On The Edge Of Nowhere

SCENE 1

(Landon is doing homework in his living room - center stage . In walks his dad, Anthony, from stage right)

LANDON:

Hey, Dad, do you want to

go to a baseball game with me?

ANTHONY

Nope not really...

LANDON

Dad you never have time for me. You lost your job so you should have time for me but all you do is go out and drink. You never want to do anything with me.

ANTHONY

Whatever. Sorry, I don't do stuff with nerds.

LANDON

I'm not a nerd, Dad... I'm just doing my homework... drunk again?

ANTHONY

(raising voice)

You shut your mouth boy!

[Anthony smacks Landon upside the head]

LANDON

(scared)

Dad, you have a problem and you need to get it fixed.

ANTHONY

(yelling)

SHUT UP!

[pushes Landon on the floor and kicks him repeatedly]

LANDON

(yells while trying not to show his pain)

DAD! STOP IT!

[Anthony stops and pushes Landon back on the floor]

[Landon is lying on the ground in pain, moaning]

SCENE 2

(Anthony walks in from stage left and

Landon is standing by center stage)

LANDON

Can I borrow the car tonight?

ANTHONY

What for?

LANDON

I have a date...

ANTHONY

(rudely)

What skank wants to go on a date with you?! You're a loner that's a geek with bad hair and a scrawny body.

LANDON

(He's used to this)

Hmm... and where do you think I got my hair and body from? You're so oblivious to everyone's life except your own...

ANTHONY

(sternly)

Don't talk to me like that unless you want to get hurt!

LANDON

Sorry... anyways... the car?

ANTHONY

No, I'm going out.

LANDON

Figures... whatever... you can't even let your son enjoy one night out!

ANTHONY

I told you not to talk to me that way boy..!

[Anthony pulls his belt off and raises it at Landon

and starts to chase him towards stage right]

SCENE 3

[Landon and Jonathon are sitting in center stage]

LANDON

Man, I need a job so I can go out more since my parents don't give me any money.

JONATHAN

Ya, what's been up with you and your dad lately? I mean I know y'all have never been close and never really got along but... Y'all seem like... I don't know... are you guys fine?

LANDON

Not really. Ever since he lost his job, he's just been getting drunk and taking his anger out on me.

[Landon raises his shirt and shows Jonathon

some of his bruises]

JONATHAN

Oww. That really sucks... And your mom doesn't stop him or talk to him?

LANDON

[shrugs]

Nope, just ignores it... I can hear her at night crying herself to sleep. I mean, I don't want her to stand up for me because she might get hurt. But she could talk to him, too... I don't know why she doesn't.

JONATHAN

Hey, you need to tell someone...

LANDON

Nah, he'll get over it whenever he finds a new job, and then it will just be like it used to be... him just criticizing me and telling me I'm a horrible son instead of beating me... anyways... lets go skate or something.

[They skate off towards stage left]

SCENE 4

[Peggy's in the kitchen making a sandwich (center stage)

and Landon enters from stage right exhausted]

LANDON

Hey Mom, I'm back.

PEGGY

Hey Landon, did you have fun?

LANDON

Yes ma'am. Hey, I need to talk to you.

PEGGY

(worried)

Okay... What is it?

LANDON

Umm...