CUT TO:
ACT I- Scene 8
NOGA'S APARTMENT – NIGHT.
The players are sitting around the table as before, game in full session.
[THEO's phone is ringing.]
[Grabbing it, he gets up from the table.]
THEO:
I uh.. give me a sec?
[Everyone nods.]
[THEO taps the phone, then starts walking towards the kitchen.]
THEO(quiet):
Hello?
[Phone to ear, THEO leaves the room.]
[BEAT.]
NOGA:
So how's it been back at school so far?
[SANTIAGO nods and gives a thumbs up.]
[Groaning, SULO leans on the table, covering their face in their hands.]
SULO:
I mean, it’s good to be back and on a fixed schedule again, but you know how after like a week, the rush fades and it’s just classes and assignments and tests? And it feels like trying to outswim a wave because as soon as you finish one thing there’s another to replace it?
[NOGA and SANTIAGO nod in solidarity.]
SULO:
Then in between that, there’s always work and laundry and dishes and— ok, you guys get it. And,
[Pushing up from the table, they lean back in their chair.]
I'm still undeclared, y’know? I'm already a Junior. Ay… I gotta get on that na.
[They sigh, running their hands through their hair.]
SANTIAGO:
It’s okay to go at your own pace. Most people don't know what they're doing half the time. A lot of the time.
SULO:
Easy for you to say, Mr Compsci. You knew what you were doing before you even got here.
SANTIAGO:
It's not—
SULO:
Oh God, I'm sorry, that sounded really mean. Sorry sorry sorry.
[SULO clasps their hands together and bows their head, groveling.]
[SANTIAGO rolls his eyes.]
NOGA:
If it makes you feel better, Su, I’m not always sure I made the right choice. People told me Writing and Lit is a waste of a degree, but I love it.
[SULO taps their fingers on the fingers on the table. Their fingernails are painted a deep purple.]
NOGA:
What I try to keep in mind is that nothing I learn is wasted knowledge. And anything I’m learning now will inevitably help me in the future.
SULO:
That's- yeah. I'm actually thinking seriously about Psychology, but it seems really intense. And I don't know if I'd want to go into that world after graduating anyway, you know?
[NOGA smiles.]
SULO:
What's funny?
NOGA:
No, just- my mom still wants me to do Psych. She says there can never be too many therapists in the world.
[SANTIAGO turns to SULO.]
SANTIAGO:
What do your parents think?
SULO:
What do they think? Hell if I know what they think. They trust me. And they’re paying for pretty much all of it, too, so I should really pick something and stop wasting their money.
[THEO walks back into the room. SULO noticeably tracks him with their eyes.]
[Raising her eyebrows, NOGA gives a thumbs up and mouths “all good?”]
[THEO flashes her a quick smile and sits down at the table, adjusting his sweatshirt as he does.]
THEO:
Sorry about that. What'd I miss?
SULO:
Theo, how'd you pick your major?
[Scratching his neck, THEO shrugs.]
THEO:
I uh.. I guess it's what felt right. I wasn't thinking so far ahead at the application process, but when I got accepted it was like- “Oh, ok. Yeah. This makes sense.” You know?
NOGA:
Haha yeah! Art!
[NOGA reaches to high five THEO across SANTIAGO.]
THEO:
Not like Compsci, which is BS! Get it? Get it?
SANTIAGO(emotionless):
Whatever.
[SULO leans on their hand, still watching THEO.]
SULO:
And your parents were fine with it?
[THEO's expression melts into a carefully composed neutral.]
[Behind his back, NOGA shakes her head and makes the cut throat motion with her hand.]
SULO (trying so save themself):
Well— just because like— art, y’know- not everyone… not all parents, uh—
THEO:
It doesn't really matter, does it? I might as well… do what I want.
[BEAT.]
THEO (uncomfortable):
Shall we get back to the game?
[NOGA scrambles for the DM screen.]
NOGA:
Yes! Yess…
SANTIAGO:
What did that guy mean by “heed your quest”?
NOGA:
Yeah. So... Alami, maybe reread your prophecy for us?
SULO:
Wh- my prophecy? What does that have to do with anything?
NOGA:
Just read it.
[SULO pulls out a slip of paper.]
SULO:
Aw who drew dicks all over it
SANTIAGO(long suffering):
That was you.
[SULO snickers devilishly, then unfolds the paper and clears their throat.]
SULO:
Right. Says here...
“Know your truth–
for what you carry will be misnamed.
When the old mistake returns,
it will answer only to you.”
[An uncomfortable silence settles over the table.]
[SULO folds up the paper.]
NOGA:
Right, you're still headed for that inn. Does someone want to roll a nature check?