Intervention - Playscript

INTERVENTION1

A One-Act Play2

By Emily J. Vieweg3

CHARACTERS (in order of appearance)4

LINDA Mother, 40s5

MILDRED Grandmother, 60s6

DAVID Father, 40-50s7

COURTNEY Daughter age 23, married8

JASON Son, age 20, single9

ANDY Son, age 1610

SCENERY11

Unit set – Living Room – Kitchen – Dining Room separated by half walls.12

Living Room – Needs sofa, a couple chairs13

Kitchen – needs stove, oven, etc.14

Dining Room – needs five seats and table.15

Scene 1 – Early/Mid November16

LIGHTS UP17

We see Linda, 40s, preparing a large dinner in the kitchen, talking on the telephone and holding a dishtowel over her left hand.  She is dressing her hand in a white cloth, and, unable to find anything else to hold the cloth on, she finds duct tape and an oven mitt.18

LINDA: (on the phone)  Courtney, please…  No, it’s just a little burn… no, I don’t need to…  I put water on it, dear.  Yes, yes, luke warm.  My dear, I gave birth to you I think I can handle a small grease burn on my own.  Calm down, dear…  yes, I promise I’m fine.  No, please don’t…  (ENTER MILDRED from ‘hall’ stage right)  Courtney, there is no reason to fly…  yes… yes…  Courtney… yes, dear…  Have a safe trip…  say hello to William for me and we’ll see you in a few days.  Yes, dear.  Mmm hmm.  Good bye, darling.  (hangs up phone)19

MILDRED: Courtney got frantic, I told you not to tell her, my dear.20

LINDA: Yes, mother, I know.  She’s always been one to worry.21

MILDRED: Well, she takes after your husband.22

LINDA: Mother, not now.23

MILDRED: Yes, yes, alright.  Where IS David?  Shouldn’t he be home by now?24

LINDA: Another meeting at the office, he shouldn’t be too late.  Eight o’clock, maybe.25

MILDRED: Really, my dear, you should talk to him.26

LINDA: Why?  It doesn’t bother me.  I get some extra time to myself.27

MILDRED: Well I certainly would be worried if…28

LINDA: (cutting her off) HE’S NOT… Mother.  (beat)  Would you help me set the table?29

MILDRED: Certainly, my dear.  Now what do you have for us tonight?  What makes tonight special?30

LINDA: Well, it is Thanksgiving.  We’re having turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes, and… my goodness, everything else.31

MILDRED: Thanksgiving is not for another week and a half, and it happens on Thursday, not Monday.  Why celebrate it now?32

LINDA: Well, the kids all have other plans, so David and I are doing it now.33

MILDRED: Oh, how horrible!34

LINDA: Mother, please.35

MILDRED: Now, Linda, you must know that a regular family has children that come HOME for Thanksgiving, not run off and make other plans.  To celebrate it on any other day would be…  SACRILEGE!36

LINDA: Mother, we’re celebrating a hostile takeover of the Native Americans.  I’m certain THEY have no interest in when OUR FAMILY celebrates the beginning of the persecution of their way of life.37

MILDRED: I think I’ll set the table.38

LINDA: (smiles, a small laugh under her breath)39

MILDRED: Is Andy coming tonight?40

LINDA: (hesitates) No, mother, he isn’t.41

MILDRED: Ah, Courtney is still out of town, and Jason?42

LINDA: Auditions.  He’s not expecting them to take long.43

MILDRED: Well, gracious, if no one is going to be here for this, why are you cooking?44

LINDA: (snapping) I needed something to do!45

MILDRED: My dear, you have been quite out of sorts lately.  46

Whatever is the matter?47

LINDA: Nothing, mother.  It’s just been a hard week, that’s all.  Preparing for the kids coming and such.48

MILDRED: Well, my dear, it’s the lot in the lives of the women in our family.49

LINDA: Oh, mother… (phone rings)  ugh…  (wipes her good hand on a towel)50

MILDRED: Do you want me to get that, darling?51

LINDA: (crosses to phone)  No, no, mother, I have it.  (picks up receiver)  Hello…  yes, this is she…  yes, I’ll accept the charges…  (smiles, relieved)  Andy… (turns away from Mildred)  Yes I know… No, I didn’t…  Really?  Yes, I have the number, do you need to speak to him…  Alright, I’ll call him.  Yes, alright.  Take care of yourself.  I’ll see you Tuesday at four o’clock.  Yes.  Alright.  Mm hmm.  G’bye son.  (hangs up phone, returns to kitchen, checks the oven)52

MILDRED: What is it?53

LINDA: It’s nothing.54

MILDRED: Well alright, if you insist.55

LINDA: How has your chess game been, mother?56

MILDRED: Oh, it’s coming along.  Unfortunately, I’ve been defeated the last three weeks.  That Janice Wilson is really on top of her game.  She must be taking lessons or something.57

LINDA: Ah.  Didn’t you beat her this summer?58

MILDRED: Yes, yes, several times.  She must be taking lessons from someone.59

LINDA: (smiles, mind is elsewhere) Must be.60

MILDRED: (comforting but confronting) My dear, why didn’t you tell me that Andy was in trouble?61

LINDA: …62

MILDRED: Now, I may not be fifty anymore, but I do know a few things about the world and how it works, now please.  Tell me what’s happened.63

LINDA: It’s private, Mother.64

MILDRED: Linda, if it’s about my grandson…65

LINDA: (interrupting) We will let you know after things have settled down.66

MILDRED: Dear, you know Andy holds a special place in my heart.67

LINDA: (sitting) Yes, I know.68

MILDRED: He is the youngest grandchild, darling. Now, what has happened?69

LINDA: He’s… been arrested.70

MILDRED: Oh, Linda…71

LINDA: I don’t know what to do.72

MILDRED: Is it the drinking again?73

LINDA: (begins to speak)  Well, ah…74

(ENTER DAVID with briefcase and a dozen roses.)75

(LINDA turns as the door opens, leaps into his arms)76

LINDA: I thought you were going to be late tonight!  (they kiss 77

passionately)78

DAVID: I thought I’d surprise you!  (hands flowers to Linda)  These are for you.79

LINDA: Oh, how lovely!80

DAVID: And this… (hands over a cactus)  is for my dear mother-in-law.81

MILDRED: (sarcastically)  Why thank you, son-in-law.82

LINDA: Oh, David, stop it.  (takes flowers to kitchen, puts them in a vase)83

MILDRED: Well I suppose you two have things to talk about, so I’ll take my leave.84

DAVID: You’ll be back for dinner yes, Mildred?85

MILDRED: Yes, yes, I’ll be here.  Seven o’clock.86

LINDA: (hugs Mildred)  See you this evening, mother.87

DAVID: Bye, Mildred.  (she leaves)  What is this about needing to talk?88

LINDA: It’s nothing, really.  (checks the stove)89

DAVID: (hovers over Linda at stove)  Mmmmm… what’s for dinner tonight?90

LINDA: Remember?  We’re having Thanksgiving early.91

DAVID: With none of the kids?  Our OWN holiday!92

LINDA: (smiles) So what do you think about that, love?93

DAVID: I love it!  I have my wife back for an evening!94

LINDA: (flirty laugh) How was work, honey?95

DAVID: Same ole same ole.  How about you?96

LINDA: Oh, not bad…97

DAVID: (sits at the table)  (beat) Minor in Possession?98

LINDA: (pause, almost shocked but relieved) (nods)99

DAVID: (sighs)100

LINDA: I don’t know what to do anymore, David.101

DAVID: Love, I don’t either, but we can’t keep doing this.  102

LINDA: I have his attorney’s phone number.103

DAVID: We can’t keep bailing him out of trouble.104

LINDA: We’re his parents, we have an obligation.105

DAVID: If he breaks the law, it’s his life.106

LINDA: I can’t just accept that.  We have to help him.107

DAVID: He’s not being helped.108

LINDA: He wants to go into rehab.109

DAVID: He told you this.110

LINDA: Yes, he did.111

DAVID: How much.112

LINDA: It’s a six month residential program, with daily meetings afterwards.  113

DAVID: How much?114

LINDA: After the six months he’ll be able to go to a halfway house.115

DAVID: HOW MUCH!116

LINDA: Seven thousand.117

DAVID: My God.118

LINDA: David we can’t deny him this.119

DAVID: Maybe we need to let HIM pay for it.120

LINDA: How would he pay for it?  David, this is his last chance.  If he doesn’t do this, he’ll stay in jail.  He’s sixteen, honey, how can he stay in jail?121

DAVID: He’ll LEARN a thing or two in jail!  He’s dropped out of school and has been on the streets, and he STILL gets us to pay his tab!  NO!  We cannot DO this anymore.122

LINDA: (crying) I can’t leave him there.123

DAVID: WE HAVE TO!124

LINDA: I can’t!125

DAVID: (comforting) Linda, honey.  He can’t make it out there on his own, and we can’t allow ourselves to be taken advantage of anymore.126

LINDA: I need to check the turkey.127

DAVID: Honey, we need to talk about this.128

LINDA: Can you see if the potatoes are ready?129

DAVID: Linda…130

LINDA: Oh, and take the biscuits out of the fridge.  131

DAVID: LINDA!  (grabs her.)132

LINDA: NO!  (She falls into his arms, weeping madly.  He holds her)  133

DAVID: We have to stop.134

(Linda shakes her head.  David holds her face and nods.  Linda shakes her head wildly.  David lifts Linda to the table.)135

DAVID: Let’s have some dinner, love.  You worked so hard.136

LINDA: (nods) I did spend a lot of time.  (sniffs)137

DAVID: Love, I know this is hard…138

LINDA: Let’s just sit, please?139

DAVID: Yes, you sit.  I will bring it to the table.  (turns to kitchen)140

LINDA: I can’t just ignore him, David.  Not when he’s asking for help.  141

DAVID: We’ll talk about it later, after dinner.  For now, let’s eat.142

LINDA: (holds his hand, doesn’t let go)  I love you.143

DAVID: I love you more.  I love Andy too.  You know that, baby.144

LINDA: (comforted) I know.  (squeezes his hand, lets him go to kitchen)145

LIGHTS OUT 146

Scene 2 – Three months later, Late February147

LIGHTS UP HALF148

We hear fumbling with the door as Linda, David, Courtney and Jason walk in.  Jason and Courtney are in the middle of an argument.  Everyone is wearing winter coats.  As they come into the house, the kids shed their coats and drop them on the floor.  Linda and David hang their coats in the closet/on coatrack.149

LIGHTS UP FULL150

COURTNEY: Jason, it’s not possible!151

JASON: Yes it IS.152

COURTNEY: You are so stupid!  You are an imbecile!  There is no way…153

JASON: Sorry to tell you this, sis.  But it’s true.154

COURTNEY: PLEASE give me a break…155

JASON: Here’s a Kit Kat bar.156

COURTNEY: You are such a jerk!157

JASON: I try.158

COURTNEY: There is no way he could ever outdo him.  No way!159

JASON: Yes, I tell you he WOULD.160

DAVID: (takes off his coat)  Kids, please stop.  You all are too old to argue about such things.  And pick up those coats, please!161

JASON and COURTNEY: (picking up coats) 162

Dad, come on.  // Oh, come on, Dad.163

LINDA: (sits at the dining room table) Your father is right, children.  Cyclops couldn’t defeat Wolverine.164

COURTNEY: Told you!165

JASON: Witch.166

LINDA: JASON!167

DAVID: Alright, now.  Please, remind me, how old are you both?168

JASON: Twenty169

COURTNEY: Twenty-three170

DAVID: Stop acting like children, help clean up.171

LINDA: Thank you.  Courtney, could you straighten up the living room, and Jason, please go into the guest room and make the bed.172

(Courtney straightens pillows, Jason leaves down “hall”)173

DAVID: (to Linda) How you doin, honey?174

LINDA: I’m okay.  It’s been nice having the kids home for a change.  175

(Courtney leaves down the “hall” after straightening pillows on the sofa)176

DAVID: Well, Courtney’s here for a couple weeks, and Jason doesn’t start rehearsals for his show until February, so that gives you two weeks to have your kids.  I’m just sorry William and the grandkids couldn’t come.177

LINDA: Yes, well, William has work and the kids have school.  William said Courtney needed a break.178

DAVID: Andy looked good.179

LINDA: Yes, he did.180

DAVID: He’s going to be okay.181

LINDA: I’ll believe it when he’s home and sober.182

DAVID: He’s been sober for eighty-eight days.183

LINDA: One day at a time, honey.  He has a month left.184

DAVID: Four.185

LINDA: One month, David.  We paid for four months total.186

DAVID: Love, he’s there for four more months.187

LINDA: (realizing) David!188

DAVID: I’ve taken on a few more clients, and they’ve paid up front.189

LINDA: (hands to her face)190

DAVID: (takes her hands) I’ll be working late every night for a couple months, but you’ll have the kids here for a few weeks, anyway.191

LINDA: Oh, David.  (they embrace)192

(Courtney and Jason come in from the hall.)193

COURTNEY: Mom I was just… eww…194

JASON: Courtney, what are you whining about now…  195

COURTNEY: Well, just…  LOOK! (pointing to Linda & David, locked in a passionate kiss)196

JASON: Oh, grow up.  You do more than that with Will in front of your kids.197

(Linda and David grin as they pretend to ravage each other on the couch, fake moaning, YES! YES! OH BABY!  etc)198

COURTNEY: (over the “screams”)  My kids are three and six, they think picking the nose is cool.  Smooching isn’t gross to them.  But these are MY parents who I swear only had sex three times in order to have children!  199

JASON: YEAH DAD!  Go for it!200

COURTNEY: Jay!  201

DAVID: (laughing with Linda) Alright, that’s enough.202

LINDA: (laughing)  Oh, alright.  Courtney, could you turn the crock pot off, my dear, and set the table, please?203

COURTNEY: (shuddering, then clapping) Okay!  Sure, mom.204

(silence fills the room – until it is no longer bearable, then…)205

JASON: Andy looked good today.  (Linda and David jump, startled)206

COURTNEY: Yeah, he did.207

JASON: You’d-a never thought he was a drunk.208

DAVID: Jason!209

COURTNEY: Jason, you’re such an asshole.210

LINDA: Kids, now, come on.  Andy as been sober for eighty-eight days, he has four months left in rehab, then he’s off to the halfway house.  Now, if you all don’t mind, this is a happy occasion.  Let’s eat.211

Knock on the door, enter MILDRED.212

MILDRED: Hello, hello-oo!213

COURTNEY: Gramma?  (goes to door) What are you doing here?214

JASON: (under his breath) Oh Lord.  (David smacks his head)  Ow!215

DAVID: (to Jason) Shut up.216

LINDA: Mother, we weren’t expecting you tonight!  (goes to Mildred, hugs her)217

MILDRED: Yes, I know, but I heard you were going to see Andy today, so I thought I’d stop by and see how he was doing.218

DAVID: He’s doing well, please, Mildred, have a seat.  Beef Stew tonight.219

MILDRED: Oh, thank you, David, but I can’t stay.220

JASON: Oh come on, Gramma, stay.  Mom didn’t cook tonight.221

DAVID: (smacks Jason’s head again)  Stop it.222

MILDRED: Jason you are a nasty little thing.223

JASON: (big grin, folding his arms) Learned it from dad. (stinging look from David)  Okay okay!224

LINDA: Please, mother, join us.225

COURTNEY: Yes, gramma, dinner’s all ready.  I’ll get you a plate.226

MILDRED: Well, if you don’t mind.  Tell me how Andy is doing.227

COURTNEY: What is it mom, eighty-eight days?228

LINDA: (nods) He’s looking great, Mother.  How’s daddy doing?229

MILDRED: (rolls eyes)  Oh, the same. Just as ornery as ever.  Tell me about your visit with Andy.230

JASON: It’s a hospital, not much to tell.231

DAVID: Jason…232

MILDRED: Jason, you are horrible.  You should show some respect.233

JASON: Oh… 234

COURTNEY: Jason you say another word and I’ll punch you in the face.235

JASON: Oh, I’m so scared.236

LINDA: Grow up, please!  237

MILDRED: Maybe I should go?  (starting to go from table)  238

COURTNEY: (bringing crock pot from kitchen into dining area)  No, gramma, please stay.  He’s just upset because he hasn’t seen Andy so screwed up.  He’s doing really well, Jason just doesn’t see it.239

MILDRED: Well of course it’s hard. (flips napkin and places on her lap)  When Grampa was in the hospital it was hard for all of us.240

LINDA: (nods) Yeah, I remember.  That was a nasty time.241

MILDRED: (spooning stew onto her plate) It was pretty bad.  But we got through it.  It wasn’t easy.  Just back and forth between good and bad, just miserable for everyone.  (sighs)  (beat)  Who will say grace?242

DAVID: I will. (Everyone join hands and bow heads as lights dim)  Dear Lord, we thank you for the food we have and for the family we have here tonight.  Lord bless this family and all those who are not here with us tonight, and see they are happy and healthy.243

(LIGHTS OUT)244

Scene 3 – Six months later - July245

LIGHTS UP 246

Linda and David are sitting in the living room.  Linda is doing bills at the dining room table while David sits on the sofa with a newspaper.  The windows are open, birds are singing. 247

LINDA: David, did you mail the payment for the water bill last month?248

DAVID: Yep, I did.  On the tenth.249

LINDA: Hmmm.  It hasn’t cleared yet.  I’ll have to call them tomorrow.250

DAVID: Huh.  That is strange.  Usually it clears a week after we mail it.251

LINDA: I know.  252

(knocking on the door)253

DAVID: I’ll get it, honey.254

LINDA: Thanks, babe.255

(knocking continues, stops, David answers door.  Door opens, we see Andy in jeans & t-shirt)256

DAVID: ANDY!  (embraces him)  257

LINDA: ANDY?!258

DAVID: You weren’t supposed to be here for another week!259

(Linda jumps away from the table and runs to Andy.)260

LINDA: ANDY!  (hugs him)261

ANDY: (quiet, slow voice)  Hey, mom, dad.262

LINDA: Andy, you look good.  (hugs him more, leads him into the house)  Have you brought your things?263

ANDY: No, mom.  I’m in the other house.264

LINDA: Oh, that’s right.  How are you doing?265

ANDY: I’m okay.  Taking it each day as I can, but doing okay.  (pause)  I even have a job.  My sponsor said to take it slow, but it’s time.266

DAVID: We’re so glad to see you, son.267

ANDY: I’m glad to see you too, dad.268

LINDA: Have a seat, honey.  (Linda and David sit, wait for Andy who sits across from them.  Awkward silence.)269

ANDY: I’m really doing okay, mom and dad.  Here, look.  (digging into pockets, gives small package to Linda)270

LINDA: What’s this?  (unwraps package, looks at David)  Andy…271

DAVID: Andy, is this…272

ANDY: (cutting him off)  Two hundred twenty-two days sober.273

LINDA: Oh… Andy.274

ANDY: Two is my new lucky number.  (beat)  It’s for you, mom.275

Linda gasps.276

DAVID: We can’t take this from you, Andy.277

LINDA: (shaking her head, handing it to him) No, Andy, this is yours.  It’s yours!278

ANDY: (shaking his head, not taking it back) Mom, I want you to have it.  You guys gave me so many chances, and now that I’ve been sober… well… it’s yours.279

LINDA: Andy…280

DAVID: Andy.  You don’t have to…281

ANDY: I’ll get another one at a year.  This one is for you.  282

Linda is in tears, smiling, caressing the coin with her fingertips.283

DAVID: (hugging Andy gently) son…284

ANDY: Just the beginning, dad.  (hugging back)  still a long way to go.  285

DAVID: (cupping Andy’s face in his hands) we support you, you know that.286

ANDY: (nods) I know, dad. (hugs him)287

LINDA: (through tears) Is there anything you need, Andy?288

ANDY: (shakes his head) No, mom.  I think I’m good.  I just wanted to bring this to you before I go back.289

(David and Linda are unable to find words as Andy goes to the kitchen.)290

ANDY: Mind if I grab a soda for the road?291

DAVID: Go ahead, son.  Do you need a ride?292

ANDY: Nah, I have my cab waiting.293

LINDA: You’ve had a cab out there waiting for you all this time?294

ANDY: No, it’s MY cab.295

DAVID: Congrats, son.  (goes to kitchen, shakes his hand)296

ANDY: (shrugs) it’s a start.297

LINDA: Yes, it is.298

ANDY: Well, I need to get back.299

DAVID: You’re not staying, son?300

ANDY: (shakes head) I can’t, dad. I need to get back. (looks at watch) Meeting in twenty minutes.301

LINDA: (embraces Andy)  I am so proud of you.302

ANDY: (becomes emotional but controlled)  So am I.  (hugs Linda)303

DAVID: Call if you need anything, alright, son?304

ANDY: (nods)  I will, dad. (starts to leave, looks back before he leaves.  EXIT)305

(Linda caresses the coin as Andy exits.)  306

DAVID: (takes a few breaths as if trying to keep from crying)  Linda…307

LINDA: He’s…308

DAVID: It’s not over, but…309

LINDA: He’s proud of himself.310

DAVID: (hugs Linda)  Yes, he is.311

LINDA: I didn’t think it would ever happen.312

DAVID: He’s making it.313

LINDA: (looking in David’s eyes)  One day at a time, baby.  One day at a time.314

Linda looks at the coin and caresses it as lights dim, then out.315

END316