The Change

Cast 
Ada   
Amadis
Arlene
Caroline
Leo   
Sonya 

SCENE I

Caroline and Sonya are classmates, after they finished their weekend holiday, they meet each other in class.

Caroline:   Hi! Sonya. How’s your weekend?

Sonya:       Pretty good. I went to Kenting with my family.

Caroline:   Oh! That’s sound good.

Sonya:       How about you?

Caroline:   Umm…I just stayed at home and doing nothing.

Sonya:       Oh! What a pity. That’s ok. We can go out together next time.

Caroline:   Really! Sounds great!

(At this time, Caroline’s cell phone is ringing)

Dad:          Hey! Caroline. What are you doing?

Caroline:   What are you talking about? Of course I’m at school. What’s up? 

Dad:          Where are my cigarettes? I can’t find them.

Caroline:   How do I know?

Dad:          Come back and buy some for me, now.

Caroline:   Now! Are you kidding? I’m in school now. It’s ridiculous. I don’t want to do it anymore.

Dad:          Hey! You are my daughter, you’d better obey me or I’ll punish you.

Caroline:   Punish me? Do whatever you want. I don’t care.

(Caroline hangs up the cell phone)

Sonya:       What’s going on Caroline? Are you ok?

Caroline:   Mm…..actually….not. My Dad is horrible. I’m so angry.

Sonya:       Oh! Calm down. You can tell me everything and I will help you as much as I can, ok?

Caroline:   Oh! You are really nice, Sonya. Thank you so much.

Sonya:       How about coming to my home tonight? I can introduce you to my parents. We can have dinner together and have a very good time.

Caroline:   Really! Ok! I don’t want to go home tonight.

SCENE II

Sonya brings Caroline to her home, and Sonya introduces Caroline to her family.

Sonya:                   Hey, Dad, Mom. This is my good friend, Caroline.

Sonya’s father:     Oh, hi, Caroline. Welcome to our home.

Sonya’s mother:   Caroline, would you like to drink or eat some cookies?

Caroline:               No, thanks. I’m not hungry.

Sonya:                   Hey, Caroline, Don’t be so shy.

Now Caroline nods her head, feeling very happy. Then they watch TV together.

This news is concerning about home violence, the doctor says that the little

girl has been hit seriously by her father, is in the critical situation.

Sonya’s father:     Look at this. How can a father beat his child like this!

Sonya’s mother:   Mm~ it’s a shame that the father does it.

Suddenly Caroline feels upset, and cries loudly. Everyone confused. At this time, Sonya said…

Sonya:                   Stop talking about this. Caroline doesn’t feel good.

Sonya’s mother:   Oh, are you ok? Or did we say anything to let you feel bad?

Caroline:               Because my father often drinks wine and always beats me.

Sonya’s father:     Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this. And are you ok now?

Caroline:               Well, I’m not used to a situation like this.

Then Sonya’s family are all console Caroline...

SCENE III

Caroline’s father went to the supermarket. But suddenly…

A:     Hey! There is my favorite beer! (Go and take a lot of it.)

(Amadis took a lot of beer, then went to the food section.)

A:     Oh I don’t have much money for the food. Let me just buy some for myself. (Take some food and go to pay the money.)

(When Amadis was paying the money, Caroline went into the market and saw everything.)

C:     (Shouts) Dad, is that beer? How about our food? What are you doing?

A:     Shut up girl, it’s just some drink. Besides, I also buy food.

C:     Is that enough for us?

A:     Are you kidding? This is for me. If you want to eat, you can buy some food with your own money, I won’t stop you, and I don’t care what you eat.

C:     How can you do this to me? You are my father, you can’t.....

A:     Enough! Listen, I don’t care anything about you, and this is my money, I can buy anything I want without listening to the poor little girl!

C:     But...

A:     Go away, and don’t let me to see you again! (Caroline cries and run away.)

(Leo saw Caroline run away from a man, he stopped Caroline and talked to her.)

L:     Hey Caroline, why are you crying? What happened?

C:     You can ask him by yourself (point Amadis, and run away)

(Leo walks toward Amadis)

L:     Excuse me, are you Caroline’s father?

A:     Yes, what?

L:     Hi, I’m Sonya’s father. I just met Caroline and heard something about you.

A:     Oh yeah, what did the poor girl tell you? I’m a monster or something else?

L:     I think you should stop your disconsideration attitude, I’m telling you something serious.

A:     And I’m telling you that you should stay away from other family’s business. (Points at Leo, pushes Leo, Leo fells on the flour)

A:     Stay away from me.

(Amadis walks away, Leo gets up, hurries to Amadis and grabs him by arms)

L:     Wait, this conversation is not over yet.

A:     Don’t touch me. (Turn back and try to hit Leo’s face but miss it)

(Leo punches Amadis’s face)

L:     This is for you and your daughter!

(Amadis fell on the flour)

L:     Now you listen to me, I don’t care about you or your poor life, all I care about is your daughter. She needs help.

A:     I don’t want to talk about her. (Amadis gets up)

L:     You have to. Because you are her father, you should take care of her.

A:     I did! I give her money; she can buy anything she wants.

L:     It’s not enough. Money is important, but not the most important thing in the world.

A:     What is the most important in the world?

L:     The most important thing is to love her, to care about her, don’t let she feel lonely.

A:     Ok, listen; I really don’t want to talk about this anymore. Can I.....

L:     (Interrupt) No, you can’t.

L:     You must understand that she is important to you, and you should cherish her.

A:     I told you I don’t care.

L:     Why are you so difficult?

A:     And who do you think you are? Are you somebody?

L:     No I’m not; I just want to help a poor little girl.

A:     Oh come on, she’s not your daughter.

L:     If you still don’t want to take care of her, I will be her stepfather.

A:     What!

L:     Yes, I’m serious. She is such a smart and cute little girl, I think my wife and Sonya will feel very happy to live with her.

A:     You can’t do that.

L:     Yes, I can. I even can call the social work agency, and then, probably you will get into trouble.

A:     You (Point Leo)... I will remember this (Amadis get out of the market)

SCENE IV

Later on, Sonya asks Caroline to live with her. Caroline’s father stay at home alone.

Amadis:    That’s great! It’s much easier living alone. (drinking and watching TV)

(Few weeks later…)

Caroline’s father, Amadis drinks everyday and night. Spent a lot of money and time.

Amadis:    (cry loudly) I got a serious headache! (Still drinks)

Instead of going to see a doctor, Amadis still drinks day and night. His health became worse and worse.  Suddenly…(Amadis fall down the floor)

Amadis:    Oh! I feel I’m dying. Who can help me? Ca…Caroline, where are you? I need you… The phone! I’d like to call 119! Oh…oh…oh…(The phone drops on the floor.)

Now, Amadis know how important Caroline is in the world, but it’s really too late! Amadis finally died with regret and apologize.