7 July 2015

PROMPT:  How can I thank you enough?

Carolyn Maye, interdisciplinary artist

Pearl, 18, dances across the stage to Betsy, 45.  Pearl dances out of happiness and joy.  She grabs Betsy’s hands and entices her to dance with her.  The two whirl and twirl around the stage, laughing.  Finally, tired, they collapse in a heap hugging and laughing.
PEARL
(looking at Betsy)
I love you, Betsy.
BETSY
I love you, Pearl.
PEARL
How can I ever thank you?!
BETSY
You just did!
The two women hug.  Pearl stands and dances off stage.  Betsy stands.  Don, 56, enters and goes to Betsy.
DON
(dumbfounded)
Thank you?!  Thank you?!
BETSY
I thought there would be some appreciation.
DON
For what?!
BETSY
That we gave them a home and love and...
DON
(scoffing)
You lead a rich full fantasy life.
BETSY
Zelda appreciates us.
DON
She does.
BETSY
And Katrina loves us.
DON
And we love her.
BETSY
And I think Skyler loves us.
DON
She’s never going to say thank you.
BETSY
What she is going to say is “Thank you... did I say thank you.  I meant fuck you.  Fuck you very much.”
DON
(false pride)
I taught her that.
Betsy shakes her head.
BETSY
And I really appreciate what you’ve done.  Thank you... Did I say thank you...
Silence.
BETSY
We could never give them what they want most in the world.
DON
Parents who love them.
BETSY
I know they always dream that one day their mother or their father will appear out of nowhere and say that they love them and want them back.
DON
Yup.  It’s what they deserve.
BETSY
We are a poor substitute.
DON
Strangers...
BETSY
... with weird ways.
DON
Yup.
Don hugs Betsy.
End of play.