TO THE BELLEMORES

by

Samantha Finken, LeeLee Gist, Christian Lee, Eunice Lee, Paige Lutkus, Audrey Parker,

Alonso Valle, Lara Verret.

CHARACTERS

AMELIE BELLEMORE: (F) is an optimistic, bubbly, carefree, and dramatic young girl. She always speaks her mind even when tensions are high. Amelie is an aspiring dancer who works very hard to be good at it. She envisions her mother to be the perfect and ideal mom and dreams about getting to meet her. She tries to bring her family joy as they always seem upset. She enjoys being the center of attention but tends to be the recipient of a lot of misdirected grief because of it. Amelie also loves hanging out with her siblings even though they sometimes find her to be annoying. About 10 years old.(Paige)

DANIELLA BELLEMORE: (F) With big personalities at home combined with some uncertainty about herself and the future, Daniella finds it hard to be noticed and seen at home and outside. This translates to her snarky and chilly personality along with her sarcastic, self-deprecating, and deadpan way of talking. With the way home is, she tries her best to not cause trouble for Lucas, David, or Grandma, but not without the sassy comment or two. Age 15. (Eunice + LeeLee)

LUCAS BELLEMORE: (M) overprotective and mature, Lucas acts like a third parent. He tries to be the glue for the family bottling up his emotions resulting in impulsive and rash decisions. Lucas’s dream is to be an architect. 17 years old. (Samantha)

DAVID BELLEMORE: (M): Quiet, solemn, stoic, and emotionally distant, David tries to keep his emotions and financial struggles hidden from his children. He works a mundane 9 to 5 job, while simultaneously trying to maintain a close relationship with his children, yet fails to do so, except with the oldest, Lucas. He is the father of Amelie, Daniella, and Lucas. David cares deeply for his children and longs for them to have a life with emotional stability.

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Although, Alice, his wife and the mother of his children, causes the home environment to be fragmented and off the rocks. NOTE: He barely smiles. (Christian)

ALICE BELLEMORE: (F) Fun-loving and invigorating, she can easily be the ‘fun parent’. That is when everything is going her way and everyone is doing exactly what she wants. She’s manipulative and smart. She loves her children, but her definition of love is when they completely submit their entire lives and choices to her. She hates responsibility, but she loves hanging out with the kids. Around 39. (Audrey)

MALLORY BELLEMORE: (F) Grandma Bellemore has never acted her age despite being a grandma of 3. Although she has her sarcastic and blunt personality, she is a very organized and a tightly-kept person. Acts as a guardian for the children taking them to school, making them dinner, and often rough-housing. Grandma Bellemore is still a child at heart and is why she’s closest to Amelie. About 71 years old. (Alonso + Lara)

MAILMAN: (M/F) A minor character, most likely double casted. (Anyone)

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SETTING

To The Bellemores takes place in the fictional suburban town of Wellbrook, not exactly dirt ​ poor but not Bill Gates level either. It’s a rather small town with about 15 houses on each block. The Bellemore residents live on the street corner of Wellbrook with their

Grandmother living only two blocks away. Alice and David, the parents of the three children, live in separate houses; however, are not legally separated.

TIME

The story takes place around the 90’s where technology was barely emerging and letter writing was still in vogue. Still a taboo in the 90’s, Divorce forced strained marriages to stay together for the sake of the children or to live separately in different houses without filing for divorce.

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ACT I, SCENE I:

(All actors wait silently offstage. The distant sound of an ​ alarm and a sudden slam is heard offstage. The sound of a

coffee maker is heard and DAVID sluggishly appears

onstage with a cup of coffee. DAVID motions a 3,2,1 with

his fingers which prompts more alarms to go off and

moans from people not ready for school) ​ DAVID: Get up, it’s time for school...

DANIELLA: (simultaneously) Can I skip first? ​ ​ LUCAS:(simultaneously) Five more minutes! ​ ​ AMELIE: (simultaneously) I don’t wanna go! ​ ​ DAVID: Too bad. Get ready or you’re going to be late. (Nobody moves) If you get up now I’ll ​ ​ make pancakes, if not you’re goin’ hungry.

(Suddenly an array of noise is heard) ​ ​ ​ ​ LUCAS: (Gasps) ​ DANIELLA: (Shoves Lucas) Out of the way, Beanpole! ​ ​ LUCAS: Beanpole?

AMELIE: (pops up in between them) Pancakes! ​ ​ (All kids enter half dressed and out of breath) ​ ​ DANIELLA: Where are the pancakes?!

DAVID: They’re almost done.. Now get ready or you’ll be late.

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(As DAVID makes the pancakes each child is doing their ​ usually morning routines: AMELIE & DANIELLA are

fighting over the TV on SR BOX and LUCAS is finishing

some last minute homework at the table [CS]) ​ DANIELLA: We are not watching your stupid little kid animated rainbows!

AMELIE: (offended) Hey! I’m not a little kid anymore! (Proud) I’ve reached double digits! ​ ​ ​ ​ And it’s my turn anyways!

DANIELLA: Give it!

(LUCAS grabs the remote) ​ LUCAS: Some of us are trying to do work here!

DANIELLA: Yeah, and some of us are trying to save our sanity!

AMELIE: I want the remote!

(Screaming and arguing ensues) ​ DAVID: Kids stop fighting!

(DAVID fails to get the attention of the kids, GRANDMA

Bellemore enters the scene with a cup of coffee and hands

it to DAVID)

GRANDMA: You’re gonna need it. (turning her attention to the kids) Lucas, Daniella, Amelie! ​ ​ (the kids freeze) What are my rules about fighting in the house? ​ ​ AMELIE, LUCAS, & DANIELLA: If you’re going to fight, take it outside.

GRANDMA: Thank you. Now why are you fighting?

AMELIE: Daniella wouldn’t let me watch Rainbow Ponies and their Magical Friends!

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GRANDMA: Daniella?

DANIELLA: We’ve watched it every day for the past week, I swear if I see one more rainbow pegasus...

AMELIE: Pony!

DANIELLA: Pony! I’m gonna lose it.

LUCAS: Looks like you already lost it!

(DANIELLA throws a pillow at LUCAS) ​ ​ GRANDMA: How about I decide for you.

AMELIE: There’s no way—

GRANDMA: The Lion King.

AMELIE & DANIELLA: Yes!

AMELIA: There’s animals and music and dancing and—

DANIELLA: Death!

AMELIE: Something for both of us!

(AMELIE and DANIELLA high-five)

GRANDMA: See, that wasn’t so hard. (Turning toward Lucas) And what are you doing? ​ ​ LUCAS: Last-minute History homework. I’m just struggling with the World War II timeline but I don’t think you can help--

GRANDMA: Honey, I lived through World War II. You’ve got a primary source right in front of you.

LUCAS: Woah.

GRANDMA: Mmhmm

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DAVID: I’m late for work!

AMELIE: But what about the pancakes!

DAVID: They’re on the table with the-

LUCAS: Aren’t you forgetting something?

(DAVID checks his pockets and looks around. LUCAS then ​ points at himself and his two sisters) ​ LUCAS: How are we getting to school?

DAVID: School! (checking watch) If we leave now and I go fifty miles per an hour then I’ll ​ ​ only be... forty-five minutes late to work.

GRANDMA: Don’t worry, I got the kids.

DAVID: But-

GRANDMA: No buts! I got this, just go!

DAVID: Thank you.

GRANDMA:(smiles) You can thank me by getting a move on! (to the kids) Now Move! You ​ ​ ​ ​ can eat your pancakes in the car

(The children immediately scramble to get ready)

DANIELLA: My book is gone!

GRANDMA: They’re under your papers.

LUCAS: I didn’t finish the homework!

GRANDMA: You can finish it on the drive over!

AMELIE: (holding two bows) Which one is better? Yellow or Pink? ​ ​ GRANDMA: Yellow.

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AMELIE:(nods) I think so too. ​ ​ GRANDMA: (calling out to everyone) We’re going to the car now! Anyone who isn’t there ​ ​ will be walking!

(AMELIE runs off stage, before realizing something and ​ running back to catch DAVID before he exits the stage) ​ AMELIE: Dad, did you tell Mom about my dance recital tomorrow? I practiced extra hard just for her!

DAVID: Yea, I let her know. You’ll do great.

AMELIE: Yay! Thanks Daddy!

(AMELIE hands DAVID the flyer and runs over to nag ​ DANIELLE and LUCAS who are packing up. GRANDMA

walks over to DAVID concerned.) ​ GRANDMA: You haven’t told them?

DAVID: They’ll be crushed.

(DAVID hides the flyer in his jacket) ​ ​ GRANDMA: They’re already crushed that their mother isn’t here anymore.

DAVID: I know.

GRANDMA: I’ll work on the letter when I get back. What’s the excuse this time?

DAVID: Say she had to work overtime.

GRANDMA: You know, we can’t keep doing this forever. This will all come out eventually.

AMELIE: (hollering) Come on, come on. Let’s go! ​ ​ GRANDMA: Let me know if you need anything, okay?

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DAVID: I will.

(GRANDMA walks off stage, hand-in-hand with Amelie.

LUCAS and DANIELLA panic a bit longer, LUCAS walks

offstage)

DANIELLA: (realizing she’s alone) Hey! Don’t leave without me! ​ ​ (DANIELLA runs offstage) ​ ​ DAVID: (pulling flyer out of pocket and sitting at table, looks at AMELIE’s stuffed animal) You ​ ​ too, eh? Do I tell them? Is it too early? Is it too late? They’re children after all. (Folding the ​ flyer) They’re my children after all. Alice had her chance, she made her choice! Besides, ​ ​ ​ what they don’t know can’t hurt them right? I’m just protecting them! Right!? (beat, grabs ​ stuffed animal) Oh what do you know! I’m literally talking to a stuffed cat. For a stuffed cat, ​ you’re really good at listening. I’m late for work!

(DAVID runs offstage) ​

ACT I, SCENE 2:

(AMELIE runs on stage energetically and throws her

backpack down.)

AMELIE: Come on Dani!! Hurry up, hurry up!!

(AMELIE runs and grabs papers and pens. She brings

them CS and sits down next to them. DANIELLA walks

onstage and sets her backpack down next to AMELIE’S)

DANIELLA: (offstage) I’m coming. I’m coming. ​ ​

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AMELIE: The mailman will be here any second! (whining) Dani! ​ ​ DANIELLA: (setting her things down roughly) What!? ​ ​ AMELIE: (whines) You promised we would write letters to Mom after school, remember? ​ ​ DANIELLA: You made me jump out of the car, for that!? (professional sounding) Sorry, I ​ ​ have better things to do.

AMELIE: Like what?

DANIELLA: Homework.

(GRANDMA nonchalantly enters and goes to read a book

on the couch, upstage of the girls)

AMELIE: But you never do your homework! And you promised!

DANIELLA: I don’t care.

AMELIE: You’re gonna be that way?

DANIELLA: I guess so.

(DANIELLA begins to walk away)

AMELIE: Fine. Grandma!

(DANIELLA quickly spins around)

DANIELLA: Shhh.. no, no no.

GRANDMA: If I have to get up, both of you will regret it.

DANIELLA: (sigh) Fine! But we’re moving to the table. ​ ​ AMELIE: But, I like the floor!

DANIELLA: Do you want me to help you?

AMELIE: I do! I do!

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DANIELLA: Then we’re moving.

(DANIELLA and AMELIE pick up the supplies and go to

the table on the CS box)

AMELIE: (grabs paper) So, what do I write? ​ ​ DANIELLA: I don’t know. (a beat. AMELIE glares at her) Write about your day. ​ ​ AMELIE: Okay!

DANIELLA: So, am I good to go now?

AMELIE: No!

(AMELIE grabs paper and pencil and pushes it her way)

AMELIE: You write to Mom too!

DANIELLA: And what do I have to say to Mom?

AMELIE: (happily) Tell her about your day. ​ ​ DANIELLA: No.

AMELIE: Tell her about the movie we saw over the weekend!

DANIELLA: No.

AMELIE: Tell her about your friends.

DANIELLA: What friends?

AMELIE: (upset) I don’t know. (trying to come up with something) uhhh. ​ ​ ​ ​ GRANDMA: You could tell her about the boy you’re crushing on in your class.

DANIELLA: How’d you know about—

GRANDMA: Sweetie, your Grandma knows a lot of things.

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(DANIELLA and AMELIE shrug and continue writing.

LUCAS walks in and drops his backpack and sits at the

table with AMELIE and DANIELLA)

LUCAS: What are you writing about today, Amelie?

AMELIE: Well I was writing about school, but then I got bored so I started drawing. Plus I feel like Mom would want a drawing more anyways!

LUCAS: And what about you, Dani?

DANIELLA: Nuclear launch codes. What else would I be writing?

LUCAS: (unsurely) Right ​ ​ … (LUCAS grabs a piece of paper and begins to write)

AMELIE: What are you writing Lucas?

LUCAS: The usual, about class and college.

(After a beat DANIELLA takes LUCAS’s letter.) ​ ​ ​ ​ DANIELLA: This is so boring! “English class was fun today.”

(DANIELLA makes faces at LUCAS. While DANIELLA

makes fun of him, LUCAS grabs DANIELLA’s letter)

LUCAS: “Dear Mom: This is Ella-” you haven’t gone by Ella for years-

DANIELLA: Give it back beanpole!

(DANIELLA chases LUCAS, who runs away from her,

across stage still reading the letter.)

LUCAS: “-I hope you’re doing well. It’s been kinda stressful at school but nothing I can’t handle. Also tried Track and Field today, hated it. Guess I’m not athletic like Lucas or Dad.

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Surprisingly, writing to you is weirdly therapeutic.” Oh so I’m the boring one? You put so much effort into this!

AMELIE: Oh! Let me see.

(AMELIE grabs the letter and hides under the table) ​ ​ DANIELLA: No!

AMELIE: “Amelie was being her usual bratty self.” Hey!

DANIELLA: (Feels just a little bad) Just keep reading. ​ ​ AMELIE: (as AMELIE reads DANIELLA shrinks awkwardly into herself) “Just our usual ​ ​ fighting over the remote stuff, nothing too serious. Luckily Grandma stepped in before I murdered her. Also the Season finale to Rainbow Ponies and their Magical Friends was super disappointing.” Dani, I knew you liked Rainbow Ponies!

DANIELLA:(Embarrassed) Shut up! (Grabbing the letter back) If either of you bring this up ​ ​ ​ ​ again you’re dead!

LUCAS: But what about--

DANIELLA: Dead!

(LUCAS snatches his letter back and begins writing again,

DANIELLA begins walking away to her room. AMELIE

and LUCAS sit back down at the table.)

AMELIE: Where are you going Dani?

DANIELLA: My room?

AMELIE: But the letters!

DANIELLA: I clearly finished mine. So I’m going to my room.

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AMELIE: But you need to help me!

DANIELLA: I do?

AMELIE: (pointing) Do you want me to call Grandma? ​ ​ DANIELLA: (Looks at Grandma who gestures [without eye contact] or else) No! ​ ​ (DANIELLA sits down by AMELIE and sighs)

DANIELLA: Okay. Now what?

AMELIE: Operation write the perfect colorful, glitter-filled card to Mom.

DANIELLA: Just rolls right off the tongue.

AMELIE: (holds one hand out to DANIELLA but doesn’t make eye contact) Pink Marker. ​ ​ DANIELLA: (hands her the marker) Pink Marker. ​ ​ AMELIE: Yellow highlighter.

DANIELLA: Yellow highlighter.

AMELIE: Purple crayon

DANIELLA: Purple crayon.

AMELIE: Glitter.

(DANIELLA looks around for a moment)

DANIELLA: We don’t have glitter … AMELIE: (looks up at DANIELLA)What do you mean we don’t have any glitter? ​ ​ DANIELLA: I mean we don’t have any glitter! Besides, what do you need glitter for anyway?

AMELIE: (passionately) Dani, glitter is essential to creating the perfect picture for Mom. ​ ​ Without it the card isn’t perfect and Mom deserves the absolute best!

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DANIELLA: (realizing how much this means to AMELIE; sensitive) Ummm what about ​ ​ metallic markers?

(AMELIE is deep in thought for a moment then nods)

AMELIE: Yeah! Those would work!

(AMELE draws while DANIELLA watches. DAVID enters

and sits with GRANDMA)

AMELIE: And done!

DANIELLA: Great so I’ll--

AMELIE: Wait!!!

DANIELLA & LUCAS: What?!

AMELIE: I almost forgot the flyer for my dance recital. Mom seems pretty forgetful.

DANIELLA: Geez, you nearly sent me to the ER.

AMELIE: Okay, now it’s done! I’ll give the letters to Grandma.

(DANIELLA hands AMELIE both her and LUCAS’ letter)

AMELIE: Grandma! Grandma! We finished!

DANIELLA: Shh, wait! Grandma is talking with Dad, we shouldn’t bother them--

(In the background, there’s the sound of a Mail truck

pulling up)

DANIELLA: Well, the mailman is already here. Let’s just save Grandma the trouble.

AMELIE: Good idea! Ya done Lucas?

LUCAS: Still working on it, I’ll see if Grandma can run it to the post office later.

15

(AMELIE and DANIELLA run offstage to hand the letter to ​ the mailman, LUCAS stays onstage at the table finishing

writing the letter) ​

ACT 1, SCENE 3:

(LUCAS is distracted writing while GRANDMA and DAVID

talk. DAVID pulls the flyer from his pocket)

DAVID: Did you-

GRANDMA: Made it just before picking them up.

DAVID: What did you say?

GRANDMA: She’s stuck working an overnight shift, but is sending her love and a wish to record the whole thing on the camcorder.

DAVID: Perfect.

(DAVID shoves the letter into his pocket and begins ​ leaving) ​ GRANDMA: When are you going to tell them, David?

DAVID: Soon.

GRANDMA: Soon? You keep saying soon. I can’t keep writing these letters forever.

(The word letters catches LUCAS’s attention, as the ​ ​ ​ conversation progresses he wanders toward the living

room) ​ DAVID: Just for a little while longer, they’re too young to know.

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GRANDMA: Too young to know what? That their mother left them, that she chose a life of luxury over her family, they know that! They deserve to know the truth.

DAVID: They aren’t ready!

GRANDMA: David, stop being stubborn. The more we wait, the more it’ll hurt.

DAVID: But--

GRANDMA: No. We can’t put this off any longer.

DAVID: Then what do we do?

GRANDMA: Be honest with them, just rip the bandage off, clean and easy.

DAVID: It’s not that easy, it’ll crush them.

GRANDMA: They’re already crushed without their mom, David.

DAVID: Okay, Okay. We’ll have a big family meal, with all their favorite foods.

GRANDMA: Mac-n-cheese for Amelie.

DAVID: Yes! And baked ziti for Lucas.

GRANDMA: And for Daniella—

DAVID: Is she still in that healthy phase? I can never tell.

GRANDMA: She got out of that a week ago, I think she’s just been eating chips for the past week.

DAVID: We stopped buying those a month ago, where is she getting them?

GRANDMA: Don’t look at me-

DAVID: Then what about peanut butter and jelly?

GRANDMA: She has a peanut allergy, David.

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(GRANDMA and DAVID talk about the plan while LUCAS

takes CS.)

LUCAS: Fake letters? (looking at letters) They can’t be fake. Are they? No! It’s mom, it has to ​ ​ be mom. Grandma mentioned they were our only connection. (Happily) And they ​ ​ mentioned making Ziti but the last time they made Ziti Sparky ran away. What if they are … faking the letters? I don’t know. Why, how? No! Lucas just do your homework. I should try to make sense of calculus before I make sense of this.

(LUCAS runs back to table to distract himself with

homework, DAVID and GRANDMA continue to argue. As

LUCAS walks away he knocks over a hydro flask.

GRANDMA and LUCAS share a glance, LUCAS has a look

of fright, HYDRO DOWN!)

GRANDMA: Busted!

DAVID: Lucas, come here.

LUCAS: Oh sorry, I think Daniella is calling me over in the basement.

GRANDMA: We don’t even have a basement!

LUCAS: What was that Dani? I’m coming!

(LUCAS runs and hides under the table)

GRANDMA: Lucas!

DAVID: Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him.

(DAVID walks to Dining room but doesn't see LUCAS) ​

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GRANDMA: I thought I taught that boy to never eavesdrop, the only person who can eavesdrop in this house is me and me alone!

DAVID: We know mom.

(GRANDMA exists. DAVID walks over to the table and sees

LUCAS’s homework)

DAVID: (yells) Lucas you forgot your homework! (Beat) You’re not going in late tomorrow if ​ ​ ​ ​ it’s not done. How is he gonna pass Calculus if he doesn't do the homework?

(DAVID exists a couple of seconds later LUCAS pops up

under the table)

LUCAS: (quietly offended) I do the homework. I’ll show him. G times T equals T plus five ​ ​ divided by one minus T … (LUCAS groans in frustration and throws his pencil across

the table)

LUCAS: Can’t. Focus. (Picks up a letter of the table and begins to read) “Lucas, congrats on ​ ​ acing that test! I can’t wait to hear which college you choose. I’m sure they’re all begging you to come to their schools—” (scoffs) What a joke. I can’t believe I fell for this. (Holds ​ ​ ​ letter up to the light) It even looks like Grandma's handwriting. “Hugs and kisses, Mom”... It ​ was so obvious. Mom seemed so different in the letters. I thought she was changing I … thought maybe she was going to be a part of Amelie’s life (beat) What do I tell Amelie and ​ ​ Dani? They’re going to be so upset when they find out? Do I even tell them?

DANIELLA: Hey, beanpole. What’s with the yelling? I thought you were doing Calculus.

(sittings with LUCAS) What's up? ​ ​

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LUCAS: Nothing is up.

DANIELLA: Okay you’re definitely lying. What’s bugging you?

LUCAS: (sighs) Hypothetically if someone you trusted did something to break that trust, ​ ​ what would you do?

DANIELLA: Hear them out, I guess? I trusted them for a reason.

LUCAS: But what if they don’t know that you know?

DANIELLA: What’s going on with you? (realizing) Girl trouble? ​ ​ LUCAS: (flabbergasted) NO! ​ ​ DANIELLA: (Sarcastically) Wow. If you’re having girl trouble then you should beat your ​ ​ friend to the punch and profess your love in a public display at school!

LUCAS: What no! I DON’T have girl trouble. My friends and I are all on good terms. There are NO girls.

DANIELLA: Geez, got it! Quiet down before you wake up the dead. (beat) In this ​ ​ “hypothetical” situation, you should at least hear this person out. Does that help?

LUCAS: (frustratedly) No ​ ​ … (AMELIE enters)

AMELIE: Why are you guys still up?

DANIELLA: We’re talking about Lucas’ lady friend.

AMELIE: Huh! Lucas! Why didn't you tell me! I need to meet her! ​ ​ LUCAS: There are no girls!

(LUCAS glances at his watch)

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LUCAS: I WAS working on school work until someone interrupted. I hadn’t realized it was so late. Why are you up?

AMELIE: I had a bad dream.

(LUCAS and DANIELLA walk over to AMELIE and

crouches down to her level)

LUCAS: What happened? Do you want to talk about it?

(AMELIE nods her head yes)

AMELIE: There was a big monster. And he was chasing me down the hallway!

LUCAS: Amelie. I promise you. Monsters aren't real.

AMELIE: I know. But I’m still scared.

LUCAS: Alright, how about I walk you back to bed and work on homework in there until you fall asleep? Worst case scenario, we’ll unleash Dani on them. She’s way scarier than any monster.

DANIELLA: Yup and they’ll regret messing with my little sister!

AMELIE: (giggle) Okay. ​ ​ (AMELIE and DANIELLA exit. LUCAS re-enters to grab his

stuff)

DAVID: Thanks for helping Amelie. I wanted to talk with you real quick.

LUCAS: Alright. Am I in trouble? Because if I am, I just want to say that whatever Dani said is a lie.

DAVID: No, no one has done anything wrong.

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ACT 1, SCENE 4:

(LUCAS and DAVID walk to the living room)

DAVID: Have a seat let’s talk.

(LUCAS sits down across from his dad) ​ LUCAS: Dad, what’s going on?

DAVID: Well, your mom and I have been having a difficult time with each other. I know you’re aware of that... I know you were eavesdropping. I’m not saying what you did was right, but I understand. I just want you to know it has nothing to do with Daniella, or

Amelie, or you.

LUCAS: I know But why would Grandma pretend to be mom? Why would you guys fake … letters from mom? Why would you lie to us?

DAVID: You’ve lost so much already, we didn’t want you to lose a mom too. We wanted you guys to still feel connected to her.

LUCAS: (accusingly) Even if that connection is false? ​ ​ DAVID: We wanted you to have something to hope for. Something to stop you guys from growing up too fast. I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while now, I just haven’t found the time to sit you down properly.

LUCAS: But what about Dani and Amelie? When were you planning on telling them?

DAVID: I don’t know yet. It happened so long ago, and I didn’t want you to feel like your--

LUCAS: life was a lie?

DAVID: That’s not what I meant. Lucas you know your grandma and I love you very much.

We wanted to make your mom’s absence a little less noticeable.

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LUCAS: But you can’t just keep them in the dark

DAVID: I know, Lucas. (beat) Don’t worry about it, your grandma and I will figure it out. ​ ​ Ok?

LUCAS: I’m still worried about you, dad.

DAVID: Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself. You’re growing up too fast and I don’t think it’s necessary. This is an important time in your life and you can’t take it for granted.

LUCAS: Well, if I don’t worry about you or Amelie or Daniella, who will? I can’t just sit here and pretend like everything’s ok. Because it’s not. You know that, I know that, everyone knows that.

DAVID: Lucas it’s not your responsibility to worry about these things. Please promise me you won’t tell Amelie or Daniella.

LUCAS: But—

DAVID: Promise me. For their sake.

LUCAS: I promise.

DAVID: Thank you.

(DAVID walks offstage.)

LUCAS: Don’t worry? They lied. How can I act like everything’s fine.

(DANIELLA enters) ​ ​ ​ ​ DANIELLA: Amelie’s wondering where you are.

LUCAS: I’ll be there in a sec.

DANIELLA: Lucas are you sure you’re okay you don’t seem--

LUCAS: I’m fine Daniella.

23

DANIELLA: I’m just saying you don’t seem like yourself.

LUCAS: Well maybe cause I’m not!

DANIELLA: (beat) I don’t know what’s up with you Lucas, and if you’re not gonna accept ​ ​ my help then that’s fine. But lashing out at me is not okay. We all have our troubles, but if you’re too stubborn to ask for help, that’s on you. Find me when you’re ready to talk.

LUCAS: Dani, I didn’t--

(GRANDMA enters) ​ ​ ​ ​ GRANDMA: What’s going on?

DANIELLA: Ask Lucas!

GRANDMA: Daniella what’s wrong?

DANIELLA: I tried being a good sister but it just came to bite me in the—

GRANDMA: Eh hem.

DANIELlA: Whatever.

(DANIELLA exits)

GRANDMA: Lucas! What is going on with you?

LUCAS: I’m fine. Just trying to finish homework.

GRANDMA: Lucas I’m worried about you. (LUCAS focuses on the homework) I’ll leave you to ​ ​ it. Let me know if you need any help. Please just make sure to get some sleep

LUCAS: (beat) Okay. ​ ​ (GRANDMA exists and blackout)

ACT 1, SCENE 5: ​

24

(As each child reads the letter they take a box)

AMELIE: Dear Mom, school was amazing today! Claire invited me to come over to her house on Friday night for her birthday. We are going to watch the premier of the new season of

Rainbow Ponies and their Magical Friends since its both of our favorite shows. I already told Daddy that I want to get her a pony. Daddy’s been really busy lately so I hope he remembers the has to go get it. (quieter) I told him exactly which pony to get her: Rainbow ​ ​ sparkle. That’s mine and her favorite pony from the show because one: its rainbow, both of our favorite color, and two: its sparkly! Otherwise, school is hard. Like what genius thought we needed 3 “too’s”! How will I ever know which one you’re using! Also apparently that wasn’t confusing enough so they had to make 3 “there’s”! Seriously, who’s idea was this!

Were they just trying to confuse little 4th graders?

DANIELLA: Dear mom, Thanks for writing back. I hope that wherever you are that you’re happy and healthy. Nothing was too out of the ordinary today. Amelie was her usual annoying self, Lucas a bit more closed off than usual. Actually Lucas was weird today. He usually tells me everything and tries to mother-hen the rest of us! He’s hiding something,

I’m sure of it. It makes me feel alone, I just want him to know that he can rely on me and I want to be there for him...and I’m still waiting for you to come back! I miss you no … (crosses it out) I’m waiting for you to come visit. (Quieter) Everything at school is fine, but ​ ​ ​ ​ there’s this boy,Benjamin Logan, and he makes me so mad! He has two first names, he clearly deserves to be punched. He keeps talking to me and getting me in trouble in class.

He has a nice, friendly smile and deep, chocolate (beat) it makes me want to kill him Oh ​ ​ … my gosh I think I like him. How do I deal with boys? I don’t, that’s how. Um, um, um, um …

25

do I sing My Chemical Romance to him? Do I flirt by telling him I’d attend his funeral if he died?

LUCAS: Dear mom, I’m doing just fine. I hope you’re doing fine too. We all miss you. Nothing much has happened since I wrote to you last that you wouldn’t know about (quieter) Dani ​ ​ … ​ ​ thinks I like a girl, which is not true. Maybe if you ever come and visit we could talk … AMELIE: I miss you.

DANIELLA: When are you coming back?

LUCAS: Are these conversations even real?

ALL: Love

AMELIE: Amelie.

DANIELLA: Daniella.

LUCAS: Lucas.

ALL: Bellemore.

(A knock is heard from offstage)

LUCAS: I’ll get it!

(LUCAS runs off to the side of the stage and opens a door)

LUCAS: Mom?

(Blackout)

END OF ACT I

26

ACT 2, SCENE 1:

(LUCAS and ALICE stand CS)

LUCAS: Mom? What are you doing here?

ALICE: What, no nice to see you for your dear old Mom? I’ve traveled quite far to come here.

LUCAS: Sorry. I just thought we’d, I’d never see-

ALICE: That’s ridiculous, of course I’d come back and see you. Also, the stuttering, you know how I feel about that stuttering. Now, where are your sisters?

LUCAS: I-

(AMELIE enters and runs to hug ALICE)

AMELIE: Mommy!

ALICE: Amelie! Hi, Sweetie! You’ve gotten so big!

AMELIE: I can’t believe you actually came!

ALICE: Well, of course. You invited me to see your dance recital and i couldn't resist.. I’m just glad you never changed your address or I would have never been able to find you guys.

AMELIE: Daniella! Grandma! Daddy! Come here!

(MALLORY, DAVID, and DANIELLA enter)

DAVID: Alice?

ALICE: Hello, David.

DANIELLA: Mom!

(DANIELLA runs to give ALICE a hug)

DANIELLA: I missed you so much!

27

DAVID: How did this happen?

(Realizes that showing affection is

out of her character and stops hugging ALICE)

DANIELLA: It’s nice to see you!

AMELIE: So you got our letters from the mailman?

ALICE: Yup! I was so surprised!

DAVID: What are you doing here?

ALICE: We’ll talk later, right now I want to spend time with my little ones. You’ve all gotten so big. What have you all been up too?

LUCAS: Well, I-

GRANDMA: Nice to see you again, Alice.

ALICE: Oh Mallory, Hello. Didn’t think you’d still be around...

GRANDMA: So. Alice, what made you decide to come back?

ALICE: Well. I got a letter from my little Amelie, telling me how much they missed me and then asking me to come back. So I did.

GRANDMA: Kids, come with me. Let’s give Mommy and Daddy a minute to talk.

DANIELLA: But we--

GRANDMA: Now.

AMELIE: Okay.

(AMELIE, DANIELLA, LUCAS, and GRANDMA exit)

DAVID: So you unexpectedly leave for 2 years. Without a word? And think you can just waltz in like nothing happened.

28

ALICE: David-

DAVID: Amelie tried calling you everyday only to be answered by a secretary. Daniella has a running bet with Lucas if you’d show up to the event or just give an excuse--

ALICE: David! I needed to work on myself. And now I am at a place where my career is stable, my life is stable, and I am able to take care of my children the way I’m supposed to. I can now provide for them the right way.

DAVID: You couldn’t have cared for them before?

ALICE: Stop pretending like you’re not happy to see me.

DAVID: I wasn’t the one who left two years ago. I wanted us to be a family. This isn’t a game, Alice. Your actions have real consequences.

ALICE: Well. I really didn’t expect you to act this way. I never pictured you as the type to try and alienate his kids from their mother.

DAVID: I have always left the door open for you to talk with them, to bond with them, to be the mother they want. You’ve been the one keeping it closed.

ALICE: I just thought you’d be more understanding and accepting about my position. I thought you’d be grateful I even came back. I provide a lot for this family.

DAVID: Tell me what I should be grateful for? Lucas missing his school events to take care of the house? Or all the lonely mommy-daughter dates that Amelie had at school? Maybe it’s the nights Daniella spent questioning if you even still loved them?

ALICE: Well, I’m here now and that’s all that matters. I have changed. I don’t know if you fully knew the sacrifices I made to do the best I could back then.

DAVID: Alice-

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ALICE: But now, I’m in a good place. I can provide. That’s why I came back. I missed you, and I want to help now.

DAVID: I’m hoping that you will be there for the kids.

ALICE: I will David.

DAVID: I want you to be there for them. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for them.

ALICE: I know.

DAVID: And maybe, we can finally become a family again.

ALICE: (smiles) Maybe. (beat) I’m going to check on the kids. ​ ​ ​ ​

ACT 2, Scene 2:

(ALICE is knelt down next to AMELIE looking at drawings.

GRANDMA enters and approaches DAVID)

GRANDMA: David what's going on?

DAVID: I don’t know.

GRANDMA: Did you send the invite?

DAVID: No, of course I didn't.

GRANDMA: Then how did--

DAVID: Mom. I don't know.

GRANDMA: Well, unlike you. I’m gonna find out.

DAVID: What do you m--

(GRANDMA watches AMELIE watches for a minute and then approaches ALICE)

GRANDMA: May I talk with you Alice?

30

(ALICE is ignoring GRANDMA’s coldness) ​ ALICE: In a bit, Mallory. I want to see my darling little Ami’s drawings.

GRANDMA: Alice, we’re gonna talk?

(ALICE rolls her eyes but stands up) ​ ALICE: Fine. I’ll be back in just a bit

(GRANDMA takes ALICE aside so AMELIE can’t hear the conversation)

GRANDMA: What are you doing back?

ALICE: I wanted to see my kids, is that a crime, Mallory?

GRANDMA: It is when you haven’t been here for two years.

ALICE: The kids understand, I’ve been busy with work.

GRANDMA: Alice, the kids-

ALICE: You mean my kids? The ones I loved, provided for, cared for-

GRANDMA: Alice-

ALICE: Do you think I don’t care about my children?

GRANDMA: I know you care-

ALICE: You know how much I care for them. Don’t you?

(A beat of silence, Alice looking hurt while ​ GRANDMA searches for words before she finally

agrees.) ​ GRANDMA: Yes, I know you care for them.

ALICE: Thank you. Also, Mallory. It was kind of you to assume my role while I was away, but ​ ​ now I’m back, so your services won't be needed anymore.

31

GRANDMA: It’s really no big deal-

ALICE: Oh I insist and now you can take a break. Go play some bingo or do some extreme couponing. (condescending) And don’t worry, they’ll still visit. ​ ​ GRANDMA: Um.. alright … ALICE: Great. Now that that’s all settled, I’m going to admire my daughter’s beautiful drawings.

(ALICE walks away from GRANDMA, fixing her ​ jacket. She puts on a smile for AMELIE) ​ ALICE: Sorry about that sweetie, Grandma was just telling me how tired she was.

AMELIE: Really?

ALICE: Yeah. Taking care of kids is a lot of work. But now, I’m here. I’ll take care of you. You know how much I want to be here, right?

AMELIE: Yeah!

ALICE: Now, I heard something about a stuffed cat? … AMELIE: Socks!

ALICE: Alright then, where’s socks?

AMELIE: He’s in my room. Come on, come on!

(AMELIE shepherds ALICE away, excitedly chattering)

ACT 2 , SCENE3:

(DAVID is on stage by himself, freaking out that no one is up)

DAVID: Everybody, up!

32

DANIELLA: Ah, I’m up! Did they find the body?!

DAVID: No, but school is happening in twenty minutes!

LUCAS: (Textbook in hand) What does this even mean? ​ ​ ALICE: What’s with the noise? Does anyone here know how to keep it down!

DANIELLA: If we’re going to be late, why don’t we just skip school?

DAVID: Because you have to go and get an education. Go to college and be a successful career women.

DANIELLA: (shrugs) College is overrated. ​ ​ ALICE: Danielle has a point. You guys have been working much too hard these past few days, with school and such. Hey, how about we take a ditch day? Y’know, go out and have some fun. I’ll write you guys a note.

DAVID: The kids can’t ditch school-

ALICE: Kids! Wanna go get some ice cream?

AMELIE: (sprints onstage) Omigosh did someone say ice cream! ​ ​ DANIELLA: I suppose, I was thinking waffles though.

LUCAS: Sure, a whole lot better than this unholy math problem.

ALICE: Okay! Now go get ready and then we’ll go.

AMELIE: (sprints off stage) Okay! ​ ​ (DANIELLA and LUCAS leaves)

AMELIE: (sprints onstage) Ok! I’m ready to go! ​ ​ ALICE: What about Daniella and Lucas? Are they ready?

AMELIE: DANIELLA! LUCAS! HURRY UP!

33

DAVID: Good morning Amelie.

AMELIE: Hi Daddy! Guess what!

DAVID: What?

AMELIE: No, guess!

DAVID: Ummm. You drew a pony..

AMELIE: No! Well, yes (giggle) but what I meant was Mommy’s gonna take us to ice cream! ​ ​ DAVID: She is! (Crouches down to her level) Make sure you don’t eat too much and get a ​ ​ brain freeze.

AMELIE: (laughs) I know, I know. (A beat) Are you gonna come with us, Daddy? ​ ​ ​ ​ (ALICE cuts in coldly and unexpectedly)

ALICE: Oh, I’m sure your father has work to do. Busy man.

AMELIE: Oh. Okay.

DAVID: I think I’m able to ditch work just this once.

ALICE: Your office would allow you to leave work? That could cost you money.

AMELIE: Oh no! You need money. Somehow we are out of glitter!

DAVID: Okay then. Have fun with your Mom, Ami!

AMELIE: Bye Daddy!

DAVID: (To ALICE) They can be late, just make sure to take them to school. ​ ​ ALICE: I have it handled.

(DAVID exits. DANIELLA and LUCAS enter)

LUCAS: Ok we’re ready.

ALICE: Then Let’s go!

34

AMELIE: (AMELIE drops to her knees throws her hands to the heavens) Finally! ​ ​ DANIELLA: Good thing she can’t drive, or she’d leave us!

(ALL laugh and exit, ALICE enters to pick up her bag but DAVID stops her)

DAVID: We gotta talk.

ALICE: About what?

DAVID: Icecream for breakfast? That’s not a meal.

ALICE: We’ll have other food as well, relax. It's not like I’m starving them.

DAVID: I get it’s been a long time and you want them to like you, but you also have to be a

Mom.

ALICE: You’re being a bit judgemental.

DAVID: And, why;d did you tell her to leave?

ALICE: Who?

DAVID: Mallory, my mother.

ALICE: Oh, well I thought she was too old to have to take care of kids. She could fall and break a hip or something, and why should I have that around my kids? What, do you think I can’t handle being a mother?

DAVID: (angry) You shouldn’t have just kicked her out without telling me first. This whole ​ ​ thing with us isn’t going to work unless you tell me things before you do them. Mallory was was always there to take care of the kids when I couldn’t. She emptied out her life savings for this family and she never once made me feel bad or feel like I owed her anything! (A ​ beat) Are you sure you can manage? If you can’t then I need you to apologize to Mallory and ​ ask her to come back.

35

ALICE: (frustrated) I got this. ​ ​ DAVID: And Alice.

ALICE: What?

DAVID: Can you stop by the grocery store and pick up a few things; I have some news to break at dinner.

ACT 2, SCENE4:

(ALL characters come on stage and sit at the dining room.) ​ ​ LUCAS: Good dinner, Dad! I thought only Grandma knew how to make baked ziti.

DANIELLA: Yeah and the meatloaf was so good.

AMELIE: The Mac and Cheese was great, but Grandma used to put extra cheese.

DANIELLA: Just be grateful you got any food.

AMELIE: Hey!

DAVID: Girls. (glares at them. beat) How was school guys? ​ ​ LUCAS: I had a test for Calculus today, but-

DANIELLA: We didn’t go to school today.

DAVID: (Looks at Alice) What! Why didn’t anyone tell me! ​ ​ ALICE: It must’ve slipped my mind.

LUCAS: Well, I don’t mind missing Calculus if I’m being honest.

ALICE: I remember Calculus, horrible horrible subject. But, I was a pretty great student.

You must take your math skills after me.

LUCAS: I guess. (Mutters under breath) I didn’t realize Calculus was genetic. ​ ​

36

ALICE: What was that Lucas? I couldn’t hear you.

LUCAS: Um, nothing.

ALICE: Then don’t mumble and start sentences without finishing them, it gives me a headache. What about you Amelie?

AMELIE: Today was so fun! But, I missed the new episode of Rainbow Ponies and her

Magical Friends.

ALICE: Don’t worry! I’m sure they’ll show reruns of the episode. I haven’t forgotten about you! How was your day, Dani?

DANIELLA: Really good! It was nice to be out of prison.

LUCAS: School.

DANIELLA: Prison. It was nice just to be out and about. Plus, we all got our favorite foods to top off the day! The last time this happened was when Sparky ran away and when

Mom...You’re not leaving us, right?

ALICE: No, sweetie. I-

(ALICE receives a call)

ALICE: I’m sorry, I have to take this.

(ALICE walks offstage)

AMELIE: I’m glad that Mom’s back. She got me new markers.

DANIELLA: You already have like, a hundred markers.

AMELIE: You can never have too many markers, Dani. Disaster strikes at anytime.

(ALICE runs back onstage)

ALICE: Work never sleeps. Turns out corporate wants me in their London office next week.

37

DANIELLE: What?

AMELIE: London?

DAVID: You’re leaving again?

ALICE: I got a call from work that’s going to pay me a lot more money for the benefit of the family, and you call me the bad guy?-

(DANIELLA lets out a sob and runs off stage)

ALICE to DAVID: I’ll go talk to her, since you can’t handle diplomacy.

(ALICE exits. DANIELLA is the only one on stage,

and ALICE enters to comfort her)

DANIELLA: Leave me alone, Amelie. I just wanna sit here and mope.

ALICE: It’s me.

(DANIELLA looks at ALICE and is shocked)

ALICE: It was the meatloaf, wasn’t it?

DANIELLA: (laughs) I don’t expect Dad to remember my favorite food. At least it wasn’t ​ ​ PB&J this time.

ALICE: Lasagna, right?

DANIELLA: You still remember?

ALICE: Of course! I tried to convince David, but he was so adamant about meatloaf. (A beat) ​ So tell me what’s going on.

DANIELLA: Everything. It’s just that Lucas is applying to college and everyone is focused on

Amelie. Dad is only one person and he can only pay attention to so many things. I’m trying my best to help to not cause trouble, but it feels like that’s all I do.

38

ALICE: A family with big personalities and problems. It’s easy to not be seen and feel significant. I know how that feels.

DANIELLA: That’s why I missed you so much. I don’t talk much in school and no one asks how I’m doing at home. I know that we’re all just pre-occupied but, you always made sure to talk to me, to check how I was doing. You always made time for me and it’s just so easy to feel that no one cares.

(ALICE and DANIELLA shares a hug)

DANIELLA: Please don’t leave me.

ALICE: I can’t. I have work to do, budgets to fill-

DANIELLE: Please?

ALICE: I have an idea. How about you go to London with me?

DANIELLE: London?

ALICE: Yeah, a girls night extravaganza. I can show you all around the sights and show you what real fun is.

DANIELLE: That’d .that’d be awesome! … ALICE: Yeah, it would! It would be you and me, us against the world! I’ll get my phone. We’ll leave tonight!

(A beat) ​ AMELIE: (Runs on stage) Wait! Don’t go, I care about you Daniella. ​ ​ (AMELIE hugs DANIELLE)

DANIELLA: I know, I’m not sure if I want to go...I’ll have to think about it.

39

(ALICE pulls out her computer and starts

working, DANIELLE over her shoulder. Split ​ scene to LUCAS and DAVID)

LUCAS: How could you let her into our lives and then let her leave?

DAVID: She said she wanted to fix things!

LUCAS: And now she trampled on everyone’s feeling and she’s leaving us, again!

DAVID: I thought she was going to stay with us this time

LUCAS: We should have just came clean!

DAVID: I’m trying my best, Lucas. I’m so sorry.

LUCAS: This is your fault, this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t faked the letters!

(DANIELLA enter and makes eye contact with LUCAS.)

DANIELLA: What are you talking about?

(No one answers)

DANIELLA: (Firmer and a tad threatening) Lucas, What are you talking about? ​ ​ (AMELIE runs in)

AMELIE: What’s going on?

DAVID: The letters. For the last two years, I was writing back as Mom

LUCAS: No! It was Gra-

DAVID: I was writing back as Mom.

AMELIE: (crushed) So mom was never writing back ​ ​ … DANIELLA: How could you! You knew and you didn’t tell me! You didn’t tell me!

40

LUCAS: I was trying to protect you!

DANIELLA: Protect? We don’t need protecting, Lucas! For someone so smart, You can be so stupid! You are so bull-headed for carrying this by yourself!

LUCAS: And then what Dani? What would you have done when you found out? I knew I could keep the secret and deal with it maturely. You don’t remember mom like I do. I knew you would be crushed when you found out it was all a lie. You live in this make believe fantasy that Mom still loves us and she’ll come back for you and we’ll be this happy family!

Well she doesn’t love us and she left us again! Get that through your head, Da-

DAVID: That’s enough. All of you go to bed, we’ll talk about this later.

(DAVID exits)

AMELIE: Lucas, Mom does love us. She came back, remember

DANIELLA: Then she’s going to leave again, Amelie.

AMELIE: At least we got to spend time together.

DANIELLA: Spent time writing fake letters. Our relationship was built on lies. We know nothing about her.

AMELIE: But we still have each other! We have to stick together.

LUCAS: No, Amelie. How do you not understand this? All of our childhood we spent writing letters to no one!

(A cold and silent beat) ​ AMELIE: I just want us to be happy, again. Why can’t we just be happy?

DANIELLA: Just stop. I’m so sick of you, it’s like you’re always trying to fix us. Like Lucas said, We just can’t be a happy family.

41

LUCAS: Some things you just can't fix.

AMELIE: Then I don’t want to be a part of this family!

DANIELLA: Then just leave!

AMELIE: (hurt) Fine!

(AMELIE storms out)

ACT 2, SCENE 6:

(AMELIE sitting CS surrounded by

her things. She is putting them into a

suitcase and muttering to herself)

AMELIE:(Angry, childlike tantrum) “then just leave” she says. Fine, I will. If nobody wants ​ ​ me here then why should I stay?! No more lies from Daddy. No more of Lucas treating me like a baby. And no more of Dani being mean to me! I’m getting out of here! (Quieter. Under ​ her breath) I never liked them anyways. ​ (a beat of` two.) I’ll go to Grandma. She loves me. And she’ll care for me. And she’ll watch ​ Rainbow Ponies and their Magical Friends with me! Yes! That’s what I’ll do! Grandma would never lie to me. (Stands up suitcase in hand) And Grandma is never mean to me! ​ ​ C’mon Socks, Let’s go!

(AMELIE runs off stage. LUCAS enters AMELIE’S room and goes to wake her up)

LUCAS: Amelie can we talk. (Couple of beats) Come on Amelie, Mom wants to talk to us. I ​ ​ don’t remember— (LUCAS pulls back blankets) Amelie? (LUCAS begins searching around the ​ ​ ​ room panicking) Amelie? Amelie! ​ (DANIELLA enters)

42

DANIELLA: Quit yelling so loud! I think Amelie woke up after the second time. (Beat) Wait ​ ​ where’s Amelie?

LUCAS: (worriedly) She’s not here. I checked the entire room. (Yelling) Dad come here ​ ​ ​ ​ quickly!

(DAVID enters) ​ ​ DAVID: What’s going on?

LUCAS: Amelie is gone.

DAVID: Gone? What do you mean gone?

DANIELLA: (quietly) I think she ran away. This is all my fault. ​ ​ (EVERYONE runs off stage)

ACT 2, SCENE 7:

(The Beatles song “Hey Jude” can be heard playing. GRANDMA is seen cleaning the house singing along the song.)

GRANDMA: Hey Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her into your--

AMELIE: Grandma?

GRANDMA: Ah! Amelie! You nearly sent me straight into heaven.

AMELIE: Sorry.

GRANDMA: Honey, come in its cold out there! What are you doing, all alone?

AMELIE: I sort of ran away.

43

GRANDMA: You did what! How many times have--

AMELIE: Daniella told me to.

GRANDMA: Sweetie, I’m sure she didn't mean it literally. She’s a very sarcastic person.

AMELIE: Oh no, you should have heard her. She was really really really serious. ​ ​ GRANDMA: Oh really?

AMELIE: Yes! I was practically shoved out of the house.

GRANDMA: Wow. Shoved. You poor thing.

AMELIE: Grandma!

GRANDMA: I’m sorry sweetie, but I know Daniella didn’t mean it she loves you very much.

She may not always act like it, but I promise she loves you. And I bet your family’s worried sick!

AMELIE: You think?

GRANDMA: Am I ever wrong. (beat) Don’t answer that. ​ ​ AMELIE: Well maybe it’s good they’re worried. It’ll make them realize how mean they treated me.

GRANDMA: I bet they’re all searching for you.

AMELIE: Well, I don’t want them to find me. I just want to be here with you. You won’t lie to me or—

GRANDMA: Lie to you? Who lied to you?

AMELIE: Daddy. Remember all those letters we wrote to Mom? Mom never wrote back, it was him. He was the one responding to them! (AMELIE hugs MALLORY) But you would ​ ​ never lie to me, right Grandma?

44

GRANDMA: Well I love you Amelie. And I’m so happy you came here. But I Well you … … see... I’m going to call your father and let him know you are here, okay?

AMELIE: No!

GRANDMA: Why not?

AMELIE: I don’t want to see him right now.

GRANDMA: Then I’ll call Lucas.

AMELIE: No! I don’t wanna see him either!

GRANDMA: Dani?

AMELIE: No!

GRANDMA: (muttering) Oh please don’t do this to me. Alice? ​ ​ AMELIE: No!

GRANDMA: Oh praise the Lord.

AMELIE: I just wanna stay here for a little while.

GRANDMA: Okay. But we’re gonna have to call them eventually. (seeing Socks) Is that the ​ ​ cat Alice your mom got you? … AMELIE: Yeah, I always take him with me.

GRANDMA: That’s nice dear. (beat) You know I remember this one lullaby your momma ​ ​ use to sing to you.

AMELIE: A lullaby! Can I hear it?

GRANDMA: I don’t know, you’re grandma hasn’t sung it such a long time. I don’t know if I even remember all of it.

AMELIE: Please!

45

GRANDMA: Okay, okay. (beat) Let’s see. ​ ​ GRANDMA: (singing) There was a princess. ​ ​ Who sang all day.

She wrote of stories.

Where she could go away.

She had small brown eyes.

And light brown hair.

She had two siblings.

The turtle and the hare.

They have each other.

ALICE: (singing) And they have me. ​ ​ And when you see the moon

Shining so bright.

It looks so far away.

But it’s close by.

BOTH: (singing) So when you see that moon. ​ ​ Remember me.

And how I love you,

My Princess Amelie.

(As the song finishes AMELIE is sound asleep.)

GRANDMA: She’s knocked out. (beat) I should get you back to your castle. ​ ​ (Blackout)

46

ACT 2, SCENE 8:

(AMELIE and GRANDMA are at the door)

DANIELLA: I’ll get it.

(she opens the door. AMELIE and GRANDMA enter)

DANIELLA: Amelie!

(DANIELLA runs to AMELIE and hugs her)

AMELIE: Dani!

DANIELLA: Oh Amelie. I’m so sorry! I don’t want you to leave!

(AMELIE ignores DANIELLA)

LUCAS: (hugs her) Amelie! Don’t scare us like that! ​ ​ DAVID: Honey, do you know how much stress you put on us? Don’t you ever do something like that again! Do you understand me?

LUCAS: We were so worried about you. Daniella even ran around the neighborhood looking for you!

DANIELLA: I’m so sorry, Amelie. I didn’t mean what I said.

AMELIE: Yes you did!

DANIELLA: Amelie, I really didn’t. I’m so so sorry. (beat) I’ll watch the next episode of ​ ​ Magical Ponies and their Magical Friends with you.

AMELIE: You mean it!

DANIELLA: I promise.

AMELIE: Dani! I’m so sorry I ran away.

ALICE: We’re just so glad you’re alright sweetie. Thank you Mallory.

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GRANDMA: Alice.

(GRANDMA gives ALICE a hug)

GRANDMA: You’re a good mom.

ALICE: Are you feeling alright Mallory? Did you take the wrong medication?

GRANDMA: And we’re back already.

(AMELIE hugs ALICE)

GRANDMA: Kids, I think it's time we talked about something long overdue. I’ve been writing the letters and-

DANIELLA: Wait! You were the one responding? But Dad said he was the one writing.

DAVID: You love and do so much for this family mom, I couldn’t have them hating you.

GRANDMA: Thanks David, but it’s time they knew the truth and the whole truth.

DANIELLA: If you were writing then that means you know about-

GRANDMA: Benjamin Logan and his chocolate colored eyes.

LUCAS: Oooohhhhh

DANIELLA: Shut up!

GRANDMA: I don’t want you to be mad at your father. He didn’t want to lie to you, he just wanted you to still feel connected to your mother. We were in this together.

AMELIE: Then why did Mom come only now?

GRANDMA: I don’t know. She does still care about you, just in her own way.

ALICE: Unbelievable. This whole time all these years you kept them from talking to me. … You said “Left the door open,” No you wanted me out!

DAVID: It was for the best.

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ALICE: Best to stop all communication and create this illusion of me?

DAVID: You weren't parent of the year Alice! But now you’re here and--

ALICE: You’re not any better! (A beat) You’re never there for the kids either, are you even ​ ​ aware of how Daniella feels?

(DAVID looks at DANIELLA)

DANIELLA: I-

ALICE: You don’t know a thing about her! She’s walking on eggshells in this family and I can do better. I can take this family to London and do right by them!

(AMELIE grabs on to GRANDMA

and LUCAS stands prouder by DAVID)

ALICE: Fine, you can stay here if that’s what you want.

(ALICE holds out her hand)

ALICE: Come with me, Daniella.

DANIELLA: This-

ALICE: Think about it! We can do all the things that we couldn’t do! We can make up for lost time in London! We can take in the sights and places and be together, so come with me.

What do you say?

(DANIELLA doesn’t speak, unsure of the whole thing for a moment)

DANIELLA: Being at London with you is a fun thought. I would love to be there with you, but I have to say no.

ALICE: What?

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DANIELLA: I can’t go with you. This family isn’t perfect. Feelings have been hurt and mistakes have been made, but this is my family and I couldn’t ask for more. ​ ​ ALICE: Listen. They don’t care about you!

DANIELLA: They do. I know they do. If they didn’t then why would Grandma write those letters? Why would Amelie always try to cheer me up with her annoying pony show? Why would Lucas always try to take care of us and why would Dad work if they didn’t care?

(A moment of silence as ALICE doesn’t know what to say)

DANIELLA: I know you care, Mom. I love you, but I have to stay. I want to stay.

DAVID: (hugging DANIELLA) I love you. And I promise to be a better father. To all of you.

(Group hug)

AMELIE: Dani loves us.

DANIELLA: 1.

LUCAS: Is she?

DANIELLA: 2.

LUCAS: Amelie run!

AMELIE: ah!

DANIELLA: 3.

(DANIELLA chases after AMELIE)

ALICE: I still can’t. Why? If you know it’s so horrible why would you want to stay?

GRANDMA: Oh that’s easy—

LUCAS: I got this. (beat) Family. We don’t choose who we’re family with, and besides a ​ ​ normal family would be so boring.

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GRANDMA: Maybe you can be a part of this one?

ALICE: How?

DAVID: Well you can start with this.

(DAVID hands over a pen and paper. DAVID goes to talk with ALICE, the KIDS walks back

on)

GRANDMA: I know the whole thing was wrong of your father and I, but I’m so happy that I did get to write those letters. Lucas, I am so proud of what you do at school and home.

Daniella, I’ve learned so much about you from those letters and it was just so nice to talk to you that way. Amelie, I have every single picture you ever drew. I promise things will change.

DAVID: I’m so sorry, Alice. It wasn’t right of me to stop those letter, but they will now.

We’re going to make sure that things change now.

LUCAS: For the better?

DAVID: For the better.

(blackout) ​ ​

ACT 2, SCENE 9:

(Everyone is sitting at the table)

GRANDMA: That’s a lovely picture, Amelie!

AMELIE: Don’t worry I’ll make one for you! You too, Dad!

DAVID: Thanks! Oh and you can talk to me if you need advice about Benji.

DANIELLA: Ew! No!

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LUCAS: You’re too old to give that kind of advice.

DAVID: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Your old man still got it.

DANIELLA: Never say that again. (beat) What are you writing about, Lucas? And it better ​ ​ not be about how fun english was today.

LUCAS: Well I’m talking about architecture, so ha!

GRANDMA: It looks like everyone is about done. Ready to send them out?

LUCAS: (simultaneously)Yes! ​ ​ DANIELLA: (simultaneously) Yes! ​ ​ AMELIE: (simultaneously) Yes! ​ ​ (AMELIE, DANIELLA, and LUCAS standing

on the SL box while ALICE is Standing on the

SR box. They all are reading the letter they wrote

AMELIE: Dear Mom, school just keeps getting harder and harder. Apparently there’s a word for words that sound the same: Homophones. And also there's like a trillion of them! And we’re just expected to know which one you’re using! 4th grade is hard. I went to Claire’s house last night. She was so happy she screamed when she opened Rainbow Sparkle. But don’t worry I know how Dani loves Rainbow Ponies and their Magical Friends so I made sure to rewatch it with her even though I watched it at Claire’s. Don’t tell her I told you, but

I saw her crying when Queen Strawberry Swirl died. Oh! And Mom, I have another Dance

Recital coming up next month. I asked Lucas to give you the details. I hope you can make it!

Love, Amelie.

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ALICE: Dear Amelie, I’ll be sure to be at your recital. It’s already on my calendar. I would love to tell you that school gets easier, but then I would be lying. Whatever you do, don’t ask Daniella for school advice, ask Lucas. I’m sure he will be glad to help you with homophones. Don’t believe anything your sister has told you about school, I promise it’s not as bad as she says it is. I think you will actually learn to like school, being the social butterfly that you are. Your friend sounds really nice I’d love to meet her sometime. I’m glad you have found a way to bond with Daniella even if she denies it. With love, Mom.

DANIELLA: Dear Mom, Sadies is coming up and I don’t know what to do. I just hate boys and Benji Logan just make the bats in my stomach flutter and I don’t ever want to see his beautiful dark eyes or his gentle smile that just lights up a room and omigosh no! But I … heard Sabrina Wilson asked him and he turned her down saying that he was waiting for somebody to ask him out. What If he was talking about me?! I hope you’re doing well and you probably find this silly. Also, whatever Amelie tells you, just know that it's a lie! Please help, Daniella.

ALICE: Dear Daniella, I’m in London and it is absolutely lovely! I wish you were here and I know you would have loved it! This doesn’t bother me at all! In fact, I find this whole Benji business to be quite amusing! And of course, you would feel bats in your stomach and not butterflies. Anyway, just go for it. Just ask out Benji Logan, whether it be publicly or privately and I’m sure he’s talking about you. Tell me how it goes! P.S It’s okay, I totally believe that you didn’t actually shed tears over Queen Strawberry Swirl. Always in your corner, Mom.

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LUCAS: Dear Mom, it's nice to know you’re actually reading this. Schools been usual. … Grandma has been helping me with History and I’m finally understanding it. Me and dad have been looking through colleges. I think I know where I want to go but I’m still undecided. Though, I have decided I want to major in The Master of Architecture. Amelie wanted me to tell you that her dance recital is next month on the 28th at 7pm. Hope to see you soon, Mom. Love, Lucas.

ALICE: Dear Lucas, It’s wonderful to hear that you’re slowly figuring out what you want to do in the future. Don’t feel too pressured or feel that you have everything figured out! It’s perfectly fine if you don’t and you still have time to figure that out! Amelie’s recital is marked on my calendar and I can’t wait to see everyone there! Cheering for you, Mom.

(Everyone is on stage.

AMELIE on the floor with DAVID.

DANIELLA and LUCAS on the table with their

GRANDMA standing by their side)

MAILMAN: (off-stage) Is anybody home? I have some letters addressed to (A beat) To the ​ ​ ​ ​ Bellmores.

END OF PLAY

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