• Characters:
    Bailey - A thirteen year old boy.
    Abby - A fifteen year old girl.
    Pastor
    Schoolteacher
    Bailey’s Mom
    Bailey’s Dad
    Governess
    Unnamed Man


    Locations:
    Church
    School
    Playground
    Bailey's House


    WEDDING DAY
    SuperOtaku

    (Opening: a church, cemetery in background. Pews lined up, at front. A man sleeps on one of the back pews, wearing the clothes of a pastor. Birds chirping, light coming in from stained glass windows.)

    BAILEY
    Pastor ! Pastor Carter!
    (knocking)
    Pastor Carter!

    ABBY
    (also knocking; more like banging)
    Wake up, pastor! It’s already 8 in the morning!

    PASTOR
    (sleeping on pew. Wakes up, yawning, goes to open cathedral door)
    What is it, children?

    BAILEY
    We want to get married, Carter!
    (Grinning)

    ABBY
    Yeah! We want to have a big wedding, with flowers and doves and rice, and me in a big pretty white dress. We can invite the whole town. Both Bailey’s family and mine, and everyone can come to see me -- us!


    PASTOR
    (another yawn, stretching.)
    Come in, kids. I’ll go make coffee. Do you want any juice, tea, water?

    ABBY
    (upset)
    Pastor! We want a wedding, not sippy cups!

    PASTOR
    Come again? You want to what? I could have sworn you said --

    ABBY
    I did say. Bailey and I want to get married!

    PASTOR
    (pause)
    Seriously?

    ABBY
    (loudly)
    Yes!

    PASTOR
    Bailey? You and Abby want to get married to each other?

    BAILEY
    (nods)
    Yes, Mr. Carter. Abby and I want to get married.

    Pastor
    (looks at both of them)
    But you’re both so young. Abby, didn’t you just turn 15 two days ago? What brought on this talk of a wedding? You’re far too young for that kind of talk. What would your parents think of you? I don’t know your parents well, Bailey, I never see them here in church or when I go out, but you’re only 13. You can’t get married. And Abby.

    ABBY
    (fussy, somewhat whiny)
    What?

    PASTOR
    I know your father wouldn’t approve. He’s very protective of his little princess. I know he wouldn’t want to give his little girl away so shortly after she just became a woman.

    Abby
    (angry now, stamps foot)
    Pastor! Shut up!

    BAILEY
    I’m confused… Abby’s a woman now? I thought she’s always been a girl… what’s the difference between being a girl and a woman?

    ABBY
    You shut up too, Bailey!
    (Bailey looks down, feeling guilty)

    Pastor
    Abby, that’s no way to treat a future husband. Answer my question, though. What brought on this talk of a wedding?

    BOTH
    Well…

    BAILEY
    I was in the courtyard at school eating my lunch that my governess packed me, and our school’s bully came to me. He kicked my lunch in my face and pushed me down when I got up. He spit in my face and swore at me. Abby saw and she came over and --

    ABBY
    (exaggerated, animated movements, voice loud)
    Bam! Pow! I nailed that sucker in the face. I got him good, and the guy ran off crying. The sissy ran off crying to his mom, and he hasn’t bothered Bailey ever since. He asked me how he could repay me for vanquishing that demon, and I remembered seeing pictures from my mom’s wedding. I wanted one too, so I could dress up in a pretty dress and get my picture taken for my wedding.

    PASTOR
    So you told Bailey the only way he could repay you for ‘vanquishing that demon’ was by getting married to you?


    ABBY
    Yeah, pretty much.

    BAILEY
    (Happy)
    So here we are.

    ABBY
    Wanting to be married.

    PASTOR
    (sigh)
    Neither of you seem to understand what a wedding is really about at all.

    ABBY
    Of course I do. Maybe Bailey doesn’t, because he’s a mindless idiot, but I do.

    Bailey
    Hey, wait a minute, I’m not a --

    ABBY
    Oh honey, yes you are.

    PASTOR
    I’m not going to be joining you two in holy matrimony.

    ABBY
    (flustered)
    Why not?

    PASTOR
    Because. You’re 15, and he’s 13. You both have at least another fifty years ahead of you.

    ABBY
    And I want to be married now.

    PASTOR
    My answer is still no, Abby.


    ABBY
    But Bailey and I could easily pay for a lavish wedding. While the church doesn’t make a lot of money, our families have a long heritage. In fact, my family has been around for almost --

    BAILEY
    Abby, this church has been here since before even my family was here… I think he would know. There’s journals and all kinds of documents in the church’s archives about our family.

    ABBY
    (grumbling)
    Yeah I guess you’re right.

    PASTOR
    Of course he is. Bailey comes to church much more often than you, or anyone from your family, Abby. Even though they have been here for a long time.

    ABBY
    Isn’t there any way we can have a wedding?

    PASTOR

    Well… I know you aren’t going to give up, Abby. You’re a headstrong kind of a girl. You’ve always been like that. So… how about this: You and Bailey come to realize what it truly means to be married to another person. If you can come to me and tell me what it truly means to be married… I’ll hold the wedding here, and I’ll even pay for your wedding outfits and the entire ceremony. Your wedding will be on the dime of the church.

    ABBY
    A white dress for me and all?

    PASTOR
    White dress for you and all.

    BAILEY
    Do we get to have a big cake, too?

    PASTOR
    (amused)
    Yes, Bailey. You two will get the biggest cake you’ve ever seen. It’ll be nicely decorated and everything. All you two will have to do is show up at the church when you understand what it means to have a wedding. It’s something more than a nice dress or a big cake, and all the presents from your family, though. I can promise you that. They’re nice things that go with it, but it’s in celebration of what it really means.

    BAILEY
    (taking it to heart)
    Okay, Pastor. We’ll go find out what it means.

    (both Abby and Bailey start to leave, exiting stage right. Bailey tries to take Abby’s hand, but she pulls it away from him.)

    PASTOR
    …Kids these days. They try to get married and do everything when they’re so young.
    (he lays back in the pew again)
    Those kids are in for the search of their lives. Hope Abby doesn’t lose her temper.

    [/1]

    [2]

    (A few days later, in a classroom. Students are packing up their things and leaving. Abby and Bailey approach the teacher)

    BAILEY
    Teacher!

    TEACHER
    (turns around)
    Oh, hello Bailey. Do you actually have a question about class for me?

    BAILEY
    Well, not about class, really. But I do have a question I’d like to ask you.

    TEACHER
    And what would that be, Bailey? I can’t imagine you actually having any questions that you couldn’t ever answer yourself.

    ABBY
    (annoyed by chatting)
    Teacher, Bailey and I want to know what it means to be married.

    Teacher
    (confused)
    What?

    ABBY
    Bailey and I want to get married, but the pastor said that we can’t have a wedding until we know what it really means to be married.

    TEACHER
    Uh, well… I’ve never been married in my life. I’ve always been teaching, reading, and learning from my students. So I guess I could say I’m married to my work. I like teaching you all. It makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something. It’s said that children are the future, and that’s something I truly believe. I don’t know how to explain it, really. I just think you all have so much potential in you that you never realize. You just need a little bit of schooling to open up that potential to the world. You kids are kind of like clams, and I have to pry you open so that you can show the world your pearls.

    BAILEY
    (lost)
    So… marriage is about clams?



    ABBY
    …Bailey, that’s stupid.
    (she hits him for this)


    BAILEY
    Well, I didn’t know what answer I was supposed to take from that story…

    ABBY
    It probably wasn’t supposed to be about clams though, idiot.

    TEACHER
    Abby, you may not be in my class anymore but please refrain from calling my students names like that. They’re all very intelligent, and I believe in every single one of my students that passes through here. And that even includes you, and your father when he came years ago.

    ABBY
    (she looks at her nails)
    It certainly was a real long time ago.

    TEACHER
    ( a little miffed. She takes Bailey aside)
    Why in the world would you want to marry a girl like her?

    BAILEY
    Because even though no one else can see it, I know way deep down Abby’s a nice person. She comes off as mean to people and grumpy, but she means well. She sticks up for what she believes in, and she doesn’t let anybody keep her down. I really like how spirited she is. There aren’t enough girls that will go down fighting in the world. Too many of them think how they won’t be liked if they have something that they believe in, no matter what that thing might be.

    TEACHER
    You’re a real strange kid, Bailey. I’ve never seen a thirteen year old boy that could talk like that. I don’t think you even need me to teach you anymore. Oh, I always knew you’d have a particularly bright pearl to show the world.

    BAILEY
    Uh, yeah. Teacher, what do clams have to do with weddings, anyways?

    TEACHER
    (she laughs lightly)
    I really don’t know. I don’t think clams and weddings have anything to do with each other. But Bailey, when you find out what it does mean to be married, take a look at the people around you. Realize that most people did not marry for that reason. Maybe even take a look at your parents. I taught them a few years back, too.

    BAILEY
    Should I ask them what it means to be married?

    TEACHER
    If you want to. I’m sure you’ve asked them stranger, more philosophical questions before. Marriage probably wouldn’t seem that odd to ask about at all, at this point. You strange, intelligent little boy.
    (she hugs Bailey)
    (Bailey and the teacher go back to Abby, who is impatient.)

    ABBY
    (she pulls Bailey)
    Come on, school’s way over now. We don’t have to stay here anymore.
    (As Bailey is pulled, he waves and says goodbye to the teacher)

    [/2]

    [3]
    (Abby is seen sneaking out of her home, running away, upset)
    (Go to Bailey at dinner with family. They dine quietly. Bailey’s parents are talking about politics)
    BAILEY’S DAD
    What do you think about this year’s presidential campaign?

    BAILEY’S MOM
    I think the Democrats need to get their act together if they’d like one of their candidates to win. Electing two candidates was a stupid idea, really. Don’t you think so too, Bailey?

    BAILEY
    (Bailey looks up from the table)
    Huh?

    BAILEY’S DAD
    What’s the matter, son? You’ve barely touched your plate. Are you not feeling well?

    BAILEY
    Something like that.

    (Bailey’s mom calls for the governess to come check on him. Bailey is embarrassed.)
    Mother! I’m fine. I’m just not hungry is all.

    BAILEY’S MOM
    But you’re a growing young boy. You need to eat dinner.

    BAILEY
    I know, I know. I’m just trying to figure something out.

    (The governess enters)
    GOVERNESS
    And whatever would that be, dear?

    BAILEY
    (he pushes his plate away, looking at his governess and then to his parents)
    Why did you two get married?

    (his parents are dumbfounded)
    BAILEY’S MOM
    What’s all this about, Bailey?

    BAILEY
    (slipping down in his chair, mumbling)
    Nothing in particular… I just want to know why you two got married.
    (his parents look at each other)

    BAILEY’S DAD
    Well, your mother and I agreed we would tell you the truth when you asked us. I didn’t expect it to be when you were thirteen years old, though. The reason I married your mother was because I found that she was the most attractive girl I had ever seen.

    BAILEY’S MOM
    And I married your father because my family had no money and a hard life. Marrying a rich man kept my father from losing his house. I married him for his money, baby.

    BAILEY
    Is that so…

    BAILEY’S MOM AND DAD
    That’s so.

    BAILEY’S MOM
    Now finish your vegetables and get ready for bed. It’s late, dear.
    (she looks at the governess)
    Will you take him to bed?

    [/3]

    (Bailey’s room. He is putting on his pajamas, talking with his caretaker as she makes his bed.)
    GOVERNESS
    Don’t listen to your mother and father, Bailey. They know a lot about handling money, but they don’t know a thing about love.
    But, whatever do you want to know about marriage for?

    BAILEY
    Were you ever married?



    GOVERNESS
    Not in the strictest sense… Someone I enjoyed the company of very much spent a lot of time with me when I was a schoolgirl. We would go out to the beach. We would have a picnic there, and he would kiss my brow. I would hold his hand, and we would be content to be there for hours on end. Come rain or sun, we would be there together where nobody could bother us. The sky could fall around us, and all we would see is each other. But he was my husband in spirit. He told me one he would make me his wife one day, but… (she looks down) Those days are over. Is there someone you’ve been thinking about marrying, though?

    BAILEY
    (in a slump)
    Abby and I wanted to ask the pastor for a wedding. He won’t let us have one unless we figure out what a wedding is truly supposed to be. Abby’s mad because she doesn’t know, and I can’t find the answer either. It sucks.

    GOVERNESS
    (she looks away)
    Do you really want to be married to this Miss Abby?

    BAILEY
    Yes… she’s a little harsh sometimes, but I know she means the best.

    GOVERNESS
    Are you willing to spend the rest of your life with her?

    BAILEY
    (he considers how long the rest of his life would be, and nods)
    Mm, yeah.

    GOVERNESS
    Do you love this girl, with all your being?

    BAILEY
    (no hesitation)
    Yes.

    GOVERNESS
    Then, my dear child, you already know the answer. Make sure that Miss Abby understands how much you care for her, and then go to the pastor if she understands as well as you do what it means to be married. When you go to school in the morning, tell her the answer you’ve come to. Just be sure to invite me to your wedding, sweetheart. Now get to bed.

    BAILEY
    (much more light)
    Goodnight. And thank you.
    (he climbs into bed. The governess turns out the lights and exists the stage. Some time passes, before Bailey decides to sneak out of bed and out of the house to go see Abby, wanting to marry here as soon as possible)

    Even though she ran away, I think I know where to find her!
    [/4]

    [5]
    (The school’s play yard, late at night. Crickets and wild animals of the night are rustling in the brush. Abby swings alone)

    BAILEY
    Abby! Abby!

    ABBY
    (she gets up from the swing)
    Bailey? Why are you here? It’s late at night and you’re much too small to be out on your own! Are you stupid or something?

    BAILEY
    I have the answer, though! I think I know what Pastor Carter wants to hear from us! We should go to the church now, before he closes his doors. If we go, we can probably have our wedding by morning! Wouldn’t that be great?

    ( a rabid dog comes from the bushes, scaring both of them. Abby backs off, hiding behind Bailey.)

    Don’t worry, Abby. I’ll keep you safe. I’ll make you my wife one day, dog or no dog!

    (Bailey fights with the dog, struggling with it. While Bailey does okay for a few moments, he is then bitten and the dog knocks him down, where the dog continues to bite and scratch him. Bailey screams out in pain. The schoolteacher comes out.)

    SCHOOLTEACHER
    What’s going on out -- (she screams, seeing what is going on) Shoo, dog, shoo!
    (She throws a rock at the dog, and it runs away. Abby runs to Bailey, followed by the teacher.)

    ABBY
    Bailey! Bailey!
    (for the first time, she is gentle, holding him)
    Bailey, come on… Bailey!

    SCHOOLTEACHER
    I’ll go get the doctor!
    (she runs off to get him)

    ABBY
    Oh Bailey, be okay… come on, Bailey!

    BAILEY
    (he opens his eyes)
    I guess… I won’t be able to make you my wife. But, Abby.. Find a man who will treat you well. And not because you have money, but because he loves you for who you are. And love him back. What the pastor wanted to hear… was that we wanted to marry because we loved each other, not because… you wanted a dress, or a big cake for us… you’ll make a beautiful wife one day. So… be happy with… whoever you pick. Get married because you love them…the way I love you.
    (Bailey dies)

    ABBY
    Oh Bailey… You would have been a good husband… Go find yourself a wife in heaven.
    (she kisses him)
    I promise you, I’ll go find myself a husband whom I’ll love until death do we part. Thank you, Bailey. For everything.
    [/5]

    [6]
    (Five years later. Abby is grown up, praying at the church. Her hair is longer now, and she has a rosary around her wrist. A man approaches her)

    UNNAMED MAN
    Are you ready, Abby?

    ABBY
    Yes, honey… let’s go plan our wedding.
    (she stands up, looking at the cross. Lights on Abby)
    Are you smiling, Bailey? Your governess is with you now, and I found someone I love. He loves me, and he treats me as well as I imagined you would have.

    UNNAMED MAN
    (lights no longer on Abby now, all lights on)
    Honey?
    (the pastor approaches, old now with gray hair.)
    PASTOR
    Give her a moment. Come on, we can start without her. She’ll probably want a few moments to herself.
    (they leave. Lights back on Abby)

    ABBY
    I bet your spirit wife in heaven is a wonderful lady. I hope I get to meet her when I die. While I’m still alive, though… You’d better be at my wedding!

    (she runs off, smiling, off to plan her wedding)

    CURTAIN.
    (THE END! =D )