#9: COLD BREAKS ANEW

Written by
Joseph Frost
Draft
8/11/16
written for the 2016 31 Plays in 31 Days project

Joseph Frost, 2016

4550 Normandy Dr
Jackson, MS 39206
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
* member, Dramatists Guild of America

A bridge.
GERALD stands just off the bridge.
MINNIE is on the bridge, the opposite side from Gerald.
They are young, and dressed in clean clothing evocative of
perhaps the 1950s.
MINNIE
I wanted him to be with me.
GERALD
I wanted to stay home with me.
MINNIE
There was so much to see and places to go.
GERALD
There was so much life to live with the ones we loved.
MINNIE
Those who loved me knew I needed to go.
GERALD
To go was to be incapable of loving those I would leave.
MINNIE
I wanted...
GERALD
I wanted...
BOTH
You.
A light shift to night time. The railing illuminates.
Minnie begins to walk toward Gerald.
MINNIE
You came.

2.
GERALD
I told you Id meet you here.
MINNIE
But I wasnt sure.
GERALD
I wouldnt let you down.
MINNIE
Come here.
GERALD
Im already here.
Minnie stops close to the center, holds out her hand.
MINNIE
Hold my hand.
GERALD
Theyre waiting for us at the dance.
MINNIE
You can dance with me here.
GERALD
Theres no music.
MINNIE
We dont need music to dance.
Gerald takes a step onto the bridge.
He gets close enough to grab her hand at a distance. He
pulls Minnie toward him.
GERALD
Lets go.
MINNIE
I want to watch the moon over the lake.
GERALD
Its the same moon all over town.

3.
MINNIE
But its over the lake, here.
GERALD
Minnie.
MINNIE
Stand here with me.
Gerald does, reluctantly.
GERALD
It is a beautiful moon.
MINNIE
It is, isnt it.
GERALD
You love this.
Minnie snuggles into Geralds arm.
MINNIE
I do.
A moment.
Lights shift. It is afternoon.
GERALD
I cant believe hes gone.
MINNIE
Im relieved for him. So much pain he was in.
GERALD
Ill miss him.
MINNIE
He wouldnt want us to mourn for too long.
GERALD
But we should take some time to let this all sink in.
MINNIE
What do you mean?

4.
GERALD
We need time. You need time.
MINNIE
What time?
GERALD
I think we should postpone the trip.
MINNIE
The trip.
GERALD
For a while. Just to heal. Well still go.
MINNIE
When?
GERALD
Well have to see. It depends.
MINNIE
Depends on what?
GERALD
How long it takes. Well know when its time.
MINNIE
Its time. I know it is.
Minnie turns to walk across the bridge.
GERALD
Wait.
Gerald gets in front of her.
MINNIE
I dont need to wait. I dont need to heal. I need...
GERALD
You need.
MINNIE
We need to go.

5.
GERALD
I need some time.
MINNIE
Gerald.
GERALD
I need it. Im not ready to go.
MINNIE
Theres nothing here to do, now.
GERALD
Except heal. Except be with the family, be with each other.
MINNIE
Thats not what I need.
GERALD
Maybe thats what they need.
MINNIE
Who?
GERALD
Your family. Hes only been gone for-MINNIE
Hes gone. Thats it. And I need to go, too.
GERALD
Minnie.
MINNIE
I mean it. Im going.
Minnie runs to the end of the bridge and stops. She faces
upstage.
Lights shift. It gets dim.

6.
GERALD
Winds blow
waves ripple across the lake
shining sunlight
every which way
east and west
and back to the sky
trying to
trying to
illuminate
the winds
leaves rustle in the trees
until they can no more
they come to rest
one on one on one
turning green to gray
grounds pale under snow clouds
tucked in their blanket to rest
to wait
and snuggle in for the long dark
and wait
until
cold breaks anew
cold breaks anew
Gerald leans on the railing.
Lights shift. Morning.
Gerald is older now. And so is Minnie.
MINNIE
Gerald.
(he does not turn)
I saw it. I saw it all. All I had to do was go, and it was there. Everything I told you I
needed.
GERALD
Im glad it was.

7.
MINNIE
Gerald?
(he does not turn)
There were towers and walls, castles and villages, things ancient and new. And people.
So many people. I saw them. I saw people.
GERALD
Im glad you did.
MINNIE
But Gerald...
GERALD
Yes?
MINNIE
I never saw... my... people.
Gerald turns.
GERALD
You didnt.
MINNIE
They were here.
GERALD
One wasnt.
Gerald reaches out his hand.
Minnie takes it.
Gerald leads her back to her side of the bridge.
They stop.
Gerald offers his arms. Minnie jumps into them.
Gerald carries her off stage.
Lights down.