Closer

Scene 3

Scene 3

Still in the classroom. Alexis is on stage with her lunch on her desk.

As Josh enters the room he is surprised to see Alexis

Josh: (surprised.) sits down at the desk beside her. Alexis what are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be upstairs in the cafeteria, with your friends.

Alexis: ( with a caring voice.) Josh, you are my friend. I would rather eat with you in here.

Josh: (Confused.) I am?

Alexis: Gets up from her desk and walks to Josh who is sitting in the desk beside hers. Yes you are, we may have our differences, but we also have our similarities. My mom left, and you don't live with yours. (short pause.) Are you even allowed to see your mom?

Josh: (upset.) Yes, I can see her, (raising his voice) but I don't want to.

Alexis: (confused) Why don't you want to see your mom?

Josh: (Getting louder.) After all she did to me, I can't even look her in the face, I can't even talk to her on the phone without yelling at her.

Alexis: (softly trying to calm him down), moving towards Josh. What did she do, why are you mad at her?

Josh: (Shouting) Wouldn't you be mad if your parents just let these random strangers take you without even trying to stop them. My mom didn't seem to care that these people were pulling us out of our house and putting us into a car with people I didn't even know.

Alexis: (softly), moving towards a desk and sitting down. Yes I'd be mad, but I would be able to forgive them because I know they were giving me a better life than I would have had with them.

Josh: (Softer, but still shouting) sitting next to Alexis. But you don't understand, I can't forgive her, my life would have been fine if I lived with her and not my new family. I don't want somebody to replace my mother.

Alexis: holding Josh's hand, calming him down, speaking softly. Nobody is trying to replace your mother, they are trying to be somebody for you to go to if something is wrong, for you to be able to cry on their shoulders when you are weak, for you to boast to them if you feel strong, they are not trying to be a replacement of your mother.

Lights dim all exit.