Room in New York...

(Jane sits by the piano tenderly touching the keys...John sits reading his newspaper avoiding eye contact with Jane...All is quiet...so quiet you can hear a pin drop.)

Jane : (Looks up from piano) John I can't go on like this... This is a bloody mess. We don't even talk anymore... what kind of relationship is this?

John: (Looks away from his newspaper) Jane we are fine. You're being paranoid.

Jane: No I'm not. When was the last time we have been out together? It's not right John, it's just not.

John: Well... How can I make it right? I offer you tickets to the ballet, you refuse. I offer you tickets to see the opera, you refuse. What more can I do?

Jane: You see we are falling apart...has it ever crossed your mind that maybe, juat maybe I do not like the opera or ballet?

John: Well what do you like then?

Jane: I liked Elvis Presley, but as you know we can't see him anymore, however, I am fond of that new girl, the myspace freak , who is she?

John: Oh you mean Illy Lallen?

Jane: Yes that's the one. Illy Lallen. Brilliant.

John: Well... If you want we can book a weekend in London to see her?

Jane: Oh I'd love that! See now you're getting into it! (she walks over to John and kisses him.)

John: Right, well... I'll book the tickets now then, shall I? (He walks over to the computer, then eagerly researches Illy Lallen tickets)

John: Perfectomondo! all done! Right next saturday - 11 o' clock at the Winchester theatre, London.

(cuts to them at the theatre)(A well-built woman stands in front of the crowd and bursts into song... Only It's an opera!)

Jane: You did get the right tickets, didn't you?

John: Yes. Your looking at her. (Points at the woman) I give you Illy Lallen!!!

Summer Evening

(boy (17) and girl (16) both are standing outside on the girls balcony)

girl : (staring longingly into the boys eyes) thank you for walking me home tonight , I had such a wonderful time,

boy: Oh your welcome, I couldn't just let you walk home on your own could I, it is getting rather dark, and no one knows who's lurking the streets these days.

girl: I suppose ... (awkward silence as they both think of what to say)

girl and boy : urmm

boy: (apologetically) oh, sorry you go on,

girl: (staring at the stars dreamily) I had a wonderful time tonight...

boy: I must admit, I had a better time than I thought I would have.

girl:(confusion shown in her face) Thanks......I think.

boy: actually, it was the best time in my life I've ever had, I mean all my other dates, we've gone for dinner, or to the cinema, never before have I been to the fun fair.

girl: well, I'm not just an ordinary girl, I'm the sort of girl who loves to have all the fun,

boy: Well, everybody knows that

girl: Am I meant to be offended by that?

boy: (apologetically) no, no, no of course not, i just meant that you can really notice it, in the way you talk, the way you act, i mean you can really notice it, in whatever you do.

girl: Well then I must say thank you, now I'm really sorry, I have to get in, my parents will kill me

boy: (looking worried) Oh I hope I haven't gotten you into too much trouble,

girl: (reassuringly) no, don't worry, my parents are just really overprotective of me.

boy: oh okay, well I hope you enjoyed yourself

girl: Oh yes, it was wonderful

boy:Maybe we could do it again some time.

girl: (moving closer towards him) Yeah, sure i would love too.

boy: (stepping forward) What about next week?

(both lean in to share a kiss, when the sound of a voice arises from inside the house)

Voice : (shouting) Elizabeth Mary, Is that you, if it is you're over an hour late, your father is going mad with worry, get in here right now.

Girl: Oh coming mother. (looks at the boy) I'm sorry. I have to go. Next week is perfect. Can't wait. Goodbye.(Rushing through the front door)

Boy: (as the front door slams in his face, he stands looking rather shocked) Bye......

 

(Boy left standing on the balcony,  on his own, rather bewildered about what has just happened)

Room in New York

Clarence: Penelope?

Penelope: hmmm?

Clarence: I’ve been meaning to ask you this for some time now…

Penelope: (gulps deeply and refuses to look him in the eye) wh-what?

Faces her and Gets down on one knee pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket

Clarence: Will you do me the honour of making me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife?

Penelope’s eyes widen in shock as she physically recoils

Penelope: clearance, please don’t do this

Clarence: why not? I’ve never felt this way about anybody before; you make me so happy-

Penelope: it wasn’t suppose to happen like this, I -

Clarence: Is it that you need more time? Because I can wait

Penelope: No it’s just... You were the only one I had left and-

Clarence: I know, the fact that we both lost all of our family members proves that we’re supposed to be together… don’t you love me?

Penelope: I-I do, but there’s something you should know abo-

Clarence: then what’s the problem? Do you want me to-

Penelope: Listen! I can’t marry you because I’m your cousin! (Begins to sob)

(Pause)

Clarence: n-no, this can’t be happening, we-

Penelope: the day we met I knew that I had finally found you, I just wanted to get to know you a little better; I had no one to turn to

Clarence: but we… and we…

Penelope: Clarence I’m so sorry

Clarence walks to the window and sits precariously on the ledge

Penelope: (walks slowly towards him) I didn’t mean for this to happen

Penelope tries to take his hand

Clarence: don’t touch me! (Clarence violently snatches his hand back and in doing so he falls to his death)

Room in New York

Edward: You ever thought about the finer things in life honey? (turns to look at his wife whilst putting down his newspaper on the table)
Sarah: Like what darling? What type of gravy we're going to be using tonight for dinner? Don't you worry though, I'm sure we have plenty in the fridge. (smiles and is about to leave the room to enter the kitchen before she is stopped)
Edward: No no, just wait. Like I'm talking about another mouth to feed, someone to be there for, someone that can make our family complete.
Sarah: Edward...
Edward: I want a child Sarah. You know I do. Don't you think that's really what we need. If we had one we wouldn't even HAVE gravy to be worrying about (laughs)
Sarah: Yes but darling...
Edward: We could even convert the guest room as a nursery and paint it whatever colour the child was into...
Sarah: Honey...
Edward: Wouldn't thay be marvelous. And what about the NAME first off? (an ear to ear smile)
Sarah: Look...
Edward: For a boy maybe, Thomas, Daniel... (dreamily smiles)
Sarah: Edward!
Edward: Roger? I don't know how about...
Sarah: EDWARD!
Edward: Toby? (looking puzzled)
Sarah: EDWARD WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME! (frustrated and angry looking look on face)
Edward: (looking slighty annoyed) OK, OK. If the names were that appauling then so be it. No need to get all whiney over it. What name would YOU like honey?
Sarah: I DON'T CARE ABOUT NO BLEEDING BABY NAMES BECAUSE THERE ISN'T GOING TO BE A DAMN BABY... EVER! (stands up edgiing away from the piano, a slight tear in her eye)
Edward: What? I mean I thought it was what me and you wanted a family shortly after we got married... (looking down at the carpet and puzzled again, slighty hurt)
Sarah: I know. So did I. (sits back down again in silence staring into space)
Edward: (stands up and goes over to the window) So whats changed huh? One minute you do the next you dont whats wrong with you? (turns around to look at her and screams) WHY DON'T YOU WANT CHILDREN SARAH?
Sarah: BECAUSE I CANT HAVE ANY CHILDREN!! (breaks down into tears)

cape cod evening

(A man and his wife sit in the veranda and silently watch their pet dog Fluffy.)

Harry: can’t believe it’s almost time.
Jill: please Harry, can we not go through this again
Harry: so when do you propose we go through this because as you well know the clock is ticking.
Jill: I don’t propose we go through this at all; I’ve made my decision, end of story.
Harry: so what I don’t get a say, despite the fact I’ve helped build its life.
Jill: it’s not yours you didn’t want him in the first place.
Harry: well he’s been here for 13 weeks now and I already feel like he is a part of the family.
Jill: we move house, acquire a little something on the way and your saying IT’s a part of the family?
Harry: that’s exactly what I’m saying. Just because he can’t tell us how he feels doesn’t give you the right to slaughter him.
Jill: Oh shut up Harry! You and I both know we can’t cope.
Harry: no we don’t because we haven’t even tried.
Jill: (attempts to respond. But stops)
Jill: its getting dark I think we should bring him in now.
Harry: let him savour the last bits of sunlight
Jill: no. (shouts) Fluffy…time for dinner! (Jill heads towards the house with fluffy following close behind her)
Harry: goodnight Fluffy! (Dog barks and exits beside Jill leaving Harry alone with his thoughts.)
Harry: that’s the last I’ll ever see of him: my unborn son. The abortions tomorrow then I guess that’s that (heads off towards the house)Harry: goodnight Flynn, miss you already (a single tear falls from his face)

cape cod evening.

(A man and woman are by the door of their new house. They’ve lived there for a month, although there are dark secrets hidden deep below the surface.)

Bill: god, I miss Detroit.

Donna: yes, well Detroit is a distant memory now.

Bill: sometimes, I don’t want it to be though, even with all the technicalities. I mean, it was home.

Donna: and this isn't?

Bill: of course it is but, the soul, the history, the atmosphere. It’s all gone.

Donna: yes, well you know very well why we had to move.

Bill: (Angered) don’t you get it? It’s all gone. Gone and its never coming back.

Donna: well it’s not my fault you chose to spend your nights ‘at work’. I would of thought ‘work’ doesn’t usually come with a ransom.

Bill: well they don’t call it ‘white gold’ for nothing you know. That same ‘white gold’ bought us this very house!

Donna: funny isn't it. I spent 75% of my day busting my ass off and I still only earned half you did.

Bill: what do you mean?

(Donna smiles sarcastically)

Donna: oh, and I bet you’ve had you’re fair share of violence. The odd dickhead who ‘will get you the money tomorrow’ instead he didn’t see tomorrow because his life had already ended.

Bill: and you expect me to disagree? I can’t say that didn’t happen. People take you for a fool if you let those things happen and before you know it you’re on the receiving end!

Donna: so is that how we ended up here then? So you didn’t get maimed? So I didn’t end up with your corpse in my bin one day?

Bill: well what do you want me to say!

Donna: the opposite would be nice!

Bill: well at least I’m not lying to you.

(Donna sighs)

Donna: you really don’t get it do you, you bloody don’t even understand why I’m mad at you!

Bill: of course I do.

Donna: oh don’t give me that bullshit! You never have and you never will!

(Donna finally gives in and starts to sob)

Bill: oh come here, I didn’t make out for it to be this way bu…

Donna: no, you! You stay the fuck away from me! I should of known you were nothing but a washed up junkie when we first met!

(Humbled, Bill bows his head and is silent)

Donna: I can’t take this anymore I’ve had enough! I’m leaving you Bill and you can’t stop me!


(With that she leaves a sobbing bill. Broken. On the doorstep of a darkened house).

Summer Evening. Extremely Late.

(Girl and boy our of breath in desperate need of air at the same time frantically trying to open the door)



Mark: (impatiently) COME ON, WE DON'T HAVE TIME. OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR WOMAN.



Stacey: (sobbing) I'M TRYING MARK, I'M TRYING.

Mark: OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH.

(Mark pushes away Stacey and snatches for the big bundle of keys and tries each one clumsily)

Mark: This is ridiculous, pathetic. (Looks behind him and all around) Useless girl, stop your crying you incompetent fish and HELP ME OUT?

Stacey: STOP SHOUTING AT ME... I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN YOU SHOUT.

Mark: Argh.... (looks at watch with a shocked look). OH FOR FUCK SAKE. LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE GONE AND DONE NOW.... WE'VE MISSED DOCTOR WHO!... bloody door.

Room in new York

Eve: (Breaks the awkward silence) So where were you last night?

Dan: I was at a meeting .It ended really late so I stopped over in a friend’s house.

Eve: I was worried.

Dan: Why? What’s the worse that can happen?

Eve: Well firstly we are in a different country and secondly…

Dan: Well you didn’t have to come.

Eve: (Looks hurt) But I wanted to. I want to support you.

Dan; I don’t need support!

Eve: Dan, Why are you being like this?

Dan: Look Eve this relationship is going nowhere, supporting me isn’t going to make everything better.

Eve: (Looks down) It was worth a try.

Dan: Not really Eve, I don’t love you and…

Eve: And what Dan!

Dan; I …

Eve: (on the verge of tears) No don’t say it. Please Dan, don’t say you’re in love with someone else please I beg you.

Dan: (Looks sympathetic) It’s been four years Eve. We don’t love each other.

Eve: (tears rolling down her cheek) I LOVE YOU! Please don’t do this Dan please.

Dan: But I …

Eve: Yes I know you have had countless affairs but I’ve forgiven you Dan I’ve forgiven you.

Dan: What, you knew?

Eve: (Smiling kindly)Yes I’ve known all this time. But it’s in the past…

Dan: So you pretended to believe all my excuses.

Eve: Yes Dan because I love you and I would do anything for you, and now me you and our baby-

Dan: BABY!!

Eve: Yes our baby. Mine and yours.

Dan: (speaks quietly) You’re pregnant.

Eve: Yes honey, isn’t it great? (She walks over and hugs him)

Cape Cod Evening

[ A young 23 year old man sits on the steps outside his house while his older 37 year old wife leans on the window to the right of him ]

Heather: So what are your plans for today then Hun?
Mark: The same as the last two months. Get up, eat , go to bed.
Heather: Stop exaggerating. Thought you wanted to go out somewhere.
Mark: Well I wanted to go out but I guess I can’t.
Heather: Why not?
Mark: You bloody well know why!
Heather: No I don’t!
Mark: To go out somewhere you need somewhere to go and someone to go with. In this isolated place I have no friends and I see you every minute of the bleeding day so no point going anywhere with you is there.
Heather: There’s no point getting angry at me. You wanted to move out here just as much as I did.

[ He gets up and takes a few paces forward ]

Mark: No I didn’t. It was you who wanted to move out here. I just wanted to make you happy but you’re still complaining.
Heather: Darling I am happy.
Mark: No you’re not. You’re constantly nagging me.
Heather: Im just trying to make sure your happy too.
Mark: Well im not. I hate this place. I cant even get a decent job out here. You’ve got your job that’s the reason we moved out here to get closer to your job. That’s the only reason.
Heather: No we moved out here to start the family we were planning for three years.
Mark: A family of what; cows?
Heather: No need for the tantrums.
Mark: Tantrums? You sound like my bleeding mo…
Heather: Your what? Carry on!
Mark: Fine. You sound like my bleeding mother. Always nagging me and telling me what to do and what not to do.
Heather: Well maybe if you acted more like a man instead of a lousy kid I wouldn’t have to treat you like one.
Mark: Oh god now you sound like dad.
Heather: Well one of us has to be the strong one.

[ He walks back to his wife and leans on the window next to her ]

Mark: You know what… Dad was right. You are to old for me. I don’t think i love you anymore . I dont think i ever did.
Heather: Oh don’t be silly. Just because you’re angry doesn’t mean you need to say things you’re going to regret.
Mark: The only thing I regret is lusting after you. The older woman.This isn’t how I want my life to be. The dogs the only one thats happy. Looks like he’s having the time of his life. I want to be like him. Free.

[ He stares at his wife, sighs and walks inside the house with his head hanging down ]

Chair Car

A young woman sits in a first class area of a train, staring at a woman on the other side of the carriage that is sat reading herbook.

Mildrid: (talking to her self ) Twenty-Five years and i've finally found her, the woman i've been looking for all my life

(She gets up and moves to the chair next to the other women and clears her throat)

Mildrid: Ermmm excuse me ( clears her throat again ) Excuse me!

Heather: Yes ( a startled shake in her voice ) Can I help you?

Mildrid: Ermm yes if you could. I was jsut wondering were you got your amazing necklace?

Heather: (while nervously fidling with her necklace) O you like it I purchased it while on a rendez-vous in Italy.

Mildrid: O did you! It looks suprisingly enough like one i got my mother on her birthday, the birthday before she left to go to Italy, isn't that wierd.

Heather: ( Suprised look on her face, lets go of her necklace and edges back) O wow really!

Mildrid: ( edges forward appearing to look at the necklace ) Really! ( lets out a fake laugh )

Heather: ( A defensive tone in her voice ) Well I don't know what you're trying to imply but I don't appreciate it!

Mildrid: ( a subtle but upset almost hurt, tone in her voice ) Mum how can u act like you don't know who I am? You just left me how could you do such a thing?

Heather: ( suprised but shaky tone of voice ) Ermmm excuse me i thi-

( Mildrid stands up leaning over heather invading her personal space )

Mildrid: ( getting infuriated ) Mum just answer the question!

Heather: ( raising her voice defensivly ) But excuse me, I think you find I don-

Mildrid: ( almost shouting ) Why are you rejecting me?

( Mildrid begins to shout at the top of her voice )

Heather: ( shouting to get heard ) I really don't know what you are talking about!

Mildrid: (still shouting ) O don't you now! Your Lorraine Werein are you or are you not! Did you have a child in chica-

Heather: ( Shouts at the top of her voice with hands out in defensive motion) My names Heather Bush not whatever you said i-

Mildrid: ( lowers her voice and sits back down) Wait your names not Lorraine Werein?

Heather: ( a bit disturbed ) No it's not it's -

Mildrid: ( ashamed, embaressed and let down voice very low) O sorry.

(Mildrid gets up and returns to her seat and keeps her head bowed for the rest of the train journey)

Summer Evening

(Kate and Ash standing outside their terrace, they came home from a friend’s place.)

Ash: What the hell was that about? What were you thinking of? You nearly, oh my gosh…what if something was to …

Kate: Err…what are you talking about? (looks at Ash) It wasn’t my fault, I just…just couldn’t stay there any longer. (looks away from Ash) She got lucky or else I would of...

Ash: You know exactly what I’m talking about, but that gives you no right to (pause)

Kate: (looks towards Ash) To what? To what Ash? Go on then, say it. You know I’m not the kind of person who would do such a thing but she crossed the line.

Ash: Oh God Kate, why do you have to be like this? (puts his arms round Kate)

Kate: I’m sorry. (pause) I couldn’t control myself, I was just about to give her what she deserved.

Ash: For such a small issue, you were about to (takes his arms away from Kate, holds her hand and looks into her eyes).

Kate: But I didn’t do it, isn’t that good enough for you? If you care so much about her and her precious life, why don’t you go live with her instead?

Ash: (sigh) why do you always think like that? I love you Kate.

Kate: Yeah, Yeah whatever you say. You never mean it and that’s why today I nearly took someone’s li- (pause)

Ash: Shut-up about that now, will you? I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

Kate: Oh…but who started talking about all this? Me? I don’t think so Ash. And why are you so shocked and worried anyways?

Ash: (looks at Kate in shock) Oh my…is that a question to ask? Don’t you understand what could have happen if you, you …

Kate: Well, not much would of happen, cause you see (pause) It wasn’t…

Ash: Kate don’t say anything else, both of us know what could have happen. (bows his head)

Kate: But Ash, at least listen to me, she wouldn’t have got hurt cause it was…

Ash: (looks up at Kate) Sssh Kate, I don’t want to hear anymore! Had enough, lets just go inside now please. (walks towards the door).

Kate: Alright but I wasn’t really going to hurt her, I was just…

Summer evening

(Richard and Amanda, both aged 24, stagger home to their terrace house after a night of heavy partying and switch on the patio light)

Richard: That was a great night Amanda; I could’ve stayed at the club all night.

Amanda: Yeah! That was a night to remember, and did you see John-

(A Loud smash of glass and Debris shower the couple as it interrupts Amanda, The Couple both look up in horror)

Richard: W-W-What on earth was that….?

Amanda: Oh it’s probably next doors baseball practice again, you know they’ve been playing over 6 years now.

Richard: But if it was your neighbours….

Amanda: Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?

Richard: Shouldn’t it be on the other side? Since your neighbours are on the other side…

Amanda: You need to stop worrying so much, you used to be so carefree but now your way too safe.
(Richard folds his arms in a defensive position and prepares to traverse back to his own house)

Amanda; oh now don’t be like that, come in and have drink first.

Richard: Alright fine but I’m not going to get to comfy, I don’t know what could be lurking inside that attic of yours.

( the couple stroll in and Richard constantly checks for any dangers within the household)

Amanda: Oh stop worrying!!! Really, are you really that less of a man? Because if you are I might as well-
( A loud creak of floorboards and slamming of a door interrupts Amanda)

Richard: What the hell was that!

( Amanda shudders with fear but tries not to show it to Richard because of her earlier talks of bravery towards him)

Amanda: I-I-I’m sure its nothing…

CREEEEAAAAAAK!!!

Richard: Oh I don’t like the sound of that!!!!

Amanda: Don’t worry I’ll Check upstairs.

Richard: No Wait!!-

(Before Richard can finish Amanda is already halfway up the staircase)

Richard: Oh dear Oh Dear, I hope she’s o.k.…. COME ON RICHARD GET A GEIP OF YOURSELF, YOU’RE THE MAN, SHES THE WOMAN, YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING HER!!!!! But it is a really scary noise…

(Richard Hears A Loud Scream)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Richard: AMANDA!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU O.K!!!!?

(There is no Reply)

Richard: AMANDA!!!! IM COMING UP O.K!!

(Richard cautiously traverses up the staircase and turns right into a dark room, there what seems to be a red door but with closer inspection he discovers that the red door is actually made of............BLOOD)

Richard: OH MY GOD!!! AMANDA!!!

( Richard opens the door and there to his horror he finds…………..)

Task 24- Room in New York

A middle aged man sits in a flat with his Mistress.
He reads the paper while she sits in silence.

Man: (looking up from paper and around the room) You've really turned this place around you know.
Woman: (Fiddling with glass ornaments on the shelf) Yes, well, I do try...
Man: (reading paper) Yeah, looks really nice.
Woman: (Turning to face the man) Look, Nigel... I need to talk to you...
Man: (flicking pages of the paper) Honey, I'll tell Megan about us. Just, not now, you know...
Woman: I hate being in this flat on my own most days. I need company, Nigel... (she says looking down)
Man: It won't be like that soon. I told you, I'm going to tell Megan. Just...just, give me time.
Woman: How long will that b-
(Man interrupts violently)
Man: I said I'd fucking tell her! Just leave it at that ok?!

Woman freezes in shock

Man:... Honey... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to....(hugging her)
Woman: (tears roll down her face) Get off of me. You make empty promises, all the time. Nigel I'm sick of it.

Man kicks the table in anger

Man: You know its hard for me!
Woman: We've been sneaking around for 6 years now, I want a solid relationship with no secrets. Man: I know... (he says angrily, clenching his fists)
Woman: You always say that you're such a man yet you're not brave enough to tell Megan?
Man: YOU DON;T UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO TELL HER! MEGAN IS YOUR SISTER! IT WOULD BREAK HER HEART! (shouting)
Woman: Oh, so now all of sudden you care about breaking her heart? You never seem to care about her in bed, with me.

Man breathes heavily with frustration

Woman: You know, I might just pop there tomorrow and tell her myself
Man: NO! (he says lashing out and punches her torso)

Woman falls to the floor in agony and clenches her stomach

Complete silence...

Woman: You animal. I don't even know you any more...(shaking her head in tears)
Man: I'm...I'm..sorry(rushing towards her)
Woman:You. You stay the fuck away from me

They both look down to the floor and notice blood

Man:(staring in shock)...What is that...?
Woman: I'm pregnant, Nigel.

Nigel falls to the floor with guilt


*curtains close*

Hotel by a Railroad

An old man stands by window of his hotel room, cigarette in hand whilst his sister sits next to him, silently reading a book. The open window brings the sound of passing trains.

Old man: It’s time Annie.

Sister: (Slowly looks up from her book) For you maybe. It was never time for me.

Old man: (Inhales, says abruptly) For God’s sake, we’ve been through this a thousand times.

Sister: (Closes book and places it on her lap.) A thousand times is never enough. (Pauses) What’s done is done. You dragged me here to dig it up like you always do.

Old man: She couldn’t have lived, you know that Annabelle. We sent her out here for a reason. No one could have noticed that she was gone out here (Inhales deeply).

Sister: (Her eyes teary and full of awe) Mother noticed. We were away for months before you returned and sent me to America. She knew something was wrong.

Old man: She knew something was wrong and she died because of it. (Leans forward over the windowsill) She knew things that weren’t good for her. (Sighs)

(Pause)

Sister: If only we’d been more care-

Old man: (Interrupts her and then undoes the top button of his shirt.) Did you enjoy dinner last night? (Taps cigarette)

Sister: It wasn’t different from the night before. (Opens up her book and continues from where she left off.)

Old man: I ordered Gnocchi in the spaghetti, your favourite.

Sister: Funny you remembered. (Smiles) I forgot how much I loved it.

Old man: (Carries on staring out the window, breathing in deeply) You smiled.

Sister: You saw. (Looks up to meet his gaze as he puts out his cigarette.)

Old man: (Catches her eye whilst putting out his cigarette.) It’s time to go. (Softly drops the butt) Do you still remember where we put her?

Sister: (Tears welling up inside her eyes) We buried our little girl in the forest behind the rail track, (Pauses) where no one would have noticed. (She picks herself up and places the book on the sofa. He places his arm around her, and together they leave the hotel room, locking it behind them.)

Summer Evening

Bryan: You don't smoke.]

Amanda: Yeah,  i know i don't smoke. I just wanted some fresh air.

Bryan: Well i think you can sacrifice your fresh air for good manners . Come back and join our guests.

 (Bryan starts to walk into the house)

Amanda: I think I'm a racist.

(Bryan Pauses)

Bryan: You think you're racist or you are racist?

Amanda: Well I'm not sure. See i...

(bryan Interrupts)

Bryan: Would you feel awkward being sold a car by a colored person.

Amanda: No, It's just...

Bryan: Your not racist, I can remember countless times when you've stood up for negroes. Remember last week when you judged the diving competition at the integrated pool.

Amanda: Yeah. I suppose you're right.

Bryan: As always. Now, time for some lemon meringue pie.

(he rushes towards the door)

Amanda: I nearly beat a man to death.

(Bryan turns and stares in awe at Amanda)

Amanda: After i came out of' Diane's this colored man swaggered up and asked me for a dollar for the train fare and when i told him that i didn't want to give him a dollar he reached into his inside coat pocket. I honestly thought that i was gonna die, so i took the first thing from my bag, which was my perfume, and i sprayed it in his eyes. He fell onto his knees, and i started kicking his head and his ribs. It felt like hours before the police came. Sergeant Morgan told me that he had taken a statement from a witness and that he clearly tried tried to assault me. 

Bryan: But he did. He was about to pull a gun.

Amanda: No. As i walked past the crime scene on the way home i saw what was in his fist, it was a card with his name, address and the telephone number of his surgery.

Bryan: You almost killed a colored doctor. Listen, lets make sure that as little people as possible hear about this, if this makes out of the county, the city press will find out and they will crucify you, which will lead to an appeal and another inquisition.

( Bryan puts his hand on his heart, Amanda carries on with her story, glazed over)

Amanda: The worst thing was- I enjoyed every second, the rush it gave me, the power it gave me.

Bryan: Listen, I love you but...

 (Amanda takes a different tone, almost clinical)

Amanda: nothing ever good comes out of sentences that start with i love you but.

Bryan: I don't know what to say.

Amanda: Then don't say anything. 

Hotel Lobby (An exemplar)

Man, 65, enters hotel lobby from stairwell, with raincoat over his arm, and stops beside a an old woman, 70. Across the lobby sits a young, blond woman, 35, who is busy reading a book.

Man: (to old woman) There’s talk of rain this evening. (He receives no reply.) I thought I had better take my raincoat anyway; one doesn’t like to be caught out, after all. (No reply again. Louder this time, he bends over towards her.) I said there’s talk of rain. (Pause.) I thought I had…

Young Woman: (Without looking up) I think she’s dead.

Man: Good god! What did you say? (He looks back and forth between the two women, trying to unfathom the situation.) You think she’s…? I mean, how can you…? Did she…? I just can’t…

Young Woman: (Still reading, her voice betraying far more interest in the book than events in the lobby, she cuts through his stutter) I think you’ll find she’s dead.

Man: (Throws down his coat and kneels on the floor, grabbing the old lady’s wrist and holding her hand. Her hand falls back down again, cold and lifeless. He stays on the ground.) I think she’s dead.

Young Woman: Uh huh. No kidding. (Turns a page, with a sigh.)

Man: Well what are we going to do? We’ve got to call somebody! Anybody! Why is there no one in reception? Help me! Are you listening? Help me, will you? (He paces around, edgily, seeking decisiveness which eludes him.) Put your bloody book down and help me, will you?!

Young Woman: (Looks up, momentarily) I really don’t think there’s any need to swear.

Man: Yes, but I…

Young Woman: (Looking at her book again) You don’t even know me, and you talk to me like that?

Man: I know, but I…

Young Woman: Reckon you lost sight of your manners for a moment there, don’t you?

Man: I know. I’m sorry, but I…

Young Woman: Someone will be along soon enough. In the meantime, if you’re set on staying, I’d sit over this side – away from the smell. (The man is stunned to silence) It’s up to you, but that’s what I would do. Did do. Am still doing now… (Silently, he follows her suggestion and comes and sits beside her.) There. That feels better, doesn’t it?

Man: Not really. (Fidgetting, and shuffling constantly in his seat) How can you stay so calm?

Young Woman: I’ve had a long time to get used to it.

Man: What do you mean? Get used to what?

Young Woman: She had it coming for a long time.

Man: I’m sorry, did you know her? Did you know this woman?

Young Woman: Not really. Although I thought I did once. I thought I saw her cry once. When I was seventeen and we were just leaving dad’s funeral. But turns out she had a bit of smut in her eye.

Man: You mean she’s…? I mean, you’re her…? Aren’t you…?

Young Woman: (Still giving the appearance of someone engrossed in her book.) I suppose you want to know how I did it?

Man: Did what? I don’t think I…

Young Woman: Rat poison. Sugar cubes. She always did have a sweet tooth. (The man is dumbstruck. He stands; walks over to the old woman; walks back again. He sits down, puts his head in his hands, and begins to sob.) What’s the matter? Something in your eye too?

Man: I just can’t… You’re… What did…? I just can’t…

(There is a snort – and a splutter of coughing – from across the lobby. The old woman shivers sharply and sits up; looks at her watch.)

Old Woman: (Furious; shouting) I told you to wake me! Come on: we’re leaving. (She stands and marches out of the hotel.)

Young Woman: Yes, mother. (She follows swiftly afterwards, turning to smile at the old man before she exits. The man runs his hand through his hair; picks up his coat; sits down heavily in the old woman’s chair.)

Task 24: Hopper Scripts

A drama task with a difference this week.

Like the past couple of tasks, I am looking for convincing dialogue (with two or three characters) which works as a mini-play (200-300 words) of its own. Therefore, it needs to get going straight away, retain its 'punch' throughout, and work towards an effective climax; also, like all effective drama, it needs to have tension (comic or otherwise).

Also, as before, originality is key, however you choose to achieve that. Whether you opt for the daring, the comic, or even just the surreal, I am looking for anything but the boring and the predictable (paintings, just like literature, can mean what you want them to!).

But your script this time should be inspired by one of the following paintings by the American painter, Edward Hopper (1882-1967). Choose the painting, and then bring the characters therein to life in your own mini-play.

Some stage directions will be necessary, but crucial will be how convincingly you bring dialogue to life on the page - and, of course, how engaged your reader (or, rather, your audience) will be.

For your title, simple use the title of the painting itself.

Deadline = midnight on Saturday 3rd May

Here are the paintings:

Room in New York
















Cape Cod Evening















Chair Car
















Nighthawks












Hotel Lobby
















Summer Evening















Hotel by a Railroad