by Paul Dunn
Beat.
Sure.
Beat.
Perspective, eh? Well, why is that my job? Why is it up to me to think bigger? What about the kids who left messages suggesting that I kill myself? What about those kids who spent I don’t know how long on their computer photoshopping a picture of me — it seems to me they could use some perspective too, don’t you think? You know that when you make that photo, when you write those words, you can’t take that shit back. You will always be that person who said those things. Go to the washroom and stand and look in the mirror like I had to, and then see that person in the larger picture of your school, your neighbourhood, your town . . . the country, the world . . .
krystina: (whispering) She’s back!
jeremy: Our friend?
krystina: Yes!
jeremy: Let me try this time.
krystina moves aside. He goes to the door, speaks out to the girl.
S’up?
krystina: (to jeremy, hushed) “S’up”!?
jeremy: (ignoring her, to girl) You wanna come hang? We are so not going to ask you anything that you don’t wanna answer, ’cause we are so . . . down with . . . stuff.
krystina: Oh my god.
jeremy: Oh, okay then. Um . . . later.
He turns back to krystina.
I’m sorry I made fun of you.
krystina: She’s gone?
jeremy: I made her run away. Run. Away.
krystina: What’s so scary about us?
jeremy: I don’t know. Maybe she’ll come in next week.
krystina: We’re really gonna keep meeting even if it’s just you and me?
jeremy: Well, yeah. What if she hangs around for weeks, working up the courage, and then when she finally decides today’s the day we’ve packed it in?
daniel: To think you guys were just one district over. With your QSA and your Pride posters in the hall, and you, Ms. Franjelica, and . . . I’m really grateful. You have no idea. I am more than grateful to be here.
Beat.
But I would rather not have to be. I would rather be at my school, my high school, like any other kid. I would rather . . . not have seen my mom and dad look at me the way they did at the hospital when I was recovering, so afraid, and me thinking . . . it’ll never be the same, this I can’t undo. I . . .
He can’t continue . . . He breaks off, exhales —
jeremy: So, what about our mission statement, then?
krystina: We’ll settle on it next meeting.
The bell. She starts to take the banner down.
jeremy: More people will come. I got a feeling . . .
krystina: Sure. We’ll have pizza. Or something.
jeremy: That’s a great idea.
daniel: But anyway, about that favour. I’m putting together a package for Krystina and Jeremy. For support. I was wondering if you guys might sign this card, it says, “We are with you”? So that maybe, if there’s not a lot of . . . people there at first, and they’re feeling a little lonely or scared or whatever, they can pull this out and look at your signatures and stuff and get some . . . perspective.
The banner is down. krystina folds it.
jeremy: I gotta run. Catch you later.
krystina: Sure, Jeremy. Thanks.
jeremy scoots off. krystina turns at the door and stares at the empty room.
daniel: What do you guys think?
End of play.
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their contributions to the development of Outside: Kitsilano Secondary School QSA, Spencer Harrison and Georges Vanier Secondary School GSA, Steven Solomon, Jessica Greenberg, PFLAG, Egale, the 519 Community Centre, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Roseneath Theatre. I especially thank Andrew, Kyle, Mina, Youness, Giacomo, Maureen, Meghan and Krista for their courage, insight and dedication; Michael, Lindsay and Verne for their artistry and craft; Gretel, Natalie, Heather, Niki, Nan, Katya, Victoria, Brittany, Jim, Annemieke, Courtney and Nicole for working so hard to bring this story into our schools; Rosemary for her guidance and encouragement; and Mark for his love and support.
About the Author
Paul Dunn is a playwright based in Stratford, Ontario. His plays have been produced by Theatre Direct (BOYS), the Stratford Festival (High-Gravel-Blind), Studio 180 Theatre (Offensive Shadows — Audience Choice Award, SummerWorks Festival), cart/horse theatre (Dalton and Company), and Roseneath Theatre (Outside — Dora Award Nomination, Outstanding New Play, TYA). He co-authored The Gay Heritage Project, which was produced by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, toured nationally, and was nominated for a Dora Award for Outstanding New Play. His play Memorial received an honourable mention from the Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition. He is also an actor and has worked in theatres across the country.
Copyright
Outside © Copyright 2017 by Paul Dunn
First edition: September 2017
Cover illustration and design by Patrick Gray
Author photo © Tim Leyes
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Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Dunn, Paul, author
Outside / Paul Dunn. -- First edition.
A play.
Issued in print and electronic formats.
ISBN 978-1-77091-810-8 (softcover).--ISBN 978-1-77091-811-5 (PDF).
--ISBN 978-1-77091-812-2 (HTML).--ISBN 978-1-77091-813-9 (Kindle)
I. Title.
PS8607.U552O98 2017 jC812’.6 C2017-904518-0
C2017-904519-9
We acknowledge the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Government of Canada for our publishing activities.