Don’t Forget to Remember Me
Two sisters struggle to keep their family memories as their mother battles Alzheimers.

Movies and plays revolve inherently around drama – intense moments when a character “struts and frets upon the stage” (as Shakespeare mused, all those years ago.) But no matter how it ultimately concludes, that emotion’s always tucked away in the third act. The curtain falls, credits roll.

Real life’s nowhere near as neat and clean. In real life, drama just keeps rolling… an inescapable  marathon of moments, not a 2 hour entertainment sprint.

She may be only in her twenties, but Amelia’s already learning that harsh truth.  An aspiring actress, Amelia spends her days doing laundry, while rehearsing her latest potential gig. As the machine’s spin cycle dissipates, Amelia recites line after line in preparation for what might very well be her “big break”. 

AMELIA
How could you forget how happy we were? 
We've made so many memories, and all I wanted 
was to share this life with you so.... 

Good meaty stuff for sure. Still…

Her phone BUZZES. A notification shows ‘Beth’ is calling. Amelia sees her name, sets the phone aside, doesn’t pick up. 

Beth? That’s her sister – real life attempting to intrude. 

But Amelia’s got other things on her mind. Blowing off Beth, she continues to recite and folds socks… though (as often happens to us all) one sock seems sadly to be... missing. 

THAT little detail gives Amelia pause. It’s a moment of bittersweet nostalgia, echoing back to a little game Amelia used to play with mother Marilyn. And a special bond Beth never shared.

Beth wouldn’t understand. Nor does she appreciate Amelia’s commitment to her Art. As days pass, sister Beth’s ignored messages grow ever more insistent and snarky. When Amelia finally calls back, it’s with amazing news that she’s on the short list for that role…

Beth responds – not with shared joy – but an annoyed snap. 

BETH 
Good for you. 

AMELIA
Hey. What’s with the tone? 

Amelia stops pacing. Perplexed. 

BETH (O.C.)
Five messages. 
Is that the quota to get a call back? 

AMELIA
You supported me coming out here for this. 
Now I call with news and... 

BETH 
(voice breaking) 
...Not that you would know, but Mom’s memory is... going. 
She’s forgetting things. Important stuff. 

Swamped with yet other life responsibilities (including an aging dog), Beth’s had it up to *here* with her sister’s excuses. Piling on yet more guilt-trip, Beth hangs up.

...leaving Amelia to digest the bad news. And rehearse those all-important lines once more.

Though, what’s more important? Shouldering familial burdens equally? Realizing an all-consuming life and career dream…
Or both?

Because when Amelia nails the audition, she soon finds real life crashing down on her. And the need to make a painful choice…

Real life’s rarely neat and clean. Good drama isn’t, either – it makes us think. Rick Hansberry and Erica Gabel’s Don’t Forget to Remember Me (Working Title: Role of a Lifetime) is the kind of smart, raw drama Amelia herself would covet. Directors and actors will, too. Done with love and thoughtfulness, this little short could be quite the gem.