The Marage
by Alex T.
Character Descriptions:
Jack: Loving man of both family and friends, but knows blood is thicker than water.
Libby: Spoiled as a child, just wants perfection from all surroundings.
Carrie: Loves her son, almost too much, and never wants to let go.
Scene I
A door slams offstage and a woman in her early twenties, dressed in casual clothing with her hair in a bun enters the stage in a fit. She rushes over to a sofa where a man sits, dressed in formal wear (as he is about to leave for work), reading a newspaper. He is slouched with his legs crossed and has reading glasses on and seems very intent on his current vendetta. He is unmoved by her entering and continues on his business.
Libby: (pointing toward from where she had entered with the other hand on her hip and a small number of hairs has fallen from place unto her face, yelling) What were you thinking!?
Jack: (remains unmoving and continues to read his newspaper) Well I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about but I’m sure that’s the next thing out of your mouth.
Libby: (the attempt at humor goes over her head and she remains furious) What were you thinking letting her here!? You know that this was my dream, my thing, my baby! I thought I made that pretty clear from the get go! I wanted this to be a nice occasion with some modern flair, not some (disgusted) thing straight from 1920!
Jack: (still amused at himself, tries to give humor another shot) Oh, that beast in the other room? I know honey, my mother is just horribly uncivil. I guess, oh I don’t know, maybe that the person who gave birth to me might want some input on the most important day of my life? But you’re right, I have no idea why I would even consider letting her pick out the napkin color.
Libby: (slightly calmer) Well it’s not just that it’s that you know, once you give in that much she’ll just want more and more input and I just, I just…
Jack: (neatly folds the newspaper and places on the coffee table and gets up and moves to Libby, grabbing her shoulders and looking deep in her eyes, his mother enters and is barely seen by audience and by neither of them, she is about 50 years in age and is wearing an apron with floral designs on it with khaki capris and a green blouse underneath) Honey I know that you have these big plans for our wedding and I know that you’ve already put weeks into this. But don’t you think that she could just do something like napkins? You know how mothers are, all she needs to feel is that she did her part, not the whole thing, you understand?
Libby: (lets her guard completely down and slightly smiles) Yeah, yeah I do. I guess I was overreacting for no reason, I’m sorry. She deserves this just as much as I do, I’ll give it another try. (Jack’s mother then exits with somewhat of an evil/satisfied grin on her face)
Jack: (lifts her chin up so they see eye to eye) That’s all I ask. (he gives her a peck on the lips) Now I’ll be out here finishing up with the paper and then I’m off to work. Call me if you need anything. (smiles reassuringly at her and she returns the look, he pats her gently on the shoulder and goes back to the sofa and his paper.)
Libby: (stands there for a couple seconds, thinking of how much she really loves Jack and then happily exits the stage)
Jack: (sits there a couple seconds then puts the paper down, rubs his chin smiling and shakes his head thinking intently of his soon-to-be wife. He gets up and exits stage. The curtain falls and reopens on a new scene with a table in the middle of the room with papers strewn about it and Libby and Jack’s mother sitting at opposite sides.)
Scene II
Libby: (has a scrunched up face and holds up a piece of paper) Are you sure Mrs. Nelson?
Mrs. Nelson: (nods her head) mmhmm. Oh and honey. (grabs Libby’s hand and smiles at her like a caring mother) Call me Carrie.
Libby: (awkwardly moves her hand away and places it in her lap) Sure. But green napkins? With the blue tablecloths? I mean it comes off a little strong don’t you think? (gives no time to for Carrie to answer and quickly picks up another piece of paper) I mean don’t you think a nice, calm yellow would you know, be more calming or appealing?
Carrie: Honey you asked my opinion and I gave it to you, whether you use it or not, that’s up to you. (smiles sweetly again knowing Libby can’t refuse her sweetness)
Libby: (feels the pressure and let’s Carrie win) Oh, no, green’s fine, yeah fine.
Carrie: Well now let’s choose the chair cushions. I think that we should do them tightly stuffed with a green to match those pretty napkins.
Libby: (grits her teeth) Well I was thinking that we should do a step below tightly stuffed and the cushions should match the tablecloth, because it’s such a pretty blue.
Carrie: Well don’t you think that after sitting in the chairs for a while the people need more structure? And since the tables are a fair size, too much blue might be a little overwhelming? We have to keep in mind dear that they will be sitting at the reception for quite a while.
Libby: (obviously holding back) I don’t believe that there is too much blue, I believe there is just enough blue. And besides, people will be sitting on the cushions so does the color really matter that much?
Carrie: No I really don’t think it does, so why not make it green? You said it yourself, people won’t really be looking at the cushions.
Libby: Okay then, green it is! But can we at least have the softer cushions?
Carrie: (crosses her arms) Fine.
Libby: Fine. (pause as the two women have a small stare off) Well what about the plates and bowls, can we agree that they should be white?
Carrie: (sits looking around as if she has something to say)
Libby: What? White isn’t a suitable color?
Carrie: Well if you ask me (glances at Libby as she slowly gets annoyed) I say that white is just a little plain.
Libby: Plain!?
Carrie: Are you hearing alright? That is what I said.
Libby: It’s customary! Not plain! It’s white! White plates! Do you eat off white plates? Well I’m not so sure with you, but most people do!
Carrie: Well I don’t see what the big deal is, I was just thinking off-white, but if you feel so passionately…
Libby: Well you know what Carrie? I do, I truly do believe that the plates should be true white.
Carrie: So there it is.
Libby: So there it is what? What is there Carrie?!
Carrie: Nothing, nothing it’s just sad to see my daughter talk to me that way.
Libby: I’m not your daughter Carrie!
Carrie: (unaffected by yelling) Oh but you will be Libby, you will be just as soon as we figure out these wedding arrangements.
Libby: (stands up) We?! We?! As soon as we figure out these wedding adjustments?! Oooh! (begins pacing around)
Carrie: Well is there something wrong Libby?
Libby: (stops pacing and leans over table) Something wrong? No there’s not something wrong, there’s someone wrong Carrie! I’m here trying to plan my wedding, with my friends and my family and you are preventing me from doing that correctly. You had your chance when you got married and I don’t know how that went but you’re not in control of mine!
Carrie: (faking surprise) In control? I never wanted to be in control. I was just trying to help you.
Libby: Well you know I never asked for help did I?
Carrie: (now showing true emotions) For goodness sake Libby it’s a wedding! There will be over a hundred people and you think you can do everything to accommodate them for six hours! By yourself?!
Libby: (obviously overwhelmed with emotion and tired of arguing) You know what? Lets just take a break okay? I’ll go make some tea and call jack and see how his day’s going.
Carrie: Oh do tell him I said hi, will you?
Libby: (still slightly annoyed) Sure.
(the curtains close and reopen on the room jack had been in earlier that day. Libby is sitting on the sofa with a phone up to her ear obviously frustrated but relieved to hear the voice of her fiancé.)
Scene III
Libby: Oh Jack I know, I know, it’s only for one day but it’s more than I can take. (pause as she listens to the other end) Oh honey I have tried, I truly have but we can’t agree on anything! And I let her pick the napkins like you said but then, and I knew she would, she wanted more and more and more and I just can’t keep fighting it. (puts free hand over face obviously distraught and listens again to Jack) No, no you don’t need to come home, I just thought you might be able to tell me how you deal with her. Honestly anything to make this smoother would help a lot. (looks up hopingly as she listens) I have given her things to do but she’s like a machine! A freakin’ machine! She takes anything, any chore any task and does it in a quarter of the times it should take any human! Any human Jack! (stands up again and begins pacing back and forth moving free hand in a motion as if to hurry up Jack but seems to hear something calming and resumes sitting) Are you sure? But won’t she notice? I mean she’s gonna be right there! (listens again and nods head intently but answers with uncertainty) Okay Jack. (listens for a second then shoots up in posture) Oh no, no. Of course I do. (puts on a smile) Thank you honey, I’ll see you soon? (hangs up the phone and places it in her lap and sighs a sigh mixed with relief and doubt. The curtain falls and reopens on the room with Carrie and Libby sitting where they had before with papers still everywhere.)
Scene IV
Carrie: (pointing to one of the sheets of paper) What about these Libby? That’s a real nice design.
Libby: (obviously uninterested and doesn’t even look at Carrie) Huh? Oh, yeah that’s real nice and it goes so well with the table legs!
Carrie: (thinking she has finally gotten to Libby and has a sense of success and pride in what she had finally done) Well yes, I thought so too. So what about these curtains? I’m not so sure about the fabric but for the price, I think they will work out great.
Libby: (remains the same and is jotting something down feverously) Yeah, great price.
Carrie: (pauses a second and thinks about Libby’s newfound calmness and willingness to agree with her) Honey?
Libby: (still half listening to Carrie) Hmm?
Carrie: Libby?
Libby: (a little frustrated) Yes Carrie?
Carrie: (upset at Libby’s disrespect) Libby look at me!
Libby: (looks up) What? I’ve been listening to you!
Carrie: Hardly
Libby: Well excuse me Carrie but I’m trying to plan this wedding too!
Carrie: What do you mean too?! You’ve been sitting there writing your own things and not noting a single thing I’ve said!
Libby: Oh so just because I didn’t write it down means that I don’t remember it or…or that I wasn’t listening!?
Carrie: Okay then tell me which design we chose for the chairs?
Libby: So you don’t trust me?
Carrie: I’m not saying that, I just can’t remember myself so I was hoping that your young, fresh mind could help me.
Libby: Oh sure Carrie, seeing as how fifty is so old!
Carrie: How, do you know my age?
Libby: (surprised by change of subject and Carrie’s concern at this topic) Jack told me, why?
Carrie: Oh nothing, I just didn’t expect him to tell you that until later on maybe.
Libby: What are you talking about? I went to your birthday dinner Carrie! Don’t try to play that age-conscious crap to make me feel any different right now!
Carrie: (acting offended) Well I’m sorry if I don’t care to be reminded about my age by my soon-to-be, disrespectful daughter-in-law who invites me to her house for wedding arrangements and then won’t even work with me to get it done.
Libby: Well there you go, you just said it. Work with you. Do you realize how impossible it is to do that? Every idea I have and have had for years, just gets thrown out the window when I try and pass it by you! You know Carrie, yeah I did invite you over here and I will admit that was my mistake!
Carrie: (stunned at what she has just heard) Libby? Libby, do you mean that? That inviting me here was a mistake?
Libby: (realizing her rage and considering what to say next, short pause) No, no Carrie I do not wish you out I just wish that there was some common ground where we could see eye to eye and get this done before Jack gets home. (a door shutting is heard in the background)
Carrie: Well it seems as if it’s too late for that honey but let’s just try to get along, for Jack’s sake? (looks into Libby’s eyes and uses her old age to reason with her and is excited to see Libby break down)
Libby: Okay, yeah… for Jack.
(Jack enters the stage with his jacket folded over one arm and a briefcase in the other hand. He pecks Libby on the cheek)
Jack: Hey honey, (looks at his mom) mom. How did the day go?
Carrie: Well you should know. (disgusted look at Libby) Libby over here told you everything, did she not?
Jack: (not wanting to get involved with their dispute) Yes mom, Libby and I did talk today but it was not all about you two’s disputes.
Carrie: (raises her eyebrow in suspicion of Jack’s lies to her) Well sweetie you’ve had a long day, why don’t you go and rest up until supper.
Jack: (still is worried about another dispute but decides that it’s best he stay out of the way. He then looks at Carrie who looks back with begging eyes and he counters with a helpless look, a shrug and a sigh. He then exits stage opposite from where he entered.)
Carrie: You know he really loves you.
Libby: Yeah, I do.
Carrie: Because love is one of the few things that will make someone like Jack lie to his mother’s face.
Libby: What are you talking about?
Carrie: Oh stop with the dramatics Libby, I don’t feel like another fight. You really think that I have already lost my hearing at fifty? I could hear right (nods head towards door) through that door. And listen honey (leans over table and gently grabs Libby’s hand) I understand what you are going through right now, you think I didn’t go through the same thing?
Libby: (quickly pulls hand away) Oh so just because it happened to you it’s gonna happen to me too?! It’s not some protocol where the in-laws just have to screw up everything you’re trying to do! You’re doing this because…
Carrie: (raises her head and eyebrows and waits for her to finish)
Libby: (flustered) Well I’m not really sure why, but I wish you would stop. (trying to please Carrie) I mean I let you pick the napkins
Carrie: (laughs an evil laugh and then sighs) Oh Carrie, you really think this is about napkins and table cushions and plates and all that, that crap?
Libby: (confused) Isn’t it?
Carrie: Gracious no. (surprised) You really thought I would put you through that just for the heck of it?
Libby: Well I don’t know what to think Carrie. I obviously don’t know you as well as I thought I did and I really can’t see a motive for you putting me through this other than the one that it isn’t. So why did you do it?
Carrie: Well honey I can’t say just yet but it concerns you.
Libby: Well just say it then, go ahead and tell me, tell me why you came to my house and made the day that I was supposed to work on the perfect wedding miserable.
Carrie: Calm down Libby there is no need to get upset about this right now. Now why don’t you just go into the kitchen and start making some dinner, I really am hungry after all that’s happened today.
Libby: (lowers her head a little, ashamed and mumbles) so that Carrie can’t hear) I can’t cook.
Carrie: (smiles a little as she figures out what she said but can’t let the opportunity go by) What’s that dear? Speak up a little I can barely hear you.
Libby: (knows that Carrie is playing with her and gets upset) I said that I am not able to cook.
Carrie: (decides to keep going and acts like she’s interested) Now why is that?
Libby: Carrie I don’t know how to make entire meals. My mother died before she could teach me any of her ingredients and I haven’t really learned from my dead father either. I’ve gotten by without needing to know and as I don’t know how long that will last, I’m fine with it right now.
Carrie: Now Libby you know I didn’t mean it that way I was just wondering if it was a physical thing.
Libby: Does there appear to be a physical problem preventing me from cooking?
Carrie: Well you could stand to lo… never mind, that’s not what you asked
Libby: What is it Carrie? Because I’m tired of all this ambiguity bull crap that you’ve been putting me through all day. So just tell me what irrelevant, stupid, degrading thing you were going to say.
Carrie: Well with all your eating out and things it just looks like you put on a few pounds, that’s all I was going to say.
Libby: That’s all!? Carrie, you come here and because I don’t know how to cook you call me fat? That’s not a small thing for someone like you to say.
Carrie: What do you mean “like me”?
Libby: Well it just seems to me like you’re past your prime and no matter how many times you run to put on make up, you’re still ug… well let’s not go there but…
Carrie: Oh no, we both know you want to so just go ahead. I insult your obesity and you insult my “past-primeness”.
(Jack walks in behind Libby but is noticed by Carrie. He looks about to say something but then holds back and waits.)
Libby: I don’t know Carrie maybe it would’ve been less stressful for me today if I didn’t have to sit here and look at that face, that’s all I’m saying.
Carrie: And sitting is the only thing you can do as I wouldn’t want you to become exhausted standing up.
Libby: I AM NOT FAT CARRIE! Yes I can stand to lose a few pounds but everybody else can too.
Carrie: Yes but your girth is the only one I’ve had to deal with today.
(Jack looks confused as to why they would be insulting each other in such ways as he was only gone for a while.)
Libby: Girth? (pinches stomach) You call this girth? How dare you come into my house and insult me like this! Why don’t you throw on a paper bag on your way out so you can at least spare the rest of the world!
Carrie: (surprised) What? You’re kicking me out? I didn’t think you had it in you but then again, there’s quite a lot of room.
Libby: (stands up and points at jack unknowing he is there) I SAID OUT CARRIE! And you can take your snide remarks with you.
Carrie: (stands up) No I think you need better comebacks, I’ll leave them with you. Starts walking and goes past Libby and stops infront of an enraged Jack. (she fakes being surprised) Oh, Jack how nice of you to join us, unfortunately your fiancé hasn’t made you dinner seeing how she can’t.
Jack: Please mother, not now. (Libby turns around surprised, almost frightened to see Jack standing there) Now Libby would you like to explain what I just saw?
Libby: How long were you standing there?
Carrie: (butting in) Oh I’d say two minutes, give or take.
Jack: Not now mom. (turns attention to Carrie) Long enough to see you insult my mother in such a way that nobody ever should.
Libby: (scared) Jack we were both going at it and after all that’s happened I just loss control of my emotions. You saw that we were both going at it right?
Jack: Yes, yes I did. But you know something Libby? I’m only related to one of you.
Libby: (trying to get on his good side and calm him down and walks up to him flirtingly) Well that’s all about to change in a couple of months. (reaches for his cheek but he grabs her hand and pushes it away)
Jack: Libby, a son and mother can never become unrelated, so I don’t see how that will change.
Libby: I meant us Jack. We’re gonna get married in June.
Jack: And that’s where you’re wrong Libby. We are not getting married in a couple of months.
Libby: (shocked) Well we can change the date honey but I thought it worked out pretty well for both families.
Jack: We are not getting married Libby. Not in a couple of months, not ever.
Libby: (overwhelmed with shock) But Jack, I love you. Don’t you love me?
Jack: Well until a couple minutes ago at least I thought I did.
Libby: (now desperate) Jack, you can’t be serious. We’ve been dating for two years, you can’t call that nothing.
Jack: I don’t call it nothing, I call it a waste of time.
Libby: (almost to tears) Well , I just don’t know what to say.
Jack: That wasn’t the case when it came to my mother.
Libby: (trying to play it off) Oh, that whole thing, honey we were just messin’ around. You…you thought we were serious? Aww Carrie isn’t he sweet.
Carrie: Well yes he is sweet (looks at her son lovingly). But Libby we both know that was no joke. You obviously have some unresolved problems that I just don’t think Jack, or even I for that matter, should have to suffer through.
Libby: (hysterical) Problems? I don’t have any problems. This was all just a big misunderstanding.
Jack: I’d love to think that Libby but I just can’t believe you.
Libby: Can’t believe me? Jack we spent two years building up trust with on another how can’t you believe me?
Jack: I have been with you for two years, but my mother’s been there my whole life and I would trust her over anyone in the world.
Libby: So that was all just a waste of my time? Two years and what I thought was love for nothing absolutely nothing.
Jack: Well I’m sorry you see it that way.
Libby: So this is it? It’s over between us?
Jack: Yes, I’m afraid so.
Libby: How can you be so calm? Didn’t you have feelings for me too?
Jack: Yes Libby I cared for you deeply but you managed to lose all my respect when you talked to my mother that way and I’m afraid I can’t love someone I don’t respect.
Libby: (breaks down into tears and goes to sit at the table with her head lying on her arms.)
Jack: (goes over to try and calm her down but is shrugged away. Turns to look at Carrie) Well mom, I’m sorry you had to be here for this but glad that you shone some light on that area. I’ll drive you home now.
Carrie: Well are you sure about this Jack? Don’t you want to think over it?
Jack: No mom, let’s just go. I will talk to her later when I get home but I won’t change my mind. (Begins walking towards exiting but waits for his mom who stands looking at Libby.)
Carrie: (walks over to Libby and whispers in her ear with a smile so that Jack won’t hear) Now you know. (She then walks towards Jack and has a sad look on her face for dramatics and they both exit stage.)
Libby: (realizes what has just happened and looks up but there is nobody there and lets out a cry of anguish and the curtain falls.)
End