Play # 14

A New Egg

__________________________

By Joseph Frost

Originally written for the 2020 "31 Plays in 31 Days" challenge

Contact:
Joseph Frost
710 Newland St
Jackson MS 39211
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
Member, Dramatist's Guild
 The bottom of the stairs.

Belinda sits on the bottom stair. Steve appears

at the top.

BELINDA
It’s empty.

STEVE
That was the idea, wasn’t it?

BELINDA
Yeah, but I didn’t realize what it would mean.

STEVE
We’re moving, Belinda. It means we have to take all of our stuff to the new place.

BELINDA
I got that.

STEVE
And we have a full truck to show for it.

BELINDA
But no one mentioned... this.

STEVE
What?

BELINDA
Steve. Look.

Steve comes to the bottom of the stairs.

STEVE
Yeah, we’re done.

BELINDA
It’s empty.

STEVE
Well, we know you don’t need to clean your glasses.
 2.

BELINDA
It’s not here anymore.

STEVE
I’m well aware. I am a cog in the machine that moved it all out of here. Every little bit
that you were sure couldn’t be thrown out.

BELINDA
It’s over.

STEVE
What is?

BELINDA
Our life here. It’s over.

STEVE
And thank god for that.

BELINDA
No.

STEVE
Yeah. This place is falling down around us. I’m a little concerned to be down here in
case the stairs fall down and we can’t get out.

BELINDA
I’m worried.

STEVE
No. Don’t say that.

BELINDA
It’s true. I don’t know if we should have done this.

STEVE
I don’t want to say it’s too late, but it kind of is.

BELINDA
Steve...

STEVE
I’m not bringing any of that back into this house.
(beat)
Besides. The Johnsons would be really weird roommates for us.
 3.

BELINDA
I’m serious.

STEVE
So am I. I do not like their kid one bit.

BELINDA
I’m not ready for this.

STEVE
You didn’t really think we’d grow old and die here.
(beat)
No you did not.

BELINDA
I had planned to string your bones together like a biology class skeleton and stand you up
right over there.

STEVE
Where?

She points.

Steve goes to there and stands “like a skeleton.”

BELINDA
I didn’t say you’d look good over there. But it would have been weird to put you in the
bay window upstairs.

STEVE
But you know that’s the best place to have put my skeleton.
(beat)
Or even better...

BELINDA
The new apartment.

STEVE
The new apartment. Overlooking the park.

BELINDA
I’m sure no one will call the cops if I do that.

STEVE
There’s no way my skeleton will be the weirdest thing overlooking that park. For real.
 4.

BELINDA
We’re on the tenth floor. I’m not even sure if the kids in the park will see you.

STEVE
But maybe people with binoculars.

BELINDA
Birdwatchers.

STEVE
And perverts.

A moment.

BELINDA
That creeped me out.

STEVE
Yeah, it gave me snake skin.

BELINDA
We’re getting new blinds now.

STEVE
First thing.
(beat)
It’s gonna be ok. I know you loved this place.

BELINDA
I do love this place.

STEVE
Yes. And keep loving it. But...

BELINDA
But we have to move to the city.

STEVE
The new job is going to be perfect for you.

BELINDA
Are you sure?
 5.

STEVE
Oh, babe. Of course I’m not sure. But we don’t have to be. Our new life is like a new
egg. We’re starting again. Hatching like a new baby chick. We’ll struggle a bit, and
have to re-learn to fly. But I’m so excited to learn this new life with you again.

BELINDA
Yeah?

STEVE
Yeah.

They embrace.

BELINDA
A new egg.

STEVE
It’s a metaphor.
(beat)
Not a good one.

BELINDA
No.

They start to climb the stairs.

STEVE
We’ll stop on the way to get the new blinds.

BELINDA
Bet your ass we will.

They turn out the lights.

End.