Editor's Note: This is the original script, as shared by the author.
AT RISE: An essential oils shop, empty apart from one worker, NINA. She sits at a desk at CS, bored out of her skull and obviously bothered about something under the currents. Though there are no customers, she’s still made every effort appearance-wise to present herself professionally and normally.
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. Nina sits back behind the desk and unlocks her phone. As it lights up, the power goes out, the only illumination in the room from the window and on her face.
NINA
Oh, you’re fu—ughhhhahaha, you’re kidding me. Ohhh, you’re kidding me.
She bites her cheek and taps the screen. Cue a FaceTime ring. . .
VAL (O.S. on phone)
Nina! Hiii, are you—why is it so dark there?
NINA
The power just went out at work.
VAL (O.S.)
No! That’s awful! Did you call your boss?
NINA
I’ll get around to it. I really just don’t want to talk to her right now. I was like, “I want to talk to Val and Dad.” So, hi.
VAL (O.S.)
No problem, let me go find him. Dad! D—oh, there you are. Here he is, Neen!
DAD (O.S.)
Hey, kiddo, just making some lunch. How ya doing?
NINA
Awful. Literally, just awful, but it’s fine. I’ll get through it. How are you guys?
Val begins to answer, but Nina is distracted by sounds out on the street. Shouts and voices. She leans forward in her chair, peering out.
VAL (O.S.)
We’re pretty good! Mom is doing some yardwork out back, and Butter couldn’t be happier that we’re all home. Well, most of—Neen? Everything okay?
NINA
Yeah, hold on, I think… something’s going on outside.
DAD (O.S.)
What? What did she say? Nina?
Nina ignores them and checks out the window.
NINA
There are people coming out of their houses. My God, this is actually like something out of a horror movie. They won’t even look each other in the eye.
Troy comes slamming back in through the door, wide-eyed.
NINA
Troy!
VAL (O.S.)
Troy’s there? Aww, hi, Troy!
NINA
(to Troy) What’s going on?
TROY
Power outage. Street-wide.
NINA
Really? The whole street? What caused it?
Troy shrugs.
TROY
There was some lady out there apologizing, so maybe it’s—
DAD (O.S.)
What’s he saying?
NINA
The power’s out on the whole street.
DAD (O.S.)
Oh, is that all? I was worried.
NINA
I mean, it’s still kind of a big deal.
DAD (O.S.)
Nah, that’s fine. Everybody staying home, all using the same electricity? Something could easily pop. Or some fella on a pole is doing some work on your grid.
TROY
If there’s a power outage, there could be a riot.
NINA
If they want their essential oils badly enough to bust down the door, then I don’t see myself getting in their way.
TROY
It could escal—
He cuts himself off at the sound of more noise from the street. Singing.
STREET (O.S.)
Don’t you know it’s a beautiful new day, hey hey hey!
Running down the avenue
See how the sun shines brightly
In the city
NINA
(over more singing)
Is everybody…?
TROY
I know that song.
VAL (O.S.)
Is that Mr. Blue Sky?
No one answers her. She chimes in as the song continues.
STREET (O.S.) / VAL (O.S.)
Please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long
NINA
(with a wry grin) So long!
NINA / VAL (O.S.) / STREET (O.S.)
Where did we go wrong?
The song continues on the street, fading. Nina and Troy watch outside the window. Troy’s hand comes up and touches the window to brace himself—almost mesmerized, he doesn’t seem to notice what he’s doing.
TROY
They’re going back inside.
NINA
No riots in sight. That was very neatly quelled.
TROY
Nina?
NINA
Hm?
TROY
I don’t think the world is going to end.
NINA
I think you’re right.
They realize the slim distance between them. Nina quickly steps away from the window. Troy lowers his hand, leaving behind a powdery white handprint. For the first time, he looks pretty comforted.
NINA (CONT’D.)
You can stay here and wait it out if you want, but I think it’s okay to head home.
He nods.
TROY
I’ll see you soon, Nina.
NINA
Yeah, see you soon.
Troy exits. Nina picks her phone back up to face-level.
NINA (CONT’D.)
Sorry about that. That was… Yeah. Strange. But I guess stranger things are happening every day.
VAL (O.S.)
We miss you, Nina.
DAD (O.S.)
I really hope you’re staying safe, sweetheart.
NINA
I am. I should… probably call my boss and fill her in on some stuff.
DAD (O.S.)
Okay, sweetheart. Talk to you soon. Bye bye.
VAL (O.S.)
Byyyeee!
Nina silences her phone and paces around a minute, looking pensively about the shop. She finally bolsters her courage and dials, putting the phone to her ear, and as she paces, she notices the mark left by Troy on the window. A long, slow, empty silence as she continues to wait for an answer that does not come. Nina sighs and hangs up, then plucks the hand sanitizer off the desk. She makes her way over to the handprint, dabs a little sanitizer on, then touches her hand to the mark. She holds it there, still kind of upset. Then finally pulls away, and applies another dose of hand sanitizer. She sits back behind the desk.
Lights down.
