EMPATHITRAX

A play

By Ana Nogueira

Contact: Ross Weiner

ICM Partners
730 Fifth Ave., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10019
212-556-5798
[email protected]
 CHARACTERS

HER Female, early 30s, any ethnicity. Self deprecating, smart and funny, she
uses humor as a defense mechanism. Suffers from depression but is
currently medicated. Her depressed self is the exact opposite of who she
is when she is healthy: a vibrant creature in love with life. She wants to
experience everything to it's fullest extent but has trouble doing so in a
way that is healthy. She loves her partner very much.

HIM Male, early 30s, any ethnicity. Good hearted, very smart, sometimes dry.
At times he can seem buttoned up but he is not cold. Expressing his
feelings can be difficult for him as he doesn't really see the point. He
loves his partner very much.

JOE/ MATTY D Male, early 30s, any ethnicity. An eager and professional sales
representative from Empath. The kind of person who sees right through
you. / A likeable but occasionally misguided Bro. Him's best friend
since high school.

RUFUS Male. Dog. Unseen. A difficult dog striving to be understood.

SETTING
The not-so-distant future. A major US city. An apartment, a rooftop, a party, the woods.

NOTES
A " / " indicates an overlap by the next line.
This play is a comedy, until it's not.

* Ideally, this role is played by the same actor, but if necessary, two different actors can play each
character.

"I wonder if you will ever know how I love Sagamore Hill." -Theodore Roosevelt to his wife
 SCENE 1

The near future. Five years, ten years, fifteen. Depends on

how quickly we advance.

The living room of an average apartment in a US city.

White walls, white sofa, white open kitchen. Angular,
beautiful, chic. Lifeless.

A large dog crate (also white, but slightly less chic than the
other furniture) is up against the wall.

HER, female, early 30s, HIM, male early 30s and JOE,
early 20s stand awkwardly around the sofa in a triangle.
JOE holds a sleek, unmarked box. They smile
uncomfortably at each other.

HIM
So is - that’s it, huh?

JOE
Yes sir.

Beat.

HIM
Do we have to sign for it or -

JOE
No, I am here to verify receipt.

HER
Fancy box.

JOE
We like to think so.

HER (cont’d)
When I heard they send their own personal guy I thought “This is serious business.”

JOE
You are serious business to us, ma’am.
 2.

HER
Oh. No “ma’am” necessary.

JOE
What would you prefer?

HER
Just. Nothing. Just, silence. You are serious business to us _____.

He nods.

Beat.

HER (cont’d)
So, I’m guessing they send you so that you can, like, answer questions? Or because this is
so freaking weird that they don’t even want UPS to know about it. Ha! Ha.

JOE
Answer questions, if necessary. I am a Certified Empath Employee.

HIM
Very personal.

JOE
Yes. Very personal is the really the whole point, isn’t it?

HIM
Well put.

HER
He’s Certified, so.

Nods all around. Maybe Him gives an awkward thumbs

up.

HER (cont’d)
Oh! Should we be getting you something? A glass of water? What’s normal?

HIM
We don’t really have any food. Not big cookers.

HER
Who has the time. We’re take out people. We could order you something?
 3.

JOE
That won’t be necessary.

Barking.

HER
That. Is just our dog. Ruf/us.

HIM
Rufus!

HER
Sorry he is. Loud.

She goes over to the crate.

HER
Shh. / Quiet. Quiet. Not now, we have a guest - now is not a good time for this. NO.

The dog stops barking.

HIM
He’s new. Well. New to us. We’re crate training him. Do you know the term? Crate
training?

JOE
I’m not sure.

HER
Well basically you like, force him to love his crate by just STICKING HIM IN THERE so
that eventually he goes in on his own and doesn’t destroy your house. But. Well. He’s just
barking.

HIM
It isn’t working.

HER
It might be working. Just not well enough that we can tell. Why don’t they speak English!

HIM
Do you have a dog?

JOE
I had one growing up, yes.
 4.

HIM
What kind?

JOE
Labradoodle. I think.

HIM
Great dogs. Great. I read that poodles are smarter than people think they are. The haircut
throws people off, but they are actually the second smartest of all the breeds, right after the
Border Collie. Our place is too small for that. This guy is little. A little guy.

HER
I wanted a big dog.

HIM
She did.

HER
You know, go on runs together by the ocean. That smell of the sea and this big regal dog
running alongside you. Although if we lived by the ocean none of this would be
happening, would it?

HIM
The ocean is not a cure for -

She touches his arm.

HIM
Not important.

JOE
This manual will answer any questions that may come up over the course of your
experience. It includes a comprehensive users’ guide that has been tailor made to fit your
individual needs and situation.

HIM
Tailor made how?

JOE
We have an extensive file on you based on the form you filled out on our website.

HIM
The form we filled- ?
 5.

HER
Hefty!

HIM
Have you, have you ever taken it?

JOE
I’m single, sir.

HER
Aw, really?

HIM
There is no use for single people? Take it with a friend?

JOE
Well, it is rather intimate for a friend. We recommend enjoying it with someone who you
want to be closely bonded with.

HER
Ah. Makes / sense.

JOE
However, I know many colleagues who have used it in their relationships and the reviews
have been, across the board, stellar.

HER
And did it, you know, help?

JOE
It did. It always does.

HER
See? I just really felt like it would. That is just, that’s so good to hear. We’ve been in a bit
of a /you know.

JOE
/A -

HIM
You don’t / need to -

HER
A rough patch - more than a patch though, a rough meadow.
 6.

HIM
Standard long term relationship stuff.

HER
There was a break up - or no, a break. A little break. Very non-threatening term. Trial
separation. He stayed with a friend. I stayed here - lucky me!

HIM
It’s all pretty normal.

HER
But how do you know what’s normal, you know? If only we had little tiny cameras
peeking into other people’s relationships: “Oh! Phew. They’re worse off than we are!
Carry on!”

HIM
I’m sure he’s heard it all.

JOE
I have. I’ve heard it.

HER
You’re Certified.

HIM
How many are there?

JOE
Six doses in total.

HIM
So these people you know who have taken it, did they experience many side effects?

JOE
Nothing that lasted. As of now the most common side effect is numbness in the right arm.

HIM
That seems very. Severe.

JOE
It only lasts for the duration of the medication.

HIM
Which is how long?
 7.

JOE
12 hours.

HER
12 hours with no right arm? Lucky you’re a lefty.

JOE
Only a small percentage of users experience the numbness.

HER
Oh I will. I always experience / the sides effects.

HIM
She will.

HER
Always.

HIM
Every time.

JOE
Well it only lasts for the duration of the medication

Beat.

HIM
What’s the protocol here. How do we begin.

JOE
Well you and your wife may find that -

HER
Oh we’re not married.

HIM
No.

HER
Not our style. We’ve been together for 10 years though so -

HIM
We met in grad school. She helped me write my thesis.
 8.

HER
Not like I was his teacher though! I’m actually five years younger. I just helped.

HIM
No no she did not just help. I mean, she basically did it, she basically did all the work. /
You’ve never seen someone move so quickly between ideas, make connections, solidify
arguments. That brain - it should be studied. I became addicted to it. And we just attached
to each other.

HER
Oh stop I did not.

HER
That’s true. Up until a few months ago it had really been...we were just very lucky.

HIM
And we still are!

HER
Of course! This is the work, right? “Relationships Take Work.” Just how much work is
too much work? How do you know when you’re working too hard?

Beat.

JOE
So, to begin, we recommend drinking three 8 ounce glasses of water one hour before your
first dose. After that it’s up to you and your partner. Many couples enjoy adding a sense
of ritual to the experience: having a nice meal, washing up and getting into bed, putting on
your favorite music group, perhaps changing into something “more comfortable.”

HER
I don’t really own that sort of clothing.

HIM
Not our style. What about a glass of wine?

JOE
Alcohol can interfere with the potency of the experience. We do not recommend it.

HER
Isn’t this basically just like having a glass of wine anyway?

JOE
No.
 9.

HER
Oh.

JOE
Here is my personal business card. In case of any emergencies, I can be reached any time
day or night, should the manual not provide the information that you feel you require.

HER
Any time? ha.

JOE
Yes.

HER
3 am?

JOE
Yes.

HER
3:45?

JOE
Yes.

HER
Sundays?

JOE
Mhmmm.

HIM
Has anyone ever?

JOE
No.

HER
We’ll end up doing it. We’ll be the first ones. I know we will.

Beat.

JOE
Rufus got pretty quiet.
 10.

HIM
Maybe he senses you. You have a calming presence.

JOE
I’ve been told that.

HER
Maybe he died. Ha! I wish. No. Not. No. You have been very sweet thank you for
everything.

JOE
My pleasure. My job.

HIM
We will probably try it tonight.

HER
Yea? Tonight?

HIM
Sure why not?

HER
Why not! If you want you can stick around and watch.

Beat.

JOE
I should go.

HIM
Yes.

HER
Yes you should go.

Blackout.

SCENE 2

THE FIRST DOSE

Him scurries around the room setting it up: candles, a

blanket laid out on the floor and a cheese plate.
 11.

Plus two large glasses of water. Finally, he sits on the

blanket, placing the blue box of Empathitrax in the center.
Her comes out of the bathroom.

HER (cont’d)
Sorry sorry. All that water.

HIM
Yeah.

HER
Three glasses in one hour. That’s more than you would think. Do you have to pee?

HIM
No.

HER
Oh. (beat) Wow, really setting the mood, huh?

HIM
I just thought - it’s dumb.

HER
No it’s cute. Sorry. I like it.

HIM
Shall we?

HER
I have to eat something first. I just took my Zoloft and the two together on an empty
stomach - I don’t want to get all pukey.

HIM
You’re okay taking them so close?

HER
It says in the manual that there are no negative interactions. Just both have dry mouth as a
side effect.

HIM
So just keep drinking water.
 12.

HER

(sharp)
It has nothing to do with how much water I drink.

Beat.

HER
Do you have your list?

He holds up a piece of paper.

HER
So here we go!

They each take a pill out of the box. They practically glow.

HIM
Cheers.

HER
To?

HIM
Us, I think?

HER
Yes. To Us.

They swallow. They wait. Her grabs her right arm.

HER (cont’d)
My arm!

HIM
Already?!

HER
Ha! No, kidding. I mean, probably eventually but not yet.

Silence.

HIM
Anything.
 13.

HER
No. You?

HIM
Uh...No.

HER
What?

HIM
Nothing!

HER
What.

HIM
I just, I feel weird! Don’t you? Come on - am I crazy here? You gotta be with me on this.

HER
It is - yes, it’s a little weird.

HIM
The manual. The drug...sommelier?

HER
Drug Sommelier - ha! I know.

HIM
Are we sure he was like, human?

HER
Yes. I checked for sweat. Right around the ear lobe.

HIM
Good eye. Weird place to sweat.

HER
Weird guy period.

HIM
Okay yes thank you.

HER
But, it’s a little late to back out now.
 14.

HIM
I’m not backing out.

HER
They’re just covering the bases. They know about my Zoloft? It’s a relief.

HIM
It’s more like - I dunno. My parents never needed a pill. They’re still together. They never
did this.

HER
Right. So it’s just us.

HIM
No. No. Clearly it’s not just us. I mean, this is a whole operation. Clearly there is
a...demand.

HER
And I don’t want to be like your parents. Your parents are -

HIM
What?

HER
They’re fine. They’re great. But I don’t want to be them. I want to be us. I want to be us
before. The way it was before.

HIM
I want that too. Of course.

HER
We need the help.

HIM
I think I’m just nervous. Cold feet.

HER
Hey, it’s just me. Nothing to be scared of. We’ve been through worse than this.

She puts her hand on his.

HER
Oh!

HIM
Do you -?
 15.

HER
Yeah, I think it’s working! Your skin!

HIM
Oh yeah, I think...

HER
It makes sense! In all those commercials the people are touching.

HIM

(in the ad’s voice)

“The pill that makes two become one.”

HER
Wait.

She pushes him away and grabs her list.

HER (cont’d)
This is how I feel when I see you stretch all sleepily when you first wake up. Like a little
bear.

She closes her eyes to call up the memory. He watches

her. She reaches out her hands and he cautiously takes
them. Then, suddenly, he feels what she is feeling.

HIM
Ah! Oh my god. Oh. Ohhhhh.

HER
Yeah!

HIM
It works!

HER
I think it works!

HIM
Ha! Okay okay okay lemme try.

He grabs his list and sits on the blanket next to her. He

reads.
 16.

HIM (cont’d)
What I think, or no, what I feel when I see you walking towards me from a few blocks
away, the moment before you see me looking.

He closes his eyes to find the memory. They touch.

Beat.

HIM (cont’d)
You feel it?

HER
Wait, kind of? I can’t tell - I’m still sort of feeling what I felt before -

HIM
Maybe, clear the slate. Like, wipe that one away. Return to zero.

They let go of each other. She shakes it off. Makes weird

“shake off” sounds.

HER
Okay.

He touches her. She feels his feelings.

HER
Ah! You do?

HIM
Yeah! It worked?

HER
It worked!

HIM
The stronger feeling prevails!

HER
You really really like me.

HIM
I really really do. Did you not know?

HER
Well I thought I did but...this. This is good.
 17.

They become more confident, trading memories faster.

HER (cont’d)
When you do the dishes without me asking.

HIM
Wait.

He shakes it off.

HIM (cont’d)
Go for it. .

They touch. He receives. It’s a sexy one.

HIM (cont’d)
Ooooooh. I’ll do them more.

He goes to kiss her. She puts her hand up playfully.

HER
Not yet! You. Go.

HIM
Okay okay. When we spend the whole day together, just talking about books and the world
and whatever else and your mind is just on fire and I can’t believe how lucky I got.

She receives. It’s a good one.

HER
Wow. Okay. This is what I feel like when I imagine myself saving your life.

He pulls away.

HIM

(amused/confused)
Wait, when you what?

HER
When I imagine myself saving your life. You know, when I’m daydreaming.

He doesn’t know.
 18.

HER (cont’d)
You never get lost in a far away thought where I’m like, in need of saving? Or where you
defend my honor?

HIM
No...

HER
Like, if we were in a shipwreck or a burning building! No? Or if, like we didn’t even
know each other, and I just came upon you. In the woods. Bleeding.

HIM
Came upon me?

HER
Yeah! You know. In olden times. And I’m like, wearing a dress, because I have to, but I
don’t mind getting it dirty. I’m the kind of girl that doesn’t mind getting it dirty. The
petticoats, right? And I’ve only got a little water left in my leather satchel. Because of the
drought. But I give my last few drops to you. Because, for some reason, I just, I want to.
And you are so so grateful. And the feeling is just, it takes up my whole self.

Beat.

HER (cont’d)
Do you ever think of things like that?

HIM
I...don’t.

HER
Would you save my life?

HIM
Well of course. I mean. I can’t see a scenario where I would even have to -

HER
If I were stranded. In the woods. Bleeding. And you just came upon me -

He laughs.

HER (cont’d)
Don’t laugh! This is my serious fantasy!
 19.

HIM
It’s just...you’re from Brooklyn. Have you ever been in woods?

HER
You’re an asshole.

HIM
I’m kidding!

HER
You’re not, though. You think this is dumb.

HIM
I’m just not really much of a day dreamer! And if I’m gonna daydream about you it’s
going to be about something nice. Like coming home after a long day and having sex or -

HER
Of course it is.

HIM
Just, why would anyone fantasize about their partner dying in the woods?

HER
I just wanted to show you.

HIM
If this is some sort of kink thing, we can try it out. Get costumes / or whatever.

HER
It has nothing to do with sex. It’s - I never get to do anything for you. Not the big stuff
anyway. It’s the only way I could show you how - whatever. My fucking right arm is
completely numb.

She starts to whack at her arm.

He understands a little better.

HIM
Okay, okay. Let me feel it. The saving thing.

HER
Too late.

HIM
No, Please. I’m serious now. I’m very serious and I want to know. Show me what it feels
like.
 20.

She hesitates. He reaches out his hand. She calls up the

feeling, the fantasy. She touches his face. This is the most
intense feeling he has gotten from her yet. He has no
words. He falls to his knees. He pulls her closer to him.

HIM
When you -

She receives.

HER
When you.

He receives.

HIM
When we -

He.

HER
When -

She.

HIM
When -

He.

HIM
When -

From the other room, Rufus barks.

The open their eyes and look at one another.

Blackout.

SCENE 3

A roof deck. Two lawn chairs. HIM and his best friend,
MATTY D, sit talking and smoking pot from a vaporizer.

MATTY D
So it’s like doing Molly?
 21.

HIM
No, no. I don’t think so. What’s Molly like?

MATTY D
What? It’s the best. What?! You’ve never done Molly?!

HIM
No I missed it. I missed my window I guess.

MATTY D
Oh we gotta do it, man! I can get some. We gotta.

HIM
Nah, I don’t wanna mix em you know?

He takes a hit.

MATTY D
So what’s it like?

HIM
It’s subtle. But powerful.

MATTY D
So like, a Xanax.

HIM
No. Okay. Like when she says she loves me, before all I could do was relate to what I
thought of when I felt love, but now I know what happens to her when she feels love.

MATTY D
They’re not the same?

HIM
They are. But different.

MATTY D
Different how? Like less sexual or....

HIM
What? No. In essence they are the same but, I guess her body is different so she feels love
differently in her body. I feel it mostly in my heart, you know? In my chest? She feels it in
her stomach and her toes.
 22.

MATTY D
So then you feel her love -

HIM
In MY toes.

MATTY D
Woaaaa/hhhhhhh.

HIM
Yeah. See? Yeah.

Beat.

MATTY D
She feels love in her toes?

HIM
Yeah.

MATTY D
Women.

HIM
I know.

MATTY D
So much happening like all the time.

Beat.

MATTY D
But this shit works, yeah? And now you’re just like, healed? That’s crazy. / Shit, man.

HIM
Yeah, right? I almost couldn’t believe it. I guess that I didn’t know how much the little
things mattered to her and she, she didn’t realize just how much I cared about her. But now
we can actually show each other, transfer the information. It’s quick and it’s potent. The
efficiency is really comforting. And so we’re kinder to each other. We laugh more. We’re
finding our rhythm again. I just really love her.

MATTY D
That’s beautiful. Really. So happy for you guys.

HIM
Thanks man.
 23.

MATTY D
Not gonna be sleeping on my couch again any time soon?

HIM
Doesn’t look like it.

MATTY D
Sucks.

Beat.

They smoke.

MATTY D
So your love and her love are different, which means your love and my love are different.

HIM
Uhhh...yeah, I guess.

MATTY D
And like, I’m high right now, and so are you, but like, we aren’t the same high.

HIM
No. I don’t think we are.

Silence.

MATTY D
Shit.

HIM
What.

MATTY D
Shit man.

HIM
What?

MATTY D
What if you find out that someone can feel more love than you can? That they feel it in their
chest, their stomach, their toes, everything and like you JUST feel it in your chest. Shit.
That’s like, the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.

HIM
Shit.
 24.

MATTY D
So unfair.

HIM
It. Yeah.

Beat.

MATTY D
And the sex is insane, I bet.

HIM
Ha. Yeah, no, I’m sure it is. I’m sure it is.

MATTY D
You haven’t HAD / SEX YET?

HIM
I mean we have sex. Like frequently. Just not, under the influence.

MATTY D
Wow. I’m pretty sure that would be the / first thing -

HIM
I know I know. That’s what you would think but she said we had to wait. We shouldn’t
just make it into some sex drug. Yeah. I know it sucks. But we’re gonna try it. Soon.

MATTY D
You gotta report back.

HIM
Uh..sure.

Beat.

MATTY D
Oh. Ha.

HIM
What?

MATTY D goes and grabs his phone. Pulls something up.

MATTY D
Did you see this?
 25.

Hands the phone to Him.

HIM
Ha! No. Ha!

MATTY D
Right?!

HIM
That’s perfect. Truly perfect.

MATTY D
I saw that and I was like “YES.”

HIM
With the -

MATTY D
Yeah.

HIM
And the -

MATTY D
Yeah.

HIM
Oh shit this reminds me of Simpkins when he met that girl in Miami?

MATTY D
Oh shit! Yes!

HIM
And He Totally Shat /The Bed.

MATTY D
And she was like

He makes a face impersonating the girl.

They laugh.

They laugh and laugh.

HIM
Simpkins man -
 26.

MATTY D
What a fucking -

They impersonate the girl. They laugh.

MATTY D (cont’d)
When you laugh - do you feel it more in your stomach or in your cheeks?

Blackout.

SCENE 4

THE SECOND DOSE

The apartment. Him and Her stand in front of Rufus’s

crate.

HIM HER
That’s right sir, go in. Yes.

HIM HER
Good boy Rufus. No need to bark. No Yes yes you love the crate. It’s so perfectly
need for a fuss. sized for you and the bars are covered in
peanut butter.

HIM HER
Oh my God he’s - he likes it! Yes, liiiiiiie down.

HER
Close the door close the door close the door.

He does.

They watch. Rufus remains quiet. They are afraid to move.

HIM
Did we just do it? Did he just happily go in on his own?

HER
We just did it.

HIM
Let me rephrase. You just did it.
 27.

HER
No, stop.

HIM
Yes. Yes Yes. You are the mistress of canines. You are the czar of hounds. WE WILL
NOT BE ENSLAVED BY YOU RUFUS! WE WILL RISE AND WE WILL
CONQUER!

He picks her up. She laughs. They kiss. Rufus starts

barking.

HER
Shiiiiiiiit.

HIM
It’s okay it’s okay.

HER
What the fuck else do we do? There’s enough in there to feed a / family of four.

HIM
Wait wait wait. Let me see what they say.

Him goes up to the computer. He sees something in his

email.

HER
You’re fine! You’re safe and you are OKAY! I promise we aren’t going to - (The barking
stops.) oh oh oh he’s back down he’s lying down! I soothed him! I am the soother of
pooch!

HIM
What’s this?

Rufus begins to growl and scratch at his cage.

HER
Oh shit he’s back up.

HIM
No. This.

HER
What?
 28.

HIM
What’s this charge?

HER
Oh no no no!! It was supposed to be a surprise. Shit. Pretend you didn’t see that! (Rufus
begins barking again. To Rufus:) Shhh shhh shhh you’re fine, you’re safe / Do you hate
me? (The barking stops.)

HIM
When did you get this?

HER
I went and tried it out the other day. You’re gonna love it. It’s super firm but not like,
oppressively so, you know? And then the frame is this big, dark oak. Ugh I wish you
hadn’t seen that bill!

HIM
Jesus.

HER
What?

HIM
We don’t have this money.

HER
Wait, are you serious?

HIM
Are you?

HER
That bed, it’s filled with so much, just bad old energy. Old yucky stuff. We needed to clear
the space! Inject all of this new good feeling.

HIM
I don’t get to be part of the decision?

HER
That would have ruined the surprise!

HIM
Convenient. You’re...ha. You’re something, you know? We have a budget for things like
this. A spreadsheet that I worked on for...a long time. And you can’t just -
 29.

HER
So, I have to adhere to your precious spreadsheet or what? Be banished?

HIM
I guess I shouldn’t have made it at all, if you’re going to just do whatever -

HER
You don’t stop buying things THAT YOU NEED just because you don’t have the money
right at that second.

HIM
Yes! Yes you do! That’s exactly what you do!

HER
Oh my god calm down.

She laughs a little to herself.

HIM
No no no, don’t do that. Don’t belittle this!

HER
You are getting angry over nothing! This isn’t a real problem!

HIM
To me it is.

HER
So because you’re overreacting I should just cower to you? I won’t negotiate with
terrorists!

HIM
What???

HER
The old one was - have you seen it? It’s like completely ruined. There’s that stain. And I
keep flipping over the mattress but there aren’t any clean sides left! We do not need to live
like that.

HIM
What about Prague? We can’t go now. We can’t do both.
 30.

HER
I know, I thought about that. But, who wants to go to Prague over the holidays anyway?
So gloomy / and existential.

HIM
Me! I do.

HER
Okay I’m sorry.

HIM
Really?

HER

(no, not really)

Yes. I’m sorry.

HIM

(calling her bluff)

Cancel the order.

HER
Excuse me?

HIM
You said you’re sorry, cancel the order. We don’t need it. This was very bad. You did a
bad thing.

HER
Oh Do Not Scold Me.

HIM
I’m not.

HER
“Sit Rufus. Down Rufus. Cancel the Order, You Did A Bad Thing, Rufus”

HIM
I do not talk like that.

HER
You don’t know! You don’t know how you get.
 31.

HIM
ME? YOU! You aren’t even listening!

HER
I don’t see why it’s such a big deal! We needed a new one. We can’t live like paupers!

HIM
PAUPERS!?

HER
SURE!

HIM
You’re impossible!

HER
Um hello? Pot? IT’S KETTLE.

HIM
You’re a child, you know that? You really are.

HER
Okay. Don’t.

HIM
It’s like I’m living with / a child -

HER
Please.

HIM
Like I have to monitor / your every -

HER
Stop -

HIM
Maybe I’ll call the credit card company and tell them that I’m your caretaker. Sound good?

HER
Please. Stop.

HIM
For once you could think without just going off into your little fantasy land / where
everything goes your way and no one else exists. Like a seven year old.
 32.

HER
Please.

HER (cont’d)
One day I’m gonna record you. I’m gonna record the way you sound when you get like
this and play it back for you. So that you know. So that you know what it’s like.

She goes to leave. She freezes. He freezes.

Then, simultaneously, they turn around and lock eyes.

Ohhhhhh. They immediately spring into action.

Him runs to the drawer and takes out the box of

Empathitrax. Her runs to the cabinet and takes out two
glasses and pours water for both of them. Hands one to
him. They both chug.

HIM
Should we put Rufus in the other room?

HER
No no he’ll freak out. I don’t want to take it with all that barking again.

HIM
What should we -

HER
Here.

She goes into the kitchen and grabs a bigger bone and
gives it to the still unseen Rufus.

HIM
We can’t let these feelings pass.

HER
Shit.

They keep chugging their water.

HER (cont’d)
We’re wasting time!
 33.

HIM
Fuck it.

They both pop the pills, sit on the couch.

HIM (cont’d)
Are you still feeling it.

HER
Oh yea. Are you?

HIM
I can get there.

HER
Does one of us have to go first or can we just -

HIM
Let’s just do it.

HER
Okay.

They touch.

It’s confusing at first. They can’t tell who is feeling what.

They close their eyes to try to sort it out. They hold on
tight to one another as if their bodies are actually trying to
pull away.

Then, it settles. She feels his feelings. He feels hers.

HER (cont’d)
Oh. Oh/ my god.

HIM
I - I did not mean to -

HER
You’re so...betrayed. Oh I betrayed you didn’t I? / This is a serious thing. Oh.

HIM
Oh no, I didn’t mean to make you - You aren’t damaged. You aren’t Wrong nononono
you aren’t. No there is nothing Wrong with you.
 34.

HER
But look at this! How much I - I disrespect everything / we have when I

HIM
You are whole. Do you hear me. You ARE. I promise.

HER
We can still go to Prague! We will find a way!

HIM
You aren’t crazy. Okay?

HER
If I had

HIM
If I had known I

HER
I would never have

HIM
I would NEVER.

They open their eyes. They are completely open to one

another.

HER
Oh there you are.

HIM
You’re back.

HER
Hi.

HIM
Hiya.

HER
Look at you. Look at how sweet you are.

Blackout.
 35.

SCENE 5

Her sits at her computer. An unseen Rufus sits close by.

Barking.

She types.

HER (cont’d)
“How do you get your dog to stop barking in the crate?”

She reads. He barks.

HER (cont’d)
Jesus. Christ. “How to get your dog to like you more.”

She reads. He barks.

HER (cont’d)
UGH. “Why do people get dogs?”

She reads for a bit. He barks.

HER (cont’d)
What do you want? (Rufus stops barking and begins growlins.) Speak. Speak Speak
English words to me. Do you like me? Do you like me even a little? Do you realize that I
saved your life? No one in the world knows what could have happened to you if you
stayed in that shelter. I rescued you. From something potentially like, really bad. And you
just give me...........Nothing. Sit. Sit.

She goes and gets a treat. She shows it to him. He sits.

HER
Yes.

She gives him a treat.

HER (cont’d)
I’m boring. I know I’m boring.

I didn’t used to be boring I swear. I was better than this. Old me would have known what
you wanted like THAT.

What do you want? What are your feelings like? Are they big? Are they even bigger than
you? Mine used to be big. Not anymore. I looked it up on the internet. “
 36.

Emotional Blunting.” Blunting. Spelled like it sounds. Sounds like it feels. Just sorta fine
all the time.

Fine.

Get it? Get anything? Get a single word that’s coming from my lips?

She types.

HER
“Is there a pill that will make my dog like me more?”

(No.)

HER
Some dogs are so nice that their people don’t have to be on their antidepressants anymore.
How does that make you feel?

Sorry. Sorry that was mean. Here.

She gives him a treat.

HER
You only love me when I give you things. That doesn’t count.

Blackout

SCENE 6

THE THIRD DOSE

Him and Her are kissing on the sofa. The lights are
dimmed.

The kissing becomes heated. Tongues, grinding, shirts

grabbed. As it starts to get interesting they STOP. Each
grabs a pill from off the coffee table, swallows it dry.

HER (cont’d)
I feel like we’re back to using condoms again.

HIM
We’ll be right back after this television commercial.
 37.

HER
Ha!

Beat.

HIM
Okay. So.

HER
So.

They look at each other. They touch.

HER (cont’d)
!! Whoa. Whoooaa. You really, wow you really want me.

HIM
I really do.

HER
Oh yeah this is veerrry nice to know.

She goes in to kiss him. He pulls away.

HIM
Do you...want to do this?

HER
What am I doing right now?

HIM
You don’t feel like you want to do this.

HER
What? I do! I definitely do!

HIM
Okay.

They kiss.

HIM (cont’d)
It’s just...uhhh, hmm. It’s not as intense as I thought.
 38.

HER
Well you have to shake off your feeling first.

HIM
I thought we didn’t have to do that anymore.

HER
Maybe this time you do.

They separate. He tries to get himself back to zero. He

touches her again.

HER (cont’d)
Better?

HIM
Yeah. Better definitely.

HER
What?

HIM
Nothing, I feel it.

HER
It’s not enough?

HIM
Of course it’s enough. Maybe just men vs women or -

HER
Um. Okay? Well this is how I feel when I -

HIM
No it’s fine, I just.

HER
It’s the Zoloft. I was hoping maybe I could avoid that one but you know I / always get the
side effects.

HIM
/Always get the yeah.
 39.

HER
It’s been like this for a while.

HIM
Oh.

HER
It’s just different than it was before.

HIM
Right.

HER
We can’t...I can’t compare. I can’t spend my time comparing how I feel to how I felt.

HIM
I know.

HER
Because then...

HIM
I know.

HER
I want you. I do.

They kiss tenderly.

He picks up her right hand and starts kissing it, trying to

start things up again. She smiles awkwardly, then admits:

HER (cont’d)
I, uh, I can’t feel that.

HIM
Huh?

HER
My right arm...I can’t feel it so. Do it to this one!

She offers her left hand.

Beat.
 40.

HER (cont’d)
Do you even want to anymore?

HIM
Um.

HER
Shit.

HIM
No. Nonono. Let’s do this. Let’s get there.

HER
Okay. OKAY! We can get there. We’ve rallied.

HIM
Many times. Here we -

They start kissing. It’s not quite as sexy before.

Then, she:

HER
Remember Vermont?

HIM
Vermont?

HER
On that farm...

HIM
Oh that farm.

HER
And we

HIM
Snuck out

HER
At like midnight

HIM
And you were in that nightgown
 41.

HER
And I didn’t have

HIM
Any underwear on

HER
And then you just bent me

HIM
Over right against the

HER
Side of the

HIM
Pick up truck and you were so

HER
Wet it was like we had

HIM
Never touched each other before and when

HER
I came you

They start getting into it again, for real this time. He is

inside of her, and with the Empathitrax it is amazing.

HIM
Holy shit.

HER
I feel

HIM
Everything

HER
Oh

HIM
God
 42.

HER
Oh my -

Then, speaking becomes obsolete. They are just feeling.

He gets emotional.

HER (cont’d)
Are you crying?

HIM
I don’t know where I end and you - and you - and you -

Perhaps she feels a little inadequate. But they continue.

And it continues to be amazing. Until:

Rufus starts barking. They ignore it.

He keeps barking.

HER
It’s okay. It’s okay.

HIM
Shit.

HER
Just stay here. Stay here with me.

Rufus continues to bark, they continue to try.

Barking.

Trying.

Barking, scratching the crate door.

Trying, switching positions.

HER (cont’d)
Lemme just. I’ll give him something.

She gets up, grabs a treat from the kitchen and heads back
to the bedroom. He stays on the couch trying to keep
himself from losing his erection.
 43.

HER (OFF) (cont’d)

Rufus! Here Rufus here you go, good boy good ...

Silence.

HER (OFF) (cont’d)

Oh my god. Oh ....

HIM
Everything okay? Babe?

Beat.

HIM (cont’d)
Babe?

She comes out of the bedroom. Full of feeling.

HER
He...he loves us.

HIM
What?

HER
He loves us so much. So...simply? He thinks, we’re just his whole world. No no, THE
whole world. We are the world and we’re perfect.

HIM
Did you TOUCH HIM?

HER
I forgot. I forgot I had taken it.

He is pissed.

HER (cont’d)
No no no, you don’t understand you have to go touch him. You have to scratch his little
ears and his little face and that - You have to know what I know. Why didn’t we think of
this before?

HIM
I don’t really want to go cuddle the dog while I’m hard.

HER
Oh.
 44.

HIM
Can’t we, first? / I can’t fucking believe that I’m asking.

HER
We have 12 hours, right? We can just let Rufus know he’s loved and just. Oh we have to
take him out of the crate! They say that they like it in there but it’s bullshit. It’s total
bullshit. He wants to be with us, with his family. You have to go touch him and then we
have to take him out of the crate.

HIM
Right.

HER
What? No?

HIM
That’s fine.

HER
The erection, right, I forget that / it’s different -

HIM
No. It’s gone. It is very gone.

Beat.

HER
What are you feeling right now?

She goes to touch him.

HIM
No don’t. Not right now I don’t want to...exchange.

Beat.

Beat.

HER
I fucked it up.

Beat.
 45.

HER (cont’d)
What IS it?

Beat. Rufus barks.

HER (cont’d)
Just let me know what you’re -

HIM
I’m so sick of all your fucking side effects.

He exits to the bedroom.

Rufus stops barking.

She is alone.

Blackout.

SCENE 7

A couple weeks later. A cocktail party. Her stands in line

for the bathroom, holding a glass of water. Matty D
approaches, carrying a glass of wine, also wanting to use
the bathroom.

MATTY D
Oh is someone -

HER
Yeah. They just went in.

MATTY D
Ah.

Beat. He points to her glass of water.

MATTY D
You dry tonight?

HER
What? Oh. Yeah.

MATTY D
Bummer.
 46.

HER
No - I uh. I get super sleepy when I drink these days because of my um. I like, pass out so,
I’m way more fun like this. If you can believe it. Let’s get crazy!

MATTY D
Well alright then!

HER
Are you having fun?

MATTY D
Yeah. Good crowd, good crowd.

HER
Definitely.

MATTY D
Your man is deep in it over there.

They look out and see an unseen Him across the room.

HER
Yup. He’s chattin’ em up.

MATTY D
The schmoooooze. In his element.

HER
Is this his element?

MATTY D
Sure why not. Always been a pretty social guy. You been helping him out tonight? Arm
candy? Or like, sorry. Whatever the empowered version of arm candy is. I know you’re
not arm candy.

HER
I haven’t been helping him out, no. I’m not very good at these things. I tend to say the not-
right thing. Make bad jokes.

MATTY D
Aw man. Me too. My jokes. People always take them the wrong way.

HER
I can see how that might happen.
 47.

MATTY D
Like - wait. Look at this.

MATTY D pulls out his phone. He shows Her a meme.

It’s dirty. She is startled and uncomfortable by what she
sees.

HER
Oh! ha! Wow she’s really - those are some boobs huh.

MATTY D
See, but the joke is -

HER
Yup.

MATTY D
With the -

HER
Uh-huh

MATTY D
But look at the cat’s face.

HER
Yeah, no. I get it. Got it.

She brushes it away.

Beat. Matty D points to the bathroom door.

MATTY D
They are like, taking forever right?

HER
Ha. Yes.

MATTY D
Like WHAT are they doing in there?

HER
Let’s not speculate.

He references the meme he just showed her.

 48.

MATTY D
When I showed this to your man I thought he was gonna pass out.

HER
Yes, me too! Just now.

MATTY D
No no, from laughter.

HER
Huh. Wow. Out of character.

MATTY D
What? Are you kidding? What about the Poconos! When we were all up there? And he - he
was like three sheets - and he told that joke about the priest and the pig / and the -

HER
Yeah, no that was before my time.

MATTY D
No way. I’m sure you were there. He definitely had a girlfriend. We were in that hot tub.

HER
Wasn’t me. I’ve never been to the Poconos.

MATTY D
No.

HER
Yup.

MATTY D
Huh. It was a lot of fun.

HER
Sounds like it.

Beat.

She knocks on the bathroom door. No answer.

Beat.

HER
Cut to three hours from now and the paramedics are dragging a dead body out of there.
 49.

MATTY D
Woah.

HER
Ha.

MATTY D
Daaaaaaaaark.

HER
Sorry.

MATTY D
You can go like, real dark, huh?

HER
Sometimes. Yes.

MATTY D
Yeah I heard that.

HER
Oh.

MATTY D
No I just mean. Cuz he was staying with me when you were.

HER
No, I know.

MATTY D
So I know like, way more about your life than you want me to.

HER
Ha.

Beat.

HER
Maybe there’s like another bathroom or...

MATTY D
Nope this is it.

HER
I just. I really have to pee.
 50.

Beat.

MATTY D
Heard you guys are doing great now though. All patched up.

HER
Things have definitely improved.

MATTY D
Honestly I kinda liked having him stay with me for a couple months. We got pretty deep.
Reconnected. Had some good moments, really good moments. He was in a bad place after
all that. You really fucked him up for a second.

HER
Well, it was very hard.

MATTY D
Yeah, I mean, to be with someone for so long and then have them suddenly become a
completely different person that’s like, super painful.

HER
It is. Yes. Almost as painful as waking up one morning and, without warning or reason,
being a completely different person.

MATTY D
Ahhh we all have bad days though. Everything’s temporary. It’s like you had a really bad
day.

HER
No. It’s not like anything. It is only itself. You can’t know. If you’ve never had - then you
can’t know.

MATTY D
Uh-huh.

Beat.

HER
It's a voice that hates you. A black fog filling in every crevice. You can't hold onto
anything. There's nothing solid or kind anywhere you look.

Beat.
 51.

HER
It’s like. “I want to leave this cocktail party and walk into the woods and hang myself.”

Beat.

HER
Or something like that.

MATTY D
Shit. You’re a warrior.

HER
Why are we talking about this!

MATTY D
One time in college, I was on shrooms and having a bad time and everyone tells you not to
look in the mirror but I did look in the mirror and I heard this voice, this like really clear
voice that was like “You’d be better off dead. You are already a ghost. You aren’t really
here. You’d be better off dead.” It was - I wish I could forget that. Never have.

HER
Hard to unsee.

MATTY D
I’ve never heard it described like you just - Does he know all that? What you just said to
me?

HER
Oh. Not really. I couldn’t articulate. I couldn’t put my thoughts, my words, into the correct
order. It all comes out sounding crazy. I would tell him, “If we lived by the water, I
wouldn’t be sick.” I just kept repeating that. I think it probably sounded insane! “Take me
to the water. Now.” Like, what? But it was true, it is true. To me. But to him I think I just
sounded insane.

MATTY D
My dad was sick. Is really sick. Some like, trauma shit. From back in the day.

HER
Oh - I didn’t.

MATTY D
No, it’s cool. I don’t really see him. He’s like, almost catatonic, all the shit they have him
on. It’s keeping him alive which is good, I guess. But.
 52.

HER
But what’s the point of being alive if you aren’t really taking it all in.

MATTY D
Part of me wishes they could just take him off, wean him, just let all that ugly stuff come to
the surface, you know? So he could burn it off. So we could fix it.

HER
Dangerous though.

MATTY D
I would help him I think. I could help him with that.

HER
Yeah. But. Gotta take your meds if you’re sick.

MATTY D
True.

HER
And if your boyfriend moves out and you want to get him back.

MATTY D
(inhales air through teeth)

HER
See? Bad jokes!!

MATTY D
Didn’t sound like a joke.

HER
There’s something funny about it. I’m just not sure what.

Beat.

MATTY D
It is like, awesome talking to you.

HER
Ha. Sure.

MATTY D
You’ve got a lot going on.
 53.

HER
Sure seems that way.

MATTY D
You think you’re like, unique in that way? Or is that like, all women.

She looks at him.

Blackout.

SCENE 8

Her is in the kitchen. She has a bottle of Zoloft, a glass of

water, a cutting board and a knife. She empties the bottle
of Zoloft. She cuts them into various sizes. She organizes
them into piles.

She dials the phone.

HER
Hi! Yes - I just had a question about drug interactions? Or, um I guess, non-interactions.
I’m considering tapering off my anti-depresseant and I wanted to make sure that would be
okay since I’ve been taking the...I’m currently on 100 milligrams. Of Zoloft.

She takes out one of the pills. She swallows it.

The lights go down and come up. Another day goes by.
She remains in the kitchen, on the phone.

She takes one of the pills from the “half” pile.

HER (cont’d)
Headaches. Constantly. Headache I should say. Just one long one, filling my days - to be
expected. I’m down to 50 milligrams so...

She takes the half.

Lights down. Lights up. Another Day, a week later. She

remains. She takes a pill from the “half” pile.

HER (cont’d)
No no no! I swear that’s the official term! Brain zaps. Like an electric shock but inside my
brain. I was like “Uhhh surely this can’t be normal, surely this means that I am dying.” But
nope. All part of the process says the internet. So I slowed down a bit. Still at 50
milligrams.
 54.

She takes the half.

Lights down. Lights up. Another day. Another week. She

remains. She takes a pill from the “quarter” pile.

HER (cont’d)
We’re getting close. Really close. 25 milligrams close. And I’ve been thinking a lot about
what you said last week, you know? That if you really know someone you could never just
leave, you could never just “take a break.” That would be like, like leaving yourself.

She takes the quarter.

Lights down. Up. Another Day. Another week. She

remains.

HER (cont’d)
Gone! Totally gone! And I feel good, really good, which is like, a miracle. So, thank you
for all of your help and your just - understanding. I feel ready: A Coming Together.

She throws the empty pill bottle into the trash.

HER (cont’d)
This is why we did this, right? This is why we are doing this.

JOE (OFF)
Absolutely. It’s been my pleasure. Thank you for calling Empath.

Blackout.

SCENE 9

THE FOURTH DOSE

Her and Him stand across from each other.

HIM
Why -

HER
I’ve been weaning myself.

HIM
Why would you -
 55.

HER
I’ve been weaning because well, now I’m afraid to say this to you but, the side effects can
be bad. Of the withdrawal.

HIM
I know.

HER
But guess what? I don’t really feel the side effects anymore? I don’t really feel them. It’s
been three weeks and now I’m completely off. Great, right?

HIM
It’s good, sure. Why are you?/Why didn’t you tell me?

HER
I want to be here for you all the way. It was a surprise.

HIM
I didn’t mean what I said, I was just frustrated. You are here.

HER
I wan’t really. You don’t know.

HIM
But I don’t want / you to get...Is it safe?

HER
No no but I actually feel so good. I really do. None of the old stuff, really. It’s just me. The
real me. Not the Zoloft me.

HIM
But not the -

HER
Depressed me. No. I’m good. I feel like myself again. Look. If we are going to do this,
truly do this, then I want to be here for you all the way. To show you who I am.

HIM
You did.

HER
No. Not really.
 56.

HIM
I just want -

HER
I know.

HIM
I want you to be healthy.

HER
I am. I am.

She hands him an Empathitrax. He takes it. She takes hers.

They look at each other. She smiles. He is nervous.

HER (cont’d)
This is how I feel about your eyes.

She touches him. He buckles.

HIM
Oh my god.

HER
And the smell of your old t-shirts.

He receives. It’s beautiful and overwhelming.

HIM
Oh -

She smiles. Proud. Then, the feeling sours:

HIM
Wait, wait. What’s that -

She moves on.

HER (cont’d)
And your mind. When you tell me things I don’t know.

He receives. It is wonderful.

HIM
I’ve never felt this much in my whole life.
 57.

HER
See? This is me. This is me.

HIM
Wait. But. I feel that. Are you okay?

HER
Of course. And this is how I want you. Do you feel that?

HIM
Yes.

HER
Do you want to?

HIM
Yes.

They start kissing. It becomes passionate quickly. This is

the sex they were both hoping for last time. It is so so
good. They strip each other down. It escalates. He kisses
down her body. He goes between her legs with his mouth.
She finally feels so much.

HER
I love you.

They continue. It is wonderful. And then, something in her

changes. It cannot be helped.

HIM
Oh.

HER
Wait.

HIM
What’s -

HER
Keep going.

HIM
But I feel it. You’re miserable. I can’t.
 58.

HER
Keep going please.

HIM
Oh my God. Is it back? Is this the -

HER
PLEASE

He keeps going but it is terrible. She can’t stop feeling

what she is feeling and now he can’t stop receiving it. It
would be better if they weren’t on the Empathitrax and she
could just feel and lie. It becomes overwhelming.

HER (cont’d)
FUCK.

He stops.

She rolls over on her side and begins to cry. A real, real
cry.

HER (cont’d)
No no no no. Please no. I’m sorry. No NO.

Beat.

Beat.

Beat.

He puts his hand on her waist. They wait. Then:

HER (cont’d)
This is what it feels like when I get sad.

HIM
Oh my God.

The lights dim. Time passes. He puts a blanket over her

while she stays lying on the couch. He takes a second
blanket and places it over him. They lie on opposite ends
of the sofa with their feet almost touching.
 59.

SCENE 10

THE FIFTH DOSE

Him and Her lie on the couch, foot to foot, not touching.
The TV flickers on their faces.

After a bit one of them speaks.

HER
Did you feed Rufus?

Beat.

HIM
Um. No. Not yet.

Beat.

HER
Should I?

Beat.

HIM
No. I can do it.

Beat.

HIM
Yeah.

Beat.

He sits up. He doesn’t move. He watches the TV. He rubs

his eyes. He picks up the remote. Click. Click. Click. He
doesn’t like anything. Click. She looks at him. She places
her bare foot on his bare arm. She feels what he is feeling.

HER
Yeah. Me too.

He looks at her.
 60.

HER (cont’d)
Do you see me differently now?

HIM
Yes.

HER
What do you see?

Beat.

HIM
The void.
The dread.
I’m terrified of my voicemail.
My stomach is full of wet garbage.
I’m drowning and I don’t want to swim.

HER
This helps. Knowing that you know now. That you know me.

Beat.

HER
Coming upon me, in the woods, saving my life.

They sit together in silence.

Then, after a bit.

HER (cont’d)
Did you feed Rufus yet?

Beat.

HIM
Um. No. Not yet.

Black out.

SCENE 11

A roof deck. Him and MATTY D are drinking beers.

 61.

MATTY D
It’s bad.

HIM
It’s. It’s worse than what I know bad to be.

MATTY D
Shit.

HIM
It’s everywhere, all over her body and mind. Like this rash. On the inside.

MATTY D
And you’re getting all that.

HIM
Yeah. There’s no boundary. It might as well be happening to me.

MATTY D
Woah.

HIM
Yeah it’s. I don’t know what I’m doing.

MATTY D
You can feel it all the time? Even when you aren’t on the drug.

HIM
Not as intensely but, yeah. It’s sorta just there now. Like I can’t go back to normal.

MATTY D
Scary.

HIM
Yes.

MATTY D
I’m sorry man. That’s awful, that’s really awful.

He puts his hand on Him’s neck to comfort him. He feels

what Him is feeling. Him doesn’t notice.

MATTY D
Holy shit.
 62.

HIM
Yeah.

MATTY D
You’re drowning.

HIM
I - Yeah. I kinda am.

MATTY D
Your heart is like, covered over.

HIM
I guess -

MATTY D
Hey, look at me, man. You can beat this. I know it’s like, all over you, all over her. But
you can beat this.

HIM
Thanks.

MATTY D
It’s taken away your fight. I can feel that. But you gotta find your fight. You can find it in
me.

HIM
...what?

MATTY D
Here -

Matty D pulls out a pill box.

MATTY D
If you take one, and then touch me -

HIM
Whoa -
 63.

MATTY D
You can have some of my fight! Some of my joy, my will to live. I’ll give you that boost.

HIM
What the fuck?

MATTY D
I got some.

HIM
How? They only prescribe it to couples -

MATTY D
Nah, it’s everywhere man. It’s easy to get.

HIM
From a dealer?

MATTY D
Well, yeah. I mean, I got a ‘script for it cuz my friend is a podiatrist but - yeah. I took one
like, half an hour ago?

Him gets up and puts distance between himself and Matty

D.

HIM
You just TAKE IT? Whenever?

MATTY D
No, I have a date tonight. Started seeing this girl - can’t wait for you to meet / her actually -

HIM
Wait, so you guys just take drugs and like, get to know each other?

MATTY D
Well I don’t think she’s taking it. Haven’t told her yet that I’m taking it.

HIM
Excuse me?

MATTY D
What.

HIM
You like, hold hands with this girl and feel the depths of her most intimate self and you
don’t think that she should be aware of that.
 64.

MATTY D
Not yet, no. She’d freak out.

HIM
Yes, exactly.

MATTY D
I will tell her about it eventually! But I really like this one and I don’t want to scare her
away.

HIM
I am in an alternate universe.

MATTY D
Look, I just realized, I don’t like to admit this, but I recently realized that for a long time I
saw women as sort of empty. Or, no, not empty but like, as projections of me, right? Like -
if I was having a good time then I would just assume that she was having a good time. Or
if I was bored then so was she. But then I took this shit and I realized that I am usually
dead wrong about what I assumed she was going through. Sure, I might be having a good
time but it turns out that she’s actually kind of nervous. So, okay. I can be like a calming
presence. Or when she’s talking about her job that I think sounds like the most boring
fucking thing on the planet, I touch her and realize that she’s actually like, super passionate
about it. Now I’m sorta passionate about it too! It’s beautiful.

HIM
You are walking a line, man.

MATTY D
You know, some people? They don’t need the fucking drug. They just feel shit, they just
get it. They can tune into another person like, instantly. It comes naturally to them. It
doesn’t come naturally to me, okay? And honestly, I think that’s what has been getting in
the way of me finding someone.

HIM
Oh that’s what’s been getting in the way?

MATTY D
What the hell dude.

HIM
I just didn’t realize you were wife shopping. Apologies.
 65.

MATTY D
Just because I like to get laid doesn’t mean I’m not also looking for a partner. Those things
are not mutually exclusive. I’m trying find someone. I’m trying to find someone to be with
and connect with. It’s the same as you guys.

HIM.
No. Do not compare my relationship to whatever it is that you’re doing. We are using it the
way it’s supposed to be used.

MATTY D
Oh I’m sorry I didn’t realize that you were the fucking gate keeper. Please, enlighten me,
how is your precious pill supposed to be used?

HIM.
Between two consenting adults.

MATTY D
Between two consenting miserable adults.

HIM
Aw fuck you.

MATTY D
So now everyone needs to go around all the time telling people what substances they are
on? Did she have to tell everyone about her Zoloft?

HIM.
That’s not the same.

MATTY D
Why not? We both have deficiencies, we’re both making up for them. And I’m not gonna
be judged for that. This is helping me. I could love this girl.

HIM
It’s not love if you are emotionally rufi-ing someone.

MATTY D
Oh, come on, man. Why do you have to put it like that? It’s not like that. I’m not rufi-ing
anyone; I’m the one taking it, not her.

HIM
You have access to her private feelings and she doesn’t even know.

MATTY D
Right, but for her benefit.
 66.

HIM
And that’s love to you?

MATTY D
So what is love then? Living in fucking agony?

HIM
You are manufacturing intimacy! This is not real!

MATTY D
No. No. See. You’re pissed at me right now because you feel like you gotta keep this pill
so sacred, so precious and holy that you don’t have to admit that your relationship is six
feet under.

HIM
Excuse me?

MATTY D
You’re in hell! And you think you’re better than me because of it.

HIM
I’m fine.

MATTY D
Bullshit. I felt it dude. She’s using you like a goddamn trash can.

HIM
Don’t talk about her like that.

MATTY D
I don’t blame her actually. I think it’s like, totally fucked what she’s doing. But I don’t
blame her. I think you might blame her. But I don’t.

HIM
She’s sick. And she needs me to do this.

MATTY D
Why.

HIM
What?

MATTY D
Why is she doing this? Why do you think she did all this in the first place?
 67.

HIM
Because -

Silence.

MATTY D
Yeah. Thought so.

Blackout.

SCENE 12

THE SIXTH DOSE

The apartment. Her lies on the couch under a blanket

staring at the television. The light of the screen flickers on
her face. She looks like she has million pound weight
sitting on top of her.

Him comes in from the front door, just finishing up a run.

He’s sweating and panting slightly, but in that good way.
He has earbuds in.

HIM (cont’d)

(loudly over the music)

Hey!

HER
Hi. Good run?

HIM
Really good actually.

HER
You’re -

HIM
What

HER
You’re yelling.

HIM
I’m yelling?
 68.

HER
Your music. Please. Just take out the -

HIM
Oh. Sorry. Yes.

He takes out the earbuds and goes to get a glass of water.

HIM (cont’d)
Six miles today. Pretty good, right? Sometimes I just have more energy. Don’t know what
that is or why. Wish I could harness it or something. Feels really good.

HER
Mmm.

HIM
What are you watching?

She shrugs. She doesn’t know.

HIM (cont’d)
Where’s Rufus?

HER
On the bed.

HIM
Ah.

Beat. She begins to cry.

HER
He just. He hates me.

HIM
What? No he doesn’t! Why would you say that?

HER
He can like, smell this on me. Other people have dogs and they talk about like having this
connection, this wordless understanding. I can’t have that unless I’m on goddamn drugs.

HIM
Okay okay, I mean, I think that a lot of those people are like projecting? So...you’re just
being more honest. No one really knows what their dog is thinking. Hey hey hey, this isn’t
a big thing.
 69.

HER
You think I don’t realize how ridiculous I sound? No wonder he leaves the room when I
come in. I would leave me if I could.

HIM
Don’t say that.

The box of Empathitrax sits in front of her. She picks it up

and shows it to him.

HER
The last dose.

HIM
Uh. Yeah.

HER
Can we?

HIM
You want to take it now?

HER
When else would we do it?

HIM
When you are feeling better. When you can enjoy it.

HER
It’s not about enjoying it. It’s about using it.

HIM
You know - I was reading this article, really fascinating on the effects of -

HER
I don’t -

HIM
No, I think it will help.

HER
I don’t want to hear about some study.
 70.

HIM
But it’s all about perspective and how...Alright, so, the brain stem is actually made up of
two different parts. There are our senses, right? Just like basic sight, sound, touch, taste,
and then there is our past/experience -

HER
Stop.

Beat.

HIM
Why don’t we go for a walk outside. It’s pretty perfect out there. Sunny and breezy. We
get like two of these days a year.

HER
Can we just take this first?

HIM
If we walk outside maybe we won’t have to. Maybe you will feel better.

HER
I won’t.

HIM
How do you know?

HER
Because I know.

HIM
But you haven’t been outside today, so you don’t really know.

HER
I do.

HIM
How?

HER
Because I’ve taken a million walks outside. Because I’ve gone for runs. Because I’ve
meditated and stood on my fucking head and prayed to Jesus and “drank hot water with
lemon first thing upon waking” and cut out dairy and cut out gluten and cut out the internet
and cut my ankles to try to get the pain out and read that book about gratitude three times
and I know that there is no point in going for a walk outside because we don’t live by the
fucking ocean so let’s just take this pill please.
 71.

Beat.

HIM
Fine.

They silently take their pills. She reaches out her hands for
him to touch. He walks over and sits next to her, takes a
breath and takes her hands.

They feel in silence. Him appears to be bracing himself.

HER
Do you feel all that?

HIM
Uh. Yes.

HER
It’s scary right?

HIM
It is.

HER
In your chest, right? And also, it’s in my legs.

HIM
Yeah. Both of those.

HER
I can’t quite - I’m not getting any of you.

HIM
The stronger feeling prevails. You win.

HER
But you said you were feeling good.

HIM
I was. Not good enough I guess.

She continues to transfer feelings to him.

HER
Describe it to me.
 72.

HIM
It’s heavy. There’s um, a lot of weight to it this time so it’s kinda hard to breathe.

HER
Yeah. Yes. What else.

HIM
Uh -

He feels for a moment longer. It’s almost excruciating. He

lets go.

HIM
Okay. Okay. Let’s go out. Let’s walk this off.

HER
Walk this off?

HIM
Or something. Do something.

HER
We are doing something.

HIM
This doesn’t count. This isn’t - We have to try to fix this. We have to get up. We have to
move around.

HER
I can’t do that. Don’t you get it? I can’t do that.

HIM
Right. Okay. Maybe just me then. Maybe I’ll go out and try to shake this off and / then
come back and -

HER
This is the last dose - we can’t waste it.

Beat.

HIM
Look. Maybe it’s time for you...to...

HER
Time for me to what.
 73.

HIM
Maybe you should go back on. The Zoloft.

HER
Wow.

HIM
Just to, I dunno / stabilize.

HER
Sending me away so soon. / It’s been two weeks.

HIM
I’m not sending you anywhere.

HER
This is me. This is part of me. I don’t want to just put some band aid on it. Please just sit
with me.

She holds her arms out. Genuinely wanting her partner.

He goes to her, only touching the parts of her covered in
clothing. She moves her hands onto his skin. He can’t
stand it.

He removes himself.

HIM (cont’d)
Stop. I don’t want it. I don’t want all that. I feel it. I get it. I don’t want it.

Silence.

HER
Oh my god.

HIM
We can’t just sit around the apartment feeling each other’s arbitrary emotions.

HER
You think I want it to be like this?

HIM
It hasn’t been helping.

HER
It has for me! I’m calling them.
 74.

She goes and grabs the phone.

HIM
What - no / Please put the phone down.

HER
Something is wrong. It’s not supposed to be happening this way.

HIM
No, don’t go off and - just / look at me.

JOE (OFF)
Hello, Empath.

HIM
Are you fucking kidding me?

HER

(into the phone)

It’s not working.

Her looks at Him.

Lights shift.

Later. Joe is in the apartment.

JOE
This is very common.

HER
Okay, that’s great. That’s great, right?

HIM
Sure.

JOE
When we were speaking on the phone during your weaning process I knew this / was a
possibility -

HIM
Wait - what?
 75.

HER
I just called him to make sure that it would be safe. It’s not a big deal.

HIM
You tell the delivery guy and you don’t tell me? That’s a big fucking deal.

HER
Well, he’s CERTIFIED. What are you?

JOE
Many people who were previously medicated for various mental illnesses: generalized
anxiety disorder, social anxiety, depression, seasonal depression, post traumatic stress
disorder, ADD, ADHD, body dismorphic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder,
bipolar I, bipolar II, and panic disorder, to name a few, choose to go off their medications
to share with their partner what they call their “true selves.”

HER
Yes.

JOE
It can be very useful in those scenarios.

HIM
How. How is it useful.

HER
Because now you know.

HIM
I always knew.

HER
Ha! Yeah. Sure.

JOE
Our users feel that the solidarity experienced when a previously isolating feeling is able to
be shared not only lifts much of the burden and therefore the horror of their illness but also
creates a deep closeness between them and their partner that transforms the sickness from a
curse into a sort of a blessing.

HER
So what do we do.
 76.

JOE
Well, this is not a quick fix. Prolonged and regular use is key to achieving the desired goal
of ultimate intimacy and understanding. I can put in another order for a box of six. We also
have a frequent users program where you will get a recurring box every month / for a
discounted price of -

HIM
What else can we do. There has to be something else.

JOE
I assure you, sir, this has been very affective for other users. It’s extremely common for
there to be resistance at first. We never claimed that the experience of using is consistently
pleasant, but a lot can be gained in a relationship from a shared unpleasant and sometimes
painful experiences.

HER
Yes.

JOE
And remember: these feelings, like all feelings, are temporary. If you have had positive
experiences under the influence in the past then it is safe to say that you will continue to
have them in the future. A bump in the road like this merely signals progress. And for a
couple as committed to one another as the two of you are, I have no doubt there are greener
pastures just a little ways down the road. This is the woman who’s brain you said you
wanted to study. The one you are addicted to. I’m sure you still feel that way, after all
these years. Shall I put in another order?

Beat.

HIM
Sure. Fine.

HER
Thank you so much for coming over. Your customer service really is exemplary.

JOE
That means a lot to me. Oop! You have a little mascara dripping.

He grabs a tissue from his pocket.

JOE
I just hate it when people don’t tell me that sort of thing, don’t you?

HER
Thank you.
 77.

He hands her the tissue. Their hands touch. She grips his
hand tighter.

HER
Oh. You’re...what is that? You feel guilty.

JOE
Mm?

HER
Why the fuck do you feel guilty?

JOE
Are you currently under the influence?

She puts it together.

HER
You’re lying. This doesn’t normally happen. It’s just us.

JOE
It would have been appreciated if you had told me at the beginning of the conversation that
you were under the influence. I thought we had an understanding.

HER
You thought we had an understanding? You just lied to my face. (to HIM) We failed.

JOE
A lie is not necessarily a bad - A lie is a form of protection.

HER
Do not give me / that.

JOE
You can’t just - Look. You have to be more careful. About who you touch, when you
touch them. You don’t want to know everything. We aren’t supposed to know everything.

HER
I do. I do want to know everything. Because I’m not a goddamn coward like the rest of
you.

HIM
Wait. Stop. It doesn’t work? The pill is not going to work?
 78.

HER
We’re failures.

JOE
The pill is working if you are both feeling each other’s feelings. The pill can only do so
much. There is always room for human error. You need to be open and accepting of
everything your partner is. Good and bad. Difficult and easy.

HIM
Who the fuck are you. I am open to it.

HER
Bullshit.

HIM
Stop.

HER
You stop.

HIM
You’re saying that this doesn’t happen? That this never happened before.

JOE
It happens that people choose to go off their anti-depressants, yes, but it doesn’t normally
happen that their partners reject them because of it, no. That’s the truth.

HER
Oh my god.

She comes undone.

HIM
No no no, he used that word. I did not use that word. Look. She is my partner. We’ve
loved each other for a decade. She helped me write my thesis. I am not rejecting her. I’m
rejecting this. Aren’t I allowed to hate this? Come on! Aren’t I allowed to hate this thing
that changes her and makes her sick and makes her want to leave this one life that she has?
Aren’t I allowed to say that I don’t want this?

Beat.

HER
If you came upon me, in the woods, bleeding, would you risk your life to save mine?
Would you stop everything and carry me to safety and give me your last drop of water.
 79.

Beat.

HIM
Yes.

Maybe she goes and touches him. Feeling his

ambivalence.

HER
Liar.

Beat.

Beat.

Beat.

JOE
If I put in an order for you in the next ten minutes you will have your new box of
Empathitrax by the end of the day.

Beat.

HER
No. We’re done here. It’s done.

Blackout.

SCENE 13

The apartment

Her is packing boxes. She talks to an unseen Rufus who is

inside his crate with the door open.

HER
If you could pick one superpower what would it be?

Don’t say flying.

Don’t. Don’t.

Ugh. What are you gonna do as a flying dog? Where are you gonna go? You don’t even
like going off leash. You love it in there now, huh? Now that it’s your choice. Yeah. I get
it.
 80.

Most people choose flying. I think they just aren’t thinking about it hard enough. They’re
not taking the question seriously. Like, really think about it. Flying would be great once?
Twice? Ten times TOPS. Then it would become a party trick. Relying on other people to
get a buzz out of your ability. And then eventually it would become just like walking: “ugh,
I have to fucking fly there?”

My superpower would be to have everything feel new, all the time. Walking would never
be like walking. Like “Ugh.” It would always be like “I get to walk there! I have legs! I can
walk!” Over and over and over again. “I get to brush my teeth!” “I get to cry!” “I get to
take this magical pill that makes me feel what you are feeling and I care about your
feelings! I care!”

Just take me back to that.

Everything becomes like everything else.

It all dulls out. Blunts.

Sit. Stay. Stay. Yes.

She gives him a treat. He does something sweet. She

reaches out to pet him.

HER
You only love me when I give you treats. That counts though. I think that counts.

Blackout.

SCENE 14

The Apartment

Her sits at the kitchen counter. Half of the apartment is

packed up in boxes.

After a moment, Him enters. He takes a box and goes out

the front door.

Her waits.

Him comes in the front door. Grabs a box, takes it out.

She looks back at him, looks back into space.

 81.

He comes in. Goes to grab a box.

HER (cont’d)
That one is really heavy.

HIM
No.

HER
Yes, it’s all the books.

HIM
No, it’s my sneakers.

HER
It’s the books.

HIM
I’m sure the books are still in the bedroom.

He goes to lift it. It is really heavy. It is the books. He

hides his discomfort. She knows anyway.

He leaves.

She gets up and goes to the kitchen.

He comes back in.

HIM (cont’d)
So the, um, the cell phone bill.

HER
Right.

HIM
That’s going to be a bit complicated.

HER
Okay?

HIM
We both have to call.
 82.

HER
Why?

HIM
Well it’s a legality.

HER
What does that even mean.

HIM
We just don’t want to be paying for each other’s phone bills for the next who knows how
long. So you have to call too. I already called.

HER
Fine.

HIM
And the cable is in my name so you are going to have to.

HER
Right.

HIM
You know how to -

HER
I live in the world.

HIM
Right.

Beat.

HIM
I think we’ve done pretty well, you know? We didn’t fight once over anything. Not a plate
or a piece of furniture. Not even Rufus.

HER
He knows. I can tell that he knows. I see it in his eyes.

HIM

(dig)
I thought you couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
 83.

HER

(sharp)
We got back on track.

HIM
Well I think we did a pretty good job. Really civilized.

HER
Oh yes? Civilized? That’s...Ha.

HIM
I-

HER
Years. Years and years and years with you. And. Civilized? Do I get a commemorative
mug?

HIM
That’s just an observation. That’s just part of the whole.

HER
Did you hear me last night?

HIM
What?

HER
Did you hear me? I feel like you did. In bed? You must have. I was. Beside myself. And
you. Did you not hear me?

Beat.

HER (cont’d)
You did.

HIM
I didn’t think it was my place anymore. To comfort you.

HER
So happy to be free of me, huh? Not your problem anymore.
 84.

HIM
That’s not it at all! I thought it would upset you more, or make it harder. I didn’t know
what to do. I don’t want this to be all gross and evil and for it to become how I remember
you.

HER
I am so so so sad. You are not sad.

HIM
I am. Of course I am. Maybe the Zoloft hasn’t started working again yet?

HER
Oh fuck you. Fuck everything you say.

HIM
I am sad! Of course! I remember all of it. When we first started dating and it was, God it
was so good. And you helped me write my thesis. / That was, it meant so much to me.

HER
Oh Mother of God the thesis. Is this a joke?

HIM
Not just that but. You were so good on car trips. You gave directions but you weren’t
forceful about it. And the first time you met my sister and she had just broken up with her
boyfriend and you said just the right thing. She loves you for that still. It was the perfect
thing.

HER
I hadn’t even thought about her. Oh god.

HIM
I love you and I’m sad I am, and I -

HER
Well, I felt your love. I know what love is for you and frankly, it’s not enough.

HIM
Jesus. Well I’m sorry that I’m not like you. I must be less than. I must be unworthy.
You’re the one that called it. Don’t put this shit on me.

HER
What choice did you give me?

HIM
I want to help you write your thesis. But I don’t know how.
 85.

HER
What the fuck are you talking about?

HIM
What if this weren’t happening right now? What if...it was just like it was. Before before. /
Would it be okay then?

HER
Don’t do that. That’s too sad. I don’t want to wish right now.

He is struggling to get something out. He doesn’t know

how to do what he wants to do.

HIM
.....

HER
What.

HIM
....

HER
If you’re gonna go, please just go.

HIM
.....

HER
Please. This is hard enough.

He makes a decision. He stands. Then with some sort of

accent.

HIM
Miss, miss? Are you hurt? Excuse me, are you hurt?

HER
Um, no?

He approaches her, cautiously, looking at her leg.

HIM
Oh it’s bad isn’t it. I’ll get something from my bag here.

He starts going through his suitcase.

 86.

HIM (cont’d)
Here, here I learned this back home. Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. / My cousin
Bertrand cut himself badly while he was butchering a cow. I said “well you’re better off
than the cow at least.”

HER
What...are you.

HER (cont’d)
Are you having a stroke?

HIM
(no accent) I’m trying to - (with accent) I’m sorry. I don’t understand. I don’t speak - I
should have learned but I never did. Didn’t have time. Do you speak my language? Do you
understand what I’m saying?

HER
Are you making fun of me? I don’t want this to be some joke right now / not now -

HIM
Hmm. I guess not. Well we’ll just have to find another way then. Here let me see there.

He gently takes her leg and looks at her calf and foot.

HIM (cont’d)
It’s bad but it’s not terrible. Mostly superficial. My main worry is infection. And whether
or not you can walk on it. We’ll have to clean it and get it covered up. Does it hurt?

She just looks at him.

HIM (cont’d)
Here-

He touches her leg.

HER
You don’t have to be Southern that’s not part of the -

HIM

(no accent)
Would you just?

She gets quiet. He goes back to the accent.

 87.

HIM (cont’d)
Alright, alright. Don’t worry I won’t do that again. Let me see if I have something for the
pain.

He goes back into his suitcase. She is not completely sold

but also doesn’t want to stop this. He grabs a long sock
and a toothbrush and a shirt. With them he cleans the
‘wound’, creates a tourniquet and bandages it.

Beat.

HIM (cont’d)
These woods are pretty dangerous. I’d ask what you were doing out here but, well, I
wouldn’t understand you. Lucky I came upon you though, that’s for certain. Plenty of cuts
and scrapes you can get out here. The bad kind. The invisible kind.

Beat.

HIM (cont’d)
How does that feel? Not too tight? Pain letting up?

He moves her leg around for her. She nods.

HIM (cont’d)
Can you stand on it?

He hoists her up. She tries out her bandaged leg She nods.

HIM (cont’d)
Good good. All them petticoats must be heavy. Not easy bein’ a woman these days. I
know, I know, you are very aware of that. I guess I’ll be on my way then. You know what
- I got this last little bit of water here. Not much to speak of. The drought’s been hard on us
all.

He goes and grabs a water bottle from his bag. He pours

his last few drops into the lid. He goes to give it to her.
She puts her hand up as if to say “don’t waste that on me.”

HIM
Don’t be silly now. You need it more than I do.

She drinks.
 88.

HIM
That’s better. That should help. I’m not too pleased to leave you here alone like this but I
gotta assume that if you got into these woods then you would know how to get out.

He begins to walk away. He decides differently.

HIM
No. That ain’t right. Ain’t right to just leave you when it’s so unsafe. Wind’s picking up.
We’re gonna get you out of here. May I?

She nods.

He picks her up in his arms.

HIM (cont’d)
Just a little slip of a thing, aren’t you?

He grabs his suitcase with the other hand. She puts his
arms around his neck.

HIM (cont’d)
Hold on now. I’m gonna try to move pretty quickly.

They start moving through the woods. The lights shift as

they fully enter their make believe world. Sounds of wind,
birds, leaves and twigs crackling beneath their feet. They
use the whole space.

Time passes. Night falls. He’s been walking for a long

time carrying her. She is dozing off to sleep. He wipes his
brow. It starts to rain.

HIM (cont’d)
Well well well - looks like there’s gonna be a storm! Lord knows we need it. But we better
find you some shelter before the sky decides to open up. Keep that thing dry. Here, here,
we’ll set up in this cave here.

They move inside a cave.

He gently places her down on the ground. He begins to

unpack his suitcase to make a bed. A sheet, some towels.
He stuffs some sweaters with t-shirts to make pillows.

HIM (cont’d)
Sorry I don’t have more to give you.
 89.

He slowly goes to her wound. He takes off the bandage

carefully. It is intimate and quiet. He he puts a fresh
bandage on her, taking care not to hurt her in anyway. She
watches him. This takes some time. Then:

HIM
I always say, lucky to have wounds you can see. Smell. Touch. Taste. To show blood.
People believe you. People can help.

It starts to rain, beating down on the outside of the cave.

He picks up his canteen.

HIM
Maybe our luck is returning.

He opens it and steps outside of the cave, filling it up with

the rain water falling from the sky. He sees something out
in the distance.

HIM
Well I’ll be damned. Would you look at that. Here, here.

He picks her up and carries her forward.

HIM
We walked plum straight onto the beach. Look at that ocean out there. Storm going on and
it still gives comfort.

The rain gets louder. She begins to cry.

HIM
Don’t worry. I see you. I see that you’re in pain. I’m not going anywhere. Look out there.

The waves crash. The rain beats on the cave. The sound
overpowers their voices.

HIM
Do You See?!

HER
I do!!
 90.

HIM
CAN YOU FEEL IT?

He takes his hands off of her. She stands free.

HER
I CAN! I CAN!

The ocean grows louder.

Blackout.

End of play.