ANDREW MAIKOVICH develops training for Colorado judges on violence against women issues. He wrote this play, which is based on an actual case, to promote discussion on the issues of domestic violence. He has written one unproduced play, Lady of the Chimney Corner (www.ladyofthechimneycorner.com).
Thanks to Andrew Maikovich for allowing NYCPlaywrights to publish this excerpt from his play COURAGEOUS COWARD.
LARRY
I know. (BEAT). Michelle, if you don’t mind, let’s review what happened on Friday.
MICHELLE
Okay.
LARRY
You were talking to Dave in the kitchen. How did the argument begin?
MICHELLE
I knew that I was going to confront him; and I knew he’d have a strong reaction. So I was scared. I mean, I did everything I could to not let him see me tremble; hide that my heart was racing. 6
(DAVE walks over to MICHELLE and begins gently rubbing her arm. MICHELLE’s arm flinches ever so slightly. She bites her lip. DAVE pulls his hands back and puts them in the air in anger.)
DAVE
Jesus, what’s with you? Excuse me for trying to be nice.
ALTER EGO
God I hate it when he touches me. Even when it’s not violent, I feel violated when he ignores my body language, my squirming away from his hands, my body stiffening…
MICHELLE
I’m…I’m sorry.
DAVE
Oh yeah; you look like you’re sorry.
ALTER EGO
There’s the hurt puppy look again. Don’t feel guilty for defending your boundaries.
(Note: After this line, ALTER EGO will slowly move backward to the chair or cot at the side of the stage. The scene will move there shortly.)
LARRY
(speaking to Michelle)
So is that what set him off? Your rejection when he touched you?
MICHELLE
(speaking to Larry)
No; no that wasn’t it. And this is where Dave’s story and mine appear to be two separate incidents.
DAVE
This is where my daughter told a lie. A bald-faced lie. Okay, I admit that I lost my temper and could have handled it better. But she needed to be confronted. I’m her dad.
MICHELLE
(speaking to Dave)
Dave, Samantha said you gave her a massage yesterday after she came home from school.
DAVE
Yeah.
MICHELLE
She told me it made her feel uncomfortable.
(LONG BEAT as Dave processes the statement.)
DAVE
And just what the fuck is that supposed to mean?
MICHELLE
Dave, don’t get angry; we’re just talking…
DAVE
I asked you what that is supposed to mean?
MICHELLE
I’m just asking you why she might have felt that way.
DAVE
(BEAT) Why that little cunt.
MICHELLE
Dave, take it easy.
DAVE
Is she in her room? Is that that bitch in her room?