TOGETHER APART by Suri Grennell #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.


ACT I
 
Scene 1
 
A sitting room-cum-dining room. BRENDAN (40) sits on a couch downstage left. Upstage right is a kitchen table littered with breakfast detritus.
 
Brendan is in his boxers with a cold cup of tea at his feet, playing STREETFIGHTER loudly.
 
Crista (35) enters from Stage Right holding her laptop. Full face of makeup, dressed from the waist up in office attire and in patterned pyjamas from the waist down. Exasperated by the mess, she starts clearing the table. Brendan tries to ignore her at first, so she cleans louder.
 
BRENDAN:
(lowering the volume)
Are you trying to get my attention or what?
 
CRISTA:
Could you not have tidied up after yourself, no?
 
BRENDAN:
I left it out for you.
 
Crista picks up the cereal box and rattles it - almost empty, the milk is the same. She continues clearing.
 
CRISTA:
You finished everything!?
 
BRENDAN:
(shrugs) 
Well I couldn’t just go to the shops without a list like, you know cos we can only go the once so...
 
CRISTA:
(under her breath)
Convenient.
 
BRENDAN:
What?
 
CRISTA:
Nothing.
 
BRENDAN:
No, you said something, what did you say?

CRISTA:
Nothing.. I said obedient, that’s very obedient of you.
A real rules guy you are these days.
 
She’s trying to be playful but it’s just not coming off.
 
CRISTA:
(cont.d) 
Right, well, I’ve to do this bloody Zoom call with my entire team now. I told you about it last night.
 
BRENDAN: 
Mmmhmm... Was that before or after you put the cushions down the middle of the bed?
 
CRISTA:
I know that seemed extreme, I’m sorry, I’m wrecked and I have to make sure I can sleep, they have me working like a dog now that they know I’ve no where else to be.
 
BRENDAN:
You made your point anyway. Noooo physical contact. Got it!
 
Brendan turns up the game. The BLAMs and KAPOWs are loud and violent. Crista starts to set up her computer but, overcome with sadness, she crumples into the chair and begins weeping. Brendan, feeling the energy change, looks over his shoulder, wonders whether to pretend he hasn’t noticed, pauses the game. He sits there for a moment. The only sound is Crista’s gentle weeping.
 
BRENDAN:
Do you need a tissue.
 
CRISTA:
I have one... thanks... This is hell for me too you know?
 
BRENDAN:
Well it was your decision so...
 
CRISTA:
And you agreed, it makes sense Brendan, we’re not making each other happy.
 
BRENDAN: 
We’re in the middle of a lockdown in a one-bedroom apartment Crista, what kind of time is this to break up with someone?
 
CRISTA:
I just feel like everything has come into sharp focus. You’re the one who brought up the topic!
 
Brendan shakes his head.
 
BRENDAN:
Jesus Christ. We’ve so much free time I just thought, what better time to make babies?!
 
CRISTA:
You’ve so much free time.
 
BRENDAN:
That’s a low-blow.
 
CRISTA: 
I’m sorry, just, like it’s relevant. I’m finally really killing it in work and, like, I’ve always told you where I stand on the kid thing. It’s you that’s doing a 180 on it. Not me.
 
BRENDAN: 
I just... I thought... I thought after 10 bloody years, I thought you might love me enough to change your mind...
 
CRISTA:
I do love you Brendan.
 
They sit in this moment. Together but so far apart. 
A BLOOP from the laptop.
 
JENNY:
Hi Crista! Just waiting on the rest to join and then you can take the reins ok? Excited about your first big presententation!?
 
CRISTA: 
Thanks Jenny, yeah. Really excited, thanks for the opportunity.
 
LIGHTS FADE.



​
Suri Grennell works predominantly in casting for Factual-Entertainment in the Television industry while moonlighting as a film writer and director. Her short films have screened at Dublin International Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Kerry Film Festival, Fastnet Festival, Offline Festival and Irish Film Festival London.

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