welcome! this is where I post my writing as it comes, my plays along with occasional bits and bobs of poetry and/or short stories. here is the rss link if you would like to follow: feed://playwritelove.tumblr.com/rss
“I’ll have a latte, please. What would you like? Coffee?”
“A glass of water”
“You sure that’s all you want?”
“Too damn early for anything else”
(The waiter nods and continues about the tables. He continues.)
“What the hell was that?”
“I don’t know what you mean”
“Of course you don’t. That’s the worst of it.”
(The waiter returns with the drinks. He turns.)
“Wait, a cup of coffee too. Black”
(“Right away sir”)
“Thought you said-“
“I know what I said and I changed my mind.”
(Silence)
“So how have you been?”
“I’ve been better”
“You’re stealing my line here”
“Well sorry. Forgot.”
“Thanks”
“I didn’t mean-“
“It’s fine”
“Bullshit”
“I am”… “Okay alright alright, I’m not fine. But I’ll have to be, won’t I? You’re leaving.
“How do you know?”
“You’re twitching your leg.”
“So?”
“You’re extra fidgety before you skip town”
“Is that so”
“You always make up some crap about how tired your are afterwards, but you never go to sleep. I feel you twitching next to me. And the next morning you are always gone. To go to some other city, some other something, just gone.”
(Silence)
(The waiter quickly drops off the coffee. He sips.)
Olive opened her eyes to a canopy of twinkling emeralds. She tilted her head slightly and rays poured through a gap in the branches, bathing her cheeks in their warmth. There was a pleasant breeze that made the leaves hum as they rustled. It caressed her skin and made her body sing too. Breathe in and out, in and out.
She loved living in this city so intertwined with history, buildings from centuries gone planted right next door to a Tesco, but it was here at the University Parks that she felt most at home. The earth went on for thousands of miles beneath her, it had been there longer than any building could claim and would be there long afterwards. Her elbows rested in the crook of the tree roots, her lean legs splayed out and were supported by the topsoil, her fragile back propped up by the spine of the tree. She dug her hands into the ground and rolled the damp clumps between her fingers. Past, present, and future; all together. Breathe in and out, in and out.
Her brother, Greg, was leaned against the other side of the tree, his head resting on a knot. They had been inseparable growing up, like Irish twins, except that they weren’t Irish. They were Italian. Their mother had been the eldest of eleven, so there was a constant onslaught of new family members popping into the scene. No matter how many girl cousins or school friends she gained, it was always Greg at her side.
Every loss, every gain, he was there.
They had been coming to the Parks as long as Olive could remember. As tots, they crowded the Crepe-o-mania truck begging their parents for second breakfast before Church. After a couple years, only Dad brought them and they lingered even after the bells had rung. Then not too long after that, it was only the two of them; they stayed most of the day, and only he ate a crepe. Every Sunday they were there. Any passerby would say they looked like a normal happy family, a pair with chocolate curls that bounced along the path with smiles in tow. But Olive knew that wasn’t all true, so did Greg; but he didn’t like to think on it. Neither did she, really.
His watch beeped. It was time. Her doctors had assured her that she was well prepared for this, that there was nothing to worry but she wasn’t sure how much she believed them. Suddenly her brother’s upside down face appeared among the green.
“Olive, time to go!”
“Can we just stay just a bit longer?”
“Not today.”
“Why not?”
“We need to get some food remember?”
“I know.”
“So up you get.”
He helped her off the ground, then put his arm around her shoulders, guiding her along the center path towards the South Walk. She couldn’t keep from clenching and unclenching her hands. Part of her wanted to dig her heels into the ground and refuse, but she couldn’t listen to that voice. Not anymore.
“I’m right here, okay? I’m right here.”
She let his words surround her and linger on her skin, like a warm blanket on a rainy day. She let his words drip down her back, all the way down to her feet, until they had weaved their way into her very cells, until they found their way into the blood that pumped her heart, until they were carrying her unabashedly forward.
As soon as they were in line, Olive felt herself shrink as though she were five years old again and they were all there: Mum, Dad, Greg, and her. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t think that way; be here, be here. So she expanded herself back up to her eighteen-year old self. She opened her eyes and found herself already at the front of the line, greeted by a man holding a t-shaped mallet – like a magic wand ready to transform her.
“What can I get you?”
“A crepe with maple sugar please.”
Greg gave her a gentle squeeze, then kissed her on the forehead.
“And you, young man?”
“A crepe with chocolate.”
“That will be six pound fifty.”
Greg paid while Olive watched the griddle. He waved his wand around, moving the batter in a perfect circle, and then flipped the crepes until their sides had an equal golden hue.
The smell of sugar hit her like a tidal wave and started to bring her down. She gripped Greg’s hand as a battle raged in her head:
-You can’t eat that.
-I can.
-It’s a giant pancake. All carbs covered in sugar.
-Yeah, it is a pancake and I feel for it, so I’m going to eat it.
Even though she knew she could have it, her hands trembled as she reached out for the plate.
Greg led her over to a picnic table where they sat opposite each other and rolled up their crepes like scrolls. They picked up their crepes and when he nodded, both took a bite.
She turned her brain off. She couldn’t experience this moment properly if she judged it. That’s what she was told anyway. She let her mouth just taste it. The simple sweetness melted on her tongue. She had forgotten how delicious these were.
Olive heard a shuffle of footsteps behind her. It wasn’t long before Rachael, Greg’s girlfriend of about 2 years, came around into view. She gave him a hug from behind then joined them at the table. At first she hadn’t particularly liked Rachael. Maybe it was her shiny blond hair, or her pixie sized figure, or the way she always looked put together, or the fact that Greg would rather spend more time with her. Maybe. But Rachael had brought her a mix cd when she was in hospital over Christmas, which made Olive like her a little bit more. She listened to it and learned that Rachael loved Glen Hansard too, and Ray LaMontagne, and Florence + The Machine, and all of her favorites. After that, she knew they would get along fine.
She continued eating, trying to let her hunger cues guide her instead of that voice resisting in her head. In the end, there were only a couple bites left. Given that it was her first crepe in over seven years, Olive felt proud of having finished that much. In the periphery, there was a flurry of motion. A sparkle. A diamond. Breathe in and out, in and out. There was a ring on Rachael’s finger, on her fourth finger. That was definitely her left hand. Breathe in and out, in and out. It couldn’t be. He couldn’t have proposed. Greg would have told her.
All she could see was the sparkle.
Greg whispered in her Rachael’s ear, her eyes darted down to her ring and her hand slipped off the top of the table. Both of their cheeks flushed. Olive felt a smile stretch out her cheeks but she wasn’t altogether sure how it got there because her stomach had dropped. Breathe in and out, in and out.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you!” said Rachael.
It was a chirpy response but Olive could sense a creeping awkwardness spilling into their laps.
“When did he ask you?”
“Olive, I-”
“Not too long ago, less than a month.”
“You were in the middle of your exams, I didn’t want to make you more stressed,” he added.
She had known this day would come eventually, but she wasn’t expecting it to be this soon. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t feel her toes. Breathe in and out, in and out.
“So I guess we are going to be sisters now,” Rachael commented.
She didn’t want a sister. She had to share Greg already.
“I guess so.”
The non-feeling had spread from her toes up to her knees and was rising fast. Olive didn’t know what to do next. Her whole body was tingling in discomfort, yelling at her run.
“Do you mind if Rachael joins us for the rest of our walk?” Greg asked.
“You guys go ahead. I have my appointment soon anyway,” Olive said as she got up.
“You sure? I can still take you, it’s not a problem.” Greg said, his forehead showing lines of concern.
“Yeah yeah. I am just going to jot home and journal about the crepes then head over. Don’t want to forget to do it.”
Olive waved at their backs as they continued along the West Walk. It wasn’t a lie, not completely. She was supposed to journal about today and then head to see Sarah, her therapist, but she didn’t feel up to it. Sarah would want to hear about her tackling a fear food, but she couldn’t imagine talking about that right now. All she could think of was that diamond. As her brain was taken over by a fog, she let her feet lead her. They usually knew what they were doing. They took her out by Keble; they seemed to be following the trees.
She opened her eyes. She hadn’t been asleep, but her feet had carried her to the door of a house on St. Giles Street. A pale yellow house with a red door. The door opened and she was met by a small but strong-built woman with white hair.
“Hello there sweetie.”
“Hi.”
“How can I help you?”
“I’m not quite sure. Where am I?”
“This is the Friends Meeting House.”
“Oh.”
“Would you like to come inside?”
“Is that alright?”
“Of course, of course. Come on in. I’m afraid we’ve already had our meeting for worship but we are having tea in the Garden Room if you would like to join us.”
“Sure, thank you.”
She followed the woman and the sounds of bustling people into a room of windows. There were little ones in the corner drawing and making arts and crafts, then all other ages drifting about the room, talking in clusters or helping distribute beverages and biscuits. There was something about the light, the way it permeated the room and enveloped every person, that Olive found comforting. It stirred something in her, but she couldn’t place it. She settled into one of the seats along the perimeter of the room.
“What’s your name?” The woman handed Olive a biscuit and a cup of tea as she sat next to her.
“Olive.”
“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Rose.”
After a moment of silence, she continued.
“You look like you’ve got something tossing in that head of yours Olive.”
“It’s been an interesting day.”
Olive tilted her head towards the windows.
“My brother’s getting married,” she finally said.
“How wonderful.”
“It is, I’m happy for him. Truly I am. I just- I found out today on accident. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me before. We’ve never had secrets.”
“I’m sure he had a reason for keeping it from you.”
“Yeah. I know he didn’t do it hurt me.”
“Is it just you and your brother or do you have other siblings?”
“Just us two.”
“Ahh, its bound to be a big change then.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know he had to leave at some point, go off and live his own life, but I’m not sure I’m ready for it.”
“Well, just because it’s unknown doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad.”
“True…” Olive conceded.
“That’s okay, you know that don’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Anything could happen. Both bad and good.”
Olive bit her lip.
“I don’t know if you are a spiritual person Olive but one thing I can tell you, is to try and have faith. It seems like your brother loves you very much. Just remember and trust in that. You might not have the same relationship with him after he gets married, but it could develop into something even better than you can imagine right now.”
She must have scrunched her face unknowingly for Rose smiled and reached for her hand.
“Whatever the future holds, if you lift it to the light you will find the truth.”
Someone called for Rose, so she excused herself then headed to help in the kitchen. As she thought over their conversation, Olive drank more of her tea, even had a couple more biscuits, and watched the light dance among the feet on the floor.
They used to go to Church but they had by no means been a religious family. Mum had been raised Catholic so that was they were. Although it was just for show because Dad didn’t bring them on his own. All she had left was vague memories of being forced to wear itchy dresses on holidays and repeated reenactments of Noah’s Ark or the downfall of Adam and Eve with Playmobil in Sunday school. She didn’t remember any sense of community or tenderness. What was a Friend anyway? Her eyes scanned the room until they found an indication. On the edge of the table with the teapots was a thick red book with fading gilded letters that read ‘Quaker Faith & Practice’ and beneath it ‘The book of Christian Discipline of the Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain’. Quakers. It sounded familiar; she had probably learned it at some point in college.
The clock struck one. The patter of feet was growing steadily fewer. She felt a tap on her shoulder, it was Rose. There were only a few people left in the room besides them.
“You can to stay if you’d like but we’re finishing up in here.”
“Oh right, of course. I’ll head out.”
“Can I call someone for you?”
“No, no thank you.”
“Do you know your way back from here?
“I think so.”
Rose walked her back to the front door.
“You are always welcome back sweetie.”
“Thank you.”
Olive stood on the sidewalk and stared up at the trees lining the sidewalk. The sun was resting on the top of the tree so that the overlay of leaves formed an effortless patchwork of light and dark. She could feel her toes again.
This is a play that I am working on entitled The Bench. It is still very much a work in progress, there are parts of it that I am still frustrated with and can't seem to figure out. So any and all constructive criticism is welcome! Enjoy!
THE BENCH
Written by:
N. R. L. L.
ACT I
SCENE I
An outdoor café in the hustle and bustle of lunchtime in the workweek. There are many small metal tables with matching chairs on either side, probably bought from Costco. The effect is supposed to be charming, but it just comes off as kitschy. No one seems to notice except for EVIE. She is sitting by herself. There are two bowl-sized mugs and a small pitcher of milk on the table. EVIE seems out of place in the city in her hand-me-down clothes and brown weathered boots. People talk with their work friends at tables near her while others walk behind her in their designer labels, purposeful in their stride. She waits for a moment or two, checking her watch occasionally. JAMES walks in, his dapper work clothes similar to those of the people on the streets, and sits opposite her as he tucks his phone away. They are around the same age, but in very different places in their lives.
EVIE Late as always.
JAMES Fashionably late.
He is about to call over the waiter before he realizes she already ordered.
JAMES Is it-
EVIE Tea.
JAMES Thanks.
He adds some of the milk and then looks around for a spoon. She hands him hers.
EVIE You’re not going to just swirl the cup around a bit?
JAMES It could spill.
EVIE It never bothered you before.
He presses down his tie and straightens his pants as though to keep them clean even though he didn’t dirty anything.
JAMES Well, it does now.
A minute passes in silence as he sips from his tea and she from her coffee.
EVIE How do you like the city?
JAMES I love it, it’s like I always thought it would be. There is always something going on. Haven’t explored it as much as I would like though.
EVIE Let me guess, too much work to do?
He takes a sip of tea, choosing to not respond.
EVIE How’s the job?
JAMES It pays well. I’m on my way to becoming a CEO, so…
He flashes a bright smile that seems to make her squirm.
EVIE Ahh the millionaire you always wanted to be.
JAMES Not wanted to be, will be.
EVIE Well, it sounds like it worked out for you then.
He nods, then pauses, realizing he has not focused on anything but himself.
JAMES How about you?
EVIE What about me?
JAMES How have things panned out for you?
EVIE As well as can be expected, I suppose.
She looks around her until her gaze settles on something that makes her smile and adds a soft flush to her cheeks. When her face glows this way, it is easy to see how someone would find her beautiful.
EVIE We used to come here and walk around that park for hours. Then we would sit on that bench and just talk...about school, our families. We planned our futures to a T. You would move into the city and be a brilliant CEO and I would move to Europe, travel like a gypsy, and eventually set up a studio.
She sighs then finally looks back at him.
EVIE I’ll probably take you up on that offer to live in your closet instead.
It takes a moment for him to remember.
JAMES Oh right right, when the life of a struggling artist expat didn’t work, I, the magnanimous billionaire, would let you live in my closet. God, that takes me back. (Beat.) I ran into Mel the other day. It’s like she was put in an icebox after graduation. It was weird to see her, I mean of all people… Anyway, seeing her made me think about back then, and you, and I figured I would see how you were.
EVIE You haven’t exactly kept in touch.
JAMES I’ve had a lot going on!
EVIE So have I! That didn’t stop me, did it? We haven’t spoken in two years because I eventually just got sick of unreturned calls and texts. What did you expect, you could call me up and everything would be how it was?
JAMES No, not at all – I thought - I just wanted to see you, that’s all.
He realizes he was mistaken. He should have known her energy wasn’t driven by anger, but, as always, by hurt. After a moment, he tries to talk to her again, but this time in a softer tone, like to a lover.
JAMES How have you been, really?
EVIE (instantly soothed) Fine, I guess. Life is just so different than I imagined it.
JAMES Are you happy?
EVIE Mostly.
JAMES Have a boyfriend?
EVIE Yeah. Girlfriend?
JAMES No. I was with this girl for a couple of months but with my work hours, it just wasn’t working out. (Beat.) Do you cry?
EVIE Everyone does.
JAMES No, does he make you cry?
EVIE Sometimes. (Beat.) I’m not surprised.
JAMES What does that mean?
EVIE I’m sure your job needed you more.
He is about to rebut when his phone rings. At the sight of the caller id, he frowns.
JAMES Sorry, I should go.
EVIE Then go.
JAMES I’ll call you sometime.
EVIE just nods, not sure if she should believe him. JAMES grabs his stuff while answering the phone and running off stage. She stays seated for a moment, lost in thought, before dropping money on the table for the waiter and leaving.
ACT I
SCENE II
The same café. It is Saturday morning. This time, JAMES is sitting at the table waiting, although not looking particularly worried that he is still by himself. Instead he is working on his iPhone. In fact, he is so engrossed that his mug of tea is already cold. After a moment or two, MEL enters with a practiced air of sophistication and a flirty swing in her step. The excess of jewelry and make-up reveal her motto of “more is more”. Men at other tables take notice of her. She purposely ignores them while privately basking in their gazes as she weaves her way to the empty seat across from JAMES. He eventually realizes her presence and puts his phone away.
JAMES Hello.
MEL Hey. I’m glad you finally called me-
Before she can suppress it, a yawn escapes from her mouth, causing her to blush and giggle.
MEL Oops!
JAMES Late night out?
MEL No – well maybe I was out a teeny bit late. I’m just not used to waking up so early on weekends. During the week I am up at about five, so I try to sleep in when I can.
JAMES What is it you do?
MEL Oh, I’m a teacher now.
He tries not to choke on his tea.
JAMES A teacher?
MEL Yes. I don’t know why everyone acts so surprised…
JAMES (trying to be as kind as possible) Well, I guess, I never got the impression that you were interested in it.
MEL I wasn’t, not at first. I thought I was going to be a journalist and I even worked at Teen Vogue for a couple months, but I got fired when my boss found out the only reason I even had the job was that I was sleeping with her boss.
JAMES That sounds a bit more like the Mel I know.
MEL Hey! I’ve changed a lot since then.
JAMES True, you’re older.
MEL Oh shush. That’s one of the reasons I love teaching kids, I get to act all goofy with them. It makes me feel like I’m still twenty.
JAMES Being twenty was nice, but I don’t miss college.
MEL Oh really? I would love to go back.
JAMES Not me. All those boring lectures? What a pain. And for what… I don’t need Plath or Hemingway to make money.
MEL I hope you have fond memories of us at least.
She lets out a sly smile and he can’t help but chuckle.
JAMES Those were fun times.
MEL Yeah…they were. I think we managed the whole ‘friends with benefits’ thing pretty well, not too much drama for the most part.
JAMES What do you mean?
MEL Well, Evie.
He looks confused.
MEL You never noticed the twinge on Evie’s face when we left parties early to go, you know, or how she would get super bitchy when she came over and you were in my bed.
JAMES What? You’ve got to be joking.
MEL I thought you knew. She never would have said anything, but it was obvious.
JAMES But we were friends, just friends.
MEL Maybe but I still remember the first time I met you two…I thought you guys were an item. You were so close, you knew each other inside out. I mean, she could tell what mood you were in based on the punctuation you used in a text message…Crazy stuff like that. Bickered like an old married couple too.
JAMES I never…I never realized.
MEL Clearly.
JAMES I saw her a couple weeks ago. It all makes so much more sense now.
MEL How is she?
JAMES She’s - well actually, I don’t really know. She was pretty guarded.
MEL I wonder why, stupid. She’s probably still hurt. You know how that girl can hold a grudge.
JAMES She didn’t even bring you up though. She was just bitter about my being busy all the time.
MEL That’s understandable, I would be too if I were her.
JAMES I’m just dedicated, that’s all.
MEL Our senior year, you missed her birthday because you were finishing off some work. And that’s only one example. Now, call that ‘dedicated’ if you want to but -
JAMES No I didn’t.
MEL Yes James, you did. (beat.) I wanted to say something to you about it, but she wouldn’t let me.
JAMES I wish you had ignored her.
His phone rings.
JAMES I’m sorry but I’ve got to take this.
MEL Are you serious?
JAMES (speaking fast because he can’t miss the call) I just, I can’t, I’m sorry. It was good to see you - Good morning sir, sorry I am running behind schedule...
He lays some money on the table before he takes off, talking on his phone. She waves the waiter over, pays quickly and exits, clearly annoyed.
ACT I
SCENE III
The same café. It is lunchtime on a weekday. JAMES is drinking tea while working on his iPhone. EVIE and her boyfriend, EVAN, walk up and sit at a nearby table. They are in the middle of a bitter argument.
EVIE Why won’t you tell me what's going on? I noticed it a couple of days ago, but then, like now, you won't even look me in the eye.
EVAN makes no movement.
EVIE Evan, please, just talk to me!
EVAN I'd like to deal with it by myself. Leave it, okay?
EVIE If you can’t talk to me, what’s the point of this?
They sit in a silence for a bit as they contemplate their fragile relationship. Tears start to slowly fall down Evie’s cheeks.
EVAN Stop crying, you’re making a fool of yourself. (beat.) I should go. I’ll see you at home.
He gets up, quickly kisses her on the check, then leaves. JAMES who has been focused on his work finally comprehends the situation in front of him.
JAMES Evie?
She hears his call but doesn’t turn around so he moves into EVAN’s chair.
JAMES Hey… are you okay?
EVIE Oh yeah, I’m fucking fantastic.
He is taken aback; he has never heard her cuss before.
JAMES Look. I’m really sorry-
EVIE Save it.
JAMES Don’t do that.
EVIE Do what?
JAMES Shut me out.
EVIE If you wanted me to talk to you, maybe you should have called me like you said you would…six months ago.
JAMES I’m sorry, I just-
EVIE Got busy, I know. Look, if you don’t mind, I would rather be by myself right now.
He can see the sadness in her eyes and knows he needs to leave her be. He exits, leaving some money on his table on the way out. Her gaze drifts to their bench in the park across the street. Eventually, she exits as well.
ACT I
SCENE IV
At the park; the bench is in the center. It is close to midnight on a Saturday night. JAMES’ iPhone rings.
JAMES (O.S.) Hello?
EVIE (O.S.) H-hi, it’s –
JAMES (O.S.) I know.
EVIE (O.S.) Right.
A moment of silence.
EVIE (O.S.) Do you think – can I see you?
JAMES (O.S.) I don’t know, it’s pretty late,
EVIE (O.S.) Please?
JAMES (O.S.) I’ll meet you at the park in 20 minutes.
EVIE (O.S. whispered almost like a prayer) Thank you.
She arrives at the bench first and sits curled up tight in a ball. She is wearing a huge sweater and her eyes are red from crying. Not long after, JAMES sits next to her on the bench.
JAMES I haven’t been here in years.
EVIE Me neither. (beat.) The light used to fall through the trees so perfectly. It looks different in the dark.
Her eyes are fixed on the trees, as though by looking at them the world will go still and her head will stop spinning. He watches her, getting worried.
JAMES Evie?
She finally looks at him.
EVIE Yeah?
JAMES What happened?
EVIE Lots of things have happened.
JAMES Yes but no… I meant like, what’s wrong?
EVIE Everything.
JAMES I don’t understand.
EVIE Have you ever looked around and realized that it’s all broken and that there is nothing you can do to fix it?
JAMES There is always a way to fix things.
She shakes her head bitterly and, before she can control it, starts to cry.
EVIE (after a moment) Evan cheated on me.
At this admission, he wraps his arm around her and pulls her close.
EVIE We were going through a rough patch but I never thought…
She cries into his chest for a bit.
JAMES I’m so sorry.
EVIE It’s okay.
JAMES No it’s not. He’s an asshole.
She nods and starts to sit back up. Noticing she got his shirt all wet and stained with make-up, she tries to brush it off.
EVIE Sorry about that-
JAMES Don’t worry about it.
He wipes her wet cheeks. For a second, as they are wrapped close in each other, it seems as though they are leaning in. But it remains just that.
EVIE Thank you for coming.
JAMES No problem. I don’t have work tomorrow, so it wasn’t an issue.
She pulls away from him.
EVIE Right, of course.
JAMES Maybe we could do this though.
EVIE Do what?
JAMES Meet here on Saturday nights. I won’t remember to call you. I’m shit with that sort of thing. At least this way, we could catch up every once in a while.
