A New Memory
A NEW MEMORY
Written by
Alejo Cerrato
Characters: 2
CHAD, 40+
LUNA, 50+
Synopsis:
CHAD and LUNA have been married for a couple of years. It’s Saturday afternoon. She is finishing the house chores before going out. CHAD is watching her work while watching his favorite TV show.
INT. APARTMENT. BEDROOM.
LUNA IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING IN THE BED. CHAD WATCHES HER. THE TV IS ON.
LUNA
(sarcastically)
Could you please help me find it? I washed it, I folded it, and I put it in its drawer.
CHAD
You are not gonna find it…
LUNA
What do you mean? Of course I’m going to find it; there aren’t too many places I could have put the pillowcase.
CHAD
I’m not saying YOU wouldn’t find it… I’m saying you are NOT going to. It’s not in the house…
LUNA
How can it not be in the house?
CHAD
Remember Monday, the phone call for the last-minute job?
LUNA
Yes, it was late, but you managed to get back before I fell asleep.
CHAD
Yeah. I didn’t go to the shop. I used my spare.
LUNA
Ok, that’s great, but what does it have to do with my pillowcase?
CHAD
I’m sorry, babe… I used it to silence the shots.
I was going to bring it back…
LUNA
I can’t believe it!
That was my grandma’s pillowcase!
What happened with the old t-shirts I gave you for work?
CHAD
Don’t get mad, baby.
I left the t-shirts at the shop…
I know it WAS a family heirloom…
I was going to bring it back, but…
(Beat)
…the shots left burn marks and holes… so I threw it away.
LUNA
It was my only family heirloom!
You knew how much it meant to me!
What am I supposed to pass down now?
CHAD
I’m sorry, babe… I didn’t realize it was that one when I took it.
Please forgive me.
LUNA
You are an idiot!
And sloppy!
CHAD
I was trying to do my job…
It was dark, and I didn’t want to turn the lights on and wake you up.
LUNA
I was awake, you moron!
CHAD
You looked asleep, like Cinderella.
LUNA
It’s Snow White! Aah!
CHAD
Yeah, right! The one with the dwarves.
In any case, I could retrieve it if I hurry up.
LUNA
Retrieve it? Where from? What did you do with it!?
CHAD
Well, I didn’t exactly throw it away… I disposed of the body like usual… I stuffed it in the guy’s ass to make it look like a sex crime. In case they ever find the body.
LUNA
I don’t want no ass-smelly pillowcase!
CHAD
Babe, how much do you think your grandma spent on that pillowcase?
LUNA
I can’t ask her, she’s dead!
CHAD
I know, baby, just don’t get mad…
If you had to guess?
LUNA
I dunno… I’d say no more than a few bucks. Why are you asking?
CHAD
What if I tell you that I found some money in this guy’s pockets?
LUNA
I’d tell you that I don’t give a shit!
That was my grandma’s pillowcase!
CHAD
I’m sorry, baby. I know I fucked up.
I love you.
(beat)
Let’s… let’s create a new memory. Together.
I mean—
I get the sentimental value and shit, but this guy was holding 7k…
LUNA
7K? That’s quite some money.
(beat)
That’s gonna be a bitch to pay in taxes…
CHAD
No. 7K, cash. All Benjamins and Grants…
The way I figure, we can get you a new pillowcase
(beat)
with matching diamond earrings…
(beat)
I think Grandma would like that…
LUNA
It feels wrong. You are not gonna tell your boss about the money?
What if he finds out?
CHAD
I told him, mostly. He said it’s my bonus for the year.
LUNA
A new pillowcase, you said?
CHAD
And matching earrings…
LUNA
Matching DIAMOND earrings?
CHAD
Matching DIAMOND earrings.
LUNA
And dinner at Luscious?
CHAD
And dinner at Luscious.
LUNA
And a play on Broadway?
CHAD
And a play on Broadway.
LUNA
Cats?
CHAD
No, please, no. Not Cats… isn’t there any other play you like?
LUNA
(Sobbing)
It was Grammy’s last memento…
CHAD
And Cats!
LUNA
Well, I’m going to freshen up and get ready to go. You change, too. Wear a shirt, your new black pants, and the nice shoes. I’ll wear my little black dress and my new golden high heels.
CHAD
Aawwh, babe…
LUNA
Yes, honey?
CHAD
Your little black dress… You are not gonna find it…
LUNA
(Beat)
(With resignation)
Of course I’m not…