the payment

the payment

A play in two acts

S a girl in her mid fifties
P a friend

--- --- ---

Act 1

The stage is split into two isolated areas

Right, a room in a country house. It is chaotic. There is the sound of dogs barking. Up, a table full of random objects including unopened packages, a pitchfork, a partly eaten meal, a Buddah... Amongst this can just be seen a computer screen. S is arranging the table.

Left, a kitchen in a modern flat. Tidy, organised. Down, a computer table. P sits at the computer.

10th October. The deadline for payment is midnight. It is 17:00

S  (panics) I think I have to pay SUMA last year I paid it but this year they haven't it's all over I think I have to pay it I went to the bank they didn't pay it but no bill they sent me last year I went and paid last year this year i went to pay the bank and it was not they didn't pay it...

P You can do it online

S Last year they paid it. But it's all in Spanish. they paid it last year. I went to the bank. And they paid it.

P No it isn't. You can choose English.

S How do I get English. How do I pay it?

(pause)

 Usually they just take it from my account

P What site are you on? 

S Benigembla

P Would you like me to have a look? I'll need to use your electronic certificate if that's OK.

S Where do I click. Usualy the bank pay it. I go down but not today.

P (consults computer) 

Ah, OK. it's already paid then. That happens on 26th. September. So, you've already paid it?

S I went to the bank today and they won't pay it.

P But isn't it already paid?

S I went to draw out money to pay Linda.

(pause)

I'm paying her two-hundred this month and two-hundred the next

P What? Has the SUMA been paid?

S I took out two-hundred-and-fifty

P To pay SUMA?

S No. They wouldn't pay it.

P Send me the bill. I'll do it from here.

S They didn't send me a bill this year.

(pause)

Usually, they send me a bill.

P (at the computer)

OK. It's two-hundred and nine Euros.

No, hang on. You can't pay it. This isn't your property. Do they know you have residence here? Have you told them your address isn't correct? It says Foya 9. That isn't your house.

S I used to live there. I rented it. I got a residence card. You were there when I got it. 

(pause)

We went to that bar opposite.

P Did you take the card to the ayuntamiento?

S Yes.

P And what did they say?

S I saw Elaine. She speaks a bit of English

P What did Elaine say?

S The Alcalde doesn't speak much English. I used to rent my house off him.

...contunuará.