It is the night before the wedding. Anna, the twenty-four years old bride to be is up in tears wondering whether she should go through with the wedding, the sound of footsteps coming from down the hall towards her room. She quickly reaches for the box of tissue sitting on the bedside table- thereupon the door knob turns gently back and forth making a slightly clicker-it-clock sound, and then finally the door swung open. Wiping the tears from her eyes she turns her head slightly to see who it is. {Enters Manny}
Manny
Oh! Anna darling, why are you up at this hour?
She walks over to him, trying very hard to hold back her emotions.
Anna
Where have you been?
Manny removes his leather jacket and hanged it on the hook next to the door.
Manny
Out!
Anna:
Out where?
Manny
What? {He says angrily as he walks into the bathroom}
Anna
You’ve been gone a very long time and I want to know exactly where you’ve been?
Manny
I don’t want to do this right now Anna! Let’s just go to bed. {He says frustratingly}
It is the morning of the wedding. Evelyn, Manny’s mother is in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the bride and groom. Coming down the stairs is many in his gym outfit; behind him is a suspicious Anna.
Anna
Where are you going?
Manny continues down the stairs without acknowledging what she asked. Anna enters the kitchen.
Anna
Morning Evelyn
Evelyn
Morning Anna, sit down let me fix you a plate.
Anna
I’m not hungry! I’ll just make myself a cup of tea.
Evelyn
Anna darling, you’ve got to eat something. Today is you and Manny’s day…wouldn’t want to pass out at the altar now, would you?
Anna
Wouldn’t you love that?
Anna leaves the kitchen and goes out on the porch. Evelyn follows after her.
Evelyn
What is the matter with you? The least you could do…is showing some gratitude, instead of being so ungrateful.
Anna
That’s rich! Gratitude {she says sarcastically} Admit it, you don’t like me! You don’t like me because you think I am not good enough for your son.
Ever since you came down here, Manny has been acting differently. I bet you’ve been poisoning his mind against me.
Evelyn
Manny is my son and I know what is best for my son. And I can tell you know that you are the best thing that could ever happen to him.
{They embrace as they exit}
It is mid-day, only a few more hours until the wedding. Manny has returned from the gym and is now confronted by his mother Evelyn.
Evelyn
You’re late! Where have you been? You were supposed to be over Jim before 12.
Manny
Come on! I got held up. What is it with everyone asking me where I’ve been? Anna’s been on my case from last night, asking me the same question. Give me a break!
{He places his left hand on his forehead slowly rubbing it in a circular motion to show his frustration.}Evelyn pulls Manny aside. Placing her hands on her hip, she looks him in the face illustrating that she is his mother and that he needs to be pull back in line.
Evelyn
I’ve been up to my neck, running herons, catering and making sure everything is sorted out for your big day. And you want to come and speak to me like that? Oh no, you don’t! And why is Theresa not coming to the wedding?
Manny
She wasn’t invited.
Evelyn
What? It’s her daughter’s wedding for God sake! How can she not be invited?
Manny
Well, you see…the thing is… she was, but I didn’t post the invitation
{Evelyn looks confused}
Evelyn
What? {She says confusingly} Why would you do that?
He catches his breath and then begins to speak…
Manny
Anna and I were having relationship problems and I turned to mother for advice and one thing led to another.
Evelyn
Oh no no no no no! You didn’t? You couldn’t… you had an affair with your fiancée’s mom?
Manny
Mum, keep your voice down.
He looks around to see if the coast is clear and then pulls her into the kitchen.I have no choice, she can’t be here. What is she tells Anna about the affair. I simply can’t risk her being here.
Evelyn
And how is keeping her away from the wedding a good idea?
Manny
That’s not the point. The point is that if she’s not here then Anna won’t know. Besides, they hardly spoke anyway.
Evelyn
How could you do that to her Manny? With her own mother? Shame on you! Shame on you!
His mother fixes him with a long disgusting stare as she contemplates on his infidelity. It is apparent that she is trying her hardest to understand his motive. She sits down, with her hand upright on the table…locking her fingers together underneath he chin. She inhales heavily through her nose and exhales gently through her mouth. Manny’s pacing up and down the kitchen anxiously awaiting his mother’s decision.
Evelyn
This is what you’re going to do. You are going to have to tell her, you hear me? I don’t care how you break it to her, but you find some way in telling Anna what you’ve down. You can’t marry into a lie Manny!
Manny
Can’t you tell her? I don’t want to lose her mom. I love her.
Evelyn
I’m sorry son, but this is between you and Anna. You better sort this! I hope for your sake it all works out.
{Evelyn leaves}Anna is upstairs getting pampered and ready for the wedding. There is a knock on the door, and then the door opens. It’s Theresa, Anna’s mum. Silence captured the room for a good second...
Theresa
You look absolutely gorgeous my darling. {She says with a smile}
Anna
Mum! {They hug} I didn’t think you’d come… Ah mum, I’m so glad you’re here…
Theresa
Of course darling, you’re my little girl. What kind of mother would I be, if I didn’t turn up to own daughter’s wedding?
Anna
Well I don’t know mum…we haven’t spoken for such a long while; I just didn’t expect you to come or even read the invitation.
Theresa
Of course, the invitation
Anna
What was that?
Theresa
Oh nothing…nothing darling.
{Enters Manny}
Manny
Oh Darling you look amazing!
Anna
Oi! Out! Out! Out! Don’t you know it is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding? Mum will walk him out, thank you.
{Theresa drags manny to one corner}
Theresa
What you think you playing at? Trying to keep me from my daughter’s wedding… Afraid I might tell her about the affair.
{Anna comes out of the room and overhears the conversation}
Anna
Say what?!
{There is another moment of silence}
Manny
Oh Anna darling! It’s not what you think.
Anna
Who did you have an affair with? I want to know and I want to know now!
Manny
What good is that going to do Anna? It was a mistake… I love you.
Anna
Who was it Manny? That’s what I want to know. Mum back me up here. Mum! Mum!
Theresa
He said it was a mistake, just leave it darling.
Anna
Why are you taking his side? I’m your daughter and he cheated on me. I have a right to know…
Manny
There's nothing to tell, it meant nothing, she meant nothing. It's you I love Anna. C'mon let's go get married already!
Theresa looks over at many…her face expression illustrates she don’t want him to say anything. Anna figures it out.
Anna
No! No! No! Please tell me this is a mistake? No
Manny
Anna, I can explain. { Anna takes off her ring } Anna! Anna! he shouted
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