ACT TWO

Scene Twenty-eight:

"Undone"

In the basement of the drugstore, Vi was sitting on her cot, gripping the edge of it in nervousness, her leg bouncing like crazy.

It's been too long, she worried. Was Babette okay upstairs? What if the cops came for me now?

Vi almost jumped as she heard the basement door open and close upstairs.

She stood up from her bed, warily looking up the staircase. As soon as she saw Babette, she entered a tirade of questions.

"What was that? What's happening –? You can never hear anything down here. Was it the cops –?" Vi asked quickly.

"No, no. It was no police," Babette held her hand out to calm her, descending the staircase. "No, it was, it was…" she breathed a shaky breath, composing herself. "Vi, let's… sit down for a second."

The woman sat on the edge of the bed, but Vi was darting everywhere, continuing to pack, quickly.

"Listen, I got something to ask and – and it ain't easy to ask this, so let me just go, okay?"

"No, no, I got something to tell you – Wait, wait, I have something –"

"You gave me so much already, but when she gets here, just… if you could, maybe, help us out with the bus fare."

"Violeta, I –"

"I got no idea what it costs to get far enough away, out west someplace. A hundred bucks for both of us? And we'll get jobs when we get there – we'll pay you back, every cent." She slowed a little, adding, "I know you ain't got much money, so if it's too much…"

Babette reached out for her, beckoning her closer. "No, no, no. It's not too much. It's not –"

Vi was overcome with emotion for her. She knelt in front of her, taking her wrinkled hands, fighting back a tearful smile. This goodbye was hard.

"We're gonna never forget you, Babette. I'll never…" She took a breath, holding back some tears. "Because if you hadn't cared for me like you've always done, I wouldn't even be here, alive, which…" She frowned, thoughtfully. "… Maybe I shouldn't be…"

Babette squeezed her hands and narrowed her eyes at her, sternly. "Don't ever say that, Violeta. Life matters even more than love."

Vi smirked, standing up and continuing her packing.

"They're the same thing. Before Caitlyn, I would've said they ain't. But now – it's all life is. Even if it only lasts no time at all. A month, a day even…"

Vi frowned at her clothes she shoved into her duffle bag, momentarily slowing down.

If we got caught, would Caitlyn be arrested as an accomplice?

Vi shook her head, packing faster.

No, I would give myself up before that. I'll tell the truth. Caitlyn didn't have a hand in the murder. It was all on me.

"Violeta…"

For some reason, the way Babette said her name made Vi stop and listen.

Babette patted the bed beside her, searching for the words. Vi came and sat beside her, waiting. The old woman had tears filling her eyes, which made Vi all the more worried.

"That was Mel upstairs..."

Vi waited a beat for her to continue. "What's wrong?" she asked, gently.

"Viktor…"

Vi took her hand, waiting, "… What?"

Babette spoke slowly, her voice breaking, "Viktor… has a gun." She swallowed, thickly. "Viktor, he… he shot Caitlyn."

Vi stared at her for a long time, her eyes growing wider. Babette reached out to touch her cheek. She couldn't bear to tell her.

"He killed her. She's… She's dead."

Vi stared deep into her eyes, then backed away from her touch, shaking her head.

No... It didn't make sense. Viktor? Have a gun? Where would Viktor even get…

Then it hit her like a ton of bricks.

No.

She touched her jacket and felt the empty, weightless pocket.

Oh… God, no….

Vi stood up from the bed but lost her balance and fumbled against the basement wall.

"No. No…" she moaned, "No. No."

The gun. It must've fallen out of her pocket at the rumble. Viktor must've found it. He took it. And then, Caitlyn…

"NO!" Vi screamed, pounding her fist against the wall. As though she could stop the image of Caitlyn from flashing before her eyes.

She punched the wall a few more times before giving up.

Cradling her reopened bloody knuckles, Vi openly wept and sank against the wall. She sobbed hysterically, clawed at her head.

She never should've left Caitlyn at her apartment. She should've stayed with her. Or she should've begged Caitlyn to come with her. Anything.

Babette couldn't think of anything else to say. So, she let the girl dash up the staircase without any resistance.

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