Title: “Quarantine”
Author: Clara Perez
3 Characters
- Regina: 5 year old girl who does not understand why she must stay locked up at home.
- David: Father of the girl who does not know how to explain the reasons for staying at home.
- Charlotte: Mother of the girl who tries to soften the situation.
ACT I
Setting: Dining room of the house, where the family is having dinner.
Introduction: The family is sitting at the table having dinner, when Regina begins to ask questions that the father doesn’t know how to answer and end up bothering him.
Regina: (As she puts the spoon in her mouth) Dad, why can’t I go to school?
David: (Looking at his daughter and speaking slowly) Because we are in quarantine daughter, we must not leave the house until everything passes.
Regina: (Not understanding at all) Quarantine? What does that mean? We behave bad and we’re punished?
David: (Smiling at his daughter’s witticism) No Regina, we are not misbehaving. There is a virus that is dangerous, it makes people sick and so we don’t catch it we have to stay home.
Regina: (still not understanding) And why are we to blame for that? I’m bored, I want to see my friends from school, go to the park, here we don’t do anything and it’s very boring.
Charlotte: (Trying to get Regina to let her father eat) Alright Regina, it’s a pandemic and they ask us to stay at home. It’s boring but we have to do it for everyone’s sake.
Regina: Dad, if we stay home, are we super heroes?
David: (already uncomfortable with so many questions) Yes Regina, we are super heroes, finish eating and go watch TV in your room.
Regina: But I still don’t understand and I want you to explain to me why this is happening, daddy.
David: (Already annoyed) Regina, I already explained it to you, you must listen, they ask us to wear masks, wash our hands and stay at home and that’s what we will do. I’m not hungry anymore, we can’t eat in peace in this house.
David gets up from the table and leaves the dining room. Regina is very sad and on the verge of crying. Her mother approaches her and lifts her face to prevent her tears from flowing.
Regina: Mommy, is my daddy upset because I didn’t understand what a quarantine is?
Charlotte: (smiling at her daughter) No my girl, he’s upset because he can’t do anything to fix what’s happening and he’s afraid for us. But not because you don’t understand. But he’ll get well informed on TV and he’ll explain it better, I promise you.
ACT II
Setting: Again the dining room of the house.
Introduction: Charlotte is seated at the table and Regina enters.
Regina: Mommy, I’ve seen the TV and I already know what a quarantine is. There is a virus that attacks humans and it must stop being contagious for it to disappear. If we stay in the house it can’t reproduce and it will die. We must take care of ourselves so that it is not transmitted to us. I already know how to take care of myself and I will wait, even if I get bored at home until everything passes. To be a healthy child and that you don’t get sick for taking me to the park.
Charlotte: That’s great Regina! You’ve already understood, we’ll look for fun activities to do at home and the time will go by very fast, you’ll see.
David appears on the scene, taking the keys from the table.
David: Well, I have to go shopping. I’ll come as soon as I can. I’ll only be on the street for as long as it takes. Kisses for both of you.
David heads for the door and Regina catches his eye, taking a mask and antibacterial product from a smaller table.
Regina: Daddy (She says to get his attention).
David pauses, taking a deep breath, thinking Regina will start asking questions again. But the girl approaches him, extending her hand.
Regina: (With a small smile on her lips) Here, you must protect yourself. If we all cooperate this will soon pass and we will return to normality.
David looks at the girl, takes what she extends to him, puts on his mask and responds.
David: That’s right, my girl. If we all do our part we will beat the virus. I love you.
Regina: Me too daddy.
THE END