Tremors
(fragment)
by Iris Horomnea

Marcus
Is that what you think you are to me? That I chose to be with you, because I don’t have the guts to be with a guy. Do you hear what you’re saying?
 
(pause, Edith says nothing, grits her teeth, trying to contain her anger, but bursts out)
 
Edith
Wouldn’t you be better off if you just went back to him? ‘Cause it’s clear to me that we’re not going anywhere with this.
 
Marcus
Go back to him and feel guilty, I suppose? Is that what it is, you want me to feel guilty?
 
Edith
You mean you feel like you’re not at all to blame for anything that’s happening, for how you’re making me feel? It’s totally fine that you’re hitting me right where it hurts.
 
Marcus
Until now I didn’t even know there was a “right where it hurts” like that. You didn’t even want to tell me anything!
 
Edith
Okay, and now that you know, you really don’t want to accept that it’s a problem?
 
Marcus
What is the problem, really? That I like guys too? (Pause) I can sense from all of this, that it’s actually your problem.
 
Edith
And what if it is?
 
Marcus
Then what should I do? Stop liking boys? Fucking shit! In our community, people see me as not queer enough because I’m with a girl and then you come along and tell me that it’s actually a problem that I’m also attracted to boys. So, then what am I supposed to do? Who should I limit myself to? Because it seems like everyone wants something else from me, to be somehow to their liking and not be me.
 
(pause) 

Edith
That’s not what I was trying to say…
 
Marcus
Then what were you trying to say? I understand where you’re coming from, but it’s hard for me too, you know. I’d like to be able to assume my identity as well, without feeling forced to “pick a side” just to make it easier for others.
 
(pause)
 
Edith
I don’t want you to be like that because of me. I mean I wouldn’t want you to feel like you have to hide who you are, that’s not the point. That’s why we’re together because we can be who we are and love each other for it. And that’s what I don’t want us to lose.
 
(pause)
 
Marcus
Then please trust that I love you and will continue to love you for the woman we both know you are. No more of those stupid chasing games.
 
Edith
I trust you, for real, I really do. And I didn’t mean to attack you…
 
Marcus
I believe you.
 
Edith
And yet I did, and it sucks that I reacted that way. I was trying to defend myself from something that I know has already fucked up my life and my trust in myself and other people.
 
(Marcus approaches Edith and hugs her)
 
Marcus
I wouldn’t do that to you, believe me.
 
(Edith responds to the hug)
 
Edith
I promise from now on we’ll talk about this stuff, even if it’s harder to deal with… I want to know what’s going on with us. And we’ll talk and we’ll figure things out.
 
 
(Edith rests her head on Marcus’s chest, and he kisses her head. They embrace more tightly)
 
(…)