How to Defend Yourself by Liliana Padilla

Author:Liliana Padilla
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 2020-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

BRANDI

Are you aware one of our sis-ters is in the hospital right now?

KARA

Well aware. /

Did I take her or did you?

DIANA

It’s hump day! Where you meeting James Preston?

MOJDEH

I’m freaking out

Can I show you my dress?

DIANA

Fuck yeah.

MOJDEH

Right now?

DIANA

Yeah.

MOJDEH exits.

NIKKI packs up.

BRANDIAre you taking any of this seriously?

KARAYeah, I think so.

(she performatively checks in with herself)

I feel serious, but I don’t feel guilty. Do you?

BRANDIWhy would I?

KARAI dunno. Do you?

BRANDIAbout what?

KARAIf she was my little, I don’t know . . .

I’d just — I never let my little out of my sight.

BRANDIShe asked me to leave her.

KARALet her go with them . . .

BRANDIShe asked me to leave her.

KARAStrength in—

BRANDISHE ASKED ME TO LEAVE HER ALONE.

KARAAnd you listened. Ooof.

BRANDIYou were still there.

KARAI didn’t know she was on my watch.

You coulda told me.

At some point, I got this gut feeling, thank God. Who knows how long she woulda lain there.

BRANDI(as in: just say the thing you’re thinking) What? What?

KARAYeah, I don’t know. Nothing.

Nevermind B.

(beat)

Don’t blame yourself.

BRANDII don’t blame myself.

KARAGood.

BRANDII don’t

KARAI think it’s healthy.

It’s healthier your way.

BRANDIOk.

KARAHonest.

BRANDIYeah.

KARAYou could drive yourself insane.

KARA unplugs her phone from the sound system.

BRANDIWill I see you later?

KARAMaybe. Text me.

A very long silence. BRANDI tries to recover. NIKKI looks for her phone. BRANDI checks her phone on the PA system. For a moment, BRANDI starts to tear up.

NIKKIAre you crying?

BRANDINo

NIKKIWhat are you doing?

BRANDINo

NIKKIAre you ok?

BRANDIYeah, I’m just.

I’m just —

I’m just being silly

Please, don’t look at me. Just for a second —

NIKKIOk

BRANDIThank you.

NIKKI exits.

DIANAAre you crying?

BRANDIDON’T LOOK AT ME

DIANAI’m not looking at you!

Beat. Then, MOJDEH emerges in a skintight dress.

MOJDEHSo this is what I was gonna —

DIANAMojz! You look —

BRANDIYou look incredible.

MOJDEHI have a date.

BRANDI/ Oooh laaa.

DIANAWhen did you get that dress?

BRANDII’m liking how much body you’re giving in this outfit

MOJDEHWhen I went to the mall

BRANDIClavicles AND cleavage.

MOJDEHThank you

DIANAWhen did you go to the mall?

MOJDEHBrazilian Tuesday

DIANAYou got a wax?

MOJDEHYeah

DIANAOh

MOJDEH holds up a bra, pulls her dress down to reveal another.

MOJDEHWhich one do you think?

DIANAThey’re both —

MOJDEHWhat?

DIANAKind of —

MOJDEHWhat?

DIANANothing.

MOJDEHGreat. Great.

BRANDIWhite one. White one is hot.

MOJDEHThanks.

DIANACan you share your location with me?

MOJDEHYou’re so fucking paranoid.

DIANAThat chick is literally in the hospital

I’m not paranoid

MOJDEHOne girl gets raped and suddenly all men are rapists?

DIANAThat’s not what I’m saying

MOJDEHShould I just stay home?

Wait till I’m like, betrothed?

/ Shit I’m gonna be late

They pick up pace. As they’re leaving:

DIANAThat’s not what I’m saying

MOJDEHIt’s what you’re saying. Bye Brandi

BRANDI/ Bye

DIANAJust share your location with me.

MOJDEHHe tries anything I’ll Wolverine!

DIANAI know. I know. Please?

And they’re gone. BRANDI takes a breath, alone.

She leaves a voicemail for Susannah.

BRANDIHey Susannah. Whenever you get to listen to this. Maybe someone can put it to your ear, or. Maybe we’re in the future. Our room feels really empty. There’s this — you space. I put Mister Froggerson in there, he’s keeping it warm. What am I, like 6 years old? Ok. I’m six years old. Ha. Everyone’s thinking about you. Sending you love and light [or . . . ] I’m. Yeah. I’ll see you soon. I want to say: there’s a part of you no one can touch.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.