Scrap of Life
Kierstyn Budz
Winner, Winnie Davis Neely Award in Drama, 2024
Character List:
OLD WOMAN: An older woman with gray hair put up in a low bun, she wears a shawl and dress or longer skirt. Her clothing is black and monochrome.
CORA STEWARD: A young woman around her 20s, she wears her hair down, she wears a bright blue blouse and skirt. High energy and tends to have a smile on her face.
JOHN DANIEL: A young man around his 20s, he wears longer pants rolled at the ankles, a black polo or button-up shirt, and sneakers. A bit more reserved personality.
OLD MAN: An older man with gray hair, he wears long pants down to the ankles, dress shoes, and a blue-colored polo or button-up shirt.
Setting: A single armchair sits on stage right. A small table sits next to the armchair, a scrapbook lies on top of the table.
(LIGHTS TURN ON)
(OLD WOMAN is pushed softly onto the stage from stage left. She stumbles slightly but not enough to knock her down. She looks around a bit confused before seeing the chair and table. She grips her shawl and slowly walks over, still confused at where she is. As she makes her way to the table, she wrings the shawl’s end in her fists before letting go of the edges. She slowly picks up the scrapbook, looks around, and sits in the chair a bit tense. She opens it cautiously before her shoulders relax.)
(CORA runs onto stage from stage left, a backpack on her back and books in her hands. She is out of breath as she looks around confusedly. OLD WOMAN looks a bit startled but looks over at CORA, continuing to watch.)
CORA
Dang it. How do I keep getting lost?
(She huffs as she looks out into the audience, almost as if looking for something past them.)
(JOHN walks onto stage from stage left with his backpack on. He walks up behind CORA and clears his throat. CORA jumps a bit and drops one of her books as she turns to him. The book now lies on the ground between them.)
JOHN
I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.
CORA
Oh no, no. I wasn’t paying attention.
(They both reach down to grab the book, and their fingers accidentally touch before John grabs it. They both stand up together.)
JOHN
So uh, this is yours.
(He gives a shy smile.)
CORA
(She smiles widely at him as she takes it.)
Thank you! Uh, by chance, do you know where the Bradshaw Building is?
JOHN
Oh yeah, I can show you the way. Follow me.
CORA
(Her smile grows bigger.)
Awesome! You’re the best! I’m Cora, by the way!
(She holds his hand out for him to shake.)
JOHN
(He takes her hands, a bit slowly, and shakes it.)
John.
(He lets go of her hand and turns to walk off stage left.)
CORA
Nice to meet you, John.
(She follows behind him and exits stage left.)
(OLD WOMAN turns her head back to the scrapbook and then looks back to stage left where CORA and JOHN exited. She looks back to the scrapbook and flips to the next page.)
(JOHN walks onto stage from stage left holding a single flower. He paces for a few seconds.)
(CORA runs in from stage right. She is a bit winded and puts her hands on her knees to catch her breath. JOHN quickly hides the flower behind his back and watches her. His back is to the OLD WOMAN.)
CORA
(standing up straight)
I am so sorry. I got a bit lost, but I am here! What did you want to ask me?
JOHN
(looking a bit nervous)
Oh, uh. So…
(He clears his throat.)
CORA
Are you okay? You seem a bit flushed.
JOHN
Yes.
(pause)
Yes, I am fine.
(He takes the flower out from behind his back.)
CORA
(She smiles widely.)
Ooh, how pretty. Who is that for?
(She turns her head to the side, slowly, in confusion.)
JOHN
(taking a deep breath and then holds the flower out to her)
It’s for you… I, uh. We’ve been friends for a bit now, and I just was wondering if maybe you would like to go on a date.
(He pauses for a second.)
With me, of course.
CORA
(grabbing the flower and smelling it as her smile grows wider)
Yes! I would love to!
(She gets closer to JOHN and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. JOHN hesitantly hugs her back. CORA pulls away a bit and gives him a kiss on the cheek before grabbing his hand and walking off stage left with him. JOHN has a huge smile as he walks off stage holding hands with her.)
(OLD WOMAN turns back to the book and flips another page carefully.)
CORA
(walking onto the stage from stage left pointing at the ceiling. JOHN follows her on stage. He has a ring box in his pocket.)
Oh, and that there, that’s the constellation for Scorpio. (She moves her arm but continues to point up.) Oh, and there is Sagittarius.
JOHN
(smiling as he watches her rather than looking up)
Which one is that one?
CORA
(moving arm again)
Oh, uhhhhh, Libra. Yes. Libra.
JOHN
And that one?
CORA
Which one do you mean?
JOHN
That one right there.
(He takes the ring box out of his pocket and opens it before getting down on one knee behind her.)
That one dear.
CORA
(She drops her hand but continues to look up.)
I have no idea what you are looking at.
JOHN
My favorite star.
(His eyes have never left her.)
CORA
(She huffs.)
Where?
(She turns to him and gasps as she realizes he’s on one knee. She covers her mouth in shock.)
JOHN
Cora Eliza Stewart, you are the most radiant star I have ever seen. I have loved you since the day you ran into my life. Would you do me the honor of becoming my Mrs. John Daniel?
CORA
(She walks over to him and nods wildly.)
Yes, John. Of course, I will!
(JOHN smiles and stands, putting the ring on CORA. They kiss and then walk off stage together.)
(OLD WOMAN looks back at the book with a smile and flips to the next page.)
CORA
(walking onto stage holding a bundle that looks like a baby. She sways slowly as she looks at the baby.)
Oh, John. She’s gorgeous.
JOHN
(walking up behind her and looking with her. He lays his head on her shoulder with a big smile on his face.)
Well, she looks like you, so of course she’s beautiful.
CORA
(smiling and turning her head to look at him)
How did I get so lucky?
JOHN
All you did was run into my life. I just ran after you.
(JOHN and CORA stop swaying together but continue to look at the baby almost as if time has stopped.)
(OLD MAN walks onto the stage from stage right. He walks up to the chair and lends his hand out to the OLD WOMAN. She smiles at him, closes the book, and puts it back on the table.)
(JOHN and CORA leave stage left as book is closed.)
OLD WOMAN
(Takes the hand of OLD MAN and stands, her hand still in his.)
What took so long? You passed almost five years ago.
OLD MAN
Cora, my dear, I knew you would join me when you were ready.
OLD WOMAN
(She smiles.)
I’m always ready to run away with you, John.
OLD MAN
(He smiles widely at her before giving her a kiss on the forehead.)
Well, now we have forever to be together.
(OLD WOMAN and OLD MAN walk off stage right.)
(LIGHTS TURN OFF)
(END)
Kierstyn Budz is a recent graduate of EIU where she received a degree in English and Creative Writing. She is continuing her education at EIU for her M.A. in the same field. She has a lifelong passion for storytelling and loves to bring readers into the depths of her imagination. She focuses mainly on Sci-fi and Fantasy fiction but has a love for playwriting, video games, and painting in her free time. This is her first published piece.