A Text From Mama.

~.START.~

Scene is set, BCBFLB is going about her business at work, when her mobile phone bleeps. A message has come through. She doesn't have time to look at it straight away, waiting instead for the time that she sits down in the canteen to take a break. Opening the message, she reads it, then, stunned, reads it again. A passing Store Staff Member notices her expression...

STORE STAFF MEMBER: (concerned) hey, what's up? Is everything alright?
B.C.B.F.L.B: (stunned) um, yes. I've just had a message from Mother.
STORE STAFF MEMBER: (sitting down beside her) ...not bad news I hope...?
B.C.B.F.L.B: (slowly) no, not 'bad', exactly.
STORE STAFF MEMBER: (curious) well, what's it say?
B.C.B.F.L.B: It says: "to my dear son and daughter. I have something to tell you. I have made arrangements for my funeral. I have placed a white envelope with the appropriate details and receipts in the black case in the kitchen, to remain sealed until such a time it is needed. Please respond to this message, when you get it, with 'message received', and WE NEED NEVER SPEAK OF THIS AGAIN. Mom. x"
STORE STAFF MEMBER: (slightly stunned) ...wow. Did she really emphasize the last bit like you made it sound?
B.C.B.F.L.B: (nods) she did. Look. ...(shows it)... I didn't even know she knew how to switch to upper case letters like that. She must have learned it from Brother.
STORE STAFF MEMBER: (slightly disconcerted) ,,,yeah...well...nice of her to let you know.
B.C.B.F.L.B: yes.
STORE STAFF MEMBER: (doubtful) so.,.are you going to talk to her about it?
B.C.B.F.L.B: ...(says nothing; simply looks over the top of her glasses)...
STORE STAFF MEMBER: (shakes head in agreement) nah, I wouldn't either. I was just checking, that's all.

Scene ends with both ladies sitting there in silence, one eating a banana, the other looking out into space. The phone sits in between them; the bringer of news that promises to remain unmentioned for ever, bar for two words: MESSAGE RECEIVED.

~.END.~

B.C.B.F.L.B x