The Elephant in the Room
Post-its (Notes: The elephant in the room)
On a dimly light stage, there sits a table and two chairs opposite to each other. On the table, there is a newspaper and two balls of knitting thread in a shallow basket and what seems to be some knitting work in progress. There is also a glass jug of water and two glasses. The flickering light above the stage comes to life, increasing its brightness gradually. A man and a woman (husband and wife) approach the stage from both sides and have a seat at the table.
Actor: (staring at his wife whose head is buried in her hands deep in thought) so, are we going to talk about this or not? I am worried about the fact that it doesn’t seem to bother you at all.
Actress: how many times do I have to tell you that nothing is going on between Joe and me? He is just a work colleague and nothing more than that (clicks and shakes her head angrily)
Actor: (sarcastically), oh? (Next post-it)Just a work colleague? (Next post-it)Is that the reason why he keeps on calling you all the time, even during the weekends? (Next post-it) Making inquiries about work? (Mimics quotation marks in the air)
Actress: you have issues. I can’t believe that you could even allow your mind to drift there. We have been married for more than three years. (Next post-it) Do you think that I would still be with you if I were considering any options on the side?
Actor: so we are now talking about options? (Next post-it) woman, I think you are becoming disrespectful to me as your husband, and I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my house. I think it’s time that you chose what it is that you want in your life.
Actress: dear husband, it hurts me that you could think so less of me (Next post-it) I always put you first no matter all the advances that I received from different men all over. I was still faithful to you and turned all these offers down for our sake. Because I wouldn’t want to break our marriage over some meaningless fling that I will forget about as soon as it is over. (Next post-it) you disappointed me.
Actor: (In a humbled and mesmerized tone), really baby? Do you mean you been out there doing all this for us? (Next post-it). I am sorry, it’s just that you are so beautiful, and I tend to get uncomfortable with other men tending to get too close to you.
Actress: really? Thanks, I love it whenever you tell me that I’m beautiful (Next post-it). I would never entertain any other man in my life hunny, you know what we have been through and all the plans we have for the future… do you think I’d give up on that?
Actor: I’m sorry my girl that I doubted you there for a minute; it’s just that I got to keep everything in check. No man is getting my woman out there unless they want trouble with big poppa (in a deep voice as he clenches his fists) tell me who your daddy is?
Actress: You are papa (with a broad smile and her eyes shining, the light on stag dwindles)
The actor pushes the table to the side, grabs the actress by her waist and plants a kiss on her forehead and in a low tone he whispers something into her ears as they disappear behind the stage (Lights off)