Narrator: This mini One Act is a tragedy about a girl who has to face the effects of oxycodone along with peer pressure. Now I welcome you to the show, Wistful Essence.
Mom: Bye honey! Have a great day. Don’t forget that you have to walk home from school today.
Alex: I know. (exaggerated) Quit nagging at me. I am going to hang out with Jackie, so I will be home late.
Mom: Be safe.
Alex: Hey Jackie! Sorry that I was late. My mom was nagging at me again.
Jackie: It’s fine. I wasn’t waiting for long. So, are you still going on that diet?
Alex: Not really. It wasn’t working well for me. I just can’t get rid of the belly fat! I mean, practically every girl at school is so much slimmer than me.
Jackie: I think you look thin enough as it is. But, anyway. I want you to meet someone that I know once school is over. She is my secret method to get through life. You will love it. Trust me on this. Anyway, the bell is about to ring, we better to get to class.
Narrator: Little did they know the meeting with Jackie’s friend would change their life for good.
Jackie: Any homework?
Alex: Just in math; it is bearable. All we have to do is simplify and rationalize fractions along with converting, plus we …
Jackie: (interrupt Alex) Whoa, hold on there. All I ask is what you have for homework. Not a detailed explanation about that subject. I can only handle talking about math for one hour, and class took up that hour. Plus, you lost me there.
Alex: But I..
Jackie: How is your mom?
Alex: We are at odds. I mean, she doesn’t get how the high school society works. She is getting on to me about how GPA is important along with the ACT for getting into college. She is worried about every single detail of what I do.
Jackie: I see. Well, any news about Trent (Alex’s crush)?
Alex: (looking around) Promise you won’t say anything to anyone, except us?
Jackie: Sure. What is it?
Alex: During last period, he came over, and asked if I can study with him at my place. Do you think he means anything by that or just saying like for friends?
Jackie: I think you are way overthinking this. Just do it, and see what the outcome is like.
Alex: What about my mom? She would hardly let me out of her sight!
Jackie: Tell her it is just studying, unless there is more that you aren’t telling me. Huh?
Alex: Don’t be vulgar! (Jackie shows a confused look)
Jackie: What?
Alex: Nevermind, we won’t be going that far. Look at me, I am a stick. Not those curvy, perfect gals that he hangs out with.
Jackie: Fine, but whatever you do, don’t die on me.
Alex: Ha, ha. Very funny. (sarcastic tone)
Jackie: I know (smug). Anyway, ignore those bints and just focus on yourself. Got it.
Alex: Got it. (do some secret handshake)
Narrator: They go about their day. The forest isn’t going to stay green forever.
Jackie: Ready to go?
Alex: Uh huh.
Jackie: Cool, are you still up to meeting my friend?
Alex: Yeah.
Jackie: So um, this is Sarah, but everyone calls her Ms. Sketch. (whisper in her ear) Don’t piss her off.
Ms. Sketch: So, are you trying to find a way to escape reality?
Alex: Not really.
Ms. Sketch: Are you sure?
Alex: Well, maybe. (Looks uncomfortable)
Ms. Sketch: I just got the right item that you need. Beans.
Alex: What?
Ms. Sketch: You know Ox, Oxy?
Alex: I don’t get it.
Ms. Sketch: It is oxycodone, medicine.
Alex: Oh, what does it do?
Ms. Sketch: It gives you a sense of pleasure along with happiness. Isn’t it what you want?
Alex: Yes, I mean well, I do want that, but I am not sure about it. I thought there are better ways to achieve that goal. It sounds too good to be true.
Ms. Sketch: Don’t you want to find a great way to relieve stress? You can relax easily with this pill.
Alex: Won’t I be too dependent on it? If it can make you relax, like, instantly? Wouldn’t it be too dangerous to use it often?
Ms. Sketch: I didn’t say anything on how often you should use it, you came up that idea on your own. Besides, it can make you sleep better. With more sleep, you will wake up with a refreshing look. Scientifically proven. Plus, you can find these pills anywhere. They are nothing bad like cocaine or meth. These are safe.
Alex: I heard that it is too addicting and people tend to abuse it a lot. Isn’t that a bit too easy to obtain? Could it lead to a problem if you have an addiction?
Ms. Sketch: It is easy to obtain because it is legal in the states. Plus, one of the effects of the drug is that it could make you skinnier. It would make you lose your appetite, which will trick your stomach into thinking that you aren’t hungry.
Alex: I prefer to choose how to lose weight on my own. I don’t want some drug to control my life, I need to stay independent.
Ms. Sketch: You are independent, even if you take this pill. If you take this pill, you are choosing the way you want to lose weight. I mean, it is your choice.
Alex: I don’t know.
Ms. Sketch: Come on, it is good for you, even your friend here, (point toward Jackie) is doing it. How else could she have survived high school? Didn’t you notice how happy and relaxed she is here. Because of me, she can do anything.
Alex: But I..
Jackie: Oh, give it a try. You are way too uptight and study too much, and your mom doesn’t make it any better.
Alex: I only study enough to get an A because I want to get a great career. I am not too stressed out.
Jackie: Denial is the first step to proving that I am right. Don’t you want to have fun? Enjoy life as it is?
Alex: I can have fun on my own way. Not everyone is like you.
Jackie: I overheard that Trent is using it.
Alex: Now that is low. You don’t even know if he is using it. You hardly talk to him!
Jackie: I have connections and insight of his group. Anyway, I promise that you won’t regret this.
Alex: Promise? I trust you on this.
Jackie: Promise
Alex: Kay, (turn toward Ms. Sketch), I would like one order of the Ox.
Ms. Sketch: You got it. (exchange the pill for cash). Enjoy your day, I have some other clients, so see you soon. (Ms. Sketch left the scene)
Jackie: Are you ready?
Alex: Ready as I’ll ever be.
Jackie: We will take it together.
Alex: Kay.
Jackie: One, two, three!
Alex: Nothing is happening. Is it working?
Jackie: Just wait, it isn’t a miracle pill.
Alex: Fine.
Narrator: Thirty minutes pass by.
Alex: Wow, everything seems so calm.
Jackie: Mmmm, uh huh. Isn’t it the best?
Alex: I have never felt like this before. I feel, like, giddy (giggle)
Jackie: I get you. Anyway, I have to head home. Whatever you do avoid your mother.
Alex: I know.
Narrator: Once it wore off she arrived home very late.
Mom: Where have you been? I have been worried about you.
Alex: It doesn’t matter. I’m here, aren’t I?
Mom: Don’t give me that tone, young lady! I have the right to know where you are. As long you live under my roof, you are under my law. Do you understand?
Alex: Sure, by the way Trent is coming over tomorrow to study for our chemistry test.
Mom: If he comes over, I want you guys to study in the kitchen.
Alex: But why?!? We could study perfectly in the living room. Nothing will happen.
Mom: You know how I feel, when you invite boys to the house.
Alex: But mom!
Mom: No buts, this isn’t an option for you to choose.
Alex: (storm out) I hate you. You ruin my life.
Mom: Oh God, what should I do? (walk away in sadness)
Alex: (look angry) Why. Why is she always questioning me about my life? I have the right to live my own life the way I want. (take a pill) She can’t stop me now. (laugh in a sad way)
Narrator: Once Alex is alone, she slowly takes some more pills. As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, she slowly increases her intake of the pills. (Takes more pills) Soon she became addicted to them and too dependent on them. It became so uncontrollable her grades started slipping along with her motivation to continue to work. She became distant with her friends (Jackie tries to call her but Alex ignores it) and family (Mom and Alex are back to ignoring each other), and they weren’t able to find out what’s wrong with her. They all assume that it is just teenage mood swings. Until one day she had an overdose and died alone without any family or friends.
(Alex lay on the ground with her arms crossed)
Mom: How come I never noticed what was wrong with her? She was fine in one day and depressed the next. (sobbed) How could I miss the signs? I am a horrible mother.
Jackie: She’s dead. If only I hadn’t introduced her to the drug, and maybe she would be alive now. She had a bright future ahead of her, and so many dreams to accomplish. I am the reason she is dead. (cry)
Narrator: The world is full of what ifs. What if I.. What if that.. What if I never.. There is no going back, only moving forward. What we can all do is learn from this tragedy, and learn from our mistakes. This is a warning for everyone of the dangers of all types of drugs. Nothing is guaranteed (take off the hat, and bow head in sorrow)
