ROMULUS
(Beat.)
I think we should stay.
DEME
(Beat.)
You know we can’t do that.
ROMULUS
Why not?
DEME
We are so close, Romey.
(Beat.)
Nannurulak has seen them.
ROMULUS
When?
DEME
They might be just a few days away.
ROMULUS
When did he see them?
DEME
You know it won’t last here. New San Francisco was supposed to last and now it’s ash.
ROMULUS
We don’t know where they are.
DEME
(Quoting Echo:)
The white bears live forever in the land of 60 degrees north, 135 degrees west, and the Aurora Borealis dances with joy above their heads.
(Beat.)
When we get there, I promise we can—
ROMULUS
What? Stop?
DEME
They will be there.
ROMULUS
I’m not like you.
DEME
You’re my brother.
ROMULUS
You love the road.
DEME
It’s all there is.
ROMULUS
I don’t believe that anymore.
DEME
(Beat. Indicating the spring:)
What happened there?
ROMULUS
I don’t know. Ugalik said some words I couldn’t understand and the drummers drummed and the water rained and I just wanted to stay a part of it.
DEME
(Beat.)
You’d let me go into the nowhere.
ROMULUS
Adam and Eve, Cassie, Echo…you. People leave. They do what’s inside them to do, and I can’t carry that.
DEME
We’re leaving tomorrow.
ROMULUS
Then you are.
DEME
That play you were always sneak reading.
ROMULUS
How’d you know about—
DEME
You really think you could hide it—
ROMULUS
Did you read it?
DEME
All but the end. It’s the play Mom and Dad saw.
ROMULUS
Nobody knows the end.
DEME
He comes.
ROMULUS
How do you know? Did they tell you?
DEME
He’s got to. Why do it?
ROMULUS
What if he doesn’t? What if it’s just up to them to stop?
DEME
(Beat.)
It won’t last. Here is like ever.
ROMULUS
Maybe it will.
DEME
And if not?
ROMULUS
Then I’ll do what needs doin’.