By Luvdeep Kaur

Characters:

ODETTE, a woman in her early 20s

DIANE, a woman in her early 50s; owner of The Rage Room

RALPHIE, a man in his mid 20s; DIANE’S son

JAKE, a man in his late 20s; employee of DIANE

Setting:

A room with a check-in desk on stage right. In the middle, there is a door and a giant window through which you can see a rage room. There are lockers on stage left. Daytime. The Present.

Scene 1:

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(ODETTE is in the rage room. She hangs her head, putting on protective goggles and gloves. ODETTE bends down and picks up a hammer. She starts to break a tv. RALPHIE and JAKE enter stage left rolling in a slightly banged up grand piano.)

JAKE

(nudges RALPHIE, gestures toward ODETTE) Looks like someone’s got some major steam to let loose.

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(ODETTE screams inaudibly and moves on to a dresser, ripping out the drawers)

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RALPHIE

20 bucks says it’s a cheating boyfriend.

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JAKE

(laughing) You’re on, but I won’t be the one asking.

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RALPHIE

Come on. Let’s unload the rest of this shit before DIANE gets back.

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JAKE

(slaps RALPHIE on the shoulder) Why do you call her that? She’s your mother for God’s sake. Show some respect.

(RALPHIE shoves JAKE as they exit stage left.)​​

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Scene 2:

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(ODETTE is attacking a mini fridge. DIANE enters stage right with a cleaning cart and notices ODETTE. She organizes some papers at the check-in desk and moves the cart in front of the lockers. DIANE begins mopping the floor, singing to herself.)

(RALPHIE and JAKE enter stage left. They place a bench in front of the grand piano.)

RALPHIE

Hey so we unloaded the truck. Should we put the flat screen in room 2 since there’s already a tv in room 1.

(RALPHIE takes the mop from DIANE and starts cleaning.)

JAKE

(JAKE looks towards ODETTE) At least there was one.

DIANE

They’re meant to be destroyed, and Room 2 is fine, Ralphie.

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(DIANE, RALPHIE, and JAKE watch as ODETTE heaves with exertion trying to rip the door off the mini fridge. ODETTE gives up and kicks it over.)

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JAKE

She doesn’t look too good.

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RALPHIE

She does seem really upset, Mom. Maybe we should check on her.

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JAKE

Be my guest I won’t be risking a repeat of what happened last time I went in. (JAKE rolls his shoulder. He walks over to the piano and starts hitting random keys.)

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RALPHIE

I said I was sorry. The buzzer was broken, and I thought it would be fine since their time was up. How was I supposed to know they would turn on you?

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JAKE

It’s fine man, no permanent damage. (JAKE finds an out-of-tune key, hits it a couple of times, then stops.)

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DIANE

It’s okay. Her time is almost up anyways. I’ll handle it. (She takes the mop back from RALPHIE) Thank you.

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RALPHIE                                                                                           JAKE

Bye                                                                                               See ya.

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(RALPHIE and JAKE exit stage left.)

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Scene 3:

(DIANE walks over to the busted grand piano and opens it up. She starts to tune it. A buzzer sounds and ODETTE sinks to the floor in exhaustion. ODETTE walks out and sits on the bench removing the protective gear.)

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ODETTE

Isn’t that going to get smashed up anyways? What's the point of fixing it?

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DIANE

Well, I suppose it still has a couple pretty notes in it before it’s pushing daisies.

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ODETTE

(ODETTE runs her hand down her face). How’d you end up working at a place like this? If you don’t mind my asking.

DIANE

No, not at all. I actually own it.

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ODETTE

Wow.

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DIANE

It was my son’s idea. Bit of an entrepreneur, that one. (DIANE finishes tuning the piano and closes the lid, sitting down in front of it. She plays a bit of a song.)

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ODETTE

(ODETTE begins to cry, trying to hide it.) That’s beautiful.

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DIANE

Oh dear, are you okay?

ODETTE

(ODETTE wipes away her tears) I’m fine. Where’d you learn how to play?

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DIANE

I only know a bit. My husband taught me; he was the musician of the family. We opened up this place after he passed.

ODETTE

I’m sorry.

DIANE

It’s okay. I love talking about him. Remembering.

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ODETTE

(ODETTE chokes up, but gathers herself.) Why this place. Doesn’t it get to be a bit much at times. All these . . . um . . . emotions running high.

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DIANE

(DIANE gets up and leans on the piano.) Well, I figure there’s a lot of untamed rage in the world. Lord knows I’ve experienced my fair share. It’s going to come out one way or another; might as well be in a place like this. I won’t pretend we’re doing some massive favor to everyone. But it has to be doing some good. To get it all out in here, instead of out there.

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ODETTE

Oh.

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DIANE

I saw you in there. You can tell me if you like. It can be easier sometimes when it’s a stranger.

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ODETTE

(pauses) I’m alone and it’s all my fault. I’ve pushed everyone away.

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(RALPHIE and JAKE walk enter stage left and start cleaning the lockers, but ODETTE doesn’t notice)

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ODETTE (cont’d)

Last night I told my boyfriend that I cheated and I left him. I mean it was a lie, but I—

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RALPHIE

(whispers) I told you it was cheating. Pay up.

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JAKE

No, you said it was a cheating boyfriend. I don’t owe— (ODETTE starts gathering up her things)

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DIANE

(sternly) Boys, out please. You can go clean up room 1.

RALPHIE

Sorry.

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JAKE

Yeah, sorry. We’ll get right on that.

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(RALPHIE and JAKE go inside the room and start cleaning up the wreckage ODETTE left behind)

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ODETTE

I’m sorry. I’ll get out of your hair. (ODETTE starts walking towards the door.)

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DIANE

No, I'm sorry, don't mind them. You’re welcome to stay. I can always use someone to talk to.

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ODETTE

Ok, um. . . thank you. (ODETTE slowly walks back and sits down on the bench.)

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DIANE

So, you said you cheated, but you didn’t . . .

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ODETTE

Yes, well I had to say that. I’m sick.

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DIANE

Sick?

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ODETTE

Cancer.

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DIANE

I see. I’m sorry, dear.

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ODETTE

I don’t really know why I did it. I guess I didn’t want anything to change. In our relationship I mean.

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DIANE

So you ended it.

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ODETTE

Yes, and then I was just left with all this anger.

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DIANE

So you came here.

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ODETTE

Yes. You know what pisses me off the most? The goddam movies.

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DIANE

I’m not following.

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ODETTE

You know all of those movies about cancer patients. Either they survive at the end or they don’t, but you know what they all have in common?

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DIANE

What?

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ODETTE

The acceptance. At some point every single person accepts that they’re gonna die. (flustered) They’re so damn graceful and, and, and peaceful about it.

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DIANE

And that makes you angry.

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ODETTE

I don’t want to leave. It’s like I just got here, I’ve barely done anything.

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DIANE

Well I can’t pretend to know anything about cancer, but you’ve got more life in you than I’ve seen in a long time.

(ODETTE sniffles and wipes her eyes)

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DIANE

I’m sorry. Oh dear, me and my big mouth. I’ve offended you haven’t I?

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ODETTE

(laughing lightly) No, no you’re fine. I just don’t see myself that way— lively.

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DIANE

What do you see then?

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ODETTE

A coward, I’ve always been afraid. Too afraid to even say what I want because I’ll disappoint myself by not being able to get it. And now the clock’s run out and I hate myself for wasting it all.

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DIANE

Now, at the risk of offending you . . . once again: Can I tell you what I think?

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ODETTE

Yeah, go ahead.

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DIANE

I’ve just met you and I can tell that you're brilliant. But you know when that brilliance becomes an issue?

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(ODETTE shakes her head)

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DIANE

When it traps you in your head. You’re not a coward, you are simply misdirecting your efforts. Believe me, self-awareness is great— even necessary. But it can easily turn rancid.

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ODETTE

Even if you’re right, and that is my problem. It’s too late—

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DIANE

My dear, it is never too late for anything. Whether it’s for a lifetime, a year, an hour, or even a single second, you must live, and you must live intentionally. (long pause)

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(DIANE walks over to the cleaning cart and starts fidgeting with the supplies)

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DIANE

(DIANE starts wheeling the cart out of the room) Now that I’ve definitely said too much, my dear, I’ll leave you to it.

(DIANE begins to wheel the cart towards stage right. As she passes by ODETTE, ODETTE gently grabs DIANE’s arm.)

ODETTE

I can’t say that I’m completely rid of my issues, but I feel a bit . . . hopeful, I guess. Thank you.

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(DIANE exits stage right with the cleaning cart. ODETTE sits down at the piano and begins to play a song.)

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End of Play