The stuff in all caps is lyrics. This is my first play... It's not real good. Critiques welcomed!!!
Blooming in May
Act I
Scene I
CAST:
Margaret (aka Meg) (12-14)
Margaret’s Mother (May/the ghost) (20’s)
Father (Carl) (30’s)
Claudia (late 20’s)
Only in ACTII:
Nick O’Reilly (Greg) (early 30’s)
Priest
Crowd
Margaret: (praying before going to bed) Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guards, to rule and guide. And watch over Father. He means well, beneath all his false pretences of being busy…and caring about me. He must love me somewhere…maybe deep inside. But he pushes me away. I know I remind him so much of mother, it hurts him to look at me. Help me forgive him.
(Goes to sleep, tosses and turns, plagued by nightmares. Wakes up crying. Goes to bureau and takes a picture out of the top drawer.)
Margaret: Oh Mother!
Margaret: OH MOTHER,
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO?
I NEED YOU,
CAN’T YOU SEE IT’S SO?
HOW CAN A GIRL
GROW UP TO BE A WOMAN?
WITH OUT A MOTHER
TO FOLLOW
I NEED FOOTSTEPS
TO TREAD IN
I HAVE NO PATH
TO FOLLOW
I NEED YOUR WISE WORDS,
HUGS AND KISSES TOO,
I KNOW YOU LOVED ME,
AND I MISS YOU.
(Goes to sleep and picture falls from her hand and under the bed.)
Scene II
Margaret: (Hesitantly) Father?
Father: (engrossed with paper) Margaret, we’re having toast for breakfast. I’m sorry; I’m not much of a cook.
Margaret: Where’s Nanny? Surely she’s not sick.
Father: No. Margaret… You know that Nanny’s father has been sick for a long time. He’s gotten much worse and Nanny has gone down to be with him and her mother. I doubt she’ll ever leave them for many years, if ever.
Margaret: Oh dear. She was almost part of the family.
Father: I’ve arranged for a full time Nanny to start next week. Her name is Claudia and she’ll be living with us, in the attic. Claudia will start moving her things in tomorrow if that doesn’t disrupt you schedule.
Margaret: No father.
Father: Good. Now, I have work to do. (Quickly exits)
Margaret: A new nanny. I wonder what she’ll be like. I hope she’s not as crabby as the old nanny. And nobodies lived in the attic for a long time. I’m going to go check it out.
(Margaret ascends the stairs to the attic)
Margaret: I’ve never been to the attic. (Sneezes) This whole room needs a good dusting. And what could possibly be in all these chests? (pulls on the lid of one, but it doesn’t budge. Braces her feet and heaves with all her might.) (dust billows up and Margaret starts coughing.)
Mother: AHHH!!! (wails and flits around the room)
Margaret: Who’s there? (faces opposite ghost)
Mother: (at the sound of Margaret’s voice, the ghost freezes and her head swivels to look at her daughter.) Child?
Margaret: (pivots and takes two timed steps forward) Mother?
Mother: Meg! Come to your mother!
Margaret: (Stays frozen)
Mother: oh meg.
DON’T YOU KNOW ME CHILD?
DON’T YOU KNOW MY FACE?
DIDN’T YOUR HEART,
SAVE ME A PLACE?
Oh child. You truly don’t know me.
I WASN’T THERE,
WHEN YOU NEEDED ME.
I ACCEPT,
FULL RESPONSIBILITY.
YOU GREW UP,
I WASN’T THERE.
IF I COULD HAVE…
WELL, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I CARE.
YOU MAKE ME PROUD
OH MEG, YOU MAKE ME PROUD.
I KNOW YOU DON’T KNOW ME TOO,
BUT I LOVE YOU.
Margaret: Mother, do you mind staying in my room tonight?
Mother: I wouldn’t dream of otherwise.
(face to black)
Scene III
Margaret: (yawn) Mother? Mother! Mother!
Father: (runs in, still in pajamas) Margaret! What’s wrong?
Margaret: Where did, oh never mind. I must have been dreaming.
Father: You’re all right now?
Margaret: Yes father.
Father: (leaves)
Margaret: Maybe it was all a dream…
COULD IT HAVE BEEN A DREAM?
COULD IT HAVE NOT BEEN TRUE?
FOR ONCE SOMEONE CARED.
SHE SAID, “I LOVE YOU”
COULD IT HAVE BEEN A DREAM?
CAN LOVE BE ARTIFICIAL?
COULD IT HAVE BEEN A DREAM?
Mother: COULD IT HAVE BEEN A DREAM?
COULD I NOT BE REAL?
DON’T YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU?
CAN A DREAM HOLD REALATIONSHIPS?
Both: COULD IT HAVE BEEN A DREAM?
I DON’T THINK SO.
(Embrace)
Scene IV
Mother: there will never be a better time to reacquaint myself to this old house.
(She grows more disgusted in each new room)
GREYS, BROWNS!
WHAT HAPPENED TO CARRYING ON?
I LIKE REDS AND YELLOWS.
BRIGHT COLORS TO MAKE ME CHEERFUL!
THIS HOUSE IS SO DEPRESSING.
WHAT CAN I DO?
(storms off)
(in the kitchen, Margaret and her father are sitting at the table, father is reading the paper.)
(the ghost rings the door bell just as the nanny, Claudia comes skipping down the path to the door.)
Father: I’ll get that. It must be the nanny.
Claudia: oh, hello. You must be Mr. Foster. I’m Claudia. (curtsies)
Father: (stiffly) It’s a pleasure to meet you. Come this way. (yells over his shoulder) Margaret!
Margaret: you needed me father?
Father: Yes. Show Claudia to her room. (To Claudia) Is that all the luggage you have?
Claudia: Yes sir. I don’t have much.
Father: Fine, fine. (exits)
Margaret: I’m Margaret Ma’am. (Curtsies)
Claudia: Oh, don’t call me ma’am! You’re making me feel old.
Margaret: I’m sorry; your quarters won’t be very big.
Claudia: I’ll be fine.
I DON’T NEED MUCH.
I’VE ALWAYS LIVED IN A POOR FAMILY
SO THIS LIFE’S A SURPRISE FOR ME.
I DON’T NEED MUCH.
I DON’T NEED FANCY,
I DON’T NEED MUCH.
RICH FOLK DON’T GIVE BREAK,
I LIKE TO GIVE MORE THAN I TAKE,
I DON’T NEED MUCH.
Claudia: Let’s see the attic Margaret.
(Ghost digs in chest until fins her favorite quilt. Fluffs it up and places it on bed.)
Claudia: This space is so wonderful! At my last house, my room was the size of a large closet!
Margaret: where did the quilt come from?
Claudia: what quilt?
Margaret: The quilt on the bed.
Claudia: (fingers it) this is beautiful! So well quilted; But it isn’t mine.
Margaret: Father must have put it there.
Claudia: that was very nice of him.
Margaret: Yes… nice…I have to go. (hurriedly exits)
Claudia: I wonder what that was about.
Scene V
Margaret: (sits at the kitchen table) Nice? Father hasn’t gone out of his way for any one, for… well, as long as I can remember. Why the sudden change? (Sits, lost in thought)
Mother: (sneaks up and places a vase filled with wild flowers on the table and lingers in the doorway.)
Father: (enters) Where did the wildflowers come from?
Margaret: She must have put them there.
Father: Claudia?
Margaret: no, she’s still unpacking. It was mother.
Father: Mother? (quietly) my May. Margaret!
HOW CAN YOU SAY HER NAME SO OFFHAND?
LIKE SHE’S STILL AROUND?
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT HURTS ME,
JUST TO HEAR HER NAME!
MY MAY…
LIKE FLOWERS IN THE SPRING
MY MAY…
MY LOVE,
MY SWEETHEART,
MY SPOUSE.
(starts sniffling)
Margaret: I’m sorry father! (runs to him, but he pushes her away.)
Father: leave me alone! (exits)
Margaret: What have I done?
Mother: (Puts an arm around Margaret’s shoulders) Don’t sweat it. He’s too sensitive dear.
Margaret: He flinches when ever he thinks of you. I try to stay away and leave him be.
Mother: You must make him quite distraught then. You’re the spitting image of me!
Margaret: That’s pretty accurate. He can’t stand to see me.
Mother: That isn’t your fault. He needs to get over me already. Maybe Claudia will be good for him. She’s young…
Both: He’s trying to forget you/me.
Margaret: He thinks if he can ignore you were ever in his life, it will be like you weren’t.
Mother: instead of going through the pain, he has pushed himself away from it, and the world.
Margaret: what can we do?
Mother: Leave that to me. He is my husband after all.
Margaret: Good bye mother.
Scene VI
(Claudia is sleeping and ghost tiptoes in and places a bouquet of flowers on the bedside table)
Claudia: What’s that wonderful fragrance? Oh my! Someone left me a bouquet of flowers!
(Walks to them)
Claudia: Hmm… there’s no tag I wonder who they’re from. Could it be…? No. He’s been so kind though… but the quilt… Would Margaret do it? It doesn’t seem her personality. Who else is there?
(Eyes grow wide)
Claudia: Do you think he’s courting me? Oh dear! Look at the time! Courting me or not, I’ll be out by the seat of my pants if I’m late preparing breakfast on my first day!
(Exits room then enters dining room)
(Ghost is watching from doorway, Father and Margaret are at kitchen table)
Claudia: Good morning.
(Curtsies)
Margaret: Ooh! Bacon and eggs! My favorites!
(Claudia give them each a plate, pours the tea and leaves)
Father: (sips tea and is startled) There’s honey in my tea, and scones.
Margaret: Claudia sure is nice.
(Mother nods although Father can’t see her)
Father: I have to get to work. One of my colleagues sent me a report I need to review...
(Father departs)
(Margaret gives thumbs up to mother then leaves)
Scene VII
(Mother crosses with an armful of lilies)
(Mother crosses with an armful of violets)
Mother: Her room is so decked out with flowers that she smells of them!
(Claudia is sitting upon her bed when Margaret enters)
Margaret: Claudia, I have a question; a boy question.
Claudia: (pats the bed next to her) Come. Ok, what’s the question?
Margaret: Well, You see… there’s this boy who I like, but I don’t know if he likes me back. How can I find out?
Claudia: Hmmmm…
Claudia: LOVE’S A STRANGE DEAL.
Margaret: YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!
Claudia: YOUR HEART IS POUNDING,
Margaret: YOUR MIND TAKES FLIGHT!
Claudia: BY NO RULES DOES LOVE ABIDE,
WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE MASTERED IT,
IT TAKES YOU FOR A RIDE!
Both: LOVE’S A STRANGE DEAL!
Margaret: So… My question?
Claudia: Give him an opportunity to show if he likes you. He might be too shy to say anything outright.
Margaret: Thanks Claudia!
Claudia: (laughs) your welcome!
(Margaret Exits)
(Claudia think for a while, then has a “Eureka” Moment) An opportunity! (exits)
Scene VIII
(Margaret and Father are at the table)
Claudia: (enters) Sir,
Father: Please call me Carl.
Claudia: (blushing) Carl, if it’s ok with you, I’d like to take Margaret to the theatre this afternoon. I was given three tickets for my birthday. It’s a shame one will go to waste. I tried to find someone to accompany us, but alas, I haven’t made any friends here yet.
Father: No friends?!
Claudia: (shakes her head forlornly) No
Father: I think I know of someone who would enjoy a trip to the theatre.
Claudia: (disappointed, she thinks her plan has failed) Oh, who?
Father: Do you mind if I accompany you?
Claudia: Y-y-you sir? Mind? That would be just jolly!
Father: When does the show start?
Claudia: In an hour, but we should leave now if we want good seats.
Father: (Holds Claudia’s coat for her)
(Margaret is gaping and mother, standing in doorway, pushes her forward. Margaret takes father’s hand.)
(all exit)
Scene IX
(Margaret heads up stairs while Father takes Claudia’s coat and clasps her hand. She kisses him on the cheek and he lets her go. )
(Both go to their rooms)
Claudia: HE’S COURTING ME, IT’S TRUE.
NOT I’M IN LOVE, WHAT TO DO?
Father: SHE’S COURTING ME, I KNEW.
BUT I STILL DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Both: I GOT MORE THAN A CLUE… TONIGHT.
Claudia: LOVE’S A STRANGE DEAL.
Father: LOVE’S A STRANGE DEAL.
(both move to center stage and sing last verse as a duet, while waltzing.)
Both: BY NO RULES DOES LOVE ABIDE,
SO WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE MASTERED IT,
IT TAKES YOU FOR A RIDE.
LOVE’S A STRANGE DEAL.
Claudia: Oh! I shouldn’t be here! (turns to leave)
Father: (grasps her shoulder) please don’t go.
Claudia: (turns back to him) Do you love me, Carl?
Father: Love you? I live for you.
(embrace)
(fade to black)
Scene X
Claudia: (Yawns) I hope he hasn’t gone and bought me flowers again. It’s been almost a month straight.
(goes to check)
Claudia: (sigh) He’s too sweet. Roses today.
(picks them up and is surprised.)
Claudia: There’s a card today. (Reads) To Claudia, from your secret admirer. To me, you’re as sweet as roses.
(Blushes and puts roses in a vase.)
Claudia: How romantic.
(exit’s humming)
(Ghost enters)
Mother: AT FIRST IT WAS SET UP,
BUT WHEN THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WANTED,
IT WAS TRUE.
MAYBE,
IF HE CAN GET OVER ME, AND LOVE AGAIN,
HE CAN START LIFE ANEW.
I LOVED HIM,
BUT I CAN’T HOLD HIM DOWN
I WAS ONCE HIS QUEEN
I CAN GIVE UP MY CROWN
I WANT HIM TO BE HAPPY,
HE’S NOT MINE ANY MORE.
I LOVED HIM,
BUT I CAN’T HOLD HIM DOWN
I WAS ONCE HIS QUEEN
I CAN GIVE UP MY CROWN
HE TRULY LOVES HER.
I CAN’T STAND IN THE WAY
IF HE CAN FOLLOW HIS HEART,
LEAVE STUBBORNESS BEHIND..
MAYBE...
MAYBE…
HE CAN LOVE AGAIN.
(exits)
Scene XII
Margaret: Father!
Father: Good morning. Margaret, I was thinking we should spend some time together. Maybe a picnic?
Margaret: Oh. (surprised)
Father: Why surprised, is that a bad idea?
Margaret: You’ve never taken me on a picnic.
Father: I haven’t!? I used to picnic all the time with you and your mother. (get’s choked up) After she died…I pushed my life away from you.
Margaret: Oh, father. I forgave you a long time ago.
Father: It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I make things right.
(embrace)
Father: And today we will go on a picnic. Now, where’s Claudia?
Claudia: (enters with breakfast) Here I am. Carl. Margaret. (acknowledges them with nods)
Margaret: It looks so good!
Father: I was wondering…ih…we were planning…I was going to ask if you…wanted to go with us today-
Margaret: Oh for heavens sakes father! (takes Claudia’s hand) Today we’re going on a picnic. Will you come with us?
Claudia: Thank you, but I really shouldn’t. I have cleaning-
Father: That’s fine.
Margaret: Please? Please come!
Claudia: I guess I can find time to clean later.
Father: I’m so glad you came willingly; I thought I might have to say we were bringing donuts.
Claudia: You silly!
(all exit)
Scene XIII
Claudia: BIRDS ARE SINGING,
THEIR SONGS ARE RINGING,
IN THIS SPRING DAY.
WHERE WE’RE GOING
FLOWERS ARE GROWING UP HIGH IN THE SUN.
Margaret: THE SUN IS BRIGHT
SPREADING ITS LIGHT
OVER ALL THE EARTH.
Claudia and Father: SUMMER’S SPRINGING,
LOVE ITS BRINGING,
TO US ALL TODAY.
Claudia: This place is so pretty! Thank you for taking me here.
Father: I was thinking we could eat by this creek.
Claudia: A creek?
Father: a creek.
Margaret: You can see the fish! And there are stepping stones across.
(Claudia and Father smile at each other.)
Margaret: Claudia, will you stay forever?
Claudia: I’ll be here as long as you need me.
(Father takes her shoulder and spins her against him.)
(they kiss)
(Fade to black)
Scene XIV
(Mother slides a note under Claudia’s and Father’s doors.)
Claudia: A note, I wonder what it could say. (Reads)
MY DEAR CLAUDIA,
I NEED TO TALK TO YOU,
I HAVE AN IMPORTANT QUESTION
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT TOO?
MEET ME
IN MY ROOM
AT HALF PAST SEVEN
Father: A note. It’s from Claudia. (Reads)
MY DEAR CARL
I NEED TO TALK TO YOU,
I HAVE AN IMPORTANT QUESTION
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT TOO?
MEET ME
IN MY ROOM
AT HALF PAST SEVEN
Father: Oh my! It’s already twenty past!
Claudia: (looks at watch) Oh my! Look at the time! I have to fly!
(collide in the hall)
Claudia: Oh! I’m sorry!
Father: No, it was my fault.
Claudia: (quietly) well, what was your question?
Father: My important question? I thought you had an important question. It says right here in the note you left me. (pulls out note)
Claudia: (looks) I didn’t write that. I have no idea who did. You have my word. But what about the note in my room?
Father: I didn’t leave a note. I only came because you said you wanted to talk.
Claudia: I only came because you said you wanted to talk.
(awkward silence)
(mother stands in the doorway, shaking her head. She thinks it isn’t going to work)
Claudia: I guess I’ll go back to my room than.
Father: Wait! (clears his throat) I should have sent you a note. I do have a question. (gets down on one knee) Claudia, will you be my wife?
Claudia: (starts sobbing) Yes. (hugs Father)
Father: You have made me the happiest man in the world.
Mother: BELL ARE RINGING
HEARTS ARE SINGING
HYMNS OF LOVE AND LIFE WORTHWHILE
CANDLE LIGHT’S A LOVELY SIGHT,
WITH SINGERS MARCHING DOWN THE AISLE.
ALL MANKIND
WITH ONE GREAT MIND
UNITES IN FREE
AND JOYFUL SONG
All: BELLS ARE RINGING
HEARTS ARE SINGING
HYMNS OF LOVE AND LIFE WORTHWHILE.
Mother: I can’t believe it. Carl, My Carl really has a heart in there somewhere. (startled) I’m crying! I’m crying for this wonderful couple and their bright, bright future.
Scene XV
Father: You’ll have to move out of the attic.
Claudia: I can’t really believe I’m saying goodbye to this place. (Sniffle)
Father: Is this your chest? (Points to a chest in the back of the room.)
Claudia: No. It was here when I moved in.
Father: It’s open.
Margaret: Let’s see what’s inside!
Claudia: (gasps) (pulls out a beautiful wedding dress)
Father: That was May’s wedding dress. It has been in the family for generations. I thought it was lost forever. And think! Of finding it now! What a coincidence!
Claudia: Yes. What a coincidence.
Margaret: (glancing at Mother, in the doorway, and smiling knowingly) A coincidence.
(Fade to black.)
End of Act I
Gender:
Points: 1949
Reviews: 11