The Special Seat

This brilliant play was written by a bunch of sods in a Dublin Community Centre in May 2026.

Characters
Shannon, 22, long clicky nails, long hair (possibly extensions), has her own style, a diva, on the way to see a social worker about getting custody of her five year old daughter.

Alex, 27, vaguely posh, well dressed in a waist coat, preppy, works as a barista, has a degree in astronomy, she was recently engaged but is now on the run from her partner.

Mohammed, late 30s, social worker, no nonsense, small in size, big in heart.

Jack, 30 or something, very tall, cold, empty eyes, dresses like a teenager, wearing shorts in the middle of winter, spends a lot of money on his size 6 shoes. Short hair balding at the back. He’s currently come to Ireland to find his fiance. He delusional. He’s been to prison.

Scene One

LUAS, Red Line, Drimnagh stop, going towards city centre.

Shannon

Do you mind that’s my seat!?

Alex

I mean, there is a lot of other seats.

Shannon

Yes, but that’s mine.

Alex

But . . .why?

Shannon

I need it.

Alex

Okay.

Alex Gets up dragging their feet and sits next to Shannon.

Shannon

Thanks. Where are you going?

Alex

Ehh work!?

Shannon

Where?

Alex

In town.

Shannon

Doing what?

Alex

In a shop.

Shannon

Same. Me too.

Uncomfortable pause.

What kind of a shop?

Alex

Just a shop.

Shannon

Why did you choose this seat?

Alex

I don’t know. It’s close by the door.

Shannon

It’s special seat isn’t it?

Alex

Is it?

Shannon

Yes. I sit here every day at 11 o clock. I’ve never seen you on the LUAS before.

Alex

The LUAS is usually pretty packed.

Shannon

No, not at this time at 11 o clock.

Alex

I just moved here!

Shannon

From where?

Alex

England

Shannon

Sketchy!

Shannon stands up to leave the LUAS at the Smithfield stop.

Now don’t sit in my seat.

Alex moves back to her seat as the LUAS pulls away.

Scene Two

Shannon meets her social worker to discuss access to her five year daughter.

Mohammad

So, it’s been two years since Emma went into care. How are you doing?

Shannon

I’m okay, just a bit nervous.

Mohammad

Yes?

Shannon

I’ve just hit 18 months of being clean and sober.

Mohammad

I’m so proud of you. How are you getting on with Emma?

Shannon

She is doing well she has great foster parents.

Beat.

Mohammad

How is work?

Shannon

It’s giving me good stability. I’m getting along with my co workers. The money is pretty good too.

Mohammad

That’s positve.

Beat.

Shannon

Let’s be real. What are me chances of getting Emma back?

Mohammad

It could go either way.

Shannon

That’s hard to hear if I’m honest.

Mohammad

I would love for you to get Emma back but it’s complicated.

Shannon

I get what you’re saying . . . . .

Scene Three

Alex in Jervis Street at work as a Barista at Sunbucks. 2.15pm. We hear the sound of the milk steaming, then her Mobile phone rings.

Alex

Jimmy can you cover the front for a minute.

Alex exits out the back door. We hear a man’s voice very low on the other end of the phone.

Hello!?

Low voice.

Who is this?

Low voice.

How did you get my number?

Low voice.

I told you to stop calling. This has to stop.

Low voice.Alex looks down and notices that it’s an Irish number. He’s in the country. Low voice.

Alex

If you come anywhere near me or try and contact me again I’m calling the police.

Shannon

Oh that sounded intense. I hope he can’t track your phone.

Alex

Oh My God, how long have been standing there?

Shannon

Do you want help turning off your location?

Beat.

Alex

No. I’m fine . . . . .

Alex walks back inside. Shannon follows her in.

Shannon

I’ve had experiences like that too.

Alex

Sorry I’m just stressed. Do you actually know how to turn off my location?

Shannon takes the phone and turns off the location for Alex.

Alex

What can I get you?

Shannon

Caramel latte please?

Alex

It’s on me.

Shannon

Are you sure?

Alex

Yes. I’m on my break in ten minutes if you’re still around.

The Demise of the Fire-like Man

Verse One

Shannon: Let’s be friends.

Alex: Friends? I don’t know!

Shannon: That’s him talking. Don’t let him run the show.

Alex: This is so sudden, I don’t know what to do.

Shannon: We’ll break out of this shell, just me and you!

Chorus One

What are the odds we meet like this,

Dunno how you found me in a twist,

The pain I feel hides inside and

Something tells me you’ll take my side.

Alex: Have you ever met someone who understands?

Shannon: How two people cross paths unplanned.

Alex: Our experiences fall hand in hand.

Shannon: a demise, a curse over a fire-like man.

Verse Two

Alex: Sometimes I feel as though I plant my own seeds of doubt,

But I’m tired of how the fruits of my bounty are never to be found.

Shannon: The juice from the low hanging fruits has long since dried upon my chin,

When I reach toward you now, I’m begging you to please let me in.

Chorus Two

What are the odds we meet like this,

Dunno how you found me in a twist,

The pain I feel hides inside and

Something tells me you’ll take my side.

Alex: Have you ever met someone who understands?

Shannon: How two people cross paths unplanned.

Alex: Our experiences fall hand in hand.

Shannon: a demise, a curse over a fire-like man.

Bridge

Have you ever met someone that understands,

How two people can cross paths unplanned?

Chorus Three

What are the odds we meet like this,

Dunno how you found me in a twist,

The pain I feel hides inside and

Something tells me you’ll take my side.

Alex: Have you ever met someone who understands?

Shannon: How two people cross paths unplanned.

Alex: Our experiences fall hand in hand.

Shannon: a demise, a curse over a fire-like man.

Scene Four

Shannon sitting on the LUAS. Empty carriage. In her special seat. Jack get’s on a to the LUAS at the next stop. Jack approaches Shannon.

Jack

Oi!! That’s my seat.

Shannon (In shock)

Jackson!

Jack (In shock)

Who are you!? Do I know you?

Shannon

You really don’t remember do you?

Jack

No. Remember what?

Shannon

Teddy’s. Liverpool. 2021.

Jack

You look vaguely familiar and I have been there.

Shannon

Stewarts’ Gaff.

Jack

Stacy?

Shannon looks annoyed.

Shannon

Seriously! Are you messing, it’s Shannon. What the hell are you doing here anyway?

Jack

Oh I’m just trying to find my fiance!

Shannon

Fiance? Are you for real? You didn’t look for me very far or your ch. . . . .how do you lose a fiance, what did she fall in the toilet or something?

Jack

No you sod! What are you talking about. Look for you and who?

Shannon

Look forget about it. Take the poxy seat I’m getting off!

Shannon gets off the LUAS. Jack spirals and follows her.

Scene Five

Sunbucks. Next day. Jack walks in with flowers.

Alex (without looking up)

What;s your order!

Jack

Black coffee.

Alex

What’s your name?

Jack

I think you know my name.

Alex looks up.

Alex

I can’t do this. Not now Jack.

Alex goes to walk away. Jack grabs her arm. Shannon walks in.

Jack

Come on babe, let’s talk.

Alex

Let go.

Shannon

You heard her, let go.

Jack

Mind your own business. What are following me now?

Shannon

It is my business if your putting your hands on my friend.

Alex

How do you two know each other?

Shannon

This idiot doesn’t seem to remember but I do.

Beat.

Sunbucks Manager

Alex, take five.

Alex

What is she talking about?

Jack

She’s a lunatic, I only met her on the LUAS yesterday. Don’t worry about it babe.

Shannon

Her name is Emma by the way.

Alex

You’ve moved on already. What’s going on here?

Jack

I have no clue what she’s talking about.

Shannon

Your child.

Meanwhile the whole coffee is silent and listening to it all unfold.

Customer

Oh Jaysus, he had them both on the go.

Customer two

Top up on table two please.

Jack

SHUT UP!!!!

Alex storms out.

Jack

Wait, Alex wait!!

Jack standing there with flowers.

Shannon

Teddy’s. Liverpool. 2021. Do you remember now?