An Almost Perfect Thing (4 page)

GREG

…I don't really think about it.

CHLOE

Must've been tough. You must've had to work really hard. No one helped you, did they?

GREG

Not really.

CHLOE

No one helped me either. I had to raise myself too. We're the same. Don't you sometimes wish that people knew how hard you worked? They had it easy and you had to earn it. Don't you want to tell them what you went through to get here?

GREG

…Sometimes. Maybe.

CHLOE

Come on. Don't you think you deserve to just scream it so that everyone can hear?

GREG

I don't know—

CHLOE

Admit it. Admit you deserve it.

GREG

Fine. Maybe I do deserve it.

CHLOE

Don't you think I deserve it too?

If we talk about that person, that's all they'll care about. It'll take away from what I did. How I survived. How I taught myself everything. How I raised myself. Just like you. We both had to earn it and no one should take that away from us. Right?

GREG

Of course, but—

CHLOE

I know you understand.

GREG

I do, but—

The sound of deadbolts.

CHLOE

So…

MATHEW enters.

Shouldn't the article be just about me, then? No one else.

Beat. Beat.

GREG

Next time you—

CHLOE

Next time.

A door slams.

Every day started the same. Seven a.m. I trained my mind to wake me up without an alarm. First—

SCENE SEVENTEEN

Shift. CHLOE's room in MATHEW's house.

CHLOE

Reading.

GREG/MAT

What did you read?

CHLOE

The Outsiders
. From nine to eleven. Then I did my exercises.

GREG/MAT

What did you do?

CHLOE

Jumping jacks. Push-ups. Touch my toes. Running on the spot for fifteen minutes.

MATHEW

Perfect. Afternoon?

CHLOE

I wrote a story. It was about—

MATHEW

You keep playing with your hands, what's wrong?

CHLOE

Nothing.

MATHEW

And you're pulling on your hair. Tell me.

CHLOE

You were late today. You told me you'd always follow the schedule.

MATHEW

It was eleven minutes.

CHLOE

I know, but I got scared.

MATHEW

Did you count?

CHLOE

I tried but it didn't work. And I couldn't breathe

She starts breathing harder.

I didn't know where you were. I thought you weren't coming back. I was gonna be trapped down here forever. No one would find me.

Breathing harder.

I didn't know what to do and… I thought I was gonna—

MATHEW

It's okay… just breathe.

CHLOE

I can't— I can't— I'm sorry—

MATHEW

Close your eyes. Breathe. Here's a trick I learned when I was your age. Imagine all the houses in the neighbourhood. Okay? My neighbours and their neighbours. Can you see it?

She nods.

Now imagine all the neighbourhoods in the city. And then all the towns surrounding the city. Imagine all the space surrounding those towns. All that space. Okay? I want you to do that every time you feel trapped. And to make up for being late… I have a surprise for you. Guess what it is.

CHLOE

I get to go upstairs?

MATHEW

No.

CHLOE

A computer? TV? Radio? Candy? New toothbrush? I need a new toothbrush—

MATHEW

I changed my mind. You have to earn it. Make me smile.

CHLOE

I could read you
The Last Polar Bear
.

MATHEW

I'm bored of your books.

CHLOE

If you get me some new books, I could read those to you.

MATHEW

I'm still not smiling—

CHLOE

Knock knock.

MATHEW

Who's there?

CHLOE

Honey Bee.

MATHEW

Honey Bee who?

CHLOE

Honey Bee a dear and get me a soda! You smiled!

MATHEW

Did not. Tell me how nice I am for giving you this. That'll make me smile.

CHLOE

You're so nice. Like the nicest, coolest person I know—

MATHEW

I told you not to talk like that. Talk like a grown-up and I'll give you your prize. Don't and I'll never—

CHLOE

I'll talk like a grown-up. Cross my heart and hope to die.

MATHEW

Close your eyes.

He gets the newspaper.

Open them.

CHLOE

For real? Thank you—

She grabs for it but he pulls it away.

MATHEW

It's been thirty-two days and you've been very good. You deserve it.

She goes to grab it but he pulls it away again.

Not so fast. I'm giving it to you so you can see outside in your mind. You have to imagine the city and the people. That way you won't feel so alone. Do you understand that?

She nods her head eagerly. He hands it to her.

CHLOE

Thank you so much, Mathew.

MATHEW

You can have it every day if you're good.

CHLOE

I'll be good. I swear, I'll be so good. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Beat. He watches her rip it open, flipping through everything.

MATHEW

You still have to care about me. You can't use me to get a surprise.

CHLOE

I won't.

She keeps reading.

MATHEW

Then read it later. Pay attention to me now.

She stops reading.

Talk to me.

CHLOE

Um… What's for supper?

MATHEW

Grilled cheese.

CHLOE

My favourite. Maybe we could have some vegetables this time? Carrot sticks or cucumbers or celery and peanut butter. My teacher says that if we don't eat our vegetables we'll get really sick. I used to make the vegetables for—

MATHEW

You don't like the food I give you?

CHLOE

That's not what I meant. I just need to make sure—

MATHEW

Don't lie. I can tell when you're lying. It's my superpower, remember? You don't like the food I give you. You think I'm stupid.

CHLOE

No—

MATHEW

I don't buy you new books, I don't give you vegetables.

CHLOE

I didn't mean that—

MATHEW

I'm stupid, stupid, so stupid!

CHLOE

I don't need vegetables—

MATHEW

I fail at everything! That's what you think.

CHLOE

No—

MATHEW

I'm a terrible dad!

CHLOE

That's not true—

MATHEW

We're not having supper. I'm going to bed and I'm not going to get up for three days. We're not going to eat for three days. And it's all your fault.

MATHEW goes to leave.

CHLOE

Wait—will you tuck me in first? Please? I love it when you do.

Beat.

I don't have the nightmares anymore. Since you taught me. That was so smart of you. You're the best, Mathew. And you don't have to have me much longer. I'll be so good for the rest of the time. I swear. Will you sing to me? Please?

He goes to her.

MATHEW

Hush little baby, don't say a word. Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

MAT/CHLOE

And if that mockingbird don't sing, Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

CHLOE

Thank you.

MATHEW

I'll go make your supper now. I'll try to make some vegetables.

CHLOE

Whatever you want.

SCENE EIGHTEEN

Shift. To the audience.

GREG

That morning.

CHLOE

The third article comes out.

MATHEW

They're doing a series on the missing little girl.

CHLOE

It's all about me.

GREG

There's nothing in it. Nothing substantial. Nothing worthwhile.

CHLOE

My routines, my books, my assignments. How I taught myself all of it.

GREG

I see them reading it.

CHLOE

Hear them talking about it.

GREG

On the train, at the coffee shop.

CHLOE

On the radio—

MATHEW

—and the
TV
.

GREG

They want—

MATHEW

Her.

CHLOE

Me.

GREG

More.

MATHEW

And I have her. The missing little girl. They want her. And I have—

GREG

A responsibility. To them.

MATHEW

I have—

CHLOE

To go shopping.

GREG

To a meeting.

MATHEW

To see her.

GREG

Summoned by my editor.

CHLOE

(imitating sales clerk)
"Colour. You'd look great in reds, purples, greens."

I try on a sweater. Feel it against my skin. Open the change-room door and—

MATHEW

There she is.

GREG

There they are. My editors. Lined up in a row.

CHLOE

All these women. Just standing there.

GREG

Like a firing squad.

(imitating editors)
"If it bleeds it leads, Greggy, if it bleeds it leads."

MATHEW

She looks—

CHLOE

(imitating sales clerk)
"Beautiful!"

MATHEW

—like an angel. When she sleeps. When she's awake it's tantrums and questions and playing and crying. But when she sleeps—

GREG

(imitating editors)
"Where's the violence? Where's the sex? Where's the truth? This isn't the truth."

MATHEW

I watch her chest rise and fall. So perfect.

CHLOE

(imitating sales clerk)
"So skinny!"

Someone hands me another sweater and then another.

GREG

(imitating editors)
"People are starting to question."

CHLOE

(imitating sales clerk)
"Say cheese!"

GREG

I want to be the one to finish her story. Give her a voice. Get the details that lead to catching the monster who did this. But now—

MATHEW

I notice the calendar above her desk. Tuesday, May 24. There's a star in the corner. She's keeping track.

GREG

If she won't actually tell me that there was a person, admit how they interacted with her… be honest about what they did to her… Then—

MATHEW

What am I supposed to do? I can't let her go now. Her dad will never take care of her like I do. I still have so much to teach her.

CHLOE

I turn from the camera and see these girls. They're talking and laughing. Falling into each other's arms. They're best friends. I wish I could go over there. I wish so bad—

GREG

It's not fair. What she's doing.

MATHEW

She'll be okay when I tell her. She'll understand that it's for her own good.

CHLOE

Across the store are a boyfriend and girlfriend holding hands. The girl holds up a shirt to the guy and he laughs. He pulls her in and kisses her on the forehead. They seem happy.

MATHEW

A radio. She's wanted one since she got here. That'll make her happy.

GREG

I need to get control. For once in my life I can't screw things up.

CHLOE

I hope Greg notices my new sweater.

GREG

I have to stand up for myself.

CHLOE

Secretly, I really hope he notices my new sweater.

GREG

For once in my life.

SCENE NINETEEN

Shift.
GREG
's condo.

GREG

You're late.

CHLOE

Busy morning. Had to study. I'm taking my exams next week.

Beat.

Do you like my sweater? It's new.

GREG

Let's get started. I don't have a lot of time today.

CHLOE

You want to set up a second meeting? I don't mind two this week.

GREG

No. I just want us to stay on track.

CHLOE

Question for a question. Sure.

GREG

No.

CHLOE

Yes.

GREG

No.

CHLOE

Yes.

GREG

(forceful)
I said no.

Beat.

Chloe, if I'm telling your story, then I have to tell the whole story. We can't avoid this anymore. You know that. I need you to tell me about the person.

CHLOE

Tell me you like my sweater. It's new. Do you like it?

GREG

Sure. Yeah. I like it.

CHLOE

How much do you like it?

GREG

…A lot. It's very nice.

CHLOE

Thank you.

Beat.

Now what do you want to know about him?

GREG

Him. Okay. Good. Did he live alone?

CHLOE

Like you? Yeah. Ever since his mum died.

GREG

When was that?

CHLOE

I don't know… Like a year before he got me.

GREG

What happened when you first got there? What did he say to you?

CHLOE

He told me it was for seventy days. That it was to teach my horrible dad a lesson.

GREG

Did he threaten you? So you wouldn't escape?

CHLOE

There was no way to escape. And he would never threaten me.

GREG

Why?

CHLOE

Because he was like a puppy. He just wanted to be loved so bad. And he had to be trained. I taught him everything. When to feed me, how much, how often. He had no idea how to raise a kid. Like your dad.

GREG

What was your relationship like in the beginning? Did you spend a lot of time together?

CHLOE

Sometimes. Some weeks he was with me whenever he wasn't working.

GREG

And other weeks?

CHLOE

I don't know… he'd give me my food and… not really say anything.

GREG

Why?

CHLOE

Who knows? Maybe he didn't feel like having me anymore. But he couldn't throw me back. Maybe he felt trapped. Doesn't matter why. What they need to know is what I did. I learned how to make him talk.