Still Life With Red Balloon by David Mauriello

This Play is the copyright of the Author and must not be Copied or Performed without the Author's prior consent

AT RISE: STAGE IN DARKNESS .

The monitored SOUND of heart beat.

LIGHTS UP SLOWLY reveal Hilda and Wally sitting on bare stage

They look front at an imaginary Gurney upon which lies Stanley, husband and father. Their voices are filled with the tension and uncertainty caused by a sudden tragic turn in life.

HILDA
I'm so ashamed.
WALLY
Don't be.
Hilda
Look at me, dressed like this.
WALLY
You didn't have time. I didn't tie my laces.
HILDA
He just coughed. I heard him cough.
WALLY
He was asleep?
HILDA
No. We were watching the late movie.
WALLY
In his easy chair.
HILDA
Yes
WALLY
I couldn't find a place to park
Still Life With Red Balloon
HILDA
He just coughed and leaned over.
WALLY
Awful, Mama, so awful for you.
Hilda
Thank God you were close by.
WALLY
Yes, I was supposed to be out of town.
HILDA
God works in mysterious ways.
WALLY
I parked where they sell flowers. I hope I don't get a
ticket. The guard said I could park there.
HILDA
Thought the ambulance would never get here.
WALLY
Damn rain, rain, rain. I followed as closely as I could but
they went through a red light and I had to stop. Cars kept
pushing in.
HILDA
All these years, diabetes.
WALLY
What is it, his heart?
HILDA
It's not his diabetes. It's his heart. Could you hear him?
Wally?
Still Life With Red Balloon p3
WALLY
When?
HILDA
As they were carrying him out of the house.
WALLY
It was raining. He was talking?
HILDA
Yes, and in the ambulance. I tried but I couldn't hear.
Just sweat, all sweat, like he was soaked.
WALLY
He's asleep. You think?
HILDA
GOD. I don't know. I DON'T KNOW!
WALLY
Mama, Mama.
HILDA
At least I have you.
WALLY
What do they say, is it fatal? Will he die?
HILDA
Aneurysm. They tried to show me, with the balloon.
WALLY
How?

[end of extract]