Peyton

from Snakes in a Lunchbox by Arthur M. Jolly

Genre: Dramedy

Peyton, the school bully, has had a complete change of heart after witnessing violence at home.

(Warning: This monologue may only be used as directed by YouthPLAYS. Complete instructions can be found here.)

Last night, my dad left the halfway house, came over and punched my mom in the face a bunch until she picked up a knife out of the sink and stuck it in his arm. Which is...he's okay. I mean, he's not dead or anything, but the way she looked when...he's gonna be in the hospital for a bit 'cause she hit an artery, and then he's going back inside. It's a violation of his condition of release or something, so there isn't even going to be a trial or nothing. The thing is...when she did it, I wasn't...I saw them fight, you know, before he—I mean, the first time. They fought a bunch, but she never...it was always them fighting. The two of them, it's how they were. Last night, I looked at her face—and I thought she was going to kill him. Stab him in the neck, or the heart. And I didn't feel bad about it. Not one bit. I just thought: took you long enough, Momma.
(Beat.)
Don't tell anyone.
(Beat.)
Never mind, say whatever. I figure everyone will know in a day or two anyway. They always do.

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