T h e d u t y o f l o v e

By Rosario Stefanelli

Theatre.

During their son's 18th birthday party, George and Lisa hand him an unusual envelope. 
"Tom opens the envelope and pulls out a sheet of paper. He begins to read with a smile. Then, looking at his father, his face takes on the features of wonder. George crosses his arms, as does his mother. The boy's face bears an expression of horror. A trickle of sweat disfigures his face. Silence falls. Everyone leaves. Tom is left alone with his parents.
At first it seems like a joke, then Tom realises that it is not. 
"What makes a child mature is the fact that his or her parents take him or her for granted".
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosario
• Release date: Aug 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9791220834131

Book preview

Single Act

CHARACTERS

TOM

GEORGE

LISA

FRANK

MATT

JENNY

Brighton. Terrace of a large hotel overlooking the sea. Eighteenth birthday party. A dozen or so young people are looking towards the adjacent pier. Among them is Tom, the birthday boy, who is hugging Jenny, his girlfriend. The latter, with her make-up on, is holding a tattooed dog in her arms, its ears dangling and pierced with steel piercings.

TOM Beautiful

FRANK What a boat!

TOM I can't wait

MATT A big present!

FRANK How lucky you are

JENNY I wish we had parents like that!

FRANK With this you will conquer the sea

JENNY And freedom my love

Jenny kisses Tom

FRANK We will eat the waves

MATT We will ride the dreams

FRANK We will crush the nightmares

MATT we are already over the wall

FRANK we are already on this endless bridge

MATT Hooray!!

Tom breaks away from his friends

MATT Where is he going?

JENNY To do what we will never do

Tom walks over to his father George, who is standing off to the right. The man is sitting down. He is holding a fishing rod. Tom looks at his father. Then he stares at the jacket and tie hanging on the balustrade of the terrace.

GEORGE What is it? It was hot. As soon as the photographer arrives I put on my armour.

Suddenly Tom hugs him

TOM Thanks Dad

GEORGE Where the fuck is he? I've been chasing that salmon all morning.

TOM Were you already here?

GEORGE Attending, while your mother was slapping waiters and cooks. I lost it, damn it. I can't wait to move to Cascais. I'll be fishing for sardines there. Hopefully as soon as possible.

TOM I hope so.

Tom lowers his head. George, seeing the sorrow in his son's eyes, smiles.

GEORGE We'll get him back in your boat. And then there's always another one after that. Go on, go to your girl

TOM Thanks again

GEORGE Go on, go on

Tom moves closer to Jenny

JENNY I never noticed that T on your daddy's wrist.

TOM He got it tattooed because every time he looked at the time he wanted to remember me.

JENNY That's nice. You're lucky to have a dad like that.

TOM Aren't you?

JENNY Mine's an asshole. I should have an S tattooed on my forehead

Tom's mother with a firm voice pierces the festive air

LISA THE CAKE IS HERE!!!

The boy runs to hug his mother

TOM That must have cost you a lot

LISA I only rented it son.

TOM My friends are going crazy. They can't wait....

LISA I see, I see. (Looking at her husband). Is he still fishing? What are you doing still there stinking codfish

GEORGE I'm rotting in the warmth of idleness

LISA Come in quick

GEORGE Yes, yes, damn it. Haste will bury you all. Boredom will save the fucking world.

George gets up and pulls on the line of the rod, while the boys are still admiring the boat.

LISA Come on boys! You'll have plenty of time to enjoy it.

MATT Hooray!!!

FRANK In search of freedom

Around the cake and Tom, friends and family settle in. Before the boy blows out his candles, his parents hand the boy an envelope.

FRANK Ohhh. Another present

MATT Money

FRANK George and Lisa must have forgotten to refill the tank.

It's total snickering all around. Tom opens the envelope and pulls out a paper. He begins to read with a smile. Then, looking at his father, his face takes on the features of wonder. George crosses his arms, as does his mother. The boy's face bears an expression of horror. A trickle of sweat disfigures his face. Silence falls. Everyone leaves. Tom is left alone with his parents

LISA Why are you sweating?