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Prodigal

Abby Marshall

 

(Father is gardening stage right and daughter enters from the left)

 

DAUGHTER:    Hey, dad!

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FATHER:           Hey Grab a rake. We’ve got a lot of work to do. 

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DAUGHTER:    I actually need to talk to you.

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FATHER:           What is it?

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DAUGHTER:    I’ve been thinking about my future and the thing is, farming doesn’t exactly pay a lot.

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FATHER:           What do you mean? We do pretty well. 

 

DAUGHTER:    I need more.

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FATHER:           But I’ve provided all your needs. You’ve always had a home with food on the table

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DAUGHTER:    I want more! There’s got to be more to life than this! I want the life I see on TV.  

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FATHER:           It isn’t what you think it’s going to be honey. The world can’t give you what I provide.

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DAUGHTER:    Don’t you get it. I don’t want this anymore! I want to see what else there is. 

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FATHER:           I don’t want you to leave. But if this is what you want-

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DAUGHTER:    I do.

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FATHER:           Then… I have some money that I’ve been saving up. If you’re going to go I want you to have it. 

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DAUGHTER:    (scoffs) That’s the least you can do for me.

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(spin to next scene, playing “Let Me Take a Selfie” instrumental)

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DAUGHTER:    (staggering around, tipsy) Woo! Yeah! Now this is living! Hey! How about another round for me and my friends! Just put it on my card! (bumps into a stranger)

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STRANGER:     Hey! You made me spill my drink!

 

DAUGHTER:    Oh sorry. Don’t worry though! I’ll just buy you another one! (Motions for bar tender to bring two more drinks)

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STRANGER:     Heeyyyy, you seem like you really know how to party!

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DAUGHTER:    Well, I’ve only been doing it every night!

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STRANGER:     Well, if you REALLY want to get into the party, why don’t you try one of these babies? (pulls out a pill from pocket)

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DAUGHTER:    Oh, I don’t know…

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STRANGER:     Come on! The first one’s free! Here! (Shoves it into Daughter’s mouth) Weeellll? How do you feel?

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DAUGHTER:    (Staggers) I feel kinda funny…

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STRANGER:     Here! Try another one! (Shoves another in her mouth)

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DAUGHTER:    (Staggers around) Whoa! This is crazy!

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STRANGER:     Yeah! It’s awesome, right? Woo!

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DAUGHTER:    Woo! Yeah!

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(Both dance a bit)

 

DAUGHTER:    So, um… do have any more of those pills?

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STRANGER:     Totally! I’ll have to charge you, though.

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DAUGHTER:    Yeah, yeah, that’s fine. I just really need another one.

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BARTENDER:   Ma’am, your card was declined.

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DAUGHTER:    Oh no! What?

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STRANGER:     (Very sleazy) Don’t worry about it, it happens. I know an alternative method of payment.

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DAUGHTER:    Oh really? Thanks! You’re a good friend!

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STRANGER:     Yeah, a friend (put arm around her). Don’t worry about a thing, I’ll take care of you, baby. I’ve got a job you can do, ya know, for more money. Just let me introduce you to some of my friends. (walks away with her)

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DAUGHTER:    (next scene - Falls to ground, groaning, coughing, and shuttering) Ooohhh my head… make it stop…

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STRANGER:     (Walks back out) What’s wrong with you? Get up, you slut! There’s a customer waiting! (pulls her up by the arm)

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DAUGHTER:     I-I don’t feel so good…

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STRANGER:     (forcefully releases her) I don’t care! I need my money! Now get to work, or so help me, you’re gonna get it, you piece of trash! (walks away)

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DAUGHTER:     (Looks back towards him, afraid, and starts sobbing, still shuttering) I can’t go back in there! I can’t do it again!….How did this happen to me? I never thought my life would take me here… to this filth. I can’t live like this another day! I can’t live in this pain! If my father could see me now…. My father! (stands up) My dad never would’ve treated me like this… maybe if I go back and beg him, he’ll let me live with him! I can do work around the house! …But what if he’s angry at me? For what I’ve done?…(Looks back) But I can’t stay here another minute. He’s my only chance...(Sighs deeply)

 

(Father and Daughter turn around)

 

DAUGHTER:    Dad…

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FATHER:           (Runs and embraces her) You’re home! I’m so glad to see you!

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DAUGHTER:    But Dad-

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FATHER:           (Puts his arm around her) You have no idea how much I’ve missed you! You must be starving, would you like something to eat?

 

DAUGHTER:    Dad-

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FATHER:           (Hugs her again) I’m so happy you came back!

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DAUGHTER:    DAD! What are you doing? Don’t you know what I’ve done? I’m a horrible person!… 

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FATHER:           Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, all that matters is that you’re back with me. I love you more than you could ever know and no amount of sin or shame could stop me from loving you. I’ve been waiting for you ever since you left me, and now that you’re back, I couldn’t be happier!

 

DAUGHTER:    But why!?...I’m pathetic…

 

FATHER:           No, you are my daughter, whom I love. You are what I say you are, and I say you are worthy, beautiful, and enough. You are MY child, so stop believing all those worthless lies! I’ve never stopped loving you, and I never will- no matter what. Welcome home.

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THE END