recess

This play was written at the height of the economic downturn. Banks were being bailed out. Hundreds of families were living in tent cities as they lost their homes to a bankrupt system. This is the story of one family who is pushed past the edge by forces beyond their control. It received a workshop reading and discussion at Theatre Nanaimo.

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EXCERPT:

 

Scene 6

 

(Living room. The drop cloths have been folded and placed by the front door. Marshall enters very cautiously carrying a small bag. He opens it, scans it quickly then removes a stack of bills and puts it in his wallet. He stashes the bag in a secret compartment in the side table. He then goes to his laptop. Tess enters somewhat abruptly startling Marshall.)

 

Marshall-

Jesus Tess…you scared the shit outta me.

 

Tess-

Sorry.

 

Marshall-

You shouldn’t sneak up on people…

 

Tess-

I said I was sorry.

 

Marshall-

Christ.

 

(Pause.)

 

Tess-

So the roofers were here.

 

Marshall-

I see that.

 

Tess-

I left the invoice with the other ones.

 

Marshall-

Good. Great.

 

Tess-

There’s some second notices there you know?

 

Marshall-

I know. I’ll get to them.

 

Tess-

Like I said before I can go and pay them if…

 

Marshall-

It’s okay.

 

Tess-

…if you’re busy.

 

Marshall-

Thanks but that’s not necessary.

 

Tess-

You are busy right?

 

(Pause.)

 

Marshall-

What’s that supposed to mean?

 

Tess-

Oh nothing, it’s just there’s a letter here for you from your office.

 

Marshall-

What?

 

Tess-

Actually it looks more like a cheque.

 

Marshall-

Yes, and?

 

Tess-

Nothing, it’s just I thought your pay went direct deposit…into our joint account.

 

Marshall-

It’s probably just a bonus or something.

 

Tess-

Funny thing about our joint account is that there doesn’t seem to be any money in there…any idea why that could be?

 

Marshall-

I’ve been shifting some things around with the investments…

 

Tess-

Oh, okay, just next time let me know so I don’t try to pay for your daughter’s prom dress with an empty bank account.

 

Marshall-

I thought you already paid for…

 

Tess-

No they wanted her to try it on first, they’re very nice over there. They even tried not to notice how humiliated I was.

 

Marshall-

Where’s the dress now?

 

Tess-

Well it’s still at the store Marshall.

 

Marshall-

How much was it?

 

Tess-

Five hundred.

 

Marshall-

Five hundred? For a dress?

 

Tess-

Yeah, we got a cheap one.

 

Marshall-

Don’t be like that. Here. (He takes money out of his wallet.) That should cover it. What?

 

Tess-

What’s going on?

 

Marshall-

What do you mean?

 

Tess-

With you! What’s going on with you?

 

Marshall-

Nothing…nothing’s going on.

 

Tess-

Then why are you walking around here like a zombie? You don’t even look at me.

 

Marshall-

I look at you, I fucking love looking at you!

 

Tess-

But you don’t see me! Do you? Or maybe it’s that I can’t see you, huh? Where have you been?

 

Marshall-

I’ve been here, I’ve always been here.

 

Tess-

Yes but where? In the fucking computer…on the phone…where?

 

Marshall-

That’s not fair, I spend time with you.

 

Tess-

You do? ‘Cause it seems like your head is anywhere but with me right now. What is going on?

 

Marshall-

Nothing, I’m just a bit stressed I guess.

 

Tess-

Okay, what is stressing you?

 

Marshall-

Things are just piling up, there’s a lot gong on.

 

Tess-

Is there?

 

Marshall-

Yes.

 

Tess-

Where?

 

Marshall-

What the fuck do you mean “where”?

 

(Pause.)

 

Tess-

I called your office today.

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© 2017 Cody Porter