ACT I
THE ENCOUNTER
Amsterdam — April 18th, 2025
In which two wounded souls find each other, a child skates through a forest, and love begins.
SCENE I
Irving Berlinhof. The First Messages.
April 16, 2025 — two days before the first date. They are already talking. Cecilia is stressed about work. Gijsbert is encouraging from the very first hour.
GIJSBERT
You can do it girl!!!!
CECILIA
Two days before the forest and the hand held, he is already cheering for me. I am freaking out about conference targets and he says: you can do it girl. That is the first true thing he gave me.
She puts down her phone. She is almost smiling.
SCENE II
The Oriental Chinese Restaurant & Amsterdam Bos. April 18th.
The first date. Emma between them. Gijsbert — genuinely, unexpectedly funny. Then: Amsterdam Bos. Emma on her inline skates. Wheels humming. Fast. Free. Not looking back.
GIJSBERT
Very important question, Emma. Spring rolls or dumplings?
EMMA
Both.
GIJSBERT
Correct answer. I knew immediately I liked you.
Amsterdam Bos. The forest path. Dusk. Without ceremony — his hand finds hers.
CECILIA
I am in love. I know it the way you know a change of weather. He is not looking at me. He watches Emma. Not that he holds my hand — but that his eyes are on my daughter.
SCENE III
The Departure. He Drives to Quintin's Football Match.
He goes. His car disappears. Emma stands beside Cecilia, skates under her arm.
EMMA
He held your hand the whole time.
CECILIA
She sees everything. She always has. He held my hand. He drove to watch his son. I know only this: I will see him again.
They walk into the evening. Ahead — everything.
End of Act I