Bonds & Betrayal
This short dramatic play was written by participants of the North West Inner City Training & Development Project on Henrietta Street, Dublin in July 2026.
Cyril, 48, has a disability that you can’t see, fragile, vulnerable, persistent, quiet, doesn’t like change, wears a suit that is dishevelled, carries an old torn up book, his carer has passed away and he feels vulnerable.
Diane, 38, hard on the outside, wears a mask but underneath she likes to help, 5, 10, brunette, soft spoken, stoke broker, has a few bob, career minded, she just got separated from her husband and is vulnerable and it doesn’t like it.
Felix, 40, Diane’s ex, is a high-flyer, Jealous, A womaniser, A casanova.
Scene One
Broadstone Luas Stop, Luas heading towards The Point.
Cyril
Sorry Ms that’s my seat!
Diane
I don’t think so.
Cyril
Sorry Ms that’s my seat.
Diane
Are you alright?
Cyril
That’s my seat, that’s my seat.
Diane
Why?
Cyril
I sit there everyday, it’s my seat, it’s my seat.
Diane
I think I understand.
Diane gets up and moves to another seat facing Cyril.
Cyril
Thank you Ms!
Diane
No problem.
Awkward silence. Cyril opens his book.
Diane
That’s a very good book, I like the storyline in it.
Cyril
This is a first edition from 1984. My carer gave it to me before he passed away.
Diane
Oh my God that’s very sad.
Cyril
This book makes me feel safe.
Diane
How so?
Cyril
It takes me away.
Diane
Does it make it you feel like he’s with you?
Cyril
Everyday. Everyday.
Diane
Would it be okay if I sat beside you?
Cyril
Why?
Diane
Just to have a chat about the book.
Cyril
Okay. Okay. Not too close.
Diane
This book helped me through a very bad time.
Diane takes the same book out of her bag.
Cyril
Do you have a favourite chapter?
Diane
Treason Dragon Keep
Cyril
Arthur smythe the Dragon with one blow of his mighty sword
to taketh it’s head off and saveth the maiden princess.
Diane
Wow! You recited that from memory?
Cyril
It’s my super power . . . and my sword’s name is Clifton.
Diane
That makes you a hero because I’m a trapped maiden in my story.
Cyril is shocked and pauses. The LUAS pulls in at Abbey street. Felix gets on to the train. Diane gasps.
Cyril
Are you okay?
Diane (whipsers)
There’s a spanner in the works!
Felix
Diane can we talk?
Diane (whispers to Cyril)
It’s okay don’t worry. I’ll handle this.
(to Felix) This is not the time or place.
Felix
And who are you?
Cyril
Beeswax. Who are you?
Felix
Who does this fella think he is?
Diane
Listen Felix, this isn’t the time or place.
Felix
Listen call me after work, no excuses right?
Felix goes over to the door of the LUAS and stands there.
Cyril
How dare thy speaketh to a beautiful maiden like this, have you no honour Sir?
Diane smiles.
Felix
Who is this Diane?
Cyril
I am her royal protector and the Dragon slayer and you sir are Dragon no doubt.
Felix
What is this fella on about?
Diane
Listen it doesn’t matter. We’ve arranged to talk later.
Felix
Meet me at the usual place.
Felix’s gets off the Luas at the IFSC.
Diane
Thanks for being my protector.
Cyril
It was my honour my fair maiden.
Diane
You are so sweet. Maybe it’s kismet and we will meet again.
Scene Two
Felix and Diane’s meeting.
Felix
What was that about on the Luas the other day, Diane?
Diane
Look it was about a book that we both like. Leave it at that.
Felix
A book?/
Diane
/What did you want to meet me for?
Felix
I was thinking we moved too quick on the seperation.
Diane
What do you think . . . . you gave crabs . . . . twice.
Felix
I’m a different man now.
Diane
I’ve heard that all before. You couldn’t keep it in your trousers and now we’re seperated.
Felix
I found God.
Diane laughs. Felix starts to well up.
Felix
Look I know it might be hard for you to understand.
Diane
Well, make me understand.
Felix
“So they are no longer two but one flesh
What therfore God has joined together,
let not man seperate.”
Diane
So you’re using God to get me back now?
Felix
No, as my guidance. Have a listen to this . .
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the spirit,
binding yourselves together in peace.
That’s us.
Diane reflects and is a bit shocked.
Diane
You never spoke about God before.
Scene Three
Felix and Diane back together and on a date.
Felix
You know the young Man who was on the Luas that day?
Diane
What about him?
Felix
What was going on with you two?
Diane
He was a bit distressed, vulnerable, was asking for my seat, he said he sat there everyday. So I let him take my seat.
Felix
Oh that’s okay. Have you seen him since?
Diane
No, but I usually see him some days on the Luas.
Felix
I think you should keep your distance from him, he was coming out with some very strange things that day.
Diane
No, he’s a very nice young man.
Felix
Yes but he seems to have issues and I’m worried about you!
Diane
Listen I’ll speak to whoever I want to. This sounds like the old Felix.
Felix
Okay, I’m working on myself. Are we still on for Saturday night?
Scene Four
Luas, Monday morning, one week later.
Cyril
Can I join you?
Diane
Of course you can. Look I want to apologise for my partner’s behaviour.
Cyril
No need. No need.
Diane
We’re making another go of it.
Cyril starts acting fidgety.
Diane
Are you alright?
Cyril
I don’t know, but there’s something I need to tell you. I need to tell you.
Diane
It’s okay we’re friends you can talk to me.
Pause.
Cyril
Felix was on the Luas the other day kissing the face off a young maiden.
Diane (shocked)
Are you s-s-s-sure?
Cyril
Yes, fair maiden. Yes, fair maiden. I’ve the eyes of a hawk.
Diane
Speak plainly this is important.
Cyril
What would it taketh for you to believeth my words?
Diane
This is too much to take, this is real life, my relationship!
Diane gets emotional and says.
Please tell me plainly what happened?
Cyril
Have I not spoketh clearly. Your lover cheated on you.
Diane
How could you prove it?
Cyril
Yes I have it on my magic wizard box!
Diane (Screams)
CYRIL PLEASE!!!!!!
Cyril takes out his phone. Felix gets on another carriage of the train with another woman.
Cyril (showing Diane the phone)
Look that’s the girl with Felix.
Diane storms up the Luas towards Felix and slaps him on the face.
Diane
You found God? You found your way into someone else’s knickers! You can keep him.
The End!
