A Beautiful Day - Part One

A quiet residential street, overlooking some trees and greenery in a fairly small, peaceful town.

Callahan enters, coming out of his house and whistling a tune. He  stops for a moment to smell the air and listen to the birds singing in a nearby tree. Liam enters out of his house next door and the two greet each fondly, calling out each other’s names.

Callahan: How are you today?

Liam: Eh, I've been better. Just a bad day, I suppose. 

Callahan: No, that can't be it. Look how great the weather is! And the birds, you hear them? I don't see how you could stay sad on such a beautiful day as this. 

Liam: Might just be cause I'm going to work now. I think I feel even worse knowing I'll be missing out on all this good weather, stuck inside. 

Callahan: You've got windows there, don't you? You can just look out whenever you feel down, maybe keep them open all day too. And sure, it's tiring work, but it's all worth it, isn't it? You get something for yourself, you keep society running, and everyone gets to be happy on days like these thanks to people like you. Doesn't that make you feel at least a bit better? 

Liam: I guess it does. Thanks, Callahan. I'll see you later, then. You enjoy some of that sun for me, alright? 

Liam and Callahan wave at each other. Liam exits. Callahan looks at the sky and takes a deep breath, smiling.

Callahan: Such a beautiful day... 

Before Callahan walks away, Martha slowly enters, mumbling to herself and crying. Callahan notices right away, stops in place, and waves at her gently.

Callahan: Martha, is that you? 

Martha: Hey...(sniffles) 

Callahan: What's wrong? Did something happen? Did that guy with the weird moustache bother you again? 

Martha: Oh, it's nothing... Don't worry about it. I'm just... aah... 

Callahan: What is it? 

Martha: I'm sorry... I'm fine, really. Nothing happened. (Sniffles). I just got into a really bad mood today. I don't know... I just feel like it's all pointless. 

Callahan: What is? 

Martha: My crafts business...all of this. I'm barely earning any money, and nobody's even that interested in what I'm making. I should probably just quit it at this point, maybe try to get a normal, boring job somewhere... 

Callahan: Come on now, don't talk like that. Your stuff's amazing! I still can't believe you can actually make things like that. I bet everyone else loves it too. They're just too busy with their own worries, and  waiting for a better chance to buy from you. If anything, I think you should feel motivated — to keep trying out something new every now and then to catch their attention more! 

Martha: Thanks for trying to help, but it's not so easy like that. I just can't help but feel like nothing I make is any good at all. Every single day, that's all I can see and feel — that nobody actually likes any of this. Oh, look here - this one's probably the worst. (She takes out a plush toy from her bag)

Callahan: This one? No way! It's so cute and lovely! And look at the derpy face, isn't that just adorable? Makes you happy from just looking at it! And it's so fluffy too! 

Martha: (laughs softly) I'm glad at least you like it. I liked making it a lot too. Honestly, it's still one of my favourites. But... I've been trying to sell it for over two months now with absolutely no luck. Nobody's even half as enthusiastic about it as you are. Maybe people just don't have time or money for silly, pointless things like that anymore. I mean, why would they? They don't do anything other than take up space and gather dust. 

Callahan: You know that's not true. If you really believed that, you wouldn't have made so many or tried to make a business out of it - and you definitely wouldn't care so much about whether people like them or not. You know how important they are, don't you? 

Martha: Are they really, though? 

Callahan: Of course they are. They change lives. They make people happy - is there anything more important than that? 

Martha: But they're not gonna help with anything... They won't put a roof over your head or food on your plate... They just sit there and stare. 

Callahan: And they make everything else worth the time and effort, even whatever does help you get by. Do you have any idea how boring and tiring life would be without you and those cute little gremlins you make? 

Martha: You really think so? 

Callahan: Sure I do! And I've got one more thing to tell you - I'll be buying that cute little fella off of you, while I still have the chance. I’d feel awful if somebody else bought it before me. 

Martha: You really don't have to, it's okay. I'm already feeling better, see? 

Callahan: I want to. He makes me smile when I see him, so I wanna look at him every day. So, how much? 

Martha: For you... just a smile. 

Callahan smiles. Martha smiles back and hands him the plushie.

Martha: Thanks. Really. 

Callahan: Don't mention it. I'm gonna want to buy another one soon though, alright? Can't keep the little guy lonely for long. 

Callahan and Martha wave at each other. Martha exits.

Callahan looks at the plushie and plays with it for a while.

Callahan: I think you could use a name. How about...Sillius?

A loud, rough cough can be heard from the other side of the street. Something starts to move near the carpet that was placed next to one of the doors.

Callahan cautiously and quietly walks closer, gently moves the carpet away and takes off the blanket that was underneath it, revealing the Orphan.