Scene 2

Lights go up on ROBIN, who stands next to a huge bridge. They try to hold back tears, take a deep breath, then become deadly calm, staring down at the river as they walk to the center of the bridge.

ROBIN God, what am I doing? I wish there was some other way… Beat. But this is the only way to end all of the pain, is it not? Well, I’m sorry. World, you’ve been a little bitch. This is the only option you’ve given me. So guess what? I’m going to take it. Damn it, I’m going to take it! They begin to cry again. Offstage, EZRA and HAZEL distantly call ROBIN’s name, over and over

EZRA Robin!

HAZEL Where’d you go?

EZRA We can help you! Please! Just don’t do anything rash!

HAZEL Wait up, Robin!

ROBIN glances behind them, offstage, considering, but then they shake their head. They climb up onto the ledge of the bridge and spread their arms out like Jesus. They whisper, I’m sorry… EZRA and HAZEL finally go just onto stage, glancing around frantically, until they see ROBIN on the bridge. HAZEL reaches for her phone as EZRA sprints toward them, but he’s just a moment too late. Goodbye, Ezra. ROBIN falls backwards off the bridge as HAZEL gives a high-pitched scream.

EZRA No! He reaches over the bridge, but it’s too late. Hazel, I’m going in after them, okay? Don’t panic. I’ll be back in just a second. Wish me luck… He climbs up onto the bridge’s ledge, throws his jacket aside, and dives in.

HAZEL Ezra! screams again, dialing a number into her phone. Sobbing, she manages the following words. Nine… One… One… Hello? Hello? Hello! Help! My friends! They just jumped in this raging river, and he jumped in after them! Please help! Come to… The sound of rushing water drowns out the rest of HAZEL’s words. Suddenly, some more people rush onto stage as the sounds of ambulances and fire trucks come. ...and then Ezra just j-jumped in after Robin! And I don’t even know if he can swim or not! HAZEL covers her mouth, still crying. Lighting flashes and thunder can be heard throughout the theatre.

POLICEMAN 1 Ma’am, please. Just a few more questions-

POLICEMAN 2 I see them! He points at the river. The boy is holding onto the other kid, trying to swim out, you see?

POLICEMAN 1 sprints to the edge of the water Kid! Swim toward the beach there! he points at another edge of the water. The beach! Good, good, good- No!

HAZEL What happened? catching up with POLICEMAN 1 & 2 I can’t see them!

POLICEMAN 1 The boy was holding the other kid above the water, but they hit a rock and both went back under. Dammit! The boy took all the damage. Wait- there they are!

HAZEL Where? What’s going on? Lights from flashlights point in every direction, trying to spot the two.

POLICEMAN 2 They’re both drifting toward the beach! Go, go, go! I want medics over here, stat! He and POLICEMAN 1 sprint to the water, each of them coming back with a kid in their arms, limp, placing them on the stretchers. Suddenly, they’re surrounded by people, HAZEL trying to get in to see what’s happening. She can hear everything but can’t get between the people:

Are they breathing?

Oh, God.

Bring me the IVs!

Yes!

They’re alive, for now!

Patients are stable, will now be transferred to the hospital.

Finally, the crowd of nurses, policemen, and firefighters clears out as everyone on stage scatters. The stretchers with unconscious EZRA and ROBIN are carried across and off stage, HAZEL following them, calling after them, still crying.

HAZEL Ezra! Robin! Please, God, let them be okay! Ezra!

Lights go down and the sound fades as HAZEL follows them off-stage.

END SCENE 2