(WIND, LIGHT STREET NOISE, BELL RINGS, OFF)
GK: Hi.
SS: Hi.
GK: You just arrive?
SS: Yeah.
GK: There was a Scotch pine here this morning named Theresa but maybe she got sold.
(A BEAT, LIGHT TRAFFIC)
SS: What does "sold" mean?
GK: It means you go somewhere else.
SS: Oh. ----- How long you been here?
GK: I guess two or three days.
SS: My trunk hurts.
GK: Yeah, mine too.
SS: They cut me with a saw. I bled. It was horrible.
GK: I know. Me too. You have nice needles. You a spruce?
SS: Yes. Are you?
GK: Norway pine.
SS: Ahhh. I thought Norway pines didn't talk.
GK: It depends.
SS: I really like your needles.
GK: Well I've got a little bald spot on the other side. That's why they have me turned this way. Against the wall.
SS: Well. You look just fine to me.
GK: Thank you.
(A BEAT, BELL RINGS, OFF)
SS: What do they sell in this store?
GK: I saw somebody come out with a big pack of toilet paper.
SS: Oh. My fiance was made into toilet paper.
GK: Oh.
SS: We said goodbye- (SNIFFLES) I thought he was going to come on the truck but ----- they threw him into the pile for toilet paper. He was a short-needle. But I loved him. (SNIFFLES) His cone dropped right beside one of my cones. ----- I thought we'd have a baby. (SNIFFLES) I'm sorry. You don't need to hear this.
GK: It's okay.
(SS CHOKES BACK A SOB)
SS (SHAKY): I'll be okay. Thanks for listening.
GK: They say, everything happens for a reason.
SS: What's that supposed to mean?
GK: Maybe you and he weren't meant to be.
SS: How can you say that? I loved him. I want to die.
GK: Well, you're going to. And soon.
SS: I know. Good.
GK: But you have to live in the now. Here we are-you and me- Why not just be here?
SS: Are you hitting on me?
GK: I'm just leaning on you. See? (RUSTLING)
SS: That feels nice.
(FOOTSTEPS)
TR (TRUMP): I'm looking for a long-needled tree, something kinda flashy. You know, where people see it and they stop and they go, 'wow, that's a quality tree.'
FN: This one over here is quite nice (RUSTLES)
SS: Uh oh.
TR (TRUMP): Oh yeah. I like that.
GK: Get your hands off me. So invasive.
TR (TRUMP): It's a good tree. Would be good for the foyer of my apartment. How much is it?
FN: Ninety five dollars.
TR (TRUMP): Ninety five dollars? I'll give you eighty.
FN: I'll take eighty. Deal.
TR (TRUMP): Deal. Okay let's go (RUSTLING)
SS: Oh no. No no no. Don't go-
GK: This is it. I'm gone.
SS: Wait, stop-
GK: Goodbye, everybody. Goodbye, corner store. Goodbye, the spruce of my dreams. (SS CHOKES BACK SOB, RUSTLING) Remember to live in the present. Don't hang onto memories. Someone else will come along.
TR (TRUMP): Wait a second wait a second. Hang on. There's a big bald spot in the back.
FN: Oh. I didn't see that.
TR (TRUMP): Yeah I'm not taking this one. In fact, maybe I don't want a tree at all. Maybe what I want is a really big wreath. (FOOTSTEPS OFF, A BEAT)
FN (OFF): We have some nice wreaths over here, prices range from (FADES)
SS: Wow. That was close.
GK: Yeah, imagine having to listen to that voice all day. I wouldn't mind being his toilet paper, I'd bite him in the-----
SS: Shhhhh. Don't think about it. Look. What a beautiful night. The street lights. Those yellow cars with the lights on top. The bells (BELL, OFF, LIGHT STREET NOISE, A BEAT) Okay you're leaning on me again. GK: Was I? Sorry, I didn't realize.
SS: It's okay. I kind of liked it.
(A BEAT)
GK: You did?
SS: I think so.
GK: I wasn't going to say this but - I'm quite a bit older than you. I've got 47 rings on my trunk. I'd say you've got about 16. I was in the woods for years before they took me away. You may rather talk to a tree your own age.
SS: What is age?
GK: Huh?
SS: I never heard that word before. "Age". What does it mean?
GK: I could really get to like you, you know?
SS: I like you a lot. The wind doesn't feel so cold with you leaning against me.
(A BEAT)
GK: I don't know what to say.
SS: Don't say anything. Let's just stand here. Okay?
GK: Okay.
SS: Okay.
(LIGHT STREET NOISE, WIND)
(FOOTSTEPS)
FN (YOUNG): What kind of tree you want to get?
ER: What kind do you want?
FN (YOUNG): I like this one.
ER: What's wrong with this one?
FN (YOUNG): That one?
ER: Yeah. It's bigger.
FN (YOUNG): It's got a bald spot on the other side.
ER: So?
FN (YOUNG): It's ninety-five bucks.
ER: Let's get it.
FN (YOUNG): Okay. Be right back.
(FOOTSTEPS)
GK: Can you tell?
SS: Yes, I can.
GK: So can I. I'm going to be the last Christmas tree they ever get.
SS: I know.
GK: Odd, when a tree dies, it gets the power to see death in the faces of people. I've been standing here three days and I've seen a dozen people who won't live another year.
SS: Which one of them do you think will die?
GK: I don't know.
SS: Probably him.
GK: Yeah. I wish we could tell them to hurry up and live their lives and not wish for things that can't be----
SS: To live in the here and now.
GK: Yeah.
SS: But would they listen if we told them?
GK: Probably not.
(FOOTSTEPS)
FN (YOUNG): Okay. Let's go.
ER: Did you pay him?
FN (YOUNG): Naw. Ninety-five is too much. I saw one down in the Village for fifty.
ER: I don't want to go down to the Village. Let's buy this one.
FN (YOUNG): It's too much.
ER: Well, then you go. I'm going home.
FN (YOUNG): What is your problem?
ER: My problem???
FN (YOUNG): You been on my case all day.
ER: Have not.
FN (YOUNG): I can't do anything right. Bitch bitch bitch.
ER: Okay, that's it. I'm going.
FN (YOUNG): Go. I don't care.
ER: I know you don't. I'm out of here.
FN (YOUNG): You going home?
ER: I don't know.
FN (YOUNG): What do you mean, "I don't know"?
ER: I don't know.
(FOOTSTEPS)
SS: They just don't get it. They don't live much longer than we do.
GK: Oh well. Beautiful night. Look up.
SS: Oh wow.
GK: Stars.
SS: Wow.
GK: That's where Christmas trees go when people are done with us. Up in the sky. With stars on our tops.
SS: Wow.
GK: I hope I'll wind up there next to you.
SS: I hope so too.
GK: You want to sleep, go ahead, you can lean on me.
SS: Thanks.
GK: My pleasure. My pleasure.
(WIND, TRAFFIC, DISTANT BELLS)
(MUSIC)