(Genre: A short one part play (I guess..(?)),
(Disclaimer: Please do not take this personally. Thanks for reading! And happy holidays!!),
Person #1: I’m sick of being an anxious people pleaser.
Person #2: And how have you felt to be a people pleaser?
Person #1: Well, essentially I’m sick of being the quiet and anxious target of bullying. Maybe “people pleaser” is not the best way to describe it in this context..?
Person #2: Yes, bullying is something you appear to have felt in your perception.
Person #1: In my “perception”..? What’s that supposed to mean?
Person #2: Something you feel too have received a lot of.
Person #1: But you say “perception” as if you’re implying I’m “misperceiving” stuff..
Person #2: No, I’m expressing how I’m interpreting what you’re saying.
Person #1: You feel I’m full of shit huh?
Person #2: Well I haven’t seen you get bullied.
Person #1: Well, it tends to occur when zero caregivers are present. It tends to occur when the bullies catch you alone.
Person #2: I see.
Person #1: No you don’t..
Person #2: Well how else do you want me to respond?
Person #1: Just say “I feel you”. Maybe show some empathy INSTEAD of dismissive impatience!?
Person #2: Well do you not want my honest opinion or not?
Person #1: All I’m saying is that when I feel challenged in response to emotionally opening up to someone, it adds emotional pain of feeling negatively judged and misunderstood in addition to the pain of feeling bullied that I came to the person to express, with the hope of receiving empathy instead of feeling questioned and challenged.
Person #2: Maybe it’s best that I don’t say anything then huh?
Person #1: Well, if anything you don’t need to get sarcastic!!
Person #2: Oh stop!
Person #1: Why don’t you stop!?
Person #3: Guys! It’s Christmas! Please stop arguing!
Person #2: I don’t want to spend Christmas with someone who doesn’t like me!
As Person #2 marches out of the living room, Person #3 has Person #1 come out of the living room to talk in a separate room to try diffusing the social tension..
Person #3: He’s trying to relate to you, he just doesn’t know how.
Person #1: Well if he keeps saying stuff that makes me feel worse he should stop trying..
Person #3: Just give him time.
Person #1: No, I have been too patient with people who make me feel worse after trying to socialize with them.. I’m done.. I’m done.. I hate having autism! I fucking hate it!
Person #3 gives Person #1 a hug while he cries..
Zach Dana Writing 