Carolina Perez Sanz

ACT II

Scene 3

To shield the Hero (you) from danger, the Ego enrolled a tragic chorus of Ghosts to ensure she (you) toed the line and stayed small, stuck, and compliant. Here the first six lure you into inaction with their tricks.

GHOST OF TIME INDIFFERENCE

(Handing you a cozy blanket and a hot cocoa)

Yes, you want to be rich, I know. That’s commendable, but why don’t you just sit down and plan how you’re gonna get there?

GHOST OF ISOLATION

(Checking behind the curtains and under the couch)

Above all, keep your plans to yourself – if people knew you’re not rich yet, what would they think?

GHOST OF MISPLACED SHAME

(Eyebrows lifted, a bony hand to its gaping mouth)

What? You’re poorer than your peers? You’re poorer than what your friends think? But of course you should be ashamed!

GHOST OF MISPLACED GUILT

(Stroking its long, disheveled beard, shaking its head and staring down at its bare toes)

You have more than enough. You should feel guilty for wanting too much – that’s called greed. When so many people on this planet live in poverty… tsk-tsk.

GHOST OF NEED TO PROVE

(Adjusting its metal-rimmed glasses, dusting off the lapel of its jacket and straightening its pencil skirt)

Who told you you could be a writer/lawyer/rocket scientist? Don’t you know that to be that, you need to know a lot of things? And do you know them? Where’s your degree – what letters come after your name? And how much money did you make last year?

GHOST OF IDEA DEFLECTION

(Handing you a cocktail and a hotdog. And a box of tissues)

Ahem, about your idea. Well, it’s going to be difficult. And then, who knows if it’ll even work, right? Do you know how many businesses fail in the first five years?

# # #

When will you lower the curtain on the Ghosts in your life’s play?

Love,

Carolina