VERONICA’S CHRISTMAS ASSIGNMENT

By

Dakota Balmore

Veronica’s Christmas Assignment premiered as A Victorian Christmas on Friday, December 7, 2001 at the Stage Door Community Theater in Brandon, Florida with the following cast:

Veronica Euston: 12. The selfish little girl called Nicky by her family.

Frederick Euston: 10. Veronica’s brother.

Britta Euston: 4. Veronica’s sister. (This character can be eliminated if a girl of this age group cannot be found.)

Addie Blackwell: 13. Veronica’s girl classmate.

Margaret Hannigan: 15. Veronica’s girl classmate.

Martin Faircloth: 12. Veronica’s boy classmate.

Elizabeth Barkley: 11. Veronica’s girl classmate.

Samantha Marple: 6. Veronica’s girl classmate.

Neda Rathbone: 12: Mentally handicapped girl next door to the Eustons.

Neda’s Soul: 12: Neda Rathbone’s soul.

Mrs. Rupert: 40. Owns the Apothecary Shop.

Mr. Rathbone: 55. Neda’s father.

Mrs. Rathbone: 52. Neda’s mother.

Old Woman: 60s. At the Waterloo Bridge.

Old Woman’s Son: 30-40. Son of the Old Woman.

Miss Lincoln: 20s. The schoolmaster.

Doorman of the Somerset House: Any Age.

Mrs. Euston: 38

Mr. Euston: 42.

Doctor: Middle age on up; either gender.

Traveler: Any age; either gender.

SET: The entire stage represents all the scene locations.

Scene: Outside the Breedlove Schoolhouse.

Scene: Outside the Apothecary Shop.

Scene: Outside Veronica’s House.

Scene: Waterloo Bridge.

Scene: Russell Square.

Scene: Miss Lincoln’s House.

Scene: Veronica’s Bedroom

Scene: Euston Parlor.

Scene: Rathbone Foyer/Bedroom.

TIME: Christmas, 1876.

PLACE: London, England

SCENE I: Outside the schoolhouse: U. C. is an artist’s rendition of a schoolhouse. There is an opening for the entrance. A sign identifies it as the “Breedlove School.” U. L. there is a doorway that leads off L. masked by a flat that depicts a stone or brick wall. U. R. is a similar façade with an open doorway. Above the doorway is a sign that reads “Rupert’s Apothecary Shop.” The introductory music starts. D. R. FREDERICK, VERONICA, BRITTA, and MRS. EUSTON come out of the Euston house. MRS. EUSTON is carrying BRITTA holding her with both arms as she has her legs around her mother. MRS. EUSTON is adjusting FREDERICK’S coat and talking to him. He is very cooperative. Meanwhile, VERONICA has moved R. of them and is buttoning her coat and putting on her mittens. MRS. EUSTON sets BRITTA down and walks to VERONICA to fuss over her clothes. VERONICA is being very uncooperative, while FREDERICK plays “tickle monster” with BRITTA. VERONICA and FREDERICK move L. and are finally on their way off to school. MRS. EUSTON and BRITTA wave as FREDERICK waves back. VERONICA does not look back at her mother. After MRS. EUSTON and BRITTA exit R., VERONICA pulls FREDERICK’S arm spinning him around. She puts an accusatory finger in his face. VERONICA argues and FREDERICK pretends not to understand. Then FREDERICK points R. toward home. When VERONICA turns away from him, FREDERICK moves U. R. VERONICA crosses to him and pulls him toward her. She reprimands him, but he stands with arms folded ignoring her. The OLD WOMAN enters L. with her SON. VERONICA spitefully runs over and stoops down in front of her pretending to tie her own shoe. The OLD WOMAN runs into VERONICA and flails her arms in protest. VERONICA pretends to be mortally wounded from the collision, until the SON steps in and threatens her. She and FREDERICK run off D. L. The OLD WOMAN and her SON exit R. Then VERONICA and FREDERICK enter U. L. with FREDERICK teasing her. Occasionally VERONICA lashes out at him, but he is too quick and runs around her. The Music ends.

FREDERICK

In a teasing chant.

Nicky is going to fail. She’s going to turn quite pale.

VERONICA

Setting her own cadence.

No I am not, my dear brother.

FREDERICK

Mocking VERONICA’S cadence.

Yes you are, my dear sister.

In his natural tone.

Miss Lincoln is going to hold up your writing assignment in front of the whole class and say…

In the voice of their schoolmaster.

“Veronica Euston. Step forward, miss. Why are you so selfish? This paper you wrote is called, ‘What I can do for Christmas,’ and it is supposed to be about giving to others. It is not about what you are going to receive. You naughty, naughty girl.”

VERONICA

A bit irritated.

Stop it, Freddy Euston. Stop it this minute, or you will no longer be my brother.

FREDERICK

Still as Miss Lincoln.

“You are a heartless, wicked girl, Veronica Euston. I think I will take the switch to you, Veronica Euston. Turn round now, Veronica Euston.”

FREDERICK tries to turn VERONICA around and swats her with an imaginary switch.

VERONICA

Pushes him backwards.

That is it. I warned you. You are no longer my brother.

FREDERICK

Falls to the ground pretending to be devastated.

Please, Nicky. No. Take me back as your brother.

In his normal voice, opening his arms to her.

Please.

VERONICA

Turns her back to him, sticks her nose in the air, and folds her arms across her bosom.

Never.

FREDERICK

On his knees with his hands together pleading.

Oh, please, Nicky. Pretty please. Pretty please with…donkey hair on it?

FREDERICK begins to bray and kick like a donkey then he breaks out in laughter and rolls on the ground.

VERONICA

Not as long as there is ice at the North Pole.

FREDERICK

Sits up quickly.

Well, what do you know, sister? All the ice seems to have melted.

FREDERICK jumps to his feet and holds out his hand.

I am sorry for what I said. I will take the donkey hair back.

VERONICA

Turns and smacks FREDERICK’S open hand with hers.

You think you are so smart, Freddy Euston. You just wait. Miss Lincoln will see that my paper is a simply splendid example of good giving graces.

FREDERICK

Serious

But you are asking for a toy carousel.

VERONICA

Disgusted.

Well…does that not just dull the Queen’s jewels? Freddy, try to understand…I have told you and told you that I am asking for the carousel to use for only a year, after which I am willing to give it to some poorhouse orphan next Christmas.

FREDERICK

Shakes his head.

After you have played with it for a year and grown tired of it. I think your report should be a letter to St. Nicolas. That is what I think.

VERONICA

Moves close to FREDERICK, forcing him to move backwards. She thumps her finger on his chest with each punctuated word.

And I think I ought to stuff you in a letter, send you off to St. Nicolas, and tell him he gave me the wrong pig-headed brother.

FREDERICK

St. Nick does not do returns.

The schoolmates enter U. L. and cross U. C. to the schoolhouse.

SAMANTHA

Well, well, well. Look. If it is not the stingiest girl in school…

SAMANTHA makes a sour face.

…and her brother.

ELIZABETH

Why, Samantha, I do believe she is Ebeneezer Scrooge’s granddaughter.

ADDIE

Holding out both her hands framing VERONICA’S face.

You know, Elizabeth, I do see quite an amazing resemblance.

MARGARET

Going next to ADDIE and pointing into VERONICA’S face. She has an Irish accent.

Yes, I see it now, Addie. There is that same cheap nose.

SAMANTHA

Cheap nose: stingy pose.

ELIZABETH

And those frugal eyes.

MARTIN

Demonstrating a miserly walk.

And do not forget the miserly way she walks.

SAMANTHA

She is stingy, I tell you.

ELIZABETH

Yes, Samantha and Martin, but do not go entirely by her looks. One can always tell when the penny-pinching Eustons are about. The air becomes so…tight!

All the Schoolmates laugh.

VERONICA

Hush up, the lot of you!

SAMANTHA

Keep your wig on, miss.

VERONICA

Mind your tongue, Samantha Marple, or I will make a wig of your hair.

SAMANTHA sticks out her tongue and VERONICA grabs hold of it between her thumb and forefinger. SAMANTHA screams for her to let it go, which VERONICA does after squeezing it hard.

MARTIN

Serious.

Why not just go and die off, Miss Scrooge.

ADDIE

Trying to be cute.

And decrease the surplus population.

All the children laugh except for the Eustons.

MISS LINCOLN

Enters stage R. and crosses U. C. to the children.

Good morning, Children.

EUSTONS & SCHOOLMATES

Adlib simultaneously.

Good morning, Miss Lincoln. Hello. Morning, ma’am (ETC). Top of the mornin’ to you (MARGARET’S LINE).

MARTIN

Miss Lincoln? Did you grade our papers on what we would do for Christmas?

MISS LINCON

Holds up the papers.

I have them right here.

ADDIE

How well did we do?

SAMANTHA

Yes, Miss Lincoln. Ain’t we your bestest students?

MISS LINCOLN

Not in English, that is certain. Come inside, and I will tell you.

MARGARET

No, Miss Lincoln. Tell us now. Did we do good…

MARGARET looks at Veronica.

…or bad?

MISS LINCOLN

Well, Margaret, I think I should not…

ADDIE

Come on, Miss Lincoln. We can take a little disappointment.

MISS LINCOLN

Most of you did jolly good.

MISS LINCOLN looks at VERONICA.

ADDIE

Points a finger at VERONICA.

Veronica did terrible!

MISS LINCOLN

Now, I did not say that.

MARTIN

Ooooo, Veronica, wait till your parents find out.

SAMANTHA

It is the woodshed for you, missy.

VERONICA

Oh, pooh, all of you. You can tell me in front of them, Miss Lincoln. I could not have done that badly.

MISS LINCOLN

Are you sure, Veronica?

FREDERICK

No, Miss Lincoln. You do not have to tell her. Just give us the papers…inside.

VERONICA

No, Freddy. I want to know now.

SAMANTHA

Here it comes.

MISS LINCOLN

I am afraid that Addie Blackwell is right. Your paper failed the assignment with the lowest grade in the class.

ELIZABETH

Whacks herself on the buttocks several times.

Bam! Bam! I bet you will not be able to sit down after your parents find out.

ELIZABETH whacks VERONICA lightly on the buttocks.

Eh, Veronica?

MISS LINCOLN

Grabs ELIZABETH lightly by the arm and pulls her away from VERONICA.

Enough, Elizabeth.

Turning to VERONICA, she puts a finger in her face.

Asking for something is not giving, Veronica. Giving has to be a special sort of kindness. I do think you are deserving of another try. However, I am not going to ask you to write anything. Writing is telling. I want you to do. If, over the Christmas break you do something nice for someone not in your family, I will give you a passing grade. What do you say to that?

VERONICA angrily shakes her head in agreement and exits U. C. through the schoolhouse doorway. The schoolmates follow laughing as the lights go out.

SCENE II: Outside Rupert’s Apothecary Shop: FREDERICK and VERONICA are standing U. R.

VERONICA

Well…does that not just dull the Queen’s jewels? You did not speak up for me at all, Freddy.

FREDERICK

Miss Lincoln was right about your paper.

VERONICA

Pushes him lightly toward stage R.

How dare you take her side?

FREDERICK

Well…she is the teacher.

VERONICA

Pushes him harder toward stage R.

Teacher-smeacher. She is nothing but a…stinkpot.

VERONICA takes a swing at FREDERICK. He ducks under it, she spins around, and he pushes her toward U. C.

Heeeeey! And you are a stinkpot, too, Freddy.

They stop, and VERONICA turns to face her brother.

I swear, Freddy, sometimes I just…

VERONICA stops herself from saying it.

FREDERICK

Hate me, Nicky? Just because I am right and you are wrong.

VERONICA

Just hush up, Freddy. This mess is all your doing.

FREDERICK

Forget about who is at fault, what are you going to do about your paper?

VERONICA

I have not the foggiest.

All the schoolmates enter U. L. They cross to C. S. chanting, “Scrooge! Scrooge!” VERONICA crosses C. S.

You stop it right now! I am not a Scrooge!

ADDIE

You are too a Scrooge.

MARTIN

All you care about is getting your silly old carousel for Christmas.

ADDIE

You are the most selfish girl in all London, Veronica Euston.

MARGARET

Chanting.

Selfish Scrooge: rude Scrooge.

All the children except the EUSTONS start chanting “Selfish Scrooge: rude Scrooge,” and begin dancing around VERONICA.

VERONICA

Pushes ADDIE down. The other children scatter and stop chanting.

There, Addie, that is for saying that I am the most selfish girl in all London.

FREDERICK

What has gotten into you, sister? You have never pushed anyone before.

ELIZABETH

She is off her jump, she is.

SAMANTHA

Send her to the loony farm.

FREDERICK

You cannot go about pushing people about, Nicky?

VERONICA

Freddy, I will not have her tell such lies about me.

MARGARET

Helps ADDIE to her feet and steps up to VERONICA.

I say you are nothing but an old Scrooge, Veronica Euston. I am a lot tougher than you are, so I dare you to knock me down.

ELIZABETH

Go ahead, Veronica. I would love to see Margaret give you what for.

ADDIE

Yes. After which, we will all give you what for.

SAMANTHA

Excited

Do it, Margaret. Knock her off her feet.

VERONICA

Oh, pooh, Margaret Hannigan. You’re Irish, and everyone knows an Irishman does not know a tit from a tat.

VERONICA starts to walk away. MARGARET grabs VERONICA from behind around the waist. VERONICA bends down and lifts one of MARGARET’S legs up between hers. Then she starts spinning MARGARET around in a circle causing her to hop on one foot to keep from falling. On the third revolution, SAMANTHA runs in front of them and trips VERONICA. MARGARET seizes the opportunity and jumps on VERONICA sitting on her stomach and wrestling with her arms. SAMANTHA stands over them punching the air in excitement. MRS. RUPERT comes out of her shop, grabs the two struggling girls, and separates them one to each side.

MRS. RUPERT

Here, here. What is going on?

All the classmates except MARGARET point at VERONICA.

ADDIE

I can tell you, ma’am. We are all in the same class at the public school. Every student wrote a paper about giving. Veronica Euston was the only one to write about getting her favorite thing in the whole wide world.

MARGARET

Yes, ma’am. A mechanical toy carousel. Now, don’t you think that is selfish?

MARTIN

It is very selfish when you consider all the poor and homeless children living in the workhouses and poorhouses of London.

MRS. RUPERT

Now, you children listen to me. In just over a week and a half it is going to be 1877. We live in a modern world where differences are settled by talking them out. You children would do well to follow the examples of the great nations of the Earth. Cheer and goodwill: that is what this time of year is all about. Now move along, the lot of you, and no more fighting.

VERONICA tucks her pride under her arm, turns, and crosses L. with FREDERICK following as the lights go out.

SCENE III: Outside the Euston house, 11 Bedford Avenue: FREDERICK and VERONICA are U. L.

VERONICA

Freddy, when are you ever going to speak up for me?

FREDERICK

I am not going to take your side when our classmates are in the right.

VERONICA

Well…does that not just dull the Queen’s jewels? I am your sister. You must take my side.

FREDERICK

Well…I suppose I am not much of a gentleman then.

VERONICA

Agreed.

NEDA Enters L. She is minus a coat, bonnet and gloves. VERONICA shakes her head back and forth.

You are an idiot, Neda Rathbone, to be standing out in the freezing cold with nothing on but your dress.

NEDA

Smiles and then drools a bit.

Christmas. Mer-mer Christmas.

VERONICA

Draws her hands away from Neda.

Oh, God, Freddie. She is drooling again. Why can her father not put her away somewhere? Is it not bad enough that we live next door to her? Do we have to see this defective child every day?

NEDA

Mer-Mer Christmas.

NEDA puts her fingers in her mouth.

FREDERICK

She cannot help it, Nicky. Look at her. She is harmless enough.

VERONICA

She is sickening and disgusting, and ought to be kept behind a locked door.

NEDA

Reaches out for VERONICA and grabs her muffler.

Mer-mer Christmas!

VERONICA

Pulls away from NEDA, yanks the muffler from her hands, and then smacks them.

No, no! Neda, stop touching me, you nitwit!

VERONICA gives NEDA a pull that sends her reeling forward on the other side of VERONICA. Then VERONICA raises her hand to strike her again.

I will teach you not to grab at others, you bumbling imbecile.

MR. RATHBONE

Enters L. on the run with MRS. RATHBONE.

Stop!

FREDERICK runs off S. R. When MR. RATHBONE arrives, he can only huff and puff for breath. MRS. RATHBONE staggers beside him huffing and puffing as well, grabs her daughter, and tries to warm her in her bosom.

Do not hit her…Veronica. She does not realize…what she is doing.

MRS. RATHBONE

Huffing and puffing for breath.

Like coming out here…when we forget to put the bolt in the door.

VERONICA

Overacting, demonstrates for them.

Well…she very nearly attacked me. She grabbed my muffler and pulled me this way…and yanked me that way…tightening the thing round my neck…until I thought I was going to choke. You should really keep her indoors, you know.

MRS. RATHBONE

Still huffing and puffing for breath.

We try…but she loves the snow…and Christmas…and she really does love people. She is just trying to be friendly.

MR. RATHBONE

Still huffing and puffing as well.

And so you must be friendly, Veronica…even if you think…the other person is not.

VERONICA

Well, I do not call choking me in the street very friendly. Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone.

VERONICA crosses C. S. as the lights go out.

SCENE IV: In VERONICA’S bedroom: U. C. is a bed that comes out from the wall. FREDERICK and VERONICA are sitting on it in their nightclothes. BRITTA is to the R. of the bed, and during the following she tries to hand a brush to VERONICA so she may have her hair groomed. VERONICA ignores her throughout the scene occasionally swishing her little sister’s arm away.

FREDERICK

Sarcastically.

Well, Nicky, that was certainly something nice you did for somebody. Neda Rathbone can no more help being defective than you can help being selfish.

VERONICA

Pushes FREDERICK out of bed and onto the floor.

Oh, hush up, Freddy.

FREDERICK

Rises and stands by the bed.

What good deed are you going to do? And who are you going to do it for?

VERONICA

How about you, Freddy? What is it you want for Christmas?

FREDERICK

That is not what the schoolmaster said. You have to do something good for somebody outside our family.

VERONICA

Frustrated.

Oh, but Freddy…help me think of something. I want to get a good grade for my assignment. Surely there is something I can do for someone.

FREDERICK

That is going to be difficult, Nicky, because it has to be a true act of kindness. Do you think you have it in you?

VERONICA

About to explode, she jumps out of bed.

Oh…I do not know! I must!

FREDERICK

Christmas is but three days away.

VERONICA

Disturbed.

Do not remind me, Freddy.

FREDERICK

You have to do something, Nicky. You had better think it over.

VERONICA

I have enough to think about, thank you.

FREDERICK

Moves R.

Then I am going off to bed to have a good night’s sleep. You, on the other hand, will probably toss and turn all night…in guilty agony.

VERONICA

Sarcastically. BRITTA gives up trying to get her sister’s attention and puts the brush on a nightstand.

Thank you for all your help, brother.

FREDERICK

Turns and bows deeply.

You are very welcome, my dear, sweet sister.

FREDERICK exits stage L.

VERONICA

Well…does that not just dull the Queen’s jewels? Some brother he is.

VERONICA pulls the covers down and she and BRITTA climb on the bed.

BRITTA

Goodnight, Nicky.

VERONICA

Goodnight, Britta.

VERONICA lies down and draws the covers up over them as the lights go out.

I am sorry, Neda. I am sorry I pushed you.

A very long pause. There is strain in her voice.

And I am sorry I cannot understand.

SCENE V: In VERONICA’S bedroom: VERONICA and BRITTA are sleeping U. C. in their bed. The clock tolls three.

VERONICA

Sits up.

Three o’clock. Why can I not sleep?

VERONICA gets out of bed and stands beside it.

Perhaps I have been cursed. And perhaps…I will be visited by the same three ghosts that visited Scrooge.

VERONICA laughs.

That is silly.

VERONICA says the following in a deep voice.

“Oooooo! I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

VERONICA laughs again, and then mysterious music is heard as NEDA’S SOUL enters L. floats and dances stage R. and then back L. ending up in a drooped over position. Veronica has gone to hide on the D. R. side of the bed. When the music ends, she suddenly springs to a standing position. BRITTA sits up in bed and keeps her eyes on NEDA’S SOUL the whole time.

NEDA’S SOUL

Veronica?

VERONICA

Terrified, VERONICA spins around toward stage L.

What was that? Who is there?

NEDA’S SOUL, dressed in a tight-fitting, all-white body suit steps forward a few paces.

Who are you?

NEDA’S SOUL

I am Neda Rathbone. The girl you have treated so ill.

VERONICA

You cannot be. Neda can barely speak.

NEDA’S SOUL

I am her soul. There is no handicap in me for all souls are perfect. Veronica, Neda cannot help being what she is. You must get to know her, and then you will understand that she has a good soul.

VERONICA

People like her do not have a soul. I have heard it said that they are possessed by the devil, and that is why they are defective.

NEDA’S SOUL

With great determination and pleading.

Do not listen to people who do not seek the truth. Too often people make up their own truth out of fear or lack of understanding rather than discover for themselves. But I am asking you, Veronica Euston, to think. Use your mind to see Neda for what she really is. Deep in her soul, down under the ignorance, there is much human kindness.

VERONICA

No, whoever you are. I know what I see, and in Neda I see something ugly. I know it may not be her fault, but someone made her that way.

NEDA’S SOUL

Then I ask only that you think about what I have said. For the seed sewn never shows immediate growth. Good-bye, Veronica.

The mysterious music returns as NEDA’S SOUL dances and floats D. R. and returns to stoop low in front of VERONICA. Then she rises up and holds her hands over VERONICA, forcing VERONICA to back up. NEDA’S SOUL dances off L. as the music fades.

VERONICA

No. Come back. You have got to understand that it is not my fault.

BRITTA

Who was that, Nicky?

VERONICA

Runs, throws herself down on the bed, and cries.

It is not my fault!

THIS IS THE END OF THE SAMPLE.

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