dankrubis

INT - blank room - Day

A small, white room, completely bare besides a table and a chair, one of which is occupied by a sickly woman, DONNA. She stares intently at the table top as she taps her left foot and right fingers in unison. She's also biting the nails of her left hand. Like the trigger to explode a bomb, BELLA walks into the room. Instead of going off, Donna stops her nervous habits, composing herself in Bella's presence. Bella doesn't sit.

BELLA
And how are we feeling today, Donna?

DONNA
Donna feels like ass, how are you feeling today?

Bella lets out a mute, laughing sigh with her answer.

BELLA
Can't complain.

DONNA
So when in the fuck are you guys gonna let me out of here?

BELLA
Whenever your parents give the O.K.... Or when you turn eighteen.

Donna rolls her head back and laughs.
DONNA
You mean I'm out of this Hell in two weeks?

Bella shuffles through her papers. She finds the one she wants.

BELLA
Well, would you look at that...

DONNA(laughing)
Nice. Until then, you guys could up my methadone. You really misjudged the amount of shit I was on.

BELLA
We're trying to ween you off of it, not keep you addicted.

DONNA
Jesus, this is like cruel and unusual punishment over here.

BELLA
Nobody said drugs were fun.

DONNA
Yes, they are. Getting them taken away sucks. You guys need to alter your method of teaching. You're as fun as the Bible.

BELLA
What are you going to do when you get out?

DONNA
Shoot up with the first needle I find.

BELLA
What's the point, Donna? Why heroin? What are you running away from?

DONNA
I don't know if you've noticed this or not, but most of life sucks while sober. Christ, I don't even know why I'm talking to you. You've obviously happy and stupid. I mean, you've made it your job in life to get people to feel better about themselves, what a waste.

Bella sits back, stunned. She doesn't lose it.

BELLA
If life sucks, why don't you kill yourself?

DONNA
Believe me, I've tried.

BELLA
Have you ever read "The Catcher in the Rye?"

DONNA
If you even try to compare me to come retarded, immature little brat, I'm gonna get pissed. (Beat) My God, what are you doing? First, you give me the whole "If life sucks, then why don't you kill yourself instead of escaping it with drugs" routine, and now you're trying to make me see the teenage angst in myself through a book written more than fifty years ago? How many years of college did you get through?

They sit in silence, staring at one another.

BELLA
You know, you're right.

Donna looks around the room, unbelieving.

DONNA
About... what?

BELLA
About everything. I chose one of the easiest majors for college and I still wasn't smart enough to be a psychiatrist.

Donna's eyes widen as she sits back in her chair.

DONNA
I'm.. I'm sorry....

Bella shakes her head, laughing.

BELLA
You just completely proved yourself wrong.

DONNA
What?

BELLA
That feeling you just had. Of embarrasment. Of pity. But more than that, it was of fear. Fear that you could live such a life. Thats why you do it. Fear. You don't do it because life sucks. Here's a news flash. Life sucks for everyone. Not just you. Sure, there are some high points, but most of the time, the hours, it's just a long low. Is the world population hooked on heroin? No. It's pussie like you that get scared and need to shoot shit into your body. You're a smart girl, and you want to be successful, so get the fuck out there and do it. Stop being afraid and reciting this "life sucks so I'm excused to escape it every chance I get" routine. It really doesn't work for you. Oh yeah, I forgot. You've been released. Round two of life just started for you. Now get your shit, get the fuck out there, and see if you can live it this time.

Donna, stunned, gets up and walks to the door. She stops, staring at Bella.

DONNA
Who's the big shot that said there was something wrong with escaping reality?

Bella starts to speak, then stops. They both stare at one another.