PREGNANCY SURPRISE

A Drama in ONE Act

CHARACTERS

 

MICHAEL KENT snr

MICHAEL KENT jnr  

PATRICIA KENT

KATIE KENT

 

SYNOPSlS

After a hard day's work, Michael Junior returns home to find his wife  Patricia in a buoyant mood. When he inquired why she was so cheerful, she announced that she was finally pregnant after all the years of waiting — an announcement he regretted.

 

 

(Michael Sr, a fragile old man, is in the lounge of a mental hospital for the criminally insane. Katie is full of life but very concerned about her father's state. She has been visiting him for the third time since she arrived from Australia; she has lived all her life with her adoptive parents. It would be accurate if she spoke in an Australian tongue, but it is not compulsory.)

 

OLD MICHAEL

So, you're going to wait to make me a granddad?

 

KATlE

(Smiling)

I am still looking for a man, Dad.

 

OLD MICHAEL

It's about time, then. How old are you?

 

KATlE

Thirty-three, don't you remember?

 

OLD MICHAEL

Only some things.  I knew you were in your thirties, but I haven't seen you since birth.

 

KATlE

I know, I know.

 

OLD MICHAEL

They were very kind.  I  mean, your parents told you about me.

​

KATlE

I didn't give them a choice to tell the truth. You're my biological father, and  I  wanted to see you. And here I am.

 

OLD MICHAEL

It would help if you had. I didn't even know your name until you told me yourself. You were just born when they took you away.

 

KATlE

I know. And you know why, of course?

 

OLD MICHAEL

Of course  I  do.  But now  I  am not old. I've been locked up here since it happened, but the authorities don't understand. I am not insane.

 

KATlE

Killing my mother a  few hours after I was born? They had no choice, Dad. You did not deny it!

 

OLD MICHAEL

Deny it? How could I deny it? I stayed with her even when she was dead. And that's what they don't understand. I am not mad; I know what I did, and it was planned.

 

KATlE

(Taken aback)

But why, Dad? Why?

 

OLD MICHAEL

I had a good reason. But not a good enough reason to poison her.

 

KATlE

I have been in Australia all my life. And I've only known about you these last few years. Before I travelled over here, I had to reconcile myself to the knowledge that not only were my parents not my real parents, but also that my father killed my mother after I was born. That's a lot to take in at once.

 

OLD MICHAEL

I know. To tell the truth, I truly believed, I truly hoped that you would be spared the knowledge of your birth.

 

KATlE

It doesn't alter the fact, though.

 

OLD MICHAEL

No, it doesn't. Get that chair and sit properly beside me, and I will tell you everything.

 

KATlE

OK.

 

(She exits and a few seconds later, she enters  carrying  a  chair  and  places it opposite Michael)

 

OLD MICHAEL

What I am about to tell you is the truth. I know your mother cannot defend herself, but I constantly repeat the same story because the story  I said I told is true.  I never told a lie about it, did not say less or more, and did not exaggerate. The only thing I did not say was what the real reason was. I kept that to myself. First, I was a happy man in love with your mother. We had been married for almost six years when it happened. We had a lovely house, which we paid for with hard work. I had a decent job, and we were living well. Your mother did some jobs at home.

(He pauses)

Do you know that your mother was a fantastic dressmaker?  I don't know how many women I've seen coming to the house asking her to make them a new dress.

 

KATlE

No, I did not know that.

 

OLD MICHAEL

She was terrific, but above all, I truly loved her. I was madly in love with her.

 

KATlE

Recently, I've seen some photos of her. She was beautiful, I could see that.

 

OLD MICHAEL

We were suited to each other; we had everything going for us, except we couldn't and struggled to have children. Your mother wanted one badly.

​

KATlE

But……but then…...

 

OLD MICHAEL

Yes, we had you…...

 

(He lowers his head for a long few seconds)

That is when all the trouble started.)

 

FADE OUT LlGHTS MUSlC

FADE lN LlGHTS.

(We find ourselves on the other side of the stage. The living room of young Michael and Patricia.  Patricia  is sitting and speaking on her mobile Phone.)

 

PATRICIA

No, he doesn't know yet. I didn't want to tell him on the Phone. When he comes in, I tell him right away……..No, I don't think so……It shouldn't make any difference……What?.…Well, it must be six years now, and it's coming in March. Precisely, oh no, go off it, Dorothy, of course, you'll be the one. I promise you…..Ok then. I'll talk to you later. Yes, I will. Bye then!

(She puts her mobile on a small table. She exits.  After a short pause, the mobile started ringing again, and after a while, Patricia rushed in with a towel, wiped her hands tak, took the Phone off the table, looked at it, and answered.)

OH! It's you.

(She sits down)

I don't know, please. Yes, I will, but not this minute; I have to go now. Why? What time is it? …... Exactly.

(Sarcastically)    

You do understand?  How good of you. Right…... I must go. I insist. Tomorrow? I'm not sure yet. May the next day! Yes, Ok. Ok bye! And please don't phone again till then! Bye.

(She puts the mobile in her pocket and exits again with the towel still in her hand)

(There is a pause. Michael enters from the next exit, carrying a briefcase and a light suit. He puts the suitcase down to one side and takes off his jacket. He goes to the cupboard, takes out a bottle of alcohol, and pours himself a large drink. He sits down, removes his shoes, and stretches his legs while he sips the drink.)

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Ah! I needed that!

(He shouts towards Patricia)

I'm home, Pat!

 

PATRICIA

(From inside)

Oh good! Did you have a good day?

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

As a matter of fact, I did.

 

PATRlClA

(Enters)

Michael,

(She gives him a passionate kiss.)

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

What's that for?

 

PATRICIA

Is there a rule that a wife cannot kiss her husband when he comes home from work?

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

No. There is not. But it means something for sure. When somebody does something she doesn't usually do, I have the right to ask. What's that for?

 

PATRICIA

Look at me and see if there's anything different about me.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(He looks and hesitates)

No, I see no difference.

 

PATRICIA

OH, you're a spoiled sport.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Seriously? Did something happen?

 

PATRICIA

Yes, something happened.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(Getting impatient)

Well? What is it?

 

PATRICIA

Before I tell you, let's do something to celebrate.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(confused)

Celebrate what for crying out loud? What the hell are you up to tonight? Have you been drinking already?

 

PATRICIA

Of course not.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(He laughs)

I know, I got it now ….....

 

PATRICIA

Yes …...

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Your mother is emigrating!

 

PATRICIA

Don't be stupid. Guess.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Have you won the lottery?

​

PATRICIA

No, not the lottery.

​

YOUNG MICHAEL

(He drinks his drink fast)

OK, I had enough of this. Will you tell me, or shall I go up and change?

 

PATRICIA

(She goes beside him, huffing and puffing)

Sometimes I could kill you.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Are you all right, Patricia?

 

PATRICIA

Yes,  I  am. Please be serious and try to guess.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Could you at least give me a clue?

 

PATRICIA

Let me see.

(She thinks)

I think I am going to be sick!

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Go to the bathroom then, and don’t get sick here!

 

PATRICIA

(Getting fed up and angry)

That was the clue, you ignoramus!

(She realises Michael hasn't got a clue. She cuddles him and kisses him again. When she finishes, she tells  him  to  his face?)

I am pregnant.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(Pushes her away and stands up)

What? You're joking, are you?

 

PATRICIA

No, I'm not. Of course not. How can I joke about something like this?

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

How do you know? Have you tested yourself?

 

PATRICIA

Our doctor confirmed it this morning.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(He takes his empty glass, takes it to the cupboard, and pours himself another drink. Downs it and pours another one.)

It is impossible.

 

PATRICIA

Impossible? We've been trying for years.

​

YOUNG MICHAEL

No, you must be mistaken and the doctor too. I cannot believe it.

 

PATRICIA

Are you not happy?

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

(without thinking)  

No!  

(Then  he  realises his error and moves to her)

 I did not mean that. Of course, I am happy.

 

PATRICIA

Then why the sad face?

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

You are imagining that. I have no sad face. I was shocked, that is all. After all, we nearly gave up hope of having a child.

 

PATRICIA

That is why I asked you to celebrate.

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

Where do you want to go?

 

PATRICIA

I've already booked at that nice Italian restaurant in town. The one you like.

​

YOUNG MICHAEL

(Laughs)

There goes my restful evening.

 

PATRICIA

Oh, Michael …...

 

YOUNG MICHAEL

I'm only joking…...Ok, you go and get ready.

 

PATRICIA

(She  kisses  him,  and  she  exits  full  of delight)

 

FADE OUT LlGHTS

MUSlC

FADE lN LlGHTS

 

(Now we are back to the sanatorium, and Old Michael and Katie assume the same position   they   were   before   the   lights faded.)

 

KATlE

(Perplexed)

Dad, why were you not happy with the news?

 

OLD MICHAEL

I didn,t think that after six years I was ready to be a father. Also, I never thought your mother would ever get pregnant.

 

KATlE

Why?

​

OLD MICHAEL 

(He hesitates)

It doesn't matter now.  The deed is done. What can I say? Then I thought about it and decided to accept what she told me and carry on. I knew she was happy even though I wasn't. Those days, I was obsessed with your mother. I wanted to do anything I could for her and make her life content. I always counted myself lucky to be married to a woman like your mother.

(Remembering with nostalgia)

She had everything going for her. Her face was so beautiful I never got tired of looking at it. She had gripping eyes that haunted me and her figure, her figure, how can explain …...

 

KATlE

She looked after herself well!

 

OLD MICHAEL

Precisely! Then, one day, I heard her talking on her mobile in the bedroom. She didn't realise I was up there and stopped to listen. She thought I was in the garage washing the car.

 

KATlE

Whom was she talking to?

 

OLD MICHAEL

I  wasn't sure at first. I thought she was speaking to her friend; you know how you woman for gossip ...…

 

KATlE

But you needed to figure it out?

 

OLD MICHAEL

No. But then, not only because of the phone call, in a way, I was always jealous of her, but that time, I suspected something even though there was no reason. She had never given me cause to be suspicious. She looked after me well, and she was a good wife in every sense of the word.

 

KATlE

What made you suspicious then?

 

OLD MICHAEL

A few words here and there.

 

KATlE

What happened when you confronted her with your suspicions?

 

OLD MICHAEL

Nothing. I didn't tell her. I wasn't sure, and I did not want to upset her, not when she was pregnant. The suspicious mind that is formulated doesn't make the truth.

 

KATlE

You were very wise then.

 

OLD MICHAEL

I still am, my dear.  You might know this,  but jealousy accelerates quickly when a suspicious mind evolves.   I'm afraid  I started drinking heavily and argued with her all the time, except that I was suspicious of her having an affair. I blamed my job instead.

 

KATlE

Why did you not ask her and rest your mind?

 

OLD MICHAEL

I couldn't risk separating from her. And also, I was waiting for some important news.

 

KATlE

News? What news?

 

OLD MICHAEL

It was make-or-break news. That information could have made my life with your mother easier.

 

KATlE

But it didn't?

 

OLD MICHAEL

No. You see, I was waiting for news of a result from my GP.

 

KATlE

Were you ill then

 

OLD MICHAEL

In a way, yes. I always blamed myself for your mother not conceiving, so I had tested myself; we both did, in fact. However, something still needs to be shown in the results.  But one day,  I was visiting the doctor for a routine check-up, and he told me that as he was going through my records, he had doubts about the results. So, he sent them again to be checked. He saw something that bothered him, and he was right.  He apologised for not telling me earlier but said to me that the results showed scrotum Hypoplasia coupled with some blockages in the seminal vessels. I tell you, I have never forgotten those words.

 

KATlE

And what?

 

OLD MICHAEL

I asked him to explain it to me in plain English. In other words,  he said that my nuts were raisins. When I got angry, he smiled and told me not to shoot the messenger.

 

KATlE

Which leaves you with one conclusion.

 

OLD MICHAEL

That is right, my dear Katie,  I am not your father after all.

 

KATlE

So, she was having an affair?

 

OLD MICHAEL

Unless she was like the Virgin Mary, then yes, no doubt about it.

 

KATlE

Why, but why?

​

OLD MICHAEL

Why did she begin an affair? Why do moths go to the flame?  Maybe she chased an adventure.   Perhaps I was not good enough for her in….... You know what  I mean. I knew I  was betrayed and wouldn't accept it gracefully. I thought a lot of things to do. Anger and vengeance are two powerful emotions. But  I controlled myself at the time for one good reason …....

 

KATlE

And that is …...

 

OLD MICHAEL

You, my dear Kate, you. I did not want any harm to come to the baby. I was thinking of the baby inside her. I tried to tell her yes, but not yet. Because if I did, I would have killed you, too. You were blameless.

(He looks at her).

Look at you now. How could I have destroyed that which was living?

(Angry)

My only regret is that I never found out who the bastard was.

 

KATlE

So, did you wait until the birth was over?

 

OLD MICHAEL

Yes. I never told her the news the doctor told me, which, in a way, I'm to blame too. Maybe if I had told her, she would not have had an affair, because if she had caught it,  I would have known it wasn't mine like I do now.

 

KATlE

In the meantime, you were plotting to kill her.

 

OLD MICHAEL

Yes, I was. When the time came, I couldn't live with her in those circumstances, so I let her go to another man. I couldn't.  When the time came, I held her hands. She was exhausted; after you were born, I went out. Then, after they cleaned her and the baby, they called me in.  The baby was beside her in a hospital cot. I sat beside her; I'm afraid I never looked at you. Your mother's eyes were weary and hazy; she had hard labour. She lifted her head slightly and thanked me. I smiled and stroked her head.  Maybe she thought it was mine after all.  I think she believed that. She asked for a drink, so I poured some orange juice into a glass and mixed it with some concentrated nicotine that I had with me.  It was in a small tube, so I could easily hide it. She drank and grimaced because the liquid had a bitter taste. After a while, she died peacefully.

 

(Katie stands up and takes back the chair. She enters immediately and sits on the edge of the chair, and cuddles Michael as she puts her head on his shoulder and whispers something inaudible.

 

THE END