Knots!

Scene 1:

Shows a white house with a black roof; a cherry tree blossoms outside and the lawn is perfectly green and manicured.

Abigail (o.s.):

Hey!  Welcome to the Hawthorne House.  It belongs to me, and my brother, Peter.  We grew up here and lived here all our lives.  Our parents moved down to Florida last year and so now the house is ours.  *Shows Abigail holding a family picture in the living room* We would have left the house empty, but it was just so quite.  *Scream issues from room somewhere else in the house, Abigail is unperturbed.* It certainly isn’t now.

*End Scene*

Scene 2:

In a bedroom with Martha and James; Martha is in her bathrobe with dripping wet hair yelling at James for being in her room without permission.

Martha:

HOW DARE YOU BE IN MY ROOM???  HOW DARE YOU!!

James:

Look, I’m only in here because Ruhe asked me to get her something.  I’m sorry if I didn’t ask first, but I thought you were in the shower.

Martha:

I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THOUGHT!!!!  IF YOU THOUGHT I WAS IN THE SHOWER YOU SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL I CAME OUT BEFORE YOU STARTED KNOCKING AND BARGING INTO MY ROOM!!!! *starts trying to force herself to be calm*

*Enter Peter*

Peter:

For Pete’s sake, what on earth is the matter Martha?

Martha:

He *points finger at James* he, AHHH!!!

Peter:

What did you do?

James:

All I did was come in here to get something for Ruhe, I swear, that’s it.  She had just come out of the shower, but I didn’t know…!

Peter:

*Shaking head* Look, James just go, get out of here!  *grabbing him by the arm on his way out* We’ll discuss this later you and I.

*End Scene*

Scene 3:

Set in the living room of the house; Peter enters to see his sister staring at the picture of their family.

Peter:

Hi Abby.

Abigail:

*Not looking up* Hiya Pete!  What was that scream all about?

Peter:

Oh nothing, nothing…James just entered Martha’s room without asking again.

Abigail:

*looking at her brother* To tell you the truth Peter, I’m really not all that surprised.  He randomly barges in on every girl in the house, pretending to be getting something for Ruhe, but that’s never the case.  He’s worse than Ecarlate with you men!

Peter:

*laughing* That’s an understatement, though you must admit Abby, it’s hard to be worse than Ecarlate!

Abigail:

*stifling a laugh* Yes, but he does manage to be, somehow…!  You can truly see what drew them together, can’t you?

Peter:

Yes, but, he isn’t going out with her anymore.  Why can’t Ruhe see the problem?

Abigail:

For the same reason no one else can when they need to, they don’t want to!

*Enter Ruhe*

Ruhe:

Hey, Abby, Peter, have you seen James?

Peter:

Yeah, you might want to check over by Martha’s room.

Ruhe:

*startled* What?  What was he doing over there?

Peter:

He said you asked him to get something for you…!

Ruhe:

Oh right, I completely forgot!  I should go find him. *she hustles off*

Peter:

*turning back to Abigail* She’s letting him play her!

Abigail:

I know, but even if we tell her, she won’t see the truth; it needs to come in its own time.

Peter:

But Abby…*pauses reluctantly* haven’t you heard what goes on in Ecarlate’s room almost every night?

Abigail:

Of course I have, there isn’t anyone in the neighbourhood that hasn’t!

Peter:

But how can she ignore that?

Abigail and Peter:

The same way so many others before her have, they just don’t see it!

Peter:

Why do you always say that, Abby?

Abigail:

*sadly* Because it’s true.

*Enter Martha*

Martha:

*sitting next to Peter* Peter, have you talked to James yet?

Peter:

No honey, but I will I promise! *he kisses her*

Martha:

Thanks darlin’, that’s the fifth time this month.

Abigail:

I know it is Martha, and I’m sorry.

Martha:

Abby, it’s not like it’s your fault, you don’t push him in the doors.

Abigail:

I know that, but Ruhe asked if he could come live here because he was her boyfriend and I said yes, in that way, I am responsible.

Martha:

You couldn’t have known he’d be like this!

Abigail:

No, but I should have guessed based on Ecarlate, I mean she is his ex-girlfriend.  I should have figured something must have attracted them together.

Martha:

Yes, but not this.  Something obviously attracted Ruhe to him as well, but I doubt it was this quality.

Abigail:

*quietly* I agree, Martha, I agree!

Martha:

*turning to Peter* Anyway, so sweetheart, did you wrangle us those tickets to the Sound of Music?

Peter:

Yup, for Friday night, just you and me babe. *puts his arm around her shoulders*

Martha:

Awesome!

*Enter Jonathan-he is in a business suite and looks severely bedraggled and tired*

Abigail:

*jumping up to meet him* John! *runs over and grabs his briefcase* Where have you been?  You should have been home hours ago!

Peter:

Yeah, John *winking* where have you been all night?

Jonathan:

Peter, stop it, please?  I’m really not in the mood this morning!

Peter:

*sincerely* Sorry, I didn’t mean… I was just joking!

Jonathan:

I know Pete, I know, I just had a really tough day at the office!

Abigail:

Tough night you mean?  Do you have to go back today?

Jonathan:

Luckily not, but *turns to look at Abigail* Abby, you know we’ve had this really big case we were working on up at the law firm right? *Abigail nods* Well, last night there was a huge break in it and we had to reformulate the whole case.  We go back into court tomorrow.

Abigail:

John, you’re exhausted, you really need sleep.  But sweetie, do you want me to make you something to eat first?

Jonathan:

*standing up* No Abby, thanks though, I’m fine. *Kisses her* I’m gonna head off to bed, so goodnight all!

Abigail, Peter, and Martha:

Night John!

*End Scene*

Scene 4:

*Ruhe walks into Martha’s and finds no sign of James; she continues to walk and passes Ecaralate’s room where she finds James and Ecarlate kissing, she looks and walks past.*

*End Scene*

Scene 5:

*Ruhe enters the room she shares with Emily finding Julia in there as well; she sits down on her bed and picks up a book and begins to read.*

Emily:

Julia, look, I know you’re having a hard time with Jack, but trust me, he likes you.  Don’t let it get to you, he’s just going through a time when he needs some space.

Julia:

Em, I mean…I know that, but he…I mean, it’s just he seems so distant.

Emily:

*whispers in Julia’s ear, so just the audience can hear* He cannot be more distant than James with Ruhe.  I mean, it’s to the point where he’s back dating Ecarlate, he and Ruhe barely even talk.  I don’t know why she bothers protecting him.

Julia:

*in a whisper* Neither do I, she does feel some kind of loyalty to him, though I can’t imagine what.

Emily:

Me either, I’ve been trying to find out what it was for weeks, but I haven’t had any luck…at any rate…!

Julia:

Right, at any rate!

Emily:

Ruhe!  How are you today?  The weathers absolutely gorgeous!*gestures to window* Why don’t you go out and enjoy it?

Ruhe:

*from behind book* No, I really don’t feel like it, I’m afraid I’m not in the mood!

Julia:

Oh come on Ruhe, we could all go out to lunch, you, me, Emily, Abby, and Martha, just the girls.

Ruhe:

What about Ecarlate?

Emily:

I think she has some kind of appointment.

Julia:

Come on Ruhe, the boys can take care of themselves, I’m sure of it.  At the very least John and Peter can, and if they can take care of themselves, together they can take care of James!*Emily elbows Julia in the ribs*

Emily:

Come on Ruhe, it’ll be worth it, we can get ice cream or something afterwards!

Ruhe:

No thanks guys, but why don’t you go see if Martha and Abigail want to go?  They’ll probably go with!

Emily:

Alright, but give us a call if you decide to come with.

Ruhe:

I will.

Emily:

Come on Julia.

Julia:

I’m coming, I’m coming…!

*They leave the room leaving Ruhe to her book; as soon as they are out of ear shot Ruhe begins to cry softly into her pillow.*

*End Scene*

Scene 6:

*Peter enters his room along with James; Peter motions for James to sit on the bed as he takes a chair*

Peter:

*Fidgeting* James, look, I know you and I have never been on the best of terms, but there’s a fairly weighty matter you and I need to discuss.

James:

*looking very bored* This matter being…?

Peter:

*In a forced calm voice* The fact that you keep barging in on the women of this house without knocking.  James, just understand this is not acceptable.  My sister, my girlfriend, my best friend and several other friends all live here, my main goal is to protect them!  If I hear you have entered their rooms without permission again, I will make you leave this house.

James:

*Growing angry* Is that a threat, Peter?

Peter:

*In utter dislike* Yes James, I suppose it is.

James:

*Angrily* WELL HOW DARE YOU THREATEN ME?  THIS HOUSE IS AS MUCH MINE AS IT IS YOURS!!!!  YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO…

Peter:

*Cutting him off* JAMES!  There is one thing you must keep straight: this house in no way ever has or ever will belong to you!  Until my dying day I will see to that!

James:

*Calming himself* Oh Peter, we’re both friends here; you know what it’s like to be a guy.  We’re the same age, come on, you know where I’m coming from!

Peter:

*Angrily* I may understand where you are coming from, but I have a girlfriend, someone whom I love very much!!!  You have a wonderful girl as your girlfriend too, and all I ever see you doing to her is cheating on her!  And no James, for the record, we are NOT friends!

James:

Hey, Pete, that’s getting a bit out of line!  I’ve never cheated on Ecarlate!

Peter:

*In a deadly whisper* You’re right, but I was talking about the girl who seems to be under the impression she is your girlfriend!  The one who you seem to be deceiving…Ruhe!

James:

DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT HER!  SHE CLINGS TO ME TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN LIKE WE’RE MARRIED OR SOMETHING!!  I DON’T KNOW WHAT PUT THAT IDEA INTO HER HEAD!!!

Peter:

MAYBE THE TIME WHEN YOU ASKED HER OUT!!!!  YOU’VE CLAIMED TO BE GOING STEADY WITH HER FOR EIGHT MONTHS!  EIGHT MONTHS JAMES!  NOW YOU CLAIM YOU COULDN’T CARE LESS IF SHE WERE A RAT BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!  *Sadly* No, wait, you’d care more about a rat by the side of the road!

James:

I DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THIS!!!  PETER, I DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT THE IDEA THIS WAS YOUR HOUSE WITH YOUR RULES, BUT WHEREVER YOU GOT IT… LOOSE IT!!!  THIS HOUSE IS EVERYONES HOUSE!

*Enter Abigail*

Abigail:

*Quietly* No, James, you’re wrong.  This house is not everyone’s house; it belongs to me and Peter.  We inherited it from our parents when they moved.  None of you pay money to live here, you simply do.  We therefore can force you to leave whenever we please.  James…get out!  I’ve never seen anyone cause as much hurt as you to so many people.  I have seen one person try it before, but only you have achieved it!  Please leave now…and don’t bother coming back, we won’t let you in!  If I find that you have been here with Ecarlate I will evict you both.  Please James, just leave!

James:

*Leaving the room in a huff* I’ve never met such rude people before in my life!

*Peter walks over to Abigail and puts his arm around her*

Peter:

Abby, what happened?  What set you off?  I know you were getting mad, but this…I never saw it coming!

Abigail:

You weren’t in Ruhe’s room just now!  Emily and Julia came to ask Martha and me if we would like to go to lunch with them; they said Ruhe didn’t feel like it.  I decided I’d go see if I could talk her into it.  She was in her room, *pauses and looks at Peter* crying into her pillow.  She’d just walked past Ecarlate and James in Ecarlate’s room, they were kissing.  She’s devastated!

Peter:

*Concerned* She’s going to break up with him now, right?

Abigail:

*Sadly* I asked her that, all she said was she’d see, that she didn’t know yet, I didn’t know what to do.

Peter:

*Quietly* My G-d!

*End Scene*

Scene 7:

*Ruhe and Ecarlate are standing across the room from each other; the room=kitchen*

Ruhe:

HOW DARE YOU LURE HIM IN?!?!?!  HOW DARE YOU?!?!?!

Ecarlate:

LURED????  HOW IN HEAVENS NAME DO YOU MEAN LURED????

Ruhe:

I MEAN HOW YOU USED YOUR “CHARMS” ON HIM TO GET HIM TO…TO, DO WHAT EVER HE DOES WITH YOU!!!!

Ecarlate:

*deadly quite* Excuse me?  Don’t you think he should have some self restraint? *getting louder* I’ll admit I may not have helped, but for g-d sake, do *shouting* NOT BLAME THIS ENTIRE THING ON ME!!!!

Ruhe:

WHY NOT???  YOU DID LURE HIM!  DIDN’T YOU???  ADMIT IT, YOU DID!!!

*enter entire cast, with the exception of James*

Ecarlate:

*reasonably* Don’t blame this whole thing on me, I didn’t do it!  I didn’t help, I know that, but he WAS willing, don’t forget that in the end, it was HIS choice!

*exit Ecarlate, John looks at Abigail as though asking permission to go after Ecarlate and talk to her.  Abigail nods and John exits after her.*

Abigail:

*kneeling next to Ruhe* Ruhe, are you okay?

Ruhe:

*In tears* Do I look like I’m okay?

Abigail:

Good point.

Peter:

*Also kneeling next to Ruhe* Ruhe what happened?

Ruhe:

*shaking* She…she came in here and, AH!

Martha:

*Hugging Ruhe* Shh, its okay.  It will all be fine.

*End Scene*

Scene 8:

*John and Ecarlate are in the living room discussing what just happened.*

Ecarlate:

John, I don’t know what I did, I just don’t get it!

John:

*cynically* You don’t know what you did, you don’t understand it?  How can you possibly not understand it?

Ecarlate:

Because, because *looks simpering at him with an innocent pout on her face* I just don’t understand, I was never taught right from wrong, and *slips arms on shoulders* John, I just don’t know any better.

John:

*throws off her arms* I won’t buy that kind of cock-and-bull from anyone, especially you!  The evidence all points to…

Ecarlate:

*angrily* Oh blast the evidence!  I don’t care about the evidence!  You’re not in court here, there isn’t any judge and there isn’t any jury!  It’s just you and me babe!

*Enter Abigail and Peter, who reveal they’ve been watching at the door*

John:

Ecarlate, I may not have the power to evict you from this house, but I will get the people who can!

Abigail:

*angrily* No need to go get the people dearest, they’re right here!  Ecarlate, since the moment I met you, you have been trouble to the utmost degree.

Peter:

*angrily* You have caused pain and hurt to everyone…

Abigail:

You have spread rumors and lies…

Peter:

You have teased and tormented…

Abigail:

Now we, as owners of this house, are putting as much of a stop to it as is in our power…

Peter and Abigail:

GET OUT!!!!

Ecarlate:

*shocked* If that is truly how you feel about it, I will of course leave, I would never stay in a place where I am unwanted!*she exits*

*Abigail collapses on the couch*

John:

ABBY!  Are you alright?

Abigail:

I’m fine, I just, don’t get angry very often, it took my energy I guess, I’m alright now.

Peter:

No, Abby, you get angry a lot.  I’m your brother I’ve seen it, but I’ve never seen you become that furious before.

Abigail:

It’s been a long while since I’ve been that furious.

Peter:

I can’t remember a time when you were before.

John:

You are alright though, aren’t you Abby?

Abigail:

Yes John, I am.

Peter:

Well, hopefully that will take care of most of the malcontent in this household for the time being.

Abigail:

It might, but I wouldn’t bet on it. *she laughs for the first time in the show*

*End Scene*

Scene 9:

*Shows the house again.  Abigail speaks from off stage.*

Abigail (o.s.):

Well, that was how our story began.  Later we had more problems in our small house, but when we had eliminated both James and Ecarlate, we were able to work through our problems together.  Peter and Martha eventually got married.  As for John and I we eventually had a parting of the ways, it was unfortunate, but unavoidable.  If you were curious about Julia, she and Jack made up and they too married.  Emily and Ruhe they both found two gentlemen whom they loved very much.  They too were married.  However, by the time we were all married, there wasn’t enough room in the Hawthorne House.  Peter, Martha, and I remained at Hawthorne.  Emily and Julia moved in down the street from us with their husbands.  As for Ruhe, she and her husband moved across the street!  In any case our stories continued, intertwined with one another forever more.

Sincerely Yours,

Abigail Hawthorne

*FIN*