I have not been posting enough and i'm super sorry, so here is a script.
So, I actually do not have a title for this script, but it is something I have been working on and I am fully open to suggestions. I actually would like a fair amount of comments on how I could make this script better, please indulge.
Scene i
(The stage is set with a bench and a desk upstage left. A man sits at the desk looking over money and tickets. Jack lay asleep on the bench. It is early morning and people start to shuffle through the Aberdeen train station, one accidently hitting Jack with their suit-case without knowing it, waking him. He is jolted awake and then falls on the ground.)
Jack: (Groggily getting up and dusting himself off. The people around him freeze as he talks to the audience). (under his breath, looking at the passerby), ‘Gee thanks mister. . . (sees the audience) Oh, hello, sorry, I am not looking my best. Yet I suppose it is alright for a man who spent the night in a train station. (thinks for a beat). Hey, I don’t suppose you are headed to Colorado Springs too? No? Well, if you are you’ll have to wait, the train’s not going to be here for a few of days, but I better check again. (The people around him start moving again, unfrozen. Jack crosses to the man at the desk.) Mister, has my situation with the train improved?
Clerk: I told ya Mr. Boles, it isn’t going to be here for a few days.
Jack: Well I was just checking up on. . .
Clerk: And I told ya, not until Saturday at the earliest.
Jack: Well, what should I do until then?
Clerk: I don’t know kid, you’ll find something i’m sure.
Jack: What are the sights?
Clerk: It’s Aberdeen kid, there isn’t much to see.
(Jack, giving up, walks away and back to his luggage and sits on the bench. He checks his watch and pulls out a comb fixing his hair. He looks around for a second as people pass by they freeze again.)
Jack: It seems we will be here for a while. What is there to see in Aberdeen, Maryland? I didn’t think i would get caught up this close to home. You see, I was in England for a short period of time, and i’m just trying to get home to Colorado, yet the train to Ohio his delayed. Imagine that. (He pauses, and his stomach growls, he is embarrassed). Oh, I should probably get breakfast, I’ll talk with you later. (The people unfreeze and Jack exits stage right leaving his suitcase on the bench. The people all shuffle out. Enter Billy from stage left. He sees the suitcase and walks towards it. He examines it and tries to open it. Enter Jack from stage right with two bagels, he notices Billy, the stage freezes, he looks to the audience.) You have got to be kidding me. (He looks back at Billy and the scene unfreezes.) Excuse me, (Billy is startled and looks at Jack innocently), what are you doing?
Billy: (realizing he was caught) Gee I’m sorry sir, I just. . .I just need some money for breakfast is all.
Jack: Where are your parents? (Billy looks at the ground, his parents are dead). I see. Are you out here all alone. (Billy nods). Here, sit down. (He sits down with Billy.) What’s your name?
Billy: My name is Billy sir, Billy James.
Jack: Well Billy, how old are you, I am Jack Boles.
Billy: Nine sir.
Jack: You are a well mannered kid Billy. (he offers him a bagel, Billy takes it.)
Billy: Thank you sir.
Jack: Where did you come from?
Billy: St. Joseph’s in Baltimore. (Scene freezes)
Jack: That would be the foster home for boys. (Scene unfreezes). I see. So you have run off?
Billy: Yes sir, and don’t tell me to go back. It is awful there, I have been there for a long time and never have I gotten parents there sir.
Jack: That is no attitude to have.
Billy: Why not?
Jack: What if you missed two wonderful parents just by wandering off?
Billy: Well. . .
Jack: You are a good kid Billy. I’m sure any parents would be happy to adopt you.
Billy: Really?
Jack: Of course. You are a respectable young man.
Billy: You really think so?
Jack: I do. I bet they are missing you at St. Josephs right now as we speak. (Billy looks up at Jack). What do you say we call them to come get you? (Billy nods. Jack stand and goes to the Clerk.) Do you have a telephone here?
Clerk: On the wall over there. (not looking up).
Jack: Thank you. (crosses to the phone, and starts talking while Billy sits idly. He does however reach into Jack’s bag and pulls out a candy bar, putting it in his pocket. Jack finishes his phone call.) Alright Billy, someone named Ms. Nancy is coming to pick you up.
Billy: Thank you sir. (Jack smiles at himself.) Mister? Where were you coming from?
Jack: Me? Well, as a matter of fact I was just in England.
Billy: (excited) England? Why were you in England?
Jack: Well, i’m afraid that it wasn’t good news. I was at my mothers funeral.
Billy: Your mother?
Jack: (solemnly) Yes.
Billy: You could come to the foster home with me?
Jack: Oh i’m afraid I can’t, I have to get to Colorado Springs where my father lives.
Billy: Oh. . . .
Jack: Hey, it’s alright. I’m sure you will meet some lovely parents who will love you and care for you.
Billy: (looks up at Jack, tears welling). Thank you sir.
Jack: You are a strong young man Billy, I know you will make it through this.
(Time passes and Billy falls asleep on Jack’s shoulder. Jack looks around and is nervous, but then looks at Billy. He turns to the audience.) Aww! (Ms. Nancy enters).
Ms. Nancy: Billy?!
Jack: Shh, shh, shh. Ma’am may I assure you that he did no harm, he is just sleeping.
Ms. Nancy: (she looks at Billy). I see.
Jack: He was just scared he was not going to get adopted you see.
Ms. Nancy: That is a common fear, not many people have gone by lately, I just hope someone can come for Billy. He really is very sweet.
Jack: He is a charming young lad. I know someone will find a home for him.
Ms. Nancy: I hope you are right. (to Billy.) Billy. . . . Billy. (Billy wakes.)
Billy: Ms. Nancy?
Ms. Nancy: Yes it’s me. It’s time to go back to the house now.
Billy: (looks at Jack who urges him to go on). Okay. Goodbye Mr. Jack. (Jack waves back at him. Billy and Ms. Nancy exit stage left. The scene fades out.)
Scene ii
(It is the next morning. Jack enters, bedraggled, brushing his teeth.)
Clerk: Do you have to do that here?
Jack: (toothbrush in mouth still) What’s wrong?
Clerk: You’re going to get toothpaste on my floor.
Jack: Whatever, I’ve been here for a couple of days, you never mop this floor.
Clerk: Because nobody ever messes it up.
Jack: Fine. I will go outside. (Jack exits for a little while. He reenters). Happy? (The clerk says nothing, he angrily starts stamping. The Scene freezes.) I’m never going to get through to this guy. (The scene remains frozen, The clerk is frozen just before stamping a paper. Jack walks to the clerk and places his hand underneath the stamp. Jack walks back to his original spot and turns his back to the clerk.) What? He deserves it. (The scene unfreezes and the Clerk angrily stamps his hand. The clerk grunts/yells in anger.) Is everything alright?
Clerk: (trying not to swear) Just peachy. (Still angry). Ya know, i’m gonna let you freshen up and look decent for the day, Don’t make a mess! (he exits stage left).
Jack: (to the audience) Well, hopefully tomorrow’s the big day. Maybe I’ll finally get out of here. (He sits on the bench, putting on his hat.) I might as well go freshen up, maybe get a book from the drugstore, i’ll be back. (He exits stage right. The stage is bare. Enter Andrew stage left, walks to the bench. He is distressed. Enter Jack with a book, and tidier.) Oh, hello.
Andrew: Oh, hello.
Jack: Beautiful day isn’t it?
Andrew: I guess.
Jack: Hey, i’ve seen you in here before, Is everything alright?
Andrew: Yes, it’s all fine. (clearly lying)
Jack: Are you sure?
Andrew: (He looks at Jack) I shouldn’t trouble you.
Jack: Pal, I got nothing but time to kill. What’s the matter?
Andrew: It’s this confounded train, why must it be delayed?
Jack: Tell me about it.
Andrew: I am constantly in here checking it, day in and day out. You would think i’m living here.
Jack: (Frowning and Perturbed) I know the feeling. (pauses) Well Mr. . . .
Andrew: Clyde, Andrew Clyde.
Jack: Well Mr. Andrew Clyde, what seems to be the problem? Why are you in a hurry?
Andrew: Well, you see, i’ve been gone in New York for a while, then i came to visit my friend before I am married. But since i’ve been gone for a while I have not seen my fiancee in nearly a month. I haven’t received a letter from her and frankly, i’m afraid she doesn’t love me anymore.
Jack: (Scene Freezes) I swear, it’s like i’m living in a soap opera. (Scene unfreezes) Well, the train will arrive soon, then you will be on your way.
Andrew: Well, you see, i’m afraid that she won’t love me, I’m afraid to even find out, I am not so sure I want to go back anymore.
Jack: That’s crazy.
Andrew: Is it? What if she doesn’t love me, what if she found someone else? We would both be better off if I just stayed here in Maryland.
Jack: Yes, but what if the post has been delayed a couple of days, what if she is dying inside like you are, what if she is longing to be with you right now?
Andrew: (contemplating for a moment) I suppose that may be true, but should I not just assume the worst, that way I am not disappointed.
Jack: Andrew, you have it backwards. Hope for the best. Positive attitudes breed positive outcomes.
Andrew: Even if I had a positive attitude it wouldn’t change anything.
Jack: Listen, you don’t even know for sure whether she doesn’t love you anymore. Hope for the best Andrew. Hope for the best but Prepare for the Worst.
Andrew: Why? It’s as if I’m setting myself up for defeat.
Jack: Wrong, you are hoping for the best, yet on the chance that things go wrong, you are prepared, never caught off guard.
Andrew: (Thinking again) You know, you’re right. I’m sorry for being so down, I just don’t know when this train will get here, I just can’t wait to see her.
Jack: And you will, I know it.
Clerk: (Entering) Well well well, if it isn’t my two favorite anxious human beings.
Jack: We’re not in the mood for your snide remarks mister.
Clerk: Well then, i’ll tell them that they can take an extra day getting that train back here!
Andrew: No!
Clerk: Hold your horses, I just got news that the train will be here tomorrow morning.
(Both Jack and Andrew jump up)
Jack and Andrew: Really?
Clerk: Really. (Walking to his desk and sitting, ignoring them).
Jack: See, good things can happen once you change your attitude.
Andrew: You’re right, I feel better than ever. I am going to go back to my friends and get my stuff ready for the morning. I will see you then Mister. . . . .
Jack: Jack Boles.
Andrew: I will see you then Jack (Running out smiling).
Jack: Glad I solved that.
Clerk: I Solved that.
Jack: Of course.
(fade out)
Scene iii
(It is late at night. Jack is sitting on the bench reading a book. Enter Maggie from stage left. She sits on the bench, a little too closely to Jack. Jack notices and scoots away. She notices and scoots closer to him out of curiosity. He scoots to the edge of the bench and continues reading. She scoots closer to him.)
Jack: Excuse me, is there something you need.
Maggie: Oh no, nothing at all, (smiling at him, Jack goes back to reading his book. Maggie then fake yawns. Jack does not care. She yawn louder, Jack gives her a look.)
Jack: Yes?
Maggie: Me? What? Nothing. . . .I’m just tired is all.
Jack: Well, you better get some rest, but I must tell you these benches are very uncomfortable. . . . (she rests her head on his shoulder and appears to be asleep. Just then people start to walk through the train station giving Jack strange looks. The scene freezes.) Oh No. She has got to go. (The scene unfreezes). Miss. Miss (A little louder). There is no way you have fallen asleep so fast, get off of me. (She fake yawns again as if awoken.)
Maggie: (Feigned innocence). Oh, i’m so sorry mister, I should not have fallen asleep on you like that.
Jack: Does this happen often?
Maggie: What?
Jack: Falling asleep randomly?
Maggie: I suppose. . .
Jack: Well, I do know someone who can help with narcolepsy.
Maggie: I am not Narco. . . narco. . .
Jack: Narcoleptic?
Maggie: Yes, I am not narcoleptic.
Jack: Well that is good.
Maggie: I’m just. . . . lonely. (scoots intimately close to Jack.)
Jack: Would you please. . . (rests her head on his shoulder again.)
Maggie: I just need someone to . . . (Jack stands)
Jack: What is wrong with you?
Maggie: I have just been traveling all day.
Jack: So you should just fall all over the nearest man?
Maggie: Well. . . .
Jack: You are sorely mistaken. (She quiets. Jack sits down on the opposite side of the bench and continues reading. She is still quiet. He notices her.) Listen, I’m sorry for being rash, I’ve just been in this confounded train station for nearly two days. My name is Jack Boles.
Maggie: My name is Maggie Carl. Say, why are have you been stuck in this station? (scooting, slowly closer to him).
Jack: (scoots away) The train has been delayed! The only train from here to Ohio and it has been delayed. It is supposed to come tomorrow morning.
Maggie: Why are you headed to Ohio.
Jack: I’m just passing it to get to Colorado Springs.
Maggie: (Scoots) Really?! That is to funny, I am headed to Colorado Springs too.
Jack: (with a slight hint of sarcasm, scoots away) Well that’s just lovely.
Maggie: I do need a traveling partner. Would you like to be my traveling partner? (scene freezes)
Jack: I most certainly do not want to ride on a train with her. For all I know I could end up being her pillow for the duration of the ride and that is just best case scenario. (scene unfreezes). Why are you traveling alone? Why are you going to Colorado Springs?
Maggie: I could ask you the same.
Jack: I was in England, attending the funeral of my Mother thank you very much.
Maggie: What about your Dad?
Jack: I’m now going to see him in Colorado Springs.
Maggie: Why wasn't your Dad at the funeral? (Jack glares at her and hesitates). Nevermind, I get it, I get it. I was just finishing school and I am heading off to my mother’s new home in Colorado.
Jack: You just finished school?
Maggie: I did. I attended Cornell.
Jack: Really?
Maggie: Yeah!
Jack: Yet you can’t tell me what a narcolept is.
Maggie: Can too!
Jack: What is it?
Maggie: It’s someone who. . . . they um. . . . . . they fall asleep a lot.
Jack: (Eying her). Lucky guess. (She smiles, then is quiet. She looks around and Jack reads his book more.)
Maggie: What are you reading?
Jack: I actually just bought it in the local convenience store.
Maggie: Well what is it?
Jack: It is about a man, who is stuck, in an airport.
Maggie: Yeah?
Jack: And his only companion is an annoying. . . . . . ..um. . . . boy.
Maggie: What is the boy’s name?
Jack: (hesitates) um. . . . Mackie.
Maggie: Really?
Jack: Yes, and that is as far as I have gotten (hides behind the book. While he reads she scoots slowly and slyly closer. Maggie yawns again.) Don’t you have somewhere to be?
Maggie: I actually don’t, we seem to be in the same situation.
Jack: Oh joy (not looking up from the book).
(There is a brief period of silence. Nervous glances follow.)
Maggie: Hey, ya know, I’m sorry Jack. I guess i’m just hopelessly flirty. I happen to fall over every guy I meet.
Jack: I’ve noticed.
Maggie: I really am sorry Jack.
Jack: (He looks at her, she is sincere, the scene freezes). There is no use staying mad at her, odds are we are going to end up in this train station together all night. (Scene unfreezes) It’s alright, I was being rash, and I should not have. You know, what? Sure, I’ll be your traveling partner.
Maggie: Really? Oh thanks Jack you are swell. (Hugs him, he cringes a little, then she releases. He smiles, she smiles back. He checks his watch.) Well, I am going to try and fall asleep. You can read the book if you want, it’s not really about a boy named Mackie, I made him up. (She looks perturbed. He sits back and tips his hat over his face and sleeps. She opens the book and reads. Fade out).
Scene iv
(It is morning, Jack sits on the bench asleep, Maggie asleep on his shoulder. The Clerk walks in and sees them, and then he grumbles with disgust. He walks over to his desk and rings the bell on it, waking the couple. They slowly wake and then realize they fell asleep on each other and are then repelled to the ends of the benches.)
Maggie: I am so sorry. . . . . .
Jack: No i’m sorry I just. . . . . .
Maggie: You’re fine. . .
Jack: No it’s my fault really. . .
Jack and Maggie: It’s alright.
Clerk: (Sarcastically) Aww, you two lovebirds. (angry) The train will be here in an hour soon! (Jack and Maggie cheer.) Keep it down!
Jack: At long last, I am going home.
Maggie: Me too.
Jack: Yes and you.
(Slowly we see Billy enter with two parents who then go to the clerk, Billy runs to Jack.)
Billy: Mr. Jack!
Jack: Billy!
Billy: I found parents Jack, I found ‘em, they were practically waiting for me when I got there. Now we’re going to Ohio!
Jack: See, I told ya. You’re a good kid Billy.
Billy: (hugging Jack) Thank you Mr. Jack.
Jack: You’re most welcome, now, don’t keep your parents waiting. (BIlly runs back).
Maggie: Who was that?
Jack: Just a boy I met a couple days back (smiling)
(Enter Andrew, carrying flowers perhaps.)
Andrew: Did I miss it?!
Jack: What?
Andrew: The Train!
Jack: It is just about to arrive, (Looks towards the train) Look! You can see it coming.
Andrew: Yes! I’m coming Isabelle! I’m coming! (runs to wait for the train as it stops at the station).
Maggie: Who was that?
Jack: He seemed lost when I found him, but I think he’s on the right track.
Maggie: I see. (Scene freezes)
Jack: You tend to meet a lot of people when you spend a lot of time in a train stations. You learn of them, and their curious lives, and in some way you feel connected. All of these wonderful people and all of their wonderful differences have come together to impact my life, yet I think I may have impacted their lives more. Now I get to go home, and i’m not sure if I want to, maybe I should stay. . .maybe get a job here. . . maybe that’s what happened to this guy, (gestures towards the clerk, looks at him and grimaces). Now that I think of it, I had better not. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a traveling partner I should board with. (Smiles, nods, the scene unfreezes and him and Maggie board the train together. Fade out)
The End
