Fond Memories, Scene #01
Picture this: a house filled with echoes of the past, a man named Ryan (Jay Romero) eager to introduce his new love, Lydia (Lacy Lennon), to his father, Nate (Tommy Pistol). Lydia's excitement is palpable, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She sees this as a milestone in their relationship, a step closer to becoming part of Ryan's family. But there's a peculiar tension in the air, a sense of something hidden just beneath the surface. Ryan fusses over Lydia's hair, adjusting it with an almost obsessive care. It's as if he's preparing her for a role, a performance she doesn't yet know she's about to give. Lydia, blissfully unaware, merely finds his attention endearing. What could possibly be amiss? They enter the house to find Nate at the piano, a melancholic tune filling the air. After introductions, Nate pauses, his gaze lingering on Lydia. "You look familiar," he muses. Lydia laughs it off, but the moment hangs heavy with unspoken words. She encourages Nate to continue playing, her delight genuine as she sits beside him. Slowly, a smile tugs at Nate's lips. There's something about Lydia, something that stirs memories and brings a warmth long absent. Ryan, watching from the doorway, seems pleased. He whisks Lydia away, promising a surprise. And what a surprise it is! A beautiful dress, tailored just for her, and a pair of elegant shoes. Lydia is thrilled, her gratitude overflowing as she changes into her new outfit. Ryan inspects her, adjusting her hair once more. "Perfect," he declares, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. But why the grand gesture? Why the careful preparation? The answers lie waiting in the living room. As Lydia and Ryan return, Nate looks up, his eyes widening in disbelief. Before him stands not just Lydia, but a mirror image of his late wife, Megan. Lydia, confused and upset, turns to Ryan for answers. And what a tale he spins! A story of love and loss, of a father consumed by grief. Ryan reveals that Lydia's resemblance to Megan is no coincidence. He's orchestrated everything, their meeting, their relationship, all leading to this moment. A cruel deception, or a desperate attempt to heal a broken heart? Lydia reels, her world shaken. Yet, she can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Nate, a man so lost in grief he sees his late wife in a stranger's face. Ryan slips away, leaving Lydia and Nate alone. Nate, lost in memories, calls Lydia 'Megan'. He speaks of love, of loss, his words a haunting echo of the past. Lydia listens, her heart aching for her own losses, for the tragedy that binds them all. Can she find it in herself to comfort Nate, to play the role Ryan has so carefully crafted for her? As Nate reaches out, asking if he can touch her, kiss her, Lydia hesitates. But there's a connection now, a shared grief that transcends the deception. And so, she says yes, the final act of this strange and twisted performance playing out before our eyes. What will happen next? Will Lydia find solace in this unusual arrangement, or will she break free, leaving Nate and Ryan to their shared delusion? The stage is set, the actors in place. All that's left is to watch the drama unfold!
