Picnic (a short play)

A HUSBAND, SON, and WIFE, dressed festively for a picnic. They’re sitting comfortably on a blanket, a basket and a small banquet of food laid out.

HUSBAND

It’s a family gathering, really.

SON

The whole town comes together.

HUSBAND

Folks will lay out a blanket. There’s food.

WIFE

We make it into something special.

HUSBAND

The preacher says a prayer before we break bread…

WIFE

We’re god-fearing folk.

SON

There’s music, dancing.

WIFE

It’s a very festive occasion.

HUSBAND

A photographer will eventually show up, usually from a larger town. We like to get a nice spread for the papers, maybe a postcard to remember the good times we had.

WIFE

At a certain point, they’ll cut him down, display the remains.

HUSBAND

Like many, I always take home a souvenir.

SON

Some of the women look away.

HUSBAND

It’s a celebration of our nation’s values.

SON

It’s about justice.

HUSBAND

It’s about protecting our race.

WIFE

We have to draw the line someplace.

END