the pro-choice morality play, part four

Beth
So, Dick, what do you think? Do you think you can be a better mother, a better woman, that we are? (removes tape or whatever prevented him from speaking)

Dick
I don’t know. I just want my life back.

Laina
The one where you knew the best thing for Jace before even walking through a van door, before you even knew her name, age, family, circumstances, thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and all of those things that culminate in the whole of who she is?

Dick
I … I just want my life back. Please. This is too much. I, I don’t. I…

Beth
Oh don’t cry, dear. Everything will work out. You’ll realize that this child is the baby you never knew you wanted.

Laina
Yeah. Look, we can’t hold you here forever. Once you walk through that door, all we can do is hope that you will make the best choice for you and your child. (releases the Dick restraints)

Beth
I hope you don’t think we were too harsh, but the ends justify the means, right?

Dick
I… Can I go?

Laina
Yes. (opens the door) We wish you well.

Beth
Both of you. (Dick leaves)

SCENE III
Outside of the clinic. The same crowd is still there making the same noise. Dick enters and crosses to the clinic. The security guard stops him.

Dick
I have an appointment.

The security guard lets him by. The crowd mumbles trying to figure out what just happened/how he got in there. Some probably try to enter, repeating the appointment line but are stopped by the guard.

SCENE IV
Inside the clinic. Dick waits in an examination room (complete with stirrups!) Beth enters in white lab coat.

Beth
Dick! What… Hello.

Dick
Wait. I… I can’t be pregnant. I can’t have a baby. I don’t want to do this.

Beth
Hey. It’s okay. Look. Here we are all about options. I’d like you to speak with our social worker. She’s trained to go over all the options including what sort of help is available to you.

Dick
Look. That’s nice and all, but I know what I want. I don’t want to be pregnant. I’m done.

Beth
Okay, but it is part of the process, so just let me get her. (She pokes her head out the door and motions for someone to come in – of course it’s Laina)

Laina
Hi, Dick. How are you?

Dick
I’m not good. I’m just ready to get back to normal.

Laina
I understand. Now, we just want to make sure that you are choosing to terminate your pregnancy on your own. No one is forcing you to do it?

Dick
No… why would…

Beth
It happens more than you would think.

Dick
Really? But why would the clinic care?

Laina
Pro-choice means all choices. We council people on keeping their babies, putting them up for adoption, and terminating their pregnancies. Contrary to some opinions, this is not an abortion mill.

Dick
I didn’t know.

Beth
Very few of those protesters choose to find out. It’s easier to just make assumptions and believe what other people tell them.

Dick
I’m sorry.

Laina
Thank you.

Beth
Dick, we do need to move forward. We need to confirm that you are pregnant before we move forward. Also, I have to show an ultrasound of the fetus as well as make the appointment for the procedure at least 24 hours away.

Dick
We can’t do it all now?

Laina
Unfortunately, we can’t.

Dick
I won’t tell anyone.

Beth
I’m sorry, Dick, but we can’t put the clinic in the crosshairs of legal action.

Laina
Hey! At least you are over 18, so we won’t have to ask your parents!

Dick
This is so stupid! I know what I want. I shouldn’t have to wait.

Beth
That’s the law. Sorry. Your legislators apparently know better than you. Now, can you lay back. We have to do the ultrasound. (knock at the door) Come in. (Jace enters)

Laina
Hi, Jace.

Dick
Oh. Hi. I…

Jace
I think we should tell him now.

Dick
I’m not pregnant, am I?

Beth
No.

Dick
You can’t implant a fetus in a liver, can you?

Laina
We can. Jace decided that she didn’t want to go through with it. It was her choice.

Jace
I wanted them to make you think you were pregnant and see what happened. So. I’m still pregnant. And I’m still trying to make a decision. I have four children. My husband trusts me in this decision. I want to send my children to college. I want so many things for them that a new child will make more difficult to pay for. I love my children. I would love any new child. So, Dick, what do you think I should do?

Dick
I… I think you should… I…

Jace
Well?

Dick
I don’t know. What do you think you should do?

Laina & Beth
Exactly.

I'm not sure if this is the best ending, but it's a start.

Part One; Part Two; Part Three

the pro-choice morality play, part three

Beth
You’re going to have a baby! You’ve got to focus on that. Babies are miracles, and this one even more so.

Dick
But I don’t want it. I have plans and goals that don’t include …

Laina
It’s not about you anymore; it’s about that precious gift living in your body.

Beth
Sharing your every experience.

Laina
Maybe if you saw it, you’d understand what this means.

Beth
Yes! Every mother needs to see his baby. It’ll help develop that strong bond between the two of you. You’ll really know how precious that little life is. (Laina has pulled the ultrasound machine into the space and started it up. I imagine that high pitched whine like when old TVs were turned on.)

Laina
Beth, can you get Dick ready?

Beth
Certainly. (Beth pulls Dick’s shirt and squirts a clear jelly on his belly)

Dick
Stop. You can’t do this. Leave me alone.

Laina
We’re just going to shoot sound waves through your body so you can get a picture of your baby. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

Dick
That’s not my baby! I don’t want it. Take it out!

Beth
Dick. If we do that, the child will die. It cannot survive another transplant.

Dick
I don’t care!

Laina
Hush! (silences Dick however it can be done; I imagine something with duct tape) You are just being selfish!

Beth
Now look. (she puts the device over his belly and slowly draws it across; Laina holds his head facing the monitor) There! Do you see that?

Dick
(Shaking his head) Uh uh.

Laina
It’s right… here. I think. That bit of fuzz.

Beth
No. It’s this right here.

Laina
No. That’s not it! It’s right here.

Dick
Mmmph mmmph mmph mmmph mmmph.

Beth
That’s what they all say. Oldest excuse in the book: If we can’t even pick it out, how’re you supposed to feel connected to it? Well, Dick, because you are. You are connected to it.

Dick
Mmmmph mmmph mmmmph mmmph mmmph.

Laina
Heard that one too, but women as the baby carriers is only a technicality now. And frankly, we are tired of having our uteruses held over their heads… so to speak, because they could one day maybe have a chance at hosting a baby for any length of time for any number of reasons.

Beth
We’ve decided that it’s your turn. You can spend nine months being told how to live, eat, be, think; having people think they can touch your belly whenever they want because "really" they are touching the baby.

Laina
As if the baby would say yes to every hand coming its way if it had the option to say no.

Beth
Right. To have doctors dictating how you bring your child into the world and ignoring your requests

Beth & Laina
For the baby.

Laina
To have motherhood used as a punishment.

Beth
Because you are not a human being alone.

Laina
Without a family.

Beth
You might as well be dead.

Laina
You need that husband to help you make decisions.

Beth
You can’t be trusted to make them yourself.

Laina
And god help you if you like women.

Beth
But that’s a discussion for another time.

Laina
We’ve decided since men are the only ones to be trusted, it is time we cut out the middle-women.

I'm really into this counter of "using motherhood as a punishment". I'm sure I've heard it before, but I just can't place where. I am definitely in the part of the process where I need to get as many ideas/anger out, so we'll see how it goes.

Part One; Part Two

the pro-choice morality play, part two

Dick
But but but I can’t be pregnant. I’m a man.

Beth
Oh, come on now. I don’t think being pregnant makes you any less of a man.

Dick
NO! I don’t have the right … equipment.

Beth
It’s called a uterus, and you are right. That’s why we didn’t implant your baby in your uterus. That would have been silly!

Laina
And futile.

Beth
Right. We implanted it in your liver. Now, I know that you are thinking. You’ll miscarry the baby because it’s not the proper environment, but don’t worry. Sometimes a fetus… oops, I mean baby, will implant in a liver when the uterus is absent. Once we figured out how to remove a gestating baby without aborting, we just made a logical leap as to what the next step would be.

Dick
But …

Laina
Yes?

Dick
Why didn’t just put into some other uterus!

Laina
Beth, do you mind if I take this one?

Beth
Be my guest.

Laina
You see, Dick, a uterus isn’t just a waiting compartment for anything that wants to move in.

Beth
It’s not Tupperware!

Laina
Exactly. It has to go through hormonal and physical changes in order to be prepared to maybe accept a fertilized egg, and even then it’s not a guarantee that implantation will occur.

Beth
That potential human could end up in the toilet without anyone ever knowing or doing anything to cause it.

Laina
Um… yes. (to Beth) A little less crass, please. (back to Dick) So you see, if we tried to implant there, our chances of success would be much lower. After a few dozen trials with the liver - which as far as we can tell doesn’t need all of those hormones – our success ratio has reached 90%. Isn’t that wonderful?

Dick
I don’t want to be pregnant.

Beth
You should have thought about that before you walked into a strange van with people you barely knew. Now you’ll just have to own the consequences of your actions. This baby didn’t do anything wrong. Do you think you should punish it?

Dick
Well, I uh. Um, no. But this is not something I’m prepared for. I don’t know the first thing about a baby – born or pre-born.

Laina
Your baby. You need to start thinking of it as your baby.

Dick
I’m not keeping it.

Beth
Well, adoption is an option.

Laina
But I think you’ll have to wait until after it’s born and say you’re the father. If you tell an agency that you are pregnant, they might not believe you.

Dick
I am the father.

Laina
No. You’re the mother. At the very least, you are the surrogate.

Dick
You should have asked me before you did this. You should have told me what you were going to do!

Beth
Oh, I’m sorry.

Laina
We should have given you all of the (medically accurate) information about what was going to happen, but we didn’t think that was in your best interest.

Beth
Yeah. And we probably should have gotten your consent, but everything about you just said yes and so we didn’t think we really needed to ask. (ed. I want to make sure that this part – which like the whole script is still in first draft form – doesn’t exploit the experiences of those who have been assaulted. I don’t feel that I am but if I am, I want to find another way to make this point and if there isn’t a better one, I’m absolutely willing to drop this)

Dick
What am I going to do?

... but wait! there's more!

So this is part two. I should have Part Three up tomorrow. Comments and feedback can be sent to the email address in the sidebar or just leave them in the comments below!

Part One is here.

the pro-choice morality play

SCENE I
Outside of a clinic.
A large group of people are yelling, praying, and/or signing loudly. A girl walks by, the noise gets louder and clearly directed at her. A few people invade her space and follow her until she finally gets inside the clinic doors where a security guard prevents the followers to enter. One man in his 40s or 50s stands out through all of this. He isn’t the leader but has drunk a lion’s share of their Kool-Aid. (ed. Is this stronger if he’s more of a cog, less convinced?) A woman runs over to him and pulls him away.

Dick
Beth, what is it?

Beth
We’ve got one. She was going to go into the clinic… didn’t know… if she was actually pregnant…she is. She’s almost there, Dick! She’s so close to saying “no” to a senseless murder.

Dick
Okay. What do we do?

Beth
We need you. I think a man is what we need. Someone with authority to really get her to get her to keep her baby.

Dick
I’m your Dick! Where’s the van?

Beth
Around the corner. Hurry. She’s nervous. I’m not sure how long Laina can keep her there without force. Come on!

Dick
Guys! I’ll be right back. Looks like all of our hard work is going to pay off. Here. Hold this. (hands sign to protestor, runs off)

Beth
(Looks intently at a particular sign; after dick is off – to herself) That’s not a fetus.


SCENE II
Interior of a large clinic type van. Part of it is curtained off.
Two thirty-fiveish year old women sit in opposite chairs, generally looking out of the window.

Laina
How’re you doing?

Jace
Fine I guess. I’m just not sure if…

Laina
I know. We can’t make you do anything; I just hope you make the right decision.
(knock at the door)
Come in. (Dick enters) Jace, this is Dick. He’s taking time from his day to come and talk to you. Dick, this is Jace. (Laina gets up to allow Dick to sit)

Dick
I was…

Jace
Expecting someone younger?

Dick
Yeah. I’m sorry. I just assumed you’d be sixteen or so and hiding from your parents.

Laina
Jace just found out she’s pregnant with baby number five. Isn’t that a blessing?

Dick
Five? Wow. Well that is … that is just wonderful!

Jace
Really? Because I’m not so sure. I mean we’re doing okay financially sort of, but I just think that a fifth kid is really going to start to strain us.

Dick
But a baby is a joy, no matter the burden. You have to remember that.

Jace
My oldest though, she wants to go to college and

Dick
Your oldest is a girl?

Jace
Yes

Dick
Well, she can help you care for the new baby. Plus you don’t want to teach her any bad moral lessons by killing her brother, do you?

Jace
She’s too busy, and she needs to keep her grades up. I don’t want her worrying about anything but her classwork.

Dick
True, I guess. She could think of it as life homework.

Jace
She doesn’t want to have children.

Dick
Sure she does! Just give her time. Once the new sibling is in the house, she’ll realize how great it is to be a mother. Like playing with dolls.

Jace
Babies aren’t anything like dolls, sir.

Dick
I know, but it’s - (during this time, Laina has watched and then picked up something from around the corner. She jabs a syringe into Dick’s neck – Dexter style – and he looks around surprised for a few seconds before losing consciousness)

Laina
Beth, get in here! (Beth enters) Grab his feet. Jace, would you mind pulling back this curtain? (she does, there is a hospital/vet type examination table. They lay Dick out on it and start prepping both Jace and Dick for a procedure.)

Jace
I’m not sure this is right.

Beth
Of course it’s not right, but talking hasn’t worked, legislation hasn’t worked, so we have to try something new. This isn’t Plan B; it’s plan MRA.

Laina
And thank you for helping us. After we’re done, you are welcome to stay and listen.

Jace
No. I think … Maybe. Can I sit somewhere where I can’t be seen?

Laina
Sure. Now, you are going to feel a little pinch, but it shouldn’t be too bad.

SCENE III
Interior of van
Dick is either still on the table or in one of the chairs – either way he’s tied down somehow. Laina and Beth flick cigarette butts out the window as he comes too.

Dick
What? Where? What happened?

Laina & Beth
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE PREGNANT!

Beth
You saved that precious child from certain death. You, sir, are quite the hero.

Laina
I didn’t think any man would step up when the real decisions and sacrifices needed to be made, but you are have proven me wrong. I am happy for the lesson.

Dick
What are you talking about? I … I was outside then there was a girl… no a woman… what the hell happened?!

Beth
Careful. Anger is not good for the baby.

Dick
What baby?

Laina
We’ve transferred to nearly aborted fetus from that woman’s uterus to your liver. You have saved a life! Yes, the pregnancy is a little dangerous, but a baby is a joy, no matter the burden.

...to be continued

I've seen these protestors so many times and just the lack of imagination and insight into other people's lives is astounding. Also, it's seems for some that any means necessary is appropriate as long as they win. There is a definite assumption that all women are the same and that women's want, dreams, desires, situations, or anything are inconsequential. Here, I'm trying to turn the tables. Also, I really really like that episode of The Cosby Show where all of the men are preggers.

a pre-enactment

A

Hi! I'm _____, and I work with the Political Action Group of PPNYC.

B

I'm anti-choice. I hate PPNYC.

A

Oh, I'm sorry. Hey, did you know that being anti-choice sucks?

B

It does?! What?! No wonder I'm so angry! Can you tell me how to suck less?

A

Absolutely! First, I would start by taking off that fugly McCain pin.

B

But I like McCain!

A

McCain farts when he walks.

B

Oh crap! Get this off of me!

A

There you go.

B

Wow. That's amazing. The sky is blue again! Tell me more.

A

Well, as a pro-choice person, you get to hate people less and see the good in the world. As a volunteer, I get to change lives by telling people of the magic powers of pro-choicery.

B

Ooooo

A

Yeah. We help raise money to support pro-choice candidates and educate voters about important legislation like the Healthy Teens Act and the Reproductive Health Act.

B

That sounds difficult.

A

Not at all. It is work, but it's envigorating work. And we make it fun!

B

What else do you do?

A

We travel. To places like: Albany

B

Oooo

A

and Pennslyvania

B

Exotic

A

and Ohio.

B

I don't even know what that is!

A

With us, you will. And you'll get to help people and legislators stay informed about our issues.

B

That's awesome. Where do I sign up?

A

Right here. Congratulations. You are now well on your way to being a happy, healthy, pro-choice person.

B

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for helping me get over being a shithead. I'll never go back down that road again! I love you, PPNYC!

A

And we love you.

A&B

The Political Action Group: We make you awesome!

After a million phonebanks and with a new group of activists about to be introduced to the several groups in the Activist Council, I had a loopy moment and wrote this script to introduce them to the Political Action Group.