Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet (excerpt) by Elaine Jarvik

Lights up on SUSAN, alone. SHE is carrying a small satchel, is wearing a winter coat, and is working up the courage to knock on a door we can’t see. SHE puts down the satchel and pats her hair. SHE picks up the satchel and arranges her face into a smile. Then isn’t sure about the smile. Finally she knocks. Lights out.

Lights up on SUSAN and HELEN. SUSAN is taking off her coat.

you could die!”. . . .

(beat)

(beat)

(beat)

HELEN rubs her temples.

A silence descends over them.

More silence.

HELEN thinks about the night before, still trying to make sense of it.

(SHE demonstrates, her hands over her heart).

Some silence.

everyone invite Women

gate,

greatest man

.

Trumpets

need

More silence.

you never

order I

I

that her

(beat)

(SHE makes a sad face)

accurate.

HELEN rises suddenly and rushes from the room.

SUSAN rises, reconsiders, sits back down, waits. The way people waited before they had cell phones. HELEN is gone for a long time.

Finally, SUSAN Instagram.

take out a cell phone and begins scrolling, perhaps on

From somewhere we hear ZOE. Perhaps she’s been sitting in the audience and now SHE stands up. doing

ZOE enters.

HELEN rushes back on.

alone

their one minute

(beat)

bumbling