The December Man (L'homme de décembre)

Colleen Murphy

• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press
• Year: 2007
• ISBN:
  9780369102591
• Topic: Literatura
• Subtopic: Arte dramático

In the aftermath of the 1989 Montreal Massacre, Benoît and Kathleen do everything they can to help their beloved son cope with his guilt and rage… but Jean's young life becomes unglued.

Using humour and the humdrum of everyday life, Murphy intuitively moves backwards in time to the fateful day when Jean, the only ray of hope in this working-class family, escaped the massacre… or thought he did. This searing drama on courage, heroism, and despair explores the long private shadow that public violence casts. Winner of the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award for Drama and the 2008 CAA Carol Bolt Award.

Scene Eight

“…you’re safe, Jean, you’re safe.”

December 1989.

The living room is dark. Streetlights and a hint of cold snowy weather leak through the sheers.

The back door is heard opening and closing… then the sound of stamping boots knocking off snow. After a moment, KATHLEEN enters and turns on the lights. She wears her old winter coat, a pair of knitted slippers on her feet, and carries a very large Hudson’s Bay bag that she gently lays on the couch… then she exits SR.

In the corner stands the first incarnation of JEAN’s design project, a meticulous model, an austere miniature skeletal frame for a tall, ultra modern building.

After a moment, KATHLEEN re-enters sans her coat. She hums a Christmas carol as she closes the drapes, turns on the lamp then exits SL. Everything in the living room is neat and polished. She re-enters carrying a newspaper. She drops the paper on the Lazee-Boy then exits SR. From the kitchen can be heard the sound of cupboard doors opening and pots and dishes being taken out. The back door is heard opening and closing again, then the sound of stamping boots.

BENOÎT: (off) Bonjour, ma belle.

KATE: (off) You remember to bring back your spare lunch pail? I had to pack Jean’s lunch in a paper bag this morning.

BENOÎT: (off) Tomorrow for sure, ma belle.

KATE: (off) For sure, ma belle, for sure.

BENOÎT enters the living room from SR, his face still red from the cold outside, knitted slippers on his feet. He notices the bag.

BENOÎT: Whatcha do? Buy out the store?

KATHLEEN enters wearing an apron.

KATE: Got it on sale, eh.

KATHLEEN reaches into the bag and pulls out a man’s red winter parka.

They come in black and navy but I like the red. Simone and I went over to the Bay at lunch. She got tights and sweaters for her girls. Usually don’t get these big sales ’til after Christmas. (holds up the parka) Think he’ll like it?

BENOÎT: C’est bien beau, c’est sharp.

KATE: Try it on.

He does so.

Put up the hood.

He pulls the hood over his head.

Looks good, eh?

BENOÎT: Yep. Nice and warm, too.

KATE: Sure he’ll like it?

BENOÎT: Yep. Santa gonna bring me one like this for Christmas, too?

KATE takes the parka off BENOÎT.

KATE: Keep dreaming.

BENOÎT: If I’m good, eh?

KATE: Good, bad, doesn’t matter—we can’t afford a new parka for you ’til next year.

BENOÎT: …ahhh.

KATE: Don’t know where I’m gonna get big enough wrapping paper to cover it.

BENOÎT: Put in a box—makes it smaller.

KATE: The Bay didn’t have boxes big enough.

BENOÎT: Might be an empty one in the basement somewhere.

KATE: Go down and see.

BENOÎT stares at the jacket.

BENOÎT: Maybe it’s too… too young.

KATE: Size 40 isn’t young. Besides I can’t return it—final sale.

BENOÎT: It’s the hood… like little kiddies wear.

KATE: It’s removable. See, Jean can just unzip it like so…

She unzips the hood.

BENOÎT: Looks better like that—more manly.

KATE: Too cold to be running around without a hood.

BENOÎT: Better put it away case he walks in.

KATE: I’ll hide it in our bedroom—run down and get that box.

BENOÎT: He got a...