Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
The social worker who is evaluating Maddie’s custody made an exception for Maddie at her request to stay in Nashville with her Uncle Bryson for a week to test if he is fit to be her guardian. Maddie is bored in a cooped up condo. Bryson tries to take her mind off her tragic loss, but he struggles with his limited experience with adolescents. Though they come from totally different backgrounds and perspectives, they each recognize the good nature of the other.
to read the context for this scene from Chickens and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Text
MADDIE
Can we go to the park now?
BRYSON
Fifteen minutes.
MADDIE
You said fifteen minutes, twenty minutes ago.
BRYSON
That was before I started finding Leonard’s mistakes with this spreadsheet.
MADDIE
Spread sheet at home is what we do before we make the bed.
BRYSON
This is the same except it’s got lots of wrinkles so I’m ironing it out.
MADDIE
Why would anyone iron a sheet that goes under a blanket?
BRYSON
It’s still fifteen minutes.
MADDIE
I can go alone.
BRYSON
Not a chance. There’s dangerous people out there looking for vulnerable young girls.
MADDIE
All I see out the window is people looking down.
BRYSON
Exactly, that’s so they don’t make eye contact with thugs.
MADDIE
(pulls up her shirt to reveal a large hunting knife)
Then how can you see where to stab them?
Bryson closes his laptop and slides over to the couch. He turns on the TV.
BRYSON
Let’s play a nice, safe video game like War Mongers or Demolition Derby.
MADDIE
I miss the farm.
BRYSON
Tell you what. Let’s go to a farm right now.
MADDIE
Really?
BRYSON
Yup. I’ve got Farmville 2. Way better graphics than the original. One simple press of a button and... there you go. A fully operational farm.
MADDIE
Tractors aren’t supposed to be black. They’d overheat.
BRYSON
Fine. Pink it is.
MADDIE
That’s stupid.
BRYSON
We’ll come back to equipment. Let’s build some livestock.
MADDIE
Build livestock?
BRYSON
Heck yeah.
MADDIE
You gave that chicken four legs, but chickens only have two legs.
BRYSON
Oh. Well, these are faster.
MADDIE
Which would make them impossible to catch!
BRYSON
Easy fix. We’ll give all the farmhands six legs.
MADDIE
(shrill SCREAM)
You’re making everything worse!
Maddie rubs her Rosary Beads.
BRYSON
Sorry.
MADDIE
That’s okay.
BRYSON
So what do those beads do?
MADDIE
They don’t do anything.
BRYSON
I don’t see the point, then.
MADDIE
Prayer.
BRYSON
When you’re done praying, do you want to go to the park?
MADDIE
No thanks.
BRYSON
A real park.
MADDIE
No thanks.
BRYSON
I bet I can beat you there.
MADDIE
I doubt it.
BRYSON
Let’s find out.
MADDIE
What do I get if I win?
BRYSON
Hmm, let’s see. I’ll take you on the Nash Trash bus tour.
MADDIE
The what?
BRYSON
It goes by all the country music star mansions.
MADDIE
Country mansions. That makes no sense at all.
BRYSON
Stops at a church with the largest steeple in the city, too.
MADDIE
Really?
BRYSON
Yeppers.
MADDIE
Go!
Maddie bolts out the door. Bryson starts to chase.
BRYSON
Wait! You forgot something!
Bryson goes back and grabs the Rosary Beads off the table. He heads out the door.
Links
For licensing inquiries or further information, please visit Gitelman & Good Publishers
More Scenes
All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners.
Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.