I’m working on a play called “See to Believe” right now and this is a scene that occurs in the middle of the play, a flashback that takes place three years before the rest of the play. In it, Alex, a well-known painter of religious art, paints his blind son Tristan. I’d really like to get some honest feedback about it. Like, based on this would you want to see/read the rest of the play? Does it seem over the top? Manipulative? Weird? It’s a first draft so be as brutal as you want to be…
(Three years earlier. TRISTAN is seated near ALEX, who is painting.)
TRISTAN
At first I thought I was gonna have to be naked.
ALEX
What?
TRISTAN
Just, posing. Rae heard “posing” and just laughed…
ALEX
Oh.
(Forced chuckle.)
No, no. This isn’t weird for you, is it?
TRISTAN
I…guess not.
ALEX
I could just use a photo but that’s never the same.
TRISTAN
Okay. Do you need me to hold more still?
ALEX
That would be helpful.
TRISTAN
Alright.
ALEX
So how is everything?
TRISTAN
Uh, fine. School is school. Rae is good.
ALEX
You two are spending a lot of time together.
TRISTAN
Yeah, it’s been four months.
ALEX
What has?
TRISTAN
That we’ve been dating.
ALEX
Four months, really?
TRISTAN
Yep.
ALEX
That went fast.
TRISTAN
For you too?
ALEX
She’s a very nice girl.
TRISTAN
Yeah.
(Beat.)
I think I love her.
ALEX
Wow. You, uh…
TRISTAN
I just mean I think I do. I don’t even really know…Just, I feel different about her than about anyone else and…
ALEX
And you think you love her.
TRISTAN
Sorry, this is kind of weird to talk about.
ALEX
No it isn’t.
TRISTAN
I hadn’t told anyone about it. I wasn’t even gonna bring it up.
ALEX
We can talk, you know.
TRISTAN
Yeah.
ALEX
We should at least be able to…
TRISTAN
We can talk. Okay, so let’s talk.
ALEX
So, you’re in love.
TRISTAN
Well, how do I even know?
ALEX
If you think you are, it usually means…Well, how do you feel when you’re around her?
TRISTAN
The, uh…the whole thing. Hearing her voice or feeling her hands on me…
ALEX
Okay…
TRISTAN
No. Just, when I’m with her I feel better. I feel different than with anyone else. Yeah, like I said…
ALEX
That sounds legit.
TRISTAN
Yeah, all the cliches.
ALEX
You should tell her.
TRISTAN
Really?
ALEX
I don’t know, why not?
TRISTAN
I can think of a lot of reasons.
ALEX
Okay, stupid question.
TRISTAN
She might not feel the same way, she might freak out if I told her, she could think I’m more serious than I am. I donno.
ALEX
Or maybe she’s waiting for you to say it.
TRISTAN
Maybe.
ALEX
I mean it is your choice.
TRISTAN
But you think I should go for it.
ALEX
No, it doesn’t matter what I think.
TRISTAN
Course it does.
ALEX
Then, yes. Tell her. If you really think it’s real. But, again, that’s up to you. Like I said.
TRISTAN
Okay.
ALEX
But if you want to know what I think…
TRISTAN
I asked.
ALEX
Right, you did.
TRISTAN
You think I should tell her. Okay.
(Beat.)
We can talk, right?
ALEX
I’m sorry about that. It’s just that I don’t know the whole story. With you two.
TRISTAN
How long did you think we’d been together?
ALEX
Oh, I don’t know…
TRISTAN
You’ve met her, right?
ALEX
Don’t be silly.
TRISTAN
Just checking.
(Beat.)
Do you, uh, think she’s pretty?
ALEX
Who?
TRISTAN
(Chuckling.)
The queen of England.
ALEX
Oh, RaeAnne.
TRISTAN
That’s the one.
ALEX
Well, of course I do. She has a great smile, very cute…Her eyes are…
(Trails off as he becomes engrossed in his work.)
TRISTAN
Sorry, I’m talking to you while you’re painting.
ALEX
What’s that?
TRISTAN
I just won’t talk. You can’t paint my mouth if it’s moving.
ALEX
You can talk.
TRISTAN
I’m distracting though, right? How many times did you tell me-
ALEX
(Stopping.)
Hey.
(TRISTAN listens intently. ALEX looks at him.)
RaeAnne is beautiful. She has an infectious smile, a…smile that makes you want to smile back. And her eyes are grey most of the time but I swear they get more color when she’s looking at you. Like they’re soaking something in.
TRISTAN
I think she smiles with everything, have you noticed that? It’s, what was it, infectious with me too.
ALEX
There you go. When you feel yourself smile, you can, I don’t know, pretend you’re seeing it on her.
TRISTAN
I never wanted to ask anyone that before.
ALEX
Did you just…wonder?
TRISTAN
Yeah.
ALEX
Well, she is. Beautiful.
TRISTAN
(Wryly.)
I’m missing out, huh?
ALEX
Of course not, of course you’re not. You’re the one, you can…
TRISTAN
Dad.
ALEX
(Beat.)
Yes.
TRISTAN
(With forced casualness.)
Like most stuff, right?
ALEX
Tristan.
TRISTAN
No, it’s not like it’s news.
ALEX
We see the world differently.
TRISTAN
You see the world.
ALEX
We experience it-
TRISTAN
Differently. Yeah.
ALEX
It’s not better or worse.
TRISTAN
Oh, this one’s my favorite. “It’s just different.”
ALEX
I just mean-
TRISTAN
Because of my acute sense of smell, because I get to smell the world.
ALEX
What?
TRISTAN
Geez, are we really this…I get this enough from my art history teacher.
ALEX
Oh. You’re taking art history?
TRISTAN
Elective. It was a scheduling error. Or just a sick joke.
ALEX
Very sick.
TRISTAN
Rae’s in the class so I stayed. Plus it’s an easy A, I’m excused from every assignment.
ALEX
Wow.
TRISTAN
Just, you don’t have to talk like that to me.
ALEX
Alright.
TRISTAN
Which you would know if you ever…
ALEX
What’s that?
TRISTAN
You’re the one who said we didn’t talk.
ALEX
I didn’t say that.
TRISTAN
Well, we don’t. Talk. So, no big deal. You don’t have to try and cheer me up or whatever. So don’t worry about that.
(Beat.)
And I can just let you work.
(ALEX looks at him sadly, then resumes painting.)
ALEX
I never said I couldn’t talk while I was painting.
TRISTAN
You never said anything while you were painting.
ALEX
Did you every really try?
TRISTAN
Are you serious?
ALEX
No, sorry.
TRISTAN
I used to play a game, you know. I’d come in here when I knew you were working and I would sit down somewhere and just wait. I thought it would be easy for you to see.
ALEX
I didn’t?
TRISTAN
Sometimes you’d notice on my way out.
ALEX
Why didn’t you say anything?
TRISTAN
Why didn’t you?
ALEX
What is going on with you, Tristan? I don’t know where this is even coming from.
TRISTAN
What?
ALEX
Is this some…rebellious streak?
TRISTAN
I don’t know what you’re…A rebellious streak?
ALEX
We used to be close.
TRISTAN
Well, I’m sure it makes you feel a lot better, me experiencing things just like any normal child.
ALEX
Tristan.
TRISTAN
Right?
ALEX
I’m trying, Tristan, I’m trying to be with you.
TRISTAN
I know.
ALEX
I never wanted to exclude you from my work.
TRISTAN
You couldn’t really help that.
ALEX
I’m trying to make things right.
TRISTAN
How?
ALEX
Any way I can? Tristan, I’m sorry. I should know how long you’ve been with your girlfriend, and I should be able to tell that you’re in love for the first time. And I should have something more…paternal to say about it.
TRISTAN
I’m sorry I brought it up.
ALEX
And you shouldn’t be sorry you brought it up.
TRISTAN
Okay.
ALEX
That’s my fault too. It…all is. I take responsibility anyway.
TRISTAN
(Pause.)
I’m sure it isn’t all your fault.
ALEX
Regardless.
(Beat.)
So hold still.
(They both smile. ALEX resumes painting.)
What’s this party you’re going to tonight?
TRISTAN
Just, one of Rae’s friends is graduating.
ALEX
And it’ll be a good party?
TRISTAN
No drugs, nothing crazy.
ALEX
Drinking?
TRISTAN
What? I don’t…Probably some people’ll be drinking, I donno.
ALEX
Mom was okay with that?
TRISTAN
I didn’t tell her that. It isn’t a big deal, there’s always someone drinking.
ALEX
Always?
TRISTAN
I just mean, at these parties, lots of people show up. But it’ll be fine. Rae said the guy’s parents’ll even be there.
ALEX
Can I call them?
TRISTAN
You could. You could trust me.
ALEX
It’s not you I don’t trust.
TRISTAN
Do you trust Rae?
ALEX
Sure.
TRISTAN
Because what happened, I mean that was just-
ALEX
I know.
TRISTAN
Is that why you’re freaked out?
ALEX
I’m not freaked out.
TRISTAN
We’re not even…doing anything like that anymore. Anything. We don’t even want to.
ALEX
Good.
TRISTAN
I mean, we want to, but we decided, you know?
ALEX
That’s good. You do have to be careful.
TRISTAN
I know that.
ALEX
This isn’t something you can just shrug off.
TRISTAN
I know that.
ALEX
Has she found out yet?
TRISTAN
I don’t know if she’s checked.
ALEX
She hasn’t-
TRISTAN
She was just…wondering. Thinking out loud probably.
ALEX
Thinking out loud?
TRISTAN
If she was pregnant, I think I’d be the first to know.
ALEX
I should hope so.
TRISTAN
But why would she be?
ALEX
It’s what happens, son.
TRISTAN
If she’s worried about it, she’ll check it out.
ALEX
And you’re sure she hasn’t?
TRISTAN
She’s just been getting sick, feeling weird, skipped her period.
ALEX
Getting sick?
TRISTAN
Coincidence.
ALEX
You seem so sure.
TRISTAN
One time, Dad. What are the chances-
ALEX
She needs to find out.
TRISTAN
(Breath.)
I know.
ALEX
And you should talk to Mom about it.
TRISTAN
You haven’t told her?
ALEX
It’s not for me to tell.
TRISTAN
Just seems like you would.
ALEX
And she’s not the only one you should talk to.
TRISTAN
I get it, I know.
ALEX
This is why you don’t let something like this happen.
TRISTAN
Obviously.
ALEX
Among other things.
TRISTAN
But the party.
ALEX
Maybe you two shouldn’t be alone together.
TRISTAN
We’re gonna be in public.
ALEX
At someone’s house.
TRISTAN
We’ll stay in the backyard.
ALEX
That’s where the alcohol will be.
TRISTAN
How would you know the layout of these things?
ALEX
I was a kid once.
TRISTAN
I’m not a kid, Dad.
ALEX
I’m only saying, you know how bad decisions sneak up on you.
TRISTAN
I told you-
ALEX
I know. I realize.
TRISTAN
We’re more careful now. About everything.
ALEX
And you don’t think there’s anything wrong with the party?
TRISTAN
We’ve been to these kind of things before.
ALEX
You have?
TRISTAN
Everyone has. You were a kid once.
ALEX
Yes, but I never drank, I never did drugs, I never-
TRISTAN
Neither will I. See?
(Beat.)
I’m not stupid, Dad. I won’t do anything stupid.
ALEX
Alright…
TRISTAN
I mean, not now. Not anymore.
ALEX
I know.
TRISTAN
We won’t even be home late.
ALEX
Midnight.
TRISTAN
What?
ALEX
Midnight, or no deal.
TRISTAN
Fine.
ALEX
You know I’m only looking out for you.
TRISTAN
Yeah.
(Beat.)
Thanks.
(Beat.)
And she’ll find out. I tell her to find out for sure. And we can all relax.
ALEX
(Tries to think of a response but cannot. Paints.)
Maybe I should give this to RaeAnne.
TRISTAN
The painting?
ALEX
You think she would like it?
TRISTAN
You’d be a better judge than I would.
ALEX
Right.
TRISTAN
She seems to like what she sees.
ALEX
She does.
TRISTAN
She’d probably love it.
ALEX
In that case it’s definitely good I didn’t have you do this naked.
(No response.)
Just, a joke.
TRISTAN
Good one.
ALEX
I’m doing head and shoulders, kind of a profile, a view from the side…It’ll show the side of your face-
TRISTAN
I get it.
ALEX
You have a lot of colors in your hair.
TRISTAN
Really?
ALEX
Just natural highlights, RaeAnne probably loves it. Three or four different browns.
TRISTAN
Sweet. Am I being still enough?
ALEX
You’re fine. I think I’ll use a muted aquamarine for your eyes.
TRISTAN
Aquamarine?
ALEX
It’s a greenish blue. Color. I might try and get that silvery tint to it, they have this almost metallic…well…
TRISTAN
(Pause.)
My eyes are blue?
(ALEX stops painting and turns slowly to look at TRISTAN.)
I just didn’t ever know.
ALEX
You didn’t ask.
TRISTAN
Never seemed very important.
ALEX
They’re a light blue.
(TRISTAN nods.)
They were the first thing anyone ever noticed about you after you were born. You know, “Look at those eyes.”
TRISTAN
Wow.
ALEX
All babies have blue eyes, but yours were different. And they didn’t change or fade.
TRISTAN
Well, I certainly didn’t work them very hard.
ALEX
(Chuckle.)
Right.
TRISTAN
(Smiling.)
Good to know.
ALEX
(Pause.)
You’re beautiful too.
TRISTAN
(Laughing awkwardly.)
Okay, Dad.
ALEX
I don’t know if you’d ever ask that question. But, so you know.
(No response.)
People say you look like me.
TRISTAN
I’ve heard that.
ALEX
I can’t always see it, but there are some times when I do, when I feel like I’m looking in a…Like I’m looking into myself.
TRISTAN
Then I open my mouth. Right?
ALEX
Tristan.
TRISTAN
Okay. Um, thanks?
ALEX
You’re much more handsome than me, of course.
TRISTAN
Of course. That’s why you wanted to paint me?
ALEX
I…yes.
TRISTAN
Why did you?
ALEX
Want to paint you?
TRISTAN
Yeah.
ALEX
I should be allowed to paint my son. Shouldn’t I?
TRISTAN
I didn’t say you weren’t allowed.
ALEX
I know, I meant…
(Beat.)
Because it’s all I know. It’s all I know how to do.
TRISTAN
What?
ALEX
I think every parent wants to do everything for their kids, right?
TRISTAN
Yeah…
ALEX
And maybe some other father actually can. Do everything. But I just paint. I used to be a hero if I got you a bottle of milk, or found a toy for you. But all I’ve ever really know how to do, you know.
TRISTAN
There’s nothing…No one can fix me, Dad.
ALEX
I know.
TRISTAN
You’re the one who told me that.
ALEX
But you think I didn’t wish I was wrong?
TRISTAN
So painting me is supposed to change something?
ALEX
Yes.
TRISTAN
It’s supposed to heal me?
ALEX
No-
TRISTAN
You really think-
ALEX
No. Of course not.
TRISTAN
Because it’s impossible.
ALEX
Nothing is supposed to be impossible.
TRISTAN
Okay, barring a miracle…
(No response.)
Dad?
ALEX
I still believed in that when I was your age.
TRISTAN
Miracles?
ALEX
Sight to the blind, that isn’t unheard of.
TRISTAN
The doctors said-
ALEX
I know what the doctors said.
TRISTAN
But you think they’re wrong.
ALEX
Don’t we all? Isn’t that what we believe?
TRISTAN
(Pause. Simply.)
I’m not a miracle.
ALEX
That isn’t your fault.
TRISTAN
It isn’t yours either.
(ALEX says nothing.)
Did you ever try?
ALEX
What?
TRISTAN
Try to do something, to give me a blessing, something like that?
ALEX
The doctors said it was impossible.
TRISTAN
Oh.
(Pause.)
So what do we believe in?
ALEX
I can’t answer that for you.
TRISTAN
That’s not what you and mom have been saying for however many years.
ALEX
We never tried to make those decisions for you.
TRISTAN
You told me what I should believe.
ALEX
No. We told you what we believe, we tried to share the truths that we know.
TRISTAN
Except you don’t know them. Except you don’t really believe that, what you told me. Because your little boy, your beautiful son can’t see your paintings. Isn’t that what you just said?
ALEX
Everyone goes through trials-
TRISTAN
Oh, come on! Dad. You think I don’t…You know, we both sat in the same church hearing the same crap about the blind received their sight and we believe in a God of miracles-
ALEX
We do. I believe in that.
TRISTAN
But you still believed the doctors. That I was screwed.
ALEX
Don’t say “screwed.”
TRISTAN
Why would you believe them? All these years you never even tried to help me?
ALEX
Of course I tried.
TRISTAN
You said you never-
ALEX
I didn’t say that.
(Attempts a smile.)
You’re supposed to have an acute sense of hearing too.
(No response.)
It didn’t work. Obviously. And I believed it would, I believed so much I would open my eyes from that prayer and you’d be looking right back up at me. I almost couldn’t keep mine closed because I didn’t want to miss it, that moment. We found out early, pretty soon after you were born. It’s easy to tell.
(Beat.)
I know I’ve never had perfect faith, but I don’t think anyone’s ever believed like I did that night. You were six days old. And I could feel angels and I could hear every hymn just kind of reverberating in my ears. And it was the goose bumps on the back of the neck and it was the warmth spreading all over and all of that. And I kept my eyes closed, I didn’t need to see anything, I didn’t need proof. And I squeezed my eyes tight, I remember.
(Beat.)
And they did the same tests, and nothing. And I fought away anything that told me I’d been wrong because it was a trial, I was sure it was some trial of faith and I’d heard my whole life about faith precedes the miracle and taking a step into the darkness and I was sure it was coming, that it would take a little while, that you’d get better slowly maybe but you’d get better. And I was sure.
(Beat.)
I think your mom still is.
TRISTAN
She thinks I’ll get better.
ALEX
Of course she does.
TRISTAN
That some day, out of the blue…
ALEX
Stranger things have happened.
TRISTAN
But you don’t.
ALEX
(Breath.)
Maybe it’s possible and I just don’t know how.
TRISTAN
How…
ALEX
To believe. Some people have that kind of faith, some people would have been able to…I don’t know.
TRISTAN
Why do you still go, then? To church. Why do you take me-
ALEX
Because I’m not strong enough to go on without something to hope for. I can’t just think we’re alone.
TRISTAN
Even if we are?
ALEX
You don’t think that.
TRISTAN
Dad-
ALEX
Tell me you don’t really believe that. Please.
TRISTAN
What difference does it make?
ALEX
It means that’s what I’ve left you.
TRISTAN
Come on. It has nothing to do with you.
ALEX
These are decisions you need to make for yourself.
TRISTAN
I…did. What are you talking about?
ALEX
I don’t think we have to have this conversation now. When you’re older-
TRISTAN
I can get my hopes up and have them all shot to hell-
ALEX
Hey!
(Beat.)
I think that’s enough.
TRISTAN
You remember that painting you did of Jesus resurrected?
ALEX
Yes. Do you remember that?
TRISTAN
There was this group of ladies from church, they came over for some meeting with Mom and she showed it to them.
ALEX
When was this?
TRISTAN
It wasn’t done yet, I think.
ALEX
And she showed them-
TRISTAN
I promised not to tell you. But they stood there looking at it, talking about how beautiful, you know, the basic stuff everyone says.
ALEX
And you were sitting quietly in that chair, seeing if they-
TRISTAN
They would have noticed. No I was just…around. And these ladies, a couple of them were crying, Mom was crying. Talking about, I donno, bearing their testimonies almost and how looking, or, yeah, “just seeing it,” they said, “just seeing it could make anyone believe.”
ALEX
That isn’t true.
TRISTAN
They thought so. And one of them actually turned to me, and told me how amazing you are and didn’t I think so.
ALEX
(Disbelievingly.)
No.
TRISTAN
I just stood there and I think she got awkward and figured if she didn’t say anything I would forget she was there.
ALEX
I told her not to…show people…
TRISTAN
Why are all your paintings religious?
ALEX
Not all of them.
TRISTAN
But most.
ALEX
I told you, it’s all I know.
TRISTAN
So?
ALEX
It’s the language I speak, I think it’s how I learn. It must be good for something.
TRISTAN
So it’s all because you want it to be true. You want all of this to make sense. All the stuff you were raised with, and everything Mom believes in.
ALEX
It does make sense.
TRISTAN
How? How does it all fit together?
ALEX
I don’t have all the answers, I don’t need to have all the answers.
TRISTAN
If you want me to see it, help me see. Show me!
ALEX
I can’t!
TRISTAN
It doesn’t fit, Dad.
ALEX
You don’t fit! You’re the piece that doesn’t fit.
(Silence.)
I need you to help me see it all.
TRISTAN
Maybe that’s the problem.
ALEX
Maybe.
TRISTAN
Does Mom feel this way?
ALEX
Mom wakes up every morning sure that a miracle is on its way. Every morning, no matter how she felt the night before.
TRISTAN
Does she know you do?
ALEX
Feel this way?
TRISTAN
Yeah.
ALEX
No. You know, this was all supposed to make us happy. That’s what the Savior said, that was the whole point.
TRISTAN
And you want me to be happy.
ALEX
Even if I can’t be.
TRISTAN
I don’t know if I can.
ALEX
No.
TRISTAN
I can’t, Dad. I just can’t see it.
ALEX
You should have had someone to make it all better for you.
TRISTAN
There’s no one like that.
ALEX
But there is. Just because I couldn’t be that for you-
TRISTAN
No one expects you to be God. I think not even God would expect that, you know? I think all you had to do was love me.
ALEX
That’s all I could do.
TRISTAN
Then don’t you believe in a God who knows that? Like, he wouldn’t expect more than that? Don’t you believe he loves you?
ALEX
Do you?
TRISTAN
I don’t know. Dad, I’m sorry, but I don’t know-
(Stops as ALEX puts a hand tenderly on his shoulder. ALEX crouches down in front of where TRISTAN is sitting. He stares at him for a moment.)
ALEX
I want to show you something.
(ALEX stands up and brings TRISTAN to join him. Over the following he leads TRISTAN to the easel and stands behind him.)
I always loved to read about Christ, healing. How it’s mentioned so casually, “He went forth and the people came to him and they were healed,” something like that. Just like healing was just what he did. That he couldn’t help it. Maybe it’s all he knew how to do, all he needed to know.
(ALEX picks up his brush and palate. He mixes his paint and gets some on the brush. He takes TRISTAN’s hand and places the brush between TRISTAN’s fingers.)
TRISTAN
Dad. What are you doing?
ALEX
(Guiding the brush in TRISTAN’s hand to the canvas.)
Aquamarine.
TRISTAN
(Stiffening.)
No, I shouldn’t-
ALEX
Ssshhh…
(Paints.)
Looking straight ahead, there’s an intensity there. There’s a concentration.
TRISTAN
Am I smiling?
ALEX
Infectiously. You’re very good for someone who had to teach himself.
TRISTAN
Do I smile with my eyes?
ALEX
I wish you could see it.
(Moves the brush back to the palate.)
More paint.
TRISTAN
You aren’t alone. You said you had to believe you’re not alone.
ALEX
I know.
TRISTAN
I’ve never felt alone. Even if I can’t…Even if you can’t share with me, the things-
ALEX
Ssshhh, you’re the artist.
(Brings the brush back to the canvas.)
TRISTAN
I thought the face was on the other side.
ALEX
There’s a mirror, you’re…looking back at yourself.
TRISTAN
I can see?
ALEX
I believed I could heal you.
(Lifts the brush from the canvas.)
TRISTAN
What else?
ALEX
(Resuming with a different brush.)
The first thing the nurse said at the hospital? You’ve got my jaw.
TRISTAN
Jaw?
ALEX
Well, your eyes were closed.
(Lifts TRISTAN’s hand and brush up to the canvas, guiding the strokes.)
Straight down, then in. Like that, you see that?
TRISTAN
I…
(Continues “painting.”)
Dad.
ALEX
It makes you look strong.
(Guides the brush stroke again.)
TRISTAN
I don’t…
(ALEX takes TRISTAN’s other hand and places it on the side of TRISTAN’s face.)
ALEX
There.
TRISTAN
I can’t.
ALEX
Just…see.
(ALEX lets go of TRISTAN’s hand slowly and TRISTAN continues to paint, feeling along his jaw.)
Never say you’re not a miracle.
(TRISTAN notices he is painting alone, stops abruptly and turns to ALEX..)
TRISTAN
Dad?
(ALEX reaches out for TRISTAN’s hand. TRISTAN holds on and reaches up with his other hand to touch ALEX’s face. He places his hand gently on ALEX’s jaw. He blinks.)
Dad.
ALEX
I’m right here.
TRISTAN
Dad.
(Silence. His eyes begin to move around, surveying ALEX’s face.)
I heard something warm sometimes, I wanted to see. Like it’s behind your eyes, and there’s room for just enough. And still room for me, just enough. It’s brown, isn’t it?
ALEX
Tristan?
TRISTAN
I guess I didn’t get your eyes.
(Reaches up and feels ALEX’s jaw.)
It is.
ALEX
What are you…
TRISTAN
Do you always look at me like that?
ALEX
You can see me.
TRISTAN
I’m okay, Dad.
ALEX
I know.
TRISTAN
Can I see it? The aquamarine?
ALEX
Turn around.
TRISTAN
(Not moving.)
I couldn’t imagine a face. I heard “face,” but I could only feel it. And the windows. Someone told me there was this much light.
ALEX
It’s a sunny day.
TRISTAN
It must be hot.
ALEX
Turn around.
TRISTAN
We should always have light.
(Turns around slowly. Waits a moment, then places his hand on his face again.)
There were three browns in my hair?
ALEX
At least. You see?
TRISTAN
That must be nice.
ALEX
Mom’s eyes are hazel, as sort of brown-green. Yours are different. They’re just yours.
TRISTAN
I’m looking straight ahead?
ALEX
There’s an intensity there. Do you see it?
TRISTAN
Show me.
ALEX
It’s right here.
TRISTAN
Dad.
(Beat.)
Show me.
(ALEX is frozen. Does not respond.)
I need you.
ALEX
(Putting his hands on TRISTAN’s shoulders.)
Tristan.
TRISTAN
Just show me, I need you to-
ALEX
No!
TRISTAN
Dad…
ALEX
(Turning TRISTAN around and looking at him.)
No, Tristan. Show…Tell me what you see.
(TRISTAN says nothing.)
More light?
(No response.)
Please.
TRISTAN
Please, Dad.
(A moment passes in silence. Slowly, ALEX once again takes TRISTAN’s hand and places the brush between the fingers. He guides the hand up to the canvas.)
ALEX
Here.
(He continues to guide TRISTAN’s hand and explain the painting as the lights fade.)
