When the curtain opens we see a sofa, center stage. Wufei, Trowa and Heero are sitting there. Trowa and Heero are playing chess silently, Wufei is studying a book. To the right, we see a room with two beds. There is another room further left, only equipped with a mattress. On the right is another room, also with two beds, which are standing next to each other, forming a double-bed. Duo and Quatre, his shirt unbuttoned, are standing on front of the beds and begin arguing when the lights come on.
Quatre: I told you to stop!
Duo: It just ain’t be working
like that, Quatre!!!
Quatre: SO?! All I have been
asking for EVER is time!!!
Duo: I gave you time. Loads of
time… I just … NEVER MIND.
Quatre: Yeah, right, never mind.
What did I do this for in the first place?
They pantomime the continuing of their discussion.
Wufei: They are fighting again?
Trowa: Third time this week, and
it’s Tuesday. I hate hearing Quatre yell like that.
Heero: Hn.
Wufei: Will they ever stop
arguing?
Trowa: Will they ever realize
that they are just not meant to be?
Wufei: You think so? It seemed
fine in the beginning.
Trowa: Yeah. Seems as if it was
ages ago. But Duo changed. I never picked up what they are arguing about. I
don’t think I should listen… and I hate them arguing.
Heero: I did.
Wufei: And?
Heero: Quatre just doesn’t want
to have sex.
Trowa: <cough> How reckless
of Duo.
Heero: See it this way: Duo has
been off and on with boyfriends. He isn’t used to waiting. I am surprised he
stuck to Quatre for so long.
Trowa:
I don’t understand. I wouldn’t push him into anything, and stick to him for as
long as it takes.
Wufei:
<comfortingly lays a hand on Trowa’s shoulder> We know. They really are
not meant to be.
They go back to what they were doing.
Quatre: FINE!
Duo: Even finer. You know, I
wasted my time on you!
Quatre: <cry> I am just glad
I didn’t give in! It would have been such a waste!
Duo: So that is it?
Quatre: SURE IS!
Duo: Fine. See with whom you
can room then, cuz’ I’ll stay here. I’ll be back by morning. <grabs his
jacket>
Quatre: <sniff> Who cares?!
Duo snorts and leaves the room, past Heero, Wufei and Trowa. Quatre throws himself onto the bed and cries.
Quatre: <crying> He’s all
recklessness, alcohol, parties and anger. I never really know where he is. He’s
not even worth any tears! Why do I always get tossed aside like that?! Why is
all the others are thinking about that one thing, which I am not up to? Is
there no understanding out there?
Trowa: I just know he is crying.
Wufei: Naturally. Maybe you
should look after him.
Trowa: Me?
Wufei: You’re the only one he’d
ever let come close to him, now.
Trowa: <sadly> Right, I am
his friend… hardly more. <sighs and goes over to Quatre>
Wufei: Duo just caused himself
trouble with Quatre and Trowa.
Heero: Hn.
Wufei: You don’t think he is to
blame?
Heero: Maybe. For not seeing this
couldn’t work out. <gets up>
Wufei: Where are you going?
Heero: Keeping Duo from suicide.
Wufei: Duo? Suicide? You are
kidding.
Heero: No literal suicide. He
might throw himself into arms he better shouldn’t.
Wufei: Even if, what would you do
against it?
Heero: <shrugs and leaves>
Wufei: I can’t believe you are
still trying to help him!
Wufei returns back to his studies. Trowa is still hesitent in opening the door.
Trowa: Quatre?
Quatre: Leave me alone.
Trowa: I’m sorry. …
Quatre: Just let me be.
Trowa: Where are you going to
sleep?
Quatre: Dunno.
Trowa: Please, can I come in?
Quatre: No.
Trowa: <sigh> Okay. Do you
want some ice cream? Tea?
After a long moment of silence, Trowa leaves the stage, only Wufei remains on his sofa and Quatre in his room, crying.
Wufei: <to the audience>
You know, this is a mad house! <comes up front> My name is Wufei, by the
way, and you just got a perfect insight into what I was living with. I know,
you don’t give a damn, but it’s your bad that you are sitting here in the
audience. Duo was on and off with boyfriends, bringing them home without asking
and throwing us out of our own rooms – that is, when he didn’t get himself beaten up. It was clear from the
start, that it couldn’t work out with someone as timid as Quatre – and yet, we
were almost glad when it happened, hoping Quatre could cool Duo off. It turned
out to be a nightmare – especially for Trowa. Quatre just didn’t see him the
way he should. And Heero, that’s the other guy, I have no idea about him. He’s
just kind of there and plays some reliable source for Duo. Duo brought him
here, I think, before I was here. But just like the rest of us, it seemed he is
only important to Duo, when he needs him. How Duo managed to get Quatre’s
affection with this attitude, how Heero could still be there when Duo’s
lifestyle came down on him, I have no idea. I thought we’d all be better off if
he was out of here. Duo, I mean. All Trowa had to do, was throw him out of his
house, and for Quatre’s sake, he never did.
He retreats back into the scene, where Trowa silently prepares something to eat on a small counter.
Wufei: And?
Trowa: He doesn’t want to talk…
Wufei: Are you sure?
Trowa: Of course he wants to, but
he won’t admit it. I know him, he needs comfort, but I can’t bring myself to
just enter his room.
Wufei: <looks over Trowa’s
shoulder> But you’re still making him something to eat. Are you so hopeful?
Trowa: Let me, Wufei. Maybe one
day he’ll see me.
Wufei: <shrugs and leaves>
Trowa: <silently enters
Quatre’s room and puts the meal next to him> Quatre-kun… please don’t cry
anymore, he isn’t worth it.
Quatre: <sniff> He said he
loved me…
Trowa: Duo says such things
without meaning them. Many people do, because they really don’t know what it
feels like. Duo is just trying to find something real, but he tries the wrong
way.
Quatre: I don’t understand. It was
so nice with him… Going out, dancing, kissing… I don’t understand why he wasn’t
happy with that.
Trowa: He’s Duo.
Quatre: That’s why I liked him.
<wipes his eyes> I never thought he could be so cruel… <starts crying
again> I don’t want to loose him…
Trowa: <takes Quatre in his
arms and cuddles him>
Lights go out. Wufei enters through the audience. Spot.
Wufei: And that’s how it went on
and off again. Quatre and Duo got back together after a week, separated after
two months again and came back together. Now, they not only got on each other’s
nerves, but on ours, too. We felt like we were part of a soap opera, but
unfortunately didn’t have the good roles. Finally, Trowa, Heero and me met up
to talk about it.
Trowa: If I have to endure this
any longer, I’ll burst.
Wufei: Right. It hasn’t been easy
for all of us, but we can’t go and tell them to break up. They have to see for
themselves that it just can’t work out.
Heero: It’s not only Duo’s fault.
Trowa: Of course not. Quatre
needs to learn to let go and find something new. He doesn’t love Duo, he just
wants to hold on to this experience, and doesn’t realize that he is destroying
himself.
Wufei: <laugh> That
relationship is far beyond what you’d call harmonic.
Trowa: <sigh>
Unfortunately.
Wufei: Give them a break. They
don’t even know what the word harmonic means…
Trowa: Yeah… right… <idea>
Lights go out. When they come back one, Heero and Trowa are sitting on the bed in the room on the right. Duo and Quatre are sitting in the left room, under a blanket, obviously naked.
Trowa: Heero, I swear, if you
bite me again..
Heero: Hn. Come on.
Trowa: <sigh>
Heero: If you’re always gonna
sigh before, it’s no help.
Trowa: Sorry, sorry. Well, shall
we?
Heero: Okay.
They kiss.
Trowa: Wasn’t as bad as the first
time.
Heero: If this lasts too long,
I’ll quit. You can take Wufei instead.
Trowa: Thanks for your help. I
just thought, because you are my room mate…
Heero: Yeah. I don’t feel a thing
for you, so don’t get fluttered.
Trowa: Same here. But there are
some other things we need to clear up.
Trowa nervously glances into the
direction of Duo’s and Quatre’s room. Lights change on them, while Heero and
Trowa keep trying to kiss, hold hands, etc.
Duo: Is it so hard for you?
Quatre: Please, I don’t want to
fight again, Duo.
Duo: You didn’t like making out
with me?
Quatre: <kisses him> Duo… I
love making out with you. Gods, I feel great with you, but I haven’t got the
courage…
Duo: How long has it been?
Quatre: <sarcastically> Two
months since last time we broke up.
Duo: <caresses Quatre’s
cheek and looks at him> Sorry. I hurt you a lot, hm?
Quatre: It’s okay. I’ll try to get
used to the thought, and then we can try again.
Duo: <kisses Quatre, his
hand obviously crawling under the blanket> Yeah, we’ll make you want more,
ne? Just excuse me for being so fascinated by your beautiful body, sorry for
wanting to have it. It is so great to see you all aroused, to see you all
flushed.
Quatre: <moans as something
grabs him under the blanket> Duo!
Duo: Enjoy it.
Wufei enters and flops onto the sofa, grabbing a book. Quatre and Duo keep making out, Heero and Trowa are talking, Trowa keeps sending glances over to the door of Quatre and Duo’s room.
Wufei: <to the audience> So Heero and Trowa set their plans to
mimick the perfect couple and thus show Quatre and Duo that they weren’t one.
It required a lot of practise, and at first we totally missed, that Duo and
Quatre were coming to terms with each other. I let them all do what they
wanted, however, I didn’t think it was my business – other than Trowa and
Heero.
The lights switch back to the two couples. Duo has disappeared under the blanket, Quatre is laying there.
Quatre: <moans> Duo!!!
<keeps moaning> Please… please… Duo…
Trowa suddenly jumps up from the bed and runs over to Quatre’s door, alarmed.
Quatre: <moans>
Trowa stops dead and listens – he sinks together in himself as he realizes what is going on and grasps his chest sadly. Heero comes up behind him and comforts him. Wufei climbs over the back of the sofa and helps Heero to take Trowa to his room silently. The scene ends with a last cry from Quatre. Lights go out again.
Heero alone on the sofa.
Heero: I don’t have trouble
pretending I’m Trowa’s boyfriend, because I know, talking to Duo isn’t of any
help. Some say, you get more attractive, when you are hooked up. But something
bugs me about it… Trowa is taking it too seriously. He’s an actor and artist, I
probably should expect so, but still. Sometimes he is going much too far. And
Duo gives us these weird looks, when Trowa grabs my bum or kisses my neck. Almost
as if he thought we were gross. I wouldn’t want him to think we are. And it
doesn’t change anything in Duo’s and Quatre’s relationship anyway. It’s all
gotten worse. I don’t know whether they have literal sex, whether Duo is just
pleasing Quatre or the other way round, but they don’t care about us, as it
seems. It meant, I could go for a classical break-up with Trowa, but I almost
fear that as much as really breaking up with someone. It’s like being locked in
a cage. I understand now, how Duo must have felt a few months ago… Quatre was
so afraid of loosing him, that he clung to him every moment. Trowa is so afraid
his plan could fail, that he clings to me every moment. It’s a never ending
story. You can’t get away. Neither can Quatre or Duo, they have built their own
dungeon. But at least they can believe they love each other.
Trowa comes inside and kisses Heero.
Trowa: Hi koi.
Heero: Hello. Quatre and Duo are not home.
Trowa: Who knows? Practise doesn’t hurt anyone.
Heero: Really, that mustn’t be.
Trowa: <ruffles Heero’s hair> You’re
sweet. I see you later, I need to prepare some stuff.
Heero: Fine, have fun. I’ve got a meeting at
nine thirty.
Trowa: Shall I come and get you afterwards? I
need to get to the theatre anyway.
Heero: No. I’m fine on my own.
Trowa: Whatever you say, koi.
Heero: It’s not really that funny anymore…
Trowa goes into his room. Quatre enters from the hallway, stares at the scene for a moment and then enters his own room, lying on the bed, sad. He unpaks a book from a shopping bag and starts reading, unconcentratedly. Heero enters Trowa’s room and sits on the bed, pouting. They start talking quietly. Duo and Wufei enter.
Wufei: I don’t see your point!
Duo: We’ve been together for more than half a
year now!
Wufei: You are so inconsiderate. He will be
hurt if he gets wind of it.
Duo: Well? He’s never gonna know.
Wufei: Imagine I’d be him. Could you ever
forgive yourself?
Duo: <shrug> It isn’t the case.
Wufei: I could tell him. You once told me lying
is wrong, just as wrong as killing.
Duo: I’m not lying.
Wufei: Keeping the truth basically is the same.
For Quatre’s sake, I’m gonna keep quiet, you slut.
Duo: <attacks Wufei> Don’t call me a
slut! <punches him>
Wufei: What else would you be? Damn you,
<under the punches> you are in a goddamn relationship, and you are damn
lucky to have some angel like him cling to you.
Duo: <pant> So what? Are you jealous?
Quatre becomes aware of the noise and comes into the living room.
Wufei: No. I am sorry for him and I am sorry
for Quatre!
Duo: Can’t you just accept that we are happy
together?!
Wufei: Oh, you’re happy, huh?! Is that why you
run around in such places, searching for some slut to fuck you, because he’s
not ready for it? Because you are happy?
Quatre: <eyes grow wide> Is that true?
Duo: Shit…!
Quatre: Duo, is that true? ……………Duo… IS THAT
TRUE?!?! <runs past them and outside through the audience>
Duo: Fuck! <gets up and runs after him>
Wufei: <wipes blood off his face and sits up
against the sofa> <laughs> And I thought it couldn’t get worse. …
Trowa: No please, Heero, just a few more weeks.
Heero: Give up, Trowa. And I don’t want
anymore.
Trowa: Heero… please. I’ll be less suggestive
in future, I beg you, please.
Heero: How long?
Trowa: Christmas.
Heero: And if they break up?
Trowa: Two more weeks after they broke up, we
can’t quit at the same time.
Heero: Is that your honest word?
Trowa: Yes. Yes. I promise. Thank you, Heero!
Thank you. <actually kisses him>
Heero: TROWA!
Trowa: <grin> Sorry… practising, you
know?
Heero and Trowa sit down in the living room, Heero on Trowa’s lap. Quatre and Duo return arm in arm, sitting down on the other side of the sofa Duo grabs Wufei’s book from the table and they start reading together.
Wufei: <up front again, to the audience>
Somehow, Duo managed to win Quatre back yet another time. But they started
fighting more often. Quatre was guarding him like a watchdog, it was as if they
had been married for years and their lives were built on suspicions and
jealousy. But then, they also had their moments… We’d be sitting in the living
room, Quatre leaning in Duo’s arm, both of them reading together. Heero would
sit on Trowa’s lap and we’d all have a conversation in between. Occassionally
the couples would kiss, and although I knew Trowa’s and Heero’s relationship
was a mere pretention, I started to feel lonely.
The curtain closes and leaves Wufei in front of it on the stage.There is a trashcan on the right which he takes to the center of the stage and sits upon.
Wufei: I avoided going home, I couldn’t stand
them fighting and I couldn’t stand them cuddling. I didn’t have any friends
besides them, and I didn’t find any on the streets either. There, people walk
past you like strangers. They can’t know, how long you’ve been standing in the
corner, waiting for time to pass. And none of the four <he points at
them> ever asked me about it, when I started to take my books outside on the
streets. I’d sit on some trashcan and study on my own. If Quatre and Heero felt
caged, I felt locked out, I felt lonely in my own room and betrayed from every
side. Quatre was too busy with himself and Duo to care, Duo usually never
cared, and the pretended relationship took all of Trowa’s and Heero’s
concentration. And it didn’t help, anyway. At least that’s what it looked like.
We expected Duo to cheat on Quatre again, any moment. But things went
differently.
Treize walks past Wufei from left to
right, Wufei stares after him.
Wufei: He came every morning, past my trashcan,
going to work. He was older than me, but there was determination and confidence
in the way he was walking – the determination and confidence I’d love to have.
He was a business person, definitely. One of the kind that know where they are
going, get whatever they want and have no scrupels to yell down those who don’t
do as they ought to. Someone with a clear brain, having a rational judgement
over his own life… The judgement, we all lacked. And he’d come back in the
afternoon, heading home with satisfaction in his eyes, his success was showing
clearly.
Treize walks past another time, heading off stage right. Wufei crosses his legs.
Wufei: He wasn’t older than in his
mid-twenties, yet, I imagined him going home every day to his loving wife,
maybe even having a kid at home whom he could give toys from his numereous
journeys. I built up my dreamworld about him, a world full of satisfaction, joy
and happiness, and I imagined him in the main role, because he made that
impression.
But I had no
home, not anymore. What used to be Trowa’s sanctuary had turned into hell. When
I first joined them, Trowa told me strictly, that he wouldn’t accept any
heterosexual persons in his apartment, because homosexuals woudn’t bring home
any people disapproving that preference. Now, this was exactly the problem… Duo
first had been bringing home too many boyfriends. Then, he’d clung to Quatre,
while Trowa was in love with him, and you saw what became of that mess.
Treize walks over again and stops next to the trashcan, freeze.
Wufei: Too funny, that Mr. Perfect actually had
noticed me…
Treize: Hello, there.
Wufei: Um… hello.
Treize: May I? <gently pulls on the book and
takes it> Ah… I see. “The Philosophical Staircase”. That’s quite a sophisticated
book, isn’t it? I had to read each text twice to understand at least half of
it.
Wufei: I’m not surprised you read it.
Treize: So? How comes?
Wufei: I’ve been watching you. You seem quite a
successful and educated person – considering you are no actor and just
mimicking it. I’d expect someone like you to take good advantage of his brain,
even though your language possibly evidences you are of a different caliber.
Treize: You’re quite a speaker, huh? Sharp with
words?
Wufei: <smirk> Just a reader, I assume.
You?
Treize: I’m fine if I have to. My name is
Treize.
Wufei: Nice to meet you, I am Wufei. Scholar.
Treize: Scholar?
Wufei: <embarrassed> Not really, I am
more or less self-educating…
Treize: I see. I am surprised to find someone
like you, forcing himself to read such books sitting on a trashcan day in day
out. I’ve seen you every day since Monday a week ago. Shouldn’t you present
your juvenile smartness to someone?
Wufei: I suppose nobody needs such a smart-ass.
That is what you were trying to say, isn’t it? I am a smart-ass.
Treize: Not my intention. At least you should
have someone to tutor you.
Wufei: <raises and eyebrow> <turns his
pockets inside out>
Treize: Oh, I see. Shouldn’t someone your age
take the possibility to go to school, though?
Wufei: <laughs> Boring and time taking.
Shouldn’t someone your age be working by now?
Treize: Ah… smart-ass. Maybe. Maybe not. How
would you know? Does that mean I have a prerecorded fate? Or am I
existentialistic?
Wufei: Ah, Jean-Paul Sartre greets you… I
suppose you should have another look on Marx’ views on society… Besides, what
else would you have come here for?
Treize: Maybe to see why a reading boy, part of
the society as well, is following his determination. I feared you might want to
immitate Descartes and live in a ton…
Wufei: That would be an experience.
Wufei snaps his fingers. Treize goes into antoher freeze.
Wufei: Finally someone of my caliber… someone
educated, someone to whom I could talk in the way I wanted to and maybe share
my own philosophy with. And I didn’t even know who he was. It was weird, we
almost had a philosophy contest, which lasted a while. He probabvly was
abandoning his work for talking to me. After an hour or so, he decided to go,
and I was sure he’d come back.
Wufei snaps again, Treize becomes alive again.
Treize: There, Mr. Philosopher, maybe I should
take my space in society now.
Wufei: And that is where?
Treize: In some office at the end of the town,
trying to run a little company.
Wufei: Which is?
Treize: General Motors.
Wufei: <almost falls off the trashcan>
And you are WALKING to work?!
Treize: Anything for the environment.
Wufei: Yeah, I should go, too. Gotta see Zenon
and teach him a lesson. Although I’d prefer staying with Socrates for some more
time.
Treize:
<slaps his froehead> Who the hell are you? Now you are talking in
riddles.
Wufei: To Socrates, I might be an unreachable
Parmenides or distant admirer, though wiser, to you I am still Chang Wufei, to
the world I am nothing and everything in one, and to my friends I am the one
who needs to settle the household. <jumps down from the trashcan> Doozo
yoroshiko.
Treize: Dooso yoroshiko, Mr. Japanese. Ja ne.
Wufei: Chinese, actually, but one of my room
mates is.
After Treize has left.
Wufei: Parmenides… Socrates… He hadn’t
understood, but maybe he would think about it and get my little hint.
Parmenides and Socrates were wise philosophers, although their were some
unlogical aspects in Parmenide’s philosophy. They both set interesting bases
for the rest of the world’s philosphy. Socrates preferred teaching by
discussing, by asking and thus making his students find the solution by
themselves --- by contradicting each other with thesis and anti-thesis and
learn from the other’s brain in discussions. Later this idea was extended by
Hegel. It was just like talking in a way this mysterious person Treize and I had
done. And my little hint… Parmenides was well-known for being gay – and rumor
has it that he had his times with Socrates, too, although his official lover
was Zenon. His personal scholar... Well, maybe that was why I chose this
character, although his philosophy wasn’t quite straight in some points. Should
Treize figure that out – and he obviously was a thinker, he might also guess
the identity of Socrates…
The curtain opens again. There is a Christmas tree in the apartment – Duo carries Quatre piggy-back, while he’s trying to decorate the higher parts of the tree. Wufei joins the scene. Trowa and Heero are in their bedroom.
Trowa: Okay, I promised.
Heero: Sorry.
Trowa: It’s okay, I know it doesn’t help. I’ve
lost Quatre. I never had him.
Heero: Hai. Believe me or not, I can understand
your pain.
Trowa: <looks over> Don’t claim you can.
Heero: Hn.
Trowa: <grasps the window> I made it
quite a pain, too, eh?
Heero: Hn. How shall we perform the break up?
Trowa: Not at all, if you don’t mind. I don’t
want to make a scene and possibly slip out of the role. Let’s just act normal
from now on, and they’ll eventually ask or understand.
Heero: Fine with me.
Trowa: Let’s say we broke up right this moment,
deciding that we have grown tired of each other.
Heero: Okay. … Trowa?
Trowa: Yes.
Heero: Merry Christmas.
Trowa: <sigh> Merry Christmas.
Quatre: Careful! I got it. You can put me down.
Duo: <does so> Here you go. Looks good
– the tree.
Wufei: We’ll eat in a few minutes.
Duo: Cool. I’m starving.
Quatre: Hey, Wufei… Did you ever see that guy
again --- what was his name?
Wufei: Treize. No. Didn’t come across him
lately. Pity – my philosophical needs get disappointed here…
Duo: <bumps him with his elbow in the
rip> Philosphical, eh?
Wufei:
Yes, PHILOSOPHICAL, Duo! He is just as interested in Greek and modern
philosophy as I am. Things, your little brain wouldn’t understand – ever!
Quatre: Uh-huh, that’s quite okay. His brain’s
just okay.
Duo: Are you two saying I am dumb?!
Quatre: Nah…! <rubs Duo’s head> Just a
little untrained…
Duo: What is that supposed to mean?! I am
smart like anyone else, I just don’t give a damn about what other people think
is necessasary!!! There are more important things to learn, and I know just
enough. I know, you are a little over it, Wufei, but I thought at least you,
Quatre, would be a little more considerate.
Quatre: Well you have to admit, you could do
more in that area,…
Duo: Excuse me?! Just because Wufei here is
practically glued to his books, I need to be, too? Really, if that’s your opinion
go and stick to him.
Trowa and Heero come out.
Quatre: You are getting it all wrong!
Duo: Oh yes, sure. Geez…! I know why I hate
celebrations. <grabs his jacket and runs off>
Quatre: No, Duo, wait!!! I didn’t mean… … he’s
gone.
Trowa and Wufei exchange glances.
Wufei: He’s a little on the edge, lately.
Quatre: I know… Merry Christmas, everyone.
<sad> I’ll… I need to get something… <retreats to his room and sits on
the bed>
Trowa: <angry> Why does he ALWAYS make
him sad?!
Wufei: <sighs> I don’t know.
Trowa: Why doesn’t he see me…?
Heero: <grabs his jacket>
Wufei: Where are you going?
Heero: Find Duo.
Wufei: Hey, if he doesn’t want to attend, he
can go, but you could at least have dinner with us.
Heero: Hn. <leaves>
Wufei: They’ve all gone crazy! Yeah, really,
Merry Christmas. You know what, Trowa, why don’t you throw both of them out?!
Trowa: Nonsense. Quatre would hate me forever,
and Heero hasn’t done anything. We should be happy he tries to bring Duo back
in one piece.
Wufei: <sigh> Right. And now? What about
Quatre?
Trowa: He’ll cool off and get together with Duo
again, just as always.
Wufei: Well, do something about it…!
The doorbell rings. Wufei opens. It’s Treize.
Wufei How do you know…?
Treize: The great philosopher forgot he’s listed
in the phone book, eh?
Wufei: Ah, yes right… but on Christmas…
Treize: Well, that’s what I came here for. I
thought you might like it. <hands him a package>
Wufei: Oh? How--- thank you.
Treize: Do me a favor and unpack it right here.
Wufei: Determination, what? <laughs> I
can’t, I couldn’t give you anything in return.
Treize: You didn’t expect my visit, Parmenides.
I didn’t expect anything. I thought about you, Socrates and Zenon a little. I
guess there are some holes in my education, or else I would have solved the
whole riddle.
Wufei: Don’t think I am going to tell you.
<unpacks> <two books> Crescenso’s History of Greek Philosophy one
and two…
Treize: It’s easy, but also quite funny. I
happened to be so unnice and read the chapter about Parmenides before giving it
to you.
Wufei: Oh, indeed? And what does it say?
Treize: Interesting. It helped me understand
what you said. So, who’s Zenon?
Wufei: Ah.. actually, he doesn’t exist in
reality. He’s somewhere hidden in my books, he probably is the represantation
of the empty part of my brain. <he puts the books onto the board>
Treize: I see. So, that part has been cleared
out then. Fine. Nice little riddle.
Wufei: I don’t want to be rude, especially
after this nice present, but this is kind of an awkward time to appear here. We
have some sort of thick air and quite a lot of sadness. Heero and Duo just
left, Quatre isn’t here right now… however… <he points to Trowa> at least
you can meet Trowa.
Trowa: <comes over> Nice to meet you. I
heard a lot about you.
Treize: The pleasure is all on my side. I don’t
want to disturb your celebration, and I have to leave anyway.
Wufei: Right, your family might be waiting.
Treize: No, I don’t have family – yet. But I
have other places I need to visit.
Wufei: You can come over another time… if Trowa
doesn’t mind.
Trowa: No, not in the least.
Treize: You can come, too. I guess you wouldn’t
miss the building…
Wufei: Better not… I mean… I suppose I’d feel
really in the wrong place there.
Treize: <laughs> I guess so. Have a nice
Christmas night.
Wufei: Sorry again.
Treize: I’m happy that I just am, Parmenides…
<leaves>
Wufei: That doesn’t count. Being is all there
is…
Trowa: Huh?!
Wufei: Parmenides states that only thing being
is existence, that nothing doesn’t exist.
Trowa: That is quite resonable…
<sweatdrop> <he picks up a book>
Wufei: <winks> Depends on the context.
Trowa: There is something written in there.
“Merry Christmas. It doesn’t say in here, but the meeting of the philosophers
in Athens has been considered highly important in the private lives of Socrates
and Parmenides. I believe there is something to it, but who can tell so many
years later? The old chapters can’t be rewritten, new books have to be made. In
the sense of Christmas, have a nice evening. Yours, Socrates.”
Wufei: WHAT?!
Lights go out, curtain closes.
Music. Wufei appears on a banister on
the upper right stage, sitting very freely, very dangerously.
Wufei: And then came
the times, when I didn’t go to get books from the library anymore. The reason
for that was simple – two bullies had been hired to guard the door, and I
didn’t have a lisence for the library. After the lady, who used to work there,
had died, I had no chance in borrowing or reading any books anymore. She had
let me borrow them without a lisence, because she knew I couldn’t pay the
monthly fee. But now, with my dirty clothes and appearance, I couldn’t even get
in. <pause> Maybe you don’t understand that… but it was hell. I was
dependent on books. They found me strolling around there once, and I got beaten
up. And much more hell was it, because I knew, Treize was in there quite often…
I hadn’t seen him for months.
A police car can be heard in a
distance.
Wufei: Never in my
life had I stolen before. But the library door had been open, and I couldn’t
stand reading the same books over and over again. I didn’t have the money to
buy what I wanted to read, but that book <he holds out a book> Was
fascinating… and expensive.
The police seems to come closer. Wufei
jumps down from the banister and hits the ground hard. He remains still on the
ground, sprawled. The curtain opens. Quatre and Trowa are both sitting there.
The Christmas tree has vanished. Quatre pretends to be writing, Trowa just sits
there, watching him. Quatre glances at the clock.
Trowa: <softly> Quatre…
Quatre: <winces in shock at his
name> Yes.
Trowa: When did he say he would
come home.
Quatre: Twelve thirty. …
<painfully> He’s probably drunk by now, and making out with some guy from
the south… some sunburned hot-ass cutie, something the exact opposite of me. As
if it was over…
Trowa: Quatre… isn’t it over already?
Quatre: <wipes his nose> I
guess.
Trowa: <walks over to Quatre
and kneels down next to him> Truthfully, Quatre, did he touch you, when you
didn’t want it. I can’t just sit here and watch any longer, I am scared you
might get more than bruises out of this. Did he make you do … that … when you
didn’t want it?
Quatre: <backing away> He
gave me… blowjobs, but I couldn’t give him anything in return. Everytime I
tried he’d hurry me, and then my throat got locked, as if I was eating
something dry and raw.
Trowa: <not coming any
closer> Are you sure, you ever loved him, Quatre?
Quatre: <puts his writings>
I don’t think so anymore.
Trowa gets up and takes Quatre in his
arms. Long pause. Heero walks across the stage and finds Wufei. He shoulders
him and carries him to the house. Being there, he sets Wufei down and searches
for the keys. He cannot find them and rings the bell. Quatre and Trowa keep
cuddling and do not open the door. Heero shoulders Wufei again and sets him to
his feet, centerstage, then withdraws. Wufei still has his book.
Wufei: Heero didn’t take me to
the hospital, he took me to General Motors, walked past the front desk and
straight into Treize’s office, where he dropped me on a sofa and left without
saying a word. I have no idea what Heero is doing half of his life out there, I
don’t even know whether it is legal – but it wasn’t the first time he would
safe one of us. Mostly, he saved Duo… I assume he did that, when he was in a
fight, when he was about to rob something where it was certain he would get
caught or went on car races. This one time, without knowing I had been on the
run from the police, he had saved me just the same way.
Wufei sits down. Treize appears on the
stage, kneels down next to him and holds him in his arms.
Treize: <takes the book from
him> I thought so, Wufei. For hells sake, what did you do that for?
<yells at him> All you had to do was ask me, and I would have borrowed or
bought it for you. How stupid can you be, scholar?
Wufei: I would NEVER…!
Treize: No, you’d rather get
yourself killed, what? <groans annoyedly>
Wufei: What do you know of the
world, Treize? You can sit up here in your office day in day out or run through
the library. Hell, you can get WHATEVER you want… you don’t have to spend your
days in some loft, trying hard enough to get yourself fed by one-moment-jobs.
Keep your mouth shut… you don’t know the world… you don’t know people who
cannot buy one of your precious cars, but whose chances are bigger to get under
one… So many people don’t take advantage of what they are offered.
<softer> I shouldn’t blame you, you don’t know what it is like to reach
out <he extends a hand> and find nothing.
Treize grabs Wufei’s extended hand and
kisses him. Wufei kicks and struggles in surprise but stops after a while and
relaxes. The lights go on Heero, who sits downstage left. Wufei and Treize
disappear in the darkness. Heero starts laughing. Duo crosses the stage, he is
limping.
Heero: <stops laughing>
<he remains cold throughout the whole dialogue> Going home?
Duo: Quatre will be waiting.
Heero: Don’t bother, he broke up
with you.
Duo: <stops> Funny, eh?
Quatre doesn’t break up, Heero, that’s so good about him.
Heero: <gets up and walks over
to Duo> Someone has to tell him to break up, before he gets himself wounded.
He doesn’t fit into your scheme. It’s nice to go back home and find someone
there waiting for you, isn’t it, Duo?
Duo: What?
Heero: No matter how you behave,
no matter how often someone has to rescue your ass, you can always go out, and
then go back to him, trying to stop him from refusing you.
Duo: Shut up, Heero.
Heero: It’s what you do.
Duo: Shut up.
Heero: Your perfect dream almost
killed his heart.
Duo: Shut up!!!
Heero: You have become a brutal
fighter, like they are.
Duo: Heero!!!
Heero: You forget your sacrifice.
Duo: <growl> SHUT UP!
Don’t turn on me as well!
Heero: You hurt us. Give it up.
Duo: NO! SHUT UP!
Duo jumps onto Heero and they start
fighting. Heero beats Duo unconscious, shoulders him and staggers off with him.
Wufei appears in front of the house.
Treize is standing behind him, hands on Wufei’s shoulders, his eyes closed.
Wufei is dressed neatly. Behind them, in the house, Quatre moves his sheets
over to Trowa’s room, Trowa helps him. Heero moves his into Duo’s.
Wufei: After that, things for the
others got even worse. I was settled with a lover and could watch from a
distance – spent most of my time with Treize, sitting on his desk and helping
him with his work like a little helpful goblin.
Treize: Yes, and I watched him. He
took half of my work, just like that, so I insisted on paying him. But still,
while he was doing his work, he’d sit down cross legged, on the rim of the sofa
or right next to my phone on the desk. He’d look like a kid, not like the young
man I knew he was.
Wufei: I admit, that was what I
had missed – being young. So I was young and old at the same time, and in
between… <he looks back at Treize, Treize opens his eyes> … we had out
moments… Socrates.
They kiss.
Wufei: Back home, Quatre was
happy, without his burden, afraid of new relationships. Heero silently kept
rescuing Duo, who got into more trouble than ever. More than once, Duo would
come home, beaten and shattered, hardly able to walk. And everyone looked at
him with these dark, hollow faces, pained by what he brought to our house.
Wufei and Treize step aside, followed
by spotlight. Duo stumbles through the door, hardly able to walk. Heero runs up
to him, supports him and takes him to his bed.
Wufei: He would bandage Duo
without complaints, without asking anything in return, lays him down so he
could sleep.
Heero covers Duo..
Wufei: He would watch him, making
sure he wasn’t in too much pain. From what we figured, Duo had found a club
where they could beat each other up. That’s how he made money – get himself
beaten up to a bloody wreck and beating someone else up just the same way. His
pockets were stuffed with crumpled, bloody money, when he came home like that.
A quarter of it usually went to the doctors or were needed for bandages, the
rest went for food and drink. It was an all unstable, insecure life.
Duo wakes up, Heero leaves.
Wufei: Duo seemed incapable of
understanding, that life went the way it did. He had lost Quatre, and he knew
very well that he deserved it. Quatre had been the only one, for long, to keep
him from fighting, now it was all worse than before. Duo was too stubborn to
realize how much he owed Heero. And Heero endured… without complaints.
Duo stumbles out of his room. Wufei and
Treize leave.
Duo: Do you have… <he holds
a hand to his head> ..pills.
Heero: <hands him a bottle>
Duo: Thanks man… <he takes a
pill> Tell the other not to look for me tonight, I am down at the river and
won’t be back before morning. I left a little money in the kitchen, I’ll have
more than enough after tonight. Tell Quatre to buy his favorite
chocolate for it.
Heero: <nods slowly>
Duo: If anyone should call for
me, you know where to find me, right?
Heero: <nods again>
Duo: Okey-dokey. G’night.
<leaves>
Heero: <waits a while then
follows>
Duo crosses the stage, Heero follows in
some distance. Obviously, it’s cold.
Wufei, Trowa and Quatre settle on the
sofa.
Trowa: Duo hasn’t even realized
that Heero has become mute.
Quatre: I tried to talk to Heero,
but it is true… he just doesn’t speak anymore.
Wufei: He’s messing with another
life, now. And he doesn’t even notice.
Quatre: <painfully> Don’t
say that… he is unaware of the world…
Wufei: Don’t put up excuses for
him, anyone can see how Heero suffers, but he is numb enough to not give a
shit. If he was a little more interested in other people, he’d see how he is
breaking him! Without Heero, Duo would be dead by now.
Trowa: I hoped he would grow up
some day.
Wufei: He will never. Someone who
makes his money by getting himself beaten up can’t be sane… It would be easier
without him.
Quatre: No… please… where would he
go?
Trowa: It’s okay, Quatre, we
won’t throw him out.
Wufei: <sighs and gets up>
Trowa: Where are you going?
Wufei: Treize… <takes his
jacket and leaves>
Trowa: <soft smile> They
are constantly coming and going.
Quatre: Yes… no one ever stays
long. It’s just like life.
Trowa: <softly> But do you
also realize, that this house is a shelter? No matter what happens outside, we
are safe in here… Safe from the pain.
Quatre: It hasn’t been for me. I
am sorry.
Trowa: Don’t be. The times with
Duo are over… that’s the only comfort I can probably give you.
Quatre: Duo will get himself
killed.
Trowa: <holds out a hand>
No… he will be alright. He has Heero after all.
Quatre: <gets up and takes the
hand, sits next to Trowa and cuddles with him> I hope you are right…
Trowa: <puts a hand on
Quatre’s hip> Most important is,
that you are safe now.
Quatre: <looks up at him and
kisses him>
Trowa: <kisses back>
Quatre and Trowa start making out.Trowa
undresses Quatre’s upper body and kisses him. Quatre doesn’t seem to back away,
instead, he takes Trowa’s shirt. Trowa picks Quatre up and carries him to their
room and onto the bed. Quatre lays down and Trowa slides on top of him. Quatre
pants audibly, as Trowa seduces him.
Lights dim, curtain closes. Shots can
be heard, then Duo dashes across the stage, Heero dashes into the other
direction, looking shortly at Duo as they pass each other. As soon as Heero is
offstage, he can be heard yelling, another shot can be heard from backstage
center.
The curtain opens again. Quatre and
Trowa are still in bed, covered. Quatre is siting half-upright, Trowa has his
head in Quatre’s arms.
Quatre: Trowa… are you crying?
<pause> <caresses him> Are you crying? <softly pulls him up to
look at him and kisses the tears away>
Trowa: I have been waiting for
this, ever since the moment you came into the door.
Quatre: I didn’t see you… and you
were there all along.
Trowa: Am I just… someone to you?
Someone to seduce you after Duo?
Quatre: No. I haven’t ever…
before… You are the one… the first.
Trowa: <nods> I’ll not hurt
you.
Quatre: <smiles> You aren’t
him. And I didn’t love him. <they kiss>
Trowa: Quatre.
Quatre: Hm?
Trowa: Should I take care of
that? <there is a movement beneath the blanket>
Quatre: <obviously shocked,
moans slightly> Trowa…!
Wufei sits on his banister again, spot
on him as the curtain closes.
Wufei: United in love, Quatre had
finally opened up to sex – despite all the things Duo had done. <frowns>
That’s how Treize and I found them… Quatre on top of Trowa, hugging him,
sheltering his slim body with his own. The blood was hardly visible on the
sheets. Their lips were close to each other, as if in the last moment, they had
kissed. <Pause. He lowers his head>
The
police said, it was a clean shot… hardly any pain for both of them. The whole
house was a mess… the sheets in our rooms tossed about, the bookcase turned
over and the pictures torn from the walls. Only their bed was neat, and their
dead bodies were quiet and beautiful. Their room was not touched at all… Even
the robbers must have been in awe for this love. But it was all too late.
Quatre and Trowa were dead, their souls hopefully united in another world. Maybe
it was for the better, maybe it wasn’t. They had died together in their
shelter, and they would be buried together.
The curtain opens. The house is a mess,
just as Wufei described. Treize is kneelinng on the floor, picking up Wufei’s
books. Wufei climbs down the banister and joins him. He goes to pick up Duo’s
and Heero’s room. Quatre and Trowa’s bodies have already been taken away.
Wufei picks up some chocolate and
contemplates it. Then goes to Quatre’s and Trowa’s room and puts it onto the
bed… slowly. He wipes his nose, then turns around. Treize has just gotten up
and put a pile of books on the table. He sees Wufei and hugs him.
Treize: They’ll be fine.
Wufei: I know. I just… what do we
have that’s worth killing two innocent kids for? How heartless must these
killers be?
Treize: We won’t understand. But
it’s better as if one of them died alone.
Wufei: What am I going to tell
Duo? And Heero? Their families? They were the only two of us making an honest
living, throughoutly. How can they die?
Treize: Angels belong into heaven,
and I am sure they are in such a place. I’ll take care of the burial and you
take care of the house.
Wufei: Yes. <he disengages and
goes back to Duo’s room> <he crawls under the bed, fumbles for a while
and takes out a metal box> What’s this? <he takes it to Treize> Ever
seen that before? It was hidden under the bed.
Treize: A security case? Maybe
that’s what they’ve been looking for. But what would you guys have – important
enough to hide it in such an expensive thing?
Wufei: Seems to belong to Duo. I
could ask him… but maybe the police---
Treize: <nods> You go and
search Duo and Heero to tell them what happened and I’ll take this to the
investigators. If that is what they’ve been looking for, than we can maybe find
out who it was.
Wufei: <nods> Okay… I’ll
call you up if anything happens.
They leave. The curtain closes again.
Duo comes in from the left and stumbles onto the stage, holding a hand to his
chest.
Duo: <exhaustedly>
Bastards! <he falls to his knees>
Heero: <runs up to Duo from
the left> …
Duo: Heero! Go! Leave, before
they---
Heero: <tries to pick up Duo.
But Duo yelps up in pain, so he sets him back down again>
Duo: <croaking> Heero…
talk to me! Please say something…
Heero: <holds him and looks at
him> …
Duo: <under pain> I know…
you haven’t been talking much lately… I know it’s hard to stand for you, but
stay on my side. Please… help me up…
Heero: <helps him up>
Duo: <stands insecurely,
stumbles back to the left> One fight… one fight and we are set.
Heero: NO.
Duo: <looks back at him>
Heero… it’s good. It’s for you. <stumbles back, grabs his head and kisses
him> Don’t worry about me!
Heero: <startled, tries to
hold him back>
Duo: <heads for the exit on
the left> <another shot, Duo stumbles back, holding his stomach>
Heero: <catches him as he
falls>
Duo: <digs in his pocket and
hands Duo a bundle of money> Here… that’s from tonight… the rest is under my
… bed. I was going to wait… for my birthday…
Heero: Duo…!
Duo: One fight… and I would
have had enough. I was so close, Heero.
Quatre and Trowa appear on the banister
in light-colored clothing. Quatre is in Trowa’s arm, they are watching sadly.
The spot on them dims after a while, the spot on Duo and Heero brightens. Heero
and Duo kiss.
Wufei and Treize appear on the other side of the stage with a
third spot. They hold the metal box and open it together. Wufei takes out a
paper and reads it.
Wufei: Duo… he was making money…
he was buying a house!
Treize: What?
Wufei: These robbers must have
known how much money he had made fighting, and that he was saving money to buy
us a house. He has almost fully paid it all already… <he reads a little
more> … Treize… we own a house! But why? The loft was okay… Why does Duo
want to buy a house?
Duo tenses in Heero’s arm and gasps
with pain. Heero lets go of his mouth and Duo falls back limply. Heero softly
sets him down and straightend his body. Quatre and Trowa disappear.
Wufei and Treize run towards them with
the box.
Wufei: Heero! Duo! Something
happened… <he stops dead>
Heero: <looks over to them>
Duo-
Wufei: <drops the metal box. A
whole bunch of money and papers spills on the floor>
Wufei: No…! <gasps>
Heero: <gets up and looks down
on Duo> <passes Treize and Wufei and drops the bundled money he had
received earlier onto the floor with the money from the box>
Wufei: <kneels down to pick it
up, but stops himself> Heero.
Heero: They shot him, because he
wasn’t giving up. He was demanding his money.
Wufei: Did you know…?
<indicates towards the box>
Heero: <not looking back> Yes.
He wasn’t off with sluts. Ever. He was working. He was fighting. He was making
money. He knew they were going to rob the loft sooner or later, so he made a
contract. Five thousand every month and the house is his…
The lights fade. Heero and Duo come to
the very front of the stage.
Duo: Heero, I am not going to
be able to do that on my own. Someone needs to keep me in shape. If we hurry,
we can move in next year…
Heero: I’ll help you.
Duo: You will see me in a very
miserable shape, but it’s for the house. Once we can move out of this slum and
into something better, we’ll have a chance in life… and nobody will threaten us
anymore… do you understand me? We can achieve this by ourselves.
Heero: Yes. I’ll take care of
you.
Duo: Don’t get involved! Don’t
fight – I need you… don’t put yourself into any danger! The five of us will
have a good life, okay? We’ve been treated badly enough. Wufei will go to
university, Quatre will have time for his hobbies, Trowa and you can do your
sports, and I can go back to school. Please, we need to make it.
Heero: We’ll make it, Duo.
Duo leaves quickly. Heero returns to
Wufei and Treize.
Heero: It was his dream for us
all.
Wufei: Heero… they robbed the
loft this evening.
Heero: They said so.
Wufei: Quatre and Trowa… are dead.
Heero: <gasps> <turns
around> Wufei… stay with Treize. Leave this place. You don’t belong here.
<turns to leave>
Wufei: Wait. <he picks up the
money and hands it to Heero> Take this. We have more than enough. Make a new
start for him, they all would want that.
Heero: Thank you. Bye.
Wufei: Bye.
Heero leaves. Treize pats Wufei’s
shoulder and leaves on the other side of the stage. Wufei comes down center.
Wufei: I haven’t seen Heero ever
since, and I didn’t expect to. I moved in with Treize after we had cleared out
the loft. I suppose the big achievement in all our, Heero’s, Duo’s, Trowa’s,
Quatre’s and my lives was, that we never ran around in circles for long but
tried to move up. I often excused to Duo for my misjudgements – out of the five
of us, he was the one most willing to challenge his life, challenge it for all
of us. If he had asked for support… but we all had our pride – it was sometimes
all we had. I suppose not even Quatre knew what was going on. Maybe life is a
dream in the end, and we are all doing our best to make it a good one. Those
who die in honor for their aims, who swallow a goblet of poison for the
protection of their dreams, deserve to be honored. We’ll all remember them from
their good sides and their bad ones.
Nobody
is blamed, nobody needs to feel guilt. And I don’t know whose fate is better.
Mine, Duo’s or Quatre’s and Trowa’s… maybe even Heero’s. There is no need to
dwell on it. I am destined to follow a good example and move up, and work for
others at a decent cost. And if I am lucky, I’ll meet him again to apologize,
although I am sure I am already forgiven.
Wufei retreats. He looks up to the
banister, where Trowa and Quatre stand with Duo in their middle.
Wufei: Sometimes I can almost
feel them watching over us. It’s good to know.
Wufei retreats to the left part of the
stage, where Treize is waiting to lay an arm around him. Heero comes from the
audience, and climbs up the banister. Duo holds out a hand and pulls him up
with him. They hug each other, Quatre and Trowa smile. The light fades on them
and on Treize and Wufei, who stare into the distance.
-END-