In drama scene from one-act eplay, “A Dark Heart,” Henrick and Martha discuss their decision of adopting Filippa into their family.

HENRICK: What happened?

MARTHA: Filippa is in her room in hysterics!

HENRICK: She will be fine.

MARTHA: I can’t get her to stop crying. She won’t tell me what happened.

HENRICK: The children haven’t been giving her a fair shake.

MARTHA: Those two little monsters!

HENRICK: Shh! Quiet down. I’ve already spoken to them.

MARTHA: What did they do this time?

HENRICK: They’re going through their own understanding of the situation. It isn’t an easy thing for them either.

MARTHA: I have been shocked by their behavior.

HENRICK: As have I. (checking his pocket) Have you seen my pipe?

MARTHA: I thought you said you were giving that up?

HENRICK: It calms me.

MARTHA: I don’t want you to smoke that any longer.

HENRICK: Yes, yes, I know, I know.

PAUSE. Henrick and Martha walk.

MARTHA: Do you think we made the right decision?

HENRICK: Regarding Filippa?

MARTHA: Yes.

HENRICK: Absolutely.

MARTHA: But the children are being extremely difficult, Henrick.

HENRICK: They will adjust. This is all too common.

MARTHA: You really believe so?

HENRICK: Certainly.

MARTHA: Ever since Filippa has taken up her own room, I’ve noticed a change in Henry and Rochelle.

HENRICK: Have you?

MARTHA: They seem removed.

HENRICK: From what?

MARTHA: Us.

HENRICK: How so?

MARTHA: Distant. I can’t put it into words.

HENRICK: They will come around.

MARTHA: Henry’s been acting up in school and Rochelle has failed her last two math exams.

HENRICK: Get them in order Martha, I can’t do everything.

MARTHA: I’m sharing my concerns…they don’t wish to obey.

HENRICK: They’ve obeyed just fine a moment ago.

MARTHA: I believe they are putting you on.

HENRICK: Putting me on?

MARTHA: Yes.

HENRICK: What are you talking about?

MARTHA: Lately, they have both given me nothing but attitude and mood swings. They aren’t themselves. Henry used to hug me and kiss my cheeks and Rochelle would follow me like a tail. Now they disappear with each other and ignore my calls for dinner each night. And I’ve…oh, I don’t want to stir the pot Henrick, really I don’t, but you must know..I’ve found two dead animals behind the guest house.

HENRICK: What are you doing behind the guest house?

MARTHA: Tracking down our children!

HENRICK: What in the hell is going on?

MARTHA: I’m trying to tell you. One dead squirrel and a dead bird put up in a corner.

HENRICK: What makes you think it’s the children?

MARTHA: Because I saw them running behind the guest house on two separate occasions.

HENRICK: You have.

MARTHA: I have.

HENRICK: It just sounds absurd Martha.

MARTHA: It is absurd! I’ve been worried, trying to figure it out…and I haven’t addressed them about it yet.

HENRICK: Show me.

MARTHA: It’s already been cleared away. I figured I would let it go and keep an eye on it, see if it happens again. What do you think?

HENRICK: Think?

MARTHA: Yes. What do you think we should do Henrick?

HENRICK: I think they need to be disciplined, we need to do more, we can’t let this go on.

MARTHA: What kind of discipline?…wouldn’t that make matters worse?

HENRICK: Worse? You’re kidding? They’re killing animals for goodness sake!

MARTHA: Stop! You make it sound horrific.

HENRICK: Isn’t it?

MARTHA: Isn’t that what kids do? Don’t they do wild things? Isn’t it like hunting with BB guns and climbing trees?

HENRICK: That’s enough for today.

MARTHA: But what shall we do?

HENRICK: Why are you in such a panic?

MARTHA: Because I hope we made the right decision. Everything was normal until Filippa showed up.

HENRICK: Martha, are you conscious of the words you speak?

MARTHA: I am.

HENRICK: You love Filippa as one of your own. You’ve said so yourself.

MARTHA: (sulks)

HENRICK: Calm down.

MARTHA: It’s so much to take on. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but there seems to be a mountain we can’t cross.

HENRICK: Stop thinking so negatively –

MARTHA: It’s true, isn’t it? Every day there’s some dramatic event unfolding in this house.

HENRICK: It’s been difficult.

MARTHA: But it shouldn’t be this difficult.

HENRICK: You are right.

MARTHA: Right?

HENRICK: Give it time. We committed ourselves to this and we must see it through. Things will work out. We are a family, we can –

MARTHA: – What if things only get worse Henrick? What do we do then?

• To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:

In the one act eplay A Dark Heart, Filippa is adopted by her deceased mother’s employers but is having an extremely difficult time adjusting to her new life, especially in the face of two other children that don’t wish to give her a chance.  1 Woman, 1 Man, 3 children ages 12-13.  Drama/Family Drama.

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