Episode 6 - (Act 1 Scene 11,12)
1667 Words
SCENE 11 - MRS RAFFERY IS LOCKED UP IN THE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
Raffery wakes up in the dark. She feels her way forward.It is only after a while that she realizes she is in the solitary confinement. Mr Mason gives her food through the opening in the solitary confinement door.
MRS RAFFERY
Why am I here?
MR MASON
You had an outbreak last night that forced us to lock you up. You tried to attack your fellow prisoners and Miss Wagner.
MRS RAFFERY
This is complete nonsense. I was in my prison cell and I slept all night.
MR MASON
That makes you a very dangerous person. Due to your lack of memory of your outbursts. Take your pill and eat your food.
MRS RAFFERY
Do you think I am stupid? I do not belong here. Come on, let me out.
MR MASON
Perhaps you already forgot about it. But you will sit in this cell for at least 7 days. Due to your outbursts.
MRS RAFFERY
Enough with the lies. Let me go. Otherwise, I will escape on my own from this cell.
MR MASON
You need to relax. Eat your food and take your medication. It will reduce your aggression.
Mr Mason leaves the stage after closing the opening.
MRS RAFFERY
Mr Mason? Old wrinkler. Answer me. As soon as this cell opens, I will guarantee that you will pay for it.
Mr Mason goes back and opens the door’s opening.
MR MASON
You will sit here for 7 more days if you do not take your pill. However, the choice is yours. It is important that you eat because you will need it. If you have not taken the pill when I open this door again. I will personally enforce that you take the pill.
Mr Mason closes the opening once more.
MRS RAFFERY
How do you explain this? Am I in the madhouse? Let me out. You are not allowed to lock me up in this room!
MR MASON
As a matter of fact, I am allowed to. Just do as I say…
Mrs. Raffery thinks for a moment. The opening is opened by Mr Mason.
MRS RAFFERY
What kind of pill is it?
MR MASON
Do you not trust me to know what I am doing?
MRS RAFFERY
Is that odd?
MR MASON
You make it harder than it should be. Why do you not take the pill? That has already been agreed upon. Or have you also forgotten about it too?
MRS RAFFERY
The Solitary confinement was not part of that deal.
MR MASON
We had to act. It was not planned.
Mrs Raffery takes the pill. But leaves the food behind. Mr.Mason opens the opening one last time.
MRS RAFFERY
What have I done to you that gives you the right to lock me up like an animal?
The lights indicate that it has been gone for a few hours. After that, the lighting moves to Mrs Raffery who looks panicked. In the empty cell, she looks around. Voices can be heard in the background, as well as an uncomfortable sound.
VOICE 1
The walls of the cell are getting smaller and smaller.
Mrs Raffery is confused. She wanders around aimlessly.
VOICE 2
Do you not see the man there? He will stab you to death.
Turning around, Mrs. Raffery sees a man holding a knife. (does not exist).
VOICE 3
Mr Mason is the one who sent him. His mission is to kill you. You have no chance against him.
MRS RAFFERY
You do not come any step closer to me.
VOICE 1
You must understand that everyone in this prison wants you dead. It is only a matter of time.
MRS RAFFERY
Be quiet. Quiet. Get lost.
VOICE 1
The whole cell will collapse. It is time to leave.
VOICE 2
There is no way out of here for you. However, you will be attacked by the man behind you. Perhaps there is only one last resort.
Raffery begins to sweat and shake. With all her strength, she hammers on the metal door.
MRS RAFFERY
Help me. Please. Help me from here. Do you hear me?
The opening is opened by Mr Mason. There is no response from him. He sits down on a chair outside of the cell door.
VOICE 1
You need to get out of here, he is here to take you away.
MR MASON
How do you feel right now? You appear to be confused.
MRS RAFFERY
You are here to end my life.
MR MASON
No, I am not. I am here to observe you.
VOICE 2
He is lying. He tries to trick you.
MRS RAFFERY
You sent a man to stab me to death.
MR MASON
I did not send anyone to stab you.
VOICE 1
There may be no point in trying anymore. You will be murdered no matter what you do.
MR MASON
You did not eat today. Why did not you do that?
MRS RAFFERY
I know that you do not work here. Old wrinkler. Get lost.
MR MASON
You have a choice. You can sit here for a few more months or answer my questions...
MRS RAFFERY
Do you think I negotiate with murderers? Your intention is to kill me. You have abducted me. This is not where I belong. Let me out. It was you who sent the man to kill me in the cell.
MR MASON
There is no one in the room. I will come back when you have calmed down.
MRS RAFFERY
I am calm. You are the one who is threatening. You do not go anywhere, do you hear that? You little parasite.
Mr Mason closes the little food opening, Mrs Raffery begins to shake violently. She pounds the cell door. She passes out. The uncomfortable sound has been turned off.
SCENE 12 - MRS MILLER’S CONFUSION
Miss Milles goes back and forth in her cell. She stares at nothing for a long time. This sees Miss Wagner.
MISS WAGNER
Miss Miller. What is the matter?
No answer.
MISS WAGNER
Miss Miller, do you hear me?...
Miss Miller has not noted that Miss Wagner was there. Miss Wagner stands dumbfounded.
MISS WAGNER
I will go pick up Miss Carter. Stay here.
Miss Wagner leaves. Then she returns with Miss Carter to Miss Miller’s cell.
MISS CARTER
When did you first notice this behavior? That it seemed as though she was in another world?
MISS WAGNER
I was on my usual route. Then I noticed that Miss Miller was acting strangely. My presence was not felt by her at all.
MISS CARTER
It was nice of you to let me know about this. However, you need to speak to Mr Mason. Even though I dislike it personally.
MISS WAGNER
You need to see it for yourself. This is very unlike Miss Miller. Although she rarely speaks, she seems to live in another world.
MISS CARTER
I can take a look at her now. You may continue your round. I must conduct a proper examination if it is as you say.
Miss Wagner leaves the stage. Miss Carter goes to Miss Miller Cell. Miss Millers turns around.
MISS MILLER
I am so happy… My parents are alive. This means I am not behind bars. I am at home in my living room.
MISS CARTER
I would like to examine you, Miss Miller, since you appear very sedated. What did Mr Mason give you?
MISS MILLER
I feel good. What makes you want to examine me? Do you not see the sun shining and flowers blooming? Never in my life have I been happier.
MISS CARTER
I need to talk to Mr. Mason. I will return in a few minutes.
Miss Carter leaves the stage and comes in with Mr Mason,
MISS MILLER
Father, do not leave me here. Mother please. Without you, I feel so lonely. Stay with me.
Miss Miller appears confused.
MISS CARTER
What did you give her? She is not herself. It seems as if she sees things that are not there. She speaks to the air.
MR MASON
Unfortunately, I cannot comment on it. The information is classified. You know how the CIA works. They do not want journalists to snoop in their work.
MISS CARTER
Do you think it is your right to treat the inmates like animals? What did you give her?
MR MASON
You do not want us to argue. That is not what you want, Miss Carter.
MISS CARTER
It is impossible for me to help Miss Miller without knowing what causes her behavior. She behaves like...
MR MASON
She is gone mad...Calm down, this will probably be over soon.
MISS CARTER
I hope you know what you are doing. However, I will take her in for a physical examination.
MR MASON
It is not necessary. She is going to be fine. Getting used to this type of medication takes some time.
MISS CARTER
Can I run some tests on her to make sure nothing else is causing her behavior.
MR MASON
You want to do your job, I know that. But let me do mine. I assure you that I do not wish the patients ill. I appreciate you sharing your concerns with me. But I must now continue on. You have a great day, Miss Carter.
MISS CARTER
I wish you the same. Mr. Mason...
Mr Mason leaves the stage.
MISS CARTER
I have a feeling that there is some hidden motive behind this. Or do I search for non-existent errors? I could be exaggerating. Perhaps I need to trust that he can do his job.Why did he not want me to examine Miss Miller? What does he really hide? I must now take control of myself. The experiments are not to my tastes, but this does not justify §
of Mr Mason. Or tell me what you think. Am I thinking too much?
The lights are turned off. Miss Carter leaves the stage.
- Writer
