17 June 2015

PROMPT:  I've never told anyone this, but...

Liz Engleman, dramaturg/educator 

Katalina, 15, paces and smokes.  A knock on a door. Phil, 48, and Jill, 47, enter Katalina’s bedroom.  Katalina tries to hide the cigarette behind her back.
PHIL
Are you smoking in your room?
KATALINA
Get out!
PHIL
Give me the cigarette and the lighter and we will leave.
Katalina throws the cigarette at Phil.  Phil dodges, but then quickly scoops it up off the floor.
PHIL
(as he exits)
Thank you.
JILL
We need the lighter.
KATALINA
No!  Get out!
JILL
We can’t leave until we get the lighter.
KATALINA
Get out!
Phil returns.
KATALINA
You just don’t understand me!
Katalina spits on the floor.  Phil looks at Jill with widened eyes.
JILL
(soothing)
Tell us, Katalina.  Help us understand.
KATALINA
You don’t understand!
Katalina spits on the floor.  Paces.
PHIL
I know.  I know.  We don’t understand.
Katalina paces and spits.
PHIL
What don’t we understand?
KATALINA
You care too much.
JILL
We can’t care too much.  We love you.  That’s all there is.
KATALINA
You care too much!
PHIL
We don’t understand that... we care too much.
KATALINA
No!  I can’t love you that much.
JILL
That’s okay.
KATALINA
It’s not okay!
JILL
It’s okay...
Katalina paces and spits.
KATALINA
I was in the car.
JILL
I know, sweetie.
KATALINA
I was in the car when my mother died.
JILL
I know.
Jill goes toward Katalina.
KATALINA
Get away from me!
Jill stops and sits on the bed.
KATALINA
(starting to cry)
You don’t understand.  I was in the car.
JILL
I know.
KATALINA
My little brother died.
JILL
I know.
KATALINA
My father didn’t want me!
JILL
I know.
KATALINA
He wanted his new family.  He didn’t want me.
JILL
I know.
Silence.
KATALINA
My step-mother said I tried to have sex with her son.
JILL
We don’t believe her.
PHIL
You were only eleven.  You didn’t try to have sex with that little boy.
KATALINA
I didn’t even know what sex was!
JILL
I know.
KATALINA
My step-mother said I tried to push her down the stairs!
Katalina paces and cries and spits.
KATALINA
I never told anyone, but...
Katalina paces and spits.
JILL
What didn’t you tell anyone?
KATALINA
I did try and push her down the stairs.  I did! I wanted her to fall and die!
PHIL
It’s okay.  You were eleven.  You didn’t hurt anyone.
KATALINA
I wanted her to fall and die!
Jill stands and goes toward Katalina.
KATALINA
Get out!
JILL
It’s alright, Katalina.  We love you.
PHIL
We want you.
KATALINA
You can’t care for me that much!  Not after what I told you!
PHIL
We do care for you.  We love you.
KATALINA
No you don’t!
Silence.  Katalina sits.
KATALINA
(quieter)
Get out of my room.
JILL
Katalina...
KATALINA
(louder)
Get out of my room.
PHIL
We can’t leave ‘til you give us the lighter.
Katalina stands up, takes the lighter out of her pocket and throws it at Phil.  It hits Phil in the chest.  He picks it up off the floor.
KATALINA
Here’s your fucking lighter.
PHIL
Thank you.  We’ll... we’ll... go now.
Phil and Jill stand.
JILL
Can I give you a hug?
Katalina sits down.  Jill steps toward her and stops.  Katalina doesn’t move.  Jill takes another step forward.  Katalina says nothing.  Jill steps to Katalina and gives her a little hug.
Jill stands and turns to leave.
KATALINA
(to Jill)
Would you stay... while I call my father?
Phil looks at Jill.
JILL
Ah, sure.
Jill steps next to Phil.  Phil is confused.
JILL
(to Phil quietly)
Leave the door open so you can hear.
Phil nods.
End of play.