8 July 2015

PROMPT:  If a bomb went off in your play, who would place it? Who would find it? And what would it be? A letter? A diary entry? Gossip? Try exploding your play.

Liz Engleman, dramaturg/educator

Alma, 21, Hispanic, beaming, stands behind a table filled with party food and a cake.  On either side of her stands, Phil, 56, and Sharon, 55.  Both of them beam with joy.
PHIL
We want to thank ya’ll for coming.  This is a big day for our family.
Luna, 24, angry rushes in.
LUNA
(shouting)
No it’s not!  It’s not a big day for your family!
Alma rushes toward Luna.
ALMA
Luna, what the hell!?
SHARON
(going toward Luna)
Luna, we weren’t expecting you, but you’re welcome to...
LUNA
(interrupting)
I’m not going to let them adopt you!
Luna pulls a gun from under her shirt.
LUNA
You can’t leave our family!
ALMA
I’m not leaving our family!
LUNA
You’ll be a Barnhardt instead of a Gonzalez.
ALMA
So what?!
LUNA
I’m not letting that happen!
ALMA
It happens all the time!
LUNA
When you get married!  You’re not getting married!  They are adopting you!
PHIL
Luna, your mom will still be her mom.
LUNA
No, she won’t!  This woman...
(pointing the gun at Sharon)
... will be your mom.
ALMA
Of course mom will still be mom!  I’ll just have a second mom!
SHARON
Luna, they are two kinds of family in this world.  The one you’re born into and the one you choose when you’re an adult.  You don’t lose the first one just because you choose to be part of the second one.
LUNA
I’m never going to choose another family!
ALMA
I thought you were engaged.
LUNA
I am!  So what?!
ALMA
Aren’t you choosing Roberto to be your family?  Isn’t that what marriage is all about?
LUNA
(lowering the gun)
Yea.
ALMA
Mom will still be your mom thought, right?
LUNA
Well, yea.
ALMA
That’s all that’s happening here.  I’m choosing to be part of these people’s family.  That doesn’t mean I don’t want mom to be mom.
(Alma steps over to Luna and puts an arm around her)
And that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to be my sister.
LUNA
Really?
ALMA
(smiling)
Crazy sister, but sister.
Luna smiles.
LUNA
We’re still sisters?
ALMA
Forever.
LUNA
(crying)
Okay.
Alma hugs Luna and kisses her on the cheek.
ALMA
‘Sides, we turned in the paperwork and stood before a judge two weeks ago.  This is just a party to celebrate.
End of play.