Alex and Mary

A short play about a teenage boy.

Alex- A young man, late teens. Dresses in the punk fashion. Scarred arms. Addict.

Mary- A young woman, close to Alex’s age. Pale white skin. Fake confidence.

Roderick- sketchy looking, wears jacket. Dealer

Father: big, middle aged, angry alcoholic

Mom: caring overbearing

 

Alex: (Speaking on a cellular phone.) Hey, I’m going to a show tonight, want to come? No, I bought your ticket. Seriously, girl you live like five minutes away. Well I have an extra ticket than, you’re going to make me cry. Awe, thanks girl. No, you don’t know them. No, don’t let her come. Cause she’ll ruin it. Yeah just a little, no not drugs stop worrying about it, you know I’m quitting. Okay, thank you. Miller. All right, see you there.

Roderick enters SL

A: Roderick.

Roderick: Alex

R: Did you bring some?

A: Yeah

R: is Mary coming?

A: yeah, I think today is going to be the day I ask her out.

R: I know, you’ve been telling me this for like, what, the past six years. And your hella lucky, I have a present just for you. (Shows him condom and proceeds to give it to him)

A: thanks man, I’ll put this good to use on your momma.

R: (laughs) Seriously though, you’re going to use that, I’m not helping you’re sorry self raise a baby.

A: Don’t worry about it dude.

 

(Mary enters SL)

 

Mary: Well, hey boys. (boys greet) So where is my 40, sirs?

A:  A 40-ounce? What do I look like a party animal? I do not do such things

R: (grabs Alex’s bag and disperses the beer) Liar, liar.

M: He better be, I do intend to get quite crunk tonight if I may.

A: hey before that, Roderick go in we’ll catch up.

R: All right. (exits SR)

A: So, Mary, I was wondering, you want to maybe go out sometime?

Mary: So, Alex, that sounds hella beast.

A: All right, let us go about such partying and merriment. (exits SR)

 

(Blackout all are drunken and relaxing lights up)

 

All three:  

Alex: Okay so it’s like this. Mary, I love you and I hate your clothes so let’s-

Mary: What’s wrong with my clothes?

Roderick: Lightweight

A: S my D Rod, okay so as I was saying, let’s fix that. (unzips Mary’s jacket revealing a low cut shirt or tank top)

M: (pulls off Alex’s shirt) Freak, you better take me home, we need to finish this.

R: So, ugh, I’m a catch the bus and let ya’ll get back to your thing (exits SL

A: you better put them claws to a good use,

M: don’t think I won’t tear you up

 

Alex grabs her hand they exit SL

Alex’s room, Small bed with one sheet a razor or knife lies next to his bed, two guitars are in his room. Prescription bottle and zip lock baggies scattered everywhere. The single sheet covers the duo. Alex is wearing only boxers, Mary is wearing Alex’s shirt.

 

Alex: (awakening) Babe, are you awake? (no response) Okay. (takes pills) I know you’re not awake but I need to tell you. This isn’t something I’m proud of. I want to stop; I need to quit. But I can’t. It hurts when I’m not high. Sobriety makes me feel like Jesus. Like I’m bearing the cross, I feel like I’m carrying it and I can’t put it down, I want to throw it down. But about five minutes after I take some pills I feel like I put it down, but soon after I’m up on my own cross. It’s not as bad as carrying it, but it hurts. You could never understand. Wake up babe. Wake up. Wake up and feel the hangover

Mary: huh what? Oh, I totally did not, did I?

A: Ha no, I wish, you were just way too drunk.

M: okay babe, can you take me home, you don’t have to come in though, but dad’s going to be so pissed.

 A: Can do; let me get my keys real quick

M: My head hurts so bad, do you got any chasers?

A: yeah hold on

M: why do you have so many pills Alex?

A: Mary, we’ve had this talk, I’m doing the best I can, and you know that. Every day I feel so-

M: what are you getting angry at me for, I wasn’t the one who got addicted to pills when I was in the goddamn sixth grade?

A: Don’t antagonize me, I feel so helpless every day and you don’t make it any better. I’d never wanted this.

M: Alex, I’m tired of this. Drop me off at home, we’ll talk later

A: Okay, I’m sorry

 

(Blackout lines said in dark)

 

Father: What the hell are you doing, coming in here so late?

M: I’m sorry I-
F: I don’t give a damn.

M:  Please, Daddy
F: Don’t talk back to me, you b***h.

(Sounds of hits and Mary’ reaction followed by lights up on)

 

A: God, I know you’re not real. No one would curse anyone this life. You left me begging for drugs. You left me with Mary angry at me. You left me praying to you, I don’t even believe in you. I hate you. All in

Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

(Picks up razor and cuts arm lays down Roderick knocks on door)

 

R: Hey, dude. S**t. What the hell is this? S**t Alex. What the hell?  (shakes Alex awake)

A: Rod? What are you doing here?

R: I came over to get my phone from you; you held it for me last night. What the hell did you do?

A: it’s nothing it’s shallow don’t worry about it.

R: Alex, You were over it. What the hell were you doing?

A: I’m just stressed, don’t worry.

R: I’m not playing your little games. You need to get your s**t together. I’m not helping you with this one.

A: I don’t want your help. You just don’t understand.

R: What? Addiction? I understand it perfectly fine. Don’t forget who I am. All you want is attention so you talk yourself down, cut yourself and moan about your addiction. Well guess what? No one cares.

A:  Get out of my room. Get your phone from my truck. Leave

 

(Roderick exits, blackout)

 

Teacher: I dismiss you, not the bell. Essay is due tomorrow, six pages, double-spaced. Have a good day

(Lights up)

 

A: Hey Rod, sorry about last night, I was faced, I was kind of pissed.

R: It’s cool.

M: Hey Alex, sorry about yesterday, it’s just, I worry.

A: I know. I have a habit of pissing off everyone.

M: I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight.

R: Try not to get pregnant

M: shut up

A: Mary, I won’t plant my seed inside of you

M: Thank you sir.

 

(Scene change)

 

M: Alex, we need to talk

A: about what?

M: you need to stop using; I don’t want to have to worry about you.

A: I’ve been trying

M: Don’t try: do.

A: I’m sorry.  (Reaches out and touches her back she cringes) what’s wrong

M: nothing. Don’t- (Alex pulls off her shirt revealing cut up back)

A: Oh, my god.

M: I fell

A: on what? Glass? What’s going on here?

M: I, I, I messed up.

A: what?

M: I came home late, daddy was angry so he cut me.

A: Oh my god, you need to go to the hospital

M: No, I can’t. Last time I went because he broke a few fingers, they started asking questions. I can’t go.

A: Mary, I love you, I’m here for you, but you need to report this.

M: I can’t he’s family. Besides, it’s my fault, I was an accident.

A: Mary-

M: please, just stop. Alex, you can’t tell anyone about this.

A: I love you

 

(Black out lights up)

 

Mom: Alex, you seem really stressed out. You need to be able to talk to me. So, what’s wrong?

A: It’s nothing.

Mo: Alex, I know its a little intimidating being put on the spot but I need to know what’s wrong.

A: Mary, she, her father. He hurt her, bad.

Mo: oh.

A: he doesn’t just hit her. He molests her, he cuts her. He’s done terrible things. I’ve only been dating her a month but I know I love her, I know she doesn’t deserve this.

Mo: Don’t worry; I’ll take care of this.

A: Thank you.

 

(Scene change)

 

Mary: How could you do this to me?

Alex: All I’m trying to do is protect you

M: He’s my family

A: but he keeps hurting you

M: I don’t care I can take it

A: you don’t need to

M: I’m going to lie about the whole thing

A: Mary-

M: I can’t do this

A: Do what?

M: This. Live like this. Trust you. I can’t do it.

A: Mary please, it’s best for everyone if you-

M: You don’t tell me what’s best for me Alex.

 

(Scene change)

 

Mo: Alex, phone for you.

A: Hello? Oh, hi Ms. Johnson. What? How did he-. Oh my God. Yes, I want to attend. I don’t care, I’m going to. Miss Johnson, Don’t, please stop crying. Please stop. Please. Miss Johnson, you can do this. I can do this. I’ll see you when I can. Bye

Mo: Alex, are you okay?

A: Yes, I- Roderick. He, he killed, he committed suicide.   

Mo: I’m so sorry Alex

A: He, he was my best friend. I can’t believe this. I. I loved him. I, I need to be alone for a minute Dad

Mo: I don’t want you to just leave you alone. Alex, try to be strong, what don’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

A: Dad, he was so good to me. I loved him like a brother.

Mo: This kind of thing happens a lot, he didn’t deserve it, but it happened, don’t try to change that.

A: I know, it’s just, its hard okay?
Mo: I know hard, don’t act like you’re the only one with things to go through.
A: Please just leave me alone.

(Scene change)

Mary: Alex, we need to talk.
A: Is this another one of your insightful speeches? Is it another tour into your world where nothing is good enough? I quite drugs, but that wasn’t good enough. I try to help you, but you don’t want it. You’re angry I didn’t help you with your Algebra test because I went to our best friend’s funeral. What more can I do for you?
M: That’s just it. You’ve gotten so aggressive, your just not the same.
A: Pardon me, how could I ever act like that. How could I be angry when all I do is give, give, give, and freaking give? You know what, you’re not the same either Mary. Where is that pretty fun loving girl, where is that partier.  Mary, I love you but your being so callus.
M: What gives you the right to talk like that to me, are you saying I’m not going through anything either. Alex, please try to let yourself smile once and a while.
A: I’m sorry Mary, (kisses her) you know I love you, and you know I’ll be there.
M: Thank you; please try to work on your anger.

(Blackout, lines in dark

F: get back here
M: get your hands off me.
F: I said get your goddamn a*s back here
M: let go

(lights up)

M: Alex please let me in.
A: Mary?
M: he raped me. He raped me.
A: get in here Mary, your safe here. I’m calling the police
M: No, don’t, you can’t.
A: I’m calling the police Mary.
M: Call them and I’m gone.
A: hello? Police. (Mary leaves, fade out)
(Scene change)

Alex: Mary left; I don’t know what happened to her or her father. Roderick was buried in North Ashersville community cemetery beside his father, who earlier in life left the same way as his son would. Rod’s mother, remarried and adopted a little girl named Madeline, she’s the perfect model of beauty, her parents died in a car crash on the way to pick her up from day care one day. As for myself. I had a thought.
                We are all searching for answers. Some through hurting themselves. Some from hurting others. Some wait for it to come. Others give up. Still there are those who search for it 80 mg at a time. No one has ever found an answer, and no one ever will. No matter how hard we try.
                With this thought, I broke free.

Alex strikes Christ pose Mary comes on stage and puts noose around Alex’s neck lifts up rope as to indicate Alex’s suicide

Author's Note

I wrote this a while ago, I haven't done much editing to it after i wrote this. It's kind of touchy to me. If you notice any major mistakes, errors or plot-holes I would appreciate it if you let me know.