This monologue was written as part of our entry for the Come Alive Theatre Festival 2025, which was inspired by the National Library Exhibition: 1975: Living in the Seventies.
The work was inspired by placards in the Women’s March in 1975.
JENNIFER:
Do you have any idea what it’s like, Rob?
The way they look at me — the other night at the pub, it was like something out of Aunty Cyn’s storybooks. Ghouls, all teeth and eyes.
Feels like I’ve spent my whole life being punished for something I didn’t choose. Something I can’t change.
They call me a dyke — like it’s something to fix. And I’m scared one day someone will try. What happens then? Do I marry some poor bloke I don’t love, pop out a couple of kids. Pretend that’s what I want. Like Rita and Donna. Pretending we all don’t know they’re together. Pretending they’re just friends?
I’m meant to be building a life — Teacher’s College, a future — but some days I just feel cornered.
You remember Ross. He was one of the good ones. They found him down at The Rocks — head caved in. I told his wife I didn’t know why he was there.
But I did.
He’d gone dancing. Met someone. They followed him home.
That’s the truth of it — we all get followed eventually.
(A beat.)
So… will you write that song for me?
(Lights fade.)