BONUS- "A Sweet Soul to Save Me"- A Playwright

 

Summary: "A Sweet Soul to Save Me" is about an unconventional friendship forming  between a human and a hybrid, while a scheming high school principal is plotting something far less innocent. The themes of vulnerable companionship and fierce loyalty are present in the climax where Alison, the human, assists in saving Soul from being terminated by those who believe that the existence of hybrids is an accident. Summarized, it's a story of deception, redemption, and finding one’s place in life.

Three chimeras are featured in this playwright, one of them being the protagonist, "Sammy" Soul. Chimeras, (pronounced "kiy-mee-rah"), are traditionally several different things. In Greek mythology, it's a fire-breathing monster. Sammy Soul’s character, you will find, is based off of a dragon. This leads to the other meaning of chimera which is "an organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissue/a DNA molecule with sequences derived from two or more different organisms, formed by laboratory manipulation." (Dictionary.com)

Ironically, chimera has yet another meaning: "a thing that is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve." The thing that seems unattainable to Alison and Sammy, a true purpose in life, is found within the other.

A  Sweet  Soul  to  Save  Me 

“My darling, I’m ready to burst into flames for you.”

"I’m With You," by Vance Joy

Characters:

“SAMMY” SOUL: Female with straight brown hair and freckled skin who wears converse, boot cut jeans, and a trench coat. Personality: sarcastic, quiet, and trustworthy. Is a chimera with a dragon tail with a razor sharp point.

ALISON: Male with white,uncombed hair and fair skin who wears skinny jeans and a hoodie. Personality is alert, loyal, and focused.

ELLEN CHRISTOPHER: Alison and Soul's scheming school principal. Middle-aged with cropped blonde hair.

CHIMERE: Soul’s older adoptive sister who's eyes have the ability to link to any sort of camera.

PATTY: Soul’s household robot who rolls around like a segway. 

MICHELLE: Soul mom and Chimere’s adoptive mom.

ONE-HANDED MAN

MATH TEACHER

Four Anonymous Nurses

Act I, Scene 1

SAMMY’S House.

(The household android PATTY faintly squeaks around finishing the breakfast dishes. Reading her mental list of tasks she grabs a full bottle of canola oil and rolls outside. The smog is heavy in their neighborhood that day, but without lungs PATTY doesn't notice.)

PATTY: S-Sammy dear, wait!

(The robot burns out on the gravel and regains her balance before rolling up to the receding SAMMY.)

PATTY: Use this and take the car! Your mother doesn't want you using the public sky transit.

SAMMY: That doesn't make sense, the air-

PATTY: You will be well off with the filtration system, dear. All it needs is gas. You know how lids are hard for me.

SAMMY: You know the fuel light is off right? It doesn’t alert you until it’s totally low.

PATTY: I don’t know how to fix that myself. To-

SAMMY: -expensive to fix, thanks. I can live with it. 

(SAMMY takes the canola oil bottle and empties it into the gasoline tank in her mom's pod-shaped car and the air kicks on.)

SAMMY: First day of sophomore year in a crusty mom car.

(This introductory scene ends with a view of the back of SAMMY'S mom's car and a run down school in the distance.)

Act I, Scene 2

Math Classroom, Christopher High.

(SAMMY sits uncomfortably in the corner of a classroom, gripping her trench coat tightly around herself and ALISON is by the front window. SAMMY waits to catch the teacher's gaze while ALISON breezes effortlessly through his work. SAMMY grows fidgety, forgetting her own papers.)

SAMMY:(Muttering with her hand barely raised.) Bathroom?

(The teacher nods and she tries to walk out quickly yet casually which doesn't go over well)

ALISON:(Her coat in the wind, definitely not heading towards the restroom, catches his eye. He walks up to the teacher with a smile to check his work.) May I also be excused, sir?

MATH TEACHER:(With a more gracious look.) Of course, take your time. (Winks.) 

(ALISON uses long strides to quickly get outside, successfully looking casual, out of view of the math classroom window.)

SAMMY: (Voice receding.) I can go right through here to the parking lot. I'll tell mom that I can't do it. Can’t do school today, tomorrow, or next week!

(ALISON follows her, careful to stay in the open so as to not to scare her.)

SAMMY: If mom doesn't understand, maybe Patty will take my side. I can't do it... not one other chimera in that class, I don't really care if there are any others anyway.

ALISON: Hey! It's Soul, right?

SAMMY: (Gasps and tugs her coat down, flustered.) Just call me Sammy. What do you want?

ALISON: I want to persuade you to come back to class. I can help out when it comes to math.

SAMMY: I don't need math.

ALISON: I can also help when it comes to feeling comfortable being yourself, Sammy.

(SAMMY's attention is fully on him now, but she keeps her arms crossed.)

ALISON: I'm no chimera, but I can attest that I’ve seen enough.

SAMMY: (Looks all around them to make sure there are no windows with faces of curious students peeking outside.) Whatever. I don't have it in me to go back to class.

ALISON: Come back, and I'll treat you to lunch. Then we can talk about "non-mathy" things.

SAMMY: Fine. I don’t understand why you’re doing this. (Sighs.) Where do we meet?

ALISON: Don't you worry, let me find you.

SAMMY: Um- this better be worth it. If you lay a hand on me- (She raises her eyebrows, looking more scared than confident.)

ALISON: -don't worry. I don't want to find out what you're capable of that way. 

Act I, Scene 3

Front of Christopher High.

ALISON: (Runs up beside her.) Found ya.

SAMMY: What's your name, anyway? As you know, I don't pay attention in class.

ALISON: Alison.

SAMMY: Right. (Shifts backpack and moves out of the main flow of student traffic.) Thanks again for helping me get caught up in class.

ALISON: No problem. I thought we could walk and talk on our way to the burger place? 

(They head down the sidewalk and the number of students gets sparser.)

SAMMY: I can't handle the silence. Want to share now what's so special about you?

ALISON: (Smoothly) Okay. (Bluntly.) I'm a mutant too. Blood manipulator.

SAMMY: (Stops for a second in surprise, before resuming walking.) Really? Doesn't that mean your ancestors made some sort of deal with the Devil? 

ALISON: (Nods, but motions at the ground.) The sidewalk is so cracked in this lowlife area of town. 

SAMMY: (Widens the space between them.)

ALISON: You don't need to be afraid of me, Sammy. I had a taste of what blood manipulation was like, discovered the risk of hurting others to gain power wasn't worth it, and refused the gift. My power is dormant.

SAMMY: (Abruptly stops again.) I didn't know you could refuse something like that. Also, I live in this 'low life' neighborhood. 

ALISON: I'm sorry, I didn't realize that. (Waves his hand.) Let's calm down and get a burger.

(SAMMY and ALISON arrive and sit outside. He orders a Banzai Plate and she asks for a kid's burger.)

ALISON: (Cheerfully.) That's all you’re ordering?

SAMMY: (Shortly.) Yes, that's all. Can you please finish explaining how it's possible to be a dormant blood manipulator?

ALISON: All that's left to explain is that a piece of the curse stayed with me. (Points to his white hair.) I've learned to overcome it by looking at all the good things in life. You're familiar with the process of the kiss?

SAMMY: Yeah, it's a grim process. (Looks at the door of the restaurant, wanting their food to come as an interruption.) Where the victim is so mentally weak to the point they contemplate suicide. This is when Satan sneaks in and offers to inhabit the victim as his vessel. I've never heard of a blood manipulator  who had the choice to refuse the devil though. What else from the curse stayed with you?

(The food comes.)

ALISON: I can still sense general emotion through blood pressure, but not manipulate it. So you have nothing to fear. 

(He notices a rabbit chimera pair coming behind Sammy and looks anxious to ask a pressing question. They take their first few bites as the odd-looking couple takes their seat.)

ALISON: It's probably fair for you to share now, when you're ready. How's that kid's burger there?

SAMMY: (Fails at hiding her grin.) It's just fine, thanks. But there's-

ALISON: -barely anyone around.

SAMMY: (Looks at the rabbit couple with their silky brown hair, pointed noses, and small mouths. They’re unique presence seems to comfort her and she looks at Alison more relaxed.) It's only fair.

(She stands and sheds her long trench coat, and a shiny orange-scaled reptile tail falls out. Sammy raises it and Alison sees the pointed tip encased in gold.)

ALISON: (Nods, equally proud and impressed.) Thanks for showing me. It's very beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of.

(SAMMY sits and moves her tail to the side, finishing her meal and appearing more relaxed.)

ALISON: (Leans back.) Maybe it's better that we can be vulnerable. It's good we have a similar basis and there's too much shame in this world anyway.

SAMMY: Why are you pretending to know me? Did your dragon father leave you to be raised by a household android because your mom was too miserably depressed to function?

ALISON: (Unintentionally raises eyebrows.) Well, no. That wasn't the case with me.

SAMMY: (Shakes head and crinkles up her trash.)

ALISON: Hey, I’m sorry. I’m just in need of a deep friendship for once. (Slowly gathers her trash with his.) Sorry for pushing it. May I share my childhood too?

SAMMY: (Stays calm and watches him.)

ALISON: My parents kicked me out after they wasted money on therapists for me; I wasn’t willing to communicate openly with anyone back then. To them it was my fault I was going downhill into a dark place, because I wasn’t considering recovery “serious enough.” Even after I pulled myself out of it, they didn't want to talk because they were afraid of what I was going through. I've gone from house to house bunking with friends since before I entered middle school. Earning my stay with side jobs. They didn't believe in all the blood-manipulator stuff; they never came to terms with what deal or deals they may have made with Satan that made me this way. 

SAMMY: That's sad, Alison… How are you so good at school with all that going on? How do you have the energy to meet new people, like me? 

ALISON: I don't know. (Smiles and looks up.) At least for me, maybe spreading kindness gives me concentration. Have you always struggled with school?

SAMMY: Yes. Everywhere I've gone, people say Dragonians bring bad luck. I've been taunted and have had several of my spike cases for my tail stolen. They are expensive and always empty my mom’s wallet. I have no patience for tutoring and Patty isn't equipped to be an educator. Got no money to upgrade her. I never gave the effort to really educate myself because I saw no point to it.

ALISON: I can be here for you. Not many accept me much less accept an invitation to lunch.

SAMMY: Thanks. For lunch and everything. (She nods at the departing rabbit chimeras, and they waved, even at the sight of her tail.)

ALISON: The pleasure is mine. Your type, Dragonians, are rare and fascinating.

SAMMY: I've never met someone quite like you before either. I guess I don't open up often, though.

(ALISON throws away the trash and is pleased to return with SAMMY grabbing her coat and still smiling. They walk back the way they came until SAMMY slows down.)

SAMMY: I should run home and check on my mom before heading back to school. I'll see you.

ALISON: Hope she's alright. See you. (He reaches out his hand.)

SAMMY: (Puts on a face of confidence and shakes his hand.)

(A red pulse of light goes across the stage and Alison's eyes widen. Sammy doesn't seem to notice and leaves first to go her separate way.)

ALISON: (Waves, and stares at his hand when she's out of sight.) I can feel her... heart quickening. She must be in a rush to get home. 

Act I, Scene 4

SAMMY'S Neighborhood.

(SAMMY jogs uphill towards her house as the neighborhood grows shadowier and the houses shabbier. She watches the cracked sidewalk so as to not trip and seems caught up in her head and unaware of her surroundings.)

SAMMY: (Slightly panting.) Mom's going to be angry... promised her I would check in every day at lunch. Saying Patty didn’t remind me isn't an excuse.

(A tall, unshaven man steps out from behind a fence onto the cracked sidewalk.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: Why is that responsibility on you anyway?

(She slows to a stop and observes him, taking steps backward.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: You're too precious of a thing to pile extra burdens onto. (Raises his hands.) Come on, don't you agree?

SAMMY: Nice talking, I'm leaving now. (Her encased tail point clinks on the path in a passively threatening way.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: Stay and talk.

SAMMY: (She fully turns and bounds away nimbly.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: (Begins chasing her leisurely and easily catches up with his long legs.) Oh, Sweet Sammy Soul!

SAMMY: (Sees him catching up and goes to uncap her tail.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: (Snatches her tail towards him and grips it painfully.)

SAMMY: (Screams and starts fighting back.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: (Holds her arms back and smiles as he pulls her into an alleyway.) Your golden scales are so valuable...

Act II, Scene 5

ALISON Saves.

(ALISON gasps as the hand he shook with SAMMY begins to pulse and he turns to run back to where he last saw her. He stops where they departed, closes his mouth to hold his breath, and hears her yelping with alarm.)

ALISON:(Rushes from behind SAMMY and grabs ONE-HANDED MAN'S throat, squeezes with full force.) GET OFF! 

(The ONE-HANDED MAN flails backwards and SAMMY holds her tail to herself. ALISON keeps his hands on his throat and pushes him into the ground.)

SAMMY: Alison, please! (Begins sobbing.)

ALISON: (Lets go and kicks him in the ribs once and whips out his phone.) I'm so sorry about this, Sammy. (Dials 911 while glaring at the One-Handed Man on the ground.)

SAMMY: H-how did you know?

(He ignores her and talks to the police, going to secure the One-Handed Man to the ground by putting a foot on his chest. The police arrive and arrest him as the man on the ground barely struggles, but looks longingly at SAMMY.)

SAMMY: (Loosely grabs Alison's hand.) Can we get out of here?

ALISON: Sure, but where?

SAMMY: My house would work.

ALISON: What will your mom and robot maid say when I walk in?

SAMMY: Patty will understand and my mom will be fast asleep or zoned out on the TV. It’s odd. She’s paranoid but not protective. 

(They continue the journey to SAMMY'S shack-like cottage after the police arrive, while staying close together though nobody disturbs them on the way back. Her house has beige paint chipping away and the fenceless yard is covered with dead weeds.)

SAMMY: (In a low tone.) Take your shoes off- actually- take your shoes off, bring them with you, and follow me.

(He follows her up narrow stairs and says nothing about the outdated tile or torn carpeted stairs. There is a painting of a horse in a castle courtyard in the stairway. Inside of her modest, tidy room is a four post bed and bat wing and animal claw collections in glass cases hanging above a lavender dresser. The bedroom is a mix of warm, dark brown and blue hued palettes.)

ALISON: (Quietly.) I like it here.

PATTY: (Standing in the doorway.) Sammy, what's going on?

SAMMY: (Jumps with surprise.) It's only my friend, Patty. He's safe, I promise. If you don't tell mom, I promise to remember to keep her tank full with oil without you having to remind me.

PATTY: Fine. (Descends down the ramp by the staircase, holding onto the railing.)

SAMMY: I need to know more about your white hair. (Sits on her bed.)

ALISON: It's hard to share, Sammy.

SAMMY: I owe you for today, so I'll share a little about myself too.

ALISON: Is your tail okay, by the way?

SAMMY: It’s okay.

ALISON: (Sits on the other end of the bed and looks around the room with furrowed brows.) Okay. (Slowly.) About Satan's kiss-

(As ALISON begins his story, the stage casts a red light that begins with a two beat pulse and steadies over the bed where they sit. The reds and oranges in the rug, bedspread, and SAMMY'S tail glow and become the focus of the scene.)

ALISON: Oftentimes I would wake up in the mornings with a heavy sense of dread. One morning it was especially intense; I was torn in two polarized directions, to live out my life and become someone I could be proud of or to officially give up. The latter seemed like the more desirable option. I cried out for someone to help me, but I decided I needed something to help me because everyone was letting me down.

(He begins to shake and she focuses on him, attentively yet gently.)

ALISON: He came... the devil. He offered me freedom, and I didn't know what this freedom he offered entailed, so I asked for a glimpse. My room disappeared around me.

(All lights in the auditorium are cut out except the warm glow of SAMMY'S tail and the bed.)

ALISON: I kept begging "at what cost, at what cost?" Then, he showed the horrible cost; in the future I was a vessel for Satan, a raging monster of a human, manipulating people to line up as my army. It was terrifying to see and I didn’t understand how I could do something so horrible. There was still enough light inside of me to be afraid of that and I refused his offer of "freedom." Satan was enraged and kept screaming at me why I wouldn't take this power to freely take out all the anger I have ever held. I had no idea how he would respond to the answer “no,” but it turned out to go like this; his flames rose around me and started sucking the life out of me, but only ever took the color from my hair. My family, my original family, had barged into my room and saved me for once.

(The auditorium lights come back on.)

SAMMY: (Is holding his hands.) It was the light within you that protected your heart.

ALISON: Yes. And the family I was living with at the time helped too, though they hated me afterward. They heard the commotion and opened my door, putting the fire out. They thought I was still possessed and thought I purposely summoned Satan, so they kicked me out.

SAMMY: (Whispering.) I'm so glad you resisted. Thank you, Alison, and good job.

(Blue mixes with the red stage lights so that the angry and cool hues mix into purple. Sad violin music seems to drift upwards from “downstairs.”)

SAMMY: Now about me…

ALISON: (Takes a deep breath.)

SAMMY: My dad is where my Dragonian genetics came from. He had a hot temper which is why he left. I fight every day to keep my temper under control. I know I’m not telling you much, but there isn’t more to tell. The only thing my dad and I had in common was our love for horses. We were Dragonians, but we naturally loved them. Our ancestors were warriors who rode armored Akhal-Tekes, golden horses. Some of us flew or breathed fire. So, I adored horses from fence lines when he lived with us for the first several years of my life. Any breed other than Akhal-Tekes are afraid of Dragonians. (Shrugs and finishes in a rush.) Anyway, my mom thinks horses are dangerous. 

ALISON: That was the only thing you shared with him then?

SAMMY: Yes. The only other relationships I have is my mom of course, which is quite a shallow one, and my older adopted sister Chimere. She moved out once she had a job, because of how difficult it is to live with our mom. I don’t have enough saved up to move out, and would feel guilty leaving her.

ALISON: Difficult? Guilty?

SAMMY: All she’s ever done is protect us, never connect. She gets mad over me going places without her knowing, but she doesn’t take initiative to be involved in what I’m doing anyway. I’m scared of what might happen if all she has is Patty. 

ALISON: I see how you’re torn.

SAMMY: But in the meantime, what about my other problem? I’m terrified of that one-handed guy.

ALISON: He’s dealt with. But in case anyone who’s on his side knows about it, I would deadbolt your door and lock your windows. Just as a precaution though, try not to worry. Tonight will go fine and I’ll see you at school tomorrow. 

(There’s a knock at the door that makes them jump so badly they almost topple off the bed, but a second later PATTY’S wheels bump into the closed door.)

PATTY: Oops. Snacks, Sammy? 

Act II, Scene 6

An Airplane Departing from France.

(CHIMERE sits in first class. She has platinum hair and ruby eyes, and relieves nervous onlookers by writing a letter, which is read aloud by her for the audience.)

CHIMERE: “Dear Mom. You probably haven’t heard that I’ve joined a club of colleagues who call themselves the club of PCHR; Protection of Chimera Hybrid Rights. I am heading to town to do some investigations because there’s been a rise in chimera-targeted crimes. I’m concerned for our Sammy; please make sure at least Patty is keeping an eye on her. Thank you for sending me a birthday card. From your distant half-daughter.” 

(CHIMERE wears sunglasses for the rest of her trip until she’s away from the bustling airport and in her rental car. She tunes into the PCHR station on her walkie-talkie which starts to say, “Everyone from our team has been deported. Wish our newbie “.CHMR.” luck in the Central California estates. Sketchy business and chimera trafficking there…”)

CHIMERE: (Mumbles.) Time to make sure my sister is okay.

(The time is early morning which is shown by a sun prop slowly rising, and the restaurants in the airport are still closed. The ONE-HANDED MAN walks across the stage, (outside of the airport,) carrying a liquid siphon with a hose/pipe attached. Him and CHIMERE pay no attention to each other in passing while they exit the stage.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: This always does the trick.

ACT II, Scene 7

SAMMY’S House.

(MICHELLE leaves her bedroom for a drink of water when the back door opens.)

MICHELLE: Sammy, Patty told me you had someone over today. Sammy?! Who is he…? (She sets her glass down and peaks around the corner where a man stands smiling.) Who the heck are you? 

ONE-HANDED MAN: Are you Sammy’s mom? (Lazily strolls up and leans against the counter, cornering her in the kitchen.) I just need something quick from you.

MICHELLE: (Grabs a kitchen knife and her phone.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: Nuh-uh-uh! (Swiftly disarms her and kicks the knife and phone away and gets in her face.) Won’t you tell me who and where her father is?

MICHELLE: (Voice remains monotone but is quivering.) You’re being recorded.

ONE-HANDED: I don’t think so. You’re too poor to have indoor cameras. If you could, you would, to watch your sweet little Soul. 

MICHELLE: (Punches him in the jaw and tries to duck away. She has a small metal disk in her palm that he doesn’t notice. She latches it to the side of his pants.)

ONE-HANDED MAN: (Begins yelling.) Weak little rat of a woman! You’ve hidden from the light all your days but we aren’t done.

(ONE-HANDED MAN looms over MICHELLE and his fist makes heavy contact with the middle of her back as the stage lights flicker out.)

ACT II, Scene 8

SAMMY’S House/Christopher High/The Hospital.

(The stage has two split scenes to start with, both with an overcast sky; SAMMY’S “shack” surrounded by emergency vehicles is to the left and SAMMY in school to the right. Principal ELLEN CHRISTOPHER stands to welcome SAMMY into her office.)

E. CHRISTOPHER: Come in, Soul. 

SAMMY: Okay...(Bites her lips at her non preferred name and looks around the artificially lit room with closed shades.) Please lay the news on me quickly.

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Goes behind her to close the door and her eyes linger on SAMMY’S tail longer than necessary.) Please sit down for this.

SAMMY: (Stands in place and stares at her.) I’m fine.

E. CHRISTOPHER: Something happened and your mother was picked up by air support. 

SAMMY: What happened?!

E. CHRISTOPHER: A local criminal, an old case, entered your home, demanded to know more about your heritage, and treated your mother roughly. I’m very sorry, Soul.

SAMMY: What do you mean “treated her roughly?” Let me go see her!

E. CHRISTOPHER: I’m not stopping you, you’re excused. Please drive safely.

SAMMY: (Lets out an anxious breath and runs to the parking lot.)

(Once SAMMY leaves, the principal takes out her checkbook and reads aloud.)

E. CHRISTOPHER: For my dear Operation Eliminate agent. Five-Thousand dollars. (Grins, stuffs the check in her purse, and shrugs her red-orange coat on.) Thank you outdoor cameras. 

SAMMY: (Starts the car but the low fuel light blinks.) Shoot, I’ll never make it! Why can’t we have some extra stinking money to have this fixed! (Gets out and slams the door, sprinting to the nearest bus stop.)

(The school and parking lot scene rolls away to a hospital room behind it. With her back turned, ELLEN CHRISTOPHER hangs her coat, covers her clothes with nurse’s scrubs, and also covers her hair and face with a medical mask. The spotlight moves to the left where MICHELLE sits on a bed surrounded by two nurses comforting her and tending to her bruises and scratches. E. CHRISTOPHER peaks at her from behind the nurses, but MICHELLE doesn’t recognize her. There is a divider with a single swinging door between where the principal changed and where the mother is.)

E. Christopher: Michelle? (Bends over in front of her face and uses an empathetic tone of voice.) How are we feeling?

MICHELLE: (Clears throat and mumbles.) Better, I suppose.

E. CHRISTOPHER: Anything I can do to make you more comfortable?

(The two nurses exit the room after finishing their tasks.)

MICHELLE: There’s not much more you can do. I don’t even know what to do with myself after this.

E. CHRISTOPHER: Oh… dear, I can help you.

MICHELLE: (Tears up.) I wouldn’t know where to begin. I just… don’t know how to go home to my family of two, a robot with no emotions, and a daughter who disregards me.

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Is careful to speak slowly.) I’ve heard about your living situation, and I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough going.

MICHELLE: I try so hard to protect her. (Sniffs and shakes her head.)

(For a brief second MICHELLE closes her eyes and looks down while ELLEN CHRISTOPHER turns towards the audience and grins thoughtfully. The lights flicker red a few times before steadying.)

E. CHRISTOPHER: Michelle, if it’s not too much to think about now, I may have a solution for you.

MICHELLE: I’m open to anything.

E. CHISTOPHER: There’s this new electrotherapy treatment for troubled youths. After just a few rounds it balances the brain’s chemicals, and the results are drops in angry outbursts and anxiety in patients. 

MICHELLE: I didn’t know about that. I guess I don’t keep up with medical news.

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Chuckles.) Understandable, there is a lot to keep up with.

MICHELLE: She would probably run away if I told her I was going to bring her into the doctor for that. But she used to be such an angel before she came to live with me.

E. CHRISTOPHER: Well it’s completely safe, painless, and doesn’t emit radioactivity. She would be much more obedient and pleasant.

MICHELLE: (Her face brightens a little.) We could start over. But how much does it cost?

E. CHRISTOPHER: The first round of treatment is covered by insurance. It lasts about a year.

MICHELLE: I’ll do it. If I don’t know how to help myself, I’ll start with helping her and things will improve between us.

E.CHRISTOPHER: They certainly will (Beams and brings back a small stack of papers.) These are for you to look over and sign. Just so you know, depending on how sensitive Sammy’s skin may be to the machine, her skin may burn but can heal easily if treated correctly.

MICHELLE: But, that’s the only downside.

E. CHRISTOPHER: Yes. (Gently pats her shoulder.) Take your time.

ACT II, Scene 9

The Hospital.

SAMMY: No, please let me in, my mom’s here! (Bursts onto the stage from the right, closest to where E. CHRISTOPER’S coat is hanging. She recognizes the red-orange coat. Sammy makes a call on her phone but it goes to voicemail.) C-chimere? I heard mom muttering about you the other day. I don’t know if that means if you’re in town, but I think something weird is going on. I know I inherited my best instincts from my dad… Can you please come? (Hesitates before hanging up and looking around.)

(ELLEN CHRISTOPHER comes behind her with several nurses flanking her and nods to signal. They move forward and surround SAMMY) 

SAMMY: (Raises voice suspiciously and puts her hands out.) What’s happening?

E. CHRISTOPHER: You’re unstable Soul. Your mother is fine and you’ll be able to see her soon, after you come with us.

(SAMMY is herded into a room and is too flustered to struggle. ELLEN CHRISTOPHER takes her mask off and SAMMY starts to yell. She is forced onto the bed and something is put on her head and strapped under her chin.)

SAMMY: (Her face is hidden but her whimpers can be heard.) Dad… the horse… mom, let me stay! Wait… when will I be back? Creep-creep! Get away… 

ACT III, Scene 10

The Hospital/ALISON’S Room/CHIMERE’S office.

(The divider with the swinging door is used again, this time to separate a small bedroom where ALISON lays in bed and where SAMMY lays in a hospital bed with her head covered by a shiny contraption. Many wires connect her to a machine by the bed.)

ALISON: Why did her blood rate spike? (Scrambles out of bed and gets dressed, looking perplexed.) 

(ALISON runs off the stage.A small set of a dark office is revealed on a high platform. In a chair sits CHIMERE, but no computer monitor is on the desk.) 

CHIMERE: Sammy why won’t you pick up?(Looks out of the “window” of the office.) That boy with white hair mom mentioned is down there! (She watches him go and when he’s out of sight she holds her temples and her ruby eyes rapidly dart around.) There he goes, god, driving like a lunatic. Are you going where I need to be? Come on, lead me there. Ugh this traffic cam is blurry.

(Another prop car is pushed across the stage and sound effects simulate it skidding to a stop. ALISON jumps out of the prop and looks at the hospital.)

ALISON: (Grips his hand into a fist.) She’s still struggling. 

SAMMY: -NO, HE UNDERSTANDS ME! MOM, PLEASE JUST MEET HIM!

(ALISON barges into the room and two male nurses waiting by the door tackle him. The other two nurses operating the memory-erasing machine fasten SAMMY down with strips of metal.)

ALISON: Sammy, I’m here!

SAMMY: (Violently struggles against the bounds.) HURRY, HELP ME, I’M FORGETTING THINGS!

ALISON: (Is pinned to the floor as the machine starts to rumble.) Do it, Sammy, now!

SAMMY: (Sounds dazed.) Do what?

ALISON: I know you can do more with your dragon blood. (He writhes his body against the nurses.) Do the fire thing Sammy Soul!

(All on stage are silent, except the whirring machine, when fire suddenly shoots from SAMMY’S open palms. The nurses stumble back as the fire emits from the rest of her body. A nurse slips a switch labeled “LN2” and liquid nitrogen showers onto SAMMY. SAMMY’S flames extinguish and she screams, then lays still breathing heavily.)

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Walks in still wearing her head covering and mask and glares at ALISON.) Get him out of here.

ACT III, Scene 11

The Kitchen of SAMMY’S House.

(MICHELLE dusts off her kitchen counters and pulls out a frying pan which dust falls off of too. She opens the fridge and gets out a carton of eggs. Her hair is pulled into a neat bun.)

SAMMY: (Sits straight at the table.) What are we doing today?

MICHELLE: (Has a pleased smile on her face.) Well, I was thinking we could go grocery shopping so we can do more cooking together. First let’s finish these eggs.

SAMMY: Why is my skin so stiff? 

MICHELLE: Don’t you remember all that time we spent on the beach a few days ago. You were wearing a bikini and got seriously sunburned.

SAMMY: (Dishes herself a bowl of scrambled eggs and proceeds to wander up the stairs. When she reaches the painting of the horse in front of the castle she stops and drops the bowl.) Oh my… 

MICHELLE: Oh, honey! (Cleans the eggs off the floor and steers her up the stairs by the shoulders.)

SAMMY: Why are you putting me in my room?

MICHELLE: Just sit tight in there for a while, sweetie. I forgot to take that picture down. Slather some more aloe vera on yourself.

ACT III, Scene 12

CHIMERE’S Office.

(ALISON stands with CHIMERE in her office on the platform and the rest of the stage is dark.)

ALISON: Where’s your team?

CHIMERE: They’ve been alerted. When I reach the hospital, my team will be planted around the block and will come in to aid at my word. They’re less noticeable than police. 

ALISON: (Is pacing and fidgeting.) What will happen to Sammy the longer we leave her there?

CHIMERE: Michelle won’t do a good job of “rewiring” her since she basically just came out of a hibernation of depression. This memory eraser is illegal; I stay on top of the medical world, but I’ve never heard of a case like this. Sammy’s most likely slipping into depression herself because she can’t find her identity. This is one of the most terrifying forms of chimera attacks I’ve seen. There’ve been brutal ones but this is considered just as dangerous and less preventable in my mind because it’s modern technology. 

ALISON: Let’s go then! I need to see her and remind her who she is.

CHIMERE: Hey, I’m anxious too, okay? She’s my sister! Give me a second to get organized.

ALISON: Okay. What else do you need to do?

CHIMERE: I need to hear your story again and then I need to check something.

ALISON: There were four nurses when I came in, two of them tackled me and the other two were handling Sammy. Then a fifth came in, the one I swear I know, and told the others to kick me out. I never saw their identities. 

CHIMERE: I got it now, thank you. Now we need a few minutes of silence. You-focus hard on that nurse's eyes and find the face they belong to. I’ll check a few cameras, Sammy’s outdoor security ones at her house and the ones in the hospital hallways closest to the area you described. (Mumbles.) I can’t believe that One-Handed creep is still on the loose… 

(ALISON sighs and flops down in the corner of the office and CHIMERE grips the office chair handles. The audience sees her eyes darting madly, as if she’s tracking something directly in front of her face. CHIMERE gasps loudly and ALISON jerks with alarm.)

CHIMERE: I have something! Yesterday, that criminal walked straight up Sammy’s driveway towards the house. 

ALISON: (Talks quickly.) Yeah, so? That’s when he harassed Michelle. 

CHIMERE: What’s the connection between the One-Handed Man and my sister losing her memory? Come on, what connection did he have with nurses who would do such a thing?! (Her eyes dart more.) I see- I see two nurses standing by the door in this hallway cam! You said there were two more, than a fifth.

ALISON: I’m trying to remember-

CHIMERE: Dang it, who was she! Dig into your memory. My sister depends on it!

ALISON: (Abruptly stands and knocks a trash can over. Crumpled papers scatter everywhere and fall down the platform into the dark.) I CAN’T! I CAN’T PICK APART THE PIECES IN MY HEAD. (Kicks the trash can roughly.)

(They both go quiet and their panting can be heard. ALISON slowly raises his hand and forms it into a fist.)

ALISON: She’s anxious too. Oh Sammy… her heart has the same pacing that it had when she was trying to leave school on the first day… school… our school. (His arms drops limply and he slowly puts the toppled trash can upright.) Our school is led by a passive but strong hater of chimeras. It was her, Principal E. Christopher!

CHIMERE: I’ll work with my team to locate both criminals. Go find her!

ACT III, Scene 13

A Countryside Field.

(SAMMY walks up to a fence with her head down and as she leans on it she begins to cry. In the distance is a background of horses grazing. ALISON walks behind her and looks back and forth hesitantly.)

SAMMY: It hurts my head, trying to remember.

ALISON: May I help you, Sammy Soul?

SAMMY: Who are you?!

ALISON: I understand what you’re going through and want to help.

SAMMY: My mom will be here any minute.

ALISON: Because you ran off in her car and she’s keeping a close watch on you?

SAMMY: Leave me in peace. That’s why I’m here alone.

ALISON: No. You need my company. I won’t come any closer, but please listen. What happened to your arms? And neck, and legs and-?

SAMMY: I DON’T KNOW.

ALISON: Then… tell me one thing. Why here? With the horses?

SAMMY: They’re beautiful and give me strength. The horses save my spirit, but give me this misunderstood feeling.

ALISON: What do you mean?

SAMMY: I don’t remember… 

ALISON: Who you are?

SAMMY: Get out of here!

ALISON: I know the best of your soul, Sammy.

SAMMY: What?

ALISON: (He points behind her.) There’s a cop car coming with it’s sirens off, in the distance. (He ducks to the ground and crawls behind some bushes.) 

SAMMY: Are you a criminal?!

ALISON: Listen to me Sammy. If you value your peace of mind at all, take a risk and trust me. 

SAMMY: Fine, but what is this about?

ALISON: Stop yelling. Look away. Say you were alone.

SAMMY: Those are weak instructions.

ALISON: Okay, then tell her you need to go to the hospital.

(SAMMY goes back to the fence and looks towards the horses in the distance. MICHELLE runs onto the stage, and a policeman stands aloof.)

ALISON: (Whispers from the bushes.) Chimere, you’re on video chat. Watch this and don’t turn your mic on.

MICHELLE: Sammy! What do you think you’re doing? How long have you been crying out here? You’re so far from home, come on.

SAMMY: (Flinches away and sobs.) Please don’t touch me, I’m burning up! My skin stings so badly, and I cry, and it stings more. No matter how I stand or sit, no matter what I touch or wear. I’m so scared, please take me to the hospital.

MICHELLE: My poor baby. Is that all that’s scaring you?

SAMMY: Of course it’s the only thing scaring me! Please, just take me to the hospital.

MICHELLE: (Nods to herself for a second.) Okay, honey we can go. There must only be so much I can do to ease your pain.

(MICHELLE walks off with SAMMY and ALISON comes out of the bushes holding his phone. He “ends” the video call and brings the phone to his ear.)

ALISON: Did you catch all of that, Chimere? Yes, they’re heading to the hospital. It’ll be the perfect place to expose the other nurses involved in this mess. No, nothing in her memory clicked as far as I could tell, I’m just grateful she trusted me… Wait in the parking lot with your team. I know it’ll kill you to stand idle but your eyes would interfere. Our Sammy will have justice, believe me. 

ACT III, Scene 14

The Hospital.

(The old hospital scene of the room SAMMY was operated on is present. 

ALISON: (Ducks into a corner and disguises himself as a nurse quickly. Says sarcastically:) Wow, this hospital has fantastic security. Can’t risk seeing the two body guard nurses who took me down again, though. 

(He lifts a red-orange string from the ground, which is actually a thin piece of yarn for the audience’s sake. ALISON examines it but quickly forgets it when two people storm past the door. He steps out of view of the swinging door window.)

MICHELLE: (Hysterically:) I thought you said the burns were the only side effect and they would heal quickly. What are the burns even from?! 

ASSISTANT NURSE: Ma’am I don’t have answers.

MICHELLE: Where’s your boss? Why is my daughter in more pain?!

ASSISTANT NURSE: She’s on her way. Please stop pestering me.

(ALISON jerks his head when he hears “she’s on her way” and texts hastily. MICHELLE tugs at her hair as the ASSISTANT NURSE walks off and unfolds a check, giving it a little nod. ALISON casually walks out of the room, careful not to look at MICHELLE, and walks the direction she came from.)

ALISON: (Walks around calling:) Sammy… Sammy? 

SAMMY: (Peaks around a corner.) It’s you.

ALISON: Oh, thank goodness. (Smiles.) Thank you. I promise everything will make sense soon. How are you able to wander around?

SAMMY: It better make some sense. I wanted to find you, and wow, the nurses don’t care around here. Don’t even take a double take at me. I’m trying to avoid my mom. So tired of fake crying.

ALISON: We’re going to have to hang tight. It’ll make too much of a scene if we try to leave together.

E. CHRISTOPHER: Stay you shall. And Sammy if only you knew; I could stare at my prize all day. (Is standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed.) 

ALISON: (Makes a movement forward and begins raising his voice:) I can’t believe this-

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Pulls a taser from her belt.) I’m no fool, but you are, Alison the Manipulator.

ALISON: That’s not who I am! I’m purer than you.

E. CHRISTOPHER: You’d like to think so, but you’re a lowlife no matter where you go or who you try to help. I’m quite aware that I’m surrounded, but I’m ahead of you and your chimera pitying by a few steps. I may be captured, I may lose my position in that wretched school, I will go on.

ALISON: Cut the BS, I’m through!

SAMMY: What’s happening, stop!

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Starts screaming for help and tases him as he plummets towards her. Pants and stoops down to him.) I will go on. 

(Her nurse assistants start dragging ALISON away again and she grabs ahold of SAMMY’S arms roughly.)

ALISON: I COULD KILL THEM ALL, SAMMY, IF YOU JUST SAY THE WORD.

SAMMY: (Struggling and sobbing.) NO! I don’t know what you can do, but please don’t. Be good.

E. CHRISTOPHER: (Throws SAMMY in a corner in a room, tases her too, and takes a hunting pocket knife from a hiding place.) Ever wonder why the population of chimeras at Christopher High is so low?

(SAMMY holds her tail behind her and screams. CHIMERE is seen kicking the nurses off of ALISON and her team, all dressed as normal civilians, rushes into the room and disarms Ellen.)

CHIMERE: The police are on their way up.

ALISON: Thanks! (Pushes his way into the room yelling and starts pummeling ELLEN with his fists.)

CHIMERE: (Watches him go, nods her thanks to her team members, and mumbles:) She won’t remember me. But I believe she will.

SAMMY: ALISON. Stop! 

ALISON: Sorry. (Visible makes an effort to calm himself.) 

SAMMY: I need to know who you are.

(CHIMERE sees SAMMY, but looks away tearfully. The police arrest the gasping ELLEN. MICHELLE finally shows up at the scene.)

MICHELLE: Oh my god, my daughter! What have they done?

CHIMERE: You should be asking yourself that. (Blocks MICHELLE’S way with a stoney glare.)

MICHELLE: I don’t even know what you’ve been up to. You’ve practically deserted and disowned a poor single mother-

CHIMERE: Don’t victimize yourself.

MICHELLE: What right do you have to keep me from Soul?

CHIMERE: She’s not just your Soul. (Shows a badge in her wallet.) PCHR is small but we’re legit. 

MICHELLE: (Reads the badge.) C-H-M-R? Is this a joke?

CHIMERE: I don’t recall CPS being a joke. 

(ALISON and SAMMY are alone in front of the bustle in the background. She starts crying and he looks at her heartbroken.)

SAMMY: I have no clue… I want to remember you so badly it hurts. 

ALISON: It does, but you can't rush it. 

SAMMY: I'm going to be confused forever.

ALISON: I promise you won't. Dig into your memories of horses, but stay calm. They will return.

(The police and CPS take ELLEN and MICHELLE away and the background quiets as the nurses disperse. ALISON takes a seat as SAMMY paces around the hospital. CHIMERE lingers.)

SAMMY: (Notices CHIMERE.) Do you mind telling me who you are? I want to thank you for coming. 

CHIMERE: Don't take it too badly, but I'm your sister. Your mom, Michelle? She's been mistreating you.

(ALISON sighs and leaves the room with a hopeless air.)

SAMMY: (Holds her head and groans.) That's what I'm starting to piece together. 

(CHIMERE sits apart from SAMMY and stares at a wall. Both sit in silence for a whole minute while mournful piano music plays. ALISON is still absent. Suddenly the music crescendos and SAMMY looks outside at a new commotion.)

SAMMY: CHIMERE, come here! 

(OPTIONAL ADD IN: Outside the hospital stands a bearded and weary looking man on a white Akhal-Teke horse. Both the horse and his tail, the same orange dragon tail as SAMMY, glisten in the police lights. If even a fake horse can’t be accommodated, SAMMY describing her father is acceptable.)

ALISON: What is it?

SAMMY: (There's a flash of lights and she gasps, laughs, and cries.) It's my dad! He has a horse… it’s shimmering. Oh my God, I remember him! (Her hands shake.) He looks like an angel.

ALISON: (Runs to her, looks out the window, and grabs her wrist gently but earnestly.) Sammy Soul?

SAMMY: (Beams at him.) I'm here.

(ALISON laughs joyously and they hug. When the curtains are almost completely closed, one last exchange occurs.)

ALISON: Sammy Soul, are you familiar with the process of a kiss?

SAMMY: (Slaps his arm.) What, no! Well, I mean yes. 

(They look at the audience as the curtain closes all the way.)

SAMMY: (Says in a high-pitched, shy way.) Okay, go ahead. 

The End

"Lo and behold

A dark room is where I sit alone

The lights turn red

The chemicals form the images

I can see it now."

• Pretty Pictures in my Mind, by the Lumineers