CONTOH DRAMA

PUNISHMENT
By Hengky Kusuma

Dramatist Personae:
Bob, an unemployed man
Kyle, Bob’s daughter

Curtain opens

ACT I

In an apartment in Miami, Bob was writing something in the solitude of his room. He looked out of the window before him. To the dark skies and rain falling in deep sound. He enjoyed it, until someone made a sound outside. Kyle knocked the door.

Bob: (Stands up and takes off his glasses) Who’s there? (Silence) I said, who’s there? (Opens the door)
Kyle: Surprise! (laughing, the gives Bob a hug)
Bob: Kyle! What a surprise…! What are you doing here?
Kyle: Is it wrong for a woman to see her father? Come on, Dad… (lifting some wet bags)
Bob: (laughing) How could you become so smart like that? That’s not like my daughter at all. Come in…
Kyle: (comes in and closes the door) Well, what are you busy with, Dad? (puts the bags down and looks around)
Bob: You know me, as I said to you… I learn to write, Kyle. Can you see those books? You should know how creative and smart I am now. (goes to his room and takes a box of cigar)
Kyle: (smiling and sits on a sofa). Well, I think this is my responsibility to keep you away from those cigars.
Bob: Nay, lady… You can’t do that to me. (litting his cigar) So, how is your job there in glamorous Los Angeles?
Kyle: Well, honestly, being a lawyer there is harder there. You know, there are many competitors, cases to handle. To some extent, this is much frustrating. Fortunately, I can have quite long holiday to see you, Dad.
Bob: But you should tell me earlier so I can take you in the airport. Remember that next time!
Kyle: Alright, pop.
(Both laugh)
Bob: You look sleepy, honey. Have a rest there (pointing an empty room) Oups, sorry I haven’t prepared it (Both stands and goes to the room)
Kyle: No problem. It’s my own mistake!


ACT II

Kyle woke up from her sleep. She found a glass of water and knew that Bob had put it there from a message. ‘I’m out. I’ll be back at 8’. She looked at the clock. It’s 7.40. she’d slept quite long. She went out of the room, to her father’s room. She looked at the books on the table. Many of them were about happiness and life. She smiled to know it. She opened a book full of her father’s writing. Though it’s not good enough, she could still read it. She read it carefully. That’s why she didn’t know that Bob was behind her.

Bob: Kyle.
Kyle: (surprised) Oh, Dad! You do surprise me! I didn’t hear you coming in… (puts the book)
Bob: Sorry for that… (takes off his jacket)
Kyle: Umm… I just had a look on your writing… (silence) Do you write bout… mom?
Bob: (stands still for a moment then sits on the bed) Some say that we can only write best on something close to ourselves. That’s why I write that. So, you know…
Kyle: I still don’t understand, Dad. You still think bout her? It’s been years…
Bob: I know how you hate her, Kyle… But you can’t live with such a feeling. You have to forgive her.
Kyle: I should. But as I remember the face when she left us, it seems difficult for me to do so.
Bob: I was in the exactly same condition with you, Kyle… Then I realize that I have to forgive her.
Kyle: Why? I don’t find any reason or excuse for it. Nothing. (sits on a chair before Bob)
Bob: Well… Honestly, you don’t really know how it was…
Kyle: No, you told me all about it, didn’t you?
Bob: I lied to you.
(Silence)
Kyle: You wouldn’t do that to me.
Bob: In fact, I did. It’s not true that she left us for a better man and better life. That’s definitely a lie. I’m sorry for telling you this.
Kyle: (takes a deep breath) It can’t be true. You should tell me the truth, Dad!
Bob: (takes the book) It’s a shame, Kyle… It was my own fault. You used to think that she left us. But, you must know, we left her, honestly.
Kyle: How could it be?
Bob: I thought that I can’t live with her anymore, since I couldn’t find any happiness in our marriage. You know that we don’t have much money to live, though you were child. I chose another woman, so she left us. That’s what you don’t know…
Kyle: You know… It’s like… (puzzled)
Bob: I feel so guilty. Many years. To keep that fact and to leave your mom. She was so frustrated so I didn’t want to know anything bout her anymore. But I suffer more when I knew she died. It brought all the past along. (silence) Into a bigger guilt.
Kyle: (looks at the window) What should I do, Dad?
Bob: I’ve done it to myself. So, probably it’s your turn to punish me, Kyle. For all the hatred you feel on her.
Kyle: (looks at her father’s eyes)

Curtain closes.