Fracture

1 2 3

Mother Kayla Jacinta Shani

Father John Nick Nick

Maggie Georgia Nina Madison

Jess Jade Nikki Paige

Avery Campbell Lachlan Ethan

Portia Sam Ashleigh Red

Phoebe India Kathryn Nina

1

Father sits at the table. Laptop open, absorbed by the screen. Little Boxes plays. He sings along. Mother enters, hovers.

Mother How was your day?

Father Yeah, good. Yours?

Mother All right. I have to go back, just for a couple of hours. After dinner.

Father I don’t know if there’s petrol in the car.

Mother Jane’s picking me up.

Father Right.

Mother Are you all right?

Father I’m fine.

Mother It’s just…

Father What?

Mother It doesn’t matter.

Father Okay.

The mother sits. Says nothing. Father ignores her.

Mother Jane asked about the house again today.

Father Right.

Mother She thinks they should book it soon. New Year’s already full up, and a lot of people are taking their holidays later, so, you know.

No response, but Father is growing more tense.

Mother I can save some of my money, from the extra shifts… I don’t think they’d mind if we didn’t stay the whole time. I thought maybe a week, and if we took the car, we could -

Father You’re not being fair.

Mother What?

Father You can’t keep asking.

Mother I’d been thinking that maybe –

Father Don’t look at me like that.

Mother Like what?

2

Father Like I’m doing this to hurt you. I’m not doing this to hurt you.

Mother I know.

Father It’s going to take another year after she’s left, and then it’s back to how it was. Okay? One more year.

Mother I’m not a child.

Father It’s what we both decided.

Mother Forget it. I’ll tell her that -

Father You’re doing it.

Mother What?

Father Looking like I’ve asked you to strangle a puppy.

Mother I’m sorry if I feel sad. I can’t help that. Do you want me to pretend?

Father Sometimes, yes.

Mother I just feel like we need a holiday.

Father I know. So do I. Come here.

They stand, hold one another.

Father Not today, eh. Today’s special.

Mother But what if –

Father That’s not going to happen.

Mother That’s the door.

The parents move apart and turn to face the newcomer. Their daughter, Maggie, enters the room, walking towards the fridge. She notices her parents looking at her, and turns to face them.

Father Hello darling. How was your day?

Maggie Good.

Mother There’s a letter come for you.

Maggie Okay.

Mother It’s from the university.

Father I think it’s about the scholarship.

Mother Of course it’s about the scholarship.

3

Maggie I know. Phoebe and Portia already got theirs.

Mother Did they get it?

Maggie Phoebe did, Portia didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. They’re loaded.

Mother When did you –

Father Stop asking her questions so she can open it.

Mother Are you going to open it?

Father Are you going to open it?

Mother Of course she’s going to open it.

Maggie I’d like a bit of privacy, please.

Both parents take a step back.

Maggie Okay, that’s not really enough.

Mother Would you like us to leave the room?

Maggie Yes.

They can hardly bear to pull themselves away from the magical envelope, but reluctantly back out of the room. Maggie pauses, walks to a chair and sits. She takes a deep breath and rips open the envelope. She reads. Her expression is neutral. If anything, it registers a hint of disappointment.

A knock at the door. The mother’s head appears.

Mother Can we come back in?

Maggie Envelope opened, fate sealed.

Maggie’s parents enter, eagerly attempting to read their daughter’s expression.

Father Well then?

Mother Can’t you see?

Father Oh. He moves forward to offer comfort. Well I think, they must be out of –

Maggie I got it. I got the scholarship. I’m going to med school.

She manages a smile. We detect how compromised it is, but the parents are too delighted to notice. They embrace her, one from either side, all but speechless.

Mother That is just, that is just so wonderful.

Father Darling, I can not tell you how proud of you I am.

4

Mother Actually, we have a little surprise for you. We’ve organised a dinner. Just the family. And Phoebe and Portia. I’ve invited them as well. I hope you don’t mind. It’s just, they’ve been such a support for you haven’t they. Oh, is that insensitive of me. With Portia having missed –

Maggie Portia couldn’t care less. Her family seriously have more money than they know what to do with.

Mother Oh, that’s a relief.

Maggie To them I’m sure.

Mother No, I meant –

Maggie Are you cooking?

Father Maggie, she’s been planning it all for weeks. Don’t go –

Maggie And if I hadn’t have got it?

Mother We knew you would.

Father And there’d still be the whole year to celebrate. It’s not just about this. It’s about, well everything. Honestly darling, we couldn’t be more proud of you.

The Father’s phone rings. He answers.

Father Williams… Hello darling… You are where?... I am not freaking out. But I am going to ask you… Well, do I need to talk to them? Is there somebody there who needs to talk to me before… Am I going to have to bring money with me?.... Well I’m sorry if I’m not familiar with police procedure, I’ve never actually been arrested… Yes, okay, I will be there. I will be there in twenty minutes. Do you think you can avoid doing anything else stupid until then?

He hangs up, furious.

Mother Is it Jess?

Father Of course it’s Jess.

Mother What has she –

Father Of all the nights.

Mother What is it? What’s she done?

Father She’s done this deliberately. She knew what tonight meant to us as a family, and so she’s had to go and deliberately –

Maggie That’s not how she thinks.

Father Oh, so she thinks does she? Well that’s a relief to hear, I must say.

5

Mother What has she done?

Father Possession of cannabis.

Maggie Why would you arrest someone just for possession of –

Mother She hasn’t been arrested darling, it’s just –

Father As far as I can tell it’s just a warning. They were in a car, parked on the side of the road, a police car went past, I think perhaps one of them might have shouted something.

Maggie How stupid do you have to –

Mother I’ll come with you. What are you looking for? The keys are just there.

Father My credit card. I need to get petrol.

Mother Your other card’s in the –

Father My other card doesn’t have any money on it. You can not buy petrol when you don’t have any fucking money… I’m sorry. And sweetheart, I’m sorry too. This is fabulous news, about the scholarship. It’s just so, so truly incredible.

Mother We need to go.

Father No, you stay here. Get the dinner on. We’re not going to let this ruin our evening. I’m not going to give her that.

Mother Don’t shout at her.

Father I shall try my best.

Father exits.

Mother Calling after him. Even if it means saying nothing at all, that would be better.

Mother moves to Maggie, takes the scholarship letter, reads it, hugs her.

Maggie Can I help you with dinner?

Mother No, you just sit down over there.

Maggie What is it?

Mother I’m doing slow cooked lamb. Five hours in the oven and it just falls off the bone. That’s what the recipe book said, anyway.

Maggie It’s already four o’clock.

Mother We’ll stay up late. It’s a celebration.

Maggie Dad’ll fall asleep at the table.

6

Mother After Jess’ little stunt, I’m not sure he’ll sleep at all tonight. You can peel the garlic for me.

The two set about the food prep: Maggie peeling garlic and washing and cutting rosemary, the mother preparing finger food.

Mother Do you think she really does it?

Maggie Who?

Mother Jess. Do you think she really does it just to annoy us?

Maggie You’d have to ask her.

Mother We brought you both up exactly the same, you know. And you’ve never sat in a car smoking cannabis and shouting at policeman.

Maggie Well, I’ve never been caught.

Mother Don’t even joke about it.

Maggie You shouldn’t say that, you know.

Mother Say what?

Maggie That you brought us both up the same way. It isn’t true. It’s never true.

Mother We loved you both the same.

Maggie I know.

As they work on the food, it is clear Maggie’s mother has something she wants to say, but she has trouble getting started.

Mother I once thought about being a doctor.

Maggie Really?

Mother I know. It seems ridiculous, doesn’t it? I wasn’t like you, I wasn’t clever, but I worked hard. Maybe that mattered more then. Back then, it seemed like you could make it just by working hard.

Maggie So why didn’t you?

Mother I did. I worked very hard. But then, at university, I met a young man, and he was full of life and fun and, well of not working hard. I’d never had anyone give me that much attention before, and it’s easy to believe, and when something like that changes, it’s easy to believe it will stay changed forever. It’s easy to make believe. But then, as soon as he heard I was pregnant, he was gone.

7

The Mother pauses. It is clear Maggie has never heard this story before.

Maggie Please tell me you don’t mean that my father is not…

Mother No, no, it wasn’t you. God, I’m making a mess of this. I knew I would.

Maggie You sure you want to -

Mother I couldn’t go through with it. It wasn’t… I just couldn’t, is all.

Maggie You don’t have to tell me this.

Mother I want to… There were protestors, outside the clinic. I’d been warned to expect them, but nothing prepares you for the hatred. There was a man, with little round glasses and a shiny head - I remember a long strand of hair flapping about in the wind. He stepped right forward, holding a placard, and I didn’t think he was going to let me past. Your father was out running, getting fit for the rugby season. He didn’t even realise it was an abortion clinic. You know how he is with details. But he saw the man blocking my way, and how it was upsetting me. So he stopped and punched him in the nose. He broke the man’s glasses. Then he ran off. Later the police identified him and he was fined $150. I felt it was only right I paid. I went to his flat, to give him the money and say thank you, and of course by then he knew the whole story, of the protestors and why they were there. So, it was an unusual way to meet your future husband, I suppose. But the thing is, he never once judged me, or even asked me about it. Your father is loyal, you see. And I’m glad of that.

Maggie Shall I put the meat in?

Mother Is the light still on? Okay, pop it in.

Maggie I don’t really understand.

Mother What?

Maggie Why you didn’t become a doctor.

Mother Your father got a job on the boats, working out of Nelson. I moved there. It was easier. I didn’t regret it. I’ve never regretted a moment. And now, look at you, completing the cycle.

Maggie Just so long as I don’t get pregnant.

Mother It’s not funny.

Maggie I know.

Mother shows Maggie the bowl she’s been mixing.

Mother I don’t think this is right, do you?

Maggie Just needs a bit more milk. Use a whisk, it’ll get rid of the lumps.

8

LIGHTS DOWN.

LIGHTS UP. Same scene. Enter Father, with Jess in tow. A step behind, and looking slightly awkward and out of place, is Avery. He carries a large backpack.

Father Sit there young lady.

Jess Why should I?

Father Because it’s what I’m telling you to do, and the sooner you learn to do a little of what people tell you, the better for all of us.

Jess The better for you, you mean.

Mother Who’s this?

Father Um…

Avery Avery.

He steps forward and offers his hand.

Father Found him on the side of the road. His ferry’s been cancelled. He didn’t have anywhere to stay.

Mother Oh, so he’s…

Father He doesn’t mind sleeping on the couch.

Avery If it’s any bother, I can easily…

Mother No, no of course not. No bother at all. You’re most welcome.

Father Perhaps you’d like to clean yourself up. I’ll show you where the shower is. Let me find you a towel.

Mother I’ll get some clean sheets together. Maggie dear, can you just watch the stove for me?

Father And talk to your sister, while you’re at it.

Maggie Me?

Father She might listen to you… You could congratulate her, you know. On the scholarship.

Jess Congratulations.

Maggie Thank you.

Father leads Avery off-stage. Mother follows.

Silence. Maggie remains standing.

9

Jess So?

Maggie Interesting day.

Jess Yeah.

Silence.

Maggie Did you know Mum once had an abortion?

Jess Apart from you, you mean?

Maggie You won’t to be careful with that mouth, it’ll get you arrested.

Jess I didn’t call out.

Maggie Who did?

Jess Adrian. He’s not real smart. When?

Maggie When what?

Jess The abortion.

Maggie Before she met Dad. At university.

Jess I didn’t know she went to university.

Maggie No, neither… You all right?

Jess Do you care?

Maggie I try to. You don’t make it easy.

Jess Let’s not talk.

Maggie There you go. We can always agree on the things that matter.

The silence stretches.

Maggie So what happened?

Jess Nothing.

Maggie Okay.

Jess We were sitting in Adrian’s car, parked up, causing nobody any problems, a patrol car stops, reverses, they get out and take us down to the station for no reason.

Maggie So the cannabis was planted?

Jess They didn’t have to stop.

Maggie Well no, clearly it’s going to be their fault.

10

Jess We weren’t even charged.

Maggie They worry you know.

Jess What, that I won’t be a doctor? See, wouldn’t it be more of a worry to a parent if their perfect daughter, who never did anything to displease or fucking disappoint, after sucking her parents dry of every last, self-serving cent, and having won the scholarship that might finally relieve them of their impossible burden, should then decide she doesn’t want to be a doctor after all? I should think that would be more of a worry, wouldn’t you say, my sister dear?

Maggie That’s shit.

Jess Yes it is. That’s exactly what it is.

Maggie I’m going to accept.

Jess Okay.

Maggie You just worry about your own screwed up little life.

Jess It’s all I do. Sit here and worry. While you glide high above the shit of the mere mortals, serene in the knowledge that you are the chosen one.

Maggie You should be a poet.

Jess Perhaps I will. Do they offer scholarships?

Maggie It’s not all about being happy, you know.

Jess No? So what else is it about? Why don’t you tell me?

Maggie Right now I’m busy getting dinner.

Jess Oh, I forgot. The celebration. Did I congratulate you?

Maggie Yes you did. I was overwhelmed by the sincerity.

Jess Fake it till you make it. Works for you, right?

Maggie There’s such a thing as planning ahead, thinking of the long run.

Jess In the long run, we shall all be dead. Who said that? John Maynard Keynes. Look him up.

Maggie Just for one night, could you behave like a human being? Is that so much to ask?

Jess For you darling, anything. Hello, what do we have here?

Avery has arrived back on the scene, wearing a towel.

Avery Sorry, just need to get a new shirt.

11

Mother enters, is instantly flustered.

Mother Oh, gosh. Um, can I get you anything else Avery? A hot drink perhaps? It must have been cold out there tonight.

Avery No, I’m fine thanks.

Jess Yes you are.

Maggie You have got to be joking.

Jess moves to the nearby couch and watches as Avery rummages through his pack for his clothes, then proceeds to dress in front of them. Mother and Maggie busy themselves in the kitchen.

Jess So, where were you hitching to?

Avery I was meant to get the ferry.

Jess And then?

Avery Thought I’d make my way round the South Island. I’ve never been there. Grew up in Auckland, so you know, everywhere else always seems a long way away.

Jess How long for?

Avery I have to be in Dunedin by the beginning of March.

Jess Are you studying?

Avery Nah. Got a mate who is though. Med School.

Mother Calling out from the kitchen. Maggie’s just won a scholarship for Med school.

Avery Is that right? Congratulations.

Avery now sits next to Jess. Her conversation with him turns conspiratorial.

Jess So why do you have to be in Dunedin?

Avery It’s a rescue mission.

Jess Tell me more.

Avery Louis, that’s my mate, promised me in Year 12 that at the end of school him and me would take a year off and go travelling. Then his parents took him out of the school, to get away from bad influences, and he went to Kings for a year and learned to dream of the professional life. So, I thought, before I leave the country, I ought to call into his hostel, look him in the eye, and remind him of the promise he made.

Jess You think he might change his mind?

Avery Nah. They cut your balls off when they give out the stripey blazers. I just want him to have to remember it for the rest of his life: me standing in front of him with my pack

12

on my back and adventure before me. I like to think that once in a while he’s going to stop and wonder what it was he missed out on.

Jess Can I pinch you?

Avery Sorry?

Jess To see if you’re real. You were actually waiting there on the side of the road, right? You’re not some sort of cosmic joke being played on my family.

Avery No, as far as I know I’m not a cosmic joke.

Jess But you are perfect. Right here, right now, in this family, on this particular night, you are perfect.

She sees her father come back into the room.

Jess Dad, guess what Avery was doing, when you picked him up. He was on his way to Dunedin to convince his friend not to go to med school? Isn’t that such a coincidence.

Father Why would you want to do that, son?

Avery He’s not into it. He’s only doing it to please his parents.

Father And I suppose you don’t believe in pleasing your parents?

Avery It’s not my life’s work.

Father Come with me for a moment. I need you to hold the end of something while I saw it.

Jess What are you sawing?

Father It doesn’t matter. Not you Jess. You’ve done enough damage for one night.

Father exits, followed by Avery.

Lights up in the next room, where a long plank of wood lies on the floor.

Father Okay, just pick that length up and put it across here.

Avery What are you making?

Father This will work better if you don’t ask questions.

Avery Fair enough.

Father passes him a builders’ measuring tape.

Father Just mark off 475 for me.

Avery 475 what?

13

Father Kilometeres per hour. What do you think?

Avery I don’t know. That’s why I asked.

Father Millimetres. What the hell else could it be?

Avery Centimetres?

Father Look at that piece of wood. Does it look like it’s 475cm to you?

Avery I don’t know. Maybe. He measures. About here.

Father About?

Avery Near enough.

Father Have you ever built anything, Avery?

Avery Not really.

Father Well I built that shed out there; you see it?

Avery Very nice.

Father When the girls were little, I built them a tree house. And I suppose you could say I built this family. And here’s something building has taught me – there are no prizes for near enough. Do you understand me?

Avery Sure.

Father So this is the mark?

Avery Where my finger is.

The Father marks it, and passes Avery the saw.

Father Cut it across there for me.

Avery You’ll probably get a better result if you do it yourself.

Father I don’t doubt that.

Avery shrugs, begins to saw, hesitantly at first, while Father watches on.

Father Don’t push it, son, it’s about the rhythm. It’s not a race.

Avery is no natural when it comes to carpentry. Father stalks, watches, leans forward and whispers his threat.

Father This is a very special night for us, and I’ll not have an outsider come in here and undermine that. She’s worked hard for what she has today, harder than you can imagine. And now she has a future. I’m sorry, did I say something funny?

14

Avery No, not at all.

Father Then you want to get rid of that smirk, don’t you? Because it makes you look amused, or simple, and I don’t think you want to look either of those things right now, do you?

Avery Suppose not.

Father Look at you, man, you can’t even saw a piece of wood.

Mother pops her head around the corner. She holds a glass of wine.

Mother How’s it all going in here? Frank, you might want to think about changing. The girls will be here soon. Avery, I can get you a drink? There’s juice, or a beer if you prefer.

Avery Wine would be good.

Father Jesus.

Mother Oh, right. Good. You have this one if you like. It’s all right, I haven’t started it.

She hovers while he takes a sip.

Mother It’s a pinot gris. Might be a touch sweet – if you prefer dry I think –

Avery I’m fine with sweetness.

Father watches, appalled on so many levels.

Father Okay, can we get back to the sawing? I don’t want to be here all night.

Avery Oh, where are you going?

Father In this room I mean. I don’t want to be in this room all night.

Avery Okay, you hold this then, and I’ll get it finished.

Mother exits. Father stands, awkwardly holding the wine. Avery returns to the task of sawing. Lights down.

Lights up on Maggie and Mother at the kitchen bench, arranging cream cheese, smoked salmon and capers on the mini-pikelets she’s made. Jess remains on the couch, lost in her phone.

Maggie What are you doing?

Mother Putting the capers on. I just asked you. You said they’d be –

Maggie Not like that. They look two little eyes, staring at you.

Mother That’s what they’re meant to look like. See, it’s a fish. Made of fish, and looks like a fish. Presentation can make all the difference.

Maggie Oh my God.

15

Mother What?

Maggie It looks like a failed kindergarten arts and craft morning.

Mother Well I’m sorry, we didn’t all go to private schools. What are you doing?

Maggie I’m changing it.

Mother No you’re not. These are my last precious weeks of being able to embarrass you on a regular basis. Pass me some fennel, I’ll give it a tail.

Maggie Perhaps we should serve them floating in a bowl of water, so it looks like they’re swimming.

Mother I was thinking of doing a belly dancing display later. It’s a while since I’ve worn that costume. How would that be, do you think?

Maggie You’re not funny.

Mother In my head I am. I’m going to take you shopping tomorrow, buy you a coat. In Dunedin, you’ll need a good coat.

Jess I’d like a new coat.

Mother When you finish high school, I’ll buy you a coat too.

Jess That might be sooner than you think.

Knock at the door and Phoebe and Portia enter, armed with bottles of wine and flowers.

Mother Hello girls, come in.

Hugs all round.

Portia Sorry we’re early, we were already in town and it wasn’t worth going home first.

Mother Congratulations on your news, Phoebe. We’re very excited for you. And Portia, I’m sorry you missed out.

Portia Me and thousands of others.

Mother I’m sure it was close.

Portia I’m sure it wasn’t. Oh, look, you’ve made little fish.

Mother Maggie doesn’t approve.

Portia No, it’s a character flaw isn’t it? We’ll try to beat that out of her down south. Hello Jess, how are you?

Jess Very well, thank you.

Portia I heard you’d been arrested.

16

Mother How did you hear that?

Portia Have you heard of social media, Mrs C?

Mother Yes I have. But I’m not sure I approve.

Portia puts her arm around Maggie’s mother, holds up a salmon pikelets, and takes a selfie.

Maggie Post that, and I will kill you.

Mother Girls, have a seat. Dinner’s going to be a little while, but there’s plenty to snack on in the mean time.

Portia Could we have glass or two, please Mrs C?

Jess Three.

Mother There’s no need for you to be drinking young lady.

Jess Oh, there really is.

Mother Your father can decide.

Jess You know that’s the same as saying no, right?

Mother I’m relying on it.

Jess So why not just say no yourself?

Mother Fine. No, you can’t have a drink.

Jess Why not?

Mother You shouldn’t mix your drugs.

Portia Good call.

Jess So, can I smoke a joint?

Mother Come and help me with the hors d’oeuvres.

The three friends move to chairs in front of the kitchen bench. Portia pours the drinks, sneaking one to Jess who downs it in a single gulp before moving back to help her mother.

Phoebe raises her glass in a toast.

Phoebe To med school.

Portia To med school.

Phoebe It still doesn’t seem real. Does it seem real to you?

17

Maggie Not yet.

Portia How could it not seem real? You’ve known since Year 9.

Maggie I didn’t think I’d get a scholarship.

Portia Of course you were going to get it.

Maggie There are like five in the entire country.

Phoebe And two of them in this room.

Portia I mean, no offence to other people, but how stupid must most of them be, if you two really are the best and brightest?

Phoebe About as stupid as you.

Portia I didn’t really try.

Phoebe Why would you?

Portia Have I ever told you about my recurring dream?

Phoebe Possibly. I don’t always listen.

Portia I’m at an airport, and my credit card’s declined, and they tell me I have to travel with the luggage. And then, at the other end, I come out on the carousel, totally naked, who knows why, and people all come and collect their bags, but no one collects me, and I just keep going round and round.

Phoebe And that’s your recurring dream?

Portia I’ve had it like twice. What do you think it means?

Phoebe That you’re frightened if anybody ever sees the true you, they won’t like you.

Maggie I think the airplane is a metaphor for your mother.

Portia Why?

Maggie Dreams are always about your mother. And you’ve run out of credit with her, and the thing you secretly fear is that she will expose you.

Portia It wasn’t the plane that exposed me, it was the whole air network.

Maggie Oh well, that’s God then.

Portia I don’t believe in God.

Maggie And the dream is his way of letting you know it pisses him off.

Portia I think it’s a warning, of what would happen, if I was ever poor. It’s why I’m going to med school.

18

Phoebe To avoid ending up naked at baggage collection?

Portia Pretty much.

Maggie Did you put that on your application form?

Portia But we never will be. We’ll never be poor. I only have to be nice to my parents for five more years, and then I’m on my own. Oh my God, I forgot. Dad’s bought us a house to live in. It is so beautiful. Up on Maori Hill, views out over the city. There’s a spa pool. I insisted. I explained I’ve always done my best study in the spa. Another toast, to never being poor.

Maggie How much is the rent?

Portia There’s one really small room. We’ll put you in that. It’ll be cheap.

Maggie Spa’s use a lot of electricity.

Portia It’s mostly renewable.

Phoebe She means the cost.

Portia You have to stop thinking about money all the time. You can’t let it rule your life. Here, look, this is the view from the front. So, that’s accommodation sorted. Next item on the agenda, love. When do I dump Felix? Now, or at the end of the holidays? Now would be simpler, but he’s good fun on road trips. He wants to do a beach circuit in January. Maybe that would be fairer.

Maggie How is that fair?

Portia Well, he gets a little longer with me, sort of as a reward, for all the effort he’s put in, over the year. He has tried very hard. Then again, I do like the summer relationship, where all you remember is the taste of sunscreen and sweat. We could take my car, just the three of us, and pick up hitch hikers. That’s another dream I have, actually, involving hitch hikers…

At this point Father enters, followed by Avery. Avery is holding his hand, as if it may be injured.

Father Hello girls. Do excuse us a moment, we just need to stem some bleeding.

Portia Happens to the best of us.

He fossicks in a drawer, produces a bandage, which Avery wraps around his hand.

Phoebe And who is this?

Father Speak up son, or do you find holding a conversation as difficult as holding a saw? Avery, his name’s Avery. Picked him up hitch hiking.

Portia Come and join us.

19

Portia moves over, leaving a small space on the couch between her and Phoebe. Jess catches Avery’s eye as he moves past. They share a look of contempt for the visitors. Jess nods to the wine bottle. Avery drains his glass, refills, and passes it quietly to Jess, before helping himself to a new glass. He sits.

Father sits in a side chair and opens his laptop. Jess takes a plate of snacks and a bowl of chips and passes them around, then sits behind Maggie, positioned so as to be able to share silent jokes with Avery.

Phoebe So, where are you from?

Avery Auckland.

Phoebe Where abouts?

Avery Grey Lynn.

Phoebe That’s where my hairdresser lives.

Avery You fly to Auckland for your haircuts?

Phoebe No, of course not. That would be ridiculous. She comes down here. Not just for me. She has a whole circuit.

Avery I didn’t know they didn’t have hairdressers in Wellington.

Phoebe I know. A city this size, you’d think it’d be much easier to get something decent. This would be a good moment to say you like my hair, by the way. I sort of left that open for you.

Avery Yeah, I noticed that.

Phoebe And?

Avery I make it a rule never to give compliments on demand.

Portia We’re going to med school. All three of us.

Avery Another excellent reason not to get sick.

Portia What is your problem?

Avery I don’t have a problem.

Portia You do realise you’re a guest in this house?

Avery And I’m very grateful.

Portia Then stop being so fucking rude.

Father looks up.

Father Is this boy upsetting you?

20

Jess He hasn’t done a thing.

Father I’m not sure you’re the best character witness right now.

Jess I was attesting for his actions, not his character.

Father stands, walks behind Avery, leans down.

Father I trust I made myself clear, earlier.

Maggie Dad, please.

Father This is your night, and I’ll not have anybody ruining it.

He returns to his chair.

Silence.

Avery So, Maggie. Why do you want to become a doctor?

Maggie I have a fear of baggage carousels.

Jess The better question is, so Maggie, do you want to be a doctor?

Phoebe Of course she wants to be a doctor.

Jess So why doesn’t she speak up for herself?

Maggie Why don’t you fuck up?

Mother Language girls. Don’t make me get the swear jar out.

Maggie We don‘t have a swear jar.

Mother I’m thinking of starting one.

Phoebe Would you like a hand with anything through there Mrs C?

Mother No, we’re just fine thank you. Frank’s going to do that thing with scallops.

Father What thing?

Mother You know, with bacon, and flames.

Father The brandy, you mean? Step back then.

When he gets closer to his wife, he whispers…

Father When did you get scallops?

Mother This afternoon.

Father How much did they cost?

21

Mother Just, let’s have one night that isn’t defined by a spreadsheet. Do you think we can do that?

Jess has managed to pour herself a third wine. From this point on, her speech speaks of the early, happy/loose phase of drunkenness.

Jess You still haven’t answered the question.

Maggie It’s not easy to get a word in.

Jess Do you want to be a doctor Maggie? Yes or no, one word. Here’s your gap, squeeze it in.

Maggie Yes, Jess, I want to be a doctor. It’s why I’m going to med school.

Jess I’m very pleased for you. I hope you’ll be happy there.

Maggie I’ll miss you, of course.

Portia Are you meant to be drinking wine there, Jess?

Jess You gave it to me.

Portia Yes, and now you’re starting to annoy me.

Jess Avery’s going to med school. Ask him why.

Phoebe Really?

Avery No. I’m going to visit my friend in med school.

Phoebe What’s his name?

Avery Louis.

Portia Is he cute?

Avery Yes. He has dimples, and a wonderful arse.

Jess He’s going to tell Louis not to go to med school, and to travel instead.

Portia Why would you do that?

Avery Because med school is for overachieving arses, which Louis isn’t

Jess Although his arse does overachieve, by all accounts.

The Father, now splendid in a comedy apron, appears furious before them.

Father What did I just say?

Avery When?

Father When we were next door, cutting wood.

22

Avery You said the secret was in the rhythm. Long slow movements. Don’t force it, just give into the movement. He holds up his hand. It didn’t work.

Father I said this was a special night or us, and I wasn’t about to let you ruin it.

Avery That’s right. That too.

Father I’ll put you back out on the street. I don’t mind doing that.

Mother No he won’t.

Avery If I’m not welcome, I’m happy to leave.

Mother Don’t be ridiculous. Where would you sleep?

Avery Night shelter, maybe.

Father A night shelter paid for by the tax payer. Paid for by hard working doctors. Which is why you need to… Oh shit, my bacon.

He storms back to the kitchen.

Father My bacon! Now you’ve made me burn my bacon!

Mother Seeing the need to intervene, but not knowing how. We could play a game.

Maggie A what?

Mother You know. One of those party games you used to like when you were little. Just for fun. For old time’s sake.

Jess Gleefully sensing disaster. Mr Moriarty!

Maggie We are not playing Mr Moriarty.

Portia What is Mr Moriarty?

Maggie Don’t.

Father No, It’s a fine idea. Here, move the table. I’ll start, to show you how it’s done. You boy, come on. We need blindfolds. Dear, get me two tea towels.

Maggie There is no –

Jess I’ll get them.

Father Now, newspaper. Where’s that newspaper? Here, roll this up, one each, that’s our weapon. Okay, blindfold us.

Phoebe Come on, be a sport.

Maggie See, even Phoebe is mocking me. How bad do you suppose it has to have got if even Phoebe is mocking me?

23

Meanwhile Father has taken Avery’s hand and guided him to the floor, so the they lie facing one another, still holding left hands.

Phoebe What does that mean?

Maggie It means you’re the nice one.

Phoebe Screw you.

Maggie How can you possibly be offended by that?

Phoebe Nice is the weakest compliment you can pay. It’s like at school when you had to write things on paper about each other, and there was always one kid who only got ‘nice shoes’. You just told me I had nice shoes.

Father So I start. I call, and then you answer, and then I try to hit you about the head with the newspaper. All right - Are you there Moriarty?

Avery Yes, I am here.

Father Good. And the trick is to feel them moving through their hand, and then…

He launches a massive blow which misses entirely.

Father See, harder than it looks. You’re turn.

Avery Are you there Moriarty?

Father Yes, I am here.

Father rolls away. Avery waits.

Father There’s a time lim…

His position thus betrayed, Father endures a solid blow to his head. He is not impressed. He stands, ripping off his blindfold, and staggers backwards, knocking a bowl from the table.

Father You think you’re clever don’t you? You think you’re so bloody smart.

He moves towards Avery who stands, as if ready to defend himself.

Avery You didn’t say we couldn’t…

Father You caught my eye. It was a sideways swipe. I clearly said the motion is up and down. You were deliberately trying to injure me.

Avery Okay, I’m over this shit. You all enjoy your special family time. I’m going.

Father Good.

Mother No, you –

Avery has moved to his pack. Jess rushes to his side.

24

Jess If you let him leave, I’m going with him.

Father Is that supposed to be a threat?

Mother Don’t be ridiculous. Nobody’s going anywhere. Let’s just think of a different game.

Maggie I’m not sure games is really the best –

Jess Truth, Dare, Promise.

Mother Oh yes, that’s a wonderful idea. Let me just get another drink.

Maggie Are you serious?

Mother Why not? It will be fun.

Maggie Okay, I can guarantee you that whatever happens next is not going to be fun.

Mother You just need to lighten up, my girl. That’s right, isn’t Portia, she needs to learn to relax.

Portia She most certainly does. Hitch hiker boy, come and sit back down. You can go first.

Mother Frank, see what you can salvage from that bacon, will you. I’m hungry.

Father How much have you had to drink?

Mother Yes, another wine would be lovely. Thank you.

Avery has sat back down. Portia, Phoebe and Mother crowd around him. Maggie hangs back, knowing full well how this must end. Jess sits in the background, smug. Pours herself another drink.

Mother All right, Avery. Here is my question –

Phoebe That’s not how it works.

Mother Excuse me, but I was playing this game when you were still in nappies young girl.

Phoebe You have to give him a choice. Truth, Dare or Promise. That’s where the game gets its name.

Portia But not a promise.

Phoebe Why not?

Portia We don’t know him. We’ll never see him again. He promise whatever he likes, and there’s no consequence for him.

Jess Like Doctor Louis.

Avery I don’t even remember agreeing to play.

Portia Decisions are difficult, don’t you find? Actually, that’s going to be my question.

25

Mother It’s not your question. Is my question.

Phoebe He hasn’t even said he wants to –

Avery Okay, yes. Truth. I choose truth.

Portia So, have you ever waited until to knew another girl liked you, before dumping your current girlfriend?

Avery No.

Portia This doesn’t work if you lie.

Avery I am not lying. Why would you even think that?

Portia You have a look.

Avery I look like a slut?

Portia You look like a man. It’s enough.

Avery Oh for fuck’s sake.

Portia You find my feminism threatening do you?

Avery You’re not a feminist.

Portia Why am I not a feminist?

Avery Feminists have concern for the plight of women. Your concern does not extend beyond the end of your little privileged white girl nose.

Portia It’s why you don’t want Maggie to become a doctor. Powerful women threaten you. You make like you’re the big independent traveller, but, really you’re just running away.

Avery I don’t give a shit whether Maggie becomes a doctor. She can do whatever she wants.

Maggie You see? You see what happens?

Jess My turn. Pick me.

Mother All right. Truth, dare or promise?

Jess If I choose dare, will you dare me to kiss Avery?

Avery No.

Father She’s fifteen years old, son. You so much as touch her and I’m calling the police.

Mother How are the scallops coming?

26

Father I can’t find the brandy.

Jess Holds up the bottle. It’s just here.

Father There was a lot more in –

Jess Truth. I choose truth.

Mother Oh. Well, now I’ve forgotten my question. I had a question, now what was it?

Avery What’s a secret you’ve never told anyone?

Phoebe You can’t ask that.

Avery Why not?

Phoebe It has to be specific.

Jess No, it’s all right. I’ve got one. I’ve never told anyone that when Maggie was in Year 8, she deliberately failed her scholarship exam because she didn’t want to got to –

Maggie You little bitch.

Stunned silence, as the implications sink in.

Father staggers into the room, holding his plate of burnt-bacon-wrapped scallops. They are passed around in silence. The Father is lost, bewildered.

Father Is that true?

Maggie I don’t know. It was a long time ago.

Father Furious What do you mean you don’t know?

Maggie I, I maybe didn’t try my hardest. I don’t know. It was confusing, I just…

Jess You told me you deliberately put down the wrong answers.

Father Is that true?

Mother It’s just Jess. She’s just being –

Father I asked you a question.

Mother It’s happened. It’s in the past. She was just a little girl. You put her under an awful lot of pressure.

Father Oh good. So we’ll make this my fault, shall we? That should restore the fucking normal order, shouldn’t it?

Mother Frank, we have guests.

Father rounds on Maggie.

27

Father Do you have any idea how much we have sacrificed to put you through that school?

Maggie Of course I’m –

Father We haven’t taken a holiday in five years. Your mother is beside herself with stress. She cries herself to sleep at night, she’s so exhausted. Did you know that? Did you know the doctor told me I have to take a break. He said I’m killing myself with my lifestyle. He literally said that. Last night I cut a piece of rubber out of an old pair of gumboots and tried to glue it on to the sole of my shoes, because I don’t know when I’ll be able to afford a new pair.

Maggie Dad, can you –

Father Oh, I’m sorry. Am I embarrassing you in front of your rich friends, darling? I am so very sorry. That must be excruciating for you. No, go on girls, eat up. Never mind that tonight’s food and wine has been paid for by our supermarket Christmas club, so the yuletide dinner this year is going to have to be shit sausages and mashed fucking potato. But hey, you’re all invited. It might be exotic to you, like travelling to a third world country for your holidays. Lie down over there if you like, my wife does excellent massages, $10 a pop, or my youngest girl here could braid you’re hair for a fiver. No, please, eat up. It’s paid for now, no point seeing it go to waste.

Phoebe Pulling out her wallet. If it helps, I can –

Father No, it does not help. Have you any idea how insulting that is, to even… what are we, some sort of charity? Here, get out your phone and take a photograph. This is how the poor people live. You could add it to your CV, as community service.

Phoebe I just thought –

Father No you didn’t. You didn’t think at all.

He snatches the wallet and then attempts to shove it back down Phoebe’s top. The mood is suddenly brutal. Phoebe tries to push him off. For a moment the others hesitate, then Avery moves in, wrestling Maggie’s father to the floor.

The father sits centre stage, broken, recovering his breath, unable to speak. He stands silently, his dignity in tatters, and leaves the room. Maggie has begun to cry. Mother moves across and comforts her.

Maggie I’m sorry. I am so sorry.

Mother It’s more complicated than you can know.

Maggie It’s not. It’s true. I didn’t want to go, and instead of just telling you, I failed it. I knew every answer. I knew every answer in the test. And I made you, I made us poor.

Mother No you didn’t. You couldn’t have known how your father would –

Maggie He just wanted me to –

28

Mother No. You think how he was when you were still in primary school. If it wasn’t this, he would have found some other way of punishing me.

She looks around the room, aware she’s said too much.

Maggie Punishing you for what?

Mother It doesn’t matter.

Maggie I just, I just want you to be proud of me.

Mother We are proud of you.

They embrace.

Mother I should go and find Frank. Excuse me everybody. Maggie, if we’re not back by eight, the foil needs to come off the meat or it won’t brown. Just turn it right up for the last twenty minutes. And you should get some potatoes in.

Jess Just let him go.

Mother I haven’t always made it easy for him.

Mother leaves. Everybody is silent. Maggie looks at Jess.

Jess Don’t. Don’t blame me for this.

Maggie I’m not.

Silence

Portia Did you really think it would be that bad?

Maggie I’m not like you.

Portia Yes you are. You’re one of us. We don’t even notice any more.

Maggie I am nothing like you. And I’m so pleased, because you’re awful.

Jess At last.

Portia Another excellent contribution from little miss state-school drug-addict prostitute in waiting.

Jess Okay, two things wrong with that: first, if I did ever want to get drugs, it’s your school I would be visiting to buy them, and second I’d rather be selling my body than paying for sex the way you do.

Portia I have never –

Jess When did you ever get anything without paying for it, one way or another?

29

Phoebe You do really we’re guests here? We were invited, and then you treat us like this. Do you have no sense at all of good manners?

Jess No, I don’t. Why don’t you help me out? If I were to stand up now, and tell you to fuck off out of my house and never come back, would that be polite or impolite? I’m a little confused.

Portia We were leaving anyway. Come on Avery, this is family time.

Maggie He can stay.

Avery Not if it’s any –

Phoebe Come back for a spa, if you like.

Avery I’m good here, as long as you don’t –

Maggie It’s cool.

Portia walks up to Maggie, gets in her face.

Portia This is the problem with trying to help you people. You end up destroying everything we give you. Sometimes, I think you’re actually happiest swimming about in your own shit.

Maggie It must be very difficult for you.

Portia and Phoebe leave.

Avery walks across to the scallops and takes another.

Avery They’re actually quite good.

Jess pours another round of drinks.

Maggie What do you think she meant?

Jess Who?

Maggie Mum. When she said she hasn’t made it easy for him.

Jess Do you want to know?

Maggie Probably not.

Jess People are screwed up. Leave it at that.

Maggie Yeah.

Jess So, what are you going to do now Med School’s out?

Maggie It’s not.

30

Jess You were only doing it to please them, and now they know you don’t even want to, so…

Maggie When did I ever say I didn’t want to?

Jess You’ve been miserable ever since you got the letter.

Maggie Oh, so you were doing me a favour by telling them?

Jess It’s okay. I wasn’t expecting a thank you.

Maggie I’m not wasting the scholarship.

Jess So you’re going to do something that doesn’t even make you happy, just to do what, prove you can?

Maggie And pissing everybody off, that makes you happy does it? Or do you do it just because you can?

Jess You should follow your dreams.

Maggie What are you, twelve?

Jess Avery’s following his.

Maggie Yeah, having to be rescued soaking wet on the side of the road and brought here to share in our family meltdown. That’s living the dream.

Avery I don’t know. It’s been sort of interesting.

Maggie I like learning, okay? I’m good at it. I like doing things I’m good at. It’ll be okay.

Jess Why settle for just okay?

Maggie Did you not notice anything tonight? Just okay is fucking wonderful.

Jess Can you drive?

Avery Sure.

Maggie Jess, he’s been drinking. You both have.

Jess We can walk. The rain’s stopped.

Avery Where are we going?

Jess Does it matter?

Avery Guess not.

Maggie What about the dinner?

Jess Save us some.

31

Jess and Avery leave. Maggie is left alone in the kitchen. She begins to peel the potatoes. Little Boxes on the radio. She smiles, sings along.

32