I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite scenes from my full length play, Bring Her Back. It's been a long week, starting a new full time job and taking care of my family. You can read a synopsis of the play for context here. Kate needed a scene with her daughter. She needed forgiveness. A new beginning. Kate and Anna are in most ways unlike one another (a chemist and a painter), but are alike in one major way: Their love for one another. Much of the play has a long way to go, but this scene has a special place in my heart.
Enjoy. (:
Scene Six
(TOM’s living room/kitchen. The majority of the stage is dark, with the portrait of TOM and KATE acting as a headstone. KATE kneels in front of the portrait, a small bouquet of flowers lies next to her on the ground.)
KATE
I can’t do this anymore, Skunk.
(A sign lowers, reading):
“I’ve missed you, Mom.”
(KATE looks up and sees ANNA. She wears her t-shirt and jeans. ANNA takes down the portrait and sits across from KATE instead.)
Anna.
“Surprise.”
Are you real?
“…No.”
I didn’t think so.
“I love the flowers.”
You do?
“Wanna make flower crowns?”
…I’m not in the mood.
“It’s cold out. You should have a coat.”
I left in a hurry. I didn’t grab anything.
“Problems with Dad?”
Isn’t that always the story?
“I’m sorry.”
No, I am. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I kept the letters from you. I thought I was protecting you--
“I know.”
You must hate me.
“Remember that time we talked about Heisenberg?”
Yes.
“And your love was unconditional?”
(KATE nods)
“Nothing’s changed. Not one thing.”
You’re gone, though.
“I’ve never left.”
Sometimes I wish you would.
“You’re allowed to let go, you know.”
But what if I lose you forever?
“That will never happen.”
I don’t know what to do.
“Uncertainty principle, right?”
You would’ve made an excellent chemist.
“Now you’re pushing it.”
Maybe I am.
“…Mom?”
Yeah?
“I wish I’d changed my path. But I got caught up in my own orbit and I couldn’t get out—”
I know, baby. I know.
“Can you ever forgive me?”
I already have. (beat) Please come back.
“You have Dad now.”
But—We’re falling apart—I can’t--
“You need to try. Please. For me.”
That’s what you want?
“Is it what you want?”
(ANNA gets up and places the portrait upright. She exits. KATE stares at the portrait. KATE stands and a light comes up on TOM’s basement studio door. She walks toward the door and stands in front of it. She opens the door.)
Enjoy. (:
Scene Six
(TOM’s living room/kitchen. The majority of the stage is dark, with the portrait of TOM and KATE acting as a headstone. KATE kneels in front of the portrait, a small bouquet of flowers lies next to her on the ground.)
KATE
I can’t do this anymore, Skunk.
(A sign lowers, reading):
“I’ve missed you, Mom.”
(KATE looks up and sees ANNA. She wears her t-shirt and jeans. ANNA takes down the portrait and sits across from KATE instead.)
Anna.
“Surprise.”
Are you real?
“…No.”
I didn’t think so.
“I love the flowers.”
You do?
“Wanna make flower crowns?”
…I’m not in the mood.
“It’s cold out. You should have a coat.”
I left in a hurry. I didn’t grab anything.
“Problems with Dad?”
Isn’t that always the story?
“I’m sorry.”
No, I am. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I kept the letters from you. I thought I was protecting you--
“I know.”
You must hate me.
“Remember that time we talked about Heisenberg?”
Yes.
“And your love was unconditional?”
(KATE nods)
“Nothing’s changed. Not one thing.”
You’re gone, though.
“I’ve never left.”
Sometimes I wish you would.
“You’re allowed to let go, you know.”
But what if I lose you forever?
“That will never happen.”
I don’t know what to do.
“Uncertainty principle, right?”
You would’ve made an excellent chemist.
“Now you’re pushing it.”
Maybe I am.
“…Mom?”
Yeah?
“I wish I’d changed my path. But I got caught up in my own orbit and I couldn’t get out—”
I know, baby. I know.
“Can you ever forgive me?”
I already have. (beat) Please come back.
“You have Dad now.”
But—We’re falling apart—I can’t--
“You need to try. Please. For me.”
That’s what you want?
“Is it what you want?”
(ANNA gets up and places the portrait upright. She exits. KATE stares at the portrait. KATE stands and a light comes up on TOM’s basement studio door. She walks toward the door and stands in front of it. She opens the door.)