Day #5 -
A few words about 'free' - I mean that these are free to read, free to perform and video AS LONG AS NO MONEY IS CHARGED. Once you want to charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me at tigerteam1@gmail.com for royalty info. These monologues - and all my writing -are protected as follows - All rights reserved under the Berne and Pan-American copyright convention
But I will be happy to give permission to do a video for youtube, as long as I receive credit - like Tori Langley did (Click here for THE TOWEL LADY.)
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My Fault by Janet S. Tiger (c) Feb. 17, 2014 all rights reserved
(A man is thrown onto the stage - literally falling from the side and taking a moment to get up. He is disheveled, obviously stoned - not for the first or even 101st time - hair long and stringy - and dirty. His clothes are dirty - we can almost smelly them. Torn, not too new, he is not in great shape, maybe even a little bloody from this fight.
He stands with difficulty, shaking a fist at the person who did this.)
I don't think that was very nice, Mom......
(He wipes his nose on his sleeve, stumbles)
It was your fault - all of this was your fault!
And you know it!
(He holds his head as if there is some terrible noise within)
You loved Jimmy more! You know you did! You made me into what I am, and I just...I just....
(He now has trouble following the thought, sits on the ground.)
What was I saying?
I need something to drink....
(Shouting) I need you to let me back in so I can get my stuff!
(He turns - he has heard something. He ducks to avoid something thrown at him.)
Thanks a lot!
Whadda my gonna do with one shoe?
(He hears another noise, ducks again. Listens to someone calling, his mouth drops open. He's really mad now)
(Shouting) I'm not gonna thank you for throwing my own shoes at me!
If you just took care of me the way you took care of Jimmy - or the damn house, I wouldn't be like this!
Call the cops! What do I care?
(He turns and his shoulders heave)
It wasn't my fault! Jimmy was a better rider - he had a newer bike! I was following him!
(This is hard for him to talk about, but he is trying.)
(Quieter) I didn't know the rain would make the ground so slippery.....I didn't know that when he fell and hit his head on those rocks...he would die. He was older...he shoulda known better........we shoulda had helmets, but no one had helmets then! That's why I don't ride anymore, Mom! Why I only walk or take the bus! If I could do anything to get him back, I would!
(He is almost crying)
I know it destroyed you, Mom, and Dad, and....maybe our whole family, but it wasn't my fault!
(He shakes his head, something coming through the fog.)
Maybe....maybe I shoulda gone first that day, maybe my bike was smaller, maybe it wouldn't have skidded.....maybe I wouldn't have died - or if I did, maybe I'd be better off........maybe you're right mom, maybe it is my fault......
(He stands there, stunned by this revelation. Then he hears something.)
So you did call the cops...thanks Mom.......
(He walks off, staggering a little.)
Thanks a lot.......
(The end)
This is actually one part of a larger piece that is not yet completed, tentative title AT FAULT, but has another monologue FAULT LINES, for a female actress.
Janet S. Tiger 858-274-9678
www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983
Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8
A few words about 'free' - I mean that these are free to read, free to perform and video AS LONG AS NO MONEY IS CHARGED. Once you want to charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me at tigerteam1@gmail.com for royalty info. These monologues - and all my writing -are protected as follows - All rights reserved under the Berne and Pan-American copyright convention
But I will be happy to give permission to do a video for youtube, as long as I receive credit - like Tori Langley did (Click here for THE TOWEL LADY.)
--------------------------------
My Fault by Janet S. Tiger (c) Feb. 17, 2014 all rights reserved
(A man is thrown onto the stage - literally falling from the side and taking a moment to get up. He is disheveled, obviously stoned - not for the first or even 101st time - hair long and stringy - and dirty. His clothes are dirty - we can almost smelly them. Torn, not too new, he is not in great shape, maybe even a little bloody from this fight.
He stands with difficulty, shaking a fist at the person who did this.)
I don't think that was very nice, Mom......
(He wipes his nose on his sleeve, stumbles)
It was your fault - all of this was your fault!
And you know it!
(He holds his head as if there is some terrible noise within)
You loved Jimmy more! You know you did! You made me into what I am, and I just...I just....
(He now has trouble following the thought, sits on the ground.)
What was I saying?
I need something to drink....
(Shouting) I need you to let me back in so I can get my stuff!
(He turns - he has heard something. He ducks to avoid something thrown at him.)
Thanks a lot!
Whadda my gonna do with one shoe?
(He hears another noise, ducks again. Listens to someone calling, his mouth drops open. He's really mad now)
(Shouting) I'm not gonna thank you for throwing my own shoes at me!
If you just took care of me the way you took care of Jimmy - or the damn house, I wouldn't be like this!
Call the cops! What do I care?
(He turns and his shoulders heave)
It wasn't my fault! Jimmy was a better rider - he had a newer bike! I was following him!
(This is hard for him to talk about, but he is trying.)
(Quieter) I didn't know the rain would make the ground so slippery.....I didn't know that when he fell and hit his head on those rocks...he would die. He was older...he shoulda known better........we shoulda had helmets, but no one had helmets then! That's why I don't ride anymore, Mom! Why I only walk or take the bus! If I could do anything to get him back, I would!
(He is almost crying)
I know it destroyed you, Mom, and Dad, and....maybe our whole family, but it wasn't my fault!
(He shakes his head, something coming through the fog.)
Maybe....maybe I shoulda gone first that day, maybe my bike was smaller, maybe it wouldn't have skidded.....maybe I wouldn't have died - or if I did, maybe I'd be better off........maybe you're right mom, maybe it is my fault......
(He stands there, stunned by this revelation. Then he hears something.)
So you did call the cops...thanks Mom.......
(He walks off, staggering a little.)
Thanks a lot.......
(The end)
This is actually one part of a larger piece that is not yet completed, tentative title AT FAULT, but has another monologue FAULT LINES, for a female actress.
Janet S. Tiger 858-274-9678
www.JanetSTiger.weebly.com
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983
Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8