Tuesday, September 22nd 2020
AT RISE: Mom is in the kitchen turning on the oven and scooping two containers of beautiful looking school-lunch spaghetti into the iron skillet. The two kids are in the living room at their desks.
MOM: [Notices the time.]. CJ? Did you say your next class is at 1:30?
CJ: Yeah.
MOM: Gym class, right?
CJ: Yeah.
MOM: OK well you’ve got about 1 minute, because it’s 1:29.
CJ: Frick! Ahh! Really? That was 20 minutes?
MOM: Yes, time passes crazy fast sometimes!
CJ: Yeah it does!
MOM: I wonder if we need like Alexa or a cuckoo clock or some chimes or something to go off like every half hour?
CJ: Yeah.
[Several minutes later Mom sees CJ still hanging out at her desk.]
MOM: Did class not start yet?
CJ: Well I’m logged in, but Mr. Gil hasn’t joined the meeting yet!
MOM: Hmm. [Pause.]. I wonder if there’s a way for you to check in with any of your classmates. You know, like, “Hey Josh! We’re you able to get into the meeting?” or something.
CJ: There IS!
MOM: Oh great! Well I guess I can’t help you with that so… [Goes back to heating lunch in the kitchen.]
CJ: [Click clack clack.]. He CHANGED the link! [Exasperated sigh.]
MOM: That is so frustrating!
CJ: Yeah. It IS. [Click clack click.]
[Moments later, CLONK!]
CJ: Ahh! A little help! [The privacy screen has fallen over. Again.]
MOM: [Moves privacy screen and some other furniture to make room for exercise.]
CJ: Oh! I’m gonna go get on some actual pants. [Runs to get them then comes back and changes on the floor where she can see the class but they can’t see her. Starts to exercise again.]
CJ: Man I could really use some wire-free headphones for this!
MOM: Well, how ‘bout you just unplug them and you can listen through the computer speaker?
CJ: [Looks at Mom suspiciously.]
MOM: It’s okay honey. It’s fine! It’s gym class for goodness sake. You deserve to move!
CJ: [Unplugs headphones. Resumes exercise. Mr. Gil’s calming, kind voice wafts through the domicile as he gently coaxes the kids through the paces.]
MOM: [Goes back to the kitchen to finish warming up lunch. And to furiously Blog-for-Sanity.]
MR. GIL: Excellent. Now jumping jacks. 1…2…3… Garrett, please put that away. …8…9…10. Great! Now if anyone has any positive comments you want to say, just raise your hand.
[Moments later.]
CJ: Whew! Well THAT was short. And I think I’m done with school for the day! [Walks over to dining room table and sits down.]
MOM: Woohoo! Wow that was fast. Alright then honey here’s your lunch.
CJ: I love you Mommy. 💕 [Blows kiss.]
MOM: I love you too honey. [Bends over for kiss and hug.]
CJ: [Hugs back. Sprinkles grated cheese over her bowl of spaghetti.]
SCENE.
