Write One Act One
To get my mind and body in motion during my Covid-19 quarantine, I participated it a project called ‘Write One Act One’. I would write a monologue which would be given to an actor to perform and vice versa. Below is my monologue. I’d post the video, but the url won’t embed. Go to YouTube and search ‘Protector Houston’
Title: Protector
by: Katharine Houston-Voss
04.23.2020
NOTES: This is spoken to a stuffed bear or stuffed animal. If not a bear, the text can change to whatever animal/toy it is that you have to record with. You also don’t have to show the stuffed toy.
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I pass the torch! Snuggie Bear you are now the protector of my son. You who have been by my side since I was four years old, will now make sure my son is not kidnapped by the bad guys in his mind. Snuggie Bear, you were always by my side when I woke up from a bad dream, a bad date, a bad year. Snuggie, whose body is triangle shaped due to my holding him in my armpit for 40 years, you are now going to protect my son from the true thing that scares him; the unknown, the virus, the reason he has school at home and hasn’t played with a friend or other children in 51 days. Snuggie Bear, you are the protector. My son will hug you with arms made of hope.
Snuggie, I don’t get it. We have been self isolating, distancing, staying 6ft. away from humanity for 51 days. People are still getting sick! I’m so glad I renewed my prescriptions. My husband feels that life is forever changed. I imagine it bounces back to right where we were, flaws and all. But now with face masks. And I’m sure as hell not shaking anyone’s hand again!
Is this really happening? This hasn’t been one really long day? Quarantine. I thought there would be more space aliens.
When my son asks me about this when he’s older… When he asks me, “Mom? What was the great Covid Quarantine like?” Do I tell him about applauding the people in service at 7pm and how we were flattening the curve for all? Or is it ok if I tell him my truth?
Monday through Friday, I dread the hours 5-7pm, because my full day of work is done. My multiple video meetings have ended. I’m finished guiding your school lessons and making you read. Dinner is in a few hours and I am free to do whatever I want. But, I have no idea what to do with myself. Your father is relaxing and you are either playing video games or watching YouTube. Two hours. After work and before he goes to bed. I am terrified with a lack of anything. It is dead air time and I start thinking about why we are all stuck at home. All the people dying; people still not believing. 5-7pm, I have no idea what to do with myself, so I talk to this silly bear.
Snuggie Bear, will you still protect me too?