Restrained - 501 Words

My longest one to date... Over a thousand words!:

(MUM, DAD, PAUL [YOUNGER BROTHER] AND ADAM [OLDER BROTHER] ARE SAT AROUND THE TABLE FOLLOWING BREAKFAST. ADAM IS LOOKING IN THE MIRROR TO SORT HIMSELF OUT BEFORE HEADING OUT WHILST ADAM IS SAT AT HIS LAPTOP. ADAM STARTS TO LAUGH AT SOMETHING ON HIS SCREEN)

MUM: What's so funny now adam??
ADAM: (Still laughing) Oh it's nothing, it's just james sent me this link to a penguin who dives off an iceberg.
DAD: I'll tell you something Adam, you do worry me at times...

(ADAM LAUGHS AGAIN, THIS TIME EVEN LOUDER)

PAUL: For gods sake! Can you tell adam to shut up please!! I'm late as it is and he's just making it worse!
MUM: Paul calm down will you! He's only laughing.
PAUL: I don't care! He's always on his laptop anyway. You always tell me off for that.
MUM: Paul, shut up! I'm gonna get angry in a minute, all you two ever do is argue. Honestly, sometimes I wish that I didn't have to be here. All I do is cook, wash, clean, iron and what do I get back from you two? Non-stop bickering and arguing all the time. You're always picking holes in everything he does. Just leave him alone Paul, please.
PAUL: Oh that's it, blame it all on me. Coz' he's obviously the innocent one here isn't he... GOD, it's always me that takes the blame. I'm going I'll be back at 10 tonight, maybe later.
DAD: I'm not picking you up at gone 10! If anything changes, you text me ok?
PAUL: Yes dad, whatever. Bye.

(PAUL SLAMS THE DOOR ON HIS WAY OUT, MURMURING TO HIMSELF)

DAD: Did he just slam the door again, when I next see him, I'm gonna kill him.
MUM: Well it won't be too long. He's left his money and keys here... Let's see how long it takes
before he realises

(THE HOME PHONE RINGS)

DAD: That'll probably be him now, I'll go get it.

(DAD GOES OFFSTAGE TO ANSWER THE PHONE)

MUM: Urgh, this family...
ADAM: Mum?
MUM: (Angry) What is it now?
ADAM: Fine, I won't say then
MUM: No, don't be stupid, what?
ADAM: Well I'm just speaking to James and he's talking about going to Reading again this year and he asked if I could go along?
MUM: Ha, no Adam, I've hear enough bad stuff from last time
ADAM: Who told you what?
MUM: Well George's mum was telling me how last year they were burning down tents, drinking, smoking and doing drugs and well I'm not having you do any of that now.
ADAM: She always has to say something doesn't she. She's like the oracle. She seems to know about everything... Please mum, it's me I'm not gonna do anything. You know me.
MUM: I know, but it's the lot you're going with... We can talk about this later with your dad ok?
ADAM: Oh c'mon...

(PAUL COMES BACK IN AND STARTS LOOKING AROUND AS IF TRYING TO FIND
SOMETHING)

MUM: What are you doing back here already?
PAUL: I'm just sticking on a coat..
MUM: Ok... Fair enough

(PAUL CONTINUES TO LOOK MORE FRANTICALLY)

PAUL: Oh I can't find them...
MUM: What might that be?
PAUL: My keys and wallet. I swear I put them on the windowsill but they're not there.
MUM: Don't tell me you've lost them!!
PAUL: I haven't, I know they're here somewhere
MUM: Now dads gonna be even more angry at you...
PAUL: What have I done now??
MUM: I suggest you find them soon...

(DAD WALKS BACK INTO THE ROOM AND SITS DOWN WITH THE PAPER)

DAD: Turns out it's work, calling me in for an emergency staff shortage, couldn't make us a coffee for the road could ya love?
MUM: Of course I can...

(MUM LEAVES PAUL AND GOES TO BOIL THE KETTLE. DAD BEGINS TO GET READY)

ADAM: Dad, Mum said to ask you if I could go to Reading this year??
DAD: Reading? What's there?
ADAM: It's a music festival? All my friends from school are going and they've invited me along.
DAD: Well when is it?
ADAM: I dunno... Some time in the summer
DAD: well that's no good is it..
ADAM: Please!
MUM: Eric dear, ask him how much it is...
DAD: How much is it then?
ADAM: £210
DAD: And how do you intend to get this money?
ADAM: From you?
DAD: Ha, not a chance, you can get a job thank you very much if you want to go
ADAM: But no ones hiring dad. They all want experience and I have none
DAD: I don't care I'm not paying for your ticket.
PAUL: Ha, gutted
ADAM: Shut up Paul
PAUL: Ooo someone's getting a bit moody
ADAM: Just shut up! Please dad!
DAD: My word is final. Get a job and you can go
MUM: There you are then..

(PAUL LAUGHS TO HIMSELF)

ADAM: Shut up Paul
DAD: Yes, be quiet Paul you're in enough trouble as it is. I have a right mind to stop you going out today.
MUM: And he's lost his keys and wallet...
PAUL: I haven't!! They're here somewhere...
MUM: How about checking the worktop where you left them. Don't do this again. It really gets on my nerves.
PAUL: Cheers mum

(PAUL RUNS, PICKS UP HIS STUFF AND GOES)

ADAM: So that's it then, I can't go. Thanks for nothing...
DAD: Look its a lot of money, money we don't have so you can sort it yourself if you do. Understood?
ADAM: (Quiet, quite reserved) Whatever.. I don't really care anymore anyway. I'm going back to bed. Why can I never just do what everyone else can do. You always hold me back from everything. I'm 17 mum in case you hadn't realised..

(ADAM WALKS OFF)

MUM: Well handled... He's gonna be in a mood all day now
DAD: Well it's not my fault. He needs to learn. You got the coffee??
MUM: Of course here

(MUM HANDS DAD A TRAVEL MUG OF COFFEE)

DAD: Right cheers, I'll be back later, I dunno when.
MUM: Alright dear, love you.

(DAD LEAVES MUM WHO TURNS ON THE RADIO AND SINGS TO HERSELF AS SHE BEGINS TO TIDY UP)