Some Corny Sketches for a Family Album
A two-room flat.
One room is divided into a kitchen in the back and a living room in the front but nothing really separates them.
The kitchen: a sink, a stove, a cupboard, a table, two chairs, a fridge.
The living room: two armchairs, a couch, a wardrobe.
All of the furniture is used and shabby.
The prevailing colors are brown, grey and beige.
The only lively element is the flower pot near the entrance door, house left.
No impression of dampness or staleness.
The place seems to be kept clean.
Sketch 1
The door opens.
A woman enters, carrying a heap of clothes. She leaves the clothes in one of the armchairs and opens the wardrobe. She takes out an iron, closes the wardrobe, gathers up the clothes and goes into the kitchen. In less than a minute, she starts ironing on the kitchen table.
She is in her mid-forties: tall, slim, her brown hair slightly streaked with grey and pulled back from her face.
Although her clothes are old-fashioned and worn-out, they suit her to a tee.
The entrance door opens again.
A man comes in.
He is young, tall, blond and skinny. He is wearing a dark blue suit. He also has a brown attaché case.
The woman stops ironing and looks up at him.
J: Jeees…
(She smiles.)
(He reaches for his tie, trying to deal with the knot but his fingers are too fidgety.)
(She comes over, takes his face in her hands and kisses him on the mouth.)
J: Damn tired…
M: I know, J.
(She unties his tie.)
(As soon as his neck is free, he goes on freeing himself of the jacket.)
(She helps him.)
Sit down, J.
(He plops in one of the armchairs.)
(She kisses his forehead.)
M: Want to eat now?
J: No.
(His eyes are closed and his head is thrust back.)
(She puts the jacket in the wardrobe and returns to the kitchen. She is at the stove, turned away from him.)
M: It’ll only take a minute.
J: Mama, I don’t want anything.
M: You MUST have a proper meal. You didn’t anything all day, did you?
J: I did… The shit the boss gave me.
M: (turning around abruptly) What happened?
J: Nothing...
M: What is it? What does he want from you this time?
J: The usual…
M: (walking up to the fridge and taking something out of it) What did you
say?
J: Ahhh… The usual.
(She fumbles around the stove. Thumping sounds can be heard.)
Mama, please. I said I don’t want to eat.
M: Look at you! Soon we’ll be having your bones for dinner.
J: Lay off it, ma.
(She comes over, kneels down beside the armchair and looks at his face.)
M: You tell him to leave you alone. Tell him to take his shit out on
someone else.
J: Don’t tell me what to do…And I won’t be having any dinner now.
M: (softly) What about later? You will have some later?
J: (nervously) O. K., O. K., I will.
(She gets up and goes over to the stove. Then she turns around and goes on ironing.)
M: He’s nothing to you. Don’t you forget that. He’s just your boss.
J: (to himself, softly) Right…
M: He can’t do anything to you. You go and tell him tomorrow that
you don’t let anyone treat you like dirt. You’re a man. That’s what you
are. And he’s scum. Nothing but lowlife. The worst there is!
J: You don’t even know him or what this is about...
M: But you haven’t done anything wrong now, have you.
J: (snapping) And how would YOU know?!
M: (with conviction) You’re MINE and no son of mine would do any harm
to…
J: (interrupting her) Oh, mama…
M: Oh-mama-what? What is it, J? Is he better than you?
J: It’s not that.
M: Is he smarter?
(He doesn’t answer.)
He’s nothing. Hear me? Nothing! Nobody!
J: (shouting) But he’s got money, mama!
(He jumps to his feet and turns around to face her.)
And what’ve we got?
(He raises his arms, indicating everything around him.)
Just look around and tell me if you can find anything here!
(She stops ironing.)
Well, ma, can you?
(She is silent.)
I can’t hear you!
M: J…
J: (still very loudly) Well, we’ve certainly got plenty of something he’s
got none of…
M: We’ve got a family.
J: No, mama, wrong! Has that family you’re talking about ever gotten
you any food or clothes?! Look at my hands, ma! How old are they?
M: (looking at him, moved) Twenty…
J: Yeah. Green and strong! But they can’t give you any phones, fancy
dresses, cars, nothing!
M: (coldly) Are you finished?
J: How much did you spend on my schooling and the courses?... It’s,
what, a year since I got this job and what do I do every single day –
I deliver their goddamn mail! I’ve never once had any use of any of
my degrees. And besides, they’re nothing. Just paper with my name
on them. And I’ve got, what, three of them?!... Why do I still keep
them, tell me, mama, why? ‘Cause I can’t remember anymore…
(Brief silence.)
M: (coldly) No son of mine is a fool.
J: Yeah? Well, I'm not only your son, remember?... Guess that’s where
my stupidity comes from!
M: He WAS a fool but never pitied himself like you!
J: (surprised) You think THAT’s what I’m doing?
M: (sharply) You stop this right now. Go to bed, sleep it off and tomorrow
tell that man you quit. You hear me?
J: (staring at her) ...
M: You hear me, J? I’m sick of hearing this every other day. I’m sick
of looking at you bring home the same shit. As if this is no home.
J: (staring at his feet) ....
M: I will not let you forget who you are. Who we are. And what you have
here.
J: (softly, as if trying to keep cool) Stop chopping me to pieces.
Leave me be. D’you hear me?... I know what to do.
(Suddenly, a child is heard crying in the back room.)
(She pauses, still looking at him and then disappears in the shadows.)
(He turns around and sits on the couch. He buries his face in his hands.)
(She reappears, holding a baby in her arms.)
(The baby is silent now.)
(He looks up.)
J: Is he O. K.?
M: Yes.
(She kisses the baby’s forehead.)
See how you are in perfect harmony…
Whenever you start yelling, he goes yelling, too.
(He smiles.)
Take him.
(He takes the baby gently from her.)
(She sits down close to him and kiss him on the shoulder.)
Look at him. He’s just like you.
J: Yeah… we’ve got the same mother.
M: (looking at his profile and touching his hair)
He’s just as yours as you are mine. Two sons and one father.
That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
J: (suddenly turning his head towards her) What, him? Dad?!
M: (her face contorting) NO!
J: (sharply) He is NO father to this child!
M: (apologetically) No, he isn’t.
J: (angrily) He’d gone before J. J. was born. J. J. is NOT his!
M: (carefully) But you love him?
J: (smiling) I do…
M: (hesitating)... More than me?...
J: (offended) Mama! How can you ask such a stupid question?
M: (whispering) Sorry, J.
(Pause.)
(slowly, looking at the child) Only a year old and all yours…
(He smiles.)
The son I wanted.
J: Who – him or me?
(She doesn’t answer but laughs instead.)
Yes… It feels so good, almost kind of cleansing, you know,
to be holding... a baby... I guess it must be amazing to give birth
to... something so... to bring something like this into this world...
a being... a baby being...
M: (leaning her head against his shoulder) Yes. It is.
(Pause.)
Everything. Making a baby and giving birth to it.
J: It must be something really special to have your own kids…
M: … how do you feel about J. J.?
J: (quietly) Ah, almost like he’s my own son…
(Her face lights up.)
M: You know I am there for you, J.
J: (looking at the baby’s face) ....
M: I’ll always be there for you.
J: I know, mama.
M: Anything. I’d do anything for you.
(He turns his head and kisses her on the cheek.)
J: Thank you. (He kisses her again.) And thank you. (He kisses her
again.) And thank you…
(She laughs out loud.)
J: Psst! You’ll wake him up.
M: (whispering) Well, you seem to be a better Mom than me… isn’t he
beautiful?
J: Yes… I almost wish he was my own son.
(Her eyes open in pleasant surprise, her face beams.)
But he isn’t…
(The smile disappears from her face. Her eyes close briefly.)
M: (slowly) Couldn’t you love him… like your own son?
J: But I don’t know what that’s like…
M: You can try.
J: I can’t be a father to him, ma.
M: (suddenly unnerved) Why not?
J: (looking up at her) Mama, it’s hard for you on your own. I know.
And I’m only your son, but... that’s the way it is.
(Pause.)
I hope to have sons of my own… I hope to find a woman as strong
and beautiful…
(He kisses her on the cheek again.)
… as you are. (smiling) Though that may be close to impossible…
(Her face is pale. She looks down at her feet.)
And then I’ll have a family. And children of my own.
I’ll be a Dad then. Can you imagine? And I’ll be good to them, real
good…
M: (hesitating) What about J. J. and me?
J: (looking up at her) ...
M: Don’t you want us?
J: (shocked) Ma!
M: (snatching the baby from him) You’re stifling him.
(He stares at her, horrified.)
J: Ma?
M: (standing up) You don’t really want him.
(She goes into the back room. She comes out without the child and approaches the kitchen table.)
(He watches her as she takes up ironing again.)
J: (puzzled) What’s the matter, ma?
(She doesn’t answer.)
Ma?
(She still doesn’t answer.)
The lights go out.
Sketch 2
Three weeks later.
The same set.
M. is dressed as in Sketch 1.
She is sitting on the couch and playing with the child.
A knock on the door is heard.
She leaves the baby and goes to the door. She opens it.
It’s J. His face is radiant with happiness.
M: (surprised) J? You’re… early!
(He produces a bouquet of flowers, practically shoving it into her face.)
(taking the bouquet) J…
(He lifts her up and carries her into the living room.)
(She starts laughing.)
J: Mama… Tonight, we eat out!
M: Put me down first!
J: (still holding her) You choose the place! Tomorrow, I’ll get you some
nice clothes! We’ll go shopping for fine things, all new and expensive!
No more hand-me-downs! First-class, from now on, only first-class for
you, mama!
M: J, put me down!
(He obeys and, taking her face in his hands, kisses her on the mouth.)
(She runs off to the kitchen and puts the bouquet in a jar. Then she comes back.)
J: (seeing the baby) And the best for you, too, J. J.!
(He takes the baby in his arms.)
You’ll never be hungry again!
M: (laughing) He never was hungry, J!
J: (not hearing her) And you’ll have everything you wish for!
You name it, I’ll get it! Don’t you worry ‘bout nothing anymore…
(She takes the baby from him.)
M: What’s happened, J?
J: Mama, I did it! I finally did it!
M: (slowly) You... quit?
J: Yes, mama! I quit! That’s exactly what I did!
(She puts her hand on his shoulder.)
But that’s not all. (somewhat nervously) Go ahead and put on
something nice first so we can go out. For real.
M: But, J, I have no…
J: (suddenly going down on his knees) Oh, mama, I’m sorry!
I am truly sorry!
(He kisses her hand.)
You’ll never be poor again!
(She laughs.)
M: You’re happy for a man without a dime!
(He gets to his feet and takes her face in his hands again.)
J: Oh, but, mama, I’m not THAT stupid. Lord, no…
(He smiles.)
I’ve got more news! There’s more, ma! This is not the real McCoy!
Go grab your purse and I’ll tell you all about it while we’re treating
ourselves to one of those fancy dinners – and no diner this time;
this time, we’re going to one of those stylish places only movie
stars can afford, ha-ha!
(She puts her hand on his cheek.)
M: Oh, but I can’t leave J. J.! Who’d take care of him?
J: Hell, nothing will happen to him!
M: J…
(He turns around, flailing his arms about almost frantically.)
J: Well, then we’ll have it right here! We’ll have a party right here!
I’ll go get some champagne and some food and we’ll drink and eat
and dance all night!
(He takes her by the hand and tries to spin her around.)
(She is still holding the baby.)
Oh, you bet we’ll dance! We’ll sing and dance and maybe even cry a
little! Shedding the tears of joy as they’d say – tears of pure joy and
utter bliss, ha-ha!
(He is on his knees again.)
Oh, mama, it’s gonna be alright! It’s gonna be O. K.!
From now on, everything’s gonna be just fine. You’ll see! I promise!
Believe you me – milk and honey, nothing but milk and honey from
this moment on!
(He kisses her skirt.)
I promise!
(She puts her hand on his head, caressing it gently.)
M: (softly) Get up, J.
(He gets up.)
(She sits down on the couch.)
Now tell me!
(He is happy but nervous and starts pacing up and down.)
J: I wasn’t sure before so I didn’t want to tell you anything but now it’s all
over and I’m safe! We’re all safe now!
M: So, you have a job? A new job?
J: Yes, ma! And they liked me – they opted for me because they saw me
for what I am! They put me to a test and I passed! With flying colors,
ma!
M: I’m so proud of you, J!
J: And you’ll be even more in future. You’ll see!
(ironically) I'm nobody’s errand boy anymore!
(She laughs.)
J: Nobody’s boy!
M: Oh, but you are – you are MY boy!
J: Mama, I’ll make up for everything! It’s not too late, is it?
M: But, J, what should you be making up for? I don’t need nothing…
I’ve never desired anything but what I’ve got here!
(He smiles.)
M: I’ve got all I need!
J: (as if not hearing her) Now I’ll finally look after you properly!
M: (overwhelmed) But what kind of a job is it, J?
J: Oh… well, it’s an export-import company and… well, my job is to
decide on the quality of the stuff we sell or buy… in fact, not really sell
but… oh, hell, I’ll say nothing more! I’ll introduce you to somebody
who’ll explain it so much, much better – somebody who helped me a
great deal!
M: (eagerly) Well, who is this angel?
J: (breaking into laughter) Someone I met only two weeks ago!
And THAT is the real surprise! I didn’t want you to know about… this
angel, as you say, ‘cause I wasn’t sure anything would come out of it.
M: But something has… right?
J: I don’t mean the job, well, not only the job.. this angel… this person,
it’s someone I want to spend my life with!
(The smile freezes on her lips.)
M: (slowly) What… What... do you mean…
(He doesn’t notice the change in her appearance. He goes on excitedly.)
J: She’s mine, ma! Mine to keep! MINE! My woman – NO, my wife to be!
The one. She’s the one! The mother of my children! Of my two
sons, ha-ha!
M: (taken aback, speechless) …
J: You should’ve seen it. How she helped me out. How she helped me
realize who I was - a nobody! How she helped me pick up the pieces
and get up. (slightly pausing to sigh) She’s the one, ma! She’ll bear
my sons - or my daughters - hell, my children! She’ll be the mother
of my children, ha-ha!
M: (shocked whisper) … You nobody... She told you you’re NOBODY?
J: No, no, ma! It was ME! I realized I was nothing – nobody. Not even
that, really…
M: (harsher tone) And you got a job because you are NOBODY?
J: No, no, no! No! You got it all wrong! Ha, ha! Wait…
(She stares at him impassively. He goes on completely oblivious of the drastic change in her demeanor.)
How do I put it? It’s the feeling – I know I am not nobody; never was –
it’s just that… She helped me discover...
(The baby stirs, making a softly squealing sound. She starts to rock it in her arms, almost mechanically and not taking her eyes off of him. The baby is silent again.)
... a brand new me! In fact, not even that! She simply helped me
come out of my shell, so to speak... Ha, ha! Oh, what the hell...
(Her eyes widen.)
It is true. Damn it! I suddenly felt that I was somebody! It was like
waking up from a bad dream I’d gotten used to, not knowing any
better, not expecting any better, a dream I’d started taking for
granted. As my life, you know.. And all that was black that was me
was suddenly no more! Damn poetry, ha-ha! But it was like…
M: (eyes wide open, softly) Not knowing any better?
J: (not hearing her) Like with her…
M: (eyes wide open, louder) All that was BLACK?
(He pauses as if intrigued but is still engulfed in his thoughts.)
J: Well… Yes. How else can I put it? Rebirth! Let’s call it rebirth then!
Ha, ha!
(Exploding into laughter and finally turning to look at her. )
M: (Her face is inscrutable.) …
J: (suddenly shocked) Ma? What is it?
M: (slowly) So, never mind me...
J: … What do you mean, ma?
M: (louder) Never mind me all these years...
J: (puzzled) I don’t get it. Why never mind you?
M: You do remember I am your mother?
J: … ‘course I do. What’s wrong? What do you mean?
(She approaches him slowly. It seems as if she’s clutching the baby in her arms. The baby stirs again. Soft baby sounds can be heard.)
M: Or am I?
J: Of course you are my mother! You will always be my mother.
(She stops directly in front of him.)
What does that have to do with anything? (looks at her quizzically)
M: (slowly tilting her head to one side) …
J: This is not about you, ma.
(She starts shaking her head slowly.)
M: It isn’t. No.
J: …
(He looks puzzled. He stares at her.)
(She stares back.)
M: …
J: Oh, ma, you’re gonna love her. You’ll see!
(She freezes.)
The things she can do, ha, ha! You’ll see! She already knows so
much about you – though she’s somewhat scared of coming over
here tomorrow, I must say, ha, ha!
M: (whispering) Tomorrow?
J: I would’ve introduced her the very day I met her but…
M: (interrupting, louder) You’re bringing her HERE? Into OUR home?
J: (smiling, oblivious again to her demeanor) Superwoman, that’s what
she calls you!
(She starts to tremble.)
You’ll see what a gentle soul she is. Ever so nice to people.
Always patient with everyone… Like she could love the whole world
if the world would take her up on the offer, ha ha!
She’ll be just like you – a great mother! Being a great person,
she can’t be anything else, now can she?
(She is shaking all over.)
J: I know this is right… You can’t even imagine how sure I am of this
being the right thing. The right choice. The right decision. My way out,
ha ha! I’ve never been as sure about anything as I am about
this. About her. Gosh, ma… It’s like… it’s like there are the two of us,
and there are kaleidoscope lights all around us and there’s laughter
and music and I just know nothing bad can happen - and nobody’s
tripping, mind you, because it’s for real; it’s not a dream or
a fairy-tale, ha-ha!
(She is motionless. He looks at her and stops laughing.)
M: (softly) You’re leaving us…
J: Leaving you? No, mama! I’ll be taking better care of you now!
I am NEVER going to leave you!
(She stares at him.)
Listen, I’ll give you some of this advance money I got today.
Just until I get paid for real.
(She stares at him. He pauses.)
Ma, I’ll be coming to check up on you ever day.
Just like I’ve been doing so far. It’s just…
(She stares at him. He pauses.)
It’s just that… I won’t be staying anymore... I won’t be actually
living here…
(She stares at him. He pauses.)
Besides, there’s no room for us here! (almost excitedly)
(She stares at him. He pauses.)
And it’ll be easier on you… One mouth fewer to feed.
M: (whispering) Easier on me?
J: Yes, it will be easier on you, ma. More money and less trouble.
(He smiles tentatively.)
M: (as if to herself) You’re leaving us…
J: Ma, I am not leaving you.
M: (as if to herself) Like him…
J: What? What was that?
(She stares at him. The baby stirs again. This time it starts crying but she doesn’t do anything about it.)
(He looks at the baby, then at her.)
Ma, what’s going on? What’s wrong?
(She is staring at him.)
Ma, J. J. is crying.
(She looks at the baby and then back at him.)
Give him to me, ma.
(He reaches for the baby. She pulls away.)
Ma, he’s crying!
(She starts rocking the baby in her arms, not taking her eyes off him.)
(Pause.)
(They stare at each other.)
(She suddenly turns around and starts walking away slowly.)
Ma…
(She stops. The baby is whimpering. The sound is muffled. Her back is turned at him.)
M: (almost cheerfully) Remember eighteen months ago, J…
J: What, ma?
M: The night he left.
J: …
(He stares at her. Her back is still turned. He is motionless.)
M: Just like that.
J: …
( He stares at her. Her back is still turned. He is motionless.)
M: We knew, didn’t we.
J: …
( He stares at her. Her back is still turned. He is motionless.)
M: We knew he wasn’t coming back.
J: (softly) Yes, we knew.
M: I loved you that night more than ever before.
J: …
( He stares at her. Her back is still turned. He is motionless.)
M: (she turns her head sideways) And you loved me, too.
J: I still do, ma.
( He stares at her. Her back is still turned. He is motionless.)
M: I was the only woman for you that night.
J: I will never leave you, mom.
M: ...
J: Never.
(She breaks out into hysterical laughter.)
(Her laughter overrides the baby’s whimper.)
Ma, don’t. Please, don’t.
(She stops gradually.)
Please…
(The baby’s whimper can be heard.)
(She turns around to face him.)
Ma…
(The baby starts crying.)
(She stares at him, tears streaking down her face. She is motionless.)
Give J. J. to me, ma.
(He slowly approaches her.)
(She is still staring at him. The baby’s crying gets louder.)
(He stops in front of her.)
(carefully motioning with his hands) Give him to me, ma.
(He takes a step closer.)
(She stares at him.)
Mama…
M: (coldly) No.
(He stops. His hands linger in the air.)
He’s not yours anymore.
(She turns around abruptly and walks away while the lights dim.
He is left alone. His hands are still lingering in the air.)
Sketch 3
The following day.
The same set.
A key in the lock is heard. The door opens.
J enters followed by a girl. She is blonde, small and fashionably dressed.
She is smiling.
J: (calling out) Mama!
(No answer.)
G: (whispering) Maybe she’s not in.
J: She’s got to be. She never leaves J. J. alone!
(They enter the living room.)
You sit down. I’ll go and get her! She’s got to be with J. J.
(He kisses the girl on the forehead and disappears in the back.)
(The girl watches him go and then sits in one of the armchairs.)
(A key in the lock is heard again.)
The door opens.
It’s M.
Her hair is blond now. She is wearing a red blouse and her bra is showing through it. She has a yellow mini-skirt on. Her black stockings are ripped in places. Her face is heavily painted.
She walks clumsily into the room, holding a pair of high-heeled shoes.
She is drunk.
(The girl looks at her, shocked and frightened.)
(They stare at each other for a few seconds.)
(M’s face distorts into a grin.)
M: Well… any more blonde bitches around here? I was sure I’d be the only one…
(She staggers to the couch.)
(As she passes her by, the girl shrinks away, then turns around to see if J is coming back.)
(M throws herself down onto the couch.)
(G tries to smile but her lips only quiver.)
G: (scared) Hello.
M: (lifting her head) What’s that? D’you hear that?
(G shakes her head slowly.)
M: (observing her with interest) How can I help… you?
G: (blurting out) I’m J’s…
M: (jumping up to her feet) J? Where’s J?
(She tries to adjust her hair and her skirt with rough and quick movements.)
I gotta… (then suddenly leaning backwards to check on her stockings
but tumbling down onto the floor)
I…
(The girl reaches out to help her get up but she pushes her away and pulls herself up, settling back on the couch.)
You lying bitch… He can’t be here...
(shouting) He’s gone! He’s GONE!
(A pause.)
(The girl’s eyes are wide open. She is paralyzed with fear.)
Wait… wait… (a crooked smile emerges on M’s lips) You must be… (bursting into laughter)… Ha! You’ve come looking for him here? Because... he’s left you? He’s LEFT you? Now that’s my boy!
(The girl is staring at her. She is motionless.)
That’s my J! So, he’s left you, huh?
(The door in the back opens. J comes out but stops, remaining unseen, only a silhouette holding something in his arms, half-hidden in the shadows.)
Saw right through you, didn’t he? That’s my boy! That’s my J!
(The girl doesn’t respond. She is still staring at her, not moving.)
Saw through you and your evil ways, bitch. You can’t do a thing to us
now! He’s coming back to me and you can’t do anything about it, can
you? Because you’re bad. Real bad. You hear that?
(Both G and J are dead still like figurines.)
Don’t you know that the bad always lose? And evil never wins!
Never! Hear me, bitch?
G: (hoarse whisper) Ma…
M: (jumping to her feet and screeching) Don’t you dare call me THAT!
(She goes for the girl but crashes onto the floor, just a foot away from the armchair in which the girl is sitting.)
I’m…
(She tries to stand up but can’t. The girl is too scared to move and help her.)
I’m…
(M finally gives up, resting her head against the armchair to catch her breath.)
(J moves a bit forward. They still don’t see him.)
M: (whispering) Oh, I’ll get… you…
(She lifts her head.)
G: (carefully) Mrs…
M: You’re pretty…
G: ...
M: As pretty as they come… Bitches that are witches...
G: (swallowing hard) Mrs...
M: That’s how…
(She gets on her knees.)
That’s how you get…
(She lifts her hand and slowly reaches for the girl’s face. The girl closes her eyes, trying not to flinch.)
… what you’re after…
(She caresses the girl’s cheek.)
... don’t you....
(The girl opens her eyes slowly, as if checking whether the coast is clear.)
… (softer voice) damn it... you are pretty…
(A pause.)
… Still, you could use some more there…
(She wipes some of the lipstick off her mouth using her other hand and reaches for the girl’s lips.)
(The girl closes her eyes again. This time her lips are trembling.)
… There…
(She runs her fingers over the girl’s mouth. She does it slowly and putting on pressure.)
(A pause.)
(Neither J nor G are moving.)
(M leans in, takes the girl’s face in her hands and goes to kiss her.)
(The girl opens her eyes in sudden panic.)
G: (almost hysterically) Mrs…
(M presses her mouth against the girl’s and immediately pulls away.)
M: … So, you fucked him, whore...
(The girl stares at her. She is terrified.)
(M grabs her by her breasts. The girl flinches, letting out a soft squeal.)
Did he cry? Huh? Did he?
(M squeezes the girl’s breasts slightly.)
(The girl closes her eyes and starts whimpering.)
(J steps into the light. What he carries in his arms looks like a parcel wrapped in a small blanket. He looks disheveled. He is pale and shivering.)
J: (whispering) Ma…
(G doesn’t move. Her eyes are still closed but tears are rolling down her face.)
(M suddenly tears her blouse open.)
M: Look at them! Look…
(She leans in towards the girl.)
… at… THEM!
(The girl opens her eyes hesitantly.)
THEY fed him. NOT yours.
(The girl is sobbing now.)
MY cunt gave him life. NOT yours. And he LOVED THEM both.
He loved ME! He LOVES ME! Not you. NOT. YOU. Get it… WHORE?
J: (yelling at the top of his lungs) STOP IT!!!!!
(M turns around as if taken by surprise.)
(G jumps to her feet and runs over to the door.)
M: (her face brightening up) J! J! You’re back!
(She fumbles to her feet.)
(J approaches the couch, still carrying the parcel in his arms.)
M: (giggling) J… what d’you think? D’you like it? Look!
(She tries to fix her hair.)
It was time I changed! ‘t was time I did something just like you!
‘t was time I… You deserve the best! Only the best! It was time
I gave you what you deserve! Look…
(She tries to spin round but loses her balance and gets hold of the armchair, leaning against it.)
Ooops… (giggling) My, my, look at me so… What’s got into me?
For crying out loud…
(G is staring at M, her back glued to the door. She is crying. J is staring at M, his face drawn.)
J: (loud whisper) How could you…
(M is trying to keep her balance and button up her blouse.)
Why…
(Her attempts are futile. She gives up on the blouse and opts for leaning against the armchair.)
What is wrong with you…
(M looks at him quizzically. She smiles.)
M: What did you say, J?
(M reaches for her hair with both her hands, loses her balance again and almost doubles over. She manages to stay on her feet.)
(G starts sobbing violently. Her body shakes all over.)
(M stops smiling.)
(scared tone) You don’t like it, J?
J: (his voice trembling) How could you, ma…
M: (her lips quivering) J… I wanted to… I thought you’d…
Don’t you like it? J?
(She reaches for her hair again, this time slowl pulling at it as if to pluck it out.)
Wait… I’ll fix it… Wait… Here… Wait…
J: What did you do, ma…
M: (not hearing him) Be quick. Be quick. Here, J… I’ll fix it… Here…
(She stops after a few seconds. Her hair is disheveled.)
How about now?
(A faint smile appears on her lips.)
Okay? Is it okay now? Huh?
(J approaches her slowly as if every step hurt.)
(She melts, holding out her arms in the anticipation of a hug.)
Oh, J... oh, baby…
(He stops. He gently puts the parcel he’s holding into her arms, which automatically wrap around it.)
(She is still looking joyfully into his eyes.)
M: It’s O. K. now, isn’t it, J? Now it’s better, right?
J: (his voice failing him) You’re bad, ma…
(Without another word, he simply turns round and runs to the door. He grabs G by her arm, thrusts the door open and pushes G out.)
(The door slams.)
(M isn’t moving. Her mouth is open. She is staring at the door. Then, all of a sudden, she crumples to the floor with the parcel still in her arms. )
M: (whisper) Bad…
(Tears stream down her face.)
(whisper) Bad…
(She hangs her head.)
(louder whisper) Bad…
(She starts rocking.)
(mouthing) Bad…
The lights are on for another minute, then they suddenly go out.
No music, no sound, no movement can be heard - the audience is obliged to stay in the dark for half a minute.
When the lights are back on, the stage is empty.
If this is not doable, when the lights are back on, the actors are lined up with their backs turned at the audience. They’re all dressed in black. The fifth in the line is the baby. The baby is in the upright position as well.
They do not bow.
Their backs spell the abbreviation “#FYI”.
They remain in this position until the audience has left the auditorium.
(the play was written by a younger me almost twenty years ago, when i was around twenty-six or twenty-seven.)