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turning to page one
There are twenty eleven-year-olds wearing party hats. Margot, Chas and Richie are in costumes. Margot is a zebra, Chas is a bear and Richie is a leopard. Eli is dressed in pajamas. Royal sits at a table with them, drinking a glass of whiskey.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
They had agreed to invite their father
to the party.
There is a small stage-set across the room for a play that appears to have taken place on a ship.
CHAS
What’d you think, Dad?
ROYAL
It didn’t seem believable to me.
Chas looks at Margot. She is silent. Royal says to Eli:
ROYAL (CONT’D)
Why are you wearing pajamas? Do you
live here?
RICHIE
He has permission to sleep over.
Royal shakes his head.
CHAS
Did you think the characters were --
ROYAL
What characters? It was just a bunch of
little kids dressed in animal costumes.
MARGOT
Goodnight, everyone.
Margot quickly collects her unopened presents from the table. She puts Royal’s aside and sets it in front of him.
ROYAL
Sweetie. Don’t get mad. That’s just
one man’s opinion.
The lights go down. Royal looks across the room. Etheline stands in the doorway with a birthday cake on a tray. The candles are lit. She looks furious. Pagoda stands at the light switch. Everyone begins to sing “Happy Birthday.” Margot walks out of the room, and the singing disintegrates.
NARRATOR
He had not been invited to any of their
parties since.
Etheline blows out the candles.