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Battleground Sterile: Part II

The continuation of young love.

36
Battleground Sterile: Part II

CAL

(Pauses, obviously exasperated)

So you're just gonna' fall into the stereotypical Greek family, huh? Big and loud and always together? Where you never figure out what you're made of?

OMORFIA

(gets up and faces away from him, stage right)

I know what I'm made of. I discovered that the moment I had to be the sixteen-year-old to drive her dying father and bawling little sister to the hospital.

CAL

You know that isn't what I meant. And you know I admire you for the strength you've had since losing him.

OMORFIA

(turns to face him, arms crossed)

Did you forget that I had to watch him die? Right in front of me? Without my family around me? It was just me and Camilla. I didn't have my family then, and I won't do it again, I need them.

CAL

And I need you. Just you. I thought women thought that was romantic or something.

OMORFIA

It's not that I don't think it's romantic.

(she paces slowly around the bed)

I just can't leave my family when they're all that's kept me afloat the past two years.

CAL

(irritated)

What about me? I was the one that held you the night he died. The rest of your family went off to bed, leaving you alone in the front yard to cry, or did you forget that little tidbit?

OMORFIA

I didn't forget anything. I remember watching you come up the driveway, not knowing it was you…but knowing all the same.

CAL

(chuckles)

My dad threatened to wallop me if I left the house, "It's too late" he said, "You get in that truck, you sleep on the porch"

(short pause)

Little did I know it wouldn't be my porch I'd be sleeping on.

OMORFIA

(giggles)

Yeah…that porch swing'd never been more comfy.

(sits down in the chair, taking his hand to kiss it)

I didn't mean that you don't matter. Honestly, you're the only person that's been there for me. And you didn't even have the title of "boyfriend" yet…you just were there.

CAL

That's what I'm saying. I don't want anything except you.

OMORFIA

And to leave town, that's where it gets messy.

CAL

Why's it gotta be messy?

OMORFIA

Our desires are different there. If I leave, mom and Camilla will lose the house.

CAL

Only 'cuz your mom refuses to go back to work full-time.

(short pause while they look at each other)

OMORFIA

(softens slightly in her tone)

You know, I always thought that both of us coming from Greek backgrounds would be an advantage.

CAL

I don't wanna' be the stereotype, Morfi. I wanna' be my own person.

OMORFIA

(touches his face, gently)

Why can't you be that person, here with me?

CAL

(holds her hand)

I don't like who I am when I'm here. The only thing I like about here is you.

OMORFIA

(hesitates)

Please tell me what happened during the surgery.

CAL

It wasn't a big deal. I choked on some phlegm while I was under and they all freaked out, thought I was dying or something.

OMORFIA

You aspirated?! Oh, Cal, that's so dangerous. Is that why they are keeping you overnight?

CAL

Please quit changing the subject.

OMORFIA

Why do you do that? I show concern for you and you throw it back at me?

CAL

It wouldn't bother me so much if you didn't use it as an excuse to avoid me.

OMORFIA

I don't avoid you.

CAL

Right, only the hard questions I ask you.

OMORFIA

Has it occurred to you that maybe it shouldn't be a hard question? Maybe you're making it one.

CAL

No.

OMORFIA

Of course, it hasn't. Why can't you just stay here, for me, for two years and then we can figure everything out from there?

CAL

What makes you think things will be different in two years? My dad will just keep trying to control me, and your family will just tighten their hold on you.

OMORFIA

Maybe you should give your dad a chance, he hasn't been perfect, but I feel like he's trying to make things right between you now.

CAL

By trying to control my life?

OMORFIA

I think that's how you see it. But maybe he's actually trying to give you advice, maybe help point you on your way. You're trying to get into the big wide world before you even know what it's about. What if it doesn't work?

CAL

What're you talking about? I've made it perfectly fine here on my own.

OMORFIA

I'm just saying, Seattle is different. We have 500 people in this town.

CAL

(long pause)

We're just goin' around in circles. 'm tired of it.

OMORFIA

Then what do we do?

CAL

(pauses and looks out the window)

I love you, Omorfia. You're all that's ever been for me. You're all that ever will be for me. You complain that I'm making you choose between two parts of yourself when you're trying to force me to choose between all there is and nothing. Once I'm out of the hospital, and I don't have extra holes in me, I'm leaving for Seattle. You look me in the eye right now, and you tell me if I'm worth the risk or not.

OMORFIA

That isn't fair Cal.

CAL

The question is simple, give me a simple answer.

OMORFIA

You will not put me in this position, we will discuss it later.

CAL

We are already discussing it. Give me an answer, now.

OMORFIA

Until you are thinking clearly, I will give you no such thing.

CAL

(points at the doorway)

If you walk out that door, it'll be like you never existed to me. I've given you everything I have, and we've done this long enough.

OMORFIA

(mortified)

I'm sorry to hear I hold so low a value that you could erase me so rashly.

(gets up and turns away)

It almost makes it easier. Almost.

CAL

Don't do it.

OMORFIA

You're giving me no choice.

CAL

(pleading, he attempts to move towards her, but his wound prevents him)

That's all I've ever given you.

OMORFIA

Then extend your offer. Let's talk tomorrow.

CAL

(managed to get his legs over the bedside but shakes his head)

I can't be dragged through the mud any longer. It's me or your family.

OMORFIA

(takes a step back)

Then it's me or your freedom.

CAL

My freedom comes with you if you choose it. I told you my choice is made.

OMORFIA

(her voice breaks)

Then, I'm afraid, so is mine.

(tears slide down her face)

Kindly erase me from your heart, and I'll try to do the same.

(she exits)

(Cal is left alone, the sterile buzzing of the fluorescent lights being the only noise. The nurse enters)

NURSE

It's time we turn the lights off for the night, Mr. Dimakos. Do you need anything?

CAL

(shakes his head, avoiding her gaze)

(the lights go down, but the lights from the hallway are seen coming through the door)

I guess I could use a heart-removal. Maybe that'd help it not hurt.

(several silent moments pass when a form appears in the door, we can only see the outline which is slender with bushy hair, we cannot tell if it's Omorfia or Maria)

(lights go down)

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