"No More Mirrors"
A Dramatic monologue by Tara Meddaugh
From the full-length play, For My Silent Sisters.
Genre: DRAMA
Cast: FEMALE (could be male)
Setting: A hotel room
Age Range: 13-30+ years
Description: JORANI is a young teen in Cambodia when she is taken from her home to work at a brothel. She sees herself in the mirror and does not recognize her face, filled with bruises. She is speaking out toward the audience.
JORANI
The bruise should be no surprise. I’ve felt them often enough. They don’t hurt unless you touch them. So don’t touch them. That’s what my mom would say. No one says that now. No one notices them. They pull on my arm which is covered with bruises. I flinch but they don’t see. My caramel skin is more green and yellow now. I’m used to seeing this. My skin is no longer mine. My body is no longer mine. I understand that. The Buddha shows us suffering is life. When I last saw my mother, she reminded me of what I have known all my life—we must rid ourselves of our attachments, and then we can be on the path to enlightenment. My path. I think of this often, as I give up my body. I accept that. I hold no attachment. But when I see my face, I know that it’s mine. I’m still attached. I see it in the broken mirror of the hotel bathroom. I see it in a reflection of his family’s picture on the nightstand. I see it in the water he’s put in a bowl for me to drink out of on the floor. My eyes house my soul. My mouth houses my voice. My ears house my compassion. This essence of who I am is still mine. Seeing my face reminds me…of me.
(pause)
The American chose me. I prayed he would not, but he did. I saw him months ago and I dirtied my pants when I saw him choose me again. I’ve been with him for two weeks now and I haven’t once looked at my face after all he’s done to me. Our faces matter, Madam tells us. Our faces are to stay clean and soft. But this doesn’t stop them. They’ll pay extra, but this doesn’t stop them.
(pause)
And I need to see.
(pause)
He’s stepped out to get high again. He knows I won’t leave. I crawl to the bathroom and reach up to the sink. I pull myself up and ignore the pain in all of my body. I stand, but my legs are shaking. This mirror is clean. I rub it with my finger and it squeaks.
(pause)
I stare. I breathe in…But I am quiet, I am a mouse. I cannot make a sound—END OF EXCERPT
CLICK FOR THE FREE COMPLETE "NO MORE MIRRORS" MONOLOGUE
This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:
Many of the monologues on this website are available at no charge, but if you have received permission to use a free monologue and would like to support the artist and her craft anyway, you make do so here. Enjoy the monologue!
To learn more about Jorani and her story, check out the play, For My Silent Sisters. You can find information about the play here, or click below for a digital copy of the entire play.
Set in the countries of Cambodia, Romania, India and the United States, four teenagers struggle to escape the dark underworld of child sex trafficking. Jorani has been sold to a brothel in payment for her sister’s gambling debt, and her Buddhist upbringing is put to the test. Marta seeks a new life as a translator in England, but after finding her “employer” has vastly different plans for her, she must risk her own life to save another. After a fight with her father, Claire meets an older man whom she starts to fall for—but whose manipulation over her brings on severe consequences. Abhay, living on the streets of Mumbai, finds employment at a brothel and must decide if the “good life” is worth the atrocities. While living in four different parts of the world, their lives are intertwined, and their support of each other binds this connection. Told through poignant monologues and scenes, this drama shines light on the real horrors that occur all over the world, and the hope and faith that allow children to survive.
This is a drama, with minimal set, for 5 females, 3 males, 1-2 female children.