DOREEN
A dramatic monologue from Revelations
By Warren H. Gore
DOREEN
It’s good to have friends in hard times like these.
(Beat.)
You know, Corky, when Big John moved out, I asked him what I had done wrong. He thought for a minute, and then he said, “Doreen, you haven’t done a thing wrong. You just haven’t done a thing—period.” But I have, Corky. I took all these little pieces of plaster, and I sanded them, and I painted them, and I fired them . . . and I brought them to life. Every time Big John made fun of me—I made a new piece. Every time he complained about my cookin’ or my cleanin’—I made a new piece. And every time he didn’t come home at night—I made a new piece.
(Beat.)
You know, Corky, sometimes when I’m feelin’ sad, I’ll just pick up this clown I made. I’ll look at his silly little smile, and after a while, I’m smilin’ too.
(Beat.)
Or if I get to feelin’ that I’m not worth much, I’ll take a look at this bird. Do you know that I painted every feather on its back by hand? Most people wouldn’t have the patience to do that.
(Beat.)
And when I get to feelin’ so lonely that I don’t think I can take it any longer, I’ll just take a look around and see that I’ve got hundreds of little friends watchin’ over me and keepin’ me company.
(Beat.)
Big John says I haven’t done nothin’. But I have, Corky.
(Beat.)
I’ve survived.
From the play REVELATIONS by Warren H. Gore. Available for auditions and classroom use. For the complete play, please contact the playwright.