“Play Excerpt:

Cast of Characters
Eileen Schadow ———————— Woman in middle age
Dr. Aachen ——————————Psychiatrist
Daniel Schadow ———————– Eileen’s son
Malon ————————————-Eileen’s former lover, a younger man
Dr. Benjamin Schadow ————–Eileen’s husband
Ms. Gold ——————————-A young woman, Dr. Schadow’s assistant
Ferryman ——————————-Old man

Time: The near future

Setting: A bare stage with four minimal settings: a psychiatrist’s office; a
living area with sofa; a laboratory with a computer and whiteboard: a skiff.

Running time: 20 – 30 mjnutes

SCENE 2
(In the living room. Daniel jumps to his feet from sofa as his mother enters.)
EILEEN: Dan, you must help me. The fact is, I don’t know whether I’m —
DANIEL: Mother. This has got to stop. Your going on about these…dreams
of yours. What is it, some change of life thing? (He touches his ear; a dial
tone sounds.)Let me call this fellow I know. There are drugs for this
kind of problem.
EILEEN: Drugs might be part of the problem.
(He watches her so narrowly she falters)
EILEEN: I’m not sure I…feel well these days.
DANIEL: You look beautiful, Momma. But tired.
(He hesitates, then comes to her. She leans her head on his shoulder. A tableau)
DANIEL: You’re still upset from the accident. And no wonder, you were
lucky to come out with just a shaking up. Why don’t you have a glass
of wine? Take a hot bath. I love you, Dad loves you, and we’re glad
you’re okay. Everything will be fine.
EILEEN: But how did I come out of it, Dan?
DANIEL: Who cares! Just stop obsessing over it!
(He pats her back once more and releases her. She sniffles a little as she digs in her
handbag)
EILEEN: Well —
DANIEL: Chill, Momma, take it easy. Stop imagining things.
EILEEN: All right. I’ll try. But, Dan? What puzzles me —
DANIEL: What?
EILEEN: When I left Dr Aachen’s office a little while ago — I went to open
the door to my car – my little white Casuel, you know? The one I got
when I sold the boutique. And I happened to think, and I went around
front and — I could see myself perfectly in the paint. Not a ripple.
DANIEL: So?
EILEEN: And I looked real close, and ran my fingernails over it. That car’s
never been in an accident.
(Daniel looks at her in silence. Lights out.)”