A Christmas Escape

Barbara and Danny once were an item and lived together before Barbara got on drugs . Danny lives in an inner city flat and goes to university while Barbara has a dancing career that keeps her busy .
After they broke up their communication deteriorated but every now and then on the very rare occasion they got together to share some time together .

Danny still is reserved about his feelings towards Barbara because deep down he is still in love with her which is sad because Barbara loves the drugs more than him and refuses to give them away .

Its almost Christmas and the street decorations are out everywhere . The stores and streets are busy , families are returning home , lovers are sharing wine and roses and there is a sweetest about life .
Danny has been out in a sushi bar with a few students from university , he finds their company and conversation stimulating . Eventually he gets back to his flat in the little hours of the morning and is just about to put on the kettle for a cup of tea when a knock is heard on the door .
.
Dialogue Begins

A knock on the door and Danny (Mumbles to himself )
“Who is that knocking on the door at this time of the night .
All right . Hold your horses . I’m coming “

Barbara “ Hello Danny , Its me Barbara .“

Danny – “Who .“

Barbara – It’s me Barbs ,stop messing about and open the door Danny . “

Danny – “The door is open . Come in .“

Barbara walks into the room with a bunch of keys in her hand .

Danny – “What are the keys for ?”

Barbara - “They’re for opening peoples minds Danny .“

Danny – “How do they work ?”

Barbara -“ Have you ever climbed inside your head to escape from something or someone . I mean have you ever hidden away in there and shut yourself out from the entire world ?”

Danny – “Sure I do it all the time . Are you kidding ?”

Barbara – “Well then these are the keys that unlock people from the corners of their inner subconscious depths .?”

Danny – “I’m really glad to hear it but if you want my advice I think you better crawl out form your own head and open your own door before you get lost in there .“

Barbara –“Do you have any idea what time it is Danny?”

Danny-“No.”

Barbara – “Have you ever climbed into a persons head and left nothing but conflict in there as you left ?”
Danny -” No . I haven’t. Why ?”

Barbara –“Let me ask you something else Danny . What do you think I will find inside your head if I unlock the door to your brokenness?”

Danny-“ I’m now wondering what you’ve taken to have turned you into
this not really there and upside down person before me .“

Barbara –“ Danny boy . I think what you might find is an essence of truth there but your life has run dry and that is the reason why I find you standing there like a dull morning .”

Danny – “Ok , I’m making a cup of tea ?”

Barbara Sure I’d like one too “

Danny and Barbara sit down in the corner and chat away while the kettle boils

Danny-”So tell me what did you get up to ?”

Barbara “Oh you know this and that . I’ve actually been standing outside the door wondering where these keys came from “

Danny –“ Barbara hello , come in . Where are you ?“

Barbara “I remember someone gave me a drink and then the next thing I knew somebody handed me this bunch of keys’

Danny -“What are the keys for ?.“

Barbara – “I was told that these keys can unlock secrets of the mind ““

Danny – “Maybe you should try them on yourself then but before you do
Barbara try and smile . You look like death warmed up . ”

Barbara-“That would be a welcome change .”

Danny ‘”What death or a smile ?”’
Barbara-“Watch me smile and count how many different expressions I have and try to tell me what is the emotion there. “

Danny –“Here I’ll get you that cup of tea . Let me take that bunch of keys and hang them up . “

Barbara-““That tells me you’ve got too many hang ups . Danny your mind has been shut ”

Danny “ That’s cool .“ (He pours the hot water and something into her cup without her seeing )

I hope Camomile is Ok .

(He brings her the tea )

Barbara –“ Danny look at my smile for Gods sake will you .“

Danny - “Ok its four in the morning . I’m looing at what ?”

Barbara “Well it fits my face . I see you still have your Christmas lights put up around the place . .”

Danny –“That’s just a reflection from the street lights , would you like me to go and bring them inside for you ?”

Barbara –“I’ll tell you what I would like some Christmas snow . Could you unlock that safe in your bedroom Danny ?”

Danny “ I just might unlock my temper if you ask me that again . ”

Barbara –“Be very careful of the things you say .Look into your heart and soul and think people might be listening to you on the radio and you don’t know who those people are out there .”

Danny .-“This radio world then is that another race that have been locked up somewhere here today in the present ?”

Barbara “Danny boy , you’ve no idea of what is in my head . “

Danny “Maybe I should get those keys and unlock what’s in there eh honestly Barbara ?

Barbara “Why actually that’s a good idea . Grab those keys because it might reveal what is concealed before Christmas day begins or before the new years is here . What is the year anyhow ? .”

Danny ‘”I am serious Barbara you need to get whatever it is inside your head out .“ .

Barbara –“Does anybody have the answer ?”

Danny-” Keep your sanity and leave the drugs alone .“

Barbara “So do I keep smiling Danny or what ? .“

Danny -“ What is it all about you and life . can’t t you see what you’re doing to yourself Eh . Do you know why , has anybody got the answer ?”

Barbara - “Danny stop it .“

Danny —“Danny stop it , no Barbara you stop it “

Barbara (Screams) “Will everyone just calm down . Please can’t you see , don’t hurt me .“

Danny –“I love you Barbara and wish you wouldn’t keep hitting up . Its really starting to frighten me .”

Barbara- ”Stop it Danny . Please stop it .”

Danny –“I still love you Barbara .”
Barbara - ”I don’t believe that anyone could love me . You are so passive and dumb . The thing is you are not a real man . As a matter of face you’re a sad mistake and a part of my life I wish had never happened .“.

Danny ”I want to hold my hand , come on reach out and take my hand .“

Barbara - “ You’re special to me Danny . Come with me . We can escape from this life by using the keys . Bring me those keys “.

Danny –“ Barbara . I know the reason you keep coming here to visit me and at this moment in time I have no cash left .“

Barbara “ I can see by the look in your eyes that you think I actually believe you but what you don’t understand is that something about me and money .. Life is about money and I’m staying alive .“

Danny -“ Put the knife away Barbara , you’re wrong . Life is about love Barbara , the love we used to have . True love cares and asks for nothing in return other than just to be loved . “

Barbara -” I need money Danny . Money makes me feel better , money gets me the fix I need “.

Danny –“Barbara put the knife away . I’m not giving you money to buy more drugs . Stop doing this to yourself .”

Barbara “ I swear Danny I’ll kill myself if you don’t give me some cash .“

Danny “ You have to face the truth and embrace the real issues about life .. Accept love back into your life , give me the knife and I’ll give you the bunch of keys ..“

“Barbara “ Ok , I promise I will accept love into my life . Now I am so very tired and I think I really need to have a rest . “

(Barbara stumbles away into the bedroom and falls across the bed .)

Danny - “Sleep tight my love , mmm, laced camomile always does the trick “

(Danny picks up the phone and rings a number )

“Hello . Is that Hopetown House ? It is . Good what’s going on there .
..Oh I see , its Christmas in the asylum right listen ..could I speak to the director of nursing there or a supervisor .

( A few moments pass)

Ah yes , Hello , who am I speaking to …

Ah good , Doctor Martin listen this is Danny Goodfellow here , I’m ringing to inform you that Barbara Carol’s escaped again . She here at my flat again . Could you send an ambulance and pick her up please .. Thank you .Goodbye

He sits alone looking out the window at the Christmas lights aglow in the street below and walks into the bedroom and sits beside the bed where he covers Barbara with a blanket .

The End

By Paul McCann