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OVER BREAKFAST

By Jonathan Harris

(A tasteful dining room. Two women are seated. There has been a breakfast. All plates have been removed by the help. The women sip their morning coffee. A third cup is between them. The older woman - ROSE - is dressed smartly, reading the newspaper, and ready to begin her day. The younger - IRIS - is unkempt but attractive in her plush robe. Silence. Sipping coffee.  Silence. A page turns.)

IRIS

(suddenly)

Why must Clara forever be over-cooking the eggs?

ROSE

Not quite right yet?

IRIS

(Iris sips. Rose scans the paper.)

Not so far. What's the plan for today?

ROSE

Pardon?

IRIS

The plan. For today. What is it?

ROSE

Regarding?

IRIS

Oh, anything at all, I suppose. Any plan.

ROSE

No?..

IRIS

No, what?

ROSE

No plan. Not for today.

IRIS

I see.

ROSE

Yes...

(pause)

...any section?

IRIS

Pardon?

ROSE

The paper, dear. Would you like to look at...fashion or something?

IRIS

No...thank you.

ROSE

All right, then.

(Rose continues reading)

IRIS

Oh, all right. The horoscope. If you like.

ROSE

I thought so.

IRIS

Yes?

ROSE

Scorpio, isn't it?

IRIS

Yes, it is. Though I never thought it quite fit. Do you?

ROSE

Oh, I don't know. I don't follow those things very closely. Here it is.

(Rose hands section of paper to Iris and watches her.)

...good news, then?

IRIS

I find it difficult to understand. Vague. General.

(Iris reads. Rose studies her not too closely.)

...I must say, though, sometimes they do apply. It's really quite amazing.

ROSE

Is it?

IRIS

Sometimes...

ROSE

Makes you feel like someone has spent a good part of their lives peeping into your window, does it?

IRIS

Not often, though.

ROSE

I wouldn't know the feeling.

(Iris looks at Rose)

IRIS

Nor I...

(Rose sips coffee)

Mother...

(Rose sips coffee)

Is father having an affair?

(Rose is surprised but recovers nicely.)

ROSE

Having...?

IRIS

You know, mother. And affair. With another woman?

ROSE

Wha...why on earth?

IRIS

Would he have one?

ROSE

Not quite. Why would you ask such a...and over breakfast?

IRIS

We've finished. I intentionally waited.

ROSE

Not quite long enough, I'd say...

IRIS

No? Sorry, I suppose.

ROSE

Where...what would make you think?

IRIS

The same things that would make you think so, I would imagine.

ROSE

What makes you think I am thinking such a thing?

IRIS

Are you?

ROSE

I swear, Iris, you are, sometimes, too forward...

IRIS

Am I?

ROSE

That comes from your father I should imagine.

IRIS

Yes. No doubt. Is he?

ROSE

Really, Iris...I...

IRIS

Yes?

ROSE

I am sure...I...

IRIS

I thought so.

ROSE

I really have no idea. The very idea.

IRIS

I thought you knew.

ROSE

My child, there are things, you will one day understand, that have no place in idle conversation between a mother and her child. Let alone over the breakfast table.

IRIS

Yes, I suppose there are...

ROSE

Yes, indeed.

(pause)

IRIS

Is this one, then?

ROSE

I should think that it is. Yes.

IRIS

Are there others?

ROSE

Iris, I really would rather not...

IRIS

But, mother...

ROSE

Iris.

IRIS

There are...certain.. .indications...

(Rose is silent)

Are there not?

ROSE

I suppose there are. Should one care to look.

IRIS

Should one?

ROSE

Should one.

(pause)

IRIS

That was a question.

ROSE

And its reply.

(pause)

IRIS

More coffee?

ROSE

I think not.

IRIS

Mine's gone cold.

ROSE

And mine.

IRIS

His is still hot.

(Rose looks to cup between them)

ROSE

Drink his then.

IRIS

Yes, it seems natural.

ROSE

How so?

IRIS

What?

ROSE

How does it seem...natural?

IRIS

The coffee?

ROSE

Your drinking it.

IRIS

Oh...

ROSE

Yes.

IRIS

It's the perfect... temperature.

ROSE

Not too cold?

IRIS

Just right.

ROSE

I thought it must be.

IRIS

Have I answered your question?

ROSE

If you've understood it completely.

IRIS

I believe I have.

ROSE

Cream?

IRIS

No. Thank you. As it is is fine.

ROSE

Are you sure?

IRIS

No. Becoming more so.

ROSE

You wouldn't have it any other way?

IRIS

Oh, I suppose. In a perfect world.

ROSE

Quite rare, that.

IRIS

So I am beginning to understand.

ROSE

You're a good girl.

IRIS

You sound like him.

ROSE

(They are silent a moment. Iris sips her father's coffee)

Is it...alright?

IRIS

What?

ROSE

The coffee.

IRIS

It'll do.

(pause)

How long have you known, then?

ROSE

Not long. Forever.

IRIS

It's really quite...special.

ROSE

I don't question that.

IRIS

It can't last.

ROSE

What can't?

IRIS

Why...um.,

ROSE

No. Of course it can't. Should it continue?

IRIS

I don't really know.

ROSE

Nor I.

IRIS

It might be best.

ROSE

Yes?

IRIS

If it did. For now.

ROSE

For now.

IRIS

It can't last.

ROSE

No. Of course. It can't.

IRIS

You'll say nothing?

ROSE

Should I?

IRIS

I'm not sure. I...

ROSE

Nor I.

(pause)

IRIS

What's the plan, then. For today?

ROSE

No plan. Just so.

IRIS

Just so.

ROSE

Now...I really must hurry.

(Rose gathers herself together to leave)

IRIS

See you at dinner, then?

ROSE

Dinner. Yes.

(Rose starts to leave)

IRIS

Mother?

ROSE

Yes?

IRIS

Let's do try and do something about Clara, shall we?

ROSE

I will speak with her, of course.

(Rose starts to leave)

IRIS

Mother...?

ROSE

Yes, Iris?

IRIS

Good morning...

ROSE

(Rose awkwardly embraces her daughter)

Good morning.

(Rose exits. Lights out. CURTAIN.)