I remember holding her for the first time, she held such promise and was so perfect. I cried so many times just looking at my beautiful baby girl. (Continues looking up)
(Focus shifts to the other side of the partition as a woman in her early 20s portrays a younger Joan holding a young child. She wears a well used sweat suit - Joan # 1 should exit the stage once attention is fully on Joan # 2)
JOAN # 2: (Looks lovingly at the child) I pray for you every day, Elizabeth.
You probably don't understand what I'm saying, but Mommy loves you and
I can hardly believe God gave you to Daddy and me. I still remember bringing
you
home, you were so small. Of course, that was just last week wasn't
it? (Pause) You've already changed so much. I want to be the best mommy
that I can be and I'm so afraid that I'm going to blow it. (Emotional)
What do I know about being a mom, sure I had one but I've never been one.
It seems like just yesterday I was a gangly teenager in love with your
daddy. Now look at me, I'm a blubbering mom. (Sniffs and wipes tears) Don't
worry little one, you'll probably be a mom someday too, and I won't tell
you "I told you so". But I will understand how wonderful, horrible, exciting
and scary it will be. I love you Beth. I love you. (Walks off stage)
(Focus shifts to the other side of the partition as Beth is talking on the phone)
BETH: (Upset) Can you believe it? She won't even let me leave the house
tonight, (Pause, listening) That's just it, I don't even know what it was
that I did wrong! (Pause) She can be so unbelievably cruel sometimes. (Listens
as Grandma enters opposite side of petition) Oh, can you hang on a minute,
I've got another call (Pause) Thanks. (Presses a button on the
phone) Hello.
GRANDMA: (Holding the phone as both carry on the conversation as if long distance) Elizabeth?
BETH: (Surprised) Grandma?
GRANDMA: Of course it's Grandma. How are you?
BETH: (Sulky) OK, I guess.
GRANDMA: All right, what's wrong?
BETH: It's Mom, who else.
GRANDMA: (Soothing) Tell me all about it.
BETH: (Visibly upset) Where do I start?
GRANDMA: How about at the beginning.
BETH: We were at the mall after school today and I wanted to get a new
outfit. I even had my own money, but Mom absolutely refused to let me buy
it. (Trying to remain calm) So, I try to explain why I want the outfit
and rationally attempt to point out that this IS the style. I can't help
it that she grew up in a different generation. There was nothing wrong
with that
outfit.
GRANDMA: But she said no?
BETH: I couldn't believe it. Then she said,(Mimics her mother) "Well, little girl, if this is how you're going to act, you can just stay home tonight and think about your actions." Like I can think of anything else - and I am NOT a little girl!
GRANDMA: Can I tell you a story?
BETH: I'm not going anywhere, go right ahead I guess.
GRANDMA: When your mother was 17, she wore the scroungiest old sweat suit. She preferred comfort over style, I guess. Kids at school called her a non-conformist.
BETH: (Smiles) Mom was anti-social?
GRANDMA: Not really, (Beth stops smiling) she just didn't feel the need to go along with the crowd. She had plenty of friends. They accepted her...
BETH: Sweat suit and all?
GRANDMA: Sweat suit and all. I just bet that your mom is thinking back to how she would have done things in school and does not see the need to follow the crowd.
BETH: But Grandma, even Mom doesn't dress that way anymore!
GRANDMA: True, but then she also knows a little bit more than you about some things and a lot more than you do about other things. (Pause) I know you probably don't want to hear this, but your mom is really trying to show you how much she loves you.
BETH: She has a weird way of showing it.
GRANDMA: When she calls me - You are a constant topic of conversation.
BETH: (Surprised) Really?
GRANDMA: Yes, you are! (Silence) Beth, are you still there?
BETH: (Thoughtful) Yes Grandma, I was just thinking. (Smiles)
GRANDMA: About what?
BETH: About one night when I was seven.
GRANDMA: What?
BETH: Thanks Grandma, I love you. Gotta go! (Hangs up the phone then picks it up again quickly as Grandma hangs up the phone and leaves the stage) Tiffany, are you still there. Sorry to make you wait. I gotta call you back. Bye! (Looks off stage and calls out) MOM! MOM!
JOAN # 1: (Comes quickly onto the stage) What is it? What's wrong Beth?
BETH: Do you remember when I was seven.
JOAN # 1: (Smiles) I think I can remember back that far.
BETH: You and Dad took me to the ball game and I got sick from eating too many hot dogs.
JOAN # 1: (Thinking then smiles) I'd almost forgot.
BETH: So did I, until a few minutes ago, that's when it hit me.
JOAN # 1: What?
BETH: Dad must have carried me to bed.
JOAN # 1: (Confirming) You fell asleep on the way home.
BETH: Yeah, but then you came into my room and....
IN UNISON: ...prayed! (Both laugh).
JOAN # 1: I thought you were asleep.
BETH: I was, (confused) then I wasn't. Anyway, I couldn't let you know I was awake after you started praying.
JOAN # 1: Why not?
BETH: I needed to hear what you would say, and tonight I needed to remember.
(Looks at her mom with emotion) Mom, you told God how inadequate you felt
as a mom and that you needed wisdom to be a good mother. You said you were
afraid of what the future might hold for me...
JOAN # 1: (Far away look) But that I would try to help you make wise choices.
BETH: Right. Then you prayed that God would protect me.
JOAN # 1: (Emotional) I remember.
BETH: Today it makes a little more sense. I love you, Mom and I want you to know that I'm so thankful that you never stop praying for me.
JOAN # 1: (Hugs Beth) Oh, Beth. Those are the most beautiful words I have heard in a long time.
BETH: Does that mean that I can go out tonight.
JOAN # 1: (Smiles warmly at her daughter) Not on your life.
BETH: How 'bout the outfit?
JOAN # 1: Umm, let me think. No!
BETH: (Dramatic) Is that your final answer?
JOAN # 1: Yes it is.
BETH: You can't blame a girl for trying.
JOAN # 1: If you need a new outfit I have a classic from when I was in high school that is probably your size.
BETH: Let me guess, a sweat suit?
JOAN # 1: (Surprised) Have you been talking to your grandmother?
BETH: (Ignores the question) Come on, I'll buy you a soda.
JOAN # 1: (Smiles as they walk off stage) You don't let up, do you? How about Kool-Aid in the kitchen?
BETH: Only if I get to choose the flavor.
JOAN # 1: (Points off stage) By all means. (Beth walks off stage as Joan looks up once again and mouths the following words) Thank you!
Fade to Black
........................................................
Copyright 2002 by Glenn A. Hascall.
If you use this script would you be so kind as to let us know? glenn.hascall<a>gmail.com