31 Plays in 31 Days, #11 - "Not Today"

[breakinglight11]

A very short little scene today— probably technically too short to count as "one page" depending on the formatting standard you're using. But this is right before Day #22 - "Giving Away" from 2017. Originally I thought that scene would not show up in any full show, but since part VI was getting so dark, I wanted to end on less of a downer note. I had to change something of the emphasis of the scene overall to fit in better— for example, originally I wanted them to deliberately avoid mentioning Mrs. Hawking, but that didn't make quite so much sense placed in the new context.

Also, thank you, joke I stole from The Good Place. I feel like Tahani has a bit in common with Clara.



Day #11 - "Not Today"
From Mrs. Hawking VI
By Phoebe Roberts

London, England, December 27th, 1888

NATHANIEL HAWKING, Mrs. Hawking's nephew and assistant, mid thirties
CLARA HAWKING, his society wife, mid thirties
MARY STONE, formerly Mrs. Hawking's assistant and housemaid, late twenties
~~~

(NATHANIEL waits in the church vestibule. Enter CLARA in a formal gown.)

NATHANIEL: And how have we done?

CLARA: Well enough to knock him back on his heels, I should think. On your guard now, you’ll be on duty soon.

NATHANIEL: Ready, commander.

(Pause.)

NATHANIEL: I don’t suppose you’ve had a moment to go out there?

CLARA: Yes, I did.

NATHANIEL: Did you happen to see…?

CLARA: I’m sorry, Nathaniel. She’s not out there.

(Pause.)

CLARA: Can you believe the gall? Today of all days—

NATHANIEL: Darling? Not today, please.

CLARA: Of course.

(MARY enters in her wedding gown.)

MARY: Well... what do you think?

CLARA: I’d like to say I outdid myself. But truly… I’m always this good.

(CLARA hands MARY her bouquet.)

CLARA: Good luck.

(CLARA exits.)