Ghost Writer

By Aine Palumbo

 

For anyone who struggles with mental health. You are never alone.

 

Act 1 Scene 1

Lights come up on an old dorm room, with two beds and teacups, ash trays, and books that line shelves and a nightstand. Clarence sits at a desk, an old, clunky computer in front of him, with Jackson sitting on the bed beside him.

 

Clarence: (repeatedly banging his head on his desk, hundreds of crumpled paper balls surrounding him and the stage.) No. No. No. No.

 

Jackson: Hey man.. How’s that uh narrative thing go-

 

Clarence: Wild guess. Take a guess Jackson.

 

Jackson: Oh. Not great? (Steps over to Clarence through the papers and books surrounding the desk) Maybe you can try to talk to Reynolds about it.

 

Clarence: (groans and begins banging his head on the desk again) NO. NO. NO. NO.

 

Jackson: Okay! Okay! Let me read what you have so far. You at least have a good thesis right?

 

Clarence: (reading) One day, my dad took me fishing, and I hated it. Now I’m at Yale for a degree that will leave me broke. I want to die.

 

Jackson: Oh come on you know you’re better than that. I don’t understand; why can’t you go get some help from Professor Reynolds?

 

Clarence: Because she's refusing! I asked yesterday, and she said that a narrative prompt is supposed to be entirely independent, and if I ask for help again I’ll get points off.

 

Jackson: Damn. Harsh. You can write a story. I know you can. You published a book at 13! How is this stumping you?

 

Clarence: That was just Ivy motivation. I don't have that anymore. Now I’m just burnt out. I shouldn’t even be here! That book was the only reason anyone thinks I was ‘destined to be a scholar’ or whatever.

 

Jackson: Dude, if anyone here was ‘destined to be a scholar’, it's you. 

 

Clarence: …You do realize we go to Yale, right?

 

Jackson: I mean an English scholar. You know? You can write like nobody I’ve ever met, and I’m not worried for you at all. It’ll come. What’s the prompt anyway?

 

Clarence: The form they gave out said, ‘For admission to the Yale student writing competition, write an emotionally deep and connected narrative story about something you know. Use this as loose inspiration, and let your past drive you towards a story that will allow our judges to truly know you, without directly hearing about an experience you have had. Please use MLA format, all essays will go through plagiarism software, and anyone who plagiarizes will lose all scholarships, be kicked off campus, be blacklisted from all Yale affiliated companies, and live in fear for them and their loved ones’ safety forever-

 

Jackson: Okay got it. Jeez. You’re overthinking this, Clarence. After two and a half years of living with someone, well you get to understand the kind of student they are. You are excellent, and I know you can do this, so stop freaking out over it.

 

Clarence: I am not excellent. You know excellence. You knew exactly what you wanted to do as soon as you walked into the wrong class and ended up in the science building. I wish I had your kind of skill in anything.

 

Jackson: Well the talent definitely wasn’t in directions, but it’s not like you’re the only one here with issues. This project for my biochem class is kicking my butt. But still, you can do this, and you don’t need to worry. It’ll come with time, and this thing isn’t due for like 4 weeks, right?

 

Clarence: Yeah. Why is it giving you trouble? You know how to… do science, so do that.

 

Jackson: Yeah, sure. I just don’t know how to do this science. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of Norah, and calcium transfer has always confused me.

 

Clarence: Norah? Norah who? What do you need to do with… calcium transfer?

 

Jackson: I need to create a slideshow with calcium moving its way through smooth muscle cells. 

 

Clarence: That sucks. And I don’t know anyone, so tell me who this girl is.

 

Jackson: True. Acting major, bio minor.. um…her last name is Wollaston and she’s in like half of my classes? THE GIRL I’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR TWO MONTHS?

 

Clarence: OHHH Lip filler!

 

Jackson: You know, at some point, people are gonna hear you say things like that. 

 

Clarence: I mean, I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t so obvious.

 

Jackson: Right. I’m going to class, bye.

 

Clarence: Have fun with fish lips!!

 

Jackson: Have fun being evil!

 

Blackout lights come back up on lecture hall, students walk to their seats, rings once during blackout.

 

Act 1 Scene 2

 

Riley: Clarence! Hey! CLARENCE HEEEY!

 

Clarence: WHAT. Riley, what is it?

 

Riley: Hi. I was wondering if you finished the homework on eclogue from the weekend? I thought it was so interesting how they used harsher vowels to annunciation- 

 

Clarence (interrupting): I’m sorry, no, I didn’t notice that. Sorry I’m kind of worried about being late and stuff so I’ll catch up with you later.

 

Riley: Oh okay, got it. Um.. see you later then.

 

Sits down

 

Reynolds: Okay class! Today we’ll be discussing the importance of characterizing undertones, but first, my workshop has its presentations today, and I myself have volunteered all of your time to sit here and endure listening to them so… first up Clarence Peters!

 

Clarence: Oh shit. I forgot. (Turns to ensemble member 1) I skipped that this week. Why would she even ask me to present? 

 

Reynolds: Clarence, come on down. Show us what you’ve been working on.

 

Clarence: (down in front of Reynolds)  I… don't have anything. I just haven’t had the time to spend much time on extracurricular things because of my submission so… I’m sorry. I promise I’ll go next week-

 

Reynolds: Clarence, I know you weren’t there. I want you to show them what you’ve been working on. Whatever it may be, I just want to know where you are in your writing process.

 

Clarence: That’s the thing. I don’t have anything yet.

 

Reynolds: Then just… just go talk. Go talk about it and we’ll listen.

 

Clarence: Um…Hi. I wanted to.. I wanted to tell you all about my piece. Of writing, it's um… It's gonna be about how the um… I'm sorry I can't.. I can’t do this. (walks shamefully offstage)

 

Riley watches him leave the stage and follows, then stopping at professor Reynolds.

 

Riley: Could I go next, professor?

 

Reynolds: Sure. Riley, go ahead.

 

Riley: My piece is about Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Since it was first formed in the Pleistocene epoch, Tanzania has had access to numerous resources and new animals, like a variety of obsidian due to its formation. These materials, being new to the area, allowed for a breakthrough of new species and population boom. The-

 

Reynolds: Sorry Riley, can I just have a moment?

 

Riley walks over to Reynolds.

 

Reynolds: This assignment was meant to be a short historical fiction?

 

Riley: Yeah it is! You stopped me before I got to the horseshoe crab’s introduction.

 

Reynolds: Is… is your protagonist a fucking horseshoe crab?

 

Bell rings, class exits. 

 

Act 1 Scene 3

 

Clarence enters from stage left, walks slowly as the scene rotates

 

People from his past, both doubtful and inspiring, speak over each other, beginning slowly then gradually becoming louder and more overbearing. They all sit on the rotating set behind him.

 

P1: Clarence if you would just apply these skills to a more productive…

 

P2: You can’t continue towards an insecure future…

 

P3: We want you to be happy, but you don’t seem to be…

 

P4: If writing is really what you want to do, you should do it!

 

P5: You need to decide what you’re going to do with this degree…

 

P3: Clarence you need to try harder!

 

P1: You have to keep going with this!

 

P4: Don’t give up!

 

P5: You don’t deserve to be here.

 

Clarence moves to bar and sits down.

 

Riley: Oh hi! I didn’t think I’d see you here, seeing as how you totally embarrassed yourself in a class of like 60 people earlier? You know I’d figure if you were going to drink your feelings away you'd, like, buy something and stay home, not go to the most popular bar in town. How are you doing?

 

Clarence: Oh great. Perfect. You know how it is.

 

Riley: Are you being sarcastic? 

 

Clarence: Would you believe me if I said no? Actually, scratch that, would you leave me alone if I said no?

 

Riley: Probably not. Are you upset about today? I’m sure everyone already forgot about it. 

 

Clarence: It’s not even about that, it’s the fact that I have been trying so hard to get this story out and I can’t find any inspiration. Nothing seems to look as good on paper as it does in my head and I don’t know how to cope. 

 

Riley: That’s okay! A little writer’s block is normal. You can’t expect everything to fall into place immediately, especially when 90% of your past work has been literature analysis. 

 

Clarence: How do you even know that? 

 

Riley: I follow your twitter account. You vent a LOT for a 21 year old.

 

Clarence: ..Okay. I don’t even know why I’m talking to you about this. All of your writing is perfect, everyone says so. You have no idea what it feels like not to be good enough.

 

Riley: Being good at writing doesn’t make me a perfect person. You said so yourself earlier; everyone thinks I'm obnoxious.

 

Clarence: Not everyone. Maybe just me. To be fair, it's hard for me not to find people obnoxious. What are you thinking of for the writing competition?

 

Riley: Oh, I’m not competing. I have a submission deadline for a magazine article coming up so I decided to focus on that. Also, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m around! 

 

Clarence: Well, I hope it goes well. I should probably go, the bar table grime is starting to embed itself into my skin. Bye Riley. Thanks for that, it was…comforting weirdly.

 

Riley: I try to be. Hey, I hope that I'm not, like, freaking you out. I’m not trying to be annoying.

 

Clarence: What do you mean? 

 

Riley: I can hear what they say. I don’t know how to act like the girl people should view me as. I don’t know how to be smart and intimidating, and… interesting. Like, in first impressions and everything. I think I come off as unsettling and mean.

 

Clarence: Trust me, you’re interesting.

 

Riley: Yeah. Thanks. (grabs bag and stands up)

 

Clarence: No wait! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. You’re not the only one who doesn’t know how to act. I’ve been only focused on my academics for so long…My roommate is my only friend and that’s just because neither of us can afford to live off campus. He’s probably been sick of me for years, so, it’s not… just a ‘you’ problem.

 

Riley: At least you have that cool and mysterious energy. If that matters to you.

 

Clarence: Trust me it doesn’t.

 

Riley: So… Did you believe those rumors? The ones from freshman year?

 

Clarence: What, the horse things? Or the Martin Crest stuff?

 

Riley: Horse things? What-

 

Clarence: Yeah yeah Martin Crest what about him?

 

Riley: All that stuff he said about me freshman year. How I was weird, and obsessed with him, and that he wanted me to stop talking to him and stuff? It was all reversed. I told him I didn’t want to date him, rejected him like, 15 times, so he got mad and told the whole class that I was stalking him. 

 

Clarence: Oh. I thought-

 

Riley: Yeah. I know, it’s fine. I just mean that the way people see you doesn’t have to be who you are. Keep working, I know it’ll come to you.

 

She stands up and turns away, then looks back when Clarence speaks.

 

Clarence: Riley? Thanks. Again.

 

Riley smiles and exits.

 

Act 1 Scene 4

 

Scene change, dark blue/purple psych, dorm room portion of set moves to be present.

 

Clarence: (enters and flops onto the floor beside Jackson's bed, very casually) Hey, so, like, what do you think of Riley Bartol? 

 

Jackson: I can smell bar must on you from here. Please go shower and leave me alone. I have an 8 am tomorrow.

 

Clarence: REALLY! I don’t have class until 3. I feel like her whole nerdy annoying girl thing has worn off since she stopped hanging around the robotics club kids… I guess they probably make having no friends sound like a blessing.

 

Jackson: Riley Bartol? She’s pretty for a loser. Martin Crest has had a crush on her since freshman year.

 

Clarence: Didn’t she used to gallop to class and make horse noises during class freshman year? I swear I heard that somewhere.

 

Clarence takes out his laptop and starts typing and deleting, over and over.

 

Jackson: I don’t know he was probably into that. College football guys like freaks. 

 

Clarence: Gross. 

 

Jackson: How’s the writing going? Do you feel better about it yet?

 

Clarence: It’s gonna be fine. I’m doing great with it, you know, I’m like, inspired.

 

Jackson: Okay. Hope that’s true.

 

Clarence: Night.

 

Jackson: G’Night.

Blackout, lights come up on an empty, uncanny, dream like setting, only the front of stage lit, all setting in total darkness.

 

Alice: (sitting on the edge of the stage, very casual) Hey.

 

Clarence: (startled) Oh. Hi. Where are we?

 

Alice: Wherever you want us to be I guess. 

 

Clarence: No no, I was just doing something. What was I doing? 

 

Alice: (Clears throat) I think you were about to say something.

 

Clarence: About what? I was writing! That's what I was doing, and you took me away!

 

Alice: You came here all on your own. Now what were you about to say? 

 

Clarence: I wasn’t about to say anything, you just ruined my creative flow. Let me go back.

 

Alice: Creative flow?

 

Clarence: Yes. Now let me go back to my room so I can finish.

 

Alice: Finish writing? I think you should tell me what you were about to say.

 

Clarence: I wasn’t about to say anything! Take me home!

 

Alice: Haven’t you realized by now? You’re asleep. Just wake up if you want to go back.

 

Clarence: Oh. If it's night, then I guess it's not necessary. I want to finish my essay, though.

 

Alice: What essay? 

 

Clarence: I'll tell you if you tell me who you are.

 

Alice: sarcastically I am a figment of your imagination. What's the essay on?

 

Clarence: No, because if you were a figment of my imagination in a dream, I would have had to have seen you before. And if I’d seen you before, trust me, I would’ve remembered.

 

Alice: That's cute. Tell me about the essay.

 

Clarence: It's for a summer program. I haven’t started it yet, and I need to be done with it in two weeks.

 

Alice: Oh please I’ve written books in two weeks time. You’ll be fine.

 

Clarence: You’ve written books? Who are you? 

 

Alice: Alice. But I know who you are, Clarence.

 

Clarence: And how would you know that?

 

Alice: Because we’re in your dream. Everything in here is all you.

 

Clarence: Good to know. So you’re a writer… What have you written? What books did you manage to complete in two weeks?

 

Alice: Oh nothing you would’ve read. Just some novels… You know, I can help you if you want. With the essay.

 

Clarence: How would a figment of my own imagination be able to help me with my essay?

 

Alice: I thought you didn’t believe I was a figment of your imagination?

 

Clarence: There doesn’t seem to be any other explanation for what you are. How would you start a narrative essay about something I know? And I don’t know anything. I’ve barely lived.

 

Alice: I find that hard to believe. What’s the happiest memory you have? First thing you can think of, go.

 

Clarence: Um.. I guess.. When my grandfather took me and my sister to the mountains. Before she left. We used to go up there every summer and bake together, and collect wild berries… I loved those summers.

 

Alice: Now the worst.

 

Clarence: …When she ran away. When she was 17 and I was 13. I never saw her again after that.

 

Alice: I’m sorry that happened to you. Why do you think she did it?

 

Clarence: I don’t really know. She used to fight with our mom a lot. That could’ve been part of it. She had this boyfriend… I think they disappeared together. Neither of them have been heard from in years.

 

Alice: Well, maybe you should use that. Channel those thoughts into something deeper. Or try to use it as inspiration. Don’t give up on something because you think you haven’t lived; it's clear you have.

 

Clarence: You know what, thank you. I needed that. I know you’re not real but… it would’ve been nice if you were.

 

Alice: I guess so. Bye, Clarence.

 

Act 1 Scene 6

 

Stage lights up fully, spot on Clarence

 

Jackson: (standing over Clarence) Bro. 

 

Clarence: Oh my god! What are you doing?

 

Jackson: You were being super weird in your sleep. Like… I'm scared.

 

Clarence: Weird dream, that’s all. What time is it?

 

Jackson: 8:30. Hey are you sure-

 

Clarence: (rolling out of bed) Uuuugh. I can’t do class today.

 

Jackson: Yeah I don’t doubt it.. What were you saying about some girl? Who the hell is Alice? And you said something about getting help for your essay..

 

Clarence: It wasn’t like that. I was dreaming and I just needed a good night's sleep.

 

Jackson: Well it doesn’t seem like you got one! You were sleep-talking like crazy.

 

Clarence: It was nothing. I guess I was just in a really deep sleep. I’m gonna head out. I want breakfast.

 

Jackson: Clarence, wait! 

 

Clarence: Yeah?

 

Jackson: I just want you to know I’m here for you. You don’t have to keep hiding stuff. 

 

Clarence: What are you talking about?

 

Jackson: I’m here for you. You don’t have to worry about being alone, okay?

 

Clarence: Yeah but what you don’t understand is that I actually like being alone. I don’t need you, Jackson.

 

Jackson: I know, I just… never mind. If you say you’re fine, you’re fine.

 

Clarence: No, say it. What were you going to say?

 

Jackson: Just because you’re used to something, it doesn't mean you like it. It just means you’re comfortable. Comfort doesn’t mean happy, Clarence. You need to remember that life can’t be all about you.

 

Act 1 Scene 7

 

Platform shifts from bedroom to bar, redecorated to be a breakfast cafe. Clarence walks in and sits at a table next to a window.

 

Clarence takes out laptop and begins to breathe deeply, and places his hands on the keyboard, but stops suddenly, and cannot seem to keep his fingers on the right keys.

 

Reynolds: Clarence! I’m so happy I ran into you, listen, the other day… I’m very sorry for putting you on the spot like that. I know how stressful that kind of thing can be and.. I shouldn’t have assumed you had your narrative done. 

 

Clarence: It’s alright, professor. I know you expected me to have started working by then… I'm sorry I let you down. I swear I am trying.

 

Reynolds: I don’t doubt that you are, trust me. It’s all going to be fine, you’ll see. Even if this competition doesn’t go to plan, you’ll get your apprenticeship, and after next year, I know you’ll have plenty of opportunities lined up for you. 

 

Clarence sees Alice walking in front of the bar set platform, and stares, unable to comprehend what he is seeing, and basically drowns out Reynolds. It is important that actors reflect this well, and that the attention is taken away from Reynolds even though she is speaking.

 

Reynolds: Clarence? Are you okay?

 

Clarence: What? Sorry… um yes. Thank you. 

 

Reynolds: Right. I hope you are able to get your thoughts down well. I know you have something to write about, you just have to let it come to me. The narrative isn’t due for another 18 days, so don’t worry. I’ll see you in class.

 

Clarence: (gets up and walks to the edge of the platform, peering off stage where Alice has just walked. He begins to move towards off stage, until he is knocked over) Wait!

 

Reynolds: Yes?

 

Clarence: Oh I wasn’t.. Um…

 

Reynolds: Look Clarence, I know what’s happening here. I know you need help, and I know you’re having trouble, but I can’t just give the answers to you. You need to be able to do this for yourself! You need to use something about you to inspire you. Use your book! I can’t help you more. Just don’t overthink it.

 

Clarence: Yeah, thank you.

 

Both exit

 

Riley and Jackson enter from opposite sides of the stage, bumping into each other.

 

Riley: Oh sorry. You’re Jackson, right? 

 

Jackson: Yup. Riley… Bartol? My roommate is Clarence Peters.

 

Riley: (Laughs) Yeah! I think you’re in my psychology class, have you noticed-

 

Jackson: Clarence! Yes! Something is totally up.

 

Riley: I was going to ask about our psych professor but sure, that too.

 

Jackson: Oh. Well I don’t think I’ve gone to more than, like, three of those classes.

 

Riley: Right. But I did notice. Clarence is off. Do you know why this prompt is stressing him out so much?

 

Jackson: I think he doesn’t know who he is. He doesn’t know how to write about himself or anything related to his, like, personality. It’s always been like that, even from our freshman year essay prompts.

 

Riley: How long have you guys been roommates?

 

Jackson: Since freshman year. Best friends since we met in creative writing 1. Before I transferred to be a bio major.

 

Riley: Wow. So you must really know each other.

 

Jackson: Yeah. And I know when something’s wrong. I need to get him to open up to me about whatever makes him think he doesn’t have what it takes to write this stupid essay, but it’s hard. I feel like he doesn’t trust me.

 

Riley: Well don’t stress yourself out over it. I know you’re his best friend, but at the end of the day, it's his issue. 

 

Jackson: Yeah, I get that I just feel like he doesn't know how to manage it. He always just shuts everything out and tries too hard… he tries so hard to write that his brain stops and all he can do is stare at the screen.

 

Riley: Maybe what he needs is a break. You should try to plan something with friends and get him acquainted with some people. That’s what I wish people had done for me a couple years ago. 

 

Jackson: Good Idea! When I plan something I’ll text you the info, okay?

 

Riley: Oh I doubt he would consider me a friend. I think it would just piss him off if I were there. I have that effect on people. Actually mostly him but that’s- 

 

Jackson: Something tells me he wants you in his life more than you realize.

 

Riley: Okay.

 

They exchange phone numbers

 

Jackson: Okay, well I’ll see you around!

 

Riley: Bye!

 

Blackout

 

Lights come up on the dorm room, Jackson is lounging on his bed, and Clarence is sitting at his desk, staring at his computer screen looking very down in the dumps.

 

Jackson: Okay. Get up.

 

Clarence: I really can’t.

 

Jackson: Yes you can. You won’t get anywhere depressing yourself and driving yourself crazy.

 

Clarence: My legs may be stuck like this.

 

Jackson: (pulls Clarence out from chair and puts his arm around him) Time to go.

 

As they walk across the stage slowly, the set rotates. This should be in the dark, as the set will do a full 360॰ turn, going back to the dorm room setting.

 

Clarence: Go where?

 

Jackson: Out!

 

Clarence: The bar?

 

Jackson: Nope. The club.

 

Clarence: Jackson. Do I seem like the type of person to want to go clubbing? And if I was, do I look like I’m in the mood to go clubbing?

 

Jackson: You look like someone who needs some fun with the girl he likes. Did I mention she’s going?

 

Clarence: I do not ‘like’ Riley.

 

Jackson: Huh? I never said Riley. You must’ve just conjured that up in your mind-scape I guess-

 

Clarence: Okay okay. Take a beat Did she say she wanted to hang out with me?

 

Jackson: Oh don’t you worry. We had an extensive conversation the other day. We are going to go to the club, you’re going to meet my friends, Riley will hang out with us, and we’ll be one big happy family.

 

Clarence: I don’t like big families. Or happy people.

 

Jackson: Maybe that’s just because you’re not used to it. 

 

Lights come down, spotlight in center stage with Clarence, he opens his eyes and Alice is directly in front of him

 

Alice: Hi Clarence.

 

Clarence: You’re back! 

 

Alice: I’m back.

 

Clarence: Do I get to know what you are yet?

 

Alice: I told you, I’m anything you want me to be. 

 

Clarence: Help me write. I can’t do this on my own. I’ve tried, and I’m failing. I haven’t lived.

 

Alice: But you are living! You were just at the movies with your friends, and there's more to come, I bet. Don’t write off being happy or social just because you feel like you don’t deserve it.

 

Clarence: …Damn Alice. That was harsh.

 

Alice: You needed it. 

 

Clarence: How can I… channel the things I love… the things that make me happy- into writing? I don’t know how to write about important things, really… I just write to make stupid things seem important.

 

Alice: Even so, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. You just need to find something to spark that same energy, give the same effect, and mean something to you as well as everyone reading it.

(pause) I got it! You could write about your sister!

 

Clarence: If I write about my sister it feels like I’m using her. I don’t want her to become some stupid essay. 

 

Alice: You don’t know anything else. Like you said, you’ve barely lived.

 

Clarence: I can’t turn all of my memories of my sister into a stupid competition submission! She needs to be more than that to me! I just… I’m worried that if I write about her, and about our childhood together, then… it won’t be as special. It won’t be mine anymore.

 

Alice: That’s not it, is it? You don’t want to start writing about her and realize that you’ve forgotten her. That you don’t know her as well as you’re telling yourself, and by writing what you think you know… you’re just lying to yourself and the admissions board.

 

Clarence: How could you… there’s absolutely no way for you to know that. You don’t know me. Stop acting like you know me!

 

Alice: I do know you! 

 

Clarence: I need to wake up. You should really leave me alone.

 

Alice: sighs.

 

Act 1 Scene 8

 

Lights come up on the dorm room, Clarence is standing in the middle of the room, staring out at the audience.

 

Jackson: Clarence? What are you doing?

 

Clarence: I have an 8 am. I’m gonna go now.

 

Jackson: Hey wait! Did you sleep? What’s wrong?

 

Clarence: Nothing's wrong. I don’t have time for this right now, Jackson.

 

Jackson: Okay… I’m here if you need to talk.

 

Blackout, set changes to lecture hall

 

Riley: (off stage) Hey Clarence! Hey! Clarence? (spotlight comes up and Riley is suddenly right behind Clarence) Clarence!

 

Clarence: Jesus! Riley, you scared me. What is it, are you okay?

 

Riley: Yeah I’m fine, you? I was saying your name for like three minutes. Is your hearing finally leaving you?

 

Clarence: Funny. I'm doing splendidly. Glad you feel the same.

 

Riley: So… how did you find the homework? 

 

Clarence: I forgot to do it.

 

Riley: Oh okay. Do you want to copy mine, or…?

 

Clarence: No, your answers are probably wrong anyway. Or under thought.

 

Riley: Yeah sure. Anyways, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to do something this weekend? You’ve been M.I.A. dude.. I feel like I haven’t talked to you since the movies last week. Jackson and everyone are going to-

 

Clarence: I-I can’t. Have you seen me Riley? (laughing) I can’t even shower or do my laundry! I haven’t brushed my teeth in four days! I’m so busy. There’s too much I have to do and I can’t even fathom why you would-... I can’t. 

 

Riley: Busy with what? Jackson says you’ve just been at the dorm all day. 

 

Clarence: I need to finish my essay and figure out what the girl was talking about last night. Busy doesn’t always mean out, Riley.

 

Riley: What girl? I don’t understand… You wrote a book at 13… this essay thing can’t possibly be stressing you out this much.

 

Clarence: Jesus, can people stop talking about the stupid book?! You don’t understand how my mind works. I don’t know how it works, but it’s fine! You'll see, my essay is going to be phenomenal. 

 

Riley: Yeah, I don’t doubt it. Have fun with that girl Clarence. Don’t worry I won’t ask you to tag along again. I hope you know I only asked because I feel bad for you.

 

Act 1 Scene 9

 

Clarence looks around, panicked. The lit stage begins to grow smaller and smaller until the only light is a spotlight on him. He looks out to the audience and begins to breathe heavily. At first to calm himself, then uncontrollably hyperventilating until he is on the ground, clutching his knees to his chest. Lights come up, and Alice is standing beside him. The ensemble and Riley remain frozen onstage, dimly lit.

 

Alice: Hi Clarence.

 

Clarence: Something’s wrong.

 

Alice: Nothing’s wrong. Just tell me what you’re feeling. I want to help you.

 

Clarence: You can’t help me. Nobody can help me. I just need to write. 

 

Alice: You’re going to be okay. Nothing can hurt you right now.

 

Clarence: I know. I’m not… I’m not scared of that. He stands and makes his way to his computer. I just need to finish this before the deadline is here. 

 

Alice: Okay. Good.

 

Clarence: Alice.. Who.. Who are you?

 

Alice: I’m a ghost. I’m an apparition. 

 

Clarence: And I can see you? Why?

 

Alice: I visited you in your dream, so now I’m visible to you.

 

Clarence: So I’m not dreaming right now? What.. What the fuck is going on?

 

Alice: Just relax, okay? Everything is fine, you’re just… You’re… I don’t know! Said with a smile.

 

Clarence: Why can’t I see anything, except you? What did you do to me?

 

Alice: Nothing it’s not-

 

Clarence: I don’t know how to just… be normal with you. 

 

Alice: I know what you need to write. 

 

Clarence: How could you possibly know anything about this? About me?

 

Alice: I know you better than anyone. I've been here, always. Since when you first wrote sentences for first grade to when you wrote your college essay. 

 

Clarence: Yeah stifles laughter because you’re in my head!

 

Alice: That doesn’t mean as much as you think it does.

 

Clarence: Please would you just stop trying to tell me what I’m thinking? If you aren’t just in my head. 

 

Alice: I’ll be whatever you want me to be. 

 

Jackson: Clarence! Clarence, what happened? Are you okay?

 

 Lights come up on the dorm room set.

 

Clarence: (pause) Can you hand me my laptop?

 

Blackout.