The Guest

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THE GUEST

By Ellen Valentine

CAST OF CHARACTERS

MR. MILTON, a father, works at the local real estate office, first name is Michael, called Mike

MRS. MILTON, a feminist and mother, works for a non-profit, first name is Elizabeth, called Lizzie.

ZACHARY MILTON, a 17 year-old son, unsure of his future, but a loving family member

CAROLINE MILTON, a 14 year-old daughter, focused on sports

THE GUEST, an unexpected visitor

SETTINGS

The backyard of the Miltons’ house

The Miltons’ house: stage right is showing part a small part of the front yard, stage is divided by a wall that holds the front door of the house. The majority of the stage is taken up by the interior of the house that is holding a room that looks like a mix of a living room and a dining room. There is a table that could fit 4-6 chairs, pictures around the room, an end table or two with random things on it.

SCENE 1

It is midmorning. CAROLINE and ZACHARY are in the yard passing a soccer ball between them. CAROLINE is wearing straight leg jeans with rips in the knees and fitted, but not tight, t-shirt. ZACHARY is wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The yard is to the side of the house, it should be clear that they do not live in an urban city. Light bird chirping is heard.

ZACHARY

Carrie. C’mon, pass the ball!

CAROLINE

Nope! You gotta come get it.

ZACHARY

(Smiling)

Seriously?

CAROLINE

(Running away with the ball)

Yeah. Seriously.

ZACHARY starts to chase CAROLINE. They run around for a while, in a playful mood, and stop.

I’m thirsty, go get us some lemonade or something.

ZACHARY

Why do I have to get it?

CAROLINE

Because you’re my nice older brother and you love me so much.

ZACHARY

Whatever.

ZACHARY goes offstage, returns after a short pause. Comes back onstage holding two small cans of V8.

We’re out of lemonade. All we have is V8.

ZACHARY tosses CAROLINE one of the cans, then opens his.

MRS. MILTON

(Walking on stage)

Kids, come on, the farmer’s market is closing in an hour. I don’t want to have to go to Safeway.

(Muttering to herself)

Stupid greedy corporations.

CAROLINE

(Whining)

But we’re practicing!

MRS. MILTON

Caroline! You have time to practice later, now go clean yourself up and be ready in five minutes.

ZACHARY

Come on, Carrie, we can practice more later.

CAROLINE

Fine.

CAROLINE walks off stage, annoyed. ZACHARY and MRS. MILTON follow her off-stage, rolling eyes. ZACHARY grabs the soccer ball. End scene.

SCENE 2

At the farmer’s market. There are a few stalls set up on stage. VENDORS are yelling things such as “Fresh apples here!” or “Organic honey, fresh from the hive!” with signs advertising their products. There is one other couple looking at a fruit and vegetable stand. ZACHARY, CAROLINE, and MRS. MILTON enter.

MRS. MILTON

Okay, Carrie, you get the apples, Zach, you can get the lettuce. Here, take some money, meet me back here when you’re done.

Hands CAROLINE and ZACHARY each a few bills.

CAROLINE

Hey, mom, we’re making pie tonight right?

MRS. MILTON

Why do you think I told you to buy the apples?

CAROLINE

Yes!

(Exits)

ZACHARY

Pie? Again?

MRS. MILTON

It’s your sister’s favorite, and it’s not bad, so we might as well.

ZACHARY

Yeah, I know. But really, every week?

MRS. MILTON

Yes! Now go get the lettuce before they close.

ZACHARY exits, MRS. MILTON looks around at the stands, buys a few things from one stand, and exits. End scene.

SCENE 3

In the Milton household, MR. MILTON is sitting at the table either going through mail or paying bills. MRS. MILTON, CAROLINE, and ZACHARY walk in holding tote bags full of groceries from the farmers market.

MRS. MILTON

Hey honey, could you give me a hand?

MR. MILTON

Course. Give me a few seconds...

MR. MILTON organizes his papers, stands. Takes bags from MRS. MILTON and puts them on the table. CAROLINE and ZACHARY put the bags they’re holding on the table. MR. MILTON gives MRS. MILTON a greeting kiss on the cheek.

CAROLINE

Hey, mom. I’m gonna get changed then go on my run, what time’s dinner?

MRS. MILTON

Be back by 6:30

CAROLINE

Zach, you coming with?

ZACHARY

You go on, I’m going to help mom with dinner.

CAROLINE

Kay. See you.

CAROLINE exits.

MRS. MILTON

Zach, you can go read or something, I’ll call you down when I need you.

ZACHARY nods, then exits.

MR. MILTON

How’s your day going?

MRS. MILTON

Better now that I actually have time with you. We should take weeks off more often.

MR. MILTON

We definitely should. How’s Zach doing?

MRS. MILTON

He’s okay. He still seems different. I don’t really know what’s wrong, it just seems like he’s lost his drive. I’m really starting to worry about him. He just brushes me off every time I try to talk to him about it. I mean, am I doing something wrong? I just want to be able to talk to my son again.

MR. MILTON

It’s not you. He’s just a teenage boy. It takes them a while to get over things like this. We just have to give him the time to get over it in his own way.

MRS. MILTON

I just want my son back.

MR. MILTON

We’re just going to have to wait a little bit longer. We’ve already talked to three doctors; they said he’s going to be just fine. They said things like this happen all the time, remember? He knows we love him no matter what, so we just have to wait for him. He’ll let us know when he’s ready.

Pause. MRS. MILTON seems to accept this. The weight of his words fill up the time.

MRS. MILTON

Carrie’s going to make the team this year, I think she’s really going to do it. She knows what she wants.

MR. MILTON

Well, we have always told her to do whatever will make her happy. Do you expect any less?

MRS. MILTON

No, but we’ve told both of them.

MR. MILTON

I know you’re concerned, but you really needn’t worry. You have to stop thinking about it.

MRS. MILTON

I just want him to be comfortable around us, you know? I want to feel like a family again.

MR. MILTON

I know, honey. I know.

MR. MILTON wraps his arms around MRS. MILTON. They stay still for a beat. End scene.

SCENE 4

In the Milton Household, MRS. MILTON is drying the last dish and stacking it on the counter, she exits, as if going to bed. The lights dim and cricket chirping is heard. It is made to look like night. This passes for about a minute, followed by a flash of lightning with the accompanying sound of thunder. THE GUEST is at the front door and pounds his fist on the door, loud enough to wake someone. MRS. MILTON is seen rushing in from off-stage, putting a dressing gown over her nightdress.

MRS. MILTON

Hold your horses. I’m on my way! Jesus.

Making her ways towards the door, THE GUEST pounds on the door again.

I said I’m on my way! For fuck’s sake it’s nearly two in the morning...

MRS. MILTON opens the door.

Umm... Hi?

THE GUEST

Hello. My name is Mark.

MRS. MILTON

(Confused as to why she is saying this, sounds like a question)

Please. Come in.

THE GUEST walks into the Milton household and starts to look around, picks up a few pictures, something that is clearly about the family. MRS. MILTON follows him, and seems to be in a daze from this point on. There is an obvious change in the way she carries herself.

Umm... I’m sorry, who are you?

THE GUEST

I’ve already introduced myself, haven’t I? Jacob.

They shake hands.

MRS. MILTON

Lizzie.

THE GUEST

Pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth. Now, how about some coffee?

MRS. MILTON

Of course. Umm. Wait here a minute. Make yourself at home.

THE GUEST

(Smiling)

No problem at all. Take your time, dear.

MRS. MILTON exits. THE GUEST walks around the area a little bit, looks more at things laying around the room, laughs to himself at a few of them. He sits down, wait about 30 seconds. MRS. MILTON re-enters holding two mugs.

MRS. MILTON

I hope you weren’t waiting too long.

THE GUEST

Not at all.

Uncomfortable silence. Both drink from mugs. MRS. MILTON almost immediately perks up, as if she just remembered something.

MRS. MILTON

Where are my manners? Can I get you anything else? Something to eat?

THE GUEST

Oh no, please don’t worry. You’re so close to being a perfect host.

MRS. MILTON

Forgive me, please, but I seem to have forgotten your name.

THE GUEST

William.

MRS. MILTON looks confused, but reigns herself in.

MRS. MILTON

Right, of course, how could I forget?

THE GUEST

Now, dear, tell me about your family. Are these pictures recent? You all seem very happy.

THE GUEST picks up one of the pictures, looks at it intently

MRS. MILTON

Those were taken a few years ago. That’s Carrie, and there’s Zach, and me, and my husband, Mike.

THE GUEST

Elizabeth, Caroline, Zachary, and Michael. All beautiful names for a beautiful family.

MRS. MILTON

Umm... Thank you, William. May I call you Will?

THE GUEST

If you must. Now, about your family. Caroline seems like a nice girl. What does she do with her time?

MRS. MILTON

Oh, she’s a very driven girl. She definitely knows what she wants to do with life. She wants to play professional soccer. She’s plays midfield on her school’s team and she’s incredible. No, I’m not worried about her at all. Now Zach, though–

THE GUEST

Oh, no, no, no. That won’t do. Our dear Caroline wants to play professional sports? We can’t have that now, can we?

MRS. MILTON

Shouldn’t she just do what she wants in life? Why can’t she follow her dream?

THE GUEST

Elizabeth, darling. That is no way to raise a lady. Come, now. Each one takes time, we need to act slowly. Tell me more about Caroline

MRS. MILTON

She was always a talker, always knew what she wanted. Even when she was a little girl. She had– Wait. Why am I telling you this?

THE GUEST

Because, Elizabeth, you need to.

End scene.

Much later, time gap and multiple scenes in between.

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SCENE #

It is midday outside of the Milton household. CAROLINE is wearing a button down blouse and her regular shorts or jeans. She is sitting by the tree in the front yard next to her cleats and soccer ball, reading, instead of practicing with ZACHARY. ZACHARY is dressed as he was in Scene 1, with added dirt and messiness. He still seems normal and is acting like his usual self.

ZACHARY

(walking from offstage towards CAROLINE)

Carrie. What are you wearing? Didn’t you want me to help you practice.

CAROLINE

I’m reading, Zach. Leave me alone. Chris said I should.

ZACHARY

Who the hell is Chris?!

CAROLINE

Seriously? I didn’t realize you were that unobservant. Gabriel. The guy who’s been staying with us for three days now?

ZACHARY

Okay. Fine. Gabriel, now, I guess. News to me. So where is this ‘Gabriel’?

THE GUEST enters from the off-stage, seemingly coming from the house.

THE GUEST

Zachary, please, call me John. 

ZACHARY

(rolls eyes, fed up)

Whatever. Carrie, I’ll be inside if you need me.

ZACHARY makes motions to go back inside.

THE GUEST

Zachary! Wait!

ZACHARY stops, turns around, and walks over to THE GUEST.

Caroline, please excuse us, dear.

CAROLINE picks up her book, leaves the soccer gear and exits.

Something seems to be troubling you. Talk to me, let me help you.

ZACHARY

(Sarcasm)

Really? You’re trying to ‘help’ me. Sir. You are the cause of the problem, so no, I don’t think you can help.

THE GUEST

Zachary, Zachary, Zachary. I can help, really. Can’t you see how I’ve helped your family so far? Look how happy they all are!

ZACHARY

That? That’s not happy. That’s soulless.

THE GUEST

Zachary, please, let’s be civil, shall we? Let’s start afresh. Introduce yourself.

ZACHARY

(Rolls eyes and scoffs)

Yeah. I’ll pass.

THE GUEST

(Sternly)

Now, Zachary. Let’s. Be. Civil. Introduce yourself. Humor me.

ZACHARY

(Nervously)

Um... I’m Zach.

THE GUEST

Pleasure to meet you, Zachary. It really is. I am Noah.

ZACHARY

But didn’t you just say that–

THE GUEST

My name is Noah, Zachary.

ZACHARY

Right. Look. As much as I would love to stay and chat with you, I really need–

THE GUEST

I know, Zachary. I’m not sure you do, but I know what you need.

ZACHARY

What? What the hell are you talking about?

THE GUEST

You know what I’m talking about, and you know we need to fix it.