Adam is unconscious, leaning against the steering wheel, causing the horn to go off. Liza is unconscious, her back against her seat with her head leaning forward. There’s blood on her face. After a moment, Colby begins to cry from the back seat.
The road is empty, except for the crashed cars.
Liza begins to stir. She moans.
Liza: Col? Colby?
She raises her head back up. Moving it towards Adam, she sees him lying there.
Liza: Adam. Adam? No. No!
She begins to panic. The baby cries harder.
Liza (panic still in her voice): Okay. It’s okay, Colby, Mommy’s here. I’m right here.
Liza forces herself to appear calm for Colby’s sake.
Liza unfastens her seat belt and turns to Colby.
Liza: I’m here, Colby.
Liza reaches up and tries to turn on the light inside the car. It doesn’t work.
She leans into the back seat and puts her hand on Colby’s chest.
Liza: See? I’m right here.
Colby grows calm.
Liza turns to Adam again.
Liza (whispers): Adam? Please wake up. Adam?
She looks out onto the road, which is now pitch black beyond the traffic lights.
Liza (calling out): Can anyone hear me? Anybody? Someone help us! Please!
There’s no answer, and Colby begins to cry again.
Liza (calling out again): Can anyone hear me?
Liza reaches down into her bag and takes out her cell phone and begins to dial 911.
Liza: Please work!
She dials 911, turning back towards Colby again and putting her hand on Colby’s chest.
She waits for a moment, and then
Liza: Oh God, please work this time, you piece of -- Hello? There’s been an accident. Please send someone here, right away ... Liza Chandler ... I think so, but my husband -- What? It’s a car accident. He’s not...
She forces herself to say the words.
Liza: He’s not moving ... No, no, I haven’t ... Well, if I knew I wouldn’t be ... He was, but the -- No, it didn’t work. It didn’t work! Please hurry! ... I don’t know, it’s -- wait -- we’re on Exit 15 North from Route 109. I don’t know what road. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry ... Yes.
Liza turns away from Colby and looks out on to the road.
Liza: We’re at an intersection. I can’t see it from here ... Are you coming? Please hurry!
Colby cries again.
Liza turns to Colby and puts her hand on Colby’s chest again.
Liza (to Colby): I’m right here. Mommy’s right here.
Colby continues to cry.
Liza: Yes, we have an infant in the car ... No, I haven’t ... Yes, she is ... I think so.
Liza unlocks her door and opens it, still holding the phone. She looks back towards Adam.
Liza: Adam? Adam, I don’t know if you can hear me...
Her face darkens, and her eyes fill with tears, and then she continues, trying to be strong.
Liza: I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m right here. I’m not leaving you, I’m just going to help Colby. I’ll be right back. I promise.
She momentarily drops the hand holding the phone away from her and leans towards Adam, her face a mixture of uncertainty and determination.
Liza (whispers): Adam? You promised me you would never leave me, Adam. So you’d better remember that.
She gets out of the car, standing unsteadily,
Liza (into phone): I’m outside of the car now ... A little.
She looks up.
Liza (into phone): It's Gates Avenue.
She looks towards the other car.
Liza (into phone): I can't tell. What’s taking so long? Are they coming? ... Okay, okay ... I have to put the phone down, but I’ll be back as soon as I’m done ... I can do it.
She puts the phone on top of the battered roof of the car, opens the back door to the car and unhooks Colby’s baby seat. Before lifting it, she turns and leans toward Adam one more time.
Liza (to Adam): God, I love you so much. Please stay with me.
She kisses the tips of her fingers, and then places them gently on his shoulder. Then she turns back to Colby. She tries to lift the car seat, and winces, putting it back down.
Reconsidering, she puts the cell phone into the car seat with the baby.
In a movement that is obviously very painful, she lifts the car seat out of the vehicle and carries it to the side of the road.
Sirens are beginning to be heard in the distance.
Liza picks up the cell phone.
Liza: I’m here ... yes, I hear them now, but I have to get back to my husband .... No! Don’t tell me what to do! ... Yes. Of course, I do! What is that supposed to mean? ... Yes ... I understand.
Liza rests the phone down by her side.
Liza (yells): They’re coming, Adam! I’m right here, and they’re coming! Just hold on!
There’s no answer from the car.