Good Neighbors
by Lilliana Resnik
by Lilliana Resnik
Scene 1
(Lights up on Aggie Jopling’s cluttered apartment. Books, magazines, and plates are strewn around, but there is an element of organized chaos to it. Aggie walks around aimlessly talking.)
AGGIE: Jamie, do you remember that time at the movie theater? We were seeing that one, oh the name escapes me now, and the writing was absolutely atrocious...you kept making comments which made me laugh, which was terrible because the movie was supposed to be so serious...You remember, don’t you...(phone rings and Aggie picks it up)
(Lights up on Liz, on other side of stage)
LIZ: Aggie, please tell me it’s not true.
AGGIE: What?
LIZ: You’re not still in that apartment, are you? Mom called me the other day...
AGGIE: I don’t think I can give you a satisfactory answer on that.
LIZ: (sighs) come on, Aggie. It’s been nearly a year. You’re still shut up watching movies and missing God knows what. (pause) didn’t you tell me you have a few neighbors?
AGGIE: There are 3 other apartments, yes.
LIZ: I want you to visit them.
AGGIE: What?
LIZ: Visit them. Meet them. Learn about them. Just live a little, sis.
AGGIE: Um, I really don’t think…
LIZ: Do it, Aggie. I swear I’ll tell Mom if not. (pause) I know I sound like I’m five, but do it. For your own sake.
AGGIE: Well with that threat in place I suppose I must but-
LIZ: Gotta run sis, the kids are getting out. Love you! (Liz hangs up, exits)
AGGIE: (puts phone back in cradle) Well goodness, Jamie, did that seem like a bit...much to you? (pause) Yes, of course she means well, but all the same...perhaps I can do it quickly. Like ripping off a bandage or something. I suppose it could be okay. What do you think, Jamie?
(Silence. Aggie waits a beat, then goes to the couch)
Scene 2
(The next day. Aggie is dressed up and primping in front of a mirror by the door. She breathes deeply,steeling herself. She makes to leave, then quickly backtracks. She grabs a picture frame from the living room table and clutches it for a second before walking away. When she puts it down it faces the audience, and they can see that the picture is of a young, smiling man. She nearly sprints out of the apartment, trying to minimize the pain of leaving.)
Scene 3
(Aggie knocks on the door of the apartment next to hers. Muffled voices are heard from inside)
MARCUS: ‘Zat him?
ANDY: What idiot would knock on his own door?
ZANE: He was pretty drunk last night…
ANDY: Well, someone let them in.
(Marcus opens the door)
MARCUS: Hey,hey man-you here for Travis?
AGGIE: Oh yes, I’m trying to meet everyone-well, I really have to, and-
MARCUS: ‘Kay great, get in here. He’s supposed to be home any minute. (He ushers Aggie inside Travis’s apartment. It is filled with birthday decorations and millenials awkwardly crouching behind furniture. Marcus and Aggie hide behind the couch)
MARCUS: (whispering) so, you Trav’s girlfriend?
AGGIE: I..I do believe there’s been a mistake. See, I don’t know Travis. Well I know a Travis. He tried to set my hair on fire in chemistry class in high school and-(realizes she’s rambling) But no, not this Travis.
MARCUS: Eh, he won’t care. He’s so hungover, man. (pause) I’m Marcus. I live downstairs
AGGIE: Aggie Jopling. I’m in 4B.
(lull in the conversation)
AGGIE: (blurting out) Do you like movies?
MARCUS: Sure man, doesn’t everyone?
AGGIE: (a bit embarrassed) oh I’m sorry, that was terribly random. I just saw that you were wearing a Star Wars shirt...I also thought I should fill the space. I tend to do that a lot, even when it’s just me.
MARCUS: Yeah, I got you. (smiles) Do you like movies?
AGGIE: More than anything in the entire world. I always have the movie channel on in my apartment. Just last night they had on one of my favorites…
(Aggie and Marcus talk animatedly behind the couch. They do not notice when the door opens.)
PARTYGOERS: Surprise!
TRAVIS:(very hungover) Whoa, guys. Like whoa.
(People start bustling and chatting. Aggie and Marcus are still oblivious until Travis peers behind the couch)
TRAVIS: Uh, dude? Marcus?
MARCUS: (startled, gets up quickly) Oh, oh dude. Happy Birthday. (pause) Trav, this is my friend, Aggie.
AGGIE:(popping up next to Marcus) Pleasure to meet you, Travis. I hope you have a good birthday, even though your friends say you are terribly drunk
TRAVIS: (laughs) Marcus, man, what’d you tell her? (to Aggie) Thanks for coming out. You’re a cool chick (walks away dazedly)
MARCUS: So, what were you saying?
AGGIE: Just about how women really ran Hollywood in the early years. Mary Pickford, Frances Marion...it’s really quite fascinating.
MARCUS: Man, you know so much about this stuff
AGGIE: (slowly and painfully) My husband was a screenwriter (Glances at clock) I’m afraid I must be going now
MARCUS: Aw man, it’s just getting started
AGGIE: It was wonderful to meet you. Perhaps I will see you again. (Aggie abruptly gets up and leaves the in-full-swing party. Marcus gazes after her)
Scene 4
(Evening. Aggie walks aimlessly around the apartment. TCM is playing on mute)
AGGIE:...It was actually sort of nice, Jamie, if you can believe it. He loved movies so much too. My, we must have spent 20 minutes comparing our favorite Meryl Streep performances...it was almost like talking to-oh, never mind. You know what I mean. One down, two to go. You would be so good at this. God, every time you walked into a room you knew exactly what to say. I can barely get myself in the room. (pause) But I’m trying. I guess that’s good enough. But it’s not easy. Not without you. Goodnight, Jamie (turns off light)
Scene 5
(Aggie bolts out the door, more out of wanting-to-get-it-over-with feeling than anticipation. She goes to the next door and knocks. It is opened quickly by a sweet-looking middle-aged woman)
LINDA: Well, hello, hello.
AGGIE: I’m Ag..Aggie Jopling. I live over in 4B.
LINDA: Well, all right, Aggie Jopling, I’m Linda. What brings you here today?
AGGIE: I’m trying to meet everyone. All my neighbors.
LINDA: Well isn’t that just wonderful. I always tell my friends, I tell them: people just aren’t nice anymore. No one’s gonna bring their neighbors a bowl of soup or a cup of sugar. That’s a crying shame. You're doing good, Aggie Jopling.
AGGIE: (smiling shyly) That’s what my sister tells me.
LINDA: Well goodness, I’ve been chattering so much my manners have plumb run off. Come on in, darling.
(They go into Linda’s apartment. It is clean and well-furnished and feel much bigger than Aggie’s and Travis’s. Aggie immediately begins running her fingers across ornate picture frames and filigree curtains)
AGGIE: This is beautiful
LINDA: (laughing) Well, $2.99 Kindle downloads add up.
AGGIE: (looks up, piqued) You write?
LINDA: Lord knows I do. Got three books in the works right now
AGGIE: Three? Oh my goodness.
LINDA: Oh honey yes, I got a strong work ethic. I get it from my daddy. My oh my, he worked for the railroads for 51 years and never took a sick day, yes sir.
AGGIE: That’s quite impressive. (pause) What kind of books do you write?
LINDA: Oh, all sorts of things. Romance, horror, spy thrillers-no one can tell me no! That's why I do it myself, publishing and all. No one tells me no. I believe that there should never be a no where there’s room for a yes. (pauses, looks at Aggie) Make sure you make room for the yeses, honey.
AGGIE: I...I quite admire your confidence.
LINDA: You don’t believe it, do you?
AGGIE: Sometimes a “no” is good too. (Pauses. She looks up. The scene changes around her so when these lines are done, Aggie is back in her apartment and it is Scene 5)As in, no, don’t take a walk tonight. No, your inspiration can wait. No, don’t cross that street and get hit by the car you don’t see coming. No, don’t leave me!
(This hangs in the air for an anguished second. Afterwards, Aggie begins tidying up the apartment; the audience seems to be catching her mid-conversation)
AGGIE:...I suppose I shouldn’t have left Linda so abruptly. She was so warm. You definitely would have liked her. Perhaps I’ll visit her again someday. You know what ‘ve been thinking, Jamie-she never called me eccentric. Not her, or Marcus either. Not many people are able to refrain from doing that, you know. Even Liz and mom said it occasionally. But you never did. (pause) I thought you were the only person on Earth who didn’t call me that. I guess...maybe the world’s a bit bigger than i thought.
Scene 6
(Aggie is at it early this morning, and leaves the apartment almost effortlessly. She approaches the last door in the hallway ad knocks.)
ROSIE: (from behind door) what’s the password?
AGGIE: (flustered) Oh goodness, a password? I...I haven’t a clue, perhaps I should come back later when-
ROSIE: (opening door) I’m kidding, silly. I’m Rosie, what’s your name?
AGGIE: Oh, I’m Aggie, I just came to-
JOSH: (running up to door) Stranger Danger!
ROSIE: Oh no, really? Miss, are you a stranger?
AGGIE: Oh, I live just down the hall, so we really are not strangers, even though we’ve never-
ROSIE: (to Josh) Told you so. Come on in, lady. It's so boring in here.
JOSH: Mom and dad are at work today, but we’re off
ROSIE: Yay, no school!
JOSH:-and we’re playing dragons. Come on! (Tugs on Aggie's hand, leading her into living room)
(Their apartment is lived-in and cozy. The couch is full of stuffed dragons)
JOSH: I call being the green one!
ROSIE: You’re always the green one. Here, let her do it (shoves “the green one” into Aggie’s hand)
AGGIE: Well, what do the dragons do?
ROSIE: They fly! (Rosie and Josh run around the room, dragons held high. Aggie, swept up in the act, soon joins in)
JOSH: (as dragon) Uh oh, here comes a building…(he rams his dragon into the couch) Splat!
ROSIE: He’s dead!
(Aggie stands stock-still, eyes wide. The kids shrug and keep running around the living room)
AGGIE: (on the edge of distraught) What do you do now?
ROSIE: Whaddaya mean?
AGGIE: That dragon...you just killed it..
JOSH: And?
AGGIE: You have to feel sad. You have to stop. It’s what you do!
ROSIE: The dragons do feel sad, silly. (pauses) They still fly, though.
AGGIE: (pauses, digesting this) Oh. All right. (a smile spreads on her face) All right then.
(They continue playing into a blackout)
Scene 7
(Aggie sits on the couch in her apartment, which as a whole has become much cleaner. She is writing a letter, movie playing on mute in the background (per usual).)
AGGIE: Hey Jamie, how does this sound? “Dear Friends, I would first like to thank you for opening up your homes, your hearts, and your surprise parties to me. I would like to get to know you all better. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I bolted rather quickly from all of you these past few days. I would like to explain myself. I only moved here after (takes deep breath) after my husband Jamie passed away. He was the only person who really and truly liked me. I thought that sort of thing only happens once or twice in your life. I spent my time alone, watching and rewatching all of the films he loved. I couldn’t imagine facing a world without him, so I never did.
Until I met you.
Somehow, you showed me the same compassion he did. In you, I see echoes and reflections of Jamie. I thought being out in the world would make my pain more acute; instead, it has made me feel better. There is a world out there, a world you have shown me. A world teeming with light and laughter and possibilities I don’t think I’m scared of anymore. Thank you.
But to the point of this letter, I would like to invite you all to my house this Saturday. I would love to talk to you more; I also have a very extensive movie collection. Plus, I am in dire need of photo evidence to show my sister I got out of the apartment.
Your friend,
Aggie”
(pause) That’s not too bad, is it Jamie?
(Aggie gets up, holding the letters. She gives the framed picture one last look before walking out to deliver them.)
(Lights up on Aggie Jopling’s cluttered apartment. Books, magazines, and plates are strewn around, but there is an element of organized chaos to it. Aggie walks around aimlessly talking.)
AGGIE: Jamie, do you remember that time at the movie theater? We were seeing that one, oh the name escapes me now, and the writing was absolutely atrocious...you kept making comments which made me laugh, which was terrible because the movie was supposed to be so serious...You remember, don’t you...(phone rings and Aggie picks it up)
(Lights up on Liz, on other side of stage)
LIZ: Aggie, please tell me it’s not true.
AGGIE: What?
LIZ: You’re not still in that apartment, are you? Mom called me the other day...
AGGIE: I don’t think I can give you a satisfactory answer on that.
LIZ: (sighs) come on, Aggie. It’s been nearly a year. You’re still shut up watching movies and missing God knows what. (pause) didn’t you tell me you have a few neighbors?
AGGIE: There are 3 other apartments, yes.
LIZ: I want you to visit them.
AGGIE: What?
LIZ: Visit them. Meet them. Learn about them. Just live a little, sis.
AGGIE: Um, I really don’t think…
LIZ: Do it, Aggie. I swear I’ll tell Mom if not. (pause) I know I sound like I’m five, but do it. For your own sake.
AGGIE: Well with that threat in place I suppose I must but-
LIZ: Gotta run sis, the kids are getting out. Love you! (Liz hangs up, exits)
AGGIE: (puts phone back in cradle) Well goodness, Jamie, did that seem like a bit...much to you? (pause) Yes, of course she means well, but all the same...perhaps I can do it quickly. Like ripping off a bandage or something. I suppose it could be okay. What do you think, Jamie?
(Silence. Aggie waits a beat, then goes to the couch)
Scene 2
(The next day. Aggie is dressed up and primping in front of a mirror by the door. She breathes deeply,steeling herself. She makes to leave, then quickly backtracks. She grabs a picture frame from the living room table and clutches it for a second before walking away. When she puts it down it faces the audience, and they can see that the picture is of a young, smiling man. She nearly sprints out of the apartment, trying to minimize the pain of leaving.)
Scene 3
(Aggie knocks on the door of the apartment next to hers. Muffled voices are heard from inside)
MARCUS: ‘Zat him?
ANDY: What idiot would knock on his own door?
ZANE: He was pretty drunk last night…
ANDY: Well, someone let them in.
(Marcus opens the door)
MARCUS: Hey,hey man-you here for Travis?
AGGIE: Oh yes, I’m trying to meet everyone-well, I really have to, and-
MARCUS: ‘Kay great, get in here. He’s supposed to be home any minute. (He ushers Aggie inside Travis’s apartment. It is filled with birthday decorations and millenials awkwardly crouching behind furniture. Marcus and Aggie hide behind the couch)
MARCUS: (whispering) so, you Trav’s girlfriend?
AGGIE: I..I do believe there’s been a mistake. See, I don’t know Travis. Well I know a Travis. He tried to set my hair on fire in chemistry class in high school and-(realizes she’s rambling) But no, not this Travis.
MARCUS: Eh, he won’t care. He’s so hungover, man. (pause) I’m Marcus. I live downstairs
AGGIE: Aggie Jopling. I’m in 4B.
(lull in the conversation)
AGGIE: (blurting out) Do you like movies?
MARCUS: Sure man, doesn’t everyone?
AGGIE: (a bit embarrassed) oh I’m sorry, that was terribly random. I just saw that you were wearing a Star Wars shirt...I also thought I should fill the space. I tend to do that a lot, even when it’s just me.
MARCUS: Yeah, I got you. (smiles) Do you like movies?
AGGIE: More than anything in the entire world. I always have the movie channel on in my apartment. Just last night they had on one of my favorites…
(Aggie and Marcus talk animatedly behind the couch. They do not notice when the door opens.)
PARTYGOERS: Surprise!
TRAVIS:(very hungover) Whoa, guys. Like whoa.
(People start bustling and chatting. Aggie and Marcus are still oblivious until Travis peers behind the couch)
TRAVIS: Uh, dude? Marcus?
MARCUS: (startled, gets up quickly) Oh, oh dude. Happy Birthday. (pause) Trav, this is my friend, Aggie.
AGGIE:(popping up next to Marcus) Pleasure to meet you, Travis. I hope you have a good birthday, even though your friends say you are terribly drunk
TRAVIS: (laughs) Marcus, man, what’d you tell her? (to Aggie) Thanks for coming out. You’re a cool chick (walks away dazedly)
MARCUS: So, what were you saying?
AGGIE: Just about how women really ran Hollywood in the early years. Mary Pickford, Frances Marion...it’s really quite fascinating.
MARCUS: Man, you know so much about this stuff
AGGIE: (slowly and painfully) My husband was a screenwriter (Glances at clock) I’m afraid I must be going now
MARCUS: Aw man, it’s just getting started
AGGIE: It was wonderful to meet you. Perhaps I will see you again. (Aggie abruptly gets up and leaves the in-full-swing party. Marcus gazes after her)
Scene 4
(Evening. Aggie walks aimlessly around the apartment. TCM is playing on mute)
AGGIE:...It was actually sort of nice, Jamie, if you can believe it. He loved movies so much too. My, we must have spent 20 minutes comparing our favorite Meryl Streep performances...it was almost like talking to-oh, never mind. You know what I mean. One down, two to go. You would be so good at this. God, every time you walked into a room you knew exactly what to say. I can barely get myself in the room. (pause) But I’m trying. I guess that’s good enough. But it’s not easy. Not without you. Goodnight, Jamie (turns off light)
Scene 5
(Aggie bolts out the door, more out of wanting-to-get-it-over-with feeling than anticipation. She goes to the next door and knocks. It is opened quickly by a sweet-looking middle-aged woman)
LINDA: Well, hello, hello.
AGGIE: I’m Ag..Aggie Jopling. I live over in 4B.
LINDA: Well, all right, Aggie Jopling, I’m Linda. What brings you here today?
AGGIE: I’m trying to meet everyone. All my neighbors.
LINDA: Well isn’t that just wonderful. I always tell my friends, I tell them: people just aren’t nice anymore. No one’s gonna bring their neighbors a bowl of soup or a cup of sugar. That’s a crying shame. You're doing good, Aggie Jopling.
AGGIE: (smiling shyly) That’s what my sister tells me.
LINDA: Well goodness, I’ve been chattering so much my manners have plumb run off. Come on in, darling.
(They go into Linda’s apartment. It is clean and well-furnished and feel much bigger than Aggie’s and Travis’s. Aggie immediately begins running her fingers across ornate picture frames and filigree curtains)
AGGIE: This is beautiful
LINDA: (laughing) Well, $2.99 Kindle downloads add up.
AGGIE: (looks up, piqued) You write?
LINDA: Lord knows I do. Got three books in the works right now
AGGIE: Three? Oh my goodness.
LINDA: Oh honey yes, I got a strong work ethic. I get it from my daddy. My oh my, he worked for the railroads for 51 years and never took a sick day, yes sir.
AGGIE: That’s quite impressive. (pause) What kind of books do you write?
LINDA: Oh, all sorts of things. Romance, horror, spy thrillers-no one can tell me no! That's why I do it myself, publishing and all. No one tells me no. I believe that there should never be a no where there’s room for a yes. (pauses, looks at Aggie) Make sure you make room for the yeses, honey.
AGGIE: I...I quite admire your confidence.
LINDA: You don’t believe it, do you?
AGGIE: Sometimes a “no” is good too. (Pauses. She looks up. The scene changes around her so when these lines are done, Aggie is back in her apartment and it is Scene 5)As in, no, don’t take a walk tonight. No, your inspiration can wait. No, don’t cross that street and get hit by the car you don’t see coming. No, don’t leave me!
(This hangs in the air for an anguished second. Afterwards, Aggie begins tidying up the apartment; the audience seems to be catching her mid-conversation)
AGGIE:...I suppose I shouldn’t have left Linda so abruptly. She was so warm. You definitely would have liked her. Perhaps I’ll visit her again someday. You know what ‘ve been thinking, Jamie-she never called me eccentric. Not her, or Marcus either. Not many people are able to refrain from doing that, you know. Even Liz and mom said it occasionally. But you never did. (pause) I thought you were the only person on Earth who didn’t call me that. I guess...maybe the world’s a bit bigger than i thought.
Scene 6
(Aggie is at it early this morning, and leaves the apartment almost effortlessly. She approaches the last door in the hallway ad knocks.)
ROSIE: (from behind door) what’s the password?
AGGIE: (flustered) Oh goodness, a password? I...I haven’t a clue, perhaps I should come back later when-
ROSIE: (opening door) I’m kidding, silly. I’m Rosie, what’s your name?
AGGIE: Oh, I’m Aggie, I just came to-
JOSH: (running up to door) Stranger Danger!
ROSIE: Oh no, really? Miss, are you a stranger?
AGGIE: Oh, I live just down the hall, so we really are not strangers, even though we’ve never-
ROSIE: (to Josh) Told you so. Come on in, lady. It's so boring in here.
JOSH: Mom and dad are at work today, but we’re off
ROSIE: Yay, no school!
JOSH:-and we’re playing dragons. Come on! (Tugs on Aggie's hand, leading her into living room)
(Their apartment is lived-in and cozy. The couch is full of stuffed dragons)
JOSH: I call being the green one!
ROSIE: You’re always the green one. Here, let her do it (shoves “the green one” into Aggie’s hand)
AGGIE: Well, what do the dragons do?
ROSIE: They fly! (Rosie and Josh run around the room, dragons held high. Aggie, swept up in the act, soon joins in)
JOSH: (as dragon) Uh oh, here comes a building…(he rams his dragon into the couch) Splat!
ROSIE: He’s dead!
(Aggie stands stock-still, eyes wide. The kids shrug and keep running around the living room)
AGGIE: (on the edge of distraught) What do you do now?
ROSIE: Whaddaya mean?
AGGIE: That dragon...you just killed it..
JOSH: And?
AGGIE: You have to feel sad. You have to stop. It’s what you do!
ROSIE: The dragons do feel sad, silly. (pauses) They still fly, though.
AGGIE: (pauses, digesting this) Oh. All right. (a smile spreads on her face) All right then.
(They continue playing into a blackout)
Scene 7
(Aggie sits on the couch in her apartment, which as a whole has become much cleaner. She is writing a letter, movie playing on mute in the background (per usual).)
AGGIE: Hey Jamie, how does this sound? “Dear Friends, I would first like to thank you for opening up your homes, your hearts, and your surprise parties to me. I would like to get to know you all better. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I bolted rather quickly from all of you these past few days. I would like to explain myself. I only moved here after (takes deep breath) after my husband Jamie passed away. He was the only person who really and truly liked me. I thought that sort of thing only happens once or twice in your life. I spent my time alone, watching and rewatching all of the films he loved. I couldn’t imagine facing a world without him, so I never did.
Until I met you.
Somehow, you showed me the same compassion he did. In you, I see echoes and reflections of Jamie. I thought being out in the world would make my pain more acute; instead, it has made me feel better. There is a world out there, a world you have shown me. A world teeming with light and laughter and possibilities I don’t think I’m scared of anymore. Thank you.
But to the point of this letter, I would like to invite you all to my house this Saturday. I would love to talk to you more; I also have a very extensive movie collection. Plus, I am in dire need of photo evidence to show my sister I got out of the apartment.
Your friend,
Aggie”
(pause) That’s not too bad, is it Jamie?
(Aggie gets up, holding the letters. She gives the framed picture one last look before walking out to deliver them.)