Author's Note
Hello, and welcome to a brand new three-part series I'd like to call 'Origins of a Playwright'. If you've read any of my previous works (as I write this I've published 13 stories), or some of my future works (stories I haven't published yet but you read before this one), then you know that I wasn't always a great writer (returning readers will love this joke).
You can find all my published stories (previous or future) on my Page.
As you may already be aware of, 'Tabula Rasa' was the first story I ever wrote. In my other series, 'Origins of a Writer', I talk about how I went from being a non-fiction writer to a fiction writer.
Notice the fact that I am self-labeling myself as a writer? That's the power of Launchora! Or probably the power of being the CEO of Launchora, whatever that power may be. The point being that anyone can become and call themselves a 'writer' on Launchora. Try it out! Call yourself a writer. Do it!
Now, didn't that feel great? Trust me, self-labeling gives a great boost to the good ol' confidence.
Well, this series is about how I went from being a fiction writer to a playwright. Also self-labeled.
In Fall of 2009, the beginning of my third year at UC San Diego, I took a class called 'Intro to Playwriting'. Don't even get me started on why playwrights get to call themselves playwrights while us regular folks have to call ourselves writers.
What do you do?
Oh, me? I'm a Wright.
It Just sounds so much cooler.
Tabula Rasa was the final play I wrote in this class, but before I could get to it I had to write three plays to hone my skills.
This story is the first play in the series. It was written (finished) on October 8, 2009, and is reproduced here word-for-word, typo-for-typo. As always, don't judge my writing, judge 20 year old me's writing.
PPN (Pre-Play-Note): I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm tempted to because I am really excited about this - I'm working on my first play since Tabula Rasa. It's called 'Soul-mates' and is also a sci-fi-ish story with only two characters. The story starts with two scientists - a man and a woman - discussing cloning and whether one can invent a 'soul'. I don't want to ruin the story so I'll just say that the situation goes further than just talking about those topics. I don't know when it will be ready but you can follow me (through my Page, not in real life) to get notified when I publish new stories.
Anyway, here's play one.
PLAY ONE
PROOF OF LOVE
The stage is a lonely park bench. Julie enters. CHERYL, a women in her late-twenties, is sitting on the bench, waiting. JULIE, CHERYL's older sister, enters.
JULIE
I came as fast as I could. I can’t believe this! You’re pregnant! Jim is going to be so happy. You haven’t told him yet, have you? (CHERYL shakes her head) It’s okay. You can tell him tonight. All four of us should get dinner. My treat. We’ll tell them together. This is so exciting! Lucas is going to have a little brother or sister to play with! (sits down on the chair) I don’t understand! You’ve only been married two years and you’re already pregnant agai...
CHERYL's phone rings, she looks at the caller. Her expression changes to concerned.
JULIE
Give me a second...
JULIE exits. CHERYL is alone on stage. JULIE re-enters a few seconds later. She looks upset. CHERYL senses it.
CHERYL
(worried) Jules? Who was that? Is everything okay?
Julie sits down on couch. Doesn’t say anything. CHERYL sits down next to her and holds her hand.
CHERYL
What’s wrong? Say something.
JULIE
(not noticing Cheryl’s hand or presence) I...I..I need to ask you for something.
CHERYL
Anything, Jules. Just tell me what happened. Who was that?
JULIE
This isn’t easy for me, Cheryl. But..I..I need your baby.
CHERYL drops JULIE's hand in shock.
CHERYL
WHAT? Jules..what are you talking about?
JULIE
Cheryl, there’s no other way for me to put this. You’re the only one who can help me. Please, I need this baby. Peter and I need this, or...we’re not going to make it.
CHERYL
(gets up) I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You want me to give you my unborn child that an hour ago I didn’t even know existed? Is that what you’re saying?
CHERYL gets angry and walks away from the bench. Neither speaks for several seconds.
CHERYL
(Calmly, realizing why her sister might be saying this) Julie, you’re my older sister, and I love you very much, but please don’t ask me for this.
JULIE
Why? Why can’t I? You know how much Peter and I need this child in our lives. Ever since the miscarriage...he’s been so distant. I know he blames himself for the accident, and I don’t even know what to say to him. I can’t pretend like it never happened. It was our first child, for god’s sake! We had been trying for six years! And now we don’t even cross eyes...it’s like the baby is still here and it won’t leave us alone. (Breaks down and starts crying, sits on couch) I can’t believe I just said that.
CHERYL
(sits on couch next to her, holds her hand) It’s only been five months, Jules. You’ll be fine. You have Peter. Didn’t the doctor say you could try again in a couple months? It’ll be fine.
JULIE
(looks up) I just saw Dr. Drake this morning. That was him on the phone. He said we could try, but there is a big chance it might never work, because of the complications from the accident...(starts crying again..)
CHERYL
Jules, I’m sorry...I didn’t know.
CHERYL gestures to hug JULIE.
JULIE
(before Cheryl can reach over) I think he’s having an affair.
CHERYL
What? Peter? That’s not possible. He would never do that to you. He adores you! (JULIE doesn’t respond) Did he? You saw him..? Oh my god...should I talk to Jim? Maybe he knows something, he and Peter have been spending a lot of time together since...
JULIE
Cheryl, I am begging you. I need this child. For me. For Peter. For our marriage. Please, Cheryl, I can’t lose Peter, not after everything that’s happened. I won’t be able to take it. It’s just too much.
CHERYL doesn’t say anything, has a worried expression on her face.
JULIE
Just listen to me for a second. You haven’t told Jim yet. Peter knows I went to the see Dr. Drake. I could tell him that we discussed it and you offered to be the surrogate mother. I’ll talk to Dr. Drake and explain everything. He’ll back our story. We’ll tell both Peter and Jim. It’ll be perfect. Everyone can be happy. Please, Cheryl, I need this. You know me, I would never ask you for something like this if the future of my family didn’t depend on it.
CHERYL
Julie, you know I love you. And I would do anything for you. But..this baby...its important to me.
JULIE
You can try again after this one! And its not like you’re giving the baby to strangers, it’ll stay in the family! Lucas will have a cousin to grow up with. Please, Cheryl, Im begging you...only you can help me. I don't know what else to do.
Suddenly, Cheryl breaks down and starts crying.
JULIE
Cheryl? What’s wrong? Did I same something? I’’m sorry, Cheryl, but I...
CHERYL
No, Jules. Its not you. There’s something you don’t know. I never told you...I didn’t think I would have to..not like this at least...and Jim was so happy...
JULIE
What..what are you talking about?
CHERYL
This baby...it’s...Jim’s.
JULIE
(puzzled) What? So..?
CHERYL
Jules, this baby...it’s Jim’s first baby.
JULIE
(confused) I don’t under...(pauses) oh my god...Lucas? Oh my god..
CHERYL
Please don’t tell Peter. Or Jim. It would crush him. He loves Lucas so much. We both do. (pauses) I went to see Dean the night before the wedding. I had to..he was leaving for good. He said he couldn’t stand to see me marry someone else. I told him I loved Jim and that I was sorry for everything. Then one thing let to another...I..
JULIE
(interrupts her) I can’t believe...how could you..? I.. (motions to leave)
CHERYL
Please, Jules. I’m sorry. Please understand. I have to do this..for Jim...I need this baby...
JULIE
(firmly) I can’t even look at you right now. I have to go..
JULIE exits. CHERYL is left alone on stage, crying. Her phone rings. She calms herself and picks the phone.
CHERYL
(on phone) Jim? Did you pick up Lucas? (waits as if listening to the other end) That’s great. Listen, (pauses, as if thinking) I have some news...