Gehenna
SCENE
Bare stage, except for a couch. On it sits WENDY,
a young woman; and WALLACE, a young man. Silence.
Then, THEY both sigh. THEY suddenly are aware of
each other for what seems to be the very first time
in their lives.
Silence.
WALLACE
I don't remember you.
WENDY
Go away.
WALLACE
I don't know how.
Silence.
WALLACE
Where did you come from?
WENDY
What are you talking about? How about you?
WALLACE
Uhh...
WENDY
I'm so bored.
WALLACE
My name's Wallace.
WENDY
So?
WALLACE
What's your name?
WENDY
I'm Wendy.
WALLACE
Good. Good.
WENDY
Why is that good?
WALLACE
It was just-I don't know, just something to say.
WENDY
Go away.
Silence.
WENDY
Go away.
WALLACE
I can't!
WENDY
Yes, you can. Just go away.
WALLACE
Why don't you go away?
WENDY
I was here first.
WALLACE
No you weren't.
WENDY
Yes, I was. I've been here longer than you.
WALLACE
How long?
WENDY
I'm not telling you.
WALLACE
You're lying.
WENDY
I am not.
WALLACE
Yes, you are. You're lying. I've been here longer than you. I know it, because you
won't tell me how long you've been here. You won't tell me because you haven't been here
longer than me, and you know it!
WENDY
Bullshit.
WALLACE
It's true!
WENDY
Oh yeah? Prove it.
WALLACE
(Pause)
God...
WENDY
I was here first.
WALLACE
Well, we both know the truth, at least.
Silence.
WENDY
Who the hell are you to judge me?
WALLACE
What?
WENDY
Just who the hell do you think you are?
WALLACE
Whatever...
WENDY
You called me a liar. Listen, buddy, I do not lie. How dare you call me a liar? How dare
you?
WALLACE
Look, forget it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it.
WENDY
Forget it? No. I want an apology.
WALLACE
I said I was sorry.
WENDY
Look at me and say it. I want a real apology.
WALLACE
(Pause. Looks at her)
I'm sorry.
WENDY
That wasn't a real apology!
WALLACE
I'm sorry! Okay? I'm sorry! Will you leave me alone?
WENDY
Why do you think I'm lying?
WALLACE
Because I know that I've been here longer than you.
WENDY
I don't lie.
WALLACE
I never said that you did.
WENDY
You implied it.
WALLACE
Well, maybe you're just confused.
WENDY
Maybe you should go away.
WALLACE
Maybe you should bite my ass.
Silence.
WALLACE
We both begin with W.
WENDY
What?
WALLACE
Our names. They both begin with W.
WENDY
So?
WALLACE
Kind of funny, huh?
WENDY
Not really.
WALLACE
I just thought it was kind of weird. Like fate, you know?
WENDY
I don't believe in fate.
WALLACE
Oh. What do you believe in?
WENDY
What is this? A fucking philosophy class? Could you just sit still and shut up and leave
me alone? I've got enough on my mind. I don't feel like listening to you. Okay?
WALLACE
Okay.
Silence.
WALLACE
I wasn't trying to bug you.
WENDY
Sure...
WALLACE
I wasn't! I'm sorry I even said anything.
WENDY
Great.
WALLACE
I'm sorry for being able to even speak. I'm sorry for my existence. Would you like me to
kill myself? Would that make it easier?
WENDY
Look, I didn't mean that. Just give it a rest.
WALLACE
Maybe I will. Maybe I will.
Silence. Then, WENDY laughs.
WALLACE
What is it?
WENDY
You're right. That is strange.
WALLACE
What?
WENDY
It's strange that both our names start with W.
WALLACE
Are you mocking me?
WENDY
No.
WALLACE
I hate it when people mock me.
WENDY
No! I'm sorry. I'm not mocking you, I swear.
(Short pause)
Hey, do you got any gum?
WALLACE
Uh, hang on.
WALLACE checks his pockets. HE finds some gum.
WALLACE
It's my last stick.
Short pause.
WALLACE
You can have it.
WENDY
No. It's all right.
WALLACE
No, really.
WENDY
I don't want to take your last stick of gum.
WALLACE
It's fine. I'm fine. Take it.
WENDY
That's okay.
WALLACE
Just take the gum! You asked me for it. Don't you want it?
WENDY
Well, it's your last piece. You should have it.
WALLACE
I don't want it!
WENDY
Well, neither do I!
WALLACE
You wanted it a second ago.
WENDY
Yeah, well, now I don't.
WALLACE
My gum's not good enough for you?
WENDY
Oh, give me a break!
WALLACE
Is there something wrong with my fucking gum?
WENDY
No! It's not that. I just don't want to take your last piece of gum. You may want it
later. I would have taken one, if you had more. But I'll be fine. Keep your last piece
for yourself. I know I would.
WALLACE
I don't need your charity.
WENDY
What charity!? It's your gum!
WALLACE
How dare you insult me by refusing my gum?
WENDY
Fine! God! Give me the gum.
WALLACE
(Snatching it away)
No.
WENDY
What?
WALLACE
It's too late. You can't have it now.
WENDY
But you just yelled at me to take it.
WALLACE
Well, that was then. It's too late now. I don't want you to have my gum. Maybe I want
to save it.
WENDY
But I want it.
WALLACE
Too bad. It's my last piece.
WENDY
Give it to me.
WALLACE
(Putting it back in his pocket)
No.
WENDY
Give me the fucking gum!
WALLACE
Come and get it!
WENDY wrestles WALLACE for the gum. Eventually,
SHE ends up on top of him. SHE then kisses him.
WALLACE
What was that?
WENDY moves away from him.
WENDY
Nothing.
WALLACE
You kissed me.
WENDY
I'm sorry.
WALLACE
You kissed me.
WENDY
I'm sorry! I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. Let's forget it.
WALLACE
No. I can't just forget it.
WENDY
It meant nothing.
WALLACE
I don't think that.
WENDY
Leave me alone.
WALLACE
It felt right.
WENDY
Go away!
WALLACE
I don't know how! Why can't you just go away?
WENDY
Because I can't, either. We're stuck here. I don't know who's been here longer. I don't
know anything. I don't what that kiss meant, and I don't want to.
WALLACE
You're scared.
WENDY
Can you just not talk? Let's not talk. I want to sit in silence.
Silence.
WALLACE
What are you scared of?
WENDY
Not now.
WALLACE
Why are you scared? I'm not scared.
WENDY
I don't want to talk about it.
WALLACE
Why not?
WENDY
Can I have that gum now?
WALLACE
(Pause)
Sure.
(Gives her the gum)
WENDY
Thanks.
Silence.
WENDY
Sometimes I look around at all this. It scares me.
WALLACE
What does?
WENDY
Look around us. What do you see?
WALLACE
I see darkness.
WENDY
Nothing but darkness. Wallace, where did the darkness come from? When did it get here?
When did we get here? I hate not knowing.
WALLACE
I don't know, either.
WENDY
God. God! I hate not knowing.
WALLACE
Does the silence scare you?
WENDY
What silence?
WALLACE
When you ask me not to talk, I'm scared. The silence. There's only the darkness and the
silence. I hate it. Don't you?
WENDY
No. It's funny. The silence helps me. I have time to think, time to escape this.
WALLACE
I hate thinking.
WENDY
I'm so bored.
WALLACE
Me too. Are you scared of being bored?
WENDY
No. Just tired of it.
WALLACE
Me too.
WENDY
Mmm...
WALLACE
What?
WENDY
I was thinking, and I had a memory.
WALLACE
Of what?
WENDY
I remember when I was a child-me and Dotty my little sister and Grandma Mae would play
games. It didn't matter what. We were together. I remember the sunsets we would watch.
And Grandma's homemade blueberry pancakes. Did you have a grandma?
WALLACE
No. My mom and grandma had a fight. I don't remember my father. I do remember the time
I fell of my bike, and scraped my knee. Mom hugged me and we went out for ice cream.
WENDY
How long were you sitting there?
WALLACE
I don't know. Probably only a minute, but it seemed like hours, my knee hurt so bad.
WENDY
No, I mean a few minutes ago. When you sighed. When I noticed you.
WALLACE
I don't remember.
WENDY
Were you watching me?
WALLACE
No. I thought you'd been watching me.
WENDY
I didn't notice you.
WALLACE
I'm not much to notice.
Silence.
WENDY
I'm scared of you.
WALLACE
Why are you scared of me?
WENDY
I don't know.
WALLACE
You barely know me.
WENDY
I know. I think that's what scares me.
WALLACE
Well then, ask me questions. So you'll know more about me.
WENDY
All right.
(Pause)
Do you want to kill me?
WALLACE
What? Of course not!
WENDY
Do you remember my name?
WALLACE
What kind of questions are these?
WENDY
Well, do you?
WALLACE
Wendy. It's Wendy. I like that name.
WENDY
Thank you. Do you like pancakes?
WALLACE
Yes.
WENDY
With butter and syrup?
WALLACE
I don't see what this has to do with anything.
WENDY
You see? God! This is what's wrong. You tell me to ask you questions, and when I do,
you make fun of me.
WALLACE
It's not that.
WENDY
I hate you. I hate you! I hate you!
WALLACE
I'm sorry! Go ahead. Ask me anything.
WENDY
Did you like it when I kissed you?
WALLACE
(Pause)
I think so.
WENDY
Have you ever kissed another man?
WALLACE
What!?
WENDY
Are you gay?
WALLACE
No. I'm straight!
WENDY
Good. Good.
WALLACE
These questions are getting a little-
WENDY
You promised!
WALLACE
Am I gay? What's your problem?
WENDY
Do you hate me?
WALLACE
No. I don't hate you. I barely know you.
WENDY
I wish we knew each other better. We've been sitting here for God knows how long. Alone,
and we're just now starting. I feel so trapped now.
Silence.
WALLACE
So why are you here?
WENDY
Me?
WALLACE
No. The air. Yes, you.
WENDY
I don't remember.
WALLACE
Try.
WENDY
I don't want to.
WALLACE
Please?
WENDY
I don't know.
WALLACE
Please?
WENDY
Not now, Wallace.
WALLACE
Please? Come on!
WENDY
No! I said no.
Silence.
WALLACE
You don't trust me.
WENDY
I never said that.
WALLACE
But you don't.
WENDY
I don't trust myself.
(Pause)
Okay, I don't trust you either. I don't trust myself around you.
WALLACE
I trust you.
WENDY
(Very sarcastic)
No shit!? Oh, thank God! I can die a happy woman, now!
Silence.
WALLACE
You don't have to be such a bitch.
WENDY
Excuse me?
WALLACE
Why are you being such a bitch to me? What did I do to you?
WENDY
Fuck you.
WALLACE
Now, you see? You're being a fucking bitch.
WENDY
And you're an asshole!
WALLACE
Only because you're a big bitch!
WENDY
Well, I have every right to be!
WALLACE
Oh yeah? What right?
WENDY
I've got a lot on my mind, okay?
WALLACE
So do I.
WENDY
All right. Then, leave me alone. Let's both leave each other alone, to stew.
WALLACE
You could talk to me. We could vent.
WENDY
I can work it out by myself, thank you. I don't need your help.
WALLACE
Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you were so independent. Must be nice to not need anyone.
To not need to talk.
Silence.
WENDY
I'm sorry.
WALLACE
No, you're not.
WENDY
Yes, I am. Look, I do need people to talk to. I'm just very upset right now, and I
don't know who to trust.
WALLACE
I don't care anymore.
WENDY
Please don't be mad.
WALLACE
Why not? You always are. You were right. Let's make a wall. This is your side, this
is my side.
WENDY
You know you don't mean that.
WALLACE
You've created your own little Hell. Now, I'm creating mine. So there.
WENDY
Why are you being so mean, all of a sudden?
WALLACE
Why won't you trust me?
WENDY
(Pause)
You're right. Look ... I don't remember why I'm here.
WALLACE
Oh, come on.
WENDY
I'm telling you the truth! I don't remember. I'm trying right now, but I can't remember
a damn thing.
WALLACE
All right. I believe you.
WENDY
Do you know how you got here?
WALLACE
(Pause)
No. No, I don't. I thought I knew it a second ago, but I don't.
WENDY
God, I hate not knowing!
WALLACE
At least we tried talking to each other.
WENDY
But what good did it do? It won't do any good. This sucks. We're stuck here, with
nothing to talk about.
WALLACE
We have other memories. Like my mother and your grandma.
WENDY
Go away.
WALLACE
What did I do now!?
WENDY
Go away.
WALLACE
(Pause)
Fine.
WALLACE starts to leave. WENDY stops him.
WENDY
No! Don't go!
WALLACE
What!?
WENDY
Please don't go! Please stay.
WALLACE
I don't know if I want to.
WENDY
Please stay. Stay here. Stay with me, please.
WALLACE
What's wrong with you? Why are you so scared? Good God, you're trembling. Wendy, what
is it?
WENDY
Don't ... go ... please don't...
WALLACE
All right. I'll stay.
WENDY
I am scared.
WALLACE
It's okay. I'll stay. I promise. I'm scared too. It's okay to be scared. You know,
when I started to leave, I was more terrified than ever. I'm glad you stopped me. I don't
know if I could have kept going.
WENDY
I ... I don't know what got into me. I'm sorry. I'm being silly.
WALLACE
No, you're not.
WENDY
Please let go of me.
WALLACE
What? But-
WENDY
Let go of me!!
WALLACE
No.
WENDY
Why are you staring at me like that?
WALLACE
I want to kiss you again.
WENDY
(Short pause)
No. No. Don't.
HE kisses her.
WENDY
We can't do this. Not right now. Not here.
WALLACE
Why? Who would see us?
WENDY
I don't want to...
WALLACE
If you don't, then we won't. But I don't think that's what you want.
WENDY
Don't tell me what I'm feeling!
WALLACE
Will you just learn to trust yourself? Ask yourself again.
WENDY
No.
WALLACE
Wendy, look around you again. Do you see the darkness? There's nothing out there. We
have a choice. We can trust ourselves and each other, or we can just be sitting here, in
the middle of the darkness.
WENDY
Darkness...
WALLACE
It's your decision.
Silence.
WALLACE
I'm going.
HE starts to leave. SHE stops him again.
WENDY
Wallace!!
SHE kisses him. THEY embrace, sitting back down
on the couch. The LIGHTS change. THEY step
forward, into different areas. Throughout, THEY
remain only partially aware of each other, never
looking at each other.
WENDY
I know a story. It's about a man. This man was going on a long journey. He was returning
home, after many years. His friend traveled with him. They stayed together, through thick
and thin. True companions. No matter what. The journey was harsh and long. They never
reached their destination. Tired and weak, they stopped. The man said to his friend "You
knew this would be long and dangerous. We may never get there, either. And you knew all
this." The friend replied, "Yes." The man looked at him for a moment and said "Then, why
did you travel with me all this way?" The friend answered him, "I just wanted to be with
you."
WALLACE
I can't remember any of the stories I used to know. I don't like to think. All I have are
the memories that are left. I stay with those. I remember Mom.
WENDY
The blueberry pancakes...
WALLACE
I remember going to church.
WENDY
Grandma was always laughing.
WALLACE
I remember the cathedral. Mom was Catholic, I think. The cathedral...
WENDY
Grandma said the thunder was the angels bowling. I laughed.
WALLACE
So huge. So much light. The stained glass windows...
WENDY
Did you ever hear the thunder like that? Think of it that way?
WALLACE
I never thought much. I just looked. At those windows. The light. The space.
WENDY
You looked. You stared.
WALLACE
Mom was afraid.
WENDY
What were you always staring at?
WALLACE
She was afraid she was a terrible person. That she wasn't good.
WENDY
Was it me? When we met? Or was it something else only you saw?
WALLACE
She thought she wasn't good enough for Heaven.
WENDY
I want to see what you see.
WALLACE
She thought she'd go to Hell.
WENDY
I never liked that word-
WALLACE
She was afraid.
WENDY
-"Hell."
WALLACE
I want to be what you are.
WENDY
I never liked it.
WALLACE
What she was ... What we are...
WENDY
I just wanted to be with you.
THEY slowly move back to where THEY were before.
WALLACE
With you.
WENDY
Wallace...
The LIGHTS change back. THEY become fully aware
of one another again. SHE tenderly approaches him
and kisses him again. SHE breaks away and looks at
him for a long moment.
WENDY
What just happened?
WALLACE
I'm not sure.
WENDY
That's enough. Please. Get away from me.
WALLACE
What is it?
WENDY
Don't touch me!
WALLACE
All right.
WENDY
I'm scared.
WALLACE
I know.
WENDY
What just happened?
WALLACE
Search me.
WENDY
Well, if you don't know, and I don't know, then God, we're just screwed now, aren't we?
WALLACE
(Laughing)
How?
WENDY
Don't ask me right now.
WALLACE
So, we're back to this again?
WENDY
I want something to drink. Isn't there anything to drink?
(Pause)
Of course not. That would be too much to ask, right? God, I'm thirsty. And I'm confused.
And I'm tired. What the fuck are you looking at?
WALLACE
I was looking at you.
(Pause)
What? Yes, you! Is there something wrong?
WENDY
You wouldn't understand.
WALLACE
Try me.
WENDY
Do you ever get those weird, creepy feelings?
WALLACE
What do you mean?
WENDY
In your stomach. Like butterflies. Just some sort of feeling, I don't know, a bad feeling.
WALLACE
I think I understand.
WENDY
Right.
WALLACE
What does that have to do with it, though?
WENDY
Just now, when I was looking at you, I felt it.
WALLACE
Felt what?
WENDY
I'm not sure. You reminded me of something. Maybe someone.
WALLACE
My face?
WENDY
Not just that. Everything about you.
WALLACE
And that scares you?
WENDY
I don't know if "scared" is the right word. I got that feeling, though. Something went
through me. So please, don't look at me like that again.
WALLACE
(Pause)
Okay.
Silence.
WENDY
What's wrong?
WALLACE
Nothing.
WENDY
I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
WALLACE
You didn't.
WENDY
I didn't mean to. I'm sorry.
WALLACE
I won't look at you.
WENDY
Wallace...
WALLACE
Are you hungry? I'm hungry. Maybe we could find something.
WENDY
I'm a little hungry.
WALLACE
Is there anything?
WENDY
No.
WALLACE
Well then, we won't eat, will we?
WENDY
No, we won't.
WALLACE
Was it there during the kiss?
WENDY
What?
WALLACE
When I kissed you, did you feel that feeling? The one like butterflies or whatever.
WENDY
I don't know...
WALLACE
Well, did you?
WENDY
Why does it matter?
WALLACE
Did you?
WENDY
I don't know, Wallace.
WALLACE
Did you? Tell me.
WENDY
No. I didn't. Of course not. It's just that look, that was all.
WALLACE
I didn't give you a look.
WENDY
You were looking at me.
WALLACE
I was looking at you. I didn't give you a look.
WENDY
How would you know?
WALLACE
I can tell what I'm doing with my face.
WENDY
You gave me a look.
WALLACE
What kind of look?
WENDY
I don't know. A look.
WALLACE
"A look?" Was it a bad look? Was I mad? What?
WENDY
I don't know...
WALLACE
Was I angry? Why would I be angry?
WENDY
You aren't. You weren't.
WALLACE
Then what?
WENDY
I said I don't know! I don't-
WALLACE
How the hell did I look at you!?
WENDY
You were sad! You were sorry! Don't look at me like that! Don't look at me!
WALLACE
Sad? What do you mean sad?
WENDY
Sad! Sad and sorry!
(Pause)
You looked at me like you wanted me to forgive you.
Silence.
WALLACE
Forgive me?
WENDY
Yes.
Silence. THEY look at one another, as the LIGHTS
slowly fade to black around them, closing in on
them, putting them in darkness.
-END-