Maslow
November 13th, 2020
Starring: Homeless (25-45), Psychologist (40-55)
A long city stoplight. On the street corner stands Homeless, holding a cardboard sign. On the sign is a drawing of a pyramid, spaced out into five horizontal tiers. At the base of the pyramid are the words “FOOD & SHELTER.” On the next level, “SAFETY.” Then “BELONGING,” then “ESTEEM,” and at the top, “SELF-ACTUALIZATION.” In the space next to the pyramid, there’s the word “ME,” with an arrow pointing to the base/bottom of the pyramid. Above that is the word “YOU,” with an arrow pointing to the middle/top of the pyramid. The light is green, and the cars speed by.
The light turns yellow, then red. The cars slow down. Homeless walks past the stalled cars, holding up the sign. One of the cars, a classy sedan, rolls down its window. Psychologist pokes their head out:
PSYCHOLOGIST
Excuse me.
Is your sign Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
HOMELESS
Yes.
PSYCHOLOGIST
That’s got to be the most inventive homeless sign I’ve ever seen.
HOMELESS
Thank you.
PSYCHOLOGIST
It succinctly illustrates the core issue that divides you from others, while inducing the perfect amount of guilt.
HOMELESS
That’s the goal...
PSYCHOLOGIST
It’s a shame most people won’t understand it.
HOMELESS
The ones that do usually have money.
PSYCHOLOGIST
You’ve really thought this through.
Why don’t you have a job?
HOMELESS
What do you mean?
PSYCHOLOGIST
Well one would think if you understood Maslow’s hierarchy, you’d have the competence to find work somewhere.
HOMELESS
I make more money at this corner per hour than if I worked at McDonald’s.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Then shoot higher! You’ve got to be just as capable as most temps out there.
HOMELESS
Probably. But I can’t.
PSYCHOLOGIST
It’s all in your mindset!
HOMELESS
It’s not.
PSYCHOLOGIST
It’s always the mindset.
HOMELESS
No it isn’t.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Why don’t you think so?
Homeless picks up the sign and points to the top of the pyramid, “SELF-ACTUALIZATION.”
HOMELESS
Because you’re still thinking like someone who’s here.
Homeless points to the bottom of the pyramid, “FOOD & SHELTER.”
HOMELESS
And I’m still here.
…
So could you spare some change?
The light turns green. The cars in front of Psychologist’s sedan start to move. The cars behind honk aggressively. Psychologist, in a pickle, looks at Homeless guiltily. They start to roll up their window. As Psychologist does so:
PSYCHOLOGIST
Um...
Keep your head up.
Psychologist drives away, and Homeless retreats back to the corner. The cars zoom by.
The light turns yellow, then red. They begin the routine again. Another chance.