MOTHER-DAUGHTER

1 act play
by
Matteo Tibiletti
 Title | Madre-Figlia
Author | Matteo Tibiletti
Siae Number | 213623
Identification code | 914546A
Email address | tibilettimatteo@gmail.com
English translation | Luisa G. Bertolatti
Siae Number | SIAE: 168084

All rights reserved. The authors retain all copyrights in any text, graphic images and photos in this book. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Matteo Tibiletti was born in Varese the 23/10/1978. He has always had a deep passion for film,
photography and creative writing. Scriptwriter, short story teller and playwright, he often lends himself to
the direction of short films or photo shoots. In 2009, he published a collection of his best works entitled
Lo sconosciuto, The Stranger, online via www.lulu.com. He studied for five years at the Scuola di Teatro
Citt di Varese, a local theatre school. Since 2008, he has been one of the founding members and directors
of the Associazione culturale Compagnia Duse, the cultural association Compagnia Duse, in Besozzo,
Italy. He has been a member of the Italian cultural rights society SIAE since January 2012 as a playwright
and photographer.

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SYNOPSIS

A mother, her daughter and a pair of feet that stick out from behind a sofa. A difficult, raw, grotesque relationship,
supported by courage and the need to survive

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CHARACTERS

MOTHER
DAUGHTER
MAN

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A bare scene. A bench sits centre stage. Mother and Daughter are sat down. The air is tense. Their
glance is towards the audience. When they move, often their movements are perfectly coordinated.
On the lower right side of the bench are a pair of legs, dressed with dark trousers and black, dirty
shoes. The legs do not move for the duration of the scene.
MOTHER: Dear God.

Pause. The daughter slowly looks upwards. She stays still in this position for a few moments. The
mother realizes this and turns towards the daughter, then she also turns her gaze in the same
direction. Pause. The mother looks down again at the daughter, and then to the audience.

MOTHER: No. Its just an expression.

DAUGHTER: Oh.

The daughter looks towards the audience again. Pause.

MOTHER: Have you got everything?

DAUGHTER: Uh-huh.
MOTHER: Sure?
DAUGHTER: Uh-huh.
MOTHER: Positive?
DAUGHTER: Uh-huh.
MOTHER: Charlie?
DAUGHTER: Oops!

The daughter jumps up suddenly and looks at the mother, worried. They look at each other for a
while. The mother smiles. The daughter exits left, running.
The mother turns and begins to rummage behind the bench. The legs on the bench seem to be
shaken, as if she were touching something that belonged to its body.

MOTHER: Come on!

She finally manages to do what she intended. She looks towards the audience again. She is holding
a cigarette and a lighter. She puts the cigarette in her mouth. She is about to light up when the
daughter appears stage left holding a large stuffed bear. The mother smiles and momentarily lets
the lighter go out.

DAUGHTER (with a big grin): Charlie!

MOTHER: Charlie.

The mother lights her cigarette, but the daughter suddenly moves towards her and takes the
cigarette from her mouth.

DAUGHTER: Smoking is bad for you!

MOTHER: Who says?
DAUGHTER: Me.
MOTHER: To who?
DAUGHTER: You.
MOTHER: What right do you have?
DAUGHTER: Mmm Ummmmm
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MOTHER: You see, you cant stop me from doing what I think is right just because you think its
wrong. I keep telling you, you must give motives and founded justifications in order to resort to
violence.

With this the daughter sits next to the mother, she looks worried.

DAUGHTER: Did I hurt you, mother?

The mother strokes her face.

MOTHER: No, darling, you didnt hurt me but you tore my cigarette from my mouth when I
didnt want you to Isnt that violence?
DAUGHTER: Umm yes?
MOTHER: Of course it is, darling.
DAUGHTER: Well then Im sorry, mother But I just wanted to
MOTHER: Dont worry, I know why you did it and in other circumstances I would have
appreciated it but today is one of those days when smoking could make everything else seem less
difficult to me, do you understand?
DAUGHTER: Actually, no.
MOTHER: It doesnt matter, darling Hows Charlie?
DAUGHTER (smiles): Good, good, good!
MOTHER: Good.

The mother reaches her hand out to the daughter.

MOTHER: Darling, can you give me back my cigarette?

DAUGHTER: Of course!

The daughter opens her hands and gives the mother her cigarette, which is in pieces. The mother
takes the cigarette and looks at it, letting it dangle between her index finger and thumb.

DAUGHTER: Oh!
MOTHER: You see? what did I say? Violence always generates victims.
DAUGHTER: True.

Pause.

DAUGHTER: Mother?
MOTHER: Yes, darling.
DAUGHTER: Why have we packed our suitcases?
MOTHER: Were leaving.
DAUGHTER: Uh-huh and, where to?
MOTHER: I dont know yet.

The daughter turns quickly towards the back of the bench and looks down, then turns towards the
mother.

DAUGHTER: Is he coming too?

MOTHER: Would you leave him there?

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DAUGHTER: I dont know but wouldnt waking him be like using a kind of violence against
him? MOTHER: I dont think hed wake up very easily.
DAUGHTER: Hes really sleeping soundly!
MOTHER: Its a very, deep sleep.
DAUGHTER: Strange! Just a few hours ago he was so awake! when he came into my room
MOTHER: Shut up!
DAUGHTER: Oh!

The daughter cuddles Charlie, looking offended.

MOTHER: Im sorry darling. But I dont want to hear this story. Id rather you forget it actually.
DAUGHTER: But he only wanted to play!
MOTHER: No! Look me in the eyes, darling, look me in the eyes like youve never done before,
please! That asshole piece of shit did not want to play at all, got it?
DAUGHTER: Mother you said a swear word!
MOTHER: I said more than one you werent paying attention.

Pause. The daughter looks pensive.

DAUGHTER: True more than one.

MOTHER: Yes.
DAUGHTER: But you shouldnt!
MOTHER: No, normally youd be right, but not this time.
DAUGHTER: Oh!

Pause.

DAUGHTER: I think Im a bit confused.

The daughter looks like shes about to cry.

MOTHER: Darling my love please

The daughter tries not to sob.

MOTHER: I beg you, dont

The daughter bursts into tears.

The mother turns slowly towards the daughter. Then suddenly screams.

MOTHER: Stop it!

The daughter stops crying immediately and looks at the mother, frightened, while hugging Charlie.
Pause.

MOTHER: What time is it?

The daughter lifts the arm of the body laying behind the bench. Once shes holding the wrist, she
looks at the wristwatch.

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DAUGHTER: Its two oclock.
MOTHER: Great, then its almost time to go.
DAUGHTER: So I mustnt wake him?
MOTHER: No.
DAUGHTER: But didnt you say that we werent going to leave him here?
MOTHER: Im thinking.
DAUGHTER: About what?
MOTHER: Where to leave the body.
DAUGHTER: Ummmm

Pause.

DAUGHTER: Gross.
MOTHER: What?
DAUGHTER: I had chocolate in my pocket and now my hand is dirty
MOTHER: Do you want a hankie?
DAUGHTER: No.

The daughter starts to suck her fingers in a provocative way, and even lets out a few groans.

MOTHER: Would you please stop?

DAUGHTER: Mmm doing what? Mmm

The daughter keeps sucking her fingers, changing into increasingly embarrassing positions. Charlie
falls to the floor. The mother looks around her, preoccupied. Then she picks up her bag and
quickly hands her daughter a hankie.

MOTHER: Please, use this!

DAUGHTER: Why?
MOTHER: One day Ill explain for now you just have to do as I say.
DAUGHTER: But I love chocolate! Dad gave me lots of chocolates, chocolate bars, chocolate
cookies, cakes and
MOTHER: Stop it, now.
DAUGHTER: Why are you saying that? Why dont you ask him?

The daughter turns towards the body.

DAUGHTER: Dad! Why dont you tell mother how happy you are when you watch me eat
chocolate?

Pause.

DAUGHTER: Gosh, hes really sleeping like a big cuddly bear, isnt he? You didnt hurt him too
much, did you?
MOTHER: Dont worry. Hell be better off if we just leave him be. Dad was very tired when I
walked in on him in your room he was a little too tired
DAUGHTER: True he was panting when we play naughty hide and seek he starts panting
like that.

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The daughter imitates a carnal, breathless breathing.

MOTHER: Jesus Christ, you never stop, do you?!

DAUGHTER (stopping immediately): Why do you always shout at me?
MOTHER: Forget about it, mothers angry today.

Pause. The mother stands up suddenly.

MOTHER: Listen, you know what were gonna do now darling, were gonna take dad and put him
in the cozy cellar, what do you say?
DAUGHTER: But the cellars really, really dark!
MOTHER: Well thats why dad needs to sleep and you know how difficult it is for him to sleep
if theres too much light!
DAUGHTER: Well, yes when we played he always kept the light
MOTHER: WOULD YOU PLEASE GO GET THE CELLAR KEYS IN THE KITCHEN?!
DAUGHTER: ok.

The daughter gets up and exits right.

MOTHER: You gotta have patience. I must breathe. I must remember to do so and to think of
something relaxing. I must. I could faint from one moment to the next. What did they say in that
movie? Do you believe in god? Thats the wrong question. Does God believe in us? Well, I
believe I believe that he believes me And if he does he knows that what I did couldnt be
avoided. We all makes mistakes, right? Ive made a few but you just need to breathe, breathe
deeply and recuperate what you can. Breathe and recuperate, yes, this is the solution. You marry a
man, you believe in him and then after while you realize hes not the man you thought he was.
Well, that can happen. Its normal we all have a distorted view of the present and sometimes we
are deceived by appearances. Just look at my daughter I havent given her a name yet. Its that
wrong? I dont know, but I dont think its necessary to give people names. I am her mother and
she is my daughter. Poor thing, I sometimes wonder whether its my fault but heavens above,
shes a rape waiting to happen and whats worse is that she doesnt even realize it! She lives in a
parallel universe! And sometimes, Im envious of her!... she can avoid the suffering that we must
endure, effortlessly But us, how can I say normal people. No, normal my ass was that
asshole (points behind the bench) normal?! Fuck! He said he couldnt find a reason for our love
he was having a hard time. He hadnt touched me in months! And I say look at what he was
refusing to touch! Am I missing something? I dont think so and Im not a prude! Im passionate!
Im a slut! Yes because, theres a big difference between being a whore and being a slut. Sluts love
sex, but not the kind to fill a void, if you can excuse the disgusting pun no! Sluts love sex as the
highest level of passion and physical love. Sluts look for sex, selecting their available human
material very carefully, and wouldnt just sleep with the first man they see, no way! Only with those
who are worthy of tasting the forbidden fruit oh what lovely words forbidden fruit what
the fuck am I saying! I killed that asshole, I dont know what to do with the body, my daughter is a
nymphomaniac for a chocolate shed fuck an entire football team and Im here worrying about
how much of a slut I am! Where were we?

At that moment the daughter enters with a very short, sexy dress.

DAUGHTER: Tadaaa! Do you like it, mother?

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MOTHER: Where the hell did you get that?
DAUGHTER: Dad gave it to me yesterday!
MOTHER: Christ!
DAUGHTER: No dad gave it to me!
MOTHER: Darling, I wasnt saying that our Lord descended to give you that gift, (to one side)
thats all we need! (to daughter) Im talking about your father and his ideas darling, you cant
wear that dress.
DAUGHTER: Why?
MOTHER: Because were not going to a swingers party, we need to take local transport and
DAUGHTER: Doesnt it suit me?
MOTHER: No darling if only it didnt (to one side) fucking hell! If only there were something
she looked bad in I hate her! (to daughter) Its just that, you see its inapproriate. Do you
understand? We dont want to be inappropriate, do we? You see how mother is dressed?
DAUGHTER: You mean badly??
MOTHER: (to one side) The nerve! I just hope that I dont find out shes messing with me! (to
daughter) No, darling, mother dresses nicely, why are you saying that?
DAUGHTER: Mmm dad said that if youd had more taste perhaps you would have had more
men.
MOTHER: Ah interesting well, dad meant that if Id had more taste I would have found
much smarter men.
DAUGHTER: Is dad stupid?
MOTHER: Shhh! He can hear you!

The daughter laughs. The mother looks at her and laughs, then turns to the audience.

MOTHER: She must have got it from someone!

DAUGHTER: What are we going to do now, mother?
MOTHER: Shall we move the idiot to the cellar?

The daughter laughs.

DAUGHTER: Shhh!
MOTHER: Oh right hell hear us!

Mother and daughter move to the sides of the bench and go to lift the body when the stage falls
into darkness. Black.
When the lights come back on, the daughter is standing centre stage, hugging Charlie and pacing
backwards and forwards nervously. Quick movements. She bites her nails, she sometimes speaks to
Charlie, she adjusts her dress, she messes with her hair.

DAUGHTER: Im getting bored! (shouting stage right) MOTHER, IM GETTING BORED

AND IM COLD, AND AFRAID!

Pause.

DAUGHTER: Im afraid. Yes, Im afraid and thats bad, isnt it Charlie? If you knew what I was
afraid of but I dont know. Mother always yells at me. Nothing I do is right. Isnt it true, Charlie
You know, Charlie, youre the only friend I have. Mother says that there arent any nice people out
there. Thats why its hard to find people you can trust. Real friends. Thats what mother says. I

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dont know whether to believe her dads a good person if not mother wouldnt have married
him, right? But now shes saying hes an mmmmmmmm (covers her mouth as if she couldnt
speak) and a mmmmmm (as before). Understand, Charlie? You do not swear! Dad is good, he
doesnt swear at me even when hes with me and kisses me all over hes so sweet when he
takes me and lies me down (she lies down on the bench), he caresses me (she caresses her body)
and tells me Im his little girl. My dad really loves me Charlie. (she sits up suddenly) Mother doesnt
love him. And I dont know if I love her. If she doest love dad, why should I love her? She doesnt
cuddle me like dad does she calls me darling and my love and then she says dont do this,
dont do that. You know Charlie, I think I hate mother. If only she would take me like dad does
(she lies down again), if they both caressed me. We would really be a happy family If mother and
dad both cuddled me mmmm (her hand moves between her legs and the mother enters at that
moment).

MOTHER: (to one side) Mother of God shes getting worse by the hour! (to her, with a hand
over her mouth) Ummm Ummm darling, are you ready.

The daughter, leaving her hand between her legs, looks at the mother.

DAUGHTER: Mother I was just thinking about you!

MOTHER: Oh great
DAUGHTER: And I was thinking about dad too yes, yes.
MOTHER: Marvelous!
DAUGHTER: I was thinking about you, and dad, all three of us together like a real family!
MOTHER: Yes, darling, you can tell me the details another time OK, were late, we must go.
DAUGHTER (getting up suddenly): Have you decided where were going?
MOTHER: I think so.
DAUGHTER: Where?
MOTHER: Were going to grandmas, OK?
DAUGHTER: But Grandma Adele is dead.
MOTHER: (to one side) Oh, great! Because she thinks that her only Grandma is my mother in law!
(to her) Darling, you remember that I have a mother too, right?
DAUGHTER (disappointed): Ah umm umm
MOTHER: My mother is your grandma too remember? Grandma Clelia.
DAUGHTER: Umm umm
MOTHER: Grandma Clelia loves you too you know that right?
DAUGHTER: Yes, but Grandma Clelia is sick
MOTHER: Well shes old, and shes got some health issues but she loves you
DAUGHTER: Grandma Clelia never gives me chocolate!
MOTHER: Grandma Clelia is a diabetic, (to one side) for fucks sake! (to her) Darling, thats
enough talk, lets go please, its best that we leave before someone else gets here.
DAUGHTER: Who should be coming?
MOTHER: I dont know, maybe some friend of dads (to one side) thats all I need right now!
DAUGHTER: Yes, yes, dads friends! Dad says that theyre my friends too!
MOTHER: Exactly no, my love, its best that dads friends dont come here because dad is
sleeping. DAUGHTER: Dad is sleeping because you hit him over the head.
MOTHER (understanding that shes not getting anywhere): I told you, your dad suffers from
insomnia.
DAUGHTER: Thats not true, when he slept with me in bed

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MOTHER: My love! Calm down, dad asked mother to give him a big smack over the head because
he was a little cranky and couldnt get to sleep.
DAUGHTER: Arent we going to tell him were leaving?
MOTHER: No, no, he knew we were leaving.
DAUGHTER: When did you tell him, if you only decided 5 minutes ago?
MOTHER: (to one side) So she can be smart when she wants to (to her) Ive been telling him
for ages that sooner or later Id be leaving.
DAUGHTER: To go to Grandma Clelia?
MOTHER: To Grandma Clelia!
DAUGHTER: And you told him I would go with you.
MOTHER: I told him just before he asked me if he could sleep a while.
DAUGHTER: Ah
MOTHER: Great can we go now, darling?
DAUGHTER: Ok. (smiles).

Mother looks at her, hugs her tightly.

MOTHER: Youre my little darling, you know that right?

DAUGHTER (smiles): Yes mother so you really love me?
MOTHER: Did you doubt that?
DAUGHTER: Youre always yelling at me
MOTHER: I yell at you because I love you otherwise I wouldnt say anything to you.
DAUGHTER: Really?
MOTHER: I told you that to resort to violence, you must have a valid motive. My motive is you.
DAUGHTER: Oh
MOTHER: You see?
DAUGHTER: Yes I think I understand
MOTHER: Fantastic. (to one side) Thank God! (to her) shall we go?
DAUGHTER: Yes.
MOTHER: Got everything?
DAUGHTER: Uh-huh.
MOTHER: Sure?
DAUGHTER: Uh-huh.
MOTHER: Positive?
DAUGHTER: Uh-huh.
MOTHER: Your suitcase?
DAUGHTER: Oops!

The daughter covers her mouth with her hand, lets go of Charlie and exits. The mother takes a
cigarette from her bag, goes to light it, then sees her daughter entering, holding a suitcase. The
mother lets the lighter go out.

DAUGHTER: Suitcase. (Smiles).

MOTHER: Suitcase

The mother goes to light her cigarette. The daughter leaps towards her and takes the cigarette from
her.

DAUGHTER: Smoking is bad for you.

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MOTHER: Who says?
DAUGHTER: Me.
MOTHER: To who?
DAUGHTER: You.
MOTHER: What right do you have?
DAUGHTER: Im your daughter thats my motive.
MOTHER: (to one side) Bitch well, at least she got it! (to her) I love you, darling!
DAUGHTER: Me too, mother!

They both exit. Pause. The sound of a door creaking. From stage left, a man enters, in pain,
crawling. The man reaches the bench. He sits with his hand on his head. He puts his hand in his
pocket, takes out a bar of chocolate. He looks around. He eats a piece of chocolate. He shakes his
head.

MAN: Sluts!

The man keeps eating the chocolate. Black.

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