#a10minuteplay

[talesofabyss-blog]

A BITTERSWEET BREAK

A 10- MINUTE PLAY 

BY

D. M. Escoto

C.A. Feltis

J. Intal

R. G. Ocampo

R. T. Policarpio

Grade 12- Jehoshaphat

 CHARACTERS

Atty. Riguel Aleje Fontanilla – 25 year-old

-          Attorney at Happy Firm

Atty. Veronica Perez  - 24 year-old

-          Public attorney at CA Department

Anika Jimenez – 24 year-old

-          Investigator

-          Friend of Veronica

Sec. Anna Cruz – 20 year-old

-          Secretary of Veronica

TIME

The time is in the year 2050

PLACE

California

(Scene 1)

RIGUEL

(Answers the phone immediately)

Hello? Yes, this is Atty. Fontanilla from Happy Firm. How may I help you? Okay, Just text to me the address and I’ll go there right away.

 RIGUEL fixes his things quickly before leaving the coffee shop then suddenly RIGUEL bumps on VERONICA. Veronica’s coffee spilled on her dress.

VERONICA

(in a yelling tone)

Excuse me?! Are you blind?!

RIGUEL

(Leaving the place in a hurry)

I’m sorry, miss!

 VERONICA

(Staring at him badly)

How rude!

(Scene 2)

Afternoon. At the Crime Scene. In a condo unit. POLICEMEN are all around. The cadaver on the floor. RIGUEL goes straight to the INVESTIGATOR to tell him that he is assigned to investigate the crime.

Subsequently, VERONICA comes in. RIGUEL leaves.

 VERONICA

(whispering)

What is he doing here?

 ANIKA

(In confusion)

Why? Do you know him?

 VERONICA

(In a pissed tone)

No, but all I know is that he’s an annoying guy who ruined my day just couple of minutes ago.

 ANIKA

But that guy happened to be your opponent. He is Attorney Fontanilla, the lawyer of the accused.

 VERONICA

(In shock)

What?! He’s a lawyer? He didn’t even say sorry properly earlier and now he’s acting like a hero here? Fighting for justice? Hah! Let me show him what a real lawyer is.

 ANIKA

Veronica Perez Garcia, what are you planning to do?

 VERONICA

(Smirks)

Nothing. Let’s just go and start looking for evidences we can use against that Fontanilla-annoying-guy.

(Scene 3)

VERONICA goes outside the CA Department

A STRANGER suddenly holds her hand. 

STRANGER

(Begs)

Ms. Garcia, please help me, my son is innocent.

 VERONICA

(Talks softly)

Sir---wait, please stop grabbing my hand. Sir, please let go. There’s nothing I can do anymore.

 STANGER

(Begging)

No, I need you to listen. My son is innocent but now he’s in the prison.

 RIGUEL parks his car. Hears a COMMOTION. Goes to the scene. Sees VERONICA being harassed.

RIGUEL

Sir, let go of her hand. If you refused to, we could file a case against you.

 STRANGER

(softly)

Ms. Garcia, please reconsider. I really need your help.

 RIGUEL

(In a concerned tone)

Are you alright, Miss? What does he need from you?

 VERONICA

(Raging)

None of your business!

 RIGUEL

(In a confused tone)

Wait, why are you shouting at me instead of saying thank you? What did I do?

 VERONICA

(Sarcastic)

Well, as far as I remember, we bumped at each other yesterday in the coffee shop and you threw my coffee but wait there’s more, you also ruined my dress!

 RIGUEL

(Apologetic)

Oh right, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean it, it’s just that I’m in a hurry. If you want, I could replace that coffee today, if you are free.

 VERONICA

(shrugs off)

Fine. Let’s go for a coffee, just meet me on the same coffee shop.

(Scene 4)                                                                  

VERONICA and RIGUEL walks into a coffee shop. Buys a coffee. THEY decide to go home.

 VERONICA

Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Fontanilla.

 RIGUEL

Welcome, I owe you one. By the way, just call me Riguel, Mr. Fontanilla is too formal.

 VERONICA goes inside her car, but it won’t start.

 VERONICA

(pissed tone)

This car is just fine earlier!

 RIGUEL

(Concerned)

What happened?

 VERONICA

I don’t know. It just won’t start.

 RIGUEL tries to fix VERONICA’S car but in the end, RIGUEL also gave up.

RIGUEL

I’ll just give you a ride if it’s okay with you.

 VERONICA

(Shy and hesitant)

No, it’s fine. I’ll just take a cab.

 RIGUEL

(insisting tone)

Again, I insist. It’s getting late and what if that man is still following you?

By the way, where do you live?

 VERONICA

Hillsborough Park but if you’re out of the way, I’ll just take a cab.

 RIGUEL

(Surprised)

What? You mean, we live in the same neighborhood?

 VERONICA

(Astonishes)

Really? What a coincidence.

 RIGUEL

Yes, so there’s no way you’re taking a cab.

 THEY leave the coffee shop. Goes straight to VERONICA’s house. THEY arrive. RIGUEL opens the door for VERONICA.

VERONICA

Thank you for today.

 RIGUEL

(Apologetic)

No problem. I’m sorry for making a bad impression yesterday.

VERONICA

(Goodbye tone)

Forget it. You should go home, it’s already late. Thank you for the coffee and ride.

  (Scene 5)

Next morning, RIGUEL sees VERONICA walking while on his way to work. He beeps his car.

 VERONICA

(surprised)

Oh my God!

 RIGUEL

(laughs)

What’s making you frown so early in the morning?

 VERONICA

(irritated tone)

You almost gave me a heart attack! I’m just pissed off because my car is not working.

 RIGUEL

Still not? Come on, hop in.

 VERONICA

(agreeing tone)

What? No! I don’t want to be a burden and besides, it looks like you have a work?

 RIGUEL

Yeah, but I still have hours before my work.

 VERONICA

Fine, whatever.

 RIGUEL starts the engine and drive to                                                                                  her office.

VERONICA

So, what’s your work?

 RIGUEL

(mocking tone)

Getting to know each other stage, huh?

 VERONICA

(reacts with disbelief)

Stop assuming please, I’m just curious.

 RIGUEL

(cleared his throat and started to be serious)

I am a lawyer and I work for Happy Firm. How about you? I saw you yesterday in CA Department of Justice Riverside.

 VERONICA

Technically, I work there, I run errands for them.

 VERONICA’s stomach grumbles.

 VERONICA

(Surprised and laughs)

Oh my God, that’s definitely not my tummy!

 RIGUEL

(embarrassed tone)

Fine, it’s mine! But let me explain, I usually don’t eat my breakfast because, first, I’m always early for work and second, no one cooks for me so I don’t really have time for it.

 VERONICA

(concerned face)

Do you want to eat first? We can drive thru from the fast food nearby our office.

 RIGUEL

No, it’s fine. I’m used to it. Besides, you’ll be late.          

 VERONICA

Okay, if you say so.

 They arrive in their offices and bid goodbye. RIGUEL sees VERONICA walking again outside their subdivision and asks her to hop in his car.

 RIGUEL

(asks Veronica with a jolly face)

Hey Veronica! Hop in, I’ll drive you into your office.

What’s that? Why do you have an excess bag?

 VERONICA

(joyfully handed the paper bag to Riguel)

Oh, this for you! Since, you’re driving me to my work and even driving me to home. I’ll cook for you in exchange.

 RIGUEL

(surprised)

Wow, thank you. I really appreciate it.

 VERONICA

No problem, I’ll just leave it here later. So, how’s work?

 RIGUEL

(frowns)

It’s fine but a bit stressful. I’m handling a murder case. I’m fighting for the accused, I don’t know but they kept on blaming him even though the evidences are not pointing him. Something’s wrong.

 VERONICA

(inquisitive)

What makes you think that he is not the killer?

 RIGUEL

(confident)

I just know and after all, he’s my client.

 Months had passed, it's been a routine for them to come to work and eat breakfast together. One day…

 RIGUEL patiently waits for VERONICA outside her house.  Eventually RIGUEL decides to go.

(Scene 6)

RIGUEL enters the court and sees VERONICA standing on the other side with the family of the victim. Upon seeing VERONICA, RIGUEL has realizations until the hearing ends that leads for veronica to win the case and he concluded that she used him to win her case.

 JUDGE

Members of the jury, attorneys, and court personnel, thank you for the respect that you have given the law. However, as you leave the court, remember that you have a duty to uphold the oath of confidentiality concerning these proceedings. I hereby declare the trial adjourned.

 The JUDGE bangs the gavel. RIGUEL walks out from the court. VERONICA chases him.

 VERONICA

(teary eye)

Riguel, wait, let me explain!

 VERONICA chases RIGUEL.

 RIGUEL

(disappointed)

Go ahead, explain how you fooled me all this time.

 VERONICA

Fooled? I never did that! It was never my intention to make you feel this way. I’m sorry, please believe me.

 RIGUEL

(sarcasm and mockery)

You’re really a good actress, huh. You even cooked for me and all but then all of those were front act? To spy on me and win this case then congratulations because you succeed!

 VERONICA

(gently)

Okay, at first, I saw you at the crime scene of this case then that time, I was mad at you. I was so determined to show you that I am better than you but believe me, I never planned for this to happen. I never planned to spy on you or what. I am not that shallow!

 RIGUEL

(shouts)

Do you think I’ll believe on you? After everything you’ve done? After showing up here out of nowhere?

 VERONICA

(teary eyes)

I am sorry.

  RIGUEL

(shouting)

I asked you, right? I asked you about your work and you told me you’ll just run errands for the office but just a few minutes ago, you stood up there, accusing someone!

 VERONICA

(cracking voice)

Yes, but that’s because I still don’t know you enough that time. That’s why I didn’t tell you about my job. I’m sorry. I promise, I won’t lie to you again.

 RIGUEL

I’m sorry but you missed your chance. I won’t let you lie to me again.

 VERONICA

(tears started to fall down)

I love you. I really do. Please, believe me.

 RIGUEL

(frustrated and disappointed)

You didn’t love me. You used me. For God sake, I am not an object! But you treated me like one. But you know what’s more painful? After everything you’ve done, after you0 lied to me, I still love you but I can’t stand being with you knowing that you succeed by ruining someone else’s life. Congratulations, Veronica!

 VERONICA

(shouting and crying heavily)

Riguel!

(Scene 7)

After three months, Veronica is promoted and sent to another place because of the case she won against Riguel.

 EMPLOYEE

Good morning Ms. Veronica!

VERONICA smells the EMPLOYEE’S PERFUME. VERONICA thinks about RIGUEL

EMPLOYEE

(concerned tone)

Ms. Veronica, are you alright?

 VERONICA

(jolted tone)

I’m sorry, I just remembered someone.

 The EMPLOYEE exits. VERONICA goes to Backyard Brew, the coffee shop where VERONICA and RIGUEL first met.

VERONICA orders a COFFEE and spills accidentally to RIGUEL

VERONICA

Oh my God, I’m sorry, sir.

 RIGUEL

(cold voice)

It’s fine.

     VERONICA looks at the guy (RIGUEL) as she hears RIGUEL’S voice.

 VERONICA

(In shock)

Riguel? Oh my God, it’s me, Veronica. How have you been?

 RIGUEL

(in frustration)

I have to go, I’m sorry.

 VERONICA

(sobbing)

Wait, Riguel, I have to take this chance because if I didn’t, I might regret again not only for three months but for the rest of my life. Riguel, I still love you.

 RIGUEL

(emotionless)

Veronica, when I told you I love you, I really do and after we fought, I just wanted space to think but you, you chose to walk away. I even waited for you, but I realized something, waiting for you was like waiting for the stars to go down, it’s useless and disappointing.

 _________________________________________________________

Photo source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/402368547957169514/?nic=1a&fbclid=IwAR1H3cmxXAUNCVkh70le7Qwtp5cHkbDjimYdfeZgR4d0lPzFVfo-yWcufgo