TOUCH THE MOON

By ARIANNA ROSE

A Full-Length Drama
Draft 6.1.2020

Arianna Rose
rockawayrose@gmail.com
1185 Marseille Drive, #305
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(718) 954-0768

©All Rights Reserved

Member, Dramatists Guild of America
 TOUCH THE MOON
CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)

MIRANDA female, 18, Caucasian, American high school student from Nebraska,
visitor to the island. An innocent yearning to step into her life.

BECCA female, any race or ethnicity, anywhere from late 30’s to 50’s, American,
Miranda’s mother, Nebraskan. Tightly wound and religious.

STEFAN male, European, somewhere between 17-21, student on the island.

Charismatic and troubled. Should seem like a boy rather than a man.

DIRK male, European, 40s, Stefan’s father. Businessman. Barely holding it

together.

EMILY female, 18, any race or ethnicity, Miranda’s best friend. Free, open, happy.

THE TIME:
Spring Break, 1994

THE PLACE:
An interrogation room on an unnamed island.

SYNOPSIS:
Miranda is a high school student leaving for Spring Break on an unnamed island. That is
the last time she is ever seen alive. Through a series of short vignettes that connect past
and present, we meet Miranda, her mother Becca, her best friend Emily, Stefan, and his
father Dirk. A play about how humans need to know, and sometimes need to tell,
TOUCH THE MOON draws a line between truth and lies and how they intersect. At its
heart it is a story of motherly love and determination in the face of the unthinkable.

SET REQUIREMENTS:
A moon. A table and two chairs. A door that leads to that room. A bar or counter in
another area. A large, empty playing area. Transitions are built in to allow for locales
that are only referred to in the dialogue. The play is most effective in a single open
playing area.

Playwright Notes:
The transitions between locales are written very deliberately in the script by using the device of almost
identical dialogue lines to signify the end of one locale and the beginning of the next. Many times those
lines can overlap or be spoken simultaneously if spoken by two different characters rather than the
same character. If it’s the same character, sometimes they will repeat the transition line, sometimes not –
this depends upon your set design and staging. This device assists with the time shifts as well. Although
the script has been broken up into “Transitions” for ease in rehearsals, it should all flow from one segment
to the next. Optional original music underscoring for some transitions and the moon scenes is available.
There is deliberate space incorporated into the script for the directors and designers to employ creativity in
visual storytelling.
 TOUCH THE MOON
SCENES: (for purposes of flow in this play, they are numbered as TRANSITIONS)
Page Transition # Transition Name (French Scene) Characters
#
1 Prologue Miranda and the Moon Miranda
2 Transition 1 The Call Miranda, Becca
4 Transition 2 Interrogation Room Becca, Stefan
7 Transition 3 Father Knows Best: An Hour Before Stefan, Dirk
10 Transition 4 Interrogation Room Stefan, Becca
11 Transition 5 Rick and Rolls Stefan, Miranda
18 Transition 6 Interrogation Room Stefan, Becca,
Miranda
22 Transition 7 Emily and Becca Phone Call The Day Emily, Becca
Before
24 Transition 8 The Interrogation Room Emily, Stefan, Becca,
Miranda
25 Transition 9 Miranda and Emily Cheerleading at the Emily, Miranda
Game
30 Transition 10 The Interrogation Room Becca, Stefan
32 Transition 11 Rick and Roll’s: Who’s Lying Now? Emily, Miranda,
Stefan
39 Transition 12 Emily’s Fault Emily
40 Transition 13 Back at the Bar: Circling Back Stefan, Miranda
41 Transition 14 Stefan’s Secret Stefan
42 Transition 15 Interrogation Room Stefan, Becca,
Miranda
45 Transition 16 Dirk in the Void/Interrogation Room Dirk, Stefan, Becca
48 Transition 17 Dirk’s Admission Dirk
49 Transition 18 Interrogation Room Stefan, Becca,
Miranda
52 Transition 19 Becca and Miranda at Home Becca, Miranda
59 Transition 20 Becca’s Regret Becca
60 Transition 21 Becca and Emily and the Elephant in the Becca, Emily
Room
65 Transition 22 Worlds Collide: Stefan and Miranda on the Stefan, Miranda,
Beach/Becca and Stefan in the Interrogation Becca
Room
67 Transition 23 Only The Ocean Knows Stefan, Miranda
69 Transition 24 The Interrogation Room Stefan, Becca,
Miranda, Dirk
81 Transition 25 Stefan’s Got a Secret Stefan, Becca,
Miranda, Dirk, Emily
83 Transition 26 Hope is Hope Until It’s Gone Emily, Miranda,
Becca
86 Epilogue The Truth About the Moon Miranda
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 1 ~

ACT ONE

PROLOGUE: MIRANDA AND THE MOON (Miranda)

(The sound of ocean waves. Perhaps music as well. [note: optional original music
has been composed for this and other scenes – please contact the playwright]

A full moon slowly rises, revealing MIRANDA lying on the ground, exactly as she
is at the end of TRANSITION 23: ONLY THE OCEAN KNOWS.

MIRANDA sits up as if in a dream, taking in her surroundings, trying to

understand where she is and what has happened to her.

MIRANDA stands and explores the space.

MIRANDA watches the moon rise and communes with it. Perhaps an evocative
dance. Maybe it’s a realistic-looking moon. Maybe it isn’t. What is authentic is
Miranda’s joy at seeing the moon.

However hard she tries, she cannot touch the moon.

A cloud obscures the moon. Shivering, Miranda turns around to face the
audience. She is bewildered. She looks around)

MIRANDA
Where am I?

(LIGHT SHIFT as BECCA enters)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 2 ~

TRANSITION 1: THE CALL (Miranda, Becca)

(The sound of a phone ringing.

Lights come up on MIRANDA, and BECCA in two separate areas. Miranda is

still in her same space as the prologue.

They are not aware of each other.

The ringing phone stops as BECCA begins to speak)

BECCA
I’m the one. The one who got the call every parent dreads. So, law of averages, right?
You can feel better that I got it because maybe that means you won’t. Whenever there’d
be a plane crash before I had to travel somewhere, I’d feel terrible of course, but also this
tiny sense of relief – better odds for me. Awful. I know.

(Beat)

Maybe God is punishing me.

MIRANDA
Hello?

BECCA
I felt uneasy all morning.

MIRANDA
Anyone?

BECCA
I knew it the minute the phone rang. I knew. The voice on the other end said, “Your
daughter is missing”. I could feel my mouth move but no sounds came out. It felt like -
trying to run through molasses.

MIRANDA
A full moon! When I was little, I’d ask: Is the moon the same all over the world?

BECCA
Somehow…I got packed. In a daze on the plane…a million questions… I won’t let my
mind go…certain places. Just keep making lists. Lists of who to ask. Where to go.
Focus on the little details so the big picture doesn’t -

MIRANDA
I’ve never seen a moon like this, though.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 3 ~

BECCA
I can’t let my mind wander for a minute because then I’ll go insane. And Miranda needs
me sane.

MIRANDA
Mom?
(no answer)
My mom used to get impatient, me waving at the moon…”Miranda, let’s go!” she’d
say…”just one more look, Mommy”.

BECCA
(sensing something)
Miranda?
(no answer)
Just one more look.

(MIRANDA continues to look at the moon)

MIRANDA
Wait…I think that I -

BECCA
Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.
Please don’t be-Please –

(BECCA falls to her knees, praying, whispering the mantra over and over)

MIRANDA
…I wanted to touch the moon!

(Lights fade on MIRANDA. SHE EXITS)

BECCA
Miranda!

(Light shift)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 4 ~

TRANSITION 2: INTERROGATION ROOM (Becca, Stefan)

(STEFAN is seated in the interrogation room of the island jail He is handcuffed

to the table. His head is down on the desk. He is moaning softly.

BECCA rushes in, clutching a photograph of MIRANDA, and yells to STEFAN)

BECCA
Miranda. Her name is Miranda.

STEFAN
No no no no no…

BECCA
I’m talking to you.

(STEFAN raises his head at the sound, still lost in his nightmare. BECCA is
shocked)

You’re just a boy! How could -

STEFAN
Leave me alone.

(STEFAN puts his head back on the table. BECCA paces. The scraping sound of a
chair as BECCA sits. Measured:)

BECCA
That’s not going to happen.

(STEFAN struggles out of his mind fog)

You and I are going to have a little chat.

STEFAN
You’re not allowed in here. Guard!

BECCA
He sent me in.

STEFAN
I don’t believe you.

BECCA
He’s got a daughter too. And a mother. And he loves Americans.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 5 ~

STEFAN
The police chief will have something to say about this.

BECCA
Good. I want to hear it.

STEFAN
He won’t tell you anything.

BECCA
Will you?
(beat)
Will you?
(beat)
Where is she?

STEFAN
I don’t know.

BECCA
Then why are you handcuffed?

STEFAN
It’s a mistake! I already talked to my father. He’ll set things straight. You’ll see!

BECCA
What will I see, Stefan?

STEFAN
(robotically)
Don’t say anything. Don’t say -

(tries to turn the chair away from BECCA, hampered by the handcuffs)

STEFAN
Guard!

(No one comes. STEFAN and BECCA stare each other down)

BECCA
What’s weighing on your mind, Stefan?

STEFAN
---
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 6 ~

BECCA
You can tell me. I’m a good listener.

STEFAN
--

BECCA
Pretend I’m your mom.

(STEFAN gives her a look of great loathing)

STEFAN
I don’t know what happened.

BECCA
Why don’t I believe you?

(LIGHT SHIFT.

STEFAN stands up, releases himself from the handcuffs and crosses to another
area. BECCA stays seated as if STEFAN is still sitting across from her. LIGHTS
DOWN on BECCA)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 7 ~

TRANSITION 3: FATHER KNOWS BEST: An Hour Before (Stefan, Dirk)

(BECCA is no longer in the active scene. STEFAN flashes back to a telephone

conversation with his father shortly before BECCA entered the room. DIRK,
STEFAN’s father, enters, but on the other side of STEFAN, not in the
interrogation room. They speak as if having a telephone conversation)

DIRK
I believe you. (beat) Don’t confess to anything!

STEFAN
I don’t know what to do…

DIRK
Yes you do. YES YOU DO. You did nothing wrong. I’ll get home as soon as I can.
Hang tight.

STEFAN
But what if…

DIRK
You have nothing to be worried about. I’ll talk to the police chief, and –

STEFAN
He’s your friend. That’s good, right?

DIRK
I’m going to ask you a question.

STEFAN
You said you believed me!

DIRK
I know.

STEFAN
…I don’t know where she is!

DIRK
Stefan…

STEFAN
No! I don’t know…

DIRK
Do you have any idea…did one of your friends -
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 8 ~

STEFAN
I don’t know I don’t know I don’t know…

DIRK
Stop that right now!

STEFAN
No no no no no…

DIRK
Do you have your medication?

STEFAN
What?

DIRK
Your anxiety medication. Do you have it?

STEFAN
Yes.

DIRK
Make sure you take it.

STEFAN
---

DIRK
Stefan! Make sure you take it.

STEFAN
When you are getting here?

DIRK
Soon. Are they treating you well?

STEFAN
…it’s okay. The handcuffs hurt.

DIRK
Listen to me carefully. Don’t say anything to anyone till I get there. Give them the silent
treatment. Do you hear me?

(STEFAN is lost somewhere in his mind. beat)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 9 ~

DIRK
Stefan! Do you hear me?

STEFAN
What? - Yes.

DIRK
I’ve contacted a lawyer friend. We may need – never mind. Until I get there - Do. Not.
Talk.

STEFAN
Hurry.

DIRK
Be smart, son. You’re my straight A student!

(LIGHT SHIFT. STEFAN walks back to the interrogation room and puts the
handcuffs back on, sits)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 10 ~

TRANSITION 4: INTERROGATION ROOM (Stefan, Becca)

(LIGHT SHIFT back to STEFAN and BECCA.

DIRK remains in the shadows)

STEFAN
I’m a straight A student! An honors student. I speak three languages. I would never –

BECCA
You’ve been arrested. Why?

STEFAN
---

BECCA
Now you’re not talking?

STEFAN
---

BECCA
I’m not leaving until you tell me.

STEFAN
---

(DIRK EXITS.
BECCA shows STEFAN the photograph of Miranda again)

BECCA
Fine. Let’s start again. This is my daughter. Miranda. You left with her the night she
disappeared.

STEFAN
---

BECCA
Well?

STEFAN (cont’d)
What do you want me to say?

(STEFAN shifts his focus from BECCA to MIRANDA, who has ENTERED on his
other side. He releases himself from the handcuffs, walks away from the table
and takes MIRANDA’S arm)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 11 ~

TRANSITION 5: RICK AND ROLLS (Stefan, Miranda)

(Lights down on BECCA. She exits. Rowdy bar music begins. We are at Rick
n’Rolls, a hangout for young tourists and locals. It is the last night of Spring
Break. There is a full moon. MIRANDA is tipsy. STEFAN and MIRANDA
STROLL over to the “bar” area)

MIRANDA
Say something romantic!

STEFAN
You’re so beautiful.

(HE plays with a lock of her hair. MIRANDA moves towards him, attracted, then
pulls away)

MIRANDA
Hear that, everybody? I’m so beautiful!

STEFAN
When do you go back home?

MIRANDA
Tomorrow morning. This is my last night…to see everything!

(TWIRLS around unsteadily, then grabs onto him and dances)

STEFAN
What have you seen so far?

(STEFAN plays with the stirrer in her drink)

MIRANDA
The Caves, the Great House, the casino –

STEFAN
(picking up her drink and handing it to her)

And Rick ‘n Rolls.

(She takes it from him and drinks)

MIRANDA
Rick ‘n Rolls!! Wait - I haven’t seen the lighthouse!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 12 ~

STEFAN
Then let’s go!

MIRANDA
Can we?

STEFAN
We can do anything.

MIRANDA
Show me something wonderful! Just the two of us.

STEFAN
What would your mother say?

MIRANDA
She would definitely not approve.

STEFAN
Would she approve of…this?

(STEFAN runs his finger along her arm.. MIRANDA shivers)

MIRANDA
Look! You left an imprint on my skin.

STEFAN
A Stefan tattoo. What would your boyfriend say?

MIRANDA
I don’t have one!

STEFAN
Who wouldn’t want to be with you? Kiss you?

MIRANDA
My mother warned me about boys like you.

STEFAN
Me? I wouldn’t hurt a fly. In my country, we honor our women.

MIRANDA
Oh, I’m your woman?

STEFAN
I am hoping so.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 13 ~

MIRANDA
Oooooh! I feel so dizzy…

STEFAN
Here. Let me help.

(STEFAN assists. He looks closely at her arm and traces a scar with his finger.
MIRANDA shivers)

STEFAN (Cont’d)
What’s this scar?

MIRANDA
Bicycle accident. Fourth grade. Broke my arm in two places!

STEFAN
Poor arm.

(They take a few steps)

See? I’m a steadying influence already. Better?

MIRANDA
Better.

(STEFAN takes some stray hairs of hers and tucks them behind her ear)

That drink was really strong. I’m not used to-

STEFAN
-especially after a day of sun, it can make you feel –

(MIRANDA has another dizzy spell)

MIRANDA
Oooooh!…

STEFAN
Where’s your friend?

MIRANDA
Emily? Oh, she’s with some guy…left me all alone…

STEFAN
Then why don’t I escort you back to your hotel?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 14 ~

MIRANDA
I have to finish packing…

(STEFAN continues to lightly touch her)

STEFAN
But…the lighthouse…

MIRANDA
…the lighthouse! The moon on the water!

STEFAN
Are you sure?

MIRANDA
Show me, sir.

STEFAN
But…

MIRANDA
Show me something mystical!

STEFAN
You don’t look so well…

MIRANDA
I’m fine.

(MIRANDA takes STEFAN’s hand and unsteadily drags him out to the beach just
outside the bar. MIRANDA takes in the view of the ocean)

I’d never get tired of this view!

STEFAN
Really? It’s such a small island. It gets – boring, sometimes.

MIRANDA
Boring! The ocean? That moon??

STEFAN
It’s there, every night.

MIRANDA
Not a full moon!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 15 ~

STEFAN
Nothing ever changes here. Except the tourists.

MIRANDA
But you’ve seen the world! I never even saw an ocean till this trip. Can you imagine?
18 years old and never seen the ocean?

STEFAN
You must have seen something in your life.

MIRANDA
Nebraska. Oh, yes, I’ve seen Nebraska. It’s so– vanilla. I’m – vanilla.

STEFAN
Nothing wrong with vanilla.

(STEFAN nuzzles her neck)

MIRANDA
Stop! I’m serious. I’m not saying- I mean, I love my family, and my friends…I’m lucky.
I know it. I’m going to college in the fall. But it’s still the same state. Still – vanilla.
(beat) Ever since my parents divorced, my mom’s been so – religious. So I have to be
too. I can’t - breathe. But here –

(Miranda takes a deep breath, then exhales, stumbles. STEFAN steadies her)

STEFAN
I’ve never met anyone like you.

MIRANDA
Liar.

STEFAN
The truth!

MIRANDA
You must meet a million girls a week here.

STEFAN
That gets boring too.

MIRANDA
I must be boring you, then.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 16 ~

STEFAN
Quite the opposite.

MIRANDA
Look!

STEFAN
I don’t see anything.

MIRANDA
Exactly! For the first time in my life, I’m not around anyone who knows me. I can be –
anybody. I can be me, whoever that is.

STEFAN
You’re amazing.

(MIRANDA twirls around with abandon)

MIRANDA
Not vanilla tonight!

(STEFAN pulls MIRANDA into an embrace. MIRANDA pulls away and looks up)

Look at the moon!

STEFAN
(looking at MIRANDA)
Beautiful.

MIRANDA
No, up there, silly. Isn’t she magnificent! So full of mystery!
(she taps STEFAN’s chest)
Like you.

STEFAN
What do you mean?

MIRANDA
(singsong)
Stefan’s got a secret.

STEFAN
I’m an open book. Shall I take you to -
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 17 ~

MIRANDA
No. Take me to… you.

(They almost kiss… she stumbles. STEFAN catches her and brushes her lips with
his fingers)

STEFAN
I want to see the moon reflected in your eyes.

MIRANDA
I want to touch the moon!

(Light shift)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 18 ~

TRANSITION 6: INTERROGATION ROOM

(MIRANDA exits. STEFAN walks back to BECCA, puts the handcuffs on. He stays
standing )

STEFAN
Touch the moon. She kept talking nonsense about - what’s your name?

BECCA
Becca.
(pointedly)
Miranda’s mother.

STEFAN
Becca. She was drunk. I was a – gentleman. I was trying to help her out...protect her.

BECCA
I don’t believe you.

STEFAN
My father does!

(he turns away)

BECCA
I’m sure he does. Like I would believe Miranda. Parents know when their child is
telling the truth.

(beat)

STEFAN
She was dizzy, so we walked out to the beach for some fresh air…that was it. I watched
her walk back to the bar.

BECCA
Her friend Emily said the two of you never came back. She saw you leave together.

STEFAN
Her friend Emily is not really a friend.

BECCA
Why do you say that? What do you mean?

(STEFAN puts his head in his hands)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 19 ~

STEFAN
Can you go now?

BECCA
Why would you say that about Emily?

STEFAN
---

BECCA
And what will Emily tell me about you?

STEFAN
(beat)

Do you have any idea who I am? My father’s a very important man.

BECCA
Then I’m sure he will want the truth.

STEFAN
The truth.

BECCA
What happened on the beach, Stefan?

STEFAN
Why does everyone think it’s me? This is a tourist town. Many people on the street.

BECCA
Do you have an alibi?

STEFAN
Sure, my friends, they -

BECCA
You are so young, Stefan. I know things – happen, sometimes. If it was a mistake - I
would understand if it was an accident.

STEFAN
I told you, I don’t –

BECCA
Please - just tell me what you know. Any little detail that can help - it’s so important.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 20 ~

STEFAN
If I do, you’ll leave?

BECCA
Yes.

(beat)

STEFAN
Okay. So. Your daughter had a crush on me.

(MIRANDA enters; she is the MIRANDA in STEFAN’s imagination. STEFAN

interacts with both MIRANDA and BECCA; BECCA does not see or acknowledge
MIRANDA)

MIRANDA
Oh, come on, silly. One dance. What could it hurt!

STEFAN
Go away. I have a girlfriend!

BECCA
What’s her name?

STEFAN
….Flavia.

MIRANDA
Flavia? Why isn’t she here?

BECCA
Flavia.

MIRANDA
I love this song! Please??

STEFAN
You’re embarrassing me. What if someone tells my girlfriend – uh -

BECCA
Flavia.

(To BECCA)
STEFAN
What?...yes.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 21 ~

(to MIRANDA)
STEFAN
Please go away!

(MIRANDA climbs up onto the ‘bar’ behind Stefan, leans over and grabs him)

MIRANDA
Such puppy dog eyes. Woof!

(to BECCA)
STEFAN
Everyone laughed. “Stefan’s puppy!” they yelled.

MIRANDA
Woof!

(To MIRANDA)
STEFAN
I am leaving now. Flavia, we are leaving now! (to MIRANDA) Do not follow me.

MIRANDA
(pants like a dog)

(STEFAN walks back to chair, handcuffs himself again. MIRANDA gives him a
disdainful look and EXITS.

beat)

STEFAN
That’s the last time I saw her.

BECCA
How can that be?

(LIGHT SHIFT. BECCA moves out of the room)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 22 ~

TRANSITION 7: EMILY and BECCA phone call the day before

(EMILY enters. She is speaking to BECCA on the phone. Depending on staging,

BECCA’s next line probably doesn’t have to be said – start with Emily’s line)

BECCA
How could that be?

EMILY
I don’t know! I could barely get her to go out at all. You know her and books. Finally,
our last night, she agreed to go out with all of us.

BECCA
They’re starting to board the plane. I’ll be there in a few hours. Emily. It’s very
important you tell me the truth.

EMILY
I know.

BECCA
I promise, I won’t be mad at you. I won’t tell your parents... Is there anything unusual
that happened that night? Did you and Miranda argue about something?

EMILY
…we danced for a while, then that boy – Stefan - came in and hung out with us.

BECCA
Do you remember what he said?

EMILY
…it was really crowded and noisy…I lost track of them. Melly – Miranda - came over to
say she was leaving with him.

BECCA
That doesn’t sound like her.

EMILY
…I know, right? I begged her not to – to stay with us. I tried to follow her but I couldn’t
get to her… I finally got outside and they were already too far away. I yelled at her to
come back. She yelled back something about – about – Snow White…

BECCA
Snow White? Why?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 23 ~

EMILY
…She wasn’t making a lot of sense. She had been drinking …juice. She yelled she’d be
back in an hour. I waited for her, but I was – I wasn’t feeling well, so I went back to our
hotel. I fell asleep and then the alarm woke me up.

BECCA
Why didn’t you let one of the chaperones know she hadn’t come back?

EMILY
I had a –

BECCA
Hangover.

EMILY
…Yes.

BECCA
Why didn’t you call me the minute you saw she wasn’t there?

EMILY
I thought – maybe - she stayed the night with him.

(BECCA flinches)

When it got to be almost time to leave for the airport I knocked on the chaperone’s door
and there was a search and then Mrs. Gilley called you -

BECCA
Emily. What aren’t you telling me?

EMILY
(long pause)

I told you everything I know.

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 24 ~

TRANSITION 8: The Interrogation Room

(EMILY stays where she is. BECCA crosses back to STEFAN)

STEFAN
I told you everything I know. She must have mistaken Flavia for your daughter.

BECCA
She saw Miranda get into the car. With you.

STEFAN
Those girls were drinking all night. They got me mixed up with someone else.

BECCA
I’ve known Emily since she was little. She wouldn’t lie to me.

(EMILY EXITS)

Maybe I should talk to this – Flavia.

STEFAN
That wouldn’t –
(beat. STEFAN paces)

BECCA
Stefan. Is your mother alive?

STEFAN
Yes.

BECCA
I want you to imagine what it would be like for her if you went missing. What she might
go through. What kind of thoughts would play over and over in her –
(Controlling herself)
You knew Miranda one night – but she lived an entire life before that. She played the
flute. She acted in the school plays. She was a cheerleader!

(LIGHTS DOWN ON BECCA and STEFAN. MIRANDA and EMILY enter another
area with a bench, in cheerleading uniforms and pom poms)

MIRANDA, EMILY
PRESTON’S GOT IT FIGURED OUT
MOVE YOUR BODY, STAND AND SHOUT!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 25 ~

TRANSITION 9: MIRANDA AND EMILY CHEERLEADING AT THE GAME

(Miranda, Emily)

(MIRANDA and EMILY continue the cheer at the game. Every once in a while, they
stand up and use the pom poms, then sit back down)

EMILY, MIRANDA
SAY. SAY, SAY WHAT?
SAY. SAY, SAY WHAT?
GO- PRESTON!

(They end the cheer with a flourish and sit)

EMILY
Do you see him?

MIRANDA
Where?

EMILY
Second row, red shirt, brown eyes?

MIRANDA
I don’t -

EMILY
Right there. Next to Ned the Nerd.

MIRANDA
Not nice.

EMILY
Nice girls finish last.

(they stand, raise arms, shake pom poms)

MIRANDA, EMILY
OOH YOUR MAMA SAYS YOU’RE UGLY
YOU WON’T MAKE THAT SHOT!

(they sit back down)

EMILY
So what do you think?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 26 ~

MIRANDA
Of what?

EMILY
Red shirt. Brown eyes. Second row!

MIRANDA
He’s with the other team!

EMILY
That’s what makes it exciting!

MIRANDA
(laughing)
You’re crazy!

EMILY
That’s why you love me.

MIRANDA
Do you want to study later?

EMILY
Uh, noooo.

MIRANDA
You’re failing trig.

EMILY
Who cares? I got accepted already.

MIRANDA
But what if –

EMILY
Keep it up, missy, and I won’t be rooming with you at college.

MIRANDA
Blah, blah. You know we’re besties for life.

EMILY
For life.

(they pinky swear or bump fists. EMILY waves at the boy in the red shirt)

Look! He’s waving back.

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 27 ~

MIRANDA
He could be a serial killer for all you know!

EMILY
At Preston High? In Nebraska?? A serial killer.

MIRANDA
You never know.

EMILY
Why can’t you just --

(they stand, raise arms, shake pom poms)

MIRANDA, EMILY
PRESTON HIGH HAS GOT YOU BEAT
VICTORY IS OH SO SWEET
WHADDYA SAY? WHADDYA SAY?
PANTHERS CATCH THEIR PREY!

(they jump in the air, then sit back down)

MIRANDA
You want to say something? Say it.

EMILY
Fine! Ever since your dad left-

MIRANDA
I don’t want to talk about –

EMILY
Whatever.

(they lapse into an uncomfortable silence. Both jump up for another cheerleader
move. This time no chant, but they move their arms and legs together in a routine.
They speak the following lines while doing this)

EMILY (cont’d)
But you should know –

MIRANDA
I don’t want to –
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 28 ~

EMILY
Everybody’s talking about it. How you’ve changed.

MIRANDA
How I’ve changed! You can’t be serious.

EMILY
Dead serious.

MIRANDA
You have no right --

(big routine flourish. They sit)

EMILY
I have best friend rights.

MIRANDA
Yeah, well, I’m demoting you to – to - acquaintance.

EMILY
Go right ahead, Melly. Melly Jelly.

MIRANDA
Stop calling me that! I hate that nickname.

EMILY
No, you don’t. Even your dad calls you-

MIRANDA
My dad is none of your business.

EMILY
No, but you are.

MIRANDA
You don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.

EMILY
Sure.

MIRANDA
It’s none of your business!

EMILY
You said that already.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 29 ~

MIRANDA
Yeah, well…I’m never talking to you again.

(They gather their cheerleading things and tensely prepare to leave)

EMILY
--We’re still rooming together on the trip, though, right?

MIRANDA
Definitely.

(MIRANDA EXITS. EMILY lingers to wave again at the boy and motion him to
meet her)

EMILY
Hey, Red Shirt!

(fixing her hair and clothes, to herself)

Melly’s friend is getting lucky tonight!

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 30 ~

TRANSITION 10: THE INTERROGATION ROOM (Becca, Stefan)

(EMILY and MIRANDA EXIT. Back to the interrogation room)

STEFAN
Maybe she got lucky.

BECCA
I want to believe you are trying to be helpful. I want to believe that you would never –

(Trying to stay calm)

She grew in me. A gift from God – loaned to me for safekeeping. I brought her into this
world. I was there when she took her first steps. When she said her first word. He
entrusted me with raising Miranda.

STEFAN
I told you, I don’t-

BECCA
If she is in his hands now, then she is at peace, and I will somehow learn to live with that.
But if she is hurt, scared, wondering why her parents haven’t found her, why we aren’t
taking care of her as we have for every moment of her life…

(Beat)

You are the only person that can fix that.

STEFAN
I’ve got problems of my own! Look around!

BECCA
They could all go away if you do the right thing.

STEFAN
I don’t have to talk to you. My father said not to.

BECCA
He’s trying to protect you. Like I’m trying to protect Miranda. Do you understand?

STEFAN
I don’t even know you. I don’t know your daughter!

BECCA
You’ve already told me you did. Why are you lying?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 31 ~

STEFAN
You’re confusing me!

BECCA
Stefan – are you covering for someone else? A friend of yours maybe, who went off with
Miranda?

STEFAN
I hate this island.

BECCA
Why do you say that?

STEFAN
---

BECCA
I beg you, tell me the truth.

(beat)

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 32 ~

TRANSITION 11: RICK AND ROLLS: WHO’S LYING NOW?

(Emily, Miranda, Stefan)

(the bar area at Rick and Rolls. EMILY and MIRANDA are drinking. STEFAN is
watching them from a distance)

EMILY
Tell me the truth. Is this the best night ever, or what?

MIRANDA
Woo hoo!

EMILY
See that guy over there?

MIRANDA
Where?

EMILY
There. Polo shirt. Brown hair. He’s been staring at you for hours.
.
MIRANDA
Oh, him!

(She waves at Stefan to join them)

EMILY
You know that hottie?

MIRANDA
Not really. He’s been here every night this week. We just – wave.

EMILY
Where was I?

MIRANDA
Uh, making out, et cetera, with a different boy every night.

EMILY
You are going to die an old maid. Or a nun. Live a little.

MIRANDA
Oh, I live.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 33 ~

EMILY
Uh huh. Prove it.

MIRANDA
What?

EMILY
Go out with this guy tonight.

MIRANDA
I don’t even know him!

EMILY
It’s our last night. What could it hurt? We get on the plane tomorrow and no one knows
a thing. History. Done!

MIRANDA
Are you seriously pimping me out?

EMILY
He’s cute!

MIRANDA
Ssshh! He’ll hear you.

EMILY
Prude.

(STEFAN joins them)

STEFAN
Ladies.

EMILY
Woof!

MIRANDA
Emily!

EMILY
Woof woof!

MIRANDA
I am walking away…
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 34 ~

EMILY
My friend here was wondering if you might like to dance. Or have a drink with her.

(EMILY pants like a dog)

MIRANDA
(whispered to EMILY)
I’m warning you –

(to STEFAN)
Sorry. My friend here likes to make things up to embarrass me.

STEFAN
Not quite a friend, then.

EMILY
Quite the friend, then.

MIRANDA
I’m Miranda, and this is Emily.

STEFAN
Stefan. How do you like this beautiful island?

EMILY
You’re not - native to here, are you?

STEFAN
No. My father’s work…we move many times. I’ve been here three years.

EMILY
We’re leaving tomorrow so…
(EMILY nudges MIRANDA)
So…

MIRANDA
Stefan.

STEFAN
Yes.

MIRANDA
Would you –

STEFAN
I’ve noticed you. Every night.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 35 ~

MIRANDA
I – oh.

EMILY
She’s very – noticeable.

MIRANDA
Stop!

EMILY
Seriously, Stefan, you should get to know Miranda. She’s amazing.

MIRANDA
Emily –

STEFAN
(to MIRANDA)
Your friend is very wise.

EMILY
Thank you.

(scans the room)

Grey shirt, blue eyes, brown hair! Oh yes.

(turns back to MIRANDA and STEFAN)

See you back at the hotel, Miranda.

(whispered to MIRANDA)

Or not!

MIRANDA
Get out of here!

EMILY
Take care of our Miranda.

STEFAN
Our Miranda. I’ll refresh your drink.

(STEFAN moves away. MIRANDA pulls EMILY aside)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 36 ~

MIRANDA
Em, I swear, I am never talking to you again.

EMILY
Prude.

MIRANDA
Stop calling me that.

EMILY
Prudey prudey prudey--

MIRANDA
--I’m going back to the hotel.

EMILY
No. Come on! Have fun. A cute guy here wants to talk to you. Make out with you. Let
him!

MIRANDA
You make out with him!

EMILY
(pointing to her preferred ‘date’)
Grey shirt, blue eyes, brown hair.

MIRANDA
You haven’t slept in our room once this week!

EMILY
You are going to die a virgin.

MIRANDA
Better than –

EMILY
What?

MIRANDA
You know.

EMILY
Just because I like to have fun. That makes me a slut?

MIRANDA
I didn’t say that.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 37 ~

EMILY
Oh, yeah you did.

MIRANDA
Let’s not do this here.

EMILY
No, let’s. You always act so high and mighty. Miranda the Disney princess.

MIRANDA
That’s a horrible thing to say.

EMILY
Ever since you got all – churchy, it’s impossible to talk to you about anything.

MIRANDA
That’s not true!

EMILY
Your parents split. It’s awful. But you are not the only person with problems!

MIRANDA
I never said I was!

EMILY
Stop pretending to be – Snow White, or something. You’ve been here in the bar, too, all
week, and I don’t think you’re exactly drinking juice.

MIRANDA
Sure I am!

EMILY
That’s a “sex on the beach”.

MIRANDA
It’s got juice in it!

EMILY
Do you even know who you are anymore?

MIRANDA
Leave me alone!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 38 ~

EMILY
Gladly. Just don’t pretend you’re better than me. News flash. You’re not.

MIRANDA
We’re not friends anymore.

EMILY
Why? Because I have sex with boys? Because I’m telling you, it’s okay to fool around
with one?

MIRANDA
You don’t understand! I could get in trouble with -

EMILY
With who? Your Mother? Your father? God? I don’t see any of them here, do you?

MIRANDA
You shouldn’t say that.

EMILY
Oh my God. I’ve known you since you were five, Melly. I know you want – more.

MIRANDA
Liar.

EMILY
Prove me wrong. Go off with Stefan.

MIRANDA
Maybe I will!

EMILY
Oh, for God’s sake, Melly -

MIRANDA
Stop pushing me!

(EMILY exits. LIGHT SHIFT – blackout on MIRANDA)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 39 ~

TRANSITION 12: EMILY’S LAMENT (Emily)

(EMILY is alone)

EMILY (continued)
Stop pushing me.

(beat)

Grey shirt, blue eyes, brown hair turned out to have a girlfriend. I do have a moral code,
even though Melly thinks otherwise. So for the first night this week, I went back to our
room to sleep.

(beat)

Sleep. Waiting for her to come back -- the longest night of my life. Every time I heard a
door open- heard a laugh – but it was never - Her packed suitcase at the foot of her bed.
… her blue suitcase with the “Friends” tv show sticker. She was obsessed with that
show. Friends. I do not miss the irony of that, in case you were wondering.

(beat)

I was her friend. Am – her friend. We were drunk. If he hadn’t come in – if we hadn’t
fought - if we’d gone to a different bar...if we stayed in …If. A tiny word that
encompasses all of hell.

(beat)

I had a hamster once- Melly named him Ross Geller. Of course. He used to play on his
hamster wheel, going around and around in circles, ever more frantically, never reaching
some mythical goal, never seeing any way out. That’s what it’s like inside my head. Me
and Ross Geller. Over and over and --

(beat)

I pushed her to go.

(LIGHT SHIFT. EMILY exits)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 40 ~

TRANSITION 13: BACK AT THE BAR: CIRCLING BACK (Stefan, Miranda)

(STEFAN returns with their drinks to MIRANDA)

STEFAN
She left?

MIRANDA
Yes.

STEFAN
She’s a bit –

MIRANDA
Yes.

STEFAN
I guess it’s just us, then.

MIRANDA
I guess so.

STEFAN
I’m glad. I’ve been noticing you all week…but you’re so pretty…I didn’t know what to
say.

MIRANDA
(taking the leap)

Say something romantic!

(LIGHT SHIFT. MIRANDA EXITS)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 41 ~

TRANSITION 14: STEFAN’S SECRET (Stefan)

(STEFAN is alone)

STEFAN
Something romantic.

(Snorts)

Wanna know a secret?

(laughs)

I stopped taking my meds. A while ago. I flushed all the pills down the toilet and
replaced it with Tic Tacs. My mother didn’t notice. I can tell her anything and she
believes me.

(Beat)

I hate the pills. They make me feel – like there’s pieces of me all floating around… I
told my dad I didn’t need them but he said I had to toe the line. That I represent our
family and not to embarrass him.

(beat)
Everyone on this island, they treat me like…I try to fit in, try to do what my dad says,
but…they treat me like…like… something’s wrong with me.

(beat)

(STEFAN starts walking back to the interrogation room. This next line is to
BECCA)

You don’t know what it’s like inside my head.

(beat)

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 42 ~

TRANSITION 15: INTERROGATION ROOM (Stefan, Becca)

(STEFAN walks back to the chair, puts handcuffs back on)

STEFAN
You don’t know what it’s like inside my head. What it’s like being here.

BECCA
Then tell me.

(Suddenly, STEFAN pushes the table, trying to get away. BECCA jumps)

(beat. BECCA pushes back on the table)

STEFAN
Don’t do that. You don’t know….

(he rocks back and forth)

BECCA
It must be very scary here by yourself.

STEFAN
It’s cold, and they’re mean to me, and nobody listens -

BECCA
I’m listening.

(beat)
STEFAN
What I said before is not true. Now the truth.

(MIRANDA ENTERS in another area. She is still trying to figure out where she is
and what is going on. She does not see Stefan and Becca. Whatever movements
and gestures she used in Transition 5: Rick and Rolls, she should use here. She is
trying on various explanations as to what’s going on)

STEFAN (cont’d)
Miranda wasn’t doing so well. Anyone could tell. I thought, some fresh air! That would
help. We left the bar and walked. Her hand was -- so small. She kept talking about the
moon, and Nebraska, and…how she hated religion!

BECCA
My daughter would never –
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 43 ~

STEFAN
I brought her back to her hotel and the security guard took her arm. She was stumbling…
we said goodbye, and she flung her arms around my neck.

BECCA
Why was she stumbling?

STEFAN
She was drinking. All of them drink.

BECCA
Miranda doesn’t.

STEFAN
’what happens on the island, stays on the island’…

BECCA
Did you see someone put something in her drink?

STEFAN
…she was drunk. That’s all I know. I gave her to the security guard and walked away.
(beat)
That’s the last time I saw her.

BECCA
I’m going to view the video from the hotel camera tonight. Is that what I’ll see, Stefan?

STEFAN
The camera’s probably broken. Nothing works around here.

BECCA
That would be convenient for you.

STEFAN
Maybe the security guard sold her into slavery. That’s a big thing here. I know people
that –

BECCA
What?

STEFAN
--Maybe your daughter got tired of you and decided to run away.

BECCA
Why all the stories?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 44 ~

STEFAN
I don’t know anything.

BECCA
Look me in the eye.

(STEFAN avoids her gaze)

STEFAN
I’m being framed because they don’t like me here.

BECCA
Maybe you took her somewhere and – and -

STEFAN
You think I killed her?

(beat.

MIRANDA stops, turns and looks in Stefan’s direction)

LIGHT SHIFT. Miranda exits. DIRK enters back into the phone conversation
area)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 45 ~

TRANSITION 16: DIRK IN THE VOID/INTERROGATION ROOM (Dirk, Stefan)

(DIRK ENTERS into another area. He and STEFAN are still on the phone call.
STEFAN is going back and forth in his mind between the current real-time
conversation with BECCA and the remembered conversation with DIRK)

STEFAN
You think I killed her?

DIRK
I didn’t say that.

STEFAN
How can you think I –

DIRK
Son. You know that I love you. That your mother loves you.

STEFAN
So?

DIRK
Please take this seriously!

STEFAN
I am!

DIRK
I want what’s best for you.

STEFAN
I know.

DIRK
I need to ask you some difficult questions.

STEFAN
Whatever.

DIRK
Is there a body?

STEFAN
How would I know?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 46 ~

DIRK
Did someone you know hurt this girl?

STEFAN
I told you, I…

DIRK
Stefan. I am not a fool.

STEFAN
I have no idea what happened to her.

DIRK
I know you would not do anything to bring shame to our family. To destroy your mother.
To embarrass me.

STEFAN
Is that all you care about? Why is this always about you?

DIRK
About ME?
(beat)
Why are we in this situation, Stefan? What do they have on you?

STEFAN
Someone saw me leave with her.

DIRK
And?

STEFAN
I don’t know!

DIRK
I really want to believe this.

STEFAN
Then believe it!

DIRK
When you were little, you couldn’t pronounce your ‘v’s yet. You must have been 3, 4?
You’d say “Do you belieb me daddy?” You’d run to hug me, and -

STEFAN
I’m not four anymore.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 47 ~

DIRK
I wish you were.

STEFAN
You’d better get here right away.

DIRK
Do not speak to me that way. I’m warning you.

STEFAN
---

DIRK
I’m warning you!

STEFAN
Yes, sir.

DIRK
I’m going to ask you one more time. Did you kill this girl?

STEFAN
No!

DIRK
Remember -

STEFAN
(To Becca)

Even if that were true –

DIRK (to STEFAN)

No corpse, no case.

STEFAN (To BECCA)

No corpse, no case.

(BECCA gasps. She is stunned)

BECCA
How can you be so cruel?

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 48 ~

TRANSITION 17: DIRK’S ADMISSION (Dirk)

(DIRK is alone)

DIRK
It started back in grade school. He’d have fights with his friends. Shoving matches.
Screaming at his mother. But then he’d be remorseful, and beg for forgiveness, and we’d
- Shanna always takes his side. He’s her baby. She refuses to see… I don’t have
blinders on. My son – is troubled.

(beat)

But he is still my son. Sometimes I hate that he is. I get so tired of cleaning up his
messes. There have been – incidents. Nothing like this, now, but I always felt it was just
a matter of time. At what point do you say, “that’s it? I tried my best, but… this one’s a
bad seed. Cut him off.” But Shanna refuses to – and I say to myself, it will get better.
He’ll get better.

(beat)

I gave him an ultimatum- see a doctor or be sent away. He’s no dummy, my son.
Straight A student, when he wants to be. Round after round of doctors and
therapists…then he went on the anxiety meds. They seemed to help for a while…

(beat)

We had a good three years here. No incidents- that I know of. Till now. Meds or no
meds - you know what the worst part is? The lying. The way he looks at you, and just
makes shit up. It’s astounding, really. He should have been a writer. Or an actor.

(beat)

I bet you anything he’s not taking his pills. I can tell – there’s this thing in his voice – his
eyes get far away, and – he starts talking fast…he starts talking mean…and the stare he
gives you…

(LIGHT SHIFT. DIRK EXITS)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 49 ~

TRANSITION 18: INTERROGATION ROOM (Stefan and Becca; Miranda)

(Back to STEFAN and BECCA in the interrogation room. MIRANDA is in her

area.

STEFAN gives BECCA the ‘stare’)

STEFAN
Your daughter said,

MIRANDA, STEFAN
“I hate this band. Show me something mystical!”

STEFAN
She dragged me to the beach.

MIRANDA
The lighthouse. The moon on the water!

STEFAN
She threw her clothes off and lay on the cool sand.

MIRANDA
(like a snow angel moving arms and legs)
Look! I’m a sand angel.

STEFAN
I tried to stop her, but…she kept wanting – more. We both had had too much to drink,
and - She showed me where to put my hand.

BECCA
No…

STEFAN
My one confession? I knew it was wrong to fool around. After all – Flavia! But – I said
yes. I left her around dawn.

(He waves MIRANDA away but she refuses to leave)

I left her around dawn!

(MIRANDA exits. beat)

That’s the last time I –

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 50 ~

BECCA
You left her all alone on a deserted beach?

STEFAN
She didn’t want to go. I was tired. I tried to pick her up to take her to the hotel but she
yelled at me to put her down. She wanted to stay and -- touch the moon, she said.

BECCA
(to herself) One more look, mommy.

STEFAN
What?

BECCA
…I don’t believe you.

STEFAN
Suit yourself.

BECCA
I’ve heard - rumors.

STEFAN
So?

BECCA
That you prey on the tourists. Get them drunk, get them drugged, and then…

STEFAN
Then…

(STEFAN laughs.)

BECCA
You didn’t just pick up some cheap island whore!

STEFAN
Oh, so it’s okay if a whore dies? Just not your pure, innocent daughter?

BECCA
What do you mean, “if a whore dies?” Is she dead?

(BECCA grabs STEFAN by the arm)

What did you do?

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 51 ~

STEFAN
GUARD!
BECCA
(still holding on)
She’s my baby. She’s different. She’s-

STEFAN
‘She’s special.’ Right? Do you know what your ‘special girls’ do on their spring break?
They tell us to suck jello shots off their stomachs. They buy drugs off the street and get
high. They dance on the bar and strip till we can see EVERYTHING! They go off with
a different guy every night.

BECCA
She’s a virgin!

STEFAN
(laughs)
You don’t know your daughter at all.

BECCA
That is a ridiculous statement to make.

STEFAN
I knew her for one night and I know her better than you!

BECCA
Guard!

STEFAN
Better than you!

(BECCA raises her hand to strike him)

BECCA
Oh no you don’t!

(LIGHT SHIFT. STEFAN EXITS)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 52 ~

TRANSITION 19: BECCA and MIRANDA AT HOME (Becca, Miranda)

(MIRANDA ENTERS, holding a slinky dress. She is packing a suitcase for the
trip. BECCA joins her. BECCA grabs the dress from her. NOTE: BECCA does
speak this transition line again, but in very different context)

BECCA
Oh, no, you don’t!

MIRANDA
But mom, I need that!

BECCA
You are not taking that dress. It is way too mature for you.

MIRANDA
It is not!

BECCA
Every time you come back from your father, you …

MIRANDA
I what, mom? Tell me. What am I like after seeing my dad?

BECCA
I don’t want to discuss it.

MIRANDA
(under her breath)
Typical.

BECCA
What did you say?

MIRANDA
(with attitude)
Nothing.

BECCA
That. Right there. That’s what you’re like. Every -single-time.

MIRANDA
That’s not fair!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 53 ~

BECCA
Your brother never gives me this attitude.

MIRANDA
Stop comparing me to Mr. Perfect.

BECCA
…Rude, and spoiled, and…

MIRANDA
I haven’t done anything.

BECCA
Don’t be so sure you are going on this trip, young lady.

MIRANDA
My plane leaves in three hours! Everyone’s waiting for me!

BECCA
I don’t care.

MIRANDA
The trip’s all paid for!

BECCA
If I say you’re not going, you’re not going!

MIRANDA
You always do this.

BECCA
Do you want your mouth washed out with soap?

MIRANDA
I’m eighteen!

BECCA
As long as you live under this roof, I –

MIRANDA
Momma, please! I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of it. Just please let me go!

BECCA
(controlling herself)
Miranda. I need to know that you’ll be safe.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 54 ~

(BECCA takes the dress)

BECCA (cont’d)
That you’ll be – a lady. Let’s find you something more appropriate to wear.

MIRANDA
I love this dress!

BECCA
What will everyone think?

MIRANDA
They’ll think I’m in style! Everyone else wears it.

BECCA
Then you be different. You stand out from the crowd.

MIRANDA
How about a chastity belt? Should I pack that too, mom?

BECCA
Don’t get smart with me. Have fun – but not too much fun.

MIRANDA
I will be absolutely nun-like in my behavior.

BECCA
No drinking!

MIRANDA
Mom, you know I don’t drink!

BECCA
There are so many temptations --

MIRANDA
Seriously---

BECCA
Do not roll your eyes at me, Miranda Beth.

MIRANDA
I’m sorry, mom. I’m just excited!

BECCA
I know. At least wear this cardigan over the dress, okay? It gets chilly at night.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 55 ~

MIRANDA
Alright.

BECCA
Remember to hide your cash. Did you pack your money purse? Your passport? Do you
know I love you?

MIRANDA
Yes, yes and yes!

(BECCA pulls a bikini out of the suitcase)

BECCA
I do not love this. Please tell me this is tooth floss and not what you’re planning to wear
on the beach.

MIRANDA
This is tooth floss.

BECCA
Clearly Terri helped you pack.

MIRANDA
Will you stop ragging on dad’s girlfriend! At least she took me shopping -

BECCA
And did the ‘girlfriend’ fund your trip?

MIRANDA
…no.

BECCA
Remember how I raised you, young lady.

MIRANDA
It’s not like I could forget, mom.

BECCA
Keep your standards high. Godliness is our goal.

(BECCA pulls MIRANDA into a prayer stance. MIRANDA reluctantly: )

BECCA, MIRANDA
Pure of body, mind and soul!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 56 ~

BECCA
Boys are going to try, Miranda.

MIRANDA
Eww!

BECCA
You’ve grown into a beautiful young lady. It’s a dangerous world out there. I can’t keep
you safe every minute.

MIRANDA
I’ll have Emily with me. And my entire class!

BECCA
I feel very apprehensive about this. I don’t think-

MIRANDA
I’m an adult now.

BECCA
Barely. Maybe we’ll all go, your brother and I – make it a family vacation –

(Desperate, MIRANDA throws a bible into the suitcase)

MIRANDA
Look! I’ll convert a classmate on the flight. Will that help?

BECCA
This is your father’s influence.

MIRANDA
I don’t want to fight about Dad. Or Terri. Can’t you be happy for me? Please?

BECCA
…what else do you need to pack?

MIRANDA
Um, condoms, cigarettes, a fifth of scotch, the usual.

BECCA
That’s not funny.

MIRANDA
Yes, it is.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 57 ~

(BECCA pulls racy purple underwear out of the suitcase)

BECCA
Have you been having sex?

MIRANDA
What? How can you even ask that? You know I haven’t.

BECCA
Who knows what you’ve been doing! Maybe we should just unpack and tell them to give
away your ticket. I never wanted you to go in the first place.

(BECCA starts unpacking suitcase. MIRANDA throws the clothes back in)

MIRANDA
Mom, stop! I’m being picked up in five minutes!

BECCA
I don’t care. What else have you hidden from me?

MIRANDA
You know you can trust me. Stop worrying! I’m not going to do drugs, or drink, or
anything. I’ll be as pure as the driven snow.

BECCA
I would hope so.

(Car horn honks insistently)

MIRANDA
I have to go.

BECCA
I need to know you’ll be alright.

MIRANDA
I promise.

BECCA
I love you.

MIRANDA
Love you too, mom.

(They embrace. Car honk. MIRANDA picks up the suitcase)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 58 ~

MIRANDA
Mom! I’m going to see the ocean.

BECCA
I know.

(MIRANDA turns to leave)

Miranda!

MIRANDA
Emily’s waiting for me.

BECCA
Let me at least drive you to the airport.

(car honk)

MIRANDA
No!

(MIRANDA exits. BECCA rushes after her. She stands there for a moment,
watching her.

LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 59 ~

TRANSITION 20: BECCA’S REGRET (Becca)

(BECCA is alone)

BECCA
No! Her last word to me was “no”. I should have driven her to the airport. I should have
gone as a chaperone. I should have burned that damned black dress.

(beat)

I remember being a teenager. I’m not an idiot. I wasn’t always – I liked boys, and once
– with my girlfriend Susie – I… but that’s my shame. Not important now…

(BECCA pushes those memories away)

Miranda’s a good girl! She never once gave me cause to doubt her - till Alex left me for
Terry. Once she came on the scene Miranda started talking back, challenging me... that’s
when I insisted we start going back to church. Had Miranda join the teen group. We
prayed together at night. Is she praying now, I wonder? Is someone praying – for her?

(beat)
I know she isn’t thrilled with all the church activities…maybe if I hadn’t been so
overprotective of her she would have been more cautious. More suspicious. Less
trusting. Miranda is a daddy’s girl through and through, but when Terry came along…I
can see Miranda trying to be more like her, so that her dad will pay her more attention,
and it hurts my heart. Mothers get a bad rap these days, but I tell you, when your child is
hurting, you feel it twice as keenly, because you have to take a seat and let them go
through it. And then pick up the pieces afterwards.

(Beat)

What could I have done differently? Maybe if I -

(beat)

My mind keeps going to what might have happened, what she is feeling…is she crying
out for me? Is she -

(beat)

Did she do something out of character? Was she egged on by –

(LIGHT SHIFT. EMILY ENTERS)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 60 ~

TRANSITION 21: BECCA AND EMILY AND THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

(Becca, Emily)

BECCA
Emily!

(EMILY rushes to BECCA, they hold each other tightly)

EMILY
You’re here!

(EMILY starts to cry)

I’m so sorry – I’m –

BECCA
No! We need to stay strong. For Miranda’s sake.

EMILY
For Miranda’s sake.

BECCA
I’m so glad you stayed.

EMILY
The police chief said a few more days in case…everyone else flew back except for me
and Mrs. Gilley. My mom said it was okay since you’d be here.

BECCA
We only have another 48 hours before he can’t be held any longer. Before the media - I
need to get to the jail to see him. To talk to him.

EMILY
I don’t think they’ll let you.

BECCA
I talked to some people. I brought money for – bribes.

EMILY
What about your library job?

BECCA
They were wonderful. Leave of absence as long as I need. I –won’t need it. We’re going
to find her.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 61 ~

BECCA (cont’d)
I have flyers – will you and Mrs. Gilley go put them up around town?

EMILY
Yes. Of course.

BECCA
Emily. Wait!

(Emily walks back nervously to Becca

BECCA (cont’d)
I’ve known you since you were five.

EMILY
I’ll go find Mrs. Gilley and -

(Becca takes her hands and looks searchingly at her face)

BECCA
What aren’t you telling me?

(EMILY tries to pull away)

No! She’s missing. She’s in trouble! Anything you can tell me, anything you saw that
night, can help.

EMILY
I already told you on the phone –

BECCA
Why do I feel like you’re keeping something from me?

EMILY
I–

BECCA
Every second is important here, Emily. Do you understand?

EMILY
Yes. I – she – Miranda and I fought that night!

BECCA
What about?
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 62 ~

EMILY
About you being too religious, and her father, and Miranda being a – prude, and –

BECCA
Emily!

EMILY
I made her go out with him! It was me! She didn’t want to…

BECCA
What are you saying?

EMILY
She was drinking…

BECCA
Alcohol?

EMILY
Yes. We’d all been drinking, every night.

BECCA
Did you push her into that, too?

EMILY
No!

BECCA
What else?

EMILY
Nothing.

BECCA
What. Else.

EMILY
I – was – I had dates at night,

BECCA
You were having sex.

EMILY
Yes. But Melly was back at the hotel with everyone every night. She would have told me
if she wasn’t.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 63 ~

BECCA
Your mother did not raise you to –

EMILY
You promised you wouldn’t tell!

(BECCA stares at EMILY then turns away)

BECCA
You’re not the person I thought you were.

EMILY
You don’t understand!

BECCA
Did you tell the police the truth?

EMILY
…mostly. I was afraid to get her in trouble.

BECCA
Or yourself.

EMILY
That’s not fair!

BECCA
Not fair! I’ll tell you what’s not fair! That my eighteen year old daughter could be lying
dead somewhere, thanks to you! Her best friend! How dare you push her to do
something she didn’t want! How dare you take risks with her life!

(EMILY is weeping)

The police chief will be told you have more information.

EMILY
No – please!

(BECCA gives her a long look)

BECCA
I need to find my daughter.

(BECCA turns to leave, then:)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 64 ~

BECCA (Cont’d)
I expect to see you at the station later so that you can give a truthful account. So that you
can help your friend.

(BECCA exits. EMILY paces back and forth)

EMILY
No. No. No. No. No –

(LIGHT SHIFT. EMILY exits)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 65 ~

TRANSITION 22: WORLDS COLLIDE. STEFAN AND MIRANDA ON THE

BEACH/BECCA AND STEFAN IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM
(Stefan, Miranda; Becca)

(MIRANDA AND STEFAN are on the beach. She is dancing in the moonlight.
STEFAN joins her dance. It becomes sensual. STEFAN tries to disrobe her.

BECCA returns to the interrogation area. She responds to STEFAN as if they

were in the area together.

STEFAN at times speaks to MIRANDA and at other times to BECCA)

STEFAN
(nuzzling MIRANDA)
No?

MIRANDA
(giggling)
No!

STEFAN
Are you sure?

MIRANDA
…No.
(they kiss)
Take me to you.

STEFAN
With pleasure.

(to BECCA)
She showed me where her arm broke and that scar above her wrist. She told me she
never had a boyfriend. I kissed her and she -- giggled.

(STEFAN kisses her. MIRANDA giggles, overcome with desire and alcohol)

BECCA MIRANDA
Oh my God… Oh my God…

STEFAN
She wore pretty purple panties with lace around the thigh. She had shaved herself –so
smooth!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 66 ~

BECCA MIRANDA
No… Ohhhh…..

STEFAN
She guided my fingers toward…

BECCA MIRANDA
No… I’ve never…

BECCA (cont’d)
There is no way she would have – unless you forced her, or drugged her, or-

STEFAN
I had to use a condom, ‘cause these girls just love to –

BECCA MIRANDA
Stop! Stop!

(LIGHT SHIFT. BLACKOUT ON BECCA)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 67 ~

TRANSITION 23: ONLY THE OCEAN KNOWS (Miranda, Stefan)

(MIRANDA drops down to the sand. Teasingly)

MIRANDA
Stop! I’m a good girl.

STEFAN
You are very good.

(He drops down next to her. MIRANDA recites rapidly, half out of it)

MIRANDA
Godliness is our goal.

(SHE spreads her arms and legs back and forth.)

Look! I’m a sand angel!

(STEFAN stares)

(Beat.

Still staring, STEFAN takes his shirt off, and slowly, with great intention, lowers
his body on top of her.

At first, it is sounds of lovemaking – or the precursor to it.

MIRANDA
Pure of body, mind and soul!

STEFAN
I want to see the moon reflected in your eyes.

MIRANDA
I will be nun-like in my behavior. I will be -

(A gasp.

There is a shift from lovemaking into what sounds like a struggle.

The lights should be very dim during this section so that the audience can’t quite
see or be sure what is happening - but they can hear. Perhaps disembodied
voices are heard. It could be words Miranda has spoken, her mother has spoken
to her in Transition 19. Fragments tumbled together like sea glass.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 68 ~

Maybe there are some projections against the back wall. Shifting shapes,
shadows, murmurs, moans.

Silence.

More Silence.

STEFAN stands up.

MIRANDA lies there motionless.

STEFAN prods her. Nothing.

STEFAN looks around, panics, and runs off [back to BECCA in the interrogation
room].

The only sound is the ocean waves)

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 69 ~

TRANSITION 24: THE INTERROGATION ROOM

(STEFAN puts his shirt back on. He takes his time buttoning the shirt, as he
walks back to the interrogation room. BECCA stares at him)

STEFAN
(mumbling)
“I will be nun-like…”

BECCA
What?

(BECCA keeps staring. STEFAN tucks shirt in and combs hair back, taking his
time)

STEFAN
Tell me…what kind of mother lets her daughter go off to a foreign country alone?

BECCA
I trusted her. (corrects her tense) I trust her. She was raised right.

STEFAN
And look what happened.

BECCA
(Grabbing his wrist)
What happened?

(MIRANDA ENTERS. Only STEFAN can see her)

MIRANDA
Look, I’m a sand angel!

STEFAN
What the hell?

MIRANDA
(to STEFAN)
Is the moon the same all over the world?

STEFAN
Leave me alone!

BECCA
I will never leave you alone.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 70 ~

(STEFAN wrenches his hand away and moves to the back of the area. MIRANDA
is trapped in all different kinds of voids and places)

MIRANDA
I can’t breathe…

BECCA
You have a chance here, Stefan. Things will go so much easier for you if –

MIRANDA
Say something romantic.

STEFAN
I’ve told you everything –

BECCA
Think of your own mother. How would she feel if --

MIRANDA
Oh, I’m your woman?

STEFAN
You’ve got it all wrong.

BECCA
You know something.

MIRANDA
Not vanilla tonight!

STEFAN
Get out of here!

MIRANDA
Take me to…you.

(STEFAN stares at MIRANDA)

BECCA
If you confess now, your sentence will be so much lighter. I’ll tell the judge to go easy
on you. I can help you. We can help each other.

MIRANDA
Show me something mystical.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 71 ~

STEFAN
Drunk, stupid girl!

BECCA
Don’t!

(BECCA slaps STEFAN)

STEFAN
You shouldn’t have done that.

MIRANDA
Ooh, I feel so dizzy…

BECCA
Tell me.

(MIRANDA dances around the area)

MIRANDA
Show me something wonderful!

BECCA
Tell me where she is!

MIRANDA
I’ve never even had a boyfriend.

STEFAN
Get out get out get out –

(DIRK enters)

DIRK
Stefan!

STEFAN
Father!

DIRK
Are you alright?

STEFAN
Yes…no…yes.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 72 ~

DIRK
(To BECCA)
Who are you?

BECCA
Miranda’s mother.

DIRK
Miranda -

BECCA
The girl who is missing! The girl who -

DIRK
I’m very sorry, but my son had nothing to do with her disappearance.

BECCA
Your son had everything to do with her disappearance.

DIRK
There is zero proof of that. Leave now.

(DIRK starts to lead her outside the door. BECCA holds her ground)

BECCA
I will not.

(DIRK and BECCA take each other’s measure. Changing tactics -)

DIRK
We are the adults here. (indicates outside the door) Let’s discuss this. I know how to
talk to my son. Perhaps if you give me some details – privately - I can help.

(BECCA looks at Stefan, who has his head down on the table so that he doesn’t
see Miranda. BECCA struggles with what to do.

Beat.

DIRK courteously walks her out of the room. Once he has her safely away from
STEFAN his demeanor changes)

BECCA
There are discrepancies in –

DIRK
If you come near my son again, I’ll have you arrested.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 73 ~

(BECCA realizes she’s been played, and tries to get back in the room, but DIRK
bars the door)

BECCA
I’m a parent! You’re a parent. Please! Where is your humanity?

DIRK
With my son.

BECCA
Even if he’s guilty?

DIRK
…This is our island. We’ve built a life here. I’m not going to let a stranger -

BECCA
Do you know where my daughter is?

DIRK
No.

BECCA
Do you know anything about her whereabouts or what happened to her?

DIRK
This conversation is over.

BECCA
Your son was with her!

DIRK
Our lawyer is on the way. You need to leave. Now.

BECCA
Not till I get some answers.

(Lights dim on BECCA and DIRK. Light shift back to the interrogation room,
where Miranda has been circling around STEFAN, closing in. Her arms go
around him. He jerks around in the chair, trying to get out of the handcuffs)

MIRANDA
(flirting with him)
My mother would definitely not approve.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 74 ~

STEFAN
You’re not real you’re not real you’re not real….

MIRANDA
(directly to STEFAN)
You wouldn’t hurt a fly. You wouldn’t hurt a fly. You wouldn’t hurt –

STEFAN
STOP IT!

(At STEFAN’S scream, Dirk rushes back into the room followed by BECCA.
STEFAN tries to move away from MIRANDA in fear and frustration)

DIRK
Son!

STEFAN
Don’t you see her?

DIRK
She’s leaving right now.

STEFAN
(pointing to BECCA first)
Not her.
(Pointing to MIRANDA)
Her!

BECCA
Who do you see?

(MIRANDA advances towards STEFAN)

MIRANDA
Look! You left an imprint on my skin.

STEFAN
Get away from me!

DIRK
Stefan, you’re spiraling. Where is your medication?

STEFAN
In my – in my - in my cell.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 75 ~

MIRANDA
Pure of body, mind and soul. Pure of body, mind and soul.

STEFAN
(Screams, goes into fetal position, rocking back and forth)
Arghhhh….

DIRK
Oh God. You need your pill!

BECCA
What pills? What is he on?

(To BECCA. Dirk hesitates)

DIRK
You’re a parent. I’m a parent.

BECCA
How dare -

DIRK
Please - stay with him till I get back.

BECCA
(in disbelief)
What?

DIRK
…It helps if you stroke his head. His mother does that.

MIRANDA
A Stefan tattoo.

(STEFAN moans)
DIRK
Please!

(after what seems like an eternity, BECCA nods)

DIRK
Stefan – I’ll be right back.

(DIRK exits)

MIRANDA
Look! I’m a sand angel.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 76 ~

(She walks towards STEFAN, arms waving up and down. STEFAN moans)

STEFAN
I didn’t mean to…it wasn’t supposed to…it just happened….

(BECCA walks deliberately to the door and locks it, or jams a chair under the
knob, or slides a table against it – something to keep DIRK out. BECCA walks
back to STEFAN, who is in a bad way.

Tentatively, BECCA’s hand goes out to stroke his head.

A stroke turns into pulling him upright by his hair, hard)

STEFAN
You’re hurting me!

BECCA
You – didn’t – mean – to – what?

(Shaking him roughly)

Did she feel any pain?

STEFAN
Owww!

MIRANDA
So full of mystery!

STEFAN
I don’t know where she is!

MIRANDA
My mother warned me about boys like you.

STEFAN
(rapidly. The veneer is beginning to crack)
I left her on the beach…I brought her back to her hotel…She left the bar with someone
else…She said she wasn’t feeling well…I left her with my friend…I bet that she just ran
away. I bet she’s gonna call…

(DIRK returns and pounds on the door)

DIRK
Hey. Hey! Let me in. Guard. Guard!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 77 ~

STEFAN
Stop!

DIRK
Stefan, are you alright?

STEFAN
Father!

(DIRK continues to pound on the door and yell)

DIRK
Open the door!

(BECCA shoves picture of MIRANDA up to STEFAN, who rips it in two)

BECCA
No!

(Something about the picture ripping jolts MIRANDA out of the many voids she is
in, and she begins to be aware of where she is and that her mother is in the room.

BECCA gathers up the picture pieces from the floor)

MIRANDA
Mom!

(BECCA does not see her or respond. MIRANDA moves directly to STEFAN)

MIRANDA
You left an imprint on my skin.

STEFAN
You – you -

DIRK
Stefan!

MIRANDA
There was a moon. A full moon. We were by the water. I was dizzy…you –...I’m a
sand angel… I’m -

(MIRANDA locks eyes with STEFAN. In wonderment and dismay, MIRANDA

crosses to BECCA)

Mom. Mom! He-

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 78 ~

(BECCA tries to put the pieces of the photo back together. She senses MIRANDA)

BECCA
Miranda?

DIRK
I’ll break this goddamn door down!

MIRANDA
Make him tell you.

BECCA
She’s gone.

MIRANDA
Mommy, I’m so sorry…I didn’t listen to you…the drink…there was something in the
drink…

DIRK
I’m warning you –

(STEFAN is totally un-nerved by MIRANDA and begins to babble)

STEFAN
Get away from me!

BECCA
Not till you tell me.

MIRANDA
Mom – he knows. He knows where I am!

(suddenly remembering, to STEFAN)

The ocean!

BECCA
You know.

(A new steely resolve comes over BECCA. Although BECCA can’t see
MIRANDA, she walks in tandem with her as BECCA and MIRANDA both
advance on STEFAN)

MIRANDA
He – it hurt. It hurt!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 79 ~

BECCA
You hurt her.

STEFAN
I wouldn’t hurt a fly. In my country, we honor our women.

BECCA
You hurt her, and then you murdered her.

STEFAN
No…it wasn’t like that…

DIRK
Open the door, you fucking bitch!

STEFAN
(babbling)
I’m a straight A student. Ask anyone. Ask my father -

DIRK
Stay away from my son!

STEFAN
I speak three languages.

MIRANDA
(lovingly, to her mom)
One more look.

BECCA
(shoving torn picture in STEFAN’S face)
One more look.

STEFAN
No corpse, no case.

MIRANDA
What did you do to me?

BECCA
I swear to God -

DIRK
Guard, wait! Stefan, hold on!
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 80 ~

(DIRK EXITS.

MIRANDA, STEFAN and BECCA seem to be frozen in time in an unholy triangle.

There is a shift in the room, and they all sense it.

MIRANDA moves to STEFAN and taps his chest as she did earlier)

MIRANDA
Stefan’s got a secret.

(A long pause as MIRANDA and STEFAN look at one another)

STEFAN
I’m an open book.

BECCA
Now.

MIRANDA
Now.

STEFAN
Now.
(STEFAN takes a deep breath)

The truth.

(STEFAN stands up.

Beat.

STEFAN turns to the audience. and grins widely)

(LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 81 ~

TRANSITION 25: STEFAN’S GOT A SECRET (Stefan)

(STEFAN continues to grin at the audience. He is wearing the handcuffs. Maybe

we hear lots of disembodied voices whispering and saying it with him. Maybe it’s
just Stefan, in a sing-song voice.

As Transition 25 progresses, it serves to denote the passage of two years’ time

and Stefan’s relationship with each of the other characters)

STEFAN
Stefan’s got a secret…

(LIGHT SHIFT reveals DIRK, MIRANDA, EMILY AND BECCA around

STEFAN, a certain distance away from him, as if in his orbit. Perhaps it’s a semi-
circle, or different levels. Maybe each character dances with STEFAN. Feel free
to play with non-realistic staging.

Whatever the staging, MIRANDA is a bit removed from the others)

(DIRK steps up to STEFAN, removes the handcuffs. DIRK awkwardly puts his
hand on STEFAN’s shoulder)

DIRK
Son –

(STEFAN shrugs him off. There’s a world of distance in that shrug off. DIRK has
lost his son. DIRK EXITS with the handcuffs)

(LIGHT SHIFT. EMILY steps up to STEFAN)

STEFAN
Stefan’s got a secret…

(EMILY and STEFAN stare at one another. Maybe they circle around each other;
a dance of sorts)

EMILY
Two years in, and it’s still a game. He delights in it. A different story every time. A
different way to torture us. Not that I needed any help with that.

(STEFAN makes a face at EMILY)

Jerk.

(EMILY moves away. Light shift. BECCA steps up to STEFAN)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 82 ~

BECCA
They couldn’t hold him long – no evidence, and no – no body was ever found, so…

STEFAN
Stefan’s got a secret!

BECCA
In my mind…every terrible scenario of how she…what might have…

(LIGHT SHIFT. BECCA moves away as MIRANDA passes by her on her way to
STEFAN. Perhaps there is some sort of charged moment between BECCA and
MIRANDA as if BECCA senses MIRANDA)

STEFAN
Stefan’s got a secret! Stefan’s got a –

(MIRANDA locks eyes with him. They move around each other in some fashion.

STEFAN decisively turns away from MIRANDA and walks away)

MIRANDA
He won’t look at me anymore.

(MIRANDA yells to STEFAN)

Hey! Tell the truth!

(STEFAN EXITS. MIRANDA, EMILY AND BECCA are left on stage.

LIGHT SHIFT)
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 83 ~

TRANSITION 26: HOPE IS HOPE UNTIL IT’S GONE (Emily, Miranda, Becca)

EMILY
The truth? The truth is, he’s never going to tell.

MIRANDA
I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do. Where to go.

BECCA
When there’s no body to lay to rest, there’s no rest. She is nowhere- and everywhere.

(beat)

I made so many trips, wrote so many letters, followed every lead – but unless someone or
something new comes forward, or Miranda is found –

EMILY
I graduated, went on to college, had crying fits every day and dropped out halfway
through my freshman year. My parents put me in therapy. It’s helping – a little. There
have been really bad times when I almost– anyway.

BECCA
I still have a son. He’s had enough tragedy.

MIRANDA
It’s easier to visit when they’re asleep.

BECCA
I wake up some nights, certain she’s there.

EMILY
My pom poms would get moved somehow, to ridiculous places.

MIRANDA
That part was fun.

EMILY
I knew it was her.

BECCA
I’d feel her around me so strongly sometimes it left me breathless. Not so much,
anymore.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 84 ~

MIRANDA
I don’t know where God is.

BECCA
Faith is – difficult. I’ve stopped asking ‘Why her?’ She’s one of – many. There is no
good answer.

MIRANDA
It has something to do with my mom.

EMILY
My therapist says it’s time.

(MIRANDA hands EMILY the pom poms. EMILY gives them a little shake)

Bye, Melly.

(EMILY drops the pom poms or perhaps places them gently on the ground, and
EXITS)

BECCA
My lawyer dropped off the papers today to declare her legally dead.

(MIRANDA’s interest is peaked. She approaches her mother to look at the

papers)

We need to free up her college fund for her brother. I know she’d want that, but… Other
missing children show up after years, sometimes. Why not Miranda? I so want there to
be - hope.

(beat)

The rational part of me knows she’s gone. But -

(an outburst)

The only hope I have is that she is in the loving care of her heavenly father. If I can’t
know where her body is, I need to know where her soul is. I need proof.
(pleading)

Please. Answer me!

MIRANDA
Mama. I need you to do this one last thing for me.
 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 85 ~

(BECCA pulls the papers and a pen out of her pocket. She starts to sign it, her
hand shaking. She stops)

BECCA
I can’t. I can’t!

(MIRANDA walks over to her and puts her hand about two inches above
BECCA’s hand)

MIRANDA
Please.

(BECCA gasps, feeling Miranda’s presence)

BECCA
Miranda?

MIRANDA
(This next line is MOUTHED but no sound comes out, as if MIRANDA is fading
and moving to another dimension)

(mouthed, no sound) It’s okay, mom.

(MIRANDA is aware she is fading away – these words are heard)

(softly) Let me go.

(beat)

BECCA
Miranda.

(BECCA signs the papers, folds them and tucks them and the pen back into her
pocket.

MIRANDA moves behind her, her arms encircling the air around BECCA.

BECCA responds as if she is being hugged.

A few moments of mother-daughter love.

BECCA takes a deep breath.

LIGHTS FADE ON BECCA as MIRANDA stands alone on stage. BECCA EXITS)

LIGHT SHIFT – TRANSITION TO EPILOGUE)

 TOUCH THE MOON ~ 86 ~

EPILOGUE: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MOON (Miranda)

(A change comes over MIRANDA. She feels – hopeful)

MIRANDA
Bye, mama.

(THE MOON begins its rise)

MIRANDA
Hello, you.

(Miranda look straight out, then lifts her arms slowly up,up,up towards the moon.
She stands on tiptoe, arms up high, a rapturous expression on her face.

Through whatever theatrical convention employed, MIRANDA finally,

ecstatically, touches the moon.

The sound of the waves intensifies as the lights fade to:)

BLACKOUT

END OF PLAY