THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT
By Robyn Brooks
CAST OF CHARACTERS
JESSE – Female, 30s, Black
ALICE – Female, 40s, Black
(Lights up on an office. A meeting has just ended. Jesse and Alice are the only ones left in the room)
JESSE
(Standing; gathering her things; watching Alice)
Alice, do you have a few moments?
ALICE
(Sitting; looking over documents; taking notes in a journal)
I have a few – sit down, Jesse.
JESSE
(Pulls up a chair)
Great meeting!
ALICE
It felt more like a party.
JESSE
But – you masterfully corralled everyone
ALICE
I guess so – So, what’s on your mind, Jesse?
JESSE
(Notices a photo on the wall)
Is that your graduation photo?
ALICE
Yes – Yes – so long ago
JESSE
You still look the same
ALICE
I – don’t – I don’t think
JESSE
You do
ALICE
Thank – you
JESSE
Some folks just don’t age
ALICE
Tell that to my gray hairs
JESSE
Look at your skin – so smooth
ALICE
I am using a new moisturizer
JESSE
It’s working
ALICE
Good! – So, you wanted to talk to me?
JESSE
Alice – you know that I’ve been working here for three years
ALICE
Has it been that long?
JESSE
Yes – it has
ALICE
Time – flies by so fast
JESSE
I have learned so much here – mainly from you
ALICE
You’re quite an asset, Jesse.
JESSE
Thanks, Alice.
ALICE
You pick things up quickly
JESSE
You know – that color in your scarf really brings out your eyes
ALICE
Thanks – I bought it at – at
JESSE
Are your eyes Hazel?
ALICE
My eyes – they – yes – they are
JESSE
Beautiful
ALICE
(Nervously fumbles with her scarf)
I bought it at Nordstrom’s Rack – I think
JESSE
Alice
ALICE
Or was it Macy’s?
JESSE
Alice
ALICE
I get them confused sometimes
JESSE
I want to be promoted to Project Leader.
ALICE
It was Macy’s – Project Leader?
JESSE
Project Leader
ALICE
(Taken aback; closes journal)
Well – that’s – certainly – you are
JESSE
The right woman for the job?
ALICE
You are a hard worker
JESSE
I have many skills
ALICE
And – everyone really likes you
JESSE
Do you like me, Alice?
ALICE
You’re one of our best creatives
JESSE
You didn’t answer my question
ALICE
Of course I like you, Jesse
JESSE
I love – I love it here
ALICE
But – we are on a hiring freeze, right now.
JESSE
You wouldn’t be hiring me – I’m already hired.
ALICE
It’s just a bad time
JESSE
Exactly
ALICE
The recession – the economy – the pandemic
JESSE
Which is why
ALICE
Every department has to cut back
JESSE
I really like working with you
ALICE
I even had to let my assistant go
JESSE
I could be your personal assistant
ALICE
My personal – assistant?
JESSE
Yes. Personal. 24/7
ALICE
24/7?
JESSE
I could learn from you
ALICE
Learn?
JESSE
There’s so much for you to teach me –
ALICE
I don’t – I don’t think – this is not
JESSE
I could take care of all your needs.
ALICE
All of my needs?
JESSE
All – of – your – needs, Alice
ALICE
(Nervously drops papers/journal on floor)
Jesse
JESSE
(Kneels in front of Alice to pick them up)
Call me Jess
ALICE
Jess
JESSE
Good
Fade to black.
End of play.
