BRYCE:

All right, it’s go time, Alex. Let’s get in the zone.

 

[Crewhand runs out and gives Bryce a mask and earbuds.]

 

ALEXANDRIA:

(To Audience)

I watch him as he stretches and puts on this ridiculous mask. He looks like a stupid Ninja Turtle. (To Bryce) You look like a stupid Ninja Turtle.

 

BRYCE:

(Ranting)

Oh, which one? I always thought I was more of a Michelangelo man myself. Of course, Leonardo is cool, but he's sorta a narc. (Beat) You’d totally be Rapheal.

 

ALEXANDRIA:

Enough of this nonsense, what did you want? (To Audience) He is just so infuriating. He’s like a chihuahua, constantly yapping about something inane.

 

BRYCE:

Oh yes, I-I just wanted to see how you were doing with everything. It’s only the heist we’ve been planning for like ever, s-so I just wanted to, you know, check on my partner. Crime partner, I mean. Homie-in-crime. Not like-(Inaudible)

 

ALEXANDRIA:

(To Bryce)

I’m doing fine. Just anxious to get things over with. (She looks at Bryce) Thank you for asking Bryce.

 

BRYCE:

It’s a-it’s no biggie, really. Just glad to help. So, what are you going to do with your share?

 

ALEXANDRIA:

Oh, I don’t really know, honestly. Maybe a car or a downpayment for a new apartment. A place that has a kitchen without a shower in it would be nice. What about you, Bryce? (To Audience) Maybe he isn’t so bad after all.

 

[Alexandria stares at Bryce expectantly. He stares at her. He doesn’t respond at first. He suddenly snaps back to attention.]

 

BRYCE:

I’m deciding between buying a yacht or buying the Dallas Mavericks.

 

ALEXANDRIA:

(To Audience)

Never mind. (To Bryce) I expected nothing less from you. You are very predictable. 

 

[Sam enters]

 

BRYCE:

Thank you! Ok, now it’s time to get in the zone.

 

[Bryce puts an earbud in. Kevin enters and exits DL. Rebecca enters and goes DR.]

 

BRYCE (CONT):

Hey! You want a bud and jam with me to my ultimate heist playlist vol. 5½?

 

ALEXANDRIA:

How many heist playlists do you have?

 

BRYCE:

Enough to get the party started. Here you go.

 

[Bryce shoves an earbud in Alexandria’s ear. Barbie Girl by Aqua starts playing. Bryce starts to dance awkwardly.]

 

ALEXANDRIA:

Ok then! Well, I’m going to go see how Sam is doing with the heist; you can continue doing whatever it is you call THAT.

 

​

 

​

​

Act 1 Scene 20

 

THE AUTHOR:

Alexandria dies there in Bryce’s arms. She gets pronounced dead on the scene, and the rest of them get arrested. That is the last we see of our band of “heroes,” which also marks our story's end today.

 

(Bryce Spotlight on)

 

BRYCE:

What do you mean that’s the end?

 

THE AUTHOR:

(Camly)

I’m sorry, my son, that’s the end. That’s how I wrote this story. I wanted to write a story of love, loss, and heartbreak, and I am terribly sorry to have caught you in the middle of it all.

 

(Bryce storms over towards The Author.)

 

BRYCE:

(Exasperated)

But why do you have to end it that way? If you can write whatever you want, then why write the end of my life twice over?

 

THE AUTHOR:

(The Author laughs)

Do you really want to know my boy? I wrote this to deal with my own problematic feelings for a woman. Son, sometimes creators need an outlet for their feelings, and it comes in the form of a story. Occasionally, I sit here and wonder if there is someone behind my life, and hopefully, he isn’t dealing with the troubles we are now. (The Author laughs again) Bryce, you have the capacity to create a beautiful story with the grief you feel right now, and I would love to read it one day.

 

BRYCE:

I don’t understand the point!

 

THE AUTHOR:

We don’t always understand what happens to us. We just have to keep going and keep pushing forward. Keep writing the story, or in your case, keep telling it. There will always be things we can’t control.

 

BRYCE:

So I was created with all these feelings just to deal with your problems. Is my life truly mine? Are the decisions I make my own, or are they just sentences you wrote down in some stupid book?

 

THE AUTHOR:

Your decisions are as real as you are. I believe my creator gave me free will and a story, so I give the same to you. Now that the told story has concluded, it is up to you to write the next part, with my help, of course.

 

(A kettle whistles)

 

THE AUTHOR (CONT.):

I’m sorry, it looks like it’s time I leave you now. I’ll always be here for you, Bryce. Thank you for visiting me. (To Audience) Thank you for listening to my story.