After the police interrogated them, the scene progressed to a mocktrial where W was called as an eyewitness. As AJ, now the prosecutor, examined Noah, she revealed new evidence.
“Your Honor, I believe exhibit H is incontrovertible proof thatthis witnessis guilty.”
From there, W was taken into custody.
“I’ve been set up,” Noah told her, using his one phone call. “You’re my man on the outside. I’ll need your help if I’m going to win this case.”
“What good am I?” said AJ, exhausted. “I’m sick. I can’t even leave this house.”
For a split second, Noah’s eyes narrowed. “Who knows what you’re capable of.”
With the aid of a helpful bailiff, also played by Noah, F began the daunting project of helping W mount a defense. AJ didn’t make it easy. With every new piece of evidence she unearthed, she forced Noah to give her a motivational speech on how much she had to offer the world despite her limitations. F overcame her self-defeating narrative just in time to get the charges dropped.
At home, they celebrated W’s exoneration.
“Thanks for sticking with me,” said Noah.
“Thanks for sticking withme,” said AJ. “Guess being sickwasn’tthe end of my life after all.”
Noah was tense as they bowed. As they walked back into their dressing room, AJ chatted pleasantly, watching him try to stay calm.
“Okay, you’ve made your point, yeah?” he said, once they were inside.
AJ looked at him innocently. She shrugged.
A disbelieving laugh escaped him. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Then they gathered up their belongings and Bud and headed back to AJ’s to sleep.
On Thursday night, it was AJ’s turn to initiate. She could see concern flicker behind Noah’s eyes as she took her stance center stage and sent them into their next scene.
“I’m bored,” she said. “How about a game of Truth or Dare?”
It was an intense way to build out the characters. Over the course of several truths, the audience learned that F was a bit of a martyr,and that W had a sadistic streak. Their dares became increasingly exhibitionist—“I dare you to beg like a dog” had Noah down to his briefs on all fours. “I dare you to streak through the garden” saw AJ run topless up the aisle.
Inevitably, their dares were constrained by F’s illness—there was only so much to do on their hilltop.
“Truth,” said AJ, as they sat together at their imaginary kitchen table.
“Are you sick of living with a sick person?” asked Noah.
AJ raised an eyebrow. “Not if that sick person is you.”
Noah frowned. “I’m sick of it.”
“How sick of it?”
“Pretty sick of it.”
“Okay,” said AJ. “Truth or dare.”
“Dare,” said Noah.
“Leave the house,” said AJ.
The audience gasped. Noah’s energy blackened.
“I’ll die,” he said.
