JOHN AND MAGGIE (a dramatic play in one act)

Copyright (c) 1990

All Rights Reserved

CAST OF CHARACTERS

John:

He is an eighteen year old who has moved into his first

home: a garage given to him by

his uncle. He has converted

the garage into a rather small

apartment and carpentry shop.

He hopes his skill as a

carpenter will help create a

steady income for himself. He

is a kind and simple young man

and much of his love and

affection is given to his

girlfriend MAGGIE. He dresses

casually throughout the play.

She is also an eighteen year old and is just beginning

college. Two years ago she

moved from Los Angeles with

her mother when her parents

divorced. She met JOHN not

long after moving and now they

have grown very close. They

hope to marry at some point in

the future.

Janey: A mysterious little girl.

Time and Place

1990. A city somewhere north of Los Angeles.

(Lights come up on a room that looks like it was

originally a garage. It now is both a home and a

carpentry workshop. Not all of the room is

visible, such as the bath and kitchen [L] and the

machinery [UR]. C is a hide-a-bed that at the

moment serves as a couch. Two voices are heard

off R. One person keeps running into things.

This is MAGGIE who is led on stage blindfolded by

JOHN)

MAGGIE

Will you hurry up and get us where we're going, Johnny? This is getting old, real fast. Plus, you keep letting me run into things. I'm getting all black and blue.

JOHN

Okay, okay, Maggie. We're almost there.

MAGGIE

You said that awhile ago.

JOHN

I mean it this time.

MAGGIE

You said that awhile ago, too.

JOHN

(Positioning her RC)

Okay. Stand right here and take off your blind fold.

MAGGIE

(She does and looks around wide-eyed)

Oh, my word. Look at this place.

JOHN

Is that good or bad?

MAGGIE

I love it, Johnny.

(She wanders around)

It's incredible. It has everything: a kitchen, a bathroom...

JOHN

(Points to hide-a-bed)

Bedroom, living room...

MAGGIE

And a carpentry shop. It's everything you've always wanted. Is it really yours to keep?

JOHN

Pretty much. My uncle let me have the garage in exchange for a few odd jobs...

MAGGIE

This wasn't really a garage, was it?

JOHN

Yeap.

MAGGIE

Wow. You guys did a lot with this place.

JOHN

Mom gave me the furniture. And I already had all of the carpentry equipment.

MAGGIE

It's a dream come true.

JOHN

Well, I wouldn't go that far.

MAGGIE

Come on, Johnny. This place is great. You finally have your own home. That means no more parents snooping around trying to run our lives, watching our every move. We're finally free.

JOHN

I didn't know I was ever imprisoned anywhere.

MAGGIE

I guess you're mom has always been really good with you. But my mom could easily pass for a warden.

JOHN

I can't argue that.

MAGGIE

(Looking around at everything)

Ya' know what we should do?

JOHN

What's that?

MAGGIE

We should go to the store and buy a bunch of food. Come here, lock the door, pull down the shades...

(Crosses to phone next to sofa)

...take the phone off the hook and...

(She tries to gracefully lower herself onto the

sofa but she sinks into it)

JOHN

(Going to her rescue)

...and be eaten by the sofa.

MAGGIE

Well...that's not exactly what I had in mind.

(Gets up with JOHN's help)

Where did you find that thing?

JOHN

It was my mom and dad's before the divorce. She figured either my brother or I might want it when we moved out.

MAGGIE

And your brother was smart enough not to take it.

JOHN

Something like that.

(Gets a big pillow and puts it on the sofa)

It's okay if you sit on a pillow.

(Pause. She just looks at it)

Go ahead and try it.

MAGGIE

Yeah, right.

JOHN

Go on.

(She does reluctantly. It works)

See.

MAGGIE

(Gets comfy and looks around for something)

Where's the TV?

JOHN

My brother got it.

MAGGIE

He got the TV; you got this sofa.

(Sarcastic)

Looks like you came out the winner in that deal.

JOHN

I don't watch much T.V. anyway. I heard it destroys brain cells or something.

MAGGIE

(Goes to him)

I'm afraid it's too late.

JOHN

Ha, ha, very funny.

(She crosses toward kitchen)

MAGGIE

Do you have any chocolate and peanut butter?

JOHN

Gross. What would you want that for?

MAGGIE

Well, I'm sorry. It sounds good. I'm entitled to a weird craving once in a while.

(Disappears into kitchen)

JOHN

(Trying to fix up sofa)

Pregnant again, huh?

MAGGIE

(Joking)

Wouldn't you like to know?

JOHN

(Finds some carpentry stuff and messes with it at

table C)

I don't know how that would happen. We haven't...well...

MAGGIE

(Returns with desired food)

It's all right. You can say the word.

JOHN

(She sits and he watches her)

How can you eat that?

MAGGIE

It's just like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

JOHN

This is true.

MAGGIE

(Crosses to him)

What's that you're making?

JOHN

Just a little something for Grandma.

(She looks)

Actually, I'm not sure what it's going to be yet.

MAGGIE

Make it into a cross and put a Bible verse on it. She likes that kind of stuff, doesn't she?

JOHN

Yeah, good idea.

MAGGIE

Your grandma's such a neat lady.

JOHN

She taught me everything I know about religion.

MAGGIE

She's one wise lady. I'll just marry you so I can have her for a relative.

JOHN

She likes you a lot too.

MAGGIE

Really?

JOHN

Yeah. She approves.

MAGGIE

I'm glad. Of anyone in your family, she's the one I would like a blessing from.

JOHN

Me, too.

MAGGIE

We'll be sure to invite her to the wedding.

JOHN

Only if Grandpa can perform it.

MAGGIE

That's okay by me.

JOHN

We'll leave all the other relatives at home, though.

MAGGIE

Sounds good to me.

(JOHN smiles as he thinks with the cross)

Marriage is fun to think about, isn't it?

JOHN

(Looks at her)

Yeah.

MAGGIE

(Takes his arm and they move across the room)

Just you and me, walking down the aisle, taking our vows, and then spending the rest of our lives together.

JOHN

(They hold hands facing each other)

Together, forever.

MAGGIE

You, me, and my chocolate and peanut butter.

JOHN

(Sarcastic)

How romantic.

(She goes back to her snack)

MAGGIE

Marriage isn't always romantic, ya' know.

JOHN

I know. My parents showed me that.

(Sits by her)

But, if I were to marry someone like you, I'm sure I wouldn't make the same mistakes.

MAGGIE

Marriage is harder than you think.

JOHN

I know it's not easy, but if I were to marry you, it would be worth it.

MAGGIE

It would be for me, too. There's no one I'd rather spend my life with.

JOHN

Same here.

MAGGIE

(Crosses downstage, dreamily)

Wouldn't it be great if we could get married?

JOHN

(Stands and gestures to his home)

We'd have a home.

MAGGIE

And the perfect sofa.

JOHN

(Picks up a piece of wood work)

I have an income that's growing daily. Once my work gets to be known better...who knows...

MAGGIE

When I finish college, I'll be making quite a bit, too.

JOHN

Wouldn't it be neat if it would work?

(Pause)

Maggie, we're always talking about marriage, but do you think now we could actually do it?

MAGGIE

Are you sure you can support us? I still have college to pay for.

JOHN

We'd have to be careful with our money until you graduate and I guess I could sell my car. It's not like I have to drive to work everyday. And if things get rough, you could always work some too...

MAGGIE

(Hesitating)

Maybe we're jumping into this too quickly. All this talk of money reminds me of my parents problems before they broke up. The bills kept coming, Dad wanted to spend the money on other things, Mom maxed out the credit cards. It all got to be too much for them after awhile.

JOHN

Money wasn't a problem for mine really. They just couldn't...work things out. Mom said they never talked much about what they were feeling. I guess that's what hurt them the most. And me too a little bit.

MAGGIE

See, Johnny. We have two divorces working against us.

JOHN

As long as we've learned from their mistakes, I'm sure we'll be okay. I have a steady income and a secure home. You're getting a college degree, and once you're out, money won't be much of a problem at all.

MAGGIE

I'm still scared.

JOHN

Why?

MAGGIE

I don`t want to end up divorced, that's all. It's not a fun thing to go through. You should know that.

JOHN

I was pretty young when they were divorced. I don't remember too much about it actually. You have a better idea about that than I do.

MAGGIE

You were lucky to be so young. No kid should have to go through all that. It was hard being sent back and forth between them. I felt like I was wanted by one just to spite the other. They fought for my approval, wanting to be the one and only one that I loved. My mother won, but a kid shouldn't be asked to make a choice like that.

JOHN

At least your parents fought over you. My dad just forgot about my brother and me.

MAGGIE

Actually, you're lucky. I wish I never had to see my father again. Never. I'm so glad Mom and I left L.A. and him behind. I hated everything about that place: the smog, the city, the people, everything. I can't even stand to go back and visit Dad anymore.

(She shivers with anger)

I wish all of southern California would just fall into the ocean.

JOHN

I'm glad you left, too, or I never would have met you.

MAGGIE

Thank goodness for U-Haul.

JOHN

How romantic.

(Gets an idea)

Hey, that would be a great gimmick. "U-Haul. Brings loved ones together from across the miles."

MAGGIE

Yuck. Maybe I won't marry you.

JOHN

Sorry. If you promise to marry me I'll give up my advertising career here and now.

MAGGIE

That's awfully tempting.

JOHN

Seriously. Would you possibly consider marrying me?

MAGGIE

I really want to, Johnny. In fact that's all I've wanted for a long time. But there's so much to consider when taking this kind of step..

(Wanders)

There's love...

JOHN

We have that.

MAGGIE

A home...

JOHN

That, too.

MAGGIE

Income...

JOHN

It's getting better all the time.

MAGGIE

Communication...

JOHN

Huh?

(She glares at him)

Just kidding.

MAGGIE

Friendship...

JOHN

You're my best friend.

MAGGIE

Mine, too. There's no one I'd rather spend my time with.

JOHN

Me neither.

MAGGIE

(Pause)

And then there's divorce...

JOHN

I hope we never have that.

MAGGIE

I also have a lot of school ahead of me. Between work and studying, will we have time for each other? I don't want to drop out of school like my mother. I have a chance to be the first college graduate in my family. I have a chance to become somebody. I don't want to lose that.

JOHN

Maggie. I want you to succeed. I would never stand in the way of your goals. And if you marry me, I'll help you to achieve those goals and never let you back away from them. I know you're the one for me. I can offer just about everything you desire. And I can give you my promise that no matter what happens, I'll never run away. I'll stand by your side, and never, ever, let our kids become lost in the shuffle.

MAGGIE

(Hugs him)

You're so wonderful. I don't deserve you.

JOHN

Don't say that. Of course you do.

MAGGIE

(Pause. She thinks a moment)

We are awfully young and you're such a neat guy. Are you sure you don't want to be free to experience more of life?

JOHN

You've experienced enough life for both of us in L.A.

MAGGIE

That's just it. Are you sure you've seen enough of life to be married?

JOHN

I've met a lot girls and I know for a fact none are as good for me as you.

MAGGIE

Are you sure?

JOHN

From the way you're sounding, the question should be are you sure?

MAGGIE

(A little distant)

Trust me. I�ve seen enough to know that there aren't many guys out there as wonderful as you. I do want to marry you...but...

JOHN

(Not unkind)

But, what?

MAGGIE

I'm just not sure we're ready yet.

JOHN

Please, Maggie. Will you at least consider it?

MAGGIE

(Pause)

Okay. I'll think about.

(Pause. They sit quietly a moment)

JOHN

Times up. What do you say?

MAGGIE

(Slightly annoyed)

Johnny.

JOHN

Sorry.

(They grow silent again as the lights fade to

black)

Scene 2

(Lights come up on JOHN working on the gift for

his Grandmother. He hears someone outside. He looks out, sees MAGGIE, and quickly finds a ring

in a wooden box. MAGGIE enters, very upset)

MAGGIE

(Softly)

Johnny...

JOHN

Now, hold on a second, Maggie. I want to do this right.

(He kneels down and takes a ring from his pocket)

No matter what you decide, I want you to know that this ring will always be waiting here for you and that the man who gives it to you will love you always, no matter what.

(He puts it on her finger)

Will you marry me?

MAGGIE

Johnny...

(She crosses away, distant)

This is hard to say. I don't know how I should begin.

JOHN

You don't have to decide right, now. Please, take as much time as you like. A month, a year...

MAGGIE

Johnny, please wait a minute. I have something I must tell you...

JOHN

(He crosses away)

That's okay; I think I know what's coming.

MAGGIE

No. I don't think you do.

JOHN

Is there something else wrong?

MAGGIE

(Admires ring, sadly)

This is such a beautiful ring. But, I can't...

(Sits and sinks in sofa, angry)

I can't take this stupid sofa anymore!

(Gets up)

This stupid man-eating sofa!

(Kicks it)

JOHN

Calm down, Maggie.

MAGGIE

Calm down! This sofa just tried to eat me!

JOHN

(Grabs her)

Maggie, what's the matter with you?

MAGGIE

(Pulls away)

It's that sofa! That stupid, stupid sofa!

JOHN

That's what's wrong?

MAGGIE

Yes. Isn't that enough?!

JOHN

What's going on here? I'm sure the sofa isn't all that bad.

MAGGIE

I told you...

JOHN

(Lovingly touches her)

Please, relax, and tell me what's going on.

MAGGIE

(She moves around a bit, pauses for a deep breath and stares out before her, away from JOHN)

Ever since I met you, I felt you were the one for me.

(Looks at ring)

The one I wanted to make a life with. You'd be someone to

help me through the hard times, share the good times, and be there when ever I needed someone to hold on to. Then when all that was behind us, we'd find some nice little place to retire and grow to a ripe old age. Then we could just sit and talk, holding each other's hand as we watched the sunset, day after day, sipping our tea and simply loving each other.

JOHN

(Moves to her)

I feel the same way. I hope you never doubt that.

MAGGIE

(Moving away)

Let me finish.

JOHN

Sure. I'm sorry.

MAGGIE

Marriage has been a dream for us. Something we've wanted for a long time. But it may have been only a dream and perhaps a distant one at that.

JOHN

What are you talking about?

MAGGIE

(Upset)

Something's happened. Something I had hoped would never happen to me.

(Pause)

JOHN

Please, tell me what's wrong.

MAGGIE

I can't think of how to say it.

JOHN

Just say it plain and simple. That always works.

MAGGIE

(After a long pause. Softly)

Johnny...I'm pregnant.

JOHN

(Hesitant)

What?

(He moves away, trying to sort through what he has

heard)

How could...I mean, I know how, but...no, I don't know...

(Confused)

How could this happen?

(Pause)

We�ve never had sex. We wanted to wait until we were married.

(Pause. No response)

It's not my child.

(Pause. Between anger and tears)

How did this happen, Maggie?!

MAGGIE

(Moves farther away, holding ring. She speaks

sadly and slowly)

I wanted so badly to have a new start when we left L.A. When we came here, I swore to leave that life behind me. Our relationship was the foundation for that new life. With you I felt I could escape that person I had grown to hate. You helped me become a person that I loved. But, still, I couldn't leave that girl from L.A. behind me. She seized me when I went back last summer to visit my dad. She just wouldn't let go. I became her again. That wretched girl who no one could love. Not even you, Johnny.

(Pause; he is motionless)

Leave her be. She's not worth all the pain and sorrow a life with her would bring.

(They are in their respective corners. JOHN is

very confused. He touches the cross he has been

making)

My new life has been destroyed by this. I don't know what I can do, now. Without you, Johnny, I feel so lost.

(She looks to him, but then sharply away)

Surely you can't want me after this.

(Pause)

I wanted so badly to make a new start. We were to have the perfect marriage. We would do nothing wrong. Everything was well thought out: no sex before marriage, no living together. It all had to be perfect.

(Pause)

Perhaps too perfect. Just because our parents couldn't do it, didn't mean we couldn't.

(Pause)

Or perhaps it does.

(Pause)

It's all lost, now. One careless step into the past has destroyed my future.

(Touches her stomach)

How is it possible that one little thing can change your life so much?

(Long pause)

JOHN

(Looks up sadly)

This is so hard. I don't know what to do...what to say.

MAGGIE

Don't say anything. Just let me go and be forgotten.

JOHN

(Looks at her and moves her way)

I can't forget you. I love you so much. You mean everything to me.

MAGGIE

(Moves away)

Even after this.

JOHN

I'll never stop loving you.

MAGGIE

But, the child isn't yours.

(Pause. He moves away and says nothing. She takes off ring and slowly sets it on table)

You never should have given this ring to me. A girl like me doesn't deserve such a gift...or your love.

(She glances at him and then runs off R in tears)

JOHN

(He wants to go after her, but can't. He goes to ring, looks at it, and then puts it back in its box. He hold the box against his heart and then begins to cry)

Why, Lord? Why?

(Lights fade to black)

Scene 3

(Lights come up dimly on JOHN sitting on the edge of his hide-a-bed. He is still deeply

troubled by the incident with MAGGIE that

afternoon. He is somewhere between deep

contemplation and a prayer. Sighing, he slides

into bed and tries to sleep. A voice of a young

girl is heard off L)

JANEY

(Off L)

Daddy?

(JOHN'S eyes pop open. He sits up, looks

around, shrugs, and lies back down)

Daddy, are you awake?

(JOHN sits up and looks around)

JOHN

Who's there?

JANEY

(Off L)

It's Janey, Daddy.

JOHN

Janey?

JANEY

(Comes on L. She is a young girl dressed in all white. She looks somewhat like MAGGIE)

Yes, Daddy.

(JOHN hops out of bed, holding up a pillow as a

weapon)

JOHN

Quit calling me that. I'm not your father.

JANEY

(Sadly)

Please don't say that. It hurts me when you say such things.

(She looks down, hurt)

JOHN

Who are you?

JANEY

I'm your daughter Janey.

JOHN

I don't have a daughter, so get out of here.

JANEY

Daddy, why are you being so mean to me?

JOHN

(Angry)

I'm sorry, but I'm not your father. You've got the wrong garage.

(Stops)

Wait. How did you get in here?

(Looks at door)

The door's locked. There's no other way in here.

(Holds up pillow)

Are you a ghost or something?

JANEY

(Sadly, gives up)

No, Daddy.

JOHN

(Looks at bed)

Am I dreaming?

JANEY

(Softly)

Maybe.

JOHN

Are you really my daughter?

JANEY

(Looks at him. Almost pleading)

Yes.

JOHN

(Realizing)

You're Maggie's daughter?

JANEY

Of course. She's my mommy, isn't she?

JOHN

(Thoughtfully, distant)

And you're mine.

JANEY

Yes.

(Pause. JOHN is trying to understand)

What's wrong, Daddy?

JOHN

(Sits. To himself)

This has to be a dream.

JANEY

(Moves toward him)

What do you mean, Daddy?

JOHN

(Confused)

This...you...all that's happening for that matter.

(Slight pause)

If only it were all a dream. Then I could wake up and everything would be like it was...

(JANEY looks down)

But life isn't like that...

(Pause)

You don't realize how hard this is for me. I could pretend like none of this has happened, but it has. A person can't ignore something like this. It has to be dealt with.

JANEY

What are you going to do?

JOHN

What can I do?

JANEY

Do you love Mommy?

JOHN

Yes, very much.

JANEY

Do you want to stay with her?

JOHN

Yes.

JANEY

Does she mean more to you than anything else in the whole world?

(He nods)

Can anything stop you from loving her?

(Pause. He says nothing)

Do you love me, Daddy?

JOHN

(Gets up)

Will you stop?!

(Moves away)

Just leave me alone.

(Pause)

JANEY

(Starts to go)

Good-bye, Daddy.

(Stops a moment)

I'm sorry I've been a problem for you and Mommy. I won't bother you again.

JOHN

Wait.

(She stops. He goes toward her)

I don't want to make you go.

JANEY

I only seem to be causing trouble. You would be happier without me.

JOHN

Your mother will care for you. Isn't she enough?

JANEY

(Looks at him)

You mean so much to her. She would do anything to keep your love.

(Turns)

Anything.

JOHN

What do you mean?

JANEY

Nothing can keep her from loving you and anything that threatens your love for her...will be...

(Trying to find the right word)

forgotten.

JOHN

Maggie's so loving. How could you be...

JANEY

If someone kept you from having the person you love more than anyone else, would you be very loving?

JOHN

This is so hard for me. I love Maggie so much, but...

(Looks at JANEY and can say no more)

JANEY

...but because of me, you can't love Mommy any more.

JOHN

That's not true! I'll never stop loving Maggie, no matter what.

JANEY

Nothing can stop your love, not even me?

JOHN

No, not even you.

JANEY

Could you love me that way, Daddy, no matter what?

JOHN

(Softly)

You're not my child.

JANEY

(Goes to him)

Does your daddy love you?

JOHN

(Pause)

I don't know. I haven't seen him since he left my mom.

JANEY

Do you ever wish he were still here?

JOHN

Sometimes.

(Moves downstage)

Most of the time I ignore even having a father. He almost doesn't even exist. But every once in awhile, I see a son playing baseball with his dad or learning to ride a bike with his father running with him, making sure he never falls. At those times, I wish more than anything to have a dad. But I stop and put those desires away somewhere safe inside me and go on pretending that I got along just fine without one. It's all for the best. It's so much easier to forget.

(He has trouble believing his last few words)

JANEY

Will I grow up never having a father and hurting inside, like you?

(Pause)

Do you want someone to grow up the same way you have?

JOHN

(This gets him)

I vowed to never let the same thing happen to a child that happened to me. It was hard growing up without a father and now I see it happening to someone else...someone who could be my child...

(Pause)

and I'm doing the same thing. The very thing that's threatened to hurt me.

(Goes to her)

You're such a beautiful child. I couldn't ask for anything better.

JANEY

(Holds out her hand)

Will you love me then, Daddy, just like you do Mommy?

JOHN

(Takes her hand)

I will, Janey.

(They hug)

JANEY

I love you, Daddy.

(Long pause. Lights begin to fade)

JOHN

(Softly, almost in tears)

I love you, too.

(Lights fade to black)

Scene 4

(Lights come up on JOHN preparing for the arrival of MAGGIE. He runs around frantically, first to a stereo off R)

JOHN

First, romantic music.

(He has trouble with stereo, it starts playing in

fast forward. He gives up and tosses tape aside)

Okay, no music, but mood lighting is a must.

(He clicks off light switch and there is total darkness)

What happened to my candles?!

(He switches the light back on)

I was sure I set them out.

(Shrugs)

Okay, we can live without candles, but the ring is a must.

(He looks around)

Now, where did I...

(Looks at sofa)

Ah, the sofa ate it.

(He fishes it out of the sofa, sits a moment and admires the ring)

It's beautiful, truly beautiful. And it's going to stay where it belongs this time.

(He proudly lays the ring and box on the table. There is a knock at his door. With a last minute

thought, he tosses something over the ring and box

to hide it. He speaks with little emotion at

first to MAGGIE)

Come in, Maggie.

MAGGIE

(She enter R. Tries to smile)

Hi, Johnny.

JOHN

(Moves away)

Please, sit.

MAGGIE

(Upset, she sits)

Why did you ask me over?

JOHN

I felt we needed to talk once more about our problem. I couldn't just forget about all of this without saying anything. I had to at least tell you how I feel.

MAGGIE

I think I got the idea in our last talk.

(She rises)

You don't need to explain. I understand.

JOHN

(Goes to her and stops her)

I don't think you do.

(Her gestures for her to sit. She does)

We've been together for two years, now. Two of the most wonderful years I've had in my life so far. You've meant so much to me, helped me to grow, and become a person that I'm happy to be. Never before have I felt this complete. You've become a very important part of me. It would tear me apart to lose you.

(She looks at him, surprised at his words)

What I'm trying to say...in my own fumbling way...is that I still love, Maggie, and nothing can ever get in the way of that.

MAGGIE

You still love me...even though...

JOHN

The past is the past. Last summer is gone. L.A. is nothing to me. No one will know about anything but us and our love.

(He kneels before her. Lays his hands on her womb)

This child's father will never leave her and he will gladly give her his name, that is if her mother will still have him.

(Gets ring and puts ring on her finger)

Will you marry me?

MAGGIE

(In tears)

Will you love the child like it is your own?

JOHN

I never want to do what my father did to me. I swear that with all my heart.

MAGGIE

(She admires ring, and then embraces him, crying)

I don't deserve you.

JOHN

(Looks at her and strokes her hair)

I love you, Maggie.

MAGGIE

I love you, too. So very much.

(They embrace once more as the lights fade. In darkness)

Johnny?

JOHN

Yeah?

MAGGIE

Why do you keep calling the baby a she?

END OF PLAY