DESPERATE TERRITORY

In memory, Georgia Sanfilippo sees her younger self, "Georgie," with her brother whom she now fears is dead.

MUSIC - AUTUMN, GEORGIA’S FRESHMAN YEAR COLLEGE

15 years ago

GEORGIE

Ben?? You in there?

Benjamin is on the bed, his back turned, tuning his guitar.

You awake? Oh, God, Ben, was it like that for you, like your legs were melting, like you didn't have any bones, it was like I was opening up like one of those velvety sea creatures that folds itself inside out... and he was so...relaxed about the whole thing like it was nothing, can you believe it? I was just talking to him on the library steps and he said what made you decide to go to Barnard and I said my mother was ill so I wanted to stay nearby and then he said they'd been watching me, some of the senior guys, they spotted me at registration and he told them all he was going to be the one to make it with me. And I don't know, I just felt I didn't have a choice in the matter, but Ben? I didn't want to have a choice, does that sound crazy? God, what could it possibly feel like for you? I can't fathom it, having all that sensation on the outside instead of in—Bennie, talk to me, please...?

He turns to her and his face is discolored by bruises.

Oh, Ben. Oh, no. You're bleeding, we have to get you to the emergency, have someone look at–

BENJAMIN

Just keep your hands off me, will you?

GEORGIE

What can I do? Are you in any pain?

BENJAMIN

Mr. McKiernan was out on the pier the other night, saw the lights on in the cabin and found us. He told George.

GEORGIE

"Us?"

BENJAMIN

Me. Jimmy. Making love. At least to me it was making love, to Mr. McKiernan it was his ivy league son with his dick in my mouth, Persephone being dragged down to hades - he threw up - actual vomit.

GEORGIE

God.. Ben...Ben, you should have been more careful.

BENJAMIN

I know. Maybe I wanted old George to figure it out and when he didn't I had to make him know - force him to know, give him permission to go ahead and do it.

GEORGIE

Do what?

BENJAMIN

What he’s always wanted to do.

GEORGIE

What?

BENJAMIN

Christ sakes - kill me, of course. Kiddo, let's go. Let's take off - let's—just go. Both of us. Now.

GEORGIE

Ben - he’s not doing so well. He’s not taking her death well at all.

BENJAMIN

You don't really know him - he thinks you're this angel that he's keeping, he thinks he can redeem himself through you - Georgie, you have to belong to yourself - you have to be the angel that flies away. I have enough cash to—

GEORGIE

But I just started college.

BENJAMIN

I can get us to Chicago—the gym will give me a reference–I'll get a job—Listen to me, I'm telling you, we can do it—what's the big deal, we always meant to, didn't we? That was always the grand plan? To take off for uncharted territory?

GEORGIE

But ...

BENJAMIN

But what?

GEORGIE

It's just beginning— I mean...

BENJAMIN

What?

GEORGIE

My life—I have—friends at school.

BENJAMIN

There are boys in Illinois—they can make you just as moist— .

GEORGIE

(Angry) Not just boys– I—

BENJAMIN

It's just that it's familiar - it's New York - you have a foothold-

GEORGIE

It's more than that - Ben, I want to—

BENJAMIN

Please come? To tell the truth, if I spend another winter here—I need you, I know it's selfish - there's no one here I can talk to about—I feel like it's not their native tongue what I say and I’m just so cold all the time—

GEORGIE

It's cold in Chicago. I want to, Ben, it's not—

BENJAMIN

Do like me, Georgie. Fling yourself from him. Just—

GEORGIE

I do want to fling myself—I do - but it's not Pop, okay?

BENJAMIN

He's only human - he won't eat us up.

Pause.

Who? Who do you want to get away from, Georgie?

GEORGIE

Me. Me. That’s who. Okay?

BENJAMIN

You. Who's you? You have a mind of your own now, do you? Do you?

GEORGIA

Yes. Yes.

BENJAMIN

Watch. You'll get your heart broken.

GEORGIE

You're the only one who could break my heart, Bennie...

BENJAMIN

Liar.

GEORGIA

It's true. It’s true, Ben!

BENJAMIN

Pants on fire.

GEORGIE exits,

GEORGIA

IT’S TRUE— I can prove it.