George Now

GEORGE (Simone’s husband, late 70s)

SIMONE (late 70s)

George sits in front of a square panel of light, doing nothing. He just sits. Simone enters.

SIMONE

It’s so quiet I thought you must’ve fallen asleep and knocked the thing over.

GEORGE

Alive and alert, for better or worse.

SIMONE

What are you doing?

GEORGE

What does it look like—what you told me! No more, no less.

SIMONE

You can do more. Just don’t do less.

GEORGE

What am I gonna do. Gotta face the damn light.

SIMONE

Want the crossword?

(George grunts. She slides a portion of the newspaper in front of him.)

SIMONE

Want to listen to some hymns?

GEORGE

God, no.

SIMONE

I could read to you.

(When he doesn’t respond, she fetches the Bible off a shelf and begins to read.)

SIMONE

(reading)

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching—

(George grunts loudly.)

SIMONE

It’s Mark. You prefer something else?

GEORGE

Nahum.

SIMONE

Don’t be a smartass. You want Old Testament, let’s hear from Isaiah. (Beginning to read a page she has quickly locates) But there will be no gloom for those who are in anguish—

GEORGE

How much longer.

SIMONE

Twelve minutes.

(George grunts. Simone continues reading as the light fades.)

SIMONE

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light as shined...