Principal: Ah, hello. I'm the Principal, Mr. Smith. You must be the new school counsellor - Ms. Hankey.
Ms. Hankey: How do you do? (shaking his hand vigorously with both of hers for a long time) A pleasure to meet you. Actually, my official title is 'Student Support Service Team Leader' - 'counsellor' has such an controlling ring to it, don't you think?(Principal manages to extract his hand) Well, everything appears to be organised here, thanks to you, so I think the 'Just Do It' Sponsored Student Support Service is ready to get underway.
Principal: It's wonderful the way large corporations are investing in the youth of today.
Ms. H: Indeed. The 'Just Do It' campaign aims to promote well-being, self-esteem and a strong sense of individuality. Wonderful isn't it?
Principal: Well there are a few students waiting to see you so I won't delay you any further. (exiting)
Ms. H: Thank you and please send in the first student....Hallo I'm Ms. Hankey. Welcome to the 'Just Do It' Sponsored Student Support Service. Your name is..?
Alison : (sitting awkwardly with hand on stomach) Ah, I'm Alison.
Ms. H: Hallo Alison. How may I support you?
Alison (very hesitant) : Ah, well, I've a choice to make and I don't know which is the right choice.
Ms. H: Ah now, Alison, therein lies our first problem - there is no 'right' choice to be made - just as there is no 'wrong' choice. Here at the 'Just Do It' Sponsored Student Support Service we say if it feels right to you, then it is right.
Alison : Umm, I don't think you understand. I'm sixteen and ... I'm pregnant. My boyfriend dumped me when he found out, and I'm scared my parents are going to do the same if I tell them. This baby could stuff up my life. I want to finish school and go to university. I want to be a doctor. I want to travel. There are so many things I might have to sacrifice if I keep this baby. Besides my parents would kill me....so I'm wondering if I should have an abortion…?
Ms. H: Well Alison I'm not going to tell you what to decide. Only you know what's right for you. All I can say is, go with your innermost feelings. Listen to that inner voice.
Alison : (confused)You mean the baby's voice?
Ms. H: No! No. I mean your own inner desires. You must be true to yourself. If you feel an abortion is best for you then it is your right to have an abortion.
Alison : But what about the baby's rights? Don't I have to consider its right to live?
Ms. H : Alison, don't make the mistake of listening to those who preach their views about right and wrong. They are just trying to brainwash you with guilt. Here at the 'Just Do It' Sponsored Student Support Service we believe there are no set oundaries. Our aim is to support you into a place where you believe only good about yourself.
Alison : (hesitantly): OK, well you've certainly given me something to think about.
Ms. H: Ah, Alison - don't think - feel.
Alison : Ah, OK goodbye.
Ms. H: Goodbye. Next!
Michael : Hi, I'm Michael.
Ms. H: Hallo Michael. Welcome to the 'Just Do It' Sponsored Student Support Service. How can I support you?
Michael : Well, I came to see you because I have a problem with my friends wanting me to do something but all my life my parents have said not to do this thing, so...I don't know what to do.
Ms. H: Ah ha, ah ha....Michael I want you to tell me how you feel about it?
Michael : I feel.... undecided?
Ms. H: No, I mean how do you really feel? Dig deep, Michael! Explore the inner reaches of your soul, of your own individuality, and tell me what do you want to do?
Michael : (exploding) What do I want to do?! I want to escape the pressures of school, of getting a girl to go out with me more than once. I want to stop my parents arguing from sun up to sun down. And I want to know how to get through the rest of this incredibly messed up life!
Ms. H: Good Michael good. Just let it out. Feel the force. Now tell me, what choice are you going to make - what does Michael, independent agent of the universe, want to do? Remember, it's not your parents’ choice; it's not your friends choice. You cannot live your life constrained by limits that others seek to place on you - that would be wrong.
Michael : Smoke pot.
Ms. H: Sorry?
Michael : Smoke pot. That's what some of my friends are doing. Feels like a great escape route to me.
Ms. H: (becoming emotional) Excellent Michael, excellent. What a break through.
Michael : So you don't think I should worry about killing off brain cells, or being addicted or anything. And, I mean it's not legal is it?
Ms. H: Not yet, Michael, not yet. In any case, you cannot let your life be frustrated by some out-of-date institutionalised morality.
Michael : Yeah, you're right - thanks.
Ms. H: No thank you Michael - you are an inspiration! (wiping her eyes) And remember our motto - 'if it feels right, just do it'. Next! Hallo, I'm Ms. Hankey - how may I be of support?
Kirsten: (embarrassed) Hi, I'm Kirsten. Ah, I'm having a little bit of a problem with my boyfriend and, um..... physical desires.
Ms. H: Oh, I understand, say no more - and I just want to reassure you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with discovering a desire for one's own gender. In fact...
Kirsten: (interrupting in a shocked manner) : No it's nothing like that. Umm, you see, my boyfriend really wants to have sex. He says if he doesn't it'll damage his health. But I've never had sex before and aren't you supposed to wait until you're married?
Ms. H: Supposed to? My dear there are no "supposed to's" in life. No boundaries. No limitations, except those we allow to be imposed upon us. No, the only question here is what do you want to do?
Kirsten : I want to do what's right.
Ms. H: (dismissing the concept) Right/wrong - how do you feel?
Kirsten : Confused.
Ms. H: Kirsten, feel the force - the force of your own inner wants and desires.
Kirsten : Well I do like my boyfriend. He's a really popular guy and I don't want him to dump me.
Ms. H: Good, good. I'm hearing feelings here, deep emotions. Keep it going...
Kirsten : Well all the girls in my class say they've already done it. I don't want to get left behind.
Ms. H: Ah ha, ah ha. This is all good. You're feeling you're way through the problem.
Kirsten: (more enthusiastically) Yeah I am. So you're saying I should just go with my feelings.
Ms. H: Of course! We cannot change how we feel so we must act on our emotions. That means being true to one's own self. And what can be more important than doing whatever we must to bring true happiness to our own inner self?
Kirsten : (shaking her hand)Thank you Ms. Hankey -you've been a great help.
Ms. H: My pleasure! And don't forget our motto here at the Sponsored Student Support Service, 'if it feels right, just do it'!
Lights out
.............................................
© Susan Irvine (Dunedin City Baptist) 2001
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies
are not sold in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for
free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and
for what purpose the play is performed. Our drama group can be contacted
at the following address: Caradii@xtra.co.nz