10 July 2015

PROMPT:  It’s not where you'd expect – it’s in Des Moines! 

Chris Gibson, actor

Tara, 49, and Kirk, 50 sit at the table.  Josie, 19, comes in.  Josie looks nervous.
TARA
Hey, Josie.
JOSIE
Hi.
TARA
Phyllis called.
JOSIE
(annoyed)
My case worker?  What did she want?
TARA
She had some news she thought you might want to hear.
JOSIE
(dubious)
Oh yea.
TARA
You’re father is out of jail.
JOSIE
I thought he had another two years.
TARA
I guess they let him out early.
Silence.
TARA
Your aunt would like you to call her.
JOSIE
Aunt Matilda?  In Des Moines?
TARA
Phyllis gave me her number.  I guess your dad is staying with her for awhile.
JOSIE
I don’t want to talk to him.
TARA
Okay.
Silence.
JOSIE
He’s not my dad.  I don’t even remember him.
TARA
Okay.
Silence.
JOSIE
Did my case worker say what my aunt wanted?
TARA
She didn’t say.  I’m sure she wants to talk to you about your dad.  Probably wants to give you a chance to talk to him.
JOSIE
I don’t want to talk to him.
TARA
You don’t have to talk to him.
Silence.
JOSIE
Do you think he wants to see me?
TARA
Yea.
JOSIE
I don’t want to see him.  I don’t want to talk to him.
TARA
Okay.
Silence.
JOSIE
Can I have my aunt’s number?
TARA
Of course you can.
Tara gives Josie a piece of paper.  Josie looks at it and jams it in her pocket.
JOSIE
I don’t want to talk to him.
TARA
Okay.
Josie exits.
KIRK
Nothing good ever came out of Des Moines.
TARA
(looking at Kirk and shaking her head)
You’re an idiot.
End of play.