Ash, a teenage shut-in plagued by a mysterious illness, has just come from a run-in with the Sheriff when she meets Sage, a teen who sells flowers, just outside Ash's window. They dream of travelling the world together. Note that Ash may be female or non-binary.

(Warning: Using this monologue without permission is illegal, as is reproducing it on a website or in print in any way.)

SAGE: What a horrible man. I hope he trips over himself.

(Ash looks up to see SAGE, a girl her age, standing at the edge of the path, carrying a basket of flowers.)

ASH: I don't hope for that. If he does, he'll come back and blame me. And then they really will take me to prison.

SAGE: If he does, I'll be a witness and call him a liar.

ASH: You'd speak out against the sheriff?

SAGE: I would if I knew he was lying. Anyway, I should go. My sister is expecting me.

ASH: You have a sister?

SAGE: Yes. She raised me when our parents died in the war. Now we work together.

ASH: Selling flowers.

(Sage nods.)

I've always wished for a sister.

SAGE: Is that why you look so sad? Because you're alone?

ASH: I'm not alone. Not really. Maddox adopted me, and we keep each other company. I'm sad because Doc says I have to stay inside.

SAGE: Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Do you need to rest? Should I close this window a bit for you, or—?

ASH: No, thank you. It's fine. It's—all the others are shut, and I like to look out. I know what Doc says, but I could swear I feel better outside than in.

SAGE: Well, if the doctor doesn't mind.

ASH: He isn't here.

SAGE: And what he doesn't know...

(They share a conspiratorial smile.)

ASH: Besides, I don't even know if he's a real doctor. He just reads a lot and sounds like he knows what he's on about.

SAGE: I'm sorry you're cooped up in there. Though I don't think I would mind lying around all day. Even if was just once.

ASH: What do you usually do all day?

SAGE: I run errands for my sister. Back and forth, delivering flowers. I need to take these back to her before they wilt.

ASH: How do they smell?

SAGE: I don't know. I smell them all at once, and it gets overwhelming. But if you smell just one...

(She takes a single flower from her basket and gives it to Ash.)

ASH: Oh, that's nice.

(Ash hands the flower back, but Sage shakes her head.)

SAGE: You keep it.

ASH: But I don't have any money.

SAGE: It's all right. My sister won't mind. She might not even notice.

ASH: Someday, when I'm grown up and delivering mail for the Queen, I'll find you and pay you back.

SAGE: Will you?

ASH: Yes. I'll cross the stream and—

(Ash sees the Stranger standing in the stream, her shoes in her hand.)

SAGE: And?

ASH: Huh?

SAGE: You'll cross the stream and do what?

ASH: ...I'm going to travel the world.

SAGE: My sister says anyone who can get out of this place is lucky.

ASH: I bet we could do it. We could travel together. Imagine the flowers you could bring back to your sister from the other side of the world.

SAGE: I have always wondered what life is like in other places.

ASH: There's only one way to find out.

SAGE: What was your name?

ASH: Ash.

SAGE: Like the tree.

ASH: Yes. And yours?

SAGE: Sage.

ASH: Like the herb.

SAGE: It's nice to meet you.

ASH: And you.

SAGE: Look, I really do need to get these delivered... But why don't I stop by on my way back tonight?

ASH: Would you do that? We could make our plan to travel the world.

SAGE: Sure.

ASH: We could be friends.

SAGE: Aren't we already?

ASH: So you'll come back?

SAGE: I said I would, didn't I?

ASH: You won't forget about me?

SAGE: Ash, the girl who wants to cross the stream and deliver letters for the Queen. How could I forget that?

ASH: You could.

SAGE: I won't forget. You'll see.

(Sage exits.)