Capital Hill

by Sara Lufrano

Play of Dialogue About Accepting Change in an Extraordinary Place

Thanks.

Anything good happen yet?

I feel like the sky is greener than usual.

Might be that EXT382-B finally set. Move your chair a little, my knees feel cramped.

Yes, sorry.

See those people over there?

No.

Over there. Right there.

Yes, yes, I see them now.

Do you know them?

No, I don't. So many more people show up here now. Most of them don't stick around to talk.

We should scare them away.

Don't think like that. Let them be.

We used to know everyone that showed up.

And today it's fine that it's just them and us.

That's fucked.

But that's the way things go.

They probably don't even know—

Oh, look over there, look!

Shit, shit, where are you pointing?

Right over there, follow my arm. You see where the cloud is pushing?

There it is. I see it.

They're seeing it too. Good for them for noticing.

It's not good and they need to calm the fuck down.

You can't deny that it is exciting. You shouldn't fault them for that.

I hope it's a flat day, that way they don't come back.

Well, I hope it isn't! I was really hoping to see one today.

Fine, I hope one comes out once they leave.

I guess that's fine.

Shh! Did you hear that?

No, I don't hear—

Shh.

I think it's just the wind.

Shhh!

It's them talking.

Ah, you're right. Shit.

I think they're on a date.

Jesus, a date?

It is serene and romantic up here. There's going to be a lot more people showing up.

Fuck that.

If we were able to come upon this place others were bound to, as well.

Okay, I get it. It just sucks.

Luxury condos will go right where we're sitting.

Are you fucking serious? That's fucked. When?

I'm just joking.

That's a horrible joke.

Look, it's happening again.

It's bigger this time. It probably will happen with them here.

Oh, let it go. My feet are tingling.

Why?

It's exciting.

I know. It's just the way you say it.

Most everyone would want to see one. You can't blame people for that.

Blame isn't the right word. I just don't want them here.

You mean you don't want this to change?

I don't want other people here.

Isn't that the same thing?

This isn't like a restaurant where if people don't show up it closes.

So what do you think will happen?

That we'll never see one again. Okay? Jesus.

Oh, well, that is a scary thought. But do you actually think that?

I don't know, maybe. I just don't want to get to the point where it might happen.

Ah! That was loud!

Damn, that made you jump.

There, there! A fin!

It's purple? Am I seeing that right?

Yes, it looks like it is.

Shit. Have we ever seen a purple fin?

No. I would have remembered something like this.

It's coming through.

Oh my God, she's pink. She's amazing.

She's huge, way bigger than normal. Here she comes.

Her whole body is pink. We've never seen a pink whale. She's the size of the sky.

No, not that big. She's coming right towards us.

She can't see us though.

I read that they could. They're scared over there.

You should watch her instead of them.

She's turning back.

Wow. She was great. Our first and maybe our only one.

They're packing up.

Stop worrying about them.

I can't believe they saw a rare whale their first time out.

It might not be their first time.

First time here then. It's taken us this long to see one and they see it their first time.

Does being upset about it change anything?

What are you talking about?

Will people stop coming if you stay angry about it?

I hope so.

The real answer is no. So why stay angry? You can simply enjoy what we saw today and hope that we see one again tomorrow.

Look, they waved.

See, they even acknowledged us.

Yeah.

Do you have to go?

No. Do you?

Nope. Maybe she'll come back.