Make Me Cry

2007
(pdf)

House lights and stage lights are up as the audience enters the theatre. The performers stand mid-stage facing the audience. 

There are no lighting cues and the houselights stay up for the duration. The performers meet the gaze of the audience directly, impersonally; in a gentle though forthright manner, they talk to the audience. 

The play covers 27 years from various points of view; the performers will find rhythms within and take what time is needed between the end of one monologue and the beginning of another.


MARY
I'm in the boot of that car,
dead.

It's my car

the red Mazda sedan.

An old lady walking her dog
calls the police.

She says
it's been parked
there for

four days.

The dog is barking.

I'm ten years old.

I write

Mr. Bolano pulchro est
in my

latin

textbook.

Mr. Bolano has
thick black hair
big red lips and
soft brown eyes

Just before lunch men

with

guns
take

Mr. Bolano away.

He never comes back.

My sister
my mother
and father

we immigrate
from Chile
and change
my name
from Maria
to Mary.

I have a husband

Joseph - Joe - and two children
Joe jr. and Sarah.

They are everything to me
their little arms and legs
the look in their eyes

If you don't have kids
you'll never know.

Who else looks at you like that?

Only your children look at you like that.

They trust you.

They believe in you.

Everything is possible.

Joseph and Sarah are 12 and 15

I remember them
as babies.

We live in Sanctuary Estates
in a new house made

just for us.

Joe is a manager

of a real estate agency.

He drives a new car
every other year

it's leased

the company pays for it.

He wears nice clothes
flattering suits -

he does his own shopping.

He's not tall -
but he's strong

has black hair, brown eyes
fit and healthy.

A ring

a 24 carat solid

gold

ring on the little

finger of his right hand.


JOE
I sell houses.

I love it.

I speak Italian
and from my wife
a little Spanish

it helps

everybody needs a house

a house is your skin
to society

the world

it is
your skin

the skin of your skin.

This is what they see
before they see you
before they know you
they see your house.

You move inside the house.
You are the soul of the house.

I'm 13 when
we move here.
from Italy.

My dad works with his brother
and uncles

and other men

from the village .

On his knees all day
cutting and fitting
marble and granite.

A genuine craftsman.

He works hard
always provides
for us

we never go
hungry.

I want to quit school

work with him and uncle Sal
that stone is beautiful

he makes me stay.

I hate it.

I want to be a man
and
make

things

make money.

I hire people like him.

My father

lives in a house
full of crap.

I'm wild

me and my friends.

We don't belong.

You don't need to go to school to make money.

People are hungry you give them food.
We live well.


MARY
We meet at a party.

Joe is friends of friends
I like him

straight away

He's not complicated.
He has confidence.

We talk

he wears a striped shirt
white loafer
s
he's a flirt

I give him my number.

He calls me the next day.

On our first date

Joe puts his hand up my dress.
I slap him hard

right across the face.

He laughs.

JOSEPHINE
I'm a fast typist
so it's easy

meeting people

on the internet.

He's very nice.

He says our names are the same
We're both Joe
Joe and Josephine.

Maybe we're a good fit.

I'm good at typing.

We talk
on the phone

he has a nice voice.

He looks good

in the picture he sends.

Handsome...He smiles
like my father

Mary his wife
looks nice too

I like the way she dresses.


STEVE
Josephine is not my girlfriend.

She lives

in an apartment block
behind

my parents house.

She is

hanging out her laundry
at the back of her building

a couple of months ago.

Sometimes I watch her
through a hole

in the fence.

The wind blows

her dressing gown open
I can see her panties.

She dresses like a hooker.
Talks like an Aussie.

She was born
here

like me.

She's skinny
almost nothing
to her

like a little boy
with tits
and a high voice.

She invites me over
to her flat.

Stuffed animals and dolls and frilly stuff
a TV.

She gives me some white wine.

We're watching a soap opera
I don't know

which one

I can see her little tit
when she leans
forward.

During a commercial
I kiss her hard

she lies back

I'm kissing her
the show comes
back on

she turns her head
keeps watching
the show.

I've got my pants down
I'm inside.

She's nice and tight.

She says don't come inside.

So I pull out
and come
all over
her tits.

After

the show she

gives me a blow-job.


MARY
Joe is a man.

The first man I ever dated.

He works

I live

at home

go to university

the first person in my family
to get a degree.

I work in sales
It's exciting.

I take the train to work
like everybody else.

I'm seeing Joe

everyday is like summer.

During the Olympics

we barrack for Australia.

Not Chile
not Italy
Australia.

We go shopping

we go to restaurants

he treats me like a lady.

My parents
are surprised
when Joe
proposes
marriage.

We're young.

I'm pregnant

They don't know.

I tell my sister

I tell her everything.

We consult an astrologer.

Joe and I
get married.

I want to make a house
make a home

have kids.

His parents and my parents
are both

Catholic.

Joe gets a job
selling houses.

He works hard
long hours.

First Joe jr. then
Sarah.

Nappies

creche

laundry

shopping

I drive the children
to school
I get wrinkles

my muscles soften
I dye my hair

I walk the children to school.

He's never home

sometimes

we make love

in front of the television.


JOE
I don't always
want

a family.

You grow up
get a wife
settle down
have kids.

It's what you do.

I have a good job

I always provide.

People are buying houses.
And not just to live in

People are buying
2-3-4-5
houses

it's crazy.

I like

new houses
empty.

A clean break.
Starting new
making stories.

You

fill them up

the bed goes here
a table there
curtains

chairs couches
it's your story
your life

Anything goes.

It's good for the soul.

In old houses

you see marks

on the wall

the floors are worn

you piece it together

Those scratches on the door
they had a dog.
That's where the couch was
the breakfast table

was there

up against the wall.

No more people

no soul

marks and scratches.
Scars.
It's sad.

People leave things.

Mostly junk

broken toys, furniture or appliances.

Dirt

it's all dirt
really.

the marks
the crap
they leave behind.

Sometimes

the house is really clean
immaculate

but you find

an earring

behind the door to the closet.


JOSEPHINE
My parents die.

A drunk driver kills them both
I'm 12 years old.

Their insurance company pays out.

Yesterday

my nan

moves into a nursing home.

I don't visit
everyday.

I forget
sometimes

I am ashamed.

I take her to the casino.

She says I'm beautiful.

I love her.

I put my head in her lap

she strokes
my hair

we watch TV.

I like movies -

all types
romance
action-adventure
horror
comedy.

At work

that's

what we talk about.

Clothes, boys and movies.

Steve comes over with a friend of his
and wants me

to do it

with him
and his friend.

JOE
We sold 32 million dollars
in properties

last year.

I love it.

We move again
to a

bigger newer
house
the kids are doing well
in school

Mary has

her hobbies

I go fishing

every other

Saturday with my mates

A new boat.

Life's easy.

It's late

in the afternoon
Friday I'm looking at
this house

only

two years old already
shabby, dirty.

In the garage

in a box

I find some porno.

I look through

a couple of magazines.

The more I look

the more
I notice

brand new houses and flats
porno is made
in brand new houses
and flats.


STEVE
Josephine likes
to go out

to movies

do stuff
go shopping.

It's too hot.

She calls me on my mobile.

I'm at the gym.
Working out.

I don't answer.

I got real Aussie
girlfriends now.

Later

I call my mates.
We go out.

Josephine wants my parents
to meet

her nan.

My dad drives
a truck.

What are they
gonna talk about?

When we fuck
she looks

at me

tells me
I'm beautiful.

I just want to fuck.

She tells me she met
a guy online

he's older

has a wife

they want

to have an orgy


MARY
Two years ago
My dad dies.

I see him
when I dream
with mum

They're so happy now.

Me and my sister share an inheritance.

We're thinking of
going into business.

Joe jr. and Sarah are never home - all grown-up.

I read magazines
Marie Claire

Elle

Vogue.

I want

to open a boutique
sell kid's clothes.

My friends say it's a good idea.
I need

to express

myself.

Joe says

he'll look for the right property.

I meet him
at this
empty shop

He's late
a few cars
drive past.

The shops are

old

worn down

a news agent

fish and chips, a grocery.

Joe arrives
with the keys.

The windows are white-washed
inside

you see shadows as people
walk past.

Grey carpet
a small
square room
a toilet
and a back door.
right away he says
it's not right

not enough
foot traffic

wrong end of the street.

Sorry

you had to wait for this -
don't worry

We're just getting
started

Smiling
Are you still excited?

I say yes

I am

Joe kisses me

pushes me up
against the wall;

not

that kind of excited

He keeps pushing
me

I can feel

his cock

he reaches up
between my legs

rubs my cunt.

I hear voices
two kids
walk past
one has
a bike

Joe's hand is between my legs
his fingers

push at my cunt.

I spit

on my hand and rub
his cock

He kisses

my neck

turns me around
pulls my skirt up
spreads my legs

He's grabbing

my breast

bending me over

his cock slides along
the lips of my cunt

I'm pushing
against the wall
both hands

he grabs my hips
fucking me

On the carpet

is

a small key

probably to a cabinet


JOE
Life's good.

Any idiot
plenty do
sell houses.

I like jerking off
in the empty
rooms.

Leaving my mark.
Nobody knows.

I shave Mary's pussy.

She looks like a little girl.

I stare at it
lick it

rub it

I want to bite it
tear at it

I have to beg
her

to shave
my balls.

All I want to do is fuck.

It's all I think about.

Tonight

a couple I met online
is coming over.


JOSEPHINE
Mary and Joe are very nice.

Older than the pictures.

They've got a beautiful house

a TV room

a reading room
a sun room

a breakfast nook
carpeting

and

hardwood floors.

We talk

news

sports

the weather

me and Mary talk about clothes
She dresses nice
we drink some wine
Joe puts on a DVD
people are fucking.

Joe starts kissing Mary

Mary

is looking at me

I start kissing Steve
rubbing his cock.


STEVE
Joe unbuttons Mary's blouse.
Her tits are big

kinda saggy.

He's holding one
kissing it.

He slides his hand
up her skirt

she spreads

her legs

She has a shaved pussy.
He starts fingering her.

Josephine is sucking my dick.

Mary looks at me

She's got Joe's dick in her mouth.

I'm bigger than him.


I tell Josephine to take off her clothes.

I slap her bare bum.


JOE
Josephine is looking at me

Steve is fucking her from behind.

I pull my dick out of Mary's mouth
and put it in Josephine's.


MARY
Josephine is on her hands and knees.
Steve is behind

and Joe in front.

She's making funny sounds
through her nose
breathing hard.

Looking at me

back and forth
they fuck her.

I'm standing over Josephine
Joe and Steve

kiss me

lick me

it tickles

I'm laughing.


JOSEPHINE
I like Joe.

We have a lot in common.
I like

action movies

fast cars
steak

Asian food.
He emails me
We're on

for next week.

I remember what I wore
so I don't wear

the same thing

again.

I go shopping.


MARY
Plastic sheeting on the carpet
Joe is shaving

Josephine's pussy.

Steve has a big cock
I tell him to

lie down

don't move.

Let
me
sit
on it.

Just
be
still.

Joe says

talk dirty.
Jospehine

says cunt

cunt cunt cunt.

Steve

starts to laugh
bouncing me

on his cock

I slap him
don't move.

He calls me a bitch.

I remember

Mr. Bolano

his dark eyes
and big red lips.


JOE
Sarah

my own daughter
calls me

a bitch.

She's on the phone telling me

to drive

her
and a friend
to some other
girl's house.

I'm laughing

say no

and pour milk on my cereal

she says to her friend on the phone
he's such a bitch

Me.

I don't know what happened
I slap her.

Work is going
guns

selling houses is a piece of piss

everybody is happy.

I keep thinking
about my father.

I want to buy him a house
nearby

But he won't
move.

All his friends are dead.

and the cafes

play rock music

Still
he won't move.

He says

the new houses are built
outta paper.


STEVE
Mary is riding
my dick
fingering
herself
coming

I've had a few
rum and cokes
she likes it
when I slap her arse.

Joe comes over
puts his dick

on my face

I freak out.

I'm not a faggot

He does it again.

I'm up

I'm gonna punch him

Mary steps in
spits at me
grabs my arm
scratches
me.

I never hit a girl

ever.

I leave

never

see them again.

I'm watching
TV

and there they are.

I can't believe it
channel 9

the seven o'clock news

I know those guys.


EXIT STEVE



JOE
Josephine is like a doll
She lets me do anything.

Everything
I want.

At the office

nobody knows
what I did

last night.

They can never guess.

Annabel

the receptionist is a flirt

great arse.


MARY
I'm still looking
for a shop.

I'm making plans
finding buyers
it's beginning

to happen.

Joe has no time.

They're laying people off
he says

The market is in a slump.

He and Joe jr.

are fighting more

than usual

silly stuff

like haircuts

and cleaning up his room.

Joe buys a video camera.

Every week

we get together
It's just
Josephine

and us now


JOSEPHINE
Joe comes round

just about everyday

we have lunch or dinner
we fuck.

I don't work anymore.

I watch TV

go to the mall.

The time
just passes.

Joe calls.

I like my new place.
He picked it out

Summer.
Outside
is very hot.

You can hear the trees.

JOE
Poppers vodka.

Josephine
blindfolded
arms tied
kneeling

sucking

my dick.

I slap

her

yell

suck my dick,

bitch.

Mary laughs
shooting

a close up

the red mark

my hand

left

on Josephine's arse.

Fuck
her

A big
black dildo.

Crying

Mary slaps her

Fucking her

arse

Mary shoots
me

licking

her

Mary
slaps

I slap

her
again and again

fucking

hitting her.

But I don't come.
I can't.

My head is throbbing.

Mary tells me
stop.

She's yelling.

Stop hitting

Josephine.

I stop.

Start

jerking off.

I'm gonna come
all over

her.

Mary
choke me

from behind

until I come.
Now.


MARY
I almost kill him.

I want to.

I can


I forget

my kids

my house

I want to see
him die.

I'm screaming
His lips are blue

he comes

I let go of his throat

he collapses
onto Josephine.


JOE
Mary doesn't look at me
or let me

touch her.

She goes
to church

I get drunk.

One day

late

at work


I tell Annabel

Show her videos

maybe

she wants to join
me and Josephine.


MARY
I can't stop crying.

I tell Joe

I never

want to

see

Josephine again.

Joe says it's OK

It's not OK

I almost killed you

I'm crying

Joe says stop.

I can't stop.

Joe says

he doesn't know how
to cry.

He says
make me cry.

He's yelling
make me cry
make me cry
hit me
kick me
make me cry

I want to cry.


JOSEPHINE
Joe comes over

He doesn't look at me.

I try
holding him
he pushes me

away

He's drunk

he sits there staring
at nothing.

I'm cuddling his legs
he hits me

calls me names
says it's
my fault.

He says
it's over.

I want him

to put his head on my lap
I'll stroke

his hair

make him feel

better

beautiful boy.

He shoves me
away

hits me

again

please don't leave me.


JOE
Annebel

the receptionist
her lawyer
tells my boss.

I'm asked to leave.
I don't tell Mary.
Everyday

like always
I leave the house.

Now

I

drive around
or

go

to Josephine's.

Days or weeks
a month...

The nights are getting longer

Mary wants
a divorce.

Standing there
with her sister.

Don't tell the kids.

Her kids
her house
her money.

I sleep

on the floor

in the bedroom

I can't take it.

She says its over.

I won't beg.


JOSEPHINE
Joe tells me
when

tells me again
gives me a key.

Says this is the only way.

I am waiting for her in the garage.

Outside the wind
rattles the door.

She is looking for her
keys

when

I hit her with a hammer.


EXIT MARY


I put her in the boot
and

drive

to the city.

I leave the car
on a busy street

nobody notices.


JOE
Mary hasn't been home in two days.

I call the police

2 days later

they show me pictures.

That's her.

I am in shock

I can't think.

I tell the TV
and newspapers

I cry

how did this happen.

The police
search our house
take

our computers
even the kid's.

My dad
won't

talk to me.

I call

he hangs up.

Sarah and Joe jr.

stay at Mary's sister's house.

I miss Mary so much.

Josephine is arrested

she won't lie

she loves me

I can't sleep.

My lawyer recommends
a shrink.

He asks

me questions
about
my mother and father

growing up

gives me a prescription
so I can sleep.

I want to be
with Mary again.

That's me

in the garage
hanging by a rope.

EXIT JOE


JOSEPHINE
A big white girl
takes my food.

The guard

makes her give it back.

I work in the laundry
walk in the yard.

I look at the floor
I look at the walls
I look at the sky

Everyday

is the same

I see

a girl stab another

girl in the stomach.

I'm learning horticulture.

Every other week
my counselor
asks me if

I know
why I'm here.

I read magazines

Sally is my best friend
she looks out for me.

I'm learning computers.

I like horticulture better.

A girl dies of an overdose.

They turn
every cell
everyday
for a week.

Sally is paroled

She gives me a kiss

on the cheek
smiling
good-bye.

Two days

later she dies
of an overdose.

I can't eat

I can't talk

I can't move.

They carry me
from my bunk
to the infirmary
June 22nd

It's cold

the sun is shining

I tell my counselor
I know what I did.

I know why I'm here.

9 years 7 months 8 days.

Now

I have a new name

I live with 6 other women
in a city.

Every day

after dinner

we form

a circle

with our chairs

and talk about our lives.

How we got here.

Two hours later
lights out.

I work

at a convenience store

8 am to 4 pm.

Six days a week.

There's a man
comes in

most days

buys breath mints
and orange juice

We talk.

He looks like Joe.

I see him everywhere.