Hope's Monologue from Almost, Maine

 I took a taxi here. From Bangor. To see him. This place is a little further away from things than I remember. I could only fly as close as Bangor and I needed to get to him as fast as I could. Because I want to answer a question he asked me. The last time I saw him, he asked me a very important question and I didn’t answer it, and that’s just not a very nice thing to do to a person. He asked me to marry him. And that’s why I’m here. To answer him. (Beat. Then, realizing she probably ought to defend herself.) I mean, I didn’t answer him in the first place because I didn’t have an answer at the time. I mean, I was going to college, and then… the night before I’m about to go off into the world to do what I hope and dream, he asks me, “Will you marry me?” I mean, come on! I was leaving in the morning… What was I supposed to do? (Defending herself.) I mean, I told him I’d have to think about it, that I’d think it over overnight and that I’d be back before the sun came up with an answer. And then I left. Left him standing right… there…and then… I didn’t make it back with an answer before the sun came up or… at all. No! That wasn’t my answer! I just… went off into the world, and that’s not an answer, and I think-… (little beat) I think he thought I’d say, “Yes.” I know, and… I’m afraid he probably waited up all night, hoping for me to come by, and I just want to tell him that I know now that you just can’t do a thing like not answer a question like the one he asked me, you can’t do that to a person. Especially to someone you love. (pause) I know this isn’t going to be very easy, but I was just out there all alone in the world, and I got so scared, because all I could think about was how I had no place in this world, but then outta nowhere realized that there was one place in this world that I did have, and that was with you, so I flew and I took a taxi to get to you, I just had to come see you (finally really looking at him) thank God you’re…. Oh ___... Wait ___ … I’m sorry.  You’re not---…. I’m ---…  This is the house---..I’m so sorry--- …. Does Daniel Harding live here?, I’m looking for Daniel Harding.  Um, he lives here.  I thought.  But… ohhhh… he doesn’t, does he?  Ooooh.  I am so sorry.  I’m so embarrassed.  “Who is this woman and what is she doing here?” (beat) I just honestly thought he’d be here. I always thought he’d be here.  Always.  (beat)  Do you know him?  Big guy, big tall guy.  Played basketball, all-Eastern Maine, center? Strong.  Do you know him?

Hope

Almost, Maine by John Cariani