Erik’s mother can’t handle the situation at home anymore. Write a dialogue between Erik’s mother and his stepfather.
Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium, Stuttgart (Form 11b) Paderewski Lyceum
by Nadine Raffoul
M = Erik’s mother
B = Björn, Erik’s stepfather
M: Björn…
B: Yes, darling?
M: Please, sit down. We have to talk.
B: Is anything wrong?
M: Well, I’d like to talk to you about Erik.
B: I thought that it would be something like that. This bastard only makes trouble.
That’s all he’s able to do. What has he done now?
M: I think you misunderstood me. I didn’t want to talk about Erik but about the
relationship between you and him.
B: Why should we talk about that? There’s no problem between Erik and me. Every-
thing’s fine. You can ask him. I’m sure he’ll give you the same answer.
M: Perhaps this is your opinion, but it isn’t mine and I’m convinced it isn’t his either.
B: What are you trying to say?
M: I think you know very well what I mean. I’m talking about the beating he gets from
you regularly.
B: You mean the harmless reprimands he receives from me from time to time?
- Honey, I only want the best for Erik; he knows that and you should know this, too.
I just want to educate him, so that he’ll succeed in life. I’ve never had any bad
intentions!
M: You call this an “education”? You abuse Erik – that’s all you’re doing! I won’t let
you go on like this. I used to believe you, but one day Erik took off his shirt and do
you know what I saw there? You must know what I saw. I saw a back full of scars
and fresh injuries. Although I was aware of what terrible things you were doing to
my son I tried to ignore everything. That’s why I always played the piano while you
were hitting him. But I couldn’t really ignore what was going on. I knew I wouldn’t
be a good mother if I didn’t intervene. This has to stop! – otherwise..
B: Otherwise”?
M: Otherwise I’ll have to call the police, and if they can’t help us I’m going to get a
divorce. Be sure of that.
B: But darling, what the hell is going on with you? Are you aware of what you’re
saying?
M: Don’t touch me! I’ve never been more aware of anything in my life!
B: Where are you going now?
M: I have to buy some food now. Erik is coming home tomorrow. If the relationship
between you and him doesn’t get any better and if you try to hit him again, you
can be sure that I’m going to do what I’ve just told you. Think about it.
by Marta Chomen , Martin Luter King’s Group
- M: Honey, I think it is the best time we should talk about some matters.
- S :What is worrying you?
- M: I’m afraid that your behaviour has a bad influence on our son’s mental and physical health.
- S: Are you questioning my upbringing methods?
- M: No, I just want to talk it over with you...
- S:Darling please! We’ve already been through it a couple of times
- M:I know, but let me just finish... I’m aware that being strict is necessary if we want to avoid our son becoming disobedient, but..
- S:Shut up!!!.!!!
- M:Why do you always have to react so violently?(She sobbs)
- S:I have my own rules and I expect him to follow them. That’s all.
I would place this scene in the plot right before Erik’s return from school.