A Matter of Husbands

Characters :

Famous Actress

Earnest Young Woman

SCENE/SETTING – DRAWING ROOM

(You knock on the wooden door. No answer. You knock again.)

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Yes, coming

(The door opens, the beautiful actress stares at you in confusion.)

FAMOUS ACTRESS : I'm sorry, but I don't think I have met you before.

PLAYER : No, you haven't (you answer emotionally)

FAMOUS ACTRESS : What can I do for you ?

PLAYER : Where’s my husband ?

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Where's your husband ? How do you suppose I know ?

PLAYER : You took him from me. Now he won't even see me.

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Pardon me ??

PLAYER : He hasn't been home since yesterday. You took him from me. He does not love me anymore.

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Woman! I do not know your husband nor where he is.

1. PLAYER INTERROGATION

Choice 1 - Tell your husband’s name

PLAYER : His name is Richard

FAMOUS ACTRESS : I don't personally know anyone named Richard

Choice 2 – Describe his physical appearance

PLAYER : He is tall and skinny, dresses like a gentleman

FAMOUS ACTRESS : You do realise there are a lot of tall, skinny men I know quite a few men like that but that does not imply I took your husband away from you.

Choice 3 - Tell that he attends every show of the actress

PLAYER : He always comes to your shows. Never misses one, even if he misses supper.

FAMOUS ACTRESS : A lot of people watch my shows. Does that imply I am intimate with every man who attends them ?

Choice 4 - Tell that he sends gifts

PLAYER : He sends you gifts.

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Look around! I receive gifts and letters from a lot of my supporters. That does not mean that I am in love with them. Even you found my house!

Choice 5 - Tell that he draws pictures of the actress

PLAYER : He is also an artist. He paints whatever that fascinates him. He hasn't painted me since a long time.

FAMOUS ACTRESS : You saw him paint me once and you deduced we are both in love ? You silly young woman.

2. PLAYER SEARCHES FOR HUSBAND

PLAYER : I know he is here.

FAMOUS ACTRESS : I do not know your husband. Now leave. Please don't make things more difficult.

Choice 1 - Check for your husband behind the sofa

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Where do you think you are going young woman ?

You check behind the sofa, no sign of Richard

Choice 2 - Check behind cloth hangar

FAMOUS ACTRESS : What do you think you are doing barging into my room ? Get out of my house!

(You check behind the cloth hanger. Still no Richard.)

Choice 3 - Check boudoir

(You notice the actress's boudoir. You swiftly move towards it and open it. No sign of Richard.)

FAMOUS ACTRESS : How is Richard ? Is he cosy ? I'm being really nice to you, kindly leave.

(You stand there unable to face the actress, embarrassed.)

FAMOUS ACTRESS : Leave while you still have dignity. Else, I'll make officers drag you out of here.