My Original Mini-One Act Play
Nameless Mourning
Nameless Mourning
a one-act play
by
Shakezula
EXT. A funeral in upstate New York. A large mass of mourners shrouded in long black and gray winter coats huddle closely around the casket. Snow blankets the entire scene. Three friends of the deceased engage in quiet conversation while the funeral plays out.
MAX
Nice day for it, huh?
HARRY
What do you mean? This is terrible weather we’re having.
MAX
What I meant was that it’s better to go on a bad weather day than a good one.
RUBEN
I don’t think it matters one way or another. When you go, you go. I see your point though, sorta. If it were a beautiful sunny day the last thing any of us should be doing is dying.
MAX
That’s all I’m saying.
p.2
HARRY
Look at her blubbering away. Tears of joy my friend. She’s thinking of having his money and having her own life again.
MAX
Harry, come on. She’s an old widow, now. Some sympathy, please. No f***ing manners left in this old man.
RUBEN
He could be right, Max. Think about it, she didn’t know about that so-called secretary of his and all those mysterious business trips? She’s no dummy.
HARRY
She’s a keen woman. She let him have his way and now, she’ll have hers.
MAX
Well, why did she greet her so warmly with the hugging and the kiss on the cheek?
RUBEN
She’s playing it up. Putting on a proper show. After all it only makes sense for his secretary to be here. It would be an insult if after fifteen years of loyal service she took a pass on his funeral.
MAX
This is true.
p.3
HARRY
Deep down she probably has some sympathy for the girl. Who knows better what a pain in the a** he could be, but her?
RUBEN
That’s right.
MAX
Even in death controversy looms over our old friend.
HARRY
I could really use a cup of coffee. My hands are so cold if I have to shake hands with anyone my fingers are going to fall off.
RUBEN
Yeah, coffee and a hot creamy bowl of soup downtown at Lloyd’s.
HARRY
I was thinking of the deli across town.
MAX
Look at you two, our friend lies dead about to go in the ground and your fighting over where to have lunch?
RUBEN
Who’s fighting?
p.4
HARRY
Yeah, we’re discussing. Not fighting, Max. There’s a big difference.
MAX
The point is we should be thinking of him, his life, our friendships, not what’s for lunch!
A frustrated mourner turns around to chastise the chatty trio.
LADY
That’s exactly right, sir. Maybe the three of you could concentrate on mourning the loss of your friend. And do it quietly!
RUBEN
Sorry.
MAX
No f***ing manners.
HARRY
Quiet now, Max!
MAX
Don’t tell me, you two started this whole thing.
p.5
LADY
SSHHHH!
RUBEN
Come on guys. Let’s move back a bit. We can see everything from over here.
MAX
She has some nerve sshhhhing me! Who does she think she is anyway?
HARRY
Yeah, a few friends can’t share a quiet chat as they say goodbye to an old pal?
RUBEN
So, what about lunch? Where should we go?
HARRY
By now, I don’t care. Anywhere that has hot coffee and a clean toilet.
MAX
I could eat. I wasn’t hungry before, but this day is starting to wear on me.
RUBEN
Let’s go to Lloyd’s it’s closer than the deli.
p.6
MAX
If we’re lucky we’ll be outta here in ten minutes. It looks like it’ll be wrapping up soon.
HARRY
Talk about getting lucky. That secretary’s a looker, huh? He had a good life in that department.
RUBEN
That’s right. No wonder he didn’t mind doing all the office work himself.
MAX
We should all be so lucky. The last time I got lucky was in 1985 at a Neil Diamond concert. Pearl had been gone for five years and that’s when I met her, she was perfect.
HARRY
We know, we know. Rachel, the perfect widow from Long Island.
RUBEN
This story is older than you, Max. I’ve heard it so many times I can match the dialogue as it goes.
MAX
Well, what can I say? She made a lasting impression.
HARRY
Then, how come you never saw her again? Someone so perfect you should hold onto, no?
p.7
RUBEN
Yeah, Max. What’s the story?
MAX
I didn’t want to ruin it. It was a magical night and I had been alone five years already. I was adjusted to my own life, set in my ways. Let’s face it marriage is a lot of work and I had mine. Now, it’s just me and I’m at peace. I have the memory of Pearl, my kids, grandkids. That’s plenty believe me.
HARRY
I don’t know, Max. Sounds lonely.
MAX
See, that’s the difference between us, Harry. When I’m alone, it’s me enjoying my own company. When you’re alone, there’s nobody there.
RUBEN
He’s got you there, Harry.
HARRY
What? What are you saying?
MAX
You would rather be in a bad relationship, or marriage, or whatever just to avoid being alone. You always look outside yourself for the answers that only lie within, my friend.
p.8
HARRY
You’re right. You’re right. I know you’re right.
RUBEN
How did we get into this?
MAX
It’s this day. Sometimes we over think things. When people die it makes you size everything up, that’s all.
HARRY
The only thing I’m looking to size up is some hot coffee and shelter.
RUBEN
Let’s just leave before we end up having to join him.
MAX
I’m starving and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Let’s go.
The End