MUCH MADNESS

By D. M. Larson
Cast of Characters:
Janey: A patient in a mental ward
Dr. Reid: The doctor who tries to
help her
Nurse: Assists Dr. Reid

(Crosses to Janey - REID's shadow

grows as she
enters the stage)
Hello, Janey. I'm Dr. Reid.
(No response)
We'll be working together from now
on.
(Looks around)
What we need are some lights so we
can see.

Place and Time

A mental ward. Good Friday to
Easter Sunday in the present.

JANEY
(Meekly)
Please, no lights -

Scene 1

REID
Okay.
(Pause)
How are you feeling?
(JANEY glares)
I see you're not too good today.
(JANEY looks away)
Do you feel like doing any talking?
(JANEY shakes her head no)
I hear you're not eating well. Can
you tell me why?

(Lights black. A door opens R. The

stream of
light from the doorway floods the
stage and falls
across a young woman, JANEY, on
her knees C,
hunched over. The light bothers her.
Two shadows
from the doorway loom over JANEY.
The first
figure, DR. REID, speaks:)
REID
(Only a shadow)
When did she arrive?
NURSE
(Also a shadow)
A few hours ago.
REID
She looks like she's barely alive.
NURSE
She refused to eat anything when
she first came. I did get her to eat
some bread and drink a little water
though.
REID
Thank you, Nurse, that will be all for
now. I'll update you later after I talk
to her.

JANEY
(Pause)
Bread and water suit me - I want
nothing else.
REID
I can have the nurse bring
something by...
JANEY
(Angrily)
I don't want anything - and I don't
want to talk anymore - can I please
be by myself?
REID
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.
JANEY
That's all they've done here - poke,
prop, and pry - I've never felt so
violated before - I just want to be
left alone -

REID
We can try.
JANEY
(Softly)
Thank you
NURSE (enters to the room)
Can I give you some light?
JANEY
(Long pause)
If you have to NURSE
You can see the garden from here.
The flowers are in bloom just in time
for Easter Sunday.
(Turns)
I guess it's time to say good-night.
(Looks at JANEY a moment)
If you need anything I'll be here
tomorrow if you want to talk to me.
Scene 2
(Lights come up on JANEY sitting,
looking out
window. NURSE enters - closes door.
JANEY looks down and away)
NURSE
It's a beautiful day today.
(Goes to JANEY)
Would you like to go outside?
(JANEY shakes her head no)
Could I at least open the window
and let fresh air in?
(JANEY nods. REID goes to window opens it)
There, it feels better already. I wish
the windows opened wider.
(Goes to JANEY)
JANEY
This is fine NURSE
It's Saturday. We have a lot of fun
activities planned. Would you like to
join us?

JANEY
No - I don't want to NURSE
You might enjoy meeting some new
people. For most patients it's a
must.
JANEY
I said no NURSE
I'm sorry, Janey. I'm just being
friendly. I didn't mean to pressure
you.
JANEY
I know NURSE
Would you like to come to lunch?
JANEY
(Pause)
I want to be alone - I don't like being
around lots of people NURSE
We're a pretty harmless bunch.
JANEY
I get upset when I'm in a room that's
full (Pause. Looks at NURSE, afraid)
I get really scared - I almost feel like
I can't breathe NURSE
The cafeteria is quite big. There
aren't usually that many people in
there at one time.
JANEY
I just need to be alone NURSE
You can't be alone forever. With me
you'll be fine.
JANEY

(Angry)
I can't be fine with anyone - you
don't really care - you're simply
doing your job - once I'm "better"
you'll be though with me - then it's
on to another patient - you're just
like anyone else NURSE
That's not true.
JANEY
(Almost shouting)
I know it is - you probably haven't
cared about any patient in years that would be unprofessional - and a
burden you don't need for yourself NURSE
You know that isn't something I
would do.
JANEY
Please, just go - I know what I need
better than you NURSE
I don't know about that.
JANEY
You're not God, you know - you don't
have the powers to cure everything
- I know what you can and can't do
-.
NURSE
Janey, please calm down. Let's
remember where we are at.
JANEY
Go on - get out now!
NURSE
Please, you need to relax.
JANEY
How can I will you in here bothering
me all the time? If there's another
way, I'd like to know how (Pause. Turns away)

Or is there anything else you wish to

pry out of me?
NURSE
I think we have both had enough for
the time being.
(Starts to go. Stops)
The garden will be free this
afternoon if you want to take a look.
We're going on a short fieldtrip.
(Pause. JANEY looks away is silence.
NURSE exits and after a moment
lights fade to black)
Scene 3
(Lights come up on JANEY in the
garden sleeping.
It's evening)
REID
(Enters with NURSE)
How did she get out here?
NURSE
I don't know. Someone may have
left the door on her room unlocked. I
wasn't on duty.
REID
That's fine. No harm done. How long
ago did you find her?
NURSE
Not long ago. I just come on duty
and realized she wasnt in her room.
I found her pretty quickly once I
realized she wasn't where she was
supposed to be.
REID
Thank you. That's all for now. I'll let
you know if there's anything else
you can do.
(NURSE exits. REID looks a JANEY a
moment then
goes to her)
Janey?
JANEY
(Still down - eyes closed)

Mother? Mother is that you?

REID
It's Dr. Reid, Janey. Wake up. I want
you to come with me.
(Touches her)
JANEY
(Sits up quickly - startled)
Mother!
(Breathing hard - sees REID - moves
away)
Get away REID
Are you okay? We were worried
about you? We didn't know where
you were?
JANEY
I don't like my room - this is where I
want to stay (Looks at REID)
You were worried? Why?
REID
We thought maybe we lost you.
JANEY
Too many locked doors for that - if
only I could fly (She looks up at the night sky)
REID
I think the Earth is the best place for
you to do things you need to.
JANEY
No, I'm leaving all the Earthly
matters to you - I belong near a
different sun (Points to a star)
I wish I were that star over there
REID
Which one?
JANEY
The little one next to Orion - that
way I'd never be lonely -

REID
Space would seem awfully lonely to
me. I don't think it would be much
fun.
JANEY
But it's so free - no one can touch
you or hurt you - you can simply
shine REID
You can shine here too you know -

JANEY
People don't like it when you shine that's why stars are up there and
not down here - humans think
brightness is offensive (Pause - looks and smiles at the
stars)
My mother is a star now REID
Maybe JANEY
She always seemed like one to me but stars don't like it very well
where they can't be stars anymore (Pause - grows sad)
REID
Is something wrong, Janey?
JANEY
I want to be a star stars having
meaning stars I understand REID
I image we all would like to be stars
sometimes, but we know we can't.
Our only life is on this Earth. There's
no where else we can go.
JANEY
Do you believe in an afterlife?
REID
(Pause)

Yes, I think so.

JANEY
Like heaven and angels and pearly
gates - free of all Earthly strife REID
Maybe.
(They look at each other in silence the lights
fade to black)

Scene 4
(Lights come up on REID in garden
alone. NURSE
enters)
NURSE
I'm sorry, Dr. Reid. We can't find
Janey anywhere.
REID
No one saw her?
NURSE
I asked everyone on the staff. And
we've searched everywhere.
REID
We've never had anyone escape
from here.
NURSE
I was on duty in her hallway all
night. There's no way...
REID
She's gone. They're had to be a way.
People don't just disappear.

NURSE
I'm sorry, Dr. Reid. We've been
looking into every possibility.
REID
Then check the impossible. I want
this place torn apart. She may be
hiding somewhere.
NURSE
Yes, Dr. Reid.
(NURSE exits)
REID
(Wind blows. She shivers)
Such a cold Easter day.
(Pause)
- wherever you are - I pray that you
succeed (Looks to sky)
I realize sometimes we need do
things our own way JANEY
At times I think we all feel like
Sisyphus - forever pushing our rocks
up that mountain - only to have roll
back down again (Slight pause)
But once in awhile we meet
someone who may be strong
enough to reach the top and push
their rock over - and have the
courage to win (Lights fade to black)
END OF PLAY