A Romantic Comedy Sketch for Two Actors About Childhood Memories, Love and Second Chances
He is already there. She enters.
Her – Do you recognise me?
Him – No… Should I?
Her – Mary!
Him – Mary… Do we know each other?
Her – We were in nursery school together.
Him – Nursery school?
Her – I think you even had a little crush on me.
Him – Oh, that’s…
Her – You don’t remember?
Him – No… Then again, nursery school’s a long time ago. But how can you recognise me after all this time? Don’t tell me I haven’t changed…
Her – Well yes, of course, we’ve both changed a lot.
Him – Then how…? If we haven’t seen each other since nursery…
Her – Ah, but I have seen you since. Not every day. Just now and then. But I have seen you.
Him – What do you mean?
Her – I used to live just across the road. Still do. When my parents passed away about ten years ago, I kept the house. And you… looks like you’ve moved back in with your parents too…
Him – Yes, well… I haven’t been back very long.
Her – Three months.
Him – Roughly, yes.
Her – But you used to visit them regularly. So… I’d catch sight of you from time to time.
Him – And you’re only speaking to me now?
Her – I didn’t dare… I didn’t want to bother you.
Him – So why today?
Her – I don’t know… I got divorced six months ago…
Him – Right…
Her – And you?
Him – Three months ago… (Pause) Did you know?
Her – Yes.
Him – You knew my wife?
Her – I’d seen her around.
Him – Seen her around?
Her – We were at school together.
Him – I see.
Her – It’s a small town.
Him – Yes.
Her – I imagine it’s a bit of a shock.
Him – You mean… the divorce?
Her – Seeing me again. After all these years.
Him – Oh right… Mary…
A moment of awkward silence. They’re not sure what to say next.
Her – Close your eyes.
Him – Sorry?
Her – Close your eyes, and listen to my voice.
He closes his eyes.
Him – OK…
She leans in and whispers in his ear, in a voice meant to be enchanting.
Her – Mary. Mary Durant. We were in Reception class together. I wore a red coat, a duffle coat. I had pigtails. And one day, during break time… (She kisses him gently on the lips.) You kissed me. On the mouth. You really don’t remember?
Him (visibly moved) – Mary… Oh yes, maybe…
He opens his eyes again.
Her – Of course, seeing me again like this… after so many years… I know I’ve changed a lot.
Him – Well yes, naturally.
Her – But I’ve seen you grow up…
Him – Yes. And even age a little. So of course… It doesn’t come as such a shock.
Pause.
Her – Maybe we could see each other again…
Him – If you live across the road… I’m sure we will.
Her – All right then… I’ll head off.
She turns to go.
Him – Is it true, that story?
Her – What story?
Him – That we were in nursery school together… and all the rest.
Her – What do you think?
Him – I don’t know…
Her – What would you rather believe?
Him – It’s a beautiful story.
Her – Then let’s say it’s true…
She walks away.
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A sketch from the collection Blackouts
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