ADDICT
ROB is so attached to his computer that he no longer feels he needs to interact with the actual, physical world outside his door. Plus, his preferred web content is getting more and more extreme. His addiction is porn.
I just don’t see the point of going outside anymore. I have all I need in here. Basically, my whole life is in my computer. All my friends are here, all my activities … There’s really no point in school or anything like that anymore. That’s the past. This is the future. You can stay at home and learn all you want on the net. And you can be whoever you want. Like, see, here’s KandiKane88. She thinks I’m six-three and a quarterback on a college team. I’ve been a pilot, a model, an actor, a musician—Basically, I can be whatever and whoever I want. No one questions me. It’s brilliant. And I can get anything I want. Girls take off their clothes for me. I admit, I have a little … problem with that. If you think that kind of thing is a problem. Thankfully, my mom is completely ignorant about the computer. But I really like the porn sites. I see it as research. The human body is a natural thing, right? I’m a young guy. I’m supposed to be interested in this stuff. I can’t help that it’s so accessible. And if these girls didn’t want to do this, they wouldn’t. So I don’t feel bad about it. I don’t see why it’s such a bad thing. In fact, I think it’s a really, really, really excellent thing. Thank God for the Internet.
ISAAC is a high-energy, fast-talking coffee addict who has not had his fix for several hours now.
I have such a headache. I need a coffee right now. My head is just pounding! I think it’s a crime that the school doesn’t serve coffee. I need to be supplied! I am not addicted. I just like it. It has no effect on me. None at all. I don’t feel energized or nervous or anything. I just feel normal. I’ve always talked fast! That’s not the coffee! I just have a lot of energy. Except not now. I feel like I’m going to fall asleep. Yes, this is how I talk when I’m tired! Shut up! I’m never going to make it through bio if I don’t get some java now. Do you think there’s enough time to sneak out and get some? This is an emergency. Please drive me into town? Come on. We won’t get caught. This is an emergency.
I’m not addicted! I can stop anytime I want!
BERNIE plays video games night and day. He has an aggressive, enthusiastic personality and imagines he’s the ultimate soldier.
Man, I wish I was old enough to be sent to war. I’d be awesome. I’d be a great sniper. You’ve seen me blast my way through video games. I’ve got great control. I can sense when someone’s coming. I was made for combat, I think. I’ve got everything it takes. I’m cool, steady, and ready to go.
Man, I’d love to blast my way through Baghdad. Blow a hole in everything that comes my way. Make my family and my country proud.
Sure, I’d die! Imagine what a hero I’d be if I did. I’d be dying for all the right things. Regular people die of heart attacks and shit, but I’d be dying for a reason. It would be worth it. If there weren’t soldiers to protect this country, we’d be Communists or speaking Chinese or some such shit. But I honestly don’t think anything would happen to me. I have the skills, and I am ready for action!
Want to go another game? What’s the matter? Chicken?
ALISHA is a constant dieter. As a result, she thinks about food 24/7 and worries constantly about what to eat and what people think of her food choices.
Oh my god, I want a doughnut so bad! I hate being on a diet. I don’t understand why I can’t be one of those girls who’s born skinny. It’s not fair. Why do I have to be that girl on a diet all the time? I swear, I could eat a dozen of those. Why do they sell them at school? The temptation is too much. I have absolutely no willpower. When something is plopped in front of me, I have to eat it. It’s not fair.
I do not eat too much crap! You don’t know how often I don’t eat things. But I want to be a regular teenager, too. I want to eat pizza and drink sodas and be a regular kid, too. I don’t want to be separate from everyone else. It makes people look at me when I say no to those things. “Why don’t you want a piece of cake, Carla?” “Don’t you even want a little?” People look at me like I’m some kind of freak. But at the same time, if I start eating like other, normal girls, people look at me like, “What a fat pig.” I just can’t win! I hate being in this body! I wish I could get plastic surgery. My life is so unfair.
JENNY is confused, angry, scared, and a cutter. Her parents have made her come to an appointment with a psychiatrist.
Listen, I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t see why I have to. I don’t even know you. My mom made me come here. Even my dad thinks this is a load of crap. So, you’re just going to sit there and stare at me?
Well, yeah, I’m angry. I have to come here! I don’t want to come here. I’m not mental or anything. I’m fine. I mean, my life sucks, but what’s new? Who doesn’t have problems?
I don’t want to talk about that. I don’t know why I do it anyway. I just do. It’s something I like to do, OK? I enjoy it. If you and my mom don’t get that, that’s your problem. Why should I have to explain it to you? I’m not hurting anyone.
It doesn’t hurt. I cut myself to stop it hurting. Physical hurt is nothing. I can take that. The cuts are nothing. It’s what’s inside—See, you got me talking. You must think you’re clever. But I’m done now.