Setting: A musty room in a community centre. 8 chairs set in a wide circle, each chair is approximately 2ft from its neighbour. A wooden coffee table sits in the middle of the circle. A chipped jug sits on the table displaying a bunch of perky daffodils.
MAN_1
Yeah well, I don’t know how I’m going t’manage.
MAN_2
Do you have neighbours who could leave stuff for you? If you texted them they could nip to the shop for you. Get your fags that way?
MAN_1
Mmm, dunno. They might not be happy buying me fags.
MAN_2
Surely under the circumstances, they’d show a bit of charity. Ask them and see what they say. They can only say no.
MAN_1
Sits on his hands rocking forwards and back, looking down at his feet.
MAN_2
OK! Let’s move on people.
MAN_2 Clapping his hands looking at the woman to his left
How are you doing then?”
WOMAN_1
Uhh. Ok. Well, not really now that you ask. It’s hard, very hard. I mean, I don’t believe them when they say we have to stay in and not go out, ‘n me hands are washed off me. Lookit.
Holding out her hands for the group to look at
MAN_1
I know what you mean. Soap, that’s another thing I need. The bleedin’ shop had none when I looked the last time. Sure, what are we suppose t’do?
WOMAN_1
That hand gel tears the skin off you. It’s bloody ridiculous.
MAN_3 (quietly)
My wife won’t get out of bed.
MAN_1
Seriously man? That sucks. Why not?
MAN_3
She says she can’t let people see her.
MAN_1
Wha’?
MAN_3
It’s her hair, apparently.
MAN_1
Her hair? Jaysus. What’s wrong with her hair?
MAN_3
It’s a state she says, something about her roots.
MAN_1
Her roots?
MAN_3
Yes. They’re showing and everyone will know she’s grey.
WOMAN_1
Would she wear a hat d’you think? Or a scarf mebbe?
MAN_3
No. It flattens her hair.
MAN_1
What age is your missus?
MAN_3
73
MAN_1
73! O’ course she’s bleedin’ grey. Tell her to get a grip. God almighty. If that’s all she has to worry about.
MAN_2
Now, now. Language people. It’s all about respect here, you know that.
MAN_1
Sorry. Seriously. Her bleedin’ hair. She won’t have to worry abou’ going ou’ if they lock us down. Then yiz’ll be..
MAN_1 looks at MAN_2
Fecked.
MAN_3
I know. I keep telling her that but she won’t listen.
WOMAN_1
Ah the poor love. Bring her a bunch of flowers, that’ll cheer her up.
MAN_1 (nodding)
Yea. Take them ones. On the table.
MAN_3
Ah no, sure they’re for here.
MAN_1
I brought them. You can have them when we’re finished.
WOMAN_1
I love daffodils – they’re so cheerful. Some fecker robbed the daffodils from outside the library. Just pulled them straight out o’ the flower bed.
MAN_1 (looking at the floor)
That’s shockin’
END
………….
Teri Donaghy lives in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. She is self employed, working as a technical advisor and contract academic. She is currently working on her first novel.
Lovely Teri. All so true and I can really picture it.