Happily Married?

This is an adapted play, originally written by one of my college friends, Gavin Collings. I decided to make an adaptation of the devised play as it inspired me. The story is about a married couple. Jack comes home one day from work to find his wife Julie

Happily Married?

 

An Adaptation By Daniel Seal

 

Originally Written By Gavin Collings

 

Characters

 

Jack

Julie

 

Italics – Stage Directions

 

Scene – Living Room

 

Scene takes place in a small flat. A sofa is at the back, centre stage. A coffee table directly centre stage. A chair is stage left. Lights up on stage. JULIE is sat on the sofa crying, looking at some photographs. JACK enters stage right.

 

Jack:

Hello, I’m home.

 

Julie does not look at Jack. She is still crying.

 

Jack:

 What’s up with you?

 

Jack kisses Julie on the forehead. Julie, still crying, does not reply or react to Jack.

 

Jack:

 Come on? What the hell have I done now?

 

She still doesn’t reply.

 

Jack:

 Julie will you answer me?

 

Julie stands up, looking at the photographs.

 

Jack:

(sigh)

 Where’s my bloody tea anyway? What am I having, I can’t smell anything.

 

Julie looks really cold towards Jack.

 

 Julie:

 Who is she?

 

Jack:

(looking blankly)

 What are you talking about. I said where is my tea, I’m starving.

 

Julie:

 Forget your tea, I asked you a question! Who the hell is she?

 

Jack:

 What the hell are you talking about you stupid girl?

 

Julie:

 This s**t that your banging.

 

Julie throws the pictures in Jack’s face. Jack stands there not knowing what to say.

 

Julie:

 Answer the question Jack.

 

Jack turns away for a moment.

 

Julie

JACK? ANSWER THE QUESTION!

 

Jack:

 (really casually)

What?

 

Julie slaps Jack’s face. Pause. They look at each other, then Jack slaps Julie in the face. She falls to her knees.

Jack:

 Don’t you DARE do that again! Next time it won’t be just a slap you daft b***h! What the f**k are you playing at?

 

Julie:

 (crying while she gets up)

Jack who is she?

 

She sits back on the sofa awkwardly. Jack does not answer her.

 

Julie:

 Jack don’t you love me?

  

Jack:

 Love you? I did but not like that anymore, I work my arse off every single hour, every single day to give you what you want and I’m SICK of it, you get everything you want. 8 Years I’ve been married to you. A bloody nightmare.

 

Julie:

 What about you to love me.

 

Jack:

 Don’t be stupid, that died long ago.

 

Julie:

 But Jack…

 

Jack:

 (sarcastically)

Ah you poor little girl.

 

Julie:

(grabbing him)

 I love you.

 

Jack:

 Get off me! You don’t love me. I’m a convenience.

 

He throws Julie on the sofa.

 

Jack:

 Don’t look so upset. You know I’m right. I bring home the money asking nothing in return, giving you a life that you have always wanted and going on to the high street spending money faster than I’m making it. I want more than that!

 

Julie:

 (furious)

MORE?? I clean your clothes, this house, I cook for you, making sure you tea is ready when you come home! It’s not glamorous. I’m shattered when you get home.

 

Jack:

 Oh, so that’s your excuse is it?

 

Julie:

 Excuse for what?

 

Jack:

 Why sex is non existent.

 

Julie:

 You b*****d…

 

Julie attempts to slap Jack again. Jack grabs her hand. She attempts to slap him with the other hand and he grabs that hand to and starts shaking her.

 

Jack:

I DON’T LOVE YOU! I DESPISE YOU! I FEEL SICK JUST LOOKING AT YOU!

 

Julie:

 Jack please, you’re hurting me.

 

Jack:

 I give you what you want to make you happy.

 

Julie:

 Jack please.

 

Jack throws Julie on the floor again.

 

Jack:

 Pack your bags and get out of my house.

 

Julie:

 But…

 

Jack:

 GET OUT NOW YOU STUPID B***H!

 

There is a long pause. Jack sits on the sofa and picks up a newspaper from the coffee table and begins to read. Julie is crying again, still on the floor as she looks at Jack. After briefly reading, Jack looks at Julie.

 

Jack:

Why? What do you want to know? Colour of her hair? How old she is? What she does for a living? Is she a better shag? She’s f*****g great! You’re not even half as good a shag as she is.

 

Pause. Jack puts down the paper and gets up and walks over to Julie and grabs her.

 

Jack:

I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

 

As he picks Julie up from the floor. In fury, she pushes him. He trips and falls backwards banging his head on the coffee table which incidentally knocks him out or even kills him.

 

Julie:

 Jack, Jack, JACK!

 

(Blackout)

 

The End

 

Copyright 2008

Original Copyright 2005

Author's Note

All comments are appreciated. Let me know what you think and by all means, be critical.