A Glimmer of Hope

CAST OF CHARACTERS

JASLYN, a 25-year-old girl pregnant and diagnosed with cancer DEVIN, Jaslyns husband MUM, Jaslyns mother who had passed away ACTOR 1, Doctor and voice in Jaslyns head ACTOR 2, Nurse and voice in Jaslyns head

Lights come on at the left side of the stage, revealing the Doctor seated on an armchair behind the table (back facing the audience), Jaslyn and Devin seated side by side on a bench on the other side of the table.

JASLYN How much time do I have left? ACTOR 1 (AS THE DOCTOR) Not much I'm afraid. DEVIN (in a state of disbelief) Just what do you mean, doctor? How...how much time exactly? ACTOR 1 (THE DOCTOR) It's already nearing the end of Stage 3 of your brain cancer. Even with chemotherapy, you would probably only have 13 months left. I'm so sorry. JASLYN (almost whispering) Then what's going to happen to our baby? ACTOR 1 (THE DOCTOR) (with a pained expression) Once the treatment begins, the baby will not be able to survive due to the toxins in your body as you undergo chemotherapy. (trying to break the news slowly) I...I would suggest you abort it, right away. (Tears well up in Jaslyn's eyes and she buries her head into Devin's chest, sobbing.) DEVIN (one hand stroking her hair, the another wiping away her tears) Shhh...It's okay, Jas. Everything's gonna be alright. I'll be here with you. Lights go off. Spotlight comes on again, this time on the right side of the stage where there is a bed, there lies Jaslyn propped up against the frame of the bed, deep in thought. JASLYN This cancer - astrocytoma, they call it - is what I have. It's like a monster, stuck in my head, eating up my brain...Oh God, somebody tell me this is all just a prank! Somebody tell me this is merely a dream! No, it can't be real, it has come all too soon. Another spotlight comes on again, revealing two actors representing the voice in Jaslyn's head.

ACTOR 1 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) You've got to face the reality, Jaslyn. ACTOR 2 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) This is it. ACTOR 1 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) This is the end. JASLYN No no no! I don't want to! I don't want to die like my mum. Why? Why must it be now? (touching her stomach area) I haven't even got to see my beautiful baby. Now that I'm at the end of the line, I'm suddenly so desperate! ACTOR 1 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) You can't run. ACTOR 2 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) And you can't hide. ACTOR 1 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) The tumour in your brainACTOR 2 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) You can't just take that away. JASLYN Then what do I do? What CAN I do? ACTOR 1 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) Be strong. ACTOR 2 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) Take it on. ACTOR 1 (VOICE IN JASLYN'S HEAD) Fight it. The spotlight on the two actors fade off.

Devin enters, climbs onto the bed. Jaslyn leans her head on his shoulder. JASLYN Devin? DEVIN (stroking her hair soothingly) Im here, Jas, Im here. JASLYN (softly) D..Do...Do you think it'll hurt? DEVIN Hurt? JASLYN Hurt to die? DEVIN No. JASLYN No? DEVIN Just think of it...as... falling asleep. JASLYN (nodding her head) You'll be by my side? DEVIN You can be sure I will. Till the very last moment. (kisses her forehead) A moment of silence as Devin glances out of the window, his eyes slowly widening. Excitedly, he points upwards to his right. Jaslyn furrowed her eyebrows and turned to her right, following where Devin is pointing. JASLYN (keeping her eyes looking outside the window, her tone was one of disbelief) A shooting star?

DEVIN Quickly, make a wish! JASLYN I wish that everyone I love will live healthily and in bliss. (turning back to look at Devin, waiting for him to make his wish) DEVIN I wish that cancer is a person, so I can kick its butt. JASLYN Oh shut up, Devin. DEVIN (in a more serious tone) If...if there is any way at all, I wish I would be able to switch places with you. JASLYN (snapping) No you wouldn't, Devin. DEVIN (smirking) Oh yes, I will! Just like in Titanic. I'll be Jack and you'll be Rose. JASLYN And you would ask me... DEVIN (imitating Jack's line in the movie "Titanic") Where to, Miss? JASLYN (imitating Rose's line, with a faint smile) To the stars. They look into each other's eyes, sharing a moment of silence. JASLYN (with a thoughtful look, not looking at Devin) Devin? DEVIN Hm?

JASLYN (still avoiding Devin's gaze) What if...what if I choose not to undergo chemotherapy? DEVIN (furrowing his eyebrows, taking a few seconds to take in what Jaslyn just said) Jaslyn? JASLYN I think it's the right thing to do, Devin. DEVIN Didn't you hear what the doctor said? Without chemotherapy, the remaining amount of time left will be shortened, Jas! JASLYN (finally turning to look into Devin's eyes) I am going to keep the baby safe. DEVIN You are quite certain? You've already made up your mind? JASLYN (nodding slowly) Yes. DEVIN Listen Jas, I...I know the baby's a huge thing, but...butJASLYN Shhh. Close your eyes, Devin. (after making sure he does so) Now, imagine a little baby boyDEVIN Girl. JASLYN Why girl? DEVIN Then she'll have your eyes.

JASLYN Okay fine, girl. Imagine singing her a lullaby, teaching her how to ride a bike, growing up together with herDEVIN But Jas, that's not the point! The point is you. The point is I don't want to lose you. I want you to be alive, happy and healthy. There cannot be 'us' without 'u'. JASLYN (rolling her eyes) You KNOW that's not possible, Devin. I don't have much time left. It's not something you, me, or anyone can change. Don't you see, Devin? DEVIN (with a sense of agitation) See what? (then softening his tone) Just exactly what am I supposed to see, Jas? JASLYN Can't you see how important and fragile life is? Can't you feel it? Every breath I take, every beat of my heart, it feels so...so precious. Everything is so beautiful right now. I'm a gone case, Devin. But not this baby. Not OUR baby. DEVIN Then your mind is set? JASLYN (nodding, almost on the verge of tears) I'm so sorry, Devin. I probably won't even live to see our child's 1st month...together with you. DEVIN (with a sigh) Don't be, silly. I love you, you know that. No matter what, we will always be together. In here (points to his heart). Lights fade out. Still in darkness, only voices are heard. ACTOR 1 (DOCTOR'S VOICE) Check pulse! ACTOR 2 (NURSE'S VOICE)

No pulse, doctor! ACTOR 1 (DOCTOR'S VOICE) Give her an oxygen mask! ACTOR 2 (NURSE'S VOICE) Still no pulse, doctor! ACTOR 1 (DOCTOR'S VOICE) Prepare to charge defibrillator! All clear? (A long beep on the heart monitor ensues. A long pause.) Then the spotlight comes on, revealing Jaslyn dressed in white, lying on a white bed. Jaslyn opening her eyes, pushed herself up slowly. She looked around with squinted eyes. Lights come on, revealing more of her surroundings: White walls, white sheets, white vase filled with white camellia flower. A white door opened, and Jaslyn turned towards the direction of the sound, her jaw dropping. Mum enters, dressed in all white as well. MUM Jaslyn? Oh sweetie, you're awake! (walking towards Jaslyn and sitting on the bed) JASLYN (in utter disbelief) M...M...Mum? Are you real? Am I dreaming? (raises her hand, poking a finger at her mum's rosy cheeks) MUM (chuckling) You're not dreaming, Jaslyn. JASLYN (still confused) Are you... alive? MUM No. JASLYN So...does that mean I'm dead? MUM

(nodding her head slowly, she pulled Jaslyn into a comforting tight hug, stroking the back of her long hair) It's alright, Jaslyn. JASLYN (Pulling away) How long has it been? MUM I'm not sure either... JASLYN Where exactly is this place, mum? MUM Well, where do you think we are, sweetie? (she continues when Jaslyn gives her a questioning look) Seven seconds after the moment your heart stops working, your brain remains conscious for that seven seconds, Jaslyn, and you made a choice then, a choice to watch over your loved ones. This is where you've been sent, a place called Terra Ancora. See that little window over there? That's where we can still watch over our families and friends, we just can't communicate with them. Excitedly, Jaslyn goes over to the window and peers down. JASLYN (smiling) Mum, I see them! My charming Devin and my beautiful baby! They look so safe, so secure, and so happy. Mum walks over and puts and arm over Jaslyn's shoulder, peering down the window together with Jaslyn, smiles on their faces. Lights go off. The end.