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In a darkened room standing by a warm open fire a lone figure stands. Anna gazes into a half-filled crystal brandy balloon contemplating, thinking out aloud to herself. Her face is pale and gaunt, her hair is a silver colour, and it is tied neatly into a bun at the back of her head. She is at least thirty years old with wrinkles starting to show around the eyes and deep furrowed lines lengthen her forehead. A table stands on it's own with a lit candle lighting up a small area on it. A half-empty bottle of alcohol stands near the candle. Anna begins to speak to someone in a large comfortable chair, which makes them almost impossible to see.

Anna:

Life wasn't always so boring that I had nothing better to do than stare into a glass. I was important to people and they listened to every word that I had to say. Then one day I woke up and no one was there for me, I was old and withered, there was no meaning to life any more.

(She pauses as she notices a servant appearing out of thedarkness.)

Maid:

Will that be all for tonight Miss Kersby?

Anna:

Yes thank you, but would you mind locking up the house on your way out please.

Maid:	Yes ma'am.(The maid curtsies and exits the stage.

Anna places another log on the large open fire and the room becomes more lightly lit. Anna looks back into the glass; she takes a sip of Brandy andthen continues.)

Anna:

Do you remember your father always talking about a man he called the "Wuss"? (Pauses for answer but gets none.) No, I don't suppose you would. When I was about your age I got my first job. It was wonderful to have money coming into the family other than my father's. I was so proud to be working somewhere like Grace Brothers and I made friends easily in those days. Shortly after moving from checkouts to lay-by I met your father. He was a gentle and friendly man. We had barely known each other a month and he asked me to go out with him. He was so romantic and I loved every moment of it.

Zacery:

So why did he leave you, if he was so good to you?

Anna:

At first he was devoted and loving. But when his father found out that we were engaged, Sebastian drifted from me slowly. Tell tale signs of beatings started showing up on his body, swollen lips, and large fist shaped bruises on his back and tender ribs. Eventually, like a boat coming loose from its moorings in the middle of the night and drifting away in the calm and peaceful waters, he started to distance himself from me.

(Anna takes another drink from her glass and heads over to the darkened table, which is only lit by a solitary candle. She takes the lid off a bottle and re-fills her glass. Slowlyshe walks to the darkened chair places her hand on the edge ofit and continues to talk.)

Anna:

His father tried everything to break us up and finally I grew tired of the games, so I gave up on Sebastian. He had no backbone when it came to confronting his father. He made all kinds of excuses to me like he needed time to himself etc. But he couldn't stay away from me. Time after time he returned to me, professing his undying love and devotion. Time after time he left me, I tried desperately to pick up the pieces, but it was no good. My memory and my sanity began to slip from me. Soon I contemplated suicide several times a day. My depression was too deep; I couldn't get out of the hole I had dug myself in. My life had become like a roller coaster ride. The problem was most of it was steep hills down with the occasional hill up, but not very often.

Zacery:

So why are you even bothering to tell me about him? What a jerk! I suppose he never came near you when he found out you were pregnant.

Anna:

I never told him that I was pregnant. He didn't have the right to know about you. Then little more than two months into my pregnancy I met your late stepfather. He assumed that you were his and that you were born prematurely. Mick was never too bright with those sorts of things, but he loved you and that is what mattered. Eventually I told him what had really happened and that you were not his. I begged him not to take it out on you. He promised that he would not, but he never forgave me for the terrible secret I kept from him for so many years. His hatred for me grew inside him everyday and eventually it was too much for him. So quietly we got a divorce and he left the country.

Zacery:

Just typical of you to keep it all to yourself! You never were good at sharing things were you? But you still haven't told me why! What is this all about? Why wait until now to tell me? So I can't find him, to see what he is really like for myself? You know if I did ever find him that I would tell him his fortune that's for sure!

(She swishes her glass around and stares at its contents. Takes a deep breathe and continues to talk.)

Anna:

Your real father died yesterday of lung cancer.

(Zacery stands up,clenches his fists, the flames in the fire grow brighter than before. A dim light shines on Zacery's faceto show his rage.)

Zacery:

This is so typical of you! I can't believe you would hold this information from me for so long! Why has it taken you so long to tell me this? Did you have to work up the courage to tell me or something?

Anna:

I didn't want to lose you! Sebastian desperately wanted a son, but he was too irresponsible. He was into drugs and later in his life he became an alcoholic and an obsessive gambler. He would have ruined your life and you deserved better than that. You would never have been accepted into Yale if he had looked after you. He never would have spent any money on you, or given you the time of day. Is that the life you would have preferred to have never had a birthday at all? He spent all of his father's fortune on gambling, drugs and alcohol.

Zacery:

How do you know this would have happened? If I had been there for him none of this would have occurred!

Anna:

Do you really think so? Two years after you were born he won a court battle for sole custody of his girlfriend's baby. Do you think that you could have made a difference?

(The Butler enters, interrupting the conversation. Zacery sitsback down again and fiddles with his shoes.)

Anna:

What do you wish to speak to me about Jiles?

Butler:

Sorry to interrupt Miss Kersby, I was just wondering if master Zacery was having guests for his birthday tomorrow?

Anna:

I'm not sure (Turns to look at her son.) Are you having guests for your birthday tomorrow?

Zacery:

No, I'm going out with some friends for my birthday instead.

Butler:

Very well then, I shall see you tomorrow.

Anna:

(Speaks in an over-happy voice.) All right then, see you tomorrow bright and early. Bye! (The Butler walks back into the darkness quietly as Anna turns her attention back to Zacery, who has removed his jacket and shoes and is now playing with his hair.) Must you do that Zacery! You look just like your real father when you do that!

(Zacery looks up and glares at his mother and stops fiddling.)

Zacery:

How did you find all this information about him?

Anna:

It wasn't too hard, he left a trail of endless debts. Nearly every leg-breaker in the city wants his head. Besides, I have my contacts, I may be retired but my power has not died.

(Anna notices the anguish that her son seems to be going through and looks for another way to quell his anger for her. A gentle smile crosses her face and she walks over to her son and places her hand on his shoulder.)

Anna:

If you are really interested in what he looked like and how he was to me in the beginning of our relationship, I have some photos and letters that you may want to look at.

Zacery:

You just don't get it do you! I don't want anything from you, nothing at all! How dare you lie to me and keep something this important from me. You had a right to tell me earlier than this; for god's sake I turn twenty-one tomorrow! (Zacery starts putting his shoes and jacket on.)

Anna:

No, please don't go, I need you! Don't leave me here by myself. What will I do without you? You can't do this to me!

Zacery:

Why is it what I can't do or can do to you? Stop thinking just about yourself all the time! If you had really cared for me, you would have told me earlier than this!

(Zacery grabs his keys and starts heading for the door. Anna steps in front of him, puts her hand on his shoulder and start sto speak desperately.)

Anna:

How will I find you? Where will you go? Who will look after you when you are sick or need someone?

(Zacery starts to laugh as he moves Anna's hand from his shoulder.)

Zacery:

I'm going to look after me. Who do you think took care of me whilst you were at work all those long and lonely hours? It was me! I was the one who thought of all those games to play whilst you weren't there! Even when you were around you hardly noticed me. I was just an ornament for your guests to look at.

(Zacery walks to the door and pauses to speak.)

Zacery:

Don't try looking for me or try to convince me to come back to you because it's too late. There is nothing you could offer me to make me come back. You know, I think I may have been better off in an orphanage without either of you. It's a shame you two did split up because you deserve each other!

(Zacery walks out the door and leaves Anna staring at her brandy balloon once again. She walks to the fire and watches the logs slowly burn. Lights dim once again, but this time only Anna andthe fire are visible.)

Anna:

Perhaps you are better by yourself Zacery for the time being, but you will be back, just like you father. Happy birthday son.

(Anna finishes the brandy off and smiles as the lights fade to black.)

THE END.

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