Pipeline Monologue Project

​ This project was centered on getting in the heads of different people and their reactions to the Keystone Pipeline. It gave us an opportunity to add our creativity to a very real issue in this country. I was hoping to have 3 different, unique feelings from each character. I wanted my monologues to create my characters to be torn in how they feel. One fact I wanted to reveal was the safety waiver that would allow the pipeline to pump at higher pressure and be made of a thinner steal.

The Dotted Line 

A woman sits down with an application and swallows so that it’s seen very well.

Well this is it. I can’t stand to watch my daughters lose out on everything because their mother can’t support them by herself.

She takes a deep breath showing her exhaustion from the problem she’s dealing with. Well, I guess I should start looking over this.

She begins searching the application in front of her.

Job description: Oversees the repair and maintenance of pipelines. Verifies pipeline safety. Responsible for scheduling and repairs of maintenance. Coordinates with other management staff to ensure efficiency in preventive maintenance and new pipeline installation.

She pauses to collect her thoughts.

Seems easy enough. Let’s get to the important part, the salary.

She begins again, search the document.

Okay… yeah… here we go…

She finally recognizes the section she’s looking for.

If employee completes the above tasks without issues, said employee may make up to a hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year.

She gasps out of pure shock.

This would make everything easier on us. There has to be some catch.

She again scans the document.

It’s important to take note that signing on the dotted line abides you to this contract stating that you will go off to live on site for two years. Two years? Two years without my girls? I guess this is what it came to. It’s crazy because here I am, about to sign on this dotted line that could fix everything, and I’m still debating whether or not to. I can’t stop thinking about the research I did on the first Keystone Pipeline. TransCanada predicted that it would leak once every seven years, but it leaked twelve times in the first year. I have two huge issues with this information. One, I’m going to be part of a company that lies and cheats to get what they want. Do I really want to help destroy? Two, the people who let it leak, most likely had my job. Maybe that’s why it’s available now.

She nods her head no while stating: Everything is telling me not to sign the dotted line…but I have to.

She finally signs the document.

Handcuffed To My Beliefs

Handcuffs are placed on a woman wearing an environmentally friendly t-shirt. She is proud of what ever she just accomplished. The police officer walks away mumbling something.

In an aggravated voice she yells: Oh yeah I bet you’re sorry!

She is seated where someone comes to question her. She begins to calm down.

You’re asking if I’m upset at the fact that I got arrested?

Laughs to herself

In a stern but caring voice: You’re kidding right? I wake up every morning and tell myself, I will do anything to help the world that I’ve been blessed with. Ever since I was child I have always been told to respect the environment. Science class always taught me that plants were living organisms too. Don’t they deserve a chance? I think so; therefore I joined dozens in front of the White House today. The reason I joined them was because all I kept hearing from TransCanada was that pipelines are the safest form of transportation when compared to other forms and rarely leak. When they do, they only leak a small amount.

Her face changes from serious to somewhat confused.

Wait, so they don’t really leak, but when they do… it’s a small amount? Well isn’t it easier not to have leaks at all because when it does leak, carbon dioxide is released from this dirty oil.

Her calm voice turns to aggravation again.

Is it really worth it to kill the little bit of beauty we have left? Also, it’s safer compared to other transportation methods, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. Look, it’s simple. People need to realize that we need to protect what we have. Since I’m aware of the limited amount of Earth we have left, I will continue to stand and protest in front of The White House. I’ll continue getting arrested. I believe in this. And I intend to fight for what I believe in.

Don’t Trace It Back To Me 

A Texan woman enters with a brief case.

Honey, I’m home!

We now see her at the kitchen table. She is facing her husband who is unknown and unseen to the audience.

My day? It was quite interesting.

She giggles to herself.

You remember the pipeline we saw on the news? Ya know, the one that they’re planning to start up in Canada and end down here in Texas?

She stops and listens to him.

Yeah, the one your cousin Derek was protesting for in front of The White House. Well today, the company came into our firm. Yeah, my little firm. Apparently, they needed some sorta safety waiver so ole’ Bruce gave it to me. I reckon he finally noticed my hard work and put me on a big important case like this. So anyway, they come in asking for this waiver to allow them to use a thinner steal and to pump at higher pressure.

Her face becomes surprised instead of content.

Can you believe it? They’re already tryna cut corners! Well then, ole’ Bruce told me that my job was on the line if I didn’t write up this here document. I couldn’t believe it!

She starts to look ashamed in her story.

I wanted to say no. How could I, though? I hardly know anything about this pipeline. Who am I to say that’s horrible? I mean Derek was telling me last week how the carbon dioxide from this oil is deadly and the whole environment is gonna be screwed up. But, this man that came in today told me how many jobs are gonna be available. And just think, now we won’t have to get everything from those foreign countries. Well, I’m not gonna decide what side I’m on so I just told them to make sure that the document didn’t trace back to me writin’ it.

She begins to smile at her husband and giggle.

Stop it, I’m not a bad person! Enough about my day, watchya make for dinner?