BUT IS IT JUST A DREAM?
SCENE ONE: The Lounge Room
CIANE is sitting in front of the television. She is holding a bowl full of popcorn and she is chewing intently. AMANDA, MARK and LAUREN enter.
MARK Ciane, get up off your arse! When your mother and I come home from picking up your younger sister, we expect you to have dinner prepared!
Did you hear me young lady?
He storms over and snatches CIANE’S popcorn, LAUREN sits on the couch to watch TV
CIANE Dad you didn’t tell me that I had to cook dinner.
AMANDA Ciane, your father and I work very hard all day and this is how you repay us! By watching meaningless television shows! You are very selfish my girl!
CIANE Mum, you and dad aren't the only ones who work all day you know. I am at school all day and that constitutes work as well!
MARK (To Amanda nibbling popcorn) Why does she always answer us back?
AMANDA Ciane I have had quite enough of your attitude for this evening. You can go to go to your room!
CIANE Fine!
CIANE exits the stage and appears in her room (another spotlight)
MARK What did we do to make her so disobedient? Whatever happened to children respecting their parents I might ask? In our day an outburst like that would have resulted in a think ear or a damned good hiding.
AMANDA Hmmmmm!!!! Well those days are gone for good I’m afraid dear. I have no idea why she behaves like that Mark, but with the way she carries on it’s as if she isn’t apart of this family any more. It’s like she’s somewhere else entirely.
MARK Well - If she is somewhere else entirely she had better make sure she is home at a reasonable hour. She knows that 11 o’clock is curfew.
CIANE overhears all that her parents are saying and she hurls her pillows across her room. The spotlight where her parents were talking blackens.
SCENE TWO: Ciane’s Room
CIANE I cannot believe them! I did nothing wrong. They never told me that I had to prepare dinner. Why do they always take out their weariness on me? Like, I don’t get tired too? Maybe if I wasn‘t around to be their sounding board they might appreciate me a little more - and not just appreciate me - respect me and my space!(Pause) I know....I'll run away! I’ll give them the freeedom they seem to crave by having a little freedom from them myself. It’s not like they’ll miss me! Well perhaps they will........but only when they realise they have no scapegoat to kick around.
CIANE grabs her backpack and starts stuffing it with clothes. She takes all of her money out of her piggy bank and stuffs it inside her pockets. She walks over to a picture of her family on the desk.
Seeing as though you don't want me I'll leave! I’m sure I can manage better by myself anyway....you guys seem to be able to manage well enough without my arse to kick constantly.
CIANE grabs her bag and walks over to the window. She hesitates as she has one last look at her bedroom and then she climbs out.
SCENE THREE: Ciane’s Room
AMANDA and MARK are hesitating to go into their daughters room.
MARK What if she still answers back? Perhaps we should just leave her there to teach her a lesson or two!
AMANDA No! That girl needs a good talking to. If she doesn’t see reason then....well then she can just stay up here for the rest of the night....without her dinner!
They enter CIANE’S room
MARK Ciane your mother and I have agreed to forgive you and....we’ve decided...
AMANDA Mark where is she?
MARK Well...She’s hiding of course! (Starts looking around the room) Ciane you silly girl come out so we can talk. Your a little old for hide and seek....and besides you always cheat...
AMANDA Why isn’t she coming out?
MARK I don’t know! But I'm sure there is a logical explanation! Perhaps she has simply forgotten where she has hidden herself.
AMANDA (Points) The windows open! Ciane never opens her window. Even on hot nights she keeps it closed.
MARK Well what’s wrong with that may I ask? I happen to like the windows closed too. Your the one who is always going on about fresh air and room to breathe.
AMANDA She’s not here! And I like to breathe thank you very much!
AMANDA runs to her daughters drawers.
AMANDA Most of her clothes are gone! And her piggy bank has been emptied. There was over a hundred dollars in it yesterday.....I remember counting it while I was tidying her room.
MARK Well clothes do get dirty....They are most likely in the wash dear. And where did she get a hundred bucks from? You call this room tidy?
AMANDA Mark I think she has run away!
MARK Why that is quite absurd she wouldn’t leave. This is home...she gets it very easy here.
AMANDA (Picks up the piggy bank) She has run away.......she’s gone Mark!
MARK What?? You mean........well don't just stand there call the police!
AMANDA starts to sob and she stands still MARK shakes her
God damn you woman our daughter has....She has...Runaway!
Both of them cry in each others arms
SCENE FOUR: An Alleyway
CIANE is walking down the street with her arms crossed, a woman is leaning against a wall
BROOKE Are you lost or something?
CIANE No! Of course I'm not lost! I know exactly where I am.
BROOKE You look lost to me....This isn’t a nice place to be lost in you know. There’s lots of strange people around here at night!
CIANE I can handle it! I can be strange myself...or so I’m told often enough.
BROOKE Oh I bet you can......handle it I mean! (Laughs)
CIANE (Nervously) What’s so funny?
BROOKE I was lost once you know! Down that way (points) Don't think of going down there. Most never return. I did...but then again....I’m not most. (She crouches down low) Awful things happen down there! Terrible things!
CIANE What are you talking about?
BROOKE (Puts her finger to her lips) Shoosh.....That’s where I was found down there! All the way down there (Laughs)
CIANE Look! You’re not making sense! Are you okay?
BROOKE I am fine...never better! Do you want me to help you find your way? I can help you find whatever you are looking for. Anything.(Looks up and starts to sing) Our little girl is lost, our little girl is lost..........
BROOKE gets up and reaches for CIANE, CIANE runs
Hey? You’re going the wrong way....Yep! That’s the wrong way alright! (Laughs and she crouches down again) That's the wrong way..
SCENE FIVE: A Street
CIANE stops running and pants. she notices a friendly looking guy he is wearing a hat.
CIANE Hey? Excuse me? Will you be able to point me in the direction of a nice motel or something?
CARL Anything for lady. Anything for you as well....little lady. (Takes off his hat and bows) My name’s Carl.
CIANE Ciane
CARL I haven't seen you around here before. Where are you from?
CIANE Elsewhere....or there abouts. I ran away from home, so I guess it doesn't matter where I'm from! What about you?
CARL (Smiles) You know...Around
CIANE Sounds like elsewhere to me. So where did you say that motel was, because I'm really sleepy?
CARL I didn’t! You know motels are scummy! Why don't you come back to my place....
CIANE Look I don’t think so..
CARL Okay baby just chill (He fumbles around with something inside his pocket) Do you want me to sell you some good stuff?
CIANE No! Thank you. (She begins to walk off)
CARL Hey where are you going?
CIANE Elsewhere! Anywhere! Anywhere that is that is away from you!
CIANE runs but the man doesn’t chase her
SCENE SIX: The Street
CIANE comes across two police officers, a man and a women. she attempts to talk to them but it’s like she doesn’t exist
CIANE Oh thank god! Excuse me would you be able to show me to a motel?
JOANNE Hey Frank? What’s the weather gonna be tomorrow?
FRANK I don’t know I don't watch the news or the weather for that matter.
CIANE Excuse me? Can you help me by any chance?
JOANNE Hey is the footy on tomorrow?
FRANK I don’t know! Hey! Is your name inscribed on your baton?
JOANNE I don’t know I guess so, why?
CIANE You’re being very rude!
FRANK I don’t know. It’s just kind of cool. But I think I picked up that new blokes baton by mistake - this one says Hickory.
JOANNE That’s kinda thick Frank....really thick!
FRANK Guess you’re right....he doesn’t look to bright anyway.
An old lady walks past and a mugger pushes her and grabs her bag. CIANE is shocked but the lady and the police officers ignore it
CIANE What’s wrong with you two? You’re supposed to be police officers!
JOANNA Wanna go and grab something to eat?
FRANK Spose so. Let’s get burgers! I like the buns...
JOANNA That’s why I asked you about the football......
They exit
CIANE What’s wrong with this place?
Enter SHELTER
SHELTER This place child? There’s nothing wrong with this place just your perceptions of it. This place is real....unlike your expectations!
CIANE And who pray tell are you?
SHELTER Shelter. My name is Shelter.
CIANE And what makes you think that you know it all Shelter?
SHELTER Ciane, I came here long ago seeking Freedom....and now I have found it! I know it all - because now I have it all. Thank you!
CIANE Thank me? For what? What I have I done? And what in the hell are you on about you strange woman?
SHELTER You came here searching for me...I came here searching for you! It’s simple! We have both found what we have been looking for. Now....now it is time to sleep! Now it is time to refresh and start anew. Sleep well Ciane....sweetdreams.......
She walks over and crawls up next to a garbage bin and sobs herself to sleep
CIANE She knows me! She knows my name! Why do I suddenly feel as if I know her?
Shelter?......Shelter?.....I need you........
SCENE SEVEN: The Family Lounge Room
CIANE is whimpering in her sleep and LAUREN is trying to wake her up
LAUREN Ciane wake up!
CIANE Leave me alone! (Realises she’s awake) Where am I?
LAUREN You’re at home silly you were asleep!
CIANE Where’s mum and dad?
LAUREN In the kitchen! Mum? Dad? Ciane’s awake!
The parents come rushing in
MARK We were wondering when you were going to wake up
AMANDA Ciane you know we expect dinner to be ready by the time we get home
CIANE Yeah mum I know I'm so sorry I promise I'll do it next time
MARK That’s my girl, now tell us what were you dreaming about?
CIANE Um...Just stuff it was kind of a nightmare! Can i go and have a shower?
AMANDA Of Course!
CIANE exits
MARK That’s our girl!
AMANDA Yes we have wonderful children!
SCENE EIGHT: The Bathroom
CIANE enters and takes of her jumper and she hears giggling
CIANE Who’s there?
BROOKE appears
BROOKE I told you that you were going the wrong way! Oh!....and Shelter says to say.....Welcome Home....Welcome Freedom!
CIANE screams
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
