The December People’s Choice goes to…..

The people  have spoken… The December People’s Choice Award goes to Jessica June Rowe for her short play, The Season of Giving, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on December 10th at the Broadwater Main Stage.  Congratulations, Jessica!

Courtesy of Ms. Rowe, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

THE SEASON OF GIVING
by
Jessica June Rowe

THE CHARACTERS

DIANE – Female – 60s – Any race – Family matriarch. Wears an apron over a thick, shapeless Christmas cardigan.

KEVIN – Male – 29 years old – Diane’s son. Professional shit-stirrer, part-time Mamma’s boy.

KATIE – Female – 32 years old – Diane’s daughter. Deeply sarcastic and cynical.

A homey kitchen. A Christmas song plays. DIANE sings along off-key as she rolls out cookie dough. The music fades. The DOORBELL rings/A KNOCK on the door. Diane keeps singing.  Another, longer ring/knock, then KEVIN enters.

KEVIN

What the fuck, Mom!

DIANE

(calmly)  Oh, Kevin, you made it. Finally.

He takes off his scarf, his coat, never looking at Diane.

KEVIN

I was waiting out there like, five minutes. You could’ve told me the door would be open.

DIANE

I wasn’t sure if you were coming, dear.

KEVIN

Don’t “dear” me. I’m only ten minutes late.

DIANE

We have different definitions of “only.” Dear.

KEVIN

Whatever. I beat Katie, didn’t I? I did beat her, right?

DIANE

You did, Kevin. Congratulations. Now come give your mother a hug.

KEVIN

Ugh, fine—wait.

He takes in the sweater, the apron, the rolling pin.

KEVIN

What is happening here?

DIANE

I’m baking.

KEVIN

But you don’t bake.

DIANE

I do now.

KEVIN

You don’t even cook. You suck at cooking.

DIANE

Kevin!

KEVIN

The last time you tried making mashed potatoes we ended up calling Pastor Kirk to come exorcise the oven. Mashed potatoes, Mom.

DIANE

(snapping) That is not what happened and you know it—

KEVIN

The Power of Chives compels you! The Power of Chives—

DIANE

Goddamnit Kevin!

A RING/KNOCK at the door.

KEVIN

(laughing) That’s Katie. She won’t believe this.

He runs out. Diane takes a breath to restore her Christmas zen. Kevin runs back in, pushing KATIE.

KATIE

What the shit—stop it, Kevin!

She stops dead when she sees her mom, hand over her heart. Kevin waves his arms, a Ta-da! motion.

KATIE

Jesus Christ.

KEVIN

She’s cooking! It’s a Christmas miracle!

————

Join us for the Next  Monday Night PlayGround of the season on Monday, January  14, at the Broadwater Main Stage and choose your own favorite. Click here for more info.