Sketches

By: Alli Zarzar

A single spotlight points SL. LEWIS, a handsome man in his late twenties enters from upstage
left and sits on the edge of the stage, his feet hanging down off the stage. He is wearing night
clothes. Its beginning of the 1900s, and his nightclothes suggest that he is not too rich, but not
too poor. There is something about him that suggest a life of creativity. As he sits, he folds his
hands in his lap, and begins speaking as if he is talking to a good friend.

LEWIS: I always preferred a life of simplicity. It seems as if everything around me is

growing and expanding at a rate too fast for my mind to comprehend. New
inventions and ideas are emerging rapidly, and I just cant keep up.
Everything seems so fast paced and my life seems to be measured in
increments of time. Try as I might to avoid it, societys hand just keeps
pulling me back in. I hate my job. I dont want to count and sort money all day.
I always look forward to the end of the day actually, for two reasons. One,
obviously, its the end of the day, and two [he reaches behind him and pulls out
a sketchpad.]

Lights slowly reveal a nice little park in a small English town. There is definitely a bench SR,
tilted towards the audience. The spotlight fades on LEWIS SL.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 2

LEWIS enters SR and sits on the bench. He sketches for a while as he notices things around
him. Trees, birds, etc, all things nature centered. After a while, he looks at his pocket watch and
gets up to leave, but he doesnt notice a tree root, (or pebble or something that you can trip on)
and trips, sending the pages inside his sketchbook everywhere, as it is not bound. MR. HARDY
a very loud, blunt, older man with rich complexions who has been on stage since the scene
began comes over to help. LEWIS grunts and begins to hurriedly pick up his pieces. MR.
HARDY takes some and hands them to LEWIS.

LEWIS: Thank you. [he stuffs them away as if he doesnt want anyone to see them. MR.
HARDY picks up more but this time inspects the contents.]

MR. HARDY: I must say, you have quite an artistic side Mr-

LEWIS: [slightly embarrassed.]: Wagner. Lewis Wagner. Thank you sir. They really arent
all that good though. [they both begin to collect the last of the pieces.]

MR. HARDY: Arent that good? [holds one up to inspect it.] My boy, Ive never seen anything
finer.
LEWIS: Really, theyre only just sketches.

MR. HARDY: Just sketches? My boy, if this [gesturing to the piece in his hand.] is just a sketch
then the rest must be masterpieces!

LEWIS: [slightly chucking he stands and helps MR. HARDY up.] I come here after
work and sketch to take my mind off things, thats all. Thank you again
Mr-

MR. HARDY: Hardy. William Hardy.

LEWIS: [shaking his hand.] Mr. Hardy. I must be off, I have an early start tomorrow. [his
expression turns somber.]

MR. HARDY: [wisely.] Something tells me you arent too happy with what you are going to
have to do tomorrow.

LEWIS: I guess you could say that.

MR. HARDY: Why dont you just quit the job, my boy?

LEWIS: [shocked.] How did you-

MR. HARDY: Youre young, youre handsome, you use your time off work to come to a park
and sketch instead of going out and getting drunk. Sounds like a book
character! [he chuckles at LEWIS stunned expression.]

MR. HARDY: Ive been looking for an investment recently. I love your work. It's simple yet
detailed. I dont really have a taste for all the new works that are
emerging. Theyre too, whats the word, chaotic.

LEWIS: You cant be serious.

MR. HARDY: If I were you, Id take it. Its not too often you meet someone who can make your
deepest desire a reality. [MR. HARDY holds out his hand. LEWIS slowly extends
his hand, and the two men shake on it.]

BLACKOUT

SCENE 3

MR. HARDY and LEWIS are sitting on the bench on a fine afternoon at the park a few months
later.

MR. HARDY: [proudly.]: Well my boy, another very successful showcase, I must say. [imitating
LEWIS.] Theyre just sketches! [both men laugh.]
LEWIS: Well why dont I whip up some more of those sketches for you. [he pulls out his
sketchpad.]

MR. HARDY: Ah yes, before you do that [MR HARDY lowers the sketchpad.] Im afraid you
and I need to have a little chat. [LEWIS looks at him with a face of
confusion but mostly fear.]

MR. HARDY: Oh, dont worry my boy, Im not firing you! Youve made me too much money!
But we are in a bit of, oh what do you call it, a pickle. You see, there are
only so many birds and trees in a park, and in every park for that matter.
And it seems, no matter how beautiful your drawings are, they may not cut it
in the future.
Are they successful, yes. But if we stay down this road, we may not be on it much
longer. Now, I must travel to London for three months on business,[he
gives a look of please dont ask me why.] and when I get back, I
need you to have something for me. Something fresh, something
revolutionary, but revolutionary in your lens. Keep it simple. [MR. HARDY claps
LEWIS on the back and gets up and exits SR. Nothing else is needed to be
said for LEWIS to understand.]

LEWIS: [repeating the words as if a hero in a story is repeating words of the wise old
man.] There are only so many trees and birds in a park. He's right. [he
begins pacing.] Something fresh, something revolutionary. Something simple in
all its beauty. Beautiful, but simple. [LEWIS sits and begins to sketch. There's a
series of frustrated groans, crossing things out, and mutterings of no, no that
won't work.]

LEWIS: [sighing defeated.] I need a miracle.

We hear the squeal of a little boy from offstage. LEWIS looks up. Moments later, we suddenly
see TOMMY, a young lad of three run in from SL, laughing gaily. He is dressed well, suggesting
the same not too rich not too poor vibe like LEWIS. He is quickly followed by his mother
EVELYN, a young and beautiful woman who is close on his heels. She is also dressed well, but
wears light, pale colors, and always does. LEWIS looks up as EVELYN scoops TOMMY up
and spins him around, sending TOMMY into a fit of laughter. LEWIS smiles and begins
sketching as the lights fade slowly.

LEWIS: [from offstage in the darkness.] And as fate would have it, there was my miracle.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 4

Several mini scenes follow of LEWIS sketching EVELYN and TOMMY to show the passage of
time.
 BLACKOUT

SCENE 5

TOMMY enters from SL. He is not followed by EVELYN. He looks out of breath and has a
smile on his face. He begins running around, having the time of his life. LEWIS notices and
begins sketching, laughing silently along. A few moments later, as LEWIS is looking down
sketching, TOMMY notices him. Curious, he walks up to LEWIS and tugs on his pant leg.
LEWIS looks down and smiles at TOMMY.

TOMMY: What are you doing?

LEWIS: Why, I'm drawing.

TOMMY: [craning his neck to try and see the sketch pad.]

LEWIS: Here, come take a look. [LEWIS puts down his sketch pad and helps TOMMY up
onto the bench. He begins to flip through the pages to let TOMMY see, but he is
sure to not show him the drawings of him and his mother.]

TOMMY: [pointing to a particular piece.] That's a bird!

LEWIS: [laughing.]: Yes it is a bird.

TOMMY: Can you tell me how to draw a bird? (TOMMY is using tell to mean teach)

EVELYN: [from offstage.]: Tommy! [she enters SL, frantic and distressed but spots
TOMMY on the bench and hurries over.] You must stop scaring me so!
[TOMMY just begins to giggle and she rolls her eyes as she picks him up and notices
LEWIS.] I'm sorry sir, I hope he didn't give you much trouble.

LEWIS: None at all.

TOMMY: [excited.] He was telling me how to draw a bird, mommy!

EVELYN: [her face lights up.]: You draw?

TOMMY: [slightly embarrassed, for he is not super well known.] Yes, but it's all rubbish
anyways.

EVELYN: Oh I'm sure it's wonderful! Ive always had a deep appreciation for art! I hate to
be rude, but we must be going now.

TOMMY: No! I wanna draw the bird!

LEWIS: It's alright, we can draw the bird another time!

TOMMY: He won't fly away?

LEWIS: [chuckling.] No he won't, I promise.

EYELYN: Thank you again Mr-

LEWIS: Wagner. Lewis Wagner. [He stands and holds out his hand.]

EVELYN: Mr. Wagner [shaking his hand] Evelyn Peters, and this is Tommy.

TOMMY: Mommy, I'm hungry. [DANIEL and EVELYN laugh at the change of subject.]

EVELYN: Thank you again. [she and TOMMY exit SL.]

LEWIS: [collecting his things and periodically reminiscing, as this dialogue is in his
head.] Is it possible to be in love with someone when they don't even
know you, or you hardly know them, even though youve seen them everyday
for months? Or when they didnt even know of your existence until moments
ago? [looking in the direction that EVELYN exited.] Or yet, when their heart
already belongs to someone else. [he exits SR.]

BLACKOUT

SCENE 6

TOMMY enters SR and goes straight to LEWIS sitting on the bench, sketching. EVELYN walks
close behind.

TOMMY: [running up to LEWIS.] Im ready to draw the bird now!

LEWIS: Yes, its about time we got started. [as he picks TOMMY up and sets him in his
lap he notices EVELYN.] Lovely to see you again, Mrs. Peters.

EVELYN: [softly smiling.] You as well. [they both lightly blush, there is an obvious
attraction.]

LEWIS: Please feel free to take a stroll or take some time for yourself. With a boy as
energetic as him Im sure you need it.

EVELYN: [laughing.] Yes, that isnt entirely untrue. Thank you. [to TOMMY.] Be good for
Mr. Wagner. I wont be far. [she moves SL and the boys think she has left,
but she is actually watching the scene with strong emotions. And we will
soon learn why.]
LEWIS: Alright, give me your hand [he holds TOMMYS hand under his, which holds the
pen.] Now lets start with the head. [He begins leading TOMMYs hand across
the page. This continues for a while and LEWIS mentions the different
parts of the bird as they move on to them. He also chimes in words of
encouragement such as Very nice! occasionally. They keep sketching for
a while. LEWIS wears an expression of longing, longing for a family. EVELYN
looks on the scene with bittersweet happiness.]

TOMMY: He needs wings!

LEWIS: Of course, how could I have forgotten?

TOMMY: The wings are the best part!

LEWIS: [acting serious.] Yes, the best part. (TOMMY is using best to mean important.)

TOMMY: Do you know why?

LEWIS: No I dont, will you tell me?

TOMMY: So they can fly to Heaven. Like Daddy. Mommy says God gave him a pair of
wings so he could go to Heaven. [LEWIS looks taken aback, for he was
not expecting this answer. His gaze immediately meets EVELYNs who has
inched closer over the course of this scene. She knows exactly what his son has
told LEWIS by his expression. She quietly rushes over.

EVELYN: Tommy, I think thats enough for today.

TOMMY: [upset.] But Mommy, he doesnt have wings! How will he get to daddy?
[EVELYNs face pains but she does her best to hide it. LEWIS
looks at her sympathetically as TOMMY begins to cry. ]

LEWIS: Its alright Tommy, Ill draw the wings for you, hell get there.

TOMMY: [sniffling.] You will?

LEWIS: Yes, I promise. Look, Ill start right now. [he begins drawing the wings.]

EVELYN: [pained.] Come along Tommy. [TOMMY lets his mother pick him up seeing that
LEWIS has begun to draw the wings. He lays his head on her shoulder. A
few tears slip from EVELYNs eyes, and she rushes to wipe them away, but
LEWIS has already seen. LEWIS isnt exactly sure what to do, but their
gazes meet again.]
EVELYN: [whispering.] Thank you. [LEWIS nods. EVELYN and TOMMY exit SL and
LEWIS heaves a heavy sigh. He then resumes draw the wings on
TOMMYs bird as the lights fade.]

BLACKOUT

SCENE 7

LEWIS is on the bench a couple weeks later. He looks perplexed, for he was expecting to see
TOMMY and EVELYN here by now. EVELYN enters SL without TOMMY. LEWIS softly nods
at her and she walks over to him.

LEWIS: Hello.

EVELYN: Hello. [pausing and gesturing to the bench.] Do you mind-

LEWIS: No, no, please! [she sits and there is another pause.]

LEWIS: Where is Tommy?

EVELYN: Hes at home with my mother. I think hes coming down with something, he
woke up this morning and looked awful. He was super upset when he
found out I was going to see Mr. Wagner without him. But I needed some air,
some space to think. [pauses.] Thank you for spending so much time with him
these last few weeks. He thinks the world of you. [chuckling.] You should see his
room, theres papers everywhere with little sketches and drawings. He wants to
be an artist too.

LEWIS: [chucking.] Well Im sure hed be a million times better than me.

EVELYN: Oh, nonsense! Hes told me all about your drawings. [looking at the sketchpad.]
May I see for myself?

LEWIS: Of course. [EVELYN takes the sketchpad the flips quietly through the first pages.
LEWIS looks at her with a soft smile, it is obvious his affection has
grown. EVELYN then flips to some of TOMMYs drawings and begins to
laugh. She then flips to the picture of the bird and suddenly stops. LEWIS
looks at her sadly.]

EVELYN: You drew the wings for him?

LEWIS: Of course. I didnt want him to worry. [EVELYN nods slowly and continues to
look at the picture.]

EVELYN: [suddenly and quietly.]: Cancer.

LEWIS: [confused.] Im-

EVELYN: [voiced pained.] Cancer. His father died of cancer when Tommy was two.

LEWIS: [placing a hand on her shoulder.] Im so sorry. [EVELYN slowly nods.]

EVELYN: [changing the subject to hide her emotions.] This really is a beautiful drawing.
Believe it or not, Ive never had great artistic skills like most women seem
to have these days.

LEWIS: Here, I can help you. Give me your hand. [he repeats the same motion he did with
TOMMY. The two lock gazes for a moment and EVELYN looks down blushing,
but LEWIS gaze doesnt shift. She begins flipping to find a blank page, but she
suddenly stops. LEWIS has no idea what she has found, for he is solely focused
on her.]

EVELYN: [anger rising but still pained.] Whats this? [LEWIS looks down and realizes she
has found the pictures of her and TOMMY from the weeks before he and
TOMMYs first meeting.]

LEWIS: [quickly] No wait, its-

EVELYN: [anger and hurt rising.] No, I understand. We mean nothing to you. You only use
us for your profit. [sarcastically laughing.] And here I was, thinking you
were different from everyone else.

LEWIS: [trying to get her to understand.] No Evelyn, please I havent-

EVELYN: [snapping] That's Mrs. Peters to you. Stay away from my son. [she gets up and
runs off sobbing SL. LEWIS sighs heavily, defeated, as the lights fade.]

BLACKOUT

SCENE 8

A few weeks have passed. LEWIS enters SR and sits on the bench, sighing. It is night time. He
opens his sketchpad and begins tapping his pen on a blank page. As his frustration grows he
begins tapping his foot as well, deep in thought. Suddenly in a surge of anger, he takes some of
the pieces of EVELYN and TOMMY and throws them on the ground. He picks up some more,
about to tear them apart, but just before he does, EVELYN enters SL and he meets her gaze.
EVELYN slowly walks over to the pieces on the ground and picks them up. As she looks at them
she begins to sob. LEWIS, taken aback does nothing for a few seconds, but once he regains his
senses he quickly crouches down next to her. EVELYN throws herself in his arms sobbing as the
lights fade slowly.

BLACKOUT
 SCENE 9

We are now in EVELYNs home a few days later, in her sitting room. Everyone is dressed in
black. She is standing by a window, clutching a handkerchief and LEWIS is sitting in a chair.
MR. HARDY has returned, and knows of everything that has happened. He is standing by
LEWIS as the lights come up. MR HARDY pats LEWIS on the shoulder and exits, giving
LEWIS and EVELYN some much needed alone time.

EVELYN: [looking out the window.] Im sorry I didnt let you see him.

LEWIS: Dont say that, its not your fault.

EVELYN: I just had no idea how fast- I had no idea he even- he seemed perfectly fine-[her
voice breaks and LEWIS stands up and comes over to her.]

LEWIS: Please stop blaming yourself. [EVELYN looks at him.]

EVELYN: [serious, but heartfelt.] I want you to give your pieces to Mr. Hardy.

LEWIS: Evelyn, you dont-

EVELYN: Please. Its what he would want. [whispering.] Its what he would want. [LEWIS
nods and pulls her into a tight embrace as her tears make a reappearance.]

LEWIS: [whispering] Of course. [there is a long pause, LEWIS looks as if he really wants
to tell EVELYN how he feels, but doesnt want to burden her with his confession
just after TOMMYs death. Without even realizing he mutters her name softly.]
Evelyn-

EVELYN: [pulling back a bit and bringing her hand up to his face.] Its okay. I love you too.
[she kisses him.]
BLACKOUT

SCENE 10

It is completely dark on stage. We hear a monologue from LEWIS, but can not see him.

LEWIS: I was angry. Angry that a child so young and innocent could just be robbed of his
life. He never did anything to hurt anyone. But then I realized something. Things
go away. Tangible things go away, and they are guaranteed to one day go away.
The things that we love the most will not stay on Earth forever.Those birds in the
park will die one day. Harsh, I know. The trees will be gone. That bench very well
may not be there one day. But yet, they live on. And do you know why they live
on? Because from those birds comes an entire generation of new ones. A dead tree
gives a home to a new tree. Call it clich, but isn't it true? In death, there is life.
Ive always known that. But I also learned something new. These things also live
 on in another way. On simple cream colored pages, forever they will stay. They'll
never fly away, theyll always live on. Art preserves the things most precious to
us. He lives. He lives in our memories but also on those pages. On those pages,
we see his face. We can still see his face. And it reminds us of the times when he
was here, and it settles us to know that the dear things in our lives will never ever
be forgotten. Ever. Maybe that's the purpose of art. Maybe that's the job of the
artist, to preserve. I always felt like life was moving too fast, too quickly. But in
my sketch pad, the world just slows down for a little while. And I can just look at
the things that make me happy, and future generations can too. I understand now. I
know why art speaks to me and why it always has. It's amazing how a couple of
hundred pen strokes can turn into something so powerful, something that will
never die.

SCENE 11- EPILOGUE

The lights reveal the park again. Not a thing has changed over the years. A very pregnant
EVELYN sits on the bench reading a book with LEWIS sketchpad beside her. LEWIS is
standing slightly off center SL with his back turned downstage and hands covering his eyes.
TOMMY, LEWIS and EVELYNs two year old son, is crouched down behind the bench his
mother is sitting on. It is obvious where they got his name from.

LEWIS: Seven, eight, nine, ten. Ready or not here I come! [pretending to sneak around
like a detective in a TV-show, he hears his two year old son, TOMMY giggle from
behind the bench.]

LEWIS: [approaching Evelyn sporting a playful tone.] Excuse me madame, but I do

believe I have lost my son. Hes about [holds his hand toward the floor.] this tall
and has the exact same shade of brown hair and the same beautiful green eyes that
you do. Have you seen him?

EVELYN: [playing along] No, sir I do not believe I have. I wonder where he could be.
[TOMMY chuckles.]

LEWIS: [acting shocked.]: Why, did you hear that?

EVELYN: [following LEWIS lead]: Why, yes I did.

LEWIS: [keeping up the act]: I do believe it was coming from this way. [he begins walking
SL and TOMMY giggles again.] Or maybe, this way! [he moves downstage,
further away from the bench and TOMMY giggles again, louder this time. He
then walks slowly toward EVELYN again.] Why, madame, is that baby of yours
talking?

EVELYN: [trying not to laugh.] Why, I dont think so. [TOMMY giggles again.]
LEWIS: Pardon me, madame, I guess he must have run off the other way. Good day to you
miss. [he begins to exaggeratedly tiptoe SL before suddenly running behind the
bench and scooping up TOMMY, who by now is in a laughing fit, into his arms.]
AH HA, there you are!

TOMMY: [laughing.] Mommy, he got me, he got me! [All three begin to laugh.]

MR. HARDY: [entering SL.] Why hello there, and just how are my favorite money makers
doing?

TOMMY: [squirming out of his father's arms and running up to MR. HARDY.] Mr. Hardy!

MR. HARDY: [picking up TOMMY.] Why hello Tommy, my boy! [narrowing his eyebrows.]
And hello to you two lovebirds.

LEWIS: [sitting down by EVELYN.] I really think you ought to be careful with what you
say around our son. He is quite smart.

MR. HARDY: Ah, yes, well his brains obviously didnt come from his father. [EVELYN lets out
a laugh.]

TOMMY: Mr. Hardy, can we go to the duck pond?

MR. HARDY: What a lovely idea! If its alright with your parents of course.

EVELYN: Perfectly fine!

MR. HARDY: Well its all settled. Mr. Tommy, let us embark on our grand adventure to the
marvelous, magnificent, [raising his voice.] duck pond! [TOMMY laughs as MR.
HARDY runs off with him SL. LEWIS and EVELYN look on laughing.]

LEWIS: I think that old man has more energy than Tommy! [EVELYN laughs.] Are you
feeling better today?

EVELYN: Besides the fact that I look like a bloated cow, yes.

LEWIS: [whispering.] Youve never looked more beautiful. [he kisses her cheek.]

EVELYN: Oh, so I dont look beautiful all the time?

LEWIS: Now dont you play that game with me. [he kisses her.]

EVELYN: [suddenly pulling back to look at LEWIS.] Why, Ive just realized something!

LEWIS: What?
EVELYN: [teasing him.] After all of these years, you still haven't finished giving me a single
art lesson.

LEWIS: [acting astonished.] Oh, how inconsiderate of me! Well, allow me to fix my
mistake. Give me your hand. [EVELYN holds out her hand and LEWIS places
his above hers. He grabs the sketchpad and holds it out in front of them.] Hm, a
bit hard to see over this mountain here. [EVELYN playfully slaps his arm with
her free hand. LEWIS begins examining the contents of the sketchpad.] Well, I
must say it looks as if you may not even need lessons after all. Just look at these
exquisite drawings. Wherever did you learn how to draw like that?

EVELYN: I guess it just came naturally.

LEWIS: I bet so! [he places the sketchpad down and begins tickling her. EVELYN tries to
get away, but LEWIS holds tight. Suddenly, EVELYN gasps.]

LEWIS: [concerned.] What is it darling? Did I hurt you?

EVELYN: [in awe.] No, no, its just- give me you hand. [EVELYN takes his hand and
places it over her stomach. LEWIS face lights up as he feels a little flutter.]

LEWIS: I love you Evelyn.

EVELYN: [sweetly.] Thats Mrs. Wagner to you. [He smiles at EVELYN and leans in to kiss
her, but is interrupted by a shout.]

TOMMY: [shouting from offstage.] Look, there's baby ducks! [EVELYN and LEWIS laugh
as the lights fade.]

FINISH