Worth Fighting For by G Eink ’24 SCENE 1 The scene opens with a married couple sitting on opposite ends of a couch. They are as far away from each other as possible. The man is fidgeting with his hands, slumped with his legs spread on the floor, a very casual position. The woman is sitting with great posture, her hands on her knees. She checks her watch then looks straight ahead. Wife: So, how is this going to work? Are you going to ask us questions or do we just have a conversation and you listen? Therapist (off screen): Would you like me to ask you some questions? Wife: I don’t mind either way. Husband: I have a meeting to get to at 5 so if we can hurry this up a bit. Wife: [turns to look at husband] You are never prioritizing our relationship. Wife: He always does this. He always has to run somewhere and never has time for me. Husband: [groans, slightly interrupting wife] Husband: It’s not my fault my boss scheduled a meeting the same time as you scheduled this [mumbles] waste of time. Wife: I’m sorry can you speak up. Husband: I called this a waste of time. Is that clear enough for you? Wife: Yes. They sit there in silence for a few moments. They both sit there anxiously, shifting and fidgeting. Wife: I guess I’ll start then. Husband: Here we go again. 48 | Spring 2022
Wife [faces husband]: So I’m never allowed to speak. Husband: You never stop speaking. Therapist (off screen): Go ahead Shannon. Wife: Thank you. I would like to talk about lunch last week. Blackout SCENE 2 The scene opens to a small round table with a white cloth covering it. There is a vase of tulips sitting in the middle with 2 lit candlesticks on either side. There are 2 place settings and 2 chairs. One of the chairs is empty and the other is being occupied by the Wife. She is wearing a fancy red dress, pearl earrings, bold lipstick, and her hair is curled. It is a dark restaurant with a slight amount of light on the table. A soft jazz song is playing in the background. The Wife sits at the clothed chair looking at her phone, waiting anticipating the arrival of her husband. She picks her phone up, looks at the time, sets it down, and repeats that several times. The Husband finally arrives wearing paint covered jeans and a dirty white tee. He sits down at the table. Husband: I’m sorry I’m late, work ran long. Wife: I waited for half an hour. Husband: I know, I’m sorry. I lost track of time. But I’m here now. [He reaches for Shannon’s hand.] You look beautiful. Wife: Thank you. [She looks in his eyes and smiles.] I have something for you.
