#PlaysOnATrain: Off at the Next Stop by Emmaleene Leahy

Photograph by Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan

On Sunday 24th June 2018, Fishamble and Irish Rail partnered to create a day-long playwriting workshop between Dublin and Bray called #PlaysonaTrain, taking place on train carriages and in Bray itself. 9 playwrights were chosen from a social media competition, and by the end of the day these playwrights had each written a short play based on trains. ​​​​

Off at the Next Stop by Emmaleene Leahy

ACT  1

Scene 1

Three women sit on a train. Two sisters, Laura and Sarah and a third lady (Mary) with lots of bags and chatter.

MARY:
I watch the soaps. Now I’m not addicted to them. They’re on for half an hour and I watch them. If I miss them, sure I catch up.

Sarah the older sister looks bored and scrolls through her phone.

LAURA:
I love to put my feet up with a good book.

MARY:
God, I’d be asleep by the first line. I’m too tired to read.

LAURA:
I find I’m looking at a screen all day, the last thing I want to see is a screen.

MARY:
Oh, I’m on my feet all day.

Sarah catches Laura’s eye and throws her eyes up to heaven. The train stops (announcement "This train is now stopping at ...). Mary, not expecting it, flustered grabs bags and coat.

MARY:
This is my stop. Nice to see you ladies. I look forward to receiving the wedding invitation.

Mary rushes off the train, almost tripping.

SARAH:
Thank God She’s gone. She doesn’t shut up.

LAURA:
Ah, she’s harmless enough. Just a bit lonely is all. Don’t be mean.

SARAH:
Oh, I know. I’ve been looking forward to a chat with my little sister is all.

LAURA:
I know. I was surprised when you rang me.

SARAH:
We never get to see each other. How have you been keeping? How are you and Tom getting on?
 
LAURA:
Great. Been busy with the wedding coming up. There’s so much to organize.

SARAH:
Actually, I want to talk to you about Tom. I heard some rumours and I didn’t want you to hear it from someone else.

LAURA:
What type of rumours?

She gets out a nail file from her handbag and files a broken nail in an agitated way.

SARAH:
He was seen with someone else.

LAURA:
You were always so jealous of me.

SARAH:
I’m only telling you this because I care about you. I’m trying to save you from humiliation.

LAURA:
You just can’t bear to see anyone else happy.

She puts her nail file back into her bag and slams it down.

SARAH:
Do you really want to marry a cheat?

LAURA:
You were the same when we were younger. You even caused Mam and Dad to split up for a while.

SARAH:
No, I didn’t.

LAURA:
You did anything for attention.

SARAH:
I was sick in hospital.

LAURA:
You starved yourself.

SARAH:
I had anorexia.

LAURA:
I don’t care. I’ve had enough of your bitterness spoiling everything all my life. I never want to see you again.

SARAH:
Ah Laura.

LAURA:
Don’t come near my wedding.
Laura stands up and walks away.
 
Scene 2

Tom is on the dart, on the phone to Laura.

TOM:
Yea, I’ll be late again tonight. Have to keep the client happy. How else are we going to pay for this wedding?
An announcement chime rings out over the tanoy.

TOM:
Sorry I have to go.
He hangs up quickly. He is jittery, bouncing his knee. He puts his phone in his pocket then takes it out again. He sends a text to Laura. "Sorry boss walked in had to hang up." His phone rings.

TOM:
Hi Sarah.

He listens, nodding.

Yea. I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Yea. See you then.

The train stops, doors open a man in a shirt and tie, (Richard) gets on. Tom sees him slouches down, ducks his head, tries to cover his face to avoid eye contact.

Richard walks down the aisle of the Dart and stops when he recognises Tom.

RICHARD:
Tom? Is that you?

Tom looks up, a fake surprised expression on his face and a grin like a grimace.

TOM:
Richard?

RICHARD:
I thought it was you alright.

Richard sits down beside Tom.

I haven’t seen you in ages. Any news? You’ve a wedding coming up?
 
TOM:
Yeah, Yeah.

RICHARD:
What has you on this train. Didn’t you decide to build on the other side of town? What could you be going to Bray for? I presume that’s where you are going since it’s the only stop left.

Tom blushes and shifts awkwardly in his seat.

TOM:
Ah, eh, um. Just a bit of unfinished business to sort out is all. Nothing interesting.
 
Scene 3

Laura is on the train, a suitcase beside her, eyes puffy, a crumpled tissue in her hand. She stares vacantly out the window.

Mary gets on, sees Laura.

MARY:
Laura is that you?

Mary sits across from Laura.

What are you doing here on the Dart? You are normally on the train. You must be doing something for the wedding, a fitting or something? How’re you fixed? I’m still waiting for my invitation.

LAURA:
Well, um actually, I’m not sure if it’s actually going to go ahead. It’s postponed.

MARY:
Oh, right? (Pause) And what are you up to now then?

LAURA:
Going to see my sister.

MARY:
That’s nice. And what’s the story with the wedding? Was it too expensive after building the house? Do you need more time to save or something?

LAURA:
No.

MARY:
What was it then?

LAURA:
I found him in bed with my sister.
 
MARY:
What? No way. Oh my God. Where?

LAURA:
In our bed.

MARY:
In that new house of yours?

Laura nods eyes down.

The one you just built together? It’s like a mansion. I heard you’ve all the mod cons, underfloor heating the lot. I can’t believe he did that he seemed so nice and charming. A proper gentleman.

Mary notices the suitcase.

MARY:
Where are you really going?

LAURA:
To see my sister.

MARY:
After she did that to you?

LAURA:
I’m going to confront her.

MARY:
Are you sure you want to do that?

LAURA:
I’m on the train now, there’s no turning back.

MARY:
What’s the suitcase for?
​
LAURA:
For after, no point in hanging around. Nothing left for me here.


Emmaleene Leahy is a teacher and writer. She has been successful in various writing competitions and has previously published some of her fiction, poetry and criticism. She has 1st class hons M.A. in Anglo-Irish Lit and drama and 1st class hons in Creative writing for Publication. She has recently discovered a love for screenwriting and was shortlisted by IFB twice in the past year.

She absolutely loved the #Playsonatrain experience, it was a privilege to meet such an amazing group of people and to be creative in such a supportive atmosphere. She was so inspired that she kept writing. There’s a lot more to follow, let’s just say that things get a whole lot more dramatic when Laura turns up to her sister’s house to find Tom there and her sister Sarah who has some news for them both.