MommaDrama Act 327 scene 240
The scene
Dante is sleeping when he's awoken by his phone after a late night.
The players:
Dante
Our protagonist, having gone to bed at a late hour was really looking forward to the simple pleasure of sleeping in.
Mom
Dante's Asian mother, who seems by all appearances to be having a nervous breakdown and is crying before the phone is answered.
The action:
Dante's mother calls to cry at Dante about things that aren't based in even a neighboring reality.
Mom, frantically and crying: Do you still hate me?
Dante, patiently: No mother I don't hate you.
Mom, sobbing: You hate me *wail* You've been avoiding me.
Dante: Yes, I've been avoiding you.
Mom: Because you hate me?
Dante: Because it's really psychologically damaging for me when you misgender me and call me the wrong name.
Mom, voice pinched: You don't think it's psychologically damaging for your mother that you're turning into a man?
Dante, feeling the headache coming: I'm sure it's very hard for you, mom. But I can't process for you, I can only take care of myself. I think this is something you should really talk to your therapist about.
Mom, changing topic: You sound so angry on your voicemail, there's no compassion in your voice. No one is going to want to leave you any messages.
Dante, shaking head: Mom, I'm afraid that's something you're reading into it that no one else does. No one else thinks I sound angry.
Mom, indignant: No I can hear it, because I remember how you used to sound.
Dante, laughing a little: Well mom, I don't really sound like that anymore.
Mom, deadpan: You sound awful.
Dante, taking a second to recover: I'm sorry that's how you feel, but I think you're displacing.
Mom: Well I'm sorry I'm just having a hard time accepting you as a man.
Dante: Yes, I know you are mom. I'm sorry it's so hard for you. I really think that going back to your therapist could help you work through-
Mom, assuredly: I need a psychiatrist.
Dante: I don't really think a psychiatrist could help you process as well as your therapist, who's been trained in gender-
Mom, knows best: No I need a psychiatrist.
Dante: Mom a psychiatrist isn't really going to be able to help you with this, outside of prescribing you medication, and no medication on earth is going to make this ok for you-
Mom: *mumble cry wail* You're....*sniffle wail*...[so] ugly [now].
Dante, no idea at all how to respond: ...
Mom: *sniffle*
Dante, incredulous: Did...I'm sorry, did you just call me ugly? Did I hear that correctly?
Mom, with a moment's hesitation: ...Yes. You're ugly. You're not a handsome man.
Dante, reeling: Wow, mom, that's really not ok to say to me.
Mom: But you're doing it to yourself! You're so hideous, and you're doing it to yourself. You'll never be-
Dante: Mom. I really think it's best that you don't call me for a while.
*click*