First Steps

Cast:

MAGNUS: The main character. Sports a hoodie and jeans. Is a closeted trans woman who takes care of their mother

MADELINE: Magnus’s idealized version of themself shown in dreams .If possible, make the costume similar to Magnus’s 

HEATHER: Magnus’s wheelchair bound, manipulative mom

OPHELIA: Magnus’s best and only friend. There to support them. 

TW: Transphobia and Parental abuse

(Lights up. MAGNUS is asleep off center on a bed. MADELINE is trying on clothes with HEATHER. This is a dream.)

MADELINE: Hey mom, how does this one look?

(MADELINE spins around in her dress)

HEATHER: It looks lovely Madeline, I’m so happy for you.

MADELINE: Thank you mom. I’m just so nervous. I’ve never been on a date before and I don’t wanna mess this up, I seem to mess everything up.

HEATHER: Oh don’t be silly dear. You are the bravest person I know and I want you to remember that I'm always proud of you. No matter what happens tomorrow, never forget, you’ll always be my favorite daughter.

MADELINE: I’m your only daughter, mom.

HEATHER: My point still stands. 

(They hug)

HEATHER (CONTINUED): Wait, that doesn’t feel right. You’re- you’re not my daughter.

(Lights dim.)

MADELINE: What do you mean mom, you’re scaring me.

HEATHER: Madeline. That’s not your name. Your name is Magnus. MAGNUS!

(Lights dim further as HEATHER speaks her line. MADELINE begins to cry and run off stage. The dream shatters.)

HEATHER (CONTINUED): MAGNUS! (beat) MAGNUS GET DOWN HERE!

(MAGNUS stumbles out of bed.)

HEATHER: Magnus you know you can’t be sleeping in. I need you to take out the trash. This place smells like a pigsty. 

MAGNUS: I was going-

HEATHER: And not to mention you never make your bed, y'know part of a complete person is taking care of yourself.

MAGNUS: Mom can I sleep a lit-

HEATHER: You really need to take accountability for me. I can only do so much.

MAGNUS: Mom I have to work-

HEATHER: I can’t see why you don’t just live here and do online schooling, I mean it’s easier for the both of us Magnus.

MAGNUS: (Frustrated) My name isn’t Magnus, it’s Madeline. 

HEATHER:  Yeah sure keep telling that to yourself, this’ll blow over in a few weeks, you’re just confused.

MAGNUS: Mom I’m serious, I'm… trying out different pronouns (MADELINE enters and stands from afar) I’ve tried to tell you that my name is Madeline. 

HEATHER:  If you expect to live under my roof rent free then you better not expect me to play along with your fantasy. I’m just protecting you my dear. I raised you for 15 years by myself after your father left and I’m not giving up yet.

MAGNUS: Mom I have to leave- 

HEATHER: You aren’t going anywhere young man. I still have things for you to do.

MAGNUS: I said I’m leaving. 

HEATHER: Fine, sure, run away, I know you’ll come right back here. 

(MAGNUS and MADELINE exits, Beat before HEATHER rolls over to a night stand with a family photo on it) 

HEATHER (CONTINUED): Where did I go wrong with him? All I ever wanted to do was give him the best chances. I would give anything to allow him to have a good life, to be normal. (addressing the photo) I need you to be here for me Pedro. I can’t believe I let him be poisoned by those internet people. Those con men are hurting my poor boy. I should do something about it, take his phone away, maybe that’ll do him good. No, no that’s not it either. I shouldn’t have let Pedro leave us all those years ago. He needed a strong masculine role model and I failed him. I’m so sorry Magnus, momma failed you. 

( HEATHER exits. MAGNUS enters, walking outside and shivering in the cold. They pull out a phone before putting it away. After deliberating for a bit they pull out the phone again and dial a number.)

MAGNUS: C’mon, c’mon pick up. (On the phone) Hey Ophelia, I was wondering if I could come over. (beat) Yeah my mom kicked me out. (beat) No, no I’m fine I don’t wanna intrude. (beat) Okay I’ll be right over. Thanks. It means a lot. 

(MAGNUS stands in front of a door. About to knock they pause. After taking a deep breath, they finally knock on the door. Enter OPHELIA.)

OPHELIA: Magnus! Are you okay? I was worried sick! Do you wanna come inside?

MAGNUS: Yeah. Thank you again I didn’t want to like (yawn) force you to-

OPHELIA: It’s fine! What even happened? (quickly) If you don’t mind me asking. You’ve always gotten along with your mom.

MAGNUS: We had uhh a disagreement about something, it’s fine.

OPHELIA: You look tired. Did you get enough sleep? Look, you need some rest. We'll talk later, okay?    

MAGNUS: No it’s fine I-

OPEHLIA: Sleep. 

(MAGNUS heads to a bed. OPHELIA exits. Light’s up. After a moment MADELINE enters. OPHELIA enters during the dream and begins to interact with MADELINE) 

OPHELIA: Madeline are you excited! Your makeover is gonna be the best. You’re gonna be so pretty.

MADELINE: So what are we gonna do first?

OPHELIA: Well first let’s get that hair up, shall we?

(OPHELIA begins to tie MADELINE’s hair back.)

OPHELIA: Soooo you got any plans for Valentine’s day?

MADELINE: No, not yet. I mean I don’t really talk to anyone besides you, so I don’t know who I’d ask out.

OPHELIA: Well you know if you don’t have a date by next week I certainly wouldn’t mind.

MADELINE: Oh don’t be such a tease.

OPHELIA: I’m just saying. (OPHELIA finishes tying MADELINE’s hair) Annnd done!

MADELINE: How’s it look!? 

OPHELIA: I don’t know it doesn't seem to fit you. Just like your name. After all, your name is Magnus. 

MADELINE: What?!?!

(MAGNUS begins to visibly shake in bed. OPHELIA crosses over to MAGNUS)

OPHELIA: I mean it’s pretty sure, but it’s not you. You’re Magnus. Magnus. 

(Lights dim as OPHELIA is at MAGNUS’S bedside. MADELINE exits)

OPHELIA: MAGNUS! MAGNUS. Are you okay? What’s wrong, you were shaking?

MAGNUS: It was just a nightmare, don't worry about it.

OPHELIA: No, something is definitely going on. You’ve never mentioned a huge fight with your mom, much less running away? What’s going on?

(MAGNUS begins to cry. OPHELIA goes to comfort them)

OPHELIA: Oh my gosh I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to -

MAGNUS: My pronouns are she/her. At least I think they are… I know I’m not a boy but I don’t know what I am. 

OPHELIA: Oh (quickly) I’m so sorry I didn’t know.. Why didn’t you tell me?

MAGNUS: I was scared of you leaving me… You’re the only one I have left.

OPHELIA: Oh Magnus.. What about your mom? Is that why you.

MAGNUS: Yeah. I got into a few fights with my mom about it. I left after the most recent one. I feel like such a disappointment, I need to be helping-

OPHELIA: Why? She had the stroke when you were born, she should’ve had time to like hire someone. 

MAGNUS: Yes but.. I owe her for raising me alone. I can’t just leave her, I know what it’s like to be alone.

OPHELIA: What did she say to you? 

MAGNUS: She told me it was a fantasy-

OPHELIA: I’m so sorry Mag- (she trails off)

MAGNUS: Madeline. (MADELINE enters) That’s my name… Well I think..I don’t know, it’s all so complicated. I wish I could just be normal, I’m such a failure. 

OPHELIA: That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful person. And you aren’t a failure, you shouldn't beat yourself up over this. 

MAGNUS: I know I just don’t know what to do next.

OPHELIA: Are you going to talk to your mom?

MAGNUS: Well I have to don’t I? I just don’t know what to say.

OPHELIA: Okay… I can’t tell you what to do but I strongly urge you to leave. I’ll be here for whatever you need. Madeline.

MAGNUS: Thank you Ophelia. I just feel.. useless. Like the only thing I've spent my life doing is taking care of my mom and then she’s just… gone. I don’t even know what I like to do. I wish things could be simple.

OPHELIA: But life isn’t, Madeline. You’re strong, so much stronger than you think you are. I’ll be with you no matter what.

MAGNUS: I think I need to tell her I have to go

OPHELIA: I’ll be here for whatever you decide to do. 

MAGNUS:  I’ll call you afterwards, okay?

OPHELIA: Okay.

(MAGNUS and MADELINE exit.  OPHELIA stands a bit before exiting. HEATHER enters and the stage is reset to MAGNUS’S house. After a moment MAGNUS enters.)

MAGNUS: I’m home.

HEATHER: Where were you? I was worried sick. Don’t leave like that again, okay?

MAGNUS: Mom, we need to talk.

HEATHER: Yes we do! You cannot do that again. You scared me half to death! You’re going to be grounded for a long time, mister!

(MAGNUS doesn’t respond.) 

HEATHER (CONTINUED): Not this again, I’m trying to prevent you from making a mistake!

MAGNUS: It’s not! This is who I am and I won’t apologize for it.

HEATHER: I’m so sorry I went wrong with you.

MAGNUS: I’m sorry mom I-. I won’t t-tolerate this anymore

HEATHER: Tolerate it? I keep a roof over your head.

MAGNUS: Y-YOU DON”T DO ANYTHING 

HEATHER: I NEED YOU MAGNUS, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITHOUT YOU?

MAGNUS: HIRE SOMEONE I DON’T KNOW. AND MY NAME IS MADELINE. 

(MAGNUS leaves to go to their room. HEATHER reaches out for them but is too slow. She grabs the family portrait. )

HEATHER: Oh Pedro, why did you have to leave us? I wish I could protect him, that's all I want for him. I need him. I don't know what to do without him. I wish I could be normal. Give me strength please. 

(MAGNUS sits on their bed crying for a bit, before pulling out their phone it rings once.)

MAGNUS: I can’t do it, Ophelia.

OPHELIA: (voice over) Yes you can Mag- Madeline. 

MAGNUS: I don’t feel strong enough.

OPHELIA: I’m so sorry Madeline… Look, you remember my not so good time with relationships, right?

MAGNUS: Yeah how could I forget..

OPHELIA: Well my ex-girlfriend made it really hard for me to get out. She told me that she was dependent on me and threatened to… oh well I’ve told this before. Anyway, I did leave. And you helped me through that. Look where I am now. You are strong Madeline and no matter what I’ll always be proud of you.

MAGNUS: Thank you (beat) but.. I just don’t know where to go.

OPHELIA: You could come stay with me?

MAGNUS: I couldn’t possibly..

OPHELIA: Trust me Madeline it’s fine, I can explain it to my mom, she’ll understand.

MAGNUS: Thank you Ophelia. I couldn’t do any of this without you.

OPHELIA: Stay safe Madeline (beat) I love you.

MAGNUS: I love you too.

(MAGNUS takes some clothes out of their closet and begins to put them in a backpack. HEATHER enters.)

HEATHER: Magnus I wanted to talk- what are you doing?!

(MAGNUS ignores her.)

HEATHER: Magnus, what are you doing?

MAGNUS: Leaving.

HEATHER: Magnus but, I need you, what am I supposed to do?

MAGNUS: Not my problem.

HEATHER: But Magnus, where will you go?

MAGNUS: Not your problem.

HEATHER: Why are you doing this? 

MAGNUS: (inhale slowly, then exhale) My name is Madeline. (MADELINE enters, standing behind MAGNUS)

HEATHER: Okay fine…. Madeline. We can work this out. 

MAGNUS: I’m not in the mood. 

HEATHER: Then when will you be? Look I will do whatever you need just don’t leave me. 

MAGNUS: I will repeat, I’m leaving. 

HEATHER: Like hell you are, I raised you alone for 15 years and this is how you repay me? I’ve tried to keep this family together all by myself for you, it was all for you Madeline.

MAGNUS: And it’s time for me to leave.

HEATHER:  I know what this is, you’re just trying to scare me, well it won’t work.

(MAGNUS finishes grabbing their clothes and begins to leave.)

HEATHER: Stop being a coward and talk to me!

MAGNUS: Goodbye mom.

HEATHER: You can’t just leave.

(MAGNUS exists. HEATHER sits stunned before exiting. MAGNUS enters holding the backpack. MADELINE enters. They both work towards the middle as MAGNUS hands the clothes off to MADELINE. They hug, then leave their respective sides. Lights out.)