The New Drill
CAST: MILITARY DRILL SARGENT, RECRUIT #1, RECRUIT #2, EXTRA RECRUITS TO FILL OUT THE FORMATION
SCENE: NEW RECRUITS ARE MEETING THE DRILL SARGENT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE RECRUITS WAIT FOR THE SARGENT TO ENTER, IN FORMATION BUT NOT AT ATTENTION.
The Drill Sargent enters the room with intense energy. They are about to address a nervous group of new soldiers for the first time.
Stand up straight! I am Drill Sargent Trotter. From this moment forward you are going to work! From this moment forward, expectations are high! YOU will give 100% of yourself at all times! You will follow orders quickly, willingly and without questions!
The recruits do their best to stand at attention.
Eyes up front! (The recruits snap to full attention) The first thing you must understand is that my pronouns are, he/him/his! If you get these wrong in conversation, you will apologize, correct yourself and move forward! When I ask you a question, you will answer with, “YES SARGENT!” Do you understand?
Yes, Sargent!
I am going to break you down. Then I’ll build you back up. It is going to hurt like hell!
The Sargent walks over to Recruit #1.
Solider! What are your pronouns?
Um. He/Him/His Sir?
Are you sure about that soldier?
Yes, (beat) SARGENT!
Soldier! If you do not feel safe to state your true pronouns in this space, you will ask for guidance, care and support privately when youfeel ready, without fear of retribution or social shame! Soldiers, do I make myself clear?
Yes, Sargent!
The days ahead will crush you! Prepare for misery. I will break you down and build you back up! There will be pain! Prepare to cry!
DRILL SARGENT walks over to RECRUIT #2.
Are you goinf to cry, soldier?
No, Sargent!
No Sargent? No Sargent? Holding back feelings is unhealthy! Stuffing your emotions stifles intimacy and communication! Are you trying to sabotage this relationship by guarding your inner world soldier?
No, Sargent!
Let me be clear! From this day forward all of you will work to destroy negative societal and cultural expectations. You will cultivate emotional, spiritual and relational health all day, every single day! As a team, we will break through old patterns of self damage and cultivate harmony within ourselves and everyone you meet! Do you understand me!?
No, Sargent!
DRILL SARGENT walks over to Recruit #3.
Soldier! Are you committed to the process? Are you prepared soldier?
Yes, Sargent!
Prepared to let go of your tension? Prepared to take deep cleansing breaths? Breathe Soldier!
Yes, Sargent!
The eyes are the window to the soul. I see your tension soldier. I want to facilitate your pain on its journey out of your soul. Look at me soldier! I said, take deep cleansing breaths! Through the nose and out the mouth. Now breathe!
Yes, Sargent!
The soldier takes a quick breath. DRILL SARGENT gets directly in the soldier’s face.
The eyes are the window to the soul. I see your tension soldier. I want to facilitate your pain on its journey out of your soul. Look at me soldier! I said, take deep cleansing breaths! Through the nose and out the mouth. Now breathe!
Yes, Sargent!
RECRUIT #3 and DRILL SARGENT take two deep cleansing breaths together with the Sargent staying in the soldier’s face.
HUG IT OOOOOUUUUUUTTTTTT!
Yes Sargent! Hug it out, Sargent!
They hug. It. Out.
END
