The January People’s Choice Award goes to…

Posted by on February 4, 2022

The people have spoken… The January People’s Choice Award goes to Sam Affoumado for his short play, Good Grief, presented as a staged reading Simulcast & On-Demand via Vimeo Live on January 17th. Congratulations, Sam!

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

Good Grief
by Sam Affoumado

CAST OF CHARACTERS

ROBERT: Middle School Teacher. Married to Elaine. He is in therapy with Dr. Berman. He is fragile and has
recently lost a great deal of weight (Caucasian Male) Age: 30s

ELAINE: A Piano Teacher. Married to Robert. Caring; nurturing. (Caucasian Female) Age:30s

DR. BERMAN: (MALE) A clinical psychologist treating Robert. (Any Ethnicity) AGE: 50s

SETTING
TIME: THE PRESENT
PLACE: ROBERT AND ELAINE’S KITCHEN/DR. BERMAN’S HOME/OFFICE

At the kitchen table. Robert and Elaine are drinking coffee and avoiding eye contact. A piano version of “Clair de Lune” is heard softly in the background. There is an uncomfortable silence and then as the music fades…

ROBERT
(smiling)

Coffee’s good this morning, Elaine. Did you do anything
special to it?

ELAINE

Special? No. It’s the same Nespresso Intenso, no milk, two
Splendas, the way you always have it.

ROBERT

Oh. I just thought it tasted… better this morning. That’s
all. You make the best coffee.

ELAINE

It’s just the push of a button, you know. But I’m glad you
appreciate it. Do you want breakfast? You should have
breakfast.

ROBERT

No, thanks. I’m not very hungry. Just the coffee is fine.
(PAUSE) Do you have any pupils today?

ELAINE

Not anymore. No. (PAUSE) Robert?

ROBERT

Yes?

ELAINE

You know, I’m worried about you.

ROBERT

Why?

ELAINE

You used to be a big breakfast eater. Couldn’t get enough of
my pancakes or omelettes but lately… Robert, I mean…
you’ve lost a lot of weight.

ROBERT

Hey, I was getting to look like a porker. A few pounds less
is good for me. Don’t you think? I feel great.

ELAINE

Do you?

ROBERT

Sure.

ELAINE

Okay. At what time is your appointment?

ROBERT

In half an hour.

ELAINE

Have you made a decision about—

ROBERT

—No, I haven’t. I’m still considering what you said.
Weighing my options. Working it out.

ELAINE

I see. (PAUSE) I thought we discussed—

ROBERT —Honestly, I don’t think it was a discussion, Elaine. I
think it was a directive. Yours.

ELAINE

I’m sorry you see it that way, Robert. But we agreed that it
isn’t healthy for you to—

ROBERT

— No, Elaine. I didn’t agree. I said I understood your
concern and I would think about it. That’s all. (PAUSE)
Please don’t worry. I’m working on it.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on February 28th! For more info, click here!