Title: “Toxic Relationships”.
Author: Silvina Carrasco
2 Characters:
- Roxana: Young woman who maintains a toxic relationship with Pedro.
- Pedro: Young man who has a toxic relationship with Roxana.
During the play, Pedro and Roxana will be linked by chains or ropes that simulate chains. These chains or ropes must be light and long enough to allow the protagonists to move on stage developing their acts. There are three of them: one connects Pedro and Roxana’s right hands, the other is tied to their left hands, and the third connects the protagonists’ hearts. When one of the young men wants to manipulate or hurt, he pulls one of the ropes, provoking an effect on the other.
ACT I
Characters involved in this act: Roxana and Pedro.
Stage: Dining room of Pedro and Roxana’s house. At the back of the stage, a door that simulates an internal door of the house. To the left, a door and a window that simulates facing the street (the window covered by curtains). Between center and stage right, a table with four chairs around it.
Pedro is sitting in one of the chairs reading the newspaper. Roxana goes to the exit door.
-Roxana: I’m leaving. I’ll be back late.
-Pedro: Where are you going? I thought we were going to see a movie together.
-Roxana: (Standing by the exit door) To the dinner my mother organized.
(Pedro pretends to look sad as he pulls the chains off his hands).
-Roxana: (Being pulled two steps towards where Pedro is) But Pedro, don’t make that face, I told you I would go. I know you don’t like my family and I’m not going to force you to go, but for my mother it’s important for me to be there.
-Pedro: (As she speaks, he pulls the chains further away from the exit door) It’s okay, go if you want. It’s just that after the horrible things she said to you the other day I thought you wouldn’t want to talk to her again.
-Roxana: (Visibly sad) I know, but she’s my mother. Anyway, it hurts me to be distanced from her.
-Peter: Go then. (Pushing her definitely away from the exit door) You know I’ll be here when you come back. I will be here to take care of you as I am every time your family hurts you.
(Having achieved his goal, Pedro continues reading the newspaper. Roxana stands there for a moment with a face of compunction, then walks over to the window, pulls the curtain and pretends to contemplate the view outside).
-Roxana: Maybe it’s better if I don’t go out today, it looks like the weather is about to break. I’m going to change my clothes and we’ll watch the movie (She leaves through the inner door).
ACT II
Characters that intervene in this act: Roxana and Pedro.
Scenario: The same scenario of the previous act.
Roxana is having breakfast at the table. Pedro enters the scene through the inner door, dressed as a tennis player. When she sees him, Roxana starts laughing mockingly and with a bit of feigned intensity.
-Pedro: (Annoyed) What’s the joke?
-Roxana: Why are you dressed like that?
-Pedro: (Proudly) I made up my mind, I’m going to participate in a tennis tournament.
-Roxana: (Laughing sarcastically) A little late you decided (while pulling on the heart string, in an attempt to hurt him) Pedro, you’re too old for that, your train has already passed.
-Pedro: (Getting serious and crossing his arms over his chest in an attempt to protect himself) I’m still young and that’s what I want to do.
-Roxana: (Pulling harder on the heartstring) I know it’s your dream, but you’re young for other things, not to dedicate yourself to tennis. Good tennis players start their careers as children and at your age they are already successful. (She laughs ironically) What an idea you have! Dedicating yourself to tennis at this age!
-Peter: (hurt) You’re bad when you want to be (Pulling Roxana’s heart chain) Now I understand why your family is so hard on you.
(Roxana presses her chest in sign of having been hurt)
ACT III
Characters that intervene in this act: Roxana and Pedro.
Scenario: The same scenario of the previous act.
Roxana is sitting on one of the chairs. She holds a mirror in her hand and looks at herself with a sad look. Pedro enters from the street.
-Pedro: Hello
(Roxana does not answer)
-Pedro: Are you still angry about yesterday’s talk?
-Roxana: I’m not angry, I’m hurt.
-Pedro: You hurt me too.
-Roxana: I know.
-Pedro: But I forgive you. (Opens her arms) Come here, give me a hug.
(Roxana doesn’t get up from her chair.)
-Pedro: (Confused by Roxana’s attitude) Love, our relationship is like this, but we love each other. Come on, give me a hug.
(Roxana remains seated)
-Pedro: (Seeing that Roxana does not give in, he begins to manipulate her. As he speaks, he pulls the chains from her hands, pulling Roxana to him) I didn’t have a good day today, I need a hug. I am always there for you when you have bad days… and I take care of you. I would never leave you alone.
(Roxana is attracted to Pedro. She reaches his side and hugs him)
-Roxana: (Abruptly separates from Pedro) No, I don’t want this for me anymore! (Unties the chain from her right hand and drops it) I don’t want to do everything you want anymore (Unties the chain from her left hand and drops it) Even if it means you’re not going to do everything I want anymore. (She heads for the street door) I’m going to see my mother.
-Peter: (Pulling on the heart chain) She’s going to hurt you and I might not be here when you get back.
-Roxana: (With some difficulty she cuts the chain from her heart and drops it) Maybe I won’t come back.
-Peter: (Pulls with all his strength on the chains) You’re going to regret it and it’s going to be too late.
(But the chains no longer have any power over Roxana, who walks out the door).
THE END