Genre: Dramedy, Stage Play

Length: 10 minutes

Casting
Any race or ethnicity. The two characters should be close in age.
1 woman, past retirement age.
1 man, past retirement age.

Synopsis
Two people, both past retirement age, have been having a relationship for 10 months. She wants to break it off.

Excerpt
Ona: Have you got everything? Your shaving stuff? Your Scotch?
Novak: It’s touching how solicitous you’ve become now that you’re getting rid of me.
Ona: I’d like to think of it as kindness.
Novak: They’re synonyms, actually.
Ona: You have just illustrated why–never mind. Would you just go?
Novak: After more than ten months I think I’m entitled to a few minutes to gather my things.
Ona: Fine.

Production needs summary
Set
Two entrances. A counter or a table to serve as one.

Costumes
Modern casual, with a jacket, for Novak. Bathrobe and slippers for Cana.

Props
Coffee maker. Coffee grinder. Coffee mug. Two or three tote bags filled with items that the audience cannot see. A scarf or other man’s personal item. A light vacuum cleaner.

Sound
Doorbell. Knocking on a wooden surface can substitute.

Production History
Small Personal Items has been produced in New York.