The Aslanova Wife

A short dramatic scene based on a writing prompt. The prompt required jumping right into the story with no introduction.

Ext Rooftop. Night.

The door to the rooftop slams open. ELLIOT (early-40s, scruffy American) rushes through with MAYA (early-30s, regal Russian woman) following angrily behind him. They stop right out of the doorway.

Elliot

This is ridiculous. We have dinner guests and you want to drag me up here to start another fight.

Maya

Is this what you think I want Elliot? I do not want to fight with you, I just want you to be faithful.

Elliot

Then stop nagging me all the damn time and maybe I'd want to come home at the end of the night.

Maya

Oh of course, it is my fault. You can never take any responsibility.

Elliot pushes the rooftop door closed.

Elliot

Do you think they bought that?

Maya

Time will tell.

Elliot

Sorry that you got dragged into this. I have to admit, when I asked the agency to send someone I thought they'd send one of the usual suspects.

Maya

Pardon?

Elliot

I don't mean to offend you or anything, it's just they don't usually send new agents into the field like this. How long have you been with us?

Maya

Not long at all.

Elliot

Yeah, that was the impression I got when you showed up. Did someone brief you on the case?

Gwen

No, unfortunately there was not time.

Elliot

Oh, of course. Well my name is Agent Elliot Kaplan.

He puts out a hand and she takes it.

Maya

It is a pleasure to meet you.

Elliot

Likewise. So here's the deal, Viktor Aslanova is the target. The men here all work for Aslanova and they're grooming me to enter into business with him. The situation is delicate so like I said earlier, don't talk too much. We can't afford to blow our cover this late in the game.

Maya

Of course, Agent Kaplan.

Elliot

The guys believe I have a Russian wife. That's been my in, so having you here will be a great help to my credibility.

Maya

But you want them to think we are unhappy, yes?

Maya walks towards the side of the roof. Elliot follows. Only a short railing separates them from a 30 story fall.

Elliot

There's talk that Aslanova uses his wife as a go between for business deals. I've heard that things tend to go more smoothly when she sleeps with the client first.

Maya raises an eyebrow and looks at Elliot.

MAYA

Oh?

Elliot

Yeah, she apparently won't get in the middle of a happy marriage. Odd considering her husband's business doesn't exactly deal in morality.

Maya

So we fight to make it seem like all is not well?

Elliot

Exactly.

Maya looks out over the city.

Maya

I admire your dedication, but there is a flaw in your plan.

Elliot

Really, what is it?

Once again, Maya turns to look at Elliot.

Maya

You did not give me a chance to introduce myself when I knocked on your door this evening.

(BEAT)

My name is Maya Aslanova and I came here to deal in my husband's affairs.

Elliot's expression is stunned.

END.

Author's Note

I don't consider this my finest work by any means. I'm using this prompt as a learning experience, so I welcome all feedback.

Reviews

[Dhaye]

A suggestion: you can also present the play in this format of a dialogue--

Elliot: This is ridiculous. We have dinner guests and you want to drag me up here to start another fight.

Maya : Is this what you think I want Elliot? I do not want to fight with you, I just want you to be faithful.

Elliot: Then stop nagging me all the damn time and maybe I'd want to come home at the end of the night.

Maya: Oh of course, it is my fault. You can never take any responsibility.


* an example only

Hmnn...They are already in the middle of their mission before they know each other. This is interesting. Keep it up!

[Virdie Morrison]

You're right, it would be far more effective in that format. To be honest, I pulled this straight from Celtx and didn't format for this platform. It was an issue of laziness on my part.
Thanks for the review!

[SpeedyHobbit Armstrong]

You've definitely captured my interest so far. Keep it up