ScriptWorks 30/60/90 - 23 August 2013

Prompt:
Something gets turned inside out--an item, an idea, a belief, a ???-John Walch, playwright

Response:

KAREN, 57, unpacks boxes.
ISABELLA, 20, puts down the phone with a stunned look on his face.

ISABELLA
Johnny lost his wallet.

Karen continues to unpack.

KAREN
That’s to bad.  Did he have any credit cards or anything in it?

ISABELLA
All his money was in it.

KAREN
(with growing alarm)
How much did he have?

ISABELLA
Six hundred dollars.

KAREN
His share of the rent money?

Isabella nods.
Silence.

KAREN
What happened?

ISABELLA
He said he went to buy something and he thinks his pocket was inside out and he didn’t get his wallet all the way back in.

Karen nods.
Silence.

KAREN
Do you think he’s using again?

ISABELLA
No!  Why would you say that?!

Silence.

KAREN
I’m sorry.

ISABELLA
I know you’re worried about me.

Karen nods.

ISABELLA
I’d know if he was using.

Silence.

KAREN
The one thing that alcoholics and addicts are good at is hiding it.

Silence.

KAREN
It might take one, two, three months or more before you would know.

Silence.

KAREN
This is a warning sign.  If there are no others, then you can just say it was one ‘o them deals.  But don’t be naive and don’t be in denial.

Isabella nods sadly.

KAREN
This is an opportunity to be an adult.

Isabella nods.

KAREN
And if he’s using again, what do you do?

ISABELLA
I come home.

KAREN
Right answer.

Karen and Isabella hug.
Curtain.