The Glass Jar

A one-act play by Natalia Go

Characters:

Chloe - a woman in her early 20s. Confined in the psych ward for self-harm,
overdose, manic delusions, and hallucinations.

Max - a woman in her late 30s. Confined in the psych ward for depression, trauma,
and suicidal ideation.

Setting:
In a psych ward, outside the women’s quarters. Max and Chloe are hiding under the
table (DCR), observing their surroundings, and looking tensely at a cabinet (CL). On
the top shelf of the cabinet, locked in a glass enclosure, is a large glass jar filled with
blue pills, together with other medicine jars and bottles. There is a desk in front of the
cabinet where a nurse usually stands watch, but they are not there. There are security
cameras on the ceiling.

The scene opens with the spotlight on the table, revealing the women bickering in
hushed voices. A mobile phone rings.

Max: (Still whispering.) What the fuck?! I told you to put that thing on silent.

Chloe lowers the volume but the phone is still ringing.

Chloe: Shit. Sorry. It’s Jude. I need to take this.

Max: Shhh! Would you lower your voice?

Chloe: We need to know if the cameras have been turned off!

Max: This whole thing is gonna blow up in five minutes. I just know it. Then we’re
never getting out of here.

Chloe: (Answers the call.) What the hell is taking you so long? Where is the nurse?
How’s it looking? (To Max.) He says they’re still trying to turn off the cameras.

Max: Well, how long is it going to take?

Chloe: (On the phone.) How long is it going to take? (To Max.) He says they don’t
know yet. Be patient. (Ends the call.)

Max: Jesus Christ. I don’t want to extend my stay here, Chloe. Look, what are we
even doing here? I’m out. I’m going back to bed.

Chloe: And do what? Read? Roll around till morning and secretly masturbate till
Cuckoo sees you again? You know that woman has eyes everywhere.

Max: Will you stop using that word? It’s derogatory.

Chloe: Why not? It’s not like an outsider saying it. In case you haven’t noticed, Max,
we’re all crazy here.

Max: I’m not. Okay, I’m not having this conversation. But… you’re right. I’m not
going to sleep, anyway. (Groans.)

Chloe: See? That’s why we need to get there and get the stuff. So we both can sleep.
(Quietly; resigned.) So we all can sleep.

Another spotlight reveals the cabinet and the desk. Both women rest their backs on the
table. A few seconds pass by in silence.

Max: How long has it been?

Chloe: I don’t know, three minutes? Five?

Max: How long has it been since you’ve had sex?

Chloe: Oh. Why are you even…

Max: Or masturbated. Properly.

Chloe: I don’t know. Unlike Griselda, I don’t have wealthy parents to put me in a
private room. Is that why you can’t sleep?

Max: No! I’m just… frustrated.

Chloe: If Cuckoo… Fine. If Marilyn isn’t watching everyone’s every goddamn move,
we could all masturbate in peace. You know, sometimes, I think of just having a go
at it. I mean, it’s not like it’s forbidden or anything. And I don’t think she even cares
or knows what’s going on. But, back to your question. Sex? I don’t know, man.
Months.

Max: But you’ve been here two years.

Chloe: Yeah, well.

Max: Okay, I don’t wanna know. (Max peeks at the cabinet again. Leans back.) God, I
just want to sleep.

Chloe: How about you? How long has it been?

Max: I don’t wanna answer that.

Chloe: But you asked first!

Max: I don’t know. Years.

Chloe: But you’ve only been here six months.

Max: (Mimicking Chloe.) Yeah, well.

Chloe: Alright, I’m sorry. So… no women since the divorce?

Max laughs and shakes her head.

Chloe: Men?

Max: Jesus.

Chloe: Alright! Sorry.

Max: One girl, maybe. We slept once. I don’t wanna talk about it.

Silence.
Max: Don’t you wish for things to go back to normal? In your life?

Chloe shrugs.

Max: I mean, sex is just one thing. But, geez. I really do miss it. Don’t you? (Stops,
looks at Chloe, and shakes her head.) Right. You’re not exactly… Never mind. Again, I
don’t want to know how you’re even…

Chloe: Trust me. When you’ve been here two years, you realize it’s not quite what
they make it out to be. That’s why I’m telling you. Chill. Stealing those pills? That’s
nothing. This is nothing.

Max: What about being able to just walk freely outside? Smoke more than five sticks
of cigarettes per day? Use technology… I know you have phone privileges. But, you
know. (Pauses.) I don’t know man, I thought I’d never see this place again. Ten years,
Chloe. Ten years and here I am again. You think it gets easier.

Chloe: It does, though.

Max: So, how come you’ve been here two years?

Chloe: I don’t like your tone.

Max: Fine.

Chloe’s phone vibrates and lights up.

Chloe: Right. We’re on.

Max: Are they off?

Chloe: Just go out. Out! Wait! (Pulls Max’s shirt as she eases out of the table.) Now,
remember. As soon as you get the keys, throw them to me and stand guard by the
stairs. Got it?

Max: Got it. Alright, here we go.

Max and Chloe get out from under the table and start quietly heading toward the
cabinet. Max reaches the desk in front of the cabinet and starts rummaging through
the drawers. Chloe stands guard near the shelf. She starts setting a chair to climb up
to.

Max: Pssst! Chloe! It’s not here.

Chloe: What do you mean it’s not there? It is always there. Keep looking.

Max continues looking for the keys. A noise is heard from backstage. Chloe is already
standing on the chair. She falls off and makes a loud noise.

Chloe: Shit!

Max: Someone’s coming. We need to get back.

Chloe: Fine. (Chloe puts the chair back.)

They run back and hide under the table. The sound continues and then fades away.

Chloe: What was that? Who was that?

Max: I don’t know. Maybe it’s the nurse.

Chloe: Great.

Max: What are we gonna do? Could you ask Jude?

Chloe’s phone rings again. She answers the call.

Chloe: Hello? (To Max.) It’s Lucy. She says they’re trying to make a distraction. The
nurse was on the way back. (On the phone.) Alright, thanks, girl. We’re on it. (She
points to the cabinet.)

They get out from under the table, and Max starts looking for the keys again. Chloe
starts setting up the chair again.

Max: Alright. Change of plans. You look for it, and I’ll get the stuff. I can’t find the
damn thing.

Chloe: Fine! Just remember to take as much as you can.

Max: What? How much?

Chloe: As much as you can. Half.

Max: What? That wasn’t the plan. The plan was to get a few pieces, so they don’t
suspect.

Chloe: Are we really going through all this trouble for a few pills? Come on, Max. I’m
telling you. They won’t notice. Just wait there. You’re distracting me. I need to find
those damn keys.

Chloe starts looking for the keys. She finds them and throws them to Max, who is
already standing on the chair. Max unlocks the glass shelf.

Chloe: Here. (She throws a pouch over to Max.) Quick. Fill it all the way.

Max: What are you still doing here? Go guard the stairs!

Chloe: You know what? Let me get the pills. You guard the stairs. That was the plan.

Max: Chloe, no! We can’t get that much. You’re going to get us all in trouble.

Chloe: We are already in trouble. Now, please step down.

Max: What?

Chloe: We don’t have much time. Now, just let me up there!

Max: No. You know what? Forget it. We’re not doing this. (She starts locking the
shelf again.)

Both women are talking loudly now.

Chloe: Max, please! You don’t understand.

Max: You’re not going to use this for sleep, are you? I knew it. You’re addicted to the
thing. One time, I saw you taking something after lunch. I brushed it off. I thought
maybe it’s just Benadryl. Come to think of it. You never complained about not being
able to sleep. You’re using this midday. And who knows? Maybe even for sex!

Chloe: Are you judging me? Don’t tell me you’ve never done that before. I saw your
prescriptions.

Max: I’m prescribed those because my doctor knows I don’t abuse them.

Chloe: Oh yeah? What do you use them for?

Max: I have PTSD, Chloe! Of course, I take them. For panic attacks! You? What do
you really take them for?

Chloe: You don’t know what it’s like, Max. When you’re hallucinating or getting
manic and you can’t stop thinking. You don’t know cause you’re mostly just
depressed.

Max: And that’s supposed to be a good thing?

Chloe: I’d take depression any day instead of mania. And you know what, Max?
Sometimes, that pill’s the only thing stopping me from cutting myself again!

Max: You don’t have sole ownership of misery, Chloe! Get over it. I don’t even know
why they won’t give me one for sleep anymore. Did you have something to do with
that?

Chloe: What? No! Why would I? Max, please. Just let me get up there.

Chloe starts trying to rock the chair.

Max: What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?

Chloe: I thought we don’t use that word?

Max: Chloe, stop it! I could get hurt.

Chloe doesn’t stop. Max gets off the chair and climbs up the lower shelf of the cabinet,
leaving no room for Chloe. Chloe climbs the chair.
Chloe: Move.

Max: No.

Chloe: Move.

Max: Push me. Do it.

Chloe: I’ll do it. Then I’ll yell. I’ll tell them I was trying to stop you.

Max: I’m waiting.

Chloe: (Tries to calm down.) Fine. Please, Max. Alright. Just get however much you
want. Just get some, and then we’ll get out of here.

The noise from backstage starts again. This time, it doesn’t fade away.

Max: We need to get back.

Chloe: Don’t mind that. That’s just Jude and Lucy. They’re trying to give us more
time. Jude said he’ll ring three times if we’re in trouble. Now, just get some pills.
Please.

Max: No. We’re putting these keys back and going back to the room.

Chloe: I’m staying here until we run out of time and someone sees us. Who’s up on
the shelf? Huh? Do you think they’ll believe I was the one trying to get the stuff?

Max: Are you blackmailing me?

Chloe: I am goddamn blackmailing you.

The noise backstage is getting louder.

Max: Screw it. You want the keys? You’re going to have to get them from me.

Chloe: Oh yeah? Bring it, bitch.

Max jumps down from the cabinet and starts running. Chloe runs after her. They are
on either side of the desk now.

Max: You know, Chloe? I thought I could trust you. You told me you’re going to help
me get out of here faster. How stupid of me. You’ve been here for two fucking years,
and you know what I think?

Chloe: What?

Max: I think you don’t have plans of getting out of here. I think you want me here
for as long as you’re here as well.

Chloe: Oh, please. Don’t flatter yourself too much. Why would I want that?

Chloe runs to Max, and Max runs away. They exchange places on either side of the
desk.

Max: You need someone to assure you you’re not the only… (Max stops in her
tracks.)

Chloe: What? Say it. What do you think of me, Max? That I’m a loser? I’m a lost
cause? Not like you who are so—

Max: No, I don’t think you’re a loser, Chloe. I just think you don’t put enough effort
into actually getting better!

Chloe: Right. Cause you’re so perceptive about everything. You and your self-care
wisdom. (Mockingly.) Chloe, you have to take your meds religiously. You need to be
truthful in therapy…

Max: You don’t participate in the group activities. When you do, you don’t take it
seriously.

Chloe: Oh, come on. I take some of them seriously.

Max: You turned a pumpkin into a fucking penis for Halloween!

Chloe: Give me those keys!

Chloe runs after Max again and finally gets her. Both of them end up on the floor,
center stage. Chloe is on top of Max, trying to yank the keys from her hand.

Max: Get off me! Get off!

Chloe: Give those to me!

Max: No.

The noise backstage gets louder again and then fades away. Chloe’s phone rings and
then stops.

Chloe: Shit.

Both women sit, listening.

Chloe: That’s the signal. We have to go. Max, please. Just give the keys to me. You
can go if you want. I won’t get you into any of this, I promise.

Max: And what? Get caught? Chloe, do you care about your future at all?

Chloe: What do you care?

Max: Ah, fine.

Max gets up on the chair, gets a few of the blue pills, and puts them on the pouch. Both
women run for the exit (DR) when the phone rings again. Chloe answers it.

Chloe: (On the phone.) Right. Okay. Thanks, Jude. (To Max.) Someone’s in the
hallway going to the room. The camera there’s back on. We need to wait it out.

Both of them eye the desk and go for it. They hide under again. It is quiet again. A few
seconds pass by.

Chloe: Thank you.

Max: I just did it cause I don’t want you getting all of us in trouble. That’s all. If I’d
have left you there, you would’ve probably taken more than half the bottle. And it’s
going to be real nasty for everyone.
Chloe: Liar.

Max: Fine. Chloe, I want to get out of here. And I want you to do so, too. I want to be
able to visit you, meet you somewhere, outside of this crazy place. Why can’t you
start working toward that?

Chloe: Because!

Max: What are you scared about?

Chloe: I didn’t say…

Max: Chloe, it’s okay. I get it.

Silence.

Max: You get into a situation, and it becomes comfortable that you get to a point
where changing it seems pointless.

Chloe: You think I enjoy being here? You think I don’t try hard enough?

Max: I’m not saying that. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound judgy and all. But, okay.
Tell me one plan. One plan of yours when you get out of here. (Chloe doesn’t
answer.) See?

Chloe: What’s your plan?

Max: For starters, I might go back to school.

Chloe: Wow. Good for you! No, I mean it.

Max: Thank you. But seriously, Chloe. This is not because I’m morally superior or
because I’m some kind of enlightened person who got better. I’m ill. I will always be
ill. You know? I’m just doing what I can to not keep going down that spiral.

Chloe: No, I know.

Max: You know I didn’t finish college?

Chloe shakes her head.

Max: See, I don’t even know if I can do it. But I want to try. When I get out of here, I
don’t want to keep working for things I don’t care about anymore. I want to do
something I actually believe in and maybe get paid for it.

Chloe: (Laughs.) Good luck with that.

Max: I know. But you know, if we don’t strive toward that, what are we even doing
here?

Chloe: Max, maybe… I don’t know. Maybe life is not about making something of
yourself. Maybe it’s not about changing things. Maybe it’s about making the best of
what you currently have, where you currently are. You keep trying to change
things; you’ll keep ending up in a position where you have to change things. You’ve
been here six months, and all you ever talk about are your fantasies of being
somewhere else. What have you really done in here that made you more aware of
yourself?

A pause.

Chloe: I’m not saying we should just accept things the way they are. But this is the
reality, Max. You’re here; I’m here. We’re in a fucking nuthouse. If you don’t come to
terms with it, you’re just going to lose it all. I’ve seen it happen. (Pauses.) If I get out
of here—

Max: When you get out of here.

Chloe: When I get out of here… I don’t know. I guess I’ll try not to end up back here.
That’s as far ahead as I could think.

Max: That’s good enough.

Max looks at Chloe with renewed interest but doesn’t say anything. They draw
closer and end up kissing. Both of them pull back in shock.

Max: That…
Chloe: Yeah…

Max: No.

Chloe: No.

Max: That felt wrong. I’m sorry.

Chloe: I’m sorry, too. I mean, I’m not, but…

Max: I know. It’s just… You’re younger than my youngest brother.

Chloe: And I’m not…

Max: I know. Sorry.

Chloe: It’s okay.

A few seconds pass by again. Chloe’s phone vibrates and lights up.

Chloe: We’re all clear. We can get back to bed now. You can go to bed now. Here.
(She gives Max a blue pill and takes one for herself. They both take the pills.)

Max: Thanks.

Chloe: You’re a wonderful friend, Max. Promise you will find me when we’re both far
away from this place?

Max: Promise.

END.