Judith And The Elevator Judith and the Elevator The Lights come up on an elevator. People bustle in, and take the standard spots leaning on the wall. Included is a frustrated mother wearing bags under her eyes and a sweatshirt. She is rather pretty, but beaten from a hard lifestyle. A rich businessman with some gray hair, wearing a suit, and a small girl with her father are also there. As the doors are closing, an older woman runs in and just barely makes it. She stands in the middle of the elevator, the only one smiling. She does not sit still, but half rocks, half dances to the elevator music. Judith: (to man) Lovely day isn’t it? The man hears her and rolls his eyes as if to say, “Who do you think you are?” Judith: (repeats) Lovely day isn’t it? Man: Sure, whatever lady. Judith: (she talks quickly) What’s your name? Mines Judith. What brings you to the hospital? Man: (rudely) Look lady, I’ve got to visit my sister, and then I have to get back to a meeting all the way across town. I don’t like hospitals, I hate elevators, and I hate this elevator music. I’m sorry lady but I’m just not in the mood to talk. Judith: (to herself) Well I think it’s a lovely day. As he unloads his burden on her, she politely stands, without much change in her cheery expression. She shifts her focus to the mother. Judith: Lovely day isn’t it? Mother: (she complies half heartedly) yes Judith: Yes. yes it is. She continues smiling. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a piece of toast with jelly already on it. The man gives her a funny look and she is aware of this. Judith: don’t worry, its good. Not like that marmalade stuff, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just can’t stand that stuff. She takes a bite. Now this stuff I’ll never get tired of. She licks her lips. It’s raspberry preserves. There is more uncomfortable silence. All of a sudden a loud crash is heard. The lights flicker and it is apparent that the elevator has stalled. The lights come down all but the emergency lights. They are dim and it’s difficult to see. Many complaints are heard among the passengers, all but Judith. The little girl jumps into her father’s arms. Judith draws her attention to the little girl. The Man grabs the emergency phone and talks, silently, in the background while Judith is talking Judith: Are you okay? Father: She’s a little afraid of the dark. Judith: Me too. You know what I do when I’m afraid of the dark? I stand up tall and I say (In a big macho voice) “I’m bigger than the dark” and I breathe like this. (Her shoulders are up, her brow is furrowed and she takes three dark-intimidating breaths, each one stronger than the next. The girl giggles.) You know when I was a little girl, my mother would take me outside and we’d play and laugh and have a wonderful time, and we’d always save as many marigolds from our gardens so that in the winter time when it was too cold to go out, we’d always have flowers to look at. We’d keep those flowers on our table until spring came again. They’d be all shriveled up, and when I would have to go to bed, my mother would give me one petal from our marigold so that even in the darkest night I could remember the fun we had when it was sunny, and then I wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore. (She pulls a marigold from her bag) I never leave home without one now. (The girl has been listening in wonder, and has forgotten her troubles) My names Judith, what’s yours? Girl: Leslie Judith: would you like to keep this flower, Leslie? Girl: (enthusiastically nods “yes”) Judith: You have to promise to keep it through the winter until spring Girl: I promise. (They hug, The girl is fascinated by the flower and no longer afraid) Father: thank you so much Judith: don’t worry about it. I’ve been waiting for someone to give my flower to. Mother: You’re really great with children Judith: You’re a mother yourself aren’t you? Mother: How did you know? Judith: Most single women don’t walk around with baby food on their clothes. (She wipes the food off of her clothes) Mother: Thanks. My names Eileen, Judith: Judith Mother: Nice to meet you. Judith: So how many children do you have? Mother: 2, Anthony and Michelle. (She pulls pictures out of her wallet, as any good mother should) Anthony just turned 3 and Michelle is 6 months. Judith: They look like little angels Mother: they certainly are. Judith: I bet they’re quite a handful. Mother: yes, but it’s definitely worth it. Judith: Sometimes I wish I’d had children (she returns the photo) but I suppose it’s all for the better. I bet you and you’re husband wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. Mother: actually their father took off when I was still pregnant with Michelle Judith: oh I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Mother: it’s fine. Judith: If you don’t mind my asking, how do you manage to be a successful businesswoman, and still raise you’re children? Mother: sometimes I don’t even know how I do it. The kids go to a day care during the day, and I have to work long hours to support us. My sister helps out during the day. She helps put them to sleep. Its been working out, but lately Anthony has started throwing tantrums whenever I drop him off at day care, Michelle is going to grow up never having a father, and I’m at my wits end. (She holds her hand up to her face as if she’s trying to hold back tears. After a moment she wipes the water out of the corner of her eye and returns to the conversation. As she looks up Judith offers her a spotted hankie) Mother: thank you. It’s just so hard. I don’t remember the last time I just spent talking like this. Judith: Oh, that’s what I’m here for. (Mother tries to hand the hankie back) Judith: you can keep it. Mother: (she laughs) Thanks The businessman has been standing not paying attention to anything as if the elevator is still going. Judith sees this and copies his expression. She mimics him as he checks his watch, cleans his teeth, and as he looks back at her she looks back behind her as well. Man: Do you mind? Judith: I’m sorry I didn’t know it offended you. (He rolls his eyes) You know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. (He gets a real pissed off expression) Have you ever laughed? Man: What the hell kind of a question is that? Judith: you just don’t seem like a laughy kind of a guy? Man: well sure I laugh all the time Judith: oh yeah? Man: (getting defensive) yeah Judith: then why are you getting so defensive? Man: just what I need. I’m late for one of the biggest meetings in my career, and I’m stuck in an elevator with Dr. Ruth. God, just when life is getting a little better, everything goes wrong. (He turns his back to her) Judith: I find it hard to believe nothing good has happened Man: Nothing! Judith: The elevator music stopped Man: (he laughs under his breath and turns his head around to look at her) You’re right, but only one thing good has happened today. (He laughs again) Judith: (as if it’s a miraculous happening) You laughed! Man: What’s with you lady? Why won’t you leave me alone? Judith: I specialize in people. And you can call me Judith. Man: hi Judith I’m Ron. I specialize in bad days. (He turns to face her and they shake hands) Judith: it’s okay. We all have bad days. Man: But I seem to have one everyday. Judith: I bet it feels relieving to be the exception to the rule Man: you’d think so wouldn’t you? Judith: So what are you here for? Man: my sister’s had an operation; I’m just coming to visit Judith: well there’s a great thing that’s happened! Man: You’re saying it’s great that my sister had to have an operation? Judith: It’s great that she’s alive! Every operation has a chance of death, and you’re sister boldly looked that threat in the face and won! Man: (thoughtfully) I suppose, but now I won’t be able to visit her. I’m going to have to catch a cab to go across town. Judith: What is so important about this meeting anyway? Man: If all goes well, it’ll make my firm a lot of money. Judith: oh, so it’s not IMPORTANT, it’s just important? Man: I guess you could say that. Judith: You’re a lawyer Man: yes, you can commence with all the hate jokes now. They don’t bother me anymore. Judith: I don’t know any jokes. (Silence) Do you have a family? Man: no I knew a girl once, and we were going to get married, but She got cold feet and left me at the alter. Since then I haven’t had much luck with women. Judith: That’s a shame Man: not really. I wouldn’t be as successful if I had a family dragging me down. I enjoy the single life. I can really concentrate on my work. Judith: That’s right. There’s nothing like a family to drag down your success. Man: No. You’re right. I’m just fooling myself. I eat at restaurants so I can watch the kids with their fathers. They’re always laughing, and playing. Sometimes the kids are doing something and the father’s have to get strict with their kids. But it’s always for the kids’ best interests. I wish, just once in my life that I could love someone that much. Judith: how much? Man: so much that I would have to yell at them. I know it sounds silly; I mean I want the horsing around and the playing catch and everything else that fathers are supposed to do, but I also want to be strict with them because I love them. They wouldn’t need to thank me later on, but they would know later on that someone cared so much for them they were thinking about the future, and tried to help them in their life. (He looks down) I want to be a father Judith. Judith: I’m sure you will be someday. Man: no I won’t I’ve missed my chance. Judith: If there’s anything I’ve learned about life it’s that you always get a second chance, whether you know it or not. At this point the elevator starts working. The lights return, and so does the elevator music. The people pick up their things, and get ready to exit the lift. The elevator reaches its destination and they walk off. As Judith gets off, two exasperated Doctors run over to her. Doctor: Judith! We’ve been looking all over for you. How did you get out? Judith: (Smirking) I have my ways. Doctor: You’ve got to get back to your room Judith. You worried us. (The second doctor takes her offstage. The man grabs the first doctor) Man: Excuse me, what department do you work in? Doctor: We’re both in the Hospice center here at the hospital. I hope Judith didn’t give you too much trouble. She’s been losing track of reality lately. Man: (bewildered) no, no trouble at all. (The doctor exits, and the man realizes the mother has dropped her hankie) Excuse me did you drop this? Mother: yes, thank you. Man: I’m going to make a giant leap for the moment, but do you have plans for lunch? Mother: no Man: would you mind accompanying me to lunch? Mother: I’d love to Man: My names Ron Mother: I’m Eileen They exit arm in arm the scene fades to black.
Copyright © 2001 Fizzgig Mcarthur |