Monologue

Laura Monologue from The Machine

From The Machine by Upton Sinclair

female · defiant · 48 sec

(After a silence.) Mr. Grimes, I had the good fortune to be brought up in a beautiful and luxurious home; but not long ago I began to go down into the slums and see the homes of the people. I saw sights that made me sick with horror. (GRIMES: No doubt, ma'am.) I found the people in the grip of a predatory organization that had bound them hand and foot, and was devouring them alive. (GRIMES: You've been listening to tales, ma'am. We do a lot for the people.) You treat them to free coal and free picnics and free beer, and so you get their votes; and then you sell them out to capitalists like my father.

Rehearse Laura's monologue

Run it out loud with a spotlight that follows your voice, line by line, until it's off the page. Free to start, no credit card.