Title: “Forced and Spontaneous”.
Author: Silvina Carrasco
7 Characters:
- Romina’s conscience: Voice in Off. It represents an analytical way of thinking: it says something, contradicts itself and turns around a lot. If possible, it should be a voice similar to Romina’s character.
- Romina: Speaks less than her conscience.
- Angie’s conscience: Voice Off. It represents a more unidirectional way of thinking than Romina. As much as possible, it has to be a voice similar to that of the character Angie.
- Angie: As she is generally direct, what she says is quite similar to what her conscience says.
- Elías: Romina and Angie’s friend. Both are in love with him.
- Saleswoman 1: Saleswoman of the store where Angie shops.
- Saleswoman 2: Saleswoman of the store where Romina shops.
ACT I
(Important: whenever one of the consciousnesses/voice-over speaks, the protagonist to whom that consciousness corresponds must gesture facially and physically, according to what that voice says).
Characters that intervene in this act: Angie, Angie’s Consciousness and Saleswoman 1.
Scenario: A store inside a shopping mall.
(Angie looks in the mirror to see how a pair of pants she wants to buy fits).
-Saleswoman 1: I have it in other colors too.
-Angie: No, it’s not necessary, I like this color.
-Angie’s conscience: Yes, the color, the length, the fabric, everything… It’s perfect… It fits me perfectly.
-Saleswoman 1: It fits you perfectly.
-Angie: (Smiling) Thank you.
-Seller 1: Are you wearing it?
-Angie: Yes, I’m wearing it. Thank you.
ACT II
Characters that intervene in this act: Romina, Romina’s conscience and Saleswoman 2.
Scenario: Another store inside the same shopping mall.
(Romina looks in the mirror at a blouse she wants to buy)
-Romina’s Consciousness: It fits me very well. It’s perfect for my body shape.
-Saleswoman 2: It fits you perfectly.
-Romina’s conscience: I know, but it’s vain to admit it.
-Romina: Mmm… I don’t know.
-Saleswoman 2: What doesn’t convince you, the color?
-Romina’s conscience: The color? Why? What’s wrong with the color? But you told me it was the color of the season? I knew you were just telling me that to sell it!
-Saleswoman 2: Do you want me to show it to you in another color?
-Romina: Emmm….
-Romina’s conscience: Now that I look at it, this blouse makes me look fat… And the color… Yes, it’s very flashy.
-Romina: No, I’ll think about it. If I decide I’ll come back.
ACT III
Characters that intervene in this act: Romina, Angie and Elías.
Scenario: The table of a café.
Romina and Angie do not know each other yet. They are both in love with Elías, although he doesn’t know it.
(Elias and Angie are sitting at a table. Romina arrives and Elias stops to call her).
-Elias: Romi, over here!
(Romina approaches the table).
-Elias: Romi, this is Angie, my English friend. (To Angie) This is Romi, my childhood friend.
-(To Angie) Angie’s conscience: What a nice blouse!
-Angie: Nice to meet you. I love your blouse.
-Romina: Thank you.
-Romina’s conscience: Oh, she’s making fun of me! I knew I shouldn’t have worn this blouse, I look like a clown! On top of that she is so tall…and cute. He says “my friend” but…
-Elias: I asked for coffee, is it okay?
-Romina: Yes, it’s fine, thank you.
-Romina’s conscience: Eli! When did you see me drinking coffee? I never drink coffee, especially not at this hour! You didn’t think that maybe I don’t drink because it’s bad for me… No, you didn’t think about it.
-Angie: I’m going to order a cup of tea, I don’t drink coffee at this hour.
-Elìas: It’s just that you were taking so long that I got ahead of you. You always keep me waiting.
(Elias laughs, revealing a big smile)
-Romina’s conscience: Oh, how cute you are when you laugh!
-Angie’s conscience: What a nice smile you have!
-Angie: (To Elias) Did anyone ever tell you that you have a very nice smile?
-Elias: (blushing) Thank you.
-Romina’s conscience: What?! You’re so out of line! Are you going to call attention to her like that? Elías doesn’t like girls that direct, they make him nervous… Or does he?… Why did he blush? Did he like the compliment or did it make him uncomfortable?… What if I tell him something nice?… Why is he looking at her more than at me? Is it because she told him something nice?
-Elias: Did I tell you that I got two tickets for the recital? Any of you want to go with me?
-Angie’s conscience: I’d love to go with you to a recital!
-Romina’s conscience: Of course I want to! Maybe I’ll even go for it and confess to you…
-Angie: I would love to.
-Romina’s conscience: But how direct this girl is! Doesn’t she realize it looks bad?! Elias doesn’t like girls like that… Or does he?
-Romina: I don’t know if I can, I have things to do the day of the recital.
-Romina’s conscience: If he insists once, I’ll say no again and the second time he insists, I can tell him I’ll think about it… Yes, I know you don’t like girls so direct.
-Elias: But we said that when this band comes to town we are going to go see them, Romi. I can try to get one more ticket and the three of us can go.
-Romina: Yes Eli, but I don’t know if I will be free that day.
-Romina’s conscience: Now she insists again and I tell her that maybe I can go… At least I won’t be as desperate as this girl.
-Elias: What a pity, Romi! Well, I’ll tell you later how it went then… Can you, Angie?
-Angie’s conscience: Of course I can!
-Angie: I’d love to!
-Romina’s conscience: What?!
-Elias: Well girls, I have to go, I’ll see you later. Take care.
-Angie: Wait for me, I’m going the same way as you. (To Romina) I’m glad I met you Romi. Take care.
(Elias and Angie leave, Romina remains seated and puzzled).
THE END