Paris By: VD & CG Characters: Nora, Audrey Hepburn, C
Act 1 Audrey Hepburn Nora C (It is summer in the city of love, Paris. The three women, Audrey, Nora, and C, have all boarded the train to Paris. The train is very cozy and comfortable, and has big windows that reveal the country.) Audrey and Nora are silently sitting on opposite ends of seats on the train C walks to her seat on the train laughing looking down on her phone Audrey and Nora look weirdly at C C- OMG! This parody of Trump is hilarious, you need to watch it! (Excitedly shoves phone is Audrey’s hand) Audrey begins to laugh as she watches the video C attempts to give the phone to Nora Nora- (politely declines) Oh no thank you honey. I find it quite disrespectful to make fun of a man. C- Even if that man has said very awful things about women? Nora- It is not our place to decide whether a man is wrong or right. Audrey- I don’t think it’s right to make fun of anybody in general, but in this case it was just acting. It was only a joke.
C- Well this is awkward. Anyway what brings you guys to Paris? Audrey- Paris is always a good idea. Nora- I’m looking for a fresh start (stares out the window) C- Really? How so? Nora- It’s a really long story but basically, I recently left three people who I thought I loved more than anything in the world and that they loved me in the same way. Audrey- Oh wow, that seems really serious. You know I once played a role that was very similar to your situation. My character tried running away to find herself. Maybe you can relate to that? Nora- Wow this is so crazy, that is literally my situation C- Woah your life is like a movie, this is so cool. I can already tell this trip is going to be wild. Audrey- You think that is wild? Trust me little one, that role got me nominated for an Academy Award. I was nominated for Best Actress.
Act 2 C runs towards Audrey and Nora C- Audrey! Nora! You have no idea how happy I am to see you. Audrey and Nora both stand to receive C with open arms C- Man am I glad to see you guys! (cleans pretend sweat off of her face) Nora- You seem happy and quite relieved to see us. Is there a reason for this? C- Well I’m just happy to get away from my grandparents. Audrey- That doesn’t sound good. Do you want to talk about it, hun? C- Well the only reason I even came to Paris was to be with them, but my grandfather can be so controlling sometimes. Nora- (in a doubtful tone) My husband was the same way, but we can find comfort knowing they do it out of love. C- Love? Treating my grandmother like a piece of property isn’t love it’s sick. He treats her as if we weren't in the 21st century. The time where women and men should be treated equally! Where men and women shouldn’t have different roles in society. No questions asked. Audrey- Obstinacy still sadly exists in the 21st century. We can’t change people, we can only help. There is nothing a man can do that a woman can’t do. I agree women and men shouldnt have different roles in society, I myself was a victim of it. It was hard for me to be taken seriously especially in the 19th century. Nora- Excuse me but I’m a bit bewildered.
Audrey: What about? C and Audrey take a sip of their tea Nora: Well, I’ve just never heard a woman say they can do a man’s job or say that we should have the same roles in society. C and Audrey both spit out their tea C- Sorry it was just inexorable for me not to spit out the tea knowing such information.
Nora looks down to her tea in embarrassment
Audrey- You know Nora you’re a bit unfathomable. I have to ask what exactly is a “man’s job”?
Nora- Well everything that is important.
C- And what is a woman’s job?
Male waiter comes with Macaroons
Waiter-
All three women- Thank you sir
Nora- What a shame. That strong man should not catering to us in this way. He shouldn't be a waiter, you see this is an example of what a man should not do. I don’t even believe a woman should be a waitress, but a woman should be the one catering to us.
C- So do you think a woman should not work at all?
Nora- I think that a woman should work for her family. She should nurse, feed and take care of her children. Cook before their husband comes home from work and make sure everything is cared for.
Audrey- I resent that because I am a hard working woman. It’s been really hard to get to where I am today. Women and men shouldnt have different roles in society. (stares out into space) For so long many people didn't even think a woman should act. I pride myself in being the first female to win an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for a single performance. Nora- (very surprised) So you two think men and women should have the same roles in society? C & Audrey- (in a loud and sure tone) Of course! C- It’s 2017, I still can’t believe this is a question. You must be stuck in the 1870’s or something!
Nora- I think in this quest of finding myself, I am finding new beliefs and ideas. You guys have given me a lot to think about. Thank You! ​(walks out and slams the door)