Pascal’s Wager

Synopsis:

Chase presents to Phoebe, a psychiatrist, stating that he is not coping.  He feels he has never fitted in, and seems to display a significant level of paranoia.

At first, she suspects that he may be involved in organised crime but, after a number of sessions, he reveals to her that he is a being from another planet.

She concludes that he is psychotic, and encourages him to commence medication.

He insists that he is not an Earthling, and it appears that they have reached an impasse.

He states that he is not comfortable with her knowing that he is not an Earthling, and she takes it as a veiled threat, announcing that she will be terminating therapy and referring him to another practitioner.

He later shows up with a handgun, and there is a confrontation.

‘Pascal’s Wager’ examines the proposition that it is impossible to know what is going on inside someone else’s head and that, therefore, all of our relationships are, in effect, based on a fantasy.  In order to make this fantasy work for us, we are forced to accept a psychological version of Pascal’s Wager.

Character Breakdown:

The play is a 2-hander: 1 female, 1 male
PHOEBE    Late 30s
CHASE    Late 30s, a person of colour

Running-time:  70 minutes.

Production History:  Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.