by Valerie Savran

Created on: December 23, 2009

(The setting is a dark, cramped bathroom. The sink is overflowing with old, yellowing water, and streaks of red lipstick line the cold metal mirrors. Light streams in through a small aperture in the ceiling, and this is the only illumination in the otherwise tiny room)

(Louise, an old, gray-haired woman, lies slumped over, somewhat lifelessly, in her bathtub): I can't believe this...I can't believe its the truth. This is a dream...yes...an odd dream

(Her mutterings are cut off by the shrill sound of the doorbell. A key fits into the lock and opens the door. Anxious footsteps are heard on the old staircase.)

(Emily, 5 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes, creeps into the room)

Emily: Grandma, Mommy said you and Grandpa were taking me to the zoo today. Why are you still in the bath? I want to see the tigers and lions, and Grandpa promised me ice cream and candy and....

Louise: Sweetie, Grandma needs to sit and...

Emily: Grandma, everything is so messy today. You have lipstick on the mirror, Grandma. Someone was writing a message to you...

(Louise, her eyes half glazed and her hair wild and unkempt, steps out of the sunken tub)

Louise: Honey, you need to go now. The zoo can't happen today. Grandpa...Grandpa...

Emily: Grandma, noooo! You promised. You said we would all go together. I have school tomorrow. I want to go to the zoo! Grandma...(the small child was on the verge of wailing. Tears streamed down her pallid face, and the light that poured over the tub began to diminish, leaving the room in an impenetrable darkness)

Louise: Emily, Grandma needs to tell you something...

Emily: (shouting) :And Grandpa promised! He said we could go...he said...

(Louise was absent-mindedly wiping the lipstick off the mirror. The message of his hate for life and pain from war, all culminating in death, was too much for her to bear. Emily would not understand...)

Louise: Emily?

Emily: And the new ponies...

Louise: Emily...darling

Emily: The new pink fairy...

Louise:EMILY!

(The small child, upon being shouted at, begin to wimper)

Louise (eyes brimming with tears) : He is gone. He isn't coming back...

Emily: Grandma, what is happening?

(Louise and Emily both crumble to the floor)

Louise (stroking Emily's hair): I love you sweetie. Grandma loves you.

(Scene ends with Louise stroking Emily's hair. Emily gazes at the last rays of light upon the dusty floorboards, and night consumes the room. Louise holds Emily for a long time.)

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