SKINBAGS
This is a naturalistic one act drama set in a hotel room in a country town. It is about two people who love each other, but are unable to deal as a couple with the stress of living with their severely autistic daughter.
Best Original Play
Best Australian Script
Best Actor
Anglesea, Kyneton Regional OAPFs
__________________________________
A man, RICK, mid forties, enters a dinghy hotel room, carrying only a small overnight bag and a shopping bag. His daughter, ELIZA, about sixteen, rushes past him in the doorway, in her determination to be the first in the room. She is a child in a young woman’s body.
RICK
Here we are.
ELIZA (BOUNCING ON THE BED)
Pot of Gold Motor Inn.
RICK
Pot of Gold Motor Inn.
ELIZA
Pot of Gold. Pot of Gold. Pot of Gold.
RICK
At the end of the rainbow.
ELIZA (LOOKING INTO THE OVER NIGHT BAG)
You didn’t bring my nightie. The one with the ladybirds.
RICK
I couldn’t find it remember?
ELIZA
You didn’t bring it.
RICK rummages around in his overnight bag and pulls out a bottle of scotch.
RICK
I couldn’t find it. Remember?
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie. Where is it? Ladybird nightie, ladybird nightie, ladybird nightie..
Unseen by RICK, his wife LINDA enters. She is late 30’s, but looks older. She walks to the double bed and puts down an overnight bag. She watches, unseen, as RICK begins to pour himself a glass of scotch.
RICK
Mum put it somewhere I don’t know – maybe she has another drawer for you I don’t know about.
He sees LINDA and hesitates, then throws back a large gulp.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie, ladybird nightie, ladybird nightie
RICK
I couldn’t find it. So I got you the blue nightie. (Holding up another nightie) The birthday one. This is the one with the lavenders on it. With ladybirds hiding –
ELIZA
Where?
RICK
Just..there see?
ELIZA shakes her head, suspiciously.
RICK
I can see them. This is a pretty special nightie Liza. Mum bought you this for …? What?
ELIZA
For..birthday.
RICK
For your birthday. And so that’s the one I brought specially for our special birthday night at the…
LINDA walks into the bathroom.
ELIZA
Pot of Gold!
RICK
Pot of Gold Motel.
ELIZA
Where’s Mum?
RICK reaches over and picks up the tin. He opens it and offers ELIZA a biscuit.
RICK
Hmm?
ELIZA
Where’s Mum? Mum! Ladybird nightie!
RICK
Leave her darl.
ELIZA
Sit down. Here.
RICK
Okay. Right here.
ELIZA
For birthday girl.
RICK throws back the whisky glass and sits beside his daughter, who now munches messily on a biscuit.
RICK
There you go.
ELIZA
Mum. Mum? Mum. Mum. Mum. MUM.
ELIZA puts her feet in his lap and he automatically pulls off her shoes.
RICK
That’s enough.
ELIZA
Mum!
RICK
Leave her pudding. Just give her a moment.
HE stares into space, his face a fallen heap for a second. ELIZA now grabs a bear and holds it to her. She too looks a little lost. LINDA walks out again.
RICK
You ready for a bath? Hmm?
ELIZA
No.
RICK
Okay. Teeth.
ELIZA
No.
ELIZA pulls on the nightie over her clothing.
RICK
Eliza, don’t do that. Put it on properly come on.
ELIZA
No.
RICK
Come on Liza. Take off the nightie and get undressed first.
ELIZA
NO.
RICK
Then you can put the nightie back on.
ELIZA
NO.
RICK
Bed then.
LINDA glares at him, then spots the open tin of biscuits.
ELIZA
TV.
LINDA
Why’d you give her biscuits.
RICK
No TV.
LINDA puts the lid back onto the tin and puts them away.
RICK
She likes them. (TO ELIZA) Bed.
ELIZA
Bed.
LINDA
Teeth.
RICK
Bed.
LINDA
Teeth.
ELIZA
Pot of Gold Motel.
LINDA walks out again.
RICK
Yep.
ELIZA
And story.
RICK
Okay a story…which one shall I tell you tonight then?
ELIZA
The one about Mum.
RICK
The one about Mum. Okay.
LINDA walks back in with a toothbrush and glass of water. She starts to brush ELIZA’s teeth roughly
LINDA
For God’s sake. Look at her.
RICK
Don’t push her. It’s okay.
LINDA
Eliza, after your teeth you’re going to put your nightie on properly –
ELIZA
NO NO NO!
ELIZA wrenches herself free of her mother’s grip and stares at her defiantly.
RICK
For Christ’s sake –
LINDA (TO RICK)
YOU ALWAYS DO THIS.
LINDA holds the mug out under ELIZA’S mouth, which is now full of toothpaste and beginning to dribble.
LINDA
Spit.
ELIZA
No.
Some dribble drops onto ELIZA’S nightie. LINDA wipes it with her hands.
LINDA
Don’t do that! Spit!
ELIZA tries to wriggle out of LINDA’S grasp, but LINDA holds her tightly.
ELIZA
NOO!
LINDA
Spit!
RICK (ADMONISHING, TO LINDA)
Darling.
ELIZA
Let GO.
ELIZA begins to make a low pitched squeal, which gradually rises in pitch.
LINDA
Why don’t you ever -
RICK
Let her go.
LINDA
- support me with this?
RICK
Stop it Linda!
LINDA grips ELIZA’S head. ELIZA freezes.
LINDA
No. I won’t. (to ELIZA) SPIT. (grabbing Eliza by the collar) SPIT!
RICK
Jesus –
ELIZA shakes her head.
LINDA
I said spit. Spit. SPIT. SPIT! SPIT ELIZA SPIT ELIZA SPIT ELIZA!
ELIZA spits into the glass, and climbs into bed, still fully clothed under her nightie.
LINDA
So how many more nights does she sleep fully clothed?
RICK
The doctor said not to rush it.
LINDA
Oh. So he knows better?
RICK
It’s a she actually. Has been for a few months.
ELIZA
Story. Now.
LINDA
Sorry I’m not in the know. It’s a bit difficult with a full time job. (QUIETLY, as she walks out of room) Unlike some.
RICK hits his chest sarcastically “Got me again” style.
ELIZA
Story.
RICK pours himself another drink. ELIZA waits for the story, staring at the ceiling while mouthing the word ‘story’ over and over.
RICK climbs onto the bed beside her, places an arm about her, and strokes her head gently as he talks.
RICK
Okay. Once upon a time there was a wonderful mother. She was such a good mother in fact, that everyone in the district envied her little girl.
ELIZA
Eliza!
RICK
Eliza, yes. She was the –
TOGETHER
- luckiest girl in the world.
ELIZA
She…goes Liza shopping..COME ON!
RICK
Yep she takes Liza shopping, and to see the city, to see the Wiggles, she’d let Liza ride her pony to school, and she even gave Liza a little dog. She read her books, and made her picture diaries, all about the people..who loved her….
He drifts off for a moment, and takes another long drink.
ELIZA
COME ON. Story.
LINDA walks back in holding some tablets and a glass of water. She watches them both.
RICK
Then one day she got very sick, this amazing Mummy. Very sick indeed. So sick she couldn’t get up in the morning.
ELIZA
She had water in eyes.
RICK
Yes she did. Tears.
ELIZA
Tears.
RICK
Very sad.
ELIZA
Tears.
ELIZA
Went away Mummy.
LINDA takes the tablets and stares into space.
RICK
Yep. Mummy had to spend time in hospital.
ELIZA
Went away.
RICK
- away from her baby girl. This upset Liza very much.
LINDA (quietly)
No it didn’t.
RICK
Eliza had to go into a home for a while –
ELIZA
Not home.
RICK
That’s right – not home but another home –
ELIZA
Not home.
LINDA
A perfectly good home.
RICK
-because Daddy was too busy working on the farm and couldn’t look after Liza.
ELIZA nods, face stern.
RICK
Daddy pretty crap really all things considered.
LINDA
Oh no Mummy was the crap one.
ELIZA
Next story.
RICK
You tell me one Eliza Jane.
ELIZA
They all lived –
TOGETHER
-happily ever after.
RICK
That’s right Miss Birthday Girl. Now say goodnight to Mummy.
He pauses and drinks again.
ELIZA
Sleep Mummy. Sleep. No wake up.
LINDA
Would you like me to?
ELIZA nods.
LINDA
Go to sleep for ever? Like Grandpa?
ELIZA
Yes.
RICK
So. There you are. That’s settled.
LINDA
What’s settled?
RICK
Mummy’s going to sleep. But not until Eliza goes to sleep.
ELIZA makes a fuss of her pillows. LINDA can’t watch.
LINDA
Aren’t we going to settle her in her own room. You have your own room tonight Eliza.
RICK
Later. Let me just – (adjusting her pillows) – how’s that?
ELIZA nods. RICK looks up.
RICK
Say goodnight Mummy.
ELIZA
Goodbye.
LINDA (AMUSED)
Goodbye?
RICK
No. Good night.
ELIZA
Goodbye Mummy.
LINDA
Would you like me to, Eliza? Go to sleep forever?
Eliza seems happy with the idea and nods. LINDA smiles sourly.
LINDA
Goodbye Eliza.
RICK
Kiss?
ELIZA (MECHANICALLY)
Kiss. Kiss. KISS!!
LINDA walks up to ELIZA and takes a deep breath, before lunging at her quickly and pecking her on the cheek. She barely touches her daughter and moves away.
ELIZA closes her eyes. Both RICK and LINDA move slowly downstage.
RICK
I’ll carry her to her room. After she’s settled.
LINDA
What about your back?
RICK
It’s okay.
LINDA
Did you give her her medication?
He nods.
LINDA
Why do you insist on repeating the same story -
RICK
You know why.
LINDA
I don’t actually. Can’t we move on –?
RICK
The doctor says –
LINDA
Oh right – (the doctor!)
RICK (OVER)
-it helps her to hear things repeated.
LINDA
It’s great for me too. I just love hearing Mummy’s breakdown story every night.
RICK
I tell it for HER –
LINDA
Jesus.
RICK
Not you. Not me. Her.
LINDA puts on an ipod and sits down on a chair. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
LINDA
Did you give her her sleep medication?
RICK
‘Course.
Pause.
LINDA
Why did you give her biscuits?
RICK
What?
LINDA
You know they hype her up.
RICK
It’s her birthday.
LINDA
I’m going to meditate.
RICK walks over to ELIZA and gathers her up in his arms. She opens her eyes for a moment and murmurs.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie.
RICK
Shhh. Sleep now honey.
He walks out of the room, carrying her. LINDA tries to focus and relax, but can’t. She grabs the ipod and pulls the ear pieces out, just as RICK walks back into the room. He doesn’t look at her, but sits down on the bed, picks up a book and flicks it open.
LINDA
She asleep?
RICK
She’s getting there.
LINDA
She won’t you know. Those bloody biscuits –
RICK
A few biscuits is not the end of the world Linda.
LINDA
Sometimes I think you do it deliberately.
RICK
Do what deliberately?
Pause.
LINDA
And why didn’t you pack the ladybird nightie? I told you it was in the washing machine. This morning.
RICK
No you didn’t. You should’ve but (you didn’t).
LINDA (OVER)
All you had (to do was –)
RICK (OVER)
You didn’t tell me anything about the nightie. You’re just pissed off because you should’ve packed it yourself.
LINDA
Me?
RICK
Look let’s forget it. She’s asleep now so ..
LINDA
Anyway, it’s good for her. Not always getting what she wants. She’s got a new nightie. She can obsess over that for a change.
RICK
It just would’ve been good today of all days to think of it that’s all.
LINDA
Oh that’s right it’s her birthday! Did you know that or am I the first to tell you?
RICK
Let’s not – do this.
LINDA
Okay. Let’s not.
RICK
Bloody ladybirds.
Pause. He goes back to his book. She sits down on the bed, softening a little.
LINDA
What are you reading?
He holds the book out at her as he reads on.
LINDA
Sci-fi again. I wish I could get into a book.
RICK
You used to.
LINDA
I did.
RICK
God you are – unbelievable. (PAUSE) I meant that in a good way.
LINDA
No you didn’t.
RICK
I did.
LINDA
Unbelievably dysfunctional. Unbelievably cruel and unmaternal (you mean..)
RICK (OVER)
Unbelievably beautiful. Unbelievably sexy.
LINDA
HA!
He holds her gently in his arms. She snuggles into him a little and he starts to kiss her neck.
RICK
God it’s been so long..You smell of peach..
LINDA
Cheap moisturizer.
RICK
And..honeysuckle.
LINDA (smelling him back)
Whisky.
He tries to kiss her passionately, but she pulls back.
LINDA
I’m exhausted.
RICK
I’ll do all the work.
LINDA
I couldn’t.
RICK
You don’t have to do a thing. Just let me -
LINDA
Don’t.
RICK
You’d enjoy it.
LINDA
Please. I just couldn’t. I’m sorry honey.
A bit put out, RICK pulls away and notices ELIZA standing at the door.
RICK
What is it love?
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie.
LINDA
Jesus.
RICK
It’s in the wash.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie, ladybird nightie ladybird nightie.
She starts to tear at the one she’s wearing. RICK starts to throw things around.
LINDA
What are you doing?
RICK
Looking for the car keys. I’m going home to get the ladybird nightie.
ELIZA
Ladybird..
LINDA (to ELIZA)
It’s in the washing machine.
ELIZA
I want the (ladybird nightie)
LINDA (OVER)
It’s wet. It’s in the washing machine soaking wet.
ELIZA
I want the –
LINDA
YOU DON’T WANT THE LADYBIRD NIGHTIE. Okay? You can’t have it tonight. I will buy you a new one if you go to bed RIGHT NOW.
PAUSE. RICK keeps looking.
ELIZA
Ladybird..(ladybird, ladybird ladybird)
LINDA (OVER)
You can’t drive anyway - you’re pissed. (TO ELIZA) Come on. Let’s have a look at the lavender nightie and see how pretty it is. It’s so – look Daddy. It’s lovely. Isn’t it lovely?
ELIZA
Nooo lavender!
RICK
There are ladybirds in there too, hiding behind the leaves, look!
ELIZA
Nooooo.!
LINDA
Give me the keys.
RICK
Why?
LINDA
I’m leaving before I kill someone.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie.
RICK
I don’t know where the keys are.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie.
LINDA
You never know anything. Packing was your job. Your one day of the week.
RICK
One day that’s a joke.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie –
LINDA
Go to your room Eliza.
ELIZA
NO.
LINDA (HOLDING UP KEYS)
Got em.
RICK
I know! Let’s all go home and get it!
ELIZA
Pot of Gold Motel.
RICK
Mummy can drive us home to get it. How does that sound? What an adventure!
ELIZA (shaking her head)
Ladybird nightie ladybird nightie.
LINDA
I want to go alone.
RICK
Let’s all go!
LINDA
It’ll give me a break.
RICK
I don’t want you driving at night. The headlights need fixing.
LINDA
Oh God Rick! You said you’d do that last week! Go to your ROOM ELIZA NOW
NOW NOW NOW.
ELIZA slides over to the corner of the room and stares at them defiantly.
ELIZA
Ladybird.
LINDA
No ladybird. Go Go Go! Right now! GO!
ELIZA
Ladybrd –
LINDA grabs ELIZA by the shoulders and pushes her towards the door.
LINDA
No no no ladybird nightie. Go to your room. NOW NOW NOW.
ELIZA struggles and flays her arms, hitting LINDA around the head as she does so.
LINDA
Get out! GET OUT NOW!
RICK
Calm down.
LINDA
Get out of this room NOW.
ELIZA
No.
LINDA
RIGHT NOW.
ELIZA
NO.
RICK
Linda.
LINDA
Shut up. NOW NOW NOW.
LINDA grabs ELIZA by the hair and pulls her head back, then pushes her firmly out of the room. RICK exits with ELIZA. LINDA walks back in and sits down. She is shaking. She lights a cigarette. RICK enters and just stares at her.
RICK
Take a valium or something. Jesus.
LINDA
They don’t mix with anti depressants.
RICK
Well then -.
He pours himself another Scotch.
LINDA
It doesn’t matter Rick. It doesn’t matter what we do. (PAUSE) Skin bags. Remember?
RICK
That was bullshit and you (know it).
LINDA (OVER)
That’s what that O. T. said and they should know. They’re the experts. She said they see us as nothing but bags of skin. Remember? To her we are just bags of skin.
RICK
I don’t believe that
LINDA
Well that was the term they used. Skinbags.
RICK
That was an extreme case –
LINDA
Haven’t you ever noticed her eyes? The way she looks at you? They’re sort of.. scheming. Like she’s working out how to get us to do what she wants. Have you not ever noticed her eyes? Seriously, haven’t you? (PAUSE) We’re just objects, she pushes round day in day out. Manipulates so that she can have the things she really loves. Like her nightie. She loves that nightie more than anything. She’s fretting for it right now. She genuinely LOVES that nightie. But not these two bags of skin. Not these –OBJECTS.
RICK
Stop it Linda. It’s really –
LINDA
WHAT IS IT, REALLY? HONEST? This skin bag is fed up. This skin bag is -
RICK (as if saying his mantra)
We need some decent, proper, professional home help,
LINDA: I am working five days a week NOW! What – do you want me to work - seven?
RICK shakes his head, as if ashamed.
LINDA
Cos even then we’ll be scraping! (AS IF SAYING IT FOR THE ONE HUNDREDTH TIME) She needs to be in a proper facility where (they can) -
RICK (OVER)
I am not sending her back to that hell hole!
LINDA (BITTER)
She’s already IN a HELL HOLE. (PAUSE) With ME.
LINDA starts to pull things out of her bag and put them back in again, zipping and unzipping etc a bit crazily. She’s waiting for Rick to say something that will turn the corner for both of them but all he says is -
RICK
She’s better off with us.
(This response has just confirmed the decision for Linda in a way – she knows she’ll never win this fight).
LINDA
We’ve been trying to do this for sixteen bloody years – we’ve loved and cared for her for sixteen years and if we dropped off the earth tomorrow, she wouldn’t even miss us – it’s just shit.
RICK
Please don’t do this.
LINDA
And you know what? I don’t think I’d miss her either.
RICK
Please don’t talk (like this)–
LINDA (OVER)
I’m past caring. I don’t care what people think. I could walk out and not give her another bloody thought. Do you hear me? Not another second, do you believe me?
RICK
No.
LINDA
Well you should. You should. (PAUSE) One day I’m going to book a one way flight to Fiji with my sister and sit under a palm tree and read trashy novels and not give her a second’s thought.
RICK smiles sadly and opens his book again.
LINDA
What are we doing here? What on earth possessed you to book this place for a night?
RICK
I don’t know. I thought maybe it’d be – a change. You know…
LINDA
Romantic?
RICK shrugs.
LINDA
Yeah, no, it is. It’s great. Good choice. Ooh look she’s back! Our own little Satan worshipper!
ELIZA stands at the doorway, clenching her hands together and rocking slightly. RICK goes over to her. He strokes her hair.
RICK
It’s okay honey.
ELIZA makes increasingly loud noises.
RICK (OVER)
Mummy’s just upset. Mummy gets upset. It’s all okay. You okay?
ELIZA makes a low murmuring sound, clenching her fists together firmly. RICK starts to prize her hands apart.
RICK
No Eliza. Unclench sweetheart. That’s it. Have some bickies, that’s it.
He grabs some biscuits and passes them to her. She pushes his hand away mechanically.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie.
RICK
Let’s go home.
LINDA
I’m not going.
RICK (SARCASTIC)
Good idea. You stay here. Don’t worry about us we’ll be just dandy won’t we Eliza hmm? Just great. Don’t give us a second thought. (TO ELIZA) Let’s go home.
LINDA
You can’t drive.
RICK
I’ll walk.
He starts to throw a few things into his bag. ELIZA starts to make increasingly frenzied noises as she holds something (the teddy?) in her hands. He takes it from her, almost as if she was actually trying to help.
RICK
That’s it. We had a good time at the Pot o’Gold Motel didn’t we Liza?
ELIZA
Pot of Gold Motel.
RICK
Yes.
ELIZA
Pot of Gold Motel. Pot of Gold Pot of Gold Pot of Gold.
RICK
Make’s a change from Ladybird.
ELIZA
Ladybird nightie. Ladybird ladybird ladybird ladybird fly away ladybird ladybird ladybird
LINDA
The biscuits have hyped her up.
RICK
No Linda. YOU have. YOU have terrified her out of her wits. YOU, NOT THE FUCKING BISCUITS. OKAY? (TO ELIZA) It’s okay. Daddy’s tired. Let’s go.
LINDA
You should get a cab. You’re pissed
He walks out with his arm around ELIZA. LINDA dials a number on her mobile phone.
LINDA
Hello?… Dee, please pick up if you’re there… it’s me. Um..I just thought I’d ring cos I just ..um.. I can’t do this anymore. I - There’s a train ten am. Get’s me in round 2. I’ll need to stay for a week or so, just till I get something sorted… Please, um..please don’t - don’t - judge me for this. I just can’t do this anymore. I just - can’t. Talk tomorrow, okay?
LINDA hangs up and, still holding the mobile, stares into space for a moment (she’s really done it this time)…then RICK enters.
RICK
Calling a cab..?
LINDA
Want me to?
RICK
No no I’m fine to drive.
LINDA
What about the headlights?
RICK
Just no high beam.
LINDA
She upset?
He shakes his head.
RICK
Nah. She’s used to us skin bags misbehaving.
LINDA smiles guiltily.
RICK
Pick you up round nine, okay?
LINDA
Not so early. Not before eleven. I need the break.
RICK
Okay. Where?
LINDA
I dunno. The coffee shop?
RICK
Okay. (pause) Well sleep well.
LINDA
You too.
RICK hesitates, something’s not quite right but he doesn’t know what.
LINDA stares at him and freezes for a moment, then goes to him and hugs him hard.
RICK
What’s wrong?
LINDA
Nothing.
RICK
Right. Good. Snap.
ELIZA
Dad dad dad dad dad
RICK
I’d better go.
They both smile at each other, sadly.
RICK
I’m sorry it didn’t work out tonight honey. I just –
LINDA
What the hell I’m gonna get a good nights sleep anyway. ‘Bye darling.
He nods and studies her for a moment.
RICK
You okay?
LINDA
Yeah yeah. You know how I get. Just had to let off steam. Go.
RICK
Night love.
ELIZA
Dad dad dad dad dad
RICK (offstage)
Stop it Eliza! I’m coming!
ELIZA
Dad dad dad…dad..
She walks over to the window and watches them get into the car. She waves, then walking over to the bed, picks up a pair of Eliza’s slippers. She sits on the edge of the bed, holds them to her heart, and stares into space. Finally, she puts her head in her hands and weeps as..
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK
END
