Everybody In This House: A Play & An Essay

By Laura J. Axelrod

After Father O'Donnell dismisses Mary Turner's pleas about her marriage, he must grapple with his culpability as he uncovers a web of secrets about domestic violence that shake his faith in God and humanity. Follow along as his quest for answers leads to stunning revelations and a race against time to prevent further devastation. Unravel the mystery surrounding Mary Turner's tragic demise and the dark secrets lurking within her family.

The essay, Decades Later, describes the ideas and events around the creation of the play. 

 

This work explores the themes of religious abuse, sexism, rape, self-harm and suicide. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura J. Axelrod
• Release date: May 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9780974079424

Laura J. Axelrod

LAURA J. AXELROD is a writer, poet, filmmaker and playwright. Her stage plays have been performed in California, New York and Europe. Her articles have appeared in The Birmingham News (Ala) and al.com. Newhouse News Service distributed her reviews, which were subsequently published in newspapers across the country. She was curator and writer at The Clyde Fitch Report. She also created The Marbury Project, a column that explored gender inequality and the arts.

Book preview

Content Warning

This play deals with multiple distressing topics including but not limited to religious abuse, alcoholism, child abuse, sexual violence, self-harm, and suicide.

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If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can contact the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Their website can help you find help anywhere in the world.

https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

Safe & Together Institute offers a list of International Domestic Violence Resources

https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/international-domestic-violence-resources/

HelpGuide.org provides a list of resources for the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Philippines, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and India

https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

Rights

All rights to this play are strictly reserved. No part of this play may be performed, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author or the author’s representative.

Performance rights must be secured before production. For performance inquiries, licensing, and other permissions, please contact:

Laura J. Axelrod

www.lauraaxelrod.com

The name of the author must appear on all programs, promotional materials, and advertising for the play.

Cast of Characters

Father Joseph O'Donnell is a Catholic priest with old-school ideas and a nagging sense of guilt.

Mary Turner wants to reconcile her faith with her family life but soon finds herself at the end of her rope.

John Turner, a family man, believes everybody in this house is a servant in his kingdom.

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The Children

Terry Turner has seen too much in her sixteen years and plays the game to survive.

Dennis Turner has spent seventeen years of his life being too weak, according to his father, John.

Mary Margaret (Nina) Turner, an eleven-year-old bears an unfortunate resemblance to her mother, Mary.

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Place:

The rectory of Father O'Donnell's parish in Connecticut. The Turner's house, including the living room, kitchen, and basement.

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Time:

The early 1980s. The first two scenes take place in March. The rest of the play occurs during on Good Friday, two weeks later.

Scene One

The rectory office, 10 p.m. Father O'Donnell has fallen asleep at his desk. His Bible is open, as he was focusing on a sermon. He prefers to paraphrase the Bible to make it less daunting for parishioners. Otherwise, people might translate the Bible incorrectly. Asleep, he replays the following scene in his mind which occurred earlier the same evening.

A spotlight fades up on Mary Turner. She is fragile and disheveled, covered in a red shawl. She sees Father O'Donnell as a voice without a face.

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Mary: I hope I wasn't interrupting anything, Father. Thank you for seeing me.

Father: No problem at all. You seemed quite upset on the phone.

Mary: I feel ridiculous calling you over nothing.

Father: It didn't seem like nothing.

Mary: I haven't been feeling very well lately... You know how it is.

Father: With kids, yes. Motherhood is a difficult job, isn't it?

Mary: I guess you could say that. I'm not really clear on anything.

Father: Things frequently become clearer when you talk about them.

Mary: I know...

Father: Everyone has problems... Yours, while being difficult, are not unique.

Mary considers this.

Mary: You're right, Father. I guess they're not. It's about the kids... I, um, I... I don't feel like a mother anymore. (She laughs.) That sounds crazy, doesn't it? (Father says nothing.) I don't have any control over anything anymore. Things could go on without me.

Father: Could you be more specific?

Mary: I'm not a part of anything anymore... I don't feel like... If I wasn't there... (She catches herself.) I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be thinking like that. John always says, what goes on in a house should stay in a house. That's why rooms have walls, right?

Father: I suppose ceilings are to keep God out?

Mary: No, ceilings are for hanging... things. For protection.

Father: What's your point, Mary?

Mary: I don't know. (She laughs.) I'm sorry Father. I shouldn't have come here. I'm not thinking right anymore... John and I get into these fights. Arguments. It's not a problem, a serious one. I mean, I don't take them seriously... I just want it to end.

Father: Your marriage? You know how the church feels about divorce. What are you looking for, my blessing?

Mary: Safety. Someone to tell me it's all going to be alright. Father, I'm a good Catholic. I go to church on Sunday morning with the kids, we go to confession and they go to school here. Doesn't that count for anything?

Father: I can't advocate separation until you've exhausted all means of reconciliation. Have you spoken to him about counseling?

Mary: Father, you don't understand. It's past the point of counseling. Everything is.

Father: Nonsense. What's the problem?  Does he have a bad temper?

Mary: He says hateful things and then apologizes, but that's not the point—

Father: —And do you provoke him?

Mary thinks for a moment.

Mary: I don't think so—-

Father: Perhaps you need to take a look at your own behavior. What is