Monologue Mania

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Monologue Mania Day # 204 by Janet S. Tiger Almost Sept. 4, 2014

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free monologue a day

                      - for a whole year!
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 info.
If you just started this blog and want to read the earlier monologues, please
scroll down for the previous days or go to http://www.monologuestore.com/ -click on the Monologue Mania button please scroll down.
     To start at the beginning - Feb. 13, - click here.
     For a list of the blurbs from each day, click here
Help a playwright and get more great award-winning monologues - MonologueZone.com
Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monologue Mania Day # 204 by Janet S. Tiger Almost Sept. 4, 2014

Note - This was originally started in 2012, but I think it's better now.

ALMOST

tigerteam1@gmail.com

(A woman walks onstage in a nurse's uniform. She is strong, efficient, checking things off a clipboard. Looks up, is very matter of fact.)

Almost. What an awful word that is. You almost made the team. You almost got an A. You almost have enough points to go on your vacation.

So close, but so far.

I am a nurse. I know life and death are not exact in some ways. But I can still hate that word.... almost.

(Happy) Almost healed. Almost ready to go home....(not so happy) ....almost dead.

He came in with a police escort.

Now at the emergency room where I've worked for 28 years, this is not unusual. Saturday night it's like a circus in here. Stabbings, shootings, domestic violence. And those are the easy ones.

We all get combat pay for this neighborhood - they call it something else like - bonus hours for the weekend - but everyone knows what it means.

But for the police to come with an ambulance on Tuesday morning at 10AM...with detectives, well, that's different.

This was a big case, and because I'm the charge nurse - the one in charge - I get to do the admit and assessment.

He was almost dead. We worked on him, but he had 5 bullets just in his chest - and another, in the head, self-inflicted. It was amazing he was still alive at all.

Then we found what he had done. This is not always a good idea. I don’t care what the Hippocratic oath says, it is hard to divorce yourself from knowing that someone you are trying to save has killed 15 people……that they know of….right now…..could be more.

Of course, maybe he’s not the right guy. It’s possible. Of course, my friend – one of the officers – told me when they came to get him, he had confessed. He asked that as he was leaving his family they not handcuff him until he was outside, and they agreed. As soon as he was outside, he grabbed one of the guns from the policeman next to him….the others shot him, and he blew (changes her mind) …almost….. blew his own brains out.

So here he is, on about a million dollars worth of equipment to keep him alive, and and he just might live.

I don’t go to church much, but I honestly believe God brought this man to me at this time for a reason. As a nurse, I made a promise to save lives, and not administer harmful drugs, but what is harm? To keep alive a murderer who will harm others, is that right? And if he’s a vegetable, who gets to feed and water him? You and I – at least our tax dollars do. How much will that cost all of us? Will an equal amount be given to the victims of this man? To help them? The answer is ….no.

Now, there’s a lot of things a nurse can do to make your life happy when you’re in the hospital. Plump up your pillow, help you get to the bathroom. Maybe even save your life.

But there are other things they can avoid doing, or do poorly that can make the difference between getting out quickly…or not getting out.

It doesn’t take much to figure out what I did. Almost. I almost kept that wound clean. Is it my fault if there are some drug resistant bacteria in hospitals? And I almost administered the right drug to kill the bacteria. I knew there would be an inquest and an autopsy, so I just….waited. Timing is everything sometimes…..

Does that make me a killer? I’ve thought about it. Would God have given me a chance like this because he wanted this piece of dirt to live?

(She turns to go.)

I have more rounds, so I have to go. People need me.

(She stops for a moment, bowing her head.)

I think God did the world a favor when he brought that killer to our ER. I am sure I was right doing what I did. (Thinks for a moment) Almost sure.

(She exits. The end.)

--------------------------------------

Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Monologue Mania Day # 203 by Janet S. Tiger The Burden of Happiness Sept. 3, 2014

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free monologue a day

Monologue Mania Day # 203 by Janet S. Tiger The Burden of Happiness Sept. 3, 2014

The Burden of Happiness

tigerteam1@gmail.com

(A woman walks onstage. She is VERY reserved, dressed simply, completely unmemorable)

Hello.

(She is very quiet, does not fidget.)

I do not know what you want from me. I mean, we have known each other since we were in school, but it has been a long time, what do you want from me?

(Listens)

Changed? I imagine everyone changes. I have found that in life, change is inevitable. But in my case, the reality is that, as a young person, I was given the heavy burden....of happiness, and that is probably what you remember about me.

(Looks)

I see it in your face, you recall us laughing together.

Well, that is nice, but I have discovered that happiness is something many people do not understand. Happiness is like a brand new piece of chewing gum. You have a new piece, wrapped in the paper, and your mouth is dry, but there is no water. So you put in the gum, put it in your mouth and ...oh, my!

(She starts to dance around)

The flavor! It just bursts into your whole face! And then the tingly stuff that spreads into your entire body!

(She whirls around, chewing and making faces of delight.)

And you could just be happy like that for hours!

(She starts to slow down)

But then the flavor starts to fade out,......so you.....

(She whirls some more)

Take another piece! And it is just fantastic!

And you now have enough to blow a bubble!

(She blows a bubble and it pops. She laughs in delight. Then she calms again)

So now, I have learned to keep my happiness deep inside, and I only share it when I feel it is safe, that the other person understands the deep burden of happiness.

Do you understand? Can you see that so many people are in such denial of happiness that they cannot appreciate the true joy of being happy? That I believe they actually are happy being unhappy!

(Shakes her head)

I didn't think so.

But there are many people do not understand happiness, who snatch misery from the chomping jaws of happy and because they do not want others to be happy...... they suck the happiness out and chew it up like an old piece of chewing gum.

Like this.....

(She offers the gum to show what she means)

Pardon my fingers.......

(When the person refuses the gum, she takes it and puts it back in her mouth, turns to leave, looks back, smiles, starts to laugh)

You do remember, I knew you would! That was Alice who did that, and we laughed so hard the teacher kicked us all out of class! Come with me, let's laugh and be happy and share the heavy burden of happiness together!

(She reaches out her hand and skips out, happy.......definitely not the end of happy)

--------------------------------------

Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Monologue Mania Day # 202 by Janet S. Tiger The Devil Visits River Bend Sept. 2, 2014

Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free monologue a day
                      - for a whole year!
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 info.
If you just started this blog and want to read the earlier monologues, please
scroll down for the previous days or go to http://www.monologuestore.com/ -click on the Monologue Mania button please scroll down.
     To start at the beginning - Feb. 13, - click here.
     For a list of the blurbs from each day, click here
Help a playwright and get more great award-winning monologues - MonologueZone.com
Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monologue Mania Day # 202 by Janet S. Tiger The Devil Visits River Bend Sept. 2, 2014

The Devil Visits River Bend

tigerteam1@gmail.com

               (The woman enters carrying a heavy suitcase, purse, etc. She lets it all slide as she surveys the room with a practiced eye. She is not so young, but not old yet either. She is sweaty, but still put together well. She takes out her phone and pushes a button, talks quickly but clearly while unpacking.)

Notes. Friday afternoon. September first...

             (Looks at her watch)

1 P.M. Arrived in town of River Ranch, Texas, since there is no Hilton here, nor any other five, four, three or even two star hotel, am staying at the lovely local Motel six, of which six is still part of the price, but it is now 66, so if I add just one more 6, I might have an idea of what I'm getting into. I already see there are signs of several ....how do I put it politely again?.....

          (Looks out from curtains on window)

.......long term people here.

Probably substance abuse, possibly just between homes.

Have taken a room close to manager's office just in case.

            (Hangs something on a hanger)

Flight from JFK to Austin uneventful, drive here about two hours in rented Ford, very uncomfortable on these dirt roads at the end.

            (She takes out a cigarette, then looks at the ceiling)

I wonder if that smoke alarm thingy still has batteries......

             (She pulls over a chair and stands on it, removing the smoke alarm and opening it.)

Well, that was time wasted, shoulda known someone else had smoked in here.

(She takes a deep breath)

Still smelled normal.

            (She lights the cigarette, takes a deep breath, opens a map.)

After unpacking, will drive around town, should take all of five minutes. Next stop, courthouse, speak with sheriff, get copies of files of Novak and Rodriguez cases.

Background - drunk driver kills two young boys, crashes car, is dead, but not from crash, someone shot him in the head after the crash. Father of two boys is in custody. Gun not found, but shells for gun found in father's house. Story origin - Sealy News, Austin county newspaper, Aug. 21st.

No recent homicides - very little local crime. Except for the person who killed.

            (She finishes the cigarette, crushes it out in an ashtray)

Send file.

           (She pushes button, then takes the phone and and it into a pocket, turns to leave. Stop, ssurveys room one last time,)

But I'm sure it's safe.

(Opens purse, takes out a gun, which she puts into another pocket, then exits. End of scene.)

--------------------------------------

Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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Monday, September 1, 2014

Monologue Mania Day # 201 by Janet S. Tiger Belabor Day Sept. 1, 2014

Belabor Day

tigerteam1@gmail.com

(Carrying a box of papers, a man dressed in a sweaty sheriff's uniform takes the box and drops it on the floor. He is irritated.)

There. All the paperwork involvin' the Novak case.....you can go through them right now. We close in two hours. And we will be closed until Tuesday because Monday is Labor Day. And no, we don't have anythin' online yet, not until the state fundin' comes through next year.

(Listens, shakes his head)

You want more than this here box of papers? More than the official statement? All right, here's the news - Calvin Novak was drunk, which was not an unusual occurrence, and while driving drunk, hit and killed two boys, the only two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Rodriguez. Then Calvin was shot, and died, and Jorge Rodriguez is gonna be on trial for Calvin's murder.

(Listens)

You people from the newspapers and the TV are all the same, you come here for what, a day or two, maybe if you have some extra money, a whole week, and you talk to a few people and you stand in front of the courthouse and get some video feed, and you decide what the story is gonna be before you even arrive here. But you still say you want more. All right. You want more? All right. Here's more.

I been here as sheriff for 40 years, and I know these people, not just as neighbors, but some of 'em as friends, too, and I got to make sure that justice is done. It ain't easy doin' that when it's quiet, but it don't get easier with all you breathin' down our necks.

(He indicates the boxes)

This is Labor Day weekend, and you can run around as much as you want, it'll be hot, and you'll get sweaty, just like all of us, and you'll call home and complain how you hate small towns, especially ones in Texas, but after you leave and write your story, and have it broadcast and get your paycheck and drink it, we will still be here, watching our high school team get ready for football season, goin' to church, getting a drink at the local bar, .....burying our dead.

(Listens)

Yeah, I knew the Rodriguez boys. Nice family. Quiet. Had a small place out on Old Ranch Road. And I knew Calvin Novak, too, his daddy, Casper, and I went to school together. Calvin was taught to drink by his daddy. His daddy died in a crash, too, but no one else died in that one, except maybe the tree he hit.

(Thinks)

No, maybe the tree made it. But his son, Calvin, he did not do well in the brains department, he got cut from the military after Iraq, and everyone thought he'd kill himself on a cycle, but then he got that big ole truck, and when he hit those two boys, they didn't have a chance.

But that didn't mean someone had to kill him. The state of Texas is the only one got the right to decide that, and someone took that right away when they shot Calvin, and my job is to find out who that someone is. And I know it's Jorge, because Jorge had a 45 caliber, just like the one that shot Calvin. And the wife sayin that they give the gun away when the boys were little, for safety. But then why did they still have the bullets?

Jorge did it. I know it. I can smell it. And one day, I'm gonna find that gun. Now Clark, the District Attorney, he's a go getter, wants to be mayor someday, so he's gonna prosecute before I find that gun. And so, who knows what's gonna happen.

And that, my dear reporter friend, is off the record.

So you can go send in your story on the Internet, and people all over will read it, and make faces and talk about drunken Texans, and they will be right, and they will be.....wrong.

Labor Day. I'll be workin' Labor Day, too. And so will you, I suppose. (Remembers, smiling) Don't belabor the point, my momma used to say, just the day. She loved to laugh at words, my momma did. If a woman was havin' a baby right around Labor Day, she would laugh about it for a month before 'n after.

Belabor Day. You have two hours.

(He turns to leave, looks back)

Two hours. Not one minute more.

(He exits. Lights down on scene)

--------------------------------------

Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315

www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com

Member Dramatists Guild since 1983

Playwright-in-Residence

Swedenborg Hall 2006-8

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