********* TRIGGER WARNING *********

This play is focused on eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out and get help, you are loved despite what your brain may be telling you!

You can find help at the following link: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

My Brain is Getting the Best of Me

A One Act Play

by

Brittany Nichols

Cast of Characters

Character 1: Ava Croswell          20 year old college student struggle with self-image and depression                  

Character 2: Lizzie Hart           20 year old college student, best friend, and roommate of Ava Croswell

Scene

Ava and Lizzie’s apartment

Time

Mid afternoon

Scene 1

(Ava is in her bedroom sitting in front of her stand up mirror with clothes thrown astray all around her. She is staring at herself taking in her look of defeat and then begins to speak.)

AVA CROSWELL

How did it get this far? How have I let myself go so astray? I have let these evil thoughts about myself consume my entire brain. I do not even notice this person anymore. I have lost the weight and yet here I am still spewing hate. Criticizing my every meal, I don’t even remember what it feels like to be excited to eat food anymore.

(Ava stands up and looks at the clothes around her.)

And what am I going to do about all of this? Either it fits and I think it looks bad, or it does not, and I start to feel ridiculously sad. I do not know how much longer I can live with this chaos inside my mind. One minute I think this is all going to be fine, but then I find myself falling again. Literally and metaphorically, I passed out just yesterday. No one was home which was both a blessing and a curse. I cannot keep this to myself anymore, but I do not want anyone else to be hurt. I can not stand the thought of everyone else’s worry especially because I have no real excuse to always be damaging myself. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself. Damn, maybe it is time I reach out for help.

(Ava looks around her room and back at the self in the mirror. She takes a deep breath and lays down on the bed nearby. She pulls out her cellphone and begins texting)

(BLACKOUT – END OF SCENE)

Scene 2

(Ava is now pacing the living room floor awaiting the arrival of Lizzie. She spins around quickly when she hears keys in the door handle)

AVA CROSWELL

Lizzie, I have been waiting for you!

(Lizzie enters the room and sits her backpack and things down on the recliner)

LIZZIE HART

Everything ok? You look like you may have had one too many expressos.

AVA CROSWELL

I need to say this out loud and I need it to be to you. I know you will not hold back and will set me straight.

(Lizzie approaches Ava and gently grabs her to hold her in place)

Lizzie Hart

Of course, you can tell me anything, but you must stop pacing like a mad woman.

(Ava and Lizzie take a seat on the couch facing each other)

What has you so worked up?

AVA CROSWELL

I have been starving myself. At first it was to lose a little bit of weight quickly, but it has begun to spiral out of control. I had myself convinced I had enough discipline, but I must be honest with someone. My brain is getting the best of me. I can not stand the sight of me.

(Lizzie leans in and embraces Ava in a comforting manner)

LIZZIE HART

Oh Ava, I knew you were struggling, but I had not realized it had reached such extreme levels.

(Lizzie ends her embrace and looks Ava in the eyes)

We will fix this.

AVA CROSWELL

How?

LIZZIE HART

The same way we have fix things our whole life, as a team.

(BLACKOUT – END OF SCENE)

Scene 3

(Ava and Lizzie are sitting together in a doctor’s waiting room.)

LIZZIE HART

What are you thinking?

AVA CROSWELL

So many thoughts. The most prominent is do I even need to be here. Aren’t there others out there who have it way worse than I do? I feel like I am wasting valuable time that can be used on those who need it more.

LIZZIE HART

And that is exactly why you need to be here Ava. This world has convinced you that your problems are small. This has allowed you to push them aside for the greater good; all while slowly killing yourself on the inside. You need this Ava.

(Lizzie puts her hand on Ava’s and looks at her)

You are doing the right thing.

AVA CROSWELL

I know you are right, but the anxiety of it all is still there.

LIZZIE HART

Now that I can understand.

(Both Ava and Lizzie chuckle and the nurse calls Ava’s name)

You got this. I will be here when you are done.

AVA CROSWELL

Thank you for being such an amazing human Lizzie.

LIZZIE HART

Stop you will make me blush. Now get in there and get your brain fixed my dear best friend.

(Ava stands up and walks towards to doorway in which the nurse is standing. Before exiting she takes one look back at Lizzie for one last glance of encouragement)

(BLACKOUT)

(END OF PLAY)*