Task 39 - The End

I chose excerpt 4 because I thought it was very original and with the first three sentences it grabs the reader’s attention. “First the colors, then the humans,” the reader starts thinking about why the human is next and wants to read on to find out. I really love the way how the author is direct to its reader, “you will know me well enough,” it gives the reader little clues throughout the story. I like the way in which the author keeps a focus on the ‘colors’ and makes it more important than anything else, “I make it a point to notice them.” “Who could ever replace me,” I like the way in which Zusak tries to get the reader involve in the story by making them think with the questions, “what does he need a distraction from?”


Would you have taken the step?

It wasn’t my idea, but do I still take the blame? The floor had a soft texture but I still felt the roughness digging slowly into my feet. I stood there. The colour on the wall absorbed the silence that was in the room. I could still sense it.

One step then another but the second falls deeper. The light in the room made a beautiful friendship with the silence that was present. They made the perfect bond. Wouldn’t you agree with me? Or perhaps you wouldn’t know. You weren’t the one standing there and you weren’t the one who took the step.

I made the move but don’t be mad at me, please don’t. One step will naturally follow into another one. Once you have chosen to be the follower then the word ‘regret’ shouldn’t be allowed to be yours anymore. You would lose the right to ever move your lips in the form of that word.

I could see it, it weren’t too far away. I didn’t decide the next step; that happened on its own, completely, will you trust me? He once did.

Being normal, that word didn’t have an existence in my mind; I nearly forgot the meaning of it. There is no end to normal, it only has beginnings. You would see yourself at the beginning once you reached the last step, the final step.

Red became the colour of the wall and the voice of the silence; that was my last view of the room.

Task 38 - A Message.

I thought that extract two was really interesting and the way Rankin makes the story flow with the conversation; this makes the reader want to read on and find out about the letter. Also, this creates tension in the story, making the reader think about the first letter and why this second one was received, “it’s the exact same message.”And the way the letter is described, “The paper cheap, no water-mark,” builds up the tension as well and makes the reader think about who this person writing the letter might be. I thought that the conversation worked really well because it was realistic and it was very effective.

One message but was read in several ways, in the colour red. It never made sense to her and as a riddle it remained in her hands. Unsolved questions had control over her mind and the actions she took though most of the time she did nothing.

‘So when did this one come in?’ Fred asked while he looked at the painting on the wall.

The room was clean, in its usual state but the light was off and the curtains were shut. The unusual surrounding of the room became almost comforting to her and didn’t seem to mind it as much as the others did.

‘Hmm…about nineteen minutes ago, I think.’ She said. Never sure of herself nowadays, always seemed to be in the thoughts of the unknown like the little source of light which managed to slip through the tiny gap where the curtain couldn’t cover.

‘Are you going to go to the police station again, Jenny?’

‘Yes, I don’t have a choice.’ She said. Her right hand kept shaking but she still had a tight grip of the letter.

‘This is all stupid, ridiculous, what is the point of sending them?’ said Fred, holding the other letters in his hands and crushed them till the red ink flooded over his hands.The calmness that was there seemed to have evaporated slowly into the atmosphere.

‘I only know as much as you, now will you please sit down.’

He sat down in the old chair that was next to her. No words came out of him after that.

He stared at the letter in her hands. ‘Can I take a look?’ he reached his hands out.

She handed it to him. But Jenny didn’t want to let go of it because she knew it would fill him or anyone else who read it with red bloody tears. Though she never cried; her tears couldn’t have brought much difference to the situation, anyways.

Before Fred could read the last line, the familiar sound of an envelop fell through the front door.

Task 37, A Journey.

I thought that excerpt 5 was very unique in its structure, “first, you were born and second, you are alive." This makes it seem like its part of a method, the way something is meant to happen. Moreover, it is very direct to the reader, “you could just as easily have been a flatworm.” This makes it effective because it grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read on. Also, it doesn’t first occur to the reader that the story is about ‘travel’ and only when the reader reads the last line, “if you find yourself alone in Weston-super-Mare on a rainy Tuesday evening you may come close,” it shows where the character is.




I would advice you to stay exactly where you are.

Clothes all over the place like shattered beads; it becomes hard to pick out the best ones. You would think that this would be a simple process, wouldn’t you? But you’re left tangled up with whether to choose the red or blue top that will go best with your jeans. Then choosing the extra little things, the ones that are not so necessary to obtain though they‘re like the cherry on top of a cake or the glamorous gloss on your lips. For you, to truly master the skill of pick and choose will only occur when a ever green tree loses its leaves.

To be lost, can it be that easy? It takes one wrong turn to lose your way or it may find you a new destination. Check your route carefully before you leave, will be my second advice but if you follow the first one then you won’t need to read further. Turning back won’t be as easy as turning a page; beware of the images you hold in your mind of your destination. Directions are never easy to follow, especially if you don’t know much about roads and can’t really tell what the signs are telling you. Having someone with better understanding of signs will be a good choice but if you find yourself being alone then simply ask someone; a stranger might be more helpful than you know.

You’ve reach you destination, may your stay here be as enjoyable as possible. This is the final step, the last stop. All the troubles you went through, was it worth it? It may not be, if you found yourself to be standing here, a Tuesday afternoon in Germany. With the harsh rain splashing on your face, your top losing its colour and you’re left standing alone amongst the unknowns.

Task 36, Red Rose.

In my opinion, I think that extract one was most appealing to me. It grabs the reader’s attention because of the way the atmosphere is described, “a cool night with that mysterious excitement in it.” This makes the reader want to read on and find out the ‘mysterious’ ending, “she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete.” In this excerpt there is a great deal of imagery, which brings the whole scene to life, “the houses were humming out into the darkness,” “a secret place above the trees.”

The red rose sat still on the bench, the same one where she met him last summer. Her tears were warm though frozen like ice on her cheeks; she had trouble in seeing the truth, a kind of truth which was hidden in the mist of lies. The space around her suffered from silence, while beyond her people walking past were full of laughter and nothing else. The sound of the cars behind her, the dogs barking, none of that could interfere with her stunning silence.

She wanted to leave but the beauty of confusion had control of her and there was no sign of it vanishing soon. It started raining and people were running to find shelter, the place became lonely, its only friend was her silence. She saw his face in the raindrops; she held her hands out and looked at the water that dripped down her hands. The feeling she felt when she met him for the first time, it suddenly crawled inside her for a second time, she thought it might have been a mistake but it wasn’t. He stood not far from her but there were a distance between them, a distance that neither of them could avoid.

He walked towards her and sat down beside the rose. Nothing occurred, nothing moved, the silence was still sharing the space where they sat. She felt his tender warm flesh on her hand but didn’t react to it, he moved closer to her. Then it happened, it was meant to. The view of them together broke the silence and filled it with the sound of the stars.

Task 35, Red Street.

In my opinion, I think that “The Rats” by James Herbert was effective. The first line grabs the reader’s attention, “all he cared for now was saving up his meagre…” and the reader immediately finds out that the character doesn’t really care for anything else but to save up “his meagre to buy more oblivion.” There is tension in the story and then the reader gets an image of what is happening to Guilfoyle, “the taste of his own sticky blood made him retch.” “Huge teeth that were meant for his throat,” the reader can see the painful experience that Guilfoyle is going through. I especially like the last line, “he felt nothing, just a spreading sweetness over his body.”

Staring at the night sky that surrounded him, he wondered what was left to him. He had nothing, not much on his body but he had his thoughts running freely up in his mind.

His feet laying there on the filthy ground and very little source of light could be found there. He was never certain on what path he wanted to lead his life but he ended up here on this street, Red Street. He stood up with great difficulty; a stream of pain ran down his back. He was in search of something though he wasn’t sure of what. The wind blew hard on his face as though giving him a sign to turn back, to stay away from where he was trying to go.

He saw an old ruin building up the street that seemed to be dripping in poison and decided it will be his shelter for that night. He slowly went up to the gates and opened it, the grass was over grown and the whole place made the surrounding shiver in fear expect for him.

Something gave him a tickling feeling on his back; he didn’t take notice of it at first. He carried on walking and sometimes he would nearly fall over some bits and pieces that was on the ground but that didn’t bother him much. Now he felt a sharp cut on his right leg and he felt blood dripping out, he stopped. Look on his right but he couldn’t tell what was there and carried on walking to the door. It was locked. He sat on the step and again another sharp cut on his left leg this time. He bend down to see if the blood was still coming out, his hands never saw that much redness and his leg never felt the pain he was feeling then.

They looked like tiny spiders with dark red eyes. Sharper cuts, he screamed and shouted. His voice reached to no one. Few minutes later, the pain disappeared and redness controlled his body.

Task 34 , Unlucky Day.

Opening 10

In my opinion, I thought that Opening 10 was very appealing to me. How it starts of with “I'm not being funny, but you can't blame me for what happened,” makes the reader want to read on to find out what exactly happened. The conversation that goes on in the story is effective and helps to move the story on and the story has an informal tone to it. It draws the reader into the story, “do you know what I'm saying…” and that has an effect on the reader. Also I like the use of similes, “like a lighter running low on fluid.”

You can’t put the blame on me: it happened. I mean I was just being, trying, to be helpful. I’m no one special, just me and that’s really it. It weren’t my fault, you know what I’m saying and maybe you would have understood if you were standing there.

Nothing was clear, not at that moment, nothing at all. I saw her come in through them doors and her face seemed hidden away in some mysterious fog that clouded over her. If you didn’t see it, you couldn’t tell how it happened, if you know what I’m saying. Even the light could not brighten up her eyes and the rest of our lives were like a litter bin.

Lila, Lila Smart that was her name. She had short curly hair but the colour of her hair seemed to be fading away unlike her fear. ‘Smart?’ I said when Billy told me. "Oh God, I’m quite glad I don’t have that name."
Billy just laughed, not a joyful one but one that helplessly found its way, like an object with no meaningful purpose.

‘So, what do I do now?’ I said. ‘I can’t really do much, can I?’

‘Well, just don't look at her,’ He said. It weren’t as easy as that, the feeling inside of me were bubbling like one of them chemical reaction we learn about in science. I could kind of see her from the corner of my eye.

Task 33 - Distance

The distance it has grown and it left me alone.
And I’m falling to silence, with no one to hold
Me. I’m left with no choice but to hide on my own.
All the moments we spent are now left in the cold.

I’ll remember the past in my dreadful dark tears;
In the dark where my love is now left to survive.
It is true; I’m in search of your love to undo
The mistakes I’ve made, redness of pain seems alive.

I refused to believe I can go on without
You. My blood it is stirring in anger, my trust
Is destroyed and my smile it is fighting the truth.
And I’m living in lies that are covered in dust.

I’m so lost, with no hope and the past it remains
In my heart. You’re the answer my riddle has lost
And it’s only you who has the power to solve
It. I’m warm in a place full of crystal clear frost.

Yes. I trusted you, why did you break it apart?
All my thoughts of you; deadly virus in my mind.
You’re the piece that will fit in my puzzle of dreams
But my dream won't come true, but can't leave it behind.

Task 32 - A Mistake (intermediate)

My heart is frozen; will you keep me warm?
I’m left in darkness, cannot find the light.
You’ve gone but left behind a damaged storm.
A secret past; I thought it seemed just right.
The tears I cried, they hid away my smile.
The memories refused to go. I’m lost,
I stand with loneliness. You’re with her while
Mistakes have covered past with fragile frost.
I walk alone along a path; no rest.
The violent beauty of the sun, it turns
Towards me. Need you back, you were my nest;
A place of loving care. My heart it burns
In fury, suffocating me with blood.
Your love soon left me drowning in a flood.

Failure (Intermediate)

A feeling so uncomfortable; the pain
of having failed you. Down the lane I walk
And coldness falls. I’m left to hurt; the rain
is sharing suffering with me. Less of talk,
I gave myself to silence; closest friend
I have. I’m lost, my thoughts are damaged. Sounds
Of failure ruins all. Is there an end?
My useless hope, I cannot treat this wound.
The past it’s living in my dreadful tears;
I’m fading slowly somewhere darkness can
Be light. I cannot share my fragile fears.
I’m searching for a way, I need a plan.
I cannot disobey my horrid fate
But nothing can be changed; I'm left to wait.

Task 30 - Love.

My love is incomplete; you’ve gone too far.
I’m left with pain, my blood burns red. I’m scared.
You left my love fragmented with a scar.
My big mistake was thinking that you cared.
The love I had, I need it back. It’s true
My tears drip memories; the lovely past.
A shattered view; we're not together. Two
Of us, my dream is gone. It went too fast.
The moon is magical, my love is too.
You loved me, now you hold her hands in yours.
A lie, it took my happiness I knew
I had. My love is death in all the wars.
I'll love you always and forever though
My tears are beautiful and cold as snow.

Task 29

It hurts to look; you’ve gone so far from me.

The past it holds on, never letting go.

It shines so bright yet darkness stays all night

A mistake, took you away from my path.

I feel the pain it’s growing inside me.

A secret, keeps the real you apart from
Us all and hides you being truly found.

Your voice; it’s nothing but perfect in sound.

The truth it hurts, you want to hear the lie.

It’s hard to believe I’m not by your side.

Your smile it colours beauty through my life.

Your love, it’s gone. I’m left to wait and wait.

I’m like a riddle; difficult to solve.

It’s not the same but you won’t understand.

I thought you had the key but I was wrong.

It’s now too late and nothing can be done.

Your music plays and makes you want to move.

A problem always finds its way to me.

You sometimes hear and see what’s not been there.

I walk all alone, somewhere no one knows.

1. Outside the window
The trees they wave at me in silence. Yes
They make it beautiful; a lovely view.

2. What I’d like to eat
Its ice cream that I want, it’s soft and melts
Like snow and reminds you of winter days.

3. A recent dream
It was too real. I stood too close that’s why
I fell off however it was a dream.

4. Annoying tasks overdue
It’s hard to find the peace when stress has no
End; papers suffocating you to death.

5. My body
My eyes is light in the most unclear fog
It’s big and bright; so special just for you.

Task 28 - Broken Past

He buried the past in my heart; it will always remain as a master piece of true art. It was perfect, no mistake but I now sit in a place where light is forbidden. On my pale face tears dry on my cheeks like ice on top of a mountain. But round me, faces all lit up, looking bright and colourful like fireworks in the haunted sky at midnight. I see him in the middle. Standing where our last dance was meant to be; I see that he is searching for the answer to this riddle.

That’s when the memories of the forgotten, incomplete past came back to life in my deadly thoughts. I feel the warm wind rush round my neck and down to my feet then gone. He wasn’t gone and neither was I though the distance between us is increasing at a fast rate, too fast for me to catch up. I was holding a glass in my right unsteady hand with lemonade that was filled half way through. It was sweet but as soon as it enters my body it was turning into that pure ugly unwanted bitter taste. As I put down the glass on the table, I see him again with a smile on his face, pretending everything was alright when clearly the hurt in his eyes said - it just wasn’t.

Soon the booming music was changing to fit a missing piece of my life, the peaceful, placid side of it all. In my hand, I was holding the blue butterfly necklace he gave me and with it was my necklace that had my name. Both of them was tangle up with each other, I was trying to separate them but fail to and maybe that was a sign of how our lives should be. But fairy tale endings was made to give fake a meaning, with my life slowly speeding down the hill, without him trying to be an obstacle to stop it. I was unseen, unheard, unwanted, sitting there with an image of my broken past going round in my mind like a power point slide show. It was a pleasant feeling of being reminded of what used to be, made it seem that it was possible to get through this night. It didn’t last long, as my eyes saw him once again, a storm made the whole atmosphere shake apart then a sudden burst of silence . It was too late, his taken another path; left our past buried in my heart.

Task 26: Track 18 Redraft

The candle lit up and made her eyes sparkle; they took away the darkness. They took away the tension, the fear that was bubbling up inside her like a chemical reaction. As she waited for her destiny, the soft music in the background was breaking through the silence that was surrounding her. There was laughter now and then but she was feeling alone and almost out of place. The sound of her watch ticking became loud and violent as though it was warning her of something, something she was waiting for.

She was slowly tapping her fingers on the table, with a rose in the middle. A red rose. It made the room feel much lighter and more relaxed. Everyone round her was calm, with a peaceful mind; her eyes couldn’t help their urging feeling to look at the gleaming door. She couldn’t pick up the courage to leave, so there she was sitting still like some statue in a museum. There was a mysterious feeling in the atmosphere. Her hands were close together, her legs shaking about a little. Time was fading away into the past and still there was no sign of the door opening; of her destiny running in towards her. Her hair was smooth, silky and she moved it a bit to the back of her ear. But the way she was feeling inside wasn’t smooth or calm. Her stomach was tight, like her insides were twisting themselves into a knot. The temperature was rising and the flame of the candle made her eyes burn in fury. Yet she was still sitting there - in complete silence.

Task 26: Track 18

The candle lit up and made her eyes sparkle; they took away the darkness. They took away the tension, the fear that was bubbling up inside her like a chemical reaction. As she waits for her destiny; the soft music in the background was breaking through the silence that was surrounding her. There was laughter now and then but she was feeling alone and almost out of place. The sound of her watch ticking became loud and violent as though it was warning her of something, something she was waiting for.

She was slowly tapping her fingers on the table, with a rose in the middle. A red rose. It made the room feel much lighter and more relax. Everyone round her was calm with a peaceful mind; her eyes couldn’t help its urging feeling to look at the-gleaming door. She couldn’t pick up the courage to leave, so there she was sitting still like some statue in a museum or gallery. There was a sense of a mysterious feeling in the atmosphere, her hands was close together, her legs shaking about a little. Time was fading away into the past and still there was no sign of the door opening; of her destiny running in towards her. Her hair was smooth, silky and she moved a bit to the back of her ear. But the way she was feeling inside weren’t smooth or calm. Her stomach was tight, like her inside was twisting itself into a knot. The temperature was rising and the flame of the candle was making it seem like her eyes was burning in fury. Though she still was sitting there in complete- silence.

Task 25 Track 5

Lost in the middle of no where. I’m moving but everything seems be to still. Where I am going? I see them and I just stand there to watch them run wild, run free. As if they have no care at all. The feeling that was running through my veins was unbelievable; I had a new meaning to life. I felt a change in my body. Suddenly I felt myself getting weak and I really couldn’t control it. I felt myself falling to the ground. I called out for help yet no answer, there was no life around. Last thing I can remember is the sound of the horses in the distance.

I woke up, there he was standing. He left the others and came back to me. He was looking great but in his eyes; I could see he was worried about something. I got up and stroke him on his back; he always used to like it when I did that. For some odd reason he moved away from me this time. I didn’t really know why he was behaving like this or maybe he wanted to show me something. He looked at me then into the distance, on the right of me. I slowly started to walk towards the place he was looking at. Still to me it didn’t seem like there was anything there. Emptiness surrounded us like a spider’s web; I didn't really know where we were headed to.

I think we were walking towards north but I had no idea. We’ve been walking for hours and hours and it started to get dark, we both needed to rest for a while. I sat down, looking around like a helpless child though he was strong even to just stand there. I started to feel that same pain as before and I got weaker and weaker. My head was spinning like I was in some kind of fun fair ride, I was in need of water or maybe even a fizzy drink so that my energy level stays high. The pain was unbearable, couldn’t fight it, I try to put my hands over my head to make it stop. I was turning and turning; trying to find a good position to be in. That wasn’t helping and sooner or later I found myself lying on the ground.

Summer Evening

(Kate and Ash standing outside their terrace, they came home from a friend’s place.)

Ash: What the hell was that about? What were you thinking of? You nearly, oh my gosh…what if something was to …

Kate: Err…what are you talking about? (looks at Ash) It wasn’t my fault, I just…just couldn’t stay there any longer. (looks away from Ash) She got lucky or else I would of...

Ash: You know exactly what I’m talking about, but that gives you no right to (pause)

Kate: (looks towards Ash) To what? To what Ash? Go on then, say it. You know I’m not the kind of person who would do such a thing but she crossed the line.

Ash: Oh God Kate, why do you have to be like this? (puts his arms round Kate)

Kate: I’m sorry. (pause) I couldn’t control myself, I was just about to give her what she deserved.

Ash: For such a small issue, you were about to (takes his arms away from Kate, holds her hand and looks into her eyes).

Kate: But I didn’t do it, isn’t that good enough for you? If you care so much about her and her precious life, why don’t you go live with her instead?

Ash: (sigh) why do you always think like that? I love you Kate.

Kate: Yeah, Yeah whatever you say. You never mean it and that’s why today I nearly took someone’s li- (pause)

Ash: Shut-up about that now, will you? I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

Kate: Oh…but who started talking about all this? Me? I don’t think so Ash. And why are you so shocked and worried anyways?

Ash: (looks at Kate in shock) Oh my…is that a question to ask? Don’t you understand what could have happen if you, you …

Kate: Well, not much would of happen, cause you see (pause) It wasn’t…

Ash: Kate don’t say anything else, both of us know what could have happen. (bows his head)

Kate: But Ash, at least listen to me, she wouldn’t have got hurt cause it was…

Ash: (looks up at Kate) Sssh Kate, I don’t want to hear anymore! Had enough, lets just go inside now please. (walks towards the door).

Kate: Alright but I wasn’t really going to hurt her, I was just…

Task 23

(Snow white is sitting on her bed, while on the phone to Cinderella. The Prince walks into snow-white’s bedroom.)

Snow white: (angry tone) Can’t you see that I’m busy (calm tone) I’m not sleeping darling, I don’t need your kiss to wake me up. (prince walks out the room) So sorry about that dear.

Cinderella: Oh, that’s alright. We all know how they are like. (laughs). My prince charming keeps buying me shoes and everyday I have to try on about a hundred of them! It’s getting a bit too much now but he doesn’t listen.

Snow white: Hmm, I see and trust me I feel your pain. Every time I go to sleep, he thinks that I took an apple and fainted again. You know what he’ll do next.

Cinderella: Oh yes, yes…no need to tell. But I think he cares about you, not like mine. (starts crying)

Snow white: Oh dear, what is the matter? Don’t cry over him, you can leave him any time you want. He loves your shoes more than you, doesn’t he?

Cinderella: (wipes her tears) Yes he does, sometimes I wonder why I got married to him. How can I leave him?

Snow white: err…you just walk out the door and there you’re gone.

Cinderella: Not that easy, I love him. (starts crying again)

Snow white: Oh God…stop crying like a little girl. It’s annoying you know. You love him? Do you really? Love… (pause) Do you even know that the word means?

Cinderella: Sorry, I can’t help but cry. (wipes her tears) Hmm…hmm…no actually I don’t know the meaning of it but I talk about it every time. Do you know?

Snow white: (laughs) Me? Nope, no idea what so ever. The word doesn’t really mean anything to me.

Cinderella: Oh, have you ever been in love? You must have been, you know with your prince.

Snow white: Ha! You think of me wrong then. No I haven’t been.

Cinderella: Really must get going now.

Snow white: Need to try another pair of shoes, do we? (starts laughing again)

Cinderella: (sigh) Yes. Anyways I’ll talk to you some other time, Bye. (hangs up)

Snow white: (prince walks into the room again) So sorry about earlier darling, I love you and I would never ever leave your side (smiles) even if I had to. Come sit by me.

Task 22

(A couple sitting on a sofa facing away from each other, looking at a blank screen. The room is a bit dark and there is some light shinning from the window.)

Jay: Very interesting. Isn’t it?

Kate: Oh yes, I love watching a blank screen. It makes the television look…much nicer.

Jay: Well darling, it wasn’t exactly my fault. I’m missing my football, I wonder what the score is now.

Kate: Of course it wasn’t. It wasn't you who poured your glass of beer on the television. Now it's broken, so can we go out to dinner, then?

Jay: Hmm…no I think I want to stay here.

Kate: And do what? You can’t even watch football. It’s a good thing you can’t though because that is all you ever do.

Jay: And all you ever do is look at yourself in the mirror.

Kate: Looks like you love the blank screen more than me.

Jay: Wow, this is really interesting. Never thought looking at a blank screen would be so amazing.

Kate: Hmm...yes dear, so wonderful. Isn't it? Do you love me?

Jay: Yeah I love you.

Kate: Look at me and say it then.

Jay: Don’t you just love looking at this blank screen? I think it’s so much better than watching football.

Kate: Hmm…Yeah. But I thought football was your life. Guess it’s not anymore, is it?

Jay: You still want to go out to dinner?

Kate: Yes. (pause) Actually no, I don’t feel like eating.

Jay: Oh okay. We’ll just stay here.

Kate: I don’t feel like sitting here, on this sofa and watching a blank screen with you.

Jay: Do what you like, darling.

Kate: Alright. I’m going to bed. Are you coming?

Jay: Yeah, I’ll be there in a few minutes.

Kate: Suit yourself. Your football is not going to come on.

Jay: I know, darling. Watching the blank screen, makes me happy.

Kate: Oh…goodnight.

Task 21

(A 32 years old woman sits in an armchair, holding a picture of her 5 years old son. The room is dark and only a bit of light from the window shines through and there are her son’s toys everywhere.)

He meant the world to me (Holds on tight to the picture).Oh God, he was so young, why didn’t you take me instead? He was so young and innocent; he didn’t cause any harm to anyone. (Looks at the picture). I remember, how he always used to tell me, “Mummy when I grow up I want to become a police man.” And I would smile at him and say; yes dear you will be one day. He never got the chance to make his dream come true. All because of me. Now I regret that every moment. I can still hear his scream. (tears drop on the picture).

(Gets up from the armchair and picks up one of the toys, and goes to sit back down.)

This was his favourite toy, a little blue car, (holds the car in her hand) he wouldn’t go anywhere without it. I should have been more careful but I wasn’t and there is nothing I can do to change that now. I would do anything to get my son back, anything I tell you. But everyone says “you can’t change the past.” They don’t know how it feels for a mother to lose their child and I wouldn’t want them to experience it neither. I always thought I was a good mother but I was wrong. How can I be a good mother? I didn’t protect him, I didn’t save him. How did I let that happen? (starts to cry and gets up, goes to sit on her son’s bed).

(Wipes her tears and puts the toy on the bed). Every night I would sit here and read him a bed-time story. He used to love them and I used to love reading them to him. (picks up a book and reads the first four lines). He was so playful and always seem to be happy, he made the house alive and full of joy. He never liked to sleep, I always had to chase him around his room and pick him up, then put him to bed. (gets up from the bed and runs around the room).

(Comes back and sits on the bed). After reading him the story, I would softly kiss him on his forehead, say goodnight dear and he would say "goodnight mummy, I love you.” All that is gone now. The house is empty and dark. I’m all alone but it was my fault, it was my fault I am now all alone. I have to go through the pain for what I have done. If only I was more careful, he would be in my arms right now. (starts to cry again) There is no point in crying, it’s not like that is going to bring back my son. Is it?

(Picks up the little blue car from the bed). His favourite toy (throws it on the floor) I don’t think he would like to play with it now. He died in a car accident. I think its time I pay the price for what I did. I always said I would stay by my son, where ever he may be. (takes out a gun from under the bed). It is my only choice and that is the only way I can be with him. That way I won’t be alone anymore. I know I will be happier up there then I would ever be without him here. (puts the gun near her head). I can’t live without my son. He meant the world to me… (shoots herself and falls of the bed).

Dramatic Monologues

(A 32 years old woman sits in an armchair, holding a picture of her 5 years old son who died in a car accident. The room is dark and only a bit of light from the window shines through and there are her son’s toys everywhere.)

He meant the world to me (holds on tight to the picture).Oh God, he was so young, why didn’t you take me instead? He was so young and innocent; he didn’t cause any harm to anyone. (Looks at the picture). I remember, how he always used to tell me, “Mummy when I grow up I want to become a police man.” And I would smile at him and say; yes dear you will be one day. He never got the chance to make his dream come true. All because of me, if I didn’t take him in the car, he would have still been alive. Now I regret the every moment I made him get into the car.

(Gets up from the armchair and picks up one of the toys, and goes to sit back down.)

This was his favourite toy, a little blue car, he wouldn’t go anywhere without it. I should have been more careful but I wasn’t and there is nothing I can do to change that now (puts the toy on the floor). I would do anything to get my son back, anything I tell you. But everyone says “you can’t change the past.” They don’t how it feels for a mother to lose their child and I wouldn’t want them to experience it neither. I always thought I was a good mother but I was wrong. How can I be a good mother? I didn’t protect my son, I didn’t save him and I let him die before me. How did I let that happen? (starts to cry and gets up, goes to sit on her son’s bed).

(Wipes her tears). Every night I would sit here and read him a bed-time story. He used to love them and I used to love reading them to him. He was so playful and always seem to be happy, he made the house alive and full of joy. All that is gone now. The house is empty and dark. I’m all alone but it was my fault, it was my fault I am now all alone. I have to go through the pain for what I have done. If only I was more careful on the road, he would be in my arms right now. (starts to cry again) There is no point in crying, it’s not like that is going to bring back my son. Is it?

I think its time I pay the price for what I have done. I always said I would stay by my son, where ever he may be. (takes out a gun from under the bed). It is my only choice and that is the only way I can be with him. That way I won’t be alone anymore. I know I will be happier up there then I would ever be without him here. (puts the gun near her head). I can’t live without my son. He meant the world to me…(shoots herself and falls of the bed).