Act II: Doubt

At the top of the scene, the audience sees me standing there with my head down in fierce attempt to gaze away from the Figure. Shame and fear creeps in me. The Shadowy Figure stands there satisfied because it can feel my spirit deflating.

I slowly lift my head but still averting my eyes and say, “How did you know I wouldn’t and couldn’t keep up with writing for my blog?” The Figure walks away from me. It turns its back to me. The audience sees that the figure is grinning, but the words I hear have a sympathetic, overly sugary tone. It says, “Don’t you know I know you better than anybody? I know you have these big ideas and don’t follow through. That’s just what you do. Look at all the things you said you wanted and they haven’t happened. Look, it’s not your fault. You’ve been so busy and honestly, you’re not that creative anyway. It’s fine if you just give up. Nobody will judge you.” Then, with a full belly laugh , the Figure mockingly says “You may judge yourself but you already knew you would fail. Just give up now. It really is okay. You’re making a fool of yourself anyway!””

This Figure does know me. My body is exhausted and my mind empties of any rational thought.

The Figure turns to me and extends its hand to lead me to the couch. I grab its hand and we sit side-by-side.