SYNOPSIS: An ordinary family. A common – uncommon problem. The mother is worried about her daughter, who often comes home late. Amelia, a fifteen-year-old daughter, convinces her mother that she’s been working on a school project at her friend Hannah’s house. The father avoids taking part in the argument and spends his time watching football matches on TV. The real problem arises when the mother finds out that her daughter has a “serious” relationship. Coincidentally, the man is the mother’s gynecologist, Mike, who is eleven years older than Amelia. The drama culminates when Amelia confesses she is pregnant. However, Mike had broken up with Amelia a few days earlier. Amelia and her parents are desperate and, naturally, outbreaks of cry, anger, remorse and other emotions follow. Fortunately, everything is resolved when a pregnancy test shows Amelia isn’t really pregnant. There is relief and the situation in the family returns back to normal.
NUMBER OF PAGES: 6
CAST: 2 women, 1 man
GENRE: comedy
CHARACTERS:
MOTHER
FATHER
AMELIA – daughter
SAMPLE TEXT
SCENE 1
(Mother and daughter are speaking over the phone.)
MOTHER: Hi, sweetheart.
AMELIA: Hey. Um, mum, I’m coming home a bit later today, we’ll be working on the school project at Hannah’s house.
MOTHER: That project’s been going on for two months.
AMELIA: Mum, you know it’s impossible to get it done in one day!
MOTHER: I do, but two months is quite long, I’d say.
AMELIA: No, mum, it isn’t, I need to get a good grade. I don’t want to have to listen to your complaining about my grades again.
MOTHER: Amelia, you know I’m afraid that something bad might happen to you.
AMELIA: Mum, you have Hannah’s number, call her if you want.
SCENE 2
MOTHER: It’s half past nine and she’s not home yet.
FATHER: (Eyes glued to the TV.) Sure she’ll come. Go, go, go, get it in there, that’s it, right inside! You got this, man!
AMELIA: (Enters.) Hi.
MOTHER: D’you know what time it, young lady?! You were supposed to be home at nine!
FATHER: Be quiet! Can’t you see I’m watching the match?
AMELIA: Sorry mum, Hannah couldn’t stop talking.
MOTHER: You should’ve been home at nine. Can you imagine what I was going through?
AMELIA: Mum, you know what the bus timetable to this godforsaken place looks like, don’t you? Who’s playing, dad?
FATHER: Real Madrid’s playing Manchester United. It’s 2:0 for Manchester. Pass that ball, you idiot!
MOTHER: I can’t get it, why can’t you be at home on time?
AMELIA: I’ve already told you, I can’t change the bus connection, you should try phoning the public transport company.
MOTHER: What kind of an excuse is that?
FATHER: Can you PLEASE argue somewhere else?!
AMELIA: Fine, mum, I’m sorry.
MOTHER: You’re fifteen. You should be at home at this hour, not galloping around the city at night. You know how worried I am.
FATHER: Geez! Honey, you’re overreacting. If she’d come at midnight, that would’ve been a different story.
AMELIA: Mum, I’m sorry, I’ve got to go to bed, I’ve got a headache. Good night, guys.
MOTHER: Good night.
FATHER: ‘Night sweetheart, sweet dreams. (To the TV.) What the heck are you doing with that ball? (Exit Amelia.) You happy now? You’re too hard on her for no reason and the balloon goes up.
MOTHER: Because she matters to me, unlike to some people, who only care about a bloody game of soccer!
FATHER: Fine, fine, you know best. Yes! Now, score!
SCENE 3
MOTHER: Eric, Eric, Eric wake up! Eric! You’ve got to wake up!
FATHER: What’s going on? Why are you waking me up, it’s only half past four!
MOTHER: You’ve got to look at this. Read it.
FATHER: (Reads.) “Hi love, today was amazing, can’t wait to see you again. xx“ So what?
MOTHER: So what?! You know whose phone this is, don’t you?! Your daughter’s.
FATHER: So?! She has a boyfriend.
MOTHER: Argh! Read the rest!
FATHER: (Reads.) “My pet, I love you, I miss you every second of the day. Bye baby, see you tomorrow. Your Mike.“ And?
MOTHER: You know who that Mike is?!
FATHER: Who is it?
MOTHER: Michael Harris, my gynecologist.
FATHER: How could you possibly know that?
MOTHER: I’ve got his number.
FATHER: Wow. So my daughter’s going out with your gynecologist. Far out!
AMELIA: (Enters.) Good morning!
FATHER: Morning sweetheart!
AMELIA: Have you seen my phone?
FATHER: Yes, we have, here, you can have it back. Your mother brought it just now, she was showing me some of your texts.
AMELIA: Mum, how dare you go through my phone?!
MOTHER: I beg your pardon?
AMELIA: Mum, can you tell me what you meant by stealing my phone?!
FATHER: We found your texts from Michael.
AMELIA: Mum, how dare you! Dad?!
FATHER: Don’t look at me, I was asleep. Your mother woke me up to show me the texts.
AMELIA: Mum, how could you do this to me?!
MOTHER: Do you even know how old he is?
AMELIA: I do know, actually. He’s twenty six.
MOTHER: It’s been two months since you started coming home at eleven.
AMELIA: You don’t have any right to stick your nose in my personal stuff.
MOTHER: Don’t be silly. You’re fifteen. You’re still a child.
AMELIA: Why don’t you just chain me up while you’re at it?!
FATHER: Ladies, I’m going to bed. I still have two hours worth of sleep to catch up, so I’ll thank you both for keeping it down. (Exit father.)
MOTHER: Why, tell me why? He’s eleven years older than you.
AMELIA: Mom, you only care about where I was, who I was with, but never once have you asked my how my day was.
MOTHER: Why him, why does it have to be him?! Why not someone your own age?
AMELIA: I was at a check up. He was really nice to me. After he invited me for a coffee across the street, we discussed lots of different things. He is so intelligent and insightful. The guys at my school are idiots.
MOTHER: Amelia, bear in mind that he’s eleven years older than you are. Do you have the impression he’s serious about you?
AMELIA: Actually, I do. Don’t worry, I’m not thirteen anymore.
MOTHER: And that’s the point, you’re fifteen, sweetheart.
AMELIA: Will you just give me a break, mum.. I’m going to have a shower and I’m going to school.
MOTHER: Are you going to have any breakfast?
AMELIA: I’m late, mum, I’ll just get something on the way.
SCENE 4
MOTHER: Hi, sweetheart, how was school today?
AMELIA: Why are you asking?
MOTHER: I just want to know how your day was.
AMELIA: The usual, lessons, breaks, you know…
MOTHER: Aren’t you hungry?
AMELIA: No, thanks, I had lunch.
MOTHER: I’ve made that grilled chicken that you love.
AMELIA: I’m not hungry now. I’ll get some myself later.
MOTHER: Ok, love, I mean, you didn’t use to be able to resist that chicken…
AMELIA: Mum, I’m not a little kid anymore. You don’t need to look after me as if I was a baby.
MOTHER: Amelia, you know how much I love you.
AMELIA: I love you too, mum… (She sits down, pause.)
MOTHER: Are you all right?
AMELIA: Just tired from school.
MOTHER: You mustn’t be mad at me for raising my voice sometimes. I’m just worried about you. And I love you.
AMELIA: You know what, mum? Mike broke up with me.
MOTHER: I’m sorry to hear that.
AMELIA: I trusted him and he didn’t give a damn. I don’t know what to do.
MOTHER: That happens, Amelia. You can always trust me. You have me, you have your dad, we’re always on your side.
AMELIA: Mom, I’m so disappointed in him.
MOTHER: Give it time, dear, it’ll pass. (Amelia leaves, throws up and returns.) Are you all right?
AMELIA: I’m fine, mum, nothing serious.
MOTHER: Are you sure?
AMELIA: Pretty sure, yeah.
MOTHER: Honey, are you sure there’s nothing wrong?
AMELIA: Mum, mind your own business! What you know about life?! Dad was your first guy and you went and got married straight away. What can you possibly know about men?
MOTHER: Well, I know a thing or two.
AMELIA: Oh, mum. (She leaves, throws up and returns again.)
MOTHER: Amelia, what is it with you, are you sick, do you want to take something for that? You should go lie down for a bit.
AMELIA: You just have no idea, mum, do you? I think I’m pregnant!
MOTHER: Oh, bloody hell!
END OF SAMPLE TEXT
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