The Family Portrait

Characters:

Mabel

A young lady who is keen to know about her parents, as she has been raised by her Grandmother

Miss Seth

Mabel’s Grandmother who is caring towards Mabel, but at times is evasive about her son. (Mabel’s father)

Oscar

A young man who is Mabel’s love.

Acts of the Play

Act I                                           A Thousand Years

Act II                                       A Rose Too Delicate

Act III                                    Young Mable’s Past

Act IV                                      Mable’s Awakening

ACT 1 Scene 1

A rose sits lonely in the centre of an ornate table, only being held in the palm of a clear vase. The table sits at the centre of the stage and a small couch is set beside it. Two walls stand on the left and right sides of the stage while a portrait of a man and a woman hang above the fireplace. The man’s arm is stiffly wrapped around the woman’s shoulder and holds a wooden face. The woman is in a cage between the man’s hold, having a face which pleads to escape.

An old lady sits in front of the fireplace, her eyes are shut and rocks in a rocking chair. A vinyl record croaks in the corner of the room.

(Enter Mabel)

Mabel: Oh Grandma, aren’t you cold? You need a quilt to keep you warm.

Miss Seth: (Yawns and opens her eyes) It’s all right Dear. The fireplace is doing enough for me. Why don’t you take a seat? You’ve done enough housework, and I think it’s time for you to rest your bones. 

Mable: (Sits on small couch and stares at the rose) But I can’t Ma. It is like there are butterflies swirling around my stomach and I can’t rest at all. You know that Oscar may be visiting any minute?

Miss Seth: Yes I know Dear, I know he’s coming, but you still need your rest. You don’t need to go round, making the house look all pretty just for him.

Mabel:  (Sighs) Okay Ma, I will do my best to stay still. (Stays still)

Miss Seth: (Rocks in chair) Mabel dear, I am sure Oscar will see the truth in you even if the house is in a bit of a mess. All I want for you is not to wear yourself out.

Mabel: We are soon to be engaged Ma. I have to look presentable for him to marry me.

Miss Seth: (Looks up at portrait) Don’t go rushing into things Dear.

Mabel: What are you saying? Ma, are you saying that Oscar and I will turn out like Mother and Father?

Miss Seth: I did not say such a thing Dear...And what do you mean, ‘turn out like Mother and Father?’ Why would you say that Child?  

 (Vinyl record begins to play)

Mabel: (Twitches) I should turn that thing off.

Miss Seth: (Irritably) Sit back down Mabel, just leave it. 

(Vinyl record keeps playing, Mabel sits back down, Miss Seth shuts her eyes)

Mable: Ma?

Miss Seth: Yes Dear?

Mable: Why do Father and Mother not want me? (Looks at portrait)

Miss Seth: There are some things you might not understand. Both your Mother and Father loved you but maybe... They both couldn’t have you all to themselves.

Mabel: What do you mean by that? Are you saying they separated because of me?

Miss Seth: Let us not talk of this now Mabel, dear.

Mable: Why Ma? Every time I want to know about Mother and Father you always... you always verge off topic.

Miss Seth: Because there are some things that are not best talking about.

Mabel: Please Ma! I want to know why Mother and Father separated. I want to know why they even married in the first place and why they don’t want me. Why don’t they want me?

Miss Seth: I can’t answer all your questions Dear. (Rocks in chair) Maybe another day.

(Vinyl record plays, Mabel is silent)

Mabel: (Looks at portrait) Father seems all stiff, doesn’t he?

Miss Seth: Why yes, he does.

Mabel: Well what else have you got to say about your son? Aren’t you proud of your son?

Miss Seth: I am proud of him in some ways Dear. But in some ways, I really wish he could come visit us more often.

Mable: (Stands up and starts tidying room) I really wish we could have done father-daughterly things together. At least Mother spent some time with me. (Pause) That day, in the park, my legs swished with the grass and my white dress fluttered along with me. And I held my mother’s hand. Then I told her, I said, ‘to never let go of my hand.’ Because I was so afraid if I was ever going to fall over, I would ruin my unstained white dress. That day, the day of which I can never forget was.... was nice. (Smiles gently)

Miss Seth: Sit down Mabel, you’re blabbering.

Mable: I really wish Mother can visit us one day. 

(Knocking is heard)

Mable: It must be Oscar Ma! He must be here!

Miss Seth: Remember Mabel, don’t go rushing into things.

Mable: (While walking towards the door) Ma, we aren’t rushing into getting married. You don’t need to worry about anything. Oscar has said, ‘A thousand years.’ And a thousand years it is.  (Walks out left stage)

(Lights dim.)