THEATER 187: Latin Composition

In this moving Christmas drama, a man endeavoring to visit his aunt in a retirement home is mistaken for a priest. He finds himself providing soothing, spiritual comfort to a woman in hospice care.

Bernadette Armstrong directs a cast that includes Goreti da Silva as Mary, Gary B. Lamb as Evan, Gloria Tsai as Millie, and Noelle Evangelisti as Nurse June Allen.

Glen Sharpe is the playwright. Glen was born in Toronto, and he has been an educator since 1989. For the past twenty years, Glen has been an Education Professor with Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario. Glen's many interests include volunteerism, promoting Indigenous initiatives, and athletics. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

Hello and welcome to Open Door Playhouse, a theater podcast that celebrates live theater on the podcast stage. I'm Gloria Ty. At Opendo Playhouse, we strive to bring our listeners thoughtful and surprising 10-minute shorts and one-act plays that showcase insightful and new perspectives of the world we share with others. Opendoor Playhouse is a 501c3 nonprofit theater organization. Support for Open Door Playhouse comes from listeners like you. Your tax-deductible donations help keep our plays on the podcast stage. Donations can be made at www.opendoorplayhouse.org. Now playing in Theater 187, Latin Composition, written by Glenn Sharp, directed by Bernadette Armstrong, starring Gary Lamb, Gloria Tsai, Noelle Evangelisti, and Garetti da Silva. Excuse me, sir. Uh-huh. You have to sign in when you arrive.

SPEAKER_05 1:22

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_00 1:23

Date, time, and your full name. Legibly printed, with a signature spot on the right. You have to identify who you're visiting to. There's a line for that, too. Uh-huh. You'll need to get the four-digit code to get out. They don't want anyone getting away.

SPEAKER_03 1:41

Uh oh, thank you. It's cold out there tonight. Definitely not a good time for a walk.

SPEAKER_00 1:48

It looks cold, but I wouldn't know. It's always warm in here. Even in the winter. The windows sweat in the winter. Uh look over there. They never open the windows. Even in the summer. Oh. There's no air circulating in this place. It's too dry. It makes us all sick. Are you sick? Oh if you are, you can turn right around and head back out. The flu kills people in here.

SPEAKER_03 2:18

I used the sanitizer by the door when I came in, and I'm not sick.

SPEAKER_00 2:24

I didn't hear what you just said. You'll have to come closer or speak louder.

SPEAKER_03 2:30

My name is Evan Martin. I'm not sick, and I'm here to see Patsy Best.

SPEAKER_00 2:34

You're mumbling, and you were talking to the sign-in book. Name, date, time, who you're visiting, and your signature. Print legibly.

SPEAKER_03 2:47

I'm not sick, and my hands are clean. Do you know my aunt Patsy Best?

SPEAKER_00 2:55

I'm Millie Peterson. I know Patsy. Well, I know her well. She takes things from my room. She sneaks around. She's taken a hairbrush of mine and a box of chocolates, too. Patsy walked off with my chocolates when I was at the music and instrument social. I know it. Things go missing around here. I'm going to hide a camera in my room and catch her at it. Patsy doesn't mind the company of the men in here either. If you know what I mean. There's a lot of that going around. It makes me sick. It isn't dignified, playing around. Patsy tried to get my baby Frances from me, too. Patsy is jealous. She doesn't have any friends. No one likes her. She wants Frances, and she can't have her. Frances is all I have left. My son and daughter are too busy to come by.

SPEAKER_03 3:59

I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs. Peterson. That doesn't sound like the Patsy I know.

SPEAKER_00 4:06

Oh, then you don't know your aunt too well, then do you? Oh. I think I know your aunt better than you do. The police were here last week. I phoned them. I've had enough. Things go missing around here all the time. There's a lot of stealing and playing around going on here. Men and women playing around, hopping from room to room, if you know what I mean. It's not very Christian-like. Patsy can try and steal my things, but she can't have my Francis. I keep her close. She never leaves my side.

SPEAKER_03 4:48

Oh, you you dropped her. Here's here's Frances, Millie. Oh, she's an old doll, isn't she?

SPEAKER_00 4:56

Yes, she is. Bing Crosby used to hit his children. Did you know that? Mr. Christmas, eh? What a bunch of bahooey. Just a lot of lies. He died after playing a round of golf in 1977, if I recall correctly. He dropped dead right there on the 18th hole. Huh. Mr. Christmas hitting his kids. Did you know that? You should never hit a child.

SPEAKER_03 5:31

I did hear that about Bing Crosby. That's sad. You're right, Millie. You should never hit a child. Sometimes seemingly good people do bad things. They do things you would think are out of character.

SPEAKER_00 5:46

Oh, you're darn right, that's sad. So many things go missing around here. Toothbrushes, change purses, playing cards, candy. People steal anything they can get their hands on. And there's people playing around, you know, uh sneaking around between rooms at night, doing God knows what. I've called the police. The stealing and the playing around.

unknown 6:16

Huh.

SPEAKER_00 6:18

Are you a policeman? Oh why are you here? Who are you? Um Are you sick? Uh who are you visiting?

SPEAKER_03 6:28

No, I'm not sick. I'm here to see Patsy best. My name is Evan Martin.

SPEAKER_00 6:36

I don't know her. Well, people come and go around here. They die, and a new one comes in to die after them. Over and over like that.

SPEAKER_03 6:47

I'm sorry to hear that. But I hate to be rude, Millie. I have to go and see my aunt. It's getting late for visitors. Uh it was nice talking to you.

SPEAKER_00 6:58

You go on now. I'm sitting here waiting for my mother. She's coming to pick me up. Oh, will you give me a ride to my mother's house? It's not far from here.

SPEAKER_03 7:10

Millie I don't think I'm allowed to give people rides, Millie. Sorry.

SPEAKER_00 7:14

No, it's okay. I get rides all the time to my mother's house. I can see car lights in the parking lot now. That's my mother's car. It's a brown for deluxe. My mother is here to take me home. You go on now. I'll get my coat.

SPEAKER_01 7:36

Millie! It's getting late. It's after seven. I've already turned on your TV and drew back your quilt. There's a good movie on, and I think it's Miracle on 34th Street. It's a good one, right? You remember that.

SPEAKER_00 7:48

Would you like some juice and a snack? Oh, my mother is picking me up to take me home. I'll get my coat.

SPEAKER_01 7:56

I'll let you know when your mom gets here, don't worry.

SPEAKER_00 8:00

Millie, don't forget Francis. Oh, my mother will be here soon. I'm going home for Christmas.

SPEAKER_01 8:08

She leaves this doll everywhere. Oh my. Hi, I'm June Allen, the head nurse for the evening shift at Millpond. Millie loves to chat, so I'll drop Francis off to her in a little bit. You must be our new priest, Father Horton, to see Mary Blair. We've been expecting you.

SPEAKER_03 8:24

Um yes, I am Father Horton. I've just transferred in from Manitoba. I'm just beginning to get to know everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you, June. Oh, Millie was very pleasant. She spoke highly of everyone.

SPEAKER_01 8:43

Now that's a happy surprise, Father. Usually Millie talks about stealing and the extracurricular activities that some of our residents get up to. If you know what I mean. That's one of Millie's favorite expressions.

SPEAKER_03 8:57

If you know what I mean. Oh no. We talked about Christmas songs and Bing Crosby.

SPEAKER_01 9:03

Oh, well, that's good, Father. I'll take you to Mary Blair's room now. She's really not well. Mary has late-stage cancer. We're praying that she'll make it till Christmas. It was such a shock for Mary when she learned about Father Benedict's retirement. Everyone loved him here, but especially Mary. Father Benedict was such a kind, loving, and patient man.

SPEAKER_03 9:25

We were all fond of Father Benedict. I I have big shoes to fill, and I know it. I'll do my best. I know Father Benedict is looking forward to spending time with his family.

SPEAKER_01 9:37

Yes. We had a big send-off for Father Benedict at the beginning of the month, and he mentioned that he'd be traveling to see his family across the country. You'll get to know everyone quickly here, Father. Father Benedict said we'd all like you.

SPEAKER_03 9:50

Oh, that's reassuring to hear. It's after seven. How long can I stay?

SPEAKER_01 9:56

Oh, don't worry about it, Father. Most of the residents are in their rooms now for the night. You can come and go as you please. Mary's room is right here on the left, room 104. Mary has a single room all to herself. It's a hospice room. We want her to be as comfortable as possible. Mary's been looking forward to meeting you. I'll let you go. I'll head to Millie's room and drop off, Francis. And Millie won't sleep without her baby Francis. Good night, Father, and welcome to Millpond.

SPEAKER_03 10:23

Good night, and it was a pleasure to meet you, June. Thank you for the warm welcome.

SPEAKER_01 10:28

Oh, thank you, Father. Merry Christmas, Father.

SPEAKER_03 10:30

Oh, yes. Merry Christmas and thanks again.

SPEAKER_02 10:38

Father Benedict.

SPEAKER_03 10:40

Uh uh No, it's Father Michael Horton. Father Benedict has retired. I'm new to the Archdiocese.

SPEAKER_02 10:49

Oh, that's right. Ple please help me sit up a bit, Father, will you?

SPEAKER_03 10:54

Oh, of course.

SPEAKER_02 10:56

Hand me my glasses on the night stand, too, please.

SPEAKER_03 10:59

Uh-huh. Here you go.

SPEAKER_02 11:02

Oh, that's better. Oh, please take your coat off, Father. It's warm in here. Would you like a drink of water, Father?

SPEAKER_03 11:13

Oh, no, thank you, Mary. Can I get you anything?

SPEAKER_02 11:17

No, thank you, Father. I'll be up all night if I have a drink of water right now. I'm okay. I had my last round of medication for the evening just before seven. The pills make me very sleepy.

SPEAKER_03 11:34

Are you in any pain, Mary? I understand that you're not well.

SPEAKER_02 11:39

I have pancreatic cancer, father. And the cancer has spread to my bones.

SPEAKER_03 11:45

Oh dear.

SPEAKER_02 11:47

Most of my pain is in the morning when I wake up. The nurses are good here. I'm never in pain for very long. I just have to tell them how I'm feeling. They take good care of me. That's good. The pills make me doze a lot, though. The days are just slipping away. I know this is a hospice room, and I know why I'm here. I've had to come to terms with this. And Father Benedict helped me a lot. My husband William died years ago. My son Matthew and my daughter Holly and their kids visit as often as they can. I'm a great grandmother, too. I've booked the banquet room, and we're going to have a Christmas Day dinner together, all twelve of us. I'm looking forward to that.

SPEAKER_03 12:53

Oh, that sounds lovely. Uh I'm sorry to hear that you're so ill, Mary. I'm glad your family will be with you for Christmas Day. I'm hoping that I can help you as much as Father Benedict did, God willing.

SPEAKER_02 13:08

Father Benedict gave me strength when I needed it. He reminded me that I was never alone, even when I was the only person in this room. We have prayed together often.

SPEAKER_03 13:25

Father Benedict was right, Mary. You're never alone. You have your family and your faith. The Lord is with you. You you seem strong and resilient.

SPEAKER_02 13:39

That's just it, Father. I appear to be strong, and I I try to convince myself that I'm okay with what's coming. But I'm not. I'm afraid I'm afraid to die. I don't want to leave my family behind, and I worry about them. My faith has been shaken. I want to live and be with my grandchildren and their partners and their kids. But I won't be able to. I'm so afraid. Please help me, Father.

SPEAKER_03 14:28

Um I no one knows what you're really going through, but you and your God, Mary. God is with you. Our Lord is here in this room with us right now. I can feel his presence. Let his everlasting love for you comfort and guide you. Know, Mary, that you're loved as a faithful servant to Christ.

SPEAKER_02 14:57

Thank you, Father. I needed to hear that. The same way about you that Father Benedict had. I can sense that you care about your parishioners. The Archdiocese is lucky to have you. Oh I'm lucky to have you. You have a kind face. And I can sense that you have a good heart. Will you pray with me, Father?

SPEAKER_03 15:35

Oh of course let me see. Oh O Heavenly Father, bless Mary and her family during this difficult time. Lord, bask your glory and your light on Mary as she battles this awful disease. Let her feel your presence. Let her rest, knowing that you are always with her, guiding her and loving her, and never leaving her side. Let her know that she will have a room in your kingdom for eternity. Ease Mary's fears and her doubts with your glory and everlasting love, dear Lord. Amen.

SPEAKER_02 16:30

Thank you, Father Michael. May God bless you for your kindness.

SPEAKER_03 16:37

Thank you, Mary. I won't stay much longer. I know you're tired and it's getting late. There are some facial wipes on your nightstand. Would you like me to wipe your face down before I go? Thank you, Father.

SPEAKER_02 16:54

That would be appreciated.

SPEAKER_03 16:56

Here you go. Let me take your glasses. There we are. There. Oh Mary Mary, I haven't been honest with you. I'm not a priest. My name is Evan Martin, and I came to Mill Pond for the first time to see my aunt. I don't know why I lied. I don't know why I'm here. This is so unlike me. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, Mary. I I'm not even a particularly religious person. I'm truly sorry. I did mean what I said to you, though. I want you to know that people people around you care about you. You're loved. I I'm sorry, Mary. Mary? Mary? Oh uh good evening, um Father Horton. I believe Mary has fallen asleep, and I must be going. I feel like I've known you my entire life, Father. Take care, and thank you for everything that you do. I I know I will see you again. I think I have some explaining to do. Merry Christmas.

SPEAKER_00 18:20

Oh, thank you, and Merry Christmas to you night holy night all is common, all is right, our plays are produced by Bernadette Armstrong, recorded by David Peters at Oak House Studio in Altadena, California. Sound effects are provided by Audio Jungle and music from Karaoke Version. If you are interested in submitting a play for production, you can find that information on our website, www.opendoorplayhouse.org. Please share this podcast with friends and don't forget to subscribe so you will be notified when our next production is live. Thanks so much for your support. Happy holidays and have a wonderful new year.