My First Play: The Unsaid Truth

Hello Beauties,
So, here is my first play.  I'm still playing around with the title, but here it is.  You can read it if you want or you can check out my latest DIY!
Please comment below.  Should I keep the title?  And if you have any questions or critiques feel free to comment!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. And I'll talk to you guys soon!

The Unsaid Truth

ACT I

SCENE ONE

(A small apartment in New York City.  The room is minimally furnished.  There is no art on the walls, except for a large clock that was given to them for their first wedding anniversary.  The lighting is dim and it is nightfall. The sounds of the city outside are shattering the silence in the room where May is sitting, waiting for Aiden to come home from his workshop across the city.  She checks the clock again. She watches the door as she hears the sound of footsteps.  Aiden walks in, not even noticing her in the living room.)

May

Where were you today?  (Sits on the sofa with her legs crossed at the knees)

Aiden

I was at my workshop across town…like I always am.  (Answers reluctantly, avoiding her stare)  Why do you ask? (Finally looks at May)

May

(Slowly gets off the sofa)  I was just wondering…(pauses)

Aiden

Oh, well I’m home now.

May

I can see that.  (Turns to face the blank wall) Why don’t we have art on our walls?  They’ve always been blank…empty…

Aiden

We could put something up if you like.  Anything you want in particular? (Trying to figure out what she’s not saying)

May

I don’t know.  I just want something there.  It’s too empty like everything in this apartment.

Aiden

What do you mean it’s empty?  We have furniture…we have….

May

Blank walls (Continues to stare at the walls)…

Aiden

We’ll put something there.

May

We can’t just put anything there.  It has to be something that has meaning.

Aiden

Something that has meaning?  Like a portrait?

May

No, it doesn’t seem right.

Aiden

How about our wedding portrait?  Most people seem to like having that hung up…

May

No, Aiden, I just…I don’t know.  Just put what you want up.

(May leaves the room and walks to the side door, leading to the bedroom, walks in and closes the door behind her.)

Aiden

Great, I did it again.  (Sits down on the couch)

May

Aiden? (Says from the other room) What’s this doing here?  (Walks out with a broken frame)

Aiden

It broke when I was carrying it home.  I’ve been meaning to fix it, but I just haven’t gotten to it yet. 

May

Wasn’t this the frame that had our wedding portraits on it?

Aiden

Uhhh….maybe? (Reluctantly answering, knowing darn well that it was that exact frame)

May

It is isn’t it?  (Picks up the frame to examine the damage)

Aiden

I can fix it.  (Reaches for the frame)

May

Not everything can be fixed though.

Aiden

What do you mean?  A little hot glue and maybe a nail or two, the frame will be good as new. 

May

I’m not talking about the frame Aiden. (Puts the frame down on the floor, in the space between them)  I’m talking about us.

Aiden

What about us needs fixing? 

May

Don’t you see what’s missing? 

Aiden

What’s missing? Don’t we have everything we need?

May

What do we have, Aiden, what?

Aiden

We have us. (Mumbles softly)

May

(Not hearing him, she continues to talk) Exactly. No answer, just like always. 

(Aiden clears his throat)

Aiden

(Walks closer to her) We have each other. 

May

Each other? I wish we did Aiden.  (Stares at the broken frame on the floor between them)

Aiden

(Not hearing her) We have each other…(Whispers to himself, as a smile spreads across his face).

May

No, we don’t (Almost to herself). All we have is three years of an empty marriage… (Looks at her wedding band as she speaks a bit louder)

Aiden

Three years… (Looks at May)

(Flashback: projection on the wall of May in her lace, wedding gown, walking down the aisle of lilies, roses, and carnations towards Aiden.)

Wait, what? (Pauses trying to understand her) You wish we had each other, an empty marriage, what does that even mean?

May

It means our marriage has nothing.  I see couples walking down the street everyday, holding hands, looking like there’s nothing else in the world that’s better than love.  I want that.  I want…(Frustrated, tries to search for words) God, all I want is for you to love me.

Aiden

May, I love you.  I married you.  (Tries to reach for May, walking around the broken frame)

May

More empty words. (mutters under breath) Just because you married me doesn’t mean you love me. (Moves away from him, closer to the open bedroom door)

Aiden

Isn’t that how it works?  I love you, so I asked you marry me. 

May

Do you regret marrying me? (Looks at Aiden, waiting for an answer)

Aiden

(Steps back) What?  Where is this all coming from? How…(trying to grasp where she’s getting at) did you…did I do something?

May

It’s just that…we’ve seemed to grow apart these three years.  No, that didn’t come out right. (Tries to put her thoughts together, scrambles for words)  Actually, it did.  But, we can’t grow apart…because we never got close enough to be really together. 

AIDEN

Is it something I did?  Did your mother call again?  I thought that we both agreed to not have kids just yet.  I thought we both wanted to get somewhere in our careers.  I thought that we wanted to wait that we weren’t ready for that kind of responsibility yet.  I thought that we were…

MAY

(Cuts him off)  No, she didn’t call and no, I didn’t want to talk about having kids. Would you just let me finish?  This has been going on for years now. 

AIDEN

Come, on honey. It’s okay.  Everything is going to be okay.  (Tries to embrace her)

MAY

Don’t honey me.  (Struggles free and walks to a distance that is out of his reach)

It’s not going to be okay because I thought that you would change once we were married, that you would care about me more than those precious canvases that you slap paint on, down at your workshop.  You don’t even see me when I’m standing right in front of you.

AIDEN

That’s not true.  I’m seeing you.  (Walks closer and gently tugs the elastic out of her hair, letting his fingers run through every soft strand, leans in towards her face, then steps back hesitating)

May

Aiden, I just want to understand.  Why do you always do that?  Is it because you’ve grown tired of me?  Am I not enough? (Looks at the broken picture frame on the floor)

AIDEN

No, it’s not that.  I just…I can’t explain it to you.

MAY

Why did you even marry me?  You can tell me the truth.  I wouldn’t be surprised if…(Stops mid sentence, hoping that he would finish the sentence for her, continues in a whisper)…if there was someone else.  Aiden, I just want to understand. (Looks up at him)  What’s wrong?  Is there someone else? 

           

AIDEN

Someone else?  For what, All I ever needed was…I just need my work.  That’s it, (Mutters under his breath) because my work can’t leave me.

MAY

(Hurt by his words, turns her back to him in order to hide the tears beginning to stream down her face) That’s all.  (Didn’t hear what he was muttering) Nothing or nobody else…(Says this mostly to herself, processing the truth of his words, bends down to pick up the frame)

AIDEN

My work is my life, May.  Don’t you understand?  You have ballet?  You gave up everything for it.

MAY

I also gave up everything to be with you!  (Turns around to face him with tears coming down her face, the frame in her hand) Look at this.  (Holds up the frame)  It broke on the first day.  The first day, Aiden, it broke.  Don’t you see why it broke?  You just dropped it on the street when you were walking home, like it was nothing, a piece of trash.  But your stupid canvases are treasures you hold and cherish.  Me, the wedding, our marriage is nothing isn’t it?

AIDEN

I, May, I really didn’t…(Places his hands on her shoulder and looks her in the eye)

I didn’t mean it, May.  I just…I’m sorry.

MAY

(Breaks eye contact)  You can’t take back words that were already said. (Begins to let go of the frame, but thinks better of it and takes the broken frame in both hands and places the frame outside the bedroom door.)

           

AIDEN

(Tilts her chin so that he can look at her face)  I promised you…

MAY

Exactly, you promised. (Turns back around to face Aiden) You promise so many things.  And where have those promises gotten us, a false sense of hope?  How can I trust you when you can’t keep your promises?  How can I trust your commitment to me if you lied to me once? 

AIDEN

I never lied to you.  I never did and I never will. (Walks closer to May as he speaks)

MAY

When you broke that promise, you lied.  You lied to me, Aiden. 

AIDEN

I made a vow on our wedding day to never hurt you, to be with you till death, do we part, but if I have done so much to hurt you then I don’t want to hurt you anymore.  (Continues to walk closer to her) I always seem to do things incorrectly, say the wrong things.  May, I’m just scared that I will…(stops making steps closer to her)

MAY

Will what?  Cheat on me?  Leave me? (Without thinking, she takes a step closer to Aiden)

Aiden

No, I’m scared that you’ll leave (walks closer to her)…never mind (Takes another step back).

May

You always do this.  What are you scared of?  (Pauses for him to answer- no answer)

Fine.  Don’t answer. 

(She walks out the side door leading to the bedroom.  The door slams.)

Aiden

Shit. Why do I always do this?  I can’t let it happen again.  I can’t do that again.  I can’t…I can’t…

(There’s a knock at the door.  Mark walks in.)

Mark

The door was open…

Aiden

(Turns around to see Mark)  Yeah, I guess it was.  Since you’re here, want a beer?

Mark

No, I got to get back to Chelsea’s place.  I just came by to drop off the gallery brochures.  (Places a stack of brochures on the table)  The exhibition looks like it’ll be a real success.  Man, I saw the new paintings you’ve been working on when I went down to your workshop yesterday…hey…um…are you okay?  (Walks toward Aiden)

Aiden

Yeah, I’m fine. No, I’m not…I just…I just need to get my head around some things.

Mark

Well don’t think too hard.

Aiden

You remember that girl I dated in College?

Mark

The brunette in your hall?

Aiden

Yeah, Amy.  I don’t know what happened.  I thought things were going great…then she…she just… 

Mark

Yeah, I know.  (Walks to the couch and sits down)

Aiden

No, you don’t…you can’t…she just starting saying things…she said she loved me…so I said it back…it was like a reflex. 

Mark

You don’t say those things if you don’t feel them. But, dude, we’ve been over this just move on.

Aiden

What am I doing wrong? (Sits down on the bar stool by the counter)

Mark

Nothing, man, nothing.

Aiden

I must be.  May is saying the same things, like I don’t love her.  She’s doubting me. I said I loved her back, but then she…

Mark

Dude, you dated her for a month, and then she dumped you.

Aiden

We’ve known each other for years.  You know me…maybe, better than myself? Please, if you know, what is wrong?  What am I doing wrong?

Mark

Well, I mean…you said the same thing to May, when she said, “I love you.”

Aiden

Aren’t you supposed to?

Mark

Were you listening to what I said?  You don’t say those kinds of things if you don’t mean them. 

Aiden

But I do. I did….I thought I did.

Mark

Thought?  You got married!  You thought you love her?

Aiden

Shhh! (Running towards Mark, then points at the closed door)

Mark

Oh, she’s still here. 

(Aiden nods)

Okay (now whispering) now, let me get this straight.  You told May you loved her, when you thought you loved her.  Then you asked her to marry you, when you still weren’t sure?

Aiden

No, I was sure.  I knew.  I can’t explain it.  I know I knew…I know… I must have…I…

Mark

Well, you could have.  I mean it has been three years.  You must know now?

(Aiden blankly stares at him)

Okay, well.  Let’s start smaller.  You must have loved your….m…

(A projector starts up, playing a video of Mark and Aiden from a few years ago having a conversation…

Mark

Hey, man.  I didn’t mean anything by it, you know.

Aiden

Whatever

Mark

Seriously I’m sorry.  I forgot. Mother’s day was coming up and I just…it slipped out.)

Never mind…how about?  (Pauses) Have you ever loved anybody?

Aiden

I don’t know.  (Rests his head on his hands)

Mark

Well, the most logical start, usually is…should be…

Aiden

Yeah, I know, my mother. 

Mark

Hey, we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.

Aiden

No, I can’t keep doing this.  My parents’ marriage failed.  I don’t want to be like them.  I don’t want to be like her.

Mark

Yeah, I know…uh….ummm…so…where does that leave us, now?

Aiden

She just walked out one night.  I must have loved her.  I mean, every kid loves their mother, right?

Mark

Yeah, most mothers also don’t leave them…and Aiden, you were so young, two, three?

Aiden

Five.  I was five.  She left me when I was five.  God, (Gets up and walks over to the far wall, leans on it for support, then punches the wall)

How could she leave her own kid?

Mark:

(Feeling uncomfortable, he gets up for the sofa, stares at the floor, and with some hesitation moves toward Aiden)

I don’t really know.

(Mark’s cell phone rings)

Hello? (Short pause) Hey Chels. (Pause)  Uhh…yeah, I just dropped them off. (Pause) I’ll be there later.  Yes, I will.  Bye.

Aiden

You can leave if you want.

Mark

No, it’s not that important.  We’ll get through this.  You and I…like always. (Laughs) Unless it’s a paint ball war then we’re dead. 

Aiden

Right, cause it’s my fault we lost to those guys?

Mark

Yeah, we lost the paintball game against Brandon and the guys, because you had to think about it first.  And while you were thinking, the dude snuck up behind you.

Aiden

I know.  I overthought the strategy and missed the most obvious point.  Exactly what Amy said, “I missed the point.”

(A projection begins to play of the conversation between Aiden and Amy

Aiden

Hey, what’s wrong babe?

Amy

What’s wrong?  All you’ve got is what’s wrong?

Aiden

What did I do?

Amy

That’s it.  You didn’t DO anything.  Did you mean it when you said you loved me because you have a funny way of showing it? 

Aiden

Then what do you want me to say.  I love you?

Amy

You’re missing the point.  There’ s more to love than just saying I love you.

Projection ends.)

Mark

It’s been five years since you graduated.  Now, it’s time for you to drop it.  Me? On the other hand, that was last weekend. So, I still have plenty of time to bring it back up.

Aiden

(Laughs) Yeah, great, just tell everyone you meet.  Walk down the street,

Hey, you want to hear a story about how I lost a paintball game?

Mark

Don’t worry I have.  The man that sits on the street corner three blocks from here knows the story already.

Aiden

Great.  (Pauses) Mark, I just don’t want what happened in college to happen again.

Mark

You just got to work things out with May.  Tell you love her.  Buy her some flowers.  Do something for her, girls like that kind of stuff.  You know, don’t just tell her you love her.  Show her.

Aiden

When did you become such an expert?

Mark

I’m just a natural genius.

Aiden

Right.  Sure.  I’ll take your word for it.

Mark

But seriously, man, not every girl you love will leave you.  Just don’t be so afraid. May won’t leave you.  She loves you and you love her, right?

Aiden

Right.  I love her. (With more conviction) I love her. 

Mark

You guys will solve it.  Marriage isn’t something that just happens overnight, especially not a lasting marriage.  You guys disagree.  You get in fights.  So what?  You’ll work it out and you guys will get through this better than you were when you started. God, I sound like one of those self-help books.

Aiden

(Laughs)  You actually do, and did you become a marriage counselor in the last few days?  

Mark

No, but I…(Laughs at himself)…I would never have said this a few years ago.  But, dude, I love her.  I love Chelsea.  I can’t imagine being with another person. (Continues to laugh) Please, feel free to stop me.  I feel like I’m beginning to sound like a character from a Nicholas Sparks novel.

Aiden

Yeah you do.  But I get your point.  But when did this start…when did you become such an expert on love? 

Mark

I don’t know it just happened, you know.  It wasn’t like over night, it took time, but…it just happened and it felt right.  Do you know what I mean?

Aiden

I’m happy that things are going well for you, but I don’t think it quite applies to my situation.  I mean…dude, you’re not even married.

Mark

Well, I might be soon…

Aiden

What?  Wait, you’ve asked Chelsea to-

Mark

Not yet, but I’ve got the ring picked out.

Aiden

Congratulations, man. 

Mark

Thanks. But don’t tell May.  I want Chels to be completely surprised when I pop the question.

Aiden

Don’t worry.  I don’t think we’re on speaking terms any more. 

Mark

It’ll all work out in the end.  May loves you.  You just have to show her that you love her too.  (Gets up to leave)

Aiden

Yeah, I’ll figure it out.

Mark

Don’t fuss over it so much.  Maybe it’s not your thing to buy flowers or chocolates or whatever.  Find a way for you to love her, something special, just something that you took the time to do. (Slowly begins to walk towards the door)

Aiden

Yeah, maybe…

Mark

You’re an artist. Just make something.  (Shuts the door behind him)

Aiden

Make something, but what?  (Gets out his sketchpad and pencil from his bag and starts sketching)

(The lights fade out. End of scene)

SCENE TWO

(A dim light, mimicking early morning, casts shadows in the small apartment. An alarm rings and a moment later the ringing stops.  There are sounds of shuffling about behind the bedroom door and the opening and closing of closet doors and bathrooms are heard. Then the bedroom door opens.)

May

(Laughs bitterly as she walks out the bedroom) No, one here.  Figures.  Not even a “Good morning, honey.”  Is that so hard to say?

“Good morning, May. How are you today?” 

(Answers herself in a mocking tone) “Oh, I’m fine.  How are you, Aiden?”

(She takes a bowl from the drying rack and a box of cereal from the pantry, continuing the conversation.)

“Oh, that’s great.”

“What are you working on today? Anything special?”

“No, but I heard your show the other night was great!”

“Really?  Oh, you don’t say…”

(The phone rings, interrupting her conversation)

“Hello? Oh, hi Chels. (Leans in to the receiver)

What?

What did Mark say?

I mean…was it really a surprise if he did?

Aiden is just so…I don’t even know what to say about it. It’s like he’s….(pauses) 

Yeah, I know.  I don’t even know, how I have withstood this for three years already.

No, Chels. I am not over-exaggerating things.

Be reasonable?  I’ve been reasonable and patient for three years!  How much longer does he need?

Okay….(breathes deeply) deep breathes.  I’m calm.  I am calm. 

I will.  I promise. 

(Aiden walks in through the front door quietly.  May’s back is to him, on the phone in the living room)

I just don’t want him to…I love him, Chels.  But he’s making it so hard to….

I just don’t know how much longer I can take this….it’s like I’m not even here anymore…

(Aiden drops the bag he’s holding. May turns around.)

I…uh….I…I have  to go….(She hangs up the phone)

Aiden

Hi

May

Hi (avoids his gaze) Do you want any breakfast?

Aiden

No, I just ate. I’m going to go. (Turns back around, and quickly walks out of the door)

May

Crap. Crap. Crap. What have I done? (Sinks in to the chair and stares at her cereal bowl, pushes the bowl away from herself)

(Dials a number on the phone.)

Chels? (pauses for an answer) Aiden walked in.

I don’t know how much he heard…

Maybe this is just a blessing in disguise…

What do you mean I’m not meaning what I say?

Maybe this is what I needed, to finally make the move…

Chels, I can’t just sit and wait for him to come around.  I’ve waited three years already and we’ve gotten nowhere.

I can’t keep waiting….

(Conversation fades as the lights fade out…)

SCENE THREE

(Aiden comes in through the front door.  The apartment is empty.  He looks at his watch, shakes his head and puts the canvas he’s holding by the door, then turns and locks the door behind him.)

Aiden

Maybe she’s still at the dance studio? She must have a late rehearsal or something.  She’ll be back.  She’ll come back…

(There’s a knock at the door.)

That must be her.  (Laughs.)  You forget your keys again?

(Mark answers from behind the door.)

Mark

No, dude let me in.

(Aiden goes to open the door)

Aiden

I thought you were May.

Mark

No kidding.  I have something to tell you…

Aiden

What? (Walks to the kitchen and opens the fridge)

Mark

I don’t really know how to say this…(Puts his hand on his neck, looks at the floor, avoiding Aiden’s gaze)

Aiden

Just spit it out. (Closes the fridge door and walks over to Mark with a glass of water in his hand)

Mark

Maybe you should sit that glass down first. (Takes the glass from Aiden and places it on the coffee table)

Aiden

She left me didn’t she?  And you’re the messenger?  (Says this a little too matter-of-factly)

(Before Mark can answer)

I’m going down to the studio to finish those last few pieces…

Mark

Wait, Aiden.  She didn’t leave you, at least not really.  She just wants some space.  She’s staying with Chels for a few days…

(Mark ends up screaming the last bit because Aiden continued to walk out the door as Mark was speaking)

Damn it. God, it happened again. (Shakes his head walks toward the door, about to walk out, he pauses at the threshold, looks around the room, shakes his head, walks out, and closes the door behind him)

SCENE FOUR

(May comes home, peaks her head around the front door.  She lets out the breath of air she was holding, as she closes the door behind her. The afternoon sun creates shadows around the apartment.  May walks in and looks around.  She shivers and walks in to the bedroom.  The stage is empty.  A few moments later, Mark walks in after her.)

Mark

Hey, Aiden.  I’m sorry about May.  But you can get her back.  (Waits for an answer.) Alright…just listen…I think…

(May doesn’t answer him.  She listens silently in the other room)

She still loves you.  She’s trying man.  You just need to try too.  I know it’ hard after your mother then Amy…but you just need to do it.  You know?  Look, I don’t want to go in to clichés but you just have to face your fears head on.  Those canvases won’t give you what you want.  You can’t live forever hiding behind them.  Aiden, May is there for you if you just meet her halfway.  She’s not Amy.  She’s not your mother.  She’s not leaving that easily.  She stayed with you for three years already.  Doesn’t that show you, she cares?  Listen, I don’t know how much of this you’re actually taking in, but…you can still get her back.  Don’t let her leave, don’t just hide behind your canvas and let someone like that…just…walk…out.

(The bedroom door opens and May walks out.)

Oh, May…ummm…I guess Aiden isn’t here is he? (Laughs nervously)

May

What were you talking about Mark?  What about his mother and…that other name…what happened?

Mark

It’s a long story that Aiden needs to tell himself to you.  I just…I’m…

May

Mark, he’s never going to tell me…please, just tell me.  I need to know.

Mark

It’s not my story to tell.  He just…May, he needs you.

May

Needs me?  Mark, I don’t think…I just can’t…I just need some time to think about it.

Mark

No, you can’t leave him.  May, he really needs you.  He can’t have another girl walk out on him.  I don’t know what he’ll do…if you leave him too…

May

Another girl to…walk…out…on him?

Mark

Yeah.  Haven’t you wondered why he never talked about his parents…or the fact that you have no idea who his mother is?

May

I just thought she passed away...I didn’t ask because I thought that…

Mark

May, his mother walked out on him and his father when he was five.  He doesn’t like to talk about it…but he has a hard time….

May

What?  She…oh, my god.  I…I didn’t…I didn’t know. Then what happened with his father?  (pauses, having a hard time getting words out)They barely speak.  I asked him whether or not he wanted to go see him our first Christmas together and he just…he said no, but then he (tears begin to stream down her face) just walked out, when I persisted to ask him why? 

Mark

Aiden doesn’t talk to his dad because he…I mean I understand…his wife left him with a five-year old kid…and he just didn’t know how to handle it…so he sent Aiden to boarding school.  Which is where I met him…

May

He sent him away?  How can you do that to a kid? 

Mark

I don’t know.  I really just don’t know.  But I do know that he needs you, May.  Amy walked out on him because he…he couldn’t love her back.  (Pauses to see her reaction) He just needs time.

May

Mark, I gave him three years.  I married him!  What else can I do?  I don’t want to get stuck here.  It’s like being stuck in a dead-beat job, that’s not getting me anywhere.  I can’t…Mark, I just can’t.  I want a life too.  I have a life, and I’m just wasting it here…

Mark

May, please.  I’ll get him to…he’ll come around…May, I’ve known him for decades now…he’ll come around.  When you said you would marry him there was something that wasn’t there before.  He loves you.  He does (with more conviction) he loves you. 

May

Mark, I don’t know.   I need some time.  I just came back to get some of my stuff. (Frazzled, she starts to search for her bags) I’m staying with Chels for a few more days.  (Remembers there in the bedroom and leaves the room, walks in to the open bedroom door and grabs a fully packed duffle bag) Tell him, I haven’t left yet.  I just need some time to…to sort things out for myself.  I’ll be back.  It’s not over…not yet…

(She walks out the front door, leaving the door open.  She doesn’t look back.  Mark makes his way to the couch, sits down and waits.  He pulls out his cell phone. )

(Aiden walks in through the open door a few moments later with his arms full of canvases.)

Aiden

What are you doing here?

Mark

Just hanging around…(voice sounding a little strain, tries to laugh off the awkwardness)

Aiden

In my apartment?  Man, you’re strange, but I think this takes the cake.

Mark

Right (continues to laugh nervously), maybe I forgot where I live? And remembered where your place was…(laughs at his poor attempt to make a joke)

Aiden

Well, uhh…(puts his canvases down by the dining room table, only the empty back of the canvas is seen) make yourself at home?

Mark

Yeah, thanks. 

Aiden

(Walks over to Mark) Seriously, what are you doing here?

Mark

Umm…uhhh…May is staying with…uh…she’s staying with Chels for a few more days. (Avoids Aiden’s gaze and begins to look around the room)

Aiden

Oh, great…I really fucked it up this time didn’t I?

Mark

Well, like I said, you can still get her back.  So, you didn’t completely fuck it up. (Tries to look at Aiden to see how he was taking the news, but can’t look for more than a few minutes)

Aiden

At least it’s not completely, right? (Tries to laugh, but the laugh comes out a little too forced)

Mark

(Afraid Aiden suspects something, he looks at Aiden and the words just stumbled out) I told May.  I had to tell her man, she needed to know…I couldn’t just let her…let her…

Aiden

Let her leave?  And told her what?

Mark

I told her about…okay, before I finish that.  I know how hard it is. (Pauses, to find the right words) But she’s your wife and she just wanted to understand.  Okay, (pauses to see if Aiden is listening) I told her about your mother (pauses) and Amy. 

Aiden

Oh. Okay, that’s fine.  That’s…god, she’s going to think I’m nuts or something.

Mark

No, she’s not.  It’s not human to keep everything bottled up.  You’ll explode one day and (pauses) by then it would be too late.  You’re not nuts, you’re just human and that’s sometimes all we can be. 

Aiden

Human?  Yeah, a human, a stupid human, a 28-year old human that is incapable of keeping a relationship.  I thought humans were supposed to be social creatures. (Laughs, bitterly at himself) You know, what…come to think of it…I’m exactly like my father, self-absorbed and ignorant. (Voice dripping in sarcasm)  I must have inherited the failure to communicate genes. 

Mark

You’re not your father. 

Aiden

Yeah, sure I believe you…you remember how much I hated my father growing up, don’t you? (Doesn’t give Mark time to answer and continues) And now I’m exactly like him.  Funny, how that works out, huh?  He never heard a single damn word of what I had to say.   I mean communication is supposed to be the easy part, right? 

Mark

It’s not always, man.  You have to work at it.  Look at me, for example.  A few years ago, you couldn’t make me get in a long-term relationship. I would have scuffed at the people who wanted to get married.  Now, I’m about to ask Chels to marry me.  I love her, man.  All the movies and books and stuff about love, man, that is bullshit.  No relationship is perfect.  You’ll always have something to disagree and argue about, but at the end of the day.  What matters is that you love the other person enough that the disagreements don’t matter and maybe it’s even better that way…that, you know, you love them despite all of that.

(Aiden picks up the canvases he placed by the table, and flips one of them over)

Aiden

Maybe…but how can I get her to believe me now?  I screwed it up already.

Mark

You haven’t screwed it up completely.  There’s still hope.

Aiden

I love her. (Continues to look at the painting)

(Mark walks over to see the painting.  He’s speechless.  He walks around Aiden and flips all five canvases over, lining them up around the table.  He walks around the table, looking at each canvas intently.)

I finally made something to show her. 

Mark

Yeah. (Laughs) You actually made something.  (Puts his arm around Aiden’s shoulders) Man, you made something.

Aiden

Do you think it’s too late?  I mean…is it too late to show her?

Mark

No, we’ll just call her…and…and surprise her. We can put these paintings on the walls.  (Begins to talk faster as his excitement gets him ahead of himself) And this one can go….here…and that one… could go…

Aiden

Okay, okay…slow down…I got it.  (Laughs) Do you really think she’ll like it?  Do you think she’ll get it?

Mark

Dude, May is going to flip.  (Stops moving around the room, turns around and looks at the paintings again) Wow…(marveling at the paintings)

Aiden

Yeah, I just hope this is enough. (Still unconvinced by Mark’s excitement)

SCENE 5

(There is a dim light over the set.  Two shadowed figures can be seen on stage, walking around with tool belts and hammers in hand.  The sound of hammers is heard. The light grows brighter and Mark and Aiden are seen on stage hanging canvases on the walls.)

Aiden

Do you think we’ll get this done in time?  What time is it?

Mark

It’s eight o’clock in the morning.  We got two hours.  Chill.

Aiden

What time did you tell Chelsea to bring May by? (Straightens the canvas he was putting up on the wall and turns around to see if the canvas Mark is putting up is straight, walks over to Mark and helps him put the last canvas on the wall)

I just want everything to be ready and perfect.  I can’t screw this up too.

Mark

I got it.  I got it.  Everything needs to be perfect. You’ve been saying that all morning.  I’m pretty sure your neighbors got the memo too.

Aiden

Okay, okay.  I know I’m annoying.  But I just…

Mark

Anxious?

Aiden

Is it that obvious?

Mark

No, of course not…

Aiden

Yeah, I believe you, man.  Real convincing.

Mark

I try.  I try.

(Mark’s cell phone rings.)

Hello?

Yeah, we’re almost done.  How’s the morning run going?

She doesn’t know anything right?

Aiden

Is that Chelsea?

(Mark nods.)

Mark

Great, perfect. (Pauses)

Yeah, she’ll be surprised. (Laughs)

Alright, see you in a few.  Bye.

Aiden

Are they coming early? (A moment of panic sets in to his voice)

Mark

No, you can take a breath now.  They’re just starting to head back to Chel’s place.  Then they’re going to shower up and head over. 

Aiden

Oh, ok.  (Takes deep breaths to calm his nerves.)

Mark

Dude, you alright?

Aiden

Yeah, I’m fine.  Never better.  (Turns his back to Mark)

Mark

Well, I’m exhausted.  (Rests on the couch)  Man, I haven’t worked that much since…since…(struggles to remember)…that last exhibition at the fifth street gallery.  I can’t believe that was three months ago already.

Aiden

Yeah, time flies…(responds absentmindedly)

Mark

Yeah it sure does.  (Looks at his watch, then leans back down on the sofa)

Aiden

What time is it?

Mark

You still got time.  It’s just past nine. 

Aiden

(Relaxes for a moment, looks down at his wrinkled t-shirt and stained jeans) I have to change…(Walks out of the living room, while taking his shirt off, then goes in to the bedroom, walks back out of the bedroom a few moments later with a clean shirt on backwards)

Mark

Ugh…you alright?

Aiden

Yeah, why? 

(Mark Gestures at his shirt)

(Aiden looks down at his shirt)

Shoot. (Takes the shirt off and puts it back on correctly)

(Mark Laughs.)

Mark

Little nervous?

Aiden

Yeah, I just don’t what to say.  What do I say to her when she comes in?  Or should I say nothing and just let her look at the- but that seems kind of stupid, doesn’t it?  So, maybe I should say something…but what do I say…I…

Mark

Don’t hurt yourself thinking.  Just let her come in, take in the atmosphere a bit.  Then let her know how you feel.  It’s easy.

Aiden

Yeah, for you.

Mark

(Laughs) Yeah, maybe, a little easier for me than you.  But (looks down at his watch) we still have a few minutes.  Let’s practice.  I’ll pretend I’m May and you be yourself, alright?

(Mark walks out the front door then knocks, pretending he’s just coming in)

“Hello?” (Speaking in a falsetto tone)

Aiden

(Laughs.) I can’t take you seriously.

Mark

Just try.  (Speaking in his normal voice again)

Aiden

Okay, I’ll try.  (Still laughing)

Mark

“Aiden, what’s all this?” (Continuing in his falsetto and gesturing to all the canvases)

Aiden

They’re just paintings I’ve been working on for the exhibition.

Mark

“Oh, so why are they in our apartment?”

Aiden

Because I wanted to show them to you?

Mark

Dude, you’re going to have to say more than that.  They’re for her, remember?  You made these painting for her.

Aiden

Right.  I made them for her.  I made them for her.

Mark

Al-right, let’s try again. “Aiden what are these canvases doing here?”

Aiden

They’re here because I made them for you.

Mark

“For me? Oh, Aiden you shouldn’t have…”

Aiden

(Laughs, but tries to continue with the role-playing) May, I haven’t forgotten about you.  I think about you all the time.  It’s just that…It’s just…I…I have a hard time trusting people, you know?  I was afraid that if I trusted you, then it would…be…(pauses)…unbearable if you left.  But I love you, May. (Walks closer to Mark, takes his hand) I love you, May.

(There’s a knock at the door.  May is standing there with her hair wet in a t-shirt and a pair of distressed jeans. )

May

Hey guys? (Looks at their awkwardly close positions)

(Aiden and Mark quickly separate)

Mark

Is Chelsea…(still in his falsetto)

(Clears his throat) Is…uh…Chelsea…near….

May

She’s right outside the door (muffling giggles).

Mark

Oh, I guess I’ll be going…

(Walks out the door, but before he leaves he winks at Aiden and gives him a thumbs-up)

May

So, what were you two doing exactly?

Aiden

Nothing.  We were just…nothing…so, how much of that did you hear?

May

Enough.  Aiden, I want to say that I’m…

Aiden

Don’t…please don’t finish that, at least not yet.  May, (takes her by the hand) I made these for you (gesturing to the paintings on the walls). 

(He walks out of her way, to let her see the painting behind him.  May faces the Audience.)

May

Aiden, I don’t know what to…say…I…

Aiden

May, I love…

May

(Interrupts him) I love you, too.  I heard everything you said to Mark. (Laughs) Aiden, that’s all I’ve wanted to hear you say. 

(She takes his hand and walks with him around the room, looking at each painting.)

These are beautiful. 

Aiden

Yeah, they’re beautiful because they’re portraits of you.  May, I didn’t forget about your shows.  I went to every one of them. 

(He takes out a wad of tickets from his pockets) 

I made a painting of you from each show…this one was from opening night…and this…

May

Aiden, I…(tears begin to well up in her eyes)

Aiden

There’s more. (Walks to the bedroom door and grabs a canvas from behind the wall with a big bow attached to it)

Here (Hands the canvas over to May)

May

(Gasps) Aiden, this is our…

Aiden

Yeah, it’s our wedding pictures and the frame.  It’s the same frame.

May

It’s fixed. (Slides her hand over the edges of the frames)

Aiden

It took me some time to fix some of the detailing.  And there are still a few imperfections, but it’s fixed now.

May

It’s fixed.

(Aiden takes the frame from her and holds it up.  May loops her arm around Aiden’s elbow and places her head on his shoulder.)

It’s perfect.

(A scream is heard from outside the door. May and Aiden turn their heads toward the door. Aiden places the frame against the far wall and walks back over to May, placing his arm around her.  Marks head peeps in.)

Mark

I’m getting married!

(May and Aiden hold hands they are standing with their backs slightly to the audience.  But a smile comes across both their faces, even as Mark’s head disappears behind the door.  They continue smiling and they turn around to look at the “painting,” facing the audience.  The lights fade out.)