Play #25

A Father's Gift

__________________________

A short play written for

the 2018
31 Plays in 31 Days
Challenge

By Joseph Frost

Contact:
Joseph Frost
4550 Normandy Dr
Jackson, MS 39206
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
 Joseph. At the bottom of a pit.

JOSEPH
I used to have a colorful coat. My father gave it to me, not for my birthday or anything.
He came out into the field one day, my ten older brothers watching. Twenty eyes glaring.
I don’t know why he didn’t understand how it made them felt. I don’t know why I didn’t
think of that at the time either. It’s all I think about now. How it made them feel. Why
didn’t my father give them coats like it? Or did he, and it was just before I was born? I
don’t know why they were angry at me, because I was given a gift. I didn’t ask for it,
didn’t angle to get it, or scheme. It wasn’t my idea to rub it in their face - I was given a
beautiful gift, and so I used it. I wore my coat, like you wear a coat. And when you’d
normally wear one. And each day, they hated me more. What was I supposed to do -
leave a gift like that in a closet? Hide it from them? Have my father ask me what I’ve
done with it? I wore it. Proudly. Because I love my father and I want him to know I
appreciated him.
(beat)
But now it’s been taken. And I’ve been abandoned.
(beat)
I no longer have a gift from my father.
(beat)
Do I miss my coat, or do I miss my father?

Joseph sits for a few moments.

The end.