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Cast
Costume notes: Casual clothing.
Props:
Production notes: Bridge needs to have a railing (we used a rope rail with posts)and be big enough for both to sit on the edge, and to give the impression that there is a gorge below.
(Woman, clutching a baby blanket, possibly with a cast on her arm. She looks around to make sure she is alone, and steps out onto a bridge, with the intent to jump.) Woman: I don’t know if you’re out there, God, but, I hope you understand that I gotta do this. I don’t know what else to do. (Begin to look down, resolutely) (Elderly man enter as she is finishing): Hey! Stop! Woman: Please don’t stop me. Please. Go away. I have to do this alone. Man: You don’t have to be alone. Can we at least talk? (Step onto edge of bridge) Woman: Please stop. There isn’t anything you can say or do. Man: Tell you what. Give me 5 minutes, and I’ll leave, OK? (Woman begins to resist, then nods) Man (peering over the edge): Let’s sit, OK? I think that would be better. (Both sit) Why don’t you tell me why you’re here. (Woman starts to sob, clutches blanket) (Man feels corner of blanket): A child? Woman: We tried for 8 years to have a baby. All the doctors and nurses and specialists poking and prodding and testing, asking all kinds of questions, trying this treatment and that medication. Nothing. And Then Michael got laid off. We couldn’t afford the doctors anymore. We gave up. Man: And then? Woman(reminisce, pain subsides a bit in warm memories. She almost ignores man's questions.): And then I got pregnant. We were so happy. It was the worst time for me to be pregnant, but we were still happy. I went to the clinic and they said we were going to have a boy. Man: So you.. Woman: And then they told us he had Cerebral Palsy. The tests weren’t conclusive, but they were leaning that way. They said the normal course would be to have an abortion, but I was sure that we wouldn’t have another chance. So, we chose to keep him. Man: So, what happened? Woman: I was in labor for 18 hours. Michael and I were anxious, excited, worried, overjoyed and scared, all at the same time. But, he was right there with me the whole time. Finally, the baby came. Bryce Michael. 7 pounds, 12 ounces of perfect joy. The doctors did all the tests, and declared him to be a normal healthy baby boy. (begin crying) Man: So he came home? Woman: Two days later, we brought Bryce home. Michael found a job the next day. We thought things were going to get better. (Pain of loss returns) Man: What happened? Woman (drawn back to reality, sobbing, then an outburst): There wasn’t anything I could do! The light turned green, so I went and… (sobs) Man: He was gone. Woman: My baby is gone forever. My gift from God, the joy of my life. And it’s all my fault. I should have looked before I went. I didn’t have go to the store right then… I… I didn’t stop in time… Man: (pause) I know how you feel. Woman (recoil, a bit put off): What do you mean? Man (becoming emotional): About a year ago, my wife of 32 years died of a brain aneurysm. No warning. No illness. I woke up in the morning, and she was gone. I didn’t know what I’d do. She needed me, and I was asleep. I thought it was my fault…. I felt guilty because I didn’t do anything... I… I didn’t want life to go on. Woman: I’m so sorry…. Man: The pain was unbearable. Life went on, and I didn’t know why. Woman: Why does life go on? What’s the point? Man: Well, Do you think this is the bridge where you’ll find your answers?
(Woman looks down, clutches blanket, lights down) Possible follow up:
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© 2001 Michael Faber