Against The Current Page #6

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and clearly you're not fine,

but the difference between

a quadriplegic and you

is that you can heal someday.

That's your opinion.

JEFF:
No, Paul, that's a fact,

whether you think it is or not.

People can and do heal from emotional pain,

and l'm sick of you saying it's hopeless.

You want us to let you die?

You want us to drive this boat

down the river for you?

Then make us a promise,

and that is to at least consider the possibility

that you still haven't given this enough time,

that you could be wrong about everything.

What was he like as a kid?

He was shorter.

He was unusual, actually.

Um... One part of him was

confident, fun, adventurous.

Then there was always this other side,

for as long as l can remember.

This vulnerability, this, uh,

fragile part of him.

Good old Indian Point.

Hey, wanna get a move-along there?

Uh, we wanna get past these things.

l'm no Mark Spitzer.

Or Stevie Brennan for that matter.

ls it true the water is warmer

near these plants

'cause of the crap they discharge

into the river?

(YELLING) No. It's freezing!

JEFF:
Should be in Hastings soon.

We can crash at my parents',

'cause they're in Nantucket for the summer.

At their other house that they can afford,

'cause they worked hard

and made the right choices in life,

while l didn't, and therefore live

in a small, no-AC apartment.

But whatever.

JEFF:
''One should always carry

a set of keys to their parents' house.''

lt's just my life philosophy.

Think your mother

still keeps Nestl's Quik around?

JEFF:
(SCOFFS) l know she does.

-Nilla wafers, too.

-PAUL:
Jackpot!

-LIZ:
Nice house.

-Yes.

Welcome to my former home.

Wish l had appreciated it more at the time.

(SIGHS)

LIZ:
(WHISPERING) Don't leave us.

Don't leave us, Paul.

Don't leave me.

PAUL:
(WHISPERING) You're so lovely.

(LIZ MOANING)

(TOlLET FLUSHING)

That ought to clear things out for a while.

lt's nice up here, huh?

PAUL:
Remember how we used to build

forts in the woods?

We spent weeks on those things.

JEFF:
(LAUGHING)

l loved building those forts.

They were so elaborate.

You know, you could stay here

for a while, if you want.

My parents won't be back till October.

You could just hang around up here.

Take walks in the woods,

eat Nilla wafers, just hang out and relax.

We should get back to the river.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

JEFF:
If l find you messing

with my dad's gay porn stash,

there's gonna be hell to pay.

Liz.

You okay?

He wants to get going.

Mmm. l know.

Amy. Olivia.

(INAUDIBLE)

(CAR CRASHING)

(SOBBING)

PAUL:
(WHISPERING) l'm sorry, l'm sorry.

(PAUL EXHALES LOUDLY)

(HOLES PLAYING)

Time

All the long, red lines

That take control

Of all the smokelike streams

That flow into your dreams

The big, blue, open sea

That can't be crossed

That can't be climbed

Just torn between

Oh, the two white lines

Distant gods and faded signs

Of all those blinking lights

You had to pick the one tonight

Holes

Dug by little moles

Angry, jealous spies

Got telephones for eyes

Come to you as friends

All those endless ends

That can't be tied

Oh, they make me laugh

And always make me cry

Till they drop like flies

And sink like polished stones

Of all the stones l throw

How does that old song go?

How does that old song go?

Congratulations, man.

-Good work.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

Some rough waters at the end there.

(LAUGHING)

Yeah.

Well, you made it through.

Let's get back in the boat,

motor over to Chinatown,

get some celebration dinner. All right?

Come on, man. My treat.

PAUL:
l'm not getting back in the boat.

What?

l'm not getting back in the boat.

What are you gonna do?

Aw, Jesus, man.

Thank you for everything.

Really.

Paul.

Don't get back in that water.

Do not get back in that water!

Paul, please.

Just get back into the boat. We'll iust...

We'll go home.

l'm sorry.

Where are you going?

Where the hell are you going?

Paul.

lt's okay, Jeff. It really is.

You've done all you can.

You've been a good friend, a great one.

Please, keep the deal we made.

l'm gonna go get him.

lf he wants to turn around, he will.

(SALVADOR SANCHEZ PLAYING)

Salvador Sanchez

Arrived and vanished

Only 23

With so much speed

Owning the highway

Mexico City

Bred so many

But none quite like him

Sweet warrior

Pure magic matador

Pancho Villa

Would never rest

Till 1925

He closed his eyes

Till Manila stars would rise

Ghosts of the Philippines

Choirs and angels singing

Ukulele strings play for his legend

Iloilo King

Why have they gone?

felled by leather

All alone, bound together

Benny ''Kid'' Paret came a good way

To climb up gray skies to lift his hands

Stopped by the better man

Eyes of Las Villas

Cry for sons

Lost on distant shores, unforeseen horrors

Struck and delivered him

Why have they gone?

felled by leather

All alone, bound together

Where have they gone?

felled by leather

All alone, bound together

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