Performance rights

Performance rights must be secured before production. For contact information,

please return to the Peace of Mind information page (click on your browser’s

“Back” button, or visit http://www.singlelane.com/proplay/peace.html)

Peace of Mind

A one act play

By David Lohrey

CAST OF CHARACTERS

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES BRADLEY: A well-preserved

middle-aged guy who’s been around. In fulluniform,

or a coat and tie.

MRS. CHARLOTTE JEAN WILSON: Elderly, statuesque

woman in her late sixties, who is only sure things

will go right when she is in charge.

MRS. MARGARET (“MAGGIE”) DUNNING: the type of

woman who does not scare easily; elderly, but well

put together.

MONIQUE CHAMBERS: Late thirties; has lived alone

for too long and it shows.

MISS LEE: An old, frail woman in her eighties.

SCENE: Takes place in a sparsely furnished hall located in the basement of a

Methodist Church in the suburbs of a small Southern city. It is autumn, not too

long ago.

TIME: It is the present.

At Rise: Speaker stand at podium, as ladies sit on folding

chairs. A table to the side is set with refreshments.

BRADLEY

Well, then, ladies, if there are no more questions.... Yes, Ma’am? The lady on

the far right. May I have your name, please?

MRS. WILSON

You sure may. Charlotte Wilson. Mrs. Chester S., General.

BRADLEY

Colonel, ma’am. Lieutenant Colonel. But thanks for the promotion.

Peace of Mind

2

MRS. WILSON

You deserve one, Colonel, for all the work you’re doing. You really do.

BRADLEY

I appreciate that, ma’am.

MRS. WILSON

What I wanted to ask...Oh, I’m sure it’ll seem like a stupid question.

BRADLEY

The only stupid question is the one not asked. You go right ahead. Shoot.

MRS. WILSON

You know how they’re always talking about...well, I’ll give you a for instance: just

last week, I reckon it’s been...well, anyway, they had a panel of top scientists on,

and they were talking about the increased chance of nuclear war. Did you see

that, Colonel?

BRADLEY

There have been so many, uh....

MRS. WILSON

Well, they had a couple of experts on there, and they all swore up and down that

this new missile defense system could trigger a third world war on account of the

treaties we signed with the Russian. So, I was just wondering....

BRADLEY

Ma’am....

MRS. WILSON

...They were so...

BRADLEY

...If you’ll just let me...

MRS. WILSON

...confident and all.

BRADLEY

You are absolutely right. I know just the types you mean. They are all over the

place, you know, in Washington. I’ll let you in on a little secret, though, ladies.

Within ten years, through the efforts of President Reagan, the United States will

have a defensive shield to protect us from a surprise missile attack. In the

meantime – and that’s why I’m here today, ladies – we must not allow the

peaceniks and communist sympathizers succeed in driving our nuclear forces out

Peace of Mind

3

of Europe. These so-called experts.... Sure, they’ll tell you they’ve got it all

figured out, but where are they going to be when the Soviet army...?

(Loud noise off; the door swings open. MISS LEE enters,

wearing her nightgown, house slippers, and a fine hat.)

MISS LEE

Steven? I say, Steven, are you here?

MRS. WILSON

Oh, my goodness. Verna, honey! For heaven’s sakes, what in the world are you

doing out...here?

MISS LEE

I’m looking for that son of mine.

MARGARET

Goodness gracious.

MRS. WILSON

Maggie.

MISS LEE

Been expecting him now...

MRS. WILSON

...Hadn’t you better...

MISS LEE

...He called and said he’d be in today, so I went on down to the station. I’ve been

waiting there all morning. You know how fond he is of your cookies, Charlotte

Jean, so I thought he might have stopped in here for a spell.

MRS. WILSON

Uh, ladies? Won’t one of you get a chair for Miss Lee?

MARGARET

For crying out loud. Won’t somebody please just take her home.

MISS LEE

I told him to come directly to the station and wait for me at the old carriage stop.

MARGARET

I never heard such nonsense.

Peace of Mind

4

MRS. WILSON

(To MONIQUE:)

Would you mind, honey? Would you be kind enough, dear, to call over to the Lee

place?

MONIQUE

Yes, of course.

MRS. WILSON

Now don’t alarm Estelle. Just tell her how...

MARGARET

I expect Estelle’ll know what to do, Charlotte.

(MONIQUE exits)

MISS LEE

He would have sent word if his train had been delayed. I just know he would.

BRADLEY

Anything I can do, uh, ladies? I’d be more than happy....

MRS. WILSON

...