Note: If you’d like to produce this play, on stage or in a class — please email me and ask permission. It will be granted, but I’d really like to know about it.
Copyright 2005. Samuel M. Post.
I will always remember, with fondness and much gratitude, the cast that performed Easy Credit at Theatre Charlotte’s 9×9, December 2-3, 2005:
Darryl Casper Father
Mary Ann McCubbin Mother
Beth Porter DaughterTammie Casper directed.
A living room. FATHER lies on the couch, sleeping. A newspaper is draped across him — where he was holding it when he succumbed to his nap.
Enter DAUGHTER. She carries a gift bag.
DAUGHTER: Dad — wanna see what I got Mom for Christmas?
This wakes him. He sits up.
FATHER: Sure.
She pulls a watch out of the bag.
FATHER: A watch? Lemme see that.
She hands him the watch. He inspects it.
FATHER: This looks like an expensive watch.
DAUGHTER: A hundred and seventy-nine dollars.
FATHER: Where’d you get this?
DAUGHTER: Online.
FATHER: How’d you do that?
DAUGHTER: It’s easy.
FATHER: The money. How’d you get the money?
DAUGHTER: Credit card.
FATHER: You don’t have one.
DAUGHTER: I used yours.
FATHER: How’d you get my credit card?
DAUGHTER: It was in your wallet. Where you keep it.
He checks his wallet and finds the card.
DAUGHTER: I put it back.
FATHER: I didn’t say you could do that.
DAUGHTER: C’mon, Dad. I needed the card.
Indicating the watch in his hand.
FATHER: You can take this back and never do that again.
DAUGHTER: You can’t take it back. It’s the internet.
FATHER: You can send it back.
DAUGHTER: Where?
FATHER: Where you got it!
DAUGHTER: Mom lost her watch. You should have gotten her one.
FATHER: She can buy herself a watch when she wants one.
DAUGHTER: She didn’t.
FATHER: That’s not the point.
DAUGHTER: What is the point?
FATHER: My credit card bill is the point.
DAUGHTER: You use it.
FATHER: It’s mine.
DAUGHTER: I needed it.
FATHER: Wait ’til your mother hears about this!
Enter MOTHER. He quickly puts the watch in his pocket.
MOTHER: Hears about what?
FATHER: Nothing.
MOTHER: What?
FATHER: Nothing. Forget about it.
MOTHER: Why are you arguing with her like this?
FATHER: It’s nothing. We’re…fine.
MOTHER: What is it?
FATHER: Nothing.
She demands to know.
MOTHER: I wanna know what’s going on.
He’s been here before and doesn’t like where it’s going. He shakes his head, as if he’s now hoping it will all go away.
DAUGHTER: He can’t tell you, Mom.
MOTHER: Ah — talking about my Christmas present?
DAUGHTER: Sort of.
MOTHER: Silly thing to argue about.
She scolds her husband.
MOTHER: You should know better. You can’t win an argument with a teenager.
DAUGHTER: No, you can’t.
MOTHER: (still scolding her husband) Just disengage.
Mother exits. They wait a moment.
FATHER: Look what you did.
DAUGHTER: I didn’t do that.
FATHER: You stole my credit card and she’s mad at me!
DAUGHTER: It’s not stealing! I put it back.
FATHER: Do you know how credit cards work?
DAUGHTER: Of course! You think I’m stupid?
FATHER: If you’re not, you’re doing a pretty good job of pretending!
DAUGHTER: I am not stupid!
FATHER: Then you’re a thief.
DAUGHTER: I’m not a thief!
MOTHER storms in.
MOTHER: What in the world!
DAUGHTER: He called me stupid. And a thief.
MOTHER: (To Father) What is wrong with you?
FATHER: She bought you a watch with my credit card.
DAUGHTER: Thanks for ruining the surprise.
MOTHER: (to FATHER) That was uncalled for.
FATHER: You approve of her doing that?
MOTHER: More than you losing control like that.
FATHER: She took my credit card…out of my wallet…and used it. Online. Without asking.
MOTHER: And you ruined her surprise and called her names. You’re less mature than she is.
She turns to her daughter and apologizes for her husband.
MOTHER: Sorry Sweetie. Lemme see the watch.
He gives it to her. She handles it lovingly.
That’s lovely.
MOTHER and DAUGHTER hug. She turns to her husband.
MOTHER: I might take your present back.
FATHER: That’s not the point.
MOTHER: What is the point?
DAUGHTER: You two argue too much.
DAUGHTER exits.
FATHER: The credit card.
MOTHER: It’s worth all this commotion?
FATHER: She did this.
MOTHER: You did it.
FATHER: She did.
MOTHER: You’re a grown-up.
FATHER: Listen — if she had asked it might have been okay. But she didn’t say a word! You honestly think that’s okay?
MOTHER: I don’t think it’s okay to have a tantrum and hurt our daughter. At her age, her self-esteem is fragile.
FATHER: What about my self-esteem?
MOTHER: Who cares?
She admires the watch.
MOTHER: It is a beautiful watch. She picked it out all by herself.
FATHER: A hundred and seventy-nine dollars.
MOTHER: I don’t deserve a nice watch?
FATHER: Of course you do.
MOTHER: You’ve got a very nice watch.
FATHER: Don’t we talk about things we buy?
MOTHER: Not at Christmas. Not when it’s supposed to be a surprise.
FATHER: Can’t take anymore of this.
He begins to exit.
MOTHER: You think I enjoy this bickering?
FATHER: You seem to.
He’s moving towards the exit.
MOTHER: Where are you going?
FATHER: For a ride.
MOTHER: Coming back?
FATHER: Maybe I won’t.
MOTHER: Maybe you shouldn’t.
He exits.
Enter DAUGHTER.
DAUGHTER: Where’d he go?
MOTHER: A ride.
DAUGHTER: He’s touchy.
Mother emits a bit of a sigh.
MOTHER: Tell me about it.
DAUGHTER: Like my new shoes?
She’s surprised to see this.
MOTHER: When did you get those?
DAUGHTER: Yesterday. Belk’s. I did some shopping and got myself a present.
MOTHER: Where’d you get the money for that?
DAUGHTER: I used your card.
MOTHER: My Belk’s card?
DAUGHTER: Isn’t that okay?
MOTHER: No — it’s not. You can’t return shoes after you wear them. How much were those?
DAUGHTER: Only eighty-five dollars.
MOTHER: You swiped that thing out of my pocketbook?
DAUGHTER: I put it back.
MOTHER: Honey — we need to talk about these credit cards.
DAUGHTER: It’s all we ever talk about.
MOTHER: Because you’re not supposed to do it!
DAUGHTER: It’s Christmas, Mom. Lighten up.
MOTHER: Christmas doesn’t mean we can afford stealing cards and charging willy nilly. I’m pretty careful with that card.
She takes another look at the shoes.
MOTHER: You don’t have anything that goes with those shoes.
DAUGHTER: Sure I do.
MOTHER: You never get just shoes.
She’s afraid to ask.
MOTHER: What else did you get?
DAUGHTER: A few things.
MOTHER: What!
DAUGHTER: A bag. A chain. A dress. Mom, I did some Christmas shopping. They’re surprises.
MOTHER: I know they’re surprises! How much did you spend?
No response.
MOTHER: How much?
No response. Mother panics.
MOTHER: How much!
No response.
MOTHER: How much!
DAUGHTER: A little over a thousand.
MOTHER: (stunned) Wha…they let you do that?
DAUGHTER: I got our credit limit raised.
MOTHER: How much over a thousand?
DAUGHTER: Four hundred.
MOTHER: You put fourteen hundred dollars on my Belk card! Are you crazy!
DAUGHTER: Don’t get so mad.
MOTHER: Don’t get mad?!
DAUGHTER: Mom — it’s Christmas.
MOTHER: Not anymore!
DAUGHTER: Jesus — go fix yourself something to eat. You’ll feel better.
MOTHER: That will not make me feel better!
DAUGHTER: It might.
MOTHER: It won’t.
DAUGHTER: Then take a ride. Go look for Dad.
MOTHER storms off.
DAUGHTER sits back and pulls an iPod out of her pocket.
DAUGHTER: Love this new iPod.
End of play
this is a really funny play!great job.you should record a video about it
hi im a student teacher working on my credential to be able to teach and was wondering if i could use a few of your plays to use in my upcoming drama class for 6th throuh 8th graders thank you. im actually thinking of using EASY CREDIT, PURPLE or LOVE POEM thanks again
Sure, use them in good health. Where are you located? Good luck (I taught middle school for 15 years).
Hi, I am am a theatre teacher in Memphis and this is hilarious! Do you mind if I use it for my drama class?
Kris, I’m glad you like it. You’re more than welcome to use it in your class.
Hi Sam,
Came across this play of yours.
I am a MBA student at IIM Kozhikode and wish to perform your play at our campus.
Plz let me know, if i can use it.
Once again, nice write up.
regards,
Vaibhav
Vaibhav,
You’re more than welcome to use the script. I hope it goes well.
Sam
hi sam
how can we present this play in our classroom?any suggestions please?thanks!:))
You’re welcome to use this in your classroom.
Came across this and want to use it with my Middle school students…would that be okay with you?
Sure, that would be fine. I’m curious to know where. What school? (I was a middle school teacher — for 15 years).
i would like to use this play as a project for my class.
Thanks, Andhy. Break a leg. I’d be curious to know where the school is located.
Hi Sam,
May I use your plays in my class? — I teach high school level English, and these would be great RT for my struggling readers.
Hi TeacherRox,
Of course — it would be my pleasure for you to use these plays in your class. I was a teacher, for 24 years. I’d love to know what school and where.
Thanks,
Sam
I teach high school English in McMinnville, OR — then this next school year, I will use them for my new school in Broadview, MT. Thanks soooo much!!
Hi, I am a play teacher in Thailand and this is an excellent play! Do you mind if I use it for my drama class?
You’re welcome to use the play. Thanks for asking.
it is a very nice play….
hey,can i use this play for my assembly in school……..
Sure. What school?
I would like to use this play for my Theater 101 class final project. I think it would be great. This is very awesome material.Id appreciate it sooo much if youd let me use it
No problem, Joe. Break a leg.
Sam
Hi i would like to use easy credit for a drama assignment, may i?
Sure, you’re welcome to use it…
Hi, may I use this for an assignment for my drama class?
I might also want to use one of your others, would that be ok?
Of course you can use this play and others, Megan. It gives me great pleasure.
Sam
I’m a Drama Student in Kilkenny Ireland and work with Special needs Teenagers. Would love to use “Easy Credit” for them. I love your writings.
Hi Liam,
Of course, you’re welcome to use the script with your students. I hope they benefit from it.
Thanks for you very kind words.
Sam
Hi
would it be possible for me to use this for a drama project?
Sure. Where?
Hi Sam.. I am currently in Mary Immaculate college in my last year of teaching and I am trying to write a ten minute Play for children in Irish .Do you have any possible examples ? would be a great help 🙂
Hi Hazel. Sorry, but my only examples are here on the website (https://sampost.com/ten-minute-plays) — and none are in Irish. Just jump in and write it. I’m sure it will be all work out fine.
Sam
Hi, I’m a high school student looking to direct a ten minute plays in our school’s “Ten
Ten Minute Plays.” I was wondering if I could use this?
Sure, Kayla. It would be my pleasure. What school and where?
San Lorenzo Valley High School in California. Thank you
Hey awesome script, do you mind if i use this for my drama class?
Grz from Holland
You are more than welcome to use it, Dastan.
Hi Sam,
I think this play is great for varying points of view of the characters and opinions that can be generated by the students. Can I use Easy Credit for highschool English class in Western Australia?
Cheers, Jenn
Of course, Jenn. I’d be thrilled for you to use it in your English class. It warms my heart.
Cheers,
Sam
sir plz can i use this one too..
thanks..
You may use the play with my blessing. If you take pictures, could you send me one?
Thanks,
Sam
Loved the script. I would need more scripts for ma college paly, if u guys can help me out with it, it should be a little humourous as well as have a moral to it. If you guys could help me out wih it i’d be grateful 🙂 🙂 Thanx a lot
Hi Sam! My name is Laila, and I love your plays! I love to act, and I was wondering if me and my friends
in our acting club could change this up ( so we all have a part) and preform this at our school.
Thanks!
Laila 🙂
Hi Laila,
Thanks for reading my plays. I’m glad you enjoy them. You and your friends are welcome to use them in your acting club. I’d be curious to know the name of the school and where it’s located.
Break a leg,
Sam
id like to act the credit card
hi i love your plays
is there a short play about 10 minuets for 6 actors (people)