The Girl Who Lived
By David Meyers
Synopsis: Anna Larsen is a 25-year old ballet dancer who refuses to give up on her
dreams of career, love, and a fairy-tale ending. But when she becomes paralyzed in a car
accident, Anna is forced to consider whether those dreams are still possible - or if they
were ever possible to begin with.
As she learns how to adjust to the physical realities of her new life, Anna is also forced to
re-examine the relationships with those closest to her - and herself. A play about
independence, resilience, and Harry Potter.
David Meyers
New York, NY 10027
[email protected]
551-574-2724
Elaine Devlin Literary, Inc.
411 Lafayette Street - 6th floor
New York, NY 10003
212-842-9030
"It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. ...
Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad,
not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible.
"The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Harry, and I ask you not to go
looking for it again. ... It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
CHARACTERS
ANNA, 25, just became paralyzed in a car accident; uses a wheelchair
NANCY, 50s, her mother
STACEY, 31, Anna’s physical therapist
MEGHAN, 25, Anna’s best friend
JOSH, 29, Anna’s friend
*All roles are open ethnicity
SETTING
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The present.
Anna’s apartment. A combined living area/bedroom, with exits to a bathroom and kitchen.
The home of a 25 year-old girl -- bright colors, exuberance, joy.
One thing, in particular, stands out: A large corner of the room is devoted to Harry Potter.
Movie posters, books, toys, a miniature statue of Hogwarts, etc.
NOTE: A slash ( / ) indicates where the next line of dialogue begins.
NOTE: Unsaid dialogue is italicized and in parentheses.
1.
THE GIRL WHO LIVED
Anna’s apartment.
One corner of the room is devoted to Harry
Potter. Movie posters, books, toys, a miniature
statue of Hogwarts, etc.
There are three large duffle bags near the door like someone just returned from a trip.
At rise, NANCY stands outside the bathroom
door. She wears a winter coat.
After a few beats, she calls into the bathroom.
NANCY
You’re sure you’re- (unsaid: “OK?”)
I’m good!
ANNA (O.S.)
NANCY
They’re going to widen the door, but I didn’t think you’d be home this soon, soReally, mom. It’s fine...
ANNA (O.S.)
A beat. Nancy doesn’t know what to do with
herself.
Then she goes to the duffle bags, starts
unpacking.
NANCY
I wanted to come by, and clean more. But it’s been so busy, withIt looks great.
ANNA (O.S.)
Nancy starts taking clothes out of the bags and
putting them away.
After a few beats:
Mom...
ANNA (O.S.)
2.
Yeah?
Can you... (unsaid: “help me?”)
NANCY
ANNA (O.S.)
Nancy goes to the bathroom. Then, from behind
the door, she pulls a wheelchair into view.
She leaves the wheelchair at the edge of the
bathroom, and enters.
A few beats. Faint sounds from inside. Then:
Sorry.
It’s OK. What should I-?
Pull them up.
Here?
Yeah, rightOK.
ANNA (O.S.)
NANCY (O.S.)
ANNA (O.S.)
NANCY (O.S.)
ANNA (O.S.)
NANCY (O.S.)
ANNA (O.S.)
You have to- .... Thanks. I got it.
(not angry)
I got it..
Pause.
Ready?
NANCY (O.S.)
A quick beat.
Ow.
ANNA (O.S.)
3.
Sorry.
OK - just hold on, and...
NANCY (O.S.)
(pause)
The sounds of a minor struggle.
After a few beats, Nancy emerges from the
bathroom carrying ANNA (25) - still wearing a
winter coat.
Nancy has great difficulty carrying her. As they
get to the wheelchair:
Put your hands on the...
NANCY
Anna puts her hands on the sides of the
wheelchair; Nancy lowers her into it.
Anna adjusts in the chair. Nancy briefly touches
her lower back.
Are youI’m fine.
ANNA
NANCY
Anna and Nancy look at each other. A beat.
Then:
Give me your coat.
NANCY
Nancy and Anna try to get the coat off. It’s
obvious from her awkward movements that
Anna is somewhat new to the wheelchair.
Nancy hangs up the coat.
A beat.
Anna looks around the apartment. It’s her first
time seeing it in weeks.
She moves through it with her wheelchair for the
first time. It’s new, uncomfortable. Nancy
pretends not to notice.
4.
Anna goes to the bags and begins unpacking; she
wheels herself to the drawers, puts things away.
I can do that. You don’t have / to-
I want to.
NANCY
ANNA
(positive, a big smile)
Nancy looks at her.
NANCY
You know, you don’t have to be so.... (unsaid: “positive”)
What?
...nothing.
ANNA
NANCY
Anna continues unpacking.
A few beats. Then:
NANCY
...the air mattress is in the car. I’ll run down / andANNA
You really don’t have to stay with me.
NANCY
They said I should. At least until the handlebarsI know, butIt’ll be fun - like a sleepover!
ANNA
NANCY
Nancy smiles. Anna smiles back, then continues
to unpack.
Anna takes a replica wand out of a bag, and
brings it to the Harry Potter corner.
She looks at all the mementos and touches some
of her favorite things. They make her happy.
5.
Then she goes to a drawer nearby and opens it;
she stops, upset by what she sees.
Nancy notices, but doesn’t say anything. After a
moment, Anna turns to her.
ANNA
Have you seen my....
NANCY
...?
ANNA
...my pointe shoes. They’re... (unsaid: “not here”)
NANCY
Oh. I....
Pause. Then:
Did you- ..Oh my God.
ANNA
(realizing)
What? / NoYou threw them out?
I...
Why would / you-
NANCY
ANNA
NANCY
ANNA
NANCY
I thought it would upset you. If you saw / themYou can’t just throw my things / outWell you can’t dance anymore, so I-
ANNA
NANCY
Anna turns on her.
What?
ANNA
6.
...
Why can’t I dance anymore?
NANCY
ANNA
(quick pause)
Lots of people dance in wheelchairs, theyI know, but-
NANCY
ANNA
God. You always hated that I- (unsaid: “danced”)
That’s not / trueAnd now you finally getNo, I didn’t mean- It’s just...
NANCY
ANNA
NANCY
(pause)
Even if you can dance, you won’t need those shoes...
A pause.
NANCY
I’m sorry, honey. I was just trying to help...
A beat.
Then Anna continues putting things away maybe she slams a few of the drawers forcefully.
NANCY
Do you want to do something? We could play Scrabble - or get / aNo thanks.
Anna...
ANNA
NANCY
Anna stops unpacking, wheels herself to the bed.
I just want to go to bed, and-
ANNA
7.
Let me help / youI can do it.
ButI said, I can do it.
NANCY
ANNA
NANCY
ANNA
Anna locks the wheelchair, tries to transfer into
the bed. But she can’t.
She tries again; still nothing.
Nancy looks on, fighting the urge to help.
Anna unlocks the wheelchair, moves it closer to
the bed. In her frustration, she forgets to lock it.
She begins transferring, but the wheelchair slides
out from under her.
Oh my God.
NANCY
Nancy runs in, and catches her - barely stopping
Anna from crashing to the floor.
She tries to hold Anna, but grabs her back and
winces in pain.
Ow.
NANCY
Nancy awkwardly lowers Anna to the floor.
Are you- (unsaid: “okay”)
I’m fine.
ANNA
NANCY
Nancy stands there. Anna pushes herself up
against the bedframe. Her legs are lifeless as they
drag on the floor.
8.
A long pause.
Then Nancy goes to Anna.
Here.
But- (unsaid: “your back”)
NANCY
ANNA
Nancy carefully squats down. Anna puts her
arms over her mother’s shoulders - similar to
what she must have done as a child.
Nancy hoists Anna onto the foot of the bed.
They sit there together.
Anna looks at her mom - scared, vulnerable.
NANCY
You’re gonna get through this, honey.
ANNA
How? How can I- I’ll never dance again / orNANCY
You’re going to find a way. ... We’re going to find a way.
A beat. Then:
NANCY
...I talked to the physical therapist Dr. Steinhagen recommended - Stacey. She’s going to
start tomorrow. She sounds... (unsaid: “great”)
(pause)
Are you sure you don’t want Meghan to come over? I could call herNo.
You can’t isolate yourself.
We just got home from rehab-
ANNA
NANCY
ANNA
NANCY
I know, but no one came there either. You need to see other people.
I’m seeing you.
ANNA
9.
NANCY
People your own age. People who laugh, and smileAnd walk?
ANNA
A pause. Nancy looks at Anna.
NANCY
I know it’s not the same thing. Not even close ... but when your father left, I didn’t know
how I could keep going, start over. Raise you by myself - without my parents - without
anyone. You remember how it was, how I was.
You’re the most determined person I’ve ever met. If anyone can get through this, it’s you...
Pause.
NANCY
And your life’s not over. You can go back to school, orMom.
ANNA
NANCY
And you’ll still get married, and have kids, andMom.
ANNA
A pause. Anna tries to move herself under the
covers, but she’s never done it in this bed, without
he use of her legs. She struggles.
After a moment, she stops and looks at Nancy,
longing for guidance, help.
NANCY
...Remember what you used to tell me? From.... (unsaid: “Harry Potter.”)
Whenever I had trouble at work. Or I didn’t know I’d make rent .... You always said it to
me...
ANNA
(pause)
“What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.”
And we will. You will.
NANCY
(pause)
You’re gonna wake up tomorrow, and it’s gonna be a brand new start. I promise.
10.
A beat. Some of Anna’s optimism returns.
Nancy stands up, unsure what to do with herself.
Anna gestures to the Harry Potter books.
ANNA
Can you bring me (unsaid: “a book”) The first one.
NANCY
But you read them all - at the hospital, and- (unsaid: “rehab.”)
It’s not the same on a computer.
ANNA
Nancy goes to the bookshelf, gets the book. As
she brings it back, she has an idea.
Can I read it to you?
NANCY
(off Anna’s look)
Like I used to. When you were little...
Anna looks at Nancy, makes a decision.
OK...
ANNA
Nancy sits on the edge of the bed, and starts
reading, with magic in her voice.
“Chapter One: The Boy Who Lived.
NANCY
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were
perfectly normal - thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be
involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such
nonsense.
Mr. Dursley was the director of a firm called Grunnings, which made drills...”
The lights fade as she reads the last sentence.
SCENE TWO
Anna’s apartment. The next morning.