THE MEANING OF PLANTS
A dramatic monologue by Tara Meddaugh
From the absurdist comedy, Brush Them Fleas
About the play, Brush Them Fleas:
As the owner of a high-end dog grooming salon, Tootsie takes great pride in presenting an upstanding establishment. Yet when Mr. Boland's dog is murdered on site, it stirs up ill feelings and suspicion amongst the staff and clients. Through the commotion, however, Mr. Boland discovers a rare connection with an awkward dog groomer, Stacy, who thinks he may give meaning to her past. And…who murdered Mr. Boland’s dog?
Click here to learn more about the entire play, Brush Them Fleas, from which this monologue comes.
About the monologue, The Meaning of Plants:
Stacy, an awkward young dog groomer at an upscale dog grooming salon, bullied by a fellow employee, finds herself in a room with Mr. Boland, a client who has been undergoing some stress of his own. As they struggle to find even absurd conversation, she lands on confessing that she sometimes “knows things.” When pressed on what she knows, Stacy reveals her interest in plants. In this monologue, she speaks about her disinterest in typically beautiful flowers which may hold emotional meanings from the giver. She prefers dandelions, which have a brightness and relatable dying process she appreciates.
MONOLOGUE DETAILS
Genre: Dramatic/Comedic/Teen/Young adult
Cast: Female/male
Age range: 14-50
Setting: A dog grooming salon waiting room
Running time: Approximately 1 minute
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STACY
I guess, um, I know about plants. I took a class about them once and I started planting my own little garden. I’m not too big on pretty flowers. They frighten me… They always mean something. They mean, “I’m sorry or “I love you”… or… you died.
(pause)
I do like dandelions though. They don’t mean anything. No one gives dandelions to someone else. They grow as much as they want to and they—END OF EXCERPT
Click here for the free 1-minute version of the monologue, The Meaning of Plants.
If you would like the 2-minute version of The Meaning of Plants, including Stacy’s love of the humble, but important, potato, click here.
The 1-minute version of The Meaning of Plants is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:
To learn more about Stacy and to read the absurdist comedy, Brush Them Fleas, from which the monologue comes, click below:
BRUSH THEM FLEAS
As the owner of a high-end dog grooming salon, Tootsie takes great pride in presenting an upstanding establishment. Yet when Mr. Boland's dog is murdered on site, it stirs up ill feelings and suspicion amongst the staff and clients. Through the commotion, however, Mr. Boland discovers a rare connection with an awkward dog groomer, Stacy, who thinks he may give meaning to her past. And who killed Mr. Boland’s dog?
This is an absurd comedy play for 6 actors (4 female,/2 male, or 5 female/1 male), with a running time of approximately 70 minutes.