Pierce: This is what your school does for a dance?
Valerie: Yeah. They really go all out.
Pierce: Yes they do.
(They stand next to each other awkwardly)
Pierce: Are you ok?
Valerie: Yeah. I am.
Pierce: Come here.
(Pierce leads her to a bench)
Pierce: Sit.
(Valerie sits)
Pierce: What’s up? Is something wrong?
Valerie: No. Nothing. I’m ok.
Pierce: Really?
Valerie: No (Valley girl accent) actually my shoes totally do not match my dress and this is a complete disaster!
Pierce: Stop.
Valerie: Stop what?
Pierce: Stop being like that. Don’t brush things off like they’re nothing. Please don’t make jokes and try to be cute. I mean, you are cute, very cute, in fact, but that’s not what I mean. I mean, (sigh). Don’t fake like you are ok when I can see in your eyes that you’re anything but. And please, please talk to me. (Pierce stands in front of Valerie and takes her hands in his) Tell me what is wrong.
(Valerie walks away from Pierce and takes a minute.)
Valerie: I don’t know anymore. I-i can’t really put my finger on it. I feel so happy at times. But then there are day that I can’t even muster up a laugh. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m really glad that we’re...whatever we are. But...it’s not..
Pierce: Enough?
Valerie: Yes.
(Pierce sits on the bench and Valerie moves to sit next to him.)
Pierce: Please just explain to me what you mean.
Valerie: (sits) I’m trying.
Pierce: Do you want a hug?
Valerie: No.
Pierce: Do you want to hold my hand and talk about it?
(Valerie looks at Pierce’s hand. He slowly takes it and kisses it.)
Pierce: You know that you’re not alone in this, right?
Valerie: I need to tell you something.
Pierce: I do too. I love you.
Valerie: I don’t want to see you anymore.
(silence)
Pierce: What?
Valerie: (lets go off his hand and walks a few steps) For some time in my life I had been in this gray area of sadness and content, anger and calm, peace and chaos. I juggled it so much and I tried to what I could to keep it more in balance. But the more I tried, the more out of balance it became. Then I finally just did it. I did the one thing I dreaded doing and never wanted to do. I never wanted everything to come so out of balance that I would...end it all. I honestly thought that it would smooth out. But it never did. It only got worse and I couldn’t take it. But then I woke up. I was in that hospital bed thinking about what I had done, really thinking about what I had done and seeing how it affected my family. But even now I’m unsure if I matter.
Pierce: But you do. You matter to me.
Valerie: Thank you, but I think that it’s more of finding self worth in myself. By myself.
Pierce: So this is it. You’re ending it.
Valerie: Yes.
Pierce: So you’re leaving me? Alone?
Valerie: I am not going to leave you. I am going to take care of myself, so you don't need to worry that your pain might hurt me.
Pierce: I don’t care about that. All I care about is you. I love you. I can help you get better.
Valerie: Pierce, I am not abandoning you but this is not healthy. I want you to take care of yourself and care about my well-being as much as you care about mine. We both need to care about ourselves as much as we care about each other’s.
Pierce: So you care about me?
Valerie: Yes I do. Please try to understand what I’m saying.
Pierce: I do. I get it. I’ll be here if you need me. You know, as a friend.
Valerie: You are very important to me. The only reason I’m doing this is so we both can figure this out. We can’t depend on each other to fix one another. We need to do that ourselves. If you need a friend, I am here for you. they hug each other and walk off of the stage
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