Scene 1: Outside the Theater (Luke)
Luke stands outside the theater, considering his next action. He will be performing with his improv troupe, Shoot From The Hip, consisting of three of his closest and most trusted friends. However, what he carries on his shoulders makes him hesitant to even show his face because it could endanger them.
They'll smell it on him like scent to bloodhounds. In this field, if one is off, so is the entire troupe.
"Damn it, Luke!" he scolds himself. His damned curiosity got the better of him.
Now he's about to perform improv after spending the last two days in isolation, unable to shake what he discovered. He had hoped that going to the theater would provide enough distraction to allow the grip to loosen. Instead, the hold tightens, threatening his companions.
"Oi, Luke, come on, man. You're right?" Sam calls to him from the door to the theater.
Luke focuses on Sam, who wears his signature red and black plaid shirt with the top button undone, exposing his hairy chest. His eyes are filled with concern, but he is trying not to let it consume him because they have a performance in less than 30 minutes.
"Yeah, Sam, tiptop shape." He lies and forces a smile and hops a bit to get himself moving.
Sam's smile is causing him hurt. The heaviness in his chest is soul-crushing, and he couldn't share Sam's excitement.
His hand rests on the door to the theater, physically unable to pull it open. Sam had since retreated back inside to presumably continue preparations for the performance. How can he do this? He cannot disappoint Sam, AJ, and Tom, or himself. What he discovered is not real... So why is it bothering you so much?
The door next to him swings open. "Luke!" AJ's voice startles Luke out of his own thoughts. "Jesus, man, it looks like you saw a ghost. Are you sure you're right?"
AJ pokes his bald head out the door, his eyes slightly more concerned than Sam's, but he reserves it until after the show. He steps out of the door and rests his hand on Luke's shoulder. Looking down at Luke, who is several inches shorter. "Luki, I'd hate to brush this under the rug. Promise me that after the show, we will discuss."
Luke holds back tears of fear but nods in agreement. Forces a smile, "Come, let's play."
AJ smiles with relief as his hand moves to Luke's back and guides him into the theater.
Scene 2: Minutes Earlier Inside the Theater (Sam)
Sam watches Luke approach the theater and notices his friend's forced actions. When he turns, his smile fades and panic sweeps across his face. He shifts deeper into the lobby, raking his fingers through his already drenched hair. "How?" he asks in a low, desperate tone, throwing his head back and letting his arms fall heavily. Trying hard not to embarrass himself by presuming the worst, but why, Luke? Tom, AJ, and he are already in that terrifying grip.
"Come on, Sam. There is a crowd waiting."
Then he dashes toward the green room.
Scene 3: Green Room (Sam, AJ, Tom)
Sam isn't careful when he opens the door. It slams against the wall, prompting Tom to exclaim in surprise. AJ doubles over in his chair, laughing uncontrollably.
Tom makes a theatrical turn, planning to humorously brush off his loud shout. Yet, as he flails his long arms limply as he turns, his words die in his throat at the genuine fear evident on Sam's face. Tom's right hand shoots up to cover his mouth, "No."
AJ has recovered from his laughing fit and now takes in the scene before him, asking, "Where's Luke?"
"Sam," Tom says, his lean figure darting across the room.
AJ is taken aback by Tom's sudden movement and stands up from his seat.
Tom's expression reveals a blend of sheer terror, anger, and concern. His trembling hands rest heavily on Sam.
Sam remains unresponsive, engulfed by fear and on the verge of tears.
"Sam, please don't tell me what I fear you're going to say."
Sam swallows with noticeable effort. He suppresses the clever retort that immediately wells up within him. Fixing his gaze on Tom, he states emphatically, "I suspect Luke has now heard it. He lied straight to my face and tried to play off his fear."
Tom's fingers clutch the material of Sam's shirt as he lowers his head, "Sam, the truth now." His tone is tense. "You were the last to hear it, and you and Luke are very close."
Sam shoves him away, appalled by this accusation. Tom separates from Sam, and as he looks up, he sees him with a finger raised levelly, "That hurt, Tom. I came running to you and AJ." He chuckles and throws his hands up, "And in this exact space. This is where we decided to do our utmost to prevent this from reaching Luke." He takes a large step towards Tom, getting as close as possible despite their slight height difference.
"This is not the time." AJ interjects, placing a hand on each of their chests to separate them. "Tom, I believe that Sam did not tell Luke about… whatever this is. Sam, please hold yourself together. Not only do we have an audience in the venue expecting an entertaining performance from us, but Luke, as Sam mentioned, appears to be troubled, yet he has shown up here. Perhaps he's trying to distract himself from something complicated. He's relying on us, and after the performance, we will talk as a team, as friends, about this."
Both Tom and Sam have bowed their heads as AJ's words resonate with them.
"Sam, I apologize," Tom says.
Sam lifts his gaze suppressing tears and embraces both AJ and Tom. "Let's go out there and play."
"That's it. I'm going to see what is taking Luke. You two clean up; you look a mess."
Tom grins and performs an exaggerated bow, eliciting laughs from both, easing the atmosphere in the room, and they are all thankful for that.
As AJ departs, Sam and Tom begin their warmup routine.
Scene 4: Hallway/Lobby (AJ)
Once AJ finds himself alone, the weight of the situation begins to hit him. This monkey on their backs has jumped without them speaking about it. AJ massages his temples, feeling a mix of confusion and irritation. They chose not to inform Luke in hopes of preserving at least one person's sanity. Ultimately, this decision appears irrelevant; if Sam's assumption is right, it begs the question. What is the catalyst?
AJ brushes off the question. He lacks the time to let his thoughts consume him. Perhaps if they are all together in this confusing mess, maybe they can find a way to resolve it or, at least, understand what it truly is.
Entering the lobby from the hallway, AJ has a clear view of Luke standing just outside the front door. AJ mimes getting hit in the chest, and his back collides with the wall; his hand covers his mouth, his expression frozen in a silent cry.
The man at the door is not Luke. Luke typically radiated happiness, always grinning, and was never tardy for a show. The person AJ is observing exudes a sense of dread and the agony of concealing it from them.
"Come on, he's counting on us. After the show, the truth needs to come out." AJ says in his mind.
He walks to the door adjacent to the one where Luke is positioned and flings it open. "Luke!"
Scene 5: The Stage Pt.1 (Troupe)
"And scene!" Luke exclaims, stepping forward in front of the action being performed by AJ and Tom. Luke claps his hand and arms together, like a movie clapboard, signaling a game change.
Tom breaks away from the scene he was just engaged in, taking merely a moment to catch his breath. He faces the audience and states, "Okay, we are approaching our last game of the first half." The audience responds with a pantomime, "Awww!"
"I know," Tom replies, slouching his body and flinging his arms out before letting them fall limp to his sides. "Regardless, let's make this a show-stopping game. Yeah?"
Tom glances back at his mates as the crowd roars with applause. They are smiling and seem at ease, even though they are soaked in sweat. The tension of the uncertainties and the hidden truths between Luke and them is absent. He then shifts his focus back to the audience, announcing, "This game is titled Flurry, and we're going to perform a series of scenes, all inspired by your suggestions, until our brains fry."
"Or until time deems it." Sam pipes up, positioned on Tom's left, just clear of center stage.
Luke rises; he is across the little stage from Sam. He extends his hand, "AKA Samwize."
The audience laughs, and Sam glances at Luke, who appears pleased with himself, and Sam offers him well-deserved applause.
"You two children done?" Tom asks this while dragging his hands down his face.
Tom quickly enters a scene, having heard a small voice from the audience repeatedly yell for a car ride throughout the show. He is eager to see if his friends can actually follow along.
Sam and Luke lock eyes from opposite sides of the stage. AJ sits next to Luke, observing the two make eye contact.
He rises to his feet, "Kids, look how you've upset Dad." AJ approaches Tom from behind and hugs him. "Your father worked tirelessly for three years to accomplish this. The least you could do is shut up."
Sam and Luke walk shamefully behind AJ and Tom.
"But we've been in the car for eighteen hours." Luke states this while mimicking a complaining teenager.
Sam claps his hands on Tom's shoulders, startling him a bit. "God dammit, Samwize! I told you to stop doing that."
Sam draws his hands back, "Sorry, Da," and assumes the role of the younger brother. "Where are we going?"
Tom is struck with a brilliant answer. "To see the improv comedy group, Shoot from the Hip! So be good, you little shits!"
The audience explodes with laughter. Tom grins, miming driving a car while his pals laugh around him.
Sam and Luke snicker together, surprised by Tom's remark. AJ leans against Tom's shoulder, laughing.
Luke starts to regain his composure until it feels as if a spike has just been driven into his skull. A wicked and contagious laughter erupts from deep within his mind, resulting in the room around him fading into silence. Luke can feel his own laughter being drawn up his throat. The agony in his head combines with an overwhelming dread. His body convulses and collapses limply against Sam.
Sam supports Luke with his right hand. A wave of despair washes over him as he sees Luke's head slump back and blood streaming from his nose. Sam is acutely conscious that the crowd remains unaware of the urgent situation. He quickly takes action to shield Luke as effectively as possible before the audience locks in.
"Pull over, Dad! Luke is unwell." Sam says his voice fluctuates enough to notify the others but not the audience.
AJ turns and catches a glimpse of Luke's bloodied nose and shut eyes before Sam steps in to shield him. AJ rests a hand on Tom's shoulder and squeezes gently, attempting to remain in character. "Samwize, is your brother okay?"
"Car sick!" Sam heaves Luke into his arms and races past the stage's rear wall.
Scene 6: Backstage Pt. 1 (Sam, Luke)
The instant Sam is out of sight, he kneels down, places Luke on the ground, and swiftly silences their mics.
"Luke?" Sam gently shakes him.
He grips the bottom corner of his shirt and, with a trembling hand, wipes Luke's nose. "Please, mate, wake up."
Luke's nose seemed to cease bleeding shortly after it began, leaving two streaks of blood on his upper lip.
Sam can hear Tom and AJ continuing the flurry of scenes without them, as there are still roughly nine minutes left in the first half. He could hear AJ shouting out for them in character.
After wiping away the blood, he gently shakes Luke again. "Luke?" He struggles to maintain his composure. He softly places his hand on Luke's chest.
Sam is silently deliberating whether or not to call for an ambulance for Luke.
"Hidden in the back are two mysterious lurkers, and we must watch our backs!"
Sam catches Tom deliberately raising his voice to ensure they can overhear him backstage, implying growing embarrassment and potential audience anxiety.
Sam rises, switches on his mic, and moves forward against the wall. Putting on a low and gravelly voice, he begins an improvised riff based entirely on what he heard, without any additional context. He emits a low chuckle upon hearing the audience's responses, elaborating on his developing monologue. He steals a glance at his unconscious best friend and feels a pang of guilt for indulging in the performance.
"Hidden in the shadow, we lie in wait for the right time to pounce. To speak of us spells doom upon the speaker." Sam pauses for dramatic effect.
Luke jolts awake with a loud gasp.
Sam abandons the rest of his idea and rushes to Luke's side. He switches off the mic. "Luke, god, mate, are you okay?" He whispers.
Luke stares at Sam, terrified and ashamed. He had carried the subliminal message, and it has now manifested. He no longer hears it; instead, he feels it. There is terror in the thought of laughing now, causing tears to flow.
He is now sitting up and gazes at Sam's face, which is full of anxiety. Recognizing that they are backstage and there is no way to push this under the rug.
"Sam, I…" He trails off, terrified of what he is about to do to Sam. "I heard what seemed like an evil laugh just on the edge of my hearing."
Luke expected Sam to react in a certain way. He'll laugh or offer a look of concern, or give a response like, "Luke, are you feeling okay?" Or perhaps, "Mate, I think you are losing the plot." It would feel like a slap in the face but also comforting. Instead, he gets Sam lowering his head.
"Sam?" Luke asks, a mix of concern and rising frustration in his voice.
Sam has been found out, and soon the other two will be. He finds it difficult to admit that he knows exactly what Luke heard. He still clings to the hope that if they don't draw attention to it, it doesn't exist and can't affect them. When he fails to laugh it off, he stands up and walks away from Luke.
Luke rises to his feet and steps around Sam, demanding eye contact. "Sam, your lack of response is concerning. I've been looking into your eyes for many years, and I have one question. Why did you feel the need to hide the truth from me?"
Sam's eyes begin to water, and he turns aside. He can't express anything because he is consumed by guilt.
Luke strikes him in the chest. "Goddamnit, Sam!"
Sam lets out a grunt but continues to refuse to look at him.
"Quiet! AJ and Tom are still on stage." Sam tells Luke, briefly establishing eye contact.
"You've heard it too, haven't you?" Luke backs away from Sam.
Once more, Sam lowers his gaze, but Luke catches his chin and forces eye contact. "No, you look at me." Luke growls. "How could you not tell me?"
Sam places his hand on Luke's arm and says, "I wanted to keep you safe."
The sound of applause reaches them, yet the growing tension remains unbroken. Sam can only predict that things will become worse.
Scene 7: Backstage Pt.2 (Troupe)
AJ and Tom emerge backstage, catching Luke and Sam in each other's grips before Luke pushes Sam away.
Tom steps forward while switching off his mic. "What the hell?" He maintains a low voice while expressing frustration. "You abandoned us on that stage! Luke, Sam, I have no idea what possessed you to do so." Tom moves in close and is looking down at each. "You are damn lucky AJ and I kept this ship aloft!"
Before Sam and Luke could try to defend and explain themselves. AJ gently pulls Tom back and moves in between. "I saw Luke with blood running out his nose, and his eyes were closed." He states.
Tom glances at Luke in worry: "Did you faint? God, Luke, do you need more water during the show?"
Sam is just waiting for the dam to break. He stands, head down, with a heavy heart full of remorse.
Luke shifts to the side and takes two steps back, reaching out his arm and pointing at Sam. Luke must make a decision: drag the others into the betrayal he feels from Sam and risk revealing the truth. Alternatively, simply state that Sam is on thin ice with him and leave it at that, risking tension and awkwardness onstage.
"Fuck!" Luke expresses internally.
"What is it?" AJ asks softly and warmly. He can't shake off the sense of impending unease. He tries to lock eyes with Sam to gauge what may unfold, but Sam's head is lowered, concealing his expression beneath his hair.
Luke glances at AJ and Tom, making the decision to be truthful. Maybe together they could figure this out. He and Sam are in danger due to what they can hear. So why the fuck is he about to put the other two in the same peril?
There was no way to hide this from the other two for long, so it was best to be honest and relieve the guilt on top of being terrified.
"I don't know how…" Luke starts.
Sam folds his shoulders inward in preparation for the emotional turmoil that is about to be catapulted to the forefront.
"I read something over the weekend, just out of plain curiosity. Now I have heard a wicked laugh on the edge of my hearing. Now I am terrified to laugh."
In response to how ridiculous this sounds, Luke readies himself for Tom to logic this away and AJ to simply appear perplexed but unapologetically sympathetic.
Luke is convinced in that moment that he is in another universe. The lack of responses is deafening. He stumbles back, scrutinizing each person; guilt stares back from their eyes. Sam cannot even face him.
"What the fuck?" Luke is so hurt words are escaping him without him thinking.
"Luke, please, keep your voice down." Tom cautions, but his voice is frail.
Luke lashes out but keeps his voice in check, "Yeah, mustn't disrupt our stage image of being a happy fucking family! Why? Sam, AJ, Tom, what made you think it was okay to leave me out of this? It's clear you all didn't bother to find out what this truly is!" He clenches his fist near his mouth, on the verge of tears.
The others simply stand there, feeling the weight of their collective decision.
Luke moves in close to Tom and AJ. "I should just fock off. Leave you guys holding the bag." He pivots slightly and goes towards Sam, gripping his chin. He holds Sam's chin tightly, shaking with anger.
Sam merely endures it, fully aware he has brought this upon himself.
"I trusted you! All of you! How is it possible for us to share such intimate moments onstage? While we engage with each other's lives off-stage, yet this… This! It was chosen to be kept a secret. Like an illness that slowly consumes you, and you don't want to trouble anyone." Luke forcefully lets go of Sam. "Fuck all of you. This could be my last show with you."
AJ steps forward and says, "Please, Luke, allow us to explain after the show." He wasn't certain if the other two sensed it, but when Luke delivered the final threatening remark, there was a shift; the laugh had increased in loudness by half a decibel; now, if he is taken off guard and left in silence, he can hear it just slightly more clearly.
Luke snaps at him, "Why the hell should I give you a chance to explain yourselves?" His gaze locks on AJ's.
AJ remained resolute. "It is strange and scary, and we believed we were making the right choice by not telling you."
"We understand that now." Tom adds. "We're learning the hard way."
"Should we start the second half?" Sam interjects sadly.
"Fine, let's do it." Luke speaks as he returns to the stage.
Scene 8: The Stage Pt.2 (Troupe)
They emerge from backstage. The cheers are loud and enthusiastic, allowing them to smile with ease.
AJ takes the lead in introducing the game.
"We have come to the second half of the show," AJ announces, doing his best to not let the intense argument that took place just seconds ago overtake him. "Unlike the first half, where we do many small scenes. We are going to attempt to give you a full improvised play. Complete with a beginning, a middle, and hopefully a beautiful tied-up ending. Now to start this play, I need a brand new title."
There comes a magnitude of overlapping titles and words, loudly and all at once. AJ allows all of them to flow over him.
"The Shadow of Forgotten Moons!" Comes at him clearly
"Great start! Any more." He invites.
"Price of Truth!"
When AJ hears that, it immediately grips him, "Whoa, Price of Truth." He looks behind him to see if the others feel the same.
Tom and Sam just have the looks of let's just get this over with. Luke is staring at the floor with his arms crossed.
"Can I get a big round of applause for Price of Truth."
AJ moves to take a seat, and Luke and Sam take the stage.
Sam mimes laying out a blanket, wearing a look of pained sadness.
Luke stands at a distance, staring out into the audience.
Sam is trying to remember the title to steer this in the right direction. The title has slipped his mind as his focus is on Luke and how angry he is.
He audibly grunts and brushes his hands together, "Well, Maurice, should I start up the BBQ?" Sam starts by putting on a slight western accent. He looks at Luke, who is turned away from him, hoping that he'll engage in the scene with him.
Luke hears Sam lay out something for him to bounce off of to build the scene. He really doesn't want to be around Sam or the other two for that matter. Feeling betrayed and how the others think him incapable of handling strange situations. Also, he is well aware of the over four hundred eyes on him, with the fate of their jobs and possible friendships hung on his reaction. It is a comedy show, but there is a message that Luke wants to get across.
Not looking toward Sam when he says loudly, "Barnaby!"
Sam is startled by the loudness of Luke's voice.
Luke tosses his head back, appearing to be stressed, "We've been friends for how long?"
Sam reacts with truth and is slightly nervous about where he is trying to steer this story: "Why Maurice, we've been friends for close to eleven years now." He is trying to keep his voice light, only allowing hints of nervousness to penetrate.
Luke turns his head sharply, meeting Sam's gaze, "Exactly!" he exclaims, turning his body more toward Sam. "Then why did you find it so hard to tell me the truth?" Luke's voice is tinged with anger, yet he has lowered the volume.
The audience reacts to this accordingly, allowing Sam a moment to process and choose his direction.
Sam mimes opening a cooler, his posture heavy. He half reaches for something, then pauses. Still holding the lid open, he looks up at Luke.
"Well," his accent starts to waver as realism is making itself known while also building a scenario that can be played out for all of them. "Truth comes with a price, sometimes a very heavy one."
By the way the audience reacts, Sam can only assume he had mentioned the title or they just reacted to the heavy implications. Nevertheless, this set the trajectory for the remainder of the play.
Luke could see that Sam wanted to keep going; he still didn't want to listen to him, "Shut up, Barnaby!" He turns, leaving Sam stunned and the tension building. "Truth does come with a price!"
Luke then walks offstage.
"Maurice! Maurice!" Sam calls, his voice cracking with real emotions.
The audience reacts, and AJ jumps up and runs across the front of Sam, arms out to change the scene.
Tom takes the stage, setting up a chair that he leans on. His posture is powerful, and when he speaks, he takes on a mafia-style voice. Just to break the tension from the first scene, the voice has an annoying high edge.
He stands facing the audience, hands folded together, looking about with a glaring look. Trying to find what direction to take this, "Hey! Lorenzo, step in here a moment, woulda?"
AJ enters the room and immediately drops to his knees. Tom holds steady in character as the audience laughs.
"The Father of Freemount, how might I please thee?" AJ is taking the comedic relief in this as much as he can.
Tom thrusts his hand out, "Kiss the Father's hand!"
AJ gently takes the hand in both of his.
Tom gasps and rips his hand free of AJ's. Bopping his nose in the process of withdrawing his hand. Tom stands looking horrified as AJ bows his head. Wiggling his nose trying to relieve the pain.
"NOOO!" Tom shrieks. "Kiss the Haaand!" He then swoops in close to AJ's bowed head. "Don't touch!" He moves and puts his hand out again.
AJ, this time quickly, kisses the back of his hand.
"Good, my son. Now stand and tell me… Has Barnabas remained true to the values of… Free? Freemoth?" Tom stumbles to remember what AJ had called him.
Tom stares down at AJ. AJ smirks and looks up, "Freemount." He whispers in his normal voice.
"The values of the Freemount Family!" Tom moves across the stage with wide, exaggerated steps. He half turns toward AJ, eyes wide and mouth in a smug smile. "So is the family gaining a second son?"
AJ stands. "I am afraid we have been betrayed. He flapped his lips to a friend, who seemed then to walk out on him." He reports.
Tom turns toward the audience, "So he's alone."
Luke then jumps up and runs across to change the scene.
Luke stands at the edge of stage left, with the rest on the right. The tension of having a scene with Luke is thick after what he did to Sam.
Luke stomps on the stage and mimes knocking on a door, "Amy! You home!" his voice is distressed.
As much as Luke just wants to fuck off and leave the three in their mess. If he did, he'd be abandoning all his hard work that he's put into the troupe. Shoot From the Hip is a labor of love from all of them.
AJ jumps onto the stage. "Yeah, is that you, Maurice?" he asks in a high voice, moving swiftly and miming long hair flowing behind him.
This generates laughter from the audience.
"Yeah, it's me. Can you let me in?" Luke calls, whispering to himself that the character is upset with Sam's character. Luke is angry at all of them. Stay in character!
"Coming!" AJ calls.
AJ unlocks and opens the door, to which Luke steps in close. There is a brief pause before Luke collapses into AJ's arms. "Oh, Amy, I don't know what to do."
AJ catches him, "Come in and have a sit down. Amy's here, and Amy'll listen."
Moving toward center stage, Luke looks up at AJ, wearing a slight smile.
AJ leans into that a bit more. "Amy knows how to get her Maurice to smile." He then boops Luke's nose.
Luke pulls free with his back to him, "Amy, please, I… I." He turns to face AJ. "I don't think I can trust Barnaby!" he drops his head. The emotions that riddle his voice are real; he feels like his heart is being ripped in two. He wants to be angry, while at the same time wants the comfort that comes from the four of them being together.
"You and Barnaby, like all friendships, have arguments. What makes this one different?"
"He told me that he was involved with something big that he can't fully disclose to me. What is that? What am I supposed to do with that?" Luke says, hinting at either Sam or Tom to name the reason. He once again falls against AJ.
AJ comforts Luke by running his hand through his hair, "Amy wants you to listen. Big men like you believe that you are above listening."
The speaking in third person is annoying Luke; however, he is not about to take that quirk from him. Instead, Maurice seems to take offense to the second half of her statement.
Luke pulls away, staring at AJ, yet he is lost for words. "Amy…"
"That is my name; don't wear it out."
Luke nearly breaks, and the audience cracks up.
AJ places his left hand on his shoulder and his right hand on the side of his face. "Maurice, Amy is about to give you an earful. Barnaby, he told you. Maybe not everything, but he did tell you." AJ takes a dramatic breath.
Luke looks at him curiously and waits for AJ to continue. However, AJ just stares at Luke.
"Wait, that was your earful?" Luke questions.
AJ readies to drop some sage words, "Amy's earful for a man. Words between men are never actually processed. Amy sees that Sa-Barnaby," the slip up is noticed, but he continues. "Be happy that he told you instead of you finding out after his death."
Luke is shocked at the words that were just spoken and bows his head in shame, "You're right."
"Of course, Amy's right. Amy's a woman." AJ turns and walks offstage.
"I've got to go!" Luke turns and runs off the other side of the stage.
Sam then runs across to change the scene.
Sam mimes carrying something heavy, and once he reaches center stage, he loudly drops what he is carrying. He is bent over shaking his head, "Fuck! Fuck, what have I done?" He straightens up.
He notices Tom is preparing to enter the scene.
Raking his fingers through his hair, quickly building a monologue. "Why did I think that I needed to go to such extremes to gain prosperity? I could have just gotten a normal job. But no, I had to sell my soul. Oh, Maurice, I am sorry."
Tom steps onto the stage out of the shadows. "Barnabas, such lovely words. Unfortunately for you, this stark realization has come too late."
Barnaby is startled by the fact that the Father of Freemount is in his home.
Sam's reply came from a place seeking forgiveness. Fully immersed in the drama presented in this play.
"Please, dear father, I desire a clean break."
Tom lets out a laugh, evil and loud. "Puny, uneducated boy, this family's values and principles override that of the singular. You are the family until death."
Tom has slowly closed the gap between them as he spoke, "Led to us with hopes of finding yourself and finding comfortability. Deceived by the childish idea of choice." He is right in Sam's face.
Luke offstage shouts at AJ, "Hey! Get away from the house with that jerrycan! Barnaby, get out of the house!"
AJ lunges and grabs Luke and proceeds to drag him onto the stage.
Sam and Tom share a look; no holding back is what the look said.
"Father, I caught the friend." AJ says, holding a struggling Luke.
Tom holds out his right hand, "Son, let him go. For we are done here." With his left hand he mimes pulling out a knife and stabbing Sam in the chest.
Sam lets out a surprised gasp.
"Noo!" Luke shouts and catches Sam's collapsing body.
"Mau—rice." Sam struggles to speak.
AJ mimes setting the gas on fire.
"Run!" Barnaby dies. Sam lies as still as he can.
"I love you!" Luke screams and kisses Sam. Playing on the well-known fanfare to hopefully ease the heavy atmosphere that now permeates the theater.
Sam fights the urge to kiss him back.
"The price of truth is immeasurable." He lies on Sam's chest and mimes the fire engulfing both of them.
AJ and Tom step in front of the scene and call. "And scene!"
Sam opens his eyes, and he and Luke stand up to loud applause.
"So sorry for the rather dark ending." Sam addresses the audience.
Then on the edge of all their hearing, the Laugh emits, and within are words that are incoherent.