A Cold Day at the Ocean, by Sarah Saltwick

by Admin · 2018, USA · 18 Mar 2018

The year is 2030. Angel is on her computer. She types. She stares into space. Then types again. She is eleven. Her hair is in a long braid. She chews on the end. She types again.

FOX
(from off)
Come outside.

Angel looks around. Doesn’t see anyone.
She types.

FOX
Come outside! It is so cold outside. It is cold and grey. No one is out here. They think it is bad weather. But I say, it’s the best. Angel. We could go to the ocean. No one is at the beach. It would be as if the world belonged to us.
She looks again.

ANGEL
(quiet)
Where are you?

FOX
You have to speak up, I can’t hear you!
Angel. Should I race you to the ocean?

ANGEL
(quiet)
I am having an inside day.

FOX
Yesterday was an inside day.

ANGEL
So you can hear me. I don’t like to talk too loud. The wrong person might hear.
Angel looks for Fox. Can’t find them.

FOX
If we go to the ocean, the waves will be like loud music. You can say anything you like. Angel. You could even sing.

ANGEL
I’m a bad singer.

FOX
The ocean doesn’t mind.
It is so cold out. No one will be there.

Angel pulls open the shade on her window.
            Fox is there. Outside.
            He is wearing a coat.
            The day is bright but he is shivering.

ANGEL
Where is your mask?

FOX
In my pocket. Come outside. It’s a long walk and I don’t want to do it by myself.

Angel puts on a facemask. She opens the window.
She shivers.

ANGEL
I have an extra mask. If you want.

She hands a mask to Fox.

FOX
I hate these.

ANGEL
Me too.

FOX
Come outside.

Angel sticks her head out the window.

ANGEL
It feels gray. It feels gray all over! We could be in a cloud, Fox. I think it would feel just like this.

FOX
The last time we went to the ocean, it was a day like this.

ANGEL
And there were fish in the sea.

FOX
There was a whale.

ANGEL
And so many fluffy clouds in the sky.

FOX
There are clouds today too! Come out and look.

ANGEL
Is it safe?

FOX
Maybe?
But probably not. No.
Not especially safe.

ANGEL

Yesterday wasn’t safe either.

FOX

And tomorrow is a long way away.

ANGEL

Today is could be a good day –

FOX

As good as any –

ANGEL

A good cold day to see the ocean.

Angel climbs all the way out the window.
            Fox and Angel go to the ocean.
            They see fish.
            They see a whale.
            They are cold.
            No one else is there.
            They are happy.