The importance of being Beth

by Thomas Leathan-drum

The Importance of Being Beth.

The Scenes of the Play

FIST ACT - The Arrival.

SECOND ACT -  Christmas Eve.

THIRT ACT -  Christmas Day.

FINDAL  ACT - The Departure.

The Importance of Being Beth.

First Act.

The Arrival.

Scene.

    Annabel and Beth arrive at the front door — each carrying a small over night bag.      Both looking a little tried from their long car journey. [Annabel uses her free hand to ring the bell.]     Before she is able. [Colin opens the door.] He had seen their car turn into the driveway, and although having not seen the drivers face for many a year ... noticed the face immediately. 

Colin:    [Opening the door.]  Hi; it's great to see you both. [Stepping forward and taking a bag from Annabel.]

Annabel:   How are you uncle? [Giving Colin a peck on his cheek.]

Colin:    Very good thank you ... and who is this pretty young lady? [Putting down Annabel's bag.]

Annabel:    This is Beth.   She was ten last time you saw her. [Pushing Beth into the open arms of Colin — encouraging her to say hello.]   She is now twenty-eight.

Beth:      [Skilfully avoiding total contact.] Hello. [Said with a smile.]  Colin could not help but notice her bright blue eyes and her lovely white teeth. 

Colin:    Just leave your bags here for the time being, and come and meet Dorothy. [Placing his arm around the blossoming belly of the twenty-eight year old, manoeuvring her gently towards the dining room.]        Dorothy, this is Beth ... she was only a baby when we saw her last.

Beth:   I was not a baby.   I was Ten.     [Said very sharply — looking at her mother.] 

Dorothy:        Well fancy that; you're all grown up now.  [Turning from Beth towards Annabel.]      How long are you staying for?

____

Narrative.

    When one is asked that question; thoughts run through your head ... are they hoping the answer will be only tonight, or a day or two (hoping no longer), or do they genuinely hope for an extended period ... a week or two (maybe).

Annabel:    Staying for Christmas if you will have us?  [Looking at her uncle — hoping he will have no objections — then back to her aunty.]

Dorothy:      [Now on her feet.] Would either of you like a drink.?Coffee, tea or maybe a cold drink?  [Looking at Beth - than back to Annabel.]

Beth:       Just a glass of water, thanks.  We had lunch just about an hour ago. [Walking towards the open range-slider.]    You have a nice place here.

____

Narrative.

    Colin returns from carrying the bags to the bedroom.   He takes Annabel by her arm — leading her outside.      Dorothy has the kettle on and fetches a cake from the panty — placing it on the table.       Beth sits at the table with her drink and helps herself to a slice — forgetting her plan to reduce eating sweets. (What the heck, she thought; it's Christmas, and she is eating for two.

Colin:     [Looking Annabel in the eye.]  Is Beth happy he asks, are you happy ... and where is Owen - is he not coming for Christmas dinner?

Annabel:     I've split from Owen.

Colin:    No.  [Unsure where to look.]

    Annabel:     Yes; five years ago. We just ran out of things in common — he wanted to move to ... Beth and I weren't ready — she still had one year at uni. ~ and she had just found a new male friend — in fact uncle — she was just about to get engaged, when she learnt he was already married.      She cried for a week [There was silence for moment.]  Colin waited for Annabel to continue.      Last week she told she is pregnant.

Colin:     Pregnant to that married guy?

Annabel:   No that was years ago. Engaged to Ian — her current boyfriend.      Well, he was up till last week.   Beth and a few friends were at a party, where she saw Ian with another girl … they were over each other.

(How confusing all this is — would never have happened in his day he thought ... knowing it did of cause.)  Colin:   Did she confront this Ian, and does he knows she's pregnant?  [Now sitting — he turns looking at the spherical belly of Beth.]

 [Interrupting his staring.] 

Annabel:    She is almost due.       This is the main reason for coming to see you this Christmas.       Hope you don't mind? 

Dorothy:     [Calling out from the dinning room.]  Do you have any perishables you need to get out of the car?     

Annabel:   Yes, a bottle of milk and yogurt — will you get them from the car Beth?

___

Narrative.

 Beth takes the keys from her mother — goes to the car, returns with a chilly-bin — placing it on the kitchen bench.

Dorothy:     Put those things in the frig.   Then I will show you where to fresh-in up, and where your bedroom is.   You will find clean towels in this cupboard. 

Beth:      Thank you Aunty - this is very kind of you.

Dorothy:     No problem at all dear, we are very pleased to have you and your mother here for Christmas.      Make sure you get your mother to agree to stay till the new year — at lest.Second Act.

Christmas Eve. 

Scene.

    The Fiberoptic Christmas tree with slow flicking coloured lights stands in the corner for all to see — even for those who many be walking passed the house.        Beth has changed into her night wear; both Annabel and Dorothy are busy in the kitchen.      Colin has his orders and to his best ability is carrying them out.       [Placing presents for the grandchildren under the tree The making sure there are even numbers of gifts for both.]    Harry (who is seven) and his sister Elizabeth (nine)   Colin asks Beth.   Would you like a wine?  O! Should you be drinking? — The thought came to him late.

Beth:       What you mean — should I be drinking?

Colin:      Pregnant and all? [Looking confused.]

Beth:       [A little tear appeared by her eye, she wiped it way.]  Did my mum tell you?

Colin:  It’s hard to hide. [Giving an embarrassed smile.]  Anyway; a glass of wine and a couple of chocolates won't hurt now.

[Lifting himself from the floor, making haste to escape.]

____

Narrative.

    The afternoon passed.   Beth was on Facebook; occasionally showing her mother a picture, posted by someone they both know, sometimes adding a comment, sometimes a rude response and looks of disbelief.      Beth had a glass or two of wine and quite a few chocolates.       Annabel hung up some folded Christmas streamers across a window.        Neighbours called to wish Dorothy and Colin a Merry Christmas.

Dorothy:      [Holding Annabel by the arm and Annabel her arm linked through one of Beth’s.] They were introduced to all that visited.   Janet said Dorothy, this is our niece from ... and her daughter; they're here for Christmas.

Janet:      How nice to have family at this time of the year; you know our Sheraton and his wife can never manage a Christmas holiday with us.      We would love to see our grandchildren  — with that said, they bid each other farewell.

Annabel:     [Came from walking around the garden and sat next to Beth on the settee — putting her feet across the end and her head on Beth's lap.]   This is the life, sun, sand and good company.

Beth:      Don't forget the booze and food. [Sneaking a glance towards the dinning room table.] She has desire to plunge a large hand full of chips into the dip.      Dot. Is that dip fresh? (She has taken to calling Dorothy -  Dot.)

 Dorothy:    Yes dear.  The thought of this twenty-eight year old — eating her out of house and home is foremost in her head.  Would you like some? (Once said was unable to retract the offer ... she is seeing Beth as queen of the house — giving insidious demands, and finding faults where before everything was perfect.

   Beth:    Can I have a bath Colin?   I don't really like showers.     I like to submerge myself in endless not water for hours.

____

Narrative.

    What a difference two days can make - Oh! For yesterday.  Now the Christmas ham was next on Beth's list.     The lights on the tree had to be turned down — they were hitting her eyes, and the Christmas songs playing on the radio were just to much for her.      Oh! Why did I agree to come here with my mother — is all she can think about?

Beth:     Colin; can you cut me off a large slice of ham ... maybe you could make me a sandwich — don't forget the apple sauce.    O! Colin; another glass of wine would be nice.     Have you something not so fruity?

Colin:      I will have a look. [Leaving to rummage through his small wine selection.] (Just the  six bottles.)

Beth:       Is there a present under the tree for me?  [Getting to her feet, then thinking better of it.]

Colin:      No dear.   I did not know you would be here.  (If looks could kill, she would be long dead.)     I'm going for a short walk.  [Catching the eye of his wife.]  [She is looking none to pleased — either with him going for a walk (No matter how short) and lady muck ... sitting in front of the television.

Dorothy:       Take Beth with you.[Colin leaves the house by the back door.] Before those words penetrated his hearing.Third Act.

Christmas Day.

Scene.

  There is movement in the kitchen.  Colin hears water running and plates being placed on the table.     Dorothy is still asleep.   Without waking her he makes his way to the kitchen.

Colin:     Christ!   [Stunned, stuck to the floor.]    Put some clothes on Beth.  Her back view was pleasing — once turned around — the front view (was fantastic) taking his breath away.    You’re up early — were his next words.

Beth:    Sorry did I wake you? [Making no effort of covering up.]   I’ll just finish here and leave you to it.     Hope (Dot.) Doesn't mind.   I used some of those strawberries on my cereal.

Colin:     You inconsiderate fat bitch, ungrateful fat slut, selfish fat slag, … drink all my wine, eat all my chocolate. [Beth leaves the kitchen .]  Before any of those words penetrated her hearing.

[Dorothy entries the kitchen.]

Dorothy:    Who are you talking to?

____

Narrative

    Being near to the day of death than the day of birth, the body is not as it once was — in a mirror it can look acceptable (to the owner) — but to the lover, not  as … he/she first encountered it.      So for Dorothy to witness the pregnant body of Beth as it passed her, and the body of her husband (still fixated) as a statue cast in desire for younger days, did her temper no favour.

Dorothy:    That girl will be the death of us, if she stays here any longer than Boxing day.    Make sure you tell Annabel to leave then. [Dorothy opens the frig. door, and gives a cry of anguish.] Colin! Have you eaten the strawberries?    They were for my cheese cake.

Colin:    No.    [His exit was followed by the arrival of Annabel.]

Annabel:   Morning Dot.  What are we doing this morning? (Unaware of the missing strawberries, and the look of death in the eyes of one aunty.) [Talking the jug — fulling with water, and placing it on an element to boil.]

_____

8.45am:   [The front door opens.] Hello granddad.   Harry calls out.[Both he and Elizabeth run passed towards the Christmas tree and then to the table — covered with food — going straight to the potato chips and the dip.]

Harry:       Will old Mrs. Ferguson be coming today?    I hope not, he continues.  She always goes to sleep after eating lunch. [Harry moves closer to the tree, and then away again.]

[Leighton enters the house, carry a box of presents — placing them under the tree.   He tells Harry to move away from the tree and stop eating all the chips.]

Leighton:      Harry you have just had breakfast.     Go and help your mother bring in things from the car. [Leighton for the first time sees Annabel and Beth.]

[Harry returns followed by his sister Elizabeth ... both carrying as little as possible.] [Leighton goes back to the car and returns with another box.] [Sally - wife to Leighton and mother to the children, comes into the house — taking what she is carrying to the kitchen.]

Sally:      Morning Dorothy.  I hope we are not to early?     We would have been here at 6, if the children had their way.      They were up at 5 - opening their presents that Santa had left last night. 

Dorothy:       [Dorothy takes Sally by her arm into the lounge.] Do you remember our niece Annabel and her daughter Beth?They are staying for a day or two over Christmas.

Sally:      No.  I can't say I do. [Annabel got up and they shook hands.  Beth stayed seated and smiled.]           When are you due?

Annabel:      Any day now. [Answering for Beth, as she had returned to reading her magazine.]

____

Narrative.

    It is a struggle to restrain the children from opening their presents.   As with most Christmas mornings when people have to be else where to open presents and be with other family — some come from near and some from afar — some are always on time and some are always late — some have those with little patients becoming irritable — expectable when they are little children: but when they are a twenty-eight year old pregnant women — well what can one say? 

[There is a knock at the door. Enters old Mrs. Ferguson with her walking stick.] [Leighton seizes hold of Harry.] Leighton [To Harry.] Don't sit there.     [Mrs. Ferguson sinks into her favourite chair in front of the Christmas tree.]  [Colin returns to the lounge from outside walking passed Beth towards the kitchen.]

Beth:     [Looking up from her magazine.]  Directing her question to Colin.    Who is that old woman; and why is she sitting in that chair?

Colin:     [Pausing only a second to answer.] That old women is Dorothy's friend from the rest home ... down the road.     We invite her every Christmas - she has no family of her own.

Annabel:    [To Colin.]  When will we be eating?

Beth:     When are we going to open the presents?

[Harry and Elizabeth together.] Hooray .... Let's open the presents. Daddy can we? - Can we?  [Rushing towards the pile of presents under the tree.] 

Beth:    [To Colin.]    Yes, let's.  [Annabel joins in, stamping her feet.]

Mrs.Ferguson:   [Enthusiastically, also joins in.] Pass me my drink little boy. [Directing her request to Harry.]

Beth:      You can get me another, when your at it.

Harry:      Get your own.[Leighton gives a look of agreement with his sons reply.] But so his mother.

_____ 

Narrative.

    There were phone calls from those not there wishing all a Merry Christmas - asking what Santa had brought them - have they eaten lots of food, saying wish they were there - and thinking of you.        The table was dressed with Dorothy's best table cloth — her most expensive cups and saucers — her dinner plates from a set left to her by her mother.     On the table — sausage rolls and little red sausages. (The children's favourites.)   Smoked chicken — roast potatoes — ham on the bone.   Peas and carrots — smoked salmon (Mrs. Ferguson's favourite).       All washed down with Colin's best wine, and Dorothy's best grape juice.  Orange cordial (For the children.) Even Beth was pleasant — even cleared somethings from the table —  only so the puddings could be placed, (But not so many strawberries.) Puddings - two kinds of cheese cake, chocolate roll and Pavlova - ice cream.     All had stuffed themselves to the hilt — no one was willing to finish the last slice of apple pie.

[Annabel and Beth leave the table. Harry and Elizabeth are ordered to wash their hands.]

Mrs. Ferguson:        If you don't mind, I'll go and sit down. [With the help of Colin she sits back in the chair by the tree.]     Fetch my drink would you Colin. 

Beth:    I'll have another if you're getting her one.

Annabel:    Don't you think you've had enough?

Beth:    No!

____

Narrative.

    There was peace in the stable, clam descended upon the house hold — all were content in their thoughts.       The three wise men had followed their star  — having arrived - bring gifts to those here resting from the feast provided by Colin and Dorothy.     During the afternoon family, friends and neighbours called by ... the Joneses from number 8 - Beverly and Jack from across the road — even Mr. Abbott (Who will eighty-eighty on Boxing Day) dropped in for his customary glass of bubbles.     The floor was covered with wrapping paper ... there were little piles of presents stacked to the sides of each child; — there were lolly papers scattered everywhere — their contents digested or discarded.      Cousin Michael was playing with his remote controlled  racing car — his sister pulling the hair off her Barbie doll and eating the tiny shoes.       Sammy with Colin were building a spaceship out of lego - Sammy had the instructions, but Colin had the box with the pictures.      Harry has his electrical (Thomas engine) in pieces and the track scatted everywhere - Elizabeth having make-up applied by her Aunty June.

So you can see the present opening exercise was a success.    All was well on this Christmas Day.

Dorothy:    [Sitting next to Sally, both with a coffee and a slice of cake.]    Don't your children play well together and with their cousins — they are little angles - O! How I like Christmas. Look at Colin playing with Danny.

Sally:    [With a little laugh.]    Sammy - not Danny.

Dorothy:    Look Elizabeth has smudged her make-up. [Sally was asleep - Before any of those words penetrated her hearing.Final Act.

The Departure.

Scene.

It was the morning after Christmas - everything is still — everything is quite — even the Tui in the Kowhai tree is still a sleep.

Beth:    [Climbs into bed with her mother.]   Mum.   Are you awake?      I've wet my bed.

Annabel:      What!

Beth:    I've wet my bed.

Annabel:    You mean your waters broken?

Beth:    Of cause I mean my waters broken.    The baby is coming.     What shall I do?

[Dorothy was at the door.  Colin was removed from the bedroom]

Dorothy:    I'll ring for an ambulance. [Dorothy leaves the room.]

Beth:    The baby's coming. [Beth is on her back — then on her side — back to her back — then on her stomach — on her knees praying — then on the floor swearing.]    Hold my hand; dam you (This was directed towards her mother.) - Sorry mummy.

Annabel:    That's okay.     Scream all you like, let the world know the baby is coming.      Maybe Ian will hear?

Beth:    Who will hear?     Ian. Replied Annabel.        Shit no.

____

Narrative.

    Away in the manger — as the story goes — little Jesus was born. So it is ... a little son is born to our Beth.      Beth is in her element - sitting centre stage - Queen of her domain; being waited on hand and foot by her followers  -  even Owen (Her father has come bearing gifts.)  Even Ian (The child's father has return ... with perfumes and bouquets of her favourite flowers.)    Even the doctor has asked Colin and Dorothy to let her stay a fortnight.    All is well  — with the Importance of Being Beth. 

The End.