Read An Almost Perfect Thing for Free Online Page A

it.
    GREG
    Click on it.
    MATHEW
    The paper.
    GREG
    This is the one.
    CHLOE
    That gives them what they want.
    GREG
    Details, specifics.
    CHLOE
    A victim.
    GREG
    Makes them take me seriously.
    MATHEW
    It's her favourite thing. For weeks I've kept it from her.
    GREG
    I read it.
    CHLOE
    Even though I don't want to. I know what it says.
    GREG
    Threw her as hard as he could.
    CHLOE
    Punched her with all of his frustration.
    GREG
    Over and over.
    MATHEW
    Again and again. We go through this. Every couple months it seems. She makes me angry. I stop talking to her and take away something she loves. She needs it.
    GREG
    They need it.
    CHLOE
    He needs it.
    GREG
    The truth.
    CHLOE
    Control.
    MATHEW
    Discipline. And now I'll give it back to her. Along with an even bigger surprise. Because she's been good—
    GREG
    Because she let me do my job—
    MATHEW
    Because I feel guilty—
    CHLOE
    Because I gave him what he needs—
    MATHEW
    Because she looks sick… I'm taking her upstairs.
    GREG
    To a party. A gala.
    CHLOE
    It's all I can think about. Everything else: Punching. Bleeding. Screaming. I push it out of my mind. Because I'm getting out.
    SCENE TWO
    Shift. The beginning of the scene takes place in both GREG's condo and CHLOE's room in MATHEW's house. CHLOE enters.
    GREG
    You're early. I was going to pick you up.
    CHLOE
    I have to get ready here. I can't have my dad see me all dressed up. He'll freak out. I have a dress, is that okay?
    GREG
    Perfect.
    To audience. They all inhale.
    CHLOE
    I stand in front of the mirror.
    GREG
    I stand—
    MATHEW
    Outside the door.
    CHLOE
    And get ready for my very first night out. It has to be perfect.
    MATHEW
    I'm nervous.
    GREG
    Awkward.
    MATHEW
    Standing there. Outside her door.
    GREG
    Her. Here. Changing her clothes.
    MATHEW
    She's waiting. For me. I can't mess up anything.
    GREG
    This has to go well.
    (to CHLOE)
Ready?
    For the rest of the scene MATHEW and GREG's lines are to CHLOE and her lines can be said to either or both GREG and MATHEW (unless it is indicated that she is speaking directly to one of them). Sections in which the characters are talking to the audience are indicated.
    MATHEW
    I'm coming in.
    GREG
    You look—
    MATHEW
    Nice.
    GREG
    Wow.
    CHLOE
    It's a special occasion. I want it to be perfect. Ready?
    GREG
    Wait. First—
    MATHEW
    There are rules.
    GREG
    Don't accept a drink from anyone.
    MATHEW
    Stay away from the doors and windows. If you do anything that makes me nervous. Anything at all—
    CHLOE
    I won't. I swear.
    GREG
    People will want to talk to you. They'll be all over you but just—
    MATHEW
    Stick close to me. Always. No sudden movements.
    GREG
    Don't disappear.
    MATHEW
    I have my dad's gun upstairs. It's easy to get.
    GREG
    Tell me where you're going at all times.
    MATHEW
    I don't want anything to happen to you. So just be good.
    GREG
    Be cool.
    CHLOE
    'Kay.
    GREG
    I trust you.
    MATHEW
    So I'm not going to tie your hands or gag you.
    CHLOE
    Thanks.
    (to audience)
He's nervous. I can tell 'cause there's sweat on his forehead. Which usually is like so gross. But not today. And I can tell 'cause he does this thing over and over—
    MATHEW and GREG both massage the back of their necks.
    I breathe deeply. Without realizing it, he starts to breathe deeply. That's how I calm him down.
    MATHEW
    Ready?
    GREG
    This is it.
    To audience.
    CHLOE
    He leads me—
    GREG
    Inside.
    MATHEW
    Upstairs.
    CHLOE
    And then... After so long—
    MATHEW
    Months and months and months and months.
    GREG
    Years and years and years.
    Shift. They all inhale.
    CHLOE
    Legs weak. Butterflies in my stomach. Giddy. Head light. Mouth dry. Can't swallow. Lump in my throat.
    She holds on to both men as she walks in the room.
    MATHEW
    The kitchen.
    GREG
    The ballroom.
    CHLOE
    The light—
    MATHEW
    Shines just a bit through the curtains.
    GREG
    Flashes from the cameras.
    CHLOE
    Burns my eyes. Feels so good on my face. Warm. Warm on my cheeks. I feel it. Feel every second.