The Shape of the Question


One-act play for two actors. Simple set: a library reference desk and a small table with two chairs.


CHARACTERS:


ELENA – a librarian in her 30s, compassionate and attentive
MR. HAWKINS – an older man, 70s, reserved but warm


SCENE 1

Lights up on a quiet library. ELENA stands behind the reference desk. A gentle rain sound can be heard faintly. MR. HAWKINS enters hesitantly, holding a worn hat.

MR. HAWKINS
(softly)
Excuse me, miss… or ma'am… sorry, I'm not great at the formal stuff.

ELENA
(smiling)
You're perfectly fine. I'm Elena. What can I help you with?

MR. HAWKINS
Not sure it's the kind of question libraries usually get. I'm not after a book, exactly.

ELENA
Some of my favorite questions don't involve books. Try me.

MR. HAWKINS
(awkward pause)
My daughter's getting married. She wants me to give a toast. I don't know how to talk about… feelings. Especially in front of people.

ELENA
(sincerely)
That's a real question. And yes—we can absolutely work on that.

(She steps out from behind the desk.)

What would you want her to know, if you could say anything?

MR. HAWKINS
She's my only one. Always marching forward. Always wanting to be seen. I don't think I saw her out loud enough.

ELENA
Maybe now's your chance to say, "I saw you. I see you still."

(beat)
Let's sit. I'll bring a few books with sample speeches. And we'll find your voice between the lines.

They walk to the small table together. Lights dim.


SCENE 2

Two weeks later. Same setting. Late afternoon light. ELENA is shelving books. MR. HAWKINS enters, slightly more confident, holding a folded paper.

MR. HAWKINS
Practiced it. To the cat, mostly. Poor thing's memorized it better than me.

ELENA
(laughs)
The cat's an excellent warm-up crowd. Ready for a test audience?

MR. HAWKINS
(long pause)
You helped me write it. Feels right you should hear it.

They sit. MR. HAWKINS unfolds the paper, hands trembling slightly.

MR. HAWKINS
(reading)
"When my daughter was born, I was handed this tiny, impossible miracle, and I didn't know what to say. So I didn't say much.

She grew into questions, laughter, a voice I couldn't always match. But today, I want to say this:

I see you. I always saw you. Even when I didn't have the words.

You're brave, you're kind, and you're deeply good. And I've never been more proud."

He lowers the paper. Silence.

ELENA
(softly)
That's the toast she'll remember forever. That's your story—clear as day.

MR. HAWKINS
(choked up)
It took me seventy years to find the words. Thank you for waiting while I did.

ELENA
Always. That's what libraries are for—holding the silence until someone's ready to fill it.

MR. HAWKINS
(smiles)
You're a quiet kind of miracle yourself, Elena.

ELENA
Well, every editor deserves a thank-you. And maybe… a wedding photo?

MR. HAWKINS
You got it.



(This writing is donated to the public domain.)


https://tinyurl.com/storiesofkindnessandcourage



--
--
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
https://pairsmathgame.com
https://philshapirochatgptexplorations.blogspot.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/philshapiro.bsky.social

He/Him/His

"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

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