Walden

  AMY BERRYMAN

  Walden

  Contents

  Title Page

  Premiere Production

  Characters

  Walden

  Notes

  Act One

  Act Two

  Act Three

  Act Four

  Act Five

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Walden had its world premiere at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London, on 22 May 2021. The cast, in alphabetical order, was as follows:

  Stella Gemma Arterton

  Bryan Fehinti Balogun

  Cassie Lydia Wilson

  Director Ian Rickson

  Designer Rae Smith

  Lighting Designer Azusa Ono

  Sound Designer Emma Laxton

  Composer Mark Bradshaw

  Casting Director Amy Ball CDG

  Assistant Director Sara Aniqah Malik

  This production was presented in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions as part of the RE:EMERGE Season, which was made possible with the support of Arts Council England.

  Characters

  Stella

  early thirties, Cassie’s twin sister.

  Former NASA colony architect, her mouth moves quickly to catch up with her even faster brain, her thoughts zigzag like tracing a constellation. She is still deeply heartbroken she will never go to space, harbors secrets and resentment as she struggles to welcome her sister into her new life. Born first.

  Cassie

  early thirties, Stella’s twin sister.

  NASA botanist, physically strong, seems put together in the midst of all her success, but inside is doubtful and falling apart. Overwhelmed by the deeply human experience she is having since landing back on Earth. She digs and uproots. Looking for a way to blow up her life, as well as looking for a way to get closer to her sister. Born second.

  Bryan

  mid-thirties, Stella’s fiancé.

  A member of the populist political movement Earth Advocates, laid back, kind, emotionally open, strong, still grieving the loss of his brother, struggling with the wall Stella has built around herself.

  When

  The Not-So-Distant Future

  Where

  American Wilderness

  WALDEN

  ‘This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space. How far apart, think you, dwell the two most distant inhabitants of yonder star, the breadth of whose disk cannot be appreciated by our instruments? Why should I feel lonely? Is not our planet in the Milky Way?’

  ‘Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.’

  Henry David Thoreau, Walden

  Notes

  A ‘/’ indicates overlapping dialogue.

  Cassie and Stella should look like sisters and be of similar builds, but they need not look like identical twins. They look different, have different blood types, and have therefore always assumed themselves fraternal.

  Consider what the future of America will look like when casting this play (reference the 2013 National Geographic article ‘The Changing Face of America’). Bryan should be played by an actor of a different racial, ethnic, or cultural background than Cassie and Stella. The characters should reflect a more and more diverse America.

  Act One

  Darkness.

  Sounds of a shuttle landing. Cameras. Reporters. Commotion.

  And then, quiet. Lights come up on Bryan and Stella’s home in the wilderness of America. It’s a cabin, rustic, reminiscent of an earlier era. There are lush trees and mountains surrounding. There is a bottle of wine open, and a bottle unopened.

  Stella sits, waiting, touching her wine glass, her mind somewhere far away. Bryan enters.

  Bryan Is she here?

  Stella Soon.

  Bryan nods, pours himself some wine. There’s not much left in the bottle. He clocks this, sits with Stella.

  Bryan Hey – cheers.

  Stella half-heartedly joins him in a cheers.

  You okay?

  Stella nods, drinks another sip.

  After a moment, Bryan gets up, an idea hitting him with a sly smile.

  You know what? (As he goes.) Basement!

  He runs off, Stella looking up after him.

  Stella What?

  He doesn’t answer her.

  Stella pauses a moment, downs the rest of her wine. One more glance at where Bryan departed, a glance at the door, and she pulls out a slim device from her pocket. The screen brightens her face as she pulls up a news report, turning the volume down low.

  Announcer … Thank you again to the Moon Habitat Team, we’re so glad you’re back home safe.

  Turning now to update you on the tsunami, which some scientists are now referring to as a ‘mega’ tsunami that hit Sri Lanka three days ago – the number of missing persons presumed dead has climbed to almost one million. Yes, you are hearing that number correctly. Another ten thousand have attempted to seek refugee status in India, where they are not receiving much welcome due to the dire conditions involving the war over potable water. More from –

  Stella hears movement from off and quickly shuts the device off and puts it in her pocket.

  Bryan enters wearing a party hat, carrying a box of party materials. He blows into a noisemaker.

  Stella … What are you doing?

  Bryan I remembered – we had these in the basement!

  Stella … it’s not a birthday.

  Bryan But it’s a celebration! We can put them on, when she gets here.

  Stella … No.

  Bryan Why not?!

  Stella Where did you even get those?

  Bryan One time Michael threw me a surprise party.

  Stella Oh …

  Bryan I just thought …

  Stella I think it’s not … it’s not like a party.

  Can you put those away? I think she’ll be here any minute.

  Bryan Yeah I know. (He takes the hat off.) Are you okay?

  Stella Yeah I’m fine, I’m …

  Bryan It’ll be good!

  Stella I can’t go online without seeing her face, and it’s …

  Bryan Ah.

  Stella Every time I turn on the news ….

  Bryan There’s your first problem. Turning on the news.

  Stella (bristles at this, defensive) I’m watching the news to hear about the tsunami, and of course that’s not their lead story, it’s the team back from the Moon … so I have to wait through that before I get to the actual news. The death toll is up to a million.

  Bryan Jesus.

  Stella They’re saying all of Sri Lanka is off the map, and another ten thousand displaced people. India doesn’t want anyone, obviously.

  Bryan Uh huh.

  Stella (spiraling) It’s the worst possible timing, the worst place for it to happen, it’s going to get worse, it’s just going to keep getting worse, Pakistan keeps threatening them with nukes –

  Bryan They aren’t going to do that –

  Stella Which would destroy the ozone, air quality is bad everywhere already, crops are completely fucked over there, it’s just going to get worse, / a million is –

  Bryan Hey. Hey.

  Stella What?

  Bryan Uh. Can we go back to the part about Cassie?

  Stella … it’s nothing. Never mind, I’m fine. Can you put those away, I’m going to grab the candlesticks.

  She exits. Bryan observes her empty glass, and tries to pour some wine for her, but the bottle is empty. He goes to open the unopened bottle, a Volnay.

  Bryan Can Cassie drink wine? I thought you said her body might be still off from being up there for so long … microgravity or – whaddaya-call – it – oh

  The cork breaks.

  Stell?

  Stella comes back in, with candles
ticks.

  The cork broke.

  This is the end of the world to Stella.

  Stella Did you just –

  Bryan I’m sorry –

  Stella Why did you open that?

  Bryan What? I was going to pour you more wine –

  Stella You should have / asked me first

  Bryan I didn’t realize you were done with the whole bottle –

  Stella I am in pain. I’m hurting.

  Bryan I know.

  Stella That took me two weeks to get that bottle, it’s really rare, that’s a real cork, it’s old –

  Bryan I’m sorry, I was just trying to help.

  Stella You know cork trees are extinct, right? It’s a really special bottle if it’s got a cork in it, that’s why I got this.

  Stella finds an ugly old jar and sets it on the ground, grabs the bottle from Bryan. She sets some napkins on top of the jar, pushes the cork into the bottle and begins pouring it carefully through the napkin into the jar.

  Bryan Is Cassie into wine, too?

  Stella No, but

  our dad was

  I dunno

  I didn’t know what else to do.

  It just seemed like the right thing to do.

  Bryan Hey.

  Tell me what you’re feeling.

  Stella (not good) I’m good.

  Bryan Please talk to me. I hate …

  I hate it when you do this

  Stella Do what

  Bryan You just stop talking. You don’t tell me things. I’m trying to understand.

  Bryan touches Stella – her body melts into his. They hold each other for a moment.

  I know a lot has happened in the past week, I’m sad,

  I know we both are, and I can only imagine –

  Stella They keep referring to her as James Ryan’s daughter.

  Bryan I see.

  Stella Like, he has two daughters, he has twin daughters. I mean he had twin daughters.

  Beat.

  It’s not a big deal, it’s just sort of jarring –

  Bryan It is a big deal –

  Stella No it’s fine, I’m just wondering … why I even invited her.

  Bryan You were excited to see her, when you called her.

  Stella That was before.

  Bryan I know, but I’m so proud of you for taking this step … I think whatever happens, can only be good. Healing.

  Stella I don’t know if it can only be good …

  Bryan And I get to meet her! This is the person who was in the womb with the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with! That is awesome.

  Stella DON’T tell her we’re getting married.

  Bryan Oh – okay?

  Stella And don’t tell her you’re an EA.

  Bryan (gesturing around the cabin) Uh, she might figure that one out.

  Stella Please don’t tell her – I will tell her, I want to tell her. There’s just a lot … there’s a lot.

  Bryan Yeah. Okay.

  Stella We have to act really happy.

  Bryan What? We are happy.

  Stella Yeah yeah – we are happy – I mean we just have to act like, happy for her. You know?

  Bryan … okay.

  Stella I’m just going to change and – I’ll be right back.

  She exits. Bryan starts to put away the hats, but he puts one back on, fondly. Then there’s a knock at the door, he turns, startled, forgetting about the hat.

  Bryan Stell? She’s here!

  Bryan opens the door to reveal a bewildered Cassie, Stella’s twin sister. She has a suitcase with her. She wears a blue mask over her mouth and nose, with a NASA symbol on it. Cassie takes off her mask, letting it hang around her neck, upon entering the house. Cassie is skeptical of everything around her, including Bryan.

  Cassie Hi.

  Bryan Hi!

  Cassie Am I … in the right place?

  Bryan I think so – you’re Cassie!

  Cassie Yes, I’m Cassie. Are you … Bryan?

  Bryan Yep I’m Bryan!

  Awkward beat as Cassie takes him in.

  … You look great!

  Beat.

  I don’t know if that’s what you say to someone who just came back from space? But …

  Cassie Uh. Thanks.

  Bryan Thanks for coming all the way out here.

  Cassie Yeah, it’s … wilderness.

  Bryan Yeah! We like it.

  Cassie (bewildered) The air is so cool. It’s cool outside.

  Bryan Yeah. You know, you don’t have to wear that.

  Cassie (touching her mask) What? Oh, just a habit.

  Bryan No really, within a hundred miles the air is totally safe. You don’t need a mask.

  Stella enters. The sisters see each other. They embrace before saying a word. It is both awkward and intense. Finally:

  Cassie Hi.

  Stella Hi.

  Beat.

  Stella You look

  Cassie What

  Stella The same.

  They laugh.

  Cassie Did you think my face would be …? (She puffs out her cheeks like a chipmunk.)

  Stella I mean

  Cassie Like Dad?

  Stella Yeah.

  Bryan What?

  Stella Gravity pulls all the blood to the feet, so in space –

  Cassie it doesn’t, so when you come back, it makes the face look a little

  Stella Our dad’s did anyway when he came back from –

  Cassie They kept showing some pictures of all of us side by side, at the event –

  Stella Cassie, I’m sorry that I couldn’t –

  Cassie Oh, it’s / okay.

  Stella We just live so far out / here, and …

  Cassie But they showed some pictures of me before I went up, and right after the descent, and I don’t know, I think I do look a little different.

  Stella Cassie this is Bryan.

  Stella notices Bryan’s hat and takes it off his head.

  Bryan We met.

  Cassie Yeah … we met.

  Beat.

  Bryan Stella says she’s been seeing you all over the news!

  Cassie Yeah … so many interviews. It’s been exhausting.

  Stella … Yeah, I bet.

  Beat.

  Can I take your bag?

  Cassie Thanks, where am I – ?

  Stella The couch. Uh – sorry the place isn’t bigger …

  There is a hotel um a few miles away, if that’s better –

  Cassie What? No, no. This is fine. It’s great. I want to be with my sister.

  Beat.

  Stella Okay.

  Cassie … I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.

  Stella That’s okay –

  Cassie Just have to get back.

  Bryan Monday, right?

  Cassie Yeah.

  Stella For work?

  Cassie Uh – yeah, just some, you know. Work.

  Bryan More Moon Colony / stuff?

  Stella Bryan /

  Cassie … Habitat?

  Stella shoots him a look, Cassie gives a little laugh, unsure how to respond.

  Stella We’ve, um – we’ve cooked some food, you’re probably hungry.

  Bryan Deer! A deer I got. Stella said you’d eat deer?

  Cassie Deer? … What … what do you mean?

  Stella Deer have kind of invaded this area, it’s so temperate, it has kind of become a problem. And we grow most of our own food.

  Bryan Huge garden out back.

  Stella We try to eat completely local. I’ve started eating meat again.

  Cassie … wow.

  Bryan How was the food in space?

  Stella Bryan.

  Bryan What?

  Stella It’s just – / that’s not a good question.

  Cassie Lella, it’s / okay.

  Bryan Lella?

  What did you just call her?

  Cassie Lella. It’s what I’ve called Stella since – I don’t know?

  Stella Sin
ce we could talk. And I called her Pee.

  Cassie That’s what we called each other when we were little.

  Bryan Pee?

  Stella Dad kept trying to get me to say Cassiopeia.

  Cassie Before he’d accepted that no one is going to actually go by the name Cassiopeia.

  Bryan Cassiopeia.

  Stella Yeah you know. The queen. The constellation.

  Cassie rolls her eyes.

  Cassie Anyway. Lella and Pee. That’s what we called each other. When we were little.

  Bryan I didn’t know that.

  Cute.

  Cassie But the food! I mean, it was a long year. Everything tastes divine to me right now. I got all these 3D printed candies on the way here – do you want some? They don’t have any sugar, only superfoods but they taste / amazing.

  Bryan No, no we don’t eat printed food.

  Cassie You don’t?

  Stella I’ll try one.

  Cassie passes one to Stella. Bryan watches Stella chew the piece of candy. She shrugs at him.

  So …

  How do you feel?

  Cassie Good. Really good. Fine. Happy. To be back.

  Bryan I bet.

  Cassie How are things here?

  Stella Well, here they’re good.

  Bryan Oh, you know! The world’s collapsing around us, but

  Cassie God, I know. The bombs on Christmas? In India I mean? We could see them through one of our telescopes on the Moon. I guess the ISS could see it just from looking out the window.

  Stella That must have been insane.

  Bryan Stella’s obsessed with the whole situation.

  Stella Well we always knew it was coming.

  Cassie Yeah, that many refugees, in a war zone, with no water … We’ve been calling it the PONR.