SCENE ONE

The stage is dark except for a low light centered to the right. It is covering TRACEY and MARK as they walk very slowly towards centre stage. TRACEY is dressed in a work uniform and is bundled up in a coat. MARK walks slightly behind her and is dressed in jeans a jumper. His arm is resting on her shoulder and her face is stained with tears. The light focusing on them reaches centre stage and reveals a park bench. Sitting down MARK speaks:

MARK: Look, Trace. Leaving would be like abandoning.

[he slips his arm around her shoulders]

TRACEY: Abandoning?! There is nothing here to abandon! [sounds hysterical] You're the only thing worth staying for!

[leans into MARK]

MARK: [wipes tears away gently] What about your Da-

TRACEY: Mark.

MARK: Oh right. [pause] Well, where would we go? I mean, I haven't finished HSC, you aren't even in school, and we have no money.

TRACEY: All we have to do is take a car and just keep driving. [turns to face MARK front on]Anywhere. I don't care. As long as I'm with you and we don't stay here. M-mark…

[starts sobbing uncontrollably. Shoulders shaking, TRACEY flings arms around MARK's neck. He kisses her forehead and wraps arms around her.]

TRACEY: I-I can't stay here! I'm no one. Nothing. No one cares. No one knows I exist. No-one-

MARK: [pulls her face around so he is looking straight into her eyes] I care Tracey. I know you exist.

[silence, MARK is tracing her tears]

TRACEY: I know. Mark, I know you care. [kisses him lightly] [pause]

And that's why we have to leave! [pulls away angrily and stands up, walks around bench hysterically yelling]

I can't stay here and just let you grow old! I know you are special! Look, Mark [sits back down] I don't belong here, we don't belong here. I-I….

[embarrassed, TRACEY stops. MARK pulls her close. TRACEY takes a deep breath]

TRACEY: I want to be someone. I –I want to be someone else. I know that things can be better. I-

[MARK puts a finger to her lips. His face is wet with tears. He sounds desperate;]

MARK: Don't you see Trace! You are someone! You are everything to me! I swear I would always – [deep breath] If we left….could you please… stay…you?

[Tracey sits up. Turns and faces him. Puts a hand to his face. Her voice is soft;]

TRACEY: Yes. Mark, yes. But, you have to understand. Being here isn't the real me. This isn't what I want. I can't be myself. Not properly.

[gets up and walks to edge of stage. Looks out wistfully towards audience. Hugs arms to herself.]

I'm not qualified for anything. I don't have anything to be envious of. I don't have any connections here –

MARK: But your Dad-

[rounds on Mark, storms to the bench. Stands to side of him.]

TRACEY: I said connections Mark! My father is not a connection! He ruined my mother's life. He is ruining his own! I will not let him ruin mine!

[silence]

I'm sorry Mark.

[Mark nods, silence]

I'm nothing here. And I guess that's what makes this plan so…doable.

[deep breath]

The thing is…I've got nothing to lose.

[pause]

Nothing to lose.