I always thought we could tell each other anything.
In the dramatic scene from one-act play Far and Away, Miriam wants her son Eddie to stop hanging out with his friend Anton.
MIRIAM: You could always talk to me.
EDDIE: It’s not the same.
MIRIAM: Why?
EDDIE: ‘Cause you’re going through the same thing!
MIRIAM: And?
EDDIE: And I can’t talk to you about it all the time.
MIRIAM: I always thought we could tell each other anything.
EDDIE: We can, Ma, but sometimes I just want to forget.
MIRIAM: One day you’re going to grow up and leave me.
EDDIE: Stop it, Mom.
MIRIAM: It’s already happening.
EDDIE: Mom—
MIRIAM: You’d rather talk to your friends than your own mother. He’s no good. I know his whole family. You forget I grew up with his father and his mother; they’re terrible people, no class, pure savages. (quickly) I knew I should have moved us out of this town when I had the chance. After I won that lottery… but I decided to stay and repair this house; it’s the only house in the world that you could repair and renovate and the value goes down… how do you like that?
Thought I could sell it; was going to sell it for us and make a break for it… all we have is a polished rock I can’t sell. Big mistake, and now you hang out with Anton, your new best friend, and this is what I have to cope with…a son who never washes, reeks of booze, and whose brain cells are decreasing by the day. Don’t you have homework?
EDDIE: It’s summer.
MIRIAM: Yeah, but don’t your teachers give you summer reading to do?
EDDIE: No.
MIRIAM: What a waste.
Knock on the door.
EDDIE: (to Miriam) It’s Anton.
Eddie lets Anton in.
ANTON: Hey Miriam.
MIRIAM: Hello Anton.
ANTON: Something smells good.
MIRIAM: We’re just about to have dinner.
ANTON: Oh—
EDDIE: Yeh, sorry, man. I’ll see you tomorrow, though.
ANTON: Yeah, no worries, man.
EDDIE: We’ll do pizza tomorrow.
ANTON: That’s cool.
Anton makes his way to the front door.
MIRIAM: Anton, do you want to stay for dinner?
ANTON: No, I’m alright, thanks. I actually have to get home… (to Eddie) I was waiting for you, bro, but it’s getting late.
MIRIAM: Are you sure?
ANTON: Yeah.
MIRIAM: How are your parents doing?
ANTON: They’re alright.
MIRIAM: Send them my regards.
ANTON: I will.
MIRIAM: You sure you won’t stay?
ANTON: I’m good, thanks, Miriam.
Anton leaves.
MIRIAM: You have his look. Is that how you want to go through life? Lost in space?
EDDIE: (laughs)
MIRIAM: You find this funny?
EDDIE: No.
MIRIAM: Isn’t he older than you?
EDDIE: I don’t know.
MIRIAM: He should have graduated by now. (beat) What a shame.
Eddie leaves the room.
(half to Eddie, half to herself) This is what I get. (She places food on the table.) Only so many chances you get in life to change yourself…you don’t take ’em, you remain the same.
You hear me?! I don’t want my son to remain the same. I want you to do more. I want more for you than this world we’re surrounded by. I’m selling the house! I’ve had enough. I don’t care if I get two dollars for this place. We’re moving. I’m selling the house, and we’re moving away…somewhere far and away, and…why did you leave me, Jerry? (beat) Where did you go? (She sits down.)
Eddie appears back in the room.
Miriam cries.
- To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In the one-act ePlay Far and Away, Miriam fears the closeness her son Eddie has with his friend Anton. 1 woman, 2 male teens. Drama.
