Strangers at the Station - scene 1

Empty rail station. I look all around. No one to be found. Except old lady in the ticket office. And the teenager outside waiting in railroad uniform. It's quiet. I sit down. It's dark but early evening.

A man with a suitcase walks in. Stops at the ticket window. He checks out the teenager outside. Of all the places, he sits down on the same bench with me. Two arm lengths away. Is this my private personal space? My butterflies are nervous. The station is huge & empty. He sits right there.

There's only one train. I stare at him until he looks at me.

Me - Hey.

Him - Hey.

Me - Where you headed?

Him - West on the 23.

Me - You mean the 32.

Him - Yes.

Me - Me too. My name's Jacob. Call me Jake.

Him - Nice to meet you, Jake. Call me William. (Handshake at arms' length.)

Jake - Okay. William.

William - Ticket lady said train's on time. We're early. 

J - Okay.

W - Would you like to smoke tobacco on the platform while we wait? It'll pep us up & chill us out.

J - Sure. But I don't have any.

W - I do.

(William springs to his feet. Extends a hand to help Jake stand up from the bench. Jake looks up. Extended eye contact. Reaches out slowly. Takes the hand. Stands up slowly. Maintains eye contact. Jake is a good six inches taller than William. Looks down still holding hands.)

W - Let's go. (Outside) I have 2 cigars. One for you & one for me.

J - I can't take your last cigar.

W - You're not. My last cigar is in my hand.

J - I'm not sure I can finish a whole cigar.

W - You want to share?

J - Okay. Here.

W - No. Too late. I gave that to you already. You can share it later. Can you, Jake, can you strike this match while I block the breeze?

(Jake strikes the match. Billow of smoke. They maintain eye contact. William puffs until large crown on cigar. Passes it to Jake.)

W - Here. Whew! Baby! Head rush!

(Jake inhales. Coughs & hacks. William smacks his back. Rubs it. Embraces Jake from the side. They face away from the station. Toward the rails & winter forest beyond. Jake looks down at William. So much eye contact.)

J - Are you gay?

W - That's some good tobacco, huh? What gave me away?

J - Everything. Are you trying to pick me up?

W - Yes. Is it working?

J - Yeah. What gave me away?

W - Nothing. I took a chance. You were alone.

(They kiss briefly.)

J - How far you headed?

W - All the way to the sea. San Fran. But I don't have a deadline.

J - Would you like to lay over in St. Louis & rest at my place?

W - If your mom says it's okay.

J - (Laughs) Let me hit that again.

(Puff puff. Cough cough. Smack the back. Rub it. Hug from the side.)

J - Wow! I'm buzzed. Hey. William. I like you. Let's go over to that corner. In the dark shade. Wait for the train. We can lean against the wall. Cause I got vertigo. Grab my hand before I fall off this platform.

W - I got you. Put your arm over my shoulder.

(In the shadowy corner they kiss & lean against the station.)

End of Scene 1

Scene 2

Gay romance on a moving train in the sleeper compartment.

To be continued..........