A Backstage Romance

                copyright 2000 Lauren Friedman

(Scene: Backstage at a rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet. Natalie and 
        Morgan are dressed in T-shirts and blue jeans. They stand with 
        Eric, who is wearing all black, except for his flaming red 
        hair, which is rather unkempt. All three are talking quietly. 
        The end of Act V, scene 3 can be heard from the other side of 
        the set.)

(Capulet: This is my daughter's jointure, for no more
Can I demand)

NATALIE: Isn't it just wondrous to know how needed we are?

ERIC Don't be bitter yet, Natty. They'll be begging us for help next 
        week.

MORGAN: We are unappreciated, Eric.

ERIC: That's just what we get for being Tech, Morgan.

NATALIE: Yeah. So, how long have you two been going out now?

MORGAN: The end of this play- closing night, actually- will be our 
        ten-month.

NATALIE: Wow. What are you two gonna do?

MORGAN: Good question, Natalie. What are we gonna do?

(Prince: For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.)

ERIC That's for me to know and you to discover, dear.
(A door opens in the set and Mr. Renard sticks his head in.)

RENARD: Eric? Morgan? You're needed. (He closes the door and 
        disappears.) ACTORS! TAKE A QUICK BREAK! 
(Eric and Morgan hurry around the set after Mr. Renard. Enter Wynn, in 
        full Shakespearean dress.)

WYNN: Hey, Natty.

NATALIE: Well, hello, Lady Capulet.

WYNN: Yes, loyal tech. So, still pining away over Eric?

NATALIE: Oh, shut up. I am completely over him. We went out like, a 
        year ago.

WYNN: Come on, Nat. If you were anymore in love with supertech over 
        there, you'd... well, no. I don't think you could be any less 
        over your breakup with supertech.

NATALIE: Oh, please don't call him that, Wynn.

WYNN: What should I call him, then?

NATALIE: Anderson.

WYNN: Anderson?

NATALIE: That's what Cea and I call him, when he or Morgan're lurking 
        around.

WYNN: But why Anderson, of all possible names?

NATALIE: I just really don't want it getting around that I still have 
        a crush on him, and Anderson is nothing like- like his real 
        name.

WYNN: A-ha! You do still like him!
(Enter Bradley, through the set. He kisses Wynn on the cheek)

BRADLEY: Who likes who?

WYNN: Natty likes-

NATALIE: -nobody! Natty likes nobody.

BRADLEY: Does this nobody happen to be her ex and parade around in 
        black all the time?

NATALIE: You leave me alone, Bradley Tonen! Just cause you're my best 
        friend's icky boyfriend-

WYNN: Hey! I was nice when you went out with Eric. And Kyle, that 
        creep. This is my time.

BRADLEY: Our time, Wynn. Ours.

NATALIE: Oh, gag me with a fork.

RENARD: (from the other side of the set) CREW!

NATALIE: Gotta go. (Natalie and three other Techies scurry around the 
        set.)

BRADLEY: So, Natty still likes our stage manager?

NATALIE: Yup. Eric Black. Hmm. He sure has an appropriate name.

BRADLEY: Yeah. Eric Black the man in black.

WYNN: Boy in black, dearest. He's only in High School.

BRADLEY: But he's a senior. If he's still just a boy, what does that 
        make me?

WYNN: A junior, like the rest of us.

BRADLEY: Hey, Wynn? Why did Natty and Eric break up, anyway?

WYNN: If you ask him, she didn't love him. If you ask her, it's 
        because she's a loser and can't handle relationships.
(Enter Eric, through the set.)

ERIC: Oh, good, lord and lady Capulet. You, my dears, are getting a 
        costume change for the final scene. Morgan and Natty are with 
        Renard right now going through the books, but we're going to 
        need your measurements, again. Krista lost them.

WYNN: Skill. I guess Krista isn't going to be head tech when you're 
        gone.

ERIC: Nah. That'll probably go to Morgan, Natalie or Wyatt.

WYNN: Speaking of Natty, what do you think of her, anyway?

ERIC She's dependable. It's good to have someone like Natalie to be 
        able to fall back on.

WYNN: Anything else?

ERIC: She should smile more. She's really quite pretty when she smiles. 
        But if you mean romantically, never again. Anyway, she has a 
        tan.

WYNN: Not everyone can be a pale vampire like you, Eric.

ERIC: (Glares at Wynn) That, my dear, is because they don't exist.

BRADLEY: Morgan is your dear, Black. Wynn is mine. 
(Bradley wraps his arms protectively around Wynn)

ERIC: Morgan is Morgan, Tonen. I love her and she loves me, but like 
        all females, she is no one's possession.

WYNN: But it is romantic to be someone's, sometimes.

ERIC: How long have you two been going out?

WYNN: Almost six moths.

BRADLEY: Closing night is our six-month anniversary. 
(As Bradley says the preceding sentence, he kisses Wynn between the 
        words "six," "month," and "anniversary")

ERIC: Really? That's the night of Morgan and mine, too. Ten months.

WYNN: Ten months?

BRADLEY: Wow. That's a lot of time to spend with one chick. (Wynn 
        elbows Bradley in the stomach sharply) Owwww.

ERIC: What can I say, I really love her.

BRADLEY: (Rubbing his stomach, with a wary glance at Wynn.) You must.

WYNN: Isn't closing night Cea and Duncan's one-month anniversary?

ERIC: It's a very popular day.

WYNN: We should all-

RENARD: (from around the scenery) WYNN! BRAD! WE NEED YOU FOR A FITTING!
(As Wynn and Bradley exit, Natalie enters from a door, stage right.)

NATALIE: Hey.

ERIC: Hello.

NATALIE: Um. So-

ERIC: Do you think we'll be able to pull off the ballroom scene the 
        way Renard wants it? I mean the music?

NATALIE: Hey, who's senior tech here?

ERIC: Me. Just trying to get some input.

NATALIE: Okay.. I think the music will be easy.

ERIC: But?

NATALIE: How'd you know?

ERIC: Who's senior tech here?

NATALIE: Okay, the problem is gong to be the lights. Renard is asking a 
        lot of the booth, but Val and Eugene have a superior handle on 
        the spot, anyway.

ERIC: Very good.

NATALIE: Thank you. So, have you chosen who you're going to have 
        replace you?

ERIC: Well, things may change, but right now you, Morgan, and Wyatt 
        are my main contenders.

NATALIE: You do know that Wyatt is in the immersion program, right?

ERIC: Damn. Why do all the good techs want to learn Japanese?

NATALIE: I have no idea.

ERIC: I guess that means you or Morgan are my first choice.

NATALIE: What about the others?

ERIC: Krista is just too scatterbrained, Val and Eugene are too 
        specialized, and Troy is a senior. None of them are going to be 
        any good. But you're a junior, and you'll have lots of time to 
        pick someone new. And Morgan's a sophomore, so she'll have 
        lots of time to be in charge.
(Enter Morgan)

MORGAN: Please don't ever leave me alone with Renard again, Natalie.

NATALIE: Sorry, Morgan.

MORGAN: So, how long are we going to be here tonight?

ERIC: Couple hours, babe.

NATALIE: Why?

MORGAN: I'm starved. It's almost seven.

ERIC: Don't ya just love double rehearsals?

MORGAN: Whee.

NATALIE: You want to order a pizza for the crew? I'm sure Krista and 
        Troy would appreciate it.

MORGAN: Okay, I'll go poll the techs. Just cheese, right?

ERIC: Pepperoni.

NATALIE: No. Extra cheese.

MORGAN: Why don't we just get two?

ERIC: Fine. But call he cheap place. Their pizza is the best.

NATALIE: Except for the fact that they marinate it in grease!

ERIC: That's the best part.

MORGAN: He has a point. Besides, no one has enough money for two 
        expensive pizzas. The cheap place it is. Now, I'm going to 
        poll the crew.
(Eric kisses Morgan on the cheek, and Morgan walks off stage left)

NATALIE: Eric?

ERIC: (Still staring after Morgan.) Hmm?

NATALIE: You're going to marry her someday, aren't you?

ERIC: Well, it would be nice. (Something catches Eric's attention off 
        stage.) Be right back, looks like Morgan needs me.

(Romeo: Can I go forward when my heart is here?)

(Enter Wynn and Bradley, through the stage right door. They stop to 
        talk to Natalie)

BRADLEY: Where'd Eric get off to?

NATALIE: He's over there, (gestures stage left) with his cancerous 
        attachment. They're polling the crew in conjunction with pizza 
        types and dinner. I think Troy is giving them a hard time about 
        ordering from the cheap place.

BRADLEY: Do you think he knows where my longsword is?

NATALIE: Why don't you go ask him?

BRADLEY: Fine then, I will.
(Exit Bradley, stage left)

WYNN: You know what?

NATALIE: No, what?

WYNN: You should tell Eric how you feel.

(Romeo: He jests at scars that never felt a wound.)

NATALIE: Morgan and me are probably going to split head tech when 
        Eric's gone.

WYNN: How?

NATALIE: One as Stage Manager and one as actual head tech.

WYNN: I asked what he thought of you.

NATALIE: Him as in Anderson? (Wynn rolls her eyes, but nods) I'm going 
        to kill you. (Natalie waits a second, then leans in closer to 
        Wynn) What'd he say?

WYNN: Quothe the Eric, "Smile more."

NATALIE: No way. Did he say anything else?

WYNN: He doesn't like your tan. You know, its going to be weird with 
        you as head tech. Building stuff, ordering people around, 
        playing with the power tools... What if you break someone?

NATALIE: Don't you mean something?

WYNN: No, I don't. And that's the kinda scary part.

(During Wynn's line, Eric enters, with Bradley following him.)

ERIC: For the last time, Tonen, I don't keep track of your props. You do.

BRADLEY: But Eric-

ERIC: No!

BRADLEY: Natty?

NATALIE: What, Brad?

BRADLEY: Will you help me find my longsword?

NATALIE: Sure. (Sighs resignedly) But this is the last time.

BRADLEY: Oh, thank you, Natty! I love you!

WYNN: Oh you do, do you?

BRADLEY: As a sister, of course.

NATALIE: Of course. Come on, Brad, let's go check the dressing rooms.

(Natalie and Brad exit tough a door, stage right.)

RENARD: QUIET BACKSTAGE!

WYNN: Eric?

ERIC: Hmm?

WYNN: Do you think you and Morgan will ever.. Well.. You know, break up?

ERIC: No.

WYNN: Would you ever- hypothetically, of course, Lets say Natty liked 
        you. Would she ever have a chance in hell of catching your eye 
        again?

ERIC: I would give you a big hypothetical no.

WYNN: Oh. Why?

ERIC: I have Morgan.

WYNN: What if Morgan dumped you or you broke up or something?

ERIC: Why are you asking me all these questions, Wynn?

WYNN: I'm just curious.

ERIC: Natty still cares about me, doesn't she?

WYNN: I know nothing.

(Romeo: Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?)

ERIC: Well that's obvious. But does Natty still care about me?

WYNN: Why does it matter?

ERIC: She does.

WYNN: I said nothing.

(Enter Bradley, hurriedly.)

BRADLEY: We have a situation, Wynn.

ERIC: Excuse me?

WYNN: Shit. Where is he?

BRADLEY: Audience.

WYNN: Her?

BRADLEY: Prop room.

WYNN: How long do I have?

BRADLEY: A couple minutes. Maybe more.

WYNN: Oh, shit. (Wynn scurries off stage, through the stage right door.)

ERIC: Feel like enlightening me, Tonen?

BRADLEY: Natalie's latest ex, Kyle is lurking around. She'll freak out 
        if she sees him, so Wynn is going to run interference.

ERIC: What's so bad about this Kyle character?

BRADLEY: Well, he really, really, hurt Natalie.

ERIC: How?

BRADLEY: It's a long story.

ERIC: Just a second, then. (Bradley and Eric are both silent.)

(Juliet: But are you not Romeo? And a Montague?
 Romeo:  Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike.)

ERIC: You don't really have an entrance for a while, do you?

BRADLEY: Well, I have enough time to tell you the story, if that's what 
        you mean.

ERIC: So? Are you going to tell me?

BRADLEY: Why not. Natty dated Kyle for three weeks, earlier this year. 
        Right after you. At the beginning of the second week, he told 
        her he loved her. Natty, of course, being Natty, believed him. 
        She then got the flu and missed a week of school. By the time 
        she got back, Kyle had not only transferred out of her 
        journalism class, he had tried to hook up with Wynn, Cea, and 
        just about every other girl in a six-mile radius. He finally 
        found some girl named Candy. They're still together.

ERIC: What a sleaze.

BRADLEY: I know. And it was.. well, you could say it was right after 
        she was accused of not loving someone who she really did.

ERIC: That poor girl. She wasn't lying when she said she'd had a long 
        life.

(Enter Natalie and Wynn, around the set. Natalie is visibly shaken, and 
        Wynn has one arm around her shoulder.)

WYNN: (leading Natalie to a chair near Eric and Bradley.) C'mon, Natty. 
        Just sit down.

NATALIE: I hate him. Oh, god, I hate him so much.

(Bradley and Eric rush to Natalie's side.)

WYNN: I know, Natty. I know. Shhh.

RENARD: WYNN MCKENNA AND BRADLEY TONEN! STOP MESSING AROUND BACKSTAGE! 
        YOU'RE THE UNDERSTUDIES, YOU'RE SUPPOSTED TO BE WATCHING THIS!

BRADLEY: Shit. Natty?

NATALIE: Go.

WYNN: Thank you. (Pulls Eric aside, and speaks hurriedly) You talk to 
        her about tech. About being a stage manager. Anything but 
        romance. You mention romance to her once and I will personally 
        tear out all your ear hair and feed it to you. Got it?

ERIC: It's not exactly rocket science, McKenna. Now go.

(Wynn and Bradley race around the set, as Eric moves to stand next to 
        Natalie. After a few seconds, he puts his arm around her, but 
        she tenses up visibly and cringes.)

NATALIE: Don't touch me. (The next word is almost an afterthought.) 
        Please.

ERIC: I'm so sorry, Natty. But you're going to be a stage-

NATALIE: (Almost screaming) Why are people like Kyle allowed to live?

RENARD: SILENCE BACKSTAGE!

NATALIE: (more quietly) Why has no one killed him yet?

ERIC: I 'm sorry he hurt you, Natty.

NATALIE: Why won't he just go away and leave me alone?

ERIC: If I knew, I'd tell you.

NATALIE: I can't take this much longer.

ERIC: You know what?

NATALIE: What?

ERIC: This is my theatre, and this is a closed rehearsal. (With great 
        enthusiasm.) I'm going to go throw him out.

(Eric turns to leave)

NATALIE: (Jumps up) NO! (Cringes and waits for Mr. Renard to yell. When 
        he doesn't, she whispers) I mean, no. Please don't. I'm not 
        sure if Kyle saw me, but if he didn't, I'd rather he not know 
        I'm here. Oh, god, I hate him.
ERIC: You have every right to, Natty. (Very slowly, he places his hand 
        on Natalie's shoulder.)

(Juliet: Do not swear at all;
      Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self
      Which is the god of my idolatry
      And I'll believe thee.)

NATALIE: (Studies Eric's face.) You know?

ERIC: Tonen told me.

NATALIE: Ton- oh. Brad. He's great. He and Wynn are so cute together. 
        She's so lucky to have someone like him.

ERIC: You could have someone like that, too. If you really wanted 
        someone like Tonen. Eugene told me once he thought you were 
        kinda cute.

NATALIE: Eugene? I'm not interested in Eugene. The guy I'm interested 
        in isn't interested in me in any way.

ERIC: How do you know that?

NATALIE: He has a girlfriend, m'dear.

(Romeo: Oh, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?)

ERIC: I'm sorry.

NATALIE: You say that a lot

ERIC: Sorry.

NATALIE: We've gotta get you to stop that.

ERIC: Well, sorr- (They both laugh) Yeah, I guess we do.

RENARD: ERIC!

ERIC: (sigh) Be right back. He's probably looking for Darien. He's 
        playing hooky, and they can't do the next scene without Friar 
        Lawrence. Are you gonna be okay?

NATALIE: I'm fine. Go.

(Natalie watches as Eric starts to run around the set.)

NATALIE: (whispers) Goodbye, love.

ERIC: (turns back) Did you say something, Natty?

NATALIE: No. No, I said nothing.

(Juliet: Hist! Romeo, hist! Oh, for a falc'cer's voice
      To lure this tassel gentle back again!)

(As Eric exits, Morgan enters through the stage right door, which is 
        significantly behind Natalie.)

NATALIE: (as Morgan walks closer.) I never say anything.

MORGAN: Excuse me?

NATALIE: Oh, Morgan! I'm sorry. I didn't see you come in.

MORGAN: I went around back to avoid our dearest director. He's being a 
        tiny bit psycho again. (Morgan turns to face the set and holds 
        up her middle finger.) Take that, jerk. You know nothing.

NATALIE: Um, okay.

MORGAN: Sorry, he just completely tore apart Krista, and it wasn't 
        even her fault this time.

NATALIE: Jerk. So, how much do I owe for pizza?

MORGAN: Two bucks.

NATALIE: Are you sure that's it?

MORGAN: It'll get you three pieces.

NATALIE: Works for me. (Pulls out a wallet and gives Morgan two crisp 
        dollar bills.) Does Renard know we're ordering it?

MORGAN: Hell no. You know the dick-tator's policy on food during 
        rehearsal. (Finally realizes she's still flicking off the set 
        as she tries to take Natalie's money, and lowers her finger)

NATALIE: Well, isn't he going to call dinner break soon?

MORGAN: I hope so. 

NATALIE: You're that hungry?

MORGAN: Starved. 

NATALIE: Me too. I could eat.. Um.. (Adam, an actor in Shakespearean 
        dress walks behind Natalie and Morgan.) You, Adam. Yes, you 
        look absolutely scrumptious.

ADAM: (frightened) Buh?

MORGAN: Go about your business, Tybalt.

(Adam looks at Natalie timidly, before slowly backing away.)

NATALIE: Was that really mean?

MORGAN: Yes, but it was funny as hell.

NATALIE: (Laughs) Wasn't it? 

MORGAN: Why does such a timid actor play our boldest character?

NATALIE: Because when he actually acts, you know how brilliant Adam is. 
        I sometimes wish I could act that well.

MORGAN: Hey, Natalie?

NATALIE: Yeah?

MORGAN: Do you... I mean... you don't... Oh, shit. Are you over my Eric?

(Mercutio: A challenge, on my life.)

NATALIE: Whoa- what? Of course I am. I mean, there's nothing wrong with 
        him, its just that-

MORGAN: It's just that I've seen you look at him. I know that look you 
        get in your eyes when he touches you or smiles at you or pays 
        attention to you. And I know how lovable he is, Natalie. I'm 
        dating him, remember?

NATALIE: Morgan-

MORGAN: You aren't.

NATALIE: No-

MORGAN: It's written all over your face. Its okay, Natalie, you're a 
        good person and I trust you.

NATALIE: Morgan, you have to know I'd never take him. Never even try 
        to. I don't have a chance with a guy like that, after the way 
        our relationship ended last time. You do. You were luck enough 
        to get the muchly sought-after Eric Black. And I'm beyond happy 
        for you.

MORGAN: (hugs Natalie tightly) You're a good friend, Natalie. Eric is 
        right.

(enter Wynn)

WYNN: Natty? C'mere!

NATALIE: Be right back, Morgan.

(Natalie trots over to Wynn, and they exit through the stage right 
        door. Morgan sits in the chair Natalie left. Enter Eric.)

(Benvolio: Here comes Romeo! Here comes Romeo!)

ERIC: Morgan? How much is the pizza, my sweet?

MORGAN: Two bucks. (Eric pulls two crumpled bills out of his pocket.)

ERIC: Here.

MORGAN: Thanks. How much longer 'til the dinner break?

ERIC: What time is it now?

MORGAN: (Glances at her watch) Seven-ten.

ERIC: Five or so minutes. Do you have someone waiting in the lobby for 
        the pizza guy?

MORGAN: Of course I do. That's what Wyatt is good for, remember?

ERIC: Yeah. That's what all freshmen are good for.

MORGAN: I know.. It's a good thing you're not dating one.

ERIC: Sophomores are just so much more loveable.

(They stare into each other's eyes, until Troy walks behind Eric and 
        hits him, playfully, breaking the trance.)

ERIC: Watchit, Troy!

MORGAN: (laughing) Do you really think we're really going to be able to 
        pull this play off in two weeks?

ERIC: If there's anything we're worrying about, it should be if 
        Krista'll lose the script or the lighting scheme.

MORGAN: Yeah. Poor Eugene and Val. They're depending on her.

(Mercutio: The slip, sir, the slip!)

ERIC: Poor Eugene and Val? Poor everyone that has to depend on her. She 
        kinda deserved to be ripped by Renard earlier.

MORGAN: Eric, no one deserves that.

ERIC: But we've had to get some measurements three or four times 
        because of her. I bet when she graduates, they'll open up some 
        closet and be attacked by papers with light maps and actor 
        measurements on them. I don't know how her boyfriend stands 
        her.

MORGAN: Krista has a boyfriend?

ERIC: Yeah. Nice guy, too.

MORGAN: Oh, wait. Is his name James or Jacob or something?

ERIC: Jordan.

MORGAN: I've met him. He is a nice guy. So, are you going to let 
        Krista work next show?

ERIC: I don't know. But right now, it's a slim yes with fifty-fifty 
        chance of incoming no's. Have you thought about collage yet, 
        Morgan?

MORGAN: Well that was sudden. What do you mean?

ERIC: Do you know where you want to go?

MORGAN: No. I know what I wanna be, though.

ERIC: Yeah, well, I know what you want to be, too.

MORGAN: Oh yeah, then what do I wanna be?

ERIC: My date to the prom.

MORGAN: Hmm. I don't know.. (Eric grabs Morgan and kisses her on the 
        lips.)

(Romeo: Nay, good goose, bite not!)

MORGAN: (detangling herself from Eric and laughing) Okay, okay! I'll go 
        with you!

ERIC: Good. It could hurt my rep if I went with someone else.

MORGAN: Oh, speaking of someone else, did you have any idea that 
        Natalie still has a crush on you?

ERIC: Yes, did you?

MORGAN: When were you planning on telling me?

ERIC: Well, when we got a chance to actually talk.

MORGAN: You're not-

(Eric grabs Morgan's shoulders and stares in the her eyes.)

ERIC: Morgan Gordon, do you honestly think I am in love with Natalie? I 
        know her little sister, remember?

MORGAN: Eric, I am Natalie's 'little' sister. 

ERIC: Well, jeez, Morgan, ya think? Hmm. Morgan and Natalie Gordon live 
        in the same house, have the same parents and the same last 
        name, but they're not sisters? Duh?

MORGAN: Shaddup.

(enter Natalie)

NATALIE: Um.. Eric? We just got a call from Eugene and Val in the 
        booth about a ghost light on the board. They need you.

ERIC: Of course they do. Do you know what light it is?

NATALIE: Um.. twenty-seven or twenty-nine.

E: Fine. (sighs resignedly and exits around the set.)

(Romeo: I will follow you.)

MORGAN: (hits Natalie playfully) Staring after him whimsically is my 
        job, sis.

NATALIE: Well, you get to have him everyday. At least let me look.

MORGAN: There ain't nothing wrong with looking.

NATALIE: (muttering) Isn't anything.

MORGAN: What?

NATALIE: Isn't anything. You said 'ain't nothing' and that's a double 
        negative, plus it's crappy grammar.

MORGAN: Yeah, I'll crappy grammar you in a minute.

NATALIE: You're angry at me.. you didn't tell him, did you?

MORGAN: Didn't have to.

NATALIE: What?

MORGAN: I asked if he knew, and he did.

NATALIE: How?

MORGAN: You're supposed to be smart, you figure it out.

NATALIE: Wynn? My best friend is my loathéd enemy?

(Nurse: ...if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill 
        thing...)

MORGAN: Natalie, I believe you've been working in this theatre way to 
        long.

NATALIE: What makes you say that, Morgan?

MORGAN: You just said 'loathéd' and I think you've begun to speak in 
        iambic pentameter.

NATALIE: You're losing it, sis. No one speaks in iambic pentameter. 
        Not naturally, anyway. But I'll give you the loathéd thing.

MORGAN: Why do you like Eric, Natalie?

NATALIE: Because I can't have him.

MORGAN: That's a really crappy reason.

NATALIE: Well, then, your majesty, sophomore queen of relationships, 
        why do you like him?

MORGAN: Because, your majesty, junior queen of broken hearts, he's 
        sweet, loving, kind, and well.. Everything I've ever wanted in 
        a guy.

NATALIE: That's why I liked him. Not that I'd ever have a chance with 
        him again. Man, did I ever screw that up.

MORGAN: You keep saying that. You have such a negative self-image.

NATALIE: Maybe it'd be better if I was you, Morgan.

(Nurse: Before, and apace.)

RENARD: OKAY, CUT! I NEED ALL CREW AND ACTORS OUT FRONT NOW!

MORGAN: After you. (Bows and gestures to the set)

NATALIE: Thank you, m'dear. (Begins to walk toward the set)

(Morgan waits for Natalie to pass her, and then she follows. After a 
        few steps, Natalie reaches back and puts her arm around 
        Morgan's shoulders. They exit together, through the set door as 
        the backstage clears. Blackout.)