Sorry Mr. Jones

Sorry, Mr. Jones

A play in one act

by Tim Westfield

Dramatis Personae

Mr Brown - Male 30’s

Mr. Jones - Male 50’s

Fred - Male Early 20’s

(MR. JONES enters and begins to pack items on his desk into a box. He looks around the room as if recalling what has happened here before. He proceeds for a few seconds when MR. BROWN enters.)

BROWN

How’s it going Jones?

JONES

I’m doing just fine Dougie.

BROWN

It’s Mr. Brown.

JONES
Right. I’m sorry Mr. Brown. That’s taken some getting used to.

BROWN

It’s no problem.

JONES

I remember that day your Dad came in grinning ear to ear. That must have been the proudest day of his life.

BROWN

What day was that?

JONES

The day you were born. It wasn’t all that long after I started here. Just a few weeks. He was so proud of you. Got his name and everything.. Douglas Brown Jr. “Little Dougie. He’s a beautiful boy. Big and strong already. Gonna be great kid, just like his old man. Looks just like me too.” He was right about that last one. I don’t think I ever seen a man so happy in his life. Cigars all around. Back then a cigar was just a cigar and there was no problem with smoking one inside the building. Your dad must have gave out a thousand Cigars.

BROWN

That was a long time ago.

JONES

I’ve been working here a long time.

(Pause)

BROWN

Almost finished?

JONES

Yes sir, Mr. Brown. I’m sorry it took so long. Over thirty years you build up quite a bit of clutter. I’ll be out of your way soon enough. There’s no need to hurry.

BROWN

Actually.

JONES

Found someone to replace me already?

BROWN

Um..

JONES

No. It’s all right son. I understand. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks and all that.

BROWN
I’m sorry Jones, I really am, but we needed someone who could work with the new system, who understood the technology.

JONES
Quality of work just doesn’t count for anything anymore.

BROWN

It counts. It really does, but we just needed someone who could give us quality and keep up with the present and help us in our future.

JONES

So I don’t have a future?

BROWN

I didn’t mean it like that.

JONES
No son… sorry, Mr. Brown, don’t worry about me. This old dog still has some grit left in him.

(Pause)

BROWN

So you’ll be done soon.

JONES

Almost finished, just a few things left.

BROWN

Let me help you.

(BROWN grabs a picture.)

JONES

Not that. I’m saving that for last.

BROWN

Who is she? She’s beautiful.

JONES

She certainly is isn’t she.

BROWN

Do you know her?

JONES

Know her? Of course I know her?

BROWN

Is this your daughter?

JONES

Daughter? Heh, no, that’s my wife. It was taken on our honeymoon, she insisted on sitting for pictures and I wasn’t going to argue with her, although I wanted to spend times on other things. If you catch my drift. But I have to admit this one was worth every penny.

BROWN

I haven’t met your wife.

JONES

She passed away a few years ago.

BROWN

Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize…

JONES

It’s all right, she’s been gone five years now.

BROWN

What happened?

JONES

(Pause) The big C.

BROWN

What?

JONES

Cancer. I guess it’s superstition. If you don’t say it aloud it can’t get you. Silly I know.

BROWN
That must have been tough.

JONES

It was for me. She didn’t seem to feel it though, or at least she made it seem like she didn’t feel it. I could tell the good days from the bad ones, but she always had a smile and forbid me from ever helping her with anything. She was one heck of a gal.

BROWN

What about your kids, did they help out?

JONES

We didn’t have any children. It wasn’t anybody’s fault really. It just never seemed to happen. So we made do without and became quite content.

BROWN

Oh.

JONES

But that’s in the past and at the present I have a desk that I need to clear out. And then I have to pick up the paper. I have a job to find.

BROWN
You’re not going to retire?

JONES

I’m too young to retire. And I don’t have much money saved up anyway. It’s amazing what a health care company won’t cover.

BROWN

Do you have any job offers or anything?

JONES

Not yet. Who wants to hire an old man with no technology skills in this day and age? No one.

BROWN

Look Jones, I’m really sorry.

JONES

Don’t worry about it. I’ll manage. I have over thirty years experience. That still counts for something.

BROWN

If there’s anything I can do. Anyone you want me to call?

JONES

If there is I’ll let you know. Well I think that’s the last of it. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting Mr. Brown.

BROWN

It’s no problem.

JONES

I’ll be seeing you around then.

BROWN

Yes. Hopefully. Oh, Jones?

JONES

Yes, Dougie.. sorry Mr. Brown?

BROWN

What was her name?

JONES
Her name was Jessica.

BROWN

That’s a pretty name.

JONES

A pretty name for a pretty gal.

BROWN

A beautiful gal.

JONES

Thanks son, now I’ll get out of your way.

BROWN

Thank you for not making this…difficult.

JONES

It was but not in the way you’d understand.

(JONES exits. BROWN looks around and is satisfied with everything. BROWN exits. FRED enters carrying a small box with a few items. He is followed by BROWN who is somehow different.)

FRED

This whole office? Just for me?

BROWN
Well you deserve it. That resume was damn impressive, and the recommendations were fantastic I know you’ll do a great job.

FRED

Thank you sir.

BROWN
What do you have in the box Freddie?

FRED

Oh this, just some pens a few notebooks.

BROWN

So Freddie, tell me about yourself, you married, have any kids?

FRED

I don’t know about kids yet. We just got back from the honeymoon. But if I have anything to say about it we’ll have lots of them.

BROWN
Congratulations. That’s good to hear. I like family men.

FRED

Do you have any children sir?

BROWN

My wife’s due in a few weeks.

FRED

That’s great.

BROWN

If it’s a boy we’re gonna name him after me.

FRED

Here’s hoping he lives up to it.

BROWN

I hope so. I like you Freddie. I think you’ll do well here. Just keep your nose to the grindstone and whatever other cliché you need to hear.

FRED

Yes sir.

(FRED takes a picture out of the box.)

BROWN

What do you have there Freddie?

FRED

Oh, just a picture.

BROWN

Wow-wee Freddie. You did good. Real good.

FRED

Thank you sir. I think I just got really lucky.

BROWN
I’ll have the two of you over for dinner sometime. After the misses delivers me that son she promised.

FRED

Thank you very much sir.

BROWN

No problem Freddie. Or should I say Mr. Jones.

FRED

I don’t think anyone has ever called me that before.

BROWN

Well get used to it. And get to work Jones.

FRED

Yes sir.

BROWN

Oh, Jones. Just because my wife will bother me if I don’t ask. What’s your lovely wife’s name?

FRED

Jessica.

BROWN

A pretty name for a pretty girl.

FRED

No, beautiful.

BROWN

What’s that Jones?

FRED

Nothing sir.

BROWN

Well then, get to work.

FRED

Yes sir.

(FRED places the picture on the desk. Looks at it for a moment and then sits at the desk admiring the office.)

(BLACKOUT)