Radio Drama Script
Below is my first attempt at writing a radio drama. I really
enjoyed the experience and can see myself writing many more in the near
future. This specific one is called: "Breakfasts Will Happen". It zooms in on a father and his daughter and their lives after their wife/mother has passed away.
Breakfasts Will Happen
by Nadia Moore
Story Outline:
A family of
three have breakfast everyday together. They pass the milk, the cereal, the
toast and the butter. They pass the keys to the two different cars, and they
share kisses and hugs before they depart. They don’t however share death. Lyle
and his daughter Rosie take the reins of the family and try to continue with
their new life working together. The whole story is situated in the family’s
home- and at the kitchen table where one member is now missing.
Character Sketches:
Rosie Oaks-
a 12 year old girl and the only child of Lyle and Angela Oaks. The period we
see through her eyes is when she is halfway through Grade 7 and the youngest of
her class. She was very close to her mother and struggles as much as Lyle to
get over the death of her mother. Lyle and Rosie try to make their way through
this difficult period while also dealing with ‘normal’ life and the teenage
years.
Lyle Oaks-
Lyle is a 36 year old man who worked as a manager at the local Spar. He had been
married to Angela Oaks for seven years and they had one child- Rosie Oaks.
Angela has recently died and this forms the catalyst of the story. Lyle lived
in this community all his life and he met his wife on a holiday to Cape Town.
He tries to pick up the pieces of his old life with his daughter Rosie after
the death of his wife. He tries to do all of this in the midst of trying to
remain the breadwinner of the family and the carer to Rosie.
Angela Oaks-
wife to Lyle Oaks and mother to Rosie Oaks. Angela worked part-time as a
secretary in an accounting firm in the town, but only half day. She was the
backbone to the family and saw to Rosie being taken to school on time, being
picked up and she made supper every night for the family. Rosie tells the story
of her mother’s death in a car accident and how her and Lyle tried to manage
without her.
Sarah Plett-
the sister of Lyle Oaks and aunty to Rosie. She is a stay at home mother who
has two sons and a husband of 15 years. She and Lyle are very close and we see
this through their conversations over the phone. She only makes a few
appearances in the play over Lyle and her frequent phone calls.
STEP OUTLINE OF: “Breakfasts Will Happen”
- Breakfast 1: Lyle Oaks walks into the kitchen and begins breakfast. We hear the sounds of the kettle, cups, stirring, the toaster, packets of bread etc as he prepares breakfast. Rosie Oaks his 12 year old daughter walks into the kitchen and greats her father and they eat in silence. We hear the sounds of eating and movement but no verbal communication. The silence and lack of communication indicate that there is a problem. The radio is constantly running in the background.
- Next day Lyle is on the phone to his sister Sarah Plett and he talks about how he misses his deceased wife Angela (monologue). He talks of how he is struggling with Rosie and how he didn’t see this life for himself. Rosie overhears the end of the conversation and they sit down awkwardly for breakfast- this time Lyle trying to make conversation and Rosie answering when spoken to. Their routine is still not smooth yet.
- Dialogue between Rosie and Lyle. This is the height of the tension between the two of them and we find that they don’t understand each other. Lyle is struggling with this new found tension and will fit in here of their fight before school.
- On the Saturday morning, Rosie hears Lyle’s alarm go off but Lyle does not switch it off. Rosie walks in to find her father crying into his blankets unable to leave his bed. Rosie sits comforts her father for the first time.
- On Sunday morning, Rosie invites her aunt, Sarah over with her two cousins for breakfast.
- A 36 year old Rosie looks back fondly on the many breakfasts that they shared and she ends of the story of Lyle and Rosie.
SCENE ONE:
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1
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FX
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KITCHEN SOUNDS: KETTLE BOILING, TEASPOONS MIXING COFFEE
AND SUGAR IN A MUG, THE RADIO RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND
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2
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) Rosie please make me some tea- thank you. We
need to be off in 20.
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3
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ROSIE
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Mmm...
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4
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LYLE
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(ON MIC) Hey Rosie... oh thanks for the tea.
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5
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ROSIE
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Sure... Um, dad, I need R30.
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6
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LYLE
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For what chop? And why don’t you sit down with me for
breakfast hey?
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7
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FX
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ROSIE WASHING DISHES
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8
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ROSIE
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I just need it dad.
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9
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LYLE
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Right. Um, ok. Here. Right...
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10
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ROSIE
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Thanks.
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11
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LYLE
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You know Rosie, we’re going to have to talk about this at
some point. I’m going to see someone about it next week, do you want me to
book you an appointment?
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12
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FX
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SOUND OF DISHES BEING WASHED AND (OFF MIC) DOG BARKING
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13
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LYLE
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Rosie? Ok... Right. We need to go in five. Don’t forget to
feed Puma before we leave.
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14
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FX
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RADIO FADES OUT, SILENCE FOR FOUR SECONDS
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SCENE
TWO
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1
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FX
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(OFF MIC) PHONE RINGS
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2
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FX
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(ON MIC) CHAIR PUSHES AND ROSIE WALKS TO RINGING PHONE.
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3
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FX
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(OFF MIC) LYLE ANSWERS THE PHONE
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4
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) Hey Sarah…. Ya, I’m ok. No, no, she’s still
asleep- I try and give her 15-minutes extra in the morning if I can. Ya, I
suppose I should have her up earlier hey… (GRADUAL INCREASE OF MIC VOLUME) I
am struggling slightly… I just find that I need a bit of space with her at
the moment. She’s just so... so, distant...
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5
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LYLE
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Ya Sarah, I know, I know… I tried
you know? I have to
work Sarah! I’ve never done this before, waking her in the
morning, wondering if I did something when she doesn’t talk to me and I think
she’s scared of me or she’s trying so hard to do her own thing but clearly
it’s not working. Youngsters man, messy little shits…*listens to sister
talk on the other end*
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6
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LYLE
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And when exactly was I meant to
learn how to do this
huh? I’m just over this shit now, honestly. Shit I’m over it!
*sighs* *listens to sister talk on the other end* Ya thanks
Sarah, ya, we’ll try make it to visit you this weekend. How are the
boys? *listens to sister talk on
the other end* Ya hey, Rosie gets on well with them… at least that part
is normal still. I think she needs that, the boys just treating her
normally…acting like Angela is still going to come in with her chocolate
brownies…*listens to sister talk on the other end* yeah I miss those brownies. *listens to
sister talk on the other end*
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7
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LYLE
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Ah Sarah... I don’t know if I can
do this anymore. I
wake in the morning expecting for
us to sit down and
eat like we used to but not even
an egg is boiled. I ask
Rosie to do something and she
takes her sweet time. I
don’t know if the teen years have
kicked in way too
early or she’s having serious
problems after her
mother’s car accident.
*listens to sister talk on the
other end* ya… mmm… ya
I know…
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8
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LYLE
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And then, like, I find that we
need each other so much
right now but then we miss each
other constantly.
*Listens
to sister on the phone* Ya, mm... like I find the
small
moments the most crushing you know?
The
small moments remind me of her. And
Rosie, she
has those hazel eyes and the
cheeks, and when she
laughs, those cheeks meet her
eyes… shit she looks just
like her mother. *Laughs while
listening to Sarah*
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9
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LYLE
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Ya hey... going to have to invest in a tracking device to
put in her bag when she hits the proper teen years next year... Sarah, you’re
going ot have to give her the talk about bleeding and what-not. Can’t do
that... ya Sarah I know, ag man give me a break... She asked for R30 yesterday, you think she
was buying pads? Shit things have changed.
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10
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ROSIE
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(SNEEZES)
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11
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LYLE
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(WHISPER) Shit, I think she heard us... have to go, ya ok
bye, love you too. Yes Sarah, bye... Rosie? Rosie you up? ... Breakfast in 10-
we need to get going.
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12
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FX
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RADIO TURNED ON AND LYLE PUTS THE KETTLE ON. (FADES OUT)
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SCENE
THREE
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1
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ROSIE
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Shit! Ah dammit man... (winces) ow ow ow...
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2
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) What? And don’t curse under my roof missy.
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3
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ROSIE
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(UNDER HER BREATH) Ah just jump off a bridge...
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4
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LYLE
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(ON MIC) Rosie, why are you not ready for school hey? I
need you to get ready and get going- we don’t have time for breakfast- just
grab something quick. Rosie? Rosie look at me!
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5
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ROSIE
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I’m bleeding dad! Give me a second?
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6
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LYLE
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Ah chop, how did you do that hey? And on the morning I
have the accountants coming in to the store.
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7
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ROSIE
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(SARCASTIC VOICE) Wow, that’s more important. So over it.
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8
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LYLE
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Here’s
a plaster, let me see? Come here... it’ll be fine,
just
rinse it and plaster it up. Ok, let’s start over,
morning
Chop, is there anything I can help you with- bit
of a
rush.
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9
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ROSIE
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It’s fine dad. I’ll go and get ready.
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10
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FX
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CHAIR PUSHED BACK
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11
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FX
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WALKING TO ROOM, OPEN DOOR
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12
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) Rosie! Hurry up!
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13
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ROSIE
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(ON MIC) COMING! I’m so over this... where is my HSS book?
Ah man, so screwed...
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14
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FX
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ROSIE CLOSES HER BEDROOM DOOR AND WALKS TO THE KITCHEN.
LYLE IS CURSING AT BEING LATE
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15
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LYLE
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Why is your hair not brushed down Rosie?
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16
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ROSIE
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I did. Mum liked my curls out, she said I shouldn’t brush
my fro out- be proud of it. I like it like this.
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17
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LYLE
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Rosie, can we not argue about this again. It looks fine,
yes, but the school doesn’t like it like that. You know this. Ah fuck, look
at the time! Shit, Rosie, don’t look at me like that, yes, I slip up too ok?
Honestly sometimes you are just something...keys! Where are they!
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18
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FX
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ROSIE WALKS OUT THE KITCHEN DOOR AND SLAMS IT SHUT
HEAR HER CRYING SOFTLY
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19
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) Rosie! Don’t you dare walk away from me like
that!
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20
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FX
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LYLE CLOSES THE KITCHEN DOOR, LOCKS IT. WALKS TO ROSIE WHO
IS SNIFFLING AND BREATHING HEAVILY
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21
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LYLE
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I’m just as tired as you Rosie! You don’t give me any
leeway to make mistakes. Just grow up for goodness sake! Enough with the
faces, the muttering under your breath... Just try and put yourself in my
shoes ok? Your mother died in a car accident while I was driving. It was not
my fault! I see her everyday in your face and still I get up and go on.
You’re just giving up and I’m sorry but it’s got to change.
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22
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FX
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OPENS CAR BOOT and CAR GOES OFF.
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23
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LYLE
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SHIT! (SWITCHES ALARM OFF, CLOSES BOOT) Honestly, can
anything go right this morning... Fuckit! Get in the car Rosie and just pull
it together! Enough you hear me? Enough!
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24
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FX
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CAR DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE. CAR STARTS AND PULLS OUT OF
DRIVEWAY
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SCENE FOUR
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1
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FX
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(OFF MIC) THE RADIO ALARM GOES OFF AND CONTINUES TO RING
IN THE BACKGROUND
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2
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ROSIE
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Wha?? (YAWNS).... Ah, man, dad...put your alarm off...
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3
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FX
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ROSIE GETS OUT OF BED, OPENS HER DOOR AND WALKS TO HER
FATHERS ROOM
SHE YAWNS AGAIN
SOUND OF THE ALARM GOES FROM SOFT TO LOUDER AS SHE GETS
CLOSER.
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4
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ROSIE
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Dad? Dad? Dad, put it off... it’s so loud...ag, which button
is it? Um... (ALARM STOPS). Dad what you making for breakfast it’s your
turn... Dad?
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5
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LYLE
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(Softly)...hey Rosie... I think I’m going to take today
off. Um... *sniffles quietly* can you catch the bus today?
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6
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ROSIE
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Daddy...
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7
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LYLE
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*Crying into blanket* It’s been six months today Rosie...
six months and she’s never coming back. I..I, I’m so tired all the time ... I
feel so responsible for her dying Chop... I feel like I did it... *cries*
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8
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ROSIE
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Daddy
it wasn’t you. His brakes failed... it wasn’t you...
I
don’t blame you dad, I just...just miss her. I want her
To
call me Chop one more time...
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9
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LYLE
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*Smiling* Chop... we’ll never know where she got that name
for you from... We can do this Chop ok? Together.
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10
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ROSIE
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Ok dad. Together...
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SCENE FIVE
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1
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FX
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THE RADIO FADES IN ANNOUNCING THAT IT IS SUNDAY MORNING.
(OFF MIC) THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR
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2
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) Who is it Rosie? It’s a Sunday and at this time?
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3
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ROSIE
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I’ll get it dad... (OPENS KITCHEN DOOR) Hey aunty, thanks
for coming, ok set up quickly, I’ll go and get him. Hey Luke, hey Roger,
howsit cuz? Be back now...
Dad? Daaad? Where you?
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4
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LYLE
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(OFF MIC) Who is it Rosie?
(MIC LEVELS INCREASING) Rosie I’m here...
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5
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ROSIE
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Dad, (KNOCKS ON THE DOOR) can I come in?
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6
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LYLE
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Mmmm...
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7
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ROSIE
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Dad, Aunty is here with Luke and Roger. I asked them to
come today. Yesterday was mummy’s six months not being here with us. It was
nice that we were together, but today I thought that we need aunty and the
boys here. I asked aunty to come and have breakfast with us- maybe we can
make some new things that are special for just us two?
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8
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LYLE
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.... Rosie,
I guess whether we like it or not, breakfasts everywhere
will
happen. And I guess everywhere people lose people they love
and they
move on. Like today Chop... you chose to move on for the
both
of us. Yesterday was...was a low point for me Chop, but you
were
quite strong. It was so hard to look at you yesterday Chop...
especially
when your eyebrows met in the exact same place your
mothers
used to when she was worried. But you
know what Chop?
That’s
ok. You’re like your mother in so many ways and I’m so
grateful
to have you after this all. We’ve got quite a hectic time
coming
up for the both of us Rosie, but we’ll do ok hey? Ya Chop...
We’ll do just ok.
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9
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ROSIE
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Ok dad... you’re going to make me cry- that’s not cool dad
(laughs). I saw this recipe mom had- her pancake recipe. I thought we could
maybe add fruit to it?
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10
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SARAH
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Knock Knock! Hey what’s taking so long in here? Hey bro,
listen, if you don’t hurry up, no pancakes for you... hey you guys ok?
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11
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ROSIE
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We’re good aunty...
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12
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LYLE
|
Hey Seh... nice to see you. Now Rosie was telling me about
some amazing recipe she saw of Angela’s? And to add to this occasion, I won’t
even shower before breakfast!
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13
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ROSIE
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Eeeww dad! (Laughs)
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14
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SARAH
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Good think I brought spray and cook! I’ll spray you then
cook the food (laughter)
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15
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ROSIE, SARAH and LYLE
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(Laughter) (Laughter fades out)
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SCENE SIX
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1
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36 YR OLD ROSIE
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My father and I had many more breakfasts like that one
with aunty and the boys after that. Our specific favourite was to have
breakfast for supper. He would fry the bacon, crack open eggs and fry them up
too. Making us a pot of coffee became my speciality. I always thought the
coffee tasted different but amazing of course, and I caught my old man one
day putting in a lid of vanilla. That lid of vanilla would make all the
difference. I would like to think that the vanilla was an extra dash of love
added to an already overflowing pot of abundance. We got through many
breakfasts without my mother and we did it together. We did it with an
abundance of love...
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