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COUNSELLOR: It seems she's preoccupied with something
but she's not letting on what. I think the fainting may be a
psychological response to whatever is draining her
emotionally. Does she get on with your husband?
MOTHER: To be honest, no. She says she hates him but she
just won't give him a chance. She hardly has
anything to do with him though.
COUNSELLOR: Well, whatever the problem is I think it
needs to be taken seriously. Cynthia wasn't too keen on
talking to me so I've given her the name of a
female colleague. I think it'd be good for her
to see her.
MOTHER: Should I go with her?
COUNSELLOR: It might be better if she went alone.
MOTHER: (nods) Well, thanks for your concern.
COUNSELLOR: That's my job. I hope I've been of some help.
(Light change and MOTHER and COUNSELLOR exit.)
SCENE 4:
CYNTHIA is sitting opposite JANINE BALFOUR.
CYNTHIA: ...and so when it gets too much for me and I don't
want to face it I seem to just slip away to this other place.
JANINE: Tell me about this other place.
CYNTHIA: It's just a place I know. I go there to get away.
JANINE: Can you describe it to me?
CYNTHIA: It might sound silly...
JANINE: Just give it a try.
CYNTHIA: Well, it's beautiful and peaceful, there's a
grassy hill surrounded by fields of flowers
and trees and on top of the hill there's a tree
which shades the hilltop, and it's always bright
and sunny. And there's a beautiful boy there
who comforts me when I'm sad and makes me laugh
and plays me music and every time I go there I
never want to come back.
