Light Falls by Simon Stephens

Author:Simon Stephens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Part Three

Bernard stands in the dining room of his house.

Furniture has been pushed to one side.

Chairs around the side of the room.

Some drinks and food gathered on tables at the edge of the room.

Polystyrene plates and cups and plastic knives and forks.

There are some photos of Christine.

He is holding a bottle of fruit smoothie.

He reads the ingredients label.

He is dressed in a black suit with a white shirt.

Jess enters. She, like the rest of her family is dressed for her Mum’s funeral.

Bernard Amazing the things they put in here you know.

There are ingredients in these things. ‘Some sugar’ it says. But it doesn’t tell you how much sugar. Does it?

Jess No.

Bernard See.

Jess Right.

Bernard Still. Better than nothing I expect.

Jess Yes. Here.

She hands him a black tie.

Bernard Thanks love.

Jess That’s okay.

He looks at the tie before putting it on.

Are you all set now?

Bernard I think so.

Jess I had a look at the washing machine for you.

Bernard Thank you.

Jess I think it’s fine now Dad.

Bernard Yes.

Jess She just left a wash in but it’s not serious. We can pop it on again if you’re worried.

Bernard No. No. You’re okay.

He goes to head out and stops himself.

Funny. The whole business of clothes. What precisely to do with the things.

Jess Yeah.

Bernard If there’s anything of hers that any of you want.

Jess We’ll sort it out tomorrow, Dad.

Bernard I don’t think I’ll keep them.

Jess It’s a problem for another day.

Bernard That would be a bit odd. Keeping her clothes.

Jess Yeah.

Michael and Andy enter.

They are both carrying sofa/chairs.

Maybe they carry one big one together.

Jess Thank you boys.

Bernard I can help do that.

Andy You’re all right, Bernard.

Bernard I’m not entirely useless.

Andy It’s really not a problem.

Michael How many people do you think there are going to be, Jess?

Jess Quite a few I think. More than I thought. She had a lot of friends from the office, from her work and quite a few of her friends from round here have said they’re going to come. A couple of her school friends got in touch as well.

Bernard Better to be prepared than to be taken completely by surprise. That’s my motto.

They look at him.

He leaves.

Andy leaves to get more chairs.

Michael You okay?

Jess I am. I’m fine. Are you?

Michael Yeah. Yeah. Andy’s nice.

Jess Yeah. He’s funny.

Michael Said to let us know if we were ever likely to be flying anywhere. He reckoned he could get us an upgrade.

Jess Maybe we should. Just bugger off somewhere.

This must be a bit odd for you isn’t it?

Michael There are more odd things.

Jess Did you tell McKenzie you were coming here?

Michael I told him I was going to stay with my friend Jess. He’s with his mum.

Jess You can go home any time you want to.

Michael Don’t be stupid.

As long as you’re okay.

Jess Knobhead.

Michael Hey.

He goes to her.

Quick. Before anybody notices.

They kiss.

Right. Chairs.

Andy and Steven come in carrying some more chairs.

Andy The flowers look amazing.

Michael Yeah. They do. He’s right.

Jess She liked roses.

Andy Better than lilies I reckon.

Jess I know.

Andy I never liked the way that lilies smell.

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