Our Place
(A 10-miute Play)
The plot for this play arises from an article entitled “Staying Together by Living Apart” by Glen David Gold (New York Times, June 22, 2018). In view of the article’s revelations, this play dramatizes a scene in the life of one such atypical yet loving couple.
Cast:
NANCY: a real estate agent (listing papers in hand)
MAN: a middle-aged home buyer, married to WOMAN (also holding listing papers)
WOMAN: a middle-aged home buyer married to MAN (holding listing papers in one hand and a purse containing a tape measure)
Time: Present day
Setting: The master bedroom of a home for sale containing only a “bed” (prop)
AT RISE…
DARKNESS.
(NANCY’s voice from off-stage)
NANCY
And last but not least, voilà – the master bedroom!
(NANCY appears, switches on the LIGHT. MAN and WOMAN follow NANCY, and survey the bedroom silently)
(WOMAN walks slowly around the stage, pointing. She peeks offstage [into what is later revealed as the bathroom]. She twirls and circles back to MAN and NANCY)
WOMAN
It’s…it’s – oh dear – it’s just what we’ve been looking for!
(Beat)
MAN
Honey. This is only our first house (Points to papers in NANCY’s hand.) We’ve got eight on our list. And counting…
WOMAN
But if you see what you love…
MAN
Love at first sight? Help me out here, Nancy!
NANCY
(Waving papers)
I’m only too happy to show you all the homes on our list.
WOMAN
But a bird in the hand…!
WOMAN (Continued)
(Pointing down)
Hardwood floors!
(Pointing across)
Bay window!
(Pointing up)
Crown molding!
(Pointing offstage to bathroom)
Double sink vanity! And the hardware!
NANCY
(Consulting papers)
Brushed nickel!
MAN
(To NANCY)
You’re not helping!
WOMAN
I mean, c’mon! Recessed lighting in the living room. The fireplace! Stained glass above the front door! And…and…dare I say it: all within our budget! It’s perfect!
