all 5 assignment work

Faith Bibby

The Red Clipboard

This scene takes place in present day America at a psychiatric ward of a hospital in a metropolitan area. The ward is set up in a circle around the desk for nurses and doctors. The high risk rooms are further down the floor away from the circle with their own staff desk. These rooms have one-way glass all around them so that the nurses and doctors can see into these solitude rooms, but the patients cannot see out. The two patients I discuss in this poem are in normal rooms that are like hospital rooms; they have a normal door minus things that could be used for self-harm and large windows.

As the scene begins, Marla is sitting in her hospital bed without restraints. The nurse walks in to do her periodic vitals check on Marla, tapping her pen on her clipboard. Marla is sitting up in her bed with a blank expression on her face.

Nurse: Good morning, Marla. I am here to check your vitals and check in with you before Dr. Armdaziack arrives later today. It is now day 4 of your stay at this hospital, and I would like to see you released as soon as possible. I cannot do that until I am sure you will not harm yourself when you leave. 

Marla: I want to get the hell out of here. But I’m just going to be sent back to the children’s home where I have no friends. I’m 17, hell I’ll probably be homeless next year. Who wants to adopt a teenager? I’d be better off dead. I should’ve just taken more pills. 

Nurse: (says this as she is taking Marla’s vitals) Marla, there are ways to change this mindset you have. I had a hard life too, I was homeless for a few months in college when I was studying to be a nurse, and look at me now. Dr. Armdaziak is an expert in psychotherapy, especially with adolescents. He is so widely sought after, I’m sure he will be of great help to you.

Marla: You see, you don’t really know about my life like you think you do. My best friend was just adopted at 16, chosen over me. I don’t even have my friends anymore. I’ve never had parents. I’m about to graduate and go into a world that doesn’t give two shits about me. 

Nurse: Marla, I’m sorry you feel this way about yourself. I’ve got other patients to get to now, but if you need anything you make sure to push that call button.

Marla: Whatever, lady. 

A few minutes have passed. Marla is coloring. She looks around the ward, feeling abandoned and left alone like usual. Then, she notices a girl with curly red hair around her age right across the ward from her. She begins to sneak out of her room across the ward as the nurses are doing their rounds away from her area.

Marla (turns the handle into the girl’s room)

Patty: Mike, is that you? I told you not to come . I’m tired of your bullshit games. I don’t want to be your baby momma. You’re treating me like a pot to piss in! 

Marla: I’m not Mike. My name is Marla, and they’ve got me in the room right across from here. I tried killing myself last week, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I just want out of here. What’s your name?

Patty: I’m Patty. My mom forced me in here a few days ago. She has told me for years Mike isn’t real, but I see him all the time. I graduated a year or so ago, I started working at McDonalds until Mike started visiting me everyday. I had to run away and hide from him. Mom found me and brought me here, but I was damn sure safer out there than I am in here. 

Marla: I’m sorry you feel that way. I don’t have a mom, so I don’t know what that’s like. I do know how it feels to lose someone though. My best friend was just adopted, and now I’m all alone.

Patty: We can be friends. I don’t know if you’re like Mike or not, but why not give it a shot. Do you see the lady with the red clipboard?

Marla: You mean the nurse?

Patty: That lady, she keeps telling me that Dr Arm is going to help me get rid of Mike. Click clack, that damn clipboard goes all day long. I want to get rid of him, I hate his games. I just can’t be the one to do it or he’d kill me.

Marla: C’mon then, let’s go. Out of here, to I don’t know where. We can help each other. 

Patty: Are you serious?

Marla: Of course I am. 

Patty: That bitch with the red clipboard thinks she knows everything. Trying to give us all drugs to “help us”. That ain’t gonna nothing. What I need is to hide from Mike until I can figure out what to do with him.

Marla (hears the sound of footsteps coming towards the room): Come on. If we don’t go now. We’ll never get out of here.

Marla grabs Patty and pulls her off the bed. Patty runs with Marla towards the door, but they get stopped by a tall woman with long blond hair: Patty’s mother.

Mother: Girl, you run off. Patty, get back in bed or else. I better not have to tell you twice. Honey, whatever Patty is saying to you, it’s not true. You’re better off without her. And obviously you’re crazy too or you wouldn’t be in here. 

Patty: Mom, are you serious right now? If you can see her that means she’s real. She’s the only person who’s ever understood me.

Mother: Patty, don’t be silly. You don’t need any more craziness in your life. You need help, and Dr. Arm is going to give that to you. 

(Nurse runs up and grabs Marla): Marla, what are you doing? You know you’re not supposed to talk with others until you see Dr. Armdaziak. 

Marla: Where the hell is he? I’ve been here four days and haven’t seen him. It’s a waste of my time. I want out of here so I can finish what I started.

Nurse: You listen to me young lady. I’ve tried being nice but I’m done helping people like you who won’t even help themselves. Dr. Armdaziack will be here this afternoon, he’s been on vacation. Now get back in your bed or else I’ll put you in solitude with the real crazies.

Marla (walks back into her room and sits down again with the same blank expression on her face, losing any hope of ever finding another friend)