#11: FIFTY YEARS AGO

Written by
Joseph Frost
Draft
8/14/16
written for the 2016 31 Plays in 31 Days project

Joseph Frost, 2016

4550 Normandy Dr
Jackson, MS 39206
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
* member, Dramatists Guild of America

A patch of trees. Afternoon.

George, an older gentleman, comes in with a small shovel,
and a lunch pail. He sets the pail down and starts to
shovel.
After a few moments, Lorraine enters, a nicely dressed
lady in her 60s. She watches him for a moment.
George stops. He looks around, but does not see Lorraine.
LORRAINE
Youre in the right spot.
George turns to her.
GEORGE
You should know better than to sneak up on an old man.
LORRAINE
Is that what you are?
GEORGE
Youd know.
LORRAINE
You didnt forget.
GEORGE
What?
LORRAINE
Where its buried. Youre in the right spot.
GEORGE
That so?
LORRAINE
Youre digging it up, arent you?
GEORGE
I dont think so. I was... digging a grave.

2.
LORRAINE
Yours?
GEORGE
Maybe.
LORRAINE
You came to dig it up. I know you did. You know I know. Dont be like this, George. Its
not becoming, a man your age.
GEORGE
Its not here.
LORRAINE
Its there, you just have to keep digging.
GEORGE
Or you could.
LORRAINE
Me?
GEORGE
You didnt get in a canoe and row out here for nothing. You were gonna dig it up
yourself.
LORRAINE
Thats not what I was doing.
GEORGE
Liar.
LORRAINE
I promise. I had no intention of digging it up. I dont have a shovel or anything.
GEORGE
You could have used your claws.
LORRAINE
You know what today is, dont you?
GEORGE
Thursday.
LORRAINE
Its a Sunday, George. But thats not what I mean.

3.
GEORGE
I have no idea what you mean, Lorraine.
LORRAINE
Its carved on that tree behind you.
GEORGE
Rexa hearts Jessie. You know I have no idea which one of those is the boy. If any.
LORRAINE
Above that.
(beat)
Read it.
GEORGE
I know what it says.
LORRAINE
Do you remember when?
GEORGE
Dont be this way, Lorraine.
LORRAINE
Keep digging.
GEORGE
Im not digging anymore.
LORRAINE
Youre gonna make me do it, arent you.
GEORGE
Its not there.
LORRAINE
You have to keep digging.
George crosses away.
GEORGE
I just came out here to eat my lunch and get some fresh air. Doctor says I need that.
LORRAINE
Your doctor prescribed fresh air?

4.
GEORGE
Yes.
LORRAINE
I bet you still have a copay for that.
GEORGE
Absolutely.
A moment.
LORRAINE
I know youre embarrassed that I caught you digging for it, George. But were both here.
Theres no reason this has to be awkward.
GEORGE
No?
LORRAINE
50 years is a long time.
GEORGE
It is.
LORRAINE
You know it was yesterday, dont you?
GEORGE
What?
LORRAINE
It was 50 years ago yesterday.
GEORGE
No it wasnt.
LORRAINE
It was. The 13th is my sisters birthday. We came out here that night, after the party.
GEORGE
We did?
LORRAINE
Yes.

5.
GEORGE
And today is...
LORRAINE
The 14th.
GEORGE
The 14th?
LORRAINE
Yes.
GEORGE
Are you sure?
LORRAINE
Yes.
GEORGE
Then why are you out here today?
LORRAINE
Because, George. I knew youd forget.
GEORGE
I didnt forget. I misremembered.
LORRAINE
I know you did.
A moment.
GEORGE
You dug it up yesterday, then?
LORRAINE
No. Was the ground already dug up?
GEORGE
No. So where is it?
LORRAINE
Its still under there.
GEORGE
It isnt. You can look.

6.
Lorraine crosses to look.
LORRAINE
I think it was buried deeper.
GEORGE
It wasnt.
George is behind Lorraine, he pulls a necklace out of his
pocket. He puts it around her neck.
LORRAINE
George.
GEORGE
I dug it up yesterday. Cleaned it up last night.
LORRAINE
Its just like I remembered.
GEORGE
I know.
A moment.
LORRAINE
Im sorry about what happened. To us.
GEORGE
It wasnt to be.
LORRAINE
But still.
GEORGE
(indicates the river)
Lots of water has passed by here since then.
LORRAINE
Its a different river than it was back then.
GEORGE
We were a different river back then.
LORRAINE
We were.

7.
A moment.
GEORGE
I should have sent a card when I heard what happened to Steven.
LORRAINE
He was suffering so. It was a relief for him to go.
GEORGE
Still.
LORRAINE
Shirley well?
GEORGE
Stable. I visit her every day. Some days she remembers.
(beat)
I did bring a snack if you want.
LORRAINE
I... cant.
GEORGE
All right.
LORRAINE
I just came to...
GEORGE
I know.
She touches the necklace.
LORRAINE
Thank you. Again.
GEORGE
A gift given twice is twice as nice.
LORRAINE
Goodbye, George.
GEORGE
Lorraine.
Lorraine leaves.

8.
George gets his pail and opens it.
He takes out a sandwich.
He sits on the ground near the hole.
George eats.
Lights down.
End