Episode 9 ( Act 1,2 Scene 17, 1)
1820 Words
SCENE 17 - MRS WHEELER THE ONLY INMATE WHO HAS NOT GONE MAD?
Mrs Wheeler sits alone in the lunchroom on section C. Mrs Hoffman watches over her.
MRS WHEELER
Does anyone else in this section work? Where have all the others gone?
MRS HOFFMAN
You will see that everything will work out if you mind your own business. You are here to serve your sentence. Not to become close to the other inmates.
MRS WHEELER
I am aware of that. Nevertheless, nobody to talk to makes it feel so lonely here.
MRS HOFFMAN
Stay focused on your own business. It will keep you from having any problems. Although you may be lonely, you are here for a reason, right?
MRS WHEELER
It is something I am aware of. I find it a little easier to put up with sitting here after talking with people who are in a similar situation.
MRS HOFFMAN
There is only one thing that I can recommend: learn to take care of yourself. Do not make friends here.
MRS WHEELER
The purpose of my search is not to snoop. But what was that scream I heard yesterday?
MRS HOFFMAN
Yesterday, Mr Powell acted violently. We were forced to confine him to solitary confinement.
MRS WHEELER
Oh my goodness. What has taken hold of him? It is so unlike him. Poor guy. How is he doing now? I believe that he is suffering from guilt as a consequence of the murder of his best friend.
MRS HOFFMAN
He spoke about it. His condition is very bad. It is probably not my business to discuss other inmates with you... I will not discuss other inmates with you. However, if you promise to keep this private. Then I will tell you everything you need to know.
Mrs Wheeler nods.
MRS WHEELER
With my hand on the Bible, I promise that I will not tell anyone what we are discussing now.
MRS HOFFMAN
Do you realize what a mess I will get myself into if Mrs Thomson finds out about this?
MRS WHEELER
I have already promised and have kept my word. Will you do the same?
MRS HOFFMAN
No two people are alike. Miss Miller appears to live in a fantasy world. Mrs Raffery is violent and angry. She is untrustworthy. In this section of the prison it seems the prisoners all have... what can I call it? Behaves like mentally ill people.
MRS WHEELER
This worries me a lot. Do you know what Mr Mason gave them or why they are acting this way?
MRS HOFFMAN
Even if I wanted to tell you, I cannot. However, everything seems very strange.
Mrs Hoffman lits a cigarette.
MRS WHEELER
I do not say that we should not be punished, but I know we will be once we leave here. Everyone we meet will see us as dangerous killers.
MRS HOFFMAN
You only have to blame yourselves for that. Nobody else decided your fate. You must therefore live with the consequences of your own actions.
MRS WHEELER
It is easy for you to say. Without any worry. You can go home in the evenings and never felt as trapped as I did.
MRS HOFFMAN
I do not wanna hear a sob story about that you always felt imprisoned and your husband abused you. You thought that killing him was your only option. It is just a lie you tell yourself.
MRS WHEELER
If you have ever been in my shoes. Maybe if you were in my situation would you understand? Unfortunately, you are still young and don't know how the world works. The world is more complex than right and wrong. You may want to see me as a villain. But life is not easy. There is no natural solution that works every time. As you grow older you will see that any human being could, under the right conditions, commit terrible acts.
MRS HOFFMAN
You may be good at convincing yourself of that. But I am sticking to the law and my duties.
MRS WHEELER
I do not think that you are so though as you think you are. I see right through your facade. Instead of solving your own problems, you throw them at others.
MRS HOFFMAN
It is probably not wise for you to tell me how I should live my life. After all, you murdered your husband. You do not realize that you have no right to interfere with my life.
MRS WHEELER
If you want, you can tell yourself that. My brain does not fool me. You can tell yourself anything, but I know who you are.
MRS HOFFMAN
Your lunch break is now over. A tip: stop expressing your opinions about things you have no knowledge of.
A concerned look crosses Mrs. Wheeler's face. Using a hard grip, Mrs Hoffman cuffed Mrs Wheeler. She leaves her at her workplace and unlocks the handcuffs. Mrs Hoffman leaves the stage quickly. The lights go out...
ACT 2
SCENE 1 - THE DREAM OF ANOTHER WORLD
Mrs Hoffman stands in a spotlight on the stage and watches Miss Wagner. Miss Wagner, sits at a table in a spotlight on another side of the stage.
MRS HOFFMAN
I have no idea how everything began. The journey from having you bothering me to having you in my dreams. I am bewithed to sin. What is worseis that I have never been happier. There is so much to lose... You are the light in the darkness. How could I let myself fall so deeply for you? Could it be that you are my opposite? You see the best in people. I see the worst. No matter how you look at it, it is not real. It is just a dream. An enchanting dream.
Mrs Hoffman goes to Mrs Wagner's spotlight and puts her hand on Miss Wagner's shoulder. Miss Wagner continues to read the magazine as if Mrs Hoffman did not exist. Mrs Hoffman turns towards the audience.
It is only a dream of another world. I know that this is a fairytale without a happy ending. Miss Roxanna Wagner is not here. She will never be mine. My feelings for her are sinful. This is illogical. Roxana, you mean too much to me for to lose you. You are the thing in my life I miss. God, can you please forgive me? My heart says to me follow her. My head tells me to stop dreaming. However, I have not been able to get myself to stop dreaming of you. Forget about you. Perhaps I should put my heart in a box, and throw the key away. I cannot… Do not want to… She is the key to my happiness.
Mrs. Hoffman falls silent. She returns to her spotlight.
I do not want the dream to end. A dream that needs to remain a secret. No one can find out. I might lose my job. My family and my dignity. This is not right. God, can you hear my cries? Have I driven you away with my sins? For me, love must be denied. There are duties I must fulfill as a wife and mother. Roxanna, you are my dream that will lead to my ruin. A vision that will demolish my whole world. Nevertheless, I want you with me. My heart cries for your presence. Looking into your green eyes fills me with hope, love and attention that I crave. Things I never dreamed I would ever get. A dream that drives me crazy. A dream that is too good to be true. Maybe in another time and world, I could have you. But here you can only be my dream.
Mrs. Hoffman silences herself. The lights go on and the spotlights are turned off. Mrs Hoffman is lightly pushed by Miss Wagner.
MISS WAGNER
What do you stand here and dream about? Or, who?
Mrs. Hoffman flinches as if she has awoken from a daydream. Mrs. Hoffman stubs out her cigarette.
MRS HOFFMAN
Nothing remarkable.
MISS WAGNER
I hope I did not disturb the daydreamer.
MRS HOFFMAN
Daydreaming is not my style. I do not have the time for such things.
MISS WAGNER
Whatever you say, everyone can see that you were daydreaming.
Mrs. Hoffman looks confused at Miss Wagner.
MRS HOFFMAN
Anyhow, my lunch break is over. How are the inmates doing?
MISS WAGNER
So far, it has been very peaceful. How are you? Did you sleep last night?
MRS HOFFMAN
You do not need not worry about me. I can look after myself.
MISS WAGNER
Yes, I am fully aware. You know you can always reach out to me.
MRS HOFFMAN
Please, Miss Wagner, let us get back to work.
Mrs. Hoffman and Miss Wagner walks silently through the prison corridor.
MISS WAGNER
Have you ever thought about taking another job?
MRS HOFFMAN
No, I have not thought about it. With this job, I receive a salary that allows me to support my family. How about you?
MISS WAGNER
Occasionally, I have wondered if I am really qualified for this job.
MRS HOFFMAN
Believe me when I say this, Miss Wagner. This prison is lucky to have you in the staff as a prison guard.
Despite her best efforts, Mrs. Hoffman stares too long into Miss Wagner's eyes. In shame, Mrs. Hoffman looks down at the ground.
MISS WAGNER
Is there something in my face?
MRS HOFFMAN
No, I apologize, Miss Wagner.
MISS WAGNER
What is it with you today?
MRS HOFFMAN
I promise to get myself together.
MISS WAGNER
Are you sure that nothing happened?
MRS HOFFMAN
You can drop it. Everything is fine.
MISS WAGNER
You act very strangely. Was there something I did? If so, I apologize.
MRS HOFFMAN
You have not done anything. I suggest that we look after the inmates right away.
MISS WAGNER
We can start with the bagwash.
On stage, Miss Wagner freezes in place. Mrs. Hoffman turns to face the audience.
MRS HOFFMAN
I need to concentrate. Her beautiful green eyes remind me of meadows in the summer. Oh my God. What have I become? I am a married woman. Why cannot I stay away from her? Her eyes are filled with a happiness I have never known before. My entire body is filled with warmth and joy. Now, stop it. How can it be so hard to keep me away from her? Probably not in love with her. No way. What if she suspects it? When I look into her eyes, all I want to do is kiss her. Lord, help me from this sin.
While praying, Mrs. Hoffman sits on the ground with her hands clasped together.
Forgive me for my sins and violations, you who liberate and forgive. Blessed be you, Almighty God, you who let the forgiveness flow.
In silence, Mrs. Hoffman remains in a sitting position and the lights are turned off.
- Writer
