DECEPTION

By Dita Dwi Ayunanda, Puspita Ayu Amanda,and Sinta Kartika Dewi

CAST OF CHARACTERS

All team’s members taking turns as NARRATOR

Puspita Ayu Amanda as KENNETH FERNANDO

Sinta Kartika Dewi as THEODORA FERNANDO / THEODORE

Dita Dwi Ayunanda as ANNABETH VAN DER BIJL

SETTING AND TIME

Taking place in Wisconsin, USA, around 2019

SYNOPSIS

One day in St. Joseph orphanage, Wisconsin, there is a young couple, Mr. Kenneth
Fernando and Mrs. Theodora Fernando, who had been married almost 5 years but do not have
a child yet. It is because Mrs. Fernando admitted that she is barren. Therefore, both of them
decide and agree to adopt a baby from that orphanage, that is a 6-year-old Annabeth van der
Bijl. However, Kenneth keeps trying to have their own baby. Ten years later, a 16-year-old
Annabeth is looking for her stuff left on her step parents' bedroom. Suddenly, she finds an
identity card with Theodora's photo in it, but in the name of Theodore, not Theodora. Soon,
Annabeth tells her father about it. Kenneth then becomes suspicious that Theodora has
something hidden from him. Kenneth believes that it is not infertility that makes Theodora
and him haven't had a baby until now, but it is something else. After that, he asks Theodora to
recheck her infertility to find the truth. And the result is surprizing. Apparently, Theodora is a
transgender and she was Theodor back then. Kenneth's so disappointed, why his wife prefer
to lie to him than tell him the truth. In the end, the dissapoinment conquers Kenneth's heart
and he decides to divorce Theodora and take Annabeth to live with him.
SCENE 1
Narrator: [Morning is approaching noon. An about-thirty-year-old man
named Kenneth sits on a grey soft triple sofa. Kenneth watches a noon TV program
with the remote in the left palm of his hand. His wife Theodora, a woman in her
twenties, is bringing a bowl of potato chips from the kitchen. They are gathering in
the family room.]

KENNETH
Mom?
[while looking at the television]

THEODORA
Yes, Dad? What’s wrong?

KENNETH
We have been married for almost five years, but why haven’t we had a child yet?
[while thinking astonishly]

THEODORA
I'm confused too. Why haven’t I got pregnant yet?

KENNETH
Haven’t you felt the symptoms of pregnancy at any time?

THEODORA
No Dad. I have not felt any changes.

KENNETH
So, what keeps you from getting pregnant?
[more confused]

THEODORA
I’ve told you
[face and tone are a bit flat]
 KENNETH
We have to go to the doctor to understand why you haven’t been able to get pregnant.

THEODORA
I told you a doctor has diagnosed me as a barren woman.
[feeling a little anxious]

KENNETH
That's right. We have to go to the doctor again so we know what is causing you to be
infertile.

THEODORA
Honey, shouldn't we be a little more patient in the future?

KENNETH
Why? Why do we have to delay it? Don’t you want to have children soon?
[a little suspicious]

THEODORA
No. That's not what I mean. I also want us to have children soon.

KENNETH
Then why do you want us to be patient and not go to the doctor?

THEODORA
I want to wait for some time in the future. Before we go to the doctor.

KENNETH
I am already patient enough and want to know why we can’t have a child. If we know
the cause, we can find a solution.

THEODORA
Hmm…Ok, well, if that's your decision. Tomorrow we will go to the doctor.
 Narrator: [A worried Theodora agrees to go to the doctor with her husband.
Her brain’s spinning as fast as a wheel to find a plan. But, anyway, they already put
her name in the queue list. Not long after, their names are called and they enter the
room. After Theodora’s examination is done, the doctor finds out why she cannot get
pregnant. The doctor seems extremely shocked. But, right after Theodora asks the
doctor to meet her privately, he comes back at ease. Theodora accepts the results and
tells her husband that she is really barren.]

SCENE 2
Narrator: [The day for seeing the doctor ends with the same result. What
Kenneth knows is that Theodora is barren. She really is. However, Kenneth rises
soon. He remains strong because he knows the night doesn’t need his sorrow after the
sun goes down. After waiting for a long time and undergoing various alternatives to
get pregnant nothing succeed. They finally decide to go to an orphanage and adopt a
child.]

KENNETH
We better go to an orphanage and adopt one of the children there.

THEODORA
Yes, maybe it would be much better because without a child, we will feel very lonely.

KENNETH
Alright then, let's go now.

THEODORA
Yes, come on.

Narrator: [They leave for the orphanage which happens to be not far from
their house. After a 45 minute trip they arrive at that place. The ancient yet warm
building of St. Joseph Orphanage stands strongly in front of them. They soon enter
the guest room dominated by the color brown while their hearts beat rapidly, for good
luck of course.]
 THEODORA
Dad, what age do you want to adopt? Boy or girl?

KENNETH
I want a 5 year old daughter.

THEODORA
Okay, baby.

Narrator: [After going through a long process full of paperwork, they finally
officially became new parents. They choose a girl named Annabeth van der Bijl who
later becomes Annabeth Fernando]

KENNETH
Mom, Anna, let's go home. We still have a lot to do at home. One of them is to
prepare a room for our child.

THEODORA
OK, let's go home.

Narrator: [The trip goes well. There’s no better trip than this for Kenneth and
Theodora. During the trip in the car they talk. With Annabeth’s presence, they feel
like the family is complete. A minutes later, they arrive home. Annabeth’s new home.]

KENNETH
Yeay. We have arrived home. Let's get out of the car and see Annabeth's room
immediately.
[with happy feelings]

THEODORA
Honey [to Annabeth], from today you live with us in this house and from now on we
are your new parents.
 KENNETH
Right, from today you have to call us Mom and Dad.

KENNETH and THEODORA

Welcome to your new home dear.

ANNABETH
Thank you Mom, Dad. Thank you for making me your child.

THEODORA
You are welcome. Because of you, now we are not lonely anymore. So get some rest
quickly.

ANNABETH
Okay, mom. Bye. I love you.

KENNETH and THEODORA

I love you too dear.

SCENE 3
Narrator: [It is already almost midnight. The fifteen-meter-square bedroom
with Scandinavian style furniture is only lit by two small bed lights hanging on the
sides of the couch. Leaning his body on the head of the bed and stretching his legs
out, Kenneth still holds his newspaper. His eyes are locked on every word in that
paper. He seems afraid he might miss the news. Theodora is in front of the big gold-
framed mirror busy with her long curly hair, preparing to sleep, while Kenneth
suddenly talks to her.]

KENNETH
You know what?

THEODORA
What?
[He exhales.]
 THEODORA
I know what?
[turning her head and looking at her husband]

KENNETH
You can call me mad or something, but I believe we can still have our own
child.[staring at the ceiling]

THEODORA
[widening her eyes]
Right. You really are mad.

KENNETH
Listen. I know some people on the news who have been diagnosed that they can’t get
pregnant. But, apparently, it’s a kind of malpractice. The doctor made a mistake.

THEODORA
Then, you think my doctor made a mistake too?

KENNETH
[nodded]
I hope he was. It is never winter in the land of hope.

THEODORA
But, unfortunately, honey, he wasn’t. I saw the ultrasound photos. I am sure the result
was right. Okay? Case’s closed now. I will say no more.

KENNETH
Didn’t you say you want to have your own child with me?

THEODORA
Su..sure. I am.
[sputtered]
 KENNETH
Then why won’t you believe me when I say we still have hope?

THEODORA
I believe you. But, the result was clear. I can’t deny the truth. [screaming a litte bit]

KENNETH
A doctor is a human too. He might make a mistake.

THEODORA
I know. But that’s not my doctor.

KENNETH
Yeah? Then where is the result now?
[upset]

THEODORA
I’ve told you. My mother saved it for me.

KENNETH:
Sure. No, I remember it. Then why didn’t you let me to see the result when we visited
your mother?

THEODORA
[bowing her head]
We forgot to talk about it when we were there.

KENNETH
I did remember. It’s you who always distracted me when I started to talk about it.
[Pause]

THEODORA
I am sorry. I am ashamed. It is my shame.
 [bowing her head deeper]

KENNETH
You are ashamed? With me?

THEODORA
Yes, honey.

Narrator: [Kenneth shakes his head quietly, then takes a look at his wife who
is now looking off into the distance]

KENNETH
You know, you don’t need to. Darling, look at me. I am your husband. I’ve promised
to accept your imperfections, remember?

THEODORA
[smiling with sad eyes]
Okay. Now, can we finish this unpleasant conversation, please?

KENNETH
Okay. Anything you want.
[smiling back at his wife]

Narrator: [The night ends with a heavy-hearted Kenneth. He couldn’t

understand why his wife was not as excited as him when he said they could have a
child. However, he lets it go this time for the sake of his wife’s comfort.]

SCENE 4
Narrator: [Ten years have passed. The morning is extremely bright today.
Annabeth wakes up to a new phase of her life. Yes, today is her 16 th birthday.
Annabeth grows as becomes a fine teenager. Kenneth and Theodora treat her well as
if she is their biological daughter. With half of her body still under her thick and
warm purple blanket, Annabeth is looking at her calendar with a smile as bright as
the morning sun when her father comes into her room.]

KENNETH
Morning, Anna. Am I disturbing you?

ANNABETH
No, dad. Come in. Where’s mom?

KENNETH
She said she is visiting her friend in town.
[looking at his adopted daughter with affection]
Happy birthday.

ANNABETH
Thank you so much.

KENNETH
You are sixteen now.

[Annabeth giggles.]

ANNABETH
Yeah, I know.

KENNETH
You were only six yesterday.

ANNABETH
Yeah, I know that one too.
[smiling this time]

KENNETH
Why did you grow up so fast? You know I don’t want that.
 ANNABETH
Right. I don’t know about that this time.
[still smiling]

KENNETH
[pretending to be angry]
Yes. And it is your mistake. I’ll punish you now.

ANNABETH
No, dad. Please. I am just joking.

KENNETH
[suddenly giving a big smile]
So am I. Go to the main bedroom and find a tiny box wrapped in lace there.

ANNABETH
Is it my gift?
[excited]

KENNETH
Definitely, yes.

ANNABETH
Oh my god. Thank you so much, dad.
[Without waiting for her dad to answer her grateful reply, Annabeth directly
runs to her parents’ bedroom with the speed of light.]

SCENE 5
Narrator: [A neat bed covered with a brown bed sheet welcomes Annabeth
when she arrives in her parents’ room. She starts to look for the gift from her dad.
She begins with a fifty-centimeter wide drawer beside her mom’s wardrobe]

ANNABETH
 [rummaging]
I believe dad has cooperated with mom. So, I am sure she hid it here.

Narrator: [In the middle of her search, Annabeth found a medium box made of
wood that is locked with a padlock.]

ANNABETH
This is it. I have to open this box. Mom and Dad must be hiding it in a locked place.
[laughing in a low voice]
What a tease.

[Annabeth succeeds in opening the box. But, she finds an identity card
instead of her gift.]

ANNABETH: What is it? It’s my mom’s card. Where’s my gift, by the way?
[stops for a moment and looks ate her mom’s identity card]
Wait. Why is mom’s name Theodore here? I am sure it is mom’s. It has her photo on
it. And, why is her gender a male? I have to keep searching. I need to find the truth.

Narrator: [Annabeth is looking for other proof all over the room. But she
can’t find anything. Fortunately, she finds her gift under the bed. Tired with the
search, Annabeth decides to report her Mom’s identity to her Dad.]

SCENE 6
Narrator: [Holding her mom’s identity card, Annabeth finds her dad is in the dining
room. Steam from a cup of coffee is jumping at his face while he drinks it.]

ANNABETH
Dad, can I talk to you for a moment?

KENNETH:
Sure, Anna. Are you satisfied with your gift?

ANNABETH
Yes, I am. Thank you so much. But I want to talk about something else to you.

KENNETH
Okay, I suppose it is something serious, then. Come here and sit with me.

ANNABETH
[Sits down]
I found this in mom’s drawer when I was looking for my gift in the main room
[hands over the identity card].
It’s mom’s, right?

KENNETH
[examines the card]
Yes, it is.

ANNABETH
The institute must be making a mistake. They mistakenly wrote Mom’s name and
gender as male.

KENNETH
[still looking at the card and a little bit shocked]
I guess they were not mistaken.

ANNABETH
What do you mean? Did you just say that Mom used to a man?

KENNETH
Anna, do you know that your Mom is infertile, right?

ANNABETH
Yes, I do. And I am sorry for that. Why?

KENNETH
I know I can say this to you because you have grown up. Look. I think your mom
can’t have a baby not because she is infertile.

ANNABETH
What? How can you say that?

KENNETH
Your mom said that she had checked her infertility up to a doctor. And the doctor’s
result was positive. She even did the USG check.

ANNABETH
It’s already clear, then.

KENNETH
No, it wasn’t. I have never seen those results since I married your mother.

ANNABETH
Why?

KENNETH
She never let me. Do you understand now why I think that the card is right?

ANNABETH
Yes. Zero percent of doubt. What will you do now, Dad?

KENNETH
I have a plan, dear. You have to help me. I want to ask her to check her fertility with
me. And I am sure she will refuse me. You must persuade her hard so that she will
agree. Okay?

ANNABETH
Okay. I love you both but I don’t want any untruth in our family.
KENNETH: Thank you, honey.
SCENE 7
Narrator: [After hearing that, Kenneth and Annabeth prepare a plan to
ask Theodora to recheck her ertility. Theodora is on her bed with a smartphone in her
hands. Kenneth thinks that it is the best time to ask her. Without any knocking,
Kenneth enters the room and goes to face Theodora.]

KENNETH
Honey, how about we recheck your fertility?

THEODORA
Why? Suddenly.

KENNETH
Yeah maybe we can find a way for you to get pregnant.

THEODORA
Ehhmm.. if that’s what you want, okay let’s do the recheck.

Narrator: [Kenneth gets confused when Theodora doesn’t hesitate at all

when he ask sher to recheck. He becomes more suspicious. At this time, he wants to
accept the result by himself, not by his wife’s hands first. His plan involving Annabeth
persuading Theodora is canceled.]

KENNETH
Okay, the sooner the better. Tomorrow I am free. How about tomorrow?

THEODORA
Okay.

KENNETH
Okay. I will ask Anna to come with us.

THEODORA
Okay.
 Narrator: [A new day is coming. So does a new truth for Kenneth. It is
the day to visit the hospital. Arriving at the hospital, Kenneth can’t wait to see the
resul. The crowded hospital makes his heart beat more rapidly.]

KENNETH
You wait here with Anna. I will register first.

SCENE 8
Narrator: [Apparently, Kenneth is not going to register Theodora to check her
infertility, but her gender instead. A few moments later, Theodora has been checked.
As soon as Theo comes up from check up room, Kenneth and Anna approaches her.]

KENNETH
Are you finished? How about the diagnosis?
THEODORA
Yes. The doctor said that she will call us and we should wait approximately one week
for the results

ANNABETH
Are you okay, Mom?

THEODORA
I am okay, sweetheart. Don’t worry. Let’s go home.

KENNETH:
Okay, let’s go home.

ANNABETH
Okay.

SCENE 9
Narrator: [Five days later, a nurse calls Kenneth that the results are
ready and she wants them to come to the hospital, but just Kenneth goes to the
hospital and meets doctor. And the doctor tells them that Theo is not fertile because
she is a transgender. Yes, she is a man. After hearing that Kenneth is shocked and
goes home. As soon as he arrives home, Kenneth looks for Theodora to explode his
disapoinment. But, he is welcomed by Anna instead.]

KENNETH
Anna, please go back to your room first.

ANNABETH
Daddy you are home so early. What happened?

KENNETH: Just go to your room!

[holding his screaming]

[Anna rushes to her room.]

KENNETH
Why did you do this to me?

THEODORA
Honey, what happened? Why do you look so angry? [worries]

KENNETH
What are you fucking doing to me? Am I a joke to you?

THEODORA
What do you mean? I dont understand.

KENNETH
You. You. You are a transgender. How- How can you do this? How can you not tell
me?

THEODORA
[Goes speechless]
How did you know?

KENNETH
How did I you find out? You ask me how do I know? Your results tell me everything!

THEODORA
What?!! I j-j-j just-…Listen. It’s not like what you think.

KENNETH
I don’t wanna hear anything. Everything that comes from your mouth is bullshit and I
don’t trust you anymore. Let’s end this. This time, right now, we are finished. I
divorce you. And I will take Anna with me.

THEODORA
What? No, you can’t do this me! We are not getting divorced!

KENNETH
I can do whatever I want, just like you did.
[He leaves the room and goes to Anna's room]

THEODORA
Wait! No!

KENNETH
Anna, pack your stuff! I will wait below. We are leaving now.

ANNABETH:
Where will we go?

KENNETH
Just pack your stuff!! Hurry up.

ANNABETH
O-o-okay.
 [Kenneth goes downstairs. Theodora follows him.]

THEODORA:
Please don’t go. I will fix it.

KENNETH
We are over now. We are never ever getting back together.
[Annabeth goes downstairs too.]

KENNETH
Are you done?
[to Annabeth]

ANNABETH
Yes.

KENNETH
Let’s go.

ANNABETH
Yes, Daddy. But what about Mommy?

KENNETH
[Glances at Theodora]
She is…I mean, he is not coming with us.

ANNABETH
He?
[confused]

KENNETH
[Grabs Annabeth’s hand]
Get in the car.
 THEODORA
[Running toward them]
No, you can’t go. Please, stay. I am sorry.
[knocking at the car’s window]
[Kenneth ignores her and drives away, leaving her alone]

THEODORA
[Screaming and sobbing]
Forgive me. I am sorry.

END OF STORY