Parasomnia par le spectrum terrifié

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Scene 1

LANCE, mid-20’s, is lying on a beach towel, eyes closed.

TRISTAN, early 30’s, Lance’s older brother, enters.

Lance. (eyes still closed) Didn’t you bring a towel with you?

Tristan. (realising) No, I guess I didn’t.

Lance. Why did you come to the beach then?

Tristan. Couldn’t stay home, could I? Everyone is here.

Lance. Have you tried asking Dad?

Tristan. He can’t let his 14-year-old son at home by himself. Also, you know when Dad has decided that we do something, we are doing that thing.

Lance. (opens his eyes) All right. Now can you at least move away, please? You’re hiding the sun from me.

Tristan tries to move away, but everywhere he goes he’s casting a shadow on Lance.

Tristan. Sorry, I don’t know how to do that.

Lance. (getting up) It’s all right. Let’s go eat the cake, it’s my birthday.

Tristan follows Lance across the stage where DAD, late 30’s, and MUM, mid-30’s set up a table, and chairs. Mum brings a cake, and starts lighting candles.

Lance blows out the candles. Mum claps.

Mum. Go get some plates while I cut the cake.

Lance goes offstage. Dad takes Tristan to the side.

Dad. Where did you leave the present?

Tristan. What present?

Dad. Your brother’s present. It’s his birthday. We get people we love presents for their birthdays, do you not know that?

Tristan. I do-

Dad. Then where is the present?

Tristan. I didn’t know I had to get a present.

Dad. (getting furious) Yes, you did.

Tristan. I guess I did. I’m sorry.

Dad. (shouting to Mum) Forget it. Let’s pack up! No more birthday. Tristan didn’t get a present.

Tristan. I’m sorry. I didn’t know- I did know- I didn’t do it on purpose.

Dad. Forget the plates, Lance! Just take your cake and eat it in your room. Party’s over.

Lance comes back empty-handed, and takes the cake away. Mum and Dad take the table and chairs away in silence.

Tristan stands alone, not knowing what to do.

Black. A gasp.

Scene 2

Lance and Tristan sit at an airport. Tristan has a suitcase in front of him.

Lance. When are you coming back?

Tristan. Soon.

Lance. Why could you not stay?

Tristan. It’s a job opportunity.

Lance. We have job opportunities here too.

Tristan; Not the ones I like.

Lance. You don’t like anything you’ve got.

Pause.

Tristan. I know.

Lance. Mum’s calling you.

Mum walks in. Tristan gets up, walks to her. Lance walks away with the suitcase in the other direction.

Mum. Why didn’t you come earlier?

Tristan. I was away.

Mum. Your brother is sick.

Tristan. Is he?

Mum. He was left alone, you know we can’t leave him alone.

Tristan. I just saw him. He was at the airport with me.

Tristan turns around to see that Lance has gone. He looks for his suitcase, it’s gone too.

Mum. After your father hurt himself by falling down the stepladder while repainting your bedroom..

Tristan. I didn’t ask him to-

Mum. It was your bedroom. He did it for you.

Tristan. I’m not using it anymore.

Mum. You don’t know that.

Tristan. I do-

Mum. We can never talk with you. You always have to be right.

Mum walks away.

CHLOE (late 20’s) enters with a folder in her hand.

Tristan. (awkward) Hi. Chloe.

Chloe. (hands the file to Tristan) The boss wants you to have a look at this.

Tristan looks through the folder.

Is this supposed to be a boat?

Tristan. I think so.

Chloe. It doesn’t look like it.

Tristan. I was probably four or five when I drew this. It’s not my fault, I had never seen a boat before.

Chloe. Anyway, you lost a client now.

Tristan. I’m sorry.

Chloe. Don’t say that to me, say it to him. You have a meeting now. Everyone’s been waiting for you for half an hour.

Chloe leaves.

A blank graph is projected on the back wall. BOSS, late 30’s, walks in with a chair, sits on it, and looks at the graph.

Tristan. I’m really so sorry. I completely forgot this meeting.

Boss. It’s all right. You’re here now. Tell us what’s new.

Tristan nervously looks through the folder, then at the graph. Nothing.

Tristan. I- I don’t know what to say.

Boss. We asked you for this report, remember?

Tristan. I do.

Boss. Then why isn’t it done?

Tristan. I- I’m sorry.

Boss. (getting up) Forget it. (He leaves with his chair) At least call your brother.

The graph disappears.

Tristan stands alone, not knowing what to do.

Black. A gasp.

Scene 3

Lance produces a completed bowline knot to Tristan.

Lance. And that’s how you do a bowline knot. Then you put on the mooring, and slide it.

He slides the knot to make it smaller.

Tristan doesn’t reply.

Now you do it.

He unknots the rope and hands it to Tristan. This one holds it in his hands, not knowing what to do with it.

Tristan. I don’t remember.

Lance. Then how will we moor the boat?

Tristan. Can you show it again, please?

Lance. No. It’s too late now. We’ve drifted off.

Tristan. Just show me how to do it. I can fix it.

Lance. It’s too late, I told you.

Tristan. I’m sorry.

Lance. Forget it.

Lance takes the rope from Tristan, and walks away.

Tristan stands alone.

Black. A loud gasp.

Scene 4

Tristan. I think I’m drunk. (Beat) Shit.

Lance. It’s a lot more difficult than it looks.

Tristan. I’m so drunk. I’m really sorry.

Lance. You have to always be alert. Look around, see what’s happening. Otherwise you’ll hit something, or go overboard.

Tristan. I’m so sorry. I think I’m drunk.

Lance. You earned your company a massive contract. It’s your party, you’re meant to be drunk.

Tristan. I shouldn’t have been- I’ve never been drunk- that drunk. I’m so sorry.

Lance. You don’t need to apologise. You didn’t know.

Tristan. I know.

Lance. You couldn’t have known.

Tristan. But I should have.

Lance and Tristan look at each other for a moment. Then Lance leaves.

Boss and Chloe walk in.

I’m sorry.

Boss. Sorry for what? You did amazing.

Tristan. Thanks.

Boss. I’m going to send you to Sydney. You and Chloe. Got big plans for you two. You’d like that?

Tristan. I think so. I don’t know. I can’t think now. (To Chloe) Would you like that?

Chloe. Sure.

Boss. Wonderful!

Tristan. Where’s Lance?

Boss. Last time you talked to him was four months ago, wasn’t it?

Tristan. Yes.

Boss. I’ll see you on Monday, I’ll give you the details.

Boss leaves. Chloe produces a beach towel from her handbag. She lays it on the ground and sits on it. Tristan sits beside her

Chloe. Isn’t it beautiful?

Tristan. Um?

Chloe. The never-ending sea. It’s been months waking up to this, and I am still amazed by it.

Tristan. Yes. It’s peaceful.

Tristan’s hand moves close to Chloe’s. She gently withdraws her to reach for a phone in her handbag. She hands it to him.

Chloe. It’s your brother.

Tristan takes the phone and listens. The phone is ringing. Louder. And louder.

The phone stops ringing. Black. Nervous gasping for air. Sobbing.

Scene 5

Lance and Tristan in children’s pyjamas.

Lance. Can I sleep in your bed?

Tristan. No!

Lance. I had a nightmare.

Tristan. Everyone has nightmares.

Lance. But I’m scared.

Tristan. You’ll get over it.

Lance. (sobs) Please. I’ll be quiet.

Tristan. Go sleep in Mum and Dad’s room.

Lance. But I want to be in your room.

Heavy breathing fades in.

Lance looks at Tristan. Tristan doesn’t budge.

Lance leaves in tears.

Dad, now in his 60’s, enters wearing a suit.

Heavy breathing fades out.

Dad. Why are you in pyjamas?

Tristan. I don’t remember.

Dad. Where’s your suit?

Tristan. I thought I had it on.

Dad. You don’t wear pyjamaes here.

Tristan. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.

Dad leaves. Chloe enters in a black dress, a white lily in her hand. She walks up and leaves the lily on the ground in front of her and Tristan.

She turns to Tristan, and looks him in the eyes. A moment, then she buries her face in his chest. He holds her.

Fade to black. Nothing.

Scene 6

A table.

Tristan and Chloe enter, both carrying full grocery bags.

Chloe leaves her bag on the table.

Chloe. I’ll get the candles. Do you remember where we put them?

Tristan. Candles?

Chloe. That’s fine, I’ll have a look around.

Chloe leaves. Tristan empties his bag on the table; he doesn’t know what’s in it. He takes out a birthday cake similar to the one from Scene 1. He stares at it for a moment.

Tristan takes out his phone. Waits.

He makes a phone call.

The phone rings.

A phone rings offstage. Chloe answers. Tristan’s phone is still ringing.

Chloe. (offstage) Hi there.

Yes?

Pause.

Tristan turns in her direction.

Chloe enters, phone in hand.

Tristan hangs up.

Black.

Pause.

A long exhale of sorrow.

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