Suburban Act I

A Stage Play by Rachel Lieberman

James and I started writing a story but i don't know what happned. So i'm going to use it with my play. So... I should dedicate this to James.

A dimly lit street littered in McDonald trash and cigarette butts. Trash cans have been pushed over, trash scatters the sidewalks. Graffiti covers most available surfaces like an art gallery. It’s dark out so the street lamps are on, two work and the third flickers on and off like a blinking eye. There’s a dark looming alley way to the right, leading to behind an old beaten up pizza place, now closed. Aaron and Elizabeth appear from the dark alleyway timidly holding hands.

-Aaron-

I really appreciate you coming out with me tonight…It means a lot… Thanks…

-Elizabeth-

It’s no problem, really. I wanted to come. You’re fun to hang out with.

Aaron blushes and turns his face away slightly to try and hide his red face.

-Aaron-

T-thanks… You are too.

-Elizabeth-

So, anything planned or are we just going to stroll?

-Aaron-

If it’s fine with you I just wanted to walk and talk, y’know…?

-Elizabeth-

Yeah! I’d like that better than a date.

-Aaron-

I’m glad you think that…I was nervous that you would have wanted to do something fancy… I’m sorry I don’t have a lot of money… I’ll save up enough money so we can-

-Elizabeth-

It’s fine! I like walking, I promise. I don’t like all of that fancy stuff.

She kisses him on the cheek and smiles. Aaron blushes again but the moment is ruined by a drunk walking up the street singing loudly holding a bottle up in the air.

-George-

I LOOooOOveE MYSELf!

-Aaron-

Oh…no….. Walk away. Walk away fast. (He starts to pull Elizabeth down the sidewalk away from the drunk)

-Elizabeth-

Wha-? What’s going on?

-Aaron-

I’ll tell you later, but walk. Walk!

-George-

And MOOoosTT of AllllLLll I’m cooOOoOllLl!

Aye! Aye! You! S’that you Aaron?

-Elizabeth-

You know him?

-Aaron-

Unfortunitly.

-George-

Aaron! Come back ‘ere!

George runs up and wraps an arm around Aaron’s shoulder. Elizabeth takes a step back in slight disgust of George and his dragon’s breath.

-Aaron-

Hey, Dad…

-George-

Aaron! Why’d you walk away, boy? Didn’t you ‘ear me callin’ your name?

-Aaron-

Um…

-George-

Who’s yer friend, Aaron?

-Aaron-

This is Elizabeth…

-George-

Oh, ho. So you have a girlfriend.

-Aaron-

I don’t know if she’s really my ‘girlfriend’… I mean we’re close but i…

Aaron glances to Elizabeth who smiles slightly and nods. Aaron smiles too/

-George-

And you didn’t tell your Mom and I??

George raises his bottle and smashes it over Aaron’s head. Elizabeth screams and jumps back. Aaron falls to the ground holding his head.

-George-

I don’t know why we bother raising you. You’re a waste of air.

George walks away still singing. Elizabeth waits until he turns the corner then kneels down and holds Aaron.

-Elizabeth-

Oh my god Aaron, are you okay?!

-Aaron-

(he groans then slowly sits up) Yeah… I’m fine… Just a bit of a headache…

Aaron reaches up and touches his head; he pulls his hand back to see blood on it. He whimpers and closes his eyes. Elizabeth is kneeling under him with his head and upper body in her lap. She lays her head down on his shoulder and the lights dim, ending the scene.