Writing-- Play

Confession...

(We see a very tidy-looking living room.  There is a white couch, a framed family portrait on the wall, a big red armchair next to the couch that is forming sort of an "L" shape with the couch, and a large wooden cross hanging up on the wall.  A boy, MATTHEW, wearing a button-down and a semi-spiky haircut, is sitting on the armchair.  His parents are on the couch.  His dad is wearing a business suit and his mom is wearing a pink sweater set, white capris and a short blonde bob with bangs.  MATTHEW keeps nervously messing with a ring on his right hand throughout the scene.  The three of them are watching a cheesy sitcom on TV)

Girl on TV: Oh my God, Becky, Timmy just totally asked me to the prom! –laugh track-

Dad: Hey, Matthew, don't you have a prom coming up soon?

Matthew:   Ummm… -looks down and plays with ring, mumbles- yeah, I guess…

Mom:  Really? Are you planning on going with anyone?  How about that cute little Cynthia from across the street?  I'm sure she'd love to go with you…

-everyone freezes except Matthew.  The lights go down, a spotlight on Matthew-

Matthew:  This would be the perfect moment to tell them… -sigh- I wonder how they'll react when I do…

-Everyone un-freezes.  The TV is still on in the background-

Matthew:  Actually, guys, I was planning on going with someone.  But, um, it's not Cynthia…

Mom (casually, still watching TV):  Really?  Who is it, then?

Matthew:  Well, me and Aaron decided to go together…

Dad (also paying more attention to the TV than the conversation):  Oh, so he didn't have a date either?  

Matthew:  Um, not exactly.  Umm…  Could you guys turn the TV off for a minute?  I have to tell you something…

-Dad turns off TV.  Both look at him expectantly-

Matthew:  Well, uh, mom, remember last week how you commented on how I haven't dated any girls since I was a freshmen?

Mom (misunderstanding):  Oh, honey, you know I didn't mean anything bad, it's just that you're such a nice boy, and so handsome, and…

Matthew (cutting her off): No, mom, that's not what I… -sighs, buries face in hands for a few seconds, then looks back up and tries again)  Um, well, you see, when me and Aaron were 14, he told me that he thought he could possibly be, well… um… gay.  And—

Mom (cutting him off with a loud gasp): Do his parents know?!?

Dad:  Wow, I'm amazed that you were still comfortable around him after that… -reaches over to put his hand on Matthew's shoulder.  Matthew looks away- You truly are a good friend, son.

Matthew (still looking away, shrugs his dad's hand off and crosses his arms):  Just… nevermind.  Forget it.  

-A pause.  Comprehension slowly dawns on them.  Mom suddenly gasps.  Dad leaps up from the couch so he is standing over his son.-

Dad:  NO!  NO!  NO!  YOUR MOTHER AND I DID NOT RAISE YOU TO BE LIKE THAT!!!!

-Mom begins sobbing-

Dad:  NO SON OF MINE WILL TAKE ANOTHER BOY AS A DATE TO HIS PROM!!!!!!!!!

Matthew (gulping.  Holding back tears):  I… I… 

-Dad suddenly walks across the room, facing the wall.  He runs his hand through his hair.  Matthew gets up to sit next to his mom on the couch and tries to comfort her, but she turns away from him-

Mom (quietly, almost to herself):  My son… My only son… Is a sinner.  –sobs-

Matthew:  Mom, don't say that.  If being gay was a sin, why would God make me this way?

-Mom just sobs harder-

-long pause-

Dad:  Matthew… I can't let you see Aaron anymore.

Matthew:  Dad, no!  That's not fair!

Dad (turn to face him and shouts):  LIFE ISN'T FAIR!!!!!!!!!

-Pause.  Mom still sobbing.-
Dad:  I can't be here right now.

-leaves-

Matthew: …Mom…?

Mom (quietly):  I can't… look at you… right now…

-leaves the room-

-Matthew buries his face in his hands.  Lights go down for a second, then come back up-

Dad: Hey, Matthew, don't you have a prom coming up soon?

Matthew:   Ummm… -looks down and plays with ring, mumbles- yeah, I guess…

Mom:  Really? Are you planning on going with anyone?  How about that cute little Cynthia from across the street?  I'm sure she'd love to go with you…

-long pause-

Matthew:  …No… I think I'm just going to do something else that night.

-Matthew gets up and leaves the room.  His parents keep watching TV, totally clueless.-

-lights fade out-


Thanks, Ezra Zee for sending us your play!  It can now be found under the heading "Writing."


Sincerely,
The Moderators