In the Blink of an Eye
A Play in Two Scenes
by Don Grigware
Dinner with the Jenkins Family
(The time is October, 1958. The place is the kitchen table at suppertime around 6 in the evening. The Jenkins are a middle-class family living in the suburb of any typical American city. Dad is a businessman; mom a housewife. Their children: Tony is 13; Marsha 17. Mom is dressed as nicely as dad; the two kids are neatly groomed.
(before lights come up, a radio is heard in the background with the latest news:
WKRC Top News Headline at 5:00 pm
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration officially opened for business today. President Eisenhower has emphasized that NASA’s development is to preserve the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science and technology and to encourage peaceful activities within and outside the atmosphere.
On the local front, Holyoke Junior/Senior High School, in accordance with the President’s wishes, introduces the most accelerated academic program to date for college-bound students, including intensified courses in math, science and foreign language.)
Mom
Richard, how was your day?
Dad
The usual. Carstairs signed on the dotted line. A car loan. Oh, Mrs. Carstairs asked to be remembered to you.
Mom
How sweet! How is Mary?
Dad
What do you mean dear?
Mom
Well… if memory serves me correctly she had surgery about a year ago. I haven’t seen her at a single church social in…over a year.
Dad
She looks great! Looks… in the pink!
Mom
Did you ask her how she was feeling?
Dad
I forgot about her operation, but Bud mentioned a long time ago that she was doing fine.
Mom
Well, I’m so glad she’s finally getting out again. I don’t know how I’d do in that situation.
Dad
Whatever do you mean dear? You’re the most resourceful person I know.
Mom
Not when it comes to health. Health is the number one worry, and we can never be sure of what will go wrong. (pleased with herself)
More mashed potatoes, dear, or meat loaf. You’ve hardly touched your meat.
(pause) Marsha, you’re not eating your potatoes. Tony, vegetables – you need them! Clean plates, or no dessert and I’ve made everybody’s favorite. It’ll go to waste. Tony, did you do your French homework?
Tony
French, yuck! I mean, oui, oui, ma mere.
Mom
Tres bien. Marsha, how’s algebra going? Did you do ok on the test today?
Marsha
It was sooooo hard. I think I passed though.
Tony
She failed!
Dad
How do you know that, Tony?
Tony
‘Coz, whenever a test is hard, she flunks it, especially algebra.
Marsha
I do not, shrimp.
Tony
Do too!
Marsha
Do not!
Tony
Do too! (sticks his tongue out)
Marsha
At least I don’t put frogs in teachers’ desks when they’re not looking!
Tony
Frogs? You take that back, sewer face!
Mom
Enough is enough, children! I feel like a teacher disciplining her class.
Tony, down the hatch with that milk. Calcium for the marrow of your bones.
Tony, are you listening to me? Milk? Good. Now apologize to Marsha, and
Marsha you do likewise to Tony. Marsha, potatoes!!
Marsha
(eats reluctantly) Sorry, shrimp, I mean little brother!
Tony
(looks at Mom) OK, sorry, sorry!
Dad
That’s better! Now, Tony, what’s this about putting a frog in teachers’ desks?
Tony
I didn’t, dad. I swear! Robert Van Dorn told Marsha about Eddie doing that to Miss Blume, and Marsha didn’t believe that Eddie would do that, so she blamed me!
Dad
Marsha?
Marsha
Eddie is a straight A student, dad. He’s as quiet as a church mouse. You know that!
Dad
But how do you explain Tony being responsible?
Marsha
I guessed because I saw Tony with that frog in the hall just before it happened in Miss Blume’s class second period.
Mom
Tony, where did you get a frog?
Tony
I held it for Troy while he visited the nurse. It was on the floor, the box, I mean and the frog jumped out before the bell rang. It hopped over to Miss Blume’s desk and into an open drawer. When she saw the box on the floor next to my desk labeled Hermie, she blamed me.
Dad
I want you to apologize to Miss Blume. Did she give you any punishment?
Tony
Yes, a detention tomorrow, but I already explained that the frog was Troy’s…
Dad
But did you apologize?
Tony
No, I guess I didn’t. There wasn’t enough time.
Mom
You have to make time. You are responsible for what happened. You should never have taken the frog from Troy in the first place. I want you to apologize to Miss Blume first thing tomorrow.
Tony
Yes, mom.
Mom
Well, it seems that my children had quite a day. Marsha, what makes you think you passed the test?
Marsha
I don’t know. Wishful thinking. I studied a lot last night.
Mom
Did you? Every time I looked in your room, you were on the phone talking.
Marsha
I was studying with Katie over the phone. She helped me with the equations we had for homework. That’s what the test covered.
Mom
OK, well…we’ll see. Let me know about your grade tomorrow. If you didn’t pass, you really need to talk with Miss Grey. After failing last week, you can’t afford another D or F in math.
Marsha
What’s so important about math anyway? I’m never going to use it. It’s a big waste of time.
Dad
It’s not. It’s good mind training.
Mom
Listen to your father. He ought to know. His work at the bank involves math on a daily basis.
Marsha
Yes, but I’m going to be a hairdresser. How will math help me there?
Tony
Adding up your tips. (laughs)
Marsha
(laughs too) I’ll buy that!
Tony
Mom, may I be excused? I promised Troy I’d bring Hermie over to him.
Mom
You mean that creature is in my house. Where, where is that frog?
Tony
Don’t worry, mom. He’s in the box on the floor in my room.
Mom
Why didn’t Troy take him from you at school?
Tony
He was sick. The nurse sent him home and his father came and got him before I even had a chance to talk with him. He called and asked if I could bring him over tonight.
Mom
(looks at dad) Dear?
Dad
Dear, let me talk to Tony for a minute. Tony, let’s go to your room.
Tony
(looking terrified) But dad?
Mom
No buts. Respect your dad.
Tony
Yes, mom. (they exit)
(from the bedroom we hear a couple of paddles and Tony yelling. “I’m sorry, dad. Please, stop! I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Mom and Marsha eat silently. Marsha appears frightened by what she hears.)
(long pause)
Mom
Well, Marsha, do you want to help me clear the table and get the dessert?
Marsha
OK.
(dad returns)
Dad
Tony called Troy. He’ll be over to get Hermie in about an hour. Seems he was never sick at all. Tony made that up. He’s grounded. He can’t leave his room until morning.
(pause)
What’s for dessert?
Mom
You’ll see. It’s a surprise.
(phone rings)
Mom
Hello, Jenkins residence.
Oh…hello, Miss Grey. Yes, oh no, that’s alright. We’re almost finished eating supper.
She what? (Marsha looks scared, gets pie from the sideboard and starts to put out plates, etc on the table) I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe that Marsha would do such a thing! Well, of course, why don’t you come right over…we’re about to have dessert. You’re welcome to join us. Yes, that would be fine. See you in a while.
(mother faces father and Marsha)
That was Miss Grey, in case you didn’t hear. She told me that Marsha, I just can’t believe my ears, she told me you cheated on today’s test. You copied off Katie’s paper right in front of her.
Marsha
I didn’t, mom. I swear, I didn’t.
Mom
So Miss Grey is a liar? Is that what you’re saying?
Marsha
(crying) No, but I can’t believe she’s coming over here. Please call and ask her not to come. I’m so embarrassed.
Dad
Marsha!
Marsha
Why does she have to come over here tonight?
Mom
Because she felt it is too important to put off. You do want to graduate, don’t you?
Why don’t you go to your room and do your homework. I’ll call you when she arrives.
Marsha
Oh, mom! I feel so ashamed.
Mom
Explain that to Miss Grey. I think you should be happy that you have teachers who care that much about you. Miss Grey really cares about your welfare!
Marsha
But, I really didn’t cheat intentionally. I just looked over at Katie’s paper a couple of times, and Miss Grey jumped to conclusions.
Mom
Then why did you and Katie have the identical score?
Marsha
It’s not English;
it’s math, mom.
Dad
Marsha, that’s not a sign of respect. Go to your room this instant!
Mom
I’ll call you when Miss Grey gets here.
Marsha
Whatever you say. You always win.
(Marsha exits crying)
(dad gets up as if to follow Marsha, but mom stops him.)
Mom
Darling, don’t! Let her be! (pause) I hope she likes blueberry pie.
Dad
Who? Marsha?
Mom
No, Miss Grey. I’ve invited her for dessert. I hope she likes blueberry pie.
Dad
If you made it, I’m sure she will
(Mom and dad look at each other)
Mom
What a day!
Dad
Yes, indeed, everything was going fine up until tonight. Kids! Why don’t they behave more like we used to?
Mom
Were we really that innocent and blameless?
Dad
Yes, but more importantly we had total respect for our elders.
Mom
I don’t like being too strict…. I wish life were simpler! I really wish I knew the answer.
(mom and dad look at each other and shake their heads)
Dad
And what if she didn’t cheat?! Maybe her glances at Katie’s paper were as she said…just glances.
Mom
I trust Miss Grey. She’s a conscientious teacher. She knows cheating when she sees it. We have to support her. Offer her a little dessert, treat her nicely, and she’ll be in our camp. Fair exchange, if I do say so myself.
Dad
You’re right, Ann. You’re always right.
Mom
We can’t let Marsha get away with this.
Dad
Not with anything, for that matter. (he firmly hits the table with his fist. Mom goes behind him, puts her hands on his shoulders to show she agrees.)
( lights fade.)
Scene 2
Breakfast at the Gelders
(The time is April, 2012. About 7:00 am. The Gelders are a typically dysfunctional family – mom, dad and two children: Bruce: 13 and Maribell: 17. Dad is well groomed; mom, in jog suit; kids are very sloppily dressed; Bruce has tattoo on arm and two earrings; Maribell has a nose ring and wears tight spandex pants. Mom is a career woman.)
(no one on stage; alarm rings off)
(mom enters from jogging, takes off her headband and ipod and looks around: gets some juice from the fridge as dad enters with his laptop; no dialogue ensues as the two go about their business, each deeply engrossed in his own world.) (mom plays voice mail messages: we hear: You have one new message 6:45 am: Louise! Oh my God, turn on the news. Did you hear what happened to Obama? I’m horrified! Do you think dance class will be cancelled this morning? Call me asap! beep)
Mom
(dancing around)
One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…
(bumps into dad)
Sorry!
Dad
(on cell) Christ!? What now?!
I’ll be there in about 20. No! You can’t mean it! She what?! Fuck! What an asshole!
Bruce
(entering, headset on)
Anything nourishing in this Goddamn place?
Mom
Have a poptart!
Bruce
Hey, Missy, don’t pack me a lunch! I’m eating out today! I need some greenstuff.
Mom
Here’s a twenty. Enjoy!
Bruce
Fuckin’ twenty dollars! That won’t even keep me in soda for the day! I need at least a fifty.
Mom
(digs in purse and hands him another bill)
That’s all I have!
Bruce
(unappreciative, giving her the finger)
Don’t do me any favors!
(enter Maribell)
Maribell
I’m not hungry, but I’ll have a latte. (snickers)
Mom
Go to Starbuck’s. I’m not a restaurant. When is your counseling appointment?
Maribell
How the hell should I know?
Mom
I told your counselor I’d be there, but I can’t remember if it’s 9:30 or 10:30.
Maribell
So get there at 9:30, and if you’re wrong, wait an hour! What’s the big fuckin’ deal?
Mom
I do have a life you know.
Maribell
Yeah? Like what?
Mom
I have a big contract to draw up this week and am needed at the office. 9:30 or 10:30?
Maribell
I think it’s 10:30. I’ll call you as soon as I get to school.
Mom
Fine!
Dad
Do you think we could talk for a minute?
Bruce
What???
Maribell
Talk? About what? Your enlarged prostate?
Dad
Is that meant to be funny?
Mom
( she screams at the top of her lungs)
SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dad
(all is quiet)
Thanks for the attention! I wanted to let everyone know that I’m leaving tonight.
Mom
What?!
Dad
I didn’t have a moment over the last couple of weeks to tell you. I’m leaving for a while.
Bruce
You mean…for good!?
Dad
At least for a while. I’m moving in with Catherine.
Mom
She’s a tramp! She’s half your age! You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into!
(she sits, weeping)
Dad
Look, your mom and I have not been happy, and it’s affecting all of us. I’ll still see you guys on the weekends.
Maribell
Who’ll give us our allowance?
Dad
Your mother is still here; she’s
not leaving.
Maribell
She’s a tight ass! She gives us zilch.
Bruce
Yeah! She can’t even cook. I don’t blame you for leaving!
Dad
Look, I’m sorry, I will send you guys your allowance on the Sunday of each week, and let me know if you need any more. You can reach me on my cell anytime after 5 pm.
Maribell
That sounds fair. I like Catherine personally. She used to be my best friend. When she quit smoking, she got weird and turned against me. Became a real snake in the grass! I think she should’ve kept on smoking; it kept her loose and free.
Bruce
I think she’s a slut. But she puts out, and I’m sure that makes you happy!
Dad
Look kids, I appreciate your good wishes, but I have to go.
(looks at mom, thinks about going to her, but changes mind and exits.)
Mom
(regains a little bit of her sanity)
This has been coming on for a while, kids. I’m actually not surprised.
He’ll be a good father to you; he always has been.
Bruce
Whatever! He’s always thought of himself first. We’ve been a second priority.
Maribell
Yeah, but a bigger allowance is a pretty good promise. Let’s hold him to it.
Mom
As far as I’m concerned…
Bruce
As far as you’re concerned, you pick up the pieces and find yourself a stud. You’ll live, Louise! Get over it!
Maribell
I can introduce you to one of Bobby’s friends. You should go younger, Louise. You’re still somewhat appealing.
Mom
Somewhat, huh? Thanks, kids. (in jest) I’m happy for your support.
Bruce
Yeah, but don’t count on it. Our needs come first.
Mom
So what else is new? When did I ever come first?
Maribell
(picks up bag of rolls and starts tearing bread)
And what’s with all this bread? (to mother) No wonder your thighs are hefty. Why do we always have so much bread around here?
Bruce
(starts tearing bread apart too)
Yeah, it’s a waste. Maybe we should feed the birds.
(laughs)
(Maribell and Bruce start throwing pieces of bread at each other like two kids, as Louise picks up her cell and dials her best friend, Carrie)
Mom
Hello, Carrie. It’s Louise. Great! Stan just walked out and I’ve got two reckless infants talking back and throwing bread around the kitchen. It’s a wonderful life!!!
Bruce
Who’s the bitch talking to?
Maribell
Probably one of her idiot friends. That Carrie is the worst. She’s such a whore. How many husbands has she had, Louise? Eight?
Mom
(doing her best to ignore their voices)
Carrie, do you want some company for a while?
No, I mean for a couple of months. The kids? They can take care of themselves. They’re doing alright without me. They never listen to anything I say anyway.
Bruce
Hey, Louise, aren’t you driving us to school this morning?
Mom
Can’t you see, I’m busy. You can walk. It’s a beautiful day.
Bruce
I don’t want to walk. My feet hurt from running in PE yesterday.
Maribell
(Opening her laptop and starts to work)
Shit, I just forgot, I have an essay due.
Mom
Carrie, I have an incoming call, can I call you back. Thanks.
Hello. Yes, this is Mrs. Gelders. Myra Frank, yes, how are you? Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.
(Bruce perks up and looks worried)
What? Genie? … (pause) … She’s what? Oh, that can’t be. That’s impossible. … Oh, I see. Yes, I suppose we can. I don’t think my husband will be able to, but Bruce and I will be there. Yes, Mrs. Frank, at … (Frank obviously hung up) 7.
(hangs up)( she faces Bruce)
Mrs. Frank says that Genie is pregnant.
Bruce
So, why look at me? She screws around with just about the whole town. Why am I all of a sudden guilty?
Mom
Because you are her boyfriend. You have been going out with her for the past year and a half. Did you know she was pregnant?
Bruce
How would I know?
Mom
Mrs. Frank says that Genie told you yesterday. You haven’t said a word to me about it. (looks at Maribell)
Did her sister Mary say anything to you?
Maribell
Yeah, she said something, but I stay out of other people’s business. So what if Bruce knocked her up? That’s life!
Mom
You knew about this and you didn’t tell me?
Maribell
Yeah, so what! They had fun.
Mom
You are underage. (looking at Bruce) You are 13. I warned you about going steady and about the consequences. And you young lady are way out of line.
Bruce
It’s not my fault. I tell you I’m not to blame. It was one of her other studs. And I wouldn’t trust what Mary says. You should see what she and Maribell do in the girls room between breaks at school. They go into a stall and get naked and go down on each other.
Maribell
Perve! What, have you been spying on me in the girls room? That’s a riot, Bruce, and I’m trying to stick up for you here.
And you, Louise, how am I out of line in your book? Just because I say what I feel? You got pregnant with me, so you and dad had to get married. And you were underage too!
Mom
That was a completely different time and a different set of circumstances.
Maribell
How? Can’t you accept the fact that you’re guilty too? If we act like this, you caused it. We’re just trying to be like you. (laughs)
Bruce
Yeah, bitch! (laughs too)
Mom
This is just great. (sits down) My husband walks out and leaves me to pick up the pieces as usual.
Bruce
What pieces? (kicks bread aside on floor) Is that what I mean to you? I’m nothing but a piece? Of … shit? Is that how you see me?
(picks up carving knife)
You’ve never loved me. You’ve always looked out for yourself and protected yourself but you’ve never cared about me.
(grabs mom around the throat with knife)
Maribell
Bruce, stop! She’s guilty, but let’s not go the length, not yet at least! Put down that knife! You’re having a bad day, that’s all! Put it down!
Mom
Listen to your sister! Put down the knife and let’s talk about this sensibly.
Bruce
Your sense of what’s right and mine don’t mix. They never have.
Mom
Put down the knife, Bruce! I’ll give you my entire savings account, but don’t do this to me!
Bruce
(in an agitated state, thinks for a moment, throws down the knife and sits down crying)
I hate you. I hate my life… and it’s all your fault.
Mom
Stop talking like that! What’s wrong with you? You made a mistake. We’ll talk to the Franks tonight and somehow make things work.
Bruce
I’m not talking to anyone. I’m clearing out of here. I want that money!
Maribell
Genie will have an abortion. No one will know. Don’t go to extremes!
Bruce
I don’t care if the entire world knows. I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m a victim here, not a perpetrator. And so are you, Em!
(starts to leave)
Mom
Bruce, sit down! I have to get you the money, remember?
Bruce
OK, call the bank first!
Mom
(pulls revolver from her purse)
You’re going to listen to ME first!
Bruce
You’ve got to be kidding? Where in the hell did you get that? Mommy’s got a pistol?
What a laugh!
Mom
It’s no joke. Your dad bought it for me for protection.
Bruce
You’ll never use it.
Mom
I will do what I have to. (with the authority of a sheriff) Now, sit down!
Bruce
(sitting reluctantly)
OK, I’m sitting down. Happy? Put that gun away.
Maribell
Yes, mom, please put the gun away. We don’t deserve this kind of treatment.
Mom
And I do, I suppose?! I want the two of you to listen to me and listen good. Clean up your mess! I am your mother and I want every goddamn piece of bread off this floor. Get down and pick up your mess!
Bruce
(laughing)
You’re kidding, right?
Mom
Do I look like I’m kidding? (cocks revolver)
Now, pick up those GD crumbs!
(Bruce bends over as if to pick up the bread, then suddenly bolts for the door)
(Mom shoots him in the back, he falls, Maribell screaming)
Now, Maribell, get down and pick up those crumbs! You haven’t been the most obedient little bitch in the world and so you can make up for it now. Get down there!
Maribell
Why are you doing this to us?
Mom
To you? It’s always from your angle. Think about someone else for a change.
(Maribell grabs mom’s leg and attempts to trip her, they fight for the pistol, the gun goes off and Maribell falls bleeding, but she’s still alive)
Maribell
Help me, mommy! Help me! Please help me!
(Mom sits down confused, drops the gun and just stares around at what has happened. Her reactions are without remorse. She goes to the phone in an attempt to make an emergency call and changes her mind. She picks up her headset from the table, puts it on and jogs out the door. Maribell draws her final breath.)
Lights.
THE END
In the Blink of an Eye
should have a total of
4 actors
1 playing both Richard Jenkins and Stan Gelders (dads)
1 playing both Ann Jenkins and Louise Gelders (moms)
*1 playing both Tony Jenkins and Bruce Gelders (sons)
*1 playing both Marsha Jenkins and Maribell Gelders (daughters)
*Young adult actors play children.
One quick costume and hair change in between scenes.
In Scene One, Mom should have big stylish wig and be well groomed like June Cleaver/Harriet Nelson/Donna Reed 