The Short Play's the Thing –

Reluctant Departure by Gary Beck

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MaSeptember 15th, 2026

Reluctant Departure

by Gary Beck 

CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Teenage Daughter
Mother
Flight Attendant

(scene – entrance to departure gate)

Daughter: I don’t want to go, Mom.

Mother: You have to, hon. Remember the Judge’s ruling?

Daughter: I didn’t like him.

Mother: I know. But it was his decision that you have to visit Dad once a month.

Daughter: I don’t like it there. Dad doesn’t care about me. He gives me
		money to order dinner, while he goes out with his girlfriends.

Mother: I’ll talk to the judge.

Daughter: Why does he live so far away? I hate flying.

Flight Attendant: Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll take good care until we meet your father.
		(exit daughter, flight attendant)

Mother: (waves goodbye to them) I hate to let her go. I don’t know how Vinnie persuaded
		the judge to rule for him. He doesn’t love her. He only does it to spite me. I
		worry that he’ll abuse her untils he’s safely home.  (Exit)

END

About the Playwright
Gary Beck resides in New York, New York, United States.
Read the playwright's biography and The Short Play's the Thing publications on Gary Beck's Artist Page.

Performances
To stage this play, email a query to Florencia Bay Books at info@florenciabaybooks.com. Your query will be forwarded to the playwright.

Previously published in The Short Play's the Thing:
Short Plays Collection #2

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