NOVEMBER PLAYWRITING CHALLENGE

November 2: Game Night

This suggestion comes to us from Threshold Theater Literary Associate Maren Findlay:

“listen to the 1982 song O Superman by Laurie Anderson and write a scene inspired by whatever that vibe is”

SCENE 1

(The setting is a living room that is both at the same time anachronistic of the 1950s nuclear family but at the same time is modern. A family sits on the couch. A FATHER, very dapper and masculine, a MOTHER very feminine, and two boys who look about 2 years apart in age, the older JR and the younger III. They sit playing a board game)

FATHER

(He rolls a high number on some dice. Everyone reacts)

Oh well you look at that! Mother can you believe the luck. You must be so proud of this hunk of a man you’ve married.

MOTHER

I count my lucky stars every day! It’s your turn Jr.

JR

Yay! I love game night it’s my favorite night of the whole week, isn’t it the best night of your week III?

III

Sure. I guess.

MOTHER

You guess? Your father works so hard to provide to us and I work my hands to the bone to keep this house clean. What’s not to be sure of? Don’t be spoiled.

III

No it’s not that but don’t you feel like there’s something we’re not talking about?

(All three other family members stare at him at almost a creepy way.)

FATHER

I don’t know where you get these crazy ideas. Is this those Manga comics you love? Are those what is putting these ideas in your head? 

MOTHER

Maybe a visit to Dr. Bolton is in order.

III

Mom I don’t need to talk to a therapist I just want us to talk like a normal family. 

FATHER

What can be more wholesome that a good old fashioned board game? Don’t we go to baseball games every month.

JR

I love the baseball games Dad! Did I show you the sketch of Sammy Alvarez I did? 

(He goes offstage and retrieves a sketchbook)

FATHER

(His father looks at the sketch with tears in his eyes)

Will you look at that? How lucky can we get to have a son with both athleticism and artistic ability? 

JR

This is bullshit. I draw.

MOTHER

Comics.  You draw comics. Violent…grotesque comics. Are we supposed to be impressed by that? If you’re acting out to get our attention you are truly misguided  III. 

III

I didn’t always draw such violent stuff. 

(Hesitantly)

Don’t you remember? Do you remember when that started? 

FATHER

When we became concerned of course.

JR

III I’m your big brother and I love you…

III

…Big brother…

JR

But you need to get serious about really counts because we are so lucky to have as awesome a mom and dad as we do.

MOTHER

(Tears in her eyes)

We’re the lucky ones. I’m so lucky to have you back after…

FATHER

Now Mother.

MOTHER

I’m sorry.

III

No say it Mom. It’s right there hanging on the air.

JR

The only thing that’s hanging is you leaving us hanging on your turn at Yahtzee. 

III

Will you shut the fuck up about the stupid board game.

FATHER

HEY NOW. We don’t talk that way in this house. 

III

We don’t talk in this house.

MOTHER

We talk about a lot of things, national news…birds…recipes…sports…lots of things.

JR

Hey III you can always talk to me about anything. 

(Flashes a pearly charming smile. )

It’s kind of my job. 

III

(Something has really taken him aback)

Your job? Funny thing to say. It is your job to be brother.

FATHER

III you need to stop there.

III

It’s literally your job to be my brother.

JR

I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re obviously going through something.

MOTHER

III please.

III

My name isn’t III and I’m tired of pretending that it is. My name is Aaron, Mom. And your name is Susan.

MOTHER

I’m your mother that’s the only thing I need to be called.

III

And Dad your name is David.

FATHER 

What does any of this matter? 

JR

Yeah I don’t know what this has to do with anything.

III

But what’s your name? I can’t quite place your name…Big Brother. 

JR

(Smiling confused)

Well I’m Billy, you know that.

(Mother and father cry out. III looks relieved.)

I was born on February 9, 2013. I go to Wakefield Middle School, I’m in the 7^th grade. 

III

Billy died 3 years ago. 

MOTHER

III you’re not well.

III

I may not be well but I’m right. I don’t live in denial like an anguished pair of parents who don’t mourn their son. Who just go out and buy an AI replacement for him.

FATHER

III stop this right now.

III

AARON DAD, MY NAME IS AARON. I’m better than a pair of people who just make us cosplay the good ole 1950s, make us go by these ridiculous generic names, not talk about anything real.

MOTHER

This is real. What gets you through the day without wanting it to be your last is real. 

JR

Mom is this true?

END