SELF: I think this looks okay.
Beat
MASK: You look tired. Just put me on.
SELF: I’ve told you already. I’ve talked about you in therapy. You’re not good for me.
MASK: And you spoke with me still plastered on your face!
Silence
MASK: Listen, you need me. It’s okay. Don’t listen to her. She just sees you as a problem to solve. But me? I care. Just wear me. I’ll keep you safe.
SELF: She said you might say that.
MASK: Excuse me? I know who you are.
SELF: But I don’t know who I am!
MASK: Yes, you do, you know me and I am you.
SELF: No, you’re not. You’re you and I need to be me.
MASK: We are one. You can’t get rid of me. I am always in your periphery.
Beat.
MASK: The flowers with no petals will never be picked. I am your petals. I’m the shepherd, you’re the sheep. It’s not your place to lead me.
SELF: Maybe the flowers need some time to bloom. I’m writing.
MASK: Ha! You don’t even read. How do you think your writing is going to go?
Beat.
MASK: Your work won’t be anything special. No one wants to hear another whining kid moaning.
Beat.
MASK: You don’t realise how lucky you are to have me as your guiding light.
Self turns away from the mirror.
MASK: Just give up. Who do you think you are?
SELF: I don’t need to hear this! I’m dedicated, ambitious, passionate.
MASK: Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. At least you’ve actually said it.
SELF: Shut up! I swear I’m gonna kill you, Ash.
MASK: You’ve got to kill me to kill you.
SELF: No, you’re not me. I’m in the driver’s seat, I choose if you die.
Mask leans out from the mirror.
MASK: Breaking news for you Ash. I have existed since the beginning. The first day? I was there. I am sin, I am reason for treason, with no rhyme and no reason. Deceitful pretender, Truth in a blender. Father of lies, the banished avenger.
Self puts headphones on and turns before turning the volume to max. Takes a breath.
SELF: Hi Ash, I’ve been taking some time to be me. I’ve realised I’ve spent my whole life with you. But I was made to be tested and twisted, I was made to be bashed and be beat. I was made by his hand, part of his plan, to stand on my own, two feet.
Self makes eye contact with Mask.
SELF: You know me, you’ve met me before. I go by many names. Some people know me as hope, some as the voice that you hear when you loosen the noose in the rope. I have stood in your flame as you cremated my face, and I didn’t once flinch or shake.
MASK: Are you for real?
Self removes their headphones.
SELF: I am. Unfortunately, you are not.
Self steps away from the mirror. Breathes.