Late to the Park

By Calista Buitrago

Setting: It’s about 8:30 outside of Central Park, and there are barely any people around. Marcella takes a seat at a quiet park table underneath a giant umbrella. The park lights are already on and Marcella is anxious due to the heavy clouds above and the loud thundering noise. She can’t stay long but she has already visited the coffee shop nearby to get their drinks. She waits for Mathew at the park because it’s the most convenient for them. 

Marcella: 27, very detailed originated, in a hurry, optimistic

Mathew: 29, all over the place, driven and holds himself seriously

At rise: Marcella drinks her coffee, waits alone at the park table. She has two coffees and one cookie on the table. Takes a bit of the cookie then sees Mathew running down the parkway. Mathew walks up the pathway all wet, turns to see Marcella, then walks over to her but something’s off. He enters the scene without an umbrella, Marcella has her own, the umbrella should be in the scene at rise. Marcella wears an overly sized coat with fashionable heels and a nice tote bag. Mathew is completely underdressed for the weather, but he wears a cotton jacket. 

Mathew: 

(out of breath) 

Hey 

Marcella: 

Hey. 

(Marcella gets up to hug him then he sits down across from her) 

Marcella: 

Already got your coffee 

Matthew: 

yeah, yeah I know I’m late. Got caught up with work. I didn’t have time to get an umbrella or anything.

Marcella: 

( sarcastically) 

Grande Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, You know it. 

Matthew: 

You know my order. 

Marcella: 

(smirking) 

Clearly 

(she takes a sipp of her almost finished coffee. pause. Mathew fidgets with a button on his coat as he tries to take it off.) 

Matthew: 

You gonna eat that 

(Points at the half eaten cookie) 

Marcella: 

Na it’s yours. I thought you meant meeting up at a cafe or somewhere else? Not the park. 

(Mathew does hesitate to munch down on the cookie) 

Mathew: 

Yeah I know that’s probably better. But it’s last minute and I wanted to talk to you in a place that felt more, well, familiar. You know…like our safe place. 

Marcella: 

We haven’t been here in a long time. And I’d say Public place yeah, but I don’t know about safe place. Things are different now. ( Marcella looks down at her wedding ring, pauses then looks back at Matthew and shugs) 

Yeah, but…I know what you mean. 

(pause, Marcelle glances around trying to redirect the conversation)

Anyway, You’re coming to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow right? Haven’t forgotten? Can’t have my best man leaving me in the woods with the west coast snobs. You already know how it’s like… with his family and all. 

(Long pause) 

(Mathew won’t look up from his plate) 

Marcella: 

You alright Mat? You seem fazed 

Matthew: 

What? Me? I’m not fazed. 

Marcella: 

Well… I’m not sitting down with a stranger am I. I know when somethings up. If you’re not flustered then you’re frustrated. 

(Marcella reaches for his drink and moves it away) 

You gotta tell me. I thought that’s why you wanted to meet. 

Matthew: 

yeah I know, It’s just… I mean… I don’t know. 

Marcella: 

Aha It’s a secret. Comme on, now you’re really going to have to tell me. 

Matthew: 

It’s not the kind of thing someone mindlessly shares about, Okay.

Marcella: 

Mat, you asked to meet me, you come late when you know I can’t stay long. You’re not one to beat around the bush. Like it’s almost my wedding and I don’t want things to be weird. It’s already hard dealing with Antonio’s family as it is with all their plans about… 

Matthew: 

Alright. It’s just… that are you sure about this? 

Marcella: 

Matthew. 

Matthew: 

Meaning, are sure about getting married? 

Marcella: 

Clearly or I wouldn’t have bought a $6,000 wedding cake or have the venu at the Plaza hotel or have the performance…. 

Matthew: 

(rolling his eyes) 

Yeah yeah we get it, they’re rich, but what I mean is.. do you love the person you’re getting married to? 

Marcella: 

Why does everyone keep asking me that? It’s kinda pissing me off. Hasn’t it been shown? Haven’t we proven it? Plus, you’ve been friends with Antonio for years.

Matthew: 

Listen, I get it 

( Pause, Matthew hesitates when asking her) 

I, I just want to know one thing. Then I’ll never ask again? I’ll let things be. 

(Mathew moves in to grab his coffee but Marcella takes it again) Do you love Antonio? 

(Pause) 

Marcella: 

Wait. Hold on. This isn’t about love or Antonio. It’s about us 

Matthew: 

NO no, well… no it’s not. What’s in the past is in the past, you’ve always been my friend.. 

Marcella: 

What is it you gotta tell me, Mathew? 

(Mathew puts his head down for a few seconds unsure of what to do, then he takes a deep breath) 

Matthew: 

Marsh, you know we’ve always been close and you know I have always loved you, but what you got with Antonio, gotta be stronger than this. And I don’t think you really have that. Cause well… two weeks ago when he and I left early from the holiday party cause he, um, said he had to work. Something came up. 

Marcella: 

Yea I remember. The whole family was kinda upset

Matthew: 

And I had to drive because his car broke down. 

Marcella 

Yes, okay. 

Matthew 

It wasn’t for work, it was to meet up with Joeanna. 

Marcella: 

This is Joeanna, Joeanna? 

Antonio: 

(taking back his coffee) 

Yes. Joeanna. His childhood friend. Your friend. They’ve had an off and on relationship for years. I saw them together, I’ve seen them together. Marsh, he’s cheating on you. 

(Marcella avoids looking at Matthew and begins to fidget with her wedding ring) 

Marcella: 

Why… How? Wait no this isn’t true otherwise other people have found out. Everything was fine. You’re sure? 

Matthew: 

I saw them kissing and everything. And well… 

Marcella: 

Well what?! How could you tell me this? No, this isn’t happening, not now. You gotta not tell anyone. If so, they’re going to talk and you need proof! 

Matthew: 

(Takes a sip of his coffee then traces the brim of his coffee with his fingers) 

No Marcella, everyone knows.

Black out End scene

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Biography

Hello, my name is Calista Buitrago, and I am a senior. When I’m not involved in school activities, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, painting, reading, and ice skating—anything that helps spark my creativity. Since I was young, I have enjoyed writing as a hobby. However, after taking a playwriting class at American Heritage, I became even more passionate about storytelling and was inspired to explore it further. At school, you’ll often find me in the art room or in the lunch line grabbing some popcorn chicken.

Why did you choose to submit this category(s) of artwork/writing out of the many available category options?

I chose to submit under this category because I feel I can best express myself through scene writing.

What motivated you to write this piece?

I was motivated by the idea of telling a story about a secret being revealed with the hope of giving the reader a sense of satisfaction and relatability.