This play by Joelle Gross ’18, written for the Page to Stage June Term course when she was a freshman, was a 2016 finalist in the New Jersey Young Playwrights Competition. Enjoy!
DOUBLE EXPOSURE
by
Joelle Gross
CHARACTERS:
CATHY, 25, overly self-critical, ambitious
CATHY’S REFLECTION, ageless, the side of CATHY that is witty, opinionated, kind
MS. MURPHY, 53, uptight, ad agency executive
TIME: 2:36pm
PLACE: a women’s restroom in an office building
(As the lights come up, we find a very frustrated CATHY standing in front of the mirror and sink in the women’s restroom. She is angrily scrubbing a coffee stain out of her shirt with a paper towel. CATHY’S REFLECTION stands directly in front of her mirroring her motions exactly. They are dressed identically. Ideally Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror would be playing. After a few moments of scrubbing, the music fades. CATHY looks defeated and faces the mirror)
CATHY
UGHHH. This isn’t coming out!
(Ultimately giving up she throws the paper towel in the garbage)
That went okay. Right?
REFLECTION
Let’s just say Jennifer Lawrence tripping at the Oscars was more poised and graceful than that interview.
CATHY
(Trying to defend herself)
I think you may be exaggerating a little…
REFLECTION
Kim Kardashian’s nude selfies are more tasteful-
CATHY
(Cutting her off, more defensively)
Hey, wait a second-
REFLECTION
(Continuing her train of thought)
Anthony Weiner’s-
CATHY
(Cutting her off, urgently)
OKKKAYYY. We’re definitely done with that. Seriously though, it wasn’t that bad right? I was charming, professional. I came across fairly intelligent. I made her laugh. You know, with that joke?
REFLECTION
Which joke again? Remind me.
CATHY
Oh you know, she said something about the deal with Nike falling through and I was like, “Oh I guess you guys just couldn’t do it, huh?”
(laughs awkwardly to herself)
REFLECTION
(Realizing)
Oh yeah!
(Deadpans)
That was awful.
CATHY
(Throwing her hands up)
There goes another job interview! What’s that like five this month? And all the responses are-
BOTH
(Motions air quotes)
“We’ll be in touch”
CATHY
Which is just them trying to cushion the blow.
(there may be a little seat she plops into)
Honestly, this one’s probably for the best. I mean look at this place! Even the bathroom is depressing. Who in their right mind could channel their creative juices surrounded by so much… gray! The cubicles are gray, the coffee is gray, the people are gray! The youngest looked like she was pushing 45 at least. Also, did you notice not one person looked happy? No, not one person looked alive. Actually, I was little concerned that one guy might really be-
REFLECTION
(Cutting her off)
Cath-
CATHY
Let me finish. That woman who interviewed me… Ms. Murphy, I think it was… She was so uptight! An ad agency needs vibrancy not some middle aged yawn. It needs some fired up millennial to rally the troops around great ideas. Also, did you notice the spinach in her teeth? How embarrassing!
REFLECTION
(Gestures to her teeth)
You might wanna…
CATHY
You’ve got to be kidding me!
(Beat. She looks at her shirt)
So, I guess this shirt is ruined?
REFLECTION
Sorry sweetie. Doesn’t look like that’s coming out anytime soon. Why did you even have to gesture with your arms like that anyway?
CATHY
(Gesturing with her arms in the same way)
I wanted to emphasize how enthusiastic I am and I just-
REFLECTION
(Cutting her off)
Knocked over her mug, spilling coffee on your blouse while ruining all the papers on her desk?
CATHY
(Slightly awkward)
So…ha-ha…I guess that joke isn’t looking that bad after all?
REFLECTION
(Struggling to think of something)
She liked your ideas…about… about… well?
CATHY
(Dramatically)
It’s official. I’m never going to work again.
REFLECTION
That’s not true!
(Looks around)
They always need someone to clean the bathrooms!
CATHY
(Getting upset)
That’s it. I’m done. I’ve been on countless interviews and spoken to a dozen “Ms. Murphys” but none of them turned into anything. It’s got to be me. I just don’t have it.
REFLECTION
(Growing serious)
Cathy, listen to me-
CATHY
I’m really not going to get anywhere in this business!
(Beat)
I guess I could leave the city-
REFLECTION
Wait a second-
CATHY
Move back home. Mom and Dad have room in the basement-
REFLECTION
Hey hold on-
CATHY
Adopt a cat. Maybe three-
REFLECTION
(Frustrated)
Alright! This isn’t working for me anymore.
CATHY
(Torn out of her lament)
What isn’t?
REFLECTION
This. Us.
CATHY
(Clearly confused)
Ex-excuse me?
REFLECTION
Yeah, you know what Cathy? I’m done.
(REFLECTION begins to walk off stage)
CATHY
Um… hello? Where do you think you’re going?
(Realizing the REFLECTION isn’t stopping)
Hey! Wait a second! We’re kind of a package deal here!
REFLECTION
I’m sorry Cathryn. You just won’t listen to a thing I’m trying to say. I know I tease you, but I do want to help. Honestly, I’m sick and tired of your complaining.
(Beat)
So, if you’ll excuse me.
(Continues off stage)
CATHY
(Confused, she tries to guilt her. REFLECTION stops when CATHY speaks)
It’s not like you’re perfect either! You think I’d be better off mopping the floors!
REFLECTION
I’m just trying to show you that once in a while you need to laugh at yourself.
(Leaving again)
CATHY
Wait!
(Realizing she has no other option. She speaks heepishly)
Please don’t leave. I need you. I do. I might not always admit it, but it’s true. Please don’t make me beg.
REFLECTION
Well, it would certainly help…
(CATHY begins to get on one knee. REFLECTION stops her)
I’m just kidding. But seriously, Cath, we can’t go on like this. We can’t! You can get a job. You just need to stop…thinking.
CATHY
What? I’m not following.
REFLECTION
You’re trying too hard to impress her, when it’s totally unnecessary. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be charming but that’s not the point of these interviews. The point is to show how wickedly creative and talented you really are.
CATHY
That’s what I want to do… but-
REFLECTION
It’s easier than you think.
CATHY
I’m not so sure.
REFLECTION
I definitely am. Next interview, go in there, and just speak from your heart about how you can make the business better.
CATHY
I guess I could-
REFLECTION
You’ve got the ideas! Share them! Show your passion for them! They’re pretty fantastic.
CATHY
(Slowly gaining some confidence)
Yeah, I guess they are.
REFLECTION
Let’s hear more of that. You’re pretty great at this. Stop overthinking ever single word you say in an interview. I know it’s scary.
(Beat)
Besides, you’re practically a professional by now.
CATHY
What?
REFLECTION
You’ve been on so many interviews, you’re basically a “professional interviewee” at this point.
CATHY
(Takes her a moment, but she begins to like this idea)
I guess I am. I’m a pro at this.
REFLECTION
You’re gonna kill the next one. I feel it.
(Beat. REFLECTION thinks for a moment)
Actually, care to make it interesting?
CATHY
Sure. What do you have in mind?
REFLECTION
I bet you ten bucks you’ll get the very next interview you go on.
CATHY
(Thinks it over)
Deal.
(They shake hands)
(Just then we hear a toilet flush. CATHY and REFLECTION freeze and look quite pale. The woman who interviewed CATHY, MS. MURPHY, steps out of the stall. There is a lengthy silence. MS. MURPHY washes her hands and takes a paper towel. It is very awkward for everyone)
MS MURPHY
(She is about to leave the bathroom)
Cathy?
CATHY
(Sheepishly)
Oh.. uh.. Ms. Murphy…
MS. MURPHY
(Trying hard to be nice but clearly she is faking it)
It was-uh- very nice to meet you.
CATHY
You too.
MS. MURPHY
(As MS MURPHY is about to exit she looks in the mirror and inspects the spinach in her teeth. Clearly she heard everything. She speaks dryly)
We will…be in touch.
REFLECTION
This is your chance, Cath! Go for it!
CATHY
Wha-what?
REFLECTION
This is your opportunity. Remember what I said.
(Giving CATHY a little nudge, REFLECTION disappears off stage)
CATHY
Ms. Murphy? Wait!
(CATHY grabs her arm. Realizing she has her attention, she lets go)
S-Sorry. I just need to tell you something.
MS MURPHY
Frankly Cathy I don’t have time for-
CATHY
(Stuttering a bit)
Please. Just two minutes.
(MS MURPHY rolls her eyes and begrudgingly accepts)
I know you heard me say that you’re uptight…
MS MURPHY
(Angrily)
I’ll have you know-
CATHY
(Cutting her off. MS MURPHY tries to listen)
Let me explain. It’s not you. Really, it’s these offices! They’re not helping this company inspire great ideas. If you give me a chance, my ideas can bring life to this place.
MS MURPHY
You say that but-
CATHY
(Rambling)
But, I can. How about painting the walls a different shade to make the space feel brighter? And get rid of the cubicles and replace them with round tables so that co-workers can interact, bounce ideas off one another-
MS MURPHY
(Slightly amused)
Go on…
CATHY
(Starting to feel more comfortable in her newfound confidence)
You should hire me. I know I messed up the interview, badly.
(MS MURPHY makes a face signifying how bad)
That’s all besides the point because I am going to be really good at this job. It wouldn’t be a mistake hiring me because I am going to give this everything I got. This-advertising- is my passion. I am creative. I am!
(MS. MURPHY still looks skeptical. CATHY realizes she needs to come up with something big)
You mentioned a deal with Dunkin Donuts earlier, right?
MS MURPHY
(Intrigued)
I did. What did you… have in mind?
CATHY
I’m thinking something simple.
MS MURPHY
(Dismissive)
Simple? Certainly not, it’s the 50th anniversary of Dunkin Donuts. Simple isn’t going to cut it.
CATHY
Just hear me out. We keep it simple to show the roots of Dunkin Donuts as a local donut shop. Maybe an ad where multiple generations enter a Dunkin Donuts shop of today and they are immediately transported back to one from 1966.
MS MURPHY
(Looks up and pictures it)
Well…
CATHY
(Really trying to sell her idea)
Simple. Fun. Nostalgic. I mean it’s just a starting point. We have so many possibilities from there.
(Silence for a bit. MS MURPHY is considering)
I know this is stupid, practically begging for a job in the middle of a bathroom. But that’s because I’m a little out there, spontaneous, crazy. But, isn’t that what this industry is all about? Crazy, spontaneous, out-there people being creative? I can do this, Ms. Murphy. Trust me.
MS. MURPHY
Well I am fascinated by your idea and I do appreciate your honesty.
CATHY
You do?
MS. MURPHY
(Honestly)
Well, it’s certainly true what you have said. I have been afraid for God knows how long that this place was starting to have the atmosphere of a morgue.
(Reflective)
I just couldn’t admit it. Until, well, until now.
(Beat)
So, I should probably tell you that it’s imperative that you get here at 9am sharp because Carl always likes starting the morning conference early. He says the early-
CATHY
(Cutting her off)
You mean, I got the job?
MS MURPHY
If anyone is going to turn this place around, it’s going to be a crazy person like you.
CATHY
Oh, thank you!… I guess.
(Beat)
You won’t regret this.
MS MURPHY
Just don’t give me a reason to.
(CATHY nods, overjoyed. They shake hands. MS MURPHY turns towards CATHY just before she is going to leave)
Oh and Cathy? One more thing…
CATHY
Yeah?
MS MURPHY
From what I overheard earlier…
CATHY
(Completely embarrassed)
Oh right. You heard all of that. Yeah?
MS MURPHY
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
CATHY
I-I get that a lot.
MS MURPHY
(Begins to leave, stops herself)
Oh, and don’t talk to yourself in public restrooms. It’s weird.
CATHY
(Blushes)
I’ll remember that. Thank you.
(MS. MURPHY exits. CATHY turns back to the mirror, straightens out her collar, and stands up tall. She lets out a sigh of relief. She looks down at the coffee stain on her shirt and smiles as if it’s growing on her. Just as she is about to walk off stage she turns around as if she forgot something. Looking into the mirror frame for REFLECTION she realizes she is gone. She shuffles around in her pocket for a moment. She takes out a crumpled ten-dollar bill and gently leaves it on the edge of the sink. Lights fade as she exits. Man in the Mirror is played once again.)