Lights shine through immaculately clean windows and Irish lace curtains as John pulls up to his home. Ah, he sees a familiar car is parked there. ‘Oh no, he thinks….Betty budd-in-ski…one of Aunt Margaret’s friends. The one who brags, belittle’s and has always recently found a great buy which proves her superior intellect.
John open’s the kitchen door. He takes a deep breath and walks into the dining area.
John
‘Hi. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year….or I guess clown fest..judging by this year’s first night celebration on the boardwalk.’
Betty
‘Hi dear. How are you? How was your year? Although I already know that answer. Maybe this will be the year you have a good job or a girlfriend. Oh, you know…a good year.’
John
‘Wow. That was fast. You sized my whole life up. Gotta geta girlfriend. You up for stuff?’
Aunt Margaret
‘John.’
John
‘Aunt Margaret’
Betty
‘Well your Aunt’s not getting any younger. Our eye sight’s going…’
Aunt Margaret
‘An Elf fell off the shelf.’
John
‘Is this a nursery rhyme?’
Aunt Margaret
‘…and he was wearing Easter grass.’
Betty
‘You know what that means. So the Easter grass must have been on that shelf for a year.’
John
‘No way. This house…every inch is cleaned constantly….except in my room.’
Aunt Margaret to Betty
‘His space.’
Betty waves her hand
‘So then you explain it.
John thinks for a minute.
‘Well, most of the year…the elves are put up in the attic with the Easter bunnies and grass. No one’s around. It’s dark. You don’t know what goes on up there. Maybe they had a picnic in the Easter grass.’
Betty
‘What an imagination. Where does he get these ideas…how’s the writing career going.’
John
‘It’s part time.’
Betty
‘I know.'
John
'I know...you know.'
Betty
So..... did you all have a good Christmas? Did you go to First Night?’
John
'I know...you know.'
Betty
So..... did you all have a good Christmas? Did you go to First Night?’
John
‘I went. Worked it a bit too with Adjin. Lot’s of people. It was so warm outside. Lot’s of clowns and tricks being done and prizes. Lot’s of things to give away or buy. More things.’
Betty
‘I’ve said it before. And I’ll say it again. I love my things. I love my new silver car and my stainless steel, French door refrigerator with the crushed and cubed ice and water in the door…’
John
‘Yeah, that’s cool. First Night used to be so different. Quite moments to be peaceful and hopeful and thankful for the things that matter are important too. And the best things in life…are not things.’
Betty
‘I disagree. We live for things…we work for things. I love my things.’
John
‘Do they love you back? Would they miss you if you were gone. Stop working? Or just go on and give someone else crushed ice? I like crushed ice too…but sometimes I think things are Satonic…no that would be a cool name for a mixed drink. Satanic! Things are a distraction. They keep us from focusing on the things that matter.’
Betty
‘O.k. Father John…what things matter. Bibles…the cross on your neck…only religious buildings?’
John
‘…I don’t care what religion anyone is. But I think the things that matter are living things…animals….people…God.’
Betty
‘I certainly don’t view God as a living thing.’
John
‘I know you don't.’
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