Maiden Taiwan

[Gemini Cricket]

Maiden Taiwan
By: GC

The setting is Boston on the T (the subway). The train has just come to an violent stop in a tunnel. This section is occupied by only two people. Nick, 20, slides down a couple of seats and slams hard into Taiwan, 70. Taiwan is wearing several sweaters and a large overcoat. Nick is wearing a sweatshirt with a prominent school's name on the front.

Nick: Whoa. Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.

Taiwan: It's okay, baby.

Nick: Did I hurt you?

Taiwan: No, I’m just fine. I got lots of padding. We’re golden.

Nick: I didn’t see you sitting there. Huh. What you think happened?

Taiwan: Mmm mm, somebody must have done a dive.

Nick: Dive.

Taiwan: In front of the train. Bingo, bango, baby.

Nick: Whoa.

Taiwan: Whoa? You riding a horse or something? (She laughs.)

Nick: Ha.

Taiwan: We should be moving anytime now.

Nick: Yeah. (Pause) So.

Taiwan: Sew buttons.

Nick: Ha. (Pause) I’m Nick.

Taiwan: Lemme guess. You want a ‘moment’.

Nick: I’m sorry?

Taiwan: Train stalls, we’re here… ‘wise old black lady on the T gonna give me some lifelong advice that’s gonna help me change this pathetic world’.

Nick: What?

(She just looks at him)

Nick: Okay, you’re right.

Taiwan: I know. (Pause) Taiwan.

Nick: Sorry?

Taiwan: It ain’t where I’m from, baby. It’s my name.

Nick: Taiwan.

Taiwan: Yup.

Nick: Taiwan?! How’d you get a name like that?

Taiwan: How’d you get a name like Nick? Your daddy like Santa Claus?

Nick: Ha.

Taiwan: ‘Ha.’ Ain’t you got anything better to say than that? Said it three times all ready. Use your brain, son.

Nick: Right.

Taiwan: Substituting it with ‘right’ don’t work neither.

(Nick just smiles.)

Taiwan: A smile works. You ain’t from here.

Nick: You can tell.

Taiwan: You don’t see no one from Boston wearin’ no Harvard sweatshirt.

Nick: My mom got it for me. She’s really proud.

Taiwan: Mmm mm.

Nick: You from here.

Taiwan: Yep.

Nick: Roxbury?

Taiwan: Why does it have to be Roxbury, baby? I bet if I said I’m from Beacon Hill and John Kerry’s nanny your head would just about explode and let the birds out your skull. Hmm.

Nick: Ha- I mean, you’re right about that.

Taiwan: Son, what you know about everything could fill an envelope.

(Nick smiles sheepishly and stares at his shoes.)

Taiwan: I’m sorry, Nick. Taiwan’s just crabby.

Nick: How’d you get that name anyway?

Taiwan: Hmm. After I gave birth to my daughter in the hospital, a nurse came up to me with the child in her hands. On babygirl’s foot, there was a sticker tag that said ‘Made in Taiwan’. It must have came off a blanket or bottle or something in the nursery. My husband thought that was real funny and said, ‘If she was made in Taiwan, you must be Taiwan then, honey.’ Stupid fuc king joke. But like that tag, it stuck.

(Nick laughs.)

Taiwan: What’s taking them so long? Hmm. I got me a spatula in my bag if they need it.

Nick: Wow. Harsh.

Taiwan: Baby, the dead don’t mind.

(Long pause.)

Nick: I miss my home.

Taiwan: Denver, Colorado.

Nick: Why’s it got to be Denver.

Taiwan: Them manicured hands don’t scream Detroit to me. Am I right? Denver.

Nick: Yes.

(Taiwan laughs. Nick joins in.)

(After a long pause, Nick goes to the train doors and try to pry them open.)

Nick: I think I can get it.

Taiwan: Girl, it’s about time.

Nick: I’m sorry.

Taiwan: Never mind, baby. Uh huh. Okay. That’s it?

Nick: Who’re you talking to?

Taiwan: Your sister, baby. She doesn’t want you to leave school.

(For a long time, Nick doesn’t turn away from the doors. He is no longer trying to open them.)

Nick: What?

Taiwan: Your sister, Ann-Marie. She doesn’t want you to move back in with your parents and give it all up. She wants you to stick it out, baby.

Nick: I don’t know who the hell you are and-

Taiwan: Hmm. I don’t give a flying dingleberry about you and your dead sister, honey. I’m just relaying a message.

Nick: Who are you?

Taiwan: Taiwan, like I said.

Nick: I know your name. How do you know about Ann-Marie?

Taiwan: I don’t. I’m just relaying a message. It’s what I gotta do now. Ain’t I lucky?

Nick: What?

Taiwan: I’m a ghost, baby.

Nick: What the fu ck?

Taiwan: Let’s just say, the train didn’t stop for me, it stopped because of me. Taiwan’s gonna have to do sh!t like this. For awhile. Mmm mm.

(Taiwan turns to her side looking at someone Nick can’t see.)

Taiwan: Can I go now? I gave him your message.

Nick: Lady, you’re-

Taiwan: Recently dead.

Nick: This is nuts.

Taiwan: Stay where you are, baby. Stick it out. You gotta get that degree for a reason. You’ll know soon enough.

(Taiwan gets up and heads for the doors.)

Nick: So, what happens now?

Taiwan: I dunno, what you want me to do? Shoot watermelon seeds outta my ass? I got people to talk to.

(They doors open for her and she retreats into the darkness.)

(Nick stands alone. After a while, the doors open again. A man in a security uniform appears.)

Man: Your turn, son. We’re marching outta here. Follow me. Step where I step, please.

Nick: What happened? Someone kill themself?

Man: I ain’t supposed to say, but yes.

Nick: An old lady?

Man: You heard? Yup. Let’s go.

(Nick walks follows the security guard down the tunnel. From all around him he can hear voices in the darkness. He walks until he sees a light up ahead. He sees the station sign. It reads: “Harvard Square”.)

[Capt Jack]

mui bueno.

mas! mas!

[Prudence]

Damn that was good. I'm just speechless. Loved the watermelon line.

[SacTown Chronic]

[Gemini Cricket]

Thanks.

I was sitting on the T last night and saw a 'Nick' sitting on one side of me and a 'Taiwan' on the other side of me. I thought, if these two actually had a conversation what would it be like..?