I’ve wanted to get away for the longest time.
Teen drama scene from one-act eplay, “Protective Shield” Rita and Parla discuss running away together from the only world they’ve ever known.
PARLA: We should get out of here; get out of this town for a while.
RITA: I wish. Weird that you mention it, ’cause I had a dream last night…we were on a train, like an overnight train. I was looking out the window, and it was snowing. I looked over at you, and I told you I was happy. I’ve wanted to get away for the longest time, but we’re stuck here. We’re both broke.
PARLA: We don’t need money. That’s an old tale that keeps you trapped in place forever, till it eats you up inside, and by then, it’s too late to get out or do anything. I know we don’t need money to get out of here.
RITA: Where would we go then?
PARLA: We’ll take a train. I can chart our course. We’ll go on a little adventure. I need to feel something, Rita, before this place gets the best of me.
RITA: Do you really think we can do something like that, and I mean for how long? For a week?
PARLA: For a week, at the least…
RITA: Aren’t you afraid of coming back, I mean with your dad and all?
PARLA: I ain’t afraid of him.
RITA: But I worry about you.
PARLA: There’s nothing my dad can dish out that I can’t take.
RITA: I’m not convinced.
Parla holds out her wrist.
PARLA: See this scar on my wrist? My own father gave me that.
Beat.
RITA: When do you want to leave?
PARLA: Tomorrow.
RITA: Tomorrow?
PARLA: Why not?
RITA: Don’t we need time to plan?
PARLA: No, ’cause we’ll overthink it, and then we’ll still be here years from now, doing the same thing.
RITA: (saddened) Right.
PARLA: Rita, what’s the hesitation?
RITA: I’m just…trying to digest the idea.
PARLA: You’re doubting it.
RITA: No, no. I’m in. I want to. I mean, if it doesn’t work out, we can always come right back, right?
(Long pause)
What time tomorrow?
PARLA: I’ll be at yours at 4 a.m. We’ll leave at daybreak.
RITA: Okay, alright. What should I pack?
PARLA: Just bring clothes, whatever cash you have, and make sandwiches. I’ll take care of the rest.
RITA: Don’t you think we should take a few days just to get everything in order first?
PARLA: I’m already packed, Rita. I was going alone…
RITA: Alone?
PARLA: I was already leaving. I wasn’t going to tell you.
RITA: What are you talking about? You were gonna leave me behind?
PARLA: I have everything ready. Flashlights, lighters, dry food, sleeping gear, pen knives, and I’ve been watching all types of survival shows, just in case I don’t find a place.
RITA: So this isn’t just a few days?
Pause.
PARLA: I don’t want you to get hurt by this, but I’m going all the way.
- To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In this one-act play, Rita talks to her friend about how she has a difficult time opening up to people she cares about.
