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THE GIRL IN THE FRAME

By Jeremy Desmon 

SYNOPSIS  

(NOTE: The end of this synopsis reveals plot points) 

The story begins on the evening of Alex (Simon Provan) and Laney’s (Alison Mary Forbes) fourth anniversary of their engagement. Alex has prepared a meal and bought Laney a gift. When she arrives home that evening, having been out of town, she presents him with a gift as well. They are surprised to find that the gifts are the same – a picture frame containing the generic photo of a beautiful, young, and carefree woman. Before they can begin their celebration, Laney is called away again. She takes her gift with her and dashes off to Madrid. 

Left alone and feeling sorry for himself, Alex begins to flirt with the girl in the frame. When she suddenly comes to life, Alex finds his ultimate fantasy and names her Evelyn. Evelyn (Courtney Jones) is a woman who fulfills all his needs: from cooking his favorite meal, knowing every baseball statistic known to man, and everything in between. Alex and Evelyn enjoy each other’s company for a few weeks until Laney returns early. Having not been able to reach Alex by phone (he’s left a message on the voice mail that he’s “very, very sick”), she is worried that he’s alright. It doesn’t take long before she discovers Evelyn. 

It turns out that the photo came to life for Laney as well, and she and “Carmelita” have spent the past two weeks in Madrid becoming best girlfriends. Alex and Laney quickly agree they can’t share the same fantasy. In an ensuing argument, Alex’s picture frame is broken and Evelyn disappears. The dinner Evelyn had been cooking begins to burn and in their attempt to put it out, they come across a discarded fireman’s calendar. At once, an Adonis-like man appears in full fireman’s garb, puts out the fire and whisks Laney away to the bedroom. Alex is in shock when the doorbell rings. It is Laney’s lost luggage, complete with her picture frame. At once, Evelyn reappears.  

Act II begins with both Alex and Laney fully enjoying their respective fantasies. All four are living in the apartment, which is now full of fantasy “debris”. One night, Laney decides to turn in early and Alex goes for a walk, leaving the two fantasies alone. They let their hair down and exclaim how difficult life as a fantasy can be but that it’s their lot in life. 

While Laney has been enjoying Tomas, she misses Alex and wonders if they will ever go back to the way they were. She realizes that she has outgrown the fantasy world and gives Tomas his walking papers. Laney asks Alex to give up Evelyn but he isn’t willing, so Laney leaves. 

As Alex tries to convince himself that Evelyn is perfect and all he needs, she begins to show some flaws. She tells him it’s because he doesn’t know who he really wants. Laney comes back into the apartment, having forgotten to take her things with her when she left. Alex tells her he has realized that it’s the two of them that belong together, not he and Evelyn and if Laney will take him back, they can try again.  

RATING:        There is no adult language in this play but there are adult situations and sexual innuendos. Most appreciated by     ages sixteen/seventeen and older.