Awake and Dead
By Caila Grigoletti
A play in one act
Characters
Fergus: mid-thirties, dark haired.
Deidre mid-thirties, blonde. Wife to FERGUS
Patrick: late thirties, red haired. Brother to FERGUS
Abigail: late twenties, red haired. Sister to PATRICK and FERGUS
Sorscha: early sixties, white haired. Mother to FERGUS, PATRICK, and ABIGAIL
Neil: mid-thirties, red-haired and slight frame. Cousin to FERGUS, PATRICK, and ABIGAIL
Ian: disembodied voice with an Irish accent
SETTING: The home of the O’Connell family is a very traditional Southern Irish cottage house. The gray mortared stone and thatched roof gave the place an old appearance that matched its neighbors, but the larger size of the entire building proved that there was more to this “modest” establishment than the other homes down the lane. Two levels and around 2,400 square feet made it double the size of your typical cottage. The interior woodwork was brilliantly carved with Selkie and angel motifs. The burgundy patterned rugs along the foyer and stairs added a richer tone to the already lavish home. Four bedrooms with antique, 17th century furniture are placed on the second floor while the dining room, living room, a parlor, and a kitchen are spaced out across the ground floor. However, we are going to focus on the parlor in this story. On stage, the parlor takes up the entire space with walls of books taking up the background of the scenery. Leather sofas and chairs are placed strategically around the room to create a homey atmosphere where people can sit anywhere and talk to anyone comfortably. An open coffin is placed on stage left with the body of an elderly man, aged at around 68. The lighting should be soft, as it’s two in the morning and the light fixtures are reminiscent of 1920’s lightbulbs but the TV next to the main entrance proves the period is more modern that.
AT RISE: Enter FERGUS, DEIDRE, SORSCHA, PATRICK, and NEIL in that order. NEIL closes the door behind them and each of them picks a spot in the room to take a breath after enduring their family for the past eight hours. SORSCHA and DEIDRE take a seat and remove their heels. Meanwhile, the men pick positions along the book wall or in front of the television. Where they go is up to the director’s discretion. They are all wearing black mourning clothes that look disheveled after a party. Ties are undone, wrinkles in skirts, jackets slung over arms. They are all trying to become comfortable.
SORSCHA
Sweet Jesus Auntie Margaret’s got the gift of the gab. She told me once that she kissed the Blarney Stone but now I’m thinking she tongued the fekkin thing after listening to her stupid New York City story for over two hours.
FERGUS
She certainly loves to hear herself talk.
(Rubs the back of his neck and is by far the most exhausted and frustrated of the group)
NEIL
Ye right, Da would have found the whole thing hilarious though, right?
(Realizes his mistake and freezes for half a second before PATRICK covers up his error. SORSCHA is glaring at NEIL)
PATRICK
Look at ye, ol’ boy, calling your godfather Da, how sweet!
SORSCHA
(Shakes off the frustration towards NEIL and continues talking like nothing is wrong)
I dinna care that she’s your father’s aunt, Patrick, and older than a churchyard, she’ll be talking herself to the grave.
DEIDRE
She was just excited, Mother, been a long time since she saw her grandkids ever since their mother shifted on over to Canada.
SORSCHA
That isn’a an excuse for jabberin’ my ear off while I’m supposed to be mourning that mad bastard’s death.
(points to the coffin where her husband Ian is now lying)
PATRICK
Not much mourning left to be had, we’re almost out of whiskey ladies and gents.
(Holds up a half empty bottle of Jameson and begins to pour himself another glass)
I think Benny-boy and Wee Colin raided the liquor cabinet and drank the lot while our backs were turnt.
NEIL
(Weakly chuckles)
Still calling him Wee Colin? He’s at least a head taller than ye!
PATRICK
If I was there when he was born and his da’s Big Colin than Wee Colin shall forever be his distinguish-ment… is that even a word?
FERGUS
Dinna think so,
(grabs a glass off the bar cart next to the coffin)
Here, give us some of that, will ya?
(PATRICK crosses the room and pours FERGUS a drink)
SORSCHA
And get me one too, I need a drink.
DEIDRE
You’ve had five already. Maybe you should slow down?
SORSCHA
Did I ask for yer opinion, dearie?
(SORSCHA says this with a sneer and obvious disdain on her face, but DEIDRE shakes her head)
Then mind your own business, lass. It’s my husband’s wake and I deserve a dram after all the bullshit I’ve had to put up with today.
FERGUS
Ma, enough of that alright.
SORSCHA
Just control your wife Fergus, I can handle my drink just fine.
NEIL
No one’s saying you can’t Auntie-
SORSCHA
Dinna call me Auntie, you’re thirty-four years old Neil but you sound like a child.
PATRICK
Let him call you Auntie if he wants to Ma, it shows he respects you, that’s all.
SORSCHA
He’s not my nephew that’s all I’m trying to say! Not even related by blood, he was your father’s family friend’s son so I cannae be his Aunt. But he can call Ian Da all he likes, he’s got that right at last. But dinna think he actually cared about ye.
DEIDRE
That’s a bit harsh, don’tcha think?
SORSCHS
Truth hurts lass, and Neil should get a thicker skin if he wants to survive this family.
FERGUS
(Mumbles more to himself)
God give me strength.
PATRICK
(Has given his mother a glass and places a hand on SORSCHA’s shoulder)
Well he may as well be family at this point. Been dragging him along on all our mischief since we were lads, right Neil? Remember that time we stole Mr. Campbell’s tractor from his farm. The poor sod didn’t even realize we took it till the next morning when he went to his barn and it wasn’a there!
NEIL
I remember Fergus telling us we were both being idjiots until he took the wheel and went on a joy ride through the middle of town.
FERGUS
And I remember having to work at Mr. Campbell’s farm for the rest of that summer because of your “harmless prank”.
PATRICK
Come now, brother.
(Drapes an arm over FERGUS’s shoulder)
It wasn’t so bad was it? You got closer to Bridget that summer and finally kissed her like you’d been wanting to for, how many years?
FERGUS
Patrick-
PATRICK
At sixteen you’d think my little brother would have gotten that hurdle out of the way by then but he was always the “respectful” one. He was more of wimp back then, stutterin on about how it was too soon or he didna want to pressure the girl.
FERGUS
Pat, I swear-
PATRICK
Ya know, my first kiss was at nine years old to Fiona Perez and I learned very quickly that all women want is to be grabbed and-
FERGUS
Oh shut your fekkin gob already!
(Everybody now placed their attention on FERGUS)
That’s all you ever do! Talk, talk, and talk some more and always out yer ass.
PATRICK
Take it easy Fergie, I was only busting your balls.
FERGUS
I told ye not to call me that when I was seven Patrick! Ye never think about shit like that do ye, though? Ye hardly think about anyone but yerself anyway so why should I be surprised ye forgot for the millionth time that I HATE being called Fergie.
SORSCHA
Hey now! Don’t talk to your brother that way!
DEIDRE
Fergus? What’s the matter?
FERGUS
What’s the matter? Really, ye have to ask? He hasna been home two days since Da passed and every single one of you have clung to his every word like he’s a fekkin Apostle! Meanwhile, I’ve been handling everything from the hospital bills, Da’s medicine, and paying for the entire funeral so he can be buried properly, and he’s done fuck all. But no, let’s listen to the world travelling, oh so cultured man who canna keep a business running to save his life.
PATRICK
That isn’t true Fergus, I’ve done just fine in life thank you very much.
FERGUS
Fine! You still owe me for, what was it? A vintage arcade store that you were so sure would succeed and then ran into the ground on an oversight regarding your rental policy? Three months and 250,000 euro down the drain. But then you come in here and spin a fancy tale about your recent vacation to South America!
(DEIDRE has stepped in front of her husband to keep him from throwing punches at the calm and collected PATRICK)
SORSCHA
He’s been paying you back, son. You can’t blame him for taking a vacation once in a while.
FERGUS
Of course you immediately defend him. Well let me tell you how much those payments are, shall I? Eighty-five Euro a month! I’ll be long dead before I see that money again.
PATRICK
If it bothers ye so much then why keep on lending me the cash?
(There’s a long pause as FERGUS’ expression changes from vengeful to disbelieving)
FERGUS
You’re blaming me?
PATRICK
If you think I’m so terrible with money, stop giving me so much of it.
(lightly shoves NEIL’S shoulder and chuckles but NEIL only smiles nervously)
(FERGUS attempts to charge at him for the offense but DEIDRE stands firm)
DEIDRE
(whispers)
Don’t, you’ll only upset your mother. Go sit with your father and pray for patience, you haven’t spent a minute with him today.
FERGUS
(whispers back)
My brother is such an arrogant shite.
DEIDRE
(nods)
I know, just cool off before you do something you’ll regret.
(FERGUS goes to the coffin and kneels on the stand next to it that’s lined with brown, scratchy carpet and framed with painted wood that looks like it was taken right out ofa Catholic church. The other conversations between ALL ELSE fades away and the LIGHTS DIM and while their motions are happening in real time, the audience will be able to hear Fergus’s prayer. FERGUS clasps his hands together and talks with the corpse.)
FERGUS
(Aside)
Hi, Da, I feel so stupid. You know I never really believed in all that “the dead can hear ye” crap. To me I’m just talking to a corpse, well, yours now anyways. But Deidre may be right, if I punched that ruddy bastard now it wouldn’t change nothing… He does deserve it though.
(Pause)
I never understood why you always went easy on him growing up. Anytime he failed a test or he did one of his pranks that made a right mess of things you always would laugh it off. But with me, it’s like you had all these expectations and if I slipped just a little it ended in a thrashing. I knew why Ma loved him, first born son and all. They were thick as thieves back then, still are. Even when he’s wrong she always sides with him even though I was the one that took care of her after her surgery and have been for the past five years along with you. And where was my brother? Sipping wine in fancy French Vineyards with some tart he met on the plane ride. He does whatever he wants with no consequences and I’m left to deal with all the messes back home.
(Pause)
Why did you two hate me so much? After that stupid tractor incident with the Campbell’s neither of you could look at me for a week. You said you “had never been more disappointed in me”. Even after Patrick confessed it was his idea you still resented me. Why?
IAN
I did not resent you, I wanted you to be better than him and you were throwing your life away…
(Even though the audience can hear IAN, FERGUS bows his head one more time and the LIGHTS FADE IN and conversations of ALL ELSE can be heard more clearly)
NEIL
Are you serious? You’re making that up, surely!
PATRICK
I cannae tell a lie Neil, this guy really stole a ceramic and rhinestone pig from a gift shop in Disney World and I found his driver’s license which he dropped during the caper. The officers at the scene were most grateful for my assistance.
SORSCHA
They should have been, you basically did all the work for them! Why don’t you become a policeofficer, darling? You’d be very good at it.
PATRICK
Thought about it, but I’m not the type to be tied down to a desk or even a town for very long. I go wherever providence takes me, more fun that way I always say.
DEIDRE
(notices her husband has stood and moved to collect his whiskey glass)
Excuse me
(Goes to join FERGUS while the conversation continues with the others)
Feeling any better?
FERGUS
Not really, it’s not like I can ask him about anything ya know.
DEIDRE
You may not be able to speak again, but he heard you.
FERGUS
He’s dead Deidre, not an omnipotent soul watching over us.
NEIL
(To PATRICK)
Whatever happened to that boutique shop you opened up with…. What was her name? Veronica?
PATRICK
Violet, and we had some creative differences so we decided to go our separate ways.
SORSCHA
Good, I didn’t like the woman anyway. She was always pining after ye like some lovesick schoolgirl. She should be ashamed; no good Catholic woman should throw themselves at a man like that.
PATRICK
Ma, please, just because we couldna do business together does not mean she is filthy sinner.
NEIL
I’m sorry, Pat. You two seemed to really get along. What changed?
PATRICK
She… let’s just say our passion for the project did not align and our visions are very different.
NEIL
Yeah but-
PATRICK
You know what, I’m gonna go talk to da real quick. Haven’t had a private moment with the man yet. Be right back.
(PATRICK walks towards the coffin and has to pass FERGUS, they lock eyes for a beat, FERGUS glaring harshly but otherwise harmless. When PATRICK kneels and bows his head at the coffin the LIGHTS DIM again, and conversation between ALL ELSE dies back down.)
PATRICK
Hey there ye daft fool, I know we haven’t spoken in a while, but… I wanted to clear the air. I let you down a lot; I’m man enough to admit that to ye now at least. And I’ve let Fergus and Ma down too by all my failures. Don’t tell them I said that though, alright. We got along fine when I was young; those were good times. I’d come home and you’d laugh at my stories, encourage me to try harder in school even though we both knew academics was never my strong suit. You practically let me get away with murder ‘cause you understood that I despised all that mandatory homework and after-school tutoring bullshit.
(Pause)
Although, thinking about it now, you should have been much harder on me instead of Fergus. I was the eldest and I set a pretty shite example for my siblings because neither you or Ma would actually put me in my place. Like when I quit football, both of you just accepted it without question but when Fergus wanted to resign as student council president because the pressure was too much you forced him to finish the year and keep his grades up. I’m not saying I blame you for how I turned out, Da; I did take advantage of that freedom. And somehow, no matter how many times I failed, you always would say, “You’ll get it next time” or “Glad ye did your best”. Why were ye so patient with me and not him? Why?
IAN
You never had the drive to succeed, pushing you would have meant creating a rift between us and I couldn’t bear it then.
(PATRICK bows his head once more and the LIGHTS FADE IN. The volume of the background conversations of ALL ELSE increase to audible levels. PATRICK makes his way back to the group when SORSCHA begins to speak)
SORSHCA
D’you know, Ian could not cook to save a life? He started three fires in my kitchen trying tomake me breakfast on our fifth wedding anniversary. Kept shooing me away from the stove and said, “This is a man’s work, love. Cannae make ye an anniversary breakfast with you puttering about interfering.
(SORSCHA chuckles and shakes her head before sloshing back her glass of whiskey)
DEIDRE
Well that was very sweet of him.
SORSHCA
It was… for about ten minutes and then I had to clean up his mess! I am still wondering how he stuck a crepe onto the ceiling. Took a ladder, a scrapper, and a bottle of bleach to clear that away.
NEIL
Yeah, Uncle Ian
(NEIL heavily emphasizes the word ‘Uncle’ and frantically looks between SORSCHA and PATRICK)
had a knack for that. Creating a bit of chaos and then sat back to laugh about it. Always made for good stories, though.
SORSCHA
(Scoffs at NEIL)
You have some nerve saying that, like you knew anything about Ian.
(SORSCHA’s words are dripping with hate and slightly slurred after drinking several glasses of whiskey throughout the scene. SORSCHA waves the drink about as she speaks)
FERGUS
Of course he knew our father-
SORSCHA
Really? How could he? He didn’t have to live with the idjiot for forty-eight years, look after him when he came home blind drunk and itchin’ for a fight. Oh yes, he was a funny man when he wanted to be, when he desperately needed to be the center of attention. But he made more mistakes in his life…
(SORSCHA looks at NEIL with this knowing look; it’s a sad expression like SORSCHA knows a secret about NEIL no one else knows and NEIL looks back at SORSHCA in confusion)
than anyone will ever understand.
PATRICK
Ma, you’re just drunk. Da didn’t have any secrets.
SORSCHA
Dinna be naïve son, not a good color on ye,
FERGUS
Not Da, he was a tough old boot but he never lied.
(As FERGUS reassures SORSCHA that IAN could never hold back the truth, the door opens top the parlor and ABIGAIL walks in. ABIGAIL is wearing similar black clothes with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. ALL ELSE look surprised to see ABIGAIL again)
ABIGAIL
Honest to a fault that man.
SORSCHA
(Out of everyone, SORSCHA’s expression shifts the quickest to rage)
What in God’s name are you doing here at this hour!
ABIGAIL
Door was open, Ma, and since my cousins refused to let me in earlier to say goodbye to my father, I thought now would be a good time.
DEIDRE
Abby I told you to come when they were all asleep!
SORSCHA
You told her to come?
DEIDRE
I-
ABIGAIL
She is the only one in this family with any heart. It’s my father’s wake Ma; have some compassion.
SORSCHA
Compassion?! Where was yours when you left us?
ABIGAIL
Left you? As I recall, you shunned me. I could not live in this house because you nor Da were speaking to me and my brothers said nothing to convince ye otherwise before throwing me out.
PATRICK
You could have phoned us Abby, we haven’t spoken to you in twenty years. Where have ye been, lass.
ABIGAIL
What good would that do? I’m pretty sure mummy dearest has already put in her earplugs so she doesn’t have to hear what I’ve been through since she turned me and her grandchild away!
SORSCHA
(SORSCHA’s face twists slightly into shock when she hears “grandchild”)
You dinna go through with the abortion, then.
ABIGAIL
No, actually. I wanted to at first, but I guess my Catholic guilt told me my son had a right to live just like I did.
SORSCHA
A son? You had a little boy?
ABIGAIL
He’s grown now, off to college for the fall, otherwise, he would be here. You could have met him if ye hadna sent us packing.
SORSCHA
Ye gave me no choice and ye said ye’d rather leave than be with us
ABIGAIL
The only reason I agreed to move to the states was because our neighbors were whispering aboutme, my friends turned their backs on me and the people I trusted the most did the same exact thing because I made a mistake.
FERGUS
Then why come back at all?
ABIGAIL
(Pauses)
Because Da and I made peace a couple weeks ago.
PATRICK
How?
ABIGAIL
He called me, first time anyone did since moving away. He apologized for how he acted when I was seventeen and told me not to let a grudge hold me back from coming home if I needed to… and when I heard he died, I decided I should listen to him for once.
FERGUS
He didn’t tell us anything. And Ma and I lived with him, how could we not know?
ABIGAIL
Da went over to his mate Bernie’s house. Bernie’s son lives in France so he makes long distance calls all the time and could afford it. And I guess he wanted to keep his privacy.
PATRICK
Bernie wouldna rat him out if his life depended on it, and he’s the town gossip.
ABIGAIL
Yeah, well, I knew I was coming into a shite situation since it’s his funeral an’ all, but I hoped maybe he talked to ye about it before he died. Guess there wasna good time.
PATRICK
Och, I could care less about that stuff back then. If I knew how to get in touch with ye I would have found you sooner.
ABIGAIL
You wouldna wanted to before I kicked that fekker to the curb, brother.
FERGUS
Who are ye talking about?
ABIGAIL
Jerry, the one that knocked me up. Ye remember him as the one who whisked me away to the free country shortly after the pregnancy news got out.
SORSCHA
So ye finally got rid of him?
ABIGAIL
Damn right I did, had to file a restraining order on him and everything so he couldna turn my boy into him. That man-whore couldna keep it in his trousers even if a gun was pulled to his head. Not a fine example for a growing boy.
PATRICK
You’re saying Jerry cheated on ye?
ABIGAIL
Multiple times, but we were Catholics, we tried to make it work, but in the end I had to divorce him just to get away from his stupidity.
FERGUS
Will you be alright?
ABIGAIL
I can take care of myself, brother. Have been for a long time.
DEIDRE
Well you shouldna have to take care of yourself alone, that’s what family is for. Right?
(NEIL, PATRICK, and FERGUS nods and DEIDRE looks to SORSCHA last in hopes she will agree)
DEIDRE
Don’t you think its time to put this feud to bed?
SORSHCA
Oh, Deidre, always playing the negotiator in the family.
(There is a long pause while SORSHCA processes all she’s heard)
I’m not saying all is forgiven, all I will say though… is Jerry deserves to burn in the fiery pits for dishonoring ye.
(SORSCHA’s sudden empathy surprises everyone, especially ABIGAIL)
ABIGAIL
Ma?
SORSCHA
What? A man that cheats on his wife should not be called a man at all. Ain’t that right boys?
FERGUS and PATRICK
Aye
SORSCHA
(looks to NEIL who has not said anything)
And what do you think Neil?
NEIL
Umm… yes, it’s not right at all.
(There’s a beat of forgiveness between ABIGAIL and SORSCHA as they nod to each other in understanding)
SORSCHA
You should have gotten an annulment, though.
ABIGAIL
Alright, Ma, whatever ye say.
PATRICK
This calls for a drink! Luckily there’s another bottle of champagne in the fridge we can toast to.
ABIGAIL
In a minute, I’d like to talk to Da for a minute if that’s alright.
(No one objects as ABIGAIL walks to the coffin. When ABIGAIL kneels beside it, the LIGHTS DIM. ALL ELSE watch ABIGAIL in prayer.)
ABIGAIL
I came back like I promised ye. And you were right, not to let the grudge keep me from coming home. Ma is acting as ye can expect but at least Patrick seems alright with my miraculous return. Fergus, well, he’s a bit more traditional than the rest of us, takes after Ma in that way. You knew us all too well, even when I was a stupid teenager and told you guys I was pregnant. Looking back on it now, I think you understood why I had to leave and knew that there wasn’t much you could say to stop me. Being your daughter I’m sure you assumed I would inherit the O’Connell stubbornness. Once Jerry put the idea in my head that things would get better if we moved away from all the strict Irish Catholic guilt hanging around our necks I had to try. Try to have a happy life without feeling like what I did was an unforgivable sin.
(Pause)
I spent the last twenty years trying to find that happiness with Jerry and it turned out I was a fool for trying. He could care less what happens to me now. But my son, he’s become a good kid. I hoped he would gain your honesty if I named him after ye.
(Pause)
Da, why did you call me after so long of… nothing? Why now?
IAN
A father should at least try to bring his family back together. I wasted far too many years missing you instead of trying to understand you.
(LIGHTS FADE IN and ABIGAIL rejoins the group)
PATRICK
Alright, let’s get out of here and get some more drinks in us before we sleep tonight.
FERGUS
I think you’ve had plenty, but I’ll take a glass.
(ALL ELSE except for NEIL improvise conversation as ALL ELSE leave the room together, except for NEIL. NEIL hangs back and is not as vibrant with his laughter as the others. It looks like NEIL has a great weight on his shoulders. NEIL’s shoulders are hunched and his eyes barely leave the floor as he shuts the door and crosses the room to the coffin. NEIL kneels beside it for the final time. LIGHTS DIM.)
NEIL
Hi… Dad.
(END OF PLAY)
Caila Grigoletti is a junior at Cedar Crest College. She is a writing major with a double minor in communications and history. Apart from writing, her interests include gaming, singing, and travel.