"Alone for Christmas" for eanor (DDE 2013)
Title: Alone for Christmas - A Cabin Pressure Vignette
Author: capt_facepalm
Fandom: Cabin Pressure
Characters: Many
Wordcount: 250 (not including stage directions)
Warnings: None
Author's Notes: For eanor
Wendy Crieff (on the phone):
Really, Martin, it is quite all right. I wouldn’t want you flying in this horrible weather. It’s better that you stay with Theresa and her family for the holiday.
Martin Crieff's voice (offstage, on the phone):
I am really, really sorry, mum. I don’t like the idea of you spending Christmas alone.
Wendy:
I won’t be alone. Simon and Caitlyn might come over.
Martin:
That’s what they said last year--
Wendy:
Now, Martin! It’s fine if they stay home. The roads are very dangerous. Only a fool would venture out in this weather.
Ding Dong (the sound of a doorbell)
Sorry, dear. Someone’s at the door.
(pause)
It looks like a snowman
(Wendy opens door)
(Sound of cold wind)
Hello? Arthur Shappey, is that you?
Arthur:
Hullo, Wendy! Isn’t this snow BRILLIANT?
Wendy:
Come in, come in! Where did you find parking?
Arthur:
I didn’t.
Wendy:
Don’t tell me you walked here!
Arthur:
Oh I would have! I just love this weather! We haven’t had snow like this since I was a kid! Mum drove me. She’s parking the car. She’ll be along soon. Do you have a broom? I’ll sweep the front steps.
Wendy:
You don’t have to do that--
Arthur:
But can I, please? I’ve always wanted to clear snow!
Wendy Crieff (to Martin, on the phone)
I’m sorry, Martin. I must ring off. I’ll talk to you again tomorrow. Bye, love.
Ding Dong (the sound of a doorbell).
Enter Carolyn Knapp-Shappey
Wendy:
Carolyn, what a surprise!
Carolyn:
Yes, it’s a bit of a surprise to me too. Arthur insisted on coming over once he heard that Martin was stuck in Liechtenstein.
Wendy:
--But the storm!
Carolyn:
Yes. That’s why I drove. Also, my friend, Hercules, is away--a charter flight to the Caribbean. He won’t be back for two days.
Wendy:
Could you have gone with him?
Carolyn:
And leave Arthur, the overzealous Christmas Spirit incarnate, alone? No. I tried that once. It took months before the house stopped smelling of burnt gingerbread. This snow is a god-send. It will keep him occupied all evening. Your other children are--?
Wendy:
Simon is so busy with the council and Caitlin had to work. It’s the busiest time of year for her. She’s a traffic warden.
Carolyn:
Yes, nothing says ‘Happy Christmas’ like a parking citation.
Ding Dong (the sound of a doorbell).
Enter Douglas Richardson
Douglas:
Happy Christmas, Mrs Crieff.
(Hands a bottle to Wendy.)
Martin bought this for you when we were in Montréal. He meant for you to have this for Christmas. When I heard he was going to be away, I thought I would drop it by.
Wendy:
Maple syrup! How thoughtful. Thank you! You shouldn’t have.
Carolyn:
(Aside to Douglas)
At least, you could have wrapped it!Why aren’t you spending the holiday with your daughter?
Douglas:
I can’t. Her mother takes her on a ski-holiday every Christmas.
Carolyn:
What? Every year?
Wendy:
Your daughter must love skiing--
Douglas:
My daughter has many talents, but skiing isn’t one of them. I knew ex-Mrs Richardson was clever when I married her. I just didn’t realise that she was evil. It’s okay though. Before they left, I gave my daughter a new smartphone with unlimited texting. I doubt she will see the outside of the chalet all week.
Ding Dong (the sound of a doorbell).
Enter Simon Crieff
Simon:
Mummo! Oh look, it’s Martin’s crew! Is he here? I thought he was spending the holidays with that girlfriend of his.
Wendy:
No, Simon. Martin is still in Liechtenstein. His friends dropped by to wish me a Happy Christmas.
Simon: (to all assembled)
Oh, well done!
Ding Dong (the sound of a doorbell).
Enter Caitlin Crieff
Wendy:
Caitlyn, dear!
Caitlyn:
Sorry, I meant to be here sooner but I there was no parking for blocks. Some idiot filled your driveway with a regiment of snowmen!