Shadows of My Mind

June 22, 2019 Joseph Arnone

In this monologue, NAOMI opens up to her Aunt about a circle of depression she
encounters in her life. She wants to avoid getting depressed and in this monologue she
speaks with her Aunt about what she experiences and seeks advice.
Naomi: I torture myself and I don’t know how to stop it…I try so hard to think positive and
for the most part I do, I am; but, keeping myself that way is the hardest thing in the
world. It creeps up on me out from the shadows of my mind. I hate to sound like some
cheesy novel but it’s true. Whatever I have going on deep inside myself, I do my best to
ignore and most days, everything is good but when it hits, when this sudden rush of
negative energy comes by, it’s like a wave of depression.
I get so down about the direction of my life. Am I making the right decisions? Am I being
who I am meant to be? (beat) I get low about the things I do and I second guess my
choices after I’ve already made them and then sometimes days later I change my mind
again and go back to an earlier choice I made about the same damn thing…

Back and forth, back and forth…like a circle of confusion. I feel like I’m going crazy when
this happens, when I can’t seem to figure out a solution to my path…it’s like a disease in
my brain…I get trapped inside myself and I get lost in this really lonely place; until finally I
find some inner strength and I rip forward in a new light but I know that it’s only a matter
of time before I go back to that, that way of being and it scares me. I don’t want to be that
way…I just want to be happy and want to know that I am living my life with purpose. I
don’t want to have any regrets when I get old and look back on the life I’ve lived; cause I
won’t be able to go back and that would kill me in the end.

I may need help. I don’t know if this is something that I should see a doctor about…like a
therapist or —I don’t believe in medication. Never have. Maybe I’m too emotional and
take myself too damn seriously. I don’t know, I don’t—What do you think, huh? How do I
put an end to these phases that I go through?

 To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:

In this one-act play, NAOMI opens up to her Aunt about a circle of depression she
encounters in her life. Her Aunt shares her own personal story with her which grows their
bond.

Walk Me To The Door

January 2, 2019 Joseph Arnone
Samantha talks to the family butler about the relationship she had with her Mother, while
waiting for her Mother’s final moments to expire.
Samantha Jones: We never got along; she was always bitter towards me; I was the apple
of my father’s eye; she loathed his love for me…
So often I’ve tried, to, hold her hand, to, be her friend. She always left me out to
dry. Despite the old prune she had become; well, I say become with the hope that she was
something beautiful prior; something pure and vibrant—I blame myself…I used to blame
myself, that is…

One time I saw a spark in her eye, it was the only time I have ever seen it. We were out at
Westminster Park—no, no…I’m going to refrain from speaking of it, I’m going to keep that
one for myself. (beat) The point of it, of what I’m saying is that I wish the light in her never
went out—spent my life in search of it. I’ve never truly understood.

(beat – she turns away from window)

Well now, here we are…waiting…

(she cries)

(gets herself together)

So, I would much rather prefer if I went in first, as I am sure my face would not be the last
thing she wishes to see while she makes her exit.

(clears her throat)

I’ll go first Arthur. I–will—only—take a minute and then…then…you can come in and see
her off for good…she would like that…she would like you to be—she’s always liked your
face–haha!–she has always talked about how gentle and friendly your face is, “So
welcoming, warm and welcoming” she used to say. Ha! You are–You DO! Kind
man. You are a kind hearted man, Arthur. Thank you for being here and for—you are
appreciated, sir.

(clears throat)

Okay, okay, I’m ready now. (like a question) Walk me to the door. Thank you.

Beautiful Day
June 14, 2019 Joseph Arnone

In this dramatic female monologue, LINDA talks to a stranger she met in a park about how
she wishes she could be and feel more pretty.
LINDA: Look at me. Go on and take a good look. Do you see me? I’m a woman. Not a
man. My whole life I’ve been told that I look like a man. I don’t believe I ever received a
compliment regarding my “looks” as a woman.
I think we all have a crutch to bare in life. We each have a pain that we need to co-exist
with. For me, it’s my looks.

I wrote a letter today and sent it out to that television show that does make overs. You
know the show, “Beautiful Day”. Well, I wrote a passionate letter to those folks with the
hopes of getting a make over.
All I ask is even one day to look beautiful. Sure, I know those books that talk about “if
your beautiful on the inside, you are beautiful on the outside”. My friends and family tell
me similar notions. But honestly, let’s face it…I’m an ugly duckling.

Oh, I’ve tried just about everything under the sun that I could possibly get my hands
on. You name virtually any damn woman’s care product and I either tried it or read about
it. Nothing seems to make me feel like a beautiful woman.

Some days I look at those women in movies like Julia Roberts or Audrey Hepburn…just
real classy women. Beautiful women. I sometimes wish I were them.

If I could be beautiful on the outside for a day, that would be my dream come true. Just for
one day…to see what it feels like. To be able to look into a mirror and like what I see. To
be able to get compliments and date men for a change.

That would be my beautiful day.