Monologue Mania: September 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

Monologue Mania Day #961 The Thin Ice Dilemma (for Caregivers Anonymous- revised) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 30, 2016

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

first year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2015 second year - Feb. 13, 2015 - Feb. 12, 2016 third year - Feb. 13, 2016 - today! *********
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop, so if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.

If you just started this blog and want to read the earlier monologues- for a list of the titles and blurbs from each day, click here There are now over 950!

Get more great award-winning monologues - MonologueZone.com

If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -

How to Write a Monologue in 10 Easy Lessons (Well, maybe not so easy)

Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day #961 The Thin Ice Dilemma (for Caregivers Anonymous- revised) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 30, 2016

First posted Day #569 The Thin Ice Dilemma by Janet S. Tiger Sept. 4, 2015

Caregivers Anonymous is-
-the recipient of a San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Program Fellowship grant
-sponsored by Playwrights Project and
-has a website now - CaregiversAnon.org

For other monologues from Caregivers Anonymous, please see Days # 268, 270, 271, 273, 284, 285, 286, 314, 317, 380, 412, 444, 454, 455, 456, 473, 474, 475, 476, 483, 484, 513, 514, 566, 569, 666, 692, 702, 714, 777, 778, 782, 783, 797, 802, 812, 813, 820, 869, 874, 881, 889, 903, 917, 927 and today's 961

The Thin Ice Dilemma

                                           (for Caregivers Anonymous)
                                            A monologue by Janet S. Tiger
                                                     © all rights reserved
                                                    tigerteam1@gmail.com

           (A woman comes onstage on skates, pushes the wheelchair while skating, the others cheer her on)

I've started using skates .....ostensibly for more exercise - but more importantly .....so I can get more done in a day!

(She twirls around)

It's a great system! I put these skates on in the morning and never take them off - all day! I'm considering wearing them while I sleep to avoid the time wasted by taking them off and on......the only minor problem is showering, but I've solved that by spraying myself with copious amounts of perfume!

           (Just as suddenly, she slows down, sits heavily on the wheelchair, removes the skates)

But then sometimes I plum run out of steam......to be honest.....and I know everyone here loves brutal honesty.......sometimes.....I feel like I am skating all the time.....only not with roller skates....but real skates.....skating.....on thin ice.

And you can't slow down on thin ice. You just can't. There is no break, no rest for the weary, because we all know the secret of survival......if you just keep going fast enough on the thin ice -it doesn't break. That's what all caregivers tell themselves - if we just keep going, nothing bad will happen.....everything will be....alright. No bad news, no bad results on blood tests.....nothing bad will happen, as long as you .............don't stop.....

          (She illustrates by getting up and making moves as if she was skating very fast.)

What a sensation! The world is a blur of cold wonderment! ......it gives a thrill like none other, because you know what could happen if you don't go....sooooooo

         (She starts to diminish the speed)

But if you take just a tiny little moment to slow down, to rest, you hear a creak……can you hear it? What cheery news did the doctor say? That foot has to come off....the cancer has spread....the stent isn't holding.......creeeeeeek..........and then…the ice breaks.....!

(She stumbles to the floor)

..... and you are in the frozen water, drowning, being pushed by forces that you cannot understand.....and it is a kind of scary that you don't want to know!

(She stands, turns to go to her chair, sits)

And then you wake up! Okay everyone, back on the ice!

(The others cheer - end of scene)

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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315 CaregiversAnon.org

JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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* Note: A few words about 'free' - all these monologues are protected under copyright law and are free to read, free to perform and video as long as no money is charged. Once you charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me for royalty

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Monologue Mania Day #960 Voting Writes (for the Senior Channel) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 29, 2016

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -

How to Write a Monologue in 10 Easy Lessons (Well, maybe not so easy)

Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day #960 Voting Writes by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 29, 2016

Voting Writes

(for Senior Channel)

by Janet S. Tiger

tigerteam1@gmail.com

(The older actor is dressed in something patriotic - red, white and blue, the flag, apple pie? Enters holding a large envelope, very annoyed)

See this?

(Holds up the envelope, then takes out a pen, marks a big X on the envelope)

There! I have defaced a ballot! My act of civil disobediance for the decade!

Am I encouraging everyone not to vote? Of course not! I am virulently opposed to not voting, but I want it to be REAL voting.....where you haul your sorry rear end over to the polls and mark the ballot, or pull the lever, or leave your mark in blood! I don't care, just vote on election day, not a month before, or two weeks before, or right after you saw the debates.....not even the day before, just go and vote on election DAY!

There, I said it.

(Cups hands, listens)

Why? Isn't it obvious? The whole point of the election is your view...ON ELECTION DAY! I mean, what if you mailed in that ballot and then changed your mind? Or the candidate said something and you just HAD to vote for them?

I understand about disabled people, and people who can't drive anymore, but for the rest of us, voting is a privilege....an honor! And if we allow this mail voting to grow - to insist we all vote by mail, or worse....BY COMPUTER!.....we are leaving our future in the hands of the hackers......and that is just not what our country was founded on....no, one man, one vote....excuse me....one PERSON, one vote....there, I said it, and I just hope people listen....

(Listens)

Okay, I gotta go, got it!

(Starts to leave, stops suddenly and turns back)

(Horrified) I mean, what if you already voted for someone.....and the candidate dies! (Thinks) I guess we'd just have to check with my cousin in Chicago on that one......

(Exits to vote.....by hand)

And to all who vote- no matter which way!......thank you!

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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315 CaregiversAnon.org

JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Monologue Mania Day #959 First Draft Caregivers Anonymous by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 28, 2016

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -

How to Write a Monologue in 10 Easy Lessons (Well, maybe not so easy)

Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day #959 First Draft Caregivers Anonymous by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 28, 2016

Caregivers Anonymous is-
-the recipient of a San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Program Fellowship grant
-sponsored by Playwrights Project and
-has a website now - CaregiversAnon.org

For other monologues from Caregivers Anonymous, please see Days # 268, 270, 271, 273, 284, 285, 286, 314, 317, 380, 412, 444, 454, 455, 456, 473, 474, 475, 476, 483, 484, 513, 514, 566, 569, 666, 692, 702, 714, 777, 778, 782, 783, 797, 802, 812, 813, 820, 869, 874, 881, 889, 903, 917 and today's 927

Draft 1

(for Caregivers Anonymous)

by Janet S. Tiger

tigerteam1@gmail.com

Here is a private link to the very first draft of the play CAREGIVERS ANONYMOUS - it is 32 pages long - and not a monologue, but a collection of over 15 of the pieces published here on this blog over the last few years. Any input is appreciated!

(I would have posted it here, but 32 pages is too long for a blog post! It may be difficult to read on my website, but didn't want to miss a night - especially such a big one. The workshop productions will be held in May, 2017)

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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315 CaregiversAnon.org

JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Monologue Mania Day #958 Easy (for Caregivers Anonymous) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 27, 2016

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -

How to Write a Monologue in 10 Easy Lessons (Well, maybe not so easy)

Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day #958 Easy (for Caregivers Anonymous) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 27, 2016

Easy

(for Caregivers Anonymous)

by Janet S. Tiger

tigerteam1@gmail.com

(She comes out onstage holding a pillow, holds it tight. Southern accent)

It would be easy....so easy......I could use a pillow.....or ...(thinking) .... I could give him......different pills for a few days.....or no pills, he'd never notice. He hates taking them anyhow. I don't think he'd mind......so it would be even....easier.

Why do I hesitate? If it was reversed, if I was the one who could never walk again....never have children again.....would he hesitate? Or would he have been gone already?

Easy peasy.......

(Listens)

Exactly how? You mean would I actually place the pillow over his sleeping face?

(She holds the pillow tightly then leans as if over a sleeping body)

How long would it take? Could I hold it long enough? Would he struggle? Or let it go........(sighs) maybe the pills would be the best way......

(Listens, then turns away, affected)

Ok! I got it! Maybe...maybe I really don't want to kill him! Maybe all I want is for him to be stretched out on some rack until he admits that he was......(furious) WRONG! That he should never have gone out that night when he was already buzzed! That he shoulda let a friend take him home....or called me, for God's sakes! But he could never admit that, could he? Not for one minute! He would take a bullet for me, but to say...I'm sorry, I shoulda listened to you, babe....that, that he can't do!

(Laughs) Zero. You know when one plus one equals zero? My Daddy taught me....one drunk and one motorcycle equals ...zero......And now I am married to that zero, and that is what we have....nothin'......

(Lights down)

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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315 CaregiversAnon.org

JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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Monday, September 26, 2016

Monologue Mania Day #957 Night Stallion by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 26, 2016

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!

If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -

How to Write a Monologue in 10 Easy Lessons (Well, maybe not so easy)

Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day #957 Night Stallion (revised) by Janet S. Tiger (c) Sept. 26, 2016

Original post - May 25, 2014 Day #102 Night Stallion - for those I love who have trouble with sleep.......

Night Stallion
by Janet S. Tiger
c) May 25, 2014 all rights reserved
tigerteam1@gmail.com

(A mother comes out onstage – we know she is a mother because she has her ‘mother is concerned’ look on – and sits in a chair.)

(Soothing) There, there, my dear, you’ll be fine…..no need to cry – everything is all right. What seems to be the problem that required all this yelling and crying at three in the morning?

(Listens)

I see…..another nightmare….

(Listens)

Hmm……and the monster was how big?

(She looks up)

That must have been right through the roof! But see, no holes, no monster…..

(Listens, sighs)

Well, I can stay for a minute, to make sure the monster does not have a return ticket, but maybe it’s time I shared something with you…(secretive)…you are not the only one who has been visited by monsters……not the only one with …..nightmares…..

(Listens)

That’s right, me! You know I was the youngest, too, just like you. Only I have six brothers and sisters, and they would torment me……and even worse! When my parents were out,…..they let me watch scary movies!

And I would wake up screaming in the middle of the night, just like you do! My mother was not very sympathetic- you know how grandma can be! - she would tell me not to be a silly goose, and go back to sleep. That was not very much help when there was an army of horrible demons....... right under my bed!

Now you never knew my father.....your grandpa .....because he died before you were born, but he was a bit more sympathetic. Unfortunately, he was usually away on business, so it fell to my mother, who would only comfort me once, and then leave me to whimper with the lights on – not very helpful at all!

One night my father and mother had gone out to a restaurant because he had just come back from a business trip, and my siblings – you know how Uncle Jeremiah can be!- teased me until I watched first Frankenstein and then Bride of Frankenstein! I could barely close my eyes, but somehow, I did, and all the characters from the movie came to visit my dreams!

(She illustrates how she hid under the covers)

But hiding did nothing, they knew I was there! I screamed and my mother came in to find out what the problem was…..and I told her and she said, (mother’s voice) ‘Don’t be a silly goose, there’s no such thing as monsters! Go back to sleep!’

And I tried, but somehow, Frank and his bride were there! I screamed again, and this time my father came in…..and he gave me a present I am going to pass on to you.

First, he listened, and then he told me that when I had a nightmare, what I really needed to fight back was a…Night Stallion.

What? I asked him?

(As father) ‘It’s simple,’ he told me, ‘a mare is a female horse, good for some races, and gentle rides, but you need a stallion to fight back!’

That sounds a little….silly, I told him.

‘No sillier than monsters – you see, your brain has created the monsters, they can also create the protector. Here’s what you do……close your eyes. Imagine the monsters.’

But I’m afraid they’ll come get me!

‘You’ll have to trust me’

(She scrunches up her eyes)

…..and so I closed my eyes. There they were, big as life! And they were out to get me!

‘Now,’ my father said, ‘you can see the night stallion, he’s right there, in front of you….quick….what does he look like?’

I don’t see anything!

‘Of course you do – you created the monsters, now..... create the stallion….what color is he?

He can be any color you want….’

Purple! I want a purple stallion!

‘Can you see him?’

But somehow purple did not seem to be a very good color – so I saw a black stallion, just like in the movies, and it had on purple colors, just like the horses at the racetrack…..

‘It’s a big horse, right?’

And it was! Bigger than any other horse I’d ever seen!

‘And look closely….it’s rearing up to protect you from the monsters……it’s hooves are so sharp, they will stop anything out to get you!’

It was amazing, there in my mind was a horse to defend me, my own personal Night Stallion!

He rose up on his hind legs and the light shown off his sharpened hooves and the monsters fled! I was safe! It worked every time…..and it will work for you, too.

Can you see your stallion?

(Nods)

Good! He will take care of anything that bothers you…..it’s working already, I can see your eyes are half-closed, and you don’t have to worry at all anymore. Because….

(She leans over, pats a head)

… ….when you get older, and there are real-life monsters that bother you……bullies, teachers, bosses, family, friends…..a problem that seems so big that it is larger than the house……you can close your eyes and find that stallion again…. you can find the sharpened words you need to defend yourself, or the sharp actions to prevent someone from harming your family……because….. the stallion is in you……use him well, my son, he is a great defender…….sleep tight……

(She tucks in the child, then stands to exit, stops and looks up)

And thanks again, Dad, for my night stallion.

(She exits and if you follow the directions….-The end-.......of nightmares)

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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315 CaregiversAnon.org

JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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