10 Minute Play.

Well this year in school I had to take a class called "Theatre." Man, I was excited, I though I'd get to work on sets and design costumes for the plays and just have fun. Boy, was I wrong! My so called teacher was a jerk-face. All he cared about was really embarrassing us in front of the class making us do stupid acting games and improvisation. The worse part had to be when he made us write a 10 minute play, 10 pages, in one week. So here it is for Mr. _____, my 10 minute play!!

10 Minute Play
Characters:

Molli Thompson

Melissa Thompson
(mother)

Barrett Thompson
(father)

Police Officer
***

Introduction: Melissa Thompson is convinced her marriage is going no where. For the past three months, her husband, Barrett, has been leaving early and coming home late. her daughter, Molli refuses to have anything to do with her father, always saying he's never loved her or how he wishes she was a boy. Melissa is tired of trying when nothing ever works. She tells her husband she is filing for a divorce. Now the have to tell Molli.

Molli's Monologue: I can't take this anymore! They're driving me crazy! They never stop fighting, and they can't just put this aside for ME! Their own daughter. How am I supposed to live like this?

Melissa: (to Molli) We have to talk.

Molli: About what?

Melissa: About our family, Molli.

Molli: Mom! I'm going to be late for school can't we talk about this later.

Barrett: Molli, me and your mother need to talk to you. Now sit down and listen!

Melissa: This isn't easy, but it has to be done. Hunny, your father and I are getting a divorce. Things haven't been the same lately and we need some time apart.

Molli: What? A divorce? I don't understand....

Barrett: What's not to understand? Your mother and I are separating. You're old enough now where you can make
your own decisions. I'll be moving to Boston in three weeks. You have a choice, stay with you mother, or try out something new and live with me.

Molli: You're both giving up! On each other. On me? You want me to choose...between you and mom. I can't just pick one of you. It's not right. You can't make me!

( Molli storms out)

Melissa: Maybe we shouldn't have told her. She's too young, she doesn't understand.

Barrett: It's not her place to understand. We agreed that this should be her decision.

Melissa: But is that what's best for her? (yelling)

Barrett: We're her parents! We always know what is best for her! (yelling)

Melissa: And you think Boston is the right choice? Dragging her miles away from her friends and me.

Barrett: Yes, I do...Leaving her here with all the memories of a family that is ending... It could crush her.

Melissa: And taking her away wouldn't? How is she supposed to deal with a divorce and moving away at the same
time?

Barrett: Life is hard and she needs to learn that things don't always work out the way she wants.

Melissa: She's still a child, she'll learn soon enough.

(Molli Enters Again.)

Melissa: Molli what is it?

Molli: I hate you. both of you.

Melissa: MOLLI!

Molli: Don't try to talk to me. I'm leaving, and don't expect me to come back.

(Molli Exits)

***
(door bell rings!!!)

(opening the door)
Barrett: Can I help you?

Police Officer: Yes, is this the Thompson residence?

Barrett: Yes, Is something wrong?

Police Officer: Are you the father of Molli Thompson?

Barrett: Yes.

Police Officer: I'm very sorry. There was a car accident about two hours ago. The doctors did everything they could, but unfortunately Molli didn't make it.

Barrett: If this is a joke, it's not funny.

Nurse: Again sir, I'm very sorry. This isn't a joke, but you and your wife need to come with me.

Barrett: Ok thank you. ---(silence)

Melissa: (enters) What's going on?

Barrett: Molli was in an accident.

Melissa: Oh my God. Is she ok?

Barrett: No Melissa. Our daughter is dead.

Melissa: (in shock) How can she be dead? You're lying. You have to be.

Barrett: We need to go.

Melissa: Where?

Barrett: to the Hospital.

(both exit)
(There is a funeral for Molli at a local church. She is buried beside her grandparents and her uncle. Barrett and Melissa plan to be buried there also.)

***
Melissa: (crying) It seems like yesterday she was getting ready for her first day of School.

Barrett: You need to get dressed.

Melissa: I am trying to remember our daughter and all you have to say is get dressed? What am I supposed to wear?
What does a mother wear to her baby's funeral, Barrett?

Barrett: I don't know. I've never lost a daughter before. (angry)

Melissa: Well why don't you announce it to the world that she is gone. And while you are at it you can tell them that it is
all your fault!

Barrett: MY FAULT? I'm not the one that wanted a divorce in the first place.

Melissa: But you just had to tell her. You couldn't think of an easier way to break the news. And you shouldn't have let her leave. If you would have stopped her, she would still be here.

Barrett: And you are blaming me? It's always my fault. It was my fault when we went bankrupt. It was my fault for the divorce. And now you are trying to blame me for our daughter's death.....It wasn't my job to stop her...It was our job!

Melissa: I didn't fail as a parent and don't you tell me that I did.

Barrett: We both failed. Can't you see that. Molli is dead. And there is no going back. Why can't you just try to understand.

Melissa: I want a divorce from you and that's final!

(Door Slams)

Melissa: Oh my God. What was that?

Barrett: I-I-I think someone's here.

Melissa: I think it came from Molli's room?

Barrett: But no one's in Molli's old room.

(Door Slams Again.)

(Both walk towards he door. Molli's door is shaking, like something is trying to get out. Screams come from inside. Barrett opens the door. ---they see nothing.)

Melissa: What is going on?

Barrett: Look there's a letter!

(Melissa rushes to get it.)

Melissa: It's from Molli.
Dear Mom and Dad,
I can't take this anymore! You're driving me crazy! You never stop fighting and you can't just put this aside for me. Your own daughter. Why can't you just stop arguing all the time? I hope this teaches you something.
- Molli.

Barrett: This wasn't here yesterday when we picked out her burial clothes? was it?

Melissa: N-No. but where did it come from?

Barrett: I don't know?

Melissa: Maybe we should leave. (scared)

Barrett: Yeah. we have a lot to do today.

(both exit)

***
(crys and screams fill the entire Thompson house.)

Melissa: Barrett! Wake up! ]

Barrett: Woman! What do you want now?

Melissa: Listen. Listen.
(screams)
It's coming from her room again.

Barrett: I swear Melissa. All of this is going to your head.

Melissa: Barrett will you just listen to me for once. It's coming from her room again.

(Barrett gets up and he and Melissa go into Molli's room.)

Barrett: See there's is nothing here!

Melissa: Look the window! (terrified)

(Barrett turns toward the window and sees a bloody had print smeared down the glass.)

Melissa: Do you believe me now?

Barrett: I-I guess I have to!

Melissa: Watch out!
***
(Melissa and Barrett Thompson were found dead in there home today. Detectives say that while in there recently deceased daughter's room, a bookcase fell and killed the couple. Police are still trying to figure how a bookcase that was bolted to a wall could have killed two people. There will be a Memorial Service for both Barrett and Melissa on Sunday, following a burial next to there daughter.)

What can I say?