By Doug Jockinsen

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1. The full title: The Reunion
2. Writing credit: By Doug Jockinsen
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Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colorado”

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 This play is dedicated to the memory of my late wife,
Valinda Dow Kelly Jockinsen, the kindest woman I ever met.
Her love of theatre made my life in theatre possible.

THE REUNION

By DOUG JOCKINSEN

CAST OF CHARACTERS
# of lines
DON MCDANIEL ������������������in his late 20s; just moved into 30
a new apartment with his wife
JILL MCDANIEL �������������������Don’s wife; also in her late 20s; 40
not thrilled with the timing of
their move
ALI �������������������������������������handyman; in his late 50s 18
VAHIDA �������������������������������cleaning woman; in her late 50s 12
SETTING
Time: Christmastime, 2021.
Place: An apartment in New York City.
SET DESCRIPTION
The play takes place in the front room of the McDaniels’ apartment, a
small but “nicer” place located in a high-rise in midtown Manhattan.
There is a couch CENTER, a side chair RIGHT, and a small dining table
with two chairs LEFT. The apartment is a virtual sea of moving boxes
of all sizes, some stacked on top of others, some stacked on the
furniture. The walls are bare, with the exception of a single simple
wreath on the wall UP LEFT facing DOWNSTAGE, above a small clearing
of boxes. The front door to the apartment is OFF LEFT; OFF RIGHT is the
rest of the apartment.

ii

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 THE REUNION
1 AT RISE: DON and JILL are heard OFF LEFT before they trudge ON
exhaustedly, each carrying a stack of small moving boxes—the last
of their items. The box on the top of JILL’S stack contains a tapestry.
They each find a space to set their stack of boxes.
5 DON: (Removes his coat and sets it atop a stack of boxes.) Well, that’s
the last of it. We are now officially done with the moving part of
moving. Unpacking it comes next. (Notices that JILL isn’t listening.
Having set down her stack of boxes, JILL stands and stares at
the small wreath on the wall. She sighs heavily. DON goes to her,
10 removes her jacket, and sets it atop another stack of boxes.) Honey,
I know it’s almost Christmas and all our decorations are in a
box… (Looks around vacantly.) …somewhere, but just look at our
beautiful new apartment! I’ll get the decorations out first—as soon
as I can find them. I promise.
15 JILL: (Spins around to face DON and buries her head in his chest. They
stand hugging for a moment. Slowly, JILL steps back.) Oh, Don, I
love our new apartment. I just wish we wouldn’t have found it right
before Christmas. Talk about a bad time to move. We should be
out shopping or cooking or… something.
20 DON: True, my love. It’s too bad we had to take the apartment
immediately to get it. You know there were others who wanted
it as much as we did, but they weren’t willing to move during
the holidays. So, yes, we should be out shopping or cooking or
something. But remember, this week is not to be outdone by next
25 week and our high school reunion—insanely scheduled for the
week after Christmas.
JILL: Oh my God, I almost forgot about the reunion! I’d give anything to
not have it be a year-end thing. Whose crazy idea was that anyway?
Who has a reunion in December? I don’t know what I’d rather do
30 now—move all our stuff back across town, go to our reunion next
week, or just… jump out the window!
DON: Sorry, honey, but we’re only on the third floor. Besides, there’s a
large marquee on the building, and these windows don’t open that
wide. If you want to jump, you’ll just have to go to the roof.
35 JILL: (Playfully punches DON in the chest and smiles.) Sorry, schmorry.
You’re not getting rid of me so easily. (JILL and DON hug once
more as DON softly hums, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like
Christmas.” JILL steps back.) Oh, I forgot to tell you! My dad called
earlier when you were bringing up more boxes. He’s sending us
40 an early Christmas gift—a visit from his handyman. He’s coming
over right away to fix that leaky faucet in the bathroom. So, that’s
a good thing.

For Preview Only

 1 DON: That’s perfect, honey! One less thing for me to do since we
agreed not to bother the landlord with a problem right off the bat.
(Reacts as if his phone has vibrated. Takes out the phone and reads
a text.) Coincidentally, my mother just texted me. She wants me
5 to stop by for some “wonderful news” she has. You know how
dramatic she can be. Her poodle probably learned a new trick or
something. In any case, I’m going to pop over there. I won’t be
gone long.
JILL: But, Don, what about all these boxes and the Christmas decorations?
10 DON: Honey, you’re right… but why don’t you take a break from them
until I get back? You can sit down and relax for a few minutes. I’ll
be right back, and we can find the Christmas decorations then.
Besides, your dad’s handyman is coming over any time now, right?
JILL: Yeah, you’re right, I could use a little break. But hurry back.
15 (They kiss.) I’ll rest a bit and then open some of the smaller boxes
while you’re gone, so at least I’ll get something done. Say “hi”
to your mom.
DON: That’s my hard worker. (Kisses JILL on the forehead.) Be back in
a flash. (Grabs his coat and EXITS LEFT.)
20 JILL: (Sighs heavily and slowly retrieves the box with the tapestry in it.
She opens the box and looks inside. Carefully, she takes out the
tapestry and admires it for a moment, smiling. She plops down on
a chair at the dining table and sighs happily, holding the tapestry to
her heart. There is a KNOCK at the door. JILL gently sets the tapestry
25 back in the box, puts the box on the table, and goes OFF LEFT. After
a moment, she RE-ENTERS, followed by ALI, who carries a toolbox.)
Nice to officially meet you, Ali. My dad has told me about how
you’ve always been there to help in a pinch. It’s very nice of you to
come and fix our leaky faucet on such short notice. My husband
30 and I really appreciate this.
ALI: Really, it’s no bother. Your father has employed me in the building
he owns for the past twenty-eight years. Anything he needs, I am
glad to do. Now, where is that leaky faucet? I will fix it as quickly
as I can. (Gestures to the boxes.) I can see you have other business
35 to attend to. You just recently moved?
JILL: Yes, today actually. Oh, you don’t know how much we need
your help right now! You’re saving my husband—who is not a
handyman—the time and trouble of trying to fix the faucet. I’m
very glad that my father asked you to come over. (Gestures OFF
40 RIGHT.) The leaky sink is right through there in the bathroom. And
thank you again. (ALI smiles and EXITS RIGHT with his toolbox. JILL
returns to the table and once again retrieves the tapestry from the
box. She holds it up, looks at it lovingly, and smiles. She reaches
back into the box and pulls out a small box of push pins. She takes

End of Script Sample

 PRODUCTION NOTES

PROPERTIES ONSTAGE
Moving boxes, Christmas wreath, couch, dining table, chairs.
PROPERTIES BROUGHT ON
Phone (DON)
Stack of boxes (DON, JILL)
Box containing a small square tapestry (about 2’ x 2’) and a small box
of push pins (JILL)
Toolbox, shop towel, business card (ALI)
COSTUMES
ALL characters wear winter coats when they arrive at the apartment.
ALI wears coveralls.
VAHIDA wears a crisp white apron under her coat.
ABOUT ALI AND VAHIDA
ALI and VAHIDA are from Saudi Arabia and were educated in a British
school where English was taught as a second language. They have very
little accent, if any, and speak proper English.
ORIGINAL CAST
The Reunion was first produced November 29, 2019 at the BeeKay
Theatre in Tehachapi, California. The performance was directed by
Scott Williams, with sets and lights by Doug Jockinsen. The cast was
as follows:
DON �����������������������������������������Brad Gallella
JILL ������������������������������������������Kennady Brady
ALI �������������������������������������������David Shacklock
VAHIDA �������������������������������������Heather Ringle

9
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