THIS IS LIFE (SHORT SHORT)

Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses

George Washington Caver

That's how I want to start my second post for this blog. Why? Because yesterday I felt sick and didn't wake up to write and that's was the excuse I was going to start writing with but realized it was a complete BS because today I feel just as I felt yesterday and here I am writing.

Anyway, on to the challenge as the day ahead will be a long one. Opening night! I'm part of a short play festival "Big Apple Slices" presented by Chelsea Rep Lab.

THIS IS LIFE

INT. -  PRE-WAR APARTMENT BATHROOM - EARLY MORNING

The room is lit only by the early morning light coming from the window in front of which is a number of personal care products. A continued number of pumps from a hair condition bottle. 

AIDA, 55, rubs the product on her head and proceeds to untangle her hair as hot water falls from the shower head. A self-help podcast plays. We listen to the host as he talks about the power of believing in oneself. After a few moments we move to...

INT. - PRE-WAR APARTMENT KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Aida peels an egg an places it on a plate next to an already peeled one. She takes the salt dispenser and pours a bit too much salt on the eggs. Disgusted after the first bite she washes as much salt off as possible.

INT. - PRE-WAR APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - 

Emptiness, the morning light becoming stronger.  The tick-tack of an old wall clock is head as the self-help podcast plays. The host and co-host are engaged in a discussion, continuing the day's subject "Believing In Oneself". 

Aida walks in and sits. Carefully. First she sits at the edge of the couch and then comfortably against it. The podcast stops playing.

AIDA

I didn't hear you arrive.

DAVE

That's a first. 

Dave, 34, places a bag on the coffee table and sits next to her. Then he proceeds to take the items out. He brought coffee and breakfast.

AIDA

(Proud)

I boiled two eggs.

DAVE

You kidding, and you didn't burn the apartment? 

AIDA

(Laughs)

Not this time -- I put too much salt in my eggs.

DAVE

(Jokingly)

See, you can't be perfect. There's gotta be at least one thing wrong with you.

AIDA

Now we know what is.

DAVE

Yup, we now know that you can't just put the right amount of salt on your eggs.

AIDA

Specially when I was trying to put pepper on them.

DAVE

Where you?

They share a laugh.

DAVE (CON'T)

So, how about you take some coffee and we leave this for later?

AIDA

Can we work as I drink it? I always enjoyed reading and drinking my coffee. There's a sort of I don't know what to it.

DAVE

(Hesitates)

We can always try. 

AIDA

There's nothing wrong with trying. 

DAVE

Nay, Nay

He stands and gets a book on a bookshelf somewhere in the room and comes to sit next to her.

DAVE (CON'T)

Ok Aida here we go. We left on..

AIDA
(Interrupting him)

Act four.

DAVE

That's right. Act four.

Gradually she grabs the coffee from the table with her left hand. Dave then places the book on her lap. She slides her right hand over it and slowly reads.

AIDA

Two years later. A parlor in Sorin's house that Konstantin has converted into a study. Doors right and left, leading to the rest of the house. Upstage center, a pair of French doors that open onto the veranda. The usual collection of parlor furniture, plus a desk in the right corner..........

We leave them there. A long day ahead for both teacher and student as she learns to read again.

FIN

If anyone is reading this. Thanks! Please leave any comments that will help me improve. Have a great day everyone and remember that while there's life, there's hope. 

Always, the best!