DORIS: Absolutely. I know it didn’t look like it tonight, but she’s crazy about me. Most of the time. Well, I tend to get on her nerves. But I know she loves me. 

IZZY: I wish I had someone like that. 

DORIS: You will. 

IZZY: Seems like I’m behind. According to Jimmy. 

DORIS: I was the exact same at your age. Nothing new.

IZZY: But I thought… I mean you…

DORIS: That wasn’t until much later. College. My first partner wasn’t anyone special. He and I went out only a few weeks. 

IZZY: He?

DORIS: Yeah. But don’t tell Mae. It’s embarrassing. I prefer her by far. 

IZZY: My lips are sealed.

DORIS: So.. you use they/them pronouns?

IZZY: Yes, at least for now. I’m still trying to figure it out. 

DORIS: I’m not trying to be rude. I’ve just been so curious about that. Sometimes I think if I wasn’t born in this GENERATION, I would try both she and they. Can you do that?

IZZY: Yes. If it feels right, you should. 

DORIS: Maybe. I guess I’ve just used the term butch to describe me for so long that I’m attached at this point. But, you know, never say never. 

IZZY: I never thought I would identify as anything other than a girl so I’m in the same boat with you. 

DORIS: That’s actually quite encouraging

(They get quiet again.)

IZZY: Being from your generation, do you ever feel LIKE... Things are moving too fast?

DORIS: Well kid, I’ve been around for decades at this point. I’ve seen my friends fight and die and change for the better and worse. Things always move too fast. But you can find the places and the people that slow down with you. Why do you ask?

IZZY: Feels like the world is moving too fast and I’m afraid I don’t have a place in it. 

DORIS: Of course you have a place in this world. People in this world may try to drive you out but you have to find your footing. 

IZZY: I don’t know if I can.

(pause) 

DORIS: SO, tell me, why is a SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD out at 10:30 PM on a snowy Thursday night without telling their parents?

(Pause. IZZY thinks for a second and then “gives in.”)

IZZY: Perhaps that SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD got into a fight with their parents because they’re all scared. Terrified. Because since the inauguration this week, rights are going out every door and window, and it isn’t safe anymore for this teen. SO, their parents pressured them to consider hiding who they are and keeping their old name. And given that it was just a bike ride down the road, they might as well see the elusive lesbian bar. 

DORIS: Sounds like this kid has had quite the night. 

IZZY: Yeah. I guess I haven’t really felt like myself since the election, to be honest. Everything happens and I’m just here. It’s like I’m dying a very slow death, and I was before that night, but now my body is rapidly decaying. And I have never loathed myself as much as I do now. And I don’t know why I feel this way. I used to be ready to fight tooth and nail against these fuckers. 

(pause) 

Will it get better? I mean you lived through the worst before and you’re still here.

DORIS: I remember what you’re feeling right now. I’m feeling it lately myself. If you are asking if you’ll feel safe or happy anytime soon, I’m sorry to say I can’t tell you that. In fact if you completely let go of what you feel now, I would assume someone took out your soul and ate you right up. Because to feel disgusted and scared at your human rights being ripped from you should make you feel exactly that. And enraged. 

I don’t know how I got to this age - no that’s not true. If I had to rely on only myself to get here, I would be stunned. Because what you need, what we all need. Is someone else there with us? And I don’t mean just one person. A home. A community. You need to find your people. 

IZZY: I don't know how to do that. 

DORIS: That’s not true. You made the first step coming here tonight. Now let’s get you home.

IZZY: You’re not making me sleep here?

DORIS: Come on!As if I was serious about that. Mae would kill me! 

 They exit. “Que Sera Sera “ THE Doris Day version starts playing. 

End of play