ABSENCE
 
 
VIVIANNE PAYTON
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VIVIANNE PAYTON STUDIOS
 
 FADE IN:

SCENE ONE

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

The house is a simple house but there are a few signs of
obvious money being sent in the house. The living room
furniture looks good but it is very badly arranged and the
living room looks rough with clothes and all sorts scattered
around. Everywhere is quiet and there is no one else in the
room except Tanya, who has a novel on her lap but is
presently going through her phone with a cup of juice right
beside her. George is dressed in a singlet and Trouser pants
with his belt on and his shoes already on his feet as he
rushes down from upstairs and goes straight to the dining. He
looks around quickly as if trying to look for something. He
faces his daughter who has been looking at him in a carefree
way.
GEORGE
What? No greeting?
TANYA
Sorry dad, good morning
GEORGE
Yea yea, did you sleep well?
TANYA
Yep
GEORGE
Where is your mum?
TANYA
I don't know. She came to wake me
and sort of displaced me from my
bed and I guess she is sleeping
there right now
GEORGE
Can you make me some tea? Is there
any bread left?
TANYA
Yea. Let me make you some tea and
get the bread. Should I get butter
too or just fry some eggs?
GEORGE
Yea, anything is fine. Thanks
 2.

TANYA
Yea dad.
George rushes back upstairs as Tanya goes into the kitchen.
Shortly after, George come back downstairs, now dressed in a
shirt and tie to complete his ensemble. He is also carrying a
briefcase which he drops beside himself as he sits at the
dining and brings out his phone as he starts to type
something on it.
Tanya comes back out from the kitchen shortly after, carrying
his tea and a small plate of fried eggs. She drops it in
front of him and goes back to get some bread for him. He
starts to eat nonchalantly as Tanya goes back to her seat.
CUT

SCENE TWO

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

George is done eating and carries his bag as he leaves for
work.
he stops by the door.
GEORGE
Is your mother still sleeping?

TANYA
I guess
GEORGE
Alright. Have a nice day y'all. And
stay outta trouble
TANYA
Yea dad.
GEORGE
Do you have enough money with you
for today?
TANYA
Yea, but if you wanna give me
more... It doesn't hurt to have
more anyway. Anything could happen
and I'll need more
 3.

GEROGE
Yea, I get
George sighs as he brings out his wallet and quickly hands
Tanya some notes. He pockets his wallet and picks his bag to
leave.
Tanya stops him
TANYA
Hey dad
GEORGE
What?
TANYA
How about mum?
GEORGE
What?
TANYA
You know she'll ask and will
probably call you or even come to
the office
GEORGE
Fine
George sighs angrily as he brings out his wallet again and
hands Tanya some more notes. She collects them as she raises
her eyebrow put pockets them.
TANYA
Bye dad
GEORGE
Yeah, bye
George leaves as Tanya closes the door against his receding
back and goes back to her seat to continue whatever she was
doing on her phone
CUT

SCENE THREE

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - LATE NIGHT

George's wife Alicia is in the living room with her sister
Regina. They are laughing uproariously while having a
discussion.
 4.

The door opens and George comes in from work as he drops his
key and steps into the living room. He sees Regina and beams
with a slight smile.
GEORGE
Hey, Regina. How are you doing?
When did you get here?
REGINA
Yea, I am doing good. I got here in
the afternoon and was told you'd be
busy at work
GEORGE
Yea, had a very busy day. But,
thank God, it's over for now. I
just wanna shower and sleep
ALICIA
Welcome honey
GEORGE
Thanks
ALICIA
I called you earlier. What
happened?
GEORGE
I don't know. I was probably away
from the phone. Is there any issue
or something?
ALICIA
Yeah, I wanted to tell you about a
payment I had to do but it's fine.
I'll sort it tomorrow
GEORGE
Okay, I'm going off to bed. Regina,
see you tomorrow morning
REGINA
Okay, have a great night
George leaves for the room and Regina watches him go and then
turns confusedly to Alicia
REGINA (CONT'D)
Wait, hold on, he's just going to
bed?
ALICIA
I don't understand
 5.

REGINA
Like, no dinner, nothing?
ALICIA
Yeah?

REGINA
Hey, he didn't even ask after his
daughter
ALICIA
Well, he knows she's fine, or
something
REGINA
What? I don't understand what that
is
ALICIA
Well, it's just... It's fine, you
know. He knows she's fine and he
has seen me and I don't know what
to tell you
REGINA
I just feel he should have asked
for his meal and you should have
asked too but both of you didn't
say anything to that effect
ALICIA
Regina, I don't know what to tell
you
REGINA
Wait, did you even prepare anything
for him?
ALICIA
I don't have to. He usually eats
out or something
REGINA
You're not sure?
ALICIA
Regina, please drop this
REGINA
Alright, sorry. I will
Alicia looks a bit confused. And then she starts to look
worried and suddenly blurts out
 6.

ALICIA
He never really eats at home and
when he wants to eat, he eats
whatever is available. He doesn't
really eat that much. He eats out
too
Regina tries to think and weigh her words before she speaks
again. She speaks slowly and cautiously.
REGINA
Do you even see him before he goes
to work?
ALICIA
Regina, just drop this.
REGINA
Okay
They both keep quiet and face the television again to avoid
the discussion
CUT

SCENE FOUR

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM/KITCHEN/DINING - MORNING

Regina is obviously awake and about as she cleans the house
and rearranges things. She is very busy and also goes into
the kitchen from time to time. She starts to brew some coffee
and takes things out of the refrigerator. Not long after,
Tanya wakes up and comes downstairs to join Regina. She looks
confused and just lazes about and watches Regina. After a
while, she joins Regina reluctantly and they both start to
rearrange the house and prepare breakfast as time lapses.
CUT

SCENE FIVE

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

George comes down from upstairs and sees Regina and Tanya
going about their businesses. He is dressed in singlets and
trousers as the day before and stops as he tries to look at
what Regina
and Tanya are both doing.
 7.

GEORGE
Good morning
REGINA
Hey, good morning George
TANYA
Morning dad.
GEORGE
What's going on?
TANYA
Nothing much. we are just... I dont
know...
GEORGE
Okay, can you make me some tea? And
maybe some pancakes or just tea
REGINA
Actually, we have made breakfast.
But you can have some coffee to
start
GEORGE
Breakfast?
REGINA
Yes, we have made some grits, some
waffles, steak and eggs
GEORGE
Really? Just this morning?
REGINA
Yes, is it too much?
GEORGE
No, it's fine. Let me quickly
finish up upstairs and come get
breakfast.
REGINA
Okay sir
George goes back upstairs.
CUT

SCENE SIX
 8.

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

George comes back downstairs and the table is already set. He
smiles as he sits for breakfast and he starts to eat with so
much gusto. Tanya is surprised but goes to sit with her phone
again.
CUT

SCENE SEVEN

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

George is done eating and picks his bag on his way to work.
He hands Tanya some money and also gives Regina some.
REGINA
Oh wow, thank you George. I am
grateful.
GEORGE
It's no problem, you might need it
of course
TANYA
Thanks dad
GEORGE
Yea, see you all later.
TANYA
How about mum?
GEORGE
Mum what? Yea, I'll call her
Alicia comes down from upstairs and dashes towards the door
and George.
ALICIA
You seriously are not leaving
without... I don't know
GEORGE
I'll call you from work. Please
ALICIA
Well, whatever. Bye
George leaves and Alicia snickers softly as she saunters
towards the stairs.
 9.

She stops suddenly as she sights the dining table and sees
the setup. She goes back towards the table and looks at
Regina and Tanya.
ALICIA (CONT'D)
Did you make breakfast?
REGINA
Yes, we did
ALICIA
Really? Okay, is there any left for
me?
TANYA
Of course mum
ALICIA
Okay. I'll have it in my room
Alicia leaves for her room as Regina and Tanya exchange looks
and sighs softly.
CUT

SCENE EIGHT

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - NIGHT

Regina and Tanya are in the living-room and playing a game
when the door opens and George walks into the house. He
smiles widely.
GEORGE
Hey ladies...
TANYA
Hey dad, how was your day?
GEORGE
Good, thanks baby
Tanya hugs his dad and he is surprised and his smile widens
as he pecks his daughter on the forehead.
REGINA
Welcome George
GEORGE
Thanks Reg!
 10.

REGINA
I hope you had a great day?
GEORGE
Oh yea, I did. A little bit
stressful but good still
REGINA
Really? How?
George lights up as he starts to talk animatedly.
GEORGE
Oh, we had this sudden takeover
meeting to do and we all had to
come up with last minute ideas on
how to make progress, we were
bringing ideas left, right and
centre. It was... it was so...
George sighs.
REGINA
That's nice
TANYA
Hey dad, you're home early
REGINA
Early?
GEORGE
It's a few minutes after 8pm
TANYA
Yea dad, you never come home until
very late
GEORGE
Well, I closed early and decided to
just come home to rest
George sighs again and lifts his bag as he heads upstairs. He
stops suddenly and asks reluctantly.
GEORGE (CONT'D)
Can I get anything to eat?
REGINA
Of course we've made dinner but we
already ate. I could warm the
leftovers for you or just whip up
something
 11.

TANYA
Sorry dad, we didn't know you would
want dinner
GEORGE
Oh it's fine. You could just warm
the leftovers
REGINA
Are you sure?
GEORGE
Yea, sure. A home-cooked meal is a
home-cooked meal anytime. Thanks
George goes upstairs with a smile as Regina turns sharply to
Tanya
REGINA
I told you
TANYA
Yea, I didn't think he would come
home this early. He never does and
even when he comes, he would have
eaten
REGINA
Come on girl, let's go rustle up
something for him
Regina and Tanya move into the kitchen.
CUT

SCENE NINE

GEORGE'S HOUSE - TANYA'S ROOM - NIGHT

Alicia is in Tanya's room and is laying on the bed, watching
something amusing on her phone. She is lost in this when
Regina knocks slightly and enters without Alicia answering.
Alicia glances at her and goes back to her phone as she
answers absent-mindedly.
ALICIA
Hey, hi
REGINA
Eeeehhmmmm... First of all, what
are you doing here?
 12.

ALICIA
I don't understand
REGINA
This is your daughter's room
ALICIA
And...
REGINA
Why are you here?
ALICIA
Because I am resting
Regina pauses and sighs briefly as she thinks of what to say
next. She finally composes herself and faces Alicia.
REGINA
Alicia. You are my sister and I
love to the ends of the world. You
know I'm not gonna lie to you
ALICIA
Okay...
REGINA
But you're really not being fair or
should I say you're not doing
anything
ALICIA
How do you mean?
REGINA
You're a wife and a mother
ALICIA
I know
REGINA
But you're not being either
ALICIA
What?
Regina sighs again as she thinks about what to say next. She
finally gathers some strength and plunges ahead.
REGINA
Alicia, you are currently in your
daughter's room. It feels like you
are hiding. Your husband is back
and you have not even seen him.
(MORE)
 13.
REGINA (CONT'D)
I am not even sure you know he is
back
ALICIA
He is back?
REGINA
Good Lord! You don't even know? I
was just fishing
ALICIA
Yea, whatever
REGINA
Why are you like this? Like that?
ALICIA
How?
REGINA
So aloof. It feels like you don't
care about your husband or your
family
ALICIA
Hey! woah! Hold on, I do
REGINA
Really? You told me your husband
doesn't eat breakfast and I made
him breakfast this morning. He ate
it. And you did too?
ALICIA
And so what?
REGINA
You said he doesn't but it looks
like you are the one that doesn't
bother to make him breakfast
ALICIA
Regina!
REGINA
You also said he doesn't come home
early and doesn't eat dinner but he
just did
ALICIA
Regina, come on
 14.

REGINA
Let me finish. I have been here for
almost 48 hours and I can count how
many times you have spoken with
your daughter and yet you are
currently in her room.
Regina pauses as she lets the whole situation sink into
Alicia's head
REGINA (CONT'D)
Do you know that your daughter is
not in her own room right now
because you are there, taking up
her space?
ALICIA
What are you saying?
REGINA
Your husband leaves early for work
and comes back very late and only
eats whatever he is offered, when
he is offered anything.
ALICIA
That is his fault, not mine.
REGINA
Really? He doesn't speak so much
anymore and even when you do
annoying things, he just let's it
go to avoid issues
Alicia is starting to get the whole idea and is starting to
get worried
ALICIA
Regina, please stop...
REGINA
Why, because I am trying to save
your marriage?
ALICIA
My marriage?
REGINA
Yes. Alicia, you know I love you
more than anything in the world and
I want the best for you. Can you do
something for me?
 15.

ALICIA
What's that?
REGINA
Can you try to wake up and make
breakfast for your husband tomorrow
and then just take care of things
and be a wife and ask him what he
wants for dinner.
ALICIA
Really?
REGINA
Yea, you know, those type of
things. Please, can you just try?
Alicia thinks about this very briefly and then sighs
determinedly as she answers
ALICIA
Yes. I will. Starting tomorrow.
REGINA
How about starting this night?
ALICIA
What? How?
REGINA
Go to your room! Go meet your
husband and let your daughter have
her room to herself
ALICIA
Yea, yea, yea. Okay.
Alicia stands up and walks out of the room as Regina smiles
and bounds back downstairs.
CUT

SCENE TEN

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

Alicia, Regina and Tanya are up and about in the living room.
They keep going between the living room and the kitchen.
George comes up a short while later in singlet and trousers
as usual.
 16.

He stops to observe what is going on and then cautiously

calls his wife
GEORGE
Babe?
ALICIA
Hey honey, good morning. How are
you. I didn't want to wake you.
Breakfast will be ready in like
five minutes. What do you want?
Juice? Coffee? Tea?
GEORGE
Really?
TANYA
Good morning dad
GEORGE
Good morning darling
REGINA
Good morning George
GEORGE
Morning reggie
ALICIA
Honey, I am making omelets, roasted
potatoes and steaks.
GEORGE
Okay. Let me finish up
ALICIA
Okay honey.
George rushes back upstairs and Regina, Alicia and Tanya go
back to what they were doing.
CUT

SCENE ELEVEN

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

George come back downstairs to a table set for breakfast. He
smiles at his wife as he sits for breakfast and smiles as he
is served. He starts to eat with so much gusto and Alicia
sits beside him with a smile
 17.

GEORGE
Darling
ALICIA
Yes honey
GEORGE
Thank you
Alicia smiles as George keeps eating.
CUT

SCENE TWELVE

GEORGE'S HOUSE - LIVING-ROOM - DAY - MORNING

George is done eating and picks his bag. He turns back
towards his wife and pulls her close. He hugs her and smiles
at his daughter
GEORGE
Thank you
George leaves as Alicia and Tanya smile. Alicia hugs Regina.
FADE OUT
THE END