SYNOPSIS
A Good Life is a seriocomic play about Clarissa (late 20s, woman of color) who must persuade an angel that she has lived a good life so she can return to Earth and be with her dog, Miko.
CHARACTERS
Clarissa (late 20s, woman of color) is a nurse.
White Angel (they) is a lawyer or judge-type angel being who interrogates Clarissa.
A GOOD LIFE
[Time: December 2020, yet another spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles.]
[We’re at the Astral Plane—the world inhabited by souls in transition, or spirit beings just going on their way. It is neither Heaven or Earth, neither good or bad.]
[CLARISSA (late 20s, woman of color) wears nurse scrubs and finds herself sitting on a Trial Chair. A WHITE ANGEL stands before her like a judge.]
CLARISSA
Whoa, are you an angel? You’re beaming with light. You look beautiful and majestic.
WHITE ANGEL
Why, thank you. I must say, I kinda get that all the time.
CLARISSA
Where am I? Oh, dear Jesus, am I dead?
WHITE ANGEL
You know, you’re the fifth soul who said that to me recently. Years ago souls in between who found themselves in the same situation just thought they were dreaming. But now, I guess as the idea of the “beyond” has been realized more, souls can actually decipher they’re somewhere in between worlds.
CLARISSA
So, it’s true? I’m dead? [Surprisingly relieved.] I’m dead…
WHITE ANGEL
Not quite yet. You’re in a coma. Your body is in a hospital but your soul… [gestures with its hands] voila, is here.
CLARISSA
Oh… for a moment there I thought I was free from life. What happened to me?
[The White Angel motions with its hands and a holographic screen appears.]
[The audience doesn’t see the screen or what’s on display. Only Clarissa and the White Angel do.]
WHITE ANGEL
Look closely at the image in front of you.
CLARISSA
That’s… me… I’m in a hospital bed. Alone.
WHITE ANGEL
Due to the pandemic, you can’t have visitors.
CLARISSA
I remember now… I was tending to a lot of patients and had been wearing the same mask. You see, there’s a shortage of masks in Los Angeles hospitals. I was working long hours and didn’t have time to clean my mask, sometimes my scrubs.
[The White Angel looks at Clarissa sternly.]
WHITE ANGEL
Well, isn’t it your job to take care of yourself?
CLARISSA
I mean, that’s the ideal, but it isn’t always possible. My supervisor said he needs me fourteen hours a day, seven days a week. [Beat.] Oh no… I can’t die. I have a dog. His name is Miko and he’s like my son. I need to take care of him. Bring me back!
[The White Angel checks its file. It shakes its head.]
WHITE ANGEL
I don’t know… I’m looking at your file here and it looks like you haven’t lived a good life.
CLARISSA
What? What do you mean? I’ve done everything I was told. I’ve been a good daughter and a good worker. I go to church on Sundays. I donate three percent of my income to my church or the Petco charity—while being a single woman living in over-priced Los Angeles. If that’s not a good life, I don’t know what is.
[The White Angel looks at her with judgmental eyes.]
WHITE ANGEL
You let your supervisor take advantage of you. You let him make you work long hours without a day off. Why did you do that? Did he offer you a raise or job growth?
CLARISSA
No…
WHITE ANGEL
Did you try to stand up for yourself and show your worth? Because if you don’t know your worth—your value as a human being, which is really what this whole Earth experience is about—how can I justify giving you another chance?
CLARISSA
Okay, yes, I let my employer take advantage of me. He told me I was disposable, you know, from the Third World. That I don’t really have a place here. That he was kind enough to give me an offer.
[The White Angel makes a note on Clarissa’s file.]
CLARISSA
What are you doing? Are you giving me a demerit?
WHITE ANGEL
It’s just that I hear too many excuses.
CLARISSA
Well, it’s true.
WHITE ANGEL
Listen, kid, life is as hard as you make it. If you don’t speak up for yourself or even try, no one’s gonna do it for you. See, this really riles me. I hear prayers every day and I do respond. I whisper solutions, but it goes in one ear and out the other.
[The White Angel throws its hands in the air out of exasperation. It writes another note on Clarissa’s file. Clarissa is now vexed.]
CLARISSA
You’re standing there like you know it all. But seems to me like you’re the one who’s not seeing things straight. If I speak up, I could lose everything and end up on the streets. Me and Miko. [Beat.] Okay, maybe not. My parents would take me in, but then I’d be the shame of my family. And I’d rather be homeless than be my family’s shame. [Beat.] Where are you from? Are you so privileged that you don’t understand these things? Perhaps you’re right that I should aspire for better. That I shouldn’t let society define me. But it’s not that easy. People look at me and automatically categorize—there goes a woman of color—who has historically done the laundry, sewed clothes, and worked as a maid. Then as things got better, maybe she’s fit for a secretarial job, or a caretaker, or a nurse, like me. If I go against that, I get pushback. I need you to understand—I have to play by the rules to survive.
[Lights blare in the background. So many lights. Clarissa is almost blinded and has to cover her eyes. After a moment, the lights stop blaring.]
WHITE ANGEL
Okay, you have a point.
CLARISSA
What was that blinding light?
WHITE ANGEL
It’s the cosmos telling you, you scored one point.
CLARISSA
How many points do I need to get back to my body?
WHITE ANGEL
That’s not important. What matters is we continue to have this conversation. [Beat.] Hey, can I ask you a personal question?
CLARISSA
Do I have a choice?
WHITE ANGEL
No, but I thought I’d ask to be polite.
CLARISSA
Yes, you may. It strangely feels good to have someone finally interested in my life.
WHITE ANGEL
I’m interested in your life. I really want to be helpful.
[The White Angel is sincere. Clarissa softens.]
CLARISSA
Okay…
WHITE ANGEL
If you want to improve your economic situation—you know, single woman living in Los Angeles with a dog…
CLARISSA
His name is Miko. I told you, he’s like my son. Miko is short for Michael. I named him after St. Michael.
WHITE ANGEL
Ah yes, the Archangel Michael. He’s up there with the higher ups.
CLARISSA
And what are you? Are you just starting out?
WHITE ANGEL
No… no! I’m middle-management. I just got promoted. [Beat.] Don’t worry. You’re in good hands.
[The White Angel looks self-conscious.]
WHITE ANGEL
I’m sorry for calling Miko a dog. I see he means a lot to you. Back to my point, wouldn’t it be helpful if you had a boyfriend or husband to help you with money? That would lighten your load, wouldn’t it? It could be a lot of fun, too. We, angels, don’t get to have “sexy” fun, if you know what I mean.
[Clarissa is suddenly shy.]
CLARISSA
Well…
WHITE ANGEL
Oh, don’t be shy. Dish! Think of me as your bestie. Tell me about the man in your life.
CLARISSA
Okay, I did have a boyfriend. And he was… I mean, is tall, dark, and handsome just like the ideal. And, oh dear Jesus [whispers] we had sexy fun. So much… really it was too much… Oh, it was heaven.
WHITE ANGEL
[Getting excited and intrigued.] And what happened? By the way, I’m not insinuating that a relationship has to be with a man. I just had my inclusion training, and I want you to know I’m okay if you like females, non-binaries, transgender, pangender, genderqueer, or any combination of these…
CLARISSA
I like men.
WHITE ANGEL
I just want to make sure everyone is represented. These are trying times. [Beat.] So getting back to sexy talk. The sex was great and…
CLARISSA
And that was really the highlight of our relationship—good sex. When we weren’t having sex, we had to talk. And sometimes we would get into debates, such as does systemic racism really exist? Since I work at the hospital, it became clear to me that people of color were getting the virus more and were dying more frequently. You know, they’re doing the kind of labor work that puts them at risk—bagging groceries, driving cabs, and caretaking. But he didn’t buy it. [Imitates him.] “Ah, that’s just their luck. It has nothing to do with race.”
WHITE ANGEL
You didn’t try to change his mind?
CLARISSA
It’s no use. He’s set in his ways.
WHITE ANGEL
And so what happened?
CLARISSA
One day, he told me the Earth is flat. Of course, I disagreed. But he really believed it. And he expected me to believe it, too. I couldn’t dumb myself down to that level. So, I left him.
[Lights blare in the background. Clarissa covers her eyes to protect her from the glare. After a moment, the lights stop blaring and Clarissa is all smiles.]
CLARISSA
I scored another point, didn’t I?
WHITE ANGEL
Yeah… yeah… you’re doing okay, kid.
CLARISSA
Prod me some more. C’mon, give it all you got. I’m going to get back to Miko and my life.
WHITE ANGEL
I’m delighted to see your self-confidence.
CLARISSA
It looks like I have it in me to succeed after all.
WHITE ANGEL
I’m proud of you for leaving your ex-boyfriend. [Beat.] You know, I’m beginning to understand you. You’re just doing your best to survive.
CLARISSA
That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to tell you!
WHITE ANGEL
Except here’s the thing. If you’re focused on trying to survive, that’s what you’ll get.
CLARISSA
What other choice do I have?
WHITE ANGEL
How about happiness, peace, and abundance?
[Clarissa laughs, lightly at first, then slowly crescendos into hysterics.]
CLARISSA
Now, I really know you’re privileged. Only fancy people come up with that kind of fancy-schmancy stuff.
[The White Angel looks hurt.]
WHITE ANGEL
I was trying to make an important point. One that could set you free from merely surviving.
CLARISSA
What if I feel like surviving is all I deserve? I don’t know why I feel this, but I do. I hear it inside of me like a recording.
WHITE ANGEL
I’ve heard the same thing expressed by other souls. You’re listening to a recording taught to you by those who raised you or teachers who taught you or institutions you’ve been a part of—old recordings that have been passed on to them, too. And somewhere along the way, you internalized these recordings.
CLARISSA
I can’t make it stop. [Beat.] I know why people jump off bridges or overdose on pills or do horrible things. It’s the recording. The recording makes people do things. I’d do anything to make my recordings stop. That’s why I love Miko. When I’m around him I don’t hear these recordings. I just feel love and joy.
WHITE ANGEL
You found one solution through Miko. There are more.
CLARISSA
Like what?
WHITE ANGEL
The fancy-schmancy stuff like meditation, yoga, and stopping and smelling the roses.
CLARISSA
Stopping and smelling the roses?! I witness people dying of this disease every minute. When I have time off, all I can do is collapse on my bed trying to forget the horror of what I see…
WHITE ANGEL
These things can help you imagine a better life!
CLARISSA
Aren’t you supposed to look after me? The priest at my church says angels are always at our service. I don’t see angels at the hospital where the medical staff is so overworked we don’t have time to think about our well-being. Where are you and the other angels? You stand there “judging” me on whether I’ve lived a good life, but couldn’t you have taken better care of me?
[The White Angel is stupefied. A light blares in the background. Just one, hesitant. After a moment, another comes. And then, another. It’s as if the system is realizing its own flaw.]
WHITE ANGEL
Well, I am here telling you…
CLARISSA
Yes, you are, after I’m about to die. And when so many already died in vain—and without justice!
WHITE ANGEL
Perhaps I haven’t done a good job of looking after you.
CLARISSA
Because from where you’re standing, it’s easier to judge.
WHITE ANGEL
That’s correct.
CLARISSA
And from where I’m standing, it’s easier to allow myself to be judged.
WHITE ANGEL
That’s possible…
CLARISSA
It looks like we both have work to do.
WHITE ANGEL
It looks like we do…
CLARISSA
Did those blinking lights mean I scored another point?
WHITE ANGEL
Yes. It means you can go back to your body and live your life.
CLARISSA
I’ll get to be with Miko…
WHITE ANGEL
You’ll have to get better first, but eventually you will.
CLARISSA
Does this mean I lived a good life?
WHITE ANGEL
I don’t want to be the judge of that anymore. Look, kid, I agree life can be tough. [Beat.] From now on, I’ll do a better job of looking after you.
CLARISSA
Do you pinky swear?
WHITE ANGEL
I pinky swear if you promise to listen to my whispers.
CLARISSA
I can do that.
WHITE ANGEL
Then, it’s a deal. [Beat.] I know I’m not perfect.
CLARISSA
Hey, that’s a start…
WHITE ANGEL
Yeah… yeah… Time to go. Are you ready?
CLARISSA
Beam me up, Angel.
[The White Angel motions with its hands and Clarissa disappears. We hear the sound of her rocketing back to Earth.]
END OF PLAY.