WHAT IF SHE NEVER DIED
ACT ONE SCENE ONE(September 7th, 2023. Enter Zatanna and Robin.
Walk to the other side of the room and sit down on the beds.)
ZATANNA
It didn't happen.
ROBIN
It's still surreal, I don't understand. I just don't get how this could happen.
A full week? One whole week. A week without her.
ZATANNA
No. You don't understand. It didn't happen. It didn't happen! We would feel it if she was gone. She still feels here, she is not gone.
ROBIN
Zatanna, come on.
ZATANNA
Stop.
(Puts head down and starts to cry.)
Please. Not right now. She… just isn't gone.
ROBIN
(Holds his stomach.)
I feel like I am being stabbed inside and out. Even my brain is mixing me up. I keep having dreams that she is here. Are these dreams the only time I am ever going to see her again. It's the only time I feel her presence anymore.
God…
(Puts head down against bed.)
God… what if she just never died?
ZATANNA
She's not dead, Dick. She is still here, just maybe in Mexico… Having fun.
ROBIN
Yeah, yeah.
At least she is probably having fun right now.
ZATANNA
(Continues to cry)
Yeah, I pray to God she is happy at least.
But I also keep having dreams about her. I don't want that to be my only connection with her, too. She will be back.
ROBIN
Yeah, maybe she'll come back.
END SCENE
SCENE TWO(Enter Zatanna and Robin. Three days have passed
and Zatanna is sitting on her bed as Robin
enters the room, and sits next to her.)
ZATANNA
I miss her. I miss her.
(Starts to punch the pillow.)
I miss her. I miss her. I miss her.
ROBIN
(Hugs her.)
It's okay, I do too. I do too.
ZATANNA
I want her back, I want her to come back. I don't want her to be gone.
(Starts to cry.)
Why did they take her away? Why did she leave?
ROBIN
What if she never died. What if she never died.
Are you still having dreams about her?
ZATANNA
(Nods.)
ROBIN
Then just lay down.
ZATANNA
Okay?
(Lays down.)
ROBIN
Now just close your eyes and think. Think about her. Think about your most recent dream.
(Lays down next to her and closes his eyes.)
Okay what do you see?
ZATANNA
Her.
ROBIN
Okay, where is she?
ZATANNA
Here, in the basement with us.
ROBIN
And what are you doing?
ZATANNA
We are standing next to the beds, talking with her.
ROBIN
What is she saying?
ZATANNA
That the doctors got it all wrong, and it was a mistake… And it could have been reversible, but they didn't know what was
happening. But they just reversed it and got her back.
She… is also saying that she really wanted to be able to say goodbye before, but now she doesn't even have to because she is back. And she is staying.
ROBIN
How do you feel right now, Zatanna?
ZATANNA
Like I want it to be real.
ROBIN
Yeah.
(Sat up and opened his eyes.)
That would be really nice if it was.
ZATANNA
(Opens eyes.)
I wish on everything it was real. I would give anything for it to be real.
END SCENE
SCENE THREE(Enter Zatanna and Robin. One week has passed
and Zatanna and Robin sit on the floor with a
book in between them.)
ZATANNA
Look, I know it's a stupid idea but anything could work.
ROBIN
It's not a stupid idea, just be prepared in case it doesn't work.
ZATANNA
Yeah, I know.
ROBIN
You have been getting very attached to the dreams and scenarios we've been creating everyday for the past week. I just don't want you to be too disappointed if it doesn't work.
ZATANNA
Fine.
(Opens the book.)
I'll do anything to bring her back, so I'm just going to try everything I can, okay?
(Starts flipping through the pages.)
If this potion works… We could have her back. Back forever.
ROBIN
(Leans over the book and starts looking through
the pages, too.)
It is very enticing, and anything could work.
ZATANNA
This one!
(Stops at a page.)
It is supposed to bring people back from the dead.
ROBIN
Where did you get this book, again?
ZATANNA
My uncle is a little crazy and has old potion books just laying around.
ROBIN
And he just let you take it?
ZATANNA
Yeah.
Now let's get back to the book. We need…
(Zatanna and Robin work on the potion for two
hours until it is ready.)
Okay, now it just needs to sit for eight days, and then it will be ready.
ROBIN
We will keep it down here in your room with us, right?
ZATANNA
Yeah, then on the 25th we will bottle it up and bring it to the cemetery.
END SCENE
ACT TWO SCENE ONE(Enter Zatanna and Robin. Eight days have passed
and they met at the gates of the cemetery.)
ROBIN
Hi.
ZATANNA
Hi, are you ready?
ROBIN
More than ever. You got the bottles?
ZATANNA
Yeah, I have both bottles. I kept them right next to my bed, when I was lonely, I would just smell the potion and it would make me feel better. I think it gives me hope, like this bottle might just bring her back.
ROBIN
Yeah, I also smelled it a couple times when we were at your house, it is very soothing.
ZATANNA
Do you remember the plan?
ROBIN
Yes, but did we have to do this at six am?
ZATANNA
Well the book says it'll work best right before the sun rises, so probably.
ROBIN
Okay, let's do this.
(Opens the gate and walks inside.)
ZATANNA
Oh, there she is.
ROBIN
My God, it's overwhelming.
ZATANNA
There are so many people. All of these people were loved, all of these people had families that they were taken away from so brutally.
ROBIN
Death is such a horrible thing.
ZATANNA
Come on, let's find her plot, I remember where it is.
(Continue walking until they find Wonder Woman's
grave.)
Here.
(Kneels down next to it.)
ROBIN
Hey Diana. It's been a while, well only 26 days, but we miss you on every single one.
(Kneels down beside Zatanna.)
Are you ready to come home Diana?
(Talking to Zatanna.)
Get the bottles, we are ready.
ZATANNA
Okay.
(Reaches into pocket and takes out two bottles
filled with purple liquid and hands one bottle to
Robin.)
Soon, Diana will come back to us, and she will be able to go back to helping everyone, and living her life to the fullest, always with that happy smile on her face.
ROBIN
Yeah, I can't wait.
(Both unscrew the top of the bottle and begin to
pour the potion over the soil on Wonder Woman's
grave.)
ZATANNA
Now we just have to wait till sunrise.
ROBIN
Zatanna, it's been three hours. Maybe it didn't work.
ZATANNA
No, please. She just needs a little bit more time. Maybe she is just waiting a little longer.
ROBIN
Okay, maybe we can wait till noon.
ROBIN
Zatanna, It's a quarter past noon, we have been here for six hours. It didn't work. Maybe if we go home we can brainstorm some more? There could be another way.
ZATANNA
You really think she's not coming?
ROBIN
Yeah, I do. I'm sorry.
ZATANNA
Oh, okay. Maybe when we get home I can look through the potions book some more though? We can find something else.
ROBIN
Yeah, let's get home.
END SCENE
SCENE TWO(Enter Zatanna and Robin. Walk down the stairs
into the basement where they see Wonder Woman
sitting on one of the beds.)
WONDER WOMAN
What took you guys so long? I've been here for hours, I started to think you guys wouldn't show up.
(Smiling.)
ZATANNA
Oh my God! Oh my God! It worked! See Dick, it worked!
(Runs up to Wonder Woman and hugs her.)
It worked, it worked! She's back.
Diana, we missed you so much!
ROBIN
Oh my God… it actually worked.
(Slowly walks up to Wonder Woman.)
It's real… it really is you.
(Starts to cry while hugging her.)
Oh my God, we missed you so much.
WONDER WOMAN
I missed you guys too. How long has it been?
ZATANNA
In six days it'll be a month. We really did miss you. It has
been torture not seeing you everyday, and waking up knowing we wouldn't see you.
WONDER WOMAN
Well, I'm here now. So don't worry about that anymore. I won't be going anywhere any time soon.
(All step out and sit on the beds while
continuing to talk.)
ROBIN
How did you even get into the house?
WONDER WOMAN
I don't know. It just felt like I woke up here.
ZATANNA
Do you remember anything from Heaven?
WONDER WOMAN
Just a little, I was only there for a couple days, I guess it takes a while for the soul to go up. I was just taking a nap and woke up here.
ZATANNA
Are you mad at us?
WONDER WOMAN
Why would I be mad at you guys?
ROBIN
Well you were in Heaven, and we brought you back to Earth, I'm sure it's much better in Heaven then here.
WONDER WOMAN
Oh please, I would rather be here with you guys, and everyone that loves me than there. It's sort of lonely up there, I would rather be with all of you.
ZATANNA
Oh my God! We have to tell everyone that you are here! We have to tell your family! They all miss you so much, too.
(Runs up stairs.)
Mom, Mom! You have to come down here right now!
ZATANNA'S MOTHER
I'm busy, Zatanna. I'll come down later.
ZATANNA
No, Mom. Please come down here now. You need to see who is here.
ZATANNA'S MOTHER
Honey, the only people downstairs are you and Dick.
ZATANNA
Mom! Please!
ZATANNA'S MOTHER
I'm busy right now. I'll come down later.
ZATANNA
(Runs down the stairs.)
Whatever, she doesn't understand. We will just tell everyone else.
ROBIN
Okay, who are we telling first?
WONDER WOMAN
Let's go to my house.
(The three of them walk up the stairs and go to
the door, passing Zatanna's mom.)
ZATANNA'S MOTHER
When will you and Dick be back?
ZATANNA
Mom! Are you blind?!
(Points at Wonder Woman.)
ZATANNA'S MOTHER
Don't insult me! Just be back in a couple of hours, you guys were out all morning.
ZATANNA
(Three of them walk out the door.)
What was that all about?
ROBIN
I have no idea. Maybe you are still transferring to Earth and your whole body isn't here? So only a select few can see you?
WONDER WOMAN
(Shrugs)
Alright, let's get to my house.
END SCENE
SCENE THREE(Enter Zatanna, Wonder Woman and Robin, all
standing outside Wonder Woman's family's house.)
ZATANNA
Are you ready to go in?
WONDER WOMAN
I'm scared I might give them a heart attack.
ROBIN
Always a valid fear, but don't worry. You will just have to explain to them and they will understand.
WONDER WOMAN
Okay. Will you guys come to the door with me?
ZATANNA
Of course, we will be right beside you.
(All walk up to the door and ring the doorbell.)
STEVE TREVOR
Zatanna, Dick, what are you doing here?
(Zatanna and Robin both stare back, blankly.)
Are you guys okay? What are you doing here?
ZATANNA
You… you don't… see anything?
STEVE TREVOR
No?
ROBIN
Well, we just came by to say hello and that it's been a while since we have seen you, you know?
STEVE TREVOR
Well… okay. It's nice to see you guys…
ROBIN
Yeah, goodbye!
(Zatanna, Robin and Wonder Woman run towards the
car. Wonder Woman getting into the driver's seat,
Zatanna, the passenger seat, and Robin the back.)
STEVE TREVOR
How did you get here? There is no one in the driver's seat.
(Drive away with no response.)
ROBIN
What was that!
ZATANNA
I have absolutely no idea what just happened.
Come on, let's go back to my house. Maybe it says something in the book about this that we missed.
WONDER WOMAN
Okay.
END SCENE
SCENE FOUR(Enter Zatanna, Robin and Wonder Woman, all sit on
the floor in Zatanna's room around the book.)
ROBIN
So, does it say anything about it?
ZATANNA
I'm looking at the page again and it doesn't say anything that we missed, apart from this warning at the bottom.
ROBIN
What does it say?
ZATANNA
(Reads aloud.)
Under any circumstances do not inhale potion through nostrils. Can lead to intense hallucinations…
ROBIN
Why does it say that? Both of us smelled it and we are fine.
WONDER WOMAN
Are you guys really?
ZATANNA
What do you mean, Diana? Of course we are fine, we have you here.
WONDER WOMAN
Zatanna…
ZATANNA
What? You are here, we haven't hallucinated, everything is okay.
WONDER WOMAN
Zatanna…
ZATANNA
No, no, no, no. You're here.
WONDER WOMAN
Zatanna, you have to come to terms with what happened.
ROBIN
What do you mean… What do you mean?
WONDER WOMAN
I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye the first time. Can I make up for it now?
ZATANNA
But… but… you're not leaving again, right? But, you're here, you're okay… you're not leaving.
WONDER WOMAN
I'm sorry. But we have to say goodbye.
(Stands up.)
ZATANNA
I don't want you to go.
(Cries softly.)
WONDER WOMAN
But it's time, I need to go.
ZATANNA
(Stands and hugs her.)
I'm going to miss you. I'm going to miss you so much.
ROBIN
(Joins hug.)
We'll miss you so much.
WONDER WOMAN
I'll miss you guys too.
Goodbye.
(Disappears.)
ZATANNA
Oh my god. It was all… not real?
(Both start to sob and sit on the floor.)
ROBIN
Not. Real.
It was all… not… real?
ZATANNA
It… it seems so. How did we miss the warning the first time?
ROBIN
Well it is in a small font at the bottom.
ZATANNA
It should be in a bigger font.
(Opens book and starts flipping through more
pages.)
ROBIN
Come on, Zatanna. What are you doing?
ZATANNA
I have to find another recipe, and this time I'll look at the warnings.
(Reads pages.)
Dick, come here. Look at this.
They… they all have the same warning.
ROBIN
(Closes book and looks at cover.)
The cover has changed.
ZATANNA
What do you mean?
ROBIN
Look at it. The words are different. It used to say, 'Book of Potions.' Now, it says, 'Book of Dreams.'
ZATANNA
What?
(Looks at the cover.)
Oh my God. But, but, I could have sworn it said 'Potions.'
ROBIN
Me too.
ZATANNA
So it really does mean it was all a dream? It was all fake?
I- I don't believe that! She was right here, in front of our eyes.
ROBIN
But she also disappeared right in front of our eyes. It was all… an illusion…
ZATANNA
That can't be right! There has to be another way to bring her back! You heard what she said, she wants to be here, with us and her family. She doesn't like being dead! It's our responsibility to bring her back.
ROBIN
Zatanna… That was just our heads. Our heads made up the whole thing. I'm sure she is much happier in heaven than here.
ZATANNA
But, but, it didn't feel fake.
(Continues to cry.)
ROBIN
I know, but the evidence is right in front of us here… It couldn't have been real.
END SCENE
SCENE FIVE(Enter Zatanna and Robin. 10 days have passed
and they are sitting on their beds.)
ROBIN
It feels like we have lost her all over again.
ZATANNA
I know what you mean. My natural response is to mourn. I don't want to mourn.
ROBIN
Why not?
ZATANNA
If I mourn, I go through the stages of grief.
And the end of those is acceptance. I don't want to accept that she is gone. She will only ever be with us if we don't forget about her.
ROBIN
Acceptance does not mean forgetting about them, it just means being able to accept reality for what it is, and being able to move forward. Forward does not mean moving past them. Forward does not mean leaving her in the past, it just means being able to see a future where they are not there. It's not about it being okay that she died, because it will never be right, but it is about that you will be okay, even though she died.
(Gently smiles.)
I think we had only reached bargaining. Most people try to ask God to bring them back, but you took matters into your own hands. You tried bringing Diana back yourself.
ZATANNA
(Sniffles, trying to hold back a smile.)
You helped too.
ROBIN
But the idea was all yours.
And I don't think I thanked you… Thank you for letting us have a chance to say goodbye. I know it was just in our heads, but it did help me get closure, I hope it helped you a little, too.
ZATANNA
It was nice to see her one last time, I guess.
ROBIN
Very nice.
(Hugs her.)
ZATANNA
Thank you for being there during this whole time. I know you are struggling just as much as me with her loss.
ROBIN
Well, helping you is a good distraction from my feelings. I'll get to them one day.
She really was an amazing friend, wasn't she?
ZATANNA
The best.
END SCENE
EPILOGUE(Enter Zatanna and Robin. Two years have passed
and they are sitting on the floor with the Book
of Dreams in between them.)
ROBIN
We should get rid of it.
ZATANNA
Maybe we should. It doesn't work anyways.
ROBIN
I can't believe you kept it for the past two years.
ZATANNA
It's a good memory.
ROBIN
Yeah, it was.
(Smiling.)
Well, are you ready to get rid of it now?
ZATANNA
Yes, I am ready to let go of it.
ROBIN
Okay, let's go.
(Walk outside and stand over a trash can.)
I believe in you, Zatanna.
ZATANNA
(Holds book over trash can.)
Congrats on two years in heaven, Diana. I hope you are very happy, and have made lots of friends, read lots of books, and wrote some stories.
We love you so much, and miss you everyday. Goodbye.
(Drops book into trash can.)
Goodbye Diana.