As part of the remarkable program, “Write it Out!,” which helps shepherd the work of hopeful new playwrights living with HIV, I wrote the first scene of a play a few years ago. It has become The Good Survivor, a short one-act play. I’m going to share it with you, below.
I wanted to investigate the tensions between the white gay men who once led the HIV/AIDS movement – often at the detriment of the people of color who were at their sides – and the current landscape of HIV support agencies, where Black and brown people have achieved positions of power, however limited, while gay white men struggle to find their footing in a changing world.
Here’s a synopsis: Terrence, a Black gay man in his 60s, and Angel, his young Black gender-fluid co-worker in the volunteer department of an HIV support agency, take a meeting with David, a privileged, white gay long-term HIV survivor who has returned to the agency at which he once worked to volunteer, now that he has “married well” and has developed the need to “feel something again,” like he once did in the early years of the AIDS crisis. What follows is a tense stand-off about who controls the HIV narrative in the here and now, generational trauma, and where the white gay men who once called the shots in the HIV arena now find themselves in a dramatically changed landscape.
Would I like to see this produced in some fashion? Hell yeah. I think it speaks to our shared, troubled history as HIV advocates, and to issues of racism, privilege, and where we go from here as a community. This is not your parents’ HIV play.
Did I mention the play is very funny?
Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to some characters you might recognize. I hope this work speaks to you in a way that perhaps hasn’t been spoken before.
The Good Survivor
A One-Act Play by
Mark S. King
Characters:
TERRENCE: A Black gay man in his late 50s. He/him. Extremely capable, over-qualified for his job. Weary but committed. A romantic.
ANGEL: A Black outreach worker in their early 20s. They/them. Queer, in a bold and glorious way, which is also a shield. Wise, sardonic, and covers their insecurities well.
DAVID: a gay white long-term HIV/AIDS survivor. 60’s. He/him. Friendly but entitled, eager to help, and blithely privileged.
Scene:
The office of TERRENCE, a volunteer coordinator at an HIV/AIDS community-based organization. There are HIV awareness and social justice posters on display. TERRENCE’s desk is a busy collection of tasks and projects but not messy.
Before lights come up, a loud, joyful cackle of a laugh is heard. Lights up reveals the laugh to be ANGEL, who is kicked back at their desk while talking to TERRENCE.
TERRENCE
And now you’re laughing at me!
ANGEL
It’s okay, no really, girl, you don’t know? You don’t know. It kills me you don’t.
TERRENCE
I’m trying to know! Hey, we get all types of people in here. But I don’t know their relationship status or what they… do. It’s not something they put on their volunteer application, okay? (Quietly.) It’s not like I’ve never had a three-way.
ANGEL
SAY WHAT?
TERRENCE
Angel, hush! (TERRENCE looks toward the door cautiously.) I just don’t know all the terms for what goes on these days, okay?
ANGEL
Uh huh.
TERRENCE
Come on. Walk me through it again.
ANGEL
Lord. Okay. (ANGEL is fiddling with a colorful scarf, trying it on in different positions and tying it in various ways as they speak to TERRENCE.) Pay attention, girl.
TERRENCE
I swear to you I am.
ANGEL
My boyfriend is Reggie.
TERRENCE
Right.
ANGEL
He’s a peach. His husband is Jerry. Reggie and Jerry. Jerry keeps a couple boys I guess.
TERRENCE
Boys.
ANGEL
Boys he does. Not romantic.
TERRENCE
And Jerry is okay with you and his husband Reggie.
ANGEL
Yes.
TERRENCE
And you love Reggie.
ANGEL
Of course I do. Jerry is fine with that. Reggie’s ex was not fine with that and that’s why they broke up.
TERRENCE
They broke up over you?
ANGEL
No, not me. Another guy, same deal. The ex was fine with an open relationship as long as it was ethical nonmonogamy, but not polyamory.
TERRENCE
I know this! Polyamory is when you get to be in love with more than one person.
(The phone on TERRENCE’s desk rings. TERRENCE holds up a finger as if to say, “hold that thought,” and keeps his eye on ANGEL as he reaches behind himself to pick up the phone.)
Hello? Hi, Lorraine, how are things in development, you find us a gold mine? Well, I can’t at the moment. I’m in a staff meeting. Yes. Sure, right back. Okay. (TERRENCE hangs up with his eyes still on ANGEL.) Polyamory! You can be in love with more than one person.
ANGEL
Uh huh. And Reggie, he likes to fall in love.
TERRENCE
But that’s where his ex drew the line.
ANGEL
I guess. To each his own.
TERRENCE
Well, his own and sometimes somebody else’s.
ANGEL
Now don’t get smart, Terrence. You asked about this.
TERRENCE
My bad. Please go on.
ANGEL
Well, that’s it, that’s what’s up. That’s our little polypod.
TERRENCE
That’s what they call it?
ANGEL
I think I just made that up. It’s good, right?
TERRENCE
And you have other boyfriends?
ANGEL
No, I do not have other boyfriends. What kinda slut you think I am? I’m monogamous. Well, technically, I practice serial polyamory.
TERRENCE
Okay.
ANGEL
Girl, I hope you’re writing this down. We’re not doing this every week.
TERRENCE
No, we are not. I think HR would probably fire me for asking you this much.
ANGEL
Don’t worry, I don’t even think like you’re my boss.
TERRENCE
Um, I think it’s appropriate that you think of me in that –
ANGEL
But I do know when someone is judging me.
TERRENCE
No! Not at all.
ANGEL
Yeah?
TERRENCE
Look, I just… I feel about 100 years old right now. (TERRENCE takes hold of the scarf around ANGEL and begins to shape it himself. As he speaks, he steps back, assesses the scarf position, and goes back to adjust it until he has found the perfect look.)
ANGEL
Oh girl, you’re half that.
TERRENCE
And some change. Hey, I’ve had my days in the sun, it’s not like I haven’t, but I’m a one man kinda man is all.
ANGEL
That’s not natural. That’s what they say.
TERRENCE
Maybe. I don’t know. I just want… that one thing. The one big romantic thing. Don’t you want the one big thing?
ANGEL
I’m getting all the things.
TERRENCE
I hear that. But how many things can you hold, you know, hold right in here? (TERRENCE taps his fingers over ANGEL’s heart.)
ANGEL
Reggie has my whole heart. I told you, I practice serial –
TERRENCE
Serial polyamory. I’m paying attention.
ANGEL
You don’t have to worry about me. I’m good.
TERRENCE
(TERRENCE finishes ANGEL’s scarf.) You’re more than good. Now you’re perfect.
ANGEL
Thank you.
TERRENCE
You’ll be the belle of the storage room.
ANGEL
The what?
TERRENCE
There’s one more box in there. We need to get those used up before I can ask for money for more.
ANGEL
(ANGEL moves to the door to exit.) Ugh. Fine. Is it heavy?
TERRENCE
It’s a box of condoms, how much could it weigh?
ANGEL
(Exiting.) How would I know, girl, I got more rubber in my cheekbones than I’ve had up inside my booty in my whole –
TERRENCE
Thank you! That’s great! Bye!
(TERRENCE returns to his desk and begins to work. He’s humming a tune, re-thinking his conversation.)
“I’m getting all the things.” Huh.
(TERRENCE continues his work. DAVID appears in the doorway.)
DAVID
Knock knock! Hello.
TERRENCE
Yes, hello! (TERRENCE checks his desk calendar notes.) Oh! You’re David! (Terrence rises.)
DAVID
Indeed I am. You must be Terrence. I hear great things.
TERRENCE
You do?
DAVID
Absolutely. Roger says so. For sure. Your job is secure! (He laughs and shakes hands with TERRENCE heartily.)
TERRENCE
Good to know.
DAVID
I cannot tell you the number of dance floors I have shared with that man. Can I take this chair? (He takes the chair from ANGEL’s desk as he talks.) When I worked here a thousand years ago Roger and I would make all kinds of trouble. He wasn’t executive director then of course. So I won’t tell you stories. Unless you want me to.
TERRENCE
I’m sure it was something.
DAVID
(DAVID slaps TERRENCE’s desk as he sits.) We had desks made from plywood and cinder block! (Laughs.) Well, okay maybe it wasn’t that primitive but it was close. Anyway. Before your time.
TERRENCE
I was here. I remember.
DAVID
You were?
TERRENCE
Yes, I was doing –
DAVID
And now you’re Director of Volunteer Services! That’s great. Good on you.
TERRENCE
(Moves to his desk but is unsure about sitting behind it.) I’m a volunteer coordinator. No one has the title of director. There isn’t one, I mean.
DAVID
Oh. Well, you should have it. You’re the guy, right? It would look great on your business card.
TERRENCE
Yeah, I guess, but we really don’t use –
DAVID
I don’t think I’ve been in the actual offices here in, good grief, years?
TERRENCE
We try to keep it up, do the work you know. Make people comfortable.
DAVID
Could use some paint.
TERRENCE
I think somebody just painted everything.
DAVID
Yeah. True white it looks like. That’s such a problem, isn’t it? So stark. We did our dining room in Alabaster. Even a Dove White works better. Warms it up. You must get a headache just from the glare of this.
TERRENCE
Yeah. I’m getting one now.
(ANGEL enters carrying a large box, struggling a bit.)
ANGEL
Don’t worry. I got it.
TERRENCE
You sure?
ANGEL
Yeah, yeah. (ANGEL drops the box on their desk.) Where’s my chair?
DAVID
Oh! You need this?
ANGEL
(ANGEL considers DAVID for a moment.) It’s my chair. Yes. (DAVID stands and ANGEL slides the chair away and pulls it up to their desk.)
TERRENCE
Angel, this is David. (To DAVID) Angel is an outreach worker here.
DAVID
Oh, you share an office. That’s nice.
ANGEL
(ANGEL considers DAVID a moment.) They’re cleaning the carpets in my executive suite, so we have to share at the –
TERRENCE
David is interested in volunteering, Angel. Roger suggested it.
DAVID
Old friends.
ANGEL
Oh. Get you. (ANGEL dumps the contents of the box onto his desk, and condoms, small envelopes, business cards – the fixings for safer sex packets – spill out.) Terrence, the stuff for the safe sex packets are older than I am. They might be older than you. And these dried up rubbers? Girl. (DAVID has strolled to ANGEL’s desk and picked up one of the cards that litters the desk.) These look nasty! I got my PrEP, why on God’s green earth would I put my hoohah in something that –
TERRENCE
(Laughs nervously.) Because as you know they also protect against –
ANGEL
And I thought we were updating the cards. (ANGEL plucks the card from DAVID’s hand.) Listen to this. It says play safe, blah blah blah, and then here, right here on the card it has the testing clinic hours and the phone number, and then it goes, “Fax number: 212-386 –“
TERRENCE
Angel, I want you to –
ANGEL
(He squeals.) FAX number? Let me find the time machine app on my phone, girl, get me to 1982 and find me a fax number!
TERRENCE
Angel. (TERRENCE gestures toward DAVID.)
ANGEL
(ANGEL extends a hand to DAVID.) Hello. I’m Angel. They/them.
DAVID
Hello. Oh! Got it. (They shake hands.) That’s great.
TERRENCE
Sorry. He/his. I should have asked. What are your pronouns?
DAVID
(Laughs. Then silence.) Oh. Are we still doing that?
ANGEL
Are we still…?
DAVID
It feels so 2024. But in a good way!
TERRENCE
We are still allowed to do that here, yes. We will always do that here.
DAVID
Um, okay, sorry, nevermind. I’m a he. I’m a he/his guy. Person! A male person. So. (Silence. ANGEL returns to their desk and sits. They begin to pack condom kits.) You know Terrence, I was just talking to Roger at your wine tasting thing last Saturday, were you there?
TERRENCE
Yes, I was working the registration table. We had about a dozen volunteers who handled –
DAVID
Wasn’t it great? I ate like a pig, one crab Rangoon at a time! I was telling Roger I really wanted to do something again, you know, not just go to these things and buy silent auction stuff I’ll never use, you know? Well, except for a signed copy of The Normal Heart I got. I bid way too much but it was totally worth it. (DAVID turns to ANGEL.) Larry Kramer is the boss, am I right? The OG! (ANGEL shrugs.) Larry Kramer..? Larry Kramer.
ANGEL
(ANGEL looks at DAVID blankly.) Saucy Santana. (ANGEL looks to TERRENCE.) Your turn.
TERRENCE
David, I think you were saying you wanted to get more involved.
DAVID
Yeah. Right. I was telling Roger I wanted to take on more responsibility, you know, really get my hands dirty, and Roger is like, well, talk to Terrence! He’s the guy!
TERRENCE
I coordinate the volunteers, yes.
DAVID
Great!
TERRENCE
So. David. (He sits behind his desk.) What kind of volunteer work did you have in mind?
DAVID
Well, I’m a long-term survivor. Class of ’89! I saw a lot of things, got out alive, all of that…
TERRENCE
I’m very glad to hear that. That you survived, I mean.
DAVID
Thanks. It was an incredible time. There were the protests and the die-ins – which were hilarious by the way. You haven’t lived until you’ve been in a paddy wagon with a gaggle of gays singing Madonna songs! (TERRENCE smiles politely.) There was the dark stuff, too, obviously. And so there’s a lot of knowledge that comes with that, you know, the kind of thing that folks need to hear. Young people I mean. What do they say? The past is prologue? I think from a prevention standpoint it’s important for young people, you know, youth groups, to hear about all that.
TERRENCE
Youth groups.
ANGEL
(To himself.) Youth groups.
DAVID
Yes, exactly. Sharing what happened to me could be very powerful and maybe help change their behaviors. From a prevention standpoint. And I’m a good speaker, I don’t need slides or anything, you know, I can tell them all about it right off the top of my head. I’m a good presenter I mean.
TERRENCE
You have strong verbal skills, yes –
DAVID
Thank you! And so, yeah, I was thinking about doing speaking engagements for the young people and telling the tale and taking questions, that kind of thing. But hey! If you had something else in mind I’m totally open to it.
TERRENCE
How long ago was it that you worked here?
DAVID
More than twenty years! Can you believe it? I was only here a couple years. I worked in the education department, slaving away on the information hotline. (TERRENCE raises his brow but lets it go.) No, you can’t get it from toilet seats, yes, use a condom every time, again and again all day long. It was brutally boring. But, you know, important.
TERRENCE
Still is.
DAVID
Yes, I’m sure, but please don’t make me the head of the information hotline! That would be a hard no. Been there, done that.
TERRENCE
No problem. Mind if I ask why you left? I know it was a long time ago, but just wondering why –
DAVID
Oh. You want the real answer?
TERRENCE
Well sure, if you’re comfortable with –
DAVID
I married well! (He laughs.) Okay, so great story. (DAVID sits at the edge of ANGEL’s desk.) It was about twenty years ago, and it was around World AIDS Day which sounds about right, you know? And I got a comp ticket to our big event for it, which was very nice, and they had done some kind of memorial video, where everyone lights a candle and all that, and the night goes on and there’s lots of free wine and everyone’s feeling pretty good and so I’m helping people start to clean up because why not, I got a comp ticket, and this guy, this tall guy with the bluest eyes, like wolf eyes right, he strolls up to me with those eyes and his swagger and his Calvin Klein power suit and he asks me if I’m interested in going to the after party. What after party? There isn’t an after party for this thing, it’s World AIDS Day! (He laughs.) But he says well there’s an after party where I’m going, and so I say sure, because I am not crazy, and we drive to Thunderbirds, the dance club, it’s gone now but it was the deal, and we check our suit jackets AND our shirts at the door. Okay I know, I’m completely ancient now but back then I could still take my shirt off, there was still plenty of the circuit boy in me and plenty of steroids too, so anyway this guy is just so sweet and sexy and we had a great time. And it turns out he’s an ophthalmologist, which took me forever to say right. Ophthalmologist. God, it always sounds like I have a lisp! (He says it with effeminate intonations.) Ophthalmologist. (He laughs. A pause.) So anyway that’s how we met and we’re married now and he’s great and we’re all settled and thank God for that because who knows? If we hadn’t met that night I could still be stuck here still doing the same damn – (He catches himself.) Working. Working is what I mean. I don’t work. I mean I stay real busy and all, but I loved working. Doing this work I mean. And see, Terry, that’s why I’m here! I really want to, you know, contribute. I want to, I don’t know, I want to feel all this again.
TERRENCE
That’s a great story. What’s his name?
DAVID
Who? Oh Brian! Brian. Dr. Brian McCloskey. He/him! (He grins.) See? Teachable!
TERRENCE
Great. (TERRENCE collects some papers and forms. He is now in his element.) Okay. David. There’s a process to volunteering, including an application form. You can take one now or fill it out online and then schedule your volunteer training.
DAVID
Training?
TERRENCE
Yes. There’s a lot to cover.
DAVID
There is? I’m pretty up to date with all the latest develop –
TERRENCE
Things have changed over time.
DAVID
How do you mean?
TERRENCE
Well, all sorts of things. Like our client population. Where we focus our outreach programs. The kind of prevention messages we want to share.
DAVID
Okay, I’m not sure how that matters if I’m going to be doing presentations for –
TERRENCE
Everything matters. We just want to be sure everyone is on the same page. Do you have a car?
DAVID
A car? Yeah, of course.
TERRENCE
That’s good. Clients need transportation. Sometimes having a ride is the difference between a client staying healthy or not. We run out of vouchers all the time and then they don’t make their clinic appointments. That can get really dangerous for them. So we use volunteers.
DAVID
You want me to… drive people around? In my two seater?
TERRENCE
Not without some diversity training. It’s part of the volunteer orientation.
DAVID
I’m sorry but I don’t understand. Diversity? Is that really necessary? (ANGEL has stopped his work and turns to them.) The virus doesn’t know the difference between us, right? I’m not racist, Terry. Jesus. I don’t even see you as Black.
TERRENCE
Do not forget I’m Black. I prefer you keep it in mind.
DAVID
So that’s what I need training for? To keep that in mind?
TERRENCE
I’m just explaining the process.
DAVID
Well, it seems like a little much, that’s all I’m saying. Is it really –
ANGEL
Are you for real?
DAVID
(Thrown.) Am I –
ANGEL
I mean seriously. Are you for real. I guess you must be, because you’re standing right here.
TERRENCE
Angel.
DAVID
Wait a second! Terry, I don’t know that this is –
ANGEL
Terrence! His name is Terrence. And he was there!
DAVID
Where? What is he talking about?
ANGEL
They. What are they talking about is what you –
DAVID
They!
TERRENCE
I think Angel is trying to say that we work hard to create –
ANGEL
I’m not trying to say it, I’m saying it. The diversity training makes sure everyone gets treated with respect so that everybody –
DAVID
But I know that because –
ANGEL
Like how not to talk over someone when they are speaking. And you’re not the only one who knows all about ancient history and what all happened. (ANGEL points to TERRENCE.) He’s old as fuck, too! (To TERRENCE) Sorry, girl. And maybe you wanna speak up now, tell him that –
DAVID
Speak up about what?
(ANGEL eyes TERRENCE deliberately.)
TERRENCE
(Almost apologetically.) The die-ins, David. And the hospitals and the funerals and the protests. I was there for a lot of it, just like you. Okay, maybe not the arrests. I try to avoid getting arrested. Getting arrested is not a sing-along to me.
DAVID
You were there when –
TERRENCE
You don’t remember me at all, do you? (TERRENCE is sincerely disappointed.) I must have walked in your department a hundred times, getting brochures or whatever, and there you were, answering all those boring questions. You always wore this tight red tank top, I remember thinking really? A tank top. It’s November. It just struck me… look, this is getting way off track and I think it’s better if we –
DAVID
I didn’t know. I didn’t know that you were –
ANGEL
What was your title back then? You told me but I forget. It’s hilarious.
TERRENCE
I was the African American Outreach –
ANGEL
That’s it! African American Outreach Coordinator. I don’t know why that’s so funny to me.
TERRENCE
Neither do I. (A little proudly.) I was one of the first to promote our programs to –
ANGEL
Oh yeah, that’s the funny part! You were the first Black man they hired and they were so proud of themselves they put it in your title! “African American Outreach Coordin –“
TERRENCE
I wasn’t the first, Angel, and I know I’ve told you that.
ANGEL
And now we’re just crawling with ‘em, aren’t we? I’m surprised this guy found his way down the hallways to this office, making his way through the dark forest out there and –
TERRENCE
Angel!
ANGEL
Sorry. (To DAVID.) Did you know Terrence has been in school every night and finally got his masters of public health degree? That’s worth a lot in a place like this unless you run your mouth too much or you point out – respectfully – you respectfully point out who gets promoted here and who don’t. (TERRENCE raises a finger.) But that’s another thing I probably should not be talking about.
TERRENCE
Because it does not matter. (To DAVID.) Whatever. You got out a long time ago.
DAVID
Got out? You sound like I escaped or something!
TERRENCE
No, David. You just got what you came for. That’s all.
ANGEL
(To TERRENCE.) You go.
DAVID
I got what again?
TERRENCE
You got the services you needed and the support groups and the new medications and the –
DAVID
We all got those things.
ANGEL
No we didn’t.
TERRENCE
You got new lives, David. That’s what I mean. And it’s not like I fault you for that. It’s just that a lot of you got all that and then… you left.
DAVID
But here I am!
TERRENCE
Yes, I see that.
ANGEL
Why are you back?
DAVID
What do you mean why am –
ANGEL
Isn’t it a little weird? Coming here for a visit after all these years, a little trip down memory lane just to see what –
DAVID
It’s not about that, that’s not it, it’s because I want –
ANGEL
No? Well I for one am dying for to you tell us all about –
TERRENCE
Angel, David doesn’t need a reason to –
ANGEL
He’s the one who turned up. It’s a simple question for him to –
DAVID
I miss the pain! (DAVID has surprised himself.) Isn’t that insane? I miss being scared to death. I miss knowing what’s right and what’s wrong and who the bad guys are. I don’t feel like that anymore. Now, well now I can’t just help. Now there are all of these strings attached.
TERRENCE
We certainly don’t attach –
DAVID
(DAVID is getting increasingly upset. The words and memories spilling out of him are born of trauma, not anger.) I have to have diversity training, and for what? So I can admit what a terrible person I am and take the blame for God knows what? How does that make things better? It’s not going to change what happened. It’s not going to block out the sound that rings in my ears every night of my best friend Daniel choking on nothing but air and what it looked like to see Lesley covered in so many black lesions he looked like a horror movie – because that is what happened and that is how people died – but by all means let’s forget all of that, the fighting for our lives and the dead bodies and the bedpans, let’s leave all that behind so we can concentrate on getting everybody’s pronouns right and start every meeting by thanking the ancestors for the fucking land!
(Silence.)
TERRENCE
David? (He begins to reach his hand toward David and decides not to.) David.
DAVID
Yeah.
TERRENCE
I really don’t think that speech would go over very well with the youth groups. (Pause. TERRENCE and DAVID attempt a rueful laugh.) You want to sit down? (TERRENCE pulls his chair around from his desk.) Here. Go ahead, have a seat. You want some water?
DAVID
No. I’m fine. (DAVID sits.)
TERRENCE
Okay. (Pause.) Some crazy times, huh?
DAVID
Absolutely insane.
TERRENCE
Yeah, I know that’s right. But David, look, not all of it was bad. Once you got here, you met the love of your life, right?
DAVID
Who? Dr. Brian McCloskey? Brian isn’t the love of my life. That one died. (Silence.) Steven and I were going to go the distance, together forever and all that. Old school romance, that’s what we were. And then the plague turned up and we thought we would just hold on tight to each other and love would conquer all and… it turns out love doesn’t conquer everything. But you find your moments. Like making a pact to crush up all the Seconal into a glass of Scotch when Steven can’t take it anymore. Hey, here’s a tip for you. Don’t call 911 afterward cuz they are required to try and resuscitate and that right there is a real horror show, punching on a corpse. So you wait until the drink settles and it’s all over and then you call the hospice care people. They take care of things. I got that advice right from our doctor. He knew all about it.
TERRENCE
Oh, David. I just –
DAVID
You know the last thing Steven said to me, after he swallowed it? His final words? “It tastes bitter.” This great love affair, and the last thing I hear him say isn’t even something romantic. I didn’t even get that. So. I dried my tears and got a job here. And lo and behold I found myself a lovely consolation prize. An ophthalmologist with a three-car garage. And I will fucking take it.
(Pause.)
TERRENCE
David. You know when I asked about the car?
DAVID
Yeah. (Derisively.) Driving people around.
TERRENCE
Right. My friend Craig didn’t have a car. So I drove him places when he got sick. I liked it. It felt like I was doing something, you know? But I think Craig got tired of asking me all the time. I think he got tired of all of it, really, the clinic appointments and the paperwork and asking for all the damn rides… So I guess he just stopped all of it. The pills, everything. I know what those lesions look like, David. I remember. I saw them a few months ago. When I said goodbye to Craig. (Pause.) I just need you to know that some things, they’re not ancient history. I know folks going through it right now. I think if you’re going to be here you need to understand that.
DAVID
Okay. Fair enough.
TERRENCE
I know that driving Craig around wasn’t very flashy. But it meant something. Just like all those questions you answered on the phone. That meant something to somebody.
DAVID
Okay. I hear you.
TERRENCE
I hear you, too.
ANGEL
Oh. That’s sweet. I thought there for a second somebody was gonna throw down, get in a punch or something.
TERRENCE
Angel, just maybe take a minute?
ANGEL
And now look at y’all. Tight. See? This is how HIV volunteering brings people together.
DAVID
(To ANGEL.) You are just… so…
ANGEL
So what?
DAVID
So young.
ANGEL
Thank you…?
DAVID
You get a pass for some of it, for somebody your age not knowing what we’ve been through, but I would think that anybody working here would want to know the details of what –
ANGEL
Oh girl, I know. I’ve seen it all on the History Channel. I kinda get why you wouldn’t know Terrence was there, I mean, it’s like he was invisible or something. At least he was to all those film crews and photographers in all those old stories on the news, right? I guess they’re used to seeing us dying on TV, that’s nothing new. But damn if they didn’t love showing your face, like, great big close-ups of all those tragic white boys and their sad –
DAVID
You wanna spit on that? We fought like hell and we changed things. And you get all the rewards from that, you get to live like –
ANGEL
Rewards? That’s goood.
DAVID
Maybe if you lost people close to you that were –
ANGEL
Like I haven’t –
DAVID
If you only had seen what we saw, buddy. If your friends had all died then –
ANGEL
You’re already talking ‘bout “all my friends are dead?” You’re here ten minutes. (To TERRENCE.) You don’t even play that tired old card anymore.
TERRENCE
(Struck.) Play it? The only thing I’ve tried is to tell you what happened to us, but that isn’t the –
DAVID
I am not going to apologize for losing so many of –
ANGEL
And you wanna wish that on me? You think that would straighten me out? If all my friends were dead. That’s kinda sick, girl.
DAVID
I am simply saying that if you had experienced the kind of loss that –
ANGEL
Why don’t you go dig one up.
DAVID
Do what?
ANGEL
One of your dead friends. Dig one up.
TERRENCE
Angel!
DAVID
What?
ANGEL
And while you’re diggin’ around you look for the biggest bone you can find so you can come back here and knock me upside the head with it. (The phone on TERRENCE’s desk starts ringing.) That’s what you wanna do, right?
TERRENCE
Angel!
DAVID
How can you dare to –
ANGEL
Because that’s all this is. Beating me up with dead white bodies.
DAVID
I can’t even find the words to –
TERRENCE
That’s enough, Angel! David, I’m so sorry for this and for Angel speaking in this way to –
(The phone keeps ringing.)
ANGEL
DON’T! Don’t you dare apologize for me! If I ever feel the need I’ll do it myself. (To DAVID.) It makes me feel some kind of way when I hear how young is supposed to be stupid. I am not stupid. You do not know me. We all got our shit.
TERRENCE
Please! (TERRENCE picks up the phone and takes a breath. He answers casually, as if nothing is wrong.) Hello, this is Terrrence. Hello Lorraine. Well no, I’m still doing a – okay, okay, then what? Yes, I know, that’s the federal grant for our outreach, why are you – but it’s the one we – (softly) well, are you talking about all of it? Yes, please, go through the rest of the response and find out if we even get to – (TERRENCE looks at DAVID and ANGEL.) Yes, call me back when you know for sure. Thank you. (TERRENCE hangs up. Silence.)
ANGEL
Terrence…?
DAVID
(Still stunned, trying to sort himself out.) It wasn’t shit.
ANGEL
(To DAVID.) Girl, if you just wanna hang –
DAVID
It was crisis and bravery and selflessness.
ANGEL
(To DAVID, but still concerned about TERRENCE.) Yeah I got that, but I’m –
DAVID
We were activists.
ANGEL
GOT IT! (Pause. ANGEL gives up his attempt to consider TERRENCE.) You just can’t help yourself. You wanna tell me what makes a body an activist? Honey, me waking up in the morning and taking one step out of bed is a mighty act. And lemme tell you it is provocative. Me walking down the street to work? Activism. Doing as I please and saying what I please and living loud? Hell. Yes. I thank you for everything you did, that’s the god’s truth, but I am the activist now, sir. You actually think I don’t know who Larry Kramer is? Really? Girl, I am Larry fucking Kramer. (Pause.) So thank you again for your service.
TERRENCE
And we’re going to leave that right there. Can we do that? Can we just take a breath? (Pause.) I’m sorry, David. I’ve completely forgotten exactly where we were.
ANGEL
You were signing him up for diversity training!
TERRENCE
Thank you, Angel, let me handle this.
DAVID
(DAVID is a little unsure of himself now.) I don’t even know where I am.
TERRENCE
I’m so sorry.
DAVID
We worked so hard. So hard.
TERRENCE
I know.
DAVID
Remember the AIDS Walk? The first one?
TERRENCE
I do.
DAVID
So many people. It was like a rally, or –
TERRENCE
It was spectacular.
DAVID
There were guys in wheelchairs, I remember, pushing them down the street and – do they still do that? The AIDS Walk? They do, right?
TERRENCE
It’s called a Walk for Health now. We share it with the cancer people.
DAVID
Oh yeah, I saw something about that. It’s a shame.
ANGEL
Oh, it’s a celebration of health now. Crisis averted, girl.
DAVID
People still come though, right? I’m sorry, I haven’t really been coming into town for those.
ANGEL
Oh it’s quite a scene. You bring your baby stroller and there are food trucks. You can eat chicken on a stick.
DAVID
Oh.
ANGEL
I bring my lunch when I work the table. It’s all a little pricey for me.
TERRENCE
But we make some money and we need that, so. Anyway, can we step back for a minute? About your volunteer work.
DAVID
We were… we were talking about what I might do. About my experience.
TERRENCE
Yes. Right. And your experience is really valuable. And this agency would be lucky to have that kind of lived history around here again.
DAVID
Thank you.
TERRENCE
It’s just finding the right way to use it. And finding what would help you, too.
DAVID
What would help me?
TERRENCE
Well, yeah. You should get something from it, too. From what we have to offer you here.
DAVID
What you have to offer me. Okay.
TERRENCE
I actually have an idea, David. A suggestion. If that’s okay.
DAVID
What?
TERRENCE
There’s a long-term survivor group that we started, meets here twice a week.
DAVID
Oh, I don’t know. I can’t say that I am a very good facilitator. I think my strength is more as a –
TERRENCE
I’m not asking you to facilitate it.
DAVID
(Pause.) Oh.
TERRENCE
Now, just hear me out. They’re a good group of guys. A couple women.
DAVID
Oh, I don’t know…
TERRENCE
You know what you’re good at? You’re good at talking openly about… about very personal feelings.
DAVID
Okay. So…?
TERRENCE
That could help people in the group. And David, I think… that it could help you a lot, too.
DAVID
I don’t know.
TERRENCE
The group is a good place. You can rip yourself wide open if that’s what you need to do. You can… you can feel all the pain you want. Without judgment.
DAVID
(Collecting himself, trying to regain his bluster.) Oh my. You really know how to talk to a guy.
TERRENCE
Sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest that you –
DAVID
It’s okay. Look. Terrence, it’s been great. Thank you for meeting with me.
TERRENCE
If you need anything to –
DAVID
I’ll fill out the volunteer forms online at some point. When I can.
TERRENCE
Okay. Sounds good.
DAVID
Thanks. (DAVID turns to ANGEL.)Bye, Angel. You’re quite the character. I actually think you’re very, um, courageous. I’m sure it isn’t easy, I mean, because you’re… you’re such a character.
ANGEL
You said that.
DAVID
Right. Maybe I can hear more about your, you know, your journey sometime.
ANGEL
My journey? Oh, no, no, no. I am not your teachable moment, girl. I’m not here to teach you a goddamned thing.
DAVID
And then you do that. I just… (DAVID gives up, starts to leave, and then turns back to ANGEL.) Why are you like this?
ANGEL
Like what?
DAVID
Why do you have to win every argument?
ANGEL
Because you win everything else.
TERRENCE
(Stepping in.) David, you know that group I mentioned? It’s listed on the website, too. If you want to look that up. Or we can talk more about it if you want. Just saying.
DAVID
Good to know. Well. I’m sure you’re doing really great work here, Terrence. I’ll be sure to tell Roger! I won’t even mention all the yelling. (DAVID attempts a laugh.)
TERRENCE
Thank you for coming by.
DAVID
Sure. Great. Well, it’s a long drive home. (DAVID looks around the space as he makes his way to the door.) We built something, Terrence. There’s that.
TERRENCE
Yeah. We did.
(TERRENCE begins to get back to work at his desk.)
DAVID
So. Keep it up!
(DAVID exits.)
TERRENCE
Sure, David. I – (TERRENCE sees that DAVID is gone.) I will. (A long silence. TERRENCE eyes ANGEL.) That went well. (ANGEL shrugs.) You know, he’s worth paying attention to.
ANGEL
You think? Talking like he knows you.
TERRENCE
We do have things in common.
ANGEL
Well, he don’t know me.
TERRENCE
He’s a survivor, Angel.
ANGEL
He’s a fax number.
TERRENCE
I – I just don’t think it’s productive to get into it with him when –
ANGEL
Productive?
TERRENCE
Yes. Productive. We do have a job to do here.
ANGEL
Talking about your job. You got that degree. I know you’re getting the hell out of here.
TERRENCE
Well, if you don’t get us both fired first.
ANGEL
Like you care. Any time now you’ll be –
TERRENCE
I do care! I’ve always cared! I care about what happens here, and about the people sitting in the clinic waiting room right now, scared as shit, and all the kids in the club trying to figure out if one of those rubbers makes any difference at all. I care. Plenty! I know what happens when people don’t. I know exactly what happens.
ANGEL
I know… I know you do.
TERRENCE
And I’ll tell you something else. I care about that man who was here. He’s a trip, I know that. And he’s just trying to figure his shit out. He just wants somebody to hear it, that’s all. Going through something like that, when we were just kids, and then we’re supposed to walk around the rest of our lives like nothing ever happened.
ANGEL
Like I don’t know what it’s like walking around and… whatever.
TERRENCE
That’s why I care about you, too, God knows I do, and you do not make it easy. And I see all that armor you’re wrapped up in. I see. I see you in there.
ANGEL
(Unsure how to respond.) Well, don’t expect me to be working here my whole damn life.
TERRENCE
I don’t guess you will, no.
ANGEL
Damn right. (Pause. ANGEL starts to pack the box with the finished kits.) I need to get these to the drop-off spots.
TERRENCE
Okay. I’m gonna hit the break room. You want something?
ANGEL
Not a thing.
TERRENCE
Okay.
ANGEL
Terrence?
TERRENCE
Yeah?
ANGEL
I’m sorry I made fun of the condoms.
TERRENCE
That’s okay.
ANGEL
I know it’s important. Some people use them, you know?
TERRENCE
Yeah. They do.
ANGEL
Answer something. Am I gonna be doing this again next month?
TERRENCE
(Faking it.) Like you always do.
ANGEL
That call from Lorraine. I mean I wanna know what’s up if it means I won’t be –
TERRENCE
Like you always do, Angel. It’s gonna be alright. You want something from the break room?
ANGEL
Not a thing. I’m headed out, anyway.
TERRENCE
Cool. Thanks.
ANGEL
I got you.
(TERRENCE exits. ANGEL starts gathering the safe sex packets and getting them into the box. Something is bubbling up inside ANGEL. Their defensive nature has been exhausting. TERRENCE’s phone starts to ring. ANGEL pulls it together and finishes filling the box and folds it closed. ANGEL considers answering TERRENCE’s phone and then takes the box and exits. The phone keeps ringing.)
(CURTAIN)
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