Pluto’s Litterbox: A Modern Take on Hades & Persephone by Travis Turner
Act One
Enter a small apartment. There sits a table & two chairs center stage. On the table is a small tea/coffee cup on a platter along with a book and a pomegranate. Behind one chair is a food/water bowl and a litter box. KORI enters carrying a suitcase and sits at the table. She stirs her coffee and then picks up the book. She reads, then sips. Reads and then sips. Enter PLUTO THE CAT. Pluto brushes against Kori’s leg and snuggles up around her ankles bathing himself. Enter HADEN. His entrance is unacknowledged. He places a set of keys on the table in front of Kori.
Kori
(Looks at the keys and slowly looks up at Haden. Tensely speaks)
What’s that for? My book club meeting was done an hour or so ago. Told you I needed the car.
Haden
(Slightly drunk, apologetic)
I, uhm. I…. I guess I forgot how late it had gotten. We were working on Billy’s old CJ in the parking lot of the VFW. Finally got it running again though.
Kori
Well great. Maybe this time he won’t run off in some ditch and rip a mailbox out of the ground. How many strikes is he up to now anyway, DUI-wise? You’re lucky you weren’t with him last time.
Haden
Aw he’s a good guy, just has his problems like the rest of us. Can’t blame him for wanting to forget ‘em.
Kori
At least he’s done that. Betty Sue said that she heard he doesn’t go home at night anymore. Says Linda is barely able to keep the lights on between working the diner, raising those 2 babies, and trying to keep Billy on the straight & narrow.
Haden
(Sits down & hiccups/burps)
He can be a handful, but he loves his family. It was all he talked about when we were over in Kabul. Getting back to where we were supposed to be. I think that’s one thing all of us agreed on. Head’s killing me, that’s for sure.
(Removes a bottle of pills from his jacket, puts several in his palm & downs them)
Kori
(Shaking head)
Speaking of a handful.
Haden
Again? Is this how we’re going to spend tonight? This is my last night off before I go back on the graveyard shift at the mill. I don’t feel like arguing with you.
Kori
(Stroking Pluto)
Good, because I’m tired of it too. I’m tired of being disappointed. But that’s all over now. Mother is on the way. I’ve got a bag packed and I’m just waiting on her to get here. I’m taking Pluto with me.
Haden
(Dumbfounded, yet dismissive)
What? Can’t we just talk about it? I think you’re overreacting. I didn’t mean to lose track of time; I was just helping out.
Kori
(Visibly frustrated)
Helping out? By getting drunk with your friends every day in a seedy bar? You leave me here alone, far from town with no way to go. I’m just stuck here. It’s lonely.
Haden
Come on, it’s not so bad.
Kori
Yes, Haden. Yes, it is. It’s been bad since we got here. Lately, it’s gotten even worse. Even when you’re here, you’re not. You won’t tell me what’s going on with you and I can’t take anymore. Thank God for Pluto.
(She pets Pluto on the head)
Pluto
Meeeooowwwww
Haden
Remember the first time I saw you? You had a bouquet of wildflowers in your hand trying to lure him out of a culvert. Took him forever to come out close enough for you to touch him, scared lil’ guy.
Kori
I’ll never forget. You had on your uniform and the parade was about to start but you stayed there with me. That seems like a lifetime ago.
Haden
Seems like yesterday to me. I looked everywhere for you while we marched down Main St. and right as we turned the last corner, I saw you holding that cat and those flowers. You were a goddess.
Kori
We were both so young then. So silly.
Haden
(Reaching down to pet Pluto)
It wasn’t silly; it was love, silly.
(Their hands meet for a second as they both pet Pluto. They let it linger, then Kori pulls back)
Kori
Love shouldn’t take so much work. It should come easy and I’m tired.
Haden
(Looking tired. Takes out his pocketknife and slices into the pomegranate)
Want some? What have you eaten today?
Kori
Not enough. I’ll take half.
(she extends her hand)
Haden
(Carefully places the fruit in her hand)
You know, you should take Pluto. You do all of the work. You feed him. You scoop his litterbox. You’re the one he loves. He won’t be alone all the time.
Kori
(Eating the fruit)
And what about you? How are you going to take care of yourself when I’m gone?
Haden
I’ll manage. Who knows, might be the best thing for both of us. Just start over again somewhere new. Seasons change.
Kori
(A car horn honks off stage.)
I’m leaving Pluto with you. I’m worried about leaving you all alone here. I’m worried you’ll do something silly again & this time it won’t be rehab. (stroking Pluto’s head) He’s good company.
Haden
Then I guess you’re all set. When will you be back? Will you be back?
Kori
I will. I just need some time.
(She stands and picks up the suitcase)
Goodbye, Haden.
(She bends to pet Pluto)
And goodbye, my Pluto.
(exit)
Haden
(Pets Pluto)
Well, I guess it’s just us now buddy. Alone in the dark.
(He refills the food/ water bowl & scoops the litterbox. Then he sits back down at the table and Pluto nudges his leg, shaking his pocket. A rattle of pills can be heard. He reaches into his pocket, takes a moment to think & then loosens the cap and chugs the bottle washing it down with a pint of whiskey on the counter).
(Fade to Black)
(Lights open, to a scene of mess. Chair is overturned, and Haden lies face down in the litterbox. Pluto struts across the stage and walks over the body before pooping in a corner of the box)
Pluto
Meeeoooowwww
FIN.
About the Author
Travis Turner teaches composition & literature courses at the University of Alabama. He writes flash fiction. He can be found online at @travisturnerii
