Grief

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MEMORIES

A 10 minute play for two characters

By Richard Van Den Akker

(Scene opens with Samuel sitting on a park bench, feeding pigeons. Al comes up and sits next to him.)

AL: Good afternoon.

SAM: Good afternoon.

AL: It's a nice day, isn't it?

SAM: I've seen better. It's a bit damp and chilly for me.

AL: Well, if you don't like the weather, wait awhile. It'll change.

SAM: You look familiar. Have we met before?

AL: No, I don't think so.

SAM: What's your name?

AL: Al. Al Sheimers.

SAM: My name is Samuel Golden.

They shake hands

SAM: Al Sheimers. That sounds familiar. You from around here?

AL: I'm from here. I'm from there. I'm from everywhere and I'm from nowhere.

SAM; You sound a little confused.

AL: Just wait. You will be too.

SAM: What do you mean?

AL: How old are you Samuel?

SAM: Sixty one, last winter. I pray I make sixty two next winter!

AL: Has it been a good sixty one years?

SAM: I can't complain.

AL: Can't or won't?

SAM: Well, nothing is perfect. There have been good times and bad times. Some I'll never forget, and a few I'd just as soon not remember.

AL: Well, there is where I come in.

SAM: You? What do you mean?

AL: I can help you take away all the pain and troubles of the past. (Snaps his fingers) Just like that!

SAM: Just like that? What, are you selling something?

AL: Nope; it's free.

SAM: You know, I meet some real characters out here sometimes. But you are just a couple of kebabs short of a mixed grill.

AL: What's your worst memory?

SAM: Look, I don't know who you are…

AL: Al Sheimers. Pleased to meet you.

SAM: I know your name, but I don't know YOU.

AL: I'm the guy that's going to help you.

SAM: Help me what?

AL: Forget.

SAM: What do I need to forget so bad that I'll ask for help from a stranger?

AL: The day your son died.

SAM; What?

AL: Your worst memory. The day your son died.

SAM: Now listen here….

AL: Would you like to forget that one?

SAM: Just what is the meaning of this? In just one minute I'm going to give you some memories that YOU can try to forget!

AL: Calm down, calm down. Here's my card. (Hands card to Samuel).

SAM: (Reading) "Al Sheimers. Field Agent for Lost Memories Inc. Making old people forget for over 200 years." Is this a joke?

AL: Nope. I clear minds. Like cleaning out the car after a long road trip. I get rid of all the 'stuff' you inadvertently pick up on your journey.

SAM: Now I remember you. I met you in college. But you had a curly moustache.

AL: That was another of our agents. Bud. Bud Weisner. He generally works the college circuit. I stick to the parks; I like to work outdoors.

SAM: (Hands back the card). Well I'm not buying it.

AL: I said it was free.

SAM: All the same. I may have a few bad memories, but there are a lot of good memories to.

AL: Name one.

SAM: The day Billy was born.

AL: Which, when you think of it, reminds you of that day seven years ago when that truck ran him down. You see; even your 'good' memories are painful.

SAM: Life is painful. You keep bothering me and I'll show you just how painful it can be.

AL: Simmer down gramps. I'm only trying to help. Wouldn't you like to go through your remaining years free and untroubled by the past?

SAM: No I would not. Who sent you? Why pick on me?

AL: (Checking a clipboard) According to my schedule I have you starting at age sixty one.

SAM: (Looking over his shoulder, pointing at clipboard). Who is that? "Dianne Beaties"?

AL: (Hiding clipboard). Please! It's against the rules to see your future.

SAM: Am I getting diabetes?

AL: Well, you certainly aren't a spring chicken. You gotta figure that sooner or later you'd get that. Look at the way you eat. Really, it shouldn't be a surprise.

SAM: Look, you. I don't know who you are…

AL: Al…

SAM: STOP THAT!. I don't know what this is all about, but I am not interested. Not now not ever. So you just take your clipboard and your little notes and go away. Do you understand?>

AL: (Rising) So you don't want my help?

SAM: No!

AL: You didn't enjoy this little meeting we just had?

SAM: Not at all!

AL: So you'd prefer you'd never met me?

SAM: Never!

AL: (Sits down) So you'd like to forget this entire meeting?

SAM: Certainly... Now wait a minute! I know what you're trying to do. It won't work; as bad as I want to forget YOU I still do not want my memories erased!

AL: What about the war? I understand you were a prisoner.

SAM: None of your business. (Goes back to feeding pigeons, ignoring AL)

AL: Says here they were pretty rough on you. That you still have nightmares once in a while. Shame. And getting a good night's sleep is so important. Did they do the bamboo under the fingernails? How about the…

SAM: (Turning back to AL) Listen you. First; thanks for bringing up such 'wonderful' memories for me. Second; it's none of your business. Third, well, there isn’t a third, but first and second should be enough.

AL: I can take it all away, Samuel. All those painful memories. You lived a long time. Served your family and your country well. It's time you had a break. You deserve this. You earned it. Forget the war, the loss of loved ones, times of personal anguish. Freedom, Samuel, freedom. That's what I'm offering.

SAM: No cost?

AL: Not a penny.

SAM: Does it hurt?

AL: Only until I start, then it will stop hurting, forever.

SAM: Only the bad memories?

AL: Only the bad ones. Guaranteed.

SAM: How do you know?

AL: How do I know what?

SAM: How do you know which memories are bad?

AL: Oh, it's obvious. The ones associated with pain.

SAM: The time I was fired by Old Man Johnson.

AL: Oh yes. He thought you were disrespectful of the customers. Just fired you, just like that. That will definitely have to go.

SAM: Old man Johnson didn't fire me to be mean. In fact, after he fired me I got another job right away at Ben Steiners hardware store. I found later that Old Man Johnson had asked him to hire me. Told Ben 'Sam's a good boy, and I think he learned his lesson.' You see, I learned a lot from that. That you can punish someone without hating them, you sometimes have to to help set them right. It changed me. Made me a better person. No, that memory is no good without that afternoon he fired me, painful as it was.

AL: Okay, that one stays.

SAM: What about When Mary was born.

AL: Mary? Oh, I see. Yes, I'm afraid that one would have to go, since your wife didn't survive the birth. That is a painful memory…isn't it?

SAM: Such sacrifice. She said 'Take care of the children, Sam. Take care of the children.' That was all she thought about; our children.

AL: Yes, a terrible thing to die bringing a child into the world.

SAM: But don't you see? I love her. Truly, and deeply and forever. I don't know if I ever loved her more that that minute, as I held her that last time. As she died in my arms…No. You can't take that memory!

AL: Fine. We'll leave that one. But the others…

SAM: And my welcome home after the war. The honor. Remembering how I stood firm with my troops, never gave up, no matter what. No, that memory would be worthless without remembering the suffering in the POW camp. No, all that has to stay too.

AL: Well, there isn't much left.

SAM: (Standing) Leave it all, Mister Sheimers. Leave it all. It's my life. The good, the bad, the ugly. All mine. Some hurts, some I regret, but it's all part of me. It's all part of my life. You know, I've often wondered why God let such terrible things happen to people, even good people. But it is all part of life. And without the pain, the pleasure would mean nothing, nothing at all. No Mister Sheimer. I want to keep it all. I want to cry myself to sleep sometimes remembering the death of loved ones, and I want to smile remembering the joy of having known them. I want it all. And it's not over yet. The diabetes…bring it on. That will be a part of my life too. All in all, it's a good thing, life. It's a good thing. Good day Mister Sheimers.

AL: But wait. This conversation. You said…

SAM: I know what I said. But no, I'll enjoy this memory most of all, painful as it was, because It reminded me that life is what we make it. It's not always fair or easy, but it's ours to do with as we please. I'm going to live mine. The few years left of it anyway, warmed by the memories, good and bad, of friends and events gone past. Good day Mister Sheimers. Farewell.(Exits)

AL: Well (Making a mark on his clipboard), that's done. (To audience) And here I thought we were going to lose him. Some people get depressed so easily. They never seem to realize that it's all part of God's plan, part of life. Some would prefer a flat roller coaster, or football game where everyone wins. Life just isn't like that. (Starts to exit, then turns back) Aren't you glad? (Exit)

End

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