CHARACTERS JACLYN
26, white, always wears a mid-length dress with flower pattern and a small cross-over bag. Does not talk much, shows her feeling pretty clear through voice toe and eyes gaze, looks at people in the eye when talking to them.
HALEY
26, white, Jaclyn’s best friend. Talks a lot, thinks the world revolves around her.
MORGAN
54, Jaclyn’s mother. Always worries about Jaclyn and overprotects her.
SETTING
Jaclyn and Haley are eating in a fine candle-lit restaurant surrounding by several people.
TIME
On a Friday night.
(Jaclyn and Haley are chatting about their lives while enjoying the food that they ordered)
HALEY
So did that guy text you back?
JACLYN
No, such a shame. I could have texted first. I think he is cute too!
HALEY
Well, you should be consistent next time Jaclyn. You are always like this.
JACLYN
(annoyed)
Like what?
HALEY
(hesitantly)
Like,.. not being determined enough in relationships. You never say what you want. People cannot figure out your feeling and your desire if you don’t say it Jaclyn.
JACLYN
Not all of them wants to figure out anyway, like Gabe.
HALEY
Oh, come on, don’t talk about him anymore. Now answer me why are people looking at us weirdly for the last two hours?
JACLYN
You have asked me that question six times in the last two hour and I said I don’t know (voice raising). Maybe they envy something.
(Jaclyn’s phone buzzes. Her mother is calling)
JACLYN
Excuse me
(Jaclyn takes out her phone to see)
Oh, it’s just my mom.
HALEY
Take it.
(Jaclyn remains at the table to listen to her phone call)
JACLYN
Hey, mommy. I’m..
MORGAN
(talks very loudly in a worried tone)
WHERE ARE YOU JACLYN?
JACLYN
Oh, mom, why are you talking so loudly. I told you already that I’m going out to eat with my friend. We haven’t seen each other for months.
MORGAN
You haven’t come home for a few days. Now that’s the problem.
JACLYN
Mom, I have my own home and I’m an adult.
MORGAN
Have you taken the pills today? And remember to come to the therapist tomorrow!
JACLYN
(talking angrily)
I have just to come to see her a few months ago. She said I should only visit her every four months now since it’s my fifth year on it. Mom, I have already told you a lot of times already. You are overprotecting me again mom and I don’t like it. I am an adult mom.
MORGAN
(sigh)
I know, I know. I am sorry. I am just worried Jaclyn, so worried about what had happened. I mean… we should not talk about it again, but I’m scared. I’m scared if I didn’t pay enough attention, something would be wrong.
JACLYN
Mom, it’s alright. I’m living a happy life right now, don’t you see. Everything is going well. I’m even eating out with my friends that I haven’t seen in months.
MORGAN
Ok good. You are right. I should not be worried too much. It’s five years already. You know how to take care of yourself.
HALEY
Would you like some more wine?
JACLYN
Yes, I would like some more wine. Thank you, Haley.
MORGAN
(surprised, panic)
What? What are you talking about? Who are you talking to? Who is that?
JACLYN
Mom, calm down. I’m talking to my friend. She just asked me if I wanted some more wine. It’s Haley mom. I know you love her.
MORGAN
Which, which Haley? Which Haley are you talking about?
JACLYN
Are you serious mom? How can you forget Haley? That Haley. Haley Fordland. The Haley I have been friend with since I was four.
MORGAN
How can, how can it be?
JACLYN
What do you mean? I haven’t seen her for months because she moved to Atlanta. Now she is back for her business, so we decided to meet to catch up. What do you mean by saying that?
HALEY
Is everything okay? You seem frustrated.
JACLYN
Everything is fine Haley. My mom is just being like usual and talking nonsense over here. I sometimes can’t understand her.
MORGAN
(sobbing slightly)
Jaclyn, Jaclyn honey. Where are you? Where are you now?
JACLYN
Mom, what is wrong? Are you fucking crying right now? What is happening?
MORGAN
Nothing honey. I just want to see you to make sure that you are fine. Now please tell me the restaurant you are at.
JACLYN
No, mom. I’m having a date with my friend and I’m not gonna let you ruin it. You do it every time.
MORGAN
Please Jaclyn. Please tell me where you are. I just want to see my little girl. I miss her so much!
JACLYN
Ok, alright. We are at Devina’s the French restaurant. Let me ask Haley first.
(Jaclyn lowers the phone and looks at Haley in the eye to talk to her)
HALEY
What is happening?
JACLYN
I don’t know what is happening, but can my mom visit us a little bit. I have no idea what is wrong with her because she keeps insisting to see me.
HALEY
Oh, it’s fine. I want to see Mrs. Steller too. We haven’t seen each other for a very long time Jaclyn.
JACLYN
Alright. If you want to meet her, it’s fine then.
(Jaclyn picks up the phone again. frustration shows on her face)
JACLYN
Ok mom, you can come.
MORGAN
(worry shows in her voice)
On my way honey.
JACLYN
(looks at Haley)
Such a bomber. We are supposed to have a good time and this happened.
HALEY
Oh, it’s fine. I want to see your mom too.
JACLYN
You are so generous.
HALEY
I have always been.
(Jaclyn and Haley both burst out laughing)
(Morgan arrives. She runs into the restaurant making a scene trying to look for her daughter)
MORGAN
(sighing in relief)
There you are honey.
(Morgan comes to Jaclyn’s table and hugs Jaclyn in her arm very tight)
(Jaclyn breaks herself from the hug and turns to Haley)
JACLYN
Mom, it’s alright. This is Haley. She said she wants to meet you since you guys haven’t seen each other in years.
HALEY
Good evening, Mrs. Steller. How are you doing?
(There is a long silence. Morgan looks at Jaclyn’s eyes for a very long time)
JACLYN
Mom, what are you doing? She said hi to you. It’s rude of you not to say hi back.
(Morgan starts crying while looking at her daughter)
MORGAN
Jaclyn, Jaclyn my dear. Haley died five years ago.
JACLYN
(confused)
What are you talking about? Haley is sitting right in front of me and she is saying hi to you.
MORGAN
(cries louder and holds her daughter in her arm)
Jaclyn dear, Haley died five years ago with Gabe, your boyfriend.
JACLYN
(gets confused and frustrated at the same time)
No, Haley is sitting here. She lives in Atlanta now for her job. That douchebag Gabe left me five years ago, he is still living here in San Francisco and he has a job in Home Depot. I still see him once a while on the street and we don’t look at each other’s eyes. Mom I don’t know what you are talking about, but it is making me crazy.
MORGAN
Darling, Haley and Gabe both dies five years ago. Don’t you remember?
JACLYN
Remember what mom? You are talking nonsense right now.
MORGAN
(talking and crying at the same time)
Don’t you remember? You, you killed them bo… both.
JACLYN
Mom, what the fuck are you saying?
MORGAN
You killed them both. Don’t you remember anything honey? What is happening to you right now? What is happening to my daughter?
JACLYN
Nothing is wrong mom. Tell me what is happening.
MORGAN
You don’t remember anything at all? You poisoned them. You killed them because Gabe cheated on you with Haley. You found out and… and killed them both.
JACLYN
Hahahahahaha. I don’t know why you are saying these nonsense things. Something is wrong with you mom. If I killed them both, I would be in prison now. Why would I be sitting here talking to you and Haley?
MORGAN
Honey, you got diagnosed with depression and bipolar. I thought your mental state is becoming better after five years. I don’t know this is happening to you honey. I am sorry Jaclyn. I am so sorry. I am a bad mom.
(Morgan talks and hits her chest at the same time)
(Jaclyn stops her from hitting herself)
JACLYN
(cries and holds her in her arms)
Stop, mom, stop. Stop hitting yourself.
MORGAN
Do you remember it now honey?
JACLYN
I still see Haley. Haley is sitting there smiling at me mom. Haley looks like an angel. She is so nice. She has been my friend for so long. How can I kill her? How can I kill her mom?
MORGAN
It’s not your fault honey. It’s not you. You were affected by some diseases. You didn’t want to do it. My daughter could never have done those things. It’s not your fault.
(Morgan is holding her daughter in her arms. Jaclyn and Morgan are crying)
(Jaclyn looks at Haley in the eye)
HALEY
(whispering)
I am sorry Jaclyn.
JACLYN
I am sorry Haley.
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