Daddy Daze Daughter Dancing #1
by Jacob Juntunen
MAN 1: A man of forty
MAN 2: A man of forty
DOULA: A woman of any age
DOCTOR: A woman
MAN 2: A man of forty
DOULA: A woman of any age
DOCTOR: A woman
Setting:
A chair and a door.
(MAN 1 sits, head in hands, facing the door upstage.
MAN 2 and DOULA are in hospital scrubs including hats, booties, and masks that
are down around their necks. They stand downstage.)
MAN 1
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
MAN 2
Why is he praying?
Why is he praying?
DOULA
He’s waiting for the door of the theatre to open.
He’s waiting for the door of the theatre to open.
MAN 1
I will fear no evil…
I will fear no evil…
DOULA
He’s scared it won’t be successful. He’s waited so long for this night, to see what they created.
He’s scared it won’t be successful. He’s waited so long for this night, to see what they created.
MAN 2
Didn’t they practice for tonight?
Didn’t they practice for tonight?
DOULA
Oh, yes. They’ve been preparing for months.
Oh, yes. They’ve been preparing for months.
MAN 1
For Thou art with me…
For Thou art with me…
DOULA
But, successful or not, what happens in that theatre tonight will change his life forever.
But, successful or not, what happens in that theatre tonight will change his life forever.
MAN 1
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me…
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me…
MAN 2
Why isn’t he in there?
Why isn’t he in there?
DOULA
They’re putting up the curtain, putting on their gowns.
They’re putting up the curtain, putting on their gowns.
MAN 1
Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies…
Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies…
MAN 2
What’s he holding?
What’s he holding?
DOULA
He’s holding her engagement and wedding rings. She can’t wear them on the table.
He’s holding her engagement and wedding rings. She can’t wear them on the table.
(The DOCTOR opens the door in surgical scrubs, mask
around her neck.)
DOCTOR
We’re scrubbed up and ready for you.
We’re scrubbed up and ready for you.
(MAN 1 doesn’t hear.)
MAN
1
Thou annointest my head with oil;
Thou annointest my head with oil;
MAN
2
Wait, wait, wait: who is he?
Wait, wait, wait: who is he?
DOULA
The old you.
The old you.
DOCTOR
The anesthesiologist is done, and we’ve got a chair for you behind the curtain so you can hold your wife’s hand during the whole procedure. A C-section is very common. You don’t need to worry.
The anesthesiologist is done, and we’ve got a chair for you behind the curtain so you can hold your wife’s hand during the whole procedure. A C-section is very common. You don’t need to worry.
DOULA
Your life will be completely different after you leave this theatre.
Your life will be completely different after you leave this theatre.
MAN
2
My cup runneth over…
My cup runneth over…
(The DOCTOR begins to lead MAN 2 and DOULA through
the door.)
DOCTOR
It’s great you hired a doula for support.
It’s great you hired a doula for support.
DOULA
It’s great that this hospital lets doulas be with the parents in the operating room.
It’s great that this hospital lets doulas be with the parents in the operating room.
DOCTOR
The more the merrier.
The more the merrier.
(The DOCTOR goes through the door.)
DOULA
Tell yourself goodbye.
Tell yourself goodbye.
(DOULA goes through the door. MAN 2 takes the rings from MAN 1.)
MAN
2
(to MAN 1) Goodbye. Thanks for getting me here.
(to MAN 1) Goodbye. Thanks for getting me here.
(MAN 2 walks towards the door.)
MAN
2 (cont.)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
(MAN 2 is through the door.)
MAN
1
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(Blackout.)
