Twenty

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary, a one-act play

Cast of characters

M _________ Male, age 50
F _________ Female, age 47

[The stage is bare apart from a bed and a nightstand. On the night stand is a magazine, a cigarette, a lighter, an ashtray and a phone. A single light is shining on the bed. F is sitting on the bed, blowing on her fingers to dry the nail polish she has just applied. M is sitting next to her.]

F: Do we have to?

M: It is Tuesday dear.

[F sighs, lies down on the bed and stares at the ceiling. M sucks on her left nipple. After a few minutes M switches to the right nipple.]

F: Hurry up will you. I have to get up early to go to work.

[M inserts penis. F grunts.]

M: Are you alright?

[F picks up magazine from the nightstand and starts to read. M makes undulating motions with his hips.]

(A few minutes later)

F: (sighs) Are you ready yet?

[M speeds up his motions and starts to make heavy breathing noises.]

M: (panting) Almost there dear.

[M arches his back and groans.]

F: Finally, I thought you would never finish.

[M rolls over and goes to sleep. F drops the magazine on the floor and lights a cigarette. The phone rings.]

F: (Picks up the phone) Smith.

(listens to the person on the phone)

No I couldn't. Tuesday is Tom's night you know.

(listens)

Well you get used to it, and if I really don't want to I just tell him I have my period.

(listens)

I know I've been through the menopause, but he has no idea what that means.

(listens)

The Chippendales? Of course I will go!

(listens)

Ok! See you Saturday. Bye! (Puts down the phone)

M: (yawns) Who was that?

F: Alice. She just wanted to congratulate us on our twenty-fifth anniversary.

M: That was today, wasn't it?

F: Yes it was.

M: Well it was nice of her to remember it.

[M goes back to sleep]