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.