Part 2 —
Analysis and Reflection
105
Some
things are just not possible for a man in your condition!
This
short skit requires one male and one female player. The stage set may include
some household furniture, but two chairs are enough.
Wife (about to leave
for work) There's some money on the table to buy fish and vegetables for
tonight's supper.
Husband (clearing the
dining table) Have you got your watch, your handkerchief and your wallet?
Come home soon. It's my half day at the factory. I'll clear up all the house
work, then we can watch the TV together. Your car
keys! Bye, darling. Exit Wife.
Husband
tidies up the place, hurriedly dresses and rushes out to work. Pause. Husband
rushes in, looking a little tired, with vegetables in his hand. As soon as he
is in the house, he resumes work in the kitchen, cooking the supper. When
everything is done, he looks at his watch, and waits for Wife. He dozes off in
a chair. Wife returns dishevelled and drunk. He helps
her to a chair, takes her bag and pulls of f her shoes.
Husband Oh! I tell you not
to drink— it's bad for your liver. When will you ever listen?
Wife Bring me my
supper.
After
offering her a plate of food, Husband plucks up the courage to talk to her.
Wife sits up, looking better, though bleary-eyed.
Husband You know, my dear,
our men's union at the factory had a meeting. They elected me as the
participant for the human resources development programme on "Men's
struggle for change".
Wife Nonsense, foolish proposition.
Husband I want your
permission to attend it.
Wife You can't go.
Husband Why, my dear, why?
Wife Foolish men's aspirations. You can't go —
YOU ARE PREGNANT!
Nargis Basu