A series of mini-dramas based on public conversations, as overheard and rewritten by local playwright/director Aurora Stewart de Peña.

Overheard on the packed Dufferin Bus on Saturday afternoon.

Thanh-Ha, 65, carries three white plastic groceries in each hand. They are very full, the handles are stretching. 

She sits down in a seat at the front of the bus.

Karl is her son. He’s 14, tall and thin. He’s also got three past-capacity grocery bags in each hand. He stands in front of where his mother sits, leaning on the pole.

The bus lurches forward.

One of Karl’s bags rips at the bottom. A dozen apples spill out. They begin rolling down the aisle, toward the back of the bus. They bounce off each other, collecting dirt and bruises as they go.

Karl and Thanh-Ha watch with wide eyes.

Pause.

Thanh-Ha: (Slowly, to Karl) What is wrong with you?

Karl: I’m sorry.

Thanh-Ha: (Voice rising, tears building) I told you to get double bags!

Aileen, 46, begins collecting the escaped apples. Other passengers help.

Thanh-Ha: (Screaming) I told you to get double bags!

Karl hangs his head. 

Thanh-Ha: (Screaming) Now what are we supposed to do?

The passengers on the bus stop what they’re doing, they watch, quiet.

Thanh-Ha: WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?!

Karl: (Quietly, head hung) I’ll get more apples.

Thanh-Ha: WITH WHAT MONEY?!

Karl: I don’t know.

Thanh-Ha: WITH WHAT MONEY, YOU IDIOT?!

Aileen approaches from the back of the bus.

She takes her wallet from her purse.

Aileen: (To Thanh-ha) It’s not his fault, those bags are flimsy.

She takes a twenty out of her wallet. She hold it out to Thanh-Ha.

Aileen: I’ll pay for more apples. 

Karl and Thanh-Ha stare at Aileen.

Karl: Leave us alone.

Aileen: What?

Karl: I don’t need your help.

____

Aurora Stewart de Peña is half of the theatre company Birdtown & Swanville (the other half is Nika Mistruzzi). You can follow her on Twitter at @Aurorahhh.

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