before the end

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Before The End.Play

BEFORE THE END

by

Derek Dean

Derek Dean

[email protected]

WGA 1434577

1

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Before The End.Play

CHARACTERS

Mark 40-50 year old male. Stocky build. 5'10 and

under. Husband and father of 2. A blue collar

laborer his entire life, mistakes in his

youth awarded him with a felonies, a lifelong

reminder that he will never break into uppermanagement. The only chance he has at making

it big is his ability to gamble. Being smart

and capable he wins more than he loses.

Occasionally, he bets to much.

Marty 18-25 year old male. Son of Mark. An opposite

of his father. Thoughtful, intelligent, a

college student that has ambitions to not

only make a name for himself, but make a name

for his family, his goal is to teach the

generations to come that there is more to do

in life than be a gambler and blue collar

worker.

Sarah 17-22 Mark’s daughter, young, innocent, 5'6

or shorter. Small build, a quiet yet

opinionated girl. Having seen her mom yelled

at and say nothing, she has a shorter fuse

when it comes to men claiming their

territory. She attends community college, but

hasn’t settled into the seriousness of life

yet. Has idea’s and beliefs about the world,

but not facts and follow through.

Stacy 35-45 The wife and mother of the family.Lives a life where her opinions are mentioned

but shut down by her husband. Is the voice of

reason of the house, but can’t stop her

husband or leave him. Morals, and kindness.

Constantly taking care of her children, and

keeping the house well kept.

Jillian 20-50 An intervention therapist. She has seen

all sorts of problems over the years, some

easy fixes, some trench wars. She’s an

excellent listener, however does feel that

with her experience and position, she is use

to people listening to her when she speaks.

2



Before The End.Play

SETTING

The living room of the house. Jillian is having a discussion

with Marty, Sarah and Stacey as they wait for Mark to return

home from the casinos. The living room has an older couch in the

center of the room facing the audience. A coffee table sits in

front of the couch. Of to the side of the couch is a small side

table, next to a wore away chair. A dinner room chair has been

places in the living room as well. It was meant for Jillian to

sit in, however she sat in the worn away chair, no one asked her

to move. The walls have dated pictures, ornaments that have been

left on the walls for years. The house is by no means dirty,

everything is well kept, just lacks updating. All members of the

family still live in the same home.

TIME

Dusk. The family has been expecting Mark to return home forsometime now. The wait has caused the conversation to drift.

ACT I

Present day.

ACT I Living room. Evening.

ACT II Living room. Minutes later.

3



Before The End.Play

ACT I

4



Before The End.Play

JILLIAN

I can’t go into the details of each case, but your

correct, you should expect the unexpected.

MARTY

Does it ever depress you?

STACY

Marty! You can’t ask her a question like that.

JILLIAN

It’s okay, I’ve actually been asked that question

plenty of times. It certainly depends on how you look

at things. I prefer to think that I’m guiding someone

to help themselves. It’s always difficult to findpeople that have no interest in getting better, but

they've made that choice. I find that helping people

help themselves is a very rewarding experience for me.

SARAH

Why do people call gambling a disease?

JILLIAN

In many ways it is a disease. Not the way people

think. Meaning, not like an illness that you'd catch

from a virus or bacteria, it’s a disease in the sense

that it gets a hold of you. You cannot control it, youcannot get rid of it. In that way, it is a disease.

STACY

And that’s what you think is happening to Mark?

JILLIAN

From what you have all told me, I’m going to assume

that he really likes to gamble, but I wouldn’t say

he’s addicted. People who get addicted, gamble for

days on end. I’ve had cases where a person sat in the

same clothes, never leaving the casino over a period

of 84 hours.

SARAH

That’s disgusting!

5



Before The End.Play

MARTY

No one says anything to them? No, hey you, go home to

your family, take a shower, eat something. No one says

that?

JILLIAN

Someone might, but the casino is making money. If youwere to show up and not gamble, loiter around all day,

someone would probably ask you to play or leave, but

as long as your playing your free to stay. They

actually accommodate you. They feed you, and can get

you anything you need, as long as you are sitting in

their seat, and playing their games, you are pouring

money on them, they want you to stay. At least until

you run out of money.

STACY

That’s wrong that they can do that to people.

SARAH

Mom their adults, what can you say to a grown up. The

parks closed, go home.

STACY

Someone should.

MARTY

There supposed to be adult’s mom. They should be able

to make better judgments on their own.

JILLIAN

That’s the other way it’s seen as a disease. We are

talking about rational, normal people making terrible

decisions, even against their own will. They may tell

themselves to leave, but they cannot get themselves

leave.

MARTY

Wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.

STACY

Don’t get upset all over again.

MARTY

It’s true though, if he doesn’t come back tonight, it

wouldn’t be the first time he was out all night.

STACY

6



Before The End.Play

When you’re married as long as we’ve been, your happy

to find out that your husband didn’t come home because

he was out gambling and not out, out.

SARAH

Out, out?

STACY

You know what I mean.

MARTY

It’s still no excuse. He should be home. Not spending

the family’s money.

JILLIAN

Your right Stacy, at least he wasn’t out, out.

SARAH

He’s not gay.

STACY

Why would you say that?

SARAH

Because out means gay. So, he’s not out, he just

wasn’t home.

STACY

Out does not mean gay.

SARAH

Yes it does.

MARTY

She’s right mom.

7



Before The End.Play

STACY

When did out start meaning gay.

SARAH

Always has. As in, you’re coming out of the closet. So

now your considered out.

STACY

I’ve heard that before, but never the shortened

version. Never just, out.

JILLIAN

I have also heard both, I do believe the shortened

term is just, out. As in, he or she came out.

STACY

Is it so hard to say, of the closet?

MARTY

Really mom, really. You’re that specific about it?

(Jillian, senses an argument and

changes the subject.)

JILLIAN

I hate to ask, may I have some more water.

STACY

Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry I didn’t see that your glass

was empty. I’ll get you more right away.

MARTY

I’ll come with you, I'm getting sick of waiting. I'm

going to get something to eat.

SARAH

8



Before The End.Play

Me too.

STACY

Are all of you hungry?

JILLIAN

Yes, a little bit.

STACY

I’m sorry, I lost all track of time, I forgot we

hadn’t eaten. Well, he hasn’t shown up yet, I don’t

see why we can’t get something out of the kitchen.

JILLIAN

That would be great.

MARTY

Thank God!

JILLIAN

May I use your bathroom?

STACY

Of course, Kitchen is to the right. Bathroom is the

first door on the right, and bedrooms are down the

hall on the left.

SARAH

Why does she need to know where the bedrooms are?

MARTY

Because at this rate she’s going to end up staying the

night here.

9



Before The End.Play

(EVERYONE EXITS A STAGE DOOR UP LEFT.

EVERYONE WALKS TO THE RIGHT WHEN THEY

GO THROUGH THE DOOR. MARK WALKS THROUGH

THE FRONT DOOR. EMOTIONALLY DISTRAUGHT,

ANGRY. HE WALKS IN AND STANDS IN THE

LIVING ROOM, TAKES OUT A PIECE OF PAPER

FROM HIS POCKET AND PLACES IT ON THE

COFFEE TABLE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS BY

HIMSELF HE WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR

TOWARDS THE BEDROOMS. AS HE GOES BACK

UPSTAIRS, STACY WALKS ON STAGE. LOOK

AROUND THE LIVING ROOM THEN WALKS BACK

INTO THE KITCHEN. A MOMENT GOES BY AND

WE SEE MARTY, SARAH, STACY AND JILLIAN

WALK BACK ON STAGE, SANDWICHES IN HAND

AND RESUMING THEIR SEATING, WHILE

EATING NO ONE NOTICES THE NOTE ON THE

TABLE AMONGST THE OTHER PAPERS. NO ONEIS TALKING WHILE THEY EAT. WE SEE MARK

RE-ENTER THE STAGE WITH A GUN IN HIS

HAND. SEEING EVERYONE IN THE LIVING

ROOM HE SHOVES THE GUN IN HIS PANTS AND

TURNS TO RUN BACK TOWARDS THE ROOM.

STACY SEE’S HIM.)

STACY

Your home!

MARKYeah. So are all of you.

MARTY

Sit down dad, we’d like to have a talk with you.

MARK

Would you now?

STACY

If you’re not busy.

MARKNo, I’m not busy. You’re in my seat.

JILLIAN

Hi Mark, my name is Jillian.

MARK

Hi Jillian, you’re still in my seat.

10



Before The End.Play

SARAH

Dad don’t be rude to our guest.

MARK

I’m not being rude sweetheart. Hello Jillian, may I

please have this seat.

JILLIAN

Of course.

MARK

Thank you. Now, What would you like to talk about? Can

we start with, who is Jillian.

JILLIAN

I’m a gambling addiction therapist.

MARK

Are you now?

SARAH

She’s here to help with your disease dad.

MARK

My disease, I’m not sick am I.

MARTY

I told you he’d be angry.

MARK

I’m not angry, boy. I just walk through my front door

and there’s a woman in my seat, eating my food and my

daughter is telling me I have a disease. I’m confused,

but I’m not angry.

JILLIAN

Mark, your family tells me that you have been gambling

a lot over the years, and they are concerned for you.

MARK

Are they now?

11



Before The End.Play

STACY

We just like seeing you home more often, that’s all.

MARK

Is it?

STACYYeah, that’s all. Just like seeing you around here

more. Not out all night at the casino. I don’t mean,

out, out at the casino. I just mean at the casinos all

night. Not out all night. Or that you’re out. Ever.

MARK

You asking me if I'm queer?.

STACY

No. That's silly. Not at all.

MARTY

That’s not the problem, I think. No, we think you have

a gambling problem. Your spending all your money at

the casino’s, and sure dad, you won a few times, and

that was great, but over the years you’ve lost way

more than you’ve won.

SARAH

We think you should stop going.

MARK

Do ya?

JILLIAN

Mark, your family is concerned for you. They want to

see you happy and healthy, and they want to spend more

time with you, as a family. But with you out gambling

all the time, they don’t feel like they’re getting the

time they need with you.

MARK

Jillian right?

12



Before The End.Play

JILLIAN

Yes.

MARK

Did they teach you to say my name every time you start

talking, or is that something you do on purpose?

JILLIAN

I can stop doing it if you find it annoying.

MARK

No, no, I’m curious, I want to know if that’s

something you picked up at school or if it’s just how

you talk.

JILLIAN

School. Yes. We use people’s names as often as

possible to direct who we are talking to, and to

humanize the situation, yes.

MARK

Well, again. Not to be rude. But I know my name, also

I think since you’ve sat in my chair and ate my food

that were more friends than anything. So, you don’t

have to use the field techniques on me. Let's just

have a regular conversation, if you could please.

JILLIAN

Not a problem. As long as we stick to the issue at

hand.

MARK

My gambling problem, huh?

JILLIAN

Yes.

STACY

We didn’t tell her it’s a bad problem, we think you’ve

been going more and more lately, and the kids and I

don’t want to have you at the casino more than your

home.

MARK

13



Before The End.Play

I agree.

SARAH

Just like that. Intervention over? That was easy.

MARTY

He’s telling you what you want to hear.

MARK

Huh.

JILLIAN

Unfortunately, Marty's right. It’s a little harder

than just saying you’re done.

MARK

Ok, I’m guessing you want me to admit I have a

problem. I cry, we cry, we hug. And I’m better.

JILLIAN

None of that has to happen, we have to admit there's a

problem, look at steps to get you better, and go from

there.

STACY

We love you. That’s all. It’s just a roller coaster

with you. Some days you come home from work, and you

seem agitated. Then other days you come home from

work, and deicide to go gambling, you’re in a great

mood. Sometimes you come back in a few hours, or maybe

we don’t see you again until after work the next day

and you go right to bed. But we never know what kind

of mood your going to come home in.

JILLIAN

It’s hard on your family is what she’s trying to say,

Mark.

MARK

I can see that. I agree. The part they’re leaving out

is me putting these two through their first years of

college off of winnings. I’ve won some, and I’ve lostsome, sure. But the times I won, I used that money on

my family. Did you see me drive up in a town car? No,

I’m still driving my old truck. It works, and it works

for me. Sure they’re here telling you about the times

I lost, and the way I’ve wasted my money, but are they

telling you about the times I’ve won, and what I spent

that money on.

14



Before The End.Play

MARTY

Dad, you paid for my books one year. Financial aid

pays for school.

MARK

Books. All I paid for was books? You know how much it

cost to raise two kids from the ground up, huh. Frombirth to now. And to have those kids still under your

roof, mouths open for food. Do you know how much it

cost? A lot more than books boy o. A lot more. But you

don’t see me complaining. You don’t see me having the

family get together, with a counselor and wait for you

when you walk through the front door, attacking you

with accusations when all you want to do is have some

quiet time.

SARAH

Dad were not attacking you with accusations.

MARK

Your not. I walk in the door, and get told that I have

a disease. I walk through the door of my own house and

have some lady, and not just some lady, but my family

tell me I’m diseased. And you don’t want me to feel

like I’m being attacked. I’m a little confused, honey.

JILLIAN

She didn’t mean that you have a disease. You’re

looking at this the wrong way.

MARK

No, I see what she means. I’m not looking at anything

the wrong way, I’m looking at it clearly. This is a

set up. I get that.

MARTY

Your being dramatic dad, this isn’t a set up.

MARK

Don’t interrupt me boy. I know what it is when I see

it. I come home, and there’s a woman to help me. It’s

funny it’s not a man isn’t it. It’s funny that you allchose a woman and not a man.

(Mark makes hand gestures that he'd

have thrown a man out)

STACY

We hired her because she’s the best at helping people.

MARK

15



Before The End.Play

Hired? You hired her? You all conspire to get together

and tell me that money I worked for, I’m not allowed

to spend how I feel fit. But you all can spend the

money that I made, on a woman, and no offense Jillian,

I’m sure your great at your job, but on a woman to

come to my house, eat my food, sit in my chair, and

tell me what to do with my life.

MARTY

Dad calm down.

MARK

I’m perfectly calm, boy. I just want to be clear with

what’s going on here.

STACY

I agree with you Mark. But I want you to know that we

didn’t waste money on nothing. We hired her to help

you. We spent it to help you.

MARK

How much did you cost? Two hundred dollars?

JILLIAN

I don’t think now is the best time to disclose that

information.

SARAH

Dad don’t ask her how much she cost. That’s just rude.

MARK

I’m not being rude sweet heart, it’s just a question.

SARAH

No dad, it’s rude.

MARK

You’re against me too?

MARTYNone of us are against you dad.

MARK

16



Before The End.Play

It doesn’t feel that way on this end.

MARTY

It shouldn’t dad. We want to see you live a long happy

life. You keep stressing yourself out, and staying up

all night, depriving yourself of sleep is unhealthy

dad.

SARAH

He’s right. You have a 50% higher rate of heart attack

from sleep deprivation.

MARK

Deprivation, what’s that. Like deprive, not giving

something to someone. Depriving.

MARTY

Exactly.

STACY

Look at you two.

MARK

Yeah, look at them. You know where they learned to

talk like that.

STACY

College.

MARK

17



Before The End.Play

Exactly. See Jillian, I don’t know if you could tell,

but I didn’t go get a college education, I was raising

two kids by the time I was 19 years old. So I don’t

know nothing about not sleeping and what it can do to

my heart. I don’t know how to use words like

deprivation in a sentence. That’s not to say that I

ain’t proud of you two. I am. I’d be lying if I said I

wasn’t. Because of my past, because of some of the

problems I made for myself. I can’t go any higher in

the world. That’s why I’m happy you two are going to

school. Everyday I talk about it. There isn’t a day

that goes by I don’t twist a wrench or lift a box that

I don’t think, well at least my kids won’t have to do

this shit. At least they won’t. So you know, I don’t

have a problem. The only problem I have is not being

able to work my way up that ladder. Even if I went to

school I can't better myself any. I already made my

mistakes in life, I can’t make extra money in thishouse. The only way for me to make extra money is to

win it. And I try, I try to win for me, for you, for

us. (Talking to Marty) Why do you think when you were

young and you got caught stealing I was so hard on

you. Not because I like being hard on you, but I

wasn't going to stand by and watch you screw up your

life like I did. And you, when you started dating that

boy I said was no good. What happened when he walked

in this house acting like he owned the place? I told

him then, football jock and all, big as a house, what

did I tell him?

SARAH

You asked him to leave.

MARK

I asked him to leave? Asked him to leave? No, I told

him he was no good for my daughter. I told him to keep

outta trouble and come back in a year and we could

talk. Then I told him to leave. I’d heard about him at

work and around town. And I didn’t like the things

that I’d been hearing. So when he walked into my

housem my house. Acting like the big man around here,

I told him then, same as I'd tell him today. And look

what happened. Look what happened with that boy?

Marty, knows, he’ll tell you.

STACY

What happened with him?

MARK

18



Before The End.Play

What happened, I was right. That’s what happened with

him. Marty knows, Sarah knows, tell her Marty.

MARTY

He ended up going to jail, mom. He got into a fight at

a party, ending up drinking too much and hitting some

guy, beat the guy up pretty bad, cops came and he tookoff. They caught him a just a few blocks away. He’s

facing a lot of trouble.

MARK

That ain't all that happen. Tell her the rest.

MARTY

When they finger printed him, they had some matching

prints to some recent breaking and entering’s around

here.

SARAH

He wouldn’t have gotten in any of that trouble had I

been allowed to see him.

STACY

Why didn’t I hear about any of this?

MARK

Because she didn’t want you to know. Hell I knew. I’m

just not one to come home and bad mouth someone else’s

reputation. It’s not my job to run someone’s name intothe ground, not when they’re in such a hurry to do it

themselves.

SARAH

He’s not a bad guy. He wouldn’t have done any of that.

He just needed money.

MARK

No, let me tell you something now sweet heart. I’m

going to tell you the truth about guys now, and you

remember it, and Marty stop me if I’m wrong, because I

told him before, so he knows it. He’s heard it from mealready. But I’m going to tell you now, something you

should know about relationships. And that’s this right

here sweet heart. Men go into relationships hoping

everything stays the exact same. Women go into

relationships hoping they can change a man. Am I lying?

MARTY

It’s true.

19



Before The End.Play

MARK

Sure you can change him a little, ask him not to lie

and cheat, ask him to put the toilet seat down, and

wipe his feet when he walks through the door, but any

man, any real man worth his grain of salt, is who he

is. And if he’s willing to change completely for you,

then that ain’t the man you wanted to date anyway.

STACY

I don’t think that’s true.

MARK

Well it is true. From what you’ve saw Marty, what

you’ve seen in life, am I right?

MARTY

You are. I agree 100%.

JILLIAN

I think were getting off topic.

MARK

Huh?

JILLIAN

I’ve upset you.

MARK

No, I’m just curious.

JILLIAN

What about.

MARK

My family hired you with my money to come get my family to have a heart to heart with me. And here we are,

were having a heart to heart. I’m listening to them,

they’re listening to me, and then when we start

getting somewhere, as a family. Then you tell me were

off topic, and we need to stick with the subject.

JILLIAN

Then what are you curious about?

MARK

I’m curious if you didn’t think you were getting your

money’s worth. Is that it? Is that why we need to stay

on your point?

20



Before The End.Play

STACY

I’m sure that’s not why. I think she means were making

progress, and she wants us to take that progress and

do something useful with it.

JILLIAN

That is it! That’s absolutely correct Stacy.

MARK

Don’t do that.

JILLIAN

Do what?

MARK

Don’t walk in my house, throwing your degree around

here, your prestige and all that, and talk down to my

wife like she’s a child.

JILLIAN

That’s not the way I meant for it to come out.

MARK

I don’t know how you meant for it to come out, but I’m

telling you that’s the way that it came out.

JILLIAN

I think we should take a break. We’ll all take a few

minutes, think about what we have to say, and start

this session all over. Is that okay with everyone?

STACY

If you think that’s what’s needed.

SARAH

Sure, I can use the bathroom.

MARK

Yeah, you all go do what you want. I'll wait here.

MARTY

I'll wait here too.

JILLIAN

Great. Then lets all take a few minutes to breath,

we’ll come back and pick up where we left off.

FADE OUT

21



Before The End.Play

END OF ACT I

ACT II

(MARTY AND MARK HAVE REMAINED SEATED.

SARAH, JILLIAN AND STACY ARE OFF STAGE.)

MARK

Why don’t you go to the kitchen? Give me a second to

think.

MARTY

Not hungry. What do you have to think about?

MARK

A lot.

MARTY

Like what?

MARK

I come home and my family hired a therapist to talk to

me. I’d say that’s something.

MARTY

Where were you tonight?

MARK

What? Why?

MARTY

Tonight. Before you came home. Where were you?

MARK

Out.

MARTY

Can I ask where?

MARK

22



Before The End.Play

Why are you so curious?

MARTY

Because when you came home you weren’t you.

MARK

Because I walk in and all you goon buckets are sittinghere in the living room waiting for me. Threw me for a

loop.

MARTY

But you were distraught before you even seen us.

(STACY, JILLIAN, SARAH ENTER )

MARTY

Where were you?

STACY

We were in the kitchen honey, did you want me to get

you something?

MARTY

No thank you mom, I was asking dad the question.

STACY

He was working.

MARTY

Got out a little late didn’t he mom.

SARAH

I’m surprised he came home, it’s a Friday after all.

Usually I don’t see you until Saturday or Sunday.

23



Before The End.Play

MARTY

Today isn’t a payday. Or else that’d be the case.

STACY

Marty, be nice.

JILLIANHe’s being nice, it’s a fair question. One that each

of you should be able to ask each other and expect and

honest answer.

STACY

I don’t think it’s an appropriate question to ask. I

just don’t see any reason to pry into someone else’s

business.

MARK

Your mom’s right boy.

SARAH

Wait, Mom?

MARTY

You put that together to huh.

SARAH

Mom you knew where he was.

STACY

No I didn’t.

SARAH

Yes you did, if you didn’t know where he was, you

wouldn’t have made us wait. You knew he wasn’t coming

home right after work.

MARK

24



Before The End.Play

Stop crowding your mother honey. She doesn’t need to

be investigated.

MARTY

No, she can ask. It’s her mom, she can ask her mom a

question and expect an answer.

JILLIAN

That’s true, you all have the right to ask each other

anything, and be honest with one another, but you

should respect each others privacy if that’s what’s

requested.

MARK

Finally! Finally! I’ve been wondering why they paid

you. This whole night I’ve been wondering, but I agree

with you. If I’m out, then I’m out. If I’m in then I’min. There’s no reason for me to be interrogated in my

own house.

MARTY

Sarah was asking mom the question, not you dad.

SARAH

Did you know where dad was?

STACY

I told you I didn’t know.

SARAH

Are you lying?

STACY

25



Before The End.Play

Sarah that’s a rude thing for you to ask me. You never

ask me if I’m lying. I wouldn’t lie to you. Did I know

where your dad was, no, I didn’t. I had an idea, just

like everyone else. But I didn’t know for a fact. He

didn’t call me and tell me, I just thought that since

it was a Friday, that he’d take a detour for an hour

or two. See some friends, stay at work an extra hour

or two, but I didn’t think he was out gambling. I

don’t think I should be asked not to lie here. Sarah

you’re the one that wasn’t telling me about that boy

you dated and what happened with him. You should have

told me. I stood up for you when you were seeing him,

told everyone he wasn’t all that bad. And then you go

and hide something like that from me. I can’t help but

get upset about that. You turn to me for everything

but weren’t honest with me about him. Who did you turn

to…

SARAH

Shut up mom.

MARTY

Hey, hey. There will be no shut up's from your mouth

directed at your mothers, you hear me kiddo.

STACY

Well who was there Sarah?

SARAH

Mom!

MARK

Say what you were going to say. What did she turn to

you for and not me?

STACY

Nothing dear.

MARK

Don’t nothing me. If something is happening in this

family I should be the first to know about it.

MARTY

Maybe if you weren’t out at the casino all the damn

time she would have came to you.

MARK

Company or not, I will smack some sense into you. You

hear me.

26



Before The End.Play

JILLIAN

There is no need for threats here Mark.

MARK

I’m not threatening anyone, I’m telling him now what

will happen if he speaks that way to me again. He’s a

grown man, so don’t tell me that your child protectiveservices all a sudden and your going to tell me how to

operate my family.

JILLIAN

I’m not telling you how to operate your family, I’m

telling you that it’s illegal to physically harm

another human being.

MARK

Is it now? They teach you that in college. Ever hear

of prize fighting. You telling me those guys have to

go to court and get charges dropped after every fight.

JILLIAN

This isn’t prize fighting.

MARK

No, but it’s the way one man shows another man the

ropes. And if that man right there, wants to talk down

to this man right here, then he will find out what

happens when one man be little’s another, and the

consequences that come along with doing that.

MARTY

Of course you know prize fighting. How much did you

lose on that?

MARK

Quiet Marty. Just stop where your at right now.

MARTY

Or what?

MARK

Don't push me boy.

MARTY

Or what, you’ll miss leave us hanging again. Miss

Christmas again. Your a degenerate gambler. You don't

scare me.

27



Before The End.Play

(MARK STANDS AND STARTS WALKING TOWARDS

MARTY WHO STANDS UP. MARK GOES TO PUNCH

MARTY. )

JILLIAN

Stop this!

SARAH

Dad!

JILLIAN

Mark I’m going to call the police.

(NONE OF THIS STOPS MARK FROM TRYING TO

GET TO MARTY. MARTY RUNS AROUND THE

COUCH AND KNOCKS OVER THE COFFEE TABLE

AND CHAIR. EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE HITSTHE GROUND. MARTY CONTINUES TO RUN

AROUND. MARK FINALLY CORNERS MARTY AND

STARTS CLOSING IN ON HIM. MARK RAISES

HIS HAND READY TO PUNCH MARTY.)

STACY

She was pregnant!

SARAH

Mom!

(MARK DROPS HIS HANDS. TURNING SHARPLY

FROM MARTY.)

MARK

She was what!

SARAH

Mom shut your fucking mouth right now.

STACY

I couldn’t tell you Mark. I knew you’d get mad. I’m

sorry.

JILLIAN

28



Before The End.Play

Everyone needs to sit back down.

MARK

You shut up. This is not the time for you to talk and

tell me what you think we should all do.

JILLIANDo not threaten me.

MARK

I didn’t threaten you. I didn’t say shut up or else, I

didn’t say that I’d hurt you. I told you to shut up.

That’s it. It’s not up for debate, just sit there,

draw a little picture, whatever you’ve been doing with

that note pad this whole time, just sit there and do

it with your mouth shut.

STACY

I’m sorry Mark.

MARK

What do you mean, was?

SARAH

Mom! (SARAH GETS UP TO LEAVE.)

MARK

Sarah, pumpkin. You sit down. Okay. Don’t say another

word. You sit down next to etch a sketch right there.

(POINTS AT JILLIAN) And you two be quiet.

STACY

I don’t want you to be mad.

MARTY

We all knew dad.

MARK

We all knew! We all knew!

29



Before The End.Play

STACY

I asked Marty if he’d heard anyone talking about it

around town. Find out if you’d find out.

MARK

Was. How long ago was this?

STACY

It’s not important now Mark. It’s in the past now.

MARK

Wife. You fucking tell me now.

MARTY

Don’t talk to her like that. Don’t call her wife.

MARK

You too! You sit down, you run from me like a girl,

I’ll slap you like a girl. You understand, you already

showed everyone here that you start a fight and run

from it. The only person who ever stuck up for you wasme. All those friends you had, all those little

buddies of yours. Where were they when you got in

trouble? You keep starting fights with me, I don’t

understand.(MARK HURT BY HIS OWN WORDS) I’ve been the

only one there for you, every time. I chased kids out

of my yard once when you were getting picked on.

Remember you had that tough group of friends that you

use to run with. On your 16th birthday they decided to

give you a birthday beating. You had 3 or 4 guys outthere that you called friends just wailing away on

you, remember you were all curled up in a ball

screaming. Who came outside? Was it your mother? Huh.

Was it my wife? No. I came outside. I came outside and

cleared the yard of those maggots. And look at you

now, are they in college with you.

MARTY

No.

MARK

Where are they now? All those kids. You’d get so madat me, tell me, Dad they’re my friends, don’t tell me

who I can be friends with. Where are those friends now?

MARTY

I don't know.

MARK

30



Before The End.Play

Come on Marty, you know what happened with the lot of

them. You know. They are all nothings. Every single

one of them turned into losers, they all have no

future, and you do. Every single one of them will be

no better in their future than I am right here right

now.

STACY

Don’t say that about yourself.

MARK

Dear, when I’m done with him, I’ll talk to you. Before

him and me get to throwing fist I need to set a couple

things straight with him. Why don’t you start cleaning

up this mess we have okay. Thank you dear.

(STACY STARTS CLEANING UP THE MESS THE

TABLE MADE WHEN IT SPILLED. GOING INAND OUT OF THE ROOM TO GRAB. )

MARTY

I understand.

MARK

It’s not that I’m not proud of you. I know where each

and every one of your friends ended up, and I’m happy

to know you’re in college.

MARTY

Then why do you tell me I’m soft, that I’m a collegeboy?

MARK

Because you are soft, and you are a college boy and

there isn’t anything wrong with that. It’s a lot

better than being hard and uneducated like I am. You

know how proud I am that, that is all I have to tease

you with?

SARAH

Dad can I go?

MARK

No, you stay sitting right there. Now I’m glad I had

this talk with your brother, and if doesn’t mind, I’d

like him to help clean this mess while I talk to you.

So help your mother, college boy.

31



Before The End.Play

(MARTY STARTS CLEANING UP THE MESS WITH

STACY. ALSO ENTERING AND EXITING THE

ROOM. )

JILLIAN

Can you stay calm Mark.

MARK.

I asked you, to please be quiet. Have I threatened

anyone? Do I seem threatening to you.

JILLIAN

No.

MARK

Okay then. You, sit, write, whatever, you can add in

your two cents when were done talking.

SARAH

I don’t want you to yell at me.

MARK

I’m not going to yell at you. Apparently I’ll get the

cops called on me if I raise my voice. So I’m not

going to yell at you. But I’m going to tell you

something. (MARK PAUSES FOR A SECOND. HURT, EYES

WATERING) I’m going to tell you that it breaks my

heart that you went to everyone in this house before

you came to me.

SARAH

I didn’t go to everyone dad.

MARK

Sweet heart, hear me out. If I didn’t have the day

I’ve had, I might not be talking to you all the way I

am now. But I did have that day, so I am going to talk

to you guys and tell you how I feel. And I feel a

bit... sad. I don’t know how else to say it. I’m not

the best with this you know. But I want you to tell me

what happened, and I’ll listen, and I’ll tell you Ineed to hear the whole story with no secrets and no

interruptions(POINTS TO JILLIAN). So, you go ahead and

start.

32



Before The End.Play

(STACY AND MARTY ENTER THE ROOM, THEY

STOP CLEANING AND LISTEN AS WELL. THE

NOTE MARK LEFT IN ACT I IS STILL ON THE

FLOOR.)

SARAH

I don't want you to get mad at me.

MARK

You be honest with me, I promise I won't get mad.

SARAH

Promise.

MARK

Promise. Now start talking sweet heart.

SARAH

He said we’d be together forever if anything were to

ever happen between us. When I ended up getting

pregnant, he got desperate. That’s why he started

breaking into places. He was doing it so we could have

money for our family, so we could tell you and not be

empty handed. I went to mom and told her. Not about

the stealing or anything, but that I wasn’t ready to

have a kid. Mom took me over to a clinic, and I...

When I told him that we weren't having a baby he

started drinking, I guess that guy said something to

him about being an irresponsible father, that’s whatstarted that fight. I tried telling you that none of

it was his fault. He was upset that I went ahead,

without him. And...

MARK

That’s what happened?

SARAH

Yes daddy. That's what happened.

MARK

You know I got into some trouble when I was younger,right?

SARAH

Yes, daddy.

MARK

So I’m going to ask you now. Did you help him with any

of this?

33



Before The End.Play

SARAH

Any of what?

MARK

The stealing he was doing.

SARAHNo.

MARK

Did he tell you he was stealing?

SARAH

No.

MARK

If you knew anything, then that would make you an

accessory. You understand?

SARAH

I didn’t know dad. I swear I didn’t know.

MARK

You hear that etch a sketch? My daughter didn’t know.

So if you get the wild idea about calling the police,

when you leave here, you make sure that ends up being

said.

JILLIAN

I have no intentions of calling the police.

MARK

And Stacy. I love you, but don’t ever, ever, hide

something from me again. You got that.

STACY

Yes dear.

(STACY CONTINUES CLEANING, HANDING THE

PAPERS TO MARTY.)

34



Before The End.Play

STACY

Go through these dear, make sure we can throw them out.

MARK

I’ll go through them.

MARTYI got it dad, sit and talk to Jillian. Let’s get this

all squared away so she can go home.

MARK

It’s all squared away, give me those.

JILLIAN

Were actually starting to scratch the surface. So if

we can get started. We already put a lot out there

tonight, I think with all this honesty, I see some

great progress that can be made. Let's sit down and

put this energy into a positive helpful direction.

MARTY

What’s this?

MARK

Give me that.

(MARK GOES TO TAKE THE LETTER FROM

MARTY. MARTY PUSHES HIM AWAY AND MARK

STUMBLES BACKWARDS AND ONTO THE FLOOR.WHEN HE HITS THE FLOOR HE GETS UP AND

THE GUN FALLS FROM HIS PANTS AND ONTO

THE FLOOR. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM STOPS

AND LOOKS AT THE GUN. MARK SCRAMBLES TO

PICK IT UP AND HIDE IT.)

STACY

You have a gun.

MARK

No.

35



Before The End.Play

STACY

I saw it Mark. Why do you have your gun?

MARTY

This is why.

(MARTY HANDS THE LETTER TO HIS MOM. HE

STARES AT MARK WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING.)

STACY

Mark this isn’t true is it.

MARK

No.

STACY

You lost the house Mark! Lost everything. Your sorry,

you have to go.

SARAH

Go where?

MARTY

It’s a suicide note Sarah.

STACY

Is this true Mark?

JILLIAN

I’m going to the leave for a second to let you all

talk this out.

MARK

36



Before The End.Play

Thank you.

STACY

You ruined us. And you were going to kill yourself.

SARAH

Dad how could you do this to us.

MARK

I wasn't going to... I didn’t mean to honey. I

honestly didn’t mean to. I wasn’t going to… I was

doing so good. And I started losing, and losing, then

I go and get fired.

STACY

You were fired? From work!

MARK

They were making cutbacks, guess who the first guy to

go was.

STACY

When did this happen?

MARK

Three weeks ago. But you guys need to know I was doing

good, I was making enough for everyone, I made enough

for the house, and then for your guy’s college.

MARTY

Then you lost it.

MARK

I was going to win it back. But, when I couldn’t get

any money, I took it out on the house, and when I

started losing that, I took it out of your loans, and

I swear I was going to get it back.

MARTY

You took it out of my loans?

37



Before The End.Play

MARK

I was going to get it back, I just didn’t have any

luck.

MARTY

Dad... dad. It’s not about luck. It was never about

luck. It was about you. You made these mistakes, youcost this family everything, it had nothing to do with

luck. It was your choices that did this.

MARK WALKS OVER TO MARTY

MARK

It wasn’t all my fault, it was…

MARTY

Dad it was!

MARK

I was doing everything to help this family…

(MARTY GRABS THE GUN FROM MARK’S PANTS

AND PUSHING HIM AWAY. POINTING IT AT

MARK. JILLIAN ENTERS THE ROOM.)

JILLIAN

Marty, put the gun down.

STACYIt’s okay Marty. You’re not going to shoot him.

SARAH

Marty!

38



Before The End.Play

MARK

Don’t get yourself in trouble here, boy.

MARTY

Enough! Enough of you knowing what’s best for me.

Enough of you ruining our futures because you’re a

fuck up. You were always a fuck up. Before I was evenborn you were a fuck up. You lost everything! We have

nowhere to live, we have no money for food. No wonder

you made such a big deal about us hiring a therapist

that we got because we love you and want to help you!

JILLIAN

Don’t worry about the money, you don’t have to pay me.

Just put the gun down.

STACY

Honey, I’m mad to. Just put the gun down so we can

talk. You not going to be able to shoot him.

(STACY GOES TO GET THE GUN FROM MARTY.

HE SHOVES HER AWAY AND KEEP IT POINTED

AT MARK)

MARTY

You’re not covering for him anymore mom. Birthdays,

Holidays all the things he missed because it was more

important for him to ruin this family then to be apart

of it. It was more important for him to destroy usthan to love us. My whole life I waited for you to be

there for me. But you’ve been a bully that entire

time. I can’t even make our family better without you

ridiculing me. Without you telling me that I’m stupid.

MARK

I don’t think your stupid.

MARTY

Shut up! You shut up for once, boy!

SARAHMarty, please put the gun down.

STACY

It’s fine dear, he wants to have the gun let him, he

can’t shoot your father.

JILLIAN

39



Before The End.Play

Please don’t antagonize him.

MARK

Listen to your mother, son. You can’t shoot me, you’ll

end up in to much trouble.

MARTYI can’t. I can’t shoot you! Is that one more thing I

physically can’t do. Because I’m such a soft college

boy? What good does that do me now, I have no money

for college. I have to pay back your mistakes. Maybe

it’s time I stop being soft dad. Be more like you,

have a record, be a tough guy. Just like you, huh dad!

(MARK STARTS WALKING TOWARDS MARTY.

)

MARKThat’s not what I want you to do.

MARTY

Get away from me. I’ll pull the trigger. I swear to

god I’ll pull the trigger.

MARK

Come on son, you know your not going to shoot me.

MARTY

I told you, I warned you! And you couldn’t listen

because you don’t think I’m brave enough. I told…

(MARK LUNGES AT MARTY, MARTY JUMPS

BACKWARDS AND PULLS THE TRIGGER. THE

GUN GOES OFF. MARK FALLS TO THE GROUND.

EVERYONE IN THE ROOM SCREAMS. EXCEPT

STACY. MARK GETS OFF THE FLOOR AND

EXAMINES HIMSELF)

MARK

You missed me. Thank you God, he missed me.

STACY

40



Before The End.Play

He didn’t miss.

MARK

Am I bleeding?

(MARTY DROPS THE GUN.)

STACY

No. You’re not bleeding.

JILLIAN

The police are going to be here soon.

STACY

I put blanks in the gun. After you swore you were

going to shoot Sarah’s boyfriend if he ever showed up

again. I put blanks in the gun, in case.

SARAH

How do you know they’ll be here?

JILLIAN

Just have a feeling they are going to show up soon.

MARK

You would have shot me.

MARTY

I tried…

41



Before The End.Play

(MARTY GRABS THE GUN OFF THE FLOOR. HE

HOLDS IT IN HIS HANDS STARING AT IT.)

MARTY

Blanks.

STACY

Just in case you found out about Sarah, I didn’t want

you doing anything stupid.

MARK

I never thought I was hurting any of you. I thought I

was making things better, for all of us.

STACY

I know.

SARAH

Dad I’m sorry.

MARK

Don’t be. You weren’t doing anything that I hadn’t

done. I wish I'd have known about him. I'd have been

able to help him in the right direction, maybe he

wouldn’t be where he is now. You ever talk to him

again, you tell him I said…

(SUDDENLY THE DOOR EXPLODES OPEN. ONEOFFICER HOLDING A GUN RUNS IN POINTING

AT EVERYONE IN THE ROOM. FINDING MARTY

HOLDING THE GUN HE POINTS THE GUN AT

HIM. MARTY DROPS THE GUN. ANOTHER

OFFICER FOLLOWS IN. )

OFFICER#1

(THE OFFICER FORCES MARTY AGGRESSIVELY

TO THE GROUND)

On the ground. On the ground! Stop resisting.

MARK

42



Before The End.Play

He’s not resisting!

STACY

Stop it your hurting him.

MARTY

Dad!

MARK

He didn’t do anything, it was a blank. There’s nothing

in the gun.

MARTY

Dad help!

STACY

Let him go! He didn’t do anything wrong.

(STACY SHOVES THE OFFICER#1 HOLDING

DOWN MARTY, THE OTHER OFFICER TACKLES

HER TO THE GROUND. )

JILLIAN

Everyone calm down! This isn’t want you think it is.

Calm down! Everyone!

SARAH

You called them didn’t you!

JILLIAN

I…

43



Before The End.Play

(MARK GRABS THE GUN OFF THE FLOOR AND

BEGINS WAVING IT AROUND.)

MARK

It’s not loaded! He told you that it was a blank! He

told you!

(OFFICER#1 HOLDING MARTY DOWN LOOKS UP

AND SEE’S MARK WAVING THE GUN AROUND

AND YELLING. OFFICER#1 PULLS HIS GUN

AND FIRES AT MARK WHO DROPS TO THE

FLOOR.)

STACY

Mark!

MARTY & SARAHDad!

(OFFICER#2 KCKS THE GUN AWAY FROM MARK.)

STACY

It wasn’t loaded, he told you that it was a blank! He

told you!

(JILLIAN RUSHES OVER TO MARK.)

JILLIAN

He’s alive!

STACY

Get away from him!

44



Before The End.Play

(STACEY, MARTY AND SARAH SHOVE THEIR

WAY PAST THE OFFICERS AND JILLIAN.)

MARK

My wife.

STACY

You’re going to be fine dear.

OFFICER#2

We need an ambulance. Right away to…

(OFFICER WALKS OFF TO FINISH THE CALL)

MARTY

Dad. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. If you didn’t try and

protect me. If you didn’t…

SARAH

Dad, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I should have come

to you first.

STACY

Hold on Mark. They’re sending help.

MARK

I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I was so lucky…

STACY

Hold on Mark.

MARK

Am I…

45



Before The End.Play

MARTY

Don’t look down dad. Just stay awake.

SARAH

Daddy I love you…

(LIGHTS GO BLACK)

STACY

Mark! Mark!

before the end

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