Morgen Bailey's Writing Forum

The Fantasy by Writer Dave

(A woman around 80 years old is sitting on a park bench when a man around 85 approaches her.)
JOHN: Excuse me, but would you mind if I sat on this bench too.
WOMAN: It’s a free country. The bench is here. Sit. (He sits.)
JOHN: Thank you. Do you come here often?
WOMAN: I come every day. I sit. I rest. I enjoy watching the birds. I enjoy the fresh air and sometimes the company of a stranger.
JOHN: To tell the truth, I have seen you here before. I’ve been wanting to sit by you but was afraid. I lost my wife a number of years ago and have been looking for the company of a woman. I don’t mean to be forward but are you married or keeping company with someone?
WOMAN: My husband passed away three years ago. I am not keeping company with anyone and I too have been looking for someone to share my time.
JOHN: Here I am. So share.
WOMAN: Just a second. Do I look that easy? Do I look like a woman of the street? You may be a nice gentleman but I don’t know you. I need to get to know you before I can do those kinds of things with you.
JOHN: I was hoping for a little conversation, that’s all.
WOMAN: You men are all the same. A woman let’s you sit down and you think you can take any liberties you want.
JOHN: You misunderstood me. I would like to talk to you. You know, with my mouth.
WOMAN: What is wrong with you? Are you sick? You don’t talk to a woman like that. With language like that. With suggestions like that.
JOHN: Excuse me, I was not making suggestions. I was just trying to start a conversation with a lovely woman in the park. I wanted to get to know you before I would make THOSE kinds of suggestions.
WOMAN: How much time do you think I have? I can’t wait around for a slowpoke like you. I have places to go and things to do. Listen, do you own your own house? Do you have a private pension or just Social Security?
JOHN: I beg your pardon.
WOMAN: I cook and clean for you. I take care of you like a nursemaid. I do all those things you want in the bedroom and you turn your back on me at the time when I need you the most. You men are all alike.
JOHN: Excuse me.
WOMAN: Look Buster, make it happen or take a walk. I’m not getting any younger.
JOHN: Martha, this is not how we do it. We’ve been married 60 years. You can’t change the game now. You’re supposed to be a sweet demure girl with a tender heart. Not a slut from the street. You used to be wonderful at this, what is happening to you?
MARTHA: I’m tired of being the good one. I want to be the painted lady, the vamp.
JOHN: We’ve been doing this for 30 years and now you want to change it. I can’t change now. I’m too old to start a new thing. Old dog, new tricks and all that.
MARTHA: I just want to be someone different than the virgin I always portray. Let me be the aggressor for once. Let me ravage you this time.
JOHN: But my back is bothering me.
MARTHA: I won’t hurt you, I’ll be very gentle.
JOHN: You won’t take my cane away, will you?
MARTHA: Don’t be scared, be a man.
JOHN: You won’t let me.
MARTHA: Not today. Today you are my boy toy.
JOHN: I don’t feel so good.
MARTHA: Did you take your blue pill?
JOHN: Yes, but it hasn’t kicked in yet.
MARTHA: You are NOT getting out of this. (She puts her arm around him.)
JOHN: Martha, wait. I have some news for you.
MARTHA: What now?
JOHN: I want a divorce.
MARTHA: What, just because I want to change the game?
JOHN: No, I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. I want a new fantasy partner.
MARTHA: Okay, you win. Get your motorcycle jacket and I’ll be the sweet innocent girl.
JOHN: Oh, good.
(John smiled and threw his cane down.)

Dave Wise
(www.writerdave.com)

Hi Dave

I loved the woman's attitude right from the beginning and thought it was usually old men who were crotchety. And he's really sweet (but should lose the 'Do you come here often?' chat-up line, that never works )

And I love the twist mid-way. There's actually nothing I'd change about it (unusual for me).

You should send this somewhere as a one-act play although it may need to be longer (GaryD could advise you on that) or put it on your blog (http://www.writerdave.com).

Like the idea, Dave. I definitely think it would expand to a ten minute piece as suggested. In fact, I think it might even work better as a ten minute piece because it would give the idea room to breathe.

I was reminded of a Harold Pinter play where you assume that the protagonists are strangers, but it turns out they know each other and enact this fantasy together on a regular basis. Of course, the other famous play where people play out their own fantasy for years,then one of them changes the rules is "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (that even has a "Martha" as the main character as well)

One small note: the final stage direction should probably be in the present tense.

Dave - you could do it for the April 19th NWG meeting.

Also, Dave, the blogging forum topic here (blogging-f24.html) is decidedly bare - you could mention your blog and invite views / discussions about it.