BRIAN LEAHY DOYLE is a teacher, a theater director, and the author of Encore! The Renaissance of Wisconsin Opera Houses, the 2010 recipient of the Theatre Historical Society of America’s Outstanding Book Award. His work as a playwright has appeared in theaters in New York, Chicago, and California, including Greetings from Fitzwalkerstan which was produced at Broom Street Theater in Madison, Wisconsin, and The Chancers!which received a staged reading at The Players Club in Manhattan in June 2016. http://brianleahydoyle.wixsite.com/brianleahydoyle
Thanks to Brian Doyle for allowing NYCPlaywrights to publish this excerpt from his play TELEPATHY.
VITO
So, what – now you want a divorce?
ANGELA
I love you, Vito, and tonight if you had given me one glimmer of hope that you still had romantic feelings for me, no, I wouldn’t – but, yeah, call it impulsive, call me crazy, call me pre-menopausal, but I want a divorce, and I want you to go home, pack your gym bag, and move out. Now!
VITO
Can I wait until the appetizer?
ANGELA
No!
VITO
You’re really pissed!
ANGELA
Yeah, what’d the guy Shakespeare say, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”?
VITO
You brought this on yourself, you know, if you’d’ve put out more often…
ANGELA
(A storm brewing in the distance, enunciating each word for effect)
Don’t. Make. Me. Raise. My. Voice. Cause I will. Leave. Now!
(Beat.)
VITO
Okay, I’ll be at Aunt Sophie’s in case you change your mind –
ANGELA
Out. Go. Leave. NOW!
VITO
You’re making a big mistake.
(ANGELA fixes a look that could strip lacquer.)
VITO
All right, I’m going.(VITO leaves. Silence. A swelling of the music in the background. ANGELA begins to weep quietly. JONAH enters with a water pitcher. He assesses the situation.)
JONAH
Madame, are you all right?
ANGELA
Do I look all right?
JONAH
(After a beat)
No.
(At a loss)
Would you care for a cup of freshly brewed Fair Trade Organic Coffee? Or I can brew a pot of organic hibiscus tea...
(ANGELA begins to cry uncontrollably. JONAH looks around the empty restaurant, then sits down in the other chair, and tentatively touches her hand.)
JONAH
Are you sure I can’t get you something...?
ANGELA
No.
(Through sobbing and tears)
What’s your name?
JONAH
Jonah.
ANGELA
Like the guy in the whale?
JONAH
Yes, I suppose.
ANGELA
Nice to meet you, Jonah, like the guy in the whale.
(Proffering her hand)
Angela.
JONAH
(With a beatific smile)
I’m pleased to meet you, Angela.