Denied - The legend of Patricia

Act 1 Scene 1

Patricia is in her room, when she hears noises coming from the parlor. It is about 12am. Patricia is reading for an upcoming test when Simon and Pete knock on her door to inform her that something is happening in the parlor. She ushers them to sleep as she makes her way to the living room to discover a heated argument between Alfred and Daniella. All she could do was cry as Alfred shoved her aside, dragged her to her room and locked the doors behind her, taking the keys.

Patricia: (reading out loud) Reproduction can be defined as the process whereby parent organisms.... (distracted) Where is this noise coming from? They can't be doing this again now, not this night.

(Knock on the door)

Patricia: Who is it? (unlocks the door and opens it)

Simon: Sister, Mummy and Daddy have started their nonsense again.

Pete: Yes!

Patricia: What happened this time around?

Simon: It's like Daddy was looking for his suit and mummy said she forgot it at the drycleaners place, that's why he's shouting at mummy like a dog.

Patricia: Don't say that!

Pete: Why should he not say that? Alfred is fortunate i am not of age. What I would have done to him?

Simon: Pete in fact let's go there. Patricia are you coming?

Patricia: Go where? Let me just tell you now that the only place you are going to, is your room!

Simon: Why should he be beating mummy like that? He keeps oppressing mummy, it's not fair.

Pete: He's even calling her stupid, can you hear?

Simon: It is only God that will judge him.

Patricia: It's okay, lets go to your room. Let's go!

Simon: (hisses) Daddy is lucky, because, because...

Patricia: Lets go, stay silent. If he meets you here it would not be funny.

(Patricia takes them to their room)

Fine, Daddy and mummy are fighting, they always do, but that does not give you any right to question their authority. After all, they feed you, they buy you clothes and you live under their roof.

Pete: Excuse me, Sister, I don't live under a roof. I live in a house.

Simon: Dunbskull, it is a literacy term.

Patricia: (chuckles) the two of you will not kill me, go to bed. I know the noise is loud, just try and take cover.

Pete: Patricia, what do you mean by cover? It's blanket and duvet I know...

Patricia: If you like, don't sleep, let dad come and meet you. I'm going.

Simon: In fact, go! Like you can change anything with you staying.

Pete: It's true, go, go and read your book.

(Patricia leaves the boys room and shuts the door quietly. She then heads to the parlor)

Daniella: That's why you are a stupid man!

Alfred: You call me stupid, I'll pierce you with this knife. Useless woman!

Daniella: Useless and good for nothing man!

Alfred: If you mention anything again, your throat will feel it, I bet you.

Daniella: Just because I forgot the suit at the drycleaners place you insult me and make me look like someone who doesn't have motives. You! You will suffer in this house, I will show you that Benin women never carry last. You don't know anything!

Alfred: (reaches for her neck and shows a rather evil grin as Patricia approaches)

Patricia: (sobbing) Daddy is it not okay, all the trouble can't make Pete and Simon go to bed.

Alfred: Are you mad? Why are you awake?

Daniella: Don't insult my daughter, don't try it. When you have been barking like a dog, how will she sleep?

Alfred: (Slaps Daniella) I'm talking, you're talking. I'll come back for you (spits). Now, you miss corrector, you believe you can put your mouth in issues that do not concern you. (Slaps Daniella by the face and drags her violently to her room) Shut up your mouth!

Daniella: (Still recovering from the slap in the parlor) Wicked man! Leave my daughter alone!

Alfred: (Lands blow upon blows on Patricia) So far you are a Raymond, you will never rest in this house. Evil witch!

(Alfred walks out and locks Patricia behind the door, practically pained from the blows impounded on her).