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August Heiland's hometown is not what it seems.
In this queer sci-fi audio drama, a girl in 1986 Rhode Island gets a cassette recorder for her 17th birthday, where she logs her daily life, beachside happenings, and conversations with her best friend Toni. But when the cute new girl at school, Lorena, asks her out on a date, August slowly starts to learn that Willowdale isn't what she thinks. Fans of stories like Gravity Falls and San Junipero, this one's for you.
These are cassette tapes from August. As in, the month of August, and August from Willowdale. Season one and Vol. II now streaming.
Welcome to Willowdale.
i. INTRO
August: My name is August. I'm not sure when it is you're listening to this. A giant blue floating orb appeared out of the ground at my new college and hovered over the campus lawn. One of Rick's students Cassandra sent Lorena, Midge, and I into a portal that took us through a series of Claude's old simulations. Meanwhile, it turns out Esmond's therapist Effie was the student of Claude and had been controlling the Orb. When Toni and Esmond were caught snooping at her office, she trapped them in two transparent orbs. And Lorena, Midge, and I escaped the Orb, only for Lorena and I to get sent back in to rescue two kids trapped in an old simulation of Claude's. We wound up in the lobby of an apartment building. These are cassette tapes from August.
ii. WOODVALE
Lorena: You don't think this is another world in the Orb, do you?
August: An apartment building? It could be... wait, remember-
Lorena: The story my mom told. At the campfire. Your birthday.
August: She said one of Claude's failed experiments.
Lorena: The Woodvale Apartment. Yeah.
August: And the letter that Esmond found... two kids are in here?
Lorena: Let's head this way.
August: OK. So... should we talk about it?
Lorena: This creepy lounge? Or the creepy mailroom?
August: No, the... the creepy rift in our relationship. I feel like we're dating each other and a strangeness in our relationship, too. Like...August, Lorena, and the stranger.
Lorena: I feel the strangeness, too. And I'm sorry. I couldn't say it before, you know? But I went to the lab-
August: You went to your dad's old lab?
Lorena: Yeah, and as you can imagine, it brought some unpleasant memories. And it reminded me of when I got scarred. And when I said I loved someone and they took me for granted. And I don't want that to happen again.
August: Lorena... it wouldn't have. Not with me.
Lorena: How do you know that August? And... wait, "have"? Why the past tense?
August: Don't you think it'd be for the best? With school and... honestly, I don't know how long I can stay in Willowdale. Or at Bryant. They all feel...
Lorena: Like what?
August: Like the stranger.
Lorena: But... but, August... school can't get in the way that much. We'll be in the ams building. And also, you were just nostalgic in the Willowdale simulation. Are these even real reasons?
August: Maybe I'm coming up with excuses for the stranger. Maybe... we're strangers now.
Lorena: August, what's happening?!
August: The apartment, it's... it's splitting in half! Like a dollhouse! And we're... flying through the cosmic realms on the inside of the Orb! And now I'm on one side, and Lorena is on the other. What a metaphor.
Effie: August Heiland and Lorena Skyler!
August: Who's talking right n-
Lorena: Effie Vianne!
August: Esmond's therapist?!
Effie: And apprentice of Claude Skyler. The Egg was mine and Claude's work, home to the simulations that were online and offline. I taught at Bryant until he died. Deep underground the science building was our workspace, a secondary lab. Using the powers that your brother Esmond had, he became an extension of the Egg, holding all the worlds together! So, when he escaped Claude and reintegrated into the real world, his off-balanced emotions at Bryant seemed to have caused it to rise to the surface. Where you no doubt have found a way in. But you're going to die in the Egg.
August: So you're the one doing this!
Effie: No one was supposed to ever find this apartment building. Three test subjects were experimented on and gained powers, and our colleagues posed as their parents for many years, frequently coming and going to see if the children properly integrated into the simulation, to see if it passed as the real world. But since Claude passed, we stopped maintaining this realm and the two have been here ever since.
August: What is with you Skyler Tech freaks and your need to abandon children that you've given powers to!
Effie: Today, you and your meddling friends... you will all die.
iii. EFFIE'S OFFICE
August: You won't get away with this, Effie!
Effie: It seems I already have.
Esmond: You let us out of here! Tell her, Toni!
Toni: You... if you control the Orb... then do you control the Maskers?
Effie: The what?
Toni: Those bad guys that descend out of the Orb?
Effie: Oh, the avatars. Yes.
Toni: So... you killed Gerald?
Effie: Your little boyfriend? Oh... I didn't know you two were so close.
Esmond: When I get out of here...
Effie: But you won't. In fact, you're about to join your sister in the Egg. This here... is another entry way into the Egg.
Toni: A tiny Orb?
Effie: It's called the Egg! Yes, think of it as a portal. And it's where I'm sending you.
Esmond: Toni, it's growing! And it's bringing down the building!
Effie: In you go.
iv. WOODVALE
August: We're just soaring through the cosmic colored realms of the Orb... Lorena is a chasm away, I... Think, August, think! I'm a Heiland, we're made to do hard things... the stairwell... where is it? Blocked off, boarded up by wood! Effie! How could she? And Esmond's therapist. When I get out of here... I can create... create what? How could I get up these floors? A jungle gym! Yeah, I'm a child at heart. I extended it to reach all the way to Lorena, so maybe we can meet... which floor are these people on? Let's try... fourth floor. Lorena, let's meet on the fourth floor!
Lorena: Sounds good!
v. BRYANT UNIVERSITY
Armanata: You have this cassette tape just on hand?
Midge: It's for my kids.
Armanata: Behind you!
Midge: We've got to get back in the science building!
Armanata: Huh? Why!
Midge: It was safe in there! C'mon, let's go!
Armanata: Geez, I'm out of shape!
Midge: We're almost there! Get in here!
Armanata: They're faster! They're right behind us!
Midge: I have an idea! Follow me!
vi. WOODVALE
August: Almost... there... Whew!
Lorena: August, I'm right behind you!
August: Lorena! A... a crater! LOOK OUT!
Lorena: Gimme a hand! Whoa! That crater obliterated your jungle gym!
August: That had to have been Effie. Now where are these two kids?
Lorena: Here... let's try this hall?
August: Locked.
Lorena: Same...
August: Locked! All of them, they're locked!
Lorena: Would it hurt trying to climb another jungle gym?
August: Would a ladder work?
Lorena: What is this, Chutes and Ladders? Candyland?
August: More like Effieland.
Lorena: Wait, look!
August: Is that- Red!
vii. BRYANT UNIVERSITY
Armanata: You got a flashlight!
Midge: Here! The Maskers! They're gaining on us!
Armanata: Geez, when did they learn to run!
Midge: Here! This stairwell! Go all the way!
Armanata: To the top floor?!
Midge: No. To the roof.
viii. WOODVALE
August: Over here!
Lorena: Red! Good boy!
August: Gee, I'm glad to see you again!
Lorena: To the... which floor, August?
August: Wait... Red, you're a bird! SO, you can hear better than us!
Lorena: Do you hear something, buddy? A human movement, or, or... anything?
Lorena: Then let's go!
August: Where ya takin' us, pal?
Lorena: 905?
August: Red, we owe you the world.
Lorena: Now let's see who's behind this door.
ix. BRYANT UNIVERSITY
Armanata: Shut the door!
Midge: Got it!
Armanata: Now what?!
Midge: Now we'll push these creeps into the Orb!
Armanata: That's your plan?
Midge: You got a better one?
Armanata: Here, let's get on the scaffolding. We originally built this to get above the Orb. Think of it as a catwalk, for science.
Midge: Interesting.
Armanata: So... about that coffee date I mentioned?
Midge: I... you were serious?
Armanata: Surely you're interested. I mean, based on your kids, everyone in Willowdale is homosexual.
Midge: I'll give it some thought.
Armanata: I owe you an apology. For being standoff-ish about the lab. And when you and Claude were married.
Midge: And?
Armanata: And for trying to kidnap the kids. It was to figure out this stupid Orb.
Midge: A simple email would've worked.
Armanata: Well, you came into the lab so hot headed and angry I... I should've asked. I'm sorry Midge.
Midge: Honestly? I'm sorry, too. I resented you. For decades, for being close to Claude in the lab. He was a bad man.
Armanata: And reading Rick Randall's report... that's how I learned that Esmond was kidnapped. We were all told it was consensual.
Midge: Claude was a bad man, Armanata.
Armanata: And I know that now.
Midge: You're fine. But... I can't get that coffee just yet. I have my kids and my reporting. And I miss science.
Armanata: We'll see to it that you're back in the lab. And I won't pry about that date. But... the kids... August, Esmond... how are they?
Midge: Much better.
Armanata: I have an opportunity for the girl-
Midge: The door! They're trying to get through!
Armanata: We should be able to hold them off.
Midge: So this scaffolding, it's sturdy enough?
Armanata: Yes. I believe so.
Midge: Then we should be safe.
Armanata: We're about to find out.
x. WOODVALE
Theo: Iris! Iris! Are you seeing this!
Iris: Yes! The apartment is soaring through some weird inter-dimensional galaxy!
Theo: My view of the city has been replaced by-
Iris: Someone's at the door!
Theo: No one's been at the door in years!
Iris: Hide!
August: Oh thank God.
Theo: Get out of my living room!
Iris: Who the hell are... wait!
Theo: That voice!
Theo and Iris: You're August!
August: Uh...?
Lorena: Damn, you really tore that door down!
Iris: Lorena!
Lorena: Uh, troubled kids in a simulation?
Theo: So this is a simulation?
Iris: You got our letter!
August: We didn't, but Esmond and Toni did.
Theo: No. Way! Wow! It's like sending fan mail!
Iris: So... wait, what's going on? Outside?
August: Your apartment building is currently flying through the cosmos of a series of simulations that belong to an evil scientist.
Theo: Claude?!
August: No, his apprentice, Effie Vianne. Wait, how do you know about Claude?
Lorena: And our friends!
Theo: Your cassette tapes! They appeared in my bedroom closet!
August: That's odd...?
Iris: It's our working theory that your brother zapped them here. So, wait, what world are we in?
Lorena: Currently, you're in an Orb. In Smithfield, Rhode Island, on the campus of Bryant University.
Effie: Enough! This ends here!
August: The apartment! It's gonna collapse!
Theo: Wait! I have an idea.
xi. BRYANT UNIVERSITY
Midge: Fire!
Armanata: Get back! Back up, they're getting closer!
Midge: How many of these things are there!
Armanata: I'm not sure but I'm hoping this railing can hold us! How exactly do you plan on pushing these things over if there's railing?!
Midge: More importantly, how could you say it's sturdy enough then say you're hopeful it's strong enough?!
Armanata: I didn't know there was this many!
Midge: We've gotta get these things off of here, or we're gonna fall into that Orb!
Armanata: What the-
Midge: Armanata! It's falling! We're falling!
Armanata: Take my hand!
Midge: I'm fine, I'm fine, I... I've got this beam.
Armanata: Don't let go! Or you'll slide right down into that Orb! Just like the Maskers!
Midge: We have got to get off this thing!
Armanata: Climb! Here, take my hand!
Midge: Armanata, if I do that-
Armanata: Midge. Take my hand. I'm begging you.
Midge: Armanata. You let go of that railing and you slide down into that Orb with all those monsters.
Armanata: I'll be fine. I have a steady grip. Take my hand.
Armanata: There... got it?
Midge: I'm up. Yeah, I got it.
Armanata: OK... now, shimmy up and- I'm right behind you. Crawl up and we'll almost be at the top.
Midge: OK, I'm crawling... Oh my God!
Armanata: Midge! Run!
Midge: Armanata!
Armanata: I'm right behind you! Jump! To the roof!
Midge: Armanata!
Armanata: I'm OK! I have the railing! Give me your hand!
Midge: Here!
Armanata: Don't let go, please don't let go, if you do I'm falling down what's left of the walkway into that Orb!
Midge: It's OK, you're OK!
Armanata: Pull me up!
Midge: OK, OK, I've got you!
Armanata: You know... I actually wouldn't mind just getting coffee and helping you with lab work. In an ideal world, that's all two people would ever do.
Midge: Shut up and let me hoist you up here. Almost... got you... Maskers. Armanata!
xii. THE OCEAN
Esmond: Toni.
Toni: Esmond! You're awake.
Esmond: Good morning.
Toni: You slept late. I made you tea.
Esmond: How late?
Toni: It's been an hour and yet... it feels like minutes.
Esmond: That was... strangely dramatic.
Toni: No, it feels like it's only been... like we've been here for only a few minutes.
Esmond: What are you talking about? We started this trip in July. It's November, what... 13th?
Toni: Hm. Anyway, here.
Esmond: Thank you. How far out are we?
Toni: Only... 2 more weeks before we reach the end of the ocean.
Esmond: Incredible.
Toni: Look at the sea, out the window.
Esmond: It's so beautiful. Open it!
Toni: Except... Esmond?
Esmond: Yes, Toni?
Toni: It doesn't feel like November.
Esmond: What do you mean?
Toni: It's-
Esmond: Did we get a new lamp?
Toni: How would we have gotten a new lamp if we've been out at sea for four months?
Esmond: That lamp, in the corner, it just looks...
Toni: Looks? Esmond? Esmond!
Esmond: Sorry, it's just so... hypnotic. What kind of lamp...
Toni: Esmond, you're scaring me. Something's wrong here. Esmond! That does it!
Esmond: Toni! Come on, what's the matter!
Toni: Something's up! This lamp, it's weird! So I'm- Throwing it overboard!
Esmond: Come on, was that necessary?
Toni: What's up with you? With us? With all of this! Where did we go wrong!
Esmond: Toni...
Toni: Don't Toni me!
Esmond: No, Toni, look! The waves!
Toni: It's gonna rain, what do we... what do we do?!
Esmond: Man the flags, I'll get to the wheel! Ready?!
Toni: Just a second!
Esmond: Now?
Toni: Now! Turn!
Toni: Esmond! The waves, they're... This isn't real.
Esmond: We're gonna be OK! We've made it this far!
Toni: Esmond! This isn't real!
Esmond: What?!
Toni: This isn't real! Effie! She placed us here!
Esmond: Effie...
Toni: The scientist! This is all fake!
Esmond: How do we get home then?!
Toni: Steer away from the storm!
Esmond: That's shitty advice!
Toni: We're not gonna make it!
Esmond: We will!
Toni: We won't!
Esmond: Get down here! Help me!
Toni: I don't know how to steer!
Esmond: Neither do I!
Toni: There has to be a way out of here!
Esmond: But... how?!
Toni: When you guys escaped Willowdale, you just kept going until you were out of town!
Esmond: So?! This isn't a town!
Toni: So, maybe this simulation is like a town! We keep going until we're out of here!
Esmond: Into the storm.
Toni: What?!
Esmond: It's straight ahead! Obviously turning around is no use! We've already been there, we know it's not an exit from this world!
Toni: Fine! It's not real anyway!
Esmond: Then here... we... go!
Toni: Esmond! This isn't looking so bright!
Esmond: We're fine, trust me!
Toni: No! I can't lose you, too! The cost is too great! Esmond! Esmond! I'm coming, I see you Esmond, I- Esmond, I'm... I'm coming for you...
xiii. WOODVALE
Iris: This place is about to crumble, so your plan better be good!
Theo: It is! Listen, August! You have the ability to create! Can you two make some sort of tunnel, with wind?! That pushes the fabric of the Orb out of the way and get us into the real world?
August: It's worth a shot. Guys... hold my hands.
xiv. BRYANT UNIVERSITY
Toni: Esmond! Esmond, come back to me! Esmond!
Midge: Toni! Toni, get away from the Orb! Maskers-
Toni: Help me! It's Esmond, he drowned!
Midge: Tilt his head back! Mouth to mouth!
Toni: I can do it! Esmond!
Esmond: Toni, you... you saved me.
Toni: I just... I saved you.
Midge: The Maskers! Come on!
Toni: Wait, no! It's something else!
Esmond: Someone else!
Toni: The Orb, it's morphing!
Esmond: Looks like it's opening up?
Toni: Like a donut.
Midge: It's... it's August!
Esmond: It is August!
Toni: And she's parting that donut of an Orb like it's the Red Sea!
Lorena: Mom! Where's Armanata?
Midge: She... didn't make it.
August: Esmond! Toni! You guys are all wet!
Toni: We kissed.
August: You what?!
Lorena: Mom, this is Theo and Iris. Residents of the Woodvale Apartment Building.
Midge: So your father really did create that world after all...
Theo: Hi, Midge!
Iris: I'm Iris!
Theo: And I'm Theo!
Iris: We're big fans!
August: They came into possession of my old tapes.
Lorena: Which we have boxed up right here!
Esmond: One question... where's-
Cassandra: You guys made it!
Rick: Good to see everyone!
August: Rick! Cass!
Toni: Aren't you a sight for sore eyes.
Cassandra: Toni! Esmond! Did you stop Effie?
Esmond: Ah, shit... Effie!
August: Cassandra, can you get us to her?
Cassandra: Not a problem.
xiv. EFFIE'S OFFICE
cassandra: Where is she?
Iris: This place is trashed.
Rick: Look! Over there, beside the computer!
Cassandra: A split in the wall...
Esmond: It looks like a door!
Lorena: A secret passageway.
Rick: It goes downstairs... a secret basement. And my guess? A secret lab.
Esmond: C'mon, let's go!
Toni: I was not there when August and Esmond defeated Claude so I'm very excited to witness this.
Iris: Oh, right! Because you died.
Toni: And who are you?
Lorena: Shhh! We're here!
Rick: There's a keypad on the door. It's locked.
August: I got it! Anvils for fists!
Toni: Why is that kinda sexy?
August: Get back!
Effie: What the-
Midge: Effie!
Effie: Freeze! All of you! I have this blaster and unlike my minions, it's not set to stun!
Toni: They were set to stun? Last I checked your Maskers killed my boyfriend!
Esmond: August?
August: I'm on it. Go, Esmond!
Iris: He can make a lasso?! That's so cool!
Toni: My very own Broke Back Mountain.
Effie: No!
Esmond: Go, August!
August: Ray shield!
Effie: My blaster!
Theo: Bad time? You seem a little tied up.
Effie: What are you gonna do! Electrocute me, huh? Push me off a cliff like you did Claude?
Toni: Oh, something much worse. The power of George compels you. Get her!
Midge: Rick, call the lab. We've got some firing to do.
Rick: And a possible arrest.
August: A definite arrest.
xv. EFFIE'S OFFICE
Effie: And I would've gotten away with it, too!
Esmond: Geez, what a bitch!
Toni: ...and his spirit has lived on, and that's how we got reunited, and I always knew there was a... Spirit of George.
Theo: Wow, what an incredible story!
August: Wait, you actually think... you want to listen to the story of George? His dead cat?
Theo: I've been a huge fan of Toni's for a few days now.
Iris: He's sort of an icon. Toni... could you maybe... say the thing?
Toni: My thing? OK, OK. I personally believe... that we're all made of electricity!
Iris: Oh my God, oh my God!
Theo: He did the thing, he did the thing!
Toni: August, I really dislike you saying that no one wants to hear the story of the spirit of my dead cat.
August: Toni, that's-
Esmond: Aht! Let him live. Toni, thank you for sharing this incredibly moving chapter in your life about your love of the spirit of your cat.
Toni: Thank you, Esmond. La-la-la-la...
August: That's not his cat, is it?
Esmond: Hell, no. I don't know who's cat it is, but it ain't Toni's.
Midge: Nice work, kids.
Rick: August, Esmond, I'm so proud of you both.
Cassandra: You've come so far.
August: Thanks, Rick.
Esmond: Thanks, guys.
Theo: Hey, August.
Iris: Could we talk to you for a second?
August: Of course! What's up?
Theo: Well... do you think there's a chance for Iris and I to... I dunno, meet our parents?
August: Oh gee, Theo, I-
Theo: It's just that... we haven't seen our parents in years.
Iris: And honestly, I'm finding it hard to believe that if that apartment wasn't real, then-
Rick: Theo, Iris. Hi, Rick Randall here. I couldn't help overhearing... I examine cases like yours. I actually recall reading about whispers of a project like the Woodvale Apartment.
Iris: Oh?
Rick: Yeah. And it's possible - we may need some research, but I think your parents are out there somewhere. The ones that visited you throughout your life weren't your biological parents at all. It's very plausible that they could have been scientists. And... Iris, was it?
Iris: Yes?
Rick: You have a sister.
Iris: Had.
Rick: No... have.
Toni: God, I'm tired. And the sun is coming up.
Esmond: What do you guys say we get some rest?
Rick: Iris. Let's talk more, OK?
Iris: Of... of course.
Midge: Rick, thank you for your help. Come on, kids. We're heading home.
xvi. BRYANT UNIVERSITY
Cassandra: You're really gonna destroy that thing?
Rick: It can't be that hard!
Cassandra: It's a big floating orb! And it's been here since all that happened this morning.
Rick: Yeah, but as the newly appointed head of Skyler Labs - sorry, Nicolosa Labs, in memory of Armanata Nicolosa - it's a damn shame this thing has been out here for the last 7 hours!
Cassandra: You think August and her friends are OK?
Rick: Probably resting. They were out here until sunrise taking care of this shit. Get the crane in here. I don't want anyone to ever see this thing again.
Nicolosa Lab Scientist: Yes, sir.
xvii. HEILAND HOUSEHOLD
August: What time is it? 3 pm? Geez. And I'm still tired. I can't believe it's over. Thank God. And my best friend and brother kissed! I've been rooting for them since they had that sleepover the night Esmond returned. And yet... things are different between Lorena and I. There's an awful gap in our relationship that I don't know how to fix. I just wish things would go back to the way they were... but they can't. I'm afraid... because I don't wanna end things... but what choice do I have? We've grown apart, and I'm in no position to teach someone how to say they love me. But maybe this will be the start of a new chapter, a new beginning. Maybe things will just... start fresh. Esmond!
xviii. HOSPITAL
Toni: You don't think-
August: No, it has to be. Rick depleted the Orb. Esmond screamed.
Toni: What if it kills him? They're linked, and-
August: I don't wanna think about it right now.
Midge: Hi, kids. Is he OK?
August: He's fine. My parents are out in the parking lot, calling my abuela.
Midge: I saw them outside.
August: Where's Lorena?
Midge: In the bathroom. Toni, is it... OK if I have a moment alone with August?
Toni: Of course.
Midge: August...
August: Yeah?
Midge: Lorena and I were talking on the way here. And if you have any reservations about staying at Bryant... Rick and Armanata, they... had a series of exchanges over email that Lorena found. Lorena broke into the lab last night and searched your name. Rick knew NYU was your dream school.
August: This again? I'm fine going to Bryant.
Midge: Yes, but listen... if you're staying here to please Esmond or Lorena... you're not here for the right reasons.
August: Well, it doesn't matter. Classes start next week. The deadline is far gone.
Midge: Right, but... Armanata put Rick in touch with a chairwoman at NYU. One who leads the media studies division.
August: What are you...
Midge: They pulled your application. There's an interview, tomorrow at 4 p.m.
August: Online?
Midge: In Manhattan.
August: But-
Midge: And Rick says they only really jump to in-person interviews if they feel confident. And you've got a hell of a portfolio writing at the paper with me.
August: I don't...
Midge: I told your parents. In the parking lot.
August: And?
Midge: They're supportive. And willing to drive the three hours to Manhattan.
August: I... So I'm...
Midge: Go, August. Don't ever pause your dreams for someone else. Ever.
August: But-
Midge: Go talk to your parents.
August: OK. Can I... say something to Esmond first? Alone.
Midge: Of course.
xix. DRIVEWAY
August's Dad: That's the last box!
August: Awesome. Hey, there's my friends.
August's Dad: Tell them goodbye, and then we've gotta get you moved in.
August: OK, dad. Hi, guys.
Toni: Hey. Got everything packed?
August: Yeah. I do.
Toni: I'm proud of you. And I'm glad the interview went well.
August: Me, too. Take care of Esmond for me, and keep me updated.
Toni: I will.
August: And Iris and Theo, they're...?
Toni: At Wellfleet. With Rick and Cass.
August: OK.
Lorena: So this is really it?
August: Maybe Manhattan will be a good change of scenery. I just want to start over. Without our friends.
Toni: You'll at least come back to visit? Right?
August: Of course.
Lorena: So this is... goodbye?
August: It is. I'm... I'm sorry. Here. You can have this.
Lorena: Your nose ring?
August: Yeah. I, uh, got when I couldn't say I love you. And now... I don't want to say it anymore.
Lorena: August...
August: Look... Lorena... you did your best. You deserve better than what I can give you.
Lorena: But I love you, Augu...
August: But this rift is between us now and I don't know what I can do to patch it away, to de-rift us. If I'm being honest, I might just be too lazy or something but I can't stay here any longer.
Lorena: O... Kay.
August: I have to go now. Bye, guys.
Lorena: No, stop. August, I can't let you go, without saying...
August: Saying what?
Lorena: Well... So what? So what if none of this is what you pictured for yourself? Do you think that this is what I wanted? To stand here gay as hell with my hands wide open staring back at the only girl I've ever loved who's saying her goodbye to me? As she walks out on me, her parents, her brother, her best friend, and her partner? I mean, hell, August, this isn't what I want! I never wanted my only real thing to be with some girl who only speaks into a cassette and is fascinated by gory horror films and hangs around with losers fascinated with arcade games and electricity and cats named George!
August: Then WHY are you still here?! Huh?! Do you think I'm gonna change all those things you don't like about me? Do you thinks saying this demeaning stuff will make me stay?
Lorena: No! I'm saying I stay! Because you can be whatever you want and I'll love all those things about you August! I hate horror films, but I love that you love horror films because who would you be without that? All those micro-oddities are what make you feel so real to me!
August: I don't feel real anymore, Lorena.
Lorena: But you're the realest thing I've ever known. I love you.
August: I can't stay here and bring you down with me.
Lorena: You don't bring me down! I see you and I'm not down. I see you and it's real. I see you and... and it's like I've got it.
August: You've got it?
Lorena: Yes. You could stay.
August: I don't want to stay in Willowdale anymore, I-
Lorena: Not in Willowdale. But with me.
August: Together?
Lorena: We could make this work. Right?
August: A new start would be good, but Lorena... I'm scared.
Lorena: Me too, but... We will never go back to that.
August: I can't.
Lorena: Did you mean it? About the nose ring?
August: Unfortunately, I did.
Lorena: OK. OK. I respect that. But I love you.
August: I love you, too. But I can't. Bye, guys.
August's Dad: Hey, you OK?
August: I just... I didn't know it would be this hard!
August's Dad: I know, I know. But... you're doing this for you. It's what you've always wanted!
August: Yeah...
August's Dad: You OK?
August: Yeah. Let's go. To New York.