If you haven’t read The Midnight Library written by Matt Haig, then you should. It is one of those novels that I go back and read for the millionth time because it makes you think. Yesterday I read a post on Instagram that Matt had shared and it was a screenshot from a gentleman who wrote about how his girlfriend was on page seven of The Midnight Library and was sobbing because Matt killed off Volts (a tabby cat)… which reminded me that I actually wrote a script based on The Midnight Library and titled it, Beets and in my version that kitty cat lives!

The Script

Without further ado, I give to you the script I wrote titled, Beets. This script was also ‘performed’ during the 29 Plays Later final Zoomthrough. If you haven’t done so already, please give my blog a follow and share any feedback that you have in the comments or via email.

Beets written by Renee Schnebelin

Setting: A small open flat with a bathroom, sitting room, bedroom, and a kitchen.

A spotlight shines on MIRA who is sitting on the edge of a tub.

Mira: I sat on the edge of the tub and watched as the warm water began to rise. I wondered what it would feel like, which made me anxious. I never meant for it to be this way… my life that is. I always thought that I would live an extraordinary life in the Australian Outback with my best friend Jules or even on tour with my brother and our band, The Bassics. Neither of those two things happened, not even close. Jules did move to Australia, and I decided not to go with her, because I had met Paul, and we were engaged. He had dreams of owning a farm and those dreams included me, so I went along with it, because I thought I was in love… I wasn’t. And the band, well again… Paul. So now I was alone, living in a small flat on Peet Street with my cat, Beets. Just the two of us. I didn’t go anywhere; I didn’t have any friends to speak of. A life of solitude and sadness.

A light turns on revealing a door as PETRA approaches it and knocks.

MIRA looks towards the door, and sighs.

PETRA knocks again, this time a little louder.

MIRA reluctantly gets up and walks to the front door, the stage lights turning on as she approaches the door, placing her head against it.

MIRA: Who is it?

PETRA: It’s Petra.

MIRA: (Surprised) Petra?!

PETRA: Yes, Petra. Can you open up so I can come inside. It’s raining and kind of cold.

MIRA: (Fumbles with the lock and then is finally able to open the door) Yes, of course. Come on in and oh… you have Beets.

PETRA: (Steps in and hands Beets to Mira.)

MIRA: Thank you and I don’t understand how he could have… where was he?

PETRA: I was out for a jog and heard a meow, so I stopped and found this little rascal drinking out of a puddle on the side of the road. I scooped him up, saw the tag, and well… here we are.

MIRA: Thank you so much. He’s all that I have, and I am so grateful that you saved him.

PETRA: It’s the least I could do. Are you okay?

MIRA: Yes, why do you ask?

PETRA: You just look forlorn.

MIRA: It’s just been a long month, year, heck… life even.

PETRA: Would you like to grab some tea?

MIRA: Now?

PETRA: I mean, sure or tomorrow even.

MIRA: It’s a little damp out. I could put a kettle on here I suppose.

PETRA: That would be great. Is there water running somewhere?

MIRA: Shit!

MIRA runs to the bath, turns off the water, and then runs back to the sitting room.

PETRA is still standing by the front door with his hands in his pocket.

MIRA: I had the bath running, then you were knocking, and I forgot to turn the water off. That could have been a huge mess…

PETRA: I distracted you from a hot bath. I can always come back for tea tomorrow.

MIRA: No, it’s… there is always time for a hot bath later. Let’s have tea today. You need something to warm you and I’d love to hear about your day.

MIRA walks to the kitchen and puts the kettle on. PETRA follows and has a seat at the breakfast bar.

PETRA: It’s lovely in here.

MIRA: It’s small.

PETRA: But cozy. It’s a great use of space. We don’t need much else really.

MIRA: We?

PETRA: I mean us, as humans. We don’t need thousands of square feet to live in. I mean, how much time do we spend in our homes?

The kettle rings out before Mira can answer.

PETRA: Have you been to the Corner Kettle?

MIRA: No, I haven’t. I’ve heard rave reviews though.

PETRA: I’m thinking of grabbing supper there tomorrow. Would you like to join?

MIRA: I have… I

MIRA turns and looks at the audience as the stage darkens. The only light is the one shining above her head.

MIRA: I wanted to say that I had plans and that I couldn’t possibly squeeze anything else in, but then I remembered the lonely and sad existence that I was currently living in. The sad life that led me to the edge of that tub. I had regretted everything I had done in my life, all the choices I had made and did not make. It was time to drop regrets and do something that I felt would be right… even if it turned out to be shit in the future.  

The stage lights turn back on as MIRA turns back to PETRA

PETRA: You were saying?

MIRA: I’d love to.

The end.