THE SET-UP
Seth is a young Marine serving during wartime. Nicholas is his civilian longtime companion who waits back home. In addition to the strain on their relationship caused by distance and absence, they must hide their love for one another behind code words and secret identities because of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy barring gays and lesbians from serving openly in the United States military.
This scene is a flashback to just before Seth was deployed for the first time after completing boot camp.
“If I’m killed in the line of duty, three Marines will come to my parent’s house.”
Emphasis shifts as —
NICHOLAS and SETH appear, both in civilian clothes.
A moment from their past.
SETH
Take my hand.
NICHOLAS
In public? Aren’t you the rebel.
SETH
I’m home from boot camp. They’re about to ship me out for the first time. Fuck Big Brother.
NICHOLAS
This is going to be one of those “We need to have this conversation, but I really don’t want to have this conversation” kind of conversations, isn’t it?
SETH
Well, up to now, we could put it off. We were more concerned with me just getting through boot camp.
NICHOLAS
Alive.
SETH
Done, and done.
NICHOLAS
So now we get to talk about all the other ways you could die, since that’s pretty much a permanent part of your job description going forward.
SETH
You will be spared a visitor in a Marine uniform showing up on your doorstep with bad news.
NICHOLAS
And how do I manage to avoid that one?
SETH
You’re not next of kin. That’d be my Mom and Dad.
NICHOLAS
Right. Because as far as the military’s concerned, I don’t exist.
SETH
So if I’m killed in the line of duty —
NICHOLAS tries to pull away.
SETH holds NICHOLAS’ hand tighter.
SETH (cont’d)
— we only have to get through this once.
NICHOLAS
OK.
SETH
If I’m killed in the line of duty, three Marines will come to my parent’s house.
NICHOLAS
Three.
SETH
Two come to the door, one stays in the van and keeps the motor running.
NICHOLAS
In case they decide to hold up a bank later?
SETH
They’re unarmed.
NICHOLAS
I should hope so.
SETH
So the only option, if something goes bad, is to retreat.
NICHOLAS
What would go bad?
SETH
Would you want to be the one to tell my mother that her only son has been killed?
NICHOLAS
I see your point.
SETH
People don’t always take the news well.
NICHOLAS
So the whole “don’t kill the messenger” thing…?
SETH
Sometimes the messenger needs to duck.
NICHOLAS
Well, I never thought there’d be an upside to having no legal standing as a couple, but…
SETH
You don’t have to fear other Marines. If my Mom shows up, unannounced, looking like a wreck, then you should be worried.
NICHOLAS
So I guess she and I should get a system down, so we don’t inadvertently freak each other out on a regular basis by accident.
SETH
Might be a good idea, yeah.
NICHOLAS
Horrible conversation over?
SETH
Horrible conversation over.
SETH and NICHOLAS walk off together.
(photo: (left to right) Ryan Henderson as Seth and Jack C. Kloppenborg as Nicholas in the 2011 Minneapolis production of “Leave” by Urban Samurai Productions; photography by Ron Ravensborg; scenic design by Erica Zaffarano)
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