Dress
Mother - dressed elegantly with hat, looking 40ish
Daughter - in wedding dress
Staging
Afull-length mirror propped on a chair. 2 chairs, one with 2 veils
on it
Mother: Have you got it on yet?
Daughter: No – there are a lot of buttons you know
- and it’s a bit of a problem doing them up and trying to breathe at the
same time.
Mother: I told you not to eat that extra slice of cake this morning – but would you listen to your mother? Noooo – what do mothers know? Not a thing according to their daughters! But that’s all right – I’m used to being treated like I’m stupid. You won’t hear me complaining about it.
Daughter: OK, it’s on.
Mother: Well come out and let me see it.
Daughter: Only if you promise to like it and say how beautiful I look.
Mother: (martyred tone) I promise - I’m quite used to hiding my true feelings for the sake of others. That’s just the way I am.
Daughter: (sarcastically) Great – thanks for the reassurance (Walks on to stage in wedding dress) Well what do you think?
Mother: (Flat tone) I like it. I think you look beautiful.
Daughter: Really??
Mother: I promised
I’d like it, didn’t I? I wish I could have afforded an expensive wedding
dress like this when I was your age, but I had responsibilities. My parents
were just scraping by; I had a good job. I couldn’t see them go wanting.
So I never managed to save very much and when your father and I wanted
to get married there wasn’t a lot of money to be spent on fineries.
Not that I regret that, of course. If I told my parents once, I told them
a thousand times, ‘I don’t mind doing without so you can be a little bit
more comfortable.’
(Daughter has lost interest during this speech – an often-told story
and is looking in the mirror. Mum hasn’t noticed and is trying the 2 veils
on daughter)
Daughter: Mum – I don’t know how to say this – but I’m having second doubts.
Mother: No dear – I really do like the dress.
Daughter: Not about the dress – about marrying Tom. I love him but I’m scared what being married will mean – all the changes, all the compromises.
Mother: Well dear I’m not going to lie to you; marriage is a series of sacrifices.
Daughter: I know there will be times when I will have to put Tom and the good of our relationship ahead of what I want…
Mother: Exactly dear – Oh, the things I’ve done for your father. I could give you a huge list of the sacrifices I’ve made for him. If I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a thousand times. ‘I’m quite prepared to sacrifice the plans I’ve made to indulge your latest whim.’ But, does he appreciate my sacrifice? Is he grateful? – not a bit… (Shakes her head mournfully)
Daughter: (sarcastically) Yes mother, you’ve always emphasised the importance of sacrifice and how good you are at it.
Mother: Well dear, it’s the foundation of a good marriage. I’ve always put your father first. Remember when your father wanted to invest in that scheme – oh, what was it called..- (Remembering) superannuation! Look at what I sacrificed then.
Daughter: You sacrificed your gym membership.
Mother: That’s right. And if I told your father once, I told him a thousand times, I can go without the gym……even if studies do show regular exercise helps you live a long, healthy life. Never mind, I let your father have his own way – even though I’ll probably drop dead before my time through lack of exercise, and then I won’t even need his silly superannuation.
Daughter: But Dad makes sacrifices too. I mean he helped me with my University fees rather than upgrading his car.
Mother: That’s right dear – and believe me, I don’t mind if the car breaks down in the middle of a lonely road on a cold wet night. I’d do anything for you dear. If I’ve said that once, I’ve said it a thousand times.
Daughter: Well, if marriage is all about making a long list of sacrifices, why should I bother?
Mother: Because you love Tom. And take my advice dear, the way to show you really care, is to let him know just how much you sacrifice for his sake.
Daughter: You really think that will work?
Mother: Of course it will. If I’ve said it once,
I’ve said it a thousand times, sacrifice is the key to a good relationship.
You may have to work at it, dear. Fortunately, I’m naturally selfless,
submissive, and sacrificial – that’s just the way I am.
Daughter: Yes mother. If I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it a thousand times!
(Freeze. Lights down)
.............................................
© Susan Irvine (Dunedin City Baptist) August 2000
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies
are not sold in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for
free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and
for what purpose the play is performed. Our drama group can be contacted
at the following address: Caradii@xtra.co.nz