A short play by Keith Diggle
Party music can be heard as the two characters walk onto the stage. It stops abruptly. The Man and Woman position themselves with some five or six feet between them.
Man: It is very noisy in there.
Woman: Unbearably noisy.
Man: Nobody would have noticed our slipping out.
Woman: Far too busy with themselves.
Man: It is, however - and notwithstanding the din – pleasant to see them again.
Woman: (Thoughtfully) Mmm. Yes. I suppose it is.
Man: You don’t sound … convinced.
Woman: Please don’t misunderstand me, but I am used to being recognised. By people I
know.They looked right through me! Does that sound awfully self-centred?
Man: No more than I would sound if I said that … and come to think of it, I feel the same way. They didn’t recognise me either. It’s as if I wasn’t there. And I know so many of them! Not pleasant.
Woman: Me too. Isn’t that strange. They really didn’t recognise you?
Man: I tried not to let it show.
Woman: Did you go up to any of them and say ‘Hello, do you remember me?’
Man: Damned if I did.
Woman: Neither did I.
Man: Actually, I don’t care.
Woman: Neither do I. (She pauses)
Do you think they’ve … aged?
I mean, I knew who they were. I could recognise them. But I think they have aged.
Quite a lot.
Man: D’you know, you’re right. They have aged. Men and women.
When did we last see them?
Woman: I really couldn’t say. Was it when …?
Man: I don’t know. Not for sure. You know, I just can’t remember.
Woman: Must have been ages ago. They are so much older.
Look, I know it’s difficult to tell a woman but … have I aged?
No, I can see you hesitating. Just tell me. Have I aged?
Man: (Pauses) Oh, hardly at all. No, you haven’t. Actually you haven’t aged at all. You are as lovely as you ever were. And I’m not just being … tactful.
Woman: Thank you kind Sir. Well you certainly haven’t changed a bit. Not at all bad looking.
Long pause
Man: We had a ‘thing’ going, didn’t we?
Woman: What an odd thing to say.
Man: Looking at you carefully – to see if you have aged – made me remember.
I thought you were the loveliest girl I had ever seen.
I was crazy about you.
Woman: And I think I may well have been crazy about you.
Man: The last time we were here we came together. As a couple. As an ‘item’. To the
Christmas Party at the club. We had a very good time.
Woman: We had such fun. Oh Heavens, I remember now. We announced our engagement!
Man: So we did! The champagne flowed like water. My God how it flowed! Oh, my dear, such fun, such fun.
Woman: We left early. Do you remember? In your flashy old Jaguar.
Man: I don’t remember getting home. I remember going home. But not arriving. Isn’t that strange?
Woman: (Slowly) I remember only … nothing …oblivion.
There is a pause
Man: Well, let’s go back in, shall we? Join the party?
He holds out his hand and she takes it in hers
Woman: All right. But stay close won’t you?
Ends
Copyright: Keith Diggle 2010
Permission for performance obtainable from the author at email@keithdiggle.com
Now I've discovered it I'd just like to say that I like this little play. I didn't quite get the point when I read it the first time - but the second time I started to feel a distinct sense that this scene was a tragedy. Those poor people! I feel really sorry for them.
ReplyDeleteKeith and I performed this short play at a Christmas get together. It was not what they were expecting, but it was very gratifying to feel the room become more aware of the drama. It requres skill to build up tension and change the audience's initial perception in such a short time. As an actor, I enjoy directing or performing Keith's work. There is always an unknown element or a "sting in the tail"
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