The woman (Laurie) who is counseling her actually goes into labor and has her baby on the floor behind the couch. Nikki brings her parents down to talk to Laurie and to understand Nikki’s options better. Nikki tells her boyfriend and each of them have their own struggles with someone coming along to help them. A narrator (Reese) is there to fill in the blanks in the story and we learn that he is Nikki’s grown son now telling the story of how he came to be. The story comes full circle as Reese brings his wife to the center for her ultrasound to be done by Nikki, now a worker there, herself.
14 actors (9 female, 5 male) one is a little girl. About 30 mins in length.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
NIKKI: (Speaks 1234 words) Young pregnant woman trying to make choices about her life and her baby’s. In the last scene she is about to become a grandmother.
LAURIE: (Speaks 560 words) Pregnant counselor who has her baby at the center.
REESE: (Speaks 543 words) Narrator and son of Nikki. (could use a podium, read lines)
ZACK: (Speaks 501 words) Man in the park who becomes Vince’s mentor
VINCE: (446 words) Nikki’s boyfriend and the baby’s father
YOLANDA: (431 words) Works at the center. Wendy’s mom. Helps Nikki
SUSAN: (363 words) Nikki’s mom, too concerned about appearances and reputation.
PATRICE: (233 words) Works at the center.
TED: (203 words) Nikki’s dad, who let’s his wife take charge, though he may not agree.
OPAL: (146 words) Laurie’s midwife.
WENDY: (113 words) Little girl who finds Nikki at the center and talks to her.
MONICA: (112 words) Works at the center.
QUENTIN: (62 words) Laurie’s husband who arrives just in time, then faints.
URSULA: (15 words) Reese’s wife.
Most of the scenes take place at the center, it could be a cozy set, with a couch and soft chairs. A nice waiting area or counseling area. Off to one side is a podium where the narrator stands to tell the story. Off to the other side is a park bench to represent a scene in the park.
Excerpt:
LIGHTS UP ON: SCENE ONE: Scene takes place at a pregnancy support center. There is a couch and other things to make it look homey. A very pregnant woman is sitting on the couch wincing in pain and checking her watch. A young woman enters with another staff member.
LAURIE How did it go?
MONICA We heard a heart beat!
LAURIE So what did you think about that, Nikki?
NIKKI It was pretty amazing. Really makes me think.
MONICA Laurie, what are you doing here? You look like you’re about ready to pop!
LAURIE Yeah… I’m definitely getting close. But I did not want to miss this opportunity to talk to Nikki.
MONICA Just how close are you?
LAURIE I believe the baby will be born today.
NIKKI Today!! Really? You were acting funny earlier… like you were having pains.
MONICA Are you having contractions?
LAURIE Yes.. But they are not that close yet… I’m timing them…
MONICA I don’t think you should be here.
LAURIE I didn’t want to miss my appointment with Nikki. It’s important.
NIKKI I could have come back another time. Maybe you should get to a hospital.
LAURIE Well, I called my husband and my midwife.
MONICA What for? Are you having the baby at home?
LAURIE Yes… but I’ve been through this before… I have long labors. I just think that perhaps I should not drive myself at this point since my water already broke…
MONICA Your water broke? When??
LAURIE Just a little while ago while Nikki was getting her ultrasound.
NIKKI Why don’t you go??
LAURIE Well, I wanted to find out how your ultrasound went.. and now I have to see who gets here first, my husband or the midwife.. And they can drive me home. AaaaaAAAAHHH!
MONICA Oh Laurie! This is making me really nervous! When was your last one?
LAURIE Wow… they are closer than I thought they would be. I usually have long labors.. But we need to stop talking about me… and get back to you, Nikki. Have a seat.
NIKKI We don’t have to do this now.
LAURIE Well, we might as well… I’m not going anywhere till my ride gets here.
MONICA I think I should call 911.
LAURIE No.. That’s not necessary! That would defeat the purpose of having a midwife and having a home delivery.
NIKKI Is it safe to have your baby at home?
LAURIE Childbirth is a very natural thing… they’ve been having them at home with midwives for hundreds of years…. Longer, really. Hospitals are relatively new. Maybe I need to get up and move around a bit. Help me up.
They help her to her feet.
NIKKI I think you are very nice, Laurie… but you are kind of freaking me out, here.
MONICA You’re not the only one!
LAURIE Oh no! Don’t worry. I’m fine. I am concerned about you. Have you thought about what we talked about before?
She starts walking around and goes behind the couch.
NIKKI Yes. I just don’t know. My parents have some very strong opinions on this subject.
LAURIE I understand, and you do need to respect your parents. I would love to talk to them.. Do you think they could come in with you?
NIKKI I don’t know. I guess I could try to ask them.
LAURIE Remember… this is YOUR BABYYYYYYYYOOOOOOHHHH!!!
She grabs hold of the back of the couch and bends over… in great pain.
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