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The Edge of Tonight

Overview

Show Type
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Genders
  • Female: 1
  • Male: 2
Playing Age
Adult, Young Adult
Style
Dramatic
Length
Medium
Time Period
Contemporary
Time/Place
The beginnings of dusk. A rural grocery store, somewhere far away from Santa Monica, California.
Act/Scene
Act 1

Context

Text

BILL

(Too loudly) Al, check this out!

He proudly holds up a travel sized bottle of hand-sanitizer.

It’s got to be the last one in California…

ALLYSON

Jesus Christ, Bill! You can’t just YELL like that out here! You’ll draw attention.

BILL unclasps the lid and takes a sniff before depositing a tiny bit of gel on his dirty hands.

BILL

I never thought I’d see one of these left out, not since the Takeover.

ALLYSON

Me neither…

ALLYSON snatches the bottle from BILL’s hand to scrutinize the label.

This sixty-percent alcohol? Do you think this can get me drunk?

They both laugh for the first time in a long while—it’s a welcomed moment.

BILL

I thought you were focused on staying alive with that leg of yours.

ALLYSON

Don’t you turn my own words against me, now.

Suddenly, a crackle of a radio. It’s Jamison’s voice, though it’s difficult to distinguish through the static.

JAMISON (offstage)

Ally, Bill? Do you copy? It’s Jamison.

ALLYSON

We copy, James. What the hell happened to you back there?

JAMISON (offstage)

After the ambush, I had to break from. I had too many on my trail at once; I would have led them right back to you.

BILL

Jamison! It’s so glad to hear your voice, partner.

JAMISON (offstage)

Yours as well, Bill.

ALLYSON

(Cutting them off) Any word from Mendez?

Nothing but static. JAMISON clears his throat.

JAMISON (offstage)

Mendez didn’t make it out…

Silence, for an eternity.

I’m so sorry, Allyson.

ALLYSON

(Choking back tears) Did you see it? Did you see them take him?

JAMISON (offstage)

Yes.

A heavy breath.

Your partner died with dignity, Allyson.

ALLYSON

(Voice cracking) Okay then.

ALLYSON coughs to clear her throat. She wipes her eyes and grabs BILL’s hand.

Jamison, we are sending you our coordinates. Get here soon; the sun is dropping fast.

JAMISON (offstage)

Thanks, team. Over and out.

The radio goes silent except for soft static in the background. ALLYSON and BILL stay frozen, barely breathing.

BILL

Godspeed.

ALLYSON

That’s all we are saying to each other now-a-days. “Godspeed.” Not, “see you later,” or “talk to you soon.” Just… “Godspeed.”

She shudders.

I’m sick of it, Bill.

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