SCENE 1

(A therapist's office. Therapist Nadia sits across from her client, Trinity, a quiet but passionate teenager with OCD and anxiety, at a desk.)

Nadia: So, tell me. You don't think, even for a second, that what happened to you in school today was anyone's fault but your own?

Trinity: No. I shouldn't have been playing with that Rubik's Cube in class today. People will just keep making fun of me for being such a nerd just because I can solve that thing.

Nadia: Trinity, it's not your fault that they made fun of you for doing something you enjoy. Especially with your comfort object.

Trinity: But even the teacher called me out for it. Imagine actually being allowed to have comfort objects with you in class (chuckles). Couldn't be me!

Nadia: Well, maybe the school system needs to change to better fit those with mental disorders. I would suggest writing to the school board to help change this rule.

Trinity (with a puzzled look on her face): Are you serious?

Nadia: Yes. Trin, I know it's gonna be tough. But you just have to write it. It's not like you have to actually speak this time.

Trinity (thinking): Well, I have always found writing it on paper much easier for me. But I'll have to keep erasing and changing every little spelling or grammar error and keep on going back to read it over and over again and again to make sure all the little formatting details are correct fifteen times, or else I'm gonna be lonely for life.

Nadia: It is a good idea to proofread your paper, yes, but you don't have to stress so much over it. Just write what you feel and maybe use a grammar-checking site.

Trinity: Those just make me feel stupid. Poor me for being so stupid with grammar just for missing one comma.

Nadia: That's okay! I'm sure they'll understand it. Do whatever you can to help yourself, okay? And let me know how it goes.

Trinity (hesitation with a deep, slow breath in and out): Okay. I'll try that. Thanks, see you soon.

(Trinity picks up her backpack and leaves the office, waving "goodbye" to Nadia for the evening, and Nadia exits. Lights down.)

SCENE 2

(School hallway, the next day. Trinity stands by her locker, fiddling with her Rubik's Cube. Her only friend, Frankie, who is really only an acquaintance, is standing next to her.)

Frankie: Trinity, I never knew you could solve that! That's so cool.

Trinity (with a small smile): Thanks, Frankie. I've only known how to solve it for a week though, so I'm not that fast at it. But it's mainly my comfort object for my anxiety.

Frankie: That's good. I heard from that guy Travis yesterday during history that you got in trouble for playing with it in class, even after your classwork was all done. But the way he talked about it was really rude. I don't think it was fair for you to get in trouble for that.

Trinity (nodding): Exactly. I talked about it with my therapist yesterday and she said I should write a letter to the school board to convince them to better accommodate people with mental health issues. (Sighs), I'm a little nervous about that though.

Frankie: I think that's a great idea. Trin, we should be better friends. I know we don't have any classes together, but how about we hang out this weekend? I can help you with your letter, too. Plus, I don't like being at home.

Trinity: I would love that! I can come to your house early in the morning, pick you up, and take us to the coffee house for breakfast on Saturday. And we can shop a bit, too. How does that sound?

Frankie: Great! Just be there before nine because that's when my parents always wake up in the morning. (Whispers a little in her ear), To chew me out for something stupid again.

Trinity: I got you, bro. Let's exchange addresses real quick. We're both just diamonds in the rough, Frankie. But we got this.

(The two both quickly write notes to each other, which give their addresses and phone numbers. Suddenly, Principal Hamlin walks out of the door from the teacher's lounge, annoyingly eating a muffin. Trinity quickly hides her Rubik's Cube in her backpack in fear that he would see it. Frankie confronts him as Trinity stands back, still a little scared.)

Frankie: Principal Hamlin, your muffin looks stale.

Hamlin (with an angry, sassy look as he loudly chews his muffin with his mouth open): So what? It's still good.

Frankie: But don't you think that a freshly baked one would taste better?

Hamlin: Whatever. You know, bringing objects like Rubik's Cubes to class is a big disruption to our teachers' lessons.

Frankie: How'd you know about that, first of all? Secondly, it's not like she was being too loud with it. It calms her anxiety, AND it was at the end of class after she finished all her work for it.

Hamlin (loudly and annoyingly chewing his muffin): Hm. Kids these days with their made up mental illnesses as excuses to be rebellious and interrupt their schooling. You know what? Come to my office now! Trinity, you too. I need to teach you both a lesson! Because I clearly haven't been clear enough with our rule about toys in the classroom.

Frankie (suddenly holding up the fire extinguisher as a threat): It's more than just a toy, Mr. Hamlin. Leave us alone, please. Or you'll start to feel-

Hamlin: That's DOCTOR Hamlin to you. I'll let you both off with a warning for now. (Exits back into the teacher's lounge.)

Other Students (who have been watching the action this whole time): Ooooh!

Trinity (with a smile to Frankie, as the school bell rings): Thanks, Frankie.

Frankie (smiling back): Anything for a friend, Trin. (Both then exit their separate ways to class. Lights down.)

SCENE 3

(A coffee house, that weekend. Trinity and Frankie sit at a high-top table together with pastries and cups of coffee, and Frankie's acoustic guitar is leaning up against his chair. Trinity has a laptop out, typing the letter.)

Trinity (with a sip of coffee, typing on a laptop): Thanks so much for your help, Frankie. We should have become friends years ago. Holding up the freaking fire extinguisher to Hamlin, though? That was brave!

Frankie: Sure thing! And yea, I guess so. You can just shoot Hamlin an email with your letter. He might be thinking about it as he eats those stale muffins! (With a laugh. Trinity laughs along for a second.)

Trinity: Definitely. I guess I'm not that nerdy just because I know how to solve a Rubik's Cube.

Frankie: Exactly.

(Enter Nadia from the coffee shop entrance. She sees Trinity sitting at the table with Frankie, but decides not to bother them until Trinity sees her and waves.)

Nadia: Trinity! I've been coming to the coffee shop every Saturday and have never seen you here! How are you?

Trinity: Hi Nadia, I'm actually doing pretty great. (Points to Frankie, prompting him to wave.) This is my new friend, Frankie! Frankie, this is Nadia, my therapist.

Nadia: Glad to meet you, Frankie. Trinity, a new friend is a great step to recovery! Are you working on that letter?

Trinity: I sure am. I'd say it's even done. (Prompting Nadia to give her letter on the computer screen a read.)

Trinity (reading from the screen): "Dr. Hamlin, We don't do it to seek attention. We don't do it just to be rebellious and disrupt class. (Then stands up to speak it, proudly.) My anxiety is not made up, nor is it an excuse. Without my Rubik's Cube, my comfort object, by my side to fiddle with before and after learning, I would feel even more incredibly anxious throughout the day and maybe even have an anxiety attack during class time, which is much more of a disruption to teachers trying to teach. Racing thoughts and confusing knots, obsessive thinking and compulsive sinking. Tense body, nerves, and mind with a tired heart after every situation. While I don't quite remember where this anxiety came from, I know it's not my fault. Even my therapist, a professional, knows what it's like and has recommended a comfort object to bring everywhere. This doesn't make me in need of "special education" or a detention. It's a sign that you, as the principal, should implement mental health education courses in the curriculum for everybody to better accommodate students like me. I hope you'll consider this request. Thank you- Your student, Trinity Wallace."

Rest of the folks in the shop (starting to clap and cheer): Woo-hoo!!! (Trinity then hits the send button on her laptop to submit the email, and smiles at everyone, especially at Frankie and Nadia.)

Nadia: Very good, Trin!

Frankie: That is awesome, my friend! (Pulls out his guitar from his case.) How about a song, y'all? (He then strums a chord and begins to sing): MOVIN' RIGHT ALONG IN SEARCH OF GOOD TIMES AND GOOD NEWS, WITH GOOD FRIENDS YOU CAN'T LOSE...

All (in unison): THIS COULD BE A HABIT. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ONCE, SO LET'S REACH OUT AND GRAB IT, YEAH! TOGETHER WE'LL NAB IT, WE'LL HITCHHIKE, BUS, OR YELLOW CAB IT. CAB IT? FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE!

(Lights go down and curtains close as the singing and guitar fade out.)

THE END.

*Author's Note: This was submitted as part of a local playwriting contest and presented at the reading. Included are five (one of those being a bonus) required "ingredients" that had to be included: a Rubik's Cube, the phrase "a diamond in the rough," a stale muffin, a fire extinguisher, and, as the bonus, lyrics from the song "Movin' Right Along" from The Muppet Movie. I'm so glad to share this one with you!