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creative writing

After the Playwrights in Residence 2005 course, I thought it would be a shame to lose contact with the group, so I'm hoping to facilitate a creative round-robin.

Here is my first effort.

Please email me with additions and we'll see where it goes.

[Editorial note: I reserve the right to edit contributions as necessary]

characters

Betty is in her thirties
Annie is Betty's best friend
Charlie is a conman

plot outline

Betty is bored. Nothing interesting ever happens - until today. A conman is after a safe place to escape notice.

scenes

Kitchen

dialogue

Betty: Oh, Annie, I just don't know. Every day's the same old grind. Nothing different ever happens. I'm so bored.
Annie: You're maudlin again. It's the Chenin Blanc talking. You've got everything and you just don't get it.
Betty: I know, and I know I'm very lucky and all that, but... [bell rings]

Rachel from the states has added this section (Ed: thanks Rachel) ... do feel free to add comments and another section... do you feel we should anglicise this, or move it to the US of A?

Annie: I'll get it. [walks over to front door, peers through peek hole]
Annie: Oooh, cute guy. I'm definitely answering it! [unlocks door]
Betty: I'm comin', Annie, I'm comin'. [welcomes man inside]
Nick: Hi there! Name's Nick. Nice to meet y'all! Thanks for bein' so kind.
Annie: Sure thing!
Nick: Well, I'm actually here on account o' some complaints from some folks down at the nursin' home.
Betty: Why, I'm not sure I'm familiar with any nursing home around here...
Nick: Well, there's a man claimin' to be yer father right outside.
Annie: That was mighty nice of 'im to drop by!
Nick: Sure was, but this here lady says she doesn't know o' no nursin' home. People 'round the home keep on a sayin' he's crazy, in 'e gave us this here address when we asked 'im 'bout 'is fam'ly.
Betty: Well, I reckon I haven't seen pa in years! Bring 'im on in, if you'd please.
Nick: Alrighty then. [steps outside and pushes man in wheelchair into Betty's house]
Nick: This here's C. Seems to've forgotten the rest of 'is name.
Betty: My father's name's Jeremy. I don't seem to recognize this man...
C: Hey there, darlin'! How are ya doin' these days?
Nick: I better be goin', now. If ya have any problems, here's my number. [hands slip of paper to Betty and departs]
Annie: I'll take the burden o' that cutie pie's number off yer shoulders...
Betty: Now, Annie, this here's serious. I don't know a man by the name o' C!
Annie: C somethin', remember. If 'e forgot the latter of 'is name anway, it's just as likely he forgot 'is name entirely!
Betty: That is true...
Annie: Plus, you've been hopin' fer somethin' excitin' to happen lately, isn't that right?
Betty: Well, seein' he's here with us, I may as well see what he's got to say...
Annie: I'll let y'all talk. [leaves room]
Betty: So, pa, why'd ya come home?
C: That porch o' elderly persons a rockin' quietly in the face o' meanin'lessness... There's no redemption, no escape but death... It's that darned nursin' home 'at robs me o' my meanin', o' my stories.
Betty: I see ya have some sour feelin's toward them home's then.
C: I could o' been a rockin' here on the home o' my children...
Betty: Well, I'll show ya to yer room. Good thing we got them extensions last year...

Please email me with your additions and we'll see where it goes.

updated Mon 11 Jul '05   give feedback...

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: : © Mike Bliss 2009