HEADLESS DOLL OLIVE

Background: Olive (O) is a young woman awaiting execution in a foreign country, the result of being duped into carrying a bag of drugs at the airport for a stranger that asked for help.

The scene opens with her sitting at a table, writing a letter. She is wearing a very short skirt, a simple blouse and high heels. Her legs are bare. We see her from the side…her legs are crossed, and we hear her thoughts as she composes her letter.

O: This will be my last and only letter. Today is the day that I am scheduled to lose my head. I know… it will be hard for you to believe it. It has been exactly 10 days since I was found guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced to beheading. Who cuts peoples’ heads off these days anyways? I would never have guessed that this beautiful country, a virtual paradise, would have such a brutal punishment for something that isn’t even a capital crime in the West. When I said goodbye to you, I never thought I’d never see you again. It is so ironic that I came to this country to find myself, but instead I find that I will leave it without my head. I can’t believe I was so stupid to help that guy and hold that bag while he went to find his lost child…or at least that’s what he said. Hours later I found myself hooded and cuffed in front of a judge….and within minutes, my fate was sealed. And so I am now writing you this letter…very shortly the executioner will be here, so I might have to end this note. I must tell you that the prison guard here has been very sweet and helpful to me, so I am not in any discomfort. He visits me every day, and has helped me come to accept my fate…I hope my headsman is as gentle as he is. I hear them coming now….soon to take my head. I have to admit it both frightens and excites me. I promise you I’ll be brave. Till we meet in the next world…..

The executioner (E) arrives….he is the prison guard that has been so nice to Olive…she is surprised that it is him.

E: I’m sorry, my friend, it is time for your sentence to be carried out. I hope you’ve prepared yourself to lose your head.

O: I’m surprised that you’re the one here for me….but I’m glad, you’ve been so kind.

E: I wasn’t scheduled to be here today, but thought that you’d find it easier if I was the one to behead you….now please, stand up and turnaround.

She stands and turns away from him…he binds her hands behind her back and tucks the collar of her blouse under to avoid the blade.

E: your hair is sufficiently short…we won’t need to cut it…most women are very upset with that part of this procedure.

O: You’ve executed women before?

E: Yes…many…it is sort of my specialty…they seem to find me less frightening than the other guards here….I promise you this will be right…I won’t be rough with you and it will be over quickly.

O: (worried). Will it hurt?

E: It is very quick…

O: but will it hurt?

E: it is but a momentary pain…..

He leads her to the guillotine….it is set up for a kneeling beheading. The blade is down and the lunette is closed …she stops in front of it and begins backing into him. She turns and faces him, leans into him and places her head on his shoulder.

O: Oh my God! I don’t think I can do this…I was going to be so brave, but this machine is terrifying…and it is so small…are you sure it will be quick…and painless?

E: (comforts her) Come on now, we’ve talked about this…you can do this…it will be so quick, I promise. Now sit down while I prepare the machine.

O: May I look at it first? (She walks around the machine) What is this leather thing for? Is that where my head will fall?

E: Yes…

She sits on the plank, crosses her legs. He raises the blade and opens the lunette.

O: What happens to my head and body?

E: (avoiding the question) We send your head and headless body back to your family.

O; Does my head stay separate, or do you sew it back on?

E: (uncomrtable) Why do you want to know all this?

O: I just need to know…I think you owe it to me to tell me (beginning to relax as she sits on the plank, legs crossed). You seem to be avoiding the question….tell me everything.

E: Uh, no, we don’t sew the head back on. We send the head and body separately….we pack the head in a box and send it first…as sort of a warning to people who would commit crimes here.

O: (sadly) oh…I see…so my family will get a box with my head in it….

He gestures that it is time. He stands her up, turns her and directs that she kneel. She does this submissively. She stares at the blade and the open lunette…

E: Can you place your head in the machine? Or do you need my help.

O: I prefer to do it myself.

She bends over and slides her head in place. He assists her from the side, and closes the lunette.

E: Are you ready?

O: Give me a few seconds….you never told me when you send my body….it arrives after my head has been shipped?

E: Uh, not exactly….are you ready?

O: Wait! What do you mean “not exactly”

E: You don’t want to know….please…are you ready?

O: Tell me! Please!

E: I didn’t want you to know this, but since you have asked…and are now strapped into the machine….we preserve your body, and keep it….as kind of a doll….okay? Now you know….

O: WHAT? No! Really? You’re going to use my headless body….like that?

E: Yes…I’m sorry…but that is what we do…please, I have to release the blade.

O: It’s okay…I suspected this all along…and surprisingly, I’m kind of okay with it. Thanks for treating me so kindly….I’m ready now. I’ve heard enough. Behead me, please…behead me.

The blade falls, we see the head drop into the basket. The body shudders, the legs kick slightly.
REMOVE THE BASKET

Starring: Olive
Keywords: guillotine, execution, surreal