13/100: Setting the Stage

Parenthood is hard.  There's no question about that.  Though, once you get a system down and the teamwork approach is down to a science, things tend to get exponentially easier.  Then again, there's always that mind-blowing kerfuffle that sneaks up on you and pummels your parenting self-esteem to well below rock bottom.  Thank God for alcohol.

Day 13: Take a moment from your day–any moment–and pretend you’re writing the beginning of a play, which includes Dramatis Personae (the cast), stage information (props, lighting), dialogue and stage directions. What does this structuring do to your area? Do you see things that you previously didn’t see? What kind of theatre would this be performed in?


A LOVELY MORNING

By Brian Conti


CAST OF CHARACTERS



BRIAN:           .................  Man, Late 30's,
                                    Beth's Husband, Aidan's Father 
BETH:            .................  Woman, Early 30's,
                                    Brian's Wife, Aidan's mother
AIDAN:           .................  18-Month old boy,
                                    Beth & Brian's only son
MR. KIRKLY:      .................  Man, late 60's,
                                    Beth & Brian's Neighbor
ADI THE NUDIST:  .................  Man, Late 40's,
                                    Beth & Brian's Neighbor





ACT I

Scene 1



We are in the first floor of the CONTI home. To the left is the front door that opens into the Living Room.  The steps by the front door ascend up into the Bedrooms of the Second Floor, which is hidden from view.  The Living Room is decorated with a minimalist's eye, but cozy and comfortable as well.  A small sofa and two upholstered chairs frame a large fireplace along the far wall, and a corner shelving unit holds a just enough picture frames and books to avoid being cluttered. A large painting with the letters "PRTLND" hangs above the mantlepiece. 


To the left of the Living Room is the Kitchen / Dining / TV Room area. The kitchen is small, but inviting and the Dining Room is centered by a large wooden table with matching benches. There is a sliding door behind the table that leads to an outside deck. A couch and chair are positioned to the far left of the Kitchen. Toys and cardboard books remain scattered across a soft rug in front of the Television. All the rooms are empty. 

Enter Brian from 2nd Floor, carrying Aidan, a bottle, a blanket and wearing pajamas.

BETH: (O/S)
   I just changed his diaper! You know the deal!


BRIAN:
   I'm heading down to feed him now!  He'll be primed
   and ready to vomit all over you in about 15
   minutes. Relax. 


BETH: (O/S)
   You're dead to me. 


BRIAN:
   Okay, buddy.  Let's put you down and get you fed.
   Are you ready for some tunes and tasties?


AIDAN:
   Yeah!

Brian sets Aidan down, switches Hall & Oates onto the Bose and prepares a quick breakfast of sliced bananas, cheerios and a bottle of Almond Milk.

BETH: (O/S)
   Monkey!


BRIAN:
   Coffee, got it!  It's on its way!
               (to Aidan)
   Try not to throw everything on the floor while I
   run this upstairs, okay?


AIDAN:
   Yeah!

Brian pours a cup of coffee and runs it up the stairs. An inaudible conversation can be heard. Aidan continues to babble in the kitchen.

   Ba ba ba...oh. Uh oh! Rah rah vroooom!  Ha ha,
   babaDada...

Doorbells rings. Enter Brian and Beth from upstairs. 

BETH:
   –yoga tonight after work.  I have to be there by 6.
   Will you be home on time?  


BRIAN:
               (opening door)
   Yeah, I'll be here.  Trust me.  


BETH:
               (with a wink and a kiss)
   Uh-huh. 
               (to Aidan, walking into the kitchen)
   Boo boo! What kind of mess are you making for
   Daddy!?

MR. KIRKLY is crouched at the door, each hand holding onto the collar of two dogs; one young Spaniel and one older Husky. 

BRIAN:
   Ah, crap.


MR. KIRKLY:
   Hey Brian, your dogs were on the loose again. I
   think they got through that hole in my fence. 


BRIAN:
   Thanks, Dan.  I can grab them–

In an attempt to hand off the dogs, they slip out of Dan's hands and race into the Dining Room to devour the scraps left in the wake of Aidan's breakfast celebration. 

BETH: 
   Brian!!


MR. KIRKLY:
   While I have you, I just wanted to show you what
   I was going to do about the fence out here. I've
   talked to a few guys that have stopped by to bid
   on the project and I think I may call a few more.
   The thing is...
                 (Mr. Kirkly continues talking)


BRIAN: 
   Uh huh.

The scene around Aidan's highchair becomes increasingly chaotic. Beth does her best to manage it but is quickly losing control. 

AIDAN:
   Waaaaaaa!


BETH:
   Brian!!


BRIAN:
               (slowly closing the door)
   Hey Dan, I gotta run. Thanks again for bringing
   back the dogs.  


MR. KIRKLY:
               (speaking into the narrowing crack of the closing door)
   Okay, I'll let you know about the fence guys. They
   should be here tomorrow–


BRIAN:
   Uh huh. Okay, thanks Dan.  Have a good morning.
               (completely shuts door)

Brian looks back into the kitchen for the first time. Beth is covered in milk.  There are runs in her pantyhose and cheerios in her hair. A slice of banana is smeared across her dress. The dogs are mopping up the spilt milk across the floor. Aidan is laughing hysterically.   

   Oh shit. 


BETH:
   Get these dogs outside, NOW!


BRIAN:
   Okay, okay...

Brian grabs the dogs and shuffles them outside through the Backyard Sliding door and onto the Deck. 

ADI THE NUDIST:(O/S)
   Good morning, Brian Conti!


BRIAN:
   Uh. Hi Adi.
               (Closes Sliding door)
               (to Beth)
   Adi is cooking naked on his deck again.

BETH:
   I want to move.

BRIAN:
   I love you. 

BETH:
   You're dead to me. 

AIDAN:
   Ha ha! Yeah!

THE END