JUST OUTSIDE ECHO

A Play
By
Alexander Long

Alexander Long
1345 N 24th Street,
M esa, Arizona 85213
561-951-5821
© Copyright Alexander Long 2018
CHARACTER NAM E BRIEF DESCRIPTION AGE GENDER
M ichael Williams Smart faced, smart mouthed 22 M ale
Joshua Free Ironically feels trapped 23 M ale
Alana Williams On top 25 Female

SETTING
In the small town of Echo, Oregon. A real location with fictionalized inhabitants. Present

LOCATION:
The Convenience Store - A small shack filled with popular snacks, some local specialties, and
cheap beer. M ichael works here

The Graveyard - A small patch of land, marked with a many stone crosses, all made by the same
person. Alana works there, as a maintenance worker.

The Williams Household - A simple box-ish house. Two stories, but only one is seen.

The Windmill - The Childhood base of Joshua and M ichael. Whenever the two feel like talking
they will meet each other at the mill.

ON STAGING:
Stage this show however you'd like. As long as the pace doesn't suffer due to long transitions,
any configuration will work. I recommend putting as many set pieces on wheels, and having them
push in and out during lighting transitions. Or you might consider allowing each of the locations
to occupy different permanent spaces and using lights to transition between them.

ON FLASHBACKS:
Flashbacks should be handled in a clear and concise manner. I leave the artistic choices to
designers. Just make sure that each jump of time is well communicated.
 ON NOTATION
This play includes moments where-in characters will cut each other off, stammer, trail off, and
have false starts. So the following will be a list of symbols and there meaning. These are not
absolutes for performance.

[ (...) ] This is indicates a glitch, significantly shorter than a beat.

[ -- ] This indicates that a line of dialogue is cut off hard by the next speaking character, not
allowing the current character to continue.
[ ... ] This indicates that the current speaking character is trailing off, usually picked up by the
next speaking character, but not necessarily. If picked up by themselves, it acts a moment to
collect thoughts or adjust subject.
[ - ] This indicates that a character is having a false start to a thought, or they are otherwise
stammering. M ichael in particular has these.

ON VULGARITY
Should this play ever performed in a Secondary School Environment, the subject of language may
be of contention. The vulgarity can be altered, but I do request that changes do not come at the
expense of the flow of conversation.
1 SCENE ONE 1

A small convenience store is seen, though it could very

well be confused for a hoarders shack. We see
M ICHAEL, sitting behind a counter. He is reading a book
and fidgeting with the 90’s cash register. There is a
welcome ding, but M ICHAEL remains un-phased.

M ICHAEL

(reacting to the door ding)

I told you, M iss. M argaret, if you keep changing her food like that, she’s never going to
get house trained.

Enter JOSHUA, he is wearing a backpack.

JOSHUA
We both know Boots is a free spirit and she needs to preserve her sense of adventure.

M ICHAEL
Hey it’s your carpet, but... J-Josh?! The hell are you doing here!?

JOSHUA
Well nice to see you too, dick.

M ICHAEL
No, shit, not what I meant. I just didn’t... When did you get back in?

JOSHUA
Today.

M ICHAEL
No duh. I would have heard bout it by now if you got in yesterday.

JOSHUA
This is my first stop, haven’t even dropped by the house yet.

M ICHAEL
Yeah...

Pause
 2.

JOSHUA
You alright there?

M ICHAEL
Huh, uh yeah. Just... surprised, that’s all.

JOSHUA
Can’t say I’m not a little shocked too. But hey, here nonetheless right?

M ICHAEL
Here you are... So, I guess I should ask if you need something?

JOSHUA
Look at you, acting all professional.

M ICHAEL
Todd said I need to pretend like I don’t know everyone. Says people won’t trust us, if
they know we’ll spill their secrets. Despite the fact that secrets don’t even exist here.

JOSHUA
I can think of a few.

M ICHAEL
Well besides ours obviously, but like everyone else.

JOSHUA
I will admit that is something... I miss?

M ICHAEL
What? The fact that we know the exact dates everyone in our class lost their virginity?

JOSHUA
That too I guess.

(Chuckles)
But more the secrets we used to keep.

M ICHAEL
Used to? Don’t tell me you went spilling the beans to the whole of Houston
 3.

JOSHUA
Wouldn’t dream of it.

M ICHAEL
Damn. I was secretly hoping you would’ve, I would kill for random Texans fictionalizing
my life.

JOSHUA
I’ll keep it in mind the next time I go back.

M ICHAEL
Next time? M aking it sound like that’ll be a while.

JOSHUA
You must be more bored than usual if your reading this far into that.

(chuckled)
So uh, when do you think you’ll be off.

M ICHAEL
I think Karen said she was going to stop by to get some beer for this weekend. So I’ll
probably close up after that.

JOSHUA
I was going to swing by and say ‘hi’ to the family, do you wanna --

M ICHAEL
The usual place in an hour or so?

JOSHUA
You mind?

M ICHAEL
Like I would say no? Come on man, you are my only access to the outside world, I’m not
letting that opportunity slip by.

JOSHUA
See you then, I guess.

M ICHAEL
I’ll bring a bottle.
 4.

JOSHUA
Just like old times.

JOSHUA exits grabbing a pack of chips, and making silly

eye contact with M ICHAEL.

M ICHAEL
Well? Go on asshole!

There is a beat. M ichael pulls out his wallet and puts a

dollar into the cash register. He has a dopey smile on his
face.

2 SCENE TWO 2

M ICHAEL stays in the same location, but his relaxed

disposition turns tense. We are now 2 years in the past.
(See note on Flash Backs). M ICHAEL remains at the
counter frozen. The same door ding plays again.

M ICHAEL

(Reacting to Ding)
Hello and welcome to M ain Street M ercantile !

Enter JOSHUA

JOSHUA
Geez, how long were you standing there waiting to say that?!

M ICHAEL
Oh, come on man, give me like three days to actually do my job before you start sticking
to the walls

JOSHUA
Hey, I gave you a couple days to get the hang of it, and Lana’s getting her hair cut so I
don’t have anythin’ to do.

M ICHAEL
She told you to check up on me, didn’t she?
 5.

JOSHUA
Yeah; I was gunna do it anyway, but yeah.

M ICHAEL
You guys do know I’m not some kid right?

JOSHUA
Oh really? You’re little greeting just there made you sound like you’re five. Which you
pretty much are.

M ICHAEL
Says the boy who was too shy to talk to anyone til second grade? Pot meet kettle.

JOSHUA
Yeah, but I grew up.

M ICHAEL
Which I must admit, it’s a miracle, given the shear size of your head.

JOSHUA
But you’re to blame for that too y’know. Ya’ could’a just left me alone in first grade, and
I would’ve never talked to anyone.

M ICHAEL
Damn you past me, and your niceties.

JOSHUA
There’s the M ichael I know.

M ICHAEL
The hell is that supposed to mean, jackass.

JOSHUA
It means you’re not standing there panicked with your knees locked for three hours,
waiting for someone to come in.

M ICHAEL
I wasn’t--

JOSHUA
Either that, or I just can’t help but mess with you at any opportunity I get.
 6.

M ICHAEL
Now that maths out a little better, don’t you think?

JOSHUA
Take your pick, either way I got you to unfurrow your brows. So y’know, victory for
me.

M ICHAEL
Well M r. Victor, wanna take a lap, y’know maybe outta the store?

JOSHUA
You’re not interested in being my trophy?

M ICHAEL
(...) A trophy for a loser like you, no thanks.

JOSHUA
Being called ‘loser’ by such a bad boy. M an I’m really moving up in the world.

M ICHAEL
What the hell are you talking about?

JOSHUA
Oh, you missed the morning gossip? Yeah, Barbra apparently saw you sneaking around
the bridge at midnight.

M ICHAEL
Great, I’m sure I’m going to hear about that for the next two weeks. How the hell do you
always get outta this shit. You were like, what, 10 feet ahead of me?

JOSHUA
What can I say, I’m always just outta sight. Actually speaking off --

M ICHAEL
M aybe we should go earlier to not look sketchy as hell? Yes I agree.

JOSHUA
No, smart ass. M y parents are doin’ shit up in Hermiston tonight and said they won’t be
back til late. So I was thinking we could drink at my place instead of the base. You could
crash there, they wouldn’t care.
 7.

M ICHAEL
M e crashing at your place, that’s a new one. But um, I think I’ll pass. Y’know, just for
tonight. Considering I’m the talk of the town, might be better to just head straight home.

JOSHUA

(during this line JOSHUA grabs a snack

pockets it)
Oh, come on. You’re officially the town bad boy, you got a reputation to maintain sir!

M ICHAEL
Ah, yes of course. Well sadly the notorious ne’er-do-well has been standing on his feet
for the past 6 hours and wants to just sleep when he gets home.

JOSHUA
Alright fine, ya’dork. But if you get board doin’ more nothing come around. I’ll be at
home with nothing but time to kill.

JOSHUA starts to exit.

M ICHAEL
That’ll be a dollar, sir.

JOSHUA gives M ICHAEL a silly smile and eye contact.

JOSHUA
A dollar for what?

The stare down continues to M ICHAEL loses

M ICHAEL
Well? Go on then, asshole!

JOSHUA grins before he exits.

M ICHAEL once again pulls out his wallet and puts

money into the register. He seems to get a chill, so pulls
a jacket and puts it on. He takes in the emptiness of the
store.
 8.

M ICHAEL
...Nothing but time to kill

M ichael grabs a broom and exits.

3 SCENE THREE 3

We are back in present day. We see a few Catholic grave

stones. Their names are obscured by weeds. JOSHUA
enters, puts down his backpack and starts to remove the
foliage.

JOSHUA
Jeez, I swear nothing ever grows here besides weeds. It hasn’t even been that long.
Hopefully you guys understand. I get it if you don’t. Granted if you were right, I’m sure
your laughing your damn asses off right about now.

ALANA enters. She is wearing a sundress, and

sunglasses. She is holding a rake.

ALANA
I thought I heard a crazy person. Should’a figured it was you.

JOSHUA
Is being a dick a genetic trait?

ALANA
Probably, but don’t you ever put a pleb like my brother on my level. Got that?

JOSHUA
I would never impugn your honor like that, oh queen of the assholes.

ALANA
Damn straight.

The two chuckle, and then embrace..

ALANA
I missed you dipshit.

JOSHUA
Back at you, Lana.
 9.

They leave their embrace,

JOSHUA
You look great by the way.

ALANA
Aw thanks, you don’t look too decrepid yourself.

JOSHUA
I try my darnedest. It’s still so weird seeing you dressed like that here.

ALANA
They’re dead, who gives a shit? Besides M iss Allison said she always loved the way I
looked in yellows.

JOSHUA
Shit, is today’s her day? Christ! What is it three years now?

ALANA
As of 8 o’clock-ish, yeah.

JOSHUA
I remember when she taught me how to tie my shoes.

ALANA
Yeah, I heard the new teacher is pretty nice though, Sam doesn’t have to Sub anymore by
the way.

JOSHUA
The county finally sent someone? What’re they like?

ALANA
He’s still getting used to it here. I wonder if he ever will, or if he’ll run off.

JOSHUA
He? Oh wow. I’m sure that was an interesting town hall meeting.

ALANA
Went over better than you’d think. He was a farmer, so he couldn’t be that bad right?
 10.

JOSHUA
Well, at least he has that going for him.

ALANA
Everyone needs their own little pieces of armor.

JOSHUA
Oh? Like sunglasses, hiding your sarcastic eyerolls from your adoring public.

ALANA
That, and you know, to cover my hang over.

JOSHUA
Glad to see something never change.

ALANA
Funny. I was just about to say, I’m happy to see at least some things do.

JOSHUA
And what’s that supposed to mean?

ALANA
Don’t worry bout it dweeb. Are you going to run off with my brother?

JOSHUA
(...)Huh?! Oh, yeah. We are going to hang out after he’s done with work.

ALANA
Well I guess I’ll be seeing you back home.

JOSHUA
Well actually...

ALANA
Are you two seriously going to the Windmill?

JOSHUA
It’s just our place, y’know.

ALANA
I can’t believe you two still have your “secret” base.
 11.

JOSHUA
What’s there to say, some traditions never fade.

ALANA
Fine, you dorks. Well if your house feels lonely, our couch’s always there for you.

JOSHUA
And covered in cat hair.

ALANA
Well I have to get some enjoyment out of your misery, or else it would feel too much like
charity.

JOSHUA
Wouldn’t have it any other way, right?

ALANA
Alright, well. I’ll leave you to clean up things here.

JOSHUA
Isn’t it like, your job to do this shit?

ALANA
Sorry I couldn’t hear you over the day drinking I’m going to do.

JOSHUA
Asshole.

ALANA
Love you too!

ALANA exits

JOSHUA continues once again to clear the weeds, and

leaves them behind the grave.

He stands there for a moment

 12.

4 SCENE FOUR 4

JOSHUA remains in the same place, keeping eye contact

with the grave stone. It is now one y ear p rior, in the
winter. There is no difference aside from the lights.

Enter M ICHAEL. He is wearing a light winter jacket.

M ICHAEL
Hey, you mind if I join you?

JOSHUA
Shit! Sorry! We were supposed to hang out today --

M ICHAEL
Dude, don’t worry about it. It’s all good.... Unless it isn’t?

JOSHUA
It is. (...) At least I think that it is?

M ICHAEL
If you have to think about it, it probably isn’t.

JOSHUA
Do you mind not always being right?

M ICHAEL
I try when I can.

Beat

JOSHUA
It’s cold.

M ICHAEL
Yeah, well you’re wearing a T-shirt. M oron.

JOSHUA
Yeah, I guess the weather is pretty nasty too.

M ICHAEL takes off his jacket and gives it to JOSHUA

 13.

JOSHUA
You’re going to freeze now, you dipshit.

M ICHAEL
I just thought you might need it more.

JOSHUA attempts to return the jacket.

M ICHAEL
Just take it. It is yours after all.

JOSHUA
So you did remember; asshole.

JOSHUA puts on the jacket.

M ICHAEL
Well of course, there’s no point in messin’ with you, if I didn’t play dumb.

JOSHUA
Yeah sure, playing dumb.

M ICHAEL
Can I ask you something?

JOSHUA
A dumb question?

M ICHAEL
M ore or less.

JOSHUA
M y favorite.

M ICHAEL
What are you going to do?

Pause

M ICHAEL
You don’t--
 14.

JOSHUA
I keep asking myself that.

M ICHAEL
It’s worth asking.

JOSHUA
Is it? Either have no family here, where no one will ever treat me like a normal person
again, or have no family in a place where no one knows my name.

M ICHAEL
I’m making you feel not-normal...

JOSHUA
No. (...) Well yes, but not you really. I don’t know -- Everyone coming up to me.
Everyone grieving, or telling me that I’ll make it through. Telling me all this shit I already
know.

M ICHAEL
I’m sorry.

JOSHUA
Don’t be. You’re like the one person I actually believe.

M ICHAEL
I still think you have a poor judge of character, but I won’t say I don’t appreciate it.

JOSHUA
A poor judge of character, maybe. But a good judge of friend, I can say with certainty.

M ICHAEL
...Thanks for being friends with a shitty character.

JOSHUA
You know I didn’t mean it --

M ICHAEL
I know, I was making a joke. Dumbass.

JOSHUA
I was just worried that...
 15.

M ICHAEL
Both worry too much don’t we?

JOSHUA
We are in a cemetery, I think a hint of worry is natural.

M ICHAEL
Fair enough.

JOSHUA
Want to head to the M ill?

M ICHAEL
Dude. Don’t worry about it! Have your time. You need this. I shouldn’t take it from you.
There are things you need to figure out, so just let yourself think about them. I’m going
to.--

M ICHAEL starts exiting

JOSHUA
Wait.

M ICHAEL stops

M ICHAEL
Yeah.

JOSHUA
You got to ask a stupid question, you mind if I ask one?

M ICHAEL
It’s only fair.

JOSHUA
I know it’s fair, but do you mind?

M ICHAEL
Sure, go for it.

JOSHUA
What do you want me to do?
 16.

Pause

M ICHAEL
How honest of an answer do you want?

JOSHUA
Don’t worry bout it. Stupid question to begin with.

M ICHAEL
I wish it wasn’t.

JOSHUA
You should get home. Last thing you need is your parents finding a reason to get pissed
at you.

M ICHAEL
If you wanted you could stay over, but if not... Yeah no I get it, take your time.

JOSHUA
Thanks.

M ICHAEL
I know this won’t fix anything, but I want you to know I loved them. I can’t stop
thinking about them.

JOSHUA
M e too M ike. Get some good sleep

M ICHAEL
Back at you.

M ICHAEL leaves.

JOSHUA remains with the grave stones and turns his

attention back to them.

The transition of lights reverse and we are back in the

present.

JOSHUA
Such a dumb question.
 17.

He pulls out his cellphone and dials a number.

JOSHUA
Hey. Yeah! I was just cleaning it up a bit. I’ll be over in a minute. Don’t worry bout it. I
brought something to drink too, so no need for anything too fancy . Yeah. See ya in a bit.

JOSHUA hangs up the call, picks up his backpack and

leaves.

5 SCENE FIVE 5

We see the inside of a small boxish house. Utilitarian in

nature, and rustic. Which probably just means old. Enter
ALANA, she is setting up blankets and a pillow on the
couch

We hear a door open

Enter M ICHAEL. He is wearing the same jacket he wore

last year . He is also soaking wet, or at the very least his
hair is.

ALANA
Well shit, you look like you had fun.

M ICHAEL
Oh no please, don’t worry Alana. It’s not like I’ll get hypothermia or anything.

ALANA
You know where the towels are, brother mine.

M ICHAEL
Love you too.

ALANA
Good time?

M ICHAEL
Uh, yeah it was. It was pretty nice, actually .
 18.

ALANA
You’re making it seem like you thought it’d be a disaster or something.

M ICHAEL starts drying himself off with a towel.

Possibly changing clothes.

M ICHAEL
It’s not like that. I was just y’know worried, or something like that. It’s been a year and
everything.

ALANA
Only a year. What did you expect? Him to turn into a Shaman monk or something?

M ICHAEL
No! Just afraid that maybe I’d be too boring, or y’know?

ALANA
He’s your friend. I think you could tell him about a cup of water and he would be
thoroughly enthused.

M ICHAEL
I’m allowed to worry about things, ya jerk.

ALANA
Oh I know you are, but it’s also fundamentally my duty as your older sibling to make
you question every choice in your life.

M ICHAEL
I do that well enough by myself, fyi.

ALANA
Fine, just cut the woe is me vibes. M other can smell your tears. They waft.

M ICHAEL
I wasn’t--

ALANA
What prompted your little swimming party?

M ICHAEL
Oh. We were just dicking around I guess. You know, same as always
 19.

ALANA
Same as always huh? Usually save those things for spring, but I guess fall isn’t that frigid.

M ICHAEL
Who knows if he’ll even be here in spring.

ALANA
Who knows if you’ll be here in spring.

Pause

M ICHAEL starts to exit.

ALANA
M ikey! You know I didn’t mean it like that!

M ICHAEL
Being an asshole is one thing, you don’t just get to be cruel.

ALANA
I wasn’t trying to be.

M ICHAEL
Well you suck at trying!

ALANA
I meant, what if you leave town, ya dipshit.

M ICHAEL
I have nowhere to go.

ALANA
Like this is a place to stay?

M ICHAEL
Yeah, I’ll just go and abandon M om, and Dad.

ALANA
They aren’t your responsibility, M ike.

M ICHAEL
I’m staying. That’s the end of it. How’d we even get here?
 20.

ALANA
Sorry. I was an ass.

M ICHAEL
It’s fine.

ALANA
Yeah. So what did you and Casanova talk bout?

M ICHAEL
You know, nothing, just stuff and everything. Told me about college, and how that was
going. And why’d you --

ALANA
Sound fun?

M ICHAEL
Well, uh, yeah.

ALANA
You should give it a shot.

M ICHAEL
And what’s the point of that?

ALANA
Just a thought. Talk about anything else?

M ICHAEL
Yeah, I gave him the town progress report for the last year.

ALANA
You told him about Uncle Allen?

M ICHAEL
Yeah. He was sad, but he didn’t seem too surprised. Apparently he kinda felt it when he
said his good-byes.

ALANA
Take it you didn’t tell him about --
 21.

M ICHAEL
Yet again. The point?

ALANA
The point is he deserves to know.

M ICHAEL
Well too bad.

ALANA
If you don’t he’ll hear it from Barbra, or one of the other gossip groupies.

M ICHAEL
He won’t find out.

ALANA
‘Kay. It’s your call.

M ICHAEL
And it’s called.

Beat

ALANA picks up the jacket, which had made its way to

the floor at some point.

ALANA
Hell if this isn’t a blast from the past.

M ICHAEL
Yeah, good thing I grabbed it, he tossed it to me after I “tripped” into the pond.

ALANA
Shit man, you used to wear this everyday.

M ICHAEL
Well I thought it was mine.

ALANA
No you didn’t. You knew it was Josh’s.
 22.

M ICHAEL
What? It was funny.

ALANA

(chuckle)
Yeah sure, funny.

M ICHAEL
What was that?

ALANA
Oh nothing, just laughing at your joke baby brother.

M ICHAEL
No, that was your making fun of me voice.

ALANA
You’re paranoid. Which is interesting. You hiding somethin’ M ikey?

M ICHAEL
Stop being weird.

ALANA
‘M kay. Well everything’s all set for him to crash here.

M ICHAEL
I mean he didn’t say anything about coming over.

ALANA
Like he ever does?

(as she exits)

It’s just safer to assume he will than won’t, right?

M ICHAEL
M akes enough sense I guess. Well goodnight!
 23.

ALANA

(off)
Night.

M ICHAEL sits and after a moment wraps himself into a

blanket cocoon.

6 SCENE SIX 6

It is one year prior. We are in the same location. M ichael

is in the same position, asleep.

Enter JOSHUA, he quietly puts down his backpack and

taps M ICHAEL on the shoulder.

JOSHUA

(Whisper)
Hey M ike

No Response

JOSHUA

(Louder Whisper)
M ikey!

Again nothing

JOSHUA

(A whisper/yell hybrid)
M ichael!

M ICHAEL jolts up

M ICHAEL
AH! Josh?! Dude what the fuck is wrong with you?!

JOSHUA
Shit, I didn’t mean to... Wait that doesn’t matter.
 24.

M ICHAEL
Oh it doesn’t?!

JOSHUA
I think I found an answer.

M ICHAEL
Is it 42, so I can just go back to sleep?

JOSHUA
No dipshit! Come with me.

M ICHAEL
What are you talking about?

JOSHUA
They’re gone, and I have the chance to see something beyond Echo. Come with me
M ichael.

M ICHAEL
You have to be kidding me.

JOSHUA
Why? We have the same diploma, so anywhere I get in you should too.

M ICHAEL
Josh...

JOSHUA
I mean come on, you’ve always talked about ditching this podunk place.

M ICHAEL
Yeah, talked about.

JOSHUA
So let’s stop talking, and let’s do it!

M ICHAEL
And abandon my family?
 25.

JOSHUA
I’m not saying let’s leave tomorrow or anything. I’m sure they’d be pumped you’re
going to college.

M ICHAEL
Josh I can’t do this.

JOSHUA
Of course you can! You--

M ICHAEL

(overwhelmed)
Stop! Please. Just stop... I can’t just. I can’t leave everyone like that. Please don’t make
me do that. This place is our whole lives, I can’t just throw it away. I-I don’t know
who’d I even be, outside of this place.

JOSHUA
...You’re right... M ichael you’re right. I shouldn’t have--I’m sorry. Please don’t cry,
okay? I’m sorry. I won’t make you do that. I would never make y ou do something like
that. I just got excited.

M ICHAEL
It’s...It’s fine. I’m sorry I shouldn’t react like--

JOSHUA
No. I should have known this would be too much. Are you gunna be okay?

M ICHAEL
I uh, yeah. I’ll be okay. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.

JOSHUA
Okay. Hey. I’ve already done too much tonight. Just get some rest okay?

M ICHAEL
You can stay if you --

JOSHUA
No. You need rest, without me messing it up. You know me. We’ll just end up talking til
morning.
 26.

M ICHAEL
It sucks when you’re right...

JOSHUA
Welcome to my universe. I’ll see you tomorrow M ikey.

M ICHAEL
Tomorrow it is.

JOSHUA gives a smile and exits.

M ICHAEL curls back up and quietly starts to weep

7 SCENE SEVEN 7

Back in the present. Same location. Same human form.

JOSHUA enters, quietly. Sees M ICHAEL on the couch,
and almost passes him by, but notices him crying.

JOSHUA
M ike?

Silence

JOSHUA
M ichael

A beat.

M ICHAEL
I’m fine.

JOSHUA
Okay, bullshit.

M ICHAEL
I said I’m fine.

JOSHUA
This is the third night in a row dude. Tell me what’s wrong.
 27.

M ICHAEL
It’s none of your business.

JOSHUA
Excuse me? What happened to ‘we share our business.'

M ICHAEL
This doesn’t count. Go away.

JOSHUA
Well that’s a bullshit caveat!

M ICHAEL
Josh, please leave, okay?

JOSHUA
Leave here or Echo?

M ICHAEL
What?

JOSHUA
You heard me M ichael! After the first night I got back, you refuse to spend 5 minutes
alone with me. Do you just want me gone?

M ICHAEL
No! You fucking moron!

JOSHUA
Well than what is it!? Could you stop always pretending like I am some kind of mind
reader! Just fucking talk to me!

M ICHAEL
....Why’d you come back?

JOSHUA
What?

M ICHAEL
You swore you’d never step foot here again, so why?

JOSHUA
Shit. I mean I don’t know. I realized saying something like that was stupid.
 28.

M ICHAEL
Bullshit. You just came back to rub it in my face.

JOSHUA
What the fuck?!

M ICHAEL
Showing me what was on the other side of the door, just to leave me behind again!

JOSHUA
Excuse me!? I came back for you, you moron!

M ICHAEL
To brag, I know!

JOSHUA
No! Because I missed you.

Beat.

JOSHUA
Because, even on the days I was frozen by everything being so god damn new; it was
so... boring. I kept wondering what you might have thought about it, my own thoughts
just weren’t enough.

M ICHAEL
Stop fucking lying! Alright?

JOSHUA crosses and kisses M ICHAEL. It lasts for a

moment but he is pushed away. M ICHAEL rushes off
and exits.

JOSHUA
Shit.

Beat

JOSHUA
Shit! Shit! Shit! SHIT!

JOSHUA rests his head in his hands, as he sits on the

couch.
 29.

8 SCENE EIGHT 8

Time p asses back one year once again. Everything else

stays the same.

ALANA enters with two cups of coffee

ALANA
So besides the mere grossness of the concept, explain to me the issue.

JOSHUA
This isn’t the time Lana!

ALANA
Considering he is going to be home in an hour or so, this is kind of the only time you
have.

JOSHUA
I know. I just don’t want to keep thinking about everything I just fucked up.

ALANA
Yet you are here drinking coffee, so yes y ou do. Now stop bullshitting me, and say what
you want to say.

JOSHUA
I... I don’t know why I kissed him.

ALANA
Well I can think of at least one reason.

JOSHUA
No, I know why I wanted to kiss him, but I just don’t know what made me do it.

ALANA
...You don’t plan on coming back do you?

JOSHUA
...Not sure that I could handle that, yknow?

ALANA
Needed to get what you’ve always wanted before you had to forget about it?
 30.

JOSHUA
I wouldn’t forget about him!

ALANA
But you’d never come back for him.... What’s the difference?

JOSHUA
I told him to come with me.

ALANA
He can’t.

JOSHUA
I know he can’t.

ALANA
No you don’t. You know he won’t, you didn’t know he couldn’t.

JOSHUA
What’s the difference?

ALANA
Why not ask him? I don’t think he’ll tell you, but you could ask.

JOSHUA
Now doesn’t seem the time.

ALANA
You both fucking suck at this shit, you know that?

JOSHUA
Pretty sure I knew that.

ALANA
Just double checking. So what is your next big move Casanova?

JOSHUA
I think a ‘fuck off’ to a kiss is kinda the end of any chance I had.

ALANA
M ight have worked better if you said like, y’know, anything before doing it.
 31.

JOSHUA
Yet again, great advice for before the punching me in the face part happened.

ALANA
Could work post punch?

JOSHUA
Not hopeful.

ALANA
If anything, that is what you need to hold onto, dweeb.

Beat

ALANA
Hey! Don’t start with the waterworks. I deal with his cause I am biologically forced to.
Come on Josh.

JOSHUA
I just don’t know what I should do about anything Lana.

ALANA
And you don’t need to, dude. It isn’t the end of the world. Does it suck? Yeah, but so
does everything. Once your out in the real world you will fall in love with some other
boy.

JOSHUA
Aren’t you a great sister...

ALANA
Will I be a bit pissed if you take off for ever? Sure. But don’t hold onto things that hurt
for the sake of making someone else happy. Cause then it makes them feel shitty.

JOSHUA
So what the fu-

ALANA
Fucking hell dude, I’m not some magic 8 ball of answers. If you think you can make up,
make up. If you think it’ll be better to just leave then, why not tonight?
 32.

JOSHUA
....

ALANA
... That sounded meaner than I meant it to.

JOSHUA
You’re right though.

ALANA
I wish I wasn’t.

JOSHUA
He knows how I feel. There isn’t any point trying to change his mind.

ALANA
You’re giving him too much credit.

JOSHUA
I couldn’t have been any clearer with him.

ALANA
English might be a touch clearer.

Pause

JOSHUA
... So, uh...

ALANA
You’re welcome whenever you come back.

JOSHUA
...If I ever come back?

ALANA
Sure, however you want to phrase it.

JOSHUA
Do you mind telling him -?

ALANA
I’ll tell him enough to make him okay, but your shit is your shit.
 33.

JOSHUA
Yeah. What I was hopin’ for.

ALANA
Hey you don’t get to leave just yet.

The two hug

JOSHUA
I’ll miss you both.

ALANA
He’ll miss you too.

JOSHUA
Gee thanks, asshole.

ALANA
It’s my duty. Promise the next time I see you, you’ll look a touch less decrepid. M ’kay ?

JOSHUA
Sounds like a plan.

ALANA
A nice change of a pace for you isn’t it? Having a plan.

JOSHUA
Yeah. I guess I’m gunna go and uh...

ALANA
Be sure to p ack your jacket...

JOSHUA
I don’t think I’ll need it too much. Better served here.

ALANA
If you ever want to come back for it...

JOSHUA
Sure.
 34.

A moment

JOSHUA exits

9 SCENE NINE 9

It is still the year prior. ALANA crosses to The M ill. A

rickety old wind mill. There are two wooden crates. She
sits down against one of them.

A moment of taking in the winter.

Enter M ICHAEL

M ICHAEL
Why are you here?

ALANA
Cause, you’re highly predicable?

M ICHAEL
What is like not having even a seed of empathy in your soul?

ALANA
I have a soul, an improvement over some people.

M ICHAEL
LANA!

Pause.

ALANA
Come on sit down already.

M ICHAEL
I don’t want--!

ALANA
Seriously M ichael. Just breath for a second and sit okay. I promise I won’t try being a
smart ass.
 35.

Beat

He sits.

M ICHAEL
Really, why are you here?

ALANA
You’ve been a mess all week.

M ICHAEL
I think I’m allowed.

ALANA
You are, but I’m worried you aren’t ever gunna let it go.

M ICHAEL
I will, so stop getting--

ALANA
Bullshit M ichael. You can’t keep --

M ICHAEL
I can do whatever the fuck I want right now Lana! Okay?! M y only friend fucking
ditched me without even saying goodbye. So you know what? I am allowed to fucking
hold onto this as long as I want!

ALANA
You’re right...

M ICHAEL
But I’m not though!

Pause.

ALANA
Don’t leave, M ickey.

M ICHAEL
What’s the point even trying to feel better about it? For all I know I will be dead long
before he comes back.
 36.

ALANA
We might all be.

M ICHAEL
You know it isn’t the same.

ALANA
I know, but that doesn’t change anything, really.

M ICHAEL
It changes everything.

ALANA
No it, just increases the scale of it all.

M ICHAEL
What the hell that supposed to mean?

ALANA
That if you want to do something, stop looking off into some bullshit future, and do it
now.

M ICHAEL
Jesus, you don’t even know what happened, Lana. Stop acting as if you even understand
what you’re talking about.

ALANA
Sure, yeah, let’s assume I don’t know what happened between you two. The miserable
look on your face tells me that you haven’t slept in 3 nights. So something is fucked.

M ICHAEL
Just--

ALANA
Tell me.

M ICHAEL
What?

ALANA
Tell me what happened. That way, maybe you’ll actually listen to my advice here.
 37.

M ICHAEL
I-I can’t

ALANA
Why not? You clearly want to say something. Say it.

M ICHAEL
I can’t. It’s not. It’s not mine to. I just can’t okay?

ALANA
Bullshit M ichael! You have been a mess, and I don’t use that word lightly. It’s making
your life hell. You are allowed to talk about it

M ICHAEL
Saying it outloud sounds so much worse.

ALANA
Have you tried?

M ICHAEL
Can we drop it now?

ALANA
Fine. If you really want to wallow, go ahead and wallow. Brother mine.

ALANA starts to exit.

M ICHAEL
Lana!

ALANA
What dip-dweeb?

M ICHAEL
...What do you think you will wear?

ALANA

(Chuckles)
Jesus
 38.

M ICHAEL
What?

ALANA
It’s just funny.

M ICHAEL
Didn’t really think it was a funny ques--

ALANA
It sounds like you are the one who really wanted to run away right now. It’s just funny, I
guess.

M ICHAEL
Well?

ALANA
Well what?

M ICHAEL
What will you wear?

Beat.

ALANA
Probably the M acaroni Hat you made me. You know.

M ICHAEL

(chuckles)
Yeah, the one from M rs. Allison’s class.

ALANA
‘Lana Smells’. Yup, it’s the moment I knew you were my brother.

They share a smile.

ALANA starts to exit.

M ICHAEL
Hey?
 39.

ALANA

(Exiting)
Love you too. Asshole.

ALANA Exits.

10 SCENE TEN 10

Our scene is the same. We transition back to the present.

M ICHAEL makes his way back down to the ground. As
if pulled down by the memories of the previous scene. He
is crying.

A long pause.

JOSHUA enters. He approaches slowly, and puts his

jacket on M ICHAEL. He sits down next to M ICHAEL,
and starts going through his leather backpack.

M ICHAEL
If you keep giving this thing away, you will freeze to death one day.

JOSHUA
Funny, I was thinking if you keep trying to get rid of it, you’d freeze to death.

M ICHAEL
Couldn’t even if I tried.

JOSHUA
Yeah.

M ICHAEL
Do we have to...talk?

JOSHUA
No.

Pause
 40.

M ICHAEL
I get if we do.

JOSHUA
We don’t have to.

Beat.

M ICHAEL
You didn’t come here, not to talk.

JOSHUA
I came here to talk, but I’m not going to make you talk.

M ICHAEL
Well then talk already.

JOSHUA
So you want to?

M ICHAEL
I prefer it to the alternative.

JOSHUA
You hate me?

M ICHAEL
What no?!

JOSHUA
It’s fine if you do. I wouldn’t --

M ICHAEL
I said no!

JOSHUA
Okay. So I was wrong... How do you feel?

M ICHAEL
What?
 41.

JOSHUA
If you don’t hate me, how do you feel?

M ICHAEL
Jesus, you’re sounding like Lana. I’m not drunk enough for this. Okay.

JOSHUA
Agreed. Hence why I brought this.

JOSHUA russels though his bag before pulling out a

bottle of Red Wine

M ICHAEL
Since when have you been a wine-o?

JOSHUA
It’s not just some M erlot you dolt, look at it.

Beat

M ICHAEL
Seriously?

JOSHUA
Bought it the night I moved into my apartment.

M ICHAEL
Y’know I think my sister’s birthday would make for a better vintage.

JOSHUA
Wasn’t missing Lana...

Pause

M ICHAEL
I don’t know what is supposed to happen here.

JOSHUA
Nothing is supposed to happen. I got it cause I missed you. I’m back here with you so,
y’know. No need for the substitute.

M ICHAEL
You might still want to hold onto it.
 42.

Hands it back.

JOSHUA
I have no intention of needing it.

M ICHAEL
Wait? Are you going--

JOSHUA
Can I kiss you?

Beat.

M ICHAEL
Why do you keep --

JOSHUA
It’s okay if the answer is no... I get it... I should have gotten it by now. But I just need to
hear it directly. I need you tell me, okay.

M ICHAEL
Stop fucking around...

JOSHUA
Not fucking around.

Beat.

M ICHAEL
...Afraid you’d say that.

JOSHUA
Yeah... I guess I’ll uh, head out.

M ICHAEL grabs JOSHUA’s shirt.

JOSHUA
M ichael, you don’t have to worry about--

M ICHAEL kisses JOSHUA

JOSHUA
Well shit. Wasn’t expecting that.
 43.

Beat.

JOSHUA
And now you’re crying. You’re giving me some mixed signals here.

M ICHAEL
You have no idea.

JOSHUA
I might if you tell me.

M ICHAEL
...I don’t how long I wanted to do that for anymore. How long I’ve told myself that you
were dicking around. How many times I told myself it wouldn’t be worth it. It would
hurt too much.

JOSHUA
Well then, there’s no need to worry ‘bout that shit. I wasn’t--

M ICHAEL
I knew you weren’t! God I’m such a fucking idiot.

JOSHUA
M ichael?

M ICHAEL
God fucking damn it!

JOSHUA
Tell me what’s wrong?

M ICHAEL
I shouldn’t have kissed you. Why did I kiss you!?

JOSHUA
Because you wanted to. Or at least I hope so.

Pause

M ICHAEL
I think I’m going to be alright. Sorry.
 44.

JOSHUA
If you have to think about it you probably aren’t.

M ICHAEL
...You stole my line you asshat.

JOSHUA
What can I say, I learned from the best.

The two chuckle for a moment.

M ICHAEL
We need to drink this now.

JOSHUA
Well it’s not 7-11 wine, but it isn’t like Sno Road’s finest.

M ICHAEL
Doesn’t matter, I want to finish it now.

JOSHUA
You’re freaking out again. M ichael, please just breathe.

M ICHAEL
I don’t want... I don’t want it to...

JOSHUA
M ichael, you’re going to be okay.

M ICHAEL
I don’t want this stupid bottle to outlive me! Okay?!

Pause

JOSHUA
M ichael?

M ICHAEL bolts up

JOSHUA
M ichael, wait! What the fuck!?
 45.

M ICHAEL is stopped by JOSHUA.

JOSHUA
What the hell were you talking about?

M ICHAEL
I shouldn’t have kissed you.

JOSHUA
Okay fine, you shouldn’t have kissed me, that blows, but whatever. Why would the wine
outlive you?

Pause.

M ICHAEL
I got you more fucking attached, god, I am so fucking stupid. God damn it!

JOSHUA
M ichael.

M ICHAEL
Josh, just leave.

JOSHUA
I’m not leaving you like this.

M ICHAEL
First time for everything.

JOSHUA
Fine be shitty with me, I don’t care! Just I’m just freaked out.

Pause.

M ICHAEL
M arch 3rd, 1994. Twenty three years ago this stupid M erlot got crammed into some
stupid barrel. And now, it could very well out live me. Do you know how fucked that is?

JOSHUA
...M ichael. You...? What are you talking about?
 46.

M ICHAEL
They give you a percent you know? No one ever wants to give you a date, too negative.

JOSHUA
A date for what?..No....Please tell me I’m wrong...

M ICHAEL
60 something percent for five years. Whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean. Well no
what it means, is that almost all the people die before four years, and some fuckers get
lucky.

JOSHUA
Hey...Look at me...

M ICHAEL
Or maybe the fuckers who die before everyone else are the lucky ones. Less time to drag
shit out right. I’m not sure if I could live with this shit for that much longer.

JOSHUA wipes M ICHAEL’s face with his sleeve.

JOSHUA
You’re going to freeze that way if you keep sobbing like that.

M ICHAEL
I’m fucking allowed god damn it!

JOSHUA
You are.

Pause

M ICHAEL
No. No No No. Plesse don’t. I don’t want to see you like that.

JOSHUA
Well I’m allowed too asshole.

M ICHAEL
I didn’t want you to. I assumed I’d be gone before you came back.
 47.

JOSHUA
Well good thing I came back then!

M ICHAEL
Is it? Now you’re sucked into this fucking sinkhole.

JOSHUA
Better than you just sinking down alone.

M ICHAEL
Bullshit!

JOSHUA
M ichael--

M ICHAEL
No Josh! Bullshit! Y’know two years, for Christ sake maybe a couple months, and I am
going to be six feet under the ground, with Lana wearing my stupid M acaroni Hat. I’ll be
dead, and I won’t give a shit anymore. I’ll be gone. But now, I’ve fucking dragged you
into this fucking waiting game, where you don’t get to escape. This is an explosion
waiting to happen.

JOSHUA
You aren’t an explosion.

M ICHAEL
...No. Of course not. I should have remembered. You’ll just run away again, and forget
about me. God knows you are good at it.

Pause

M ICHAEL
I’m sorry. That was fucked up.

JOSHUA
No. You’re right, I ran away. I was sick of being the kid whose parents died. I was sick of
feeling trapped by this tiny fucking town. Was sick of being in love with my best friend,
and being too pathetic than to actually say anything about it.

M ICHAEL
Don’t say that.
 48.

JOSHUA
Don’t say what?

M ICHAEL
Don’t say that you love me. Please. Don’t. I can rationalize the kissing as some stupid
thing we did, but if you say ---

JOSHUA
Well tough shit! I love you, asshole!

M ICHAEL
I said don’t! Stop being so fucking selfish you dipshit! This is going to hurt enough as it
is!

JOSHUA

Like it isn’t going to hurt me anyway !? You think I’ll be fucking partying in the sunshine
in Fuck off, Texas!? It’s going to hurt no matter where I am, if we’re dating or otherwise!

Pause

M ICHAEL
... No...No you don’t ...please don’t... again. . Please. I’m sorry I was shitty. ...

Pause

JOSHUA
Are we just a fuckin’ mess?

M ICHAEL
It is us after all.

Beat

JOSHUA
So now that we are both a pile of goop, can you actually tell me?

M ICHAEL
I still don’t want to.
 49.

JOSHUA
You don’t have to.

M ICHAEL
As long as you don’t start treating me as the fragile cancer kid?

JOSHUA
Only if you keep not treating me like the freak whose parent got themselves killed.

Beat

M ICHAEL
So, back when M om went to Seattle, for Kelly’s Wedding, she forced me to see someone.
Said I was too pale, probably fucking ironic considering everything. She thought I needed
some Vitamin C, turned out I needed Vitamin Chemo.

JOSHUA
I don’t know what to say right now.

M ICHAEL
Hey no! We said none of the sappy shit! Right!?

JOSHUA
Sorry!

M ICHAEL
Damn straight you are! Now where was I?

JOSHUA
Vitamin Chemo...

M ICHAEL
Ah yes. Well it turns out the reason I was so pale was also the same reason I was so
depressed. You’d be amazed how much shit some stupid cells control.

JOSHUA
They’re kind of everywhere.

M ICHAEL
Hey so my everywhere is poison. Fuck there has to be a metaphor in there somewhere.
 50.

JOSHUA
This no sad shit goes both ways, asshole.

M ICHAEL
Why would you want to date me?

JOSHUA
Stop! You said none of this

M ICHAEL
You’d be dating a corpse you know that?

JOSHUA
We’re all fucking corpses, M ichael! And just because you might have a better idea when
you hit the ground doesn’t stop me from caring about you!

M ICHAEL
It’d be hell for only maybe two year --

JOSHUA
Or one night!?

M ICHAEL
What?

JOSHUA
Or I could get into a car, and drive my ass down I-84!

M ICHAEL
Josh don’t!

JOSHUA
I could have one too many to drink, and get lost in your eyes, or fall asleep, or bend over
to grab a water battle, and end up splattering some poor family across the fucking
interstate!

M ICHAEL
You know they didn’t.
 51.

JOSHUA
I don’t know anything! I know fucking shit. They went out for drinks one night, and
M ae was at my door telling me she needed me to identify them.

M ICHAEL
...Josh...

JOSHUA
So yeah. I know what it’ll feel like okay. I know what it is to see the people you love on
that fucking table.

M ICHAEL
So why would you...?

JOSHUA
Because even if you think you have an expiration date on your foot, doesn’t mean you
don’t deserve to be loved.

M ICHAEL
You know that...

JOSHUA
And if it’s not me, fine. That’s fine. Holy shit is that fine. But either way, you so fucking
deserve to be loved.

M ICHAEL
...you’re relentless you know that?

JOSHUA
Solid deflection.

M ICHAEL
Was hoping you wouldn’t notice.

Pause.

M ICHAEL
...So what happens now?

JOSHUA
I think this would be the part where we --
 52.

M ICHAEL on cue pins JOSH and kisses him.

JOSHUA

(caught off guard)

Well yeah, that.

M ICHAEL
Now. You may think you came back from the real world some emotional guru, but might
I remind you, I can still actively kick your ass.

JOSHUA
I still got time left...

M ICHAEL
Same here... never to late to learn, right?

JOSHUA
As long as we have a car, a bank account and minimum wage employment, the world is
our fucking oyster.

The two share a laugh.

JOSHUA
The jacket by the way.

M ICHAEL
Huh?

JOSHUA
Said the M acaroni hat right? For Lana to wear on your day. Well if you get to pick, then
so do I. The jacket.

M ICHAEL
Uh...Yeah. Yeah, okay. Sure. The jacket it is.

JOSHUA
A jacket, a hat and a bottle wine.

M ICHAEL
Sounds like a bad set up to a joke or something.
 53.

JOSHUA
Well in that case we can probably still drink the wine.

M ICHAEL
I think I’ll drink it on the trip.

JOSHUA
The trip?

M ICHAEL
Oh don’t go getting comfy now! You’re the officially the boy who ran away, you have a
reputation to maintain sir!

JOSHUA
The boy who ran away, and the boy swept up in his wake. The real question is; who is
who?

M ICHAEL
Well that is for us to know, and them to gossip about, until literally the end of time.

JOSHUA
Sounds like a plan. In which case, let’s get rollin’. We can stop, grab your things and tell
Lana-

M ICHAEL
Actually let’s just go.

JOSHUA
What? No, you have to tell her and your parents.

M ICHAEL
I will. Just not. Now. I’ll be gone. You’ll be gone. Lana will put it together. And I think a
phone call will hurt a little less.

JOSHUA
Won’t.

M ICHAEL
I know, but I think it is better to pretend it will.
 54.

JOSHUA
If you have to think about it...

M ICHAEL
Then it was worth thinking about.

JOSHUA
A fair assessment.

M ICHAEL
Well, then let’s hurry up. No point killing time.

JOSHUA
Don’t worry. We have all the time that is left.

The two give eachother a quick peck. They hold each

other’s hand, and start to exit. M eanwhile...

11 SCENE ELEVEN 11

Time p asses again. This time it presses forward. Quite a

long time. We are still at the mill. LANA enters. She is
wearing a jacket, a macaroni hat, and holding bottle of red
wine. She sits down. M ICHAEL and JOSHUA make
silent interactions with each other for the duration of the
next scene.

ALANA
It’s kinda bullshit that you guys got to request shit y’know that? It’s one thing to dress
me up every year, but to make me drink a Merlot, in the middle of a freakin’ winter
wasteland? How so very dare both of you. Well at least I have an excuse to day drink
now. Josh, this is where you’d give me shit that I always day drink, and M ichael, this is
when you would silently judge me, but totally accept if I offered you any... I know there
isn’t anything after this. I know that I’m doing this for me. But, in the zero-percent
chance that I’m wrong. I hope you two are living the shit out of life up there. You fuckers
held on, and good on you for doin’ it. Assholes tell you that you can’t do shit, it’s your
fucking obligation to show them just how wrong they are! Especially for you M ichael!
Little brothers are designed to make liars out of their older sisters. So I’ll say it again. I am
fully fucking sure there is nothing but a void after all this, you hear that?! Be ready to rub
it in my zombie ass face when it’s my turn.

Pause
 55.

ALANA
And one last thing. It’s not me or anything, but uh. M om and Dad... They miss
you...They said they.... Can’t wait to see you.

LANA takes a swig from the bottle. M ICHAEL and

JOSHUA give one last kiss, and look back at LANA. She
meets their gaze for a moment. M ICHAEL and JOSHUA
exit. LANA exits opposite.

BLACKOUT

The following are experimental scenes that are not currently a part of the show, but in the
future could very well be. Scene titles will specify the location wherein they would be
inserted. Have fun.