Mental Stigma (WIP)

This is currently a work in progress. I will be updating and publishing it as I go so critique is always helpful. This is about the time I spent in a mental hospital.

The curtain opens on a sparse room. Light is streaming in through the barred windows. Parker and Mr. Carlos are seated upstage at a small table, drawing. Downstage, Kristy, Alicia, and Lacey are sitting on a tattered old couch, chatting and giggling. Mr. Cody, visibly separated from the girls, is buried in his phone.

Parker.

So what did I miss on last week’s episode of Doctor who?

Carlos.

People died. People lived. The Doctor said something pseudo-inspirational. The usual.

Parker.

For some strange reason, that’s what I seem to miss the most about the outside. Not my parents, not my boyfriend, not even my dog. Just sitting on the couch watching TV like a normal human being. I wish I were normal.

Carlos.

Well, we’re here to help make you normal-er.

Parker smirks. As she opens her mouth to reply-

Cody.

Ladies! No contact!

Lacey.

She was just braiding my hair all pretty like hers, Mr. Cody!

Alicia.

Yeah!

Cody.

Pretty hair isn't part of recovery. Now separate before I give each of you a shot.

The girls groan and scoot away from each other.

Parker.

Pause. Where was I?

Carlos.

Well, you were in the middle of drawing me a dragon breathing fire and defending his princess in the castle, but it's almost 10.

Parker.

God, you're right. Which means -

Holden.

Good morning ladies!

Girls.

Annoyed Good morning Mr. Holden.

Holden.

Welcome to another day of healing at the Happy Hills Healing Center! Gather around for morning session. The girls gather at the couch. Alright, first order of business: we have a new housemate joining us, but she should be a familiar face to you all.

Mandy enters.

Girls.

Mandy!

As the other girls crowd busily around Mandy, Parker turns to Lacey

Parker.

Didn’t she just get out yesterday?

Lacey.

She’s what they call a repeat offender. Home life is so bad for her that she just does something to come back in here every time they release her. What was it this time?

Mandy.

Sitting in the middle part of the sofa, the other girls gathered around her.

Alright this one’s a good one. I’m in my grandma’s car, cruising 95 down the freeway, holding her devil cat Snowball hostage -

Holden.

Amanda, you can continue that riveting saga later, we were just about to start morning session. Name, age, diagnosis, why you’re in here, and how you feel this morning. Lacey, care to start us off?