Boady

By Eddy Taylor

A mass writhes on the floor. It twists and turns. The mass begins to pulsate. The mass rises. A scream. The mass collapses. A pale hand stretches out from beneath the mass. Then another, putrid black goo alongside it. The hands twitch. Arms next. The hands touch the ground for the first time. They claw at the ground. They start to pull and from the mass emerges a naked body covered in the black goo. It appears to be human and is feminine in structure. The body creeps along the ground, moaning and screaming. A cord is connected to its belly. The body turns itself onto its back and traces its hands along its torso. It finds the cord and examines it. A long painful breath. The body takes the cord in both hands, pauses, then yanks the cord out of its belly. More black goo pours from the cord and covers the bodies face and arms. Another breath, fuller this time. The body turns back onto its front and attempts to crawl, but is unable to, the effort of escaping the mass has exhausted it. The body collapses on the ground, breathing heavily.

Enter Maria with a bowl of pale grey liquid. She places the bowl beside the body. It doesn’t react. She moves the bowl closer. No reaction. She places a hand on the body’s chest. The body sits up suddenly. Maria gestures to the bowl. No reaction. She picks up some of the liquid in her hands and sips it, disguising her discomfort. She nods towards the body. It leans over and drinks from her hands. Maria gathers more liquid and gives it to the body which continues to drink from her hand. This continues until the bowl is empty.

Maria turns to exit. The body looks at her, pauses, then lunges at Maria.

The body throws her to the ground. The body climbs on top of her. Screaming and moaning.

Maria retrieves a taser from her coat and places it against the body’s neck. The body screams in pain and runs back towards the mass. The body attempts to climb back inside but cannot. The mass is sealed.

Maria stands up slowly. She stares at the body.

The body turns and rushes towards Maria. She holds the taser in front of her and the body stops short of reaching her. She shepherds the body back towards the mass. She pulls another device from her pocket and presses a button. She steps back. Glass descends from the ceiling. The body screams. The glass reaches the ground. Cutting the body off from Maria. The body touches the glass.

Maria: Cute. Bedtime, I think.

The body watches as Maria exits.

The Body: B-bu-bed t-time…

They are submerged in darkness.

Time passes.

An instrumental version of ‘Amazing Grace’ is being played from radio in the corner of a wide kitchen. There is an empty table in the centre of the room Enter Howard, humming in tune with the radio. He moves in time with music as he starts to lay the table. Plates first, then on one end of the table he places a vial of grey liquid. He goes to a cupboard.

Enter Lucy in a wheelchair carrying a doll. She mimics dancing with the doll. She spots Howard.

Lucy: Dance with me! 

Howard: I told you to wait.

Lucy: B-but I couldn’t possibly wait!

Howard: It’s just dinner.

Lucy: It’s the most exciting day of my life!

Howard: Is that so?

Lucy: Dance with me! Oh, I can’t contain myself I need to move /I

Howard spins Lucy’s wheelchair. 

Howard: Look we’re dancing!

Lucy: Spin me spin me spin me! More Dad more!

Howard (Spinning Lucy faster): Calm down you’ll tire yourself out.

Lucy: How can I possible be calm at a time /like this.

Howard: Have you taken your pills /darling.

Lucy: When are they coming?

Howard: Should be here any minute.

Lucy: I want them here now.

Howard stops spinning Lucy.

Howard: Did you /take

Lucy: In the morning. Make them come now. Please!

Howard turns off the radio.

Howard: I can’t control the traffic.

Lucy: But I’m sick of waiting.

Howard: I told you they’ll be /here in a 

Lucy: I finally get to see it! Get to meet it. I’d jump up and down /if I

Howard: Dinner smells good doesn’t it.

Lucy: She said it can talk. Can walk! Do everything a person can.

Howard: Roast beef. Your favourite. 

Lucy: She told me everything about it. 

Howard: With potatoes, carrots and pees /and cauliflower cheese 

Lucy: /Today I get to meet it!

Howard: It’s not a real person you know.

Lucy: I’m not stupid.

Howard: Not real, you understand?

Lucy: I know that. It’s incredible though.

Howard: And I’ve made gravy. Lovely onion gravy.

Lucy: Don’t like onions.

Howard: You did last week.

Lucy: They weren’t in gravy.

Howard: Well, you’ll like them in gravy.

Lucy: I don’t care about gravy. Today I get to see the future dad!

Howard: The future?

Lucy: That’s much more exciting than stupid gravy.

Howard: If you say so.

Lucy: What was it like?

Howard: I thought she’d told you everything.

Lucy: What’s it like dad?

Howard: You already know /everything

Lucy: Tell me again.

Howard: I’ve not really seen much /of it

Lucy: Do you think it can dance?

Howard: I wouldn’t know.

Lucy: Do you think it knows how to use a spoon? Or a knife? A fork?

Howard: It doesn’t eat. That’s what Maria said. It has these. Howard picks up the vial. It’s not like us remember.

Lucy: Has it tried eating?

Howard: Maria said it can’t have real food. Just the vials.

Lucy: It has a digestive system. That’s what mum said. It’s an /incredible

Howard: incredible feat of scientific engineering, I know.

Lucy: Exactly. So, it could learn to eat. Right?

Howard: I need to set the table.

Lucy: I can help.

Howard: I’ve got it.

Lucy: Not going to send me away?

Howard: You’d just come back.

Lucy: Then what am I to do? Where are they?

Enter Maria and The Body.

Maria: Figured I’d let myself in!

Lucy: Mum!

Howard: There you are.

Maria: Hello my darling!

Maria goes to hug Lucy, but she rushes past her towards The Body.

Lucy: Is this it?

Maria: Yes.

Howard: Almost looks normal.

Maria: Wonderful, isn’t it?

Howard: You’re late. Howard kisses Maria on the cheek. How was the traffic?

Maria: Fine. 

Howard: You’re late.

Maria: Not my fault.

Lucy: Amazing! You’re so pretty!

The Body: P-pretty?

Lucy: It talks. It really talks mum. Just like you said.

Maria: Think I’d lie?

Howard: Has been known.

Maria: No, it has not.

Lucy: May I?

Maria: Come. The Body steps forward. Now, like we practiced. Go on.

The Body: I-it is ve-v-very n-nice to meet you, Miss Lucy. 

The Body offers her a hand. Lucy takes it.

Lucy: Real… real skin. Amazing.

Maria: Where are your manners darling?

Lucy: I got distracted.

Maria: Lucy.

Lucy: It’s very nice to meet you… Body?

The Body: Boady.

Lucy: It has a name?

Maria: Just a vocal tik we’re working on.

Lucy: It can really talk. Has real skin. Real skin and can talk like /it’s almost

Maria: /It’s just a body.

Howard: An imitation.

Maria: Nothing more.

Howard: A fake.

Maria: It’s not real.

Boady: N-no. Not real.

Howard: You’ve taught it well.

Maria: I think so.

Maria hugs Lucy but she quickly shrugs her off.

Howard: Nice work.

Lucy: What else have you taught it?

Howard: Let me get dinner sorted. Then we can talk about it.

Maria: Yes, please I need to sit down.

Howard: On it.

Maria: I’ll set /the table

Howard: I’ll sort it. Just sit down.

Howard opens a draw and pulls out some cutlery. He finishes setting the table and starts bringing in the finished dinner.

Maria: Right. Maria picks up the vial. I’ll take you downstairs.

Lucy: Downstairs?

Maria: It’s not eating with us.

Lucy: B-but I want to ask the body more questions.

Boady: B-boady.

Howard: I set the table for four.

Maria: You shouldn’t have.

Lucy: Mum please.

Maria: I told you it’d just be the three of us.

Howard: Lucy insisted.

Maria: And you didn’t tell me?

Howard: You were driving.

Maria: You should have said /something when

Howard: What do you want me to do?

Maria: I want you to ask me before you make a decision like that.

Howard: It was Lucy’s idea.

Lucy: Have I done something wrong?

Maria: No, my darling of course you haven’t.

Lucy: So, can it stay?

Maria: Fine.

Howard: Crisis averted.

Lucy: Really?

Maria: Sit.

Lucy: Next to me! Let me look at you.

Maria: Go on.

Boady and Maria sit down either sit of Lucy.

Lucy: Not even a stitch.

Maria: It was grown. No need for stitches. 

Boady: S-stiches?

Maria: We’re going to need to work on that stutter though. 

Howard places a tray of roast beef in the centre of the table.

Howard: Why? Hardly needs to talk anyway.

Maria: We wouldn’t want it to be defective now, would we?

Lucy: I think it’s charming.

Howard: If not a little irritating.

Maria: Stop it.

Howard: I didn’t /do anything 

Lucy: What’s your favourite word?

Boady: Favourite?

Maria: I’ll cut /shall I

Howard: I’ve got it. Don’t trouble yourself.

Howard begins to cut the meat.

Lucy: The word you like the most.

Maria: It doesn’t have favourites. Doesn’t have a strong emotional reaction to most stimuli.

Howard: That’s not what you told /me.

Maria: Doesn’t have the mental capacity for things /like that.

Boady: Bird. Bird Boady like.

Maria: Is it now?

Lucy: I love birds! Oh my god we have something in common.

Howard: So, you don’t know everything.

Lucy: That’s amazing!

Maria: I guess not.

Lucy: You and me are going to get on so well I just know it!

Maria: Where did you learn that word?

Lucy: Like a house on fire!

Boady: B-book. The one with all th-the w-words.

Maria: How much did you read?

Boady: All if it.

Howard: Is it saying /that it

Maria: It read the entire dictionary yes.

Lucy: Did you hear me?

Boady: Y-yes Miss Lucy. 

Lucy: Then what did I say? 

Boady: L-like a h-house on fire. Is that good?

Lucy: Yes.

Boady: Boady is g-glad.

Howard: What are you trying to pull?

Boady: P-pull?

Maria: It’s just trying to be polite.

Howard: Is it now?

Lucy: It’s wonderful mum!

Boady: Maria taught Boady to be polite.

Howard: Right.

Maria: Lucy.

Lucy: Yea?

Maria: What have you been up to my dear?

Howard: She’s been inside all day.

Lucy: You won’t let me go out.

Maria: The fresh air would do her some good,

Howard: She can’t be left unsupervised.

Maria: I’d have taken her.

Howard: You weren’t here.

Maria: I’m here now.

Howard: Who’ll keep an eye on that thing?

Lucy: Would you mum? Would you please take me outside?

Maria: It’ll just be round the garden.

Howard: You’d take it with you?

Lucy: I’ll keep an eye on the body.

Howard: What if someone sees?

Boady: W-won’t let anyone s-see Boady.

Lucy: See it won’t let anyone see.

Howard: I heard it.

Lucy: It’s so clever. You’re a clever body aren’t you!

Maria: A good body. Yes.

Howard: You trust it?

Maria: Howard whatever this is you can stop it right now.

Howard: Stop what?

Maria: Last warning.

Howard: I’m not doing /anything

Maria: I don’t want to hear it.

Howard: Whatever.

Lucy: Do you like dolls?

Maria: Have some dinner, Lucy.

Howard: Yes. You need to eat.

Lucy: Not hungry.

Howard: Don’t be middle-class. Eat.

Lucy: Fine. She starts to pick at her food. Do you like dolls Boady?

Maria: It doesn’t know /what 

Lucy: I like dolls. They’re like people. But they’re not. Cause they’re smaller and they don’t talk cause you do the talking for them.

Maria: Aren’t you a little old to /be playing

Howard: She won’t get rid of them.

Maria: I thought we’d given them to /charity 

Howard: She bought more.

Lucy: ‘Hello Body. I’m lil Lucy. Nice ta meet ya’ ha see. Silly but silly’s good though.

Maria: Eat up Lucy.

Lucy: People want to pretend they’re not silly all the time /but dolls don’t 

Boady: Lil Lucy?

Lucy: That’s right.

Maria: It won’t /understand.

Lucy: Dolls are always silly. Simple and silly and honest. Cause when you play with a doll it does whatever you want it too. Whatever you tell it to do.

Maria: Like you. Right body?

Boady: B-boady.

Lucy: Like mum and dad expect me to do for them. But I’m not a doll so I can do whatever I want.

Howard: Can you now?

Lucy: Except get out of this chair of course.

Howard: I didn’t mean it like that.

Maria: We’ll get that fixed soon enough though.

Howard: We hope.

Maria: I’m sure.

Lucy: But with lil Lucy here, I can go anywhere.

Howard: That’s a sweet idea darling.

Lucy: Isn’t that right? ‘Yes Lucy, I can go all over the world. You know, I’ve been to every corner of the globe.’ which doesn’t make sense cause a globe is a circle and circles don’t have conners. ‘But I’ve gone all over just so I can come back and tell you about it!’ Aww, you’re very sweet to me aren’t you lil Lucy.

Maria: You’re being childish.

Lucy: ‘Only the best for my favourite girl!’ Why thank you!

Howard: Just leave her,

Lucy: I am ever so privileged to be your favourite girl.

Maria: This is getting ridiculous.

Howard: It’s nothing you need to worry about.

Maria: She grew out of this.

Howard: I guess she’s grown back into it.

Maria: She’s too old to play with dolls.

Howard: Just let her be.

Lucy: It nice to be told something nice every now and then. I used to be able to… like you Boady I /used to

Maria: Body.

Lucy: Used to be able to get out of this chair. Didn’t need lil Lucy to go places for me. Could go there myself.

Maria: And you will.

Boady: H-how?

Howard: We’re sorting it.

Lucy: I could walk there, or crawl or dance if I wanted. If I knew how to dance properly. ‘I can dance Lucy. Look!’ You’re terrible lil Lucy. ‘No I’m not.’ Yes you are. ‘Well how would you know?’ I just do.

Boady: D-dance?

Maria: You’ll dance properly someday my darling.

Howard: It’s part of her game.

Lucy: It’s not a game.

Boady: But she c-can’t d-dance?

Maria: Not now. But soon. That’s the truth.

Boady: T-truth?

Maria: What is. What’s real.

Howard: That’s what the truth is.

Lucy: I don’t like the truth.

Maria: Not many people do.

Lucy: Can you dance Boady? Can you?

Boady: I-I don’t /know.

Maria: It can’t.

Lucy: Oh please. Go on. Dance for me Boady!

Maria: That’s enough for tonight.

Howard: Finish your greens. Nearly time for bed.

Lucy: No. Not until it dances.

Boady: I-I don’t dance.

Lucy: Make it dance mum.

Maria: Lucy it’s getting late. We /should really

Lucy: I want it to dance.

Howard: Maybe you should let her play her game.

Lucy: Please Boady. For me!

Maria: Lucy that’s enough.

Lucy: But mummmmm.

Maria: Finish your dinner.

Lucy: Dance for me Boady. I want it to dance for me.

Howard: Just let /her

Maria: It can’t.

Lucy: It’s meant to be mine.

Maria: I know that darling /but

Lucy: So, make it dance.

Boady: I c-can, I could dance.

Maria: No.

Lucy: Yes!

Maria: Stop it Lucy.

Lucy: Wait wait wait. You’ll need music won’t you. Silly me. I’ll give you some music and then you can dance for us can’t you?

Boady: Y-yes?

Howard: Just let her amuse herself.

Lucy: I’ll be fun. One, two, one, two, three, /four

Boady: Why is Lucy c-counting?

Lucy: People play music and then they dance. Now then. One, two, one, /two

Boady: Then Boady dance?

Lucy: Exactly.

Maria: Why are you acting like this is normal?

Howard: What do you want me to do?

Maria: Maybe back me up. Discipline your daughter?

Howard: She’ll just do what she wants anyway.

Boady: How does Boady dance?

Lucy: You move with the music.

Maria: This is getting ridiculous.

Lucy: You can’t tell me what to do.

Boady: Like walk?

Maria: I am your mother!

Lucy: I want it to dance for me so it’s going to dance for me.

Boady: I-I want to.

Howard: It wants /to?

Maria: It’s just confused.

Boady stands up.

Boady: N-not c-confused.

Lucy: Let’s give it a go!

Maria grabs Boady’s arm.

Maria: Enough. Sit down. Time for bed.

Boady: W-want /to

Maria: Stop it. Just do as I tell you.

Lucy: You’re such a spoil sport!

Maria: That means you too young lady.

Boady throws off Maria’s hand.

Boady: Look! Boady walks about the room but stumbles awkwardly. D-dance?

Lucy: Use your arms. Your arms Boady. Lucy hums the same tune Howard was listening to earlier. Boady tries to stay in time. Your arms. She sways her arms in time with her humming. Boady copies her. Yes! That’s it.

Maria: This is ridiculous.

Howard: You’re only making things worse.

Lucy: Good Boady! ‘They’re good, aren’t they?’ Yes, they are. Look at them go! 

Maria: Down. Maria grabs Boady by the shoulders and forces them back into their seat. Drink.

Lucy: You’re no fun!

Boady: W-wanted to d-dance! For Miss Lucy. 

Boady throws Maria off them and stands back up. 

Howard: Don’t touch her! 

Howard slaps Boady. They collapse. 

Maria: I had it /under 

Howard: Control? 

Lucy: That’s not fair.

Howard: That’s enough for tonight. I’ll take it downstairs.

Lucy: I wanted to play more!

Maria: I’ll take /it.

Howard: I can handle it. He grabs Boady by the shoulder. This way.

Boady: W-wanted /to

Howard: Shut it.

Howard and Boady exit.

Lucy: I wanted to play

Maria: You can play with your dolls if you have to.

Lucy: Have to? What else have I got to do?

Maria: It’ll all be sorted soon.

Lucy: It’s my doll and I wanted to play with it.

Maria: I know darling I know /but

Lucy: I hate you!

Maria: Don’t talk to me like that.

Lucy: Why not?

Maria: I am your mother.

Lucy: I was just telling the truth.

Maria: Go to your room.

Lucy: No.

Maria: You do as I tell you.

Lucy: I’m not tired.

Maria: Don’t make me take you there myself. 

Lucy: I’m not a child.

Maria: Then stop acting like on.

Lucy: Hate you.

Lucy exits.

Maria Sighs. She starts to clear the table. She’s not quite sure where everything goes.

Howard (Entering): Handled that well.

Maria: Not now.

Howard: What a lovely dinner.

Maria: I’m not in the /mood.

Howard: Went down a treat. Can’t even do as it’s told and now Lucy’s convinced it’s a toy.

Maria: Can we just leave it. Please.

Howard: Does she have any idea what it’s actually for?

Maria: I’ve told her everything she needs to know.

Howard: So, no.

Maira: Didn’t even finish its drink.

Howard: So what?

Maria: It needs to drink this stuff otherwise it’ll shut down, die, whatever you wanna call it.

Howard: How can it die if it isn’t even alive?

Lucy: I’ll tidy up and then I’ll feed it.

Howard: Let me /do it.

Maria: You changed everything.

Howard: No, I haven’t.

Maria: Don’t. This is my house. I should know where things go and I don’t.

Howard: You’ve been busy. I’ll sort /it

Maria: Let me clean my kitchen.

Howard: Okay then. 

Howard kisses Maria on the forehead. She tilts her head up and kisses him on the lips.

Maria: I missed you.

Howard: I missed you too. I’ll put Lucy to bed.

Maria: Let me talk to her.

Howard: In the morning.

Maria: I can’t let her go to sleep like /this.

Howard: She doesn’t want to see you. I think you’d better leave it.

Maria: Fine.

Howard: That thing stays downstairs.

Maria: Got it.

Howard: Good. I’ll see you in the morning.

Maria: I’ll be up shortly.

Howard: Yes, you will. I’ll probably be asleep by then. Goodnight.

Howard exits.

Maria: Goodnight…

Maria starts to clean up the kitchen. Enter Boady unseen. They watch Maria as she navigates the unfamiliar draws and cupboards. This continues for a short time. Boady steps towards Maria.

Maria: Shit! How did /you

Boady: W-where’s Miss Lucy?

Maria: She’s gone to bed. Why /are you

Boady: C-came l-looking. Wanted to d-dance /for her

Maria: You need to go downstairs.

Boady: No.

Maria: No?

Boady: D-dark downstairs. H-howard is cruel.

Maria: He’s… he’s Howard…

Boady: Miss Lucy is sweet.

Maria: You said no?

Boady: Wanted t-to dance for her.

Maria: You need to do as you’re told.

Boady: You are her mother?

Maria: Yes. She’s my daughter.

Boady: H-how?

Maria: I… I gave birth to her. You /need to

Boady: B-birth?

Maria: She… she came out of me. I grew her for a long time and then when she was ready she came out of me.

Boady: Like me?

Maria: No. Nothing like you.

Boady: You made me?

Maria: I did. But I didn’t give birth to you. It wasn’t natural.

Boady: Natural?

Maria: You were made, built in a lab. With test tubes and petri dishes and notes and trial and error and scientific instruments. Nothing about you is natural. You were designed and built not born or made. You’re a body /I built

Boady: Miss Lucy is alive because of you.

Maria: Yes.

Boady: Boady is alive because of you.

Maria: That’s not the same. Now you need to go back downstairs.

Boady: No. It’s dark.

Maria: You need to do as you’re told. 

Boady: Don’t like it.

Maria: It’s where you belong.

Boady: Before you wanted me to go downstairs. H-howard put his face against yours? You put your arms around Miss Lucy.

Maria: I hugged her.

Boady: Why?

Maria: Why?

Boady: Why d-did you h-hug her?

Maria: She’s my daughter… I love her.

Boady: And Howard?

Maria: He kissed me.

Boady: Kissed?

Maria: He’s my husband.

Boady: Husband?

Maria: We’re married. We love each other.

Boady: l-love…

Maria: Time to /go

Boady: That’s why you hug her?

Maria: Downstairs /now

Boady: And kiss him?

Maria: I won’t tell you again.

Boady: Want to dance for Miss Lucy.

Maria: You can’t see her.

Boady: Love… a… a f-feeling of a-affection?

Maria: How /do you

Boady: Didn’t understand. All the w-word you wanted me to r-read. Tried and started to u-understand. The big book with all the words. Read them. Now I understand them.

Maria: You’ve come so far /so quickly

Boady: You love your daughter.

Maria: What else did you learn?

Boady: You love your husband even when he is c-cruel?

Maria: He’s just a man.

Boady: A man?

Maria: Sometimes when a man seems cruel, he’s just being protective.

Boady: Love… mothers love their children.

Maria: Yes. Yes /they do

Boady: Do you love me?

Silence

Maria: You’re a tool. You’re not my child.

Boady: But you made me. Boady starts to approach Maria Children love their mothers so… I love you? 

Maria: Nononono no you don’t-

Boady: I love you I love love you I love you I I I love I love you? Boady picks up Maria and starts to move around the stage. Love you!

Maria: Stop it. They move to the far corner of the stage; it is clumsy and Boady struggles to lift Maria. They almost drop her. Nonononono! No! Stop! Boady adjust how they carry Maria as she wriggles in their arms. Put me down. They move to a different corner of the stage. Do what I say body. They move to the edge of the stage. You’re meant to do what I say. Boady starts to spin. Stooooooooop! Boady stop! Boady places Maria down on the table. Good… good Boady?

Boady: I am your child?

Maria: You’re a body.

Boady: Can Boady dance?

Maria: You want to dance?

Boady: For Miss Lucy.

Maria: You can’t see her.

Boady: Can Boady dance for you?

Maria: I… I don’t /understand

Boady: Need music.

Maria: Wait. If I let you dance, will you go downstairs?

Boady: Y-yes.

Maria: Okay… stand stand over there. Okay… now then ummm…

Boady: Music!

Maria: Yes. Maria begins to hum the tune to ‘Amazing Grace’ but simplified. Boady dances like before. Maria doesn’t pay attention at first. Boady becomes more excited. They stretch their arms out and perform a clumsy spin that looks somewhat like a pirouette. Maria stops humming. That…

Boady: Keep going.

Maria: Okay. Maria starts to hum again. Boady dances. She makes the tune more complicated. Boady adapts. Their dance becomes more graceful. Maria smiles. She brings the tune to an end. That… that was beautiful. Like a waltz.

Boady: B-beautiful? 

Maria: Help me finish tidying up. Then we’ll go downstairs and… I’ll read you a story.

Boady: S-story?

Maria: It’ll help you sleep. I’ll give you your vial and help you go to sleep. It’ll be fun.

Boady: Kay.

Maria and Boady clear the stage. Boady mimicking Maria the best they can. Maria begins to hum and Boady dances as they clear the stage. Maria joins in the dance, her movements are small, Boady repeats them but larger. Maria Laughs. Boady tries to laugh with her, but it sounds like they are coughing. Maria places a hand on their chest and Boady stops. They dance together now as Maria’s humming fills the stage. Once they are finished Maria ushers Boady out of the room and watches them go. she pauses for a moment and looks back into the house. Then outside to Boady. 

Maria looks back and forth as the stage is swallowed in darkness.

Time Passes.

Lucy sits on a bed humming the same tune as Maria who sits beside the bed playing the piano.

Lucy: Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

Enter Howard followed by Boady who is carrying a book. Maria gestures for them to wait.

Lucy: When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Maria and Howard applaud. Boady copies them. 

Maria: Beautiful darling! Maria hugs Lucy. Well done.

Howard: Yes, you’ve gotten a lot better.

Maria: Nearly made me cry.

Lucy: Thanks.

Maria: You have a gorgeous voice.

Lucy: You always say that.

Maria: I mean it. 

Lucy: I know.

Maria: You alright?

Lucy: Tired.

Maria: That’s okay. Just lie down. It’ll be alright.

Lucy: I’m fine.

Howard: You okay?

Lucy: I said I’m fine.

Howard: Maybe you should take a break?

Lucy: I’m great. Leave me alone.

Boady: That was… s-singing?

Howard: Not now.

Maria: Yes Boady. /Making music.

Howard: Boady?

Maria: Lucy’s very good.

Boady: Very good.

Howard: Like you know anything.

Maria: Howard. Leave it.

Howard: I brought it like you asked.

Maria: Look Lucy, Boady’s here.

Lucy: I know. Can we play now?

Boady: P-play?

Lucy: With my dolls. I want to teach you to play dolls.

Maria: Come on. It’ll be fun. 

Boady: Like the story?

Maria: It’s like telling a story but not with a book. Lucy will show you.

Boady: Kay.

Boady joins Lucy on the bed. They place the book on the floor. She pulls out a box of dolls, gives one to Boady and starts to play with them.

Lucy: Do you like dolls?

Howard: I better be off. 

Maria: Off?

Howard: The labs booked for some chemistry professor. I’m off to help them clear everything out.

Maria: What about all my work?

Howard: Everything you need is already here.

Maria: So where are you taking my stuff?

Howard: You don’t need it anymore.

Maria: So where are you taking it?

Howard: It’ll be put into storage. Look I really need to go I’ll talk to you later. 

Howard kisses Maria.

Maria: No wait hang on.

Howard exits.

Lucy: ‘Now my good friend would you care for some tea?’

Boady: Tea?

Lucy: Just go along with it. ‘Yes, my friend. Some tea?

Boady: Yes. I care for tea?

Lucy: You say you would like tea. 

Boady: Why?

Lucy: People don’t say they care for tea.

Boady: I like tea.

Lucy: ‘Excellent. We’ve got every tea in the world what would you like?’

Boady: I like tea.

Lucy: ‘What would you like we’ve got camomile tea, green tea, lemon tea, black tea, matcha tea, decaf tea, assam tea, ginger tea, fennel tea, Darjeeling tea, ashwagandha tea, jasmine tea, peppermint tea, rooibos tea, earl grey tea, lapsang souchong tea, breakfast tea, and English breakfast tea!’

Boady: What’s the difference?

Lucy: I… can’t remember.

Maria: I like camomile.

Boady: I’ll have cam camo mile then.

Lucy: You’re still here?

Boady: We’re having tea.

Maria: I can see that. Looks like fun.

Lucy: I want to play with Boady.

Maria: You won’t even know I’m here.

Lucy: But I do know you’re here.

Maria: I’ll be very quiet.

Maria sits at the far edge of the room.

Lucy: Fine. Where were we… I know. ‘Excellent my good friend. Shall I be mother?’

Boady: You’re not my mother?

Lucy: No. But it’s what mum says. Everyone says ‘yes’ then she pours the tea, so I think that’s what it means.

Boady: Be mother.

Lucy: Okay then. She pretends to pour tea for them both. ‘How are things these days my good fellow?’

Boady: Don’t… know?

Lucy: ‘Have you seen the gardens? They are quite magni magni’ can’t say /that word

Maria: Magnificent.

Lucy: I know. ‘They’re quit magni’ ahh, ‘they’re quite nice aren’t they.’

Boady: Don’t know.

Lucy: Haven’t you seen them?

Boady: Boady hasn’t gone outside. Can Maria join? She’ll know what the gardens are like?

Lucy: She doesn’t have a doll. You can only play if you have a doll and she doesn’t.

Boady: Aren’t there more?

Lucy: No.

Boady: There’s more in the box.

Maria: I’m happy to watch.

Lucy: Those are the rules. She can’t join. It’s not allowed.

Boady: Who made the rules?

Lucy: It’s my game.

Boady: Would like her to /play

Lucy: But it’s my game though.

Boady: Can she please?

Lucy: Don’t you have something else to do?

Maria: Not right now.

Lucy: You always have something else to do.

Maria: It’s my day off.

Boady: Can she?

Lucy: Fine, I guess.

Boady: Yay!

Maria: Does that make you happy?

Boady: Thought you would b-be a-angry.

Maria: Why?

Boady: Not doing what Lucy says.

Lucy: I’m not happy.

Boady: Thought it was bad if I don’t do as I am t-told.

Lucy: I said I’m not happy.

Maria: It’s okay.

Boady: Kay.

Lucy: Can’t think while you’re here.

Maria: I’m not doing anything.

Lucy: I want to play with Boady. Not you. Go away.

Maria: It’s my house. I can go where I like.

Lucy: It’s my room.

Maria: We were having a lovely time earlier. 

Lucy: You just want to look at Boady. 

Maria: Are you having fun Boady?

Boady: Was.

Lucy: Until you stuck your nose where it wasn’t wanted.

Maria: There’s no need to be like that.

Maria picks up the book from the floor.

Lucy: Whatever.

Maria: Have you been reading?

Boady: Miss Lucy gave me the book after you went to bed.

Maria: At night?

Boady: They came to see me.

Maria: You’re not supposed to leave your room at night.

Lucy: I don’t care.

Maria: What kind of book is this?

Lucy: Kiddie stuff.

Maria: Do you know what’s in this book?

Boady: It’s a-a h-history book.

Maria: Yes, that’s right.

Lucy: Yes. It’s very clever, aren’t you Boady.

Maria: What have you learnt then? From the history book?

Boady: Lots.

Maria: Go on. You can tell me.

Boady: A-about c-cavemen. They were s-stupid but they’re where lots of things came from. Like they learned how to m-make f-fire and t-tools and things like that.

Maria: Very clever.

Boady: W-want to be c-clever.

Maria: I wanted to be clever once.

Lucy: Mums not that clever.

Boady: Is that why you made me?

Lucy: She’s not clever cause she made you. She made me and didn’t have to be clever to /do that

Maria: That was different.

Lucy: You’re just a big doll.

Maria: It’s a little more complicated /than that

Lucy: Made from bits of skin and bones and muscles. 

Maria: That’s true /but

Lucy: I was born.

Boady: Maria made /me

Lucy: That makes me real. You’re not real Boady. Dolls aren’t real.

Boady: Is Boady alive?

Lucy: No you’re not. You’re just a thing.

Maria: Lucy that’s /cruel

Lucy: Not a person. A doll for me to play /with 

Boady: B-but I /am

Maria: Lucy there’s no need /for that

Lucy: You look at it like it was a child.

Maria: It’s only a few days /old

Lucy: Like you used to look at me.

Maria: It’s very young.

Lucy: Mayflies live for a day. Two at best. They get old very quickly.

Maria: Boady isn’t a /mayfly

Lucy: Might as well be.

Boady: H-how long will I live?

Lucy: Big mayfly doll.

Maria: You don’t need to think about that.

Boady: How long /will I

Maria: Boady. That doesn’t matter. Don’t think about it.

Boady: But /I

Maria: I’m telling you. Do as I say.

Boady: Kay.

Maria: Go downstairs. 

Boady: Downstairs?

Maria: I need to talk to my daughter. I’ll come get you in a bit.

Boady: But we were p-playing?

Lucy: We’re not done /playing

Maria: You’ll play later. Go on.

Boady: Kay.

Lucy: I don’t want /it to

Maria: Boady. Downstairs. Now.

Boady: Sorry.

Exit Boady

Lucy: I wanted to keep playing.

Maria: I know.

Maria hugs Lucy. She tries to push her off but Maria holds on tight.

Lucy: What are you doing? Get off.

Maria: I’m holding my child. My daughter.

Lucy: Why? Get off.

Maria: Because I’m your mother and I love you. Look at me. I love you.

Lucy: Whatever.

Maria: Say it back.

Lucy: What?

Maria: Say you love me.

Lucy: Why? I don’t /wanna

Maria: Say it.

Lucy: No.

Maria: I need to hear you say it.

Lucy: Why? Let go.

Maria: I need to know.

Lucy: I… I love you.

Maria: I love you?

Silence

Lucy: I love you mum. Happy now?

Maria: I think so.

Lucy: I want dad.

Maria: I’ll get him.

Lucy: He isn’t weird like you.

Enter Boady.

Maria: I told you to wait downstairs.

Boady: Doors locked.

Maria: Come here.

Maria hugs Boady.

Lucy: What are you doing?

Maria: Shut up for a moment please.

Lucy: Excuse /me

Maria: I’m sorry but please be quiet.

Boady: Did I do something wrong?

Maria: No. No, you didn’t.

Lucy: Where are you going?

Maria: I’m going to find your dad. Boady, can you stay with her?

Lucy: Are you okay?

Maria: I’m fine. I’ll be back later. Stay with her.

Boady: Kay.

Exit Maria.

Boady joins Lucy on the bed and they start to play with the dolls again.

The stage is swallowed in darkness.

Time passes

Maria’s laboratory. Howard is packing various pieces of equipment into boxes.

Enter Maria

Howard: Where’d you come from?

Maria: What are you doing?

Howard: Tidying up. I told you this morning.

Maria: You need to stop.

Howard: Stop? Where’s Lucy?

Maria: At home.

Howard: By herself?

Maria: Boady’s watching /her

Howard: That thing?

Maria: If that’s how you want to put it /yes

Howard: You said it was violent. You left her /with that

Maria: It had just been born they’re better now.

Howard: You can’t leave her alone.

Maria: She’s not alone.

Howard: She’s with that thing you don’t know what could set it /off

Maria: They’ll be fine. Where’s my stuff.

Howard: You think it’s safe?

Maria: My research where is it?

Howard: You’re works finished. You did it. The labs been repurposed you don’t need it anymore. Anything you need has been sent to the house.

Maria: We need to start again.

Howard: “We?” What does that mean?

Maria: It’s, it’s defective.

Howard: Defective?

Maria: It won’t work. Doesn’t do what it’s told.

Howard: And you left it with Lucy?

Maria: It’s fine it’s /just

Howard: You’re sweating. What’s wrong?

Maria: It won’t work okay just- look we need to start /over

Howard: Sit down.

Maria: I can stand.

Howard: Tell me what the problem is?

Maria: I’m fine. Look you need to bring everything back cause we need to start again.

Howard: This has already gone far enough Maria.

Maria: I think it’s alive.

Howard: No it isn’t.

Maria: You don’t /understand

Howard: Are you hysterical?

Maria: Don’t talk to me like that.

Howard: We don’t have time for this.

Maria: I can make another /one

Howard: Another?

Maria: One that’s less complicated. A simpler creature won’t take as long and we already know the process /works

Howard: You’re scaring me now.

Maria: It came to me.

Howard: Is this a joke?

Maria: After dinner last /night

Howard: Last night? I’d locked it downstairs.

Maria: It was alive I felt it. It hugged me /it

Howard: It shouldn’t have been able to /get to 

Maria: It danced and then they told /me that

Howard: It was a mistake bringing it to the /house

Maria: Told me they love me.

Howard: Love?

Maria: That’s what it said.

Howard: It could have attacked you.

Maria: They didn’t. That never crossed their mind. They’re more complex, smarter than you think. It’s a complete artificial /person

Howard: It’s a body, a lump of flesh and nerve endings /and

Maria:  I could teach it. Not just words but really /teach

Howard: Can you hear yourself right /now

Maria: It already understands history /and

Howard: This is insane.

Maria: What about philosophy or /maths

Howard: You’re raving.

Maria: Just listen. Listen to me. Mathematics, addition what else could they achieve I mean they have the same potential as any child only without the trouble of adolescence. It’s proved that it can absorb information like us but even faster. Art. What would it paint? Something crude at first surely but eventually, perhaps, something beautiful? And-and chemistry and physics and biology. Biology. How it was made. How we were made. The construction of atoms and the reaction of chemicals. Cells upon cells upon cells all reacting and combining to create life. We created life real /life

Howard: Enough! Enough!

Maria: If they could understand what they are and how they came /to be

Howard: Shut /up

Maria: I could do that. If they’re alive then they’re not just a body are they. It would be human Howard. It would be our human. Our artificial human being that we created and transformed from a body, a hunk of flesh and bones and blood and hair and puss and fingernails, transformed into a human life. I could /do that.

Howard: I said shut up!

Maria: But… don’t… can’t /you

Howard: Shut it. That’s not our… that’s insane that’s beyond insane that’s not what you, why we did any of this. We have our own human. Lucy. Our Lucy.

Maria: I made them /both

Howard: You gave birth to Lucy. That’s real. That body, you built it. That lump of shallow flesh it’s nothing. Nothing.

Maria: I just need a few days.

Howard: We don’t have a few days. It took months of work. Weeks of gestation you can’t put this on hold for what? Scientific curiosity? Is that all you care /about

Maria: I know the process /now

Howard: The rooms being repurposed and Lucy isn’t getting any better. You saw her this morning, that was nothing compared to… you haven’t been there you have no idea you have /no

Maria: I can do it I know I /can

Howard: Have you heard her scream at night? The way she tears at her bed? How weak she’s become? Sometimes she sleeps so deeply I’m scared to tuck her in at night. How cold she is, how thin. She’s a walking skeleton. Barely alive barely moving. You weren’t there the night I shaved her head. The way she wept it was like she was a baby all over again but worse. So much worse. She is literally knocking on deaths door. It's only a matter of time until she finally opens it.

Maria: Listen to /me

Howard: No you listen. Your work is done. Your fantasising is done. You did it, bravo congratulations, well fucking done. Now we finish it. Like we said we would.

Maria: Get out.

Howard: It’s not your lab anymore.

Maria: So that’s it?

Howard: For Lucy. Yes. The decisions already been made.

Maria: You’re sick.

Howard: I’m Lucy’s father. That’s all that matters.

Maria: Go.

Howard: Come here darling /just

Maria: Go away.

Silence.

Howard picks up the box he was filling earlier and exits.

Maria sits alone for a long time as darkness swallows the stage.

Time passes.

A bare room. Lucy sits in her wheelchair alone. She is looking through a window with her wig on her lap.

Enter Maria. Lucy puts the wig back on.

Maria: Quite in here.

Lucy: It’s peaceful. I like it.

Maria: It’s nice.

Lucy: Yea.

Maria: How have you been?

Lucy: Seriously?

Maria: I realised I haven’t really asked you that.

Lucy: Brilliant. High as a kite. Spectacular.

Maria: And the truth?

Lucy: That is the truth.

Maria: You’d be terrible at cards.

Lucy: Don’t like cards.

Maria: Now that bits true.

Lucy: What do you want?

Maria: Just to talk.

Lucy: Boring.

Maria: How are you?

Lucy: Bored.

Maria: And?

Lucy: Bored of talking to you.

Maria: And?

Lucy: What do you wanna hear?

Maria: The truth and nothing but.

Lucy: I’m tired.

Maria: And?

Lucy: Can you stop saying and.

Maria: Okay.

Lucy: It’s pretty outside.

Maria: It’s almost summer.

Lucy: The gardens look nice. 

Maria: Howard’s taken good care of them.

Lucy: He likes the flowers. I like the trees best.

Maria: Fancy a walk?

Lucy: I can’t walk.

Maria: I’ll take you.

Lucy: I don’t wanna be taken anywhere.

Maria: We could do a circuit; they look better up-close than they do from in here.

Lucy: And have you push me everywhere no thanks.

Maria: You’re so rude all of a sudden?

Lucy: I’m bored and I’m tired and I want to be alone. Dad lets me move around the house, but I can’t go outside cause there’s no one to watch me. Like I’m just gonna die from looking at the sun.

Maria: I said I’ll take /you

Lucy: You know what you could do for me? 

Maria: Anything.

Lucy: Get me out of this chair. Hate this chair I hate it. Then I’ll go round the gardens with you as much as you want.

Maria: We’re working on that.

Lucy: I… I can’t stay in it any longer.

Maria: Soon.

Lucy: I’m just getting worse.

Maria: It’ll all be sorted soon.

Lucy: Are you scared?

Maria: Of what?

Lucy: Doesn’t matter. 

Maria: Tell me.

Lucy: Just leave me alone.

Maria: Darling, you know I’d do anything /for

Lucy: Sure. Can you get dad?

Maria: What’s wrong?

Lucy: Can you just get dad please?

Maria: Alright. 

Lucy: I want to grow old.

Maria: It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

Lucy: I’d like to know what it’s like. Like to see myself grow old.

Maria: I’d like that too.

Lucy: I know.

Maria: Love you.

Lucy: You too.

Exit Maria

Lucy takes her wig off and stares out the window for a short while.

Enter Howard

Howard: How’s my favourite girl?

Lucy: Is everything ready?

Howard: Almost.

Lucy: How long?

Howard: A few hours maybe? Just need to finish moving a few things.

Lucy: Good.

Lucy kisses Howard on the cheek.

Howard: Looks good out there.

The stage is swallowed in darkness.

Boady sits on the floor flicking through a book.

Enter Maria with a small box.

Maria: Hey.

Boady: Hello.

Maria: Do you remember what you said… last night after dinner.

Boady: Yes.

Maria: Did you mean it?

Boady: I… I think I did.

Maria: What are you reading?

Boady: Book.

Maria: What sort of book?

Boady: Book about birds.

Maria: Is it good?

Boady: Good book.

Maria: What have you learned?

Boady: Birds are colourful. They fly. When they love another bird they dance so that they know how much they love them. 

Maria: That’s interesting.

Boady: Like birds.

Maria: Would you like to be a bird?

Boady: Don’t know. Like to fly!

Maria: You’re sweet. I have a present for you.

Boady: P-present?

Maria: For you. It’s something you give to someone that you like. Open it.

Boady opens the box.

Boady: Don’t understand?

Maria: Clothes.

Boady: Why?

Maria: Thought you should have and well I can’t take you shopping so figured I’d bring you some.

Boady: Like yours?

Maria: Not exactly.

Boady starts pulling clothes out by the handful.

Boady: So many!

Maria: I thought, you could try some on.

Boady: These. Boady pulls out a pair of black trousers. Like… like w-what Howard wears?

Maria: It’s what boys wear. Trousers for boys and skirts for girls.

Boady: You don’t wear skirts.

Maria: I don’t like them.

Boady: So you’re a boy?

Maria: No.

Boady: Then what makes a boy a boy and a girl a girl?

Maria: It’s a little more complicated than trousers and skirts.

Boady: C-can you explain?

Maria: I’m not sure it matters much anyway. Go on. You put your legs through the holes see. Maria helps Boady to put on the trousers, they are slightly too big for them and fall down. You have to tighten them. Here let me. Maria buttons the trousers and pulls up the flies. There. You look very smart!

Boady: Am I a boy now?

Maria: Is Boady a boy?

Boady: I like the trousers. 

Maria: What do you like about them?

Boady: F-feels… right.

Maria: Would you like to be a boy?

Boady: I-d like to n-not be an… an ‘it’.

Maria: You look nice. Maybe being a boy suits you. What do you think?

Boady: Is being a boy good?

Maria: You’d have to ask Howard.

Boady: He’s cruel. Are all boys cruel?

Maria: Some are. But some girls are cruel too. And you’re not cruel, are you?

Boady: Don’t want to be. Howard is cruel.

Maria: He wasn’t always. Sometimes he can be quite sweet. He’s sweet to Lucy. He’s protective of her that’s why he might seem cruel to you.

Boady: Do you have to be cruel to be p-protective?

Maria: Not always. You know I wish he wasn’t like that sometimes. See some boys can be kind when they’re being protective. But some can be cruel. And sometimes they try to be kind, and it can come across as cruel, but they don’t always mean it. Sometimes boys aren’t good at showing you that they’re trying to be kind. I don’t know if that’s what it’s like for Howard, if it’s his fault or… why don’t you try adding a shirt?

Boady: Kay. Boady rummages through the clothes. Picking up different shirts, examining them and then throwing them to the side. This continues for some time as Maria watches, she smiles. This one! Boady pulls out a red shirt. I like this one.

Maria: I like it too. Try it on. Boady puts on the shirt and starts to spin. How does that feel?

Boady: Feels… very good. S-smart!

Maria: You look very handsome.

Boady: T-thank you.

Maria: Do you still mean it?

Boady: What?

Maria: What you said?

Boady slowly hugs Maria.

Boady: I love you.

Maria: You really mean that don’t you?

Boady: I do.

Maria: You really are wonderful.

Boady: Thank you.

Maria: You’re a good boy. Is that okay?

Boady: I liked it.

Maria: I’m very… I’m very happy to hear that.

Boady: Can you…

Maria: Yes?

Boady: Can you say it again?

Maria: My good boy.

Boady kisses Maria on the cheek. She holds him tighter.

Maria starts to hum the tune to ‘Amazing Grace’. The two of them slowly start to dance. It is reminiscent of a waltz.

Enter Howard

Howard: You need to come downstairs now Lucy she’s… what?

Maria: Howard what is it?

Howard: What the fuck are you doing?

Boady: Boady is a boy!

Howard: Get off her!

Boady throws Boady to the ground.

Maria: Howard stop /this

Howard: Lucy’s dying.

Maria: What?

Howard: She collapsed; I think she’s had another stroke.

Maria: Where is she?

Howard: In your office. She’s alive, barely, they said another one would… she’s dying Maria and you’re up here playing fucking ballerina with this thing?

Boady: You are cruel!

Howard: Quiet you!

Maria: I can’t do /it

Howard: Everything’s ready.

Maria: You’ve been in my office?

Howard: Everything’s set up like you said you just have to complete the process.

Boady: P-process?

Maria: I’m sorry Boady I’m so sorry.

Howard: I’ll take it.

Maria: Don’t touch him.

Howard: Him?

Boady: What’s happening? Miss Lucy okay?

Howard: She will be if you came with me.

Boady: What is p-process?

Maria: I’m sorry.

Howard: Sorry? It’s a thing, this is what it’s for what /are you 

Maria: Come here Boady. Come to me.

Boady: No.

Howard: You can’t be sorry for a thing.

Maria: Boady come here. Come on. Have something to eat, here look. She retrieves a vial from her pocket. Eat this it’ll settle you down.

Boady: What am I for?

Maria: You’re… you’re a body /you’re

Howard: That’s all you are.

Boady: Boady is a boy! Boady is a Boady!

Maria: Yes, yes you are /you’re

Howard: Maria get out of my way.

Maria: I can’t.

Howard: We need to go. Now.

Maria: Just give me a second.

Howard: To do what?

Maria: Please just come here Boady.

Boady: No.

Maria: Look at me, you can trust me come /here

Boady: T-trust?

Maria: Just come to me please.

Howard: Maria what are you doing? 

Maria: Come on.

Howard: What did I see just now? 

Maria: Come to me.

Howard: Maria tell me.

Boady: What is /my

Maria: Boady just come here. Everything will be fine. I mean it.

Boady sits down next to Maria. Boady looks at Maria for a long breathless moment. They drink the vial.

Howard: Well isn’t this lovely.

Maria: Don’t.

Howard: Fine.

Maria: Lets… lets go downstairs Boady. Everything’s ready?

Howard: It’s all set up.

Boady: What’s happening?

Howard: Let’s get this over with.

Boady: Won’t go with you. Howard is cruel.

Maria: Don’t worry. This will all be over soon. It’s okay. Everything will be fine.

Boady: No.

Maria: Look at me Boady. I will take care of you.

Boady: T-take care?

Maria: Yes Boady. I mean that.

Boady: Kay.

Howard: We need to go /downstairs

Maria: I’ll take him.

Howard: Fine.

Howard exits. Maria and Boady follow holding each other’s hands.

Time passes.

Boady is strapped to a large chair. They have been stripped of their clothes. There is another chair beside them. Empty. Beside it is a table full of medical equipment. Light pulses from the ceiling as Boady struggles to maintain consciousness.

Silence.

Enter Howard and Lucy.

Howard: Can you see anything?

Lucy: Just about.

Howard: That’s good that’s good.

Lucy: Am I dying?

Howard: No. No you’re not. Not today you’ll be fine.

Lucy: Is this it?

Howard: Yes sweety.

Lucy: It looks fragile.

Howard: It’ll manage.

Lucy: Will it hurt?

Howard: You won’t feel a thing.

Lucy: Why that’s some comfort.

Howard: Soon it’ll all be over and you won’t feel any pain anymore.

Lucy: That you. Nothing will /go

Howard: Wrong? We’ve taken all the necessary precautions. Look at me Lucy. Everything will be fine.

Enter Maria wearing a lab coat.

Maria: Are we ready?

Howard: Everything is prepared.

Maria: As I instructed?

Howard: Exactly as you instructed.

Lucy: Does… does it know what’s about to happen.

Howard: Lucy /darling

Lucy: I have a right to ask. Does it?

Maria: They know everything they need to.

Boady: Don’t… don’t want to…

Lucy: I thought it was sedated.

Maria: A certain level of consciousness is required before we begin. Maria approaches Lucy and kneels beside the wheelchair. You know what’s about to happen… are you ready?

Lucy: Yes.

Maria: You understand the risk?

Howard: We don’t have time /for this

Maria: Do you?

Lucy: I know. I still want to go.

Maria: Okay. Howard, if you wouldn’t mind.

Howard: Right. Give me your arms. She does. Comfortable? She nods and Howard gently lifts her out of the wheelchair and onto the larger chair beside Boady. It will all be over soon. Then… we’ll go dancing. We’ll all go dancing would you like that?

Lucy: I would.

Maria injects Lucy with a syringe of anaesthetic. Lucy winces.

Maria: Count down from ten for me.

Lucy: Ten, nine, eight, seven, six… fi…

Maria: Good girl.

Howard: It’ll all be over soon.

Maria: I know.

Howard: You ready?

Maria: I have to be.

Howard: I’ll be with you every step of the way.

Maria: You will.

Howard: I’ll make sure it all goes smoothly.

Maria: Don’t make me do this. Don’t make me choose.

Howard: Choose?

Maria: Please. I can’t do this.

Howard: You’re scaring me.

Maria: This is wrong.

Howard: This was your idea. This is how we save her /life

Maria: By killing an innocent boy? How many will have to die for her?

Howard: This one. That’s it. That’s what we decided that’s how this works.

Maria: You’ve always had such a singular mind Howard. 

Howard: About this? Of course I have.

Maria: I used to envy that about you. But now I don’t know.

Howard: We need to do this /now

Maria: It could reject her. Then where would we be?

Howard: Don’t talk like that. Pass me the scalpel I’ll make the first incision.

Maria: They’d both be dead. We’d have nothing.

Howard: Pass me the scalpel.

Maria: And even if it doesn’t it might not be able to contain her.

Howard: Give me the scalpel.

Maria: He’s a person Howard. He’s my little boy that I grew and brought into this world just like Lucy. Sure, he wasn’t… conceived in the traditional sense but he is my child. You can’t make me choose between my two children.

Howard: You’re hysterical.

Maria: No. No, I am far from hysterical I am probably the only sane person in this room because I’m the only person who sees something wrong with /this

Howard: Lucy… my Lucy is going to die. It’s either her or that thing and you’re thinking, actually considering choosing that? No. I refuse. You will save our daughters life. I don’t care if that thing talks and walks that thing is a fucking cadaver. A brilliant scientific endeavour? Perhaps. A feat of engineering? Maybe. But a person? No. Never. Until you put that thing in Lucy’s head it isn’t a real person it’s just some thing. Lucy’s life my little girl’s life is at stake and you’re actually thinking that thing might be worth saving? What is wrong with you?

Maria: I won’t do it.

Howard: Yes, you will.

Maria: I can’t /do

Howard: You will cause it’s the right thing to do.

Maria: Boady is innocent!

Howard: Your daughter is innocent! Suddenly you care more about that thing than you do her?

Maria: I made him for her! We started this for her. Since the day she was born everything, I’ve done until this moment has been for her. Since the moment she drew breath, I have cared for her. I have loved her. I will keep loving her for the rest of my life. 

Howard: But you’ll let her die to save that thing?

Maria: What we’re doing is wrong.

Howard: It won’t suffer. That’s more than what most of us get. A quick and peaceful death to save your daughter from an immeasurable amount of pain that’s more than a fair exchange. Now give me the scalpel.

Maria: And if it doesn’t work? If she rejects it? If it only lasts a few months because it can’t cope having her mind in its head? How many more would I have to make… how many more would have to die for just one girl.

Howard: Scalpel.

Maria: What happens if we let them live?

Howard: Scalpel.

Maira: It has a mind it has feelings it’s not just a /body

Howard: Scalpel.

Maria: Here. She holds up the scalped. It’s not fair.

Howard: Life isn’t fair. But we’re evening the odds a little. He takes the scalpel; Maria does not let go. Maria. Let go.

Maria: You’re okay with this? With killing him?

Howard: You can’t kill something that was never alive. Now hand it over. It will work. And when it does just think. You’ll be the woman who cheated death. The most famous person to ever live.

Maria: You think that’s what I want?

Howard: You think I wanted this? Any of this? To see you fall apart in front of me? To watch my daughter slowly atrophy into that husk over there? If you won’t save her… what kind of mother are you?

Maria: If it doesn’t work then we’ll just be two crazy people who killed their daughter. And an innocent boy.

Howard: Then we make sure it works. I’m not letting go of her. I’ll do it myself if I have to.

Maria: You can’t you don’t understand the process.

Howard: Better to try and fail than to not try at all. The world won’t miss this thing anyway.

Boady: W-where am I?

Howard: It’s Boady or both of them. Isn’t it better to try and save one life?

Maria: But what if /we

Howard: Can you stop with all your ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ and ridiculous flights of fancy? None of that matters. She’s dying. There in that chair are the means with which you can save her. What is so hard for you to understand?

Maria: Have you ever thought you might be wrong about this? Not crazy or stupid or confused just fucking wrong? Did it ever occur to you?

Howard: You’re just delaying /the

Boady: P-please… where am I?

Maria: Just think. For a moment please /just

Howard: I made up my mind a long time ago. I thought you’d done the same.

Maria: So had I.

Howard: This is your work, our lives, your life’s work your achievement.

Maria: If our work means that someone has to die then our work is evil.

Howard: It’s just a body. A bag of flesh and bones grown in a complex petri dish. It’s not alive.

Maria: We don’t get to decide that.

Howard: Who does then?

Boady: P-please… please…

Maria: Why don’t you ask him?

Boady: P-please…

Howard: I… what?

Maria: Just talk to him. If you love me, you’ll talk to him.

Howard: I don’t want to talk /to it

Maria: Please Howard.

Howard: It’s very hard to love you right now.

Maria: Then humour me. Talk to him. Look at him. Listen to him. Please.

Howard lets go of the scalpel. He places a bloody hand on Boady’s shoulder.

Boady: C-cold.

Howard: Talk.

Boady: Please…

Howard: She wants you to talk. Do as she says.

Boady: H-howard?

Howard: This pointless.

Maria: Just listen.

Howard: Talk then. Go on.

Boady: You h-hurt me… y-you w-want… me d-dead? I… I th-think I’m al-alive… I f-feel like I a-am al-alive. I like being alive. Don’t know what d-death is like, but I know that I don’t want it.

Howard: Do you want to kill my daughter?

Maria: Howard!

Howard: Maria you asked me to talk to it-to to him. Well I’m talking. Tell me Boady, you want to kill my daughter?

Boady: I don’t think I want to kill anyone.

Howard: Do you want to save my daughter? You could do the noble thing. The noblest thing anyone can do. Know what that is?

Boady: W-what?

Howard: Giving your life. To save someone else. 

Maria: Howard stop it.

Howard: To choose, to decide that someone else is deserving of all the life you want and have and giving it to them. 

Boady: N-noble?

Howard: Someone who is good. Who does good things. Do you want to be noble Boady? To do the right thing?

Maria: I thought /you’d

Howard: You thought two minutes would… what? Change my mind? What do you say?

Maria: How can he make that decision?

Howard: If he’s really alive… he’ll do the right thing. Well then Boady?

Boady: I don’t w-want to die.

Howard: Do you want Lucy to die?

Boady: I do not w-want Miss Lucy to d-die.

Howard: You’re the only person who can save her.

Boady: Maria said everything would be she’d take care of me.

Howard: She lied to you.

Maria: I never lied.

Howard: She lied to you, but I am telling you the truth. The whole truth and nothing but. It’s either your ‘life’ or Lucy’s. I have never loved anything more in my life. She is my daughter. Maria’s daughter. Your… your ‘sister’. Don’t you want to save your ‘sister’? Do your duty to your ‘family’?

Maria: Get out.

Howard: I’m just speaking the truth, as plainly as I see it.

Maria: Get out.

Howard: And leave /you

Maria: Get out.

Howard: So you can do what?

Maria: Get. Out.

Howard: This is my house /too

Maria: I want to talk to him.

Howard: We don’t have /time

Maria: Give me this. Please.

Howard: I can’t let /you

Maria: I just want five minutes.

Howard: We’ve already wasted too much /time

Maria: Just give me five minutes. That’s all.

Howard: Fine. Five minutes. I’m counting.

Howard exits.

Boady: You’re sad.

Maria: Yes.

Boady: I’ve lived a short life.

Maria: Like a mayfly.

Boady: I don’t want to die.

Maria: I don’t want to kill you.

Boady: I don’t want to kill Miss Lucy.

Maria: She’s dying. You’re not. You have so much potential.

Boady: It’s okay. I’ll do it.

Maria: I’m sorry?

Boady: I-I will do it.

Maria: You don’t know what you’re saying-

Boady: I am… okay with it.

Maria: Do you know what will happen?

Boady: I will die. Lucy will live. I think that’s okay. It’s what I was made for afterall.

Maria: Yes… yes it was.

Boady: I would have liked to fly.

Maria: If I could I’d give you wings.

Boady: What will happen?

Maria: I’ll make an incision at the back of your head. You might feel a slight pressure. Then everything will go black, and I’ll start moving Lucy into you.

Boady: Like going to sleep?

Maria: Yes.

Boady: I’d like to go to sleep now.

Maria: You’re sure?

Boady: I am sure.

Maria: I need your permission.

Boady: You want to save your daughter.

Maria: I do.

Boady: I give you my p-permission. 

Maria: Thank you.

Maria touches Boady’s bloody shoulder. She stands behind him and brings the scalpel to the back of his head.

Boady: Could you…

Maria: Yes?

Boady: What you said. When I wore the clothes. Could you say it again?

Maria: You look very handsome. My good boy.

Boady: I would have liked to know how to be a boy.

Maria: You’re very handsome. My good boy. My sweet boy. My Boady.

Boady: Feels right.

Maria: Bedtime, I think. 

Maria begins to make the incision as the stage is swallowed in darkness.

Time passes

The dining room. Maria sits at the table drinking a cup of tea, she has a large bag beside her. There is a vial of grey liquid beside one of the chairs.

Enter Howard

He goes to kiss her on the cheek. She flinches.

Howard: You don’t have to do this you know.

Maria: I think I have to.

Howard: You’re sure?

Maria: I want to.

Howard: Will you come back?

Maria: Thank you. For helping with the car.

Howard: Was the least I could do. How are you feeling?

Maria: High as a kite.

Howard: You did the right think you know?

Maria: I know. Can I have another cup?

Howard: Sure.

He starts to make her a cup of tea.

Howard: She’ll be down in a moment.

Maria: How is she?

Howard: Still a little weak but much better than before.

Maria: Good.

Howard: She’ll make a full recovery. Still… it’s odd.

Maria: Odd?

Howard: That face. It’s face. It’ll take some getting used to. 

Maria: I tried to make the proportions and features as close to the original as possible, but some things can’t be replicated in a lab.

Howard: Back then… for a moment I thought /you’d

Maria: It would have been wrong to do anything different. 

Howard: Still… it’s her. She’s back. You brought our daughter back. That’s something to be proud of.

Maria: Yes. Yes, I did.

Howard: What will you do?

Maria: I think I’ll finish my tea.

Howard: And then?

Maria: I don’t know. Feel like a teenager again I… have no idea what I should do. What I want… doesn’t make sense does it?

Howard: You could stay?

Maria: There isn’t room.

Howard: No. No there isn’t. 

Maria: I think we just need some time to ourselves.

Howard: How much time?

Maria: I don’t know. But you don’t need me that much anyway.

Howard: Guess not.

Maria: I never needed you. I wanted you but… now we both just need some… we’re done Howard.

Howard: Done? Glad we cleared that up.

Maria: I feel so much lighter like I /could

Enter Lucy now in Boady’s body wearing a red and black dress.

Lucy: Look at me look at me look at me! Oh my god! I can stand. She jumps. I can jump. I can run! She runs around the table. Oh thank you mum! Thank you thank you thank you thank you this is the best day ever! The best the best the bestest that ever was yes I love it! Look at me look at me!

Howard: That’s a nice dress. Haven’t seen that one before.

Lucy: I was saving it just for this! Look at me! I’m new! I’m alive. I feel so alive dad!

Howard: You’re gorgeous my sweet.

Lucy: I know. And feel my head! Howard touches her head. Do you feel it? Hair! Growing! I’ll have real hair again. I just can’t wait. She spins. It’s wonderful.

Maria: I’m glad you’re so happy Lucy.

Lucy: Happy? I’m ecstatic! 

Maria: You look it.

Lucy: What’s that bag for? Is it for me?

Maria: I’m just about /to

Howard: Mums just heading out for a bit.

Lucy: But it’s late?

Maria: Going to see my sister. Then I need to start looking for a new job.

Lucy: But the lab?

Maria: I’m handing in my notice. I just think I need something new.

Lucy: When will you be back?

Maria: I’ll… I’ll visit don’t worry.

Lucy: Visit?

Maria: Look at you. You look spectacular darling!

Lucy: If you’re going… could we take a picture? Just me and mum? To commemorate the best day of my life.

Howard: Best day of your life so far.

Lucy: So far! I like the sound of that!

Howard: It can only get better from here.

Lucy: Come on mum!

Maria: Alright.

Howard: I’ll get the camera.

Howard exits.

Lucy pulls Maria out of her chair and starts to spin her around the room.

Lucy: Where should we take it? By the draws? In the garden? My room? Downstairs maybe?

Maria: I’m sure it doesn’t matter.

Lucy: Oh, it’s perfect mum! Everything works and feel… I feel like myself for the first time in forever it’s brilliant.

Maria: Perfect.

Lucy: I love you I love you I love you!

Maria: I love you too.

Lucy: It’s amazing. Lucy spins.

Lucy: Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Lucy&Maria: 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first /believed.

Enter Howard

Howard: Found it! Did I interrupt?

Lucy: I can sing without feeling like I’m going to collapse. And look I dance! She performs a simple waltz. It is clumsy at first, but she quickly improves. Adapting to her new legs. I haven’t done this in so long. I’ve missed it! I can dance I can dance I can dance! 

She stretches out her arm and performs a simple pirouette. 

Howard: Wonderful! Isn’t she wonderful!

Maria: Yes… she is.

Lucy: Come on dad! A quick picture then you can go mum.

Maria: Right. By the table okay?

Howard: Works for me.

Lucy: Dance with me mum! It’ll look so good!

Howard: I’ll give you a tune. Howard starts to hum the tune to ‘Amazing Grace’. Lucy follows the music. Maria stands still.

Lucy: Come on mum.

Maria copies Lucy’s movements.

Howards takes a photo. Maria hugs Lucy. She picks up her tea and finishes it quickly as Howard and Lucy start to dance behind her. Howard picks up Lucy and spins her around. Maria steps away from the table. She notices the bottle of grey liquid and picks it up. She starts to cry as Howard and Lucy fade from view. Maria opens the bottle. Howards humming fades as Maria picks up the tune. Black liquid begins to pour from the sky. The liquid trickles down her head. She sits down and cups the liquid in her hand. She turns back and sees a mass writing on the floor. 

Silence. 

The stage is swallowed in darkness.

End.