But if.

By Keira Germaine

One often hears Keira Germaine before spotting her. Having graduated from ACJC in 2025, she is looking for avenues to expand her creativity past her interest in reimagined works, knowing full well she lacks the commitment to be an expert in a single area (let alone multiple). As seen in her writing, Keira actively explores dramatic literature in all its facets, with the intention of making her theatrical flair just a tad bit more obvious.

The following monologue is conceptualised in a style that involves the usage of prop(s) or set piece(s) to generate diegetic sound. With every “But if,” mentioned, the actor should change their position, generating a sound as they do so.

Lights up. A student is seated, with a desk in front of them. Their surroundings resemble a classroom. Their hand is raised.

Alex: Ms May, why are we watching this video? A formula is a formula. Why can't we just follow it? Why must we question every single thing?

Alex turns to the audience.

Math is simple. I don't understand why we must question how theories came to be. I see numbers. I add or subtract them. Sometimes I multiply or divide them. What's so difficult about it?

But if we continue to sit here and chat, our time will run out and we would've gotten nowhere.

Life is simple. Yeah, I don't understand it. I wake up in the morning, I brush my teeth. I get to school. I pay attention in class. I complete my prefectorial duties. I attend my Olympiad classes. I get my work done. I don't question my purpose.

But if I had a nickel for everytime someone asked me what I want to achieve, I'd be rich. But if I had one more person ask me what I want to be, I might laugh in their face. Or cry. Wanna test it out? Why can't it be simple? Why must I know what I want to do? Why can't I just do it? Why can't I just carry out my responsibilities as a person? Why must I be ambitious?

Alex turns back to the teacher.

Alex: Ms May, why do you keep asking us questions? We are the students, you are the teacher. Teach us. You keep asking us questions expecting us to know the answer. But if you would just zip it and teach us, we wouldn't be spending our lives here bored out of our minds.

Alex turns to the audience again.

She is starting to irritate me. Sorry Ms May, but you make no sense. Trust me when I say I want to just sit in the back quietly. Trust me when I say I want to blend into the background.

But if you're the student council president.

But if you're on the honour roll.

But if you're the oldest sibling of 5 chinese kids.

You can't just sit back and relax. You can't just enjoy life, going out and hanging out with friends. You wake up. You brush your teeth. You go to school. You go home. But if I just had a sliver of time. But if I had a second to be a teenager. But if I had a minute to think. But if I had an hour to escape. But if I could be allowed time to just. Breathe. I wish I could give up. But these little difficulties are part of life. My purpose is as a tool. I'll complete my responsibilities. I won't do anything for my own sake. I'll make a name that my parents can be proud of. I'll make a role model that my siblings can look up to. Ms May, please get back on with class. Because if I continue to sit here and chat, my time will have run out and I would've gotten nowhere.