Tracks: One Act Play | Nun parts only!

HOMELESS GIRL: Lay off it. I didn’t want a light, okay? I don’t want to smoke it. I’m…I’m saving it. It’s my last one.

(Has finished praying and stepped D) My apologies, but I couldn’t help overhearing. (Steps toward HOMELESS GIRL) You’re saving your last cigarette? May I assume you’re quitting the habit?

BUSINESSWOMAN: I just want him to tell my kids I love them, and that I’m I missed tucking them in again.

Children are an heritage of the lord: and the fruit of the womb in his reward. How many children do you have, dearie?

BUSINESSWOMAN: Two

I’m sure he’ll tell them for you.

BUSINESSWOMAN: What about upstairs?

Dearie, don’t worry about it. It sounds like your Husband is an expert at this kind of thing.

BUSINESSMAN: I think I lost him.

Don’t talk son! Catch your breath.

PROFESSOR: California. I teach English and European Literature at U.C. Berkeley. (TURNS TO NUN.) And where do you think we are?

The other sisters and I were vacationing in Rome. I’ve wanted to go there all my life. I was sitting in my room, reading upon some cathedrals we were going to see tomorrow. I…I believe I dozed off.

BUSINESSMAN: So what does that mean?

(To OLD MAN) The poor man has been robbed! Show some Compassion!

BUSINESSMAN: After you die, you go to a subway station? That’s ridicuolus!

They do say that the Lord works in mysterious ways.

LAWYER: Yet you withheld that information from us? How dare you…

She is not to blame for our passings! (Takes HOMELESS GIRL, who’s shaken up, to R bench.)

BUSINESSWOMAN: But my kids…how will they…? (Sits on C bench and breaks down)

(Approaches BUSINESSWOMAN to comfort her.) It’s gonna be okay, Dearie. Their Father loves them and will get them through this.

BUSINESS WOMAN. That's not the point. If we're dead, then I'm never going to see them again. As it is, I haven't seen them much since my husband was laid off and I went back to work. I've missed the past four years of their lives, and now I'm going to miss the rest…

I'm sure they know you love them.

BUSINESSMAN: Two daughters, both in high school. (Turns to NUN and kneels) Sister, I need to make a confession.

What is it, son?

HOMELESS GIRL: You don’t want to go there. It’s only going to make this place worse.

(To BUSINESSMAN.) Excuse me one moment, son. (Approaches HOMELESS GIRL.) Dearie, tell me what’s bothering you.

(H.S. GIRL has been staring at her dry clothes, puzzled.

H.S. BOY overhears LAWYER and takes a quick glance or the udults. By this time, NUN has joined them.

HOMELESS GIRL is seated on the R bench)

She won’t say much, but I think I’ve got her calmed down. (Notices H.S. BOY and H.S. GIRL) I see we have new arrivals.

LAWYER: We’re debating on whether or not to share our predicament with them.

They will learn it when the time is right.

H.S. GIRL: Excuse me, do you know when the next train comes? (The others mumble out vague answers while NUN steps toward H.S GIRL.)

Is there something I can help you with, Dearie?

H.S. GIRL: You have a point. (Back to NUN.) Excuse me, sister, but could you tell us which way this train goes?

Which way? (Looks back at the others.) Which way?

BUSINESSMAN: (Crosses to NUN.) Sister, I want to make my confession now.

Go ahead, son.

LAWYER: It’s still a crime.

You did correct your sin. Perhaps in God’s eyes, you will be forgiven.

LAWYER: Yet you refuse to get on?

Please, have some mercy on her!

HOMELESS GIRL. Don't you see? There's nothing we can do. That train goes somewhere, but no one knows for sure which way! What if it goes to Hell?

(approaching HOMELESS GIRL). But what if it doesn't?

H.S. BOY. I may not know much about this stuff, but we've got a nun here. Isn't that like enough to say it's going to Heaven for sure?

Oh, sonny, when I was your age, I did some things I'm not proud of. In Catholic School, I was a real hooli-gan.

H.S. BOY: I don’t know what that is, but aren’t you in with God or something.

Who knows? I smoked cigarettes, cheated on tests, taunted my teachers, threw rocks through some windows at school, even shoplifted bubblegum. Since then I have served the Lord, so yes I believe that I have made peace with Him.

BUSINESSMAN: And you’re content with the possibility of going to hell?

If that’s what the Lord has chosen for me, yes. But I have faith that’s not the case.