RadioPlay/ Boundaries

 

Boundaries is the radio play version of the short story Codependancy.

Title: “Boundaries"

Genre: Drama/Romance

[INTRO MUSIC: Soft, uplifting acoustic guitar fades in]

NARRATOR: Welcome to "Boundaries," a story of love, control, and the painful journey to self-discovery. 

[SFX: Street noises, a bustling café ambiance]

[Scene 1: Lucas and Tara Meet]

[SFX: Workshop sounds, wood clinking, Lucas humming]

TARA: (Entering, excited) Hi there! I’m Tara. I’m looking for someone to make custom stretchers for my canvases. A friend recommended you.

LUCAS: (Warmly) Hi, Tara. I’m Lucas. Custom stretchers, you say? I’d be happy to help. What kind of sizes are you thinking?

TARA: (Enthusiastic) Oh, fantastic! I need a few different sizes, and I prefer high-quality wood. I’ve got some big projects coming up.

LUCAS: (Interested) Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. What kind of projects?

TARA: (Passionate) I’m working on a series about the chaos of city life versus the calm of nature. It’s been consuming me lately.

LUCAS: (Intrigued) That sounds fascinating. I’d love to hear more about it.

TARA: (Brightly) Well, my paintings are all about contrasting emotions and the dynamic between order and disorder. What about you? What’s your work like?

LUCAS: (Humbly) I mostly do custom woodwork—furniture, stretchers like these. I appreciate simple, functional designs. I guess I lean towards the practical side.

TARA: (Admiring) Practical, but with a touch of artistry, I bet. I can see it in your work already.

[SFX: Music fades out]

[Scene 2: Romance Blossoms]

[SFX: Light music, happy chatter]

TARA: (Playfully) Lucas, this is wonderful! Your work is impeccable. I’m so glad I found you.

LUCAS: (Smiling) I’m glad you’re happy with it. You know, I’d love to see your studio sometime.

TARA: (Excited) Really? I’d love to show you. Maybe you can come by this weekend?

LUCAS: (Genuinely interested) I’d like that. I’m always curious about how artists work. 

[SFX: Ambient sounds of an art studio, soft music playing]

[Scene 3: Growing Closer]

TARA: (Enthusiastic) And this is my latest piece. I’m still working on the details, but it’s supposed to represent the chaos of urban life.

LUCAS: (Appreciative) It’s vibrant. I can definitely see the chaos you’re describing. 

TARA: (Pleased) Thanks! Your feedback means a lot. I was thinking about using different textures to contrast the calm parts. What do you think?

LUCAS: (Thoughtfully) Different textures could add depth. It’s like a conversation between the chaotic and the serene. 

TARA: (Blushing slightly) Exactly! You understand it so well. I’ve really enjoyed our time together, Lucas.

LUCAS: (Gently) Me too, Tara. I’m glad we met.

[SFX: Light music, background sounds of a café]

[Scene 4: The First Signs of Control]

[SFX: Phone ringing, Lucas picks up]

LUCAS: (Tired) Hello?

TARA: (Upset) Lucas, where are you? I needed you to help me with a few things today.

LUCAS: (Calmly) I’m at the workshop, finishing up a project. I thought we agreed on meeting later.

TARA: (Frustrated) I know, but I’m feeling overwhelmed. I thought you’d be here to support me, not working all day.

LUCAS: (Sighs) I’m sorry. I’ll come by after I finish up here.

TARA: (Pleading) Please hurry. I really need you now. I can’t manage everything alone.

LUCAS: (Softly) Alright, Tara. I’ll be there as soon as I can.

[SFX: Workshop sounds fade out, door opening, Tara’s voice getting closer]

[Scene 5: Increasing Demands]

[SFX: Phone ringing, Lucas picks up]

TARA: (Aggressively) Lucas, I need you to cancel your plans with Mark tonight. I have an event and I need you there with me.

LUCAS: (Hesitant) I’ve already committed to seeing him. It’s been planned for weeks.

TARA: (Demanding) It’s more important that you’re here with me. This is about supporting me, Lucas.

LUCAS: (Frustrated) I can’t just cancel every time you ask. I have commitments too.

TARA: (Angry) You’re always putting your own needs first. You don’t understand how much I need you.

LUCAS: (Desperate) Tara, I’m trying my best. I’m losing balance here.

TARA: (Hysterical) Your best isn’t good enough! You need to prioritize me!

[SFX: Phone call ends, Lucas’s distressed sigh]

[Scene 6: Business Loss and Heartache]

[SFX: Workshop sounds, tools clinking]

LUCAS: (To himself) Another missed deadline. This can’t keep happening.

[SFX: Door opens abruptly, Tara storms in]

TARA: (Irritated) Lucas, why aren’t you done with that order yet?

LUCAS: (Tired) I’m behind because I’ve been canceling appointments to be here for you. 

TARA: (Indignant) You’re always making excuses. I need you to be present, not distracted.

LUCAS: (Heartbroken) I’m doing this for us, Tara. But it’s never enough. You keep pushing me away with your demands.

TARA: (Coldly) Maybe you’re just not cut out for this. I can’t rely on you if you’re always failing.

[SFX: Objects clattering, Tara’s angry footsteps leaving the workshop]

[SFX: Lucas’s anxious breathing, door slamming]

LUCAS: (To himself, sobbing) How did I miss this? I thought I loved her, but it was just a mask. This isn’t who she really is.

[SFX: Phone buzzing, Lucas picks up]

[Scene 7: Lucas Talks with Mark]

[SFX: Café ambiance, Mark and Lucas talking]

MARK: (Concerned) Lucas, you look terrible. What’s going on?

LUCAS: (Worn out) It’s Tara. I thought she was the one, but I was wrong. Everything’s falling apart. She’s controlling and manipulative.

MARK: (Sympathetically) Man, I’m sorry. It sounds like she’s been draining you. 

LUCAS: (Heartbroken) I’m losing my friends, my business... I thought it was love, but it was just her mask. I don’t even know who she really is anymore.

MARK: (Supportive) You’ve got to take care of yourself. You can’t keep sacrificing everything for someone who’s not giving you the same in return.

LUCAS: (Determined) You’re right. I need to draw a line. I can’t keep losing myself.

[Scene 8: The Confrontation]

[SFX: Doorbell rings, Lucas opens the door]

TARA: (Pleading) Lucas, please. I want to make things right. I miss you.

LUCAS: (Firm) Tara, this has to end. Your behavior has been toxic. I need to move on.

TARA: (Desperate) You don’t understand! I need you. You can’t just walk away!

LUCAS: (Resolute) No, Tara. I’ve realized that I’ve been loving a mask, not the real you. I can’t keep doing this.

TARA: (Angry) You’re making a mistake! You’ll regret this!

LUCAS: (Calmly) Maybe. But I need to be true to myself. Goodbye, Tara.

[SFX: Door closing softly, Tara’s footsteps fading away]

[Scene 9: Resolution]

[SFX: Soft, reflective music playing]

NARRATOR: Lucas chose to reclaim his life and find peace. He learned that love should be mutual, and boundaries are essential for true happiness.

LUCAS: (To himself, with a sigh of relief) Time to focus on my work, my friends, and my own well-being.

[SFX: Music swells gently, signaling new beginnings]

NARRATOR: In understanding the boundaries of love and self-respect, Lucas discovered the essence of freedom.

[OUTRO MUSIC: Uplifting acoustic guitar fades in]

NARRATOR: Thank you for joining us for "Boundaries." Remember, sometimes setting boundaries is the key to finding true happiness.