Original short play written by Edward Hudak
(An older man is sitting in his living room with his ten year old grandson. They are talking aobut his grandson being bullied at school.)
Poppa: So, you don’t know what you should do? Is that what you’re saying to me, huh?
(Poppa is grieved, hurting for his grandson, but, doesn’t show his emotions to his grandson.)
Poppa: Hey Superman, well, there are a few ways to handle it, and I’m not telling you to do any of them, this is something you have to decide for yourself. (Beat) You have to stand on your own two feet, Superman. (Pause) Let me ask you first, does the teachers know? (Beat) Is he being physical with you?
Superman: No, I don’t know. (Beat) Maybe, and no he hasn’t punched me or anything, so far, mostly horrible words, Poppa. Those words hurt me. (Beat) He has shoved me a couple of times.
(Poppa thinks to himself as he tries to hold back his anger from his grandson being bullied.)
Poppa: If I could, Superman, I would beat that boy’s behind in front of the whole school! (Beat) But, I can’t!
Superman: I wish you would, Poppa!
Poppa: (Laughs) Ha.ha.ha. That would be good, huh? (Beat) No, Poppa can’t do that. (Beat) Okay, well, and I’m not saying for you to do this, but you can fight him, although that’s not the best option. Superman, I hate bullies. Times have really changed, not like the old days.
(Poppa gives Superman a bear hug. After a short moment they break from the hug.)
Poppa: Well, you could ignore him, and don’t react and he may eventually stop his actions. (Beat) You can laugh at yourself when he does stuff; which could lighten the situation and he may stop. (Pause) You could get him by himself and just talk to him, like, “Hey, could you lighten up, dude? Is there something I can help you with?” There is no right or wrong answers here. You just have to follow your heart, Superman. You can’t go wrong there.
Superman: Thanks, Poppa! I’ll try to work this out.
Poppa: I could come to school with you and we could talk to this young man together. I’ll be standing right by your side. When you hurt, Poppa hurts. We are in this together.
(They hug again.)
Superman: I love you so much, Poppa.
Bully at School
Original short play written by Edward Hudak
(They break from the hug.)
Poppa: We’re a team. (Beat) I love you too, Superman.
Superman: Yeah!
(They exit stage left hand in hand.)
(Three months later, Poppa and his daughter, Superman’s mother enter stage right drinking cofffee as they walk to center stage.)
Mom: Hey, he was getting C’s and D’s three months ago. Now, he’s getting straight A’s!
(Poppa smiles from ear to ear.)
Poppa: Is that right?
Mom: Yes, Superman is really happy to go to school. It’s truly amazing. His transformation.
Poppa: That’s great. He’s a good kid. I’m proud of him.
Mom: So am I.
(Poppa and his daughter exit stage left drinking their coffee with all smiles.)
The end.
Dad’s Pain (PTSD)
(A son comes to his father at center stage, he is 10 years old.)
Son: Hey, Dad? What was it like over in Korea fighting on the front lines:
Dad: I don’t want to talk about it!!!!!
(The father steps forward, leaving his son behind as he speaks to the audience.)
Dad: (Self-talk-crying) I want to tell my son; talk about what happened in Korea. (Pause) Can’t get those images out of my head. Crawling up to that foxhole-body parts everywhere – the blood, so much pooling all around. – shutting my eyes; I knew those guys, just had a meal together last night. (Pause) Can’t tell my son that. Don’t want to even tell him about the Bronze Star/Purple Heart; don’t feel like a hero. Just saying – just saving Sarge’s life-getting that radio fixed, had to for the boys. (Beat) Damn, that sharpnel hurt like hell- got him some help. Those enemy voices, hearing those souynds right there could reach out and touch them, have to keep firing. (Pause) The nightterrors, cold sweats-can’t close my eyes; see them, hear them, they’re coming, back there-gotta get them before they get us. Maybe that’s why I snap-hate myself for doing this to my family-I love them-Help me! Oh God, help me!
(He falls on his knees in agony.)
A Wife’s Answer
( A women on stage, center stage and is sitting in a chair talking on the phone)
Wife: NO, Mom! (Pause) Yes, I know. I won’t give in; (Beat)
No; Yes, I hear you (Pause) Yes, Mom! I know what he’s done,
Yes he did it to me again! (Pause) Gotta go; Love Ya! (Beat)
Okay, bye!
(The women is sitting motionless after the call ends in deep thought as she is sipping from a cup of coffee.)
(Then she begins to speak to herself.)
Wife: Why? I love him; Doesn’t he care about me: He’s the one that left. (Pause) Can’t do this again-timewith him. To hard, I need him here. Grandkids, he needs to be here for then. He knows, told me many times all the pain he caused us all, harm done. (Beat) Said he understands us, No, no more phone calls, no more visits, no money. I gotta keep my distance. (Deep thought) Maybe his letters, that’s it. (Beat) I still love him, dream crushed. (Cries) I miss, want his warm body, holding me0just being here. (Pause) Can’t do it alone anymore. I deserve better, deserve more-this dungeon of emotions is tearing me apart. (Cries even more) I can’t – can’t look at his photo, can’t look into his eyesp-melt my wall.
(She tries to pull herself together from these waves of intense emotions.)
Wife: I gotta stay strong. Enough is enough.
(She looks up to the heavens.)
Wife: Oh God, I know this is the right answer. It has to be.
(The women stands up and exits stage left.)
The end.
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