Prologue:
(As
the audience enters, Freya lies in the centre of the stage which is surrounded
by the fairy lights. ' I try' by Macy Gray plays in the background. When
audience is in Freya stands on a small box. She jumps off it)
Freya: At the age of 5 I always used to
enjoy jumping off a box. That little moment between the box and the ground
always made me feel like (She does it again) I could fly. But I didn't know
that 14 years later, that box would be a lot bigger. And I'd be flying a lot longer.
(Fairy lights off, projection on the back
makes it look as though the camera is falling down a building. In a spot Harvey
stands there looking up, silent scream, black out. Fairy lights again, this
time Freya lies down on the floor again)
Freya: At the age of 7 I had my first kiss...
Timothy Freeman. He was dreamy at the time, although not so much now. That was
my first experience of well... love. Not that it's really love at the age of 7
but... well you know what I mean, it's the closest I came to something like it.
At 13 I met Billy. Now he was and still is very cute... but he had, other
interests let's say. 14,15,16,17 even 18 boys came and went. I got very close
to a few but...things got in the way. I blame myself for those not going
anywhere. Then I met Harvey. (Pause) Dammit is it that time already! (She
stands, fairy lights go off and stage lighting comes on. She rushes off stage a
moment then
returns. She approaches center stage front and stands there a moment. She looks
at the audience intently. She turns and runs her hand up her arm. She plays
about with her hair and a bobble, trying different styles whilst look
consistently at the audience as she does so. She eventually leaves her hair
down straight and walks towards the back of the stage and behind a screen, to
change quickly from her current outfit into a black dress. She comes out from
the screen adjusting the dress on herself, she once again goes to front and
center looking directly at the audience. She continues to adjust the dress)
Freya: How Audrey Hepburn made this work
I'll never know
(She finishes adjusting the dress. She
gets a make-up bag from the side of the stage, and stands back in her central
position. She leans towards the audience slightly as she does her eyelashes.
She then puts the make-up away and places the bag on the floor next to her. She
stares a moment at the audience, as though she wants to say something. She tugs
at the dress some more. She adjusts her hair again, placing it over her
shoulders more, bringing it to the front of her body. She stares at the
audience once more. Pause. She reaches down into the bag, and pulls out a small
pair of scissors. She opens them so that they are fully spread. She makes a cut
in her upper arm.)
Freya: Your make-up’s all wrong
(She cuts again)
Freya: And you’ve got too much meat on
you for this dress…I mean look at those calves (She does, shakes her leg)
wobble wobble wobble. You eat far too much.
(She cuts again)
Freya: I am nothing… special. (Lights blink) It’s all my fault. (Lights blink) You
look god awful.
(She drops the scissors. She continues
to look at the audience.)
Freya: And look what you've done now. You
idiot, that’ll stain the carpet if you’re not careful. And your arm… Good job
you planned to wear that cardigan. You idiot.
(She kneels to pick up a roll of tissue at her feet, she hurriedly
tries to get the paper off the roll and press it to her wound. Once she is
holding the paper over where she has cut, she falls over from her knees onto
her side. She lies there a moment, then the lights fade to make Freya a
silhouette. Montage begins)
Montage: (Projected on the screen
behind where Freya is still on the floor, is the title ‘A time when I was
happy’. This then starts a series of clips from Freya’s childhood, pictures and
old looking videos, of a smiling young girl, starting school, colouring in,
usual child like things. In between these a blurred male face starts to flash,
timed with the sound of breaking glass. Lights go down.)
Scene 1:
(A table lit with some candles is in center
stage. Enter Harvey and Freya who are seated by a waiter. They sit for a moment
looking at the menu. Silence)
Harvey: (After a
while) I'm glad we're doing this
Freya: Yeah... me
too
Harvey: Just, I'm
glad we both realised we li...
Freya: You don't
have to keep going on about it. We're here, I'm glad, let's talk about
something else
Harvey: Okay...
(Pause)
Freya: They've not
given me a spoon, can I have yours?
Harvey: Asking me
for a spoon on a first date eh? Bit soon
Freya: Calm down
boy
(Pause)
Harvey: Good day
then?
Freya: It
was…eventful
Harvey: Good. That
makes it a good day I suppose?
Freya: Yeah I
guess
(Pause, they
continue to search their menus for a conversation starter)
Harvey: Done much?
Freya: Not really.
Just stayed around at home really
Harvey: Sounds
nice to me
Freya: Yeah it was
okay
Harvey: Well I had
an eventful day. Lots happening.
Freya: Oh right?
Harvey: Yeah
Freya: How
exciting it was for some of us
Harvey: I guess so
(Pause)
Harvey: What’s the
matter?
Freya: Nothing
Harvey: Is it my
restaurant choice?
Freya: No, no,
it’s nice. Italian’s a good choice. Love Italian.
Harvey: Well it’s
funny you should say that. You see, I was reading a story on BBC at work today.
‘Bout a kid in world war 2. Hid in an Italian, just like this one actually,
during the blitz.
(Lights notably
change and the two climb under the table, the sound of bombing can be heard)
Harvey: Did mother
get in the shelter alright?
Freya: I don't
know she went to fetch poor Mrs tibbles. Oh why did we buy a cat!
Harvey: It's okay.
Mother will be in the shelter soon!
Freya: Oh I'm so
very worried about her!
(Waiter places the
wine on the table with a cough, lights change back, Harvey pops his head out
the top)
Harvey: Um...wine
's here Freya
Freya: (Popping
her head up) Oh. Yeah
(She sits back in
her chair. Sustained awkward pause. As they both sit again, in silence)
Harvey: Is there
someone else? 'Cause if there is please just tell me now so I know
Freya: No it's not
that
Harvey: Then what
Freya? because right now I don't really feel like you want to be with me all
that much
Freya: Look
there...there is something I need to tell you
Harvey: Oh no...
Freya: It's not
that there's someone else but...
Harvey: Yes...
Freya: I... (Very
quickly) self-harm
Harvey: Pardon?
Freya: I...
self-harm
Harvey: Just...one
more time please
Freya: I... well
I...
(She pulls her sleeve up and shows him,
letting out a sigh)
Harvey: (Pushing
her hand under the table and looking) Bloody hell Freya, why have you never
showed me these?
Freya: What’s the
point? It’s my problem not yours. I need you to know what you're getting into Besides
that’s just my…release…helps me forget about it. It’s not a symptom after all
so why bother. It’s not your problem. Plus I only made these today.
Harvey: Well if
we’re a couple then now it’s our
problem
Freya: (Taking her
arm from him and pulling down the sleeve) Forget I mentioned it. You don’t need
to worry about it
Harvey: After
seeing that? How can I not?
Waiter: More wine
sir?
Harvey: Red
please. Make it two. (Thinks) Actually do you do Rum? I need a strong drink
(Waiter nods)
Harvey: A wine for
the lady and a double rum for me please
(Waiter goes)
Freya: Look, it’s
nothing. Honest
Harvey: Yes
nothing’s exactly what those big red lines crudely etched across your wrist
looked like
Freya: I’m fine.
Leave it.
Harvey: Clearly
not. They weren’t even perfectly straight
(Pause)
Harvey: Sorry I
shouldn’t criticize like that. Are they anywhere else?
Freya: Not at the
minute
Harvey: Good.
(Pause)
Harvey: So do you…have
some sort of... I don't know, illness I guess it would be?
Freya: Well sort
of... depression.... I think
Harvey: You actually have depression?
Freya: Yes. I
think. Well, sorta self diagnosed but…yes…I think so
(Pause)
Harvey: Okay then...
I'm not sure what to do now
Freya: Don't do
anything
Harvey: No I need
to do something....
Freya: Honestly
you don't have t-
Harvey: How do I
help you?
Freya: You don’t
Harvey: Don’t say
that
Freya: I mean it,
leave it
Harvey: But…
Freya: LEAVE IT
(Silence)
I’ve asked you
enough times. Be a good boyfriend and do as your told
Harvey: Alright, I
just… want to help. I’m concerned it’s only right that I am.
Freya: You’re not
the only one who’s concerned or been concerned. You think I’m not concerned, or
angry, or sad that I do it? You think no one else who knows is? It happens
Harvey
Harvey: It’s just
so… out of the blue.
Freya: Look, don’t
let it get to you. I’m the one who has to live with it
Harvey: How can I
not let it get to me? The girl I can only see beauty in can’t see it in
herself? How can I not hate that fact?
Freya: Just…I try
to stop it. I do. It’s not as bad as it used to be. (Pause, she looks in his
eye) I understand if you want to leave me, you wouldn’t be the first. You’ve
lasted more of my moods than most
Harvey: I’ll never
go. But promise me something (Takes her hand) Promise me you’ll try to stop completely
Freya: (Pulling
her hand away) I can’t do that
Harvey: For me?
Freya: For anyone.
It’s a part of me Harvey. The getting down the… harming. It’s become me. It’s how I relieve my anger, my
sadness, my pain…. Just like people over-eat, or watch rubbish films, or drink
Harvey: Just try…a
little?
(Pause as she
thinks)
Freya: (Nodding) A
little. I want to, I do. But I’m not sure if I can. Even for you Harvey. I mean
if I can’t do it for myself, how can I do it for anyone else?
Harvey: Well… we can find another way to
relieve your anger. Another way to help you.
Freya: I don’t
want that. I want you to leave it. And I want you to leave me to it. It’s my
choice after all
(Spot as Harvey
stands and moves away from the table. He stands alone center. Freya exits.)
Harvey: And thus a
little glimmering light turns a darker shade, yet never going out, always
there. It just grows darker. (He blows out the candles on the table) But you can
ever desert a sinking ship, even if you know it’s empty.
Scene 3:
(Harvey is on a
bench in football kit, drinking water. Brad enters)
Brad: Harvey! My
man!
Harvey: (Wincing
slightly) Not so loud please Brad, I’m knackered, my senses are all over the
place. Late night
Brad: Up late eh?
What’s little Harvey been up to then?
Harvey: Up late
with the girlfriend
Brad: Wahe-
Harvey: And not...doing
stuff!
Brad: Oh, you’re
always so boring man (Grabs a drink and chugs it down. Crushes the cup after) Yeah
I heard ‘bout you having a girl, Phil said something
Harvey: Midfield
Phil or defence Phil?
Brad: I don't know
some guy called Phil
Harvey: Right.
Fair enough
Brad: So what’s
she like?
Harvey: Oh, you
know, she’s really nice
Brad: (Mockingly)
Oh, she’s really nice. Pretty face, lovely eyes, heart of a saint, I’m gonna
describe everything that matters to a woman and not talk about her...assets, which
is what really matters’. Yeah yeah heard that before. Nice arse? (Looks both
ways) Well? (Pause, no response from an awkward Harvey) Have you even... done
anything with her yet?
Harvey: No. It’s
only been three months.
Brad: Ha, only three months. Rough times eh? Or not
rather...So up all night with your girl but not doing whatever makes you happy.
What were you doing?
Harvey: Talking
Brad: (Fakes being
hit by an arrow) Ow! Ow! Kiss of death!... Must have been pretty big thing to
talk about it all night. Hey hey. No?
Well it usually only takes me half an hour tops to get it over with… and get
down to the real stuff
Harvey: I’m sure
Brad: So? What’s
up with the girl?
Harvey: Well there’s
no point telling you, you’re clearly de-sensitized to anything above the waist
Brad: That’s not
true! Still, you’re a pal! Come on, tell me, who knows maybe… I can help?
Harvey: Ha!
Likely…(Considers, as they both drink water) Oh alright, well my girlfriend’s
just got a few problems is all
Brad: Time of the
month?
Harvey: Not
specifically
Brad: So… what is her problem?
Harvey: She…uh…
has… you know…that thing….
Brad: Harvey mate,
gonna need a little more detail…
Harvey: (Quickly) Depression
(Pause)
Brad: (Begins to
walk away) Well I can’t help you man, you’re in way too deep for my expertise,
the wrong kind of deep to (Winks and slaps his face gently)
Harvey: So you’re
just gonna walk off and leave me to it?
Brad: (Goes right
up to him) There is no way this is going to end well. So, I’d say it’d be best
for you to end it now, or get her on some happy pills, because otherwise it’s
just going to crash and burn. She’s going down and she’ll be taking you with
her eventually. Trust me. (Backs away slightly) That is my advice. Move on. (Exits)
Harvey: See you
later? ... Well I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow or something… no, tomorrow.
Definitely tomorrow.
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