The Weekend

By Josie Parrelli

Drama

Cast: 1m 1f

Settings: A Stage then a Hotel Room

Approximate Length: 20 mins

Synopsis: LUCY and JULIAN are a married couple who are successful theatre performers, they have just received awards and accolades for their show ‘Baltimora’, this is their final performance of the show. Behind the smiles and the accolades of a successful couple is the pain of the reality of their relationship breaking down.

History: The play was first produced at the Strawberry One Act Play Festival February 2011 at the Hudson Guild theatre New York USA

Excerpt:

SCENE 1

On Stage

The scene opens with LUCY and JULIAN on stage holding hands and bowing to the audience, there are roses thrown on stage and LUCY is holding a bouquet of flowers, the audience is in the darkness, the lights are only on LUCY and JULIAN with the ambience of rounding applause and cheers for their final performance.

This is in front of a curtain or partition; LUCY and JULIAN bow and exit stage right.

SCENE 2

A Hotel Room

LUCY comes in and throws the flowers onto the bed.

JULIAN enters after her.

JULIAN: (excited, goes up to LUCY to give her a kiss) They love us, how great were we babe, we showed them how it’s done.

LUCY avoids him and walks off disgusted.

JULIAN: What’s wrong?

LUCY: (glaring at Julian.) You know what’s wrong.

JULIAN: Not this shit again! (Walking off and turning to face LUCY.)

LUCY: What shit Julian? The fact you had an affair with Belinda.

JULIAN: It’s history love, I’ve moved on.

LUCY: (applauding) Oh bravo!

JULIAN: (Walking up to LUCY.) Honey, c’mon. (He caresses LUCY’S arm)

LUCY: (She pushes JULIAN’S hand away angrily.) Get the hell away from me, I can’t stand looking at your face.

JULIAN: My face? Honey, she meant nothing.

LUCY: Really, is that what you told Belinda when you were screwing her, that she meant nothing?

JULIAN: Why are you doing this?

LUCY: (starting to pack her suitcase) Doing what, leaving you? I said I’d do the tour then after this show that was it.

JULIAN: (Walking up to her and slamming the suitcase lid down in frustration) I thought the weekend would give us an opportunity of reconnecting, forgiveness, we can get through this. (holding LUCY’S arms looking at her) What’s a relationship if you can’t work out your problems?

 LUCY: Problems! (Pushing JULIAN away, raising her voice) You fricken screwed someone else! On earth, where I live, it’s not called a problem it’s called cheating.

JULIAN: How many times have I apologised to you…

LUCY: (cutting JULIAN off) What do you want me to do, get down and kiss your feet?

JULIAN: She meant nothing.

LUCY: I can’t look at you, your mouth, nothing, (seething now), all I see is you two kissing and carrying on, I can’t go near you, you’re like poison … contaminated”

JULIAN: Lovely way of putting it. (looking at LUCY pissed off)

LUCY: You are, you always had a thing for that dirty mole even when she treated you like scum you always pined for her.

JULIAN: (Surprised and hurt) No I didn’t.

LUCY: Yes you did, I’d see the way you look at her, waiting for a glimmer of hope, an indication she wanted you too…what did it for you? The rudeness, the fake tan, the manky hair.

JULIAN: (Walking up and grabbing LUCY’S arm) Why are you torturing yourself?

LUCY: (pushing his hand away) Torturing myself? You’ve tortured me! I loved you so much and you didn’t care. I was there for you through everything, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for you and you didn’t care. The sad thing is you threw happiness away with both hands, for what?

JULIAN: Your love scares me.

LUCY: Oh that’s so fantastic to hear dear husband, great to know that what I brought to the table in our relationship is fear and that I scare you, nice, I’m feeling so much better now. (trying to fight back the tears)

JULIAN: That’s not what I meant to say, poor choice of words. (holding LUCY by the arms), You are such a beautiful, rare, radiant loving soul, the love you give me is so intense it scares me.