The Legend of Ophelia Vale

 Cast of Characters

 

Ophelia Vale/Jo:  ​A 27 year old woman.  (also a 32 year old woman later) Rock star. Vocalist and Lead Guitar for Ophelia Drowning.  Aggressive, ambitious personality. Mystery surrounds her, conflicting stories.  She is a self made women of sorts, but she often gets compared to an angry child. Five years ago, she disappeared right before a tour promoting her band’s new album.  The only character who sings. /Jo is the bartender of a dive bar about 100 miles away that Christina finds during her investigation.

 

Christina Kagan:​Also 27, but 27 now as opposed to Ophelia’s 27 five years ago. She is also strong, but in a very different way.  She does not see herself as oppressed, but because she believes what she has been told—that women can now do anything they want to do.  Christina is a reporter at the local paper.  For the fifth year anniversary of Ophelia’s disappearance, she has been assigned with writing a piece about Ophelia and what might have happened to her.  Christina was never a fan and thought Ophelia was a pushy bitch.

 

Ryan Everett:​Christina’s live in boyfriend.  He sees himself as pretty laid back.  He cannot stand Ophelia Vale.  He doesn’t believe there is inequality and believes that women now seem to get jobs possibly even over men because they are women.

 

Interviewer:​Ophelia Vale is seen/heard throughout most of the play through interviews that Christina is listening to during her investigation of Ophelia Vale.  The interviewer asks the questions.  Ideally, Ophelia and the Interviewer will bracket the stage when Ophelia is not with the band.

 

Celia (CiCi) Murphy: Christina’s best friend.

 

Ty Donovan:​Bassist for Ophelia Drowning and also  Ophelia Vale’s ex.

 

Radio D.J.:  Can be the same person as Interviewer

Bartender:​Works at the bar in the second act. Can be male or female.

 

Lauren James:​​Another best friend of Christina’s

 

 

 

Scene

 

 

ACT I

 

An apartment where we see a den, a door into the apartment, a door into the bedroom, a kitchenette a couch down center, coffee 

table.  A turntable like desk with a radio on it. On both sides of the stage, down on the thrust are two booths, set up like radio DJ booths.  On one side is the INTERVIEWER.  On the other side is the “guest” booth for Ophelia when she is not down with the band. The band will be set up in front of the stage and to the side below OPHELIA’s booth.  There should be an access point 

so that OPHELIA can get down to the band.

 

ACT II

 

Upstage will still be the apartment, but a table and chair for a café down should be placed in front of stage left on the floor on the other side from the band. Before scene 10 the down stage portion of the apartment will need to be converted to a small bar.

 

 

Time

 

 

2001.  Interviews are from 1996.

 

 

 

 

Act I

 

Scene 1

 

​​​(Apartment with a door stage right at the top

of the stage before going on to the thrust.

There is another door up stageright that

leads to the bedroom.  Stage left there is a

kitchenette and down on the thrust is a 

living room type of area.  In the room is a

turntable with a radio.  The band is set up

audience level and lights open with the back

lights showing a dimmed apartment and

concert lights on the band.  OPHELIA is down

front with the band.  She has a distressed

prom queen rock star vibe about her.

Either a buzzer should sound over any of OPHELIA’s swears, or the actress can pause

like a glottal so it sounds like the word

was fuzzed up for FCC approval.)

 

OPHELIA

 

#1 RAGE MEDUSA

 

LONG HAIR FLOWING FREELY

SNAKES BITING BACK THE RAGE

TORN LIPS, DAMAGED SEETHING

PAIN STONE, INSIDE OUT.

 

RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE HEART

SEARING VENGENCE FROM THE START

RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE SOUL

FUCKED BEYOND, NEVER WHOLE.

 

DRAWN DARK, FORCED HIDING

NEVER LOOK INSIDE SAME

PAINTED DEMON, IGNORE STRAIN

HONEYED EYES, BEAUTIFUL UGLY

 

RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE HEART​​        

SEARING VENGEANCE FROM THE START​

RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE SOUL

FUCKED BEYOND, NEVER WHOLE.

RAGE MEDUSA

RAGE MEDUSA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH.

 

VICTIM AGGRESSOR, BEAUTY PUBLIC

ASKING FOR IT, LIT DESIRE

  ​​TERROR PURE, EMPTY SWOLLEN

FINDING SELF, GONE FOREVER​​

 

RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE HEART

SEARING VENGENCE FROM THE START

​​RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE SOUL 

FUCKED BEYOND, NEVER WHOLE

​​RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE HEART 

 ​​SEARING VENGENCE FROM THE START

 ​​RAGE MEDUSA, FIRE SOUL

 ​​FUCKED BEYOND, NEVER WHOLE

 

(lights go out on the band OPHELIA moves 

to the booth.  The lights go on both   

booths, and lights brighten but not go to 

full brightness on the apartment.  CHRISTINA comes out of the bedroom, she has a notepad and paper on the coffee table, getting herself another cup of coffee, but clearly listening to the interview that is playing on the “radio”.)                                        

 

 

Scene 2

 

OPHELIA

 

It’s about being angry and shit.  Being blamed and then having to live with the ugliness.  Embracing it.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Embracing it?  Medusa was a monster with snakes for hair that turned men to stone and—

 

OPHELIA

 

Yeah, that’s what she became, sure.  But do you know the whole story—like the myth how she got that way?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Well I know she was slain by Perseus—

 

 

OPHELIA

 

That’s Perseus’s story—the male gaze.  Do you know HER story?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

I don’t think I was taught that one.

 

OPHELIA

 

No. Our schools teach the male gaze, too.  Making us read shit like The Red Pony and The Yearling all the while banning books like Are You there God, It’s me, Margaret.  Like all guys feel it’s deep to talk about when a boy becomes a man.  What about when a girl becomes a woman?  No one cares because the Patriarchy has already decided.  A girl becomes a woman when she looks fuckable. Why else would the media use the term “underage women”?  How about a fucking CHILD? Oh wait. Oops.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Naw, it’s cool.  We have you on a delay so we can edit it.

 

OPHELIA

 

(sarcastically)

 

Super. 

(then back to her prior tangent on Medusa)

 

So Medusa was beautiful and while she was in the temple of Athena, she was attacked and raped by—well, accounts vary.  Some myths say Zeus raped her.  Some say it was Poseidon.  Regardless, someone forced his dick in her.  Athena was pissed—patriarchal Greek culture says it was because her temple was “defiled” (air quotes).  So SHE was blamed, cursed for being raped.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Cursed for being raped?  That’s…horrible…

 

OPHELIA

 

Yeah, well, not much different than today, really.  Women are blamed for being raped all the time.  How many times have we been told we asked for it, blamed for the actions of male aggressors.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

I thought you said you weren’t a feminist.  That sounds pretty male hate to me.

 

OPHELIA

 

It’s not about some word used to divide men and women, it’s about truth.

 

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Feminism?

 

OPHELIA

 

I don’t see myself as a feminist. It’s a construct created so we can be judged, dismissed.  My music is my music.  Truth.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Like those punk bands that started getting underground popularity in Seattle and Minneapolis a few years ago?

 

OPHELIA

 

Fuck no. They’re using music to promote their activism. It’s supposed to be about the music.  Most of them can’t even play their fucking instruments.

 

RADIO D.J.

 

Woah, quite a few bleep outs in that interview…Almost feel like I’m putting on a George Carlin show!  Hard to believe this week marks five years since Ophelia Vale disappeared.  Also hard to believe that today, with a new millennium and all that someone could still disappear without a trace.  So this week we’re running all the interviews, all the music, all the…

 

(While RADIO DJ is talking, RYAN walks out of the bedroom with two ties, one blue, one teal, shuts off the radio and says…)

 

RYAN

 

Chrissy, which one?

 

CHRISTINA

 

Hey, I was listening to that.

 

RYAN

 

I gotta get going.  Which one?

 

CHRISTINA

 

The blue one.

 

RYAN

 

They’re both blue.

 

CHRISTINA

 

No, that one is teal.

 

RYAN

 

That is a kind of blue.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Closer to green.  But still, I was listening to that.

 

RYAN

 

Why?  You didn’t listen to her back when she was something.  Why listen now?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I told you already.  The article.

 

RYAN

 

Right.  The society column.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Well, yeah, but if I can find something—It could be so much more.

 

RYAN

 

What, like finding Ophelia?  After all this time?  I’m sure her rabid fan base already scoured and scorched the world looking for her.  What do you hope to find?  

 

CHRISTINA

 

Thanks for your support.

 

RYAN

 

Well, Chrissy, don’t you think this is a little out of your league?  You’re not an investigative journalist.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Not yet, but if they see what I can do, maybe I could be.

 

RYAN

 

(dismissive)

 

Ok, well, good luck with that.  I’ve got to get to work.

 

(exits and CHRISTINA goes over to the radio turning it on.)

​​

OPHELIA

 

Dreams?  Well, I had this one dream I was horseback riding—and since everyone knows about the horseback beach fiasco—I’m sure you can guess how I felt about that.  And I’m trying to flee this purple cloud of plague that burns the flesh from your bones and just as I am about to hit the cloud--well, I woke up.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Scary dream…

 

OPHELIA

 

Especially since I had the dream when I was eleven.  Right before we all started hearing a lot about AIDs.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Are you saying you’re psychic then?  I’ve heard you’re a practicing witch.

 

OPHELIA

 

Witch? Well, no, not really.  Pagan, maybe.  Sometimes my dreams take a prophetic turn.  I dreamed I had sex with a blond tech guy at Lalapalooza, but it was rape and people didn’t believe me because he’s such a nice, introverted guy and it just made me start doubting myself--being more worried about his future than my own.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

And it happened??

 

OPHELIA

 

Happened, happens…more often and to more women than I can count. I did have another dream where my mom was Francis Farmer’s mom and I essentially became her.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Francis Farmer?

 

OPHELIA

 

Well, yeah, but in a different way.  But no, her mom.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Okay…

 

OPHELIA

 

Which is probably why I’m not in a rush to have kids.  Ever.

 

​​​​(blackout)

 

Scene 3

 

(CHRISTINA is talking on the phone. Her friend, CICI, is also there on the couch)

 

CHRISTINA

 

Ok, But what about the parameters…Yeah, but finding may be…ok, but…ok…

 

CICI

 

Didn’t go so well then?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I just don’t know what to do.

 

CICI

 

We’re back in high school.  What is the assignment.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Now he WANTS me to FIND Ophelia Vale.  I mean yeah, I wanted to do more than just a small society piece, but I’m not a P.I.

 

CICI

 

Find her?  Wow.  Like how many people have been looking for her for five years.

 

CHRISTINA

 

That’s what Ryan said.

 

CICI

 

Well in that, he’s right.  I mean this chick is smoke. Just gone.  Murdered, suicide—maybe she just went on some drug induced trip and was struck with permanent amnesia.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Drugs?  I mean she was controversy galore—but drugs?  I don’t remember hearing that one.

CICI

 

Sure.  They all did in that scene.  Those that are still alive probably still do.  Something about the stress, fame, maybe just attention.  Such an attention whore.  Remember when she flashed everyone in that MTV interview?  What the hell.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Yeah, Lauren was so into her though.

 

CICI

 

I never understood that. I think she still is. Like she was some kind of hero. So weird. You should talk to her. But hey, how are things going with Ryan?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I don’t know. He’s busy at work.  Thinks I should clean up more.

 

CICI

 

Such a pig.

 

CHRISTINA

 

No, he works all day at the office and I don’t.

 

CICI

 

You work all day.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Here though. Technically I’m only in the office part time.

 

CICI

 

Yeah, but with most of your writing at home and so much of you is in your writing anyway, you can’t get away from it.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I don’t think he sees it that way.

 

CICI

 

Why the hell not?

 

CHRISTINA

 

Mom says men aren’t wired that way.  I thought it would be different for us.  You know, Mom fought to keep a job after marriage, said they made equality happen.  Their bra burning, being strong, opinionated.  But it seems like, I don’t know. I just don’t get it.

 

OPHELIA

 

Everyone says hey, don’t let a man, even your dad, tell you you’re fat, tell you you’re unattractive, tell you you’re not good enough. But what if it’s your mom? How do you reconcile that?  Boomer women promoted this shit.  Like Spartan women, keeping up toxic ideals of the male warrior.  “Come back with your shield or on it.”  Boomer women have held us to these crazy standards—it was expected of me so damn it, it’s expected of you.

 

 

Scene 4

OPHELIA

#2 IN THE WOODS

 

​​TAKEN BABY DOLL

​​YOUTH ERASED, GONE

         MEMORIES SEALED​​​​​

TAKEN BABY DOLL                                               YOUTH GONE, ERASED

     ​CAN’T ESCAPE

 

​​LOST IN THE WOODS

​​TREES SURROUND

​​LOST IN THE WOODS

​​THORNS TO THE GROUND

​​LOST IN THE WOODS

​​TREES SURROUND 

​​LOST IN THE WOODS

​​THORNS TO THE GROUND

 

​​GUILT, TERROR, WHO IS SHE?

​​DIRTY DOLL, LOSER

​​BLIND, DEVOUR, WHAT IS IT?

​​DIRTY DOLL, LIAR

 

TAKEN IN THE WOODS

​​TREES SURROUND

TAKEN IN THE WOODS

​​THORNS TO THE GROUND

         TAKEN IN THE WOODS

​​TREES SURROUND

​​TAKEN IN THE WOODS

​​THORNS TO THE GROUND

 

​​BACK TO ME, WILD RAGE

​​NOT YOURS.  MINE IS MINE

         IN THE WOODS

​​POWER ETERNAL

 

​​TAKING BACK THE WOODS

​​TREES SURROUND

​​TAKING BACK THE WOODS

​​THORNS TO THE GROUND

​​TAKING BACK THE WOODS

​​TREES SURROUND

TAKING BACK THE WOODS

​​THORNS

 

Scene 5

 

 

INTERVIEWER

 

So how about Gen X?  Being a member of that generation?  The feeling out there that you’re the first generation, the only generation this century, that did not have a war, but still haven’t been able to reach the majesty of the previous generations—seen as slackers, lost.

 

OPHELIA

 

Kind of a loaded, fighting words type of fucking question, isn’t it?  I mean let’s take a look at why, for Christ’s sake.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

So why?  What is going on with you guys?

 

OPHELIA

 

An entire generation of fucking Estellas.  That’s what.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Stella?  Like--STELLA!!!!!

 

OPHELIA

 

Not even.  Estella as in Dickens.  You know, the chick Pip wanted so badly in Great Expectations who wound up in a loveless marriage because she didn’t believe she was worthy of love.  You know, the world sucked and we’d only be hurt anyway.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Wait, I had to read that one.  But didn’t she wind up with Pip?

 

OPHELIA

 

So much revisionism accepted as fact.  The readers hated the ending so much that Dickens was strong armed into changing it for the second publishing. Or something like that. I totally related to Estella.

INTERVIEWER

 

But I don’t see how this…

 

OPHELIA

 

Because the Boomers were coddled.  Because of the horrors of World War II, the quote “Greatest Generation” and early Silents wanted them to have a good life, an easy life—mom home, stable family—they were told hiding under desks would save them from a nuclear blast and subsequent fallout, for Christ’s sake.  So when they were shuffled off to war? Lost friends in the jungle?  They didn’t know what to do.  It broke them—So like Miss Havisham, they wanted to show us the truth about life so we weren’t broken when the shit went down like they were when it happened.  What they didn’t realize is that they just made us old before our time.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

But you didn’t live under the lie.

 

OPHELIA

 

Sure, we didn’t do the duck’n’cover drills.  But it wasn’t because the threat of nuclear war was gone.  It was still a reality, but we also knew hiding under desks or running outside wasn’t going to do anything.  That nothing we did mattered.  So why bother?

 

Scene 6

 

(CHRISTINA is cleaning.  She has the radio 

on in the background.)

 

OPHELIA

 

Soooo many musicians didn’t make the Return of Saturn. Really, 27 is just the beginning of it—like that last quarter mile of a race.  You can see the finish line but its so close and so far at the same time.  27 is just the beginning of it and look who we’ve already lost to that? And for women, you might as well be dead.  No woman over 27 is allowed to be seen as a sex symbol.  Men become silver foxes—the world just sees women as old.  And it sucks because there is never a time when our opinions count.  You’re too young for your opinion to matter until you’re too old for your opinion to be relevant.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Wait, back that up—the return of what?

 

OPHELIA

 

Saturn.  The Return of Saturn.  An astrological term—Saturn takes about 29 Earth years to go around the sun, so around 27, Saturn gets closer to where it was in the night sky about the time you were born.  Brings a real shit storm.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Ahem, Crapstorm?  How?

 

OPHELIA

 

Who knows? Who ever knows what form the destructor is going to take?  But they do say that if you have an easy time for your first Saturn return, your mid 50s are gonna suck.  May not matter for many of us.  Not many old Rockers.

 

(RYAN enters)

 

RYAN

 

You’re still listening to this shit?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I’m trying to get as much research in as possible on her.  But there is a lot of interesting stuff here.

 

RYAN

 

Come on, you always thought this chick was nuts.  I mean we’re on zodiac shit now?

 

 

CHRISTINA

 

She’s not wrong though.

 

RYAN

 

About how Saturn’s position in the sky dictates our lives?  I mean come ON…

 

CHRISTINA

 

Well, she’s right about 27 being an age cut off, people dying—I mean things do seem to change.  It’s like there aren’t any excuses anymore. Everyone sees you as an adult.

 

RYAN

 

People see you as an adult after you graduate from college.

 

CHRISTINA

 

And women are looked at differently—I—

 

RYAN

 

Oh, please.  You’re a journalist—you got what you wanted.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Did I? I have the same degree as Neil, we’re the same age and he is getting actual local stories to write every week and aside from this Ophelia Vale thing the biggest story I’ve gotten to work on is the opening of the new Spirituality store.

RYAN

 

Maybe his writing is different?

 

CHRISTINA

 

Different?

 

RYAN

 

Straight forward?

 

CHRISTINA

 

Straight forward?  

 

RYAN

 

Less flowery?

 

CHRISTINA

 

What is that supposed to mean?  I won awards in school for my writing. My writing got me a scholarship.  And one of my stories was published in a book my advisor published.

 

RYAN

 

In school though.  Didn’t your adviser have a crush on you? I—

 

CHRISTINA

 

Are you saying I only got recognition because of my looks?

 

RYAN

 

I’m saying you can’t deny the possibility that—

 

CHRISTINA

 

I can’t believe you right now.

 

RYAN

 

I just think—look, Chrissy, I don’t want to fight.

 

CHRISTINA

 

No, Please continue…

 

RYAN

 

Really, just, let’s not be difficult.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Let’s not be difficult???

 

RYAN

 

Look, I’m sorry.  I’ll just—I need to go for a walk.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Truth time.

 

OPHELIA

 

Uh oh.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

No, really.  Get real with me for a minute here.

 

OPHELIA

 

Wow. I’ve never been someone who flaunted a masked personality.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Well, no.

OPHELIA

 

I always feel authentic to myself.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

But I—

OPHELIA

 

Just being my authentic difficult self.  But, shoot.

INTERVIEWER

 

There are rumors out there—

 

OPHELIA

 

Dangerous beginning.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

I know, right?

 

OPHELIA

 

Huh.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Rumors circulating about your song “Echoes”.

 

OPHELIA

 

Ah yes.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

What is it about?

 

OPHELIA

 

Beyond that it is about a toxic relationship?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Is it more than that?  Some feel the lyrics seem more personal—a state of mind.

 

OPHELIA

 

That’s the thing about art, isn’t it?  Music isn’t about having a voice or even being kick ass at shredding guitar solos, but that feeling you can relay, share with your audience.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

OK, but this song, it almost sounds like you’re contemplating taking your own life—and how is that good for your fans?  Aren’t you afraid someone might read into it and do that?

 

OPHELIA

 

Well, I hope not.  Hey, audience—don’t try this at home! But often songs are about finding your pain, your darkness, and using it to create.  Actors have this thing called Method.  It’s a type of acting using your own experiences, feelings, to create a more authentic character.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

There’s that word again!

 

OPHELIA

 

Yes, its all about authenticity, but I use a singer form of Method to create music.  It brings the music alive for my fans.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

But how do you harness that?

 

OPHELIA

 

You don’t. You die a little every time you’re on that stage.

 

 

Scene 7

 

OPHELIA

 

#3 ECHOES

​ECHOES IN MY HEAD 

​​THOUGHTS CLING TO ME

​​BETTER OFF DEAD?

​​TORMENT PONDERANCE FREE

​​TRYING TO MAKE OUT

​​ALL THE BLINDING RAGE

​​WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

​​DID YOU LOVE ME?

​​DID YOU WHEN YOU LOCKED 

​​ME IN THE CAGE?

 

​​ECHOES IN MY HEAD

​​HOW YOU’VE CHANGED ME

​​WALKED IN SILENT RAGE

​​IS ANYTHING MEANT TO BE

​​PICKING UP THE MESS

​​YOU HAVE LEFT FOR ME

​​WHERE DO I GO NOW?

​​YOU HAVE LEFT ME

​​LEFT ME WITH SOUL UNDRESSED.

 

​​ECHOES IN MY HEAD

​​ETERNAL QUESTIONNING GAUGE

​​CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?

​​HAVE YOU TURNED THE PAGE?

​​MOVING FROM THE PAIN

​​FINDING SOMETHING NEW

​​CAN’T PULL BACK FROM THEN

​​LOST ETCHINGS

​​IN THE EXPRESSION OF YOU.

 

 

SCENE 8

 

​​​​(CHRISTINA and CICI are in the 

apartment hanging out in the living 

room. They have been listening to 

the radio)

CICI

 

That’s like the only song of Ophelia’s I actually liked. It’s just raw. Still think the whole “suicidal druggie” angle was way overplayed.

 

CHRISTINA

 

She always seemed so grrrrrr though.  I mean who could ever actually get her to feel like slitting her wrists the long way?

 

CICI

 

According to Sassy, it was her bassist.

 

CHRISTINA

 

You still read Sassy?

 

CICI

 

I read this years ago…but My little sister had a subscription until they stopped publishing it.  There's some new one now. She has that.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Isn’t that weird?  Your little sister is 23.

 

CICI

 

I don’t know, just—ok, fine, we both kinda read it.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Well, whatever, so that Ty Donovan guy, then?  He’s local, isn’t he?

 

CICI

 

Yeah, I think so.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Imagine that.  Imagine playing a song night after night about love going to shit with the actual subject of the shit relationship.

 

CICI

 

I don’t think they did—not for long anyway.  That was on the second album “Foil Star Society”. Ophelia disappeared right before the tour was going to start. Don’t look at me like that.  Lauren must have mentioned it…

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Why Foil Star Society?

 

OPHELIA

 

You know those little gummy licky stars they put on your school papers?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Yes, I think most teachers have a jar of them.

 

OPHELIA

 

Exactly.  That’s our society—always looking for a reward for doing things right.  It’s fucking stupid.  Who should be rewarded for fucking breathing?

 

 

Scene 9

 

INTERVIEWER

 

So playing in front of an audience is like dying?

 

OPHELIA

 

Sort of.  It’s more the full sex/death analogy.  It’s more like having sex in front of an audience.  No, wait.  That’s not right either.  It’s like making love in front of an audience—it means something to you, you’re totally exposed, everyone can see your “o” face and they’re critiquing your performance.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Why do it then?  The fame?  The money?

 

OPHELIA

 

The music.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

The music?

 

OPHELIA

 

Yeah.  It’s as necessary to my life as, well, water. 

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Your band name?  What part, if any, does your analogy have to do with that?  I just thought it was a Shakespeare reference.

 

OPHELIA

 

It is.  In that Ophelia was used by powerful men and not allowed a will of her own until all she could do was take herself out of the equation.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

But again with the suicide component and—

 

 

30

OPHELIA

 

Should I put another “Kid’s don’t try this at home” caveat? But no, not necessarily.  Taking yourself out of the equation can be as easy as leaving.  Well, no, leaving’s not easy.  But sometimes what other choice do you have?  It’s more of a water thing really.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Water thing?

 

OPHELIA

 

Like being adrift in the ocean and you’re so thirsty and all there is to drink is salt water and you know it will kill you but you’re beyond caring, you need it. 

 

INTERVIEWER

 

I don’t get it—

 

OPHELIA

 

Music is water.  Getting that hit, that recognition by a mass audience—it’s salt water.

 

​​​​(Lights up on apartment. RYAN 

comes out of bedroom, CHRISTINA 

following.)

 

CHRISTINA

 

Where are you going?

 

RYAN

 

Out.

 

CHRISTINA

 

We need to finish this.

 

RYAN

 

Why?  What the hell, Chrissy.

 

 

CHRISTINA

 

I can’t go to the beach this weekend.  I’m interviewing Ty Donovan about the story.

 

RYAN

 

You’ve got to be kidding me.  I planned this as a special weekend for us.

 

CHRISTINA

 

But you never cleared it with me.  I have responsibilities.

 

RYAN

 

Please, you could interview him next week!

 

CHRISTINA

 

No, he’s heading out of town on tour with his new band.  I need to talk to him this weekend.  You never checked with me before setting up the vacation.

 

RYAN

 

It was a surprise!

 

CHRISTINA

 

But you didn’t even ask me to keep the weekend open.

 

RYAN

 

That would have given it away.

 

CHRISTINA

 

It’s sweet that you thought of me, but it always has to be on your terms.  We always go where you want to eat, when and where you want to go on vacation.

 

RYAN

 

You’ve always liked it when I’ve taken the initiative.

 

CHRISTINA

 

We’re supposed to be a team but you don’t discuss things with me.  This effects both of us. And where are you going?

 

RYAN

 

I’m meeting Tom and Mike for drinks.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Fucking go then.

 

RYAN

 

See? You never swear!  What has come over you? This fucking article!!

 

CHRISTINA

 

Ok for you though, right?

 

RYAN

 

Just don’t fucking wait up.  I’ll take the couch.

 

(RYAN leaves and CHRISTINA puts on a tape or cd of Ophelia Drowing)

 

 

 

SCENE 10

 

OPHELIA

 

#4 ABSYNTHE THE GITS COVER

 

​​

​

 

 

END ACT I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACT II

 

Scene 1

 

OPHELIA

 

#5 DICKNAIL HOLE COVER

 

​

 

SCENE 2

 

 

​​​​(Christina is at the counter in 

​​​​the kitchen, RYAN enters)

 

RYAN

 

(shuts off radio)

 

The fuck is this?                                               

CHRISTINA

 

A cover done by Ophelia Drowning.  

 

​​​(turns back on)

 

INTERVIEWER

 

--said you would never do covers?  

 

OPHELIA

 

No, I did say that.  I’m not a fan of covers, doing other people’s shit and all, but it’s like hey, people connected with it and stories are universal, so--

 

RYAN

 

​​​(shuts off again)

 

Haven’t you had enough of this shit?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I was listening to that.

 

RYAN

 

​​​(not listening to CHRISTINA)

 

Like last night.  I came home and you were passed out with the music blaring.  You’re lucky the neighbors didn’t call the cops.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I can’t cut loose a bit? Put that back on. I think that was the interview about why she chose that song to cover.

 

 

RYAN

 

Song?  It’s like two chords—and two chords she had to steal on top of that.

 

CHRISTINA

 

The hell Ryan. It is a song and she didn’t steal it—it’s a tribute.  A powerful one.

 

RYAN

 

Powerful?  Why?  How?  Because she’s yelling?

 

CHRISTINA

 

It’s an important song about abuse.

​

RYAN

 

Please, what does she personally know about abuse? Her father is a fucking corporate lawyer, she has never been without anything a day of her life.  She went to boarding school.

 

CHRISTINA

 

All classes of people have problems, besides, it’s about rape and she--

 

RYAN

 

Chrissy, please, rape? That woman?  She eats men for breakfast.  She’s probably the abuser!  If anything she—

 

CHRISTINA

 

Asked for it?

 

RYAN

 

(getting angry)

 

Don’t even start!

 

CHRISTINA

 

Oh my god, I can’t believe this!  So if I wear leather pants, I’m asking for it?

 

RYAN

 

Maybe?  I don’t know—Look. You don’t hang out where she did.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Boarding school?

 

RYAN

 

You know what I’m talking about.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I’ve heard interviews where she talks about being subjected to violence.

 

RYAN

 

This is fucking ridiculous.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I don’t understand why you’re getting so angry.

 

RYAN

 

Why are you sticking up for her?  You hated her!  You thought she was completely ridicious.  Now all of a sudden she is some feminist goddess?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I was wrong before.

 

RYAN

 

You’re not like her.  Your not one of those bitches that—

 

 

CHRISTINA

 

That what, Ryan?

 

RYAN

 

You’re not like her.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Bitches like what, Ryan?

 

RYAN

 

(speechless)

 

CHRISTINA

 

You know what?  Fuck it.  I’m out.

 

RYAN

 

What is this doing to you?  Last night I thought it was the drinking making you foul mouthed.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Foul mouthed?  Christ Ryan.  You sound like my father.

 

RYAN

 

Well, someone needs to.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Needs to what, Ryan?

 

RYAN

 

(speechless)

 

CHRISTINA

 

That’s what I thought.

 

 

SCENE 3

 

OPHELIA

 

Acoustic set?  You mean like— ukulele?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

​​​(laughs)

 

No, no.

                                                                                                                                                                                        OPHELIA​

 

Yeah, no.  I’ve got a Tele for that.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

              (laughs again)

 

No, I mean like MTV Unplugged—everyone’s doing it now!

 

OPHELIA

 

Maybe that’s the problem.  Everyone’s doing it.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Your fan base would love it!

 

OPHELIA

 

Ah, the fans.  Once fame comes into play, you’re tight roping this hairline thin line separating authenticity and selling out. Besides, my music doesn’t really translate into acoustic.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

But I hear you’ve been working on some new stuff that does…

 

OPHELIA

 

And there it is.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

A lot of your fans, not to mention Rolling Stone, are very interested in this album’s potential. Where you will take the sound. So what is in store for us?

 

OPHELIA

 

​​​(sighs)

 

Potential?  Great.  The toughest competition a girl has is her own potential.

 

 

 

 

SCENE 4

 

OPHELIA

 

#6 CLOSING TIME

 

​​SNOW FALLS SOFTLY

​​COLLECTS ON THE STREET

​​BEAUTIFUL BAGGAGE COMPLETELY

​​ABSORBED IN THE CITY HEAT

 

​​CLOSING TIME

​​END OF THE DAY

​​WALK THE LINE

​​LEAVE OR STAY

​​​​​

​​HERE ALL WE DO IS SETTLE

​​COLD ICY CAGE HOLDING ME

​​WHY DO YOU STAY DISCONTENTED?

​​WHY CAN’T I JUST LET IT BE?

 

​​CLOSING TIME

​​END OF THE DAY

​​WALK THE LINE

​​​​​

LEAVE OR STAY

​​CLOSING TIME

​​END OF THE DAY

​​WALK THE LINE

​​LEAVE OR STAY.

 

 

 

 

​​​​

SCENE 5

 

​​​(A small café.  CICI and LAUREN are seated

​​​drinking coffee.)

 

LAUREN

 

​​​(taking a sip of coffee)

 

This is so not the medium roast.

 

CICI

 

I think you’ve been drinking too much of that dirty dishwater coffee.

 

LAUREN

 

Please, with my schedule, all that keeps me upright is coffee. I know my coffee.

 

CICI

 

Yeah, you’ve gotta be almost done now, don’t you?

 

LAUREN

 

Yeah, then I have to sit for the bar.  Pay a gillion dollars for a bar review course.  Because apparently I haven’t spent enough on four years of undergrad and four and a half years of law school.

 

CICI

 

Loans?

 

LAUREN

 

Resigned to the fact that I will be paying on those until I’m like 70.

 

CICI

 

Shit.

 

LAUREN

 

Heard from Chris.

 

CICI

 

Good—I told her to call you. She’s doing this thing about Ophelia Vale.

 

LAUREN

 

She mentioned it!  I told her I kinda just figure she’ll show up one day back on the scene, you know?

 

CICI

 

You think she’ll come back?

 

LAUREN

 

Yeah, everyone loves a good comeback story. I just think she freaked about the whole “sellout” thing. You know how it is with musicians—they get all kinda “ooooo fame will be so awesome, not having to scrounge for everything cuz I’ve never held a job a day in my life.” And then they find out what it is actually like to not even be able to blow your nose without someone trying to keep the tissue. You start doing stuff that pre-sell out you claim you never would have done and then BAM.  You are not who you are anymore.

 

CICI

 

True that.

 

LAUREN

 

She is meeting Ty Donovan today.  Today.  She doesn’t even KNOW how freaked out I am about this. But hey—we might need to schedule an intervention.

 

CICI

 

For Ty?

 

LAUREN

 

Chris, yo.  She can stay at my apartment for a while.  Hell, I’m never there.  Always at the damn library.  The apartment would at least get some use for the exorbitant rent.

 

CICI

 

I know there are issues, but—

 

LAUREN

 

There are issues within issues wrapped in a burrito served in a taco.

 

SCENE 6

 

​​​​

INTERVIEWER

 

The band.

 

OPHELIA

 

The band?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Ophelia Drowning.

 

OPHELIA

 

Yeah, that’s the band.  What about?

 

INTERVIEWER

 

The members.  So I have some questions.  There are three of you—The drummer is currently Mick Brody.  But that hasn’t always been the case.

 

OPHELIA

 

No.  He replaced Kat Kraang.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

What happened there? 

 

OPHELIA

 

Artistic differences?  Not really a story. She chose another option. We wish her well.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Your bassist is Ty Donovan.

 

OPHELIA

 

That doesn’t sound like a question.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Doesn’t it though?  

OPHELIA

 

Well if you are fishing for information on our would be relationship, there isn’t one.  

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Isn’t or wasn’t?

 

OPHELIA

 

Were we together?  More or less.  But we didn’t want to be one of “those bands”. 

 

INTERVIEWER

 

“Those bands”?

 

OPHELIA

 

Those bands.

SCENE 7

​

​​​​(the café)

TY 

 

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss the band. Mick was becoming a good friend.  And Ophelia, was Ophelia.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Was becoming a good friend?  You guys aren’t friends anymore?

 

TY

 

We are, but it’s kinda a lot to play together without Ophelia. It doesn’t feel like we can play together with anyone else without it feeling like we are trying to recreate the band without her.

 

CHRISTINA

 

It seemed like there was a lot of drama with her--she seems so volatile—I have been listening to her interviews.

 

TY

 

She was.  Is.

 

CHRISTINA

 

What do you think happened to her?

 

TY

 

I just think she needed a break.  It’s a weird thing.  When you look in the mirror and you don’t recognize the person staring back at you.  When you feel like you don’t have control.  Sometimes you just have to take yourself out of the situation.

 

CHRISTINA 

 

She talked about that in an interview. Do you think that’s what happened?

 

TY

 

Yeah.  She’ll come back when she is ready.

CHRISTINA

 

But that kinda leaves you guys high and dry. And you seem to have moved on?  You are going on tour with your new band this coming week, right?

 

TY

 

Yeah, well it’s joining a band but not?

 

CHRISTINA

 

How does that work?

 

TY

 

With recording, you can have one person play a couple different instruments, or play lead guitar and rhythm guitar because recording happens in stages.  Live, you don’t have that. So you need the extra bodies to texturize the sound. With this band, the rhythm guitar also plays bass on recordings, but live they need a bassist.  

 

CHRISTINA

 

So you still get to get out there and have that audience—that live band experience.

 

TY

 

Yeah, but it isn’t just about the audience and that live experience.  It’s about the drive to create and the need to share that creation. There are still stories to tell.  But in the meantime, I don’t want to become irrelevant while I’m pining over the loss of how things were.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I was hoping we’d get to that.

 

TY

 

To what?

 

CHRISTINA

 

To the way things were—with the band.

 

TY

 

Being with a band where the music, the energy, the passion, the closeness all come together—it’s better than sex.  That’s why I know she will be back.

 

CHRISTINA

 

People think she is dead.

 

TY

 

No way.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Wouldn’t someone somewhere have seen her if she was still alive though?  

 

TY

 

People see what they want to see and don’t look any further. Hope the story works out for you.  I’m sorry I didn’t have much to help you out.

 

CHRISTINA

 

You know, I was never a big Ophelia Vale fan. Never saw myself as a feminist.  Didn’t think the world could ever change and I’ve learned over the past couple weeks just how complacent I’ve been.  Ophelia’s been gone for five years and she is still teaching me stuff.  This isn’t about the article anymore.

 

TY

 

There is someone else you could talk to that might be able to help you out more.

CHRISTINA

 

Mick?  Yeah, do you have a good phone number for him? I—

 

TY

 

Nah, not Mick. Jo.  A bartender down the coastal road about 100 miles.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Who was he? A roadie?

 

TY

 

Nah, just go talk to Jo.  Good luck with your story.

  

SCENE 8

 

 

RYAN

 

How did the interview go?

 

CHRISTINA

 

It went well!  

 

RYAN

 

So we can head out now?

 

CHRISTINA

 

But I told you I couldn’t get away this weekend.

 

RYAN

 

I figured that now that the reason you couldn’t go was done, we could head out.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I really can’t—I have to check something out and write all this up.  I need to get the story done.

 

RYAN

 

But I waited for you.  I’m trying to work with you here.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I’m sorry, it is just a bad weekend for me—maybe next weekend.

 

RYAN

 

I can’t next weekend, I already planned to go to the game with the guys, we’re tailgating.

 

CHRISTINA

 

We’ll have to put it off longer then.

 

RYAN

 

I don’t understand why we can’t go now.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I don’t understand why you won’t go next weekend. You want me to put off my job but you won’t reschedule a weekend with the boys for us?

 

RYAN

 

We have tickets!

 

CHRISTINA

 

Because you have no other friends that could use your ticket? That is what I mean, it is all about you! 

 

RYAN

 

You’re always starting fights now.  I don’t want to fight, I just want things to get back to normal between us.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Normal?  You mean like where I just let you do whatever and act all grateful when you deign to spend time with me?

 

RYAN

 

Is that what you think I’m doing?  It’s not.  You’re the one who has changed, Chrissy!

 

CHRISTINA

 

Maybe I’m finally being me for the first time.  And it’s Chris.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Ophelia seems so formal—do you mind if I call you Fee?

 

OPHELIA

 

Yeah, I do.  

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Don’t you have a nickname?  

 

OPHELIA

 

When I was five.  I don’t do nicknames.

 

INTERVIEWER

 

Your bassist goes by Ty.  You call him Ty, not Tyrone.

 

OPHELIA

 

Ty does use a nickname.  I do not. Especially where women are concerned, people give cute “I” ending nicknames to make you seem younger, childlike, take you less seriously. So a big no on that.

 

 

 

 

 

SCENE 9

 

OPHELIA

 

#7 LOST

 

​​LOOK INTO YOUR EYES ENTRANCES ME

​​DARKENED DEPTHS DISGUISE

​​NOTHING ELSE I SEE

​​WHERE ARE YOU TONIGHT?

​​I STRUGGLE TO SEE

​​LOST OBJECTIVE SIGHT

​​ARE YOU LOST TO ME?

 

​​KNOWING IT IS LOST

​​DREAMS ARE ALL GONE

​​MOVING ON WILL I SEE ANYTHING BUT YOU

 

​​PUSHING THROUGH THE LINE

​​FINDING INNER PEACE

​​ETERNALLY ALONE

​​AMBITION WILL NEVER CEASE

​​MOVING THROUGH THE CROWD

​​ALONE ON THE STREET

​​LEFT ALL TO MYSELF

​​THE BEST COMPANY

 

​​KNOWING IT IS LOST

​​DREAMS ARE ALL GONE

​​MOVING ON WILL I SEE 

​​ANYONE BUT YOU.

 

​​WALKING THROUGH THE HALLS

​​FOCUSED ON MY PAIN

​​WORKING THROUGH THE LIES

​​STRUGGLING TO STAY SANE

​​YOU DON’T OWN ME NOW

​​PERSISTENTLY I STAY

​​I WILL FIND THE RISE

​​YOU HAVE NO MORE SAY

 

​​KNOWING IT IS LOST

​​THE DREAMS ARE ALL GONE

​​MOVING ON WILL I SEE

​​SOMETHING BETTER THAN YOU.

 

SCENE 10

 

​​​​(Small bar, empty, BARTENDER cleaning glasses)

 

CHRISTINA

 

Hi, I don’t know if I’m in the right place, but are you Joe?

 

BARTENDER

 

No, Jo’s taking a break.  Who are you?

 

CHRISTINA

 

My names is Christina Kagan.  Ty might have told Joe I was coming by.  I’m doing this article and—

 

JO

 

It’s ok, Bruce/Brenda.  I’ve got it.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I’m, uh…

 

JO

 

Speechless!  I get that. Ty told me you were coming. Let’s go sit down in the corner.

 

CHRISTINA

 

But you’re…

 

JO

 

Nah, I get that a lot though.  “Oh, you look like somebody!”

 

CHRISTINA

 

But you have to be!

 

JO

 

But if I was, don’t you think I would have been found out by now?  Nah.  Ty said something about you doing a piece for that local rag.  Oh sorry—you work there, right?

 

 

CHRISTINA

 

Yeah.

 

JO

 

Ask for better assignments. No.  Check that.  Demand better assignments.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I’d like to keep my job.

 

JO 

 

And that is exactly where they want your head to go.  So why this article?

 

CHRISTINA

 

What do you mean?

 

JO

 

Why Ophelia Vale?  Why now?

 

CHRISTINA

 

Why does Ty know where you are?  I mean wasn’t the relationship toxic.

 

JO

 

Not Ophelia, remember?  But as far as Ty is concerned, always remember that when your life is on stage, you’re taking on a role.  Happy relationships and situations that spark no drama don’t make headlines.  

 

CHRISTINA

 

Ty said that. 

 

JO

 

He learned from the best.  So what do you want to know?

 

 

CHRISTINA

 

Why?

 

JO

 

Why what?  Why here?  Why leave?  Why Ty?  I have a more important question for you.  Why you?

 

CHRISTINA

 

Why me?

 

JO

 

That’s the question you’ve got to ask yourself.  If the world has been searching for this bitch for 5 years, why would The Observer give you the story to find her?  

 

CHRISTINA

 

You think they were hoping that I’d fail?

 

JO

 

Maybe?  Or maybe they are hoping you find something.  I mean five years has gone by—if Ophelia Vale died of a drug overdose or murdered by an abusive lover then she is a cautionary tale to women. Being like that woman will kill you!  If she left everything to get married and have kids then it’s –see!  Even the women screaming about equality really just want to be housewives and moms!  Pick the story. And having a woman tell it?  Well, we all spend far too much time doing the work for the patriarchy.  But tell me more about you.  Do you play an instrument?

 

CHRISTINA

 

What?  No! 

 

JO

 

Funny, I don’t know, something about you tells me you do, or should anyway. Hey, we have open mic night down here that is whatever you want it to be.  Bounce off songs. Have fun. You should check it.

 

CHRISTINA

 

I don’t know, I mean I have no idea how to play.

 

JO

 

That hasn’t stopped many punk bands from starting.  Some learned as they went.  I’ve come to appreciate that over the last few years.  We all have it—or many of us do anyway. I’ll bet you do.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Have what?

 

JO

 

The idea, the spark, the need to create.  But how do we get the fire the blaze from there?  Can that spark become the bonfire we envision in our heads?  Can we do justice to it? Come down and check it out.

 

 

 

 

SCENE 11

 

OPHELIA

 

#8 MY PURGATORY

 

​​ISOLATION CALLS TO ME

​​STARING OUT THE WINDOW

​​THE WORLD CEASES TO BE

​​JUST AS FIELDS TURN YELLOW

​​WHO CAN TOUCH ME HERE?

​​TORRENT FILLS THE SORROW

​​WHO THE FUCK ARE WE?

​​LIVE ON THROUGH TOMORROW.

 

​​MY PURGATORY

​​SOLACE IN MY TERROR

​​MY PURGATORY

​​FACING THE WHENEVER

​​MY PURGATORY

​​SILENCE FILLS MY TERROR

​​MY PURGATORY

​​FACING THE WHENEVER

 

​​FIND UNHOLY PEACE

​​PENT UP RAGE MUST WITHER

​​THOUGHTS THRUST FORTH DON’T CEASE

​​WITH THE STORMY WEATHER

​​RAGE INTO THE STRENGTH

​​WRITTEN ON THE PAPER

​​LOSING SENSE OF FATE

​​FACING THE WHATEVER

 

​​MY PURGATORY

​​SOLACE IN MY TERROR

​​MY PURGATORY

​​FACING THE WHENEVER

​​MY PURGATORY

​​SILENCE FILLS MY TERROR

​​MY PURGATORY

​​FACING THE WHENEVER

 

​​HORRORS WE CAN’T SPEAK

​​LOST IN CONTEMPLATION

​​TOO MUCH TIME TO THINK

​​DOUBT REGURGITATION

​​LOST WITHIN THE SPACE

​​DARKNESS COLORS MATTER

​​HOPELESS MEETING HASTE

​​FACING THE WHATEVER

 

​​MY PURGATORY

​​SOLACE IN MY TERROR

​​MY PURGATORY

​​FACING THE WHENEVER

​​MY PURGATORY

​​SILENCE FILLS MY TERROR

​​MY PURGATORY

​​FACING THE WHENEVER

 

 

 

SCENE 12

 

​​​(CHRISTINA comes out of the bedroom with 

​​​Suitcase, RYAN following)

 

CHRISTINA

 

I think that’s everything I need for now.

 

RYAN

 

Can’t we talk about this?  Chrissy, you don’t have to leave.

 

CHRISTINA

 

Chris, and yes, I think I do.

 

RYAN

 

Leaving in anger isn’t the answer.

 

CHRISTINA

 

But I’m not.  I’m tired, Ryan.  I don’t want to fight.  

 

RYAN

 

Then why are you leaving?

 

CHRISTINA

 

I can’t be here anymore.  I can’t do this. Look, I’ll be staying at Lauren’s.

 

RYAN

 

But, I said I was sorry, I can work on things—we can work on things.

 

CHRISTINA

 

But I don’t want to.  I want to work on me for a while. Look, it’s not all your fault.  I’m not saying it is. Goodbye, Ryan.

RYAN

 

Goodbye,

 

​​​(she exits)

 

RYAN

 

Chris.

 

 

SCENE 13

 

CHRISTINA

 

​​​(The inside of the Bar on the stage 

for open mic night.  CHRISTINA has 

a guitar and steps up to the front 

of the stage.)

 

Hi. It’s my first time up here.  I literally picked up this instrument two weeks ago.  It was after I spoke to someone who told me I should—and right before I left my boyfriend of seven years.  Like left.  Took my clothes and moved in with a friend--left.  I spent the next week writing an article. Initially, I was going to try to find someone who has been lost for years.  Instead, I found myself.

 

This sounded better in my head.  Maybe I’m not explaining it right.

 

It was awe inspiring, breathtaking, eyes glistening—in my head.

 

It was perfect.

 

In my head.

 

You know, the hardest part is the beginning.

 

Not the ending.

 

Not the climax.

 

It’s just getting started.  Telling the story you need to tell.

The story you ache to tell.

 

Just get it out.

 

Begin now.

 

​​​(lights out on stage)

 

SCENE 14

 

OPHELIA

 

#9 SECOND SKIN THE GITS COVER

 

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