Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- for a whole year-and still going!
If you just started this blog and want to read the earlier monologues-
For a list of the titles and blurbs from each day, click here There are now over 760!
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first year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2015
second year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2016
********* third year - Feb. 13, 2016 - today!
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop, so if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.
second year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2016
********* third year - Feb. 13, 2016 - today!
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop, so if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.
If you just started this blog and want to read the earlier monologues-
For a list of the titles and blurbs from each day, click here There are now over 760!
Get more great award-winning monologues - MonologueZone.com
If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -
Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day #766 Let Me Finish by Janet S. Tiger (c) Mar. 19, 2016
Some good news to share - the last two days posted -Day # 764 and 765 - were submitted and I just got the good results - I was selected for participation in the THAT 24-HOUR THING Event..coming up at the 2016 San Diego International Fringe Festival More info as soon as I get details.
Let Me Finish
(Not) A monologue by Janet S. Tiger
© 2016 all rights reserved
© 2016 all rights reserved
Time - a few years ago
LIZ - And I got blamed for losing it for all these years? Amazing!
ELI - (Ignores her) Try it on....
Two characters - in order of appearance
Elizabeth/LIZ - 50s
ELI -(Father of Liz) - 80s
Setting - patio in front of an apartment on ground floor
nice table, chairs, plant
(We hear Eli and Elizabeth before we see them, as they come into view with Eli using a walker, and Elizabeth carrying some bags from a shopping trip.)
LIZ - (Tired, trying to be cheerful) So, do you want the eggs or the tuna?
ELI - Why do you make life so difficult? Just decide for me....
LIZ - Whatever I pick, you won't like......
ELI - So what difference does it make what you pick?
LIZ - Ah, the difference is, if you pick, it's not my fault!
ELI - What are you talking about? It's your fault no matter what!
LIZ- (Trying another direction) Okay, now that we have that decided, what do you want for dinner?
ELI - Why do you always ask me that while I'm walking, maybe I want to get home and sit for a minute, think about this very important choice in my life!
LIZ - Sorry, it's just I have to get back a little early tonight, Jerry and I are having dinner with some friends.....
ELI - And that doctor's appointment, I always get tired when I go to the doctor.....today was particularly bad.....
LIZ - I wish you'd let me go in with you.....
ELI - I don't let you go in because you'd end up doing all the talking and I'd never get to say anything!
LIZ - Whatever you want, Dad.....I'm just trying to help....
(They get to the chairs and Eli sits in one heavily)
ELI - Let's sit outside for a minute. It's still nice........Did I ever tell you about Phil Adelberg?
LIZ - (Sighing heavily) Yes, Dad you have.....
ELI - What a guy! Very smart......he was a very smart guy....we knew each other from the service...
LIZ - (She's heard this before) You were in business together after the war.....
ELI - We started the business together....And I stayed in the reserves...your mother liked that extra money every month...not that I had to go every two weeks in the summer.....but the money came in handy when your brother was a baby...
LIZ - And he took care of the business when you were called back to service in Korea....
ELI - And then they called me back....who knew that there would be a Korea? They told me after World War II that there could never be another war like that.....and they were right....in many ways, Korea was worse....
LIZ - How about the eggs, Dad? You haven't had eggs in a few days....
ELI - Can't you let me finish? You never let me finish!
LIZ - (Irritated) Okay! Finish!
ELI - So Phil Adelberg, he took good care of the business while I was gone.....I don't think you remember him, do you? You were a baby when he died.....
LIZ - Just a baby....
ELI - He gave you a ring, a beautiful ring.....and when you were holding it, you dropped it ....
LIZ - (She was always blamed) And it was never found.....
ELI - A shame, it was a nice ring....
LIZ - How about a tuna sandwich? With some avocado?
ELI - (Getting annoyed) Let me finish!
LIZ - So finish!
ELI - (Upset) That doctor told me upsetting news! I can't even get you to be quiet for one minute to listen! But the tuna sounds good....
LIZ - Wait a minute....what did you just say?
ELI - Do you ever listen? I said the tuna was ok....
LIZ - About the doctor! What did the doctor say!
ELI - He said that my heart can't handle another operation.....and if I have one of these episodes in my sleep, that's gonna be the end.....but no avocado....I think that one is a little overripe....
LIZ - Thanks for sharing!
ELI - No problem.....where was I about Phil Adelberg.....
LIZ - I don't remember....
ELI - Oh, the ring....
(He reaches into his pocket and takes out his wallet, excavating a small packet)
ELI - Here......I found it.....
(He holds out something to her)
LIZ - What? What is this?
ELI - The ring.....
LIZ - What do you mean you found it? We moved from New Jersey when I was a kid!
ELI - Are you nuts? I didn't find it yesterday! I found it that day.....and I put it away....for now....
LIZ - And I got blamed for losing it for all these years? Amazing!
ELI - (Ignores her) Try it on....
LIZ - Well it's not going to fit....this was for a little girl....
ELI - Maybe on a pinky....
LIZ - Maybe......it is pretty.....
(She puts it on her pinky, looks at her father)
ELI - Phil Adelberg took very good care of the business.....and while I was away, fighting in Korea....he took..... good care of your mother... and brother, too......at first I was very grateful.....
(Liz sits heavily, looking at the ring)
ELI - But then, I did the math.....I was never that good at math, Phil did the books....
LIZ - What do you mean.....'took care of'.....
ELI - You know what I mean......
LIZ - (Horrified, amazed) What are you telling me? That Phil Adelberg was my.....father?
ELI - I was home on leave....you were born..........eight months after I left..... you were over seven pounds.....a bit large for a premature baby......
LIZ- You're crazy! Did the doctor tell you you were crazy? He should have!
ELI - And that ring.....years ago, no one would have thought that a person could leave DNA on something like that....but now.....it's amazing what they can do......and your DNA.....well, that's easy....some of your hair from that brush you use in your purse......
LIZ - You took hair from my purse? What kind of a crazy thing is this? Do you expect me to believe.....
ELI - (Angry) For once - can you let me finish!....... And today the doctor gave me the report.....these things take a little time, and they cost money, but I wanted to be sure.....
(He hands over an envelope, she opens it, reads slowly)
ELI - I'm not so crazy, am I?
LIZ - Phil Adelberg was my...father?
ELI - I'd like to think...he was the donor....and that I'm the father....but, you'll have to make that decision for yourself.....
LIZ - Everything I've lived, all these years....a lie?
ELI - No lie that I love you...no lie that I would have died for you.....or your brother....
LIZ - My....my half-brother! (Realizes) Does he know about....
ELI - (Quickly) No! That's going to be your choice....whether you want to share that with him.....
LIZ - All this time.....and mom.....she knew?
ELI - Of course she knew!
LIZ - I guess that was a silly question.....
ELI - And now, like those TV commercials....But wait, there's more!
LIZ - (Almost laughing) More? This wasn't enough? (Anguished) That everything in my life is not what it seemed? You know, dad, I have a friend, and after 32 years of marriage, her husband told her he wants a divorce! Why? Because he had a second family! With two children? In another city! And he wants to live with them! Can you believe that? Of course you can, because lies run in families don't they? Like rivers.....poisoned polluted rivers where the garbage from years before gets buried and then surfaces .........from some storm that makes the murky water overflow with tears and destroy everything built up on the banks.......
And when she told me her story....I couldn't believe it! I was so grateful OUR family never had secrets like that! Boy, how wrong can you be?
ELI - Are you finished? Are you gonna let me finish now?
LIZ - (Laughs) Go ahead! I always wanna hear the final pitch!
ELI - Phil Adelberg didn't die of a heart attack.....
LIZ - (Really scared) Oh, no, please! Don't tell me you killed him!
ELI - (Very annoyed) Let me FINISH!
LIZ - (Yelling) All right! Finish already!
ELI - He committed suicide!
(This stops her and she sits heavily)
ELI - He left a letter.....
(He hands her a letter, she reads it shaking her head)
ELI - And all the his interest in the business.....
(He indicates something else in the envelope)
ELI - That's a check for his share.....
LIZ - Every time I needed help, you told me you were broke....that you spent it all when Mom was sick....
ELI - It was the truth....but this is your money.....all yours.....and there's interest, a lot, after all the years....I want you to have it now....when you really need it for retirement.....
(She looks at the check and slowly puts it all back into the envelope)
LIZ - What can I say?
ELI - I'm sure you'll think of something....you always do!
LIZ - Why didn't you tell me this before?
ELI - I tried, but you never let me finish!
(They sit and start to laugh, he reaches over and takes her hand)
ELI - I just wanted you to know....the truth....
(She takes both hands and squeezes them)
LIZ - Thank you, Dad. (Deep breath) I love you.
ELI - I love you, too.
LIZ - So, do you want the eggs or the tuna? Or .....does it matter at all?
ELI - I love you, too.
LIZ - So, do you want the eggs or the tuna? Or .....does it matter at all?
ELI - Why do you make life so difficult? Just decide for me....
LIZ - Whatever I pick, you won't like......
(The lights start to dim)
ELI - So what difference does it make what you pick?
LIZ - Ah, the difference is, if you pick, it's not my fault!
ELI - What are you talking about? It's your fault no matter what!
(They laugh as the lights blackout. The end.)
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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315
JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983
Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8
* Note: A few words about 'free' - all these monologues are protected under copyright law and are free to read, free to perform and video as long as no money is charged. Once you charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me for royalty info.
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