Separation Anxiety

© 2011, Christopher Borg

Borg is setting up a ladder center right, in line with the aisle. He has a long roll of ribbon.

ALICIA: I’m going away.

BORG: I know. The term “Object Permanence” describes a human’s ability to think of other people as “still there”, even when they’re out of your immediate field of vision.

ALICIA: yes.

BORG: It is a developmental skill which most children develop at about age 2-3.

ALICIA: Everyone has to say goodbye sometimes.

BORG: I want you to hold the end of this ribbon until you are actually out. Then let it go. So I’ll know when you are actually gone.

ALICIA: OK

BORG: Do you think I am co-dependant?

ALICIA: I don’t know the answer to that. I’m not going away forever.

BORG: Promise?

ALICIA: No. I can’t promise that. No one can. No one can see the future.

BORG: Fear of abandonment can be a symptom of a personality disorder. (beat) Will you like it better where you are going?

ALICIA: Well, I’ll probably just end up in the lobby, so ____.

BORG: OK.

ALICIA: OK. (pause) well, I’m leaving now.

BORG: Ok. Bye.

ALICIA: Bye.

Music plays (Dimitri from Paris’ “Attente Musicale”). Timed with the music, Alicia, holding the line exists up the aisle. Borg, spool-feeds the string/ribbon/rope climbs the ladder as needed to keep the line taught and to see Alicia. When she gets to the door of the Kraine she lets go of her end. At the end of the music, the line is broken and loses all tension.

BORG: Bye.

curtain