Normalization
M = me. S = my soul. O = the other.
M stands in the middle, in the front. To her left and back stands S, and to her right, O.
(M and S are standing where they will be standing for the rest of the act)
M: I'm going dancing in the bars.
S: I'm exhausted. Let's stay in.
M: I'll have fun.
S: Why would you now? Is it any different than any of the other times that you go and you hate it that you've gone, but you stay for the sake of some stupid principle and make it less fun for everyone else involved?
M: my goodness! Am I a sad case or what?
S: Kate...
(O enters)
M: hi...
O: what's your name?
M: Kate
S: you don't care about him.
M: what's yours?
O: (appears to answer. Nothing is heard)
S: he's not even a good dancer. At least you can dance.
(Pause)
M: Don't you like to dance?
S: he doesn't seem to be having very much fun at all.
O: I love the way you dance.
S: see? He doesn't care. He's thinking about he has to maintain you and keep you happy. He probably doesn't even think you're attractive.
O: Where do you live?
S: you should leave. He should leave. Get away.
M: my roommate's home.
O: my place?
S: No.
M: let's go.
S: his hands are cold. He shouldn't seem so afraid of me. Where are we going? Kate, please get away.
O: are you okay?
M: yeah. Fine.
S: way to hesitate. Look at how all your baggage shows. He knows you're fucked up. He's going to hate you.
O: this is my place. My roommate shouldn't be home for a while. I'll put a note on the door.
S: tell him there's no need for a note on the door. Get the fuck out of here.
O: you're so sexy.
S: lie.
O: I love your skin.
S: I'm so pale you can see my veins. I turn red when you touch me. My arms are freaky from muscle changes.
O: you're so intelligent. You're the only girl who's been able to make me feel dense.
S: Have we talked? Is the limit of your intellect directions to your dorm?
M: we haven't really talked... what are you talking about?
O: it's not a bad thing. It's a credit to you.
M: right.
S: amazing. I didn't want to be proven right that men say that to get into my pants.
O: you taste so good... like woman.
S: oh! He's touching... no, that's too close. It's happening again... I'm going to get sick...
M: (starts to cry) (said almost at the same time as S) I'm going to get sick....
O: what?
M: please don't touch me like that.
S: now he's going to hate you. He'll think I'm a freak. No one will ever want me again.
O: Kate...
S: just let it go. Get out of here. You did it with Niles, and he just let you go. He never even called you. He had your number. He knows where you live. I bet he thinks you ran away because he has a small penis. It wasn't really, but he was insecure about it. And you don't even talk to Quinn. That is so stressful, though. You need to get yourself out now, before anything bad happens.
M: again.
S: again. As if it could. Don't let it. It's up to you.
M: I have posttraumatic stress disorder.
O: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something uncomfortable.
M: It's not your fault
S: it's all your fault. I want to cut off your penis.
M: here... (Takes off clothing, has on lingerie)
S: am I more attractive to you now?
O: you are incredible
S: fuck you.
M: how about if I kiss you?
O: unbelievable
S: fuck you. You won't believe the pain I want you to feel. I'm inflicting it on your right now. Can you tell?
M: how about if I let you touch my breasts, ass, and thighs?
O: you feel wonderful.
S: fuck you. I'm a piece of shit. You're a piece of shit.
M: how about if I touch your cock with my hands?
O: oh, Kate...
S: fuck you
M: if I kiss it?
O: oh, Kate...
S: fuck you
M: if I suck it?
O: oh, I'm going to cum....
S: FUCK YOU!
O: wow.
S: do you want me now? Do you love me now? Am I beautiful to you now? Fuck you.
M: what if I fuck you?
S: I don't want to have sex with you. (Pause) you can't use condoms. You need to have him tested for STDs. Wasn't chlamydia enough for you? That was at least curable. And will he be a good lover? You have so many people you can never have again. It's such a waste. You are such trash. Terrible trash.
O: I wish I could have made you cum.
S: for your pride or my pleasure?
M: it's okay. I'm inorgasmic.
S: I wasn't before. I wasn't before. I've had an orgasm before. I have to. You have no clue how badly I want to.
M: it's nice to lie in your arms.
O: (sighs)
S: no what are you thinking of? Are you thinking of me? Will you send me flowers? No, because I'm a slut. Will you call me? I never gave you my number. I won't. I never want to see you again. I can't believe I had sex with you. Can I not control myself?
(Pause)
O: do you mind if I go take a smoke?
M: No. Go.
(O leaves)
S: he doesn't love you.
M: that's not what I wanted.
S: what did you want?
M: I wanted to feel wanted. I wanted to feel sexy. I wanted to feel beautiful and adored.
S: did you get that?
M: I feel like a slut. I feel like a clumsy and ugly slut.
S: should we go?
M: I can't believe I stayed so long.
S: we never should have come here.
M: I didn't know it would be like this.
S: yes you did.
M: I know. I'm sorry.
S: he didn't even take off his socks.
M: fuck you.
S: when are you going to get over that?
M: fuck you. You can't expect me to be whole after something like that.
S: it was over a year and a half ago. Why can't you be normal?
M: I'm so weak....
"Normalization"
IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED,
PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE
AUTHOR
"Normalization" debuted March 23, 2001, performed by Kate Chisolm, Jeanelle Sims, Phil Nohl.
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