New Relations

Characters/Cast
Roger—Protagonist
Catherine—Liam’s fiance
Liam—Roger’s father

The Script:
(Roger heads to the library, when he bumps into Catherine near the elevators of his 24-storey apartment.)

Catherine: Hi Roger! How are you? Where are you going?
Roger: I’m good, and I’m going to the library to get something for my biology project. How about you?
Catherine: I’m doing great too, thanks. Liam told me about that science fair you’re participating in. Best of luck for that!
(Both enter the empty elevator. As the lift approaches the 4th floor, the elevator stops.)

Roger: Ugh! No one is answering the emergency button!
Catherine: I guess we’ll just have to wait until someone fixes this. Don’t worry though, Roger. It most probably shouldn’t take too long.
(10 minutes pass.)

Catherine: So, Roger, tell me about your friends. Do you like high school?
Roger: Umm, yea, I have a lot of new friends now from this school. I miss the old ones though, from elementary.
Catherine: Oh, when was the last time you saw them?
Roger: I think the summer before grade 9 was the last. It’s just that, we’re all so busy now.
Catherine: If you really miss them, why don’t you be the first one to plan something? Have a get-together, sort of like a reunion.
Roger: Yea, now that you mention it, I don’t have anything to do this March break. Maybe I’ll call them over. (A moment passes by in silence.)

Catherine: Roger, can I ask you something?
Roger: Go ahead.
Catherine: Are you comfortable with the idea of me, becoming your step-mother?
(Roger is surprised.)

Roger: Uh, what—I . . . .. don’t understand.
Catherine: Liam proposed to me yesterday. Now look Roger, I can completely understand, how hard it must be for you, to see someone else with your father, other than your own mom. I won’t say yes to Liam, if you don’t want me to. I love him, but your happiness means much more to me. I don’t have children of my own, even though I’ve always wanted them. When I look at you, I see that son who I’ve always wished for. The dream I’ve had since so many years, of a son, was fulfilled when I met you. If you would be unhappy when I marry Liam, I would lose you. I would rather see you happy if I don’t marry him, than unhappy if I do. I know you accepted our relationship because you love your father a lot. But I would like to know what you want. Think only of yourself for a minute, forget everyone else, and tell me whether I should become a part of your family or not. Don’t think that I will feel bad with the decision you make, because I’ll be most happy, if you tell me the truth.
(Roger’s eyes become moist. He pauses before responding.)

Roger: No.
Catherine: Alright Roger, that’s totally-
Roger: Let me finish (waits a few seconds). No, I am not comfortable with the idea of you becoming my step-mother. I’d rather make you, my mother. I haven’t seen so much joy in my dad’s eyes in a long time. The last time he was living life fully, was before my mom passed away. Ever since you came into our lives, everything has changed. Even I feel like I have a motherly-figure looking after me. I would love for you to be a part of our family.
(And the elevator doors finally open.)