A Leader Prepares
May 11th, 2020
Starring: Leader-Senator, Rep., Mayor, President. Whomever you imagine.
Leader, dressed in pajamas, is brushing their teeth. They stand facing the audience, as if they’re staring in a mirror.
SENATOR
Dear citizens…
Dearest citizens…
Uh
My fellow...Americans
My fellow...peoples…
umm
My fellow citizens.
…
My fellow citizens.
As we continue to navigate these...these...uncertain and turbulent—
Uncertain and turbulent—
Turbulent and uncertain—?
shit
Leader spits out their toothpaste into a cup. They pull out their cell phone from a pajama pocket and stare at the screen, reading along with it:
My fellow citizens.
As we navigate these turbulent and uncertain waters, it is paramount we maintain the strength and fortitude we are capable of.
Leader puts away the phone.
My fellow citizens.
As we navigate these uncertain and turbulent waters, it is paramount to maintain the strength and fortitude we are capable of.
Moments like this are—
Are—
Leader pulls out the phone again, and reads.
In moments such as these, we must place our fullest faith in ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Leader puts down the phone, but holds it at the ready.
In moments such as these, we must place our fullest faith in ourselves, our families, and our communities.
The times.
The times...
The times they are a changin’
fuck
Pulls up the phone, reads:
The times right now are unfathomably difficult. They may continue to be. They may worsen. Time will tell.
But what I can tell you is that we will stay strong and we will get through this.
We will get through this.
They put the phone down, looking into the mirror/crowd.
We will get through this.
They change their posture, and tone.
We will get through this.
This time, with feeling:
We will get through this.
Leader smiles, teeth clean.