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I’M NOT GOING

A SHORT PLAY
BY SCOTT ROUSSEAU © 2019

CAST OF CHARACTERS

DAD Late 50s

MOM Late 50s
SON Late 30s

SON is sitting in a chair. He is in boxers, a tank top, a white shirt unbuttoned and black socks. He is
crying. DAD enters. He is in a dark suit and tie.

DAD
Son, we need to… What? You’re not even dressed yet.

(no reaction)

DAD
Son, come on. You need to get dressed. It’s almost time to go.

SON
I’m not going.

DAD
What do you mean you’re not going?

SON
I’m not going.

DAD
You HAVE to go. What? .... Why in the world would you not go?

SON
I’m not going.

DAD
Stop saying that. You have to go.

(no comment)

DAD
Look. I know this is difficult. (DAD pulls up a chair and sits) I know this is not the easiest thing to do. It’s
not easy for me either. What would your sister think if you don’t go? What would your MOTHER think if
you don’t go?

SON
I’m not going.
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DAD
STOP SAYING THAT. You ARE going. I realize a funeral isn’t the easiest thing to go to. Don’t you think I
know how tough this is? Don’t be selfish, son. You need to go.
SON
I’m not going.

DAD
(on the edge)
You
Will get dressed
And you will get up out of that chair
And you will GO to that funeral

SON
I’m not going.

DAD
Argh…..
(HE storms away)

The SON is left alone for a few moments. HE begins to cry again.
MOM enters. SHE is all dressed for the funeral.

MOM
(she is immensely patient)
Honey, why won’t you go?

SON
I just can’t.

MOM
I’m sorry this is hard for you. I’m so sorry this is so tough. Believe me, I understand how tough this is.

SON
Really? Really? YOU understand? You couldn’t possibly understand. That… is apparent.

MOM
Why would you say that?

SON
I think the situation speaks for itself.

MOM
(SHE pulls chair next to him and sits. She wraps her arms around him. HE begins to cry again. SHE is very
gentle. SHE is very motherly, tender and affectionate. A great contrast to DAD.)
I would have thought at your age that you would have learned something about this life. It’s a tough
world. It’s unfair. There is no justice. Oh sweetie, there is only love. I remember when you were little,
and you would run to me because you were scared. What did I tell you?
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SON
You told me to stand up to it. To always face life straight on.

MOM
That’s right. Face life straight on. Don’t veer to the left. Don’t swerve. Just meet the challenge. It will be
over quicker, and the victories will be that much sweeter.

SON
There’s no victory in this.

MOM
There is. You’ll see. Not right away, but you’ll see.

SON
Oh Mom. How do I survive? (HE is so sad) How do I…?

MOM
You HAVE to go on. You must face this straight on.

SON
I don’t know if I can.

MOM
You can. I know you can.

SON
I always knew this day would come, but I never knew it would be so…

MOM
So…

SON
So soon. So deep. So painful. I feel like my heart is completely ripped out. I feel alone. I feel scared.

MOM
Even so, you must go on.

SON
I’m not ready. I’m not ready to go on.

MOM
And yet, you have to be. This one time. You have to be.

SON
Oh God. This is so hard.

MOM
I know. I know. Please. Son. Do this for me.

SON
For you.
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MOM
Please. Do this for me. (she stands) I have to go.

SON
Wait…

MOM
I have to go.
SON
Okay.

MOM
Chin up. Come on. Stand up. Make a better showing of yourself. I taught you better than this.

SON
(HE stands. He puts on his pants that are laying over the back of his chair. He starts buttoning his shirt)
We’ll see.

MOM
No son. You be there or I will be very disappointed. (SHE hugs him.)

MOM kisses him on the forehead and exits.

DAD enters

DAD
Ah. Finally.

SON
(HE looks at DAD.)
I really don’t want to go.

DAD
I know.

SON
Dad. How are you doing this? (HE grabs his DAD in a hug and starts to lose it again) How are you getting
through this?

DAD
Son. Son… we do it because we have to. (DAD starts to get a little emotional as they embrace.)
Remember what your mother always said. You have to face this. (THEY break apart)

SON
You have to face life straight on.

DAD
That was it. Yes. (DAD picks up coat and puts it on SON, then hands him his tie.) Here’s your tie. Now
make a better showing of yourself.

SON
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Yeah. (HE takes a deep breath) A better showing. Whew. Ok. Let’s do this.

DAD
Good. Yes. It’s a tough day for all of us. You can do this.

SON
I can do this.

DAD
We can all do this. Your mother would be unhappy if we didn’t go to her funeral.

THE END