ROUNDABOUTS IN THE AFTERNOON by William Silke #TinyPlayChallenge

Keep your creativity flowing with Fishamble's #TinyPlayChallenge
In these challenging times, Fishamble - along with many of our colleagues in the wider Irish artistic community - is working hard to keep imaginations lively, communities engaged - and most of all offer people the opportunity of creative expression. We asked our audiences: Would you welcome the challenge of exploring your thoughts and feelings through drama? Do you have a dramatic story that you feel the urge to work out for yourself, and maybe share with your fellow citizens?
​Below is one of the chosen plays from our weekly submissions.

Roundabouts in the Afternoon
W. G. Silke
 
 
Lights:
 
THE FATHER taps on a keyboard to a table; while his 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER sits over on the couch playing  on her tablet. The father mutters to himself as he reads back over his paper; typing.
 
Jasmine: Dada?
 
Father: (pausing) Yes, my little munchkin?
 
Jasmine: What’s a pillager?
 
Father: It’s a person who robs people, usually as part of a group.
 
Jasmine: Like pillagers?
 
Father: Exactly. How’d you know that?
 
Jasmine: They’re in Minecraft.
 
Father: Oh yeah. I forgot I got you that. (Returning to his report) Now, let’s see. Where were we.. Oh yeah (typing)..
 
Jasmine: Dada?
 
Father: (Still typing) Yes buddy?
 
Jasmine: Are wolves a bit like dogs?
 
Father: Yes, they are very like dogs. In fact, they’re part of the same family - canines. But you wouldn’t have one as a pet.
 
Jasmine: Is that cause they eat people?
 
Father: (Pausing) They don’t eat people..I mean, not naturally. But they’re wild and hunt in packs. So, like, they wouldn’t be happy being alone in a home this this. (Back to work) Final quarter..final quarter? There you are. (Typing again) Happy now?  
 
Jasmine: Yes dada.
 
Father: (pauses; sotto) Last quarter..last quarter. Aha..(typing)
 
Jasmine: Dada?
 
Father: (slight irritation) Eh, yes Jasmine.
 
Jasmine: What’s a virus?
 
Father: (All stop; needing to address this) It’s, eh, a really small organism that needs a body, called a host, to create other copies of itself.
 
Jasmine: So, why does it want to hurt us?
 
Father: Well, it’s doesn’t really want to hurt us buddy, but it can create many copies of itself in our bodies, and sometimes our bodies can’t always fight these off. Imagine a boxer walked into your lungs, and cloned other boxers, and then, they all started punching you from the inside? Well, that’s how a person can feel when they’re sick with one.
 
Jasmine: And do they go away?
 
Father: Eventually, yes they do. Okay?
 
Jasmine: Yes.
 
Father: Any more questions buddy?
 
Jasmine: No. Thanks, dada.
 
Father: Okay. Great. I’ll just get back to my work then. (Checking where he was; sotto) Below-the-line..residuals..(typing)
 
His phone buzzes in his pants.
 
Father: (Answering) Yes John? I’m nearly there. Yes, I know the time. Understood. Okay, thanks.
 
He puts aside his phone on the table.
 
Father: (Sotto) Man.. (typing and clicking intensely throughout).
 
Jasmine: Dada?
 
Father: Yes Jasmine..
 
Jasmine: Is mommy still working?
 
Father: Eh, yes, she is.
 
Jasmine: So why can’t she come home?
 
Father: Remember buddy, she’s out helping sick people, and..she needs to be there day and night..
 
Jasmine: But doesn’t she have a cell phone?
 
Father: She does.. She sends you messages on Messenger doesn’t she?
 
Jasmine: But why can’t we call her?
 
Father: (Clicking) Cause..we just can’t, okay? She’s too busy and she’s not allowed home right now (huffs).
 
Jasmine: So can she not call?
 
Father: Eh..she did. Yesterday, remember? But I guess she must be really busy today..
 
Jasmine sniffs..
 
Father: (A pause; realizing) Heeeey..
 
He moves swiftly from his desk; sits beside her on the couch; tears streaming down her face.
 
Father: (Hugging her) Hey.. It’s okay.
 
Jasmine: (Crying) I w - want m – mommy..
 
Father: I know. I know buddy.. She’ll be back soon, okay. I promise.
 
Bzzzzzzz..bzzzzzz..
 
Father: See? That’s probably her now? Let me get it. Okay?
 
Father: (Going over; taking up his phone) Heeey! We were just talking about how much Jasmine is soooo missing you here..
 
Female Voice: (urgent) I’m sorry Mr. Driscoll to use your wife’s phone like this, but this Dr. Hines at the Mater..
 
 
Black.
 

​
Award-winning documentary film producer & screenwriter. Previously had a short plays produced at Trinity Players Theatre; and won the RTÉ-Galway Film Centre Short Script Awards. Currently lecturing in English in Saudi Arabia.
​IMDB Profile.

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