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.
Seth’s mother Anne assists them by providing the cover of a woman’s handwriting for Nicholas’ daily letters, but Nicholas and Seth’s resolve is starting to weaken.
Jonas, another young gay Marine in Seth’s unit just coming to terms with his identity, forms an intense bond with Seth overseas.
The previous scene between Jonas and Seth, setting up this one, is also available here on the site under the title:
Showers
“If you were touching him, he’d wipe your tears.”
JONAS and SETH appear elsewhere, out of another part of the dark.
They stand, looking at each other.
JONAS
So. This is where.
SETH
Where I come to be alone.
To be with him.
JONAS
With — ?
SETH
It’s the only place I can look at this, his picture, as long as I want, and not have anybody ask me why.
JONAS
He’s —
SETH
My brother. If anyone asks.
JONAS
That’s kinda twisted.
SETH
Only way I could keep him with me all the time. He’s my world.
JONAS
I’ve never —
SETH
Never — ?
JONAS
You know.
SETH
Oh.
JONAS
I thought this, doing this. Fighting would —
SETH
Make it go away.
JONAS
Yeah. Make it bearable.
SETH
Did it?
JONAS
Look around.
SETH
All the guys. So close.
JONAS
So intense.
SETH
It’s hell.
JONAS
Yeah.
SETH
Just made you more sure.
JONAS
If you’ve got someone back home, why are you here?
SETH
Someone’s gotta do this.
JONAS
Why you?
SETH
Sound like him.
JONAS
If I had someone — I don’t think I could tear myself away.
SETH
Wasn’t easy.
JONAS
Then why?
SETH
Love my country.
JONAS
What else?
SETH
There is no “else.” Country’s all there is. My home is there. My family’s there. He’s there. That’s worth protecting.
JONAS
Worth fighting for?
SETH
Worth dying for.
JONAS
Damn.
SETH
What?
JONAS
Wish I felt that way about someone. Something. Anything.
SETH
You will.
JONAS
You sound so sure.
SETH
We’re human beings. It’s how we’re wired.
JONAS
Can I touch you?
SETH
You can’t keep saying that shit out loud.
JONAS
Why not?
SETH
Because it makes it real.
JONAS
I want that. Do you?
SETH
Take off your shirt.
Slowly.
JONAS
You?
SETH
There.
JONAS
Can I?
SETH
Yes.
JONAS
Touch me. Please.
SETH
Chest and up. Everything else stays on.
JONAS
I want to kiss you.
SETH
No. Touch. That’s it. That’s all I can handle. I shouldn’t even —
JONAS
OK. Just touch.
You’re crying.
SETH
No, I’m not. It’s just — sand. Sand everywhere.
JONAS
You’re crying.
SETH
Please stop touching my face.
JONAS
If you were touching him, he’d wipe your tears.
SETH
If I was touching him, I wouldn’t be crying.
JONAS
Yeah. You would.
God, you’re so beautiful.
SETH
Please don’t talk.
JONAS
No one can hear us.
SETH
Touch. Don’t talk. Please.
JONAS and SETH, still touching, recede into the darkness.
(photo: (left to right) Alex Carlson as Jonas and Nick James Parker as Seth in the 2008 production of “Leave” by AfterDark Theatre Company at University of Minnesota-Morris, and the Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis; photography by Alex Clark)
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