Inside The Morgan Family: A Play

By Kenechukwu Obi

This play is about a California family.
Mr. Morgan is a widower with two daughters – Joy and Tracey, who are hot tempered and find it hard to get along most times. While Joy works hard at becoming a successful writer, Tracey is all party, fun and sex till she gets impregnated by Jim, her boyfriend........

• Language: English
• Publisher: KenWrites
• Release date: Apr 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9791221325058

Book preview

INSIDE THE MORGAN FAMILY

A PLAY 

BY

KENECHUKWU OBI

CAST

MR. MORGAN

MR. DOUGLAS      - JOY’S BOSS

JOY

TRACEY             MR. MORGAN’S DAUGHTERS

JIM             -      TRACEY’S BOY FRIEND

FEMALE COP

SCENE ONE

  SPOTLIGHT REVEALS THE SITTING ROOM OF MR. MORGAN’S HOUSE ON STAGE. IT IS MORNING. THE SITTING ROOM IS NOT TASTEFULLY FURNISHED. IT CONTAINS AN OLD TELEVISION, A CD PLAYER, TELEPHONE, TWO SETTEES AND A DINNING TABLE WITH FOUR CHAIRS AROUND IT. ON THE DINNING TABLE ARE A JUG AND FOUR TEACUPS. THE ATMOSPHERE IS ONE OF QUIET. THEN MR. MORGAN ENTERS, YAWNING.

MR. MORGAN

[He stops yawning and takes a deep breath] I’ve never slept this soundly for months. [Stretches himself]  I am filled with so much strength that I feel I can jump up and down like a boy of thirteen. [Jumps up and takes another deep breath]  Oh gracious heavenly father, thank you so much for making it possible for me to see this day, the eleventh day of September 2002, right here in Sherman Oaks, California.  I will turn seventy-five, three months from today. I hope the good Lord…. will keep me alive to celebrate it.

[Laughs] Where are my daughters? [He calls out] Joy. Are you still sleeping? Won’t you come out for a cup of coffee?

MR. MORGAN GETS NO REPLY.

Tracey, what about you?

TRACY’S VOICE COMES ALIVE AS SHE REPLIES FROM HER ROOM

TRACEY

Go ahead, Daddy. I will soon join you.

MR. MORGAN

That’s right.

MR MORGAN WALKS TO THE DINNING TABLE; POURS HIMSELF SOME COFFEE AND TAKES A SIP.

MR. MORGAN

[Vociferates after the sip]  How time flies and sends tragedies to annals of history. [Tone turns sorrowful] Time really flies………….

MR. MORGAN SUDDENLY BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS.

I miss her. She was the light on the dark side of me. What a dream that never came true, for I dreamt of Betty and me living long, and sharing the glittering love between us to even its last drop.  What a horrible death that stole her from me. She would have been here now taking coffee with me and keeping me company.  Oh… Betty, I miss you.

SPOTLIGHT DEPARTS FROM MR. MORGAN TO JOY’S ROOM. JOY IS LYING ON HER BED AND ENGROSSED IN SOLILOQUY.

JOY

I have read many of Shakespeare’s plays, of which Romeo and Juliet comes readily to mind. I have read the plays of Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw and Harold Pinter.  [With deep and sincere appreciation] I marvel at their artistries and wonder when I’m going to make it as a playwright. I crave the fame and attention all one’s works bring. When will I be a proud recipient of the prestigious Nobel Prize for literature? Just as Africa’s Wole Soyinka. I’ve read quite a number of his plays. What a talent he is. [Feels sudden surge of confidence within] I will surely make it.

JOYS SPRINGS UP AND JOINS HER NOW SEATED FATHER IN THE SITTING ROOM.

JOY

Good morning, Daddy. [Walks towards Mr. Morgan.]

MR. MORGAN

[Cheerfully] Good morning, Joy! Why not join me with your own coffee? You will be doing Daddy a whole lot of good if you will just spare some time. Listen, Joy, I know you have to go to work, but a couple of minutes won’t be too much to spare for Daddy, I suppose.

JOY

[Kisses Mr. Morgan’s left cheek.] I’m on vacation. You know what,