The Gentile

by Elana Cohen

CHARACTERS:

RUTH (Mother in her 50s-60s. Wears house wife appearal and speaks in a think Jewish accent)
ABE (Father in his late 50s-60s. )
DEVORA (Daughter)

Scene: Small living room, couch in the center of the room with a plastic cover on it. A woman is tidying the room.

RUTH: (Thick Jewish accent) She's going to be here any minute. Abe, stop tinkering around down there and come up stairs.

ABE: (From off stage) She said she would be here at five... it's four fifteen right now. We have plenty of time.

RUTH: (As Abe enters form off stage wiping his hands) I suppose so, but you know Devora, always arriving early... She gets that form my side of the family you know.

ABE: I know, dear. (Checks his watch) I think I'll take a quick nap before she gets here. (Walks over to recliners and sits down)

RUTH: Oh that's fine dear. I'll just be straightening up a little more. (Begins to straighten already perfect room). Abe dear?

ABE: (Eyes still closed) Yes dear?

RUTH: Did you remember to the challah for shabbas?

ABE: Yes dear.

RUTH: Oh good dear. Just wanted to make sure... go back to sleep dear. (Abe drifts back to sleep) (Pause) Abe?

ABE: Mm dear?

RUTH: Do we have any candles?

 ABE: In the drawer dear.

RUTH: I thought we were out for some reason...

ABE: Would you like me to check dear?

RUTH: No, no. it's fine. You just focus on your rest. (Pause a little longer then the others). Oh, Abe?

ABE: (Obviously exasperated) Yes dear?

RUTH: Oh, never mind, it's not important.

ABE: Are you sure dear?

RUTH: Yes, yes. It’s fine. Go to sleep, you need your rest.

(Ruth Straightens for a little while then looks up at the clock)

RUTH: Abe, she should have been here five minutes ago! Do you think something happened? Should I call?

ABE: I'm sure she's fine. She'll be here soon, there's no need to fret.

RUTH: You're right, you're right. You're always right. I'm just excited, that's all. How do you think she'll look?

ABE: What?

RUTH: Do you think she'll look any different?

ABE: Darling, she's 30... and it's only been a few months since we've seen her last. I don't think she'll look any different.

RUTH: (Chuckling) oh you’re probably right...

(Door bell rings)

RUTH: Oh! She’s here! (Opens the door) Devora! Oh my medele, how have you been? It’s so good to see you. You look so tan! Have you been in the sun? I hope you wore sunscreen...

DEVORA: Hi ma. I'm doing good. Sorry I'm a little late.

RUTH: That's just fine darling. (Whispering loudly) you get that from your father's side you know.

(Abe gives Devora a hug)

ABE: Hhow are you love?

DEVORA: I'm good, I'm good.

RUTH: Well, now that we know how everyone is doing, let's sit down at the table. (All sit down, light candles, tears challah. Ruth starts bringing in platters of food and everyone starts eating)

ABE: So, what have you been up to lately?

DEVORA: You know the usual. Work is fine. I don't know. Life is pretty good. How about you? Anything especially new?

ABE: Nothing new here. Just a bunch of tired old people sitting around. I started another model.

DEVORA: Oh yeah? How’s it going?

ABE: Fine.

(Ruth is sitting by now)

DEVORA: Actually, I do have one piece of news.

RUTH: What's wrong? Do you need money? Are you looking for a place to stay? Are you pregnant?

DEVORA: Ma, no. don't be so dramatic. But I've been seeing someone.

RUTH: Oh darling, that's wonderful! What’s his name?

DEVORA: (While eating) Daniel.

RUTH: Daniel. Well that's a fine Jewish name. What's his last name.

DEVORA: (Mouth half full not looking up) Griffin.

RUTH: (Pause) Griffin?

DEVORA: (Still not looking up) Mmhmm.

RUTH: Griffinstien?

DEVORA: No, ma. just Griffin.

RUTH: Did his dad convert? (Short pause) or is he just half Jewish?

DEVORA: Uh.. well actually, Daniel.. is... well he's not... Jewish.

(Everything is silent besides for Devora's eating)

DEVORA: Ma, this is really good. What's it called again?

RUTH: Not Jewish?

DEVORA: Not exactly...

RUTH: Not exactly? What does that mean?

DEVORA: Well I mean... he's atheist, so he doesn't really believe in anything...

RUTH: Is that supposed to make me feel better?!?

(Pause)

DEVORA: We're moving in together.

RUTH: What? How can you possibly move in together? How long have you know this boy for? Two weeks? You two don't know each other well enough to move in together.

DEVORA: Ma, yes we do. We've been dating for a couple of months but I've known him for a few years as a friend. Can't you be happy for me?

RUTH: Darling, your young, you don't know what you want. I tell you what. Move back home and I'll introduce you to some nice Jewish boys and it will be great.

DEVORA: I'm not moving back home. Be reasonable, this is not that big of a deal.

RUTH: Do you hear this? My daughter is moving in with a goy. (Talk continuously) What did I do to deserve this? I was a good mother was I not?
please, tell me what i did that made you want to go and run off with a gentile. How can you even know he's the right one? Have you even slept with him?

(Abe slowly moves off stage)

DEVORA: Ma!

RUTH: I'm just saying. How can you know if you someone is the right person if you haven't even shared intimate relations with them. There is a lot at stake here darling.

DEVORA: (Sighs) Ma, I really don't want to go into this....

RUTH: Do you really want to buy the house without seeing the basement? These things are important! I mean, what if your father-

DEVORA: OKAY! Enough. Yes, I have slept with Daniel. Is that better?

RUTH: (Wailing) My baby! My baby has been corrupted! Sex before marriage? How could you do this to me? I don't even know you anymore. Do you see what you're doing to me? Are you trying to make me have a heart attack?

DEVORA: Ma, come on. Be reasonable, of course I don't want that. I love you ma, I'm just asking that you respect my decisions, that's all.

RUTH: Well, you have an awfully funny way of showing it, that's all I have to say. You waltz in here and tell me your getting married to a non Jew, you tell me I'm being ridiculous in my own home and then you tell me I don't love you.

DEVORA: Ma, stop. I'm not marring him for one, or at least not yet, and two, when did I ever say you didn't love me?

RUTH: So you are going to marry him! Oh, I knew it. All my hard work over the years. Tell me what I could have done better.

DEVORA: I mean, maybe someday, but not anytime soon. Ma, you're twisting my words.

RUTH: You're breaking my heart, Devora. My heart is breaking. You used to be my little girl, but now look at you. (starts to sing) Is this the little girl I carried? (continues humming over Debora's talking)

DEVORA: Ma, stop it. This is not the end of the world.

RUTH: Sure, easy for you to say, but who will give me good Jewish grandchildren? Not you apparently. This concerns more then just yourself, you know.

DEVORA: What about Lior? She already gave you three!

RUTH: But they're so far away.

DEVORA: So they just don't count?

RUTH: Of course they count. What are you talking about? What do you think I am? It's that they're all the way in Oregon and it's so rare that they visit...

DEVORA: Besides, I never said that I wouldn't have kids, or that I wouldn't raise them Jewish. I'm not abandoning my faith.

RUTH: Sure, not yet. But soon he'll want you to be going with him to church and take communion and next thing you know you'll be baptised and changing your name to "Gretchen".

DEVORA: He's not even christian! I told you, he's athiest. And why would I change my name to Getchen?

RUTH: You know how these things happen. You don't see them coming and then BAM! My daughter's a Cathalic.

DEVORA: Don't be absurd. Ma, I promsie that I won't convert to Catholasism. Promise.

RUTH: (Looking around the room) Where did your father go?

DEVORA: (Also looking around) I'm not sure... (Calling out) Dad?

RUTH: Abe? Abe where did you go?

(Lights fade out as the two women get up to search for Abe)