Upheaval
March 14th, 2021
Starring: Belle (female, 60-70), Carmela (early 30’s), Masha (cat)
A no-kill animal shelter/adoption center. Belle sits in her mini-office. Across from her sits Carmela. Carmela is a good foot taller than Belle, and could probably bench press her. Masha, an orange/white tabby, is held by Carmela, looking tiny in her hands.
CARMELA
I like to say she’s two and a half. She’s got all her shots, house trained, good with people.
I know she’s not off the streets, but she was, once. I found her in a hotel dumpster in Russia. I was at World Championships. Smuggled her out in my suitcase.
BELLE
Goodness. You two have quite a history.
CARMELA
Yeah.
BELLE
But...you’re looking to—?
CARMELA
Give it up.
BELLE
It...?
CARMELA
The cat. Masha.
BELLE
Is that...are you unable to take care of her?
CARMELA
No no it’s not a matter of...no. Um. It’s complicated.
I’m trying to let things go. Possessions, things like that.
BELLE
Are you alright?
CARMELA
Yeah.
Well no, not perfect but...it’s ok, that’s why I’m downsizing. Shedding weight. Materially and...well, literally too. I don’t fit in most of my clothes anymore.
BELLE
Oh. Congratulations—
CARMELA
No it's not like—um—my job, I had to keep a certain weight. To compete.
You know Arnold? Schwarzenegger?
BELLE
The Terminator?
CARMELA
Yes...but before that he lifted weights. Bodybuilding.
When you see the people with the crazy—?
BELLE
Ohoh with the veins and the—
CARMELA
Uh huh—
BELLE
So you—
CARMELA
I do that. Did, I’m done now.
I know it doesn’t look like it but uh...atrophy’s real, heh.
…
Sorry I don’t mean to bombard you with all the
She needs a better home.
…
BELLE
Well uh
Of course I don’t want to disrespect your decision. But it seems like you could really use someone. To talk—
CARMELA
I’m great. It doesn’t feel good, but I know once I do it, I’ll feel better.
BELLE
Maybe Masha’s the support you need right now.
CARMELA
It can’t.
BELLE
It...?
CARMELA
Masha. Masha’s a thing.
BELLE
She’s a cat. An animal isn't a thing—
CARMELA
I know I...I don’t want her to be a thing, I don’t treat her like a thing but to me...she’s a thing. A part of my past life. I see her, and I see Moscow. The decade of travel. The trainings, the powders, the meds, the fasts. It broke me. It broke me every way it could and I...I don’t want the reminder. I can’t anymore.
My whole life I’ve been so focused on me, like my body me, I never focused on me the...me. Who I really am. The only way I can is to turn it all over. Start fresh.
…
Please take it.
Her.
Carmela holds out Masha. Belle takes Masha in her lap, scratching her ears:
BELLE
Do you know why I love working with animals?
They're survivors. They could be at rock bottom, living in a dumpster, still trying to make it.
There’s no blame, no introspection. It’s pure instinct. They never give up.
CARMELA
I wish I could too. Believe me.
BELLE
You can. We're just as animal, it’s just not as innate.
You have to want it.
A heavy pause. Carmela stares at Masha, then holds out her arms again. Belle hands Masha back over to her. Carmela gets up, and Belle opens the door. Carmela faces Belle, towering over her. Belle takes a step back, but not before Carmela gives her a hug. Long, deep, and unintentionally bone-crushing. Then Carmela leaves, Masha running at her heels.
Belle watches them go, feeling her ribs and catching her breath, a little dumbfounded.