The Ties That Bind

SCENE ONE

Blanche Washburn spun in the grey swivel chair, disregarding Dr. Cornelius who sat deadpan at his desk. To get Blache’s attention, Dr. Cornelius sighed and softly slammed his hand on the desk.

DR. CORNELIUS

Are you listening to me, Ms. Washburn?

Blanche halted her swirling, turning to the doctor. She sneered.

BLANCHE

Not particularly. You were saying something about my mother, correct?

Dr. Cornelius adjusted his glasses while pinching his nose.

DR. CORNELIUS

Partly. But I am more curious about how you’re feeling about all this?

Blanche crossed her arms with a scoff.

BLANCHE

My parents, a puritanical mother and weak father, had me committed to a psych ward claiming I was “ruining the family’s reputation” and they were “scared for my life.”

DR. CORNELIUS

So you don’t think you need help?

BLANCHE

Not the kind you’re offering.

Dr. Cornelius’ eyes became slits.

DR. CORNELIUS

(with a strained smile)

And exactly what kind of offering is that, Ms. Washburn?

BLANCHE

Doctor, I am aware of the “treatments” prescribed at this recreation center. And please, call me Blanche. It’s more personable. If you’re cutting into my brain, let’s use first names.

Dr. Conelius chuckled nervously.

DR. CORNELIUS

We don’t perform lobotomies, Blanche. Cutting brains is forbidden.

Blanche rolled her eyes and crossed her legs. Her earlier frown turned into a firm line.

BLANCHE

Isn’t that what my mother wants, though? So I’m no longer an issue?

DR. CORNELIUS

Your mom is only trying to act in the best interest of the state and her family. You threatened a senator with a carving knife to the throat.

Blanche laughs.

BLANCHE

He was too touchy, doctor. Couldn’t control his impulses, the poor brute. I merely implied that he would forfeit those limbs if he repeated such actions. Mother became angry and embarrassed.

Dr. CORNELIUS

Do you have any regrets?

BLANCHE

Why should I? How are my actions worse than what he and too many other male politicians want to do with the female body? I would say my reaction was merciful.

Dr. Cornelius clears his throat.

DR. CORNELIUS

Our session is nearing its end. I think I have all the answers I need for now. Because of your incident, we are required to place you in the violent ward. Please follow the nurse to your room.

Blanche snickers.

BLANCHE

(voice dripping sarcasm laced with syrupy sweetness)

Don’t you mean cell, doctor? Lying is a sin, you know!

Blanche walks out of the office with a nurse following closely behind her.

END OF SCENE ONE

ACT ONE

SCENE TWO

Marsha Washburn stands on an elevated stage, looking out at a full crowd of angry citizens. On her face is plastered a fake smile and panicked eyes. Cameras flash as reporters scream her name. Marsha clears her throat before speaking.

MARSHA

(voice cracking)

I have come here today, to my favorite city, because…

A member of the audience cuts her off.

AUDIENCE MEMBER

You suck! Trans rights are human rights!

Marsha sighs and places her hand on her hip.

MARSHA

(in a reprimanding tone)

You are free to your own beliefs, as is every other Tennessean. However, my religion dictates the biological designation of male and female only.

AUDIENCE MEMBER

But you’re the one making the laws! So my beliefs don’t really matter to you, do they?

MARSHA

(with the same sugary sweet sarcasm as her daughter)

Of course they do! I value every Tennessean.

The crowd murmurs. Another audience member yells.

AUDIENCE MEMBER

Is that why you locked your own daughter in an insane asylum? Because she didn’t share your fundamentalist ideals?

Marsha gasps and fumbles backward, clutching her heart. However, she quickly composes herself.

MARSHA

Blanche was and is very sick. Her admittance had nothing to do with deviations in our political ideas.

AUDIENCE MEMBER

Did you lock her up because she’s a Democrat who has staunchly and publicly opposed many of President Milton’s executive orders?

MARSHA

My daughter is an English as a Second Language teacher, so it’s only natural that she feels close to that population. However, she understands and accepts my views on the subject.

More yelling erupts in the back of the arena.

MARSHA

These questions have become increasingly hostile. I will be stepping away until decorum returns.

Loud boos could be heard following Marsha as she exited the stage.

END OF SCENE TWO

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

Flashback: July 28th, 2021. A passive mob of millennial citizens are standing vigil at the state capital’s front entrance. They are stopped from going inside by a line of police officers wearing masks and shouting at the group. Blanche Washburn is near the front of the crowd, yelling through a bull horn.

BLANCHE

Free Tennessee! Bring back our lost fathers and mothers! Save our children!

The mob chants after her.

BLANCHE

Representative Washburn and Pritchett do not speak for us! Free Tennessee!

The doors open to reveal a disgruntled Marsha Washburn. The crowd boos as she forcefully pulls her daughter to the side.

MARSHA

Leave, Blanche. Now. And take all these street people with you.

Blanche scoffs with wide eyes, but stands her ground.

BLANCHE

We aren’t leaving. Bring back the families you’ve ripped apart and I’ll consider changing my mind. Or, better yet: Tell President Milton to shove it.

Marsha gasps theatrically. Blanche ignores her mother and steps around her, re-joining the mob.

BLANCHE

Rapists don’t belong in the White House! The South will not rise again! Respect our ancestors!

Marsha sneers.

MARSHA

Do you really think our founders would have sided with the riff raff? The petty children who know nothing of politics and governing?

BLANCHE

Maybe not yours, but James White was a good man. And a friend to the marginalized. I’m proud to be his descendant. You should be too, and not throw his legacy down the disposal.

Just then, Senator Borker arrived at the scene and shouted at the police, shaking one of them profusely.

SENATOR BORKER

(shrill voice)

Get these hooligans out of here! We are trying to work. Make them go home!

Blanche walked casually over to the senator. He looked at her bull horn and grabbed it from her hands. Taking her wrist with his other hand, he held on like a rabid beast.

SENATOR BORKER

Blasphemos! She’s blasphemous! A witch! Always stirring up trouble.

Blanche struggled against his hold, and even looked toward her mother for help. Seeing no other course of action, Blanche knelt down and flipped their positions. She was now behind him with a knife at his throat. The police reacted immediately as the mob screamed and dispersed.

MARSHA

BLANCHE! What are you doing?

BLANCHE

He wouldn’t let me go! He might have hurt me!

The senator squirmed out of her loose grasp. He rushed to hide behind Blanche’s mother.

SENATOR BORKER

Lock her away, Marsha! She’s insane. If you don’t, they’ll have your career!

The lights dim to a blackout as Blanche can be heard screaming, “Mother! No! He attacked me! No! Mother!”

END OF SCENE THREE

ACT ONE

SCENE FOUR

Dr. Cornelius sat in shocked silence. He numbly gave Blanche a cigarette, which she took happily.

DR. CORNELIUS

That’s one hell of a story, Blanche. But did that justify what happened next?

Blanche rolled her eyes and snickered.

BLANCHE

After that little incident and my admittance to this lovely ward, Mother lost her mind. It’s not my fault she fell down two flights of stairs and fractured her brain. Maybe it’s karma.

DR. CORNELIUS

Your mother is dead, Blanche. Perhaps you could show a little more respect.

BLANCHE

(snorting)

That lady treated me like a common swine. What should I feel, doctor, except contempt?

Dr. Cornelius jots something in his notebook. Blanche’s stare suddenly becomes glassy and distant.

BLANCHE

You all think I’m insane. Maybe I am. We’re all insane, if that’s true.

DR. CORNELIUS

Let’s talk about your most recent disturbance. You threatened an orderly with a concealed weapon. Why?

BLANCHE

(her gaze hardening and her knuckles turning white)

I don’t know what you’re referring to, doctor.

DR.CORNELIUS

You don’t? The entire place was in an uproar after your little game of theatrics!

Blanche quickly wipes a tear from her eye.

BLANCHE

(whispering)

Oh, I see. You want to make me docile, by giving me a lobotomy.

So I’ll stop, how did you so elegantly put it, playing my

“little game of theatrics”?

Dr. Cornelius slams his fist on the desk.

DR.CORNELIUS

Dammit, Ms. Washburn! I’m trying to save you! Your mother wanted this, not me. So, for the love of God, work with me!

Blanche’s eyes haze over again. She grabs the doctor’s hand.

BLANCHE

(her voice distant)

He touched me, doctor. That horrible, gorilla-like man. And no one said a thing, out of self-preservation or arrogance, I’m not sure.

DR. CORNELIUS

No one touched you, Blanche, except to give you medication or assistance. It’s all in your head.

BLANCHE

(laughing dryly)

Of course, a man would say that. You all stick up for your gender- I’ll give you that. If only women could do the same.

DR.CORNELIUS

If someone actually hurt you, I would not hesitate to fire them immediately.

Blanche smiled and pinched the bridge of her nose.

BLANCHE

(tiredly)

Live in whatever version of mendacity you prefer, doctor. I will not change my truth. Can I retire to my cell, now?

DR. CORNELIUS

Blanche- these psychotic episodes are becoming more and more frequent. You have to control your impulses or I can’t control what happens next.

BLANCHE

( voice dripping her usual sarcasm and sugary sweetness)

It’s my disorder, doctor. I’m bipolar, remember? Control isn’t in my nature.

DR. CORNELIUS

That doesn’t exhume your behavior, Ms. Washburn.

BLANCHE

Does it yours?

The lights fade.

END OF SCENE FOUR

END OF ACT ONE