MY DARK ROOM

IN NORA'S ROOM Nora is seen sitting on her bed in the morning sobbing uncontrollably, when a knock was heard on her room door but still she paid deaf ears to it. Finally, Grace her sister walked in when she found out the door was not locked. GRACE: Nora! (walks towards her) So you are awake and you refused to answer...(paused) Wait, are you crying? (sits on the bed, stare closely at Nora in shock) You are crying! Nora, what's the problem? Still Nora kept mute, rather, she just won't stop weeping. She held her blanket so tight, as it was wrapped around her body. GRACE: Nora, you are getting me scared and confused at the same time with your silence. (sighs heavily and draws closer to her) What's going on? You didn't come out for morning devotion, rather you are here crying? Meanwhile, mum and dad thought you were stressed out from yesterday's vigil in the church, that's why they pardoned you this morning. (losing patience) Nora c'mon say something to me. I'm all ears! Why the early morning tears? NORA: (clears throat and wipes her tears with her left palm) Nothing Grace! I'm fine! GRACE: What do you mean by you are fine? I just saw you crying few minutes ago and you are here telling me you are fine. Are you really okay? Or did anything happen at the vigil? NORA: Not at all! I was just rehearsing (feigning smile) Yes, a weeping rehearsal. GRACE: Rehearsal? (chuckles) Are you kidding me? Since when did you start acting, talk more of... What did you call it again? Erm.. Weeping rehearsal! (hiss) Oh come off it! Tell me the truth, what's going on? NORA: Erm... Nothing, that's the truth. (stammers) The... I mean.. These days, I have been so fansinated and thrilled by movies lately that, I'm curious on how the actors easily gets into character and deliver. (pause and stare at her sister's expression) Most especially, the crying part. Yeah, so I was trying to practicalize on how to easily weep in action GRACE: (claps) Beautiful! (smiles) I didn't know that, part of your aspirations in life is to sit in your room and start to practice drama. Wonderful! I must commend you. NORA: Thank you sist! GRACE: (yells) C'mon keep quiet! (mimicks her) Thank you sist. (hiss) So what you are telling me is that, you missed morning prayers, to practicalize weeping roles in movies ba? (nods) No problem! Continue but wait until I tell mum and dad the reason you missed morning prayers, then you will perfect your weeping rehearsal (displays a cunning smile). NORA: (shakes head in disapproval consistently) No sist! Grace please don't! You know how mum and dad is about upholding religious beliefs and practices, they won't take it lightly with me. Please... GRACE: Really? Thank God you are aware of that. Yet, you decided to be rebellious, right? NORA: No! (sobbing) Grace you won't understand. GRACE: Understand what? (yells) Speak up! NORA: (scratches head) Grace, (pause and swallows saliva hardly) I'm just... (whispers aside) Can I tell her? GRACE: Did you say something? NORA: Nope! You see Grace I'm fine. GRACE: (lowers head in dissatisfaction) Nora, (raises head) I'm not ready for this play today. Therefore, I'm going to prepare for my Jamb tutorials and your house chores are waiting for you. Also, you will be following mum to the shop today. That means I want you out of this room immediately I step out, if not I won't hesitate to report you to our parents this instant. NORA: Yes! I will do just that now. GRACE: Good! (makes a long hiss) Weeping rehearsal my foot!(stands up and angrily puts on her slippers to leave) Rubbish! Nonsense! (turns around and head for the door) Meanwhile, Nora kept sobbing on her bed as she watches her sister leave... NORA: (mutters and burst into silent tears) How can I tell you? It's too heavy for me to say. Even though I need someone to help me. Just then Grace screamed from the door... GRACE: Are you still on your bed? NORA: (quickly jumps up from the bed and reach out to her slippers as she walks close to the door, whilst wiping her tears with her palms alongside) No, I'm behind you. Before Nora could get to the door, Grace immediately slammed the door hardly behind her. Nora stopped in front of the slammed door before her. She heaved heavily, took a deep breath and opened the door. Nora finally exited the scene. (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE)