Dear Kathy [Part One] (8.4.12)

Ok, so I opted not to use the prompt this time- it said it was optional and they both didn't jump out at me and so I decided to write my own piece instead. This piece is very personal to me and is about a dear friend of mine who is going through some hard times, so this play is for her. As her situation gets better, I will keep adding to this "Dear Kathy" installment.

#4: DEAR KATHY
(PART ONE)

Written

by

Sean Pollock

(Lights up on Kathy on one side of the stage. She is wearing a paper thin hospital gown. She is a tired looking woman in her mid-thirties. When she speaks, her voice trembles)

KATHY:

            Dear Julie,

            It’s Kathy. I don’t have a cell phone or any way of calling for now so this is my only way of contacting you. I haven’t written a letter in god knows how long, so pardon me if my writing is a bit sloppy. I hope is all going well for you and Hank, this is probably really hard for you guys. I’m so sorry to burden you with Suzanne but I felt it was best this way. I’m not speaking to my family right now because they’re not supportive of me so I think this would be the safest option for Suzanne. But I guess you want to hear about this place. Well, it’s only my first day but things seem ok here. There’s a lot of group activities—like AA or Anger Management or things like that, and even though I don’t have either of those problems, I go to every single one so they won’t think that I’m some crazy recluse. Even Sexaholics Anonymous, even though I have no sex drive at all these days. Anyway, I hope I can get out of here soon. Give Suzanne my love. Much Love, Kathy.

(Lights fade on Kathy. The lights rise on Julie—an upper middle class housewife in her mid-thirties)

JULIE:

            Dear Kathy,

            It’s good to hear from you and that things seem to be ok. All is good here. Hank was really upset about taking Suzanne because he hates kids, but he’s always away on business so I don’t think it’ll be much of a burden on him. Suzanne is great. She’s so sweet. She asks about you everyday, and I have to tell her that you’re just on vacation and needs me to watch her for a little while. She always asks me when you’re coming back and I always tell her that I don’t know yet. I try playing with her but I can tell it’s not the same for her. When I look into Suzanne’s beautiful blue eyes it makes me realize I want a sweet little girl like her some day. I have been trying to get Hank to let us conceive for years but as I said, he hates kids, so that imposes a problem. Anyway I have to go make dinner now but I hope you get well soon. Love, Julie.

(Lights fade on Julie. Lights rise on Kathy)

KATHY:

            Dear Julie,

            It warms my heart to hear you say all those nice thing about Suzanne. She really is a sweetheart. Although it makes me sad to hear that she keeps asking about me, it is also a great relief to me as I miss her so deeply. Things are ok here. The people here are very strange. I feel as if in a lot of ways that I’m just as crazy as everyone else on earth—but just like all of these people, I’ve turned myself in. I tattled on myself. Granted, I have a lot of problems but I’m not nearly as bad as any of these people. Everyone keeps hitting on me here. Luckily the guy who gave me the most trouble left—but he kept harassing me for my number and kept saying things like “God, you’re making me so hard—oops, did I say that out loud?” Such a creep. Thank god he got discharged yesterday. My roommate Annabelle is cool though. She’s going through a lot of the same stuff I am—but she turns to reading about Jesus for solace, where as I turn to Jack Kerouac. To each his own. I’ve been doing a lot of reading which I think is good for me. Ok, now it’s almost bed time and they’re going to make the evening rounds, so I’m going to go now. Hope to hear from you soon. Love, Kathy.