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Thursday, 22 March 2001

The Family Dinner: A Drama

Written by  Sherri Mandell

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Dean, age 17, is having trouble with his family. He feels that they are stifling his freedom, and he wishes they would leave him alone.

Tanya (Mom): Dean, your grandmother asked you to pass the pasta salad.

(Dean looks down at his plate.)

Tanya: What are you, deaf? Pass the pasta salad.

(Dean passes the pasta salad.)

Grandmother: How was school today?

Dean: Okay.

Tanya: Did you have any interesting classes?

Dean: Not really.

Tanya: Stop stuffing so much food into your mouth.

(Dean continues to eat rapidly.)

Grandmother: Didn't anybody teach you how to cut your meat?

Dean: Would you guys get out of my face? I'm just eating dinner.

Tanya: Well maybe if you would give an answer that was more than 3 words, I could.

Dean: Mom, why would I talk to you? You're backwards. You don't understand anything.

Tom (Dad): Don't insult your mother.

Dean: I'm not insulting her.

Tom:
You're not speaking respectfully.

Dean:
I need the car. I have to go pick up Robert from work. We're going bowling.

Tom: Who told you that you could have the car?

Dean: Mom.

Tom: You can't go out bowling on the one day your Grandmother is here to visit.

Dean: Is it okay, Gram?

Grandma: I don't mind..

Tom: Well I do. Why don't we all go? Then we can all spend time together.

Dean: I'm not going out with my parents. You guys look like, well , it's embarrassing to be out with your parents.

Mom: C'mon. We haven't been out together with Grandma in over a year. It would be fun for everybody. You could bring Robert.

Dean: I'm not going out with you. I have plans. I'm not going to look like a total dweeb loser -- out with my parents.

Tom: You can't have the car anyway. So you might as well come with us.

Dean: You lied to me. You told me I could have the car.

Tom: We didn't realize Grandma would be here today.

Dean: You treat me like garbage. You lie to me. You don't care about me. I have plans. I have things I want to do. I'm almost 17 and you're still treating me like a baby.

Tom: A baby? I let you take the car and who pays for the gas? Who takes it to the shop to be fixed? Who puts oil in? Do you? No.

Dean: Get a grip. If you want me to put in gas, just say so.

Tom: Yeah, where are you going to get the money?

Grandma: I'll give you money, Tom. I'll pay for you to take a taxi to the bowling alley if you want.

Tanya: Mom, don't spoil him. He can stay home with us.

Grandma: It's my pleasure to spoil him.

Tom: You're not going. You're going to stay home. For one night, you can stay home with us.

Dean: I'm out of here. (He grabs his jacket and goes)

Last modified on Monday, 04 April 2011 07:53
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Sherri Mandell

Sherri Mandell

Sherri Mandell has a Master's degree in Creative Writing and has taught writing at the University of Maryland and Penn State University. She is the author of the book Writers of the Holocaust. She has written articles for the Washington Post. She is married with four children

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