The Loyalist
abigail conklin
Sarah: 16/17 year old girl. Loyal to a fault, kind, and trusting.
Deena: 16/17 year old girl. Kind but cunning, slightly manipulative, and dramatic. Sarah’s best friend.
Scene opens in a teen girl’s bedroom. Magazines and clothes lay around the room in an organized mess. Sarah is sitting on her bed. Deena walks in.
SARAH
Hey.
DEENA
God, I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages,
SARAH
We literally just had lunch together yesterday.
DEENA
I know, but we weren’t really alone, I mean it was the middle of the cafeteria. It’s fine though.
Sarah nods.
DEENA
(laughs). How’ve you been?
Silence
DEENA
What’s wrong?
SARAH
Oh, just, well things haven’t been as peachy as I’d like.
DEENA
Peachy?
SARAH
(laughing) Oh, shush your mouth!
DENNA
But, no, what’s wrong?
SARAH
I don’t know …
DEENA
Come on - you know you can tell me anything.
SARAH
It’s just that things with Cole have been…. different… but it’s nothing.
DEENA
Oh?
SARAH
Yeah, it’s not a problem though, I don’t want to bother you with anything.
DEENA
You’re my friend, it’s your job to bother me. And it’s my job to listen, now spill.
SARAH
Deena, really, I’m fine.
DEENA
Sure you are … Hey, I know! Let’s play therapist!
SARAH
(laughing) No
DEENA
Why not?
SARAH
We haven’t played that since we were ten
DEENA
Exactly! Come on, it'll be fun!
SARAH
That was just a stupid game my mom made us play when she didn’t want to deal with my tween-age drama.
DEENA
Hey, those games meant a lot to me.
SARAH
(sighing) fine.
Deena goes over to the desk and sits in the chair, she takes out a notepad and pencil, and puts on a pair of reading glasses. She puts her hair up in a bad bun, and crosses her legs. Sarah goes over to the bed and lays down. She folds her hands on her stomach, staring up at the ceiling.
DEENA
Hello there, my name is Doctor Deena.
SARAH
Nice to meet you, I’m Sarah.
DEENA
How’ve you been Sarah?
SARAH
(giggling a little) Good, but I’m having… issues… with Cole.
DEENA
Sarah, the rules! Don’t forget the rules!
SARAH
Oh right! Sorry, (giggles), I’m having issues with my boyfriend.
DEENA
What’s his name?
SARAH
(laughing) Deena!
DEENA
Sarah!
Both girls laugh.
DEENA
Rember, I don’t know you, that’s what makes the game work. You have to explain everything to me. Now, what’s your boyfriend's name?
SARAH
(rolling her eyes) His name is Cole, we’ve been dating for (thinks) 6 months?
Deena writes in the journal.
SARAH CONT’D
He’s amazing. He picks me giant bouquets of wild roses– from our spot in the woods, whenever I have a show. I’m a bit of an actress. He takes me on picnics at our spot, and we write poetry together. For my birthday, he wrote me 16 poems, for each year I’ve been alive. He gives me butterflies every time I see him.
DEENA
Even after all these months?
SARAH
(laughing) Yeah, (more seriously), he makes me feel at peace.
DEENA
Hmm. Have you ever had any problems?
SARAH
Besides the little thing that happened today? Not really.
DEENA
What happened today?
SARAH
Well, he’s really stressed with college apps, and wasn’t really paying attention to anything I was saying at lunch. Which I mean, fair enough (laughs a little), it’s just a little disappointing.
DEENA
Mmm, I see, college can put a strain on relationships. Anything else?
SARAH
Well, every couple has little misunderstandings.
DEENA
Misunderstandings?
SARAH
Yeah, like the other day he packed me a BLT for our picnic, even though I told him like a month ago that I don’t like tomatoes.
DEENA
So he’s forgetting the little things?
SARAH
Well, I guess, but it’s not a big deal.
DEENA
Ok, if you insist. But relationships revolve around the little things.
SARAH
Deena.
DEENA
Doctor Deena, please. But no, really, like I’ve remembered your favorite color, sea blue, since the first time you told me, and you remember things about me. That’s why we’re such good friends.
SARAH
Remember the rules. You don’t know me. (beat) It's not really that big of a deal, he just slipped up.
DEENA
Fine, if you think it’s not a big deal, then it’s not. Are there any other things?
SARAH
(laughing) He never lets me wear his hoodies, he says he’ll never get them back if I take them.
DEENA
So he doesn’t trust you?
SARAH
Well he let me wear one once, but I spilled ketchup on it so… (she laughs)
DEENA
Trust is Dating 101 Sarah.
SARAH
No, I know.
Silence
SARAH
Do you really think he doesn’t trust me?
DEENA
I mean that’s up for you to decide, not me.
Silence.
DEENA
Anything else?
SARAH
Well he doesn’t carry my coat for me when we’re inside?
DEENA
Ugh.
SARAH
It’s not a big deal though.
Silence
SARAH
But he did get me a silver charm bracelet, for Valentine's day!
DEENA
Silver?
SARAH
Yeah.
DEENA
Doesn’t he know your skin tone? I mean, even I know that.
SARAH
Yeah...
Beat.
SARAH
Cole’s a good guy.
DEENA
Is he though? From what you’ve told me, he’s rude, forgetful, untrusting, and inconsiderate. I’d say that's grounds for a serious dumping. Plus, I never see you because of him.
SARAH
What?
DEENA
(Spluttering) Nothing, I just think that he might not be the guy for you.
SARAH
Well I don’t know about that, we’ve been dating for six months.
Deena leans closer to Sarah, taking off her glasses.
DEENA
People can change Sarah, you’re allowed to be happy.
SARAH
I am happy.
Deena leans back in her chair, putting her glasses back on.
DEENA
Really happy, not 92 percent happy.
Silence.
SARAH
I guess you’re right. Do you really think I should break up with him?
DEENA
That’s your decision.
SARAH
Mmmm, Deena I don’t know.
DEENA
Doctor Deena.
SARAH
You’re not my doctor.
DEENA
I am right now, and your friend, and as both I’m telling you this relationship is toxic, and unbalanced, and something you need to get out of ASAP. Besides what you’ve already told me about Cole, he’s also manipulating you. He’s separating you from your friends and monopolizing your time.
SARAH
Monopolizing my time? I still hang out with you and the others all the time.
DEENA
(Spluttering) Well, yeah, but like- you know.
SARAH
Do I?
DEENA
(concerned) Maybe not. Maybe the manipulation’s run too deep.
SARAH
Maybe?
Sarah rubs her head.
DEENA
Have I ever lied to you Sarah? (Not waiting for a response) No, I haven’t. I’m not him.
SARAH
I never said that Cole lied to me.
DEENA
Do you really think he’s been worried about college apps?
SARAH
(confused) Yes.
DEENA
Oh Sarah, (sigh) you’re so naive.
SARAH
What are you talking about Deena?
DEENA
He’s obviously seeing someone else.
SARAH
What?!
DEENA
All the things we talked about– being distracted? Forgetting you don’t eat tomatoes? Not trusting you with his hoodies? Not taking your coat? Those are all obvious signs that he’s cheating!
SARAH
I don’t understand.
DEENA
Well, first of all, he’s not distracted with college apps, he’s distracted thinking about his other girlfriend.
SARAH
That’s a far jump.
DEENA
He forgot you don’t like eating tomatoes, but I bet my soul that his other girlfriend does. Why else would he make you a sandwich which is one-third tomato?
SARAH
I-
DEENA
You wanna know why he doesn’t let you wear his hoodies?It’s because he’s scared his new girlfriend will see you with them and get suspicious. The prick knows how loyal you are, and is trusting in the fact that you’ll never assume the worst of him. He obviously doesn’t love you anymore.
Sarah looks hurt. Deena takes off her glasses and goes to sit next to her on the bed.
DEENA
If he really loved you, cared about you, he’d be a gentleman and carry your coat, but he doesn’t, so…
Sarah tears up a little.
DEENA
And the silver bracelet probably wasn’t even meant for you.
SARAH
What do you mean?
DEENA
If he doesn’t know your skin tone and the colors that match by now ...
SARAH
I just can’t believe he would - (at a loss for words)
DEENA
(matter of factly) He’s a piece of shit.
SARAH
I....
DEENA
I mean if he were my boy-friend, I’d seriously be thinking of breaking up with him.
SARAH
I don’t know, I mean-
DEENA
He isn’t good, Sarah. He’s stealing away every bright, beautiful, part of you. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know you. Like I haven’t seen you in years. But, It’s going to be okay. I’m here for you, I’m always here for you.
SARAH
(hesitant) Maybe you’re right.
DEENA
Do you want to practice?
SARAH
Practice what?
DEENA
Breaking up with him! (Cole voice) So you wanted to talk to me?
SARAH
This doesn’t feel right, Deena.
DEENA
Nothing's final, but if you keep all those thoughts you have in your head they’ll fester. You don’t want that, now do you?
SARAH
Okay... (drying her tears, deep breath) we’re done.
DEENA
(Cole voice) What why?! What did I do to deserve this?!
SARAH
(lifeless) You cheated on me.
DEENA
(regular voice, whispering) tell him all the things he’s done wrong.
SARAH
You’re rude, forgetful, untrusting, inconsiderate and you cheated on me.
DEENA
(Cole voice) Take me back! I thought you were naive and would never find out.
SARAH
I’m never taking you back.
Deena gets down on her knees.
DEENA
(Cole voice) Sarah!
SARAH
No. I’ve made up my mind. We’re done.
Deena gets back up.
DEENA
I’m sorry for your loss.
SARAH
Sure.
DEENA
I’m here for you
SARAH
Right.
Deena sighs and crosses to the bed, and hugs Sarah who doesn’t move.
DEENA
I love you.
SARAH
(What just happened here) Love you too(?)
Blackout
Abigail Conklin is currently a junior at Interlochen Arts Academy, specializing in Creative Writing. Her work has been acknowledged by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, winning her two silver keys and two honorable mentions. Her poetry has also appeared in The Red Wheelbarrow. Having grown up in Fairbanks, Alaska, nature has always inspired her and frequently appears throughout her writing. Abigail is an enthusiastic poet, short story writer, and play-write who is fond of nature, science, and group dynamics. For this play, Abigail took inspiration from the nine Enneagram personality types, specifically Enneagram number six, the loyalist.