Oh, It's Just a Plant!

Oh, but it's just a plant

Setting: In the middle of the stage, there is a small plant in a pot. An actor/actress comes in and starts the following monologue.

Actor: Oh, Greta left a plant out. I told her to clean everything.

She must have forgotten. She always does.

Never does anything exactly the way she's supposed to.

“Oh, it's just a plant,” you might say.

It is only a plant. But it's the principle that counts. Yes, the principle.

That's it, I like it: the principle.

Because who knows what that plant meant to him?

I made her clean this whole place and get rid of all his stuff.

It's painful to remember. At least, that's what they tell me.

So I didn't want to try, you know? I trust people like that.

If they tell me it's painful to remember, I'll go out of my way not to remember.

It's common sense. So I told her to get rid of everything.

But of course she forgot something. Or was it on purpose?

She might have wanted to make me feel pain.

Sometimes I really think she does hate me. Other times, on the other hand....

But anyways, what good is it to think about why she forgot it or not?

The plant is there. It's almost pathetic, with how small it is, how much thought I'm giving it.

But that must mean something, right?

It's lit class, all over again. Is this a symbol?

No, impossible. But then, what did it mean to him?

Was it just a stupid ornament, the kind you receive for Christmas, or for your x-th birthday,

and that you didn't want but you felt bad about throwing out, so you just put it somewhere random?

Or was it a heart-felt gift, the kind you receive for Christmas, or for your x-th birthday,

and that you didn't know you wanted until you had it?

(picks the plant up and examines it carefully from all sides, then, with plant still in hand:)

What does it stand for? A lost love? An approaching death? Age? Forgetfulness?

Yes, I did forget him at times. It was easy. After all, he was here because he was old.

They took good care of him here. But... was he happy?

Maybe this little green plant was his only happiness.

Jesus, I never thought about this: was he happy? My God, what have I done?

Oh, but now, now it's too late. Now, he's gone.

It's awful, yes, awful!

(shouting): Greta! Come here.

(Greta runs in, and asks breathlessly): Yes? What's wrong?

Actor: Take this plant away immediately. NOW!

Greta: Oh, but it's just a plant!

Actor faints.