1

Flight 77
By: Bella Mullen and Emma Hay
Prologue

(The lights come up. Some people are already on the plane. Charlie walks up the middle aisle
of a plane, puts his luggage away, and sits down next to an old lady.)

(Passengers are moving around the plane, some walking up the isles Sharon is crocheting.)

(Sound of airplane in background)

Flight Attendant: (Over the loudspeaker) Good morning, everyone! Its a beautiful day here in
Washington D.C.! The weather is perfect and we should have an easy flight to sunny Los
Angeles. Today is September 11th, 2001, and we should be taking off at about 11:45. Have a
good flight, and thank you for choosing to fly with United Airlines.

(Charlie is sitting next to Sharon. You see Charlie fidgeting in his seat clinging onto the letter
tightly.)

Sharon: (Sharon looks over and sees Charlie sitting next to her.) Hello, darling. My name is
Sharon. How are you today?

Charlie: (Looking over, startled.) Hi, Im Charlie. And fine, thanks for asking. Yourself?

Sharon: I am doing alright. I am off to visit my daughter and her children in L.A. I am so
excited to see them. I have one granddaughter and one grandson. I just love them to pieces. I
mean, who doesn't love kids? Anyway, what's bringing you to California?

Charlie: (Looks down at the ticket and the letter in his hand.) I figured that its time to start my
life over in a new place. I am 37 years old and have done nothing with my life.

Sharon: I am sorry if I am getting into something personal- I am just a talkative old lady- all of
my friends always say that I can just talk and talk. (pauses) Anyway dear, we have a long plane
ride ahead of us, so you might as well get everything off your chest.

Charlie: No, its fine. (Looking down at his lap, acting like he doesn't want to talk to Sharon.)

Sharon: (Looks kindly) Remember 37 is not too late to start over. If you really want to turn
your life around, its never too late.

Charlie: I guess so; I just wish Id made some better decisions with my life a lot earlier.

Sharon: I might be old, but I have two ears that are still working. (pause) You know Charlie,
maybe it would be a good idea to talk to me... (pauses) You could put your past behind you
before you go off to start your new life.

Flight Attendant: (over the loudspeaker) We are getting ready for takeoff. Please turn off all
2
electronics and fasten your seatbelts.

(Everyone on the plane puts electronics away, and puts their seat belts on.)

Charlie: I dont know...(pause) Whats the point?

Sharon: Well, it wouldn't hurt, and we do have the time.

Charlie: (acting like he might as well tell her) Well...(pause) Ok... You are probably right. I
guess it starts with my little brother. (Charlie begins to tell his story to Sharon. Sharon nods and
listens intently.) ( Pause) My mom died giving birth to him....I was three....(Pause) My dad
remarried shortly after. Her name is Jennifer and she's the only mom I ever really knew.
(Pause) My dad never really got over losing my mom...and my brother and I were constant
reminders of her. He started drinking...a lot... and eventually he met someone else, had an affair,
and left my stepmom and when he did, he left us with her. She raised us as if we were her own.
(pauses and thinks) I didn't appreciate her then. I was too focused on my dad abandoning us and
I was too angry to see how much she loved us. (Pause) I wish I could change what happened that
day. (Charlie becomes noticeably upset. Sharon puts her hand on her shoulder.)

Sharon: (urging Charlie on with a you can trust me smile and grabs his arm) Its ok, Charlie.
What happened? You can tell me.

Charlie: (sighing)... If only you could make it right (pauses)... If only the past could be erased.

(Loud sound of airplane taking off getting increasingly louder.)

(Stage goes dark, Charlie and Sharon exit stage right)

Parados:

(The chorus members:Passengers on the plane come to the front of the stage. They stand in a
line at the front of the stage with lights shining on each chorus member lights go up.)

Victim 1: Strangers from different backgrounds

Victim 2: Headed towards a common destination

Victim 3: Two stories, one ride

Victim 4: Sharing what has led them to this point

Victim 1: Painful memories

Victim 2: Dreadful pasts

Victim 1: Longing for an escape

Victim 2: Waiting on a change
3

Victim 3: A chance to move on with life

Victim 4: And to forget the things they no longer want to remember

Victim 2: Leaving fate for the world to decide

Victim 4: But never able to go back, a past that cannot be erased

(The stage fades to black. Everyone leaves the stage. Props are taken off)


Scene 1

(The lights come up and Charlie is sitting on his bed holding TV remote, when his mom enters
stage right.)

Jennifer: Hey Charlie, I really need you to watch your little brother today.

Charlie: Seriously, Mom. I made plans to go to the park with Aaron and Drew. They are
waiting right now. Come on.

Jennifer: Charlie, you know I count on you to watch Andy every Thursday night!

(Charlie throws the remote down on the bed angrily and stands up.)

Charlie: Mom, you just don't understand what its like to be my age! Andy can just stay here by
himself! He is not a baby anymore.

Jennifer: That is not the point. The point is that you made me a promise to watch your brother. I
dont appreciate your attitude, and there are no exceptions!

Charlie: You always expect me to do everything around here! You never make Andy do
anything! (Charlie turns to face the audience.) Dad would understand me.

Jennifer: Charlie! Dont you dare bring your father into this. You know he always had his head
in the clouds. He left us, remember. He left you! Im the one who has been here for you and
your brother. Im the only REAL parent youve ever known.

Charlie: If I lived with him, my life would be so much easier. (Charlie turns to his mom again.)
No Andy to watch over and no mother to control my entire life. I wish you would leave me
alone and stop ruining my life.

Jennifer: Seriously, Charlie? Your father is not responsible. Living with him is not an option.
And as for ruining your life, youre doing a pretty good job of that on your own...hanging out
with thugs doing god knows what with your time.

Charlie: I hate you! First you drove my dad away. And now you're treating me like Im 5 years
4
old and incapable of doing anything independently. (Very emotional) You dont even trust my
judgement when it comes to making friends. No wonder my dad left! If it wasnt for you, hed
probably still be here...(Charlie is very upset at this point. He turns to look at the audience.)

Jennifer: (Becomes softer. Tries to comfort Charlie) Charlie, I dont think you fully understand;
you and Andy were so young. Your father never recovered from losing your mother and you
boys were a constant reminder of her. He just couldnt cope. He couldnt get it together. He
turned to outside influences...drugs and eventually a whole new life that didnt include any of us.
I know its not fair (Jennifer goes to touch Charlies shoulder and he immediately pushes her
away) but he made his choice, and we are better off without him.

Charlie: So thats why he left? (Pauses and grows angrier) I see, now you are trying to blame
me and Andy? If you really loved me and Andy you would have tried harder to keep him from
leaving. You would have supported him, tried to make it work, but instead you gave up. You let
him leave.

Jennifer: (She is no longer calm. She grows angrier. She looking out toward the audience.) I
didnt have any control over your fathers actions. He was long gone. Im sorry you dont
remember. As far as Im concerned, this conversation is over. I dont care where you go, but at
three oclock you better be back at this house to watch your little brother!

Charlie: Or what?

(Jennifer walks out stage right. Charlie looks out to the audience, then slumps down on his bed
and the lights fade. He exits stage right.)

Chorus 1

(The light come up. The chorus members walk out. Chorus 3 and 1 enter stage right, and
chorus 4 and 2 enter stage left. The chorus is four victims. They stand in a line at the front of the
stage, with lights shining on each chorus member.)

Victim 2: Anger born from misunderstandings

Victim 3: Two perspectives causing trouble

Victim 4: Because second opportunities are not always an option,

Victim 1: Their lives intertwined,

Victim 2: But they are not able to see eye to eye

Victim 3: A lack of understanding tears them apart,

Victim 4: Two people blinded by anger

Victim 1: Unable to walk on the same path

5
(Chorus leaves the stage the same way they entered lights go down.)

Scene 2
(Aaron enters stage right. The lights go up. Aaron is the only one onstage. He is smoking a
cigarette. He looks at his watch, and then looks up to see Charlie walking up the aisle between
the audience.)

Aaron: What took you so long, bro?

Charlie: Ugh. My mom is being a bitch again, like always. But whats new? (He chuckles and
acknowledges that Drew is there.) Hey man. Wassup?

(Drew enters stage right.)

Drew: Sup. (Nods his head)

Aaron: Hey. Dont stress about her, she sounds exactly like mine, always getting her nose into
my business. Its their weird way of showing that they care about you.

Charlie: Whatever. She doesnt care about me, she only cares about her precious baby Andy. As
long as he is getting what he wants, the world is at peace. Oh, by the way, I have to leave at
three, Im in charge of babysitting my little brother (Says in an annoyed tone of voice)

Drew: (Sigh) I feel you, bro. My two moms are always shouting at me no matter what. Be lucky
that you are even able to get away with what you do. I wouldnt take it for granted if I were you.

Charlie: But you dont know my mom. She may seem nice and all on the outside but inside
there is a ticking bomb just waiting for the moment to blow. I have no freedom and Im treated
like a little kid. No wonder my Dad left.

Aaron: I don't know man. From what I heard your Dad sounds like a pretty big loser.

Charlie: Dont talk about my dad like that. He is misunderstood by everyone but me. I get him
and he gets me... its like, I look at my mom and I see no connection. She is not my real Mom
and she doesnt even look like me. How can she possibly understand my world?

Aaron: Yeah, Im sorry bro. I just thought...

Drew: Calm down, Charlie. We didnt mean to offend you or your dad.

Charlie: Whatever, you didnt think, and I dont expect you guys to understand... (looks at his
phone for the time) Oh shit. I gotta go. My mom will lose it if Im late... Do you guys want to
come with?

Drew: Naw, Im meeting Sam at some party. (knuckles)

Aaron: Ive got nowhere else to be.

6
(Drew exits stage right, and Charlie and Aaron exit through the middle aisle of the audience.
The stage goes dark.)

Chorus 2
(The chorus members walk out. Chorus 3 and 1 enter stage right, and chorus 4 and 2 enter
stage left. The chorus is four victims. They stand in a line at the front of the stage, with lights
shining on each chorus member.)

Victim 1: A long history of misunderstandings

Victim 2: A strained and broken relationship

Victim 3: Mom and Dad no longer side by side

Victim 4: A connection long lost

Victim 3: With no comfort at home, only people who are emotionally absent

Victim 4: Turning to outside influences is all one can do

Victim 2: The beginnings of what will develop into lifelong hate

Victim 3: Because of this, future conflicts will not end the right way

Victim 1: The importance of communication lost and, with it, understanding

(Chorus leaves the stage the same way they entered, and lights fade.)

Scene 3

(The lights come up. Andy and Dani walk across the stage, entering from stage right, and they
sit on Charlies bed. The props for Charlies room are up.)

Dani: Isnt this your brothers room?

Andy: Yeah, but he wont care

(Slowly tries to put his arm around her.)

Dani: Oh no...I hear something...they are coming.

Andy: Oh shit! Lets hide. Over here.

(They are hiding in the closet and see Charlie and Aaron walk in. All the audience can see is
their heads poking out from stage left.)

(Audience can see Andy and his friend Dani looking into Charlies room. There heads disappear
into closet once Aaron and Charlie begin the scene)
7

(Aaron throws his backpack onto bed and immediately pulls out a syringe/needle)

Charlie: Wow. Aaron, what is that?

Aaron: (winks) I bought this last night. Wanna see? (Holds it up for Charlie to see)

Charlie: Holy shit, dude. This stuff is hardcore.

Aaron: You owe me half.

Charlie: Are you sure it works?

Aaron: It better work. I paid so much dough for it.

(Charlie looks worried..unsure...like he might be having second thoughts)

Aaron: Come on, man. (He holds the needle in front of Charlies face) This might just be the
pick me up you need. Forget about your mom for a while. Take care of yourself.

Charlie: You're right... I deserve to have some fun.

(Charlie grabs the needle. He sits down on bed, and begins preparing to shoot up.)

Aaron: Dont use too much... save some for me.

(Aarons phone begins to ring)

Aaron: Hold on.(Holds his hand out to Charlie to signal him to wait. He looks down at his
phone.) Its Drew.

(Charlie stops and waits for Aaron. Aaron is nodding like he is having a conversation on the
phone.)

Aaron: That was Drew. He is at a sick ass party and guess who is there... Rebecca... (nudges
him on the shoulder)

Charlie: Really? Should we go?

Aaron: Yeah, this can wait for later.

Charlie: Screw my mom...Andy can take care of himself.

(They rush out the door. Leaving the drugs in the backpack on Charlies bed. They leave the
room, never noticing that Andy and his friend Danni were watching the whole time.)

Andy: Dani, come over here. I saw them hide it. (Pulls out the needles)

8
Dani: Dont touch that! It looks dangerous.

Andy: No, my brother wouldnt have it if it was dangerous. I bet its fun. We should try it!

Dani: No way. I am not trying it. Im too scared; dont do it!

Andy: Dont be such a baby. Do you want to be cool or not? Come on, would I make you do
something dangerous? (Looks up to Andy still scared face.) Whatever I will do it myself.

(Takes out the needle and does what he saw his big brother just doing. He sticks it into his arm.
Because he doesnt know how much to use, he injects too much of the drug. Andy falls to the
ground. He is visibly struggling.)

Andy: What is happening?... what is going on?

(Falls to the ground motionless.)

Dani: Andy? Andy! Wake up! Is this a joke? Are you joking? Very funny Andy! Andy....Andy?
Oh my god...Andy.

(The stage goes black. Next you can hear a scream from their Mom and sirens wailing in the
background.)

Chorus 3

(The chorus members walk out. Chorus 3 and 1 enter stage right, and chorus 4 and 2 enter
stage left. The chorus is four victims. They stand in a line at the front of the stage, with lights
shining on each chorus member.)

Victim 1: Drawn to the wrong decision as a way to escape

Victim 2: Unable to to see the aftermath and its impacts

Victim 3: Your actions today will forever affect tomorrow

Victim 4: No one can escape from the consequences of ones actions

Victim 1: When you choose an action, you choose the consequences that come with it

Victim 2: We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us

Victim 1: We are free to choose our own paths

Victim 3: But we are not always aware of the consequences that come with them

(Chorus leaves the stage the same way they entered.)

Scene 4
9

(Scene opens to where the prologue left off. We are back on Flight 77. Sound of airplane noise
in background and scene opens but quickly fades out in order to hear dialogue. Charlie is still
speaking to Sharon. Plane engine sound in in the background.)

Charlie: So thats about when everything went downhill. Looking back on it all I just wish I
wasn't so hard on my mom. She needed my help and I was too selfish to see that. I was just so
angry.

Sharon: We all make mistakes; its human. If we spend all our time thinking about the what-
ifs, we wouldnt get to experience the now.

Charlie: Thank you. I...(Charlie stops as he is interrupted by the hijacker)

Lead Hijacker: (Two terrorists stand up. They walk out into the middle of the plane. They are
holding box cutters in their hands, when one of them start to shout) Hey! Everyone listen up.
Your pilot wont be necessary anymore. Our people have destroyed him and the rest of your
crew. We are in charge now. (the passengers start to murmur)

Sharon: Whats going on? (She sounds worried. She grabs his arm.)

Charlie: I dont know... Just do what they say and they wont hurt us I think it is best.

Lead Hijacker: This plane won't be landing in Los Angeles today, we will land right in the
middle of the Pentagon building!

(Everyone starts to scream, cry and look scared)

Second Hijacker: NOW, EVERYONE UP! Move to the back! (Says forcefully while looking at
everyone with box cutter in hand)

Sharon: Charlie! We are going to die! I will never get to see my grandchildren ever again!
(Starts sobbing.)

Charlie: (Looks shocked and scared.) Lets just do what they say and we won't get hurt.

(Everyone starts to scream and everyone looks scared. The hijackers start to push people down
the plane towards the back)

Lead Hijacker: Now you! (Points to the second hijacker) Go to the front of the plane.. Make
sure the cockpit is secure, and none is causing problems for the others.

(Second hijacker immediately runs down the center aisle)

(Sharon starts crying on Charlies shoulder.)

Charlie: (Panicking but does all he can to stay by Sharons side) Stay calm.
(They move to the back of the plane and sit on the floor with everyone else. Sharon has some
10
trouble sitting down. She is breathing hard.)

Sharon: Charlie, We are going to die! What are we going to do?

Charlie: Nothing. (He leads her to a seat and helps her sit down.) There is nothing we can do
now. Lets just be calm and wait for whatever is going to happen, to happen.

Sharon: Charlie, I cant handle this. I cannot be as calm are you are.

Charlie: Its going to be alright. Its going to be fine. I will stay with you. Breathe! You have to
stay calm.

Sharon: Ok... (deep long breaths)... please keep talking... (more long breaths)... Finish your
story..

Charlie: Are you sure?

Sharon: Yes, please? (Deep breaths.)

(Scene fades to black as she becomes less panicked, and he starts to talk again. Plane engine
sounds are getting increasingly louder.)

Chorus 4

(The chorus members walk out. Chorus 3 and 1 enter stage right, and chorus 4 and 2 enter
stage left. The chorus is four victims. They stand in a line at the front of the stage, with lights
shining on each chorus member.)

Victim 1: Violence and hate destroy innocence and lives are lost

Victim 2: No control of their fate

Victim 3: Panic and terror invades

Victim 2: Complete chaos and disarray

Victim 1: Miscommunication can be fatal

Victim 2: Distraction is the only escape

Victim 3: From a terrifying reality

Victim 4: Keep calm, Keep listening, Keep hoping

Victim 2: For a chance to make things right

(Chorus leaves the stage the same way they entered.)

11
Scene 5

(The lights come on. Charlie is in prison. Two other inmates are playing cards on the stage.
Charlie is sitting at a table trying to read. He stands up and starts pacing and talking to the
audience.)

Charlie: What have I done (pause) with my life and to my poor brother? I never should have
listened to Aaron! How could I be so stupid? I killed my little brother Now look what
happened; I got mixed up with the wrong crowd, and I ended up in jail! And Andy!

Police Officer: Charlie Reynolds?

Charlie: (Looks up) Yeah thats me

Police Officer: You have a visitor. (Leade his mom in through stage left.)

Charlie: Mom?

Jennifer: Charlie.. Charlie, how could you!

Charlie: I dont know. Its never crossed my mind that what we were doing could affect
Andy

Jennifer: I miss him so much and now that you are in prison how could you?! How could I
have raised such a selfish kid? (She turns toward the audience, no longer looking at the
audience.) I can never trust you again! You ruined your life and you have ruined mine. Do you
realize what you have done to our family? You killed my baby. My little boy Andy, I just cant
believe that he is really gone, and because of you! The wrong son was taken from me! How
could you? How could you have messed up your life so badly? Did you even think about what
you were doing when you decided to get messed up with those drugs? Even if Andy didnt die,
what were you thinking? Wasting all of your money and failing school! As far as I'm concerned
you are dead to me! (Half crying, half screaming through it, the other people in the room start to
stare at them.)

(Charlie is getting angrier, turns to his mom.)

Charlie: You made me this way! You never understood me.. You didn't even try! You drove
Dad away and I didnt have a choice! My friends were there for me when you werent. I hate
you, Ive always hated you!

Jennifer: You had a choice. I have been stuck at home with nothing to think about but the fact
that one of my sons is dead and the other one is in prison. You did this to yourself.

Charlie: What about me? (Turns to the audience.) I have been stuck in this place! (Looks
around the room.) With no company but the voice in my head that has no choice but to blame
myself.

Jennifer: But Charlie, there is no one else to blame. What do you expect me to do? My baby
12
Andy! (Starts to cry, the guard interrupts her.)

Police Officer: Times up. Everyone back to their cells.

(Charlie looks at his mom and then walks off stage right with the other two prisoners and the
police officer.)

(Jennifer looks out to the audience, shaking her head. Then slumps into a chair and holds her
head in her hands. The lights go dark.)

Chorus 5

(The chorus members walk out. Chorus 3 and 1 enter stage right, and chorus 4 and 2 enter
stage left. The chorus is four victims. They stand in a line at the front of the stage, with lights
shining on each chorus member.)

Victim 1: A mother and son torn apart

Victim 2: Two victims, two predators

Victim 3: Anger, guilt, blame...

Victim 1: Years went by, and they were never able to forgive, never able to understand

Victim 4: They lost touch but the emptiness of their past was buried deep within their souls

Victim 1: Keeping them from fully living in the present

Victim 2: Dividing them and fragmenting their lives

(Chorus leaves the stage the same way they entered.)

Scene 6

(Nurse is standing toward stage right with a phone in her hands. A phone rings. Charlie enters
stage left, grabs his cell phone off of the couch, and answers it. Charlie walks to front/center of
stage as he talks)

Charlie: Hello?

Voice of Nurse: Yes, hello? Is this Charlie?

Charlie: Yes, this is he, who is this?

Voice of Nurse: My name is Stacy. I am a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital in Washington D.C.

Charlie: Sacred Heart...Why are you calling me? Im not sick and I dont have any family, or at
least none that would need me. (Muttering the last part under his breath)
13

Voice of Nurse: I am calling to inform you that one of my patients, Jennifer Reynolds, has fallen
seriously ill.

Charlie: My stepmom?

Voice of Nurse: Yes, your stepmom. Im sorry to inform you about this. It is very unfortunate.
She is a lovely lady.

Charlie: But why are you telling me this? We havent spoken in years. (His voice gets quieter as
he speaks.)

Voice of Nurse: She has asked to see you before her time is up. I suggest you come as soon as
you can, because Im not sure she has much time left.

Charlie: (sounds confused) She really wants to see me? There must be a mistake, Im sure that
Im the last person she wants to see.

Voice of Nurse: I dont think so, every time I go in to change her IV she tells me all about you.
She really loves you, I can tell.

Charlie: (looks very surprised) She told you that... But I dont understand, why now?

Voice of Nurse: Whatever happened between you two is in the past...She needs you now,
coming to see her would mean the world to her. I hope you will come.

Charlie: I, I ... Ill try (He has a lost look in his eyes, and hangs up the phone.)

(The nurse walks off stage right.)

(Angie walks in stage left and sees Charlie looking worried)

Angie: Whats wrong, honey?

Charlie: Um, the hospital just called. My mom wants to see me. Shes sick....shes dying,

Angie: Im so sorry. I know you two haven't talked for years but she isyour mom...

Charlie: Angie, my mom died a long time ago as far as Im concerned. Her being sick doesnt
change the past.

Angie: I know... it doesn't change the past. But, you have to go see her if she is going to die.
Charlie this might be the chance you need to put your past behind you....a chance to make things
right so that you can move ahead with your life..our life together.


Charlie: But what if she starts blaming me again? What am I going to do? I dont think I can
handle her attacking me again... Our life is fine the way it is. I dont need my moms
14
forgiveness to have a life with you.

Angie: Charlie, I dont think she will blame you again. I think she probably wants to make
things right. This is your chance to make amends...Shes your mother after all. Your life is not
whole. You have to fix this. Something inside you is cold and broken. I often wonder if you
are really capable of loving me with so much guilt and anger lingering inside.

Charlie: So now you're on her side too......I am scared... I cant deal with going through it again.
And I really dont need you harping on me.

Angie: Fine! I need some air. Its your decision, but think about what I said.

(Angie storms out stage right, Charlie looks out to the audience, sighs, and then exits stage left.
The stage goes black.)

Chorus 6

(The chorus members walk out. Chorus 3 and 1 enter stage right, and chorus 4 and 2 enter
stage left. The chorus is four victims. They stand in a line at the front of the stage, with lights
shining on each chorus member.)

Victim 1: Lost opportunity

Victim 2: Forgiveness could let him breathe again

Victim 3: Amends could set him free

Victim 4: Pride lengthens the pain, resentment and anger

Victim 1: Doubt chills his heart

Victim 2: Keeps him from being whole.

Victim 3: In order to love again

Victim 4: He needs to make it right

Victim 1: Give in

Victim 2: Give up

Victim 3: Last chance to correct the past

(Chorus leaves the stage the same way they entered.)

Scene 7

(Charlie and Sharon are back on the plane. All of the passengers are all squished at the back of
15
the plane. Everyone was stressing out, calling their families and saying their last goodbyes.
Plane engine noises in the backround.)

Charlie: I never made it I never saw my mom before she died.

Sharon: Charlie, why didnt you go to her right when you got the call?

Charlie: I waited too long I should have gone right away I knew that I had to apologize... but I
was scared that she wouldn't forgive me... again... I was afraid.

Sharon: Oh, Charlie... (Charlie interrupts her)

Charlie: So, I got the call from the hospital saying that she wanted to see me. The nurse said
that every time she came in to change her IV all she talked about was me. (Smiles thinking of his
mom, and continues with his story.) So, I was planning on going to see her, I really was, it just
took a while... Every time I worked up enough courage to finally go, all I could think about was
the possibility that she would still blame me for what I did. So... I waited, and I guess I waited
too long because a week later I got another phone call from the nurse. She said that my mom had
passed away. (Looks down at his lap, feeling ashamed and sad that his mom died.) In the phone
call the nurse said that in her will everything she had was left to me. It only ended up to be a bit
of money. And the nurse also said that before she died she realized that I was never going to
come and she wrote me a letter.

Sharon: Do you have the letter?

Charlie: Yeah, (Charlie pulls the letter from his pocket and looks down at it and then up at
Sharon) I can read it to you if you want... (Sharon nods her head and gently rubs Charlies arm
to encourage him. Charlie begins but his mothers voice takes over. Charlies mother should be
on stage off to the right)


Dear Charlie,
I am writing this letter because in my final days of life I have realized that you are
probably not going to come visit me. I just want you to know that I love you. I always have. I
lost sight of the fact that communication is so important. By not speaking we just let our anger
and hate boil up inside. We should have talked about everything. Learn from our mistakes.
Never let anger or guilt consume you. And remember how important communication is in any
conflict. Throughout all of this, despite my strong outer shell I was breaking inside. I was left
alone, two sons lost. But I learned throughout this that family is fragile, and a gift for all of us, a
gift that I wasted. Its not too late for you Charlie! I left you everything I have. With that money I
hope you make a fresh start for yourself. Promise me you will forgive yourself! And I want you
to know that I love you with all of my heart. I always have and I always will, and I forgive you.

Charlie: So here I am... (says sarcastically) starting my life over... Angie left me. Probably for
the best. . I couldnt make her happy anymore.. I wanted to visit my mom at her grave. To say
goodbye...ironically. I guess im too late.

16
(Looks out into audience. The lights start flashing, and you hear booming loud noises. The stage
goes black.)

Exodus

(The anchorman walks in stage right, and the camera man enters stage left.)

Anchorwoman: This just in, we have just found out exactly what had happened. It seems that
people who crashed planes into the World Trade Center had another part to their plan. A
terrorist led-plane crashed into the United States Pentagon Building at approximately 1:26 P.M.
The total victim count as of right now is 189. This number includes plane passengers, Pentagon
workers, and the terrorist attackers. Just after the tragic event that happened today in New York it
is confirmed that another plane has made a crash landing. Everyone is still in disorder from the
attack on the Wold Trade Center. This is another devastating attack through terrorist plane
crashing. This is truly a dark moment for all Americans. How could this happen? Innocent lives
have ended for no reason. We are left brokenhearted. We are left to wonder: could this have
been prevented, and where do we go from here?

(The stage fades to black.)