Mr. Bennet

Yo, whats going on? You in trouble or something, you called my phone like 20 times, I was in school. Yeah, I'm free to talk. Wait, didn’t you just break up with Jason like two days ago? How you moving on that fast? Yes, I’m listening you said he’s tall and light skin and wears suits. I don’t know what boy wears suits, but okay continue.


What do you mean he’s older like 17 or in college? He’s your who? So, you're being taken advantage of by your teacher? (long pause)


YES! It is like that. Your teacher is not your boyfriend, y'all aren’t together and you can’t love someone you just met. Do you honestly think a person that’s 30 wants a 16 year old? Something's wrong with him. And you can’t be that— No, I'm not calling you stupid or crazy, it’s not hard to get involved with a handsome pedophile. I just wish you could make better decisions, when I said find a more mature guy to date, I didn’t mean an adult. There’s nothing funny about this; what it is, is a serious case. HE DOESN’T LOVE YOU (pause) or at least in the way you want him to.


Trust me that’s not a relationship that will take you far. I’m not trying to be your mother and nobodies tryna take your happiness away. I’m just tryna get you out of lala land; you're wonderful world of rainbows where men like little girls. He ought to lose his job! It’s that serious Selena. Besides the fact that it isn’t a real relationship, it’s not even legal. I’m trying my best to be patient with you, but you can’t sit here and tell me this is right. I was here for you in your last relationship, the ups and downs. I helped you respond to texts and helped you calm down when Jason did something stupid. I was here for it all, but I can assure you this relationship won’t be the same. I want nothing to do with it. I’m glad that you don’t need me. Okay whatever nothing, the least you could say is thanks for the adv—(click) Did she just hang up on me?


Truth hurts I guess. My intentions aren’t to be hard on her. It just got to me, how she finds “love” so quickly. In the span of her 3 loves I can’t even find one. She turns away all of the guys her age and turns to a teacher- a grown man. I find it sad. Sometimes my sympathy for her translates to anger because there’s so many ways she can change to become the person she wants to be. Or maybe it’s the person I want her to be? Is it my goal and not hers? Why am I even this stressed about a situation that doesn’t concern me and a person who doesn’t want my help? I think I wrap myself into other people’s problems and when they can’t see what I see I get frustrated. I don’t think I can help Selena. She doesn’t even see anything wrong with dating Mr. Bennet. How could she, when she views me as a mom and not her friend. There’s nothing I can do about that, you can’t change how people see you. I can’t make her understand and it frustrates me. I’m watching my friend go down a path, I know leads nowhere good. My advice to her goes in one ear and out the other. There’s nothing I can do. And the more I talk and advise the more she ignores me. She’s slowly drifting away. At least I’ve said my peace. I can’t save everyone.


Comments (6)

Aigner Turner (Student 2021)
Aigner Turner

I like how you started it off as “Yo, whats going on?”, so it doesn't sound proper (in a good way). The intro engages the reader, wanting to read more and I like how you did a long pause on the teacher is her boyfriend, it’s like shocking news. You gave your perspective as a true friend on how that relationship is a no-no. You know that the truth hurts but your just looking out for the safety of your friend.

Ari Burstein (Student 2021)
Ari Burstein

I really enjoyed your monologue. You did a great job of allowing the audience to make inferences about what Selena is saying, making it seem like a two-person conversation instead of a monologue. I also like your topic. It is creative, and it is interesting to see how the character's conversation with Selena unfolds.

Tayah Brunson (Student 2021)
Tayah Brunson

The contrast you used between friendly advice and letting the friend know what's best for her was amazing. And how real it felt was amazing it felt like I was listening to a real conversation. The motions that the narrator went through of how she might be expecting too much from her friend, how she could be a little aggressive when she isn't listened to, and all to wrap up in the conclusion of "maybe I can't save everyone" and "at least I said my peace" can rest well with many people. It was nice to see your character go from advice giver, to a person that was aggravated, to someone calm and that is ok with not being listened but at least happy they were able to say something.

Matalai Lee (Student 2021)
Matalai Lee

The way that you transitioned from the outer conflict to the inner conflict was really smooth and made your monologue really good. Also the way you delivered the last line was great.