Setting
The kitchen lounge open plan of the Thompson’s small stone cottage in the small village Ripley in Surrey, UK. Windows give a glimmer or projection of the outside world. A door in the kitchen leads outside and on the other side in the lounge there is a corridor that leads off into the rest of the house. It is the year 2062, so while there are rustic elements of a rural stone cottage there are odds and ends of furniture and pieces that are foreign and futuristic looking, but subtle. There is a counter that lies between the kitchen and the lounge that needs to cover at least a portion of the kitchen floor from the audience.
Characters
Corrie: 71-year-old English woman with osteoporosis. Recently suffered a bad fall, mostly recovered but now to avoid the greater risk of falling requires an electric wheelchair. Gray and slouching, but not fully worn out. Only family is her brother Michael, his daughter Martha, Martha’s daughter Piper and Martha’s husband Peter. World traveler, historian, and mathematician.
Piper (Pip): 7-year-old great niece of Corrie. Both British and Kenyan. Lived her whole life in Ripley but traveled to visit her family all over the world, including Corrie in her various places of residence. Creative, curious, innocent, and intelligent.
Martha: 34-year-old British woman with some Spanish heritage. Corrie’s only niece, but more of a mother-daughter bond exists between them. Works as a primary school teacher. Creative, empathetic, and family-orientated.
Peter: 35-year-old Kenyan man who moved to the UK where he got his tertiary education in business and settled down with his wife Martha. Opened and is running his own business, a convenience store. Intelligent, funny, and caring.
WHEELS DOWN
SCENE 1
In the Thompson’s cottage, it is late evening outside the windows. Peter has Pip on his lap in the armchair in the living room and they are reading a vintage comic together.
Corrie drives her electric wheelchair in through the door in the kitchen and is followed in by Martha
PIP
Aunty Corrie!!! Look look! We made your bed… (whispering) it is actually a couch that turns into a bed. But it is suuuuupper comfy!
Pip flops back on the bed arms spread and bounces back up grinning
Peter crosses to greet and kiss Martha
PETER
How was the trip home? Busy on the flyway?
MARTHA
(distracted)
Not that bad. Pip you all ready for bed?
PIP
Awww, just yet? I won ta talk to Aunty Corrie… Oooh could you tell me one of your fun stories???
MARTHA
Not tonight Piper, Aunty Corrie’s had a long day. We all have.
PIP
Does your back still hurt a lot Aunty Corrie? When are you going to get better?
MARTHA
Piper enough! Aunt Corrie is going to bed and so are you. Vamos!
Martha looks pointedly at Peter
PETER
Sawa… Pip lets pop.
Peter sweeps disappointed quiet Pip up in his arms and they exit through the corridor
MARTHA
Did you want to shower? Go to the toilet? Clean your teeth?
CORRIE
Bed is fine.
MARTHA
Dun… Pjs or you alright in the sweats? You might be a bit hot.
CORRIE
I’m fine.
Corrie moves the chair round to the side of the bed. Martha stands in front of her and helps her out, giving as much support as possible without actually lifting her. They shuffle to rotate. Corrie slowly lowers onto the bed with effort until just a few centimeters above the mattress where she gives up fighting gravity and plops down suddenly. Sighs.
MARTHA
I will set you up a side tray with water and all your pills. Remember to take the two tonight. I’ll remind you about the one in the morning. We need to get into a routine.
Martha sets up a TV tray with the pills, a pitcher of water and a glass. Corrie takes her pills. Martha moves to help settle Corrie to lie down in the bed. She apathetically accepts, removes shoes, lies down under the blankets, and turns away from Martha.
CORRIE
Turn the lights off
MARTHA
Alright. Call if you need me. Goodnight, I love you Aunty Corrie
No response. Martha turns lights out and exits through corridor.
Lights fade to black
SCENE 2
Lights rise to show early morning and a light rain through the windows. Corrie is lying in the darkness of the room turned away from her chair.
Martha enters quietly and goes through to the kitchen and starts setting up breakfast, including a tray for Corrie.
Pip enters dressed in her school uniform and Peter follows dressed for work in the store. They go through to the kitchen and proceed to get their breakfast
PIP
Can I go wake Aunty Corrie for breakfast?
MARTHA
No, I will, just eat your brekky.
Martha takes the tray to Corrie and lightly touches her shoulder. Corrie is already awake but does not open her eyes
CORRIE
Not hungry
MARTHA
I will just leave it here, but you need to eat something to take your pill.
Corrie opens eyes and slowly sits herself up, glances at tray
CORRIE
Not feeling like fruit or cereal
MARTHA
What then?
PIP
Here!
Pip scurries over from where she was watching intently in the kitchen, with a scone in one hand and a jar of jam in the other
PIP
Your favourite Aunt Corrie! Mulberry jam on a scone.
Corrie reluctantly accepts the scone and Martha opens the jar. Corrie adds a dollop of mulberry on the scone with a spoon from the tray. She nibbles at it while Martha organizes her pills and Pip watches quietly. Half-eaten, Corrie sets the scone down, takes the pills, and lays back down.
MARTHA
You don’t want to move to your chair?
Silence
MARTHA
Well I will be by for lunch from 11:30 until 12. We will all be back by 4 today… Call if you need anything. Let’s go Pip. Get your stuff.
Pip reluctantly lets her mother drag her away. She picks up her backpack from the kitchen. Martha turns the lights on in the lounge on.
CORRIE
–No, turn them off.
Martha quickly turns them off and goes to get her purse
Martha, Peter, and Pip exit.
Corrie roles over and starts to cry quietly to herself.
SCENE 3
Corrie is still in bed, 3:57 pm displayed on clock. Heavy rain outside.
Martha, Peter and Pip enter. Peter carries on through and exits through corridor. Martha gets Corrie’s tray and starts working on dinner. Pip puts her backpack down in the kitchen, removes a piece of paper and quietly moves to stand by Corrie. Martha notices Pip
MARTHA
Pip let Aunty Corrie rest. Haps doing homework in your room would be a good idea. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.
PIP
K… I just made this painting for Aunty Corrie in art. I thought it might make her feel better. She always loves painting with us.
MARTHA
That was kind of you luv. Put it on the stand there, I will make sure she sees it later.
Pip puts it on the stand and goes to her bag in the kitchen, but pauses
PIP
Mum, is Aunty Corrie going to get better? Is the ost…o..pereo —
MARTHA
— Osteoporosis
PIP
Osteoporosis going to kill her?
MARTHA
Oh, Pip it is not quite like that. Remember Aunt Corrie had a bad fall and that was why she went to the hospital?
Pip nods
MARTHA
Well the osteoporosis means that Aunt Corrie’s bones are very easy to break. So, when she fell it was extremely painful and it took a long time for all those bones to get better. She is mostly better now, but still in a lot of pain. Her bones are a lot weaker, and even little bumps are not good, and another fall would be very very bad. That is why she needs the wheelchair to make sure that she won’t get hurt.
PIP
So, she is just weak?
MARTHA
Pip, her bones are weak, but your Aunty Corrie is one of the strongest people I know. It doesn’t help that the world is not such a wheelchair friendly place either. She will be back to her fun cool self, we just have to give her time to get there.
PIP
I can do that!
MARTHA
Until then, we have to respect her space and help with what we can and right now that means letting her rest, so how about that homework?
PIP
Ok ok, dun.
MARTHA
Thank you
Martha kisses her daughters head and Pip gets her backpack and quietly exits through corridor as Martha resumes the dinner prep.
Corrie takes a deep breath from under the covers.
Lights fade to black.
SCENE 4
Lights up to early morning of a gloomy day, Corrie is asleep in bed.
Peter and Martha enter, move to kitchen, and start to eat and prepare breakfast quietly. Martha first does Corrie’s tray and when done puts it on the stand.
CORRIE
I will just have a bit of toast and butter before my pills.
Martha slightly startled, helps Corrie slowly sit up.
MARTHA
Toast it is.
Martha crosses to kitchen and puts a slice of bread in a toaster. Pip enters in uniform clutching a large book to her chest.
PIP
Good morning Aunty Corrie! I have something for you.
CORRIE
(mildly yet apathetically amused)
You do, do you?
PIP
It is the big book of fairytales! It is my absolute favourite book, that has so many awesome things in it! I think you will like it. It must be boring being in bed all day so I thought this would give you something to do.
Pip puts the book down on the stand. Corrie just watches blankly. There is a silence shared between them.
Martha brings the toast from the kitchen.
MARTHA
Here is the toast, I will get your pills.
Hands Corrie the plate and prepares a glass of water and the pills.
MARTHA
Pip go eat your Weetabix.
Pip moves to kitchen and eats her breakfast. Martha follows to eat her own cereal. Corrie finishes the toast, takes her pills, and then proceeds to lay back down which Martha notices.
MARTHA
Aunty Corrie if you would like, Peter or I can move you into the chair?
CORRIE
No thank you dear, I am tired.
MARTHA
Get some good rest then. I will be back again today at 11:30. Please call Peter if you need something.
PETER
It should be a very chill day at the store. I’ll be really free so don’t hesitate.
Quiet. Pip completely absorbed in eating her breakfast
MARTHA
(Hushed aside to Peter)
I’m really worried bout her Pete. There was this whole episode with the nurses at the hospital… I just don’t… I don’t think she’s taking this well. I don’t know how to help…
PETER
You are helping plenty. She is just in an adjustment period of figuring out how her life is going to be now. It’s a big change that challenges an essential of who she thinks she is… you know… And maybe also some internal biases about what is crucial in her life… Let her process and we will be here when she is ready.
MARTHA
But what if she just shuts down completely and never–
PETER
–Don’t think like that… She can get through this!
Martha sighs. The family finish up in the kitchen and exit.
Corrie roles over, picks up the picture from Pip, contemplates, puts it gently down beside her on the bed, and closes her eyes.
Lights go down to black
SCENE 5
Lights up, afternoon outside and for a change not raining. Corrie is sitting up in bed reading the book Pip left.
Martha and Pip enter from front door.
MARTHA
(pause)
You’re up?
CORRIE
(still reading)
I am.
PIP
(rushing over)
You’re reading! Isn’t it so good! Which story are you reading?
CORRIE
The Fairy of the Dell. You didn’t tell me these were Welsh fairytales?
PIP
I thought you would like a surprise! That’s a good story… magic, fairies, witches and some scary stuff… I wish there were really fairies, like those ones. Then they could help you, like they helped the villagers.
CORRIE
Are you saying fairies aren’t real?
PIP
Are they?
CORRIE
Depends who you ask.
PIP
(Blinks in thought)
Could I read the story with you?
CORRIE
(painful pause of consideration)
Of course. Climb up
(patting on the open side of the bed)
Martha, would you mind turning the lights on? The window light doesn’t do justice to these pictures or tiny letters.
MARTHA
Definitely, you should always have good lighting to read in.
Martha turns on lights while Pip and Corrie settle on the bed to read.
CORRIE
Thank you. Alright, here we go…
(very dramatically, glimmer of old self)
In olden times fairies were sent to oppose the evil doings of witches and to destroy their power. About 300 years ago, a band of fairies, 60 in number, with their queen, called Queen of the Dell, came to Mona to oppose the evil works of a celebrated witch…
Lights slowly fade to black as Corrie reads on.
(the fairy of the Dell is an actual welsh fae story written out in the book Welsh Fairy-tales by P. H. Emerson)
SCENE 6
Corrie sitting in bed reading a tablet. Pip is at the kitchen counter doing homework and Martha is preparing dinner. It is early evening outside, still no rain surprisingly.
Peter enters with a stack of letters in his hand.
MARTHA
We got mail?
PETER
Oh no, these are all Corrie’s! Popular as ever. Never get mail these days so hadn’t checked, guess it must have built up. Hope it wasn’t anything urgent. M’lady…
Peter presents the mail to Corrie with a teasing flourish and a slight bow.
CORRIE
(accepts smiling)
Oh haha, not popular just old. The more time you have been alive the more friends you accumulate. And it’s just a thing some of us very sentimental folks do, stay in touch with a monthly letter.
PIP
(curious)
Who are they from?
CORRIE
Well this one is from Nora, she must be checking in. I was helping her out with the books at her primary school in South Africa when I had the fall.
PIP
Books?
CORRIE
Books, meaning the ones that are used to keep track of the money and financial stuff.
PIP
(picks up a green envelope)
Oh. Who is this one from?
CORRIE
Hmm…
(takes it and looks)
this is from my good friend Chloe who lives in France now, but we met in Cameroon when I was working at an animal sanctuary.
PIP
Ooooh! What animals did they have there? Same as in Kenya?
PETER
Lions, tigers, and bears!?!? Oh my!
PIP
(giggling)
No daddy, there are no tigers and bears in Kenya!
PETER
Oh, I must have mixed up my home with the land of Oz… How odd?
PIP
So silly.
CORRIE
Cameroon has some similar animals to Kenya, but some that are very different! It is often called ‘Africa in miniature’ because it has so many different habitats; desert, beaches, forests, and mountains, so there are so many different types of animals.
PIP
Woah!
CORRIE
So, there are elephants,
(performs out each animal comically as they are said encouraging Pip to join)
gorillas, pythons, aardvarks, caracals, and so on.
PIP
(shuffling the letters)
You have so many friends Aunty Corrie
CORRIE
As I said I am getting old, it is what happens when you have a lot of time.
PIP
So, I have to wait to get friends?
PETER
What you talking about Pip? You have friends.
PIP
I guess, but not really. Mostly only Avery likes to play with me. When I try to play with the other kids, they always say let’s play hide and seek, so we hide, and they always leave me and Avery hiding and change the game.
Corrie looks at Pip sadly
PETER
That is mean! Why haven’t you said something? Who are these kids! Eh, when I get my hands on them —
PIP
— I don’t think they do it on purpose, they just forget about us.
CORRIE
Are you and Avery very close?
PIP
Avery’s my best friend
CORRIE
Sometimes that’s all you need Pip. Those other kids sound like bullies and even if they aren’t doing it on purpose, forgetting about you is not very nice. While it’s always important to respect others and be kind, if they are not respectful of you, they don’t deserve your friendship. The best friendships are those with lots of respect, love, and honesty. And those don’t come around all that often, but they are the best thing. So, don’t worry about not having so many friends, hold on to the very good one you have.
PIP
But other kids have lots of friends?
CORRIE
But how much do they trust all of them? You and Avery get to build a bond stronger than most friendships…
Pip shrugs
CORRIE
That reminds me of your Bibi Nuru and I. We met when your Grandpa Michael, my brother, and I were living in Kenya. I must have been a bit older than you. When we first moved there, no one wanted to be friends with me. As you know I was a bit of a wild child, but your Dad’s mum took me under her wing and became my best friend very quickly. She was the fancy, beautiful one, Nuru, the light, while I was the rough and tumble one. We balanced each other.
PIP
Wait so you knew Bibi when you were a kid?
CORRIE
Yup. One of my most important friendships of my whole life.
PETER
A very important one for you too Pip, because that is how your mother and I met. Aunty Corrie was working with your Bibi in the fashion company when your mum came to visit her.
CORRIE
And of course, he fell madly in love with my stunning niece.
PETER
That I did.
PIP
(ecstatic)
That’s so funny! I am happy I have a good friend like Avery!
CORRIE
I am happy you have a good friend like her too.
PETER
And who knows! Maybe one day your son will fall in love with Avery’s niece– Eh, sitaki… No… Not ready for that. I am far far from being a Babu of someone getting married.
They all laugh outrageously
MARTHA
You lot are hysterical. Dinner will be ready soon so Pip set the table will you.
CORRIE
(to herself)
Wish I could sit with you all, and have dinner at the table…
PETER
That could be arranged
CORRIE
(hesitant)
I… I mean I guess… Peter could you help move me to my wheelchair?
PETER
With pleasure! Pip remove a chair from the table and set a place for your Aunty Corrie.
PIP
(grinning and moving to follow instructions)
Yay! On it!
Peter moving Corrie into the wheelchair and Pip setting table.
Lights fade to black.
SCENE 7
Corrie alone in kitchen making tea, thunder storming outside
Martha enters from front door with a dripping umbrella that she puts aside.
MARTHA
Aunt Corrie, what are you doing?!?!
CORRIE
(startled)
Oh…I… Umm well I wanted some tea…
MARTHA
(frustrated sigh)
You know you aren’t supposed to leave your chair.
CORRIE
I know– but it was just for a sec… Not long at all… No stress. It wasn’t like I went for a run or decided to climb Everest. I… I mean it was just tea Martha…
Corrie gestures with the teapot in her hands
Martha gives a pointed look
CORRIE
(sternly)
Well besides, I’m an independent woman who should be able to make her own tea! I’ve done it more times than I can count! Just boil some water and plop a teabag in… Nothing to it. No risk, no falls, no nothing!
Martha sadly and quietly steps forward reaching for the teapot.
CORRIE
(jerks back infuriated)
I am not some invalid, damn it!
(angrily throws the teapot into the sink, it shatters)
A simple walk about the kitchen… Pfft! For crying out loud… I’ve
(indicates self with each “I’ve”)
ridden an ostrich– I’ve rafted down rapids– I’ve run a freaking Iron Man!!! The THOUGHT– God– defeated by TEA! Plain old tea! What the heck! I don’t need that wretched wheelchair! I can make my own damn tea! I don’t need you! I don’t need fucking anyone!
Martha watches obviously on the brink of tears
CORRIE
(sees the tears and regrets… the blinding veneer of her pain drops… intake of breath)
Oh no… Oh gosh… I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… You know… This whole not being able to do what I want to do just really… it’s painful. (beat) My damn spine and my damn age.
(tears brimming)
I just want to go back when none of this mattered. When everyone didn’t literally look down on me with eyes full of pity. My whole body is actively working against me, crumbling to dust and I can’t pull it together. I feel like I’m not even me anymore. I really shouldn’t be taking it out on you, none of it is your fault. I’m so so sorry. (beat) Honestly, you and Peter have been such a help, I’m just not all that great at accepting it and I’m sorry. I’m working on getting there… It’s hard… I mean my entire life was about (beat) doing things on my own, proving myself. It shouldn’t have been…
(reflective)
it should’ve been about (beat) doing what I could with the people I love. Hm… Cherishing what we could accomplish together.
(sigh)
Oh Martha, you know that I love you?
Corrie looks up forlornly
Martha sighs and nods
CORRIE
Oh well then… Would you be so kind as to help your decrepit Aunt back into that awful contraption?
MARTHA
I can do that.
Martha takes Corrie’s arm and they slowly walk towards the wheelchair together
MARTHA
I love you too.
Lights fade out
SCENE 8
Corrie sitting in her wheelchair, two easels are set up in the lounge. A large one where Corrie is painting a landscape of a dark winter forest, and a little one that has a half-completed canvas of brightly colored flowers.
Pip rushes in clutching a large paper bag and Martha follows with another in her arms
CORRIE
Woah! What’s the rush?
PIP
(hopping with excitement)
We got a prezzie for you. Now close eyes. No peaking!!!
CORRIE
Ok ok. They’re closed.
Pip excitedly unpacks her bag onto the bed, Martha helps clearing one of the side tables.
CORRIE
Can I open them?
PIP AND MARTHA
No!
They set up a tea station with a box of tea bags, 2 mugs, a bottle of honey and an electric kettle. They step back
PIP
Open them! Surprise!
CORRIE
(tears of joy)
Awww, Pip! I love it!
PIP
Now you can make tea whenever you want to!
CORRIE
How about now?
PIP
Yes!!!
MARTHA
As long as I get a cup too.
CORRIE
And you Pip?
PIP
Yes please!
Corrie directs chair towards the station, fills the kettle with her water jar that Martha then takes to refill. Then Corrie turns the kettle on and starts flipping over mugs.
Lights fade out.
SCENE 9
Lights up to late evening Pip is on the bed with Corrie.
PIP
Aunty Corrie, can you tell me a story like the one about you and Bibi?
CORRIE
Sure, what type of story are you in the mood for?
PIP
An adventure!
CORRIE
(laughing)
Aren’t we always?
PIP
Yes!!
CORRIE
Let’s see, an adventure… Well there is that time your grandad and I went roof top running around the pearl of the desert with our friend Marco!
PIP
The pearl of the desert?
CORRIE
Its actual name is Ghadames, it’s in Libya. The town is an oasis in the middle of a desert. It’s so cool, there’re these alleyways that weave between all the houses, but the best part are the terraces that connect everything and are of course the best way to get around and have the best views.
PIP
Oooh!
CORRIE
Yeah… So, our parents were often having these fancy parties where the kids weren’t allowed downstairs, so when they did we would sneak out our bedroom window and go exploring on the terraces when no one else was out. We watched the skies finding different constellations, jumped from one terrace bridge to another, and very naughtily would pelt people passing through the alleys with these seeds we used to hoard.
PIP
What did the seeds look like?
CORRIE
Well they were palm tree seeds, so looked a bit like big almonds. Anyways, this one night, we saw this group of teenage boys down below and might have gotten a bit carried away with the seeds, so they were really mad at us…
PIP
Oh no!
CORRIE
They climbed up to the terrace and started chasing us, it was the fastest we had ever run.
PIP
Did they catch you?
CORRIE
While they were bigger and faster, we knew the terraces better, and pulled out all our tricks of jumping cross ways, sliding down banisters and pulling up under a bridge in an alleyway to hide and finally lose them.
PIP
So cool!
CORRIE
(quiet pause)
It was.
Corrie starts tearing up
PIP
Aunty Corrie are you alright?
CORRIE
Yes Pip, I’m just tired, and I think you should be getting to bed–
PIP
— Awww, ok. Sorry I made you cry Aunty Corrie.
CORRIE
You didn’t, don’t worry. Just thinking about things, I used to do but could never do again makes me a bit sad.
PIP
But you already did them! Not everyone is that lucky! And there are still so many awesome things you can do!
CORRIE
Like what?
PIP
Painting, telling stories, talking to me, going places, getting to know really cool people, I don’t know… Lots of things. Just because you use a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t do things.
CORRIE
I think it’s more that I’m old that I can’t do things.
Pip’s posture morphs to an almost regal, but not imposing, position, one that proclaims that she is more than the young girl she appears as.
PIP
Maybe not as many, but still a lot. The important stuff is still there, and you have done so much already. You’re not less worthy or important, or whatever, because you have to be in a wheelchair. Your life has value. Your life… it’s so incredible!
CORRIE
(in an epiphany)
I suppose it is… huh… when did you get so wise? And you know what Pip! You, your mum, and dad make it all that much better!
PIP
(grinning youthful again)
That’s good, because you make ours better too. I love you Aunty Corrie!
They embrace
CORRIE
I love you too Pip. Goodnight sleep well.
PIP
You too Aunty Corrie.
Pip gets down and exits through the corridor
Corrie stares off in happy thought
Lights fade to black.
SCENE 10
It is late afternoon on a Saturday, it is very sunny outside. Corrie, Martha and Pip are gathered around the dining room table playing cards.
Peter bursts in through the front door.
PETER
I’ve amazing news! You’re not going to believe it!!!
MARTHA
What is it honey?
PETER
There’s a cure!!!!!
CORRIE
Cure?
PETER
Or a treatment at least better than what you’re getting now!
CORRIE
What? Me?
PETER
Yes! You!
MARTHA
Peter slow down, take a breath and explain. You’re just going to drive us up the wall with guessing what you’re on about.
PETER
(breath and then rush)
Well I’ve been sending Corrie’s weekly health updates to her doctor–as you know–and he just let me know, today, that since you’re doing so much better I should tell you all about this new type of treatment that’s been approved!
(breathless)
It uses these injections and some nano technology to give more density and a protective layer over your most vulnerable bones. (beat) It sounded complicated and like a long process, but it works! So well in fact that after a year of treatment you can walk around on your own with a much lower risk of breakage and whole lot less stress on your bones!
CORRIE
Are you serious!
MARTHA
This is quite a lot to take in… Is it an invasive and painful treatment?
PETER
Not from what he said, just a bit of temporary pain with the injection. I called him with some questions and booked a consultation for next week.
MARTHA
A miracle! Modern medicine is something else…
PIP
You’re going to get better Aunty Corrie!?
CORRIE
Sounds like I might!
PETER
I was thinking we should celebrate with a picnic in the park since it’s so lovely out!
PIP
Oh YAY! Yes please! Can we Mum?
MARTHA
I don’t see why not. I’ll go prepare a basket. Peter can you get the lawn chairs?
PETER
Sawa, on it.
PIP
Oh, this is so exciting…
CORRIE
It’s unbelievable.
They all busy preparing for the picnic
Lights fade out.
SCENE 11
Lights rise to show Corrie and Pip painting new pictures. There is a heavy down pour outside. Corrie’s painting shows the Grand Canyon, while Pip’s is of a sunny beach.
CORRIE
Pip, that looks lovely!
PIP
Thanks! I like yours; it looks kind of scary looking though.
CORRIE
Heights can be scary; you just need to be confident that you’re stable and then there’s nothing to fear. The fear isn’t so much about the height but more about the fall.
PIP
I think I would need to have a really cool distracting view to not be scared at the top of that.
CORRIE
That is another way to–
All lights and electrics suddenly cut out. Everyone can only see the raging storm outside the windows.
Pip gives a little shriek
CORRIE
It’s alright. The storm must have cut the power or maybe it surged… we could have a tripped switch, let me just turn on my phone torch…
(click… click…frantic clicking)
Shit!
PIP
What?
CORRIE
My phone’s dead.
PIP
Well, I have my flex?
CORRIE
Your what?
PIP
The bendy tablet thing.
CORRIE
Oh.
The flex sends off a glowing light from Pip’s hands (the actual device does not have to be that visible)
CORRIE
Can you contact your parents on that thing?
PIP
Uhhh… No it’s just for games and homework
CORRIE
Well I guess we’ll have to wait for them to get home and check the switch board.
PIP
Or… we could do it? It could be like an adventure!
CORRIE
Do you even know where it is?
PIP
It’s a box with switches and wires and stuff, right?
CORRIE
Yeah…
PIP
It’s in the attic.
CORRIE
Oh gosh no, then we really do have to wait for your parents. I can’t get up there
PIP
But I can…
CORRIE
No no Pip you shouldn’t be messing around with all those wires up there, especially if you’re on your own.
PIP
I can do it. Is there just a switch to flip?
CORRIE
–Pip no! It’s too dangerous, I won’t allow it.
PIP
But you used to do all these crazy things as a kid, this isn’t even that dangerous.
CORRIE
This is different, you’re my responsibility, and I don’t want you to get hurt. You’ve never done anything like this before so don’t argue with me about this.
PIP
But I can do it!
CORRIE
Seriously, Pip, stop arguing!
Pip gets up and starts moving across the room with the light in her hand.
CORRIE
Pip get back here this instant, just wait for your parents! They’ll sort it out.
PIP
I can do it
CORRIE
No! Come back! Sit down! Damn it!
PIP
I’ll be quick
Pip exits
Darkness
CORRIE
(yelling after her and moving wheelchair towards the corridor)
This isn’t funny, it’s dangerous Pip. You don’t know what you’re doing! What if you get electrocuted!?!?! Pip!!! Piper come here NOW! Piper Furaha Thompson, I swear to god and the Fairy of the Dell, you are going to be in so much trouble!!!
(desperate gut-wrenching yell)
PIPER!!!!
Light footsteps coming from ceiling moving over lounge to kitchen
CORRIE
(whining)
Piper, please come back!!! You don’t even know how to fix it or if it’s something you can fix!
PIP
(muffled)
I’m really fine Aunty Corrie I can see the– AAAAHHH!!!
Loud sounds of plaster cracking and a dark shadow silhouetted by a faint glow cracks through the ceiling in the kitchen.
CORRIE
(screaming, frantic)
PIPER!!!! WHERE ARE YOU??? ARE YOU OK????
PIP
(meekly)
Oww ow ow… Uhhh… I sort of stopped paying attention to my feet and missed the wood plank thing… My… My foot broke the ceiling. It’s stuck. (beat) Aunty Corrie? What do I do?
CORRIE
(sickening pause, then resolution)
Just hold tight… I’m coming
PIP
No… No… It’s ok. We can wait. I’m ok
CORRIE
(with quiet finality)
I’m coming
Intake of breath then silence as if time is frozen
Then with laborious effort Corrie lifts herself out the chair, in the dark Corrie blindly and slowly shuffles into the corridor, arms extended, feet tentatively dragging her forward.
PIP
Aunty Corrie? I really am ok, please don’t leave your chair!!! What if you get hurt and then the injections don’t work??? You could never get better! It would be my fault! Oh, this is all my fault!
Pip weeping
Ceiling creaking with Corrie’s weight
PIP
Aunty Corrie?
CORRIE
(muffled)
I’m here.
PIP
Please be careful.
Slow careful creaking footsteps across attic.
CORRIE
Alright, Pip, I need you to sort of lie…lean… And hug the beam.
PIP
Ok… What are you gonna do?
CORRIE
I need to make the hole bigger so you can pull your foot back up.
PIP
How?
CORRIE
Just hold on.
Creaking, plaster breaking, glow from hole gets bigger. Pip’s shadowed foot goes up a bit, still stuck.
PIP
It still won’t go through
CORRIE
One second…
More creaking…
Loud clattering, scrambling, plaster breaking, screaming, a large dark body mass drops through kitchen ceiling with the glowing light.
Quiet… Glow reflects eerily off walls, floor hidden by kitchen counter
PIP
(shakily)
Aunty Corrie?
Pip’s pale face reflecting the glow moves to be seen through the hole, she peers down, pause and then horror strikes across her small eerie visage.
Glow fades to black
Fin