Because I Said So

BECAUSE I SAID SO (A CHRISTMAS EVE PLAY)

A play in 3 acts By Joseph Fischer

This is a Christmas Eve Play written for the stage focusing on the interactions between a Grandson and his beloved Grandfather and best friend. The Grandfather is a WW2 Naval vet. There are several flashback scenes where the Grandfather reminisces about his time in service during the Great War.

This is a stage play about family, gratitude and the sacrifices people make to endure. This story was written to be performed for a live audience but can be thoroughly enjoyed just as easily as written prose. CHARACTERS:

ALEXANDER/ALEX: A cute, curious boy of about 3-4 years old. Inexperienced in most things but possessing a sharp mind with a developing vocabulary.

GRANDPA/JOE: An elderly, impatient man hard of hearing. WW2 Navy Vet and retired NYC police detective. Full head of gray hair. Tall and heavyset but you can tell he was strong, muscular and once-upon-a-time devilishly handsome. Later in the play Joe is portrayed as a 20-something WW2 sailor in the US Navy.

RODDY: A strong boy of about 10-11 years old. Alex' cousin.

KEVIN: A very tall, lean boy of about 8-9 years old. Alex' cousin and Roddy's younger brother.

HEATHER: An adorable little girl of about 6-7 years old with curly hair reminiscent of a young Shirley Temple. Alex' cousin and Roddy and Kevin's kid sister.

BRIAN/CHIEF: A 20-something WW2 Naval Officer. Joe's superior but also confidant and friend.

GRANDMA/LENA/LEE: Joe's wife and the love of his life. Only heard from offstage.

MOM: Alex' mom. Only heard from offstage.

DAD: Alex' dad and the son of Joe and Lena. Only heard from offstage. SETTING:

Grandma's Kitchen and Living Room. Later, Grandma's living room decorated for the holiday on Christmas Eve. A different living room on Christmas morning decorated for the holidays with a Christmas tree, opened gift wrapping and toys haphazardly strewn about. Flashback scenes occur on a WW2 naval ship mess hall and torpedo room with bunks. TIME: Present day scenes occur during Christmas time. Flashback scenes occur on a US naval ship during WW2.

SCENES:

ACT I Scene 1: Grandma's Living Room at daytime

ACT I Scene 2: Grandma's Kitchen a moment later

ACT I Scene 3: Grandma's Living Room at dinnertime

ACT I Scene 4: Grandma's Living Room after dinnertime

ACT II Scene 1: Grandma's Living Room decorated for Christmas Eve after dinnertime

ACT II Scene 2: USS Naval Ship Mess Hall on Christmas Eve flashback scene during breakfast time

ACT II Scene 3: Grandma's Living Room decorated for Christmas Eve after dinnertime

ACT III Scene 1: A Living room decorated for Christmas with opened presents Christmas morning

ACT III Scene 2: USS Naval Ship torpedo room Flashback scene during Evening

ACT III Scene 3: A Living room decorated for Christmas with opened presents on Christmas morning