ACT I
Scene 1
A hospital. April, 17, is sitting up in a hospital
bed. Julian, also 17, is in a hospital bed
parallel, playing with a Hasid toy. When he
squeezes it, it plays Hava Nagila. He is enjoying
it and it catches April's eye.
APRIL
What is that?
JULIAN
The doll? It's a Hasid.
APRIL
A Hasid?
JULIAN
Kind of an orthodox Jew? But...more so, I think?
APRIL
Why is it so funny?
JULIAN
It's playing this song, Hava Nagila. It's, like, played
at weddings and stuff.
APRIL
So why is it funny?
JULIAN
I don't know, it's kind of like, a Jewish in-joke? It's
hard to explain.
APRIL
Are there Christian in-jokes that it's like?
JULIAN
Are there Christian in-jokes?
APRIL
Um, I dunno. I don't really socialize with people who
make Jesus jokes.
JULIAN
I think that a lot more Jews consider Judaism to be a
joke itself. Like, it's more of a culture and the
ceremony is kind of going through the motions. So we're
always laughing at tradition. Maybe that's why it's
funny. Because it's so familiar, but doesn't really
mean anything to us.
Beat.
APRIL
So you don't believe in God?
JULIAN
...Not really. I mean, we're reform, so even our rabbi
admits he's kind of on the fence. He says that he
believes in God like 50 percent of the time. Do you
believe in God?
APRIL
I dunno, everyone's always asking me that at my church.
I hate that question.
JULIAN
You just asked me!
APRIL
I'm sorry! It just sounded like the right thing to say.
Beat.
APRIL
Maybe I believe in God. But it doesn't really matter.
