22 July 2015

PROMPT:  Write a scene backwards

Marisela Treviño Orta, playwright

Bruce, 34, sits on a couch on stage.  Jennifer, 32, comes on stage and goes to Bruce.
JENNIFER
I’m leaving.
BRUCE
Excuse me?
JENNIFER
I’m leaving!
BRUCE
You came in to tell me your leaving?
JENNIFER
No.
BRUCE
I’m pretty sure, that you came in to the living room and said, “I’m leaving.”
JENNIFER
That’s not what I meant.
BRUCE
You’re not leaving?
JENNIFER
I am leaving.
BRUCE
Okay, can we start over?
JENNIFER
I’m leaving!
Silence.
Bruce sticks out his hand and takes Jennifer’s hand.  He shakes it.
BRUCE
Have a good trip.  Write if you get work.
Jennifer jerks her hand from Bruce’s.
JENNIFER
(angry)
You don’t get it, do you, Bruce?!
BRUCE
I sense that this was not the time to make a joke.
Silence.
BRUCE
You’re leaving, right?
JENNIFER
I’m leaving.
BRUCE
Then I think I’ve got it.
Silence.
JENNIFER
You’re not taking this seriously.
Silence.
BRUCE
I’m not taking what seriously?
JENNIFER
I’m leaving.
BRUCE
You’ve made that quite clear.
Silence.
JENNIFER
Don’t you want to know why?
BRUCE
Off hand, I can think of several reasons from the trivial to the absurd.  Perhaps your going to the local retail establishment to procure sustenance for our evening repast.
JENNIFER
What?!
BRUCE
Dinner.
JENNIFER
You think I would come in here to tell you that I was going to the grocery store?!
BRUCE
It’s happened in the past.
Silence.  Jennifer does a slow burn.
BRUCE
Not the grocery.  Your sister’s?
(silence)
Your mother’s.  Shopping at the mall.  And appointment with your therapist...
JENNIFER
(muttering)
I need to have my head examined.
BRUCE
Therapist it is.
JENNIFER
I’m leaving YOU, you dunce!
BRUCE
So “I’m leaving.” was an existential expression.
JENNIFER
No.  My bags are packed and in the car.  I just thought I’d be polite and say good bye.  Clearly, that was a mistake.
Silence.
BRUCE
Alright.  I’m sensing that you want me to ask you something.
JENNIFER
No.
Silence.
BRUCE
I believe the question I am supposed to ask is “Why?”
JENNIFER
Why what?
BRUCE
Why... are... you... leaving?
JENNIFER
You are such a moron!
Silence.
BRUCE
I quite aware that I have certain deficiencies, Jennifer.
JENNIFER
Certain deficiencies?!  Oh my God!
Jennifer collapses on the sofa.  Her emotions are strong, but she doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.  She looks up at Bruce.  She raises a hand and stroke his face.
BRUCE
(haltingly)
I... thought you were... leaving.
JENNIFER
(with pity and a little love)
I can’t leave.  How would you survive?
Bruce opens his mouth.  Jennifer clamps her hand over his mouth.
JENNIFER
Don’t answer that.
She keeps her hand on his mouth until he finally nods.  Her hand slides off.
JENNIFER
Will you get my bags out of the car?
Bruce opens his mouth, but quickly shuts it and nods.  He exits.
End of play.