———————————————

Memory Palace 1: Now that we’re lost

DAWN: Hey. Can we talk?

KASS: Later, okay?

DAWN: Later when, Kass?

KASS: I just need some time, Dawn.

DAWN: Time. You mean a head start? 

———————————————

KASS: I have to go.

DAWN: Then go! If we can’t talk when we’re in the same room, what difference will an ocean make?

KASS: This was your idea! You said I need space.

DAWN: Yes, Kass. Space. You don’t get to just disappear. That’s not a relationship.

———————————————

KASS: Maybe I want more out of a relationship.

DAWN: Isn’t this enough? Aren’t I enough?

KASS: Well, if I stay, I’m not enough for you either, right?

DAWN: I never said that.

———————————————

Memory Palace 2: When we were searching

DAWN: Why don’t you go somewhere?

KASS: What do you mean “go somewhere?”

DAWN: I don’t know. Isn’t there somewhere you want to go? That boat of yours might as well be lawn furniture.

KASS: Like where?

DAWN: I don’t know. Wherever you want. Wherever makes you happy.

KASS: I’m happy here.

DAWN: Are you?

———————————————

KASS: It’s not a phase.

DAWN: Maybe I’m hoping it is. That some travel will do the trick.

KASS: There’s no “trick.” I wanted to do it together, you know? See new places, experience new–

DAWN: Ok, so you want to travel. I can live with that.

KASS: I don’t just want to travel. And I don’t want you to just live with it.

DAWN: Then what do you want, Kass?

———————————————

KASS: It’s not just about doing something every now and then.

DAWN: Then when? Do you know what you want, Kass? Because I want you. I thought that’s why we did this whole house thing in the first place.

(long silence)

KASS: I want all of that too, Dawn.

DAWN: I know.

———————————————

Memory Palace 3: When we were roaming

(We hear Dawn and Kass giggling)

DAWN: (giggling) My rabbit is… so lost.

KASS: No, you’ve got it. There. Then another one through and… there!

DAWN: I did it!

KASS: That’s a bowline. And the harder you pull it, it just makes it stronger.

DAWN: They’re together. Forever.

KASS: (giggling) Poor ropes. Hitched. And so young.

DAWN: (kissing) Hey!

KASS: They’re actually pretty easy to separate. (whisper) You just take these two fingers.

DAWN: (giggling) Oh yeah?

KASS: And touch right here…

DAWN: (breathing) Oh yeah.

———————————————

(Sound of sleeping bag zipping shut and tent fabric shuffling)

DAWN: What are you doing with your hands?

KASS: They say if you catch one, it’s good luck.

DAWN: You’ll never catch one like that. You have to let it come to you.

KASS: But that’s what makes it fun. Going out and getting them.

DAWN: Here, give me your hands. Close your eyes.

———————————————

KASS: What’s this?

DAWN: Okay, open them.

KASS: (gasp) You got it to work? 

DAWN: Look. True north. So you can always find your way home.

KASS: It’s beautiful.

DAWN: It’ll remind you of us when we’re apart.

KASS: Thanks.

DAWN: You like it?

KASS: Of course.

DAWN: But…?

———————————————

Memory Palace 4: When we were anchored

DAWN: I can’t believe we have a backyard now! And, look! I can twirl! In the living room! Kass, we have a living room!

KASS: It’s perfect. Just the right amount of space for both of us.

DAWN: Three. You forgot about Christofern. He’ll be so happy in his new spot. Soak up some sun, Chris!

KASS: You named the plant?

DAWN: It’s all I have to name. Unless… you think we’ll be naming something else in the future?

———————————————

KASS: You know how I feel about…

DAWN: I know, I just thought maybe you’d changed your mind? This place is so big. And empty. There’s even a spare room we’ll probably never use.

KASS: I was thinking a meditation room.

DAWN: Or a nursery.

KASS: More plants?

(pause)

DAWN: I just feel good here, you know? Like we belong.

———————————————

DAWN: We were constantly being carted around. You know how close I am with my sisters. They were the only constants in my life. We moved all. the. time. God, it’s good to feel at home.

KASS: I know. But, this place was a huge decision. Do we have to make another one so fast?

DAWN: You’re right. No, you’re right.

———————————————

Memory Palace 5: When we embarked

DAWN: Who was that?

KASS: Mom. She’s mad I cut my hair again. It’s not that short. And it isn’t even her hair!

DAWN: (giggles)

KASS: (softening into giggles) What?

DAWN: Just be glad that’s the most shocking thing you’ve ever had to reveal to your parents.

KASS: Good point.

DAWN: Besides, I like it. It reminds me of the night we met. At that coffee place?

KASS: Uh, yeah. That’s where we hatched our plan to run away together.

———————————————

DAWN: (laughs) You call it running away. I call it going home. 

KASS: We drove ten miles into a National Forest without a map and camped out by a creek. Home?

DAWN: We were together. For three wonderful days. No noise. No distractions. Just us. Yeah, I call that home.

KASS: By far, the wildest idea you’ve ever had.

DAWN: I thought you’d be freaked out that I wanted to spend so much time together. Thought you’d be just some other friend who… drifted out of my life.

———————————————

KASS: Nah. You know my parents. We weren’t even allowed out of the house! Anything new was an immediate no. That coffee shop? I was only in that neighborhood because I had to venture out. And I’m glad I did. Or I never would’ve met you.

DAWN: Best decision you ever made?

KASS: (smiling) Besides buying a boat?

DAWN: (laughing) Kass!

———————————————

Option 1: Player Chooses The Portal

DAWN: Are you?

DAWN: Are you really happy, Kass? You’ve always struggled to make the best choice for you. Whatever that looks like. No one can tell you the right answer. You have to go out and find it. Even if your happiness is in the “finding” part. I love you.

DAWN: If what you need is adventure, then…    

———————————————

Option 2: Player Chooses Dawn

DAWN: (distant) I’d lost her before she left, Chris. And now...

KASS: Dawn?

DAWN: Kass? (clearer, as if closer to the mic) Kass? Kass is that you?

KASS: Dawn! Is that you? It’s me! I’m here! Can you–?

DAWN: Where are you?

KASS: I’m coming home. I don’t have the answers. But I’m coming home. To you.

DAWN: I’m here.

Dan Clegg & Brittney M. Morris