SCENE 1

A disheveled kitchen. As the lights dim, an ominously glowing crack appears in the ceiling that overhangs the stage. It crackles and flashes like a surge of electricity, then fizzles out.

Lights up on bathrobe-clad ELLEN, who sits at the kitchen table, reading a magazine. LONNY, suitcase in hand, has just entered the room. He looks vaguely perverted with his moustache and glasses.

LONNYELLEN, IM LEAVING

ELLEN(In a trance)

Ellen, Im leaving...(She raises her head.)

Ellen, Im leaving? Leaving? Like, leaving-leaving?

LONNYDONT MAKE THIS HARDER FOR ME

ELLENBut, I thought you were happy.

LONNYELLEN, IM LEAVINGELLEN, IVE GOT TO GO

ELLENIs it because I wouldnt... you know?

LONNYNO

ELLENBut we were so good together! And David. He loves you. He thinks of you as a father.

LONNY(Laughing)

Dont you think I have enough kids of my own? Last thing I need is someone elses stray.

ELLENGod, this is so sudden, and I dont understand why. Can you explain this to me? Please? Please, just give me an answer!

LONNYELLEN, IM LEAVING

(Lonny exits, slamming the on-stage door. Ellen, confused and exhausted, rests her head on the kitchen table. DAVID, her ten year old son, enters.)

DAVID (Concerned)

Mom? Ellen?

ELLEN(Her head still on the table, muffling her voice.)

Yes, sweetie?

DAVIDWhere did Lonny go?

ELLENHe left.

DAVIDIs he coming back?

ELLENNo.

(A beat. She raises her head.)Oh, sweetie. I know much you liked Lonny.

DAVIDI didnt like Lonny.

ELLENI thought you did...

2.

DAVIDAre you kidding? I hated him!

ELLENYou never told me that.

DAVIDI told you lots of times.

ELLEN(Trying to be cheerful.)

Well... Good riddance, then. Right?

DAVIDRight. Maybe this means you shouldnt date married men.

ELLENI get what youre saying, but I don't think that was the problem.

DAVIDThen what was the problem?

ELLEN(Compassionate, not condescending.)

Youre so young, David. There are still so many things you dont understand.SOME GROWN-UPS SUDDENLY LEAVE YOUSOME GROWN-UPS NEVER SAY WHYSOME GROWN-UPS LIKE SPECIAL GROWN-UP THINGS I WAS TOO SCARED TO TRY

SOME GROWN-UPS START TO OUTGROW YOUSOME GROWN-UPS JUST GROW APARTSOME GROWN-UPS SLEEP IN YOUR BASEMENTFOR MONTHS AND THEN BREAK YOUR HEART

BUT YOU AND I HAVE EACH OTHERSO HERES MY CHANCE TO BE YOUR MOTHER

ITS JUST YOU AND ME AGAINWERE FINALLY FREE AGAINTO SPEND MORE TIME TOGETHERJUST A MOTHER AND A SONWELL PRACTICALLY BE TETHEREDNOW DOESNT THAT SOUND FUN?

WERE BACK ON OUR OWN AGAIN

3.