(At rise, ABIGAIL and SILAS, a married

couple with the former visibly pregnant,

are on the living room floor. ABIGAIL

is on her knees screaming with SILAS

crouching next to her. ABIGAIL is in

her nightgown, with the bottom half

drenched along with the floor below.

The cheap living area screams 1800s

with the battered and torn sofa and

the two broken chairs sitting in front

of a makeshift fireplace that looks

more like a couple of sticks that are

burnt. The walls are bare with rotted

wood that is barely held together)

ABIGAIL

(painfully)

GO SILAS PLEASE! GET DR. RUBIO!

SILAS

(calming)

We can’t afford any doctor Abigail. Our weekly earnings were spent on fruits and vegetables. I can do it.

ABIGAIL

(still in pain)

I ALREADY PAID DR. RUBIO LAST WEEK FOR THIS!

SILAS

(agitated)

Without telling me? That is my money. You have to ask me wh-

ABIGAIL

(rageful)

OH GOOD LORD! JUST GET THE BLOODY DOCTOR!

SILAS

(startled and defensive)

Alright, Alright, I apologize. I’ll be back in a jiffy.

(SILAS runs to the door and opens it, looking back once more before exiting and shutting the door stage right. ABIGAIL is still contracting on the floor in the same position as before for 10 more seconds, screaming at the top of her lungs)

ABIGAIL

(desperate and looking up)

Oh please Lord help me. Give me the strength I need for what I am about to do and give me the knowledge for what should be done with Cecil.

(ABIGAIL screams a little more before the contractions die off for the moment. After about 5 seconds, she pulls out a knife she had hidden in her gown. Without reason, ABIGAIL raises it up above her stomach and holds it there, contemplating whether or not to slam it down. Before she can, she passes out from the pain. The lights fade out)

(As the lights fade back in, ABIGAIL

is still in the same place on the 

floor, however, the set has changed.

everything has been upgraded, with the 

sofa new and luxurious, there are now 3

chairs, none of which are broken,

sitting in front of an actual 

fireplace. The walls are new and 

pretty. There is also a kid now 

sitting toward the back of the stage.

The new area has a bluish-green light

on it to indicate that it is a dream

and that ABIGAIL is asleep still)

(ABIGAIL gets up and notices, in this dream, that she is no longer pregnant. She seems to know who the kid who is playing with blocks toward the back of the stage is. ABIGAIL walks toward the kid backstage)

ABIGAIL

(confused)

Cecil? Is that you?

CECIL

(excited)

Mommy! You’re awake. You were sleeping for so long!

ABIGAIL

(confused with her instant knowledge)

I did, what happened? I just feel like I had a dream about when I had you.

CECIL

(curious)

Was it a good dream or a bad dream?

(ABIGAIL walks over to the sofa that is facing the audience and sits down. CECIL then gets up from playing with his blocks and runs over to ABIGAIL, whose lap he jumps up on)

ABIGAIL

(hesitant)

Um, I don’t remember too much of the dream or the experience altogether, so, uh, I don’t really know.

CECIL

(innocent)

Oh, uh, well, you remember this from the dream at least, right?

(CECIL pulls the same knife ABIGAIL was about to stab herself with earlier out of the waistband area of his pants. It takes ABIGAIL a second to realize what it is and, when she does, she snatches the knife from him, pushes him off her lap, and stands up herself)

ABIGAIL

(concerned and bewildered)

Where did you get this!? Huh!? You know this is not for fun right!? You can’t just carry this around!

CECIL

(confused)

Then why did you use it when you had me? You were trying to use it, right?

(ABIGAIL looks bewildered and out of sorts. CECIL looks at her, curious still)

CECIL

(curious)

Why did you even have me? Did you ever even love me if you were going to hurt me?

ABIGAIL

(defensive)

Of course I love you! I love you honey so so m-

(ABIGAIL moves toward CECIL as she talks and the lights flicker as she grabs his shoulders. ABIGAIL looks up confused as the lights flicker. The lights go out after flickering and ABIGAIL starts screaming)

ABIGAIL

(frightened and disturbed in dark)

CECIL! CECIL! WHERE ARE YOU CECIL!

(The lights flicker back on and ABIGAIL is in the middle of the stage, tears on her face and CECIL is gone. ABIGAIL shows signs of panic and runs to the door stage right, swings open the door and sticks her head outside)

ABIGAIL

(frightened)

CECIL, CECIL, ARE YOU OUT THERE?

(ABIGAIL steps back inside and shuts the door. She then runs around the room, checking under the sofa and in the small space between the fireplace and the wall. She is panicking, hyperventilating, still checking around the room, until the door, stage right, slams open and a teenage boy runs in who identifies himself as CECIL as well)

CECIL

(concerned)

Mother, what is wrong, I heard you calling for me outside. Is everything okay?

(ABIGAIL, not knowing she is in a dream still, stands there confused)

ABIGAIL

(bewildered)

No? Who are you? 

(Five-second pause)

ABIGAIL

(increasingly rageful)

You are not Cecil. You are not my baby. Where is he? Did you do something with him?

(Slight pause as CECIL stands confused and ABIGAIL stands angry)

ABIGAIL

I do not know what you are doing but it is not funny. Get out! Get out now!

(ABIGAIL storms toward CECIL and attempts to push him out the door. CECIL holds his ground)

CECIL

(scared)

Mom stop! Mom stop it! 

(CECIL breaks free and starts toward the fireplace)

CECIL

What’s going on with you? Let me show you okay, just let me show you.

(CECIL picks a picture frame off of the fireplace that has been there the whole show, but obscure enough so the audience couldn’t see the picture inside it, and hands it to ABIGAIL, who looks at it facing front stage. Her worry turns to confusion and shock as there is a slight pause for about five seconds. When ABIGAIL speaks again, she stutters her words before getting them out)

ABIGAIL

(disappointed in herself)

Oh… uh… I… I don’t know what has gotten into me. I am so sorry Cecil. I guess I’m just going crazy *chuckle under breath*.

(CECIL stands behind her and looks over her shoulder at the picture as well)

CECIL

(pitiful)

Don’t say that. You… you just had a bad nightmare again that seemed too real. That’s all.

ABIGAIL

(doubtful)

Yeah, maybe… I just don’t know how I wouldn’t remember what you looked like now. I just guess I got too used to seeing you as a youngster.

CECIL

(curious)

You saw me as a kid in your dream? Why do you think that is?

ABIGAIL

(concerned)

I’m not sure. Maybe… I don’t know… I… I just was thinking about you then.

(ABIGAIL puts the photo back and begins to walk to the sofa. CECIL follows her and puts his hand on her shoulder, pulling her back a bit before she can sit down. She faces him as he begins to speak)

CECIL

(concerned)

Are you sure you are alright? You don’t have anything on your mind?

ABIGAIL

(reassuring)

I’m alright, like you said, it was just a bad dream. Where were you anyway?

CECIL

(defensive)

I was just out playing with some of my mates.

ABIGAIL

(defensive as well)

Alright, alright, no need to get all defensive about it, I was just wondering.

CECIL

(defensive still)

I know, it’s just, I don’t know, you are always on my case, wondering where I am or what I am doing, you know I am almost grown up now, right? I’m not a bloody child anymore.

(CECIL begins to angrily pace around the room, this time followed by ABIGAIL as they speak)

ABIGAIL

(calming)
Listen, sweetie, it’s fine, I don’t need to know, really, it’s fine. I just worry is all.

(CECIL stops in his tracks to face ABIGAIL, this time with his expression growing angrier and more agitated. His hand movements also become more sporadic and with more motion. ABIGAIL stops as well and looks worried with her hand movements looking to be more calming)

CECIL

(angry)

For Christ’s sake, stop talking to me like I’m a bloody child. I am not your baby anymore. I don’t need to be watched every single moment of every single day. It’s bad enough you are so delusional that you almost throw me out when you wake up but you also entrap me with your paranoia.

ABIGAIL

(calming still)

Cecil, calm down okay, you need to wat-

CECIL

(angrier)

What, huh, I need to watch my tone? You are just who you were worried you would be. A stupid, overbearing, blabbering bit-

(ABIGAIL slaps CECIL across the face. They stand in silence as CECIL begins to hold his cheek. Sorrow comes over ABIGAIL’s face)

ABIGAIL

(sorrowful)

Oh honey, I am so sorry, please forgive m-

CECIL

(mocking)

Oh, I’m so sorry. Forgive me, forgive me, honey, oh, it won’t happen again honey. I’ve heard it too many times now… You know what, you were right. You should have done it. You should have slammed it down right into where I was. It would have spared both you and me. But, I guess, it’s never too late.

ABIGAIL

(confused)

Honey, what are you talking ab-

(CECIL pulls the same knife both his younger self and ABIGAIL had earlier in the story from his waistband. He holds it up to his chest)

CECIL

(relieved)

At least we won’t have to do this act anymore.

ABIGAIL

(rushingly)

NO CECIL STOP!

(ABIGAIL reaches to stop CECIL as he begins to plunge it into his chest. Before the knife hits his chest, the lights cut out once again, with ABIGAIL screaming in the dark)

ABIGAIL

(in pain)

PLEASE! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP DOING THIS! I’M SORRY OKAY! PLEASE JUST STOP DOING THIS TO ME!

(ABIGAIL sobs until the lights turn back on 10 seconds later and, when the lights turn back on, ABIGAIL is seen on her knees with her head in her hands, sobbing. In front of her, where CECIL was, is a large puddle of blood. When ABIGAIL sees it, she screams and cries horrified)

ABIGAIL

(pitiful)

Please, please just stop this! I know I’m not fit, I know. Please just let me go from this!

(The door, stage right, once again, slams open after ABIGAIL sobs for 10 more seconds. ABIGAIL shoots her head up to see an adult, her age, who is also CECIL, enter the room, this time holding the knife from the get-go)

ABIGAIL

(broken)

What do you want Cecil? Huh? What do you need to tell me now?... HUH?

CECIL

(calmly)

Hello mother. How are you feeling?

ABIGAIL

(broken still)

How do you think? Huh?! What is it that you are trying to make me feel? Are you trying to make me feel like I’m going insane? What is the point of all of this?

CECIL

(calmly still)

Why are you still asking me all of these questions?

ABIGAIL

(a little angered)

Who else should I be asking?

(Slight pause before CECIL begins speaking again)

CECIL

(blankly)

Why did you have me?

ABIGAIL

(furiously saddened)

I ALREADY TOLD YOU! I DON’T KNOW! I DO NOT KNOW!

CECIL

(in a ‘I told you so’ tone)

I think I know.

(CECIL begins to circle ABIGAIL on the stage, pointing the knife at her at certain points to punctuate what he is saying)

CECIL

I think I know why you married my father as well. You felt lonely, right? He gave you the light of day when nobody else would? However, he wasn’t the person you planned on spending the rest of your life with. He was just someone to pass the time. But, by accident, I was conceived. You were horrified. You didn’t know what to do, so, you married him before anyone could see the bump on your stomach and call you out for your whoring. You grew up wanting a life of a strong woman but you couldn’t get that by being promiscuous could you? So you married him and made it seem I was conceived right after the ceremony. You were stuck with him. You began to hate him because of the life you threw away to be with him. And then that's the reason you began to hate me. Because I was the reason you threw your life away as well. However, you couldn’t escape this tiny part of you that was excited for a child. But, where there was excitement, there was fear. Fear you would mess it all up and bring up someone else that threw their life away.

ABIGAIL

(broken still)

So, why would I have had you if I was consumed by that fear?

(CECIL stops, facing front stage toward the audience and looks down at ABIGAIL, clearly annoyed)

CECIL

(annoyed)

You know, you have been trying, this entire time, to conjure up a good enough reason, something that is impossible to steer away from. Have you found that reason?

(ABIGAIL stares at CECIL blankly. After five seconds, CECIL rushes toward ABIGAIL and pushes her to the ground. He kneels over her and puts the knife to her stomach)

CECIL

(yelling)

WAS THERE EVER A GOOD REASON?... ANSWER ME! DID YOU FEEL LIKE A FAILURE? DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WOULDN’T BE A GOOD MOTHER? DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU COULDN’T DO ANYTHING TO MAKE YOUR LIFE YOUR OWN? DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD REASON FOR WHY YOU DIDN’T WANT TO BE A MOTHER OR WAS IT JUST FEAR? DID YOU NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS CHILD? 

ABIGAIL

(yelling up at CECIL)

NO! NO! ALRIGHT!

(CECIL takes the knife away from her stomach and stays kneeling, looking down at her while she is lying on the ground)

CECIL

(calm)

Why do you think that is? Why do you think that there was no reason for you to actually go through with it?

(CECIL pauses again before speaking to see if ABIGAIL wants to interject. When she doesn’t, he sits back in the pile of blood and allows ABIGAIL to sit back up. Now, they are both facing each other, CECIL facing stage left and ABIGAIL facing stage right. CECIL slams the knife into the ground next to him and it is stuck there)

CECIL

(calmly)

You began to love me. You did. Hell, you are having this dream right now because you did. You wouldn’t have a second thought about this if you hated me.

ABIGAIL

(angry)

How are you so sure? How do you know that this isn’t just guilt and I’m still going to end up going through with it when I get back?

CECIL

(matter-of-factly)

You aren’t going to.

ABIGAIL

(angry)

How do you know that?

CECIL

(calm)

Because you are rationalizing with yourself right now. You are trying to think of that reason that will never come.

(CECIL pauses and ABIGAIL does not respond)

CECIL

(hopeful)

You are going to do just fine, and you know that. Now, it is still your choice when you are out of this nightmare, and whatever you choose is up to you, but I think we both know what you want.

(ABIGAIL starts sobbing once again)

ABIGAIL

(scared)

What if I’m not good enough for you though? What then? There is no turning back at that point.

(CECIL puts ABIGAIL’s head in his hands and has her face him, with ABIGAIL still sniffling from her tears that she is still crying)

CECIL

(hopeful)

I believe that you know what you are capable of, and you are much more than capable of this.

(CECIL takes ABIGAIL by the shoulders and lifts her off the ground so both of them are standing. CECIL then pulls her in and hugs her. ABIGAIL pauses for a couple of seconds before she decides to hug CECIL back, still crying)

CECIL

(comforting)

You do whatever you feel it is necessary to do, it is your choice, but you need to know that you are more than ready enough for this.

(ABIGAIL cries a bit more until CECIL pulls her away and looks her in the eyes)

CECIL

(happily)

I’ll see you later Mom.

ABIGAIL

(hopeful)
See you later Cecil.

(Both characters smile at each other as the lights fade out once again)

(As the lights come back on, the whole

set is back to how it was before the

dream. The lighting is back to how it

was before the dream and ABIGAIL is

back, lying in the middle of the floor

in her battered nightgown, pregnant)

(ABIGAIL wakes up and looks around for a couple of seconds before noting the knife that was left in her hand once again. She looks at it for a good 8 to 10 seconds, wincing in pain now as she does. She then slips the knife back to where it was in the nightgown. She sits there screaming for 10 seconds before the door slams open with SILAS and DR. RUBIO running in. SILAS sits down next to ABIGAIL and holds her hand and DR. RUBIO helps spin ABIGAIL away from the audience and kneels in front of her. SILAS and ABIGAIL are now facing backstage and DR. RUBIO is facing front stage)

DR. RUBIO

(comforting)

How are you feeling Abigail?

ABIGAIL

(in-between screams)

I’m doing OKAYYYYYY! AUUGGHHHHH! Oh my lord, I’m so sorry. I just got a real sharp pain.

DR. RUBIO

(chuckling)

No worries Abigail, it happens all the time.

SILAS

(excited/nervous)

You’re alright Abigail. You’re alright. Cecil is going to be so happy, we are going to be so happy, we just need to get through this.

(Until the lights shut off, ABIGAIL screams and pushes while DR. RUBIO is taking care of her and SILAS is right next to her)

DR. RUBIO

(encouraging)

You are doing great Abigail, just great. Keep going, you are almost there.

SILAS

(encouraging)

Come on Abigail, just keep pushing. You are almost there. Think about how beautiful our little boy will be.

DR. RUBIO

Just one more push Abigail!

(The lights shut off as ABIGAIL screams the loudest and the longest she has in the whole play. She begins panting loudly as baby-crying sounds play over the speakers. Along with the crying, you can hear the characters speak)

DR. RUBIO

(surprised)

It’s a girl. This is your baby girl Abigail.

SILAS

(surprised as well)

Really, I thought it was supposed to be a boy.

DR. RUBIO

(still surprised)

That’s what I thought as well. All of that aside, what will you name her?

(5-second pause before ABIGAIL speaks)

ABIGAIL

(happy)

Cecelia.

END OF PLAY