(Samantha is sitting at her dressing table getting ready for her day) (lights come up)

(Gaze into mirror while applying makeup)

This is perfect! I look JUST like them. This new shirt is exactly like what I saw in the magazine the other day and no one has it yet so I'll be ahead of everybody else. I knew that this was the right outfit for today as soon as I saw it on the rack at the store. It complements my new hair style perfectly too and I am so glad I learned some new makeup techniques. I look absolutely amazing tonight. I can't wait to see everybody.

(reaches for a pair of slinky heels, holding them briefly before throwing them across the room and standing to pace agitatedly)

No, no no no NO! This isn't right, it isn't the real me. This is just me pretending to be them. The shirt looks good on me and so does everything else, but I don't want to be this person. I want to be happy on the inside as well what I let the world see. I seem like I have everything in the world but I am so lonely. I have friends, but none who know the real me. Who know my hopes and dreams, who know that I am a kind person who cares deeply about everything because I daren't show them this. Why? Why do I feel that this has to be kept locked away only to be seen in the dark of a silent night?

(pauses in front of the mirror looking deeply)

When I look deep into this mirror, I see someone who is happy inside and out. Loved and accepted for who she really is, not for what she looks like and what she can give away. Grandmama always said that this mirror was a family heirloom and to make sure that I had it until I had children of my own. To never lose it and always know that someone loves me inside and out. I've forgotten that feeling of being loved and accepted over the years. I think “the accident” the other night was a wake up call that I need to stop being fake because obviously I'm not happy. Nobody even noticed that I was in hospital and not out being the social butterfly I play at. I felt so alone laying in that sterile white room and I was so happy to be able to come home and hide in my colorful and empty world. Yet when I look into the mirror, I've feel like someone is watching me, standing behind me offering silent courage, comforting me and loving me.

( walks back across the room looking out a window on the silent street below)

I've always envied those who could be everything they ever wanted to be, not caring what the rest of the world thinks. I've always wanted to be one of those people and yet I've always been so afraid of what would happen. Yet, is the misery I feel in being surrounded by people yet not part of them worth never being who I truly desire to be?

(turns around walking back to the mirror slowly picking up a clean piece of cloth on the table top)

Life is supposed to be worth living isn't it? It hasn't been recently obviously.  Well, I'm going to do that finally. I'm going to step out of the crowd where I've been hiding and into a life of my own design. Goodbye to being what everybody expects of me crushing the real me, and Hello bright new world of promises. Welcome to the real world.

(Wipes face off and turns unbuttoning the shirt walking towards the bed) (lights fade)