Jingtao Lei

03/08/18
TDPW 101

Left or Right

Lyam: 24 years old, talkless, gloomy, unfamiliar, firm eyes, wearing neat dark color, but we can
see the clothes have bought for long time.
Bob: 19 years old, optimistic, active, friendly, thought mature.
Sasha: 48 years old, successful, confident, loves her son very much
Mark 20 years old
(In a dormitory. There is a bunk bed and a nightstand. Two wardrobes on the stage right, and a
luggage is near it. A table in the middle of the room and two chairs on two side of the table.
There is also a door on the stage left)

(Bob is hanging his clothing while Lyam comes into the room. Lyam only has a big backpack)

Bob
(notice Lyam is standing near the door) Hi! Very nice to meet you!

Lyam
(look at Bob and the wardrobe) Nice to meet you.

Bob
Oh. I’m so sorry, I didn’t wait for you, and already put my clothes in it.

Lyam
It’s fine. I don’t care that kinda stuffs.

Bob
Thank you. By the way, I’m Bob probably live with you for the next two years in this
room.(walks to Lyam, shake hand)

Lyam
Lyam.

Bob
Now, it’s your turn.
 Lyam
What?

Bob
I picked the wardrobe, so you can choose which bed you want.

Lyam
You can choose whatever you want.

Bob
Come on, are you mad at me? (joking)

Lyam
No, I’m not.

Bob
Yeah, I know my friend. I was kidding. Just makes me feel better okay? You go first.

Lyam
Alright, the upper layer.

Bob
Cool!(stand for a second) Oh, come in, don’t just stand here. This is your room as well.(get
inside of the room) There are only few things in our room. One table, two chairs, two wardrobes.
Not bad. The table face the window and sunshine can come through it.

Lyam
Not bad.

Bob
Yeah...Is your backpack the only thing you bring?

Lyam
I don’t have to take many things with me.( put his bag on the table and start to package)

Bob
If you need help, just tell me. I need to get all my stuffs done, or my mom will nag at me.
 Lyam
Really? Your mom?

Bob
Yeah, she is outside and looking around, and will be here soon.

Lyam
Does your mom have long golden? Wear dark blue suit and glasses?

Bob
You met her?

Lyam
I saw her downstairs...She is beautiful. I believe most men would fall in love with your mom
even they are married.

Bob
Don’t say that bro.

Lyam
She really loves you.

Bob
That’s true.

Lyam
You are not a kids anymore. She is checking the environment for you. This is college, not a
kindergarten.

Bob
I know(smile bitterly). she just loves me so much. These behaviors just happen recent 2 years.

Lyam
What happened?

Bob
Oh, nothing…. Finally, I get rid off her.

Lyam
Who said not.

Bob
By the way, she knows what I’m thinking.

Lyam
how’s your father? Does he love you ?

Bob
Yeah, I think.

Lyam
You think?

Bob
Yes...he loves me too(feel weird about Lyam). Well, I should start to clean my stuffs. Tell me if
you need something.

Lyam
Sure.
(looks around the room, open his backpack and takes out a bottle of water. At the same time, a
photo frame falls on the ground. He picks up and puts it back to the backpack)

Bob
What was that?

Lyam
Nothing.

Bob
(Looks at Lyam)Alright....Hey, you know what. I just told you about my families, so now it’s
your turn to tell me something about your families or something about you.

Lyam
Why?

Bob
Emm… Because...nothing... we are good, we are good.
(beat)
 Lyam
(look at his backpack) You want to see what’s the thing just fall on the ground?

Bob
No,no,no. I’m that much curious.

Lyam
If you want to see, I can show you.

Bob
Oh(unexpected), sure.

Lyam
Here you go.

Bob
Is that your picture?

Lyam
Yes, it is.

Bob
How old were you? And what’s...

Lyam
I should say that’s my family picture. I was 3.

Bob
But where is…?

Lyam
Yeah, where is my parents?

Bob
(beat)I’m sorry.

Lyam
Why?

Bob
Is there something happen to them?

Lyam
Probably.

Bob
I’m sorry about how I talk about my parents. It must hurt you.

Lyam
Not a big deal…..Both of them left me when I was four. One day I was playing at home alone. I
opened my father’s suitcase, and found a necklace. I thought it was for my mom. When my mom
was home, I gave it to her as if I bought it for her. She took it and said that she loved it so much.
Two weeks later. They divorced. Three month later, my mom committed suicide. Then I never
see my dad after the funeral. I moved my grandma’s house.

Bob
...I don’t know what to say.

Lyam
You don’t have to say anything. I’m really good now.

Bob
But you are still take it with you.

Lyam
What?

Bob
I mean you’re still taking the photo with you.

Lyam
It doesn’t mean anything.

Bob
Really?
 Lyam
Oh yeah, It reminds me how much I hate them.

Bob
You don’t have to do this to yourself.

Lyam
I wish my mom could love me once, and then I would kill myself , and she could feel what I
have felt. (beat)

Bob
Hey Lyam. Don’t think like that. I know you had a hard time. You should try to let it go.
Sometimes, even it’s very hard, you can feel better and peace if you try to forgive them, and
don’t think about them.

Lyam
Forgive? How?

Bob
I don’t know. Just try.

Lyam
You sound so easy, how can I try when I think that man is enjoying his new family. I can’t
forgive him. I can’t forgive his families. I even can’t forgive those people who don’t tell him that
HE STILL HAS A SON.

Bob
Calm down bro, yeah, he will get what he deserves.

Lyam
Yes, and all those people that I hate.

Bob
But you should live for yourself. Let’s stop talking about him, and your mom too. At least you
have your grandma right. You also have to think for her. She must love you a lot.

Lyam
She died three month ago.
( put the photo frame on the table)
 Bob
I’m so sorry, I thought...I…

Lyam
She didn’t love me.

Bob
What?

Lyam
She didn’t love me at all.

Bob
Why?

Lyam
She was crying when she was looking at me and said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It’s my
fault”. Even that day, before she passed away, she was still saying that she was sorry. There was
no tear in my eyes.

Bob
She just remembered about your mom sometimes. It didn’t mean that she didn’t love you.

Lyam
The first time after she was drunk, she was staring at me, and suddenly throw the bottle on the
floor. She started to scold me for no reason, and then kicked me out of the house during the rain
at midnight. When I was standing at the door, I was crying and begging her to let me in. I said,
“sorry, sorry, I’m sorry grandma.” I even didn’t know why I was keep saying sorry. When she
opened the door next morning, she gave me a hug and said, “I’m so sorry Lyam, please forgive
me.” I didn’t say anything and just cried, cried, cried and held her tightly. She prepared a big
lunch. Before we started to eat, she asked me for my forgiveness again. Of course, I forgave her.
(beat) You know, sometimes people ask for forgiveness is for others they hurt but for
themselves. After that, my life was not going to the same way that I expected. It was getting
worse. She started to drink more and more.

Bob
I’m sorry about what you have been through. Why didn’t you leave that house.
 Lyam
I don’t know anything, anywhere and anyone around that house.

Bob
But you can call the police

Lyam
I don’t want to

Bob
Why?

Lyam
I found that I was torturing her. She was tortured by everytime that she looked at me, ate with me
and stayed in the same house with me. Then, I didn’t want to leave. That’s what she deserved.
(beat)

Bob
Well, let’s talk other things. Come on. You already change another place to live. Let’s think
more about our future, and make some plans.

Lyam
Do you believe in fate?

Bob
Em...what do you think?

Lyam
Some moments in our lives are already determined.

Bob
Well...It’s right, but I think the more important thing is our attitudes to those moments in our
lives.

Lyam
I met that man months ago.

Bob
Oh really? Where? Did you talk to him?
 Lyam
Of course not.

Bob
What are you gonna do? You got where he lives?

Lyam
...Maybe, I don’t know what I’m going to do. What would you do if you were me.

Bob
That’s a hard question. I don’t know neither.

Lyam
Let’s see if I have the chance to meet him again.

Bob
Probably….. you already figure it out what you want to do at that time.

Lyam
You are right.

(Sasha stands at the door and knocks it)

Sasha
May I come in boys?

Bob
Hey mom. How’s the shcool?

Sasha
It’s good, I like here. The library is not very far from here. If you walk 5 minutes to that way,
you can find a restaurant. There are Chinese foods, Indian foods, and burgers. That place is big.
You can play basketball and go to the gym on the North campus, and….

Bob
Alright, alright, I have the map ok? Let me introduce you guys first.

Sasha
Oh yeah, I’m sorry(toward Lyam)
 Bob
Lyam, as you see this is my mom Sasha. And mom this is Lyam my roommate, come in.

Sasha
Hi, nice to meet you.

Lyam
Hello, I’m Lyam....very very nice to meet you.
(They shake hands, Lyam forgets to release her hand)
Sasha
Is there anything on my face?

Lyam
Nothing...What should I say...um... You are so beautiful…..I’m sorry if I offend you.

Sasha
Absolutely not, I am happy to hear that. (beat) Have we met before.

Lyam
No, but... yeah. I met you down stairs. You may not remember.

Sasha
Oh yeah, sorry I didn’t notice that.

Lyam
Don’t worry.

Sasha
Do you guys love here? You both get ready for the new school life?

Bob
Yeah mom. We are good.

Sasha
Have you done everything?

Bob
Not yet but almost. Hey Lyam, do you want to have lunch together?
 Lyam
No, I’m good. You can go ahead.

Sasha
Are you sure? It’s ok. It’s almost lunch time. You guys can get more familiar with each other and
the school.

Lyam
I’m really good. (A person looking for the room with a luggage and backpack) Oh, that’s my
friend. I need to talk to him.

Bob
Ok, go ahead.

Lyam
(Walk out of the room to Mark). Hey friend.

Mark
Hi, glad to see you.

Lyam
Come, the houseparent wants to talk to you about the dormitory.

Mark
Really? Ok, let me….(wants to get into the dormitory)

Lyam
He will leave for lunch now, or you will wait for him long time.

Mark
Alright, let’s go.

Lyam
(toward)see you later.

Sasha&Bob
See you.
 Sasha
Do you like the room?

Bob
Yes, it’s good. We have everything we need here.

Sasha
Where do you sleep?

Bob
The lower layer.

Sasha
(sits on the bed)It’s not bad. That guy just weird when he speaks.

Bob
Yeah(keep hanging his clothes) Hey mom, can you just...… give me some space?

Sasha
What? I’m just doing what every mother will do.

Bob
Not every mother.( finish hanging, stand by the wardrobe) You know, you used to do things not
like this.

Sasha
Like what?

Bob
(beat) To show how much you love me.

Sasha
I love you honey, and I don’t have to show you that.

Bob
Correct, but now it’s too much mom.(beat) and I know why.

Sasha
(look at Bob for a second) I’m sorry.

Bob
(walk to Sasha and give her a hug) No, don’t say that mom. It’s not your fault, it’s his. You both
have your own lives. You have the right to choose your life.

Sasha
I just don’t want to lose you. I have to love you more and do more for you.

Bob
I understand that, and I love you too mom. You don’t have to be that nervous. I’ll be always
there with you.(beat) You have your job, so don’t pay too much attention on me, or you will be
exhausted.

Sasha
Thank you honey, thank you. I just need some time.

Bob
Sure.

Sasha
Alright, let’s… um… let me see is there anything I can help you(stand up).

Bob
Ok, but I think it’s almost done here.

Sasha
(walks to the table) Are these all Lyam’s stuff?

Bob
Yeah, he said he doesn’t have many things.

Sasha
(puts Lyam’s backpack on the chair and picks up the photo frame and ready to puts into the
backpack)
What’s this?

Bob
That’s… his photo.

Sasha
(Look at Bob and look back at the photo)
What happened?

Bob
He tears off his parents.

Sasha
Oh… poor child. (looks at the photo carefully)

Bob
He has a bad memory with his families.

Sasha
I can see(feel familiar with the child on the picture and thinking, beat). What does he tell you
about his families?

Bob
Just very bad.

Sasha
How old is he?

Bob
I didn’t ask, I thought we may be the same age, or he may be older than me one or two years
because he looks older.

Sasha
Ok, is there any specific things that he talk about his families?

Bob
What? Why are you interesting about this?

Sasha
(unnaturally) Nothing, I...I just think he is poor.

Bob
Yes, he is unlucky.

Sasha
He is your roommate… I don’t want his life to affect you.

Bob
Come on, mom it won’t. At least I have you.

Sasha
What do you mean?

Bob
Umm… Actually, his parents divorced when he was four maybe because his father had
affair(beat, and look at his mom). His mother died three month later after that. His grandma took
care of him, but she was not a good grandma.

Sasha
Ok.（gradually realize the child on the photo)

Bob
Are you ok?

Sasha
… Yeah, I...umm…

Bob
I’m good, trust me I’m really good. Even he is weird sometimes and gloomy when he talks, I
understand him. He is poor. I want to help him, and I think we can be friends. (beat)His life will
not impact me.

Sasha
If… (look at Bob and puts the photo frame on the table)if there is some problems with him, just
tell me and I will come, or we can change to another dormitory if you want.(beat) He didn’t say
other things to you?

Bob
Mom relax. I’m fine. Let’s have some foods, and then you can go to work.

Sasha
Well…

(Lyam comes back, stand by the door)

Lyam
I thought you already go for lunch.

Bob
We are going to now, you really don’t want to come?

Lyam
(look at Sasha and Bob) No, I’ll stay here.

Sasha
(look at Lyam) Hey Bob, what time is it?

Bob
Let me see, my phone is in my backpack(looking for phone).

Lyam
(looks at his watch)It’s 12:45.

(Bob and Sasha look at Lyam)

Bob
Thank you. Wow, you still use digital watch? It makes me remember when I was in primary
school. I used to have the similar one.

Sasha
(Looks like the watch) Thank you Lyam. Bob can you help me to take my laptop. It’s in the car,
and I just remember that I need to send something to my boss before 1:00 by email.

Bob
No problem.(take the key, and leaves)

Sasha
(quiet for while)Do you like your room?

Lyam
I do.
 Sasha
From today, you will be living together. I wish both of you can have good time in school.

Lyam
(Find that his backpack has moved to the chair, and walks to there) We will.

Sasha
(look Lyam to walk toward his backpack) Why did you choose to study in this school.

Lyam
It’s a weird question. Why I can’t choose here?( find that his photo has been moved, and show
his back to Sasha)
Sasha
I’m sorry, I mean… what you want to do here… I mean what you want to study?

Lyam
What I want to do? Um...good question( throw his backpack on the upper layer bad, it almost hit
on Sasha) sorry(casually).

(They look at each other and don’t talk. Then Lyam makes his photo frame stand on the table,
and it faces to Sasha, but his body blocks off her sight)

Lyam
How is my watch?

Sasha
What?

Lyam
Bob just said he has a similar one.

Sasha
what..(nervous)..what do you mean?

Lyam
Don’t you think he and I looked a little bit similar?

Sasha
I don’t understand.
 Lyam
Come on. Look at your face, you do.

Sasha
I just want to….

Lyam
Then, what do you want to do? why do you let him leave!?... (beat) after.... touching my stuffs.
( turn his body)

Sasha
(find the photo is facing her, calm down a little bit)Are you looking for us?

Lyam
I think fate leads me to you.

Sasha
What are you talking about?

Lyam
I met you on the street two month before, we made eye contact you remember? I was standing
out of the window of the store.

Sasha
That’s you…

Lyam
Yeah! That’s me. When I aimlessly walked on the street, three of you were standing there, and
that image looked beautiful. Then, I think I may have things to do?

Sasha
Doing what?

Lyam
What you did.

Sasha
….I’m sorry…. I’m really sorry.. I

Lyam
You really love your son right?

Sasha
What do you want to do to him!!?(loud)

Lyam
It’s not doing something to him, it’s to you and that man.

Sasha
What do you mean?

Lyam
You should try what I have felt.

(Bob comes back)

Bob
Hey mom, here is your laptop.

(Lyam quickly pulls Bob into the room and locks the door, and Bob falls on the ground)

Bob
What are you doing?

Sasha
Are you ok Bob? Do you hurt?(walks to Bob quickly and help him up)

Bob
I’m ok.

Lyam
(takes out a gun from the inside of his coat, but not points to Bob or Sasha yet)Don’t move.

Sasha
Please, don’t. There is no business with him. That’s all my fault, I beg you don’t hurt him.(use
her body to protect Bob)
 Bob
What’s this, what are you doing? (don’t know what to do and say)

Lyam
(tickle his head with the right hand which is taking the gun)Well…

Bob
(notice the gun, nervously) Wait, wait Lyam, what happened? We just met, and...and….

Lyam
Did I tell you my last name?

Bob
Wha..what?

Lyam
Willson.

Bob
What do you mean?(looks at his Sasha and look back, Sasha looks at the ground)

Lyam
Bob Willson. I am Lyam Willson!! we are brothers（teasing）

Bob
Mom? What is he saying?

Sasha
I am sorry Bob.

Bob
But how? I never heard abou….(realize)

Lyam
(beat)Yeah, I’ve told you that man left with another woman.

Bob
Mom?(unbelievable, surprised)
 Sasha
I’m sorry honey.

Bob
Then...it’s you are dad?

Sasha
(slowly nobs, beat)I’m sorry Lyam. I didn’t expect that we could cause your mom’s death. I was
praying for you mom for many years, and I…...

Lyam
Bullshit.(step ahead)

Sasha
Don’t, please don’t.

Bob
(sit up) Wait! Wait Lyam.

Lyam
(keep silence, but the gun still points at Bob)Em….

Bob
Can...can we talk?(carefully)

Lyam
We’ve talked a lot.

Bob
No!..no, that’s different. You have known who I am when you came in?

Lyam
Ha…

Bob
You already known.

Lyam
So what.

Bob
Then, we need to talk.

Lyam
Shut the fuck up.

Bob
But if you want to kill us, I have to know why.

Lyam
Don’t sound like you don’t know. Before I kill you. you two hold together.

(Bob and Sasha don’t move and look at him)

Sasha
What do you want to do.

Lyam
NOW!(loudly but not yelling)

(Bob and Sasha look at each other)

Bob
It’s alright, come.(Then hug his mom slowly)

Lyam
How’s that feel?
(nobody answers)
Now Sasha, tell Bob how much you love him.

Sasha
You’re insane.

Lyam
Am I? Hurry up.

Bob
What are we doing for this?(stare at Lyam)
(Lyam shots to the bed immediately, Sasha screams)

Sasha
(after she calms down a little bit and start to sob) I’m sorry I can’t be a good mother. I bring this
to you. I love you Bob, I really love you, I love you so much Bob. You are everything in my life.

Lyam
Good.

Sasha
Are you happy now?

Lyam
Your turn Bob.
(beat)

Bob
….Don’t blame yourself and we are good mom, we are gonna be okay( Lyam softly ridiculed) I
love you too. I love everything you have done for me.

Lyam
DON’T SAY YOU ARE GONNA BE FINE! She is dying don’t you understand? What are you
going to say?

Bob
NO! She is not dying…

Lyam
Yes. She is! Tell her you need her! Don’t pretend you’re strong!

Bob
(Quickly uses his body protect Sasha) NO!! I’ll never let my mom get hurt by anybody as a son.

LYAM
(softly)As her son…..

(Mark shows up with his lurages and knocks the door, Lyam glances the door quickly and looks
back)
 Mark
Hey, they said nobody switches with me. I still live here.

(Bob and Sasha separate, Lyam quickly puts the muzzle on Bob’s head, stares at them and sign
them to be quiet.)

Mark
Is anyone in there?(try to open the door wait for a second) Fuck! (and then hardly kicks the door
and ready to leave)

(Lyam quickly looks at the door, suddenly Sasha rams Lyam on his stomach, Lyam steps back,
and she falls on the ground at the same time.)

Mark
(Heard the voice) Hey, I heard you, open the door you mother fucker.

(Lyam points the gun at Sasha. Bob quickly stands up and tries to snatch the gun)

Sasha
Help!(yell)

Mark
What?

(when Lyam and Bob snatch the gun, it fires to the window)

Sasha
(Still on the ground loudly) Help, we need help!!

Mark
Oh, Fuck( run away)

(Lyam and Bob scramble the gun for seconds, and then Lyam kicks Bob’s belly, Bob falls on the
ground again, Sasha wants to help Bob up)

Lyam
Shit! (points the gun at Bob) Well.

Sasha
No!(quickly protect Bob)

(With the sound of fire, Sasha lie on the ground, but still alive. Bob is shocked. Lyam just stands
there and looks at Sasha without emotion)

Bob
M...mo..mom?(unbelievable, holds Sasha, realized, afraid) No no no no no no, Don’t! Mom!
Look at me. Wake up, (louder) wake up please.

(Sasha’s slowly and hardly raises up, Bob immediately puts her hand on his face.)

Sasha
(hardly speak)Forgive me. This is all my fault. I know it would come, but never thought it’s like
this.

Bob
NO, it’s not.

Sasha
I still have many things need to do for you, but sorry. You...must live well by yourself...I love
you ( die)

Bob
No!!!No!!!!!!!No…..
(beat)

You!(stare at Lyam fiercely) Fuck you!!!!

(Lyam just stands there and looks at Sasha’s body, we can’t see if he is happy or sad. Then Bob
stands up quickly and run to Lyam and punches on his face. Lyam falls on the ground. Bob picks
up the gun)

Bob
(use the muzzle point on Lyam’s head)You son of a bitch. Nobody will love you in the world or
even in hell.

Lyam
Go ahead.

Bob
(try 2 times to pull the trigger, but fails)You are gonna die.( back up)

Lyam
That’s my fate.

Bob
(When he backs up, he touches Sasha’s body, then looks at Sasha and looks back at Lyam. beat)
Oh, shit.

Lyam
(looks at Bob and then Sasha) Yeah, you have to live well.

Bob
Shut the fuck up!(point the gun at Lyam again)

Lyam
(still looks at Sasha) There was one second... I think I like her.

Bob
Don’t!

Lyam
She was a good mother.(look at Bob)

Bob
Stop…

Lyam
You were everything for her! She died for you.

Bob
Don’t talk about her!(kicks Lyam)

Lyam
Just pull the trigger(provocatively). I ! just ! killed ! that ! bitch!!!

Bob
AH!!!Why this happen to me!!!?
 Lyam
Yeah( loudly)! WHY IS ME?

Bob
Fuck you!!!(Bob pulls the trigger, and shot himself on his leg)

(Lyam is surprised and calm down quickly. Stare at Bob)

Mark
(From the backstage, yell) Hurry up! It’s 506!

Lyam
(noticed the voice of Mark) No, you won’t kill me. We are the same. We are brothers... You
want to torture me.

(Bob doesn’t respond and look at Sasha)

Lyam
Alright!
(stand up and pass Bob toward the table, and take the photo. Then walk toward the window)

Bob
(look at Lyam) Stand there!

Lyam
That’s my fate. Good luck brother. Live as me. (want to jump out of the window)

Bob
(muzzle points at Lyam) I said stand there.

Lyam
You will always remember me.( ready to open the window)

Bob
(shot on Lyam’s leg) We...we.. will never be the same.

Lyam
Ah...Shit.(look at Bob)
(Bob looks at Lyam, slowly turns his body to the door. He walks toward the door, puts his hand
on the handle, looks back at Lyam, Opens the door)

Black out