CAST OF CHARACTERS:

George : Elizabeth’s husband.
Elizabeth : George's wife.
Patricia : Elizabeth’s daughter.
Monica : Patricia’s friend.
John : George’s friend.
Julia : Elizabeth’s colleague.
Brian : Uncle.
Shuntell : Elizabeth's mother.
Mr Van Wyk : School teacher.
Daniel : Local hospital doctor.
Terence : Classmate.
Sarah : Social Worker.

CHAPTER 1
SCENE 1
Elizabeth's house, kitchen – Night.
Elizabeth is washing dishes with her daughter Patricia.

PATRICIA
: (Sobbing) I am very worried; tomorrow I am not going to school. I feel like holed myself inside my room.

ELIZABETH
: My daughter, what is wrong with you?

PATRICIA
: Dad is always hit you, I don’t want to stay here. What if dad makes something stupid? I am not safe here.

ELIZABETH
: I know this issue is hurting and disturbing you. I am trying my best to stop this.

PATRICIA
: My teacher warned me about school work, you see this fight is affecting my work?


(Elizabeth stop washing the dishes, they both sit down.)

ELIZABETH
: Look, my daughter, everything is going to be alright, trust God.

PATRICIA
: I understand Ma, but this situation has affected me.

ELIZABETH
: God is watching us, and I know one day He will protect us. Just hang in there.

PATRICIA
: Ma, I hope so. I wish I could leave this house and stay with my friend.

(George arrive, he is drunk and holding a bottle of beer)

GEORGE
: Hey! Go to your room, I want to speak to your mother. (Point to Elizabeth) We still have a lot to talk about.


ELIZABETH
: (Angry) You know what? You are disgusting, you deserve God.

GEORGE
: (Shouting) Hey you! Watch your tone, I am your husband. You ought to respect me.

ELIZABETH
: You didn't clean the house, when I got here everything was a mess. I made you breakfast but you are busy drinking my money. I think you need to find a job.

GEORGE
: Hey! Watch your tone before I disable you, I am still looking. Do you think I am folding my hands?

ELIZABETH
: The fact remains, you are useless and I regret myself living with you. You are disgusting, useless man.

GEORGE
: (Point her) I am warning you Elizabeth, watch your tone.

ELIZABETH
: (Stand and point a finger) Wow! You? I mean you? In fact, you deserve to die not God. I wish you could live with the lions and see who the boss is.

GEORGE
: I call the shots here! I can see that since you got this job you control me and I am not going to allow that.

ELIZABETH
: (Aggressive) What are you talking about? Yes because I am the breadwinner.

GEORGE
: (Point a finger) I am warning you, young lady, mind your words, please.

ELIZABETH
: (Spit saliva on face) You are useless, I don't see the reason to live with you, I wish I could find a better man; not this abusive man.

(George hit Elizabeth and she fall)

GEORGE
: (Aggressive) You deserve to go to hell! Now leave here before I kill you.

(Elizabeth run to her room crying, George take a sip and leave the house shouting)

SCENE 2
Sis Ali’s Bar- Day.
John and George are sitting down and having a chat.

JOHN
: Hey man, what is wrong with you? Talk to me, my friend.

GEORGE
: (Take a sip) Nothing boss, I am just having my drink with peace, listen to this song.

JOHN
: I am not your child; I heard that you are abusing your wife. My friend stop this madness you are having.


GEORGE
: Listen here, you moron! Elizabeth is my wife and this has nothing to do with you.

JOHN
: You are stupid; you need to respect a woman. (George take a sip, he is not responding) Look my friend; treat a lady like a queen.

GEORGE
: I am a man, a woman must listen to me. I am the head here, a woman must obey me.

JOHN
: (Point a finger) I am warning you, buddy, South Africa is fighting against abuse.

GEORGE
: (Shouting) Hey! No one will tell me how to live with my wife. Leave.

JOHN
: I am not leaving here, I am staying and you ought to listen to me.

(George stand and smash a bottle on a table. People scream)

GEORGE
: I said leave before I slit your throat.

(John is leaving, and George sit)

SCENE 3
Boitumelo High school, classroom- Day.
Patricia is sitting on a desk sobbing and wiping her tears.

PATRICIA
: (Sobbing) This life is unfair, I deserve to die. I can’t go back to that house. But why me? (Monica sit next to her)

MONICA
: My friend, what is eating you? Please don’t do this to yourself.

PATRICIA
: I can’t live like this. I am afraid to go back to that house, what if he does something to me?


MONICA
: I am here for you, remember our friendship is important and I am here to support you.

PATRICIA
: There is something wrong with my Dad, my mother is a punching bag. I can’t see her like that. (Crying)

MONICA
: (Hug her) Look, my friend, you need to give yourself peace. Ask God to guide you and He will protect you.

PATRICIA
: I will try my best, my friend, I thank God for bringing you into my life.

MONICA
: Remember happiness is important in our lives, I have an idea.

PATRICIA
: (Surprised) An idea?

MONICA
: Look, give me your phone. I am going to download Namola.

PATRICIA
: (Laugh) What is Namola? You like jokes, okay here is my phone and show me your App.

(She handed the phone to Monica)


MONICA
: This App is going to help you, I can say it’s a panic button in an understandable language.

PATRICIA
: Wow, you are very smart my friend.

MONICA
: See? It is good. I have set everything.

PATRICIA
: Thank you very much, my friend, I appreciate this. Let us leave and do some homework.

SCENE 4
Elizabeth’s house, dining room- Night.
The family is having dinner.

GEORGE
: (Stop eating) My love, can we talk, please?
(Elizabeth is not answering, she keeps eating) Gosh! Elizabeth I am talking here. Please talk to me, this issue is very important.

ELIZABETH
: Table manners please, I am still eating, we will talk.

GEORGE
: (Clear his throat) Elizabeth I am not joking here, Look I want to say I am sorry. We can have peace and forget the past.

ELIZABETH
: Just like that? But you already insulted me. I really don’t understand who you are.

GEORGE
: I was stressed about the job, and I thought you would leave me. I am so sorry.

ELIZABETH
: Wow! You are full of jokes. Why would I leave you? You are very lucky to have a woman like me. I have already forgiven you.

GEORGE
: Look, my love, I am ready to change and have a peaceful life.

ELIZABETH
: I am glad to hear that, I hope one day you’d come into your senses.

GEORGE
: Lerato, my daughter, I am so sorry for causing chaos. I hope one day you’d pass and make me proud.

PATRICIA
: Be a good father to me. I can’t concentrate at school but this time I will make progress.

ELIZABETH
: Apology accepted. If you try with your madness again it is over.

(They make a family hug and cheer)

SCENE 5
Municipality’s offices- Day.
Julia and Elizabeth are having lunch at the office.

JULIA
: Look, my friend, I hope you slept well. I saw something is not good.

ELIZABETH
: Don’t worry my friend, everything is fine. Have you watched Muvhango yesterday?

JULIA
: Is your husband abusing you? I noticed something to you, tell me what is going on.

ELIZABETH
: As I've said, everything is fine. Yesterday we fixed our issues, my friend. He apologized.

JULIA
: The abusers will always say sorry, you need to open a case and get this man arrested.

ELIZABETH
: Now you are becoming mad, how can you say that? This is my husband and I love him.

JULIA
: I am warning you, George will always abuse you. Look my friend you need to act fast.

ELIZABETH
: Gosh, why don’t you understand that we fixed everything? Don't start, please.

JULIA
: I don’t have time to listen to this madness, divorce him and live your life. I am going to confront him.

ELIZABETH
: (Nervous) No….. No………. No, you can’t do that, you are going to ruin my marriage. Think before you act.

JULIA
: (Raise voice) What is the use of staying in a toxic marriage? You are dying inside, can’t you see that?

ELIZABETH
: (Sigh) I think you need to leave my office, you are shouting at me. I love my husband the way he is.

JULIA
: My friend, I am trying to help…………..

ELIZABETH
: I said leave my office now, please before I make a scene.

(Julia leave her)


Chapter 2 is coming tomorrow.