Too Little, Too Late
a one-act play
written by Dhessiel Heart Macapagal
CHARACTERS
Marco Sanchez – A fourth-year Civil Engineering student, in a relationship with Ian Tiamzon
Ian Tiamzon – A third-year Architecture student, proud LGBTQIA+ Community ally, in a relationship with Marco Sanchez
Mirna Sanchez – A 54-year-old controlling mother, the mother of Marco Sanchez
Lawrence – A block mate of Marco Sanchez
TIME
The time is the present.
PLACE
A small condo unit in Makati, Philippines
Scene 5
Late afternoon. Inside Marco’s condo unit. MIRNA sits on the sofa, watching the Television.
FOOTSTEPS outside the unit is heard. IAN softly knocks on the door.
MIRNA
(Stands up and opens the door)
Oh. It’s you again. I told you a million times. I will never accept you in this family. Do not go here again.
(Starts to close the door to reject Ian)
IAN
(Contests and opens the door)
Ma’am, I want to respect you as much as I can. I just want to know if he’s okay, and I brought his medicines. Again, my intention for your son is always pure and sincere. How can you be so rude? We could talk for a moment, shall we?
MIRNA
(Furiously looks IAN in the eye then heavily breaths)
After this discussion, I don’t want to see your face ever again. Everyone knows our family and yours. We have built good and excellent name. You don’t have the rights to destroy my son’s life! If you continue to do this, it will bring disgrace to me. Do you understand?
IAN
(Nods for approval)
However, it would be better if you’ll listen to me. No one wants to be rejected, especially if I stand for love.
MIRNA
(Ignores IAN and walks to the kitchen area)
Before you talk nonsense, I’ll go first. Since my son will be graduating this year to finish his college degree, he will be married to Lea a few months after. Her family has a well-known business that goes international. Besides, we have known each other ever since Marco was a kid.
IAN
Are you saying you have planned his life all along? I don’t think he will approve to that setup, nor he is informed!
MIRNA
He doesn’t need to know. I only know what’s best for my son. And you! You don’t even belong there.
(Moves closer to IAN)
He follows every command I tell him to do. He acts very disciplined and well-mannered.
IAN
Do you actually know how he feels towards you? Are you aware that he feels all the pressure and anxiety because of you? Of course, you don’t! You will never see the Marco you have trained and didn’t love.
MIRNA
Shush! How could I be standing here, talking to some disappointment in life by someone. No doubt it was just you who have influenced my son not to follow me! You made me look so unkind to Marco! You don’t deserve him!
IAN
Marco and I have shared a lot of memories together. We have planned our future together. A successful and happy life is what we want.
MIRNA
You still have a lot of things to learn, young man. Do not attempt to provoke me and my rights as his mother! You know nothing!
IAN
No, you know nothing!
(Breaths heavily because of frustration)
Do you want to know why he hates you? It is because you’re too controlling and too selfish. You think only for yourself! You don’t bother to ask if he’s okay or he’s happy. All you ever wanted is fame and money.
MIRNA
(Slaps IAN on the left cheek)
How dare you to say all those things? Love is not enough in building a family! You can’t even bear a child. So, stop acting like you made his life and completed his world!
IAN
(Starts to feel outraged)
We have faced a lot of difficulties in life. There were a lot of challenges that questioned our love for one another. So, stop acting as if he will be happy to be with someone else!
MIRNA
Shout at me all you can, but he’s already dead!
IAN
(Tries to contemplate with what MIRNA has said)
No, no. I don’t believe you! Where is he?
MIRNA
He does not message you nor update you about his life, right? Because he’s gone and that is because of you!
IAN
If he’s dead, where is he, then?
(Tries to hold back his tears)
Answer me, where is he?!
(Slowly walking towards MIRNA)
MIRNA
I won’t ever tell you. You’re just a stranger who claims to be the best person for my son. And you have failed to be.
IAN
(Stares at a blank space)
So as you, Mrs. Sanchez.
(Stares at MIRNA)
The only difference between you and me is that I sincerely appreciate Marco. That’s why I love him more than anything in this world. While you, you’re an irresponsible and homophobic mother who does not have any plans on seeing her son as a normal human being. You see him as a pet that you can control and command. Right?
MIRNA
(Starts to hurt Ian hysterically)
How could you be so disrespectful, you’re just a piece of trash! I don’t want to see you again! Leave this place now! Or else I’ll kill you!
IAN
(Tries to stop MIRNA)
Stop! Hey, hey you! Stop! That’s enough!
(Sees a knife near him, unconsciously grabs it, and aggressively stabs MIRNA)
You killed my only hope. You have killed my future! So, die! Die now!
(IAN finally realizes what just happened)
Oh no. No, no, no, no. Look what I have done.
(Releases the knife and sits on the floor)
This is the end, my love.
(IAN cries hysterically while shaking)
I’ll be there. Wait for me.
(Drinks all the anti-depressant medicine of Marco and dies)
FOOTSTEPS from outside the unit are heard. MARCO knocks on the door. Nobody answered.
MARCO
(Opens the door)
Mom?
(Sees MIRNA and IAN on the floor, lifeless)
No, no, no, no. This can’t be happening! Mom, wake up. Babe, open your eyes! Mom! Ian, please! Oh, God!
(Starts crying heavily, takes the knife, stabs himself)
LAWRENCE
(Enters the unit)
Bro, I think we forgot some—Bro!
(Attempts to stop MARCO from killing himself, but failed)
MARCO
(Starts to feel weak)
No, no. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be good.
LAWRENCE
(Tries to carry MARCO)
Hey, buddy. We need to get out of here, okay? Listen to me. Stay with me you’ll be all right, Got it?
MARCO
I don’t have enough energy anymore, Rence. Please make sure that my corpse must be beside Ian’s. And tell the world that I deeply loved him with all my heart and soul. Always.
(Looks at IAN)
Forever.
(Closes his eyes and dies)
BLACKOUT
