A dozen, please.
The delightful friend’s prompt for me this week: Write a short play about a grocery store clerk and a surprise encounter one day on shift that changed everything.
My prompt for her: Write about a moment where you felt lighter.
In my brief navigation of different formats for playwrights, I’ve decided to just wing it. This is partially due to the chicken and waffles I had for breakfast that will certainly put me to sleep if I dive into a 40-page PDF about modern vs. traditional formats.
Alrighty, here we go:
Scene
Family Greens. Portland, OR. Autumn day.
CHRISTINE, a grocery store clerk, rings up a nameless CUSTOMER and his full cart. CHRISTINE looks tired and gloomy.
CHRISTINE
ringing up at least twenty items
Would you like a bag today?
CUSTOMER
Yes, a couple, please.
CHRISTINE scans every item and sorts them into a couple of bags before CUSTOMER pays, loads them into his cart, and exits the scene. CHRISTINE gives a deep sigh and rubs at the space between her eyes. STACY, her manager, enters and pretends to check the register for something.
STACY
Hey, need a break?
CHRISTINE
I’m, like, fifteen minutes into this shift. I can’t take a break.
STACY
Yeah, but you look like you’re hurting for one. Are you okay? You’ve been…quiet.
CHRISTINE
I’m fine.
STACY
Late night?
CHRISTINE
shoulders slump
No. Just…kinda homesick.
STACY
frown, then a smirk
…Starbucks run? Venti iced chai?
CHRISTINE
hesitant, weak smile
Sure.
STACY dashes away and exits the scene. ALICE, a customer, enters and places a carton of eggs on the conveyor belt. CHRISTINE sighs through her nose and scans it without looking up.
Would you like a bag today?
ALICE
A dozen, please.
CHRISTINE begins to reach for a handful of grocery bags before her eyes go wide. She looks up and locks eyes with ALICE, breaking into a giddy smile. The upper half of the stage is illuminated revealing LITTLE CHRISTINE and LITTLE ALICE playing over a toy cash register on the upper floor.
ALICE & LITTLE ALICE
smiling
Ahem, my bags, ma’am.
CHRISTINE & LITTLE CHRISTINE
laughing
You want a dozen bags for one carton of eggs?
ALICE & LITTLE ALICE
Yeah! One for each egg!
CHRISTINE & LITTLE CHRISTINE
That’s stupid!
ALICE & LITTLE ALICE
You’re stupid!
CHRISTINE chases ALICE around the checkout line. LITTLE CHRISTINE chases LITTLE ALICE around the toy cash register.
Blackout.
End scene.