Werewolves

Mavis and her visitor Connie are sitting in the lounge room in the early evening talking. Her husband Gary and daughter Lisa are out on this full moon to do some werewolfing.

MAVIS: You have missed Gary and Lisa. You should have arrived a little earlier

CONNIE: Of course it’s a full moon isn’t it?

MAVIS: Oh yes. It’s that time of the month again. But at least Billy is up at the other end of the house doing his homework. He will make his presence known as soon as he is finished.

CONNIE: Billy is not a werewolf is he?

MAVIS: No. He didn’t get the werewolf gene but Lisa did. She got that from her father. They are so alike.

CONNIE: Do you worry about them. I mean with all the strong feeling against werewolves you sometimes hear about. And then there is the safety question. Are the streets safe enough for a little girl to go werewolfing?

MAVIS: I use to but Gary is responsible. He will look after Lisa. She is 8 years old now and she has the right to go werewolfing as much as anyone else. She can’t help it if she’s a werewolf can she? The full moon gives me a chance to catch up on sewing, embroidery and crochet.

CONNIE: And of course it provides such an opportunity for some great father-daughter bonding.

MAVIS: Oh it does. Lisa loves her father. Plus being a werewolf and all means that Gary is a real charger in bed and especially on a full moon. I expect I’ll get little sleep tonight. (They both grin and giggle.) That is half the reason I married him.

CONNIE: Well he comes from a line of illustrious people doesn’t he?

MAVIS: Oh he does. His father Ben was a great Shakespearian actor. He played Hamlet and he wanted to go further. He had the ambition to play the skull in Hamlet.

CONNIE: He didn’t?

 MAVIS: Oh he did. He was dying to play the part. That’s why he had himself killed, so that he could play the skull. Now whoever plays Hamlet at the local Shakespearian theatre company is now holding dear Ben in his hands or at least his skull and talking to him. He gives the role such an authentic touch. The actor who is Hamlet gives that much more convincing performance when he’s holding a real skull.

CONNIE I saw him in hamlet not long along. Your father-in-law gives such force to that part. And he looks really dignified in the role. No one can accuse Ben of being a phoney. So what time would you expect Gary and Lisa to come back home?

MAVIS: I expect about 10 pm or 11. Last month they got home at half past 11 and they were both munching out on some human T-bone.

CONNIE: She like T-bones doesn’t she?

MAVIS: Yes but her favourite is sirloin and Gary’s favourite cut is rump. It depends on how hungry they are on the full moon. Lisa just gets excited in the days leading up to the full moon. The taste of flesh anticipated and sometimes she can be quiet difficult to handle. I mean it’s like she’s another species.

CONNIE: Well she is sort of. A werewolf.

MAVIS: She starts to get some wolf like features a day or so before and it so affects the hormones. The anticipation of a feast can test the patience of an 8 year old girl. She can be very difficult in the days prior to a full moon. Making kills on the full moon really settles her. She is really calm for weeks afterwards after her monthly indulgence.

CONNIE: And it can be such exhausting work hunting humans.

MAVIS: Oh it can be. And people do resist. They will even sometimes try to defend themselves. Imagine.

CONNIE: No? That could be dangerous for Lisa.

MAVIS: Oh it can but Lisa is becoming quiet the hunter now. She has quiet a few full moons under her belt now.  I can trust Gary to look after her and protect her. One time entrails were littering the street all the way back to our place. Neighbours weren’t too happy about the mess on the street. Gary is more considerate these days about the neighbours and all.

Some voices at the door. Gary and Lisa come in. They both have blood around their furry mouths and are holding some left overs dripping on the floor of the kitchen.

MAVIS: We were just talking about you. Had a good night?

LISA: It was the best. So much fun. One guy chased us with a marchetti but I smiled a little cutely at him and then gave the killer bite to his neck.

GARY: Hi darling. Hello Connie. I have some meat here and I’ll just make Lisa and myself some sandwiches with cheese and lettuce.

LISA: I love you Daddy. We just have such good time.

MAVIS: So this marchetti guy?

GARY: That marchetti guy got our adrenaline going. Do you or Connie want a sandwich?

MAVIS: Not for me. You know I don’t have a taste for human flesh.

CONNIE: Me neither. Couldn’t really eat my own species but you go ahead.

MAVIS: You have work tomorrow at the bank and Lisa has to get to school. So you’ll better get yourself and Lisa showered for bed.

GARY: OK. I’ll clean up here in the kitchen after this snadwich.

LISA: Hello Auntie Connie. I love you. (Lisa hugs Connie and a little blood gets on Connie’s clothes.)

CONNIE: Yes I love you too.

MAVIS: Lisa you should get into the shower soon with your father. You can clean yourselves together and tomorrow school.

LISA: I know mummy. I’ll just tweet Cathy about what a good time I had with Daddy tonight first. (Lisa tweets on her phone.)

MAVIS: OK dear.

GARY: Come on Lisa. I’m getting into the shower now. Then into your pyjamas.

LISA: I’m coming. I want to get some of this blood off too.

GARY: You wouldn’t want to turn up to school with blood on your cheeks. What would your teacher think?

Gary and Lisa go off to the bathroom to shower together. A little time latter Lisa comes out in her pyjamas.

LISA: Good night Mummy. (Kisses her.)

MAVIS: Goodnight dear.

LISA: Good night Aunt Connie. (Kisses her.)