The December People’s Choice Award goes to…

The people have spoken… The December People’s Choice Award goes to Betsy Dudak for her short play, Sandman’s Agreement, presented as a staged reading live at Theater Wit and Simulcast on December 2nd. Congratulations, Betsy!

Courtesy of Betsy, we’re pleased to share the first few pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

Sandman’s Agreement
by Betsy Dudak

Characters:
Mark – husband, over 35
Vanessa – wife, over 35

Place: On a park bench

Time: Present

VANESSA is sitting on a park bench in a nightgown. She is looking down at her hands as she wrings them. MARK approaches in hospital gown holding a portable IV. VANESSA looks up, sighs. MARK sits down next to her as he looks around, then smiles at VANESSA.

MARK
Hello, Vanessa.

VANESSA
Mark.

MARK
You weren’t here last night.

VANESSA
Yeah. Just a bout of insomnia.

MARK
Oh. (nods) And how was your day?

VANESSA
Boring. The biggest excitement was when the plumber came over. Remember I told you how the dishwasher wasn’t working? Well, the drain was plugged up. It cost me nearly $200 for parts and labor. I probably could have bought a new one for that amount.

MARK
And the kids? Are they alright?

VANESSA
It’s only been a day, Mark. Nothing has changed.

MARK
I’m just asking because maybe they’re the reason you couldn’t sleep last night.

VANESSA
No. They’re fine. And how about you? Anything new with you? Oh wait. You can’t tell me.

MARK
You know the rules.

VANESSA
The rules. Right. All that fine print I didn’t bother to read before I signed on that dotted line. God, what desperation and grief did to me. (it becomes quiet for few beats) Oh, did I tell you that I’m a grandma to a hamster?

MARK
You did.

VANESSA
Did I? Huh. (pauses) Did I also tell you our kids – darn it, the kids– named it after you, or rather, their father? Mark, the hamster.

MARK
Yes, you did.

VANESSA
Shit. Sorry. I forget what I tell you sometimes.

MARK
No problem. We’ve been meeting here eleven months now. I understand. Our conversations do tend to blend together.

Join us for our next Monday Night PlayGround, live and in-person, on Monday, January 6 at 7pm CT at Theater Wit and simulcast! Click here for more info and tickets.