Page 163 - Musings 2021

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You Left me when it Mattered the Most
Aayush Atul Verma
2017A7PS0061P

CHARACTERS

Olivia

Olivia’s mother

Olivia’s Ghost

Teacher

Judge 1

Judge 2

Judge 3

SETTING

The centre stage is lit with bright and colourful lights in an otherwise dark auditorium, with
four judges sitting in the front row of the empty hall. There is no noise other than a hushed
chit-chat by the judges sharing their notes. A huge banner saying “Graduation Exam 2018” in
the background; Olivia’s mother is sitting alone in the corner.

BEGIN.

(Olivia drags herself to the centre stage of the auditorium. The judges fall silent. With a bad
posture, drooping shoulders, and a visible pain in her face, she readies herself to play the
violin for her graduation examination. She looks towards the corner of the auditorium and
freezes.)

Judge 1: Good morning, Olivia. You may begin now; best of luck.

Olivia’s mother: (Olivia’s mother notices her freeze and clutches the armrest, looks down
towards the floor and lets out a teardrop.) Oh Olivia...
(Olivia stares straight ahead transfixed at the emptiness. At this moment, an Olivia lookalike
appears from behind Olivia who cannot be seen by anyone else in the auditorium.
Throughout the play the ghost displays the same emotions as Olivia but in a much more
exaggerated fashion)

Olivia’s ghost: Teacher, (shaking voice) please come here. I have no idea what to do.

(She falls to the ground on her knees with the arms supporting her from not falling forward.)

I could not hear my notes during my practice right before coming on stage. I have lost control
over my body. My hands are not able to move. All these years of practice and you left me
when it matters the most. I lost my father at a very young age and you took me in, your

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