Characters

Rita, Roshni’s mother in her 40s

Roshni, “ The good child” her mother's favorite, she is 17

Riri, Rita’s adopted child

Setting
Toronto Canada. December 24th















RITA
Let’s go to the mall Roshini!

ROSHNI
It’s Christmas tomorrow mom, the malls must be packed.

RITA
But I need to do last minute shopping, I’ll buy you shoes.

ROSHINI
Deal, but can Riri come?

RITA
Why would we take her?

(RIRI crawls out of her dark space of living)
RIRI
I heard that

RITA
Ha, Ha, okay let’s go.
(yanks Roshni's hand)


























RIRI
It’s okay Roshni, I’ll just do what I always do when you leave me.

RITA
Yeah, better finish that homework.

RIRI(rolls eyes)

ROSHINI
Bye Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

RIRI(Snarls)

(Scene 2, Lights dim, and setting changes into car)

ROSHNI
Plays soft classical music

RITA
See this is why, I love you dear daughter, your horrid sister would’ve put some crazy talking artist that no one could understand

ROSHINI
Mom it’s called hip hop, and I think you should appreciate it, Riri tries really hard to please you.

RITA
Never I don’t like Riri,she’s such a rebellious child. I like you better Rosh

ROSHNI
She never even does anything mom! You are just being biased. She’s my sister and I appreciate it if you tried to be nice to her, you’re hurting her feelings















RITA
She has feelings?

ROSHINI
Toronto’s cold must be getting to you

RITA
Hush up, mom’s violin solo is coming up.

ROSHINI (Sighs)
Okay

(Roshni get’s cut off, for her parking space)

RITA
You are just going to let him cut you off like that? HONK! DO SOMETHING! MAKE A SCENE!

ROSHNI
No mom, there’s no need for that.

RITA
YOU KNOW YOU’RE THE REASON FOR BAD DRIVERS!

ROSHNI
There’s a parking space right there! Calm down mom!

RITA
Don’t tell me to calm down.

(TENSION IN THE CAR)

RITA (sarotical)
Get it before you miss this parking too.

ROSHNI
(Tries to say something rude, but controls herself and instead sighs)























(Rita and Roshni Reach mall)

ROSHNI
So where do you want to go first?

RITA
MICHAEL KORS!

ROSHNI
We’re gifting our guest Michael Kors this year? How generous mom!

RITA
Who said anything about gifting?

ROSHINI
You...? I thought that why we came to the mall in the first place...

RITA
Right, well we’ll stop by ROSS for them when we’re done.

ROSHNI
Mom I don’t believe that’s right...

RITA: It’s may be wrong, but it feels so right













ROSHNI
Do you even know anything about Christmas?

RITA
What are you trying to say Rosh?

ROSHINI:
I’m asking if you know the true meaning of Christmas...




































ROSHNI (continues)
Christmas is more than the presents under the tree, the decorations outside the house, and the gifts we receive. Let’s compensate the gifts we buy for ourselves and instead give gifts to others. Let’s celebrate Christmas for it’s true meaning this year mom, because, because Jesus was born. Jesus came in this world to die for our sins. So we wouldn’t be condemned. We’re so blessed to live the way we are living, and to show God we are thankful we should start acting in his image. You can’t keep being selfish, and you can’t keep treating Riri the way you have been treating her. You can improve and I can improve too. We can work at it together. It’s just that Christmas is more that what we’ve been celebrating.

RITA (starts to tear up)
Roshni, aw that was beautiful but how can I right my wrongs? I’ve messed up so badly. I don’t even know where to start! Proper presents, Riri.

ROSHNI
Presents are here today, and gone tomorrow. Family is forever. Fix your relationship with Ri, mom. I think that’s what's most important

RITA
Yes. I think we should go back home, I honestly just want to give Riri a hug.

ROSHINI
She’s not home.











RITA
WHAT.

ROSHNI
Um scratch that! I have a better idea…

RITA
Where’s Riri?

ROSHNI
You’ll see.

RITA
Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

ROSHNI
probably not, I have no intentions of filing a complain to the police, but let’s just go back in the car. She’s in a safe place I promise

RITA
Where did I go wrong?????

ROSHNI
Trust me, mom.

RITA
Huh? How can I

(Roshni yanks Rita’s hand, and they both dash out of the mall)

RITA
I hate being so oblivious, where are we going Rosh? As your mother I demand you to tell me.

ROSHNI
Okay, okay the soup kitchen!













RITA
Ri’s at the soup kitchen? What are we going to do there? Feed old people soup?

ROSHNI *giggles*
I believe that’s what they do at soup kitchens, and I can’t tell you if she’s there or not. You’ll see when we get there.

RITA *embarassed*
Oh True, how much longer till we get there anyways?

ROSHNI
It’s right about here...

(makes a sharp turn)

(Pull up to the soup kitchen)

RITA
I’ve actually never been to a soup kitchen, I’m kinda nervous what am I supposed to do?

ROSHNI
Just act natural, I have a surprise for you.

RITA
..wait what? What’s up with all these secrets? ROSHNI YOU BETTER TELL ME THE SURPRISE RIGHT NOW, OR I, I’ll
WHERE’S RII?

ROSHNI
Calm down mom, the spirit of Christmas… remember?

RITA
Oh, sorry I’m new to this.

ROSHNI
(Smiles) It’s okay!

(Both hold hands and walk in together to the soup kitchen)

The First Noel starts playing

(There appears Riri in front of soup kitchen)

RITA (running towards Riri)
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m a horrible mother. -Tears roll down cheek-

RIRI
It’s okay mom! I forgive you, your unkind behavior has had a reverse psychological effect on me. It’s made me a better person towards others. I go to the soup kitchen every day now when you leave me at home.














RITA
I’m such a horrible mother (continues to cry)How can I make it up to you?

RIRI
You don’t have to do anything mom.

RITA
Your such a wonderful daughter, I’m so sorry I never saw that. and your work here, it’s it’s, amazing RI! Maybe you can teach mom a thing or two about it.

RIRI
Grab a hair net, and let’s get started.


RITA
Sure thing. I believe this is what Christmas is about. Giving to others, and being surrounded by the ones you love.

RIRI
Who taught you that?

ROSHNI
MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

RIRI
Well I couldn’t agree more!

ROSHNI
I love my family.

RIRI
Maybe afterwards I can take you guys Christmas caroling. When you leave me alone at night, I usually go.

RITA(still crying over how horrible a mother she is)

ROSHNI
I always wanted to do that!

RITA
Anything you want to do, I want to do!

RIRI (pouring soup)
Glad to hear that & tonight, everyone is invited.

(Everyone in soup kitchen cheers)

RITA
So this is Christmas, aside from the glitz and glamour it really is wonderful.



ROSHNI
Can every Christmas be like this?

RITA
From today onwards, every Christmas will be like this one.

(DAUGHTERS BOTH SMILE)

RITA(continues)
And if mom starts acting crazy, like she used to you guys better tell me! No one deserves the treatment I was giving you guys.

ROSHNI & RIRI
We’ll promise we’ll tell you.

(EVERYONE HUGS)

ROSHNI STEPS OUT AND SAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

CURTAIN CLOSES, LIGHTS DIM.

END OF PLAY