Characters

Brooke - Protagonist, has been wheelchair bound for less than a year at the beginning of the play. Speaks slowly and softly.

The Therapist - A therapist in her early thirties. She is very put-together, evidenced by a severe bun, flawless makeup and high stiletto heels. Though she means well, her experience with teenagers facing this sort of trauma is limited. Her manager, perhaps, thought it was a good idea to get some experience in this area. Either way, it's clear she needs more training.

Alice - An aspiring teenage writer and anti-gun rights activist, is a rule follower and is very knowledgeable about anything school-shooting related.

Noah - A moody teenager with substance abuse issues who walks with the slightest limp.

Zach - An average teenager who does not seem, outwardly, to have any worries.

The following roles are pre-recorded and therefore do not need casting for the performance:

Official Voice - A disembodied voice that provides facts regarding school shootings and gun laws. 

Hannah (V.O.) - The voice of Brooke’s deceased best friend. 

Mrs. Abbott (V.O.) - The voice of Brooke’s previous high school teacher.

Shooter (V.O.) - The voice of the shooter at Brooke’s school. 

Setting

This play takes place in a hospital-like environment — bland fluorescent lights, white walls etc. We are in a support group, denoted by the circle of chairs in the center of the stage.

Scene 1 - 

6 months after Brooke lost the ability to walk.

The stage is pitch black.

OFFICIAL VOICE

“Each day, 12 children die from gun violence in America. Another 32 are shot and injured.” - Sandy Hook Promise

Lights up on stage. The Therapist, Alice, Zach and Noah sit in a circle of chairs, a gap between Zach and Noah. The teenagers wear dark clothing. The Therapist holds a clipboard with paper and a pen. Alice sits with her back straight. Zach is relaxed. Noah seems bored.

(Brooke is wheeled in.)

THE THERAPIST

Hello, Brooke. Welcome to our session today. Everyone, meet Brooke. She’ll be joining us in our meetings starting today. Brooke, why don’t you introduce yourself to everyone?

(Brooke gives a tight smile.)

BROOKE

Hi.

(Silence ensues — lasts for a beat too long.)

THE THERAPIST

Do you want to share a fun fact about yourself?

BROOKE

I’ve been shot before. Twice, actually. And it sucked.

THERAPIST

(Noticeably made uncomfortable by Brooke’s response.)

Do you have any hobbies?

BROOKE

I run cross country.

(More silence when Brooke realizes her mistake.)

 Or, well, I used to.

THE THERAPIST

(To Brooke.) 

Why don’t you sit down over here? 

(Gestures towards the empty space.) 

And we can all get started.

(To everyone.) 

Last time, we narrowed in on positive bits and pieces of our lives to find the things that make us happy and make our lives worth living.

(Brook flinches and looks away.)

THE THERAPIST

Today, we’ll focus on some less positive parts of our experiences and how we can deal with them. Why don’t we start off by going around the circle and describing one way you’ve been impacted by the shootings? And please introduce yourself first, for Brooke’s sake.

ZACH

My full name is Zachary, but everyone calls me Zach. 

(Noah gets up from her seat and takes a few steps towards stage right.)

THE THERAPIST

One moment, Zach. Noah, where are you going?

NOAH

(Continuing to walk without looking back.)

Bathroom.

(The Therapist frowns as Noah exits.)

ZACH

It’s been a year and a half since, but I still get panic attacks and anxiety attacks. One thing that—

THE THERAPIST

Sorry, just quickly. Can you explain the difference between the two to everyone? Just in case anyone else is unfamiliar with both.

ZACH

Yeah, I’d say the biggest difference is timing. Panic attacks are kind of random and pretty quick. Anxiety attacks last for a few hours or even a couple of days. They make you feel… off. My panic attacks mostly happen due to some trigger. Fireworks, large crowds, yeah. But my anxiety attacks, those can happen when I’m stressed, like before I was interviewed by some journalists about the shooting.

THE THERAPIST

How have you found some of the strategies we’ve discussed? Have you been applying them? 

ZACH

One technique that I find helps is the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method. You consider 5 things you see, 4 things you touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste. It does help me calm down.

THE THERAPIST

Good, Zach. I agree. That’s a good one. What about you, Alice?

ALICE

Hi, I’m Alice. 

(smiles at Brooke).

For me, I’m just really uncomfortable with… guns. Like, really uncomfortable. I don’t know if you know about arachnophobia, the irrational fear of spiders? I’ve cried myself to sleep before, because I couldn’t get the image of a spider out of my mind. But my fear of guns is infinitely worse. It’s called hoplophobia. I looked it up. I think that’s how it’s pronounced, but whatever it is, I definitely have it. This is why I can’t really deal with the police. Or security guards. My best friend has a hunting kind of family, so I just don’t go to her house anymore. If we hang out, it’s at mine. The funny thing is, I used to do shooting as a sport. 

(Grimacing chuckle.) 

But I sold all my rifles.

THE THERAPIST

Can you recall a more recent experience where you saw a gun in real life? How did you react?

ALICE

Um, yeah, so my family and I went to Hawaii for winter break because they thought it would take my mind off things. It was a good trip, but then, as we were checking in at the Hawaiian airport for our flight back, I saw two security guards with guns. And the guns weren’t just strapped to them. They were messing with the guns, and it looked like they were loading them up. 

THE THERAPIST

How did that make you feel?

ALICE

I froze up, and then my sister had to drag me away. 

(Noah reappears.)

ALICE

And my sister pointed out that my hands were still shaking a few minutes later, even after we were far away.

(Noah returns to his seat.)

THE THERAPIST

Nice to have you back, Noah. We were just about to discuss how Alice can deal with her fears. Would you like a recap of Alice's situation?

NOAH

No thanks. I missed that on purpose. Plus, literally everyone under the sun knows about Alice and her little fear of guns. It’s her entire personality.

THE THERAPIST

Noah—

ALICE

Sorry Noah. I just happened to go through a little school shooting. Forgive me if I have a little fear of guns. And it’s really none of your business.

NOAH

It kind of is my business when half of group therapy is listening to you go on and on about your whatever-phobia. Everyone else is trying to get on with their lives, you know.

ALICE

Maybe I’m actually interested in working through my feelings and getting better. At least I can function without a vape or a zyn or whatever it is you do.

THE THERAPIST

Okay, that’s a bit—

NOAH

You know what, Alice? I’m sick of you coming here every week and pretending you’re the same as us. You didn’t even see the shooter. You were on the other side of the school…

ZACH

(In a low voice, leaning in towards Brooke.) 

They went to the same school before the shooting.

NOAH

…Oh, and in case you forgot, I actually saw the shooter, and I got shot.

THE THERAPIST

Alright. That’s enough from both of you. Noah, Alice, your feelings and experiences are just as valid as everyone else’s, so let’s just be kind to each other.

ALICE

You’re right, Miss, I don’t know what happened there. Noah, I apologize for being rude.

(Noah rolls her eyes. The Therapist sighs.)

THE THERAPIST

Alright, Brooke. How about you? Have you begun to apply any strategies to deal with your trauma?

BROOKE

I-I also get panic attacks, I guess. But nothing has really worked for me. I get them from loud sounds, mostly, but even raised voices can set me off.

NOAH

Oh… my bad, I didn’t know.

ALICE

Sorry about that, Brooke.

BROOKE

Oh no, you’re fine. That was… I’m okay. I also get phantom pains sometimes, in my legs. That’s the worst thing, I think. And because I used to be a runner, yeah, that’s definitely the worst thing.

THE THERAPIST

Have you been going to physical therapy for that? Is there any chance you’ll be able to—

BROOKE

Walk again? 

(She laughs bitterly. All characters on the stage look at each other uncomfortably.) 

No. They were very clear about that. Didn’t want to give me false hope, I guess.

(Awkward silence returns to the stage as lights go down. End scene.)

Scene 2 - 

It is 1 year after the school yard shooting that put Brooke in a wheelchair.

Same circle, shuffle people order. Visibly happier. The teenagers wear clothing with more color than previously, except for Brooke.

(Scene starts with lights off.)

OFFICIAL VOICE (V.O.)

The ALICE drill, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, is an active shooter response training program commonly taught in American schools. Five easy steps to surviving a mass school shooting: be alert of potential threats. Lockdown in a secure place. Remain informed about intruder movement. Counter if necessary — this is NOT equal to fighting back, only reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot properly by any means possible. Evacuate once safe. Only evacuate once you are certain it is safe to do so.

(Lights up on stage.)

THE THERAPIST

So, I hear congratulations are in order for you, Alice.

ALICE

Yes! My narrative was accepted and published in last week’s edition of TIME Magazine. And it’s not common for them to accept work by unpublished writers, much less a high schooler.

ZACH

I knew you could do it! There’s literally no one more deserving.

NOAH

Yeah, that’s incredible. Good for you!

BROOKE

Wow, Alice.

ALICE

Thanks, everyone. Your support is what made it possible. I hope you read it. You might see bits of yourself in the story.

THE THERAPIST

That’s just wonderful. And that’s not the only cause for celebration. Noah, how about you?

NOAH

Yesterday marked 3 months completely clean. The furthest I’ve ever made it. It’s hard sometimes, but right now, I feel really good about it.

ALICE

I think that’s amazing. I think you’re amazing.

THE THERAPIST

As for Brooke. Brooke and I went over it in a private session, and she is finally ready to share her full story. Right Brooke?

BROOKE

Wait, right now? Today?

THE THERAPIST

Yes. We discussed this. I was clear. 

BROOKE

But I-

THE THERAPIST

It’s been a year, Brooke. Face the past now or risk never being able to get over it.

(Brooke remains hesitant, but does not protest again.)

You can do it.

BROOKE

(Brooke stares at the ground as she speaks. She is not keen on this, but also knows she will not be able to get out of it).

I remember it was just like any other day.

(Lights dim.)

BROOKE

It should’ve been a great day. I remember it so well because it was the send-off day for cross country states — what would’ve been my first one. I was in 4th period, my favorite class because my… Hannah was in it.

NOAH

Wait who’s-

ALICE

Shhh.

BROOKE

She’s my best friend. Was. And my running partner. I was the one who noticed it first. Mrs. Abbott asked me to close the window in the middle of class, and I noticed someone suspicious outside. He wore all black, was masked, and had a hood on. He didn’t even try to hide. 

(Getting angry.) 

I saw the gun. The school was quickly put into lockdown, but it didn’t matter. He had stolen an ID from his teacher the day before, allowing him full access. Just like that, he was in.

(Lights flash once, turn off, and then all the way on again.)

THE THERAPIST

It’s okay, Brooke. Take a deep breath.

(Lights dim then brighten slightly, like breathing.)

BROOKE

In the classroom, we locked the doors…

(Sound of door clicking shut, lights dim a just barely noticeable amount.)

We pulled down the blinds…

(Sound of blinds sliding down, lights dim a just barely noticeable amount.)

And the lights are turned off.

(Sound of light switch as lights cut out.)

We’re huddled in the corner, just waiting.

(15 seconds of silence in the pitch dark. Then the sound of unintelligible whispering begins. The rest of the scene remains pitch black with the occasional strobe lights to symbolize gunfire.)

HANNAH (V.O.)

Brooke. Brooke. It’s Hannah. Don’t worry. We’re gonna be okay. Brooke, we’re-

(All voices stop as they are taken over by the sound of gunshots from stage right, slightly muffled. Slowly growing louder and moving towards stage left. Strobe lights start, becoming more chaotic as gunshots get closer. Strobe lights and gunshots reach a climax and maintain this cacophony for 10 seconds.)

SHOOTER (V.O.)

(Loud, yet in the distance, as if directed at someone else.)

What? Run out of snarky comments? What about one of your so-called pranks? No? Before you play victim, just know you deserve it! 

(His voice echoes, but fades quickly as gunshots ricochet across the stage. Strobe lights and then total darkness again.)

HANNAH (V.O.)

(Whispers.) 

He passed us! Outside the wing, the doors, we can run for it!

(Whispers of agreement.)

ALICE

But Brooke, in an active shooting situation, you can’t do that…

MRS. ABBOTT (V.O.)

No! Everyone, stay put! We’ve practiced this in the active shooter drills. Follow the instructions!

BROOKE

Go! Go! Go!

MRS. ABBOTT (V.O.)

Stop-

(Running footsteps of multiple people moving towards stage right. Then gunshots and strobe lights suddenly return to full, also moving towards stage right. Then screaming sounds. Lights and sounds stop. Pause in pitch dark. Suddenly, a spotlight shines on Brooke, curled up in her seat.)

BROOKE

(Stares out into the audience.) 

12 injured and 6… dead. That was the last time I ever ran. 

(Tearing up.) 

And Hannah… Hannah, she…

(On either side of her, Noah and Alice reach into the spotlight to squeeze Brooke’s 

hands.)

BROOKE

But Hannah, she-

(Noah and Alice walk closer to embrace Brooke. Spotlight expands to them.)

THE THERAPIST

Let it out. Let it all out, Brooke.

(Zach and The Therapist join the embrace. Brooke wails.)

BROOKE

Hannah!

(Brook continues to sob. Lights fade. End scene.)

Scene 3 - 

Ending scene, same as beginning. A circle of chairs occupied by The Therapist, Alice, Zach, and Noah, with a gap between Zach and Noah. Lights up on the stage for the entire scene.

(A long silence.)

THE THERAPIST

(Somberly.)

You might’ve already heard, but Brooke will not be returning.

(They sit in silence, faces cast down. Alice begins to cry, softly at first, as if trying to hide it. Then the soft cries gradually become loud sobs. Alice stands up and runs off stage right.)

NOAH

I’ll check on her.

(Noah walks off stage right. More silence.)

ZACH

Excuse me.

(Zach slowly walks off stage right. Seconds pass while The Therapist stares after them. She pinches her nose bridge, removes her glasses, and puts her head in her hands. Eventually, she stands up and slowly exits stage left, heels clicking on the floor.)

OFFICIAL VOICE

On December 5th, 1791, the United States government ratified the Second Amendment into its Constitution. It reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” In the 2008 case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled that “The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.” On January 20th, 2025, within hours of his inauguration, 47th US President Donald Trump closed down the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Less than a month later, he would sign an executive order that reads: “The Second Amendment is an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty. It has preserved the American people's right to protect ourselves, our families, and our freedoms since the founding of our great Nation. Because it is foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans, the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed.” 

(Lights down.)

THE END