Good to Be Alive

Scene 4:

1.8 MYSTERIOUS WHISPER

(Immediately SPOTLIGHT on the TRIO, who perform a capella)

TRIO

MYSTERIOUS WHISPER

MYSTERIOUS WHISPER

MYSTERIOUS WHISPER

MYSTERIOUS WHISPER 

(LIGHTS OUT)

(LIGHTS UP to reveal the ruins of an abandoned nightclub slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding forest. The windows and doors have long since been broken out, and most of the roof is missing. The few signs of its former purpose that are still identifiable - a stage, a mezzanine level at the back, a bar - are partially obscured by undergrowth and covered with decades of graffiti. We are in LUMBERLAND, about ten minutes before sunset; golden light from the almost-setting sun streams through the trees. We hear the ambient noise of the forest - wind in the trees, birdsong, et cetera.)

There is a rustling of underbrush and DORIS and JOHN appear. DORIS has lost none of her apparent focus, although she is narrating to herself again. JOHN looks as miserable as we have seen him until now - he has tucked his pants into his socks and his shirt into his pants, and is constantly swatting at bugs and running his hands through his hair.)

DORIS

I could sense that our time was growing short. It was only a matter of time before we lost our light, and even I didn't want to be out after dark in Lumberland.

JOHN

Oh. Oh, God, I think I've got Lyme Disease.

DORIS

Kevin had proven his worth time and again - navigating the stolen car along back roads...

JOHN

(Halfheartedly attempting to interrupt - he's been correcting her monologue all day to no avail.)

Peggy let us borrow her car, Mrs. Train...

DORIS

...Guarding the door while I attempted to jog the memories of uncooperative shopkeepers... He even suggested we investigate the library, which turned out to be where we hit the Lagerstätte.

JOHN

I just needed to use the restroom...

DORIS

On a whim, I showed Minotaur's picture to the librarian. Not only had she seen the good doctor, she said that a while back he was a regular patron. "That kindly old gentleman in the wheelchair!" she said. "He would spend hours in the nonfiction stacks, reading everything he could about local history." Apparently, he was most interested in the Jay Darling Supper Club out on County Road 31.

JOHN

Do wolves live out here? I'm pretty sure wolves live out here. I promised your husband I'd keep you safe.

DORIS

Fifteen minutes later, and there we were. The ruins of the Jay Darling.

JOHN

I mean, the Lieutenant. Not your husband. The Lieutenant. God, I'm tired.

DORIS

I had danced there once, back in the early eighties, before I met the sainted Richard Train. Mirrored ceiling, red carpet up to your ankles, and the bartender made the best Rum Martinez I've ever tasted.