Thursday, January 31, 2019

Monologue Mania Day # 1804 -1805-1806-1807 Modeh Ani (The Morning Prayer) a play in one-act by Janet S. Tiger (c) Feb. 1-2-3-4, 2019

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

Today is Day # 1804-1807    To look at the other titles - click here

  first   year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2015   - now in year five - Feb. 14 - today!     
            
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop - if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.

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 on Facebook, Google - with friends.  Wishing you much success!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Monologue Mania Day #  1804 -1805-1806-1807 Modeh Ani (The Morning Prayer) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Feb. 1-2-3-4, 2019

                                      
                                 Modeh Ani
                              (the Morning Prayer)
                 By Janet S. Tiger © 2019  all rights reserved
                                 Tigerteam1@gmail.com

Characters -

Rabbi-   dressed from the 1950s orthodox, with a long coat, beard, yarmulke

Rabbi’s Mother-  dressed in the style of the 30s-40s

Set –

Simple, one chair either side of the stage, lighting more important



(Rabbi enters hesitantly, nods.  Eastern European accent)
RABBI - Thank you, my friend, I'm glad you could see me.  It's funny, sometimes you, a 
priest, come to me, a rabbi, and now, I come to you for advice.  Life is strange, don't you think?

        (Listens, nods)

RABBI - A cup of tea would be nice.....and yes, something stronger would be nicer......

        (He paces)

RABBI -  It's funny, the ten commandments are interpreted differently ....for you, it is
'thou shalt not lie'...for us, thou shalt not bear false witness.....lying under oath is against the rules.....but a little white lie....a wife asks is her hat pretty.....yes, it is.....because why hurt her feelings?

(Sighs)  But at what point is it.....a lie.  Not little.  I told my mother a lie.  Yes, when I was child I told her lies, all children do, but I'm talking about now.....five years ago.

I lied to my mother......I told her that her son….....was alive.   (cont.)

There were three of us brothers......Yossel, the oldest, brought us all here to the United States, after my father died, before the war.

Yossel caught a fever one day, he was dead two days later.  Buried on a Friday.......my mother disintegrated....I thought she would die, too.  But Yossel left a wife, two small children, it kept her busy.

Then David moved to Hollywood, to go into the movies.  He was never as religious as the rest of us. 

        (He takes a sip of tea)

I got the phone call when I was preparing my sermon......the sermon was on carefulness.....to be careful while studying, to look at each word to find the meaning.  I remember because the call was to tell me my brother had been hit by a bus in Los Angeles.....dead.  A bus.  In New York, people are killed all the time by buses....but in Los Angeles?  Who knew they even had buses?

        (He puts his head in his hands)

I was going to tell her....I swear!  But she was still upset about Yossel.....and....I just couldn't.  I thought I would do it after I got back so I told her David needed to see me about a career move, and I was going to visit him.

David had given my number and address for emergencies.   So when I got there, it was easy to pretend he was still alive......

Who calls from 3000 miles?   Maybe one day, it will be cheaper to phone people up......but my mother never expected a phone call.  Even now.....But letters.......I wrote in David's handwriting....forged.....I did that when we needed papers before the war.....I was very good.....but the letters....how my mother loved them!

And because he was hit by a bus, there was a settlement from the city.  I took some of the money and sent it to my mother.  She was so proud to have a successful son/  And so I told her.....he had done well, and was moving.....to Israel.

She was very upset, but also very happy for him, especially when his letters told of his love for his new land.  Why didn\t he see her on the way to Israel?  Because he went via Hawaii....and Asia.......and he continued to send money......as a rabbi, I have many friends who travel....many people who helped in my deception......I told some of them, but not others.....the lie spreading like honey......catching me in its sweet stickiness....

Did I lie to just protect her?  Or did I lie because I was afraid she would be so hurt to know the truth?

        (Listens)

So what's the problem?  What is the problem.......the problem is.....my mother is dying.....a cancer eating her from the inside.....and she wants to see her son......one more time before she dies.....

What do I do, my friend?  Do I tell her the truth?  Or keep sending letters that say David is not well enough to travel?  Where will the lie end?

I'm sorry to burden you.....although I know you've heard much worse.......I suppose, it's hard for a rabbi to admit that he has made such a mistake.....or is it a mistake?  Has she been happier not knowing he's gone?  ......Or does she know?

I'm not asking for an answer now......we have a little time......just think about it, and let me know what you would do....if it was your mother......

          (He turns to leave, stops, looks back)

 When I was younger, I used to think that if I studied hard enough, I could learn anything.  But as I get older, I realize......the more I study, the less I know.  Perhaps one day, I will awaken to realize, that I know absolutely nothing.....about everything.....

(Lights down on him….they go up on his mother, moving slowly, she is not well.  Eastern European accent)


MOTHER - Thank you, Mona, for coming over.....I have a big favor to ask 
you.....have a seat, I'll get the girl to bring some coffee and pastry.....fresh from that new bakery....still good and maybe even warm!   (Sighs)  I'm tired.  

          (Waves her hand)

MOTHER - Don't worry about me....I'm not afraid.  It's my time soon.....I just....want to
....how can I tell you?  It's about a lie.  No, not a lie I told......
My son lied to me....he is lying to me every day.....

How do I know?  I know.

He told me that his brother, David.....you know the one who went to Israel......he tells me David is alive......when I know.....David is dead......

         (Puts up both hands)

You know what I mean!  David is dead for many years now....five I think.  How do I know that?  You have children, Mona, you know there is a fine string from our hearts to their heart.....and when that string breaks, you know.......I may not know the details, maybe I never want to know them....but one night, just before my son left for California to see David, I woke in a flash......and I knew I would never see David again.

My boy is a good boy, he sends me letters and checks....forgeries...all supposedly from David......and I know it's all a lie.....and by having to pretend he's still alive, by not having to grieve......I suppose I could not get depressed like when Yossel died....so I continue to pretend one day I will see him again.....and now I know that time is near.....

          (Listens)

What do I want you to say?  I want you to tell me if I should let him know....that I know.  So that the burden will be off his shoulders.......

This will be my last big decision before I die.........to tell or not to tell.....

           (She turns to look at the rabbi on the other side of the stage)

MOTHER -   Except for the other big decision.....what I am wearing to my own funeral?

         (She laughs as the lights freeze on her.  The Rabbi looks at his mother)

RABBI -  My friend, there is a prayer we say first thing in the morning, I think that’s why
they call it the morning prayer.  Modeh ani……..said when we first awaken, in
bed, before anything else…..It thanks God for restoring our soul. 

מוֹדֶה אֲנִי האשה אומרת: מודָה לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם שֶהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ:

RABBI - I am thankful before You, living and enduring King,

MOTHER -…… for you have mercifully restored my soul within me. Great is Your
faithfulness.   How many more times…..

RABBI -  Will she be able to say that morning prayer?  But how……

MOTHER -  ……..do I tell him?  You would think, in families, there would be truth, but, no, perhaps it is easier to lie to those we love, we think it saves them….

RABBI -  From pain…
            (The Rabbi looks at his mother and she looks at him)

MOTHER – And then we find out……

RABBI -  …..maybe, there was no saving at all….Mama

MOTHER -  I have something

RABBI /MOTHER (Together)- ….. to tell you…..

            (They walk to each other and as the lights go out, they hug.  Blackout)

(------------------------------------

More about the morning prayer
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/morning-blessings/

--------------------------------------

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 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Janet S. Tiger    858-736-6315                CaregiversAnon.org
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8
















https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/morning-blessings/

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Monologue Mania Day # 1803 Green Eyes by Janet S. Tiger (c) Jan. 31, 2019

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

Today is Day # 1803    To look at the other titles - click here

  first   year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2015   - now in year five - Feb. 14 - today!     
            
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop - if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.

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 on Facebook, Google - with friends.  Wishing you much success!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Monologue Mania Day #  1803  Green Eyes by Janet S. Tiger (c) Jan. 31, 2019
           
                                      Green Eyes
                                 A monologue by Janet S. Tiger 
                          (c) January 31, 2019  all rights reserved                                                                         tigerteam1@gmail.com

                  (Older man comes out, he is very dapper)


Jealousy.  The Green Eyes.  That's what my mother, rest her soul, would call it.  She said it was bad. that I would get in trouble because of .....green eyes.......

I never listened to my mother.  Maybe.....I should now.  Ma?

         (He looks up)

So, here's the problem....

I see my girlfriend, and she is just beautiful.....(he glows) ... is she easy on the eyes!......oh, yeah!...only the problem is.....she has a boyfriend.....and it's not me....

I was confused at first, because she told me this guy she traveled with was just a 'good friend' but I see them, and he has his arms around her, and they are holding hands, and I am a little suspicious!

She may be good friends, but hey, there has to be some limit!

So I go over and say,\what's happening?' and she is very surprised.  She said she didn't know if I could be her boyfriend if I was so jealous!

And I said - what about him?  And she said, 'he's not jealous about you!'

I was  thinking about this - then I asked her if HE knew about ME....and she said no, that's why he's not jealous.

So, I am still thinking about this because, hey, at my age, there are a lot of choices, but most of them are not HER.......

Ma, what should I do?  You always told me to be smart, but, with the heart, but sometimes.....that's not so easy....

      (All of a sudden his eyes light up and he sees something, follows with his eyes)

Wait a minute, who's that!   Wow!  I wonder if she has a boyfriend!    Yoo hoo.....baby, are you the  jealous type?

        (He exits, happy)

---------------------------------------

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 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Janet S. Tiger    858-736-6315                CaregiversAnon.org
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8      




Saturday, January 26, 2019

Monologue Mania Day # 1798-1799-1800-1801-1802 Let Me Finish Please! (5-minute version) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Jan. 26-27-28-29,30, 2019

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

Today is Day # 1796-1797    To look at the other titles - click here

  first   year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2015   - now in year five - Feb. 14 - today!     
            
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop - if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.

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 on Facebook, Google - with friends.  Wishing you much success!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Monologue Mania Day #  1798-1799-1800-1801-1802 Let Me Finish Please! (5-minute version) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Jan. 26-27-28-29,30, 2019

                             
A longer version of this was performed in October for the North Park New Plays Festival- this is designed to run at about 5 minutes.  


  Let Me Finish - Please!
                                    (c)  2019 all rights reserved      


Characters –

LIZ  -50s

ELI (her father) - 80s

Time -  before 2010

Setting -  Apartment, a bachelor pad of an older man, but with woman’s touches
            Simple, with kitchen and dining area seen, and an offstage bedroom suggested. 

(Lights up to show Liz, in her 50s, going through items, shaking head, placing them in piles, putting some into boxes.  Eli, her father, in his 80s, frail but with some steam left, comes into the room with a box and puts it down near her, watches her working.)

            (There are boxes around, lots of boxes, and many marked for Donation)

LIZ – I can’t see why you’re getting rid of all this stuff!

ELI -  What do I need Sterno for anymore?  We don’t go camping.  

LIZ -  I hated camping.  I like having a real toilet  nearby.

ELI -  At my age, I’d live in the bathroom if I could.

LIZ -  Whatever makes you happy, Dad….

ELI – Keep that thought….Now I need to talk about something….important….

LIZ – Why are getting rid of all these photos?  I’m gonna take them….

ELI – Could you stop for just one minute and let me talk! 

LIZ -  So talk!

ELI - Anyways, you should thank me –

LIZ -  Thank you!  There’s a laugh! You never say please or thank you!

ELI -  Will you let me finish!

            (She opens her mouth, but stops)

ELI - Anyways, you should thank me –because….there’ll be less to go through when
I die.

LIZ -  (Horrified)   Please don’t say that!

ELI – Why not?  I’m gonna die (deep breath)  and lemme tell you, it’s gonna be soon.

LIZ – (Not paying attention) Are you ok?  Did you take your prune juice?

ELI -  I am and I did – and that is not the crap I’m talking about.

LIZ -  (Laughs)  Then what crap are we talking about?

            (Hands her a large envelope, she opens it, is horrified)

LIZ – What is this?

ELI -  I think it says it very clearly on the front – MY DEATH.  I don’t know how more clearly I can say it!  Die?  Dying soon? If you let me finish…..

LIZ -  This is a….list….a list…of…oh my God!

ELI -  God has nothing to do with this.

            (Starts looking around frantically)

LIZ -  But, where did you hide 100 pills?

ELI -  In a safe place…..

LIZ -  Where did you GET 100 of those horrible pills? 

ELI -  I’ve been saving them for years. I call them my helpers… (Older
voice)  ‘Oh, doc, my back is killing me!  Can I get a few of those, whaddaya call ‘em….pills to help me?  Oh, doc, I can’t sleep….do you have something that can help me?’  ….And that’s what they’re gonna do now, help me.  And I need your help, too.
And don’t worry, I’m in no rush….I’m a little concerned that when I get to heaven, I’ll have to see your mother again.  Not looking forward to that.

LIZ -  Daddy!

ELI -  The woman was certifiable.  If I have to go through eternity with her, I’ll know I’m really
in Hell!

LIZ -  Daddy, Judaism has no hell!  You taught me that!

ELI -  I was wrong, living with your mother was hell on earth.  One time, she was mad at me
after I had some bacocked radioactive test, because I flushed before she could see my
poop glowing in the dark!

LIZ -  (Interested)  Did it?

ELI -  Like mother, like daughter.

LIZ -  What a curse!  And speaking of curses, suicides don’t get buried in a Jewish cemetery!

ELI -  Fine with me, because I’m donating my body to the university…..

LIZ -  What?

ELI -  I think it’s considered a mitzvah….so that should balance the scales a bit…..and if
you keep your mouth shut….no one’s
gonna know about ….what I’m gonna do…..so, I’m good with God.

LIZ -  (Laughs)  Good with God!  (Sputtering) What about that old thing, you know….choose life?

ELI -  I am choosing life.  My life.  Not a life in diapers.

LIZ -  What are you talking about?  You use DEPENDS!  Every day!

ELI -  Those are disposable undergarments!  Diapers…..that’s when someone else puts them onto you……are you looking forward to that…..

            (Liz turns away)

ELI -  I didn’t think so.  I need your help, Liz.

LIZ -  (Angry)  Help you?  As in help you commit suicide?  Like in that play ‘night, Mother?

ELI – (Thinking)  Was that the one where the mother doesn’t take the gun from her own
daughter?  Where she lets her daughter blow her brains out without calling the police, or hittin’ her daughter over her head and calling an ambulance?   Oh, I remember that one!  What a stinker!  I told you, only musicals after that one!

LIZ -  And this is different, how?


ELI -  Boy, I thought you were smarter.  The daughter was young…..and I am not.
Don’t you understand anything?  …..(takes a deep breath) ….I don’t want to see my children die.  I just can’t handle that…..

LIZ -  You just want them…. to watch you die…..

ELI -  (Annoyed) Not watch me…..let me…To help me go with some dignity for God’s sake!

LIZ -  You want dignity?  What about me?  What about the ones you love?

ELI -  I’m not talking about doing it today!  I don’t have much of an
estate, so I’d like to think of this as…… end-of-life planning…..

LIZ – (Still horrified)  And what about your family?  Your grandchildren?  They love you!

ELI -  And I love them.  Look, I may not be religious, but after I go, I imagine I’ll still be around watching over them….

LIZ -  Like a guardian crazy person…..

ELI – (Ignores her)  And you don’t have to worry….. I will let you know when I want to do this…….we’ll have a party….my birthday’s coming up, I think I can make it till then…you’ll see, it’ll be fun!

LIZ -  Fun!  (Laughs)  You are a real hoot!  Forget about a traditional shiva-  We can put on hats and have a big cake!  A deathday party!  (Singing)  Happy deathday to you….

ELI – (Loud)  You won’t be sharing this with them!  Or anybody!

LIZ -  I thought sharing is caring!  Oh, I get it, death is such a strange thing now, not enough people die!  I mean we are living longer, and so, when someone dies, we have to make it into a big deal!  Unlike the past, when people died all the time, and we knew that death was a serious thing….no, this has to be….FUN!  That is definitely not a Jewish idea!

         (Eli listens to his daughter and shakes his head)

ELI – So Judaism never changes?   Don’t they allow women to read from the Torah?  And even…..become rabbis?

LIZ – You should have been a rabbi!  You sure know how to talk!  People could die in the middle of your sermon!  That’s what they’d say – ‘we should live so long to see the end of his sermon!’ (Quieter)  And maybe, Daddy, you’ll feel different……maybe if you wait,  they’ll find a new med that helps you….



ELI -  (Laughs)  That's what I love about you my dear daughter, you are funny!  You think you can get away from dying? With technology?  Death is always with us, in every minute of every day!A blood clot in an artery while you sleep,  a car hitting you, or an asteroid!  Maybe it's the banana peel you don't see that makes you slip and smack your neck......or maybe.....maybe.....it's taking too many pills with too many glasses of Manischewitz......Death is not disappearing - it's now more of a surprise, but if you think about it,  not really.  Whatever we say or do, we know, that at any time - death could be here, now.....and the most important thing, death is not the enemy.

Because death is what makes life ........so precious.

And that is why......I need your help.....so that my life, what I have left, will be my choice.  And that my death....will also be....my choice.


LIZ -  Your choice…..what about me?  Don’t I get a choice?

ELI -  Yes, you do…….when it’s your turn, you get to choose how you will exit……but for now, this is my turn…..so, for my sake, for God’s sake!.... let me finish!

LIZ – (Thinking, sighs)So, I have to help you….die, and keep it a  secret…..and you still can’t give me a tiny bit of common courtesy?

ELI -  (Smiles)  Let me finish…..please!

(She looks at him for a moment, then sighs, goes to him and they hug, and as the lights go down, we hear the sounds of a party starting, plates clanking, people making toasts to grandpa, music and then everyone singing ‘Happy Birthday to you’ which finishes with cheering, everyone saying good night – with a final L’chaim!*)


The end   (*L'chaim is Hebrew for 'To life')
--------------------------------------------


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 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Janet S. Tiger    858-736-6315                CaregiversAnon.org
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8