ALEX - a fourth grade history teacher, late 20s early 30s
CAM - an accountant, late 20s early 30s
SEAN - a college sophomore, far from home just turned 20
LEE - a therapist, late 40s
REESE - an architect, early 60s
TIME
Friday, March 13th, 2020.
PLACE
Bedrooms across the city. Some are tidy and clean, others well lived-in.
NOTES
I have used they/them pronouns in stage direction and dialogue, feel free to alter based on actors.
"There's no question of heroism in all this. It's a matter of common decency. That's an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of fighting a plague is — common decency."
The Plague, Albert Camus - 1947
Editor's Note: This is the original script, as shared by the author. It contains some strong language.
BEDROOM ONE - 6pm
The bedroom of a couple that is well lived in. Lots of art on the walls, the bed is not made. It never is. Cam has just arrived home and is in work clothes, something that suggests a mid-level office job with lots of potential for upward mobility. We hear Alex from the other room, the bathroom most likely. Alex is drunk. And not a cute day drunk. DRUNK drunk. Alex probably just threw up.
ALEX (from the other room)
I’m sorry.
CAM
It’s fine. That’s what you get for finishing our only handle of bourbon. I read the state stores are closing so it’s boxed wine for us from here on out.
ALEX
Oh no. We’ll have to ration. ( The toilet flushes, perhaps.) No really, I’m so sorry. All kinda hit me pretty fast. I’m glad you’re home. Was it crazy out there?
CAM
Not really? I saw a bar crawl. A fucking bar crawl. I feel like people here aren’t taking all this seriously enough. Meanwhile entire counties in the burbs are shutting down.
ALEX (entering the room, glass of water in hand)
They’re stupid. Everyone is stupid. Oof, I cannot drink like I used to.
CAM
Come on, just get on the bed and you’ll feel better.
ALEX
A bunch of people went to the bar after dismissal. Last hoorah kind of thing.
CAM
That’s a terrible idea.
ALEX
I know! I told them. And so I got my shit together and walked home - all the stores were totally packed and like...empty of stuff. Picked clean. Like blank shelves all the way down the aisles. I saw someone with like 10 things of bread. So much bread. And then I got back here and checked the news and then I started drinking. But I was being responsible. I drank at home. No people.
CAM
Yes, very adult of you, bud.
ALEX (finally crawling into the bed, perhaps)
What time is it?
CAM
It doesn’t matter.
ALEX
It’s still light outside. Why is it still light outside? I left the school hours ago. It’s night.
CAM
It’s 6pm. You barely made it to happy hour, dummy.
ALEX (stumbling onto the bed, shoes still on)
Oh. Are you mad at me? I’m sorry I drank the bourbon. I’m sorry everyone is dumb.
CAM
No. I’m pissed I had to go to work when everywhere else is shutting down and fucking have meetings all day while my boss is at home skyping in and hoarding hand sanitizer. Did you see Sean’s school is essentially kicking students out so what the fuck is Sean supposed to do.
ALEX
Ooh you are mad. Let it out! CAM MAD CAM SMASH. ( Alex erupts into wild laughter . Alex maybe has to throw up again, nope - false alarm. )
CAM (If Cam didn’t love Alex so much this would be really irritating.)
I’m frustrated. Take your shoes off if you’re gonna hulk out on the bed, dude. Let me get you some more water.
ALEX
No, no I’m fine. I’m just gonna close my eyes for a moment. Power nap. Disco nap. (Alex gets comfortable, shoes still on. Cam helps get shoes off.) That really sucks for Sean. What are they all supposed to do. I guess Sean could come here? We’ve got a couch.
CAM
It’s too far. And I don’t want Sean on our couch for two weeks. Or more. Who even knows.
ALEX
Oh yeah. Shit. I’m sorry you had to go in to the office.
CAM
It’s irresponsible.
ALEX
Capitalism, baby! It’s all so fucked. Will you lay here with me?
CAM
Of course.
Cam is the big spoon. They breathe together for a moment.
ALEX
We’ll be fine.
CAM
I’m not worried about us. I’m worried about everyone else. Your idiot coworkers who went to the bar. These corporate dickbags forcing me to go into the office. All it takes is one of those people to have it. I’m not going back in until this all calms down. What’re they gonna do - fire me?
ALEX
Probably.
CAM
Shut up. If they make me use my vacation days for this I’ll quit.
ALEX
At least you have vacation days. Starting Monday I’ll have to do all these fucking lessons online. Did you know the lower grades had to send home learning packets? The KINDERGARDEN had to send home packets. On like colors and shit. We are so fucked. (Cam moves to get off the bed.) Noooo stay here.
CAM
You’re ridiculous.
ALEX
You like me.
CAM (snuggling in closer)
Yeah, I like you.
BEDROOM TWO - 8pm
(Sean is frantically packing up what looks like a dorm room. They are on the phone, using bluetooth or airpods or whatever. We do not hear the other side of the line.)
SEAN
No, mom, they didn’t have any. The store was so wild. Like there was nothing. Yep - I am washing them so much my hands are raw. No no, don’t send me anything here, I told you they’re kicking us out of the dorms. I don’t know. MOM I DON’T KNOW THEY JUST TOLD US. Everyone is freaking out. Aaron’s parents are coming by tomorrow morning to get us and then I’ll come home when I can. I’m not sure when that will be. Maybe.Yeah Cam called me after they made the announcement, but getting there would be hard, too. Aaron’s family offered. They have the room. They did a huge Costco run or something. It’s gonna be fine. Aaron’s family is like 30 minutes from here, and they’ve got plenty of space. There’s a spare room I can have for a bit. Yes of course I thanked them. No, they are all moving online. Yeah my laptop is fine. Aaron and I have two classes together anyway so we’ll just - oh my god we are not. Mom we are just friends. Yes, I know. Ew, stop.
Listen, all I know right now is I can’t stay here. No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Because - mom...the problem is I could have it and you’re already dealing with stuff. I don’t want to give it to you. No I don’t, but there are people who have it who don’t have symptoms and what if, like, I’m one of those people. You’re not listening. You are safer alone right now. Please, you are making this so much worse. To get home I’d have to fly and that’s even more people I could give it to or get it from and then I’d somehow have to get from the airport to the house. But I wouldn’t want you to pick me up. You need to stay home. Mom! I’m not overreacting. People are dying.
Will you stop? Can you just for a second fucking just - sorry, this is all very overwhelming. I’m overwhelmed. I’m just trying to pack up my stuff. I’m not sure what the plan is, I just know at this point you’re safer if you’re at home...and I’m not. I miss you, too. I’ll call you tomorrow.
BEDROOM 3 - 10pm
(This bedroom is lit by candlelight. We don’t see much for now, just flames dancing on the wall.)
LEE
See? It’s kind of romantic.
REESE
Oh yes, day 3 of self isolation it’s all fun and games and candles.
LEE
It could be. Alexa, play Billie Holiday. (“Dream a Little Dream” begins.)
REESE
Alexa stop.
LEE
You’re no fun. THIS is the break from everything you’ve been ranting about. You bought enough hand sanitizer to last us a year, and you said skyping into the office today went fine. Take the break. It’s a gift.
REESE
Some gift. ( Reese flips a light on and blows out the candle. We’re in an eclectic bedroom, tapestries on the wall, lots of plants window, a well-tended orchid, maybe there’s a fat cat asleep in the middle of the bed. An industrial size pump bottle of hand sanitizer is on the dresser.)
LEE
What’s wrong?
REESE
Nope. Just don’t want to navigate by candlelight.
LEE
Are you worried?
REESE
How can you ask that? We’re stuck in here and who knows if this will help.
LEE
We’re not stuck, we are choosing to separate ourselves for everyone’s safety. It’s the right thing to do. I’m taking clients via phone and you’re in touch remotely with the firm. We’re set.
REESE
I don’t know if I can stay in here for two weeks like this.
LEE
With me, you mean.
REESE
No, come on, that’s not -
LEE
It is.
(Reese takes a heavy breath. It is.)
LEE
This is an opportunity -
REESE
Oh not this shit again.
LEE
REESE
Please, I’m not one of your clients. This isn’t a therapy session.
LEE
Fine. Okay, you’re right. I hear you. But…we tried something, and it didn’t work out the way we thought it would, and that’s okay. Right now we are here together and I’m ready to talk about it. So when you’re ready to talk about it let me know, but this place is going to get mighty lonely if you and I just putter around avoiding the conversation.
REESE
What conversation? It doesn’t need to be a conversation. I wanted to try something, and I convinced you to go along with it, and it worked out great for you... and here I am feeling, I don’t know, feeling like a goddamned chump.
LEE (sits on the bed, this IS starting to feel like a therapy session)
Well, I’m sorry you’re feeling like that.
REESE
No, really, no. Don’t do that. You don’t have to do that.
LEE
I’m not doing anything.
REESE
Goddamit, Lee, I’m not a fucking client! And I am allowed to be mad about it! Just let me be angry.
LEE
I’m not stopping you from feeling anything, Reese. I just want you to talk to me. I understand that you’re angry with me.
REESE
I’m not angry with you, I’m angry at me, with myself. We felt stuck, and I convinced you to take a risk with me, I feel like an idiot end of story. And here we are in this cube of misery for who knows how long and everything is so up in the air.
LEE
No, talk to me. Not at me.
REESE
What the fuck - it’s the same thing.
LEE
It’s not.
REESE (maybe Reese sits, but maybe not)
You didn’t do anything wrong.
LEE
I know.
REESE
For fuck’s sake. Just listen to me. I - I don’t know. I thought I knew what I wanted.
LEE
No one ever really knows what they want.
REESE
You do.
LEE
It’s you, Reese. That’s it. Simple.
REESE
Why doesn’t that make me feel better.
LEE
It doesn’t need to. That’s not my job. My job is to love you.
(Reese sits on the bed, exhausted, dejected. Head in hands. This is going to be a long ass isolation.)
LEE
And to keep you from touching your fucking face. Go wash your hands.
REESE
This is ridiculous.
LEE
GO WASH YOUR HANDS.
REESE
I HAVEN’T BEEN OUTSIDE FOR 3 DAYS.
LEE
YOU CHECKED THE MAIL GO WASH YOUR FILTHY HANDS.
(Reese moved towards the sanitizer.)
LEE
NO WASH THEM FOR REAL.
REESE
WHY ARE YOU YELLING?
LEE
IT FEELS GOOD TO YELL SOMETIMES. TRY IT. I LOVE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS.
REESE
Self-isolation my ass. I LOVE YOU, TOO.
(Reese leaves. Lee lights the candle and turns off the lights.)
LEE
Alexa, play Billie Holiday.
(We hear Billie Holiday singing “Dream a Little Dream of Me”. Lee sings along. Gradually, perhaps, more voices are heard. People in their spaces, singing along, dancing. Getting ready for bed, folding laundry, sipping a drink, brushing their hair, scrolling their twitter feed…)
