Work Text:
Lights fade up. A purple glow.
JINX and EKKO sit on stools, back to back. Jinx’s hair is cut short, and her feet are bare. Ekko is bruised and scratched, and his white facepaint is smudged.
JINX
Where did you go?
EKKO
You’re asking me?
JINX
I had nowhere else to go.
EKKO
That’s not true.
Pause.
JINX
He said I was perfect.
EKKO
…
JINX
I held his face as the light withdrew from his eyes.
EKKO
Jinx…
JINX
That’s what he called me.
Pause.
JINX
It’s what they all called me.
EKKO
I called you P…
Pause.
EKKO
I remember what I called you.
JINX
What you called her.
EKKO
What I called you.
JINX
What’s my name, Ekko?
EKKO
…
JINX
I’m right here. What’s my name?
EKKO
It’s you.
JINX
Is that an answer?
EKKO
There is no other.
JINX
…You’ve always been stubborn.
EKKO
You’ve never given up.
Jinx looks at her hands.
EKKO
And… I won’t either.
JINX
You don’t want this.
EKKO
It’s not a choice. I don’t get to choose you. You just are. You always have been.
Pause.
EKKO
You always will be.
JINX
Ekko…
EKKO
If you’re honest with yourself… you know you never had that choice either.
JINX
…no.
Pause.
JINX
Is that why you couldn’t finish it?
EKKO
Are we talking about…
JINX
Yes.
EKKO
It’s knowing that if I had finished it… the idea of seeing your body lie still on the bridge… It’s not something I can—
JINX
Do to yourself?
EKKO
But I wanted to. Up there, I really wanted to.
JINX
But you didn’t.
EKKO
No.
JINX
Is that strength or just weakness?
EKKO
You are my weakness. You are… my strength.
Pause.
JINX
I don’t think I’ve ever felt unsafe around you.
EKKO
Can I believe that?
JINX
Yes… yes.
EKKO
Even when—
JINX
Yes. And if you had finished it… I’d have been grateful it was you.
Ekko lowers his head and sighs. He looks up again.
EKKO
Will we ever be free?
JINX
The only way is to let go.
EKKO
Of what?
JINX
…Everything.
EKKO
Everything?
JINX
How much longer am I supposed to keep doing this?
EKKO
You don’t—
JINX
We’ll never be free.
EKKO
We—….
Pause.
JINX
Ekko?
EKKO
I’m here.
JINX
I’m scared.
EKKO
I know.
Pause. Ekko looks over his shoulder. He stands up, walks downstage and faces the audience. He turns his body to face Jinx.
EKKO
I’m here.
Jinx looks at him. She stands up, shuffling towards him. Then past him. She looks out at the audience. She closes her eyes. Ekko gently wraps his arms around her from behind.
EKKO
I’m here.
JINX
How many times are you gonna say that?
He leans in closer.
EKKO
As many times as you need.
The stand there, together.
JINX
Thank you.
The lights dim.