Part Six of the Khalil Short Play Series

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THE WEDDING - (c) 2007 Cherie Renae

Khalil is loosely based upon my own grandfather, who lived to be 99. He lived to the last with my grandmother in their own home. Family and friends were always dropping by to visit. Their house, and especially their kitchen, still hold special memories for me.

Introduction

The wedding is all set…except that Khalil has forgotten the combination to his safe, where he placed Joe and Esther's wedding rings for safekeeping!

Scene: Khalil and May's living room

The Wedding

 

Joe: Well, it's almost time, Khalil. The girls have been at the church all morning, getting it decorated. My Esther is probably putting her dress on right now. I'm so nervous!

Khalil: Well, you should be nervous. Getting married at your age – is that such a good idea? What if you have a heart attack or a stroke? You'll leave poor Esther a widow all over again. That won't help her self-esteem, you know. I was reading an article in Reader's Digest . This self-esteem thing is very important to people, you know.

Joe: Well, you're not helping mine right now! I'm so nervous, I feel like I could have a heart attack at any minute.

Khalil: Well, if you're going to have one, have it before the pastor says “I do.” That way, Esther isn't a widow again. It will help her self-esteem.

Joe: We should walk to the church soon.

Khalil: Walk? I thought your nephew was going to pick us up in his fancy limousine.

Joe: Well, he was, but he got this job at the last minute. It will only take him a few hours, then he'll come back and pick up Esther and me after the reception.

Khalil: I can't walk. I have the gout.

Joe: You don't have the gout.

Khalil: No, really. I do have the gout again. Haven't you noticed me limping? Here, let me show you.

(He sits down, and slowly pulls off his shoe and sock.)  

Khalil: There. Look at that toe. It's swollen and red as a beet. It's so stiff and sore, I can barely get my shoe on. Oh. I hope I can get my shoe and sock back on. May helped me before she left.

(He stiffly tries, unsuccessfully, to get his sock on.) 

Khalil: Will you help me?

Joe: For goodness sake. Why did you take your shoe and sock off? If I get down on the floor, I'll need your help to get back up.

Khalil: Fine, I'll help you. But I need to get my shoe and sock back on. I can't go to the church like this.

(Joe gets stiffly down on the floor. He and Khalil slowly and comically get the sock and shoe back on.) 

Joe: There, it's on. Your toe doesn't look so bad to me. It's barely red at all. Help me up.

Khalil: (Stands up, helps Joe up.) OK. Now, we're ready to go. I guess we can walk.

Joe: So, you have the rings?

Khalil: What rings?

Joe: The rings. The rings! Our wedding rings. You said you were going to put them in your new safe, since we've been having trouble with burglars in the neighborhood.

Khalil: Oh, the rings! I almost forgot. When I heard that the Jacobsen's house had been broken into, I decided it was time to buy a safe. I don't want our things stolen. I can't get the TV in there, but it would be hard to watch if it was in the safe, anyway. So, you want more coffee?

Joe: No, we need to get to the church. What about the rings?

Khalil: Oh, right. OK. Look, see where I hid the safe? It's under this tablecloth beside my chair. Thieves would think it was just a side table, see?

Joe: Wow. That's a big safe. Is it heavy?

Khalil: That's what my grandson and his friends said. They brought it home from the store for me. My grandson has that fancy new pickup truck. Have you seen his pickup truck? It looks a lot like that truck in the neighbor's driveway. Come look.

Joe: Khalil. The rings.

Khalil: Oh, right. Let's see. I set the combination to something I wouldn't forget – our anniversary. Always remember your anniversary, Joe. That's important to the ladies. At least, that's what May tells me every year. Hoo-boy. She gets mad when I forget.

Joe: I thought you said that was something you wouldn't forget.

Khalil: I don't forget. At least, not every year.

(Khalil works on the combination.)  

Khalil: There. (He tries to open the safe with a flourish. The door doesn't budge.) Hey! It didn't open. What's wrong with this thing? Let me try again.

(He again works on the combination.)  

Khalil: That should do it. (He tugs, unsuccessfully.) This stupid thing! It's broken. I'm taking it back. They shouldn't sell broken things. I'm going to call them right now.

Joe: Khalil, I need those rings! Are you sure you're entering the right numbers?

Khalil: Of course I'm sure. I told you. I would never forget our anniversary.

(The phone rings. Khalil walks over to answer it.) 

Khalil: Hello? Yes, May, we're coming. Yes, I know it's getting late. I'm trying to get the safe open. What? The safe. I put the rings in the safe. We need to rings to have a wedding, I think. Fine. Good. With my gout, I shouldn't be walking, anyway. What? I do TOO have the gout!

(Khalil hangs up the phone.)  

Khalil: Women. May thinks I don't have the gout, at least not so bad. She says I'm just an old man. Of course I'm an old man!

Joe: It's almost time for the ceremony, Khalil. We need to get to the church.

Khalil: Don't worry. They're sending Esther's son to pick us up in his car. He's kind of an old man, you know. He must be 60. You think he's still safe to drive?

Joe: He's a fine driver, Khalil. But we need the rings! I can't marry Esther without the rings!

Khalil: Well, maybe it's just as well. You're probably going to die of a stroke, and you'd just ruin Esther's self-esteem, anyway.

(The front door opens. In walks May & Esther. Esther is in a lovely dress and hat.)  

Khalil: May! Esther! You shouldn't be here, Esther. It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

Esther: (smiling at Joe) Oh, I don't believe that old superstition. Hollywood made that up for the movies. Besides, seeing Joe has always been good luck for me.

Khalil: So, why are you here? I thought your son, John was going to pick us up.

May: I figured John would need help getting you two out of the house. He's waiting in the car. What's going on?

Joe: Khalil can't remember the combination.

Khalil: I can too remember the combination! It's our anniversary. 08-12-20 .

May: That's not our anniversary, that's my birthday! Our anniversary is 09-15-43 . You were home on leave. Remember?

Khalil: That's right. (Khalil works the combination on the safe. It opens.) See, I told you it was a date I couldn't forget. I always remember the important dates! (He reaches in and retrieves a box.) Here are the rings. Safe and sound.

Joe: Thank goodness! I'm glad you two came to get us. We might have missed the wedding!

Esther: We wouldn't have missed the wedding just because of the rings. They aren't the most important part. You are, Joe.

May: That's sweet. Well, we'd better go.

(Everyone heads for the door.)  

Khalil: Wait a minute. I have something to say.

May: Khalil, we don't have time –

Khalil: Please. Joe, I've known you for a long, long time. In all those years, I have been proud to call you family. You've been like a brother to me. You've been my best friend. When your wife Marian died, (God rest my cousin's soul) it broke my heart to see you so sad. You've been alone a long time. Since you've met Esther, you've been so happy. I am so glad to see my friend and my brother happy again. Esther, thank you. Joe, best of luck to you. (He wipes a tear from his eye.) I hope you find the same joy that May and I have shared. May you have many happy years.

May: Oh, Khalil. I love you.

Khalil: I love you, too. Now stop talking, we're going to be late!

(May shakes her head, and they all head for the door.)

Khalil: (To Joe) Don't forget. If you're going to die, do it before the “I do.”

May: Khalil!

Khalil: I'm just watching out for Esther's self-esteem, that's all.

(They walk out the door.)

THE END

---(c) 2007 Cherie Renae - may not be reproduced without permission

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