2023 Playwriting Every Day in November - Day 9

HANA’S apartment, late at night. Lights are out. Banging on the door wakes HANA up and she heads to the door. She opens it to MALLORY with a large scarf almost completely covering her face.

MALLORY

Oh, thank god. I’m so sorry to wake you but I really need you.

HANA

What did Bern do now?

[MALLORY unwraps her scarf to reveal her bloody face. She removes her coat, showing bruises and more blood. ]

HANA

Merde. That fucking asshole. I’ll kill him.

MALLORY

Hana…

HANA

No, Mal, he’s gone too far this time. Your face, your arms. I cannot imagine what you still have covered. That piece of shit is going to pay.

[she prepares a bowl with warm water, grabs a towel and rushes over to wipe the blood]

MALLORY

You don’t understand, Hana.

HANA

There’s nothing to understand! You are done with him. You can stay in my bed. We’ll get your stuff once he’s gone to work and then I will kill him.

MALLORY

No, Hana. It’s not my blood.

[whatever was holding her together breaks and she begins to sob]

It’s not my blood.

HANA

Oh.

[taking a moment to reassess the situation]

Oh.

MALLORY

He was going to kill me you have to believe me I didn’t know what else to do!

HANA

Shush, chou chou. I know. I know what he is… was.. like.

[continues gently cleaning the blood]

I’m just trying to figure out what we need to do.

MALLORY

I can’t go to prison. I have to keep working. Who will take care of mom if—

HANA

Just breathe. I’m not going to let you go to prison.

[goes to get a glass of water, gives it to MALLORY]

Drink. Breathe.

MALLORY

I had to, Hana.

HANA

If you hadn’t, I would’ve. Now, do you need a minute, or can I ask some questions.

MALLORY

I need a minute.

HANA

Okay, Mon chou. You just let me know when you are ready. Would you like some tea?

[MALLORY nods]

I’ll make us some tea.

2023 Playwriting Every Day in November - Day 10

2023 Playwriting Every Day in November - Day 8