An Afternoon Drive

THE HOUSE ON THE HILL
ACT I
Scene 2
An Afternoon Drive



Characters:

Connie prim proper, always right, stay at home housewife

Paul Easy going, aloof, businessman

Lucille Eager, polite, real estate agent






Connie and Paul are driving to go to a new house viewing.

CONNIE
(Glancing over toward Paul who is driving and lost in thought)

It is for the best, Paul.

(Pause)

Paul, did you hear me?
PAUL
(Snapping back into the present moment as he hears his wife)

Yes (pause) uhh (pause) what was your question?

CONNIE

(loud sigh) I said (pause, sharp tone) this is really for the best (pause) for our OWN safety (shaking her head, pause) for heaven's sake.

PAUL
(glancing at her then rolling his eyes and turning his gaze to watch the road)

You said that when we moved the last time.


CONNIE
I know (pause) but we must think of Emmaline. (turning to look out her window)

PAUL
(sighing) Yes. (sharply) You also said that last time we moved. (softer tone) I'm tired of moving.


CONNIE
(sharp, know-it-all tone) Paul (pause) and each time I say this (staring directly at Paul) it is imperatively true. (pause) You must trust me.



PAUL
(ignoring his wife's comments)
Here is the house.

(while parking the car in the empty driveway)


Wow, it's big (slight pause) on a huge hill. (sarcastic) That will be fun in winter.


CONNIE
(staring at the house in awe)
(excitedly) It's gorgeous! (turns her head quickly in Paul's direction) When can we move in?



PAUL
Let's look at it first, Okay? Look, the real estate agent is here already.


A short, stocky woman wearing high heels came out of the side door to greet the couple.


LUCILLE
(Smiling and walking toward Paul with her hand extended.)

Good Morning. (shaking Paul's hand) My name is Lucille. (smiling as she turned toward Connie) Lucy for short.

PAUL
(shaking the woman's hand) Good Morning. Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice. (pause) I'm Paul and this is my wife, Connie.

CONNIE
How do you do? (while shaking Lucy's hand) When can we move in?


LUCILLE

(Huge Grin) Oh as soon as you can, my dear (pause) as soon as you can.


PAUL
(coughing) We would like to look at it first. (glaring at Connie) Can we?


LUCILLE
Of course! Follow me.

(They all walked up the path and through the side door together)

This is the kitchen area set up with all updated appliances and a lovely view of the town through the Bay window in the breakfast alcove.

CONNIE
(looking out the Bay Window)

What can you tell me about the town?

LUCILLE

Oh, it is a lovely quiet community. (looking toward Paul) You would have everything you could need here, a grocery store, bakery, butcher's shop just down there. (pointing out of the window)

CONNIE
(interrupting, quickly turning her head toward Lucille)

What about crime?

LUCILLE

Oh no (pause) now this town is very safe (pause) the population is approximately 300 people. It's not a huge problem.



CONNIE
(sharply) How do you know?

PAUL

Connie! This looks like a nice small town (sigh) just like the one we currently live in 30 miles away from here. (smiling, glaring at Connie)




LUCILLE
(confused look)

If you don't mind my asking (pause) Are you relocating due to new employment?

PAUL

(sarcastic) No, we move just for the fun of it and with this house (pause) I would get the luxury of commuting further than from where I live now.

CONNIE
(Embarrassed)

Paul (pause) I'm certain Lucy doesn't want to hear your troubles. (loud sigh, turning toward Lucille) How many rooms are there?

LUCILLE
(excited) Well, that is what remains to be seen! Let's wander around check out this beautiful four-bedroom home. (pause) Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the house at any time during the tour.

CONNIE
(walking to the other side of the room)
Wonderful.

LUCILLE
(following Connie and Paul in the big spacious house)
(bumping into Paul in the living room) Lots of possibilities here, don't you think?


PAUL
(with a distant, glazed look) Every house has lots of possibilities, it just depends upon what you are planning to do in the house.


CONNIE
(Walking into the living room, excited) Oh, Paul! this house is perfect!


PAUL
(shrugging his shoulders) Somehow, I got the feeling you would think that my dear.



CONNIE
Lucy, we'll take it!

LUCILLE
(smiling) Sounds wonderful! I just knew you would love it!

PAUL
Hold the phone! (grabbing his wife's arm silently implying to keep her mouth quiet) Connie, we need to discuss this further. (turning toward Lucille) Lucy, this is a beautiful house and with all the big decisions in life, my wife and I need to discuss this further amongst ourselves. If you don't mind, we will contact you if we have any questions or would like to pursue the purchase.

LUCILLE
(sighing, disappointed, polite smile) That is usually the best way to decide.

CONNIE
(Sharply under her breath) Is it?

turns to walk out the same door they entered the house

PAUL
(shaking Lucille's hand) Lucy (embarrassed) Thank you for your time. (pause) We'll be in contact. (shaking her hand again, walks out the same door after Connie)


LUCILLE
(yelling out after them) Please call with any questions. (waving) You have my number!


The couple gets into their car and Paul drives toward their home in silence.

CONNIE
(Long awkward silence) You must think of Emmaline.

PAUL
Oh, here we go! (stares forward not looking at his wife)


CONNIE
(sharp demanding stern tone) How dare you diminish our poor baby's health and well-being. Do you remember all of the publicity after her accident? (pause) Don't you? We must, as a family, be safe from dangerous people. I must insist upon this Paul. I absolutely must insist. Do you hear me?

PAUL
Yes.

CONNIE
I'm sorry sir that you are inconvenienced about moving to another town to keep our family safe.

PAUL
(in a soft tone) I just had hoped (pause, whispering, not finishing his thought)


CONNIE
(Quickly retorting) Hoped for what?


PAUL
(quietly) I had just hoped we had already found our forever home. (pause) I'm tired of running.


CONNIE
Well, I can't give you a proper timeline as to when that will happen. However, I do think you are being selfish. The horror that the child went through. We owe it to her. We do, Paul. We owe our baby girl ... the world. (turning toward the window again)

PAUL
(quietly) Yes, dear.

CONNIE
That's the spirit, Paul. Your family must come first in your life. That is all that there is to it. Plain and simple.



PAUL
But at what cost? (pauses for a minute) I'll call Lucy, tomorrow.


CONNIE
Of course, you will, you always do the right thing for your precious family. Paul, never forget this.

PAUL
(staring forward)
You make it impossible to forget, my dear.