoe lights up a joint. She
plays the radio as Player One voices the radio from the
side.)
PLAYER ONE
You’re listening to MPR ... Minnesota Public Radio ... this song is for the full moon up
there...just before the dawn...
(Player Two steps into the role of The Moon, putting on a

punkish white leather jacket. She has the essence of a
super hip, “has-got-this”, mom.)
PLAYER ONE
She’s shining down on us tonight folks.
MOON
One of my favorites.
(Humming....)
ZOE
Hello again moon!
PLAYER ONE
(To Player Two, surprised at this part of the
story/discovering)
Zoe speaks to the moon when she’s upset?
MOON
Hello my darling girl.
PLAYER ONE
(Taking this in)
And the moon speaks back....
(To audience)
Unknown to Rain, for Zoe, this happens all the time.
MOON
You keep going at this pace and you’ll make it! You’re almost halfway there.
ZOE
How’s it going up there today?
2/14/23 42
MOON
Well it’s spacey. It gets insane up here.
ZOE
Freaking global warming.
MOON
Yeah that, but mostly the constellations. Something’s brewing. They make up stories about a
special girl on her mission who helps people connect in peaceful ways.
ZOE
The stars are talking about me?
MOON
Which is kinda amazing. Usually stars only think about themselves. Who’s the brightest.
They can be bitches.
ZOE
Yeah.
MOON
You look worried.
ZOE
Thanks Mom.
MOON
I practically am. I put you to bed at night since you were five ... since your real mom...
ZOE
She had to leave me. She had real work to do.
MOON
But you miss her. You get sad.
ZOE
Yeah, well, yeah...
MOON
You get mad!
ZOE
I’m working on it but yes sometimes I get really, really pissed!
2/14/23 43
MOON
I let you yell at me just to get it out, so get it out baby, let out a little howl.
(They howl together.)
MOON
There’s so much your mom didn’t tell you, but oh how she loved you, how I saw it.
ZOE
Hayden never tells me anything. But when he goes to sleep, you and I --
MOON & ZOE

Philosophize!
ZOE
What makes an impact? How do we get people to act? How do you make people see what is
invisible?
MOON
Glaciers melting in front of their eyes...
ZOE
The rising heat. Sea levels... habitats ... forests... gone... no shade, no birds, no air, just...
You give people here CO2 readings and they zone out, but in Bangkok they wake up and
check the air pollution readings just to see if they can go outside... it’s not fair... everyday
what we do can hurt others....
MOON
Or help... What did you write him?
ZOE
Write?
MOON
In that note.
ZOE
Nothing. I told him I love him.
MOON
But you barely know him.
ZOE
You can know a person’s soul. You can see it. And I...
2/14/23 44
MOON
Go on.
ZOE
It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t feel the same.
MOON
About you?
ZOE
About anything. He doesn’t want to help. He doesn’t want to do this with me.
MOON
You mean in the exact way you want.
ZOE
Exactly... No! I mean --
MOON
Real love is compromise.
ZOE
Well that sounds very Gen X.
MOON
You can’t give up on him.
ZOE
But what can I do?
MOON
Your mother would never give up.
ZOE
(Realizing this is true)
But we’ve made our decision. We get there and then go our separate ways and never talk
again.
MOON
But --
ZOE
And that’s final.
2/14/23 45
MOON
I see.
ZOE
Wait ... where do I turn again?
MOON
This way....
ZOE
Thanks!
(Zoe makes the turn.)
MOON
From up here ... I see headlights, people walk into their houses, communities that no one can
see, and no one knows they’re a part of. Everything works ... it all breaks apart and comes
back together .... Eventually ... it’s just a matter of you being here to see it when you
connect...
RAIN
Zoe?
(The Moon steps back. Zoe can’t see her. The two Players
check in with each other. This part of the play is always a
little nerve wracking to watch....)
ZOE
(Speak-Sing)
Connect, Connect, Connect ...
RAIN
Zo! That guy - watch out for --
ZOE & RAIN

Truck!
(They swerve. THE MOTORCYCLE BREAKS APART.

Zoe and Rain go flying. They are suspended - mid air.
Bike Dad steps in.)
BIKE DAD
Whoah little dude.
2/14/23 46
RAIN
Don’t even Dad!
PLAYER TWO
(Surprised at this part of the story/discovering)
When in trouble, Rain speaks to his dad?
BIKE DAD
(To Player Two)
But he never listens!
PLAYER TWO
(Processing:)
Unknown to Zoe, for Rain, this happens all the time.
RAIN
Before you say anything -
BIKE DAD
I got you. She’s cute.
RAIN
That has nothing to do with it.
BIKE DAD
That has everything to do with it. Nothing wrong with wanting to get it on. As long as you
protect yourself.
RAIN
You are so not cool.
BIKE DAD
Protecting yourself against early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases is always cool!
I may only be your idealized vision of your cool ass dad, But mine is a generation of
awesome. I am socially irrelevant, but morally responsible ... When it comes to getting with
the ladies!!
RAIN
Fuck why am I even talking to you, you’re totally a dick.
BIKE DAD
Whoah. That must have been some note this chick wrote you.
2/14/23 47
RAIN
She wrote that she loved me.
BIKE DAD
Aw, shit.
RAIN
Aren’t you going to ask how I feel?
BIKE DAD
Don’t think we have time for that son --
RAIN
Why am I asking you - you never help!
BIKE DAD
Hey! I just want you to know what you’re riding there and give it respect and not kill some
poor girl .... Okay?
RAIN
She’s going to be okay.
BIKE DAD
She is going to hit the ground and break her skull the way it’s going and it might be the last
breath you’ll ever take so maybe you should listen to the weird imaginary motorcycle Dad
you’ve made up in your head, okay?
RAIN
What the hell do you want me to do?
BIKE DAD
I want you to remember what I taught you little dude.
RAIN
That running out on mom, me, and my little sister was totally okay?
BIKE DAD
I meant more when I’d drag your baby butt out to the garage at 6 in the morning, when we’d
go on rides and watch the sunrise, but if that’s the way you want it --
RAIN
Please! What do I do?
2/14/23 48
BIKE DAD
What are we riding?
RAIN
Ducati Monster 796.
BIKE DAD
Damn straight! And when we crash - when we fail - when we fall -
RAIN
Steer into the crash. Center your body. I can roll under her.
BIKE DAD
That’s the way to do it. Clear head, clear mind.
RAIN
I don’t want to hurt her.
BIKE DAD
Then don’t be afraid. Show her you care. Show her what you can do.
RAIN
Clear head, clear mind. What I can do ...
BIKE DAD
Your mother ran away with me on that motorcycle. Whatever you’ve got going ... enjoy it
while it lasts.
(THEY BREAK THE FREEZE - time speeds up -they’re

falling. Rain cradles Zoe. They have landed in a field.
Zoe holds her arm - she’s bleeding.)
ZOE
Shit...
RAIN
Your arm - it’s bleeding...
ZOE
I’m fine.
(Zoe binds a scarf to her arm. She sees the broken bike.)
The tire. It’s busted. Flat. Shit!
RAIN
The top box. On the motorcycle. It’ll have all my dad’s tools.
2/14/23 49
BIKE DAD
Here!
(Bike Dad holds out the top box; Rain rummages.)
ZOE
Can we fix it?
RAIN
I don’t know. It may take a while.
(Zoe notices the sun coming up, she realizes;)
ZOE
But if we don’t keep going, I’m going to be a day off. I’m going to miss the protestors. My
mom! What am I going to tell Cindy. She’s been organizing. I told her I was going to be
there!
RAIN
But this has to be fixed --
(Zoe tries to touch the bike.)
ZOE
Ahh!
RAIN
Careful! The pipes - they’re overheated. You have to wait for them to cool.
BIKE DAD
Cold pack. It’s in there. Here.
RAIN
Here.
(Rain hands Zoe a cold pack from the top box. Zoe takes
it and looks at him. Rain goes back to the bike and looks
through the top box.)
BIKE DAD
Flat Tire Patch Kit and CO2 cartridge. Wrench. Hacksaw blade. Ohhh! Sports Illustrated -
Swimsuit Edition! I was looking for that!
(Rain gives Bike Dad a dirty look as Bike Dad grabs the
magazine and sits, reads.)
2/14/23 50
ZOE
Thanks.
(Rain starts working on the tire.)
ZOE
Who taught you how to do that?
RAIN
My dad.
BIKE DAD
True that.
RAIN
He’s annoying. He loves TRYING to fix things.
BIKE DAD
He was a racer.
RAIN
Uh, he was an amateur racer.
BIKE DAD
He was the best!
RAIN
Anything mechanical he was good at.
ZOE
So you talk to your dad a lot?
BIKE DAD
Break it to her. Truth is always best.
(Player One [as Bike Dad] steps to the side, and joins
Player Two also watching Rain and Zoe try to solve the
problem. Rain takes in the broken pieces of the
motorcycle.)
RAIN
Zo... I’ve never fixed anything like this before.
(A hopeless, concerned look crosses Zoe’s face.)

2/14/23 51
ZOE
Okay, okay .... so we’ll figure it out, we’ll, we’ll --
RAIN
What’s that?
(Zoe notices what Rain notices: a large circular piece of

piping on the ground.)
ZOE
Huh ... It looks like an old piece from the pipeline buried underneath. They must have just
replaced it which they rarely do...
RAIN
How many pipelines are there?
ZOE
About 250 ... or more... Take a look at the map.
(Rain flips through Zoe’s Mom’s journal and flips open

the large map. As Zoe speaks ... what Rain is looking at is
projected... a Map of America which has tons of little dots
on it, that start to grow and connect [almost like Fiver’s
dream from Watership Down meets War Games]... a
dangerous, deadly mess...a web....)
ZOE
Minnesota already has a few and they’re building more. This one’s the Midline Pipeline.
Look! This one is probably transporting crude oil. Probably from Canada and the Rockies.
Oh - I got it - We can use this. We can make this a part of the work!
(Zoe gets out her phone to film.)
ZOE
This pipeline underground - imagine - it goes all the way up to the refinery over there.
RAIN
It’s huge.
ZOE
The one in Philly’s much bigger. Think ten blocks. Have you ever seen it?
RAIN
Yeah I just ...
2/14/23 52
ZOE
They’re all different.
(To her phone/camera as she films:)
Some pipes are below ground, some above. And it’s not just transporting the oil that’s the
problem. Oil refineries pollute our air, land, and water - And if the oil actually gets in the
water it contaminates whatever it touches. If there’s a spill, sure you see all these images of
cleaning up animals, but it’s just a matter of time before it gets to their nervous system -- it
makes them super sick - can even kill them.
RAIN
(Looking at map)
There are so many pipelines.
ZOE
Right! Right - those red and blue lines are all piping activity.
RAIN
Wow.
ZOE
Above ground. You can keep following it.
RAIN
All of them... they look like --
(Zoe turns the camera back on Rain.)
Veins on the earth.
(Zoe stops filming and looks at him.)
ZOE
Yeah. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
(Zoe pockets her phone.)
ZOE
The bike. How can I help?
RAIN
The wires.
(Zoe follows his instructions.)
Reattach them and the tire needs to be patched and....
2/14/23 53
ZOE
Got it.
RAIN
Okay....
(Rain tries to rev up the bike. It still won’t start.)
ZOE
But we did what you said.
RAIN
I know.
(Beat. Rain notices Zoe’s arm.)
Your cut. It’s still bleeding. You should ...
ZOE
There’s a lake, I’ll clean up.
RAIN
I’m sorry. About the bike.
ZOE
(not okay/about to cry)
It’s okay. The crash... It’s my fault.
RAIN
Zo....
(Zoe grabs the first aid bag, a towel. Rain can see from
Zoe’s expression that she is about to cry. Zoe exits to the
lake. Rain feels bad. He takes a breath and returns to the
task at hand. Looks at the broken bike. How can he fix
it?)
RAIN
It’s not just... the exhaust pipe on the bike. If I separate it ...
(Rain goes back to the bike. He works. Time passes as we

see Zoe in a different part of the field. She is in the lake.
She removes the scarf over her wound and pours water
over the cut on her arm. She bandages it back up. She
sits, overcome. Puts her head in her hands.)
2/14/23 54
(Day turns to dusk. Player Two as Moon takes the clip

headlight from the bike and operates it as she becomes
the moon shining down onto Rain at work.)
(From the top box Rain takes out a small hacksaw blade.
He starts cutting, working on the bike, cutting something
away. From the bike, he holds up what he cut off: a
section of pipe. He puts that aside.)
(Player One, as Bike Dad, sets up Rain’s speakers. He

plays Rain’s electronic/star music - we hear it
echoing/reverberating in the space. We hear and feel a
sense of vastness and wonder.)
(The stars shine through as the sky starts to darken ...

suddenly we see them as Rain does... bars... a grid...
celestial graph paper.)
2/14/23 55
SCENE FIVE - “THE QUESTION”
(Rain goes to Zoe’s backpack and takes out the supplies

she took out earlier. He spreads it in front of him. Rain
takes a composition book out of his bag. He starts to
sketch, inspired. Throughout the scene, his sketch appears
in the sky as he works and/or Bike Dad “assists” him
drawing/solving.)
BIKE DAD
Whatcha got going on there, son?
RAIN
Well, Dad ... if I fix the bike, I could get Zoe to the protest on time. But I can’t fix it.
BIKE DAD
Because you haven’t admitted to yourself you really like this girl ---
RAIN
What. No!
BIKE DAD
Don’t doubt yourself.
RAIN
I’m not. I’m just trying to figure out how this works -
BIKE DAD
Love?
RAIN
No... the bike!
(Looks back down at bike:)
It’s a process of elimination ... if it’s not the wires... is it the tank?
BIKE DAD
C’mon son, she told you how she feels. You wanted me to ask how you feel, so--
RAIN
Don’t need to feel, need to fix. Besides, I don’t know how to be who she wants me to be.
BIKE DAD
(like “duh”)
Be Rain.
2/14/23 56
RAIN
It’s not that easy. She has this idea, this manifesto, that we could save the world. How? How
do you even believe in yourself? How do you believe you can have a real impact?
BIKE DAD
Well for starters, you don’t have to question everything, you --
RAIN
Just need to concentrate. And I do want to tell her ...
BIKE DAD
Oh, really?
RAIN
It’s .... complicated.
BIKE DAD
But how you feel about her seems pretty simple, soooo --
RAIN
Even if...How long could that last? Look at you and Mom.
BIKE DAD
Well, sure but---
RAIN
The truth is ... nothing lasts.
BIKE DAD
Now I may be a simple guy, but isn’t that a little simple, guy?
RAIN
Dad, there is a thin line between creation and destruction inside of us. What we choose to do
keeps us in balance. And us with the world.
BIKE DAD
Yin and Yang! Your mom was so into that and Feng She -
RAIN
Focus. Now, you’re thinking what does a sixteen year old know about creation or destruction.
(Touches black eye.)
High school is a petri dish of crazy.
2/14/23 57
BIKE DAD
I told your mother you should be homeschooled!
RAIN
In high school at the end of the hallway someone could bully you. Or you could turn the
corner and be handed a note saying someone loves you.
BIKE DAD
But she asked for your help ---
RAIN
And helping helps the doubt go away. If I did make what she asked for .... It should be
something to inspire! What she’ll like. NO. What I’ll like.
BIKE DAD
I like that!
RAIN
Dad. Hold your comments to the end.
BIKE DAD
Sure.
(Beat.)
Your mom and I ...
RAIN
What happened?
BIKE DAD
It’s complicated.
RAIN
So...
BIKE DAD
(like a heavy sigh)
Yeahhhhhh ...
RAIN
Forget it.
(Beat, Offering:)
I’ve dated but ... it didn’t really seem like love.
BIKE DAD
That’s my boy! Play the field!
2/14/23 58
RAIN
PLEASE.
BIKE DAD
Sorry, sorry.
(Beat.)
RAIN
I do wonder ...
BIKE DAD
Yeah?
RAIN
Could love be the person you want to save the world with or who wants to save the world
with you?
BIKE DAD
I have no idea what you’re saying but THAT IS DEEP!
RAIN
The question is: in a world of uncertainty principles how can I be certain I’m doing the right
thing ... without it all falling apart?
BIKE DAD
So you do (unsaid: love) --
RAIN
Dad! I’m just fixing a bike.
(Realizing:)
What she asked me to make..I was afraid. That I’ll disappoint her.
BIKE DAD
And now?
RAIN
(Realizing)
I can do it.
(Rain picks up phone, googles, goes back to planning.

Making something from Zoe’s supplies...)
BIKE DAD *
Just be careful. Kids have to be careful these days. You google these radical protests she talks *
about. They come after you. *
2/14/23 59
RAIN *
It’s peaceful. *
BIKE DAD *
Terrorists use anything. Anything can be used. Nitrates from the cold pack. *
RAIN *
So it’ll pop! *
(Rain takes the cold pack and adds the nitrates to his *
creation. Then looks back to bike. He attaches one final
wire to it!)
RAIN
It ... connects!
(Player Two/Moon hands him the clip light which he

attaches to the handle bars. She steps back.)
BIKE DAD
Yeah.
RAIN
And then suddenly there’s a plan.
(The bike has been fixed. AND Rain holds his new
creation in his hand. He’s done both things. A feeling
floods him as never before - success! Player One/Bike
Dad starts to step back.)
BIKE DAD
You did it!
RAIN
Yeah!
BIKE DAD
So go show her!
(A red light reflects on him. Blink. Blink. Blink. Rain

stares ahead at the blinking light of the refinery which is
growing stronger.)
2/14/23 60
SCENE SIX - “THE ANSWER”
(At the lake, Zoe takes out her phone. She dials.)
PLAYER TWO
Zoe calls her mother’s friend - protest organizer Cindy Ward.
(Player Two puts on glasses becoming CINDY, who

answers on the other end of the line.)
ZOE
Hey. Cindy?
CINDY
Zoe. Good to hear from you. It’s wild out here. They’ve called the police. Be careful.
ZOE
We will. We’re on our way, but --
CINDY
Use the entrance on the north road. They’re already blocking the main entrance off. We’re
expecting water cannons, rubber bullets.
ZOE
Look I know you have lots of special guests there. Maybe of names you can’t say over the
phone to protect them but .... Tell your special guest if I don’t make it ... I ... I ...
CINDY
Sorry Zoe - can’t hear you - we’ll talk when you get here okay?
(Zoe hangs up. Zoe feels lost, like a total loser. Rain
rushes in.)
RAIN
Zoe -- it’s amazing I -- what is it?
ZOE
Nothing. I’m fine.
(Player Two standing to the side makes a hand shadow

gesture that appears on the wall. Player One voices the...)
RAIN
A frog!
2/14/23 61
FROG
Ribt.
(For Rain and Zoe the Frog is ahead of them. They stand
frozen, not wanting to disturb. As Zoe stares at it, she
can’t help but laugh.)
ZOE
Ahh....!!
RAIN
What?
ZOE
It’s just staring at me.
RAIN
It’s ugly.
FROG
RIBBIT.
(They jump back as the Frog has jumped at them.)
ZOE
Holy shit. It heard you. It heard you.
(Rain holds out his hand. The frog has hopped to him.
Rain “touches” his head.)
ZOE
Frog whisperer!
RAIN
He is kinda cute.
(The Frog “hops off”. Zoe grows serious.)
ZOE
So. Our plan. It’s changed clearly ... Tomorrow. We call our parents. We have no choice. We
call them and they can come get us. Right. Rain?
(Rain studies her, thinking, then sees ...)

2/14/23 62
RAIN
The lights.
ZOE
It’s the refinery. That happens every few hours. It runs all by itself. Everyone goes and it still
gurgles and stays awake.
(Rain stares at the refinery.)
Everything man made is pretty shitty.
RAIN
Zoe -
ZOE
Except maybe Hell Streak --
RAIN
You named my Dad’s cycle Hell Streak?
ZOE
(Self deprecating)
Some bad ass, huh.
RAIN
Hell Streak thinks so.
(Rain shows her the fixed cycle.)
ZOE
You fixed it! That’s ... that’s incredible Rain.
RAIN
Let’s go ... we can make the protest.
(She sits.)
RAIN
Zo?
ZOE
(Points ahead)
See that little tent up there? It must be from workers in the refinery coming out here on
breaks. In it, look what I found ...
(Zoe pulls out from her backpack:)
Cigarettes? Whiskey.
2/14/23 63
(Zoe swigs whiskey. Rain has never seen Zoe like this
before.)
RAIN
Zoe ...
ZOE
Zoe Master Planner, right? God. I can’t finish this trip Rain.
RAIN
Why?
ZOE
How could I see my mother? Why would she want to see me? Look at me... What have I ever
done? I’m a coward. Everything I try to do I fail...
RAIN
That’s not true -
ZOE
We could go back home, maybe we both go to your friend’s house ...
RAIN
But this protest it means a lot to you.
ZOE
Or maybe we can stay with your dad. He’s still in Philly right?
RAIN
Zo ... I don’t ...
ZOE
I wish you would. I wish you’d talk about it.
RAIN
About what?
ZOE
Don’t pretend. Fess up. Your dad. I never see him. You must have moved to Lakewood
without him. Your mom is single, like my dad. We both have people we miss. I get it.
(Long Beat. Rain takes the whiskey bottle.)

2/14/23 64
RAIN
Zoe... my dad crashed - riding this.
(Rain drinks.)
ZOE
...
RAIN
Three months ago my mom gets a call. Not from him. After my dad took off when I was ten,
we never heard from him. The call was from the cops. He got hit by a car. This racer ... gets
SMASHED. She hangs up the phone. I’m standing there with my little sister. Mom doesn’t
bat an eye. She calls her boss. Gets a job transfer. She packs us up and moves us across the
country - takes us away from anyone we know - moves us to Lakewood. To live in a rented
house in a nice neighborhood that we can afford now because of his life insurance. And
here’s the kicker --. My mom - that day the cops called to tell her my dad was -. Just before
she hung up - I heard her say it - she told the cops - she didn’t want the body ... they sent the
cycle. It arrives last week. My dad was thrown from it, but the motorcycle? Barely a dent.
They slide it off the truck at our new house - and there she is. A shiny red monster. No one
rides her. They put her in our brand new garage, shut the door and --
ZOE
I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to --
RAIN
Zo... At school. They said your mother ...
ZOE
What did they say?
RAIN
That she went crazy. I asked why you got suspended.
ZOE
And ...
RAIN
They said you went crazy.
ZOE
The day I got suspended, it was after your presentation. I was just in the cafeteria. Stacy
Campbell and those kids. They’re awful. They make fun of everyone all the time but this
time I heard them making fun of you. I tell her she’s wrong. I tell her she doesn’t know you.
She calls me a freak. And what can I do?
(MORE)
2/14/23 65
ZOE (CONT'D)
If I go, I complain to Principal Degaso, my dad, it’s too late. Stacy gets away with it. I let it
go, I’m nothing. So I get up on the table and scream. I point at Stacy and tell her she’s going
to hell which might be kind of harsh but I was in the moment and everyone ... just laughing
...
RAIN
You got expelled for that?
ZOE
So I punched her. Now they’re not laughing. Now they’re jumping up screaming. I end up in
Principal Degaso’s office and he pulls out my paper for the upcoming student rally. In the
paper, I wrote about all the problems of this sick world, which we’ve only made sicker. How
the environment connects all our causes and proves we need to solve them together.
RAIN
And what did Mr. Degaso say?
ZOE
Mr. Degaso says my paper is too excitable. That I get too excitable. And I tell him - you just
don’t care. “Everyone here at Nathan Hale High School,” Mr. Degaso says, “cares about
politics, is ‘involved’.” “How?” I ask him how and he talks about meetings and petitions, and
emails. Nothing that would have an effect. Nothing that means anything! I can’t breath. And I
can’t stop it - I spit in his face. They come in to take me down and they push me so I grab a
pencil and stab a security guard in the hand. I’m not expelled because my dad is head of the
PTA, I get suspended because I’m a maniac. I wake up the next morning, I see my Mom on
TV like I told you. My paper? I post it all online and tag all the groups she worked with and
all of a sudden I have a bunch of new friends inviting me - friends of my mother - Cindy and
these groups who said you should come join us. Meet us at the very refinery she went after.
RAIN
East Coast Energy Solutions.
ZOE
That day they led me out of the office. Going down the hall I see you, I’m a mess, I drop
everything, all my books, my mother’s journal... You stop. You help. You hand it back to me.
I see your black eye --
RAIN
I heard them making fun of you. I told them to stop.
ZOE
(Realizing)
That’s how you got it. For me... and I stood up for you.
2/14/23 66
RAIN
After they did this:
(refers to black eye)
I went to Mr. Degaso. I told him about my dad and he tells me:
“Life happens Rain. In a few years, you’ll get the beauty of that.”
So if we’re the same. When we go back home, how does that happen?
How does “life fucking happen” Zoe?
(Rain is shaking, upset. Zoe goes to him.)
ZOE
The Imagined Future. It’s a game - a different kind of game. Because we can make it true.
Close your eyes.
(Rain does.)
ZOE
Do you see it? The whole world as you want to create it. The fields, the trees, the air, all
that’s around us ....
RAIN
Zo ...
ZOE
Do you feel ...? It’s greater than us, more than us. This is why. This is why we came.
(Rain opens his eyes. He looks at Zoe. He knows this is

true. He takes out his notebook, lays it in front of him. He
takes out the creation he was sketching in the sky; what
he’s made from Zoe’s supplies. As Rain talks he puts the
finishing touches on what he’s created.)
ZOE
What are you doing?
RAIN
Just one final tweak ...
ZOE
For what?
(Rain holds up his creation.)

2/14/23 67
RAIN
Well it’s a small explosive ... hold it ... nothing flamable ... glitter bomb. Peaceful. It releases
the glitter - totally biodegradable - and little pieces of paper “Shut Down or Bust”.
ZOE
I don’t know what to say ...
RAIN
Zoe... we can finish this trip. Get to the protest. You can see your mom.
ZOE
No one’s ever made me anything like... done anything like this for me, but Rain ...I can’t...
(Beat. Rain looks at a defeated Zoe.)
RAIN
But you have to finish this. You have to.
ZOE
Why?
RAIN
Because you have that chance.
(Beat.)
ZOE
We’ll make an impact.
RAIN
We will.
ZOE
Together. Promise?
RAIN
I promise. I’ll never leave you.
ZOE
Okay, okay... we’ll go.
(She hugs him.)

2/14/23 68
ZOE
Rain .... My mother. The truth is I want to impress her. I want her to feel ... like she loves me.
(Rain is very close to Zoe. Rain takes out the note.)
What I wrote at the end of note, Rain, I mean it. Do you...?
(Player One projects the shadow of the frog again and

voices:)
FROG
Ribbit.
ZOE
Hello! Frog Whisperer- your friend is back --
(The Frog shadow struggles to breathe.)
RAIN
What’s wrong with him?
(The Frog shadow “falls”, motionless. Rain and Zoe

stoop down in front of them. The frog is not breathing.
It’s dead.)
ZOE
Oh my god. Out there. The Lake.
(They peer over at the lake in the direction of the refinery.

The lake, it’s waves, and what they see is projected....)
RAIN
They’re ...
ZOE
Families.
RAIN
So many of them.
RAIN
Zo. Do you see?
ZOE
Oh my god.
2/14/23 69
RAIN
They’re not ...
They’re floating.
ZOE
The water. It must be something in the water. Maybe something burst. If it’s frogs on the
surface could be ... Fracking fluid or ... FUCK!
(Zoe grabs her phone.)
RAIN
What are you doing?
ZOE
Calling it in -
(Dialing)
National Response Center ... Fuck! No one’s picking up!
(She hangs up.)
(Rain gestures for her to give him her phone; films her.)
ZOE
(To camera/Rain)
This is Zoe Cartwell, we’re here on the corner of .... There is a whole sea of dead frogs
clearly from the Midline Pipeline ...
(Rain stops filming.)
RAIN
You went in the water. Zo.
(Beat. They realize how serious this is. A look of

helplessness crosses Zoe’s face which she hides.)
PLAYER ONE
In the blink of an eye she understands.
PLAYER ONE
The damage of oil in the body. Affecting the nervous system... the lungs ...
PLAYER TWO
It’s poison.
ZOE
I’m fine.
2/14/23 70
RAIN
We have to get you to a hospital.
ZOE
No hospitals. We go there, they’ll call our parents - this will be over.
RAIN
But --
ZOE
I won’t go there, you understand?
(Zoe walks slowly away from Rain to the Frog.)
RAIN
I don’t know if you should. We should let it be.
ZOE
I can’t. Help me.
(Zoe is crying. She digs a hole with her hands. They

“bury” the frog. Zoe turns away. Beat.)
ZOE
Play me something.
RAIN
What?
ZOE
Something you love.
(Rain takes his phone and presses play. A track of one of

his electronic songs plays. Zoe swigs the whiskey. She
closes her eyes and listens as he sings with the track.)
RAIN
Gray days
Long nights
How do I breath
Since you
You, You, You
Have been gone
Forever
2/14/23 71
(Rain has finished the song. Zoe is asleep. He gets up. He

is angry, he has nowhere to put his anger. He runs his
hands through his hair, breathes deeply.)
RAIN
(Speak-Sing)
Connect, connect, connect ...
(Rain takes out the glitter bomb. He looks out at the

refinery. The lights blink. Blink. Blink. He picks up his
backpack and goes. Zoe sleeps. Sound of explosion. Zoe
wakes. Rain re-enters. Sound of another explosion. They
look up. Player One and Two join them. All four watch as
the sky turns red. The stars burn.)
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT ONE

2/14/23 72
SCENE SEVEN - “LOVE, NOT DESTRUCTION”
(The stage is bare. All four actors enter. Player One and
Player Two lead this chant. It has the feeling of a protest
chant. As they sing, they stomp and clap. There is a
strong sense of drive, protest, and finding strength to go
on. As the song happens, we see/experience what is
happening with the internal life of Zoe, as the poison is
finding its way through her body and growing...)
PLAYER ONE & TWO

Nine trillion tons
From the air to the sea
Melt and disappear
Yesterday becomes today

Just another day
Of hope and fear
How do I find you

Go on the journey
And if I find you
Will you come with me?
The red rose grows slow

The heat keeps rising
For each choice you choose
While tomorrow isn’t promised

Like the shrinking of the shore
It’s yours to lose
How do I find you?

Go on the journey
And if I find you
Will you come with me?
(Projection of the parking lot of a gas station. Rain clicks

through different radio stations on the ipad. We hear
broadcasters speaking about Rain and Zoe in different
languages/different channels as Player Two steps forward
as these broadcasts play softly underneath.)
2/14/23 73
PLAYER TWO
(To Player One)
Just two days until the protest. Rain and Zoe had made it almost through Ohio. They stopped
at a gas station in Cincinnati. Rain and Zoe’s story was everywhere. Every time they click a
channel, they listen to the news, but now ...
PLAYER ONE
It’s about them.
(Rain clicks on another news station.)
PLAYER ONE
(Becoming news )
You’re listening to Bloomberg Radio. Rain Evans and Zoe Cartwell are the names of two
wanted teenagers still on the run from Lakewood, Washington ...
PLAYER TWO
(Becoming news )
... for a refinery explosion in Minnesota ...
PLAYER ONE
... Cash reward offered for anyone who calls our hotline with any information ...
PLAYER TWO
Double the reward for any assistance in turning Rain and Zoe over to the authorities.
(Zoe has just turned off the radio. Rain holds out a bag of
items to Zoe. Zoe won’t look at Rain directly. Rain takes
items out of the paper bag; hands her the items.)
(Throughout the scene, it becomes clear Zoe is paler than

she was, she keeps coughing.)
RAIN
Crackers with cheese. Crackers with peanut butter. Burner phones. And ... oh, look! Trail mix
...! You have to eat something.
ZOE
...
RAIN
We’ve been riding for hours. You haven’t said anything all night.
2/14/23 74
RAIN
At some point you’re going to have to say something. We’re almost through Ohio. We keep
going. We should be in Philly in just a day Zoe.
(Zoe is still silent.)
That family we passed in the Ford. Clearly on the perfect road trip. I saw them coming up
alongside us. The dad driving. Their mom asleep in the front seat. Some five year old kid
awake in the back. I thought about our game. “What’s natural?” I wonder if he could see it ...
the imagined future, that’s why I ... I thought that’s why we do what we do. And it was like
he could hear me. He waved at me. As if it was all going to be okay.
ZOE
Okay? We’re all over the news. “Two teenagers leave home, blow things up.” We’re the face
of violent extremism.
RAIN
Hey. “Queen of the Zombies...” This is what you wanted. *
ZOE
This is what I wanted?
RAIN
Yeah.
ZOE
Setting off a BOMB in the refinery? That’s what I told you I wanted.
RAIN
It was just the glitter bomb, but it must have ignited something. I didn’t mean for it to --
ZOE
But it did.
RAIN
You said you wanted to make an impact. You said you were afraid.
ZOE
You didn’t even ask me.
RAIN
Those waters were contaminated. You want to let what happened to you happen to someone
else?
ZOE
I was taking care of it.
2/14/23 75
RAIN
By what? More talk? Stabbing a security guard with a pencil?
ZOE
Violence is a last resort.
RAIN
It’s property.
ZOE
You could have killed someone.
RAIN
But I didn’t.
ZOE
Three employees had to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
RAIN
And they’re releasing them already - they’re fine because they actually went to the hospital.
ZOE
I’m fine.
(Rain grabs Zoe’s arm. Pushes up her sleeve, showing the

rash crawling up her arm. Overlapping:)
RAIN
No you’re not. You need medical care.
ZOE
I’m fine!
RAIN
Whatever mix of oil that burst into that water - it killed animals. It’s seeped through your
cut, into your skin. It’s hurting you --
ZOE
Your bomb. You could have been killed. Me.
RAIN
I wanted to protect you --
ZOE
I don’t need protection.
2/14/23 76
RAIN
No, you don’t need anything.
ZOE
What does that mean?
RAIN
You just use people.
ZOE
No, I --
RAIN
/This whole trip on all the cash you’ve taken out - from your dad --
ZOE
That’s my fund.
RAIN
That you have. You can AFFORD to do this -- *
ZOE
I am about love - not destruction.
(Zoe pushes Rain.)
RAIN
For once in your life Zoe be true to yourself -- because the truth is you try to connect to
anyone; it doesn’t matter who it is because you can’t stand /being alone ---
ZOE
/STOP --
RAIN
/Admit it --
ZOE
SHUT UP!
RAIN
I don’t want to be alone either.
2/14/23 77
(Beat. A helplessness. They see in each other’s eyes a

new divide between them. Zoe turns on the radio.)
NEWS ONE
...More news on the refinery explosion ...
(Zoe turns up the radio.)
PLAYER ONE/NEWS
... The incident has sparked further debate. Several senators have come forward with
evidence brought to light months ago, about the dangers of leakage at this particular site, that
was ignored. Here’s a clip from Seattle teenage suspects Rain Evans and Zoe Cartwell that
went viral last night:
(Player Two holds out a phone to them. Behind her the

footage plays of Zoe.)
ZOE (ON VIDEO)

This is Zoe Cartwell, we’re here on the corner of .... There is a whole sea of dead frogs
clearly from the Midline Pipeline ...
PLAYER ONE/AS NEWS

Those who represent the Midline Pipeline claim the site was intended to be shut down; they
will not be fixing the site.
PLAYER TWO/NEWS
The site will be /shut down.
ZOE
/Shut down?
(In shock, a conflicted feeling)
It worked. What you did.
RAIN
What we did.
(Zoe hands Rain back the crackers.)
ZOE
Did they have crackers with nutella?
(Rain smiles. He exits, heading back into the gas station.

Zoe rips open the new phone package and dials. Lights
rise on Cindy who has just picked up.)
2/14/23 78
ZOE
Hey Cindy!
CINDY
Zoe --
(Zoe starts coughing.)
ZOE
We shut down Midline Pipeline refinery; did you hear that?
CINDY
We can’t be talking Zoe.
ZOE
But we’re joining the rally.
CINDY
All these actions are funded. If they knew .... Our work requires stamina, not violence Zoe.
You can’t be a part of the rally.
ZOE
But --
CINDY
You can’t join us.
ZOE
But what we did worked. You need our help. We can shut down East Coast Energy Solutions
for good -
CINDY
I have to go.
ZOE
You need me. You said you wanted me there because of my mother. Because she’d be there.
CINDY
I think you’ve misunderstood ...
ZOE
I saw her on TV with you guys.
CINDY
You must have thought you saw her.
2/14/23 79
ZOE
But --
CINDY
Your father didn’t tell you?
ZOE
No.
CINDY
(Secretive:)
Stonehouse.
ZOE
What’s that? What’s Stonehouse?
CINDY
I have to go.
(Click.)
ZOE
Stonehouse...
(Zoe flips through her mother’s journal. Reads:)
Stonehouse. A place where activists go when ...
(Zoe is worried, thinks.)
PLAYER TWO
(To Player One)
Zoe wanted to tell Rain everything. All she wanted her whole life was complete honesty. But
... this is about her family, her shit, she couldn’t bring Rain into this....
PLAYER ONE
(To Player Two, realizing, “getting it”)
In her mind there wasn’t time.
ZOE
(Zoe looks worried. Takes a breath, continues.)
Pittsburg ... 375 Tallen road.
(Rain has entered. He has heard the above.)
RAIN
What’s Stonehouse? Zoe ...
2/14/23 80
(She looks at him.)
ZOE
I’m sorry.
(Zoe takes off.)
RAIN
Zo... Zo!
RAIN
Shit! Shit!
(Player One becomes Bike Dad. Rain sees him.)
RAIN
You are the last thing I need right now.
BIKE DAD
Aw, you’re just upset. Let’s see son. Are you upset because you just lost my bike or because
you might be feeling guilty about those workers you sent to the hospital - not to mention that
overnight you’ve become a criminal ... or that you let the first person who you’ve cared
anything about in years now get away --
RAIN
Dad.
BIKE DAD
Don’t say it - I’ll say it for you. “I messed up Dad, I don’t know how to go forward Dad, I
don’t know how to go back Dad, I don’t know which road to take ahead Dad. And Dad, I
miss you.”
(Rain walks away.)
BIKE DAD
Hey - where are you going?
RAIN
Fuck off ---
BIKE DAD
Listen --
2/14/23 81
RAIN
How can you help? How can you even --
BIKE DAD
I don’t care what you’ve done, I love you. I will always love you.
(Beat. These are the words Rain has been longing to

hear.)
RAIN
(soft, childlike, vulnerable)
You said you were coming back.
(Beat.)
BIKE DAD
(Gently)
Sometimes moments on the road aren’t planned. Like this. When that happens, the only
answer /is --
RAIN
/ is in the road ahead of you. Not back.
BIKE DAD
Yes!
RAIN
Then why?
BIKE DAD
Why?
RAIN
Then why didn’t you take Mom with you. Or me?
BIKE DAD
We’d look in each other’s eyes and we couldn’t see that person we chose to go on the journey
with. We love you but lost it. We didn’t know how to get it back. I always wanted to find you
- to talk to you - I just got scared.
RAIN
I have to get Zoe back. You saw how sick she’s getting... she needs me.
2/14/23 82
BIKE DAD
Hmm... Well you taught me:
(German accent. Quoting Heisenberg:)
“The more precisely the position of some particle is determined” --
RAIN
“The less precisely its momentum can be known and vice versa”.
BIKE DAD
But maybe there is a way to know if you know ....
RAIN
... the workaround position of AN INSANE IRRITATING ZOE PARTICLE!”
BIKE DAD
Heisenberg! What up, yeah!!
RAIN
375 Tallen road. A place called Stonehouse. I have to get there and I’ve got no bike ... it’s like
... a wormhole... I’m starting here... and I need to get there...
BIKE DAD
Are you open to some spiritual shit?
RAIN
Uh....
(Rain turns away from Bike Dad but the Moon is there.
The Moon methodically follows him.)
The Moon .... she’s following me. *
BIKE DAD
You can see her even in the day.
(Rain locks eyes with Moon. Rain moves; the Moon *

counters like a dance as she leads him.) *
RAIN *
How do I find you *
MOON *
Go on the journey *
RAIN *
And if I find you *
2/14/23 82A
RAIN & MOON *

Will you come with me? *
BIKE DAD
When you ride, if you really ride, the moon’s who you follow. *
RAIN *
Over the overpass - the moon, it’s glowing brighter -- over - hey - it’s a bus stop! The bus it’s
coming!
(Possible lights “help” coming towards him?) *

2/14/23 83
*
2/14/23 84
SCENE EIGHT - “MOM”
(Zoe enters Stonehouse.)
ZOE
Hi - hi - sorry to - hello?
(Player One has stepped into becoming Man.)
MAN
Can I help you?
ZOE
This is Stonehouse?
MAN
Yes.
ZOE
There’s no sign.
MAN
No.
ZOE
Lia Cartwell. My mother. She wrote about this place. She said this is where activists go
when they --
MAN
Burn out.
ZOE
You mean give up.
MAN
We wish it was that easy.
(Zoe coughs a bit, scratches her arm. Man watches.)
I came to work here twelve years ago. This place was created off the grid so activists can find
peace and quiet and really reconnect here. There is a lot of pressure to want our actions to be
successful. When they aren’t - its like a light goes out. We feel helpless. We stop eating,
sleeping, turn away from our families. We have a loss of purpose, of energy, of connection --
ZOE
Uh, yeah, I know my Mom’s not here. But maybe you know where she is. Someone told me
about this place but ... She can’t be here, I mean she’d never “burn out”, but --
2/14/23 85
MAN
Your dad didn’t speak to you about her Zoe?
ZOE
Why? How do you know my dad? How do you know me?
MAN
It’s important to remember she committed herself.
ZOE
She wouldn’t ... She’s not here. She can’t be here .... Like this.
MAN
She’s out in the garden.
(Zoe looks out. Player Two is revealed as Zoe’s Mom. )
ZOE
Why is she just sitting there?
MAN
She’s reconnecting internally.
ZOE
I want to talk to her now.
(Man hands her a wine bottle.)
MAN
It can get her to respond. There’s nothing in it.
ZOE
She’ll talk to me.
MAN
She’s been silent. You can speak to her, she cannot - she’s finding her way Zoe.
(Man reaches for cane. He limps to her. She realizes who

he is.)
ZOE
You’re Jimmy? Why are you here? She shot you! You betrayed her!
2/14/23 86
MAN
She got out of prison and knew she had to come here. She didn’t want to be alone. She wrote
me.
ZOE
She wrote you ... she wanted to come here.
MAN
She said she couldn’t go home.
ZOE
She wrote you and she came here ... Why?
MAN
I love her. I always did. Back then, I made a mistake.
ZOE
You don’t have muscles. You got fat.
MAN
Be patient with her Zoe.
(Zoe enters the garden. She approaches her Mom

smiling.)
ZOE
(not knowing what to say)
Hi ... Um... it’s me. Your daughter. Zo. Zoe. I ...
(Her Mom doesn’t respond. Zoe isn’t sure what to do

next. She takes out her mom’s journal.)
ZOE
Remember this? You wrote this. It is ... it’s the journey you took before ...
ZOE’S MOM
...
ZOE
I know ... dad is a wreck without you ... I ... came because I want you to come with me.
ZOE’S MOM
...
2/14/23 87
ZOE
You see ... I ... I’m following in your footsteps. I know you went a little crazy right ... but ... I
forgive you, I’m okay with crazy, I love crazy!
(Mom picks up the journal. Zoe takes out a photo.)
ZOE
This is a picture of you. This is you. You used to be ... you used to go everywhere ... do you
know this ...?
ZOE’S MOM
...
(Zoe’s Mom flips the journal. She lands on where she

wrote her songs. Zoe sees this.)
ZOE
You wrote songs.
(Zoe sings her mom’s song back to her.)
Back when I was younger...
We’d hang the laundry out ...
(Mom stares blankly. Trying harder:)
... There’s no cause without...
(Mom stares blankly at her, Zoe helplessly tries again:)
Connect, connect -
(Mom still stares blankly at her.)
ZOE
It’s just because you’re doing this silent thing. I mean you totally remember. It’s important.
ZOE’S MOM
...
ZOE
I ... I wanted to be like you ... here you document everything.
(She points to the map.)
Every state - The Most Wanted List of the 100 Biggest Polluting Power and Coal Plants -.
(Growing more upset)
All these years. I’d read your journal, I’d read your articles, and I fucking dreamed you were
doing work. Great work. “Connect, connect, connect.” You’d say that. Burned out. Burned
out -what is that ...? You gave up. You forgive Jimmy? You write him but you don’t write
me? And NOW you want to what - heal? I swam and the oil spilled and now ...
(She shows her mom the rash.)
I don’t feel good ... there’s a rash, it’s growing. I try not to show Rain - he’s a boy that I ...
(MORE)
2/14/23 88
ZOE (CONT'D)
You gave up! But we’re not! We only have a bike and that’s all we need ... and we are doing
great - we cook over a fire - I can make a fire - I can do everything; I can do everything - and
pretend we’re all -. Okay.
(Zoe starts to go. Zoe’s Mom motions to the wine bottle.

Zoe gives it to her. Zoe’s Mom chugs the empty bottle,
gulping the air. Zoe tries to speak - Zoe’s Mom motions
for her to be silent. Zoe is. Zoe’s Mom sits. Zoe sits.
Zoe’s Mom starts to move and sway, she does some
poses. Zoe imitates her.)
ZOE’S MOM
(Breathes in and out)
ZOE
(Imitates her breathing in and out)
ZOE
(Starts to cry)
ZOE’S MOM
(Breathes again)
(Zoe breathes in and out again with her Mom.)
ZOE
Show me. What it was like. I have to know. Mom.
(Zoe’s Mom closes Zoe’s eyes. She extends her arm like
she holds a gun. She presses this gun to Zoe’s neck, two
fingers pressed right under Zoe’s throat. Zoe’s head tilts
back. Zoe breathes heavily, breathing in the fear and
exhilaration. Zoe’s Mom steps away. Zoe opens her eyes.
Zoe’s Mom breathes again, so does Zoe. Zoe’s mom
grabs Zoe’s hand.)
ZOE’S MOM
Zoedonia.
(Zoe’s Mom takes out a box. Opens it. She takes out a
flash drive on a cord, puts it around Zoe’s neck.)
ZOE’S MOM
Give them hell.
2/14/23 89
(Zoe runs out. She hops on the bike and goes. As we

transition, Player One and Two sing to each other. Zoe
sings as she tries to get through this moment
remembering Rain’s words.)
PLAYER ONE
Gray days , Long nights
PLAYER TWO
How do I breathe?
PLAYER ONE, TWO + ZOE

Since you
You, You, You
Have been gone
Forever -.
(Zoe coughs.)
ZOE
I need to find Rain.
MOON
You should go to the hospital, like Rain said.
ZOE
No! No... I don’t know where to go. I don’t ...
MOON
I do.
ZOE
The bike it’s sputtering ---
MOON
Look ahead.
ZOE
A bike shop...!
2/14/23 90
SCENE NINE- “PROOF”
(Lights bump up on Josh, a mechanic, is in his garage.

Zoe “pushes” the bike in.)
ZOE
Hey ... my bike stopped working - I had to push her here - and I lost my signal so --
JOSH
Hey. It’s okay. Sit. Sit, sit. You’re lucky, we’re only open on the weekends.
(Zoe coughs.)
There’s a water cooler over there. Help yourself.
It’s hot these days.
ZOE
Thank you.
JOSH
(Looking at bike)
I see.
(To Zoe:)
Don’t worry. We got this. We’ll fix it.
ZOE
I’ve got some money...
JOSH
Don’t worry about it.
ZOE
Wow. Thank you. Damn it! My phone’s...
JOSH
We got a phone you can use. Am!
(To Zoe:)
You trying to call a friend?
ZOE
I’m not sure what to say.
JOSH
That kinda day huh.
(Zoe nervously toys with the flash drive cord.)

2/14/23 91
JOSH
What’s that?
ZOE
My mom gave it to me. It’s a flashdrive...
JOSH
Mm, old.
ZOE
Yeah.
JOSH
What’s on it?
ZOE
I don’t know ... I don’t know why she gave it to me.
JOSH
Well, that’s nice.
(Zoe points to a framed photo of a lady in a leather

jacket.)
ZOE
Who’s --
JOSH
That’s my mom she started this place before she moved out West. Passed last year.
(Amy enters.)
AMY
And left us this shithole and all the bills.
JOSH
That’s my wife Amy. Been hard to keep up the place, you know, in these times.
ZOE
I’m sorry.
AMY
Right.
2/14/23 92
JOSH
Am. I need the phone.
AMY
Uh-huh.
JOSH
And the red toolkit. Am. That’s my wife.
AMY
Heyyy.
ZOE
Hey.
(Josh gets to work on the bike.)
JOSH
Oh! I see what happened here. Just a little and ... uh-hum ... and move this...
ZOE
Oh my god thank you!!
JOSH
(While fixing bike:)
You make that call to your friend?
ZOE
Right.
(Zoe starts dialing.)
AMY
Rain must be pretty worried.
(Zoe stops dialing.)
ZOE
How do you know my friend’s name?
AMY
Who doesn’t?
2/14/23 93
JOSH
And there she goes. Listen to her purr. Fixed.
AMY
Too bad you won’t get to use her.
ZOE
(Putting it together)
Now listen --
JOSH
Am - take the keys.
(Josh tosses the cycle keys to Amy who catches them.)
ZOE
Hey give that back!
JOSH
No way ZOE.
(Amy starts dialing.)
ZOE
Wait - you don’t understand.
AMY
Oh we understand. We saw the news. We’re calling the cops.
ZOE
No!
AMY
Yeah!
JOSH
Am. Not yet.
AMY
Why wait?
JOSH
We get more money with the both of them.
ZOE
You can’t call the cops - please --
2/14/23 94
AMY
And why would we listen to a wanted criminal?!
(Zoe gets up to go. Josh blocks exit.)
JOSH
Where’s the other one. Call him. Your friend. Rain.
ZOE
No!
(Zoe tries to bolt but Amy grabs her.)
JOSH
You aren’t going nowhere until you get your friend over here.
(Zoe coughs and almost doubles over.)
ZOE
Please ...
JOSH
Am.
AMY
She’s fine.
ZOE
Look, I know how the news makes it sound -- but there’s been a mistake --We’re just trying *
to make things better --
AMY
Better? You closed Midline Pipeline. You know how many people lost their jobs? 11,000.
11,000 families losing their main source of income. Now we’ve got these damn protestors
where we work.
ZOE
You work at East Coast Energy Solutions...
2/14/23 95
AMY
They want to take away our jobs. You do.
ZOE
No, that’s not what we want --
AMY
Stop lying. Stop making everything up!
ZOE
What?
AMY
Climate change.It doesn’t exist.
ZOE
What?
JOSH
Am! We gotta wait. Put down the goddamn phone Am --
ZOE
What did you say about climate change?
AMY
We saw your dumb dead frog video on TV. You’re the pawn of people that want to ruin our
way of life so this climate change thing - you made it all up! Climate change doesn’t exist.
ZOE
(realizing)
There is nothing I can say or do ... this is what you believe.
AMY
Show me proof!
(Rain dramatically enters.)
RAIN
There is proof. It’s called science.
(Rain and Zoe lock eyes. We go into their fantasy of this

moment. Song: “Rain and Zoe Save the World”. SONG
TO BE INSERTED. Rain swings an electric guitar
around. Zoe is watching in awe. He hands it to her.
2/14/23 96
She plays. He takes out his phone and lays down his beats
and sings into the microphone like a rockstar.)
RAIN
On tonight... the night of all nights!
(New Lyrics coming/Placeholder:)
Science gathers knowledge *
Faster than society *
Gathers wisdom *
(Zoe grabs a microphone. She’s a rockstar.) *
ZOE *
So you two better listen *
When we’re done with our mission *
BOTH *
You’ll be wishing you weren’t so dumb *
(They rock out!) *
BOTH *
Rain and Zoe *
Save the World, yeah *
Rain and Zoe *
Save the World *
*
Don’t you know the climate war *
Dates back to 1894 *
And we can’t take it anymore! *
RAIN AND ZOE *

Rain and Zoe *
Save the World, Yeah *
Rain and Zoe *
Save!! The!! World!! *
Let-‘er. Go. NOW.
(As their song fantasy moment continues Josh and Amy

are also heightened and trying to stop them:)
JOSH
Call. Now. Am.
ZOE
No way, AMY.
2/14/23 96A
AMY
Hey! I’m doing you a favor -- you want to end up like your mom? I heard all about her.
Crazy like a loon.
ZOE
FUCK YOU.
AMY
What did you say?
ZOE
I said GO FUCK YOURSELF AND YOUR DUMB DOUBTING FACE!
2/14/23 97
(Zoe and Rain end the song with a last flourish. Amy
pulls the plug on the guitar.)
AMY
That’s not what happened.
(“Rewind.” We see the reality of the moment - Rain

bursts through the door. He and Zoe are fixated on each
other, not paying attention to Amy dialing and talking on
the phone. Josh can’t stop watching Rain and Zoe.)
RAIN
There-is-proof - science!
ZOE
Rain ... ! How did you ...
AMY
(Softly, on phone)
Yup, we got ‘em.
RAIN
Danced with the moon, caught a bus, met some really interesting people ...
AMY
(Softly, on phone)
121 Bear Creek Road.
RAIN
I followed your tire tracks and now ... I’ve found an insane Zoe particle.
(Amy hangs up.)
AMY
Cops are on their way.
(Zoe and Rain rush the door, but Amy and Josh block
their exit. Zoe helplessly locks eyes with Rain again.)
ZOE
Rain... even if we don’t get to the protest... I met my mom tonight. She’s my world. She was
my everything. She tried to save this world, and she failed and now...But she tried. We can
never stop trying. That’s.... That’s my manifesto.
2/14/23 98
RAIN
It’s beautiful.
AMY
It’s crazy, like one of those ones written by crazy people. Josh?
(The sound of sirens grow. Josh looks off in their

direction.)
JOSH
Am... bring in the rest of my tools. I don’t want cops messing up our stuff.
AMY
Sure.
(Kisses him.)
We’re gonna be rich.
(Amy exits.)
JOSH
My mom was my world too.
(Josh suddenly hands Zoe the keys.)
JOSH
Go out the back.
(Zoe squeezes his hand, he lets her. They get the bike,
rushing off. Amy enters.)
AMY
Damn it Josh!!!!
(Shouting after Rain and Zoe)
Good luck outrunning the cops sickos!
(Lights transition to the road. Rain and Zoe back on the

bike. The sirens are growing louder. Flashing lights can
be seen.)
RAIN
Jesus, they’re getting closer with every turn...
(A rumble of thunder.)
Wait.... there’s a storm coming ... Zo ... that’s it - speed up --
ZOE
Are you crazy? It’s getting worse!
2/14/23 99
RAIN
For us - and them too! We’re losing them!
ZOE
The storm Rain - the branches they’re falling - I can’t - I can’t see -- oh god --
RAIN
You need to get ahead of the storm. What would my dad do?
(Suddenly Bike Dad is there riding alongside them!)
BIKE DAD
You need to go faster. Follow me!
ZOE
(Opens eyes, sees him. She does what he says.)
BIKE DAD ZOE

Turn. I SAID TURN I’m trying --
TURN I can’t --
TURN But --
SHIFT. SHIFT. FASTER. Wait --!
TURN TURN TURN --
(Zoe turns. They make it!)
ZOE
Rain ...!
RAIN
Are you okay?
ZOE
We lost them! We made it.
(They kiss. Then pull away. Look at each other. Rain

stands a bit taller.)
ZOE
Rain, my mom she gave me this ...
RAIN
What’s on it?
2/14/23 100
ZOE
I don’t know.
(He touches the flash drive around her neck, thinking...)
ZOE
Where can we go?
RAIN
We’re near Philly. We’re near my old neighborhood.
ZOE
Rain what are we going to do?
RAIN
I know who can help us. C’mon.
(Rain gets on the bike. Zoe gets on. They ride. It is like
the world disappears in the distance.)
2/14/23 101
SCENE TEN - “BADASS SELVES”
(Player One steps into the role of Mike, Rain’s friend, at

his house hours later. Lights bump up on him fully as he
plays video games while he talks.)
MIKE
(Playing video games and talking)
[Actor quickly names a list of recently dead celebrities, then:] What a bunch of pussies, am I
right ...? When depression comes. I’ll be like what? NO! BLAM! When death comes.
BLAM! I will survive! My parents: “You’re sixteen you don’t know everything Mike!”
WRONG! I fucking do! I knew you’d be back Rain! School sucks without you. This town
sucks without you. Oh, tomorrow let’s go into town with you and your new friend, Zoe -
right? Smoke?
RAIN
Told you - Mike is crazy.
MIKE
Me?!! This guy - highest score on Fortnite. And I prefer the term technical wizard.
ZOE
Rain says you’ve known each other forever.
MIKE
Dude, we were Wolf cubs, troop 76. Campfires, fireflies in a jar, Kum-ba-fucking- ya! When
we were tots man!
ZOE
(Gently interrupting the Bromance - keeping focused)
Mike - the flashdrive my mom gave me - what’s on it?
MIKE
Right down to it! I like her Bro.
(Puts flash drive Zoe’s mother gave her into a tablet.)
There!
ZOE
East Coast Energy Solutions. It’s the plans. We know how to get inside. The exits, the
entrances.
RAIN
The whole grid. Where we can shut it down. What should we do?
2/14/23 102
MIKE
Don’t worry, I got it covered.
The minute I heard your story I was like - Now is the time Mike!!!
My dumb mom thought I was spending what she gave me on books but why the fuck would I
buy books when I could get me a 3-D printer on sale! Oh yeah - THANK YOU AMAZON
PRIME!
(Motions to the 3 D printer. It beeps!)
It’s ready! Technology! Thank you Steve Jobs! Oh yeah!
(Mike reaches in and pulls out a plastic revolver.)
The future! BLAM BLAM!
(Mike lays down a beat and hands Rain a plastic gun. He

takes out another plastic gun and plastic bullets.)
RAIN
Uh, guns... no way...
MIKE
Fuck the second amendment and those assholes yeah, yeah, yeah --
ZOE
He’s right, this is not --
MIKE
Dudes you’re outlaws! The cops are after you. You’re storming into a plant. What choice do
you have?
RAIN
(Looking at gun)
But Zoe is this us?
(Zoe holds her gun. She looks at it. Player Two, from a
distance, instinctually:)
PLAYER TWO
Zoe...
(Zoe hears her. But must keep going. The story they’re
telling is the story. It can’t be changed.)
ZOE
Mike’s right. We need them to get in... we’re not going to use them.
2/14/23 103
RAIN
(Hands back gun)
No ... thanks. We’ll find another way.
(Beat. Rain looks to his partner.)
ZOE
(Giving back her gun)
Okay.
RAIN
(To Mike)
Sorry.
MIKE
Whateves.
(Mike puts the guns next to him.)
I’ll just sell ‘em on ebay. You can stay here tonight.
ZOE
Outside is fine. We’re used to it.
MIKE
YES! The backyard leads right into the woods then, if you want some PRIVACY.
RAIN
Uh ---
MIKE
Don’t thank me.
(Mike makes a holy gesture.)
Wherever you go, whatever you do, I bless your badass selves.
(Unseen by Rain, or a distracted Mike, Zoe swipes one of

the guns by him and puts it in her bag.)
(Rain and Zoe walk are in the woods. They unfurl

sleeping bags. Rain notices Zoe’s cough has gotten much
worse.)
RAIN
Zo --
(Zoe grabs his hand.)

2/14/23 104
ZOE
Tomorrow we ... connect, connect, connect (looks up)
RAIN
What is it?
ZOE
You can’t see the stars tonight.
RAIN
No.
ZOE
Do you want to look at the plans again?
RAIN
I think I’ve got it.
(Zoe refers to the tablet with the plans.)
ZOE
We’ll enter here. Anyone we meet, we show them we mean business and we shut her down.
RAIN
Yeah.
(Zoe coughs again. Rain watches this.)
RAIN
It’s worse.
(Beat. This is true and Zoe knows it.)
ZOE
We’ll shut it down, then ...
(Zoe coughs. She is clearly doing much, much worse.

Beat. A worried Rain turns away from her thinking. She
looks over the plans again.)
ZOE
Rain ... about the note.... I .... are you asleep?
(Rain is awake, but silent.)

2/14/23 105
ZOE
I love you.
(Zoe falls asleep. Beat. Rain takes the burner phone. He

dials ... Pappa Hayden [Zoe’s Dad] picks up. Lights rise
on Player One as Zoe’s Dad is seen on the other line;
Player Two as Rain’s Mom is there too, listening
anxiously by his side. )
ZOE’S DAD
Zo ... Are you there?
(What to say? Rain goes to hang up:)
Zo please!
We saw -. Your videos ... they’re getting so ... fancy.
The police have told us a lot of things. You come in, they’ll work something out. Do you hear
me? To give in now, isn’t being a coward. It’s survival. That’s something your mother forgot.
If someone is listening. We’re waiting here for you. Rain’s mother and I. We’re at 5550
Fontage Road. We drove out here with the protestors. Your mother and I did all that back in
the day so you wouldn’t have to. Your mom and I ... we used to ... we’d go ... all across the
country ... in a Ford. A goddamn Ford. A station wagon with a little you. We spun out in the
desert, we got naked in front of the Texas courthouse, we marched for equality, against
discrimination, we screamed, we howled. Local news saw your mother’s videos. She was so
excited. Her journalism degree. She burnt it. She thought it was useless. She thought she
could talk to people - “Now I can do something!”
You say something. I hear you breathing.
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about your mother.
You want things to get better!
You don’t know how, I know!
We are all living creatures.
Every living creature can change.
If you give them that chance, you have to give yourself that chance.
What good is doing any good in the world if you are taken from us. If something happens.
Zo ... my little Zoedonia ... We used to count the stars.
I’d say your soul is so big it’s the sky ... Your soul goes down. You go down. The world goes
down with you. But if you start one action - real action. Your soul. It grows out of the trying.
Your soul grows.
I think you’re beautiful kid. I don’t want you to grow up anymore. Live how you want to
live. Rain. This boy ... Rain if you’re (Unsaid: listening) ...
Tell the boy. I’m here with his mother. She misses him.
PLAYER TWO
I do.
2/14/23 106
ZOE’S DAD
She’s sorry. I’m trusting him. You’re responsible for each other now.
(Click.)
(Rain looks to Zoe.)
(Player One steps into being Bike Dad who enters with a
guitar.)
BIKE DAD
Come on. Come on. Requests. Okay.
(Bike Dad starts to sing horribly. Rain makes a face. Bike

Dad offers the guitar. Rain takes it. He plays and sings.)
RAIN
When your world turns upside down
Can you turn that world around?
Do you fight to save the world?
For the girl who changed your world?
Is the cause worth more than her?
Ohh, the world is her....
(As he sings he looks at Zoe.)
BIKE DAD
Shit. You really love her. Don’t ever, ever tell her.
Son.
I see you getting really old.
I see you lasting forever.
RAIN
I don’t say goodbyes.
BIKE DAD
To the next ride, little dude.
(Bike Dad is gone. Rain looks at Zoe. He gets on the

motorcycle and goes.)
(It grows brighter. Morning is coming. Zoe wakes. Sees

Rain is gone.)
2/14/23 107
ZOE
Rain? Rain?
(Zoe takes out of her bag her mother’s journal, and what
Rain was unaware of that she kept ... one of the guns. She
coughs, scratches her arm. She is pale, weak. Looks
scared until ... )
(She looks out at the refinery.)
(Blink! Blink. Blink.)

2/14/23 108
SCENE ELEVEN - BETRAYAL
ZOE
Moon...
(Player Two steps into being the Moon who appears.
Zoe speaks from a place of abandonment, great pain:)
Rain left. He betrayed me. I’m alone. I don’t want to be alone.
MOON
Then don’t be baby. There’s no shame in turning back.
(Zoe looks to her... This is not the answer she wanted to

hear. Zoe looks off - for the first time she looks just like
her mother, much older beyond her years, holding her
gun. It’s unsettling.)
ZOE
Goodnight Moon.
(Zoe turns away from Moon. Zoe howls.)
(The Players try to approach her.)
(She points her gun at them. They step to the side.)
PLAYER ONE
Zoe gets the workers out. She goes inside.
(Zoe looks ahead to the switches before her. Sound of a

“click” each time she does. She goes to pull one final
switch but Rain enters.)
ZOE
I already pulled all the switches. Just like the plans say. This one goes out, the plant goes out.
RAIN
Your dad. He’s here. We went to the police.
ZOE
The police?
RAIN
I told them what happened. I told them they had to let me see you. They’ll work out a deal.
We’ve got to get you to a hospital --
2/14/23 109
ZOE
You would give us up.
RAIN
I have to keep you safe. I told them we would come in --
ZOE
Of course ... of course! TRAITOR!
RAIN
Listen - your dad --
ZOE
You listened to him? He gave up.
RAIN
Zo - listen to me --
ZOE
Why? Because you gave up? You give up, you get old, you get old, /you --
RAIN
/You lose it.
ZOE
We lost it.
RAIN
Listen. You need people to help. You want people to join you.
ZOE
No. People are the problem. They always are. You. You left.
RAIN
Zoe, stop. We need to do this the right way or people won’t listen--
ZOE
Listen? Care? When have they ever done that?
RAIN
If people know our story, they will.
2/14/23 110
RAIN
You don’t have to do this alone.
ZOE
I am alone. I’ve always been alone --
RAIN
Zoe. Trust me. Wait -- !
ZOE
Since evolution - that’s the argument. WAIT. “It’ll get better.” “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”
“Someone else will deal with it.” And I say what’s the point! What’s the point of a little
stream when you can make a gush of water. Even if we just shut down this plant for one
second. We’ve done something. We’re doing something and it had an effect.
(Rain blocks the last switch.)
ZOE
Get out of my way.
(Zoe aims her gun at Rain. She approaches.)
RAIN
Your dad last night. He said you used to count the stars.
ZOE
I TOLD YOU TO GO!
RAIN
You used to dream of the future --
ZOE
Shut up!
RAIN
You used to care about the world.
ZOE
Go.
RAIN
I do love you.
(Zoe puts the gun right up to Rain’s throat.)

2/14/23 111
RAIN
That’s an effect. That’s change. Violence isn’t you. Violence doesn’t work.
PLAYER ONE
Rain takes the gun from her.
PLAYER TWO
Zoe pulls the last switch...
(THE LIGHTS GO OUT. TOTAL DARKNESS.)
(Rain turns on a flashlight.... sees Zoe... lying there...

fallen to the ground. She is unconscious.)
PLAYER ONE
But the poisonous oil in her body has its own effect.
(But Zoe is still breathing, breathing.)
(Rain, in shock at what he sees, immediately bends down

to her. He picks her up and stands, holding her in his
arms.)
RAIN
Zoe, Zoe.
(They look very, very small. Player Two has turned on

one of the lanterns - it’s glow finds them.)
RAIN
(emotional but simple, processing:)
Why?
(To Players)
I want to see it.
I want to know it.
Our imagined future.
(Beat. Players look to each other.)
PLAYER TWO
She’ll go to the hospital.
(Rain lies Zoe down. Zoe starts to move.)
Her illness has spread through her nervous system. It is something she will always have to
manage, but she does.
(MORE)
2/14/23 112
PLAYER TWO (CONT'D)
(Zoe stands.)
But with time, living or not all things heal.
ZOE
Rain.
PLAYER ONE
You won’t be allowed to see each other.
PLAYER TWO
No, not right away. Consequences are important. The trial ---
RAIN
Trial?
PLAYER TWO
Yes there will be a trial --
PLAYER ONE
Lawsuits! Lots and lots of lawsuits. It will be hard for your parents, but you will talk more to
them than you ever have before. It will be tough, you will feel at times alone.
(Zoe turns to Players.)
ZOE
But you both stay.
PLAYER ONE
Everyone keeps one piece of themselves that doesn’t quite grow up. Never lose that.
2/14/23 113
SCENE TWELVE - HIGHEST HILL II
(Continuous, but we really understand, as design fills in,

we are back at the start of the play but with context and
new meaning.... As we discover:)
ZOE
But we do grow up.
RAIN
We do.
(Rain hands Player One/Older Rain his backpack.)
RAIN
(To Player One)
You’ll go to college. Grad. Engineering. Though she goes first.
(Zoe hands Player Two her backpack. Our Players are

now, as they always have been: Older Zoe and Older
Rain. Their younger Rain and Zoe selves now become the
“Player/Narrators”.)
OLDER ZOE
Anthropology with a minor in Feminist Cinema Studies. But always with a foot in activism!
Many years of activism!
RAIN
You’ll be older.
ZOE
But one day she’ll return to visit Lakewood.
RAIN
You will too.
ZOE
For a protest... years later.
(They look out at us, the gathered protestors.)
OLDER ZOE
(To older Rain)
I see you in the crowd.
2/14/23 114
OLDER RAIN
We’ll see each other. For the first time in... God... I’ll look into your eyes.
OLDER ZOE
I’ll still see you. I’ll show you a picture of my kid.
OLDER RAIN
I’ll show you a picture of my cat. And - oh! I’m teaching now - one of my students she
stopped a coal barge in Rhode Island.
OLDER ZOE
Great!
RAIN
You’ll ask her to take a ride with you. You’ll ride to the highest hill.
OLDER ZOE
Hell Streak! Wow she’s still ...?
OLDER RAIN
Upgraded to electric. She’s a little slower, but still going.
ZOE
And you look down at where you’ve been and the sky.
OLDER RAIN
Did you hear of that new apartment complex created in Kentucky with solar paneling?
OLDER ZOE
That was you?
OLDER RAIN
That was us!
OLDER ZOE
Did you hear of the march in ...
OLDER RAIN
Yup.
OLDER ZOE
Do you still play make beats?
OLDER RAIN
Do you still play guitar?
2/14/23 115
(Beat. Older Zoe smiles, lost.)
OLDER ZOE
Sometimes I feel sad. I feel like I don’t know how to ... live in this world. I’m scared how
long I’ll live in this world. I’m scared how long this world will live. And then I remember
you. I remember our trip. And I feel ... And I don’t know why.
OLDER RAIN
“What you see” ...
OLDER ZOE
Go --
OLDER RAIN
Barges.
OLDER ZOE
Buildings.
OLDER RAIN
Factories. The Imagined Future - Go!
OLDER ZOE
I see ... Windfarm.
OLDER RAIN
And over there.
OLDER ZOE
That small farm with solar. All the small farms. Independent but ...
OLDER RAIN
The structures we build that cause no harm. Wind and rainwater harnessed.
OLDER ZOE
The sun. The land. Trees. Yes.
(Older Zoe closes her eyes.)
OLDER RAIN
People. Safe. Together.
(Older Zoe cries. It’s unstoppable. Older Rain puts his

hand over Older Zoe’s heart. He pulls out a light. Older
Zoe holds her hand over Older Rain’s heart.
2/14/23 116
She pulls out a light. They release their souls. They hug,
clinging to each other. As the scene continues, the stage
slowly brightens. In the sky, the stars are emerging,
twinkling.)
OLDER RAIN
No two people can save the world.
OLDER ZOE
No.
(Beat. They look out. They see the audience. They are
their fellow protestors. We are all already here. Together.
We return to the chant and stomp we heard at the
beginning of Act Two for the section below. [CS Note: In
terms of rules, the counting can only be truthful to the
amount of people in the room].)
OLDER RAIN
(counting one row of the audience)
[1-2 ... 4 ... ]
OLDER ZOE
... [8-10-11] --
RAIN
[Ten] more.
ZOE
Well that whole row is about [18] right there.
(They continue counting - they’re overlapping. A joyful,

improvised playfulness. As they count, the stars burn
brighter - connecting. At what feels like the right time,
our four storytellers join hands, then look to us.)
OLDER ZOE
Let’s try again.
BLACKOUT
END OF PLAY

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Official Rain and Zoe 2.14.23

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RAIN AND ZOE SAVE THE WORLD

A play by Crystal Skillman

Original Score by Bobby Cronin

Player One (M), thoughtful. Plays: Bike Dad and others.

Player Two (F), impulsive. Plays: Moon and others.

Casting: This is an multiracial cast.

Setting: A cross country play. West to East. Starting in Seattle.

Time: Now, now, now.

Music/Songs: This adventure play has songs/musical sequences as well as some

PROLOGUE - “THE HIGHEST HILL”

(A bare white stage. Bright light finds Player One, 40s,

(Raises his hand. A “hello”. Player Two sees him.)

(She raises her hand. Player One steps forward to her.)

(She steps forward.)

PLAYER TWO PLAYER ONE

(Player Two pulls out of her bag a red journal. Zoe, a

(Rain, a sixteen year old boy, enters.)

(Zoe looks to audience.)

ZOE PLAYER TWO

(Zoe turns on the radio. Player One instinctually jumps

(Zoe turns off the radio and starts scribbling on a piece of

(Rain catches the note and starts reading it.)

(Rain breathes heavy after reading note. Looks at Zoe.)

(Zoe opens journal; an image of her room is projected

(Player One holds up a window frame. Player Four steps

(Player Two “reaches into” the projection of Zoe’s room,

(The Players move to the side of the playing space,

SCENE ONE - “THE NOTE”

(Rain has now climbed through the window. Zoe plays it

(From their “sidelines”, Player One and Two have

(Player Member tosses them cigarettes and lighter. Zoe

(Rain’s Mom starts softly counting.)

(Rain’s mom is still counting.)

(Getting boldly close to her. She’s now nervous.)

(Standoff. Rain and Zoe stay fixated on each other.)

(A beat standoff then:)

(Beat. Players look to each other.)

(Player Two smiles, nods.)

(Lights go out. The sound of a garage door opening. A

(Lights fill in Rain and Zoe admiring these handle bars.

SCENE TWO - “FIRST RIDE”

(He “steps off”. Zoe bucks him up.)

(Zoe takes the helm. Rain hops on. Zoe pantomimes

(Zoe jumps on, revs it up.)

(Rain gets on. Zoe “revs” up again.)

(Zoe flicks on the headlight that glows.)

(The motorcycle jolts ahead.)

(Zoe brakes. Bike jolts, but does stop.)

(They take off. The stars shine.)

(As she drives, Player Two shares footage of Zoe’s Mom

ZOE’S MOM (ON FANTASY VIDEO)

(Projections fill in the vast landscapes they pass: a variety

SCENE THREE - “LOST AND FOUND”

(A large national park. Crickets. Sounds of nature in the

(Their lanterns catch Players sitting on either side.)

(Lights focus on the teens.)

(Zoe takes out a bag of trail mix and munches.)

(Unseen, Players makes coyote noises.)

RAIN & ZOE

(Zoe still feels guilty, presses:)

(Zoe’s phone rings a silly ring. Rain grabs it.)

(She shuts it off over his shoulder, Rain has phone.)

(He starts to text.)