The Biology Lesson
and other experiments
by Sandra Dietrick
Drama
Monologues, thematically linked
One Act, 60-65 minutes
1-13 female
Performances $20.00 per, scripts $7.95 each

Thirteen monologues for and about women, ranging in style and treatment from a middle-aged 9th grade biology teacher giving a hilarious lecture on puberty to the sobering story of Sufiya, a Nigerian woman sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery because she was impregnated during a rape. A fast paced exploration of a variety of women's issues from an equally varied number of perspectives.

Contains adult language and themes. #13-001

Sample text:

"The Moth"

(BLACKOUT. A match flares, a single candle is lit far upstage. A figure seen to be a WOMAN holds the candle. She comes slowly downstage, holding the candle in one hand, and the other hand is in the air, fluttering slightly, level with her face. She is fascinated with the fluttering hand, as she draws closer to the audience, it becomes evident that she wants them to watch it, too. She whispers as if sharing a secret.)

WOMAN: It's a moth. I swallowed it and it didn't die. Instead it flew down and then up into my arm and now it stays there, fluttering inside my fingertips.

(Pause.)

I've swallowed all kinds of things. Things that people think are missing, but they're really right here, inside me. You know all those ships and airplanes that "disappeared" in the Bermuda Triangle? They're really right here . . .

(She thrusts out her midsection.)

. . . in my duodenum . . .

(She smiles. Her left foot starts tapping out a steady 4/4 count and she begins to sing part of "Moonlight Serenade," then: )

. . . I've got Glenn Miller in this foot . . .

. . . and . . .

(Her right foot goes up into the air and then slams down, hard.)

. . . Amelia Earhart in this one.

(Suddenly, the moth-hand moves about wildly. It is out of control. She talks to it.)

Excuse me? Could you just calm down? I'm trying to . . . I'm trying . . .I SAID KNOCK IT OFF! That's the price you have to pay for flying too close to something that can swallow you!

(The moth-hand slowly calms down and flutters softly as before. She watches it for a moment.)

You'd think it would learn to like it in there. All safe and surrounded. Feeling everything filtered through my skin.

(She talks to the hand.)

I got swallowed once. I married a man who was twice my age. And three times as repugnant as my worst nightmare.

(As she speaks, the moth-hand starts to flutter closer and closer to the candle.)

But he offered me comfort . . .

(The moth-hand is closer to the candle.)

. . and safety . . .

(The hand is closer still.)

. . . and freedom from feeling . . . And I . . . just . . . flew . . . too . . . close.

(On her last word, the moth-hand closes around the flame, extinguishing it.)

(This play was most recently produced by Live Arts Theatre of Charlottesville, VA and Mary Baldwin College of Staunton, VA. The above monologue was performed by MBC drama student Tashera Perry, who is pictured.)