Belongings

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781849433334
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

'Just because you appear to have secrets don't mean your secrets are all that interestin'.' A young female soldier returns from Afghanistan to a home she no longer recognises or connects with. She has proved herself in combat but her hardest battle is yet to come, as she navigates family politics, old relationships, and the memory of betrayal. From the deserts of a modern war to the battleground of a family kitchen, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's explosive new play delves into one woman's quest for identity and a place she can call home. Nominated for Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award (Evening Standard Awards)

SCENE 1

A detached new build home in a cul-de-sac somewhere outside Chippenham. The kitchen. A room split in two by a sideboard that creates a dining area at one end, kitchen at the other. Evening. DEB looks around the room – though it is her home, it has changed. Suddenly a completely naked man stomps in. This is JIM. DEB is positioned so that JIM doesn't notice her at first. He goes to a cupboard and is looking for something. DEB is finding it hard not to laugh and doesn't quite know whether to say something. Eventually JIM turns and sees DEB. He yelps out in fright. When they speak it is with Chippenham accents.

JIM: FUCK!

He makes no attempt to cover his modesty.

JIM: Jesus H fuckin’ christ Deb! You scared the livin’ bejesus out of me you fuckin'! What the?! When d'you get back then? Fuck!

DEB: Just now.

JIM: I'd bloody hug you if I didn't have my nob out.

DEB: Yeh. About that dad…?

He grabs a tea towel and covers up.

JIM: What, your dad's gonads not good enough for you eh?

DEB: Er…

JIM: Fuckin’ hell you're back!

DEB: Yeh I am.

JIM: I thought I was gonna pick you up?

DEB: Me too.

JIM: You never told me when though.

DEB: Yeh I did. But no matter. Honestly. Got the bus.

JIM: Got the fuckin’ bus? Fucksake. Serve our country and got the bus. Sorry mate.

DEB: Honestly don't stress.

JIM: Well I knew it would be today or tomorrow or somethin’ I just didn't know the exact time.

DEB: Seriously. Don't.

JIM: Well. Look atchoo. Jo's gonna be stoked. Seriously. She's been plannin’ your return dinner for weeks.

DEB: I don't want a fuss.

JIM: Why not?! Almost two years you dickhead.

DEB: Make that a year and a half.

JIM: You say potato. Oh mate. Not spent proper time with you in ages. Nice of you to bless us with your presence this time.

DEB: Don't start. You know I needed a holiday. A proper one.

JIM: Yeh I know. Glad to be home then?

DEB: Yeh.

JIM: Well I am. I'm glad you're home. All the shit in the papers about. Well. I'm glad you're in one piece. It would have been a fucker if you'd lost a limb eh? Got burnt or summat?

DEB: Better than dyin’ though eh?

JIM: Is it? Complete change of lifestyle. Complete change to the way you live.

DEB: Yeh well. I had mates that we lost so. Maybe a drink?

JIM: Yeh you don't wanna be talkin’ about this now eh? But I mean – we'd have had to convert this place for you. Do you get money to do that from the army? Do they sort you out with kit if you're disabled in combat and that?

DEB: Yeh I guess. Can I have a drink?

JIM: Help yourself. I doubt they'd completely help you though. I bet most of the burden lays on the family don't it? We'd be the ones left moppin’ you up eh?

DEB: Yeh well I'm fine in-I? Can we leave it? Do you want one too?

DEB has gone to the fridge and puls out a couple of beers.

JIM: Go on then.

DEB: All changed.

JIM: What's that then?

DEB: This place.

JIM: Jo did a rejig. Better aint it?

DEB: Yeh.

JIM: 'cept the frogs. Fucking frogs everywhere. Jo loves her frogs.

DEB: Yeh I know.

JIM: Lick of paint. Scrubbed up alright.

DEB: What did you do with all mum's stuff then?

JIM: Who's that then?

DEB: Dad…

JIM: Yeh alright. Chucked it didenI?

DEB: Yeh.

JIM: Well I weren't gonna keep it was I? Erect a shrine? She aint dead.

DEB: She may as well be.

JIM: Yeh too right mate. ‘If I never see her again’ and all that.

DEB: Yeh. Jo alright is she?

JIM: Course she is. Life of riley that girl. Got it made.

DEB: Yeh you're really livin’ the high life aintcha?

JIM: I aint heard her complainin'.

DEB: She's done a good job. Anyways. Would you mind puttin’ some clothes on maybe?

JIM: I'd just had a shower see?

DEB: I don't want to know what you've been doin’ thanks. What were you lookin’ for?

JIM: Fags.

DEB: In the kitchen cupboard?

JIM: Jo's been hidin’ them. Tryin’ to get me to stop.

DEB: Is it working?

JIM: Is it fuck.

DEB gets a pack of fags out and offers him one.

DEB: Here y'are.

JIM: Hold that thought. I'll be back after I made meself decent.

DEB: Gonna take more than clothes to achieve that.

JIM: Cheeky bastard....