JOSEPH acts like a doctor, but he’s not a doctor
DIANE is his nurse
GABRIELLA is his patient
[DIANE is looking over a questionnaire on a
clipboard. GABRIELLA is in incredible pain.]
DIANE
When did this happen?
GABRIELLA
A few hours ago, maybe 10:00?
DIANE
And how did it happen?
GABRIELLA
I was carrying groceries up the stairs and I was shifting things around to get my keys out, and a bag started to slip and I tried to catch it and I lost my balance and just went down.
DIANE
You fell down the stairs?
GABRIELLA
Only a few steps but I tried to break my fall and landed on my arm.
DIANE
You fell down the stairs, or you fell down the stairs?
GABRIELLA
I tripped. I fell back down to the landing.
DIANE
OK good. Someone will be with you in just a minute. [exits]
JOSEPH
[enters] Gabriella?
GABRIELLA
Hi Doct—
JOSEPH
I understand you’ve hurt your arm.
GABRIELLA
Yes, I was—
JOSEPH
How would you describe the pain? Sharp, dull, stabbing, throbbing?
GABRIELLA
Deep, throbbing… mostly right here and sometimes shooting up the arm.
JOSEPH
How severe is the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is mild pain, 8 is the worst pain you’ve ever experienced, and 10 is the pain of making irreversible choices about your body without thinking them through.
GABRIELLA
I… it hurts pretty badly. Maybe, a—
JOSEPH
Any pain anywhere else?
GABRIELLA
I—
JOSEPH
Do you have any allergies?
GABRIELLA
No.
JOSEPH
Any fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath?
GABRIELLA
No.
JOSEPH
[examining GABRIELLA’s arms] We’ll need to set the arm. It will only get more painful from here.
DIANE
We don’t want it to be painful but it’s naturally very painful. We can give you something to help with that, though.
JOSEPH
Before we can administer any palliative care, we need to show you an informational video on the dangers of the treatments you may receive, and about your rights as a patient.
DIANE
The power is out.
JOSEPH
The power is out. Do you want to proceed without the painkillers?
GABRIELLA
No, this really hurts.
JOSEPH
The power is out.
GABRIELLA
I don’t understand. Why do you need power to give me a painkiller?
JOSEPH
We need power to show you the mandatory video. We’re trying to help you here.
DIANE
We could act it out. That complies with the regulation too.
JOSEPH
That’s fine. [in performance mode] Broken bones can be painful.
DIANE
But so can rushing into treatments that you don’t understand.
JOSEPH
Before you get treatment for a broken bone, you’ll be required to see images of the bone in its natural form. You’ll also be shown the clinic’s state certification, demonstrating that we comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and that we’re authorized to manage pain.
DIANE
You have the right to know how your bone would heal naturally if you were not to seek medical attention. We will also show you images of your broken bone so that you can determine whether you want to go through with the procedure. Any treatment for pain is unrelated to the medical treatment that is required to heal your bone.
JOSEPH
Treatment for pain has many risks, including ulcers, nausea, a higher tolerance of pain, an increased risk of brain cancer, and a cleaving between what your body is trying to tell you and what you are willing to listen to.
DIANE
Remember that pain can take many forms: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Painkillers will only address physical pain, and only for a short time.
JOSEPH
The biggest danger of painkillers is addiction.
DIANE
Nearly 98% of people who take painkillers for simple procedures become addicted. On June 9th, 2014, Jared Fisher entered a drug store in Perth Amboy, New Jersey looking to slake his addiction to painkillers. He shot 17 people, all fatality, before making off with 16,000 pills of methafarone, a popular painkiller.
JOSEPH
His youngest victim was just 4 months old.
DIANE
This is what she would look like today. [DIANE approaches an audience member] Look at her. This is what she would look like if she hadn’t been gunned down by someone addicted to painkillers. Please look at her. This is what she would look like today. Her name was Carol Anne Harris. Look at her. You’re required to look at her.
JOSEPH
Thank you, Diane. That ends the presentation. Do you understand your rights?
GABRIELLA
Please, I’m in a lot of pain, doctor.
JOSEPH
Oh, I’m not a doctor. Where was your boyfriend when you got injured?
GABRIELLA
He was at—wait, how do you know I have—
JOSEPH
Does he know you’re here?
GABRIELLA
He’s meeting me.
JOSEPH
Is he the only person you’re intimate with? Intimacy is any non-medical physical contact, with the exception of handshakes and hugs lasting less than 8 seconds.
GABRIELLA
Yes, but—
JOSEPH
That’s great. Before I can continue, I’ll need you to sign this affidavit absolving him of any responsibility for your injury.
GABRIELLA
I don’t get what you’re talking about. He has nothing to do with this.
JOSEPH
That’s what you’re saying now. [pause] For his protection, I need you to sign this form so we can continue with your treatment.
DIANE
Sign the form, dear.
JOSEPH
Would you feel more comfortable if we waited for him?
DIANE
I know your arm hurts, sweetie. Sign the form.
JOSEPH
You can just make an X with your good arm. [GABRIELLA “signs” form. DIANE takes and files it.]
JOSEPH
Just a few more questions. Is that the arm you use to apply makeup?
GABRIELLA
Makeup?
JOSEPH
I think you’d feel better answering my questions if you were confident that you looked good.
GABRIELLA
I feel fine, I—
JOSEPH
I understand that you’re vulnerable. But I shouldn’t have to see you like this. And more importantly, neither should your boyfriend. Diane? [exits]
DIANE
I’m going to have to temporarily immobilize your arm so that you don’t get any worse. [takes good arm, fastens it behind chair]
GABRIELLA
That’s not the arm that hurts!
DIANE
I understand. [DIANE applies lipstick and whatnot to GABRIELLA’s face. The result is cartoonish. GABRIELLA tries to resist with bad arm] Don’t move that arm either, I wouldn’t want it to get worse. [pause] I wish I could help you, I really do. You’re doing great, though, having a boyfriend and not getting him in trouble. And doing what he says. And making yourself nice for him. [finishes] Great! Now you can have the painkillers. [From locked cabinet, DIANE takes out jar and water. SHE dispenses two pills, then a third.] No matter what he asks you, you only had two, ok? [places pills in front of GABRIELLA, who reaches for them. DIANE grabs HER arm.] Dear, I know that seeing those pills can be alarming. That’s why there’s a mandatory 30-second waiting period from the time that I dispense them until the time you take them. [THEY sit in silence. DIANE finally nods. GABRIELLA takes the pills and reaches for the water. DIANE grabs HER arm.] There’s another mandatory 30-second waiting period before you have the water. [pause] OK just go ahead. [GABRIELLA lunges for the water.]
JOSEPH
[offstage] Is she ready?
DIANE
[knocks the water out of GABRIELLA’s hand] Almost!
JOSEPH
[enters] The painkillers will kick in after a mandatory 48-hour waiting period. At the end of the 48 hours you should start to feel some relief. Take your clothes off. [GABRIELLA doesn’t move. JOSEPH nods to DIANE.]
DIANE
We’re just trying to keep you whole dear. [SHE starts to undress GABRIELLA.]
JOSEPH
We’ll be imaging your body so that we can understand the extent of the damage, and try to— [GABRIELLA screams. DIANE reacts, then regains control of herself. JOSEPH does not react. Silence.] Bring her into the other room until she’s ready. [DIANE escorts GABRIELLA out, then returns and slumps into the chair where GABRIELLA had been sitting.] Feeling OK?
DIANE
She’s a tough one, that’s all. [JOSEPH looks up.] I just worry somet—
JOSEPH
Worry?
DIANE
No, no, just—
JOSEPH
No?
DIANE
I do, but—
JOSEPH
Take these. [JOSEPH hands her pills.]
DIANE
What are they? [pause] There’s no waiting period?
JOSEPH
Maybe there is. [pause] In the end, you have to choose whether or not to trust someone. [DIANE thinks about taking the pills. Thinks some more. Decides not to.] Good girl.
[lights fade to BLACKOUT]
Art and Music in Our Souls 