Dot’s Monologue from Velocity by Daniel MacDonald
"Any woman who thinks she’s pregnant usually is..."
Overview of Velocity
Velocity is a play by Daniel MacDonald that delves into themes of adolescence, family dynamics, and the complexities of growing up. Dot’s monologue is both introspective and provocative, revealing her vivid imagination and her struggles with societal expectations. It’s a perfect piece for actors seeking to explore a character with sharp wit and poignant depth.
Character Breakdown: Dot
Name: Dot
Age: 15
Background: Dot is a Canadian teenager with a bold and imaginative personality. She has a close but unconventional relationship with her mother, often marked by moments of humor and candor.
Who the Character is Talking To in This Moment: The audience or herself, in a reflective and slightly irreverent internal monologue.
What’s Just Happened: Dot’s mother has revealed that she might be pregnant, prompting Dot’s musings on fertility, societal norms, and mortality.
The Monologue
Any woman who thinks she’s pregnant usually is.
For example, I don’t think I’m pregnant.
Oh, I’ve thought it before. That I’ve been pregnant. But then I
think about it for a while and then think I’m probably not. And
then ... I’m not. I always wonder if – for that little bit of time that I
think I’m pregnant – that maybe I actually am pregnant. And then
I just think the whole thing right out of me. And then I get my
period and I’m not. It’s worked every time. I can’t imagine a more
powerful or more convenient method of birth control. It’s like if
cartoon characters could get pregnant. One minute they’d be
pregnant and the next they’d be like, not. Abortions would be so
easy. It’d be like, the Little Mermaid or something walking along
all pregnant in one frame and everybody would be all hey
weren’t you pregnant? and the Little Mermaid would be like, nuh-
uh. Do I look pregnant to you? And everybody would forget all
about it.
(To audience or to herself.) The two things she most regrets
about me. She has no idea how fertile I am right now. I could
smell a fucking tulip or look at a rabbit the wrong way and I’d be
... (She demonstrates pregnancy by extending her belly
awkwardly.)
I saw a picture once. It was beautiful. Black and white from an
old Life Magazine or something ... A woman, a very beautiful
woman, blond, Marilyn hair, the darkest lips and the whitest skin,
threw herself off of a building. A tall building, like my dad’s
building, and landed on top of a car. The roof. She was dead. The
roof just gave way perfectly to her body like a hammock. She
was still so beautiful. No blood, no bruises, just laying there on
her side. Her skirt still modestly covering her thighs the way it
should. Wouldn’t that be great? To die beautiful? I don’t need to
die peacefully, or painlessly. Some people want to die
spectacular. I want to die beautiful.
Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing
"Any woman who thinks she’s pregnant usually is. For example, I don’t think I’m pregnant."
Commentary: Dot’s opening statement establishes her humor and candid nature. It sets the tone for the monologue, inviting the audience into her unconventional thought process."Oh, I’ve thought it before. That I’ve been pregnant. But then I think about it for a while and then think I’m probably not."
Commentary: This reveals Dot’s tendency to overthink and highlights her youthful naivety blended with a sharp, self-aware wit."It’s like if cartoon characters could get pregnant. One minute they’d be pregnant and the next they’d be like, not."
Commentary: Dot’s humorous and vivid imagination comes through here. Actors should lean into the absurdity while keeping the delivery grounded."I saw a picture once. It was beautiful. Black and white from an old Life Magazine or something..."
Commentary: The tone shifts to something more reflective and poignant. This part explores Dot’s fascination with beauty and mortality, revealing a deeper layer to her character.
Journey Keypoints
Hook: Dot’s humorous and provocative opening grabs attention immediately.
Turning Point: The shift from humor to a more reflective tone, marked by her musings on beauty and death.
Climax: Dot’s vivid description of the photograph and her contemplation of mortality.
Resolution: The monologue concludes with Dot’s return to her sardonic humor, balancing the darker themes with levity.
Performance Tips
Embrace the Contrasts: Dot’s monologue oscillates between humor and deep reflection. Highlight these shifts to bring her character to life.
Ground the Absurdity: While Dot’s imagination is wild and humorous, her delivery should remain authentic and grounded to connect with the audience.
Explore the Subtext: Behind Dot’s humor is a subtle vulnerability. Let this emerge naturally, especially in her reflections on mortality.
Learn with Acting Coach Scotland
Dot’s monologue is an exceptional choice for auditions or performances, offering a blend of humor, depth, and imagination. At Acting Coach Scotland, we specialize in helping actors unlock the emotional layers of characters like Dot and deliver unforgettable performances.
