One Way or Another

This is an early draft of a short play for two actors by D. M. Larson now published in the play "When Mel Fell for Nell" ISBN-13: 978-1512007183
Characters are called Mel and Nell in the published version.

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EXT. Balcony

JANE

What are you doing out here?

Ron

I wanted to say hi.

JANE

Hi... bye.

RON

You look good.

JANE

Yeah, so.

RON

Very good.

JANE

Stop it.

RON

What?

JANE

We broke up, remember?

RON

Yeah.

JANE

YOU broke up with me.

RON

Yeah... you look good.

JANE

What's wrong?

RON

I miss you.

JANE

Well... I could be mean about it... and take pleasure you in saying that... and torment you... but... I miss you too...

RON

You do?

JANE

Yeah...

RON

Can I come in?

JANE

No.

RON

Please.

JANE

Go away.

RON

But you miss me.

JANE

Not that much.

RON

I guess I shouldn't have got you anything then.

JANE

You got me something?

RON

Never mind... I'll go.

JANE

But...you got me something.

RON

It's not much.

JANE

What is it?

RON

You want to see?

JANE

Yes.

RON

Can I come in?

JANE

No.

RON

Please.

JANE

Hold it up and I'll grab it.

RON

Really?

JANE

Yeah.

Ron tries to reach but they can't so he starts to climb up.  She manages to grab it and he falls.

RON

Ah!

JANE

You okay?

RON

...maybe

JANE

You're hurt?

RON

...no... not much.

JANE

You look hurt.

RON

No... I'm fine.

JANE

Why you still in the bushes then?

RON

It's comfortable.  Think I'll just stay here a bit... enjoy the gift.

JANE

I'm coming down.

RON

No, no... I don't want to bug you... see you later... I'm sure I'll be gone by morning.  One way or another.

Jane appears out front door and goes to bushes.  She struggles to get him out.

JANE

You are hurt.

RON

That's not blood... that's uh...ketchup... had some fries on the way over.

JANE

I didn't think you fell that far.

RON

I'm accident prone.

JANE

I know.  You need a keeper.

RON

Want to be my keeper again?

He snuggles up to her.

JANE

No.

She drops him.

RON

Ow.

JANE

Sorry.

She helps him up.

RON

You don't have to be nice to me anymore.

JANE

I'll always be nice to you.

RON

Really?  But I broke up with you.

JANE

That's right.  I guess I should be a little meaner.  Good night.

RON

You're leaving?

JANE

You're not hurt that badly. 

RON

Right.

JANE

See ya.

She shuts the front door.  Ron tries standing and is in pain.  His leg is probably broken.  He struggles to walk but fails gloriously and falls.  He crawls off dramatically.  Suddenly there is a gasp of happiness and Jane rushes out on to the balcony.

JANE (CONT.)

Ron? Ron, you there?

RON (OFF)

Maybe.

JANE

Where did you find these?

Ron tries to walk in like he isn't hurt.

RON

Oh those?  No big deal.  Just found them.

JANE

These are my favorite chocolates... they only sell these in Europe.

RON

Oh, really?

JANE

Shut up. You knew.

RON

You always carry on about them.  Always wanted to get them for you.

JANE

Why now?

RON

Why now...

Ron turns sadly and starts to walk away and falls dramatically. 

JANE

Oh no.

Jane runs down.  She runs out front door to him.

RON

I'm sorry.  I didn't want to do this to you. 

JANE

Then why are you?

RON

Because I miss you.  I thought I was doing the right thing, but I miss you.

JANE

I miss you too... but it hurt.

RON

I know.

JANE

You said so many things that hurt.

RON

I thought you'd be better off without me.

JANE

And you thought you'd be better off without me.

RON

But I'm not.

Jane holds him.

JANE

What am I going to do with you?

RON

What am I going to do without you?

JANE

How about I just sit here and hold you for awhile?

RON

I'd like that.

Jane holds Ron closer. They look at the stars.

END OF SCENE

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