My chosen theme is a hospital drama.
Cast of Characters
Sophia: A patient in a mental ward
Munro: The doctor who tries to help her
Nurse: Assists Dr. Munro
Place
A mental ward at a hospital.
A young woman, SOPHIA, on her knees hunched over. The light bothers her.
MUNRO:
(Only a shadow)
When did she arrive?
NURSE:
A few hours ago.
MUNRO:
She looks like she’s barely alive.
NURSE:
She refused to eat anything when she first came. I did get her to eat some bread and drink a little water though.
MUNRO:
Thank you, Nurse that will be all. I’ll update you later. Hello, SOPHIA. I’m Dr. MUNRO. (No response) We’ll be working together from now on. What we need are some lights so we can see.
SOPHIA:
(Meekly)
Please, no lights –
MUNRO:
Okay. (Pause) How are you feeling? I see you’re not too good today.
(SOPHIA looks away) Do you feel like talking?
SOPHIA:
(Gently) No thank you
MUNRO:
I hear you’re not eating well. Can you tell me why?
SOPHIA:
(Pause) Bread and water suit me – I want nothing else.
MUNRO:
I can have the nurse bring something by…
SOPHIA:
I told you bread and water suit me. I don’t want anything – and I don’t want to talk anymore – can I please be by myself?
MUNRO:
I’m sorry. All I’m here to do is help
SOPHIA:
That’s all they’ve done here – poke, prop, and interfere – I’ve never felt so so umm never mind… – I just want to be left alone –
MUNRO:
We’ll try but we want the best for you
SOPHIA:
(Softly)
Thank you
MUNRO:
(Starts to leave. Stops)
Can I give you some light?
SOPHIA:
(Blandly)
If you have to –
MUNRO:
Lets open these curtains… You can see the garden from here. The flowers are in bloom just in time for Easter Sunday. If you need anything my office is right across the way.
(SOPHIA is silent)
MUNRO:
Ok ill will come and check on a bit later on see how you’re doing.
SOPHIA:
(Silently nods her head yes)
Later on in the day
MUNRO:
It’s a beautiful day today. Would you like to go outside?
(SOPHIA shakes her head no)
MUNRO:
Could I at least open the window and let fresh air in? The rooms get stuffy on warm days. There, it feels better already.
SOPHIA:
This is fine –
MUNRO:
It’s a Saturday. We have lots activities planned. Would you like to join us?
SOPHIA:
No – I don’t want to –
MUNRO:
You might enjoy meeting some new people.
SOPHIA:
I said no –
MUNRO:
I’m sorry, SOPHIA. I’m just being friendly. I didn’t mean to pressure you.
SOPHIA:
I know –
MUNRO:
Would you like lunch?
SOPHIA:
(Pause)
I want to be alone – I don’t like being around lots of people – I get upset when I’m in a room that’s full – (Fear in her voice) I get really scared – I almost feel like I can’t breathe –
MUNRO:
There isn’t usually that many people around at one time.
SOPHIA:
I just need to be alone, Dr. MUNRO –
MUNRO:
You can’t be alone forever. You just need to make some friends.
SOPHIA:
(Angry)
I can’t be fine with anyone – you don’t really care – you’re simply doing your job – once I’m “better” you’ll be though with me – then it’s on to another patient –
MUNRO:
That’s not true.
SOPHIA:
(Almost shouting)
I know it is – you probably haven’t cared about any patient in years – that would be unprofessional – and a burden you don’t need for yourself –
MUNRO:
You know that isn’t something I would do.
SOPHIA:
Please, just go – I know what I need better than you –
MUNRO:
I don’t know about that.
SOPHIA:
You’re not God, you know – you don’t have the powers to cure everything – I know what you can and can’t do -.
MUNRO:
SOPHIA, come on now calm down. Let’s remember were here to help you
SOPHIA:
Go on – get out now!
MUNRO:
Please, you need to relax.
SOPHIA:
How can I with you in here bothering me all the time? If there’s another way, I’d like to know how -(Pause. Turns away) or is there anything else you wish to poke your nose in into?
MUNRO:
I think we have both had enough for the time being. The garden is free this afternoon if you want to take a look.
SOPHIA:
(Silently looks towards the garden)
RIED LEAVES THE ROOM. Enters the NURSE
NURSE:
How are you feeling now?
SOPHIA:
I’m fine what is it with people in this place they just don’t leave me alone
NURSE:
I’m not here to be Dr MUNRO I’m here to be your friend talk to you…(pause) just to be your friend
SOPHIA:
(Looking out of the window)
Do you like weeds?
NURSE:
Sometimes – If only you had planted something more useful – beans, or tomatoes, then the sacrifice might be worthwhile – but flowers, they’re more difficult to justify –
SOPHIA:
Don’t you think they satisfy any needs?
SOPHIA:
Frail beauty – that’s all they are – cultivated for weakness – and has very little nutritional value – in the end they never can satisfy
NURSE:
Many would disagree. I believe their beauty is food for the soul.
SOPHIA:
Frail and weak – a light frost would snap its neck – just like me really
NURSE:
Sophia, please, don’t think like that. That’s why you are here to get help from us
SOPHIA:
And so easily smitten by one little thing – (SOPHIA sits up straight) yet choice is so easy – yet it’s not –
NURSE:
What do you mean?
SOPHIA:
(Quietly
I don’t know to be honest I just want to have more choice in life where I can go what I can do without panicking all the time and ending up like this.
Nurse:
(Moving closer to SOPHIA) Don’t worry Sophia we will. With your cooperation and time we can do this for you.
THE END
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