SAMMY HAD A NIGHTMARE

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