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AFTERSHOCK by Evan Tsitsias
AFTERSHOCK by Evan Tsitsias
AFTERSHOCK
Written by: Evan Tsitsias
Copyright 2019
2 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
Characters
ANNA --------- 35, Female --------- fragile, tenacious, damaged. A dreamer.
GARY --------- 35, Male – charming, sexy, bull in a china shop.
BRAD --------- 35, Male – a quirky, loveable man---child
MOM --------- 60, Female – a Bulldog. Brash, gruff, brutally honest, with a lot of heart
SCENE 1
In black, we hear the sounds of renovation.
A saw hacks away. A hammer hits a nail hard. An electric drill spins
fast. The sounds crescendo into a symphony of renovation. Something
grand is being built. As the sounds climax they suddenly stop.
Nothing.
BECKY Veneers?
MOM That little paint bottle thingy?
BECKY And look at your nose.
GARY Perfect.
BECKY So small.
MOM Bleach?
BECKY And straight.
MOM Those strip watchamacallits?
GARY Like an angel.
MOM Or that thingamajig?/Aw shit - with the light…
BECKY Your nostrils are so tiny.
MOM That blue light thingamabob…
BECKY My nose looks like a cashew.
MOM Laser! That’s it. Shit.
BECKY Or a pecan.
MOM They look like diamonds.
BECKY Your nose used to look like a banana.
GARY Perfect.
BECKY They called you Anna Banana.
MOM You look like such a lady.
BECKY Remember?/
GARY Amazing./
BECKY (chanting it like the kids used to) “Anna Banana”.
MOM Like a teenager again.
BECKY She never looked like that!
GARY Perfect.
BECKY (Chanting again) Anna Banana. Remember?!
GARY Just perfect.
BECKY And your hair.
MOM If I had teeth like that things would have been different.
BECKY Are they extensions?
5
GARY/MOM NO!!
ANNA slowly takes her foot back and stands back in place. GARY and MOM
exhale.
GARY Perfect.
MOM Don’t worry, the doctor says just leave ‘erso I leave ‘er.
She’ll be fine. She’s just playing around anyway. AREN’T YA
BECKY!!
(She lifts up Becky’s arm then let’s go. It flops hard on the
floor.)
See. At least now we got some peace and quite. So we can sit
here and just lookatcha.
GARY Another few minutes. For us. (He sits.)
MOM Don’t you move Annabel. (She sits)
GARY Just stay right there.
MOM You’re teeth are so damn white.
GARY You’re just…beautiful.
MOM Pound of horse shit, I’m telling ya.
ANNA just…stands there. BECKY is still passed out. MOM and GARY just
stare, smiling. So ANNA does too. QUINN does not. They all stay
there. For a long time.
8 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
SCENE 2
A few hours later. ANNA stands in the same spot, her eyes shut,
waiting. The place has been cleaned up a little, including GARY
himself. He wipes the counter with a towel, grabs a teapot and two
mismatched cups and places them on a makeshift serving tray. When he
feels it all looks okay he stops, quickly tucks in his shirt, and
places himself in the perfect spot.
GARY Okay.
ANNA opens her eyes.
GARY Ta da!
She looks around.
GARY I wanted to surprise you.
ANNA You did.
GARY Good. (He slaps his hands together. Hard. ANNA flinches.)
Next to you it everything looks like shit.
ANNA I was hoping you’d like it.
GARY Like? That’s a small word for it. You’re - I don’t know the
word but whatever it is that’s what you are.
ANNA smiles, carefully, lips together.
I’m afraid to come too close. I don’t want to ruin anything.
ANNA You won’t.
GARY You got me so… Like a hurricane in my head. A tornado in my
gut, you know? Look at you. That face. Those legs. Where’d
those legs come from?
ANNA shrugs.
Those are some good legs.
BEAT
It’s a miracle. You’re a miracle.
ANNA smiles again, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.
You don’t have to do that anymore.
ANNA takes her hand away. Teeth exposed.
GARY Beautiful.
ANNA Your voice -
9
ANNA laughs at this. It just bursts out. She surprises both of them.
GARY laughs too. She stops suddenly. Smiles carefully.
GARY Beautiful. Shit that’s not the right word. I need to find one
for you baby. You deserve your very own word.
She smiles. He does too. It’s nice.
GARY I’m glad you’re back. I…missed you.
ANNA is overcome.
GARY Annabel?
ANNA Sorry.
GARY You want a hug?
ANNA What?
GARY I could do that.
ANNA You can?
GARY Yup.
He just stands there.
ANNA Okay.
GARY Okay.
After some negotiation they finally hug. Awkwardly. Carefully. Gary
starts to explore her new body with his hands. ANNA lets him. They hug
and hug until ANNA almost squeezes the breath out of him. He suddenly
10 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
Silence
Oh! We saw a commercial for your episode the other day.
You’re gonna be on TV. Can you believe it? How many times
have we watched that show? And now there you’ll be for the
whole world to see. My Annabel.
ANNA That name.
MOM It’s something huh? You were just Anna before you were born,
but the second I looked at you I said, “Shit she’s beautiful.
She needs a beautiful name.” And someone said “Belle”. I said
it out loud and it was like licking butter pecan ice cream.
“Belle”. Well I just thought that was the prettiest thing I
ever heard. A name’s important. Makes you who you are. You
get a bad name and you’re screwed. You gotta fight it the
rest of your life believe me. But I took one look at you and
I knew…“Annabel”.
12 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
MOM There was no point till now. Annabel’s a lady’s name. And
that’s what you are. A lady. From now on it’s (makes the
rocket launching noise). Can you feel it?
ANNA I guess.
MOM Good girl! The ladies from Bingo are gonna shit I’m telling
ya. They’re gonna just shit themselves! (she laughs)
ANNA You’re laughing.
MOM I know! I heard humming before and I almost grabbed the
baseball bat till I realized it was me.
ANNA I didn’t know you could do that.
MOM Me neither.
ANNA You look…
MOM Ya?
ANNA Pretty.
MOM What?
ANNA You look pretty when you smile.
MOM Huh. Well wouldja look at that. You’re shittin’ me. Who’da
thought? Me... I was a looker when I was your age but now I-
Goddammit this is- aww shit Annabel you’re gonna make me -
Pretty huh? Well that’s- look what you did. I feel like -(she
hums a happy tune) You got me humming for shit’s sake!
She laughs. ANNA watches at first then joins in. They share a genuine
laugh.
Thank you Annabel.
SILENCE
Now let me go finish up. I didn’t want you to see me looking
like this.
ANNA I should change too.
MOM NO! What for? You look perfect just like that. You stay
right there. Just like that statue of Jesus. But with better
teeth. I’m gonna go brush mine till they shine like yours.
13
ANNA nods. After a few moments QUINN relents. She stands there
awkwardly letting ANNA look at her.
MOM I can’t wait to see the faces on those Bingo bitches. They’re
gonna shit! (She hums a happy song)
Another set of honks.
15
GARY You know I hate that shit. Everyone standing around talking
garbage.
ANNA I can’t go alone.
GARY Then don’t go.
ANNA But everyone’s waiting.
GARY Let them. They’re a bunch of losers Annabel. What do they
16 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
GARY You are. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
He carefully kisses her on the cheek. He smiles. So does she.
I’ll be back in a bit baby. I hope you’re here. My angel.
He exits. After a moment ANNA takes a step and quickly stops, one foot
in front of her. She deliberates, then brings her foot back to its
place. She stands there.
17
Scene 3
ANNA stands exactly where she was. She hasn’t moved. She stares at the
front door. There is a new chair that’s replaced the old beaten up
one from the previous scene. BECKY and MOM are eating breakfast at the
table, the TV plays in the corner. Becky is wearing her helmet. MOM
watches ANNA intently while she eats.
BECKY Mother please stop eating so fast. You're making that noise.
MOM I'm having breakfast with a line backer and you’re
complaining? Take that stupid thing off.
BECKY The doctor told me I needed it for my own safety. My black
outs are too… sporadic.
MOM Spo-ra-dic? Shit Becky it's just us here. Talk regular.
BECKY I’m trying to show a little class Mother.
MOM Well the helmet's sure helping.
She laughs, checking to see if ANNA thinks it’s funny too. She
doesn’t.
BECKY See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. I get no support.
MOM (some stupid cheering move) Gooooo Becky!
BECKY I refuse to let you upset me mother. I know you do all this
from…(reciting) “a place of fear and the… inability to
express your love in a positive fashion”.
MOM You don’t even know what that means Becky.
BECKY Rebecca!
MOM You heard that on Oprah.
BECKY Well it’s true.
MOM You can’t just memorize things stupid.
BECKY You’re afraid. Let me help you.
MOM Quit it Becky.
BECKY I’m changing Mother. Whether you like it or not.
MOM I noticed. What you got stuffed in there? You look like a
piñata.
BECKY These are mine.
MOM laughs hard, spilling food from her mouth. She grabs for a napkin
but they are all gone.
18 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
MOM Now where’d all those napkins go? (BECKY slowly reaches into
her shirt and pulls one out and gives it to MOM. MOM waits.
Finally BECKY pulls out a huge wad of napkins.) Stupid stupid
stupid.
BECKY So it’s okay for Anna to fix herself but not the rest of us.
MOM checks to see if ANNA heard this.
MOM It’s Annabel, Becky.
BECKY Rebecca!
MOM Oh quit it.
BECKY At least I’m being…(trying to remember) “pro-active in the
pursuit of my goals”.
MOM Shut it stupid.
BECKY Rebecca!
MOM She's right there. (She turns around and waves at ANNA. To
BECKY) Don’t make her mad.
BECKY She’s just standing there. What about me? (to Anna) Say
something.
Anna opens her mouth but she’s surprised to discover that nothing
comes out.
BECKY Albert?
MOM (in a British accent) Is my e-lo-cu-tion not clear enough
for you?
BECKY Where did you learn that word?
MOM I know lots of words stupid.
BECKY You just watched “My Fair Lady” again didn’t you?
MOM Oh shit I love that gal. (imitates) “therrrrain in spain
stays mainly on the plain”. You two used to love that. Now
that’s a lady. Just like my Annabel.
BECKY Where did you and Albert meet?
MOM Craigslist.
BECKY WHAT!
MOM I put up an ad.
BECKY We don't have a computer.
MOM Went to the library.
BECKY You’re reading now?
MOM Yup.
BECKY And now you have a date? Just like that?
MOM Just like that. Got about three dozen replies. Some horny
buggers out there.
MOM Listen toots, when I want an opinion from an ass I’ll fart.
BECKY Mother, I know that’s your ego speaking. I forgive you.
MOM Organic huh? I saw your ad on there too.
22 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
BECKY freezes.
MOM “Soft kisses on a rainy night, butterfly kisses in the
morning…”
BECKY begins to hyperventilate.
MOM Don’t you start that.
BECKY (Through gasps) Mother…please….don’t…
MOM Quit playing Becky.
BECKY (Gasping)Re…be…cca
MOM Okay then. What was it? Aww shit, I memorized it…Right.
“Tender soul looking for another. Work in progress seeks
patient understanding mate with a huge capacity to nurture a
gentle woman as we navigate the unchartered terrain of love
together.”
BECKY continues to take huge gasps of air.
BECKY Mother!
MOM Next time try to post a picture without the helmet. Maybe
you’ll get more replies.
LIGHTS OUT
23
SCENE 4
ANNA stands centre stage. Hasn’t moved an inch. QUINN enters, doing
her best to make her lunch and leave quickly.
ANNA Hi.
ANNA’s voice is back. She gasps with excitement.
QUINN What?
ANNA Nothing. You're in a hurry.
QUINN I’m late.
ANNA For?
QUINN School?
ANNA Right. Of course. It’s been so crazy around here. Everyone’s
in such a rush.
QUINN Lots to do suddenly.
ANNA I’ve hardly seen you.
QUINN Well here I am.
ANNA You seem-
QUINN Yes?
ANNA Something.
QUINN Okay mom. I’m sorry I seem something. I’ll do my best to not
seem something.
ANNA Quinn.
QUINN Yes?
ANNA It’s me.
QUINN Sure it is, Annabel.
MOM enters in a flurry. Her hair’s been dyed and her nails done. She
looks cleaner.
MOM See you two later. I got another date with Al. He won’t
leave me alone. Who’d of thought? At my age. I’m telling you
Annabel you’re our lucky charm. I should hang you around my
neck. The whole town’s gone nuts over you. You should see the
ladies down at the Piggly Wiggly when I walk in. They clear
the aisle for me. Like Moses and the Purple Sea. Now they’re
all getting their hair done like yours down at the “Salon”.
That’s what they call it now that you’re back. It’s Spanish
I think. They call it “The Annabel”. I’m thinking of getting
24 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
QUINN stops dead. She tries to move but freezes for a moment. She
forces herself to move. Success.
QUINN Yes?
ANNA Presidential.
She grabs her jacket and ANNA notices a bandage on her arm.
ANNA What happened to your arm?
QUINN Just a scratch.
A long moment passes.
Yes?
25
LIGHTS OUT
26 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
SCENE 5
ANNA stands centre stage. Still hasn't moved. GARY places the last
chair, then sneaks up on ANNA and kisses her.
ANNA Okay.
GARY smiles at her.
GARY Okay.
A nice moment passes between them.
ANNA Come here.
GARY Baby I gotta get you some bacon.
ANNA Come here. Please.
He moves to her. He tries to kiss her again. GARY still can’t find a
way to touch her. ANNA grabs GARY’S hands and put them on her body.
He doesn’t know what to do with them and pulls away. They stare at
each other. ANNA grabs GARY and kisses him. Hard. He resists but she
wants it. She puts his hands on her again and moves them inside hers
all over her body. She tries to unzip his pants but he stops her and
pulls away.
GARY Annabel.
ANNA reaches her hand out for him. He reluctantly gives it to her. She
gently lifts his hand to her face. Kisses it. She strokes her cheek
with his hand a little more until she suddenly uses it to cover her
face. GARY lets. He kisses her hard. BRAD walks in, startling them.
He’s an awkward, sweet, genuine, man-child.
GARY Buddy!
BRAD I should have knocked.
GARY No worries. Get in here.
He does. He stares at ANNA – almost terrified.
GARY Well? What do you think?
BRAD makes some sort of noise.
GARY I know. Beautiful right?
BRAD It’s…something.
GARY Perfect right? Like an angel.
BRAD Sure.
29
GARY Stay and keep my baby company will ya? I’ll be back in a
bit. With bacon. For my angel.(To BRAD) Lend me a twenty
(BRAD reaches into his pocket and hands it to him. GARY gives
him a kiss on the cheek) This will get us everything we need
baby. Just like Jesus and the fishes!
He exits.
BRAD You really did it.
ANNA Yup.
BRAD Look at you.
ANNA New and improved.
BRAD You were fine before.
ANNA Fine? That’s…fine.
BRAD Not “fine”.
ANNA It’s, fine.
BEAT
BRAD We missed you at the party. I practiced my face for the big
reveal. It was like…(Shows her.)
SILENCE
BRAD You were gone so long.
ANNA There was a lot to do.
BRAD Look at your nose.
BRAD makes a sound- a squeal- something. He can’t look at her.
ANNA What’s wrong?
BRAD Nothing. It’s just …What happened to that mole on your cheek?
ANNA Gone. (She touches her face where the mole used to be.)
Right?
He makes another pained sound. He looks away again.
30 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
He makes some sort of sound- a moan or, something, but quickly pulls
out a very badly wrapped gift from the back of his pants to recover.
BRAD I got you a gift. “Ancient Ruins of Delphi”. You don’t have
that one.
ANNA That’s…thanks.
ANNA You should see the way he looks at me now. I should be…no…I
will be. I am. Happy. See? (she forces a big smile)
BRAD That’s –
ANNA Happy?
He makes a sound.
ANNA Bradley-
He moans again.
BRAD Oh God!!
BRAD impulsively kisses her. She’s taken by surprise not just by the
kiss but that she lets him do it for a moment or two before pushing
him away. GARY bursts in, armed with bacon. He heads straight to the
stove.
GARY Now we’re cooking. Bacon. For my angel.
BRAD I’m gonna get going.
GARY Plenty to go around buddy.
BRAD It’s okay. (A little too loud and formal to Anna.) It was
nice to see you. Congratulations on all your…I’m gonna just -
umm (To Gary) I’ll see you there. (He just leaves)
GARY See Annabel? What did I tell you? I’m a working man now. You
didn’t believe me did you? It’s okay. I’ll prove myself to
you. I got you something. Been carrying it around with me.
For good luck.
GARY Just like you. Exquificent. (He waits. Anna has no clue how
to respond) You like that? I made it up. It’s exquisite and
magnificent smashed together. BOOM! Just like that. I told
you you needed your own word. I made you one. Exquificent.
BEAT
You’re eggs are ready.
ANNA Thank you.
GARY You’re welcome.
Silence except for the sound of the bacon sizzling.
See? Now this is the way to do it. Cordial. Meaning polite.
“Thank you. You’re welcome.” This Is the way to do it.
THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING! Civilized. I feel like – shit -I
don’t know – but it feels good baby! (He howls) I feel
like…(he does some karate moves)…like that, y’know? Shit.
What the hell did we wait this long for? We could’ve - ah
well, we got plenty of time to make up for it. I mean
34 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
(He laughs as he grabs the pan with the bacon and brings it
to her singing.)
Here you go baby, just the way you like it. Right out of the
pan.
FUCK!
ANNA It’s okay.
GARY Oh shit!
GARY IT’S NOT FUCKING OKAY! (He almost hits her. Almost. He calms
himself. He grabs her hand. Kisses it.) I’m sorry. I didn’t-
shit. Don’t move. (He wraps a wet towel around her hand.
Holds it there for a moment.) Better?
ANNA nods.
GARY Good. That was fucking close baby. You think it’ll leave a
scar?
ANNA shakes her head “no”.
GARY Thank god. Fuck. That was - Okay. Good. It’s all good. My
angel.
ANNA tries to smile at him.
GARY Gonna make you good as new. (He finishes)
There you go. Perfect. My beautiful angel.
BEAT
I have this, thing, inside me. In my gut. This fever. A
35
Now I gotta get to work okay? Make some money for my honey.
ANNA nods.
We’re doing real good Annabel.
He kisses her, but only for a moment. She notices. He heads for the
door. But before he exits…
SCENE 6
Lights up. There are tools around the living room waiting to be used.
More renovations have been done. The place looks much better. Newer.
There’s a little hole in one of the walls. ANNA stares at the hole.
MOM enters, sees ANNA and the blood on her legs and immediately prays
to herself. ANNA catches her.
ANNA Mother!?
She scares Mom half to death.
MOM (Composing herself) Sorry. Shit. Sorry. Yes?
ANNA Were you praying?
MOM God no.
ANNA I saw you.
MOM Okay. Yes. It’s just… (gesturing to Anna’s legs)
ANNA What?
MOM Look.
ANNA Oh. It was an accident. I… It was –
MOM - a miracle!
ANNA What?
MOM A friggin’ miracle. It’s just like the piñata.
ANNA The what?
MOM Pinatas. Those things that people get when they’re touched by
Jesus.
BEAT
ANNA Stigmata?
MOM That’s it! I knew it was something Spanish.
BECKY runs in out of breath from outside. She has a ribbon attached to
her chest. She gasps for breath as she speaks.
As she leaves, she stops, bows to Anna and exits. Anna tries to move
her feet but they are stuck. She tries again, exasperated.
39
SCENE 7
GARY, goggles on, finishes pounding the wall with his sledgehammer.
GARY Well? What do you think?
ANNA What is it?
GARY I’m building you a window. Thought it’d be nice to have a new
perspective. (He waits) Means “point of view”. It’s true,
look it up. Crazy word…perspective. Who thought that up?
Probably someone like me. Waiting. Just looking for a
new…perspective. I got all these ideas you know. These
thoughts. I never used to have “thoughts”. Now I’m like (does
a gesture of thoughts shooting out his head.) I’m gonna find
a way to use them all. These ideas. Make something big.
Finally. For you. Look at you. At us. Imagine what we could
have done. The possibilities. Now’s our chance.
He gives her a gentle kiss on the lips. The sound of a car pulling up
outside.
GARY Aww shit I forgot. Brad got me another job for today.
Drywallin’ or something. Don't care, just want some more
cash. Keep fixing this place up.
ANNA I don't care about that.
GARY I know. That's what makes you, you. My low maintenance
angel.
BRAD enters.
GARY Give me a few minutes.I promised the guys next door I’d help
them with something. Keep my baby company will ya? (He goes
to Brad and whispers) Lend me a twenty? (Brad reluctantly
takes it out of his pocket and Gary snatches it from him.
Kisses him in gratitude.) You’re always there when we need
you buddy. Like a cocker spaniel. (He laughs. Alone. He
exits.)
SILENCE.
BRAD Hello.
ANNA Hi Bradley.
He moans a little.
Don’t.
40 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
BRAD Sorry.
ANNA Please don’t be strange.
BRAD Okay.
He stands there, quiet and motionless.
ANNA It’s not working.
BRAD I’m sorry. I just- (He looks at her, makes one of his
noises and looks away)
ANNA What?
BRAD I can’t look at you.
ANNA Bradley.
BRAD Where did you go?
ANNA Stop it.
BRAD Let me just- (he closes his eyes.)
ANNA Brad -
BRAD If I close my eyes I can-
ANNA Don’t-
BRAD Shhhh. (After a moment) There you are. Oh ya. Those
freckles. You gotta see these. 2172.
ANNA Shit!
BRAD I need you.
ANNA What?
BRAD I can't stop thinking about you.
ANNA Well try harder.
BRAD You make me feel – like – you know- like- (Frustrated that he
can’t come up with the words he does some crazy move to
express it.) Like that. I'm obsessed. Officially. I'm
officially obsessed with you.
ANNA Bradley.
He moans. He can’t help it.
ANNA Brad!
BRAD I love you!
ANNA Don't be crazy.
BRAD Love is crazy.
ANNA No you're crazy.
BRAD Crazy for you. Crazy in love!
ANNA It’s just a phase.
BRAD Since second grade?
ANNA A long one.
BRAD I love you!
ANNA I change my nose and everyone goes nuts.
BRAD looks at her chest.
And my tits! Yes they fixed my damn tits!
BRAD They did a really good job on those.
ANNA STOP IT! Just, stop. Okay. Enough.
BEAT
BRAD You shouldn’t have done it.
ANNA I was a monster.
BRAD Don’t say that! You were…I don’t know the word. But you don’t
need one. You don’t need any words. You’re.. (he makes the
same gesture as before-sparks coming out of her eyelids.)
42 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
Silence.
He heads to the door.
I’m glad you’re back. When you were gone everything seemed
kinda…big. Like, huge. The world seemed too, huge. Or
something. I missed you Anna.
ANNA What did you call me?
BRAD Anna.
ANNA Say that again.
BRAD Anna?
ANNA makes a sound.
ANNA It sounds so safe in your mouth. When Gary says my name I… I
want to be safe in someone’s mouth.
BRAD (whispers) Anna.
ANNA moans and swoons.
ANNA Bradley.
He moans and swoons.
BRAD Anna.
Another set of moaning and swooning.
ANNA Bradley.
And another till the are in a battle of moans and swoons.
BRAD Anna Anna Anna Anna Anna/
ANNA Bradley Bradley Bradley
They kiss. They get lost in it till hey hear someone coming and let go
just in time. BECKY walks in, wearing a new helmet, carrying
groceries. There are a few more ribbons attached to her.
BECKY (muffled) Brafley, I fifnmo you fer heew. (They stare at her.
She takes her mouth guard out and repeats.) Bradley I didn't
know you were here. (She lifts the mouth piece of her helmet
and smiles, big.)
ANNA He was just picking up Gary.
BECKY How nice of you.
BRAD Got him another job today.
BECKY Oh that's so kind of you.
43
Mom enters. She’s wearing a mini skirt and a shirt that’s two sizes
too tight. Her hair’s been dyed and styled to look more like Anna’s.
She looks ridiculous. She thinks she looks incredible.
MOM They migtha fixed yer face Annabel but they sure as hell
didn't fix that mouth of yours.
ANNA I didn't know my mouth needed fixin'. (She catches herself.)
Fixing.
MOM Becky finally got stuffed huh?
BECKY Don't make it ugly Mother. It was beautiful.
MOM Hope you used protection.
BECKY Of course.
MOM The helmet doesn’t count. (She laughs hard. So does Anna.)
BECKY That is not funny! You are hateful. Hateful people, both of
you.
MOM Put it in neutral Becky.
BECKY Mother what are you wearing?
MOM You like it? Al picked it out for me.
BECKY You look ridiculous.
MOM (knocking Becky’s helmet) I look ridiculous?
ANNA Rebecca I’m sorry.
47
BECKY They shoulda fixed your insides Anna. At least before your
face matched. Now you'll fool everyone.
MOM Don’t listen to her Annabel. Her helmet’s squeezing the
sense right outta her and she only had a couple pennies to
begin with.
BECKY Mother, your words of today bear the fruits of my actions
tomorrow.
MOM Well that’s just stupid Becky.
BECKY Mother I’ve done everything I can to improve myself. I’ve
read every book in the library. I’ve taken all the free
classes at the community centre. I’ve volunteered at the
women’s shelter, brought food to the homeless, donated my
last ounce of blood, rescued strays from the street and read
every issue of “O” magazine! But no one’s noticed. They’re
too busy staring at Anna’s face!
Silence.
MOM: Bradley likes to keep it in the family huh?
ANNA Excuse me?
48 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
MOM Better keep my legs crossed in front of him. Don’t want him
getting any ideas.
ANNA Mother-
MOM You gotta good thing going here. Don’t shit on it.
Silence.
Come on we should be celebrating. Today’s a big day. They’re
naming a street after you.
ANNA What?
MOM Annabel Lane. Pretty huh? Wish I lived there. You gotta be
someone special to live on a street with a pretty name like
that. There’s a statue of you and everything. They put you in
the middle of the square so that everywhere we go, there
you’ll be. People looking up at you all day. Some of them are
even praying to it.
ANNA That’s insane Mother.
MOM We have to pray to someone. Why not you?
ANNA But no one’s even seen me.
MOM You don’t wanna let people actually see you. Ruin everything.
If you met Jesus and you heard him fart you think you’d be
able to take him seriously after that? Better to stay right
and let them wonder. Dream. We all need our dreams don’t
we?
ANNA struggles to move her feet and MOM does her best to pretend not
to notice.
MOM I know what you need. Bacon! Oh yeah my little piggy. (she
oinks) Remember? (oinks again.) You used to love that.
ANNA I don’t want bacon Mother.
MOM You can’t say no to bacon.(She grabs the
bacon and slams it in the pan on the stove.) That always put
a smile on your face. (She oinks some more)
MOM Hey you think they’ll wanna interview me when they get here?
Imagine. Me on the TV. Aww shit,I’m gonna get my teeth so
bright they’ll have too. I’ll borrow some of those strip
49
ANNA Yes.
MOM See this one, right in front. Crooked. Pokes out a bit. It’s
awful I know. The second I saw it growing like that I tried
everything to make it straight. I’d hold it all day long.
Twist it. Even tried pliers once. Nothin’ to be done. Just
one crooked tooth right in the middle. And that’s who I’ve
been ever since. All this stuff inside me? Didn’t matter. I
was just crooked tooth.
BEAT
Don’t you see?
ANNA No.
MOM You fixed your crooked tooth Annabel.
ANNA Mother I’ve been thinking.
MOM Oh don’t do that. Nothing good will come of that.
ANNA I want you to do me a favour.
MOM Of course. Anything for you.
ANNA Call me Anna again.
MOM What the hell for?
ANNA That’s my name.
MOM Anna is too plain. You’re fancy. You’re Annabel.
ANNA This isn’t me.
MOM It’s you now.
ANNA It’s all lies. Look.(She pulls out a hair extension.)
MOM Stop that Annabel!
ANNA All those scars. Gone.
MOM That’s what you wanted.
ANNA Like it never happened.
MOM Keep looking forward Annabel. You look back for a second and
you’ll miss what’s coming.
ANNA I know.
ANNA I didn’t-
Silence.
ANNA What?
MOM Why the hell not? We all sacrifice something. You can be
51
BEAT
ANNA Forever?
MOM This is bigger than all of us. Don’t you see? This is
something huge. You’re like… the second helping.
MOM Yes, that’s it. See? You’re psychic too! Oh sweet Jesus thank
you for all your gifts! (she makes the sign of the cross)
Silence.
Now I gotta get going. Getting my hair done again for the
ceremony. Just like yours. In your honour. Maybe they can
add some of those extensions. See what you do Annabel? Every
time I come near you I just wanna be better.
BEAT
ANNA Do you smell that? Like burnt bacon.
MOM Oh god is this another miracle?
ANNA No Mother. The bacon. It’s burning!
MOM Oh shit!(running to stove) Got it! Geez that was close. It’s
still good though. Bacon’ll make it all better. Don’t worry,
it looks like shit but it’s better this way. The burnt part
is the tastiest. Who cares what it looks like, right?
52 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
Anna nods. MOM exits. Anna stands there staring at the plate on the
table, then at the pan. She holds it for a long time till she
finally closes her eyes and quickly slams her hand into the pan,
screaming.
53
SCENE 8
Lights up. ANNA stands there, her hand wrapped in the makeshift
bandage with blood seeping through. More things have been replaced
with new and beautiful décor. QUINN enters.
SILENCE
I want someone to adore me too.
ANNA Someone will.
QUINN Not like this.
ANNA You are beautiful.
QUINN Stop lying!
ANNA You’ll find someone to adore you the way you are.
QUINN Like you did?
Silence. Quinn almost apologizes. Almost. Instead she heads for
the door.
QUINN It means everything! And you know it. You remember that doll you
bought me when I was a kid? You saved up for it for months and
surprised me. She was perfect. Everything about her. I loved that
doll more than anything. Then my friend Jill put some mascara on her
with a permanent marker and ruined it. Her. And I didn’t want her
anymore. I didn’t know why. Couldn’t even look at her. She was
ruined. I was just a kid but somehow I knew. That little bit of
marker. It wasn’t opinion or judgment. It was just fact. You can’t
argue with fact.
BEAT
But you don't have to worry about that anymore. You're
perfect now.
ANNA I'm not even close.
Quinn picks up a hand mirror and puts it in ANNA's face, but ANNA
won’t look.
QUINN Look at that mom. That's what we have to look at. I will
never be able to be that. Ever!
55
ANNA grabs QUINN’s arm. QUINN reacts in pain. She tries to move her
arm away and ANNA struggles with her to pull the bandage off. She
finally does and there are huge scratch marks all over her forearm.
ANNA A scratch?
QUINN Learned from the best.
ANNA God Quinn…
Honk from outside.
QUINN I’m late. (She yanks her arm away and runs out)
ANNA Quinn please. Come back. I can't chase you!
ANNA lets out a scream trying to move her feet. She stands there. She
looks around and sees the hand mirror by her feet. She bends down and
picks it up and looks at herself. Every new inch. It’s the first time
she’s seen herself after the makeover. When she reaches her face, she
stares at it, examining.
ANNA Oh God. You are beautiful.
She looks at herself for a few more seconds, amazed at her reflection,
then quickly smashes the mirror into her face.
56 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
57
Scene 9
BEAT
BEAT
ANNA It’s fine. Everyone’s a little off kilter since I’ve been
back. Forget about it.
BRAD Right.
BEAT
ANNA Accident.
BRAD Okay.
BEAT
ANNA I used to watch that show every day. Every time they’d walk
out at the end everyone was crying. Families hugging and
laughing and then they’d all step into their new lives.
Promises. Plans. Then go to a commercial. I never thought
about what would happen after.
ANNA Brad!
BRAD Yes. Fuck them. And fuck “Annabel”. And her new legs and her
new tiny nose and her new tits. Well actually those are
pretty great, but fuck everything else! Anna was perfect.
With your big nose and your moles and that big gap between
your teeth. I loved that gap.
BRAD Yes. That gap saved me. When we had to do that public
speaking assignment in school? Remember?
ANNA When you broke out into hives and dry heaved all morning?
BRAD Yes. And I got up there and everyone started howling at me.
Even the teacher joined in.
BRAD But I looked out and I saw you. Smiling at me with that big
gap between your teeth. And I got through it. Because of
you…and your gap.
BRAD Vanished.
BRAD Of course you do. Where you gonna store your M&M’s now?
BRAD You’re just a cross around their neck. A bible in their top
drawer. They just pull you out when they need you. You’re my
cereal. My toothbrush. My pajamas. You’re my Anna.
He moves towards her and leans in for a kiss, but just as he reaches
her lips –
ANNA Renovations.
BEAT
Election results today. Right?
QUINN Ya.
Silence.
QUINN I didn’t do this. There are some people that aren’t exactly
thrilled at your transformation.
QUINN You did this for him! Always for him. The rest
of us are just collateral damage.
QUINN Too late Mom. You made your face. Now you have to live in it.
QUINN exits. ANNA struggles hard to get her feet unstuck. They won’t.
She yanks out some of her hair extensions, holds them away from her
and drops them to the floor.
60 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
Scene 10
Lights up. ANNA stands centre stage. There is a curtain covering the
hole on the wall. There’s pounding coming from behind it.
She does. Gary grabs the curtains and yanks them open.
Okay!
Anna opens her eyes. Behind it is a half completed window. A tiny platform
in the middle of it.
Whaddaya think?
GARY Fuck no. It’s a “bay” window. And look at this. Stained
glass. Just at the top. Subtle. For decoration.
GARY With this hammer. Amazing huh? A piece of wood and some
metal. So simple. This thing can change our lives. Whoever
came up with that is a millionaire now. Probably a
billionaire. Fuck.
ANNA A pedestal.
GARY It’s a platform. But I like your word better. Pedestal. Nice.
I built a fucking pedestal. No. An altar. Yes. To worship you.
Your worth worshipping. Right?
GARY Oh ya? Well it’s for you. I realized that new paint and
chairs aren’t a real renovation. It would just be cosmetic.
62 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
She’s not.
SILENCE
To look at you!
SILENCE
Give it a minute.
BEAT
ANNA I’m so stupid.
GARY You gotta let it sink in.
ANNA Stupid stupid stupid.
GARY You don’t like it?
ANNA All these years I thought I was holding you back-
GARY It was just an idea.
ANNA - From your potential.
GARY I never said that.
ANNA That is was my fault.
GARY That wasn’t me.
ANNA But this is your potential.
GARY No Annabel. I got a million ideas.
ANNA What were you going to do Gary?
GARY Don’t say my name like that.
ANNA With all your potential.
63
ANNA Anna.
GARY Anna’s gone! Okay? Dead. She’s not coming back. You’re St.
Annabel. Okay?
BEAT
Give me a smile baby. (She forces one.) My angel.
ANNA Yes. Your angel.
They have a stare – off. Then…
GARY I know I was...neglectful. Is that the right word?
ANNA It’s a start.
GARY I know it. But now you're showing us that we can change. All
64 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
ANNA Beautiful.
GARY’S stands there.
ANNA Come here.
He does. Anna grabs him and kisses him hard.
ANNA Fresh start.
GARY Yes.
ANNA smiles. Then Gary. Just as he leaves –
ANNA It’s enigma.
GARY What?
ANNA The word. It’s enigma.
GARY Oh.
65
GARY (offstage) That’s a good word baby. Sounds more like it.
Restoration. We need to start fresh. Shiny and new. Forget
all that shit.
ANNA is done with her teeth so she picks up the hammer. Holds it for
a moment.
GARY (Offstage) Don’t you think Annabel?
Silence.
Annabel?
ANNA My name is Anna.
She swings the hammer back up to her nose hard as…
LIGHTS SNAP OUT
66 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
SCENE 11
Lights up. ANNA stands centre stage. Blood dried around her mouth and
down her clothes. She is an absolute disaster. ANNA smiles surrounded
by everyone. They are all dressed up to their own version of the
“nines”, except BRAD, who wears the same clothes he always wears.
BECKY is covered almost head to toe in ribbons. MOM has attached
ANNA’s hair extensions to her own hair. They all stare at her. For a
very long time.
ANNA Someone say something.
Explosion of reactions.
GARY Jesus Christ!
MOM Look at you.
GARY What did you do?
BRAD You okay?
MOM What happened to your teeth?
GARY Shit.
BECKY What’s wrong with everyone?
MOM They gone?
GARY Goddammit, there’s a line up outside.
BECKY Why is everyone so upset?
MOM They were like diamonds.
GARY You should see all of them.
MOM Shit how do mine look? (she shows her teeth)
GARY Around the corner.
BRAD You sure you’re okay?
BECKY She looks good to me.
GARY Why Annabel?
BECKY I think she looks better.
GARY (to Anna) How they gonna see you like this?
ANNA They're just teeth.
MOM They still look white-
GARY What are they gonna think?
MOM -The ones you have left at least.
67
ANNA Yes.
GARY That’s what you wanted.
ANNA Yes.
GARY That was your plan?
ANNA Yes!
GARY You fucking monster!
ANNA YES!!!!!!!!
GARY lunges for her and BRAD intercepts. GARY pushes BRAD away and
they struggle…
GARY Stay outta this asshole!
BRAD Apologize.
GARY Get your own family.
BECKY (to Gary) You leave him alone!
BRAD APOLOGIZE!
GARY (to Becky) Shut up stupid!
BRAD Apologize.
MOM I’m the only one allowed to call her stupid, stupid!
GARY (To Brad) What the fuck is it to you?
BECKY Mother that is so sweet.
MOM Shut up stupid!
GARY She’s my wife.
BECKY So sweet. (Moves to hug her.)
BRAD BUT I LOVE HER!
Full stop.
BECKY You… WHAT!?
MOM Oh shit.(She takes Becky’s helmet off her head and puts it on
her own.)
BECKY But you fucked me!
GARY He what!?
BECKY (hyperventilating) A…plain…and…simple…fuck!
GARY lunges for BRAD and they struggle.
70 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
BECKY lunges for ANNA and they struggle. MOM tries to intervene. Arms
and limbs everywhere. Finally…
QUINN STOP IT!!!! (They all stop.) This is what I come from. This
is me.
Silence.
GARY (To ANNA) We finally had a chance. Make things better. What
chance did we have before? With that face of yours? Now look
at you. You think this is better? Honest? Is that it? Well
let’s see what you can do with that face now. Let’s see where
this takes you. Right back where we started. Cause in this
world, your face is all that matters. With a good one, you
can do anything.
GARY (to Brad) You two are perfect together. You can have her.
Take her. Take this ugly bitch. (He moves towards ANNA and
QUINN tries to intervene.)
QUINN Dad!
GARY pushes QUINN out of the way to get to ANNA and ANNA
instantly reacts with a huge slap to his face. GARY reacts, fist held
high. Holds it there. No one moves. He lowers it.
GARY You’re done. Cursed. All of you. Not me. Quinn’s grown. I
served my time.
MOM Watch it.
GARY You think you’re better than me? I’m the asshole cause I
wanted that face of yours. Huh? When I walked into the
71
classroom what did you see Annabel? What did you want? My
soul?
Silence.
Look at me. At this place. See what I can do? What’s inside
me? The potential? I’m a changed man. I’m ready. My chance.
You guys can stay here and rot. I’m not staying to watch.
I’m transformed. Resurrected. Like Jesus. Yeah. I’m just
like Jesus.
GARY leaves.
SILENCE.
MOM He thinks he’s hot shit. But you know what happens to hot
shit? It gets cold. And you know what’s left? Just a pile of
shit.
Beat.
Cold shit.
Silence.
ANNA Here I am. Inside out.
BRAD You look beautiful. Like an angel…fallen from heaven. But
through like, a lot of branches, and thorns, and maybe a
roof, or, something.
Silence.
ANNA I did this. All of it. Stupid stupid stupid. I’m just me.
Anna. Plain old Anna. Sorry.
MOM Anna listen to me. You may never be what I dreamt you would
be, but what you are, is more than I ever dreamed of.
Nice silence between them.
ANNA Fortune cookie?
MOM That Confucius was one smart little shit.
BEAT
What are we gonna do now? Whose gonna save us?
BEAT
BECKY I’ll save you Mother.
MOM Sweet Jesus help us.
BECKY Anna?
ANNA Yes?
72 Aftershock by Evan Tsitsias
BECKY Can I have your clothes? You won’t need them now will you?
(Looking at the blood all over ANNA’S dress.) Maybe not that
one.
ANNA Of course, Rebecca.
BECKY I need a new picture. (to BRAD) For Tinder.
BRAD Rebecca-
BECKY It’s okay Bradley. I’m a woman now. Evolved, you know? Like
a…(she searches)… fish.
BRAD Anna-
ANNA Don’t.
BRAD I just missed you so much. I didn’t -
ANNA I know.
BRAD I love you. Like, a lot. Like huge, gigantic, ginormous love.
ANNA I know.
BRAD I can give you everything. Just not his face.
ANNA I know.
Silence. BRAD exits.
MOM Well here we all are. Like a party. Minus the fun.
More silence.
Well there’s no point in standing here with our thumbs up our
asses. I’m gonna get ready. I gotta date with my Al.
She heads out. BECKY follows.
BECKY I’ll help you Mother. Maybe I can teach you some French. See
I got a ribbon for Best Pronunciation. (she shows her)
MOM Since when do you know French?
BECKY I’ve been taking classes.
MOM What for? So you can say stupid things in two languages?
BECKY Mother that is exactly the kind of comment that pushes me
back two steps –
MOM Ah bring it down to a 5 Becky.
They exit. ANNA and QUINN are left alone.
73
QUINN Yup.
ANNA Quinn!
QUINN Me. President. It’s ridiculous.
ANNA It’s perfect.
QUINN All those people. Staring at me. I can’t do it.
ANNA It’s your turn. Go.
QUINN I can’t leave you here.
Another honk from outside.
Can people change?
ANNA Only if they want to.
QUINN walks to the door. She stops.
Go.
QUINN I can’t do it.
ANNA They’re waiting.
QUINN I can’t.
ANNA It’s out there. Nothing left in here.
QUINN I can’t.
ANNA Take a step.
QUINN I’m scared.
ANNA Just open the door.
QUINN opens the door and tries to move. She can’t. She starts to
struggle. Trying to lift her feet of the ground. She can’t. She’s
stuck to the floor.
QUINN I… can’t… move …Mom.
QUINN cries, struggling to move then collapsing. Feet still stuck.
ANNA watches her, determined to help her. She struggles and struggles
and finally steps out of the spot and moves to QUINN. She lifts her
up, hands on her back.
QUINN Mom?
QUINN tries to turn around, but before she can, ANNA gently pushes her
out the door and closes it behind her. She looks back into the empty
room. At that spot.
She moves to the wall and pulls the curtains. Behind them, GARY’S
shrine has been completed- A bay window with footlights and a tiny
75
pedestal for ANNA to stand on. The sound of a crowd outside. She
looks at it, steps on the pedestal and draws the curtains.
THE END