16 June 2015

PROMPT:  She needed to hear something - anything. 

Chris Gibson, actor 

Celia, 39, stands glaring at Rachel, 17, who has her head down and her eyes on the floor.
CELIA
Nothing to say, Rachel?
Silence.
CELIA
Nothing at all?
Silence.
CELIA
You know what John will say...
Silence.
CELIA
Stupidity is it’s own reward.
Silence.
CELIA
What’s the house rule?
RACHEL
(finally, weakly)
Don’t do stupid stuff.
CELIA
That’s the children’s version.  You have now graduated to the adult version.
RACHEL
(weakly)
Don’t do stupid shit.
CELIA
(mocking)
Very good!
RACHEL
Are you going to punish me?
CELIA
No.  The state of Texas is going to do that.  I’m going to try and keep you out of prison.
RACHEL
Prison!?
CELIA
It’s not likely, but this is not your first offense.
RACHEL
But I was a kid.
CELIA
And you’re still on probation.
RACHEL
That’s not fair!
CELIA
Thieves do not get to talk about fairness.
Silence.
RACHEL
I’m not a thief.
CELIA
Yes.  You are.
Silence.
CELIA
(shakes her head and sighs)
But you’re my thief.
Celia gives Rachel a hug.
CELIA
What did you take?
RACHEL
A blouse.
CELIA
You know I would have bought you that blouse.
RACHEL
I know!
CELIA
So you just did it...
(air quotes)
...”for the fun of it.”
RACHEL
Yea.
CELIA
Were you with someone else?
RACHEL
Yea.
CELIA
Misty?
RACHEL
Yea.
CELIA
Misty get arrested?
RACHEL
Yea.
CELIA
(shaking her head)
Why can’t you and Misty just smoke dope and listen to heavy metal like the rest of the kids.
RACHEL
(scorn)
We don’t listen to heavy metal...
CELIA
(slowly, deliberately, loudly)
Nobody cares.
Silence.
CELIA
This could go really bad for you.
Silence.
CELIA
CPS already thinks we let you run wild.
RACHEL
CPS?! Do they have to know?!
CELIA
Of course they have to know.  Officially, they are your parents.
RACHEL
(scorn)
They’re not my parents.
CELIA
You know that, and I know that, but that’s what the paperwork says, and that’s all they care about.
Silence.
RACHEL
You don’t let me run wild.
Silence.
CELIA
Maybe we do.
Silence.
End of play.