Play 277: Bleeding Me Dry

CHARACTERS
1
2

1
Are you okay?

2
I think I’m going insane.

(Beat)

1
Why?

2
Everything’s too tightly wound inside my head.

1
So?

2
It can’t stay that way.

1
What do you mean?

2
I have to use all my energy just to keep everything contained. It’s draining, but I know if I stop pushing it in, it won’t stop pushing out.

(Beat.)

It’s bleeding me dry.

1
So stop.

2
I can’t.

1
Why?

2
I’m scared.

1
Of what?

2
Of what’ll happen if I do.

1
And what will happen?

2
I don’t know.

1
So what are you worried about?

2
I could have a nervous break down.

1
You’re not far from it now.

2
Farther from it than I could be.

(Beat.)

1
You need to relax. Being overly-anxious all the time isn’t healthy.

2
But what’ll happen if I stop?

1
It’s driving you insane. You’re so afraid of what’ll happen if you just relax that you make yourself a nervous wreck.

(Pause.)

2
So what do I do?

1
Stop thinking.

2
If I could do that, do you really think I’d be where I am?

(Beat.)

1
I don’t know what to tell you.

2
I doubt anything you could say would help.

(Beat.)

1
I’m sorry.

(Beat.)

2
Thanks.

(Blackout.)