Keys, Sonkin & Levinsohn
Newark Academy’s biennial 24-hour Playwriting Festival facilitated by Theater Director Rachel Shapiro Cooper with assistance from Arts Department faculty member and set guru Joey Yow culminated in three spectacular Black Box Theater performances by Advanced Acting/IB Acting students on January 26, 2018. Below is the full text of one of these amazing plays, “Healing Faster,” written by Kianni Keys ’19. In addition, the video includes all three performances. Kianni’s play begins at 25:00.
In the words of Ms. Shapiro Cooper, “These young artists came together and created meaningful pieces that ask essential questions. They will make you laugh, they will make you think, and they will make you proud.”
“From Time”
Written by Brian Robusto ’18
Directed by Harry Echtman ’18
Starring Dylan Gawron ’19, Nicholas Cicalese ’18 and Greg Gavenda ’18
“Healing Faster”
Written by Kianni Keys ’19
Directed by Gillian Cohen ’19
Starring Madeleine Levinsohn ’19, Natalie Sonkin ’18, Kianni Keys ’19 and Zachary Kessel ’19
“2 Kings 9:1”
Written by Elliott Zorintsky ’18
Directed by Claire Dempsey ’18
Starring Zachary Kessel ’19 and Anika McTamaney ’19
HEALING FASTER
By Kianni Keys
CHARACTERS:
INGRID MITCHELL- 18-20ish. A mechanic with a very casual personality that can sometimes come off as judgemental. Helpful, caring, and itching to work ever since she was put in the hospital.
CATHERINE (CATHY) YONDUE- 18-20ish. Youthful, (very) naive, and kind of spoiled ballerina. Never had to work for anything in her life but wants to accomplish something on her own. Very determined in all the wrong ways.
DOCTOR- 50s. Calm and experienced. Knows what everyone needs without them knowing. Nice gal who has developed enough of a friendship with Ingrid to check in on her to converse. Hospital chief but likes to be hands on.
SETTING:
Time: Early afternoon
Place: Turnhow County Hospital
(Lights up on a hospital room. INGRID, 18-20, comfortable clothes, is twiddling with the innards of a remote, bored out of her mind. Someone knocks on the door. Immediately, INGRID slips the remote under her pillow and pretends to sleep. Being too much action at once for her to handle, she puts her hand on her chest and takes a deep breath. The DOCTOR enters at this time.)
DOCTOR
(looking at a clipboard)
Good afternoon, Ingrid.
(The DOCTOR then notices INGRID struggling and rushes over to help. INGRID shoos her away)
INGRID
It’s nothing, doc. Just a little pressure.
DOCTOR
Are you sure? I was just going to tell you that you’re going to get a roommate-
INGRID
Really? Cool-
DOCTOR
I wanted you to know beforehand so you wouldn’t get startled-
INGRID
I’m fine, doc. Really. It’ll be nice to have some company.
DOCTOR
I know you’re not used to sharing a room, but I think some new energy would be good for you-
(At this moment a scream/wailing is heard. Two doctors roll another bed in with a super dramatic CATHY, in a leotard with a huge sweatshirt on and a tight bun, clinging desperately onto a radio, crying. Both the DOCTOR and INGRID stare blankly at the girl, who is flailing around in the bed, striking poses that are like when a dramatic actress was distressed in the 1900s.)
CATHY
OH IT HURTS SO MUCH AHHHH! I CAN’T BEAR IT! IT BURNS! I’M DYING!! (etc.)
INGRID
(whispering to the doctor, jokingly)
Thanks for the warning. I would’ve been dead by now.
(The DOCTOR nods in response then takes one look at CATHY, who has frozen in a classic, damsel in distress pose, deciding whether or not to talk to her. She walks towards her, then deeply reconsiders, quickly shuffling out of the room checking her watch. After she exits, CATHY, still frozen, peaks open with one eye, sees the doctor is gone, then quickly turns and lays down facing INGRID, holding the radio with one hand.)
CATHY
So how did I do?
INGRID
Excuse me?
CATHY
How did I do? With the whole “oh I’m dying” thing?
INGRID
(very confused about what’s going on)
Oh… um, you did fine, I guess.
CATHY
(scrunching up in an internal victory scrunch to self)
Yes!
INGRID
So, are you okay?
CATHY
Basically, yeah. This radio fell on my head when I was trying to get it off of the shelf during studio and I passed out. My head feels fine though.
INGRID
Crap, how long were you out for?
CATHY
(contemplating, one breath)
I don’t know. I remember reaching for the radio, then it dropping, then getting hit, then falling down, then hitting the floor, then staring at the ceiling, then people coming over and saying I fell and passed out-
INGRID
Wait… so you remember falling and hitting the floor…
CATHY
Yup.
INGRID
…And you didn’t see any black or anything….
CATHY
(reminiscing)
Well, I mean, I remember blinking.
INGRID
Right right. So you’re literally only here because people told you that you passed out?
CATHY
Yeah, I guess so.
INGRID
Okay then.
(A universal pause as they look around the room)
CATHY
I’m Catherine by the way. But you can call me Cathy.
(INGRID jumps a little then turns and pounds her chest once, taking a deep breath that is little enough for CATHY to ignore.)
INGRID
I’m Ingrid.
(Pause as CATHY stares at INGRID like she’s waiting for her to say a nickname.)
INGRID (con’t)
Yeah, it’s just Ingrid.
(beat)
Hey, why do you still have that radio with you?
CATHY
Oh, my dance studio’s far away from this hospital and I wanted listen to music on my way over, but it’s broken.
INGRID
(suddenly very interested)
Oh, I can help you with that.
(INGRID opens her arms, motioning for CATHY to give her the radio. She does, and INGRID embraces the radio like it’s a child.)
CATHY
I think that the inside like ruptured when it hit my head or something. Or maybe it’s just really old.
INGRID
(inspecting)
I doubt it. Looks brand new.
(INGRID looks at it for a second, fiddling with the buttons. She turns the radio upside down, opens the battery compartment, then slowly turns to CATHY, who is eagerly awaiting a diagnosis.)
INGRID (con’t)
… it just needs batteries.
CATHY
…Oh. Oops.
(CATHY looks around the room, slightly defeated. INGRID notices.)
INGRID
Hey, don’t worry about it. It’s not like you would know.
(realizes something)
I might just have what you need.
(INGRID reaches under her pillow, taking out the remote she was playing with before. She takes out the batteries and slides it into the radio. She pops on the back of the battery pack. Turns it on and MUSIC starts to play. CATHY looks at her, amazed.)
CATHY
Woah. You’re like the god of appliances.
INGRID
Most commonly known as a mechanic, but yes. I guess you could say that I am.
(They both listen to the music for a bit. Classical. CATHY gets up from her bed and starts to dance. It’s not drop dead amazing, but it isn’t horrible. INGRID, however, is extremely impressed.)
INGRID (con’t)
Woah. You’re like the god of dance.
CATHY
(smug)
Most commonly known as a ballerina, but yes. I guess you could say that I am.
(Both of them chuckle. CATHY continues to prance around the room. INGRID watches her then eventually looks at her shoes.)
INGRID
Aren’t those uncomfortable?
CATHY
(stops dancing)
What, these? No way, they’re super comfy. The ones with the wooden toes are the uncomfortable ones, but I always get mine specifically tailored so that they won’t make my toes bleed.
INGRID
Jesus. That sounds horrible.
CATHY
(shrugs)
Never happens to me.
INGRID
I never did ballet so I wouldn’t know.
CATHY
Really? I thought it was a right of passage for every girl to take like at least three years of it.
INGRID
(leans back)
Not in my family.
(Universal pause as they look around. CATHY then smells herself and pins it to the sweatshirt.)
CATHY
This sweatshirt smells horrible.
(taking it off)
Some person at the studio gave it to me.
INGRID
Well, they probably assumed you would be cold in a hospital. I mean that thing barely covers you.
(CATHY looks down. She’s wearing a skimpy leotard with tights and ballet shoes.)
CATHY
Yeah, I guess.
(Another universal pause as INGRID closely inspects the radio and CATHY starts to learn that it is in fact cold in the room.)
CATHY (con’t)
(shivering)
They were right, it is cold.
INGRID
Why don’t you just deal with the smell and wear it. You don’t even have a blanket.
CATHY
Can I share with you?
INGRID
What?
CATHY
Well, it’s just that you have so many blankets. Could we maybe share until I get mine?
INGRID
I don’t see why not.
(INGRID starts to gather one of her blankets to give CATHY but the girl immediately runs and jumps over to INGRID’s bed, sliding under the blankets. INGRID gets very confused.)
CATHY
Woah. It’s really warm. You must just lay here a lot.
INGRID
(jokingly)
No, the warmth is from the bedpan.
CATHY
(not detecting the joke)
Hm?
INGRID
You know, the bowl that under your bed that you go to the bathroom in-
CATHY
(immediately getting out of the bed, wiping herself off)
EWWW!
INGRID
(laughing)
I’m kidding, I’m kidding.
(seeing CATHY hurt)
Look, I’m sorry I grossed you out I was trying to be funny. You can come back if you want, I don’t really mind, we just misunderstood each other with the word ‘sharing’, that’s…
(Before she can finish, CATHY jumps back into bed with her.)
…//All.
CATHY
//Okay.
(CATHY snuggles up to INGRID, who starts breathing really hard. She pounds her fist on her chest and takes deep breaths. CATHY starts to freak out.)
CATHY (con’t)
(rapidly, worried)
Holy shit. Are you okay?
(pause as to have a major epiphany)
IS THIS WHAT DYING REALLY LOOKS LIKE?!?
(CATHY starts trying a bunch of things to revive a perfectly fine but struggling INGRID. Pushing down on her chest. Slapping her cheeks. Pulling her hair, etc.)
CATHY (con’t)
(internally)
Oh god, what do they do in those movies?
(CATHY starts to lean down to do CPR on INGRID but her episode gets worse and she starts to convulse. Mortified, CATHY takes the radio from INGRID, turns it off, then sits on her bed, crying. The minute CATHY steps away INGRID’s episode stops.)
INGRID
(slowly sitting up, smiling weakly)
Sorry to scare you. I do that sometimes. That’s why I’m here: weak heart.
CATHY
(still in shock from the incident)
Oh, okay. Are you sure I shouldn’t call the doctor or anything?
INGRID
No, I’m fine. Really.
CATHY
(timid)
Well, I guess you know yourself more than I do. I’m just gonna stay here though.
INGRID
Yeah, I don’t wanna freak you out again.
(Both of them lay back in their beds. CATHY starts to shiver again and INGRID gathers a blanket and throws it over to her. CATHY lays it out, smiling. They’re both now leaning back on their beds. CATHY starts to fiddle with the radio then lays it by her side. She then settles in.)
CATHY
So, how long have you been here?
INGRID
A while now. Maybe two, three months.
CATHY
Wow.
INGRID
Yeah. I have to stay in the trauma center because I can’t afford a private room.
CATHY
That sucks. I would’ve gotten a private room but I’m rebelling.
INGRID
(interested)
Rebelling against what?
CATHY
My parents.
INGRID
Your parents? Aren’t you like 20?
CATHY
Yeah? So? You are too… I think.
INGRID
Yes, I am, but shouldn’t you be past the rebellious stage by now? Also, how does getting a private room have anything to do with it?
CATHY
Well, because a private room would make me heal faster, and they would obviously pay for it.
INGRID
(sarcastic)
Right, of course they would.
CATHY
(not detecting sarcasm)
And I need to figure out how to earn something without my parents help. I mean I’m grateful and they’ve done so much for me, but I have a feeling that there’s a point where so much becomes too much.
(starts to sit up)
I don’t know. I wanted to be a ballerina so I became a ballerina, but that dream was when I was six and I didn’t get rejected so I didn’t have to consider anything else. I could’ve been a great chemist and I wouldn’t even know because my parents gave me a check instead of a math book.
(sits up facing INGRID)
You look like the type of person to get rejected a lot // so you were able to find your true passion as a mechanic.
INGRID
(kind of offended)
//Hey.
(after CATHY finishes)
I hope you know that’s kind of an insult.
CATHY
You see!? I didn’t know that was an insult because I was never punished for being mean. So I have to train myself and be rebellious now so I can become independent.
INGRID
Nice, but why would you pretend to faint?
CATHY
(confident in her plan)
It’s obvious: I faint, go to the hospital, survive in a hospital room with another person, and get better all by myself. It’ll be the first thing I will ever accomplish.
INGRID
(surprised)
The first?
CATHY
(proud)
Yup.
INGRID
(somewhat genuine)
That’s good for you. But you were wrong.
CATHY
Huh?
INGRID
You were wrong.
CATHY
About what? I thought that speech was pretty solid.
INGRID
(chuckling)
It was, don’t worry. But you said that I faced rejection to become a mechanic. That’s false. I’ve always wanted to be a mechanic. That was my six year old dream too.
(starts to sit up)
My dad was a truck driver and my mom was a housemaid, so I didn’t grow up as wealthy as you did, but that don’t think meant I wasn’t happy. Fixing phones, then stoves, then cars, that was my thing. Maybe you’re right. I might’ve been able to be a great chemist too, but I’d much rather have a wrench in my hand then a beaker.
(faces CATHY)
Look Cathy, you know how I got to this hospital?
CATHY
Weak heart, right?
INGRID
Right. Two-three months ago, I was working on a car that I’ve been tending to for years. Three years. She was a beautiful silver 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that got left on the side of the road one day. It was a blessing, and I wanted to give her to my dad for his 60th birthday.
CATHY
Aw. That’s so sweet.
INGRID
Yeah.
(INGRID looks down then schooches to the edge of the bed, tapping the spot next to her. CATHY carefully approaches and INGRID smiles.)
INGRID (con’t)
With me taking care of it for all these years, I decided to name her. I mean it was only fair. So the day came for me to drive it over to my dad’s favorite truck stop where the guys were putting together a little surprise party. My mom was gonna come when she finished her last shift.
(stands up and starts to walk around)
I parked the car in the back of the place next to this black BMW with a terrible finish. I was a little early but I decided to hang out with my dad until my mom came. I walked in the complex, and my dad was there, boinking some chick. My mom walked in at the exact same time. The girl sprinted out to the back and my mom followed her. My dad ran after them, calling out the chick’s name. But it was too late. She was hiding behind the car while my mom took a piece of cement and smashed the windows, the hood, the wheels everything. She went after the girl but the chick stood up and got in her black BMW with a bad finish, screeching away from the steaming pile of shit that was supposed to be my dad’s birthday present.
CATHY
Holy shit. I’m so sorry.
INGRID
Oh but that’s not the best part. See, the second that happened I had a heart attack. When I was in the hospital my parents came to visit, but when they entered the room, I had another. All the love in my heart was gone, sucked dry. Now I can’t see anyone or anything I love or I’ll have a heart attack and maybe the next one will be my last. That’s why I’m in here tinkering with remotes because if I look at a car, it’s over.
(INGRID sits back down on the bed, defeated. CATHY reaches out a hand to comfort her but then brings it back. She doesn’t know what to do.)
CATHY
(trying to lighten the mood)
So I came here for independence and you came here to get love back in your heart-
INGRID
Without dying-
(INGRID starts to breathe hard but tries to hide it.)
CATHY
(chuckling)
Yes, without dying.
(pause)
Is it bad that I chuckled at that? I’m still learning.
INGRID
No, you’re good.
(INGRID starts pounding her chest and breathing hard. CATHY panics again. And runs away to the other side of the room, but INGRID’s episode gets more violent the farther she gets away. CATHY starts to really freak out, then she has a realization. She grabs the radio and plays MUSIC. She prances around the room holding the radio then jumps on INGRID’s bed. INGRID should be back to pounding her chest and breathing violently but not as bad as before. CATHY sits INGRID up then pecks her on the cheek. Pause. INGRID stops pounding her chest and starts to breath normally. CATHY puts the radio in her hands and takes off her shoes. She puts them on INGRID, who’s still in shock.)
CATHY
You see? They’re comfy huh?
(INGRID nods silently. After listening to the music, INGRID leans in for a real kiss but CATHY stops her.)
CATHY (con’t)
(soft but impressed with herself)
I gave you just enough love to start to grow. It seems like a lot but good love grows over time. Well, we can’t overwhelm it or you’ll like almost die again, and I really can’t have that.
INGRID
Yeah, you’re right.
(beat)
But that usually sets me off, how did you know to do that?
CATHY
(gets up and walks to her bed)
I had a feeling.
INGRID
Come on. You just saved my life. And you didn’t use your parent’s money to do it. You accomplished your goal.
CATHY
You’re right. I earned something independently: you. HOLY CRAP YES!
(CATHY and INGRID start to celebrate to the classical music. As they settle down, INGRID contemplates.)
INGRID
So wait. How did you know how much love to give me?
CATHY
(turns to face INGRID)
Because I knew I could make up for the things that ran away.
INGRID
What?
CATHY
What was the name of the car and the chick?
(INGRID goes quiet)
CATHY (con’t)
Come on. What was it? You need to at least confirm.
(CATHY sits next to INGRID and they hold the radio together.)
INGRID
(extreme amount of meaning)
It was // Catherine.
CATHY
(same amount of meaning, staring into the distance)
Julie.
(there’s a pause as they stare at each other.)
INGRID
(correcting her)
Catherine.
CATHY
(still staring into the distance)
Catherin- Ohhhh.
(pause as she looks at INGRID)
Awwww.
INGRID
(chuckling)
Don’t worry. I still need you.
CATHY
That’s good.
(pause)
I can’t wait to tell my parents about this. They’ll be so excited.
(CATHY runs to her bed and digs her phone out of her bag, calling her mom.)
INGRID
(to herself, sarcastic)
I really hope my kids end up being as rebellious as you.
(CATHY puts the phone away and comes back.)
INGRID (con’t)
Wow. That was fast. I didn’t even hear you say anything.
CATHY
Why would I talk to my mom on the phone when she’s right down the hall?
INGRID
What?
(There’s a knock on the door as the DOCTOR comes in, smiling like an evil schemer.)
DOCTOR
You called?
INGRID
WHAT?
(CATHY springs up from her bed, dancing and singing all the way to INGRID, putting her arms around her)
CATHY
(sing songy)
Mommy, this is Ingrid. I will now give her the she needs to love to fix her heart. And I’m also super independent now.
DOCTOR
Okay, princess.
INGRID
(trying to comprehend the situation, to CATHY)
Wait. You decided to get independence from your parents by literally going to the hospital that you mom is head doctor at.
CATHY
Yup.
INGRID
(to DOCTOR)
And you put your daughter into the same room as me so she can learn from me how to be independent.
DOCTOR
Mmhm.
(Beat.)
INGRID
I don’t think you know what independence means.
BLACKOUT