At the Park, 2015

MY LAKESHORE, MY HOME
A Performance Art Festival
October 1 - 4, 2015
Presented by Sirius Theatrical Company

This is a Signature Partnership Project of the City of Toronto's Cultural Hotspot, which celebrates arts, culture and community in Etobicoke in 2015.



AT THE PARK

- Patricia Nolan-Hall


Characters

Young Father / Middle-aged Father / Grandfather - played by one actor

Two young girls between the ages of 7 to 10. Can be played by same actor or by two.

A young woman in her 20s.


Setting

A lakeside park


SCENE 1

A young girl with a pail and shovel settles into a perfect spot in the park and methodically begins to dig. Her father watches, bemused and proud. After a few moments -

FATHER:  Can I help?

DAUGHTER (looking up):  Did you bring your shovel?

FATHER (sheepishly):  No. I forgot.

DAUGHTER SHAKES HER HEAD

FATHER:  What are you digging for?

DAUGHTER:  Dinosaur bones.

FATHER:  Dinosaur bones?

DAUGHTER:  Dinosaur bones.  I'm a paleontologist.

FATHER:  Oh.  Are you going to be a paleontologist when you grow up?

DAUGHTER (looking up and considering):  I am a paleontologist.

FATHER:  Oh ... I see.  (Time passes)  Why don't we go play on the swings?

DAUGHTER SHAKES HER HEAD

FATHER:  We could go look at the geese.

DAUGHTER:  I'm busy right now.  (Time passes. Father walks around aimlessly with daughter watching. She stands and walks over to him with her shovel.)  Daddy, would you like to have a turn? You can be my assistant paleontologist.

FATHER:  Really? I would love that, Honey.


SCENE 2

The actor playing the father makes some minor changes to his costuming - perhaps changing from a jacket to a sweater or putting or taking off a hat or sunglasses. He is joined by a young woman in her 20s. The pair walk along the lake, possibly skipping stones. Perhaps one of them is taking pictures.

DAUGHTER:  It sure is a pretty day. I love the way the sail boats look so crisp and clean.

FATHER:  It is a nice day. Thanks for suggesting the walk. Most days go by and I don't give a thought to getting down here. Shame on me.

DAUGHTER: I used to love it when you'd take me here to play after supper.

FATHER:  Me too, Honey. Gosh you were a cute kid. What happened?

DAUGHTER:  Thanks, dad. Gee, that joke never gets old.

FATHER:  You just keep laughing and maybe I'll buy you an ice cream on the way home.

DAUGHTER:  It really is nice the way the boardwalk stretches out now. Billy and I come down here quite often lately. It's a nice, cheap date.

FATHER:  A cheap date, eh?  (teasingly)  You have to buy your own ice cream?

DAUGHTER:  Sometimes. You see, Dad ...

FATHER:  Oh-oh. Watch out now. Don't step where the geese walked. (pause) Is there something on your mind, dear? Something you have to tell me?

DAUGHTER:  What makes you think so?

FATHER:  I've noticed a lot more whispering lately between you and your mother.

DAUGHTER:  Well ... the reason Billy and I spend a lot more time on walking tours of the lake rather than going to the movies or stuff is because we're trying to save money.

FATHER:  And just what are you saving money for?

DAUGHTER:  Oh, things like dresses and flowers and wedding photographers.

FATHER:  Well, I guess I can get used to Bill in time.

DAUGHTER:  We've been dating for three years. You should be used to him by now, you old silly!

FATHER:  I can't believe it. It seems like only yesterday you were the world's youngest paleontologist.

DAUGHTER:  Well, this time next year we'll be standing in just about this spot taking wedding pictures.

FATHER:  You'll be the loveliest bride ever.

DAUGHTER:  And you'll be the handsomest father of the bride ever.


SCENE 3

The actor playing the father makes some changes to indicate more advancing years, perhaps the addition of a cane. If there is a change of sweater/jacket, the young woman takes it away and the cane is brought by the next girl. She has a backpack.

GRANDDAUGHTER:  Granpa, come on. Hurry!

GRANDFATHER:  Slow down. What' your hurry? The water isn't going anywhere.

GRANDDAUGHTER:  But I want to get there. Sara will take my favourite swing. You know how she is!

GRANDFATHER:  Which one is Sara again?

GRANDDAUGHTER:  You know. She's my best friend.

GRANDFATHER:  Some best friend if she's going to take your favourite swing.

GRANDDAUGHTER (exasperated):  Well, it's her favourite swing too.

GRANDFATHER:  Obviously, there is something about this friendship that eludes me.

GRANDDAUGHTER:  After the swing can we go feed the geese?

GRANDFATHER:  You're not supposed to feed the geese. It makes them aggressive and they're bad enough as it is.

GRANDDAUGHTER:  But Gramma gave me some old bread she wants to get rid of.

GRANDFATHER:  Oh, so Gramma doesn't care who gets attacked by geese as long as it's not her.

GRANDDAUGHTER:  Well, if we can't feed the geese, can we fly a kite?

GRANDFATHER:  Don't tell me you've got a kite in that backpack!

GRANDDAUGHTER (laughing):  Don't be silly. I don't have a kite now. I mean, can we come back tomorrow and fly a kite.

GRANDFATHER:  You want to come back tomorrow?

GRANDDAUGHTER:  Sure. I love going to the lake with you, Granpa.

GRANDFATHER:  I love you too, Honey.