SAMMY HAD A NIGHTMARE
A Play by Linnea Rose
SAMMY* wakes up from a hard sleep in a cold sweat. He creeps downstairs to get a glass of water from the kitchen. They see their MOM and DAD in the living room. As SAMMY creeps down the stairs, they hear noises getting louder and louder. *SAMMY can be portrayed by a young child of any gender.
SAMMY
Not again…(Sits down on the stairs to observe)
MOM
Every time—
DAD
Not every time—
MOM
Yes! Every time.
DAD
It was only one time…
MOM
Do you really think that makes any difference?
DAD
It makes all the difference.
MOM
Ugh.
DAD
It was one time.
SAMMY
(To themself) It was more than one time.
MOM
It was more than one time.
DAD
No it wasn’t.
MOM
I want to believe you—it’s so hard. It gets harder to believe you.
DAD
Believe me.
SAMMY
(To themself) She doesn’t believe him.
MOM
I don’t believe you.
DAD
Why not?
SAMMY
Because you do not treat her well.
MOM
Because you do not treat me well.
SAMMY
You never have.
MOM
You never have.
DAD
Now, we know that’s bullshit. I provide for this family.
SAMMY
Do you provide for us by bringing random strangers your bedroom?
MOM
Do you provide for us by bringing random strangers our bedroom?
SAMMY
Those women are foolish.
MOM
You lie to them. Then you lie down with them
(DAD slaps mom across the face, hard. A creak is heard from the stairs.)
DAD
What was that?
(SAMMY tries to hide, but it is too late. DAD has spotted them.)
MOM
Sammy? What are you doing awake?
SAMMY
I had a nightmare. I came down for a drink.
DAD
Come on. Let’s go into the kitchen. Let’s get you a drink.
SAMMY
Do we have any apple juice?
MOM
There is a new bottle in the pantry. Put some ice in it. Put a cover on it. Don’t spill it.
DAD
I know how to pour the kid some juice.
MOM
Fine. Pour it. (To under her breath) Like you pour the random women a glass of wine before you bring them to our bed.
DAD
Did you say something?
MOM
Nothing.
DAD
I think you did.
MOM
Nope. You didn’t hear a thing. (To SAMMY) Did you get the juice?
DAD
Yes.
MOM
I was talking to Sammy.
SAMMY
Yes. (Sips juice)
DAD
Why do you always feel the need to check-up on me?
MOM
I don’t.
DAD
You just did.
MOM
I was talking to Sammy. I told you that.
DAD
I know you were talking to me
MOM
Fine. You can think that. (Starting to walk away)
DAD
(Running after her and grabbing her) Don’t you walk away from me. We are having a conversation. (Shakes MOM back and forth)
MOM
We are done talking.
DAD
No we are not.
MOM
We are done. (Breaking free from his grasp.)
(SAMMY running upstairs.)
DAD
Look what you did!
END OF PLAY