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Character List :

MICHEAL ELLIOT

A 42-year-old man, married to Samantha Pearce. He is extremely cunning and has a short temper.

SAMANTHA PEARCE

A 38-year-old woman, married to Micheal Elliot. She is gentle and kind.

JADE LEBLANC

A college friend of Samantha, in her late thirties. She is a spontaneous and outgoing person.

ZACH ELLIOT

The youngest son of the Elliot family. He is very artsy and quiet.

CRYSTAL ELLIOT

The eldest daughter of the Elliot family. She is a sporty extrovert.

Scene: The Dining Room of the Elliot household, during late afternoon.

(At around 6:00 pm, someone rings the bell. In front of the door stands Jade Leblanc, a 5’4 39-year-old who is well known for her spontaneous nature. Samantha Pearce opens the door with a smile, welcoming her dear friend in.)

JADE LEBLANC: Hi, Sammy! (embracing Samantha) It’s been a while. How are you?

SAMANTHA PEARCE: I’m fine, Jade. I’m so glad you could make it today. Come on in.

(walking towards the table)

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (slowly standing) Well, hello, Ms Leblanc. You’re early. How do you do?

JADE LEBLANC: I’m doing great Micheal. Here is a little gift for you both. (handing over a bottle of wine)

MICHEAL ELLIOT: You didn't have to. (gently taking the gift) Please take a seat.

JADE LEBLANC: Of course I did! (sitting down) It has been a long while since I’ve visited my dearest Sammy.

SAMANTHA PEARCE: It sure has, hasn’t it? (smiling at Jade)

JADE LEBLANC: I don’t see the kids. Where are they?

MICHEAL ELLIOT: Oh, right. They are upstairs. Let me call them. (about to stand)

SAMANTHA PEARCE: It’s alright, Crystal told me she’d be down in a moment.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: If you say so.

(Samantha starts arranging the dinner plates while Micheal and Jade continue on having brief conversations. The children make their way to the dining room.)

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (frowning) What took you so long?

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: (nervously) I was talking to my teammate about our upcoming football match. Sorry it took so long.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (furrowing his eyebrows) On your phone? Again? How many times do I have to tell you to NOT use your phone after 5:00!

(the room is filled with silence)

SAMANTHA PEARCE: Oh, let her be for once. As if you ever stop drinking after being told once.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: You really have to bring your nose in every little thing, don’t you?

JADE LEBLANC: (shifts uncomfortably) Haha. (looking towards the kids) Hi fellows, how are you?

ZACH ELLIOT: Hi Ms.Leblanc.

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: Hello, madame.

(The kids take a seat at the table while Samantha serves the prepared dishes.)

JADE LEBLANC: Why, thank you! (taking a bite) This tastes amazing!

MICHEAL ELLIOT: It took her ages to make it.

SAMANTHA PEARCE: At least I do something worth time.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (side looks) Well, how is your business doing, Jade? Any signs of profit?

JADE LEBLANC: (scrunches up her face) It…. It is doing better than last year.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (noting her expression) Did you add too much salt, honey? Again!

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (staring at Micheal) Wouldn’t have happened if SOMEONE had paid mind when I asked them to taste it.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (angrily) You always do this. And now! You have the audacity to blame me!?

JADE LEBLANC: (uncomfortably) I do not think this is something you both should be fighting over. Let alone in front of the children.

(sudden realisation washes over them when suddenly Zach’s spoon falls off the table)

SAMANTHA PEARCE: What the hell, Zach! Can’t even hold a damn spoon?

ZACH ELLIOT: (scared) I.. I am sorry mom.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (rubbing his forehead) For goodness sake.

JADE LEBLANC: It seems I’ve arrived at the wrong moment. I will be taking my leave.

MICHEAL and SAMANTHA: (in unison) Totally not! (smiles)

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (smiling) You rarely visit, don’t go yet.

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: (tugging on Jade’s shirt) Yes, miss, don’t leave yet. (bitter smiles)

JADE LEBLANC: (sits back down) Could you pass me the pepper, Sammy?

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (uncanny smile) Sure, sure. Here you go. (staring at Crystal) Go back to your seat.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (trying to lighten the mood) Uh so, Leblanc, my company was planning on buying some of the stocks–

SAMANTHA PEARCE: Like you could ever afford it. Someone who can’t even afford a decent house wants to buy stocks. Funny.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (loudly) You seem to love getting on my nerves. What have YOU achieved by living in this kitchen? All you ever do is throw around the money I bring to the table!

JADE LEBLANC: (uncomfortably) Forgive me, but I really think I should leave.

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (smiles) It seems we’ve upset you. I’m sorry, dear. You know…. It is a bit difficult, (glancing at Micheal) when others don’t help but always find the time to yell.

ZACH ELLIOT: (whispering) Why are they fighting again, Crystal? Was it because of the spoon? Will they punish me?

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: (whispering) No, Zach. None of this is your fault. They…. They are always like this. As long as Ms Leblanc is here, we’re safe.

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (perks up his ears) What did you say, Crystal?

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: (fidgety) Nothing dad, just telling Zach about my match.

JADE LEBLANC: (interrupting) Anyways, how’s school, dear? Heard you’re the talk of the town. An A-grade student who is also amazing at sports. Are you thinking of pursuing Football as a career?

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: Well–

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (interrupting) Obviously not. She is bound to be a lawyer, just like how I once was.

(Crystal smiles bitterly but doesn’t utter a word)

MICHEAL ELLIOT: Obviously not. She will be a Doctor, like her Grandparents.

(amidst the bickering, Jade speaks up)

JADE LEBLANC: Maybe try asking the person herself? (looking at Crystal) What do you want to be, dear?

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: (slowly speaking) I want to be a professional football player….(a long silence follows)

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (bangs the table and angrily shouts) WHAT DO YOU MEAN? My daughter, a football player!? Are you mad?

JADE LEBLANC: (worried) Micheal, plea–

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (rising from his seat) What is up with everyone disagreeing with me today? What the hell happened to this house? Are you even my family anymore? Is she even my OWN daughter!?

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (shouting) What the HELL, Micheal!? How could you accuse me of being unfaithful!? Even when you shouted, screamed, and raised your damned hand, I didn’t leave! (aggressively) I STAYED! For us, for our children! HOW COULD YOU!? You demon!!!

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (opening the wine brought by Jade) Here we go AGAIN! (pouring himself a glass) Who asked you to stay? I wanted you gone when you birthed a girl.

SAMANTHA PEARCE: (shouthing) GO TO HELL! MICHEAL ELLIOT, I HOPE YOU DIE!

MICHEAL ELLIOT: (scoffs) I bet that will be better than living with YOU!

ZACH ELLIOT: (curling up beside Crystal) What will happen to us?

CRYSTAL ELLIOT: (comforting Zach) Nothing will happen, I’m here.

(Everyone holds their position. Amidst the statues, Jade turns towards the audience with a straight face.)

JADE LEBLANC: Domestic violence affects roughly three out of ten households. Even as we speak, someone out there is getting abused. Domestic violence isn’t a one-time issue, but instead a leech that clings on from generation to generation. It affects not only physically, but also mentally, financially and emotionally. The children who have to suffer through this are always affected with lifelong trauma, causing them to have behavioural problems and psychological issues. We, as members of society, should always raise our voices against these crimes and should help fund organisations working to remove them too.

[CURTAINS CLOSE]