Scriptworks 30/60/90 - 5 August 2013

Prompt:
How are your characters’ lives interrupted?
-Perry Guzzi, playwright


Response:
EDGAR, a pudgy, middle-aged man, sits in an easy chair reading.  He sips a cool beverage from the end table beside him.
MADDIE, an 18 year old, tattooed woman, who is slightly pregnant, enters.

EDGAR
(smiling)
Good evening, young lady.  How are you?

MADDIE
I did something stupid.

EDGAR
What’s the family motto?

MADDIE
Don’t do stupid stuff.

EDGAR
Because enough stupid shit happens in our lives that we don’t need to add to the pile.

MADDIE
(annoyed)
I know, I know!

EDGAR
So what happened?

MADDIE
I got caught shop lifting.

Edgar sighs heavily.

EDGAR
But you’re on probation!

MADDIE
I suppose you’re going to kick me out now.

Edgar stands shaking his head.

EDGAR
I may not have to.  You may be going to jail.

MADDIE
They only gave me a ticket.

EDGAR
You’re on probation!

MADDIE
You don’t have to keep saying that!  I know I’m on probation.

EDGAR
Maddie, I love you, but...

MADDIE
...but what!

EDGAR
Trudy and I have other foster kids we’re responsible for.

MADDIE
I know!

EDGAR
You put us all at risk.

MADDIE
That’s not my fault.

EDGAR
You’re right.  We made the decision to let you stay here after you got kicked out of care.

MADDIE
I didn’t get kicked out of care...!

EDGAR
Yes... you did.

MADDIE
I hated foster care.

EDGAR
I know.

MADDIE
So you’re kicking me out.

EDGAR
They could take away our license.

MADDIE
Where am I supposed to go?!

EDGAR
We’ll call around and try and find some place.

MADDIE
And if you can’t?

EDGAR
I don’t know.  Trudy and I need to talk.

MADDIE
(storming off)
I know you’re going to kick me out.

Curtain.