The Day After

The House on the Hill
The Day After
ACT 3 â€" Scene 1




CONNIE
PAUL


Connie nervously walks into the kitchen checking to see if Paul came back during the night. Seeing the kitchen is empty, she walks in and makes coffee. After she pours a cup of coffee she sits at the kitchen table lost in thought. After a moment or two, she hears the front door open.


PAUL
(yells out) Connie?

Connie immediately stands up and moves over toward the counter, she grabs a knife from a kitchen block and places it under a dishtowel.

PAUL
Connie! (pause) Connie are you here?


Connie stands still in the kitchen. Paul slowly walks in, sees her, hands her a dozen roses, and places a bowl of freshly picked blueberries on the kitchen table.

PAUL
Connie ... I'm so sorry.


CONNIE
For? Paul.


PAUL
Connie, don't make this more difficult. It's difficult enough as it is.


CONNIE
I just was asking... what are you sorry for? That's all. (pause) You didn't say.

PAUL
I was drunk. (sigh) I don't remember.


CONNIE
You're always drunk, Paul.


PAUL
I know. Ever since, (sigh) ... ever since Emmaline was kidnapped. It's been difficult for both of us.


CONNIE
Both of us?


PAUL
Yes. It's not easy losing your only daughter to a predator. (abruptly stops, stares at the bowl on the table) She loved blueberries. (smiles) She and I would pick them together. (looks at Connie) Did you know this?


CONNIE
No, I didn't.


PAUL
There's a lot you don't know ... Connie. A lot. The times you went to the hospital... we... would have fun together. Oh, Connie, she loved going to the zoo. She would want to see all of the animals. We would spend most of the day watching them. And... she loved to go swimming. We would go to the beach ... and have a picnic ... just the two of us.


CONNIE
I remember you working a lot, Paul. That's what I remember.


PAUL
It wasn't easy for Emmaline and me ... dealing with your ... problems.

CONNIE
My problems?

PAUL
After your last break, the doctors said ...


CONNIE
What did they say, Paul? What did they tell you... and not me?


PAUL
Connie, you were so ... out of control. Everyone was in fear for your safety. The doctors wanted you to live in assisted living housing. (pause) They wanted someone to watch you all the time. To keep you, safe. Remember, after they found Emmaline... you tried to ... (abruptly stops speaking) Well, that's in the past now. Right, Connie?


CONNIE
(slowly places her hand on the kitchen towel) My memories are much different from yours, Paul. Much different.


PAUL
I know ... and they're wrong. You always tell me I'm wrong, but ... your memories are incorrect. Not mine. (pause) The doctors told me you may never be the same woman I married, ever again. (sigh) I do believe they are right in telling me this, Connie. You can't keep blaming me for your actions. It's tiresome... and I can't tolerate it much longer.

CONNIE
How can I be the same, Paul? My daughter was murdered by a cold-blooded killer right under our very own roof. Do you remember, Paul?


PAUL
Connie, let's not go down that road. Okay? (stands up, walks over to her) I brought you flowers... I just want us to move beyond that horrible day. Let the past stay in the past. I'm so sorry, I couldn't stop... (trails off in thought, changes topic) She's gone. You're here. She isn't. I'm here. She isn't. (sigh) We have to work with what we have, Connie. Not what ... we wish we have. I married you. I love you. I want to be with you. Don't push me away. Please, don't.


CONNIE
I have nothing more to say to you, Paul. Because of you, my life ended that day. All that I had... all that I ever loved... was taken from me. You are of no importance to me anymore, as a result.


PAUL
Connie, how can you stand there and say this to me? I not only lost a daughter, but I also lost you.


CONNIE
Isn't this what you wanted? To move on ... start a new life somewhere else?


PAUL
No, that's your way of handling difficult situations. You run away and start over. You ignore the obvious.


CONNIE
The obvious?


PAUL
Do you like your flowers?



CONNIE
Roses are my favorite.



PAUL
Do you love me?


CONNIE
Do I have a choice, Paul?


PAUL
Connie, I know I said horrible things to you last night. I'm sorry. I was drunk.


CONNIE
You're always drunk Paul. I can smell alcohol on your breath right now. You did way more than simply say horrible things to me last night.

PAUL
(shrugs) See, I wish I could believe you but I don't trust anything you say to be true.


CONNIE
So, now I'm lying? I'm crazy and I lie.


PAUL
(turns to grab the bowl) Hey, I picked these to remember Emmaline. She always had them by her bed. (smiles) So, innocent.

CONNIE
(whispers) Innocent? Do you know why ... why ... Emmaline had them by her bedside?


PAUL
I didn't think much about it. She liked blueberries... right?


CONNIE
They were secret berries to keep bad men away. (sharp tone) I guess it didn't work, did it, Paul?


PAUL
(chuckling under his breath) You never give up, do you? (shakes his head) I picked them for you. I wanted to bring you a good memory of Emmaline but you twist and turn stories... making me the villain every time. You hurt me beyond belief, Connie. I can't even express the pain you put me through every day.


CONNIE
I'm certain you will forget all about it this evening after you ... blackout. Remember? It's your nightly ritual, dear.


PAUL
(laughing) I have something else to tell you, I'll be out of town for another business trip week.


CONNIE
Pfft... This is nothing new. You just came back last night from a "so-called" business trip. Why tell me this? You rarely discuss your business with your crazy lying wife. What difference do I make now?

PAUL
You're correct. (smiles) I just wanted you to know (pause) Miranda will be going with me. I'm staying with her for now, until you figure out what you want, Connie. I hope you make the right choice, Connie. I do. To think, I thought you were going to be reasonable. (shakes his head) Flowers... blueberries. (puts his face into hers, she clasps the kitchen towel again) All for you. What do I get?


Paul walks out the door and out of the house.