Nomad Motel

Nomad Motel
By Carla Ching
Atlantic Production -- New York Premiere

DOUBLE YELLOWS DRAFT 05-27-19
DOUBLE PINKS DRAFT 04-27-19
DOUBLE BLUES DRAFT 04-26-19
DOUBLE WHITES DRAFT 04-24-19 - 2ND PRODUCTION DRAFT
TAN DRAFT 04-16-19 - Production Draft
CHERRY DRAFT 02-04-19 - Pre-production draft
Characters:
Mason, 17, Chinese American in a black hoodie -- a lonely misunderstood music creator
James, 45, strapping, cocky, leather jacket, perfectly coiffed hair, from Hong Kong
Fiona, 42, a gorgeous and cultured blonde former Huntington Beach gal
Alix, 17, a scrappy tomboy with a shock of blonde hair -- bigger than the town she's from
Oscar, 17, a dude of color, aqua blue dredlocks, a modern day Basquiat, gregarious, a dreamer
Place:
Sandman Motel, Anaheim, CA
Anaheim Tropic Motel, Anaheim, CA
Mason's house, Tustin, CA
An Abandoned Convenience Store, Santa Ana, CA
Time: Now
Scene locations:
1. A room at the Sandman Motel/Mason's house, a call with his Dad

2. Mason's house (the next day)
3. A room at the Anaheim Tropic Motel (a few days later)
4. Mason's house, a call with his dad (the next day)
5. A room at the Anaheim Tropic Motel (eight days later)
6. Mason's house (that night)
7. Mason's House/A room at the Anaheim Tropic Motel (a few days later)
8. A room at the Anaheim Tropic Motel, nearly cleared out/Mason's house (later that night)
9. An abandoned convenience store (a few days later)
10. An abandoned convenience story (later that night)
11. Mason's house (later that night)
12. Mason's house (several weeks later, around midnight)
13. Mason's house (a few hours later, middle of the night)
14. Mason's house (a few hours later, dawn)
A couple of writer's notes:

* -- are meant to be cut offs
* ... is a brief beat
* (beat) is a longer beat
* / indicates an overlapping line
1.
Split stage. Two worlds. In the darkness, a

lonely guitar line plays.
Special up on Mason (17), standing with a

guitar in hand. In finest Andrew Bird
fashion, Mason plays a line on the electric
guitar, which he programs into his loop
pedal, puts it on repeat.
All the lights bump up to reveal Mason in an

empty, grand, suburban house in Tustin, CA.
There’s a big fireplace. A sleeping bag, 7
mismatched chairs and a huge flat screen
TV. A fencing foil lurks in the corner.
There’s a fully built out keyboard/music
recording station with various instruments
lying around. Electric and acoustic guitars.
A recorder and perhaps a violin.
Mason adds a whimsical acoustic guitar

line. Loops that in too.
Into a microphone, he adds a whistling bird-

like sound as the melody. He’s a one-man
orchestra.
And the music he’s playing? If you could

bottle the sound of standing on the top of
Mammoth Mountain in the middle of winter
with the sun high in the sky and crisp wind
whipping by? This is it. Pine trees whisper
to the wind.
As he plays, an idea occurs to him. He goes

over to check something on the mess of
blankets on his sleeping bag. What is he
looking at? We can’t be sure right now. But --
unsatisfied with what he finds, he presses
pause on his loop pedal and goes back to his
computer where he begins adjusting the
song mix.
Nomad Motel | Final Production Draft | 2.
Then, on the other half of the stage...just a few small lights

glow in a room in The Sandman Motel in Anaheim, CA.
Disneyland is visible from the window, but this broke down,
week-to-week motel has none of its magic.
The contents of a Suburban house are crammed into the tiny

space. But while cramped, it feels homey and well-composed,
everything having its place.
Alix (17) -- clad in her work outfit from Islands (a Hawaiian

themed chain restaurant) -- perhaps a nice, loud aloha shirt
with apron and name tag -- tiptoes through the front door, past
her sleeping brothers Jack and Danny who sleep like sardines
in a double bed. She steps into the --
Closet area. With just a single, sad lightbulb glowing over the
assortment of bins and rack of clothes crammed tightly
together, Alix pulls off her work clothes. Fiona bursts in,
pulling on a too-tight top and a little skirt, each of them
startled by the other.
ALIX FIONA
Aaah! Aaah! *
FIONA
(sotto voce) You’re gonna wake up the boys!
ALIX
(sotto voce) You’re gonna wake up the boys!
FIONA
I had to make them run laps in the parking lot so they’d finally sleep!
ALIX
Fiona!
FIONA
What? It worked!
ALIX
So would a bedtime story.
FIONA
If I have to read Where the Sidewalk Ends one more time, I’m gonna stab my eyes out.
(then) Have you seen my shoes with the cute thing on the strap?
ALIX
In the clear tub.
Fiona starts foraging in the clear tub.
FIONA
Who shoved them in there?
ALIX
The boys needed room to play. Shoes are in the tub, sweaters behind the door.
Fiona fishes out the gold shoes in question. Alix pulls on a

hoodie and jeans. Looks at what Fiona’s wearing.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Is that my top? My favorite top?
FIONA
Might be.
ALIX
You could ask to borrow it.
FIONA
(not really as a question) CanIborrowthisthanks.
She clocks Fiona doing her lipstick in a compact.
ALIX
(putting it together) Wait, uh-uh. I have somewhere to be.
FIONA
Well, I have an appointment.
ALIX
At 9?
FIONA
A drinks appointment.
They reach past and over each other for what they need --
socks, lipstick, hairspray, a belt, etc. It’s a weird getting-
dressed ballet, but in a clown car situation.
ALIX
With who?
FIONA
Your Uncle Ronin.
ALIX
He’s not my uncle. I hate that guy. He’s creepy.
FIONA
He’s advising us on the best fiscal way forward.
ALIX
He’s a house flipper. You sure you want advice from a shark?
Fiona hair-sprays her hair. Spray! Spray! Some gets in Alix’s

eyes and she waves the cloud away.
FIONA
I’ve sent 45 emails. He was the only one to answer this time. Tells you a lot about a
person. Someone who can’t return an email. People who you’ve covered for in carpool,
made class snack for when they broke their arm, donated to their stupid Animal Wildlife
causes --
ALIX
Well, I have to meet this kid to work on a school thing. Somebody has to stay with the
boys.
The murmuring of sleeping children. Fiona and Alix both peer

out of the closet to where the boys are stirring from sleep.
JACKIE (O.S.)
Mom?
ALIX FIONA
It’s okay, Jackie. Go back to sleep, baby.
The murmuring subsides. Catastrophe diverted. Fiona

considers. Then --
FIONA (CONT’D)
(sotto voce) We’ll only be gone a couple of hours.
Fiona checks herself in the pocket mirror. Can’t see well.

ALIX
(sotto voce) Last time you left them alone, I came home to Jack playing with broken glass
in the parking lot --
FIONA
(sotto voce) He promised he won’t do that anymore.
ALIX
(sotto voce) And Danny was testing how long he could hold his breath in the tub --
FIONA
(sotto voce) They’re boys.
ALIX
(sotto voce) Exactly. They like getting in shit.
FIONA
Stop catastrophizing.
Fiona hands her phone to Alix to take a full body pic. Alix
does, hands the phone back,
ALIX
Mom -- my project is due tomorrow. Can’t your...date wait?
FIONA
It’s not a...I’m seeing him about our house.
Fiona looks at the picture of of her outfit, hates her skirt, pulls
it off and puts on jeans. Alix folds up the discarded skirt.
ALIX
I thought the bank owns the house.
FIONA
They do, but they’re going to sell it at auction. Cheap. I’m trying to get Ronin to buy it.
For us. Let us pay him back --
ALIX
Why would he do that?
FIONA
Because he’s your father’s friend. Our family friend.
Alix looks at Fiona. The tight top. The heels.

ALIX
And that’s how you go to ask for favors from a friend?
FIONA
(beat) You really can be a mean girl sometimes, you know?
ALIX
I learned from the best.
FIONA
Can you please not be an asshole today? Just for today.
ALIX
Can you?
FIONA
I miss when you were ten and sweet.
ALIX
We can’t stay tiny forever.
FIONA
(beat) We owe money on the room tomorrow.
Alix shoves her hand into her waitress apron pocket, pulls out a
wad of cash. Counts it.
ALIX
I’ve got about 200.
She hands it to Fiona who pockets it.
FIONA
Thank you, honey. We’re still a little short so...if they come by -- hide.
Alix sits on the floor of the closet, rummaging through her bag,
looking for a school assignment. Fiona checks her hair in a
pocket mirror. Looks at Alix to plead with her to fix it. Alix
acquiesces. Picks up a clip and starts to upsweep Fiona’s hair.
ALIX
You hear back from the law offices yet?
FIONA
No, but I dropped off a resume at our dentist’s office. My agent’s sending me out on a
couple of auditions next week. There’s a print ad, an under-5 on a really good Crackle
show, a Wendy’s commercial.
ALIX
You banned fast food!
FIONA
And I still don’t want you putting that garbage in your bodies. But, let ‘em pay our rent,
right?
ALIX
There are other places. The coffee shop? Trader Joe’s? Disneyland?
FIONA
Our friends go to Trader Joe’s. Our friends go to Disneyland.
ALIX
I have to wait on kids from my school. All the time. They’re usually drunk.
FIONA
It’s different. You know it’s different.
ALIX
Is it?
Fiona looks down at her hands. They remind her of her

father’s.
FIONA (CONT’D)
God, what would your grandfather say?
ALIX
He’d say he told you not to marry that asshole.
FIONA
He was so proud of that house. We never thought we’d ever own anything.
ALIX
He’d say shit happens. And then you sweep it up. (beat) He’d understand.
FIONA
He didn’t work six days a week for forty years for me to lose the house he built with his
own two hands.
For a moment, Alix looks at her mom who looks so fragile and
small.
FIONA (CONT’D)
I can get us out of this. I can. I just...Please, honey. Can you stay with the boys tonight?
Alix crumbles inside, but nods.
ALIX
Yeah. I’ll stay.
Fiona gives her a quick hug.
FIONA
I owe you my first born.
ALIX
I am your first born.
Fiona smiles at her, touches her face. Swoops up her purse and
is on her way out the door. Realizing Fiona forgot the car keys,
Alix picks them up and holds them out. Fiona snatches them
out of Alix’s hand. Alix leans against the door in exhaustion.
JACK (O.S.)
Alix!
Alix rushes out to tend to her brother stirring from sleep.
Cross back to Mason, making music with his instruments and

loop pedal. A Skype call rings in. Mason accepts the call on his
and puts it on speaker. It’s James (45) who’s on speakerphone
on his cell.
(Through the scene, what do James and Mason do that the

other can’t see. Pee? Flip through a graphic novel? Pick up a
foil? Pour a huge glass of scotch? Cbeck something we’re not
sure of yet nestled in the blankets in Mason’s sleeping area?)
MASON
(in Cantonese, pronounced wahy) Wái?
JAMES
English. What’s that noise?
MASON
Just a song I’m writing.
Mason shuts off the music. James takes off his shoes.
JAMES
Why are you writing a song instead of studying for school?
MASON
My homework’s done. I was killing time waiting for you to call. You’re late.
JAMES
Sorry, I was at work.
James pours himself a glass of whiskey which Mason spies.
MASON
Are you just getting home? Isn’t it noon there? You’re drinking at noon?
JAMES
Work went late. End of my day. (avoiding) You eat your dinner?
MASON
No. Mrs. Fung keeps bringing by bitter melon with black bean sauce.
JAMES
Delicious.
Mason checks the nest of blankets, makes sure it’s out of view
of James on the laptop.
MASON
It’s gross. It’s salty. And bitter.
JAMES
Of course it’s bitter. It’s bitter melon.
MASON
I hate it.
JAMES
A little bitter is good for you. Get you used to life.
MASON
(rolling his eyes at his dad’s corny aphorisms) That’s what you’re teaching me? Life is
bitter?
JAMES
Yes. Get used to it.
MASON
How bout I just know it’s bitter and not have to eat it?
JAMES
Have you asked Mrs. Fung - nicely- if she’d make you something else...
Mason picks up the foil and starts wielding it like a saber.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Maybe you don’t ask nicely enough. Charm goes a long way.
MASON
Are you saying I’m not charming?
JAMES
You inherited a lot of things from me. That’s not one of them. But you can learn it. Learn
charm. Life will go much more easily for you if you --
MASON
She uses too much salt. Stop paying her. I’ll make my own food.
JAMES
You? What can you cook?
MASON
Ramen. Steamed fish with scallion and garlic. The one Mom taught me. Fried rice.
Mason drinks from a bottle of Code Red.
JAMES
You don’t eat vegetables. You’re gonna get scurvy.
MASON
I’m not a sailor, Dad, I'm not gonna get scurvy.
JAMES
Anybody can get scurvy.
MASON
I have orange juice. Lots of orange juice.
JAMES
You know Washoku, huh? The Japanese got that right. Only thing they got right, but they
say to have a balanced diet, you eat five colors of food every day --
MASON
Red, yellow, green, black, white. I know.
JAMES
You have any red food today?
Mason looks down at the bottle of Code Red.
MASON
Pizza.
JAMES
Hmm. Is pizza red food?
MASON
Red and white. And I had peppers on it too. So I got the green. See, I’m half way there.
Mason checks in on the blanket nest again.
James takes out a small tub of Tiger Balm and rubs a bit into
one of his shoulders which is sore.
JAMES
How are your grades?
MASON
Good.
Mason starts to feel pinched and pressured by James. Starts

sweating a bit, his heartbeat quickens, breathing gets more
labored. He starts packing his backpack
JAMES
You’re doing enough extracurriculars?
MASON
So many I can barely see straight.
JAMES
You can see straight when you’re dead. How are your college applications?
MASON
I have everything locked up except the essay.
JAMES
What’s wrong with your essay?
Mason tries to breathe, tries to find the words --
MASON
It’s just not exceptional enough yet.
JAMES
Not exceptional enough for Harvard? Not exceptional enough to put you on track for
your MBA?
MASON
Not yet.
JAMES
After all we’ve invested, don’t let one thing screw it up, Mason. Keep your grades up.
Get your essay right. Understand?
MASON
Yes, I understand.
James starts to remove the rest of his work clothes and put on a
bathrobe.
JAMES
How’s fencing?
Mason stops packing and focuses on the Skype call.
MASON
About that.
JAMES
What?
MASON
(breathing deeply, then --) I want to switch to saber.
JAMES
Why?
MASON
I think I’d be better at it. If you want me to be in first position, I --
JAMES
(laughing like it’s a hilariously terrible idea) Saber is for barbarians. Stay with foil.
MASON
But, Dad --
JAMES
Your grandfather learned foil, I learned foil and now you will learn foil.
MASON
But I don’t --
JAMES
Do you want to be a warrior like your father and your grandfather?
MASON
You’re not a warrior.
JAMES
(His fuse suddenly lit.) What did you say? Say that again.
MASON
(placating) We’re all warriors.
JAMES
Yes, we are.
MASON
Can’t I just use a different weapon?
JAMES
You will learn foil. End of discussion.
Beat. Mason goes back to his backpack.
MASON
Can I hang up now, then?
JAMES
Why?
MASON
You said, “end of discussion.”
JAMES
Are you being smart with me? You better not be growing a smart American mouth.
MASON
I have to catch the bus to go work on a project with --
JAMES
You better not be developing an American smart mouth or I’ll have to come over there
and slap it right off you.
MASON
They don’t believe in corporal punishment here. That’d be child abuse.
JAMES
What?
MASON
Child abuse.
JAMES
I don’t care what they call it there. I call it disciplining my smart-mouthed son so he
learns how to deal with authority and live in the world. So he doesn’t grow up to be a runt
who’s still sucking off my teat when he’s thirty because he doesn’t know how to hold
down a job.
James waits for his message to hit home. Mason leans into the
phone, which he’s put on speaker.
MASON
You don’t have teats.
JAMES
Your mother would wash your mouth out with soap.
Mason leans into the laptop to look at his dad.
MASON
Well, she’s not here, is she?
Beat.
JAMES
You will eat bitter melon and you will like them. Or I’ll take $200 out of your allowance.
Silence. Mason pissed, painted into a corner.
MASON
Fine. I’ll eat the bitter melon.
JAMES
And you will love them. (beat) Say it.
MASON
I’m not saying that!
JAMES
Say it.
MASON
(beat) I will eat the bitter melon. And I will love it.
JAMES
Good. I’ll have Mrs. Fung drop some by tomorrow.
MASON
You don’t have to be a dick, you know?
James laughs.
JAMES
Or do I? (then) Wong Xinsan (Mr. Wong) is going to LA soon. I’ve asked him to check
on you.
MASON
I’m fine, Dad. You don’t need to --
JAMES
I’ll talk to you the day after tomorrow.
MASON
Stop drinking and go to bed.
JAMES
What? Connection’s breaking up. Go catch your bus. And don’t slump. Nobody respects
a slumper.
Mason straightens up. James hangs up the call. Mason grabs

his backpack and turns out the lights, starts heading out when,
FLASH OF RED LIGHTS. DING-DONG. The doorbell rings.
Mason’s breathing starts to get labored. But he steels himself

and opens the door.
MASON (O.S.)
How...how can I help you officer?
Lights.
2. THE NEXT DAY
Lights up Mason, on a Skype call with

James, a little bruised from his police
encounter. He holds frozen edamame on his
arm.
MASON
They pinned me to the floor. Dug their knees into my back. Cuffed me until Mrs. Fung
showed up.
JAMES
Did they hurt you?
MASON
I’m fine.
JAMES
What happened?
MASON
Some stupid old lady saw me walk into the house -- through the front door with a key --
and she didn’t think I looked like I belonged here. So she called the cops.
JAMES
What’d Mrs. Fung tell them?
MASON
That she’s my aunt. You’re on a business trip.
JAMES
Good.
MASON
(loudly, meant for the neighbor to hear) Fucking racists. Thinking I don’t belong in my
own house.
JAMES
Hey. You watch it. Keep your head down. Don’t make noise, make waves, get yourself
thrown out of there.
MASON
I’m not gonna get thrown out.
JAMES
You are -- you and your big mouth.
Silence.
JAMES (CONT’D)
So this woman...
MASON
The cops walked me over to the neighbor’s house to explain I live here. She pretended
she never called.
JAMES
Tomorrow, you leave a dozen bagels on her front step. That’s what Americans like, right?
Those big fat bagels?
MASON
Why?
JAMES
So she’ll remember you from now on. If someone comes for you, kill them with
kindness.
Mason is silent. James remembers he’s a little broken and

battered. He softens.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Well. I’m glad you’re alright.
MASON
Yeah.
JAMES
You know I’m only ever 24 hours away. You call me, I’m on a plane.
MASON
(Beat. Then, disappointed his father isn’t offering more) I gotta go, Dad.
JAMES
Fine. Talk to you --
Mason hangs up before James can finish talking. He sits down

at his music station and starts working again. It’s wondrous,
melodic and inspired. While he works...
Lights up on the window outside the house where Alix stares at

Mason through the window, making this magical music.
Remembering why she’s here, she presses the door bell. Its loud
clang chimes through the hallways of the cavernous house.
Panicked, Mason turns off the music. Starts breathing hard.
DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG.
He runs to the door, looks through the peep-hole to find Alix

blinking at him. Out of breath, he opens the front door a crack.
ALIX
That music is cool. Andrew Bird?
MASON
No.
ALIX
Bon Iver?
MASON
No. What the fuck are you doing at my house?
She pushes past him into the place.
MASON (CONT’D)
Hey!
ALIX
(eyeing the empty space) Who stole all your furniture?
MASON
(slightly panicked) Seriously. Did anyone see you come here?
ALIX
What? No.
Mason peeks through the front window. Peers around. Seems

satisfied no one is there.
MASON
How’d you find me?
ALIX
I asked around.
MASON
You asked around? Are you a stalker?
ALIX
I’m not a stalker. I’m here to work.
MASON
I was ready to work last night. I looked up every word in Henry IV, Part II that I didn’t
understand -- all 387 of them -- and I had a lot of crazy shit going on but I got to the
library anyway --
ALIX
Your arm...
Mason turns away. Pushes his sleeve down over the bruises.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Is that what you had going on? You okay?
MASON
I’m fine. I just need some sleep...so if you don’t mind..
He starts pushing her towards door.
ALIX
Wait. I’m so sorry about last night. My mom had a thing, so I had to stay with my
brothers. If you’d given me your phone number --
MASON
My dad is sleeping. He gets bent when people come over so --
There is the light sound of faint chirping.
ALIX
What’s that noise?
MASON
(caught) I'm playing Angry Birds.
More chirping. Alix arches her eyebrow at him.

ALIX
You’re a terrible liar. That’s good. I hate liars.
Alix pushes past Mason and goes downstairs where the

tweeting seems to be coming from.
MASON
You should really go before my dad wakes up.
She goes to a small nest Mason’s made out of a sweater on his

sleeping bag. On it, she spies something living. A small bird.
ALIX MASON
Whoah. He doesn’t let me have people over. He’ll
be pissed if --
ALIX
He lets you have animals over and not people?
MASON
Yes. Loves animals. Hates people.
ALIX
Why do you have it?
MASON
It's not an “it,” it's a “she.”
ALIX
She? You're sure it's a she?
MASON
She sounds like a she.
ALIX
Sounds like a him to me.
Alix bends down to look at her more carefully.
MASON
I found her in the parking lot outside school yesterday. Her wing was kind of busted up. I
was YouTubeing how to set it.
ALIX
Did you give him water?
MASON
I went on Google and it said to try with a straw. But she won't drink.I think she's too
stressed out. I was playing music to make it sound like outdoors. The sound of a mother
bird nearby.
ALIX
You wrote that?
MASON
(embarrassed) I was just messing around. Improvising.
ALIX
Dude, it was like, amazing.
MASON
(a little pleased she liked it) It was whatever. And it’s not helping.
The bird chirps a weak, sad song, very much like the chirping
melody Mason added to his song.
Alix scans the room and clocks his computer. Goes over to it
and starts typing into Google.
MASON (CONT’D)
Hi, you could ask to use that.
ALIX
(not really asking) CanIusethisthanks.
She googles on Mason’s computer.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Okay...birds...wounded...caring for....eating
She hits “Search.”
ALIX (CONT’D)
Isn’t it weird that's how we think now? What is the cluster of words that will yield the
answer to my question?
ALIX (CONT’D)
(she scans the computer again) Oh, here. Give it a small dish of sugar water, but don’t
force feed it, or it could drown.
MASON
Dish of water...okay...
He makes for the kitchen.
MASON (O.S.)
What’s a small dish?
ALIX
I dunno. Smaller than him? And shallow, so he can drink from it? (beat) It also says to
keep him warm.
Alix snuggles the scarf around the bird. Mason comes back
with a small-ish dish. He puts it down.
MASON
Now what?
ALIX
(remembering what she read on the computer) Um...let him peck at it himself. So he
doesn't choke.
Mason puts the bird down in front of the dish.
MASON
She doesn't want it.
ALIX
Just give him time. He doesn’t like you hovering over him. Just...back off.
They both back away, keeping an eye on the bird. A long

moment.
MASON
It’s not working.
ALIX
Wait for it...
They watch and wait. Finally...
MASON
Oh, my god. She did it. She swallowed.
Sounds of the bird tweeting happily. Drinking the water.
MASON (CONT’D)
Good.
ALIX
That’s enough. You don’t want him to have too much.
Mason gently puts the bird down. Snuggles it in the nest.
MASON
(to the bird) You should rest now. (to Alix) You should go.
Alix eyes a nearby tub of cookies.
ALIX
Are those cookies?
She plucks one out and pops it in her mouth. She’s ravenous
and a little feral about the food.
MASON
Sure, help yourself...
ALIX
Do you have any doughnuts?
MASON
Do I look like a 7-11?
She crams another cookie in her mouth. Mason notices how

hungry she is, the way she’s eating --
MASON (CONT’D)
You know what? You can have the whole thing. In fact, take them with you --
Mason starts to push Alix towards the door. Alix turns and talks
with her mouth full of cookies --
ALIX
Wait! Our project!
MASON
Is over.
ALIX
I fixed your bird!
MASON
We fixed it.
ALIX
Look-- I traded shifts with this other girl to work the graveyard shift, which means I’ll be
serving pineapple tacos all night to drunk guys grabbing my ass. I did that so I could be
here. Right now. To get this project done. And I know you’re mad at me for missing
yesterday, and rightfully so. And I know Shakespeare seems like the stupidest fucking
thing to be parsing right now when you have all this other shit going on. And I don’t
deserve your time right now, but I’m asking for it. I’m asking for your time, I’m asking
for your generosity of spirit to help me finish this fucking project because I can’t afford
to fail this thing. Can you?
MASON
(beat) So...Edgerton said we could turn our stuff in separately --
ALIX
You went to the teacher?
MASON
You kept disappearing. What was I supposed to do?
ALIX
It should be cohesive. It shouldn’t just be a mishmash of our different work.
MASON
Is your stuff ready? Now?
ALIX
No, but --
MASON
Well, it’s points off every day it’s late. So why don’t I turn mine in tomorrow. You can
just turn yours in when you’re ready --
ALIX
I can have my part ready. By tomorrow, I promise. We just need to rehearse the scene for
Friday. I was thinking the one where Henry tells Falstaff, “I know you not old man...”
MASON
The scene is extra credit. I don’t want to do the scene.
ALIX
Aren't you supposed to be an overachiever?
MASON
Don't be racist.
ALIX
I'm not being --
MASON
Not doing it. Hate public performance. And acting? Hate acting. Stuffing somebody
else’s words into your mouth.
Alix thinks for a moment. Comes back with --
ALIX
There are things I have access to that you could never get yourself. You name it, I can get
it.
MASON
Drugs?
ALIX
Sure.
MASON
Alcohol?
ALIX
(like that’s hard) Please.
MASON
A sword?
ALIX
Are we talking King Arthur’s sword or a samurai sword --
MASON
Just a saber. (off her look) Long, wide blade.
She still has no idea what the fuck kind of sword he’s talking
about, but she’ll google it later.
ALIX
Where I live, everything is for sale.
Mason ruminates, but --
MASON
I’m sorry. I can’t. I freeze up. Turn into a robot. A sweating, red-faced robot.
All Alix’s bravura falls away.
ALIX
If I don’t get my grade up, Edgerton is gonna pull his letter of rec.
MASON
Your college letter of rec?
ALIX
I’m appealing to you as a human.
She looks to see if it worked. Her final plea. He looks at her

doe eyes. Fuck...
MASON
You’re gonna have to be good. Because I am not going to be good. You’re gonna have to
sell it.
ALIX
Is that a yes?
MASON
I’ll start memorizing tonight.
ALIX
(celebrating) Yes! Thank you.
She hugs him, it freaks him out -- he’s not a hugger. He peels
her off.
MASON
We can meet up tomorrow.
ALIX
I have work, but I can come by after.
MASON
My dad --
ALIX
Right. He's an asshole.
MASON
Can we go to your house?
ALIX
No.
MASON
Is your dad an asshole?
ALIX
We just can't go to my house. Okay? Denny’s.
MASON
Done. Have your pages ready and your lines memorized.
ALIX
By tomorrow?
MASON
You want an A or not?
Lights.
3. A FEW DAYS LATER
Lights up on Room 6 at The Anaheim Tropic

Motel, a different shabby motel with a neon
light twinkling outside.
Alix is counting money on the bed. She

wears a skirt converted from an old hoodie.
There is a grilled cheese toasting in the
toaster oven.
A knock at the door. She freezes. Tries to

make herself small, pretend she’s not there.
Knock, knock, knock.
ALIX turns off a lamp near her. Knock,

knock.
OSCAR (O.S.)
I saw you turn off the light.
She recognizes the voice. Looks out the curtain to see who’s
there.
Opens the door to Oscar, backpack slung over his shoulder. She
pulls him into the room. There’s a palpable awkwardness.
ALIX
How’d you find me?
OSCAR
How do I always find you? Who you hiding from now?
ALIX
Front desk chick. Looking for the room fee for today.
OSCAR
(going for his wallet) You need money?
ALIX
No, dude. I’m working tonight, it’s cool.
Another awkward beat. First time they’ve seen each other since
breaking up.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Sorry I’ve been MIA. Fiona’s been a disaster.
OSCAR
Yeah. Heard she got you thrown out of the last place.
ALIX
Fistfight over the washer/dryer with another mom. Real cute.
He clocks her skirt. It looks familiar...
OSCAR
Is that my hoodie? I thought I lost it.
ALIX
(caught) Oh, shit. Uh...do you need it back?
OSCAR
Looks a little late for that.
ALIX
Sorry.
OSCAR
Nah, looks better on you anyhow.
ALIX
It’s good to see you.
OSCAR
Is it?
ALIX
Yes, Oscar, the world has been a dimmer place since I saw you last.
OSCAR
That’s what I like to hear.
He plucks some mail from his backpack and hands it to her.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Last mail delivery.
ALIX
Oh, man -- thanks.
She starts flipping through it.
OSCAR
Might’ve seen a letter from Pratt.
ALIX
Oh, fuck.
She looks at the gleaming letter.
ALIX (CONT’D)
It’s thin.
OSCAR
So?
ALIX
If you get it, they’re thick, this is thin.
OSCAR
It’s art school. There’s probably a collage in there saying welcome and shit.
She starts to tear into it and he rips it away.

OSCAR (CONT'D) ALIX

Wait. Hey!
OSCAR
Wait. You gotta reflect on this moment. The moment when your whole world is gonna
shift.
They both look at the potential golden ticket in his hands.
ALIX
Like a “before” and “after” type thing?
OSCAR
From now on, you’ll refer to this as “Before NYC.” Look around. Memorize it all.
Alix surveys this ramshackle, haphazard home.
ALIX
This stupid room.
OSCAR
The smell of the grilled cheese. The broke-down toaster oven with the twine holding it
together --
ALIX
Hey!
OSCAR
I’m not insulting your shit, it’s just for contrast.
She gives him a look but lets him continue.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
The shoes spilling out from under the bed. Toys in the corner, handprints on the walls.
Remember this, so that when you’re walking the streets of New York and the whole city
is yours, that shit means something.
She looks down at the envelope in her trembling hands.
ALIX
I can’t look. You open it.
She tries to hand it back to him.
OSCAR
That’s yours. Your “after.” You open it.
She tears open her envelope. Starts reading. She crumples up

the letter and shoves it at Oscar, walks away from him. Oscar
uncrumples the letter and reads --
ALIX
I told you it was thin.
OSCAR
This’s gotta be a mistake.
ALIX
I missed too many classes. It’s this semester’s grades. I knew it’d be my grades. (beat)
I’m so stupid. I didn’t think this could actually happen. That I could get stuck here. In this
wasteland of strip malls and cardboard cut-out homes. I’m gonna be waiting tables here
for the rest of my life.
OSCAR
You’re not stuck. You will never be stuck. (beat) Was it Pratt or New York?
ALIX
Both. Pratt’s Architecture program is the best. I could study Landscape Architecture.
Urban Placemaking. And you always talked about the Highline. Brooklyn Bridge. Central
Park...I just wanted to see them up close. A picture’s only a picture. But to be
there...standing in those spaces...
OSCAR
Then you should go anyway. Fuck it. We should go.
ALIX
Just go to New York?
OSCAR
Let’s get outta this junk town and go. I’ll take shitty there over shitty here any day. Don’t
get no stret cred saying you survived the hard-worn streets of Anaheim. But, you tell
people you cut your teeth in New York? That’s where legends were made. That’s where
only the strong survive. And we strong, baby!
ALIX
Did you practice that on the way over here?
OSCAR
I might’ve.
ALIX
Not bad.
OSCAR
Right? Fuck, you usually hate my Braveheart speeches.
ALIX
So you were rehearsing that speech before you got here.
OSCAR
(caught and trying to cover) Nah.
ALIX
You were.
OSCAR
You mean...was I tryin’ to ride your coat-tails and hitch a ride to New York? Ask to crash
on your dorm room floor and shit? I might’ve been. I’m not proud of that. But dire times
call for dire measures...
Alix recognizes a flash of something familiar.
ALIX
What happened?
OSCAR
(beat) Lila kicked me out.
ALIX
Oscar...
OSCAR
Her new boyfriend’s a dick. We kinda got into it. So, I’m out.
ALIX
Dude, I’m sorry.
OSCAR
It’s all good. I was over that place anyway.
ALIX
They’ll find you somewhere --
OSCAR
Like one of the last places? Another group home?
Alix is quiet. She’s heard all his stories.

OSCAR (CONT’D)
I’m tired of fighting people in my own home. You know?
ALIX
Yeah. I mean, I don’t. But I do. (then) I’d let you stay here, but...
OSCAR
I know. There’s not even room for you here.
ALIX
But where will you --
OSCAR
I got a line on a place. Don’t worry about me. (beat) Look, this kid Sonia I know...I hear
she’s out in New York now. Washington Heights.
ALIX
She’s the one where you had to...
OSCAR
Put a dent in our foster father’s head? Yeah, she’s the one. If she’s there...she said she’d
always owe me. And I still got some people out there who might remember me.
ALIX
What the fuck would we do there?
OSCAR
Anything. Everything. Walk the Highline. Be out of here.
Alix laughs at his scheming and dreaming.
ALIX
But what would we do?
All of a sudden, Bam! Bam! Bam! on the front door. Alix pushes
Oscar into the bathroom and turns out the light. Freezes.
Hides. Bam Bam Bam. Bam Bam Bam.
She peeks through the curtains to see who’s at the door and
finds Mason standing there. He’s surprised to see her in one
piece and seemingly okay. He presents a box of donuts.
ALIX (CONT’D)
What are you doing here? What is all this?
MASON
My dad says it’s bad form to show up empty handed when you visit somebody. So,
donuts from La Donut. And what are donuts without coffee?
He hands her a cup of coffee. She yanks him into the room.
MASON (CONT’D)
I got a little lost getting here, so I walked into Cafe Con Leche for directions. The barista
convinced me to get some coffee. Said it would change our lives. That it was “artisanal.”
“Artisanal coffee.” I don’t think that means what he thinks it means.
Oscar clears his throat. Mason looks behind Alix to see Oscar
standing there.
MASON (CONT’D)
Oh. Hey. Oscar, right?
Oscar just stares at him.
MASON (CONT’D)
Mason. I was in your Spanish class? Hola.
OSCAR
Oh, right. Mr. 100%.
MASON
I have a photographic memory, that’s all. Donut?
OSCAR
Can we help you with something?
MASON
Of course. Sorry.
He turns to Alix.
MASON (CONT’D)
I just need your pages. The pages you said you’d bring me at Denny’s?
ALIX
Oh, shit, sorry.
She rushes around and comes up with a small sheaf of papers.

ALIX (CONT’D)
This should be everything. I’m so sorry, we moved and --
MASON
Fine. Totally fine. I’ll smooth it out and make it sound like one voice.
ALIX
You didn’t just turn your half in?
MASON
No. Like you said. It’d sound better as one voice.
ALIX
Thanks. For waiting for me.
OSCAR
(glaring at Mason) Yes. How thoughtful.
MASON
There’s just the scene. Which we’re really going to need now since we’re losing a point
for every day it’s late.
OSCAR
Man, are you socially dyslexic? Can you see we’re in the middle of something?
MASON
Oh, shit. My bad. Why don’t I let you guys talk and I can...come back later? To rehearse?
ALIX
Wait, don’t go. I’m sorry he’s being --
OSCAR
Being what? What am I being?
ALIX
Oscar.
OSCAR
We were talking here. And then this guy --
MASON
I’ll go.
OSCAR ALIX
Good. Don’t.
OSCAR
Yo, fuck this.
ALIX
Dude --
She tries to touch his shoulder but he shakes her off.
OSCAR
Whatever.
And Oscar blows out the door in a huff. Alix calls after him --
ALIX
Oscar!
Nothing. She shuts the door.
MASON
Shit. I’m sorry.
ALIX
It’s not you.
MASON
It felt like it was.
ALIX
He just had a tough day, ‘sall.
She self-consciously starts straightening up, best that she can.

Mason takes in the cramped room.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Sorry shit’s everywhere, nobody cleans up around here but me.
MASON
This is a hotel, don’t you have maid service?
ALIX
This is a motel and no, not for what we’re paying.
She tears into the box of donuts. Picks one and crams half of it
in her mouth. She points to a spot on the edge of one of the
beds and Mason perches on it.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Donut?
She offers him the box.
MASON
No, thanks. Don’t really like fried food.
ALIX
Why’d you bring doughnuts if you don’t even like them?
MASON
You told me you do. (off her look) When you came to my house. (gestures to his head)
Photographic memory.
ALIX
Wait. How did you find me? Are you being a stalker?
MASON
No! You weren’t at school. So, I asked around. Talked to somebody who knew somebody
who knows Dana Brown. She said she saw you move in.
ALIX
Oh, yeah. You know something funny? Last year that bitch was in my PE class and she
told people she didn’t wanna pick me for her volleyball squad cause I was a Motel Kid.
And she didn’t wanna get bed bugs. But, now she lives here too. And they got bed bugs.
(beat) Fuck. I hope we don’t get bed bugs.
She looks forlornly at the motel room, hoping they’re not next.
MASON
Look, it’s none of my business, but...you look like your dog died.
ALIX
I don’t have a dog.
MASON
Did you guys fight?
ALIX
Who? Me and Oscar?
Mason nods.
ALIX (CONT’D)
It’s not like that.
MASON
Aren’t you a thing?
ALIX
We were a thing. Now we’re friends who know everything there is to know about each
other. So sometimes it’s a little weird.
MASON
Friends with remnants.
ALIX
Or residue or baggage? Something like that.
MASON
Sorry, my idiomatic expressions aren’t the best.
ALIX
Cause you’re a robot?
MASON
Cause I’m not from --
He stops himself short.
MASON (CONT’D)
Wait. So, if it’s not Oscar, and it’s not your dog...
Alix looks at him. Can she trust him with this?
ALIX
Have you ever lost the one?
MASON
The whole falling in love thing? Why do people think there’s only one person out there
for them? I mean, I’ve already been in love twice.
ALIX
You have?
MASON
I’ll pretend not to be insulted that you look surprised.
ALIX
Sorry.
MASON
But I expect to be in love again. At some point. So, there’s no “one.” There are many.
ALIX
I think you’re wrong.
MASON
What?
ALIX
Like -- there must be one thing you want to do. In life. More than anything else. I’m
assuming it’s music.
MASON
Why would you know that?
ALIX
I could tell by how you play. Like, with your whole...person.
Mason freezes, looks at her like “WTF are you talking about?”
ALIX (CONT’D)
I saw you playing. In the window. When I came over.
MASON
(blushing all over, ears to toes) Creeper.
ALIX
I wasn’t creeping, I was trying to see if anybody was home. But that...that’s the one thing
for you, right?
MASON
I’m not good at anything else. (then) What’s your one thing?
ALIX
It doesn’t even matter. I lost it.
She picks up the crumpled letter. Tosses it to Mason. He opens

it and reads.
MASON
Oh, shit. Are you in trouble? Is your mom mad?
ALIX
My mom? She has no idea what I’m doing. No, I’m mad. Because Pratt was the one.
Alix considers for a second. Then --

ALIX (CONT’D)
You should turn your half in to Edgerton.
Mason looks at her finished pages in his hand.
MASON
Huh? You wanted this. I memorized the stupid scene --
ALIX
Mason, what does it matter? School, grades, college apps, all these fucking hoops.
MASON
Just...finish it with me. There’s gotta be another school out there for you.
ALIX
Your optimism is amazing, but I’m done.
MASON
Like “done” done?
She starts pushing him towards the door.
ALIX
Done with school. Done with all this fucking shit.
MASON
Are you dropping out?
ALIX
Just turn your half in. Get the A.
MASON
What do I tell Edgerton?
ALIX
Tell him you couldn’t find me.
She shoves him out the door and slams it. Lights.
4. THE NEXT DAY
Mason holds the tweeting baby bird in his

hand, changing the dressing on its wing.
A call rings in. Special up on James on a

burner phone.
MASON
Dad?
JAMES
Didn’t you get my fax?
MASON
Nobody faxes anymore. Why don’t you e-mail?
JAMES
I’m not somewhere that I can e-mail.
MASON
Where are you?
JAMES
I faxed you a note. What if it was important? What I sent you? You just ignored my note?
MASON
I’m not ignoring you. The fax machine’s down at home.
JAMES
Is the fax machine “down” because you were supposed to fax your report card?
MASON
The fax is down cause it’s a piece of junk.
JAMES
Then why you buy a junky fax machine? Buy another one. I’ll wire the money.
MASON
Edge said he’d let me fax it from school tomorrow.
JAMES
Who?
MASON
Mr. Edgerton, my advisor.
JAMES
Are you stalling?
MASON
Here, just...I’m texting it to you.
He fishes around his stack of papers and comes up with his

report card. Mason takes a picture of it and texts it to his dad.
MASON (CONT’D)
Can you see it?
James squints at the report card photo that’s just rung in.
JAMES
I don’t have my reading glasses.
MASON
Reading glasses? You’re getting old.
JAMES
Not so old I can’t still kick your ass.
MASON
It’s all A’s, Dad.
JAMES
Is it? Good. Fax me a copy anyway.
MASON
Why?
JAMES
So I can put it on my refrigerator.
MASON
(weirdly touched) Really?
JAMES
You were supposed to fax it by today so I could wire the money. The bank’s closed now
and I’m going to be out of pocket.
MASON
Out of pocket where?
JAMES
On business. So, groceries, electrical and gas?
MASON
Yep.
JAMES
I’ll send it all at once. Expenses and $50 for each A.
Mason’s wheels turn. Then --
MASON
75.
JAMES
(reacting to the volley) 55.
MASON
65.
JAMES
60.
MASON
63.
JAMES
Done. What are you spending it on?
MASON
I wanna get a better loop pedal. The one I have only plays 5 channels. I want 8.
More layers of sound. More like a real orchestra. So I can actually play what’s in my
head.
JAMES
It’s not distracting from your studies, ey? Your music hobby?
Mason cringes at the word “hobby.” James is called by

someone off-stage in Japanese.
VOICE (O.S.)
Kurun-desuka? (Are you coming?) Konainara oitekimasuyo. (Or we’ll leave without
you.)
JAMES (CONT’D)
Hai. Chotto matte kudasai. (Yes. Please wait for me.)
MASON
Why are you speaking in Japanese?
JAMES
(turning back to Mason) I should go.
MASON
(Mason gathers all his resolve.) Before you go...Dad...what if it’s more than a hobby?
JAMES
What?
MASON
(beat) What if I wanted to be a music major?
JAMES
What do you do with that?
MASON
Be a musician.
JAMES
Not a lot of jobs for “musicians.” How are you supposed to pay the bills?
MASON
I just have to be good enough.
JAMES
Are you? Good enough? To play in an orchestra?
MASON
I wouldn’t play in an orchestra. I’d compose my own work.
JAMES
What?
MASON
Score soundtracks. Make albums. Like Andrew Bird. Or David Byrne.
JAMES
Who?
MASON
Some of the greatest musical minds of this generation --
JAMES
Then why don’t I know them?
MASON
I think I could make a living writing music. I think I could be happy --
JAMES
You better have a back up plan. Major in economics. The world always needs --
MASON
An economist?
JAMES
A man in business. Business makes the world go round. Business can support your music
hobby.
MASON
Mr. Edgerton says my college essay sucks because I’m writing about something
“inauthentic to me.”
JAMES
What?
MASON
I don’t want to spend my life moving money around.
JAMES
You could work at a Private Equity firm. Advise other people on how to move their
money around.
MASON
Talking about money. Writing about money. I don’t care about money.
JAMES
Don’t ask for luck you don’t want. (beat) What kind of ideas is your teacher putting in
your head? Telling you to be a musician?
MASON
It’s not his idea. It’s mine.
Sharp voices off screen.
VOICE (O.S.)
Hayaku ikanakya, hora! (We gotta go! Now!)
James jerks his head towards them and then --
JAMES
I have to go.
MASON
Wait. The fax.
JAMES
What?
MASON
The fax. What did it say?
JAMES
That I love you.
MASON
What?
JAMES
Aren’t I allowed to tell my son that I love him?
MASON
No. You don’t do that. What’s wrong? Are you doing something dangerous?
JAMES
(caught with his pants down ) No.
MASON
Is that why you’re “out of pocket?”
JAMES
I’m not doing anything dangerous.
MASON
(fucking c’mon) Dad.
JAMES
Somebody’s got to pay for that loop pedal, Mason.
MASON
I don’t need it. This house. The loop pedal. All of this. I don’t need it. Don’t go on this
trip.
JAMES
You don’t need it? You don’t even know what you don’t need. And you have things
backwards. You don’t tell me what to do. I tell you what to do.
MASON
Don’t fucking get yourself arrested again.
JAMES
You swear at me? You think you can swear at me?
MASON
Mom isn’t here to bail you out. Or bail me out when you’re rotting in prison --
JAMES
Stop before you say something you regret!
MASON
Stop making me wish I was an orphan!
By the time it’s out of his mouth, Mason wishes he hadn’t said
it. Beat.
JAMES
Then let me make your wish come true. You think you can survive without me?
You think you know what’s best? See how you do on your own.
The line goes dead.
MASON
Dad?
Off Mason, frightened, the bottom dropping out.
MASON (CONT’D)
(almost a whisper) Dad?
Lights.
5. EIGHT DAYS LATER
Back at Room 6 at The Anaheim Tropic

Motel, Alix is passed out after working the
night shift and Fiona throws a sad looking
frozen burrito into the toaster.
The sounds of bath time and kids splashing

around. Fiona pokes her head in the
bathroom.
FIONA
Shhh! Your sister is sleeping. Yes, baby. You look like Dragon Ball Z.
Alix stirs.
FIONA (CONT’D)
Can you watch them?
ALIX
Why are they taking a bath at three in the afternoon?
FIONA
They started a paint war during art class. Their twelve year- old teacher made me come
pick them up early. They’re suspended till Friday.
ALIX
Shit. I have like three doubles this week.
FIONA
We’ll figure it out.
Fiona checks to make the toaster oven is on and doing its

magic to the burrito.
FIONA
I got a frozen burrito going. Cut it in thirds. Warm up some frozen spinach. Make sure
they’re in bed by eight.
ALIX
Did you eat?
FIONA
I’ll make Ronin buy me steak.
Fiona smears some lipstick on.
ALIX
Wait, did he...?
Fiona nods, beaming.
ALIX (CONT’D)
He said yes? (aside) You must have magic pussy.
Fiona gives Alix a hard look.
FIONA
I’m gonna forget you said that.
ALIX
We’re getting our house back?
FIONA
(beaming) Yes, my ungrateful child. We’re gonna buy it back from the bank at auction.
ALIX
Oh, mom.
FIONA
But he wants us to contribute.
ALIX
How much?
FIONA
Five grand.
ALIX
What?
FIONA
It’s only five percent. A sign of good faith, he said.
ALIX
Five...I mean, I have about $300 from tips this week, but...
Fiona pulls an outfit from the closet. It’s a Disney Pirate outfit.
ALIX (CONT’D)
You got a job.
FIONA
I did.
Alix impulsively envelops her in a hug. Fiona tries to hold back

tears.
ALIX
Thank you, Mom.
FIONA
I wanted to be Snow White but they cast me as a fucking pirate.
Alix looks at her mom, touched at what she’s suffering for them
-- touches that hideous purple and burgundy pirate outfit.
FIONA
I got a two week advance, but I don’t know where to get the rest from. I’ve asked
everyone I can ask. I’ve sold all my jewelry that’s worth anything.
ALIX
(beat) There’s someone I can ask. For the money.
FIONA
Who?
ALIX
Just...I know someone who might have it.
FIONA
Oscar?
ALIX
No, not Oscar.
FIONA
Who?
ALIX
A kid from school.
FIONA
(beat) What will you have to do to get it?
ALIX
Nothing.
FIONA
Promise me you won’t...
ALIX
What?
FIONA
Do anything illegal or...
ALIX
Mom --
FIONA
There are limits. There have to be.
ALIX
I know, okay?
FIONA
(beat) Your grandfather used to say that even if you don’t have two nickels to rub
together, you can at least keep your dignity.
ALIX
Yeah?
That question hangs in the air.
FIONA
I’m sorry that we’re here.
ALIX
Whatever. We’re here. And we’re almost out. We’re so close.
Lights.
6. THAT NIGHT
Lights up on Mason’s house.
MASON
I don’t have it.
ALIX
I mean, I know we barely know each other and I was a total dick last time --
MASON
No, really. I don’t have that kind of money.
ALIX
Can you ask your dad?
Mason goes to the liquor cabinet and uncorks the bottle of

Johnnie Walker Gold Label. Takes a swig. Almost gags.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Mason?
MASON
I haven’t heard from him in 8 days.
ALIX
What? Where is he?
MASON
He was on a business trip, but I thought he’d be home by now. I told him I wanted to be
a music major and he flipped.
Mason offers the bottle to Alix. She accepts but just looks at it.
ALIX
Can you call his secretary or something? See where he’s at?
MASON
He doesn’t have a secretary. He’s not in that kind of business.
ALIX
What kind of business is he in?
MASON
He’s sort of a collector.
ALIX
Of?
MASON
No, you know like...when AT&T has collectors call you to scare you into paying your
bill? He’s that guy. But he’s not really calling you on the phone.
ALIX
Oh, shit. (haunted by the guys she’s seen come repossess their shit, she drinks) Yeah, I
know guys like that. Do you think...something might have happened to him?
Mason doesn’t answer.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Can you tell Edgerton?
MASON
That would mean people having to know things they shouldn’t know. That might mean
being deported.
ALIX
Wait, deported?
MASON
You don’t understand what it’s like right now. They’re looking for any reason to get rid of
us.
ALIX
Where’s home? (beat) Mason...
MASON
Hong Kong.
ALIX
Hong Kong? Why don’t you have an accent? (beat) Is that racist?
MASON
Kind of.
ALIX
Sorry.
MASON
I studied books on tape until my accent was perfect. So no one would know.
Alix. No one can know.
ALIX
(beat) Whoa. Wait. Your dad lives in Hong Kong?
Mason nods.
ALIX (CONT’D)
So, that time I came over that he was “asleep” and we had to be quiet.
MASON
I lied. I’m sorry. I hate lying. I didn’t want to lie to you. But I didn’t want to bring you
into this.
ALIX
(taking all this in, trying to act cool, but rather alarmed) Are you...safe here?
MASON
Sort of. Because I’m Mason Long here.
ALIX
Who are you there?
MASON
Better if you don’t know that.
ALIX
But if these are all things I’m not supposed to know, why are you...
MASON
Cause I have to tell someone. Or I’ll explode.
Alix isn’t totally sure how to respond. But she nods.
ALIX
Your mom?
MASON
She died. Four years ago.
ALIX
Shit, I’m sorry. (then) So you’re here all by yourself? Seriously? So, you do what you
want, go to bed when you want? Eat what you want --
MASON
I could die and no one would know.
Mason slumps to the floor. Alix sits down next to him.
ALIX
My family knows when I shit. They know when I’m sad. I’m never alone.
MASON
What’s that like?
ALIX
Crowded. In my mind. All the time.
MASON
He dropped me off four years ago. And he’s visited exactly five times. I don’t know if
that’s better.
ALIX
But you have all this...
MASON
This is just a building. But, there’s no grocery money and the phone bill is due. And I’m
three months back on the electricity bill --
ALIX
He doesn’t send you money?
MASON
He does.
ALIX
But...?
Mason looks sheepish.
ALIX (CONT’D)
What did you blow the money on?
Mason looks at her guiltily.
MASON
I might’ve ordered a ukulele online. And put another loop pedal on lay away.
ALIX
To be a one man band.
MASON
Yeah.
ALIX
Why don’t you just get a band?
MASON
It’s not always easy to find people to play with. That I don’t want to kill.
ALIX
So you spent your grocery money? On a loop pedal.
MASON
I was gonna catch back up when he made the next deposit. But then he went missing.
ALIX
You little schemer.
MASON
I fucked up. But I was just trying to get better. I was trying to see if I could be good
enough. A good enough musician...to actually do this.
ALIX
Can you be? Good enough?
MASON
I’m not sure. (beat) I know it sounds insane...
ALIX
It’s not insane. I always thought I could make the world better, like I think I actually
could do it. Make spaces that transform you on the inside. But, I think I’m going to end
up serving people nachos and hot wings forever. And maybe I need to learn how to be
okay with that.
MASON
Why? Why should you be okay with that?
Alix walks away from Mason.
ALIX
Does your dad do this? Go like...off the grid?
MASON
He’s been pissed before. And he’s gotten in scrapes. And gotten out of them. But he’s
never gone radio silent. And he’s never stopped sending money.
ALIX
It’s scary to be out of money -- I know.
MASON
I’m not scared. Just....
Mason’s stomach growls.
ALIX
Is that your stomach?
MASON
...
ALIX
When’s the last time you ate?
MASON
I had a bag of chips. Yesterday.
ALIX
You should apply for free lunch at school. I know the apples are mushy and there are flies
everywhere, but --
MASON
I don’t have a social security number. Too risky.
ALIX
Oh, right. Okay. Southwest Community Center’s food pantry’s free. Can you skip 3rd
period?
MASON
I have AP Calc.
ALIX
Skip Calc. They hand out bags of food at 10.
MASON
Do I have to fill anything out? Do they take your name?
ALIX
No, they don’t care who the fuck you are.
MASON
Really? I feel weird about taking the free stuff if other people need it.
ALIX
But today you need it.
She starts fishing around in her bag for something.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Look -- two Christmases ago, my family and I drove to the soup kitchen with five boxes
of food to donate. Nice shit. Fancy lettuce and tuna and fresh strawberries. Homemade
jam. Served lunch on Christmas day. Now, I stand on line for free bacon and waffles.
Finally, she comes upon them -- two granola bars, a little

smushed. She hands them to Mason.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Give a penny, take a penny. It’s just for now.
Mason accepts the granola bars.
MASON
Right. Just for now.
He tears into the granola bar and starts to eat it -- ravenous.

He looks around the apartment. At all his stuff.
MASON (CONT’D)
You said where you live everything is for sale. I mean, could you sell this shit?
He picks up two bottles of booze from the counter nearby.

ALIX
Probably.
He pulls out golf clubs, a game system, a box of cigars, a

duffle. He looks around for anything else of value.
MASON
Or these things?
ALIX
I can try.
Alix starts packing the stuff into the duffle. He goes to his
guitar. Picks it up. Looks at it longingly. Vacillating. Does he
sell it?
ALIX (CONT’D)
Not that. You have to keep that.
Mason nods. Puts the guitar down. Mason goes and unplugs
his loop pedal. Hands it to her.
MASON
This is for you. It’s the loop pedal. You should be able to get a couple hundred bucks for
it. Maybe that’ll help you.
ALIX
Oh, Mason. I can’t.
MASON
You can. You have to. You need it. Call it commission.
ALIX
I didn’t tell you what it’s for.
MASON
It doesn’t matter. You need it. Like you said, it’s just for now.
Lights.
7. A FEW DAYS LATER
Lights up on Mason, working on a new song

on his guitar. It’s darker. More lonely.
And straight-on acoustic now that the loop

pedal is gone. The house is in a bit more
disarray.
Just as Mason’s finding a cool new chorus,

blackout, the lights and sound all go off. Just
the sound of the bird tweeting like crazy.
Upset that the power has gone out.
A bit of stumbling around
A flashlight goes on, its tiny ray of light

moving around the apartment. Mason tries
all the lights. Nothing.
MASON
Fuck.
Just the sound of the bird still chirping in the dark.
Crossfade to -- the motel. Alix turns and unlocks the door to

Room 6 and drops the car keys on the night stand.
ALIX
Fiona?
She looks around. Notices things missing. People missing.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Where are the boys?
FIONA
At Amy Mack’s house.
ALIX
(suspicious) For how long?
FIONA
She said you’re totally welcome there too.
ALIX
I am not staying with that woman. She hates me.
FIONA
She doesn’t hate you. She just hates your attitude sometimes.
She finds Fiona in the Disney uniform throwing a hair dryer,

tampons and her favorite shampoo into an apple box. It’s all
willy nilly packing, a tornado trying to create order.
FIONA (CONT’D)
Please honey. I need you to stay with her.
ALIX
I’m not going over there.
FIONA
Then, can you stay with one of your friends from school?
ALIX
Can I [stay with friends from]...? What happened?
FIONA
Can you stay with Oscar? Lila has space, right? You’re always over there half the time
anyway --
ALIX
We broke up.
FIONA
When?
ALIX
Like a month ago.
FIONA
Honey...
She looks pitifully at Alix, who just deflects the look.
ALIX
It’s fine.
FIONA
Are you...
ALIX
It’s okay. I’m okay.
FIONA
You can still ask him if you can stay, right?
ALIX
Where are you going? What’s going on?
Fiona throws a set of heels and a coffee maker into a box. She
hunts around for her makeup kit. Spies it, but Alix gets ahold of
it first and snatches it out of her reach. Fiona reaches for it.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Mom.
FIONA
We lost the house.
ALIX
What?
FIONA
The bank sold it. Sold your grandpa’s house to someone else. I just...
ALIX
Oh, my god.
Alix sinks onto the bed. Fiona wants to sink too, but can’t she
has to keep moving.
FIONA
You have to pack your things. Mr. Krackowski can’t see us leaving --
ALIX
Can’t you just borrow money from Ronin for an apartment? Move us into a place
together?
FIONA
I can’t...I can’t ask Ronin for anything else. (then) I have to go LA to work. If I can just
get one commercial, we’ll be back on our feet again. This is just temporary.
ALIX
Temporary? How do you do all this and not ask me?
FIONA
Excuse me! I don’t need to ask your permission. I am the head of this family.
ALIX
Are you? Is this even a family?
FIONA
How can you ask that?
ALIX
We’re supposed to stay together when things get impossible. We’re supposed to be all we
have when we have nothing else --
FIONA
And I don’t have anything right now for you. (then) So I need you to be with people who
do.
ALIX
Don’t do this to us.
FIONA
I am doing this for you.
ALIX
How are you doing this for me?
FIONA
Your teacher called me. Mr. Edgerton. He said you haven’t been in school for two weeks.
ALIX
He shouldn’t have called you.
FIONA
You’re my daughter. I have every right to know how you’re doing.
ALIX
You could have just asked me.
Off that sting, Fiona recovers.
FIONA
We want you to go back to school.
ALIX
“We?”
FIONA
I don’t want you to burn your life working at a diner.
ALIX
It’s not a diner --
FIONA
I said I’d try to lighten your load.
ALIX
What? (beat) That’s what you think you’re doing?
FIONA
He told me you didn’t get into Pratt. But there’s still time for you to apply to other
schools, so just...focus on you. Make things right for you. Your applications --
ALIX
I don’t believe you. You’re abandoning me and telling me you’re doing it for me. Are you
fucking kidding?
FIONA
I’m not abandoning you. I’m here.
ALIX
You’re leaving.
FIONA
You think I like failing you? I don’t. You think I don’t see how the three of you look at
me? When you’re hungry. When I tell you we’re moving again? I need to know that the
three of you are somewhere stable and decent, and you have something to eat at night so
that I can...
ALIX
So you can what?
FIONA
So I can figure out what’s next.
Alix just looks at her mother, wrapped up in this pipe dream.
FIONA (CONT’D)
But you can always call me, anytime you want. And when I land something, I’ll get us a
little apartment, and get it all set up, and I’ll bring you and the boys home.
ALIX
(softly) Please don’t go.
FIONA
Chin up, babe. We’re gonna be okay.
Alix takes a deep breath and straightens up. Fiona makes for
the door. She grabs a small box and a pair of gold heeled
sandals before she stops at the door.
FIONA (CONT’D)
I’ll come get you at Oscar’s. When I’ve figured it out.
ALIX
(smiles, covering) Sure you will.
Fiona grabs the car keys from the night stand. Holds them out
to Alix.
FIONA
Take the car.
ALIX
I don’t want it.
Fiona drops the box and heels, holds the keys in Alix’s hands.
Alix tries to pull away, but Fiona holds them there, holds her
hands over her daughter’s for just a moment. And in that silent
moment, they say everything and nothing to each other.
A breath. Fiona picks up her things and sails out.

Finally the dam breaks and Alix weeps in the empty motel
room, alone.
Meanwhile, lights up on Mason’s house. Mason holds his bird

in the crook of his elbow, strokes her wing while he looks at his
phone. Deliberates. Hits a key on his cell phone for Siri.
SIRI
What can I help you with, Mason?
MASON
Call Dad.
SIRI
Calling Dad.
Mason hits the speaker button and waits for

the dial tone. But instead, he hears --
OPERATOR VOICE
(in Cantonese, then English) I’m sorry, but the number you called has been disconnected.
Mason’s cell phone goes out. Off Alix in her empty apartment
and Mason, trying to fend off a panic attack, both very much
alone.
Lights down. END OF ACT ONE.
8. LATER THAT NIGHT
Split stage: Mason is with his bird (now in a

spruced up box). He reads a paper by
flashlight, rapt. What has him so transfixed?
We’re not sure yet, but he begins to type
away on his laptop.
Crossfade to a deserted bougie healthy food store. The register

area’s been fashioned into a makeshift standing desk, chip
racks hold some treasured food items like trophies on display.
There’s a sleeping bag on the floor. A sole camping lantern. A

generator that powers a leftover beverage refrigerator. Signs
that someone’s been living here.
The sounds of a lock coming undone. In bursts Oscar, nursing

a new shiner on his eye. Alix trails after him with fistfuls of
bags, all her worldly possessions stuffed into a duffle, a
backpack and grocery bags.
OSCAR
One sec, one sec, one sec.
Oscar flips on the camping lantern, the sole light source.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Sorry ‘bout the mess. Haven’t had much company, so...
ALIX
It’s cool.
OSCAR
Drop your shit wherever.
He drops a couple of her bags. Alix drags her things over to a

corner and stacks everything nice and neatly.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
This over here’s the kitchen.
He points to the chip rack stand. Picks up an immersion water

heater.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
This is for hot water.
He holds up a Foreman grill.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
And for grilled cheese.
She smiles. He’s tricked the place out.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
(pointing to the register area) Standing desk.
ALIX
Swanky. Bathroom?
OSCAR
Uh...you can say we have one and a half baths. Toilet’s over here.
He walks her offstage.
OSCAR (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Water’s been turned off so you gotta pour water...
Sound of a gallon of water being poured into a toilet.
ALIX
K.
OSCAR (O.S.)
You can wash up over here.
They return. He points to his sleeping area with its sleeping

bag and covers.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Only one bedroom, but I’ll behave.
ALIX
I’m sure we can carve a two bedroom out of it.
He takes the hint, gets a flattened cardboard box and puts it

down a small distance from his own. Throws her sleeping bag
on top of it.
OSCAR
Gotta insulate yourself from the cold.
Alix touches the floor. He’s right, it’s fucking cold.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
This floor will suck all the heat right out of you. (then) You hungry?
ALIX
Yes! Fuck, I think I forgot to eat today.
Oscar plugs in his Foreman Grill. Pulls white bread and

American cheese from the fridge. As he’s assembling the
sandwich to toast, Alix clocks his face.
ALIX (CONT’D)
How’s that eye?
OSCAR
Fine.
She brings the lantern closer. That eye looks bad.
ALIX
It’s pretty red. We should have somebody look at it.
OSCAR
I’m good. Seriously.
He pops the sandwich in the Foreman.
ALIX
I mean he just assumed you’re running away with my bags. When you were carrying
them to my car? What the fuck? He should’ve apologized.
OSCAR
Yeah. I don’t think that was gonna happen.
He takes out two beers, cracks one for Alix, then himself.
ALIX
We should complain.
OSCAR
Noooooo.
ALIX
I got his badge number. And his name tag -- I’ll never forget it -- Officer McTavish.
OSCAR
We complain and I’ll go on some hit list and next time they’ll plant something on me and
goodbye, you don’t see me for two years.
ALIX
But it’s wrong --
OSCAR
I appreciate it. I do. It’ll only be trouble for me. Okay? Let it go.
Alix takes this in.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
But thank you. (then) A year ago, you wouldn’t have understood. You would’ve marched
down there anyway and gotten me in some shit.
ALIX
But now I’m woke.
OSCAR
The truly woke never use that word.
ALIX
I can never win with you!
OSCAR
I’m just giving you shit. You’ve come a long way, kid.
She hits him. A text rings in on Alix’s cell. Alix reads it.
Makes a face.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Something wrong?
ALIX
Just my mom.
OSCAR
What does she want?
ALIX
(reading the text) “Just wanted to know you landed okay.”
OSCAR
Fuck her.
ALIX
Yeah. Fuck. Her.
A beat. Alix ignores the text, puts the phone down. As Alix eats,
Oscar looks at her dejection. Then, as a salve --
OSCAR
Your picture.
ALIX
Later, it’s okay.
OSCAR
It’s a christening. Gimme your phone.
She shoves her phone at him.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
What number is this?
ALIX
13. 17 years, 13 homes.
He takes a picture of Alix, in the dim lighting.
OSCAR
19. You’re catching up to me.
He walks the pic over to her. Alix leans in to see it.
ALIX
Shit, that’s terrible.
OSCAR
You look fine.
ALIX
Not me. The place. No offense.
OSCAR
Sorry, but I think this is as good as it’s gonna look.
Alix walks over to a small stack of white paper sacks on the

bottom shelf of the chip rack. Opens seven sacks and puts them
on the floor. Out of her purse, she grabs a handful of electric
candles.
ALIX
Light one and put it in a bag, and seal it.
OSCAR
What for?
ALIX
You’ll see.
Oscar follows her lead. She’s dragged him on a thousand crazy

projects like this before.
OSCAR
What kind of fake candles are these? They don’t even flicker.
ALIX
Use the second setting.
He flips a switch. The votive begins to “flicker.”
OSCAR
Oh. Nice.
They light each one, put one candle in each sack. Alix
randomly arranges the sacks on the floor in the room. She
shuts off the lights, unplugs the glowing fridge.
In the dark, the seven simple sacks glow like Japanese lanterns.
The shitty store is changed into something sublime.
ALIX
Okay. Take the picture now.
Oscar frames Alix in the lantern lit room.
OSCAR
Holy shit.
Oscar surveys the makeshift lanterns, the light, the changed

room. How Alix glows in this light.
ALIX
Better, right?
OSCAR
It’s genius.
Oscar takes the picture. Alix walks over to see it.
ALIX
Stole the idea from Meejin Yoon who made this piece called “Light Drift” in Philly. She
wanted to draw people down to the waterfront, so she put all these things that looked like
glowing stones in the middle of the river. And there were these chairs at the river’s edge
that flickered to invite you to sit on them. Once you sat, those floating stones changed
from blue to purple to green. She wanted people to see that their just being there
transformed the place.
They revel in the new space. Oscar looks at Alix. Who’s

brought beauty to this place. He walks over to pull the
sandwich from the Foreman for her. Hands it to her.
OSCAR
I talked to Sonia. She’s way the hell up on 181st street, but she says we can crash on her
floor as long as we need.
ALIX
Oscar --
OSCAR
I have to be able to convince someone to let me move from the prep kitchen to working
the line. You can fast talk your way into working for an architect.
Alix laughs.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
I seen you talk your way out of shit that should’ve gone really wrong. You can’t get in the
front door, make them open the back door for you. (off Alix’s look) You’re coming to New
York, aren’t you?
ALIX
I could. I should...
OSCAR
I ain’t gonna lie. You will see some of the worst things you’ve ever seen. Like, humanity
at it’s lowest. You will see the dregs of us. Bankers and tourists that step over you, run
into you. Like they don’t even see you.
ALIX
Why would I want that?
OSCAR
Because you’ll also see things that light you on fire. The steel and wire of the Brooklyn
Bridge. You could get lost down a path in Central Park, stand in the middle of Grand
Central and watch the afternoon light spill through those forty foot windows. The high
and the low. You’ll see both things every day. But also...
ALIX
What?
OSCAR
You just never have to be alone the way you are here.
This lands on Alix. She considers it.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Doesn’t it feel like it might be time to throw the dice on you?
ALIX
My brothers...I’d be abandoning them.
OSCAR
Or are you gonna build something so you have somewhere to bring them one day?
ALIX
You sound like my mom.
OSCAR
The sooner we go, the sooner you come back for them.
ALIX
And you’re fine? To just go?
OSCAR
Really isn’t anything here for me. Not sure there ever was.
ALIX
When would we leave?
OSCAR
We could leave tomorrow.
ALIX
Money, we need money.
OSCAR
Soon as we save enough money, then. (then) This might be just what we’ve been waiting
for.
ALIX
What’s that?
OSCAR
A reason to go. Sometimes it’s not so bad to lose everything.
ALIX
Maybe.
He touches her face. She freezes. It’s comforting and she could
give in to this. But she knows it would be bad for everyone. He
notices. Takes his hand away.
OSCAR
Sorry. No time for playing around anyhow. Gotta work like crazy. Save our dollars and
cents. Keep our eyes on the prize.
He exits to the bathroom. Off Alix, worried about what she’s

walked into.
Lights cross fade to Mason at home where the lights are all still
out, reading a sheet of paper by flashlight. From all
appearances, it’s beautiful and haunting. He’s transfixed.
He puts the paper down, looks at his laptop and puts his
fingers on the keys. Stares at the blinking cursor. He thinks.
And thinks. Tries on a voice.
MASON
I would like to go to your school because music is my life....
The minute that hits the air, he cringes.
MASON (CONT’D)
Urgh. Craptown bullshit. Delete, delete, delete.
He squeezes his eyes shut and searches for inspiration. Tries on

a different voice as he types --
MASON (CONT’D)
When I dream of the future, I see hope, I see change. We all need hope. We all need
change...Fuck. Fuckity fuck, fuck fuck.
He deletes all that too. Tries a third voice --
MASON (CONT’D)
Dear Admissions Committee: You don’t know me yet. But you’ll want to after you hear
me play guitar.
Delete, delete, delete.
MASON (CONT’D)
Oh my god, why do I sound like such a tool?
Mason’s laptop runs out of power and turns off. He’s in total
darkness.
MASON (CONT’D)
Shit.
Lights.
9. A FEW DAYS LATER
Lights up on Oscar in chef’s pants, outside

the convenience store, furiously texting Alix.
He’s late for work. Alix isn’t back with the
car.
Mason walks up with a paper sack. Shit.

This isn’t who he was hoping to see. Oscar
looks up.
OSCAR
Hundred Percent. What are you doing here, man?
MASON
Alix told me about the food pantry, so uh...I thought I’d bring her some stuff.
OSCAR
How boy scout of you. How did you know she’s staying here?
MASON
Dana Brown saw her going with you. Said she heard you were squatting over here.
OSCAR
Girl’s got a big mouth. And we call it subletting.
MASON
Don’t you have to pay to sublet something?
Oscar gives Mason the evil eye, then looks down at the bag of
goodies he’s leaving for Alix.
OSCAR
What you got?
Oscar swoops up the gift bag and starts poking around.
MASON
Hey!
OSCAR
Jiff. She likes Honey Roasted.
MASON
That’s all they had.
OSCAR
And what’s this?
He takes out the scroll of paper.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Love poetry?
Mason tries to grab it away, but Oscar holds onto it, opens it.
Flips through.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
School assignments? College research? I’m not sure she’ll be needing those.
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll make sure she gets all this stuff..
He picks up the sack of stuff.
MASON
How about I make sure she gets it?
Mason pulls the sack out of Oscar’s hands.

OSCAR
Look, man, I know you ain’t pickin’ up on these social cues and shit, but you are treading
in territory that you know nothing about --
Alix comes back from a wait shift, a bit bedraggled, food on

her uniform, her hair mussed up. When she sees the two guys
there together, her surprise turns to a bit of alarm. How is she
gonna diffuse this?
ALIX
(about how he found her) Mason? How did you...
MASON
Dana Brown.
ALIX
Bitch.
MASON
I made a food pantry run. Thought maybe you could use some stuff, so...
OSCAR
That’s sweet. Isn’t it, Alix? Awful sweet.
She side-eyes Oscar.
ALIX
(to Mason) Yes, it is. Thank you. (to Oscar) Sorry, next girl was late for the lunch shift.
She hands Oscar her car keys. Mason looks at them both
awkwardly.
MASON
I’ll go.
ALIX
Don’t go. Gimme two seconds. (to Oscar) You bringing home your shift meal?
OSCAR
Chicken or the burger?
ALIX
Make it the lasagne. We’re just gonna talk inside for a sec --
OSCAR
Don’t really know how I feel about guests.
He looks meaningfully at Mason. Alix glares at Oscar,

annoyed.
ALIX
Fine. We’ll just chat OUTSIDE.
Oscar gives Mason a nice, long, intimidating glare before

turning back to Alix.
OSCAR
We should talk. Gotta start making moves on...
He looks over at Mason and to avoid the prying ears --
OSCAR (CONT’D)
You know, that project.
ALIX
Yeah,...I’ll be up later.
OSCAR
It’ll be late.
ALIX
That’s okay.
And Oscar shoulder checks Mason on the way out.
MASON
Ow.
ALIX
Sorry about that.
MASON
I knew a kid like him back in Hong Kong. He “accidentally” smothered his cat.
ALIX
You just keep catching him on bad days --
MASON
Seriously. Dead cat.
Alix makes sure Oscar’s gone and then heads through the door.
MASON (CONT’D)
Are you sure we should go inside?
ALIX
It’s fine.
Alix switches on her paper lanterns, one by one as they enter.

Mason follows her in. Takes off his shoes as he enters.
MASON
Whoa.
He takes in the store space which has been gussied up a little

since Alix has arrived and has started working her magic. But
it is still...a store.
MASON (CONT’D)
I remember when this was still a store. I used to buy Sour Patch Kids here.
She shoves a milk crate across the floor. Mason looks at it but
doesn’t sit...yet.
ALIX
Juice box?
MASON
Oh, uh -- thanks.
She tosses him a juice box. Then reaches into the waistband of
her pants and pulls out a wad of cash. Hands it to him.
ALIX
I hope you don’t think I disappeared with your cash. Shit’s been crazy.
MASON
It’s cool.
ALIX
$213 for the liquor and golf clubs and stuff.
MASON
That’s great. Thank you. Seriously. I’ll be able to get the lights back on.
He pockets the money.
ALIX
You should count it.
MASON
I trust you.
She reaches into a nearby duffle and pulls out --. a saber.
Waves it around and presents it to him.
MASON (CONT’D)
How? Where? Why?
ALIX
Don’t ask.
She dives into her backpack and gets...
ALIX (CONT’D)
And...your loop pedal.
MASON
But the thing you needed it for...
ALIX
Fell through. It’s why I’m here.
MASON
Where’s your family?
ALIX
It’s complicated.
MASON
Are they okay? Are you okay?
Evading, Alix spies the bag he got excitedly.
ALIX
Ooh, what’d you get?
He hands her the food pantry bag. Alix roots around in the bag.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Jiff Crunchy.
MASON
They were out of Honey Roasted. Sorry. But, there’s mac and cheese and broccoli.
Can you cook here?
ALIX
Cooking’s a strong word for it. But, yeah.
She finds a sheet of paper with carefully scribbled notes.
MASON
Oh, I wrote down the assignments for you from History, English and Physics --
ALIX
That’s cool of you, but you don’t have to do that --
MASON
Look at the rest of it.
Alix starts flipping through the pages.
ALIX
Architecture programs?
MASON
Not just any. The best in the country. You said you wanna work on public spaces, right?
He unfurls the papers showing her his research.
MASON (CONT’D)
So, I looked at the top national programs in Landscape Architecture, factored in the
school’s tuition costs, percentage of students on financial aid, etc. etc. And I think these
might be your best bets. (reading off his list) Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo. You get preference for admission as a local student. In-state tuition is way
cheaper than anywhere else. They have a work-study program --
She pours through all the papers then stops suddenly.
ALIX
I never told you I wanted to do Landscape Architecture.
MASON
You did.
ALIX
I said public spaces but that could be many things. How did you know?
MASON
Okay, so...I read your essay.
ALIX
My personal statement?
MASON
Edgerton gave it to me.
ALIX
What?
MASON
I’m having a hard time --
ALIX
He had no right. What the fuck?
MASON
I said I needed a model and he gave me yours.
ALIX
He should like, ask me before he gives my shit out.
MASON
I liked the part where you said to get away from your family, you had to go to a park and
watch the Disneyland fireworks at night. And for twenty minutes, that was your living
room.
Alix looks startled.
MASON (CONT’D)
(pointing to his head) Photographic memory. (beat) And you want to design spaces that
shouldn’t feel like home, but do. Public places. So hundreds, or even thousands of people
feel like they have a place they can go. That feels like home. Even if they don’t have one
of their own. (then) I thought, you should do that. The world might be a lesser place if
you don’t get your chance to do that.
ALIX
Okay, now I feel like, naked that you read my essay.
MASON
Don’t. (beat) It’s hard to think long. When we’re mired in this shit. But I thought maybe
we could help each other.
She looks down at the school research he’s brought her.

ALIX
No one’s ever done anything like this for me before. I don’t even know what to say.
MASON
Say you’ll help me write mine.
ALIX
What?
MASON
My essay. I need an essay to get me into music school.On scholarship. In case he doesn’t
come back.
ALIX
That would have to be a helluva essay.
MASON
I wanted to offer you a deal. If you help me with my essay, I can help you with all the rest
of your apps.
ALIX
Mason --
MASON
And I’ll write down all the assignments at school.
ALIX
I don’t think --
MASON
And I’ll give you all my notes from class. C’mon. That’s a great fucking deal.
ALIX
I’m thinking about going to New York.
MASON
That’s what Oscar was talking about? Your project? You’re gonna move there and do
what?
ALIX
Crash with Oscar. Get a job. Figure it out.
MASON
That sounds like a better plan than this? You gonna just run away with the circus?
ALIX
Is Oscar the circus in this scenario?
MASON
Yes. Oscar is a circus.
ALIX
Who’s currently putting a roof over my head. Who’s promised another roof in New York.
MASON
What about your brothers?
ALIX
I can’t do anything for them right now. I’m sleeping on the floor of a fucking
convenience store.
MASON
Is that what you want? To keep sleeping on other people’s floors? Or do you want to
build something for yourself.
ALIX
That’s what I’m trying to do!
MASON
You’re not. You do what your mom wants, what Oscar wants. What do you want?
ALIX
Must be really fucking easy to give advice from the House of Everything.
Mason recoils as if he’s been slapped. Alix regrets it the minute

the words fly out of her mouth.
MASON
I didn’t ask for what I have. I don’t even want what I have. What does it matter that I
have a big house if they turn off the water, and they turn off the lights, and there’s no one
there but me? I don’t have any...I don’t have anything...
He starts to walk off. But then starts to wobble. His eyes glaze
over. Breathing labored. He starts sinking to the ground.
ALIX
Whoa, what’s happening?
She leans down to Mason’s level. He can’t speak.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Tell me what to do.
He holds up one finger, telling her, “Just a second.” Not

knowing what else to do, she grabs his hand and breathes with
him until he’s able to bring his breathing somewhat back to
normal.
MASON
Sorry.
ALIX
Has this happened before?
MASON
Since I was a kid. My mom would hold my hand and breathe with me.. She’d just call
them my “spells.”
She holds his hands and they breathe together.
ALIX
It might be a panic attack.
MASON
What? No.
ALIX
My brother used to get them. They looked like that...
MASON
I don’t panic.
ALIX
Of course you don’t.
Mason turns away from her, embarrassed. He unwinds himself

from her and continues to focus on breathing.
ALIX (CONT'D)
I didn’t mean to stress you out.
MASON
No, it’s not you. It’s...eating and the bills and financial aid forms and trying to get the
student visa and the essay and my dad...
ALIX
Well, one thing at a time. You offered me a deal. I’m taking it.
MASON
Really?
ALIX
Really. You help me. I help you. And we remind each other to think long. So, the
essay...let’s try this. (beat) It’s great that you want to make music. But a lot of people
want to. So, why?
MASON
What? That’s too big.
ALIX
Right. Too daunting to write to a panel of whoever the fuck deciding your future. So...do
this...write me a letter. And tell me: Why don’t your recordings just stay in a drawer?
Why don’t you just play for yourself? Why do you have to take it out there? Why do
other people need to hear it?
MASON
(wheels starting to turn) Okay.
ALIX
Yeah?
MASON
Yeah. Okay.
Mason looks a million miles away.
MASON (CONT’D)
What if he doesn’t ever come home?
ALIX
My dad never came home. You flail. (beat) And then you figure it out.
Lights.
10. LATER THAT NIGHT
Mason plugs in his loop pedal. So happy to

have it back, he begins playing a song.
Crossfade to --
Alix in the convenience store, getting ready

for bed. She changes out of her work clothes
into sleep clothes, rolls out the sleeping bag,
grabs her homework, covers herself in a
blanket, and starts doing homework, by the
light of the small battery operated lantern.
She notices that the lantern is too glare-y, so

she takes a nearby paper bag and covers the
camping lantern so it looks like a Noguchi
light sculpture.
The votives in paper bags also glow. A call

rings in. Alix ignores it. It rings in again.
She ignores it. It rings in a third time.
ALIX
What, what’s wrong?
Lights up on Fiona on the street in front of a bar.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Fiona?
FIONA
How are you, honey?
ALIX
...
FIONA
I just wanted to hear your voice.
ALIX
To hear my voice?
FIONA
....yeah!
ALIX
Yeah, well you’ve heard it now, so...
FIONA
I just went to see the boys at Amy Mack’s house but she wouldn’t let me in.
ALIX
It’s late. They’re probably sleeping.
FIONA
I borrowed a car to drive down here and everything and I said I just wanted to tuck them
in, you know? Jackie sleeps better when I tuck him in.
ALIX
Do you need money?
FIONA
I just wanted to see you. Let me bring you some Taco Bell.
ALIX
Mom --
FIONA
‘member when I’d let you get crispy tacos when you got all As? You’ve gotten all As
again, haven’t you?
ALIX
No. I haven’t.
FIONA
Close enough.
ALIX
Go home, Fiona.
FIONA
I don’t want to. I don’t want to sleep in that room all by myself, I --
ALIX
Mom. I am not your husband. I am not your man. I am not your best friend. You need to
call someone else.
FIONA
Please, sweetie --
ALIX
If you want to see any of us, get yourself together.
And she hangs up. Lights down on Fiona.
Oscar crashes in from work. Empties his pockets of phone, car

keys etc. He and Alix have a “hey” lazzi, exchanging hellos
until it becomes increasingly clear that Oscar, totally giggling,
might be on something. It ends with “hi” and “hi.” He goes
over to Alix and gives her their special high 5.
ALIX
Ugh, your mouth smells.
Oscar just laughs and laughs.
ALIX (CONT’D)
You smoked up, didn’t you?
OSCAR
Javi made me.
ALIX
Made you?
OSCAR
It was a parting gift --
ALIX
Parting? Oscar. You didn’t. Tell me you didn’t --
OSCAR
(as a celebration) I got fired!
ALIX
Fired! What happened?
OSCAR
Shit. Shit happened.
ALIX
We’re supposed to be saving for New York.
OSCAR
Well you’re still working, right?
ALIX
I am not your sugar mommy.
OSCAR
I’ll get another job, relax. C’mere.
Alix doesn’t move.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
C’mere.
Alix starts fixing up her bed on the floor.

OSCAR (CONT’D)
What are you doing?
ALIX
Well, I was waiting up to talk about New York. But you’re obviously in no condition to
do that. So, I’m going to bed. So should you.
She shuts off the lantern.
OSCAR
I’m not ready for bed.
Oscar turns it back on.
ALIX
Don’t you have to find a job tomorrow?
OSCAR
That’s tomorrow.
ALIX
Well, I have a Physics test, so...I need some sleep.
She shuts off the light again.
OSCAR
You’re going back to school?
He turns the light back on.
ALIX
Yeah. Gotta keep my options open.
She turns off the light. He turns it back on.
OSCAR
C’mon, aren’t you gonna cheer me up?
ALIX
For losing your job?
OSCAR
For fighting the power!
ALIX
(deadpan) Good job, Oscar. You fought the power.
She turns off the light yet again. He turns it back on.
OSCAR
C’mon, celebrate with me.
He pulls out a joint.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Smoke with me....
Alix’s had it with high Oscar, but --
ALIX
And then you’ll go to bed?
OSCAR
Yes!
ALIX
And you’ll go get a job?
OSCAR
Fucking yes!
ALIX
Light it up, then.
Oscar does. Grabs a tea cup to ash in.
OSCAR
Mmm, that’s good.
He passes her the joint. She takes a conservative drag.
ALIX
So, you wanna tell me what happened?
OSCAR
Dropped a plate.
ALIX
You got fired for dropping a plate?
OSCAR
No. A plate full of steak. After I dropped it, Ethan storms over, like all high on coke and
says, “We have a VIP in the house tonight. Clean it up, you clumsy fuck.”
ALIX
Oh, my god.
They pass the joint back and forth.
OSCAR
So, I said, “Nobody talks to me like that. Clean it up yourself, asshole.” That’s why I got
fired.
ALIX
Why didn’t you report him?
OSCAR
Report my manager? To who?
ALIX
The owner.
OSCAR
And who are they gonna believe? Me or white boy? So, I did the only other thing I could
do.
ALIX
(suspiciously) Which is what?
They both take another drag.
OSCAR
So, Ethan keeps a vial of coke on him at all times. To snort up with the small time
celebrities who visit, or the hot waitresses. Javi grabbed me and was like, “Yo. We should
make your leaving memorable. Something he never forgets.” So, we called 911 and told
‘em cocaine was flying fast and free over at Pine City Lodge, they should check it out.
So, just as I was leaving, the po-po rolls up, sirens blazing, Ethan looked like he was
gonna shit his pants, all, like, “Excuse me officers, how can I help you?”
The pot starting to kick in, Alix giggles too. Oscar laughs more.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
And the cops go, “We got an anonymous tip that illegal narcotics are being sold by front
of house staff.” And like he goes totally white, and looks around all crazy eyed until his
eyes land on me. And I hit him with a wink and left.
They both start giggling. A slow rolling laughter that turns into
uncontrollable laughter.
ALIX
He’s so fucked.
OSCAR
I know!
ALIX
Did you get Ethan fired?
OSCAR
I dunno. I fucking hope so. His ass is at least up in jail tonight. In his suit. Sweating
cocaine. Looking like he’d be real easy to fuck with.
ALIX
You’re so mean --
OSCAR
He’s an asshole! I hope they kick his ass in there.
She continues to laugh uncontrollably. This makes him laugh

harder. Which makes her laugh harder. It’s a laughing lazzi.
And then suddenly, Oscar plants a kiss on Alix. Alix draws

back, as if she’s touched a hot stove.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
I missed the sound of your laugh.
ALIX
You said you’d behave.
OSCAR
I did. But...
Oscar looks flummoxed.
OSCAR (CONT’D)
I thought you were waiting for me to get my shit together. And I have been. Got a plan
for New York. I know I just lost my job, but --
ALIX
Oscar --
OSCAR
I’ll get another job, and I’ll --
ALIX
Oscar --
OSCAR
Just give me the chance.
ALIX
To what?
OSCAR
To win you back.
ALIX
But you can’t.
Oscar is gutpunched.
OSCAR
Why?
ALIX
Because...
OSCAR
You’ve made up your mind?
ALIX
(gently) I made up my mind when we broke up...Last month...We’re broken up.
OSCAR
I know. I just...Is there someone else?
ALIX
No.
OSCAR
That socially dyslexic kid?
ALIX
Mason? Please, c’mon. No.
OSCAR
Then why can’t we...
ALIX
Because I don’t feel that way about you...anymore.
Beat.
OSCAR
But it was okay to ask me favors. It was okay to keep me around --
ALIX
We’re friends...I thought we were friends.
OSCAR
I always thought where you were was home. I might not have a place to sleep, but you...
And now you’re leaving me.
ALIX
I’m not. I’m still here. I’ll always be here. (then) I’m sorry, Oscar.
OSCAR
It’s okay. (then) But, I can’t have you here, then.
Alix stops short. Sure she’s misheard him.
ALIX
What?
OSCAR
I can’t have you sleeping next to me, I can’t hear you breathing at night if...You gotta go.
ALIX
Now?
OSCAR
Now.
ALIX
It’s almost one in the morning.
OSCAR
Sorry.
ALIX
Now you’re just trying to hurt me. Don’t be spiteful.
OSCAR
I think you’ve just given up any right to tell me how I’m allowed to be.
ALIX
...Don’t do this.
She touches his arm.
OSCAR
Please don’t touch me.
He says this with a quiet firmness that disarms her. She backs
away.
ALIX
Why does it have to be everything or nothing? Why can’t you be my friend?
OSCAR
Why can’t you love me?
ALIX
...
And there it is. Oscar sinks onto the milk crate.
Alix starts gathering up her things. A backpack, the roll of

sheets on the floor, a shopping bag full of clothes. She starts for
the door. Then, she stops and turns.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Will you still go to New York?
OSCAR
Probably.
ALIX
Say this isn’t the last time I’m ever gonna see you.
OSCAR
...
ALIX
What are you thinking?
OSCAR
That...I’m glad to have known you for a minute. Feel your love wash over me and make
me feel invincible. That...maybe now...you’re that house I used to live in that I walk by
sometimes and have warm memories about. That...I wish we left each other before things
got bad. While we still liked each other. That... I will be glad we knew each other before
we were great.
She looks at him with great affection and hopes that this might
be enough to salvage their friendship. But then --
OSCAR (CONT’D)
Goodbye, Alix.
Oscar turns away from her. With her arms full, Alix takes one
last look at Oscar and is out the door. Lights.
Lights up on Mason, in his underwear and a

t-shirt, opening the door to Alix who storms
in with two backpacks and three shopping
bags full of shit. She side-eyes his legs.
ALIX
Nice legs.
She storms past him and starts slinging her bags onto the floor.
The flurry of chirping in the background.
Mason immediately goes to pick up his blanket from his

sleeping nest and wraps it around him. Gingerly nestles his
sweater around the bird.
MASON
I just got her to sleep! Do you know how long it takes me to get her to sleep? Now she's
gonna chirp all night, I’ll never sleep --
Alix hovers near the door clutching all her bags.
ALIX
You still have the bird? They're not meant to be pets. They're wild.
MASON
It's not a tiger, it's a bird.
She gestures towards the door starts heading for the door.
ALIX
Help me with the rest of it --
MASON
The rest of what?
ALIX
I don’t want my shit stolen out of my car. Even in this neighborhood, can’t trust anybody.
MASON
Alix.
ALIX
Just for tonight.
MASON
You can’t. Stay here.
ALIX
Nobody’s gonna know. Your dad’s not gonna know. He’s not here.
MASON
He sends people to check on me. Without warning.
ALIX
I’ll hide if anybody shows up.
MASON
They’re not good people. It’s not safe for you here.
ALIX
I’ll sleep in the closet. Nobody’ll ever see me. I won’t make a mark, I won’t make a
sound. I can be invisible when I want to be. And they definitely won’t check the closet.
Only a psycho would check the closet.
MASON
Isn’t there somebody else you can ask? Your Newport Beach friends.
ALIX
It’s Huntington Beach. And I’ve had to ask before. Too many times. I’ve...hit my
expiration date.
MASON
There has to be someone.
ALIX
There’s not. There’s no one else I can ask.
MASON
What about Oscar?
It’s all suddenly too much for Alix and the dam bursts, tears
start falling down her face.
MASON (CONT’D)
Whoa, what happened? Are you okay?
ALIX
I can’t stay there anymore.
At a loss for what to do, Mason grabs a box of tissues from

nearby and hands it to her. She takes a tissue. Dabs her eyes.
She watches him watching her.
MASON
Did he hurt you?
ALIX
No.
MASON
Is he gonna hurt me if I let you stay here?
ALIX
He threw me out. He’s not allowed to be mad if I stay anywhere else.
MASON
That doesn’t answer my question.
ALIX
If he comes near you, I’ll knock him out myself.
MASON
Please don’t. Ever. Come to my rescue.
ALIX
Nothing wrong with being a damsel once in awhile. Most days I’m the white knight.
Today, I’m the damsel.
MASON
That’s kind of a douchebag thing to do. To a friend. To a former whatever.
ALIX
He’s not my friend. Mason...Be my friend.
Mason eyes the array of shopping bags, garbage bags and

backpacks she’s hauled in with her.
MASON
What if your mom comes looking for you, if she sends cops or someone --
ALIX
She’s not sending anyone looking for me.
Alix contemplates the idea that she’s 99% sure her mother
won’t come looking for her. Mason looks for something
comforting to say. Alix totally clocks this.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Don’t. Maybe some people were never designed to have children. And maybe the biggest
favor children of those people can do is to leave them.
Mason looks at Alix. A homeless waif with nowhere to go.
MASON
Let’s get the rest of your stuff.
She sinks to the floor. All the bags fall from her hands. She
sighs with relief and gratitude.
ALIX
Freedom, Mason. No family. No ex-boyfriend. I’m free. Like, times two. Free.
MASON
You are. How’s it feel?
Alix contemplates for a moment. Finally, it dawns --
ALIX
Terrible.
He takes a stack of papers out of his backpack.
MASON
Uh, not to add to that, but I forgot when I saw you before. Edgerton handed them back.
ALIX
Oh, god. Is it...
Mason gingerly, teasing peeks at the grade on the paper,

circled in red.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Fuck. Did we? I can’t look. Did we?
Mason presents the paper to her. Alix whoops in celebration.
ALIX
An A! We did it.
MASON
We did.
Gives Mason an unexpected hug. Snatches the papers out of his

hands, touches the red mark just to make sure it’s real.
ALIX
God, I might still get out of this hell hole. We need to celebrate. Put your pants on. I’m
taking us to Denny’s.
The sound of Mason’s saved bird tweeting.
ALIX (CONT’D)
One more thing. Bird has to go. I can't sleep with this shit.
MASON
No. Denny's yes, bird no. Wing's not healed.
ALIX
Mason.
MASON
She toddles and falls to the right when she tries to fly.
Alix laughs.
MASON (CONT’D)
You wouldn't laugh if you saw it. It's sad.
She holds up a fistful of bills.
ALIX
Put your pants on. Tonight, we’re rich. Tonight, we drink milk shakes and eat hash
browns. Tonight, we belong to nobody but ourselves.
Lights crossfade to James in Tokyo. Bloody and battered. He

pulls up his shirt to his bruised midsection. Takes a
handkerchief to staunch blood.
He pulls out his burner phone. Dials a number.
JAMES
No, it’s not done yet. (then) I’m not sure I can get to him.
He blanches a bit at what he’s asked to do.
JAMES
Yes. I understand.
Summoning strength, he heads off to complete his mission.

Lights.
12. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, AROUND MIDNIGHT
Lights up on Alix scooping a pot of

cranberry sauce into a bowl. She’s fashioned
one of Mason’s old shirts into an interesting
sort of skirt. Alix stages turkey, stuffing and
casserole dishes with green beans and sweet
potatoes.
Alix’s “Light Drift” sculptures adorn the

once empty living room. There’s a Charlie
Brown Christmas Tree..
She takes a pleated paper sack and hangs it

over a lamp, creating an elevated version of
the other sculptures. Pleased with her work,
she takes a picture of herself in this space,
her 14th home.
A handful of the mismatched chairs are

gathered around a folding table.
ALIX
Hi, buddy...Slow down...What’s the problem?...I know you hate ham, but...just hide it in
your napkin...I’m sure Mom will call you later...I miss you too...Tell Jack I --
But the line is dead. Alix sadly puts her phone away and stirs
the cranberry sauce. To make herself feel better, she turns on
one of Mason’s recent music recordings on his laptop.
Special up on Mason playing the song. It’s a simple acoustic

piece, the one he started in Scene 7, but there are lyrics now.
It’s naked and unadorned.
She’s moved by it. As she brings the dishes laden with luscious
Christmas treats to the table, the lyrics really strike her. She
brings the bird over to the computer so it can hear the song
too. She sits with the song for a moment and hears her own
brand of loneliness in it.
As the song ends, special down on Mason.
Alix presses repeat on the computer and the song plays again.
Mason walks in, stripping off his Islands bus boy uniform
(perhaps a nice, loud aloha shirt), covered in food. He carries
a takeout container.
MASON
I was just about to leave and Sissy tells me she forgot to marry the ketchups. So guess
who had to do it.
ALIX
That’s Sissy’s move. She plays dumb so you do shit for her. Don’t do it.
MASON
(about her skirt ) Is that my shirt? Did I say you could borrow it?
ALIX
CanIborrowthisthanks.
Mason gives Alix side-eye.
ALIX (CONT’D)
God, this one is really beautiful.
MASON
That one’s okay. End needs work.
ALIX
It sounds like...the loneliest man at the end of the earth at the end of time.
MASON
It is.
ALIX
It’s so sad.
MASON
(pleased) Thank you.
Mason checks their bird snuggled in a box on the kitchen

counter.
MASON (CONT’D)
She eat?
ALIX
Yep. Fat and happy.
The bird tweets happily. Mason holds up a fistful of cash. Puts

it on the kitchen counter.
MASON
Boom. $75 with shift pay and a cut of the tips. We won’t get rich --
ALIX
But, at least we’re not gonna starve.
She hits him.
ALIX
The turkey is resting. Can you slice it? I got yams in the microwave with marshmallows --
MASON
Ewww.
ALIX
Don’t knock it till you tried it. And stuffing and the greenbeans are canned, but I put fried
onions on top.
MASON
Everything’s better with fried onions.
He drops the takeout container next to Alix.

MASON
I got the fruit salad as my shift meal so we don't get scurvy and die.
ALIX
Nice.
Mason takes out a big knife and starts hacking up the turkey
slices Alix has cooked.
MASON
I thought turkey was for Thanksgiving.
ALIX
Or Christmas Eve or birthdays or when we want to feel nice and fat.
MASON
How do cranberries go with turkey?
ALIX
Just trust. Taste --
She takes a hunk of turkey, dips a piece in cranberry sauce and

tries to stick it in Mason’s mouth.
MASON
No.
ALIX
Mason. You’re the death of fun.
MASON
I hate you.
ALIX
Eat.
He tastes. Mason’s face goes from confusion to joy.
MASON
That’s weird. And good. And weird.
ALIX
See?
Alix starts to set a makeshift set of plates and place settings at

the table.
ALIX (CONT’D)
So. Where’s your essay?
MASON
Where’s your homework?
Alix waves a sheet of paper around.
ALIX
Done.
MASON
What about your Cal State apps?
ALIX
Stop avoiding.
MASON
Let me take one more pass at it.
ALIX
It was due to me today!
MASON
Why do I feel like I’m suddenly at school?
ALIX
You have to get it in by the 1st.
MASON
I know. Just one more --
She forages around in his backpack.
ALIX
Jesus. Your handwriting is completely illegible.
MASON
Maybe that's by design. Maybe I knew you'd try to read it.
ALIX
Read it to me, then.
MASON
I scrapped the other one. This is from scratch. (beat) Okay.
He does that weird siren exercise every drama school teacher

teaches their students in voice class.
MASON (CONT’D)
Sorry. Vocal warm-up. We do it in debate.
ALIX
Stop stalling.
Mason starts to read from his college essay. His hand shakes a
little and the paper flutters as he reads.
MASON
You said a letter.
Dear Alix.
I don’t want to go to college for the reasons most other people want to go to college.
Most people want to build the next big thing or be the next big thing.
Not me.
Most people want to earn 5 million Twitter followers,
see their face on billboards,
and demand that there be a bowl of white M&Ms wherever they go.
Not me.
My father wants me to go to Harvard so I can get an MBA

and move a lot of money around.
Not me.
I’m not interested in being “great.”

I’m not interested in being the Next Big Thing.
I’m just interested in doing the right thing.
Two months ago,

I found a dying bird.
We set its wing, fed it sugar water and nursed it back to health.
No one was watching.
We didn’t Instagram it or Snapchat it.
We saved the bird and nursed it back to health
because it was the right thing to do.
Music has done for me what the sugar water did for our bird.
She has nursed me back to health.
She has made me get stronger.
Music is the one language that doesn’t plague me with her rules and rhythms.
But frees me to express everything that I am.

Wherever in the world I am forced to go, I have her, even when I have no one else.
I want not just to make music, but to teach music

because music has saved my life.
Given me a home.
Given me a reason.
And I want to teach other people how to play,
To help them find a home. A reason. A voice.
To give them the tools to save their own lives
When they have no one and nothing.
Because that’s what greatness looks like to me.
Mason crumples the essay and throws it aside, embarrassed

that it’s all wrong. But, Alix is incredibly moved.
ALIX
That’s it.
She picks up the crumpled essay, smooths it out and hands it

back to him.
MASON
Yeah?
ALIX
Yeah. That’s it.
Mason is filled with relief.
ALIX (CONT’D)
(beat) Why weren’t you ruined by it all?
MASON
By what?
ALIX
By your dad. By life. How are you okay?
MASON
How are you?
ALIX
I’m not. I’m really not.
Mason is moved by her admission. Searches for a way to

describe how he’s gotten here.
MASON
I guess I will myself to be this way because I don’t want them to have that much power.
Because then they win. Don't let them win.
Alix leans in and kisses him. Then pulls back.
ALIX
Sorry.
Mason leans in and kisses her. Long and slow. She doesn’t
move away. The lanterns glow. Lights.
Alix and Mason are curled up in sheets. The

faint sound of chirping.
MASON
Wow.
ALIX
...
MASON
I mean...wow.
He tries to shake of the surprise of it all.
MASON (CONT’D)
Thank you.
ALIX
Thank you?
MASON
I mean...that was...
ALIX
Please stop talking about it.
MASON
Right.
ALIX
The magic dissipates if you give it words.
MASON
Okay. No words.
Silence. As they revel in what happened, just with no words.
Then, the sound of the front door being unlocked. Mason

freezes.
MASON (CONT’D)
Shit!
He pulls on sweats in half light.
MASON (CONT’D)
Get in the closet.
ALIX
Who is it?
MASON
I don’t know. Get in the closet.
She jumps up and wraps herself in the blanket.
ALIX
I’m way tougher than you.
MASON
And you’re not supposed to be here! Stop being an asshole and get in the closet!
ALIX
Fine, Jesus! Call me if you need me.
MASON
Go!
Alix dives for the hall closet, spies Mason’s fencing foil.
ALIX
Hey!
Alix tosses it to him before crouching inside. Mason poises his

foil for battle and advances towards the front door, walking
through the shadows. The door finally unlocks and a figure
comes in.
MASON
Don’t fucking move!
Mason poises to stab the intruder with his fencing foil.
SHADOWY FIGURE
Mason?
James flicks the light switch on.
MASON
Dad?
JAMES
Surprise.
MASON
I could have killed you.
Mason notices an ugly scar on James’ s cheek.
MASON (CONT’D)
What happened to your face?
JAMES
Just a scratch.
MASON
What happened?
JAMES
Just an accident. Let’s just leave it at that. Aren’t you gonna give your Daddy a hug?
Mason tackles James with a heartfelt hug.
MASON
I thought you were dead.
JAMES
I’m not.
MASON
I thought you were angry with me.
JAMES
I was. Get off me.
They both disentangle themselves from the hug.
MASON
Is that why you didn’t call?
JAMES
No, that was because of work.
James starts looking around, inspecting the house, looking at

what his money paid for. He notices the food still on the table.
Plucks a piece of turkey and shoves it in his mouth.
MASON
Are you hungry? I can make you a plate.
JAMES
You eat like this every night?
MASON
It’s Christmas Eve.
JAMES
Oh, right. So American. Spend thousands of dollars you don’t have on useless items that
your family doesn’t want that will just end up in the trash.
MASON
You forgot. That it was Christmas.
James takes off his watch and hands it to Mason.
JAMES
Merry Christmas.
MASON
Dad, I don’t --
JAMES
You refuse a gift from your father?
MASON
Thanks, Dad.
Mason pockets the watch. Starts making James a plate.
JAMES
I thought we talked about having people over.
MASON
It was just me.
JAMES
Two plates.
MASON
So I didn’t feel lonely.
Mason gives James the plate and he eats heartily.
JAMES
So, you can cook.
MASON
Where were you all month?
JAMES
There were complications.
He takes out a huge wad of cash. Stuffs it in Mason’s hand.
JAMES (CONT’D)
For the bills. And your A’s, huh?
James pats him on the shoulder a little too hard.
MASON
It’s too much.
JAMES
Buy your loop pedal.
MASON
I don’t need it.
JAMES
Buy an Xbox.
MASON
No, it’s too much.
Mason pulls out a few hundred, tries to hand the rest of the
stack back to his father.
JAMES
Keep it. For next month. Better you have it. Or I’ll spend it.
James takes off his jacket and starts walking towards the closet
where Alix is hiding. Mason sees this and intercepts him, taking
his coat.
MASON
Want some water, Dad? Some tea? Juice?
JAMES
Just a glass, please.
James walks away from the closet, to Mason’s great relief.

Makes towards his bag, and pulls out a bottle of Johnnie
Walker Gold.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Duty Free.
Mason surreptitiously passes James’s coat to Alix in the closet,

then brings a glass over to his dad. James pours a huge glass
of whiskey and takes a long sip.
MASON
What kind of complications?
The faint sound of chirping. Mason cringes. James springs up

into attack position.
JAMES
What is that?
MASON
I’m playing Angry Birds.
JAMES
What?
MASON
It’s a game. Wait...
James walks over to Mason’s sleeping area to see the bird,

swaddled in a box. The bird chirps brightly.
JAMES
(frightened by what he sees) Why did you bring a bird inside the house?
MASON
It was injured.
He picks it up and tries to show it to James. James backs away,

it’s a little chase.
JAMES
Injured?
MASON
Broken wing. I was trying to save it.
JAMES
They’re not pets, you know. Wild birds.
MASON
I know.
JAMES
They carry the flu sometimes.
MASON
Not this one.
JAMES
They’re not meant to be kept inside. Domesticated. It’s not natural.
MASON
I’ll let her go when she’s well.
JAMES
She? You’re sure it’s a she?
MASON
She’s a Lazuli Bunting. The gray-brown head and blue tipped wings and tail feathers
means she’s a “she.”
Mason places the bird back in its box. James looks over at the
mismatched chairs.
JAMES
Why do all your chairs not match?
MASON
I liked them all and I couldn’t decide which one to get. So I got one of each.
JAMES
I sent you money for a desk. A dining table. Where are they?
MASON
Look, Dad, you must be tired.
JAMES
I am. It’s a long flight from Tokyo.
MASON
Why were you in Tokyo?
James gives him look.
MASON (CONT’D)
Nevermind. Why don’t you take the bed? We can talk tomorrow.
James starts moving off to bed. Mason breathes a sigh of relief.

Then James turns...
JAMES
Where are you going to sleep?
MASON
I sleep down there.
JAMES
In a sleeping bag?
MASON
Yeah.
JAMES
Why?
MASON
I just do, okay?
JAMES
My son should sleep in a bed.
MASON
Are you drunk?
Mason notices James’s generous tumbler of Johnnie Gold is

now empty.
JAMES
Whiskey combats jet lag. Oh, hey...I want to see your advisor, your Mr. Edgerton.
MASON
Why?
JAMES
I want him to tell me himself how you’re doing.
MASON
You can’t just leave me here for months and months and then show up and want to be my
dad.
JAMES
Why can’t I?
MASON
Because you just can’t. I’ve been taking care of me, so just let me...just let me do that.
JAMES
You think you’re taking care of you? Who do you think pays for all this?
MASON
I do. I had to get a job. To pay the bills. Buy food. When you disappeared. For a month!
JAMES
Mrs. Fung brought you food?
MASON
No. The minute your wire transfers stopped coming through was the minute she stopped
bringing food. What did you think was happening to me while you were --
JAMES
And where do you think I was? Risking...what? For you. All for you.
MASON
I didn’t ask for that. I think it’s for you. I think you enjoy running around doing fucking
crazy things. Stupid, dangerous things. With the excuse that it’s for me. But don’t pretend
that you do it for me. You do it so you don’t have to be here with me.
Beat.
JAMES
I think you owe me an apology.
MASON
I’m not apologizing.
JAMES
You will apologize.
MASON
I won’t.
JAMES
Choose your words carefully --
MASON
I’m not saying shit to you until you apologize for disappearing on me --
JAMES
Mason --
MASON
While you leave me here in this stupid, empty house to starve. You fucking apologize to
me!
James tries to backhand Mason who ducks under his arm and
falls to the floor. He picks up the foil, walks over to Mason and
starts swatting at the ground next to him with the side of the
blade, knocking him down.
MASON (CONT’D)
What the fuck?
Mason tries to get up, but James pushes him to the ground
again. Points the foil at him, hurt tempering his anger.
JAMES
Apologize to you? I had to drop out of school after the 8th grade to go to work, to support
my family. Grueling, nasty work in a butcherhouse --
Thwap! James hits the ground next to Mason again.
MASON
Dad! Stop!
JAMES
I didn’t have this kind of house over my head. I didn’t have everything I could possibly
want.
Thwap!
MASON
Stop!
JAMES
And I was always hungry because we never had enough food. And your grandma had to
make one can of fish stretch to feed seven kids --
Thwap!
JAMES (CONT’D)
So don’t you tell me that what I expect out of you is unreasonable. Apologize!
MASON
No!
Alix rushes out of the closet with a broom in hand, still

wrapped in a blanket. She swats at James’s arms with the
handle of the broom, trying to knock the foil away. Mason gets
up behind her.
ALIX
Stop! Stop it!
JAMES
Who the hell are you?
ALIX
I’m the one standing between you and him. You fucking get near him again and I’ll --
JAMES
(looking past Alix to Mason) This is who you bring into my house? This is who you
spend my money on?
ALIX
I pay my own way --
JAMES
-- this foul-mouthed, trashy, little white girl?
Alix is stung.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Get out of my house before I throw you out.
ALIX
Then you’re gonna have to throw me out.
MASON
You’re not going anywhere.
Mason grabs the broom stick out of Alix’s hand. Points the
handle at his father like a saber.
MASON (CONT’D)
She’s not leaving.
JAMES
Says who? You?
MASON
Yes.
Mason poises in foil-ready stance with the broom,, cocking his

arm up. Alix looks between the two of them. Is it really going
down like this? Are they about to duel? James hauls off and
swats at Mason with the foil. Mason blocks. Thwap! Alix backs
out of the way. Mason and James have a strange little duel, foil
vs. broom.
JAMES
You fight me with a broom? You wish to rain bad luck down on me?
Thwap, Thwap!
JAMES (CONT’D)
(to Mason) You bring home birds, you bring home girls, these hopeless broken things --
Thwap, Thwap!
JAMES (CONT’D)
And you try to fix them instead of worrying about you?
Thwap! Thwap!
JAMES (CONT’D)
No wonder you’re screwing up. No wonder all you’ll ever be is a big screw up.
Thwap! Mason disarms James. Kicks the foil away and sticks
the handle of the broom into James’ chest, hard.
MASON
I have built something here in spite of you. You apologize to her. Or get the fuck out.
JAMES
No.
MASON
Apologize!
Mason strikes James.
JAMES
(like a battle cry) Wo da sei le!
James scrambles to pick up the foil and goes after Mason. But,
Mason strikes back hard.
Thwap! Thwap! Thwap! Their weapons clash.
Mason strikes James three times, chest, head and kidneys.

James goes down. Boom. Out cold. Alix and Mason exchange a
look, breathless.
ALIX
What’d he say?
MASON
He said he’s gonna kill me.
Lights.
14. A FEW HOURS LATER, DAWN
Split scene: James holding a bag of

edamame over his eye while Mason slumps
in a chair next to him at the makeshift
kitchen table.
James is making a sweeping motion on his

shoulder, arm, head -- any body part that
was struck by Mason’s broom.
MASON
What are you doing?
JAMES
Wiping off your bad luck.
Meanwhile, downstairs Fiona messily hunts around for clothes

and starts slamming things into shopping bags while Alix
unpacks them --
ALIX
Why should I go with you?
FIONA
I got this cute little place in Van Nuys. Studio apartment. There’s a washer/dryer...
Back to James and Mason.
JAMES
We’re on the first flight out in the morning.
MASON
I’m not leaving.
JAMES
You think you’re a man now? You knock me down, so you’re powerful.
MASON
I don’t think I’m powerful. I just think I don’t need to do everything you say.
Back to Fiona and Alix.
FIONA
I was going to surprise you this morning and bring you over for dinner. And I’m making
your favorite. Lasagne. And I was going to bring the boys over.
ALIX
Don’t do that. That’s not fair.
FIONA
Do what?
ALIX
Bring them into this.
Back to Mason and James.
MASON
You don’t want me to think for myself?
JAMES
No.
MASON
Then why’d you send me here?
Fiona shoves some things into bags.
ALIX
Stop, that’s Mason’s. Just...don’t help!
Fiona drops the bags --
ALIX
You weren’t coming for me today. Until you had to.
FIONA
Of course I was. It’s Christmas and I missed you.
ALIX
My life is here. I have to leave my...(looking for the word for Mason) friend, my school,
my job?
Back to Mason and James.
JAMES
Of course I want you to find your way.
MASON
Do you?
JAMES
Do you hate me?
Mason’s caught completely off guard.
MASON
What? No, Dad.
JAMES
Have I done a bad job?
MASON
....no.
JAMES
That took too long for you to answer.
Back to Alix and Fiona.
ALIX
What am I supposed to tell Mason? I’m disappearing on him?
FIONA
You never even mentioned him before.
ALIX
He gave me a place to be when you went away, when Oscar kicked me out --
FIONA
Then you thank him and...You wanted us back together. I’m bringing us back together.
ALIX
For now. Until things go sideways again.
FIONA
We won’t let them. We won’t.
ALIX
(beat) I can’t do it.
FIONA
What?
Alex crumbles.
ALIX
You say “we,” but it’s me. And I can’t hold us all together anymore. I’m tired, Mom. I’m
so tired.
FIONA
Oh, honey...
Fiona puts her arms around her daughter.
FIONA (CONT’D)
I’m here now. And it’s not all on you.I promised you I’d come back. I know you didn’t
believe me. But I’m here. (then) We’ll bring the boys home. It’ll be just like it was.
Off Alix, terrified at that idea, back to James and Mason.
MASON
You’ve...done what you can. I know that.
JAMES
I promised your mother that you would be alright.
MASON
I am. Mostly.
JAMES
You’re just like her. Your heart is too soft.
MASON
(offended) No it’s not.
JAMES
(beat) It’s not a bad thing. Most of the time. But there are bad people. In the world. They
will take advantage of softness, see? You cannot let people use you.
MASON
She wasn’t using me. It’s been good. For the first time in a long time
JAMES
Oh.
Back to Fiona and Alix
FIONA
You might not believe it, but Van Nuys is kind of nice. It’s got its charm. A lot of Paul
Thomas Anderson’s films take place there.
ALIX
Yeah. Because it’s where hope goes to die.
FIONA
You gotta meet me halfway here, babe.
ALIX
Gimme a minute, okay?
She heads towards the door to outside.
FIONA
I...I’ll be upstairs.
Fiona reaches for one more thing to say, but can’t find it, so
she scrambles towards the stairs while --
MASON
Dad?
James looks at him.
MASON (CONT’D)
I’m sorry.
James nods, accepting the apology.
MASON (CONT’D)
What if we stayed here?
James considers this for a moment.
MASON (CONT’D)
It’s quieter here. Maybe you’d like it.
James thinks...
MASON (CONT’D)
Don’t go back to work, Dad. Just....stay here with me.
JAMES
Stay?
MASON
Yeah.
James entertains the thought for one more moment, then --
JAMES
It is time to come home, Mason.
Mason is crushed as he sees the future slipping away, the pipe

dream of starting over here with his father turning to dust.
Fiona scrambles in.
FIONA
I’m sorry, she needed a moment, so...I’ll just sit over here.
Fiona picks one of the mis-matched chairs and sits, fiddling

with her phone.
MASON
I’m gonna go check on Alix.
FIONA
I think she went to get some air. (beat) Thank you. It’s very kind of you. To take in a
stranger.
MASON
She’s not a stranger.
Mason makes for the door to find Alix outside.
FIONA
I guess we’re not winning any parent of the year awards, are we?
JAMES
There are no awards that come with parenting. Only suffering.
FIONA
Oh, I don’t think that’s true.
JAMES
Then, you aren’t any good at it.
Fiona isn’t quite sure how to react.
JAMES (CONT’D)
A joke. My apologies. My humor doesn’t always translate.
FIONA
You’re not wrong. I’m not any fucking good at it. And I have three.
JAMES
Just one. After he was born and wouldn’t sleep for the first year, I got my --
He makes a snipping gesture. Fiona reacts. James goes to his

bag and pulls out a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Do you drink?
FIONA
How could I not?
James fetches two glasses out of the cupboard. Pours them

each a drink.
FIONA (CONT’D)
Never had Johnnie Blue before.
They cheers and drink the stiff whiskey.
FIONA (CONT’D)
Tastes just like the Gold.
JAMES
Actually tastes like the Black. I just like the bottle.
FIONA
(beat) Where’s his mother?
JAMES
She died four years ago. Your husband...
FIONA
No, he didn’t have the good grace to die. He just...I had to return that library book.
JAMES
(some improvisation or) It’s never good when a book’s overdue. (then) I’m sorry.
FIONA
I’m not. We’re better off without him.
James nod. Neither of them has answers.

JAMES
Parents?
FIONA
Mine? Dead.
JAMES
Mine too.
FIONA
It’s a lot, isn’t it? A lot to do by yourself.
JAMES
Yes.
FIONA
No one tells you it’s this hard.
JAMES
No.
FIONA
There’s no way to be good at it.
JAMES
No. (then) I wish I had the right words for him.
FIONA
I told her that things will be better.
JAMES
Will they?
Fiona just looks at him.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Maybe better not to say anything at all.
FIONA
I should take her home.
JAMES
In a second. Another?
FIONA
Only if you stop being polite and tell me your secrets.
James unscrews the cap to the Johnnie Blue. He pours them

both another drink. They wrack their brains for the next step.
For the thing to say to their kids. But for now, they sit and
drink.
ALIX (O.S.)
Mason!
Lights shift to a balcony outside Mason’s house. Mason runs

out, trying to get ahold of his breathing again. On the edge of
a panic attack. The bird in his hands. Alix runs after him.
ALIX
Mason.
She finally catches up. He’s looks at the bird, then at the sky,
then at the bird.
ALIX (CONT’D)
You can do this.
Mason gives her a panicked look. He looks down at his hands.

Alix looks down at his hands too. Or rather what’s in his hands.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Are you ready?
He shakes his head, “No.”
ALIX (CONT’D)
Then, get ready.
MASON
(getting enough breath back to speak) What if she can’t do it?
ALIX
She’ll do it. She has to do it.
MASON
It’s the first time you ever called her a “she.”
Alix puts her hand on Mason’s shoulder and it starts to bring

calm. His breathing starts to normalize. Mason gently pets his
little bird, cupped in his hands.
ALIX
Ready?
Mason nods.
ALIX (CONT’D)
One...two...three....
Mason pulls the bird back to his chest and doesn’t let go.
ALIX (CONT’D)
Mason!
MASON
What?
ALIX
(about the bird) She can’t go with you to Hong Kong.
MASON
Where will you go?
ALIX
Some place in Van Nuys. Porn capital of the world.
They both stare out at the uncertainty before them.
MASON
We were so close.
ALIX
You should still send your applications in.
MASON
So should you. (beat) He’s gonna make me be an Econ major.
ALIX
Send the music apps in anyway. Be a good little schemer --
MASON
Alix...
ALIX
You’re not giving up, are you?
MASON
You don’t understand. Life as I know it is over. I will live under his thumb.
Mason looks down at his little bird. Alix looks over at him.
MASON (CONT’D)
Will you write me? Tell me about the outside world?
ALIX
I’ll text. Your handwriting’s for shit.
Mason looks off to the brightening sky. Then, down mournfully

at his bird.
ALIX
She’s ready.
MASON
I’m not ready.
ALIX
This isn’t about you.
MASON
I know.
She puts her hand on his shoulder.
ALIX
You know what you have to do.
Mason’s eyes are still trained on Alix when--
The bird slips out of his hands. He reaches for it.
MASON
Wait!
ALIX
Oh my god...
And somehow, by stage magic, our little bird does fly away,
swooping off into towards the horizon. Mason and Alix look
after their bird in glorious, exuberant flight.
As they watch the bird getting smaller and smaller as it flies

towards the horizon.. Mason’s both thrilled that she’s alight in
flight and crushed that --
MASON
I didn’t get to...
And then...
MASON (CONT’D)
And just like that, she’s gone.
ALIX
Told you.
MASON
(then, almost to himself) I can’t go back there. (then to Alix) Get out of here with me?
ALIX
And what, like, run away with you?
MASON
Yes. No. Not running away.
ALIX
Running towards [our after]...
MASON
We built something here. In spite of them. We can do it again.
ALIX
How will we live...eat...?
MASON
How have we done it until now?
ALIX
You haven’t had to sleep on a concrete floor. Mason. It could be really hard. It will be.
Very hard.
MASON
I know. But I think...this is one of those moments. One of those moments in your life
where...you know you’ve swum out too far at the lake. And you’re treading water, trying
not to drown. And you scream and shout and wave and try to get someone on shore to see
you’re in trouble. Because in seconds, you’re going to go under. And you can keep
treading water and waving and hope that someone will finally see you in trouble and save
you. Or you can look around and see that instead of going back, you can get to the other
side. And you don’t know if you have it in you. But you dig down and find strength
you’re not sure you have and make it to shore. Or die trying.
ALIX
I am not easy.
MASON
You think I don’t already know that?
Alix gives him the look of death.
MASON (CONT’D)
I mean, I don’t care. Neither am I.
Mason holds out his hand to Alix. Alix looks down. At a fork in
the road. Contemplating the future.
MASON (CONT’D)
Come on.
He stretches his hand out towards her.
A breath. She takes his hand and nods. And they run. Fast as
their legs can carry them.
They laugh, because holy fuck, are they doing this? They’re
doing it. The exuberance carries them.
As time passes, they get winded. Mason starts to have a panic

attack but looks to Alix for strength and they breathe together.
They run. She starts to tire from the effort. But she dips into her
reserves and carries on.
They keep running. Past the places that they know, all the
familiar homes and stores, past all the street names they know,
until the street names become unfamiliar.
For a moment, they doubt their choice. Is this crazy? It’s not
too late to turn back. But, they don’t. Alix squeezes Mason’s
hand.
And they run harder. They tire, but do not flag. They keep
running and running.
They exchange looks. This isn’t going to be easy. But it’s what
they wanted.
They run. And run. And run.

Lights bump out. End of play.

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Nomad Motel - Atlantic Final Production Draft - 052919

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Atlantic Production -- New York Premiere

1. A room at the Sandman Motel/Mason's house, a call with his Dad

A couple of writer's notes:

Split stage. Two worlds. In the darkness, a

Special up on Mason (17), standing with a

All the lights bump up to reveal Mason in an

Mason adds a whimsical acoustic guitar

Into a microphone, he adds a whistling bird-

And the music he’s playing? If you could

As he plays, an idea occurs to him. He goes

Then, on the other half of the stage...just a few small lights

The contents of a Suburban house are crammed into the tiny

Alix (17) -- clad in her work outfit from Islands (a Hawaiian

Fiona starts foraging in the clear tub.

Fiona fishes out the gold shoes in question. Alix pulls on a

She clocks Fiona doing her lipstick in a compact.

Fiona hair-sprays her hair. Spray! Spray! Some gets in Alix’s

The murmuring of sleeping children. Fiona and Alix both peer

The murmuring subsides. Catastrophe diverted. Fiona

Fiona checks herself in the pocket mirror. Can’t see well.

Alix looks at Fiona. The tight top. The heels.

She hands it to Fiona who pockets it.

Fiona looks down at her hands. They remind her of her

Alix crumbles inside, but nods.

Fiona gives her a quick hug.

Alix rushes out to tend to her brother stirring from sleep.

Cross back to Mason, making music with his instruments and

(Through the scene, what do James and Mason do that the

James pours himself a glass of whiskey which Mason spies.

Mason picks up the foil and starts wielding it like a saber.

Mason drinks from a bottle of Code Red.

Mason looks down at the bottle of Code Red.

Mason checks in on the blanket nest again.

Mason starts to feel pinched and pressured by James. Starts

Mason tries to breathe, tries to find the words --

Mason stops packing and focuses on the Skype call.

Beat. Mason goes back to his backpack.

Mason leans into the laptop to look at his dad.

Silence. Mason pissed, painted into a corner.

Mason straightens up. James hangs up the call. Mason grabs

Mason’s breathing starts to get labored. But he steels himself

2. THE NEXT DAY

Lights up Mason, on a Skype call with

Mason is silent. James remembers he’s a little broken and

Mason hangs up before James can finish talking. He sits down

Lights up on the window outside the house where Alix stares at

Panicked, Mason turns off the music. Starts breathing hard.

DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG.

He runs to the door, looks through the peep-hole to find Alix

She pushes past him into the place.

Mason peeks through the front window. Peers around. Seems

He starts pushing her towards door.

There is the light sound of faint chirping.

More chirping. Alix arches her eyebrow at him.

Alix pushes past Mason and goes downstairs where the

She goes to a small nest Mason’s made out of a sweater on his

Alix bends down to look at her more carefully.

She googles on Mason’s computer.

She hits “Search.”

He makes for the kitchen.

Mason puts the bird down in front of the dish.

They both back away, keeping an eye on the bird. A long

They watch and wait. Finally...