Fracture
1
2
3
Mother
Kayla
Jacinta
Shani
Father
John
Nick
Nick
Maggie
Georgia
Nina
Madison
Jess
Jade
Nikki
Paige
Avery
Campbell
Lachlan
Ethan
Portia
Sam
Ashleigh
Red
Phoebe
India
Kathryn
Nina
1
Father sits at the table. Laptop open, absorbed by the screen. Little Boxes plays. He sings along.
Mother enters, hovers.
Mother
How was your day?
Father
Yeah, good. Yours?
Mother
All right. I have to go back, just for a couple of hours. After dinner.
Father
I don’t know if there’s petrol in the car.
Mother
Jane’s picking me up.
Father
Right.
Mother
Are you all right?
Father
I’m fine.
Mother
It’s just…
Father
What?
Mother
It doesn’t matter.
Father
Okay.
The mother sits. Says nothing. Father ignores her.
Mother
Jane asked about the house again today.
Father
Right.
Mother
She thinks they should book it soon. New Year’s already full up, and a lot of people
are taking their holidays later, so, you know.
No response, but Father is growing more tense.
Mother
I can save some of my money, from the extra shifts… I don’t think they’d mind if we
didn’t stay the whole time. I thought maybe a week, and if we took the car, we could
-
Father
You’re not being fair.
Mother
What?
Father
You can’t keep asking.
Mother
I’d been thinking that maybe –
Father
Don’t look at me like that.
Mother
Like what?
2
Father
Like I’m doing this to hurt you. I’m not doing this to hurt you.
Mother
I know.
Father
It’s going to take another year after she’s left, and then it’s back to how it was.
Okay? One more year.
Mother
I’m not a child.
Father
It’s what we both decided.
Mother
Forget it. I’ll tell her that -
Father
You’re doing it.
Mother
What?
Father
Looking like I’ve asked you to strangle a puppy.
Mother
I’m sorry if I feel sad. I can’t help that. Do you want me to pretend?
Father
Sometimes, yes.
Mother
I just feel like we need a holiday.
Father
I know. So do I. Come here.
They stand, hold one another.
Father
Not today, eh. Today’s special.
Mother
But what if –
Father
That’s not going to happen.
Mother
That’s the door.
The parents move apart and turn to face the newcomer. Their daughter, Maggie, enters the room,
walking towards the fridge. She notices her parents looking at her, and turns to face them.
Father
Hello darling. How was your day?
Maggie
Good.
Mother
There’s a letter come for you.
Maggie
Okay.
Mother
It’s from the university.
Father
I think it’s about the scholarship.
Mother
Of course it’s about the scholarship.
3
Maggie
I know. Phoebe and Portia already got theirs.
Mother
Did they get it?
Maggie
Phoebe did, Portia didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. They’re loaded.
Mother
When did you –
Father
Stop asking her questions so she can open it.
Mother
Are you going to open it?
Father
Are you going to open it?
Mother
Of course she’s going to open it.
Maggie
I’d like a bit of privacy, please.
Both parents take a step back.
Maggie
Okay, that’s not really enough.
Mother
Would you like us to leave the room?
Maggie
Yes.
They can hardly bear to pull themselves away from the magical envelope, but reluctantly back out of
the room. Maggie pauses, walks to a chair and sits. She takes a deep breath and rips open the
envelope. She reads. Her expression is neutral. If anything, it registers a hint of disappointment.
A knock at the door. The mother’s head appears.
Mother
Can we come back in?
Maggie
Envelope opened, fate sealed.
Maggie’s parents enter, eagerly attempting to read their daughter’s expression.
Father
Well then?
Mother
Can’t you see?
Father
Oh. He moves forward to offer comfort. Well I think, they must be out of –
Maggie
I got it. I got the scholarship. I’m going to med school.
She manages a smile. We detect how compromised it is, but the parents are too delighted to notice.
They embrace her, one from either side, all but speechless.
Mother
That is just, that is just so wonderful.
Father
Darling, I can not tell you how proud of you I am.
4
Mother
Actually, we have a little surprise for you. We’ve organised a dinner. Just the family.
And Phoebe and Portia. I’ve invited them as well. I hope you don’t mind. It’s just,
they’ve been such a support for you haven’t they. Oh, is that insensitive of me. With
Portia having missed –
Maggie
Portia couldn’t care less. Her family seriously have more money than they know
what to do with.
Mother
Oh, that’s a relief.
Maggie
To them I’m sure.
Mother
No, I meant –
Maggie
Are you cooking?
Father
Maggie, she’s been planning it all for weeks. Don’t go –
Maggie
And if I hadn’t have got it?
Mother
We knew you would.
Father
And there’d still be the whole year to celebrate. It’s not just about this. It’s about,
well everything. Honestly darling, we couldn’t be more proud of you.
The Father’s phone rings. He answers.
Father
Williams…
Hello darling… You are where?...
I am not freaking out. But I
am going to ask you… Well, do I need to talk to them? Is there somebody there
who needs to talk to me before…
Am I going to have to bring money with
me?....
Well I’m sorry if I’m not familiar with police procedure, I’ve never
actually been arrested…
Yes, okay, I will be there. I will be there in twenty
minutes. Do you think you can avoid doing anything else stupid until then?
He hangs up, furious.
Mother
Is it Jess?
Father
Of course it’s Jess.
Mother
What has she –
Father
Of all the nights.
Mother
What is it? What’s she done?
Father
She’s done this deliberately. She knew what tonight meant to us as a family, and so
she’s had to go and deliberately –
Maggie
That’s not how she thinks.
Father
Oh, so she thinks does she? Well that’s a relief to hear, I must say.
5
Mother
What has she done?
Father
Possession of cannabis.
Maggie
Why would you arrest someone just for possession of –
Mother
She hasn’t been arrested darling, it’s just –
Father
As far as I can tell it’s just a warning. They were in a car, parked on the side of the
road, a police car went past, I think perhaps one of them might have shouted
something.
Maggie
How stupid do you have to –
Mother
I’ll come with you. What are you looking for? The keys are just there.
Father
My credit card. I need to get petrol.
Mother
Your other card’s in the –
Father
My other card doesn’t have any money on it. You can not buy petrol when you don’t
have any fucking money… I’m sorry. And sweetheart, I’m sorry too. This is fabulous
news, about the scholarship. It’s just so, so truly incredible.
Mother
We need to go.
Father
No, you stay here. Get the dinner on. We’re not going to let this ruin our evening.
I’m not going to give her that.
Mother
Don’t shout at her.
Father
I shall try my best.
Father exits.
Mother
Calling after him. Even if it means saying nothing at all, that would be better.
Mother moves to Maggie, takes the scholarship letter, reads it, hugs her.
Maggie
Can I help you with dinner?
Mother
No, you just sit down over there.
Maggie
What is it?
Mother
I’m doing slow cooked lamb. Five hours in the oven and it just falls off the bone.
That’s what the recipe book said, anyway.
Maggie
It’s already four o’clock.
Mother
We’ll stay up late. It’s a celebration.
Maggie
Dad’ll fall asleep at the table.
6
Mother
After Jess’ little stunt, I’m not sure he’ll sleep at all tonight. You can peel the garlic
for me.
The two set about the food prep: Maggie peeling garlic and washing and cutting rosemary, the
mother preparing finger food.
Mother
Do you think she really does it?
Maggie
Who?
Mother
Jess. Do you think she really does it just to annoy us?
Maggie
You’d have to ask her.
Mother
We brought you both up exactly the same, you know. And you’ve never sat in a car
smoking cannabis and shouting at policeman.
Maggie
Well, I’ve never been caught.
Mother
Don’t even joke about it.
Maggie
You shouldn’t say that, you know.
Mother
Say what?
Maggie
That you brought us both up the same way. It isn’t true. It’s never true.
Mother
We loved you both the same.
Maggie
I know.
As they work on the food, it is clear Maggie’s mother has something she wants to say, but she has
trouble getting started.
Mother
I once thought about being a doctor.
Maggie
Really?
Mother
I know. It seems ridiculous, doesn’t it? I wasn’t like you, I wasn’t clever, but I worked
hard. Maybe that mattered more then. Back then, it seemed like you could make it
just by working hard.
Maggie
So why didn’t you?
Mother
I did. I worked very hard. But then, at university, I met a young man, and he was full
of life and fun and, well of not working hard. I’d never had anyone give me that
much attention before, and it’s easy to believe, and when something like that
changes, it’s easy to believe it will stay changed forever. It’s easy to make believe.
But then, as soon as he heard I was pregnant, he was gone.
7
The Mother pauses. It is clear Maggie has never heard this story before.
Maggie
Please tell me you don’t mean that my father is not…
Mother
No, no, it wasn’t you. God, I’m making a mess of this. I knew I would.
Maggie
You sure you want to -
Mother
I couldn’t go through with it. It wasn’t… I just couldn’t, is all.
Maggie
You don’t have to tell me this.
Mother
I want to… There were protestors, outside the clinic. I’d been warned to expect
them, but nothing prepares you for the hatred. There was a man, with little round
glasses and a shiny head - I remember a long strand of hair flapping about in the
wind. He stepped right forward, holding a placard, and I didn’t think he was going to
let me past. Your father was out running, getting fit for the rugby season. He didn’t
even realise it was an abortion clinic. You know how he is with details. But he saw
the man blocking my way, and how it was upsetting me. So he stopped and punched
him in the nose. He broke the man’s glasses. Then he ran off. Later the police
identified him and he was fined $150. I felt it was only right I paid. I went to his flat,
to give him the money and say thank you, and of course by then he knew the whole
story, of the protestors and why they were there. So, it was an unusual way to meet
your future husband, I suppose. But the thing is, he never once judged me, or even
asked me about it. Your father is loyal, you see. And I’m glad of that.
Maggie
Shall I put the meat in?
Mother
Is the light still on? Okay, pop it in.
Maggie
I don’t really understand.
Mother
What?
Maggie
Why you didn’t become a doctor.
Mother
Your father got a job on the boats, working out of Nelson. I moved there. It was
easier. I didn’t regret it. I’ve never regretted a moment. And now, look at you,
completing the cycle.
Maggie
Just so long as I don’t get pregnant.
Mother
It’s not funny.
Maggie
I know.
Mother shows Maggie the bowl she’s been mixing.
Mother
I don’t think this is right, do you?
Maggie
Just needs a bit more milk. Use a whisk, it’ll get rid of the lumps.
8
LIGHTS DOWN.
LIGHTS UP. Same scene. Enter Father, with Jess in tow. A step behind, and looking slightly awkward
and out of place, is Avery. He carries a large backpack.
Father
Sit there young lady.
Jess
Why should I?
Father
Because it’s what I’m telling you to do, and the sooner you learn to do a little of
what people tell you, the better for all of us.
Jess
The better for you, you mean.
Mother
Who’s this?
Father
Um…
Avery
Avery.
He steps forward and offers his hand.
Father
Found him on the side of the road. His ferry’s been cancelled. He didn’t have
anywhere to stay.
Mother
Oh, so he’s…
Father
He doesn’t mind sleeping on the couch.
Avery
If it’s any bother, I can easily…
Mother
No, no of course not. No bother at all. You’re most welcome.
Father
Perhaps you’d like to clean yourself up. I’ll show you where the shower is. Let me
find you a towel.
Mother
I’ll get some clean sheets together. Maggie dear, can you just watch the stove for
me?
Father
And talk to your sister, while you’re at it.
Maggie
Me?
Father
She might listen to you… You could congratulate her, you know. On the scholarship.
Jess
Congratulations.
Maggie
Thank you.
Father leads Avery off-stage. Mother follows.
Silence. Maggie remains standing.
9
Jess
So?
Maggie
Interesting day.
Jess
Yeah.
Silence.
Maggie
Did you know Mum once had an abortion?
Jess
Apart from you, you mean?
Maggie
You won’t to be careful with that mouth, it’ll get you arrested.
Jess
I didn’t call out.
Maggie
Who did?
Jess
Adrian. He’s not real smart. When?
Maggie
When what?
Jess
The abortion.
Maggie
Before she met Dad. At university.
Jess
I didn’t know she went to university.
Maggie
No, neither… You all right?
Jess
Do you care?
Maggie
I try to. You don’t make it easy.
Jess
Let’s not talk.
Maggie
There you go. We can always agree on the things that matter.
The silence stretches.
Maggie
So what happened?
Jess
Nothing.
Maggie
Okay.
Jess
We were sitting in Adrian’s car, parked up, causing nobody any problems, a patrol
car stops, reverses, they get out and take us down to the station for no reason.
Maggie
So the cannabis was planted?
Jess
They didn’t have to stop.
Maggie
Well no, clearly it’s going to be their fault.
10
Jess
We weren’t even charged.
Maggie
They worry you know.
Jess
What, that I won’t be a doctor? See, wouldn’t it be more of a worry to a parent if
their perfect daughter, who never did anything to displease or fucking disappoint,
after sucking her parents dry of every last, self-serving cent, and having won the
scholarship that might finally relieve them of their impossible burden, should then
decide she doesn’t want to be a doctor after all? I should think that would be more
of a worry, wouldn’t you say, my sister dear?
Maggie
That’s shit.
Jess
Yes it is. That’s exactly what it is.
Maggie
I’m going to accept.
Jess
Okay.
Maggie
You just worry about your own screwed up little life.
Jess
It’s all I do. Sit here and worry. While you glide high above the shit of the mere
mortals, serene in the knowledge that you are the chosen one.
Maggie
You should be a poet.
Jess
Perhaps I will. Do they offer scholarships?
Maggie
It’s not all about being happy, you know.
Jess
No? So what else is it about? Why don’t you tell me?
Maggie
Right now I’m busy getting dinner.
Jess
Oh, I forgot. The celebration. Did I congratulate you?
Maggie
Yes you did. I was overwhelmed by the sincerity.
Jess
Fake it till you make it. Works for you, right?
Maggie
There’s such a thing as planning ahead, thinking of the long run.
Jess
In the long run, we shall all be dead. Who said that? John Maynard Keynes. Look him
up.
Maggie
Just for one night, could you behave like a human being? Is that so much to ask?
Jess
For you darling, anything. Hello, what do we have here?
Avery has arrived back on the scene, wearing a towel.
Avery
Sorry, just need to get a new shirt.
11
Mother enters, is instantly flustered.
Mother
Oh, gosh. Um, can I get you anything else Avery? A hot drink perhaps? It must have
been cold out there tonight.
Avery
No, I’m fine thanks.
Jess
Yes you are.
Maggie
You have got to be joking.
Jess moves to the nearby couch and watches as Avery rummages through his pack for his clothes,
then proceeds to dress in front of them. Mother and Maggie busy themselves in the kitchen.
Jess
So, where were you hitching to?
Avery
I was meant to get the ferry.
Jess
And then?
Avery
Thought I’d make my way round the South Island. I’ve never been there. Grew up in
Auckland, so you know, everywhere else always seems a long way away.
Jess
How long for?
Avery
I have to be in Dunedin by the beginning of March.
Jess
Are you studying?
Avery
Nah. Got a mate who is though. Med School.
Mother
Calling out from the kitchen. Maggie’s just won a scholarship for Med school.
Avery
Is that right? Congratulations.
Avery now sits next to Jess. Her conversation with him turns conspiratorial.
Jess
So why do you have to be in Dunedin?
Avery
It’s a rescue mission.
Jess
Tell me more.
Avery
Louis, that’s my mate, promised me in Year 12 that at the end of school him and me
would take a year off and go travelling. Then his parents took him out of the school,
to get away from bad influences, and he went to Kings for a year and learned to
dream of the professional life. So, I thought, before I leave the country, I ought to
call into his hostel, look him in the eye, and remind him of the promise he made.
Jess
You think he might change his mind?
Avery
Nah. They cut your balls off when they give out the stripey blazers. I just want him to
have to remember it for the rest of his life: me standing in front of him with my pack
12
on my back and adventure before me. I like to think that once in a while he’s going
to stop and wonder what it was he missed out on.
Jess
Can I pinch you?
Avery
Sorry?
Jess
To see if you’re real. You were actually waiting there on the side of the road, right?
You’re not some sort of cosmic joke being played on my family.
Avery
No, as far as I know I’m not a cosmic joke.
Jess
But you are perfect. Right here, right now, in this family, on this particular night, you
are perfect.
She sees her father come back into the room.
Jess
Dad, guess what Avery was doing, when you picked him up. He was on his way to
Dunedin to convince his friend not to go to med school? Isn’t that such a
coincidence.
Father
Why would you want to do that, son?
Avery
He’s not into it. He’s only doing it to please his parents.
Father
And I suppose you don’t believe in pleasing your parents?
Avery
It’s not my life’s work.
Father
Come with me for a moment. I need you to hold the end of something while I saw
it.
Jess
What are you sawing?
Father
It doesn’t matter. Not you Jess. You’ve done enough damage for one night.
Father exits, followed by Avery.
Lights up in the next room, where a long plank of wood lies on the floor.
Father
Okay, just pick that length up and put it across here.
Avery
What are you making?
Father
This will work better if you don’t ask questions.
Avery
Fair enough.
Father passes him a builders’ measuring tape.
Father
Just mark off 475 for me.
Avery
475 what?
13
Father
Kilometeres per hour. What do you think?
Avery
I don’t know. That’s why I asked.
Father
Millimetres. What the hell else could it be?
Avery
Centimetres?
Father
Look at that piece of wood. Does it look like it’s 475cm to you?
Avery
I don’t know. Maybe. He measures. About here.
Father
About?
Avery
Near enough.
Father
Have you ever built anything, Avery?
Avery
Not really.
Father
Well I built that shed out there; you see it?
Avery
Very nice.
Father
When the girls were little, I built them a tree house. And I suppose you could say I
built this family. And here’s something building has taught me – there are no prizes
for near enough. Do you understand me?
Avery
Sure.
Father
So this is the mark?
Avery
Where my finger is.
The Father marks it, and passes Avery the saw.
Father
Cut it across there for me.
Avery
You’ll probably get a better result if you do it yourself.
Father
I don’t doubt that.
Avery shrugs, begins to saw, hesitantly at first, while Father watches on.
Father
Don’t push it, son, it’s about the rhythm. It’s not a race.
Avery is no natural when it comes to carpentry. Father stalks, watches, leans forward and whispers
his threat.
Father
This is a very special night for us, and I’ll not have an outsider come in here and
undermine that. She’s worked hard for what she has today, harder than you can
imagine. And now she has a future. I’m sorry, did I say something funny?
14
Avery
No, not at all.
Father
Then you want to get rid of that smirk, don’t you? Because it makes you look
amused, or simple, and I don’t think you want to look either of those things right
now, do you?
Avery
Suppose not.
Father
Look at you, man, you can’t even saw a piece of wood.
Mother pops her head around the corner. She holds a glass of wine.
Mother
How’s it all going in here? Frank, you might want to think about changing. The girls
will be here soon. Avery, I can get you a drink? There’s juice, or a beer if you prefer.
Avery
Wine would be good.
Father
Jesus.
Mother
Oh, right. Good. You have this one if you like. It’s all right, I haven’t started it.
She hovers while he takes a sip.
Mother
It’s a pinot gris. Might be a touch sweet – if you prefer dry I think –
Avery
I’m fine with sweetness.
Father watches, appalled on so many levels.
Father
Okay, can we get back to the sawing? I don’t want to be here all night.
Avery
Oh, where are you going?
Father
In this room I mean. I don’t want to be in this room all night.
Avery
Okay, you hold this then, and I’ll get it finished.
Mother exits. Father stands, awkwardly holding the wine. Avery returns to the task of sawing. Lights
down.
Lights up on Maggie and Mother at the kitchen bench, arranging cream cheese, smoked salmon and
capers on the mini-pikelets she’s made. Jess remains on the couch, lost in her phone.
Maggie
What are you doing?
Mother
Putting the capers on. I just asked you. You said they’d be –
Maggie
Not like that. They look two little eyes, staring at you.
Mother
That’s what they’re meant to look like. See, it’s a fish. Made of fish, and looks like a
fish. Presentation can make all the difference.
Maggie
Oh my God.
15
Mother
What?
Maggie
It looks like a failed kindergarten arts and craft morning.
Mother
Well I’m sorry, we didn’t all go to private schools. What are you doing?
Maggie
I’m changing it.
Mother
No you’re not. These are my last precious weeks of being able to embarrass you on a
regular basis. Pass me some fennel, I’ll give it a tail.
Maggie
Perhaps we should serve them floating in a bowl of water, so it looks like they’re
swimming.
Mother
I was thinking of doing a belly dancing display later. It’s a while since I’ve worn that
costume. How would that be, do you think?
Maggie
You’re not funny.
Mother
In my head I am. I’m going to take you shopping tomorrow, buy you a coat. In
Dunedin, you’ll need a good coat.
Jess
I’d like a new coat.
Mother
When you finish high school, I’ll buy you a coat too.
Jess
That might be sooner than you think.
Knock at the door and Phoebe and Portia enter, armed with bottles of wine and flowers.
Mother
Hello girls, come in.
Hugs all round.
Portia
Sorry we’re early, we were already in town and it wasn’t worth going home first.
Mother
Congratulations on your news, Phoebe. We’re very excited for you. And Portia, I’m
sorry you missed out.
Portia
Me and thousands of others.
Mother
I’m sure it was close.
Portia
I’m sure it wasn’t. Oh, look, you’ve made little fish.
Mother
Maggie doesn’t approve.
Portia
No, it’s a character flaw isn’t it? We’ll try to beat that out of her down south. Hello
Jess, how are you?
Jess
Very well, thank you.
Portia
I heard you’d been arrested.
16
Mother
How did you hear that?
Portia
Have you heard of social media, Mrs C?
Mother
Yes I have. But I’m not sure I approve.
Portia puts her arm around Maggie’s mother, holds up a salmon pikelets, and takes a selfie.
Maggie
Post that, and I will kill you.
Mother
Girls, have a seat. Dinner’s going to be a little while, but there’s plenty to snack on in
the mean time.
Portia
Could we have glass or two, please Mrs C?
Jess
Three.
Mother
There’s no need for you to be drinking young lady.
Jess
Oh, there really is.
Mother
Your father can decide.
Jess
You know that’s the same as saying no, right?
Mother
I’m relying on it.
Jess
So why not just say no yourself?
Mother
Fine. No, you can’t have a drink.
Jess
Why not?
Mother
You shouldn’t mix your drugs.
Portia
Good call.
Jess
So, can I smoke a joint?
Mother
Come and help me with the hors d’oeuvres.
The three friends move to chairs in front of the kitchen bench. Portia pours the drinks, sneaking one
to Jess who downs it in a single gulp before moving back to help her mother.
Phoebe raises her glass in a toast.
Phoebe
To med school.
Portia
To med school.
Phoebe
It still doesn’t seem real. Does it seem real to you?
17
Maggie
Not yet.
Portia
How could it not seem real? You’ve known since Year 9.
Maggie
I didn’t think I’d get a scholarship.
Portia
Of course you were going to get it.
Maggie
There are like five in the entire country.
Phoebe
And two of them in this room.
Portia
I mean, no offence to other people, but how stupid must most of them be, if you
two really are the best and brightest?
Phoebe
About as stupid as you.
Portia
I didn’t really try.
Phoebe
Why would you?
Portia
Have I ever told you about my recurring dream?
Phoebe
Possibly. I don’t always listen.
Portia
I’m at an airport, and my credit card’s declined, and they tell me I have to travel with
the luggage. And then, at the other end, I come out on the carousel, totally naked,
who knows why, and people all come and collect their bags, but no one collects me,
and I just keep going round and round.
Phoebe
And that’s your recurring dream?
Portia
I’ve had it like twice. What do you think it means?
Phoebe
That you’re frightened if anybody ever sees the true you, they won’t like you.
Maggie
I think the airplane is a metaphor for your mother.
Portia
Why?
Maggie
Dreams are always about your mother. And you’ve run out of credit with her, and
the thing you secretly fear is that she will expose you.
Portia
It wasn’t the plane that exposed me, it was the whole air network.
Maggie
Oh well, that’s God then.
Portia
I don’t believe in God.
Maggie
And the dream is his way of letting you know it pisses him off.
Portia
I think it’s a warning, of what would happen, if I was ever poor. It’s why I’m going to
med school.
18
Phoebe
To avoid ending up naked at baggage collection?
Portia
Pretty much.
Maggie
Did you put that on your application form?
Portia
But we never will be. We’ll never be poor. I only have to be nice to my parents for
five more years, and then I’m on my own. Oh my God, I forgot. Dad’s bought us a
house to live in. It is so beautiful. Up on Maori Hill, views out over the city. There’s a
spa pool. I insisted. I explained I’ve always done my best study in the spa. Another
toast, to never being poor.
Maggie
How much is the rent?
Portia
There’s one really small room. We’ll put you in that. It’ll be cheap.
Maggie
Spa’s use a lot of electricity.
Portia
It’s mostly renewable.
Phoebe
She means the cost.
Portia
You have to stop thinking about money all the time. You can’t let it rule your life.
Here, look, this is the view from the front. So, that’s accommodation sorted. Next
item on the agenda, love. When do I dump Felix? Now, or at the end of the holidays?
Now would be simpler, but he’s good fun on road trips. He wants to do a beach
circuit in January. Maybe that would be fairer.
Maggie
How is that fair?
Portia
Well, he gets a little longer with me, sort of as a reward, for all the effort he’s put in,
over the year. He has tried very hard. Then again, I do like the summer relationship,
where all you remember is the taste of sunscreen and sweat. We could take my car,
just the three of us, and pick up hitch hikers. That’s another dream I have, actually,
involving hitch hikers…
At this point Father enters, followed by Avery. Avery is holding his hand, as if it may be injured.
Father
Hello girls. Do excuse us a moment, we just need to stem some bleeding.
Portia
Happens to the best of us.
He fossicks in a drawer, produces a bandage, which Avery wraps around his hand.
Phoebe
And who is this?
Father
Speak up son, or do you find holding a conversation as difficult as holding a saw?
Avery, his name’s Avery. Picked him up hitch hiking.
Portia
Come and join us.
19
Portia moves over, leaving a small space on the couch between her and Phoebe. Jess catches Avery’s
eye as he moves past. They share a look of contempt for the visitors. Jess nods to the wine bottle.
Avery drains his glass, refills, and passes it quietly to Jess, before helping himself to a new glass. He
sits.
Father sits in a side chair and opens his laptop. Jess takes a plate of snacks and a bowl of chips and
passes them around, then sits behind Maggie, positioned so as to be able to share silent jokes with
Avery.
Phoebe
So, where are you from?
Avery
Auckland.
Phoebe
Where abouts?
Avery
Grey Lynn.
Phoebe
That’s where my hairdresser lives.
Avery
You fly to Auckland for your haircuts?
Phoebe
No, of course not. That would be ridiculous. She comes down here. Not just for me.
She has a whole circuit.
Avery
I didn’t know they didn’t have hairdressers in Wellington.
Phoebe
I know. A city this size, you’d think it’d be much easier to get something decent. This
would be a good moment to say you like my hair, by the way. I sort of left that open
for you.
Avery
Yeah, I noticed that.
Phoebe
And?
Avery
I make it a rule never to give compliments on demand.
Portia
We’re going to med school. All three of us.
Avery
Another excellent reason not to get sick.
Portia
What is your problem?
Avery
I don’t have a problem.
Portia
You do realise you’re a guest in this house?
Avery
And I’m very grateful.
Portia
Then stop being so fucking rude.
Father looks up.
Father
Is this boy upsetting you?
20
Jess
He hasn’t done a thing.
Father
I’m not sure you’re the best character witness right now.
Jess
I was attesting for his actions, not his character.
Father stands, walks behind Avery, leans down.
Father
I trust I made myself clear, earlier.
Maggie
Dad, please.
Father
This is your night, and I’ll not have anybody ruining it.
He returns to his chair.
Silence.
Avery
So, Maggie. Why do you want to become a doctor?
Maggie
I have a fear of baggage carousels.
Jess
The better question is, so Maggie, do you want to be a doctor?
Phoebe
Of course she wants to be a doctor.
Jess
So why doesn’t she speak up for herself?
Maggie
Why don’t you fuck up?
Mother
Language girls. Don’t make me get the swear jar out.
Maggie
We don‘t have a swear jar.
Mother
I’m thinking of starting one.
Phoebe
Would you like a hand with anything through there Mrs C?
Mother
No, we’re just fine thank you. Frank’s going to do that thing with scallops.
Father
What thing?
Mother
You know, with bacon, and flames.
Father
The brandy, you mean? Step back then.
When he gets closer to his wife, he whispers…
Father
When did you get scallops?
Mother
This afternoon.
Father
How much did they cost?
21
Mother
Just, let’s have one night that isn’t defined by a spreadsheet. Do you think we can do
that?
Jess has managed to pour herself a third wine. From this point on, her speech speaks of the early,
happy/loose phase of drunkenness.
Jess
You still haven’t answered the question.
Maggie
It’s not easy to get a word in.
Jess
Do you want to be a doctor Maggie? Yes or no, one word. Here’s your gap, squeeze
it in.
Maggie
Yes, Jess, I want to be a doctor. It’s why I’m going to med school.
Jess
I’m very pleased for you. I hope you’ll be happy there.
Maggie
I’ll miss you, of course.
Portia
Are you meant to be drinking wine there, Jess?
Jess
You gave it to me.
Portia
Yes, and now you’re starting to annoy me.
Jess
Avery’s going to med school. Ask him why.
Phoebe
Really?
Avery
No. I’m going to visit my friend in med school.
Phoebe
What’s his name?
Avery
Louis.
Portia
Is he cute?
Avery
Yes. He has dimples, and a wonderful arse.
Jess
He’s going to tell Louis not to go to med school, and to travel instead.
Portia
Why would you do that?
Avery
Because med school is for overachieving arses, which Louis isn’t
Jess
Although his arse does overachieve, by all accounts.
The Father, now splendid in a comedy apron, appears furious before them.
Father
What did I just say?
Avery
When?
Father
When we were next door, cutting wood.
22
Avery
You said the secret was in the rhythm. Long slow movements. Don’t force it, just
give into the movement. He holds up his hand. It didn’t work.
Father
I said this was a special night or us, and I wasn’t about to let you ruin it.
Avery
That’s right. That too.
Father
I’ll put you back out on the street. I don’t mind doing that.
Mother
No he won’t.
Avery
If I’m not welcome, I’m happy to leave.
Mother
Don’t be ridiculous. Where would you sleep?
Avery
Night shelter, maybe.
Father
A night shelter paid for by the tax payer. Paid for by hard working doctors. Which is
why you need to… Oh shit, my bacon.
He storms back to the kitchen.
Father
My bacon! Now you’ve made me burn my bacon!
Mother
Seeing the need to intervene, but not knowing how. We could play a game.
Maggie
A what?
Mother
You know. One of those party games you used to like when you were little. Just for
fun. For old time’s sake.
Jess
Gleefully sensing disaster. Mr Moriarty!
Maggie
We are not playing Mr Moriarty.
Portia
What is Mr Moriarty?
Maggie
Don’t.
Father
No, It’s a fine idea. Here, move the table. I’ll start, to show you how it’s done. You
boy, come on. We need blindfolds. Dear, get me two tea towels.
Maggie
There is no –
Jess
I’ll get them.
Father
Now, newspaper. Where’s that newspaper? Here, roll this up, one each, that’s our
weapon. Okay, blindfold us.
Phoebe
Come on, be a sport.
Maggie
See, even Phoebe is mocking me. How bad do you suppose it has to have got if even
Phoebe is mocking me?
23
Meanwhile Father has taken Avery’s hand and guided him to the floor, so the they lie facing one
another, still holding left hands.
Phoebe
What does that mean?
Maggie
It means you’re the nice one.
Phoebe
Screw you.
Maggie
How can you possibly be offended by that?
Phoebe
Nice is the weakest compliment you can pay. It’s like at school when you had to
write things on paper about each other, and there was always one kid who only got
‘nice shoes’. You just told me I had nice shoes.
Father
So I start. I call, and then you answer, and then I try to hit you about the head with
the newspaper. All right - Are you there Moriarty?
Avery
Yes, I am here.
Father
Good. And the trick is to feel them moving through their hand, and then…
He launches a massive blow which misses entirely.
Father
See, harder than it looks. You’re turn.
Avery
Are you there Moriarty?
Father
Yes, I am here.
Father rolls away. Avery waits.
Father
There’s a time lim…
His position thus betrayed, Father endures a solid blow to his head. He is not impressed. He stands,
ripping off his blindfold, and staggers backwards, knocking a bowl from the table.
Father
You think you’re clever don’t you? You think you’re so bloody smart.
He moves towards Avery who stands, as if ready to defend himself.
Avery
You didn’t say we couldn’t…
Father
You caught my eye. It was a sideways swipe. I clearly said the motion is up and
down. You were deliberately trying to injure me.
Avery
Okay, I’m over this shit. You all enjoy your special family time. I’m going.
Father
Good.
Mother
No, you –
Avery has moved to his pack. Jess rushes to his side.
24
Jess
If you let him leave, I’m going with him.
Father
Is that supposed to be a threat?
Mother
Don’t be ridiculous. Nobody’s going anywhere. Let’s just think of a different game.
Maggie
I’m not sure games is really the best –
Jess
Truth, Dare, Promise.
Mother
Oh yes, that’s a wonderful idea. Let me just get another drink.
Maggie
Are you serious?
Mother
Why not? It will be fun.
Maggie
Okay, I can guarantee you that whatever happens next is not going to be fun.
Mother
You just need to lighten up, my girl. That’s right, isn’t Portia, she needs to learn to
relax.
Portia
She most certainly does. Hitch hiker boy, come and sit back down. You can go first.
Mother
Frank, see what you can salvage from that bacon, will you. I’m hungry.
Father
How much have you had to drink?
Mother
Yes, another wine would be lovely. Thank you.
Avery has sat back down. Portia, Phoebe and Mother crowd around him. Maggie hangs back,
knowing full well how this must end. Jess sits in the background, smug. Pours herself another drink.
Mother
All right, Avery. Here is my question –
Phoebe
That’s not how it works.
Mother
Excuse me, but I was playing this game when you were still in nappies young girl.
Phoebe
You have to give him a choice. Truth, Dare or Promise. That’s where the game gets
its name.
Portia
But not a promise.
Phoebe
Why not?
Portia
We don’t know him. We’ll never see him again. He promise whatever he likes, and
there’s no consequence for him.
Jess
Like Doctor Louis.
Avery
I don’t even remember agreeing to play.
Portia
Decisions are difficult, don’t you find? Actually, that’s going to be my question.
25
Mother
It’s not your question. Is my question.
Phoebe
He hasn’t even said he wants to –
Avery
Okay, yes. Truth. I choose truth.
Portia
So, have you ever waited until to knew another girl liked you, before dumping your
current girlfriend?
Avery
No.
Portia
This doesn’t work if you lie.
Avery
I am not lying. Why would you even think that?
Portia
You have a look.
Avery
I look like a slut?
Portia
You look like a man. It’s enough.
Avery
Oh for fuck’s sake.
Portia
You find my feminism threatening do you?
Avery
You’re not a feminist.
Portia
Why am I not a feminist?
Avery
Feminists have concern for the plight of women. Your concern does not extend
beyond the end of your little privileged white girl nose.
Portia
It’s why you don’t want Maggie to become a doctor. Powerful women threaten you.
You make like you’re the big independent traveller, but, really you’re just running
away.
Avery
I don’t give a shit whether Maggie becomes a doctor. She can do whatever she
wants.
Maggie
You see? You see what happens?
Jess
My turn. Pick me.
Mother
All right. Truth, dare or promise?
Jess
If I choose dare, will you dare me to kiss Avery?
Avery
No.
Father
She’s fifteen years old, son. You so much as touch her and I’m calling the police.
Mother
How are the scallops coming?
26
Father
I can’t find the brandy.
Jess
Holds up the bottle. It’s just here.
Father
There was a lot more in –
Jess
Truth. I choose truth.
Mother
Oh. Well, now I’ve forgotten my question. I had a question, now what was it?
Avery
What’s a secret you’ve never told anyone?
Phoebe
You can’t ask that.
Avery
Why not?
Phoebe
It has to be specific.
Jess
No, it’s all right. I’ve got one. I’ve never told anyone that when Maggie was in Year 8,
she deliberately failed her scholarship exam because she didn’t want to got to –
Maggie
You little bitch.
Stunned silence, as the implications sink in.
Father staggers into the room, holding his plate of burnt-bacon-wrapped scallops. They are passed
around in silence. The Father is lost, bewildered.
Father
Is that true?
Maggie
I don’t know. It was a long time ago.
Father
Furious What do you mean you don’t know?
Maggie
I, I maybe didn’t try my hardest. I don’t know. It was confusing, I just…
Jess
You told me you deliberately put down the wrong answers.
Father
Is that true?
Mother
It’s just Jess. She’s just being –
Father
I asked you a question.
Mother
It’s happened. It’s in the past. She was just a little girl. You put her under an awful lot
of pressure.
Father
Oh good. So we’ll make this my fault, shall we? That should restore the fucking
normal order, shouldn’t it?
Mother
Frank, we have guests.
Father rounds on Maggie.
27
Father
Do you have any idea how much we have sacrificed to put you through that school?
Maggie
Of course I’m –
Father
We haven’t taken a holiday in five years. Your mother is beside herself with stress.
She cries herself to sleep at night, she’s so exhausted. Did you know that? Did you
know the doctor told me I have to take a break. He said I’m killing myself with my
lifestyle. He literally said that. Last night I cut a piece of rubber out of an old pair of
gumboots and tried to glue it on to the sole of my shoes, because I don’t know when
I’ll be able to afford a new pair.
Maggie
Dad, can you –
Father
Oh, I’m sorry. Am I embarrassing you in front of your rich friends, darling? I am so
very sorry. That must be excruciating for you. No, go on girls, eat up. Never mind
that tonight’s food and wine has been paid for by our supermarket Christmas club,
so the yuletide dinner this year is going to have to be shit sausages and mashed
fucking potato. But hey, you’re all invited. It might be exotic to you, like travelling to
a third world country for your holidays. Lie down over there if you like, my wife does
excellent massages, $10 a pop, or my youngest girl here could braid you’re hair for a
fiver. No, please, eat up. It’s paid for now, no point seeing it go to waste.
Phoebe
Pulling out her wallet. If it helps, I can –
Father
No, it does not help. Have you any idea how insulting that is, to even… what are we,
some sort of charity? Here, get out your phone and take a photograph. This is how
the poor people live. You could add it to your CV, as community service.
Phoebe
I just thought –
Father
No you didn’t. You didn’t think at all.
He snatches the wallet and then attempts to shove it back down Phoebe’s top. The mood is suddenly
brutal. Phoebe tries to push him off. For a moment the others hesitate, then Avery moves in,
wrestling Maggie’s father to the floor.
The father sits centre stage, broken, recovering his breath, unable to speak. He stands silently, his
dignity in tatters, and leaves the room. Maggie has begun to cry. Mother moves across and comforts
her.
Maggie
I’m sorry. I am so sorry.
Mother
It’s more complicated than you can know.
Maggie
It’s not. It’s true. I didn’t want to go, and instead of just telling you, I failed it. I knew
every answer. I knew every answer in the test. And I made you, I made us poor.
Mother
No you didn’t. You couldn’t have known how your father would –
Maggie
He just wanted me to –
28
Mother
No. You think how he was when you were still in primary school. If it wasn’t this, he
would have found some other way of punishing me.
She looks around the room, aware she’s said too much.
Maggie
Punishing you for what?
Mother
It doesn’t matter.
Maggie
I just, I just want you to be proud of me.
Mother
We are proud of you.
They embrace.
Mother
I should go and find Frank. Excuse me everybody. Maggie, if we’re not back by eight,
the foil needs to come off the meat or it won’t brown. Just turn it right up for the
last twenty minutes. And you should get some potatoes in.
Jess
Just let him go.
Mother
I haven’t always made it easy for him.
Mother leaves. Everybody is silent. Maggie looks at Jess.
Jess
Don’t. Don’t blame me for this.
Maggie
I’m not.
Silence
Portia
Did you really think it would be that bad?
Maggie
I’m not like you.
Portia
Yes you are. You’re one of us. We don’t even notice any more.
Maggie
I am nothing like you. And I’m so pleased, because you’re awful.
Jess
At last.
Portia
Another excellent contribution from little miss state-school drug-addict prostitute in
waiting.
Jess
Okay, two things wrong with that: first, if I did ever want to get drugs, it’s your
school I would be visiting to buy them, and second I’d rather be selling my body than
paying for sex the way you do.
Portia
I have never –
Jess
When did you ever get anything without paying for it, one way or another?
29
Phoebe
You do really we’re guests here? We were invited, and then you treat us like this. Do
you have no sense at all of good manners?
Jess
No, I don’t. Why don’t you help me out? If I were to stand up now, and tell you to
fuck off out of my house and never come back, would that be polite or impolite? I’m
a little confused.
Portia
We were leaving anyway. Come on Avery, this is family time.
Maggie
He can stay.
Avery
Not if it’s any –
Phoebe
Come back for a spa, if you like.
Avery
I’m good here, as long as you don’t –
Maggie
It’s cool.
Portia walks up to Maggie, gets in her face.
Portia
This is the problem with trying to help you people. You end up destroying everything
we give you. Sometimes, I think you’re actually happiest swimming about in your
own shit.
Maggie
It must be very difficult for you.
Portia and Phoebe leave.
Avery walks across to the scallops and takes another.
Avery
They’re actually quite good.
Jess pours another round of drinks.
Maggie
What do you think she meant?
Jess
Who?
Maggie
Mum. When she said she hasn’t made it easy for him.
Jess
Do you want to know?
Maggie
Probably not.
Jess
People are screwed up. Leave it at that.
Maggie
Yeah.
Jess
So, what are you going to do now Med School’s out?
Maggie
It’s not.
30
Jess
You were only doing it to please them, and now they know you don’t even want to,
so…
Maggie
When did I ever say I didn’t want to?
Jess
You’ve been miserable ever since you got the letter.
Maggie
Oh, so you were doing me a favour by telling them?
Jess
It’s okay. I wasn’t expecting a thank you.
Maggie
I’m not wasting the scholarship.
Jess
So you’re going to do something that doesn’t even make you happy, just to do what,
prove you can?
Maggie
And pissing everybody off, that makes you happy does it? Or do you do it just
because you can?
Jess
You should follow your dreams.
Maggie
What are you, twelve?
Jess
Avery’s following his.
Maggie
Yeah, having to be rescued soaking wet on the side of the road and brought here to
share in our family meltdown. That’s living the dream.
Avery
I don’t know. It’s been sort of interesting.
Maggie
I like learning, okay? I’m good at it. I like doing things I’m good at. It’ll be okay.
Jess
Why settle for just okay?
Maggie
Did you not notice anything tonight? Just okay is fucking wonderful.
Jess
Can you drive?
Avery
Sure.
Maggie
Jess, he’s been drinking. You both have.
Jess
We can walk. The rain’s stopped.
Avery
Where are we going?
Jess
Does it matter?
Avery
Guess not.
Maggie
What about the dinner?
Jess
Save us some.
31
Jess and Avery leave. Maggie is left alone in the kitchen. She begins to peel the potatoes. Little Boxes
on the radio. She smiles, sings along.
32