The Love Talker
Lili Page for Helen
Accent: Appalachian / Southern US
Background:
Age range: late 30s-40s. Helen grew up in a remote mountain community with little opportunity and little education. Recently her daughter, Irene, has developed an obsession for a man that requires her to be tied down to the bed. Her husband recently left her. To cope, she has taken to drinking and drugs.
One of Irene’s hands came free and she did a great deal of self-harm. The doctor is seeing to her, but Helen partially blames him for her daughter’s condition.
HELEN
She don't feel nothin’. She don't feel nothin' but him. God, look what she did, look what she did, thinking of him! It was bad enough when we thought she'd be taken from us but look how she came back! It's your fault! (pause) Why do we do it? Why do we let him do this? I know we're poor. I know we got nothin' for nobody. I know Irene wasn't going any further than me. But that don't make us worthless! (pause) She ain't never gettin' better, is she?
