Originally finished writing 9/12/2019, but first published 12/20/2024.

The following is a short story written with directions to be acted out on stage. As of such, its format is a bit different from other tales. This is the first in a series of two stories, the second being "Serene Seclusion."

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Characters by Order of Appearance

• Isolde- Part of the Unbound Unanimity Group, paid by Alder to act as a mother to his son. While around Amadour, she uses the name Yseut. For the most part, she acts strictly professional, but slowly becomes somewhat attached to Amadour over time.
• Clarice- Works at the Unbound Unanimity Group, very professional and respectful. Not very present in the story.
• Alder- Father of Amadour. Wants what is best for his son but greatly upset by the death of his wife years before, and as a result is somewhat emotionally unstable.
• Amadour- Son of Alder, and one year old at the beginning of the play. He believes that Isolde is his mother and looks up to both of his parents. Bold and excited.
• Euell- Husband of Isolde. Very supportive of Isolde’s actions and choices.

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Show begins with desk and two chairs. Isolde is talking to herself while sitting at the desk.

ISOLDE

I’m not Isolde. I’m Yseut. I’m not Isolde. I’m Yseut. I’m not...

Clarice enters while Isolde is talking, and Clarice walks towards Isolde.

CLARICE

Isolde, a new role has been assigned to you. It’s a long term request.

ISOLDE

Just give me the paperwork. I’ll figure out how I’ll act around it.

CLARICE

That’s the thing. He’s asked to see you in person, and from his request, that’s not a bad thing.

ISOLDE

Alright, send him in.

Clarice exits. Shortly afterwards, Alder enters and takes a seat across from Isolde.

ALDER

Hello, sorry for the intrusion... I’m Alder. Clarice told me to come to you, Isolde. Thanks for taking your time... what do you think of my request?

ISOLDE

Haven’t read it or heard of it. You wanted to talk with me, might as well find out through that.

ALDER

Well... okay. I’m sorry if I get emotional but this is a large request. See... my wife passed away a year back. Does... does the ’43 Collapse sound familiar?

ISOLDE

 Oh m... my... I’m sorry to hear that she was a victim of that tragedy.

ALDER

Yeah, I know. Not something in anybody’s control. But, well... she left behind me and my son. He was only a couple weeks old at the time, and now he’s a full year... and that’s why I’ve come to you. My payment will be very generous for this because I’m hoping I can depend on you for decades.

ISOLDE

And that request is...?

ALDER

I would like to pay you to act as the mother of my son. I know it’s a heavy one, but it’s what your Unbound Unanimity specializes in. People acting as friends or family... The idea worked so well in Japan....

ISOLDE

True, but I haven’t exactly done a decade long request. I’ve been in this business for only 4 years now. I... I think I can fulfill this request, but we need to discuss this further for exact details. On days like this, you don’t usually come across such a request...

Scene changes to six years later. Alder and Amadour are together at their home.

ALDER

Amadour, come here. We need to prepare for Yseut to come home.

AMADOUR

Awww, okay... Why does Mom work so much? She’s not here as much as you are.

ALDER

Yseut just has some very hard work to take care of. Her job is very hard. That’s why I’m here to take care of you all day.

Isolde enters Alder’s home. Amadour runs to her.

AMADOUR

Mom! You’re back!

ISOLDE

Yes, and I got a surprise for you! I got a movie for us to watch!

AMADOUR

Is it Gnome Zone? I love Gnomian so much!

ISOLDE

Of course, sweetie. You’re too smart!

ALDER

Heya Isolde. Yseut. Yseut, sorry.

AMADOUR

Who’s Isolde, dad?

ALDER

Nobody, Amadour. Let’s just watch the movie.

Isolde, Alder, and Amadour begin to watch a movie. Amadour falls asleep.

ALDER

Isolde, I need to talk to you about something.

ISOLDE

Alright, let’s let Amadour sleep here. Let’s go to the other room.

Isolde and Alder leave to a different room.

ALDER

Listen... I need to ask you about something. If you haven’t heard already, the Seventh Article was approved by Russell and will be in effect next week.

ISOLDE

Wait, the one that restricts leaving any building for two months?

ALDER

That’s the one... and you need to decide what you’re going to do. I know you have a whole life outside of mine, and that all jobs are on hold for the segment of time, but... Is Amadour going to have two months with or without his... mother?

ISOLDE

Alder, you said it yourself. Job suspension includes your request. I’m married and have more than just this one role. It wouldn’t be fair to my other clients, or even myself. It’s my life and choice.

ALDER

And you, Isolde, chose to sell your life. Are you really sacrificing a seven-year old child for your own selfishness?

ISOLDE

You’re overstepping. Your request, at the end of the day, is a request. Your contract ties me for only two hours a day, and five times a week, and I spend so much more extra time to make your son happy. If anybody is selfish, it is you. You need to see that I’m not your wife, and you’re my client.

Amadour wakes and enters the room with Alder and Isolde while the Alder and Isolde are talking.

AMADOUR

Mom? Dad? What’s going on?

ISOLDE

We’re just talking about my job. I’ll help you get to bed right now, alright?

AMADOUR

Oh, okay.

ALDER

Fine, fine. A week to decide... I’m going to sleep.

ISOLDE

Go ahead. Amadour, let’s take you to your room.

Everybody exits. A scene with just Euell and Isolde in chairs is shown. Isolde has a bag.

EUELL

Hey, Issy, did you hear about the news? It looks like the war is so bad that everybody is required to stay indoors for two months. They’re going to drop off weekly rations at each building. Looks like we have more time together!

ISOLDE

Yeah... exciting...

EUELL

Is something wrong? You seem a bit down.

ISOLDE

Well... okay. You know that one client I work with who has a kid? He wants me to stay with his son for the next two months. Whether he pays or not, that’s all time I’d be taking away from you, and our anniversary is even next month. But then if I don’t do it, then some kid who doesn’t even know that I’m not his mother will be left alone.

EUELL

But do you care about this family? That’s such a heavy request.

ISOLDE

Only the son. His father is kind of a jerk sometimes, but then again, he’s only got me and his son.

EUELL

Wait, this is the guy who you’ve had as a client for six years, right? This guy may be paying a lot, but your work has been almost without any weeks off these past years. If you don’t want to go, then you shouldn’t. But if you want to, then I support your choice. We can always celebrate some other time. Still... I would miss you when you’re gone.

ISOLDE

Yeah, well... I have a week to figure it out. Let’s... let’s play a board game. That’ll be fun.

EUELL

Alright. I’m all for it.

ISOLDE

Let me just get the game out of my bag.

Isolde looks through her bag, and finds the copy of the Gnome Zone movie.

ISOLDE

Oh. That’s... oh.

EUELL

What did you find? Oh! The Gnome Zone Movie! I remember that show.

ISOLDE

Yeah... it does bring joy to some people...

Scene shifts to Alder and Amadour at their home watching a movie.

AMADOUR

I love this movie so much, it’s so much fun!

ALDER

I’m sure Yseut does too. Just not enough...

The door opens and Isolde enters.

ISOLDE

Who wants to play the Gnome Zone board game?

AMADOUR

Mom? You’re home! Wait, board game?

ALDER

Isolde? You’re staying?

ISOLDE

I’ve got a board game version I picked up for you! And I’m going to be away from work for a couple months so I can spend more time with you. And I have a friend with me! Come in!

Euell enters the house.

EUELL

Hello! I’m Euell. I’m a friend of your mother. I’m glad to meet you!

AMADOUR

Oh, hi! And thanks Mom! Are you really staying home for so long?

ISOLDE

Two whole months. It’ll be plenty of fun! We’re all a big family!

CURTAIN