In Another Lifetime

                                                                         In Another Lifetime

Written by; Caroline Pepin

Character Names

Lead male: Zack

Lead Female: Emmeline

Supporting Character: Larson

Supporting Character: Katrina

(Lights up on Zack in his childhood bedroom looking in the mirror trying to tie his necktie but unsuccessfully)

Larson: Hey! Zack! We are all ready for the wedding pictures.

(Zack finally looks away from the mirror)

Zack: Uhm... yea! Be down in ten. I promise this time.

Zack: What am I even doing? Is this what I wanted? Fuck, what are you saying of course it is. You have been with Katrina since the eleventh grade. You haven't felt the same after that breakup you and Katrina had when it was your first year of college and she just started the eleventh grade. God why the fuck did we date so young, that age gap was so weird back then. (Zack stands up straight again) But we are (swallows) adults now, and she is waiting downstairs for me. She is waiting for the old me to come downstairs and make everyone laugh and do magic tricks. (laughs to himself) What am I doing...

(Someone knocks on Zack's door)

Zack: LARSON! I told you I will be down soon. I'm just trying to do something right now.

(The door opens to reveal it is not Larson that was knocking the door)

Emmeline: Hey...

(Zack finally turns around, his face is disbelief as he remembers that familiar voice.)

Zack: Emmeline?... What are you doing here?

(Emmeline stares at him for a bit and then notices his necktie)

Emmeline: Wow, to this day you cannot tie a necktie. (starts laughing and walking up to him and starts fixing his necktie) Rember the time we were in that one play together back in high school and right before on stage you couldn't tie your necktie, and you started freaking out. Even though it was pre tied for you-

(Zack takes a step back and looks Emmeline in the eyes)

Zack: Emmeline. What are you doing here...

(Emmeline focuses her attention on a picture of them when they were in highschool. It is in a beautiful frame that is standing on his desk.)

Zack: I know you aren't here to laugh that I still cannot tie a necktie.

Emmeline: So, you're getting married today!?

Zack: Yeah, in about 2 hours...

(Emmeline tuns around and you can notice her eyes welling up)

Emmeline: That's amazing, I'm so happy for you!

Zack: No, you're not. 

Emmeline: Zack, I know that this is probably the worst timing, but I have a feeling that this is not what you want. Because, if you knew how much I actually loved you... you... wouldn't be getting ready to marry her. God, I can't see you marring a girl you don't truly love.

(Zack and Emmeline start walking toward each other)

Zack: I love her, but I don't know anymore. I mean you have been there for me when I needed someone the most. But I just can't love you. I tried.

(Long pause)

Emmeline: But have you!? So, you can look me in the eyes right now and tell me you don't truly love me. After everything that we went through. Zack, I have patiently waited for you to love me my whole life, but I can't keep waiting for you If you just "won't even try". Cause don't look at me and say "you tried" because you didn't, I DID. I tried!

Zack: Emmeline-

Emmeline: No. Who was there to calm your nerves before you went on stage. Me. Who was there to comfort you when you had family trouble. Me. Who was there when you needed someone to listen to the song you made for your mom. Me. Who was there when my stepsister broke up with you. Me. And you know damn well, for you I would have ruined myself a million little times.

Zack: You are right. I didn't try.

Emmeline: Why!?

Zack: Because if I did, I would have loved you. I would have loved you where you would be all I thought about morning, noon, and night. I would have loved you where I needed to see you every day because you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I would have loved you so much that I would want to marry you so fast because I couldn't stand another moment not being a part of your life.

Emmeline: And what is wrong with that? Was that thought so bad!?

(Zack holds Emmeline's hands and start welling up with tears too)

Zack: No! I didn't try because I was scared. Because that love I felt for you was a love I still can't get over to this day. Having those feelings as a high school boy was scary. So, to answer your question, I do love you, but my faience is downstairs waiting for me. And I love her too. I made a promise to her.

(Emmeline puts a hand on Zack's cheek)

Emmeline: I will always love you, Zack.

(Zack puts a hand on Emmeline's cheek)

Zack: I will always love you to Emmeline but-

(She drops her hand and takes a step back)

(Emmeline starts walking to the door)

Emmeline: You can't. I understand. I just want you to be happy. Jeez that's all I wanted for you. I just want you to be so so happy.

Zack: In another lifetime?

(Emmeline has a hold on the doorknob and looks back at him one. last. time.)

Emmeline: In another lifetime.