Script

Title: Life As We Knew It

Author:Susan Pfeffer

Setting: Sunroom(both before and after)

Character List:

Miranda: Maddeline Lanni

Mom(Laura): Grace Greene

Matt: Michael Davis

Johnny: John Jiang 13 Years old

Peter/ Dad:Jack Shi

Prop List-

Food chest

Two benches

Chocolate chips

Can food/ bowl

Coffee table

Two blankets

Throw blankets to cover everyone up

Game

Black box (furnace)

Laundry and basket

Book

Backpack

Lighting (Sound N/A): 

BEFORE lighting will be standard stage lighting.

AFTER the lighting will be lower with maybe a bluish tint. 

Costuming-

Miranda- Pants and t-shirt/ jacket AFTER: Winter jacket and warmer clothes

Johnny- CA sports jacket and shorts, no tie. In AFTER he will be wearing longer pants and winters accessories. 

Matt- Casual dress (rolled up sleeves, no tie, maybe shorts.) AFTER he will wear a jacket and longer pants (maybe sweatpants)

Laura- Regular academic dress(pants and ‘“mom” blouse). She’ll wear a hat and gloves and be perpetually covered in a blanket in AFTER. 

Peter- Button up, dress pants, and tie (business casual). He’ll wears a big black jacket over his outfit during AFTER.(hobo chic) 

Scene 1: 

(Opens in sunroom. Mattresses on floor. Shelving or chest to one side. Furnace or something resembling one opposite. Laundrey tub in corner.)

Miranda is curled up in ball with her face not visible to the audience. Sits up pulls book to her lap to read it. Gets visibly frustrated and pushes it onto the floor. Sighs gets up and goes to chest. Rifles through and pulls out bag of chocolate chips. Looks around, tears it open, and begins eating. 

Mom: Miranda! (pause. Miranda wipes her mouthly slowly, unrepentedly)

Mom: What do you think you’re doing?! What in the hell is wrong with you?! You know we need to save food- what about your brothers? What about me?

Miranda: What about them? We have food and you’re starving us! We’re dying because you’re a goddamn hoarder!

Mom: This is the only way we survive! You are so selfish! What the hell happened to you? We need to save-

Miranda: What’s the point?!(makes hand gesture.Chocolate chips go flying. Both just stand still. All emotion drains from Mom’s face. Miranda pics ups a few and then justs stares waiting.)

Mom: Eat them. 

Miranda: What?

Mom: Eat them. You wanted them. Eat them. Pick them up and eat them. They’re yours. I don’t want to see a single chocloate on the floor.

(Miranda bends down and begin eating them as she goes. Some time passes. Miranda stops. She looks sick.)

Mom: Eat them.

Miranda: Mom, I don’t think I can.

Mom: Eat them. 

(Miranda finishes them. She looks sick. Mom reaches for bag.)

Mom: Give me the bag. (Miranda hands it over.) This was your food for today and tommorow. You can join us for supper on Thursday.

Miranda: Mom! It was just some chocolate chips!

Mom: I was saving them for Matt’s birthday. (silence) You’ve eaten enough for four people, so your going to skip your next four meals. Maybe then you’ll understand how important food it.

Miranda: I’m sorry. Can you make him something else for his birthday?

Mom: There is nothing else. This food has to last us a long time and we can’t just eat when we’re hungry. We only have a chance if we’re very careful.

Miranda: I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.

Mom:(nods) You’re a good girl Miranda. Now go, I don’t want to deal with you  anymore.

Scene 2:

(Opens in sunroom with two chairs and a coffeee table with some books stacked on it.) 

(Mom sits on couch in sunroom, reading. Miranda walks in sheepishly. Tries to exit into room.)

Mom: How was the math test?

Miranda: It was alright.

Mom: It doesn’t sound like it was all right.

Miranda: I could have done better.

Mom: Uhum. 

Miranda: I got an 82. 

Mom: Did you study?

Miranda: Enough.

Mom: Well maybe it wasn’t enough. Miranda you’re smart you shouldn’t be so carelss. 

Miranda: I know; I’m sorry. 

Mom: If you just apply yourself-

Miranda: I do, Mom.

Mom: (sighs) You're a good girl Miranda. Why don't you sit and do homework with me?

Miranda: I've got to go work on that moon paper. (She exits)

Mom: Ok. (Lights down)

Scene 3:

(AFTER  setup)

(Mom is lying on mattress. Kids surround her. Peter knocks. He enters)

Peter: How are you guys? 

Matt: Good. How's the hospital?

Peter: It's alright. 

Mom: Do you guys mind if I speak to Peter for a second? 

Matt: Sure, mom. (Kids exit)

Mom: How are you doing Peter? 

Peter: How are you doing? How's the ankle?

Mom: I still can't put pressure on it.

Peter: You shouldn't even be trying. You need to stay off your feet. Are the kids making you work? Do you-

Mom: No they've been great. Don't worry about us. (Silence) How are things down there?

Peter: they're not great, Laura.

Mom: What's happened?

Peter: (silence) Did you find the bug spray? There are cases of malaria down at the hospital. You can't ever be too careful. There's been a couple cases of salmonella, so make sure you cook everything, but be wary of leaving the furnace on too long; the fire department's no longer in commission. 

Mom: We'll be careful. (pause) Peter, what's wrong?

Peter: The flu is making a comeback and no ones strong enough to stop it. It seems to be killing everyone. (He chokes)

Mom: Peter-

Peter: Ashley and Ellen- they're dead. 

Mom: I'm so sorry. 

Peter: They got the flu. (Mom moves to talk but doesn't say anything) I have togo back to the hospital. It's been very busy.

Mom: Can't you go home?

Peter: No, I don't think I can.

(Peter exits)

Scene 4: 

(BEFORE setup)

Game board is on coffee table and Family and Peter sit around it.

Johnny: I'm winning- as usual.

Mom: Johnny- no bragging.

Miranda: Don't worry about it; he'll be crying soon when I beat him.

(They bicker over game. Mom recognized that Peter is standing off to the side awkwardly. She nudges Matt.)

Matt: So you’re a doctor?

Peter: Yep, I work at the hospital down the street.

Johnny: So, you save people’s lives? Do you ever see any of those crazy illnesses where people grow extra limbs?

Mom: Johnny!

Peter: No. (chuckles) It’s pretty standard, but I love it.

Johnny: Cool.

Peter: Yeah, cool. (checks watch) Looks like I have to get home to the twins.( Kisses Mom on cheek) 

Mom: Say hi to the twins for me. 

Peter: I will. 

Johnny: Twins?

Peter: I have two daughters - Ashley and Ellen. 

Scene 5: 

(AFTER setup)

Family are all present in sunroom. Johnny is grabbing a can of food from the chest. He pours in into a pot and brings in to the stove. The rest of the family are dispersed around the room. Matt’s on his bed. Miranda and Mom are doing laundry. Johnny stills and looks around the room.

Johnny: How come none of you eat lunch?(silence)

Matt: Not hungry. When I’m hungry, I eat.

Miranda: Same here. (both smile)

Mom: We all eat when we need to. Don’t let what we do stop you, Johnny.

Johnny: No, if you’re all eating one meal a day, then that’s what I should do, too.

All but Johnny: No! (Johnny looks scared and angry and upset)

Johnny: Why?

Mom: Johnny we need to know that one of us is going to stay strong, in case we need them. 

Johnny: But that’s not fair. You should eat! I don’t need it.

Mom: You’ve got to eat Johnny. You’re going to be our strong one.

Johnny: I don’t know if I can be the strong one! What if you die? What if you all die? (silence)

Miranda: Then you live. You move and you you’ll be strong enough to live. No one knows whats going to happen. No one knows! Just eay your damn lunch and don’t feel guility.

Scene 6:

Johnny: Matt, this is so cool, did you hear it? Red sox are undefeated!

Matt: Interesting haha, Porcello’s been playing bad the last few outings, glad he finally had a good one today though. What was the score?

Johnny: 5-1 so far. They’re going to take it!

Matt: What inning are we in right now?

Johnny: Bottom 6. We’re up. 

Matt: Who’s up?

Johnny: David Ortiz. We got a good chance to go up another run.

Matt: I don’t know about that, his batting average is barely over 3, he’s been in a slump lately.

Johnny: Come on Matt, have faith in your boy

Matt: (giggles and messes Johnny’s hair) I always have faith.

Johnny: Dad promised to take us both to Boston next summer and he said that we could go to Fenway and see the Sox play. 

Matt: He took me to Fenway when I was 5 or 6 but I don’t really remember it that well. I just remember going and being under the lights. So beautiful. 

Johnny: One day, you will get to watch as I play on the field. I'll be the best shortstop ever! Derek Jeter will eat my dust. I’ll still be the best- a Red Sox legend. 

(Mom and Miranda come in. )

Miranda: A red Sox legend? I don’t know.

Mom: Well, I believe in my boy. He’s strong. He’ll make it. 

Scene 7: 

(AFTER setup)

Matt checks on Johnny and Mom and then goes to grab food. Johnny and Mom asleep on beds. Miranda walks in. 

Miranda: How are they doing?

Matt: No change. 

Miranda: What about you?

Matt: I’m fine.

Miranda: You forget you almost died. The flu almost-

Matt: I’m fine. 

Miranda: I’m going into town. I want to go to the post office. 

Matt: Do you really think you have the strength? To make it there and back?

Miranda: I know its crazy, but how much longer can I last anyway? A week? Two? It’s better this way. 

Matt: (silence) But if you can, you’ll come back. 

Miranda: If I can. But its all right if I don’t.

Matt: What about Mom?

Miranda: I think this ways better. I mean, what’s the likelhood that I’ll actually be able to outlive her? This way she’ll hope.

Matt: (silence) How are you going to get there? Johnny needs the skis, you can’t take those. 

Miranda: I’ll walk. 

Matt: Are you planning on saying goodbye?I don’t think you should wake them. 

Miranda: Ok. I'll just go. (Miranda exits. Matt goes back to food chest. Suddenly drops everything. Matt slides down to the floor. Blackout.)

Scene 8:

(BEFORE setup)

Family gathered in sunroom. Matt is carrying a bag. He walks to the door and then turn to face his family.)

Matt: I have to go.

Johnny: Good luck! You need to tell me all about those college girls-

Mom: Johnny!

Matt: Sorry Johnny; I won’t have any of those stories. (Nods his head obnoxiously and then messes up Johnny’s hair) 

Mom: Good thing. I don't want to have to send Miranda to supervise you.

Miranda: I’ll be there in a few years though.

Matt: At Cornell?I’m not so sure…( Miranda punches his arm) I’m just kidding. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you in a few years. 

Miranda: You’ll call, right?

Matt: Of course. You’ll see me again before you can even miss me.

Miranda: I better.

Mom: I love you.

Johnny: Bye Matt.

Miranda: Love you. See you soon.

Matt: You will;  I promise. (head slowly drops and walks out)