Give Me Your Love

Jon Haynes (Ridiculusmus), David Woods (Ridiculusmus)

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781783193448
• eBook ISBN: 9781783193455
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A new play from acclaimed experimental company Ridiculusmus about MDMA assisted therapy for Post Traumatic Stress. Welcome to the world of war veteran Zach. As the last man standing, Zach has retreated into a tiny dugout under a barrage of hostile fire. His enemies are cunning, using every trick in the book to mess with his mind. Even the landscape is weird: audibly, chemically and most of all physically… it is a cardboard box, in Zach's kitchen, in Port Talbot. His wife whispers, kindly, that it's safe to come out. But is it a trap? For if the real enemy is Zach himself then who will win if he loses? Give Me Your Love is the second instalment of Ridiculusmus's three-pronged investigation into innovative approaches to mental health. Informed by the latest scientific research, it explores the healing potential in altered states of consciousness.

A box, centre stage. ZACH’s voice comes from inside it. CAROL’s voice comes from beyond a door, down stage right, that leads to another part of the house. There is a second – chain-locked – door in the back wall.

ZACH: Carol?

CAROL: Yeah?

Pause.

ZACH: Carol?

CAROL: Yeah?

ZACH: I got a call from Ieuan. He said he’s been doing this thing … er … and wants to give me … well, wants … well, he’d seen this thing on CNN. Basically it’s these guys in America who’ve got the same as me.

CAROL: Shell shock?

ZACH: Yeah.

CAROL: Post Traumatic Stress?

ZACH: Yeah. Do you agree I’ve got it?

CAROL: Yes.

Pause.

CAROL: Are you ok?

ZACH: Yeah. Well, no, because I’ve got PTSD, haven’t I?

CAROL: Yeah.

ZACH: So like I’m not OK.

CAROL: Have you taken something?

ZACH: No, I’ve not taken anything. … Oh Carol, I’ve got terrible gas.

CAROL: Are you in your box?

ZACH: Do you know that? How do you know about it? Have you been looking in my room? Carol?

CAROL: Course I know about it. I know about it. It’s the elephant, isn’t it.

ZACH: It’s a cardboard box.

CAROL: I’ve always felt it’s like the elephant in the room.

ZACH: Like a metaphor?

CAROL: It’s the big unmentionable.

ZACH: I wish it was a bit bigger ‘cos I’m losing the circulation in my legs from using it. Maybe I’ll try it upside down.

CAROL: You’re upside down?

ZACH: Yes, maybe I’ll try it the other way round because it’s already putting me in a strange mood. I’m in a strange mood.

CAROL: Shall I go upside down as well? Will that help you?

ZACH: What do you mean, upside down?

CAROL: I could go upside down outside the door.

ZACH: Like a yoga position?

CAROL: Well, why not? You know …

ZACH: Are you going to do a handstand or something?

CAROL: I’m just trying to show some empathy.

ZACH: What are you wearing? Are you wearing a dress?

CAROL: I’ve got those things on that you like.

ZACH: Suspenders under a dress?

CAROL: Yes, the ones you like.

ZACH: Yeah but if you go upside down everyone’s going to see your legs, aren’t they, and the sussies.

CAROL: Not everybody. It’s for you, Zach.

ZACH: Make sure the curtain’s shut and don’t open the door.

CAROL: They’re shut already. I’ve shut them. I’m not an exhibitionist.

Pause.

ZACH: Go on then.

CAROL: So I’m going to get in my box now.

ZACH: Are you going to go upside down?

CAROL: Yes, in my box.

ZACH: I thought you were going to go upside down?

CAROL: Yes, in my box.

ZACH: What do you need a box for?

CAROL: Cos I need it. It’s a self-cure.

ZACH: I’m the one with the problem.

CAROL: Am I not allowed to have one?

ZACH: I’m the one in the box.

CAROL: We’ve all got problems, Zach.

ZACH: Yeah but mine’s the big one.

CAROL: How selfish can you get?

ZACH: I’ve got to look after number one otherwise something bad is gonna happen.

CAROL: This is the problem with our marriage.

ZACH: Oh for Christ’s sake.

CAROL: It’s all about me me me me me me me me me.

ZACH: How can you say that? I went to Iraq for you.

Pause.

CAROL: What were you saying before? Ieuan has given you something?

ZACH: Yeah babe. Erm …

CAROL: What’s he given you?

ZACH: Erm … well he saw this thing on CNN.

CAROL: CNN?

ZACH: Well what they are doing is er … they’re erm … They’re giving like ecstasy to war veterans.

CAROL: They’re what?

ZACH: There’s a trial run in Cardiff.

CAROL: Oh right, so that’s OK because it’s going on in fucking Cardiff.

ZACH: They’re doing like work with er these Welsh Guardsmen in Cardiff.

CAROL: Oh well then it must be safe!

ZACH: And er yeah, it’s all like totally clinical.

CAROL: In Cardiff! Cardiff! Bloody Cardiff!

ZACH: Yeah Cardiff. Cardiff.

CAROL: Cardiff.

ZACH: You get down to Cardiff and they give you MDNA like, you take it in a drink. And you lie there then you know, like, you go throu...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Characters
• Chapter
• By the same authors