Wives of War

Scene 7

Eve loudly
Oh my dear Eloise you should say something to William

William enters from the study, and stands behind the chairs where everyone is sat

William
Say what to me?

Eve
That's Eloise feels you treat her badly

Eloise
Oh, no no, I didn't say that

William slams his tea cup on the table, barging through the chairs towards Eloise.

William
Oh is that right Eloise? I, treat you badly? I've never heard of such cock-eyed crap in my life. After all I have done to provide for you and your darn sister!

Eloise stands and they are now face to face downstage

Eloise
William please, I am so grateful of course I am, But...(takes deep breath) I would appreciate it if perhaps once in a while you showed some gratitude.

William
Don't you dare tell me what to do! You ungrateful fat-head!
(Fat-head means Idiot)

Stephanie
Mr Dunton!

Eloise
William, please!

William
I won't have some broad tell me what to do
(Broad means woman)

Eloise
I am your wife!

William slaps Eloise across the face

Steph
Stop, William please

Maggie stands
WILLIAM DUNTON!
How dare you hit your wife!

Eloise
William please...

William turns angrily to face Maggie

William spits the words
Stay out of my marriage!

Eve
Not much of a marriage

Stephanie
...Leave her alone

Maggie and William are face to face now, it's is unsual for a woman of this time to stand up to a man but Maggie does not faulter her stance. She stands strong. Level eyed to William.

Maggie
Eloise has been nada but a saint caring for all these years whilst you couldn't be drafted. I will not let you treat her this way!

William
Just because you despise your husband!...One ought to think you were a Queer Bird!

Marie
Queer Bird?

William and Maggie and Eve together
LESBIAN

William
I've seen you sneaking glances and whispering with our Stephanie you better not-

Eve
Well are you a lesbian Maggie?

There is a pause, a held moment. The air has gone from shouting to silence. Everyone's eyes are on Maggie. She struggles to breathe as she decides what to say.

Maggie
Yes...yes I am, and I am not apologetic about it!

Gasps from the characters

Marie
But your husband?

Maggie
He doesn't love me. You do not hit the ones you love.
(This is aimed at William)

William
Stephanie don't tell me you're..queer too!?

All eyes turn to face Stephanie

Steph
No no of course not! I would never... I couldn't...

Maggie
Hold on-

Eloise
Stephanie?

Steph
Sister, it is complicated! ...it is nothing, Maggie simply cares for me that is all! and of course I care for her but ,but not in that way...

Eve
Well it is clear to see that is a lie

Maggie
Stephanie it is okay...

Eloise
Stephanie, are you lying to me again!?
Are you or are you not a lesbian?

A moment is held, but is quickly broken by Stephanie's answer

Stephanie
Fine maybe I am!
(More gasps from the characters)
And I don't expect you to understand!

William
Stephanie don't be silly, you are just young and impressionable, you'll be back to normal-

Stephanie
Back to normal!? This is who I am William! And I am happy!
(Stephanie grabs Maggies hand, who beems with happiness)
And it may be secret and scary at times but at least I am in a loving relationship, you're the one who slept with Marie!

All heads snap to Marie who during this scene has started to back away to exit stage left

Eve
Oh it just keeps getting better!

William
How dare you-

William charges towards Stephanie but Maggie steps Infront of her

Steph
(To maggie)
I'm sorry it just slipped out

Marie
I can explain...

Eloise
(Heartbroken) How could you keep this from me Stephanie!? Of everything to hide from me...

Marie
I'm sorry
(She holds her stomach to which Maggie connects the dots)

Maggie
Oh my dear so he's the father!

Eloise
YOU'RE PREGNANT

Dramatic pause

Marie
I-I didn't know he was married, I'm sorry I-

Eloise storms passed Marie in a state of despair, she sobs as she exits the stage.

William
I told you to stay quiet! One ought to have you silenced for good

William lunges towards Marie and throw her towards the chairs

Eloise and Stephanie
William!

Maggie
Marie!

Eve
STOP! That is quite enough!
(Shocked that it got out of hand)
You must all leave at once!

Eloise hastily leaves,
Stephanie bolts across the stage quickly to follow after her sister.
William scoffs, straightens his jacket and exists.
Maggie follows after Stephanie but lingers for a moment, looking back at Marie and Eve before leaving stage left.

Marie stands up and collects herself.
Eve is calming herself and trying to put things back. She straightens the chairs and collects the tea cups. She is desperately trying to remain collected.

Marie holds for a moment when she hits a realisation:

Marie
This was your plan all along

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