Playwriting - Beauty is Skin Deep

Running head: PLAYWRITING
Playwriting
-Beauty is skin deep
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PLAYWRITING
(Context: The patient is Miss Barbara Sanders (age 20 years). The incident takes place in an
imaginary dystopian world where the appearances of individuals are one of the most
important aspects to be a part of society. Any facial deformities and abnormalities are not
acceptable, and individuals with permanent facial deformities have to live in exile from the
society and the city limits along with others with similar conditions. Miss Barbara who has a
facial deformity has been undergoing repeated surgeries. She is back to the hospital after the
last surgical intervention, which apparently did not work as expected. The patient is sitting on
the hospital bed, waiting for the doctor to come, her entire face is bandaged, and her eyes are
covered, so she can’t see very well. The patient is accompanied by a nurse.)
Characters:
Miss Barbara Sanders (the patient),
Tiffany (the nurse),
Dr Hugo Braddock (Surgeon)
Mr. John Wilcox (Leader of the exiled community)
Scene 1
Setting: A hospital ward with a single bed for the patient. Door is on the right and a window
to the left of the bed. Medicines are on the bedside table.
The face of the patient remains hidden throughout the play until the climax, and the faces of
the doctor and nurse are also covered, preventing audiences to see them.
Ms Sanders (slightly nervous): I don’t know why my face is not getting fixed. I had to
undergo 5 surgeries till now, and every time doctors assured that my face will be
fixed.

2PLAYWRITING
Tiffany: I’m sure ma’am that if the doctors have given assurance, then the problem can be
fixed.
Ms Sanders (slightly comforted): I hope I get to hear good news this time around.
Enter Doctor Braddock
Dr Braddock: Hello Ms Sanders, how are you feeling today?
Ms Sanders: I’m feeling great doctor, thanks for asking. What was the result of the last
week’s surgery?
Dr Braddock: I’m sorry to inform you that the last surgery was not successful, and there were
some complications due to which we were not able to completely restructure your
face.
Ms Sanders (with a shaky voice): Does... does that mean I... I will be exiled forever from the
city? Please don’t let that happen to me doctor! I cannot survive on my own in those
badlands with the exiled people.
Nurse (trying to reassure the patient): Now, now, Ms Sanders, don’t get too nervous, the
doctor is here to help you.
Dr Braddock (with a calm and comforting voice): Don’t worry yet Ms Sanders, all is not lost
yet, and there is still hope for you. We have a famous surgeon, coming from Europe,
he is very experienced and people say he has magic in his hands and have fixed even
the worst kinds of facial deformities. He will also be working on your surgery with
me next time. I’m sure; the next time will prove to be a success.
Ms Sanders (feeling relieved): Oh! Thank Goodness for the wonderful news dear doctor, I’m
so happy to hear that. May I know when will the next surgery be done?