MOM
(fast-paced)
Hi, it’s me, Mommy. I hate to be a slave
driver, but have you considered picking
up more shifts at the restaurant? Before
you move you need to make sure that
you’re not going to be…Oh, I sent you
an email. Marguerite, my friend from book
club, you know her, a very nice woman, I
really like her, she has a son out in LA,
you know her son, the actor, producer,
writer, he works as an assistant to a
very big real-estate guy in California.
She said that he has really had a lot of
success just by submitting to casting
directors. He just sent in his
information! And got on that reality show
from it. I can’t remember the name. I’m
going to email you his information and
maybe you can get lunch with him. You
never know. Which reminds me, I sent you
an article from today’s
Times
, about
Halle Berry and how she had to call and
call the same producer everyday of, I
think it was
Monster’s Ball Incorporated
,
because they didn’t want to cast her,
they didn’t believe she could do it. She
had to really fight for it, can you
believe that? Halle Berry?! Maybe you
just need to fight for it, because the
truth of the matter is, it’s a struggle
for everybody. All you need is one fairy
Godmother, sweetheart, and I’m sure you’d
take right off. Just keep pushing. But,
maybe try setting a deadline. One year.
You always have a place in Chicago and
Daddy has connections at Northwestern
Med. Think about it. I love you.
Mom walks off. Silence.
_________________________________________________________
AUBREY
So, what have you been up to?
SARAH
You’re lookin at it.
MOM
She’s writing.
SARAH
I’m not writing, Ma.
MOM
I see you.
SARAH
I’m not writing enough.
MOM
Have you looked at that brochure? I left
it on your desk. You are within the
timeline for credits to transfer, it
turns out. Jan’s daughter took ten years
off in between college and law school.
She had to retake a bunch of courses. You
have only been out for four. Plus you
took that practice test and did so well.
AUBREY
You can still do that math? Nerd alert!
GRANDPA
The hospitals now, they give women
doctors time off to have babies!
SARAH
It’s easy.
GRANDPA
Some of them only work three days a week!
AUBREY
When did you become such a
dork
?
Sarah shrugs.
DAD
Stop it. Leave her alone.
SARAH
I’m fine. I’m really fine.
MOM
I have to ask. Don’t yell at me.
SARAH
Then don’t ask.
MOM
No. I’m going to. Has Gabe been
contacting–
SARAH
Ma. Leave it. Yes. He has. Now what?
2.
MOM
Don’t yell at me!
SARAH
Then why do you ask?
MOM
Because I’m your mother! I hate him for
doing that. I just want you to be happy.
The ball is in your court, sweetie! Just
take the ball.
SARAH
God!
Mom gets up to clear the table.
MOM
Okay, okay, I’m done. I won’t say another
word.
3.