Act 1 Scene 1
A woman enters from stage right. Taking careful, almost stunted steps, she eventually shuffles into the spotlight. After a time, she casts her face up to the ceiling and in an almost Southern drawl, she speaks;
Lou: I wasn’t always like this
Sam has been loitering in the wings on stage left, but just visible to the audience. His demeanour is affable but he is noticeably glowering in his sibling's direction.
Sam: But you were. Sure you were. Mama always said-
Lou: Stop. Stop it Sam. There’s a lot you don’t know, you could never understand.
(Lou looks haunted, and turns slightly away, but not before the audience can see a single tear fall from her eye. She swishes her pantomime dress about her ankles before sinking down slowly into the wooden rocker that is placed centre stage.
Sam shakes his head, exasperated, but simply exits the stage as Louise slowly rocks back and forth, muttering words that may have translated to ‘Lindor’ or ‘cupboards’ should he have had the emotional energy left to listen.