Sunday Dinner

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

Amanda, John, Maggie, and Matt sit around a rectangular coffee-table in Amanda’s dining room. The kitchen flanks one side, the living room the other. The decor of the condo is a modern-farmhouse. Amanda’s obsession with cats can be observed through the numerous oil paintings and glass figurines splattered throughout the home. A grand piano is nestled in the living room along with an expansive bookcase, although it is clear that neither have been touched in ages. The assembled family members stare at one another in complete silence before Maggie, the eldest daughter, breaks the palpable tension.

MAGGIE

Please say something, Mom. Dad?

Amanda bristles at the request as John heaves a weary sigh. Matt attempts to look uninterested, but glances between his sister and parents with apprehension and excitement.

JOHN

We’re just shocked, honey. That’s all. This is a lot of information to throw at us.

Amanda scoffs, glaring at her daughter.

AMANDA

That’s one word for it, John. Another is heartbreaking. How could you do this to us?

Maggie rises from her chair and begins to wring her hands. Matt tries to place a reassuring hand on hers, but Maggie shoves it away.

AMANDA (cont'd)

Matthew, when did you learn about this? This is not a secret one should keep buried!

Matt flinches at her accusation. Father and siblings are silent, filled with unease, as Amanda continues her tirade. She places a hand on her forehead and clutches her heart.

AMANDA

This is madness! True madness! What will the ladies at church think? Or our preacher? They will now reject your father’s application for deaconship.

John coughs and places a hand on Amanda’s shoulder to stop her.

JOHN

My appointment, or lack thereof, to deaconship has nothing to do with Maggie. Let’s stay on topic, please.

Maggie opens her mouth to respond to her mother’s manipulation, but closes it. She sits back down at the table and stares at her shoes.

AMANDA

This isn’t natural! John, contemplate the life we’re forfeiting.

Parties, grandkids… our legacy! All ruined.

Maggie grasps her temples and closes her eyes. A single tear falls from her cheek, but she wipes it away before her mother could notice.

MATT

Maggie’s decisions have nothing to do with you, mother. Curious why she confided in me before you? Look at how you’re acting!

The angry glint in Amanda’s eyes flickered for just a moment. She whirled her head toward Matt- her lips contorting into a malicious sneer.

AMANDA

No, dear child. Maggie opened up to you because she sees you as the most guilty of wrongdoing and depravity in the entire family.

Matt glared at his father- a silent plea for help. John’s brow creased and his mouth curved into a deep frown, but he remained quiet. The emotional dam swirling inside of Maggie bursts as she jumps up and points a shaking finger at her mother.

MAGGIE

How dare you speak to my brother that way! He is the kindest and most logical person in this family. Just because someone struggles with addiction or mental illness does not give you the power to demean them!

Maggie trembles and sways slightly as the weight of her outburst shocks her.

MAGGIE

And you, father! Why do you just sit back and allow your wife to spew all this vitriol? You act like a man without bravery or honor.

Maggie collapses in the chair and places her head in her hands. Amanda taps her finger on the table as the family sits in silence for a prolonged period. Turning to face her husband, Amanda acts like Maggie and Matt are not present.

AMANDA

Perhaps we will send her to one of those psychiatrists? The ones that fix people like her.

John slams his hands onto the table and rises quickly from his chair. He moved swiftly and silently to stage-left, forcefully closing the front door, causing the entire condo to tremble.

Amanda screams after him.

AMANDA (cont’d)

Go on, you damn coward! You always abandon me to clean up these messes.

Maggie winces at the chaotic departure. Matt runs his hand through his hair and pats his sister on the back. Changing tactics, Amanda sighs and places a hand on top of her daughter’s.

AMANDA

It’s just so hard to understand, child. You were about to be married! Mitch wasn’t the brightest of suitors, but he was putty in your hands. You could have gotten everything you wanted!

Maggie retracted her hand.

MAGGIE

I never loved Mitch. Marriage without love is your choice, mother. Not mine.

Amanda recoiled as if struck.

AMANDA

He was a football star! A hero and role-model. Love is irrelevant, darling. Men are no good for it, but you might as well milk them for all they’re worth.

Feeling left out of the conversation, Matt departs to find their father, leaving only Maggie and Amanda at the dining room table.

MAGGIE

What if the milk is soured, mother? Mitch couldn’t stand me- not really. We were forced together by tradition and social standing. And what good did that do? Mitch became a drunkard, and I was left all alone.

MAGGIE (cont’d)

I’m not a cat, mother. I can live without milk. But I will not hide my true self any longer! You and Father can continue to pursue whatever mendacity you prefer, but I am moving on.

The front door creaked open to reveal Matt and a disheveled John. The stench of cigarette smoke followed John like a shroud. Her father stumbled to the table as Matt watched from afar.

With renewed clarity, Maggie stands up and pushes in her chair.

MAGGIE

I came to tell you the truth because, as my parents, you deserve that much, at least. But I will not remain in this suffocating glass menagerie- this lie that our family has perpetuated for years! Goodbye, father. Mother. I hope you both can find some unspoiled milk.

Maggie walks confidently out the front door, leaving her family alone.