(Pause)
I like going for walks, when my family, I go for walks, so I don’t say anything stupid, or so I don’t get confused again.
(Pause)
Money why do people keep asking me about money, my family ask me if I’ve got any, the people here ask me, why is everyone trying to steal my money. Got any money they say all I reply with is why?
In my day we all had to walk everywhere, we didn’t have all these fancy cars, they don’t understand how lucky they are. When I was young, I had no television, no car, and none of these small things they talk into. My mom and dad had to work every hour god sent, me my brother and my sister, had to look after ourselves, and none of this maternity leave rubbish. All these young’ens these days only care about material things, in my day, it was all about family.
(Pause, someone starts calling her name)
What do they want now, I’m not deaf, they keep shouting me, diner? I’ve already had my dinner, don’t you argue with me young lady, I would know if I’ve eaten or not. Ok, ok don’t get your knickers in a twist, I’m coming! Happy?
(Pause)
This women keeps painting my nails, I mean paint is for walls, not my nails. No it doesn’t make me look pretty, I look ridiculous, and this woman keeps putting rollers in my hair, and no it doesn’t make me look like a film star, I look like a white fluffy poodle.
(Pause)
This place is as bad as having my parents watching over me, not letting me smoke, I mean I’ve smoked for ages, and its never made me ill, all the people here who call themselves ‘carers’ more like ‘uncaring’ say that I’m very ill, but I’m not. I’ve never felt better, I mean who else can carry off a poodle style hair du!
(Nods off)
I better hurry up and get to the post office, because it’ll close and I won’t be able to draw my pension. In my day when I worked at the post office, we had none of these computers or talking machines, everything was done by hand. Why is everybody so lazy? They moan an all.
(Pause, thinking)
I know how I can get out of this place, by escaping from the uncarers. I’ll wait till late, and then I’ll head to the front door, luckily its right next to my room. I’ll try that later, the problem is, I’ve never been outside this place, so I don’t know where to go, or what to expect. I’m quite worried now.
(Someone shouts her again)
I’m quite capable of having a shower by myself, GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME! Your not touching me, I’m fed up of everyone doing everything for me, I am capable you know, I often help them to clean, ironing is my favourite thing, but they wont let me do it. All they say is, Doreen, will you sit down. I’m not a baby you know.
(Muttering goes along with carer)
You don’t care about me, what do you care whether I’m clean or not, your just here for the money. I need my freedom, you won’t let me do anything myself.
(Carries on complaining…)
(Walking down a busy main road, just sits and stairs, wearing her dressing gown and pyjamas)
Hundreds of cars, why are they all in such a big hurry, speeding like there’s no tomorrow, its getting cold now, I’m sure the post office was round here, WHERE IS IT? WHERE AM I? Its getting cold now, I wish I had put that extra jumper on. I’m fine I’m not going back to that place. (She starts moaning and crying as the carer approaches her)
(Pause, sits staring into space)
It must be my age, I can never remember anything, I can’t remember what I’ve just done, said or seen, what’s happening to me I’m scared.
(The empty shell of a woman sits and smiles, unable to identify anything anymore)
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