Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No one should use this script for any purpose without first consenting with the playwright. Contact thesentientstudios@gmail.com for permission.

Summary

Phil and May are a married couple with a biological neurodivergent child named Asher. Phil and May got their foster care license and very quickly after that, Daisy and Lucas were placed into their home. Each of them will go through challenges in The Dining Room.

Characters

PHIL is a 24 year old male during the first scene. PHIL is married to MAY. PHIL is a loving husband, loving father to ASHER and loving foster dad to LUCAS and DAISY. PHIL always seems to know what to say to comfort his wife and kids. He works a full time job. He also loves working on his ‘62 Corvette in his free time. 

MAY is a 22 year old female during the first scene. MAY is married to PHIL. MAY is married to PHIL. MAY is a loving wife, loving mother to ASHER and loving foster mom to LUCAS and DAISY. MAY feels like she has failed ASHER, LUCAS and DAISY in their own ways. She wants to provide and give them a supportive, safe home. 

ASHER is a 15 year old male. He has autism and many times do not express emotion well/can be short with people. Certain scenes will say “w/ headphones” or “w/fidget” or both. This means that ASHER will be wearing his noise canceling headphones or have a fidget toy in his hand. This should seem second nature to the actor as if it is the status quo. ASHER is the biological son of PHIL and MAY

LUCAS is a 12 year old male. LUCAS is the biological brother of DAISY. LUCAS is non verbal as a coping method for all of the things he has been through going from Foster home to foster home. 

DAISY is a 16 year old female. DAISY is very reserved and doesn’t open up so that she doesn’t get hurt again. LUCAS is her biological brother and they have been separated in Foster homes before, with this being their first home together in about a year. 

Setting

There is a dining room table downstage center. Stage right has a wall with an entryway Downstage right and upstage right. In between the two entryways there is a refrigerator next to a counter with cabinets underneath. On the upstage wall there are three windows. Two to the left of a microwave that is mounted to the wall and a stove with an oven underneath. countertops line the back wall. Stage left wall is also lined with cabinets and countertops with a sink next to a dishwasher. Downstage left is a set of french doors that lead to the backyard.

Scene 1 – A Life Together

PHIL, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts, carrying MAY, wearing a flower patterned shirt with a flower lei around her neck, enters downstage right carrying MAY across the dining room, laughing and celebrating.

PHIL 

Welcome home Mrs. Robinson!

MAY

Thank you Mr. Robinson!

PHIL sets MAY down. They lock eyes and kiss. PHIL goes to the refrigerator and pulls out a white tiered cake with flowers all over it.

PHIL

I have been looking forward to this since we left the chapel.

MAY

Did we really have to do the whole wedding thing? I mean you, me and this cake from heaven. What else did we need?

PHIL

Honestly, I can’t think of anything else.

PHIL grabs a fork and takes a bite. MAY walks over and leans towards PHIL’s fork.

MAY

Hmmm let me have a bite.

PHIL moves the fork towards MAY but then brings it back and eats the cake himself. 

MAY (cont.)

Hey, no fair…Well if you wanted cake.

MAY grabs a fistfull of cake and shoves it in PHIL’s face

MAY (cont.)

Then you can have all the cake you want. 

PHIL

Oh yeah?

PHIL also grabs cake with his hands and shoves it in MAY’s face. They both laugh as lights fade to black.

Scene 2 – 10 Years Later

   ASHER w/ fidget, DAISY and LUCAS are all at the table eating breakfast together. Lights fade up.

ASHER

Daisy…Daisy…Earth to Daisy.

LUCAS taps DAISY on the shoulder and she snaps out it and comes back to reality.

DAISY

Huh, what?

ASHER

I said, are you going to eat that?

ASHER gestures to the bacon.

DAISY

No, you can have it. 

ASHER grabs the slice of bacon off of DAISY’S plate.

ASHER

You seem kinda out of it.

DAISY

It’s nothing, I just blanked for a moment, what were you saying?

ASHER

I finally got my date for testing.

DAISY

Oh that’s exciting! How did you feel about it?

ASHER

I’m not sure.

MAY and PHIL enter.

MAY

Alright, time for school. The bus will be here any minute. Grab your lunches. 

MAY grabs the lunchboxes from out of the fridge. ASHER’s lunchbox has an A on it while DAISY and LUCAS’ are blank. ASHER, DAISY and LUCAS all stand up from the table. They put their plates in the sink. Grab their lunchboxes and start to exit upstage right.

PHIL

Hey Daisy, can you wait up a second? 

DAISY, close to the exit, slowly stops and turns around.

DAISY

What’s up?

MAY

We just wanted to do a quick check in to see how things are going.

DAISY

(abruptly) They’re fine…I gotta go, don’t want to miss the bus…

DAISY exists. PHIL and MAY share a look. 

MAY

What are we doing wrong?

PHIL

We aren’t doing anything wrong.

PHIL grabs a mug, pouring two cups of coffee.

MAY

I just…I feel like we are failing Daisy and Lucas.

PHIL

We aren’t failing them.

PHIL sits down at the table. MAY joins him. 

MAY

Are you sure? Lucas has stopped talking.

PHIL (interrupts)

Which his therapist said is actually a good thing because he is learning to cope.

PHIL takes a sip of his coffee.

MAY

And Daisy seems to be so closed off from us and I don’t know how to help.

PHIL

She will open up when she is ready.

MAY

It’s been 3 months. How much longer can we wait before we do something? Maybe we need to send her to therapy.

MAY takes a sip of her coffee.

PHIL

We already asked her about therapy and she said she didn’t want to go. We can’t push her to do something she doesn’t want.

MAY

But we also can’t let her keep all of this stuff balled up for forever. 

PHIL

And you are right. 

DAISY can be seen entering the dining room through the upstage right entrance but stops when MAY begins to speak, staying out of sight from PHIL and MAY.

MAY

Would it be the worst thing to send her there even if she wasn’t happy about it? I mean it could be what’s best for her and for us. I just don’t think we are equipped to handle this.

DAISY quickly exits.

PHIL

We can talk to her about it tonight, but maybe we need to reach out and find some resources ourselves.

MAY

You’re right. I’ll reach out to her social worker, maybe Nicole will have some resources.

PHIL

See. Working the problem one step at a time. And now we need to fix a different problem?

MAY

What problem?

PHIL

The problem that I haven’t kissed my wife since we got out of bed.

MAY

Well that is one I can definitely fix right now.

PHIL and MAY embrace each other. They kiss each other as lights fade to black. 

Scene 3 – Dinner

Lights up. PHIL, MAY, ASHER w/headphones, DAISY and LUCAS are all sitting at the dining room table eating dinner. The seating arrangement is that MAY is on the stage right side of the table. ASHER upstage table next to MAY. LUCAS sits center next to ASHER with DAISY on the other side of him. PHIL sits on the stage left side of the table being closest to DAISY.

MAY

Asher, how was school?

ASHER

It was okay.

MAY

Asher, we have talked about this. When answering the question it is important to elaborate. Did you have any issues today?

ASHER

The cafeteria is too loud. But Mr. Wilder let me eat in his classroom again.

MAY

Well that’s good. I’m glad Mr. Wilder has been letting you do that.

PHIL 

Lucas, how about you? Did you enjoy school today?

LUCAS nods his head.

PHIL (cont.)

Great. Daisy, your turn.

DAISY

Ummm it was fine.

PHIL

Just fine?

DAISY

Yeah.

PHIL looks at MAY and nods head gesturing towards DAISY.

MAY

Why don’t we each tell about one thing that was good about our day. I’ll start. I had a meeting today with Mr. MacKenzie and he offered me a big promotion at work.

PHIL

Wow! That’s amazing! Congrats honey!

PHIL, ASHER and DAISY make cheery remarks. LUCAS claps his hands.

MAY

Asher, what about you?

ASHER

I gave a presentation today.

MAY and PHIL look at him.

ASHER 

Oh. right. It went well. Mrs. Johnson said I got an A.

PHIL

That’s excellent! Daisy, what about you?

DAISY

Ummmm…I can’t think of anything.

MAY

Nothing? Make any new friends?

DAISY

No…not really. Phil, why don’t you go?

PHIL taken aback for a second

PHIL

Alright…Well I finished installing the engine on ‘62 Corvette today. 

ASHER

There were 14,531 ‘62 Corvettes built in the entire world.

PHIL 

But how many of them are Cherry red with the original interior still intact like mine? I bet none

ASHER

Hmmm…I don’t know.

ASHER starts to panic a little from not knowing the answer and starts ticking more than he has already.

PHIL

It’s okay Asher. I was just joking with you.

ASHER

I need to go do homework.

MAY

Oh. Alright. But remember that it is important to ask.

ASHER

Right. May I go do my homework?

MAY

Yes you may.

ASHER gets up and exits.

MAY

Since Asher is going upstairs. Why don’t the four of us talk?

DAISY

About what?

MAY

We just want to check in with y’all and see how you two have been doing.

DAISY 

We’ve been fine. 

PHIL

We know the two of you have been through a lot and we

MAY (interrupts).

We just want to make sure that both of you are comfortable here. 

LUCAS nods.

DAISY

I mean, there is nowhere else we’d rather be.

MAY and PHIL share a look.

MAY

Hey Lucas, will you go upstairs so we can talk to Daisy alone. 

LUCAS looks at DAISY.

DAISY

I’ll be fine bubba.

LUCAS gives DAISY a hug and then stands up and exits. PHIL and MAY wait until LUCAS is definitely gone to say anything. They stand up and move closer, sitting down closer to DAISY.

DAISY

So…what’s up?

PHIL

May and I are concerned about you.

DAISY

What do you mean?

MAY

Well you haven’t been planting roots at school.

DAISY

Yeah.

PHIL 

Daisy, we want what is best for you.

DAISY starts to tear up, she stands up and starts to exit.

MAY

Hey, hey. Where are you going?

DAISY

To pack.

PHIL 

Why would you do that?

DAISY

Because you are sending me away right?

MAY

Send you away?

PHIL

Why would we do that?

DAISY goes and sits down again

DAISY

I heard what you said this morning. “Would it be the worst thing to send her there even if she wasn’t happy about it?” Look. If you want to get rid of me that’s fine, but please keep Lucas. He has never been in a home as safe as this one. 

PHIL 

Hey, listen to me. We would never send you away. 

MAY

Never. Daisy honey, we were talking about therapy because we are worried about you

DAISY

You mean you aren’t sending me away?

PHIL and MAY each take one of DAISY’s hands.

PHIl

Just the opposite. We are so happy to have you and Lucas in our lives, but we want to make sure that you are getting the help you deserve. 

PHIL and MAY both put a hand on the table and DAISY grabs their hands. Fades to black.

Scene 4 – Oreos

Lights fade up on an empty dining room in the middle of the night. Crickets can be heard chirping. No lights are on. The stage is only illuminated by moonlight from the windows. DAISY enters, wearing pajamas and a blanket around her shoulders. DAISY grabs a cup from the cabinet and fills up her cup in the sink. She takes a sip and the light over the dining room table switches on. The light in the kitchen stays off and still keeps it dark. PHIL is scene at the entrance to the room with his hand on the switch

PHIL

Can’t sleep?

DAISY nods her head.

PHIL (Cont.)

Me neither. You know, when I can’t sleep I find that a late night snack often helps.

PHIL opens a cabinet and pulls out a package of Oreos.

PHIL

And there is no better midnight snack than Oreos. Don’t tell May, that’s where I keep my secret stash of Oreos.

DAISY muffles a chuckle trying to hold it back.

DAISY

You’re secret’s safe with me.

He grabs two cups, going to the fridge and pouring milk into the glasses. PHIL sits down next to DAISY. 

PHIL

But this snack calls for the right drink. 

PHIL sets a glass of milk in front of DAISY.

They each grab an oreo.

PHIL

Cheers.

DAISY

Cheers.

DAISY and PHIL tap their oreos together and begin to eat them. They each eat a few. PHIL takes a sip of his milk. 

PHIL

I just realized, you never said a thing.

DAISY

A thing?

PHIL

Yeah, one good thing about your day.

DAISY

Umm…I started on a new drawing today in art.

PHIL

That’s great. What are you drawing?

DAISY

Well I haven’t quite decided yet but the topic is to draw our greatest dream.

PHIL takes a sip of his glass giving a pause.

PHIL

Well, what is it?

DAISY

What is what?

PHIL

What is your greatest dream?

DAISY

Lucas. Lucas being safe and happy.

DAISY eats an Oreo.

PHIL 

That’s it?

DAISY nods as she eats.

PHIL (cont.)

It’s interesting that your greatest dream doesn’t have you in it.

PHIL eats another Oreo and then takes a drink of milk.

PHIL

I think that is going to do it for me. If I don’t stop now I won’t until the package is empty.

PHIL stands up and pushes his chair in. He starts to exit and stops. 

PHIL (cont.)

Hey Daisy, earlier when you said you thought we wanted to get rid of you…You aren’t disposable. You are just as important as Lucas. And if May or I did anything to make you feel less than, we are both so sorry.  

They pause. DAISY nods her head as she eats another Oreo.

PHIL (cont.)

And I’m serious. Don’t tell May about the Oreos. Or we are both in trouble.

DAISY laughs as PHIL exits. DAISY sits there for a moment. She grabs another Oreo as lights fade to black. 

Scene 5 – Fidgets

Lights up on ASHER w/ headphones & fidget and DAISY sitting at the table. ASHER has a laptop in front of him. DAISY has a few textbooks and a notebook working on homework. DAISY looks over at ASHER using his fidget cube.

DAISY

Can I ask you a question?

ASHER

Yes.

DAISY

Does that help you?

DAISY gestures to the cube.

ASHER

Yeah it does.

DAISY

How though? It seems like some random buttons and different toys.

ASHER

It is but using it helps me control my physical tics.

DAISY

Can I try?

ASHER hesitates for a second. He brings the cube closer to himself but then he sets it on the table in front of DAISY. DAISY grabs it and starts to try it.

DAISY

Wow, this is actually pretty nice. 

ASHER

Really?

DAISY

Yeah, I could totally see how you use this all the time. Maybe I’ll get one myself.

DAISY sets it back on the table. PHIL and MAY enter from the upstage entrance. MAY stops PHIL from moving forward anymore to not ruin the moment.

ASHER

You can have that one if you want.

DAISY

No, I couldn’t take this from you.

ASHER

Well, it’s not taking if I give it to you.

DAISY

I know, but still you always have this with you.

ASHER

It’s okay. I have others. That one is yours now.

ASHER pushes the cube on the table closer to DAISY. DAISY picks it up. 

DAISY

Wow, thank you Asher. This means…I mean a lot.

ASHER

It’s no big deal. 

DAISY

It is though. I’ve never had a foster brother give me something of his before.

ASHER

You are welcome Daisy. 

ASHER looks back at his laptop for a moment.

ASHER

Hey Daisy?

DAISY

Yeah?

ASHER

I’m happy you’re here.

DAISY

Thanks. I’m happy I’m here too.

DAISY uses the fidget. PHIL and MAY smile at each other and slowly exit. Lights fade to black. 

Scene 6 – King Me

Lights fade up to May and Lucas playing checkers on the table. There are two bowls on the table, one with chips and one with pretzels. MAY moves her piece. LUCAS grabs his and jumps three of her pieces in a row.

MAY

Woah, I didn’t know I was playing against a professional checkers player. 

LUCAS smiles. MAY moves another piece. 

MAY

So how is school going?

LUCAS gives a thumbs up.

MAY

That’s great. Did you enjoy the lunch I packed for you today?

LUCAS nods his head as he moves his piece and taps it.

MAY

Woah, that’s your 4th king already.

LUCAS

Do I have to call you May?

MAY is shocked but tries to keep her calm.

MAY

Oh umm…no, you don’t have too. Is there something else you’d rather call me?

LUCAS

I know you aren’t but could I…maybe…umm….Mom?

MAY

Ummm yeah. That is totally fine.

MAY moves over and puts her arm around LUCAS. Her other arm grabs a checker and moves it. 

MAY

However…you need to king me.

LUCAS chuckles. PHIL and DAISY w/ fidget enter from downstage right entrance.

MAY

Hey Daisy, how did therapy go?

DAISY

Umm…much better than I thought it would.

MAY

That’s great!

PHIL 

What have the two of you been up to?

LUCAS

Beating mom at checkers.

PHIL and DAISY both gasp.

DAISY

Lucas, you just talked!

DAISY runs to LUCAS and hugs him.

DAISY

I’ve missed your voice.

LUCAS

Hey, why do you have Asher’s fidget?

DAISY

It’s mine. Asher gave it to me.

PHIL

Wow that was kind of him. 

MAY

Actually why don’t you both go upstairs, get Asher and wash up for Dinner.

LUCAS

What about our game?

MAY

Oh trust me, we are not done with this yet.

DAISY and LUCAS exit. PHIL walks over to MAY.

PHIL (excited)

Did I hear Lucas just call you mom?

MAY

I know! We were playing checkers and out of nowhere he asked if he can call me mom?

MAY jumps into PHIL’s arms and they hug.

 MAY

We are doing it Phil! They both seem so happy.

PHIL

And Asher giving Daisy his fidget cube?!

MAY

I can’t believe it. They are acting like brother and sister, sharing their things like that. Phil, you were right. 

PHIL (jokingly)

I know…but about what this time?

MAY

About you saying that we needed to take our time.

PHIL

Laughs. Oh right. That. Well I can be pretty wise. 

MAY

Oh yeah, the wise-est person I know. 

PHIL and MAY kiss.

PHIL

So I guess now we need to decide when it’s the right time to ask them.

Lights fade to black.

Scene 7 – A New Life Together

Lights up on MAY, ASHER w/headphones & w/ new fidget, LUCAS and DAISY w/ fidget all sitting upstage of the dining room table. Textbooks, notebook paper and other school materials are scattered around the table. MAY sits stage right of the table. DAISY pulls her sketchpad out of her backpack and starts to draw.

LUCAS

What are you working on?

DAISY

This major art project and it’s due pretty soon.

ASHER

What is it on?

DAISY

It’s supposed to be our greatest dream.

LUCAS

What are you drawing for it?

DAISY

Umm…I actually haven’t decided on it yet.

MAY

Well, I’m sure it will come to you.

 PHIL enters from the stage left french doors. PHIL is wearing dirty clothes and has some filth on his hands.

MAY

Hey babe, how’s the car?

PHIL walks over to the sink and washes some of the grime off of his hands. 

PHIL 

It’s great. I got the engine installed and started her up for the first time, but she still needs a lot of work.

LUCAS

Do you think I could help you sometime?

PHIL dries his hands. He goes and sits down on the stage left chair of the table.

PHIL 

Sure! I’d love to spend some quality time with you. Hey so May and I want to talk to y’all.

DAISY starts using her fidget cube more rapidly.

DAISY

Is everything okay?

MAY

Don’t worry, nothing is wrong.

LUCAS

Mom, what is this about?

MAY

Phil, Asher and I have been talking and we wanted to ask you and Daisy something.

PHIL

We wanted to ask if you wanted to become permanent members of our family?

DAISY

You mean like adopting us?

MAY

We don’t need an answer right away. I know this is a big step and we don’t want to pressure you in any way. 

LUCAS grabs DAISY’s fidgeting hand. They look at each other and nod.

DAISY

Yes, we’d love to.

PHIL

That’s great! 

PHIL and MAY stand up and go to hug DAISY and LUCAS.

ASHER

I’m excited for y’all to join the family.

ASHER joins in the group hug. They start to break apart. DAISY grabs her sketchbook and starts to exit out to the backyard.

PHIL

Hey, where are you going?

DAISY

I finally realized it.

MAY

Realized what?

DAISY

What my painting should be.

DAISY goes and hugs PHIL and MAY.

DAISY

I love you both.

PHIL

We love you too.

Lights fade to black as DAISY, PHIL and MAY embrace each other.