Photo by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash

Leaving Shore: A Short Play

by Debbie L. Miller

Effie and Georgie (gender neutral names) stand in a rowboat on the shore of a small lake. There’s a picnic basket in the boat.

EFFIE

That’s it. You want to be careful when you stand in a boat.

GEORGIE

Got it! (almost falls over)

EFFIE

Want to try it on the water?

GEORGIE

Not yet.

EFFIE

That little island is perfect for a picnic. That’s why we came here, isn’t it?

GEORGIE

I guess.

EFFIE

The reason we dragged this boat all the way here and we’re covered with mud. Well, let’s go. It’ll take all of 10 minutes. Then, we can relax.

GEORGIE

We can relax here.

EFFIE

We’re in the sun. I want to be on the island, under the trees.

GEORGIE

What’s the hurry?

EFFIE

We have to talk.

GEORGIE

Uh-oh. (opens basket) Let’s see what’s here. I’m starving.