Scene 3

Morning, the next day. A loud crash (silverware crashing to the ground) is heard offstage. JORDAN rushes into the dining room, turning on the lights as he enters. A few pieces of silverware splash onto the stage in front of him.

Jordan:
I’ll call 9 - 1 - 1. 
Breaking and entering is a federal offense after all. 
(Beat. Aside to himself)
Breaking and entering is a federal offense after all? Good one Calhoun, citing the obvious is sure to scare a burglar away.

A loud crash is heard once more, and more silverware is seen being thrown onto the stage. NATALIE can be heard muttering under her breath (off stage).

Natalie:
Where is it? Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?

Jordan:
Natalie?

He rushes offstage. A loud scream is heard, almost primordial. JORDAN and NATALIE enter the space, NATALIE is holding out a butter knife to JORDAN with both hands, while he backs away from her.

Natalie:
GET OUT.

Jordan:
Nat. Calm down.

Natalie:
Get. Out. Or I will call the cops.

Jordan
Natalie, do you know who I am?

Natalie
A stranger. An intruder. A thief.

Jordan:
Please put the knife down. 

Natalie:
You took it. Didn’t you?
(She lunges at him) 

Jordan:
Jesus! I didn’t take anything. Natalie-

Natalie:
(lunges at him once more, taking a few swipes at him)
Give.It.Back.

Jordan:
I haven’t got anything.

Natalie:
Who are you?

Jordan:
A friend.

Natalie:
Of Ben’s?

Jordan:
A-and of yours.

Natalie:
Ben has all the friends. I have no one, just Ben. When Ben’s here. But he’s always away. Gone, off, and away. Up, up, and away with the clouds. But he’ll be back. He always comes back. To me. To us. To this. Which is why I need it back. I need him to know. He needs to be reminded constantly. He thinks I don’t anymore, but I do. I always have. I always will. I need to find it. I need it back. 

As NATALIE descends into her rant/ramble, it gives JORDAN enough time to maneuver the knife from her hands, although it proves a formidable task seeing as she starts to pace. On the last lines he finally manages to get the knife from her hands, and gently sit her down. All done with her taking very little notice of what he’s doing.

Jordan:
It’s alright. Mrs. Cohen. It’s alright.

Natalie:
I need to find it. I need it. We need it.

Jordan:
What do you need?

Natalie:
My wedding ring.

NATALIE crumples into more hysterics and some tears, throwing an almost childlike fit, which leaves JORDAN baffled. All of a sudden BEN appears behind JORDAN, and solemnly flips the ring to JORDAN - as if it were a coin being tossed. JORDAN looks down at the ring and back at BEN, who merely smiles and nods. JORDAN drops the ring, only to pick it up as if he’s just found it, before turning to NATALIE again.

Jordan:
What’s this?

Natalie:
What’s what?

JORDAN produces the ring.

Natalie:
Oh my word! You found it! Thank you. Thank you.
(She hugs him, returning back to “Mary Sunshine” Natalie)
Thank you so much Jordan. 

Jordan:
No problem Natalie. Say, why don’t I make you some nice warm tea to calm down?

Natalie:
That would be lovely. 

Jordan:
Right away.

Natalie:
What would I do without you Mr. Calhoun?

JORDAN exits, leaving NATALIE alone at the table, cherishing her ring as the lights shift to a section downstage presumably “the kitchen”. JORDAN starts making tea for a few beats, but then takes out his cell phone.

Jordan:
Detective. It didn’t take very long. Well she flipped out over her wedding ring, and when I got home it was as if he had just left. She’s definitely slipping in and out of episodes, and the delusions are getting stronger, but I’m not sure if it’s enough to build a case, or even get a confession from. I’ll keep trying, but I’m really not sure how long it’ll take before she starts piecing it together again, and I don’t really fancy being a part of the fallout when it happens, although you haven’t given me much choice. Anyway, I’m just calling to give an update. She’s calming down right now, and I’ve giving her a mild sedative to soothe her nerves; hopefully put her to sleep. Other than that I’ll see you next week, and call if anything else happens. 

JORDAN hangs up the phone, reaches into his pocket and taking out a small vile, opening it and crushing the contents into the drink.

Jordan:
This goes against all my moral practices.

BEN appears.

Ben:
For her own good.

Jordan:
And mine. 

BEN disappears again, and JORDAN re-enters the dining room and hands NATALIE the cup the two “cheers” each other and take a sip, JORDAN watching her actions moderately close, as the lights go down. 

#playwriting #Imaginary Life #script #One Act #possible full length #adventures in writing!