Costumes:
Lili: long floral skirt, simple top, scarfs
Guy: oversized dress shirt, ‘peasant’ pants
Props:
- blanket baby
- bed
- box with blankets for baby
- pillows
- radio
Scene 1
Scene begins with Guy and Lili in bed, the stage is in darkness
Lili
(Assertive, not angry)
Please, Guy, not tonight—
Guy
What? What do you mean?
Lili
We can't, I’m not feeling well…
Lights come up just enough to see , but not bright as they don't have electricity.
Guy
Should we call for the neighbors, do you need a doctor?
Lili
No. It's not necessary
Guy
Then why can't I—
Lili
I-I’m with child, I haven't bled. I was sick before you woke this morning, and last week as well, I know it's true.
Guy
Are you sure? What do you mean by “sick”?
Lili
My stomach, I haven’t been able to keep down breakfast in days. And my head, it aches every time I look at the sun. Simply walking pains me.
Guy
Alright, when do you suspect it will come?
Lili
Perhaps during harvest. Thankfully, you’ll be working, and we will have food.
Guy
That's fine.
Awkward silence
Lili
Are you not pleased?
Guy
No, I am, it’s good news.
Guy reaches to embrace her. Lili suddenly pulls away from him in pain.
Lili
I’m sorry, I...feel unwell.
She turns away, trying not to heave. More awkward silence follows.
Lili
(Hesitant) I think I'll be alright, let’s just rest for tonight.
Guy
(Stares at his wife while mostly preoccupied with worry about their finances) Okay.
Lili
Good-night, my love.
Guy
Mm, you too.
Lights fade to black
Scene 2
Lili stands over a crib, quietly humming a lullaby with the child in her arms. She places the baby in the crib and walks over to bed where Guy is already lying down, awake.
Lili
Goodnight Little Guy, sleep well. We need to do all we can to give him more than we had.
Guy
What do you mean? He just an infant, what more could need besides what he already has?
Lili
We need to think ahead, education is expensive, we need to put aside money now. Can you talk to Mr. Assad about getting more work?
Guy
I am already asking for more work than all the other men, I can't ask for anything more.
Lili
Guy, it can't hurt to ask.
Guy
No, it's not worth the risk to seem so needy all the time.
Lili
Guy, put aside your pride for once and think about our home, our baby. I am telling you to ask tomorrow.
awkward silence no. 3, Lili gets up in frustration to check on the child
Guy
Did we wake the child? (Heavy sigh) Perhaps you’re right, I will ask Mr. Assad for extra work tomorrow.
Lili
Thank you, it’d be so wonderful to have any extra money.
Guy
However, it's very unlikely. We shouldn't plan for anymore than what we have now.
Lili puts the baby down and returns to bed.
Lili
Well, we will know by tomorrow.
Guy
Don't get your get hopes up, Lili, we can't afford anymore disappointment.
Lili
What do you mean disappointment?
Awkward silence, the two look away from each other, Guy looks back at Lili however she is still turned the other way.
Lili
(Impatient) What do you mea-
Guy
(shouting) Lili, that's enough.
The baby wakes up and starts wailing (sound) Lili stares at Guy, stunned by his aggression, then shakes her head in disbelief. She walks towards the baby and the scene fades to black as Lili cradles the bay and sings to it. Guy stands on the other side of the stage looking away. As the lights fade, Guy stands with a single spotlight on him. His face shows regret and frustration.
Scene 3
Scene opens in the bedroom, with the baby box moved offstage before the lights go up. The pair are listening to a radio, arguing between music and sleeping. Lili is humming to the song and Guy is prepared for bed. The song ends just as the lights settle in. The music quietly plays in the background of the scene.
Guy:
Lili, we should sleep now.
Lili
Just one more song, I've a had long day. The music helps me to relax.
Guy
(under his breath) You've had a long day?
Lili hears him, music still plays in the background. Lili slowly turns towards him.
Lili
Yes. I did.
Guy
I meant no offense. I just.. I worked all day. I need to sleep. I can’t sleep when the radio is on.
Lili
I spent my day raising our son, taking care of the home. Just as I do everyday...alone—
Guy
(somewhat cutting her off) I know.
Lili
(Snappy. A little sassy) Do you really?
Guy
(Sighs) Yes. Please, let's just sleep… Please.
Lili
One more song.
Lili turns up the music and closes her eyes. She slowly waltzes by herself. Guy leaves the room, obviously displeased. Lili doesn’t react to his frustration. The lights fade to black. The music stays on during the blackout for a few seconds, then fades.
Scene 4
The lights fade up quickly. Lili storms in while Guy trails behind her, clearly peeved by her yelling.
Lili
(On the verge of tears) I can not believe you did that! He bled. That was too far.
Lili runs to the bed and sits down, sobbing into her hands. Guy tries to apologize and touch her shoulder, and she violently pushes him away in her anger.
Lili
(Yelling) DO NOT touch me!!!!
Guy
Lili, he needs to learn. It's what our parents did to us! Why should he be raised any different?
Lili
When we had this child we promised to never be like our parents. We promised to give him more. We wanted to give him the future they couldn’t.
Guy
I just-
Lili
We want to give him a future, not hit him.
Guy
Please sto-
Lili
I mean, what does violence really teach him? What does hitting him tell him about compassion or love.
Guy
Stop-
The tension builds until they are both talking over each other. Finally-
Guy
Grabs Lili by the shoulders and aggressively throttles her, her crying stops.
BE QUIET!
Lili stares at Guy in shock, before sobbing even harder. She turns away from him.
Guy
(With strong regret) Lili...
Lili
No.
Guy
(Stuttering in disbelief) I..I didn't.. I didn't mean it. I don't know. I just got so-
Lili turns back towards him and looks him in the eye.
Lili
How dare you. (Whimpering) You are not the man I married.
Guy
Lili.. I’m.. I’m sorry.
Lili
You are...angry. You're aggressive. You aren't there for your son. You aren't there for me. You don't support the family. We’re hungry, tired. Your son barely knows you. (Moment of silence) I can't… I don't love you anymore.
Guy
(Suddenly angry again)
You're not perfect yourself, so you shouldn’t expect me to be.
Lili
Excuse me? Everything I do is for our son. We both promised a better life for him, just because he has more opportunities than you-
Guy
(Cuts her off)
Don't you dare accuse me of jealousy.
Lili
(Yelling) You know it’s true-
Guy
(Yells over her)
I said, be quiet, Lili!
Lili
(Staring at him) You've probably woken him up again. (Leaves quickly)
Lights fade and a spotlight stays on Guy. The spotlight slowly fades as he stares in Lili’s direction.
End scene
Scene 5
Lili and Guy are together in the house. Lili is tidying up the bedroom while Guy
tries to make small talk.
Guy
I bought some flowers from the women down the street. I left them on the table.
Lili doesn't respond, she is clearly ignoring him. She doesn't look his way.
Guy
Tries again
I talked to Mr. Assad about getting a day off next week to spend time with you and Little Guy.
Lili
(Curtly)
You shouldn't, we need the money.
Guy
I just thought it would be good-
Lili
It wouldn't be. You need to work.
Guy
Alright. Would you like me to buy some vegetables after work for dinner tonight?
Lili
No, I will go.
Guy sits in silence, clearly upset. A few moments go by.
Guy
Do you love me anymore?
Lili looks at him, looks into his eyes, then turns away. She leaves the room and stops just before the door. She hesitates to respond but ends up leaving in silence. Guy sits alone.
Guy gets up and tries to tidy the room, but doesn’t really accomplish anything. The lights fade out.
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