I feel pulled to New York City.
In serio-comedy play act, “Along With You” Gerard wishes to know more about why and where Tilly is leaving town.
GERARD: Where you goin off to?
TILLY: Walk with me?
GERARD: Um…
TILLY: What’s wrong?
GERARD: I don’t have much longer on my break before I gotta go back inside.
TILLY: I forgot that you bus tables.
GERARD: Yeah.
TILLY: Can the bus boy walk me to the bus station?
GERARD: Alright.
TILLY: Gets dark at night on these streets. I get gloomy.
GERARD: Gloomy?
TILLY: I don’t get scared. I don’t ever get scared. One time three fellas approached me, and I was all alone, and they tried to get me and I fought them off, me and my two fists, it was three on three, and I battered them away. Had them running down the street so fast one of ’em slipped and bopped his head on the pavement.
GERARD: Did you call the police?
TILLY: No, I took care of it alright.
GERARD: I’ve never, uh, I’ve never gotten into a fight before.
TILLY: No?!
GERARD: Never.
TILLY: Really now? Do you know self-defense?
GERARD: I don’t.
TILLY: No one’s ever shown ya?
GERARD: No.
Tilly takes a few steps back and raises her fist.
TILLY: See this stance?
GERARD: Uh-huh.
TILLY: Bring your hands up. Imitate me. Now, close your hands. Make a fist. That’s right.
Tilly adjusts Gerard’s boxing stance.
That’s good. You can use your fists to block if someone’s attacking you, and you also use them to strike. So, it’s blocking and striking, and that’s all there is to it. If I had more time to show you, I’d train you, but you got the stance down, and usually that’s good enough.
GERARD: Good enough?
TILLY: Sure! When someone sees that you have a boxing stance and you mean business, they’re think twice about harming you. The stance alone is half the battle. Slap on a mean face to boot, and no one will mess with ya.
GERARD: Alright.
TILLY: It’s a rough and tumble world, kid. You gotta be ready for it at all times.
GERARD: I’ll try. (beat) Tilly?
TILLY: Huh?
GERARD: Why you leaving to?
TILLY: That’s two questions in one sentence you’re asking. WHY and TO. WHY is because it’s just something I already should have done a long time ago. Probably too late as it goes, but I think by leaving I’ll be able to save myself some pride. Not much, but enough. TO is because I’m going to New York City.
GERARD: New York?!
TILLY: Yep.
GERARD: Who do you know in New York?
TILLY: Nobody.
GERARD: Is it just like a vacation then?
TILLY: No.
GERARD: For a job?
TILLY: No.
GERARD: Did you meet someone?
TILLY: I wish.
GERARD: …Why you goin’ to New York City?
TILLY: It’s just one of those things where you kind of feel this rumbling beneath you; your calves are gettin’ anxious and your legs start to somehow walk on their own; I feel pulled to New York City. It’s calling my name. Couldn’t tell you when or how I got the idea, but it’s been beckoning me for the longest time, so I’m going.
GERARD: Aren’t you uh, worried?
TILLY: ‘Bout what?
GERARD: Going.
TILLY: When goin’ gets better than staying, worry flies out the window.
GERARD: You going all alone?
TILLY: Yep.
- To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In the one-act eplay, “Along With You” Tilly has finally found the courage to leave town and while walking to the bus station she bumps into Gerard who desires to run away with her. 1 Woman, 1 Man.
