SCENE 3 Will you marry me?

Lights up to show Marina and Joey’s apartment. Joey just shared her insight to Marina.

MARINA
What? What are you, my pimp? I don’t want to marry your brother.

JOEY
But that’s the only way you can stay.

MARINA
I just need to find an employer willing to petition me—to exploit my labor… There’s always a shark out there willing to pay a lower wage for a migrant worker… I just haven’t found time to look.

JOEY
How? Are you a nurse?

MARINA
No.

JOEY
Computer programmer?

MARINA
No.

JOEY
Stripper?

MARINA
Of course not!

JOEY
Are you willing to get married to some old white guy who lives on a farm in Iowa... and will, for sure, have you sign a pre-nuptial agreement before going to City Hall…

MARINA
No, no, no...

JOEY
Well, then this country doesn’t want you. It’s just as simple as that, Marina.

MARINA
Where am I gonna get the money to pay your brother?

JOEY
Well, you know I’ve been saving up for that condo. I can just lend it to you for now...

MARINA
That’s too much, Joey...

JOEY
Oh please, no amount is too big for ten years of friendship... as long as I can afford it...

I’ll tell my brother you’ll give him the rest of his demands over the next two years.

MARINA
Well, I know people here without papers… some of them staying for more than five years, now... all they got is a social security number and they could work... I’m sure I can get a number for cheap somewhere…

JOEY
That’s true, but they can’t leave, Marina… They probably haven’t even seen their families in years… Take Tina for example…

MARINA
Your co-worker? I didn’t know she’s—

JOEY
Yeah. Her father just had a stroke in Manila and she can’t even go to visit him… If she does she’s going to be barred from coming back here…

They’re counting on her to send the money for hospital bills, his medication… C’mon, you know she won’t make the kind of money she’s making here over there.

MARINA
But she should just go. Why does she have to worry about coming back?

JOEY
(Getting impatient) The same reason you’re thinking of staying here… They’re counting on her to send the money for hospital bills, his medication… C’mon, you know she won’t make the kind of money she’s making here over there.

MARINA
Poor Tina… She’s just like me... stranded...

JOEY
But you have an option... if you marry Jason...

MARINA
I don’t know... maybe I should just go back... It’s too complicated...

JOEY
Who knows... my brother is not that bad... he’s not bad at all... maybe you’ll like him. (There’s a lump in her throat as she says this.)

MARINA
Are you kidding me? You know I’m lesbian, right?

JOEY
Yeah... I mean, No... I mean, I thought you’re the kind who switches...

MARINA
I’m through with that, now… I’ve made a conscious choice to be with women…

JOEY
I remember when you dated that guy… A total jock in fourth year... he was good-lookin too... what was his name again?

MARINA
Greg... he was just one of two… it didn’t even last nine months... I only did it ‘cause well, it was such a pressure to be straight in high school… Anyway, forget it. There’s—there’s someone I like now...

Joey is intrigued.

JOEY
Really, sino? Who? Someone at your work? A customer? How come you didn’t tell me about this? Just like you didn’t tell me you’ve been hanging out with Oscar...

MARINA
You mean Carrie...

JOEY
Okay, Carrie... so, who’s this woman you like?

MARINA
You don’t have to know everything about me, you know…

JOEY
Why not, I’m your friend…

Someone buzzes at the door.

JOEY
Oh, he’s early...

They fold the futon. Joey starts picking up lesbian paraphernalia all over the place.

MARINA
Why are you hiding the video of Bound?

JOEY
He doesn’t know, silly...

Well, it’s amazing that you got him to agree to this arrangement… you seem to be getting along well now… so you don’t resent him anymore?

MARINA
Who doesn’t know what?

JOEY
Jason… that’s who…my brother… I’m not out to my family, remember?

MARINA
Oh! He’s here? So you had this all planned out ha? How much is your cut?

JOEY
C’mon Marina, I’m just trying to help…

MARINA
I’m just joking…Well, it’s amazing that you got him to agree to this arrangement… you seem to be getting along well now… so you don’t resent him anymore?

Marina helps Joey fix the house.

JOEY
Resent him?

MARINA
You know, for being your mom’s favorite? I remember back home, one time, when you got drunk… you told me you hated your mom for leaving you and your sister and starting her own family here…

JOEY
I don’t think about that anymore…

MARINA
Nothing has changed then since you left. The distance is still there?

JOEY
(Stops and looks at her) Why do you ask difficult questions?

Buzzer sounds again. Joey goes to intercom and presses button.

JOEY
Who is it?

JASON
(Voice-over) It’s me, Jason!

Joey buzzes him in.

MARINA
Yeah, like they don’t know about you… with your short cropped hair, the way you walk and dress…

Knocking on the door. Joey opens door.

MARINA
And your nickname, Joey, it’s so—

JASON
Hi, Ate Joy!

MARINA
Joy?

JOEY
(To Marina. Embarrassed) Shut up… (To Jason) Hi, bro… come in…

JASON
Wow, you got a nice place here, Ate… (He starts walking around. Checking the bathroom, kitchen) Where’s the bedroom?

JOEY
There’s no bedroom… it’s a studio, bro…

I do like the ocean… you know, the whole motion of the ocean… rocking back and forth…

JASON
Oh! (Notices Marina and takes her hand) Hi, my name is Jason.

MARINA
(Smiles) Hello, Jason…

Jason holds on to Marina’s hand and kneels jokingly.

JASON
Will you marry me?

Marina laughs. Joey takes Marina’s hand.

JOEY
Hey Jays—she IS going to marry you but it’s not for real, di ba? Remember the beamer in the shop?

JASON
I was just kidding around… You know that Marina, don’t you? What a pretty name… It means the ocean right?

Phone rings. Jason advances toward Marina.

MARINA
Something like that. (uncomfortable)… why don’t I answer the phone?

JASON
I do like the ocean… you know, the whole motion of the ocean… rocking back and forth…

Joey shows alarm on her face. She answers phone. Jason flirts with Marina some more…

JOEY
It’s okay, I got it… Hello… hey Mom… I’m okay, you want to talk to Jason? Yeah, he’s here… Hey Jays… Mom needs you…

JASON
(Still fixated on Marina) Just go talk to her, Ate…

JOEY
(Covers the mouthpiece) She wants you, not me…(To mom)Ahm, mom, he’s busy right now, can he call you later? (To Joey and Marina) Okay, why don’t we order some pizza and sit down so we can get right down to business!

Joey gets Jason’s attention by poking him with basketball. Lights fade to black out. Slide projection: RULE NUMBER TWO: DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND UNLESS YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY SURE SHE OR HE WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU.

SCENE 4 Wet dream

Video projection of fireworks, champagne popping, flowers blooming. Stage dark. Joey’s studio. Marina’s dream. In her dream she is making out with someone under the sheets.

MARINA (Moaning)
Oh yes baby…. Right there… ooohhh… yes… yes…. Joeyyyyy!!!

Joey wakes up and turns the light on. Joey is wearing blinders and is lying on the other side of the bed. She pulls it down as she sits up and touches Marina’s shoulder. Marina is startled by her touch. She looks at Joey puzzled.

JOEY
Huh, what? Did you call my name, Marina? Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare again?

MARINA
(Evasive) Ah, it wasn’t so bad…

JOEY
What was it about?

Tell you what, why don’t you take the bed and I’ll sleep on the floor…. They say it’s good for the back, anyway…

MARINA
I…. I can’t remember… (changes topic) Hey, Joey. It’s okay, right?

JOEY
Okay what?

MARINA
It’s okay for me to stay here? I mean you’re not thinking of kicking me out, are you?

JOEY
No, of course not… Why do you even think about that?

MARINA
Don’t worry, as soon as I get a job I’ll get my own apartment…

JOEY
Hey, I just hope I can offer you a bigger place. This studio is all I can afford for now… I… I’m sorry I don’t have an extra bed… Tell you what, why don’t you take the bed and I’ll sleep on the floor…. They say it’s good for the back, anyway…

MARINA
What do you mean? What you got here is like a palace compared to what I’m used to. Me and my three sisters shared the same room at the house in Sampaloc, remember?! You used to come and sneak me out so we can go out drinking at Mayric’s remember? Besides, I don’t mind sleeping in your bed as long as you don’t mind. Remember when you were living at the dorm? we’d sleep in your tiny bunkbed when you got too drunk to drive me home…

JOEY
I was skinnier then… Anyway, this is the States now… space is such an issue here… I just thought… oh, forget it… hey, I’m still Pinay… I don’t mind sharing the futon with you… We’ve been close friends ever since we were 13... Can’t believe it’s been that long.

MARINA
(Teasingly) Is that girl getting jealous… what was her name again? Jelly? ‘Bet she’s just as sweet…

JOEY
Shut up… we’re just dating…

MARINA
And jiggly….

Marina tickles Joey. They start laughing.

MARINA
You’re a heartbreaker, Joey…

JOEY
Go back to sleep…

MARINA
But you are… Gosh I remember how you broke Jen’s heart…

JOEY
Jen?

MARINA
How could you forget? My best friend in junior high!

JOEY
You mean Jenny?

MARINA
That’s the one.

JOEY
Whatever happened to her?

MARINA
She got married. Has three kids now… We became lovers you know, at some point…

JOEY
Really? I can’t imagine... You both look so femme... besides, you know my views about dating friends… it’s like (struggles to think of a word) incest…

What’s the worst that could happen? Just that I’d have to try and get some contract work again in Manila…

MARINA
Oh, I remember… It’s that Sarah episode huh? You’re still not over that?

JOEY
Yeah, I’m over it… I just think that if Sarah and I were not such close friends before we became lovers, it wouldn’t have hurt so bad, you know? And we probably would still be friends now…

MARINA
Well, I think that if you make rules in love, you’re setting yourself up for some heartache… Girl, we still got a lot of catching up to do…

JOEY
Go back to sleep… you’re the one who has to work early tomorrow.

MARINA
You know what, Joey. If I have to go back, then I have to go… What’s the worst that could happen? Just that I’d have to try and get some contract work again in Manila… Besides, the theatre group needs me… If I do go back, I just hope Zeny doesn’t use it as an excuse to get reunited with that creep.

JOEY
We’ll find a way, Marina…

MARINA
Goodnight, Joey…

As Marina turns to kiss Joey, Joey meets her lips unexpectedly. Their lips touch. They laugh nervously, pretend there is nothing to it. Joey touches her lips when Marina isn’t looking, she gazes at the sleeping Marina and then turns to her side of the bed, still touching her lips.

JOEY
G-Goodnight, Marina…

Black out. Slide projection: RULE NUMBER THREE: DO NOT FALL IN LOVE IN AMERICA.

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