The February People’s Choice Award goes to…

The people have spoken… The February People’s Choice Award goes to Dana Leslie Goldstein for her play Hello In There, presented as a staged reading at The Producers Club and via livestream on February 24th. Congratulations, Dana!

Courtesy of Dana, we’re pleased to share the first few pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

Hello In There
by Dana Leslie Goldstein

CHARACTERS
TINA, 30s, a dutiful daughter, any ethnicity
LORETTA, 60s, her mother, in very good shape and proud of it, any ethnicity
HERMAN, 70s, her father, in less good shape, gruff, any ethnicity

SETTING: Two different units in an adult living community – one in the independent section
and one in the assisted living facility. Both locations are visible throughout. Setting may be
merely suggested.

TIME: This weekend.

At rise, TINA enters the hallway outside her mother’s apartment, in the independent living section of an adult community. She holds a paper bag. LORETTA, her mother, is inside the apartment tidying up for Tina’s visit. HERMAN, Tina’s father, is visible in his own room elsewhere in the complex. He sits in a chair, also waiting for Tina.

TINA takes a deep breath, then knocks on the door to her mother’s apartment. While she waits for her mother to answer the door, she quickly tucks in her shirt, tightens her belt, adjusts her hair. LORETTA opens the door.

LORETTA
Well, hello!

TINA
Hi, Mom. / It’s good to –

LORETTA
Only twelve minutes late. An improvement. Let me look at you. I like what I see. You’re keeping yourself trim. That’ll help you live a long, healthy life. Like me.

TINA
Thank you.

LORETTA
I don’t love those pants.

TINA
I –

LORETTA
You have hips. Not the worst thing in the world. And a waistline. Don’t hide that waistline
while you’ve still got it.

TINA
(trying to brush it off, entering) Your place looks great –

LORETTA
Of course it does. What’s in the bag?

TINA
(tenuous) That’s for Dad.

LORETTA
Oh. You’re also seeing Dad.

TINA
You know I always do. It’s not a short ride to get here. It makes sense to see you both when I
visit.

LORETTA
Mmm-hmm.

TINA
But I’m here with you first. Doesn’t that count for something?

LORETTA
Oh, I’m sure it must.

TINA
I should give him a call, though. Let him know how long I’ll be –

LORETTA
You do that.

(TINA pulls out her cell phone and calls HERMAN.)

HERMAN
(gruff) Hello?

TINA
(on cell phone) Hey, Dad.

HERMAN
Wait – Lemme put you on speaker. The new nurse showed me how. I love it.

TINA
Okay.

(HERMAN puts her on speaker.)

HERMAN
Can you hear me?

TINA
Yes, I can – [hear you]

HERMAN
I can hear you too! And I’m not even using my hands! It’s amazing!

TINA
Look, Dad, I’m – I’m just getting in the car. I’ll be there in –

HERMAN
Don’t lie to me. You’re with her, aren’t you –

TINA
(pretending not to hear) Uh, what?

HERMAN
You’re in her apartment. In the independent section.

TINA
Dad, I –

LORETTA
What’s he saying? I bet he’s jealous.

Join us for our next Monday Night PlayGround on March 24, live at The Producers Club and simulcast! For more info, click here!