A Mother’s Decision (2006)
A Play by Michelle W.
CHARACTERS:
DINO, the clay dinosaur. He is 5 minutes old and is purple with yellow spots.
LAVENDAR, the purple play dough container. She is Dino’s mother and is married to the play dough shaper.
SETTING:
The desk of Billy, a bright 6-year old, who is a piano prodigy. A rainbow of play dough containers is lined up against the wall on the desk. On the drawers, cartoon stickers smile back and the top of the desk is scratched due to intense coloring. Tiny pencils and markers are inside a cup that is shaped like a goblet for a king. The desk is made of maple wood, with Billy’s initials carved into the left drawer by his grandfather
TIME:
Noon, it is bright outside and the light from the windows are enough to the light the whole room
AT RISE:
At Billy’s desk, Playdough containers are neatly lined up, except for LAVENDAR. She is huffing and tapping her container body nervously against the wood desk. DINO enters sheepishly, carefully approaching his fragile mother.
LAVENDAR
I give you everything you have ever wanted and this is how you repay me? Your choices are breaking my heart and you don’t even care.
DINO
Mom…
(LAVENDAR turns away from Dino)
DINO
Why can’t you accept me for who I am? Why do you and Dad feel the need to change me? I’m proud of who I am.
LAVENDAR
It’s not that I can’t accept you…
(LAVENDAR turns around and looks Dino straight in the eye.)
It’s just that in today’s society we need practical things like spheres, pyramids, and squares. Unlike what you are right now. Dino, you will thank me later, just go off with your father and—&
DINO
(angrily) He’s the last thing that I want to talk to! I can feel his angry eyes whenever he’s near me, because he can shape any damn thing he wants except his own children!
LAVENDAR
(raising her voice) don’t use that tone with me! Your father and I want what’s best for you and you being like this (looks at Dino with disappointment) is setting yourself up for failure. (tone calms down) I have nothing to say to you about your sister, she’s a disappointment, because she’s never realized her potential. You have so much going for you! Why ruin it?
DINO
Mom, Why can’t you realize that this is my life and I choose how to live it. Just like Sis, it’s her decision. She carved her own path instead of the one you and dad laid out for her.
LAVENDAR
You’re a Dinosaur and your sister is a little red heart! Do you really want to stay like this forever, Dino? Honestly, these…forms…aren’t normal!
DINO
Why do you care what other things think? Is this because of Dad and how he’s the play dough shaper? Are you ashamed of me?
(LAVENDAR is silent and turns away)
I knew it. I can’t believe you sometimes. These are my final hours, because eventually, I will dry up and remain this way forever.
LAVENDAR
Dino, You’re going to look different. Not that different’s a bad thing, I just want you to be accepted.
DINO
Know what? The only acceptance I want is from you and Dad.
(LAVENDAR looks puzzled)
DINO
All I’ve ever wanted is for you to say that you’re proud of me.
LAVENDAR
Honey (hugs Dino) I’m always proud of you and I always will be. You’re my little boy, and that will never change.
DINO
Then why won’t you accept me?
LAVENDAR
You scare me sometimes, because you’re acting just like your sister before she left. I don’t want our relationship to become so distant.
DINO
Well, I’m sorry to say, that’s what is happening to our relationship.
LAVENDAR
(upset) Don’t you want to be happy? Why don’t you want to change?
DINO
Mom, the only thing I want to do is make you happy. I dry up in 2 hours, since you don’t like seeing me like this then I guess-
LAVENDAR
(happy) Great! I’ll tell your father. You made the right choice, Dino. He’s going to be so thrilled. Maybe you could be a—
(DINO looks down at the floor and turns away from mom)
square or rectangle. I’m just—
DINO
I’m just going back to the container. Call dad. Do what you want.
DINO turns around)
(LAVENDAR smiles and starts humming and tapping her sides, she begins to slow down her tune as she looks at her son’s face)
LAVENDAR
Dino?
DINO
Yes, mom?
LAVENDAR
As hard as this is for me to say, you’re right.
DINO
(turns to face her) What do you mean?
LAVENDAR
I know how important this form is to you. I couldn’t live with myself if your dad and my choices are making you so upset. I trust your judgment and whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.
DINO
(lights up) So, I can–
LAVENDAR
Yes, I’ll tell your father.
DINO
(in shock) Wow, I’m at a loss for words. Can I–
LAVENDAR
Don’t push your luck Mister. (laughs) I just wish I could have had this talk with your sister before she left. She just packed up and claimed I didn’t understand her. I tried to, but I could only focus on how right I felt. (sulks)
DINO
Mom, life is all about the decisions you make and watching them ripple through your life as well as others, you taught me that. She will come around, I promise.
THE END
