I did something that I wish I hadn’t done.

Short drama scene from The Floating Room, wherein Martin visits his parents to try and gain perspective on the direction of his life.

Featured Scene – The Floating Room

MARSHA: You should eat something. You look like you should eat something.

Martin gets up from the small rocking chair.

He places the teddy bear he was holding on to it.

MARTIN: I should be going.

MARSHA: Martin, your father should be awake soon. He’ll be sad when he finds out that you’ve come all this way and he didn’t get to see you.

MARTIN: I have a surgery scheduled for today.

MARSHA: Oh.

MARTIN: When do you think he’ll be up?

MARSHA: Could be any minute.

MARTIN: Fine.

Martin looks out the window.

You got rid of the shed?

MARSHA: That was removed ages ago.

MARTIN: Where did you store the bikes?

MARSHA: They’re in the basement. The shed started falling apart. We planned on getting another, but never got around to it.

MARTIN: Oh.

MARSHA: Martin?

MARTIN: Yeah.

MARSHA: (beat) Why are you here, son?

MARTIN: I told you, I only wanted to stop by.

MARSHA: This isn’t like you, and I know my son. I know something’s wrong.

MARTIN: Maybe it’s just the weather.

MARSHA: I know we don’t often talk, but I am here. I am your mother.

(Pause)

MARTIN: …I’m…there’s something I’m not proud of…

MARSHA: I’m sure it’s no big deal –

MARTIN: It is a big deal!

MARSHA: …What could it be…tell me.

MARTIN: I’ve changed. I’m not the same man I once was.

MARSHA: Of course you are –

MARTIN: No, no, I’m not.

MARSHA: Why are you saying that?

MARTIN: I did something that I wish I hadn’t done. I’m still trying to figure out why I’ve become this way. For a while now…things haven’t been right between Janet and I.

MARSHA: Well, we all have ups and downs in marriage, Martin. It’s a phase.

MARTIN: No. It’s worse than that, we are heading for divorce…

MARSHA: My goodness, no –

MARTIN: We’ve been — our marriage hasn’t been right for a while. It’s been falling apart for quite some time. It’s why we haven’t been home for the holidays; it’s the reason behind a lot of things.

MARSHA: Martin, that can’t be –

MARTIN: We’ve gone to marriage counseling; we’ve spent time apart; we’ve tried everything. Nothing we’ve tried doing is working. I’m afraid the truth is that we may no longer be in love with one another.

MARSHA: Oh, this is the worst news I could ever have imagined.

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Scene Summary

In the one-act drama play The Floating Room, Martin unexpectedly visits his parent’s home early in the morning, while trying to cope with emotional issues regarding the loss of a patient and his failing marriage.

• Genre: Drama
• Length: ~5 minute scene
• Characters: 1 woman, 1 man
• Themes: profession, guilt, marriage
• Best For: drama scenes

FAQ

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• Why can’t the act of writing be solely for me? – from The Typed Manuscript

Scene Source: The Floating Room

The Floating Room is a drama play script by Joseph Arnone, 2026.