MARIE BY JEFFREY LO (DOWNLOAD PDF HERE)
A bare stage.
MARIE at center.
Around her are five other people.
PERSON ONE: You’re happy.
PERSON TWO: You’re happy.
PERSON THREE: You’re happy.
PERSON FOUR: You’re happy!
PERSON FIVE: You’re –
ALL THE PEOPLE: HAPPY!
Silence.
MARIE: No.
Pause.
PERSON ONE: But you’re happy.
PERSON TWO: You’re happy.
PERSON THREE: I thought you were happy.
PERSON FOUR: I’m sure you’re happy.
PERSON FIVE: Of course you’re –
ALL THE PEOPLE: HAPPY!
Silence.
MARIE: I am telling you, I am not.
Pause.
ALL THE PEOPLE: NOT WHAT?
MARIE: Not Happy!
ALL THE PEOPLE GASP.
A long silence.
PERSON ONE: Be happy.
PERSON TWO: Be happy.
PERSON THREE: Be happy.
PERSON FOUR: Be happy.
PERSON FIVE: Be –
ALL THE PEOPLE: HAPPY!
MARIE: I CAN’T!
Pause.
ALL THE PEOPLE: BE HAPPY!
ALL THE PEOPLE: BE HAPPY!
ALL THE PEOPLE: BE HAPPY!
ALL THE PEOPLE: BE HAPPY!
ALL THE PEOPLE: BE HAPPY!
Silence.
MARIE: I’m trying. I’m trying but I can’t. I want to but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. Don’t you understand?
Silence.
PERSON ONE: No.
PERSON ONE exits.
PERSON TWO: No.
PERSON TWO exits.
PERSON THREE: No.
PERSON THREE exits.
PERSON FOUR: No
PERSON FOUR exits.
PERSON FIVE: …
With no words, PERSON FIVE shakes their head and exits.
MARIE is left alone.
MARIE: Be happy… Be happy… Be happy… Be happy…
Lights fade out on MARIE, alone.
END OF PLAY.