Story in one hour

Exercise
Part I: The Voice
C: God! I never thought it would be so hard to find a babysitter!”
R: Are you sure we can trust her? I mean she did have her nose pierced.
C: She baby-sits for the Thompson’s all the time. I guess their kids love her. My nose was pierced when we first met. You had no problems with it then.”R: That was different, it was your nose.”
C: So, what are we going to do.
R: I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
C; Seriously? You didn’t make any plans?”R: Of course, I just thought if there was something you would rather do, we could do that.
C: You’re the one who asked me out. You’re the one who told me to get the babysitter and get dressed up. What are your plans?
R: I thought we could go to Slumberland and look at that bed for Rosie, and then go by my sister’s. Or not.
C: That was your plan?
R: No. We can do something else. C: No. That’s fine, if that is what you want to do on our night out, go a ahead.
R: We don’t have to do that. I just thought it might be fun to go see Becca and have something to drink.
C: Let’s go! Sounds great!
R: Fine. Let’s go.
C: Do you know how long its been since we’ve had any time alone together?R: No, how long?
C: Five months! Five months and this is what you purpose we do? Can’t we forget the kids for one night? Can’t we just be a couple and go out to the movies and dinner? Why does everything always have to involve them?
R: Really? I just thought we could make a decision about the bed with out the kids jumping around, maybe even apply for some financing if that’s possible with our credit. Dinner? This is what we have. We can’t afford anything else right now, and you know that.
C: I know, I just thought you had maybe saved up some money for tonight. I thought...
R: I’m sorry that we have no money. I’m doing what I can.
C: I know. I’m just being a bitch.
R: Yeah.
C: We do have to talk though.
R: Now what?
C: Now what? Now what?
R: God, just say it. I’m listening.
C: Are you? Can you please, stop being so angry. Look at me! Lately, I have just felt that you don’t want to be with me, that the only reason we are together is because of the kids. No, wait. Hear me out. I wish you could see yourself with the kids, how happy you are. It seems like every time they are asleep or busy you just go somewhere to be by yourself, as if you don’t want anything to do with me. And tonight just proves it. I feel like you dread being alone with me and that’s why you chose to do stuff that is in public with other people.
R: I am so tired of this shit.
Part II: Your Character’s Place in the World
This conversation is taking place in a minivan, that is filled with car seats, kids toys and littered with unfinished food from fast food restaurants. The smell in the car is that of the left over food, that smells strongly of French fries and ketchup. The couple are driving around a suburban city road that is surrounded by different restaurants, grocery stores and mid sized houses. The cars that surround them are somewhat nicer then the minivan that they are driving, but not much.
The sun is setting, leaving the sky streaked with grey and pink clouds out the back window and the front of their minivan is heading into the darker night sky where the lights from the different stores shine brightly and rather obnoxiously at them.
　
Part III: Who are You?
1. Describe your character physically, from head to toe.
She is a pretty woman, about 31. Thin, and dressed in a cheaper version of the latest styles. She wears her dark hair lose and curling around her face that she has made up for her night out. The make up is a little bit too much for her, as it is wearing her, rather then her wearing it. It appears to be a mask rather then something to enhance her beauty. Her fingernails are bitten down the quick and her toe nails have an old coat of blue polish on them that is rough around the edges and missing entirely on some nails. Her shoes are black and rather skuffed, if one were to look closely they would see that the buckle has been sewn back on, most likely by her.
2. What relationships are important to your character? Why?
The relationships that are important to my character are her children and her husband. While the dialogue does seem to lead the reader to think she may be comparing her relationship with her husband to the one that he has with their children, it is only the part that is missing in their own relationship that she recognizes. Her relationship with her husband and children are important to her, because this is her life and she loves them more than she can express.
3. What does your character do? Profession? Pleasure?
My character’s profession is a stay at home mom. Before she had children she worked as a receptionist at a doctor’s office, but gave it up gladly when her first child was born. She loves being a stay at home mom, but feels sometimes as if she is underappreciated by others around her. She is not always the best mother or the most organized as this is part of her personality, but she feels that she makes up for that in the role she plays as a mother to her children. For pleasure, my character reads and when she can she loves to garden. Because her children are so small she finds it hard to give her full attention to anything else in her life for a long period of time, besides them.
4. What is your character most afraid of?
My character is most afraid of not being loved. She feels that she has lost something between her and her husband and while she is desperately trying to attain it, she is blinded by his attempts to rebond with her by the negatives she perceives between the two of them.
5. What does your character want?
My character wants to be happy. She wants her children and husband to be happy and she feels responsible if they are not. She is willing to fight for them to be happy, not realizing that fighting with them for it doesn’t make it a given.
Scene I—Before the Conversation
Rick stood at the door, his backpack thrown over his shoulder and his hand on the knob ready to leave when he hears her calling him. Her voice is soft as it has been for the past few days, ever since Chloe was born. She is coming to him, tears streaming down her face and he smiles, lopsided. “What is wrong?”She reaches her arms up, almost like his baby sister used to when they were kids so that he could pick her up, and coming towards him lays her head on his shoulder. “Do you have to go?”For a moment he stays in the moment, enjoying the feel of her next to him and the way she so trustingly wants him, needs him. “Someone has to pay the bills.” He says through her hair that has come undone and is floating up and into his mouth.
She pulls away and nods, looking down and then up at him her eyelashes wet with tears. “I just don’t want it to end. I wish you could stay.”
For the past four days they have been inseparable, spending every waking moment gazing at their new daughter. To them, she is the most perfect creature in the world, with downy soft hair, wide wailing mouth and all ten long fingers and slight curling toes. Nothing has brought them this close, opened up more portals of love and honesty then what they have just shared.
“I know. But I’ll be home,” he glances at his watch, “in nine hours, and I have to go, honey! I’m late.” He bends down and pecks her on the cheek, but she moves quickly into him, mouth pressed to his so that he can smell her breath which has been oddly sweet and lemony ever since Chloe was born.
She clings to him for a moment longer then she should for she can feel him pulling away and it takes all of her strength to pull her hands away and smile up at him. “Well go then!” She waves him away. “What are you waiting for?”
“Kiss Chloe for me,” he yells over his shoulder as he rushes down the hall, his backpack bumping on his back. She watches him for a long moment, feeling an ache and lump grow in her throat. By evening, this need will be gone, she will have moved on to the next stage in her life, but for now, for a brief moment she watches him with the same intensity and slight possessiveness that she had for him when they first met.
Scene 2—During the Conversation
　
“God! I never thought it would be so hard to find a babysitter!” Claire says, pulling down her visor and observing herself in the mirror. She turns her head back and forth, wondering why she looks like she is wearing too much makeup. She reaches into her purse and pulling out a Kleenex she starts to wipe away some of the makeup.
“Are you sure we can trust her? I mean she did have her nose pierced.” Rick glances at her sideways, one hand on the wheel.
“She baby sits for the Thompson’s all the time. I guess their kids love her.” Claire pauses, and glances at him skeptically, her lipstick poised inches from her lips. “My nose was pierced when we first met and you had no problems with it.”“That was different, it was your nose.” He reaches out and tweaks her nose as she ducks away from him, smiling.
“So, what are we going to do.” She is more serious, pressing her lips together the way she does when she is getting down to business and snaps the lid on her lipstick and tosses it into the vastness of her purse.
“I don’t know. What do you want to do?” He smiles at her. This is a joke between the two of them, where they both pretend that they don’t know what they want to do, and trade the same sentence back and forth.
Claire slants her eyes at him and doesn’t bite. “Seriously? You didn’t make any plans?”He sucks in his lips, shakes his head slightly to maintain his patience. “Of course, I just thought if there was something you would rather do, we could do that.”
Shaking her head she adjusts herself in her seat, clutching her hands together. “You’re the one who asked me out. You’re the one who told me to get the babysitter. You’re the one who told me to get dressed up.” Each statement erupts from her like a bullet shooting from a rifle and darting its way through out the confines of their minivan. “What are your plans?”
He stares at her for a moment before returning his concentration to the road in front of them. The light from the setting sun is behind them, and in front of them the lights of the fast food restaurants and grocery stores throw their obtrusive colors on Claire, bathing her in a purple red glow that makes her look younger then her 31 years. “I thought we could go to Slumber land and look at that bed for Rosie, and then go by my sister’s.” He glances at her somewhat nervously. “Or not.”
“That was your plan?” She is baiting him, her anger apparent and quick.
“No.” He pulls the minivan to a stop at a red light and rolls his window down, the cool night air immediately poured in relieving the minivan of the smell of left over French fries and ketchup that are strewed underfoot through out the back seat and in between the three car seats. “We can do something else.” “No. That’s fine.” Her voice holds a note of finality and defeat as if she has martyred herself to the night and his plans. “If that’s what you want to do on our night out, go ahead.” She looks out her window, a tear pooling and then cascading down her cheek, picking up mascara from her made up face and streaking it down her cheek.
Sighing he glances away. “We don’t have to do that. I just thought it might be fun to go see Becca and have something to drink.” He can’t keep the anger or impatience out of his voice. “You had a hard week, I thought it might be nice to unwind with some wine.”
She is silent for a long pause in which the light changes and he pulls forward, not really sure where he is driving, but refusing to stop. “Let’s go! Sounds great!” Her voice sounds muffled and strained.
“Great! Let’s go!” He glances at her, shaking his head anger sweeping through him as he steps on the gas pedal a little too quickly and the minivan spurts forward.
Her body jerks forward with the sudden sway of the minivan and she quickly snaps her seat belt on not making eye contact with him. They get on the highway and he turns the radio on, turning the music up and tapping the dashboard with the beat of the music and he feels some of his stress begin to sweep away. After a long pause in which he thinks the night can be spared her drama she suddenly turns to him sharply, her face streaked with tear marks. “Do you know how long its been since we’ve had any time alone together?”He shakes his head. “No, how long.” His voice is monotone, overwhelmed.
“Five months.” Her voice rises. “Five months and this is what you think we should do? Can’t we forget the kids for one night? Can’t we just be a couple and go out to the movies and dinner? Why does everything always have to involve them?”
“Really?” He stares at her and then pulls over two lanes to curve off on the upcoming exit ramp. He races up the ramp and slides the car over into a Wendy’s parking lot, slamming on the brakes and jabbing the car into park. “I just thought we could make a decision about the bed with out the kids jumping around and driving us crazy. I thought maybe we could even apply for some financing if that’s possible with our credit so that we might not have to pay for it right away. I just thought we could do it first, and then do something after.”
She pulls away from him as his voice rises, and cringes in on herself backing away from him and into her door.
“Dinner?” He turns to her, pulling out his wallet and showing its meager contents to her. “This is what we have. We can’t afford anything else right now, and you know that. What do you want me to do?”
“I know, I just thought you had maybe saved up some money for tonight. I thought…” She swipes at her eyes angrily. “I just thought we could do something like we used to.”
“I’m sorry we have no money.” He covers his eyes with his hand and turns away. “I’m doing what I can. Its not easy.”
“I know.” Her voice changes, softens at his defeat. “You know me, I’m just being a bitch. I‘m sorry, honey. Honey?” He pushes his hair back from his face and looks at her, hesitantly. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” He turns the key in the ignition, but she puts her hand out to stop him.
　
“Wait, since we’re alone, I do have something I want to talk to you about.” She is turning her body towards him, flinging her hair back over her shoulder and bringing her face up as if she is gathering the strength to fight an army.
“Now what?” The words escape him, ringing all the defeated dread he feels.
“Now what?” Her eyes grow large and stormy. “Now what?”
“God, just say it. I’m listening.” He looks straight out the front window, sucking on his lower lip.
“Are you? Can you please, stop being so angry. Look at me!” Her voice is now soft and wheedling, and he turns somewhat hopeful eyes on her, but her face doesn’t match her voice. He sighs and continues to stare at her. “Lately, I have just felt that you don’t want to be with me, that the only reason we’re together is because of the kids. No, wait. Hear me out. I wish you could see yourself with the kids, how happy you are. It seems like every time they are asleep or busy you just go somewhere to be by yourself, as if you don’t want anything to do with me. And tonight just proves it. I feel like you dread being alone with me and that’s why you chose to do stuff that is in public with other people. I just need to know if you are with me because of me, or the kids.”
He starts up the car, shaking his head and begins to drive home. “I am so tired of this shit.”
Scene 3—After the Conversation
“No, Rosie! Over here!” Chloe stands with her arms wide open reaching for the ball that Rosie is holding in her two chubby little hands. Rosie looks at Chloe and throws the ball in the opposite direction. “NO! Rosie! Over here!” Chloe starts stomping her foot in anger. “Mom! Why doesn’t she ever listen to me?”
Claire smiles at her and shrugs. “She’s two, honey! What ever you say, she’s gonna do the opposite!”
Chloe stares at Claire for a moment before turning back to Rosie. “Hey Rosie!” She yells, her voice the tone of a fog horn. “Don’t throw that ball over here! Throw it over there!”
Rosie looks at her big sister and walks away, her little legs toddling as fast as they can. “Chloe, why don’t you see if Jenna wants to play dolls with you!” Claire calls to her as Rick comes outside, carrying two bottles of water.
Evening is coming quickly to the backyard, hiding the edges of the yard in dusty colors of grey purple shadows and pressing some of the oppressive heat away in its shadow. “What’s up?” Rick asks, sitting down beside her on the back steps.
“Chloe wants to rule the world, Rosie knows she’s in charge and Jenna is trying to make everyone happy!” Claire stretched her legs out, admiring her newly painted toe nails that are mostly red, along with half her toes.
“So, the usual?” Rick smiles as he watches them run to and fro in their own determined ways.
“Exactly!” She smiles up and back at him, her hair titling back and brushing the step behind her. He smiles down at her, his face framed by his dark curls and she realizes suddenly that he has aged slightly. The once firm face, now has some hints of lines around the eyes. Smile lines, her and her sisters used to call them on her parents, and she remembers how they had always wanted them so that they would always look as happy as their parents had. She reaches out her hand and cups his cheek, her thumb tracing the lines, gently. He smiles.
“Where Oh oh and e’na?” Rosie stands in front of them, her face smudged with dirt, the ball clutched in her hands. Oh oh and e’na translates into Chloe and Jenna and as the two of them glance around they realize that neither Jenna or Chloe are anywhere in sight.
They rise, Rick grabbing Rosie and tossing her onto his shoulders. “Lets go find ‘em!” He says as she crows, pulling on his hair and bopping him on the head. Claire follows behind them, her hands out just in case Rosie decides to throw herself off of Rick’s shoulders.
Their search is short and startling, as they discover the girls in the remains of the garden that Claire has just finished planting, Both girls have plastered themselves with dirt from head to toe, their eyes bright in the fading light.
“Um! Girls?” Rick can not move, he just stares.
“She made me!” Jenna yells, her voice a screech of panic and Chloe begins to violently shake her head.
“Don’t move! Any of you!” Claire says, her voice surprisingly calm. She runs around the corner and unwinds the hose, spinning the water on and runs back. “Don’t move! Or…I’ll get you!” She presses the spray nozzle down and a sheet of cold water sprays out, in between both girls. For a moment they don’t move, staring at the shadow of their mom’s face, and then Jenna squeals and begins to race away.
Back and forth across the lawn, leaving traces of water and dirt in the somewhat too long grass they chase each other. At one point Rick pulls the nozzle from Claire’s hand and cascades water over her head and screaming she runs away. By the time the girls are no longer muddy, but only wet the sun has set completely and the moon a small crescent floating in a small puddle of clouds. Claire goes into the house to find towels and returns to her back yard quietly and realizes that this is her life.
This is her moment to be a mother and a wife. The three little bodies that roam ceaselessly between her and Rick with thousands of questions and endless problems that need to be solved are her children, and she adores them. For now, in this brief fleeting moment of her life, all else can wait, these three need them to be parents, together. A couple of parents. Her and Rick had their moment of being a couple, but for now there is nothing else. Date nights will include talk of the children, plans for the children, beds for the children because they are for this time parents, needed, loved and adored. She can wait for what ever she thinks she wants, but she suddenly can’t remember what the fight was about the other night, why she had felt that she must exclude what they had created together and to limit themselves to just themselves.
Jenna races at her, screams erupting from her small frame and she leaps into her arms. “I’m so co..co..cold, mama!” She wraps her in the towel and watches Rick sweep Chloe and Rosie into his arms and run to her, smiling.