Black Nail Polish by Rebecca Blatt

Aliza

Mom

Setting: Center stage there is a square table with two chairs across from one another. Mom, forty-five, sits in the chair facing stage left waiting for Aliza to come home. Aliza, sixteen, enters stage left wearing dark clothes and black nail polish. After she enters she continues walking planning to exit stage right, but before she can Mom stops her.

Mom: Aliza? Come here dear.

Aliza: (sighs annoyed and then walks to the table) What?

Mom: You okay?

Aliza: Yeah, why?

Mom: Well, look at your clothes…

Aliza: (curls fingers into her palm to hide the nail polish) What about it?

Mom: (sighs) You know what I mean, you don't normally wear those clothes.

Aliza: I know, but why does it matter? It's not like I'm…

Mom: Why? I know you're not being yourself.

Aliza: Oh, really? And you would know that how?

Mom: I'm your mother. That should…

Aliza: Should what? That doesn't mean anything.

Mom: So, then why are you wearing those clothes?

Aliza: Because, I'm…

Mom: You're what? Depressed? Do you even…

Aliza: News flash, I've been depressed for a long time. Oh, but you wouldn't know that would you. You just…

Mom: What are you talking about?! Why are you depressed? What reason is there to be depressed?

Aliza: (sighs and starts to exit stage right) You wouldn't understand obviously.

Mom: Aliza! You just sit down, I'm talking to you.

Aliza: (stops walking and turns around) So? When I talk to you, you never listen. You just…

Mom: Whatever, let's not argue about that right now. Just come over and…

Aliza: Why not? You know that I'm right. Right? Oh yeah, you wouldn't admit that though.

Mom: Don't talk to me that way!

Aliza: Hello! Freedom of speech. You know we live in the U.S., right?

Mom: So what, you live in my house so you have to listen to my rules. Which includes respecting me.

Aliza: (snorts) I don't have to respect you.

Mom: If you don't, at lease act like you do. Okay?

Aliza: (mumbles under her breath) Jeez, you're such a hypocrite. It's so annoying.

Mom: What are you mumbling?

Aliza: Nothing mom. After all you know I would never say anything bad about you. Since, after all, I respect you.

Mom: Is that sarcasm?

Aliza: I don't know. What do you think?

Mom: Jeez, I don't know.

Aliza: (mocks) Was that sarcasm?

Mom: Don't you mock me?

Aliza: What? Me mock you? Oh, that's impossible.

Mom: Aliza, you're pushing it.

Aliza: (accidentally makes it so Mom can see her nails) Whatever.

Mom: Aliza, get over her! Now!

(Aliza rolls her eyes, but walks over to the table and sits in the empty chair)

Mom: What's that?

Aliza: What's what?

Mom: (points to the nail polish) That! What's that?

Aliza: (looks at her nails) Oh, that! That is nail polish mom. You know, the stuff that you put on your nails so they can be another color.

Mom: Yeah, I know what nail polish is.

Aliza: Wow! I could have never guessed that you did. After all you're so…

Mom: So what? Never mind, what is it doing on your nails?

Aliza: Uh, are you dumb? Because I wanted to wear nail polish. Why else?

Mom: That's not what I meant. I meant…

Aliza: Meant what? Hmm?

Mom: Are you stupid? Why are your nails black?

Aliza: (shrugs) Because I wanted them to be. What's the big deal?

Mom: They're black!

Aliza: Yeah, I know. Honestly, what's the big deal?

Mom: What's the big deal? What's the big deal?!

Aliza: Yeah, what's the big deal?

Mom: They're black.

Aliza: Yeah, we've been over that. What's your point?

Mom: My point is…

Aliza: (starts tapping her fingers impatiently on the table) Hmm?

Mom: Wait, are you starting to worship the devil?

Aliza: (Eyes widen and she abruptly stops tapping the table with her fingers) No way! Mom, seriously I would never do that!

Mom: Really?

Aliza: Yes, really mom. Trust me, at least with this. I honestly would never do that.

Mom: Hmm, fine. Then why are you wearing such dark clothing and wearing black nail polish?

Aliza: Because, I'm depressed mom. I'm expressing myself. Since you didn't notice before.

Mom: But why? Why are you depressed?

Aliza: Because. Look, it's complex.

Mom: Honey, you know you can talk to me.

Aliza: Oh, really? Now, you'll listen to me? Now?! It's a little late now.

Mom: What do you mean?

Aliza: Forget it, you wouldn't understand.

Mom: But, I'm trying. You know I won't understand unless you tell me.

Aliza: (shakes head) No, I wanted, I needed, to talk to you so many times. But where you there for me? No, you were always too busy.

Mom: If it was so important, you just had to tell me. I would have stopped doing whatever I was doing.

Aliza: Not true! I told you that it was important, but did you care? No.

Mom: Aliza, I…

Aliza: No! Don't even say it. Don't say you cared. For if you cared you would have listened to me.

Mom: Fine, I won't. But, I'm listening now. So, please tell me what is going on that is causing you to be depressed. (pauses a moment before adding quietly) Not that I think you have any reason to be depressed.

Aliza: Well, I. Wait, I heard that! Fine, I won't tell you.

Mom: (sighs) Aliza…

Aliza: Mom, don't. Honestly, stop acting like you care. It's obvious you don't. Or if you do care save it. Since you won't believe me, or think I'm being reasonable anyway.

Mom: See what I mean. If you even think you're being unreasonable then you must be.

Aliza: That's not what I said.

Mom: Then what did you say?

Aliza: That no matter what I say you'll think that it is unreasonable.

Mom: That's not what you said. You said…

Aliza: I know what I said! That's not what I meant then.

Mom: Fine, though what would give you that impression?

Aliza: (rolls eyes annoyed) Because, you even said that's what you thought.

Mom: And when did I say that?

Aliza: Just earlier, quietly, but I still heard you.

Mom: And what did I say?

Aliza: You don't remember?

Mom: Of course I remember. I just…

Aliza: Whatever. You said that you didn't think I had any reason to be depressed. You know I…

Mom: I said I don't think. You might have good reasons why you believe you're depressed.

Aliza: You just think I'm being a moody teen. Don't you?

Mom: Actually? Yes, I do.

Aliza: And why do you think that?

Mom: Because of the clothes and nail polish you're wearing.

Aliza: Seriously, why is what I wear such a big deal? It's not like I'm wearing -wear.

Mom: It is a big deal. People might think…

Aliza: Wasn't it you who told me that I shouldn't care what other people think of me as long as I was comfortable with what I was wearing?

Mom: Yes, but…

Aliza: But, what? Hmm?

Mom: But, you don't want people to think that you…

Aliza: I what? Cut myself? What?

Mom: (eyes widen with shock) Do you cut yourself? Do you?!

Aliza: No, mom. I don't.

(Mom reaches over the table and yanks Aliza's sleeves up)

Aliza: See? There's nothing there. I don't cut myself. I can't believe you didn't trust me.

Mom: Aliza, I just wanted to…

Aliza: To what? Make sure? I said I didn't. That should have been enough if you trusted me.

Mom: Aliza, you know your cousin…

Aliza: Yeah, I know, but mom I'm not her. You know that takes a lot of courage to do.

Mom: Aliza, I don't want you ending up like her. You know she started just like you. With the…

Aliza: Mom, I know. Really, I know all about it. It all started the same exact way it started for me.

Mom: What? What started?

Aliza: Our depression.

Mom: Aliza, you're not depressed.

Aliza: Really? You were just…

Mom: I know, I was comparing her to you. But, I don't think you're depressed. You have so…

Aliza: Yeah, so much to be happy for. I am happy that I have many things, but…

Mom: But, what? You should be happy that you have a place to live, food to eat, clothes to wear…

Aliza: Mom, I am glad that I have all of that. But you of all people should know materialistic objects could never make a person truly happy.

(Mom looks away)

Aliza: I'm right. You know I am.

Mom: Yes, Aliza. I know materialistic objects can never make a person happy, but what don't you have? Why could you ever think you're depressed?

Aliza: Well, first off at school…

Mom: My point exactly. At school. You're just being a moody teen. What is it? Huh? Did a boy you like not look at you today? Is that your problem?

Aliza: No! You didn't even listen to what I was saying. You cut me off. Anyway, I don't even have a crush on…

Mom: Don't tell me you're lesbian too? Oh, lord where have I gone wrong?

Aliza: Mom! I was saying I don't have a crush on anyone. I'm not lesbian. What's so bad about them anyway?

Mom: What's wrong with them? What's wrong with them?!

Aliza: You know some of my friends are gay. They are some of…

Mom: The freakiest people!

Aliza: You know, Alice is bi. You thought she was a great friend for me to have.

Mom: Well…

Aliza: What, now that she's bi she isn't okay anymore. If so, you made me lose all of the respect that I have for you.

Mom: Aliza, you know that I…

Aliza: Yeah, you hate all homosexuals.

Mom: Well, I don't hate. I just dislike, greatly dislike…

Aliza: Mom, I not homosexual or bi and I'm not asking you to be either of them. So, please try to accept my friends.

Mom: But they're…

Aliza: I shouldn't have said anything. I shouldn't have tried making you understand anything. After all you're views are so…

Mom: So what? Traditional? Right?

Aliza: No, narrow-minded. Mom, please don't hate, I mean greatly dislike Alice because she's bi. She's still the same person you know.

Mom: But, she's…

Aliza: Mom, please? Please show me you'll try to understand me. And see some things from my point of view.

Mom: But, Alice…

Aliza: Is very nice. And I know you can be nice too.

Mom: Fine, I'll try.

Aliza: That's all I can ask for.

Mom: Yeah…

(Aliza stands up and starts to exit stage right)

Mom: Aliza! I'm not done talking to you.

Aliza: (sighs and turns around) Yes mom? What is it?

Mom: About why you're depressed…

Aliza: Will you actually listen? Without…

Mom: Yes…

Aliza: Without interrupting me?

Mom: I'll try my best not to.

Aliza: Okay, you see at school…

(In the background the sound of a ringing telephone is heard)

Mom: (stand up) Aliza, I'm going to answer the phone, okay?

Aliza: But, mom! I…

Mom: (starts to exit stage right) Aliza, it's probably very important.

Aliza: But…

(Mom exits stage right)

Aliza: (sighs) I guess some things just never change.

(The audience can hear, in the distance, Mom talking on the phone)

Aliza: (shakes head slightly before heading to exit stage right. The lights gradually fade as she takes each step) I guess I should try wearing gothic make-up. Or maybe I should act like I'm bi. Hmm, maybe then she'll listen.

(Aliza exits stage right and as she does the lights go out completely.)

-end


This is one of the two plays I wrote for creative writing class. I'm not the best at plays, though I hope this was alright.