Fragile

FRAGILE

Setting: A small therapy room in a mental asylum. Dr. Andrews, conservatively dressed, is sitting at a long table, absorbed in a file she's reading.

Characters:

Dr. Andrews: An psychiatrist with a secret who is tasked with deciding wether or not to send her patient to death row

Ricky Wardoff--a sociopath at the asylum

William--a staff member of the asylum

Lights Up: (Dr. Andrews is sitting at a long table, absorbed in

a file she's reading. William, a staff worker for the

asylum, enters with a patient, Ricky.)

WILLIAM

All right, Ricky. Have a seat. I'll be back in one hour to take you back to your room. Remember, play nice or we'll have to give you a shot of that loopy medicine. We wouldn't want that, now would we?

RICKY

No, Billy, we wouldn't.

WILLIAM

(Aggravated) I TOLD you to stop calling me BILLY!

RICKY

Of course, I understand, William. That was the name your father went by, wasn't it? Billy? Right? Abandonment at such an early age is hard on a boy, now isn't it? Raised only by an alcoholic mother. Messes with your little mind. Gives you anger issues. Right, William?

WILLIAM

(Angry, but determined to keep his temper) If you have any problems with him, yell out. I'll be just outside the door.

(Dr. Andrews nods. William exits.)

DR. ANDREWS

Hello Mr.Wardoff, I'm Dr.Andrews. I'll be working with you from now on. (Smiles with her hands in her lap)

RICKY

(Wringing his hands as he looks at her) Hello, Amy. It's' nice to meet you at last. It's too bad about Dr. Jennings. Seemed like a nice enough fellow. A little nervous maybe. It happened in this very room, you know. In fact, the very place you're sitting. I wonder if he had a history of heart problems. Poor man. Heart just exploded, they say. A terrible way to die.

DR. ANDREWS

(She's taken aback.) I'm afraid I didn't know him very well. Let's get to work, shall we? (Opens file and looks through it as Ricky stares at her) Today I will be asking you some questions, if that's okay.

RICKY

(Still wringing his hands) Of course, Amy--anything you want.

Dr. ANDREWS

Mr. Wardoff, my name is Dr. Andrews. I would appreciate it if you call me that.

RICKY

Of course, doctor. (Leans forward, smiling)

DR. ANDREWS

(Looks down to look through the file again) All right, it says here that you've been here at the asylum for nine months. Is that right?

RICKY

Yes, Amy that is correct. I was diagnosed with "Schizophrenia." (Leans backs and closes eyes--takes a deep breath and opens his eyes again) What do you think, Amy? Do I seem crazy to you?