Title: “The truth of who I am”.
Author: Silvina Carrasco
3 characters:
- Mara: 13-year-old teenager. Good student and very loved by her family.
- Melina: 35 years old woman. Mara’s mother.
- Narrator: voice-over
ACT I
Characters that intervene in this act: Mara, Melina and Narrator.
Scene: a living room of a house.
(Mara is sitting on the couch, with the TV set on in front of her, but with her eyes averted, not paying attention. Melina watches her from the doorway).
NARRATOR: For days Melina has been noticing her daughter very quiet and a bit sad. Trying to cheer her up, she tries to start a conversation.
(Melina approaches Mara and sits down next to her on the couch.)
Melina: You’re going to come with me to the work party, right? You’re going to have fun, that band you like is going to play.
Mara: (determined) No mom, I’m not going and don’t insist.
Melina: What do you mean you’re not going? But Antonella and Juan, my co-worker’s children are going and they were excited to see you again after the vacations we spent together.
Mara: Mom, they say that out of commitment, why would they want to be with me if I’m the most boring and uncool person in the world?
(Melina looks at her in surprise and shock)
Narrator: Melina is surprised. She has never heard her daughter talk about herself like that before.
Melina: Why are you saying that?!
Mara: Never mind mom. Don’t insist, I just don’t feel like going.
(Mara gets up and leaves)
ACT II
Characters involved in this act: Mara, Melina and Narrator.
Scenery: a kitchen with at least one table, four chairs and kitchen setting (elements).
Narrator: The next day…
(Mara is sitting in a chair, looking at her laptop leaning on the table. She is visibly calmer than the day before).
Narrator: Mara is watching an interview of her favorite singer.
(Melina walks over and sits down next to her)
Melina: Mara, can you explain what you told me yesterday?
(Mara looks down as if she is embarrassed)
Narrator: Mara doesn’t want to talk about it with her mother, but she knows she won’t stop insisting until she tells her what’s wrong.
(After a silence)
Mara: Did you see Lucía and Fernanda, my new classmates, the ones who asked for a pass from the other school last week?
Melina: Yes?…..
Mara: They always make fun of me and laugh at me in front of everyone because they say I don’t dress fashionably, I don’t have a boyfriend and I like to read. They say I’m boring, I’m not funny and I have old tastes.
(Melina looks at her a little puzzled.)
Melina: But honey….
(Mara interrupts her.)
Mara: Don’t tell me anything mom. It must be like this. They’ve only been in school for a few days and they’re already super popular. They know everything that’s in fashion and everyone wants to be their friends!
(Melina is silent.)
NARRATOR: Melina understands that there’s not much she can tell her daughter to convince her. Although… Maybe… She comes up with another strategy.
Melina: (pointing to the computer) What a good singer this girl is! Too bad she’s so selfish!
Mara: (looking at her with bewilderment and anger) What are you saying mom?!
Melina: It’s just that she seems to be super selfish and self-centered.
Mara: (getting angrier and angrier. She doesn’t like it when her mom talks about her favorite singer like that. She has given many charity concerts and she is also the godmother of many charitable institutions.
Melina: I don’t know. She looks selfish. From her gestures, the way she dresses, I don’t know?
Mara: It doesn’t make sense what you are saying. You talk as if you knew her.
Melina: How long ago did you tell me that your new classmates arrived at school?
Mara: Last week.
Melina: Then they don’t know you.
Don’t you think it’s as absurd as my comments that they can tell you how you are and you believe them?
When you want to know something about yourself, you’d better trust the people who really know you. In the word of grandpa who thinks you are the best and most fun sports partner, in grandma who thinks you are the best kitchen helper, in your cousin and friends who think you are the best and most loyal friend or in me who thinks you are a totally wonderful person.
(Short pause)
But above all, believe in what you think of yourself and you will realize that you don’t need to dress or behave like anyone else to be very valuable.
Silence…
(Mara’s face starts to gradually change into a big smile mixed with a little bit of mischief).
Mara: (shyly) Mommy?
Melina: What?
Mara: You’re going to have to buy me a new dress for your work party.
(They laugh and hug each other).
THE END