Setting: A bedroom with a queen-size bed, dresser, and end table. On the end table are a cell phone, books about maximizing potential, being the best possible version of yourself, and one on how to relax. The self-improvement books are filled with sticky notes and are well-read. The book on relaxation is pristine, unopened.

At Start:

MIRANDA pulls back the covers and is about to get into bed for the night.

MIRANDA: MIRANDA: Damnit, I forgot to do the journal for today.

(MIRANDA picks up her phone, places the covers back, smooths them down until there are no wrinkles.)

MIRANDA: This’ll only take a second.

MIRANDA: “What have you done for you today?” I ordered a bi-polar self-help book and a chandelier from Amazon because I’ve neglected upscaling the bathroom, and the book gave me free shipping.

(MIRANDA looks at her response, deletes it, prepares to record a new one.)

MIRANDA: “What have you done for you today?” I ordered a bi-polar self-help book to aid in recognizing my triggers and increase awareness of my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

(MIRANDA looks at her response, posts it.)

MIRANDA: “Did you get outside today?” I think we’re seeing diminishing returns on going outside. Not a lot of benefit to walking the wasteland. When the sun’s out, it’s like the Earth is melting. When it rains, it’s like the sky’s trying to prove to the bible that Nature can write a good flood story, too. Sun or rain, the air is thick and sticky, and people are all around. I don’t want them there, but there they are regardless. Coughs and snot. Uncontrolled children. Joggers in the middle of the sidewalk. Everyone breathing through their mouths. Outside is overrated.

(MIRANDA looks at her response, deletes it, prepares to record a new one.)

MIRANDA: “Did you get outside today?” I took a small walk.

(MIRANDA holds the phone down at her side.)

MIRANDA: No need to mention it was only to the mailbox, and that was only because it’s been a week since I checked it last.

(MIRANDA hunches her shoulders, strokes an imaginary beard.)

DR. STEVENS: Might that, uh, be telling? In some way? What are, uh, your thoughts on that?

MIRANDA: (resuming normal posture)
I already know my thoughts, Dr. Stevens. My thoughts are not a revelation to me. Believe it or not, I’m well versed in what I’m thinking at any given moment. I’m not sure there’s value in seeing you every other week so you can hint cryptically and ask questions that are of no interest to me. Do I really need to be doing all the work, here? Isn’t there something you can do or say to explicitly show what benefits you’re providing?

(MIRANDA resumes DR. STEVENS’s posture.)

DR. STEVENS: That’s, uh, very interesting. I want you to know, you know, that I hear you. I acknowledge your feelings and want you to know you have every right to, uh, to feel them. So, now that we’ve, um, addressed those feelings, what are your thoughts on how you expressed them?

(MIRANDA snorts a small laugh. She resumes normal posture and raises the cellphone again.)

MIRANDA: (speaking into the phone)
On my walk today, I felt somewhat annoyed. I used some of the techniques Dr. Stevens provided to process my annoyance.

(MIRANDA looks at her response, posts it.)