Did I Really Just...?

A Play, by Syndee Wood

Characters:
Syndee

Characters heard but not seen:
Vickie: Syndee’s rational voice/self
Sybil: Syndee’s neurotic, fearful voice/self

Setting: Syndee is alone. She is angry at the change in plans, and she is alone now for the rest of the night. Her friends have just left, her kids are gone for the week, and she suddenly finds home to be more than a little eerie. She doesn’t want to sleep there, alone. When they’re home, when the kids are home, Syndee is the protector; she knows the locks and walls are solid. She is confident she can battle whatever bad dares enter their home. But now the house is empty. Syndee is alone. “Who will protect me?” she wonders.

Act One. Scene One.

Vickie: Don’t worry. This house is just as safe tonight as it is when they are here. Those stairs are so loud that anyone climbing them can’t help but be heard. It’s fine. Lock the door. It’s fine.
Syndee: Yes, yes. It is fine.
Sybil: Check the locks one more time.
Syndee (checks the locks, walks up the stairs): Yes, they are loud. The final barricade is noisy too. It’s fine. The rain sounds nice. (Voice Fading into sleep) The rain sounds nice.



Act Two. Scene One.


Sybil: Wake up. Now.

Syndee/Vickie: Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Sybil: Run! Balcony! Run!

Syndee scrambles out of bed

Vickie: Who was that? I can’t see! Where did he go?

Sybil: Faster! Balcony! Jump!

Syndee runs to the balcony

Vickie: Where did he go? He’s gonna grab me! Hold the pillow up!

Syndee holds her pillow up behind her, drops it as she steps onto the balcony and closes the door.

Sybil: Run! Faster! Jump!

Vickie: I am outside. He is inside. Jump?

Sybil: Jump! Jump! Jump!

Vickie: Breathe now. Wait. Is this real?

Sybil: Now! Now! Jump now!

Vickie: No face. Wearing my jacket. Is this a dream?

Syndee: Am I awake?

Sybil: Jump! NOW!

Vickie: He was wearing my jacket. He was missing a head. He was missing a face. It was a dream?

Sybil: JUMP!

Syndee: Why am I on the balcony? Is it raining? I am not wearing pants. What am I doing? Is someone in there?

Sybil: No!! He is IN there!

Syndee: I did it again. I am outside this time. I almost jumped. I am in my underwear. Is someone in there? Am I still dreaming?

Syndee opens the door.

Sybil: No. Don’t go back in there. Don’t. Don’t go back in there.


Syndee (steps into the room): Where is the light? Is someone in here? Why is my pillow by the door?
Am I awake? Am I alone?

Sybil: He is in the closet! He is in the bathroom!

Syndee (looks around the room, checks the door, the closet and the bathroom): I am alone. The door is still locked. It was a dream. Just another dream. This time I almost leapt off my balcony. In my underwear. In the rain. This time.

Vickie: It’s fine. Let’s keep the lights on for the rest of the night. It’s fine.

Syndee (sounding relieved): Yes, it is fine. I am alone.

Sybil: Keep the lights on!

Vickie: It’s fine.