Sisters
By Mary Katherine Schmitz
Act 1
Scene 1
A small room is filled with only a bed and a lone chair. The room is cold and everything looks faded and tired. A young girl of about twenty sits by her father's bed in despair. This girl will soon return in the play a full six years later.
Maria: I do not know what I will do without you.
Richard: You will live on.
Maria: I beg you to stay forever.
Richard: It is my time, I am deeply sorry I will never see you marry. You will be a good wife one day. Be sure the man you marry loves you and you him. And promise me one thing.
Maria: Anything father, what is it?
Richard: Take care of your mother, do not abandon her like I will be doing.
Maria: Father, you are not abandoning us, you are going to God.
Richard: I wish that was true.
Maria: Father, it is! It is true!
Richard: Okay my darling, I love you.
Maria: I love you too. A soft knock on the door tells Maria her turn is up.
Scene 2
Three years later the memory of their father had faded to the back of their minds. The Taylor plantation was no longer as big of a plantation as is was when Abigail Domhnall was a child. The land had been divided up to small tenant farms that paid the family yearly with almost everything they earned that year. Abigail was born a Taylor and inherited the land when her father and mother died, she had no brothers to take it from her. It would be taken, however, when she married. Richard Domhnall was a man born to modest means, at least in the eyes of Abigail's mother who strongly disapproved of the match.
As a child, Abigail was spoiled horribly. After the passing of her father, her mother only found joy when purchasing lavish luxuries. This trait would be inherited, but when she met Richard, she had convinced herself that she would be happy without the money she had always known. They had to live frugally due to Richard's low income and many years of poor crops, but they were happy.
The drawing room was particularly cold one evening, outside was no warmer. The first snow in years was drifting outside, killing more than the crops.
Maria: Mother, I have something to tell you.
Domhnall: Are you nervous dear? The big day is only hours away!
Maria: I cannot get married.
Domhnall: Don't be silly darling, of course you will. You must believe me, he is quiet a chap!
Maria: His letters have been very sweet. He is not my problem.
Domhnall: What is bothering you sweets?
Maria: I am damaged.
Domhnall: Is this about father? I know its hard without him.
Maria: I am no good for market.
Domhnall: What the hell do you mean?
Maria: Exactly what you think
Domhnall: Maria! She slaps her I thought I taught you better! How could you ruin your body before your husband could have you?
