A Piece of Paper

2m, 3w
1m 50s, 1m 20s; 2w 45-55, 1w 20s

Eric Davis has converted to Judaism, and his wife Rachel and he have been trying out some traditional Jewish customs, to the consternation and confusion of his Protestant parents, Ben and Barbara. When Barbara invites her interior decorator friend Linda Hart to spiff up her son's place as a first anniversary surprise, their ketubah (a ritual marriage document) disappears from the house. According to tradition, a married couple can't cohabitate in a dwelling without a ketubah. What a way for Eric to spend his first anniversary, exiled to his parents' place!

The setting of A Piece of Paper consists of the tastefully appointed living room of Ben and Barbara Davis, and optionally of the living room of Eric and Rachel. Two wordless scenes can take place in this second living room, showing its transformation through redecoration. Props include a cake box, silverware, glasses, snacks, luggage, and telephones, including a cell phone with an RF finder (like the Click 'N Dig! Key Finder) attached to it. Sound effects include phone rings, the RF finder beep, a doorbell, and a dishwasher warning beep. In the first of the optional scenes, sounds of dishwasher installation are also called for, although a musical track could be used instead.

A Piece of Paper makes reference to orthodox Jewish traditions in a light-hearted, but not disrespectful manner. The clash of observant children and secular parents mixes breezy comedy with heartfelt religious yearning to provide a satisfying evening of entertainment.