Troy, a 27-year-old Actor
Mother, a 59-year-old Clinical Psychologist
It is the morning after the night before. Troy arrives at Mothers, looking for tea and sympathy.
Instead Mother opens a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
MOTHER: Baby gurl it’s fine that you didn’t call
TROY: I wouldn’t normally just drop in like this
MOTHER: (Pouring Troy another glass of wine) Mother understands
TROY: I knew you would
MOTHER: You know that I’m here for you young ones
TROY: You must think that I’m a mess
MOTHER: I see someone hurting
TROY: I’m more angry than anything else
MOTHER: You’re angry that you’re hurting
TROY: I just feel stupid. I’m sorry to burden you
MOTHER: There’s no reason to apologise
TROY: I’ve been babbling since I arrived
MOTHER: Is it any wonder
TROY: He just wouldn’t speak to me this morning which is a bit rich? He’s the one messing around behind my back and he decides to cold shoulder me?
MOTHER: So, take me back to the fight last night
TROY: Well, it wasn’t quite a fight, I was asking him about Marlon, and he was denying it. Then when I finally came out with it he went quiet. Just totally clammed up, if that isn’t a sign of guilt I don’t know what is? The more I tried to get him to explain himself, the more he went into himself
MOTHER: And he didn’t try to defend himself?
TROY: No
MOTHER: Or blame Marlon?
TROY: No
MOTHER: I see
TROY: When I got up this morning I thought, he’s slept on it, and has had time to gather his thoughts. Now we’ll talk it through, but he gets up, showers, and is out the door without a bye or leave?
MOTHER: Poor baby, I can see why you’re upset. You know I had a feeling this morning that something was going to happen. You know how I get that dull pain between my temples. Plus, Mercury is squaring Saturn, in Capricorn.
TROY: Is that bad?
MOTHER: I’m afraid it is
PAUSE
TROY: I feel sick
MOTHER: Have you eaten?
TROY: No, I came straight over as soon as Alex left
MOTHER: Then it’s no wonder you feel sick, drinking Mother’s medicine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Let me rustle you up some breakfast
TROY: No, I couldn’t eat a thing but don’t let me stop you
MOTHER: I’ve already had my expresso, and 5 Marlboro lights
TROY: (He feigns a smile) guess it’s clear that me and Alex are over
MOTHER: That’s not for me to say dear
TROY: You can’t expect us to carry on after what he’s done?
MOTHER: I expect you to do what’s right for you
TROY: I’m not sure I know anymore
MOTHER: Did I ever tell you about the time I attacked my first boyfriend Jim, with a knife?
TROY: My god!
MOTHER: Okay, it wasn’t quite an attack more a threaten
TROY: Was he cheating like Alex?
MOTHER: Worse, but hold on, we don’t know that Alex, is cheating?
TROY: It’s what Marlon told me. I wish to god that I’d dreamt it, but I heard it from the horse’s mouth.
MOTHER: And Alex denied all knowledge of having gone out with Marlon?
TROY: He said that it was just ‘a thing’
MOTHER: I need another glass to help me think straight
He pours himself another glass and offers to refresh Justin’s glass but Justin refuses
MOTHER: Don’t be afraid to feel what you’re feeling. You might need to rebalance your root chakra
TROY: All I can feel is anger
MOTHER: Good, it means you care. But I’m still intrigued as to your piece in the puzzle
TROY: How do you mean?
MOTHER: I wanna know what’s going on for you?
TROY: For me?
MOTHER: Yes, it’s interesting that you picked last night to start such an important conversation
PAUSE
MOTHER: Work with me, we all know that Alex is a stickler for going to bed early, and yet you decide to have a heavy discussion
TROY: You don’t know him. Sometimes I have to wait until he has finished all his school work, and unwinds before I can get any sense out of him
MOTHER: You’re missing the point
TROY: Surely the point is my boyfriend has a fuck buddy that he forgot to tell me about
MOTHER: MMmm
TROY: MMmm? Mother you’re supposed to be on my side
MOTHER: And I am, which is why I’m trying to get you to observe your actions
TROY: I was trying to get to the truth!
MOTHER: True, but we need to pick our moments
TROY: Anyone would think that it was all my fault
MOTHER: It takes two to Tango
TROY: I’m the one whose……..
MOTHER: Try some active listening, I’m just saying that maybe the situation could have been handled differently
TROY: Fine. I could have handled it better. But it’s done now, finished, game over
MOTHER: And here’s something else to consider. Maybe it’s for the best
Troy looks stunned at what Mother just said
TROY: Do you think so?
MOTHER: I do
TROY: Wow, I wasn’t expecting that
MOTHER: No, you were probably expecting the poor Justin speech, about what a dog Alex is, and how he’s disrespected you
TROY: I thought maybe….
MOTHER: And what a bitch Marlon is for doing that behind your back. Then we’d probably go on and decide to completely blame Marlon and get Alex off the hook. No, I think Marlon, and Alex have done you a favour
TROY: Really?
MOTHER: Yes
TROY: Why?
MOTHER: Where do I start? Well for one Alex is way too old for you
TROY: There’s seven years between us that’s not…..
MOTHER: Plus, you’ve always said that Alex is your first serious boyfriend
TROY: That’s true but……
MOTHER: So, it’s obvious
TROY: What is?
MOTHER: That you need to play the field a bit before settling down
PAUSE
TROY: You really think so?
MOTHER: Absolutely
TROY: (Disappointed) oh
MOTHER: So that’s that settled.
TROY: Erm….
MOTHER: You said that you were staying at Tunde’s tonight well that’s a good move. Get away from Alex, don’t spend another day under the same roof as him
TROY: But….
MOTHER: No buts chile. Move out, and don’t look back
SILENCE
MOTHER: Are you sure you don’t want any more wine?
PAUSE
TROY: I’m speechless
MOTHER: There’s really nothing else to say
TROY: Move out?
MOTHER: Immediately
TROY: I was just going to stay at Tunde’s, and
MOTHER: And have Alex come running after you and beg you to come back? No, listen to Mother, Mother knows. Leave him!
TROY: But what about Alex?
MOTHER: What about him?
TROY: He’s no good on his own
MOTHER: Well he should have thought about that before he started messing around behind your back
TROY: I don’t think you’re being fair
MOTHER: I’m only going on what you’ve told me
TROY: Yes, but there’s more to Alex than that
MOTHER: He’s a cheater, a two-timing adulterer
TROY: Don’t say that
MOTHER: But you said………..
TROY: I said a lot of things. Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m saying let alone thinking. I feel confused. He’s not perfect I’ll be the first to say that but he’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I’ve learned more from him in our first six months than all the other guys I’ve known put together. Yes, he’s got his ways, but he doesn’t mean any harm. He doesn’t even know what he’s doing half the time he’s so caught up with his school work. He really cares about those kids, and I care that he cares. Who’s going to care for him if I move out? Who’s going to make sure that he remembers to eat when he has all that marking to do? Or take him away for a weekend to recharge when he’s exhausted? No, you’re wrong Mother, normally I respect your judgement but this time your way off beam. I know that our situation looks bleak but there’s got to be a way forward. I’m not going to throw away our five years together fuck buddy or no fuck buddy
MOTHER: Are you quite finished?
TROY: Yes, I think I’ve said all I want to say. I can’t believe this, normally you’re so empathetic, and yet here you are hating on Alex! Well I’m not having it. Not until I’ve got him to open up, and fully heard his side of the story
MOTHER: Well, if that’s how you feel
TROY: It is
MOTHER: Fine
TROY: I’ve taken up enough of your time
MOTHER: If you say so
TROY: I’ll get me coat
Troy leaves the room to get his coat
MOTHER: (Quietly to himself) mother you’re a genius!
Troy returns
TROY: I’m going then
MOTHER: Okay hon
TROY: (Searching his pockets) Have I got everything?
SILENCE
TROY: Did you really mean all those things you said about Alex?
MOTHER: What things are those dear?
TROY: That I should leave him immediately
MOTHER: No
TROY: Then why……
MOTHER: I needed to know how you really felt about him. You arrive here this morning saying that you hated him. Then you end up by defending him. You wouldn’t even join me in trashing him
TROY: You deliberately….
MOTHER: I deliberately wanted to know how you felt, and it seems to me honey child that you still love that man. And when we love someone as fine as Alex we need to fight for them
TROY: But…
MOTHER: No buts! Go and talk to him, go and hear his side. Then decide if your relationship is worth saving
TROY: (Relieved, and close to tears) mother, I don’t know what to say
MOTHER: Sometimes words are not necessary. Now hug Mother and run along
They embrace, and Troy exits
MOTHER: (Smiling to himself) I think that deserves another glass of wine. My work here is done
Troy BlackOut
Troy doesn’t have a recent thumbnail because:
A) He’s wanted in seven states
B) He looks like Quasi-modo
C) He’s shy
D) He’s an aspiring writer who prefers to be invisible so that he can people watch
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