The Session
Stephanie P.

Cast:

Shrink - a man of about thirty with already graying hair and weary eyes. He wants to help Gabriel in his situation and is intent on curing him. He works to help others and always works toward his goal with unyielding determination.

Gabriel – a man in his twenties with raven black hair and green eyes. He is a confused man and lives his life in fear and despair. He only wants for things to go back to how they were when he was a child. Of course the past can’t be undone, so he seeks the Shrink’s help to ease his pain.

Mr. Brown – a man in his late years with a brown shaggy beard and brown hair. His heart is filled with kindness and only wishes to help in the situation. He enjoys his life on his farm with his daughter, Laura, but will put it aside to help out Gabriel.

Setting:

The scene takes place in the Shrink’s office. The office consists of two chairs, a lamp, pictures on the wall, a desk, and various statues. It is lit dimly and the chairs and carpet are a deep red. The room has a sense of peace in it and is comforting. There is a slight smell of cinnamon trailing through the room. Resting on the desk is a bowl of apples.The apples are various colors and are ripe and shiny. The pictures on the walls consist of Mona Lisa, Starry Night, and Still Life. Some of the statues are of naked women and some are of naked men. There is also a Betty Boop bobble head toy sitting on the desk. On the far side of the room is a small window with blood red shutters.

(Curtain rises. A man of around thirty and a young man in his twenties sit together. The man of thirty sits in a chair and is holding a notebook and pen. The other man is also sitting in a chair but under different circumstances. The older man starts off.)

Shrink: Okay Gabriel, may I call you Gabriel?

Gabriel: Yes, that’s fine.

Shrink: Now, try and remember your life before the incident.

Gabriel: (Hesitates then begins) I was a child then. I lived with my parents in a wealthy neighborhood. We loved each other very much and everything was perfect. I had a dog, too. His name was Spot. (Voice cracks) I never found out what happened to him.

Shrink: Tell me, Gabriel: Why was this dog so special to you?

Gabriel: Well…he was my only friend. All the other kids rejected me and I had no one to look to for companionship.

Shrink: Why was that? Did you try and talk to the other kids?

Gabriel: Yes! I tried so much! (Calms down) But I was a quiet child and I usually kept to myself. Maybe that’s why they did it; maybe that’s why they didn’t like me.

Shrink: Listen to me, Gabriel. You are a wonderful man and a good person. If they couldn’t see that then you were better off with out them. There are plenty of people in the world and you still have a long life ahead of you.

Gabriel: I guess you are right; after all, you are the shrink. (Sighs) But still, thinking about all those years I lost and what I could’ve had just makes me….. (Voice cracks)

Shrink: That’s right, let it all out. (There is silence while Gabriel controls himself.) Are you ready to keep going?

Gabriel: Yes…yes I think so.

Shrink: Are there any important events in your childhood that you would like to reveal to me? That’s okay if you don’t. After all, I’m only here to help.

Gabriel: I….I….

Shrink: Take your time. We’ve still got an hour.

Gabriel: Well, ok. (Takes a deep breath) It was like any other ordinary day. I was sitting in class and thinking about coming home to my parents. I always missed them and was always overjoyed to see them after school. And then…then they came. They told me there had been an accident, a terrible accident. I couldn’t believe they were here to see me. What could have happened to me that was so terrible? I thought my life was perfect and that nothing would ever happen to change it. I was wrong. (Stops and takes another deep breath) They told me there had been a fire at my house. After they said that, I had hope. At least my parents hadn’t died in a terrible car accident or something. And so what if our house burnt to the ground? I still had my family. Then they finished the story. My parents had been in the house when it happened. They were dead, burnt to the ground along with my heart. Dead! And no one could do anything! What about those so called firemen? What had they done to save my parents? Nothing! They just sat there and watched!

Shrink: Now, Gabriel, we can’t blame others for what happened. It was an accident. If there was anything those men could’ve done to save your parents they would have done it.

Gabriel: No! Someone is responsible! Someone is at fault! (Starts to cry) Someone could have saved them……(Wipes his eyes and tries to calm down)

Shrink: I understand your anger and I know why you feel you have to blame someone but that’s just not how it works. Things happen in this world that are fair and unfair. The only way you can live through them is to hope for the best and move on. I’m not saying you should forget about your parents, because that would be possibly the worst thing to do. Instead you should remember the good times you had with them and how much you love them.

Gabriel: You are right, about everything. (A faint blush appears on his face) I guess I acted kind of silly. I apologize.

Shrink: There’s no need to apologize. You acted the way anyone who has lost someone would act. The good thing is you have come to realize the truth, and that’s what will help you recover.

Gabriel: I guess……

Shrink: Ok, now can you tell me what happened after the fire?

Gabriel: (Pauses then begins) After the fire, all I wanted to do was get away. I wasn’t thinking right, so I ran away. I didn’t know where I was running to and I just wanted to escape the news about my parents and the fire. I kept running until I came to the woods. I didn’t even think about getting lost so I kept going. I ran and ran until I couldn’t anymore. I stopped to rest and realized I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t even care and I laid down and fell asleep. After that my memory is kind of blurry.

Shrink: Go on.

Gabriel: I grew up in the forest and learned to adapt to the environment. I always thought about going back to civilization but was too afraid to face my fears. As the years passed I started to forget about how I got here and the life I had before. Finally I lost all memory of my former life and soon lost my sanity. I was a creature of the forest. (The lights dim on the scene and move to down stage left. The scene takes place in a dark forest. There is no wind passing through the trees. In the center of the forest, the silence is eternal. The trees are unmoving, as if twisted bodies with silent cries of protest caught in their throats. There are no birds chirping, no wind blowing, and no sunlight shining. The only vegetation is the dark hollow trees, their branches bare. The forest itself seemed silent as death, without a living creature in sight. Suddenly a tiny wail echoed through the forest. The wail came again, this time from the hollow of a large twisted tree. Inside there was a slight movement and a shuffle. Slowly a creature emerged from the tree, eyes darting wildly. He was hunched over in a deformed position, barely being able to stand. The creature’s face and body covered in wild tangled hair, dark as ravens’ feathers. He was weak and thin, his lithe body exposing petite ribs. The awkward position of his feet caused him to move in a penguin like shuffle. His face was thin, dirty brown, and narrow. Perhaps the most striking feature of the creature was his eyes. They were a deep sea green hue, so wild and full of complexity, but with a twinkle hinting intelligence. The eyes revealed a former life, maybe one filled with more joy and comfort. Maybe a long time ago he was civilized, but not any more. The only other thing the creature had that hinted he had a former life was a picture. The edges were brown and black as though they had been burnt. The picture was of a man, a woman, and a very young boy. This was the only thing of importance in his life, the only reason he hadn’t given up hope. The lights dim on the scene and return to center stage. Gabriel shakes himself as though breaking from a trance. The Shrink waits patiently for him to recover. Then he continues.)

Shrink: That must have been hard for you, losing everything that you once knew.

Gabriel: It was. But I learned to live. I found shelter in the hollow of a tree and hunted for my own food. There was a pond by my home that I would find water and a sense of calm. It was my favorite place to go. I used to sit by the pond and watch my reflection. That’s were I found Tainter. (A sad look comes upon his face)

Shrink: Now who is this Tainter? Was he another part of you?

Gabriel: Yes…and no. He was a part of me because he was my reflection. He was what I had become in my years of solitude. But he wasn’t the real me hidden inside. He wasn’t the young and innocent Gabriel that I knew. (Another part of the stage lights up and reveals a pond and Gabriel sitting next to it. The reason for his continuous visits to the pond was because he held a secret. He had a friend. This friend was a dear, true friend, who had always appeared when he traveled to the pond. The friend always seemed to know when he was coming because he would show up at the exact time the creature would. They would stare at each other for hours, until the creature had to depart. The thing he liked about his friend was that he didn’t judge him; the friend would just stare at him with dark green eyes. The creature also felt self confidence when around his friend. The friend made him feel handsome and divine, for the friend’s body looked twisted and hunched over, not ugly, but just deformed. But he kept his pride to himself, never wanting to hurt his friend for he didn’t want to be abandoned.) While I was insane he took over. I thought he was my friend and was trying to help me. I wanted that so bad because of the kids rejecting me at school. He was my only friend and I always listened to him.

Shrink: Was he a good friend? What I mean is did he help you out of your state?

Gabriel: No. He didn’t want anything good for me. He wanted to keep me in the forest forever. I didn’t know of anything outside the forest and he wanted to keep it that way. He kept me in my prison and I always listened to him. When he told me to do or not do things I always obeyed because I thought he was looking out for me. I thought he was a true friend. I was ignorant even in my crazed state. I should have known he wasn’t helping me. I should have known I was a lunatic.

Shrink: Now, Gabriel. What did we say before about blaming people? You couldn’t have known he was bad and you couldn’t have known you were insane. Living in solitude for years can do things to a person’s mind. It wasn’t your fault. You needed a companion and you needed it so bad that you didn’t realize the truth. It is a normal human necessity to have companionship and without it you can go mad. That’s all that happened.

Gabriel: I know I know. But I still can’t help thinking that some part of me could’ve ended it sooner. It would have given back so much of my life.

Shrink: But now you do have your life back so you must have overcome it. There is part of this story still to be told. Go on, please.

Gabriel: I went through my days in the company of Tainter. He always told me what to do, and now that I think about it he never gave me a choice of my own. One day I went searching outside the forest and had an encounter with a man and his daughter. Back then, I didn’t know what or who they were. Fear overcame curiosity and I fled back into the woods. That’s when Tainter scolded me for leaving and he told me if I ever did it again he would leave me forever. I was scared I would lose my only friend and I obeyed him. But for the next few days all I could think about were the creatures I met and soon I was venturing out again. I felt the need to see them again and I couldn’t control myself. (Again the lights dim on the scene and focus this time on down stage right. The scene takes place out in a meadow just at the brink of the forest. Gabriel is standing there and is confronted by a creature. The creature was about four feet tall with a pale, hairless body except for on top of its head where there was a crop of strawberry blond hair. The creature wore a strange sort of covering with yellow flowers all over it. Also it held a strange piece of woven wood containing blueberries inside. It stood there with a look of wonder and terror, very much like the one Gabriel had on a moment ago.

Gabriel stood frozen, unsure of what to do. His first instinct was to bolt back into the forest, his sanctuary. But something stronger than instinct kept him rooted to the ground: curiosity. He wasn’t sure if this creature was a threat or something to eat. He stood very still, not wanting to cause any trouble until he was sure of himself. Who would make the first move he wondered? Would they stand here forever, locked in each others stares until one of them fell dead?

The problem was solved for him when another taller figure rushed from the trees. This creature looked like the smaller one except for the amount of hair on its face was larger. Gabriel thought this one looked more like him but less hairy and again had a strange sort of covering on itself. The taller creature also held something in his hand and gripped it so tightly that Gabriel thought it would snap in half. The object was shiny, long, and thin. It was made of wood and had strange curves on it. For some strange reason the object gave Gabriel a uneasy feeling and almost made him run for cover. It wasn’t the bizarre look of the object that scared Gabriel the most but the assault of memories it sent flooding into him. He had seen that thing before, had maybe even held it. The gasp of the taller creature brought Gabriel back to the present where he had more important things to worry about.

The tall one quickly pulled the smaller one behind him and pointed the object at Gabriel.

“Who are you?” he asked in a threatening voice.

Gabriel was yet again shocked and surprised when he heard the strange language that he only spoke with Tainter. “I….Gabriel,” he stated, rather lamely thumping his fist against his chest.

“Where do you live? Are you alone?” the creature asked rather curiously.

Gabriel was nervous and for some unknown reason his face grew hot and he felt the need to cover himself. He started to point toward the forest but stopped in midair.

“Gabriel…Gabriel,” Tainter’s voice called to him, beckoning him to leave these creatures and come back to his home. Gabriel started to retreat slowly, afraid the creatures would attack.

“Wait, where are you going? I can help you!” the creature said while taking a step forward. That was the wrong thing to do. Gabriel bolted into the forest, running as fast as his legs could carry him. The scene ends and the lights return to the center stage.)

Shrink: Yes. You felt the need for companionship and Tainter wasn’t satisfying that need. Go on.

Gabriel: Anyway, I ventured outside the forest again and this time Tainter was with me. My mind was struggling to let him go but he didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay and wanted me to stay in the forest. I fought against him and won out in the end. That’s when I lost consciousness and I was discovered by the man who I encountered before. His name is Joe Brown and his daughters name is Laura. I met them after I woke up.

Shrink: (Scribbles some things down on a piece of paper and then looks up) And are you thankful that they found you Gabriel? Are you glad that they brought you back to civilization?

Gabriel: Of course I am. I mean, I think I am. (Frowns) I don’t know. I still want things to go back to the way it was but another part of me wants Tainter back. Another part of me wants to be back in the wild were I was innocent to the terrible truth of my parents' death.

Shrink: And that’s why you’re here Gabriel. You see, if we thought you were well enough to resist these urges then you would have a normal life. But we know your mind is still fragile and that it needs correcting.

Gabriel: You mean….he’s still here? Tainter is still in my head?

Shrink: Now Gabriel. We’ve gone over this a dozen times before. Tainter isn’t real. He is a fragment of your imagination.

Gabriel: No! (Controls himself) No, he is here. In fact, he’s been with us all the time. He knows what you’re trying to do and he won’t let you take me away. What’s that you say, Tainter? You want me to what? Ok, whatever you say. (He stands up with a menacing look on his face but stops halfway. He tries again but fails to do so. Looking down Gabriel notices chains around his wrists and ankles.) No! I won’t let you trap me like an animal! I won’t let it happen again!

Shrink: (A pitying look is on his face. He sighs.) Guards. I think we’ve had enough for one day. Please, take him back to his room.

Gabriel: Never! I will never submit to you! Let me go! (A group of armed men enter the room and grab hold of Gabriel. He struggles with them and manages to knock one off his feet but is soon sustained. They carry him out of the room and close the door. A few minutes later another man walks into the room and takes a seat.)

Shrink: (Sighs wearily) Hello Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown: Is he getting any better?

Shrink: I’m afraid not. Every time he comes back for another session he acts like he never had the first one. We just go over the same thing every time and he always ends up leaving in a crazed state. I’m afraid it will never get better.

Mr. Brown: Oh my. This is horrible. I thought I was doing him a favor when I found him and brought him back but I guess he was better off in the wild. At least he was free then.

Shrink: You did what you thought was best and that’s all that matters. Maybe one day he will recover. As for now, I’m afraid he will have to remain here.

Mr. Brown: It’s a sad thing.

Shrink: What is, Mr. Brown?

Mr. Brown: Insanity, of course.

Shrink: (He pauses) Yes....it is Mr. Brown. A sad thing indeed. (There is a long pause and the Shrink puts his hand over his eyes wearily)

Mr. Brown: Are you feeling well sir?

Shrink: Yes, yes I’m fine Mr. Brown. This has just been a weary session. I’m a little tuckered out.

Mr. Brown: (Frowns with concern) Let me get you a glass of water. (Starts to stand)

Shrink: Oh no, that won’t be necessary, thank you.

Mr. Brown: I insist. (The Shrink starts to protest but Mr. Brown quickly stands and walks out of the room. The Shrink drops his façade as soon as he leaves. His eyes become frustrated and, if possible, more tired. He looks like a man who has nothing to gain but all to lose. Mr. Brown returns a few minuets later with a cup of water in his hands. He hands the water to the Shrink with an encouraging smile. The Shrink takes the cup and drinks deeply from it. He looks up and smiles at Mr. Brown.)

Shrink: Thank you. You don’t know how much I needed that.

Mr. Brown: Any time. Are you sure you’ll be okay? You look exhausted.

Shrink: Whatever it takes to do my job Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown: It must be hard.

Shrink: Don’t worry; I get enough sleep at home.

Mr. Brown: Not that, sir.

Shrink: Oh? What is it then?

Mr. Brown: It must be hard having people come to you for all their problems. They expect you to make everything well again. They look to you for advice and a way to get out of their pain.

Shrink: (Forces a laugh) Yes, it comes with the job.

Mr. Brown: (Continues as though he said nothing) But who do you turn to sir? Who solves your problems? Who is there for you to make things better?

Shrink: (There is a hint of irritation in his voice) I’m a grown man, Mr. Brown, I can care for myself.

Mr. Brown: (Stands up and prepares to leave) Whatever you say sir. (Walks out the door and closes it softly. Again the hard look of frustration and fatigue appear on his face. The Shrink stands up and gathers his things. As he turns the light out he stops and looks at his desk. He looks at the clipboard he uses to write down notes. And finally he looks at the Mona Lisa. He looks at her mysterious smile that could mean so many things. For the Shrink her smile meant hope and promise for a new day. A faint smile plays across his thin lips but soon fades into a scowl. He then shuts the door and walks home to an empty house.)