Venusian moves in a running-like fashion slowly across the stage while lights shine across the stage, going in the opposite direction of Venusian. The lights come one after another, faster than Venusian’s moving speed. Barman moves in, in a walking fashion, when Venusian almost reaches the other end of the stage. Venusian stops with Barman.
Barman: Gosh, if you really needed to go to the bathroom that much, you should’ve just asked earlier.
Venusian: How did you-
Barman: Unless you’re not running to something. Hm. What is it that you’re running away from?
Venusian: She seemed so angry…
Barman: That’s not what I mean. What are you doing here? What is it that you’re running from, beautiful?
Venusian: Don’t call me that. It’s not true.
Barman: The hell it isn’t. I mean look at you. And look at those legs!
Venusian: I’ve looked at myself for a long time. I’ve stared at the mirror for a million years, and I still see the same ugly creature. I still see the Venusian that didn’t turn out right.
Barman: You look like you turned out just fine to me.
Venusian: To you, maybe, but to every other person in Venus, I’m that bruised flower at the back of the vase.
Barman: I would never put you at the back. You just shine too much.
Venusian: You don’t understand. You’re talking about your vase. I’m a Venusian. It’s either be perfect, or be nothing. There’s no such thing as “almost perfect”.
Barman: Well you’re certainly not nothing.
Venusian: Yes. I. Am. Have you ever been to Venus, Mr Barman?
Barman: No, I have not. And I prefer it that way. If you ask me, I think it’s the most superficial planet in the galaxy.
Venusian: Hey, watch it, Mr Bartender, that’s my planet you’re talking about it.
Barman: Sorry, mate, ahaha. I have heard about it though. Apparently, it contains the most beautiful people in the galaxy. I mean, I heard the booty was of the mightiest fine. It’s no wonder you’re from there.
Venusian: I’m not beautiful, Mr Barman. I’m the ugly of Venus.
Barman: Who cares?
Venusian: I do, Mr Barman. ME. Do you want to hear a little bit about my culture, Mr B?
Barman: Go ahead.
Venusian: Venus is a paradise. And it’s a fountain of life; but not just any life – the most beautiful essence of it in the Universe. Venusians aren’t exactly born perfect. They go through this process after birth.
Barman: Sounds fancy.
Venusian: (laughing slightly) In Venus, there are these wells and fountains and pools. They’re called “Roses”. Just “Roses”. When a Venusian baby is born, they are dipped into a Rose’s water. Kind-of like Earth’s Baptising process. The babies are kept under the water, right up until they’re about to drown because any less than that, your child was not going to be of the perfect variety. Given time, the water seeps into their blood and into their cells, into their DNA and right into their double helixes. Their genes are beautified, and the babies bloom with the most amazing petals. They’d flourish in every light. They were the meaning of ‘perfection’.
Barman: Wait, up until they’re about to drown? What if they do?
Venusians: Well, that’s the thing. You’re either perfect… or nothing.
Barman: That’s sick! These parents risk their child’s life for what? For beauty?
Venusian: The best, Mr Barman. They only want the best for their kids.
Barman: It is not the best, Venusian. It’s far from it. It might be the shiniest pretty in the Universe, but it’s far from the truest. It’s silver painted on wood. Pfft, Venus. You people stand on top of other people because y’all think you’re better than us, but you ain’t. You people are only nice for the eyes because you were all drowned in a pool of alterations. Venusians are not perfect, darling. And neither are you. Nobody is. But you can be better than them.
Venusian: They are…
Barman: If you’re not perfect like them, Venusian, and you ain’t dead, then what are you?
Venusian: I… (pause) Do you know who my parents are, Mr B?
Barman: No.
Venusian: They were pest to the Venusians. They’re the reason I look like this. They’re why I was constantly bullied back on Venus. I always hated them. Thought they were selfish. But…
Barman: But what, V?
Venusian: My uncle used to tell me stories of them. Apparently, their legacy started with me. They were just like everybody else before I was born. When they got down to soak me of the Rose’s water, they placed me in it (She starts to tear up) and they kept me in there for no longer than three seconds. They got me out and left. They just left. Apparently, they saw this Medical Worker by the Rose and thought-
Barman: “Golly, this is dangerous and not worth the risk.”
Venusian: Yep, pretty much. And they went around protesting about these Roses and their potential to destroy lives. I didn’t realise. … I was running from Venus, Mr B. I was running away from all the hurt and those girls, but I don’t think I was running away for the right reasons.
Barman: You are beautiful, V. Truly. The Earthling thinks so too.
Venusian: Maybe… Wait, what?
Barman is already out of the scene. He comes back.
Barman: Also:
Barman gives Venusian a big ol’ kiss on the lips.
Barman: Go get him. If you still don’t feel as pretty as the other Venusian bimbos, then the man from the land called Earth will. He’s a good guy. Go get him.
Blackout.
