Enter TROY from outside SR, caked from f...

Enter TROY from outside SR, caked from finger to elbow in flour. He’s disheveled and paranoid about being in public. In one arm, he cradles a bag of flour and a jumbo tub of hand sanitizer. With the other, he opens the door to the shop like he fears the knob might bite him.

TROY

Eeeuuuaaggh. It is so creepy and empty out there.

Nina just stares at the sight. Troy does not approach, seeming hesitant to get within air-sharing distance.

TROY (CONT’D.)

I mean, better for everybody this way, but still…

NINA

Troy…

TROY

What?

She indicates his… him. He looks down at his arms.

TROY

Ah. Yeah. This is flour. I have to know what I touch. Speaking of which, I need to use some of this hand sanitizer because I opened the door to come in here and it’s like, augh!

He mimes something in his head exploding, or possibly burrowing in to eat it.

NINA

Don’t worry about the door. I wiped it down when I got here, and no one’s been inside since. Also… I definitely only asked you to bring me a little hand sanitizer.

TROY

(helping himself to a sturdy squirt) And I’m a good friend. You’re welcome.

He sets the sanitizer on the desk, each of them still keeping a practiced distance—clearly all for his benefit, though Nina does not seem upset by this. Troy dusts his hands with a new coat of flour from the bag. It’s sad, but not pitiful. It’s all just a rueful situation.

NINA

Thank you. Are you heading home soon?

TROY

I talked to my parents about everything, and we decided it’s best if I go to my Aunt’s house upstate. She’s like two hours away so I’ll help her around the house and try to make some money freelancing online.

NINA

Good. I’m glad. That sounds like it would make you happy.

TROY

Yeah. You’re still staying here?

NINA

I have to. If I go, Natalie has made it beyond clear I’ll lose my job, and if I lose my job, I’ll lose my apartment, so it’s like moving out here meant nothing if that happens. I just have to try to… muscle through.

(going for a joke) At least I don’t get paid on commission, right?

TROY

Yeah, why is this place even open?

NINA

(heavily condescending) Because Natalie needs the income. But do you want to know what she’s doing? She is in Montpelier, Vermont taking care of her ancient, ailing grandmother—not from the virus—and…

(takes out her phone to show him) …posting on Facebook about how it’s so important that everyone stop hoarding supplies, and all look out for each other on a ‘close, personal, human level.’ Breaking heart emoji.

She smacks her phone face-down on the desk, frustrated.

TROY

You could always just flip the sign to closed and stay holed up in here.

NINA

Yeah, but somehow I can’t even work up the motivation to do that. Or more like the spite.

TROY

You could—I mean, I don’t know for sure, but we could talk about you coming to stay with me and my aunt? It’s safer upstate and the air will be nice and fresh. Like a little vacation, my mom keeps saying. And when we come back, you can stay with Marcus and I until you find a new place.

NINA

After I’ve blown through what little savings I have without work? Besides, I don’t want to impose on you and your aunt. I’ve seen how badly you’re worrying about even the little things. I couldn’t add to that. Especially not in a place that’s supposed to help you.

TROY

Okay, yes, I’ve been freaking out, but because I’ve been freaking out, I’ve had time to think: we’re all assuming this is going to blow over and we’ll all just filter back into cities and go back to life as normal, but, realistically, it could keep getting worse.

NINA

Realistically? I don’t think that’s realistic. Things will be fine.

TROY

(getting worked up, antsy, even hopping in place a little) Shh, just, Nina, just—Now that I’ve started let me get it all out or else it’s just going to fester in my thoughts and make me feel worse.

(coming back under control) We’re all separating from the people in our lives under the assumption that we’re going to find our way back, but if the world ends, even if communication just gets cut off— none of us know what that’s like. We’re not used to living disconnected. It would be worse if that happened and I thought of, well, of anyone in the group, but you all alone out here in a populated city. So, if you want to leave, the offer stands, and I’m fully prepared to help you figure the rest out as it happens. I mean it.

Beat.

NINA

Thank you. That’s sweet. I… I really do appreciate that coming from you, but honestly, Troy, if I was going to go anywhere… It would be back home. You know, my sister just flew back from college, and my dad’s pushing sixty-three, so I would just feel better with my family. But, hey, the world isn’t going to end. I don’t want you to worry about me.

TROY

Okay… I might anyway, though.

Nina smiles.

NINA

Okay, then I’ll worry about you, too. Now go get home, it’s alright.

Troy hesitates, but ultimately gives in and makes for the exit.

TROY

I’m leaving Saturday, so if you change your mind before then…

She smiles again and nods. He exits with his bag of flour.

For licensing/performance inquiries, please contact [email protected]