20 Aug 2015

PROMPT:  Three or more circumstances occur at once creating a perfect storm of some kind.

Alison Frost, director/educator

Robert stands at the open front door looking out.  Macy wanders in.
MACY
You can close the door.  They’re not coming back.
ROBERT
I was looking to see if Santa was on his way.
MACY
‘Bout as likely as a white Christmas.
Silence.
ROBERT
Two in two weeks.
MACY
I don’t what to do with myself.
Silence.
ROBERT
Did the agency call?
MACY
No.
ROBERT
They’re all on Christmas vacation.
MACY
Wish I was on Christmas vacation.
Silence.
ROBERT
Did she say why she was leaving?
MACY
No.
Silence.
ROBERT
Somebody from the agency should have called.
Silence.
MACY
Teenage girls just represent to much... risk.
ROBERT
Pregnancy, drugs, fights, run aways...
MACY
And all the drama.
ROBERT
We’ve had it all.
MACY
Too much risk.  Too much liability.
Silence.
ROBERT
I thought we’d turned a corner with Anna.
MACY
Two years.
ROBERT
I really thought we’d turned a corner.
MACY
She would get scared whenever she got too close... And she got way to close this time.
Silence.
ROBERT
And Matilda... A mile wide and an inch deep.
MACY
It’s always the deepest problem.
ROBERT
Not the PTSD or the depression or the bad brain chemistry.
MACY
Attachment.
Silence.
ROBERT
When your mommy and daddy don’t want you, it’s hard to believe anyone ever will.
MACY
And when it does look like someone might want you...
ROBERT
Better to not take the risk.
Robert steps back from the door and closes it gently.  He turns to Macy.
ROBERT
(breaking down)
Merry... merry...
Macy comes into his arms and they cry.
End of play.