On-going Personal Project_Sample Scene_Friday_by Marie Cantor

Friday

Marie Cantor

Persons in scene

SAM - father, separated from Jay. Has full custody over Claire, 47-years-old.

JAY - Former absent mother; 35-years-old.

CLAIRE - Sam and Jay’s daughter, 13-years-old.

A knock at the front door. SAM is in the KITCHEN, but then moves to open the door.

SAM opens the door. JAY is standing at the door.

SAM

Hey.

JAY

Hi.

SAM

You’re early.

JAY

Only by five minutes--I skipped lunch. Is there something wrong? Is someone here--

SAM

No, no...just surprised--

JAY

Why? You think I can’t be on time like a normal person or?

SAM

No--I’m just saying--

JAY

I know what you’re saying--

SAM

Come on now, I was just trying to make conversation--

JAY

I don’t think so--you’re not a small-talk kind of guy, I think you were trying to make me look like someone I’m not--

SAM

Jay, you know you never had the best track record, now please can we leave it?

JAY

Fine, whatever--

SAM

Great--

JAY

Are you going to let me in?

SAM

Yeah, no of course--come in. She’s still up in her room packing her things. You can sit at the table in the kitchen--

SAM gestures JAY inside and they walk to the KITCHEN

JAY

Why isn’t she ready? Did you tell her when I was coming?

SAM

Well--

JAY

Don’t--

SAM

You asked

JAY

Don’t start--

SAM

Ok--anyway, I forgot to tell you--

JAY

JAY sees a plate of homemade cookies on the kitchen counter

Can I have one?

SAM

Go ahead--

JAY sits down at the kitchen table, SAM stays standing with arms crossed.

JAY

Oh god, these are terrible--did you make these? Jesus, Sam.

SAM

I didn’t--you don’t have to eat them--I’m trying to let you know though--

JAY

Seriously, whoever made them really need a refresher on how to make a cookie. These are dry as hell.

JAY takes out phone to look at it, finishes the cookie.

SAM

Jay--forget the cookie, can you listen to me?

JAY

I’ve been listening! I can chew and listen at the same time, now come out with it--

SAM

Claire has a project due next Monday, so you’ll have to bring her here on Friday instead of Sunday. I want her to have the whole weekend to work on it.

JAY

JAY puts phone down, positions self to be fully facing SAM

What? That’s honestly not necessary. This is my week, Sam. You promised--what’s her project on anyway? I can help her.

SAM

It’s better if she does it here. I’m already caught up on all her schoolwork--it would just be easier.

JAY

This is stupid, she can do it at my place--this is my week. What class is it for?

SAM

You’re making this harder than it has to be. Just bring her back Friday ok?

JAY

Increasingly more irritated

Well, you’re the one taking away two days that I could be spending with my daughter. You promised me a full week this time--this isn’t fair--

SAM

What do you want me to do Jay? I have full control here, ok? And I think it’s best if she’s home where she is most comfortable, so she can do well on this project--that’s it--

JAY

Oh, so you’re saying she can’t be comfortable with me? Ok--I see

SAM

That’s not what I meant--

JAY

I think that’s exactly what you meant--She is very comfortable with me, ok? Very comfortable.

SAM

I’m sure she is.

SAM sits across from JAY at table

JAY

What’s with your attitude? You don’t believe me? Ask her herself--she’ll tell you. We have a lot of fun together.

SAM

I get it, ok--

Looks away from JAY

JAY

We go shopping, we go to the park, she plays with Champ--who she really loves, you know she told me that you won’t get her a dog--and you know what I think that’s super weird and just goes to show I do some right too, yeah?

JAY becomes more aggressive with body language as SAM continues to be avoidant.

SAM

I get it, Jay, ok? I’m sorry--I know she likes spending time with you.

JAY

Damn right--she’s MY daughter too. I’m the one that spent nine hours in labor, she’s MINE.

SAM

I understand Jay--but I’m telling you to bring her back on Friday--Friday night? How ‘bout that?

JAY

Bring her back? What is she a borrowed toy?

SAM

Jay...please…

JAY

You promised me a week. I’m getting my week. I deserve my week, Sam.

SAM

I don’t want to get into this right now.

JAY

Get into what?

SAM

Nevermind.

JAY

No, please. Tell me. Indulge me. My ears are open.

SAM accepts the challenge and turns back to JAY and is more aggressive,

SAM and JAY gradually raise their voice

SAM

Fine, you want to know what I’m thinking?

JAY

Try me--

SAM

Not sure why you feel so entitled to this full week when there were years where you refused my phone calls, refused my invitations--

JAY

Well, I’m answering now--

SAM

Fucking hell, Jay, I even searched for you on the fucking street to pick up your ass for our daughter’s fifth birthday--and you know what you said to me?

JAY

Fuck off, Sam--those were different times--

SAM

You know what you said? You know what you said to me when I found you?

JAY

Whatever--I’ll drop her off on Friday, ok? Happy?

SAM

No, no, now I’m starting to worry that you have some sort of memory loss--tell me--what did you say to me, Jay?

JAY

I don’t remember--

SAM

Right---maybe I can help because I can’t stop it from repeating in my head all the fucking time when you’re around--

JAY

Sam--

SAM

You said--

JAY

Please--stop, please--

SAM

You said...you said…

SAM lowers voice in a whisper

”that kid could be dead on the side of the road and I wouldn’t even look twice”

JAY

That was a different time--I’ve changed. I’ve shown you so many times--

SAM

So many years could go by and that is something I will never forget. Never.

JAY

Fucking hell, Sam--I could barely remember my name back then. I’m stable now. You have no idea how I feel about how I used to be.

SAM

No, I understand you’re probably ashamed, regretful, whatever--but that doesn’t mean I have to forget everything you did in the past.

JAY

I’m not asking you to--

SAM

Then what are you asking me to do? Hm?

JAY

Well, I was asking for a full week--

SAM

No.

JAY

Yeah, I figured. So, are you done? Can I go help my daughter pack?

SAM

You stay here--I’ll help her pack.

JAY

Are you serious? Come on--

SAM

Stay here--have another cookie, I don’t know--I’m going to help her--

JAY

Whatever--

SAM

Friday, no later than 9pm, k?

JAY

Yeah, yeah--

SAM

I’m serious--

JAY

I get it--

SAM exits

JAY takes and eats another cookie. She stands up from her chair and begins walking around the kitchen. Picks up pictures on the fridge to look at them and makes reaction expressions. The picture frames are with SAM and CLAIRE with his current girlfriend. JAY then takes another cookie to put in her pocket and then moves to the front door to wait for her daughter.

SAM reenters the scene with CLAIRE.

CLAIRE is wearing a backpack and has one suitcase

JAY opens up for a hug and CLAIRE hugs her very briefly, then returns to SAM’s side

JAY

Hey baby, so excited to spend more time with you this time! I have so much fun things planned--

CLAIRE

Well...I have a lot of homework..so…

JAY

Yeah--you’re dad told me, but we can still have a little fun, yeah?

CLAIRE

Yeah, I guess…

CLAIRE looks up to SAM

SAM

You’ll be back on Friday, you can work on your school stuff during the weekend, it’s ok--

JAY

Yeah, and the weather is going to be so nice and sunny--I found a cute little beach near my new apartment, we can take Champ--Does that sound fun?

CLAIRE

Yeah. I didn’t pack a bathing suit--

JAY

Oh um,--

CLAIRE

I didn’t know--

JAY

No, no you’re fine. It’s fine, we can just walk around and maybe look for seashells? That sounds nice, hm?

CLAIRE

Yeah--um…

CLAIRE again looks up at her father.

SAM

I’ll see you at the end of the week, yeah?

SAM hugs CLAIRE very tightly. Their hug lasts longer and JAY notices.

Have a great time, I love you--

SAM kisses CLAIRE on top of her head

CLAIRE Love you--

JAY

Here’s my keys, babe--you can put your stuff in there while I talk to your dad, sounds good?

JAY hands CLAIRE keys

CLAIRE

Yeah--bye dad.

SAM

Bye, hun. Love you--see you on Friday--be good--

CLAIRE exits

JAY

You owe me a weekend--

SAM

We’ll see. She has a busy schedule.

JAY

You promised--

SAM

We’ll talk--

JAY

Right…

SAM

This is just how it has to be for a while.

JAY

Yeah...I’ll see you on Friday.

SAM

Be careful.

JAY

You too...because whoever made those cookies is trying to kill you...

SAM

I’ll see you on Friday--

{Short pause}

JAY

I love our daughter, Sam. Seriously. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’m trying to make up for it.

SAM

I’ll see you on Friday

JAY

Ok. See ya’