A warm welcome to author JP Barnaby who is joining us today for the release of Saving Hannah her new novel.
JP Brought a wonderful surprise for us. A short play she written.
Welcome JP 🙂
Welcome to the Saving Hannah blog tour. As some folks who read my books know, I am almost finished with a BA in English and Creative Writing. One of my recent assignments was a play. I loved how it came out so I thought I’d share it.
STONEWALLED
a short play
by JP Barnaby
CAST
Gavin – A gay sixteen-year-old boy trying to come out to his parents with flair. He doesn’t believe they’ll reject him, he’s just trying to do it in his own way. He’s slight with dark, straight, brown hair that’s perpetually in his eyes. He wears colored jeans with patterned button up shirts. Ross feels that his wardrobe is enough of an indication of his sexuality.
Ross – Gavin’s older brother, a trickster with a good heart and the belief that his brother doesn’t need to be such a drama queen about coming out. He’s taller than Gavin, stockier but not overweight. He has short brown hair and wears jeans and sports t-shirts, though he doesn’t play.
Karen – Ross and Gavin’s mother, she is a petite woman with blond hair and a perpetual smile. She’d been a stay-at-home mom until her sons were teenagers, and feels guilty leaving them because she loves her kids more than anything.
David – Ross and Gavin’s father, he is a jovial man with brown hair and a kind demeanor. He’s a lawyer and does pro bono work on the side.
SETTING
The family kitchen, an updated open concept area with dark oak cabinets and stainless steel appliances indicating upper middle class.
Scene 1
GAVIN uses blue frosting to make a second stripe next to a purple stripe on a round single layer chocolate cake when his brother ROSS joins him.
ROSS
Hey, I want cake.
ROSS drags his finger through the purple frosting and licks it. GAVIN smacks his hand away.
GAVIN
What the hell? This isn’t for you.
GAVIN starts a row of green frosting in the middle.
ROSS
Since when do you bake, man? Is this part of the gay thing? You got the baking gene?
GAVIN looks around, checking up the hall from the kitchen.
GAVIN
Shut up. Last time I freaking tell you anything.
ROSS
I didn’t tell anyone and mom’s still at the store. Is that what this is about?
ROSS indicates the rainbow cake trying to swipe another finger full of frosting.
GAVIN
Stop it. I’m not talking to you.
ROSS
Oh my God, you are, aren’t you? You’re going to tell them with a freakin’ cake? Why don’t you just sit them down. It’s not like they’re going to spaz and kick you out.
GAVIN glances at his brother and then keeps frosting.
ROSS
This is stupid man.
GAVIN
Go find something to do and leave me alone.
GAVIN concentrates on the cake despite his brother’s efforts to poke him and engage.
ROSS leaves.
GAVIN writes on the cake and puts in the refrigerator.
KAREN enters the kitchen
KAREN
Hey honey.
GAVIN
Hi mom.
KAREN
Would you mind helping me bring in groceries?
GAVIN
Sure mom.
GAVIN and KAREN exit the kitchen. ROSS sneaks in as they leave and opens the refrigerator. He cuts a piece of the cake, puts it on a plate, and leaves.
GAVIN and KAREN return with two bags each and set them on the kitchen’s center island.
GAVIN
Here’s the milk, mom.
KAREN turns to the refrigerator and puts the milk in.
KAREN
What’s this?
KAREN pulls the cake out of the refrigerator.
KAREN
You baked, huh?
GAVIN says nothing, his hands wringing together as he waits.
KAREN
Well, it looks like someone got to it before I did. But, you didn’t have to tell me you’re Gavin. I already know that. I named you.
KAREN laughs and GAVIN takes the cake from her. A piece is missing.
ROSS
Mom and Dad, I’m ga, huh? That’s pretty narcissistic, bro.
ROSS comes in to the kitchen and puts his dirty dishes in the sink, traces of cake still present.
GAVIN
You’re such a dick.
KAREN
Gavin! Ross, put your plate in the dishwasher please.
ROSS
And you’re a drama queen.
KAREN
Well, I like cake, so I don’t care why you baked it. Let’s have some. Ross, could you finish putting the groceries away?
GAVIN and KAREN take slices of cake into the dining room. GAVIN glares at ROSS as he passes. ROSS waves back.
(End of Scene)
Scene 2
GAVIN stands in the kitchen and writes on a post-it note with a blue Sharpie marker. He pulls it off the small pad in his hand and affixes it one of the kitchen cabinets. GAVIN opens the cabinet and there is glitter inside with a sign that reads “I’m Gay”. GAVIN closes the door and exits.
ROSS enters the kitchen and notices the post-it note. He opens the door and sees the sign inside.
ROSS
Oh for God’s sake. Everything from what to have for lunch to going to the dentist has to be a drama for him. Why can’t he just open his mouth and say it? Why does everything have to be a production?
ROSS rips down the post-it note and writes another, sticking it to the front of the door. Then, he empties the cabinet, dropping GAVIN’S announcement into a box. He looks around for a minute and replaces it with a large rabbit figurine from his mother’s collection on the far wall. Then, he takes the post-it notes and leaves the room.
Stage goes dark.
Stage lights.
KAREN enters the kitchen with loose post-it notes in her hand. She is smiling. GAVIN peeks around the corner into the kitchen watching her.
KAREN
David is such a romantic, he hasn’t set up a scavenger hunt for me in years. Okay, let’s see… the clue says that I’ll find what I’m looking for in the kitchen. So, I—oh! There’s another note!
KAREN goes to the cabinet and pulls down the note ROSS has left for her.
KAREN
Looks like the trail ends here.
KAREN opens the cabinet and then simply stares at the contents. Then, she takes the rabbit out and pulls off the post-it note.
KAREN
Hoppy Easter? It’s July. What?
GAVIN enters slowly.
GAVIN
Hey mom.
KAREN
Hi honey.
GAVIN
Aren’t you going to say anything?
KAREN
About what?
GAVIN
About the scavenger hunt?
KAREN
You did this?
GAVIN
Yes. Who else would have done it?
KAREN
Then, explain why I just took half an hour roaming through the house for you to tell me Hoppy Easter in July?
GAVIN
What? No.
KAREN pushes the figurine at him and leaves the room.
ROSS passes her on his way into the kitchen.
ROSS
She looks upset.
GAVIN
She found your little joke. Why the hell are you doing this, Ross?
ROSS
Damn, I didn’t mean to upset her.
ROSS looks back toward the door where his mother left.
GAVIN
You replaced the clues. She thought it was some kind of romantic thing from dad. Now, tell me. What the hell?
ROSS
You’re being a drama queen about this. Just sit down and tell them. You’re their golden boy anyway.
GAVIN
Is that what this is about? Because I get better grades?
ROSS
Better grades, better afternoon chats—I don’t even know what that’s about—better opportunities. It’s like I was their practice kid and they got it right with you. But no, that’s not what this is about. This is about being a grown-up and having a conversation. I don’t want to be the brother of the next viral YouTube sensation.
GAVIN
This is the biggest moment of my life. Let me do it in my own way!
ROSS
It’s the twenty-first century, Gavin. It’s not that big of a deal anymore.
GAVIN
I didn’t expect you to understand. You’re the normal one.
GAVIN leaves ROSS standing in the kitchen.
(End Scene)
Scene 3
ROSS and KAREN are sitting in the kitchen having dinner alone.
KAREN
Okay, you want to tell me what’s going on?
ROSS
Dad’s working late, Gavin is at practice, and we’re having dinner. Why? Is something else going on?
KAREN
Don’t give me that innocent look. You’re torturing your brother about something.
ROSS
Would I do that?
KAREN
All your life.
ROSS
Fine, you know how you told me Gavin was gay and not to tease him about it?
KAREN
Yes. You’re not are you?
ROSS
No. He’s trying to tell you. But he keeps coming up with all of these outrageous ways to do it. A cake and a scavenger hunt. God knows what he’ll think of next, probably a hot air balloon while he videos it for YouTube.
KAREN
And this bothers you? Why?
ROSS
Because it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. It pisses me…makes me angry that he’s got to go through all these hoops because he thinks it makes him abnormal or something.
KAREN
That’s not him. That’s society.
ROSS
I know.
KAREN
So, let me get this straight. You’re torturing your brother so he’ll come out in the way you think he should because you think society is being mean to him by making it such a big deal?
ROSS
Well, when you put it like that…
KAREN
And if I ask you to stop?
ROSS
Of course I would obey you, mother dear.
KAREN sits back in her chair and folds her arms.
KAREN
You’re stressing him out.
ROSS
Stress is good for you.
KAREN
Ross…
ROSS
Mom, he made a video and put it in the RedBox case. A video. I switched it out already. If he doesn’t tell you after that, I’ll stop.
KAREN
If he doesn’t tell us after that, we’ll sit him down and talk to him. You’re right, it shouldn’t be such a traumatic event. And you’re making it more traumatic, Ross.
ROSS
Sorry.
KAREN
Tell him, not me.
ROSS Fine.
Scene 4
GAVIN is sitting on a denim-colored couch in a family room. He picks up a red DVD case and removes the disc inside, laying it carefully on a table. Then he replaces the disc with another gold-shaded homemade disc, closes the box, and puts the box on the table.
GAVIN leaves the room.
ROSS enters and picks up the disc from the table. He picks up the red box, opens it, and sighs. Then, he puts the original disc back in the box and lays the homemade disc on a high shelf. He replaces the entire box with another red box and carries the first from the room.
Stage darkens
Stage lights
GAVIN, ROSS, KAREN, and DAVID sit around the living room. DAVID and ROSS have popcorn. KAREN has a box of candy.
DAVID
Okay, let’s get the movie started. Ross, you want to put it in?
ROSS
Sure, dad. Oh, and it was my turn to pick, so I took the other movie back and picked up a new one. I know Gavin likes a good drama, but I wanted action.
ROSS opens the case and pulls out the black labeled disc.
GAVIN
Did you say you took the other movie back?
ROSS
Yeah, it’s in the machine at the grocery store. I took it over there this afternoon when I picked up the snacks.
GAVIN
Did you look inside it?
ROSS
No, I figured we hadn’t watched it and it was due, so I took it back. What’s the big deal? Dude, you’re pale. You okay?
GAVIN
No. I’m not okay.
KAREN
Gavin, honey, what’s wrong?
GAVIN
I—oh, God.
KAREN
Gavin?
GAVIN sits heavily on the couch with his head in his hands.
GAVIN
I—
ROSS
Oh, I did find this though.
ROSS takes GAVIN’S disc from the high shelf and hands it to him. GAVIN starts to cry.
DAVID
Alright, enough of this. What is going on?
GAVIN
I—
ROSS
I think Gavin has something he wants to tell you.
KAREN
Honey, is that true?
GAVIN looks at his mother, and then at his father. He drops his head and then lifts it again, he looks a little braver.
GAVIN
Mom, dad… I’m gay.
The room falls silent for a moment. Ross puts a hand on Gavin’s shoulder.
KAREN
Honey, you’re wearing mint green jeans. Did you think we didn’t know that already?
GAVIN looks offended for a moment and then laughs. The family laughs with him. ROSS holds up his fist and GAVIN bumps it.
ROSS
Nailed it, little bro. They’re right about the jeans, though. Seriously.
Blurb:
Thomas Aberthol’s luck has run out. His daughter, Hannah, needs a miracle he can’t deliver. A hacker with a felony record, Thomas has little chance of finding work that will provide the care she needs. Out of money, out of options, and out of hope, he throws himself on the mercy of someone he never thought to see again.
Even after ten years, Aleksander Sanna still dreams of that drunken kiss. A perfect moment in time when Thomas wanted him. In his world of elegant code and high finance, the picture he holds of Thomas torments him in the dark of night.
Their worlds collide as Thomas interviews for the job he so desperately needs with the company Aleks inherited from his father. Thomas doesn’t get the position, but Aleks offers him a completely different kind of proposal, one suited to Thomas’s unique talents… one that will change the course of both their lives.
Buy Links:
Thomas Aberthol’s luck has run out. His daughter, Hannah, needs a miracle he can’t deliver. A hacker with a felony record, Thomas has little chance of finding work that will provide the care she needs. Out of money, out of options, and out of hope, he throws himself on the mercy of someone he never thought to see again. Even after ten years, Aleksander Sanna still dreams of that drunken kiss. A perfect moment in time when Thomas wanted him. In his world of elegant code and high finance, the picture he holds of Thomas torments him in the dark of night. Their worlds collide as Thomas interviews for the job he so desperately needs with the company Aleks inherited from his father. Thomas doesn’t get the position, but Aleks offers him a completely different kind of proposal, one suited to Thomas’s unique talents, one that will change the course of both their lives.
Read an excerpt at https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/saving-hannah-by-jp-barnaby-10051-b
