Danny is 20 years old. He has the hoarding form of OCD. He has just moved into his new apartment; a new start, a fresh outlook and future! It’s just a shame his problems have followed him. On this day we find him in a busy, frenetic mood, as his friend is coming over to check out his new surroundings. This shows how hoarding and keeping secrets can cause problems and alienation…
DANNY: ARRRRRGH!! Not again please! I have guests coming! Please Mr OCD, can’t you leave me be this once? He’s only coming for an hour just to have a look around! Just try and be calm and leave off the worrying. You have your own room after all! It’s your room, I will keep our lucky possessions in room 102 ok? Please let this hour run smoothly?
Oh and yes I have locked the door, he won’t see! Its ok, man I don’t want him to see it! He will go nuts and be on my case for a hundred years if he finds I am a compulsive hoarder, it’s bad enough hiding my checking from him, but if he sees that room, I am finished. He is gonna think I am a 100 per cent loser!
THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR!
DANNY: That’s him! Ok mister, remember what I said? Leave me be for an hour, that’s all I ask, ok?
DANNY OPENS UP THE DOOR AND WELCOMES IN MIKE AND RICH, RICH IS KIND OF UNINVITED.
THIS MAY CAUSE TROUBLE….
MIKE: Hey, I can’t stay long Dan, I have to meet up with friends. This is Rich, he’s a med student, thought he would like to tag along as he’s interested in buying one of these apartments but on the lower floor, I do hope you don’t mind me bringing him along.
RICH: Yeah, sorry, I wanted a snoop, I hope you don’t mind?
DAN: Hey no, that’s cool with me, can I get you guys a beer? I restocked after last week’s game.
Make yourselves at home, and hey, no wandering now, I will be the host and guide.
RICH TO MIKE: Is he ok?
MIKE: It’s ok, he always gets nervous when new people are around. I have told him to chill out more but he is a tough cookie! Hey
DAN! I like the walls.... very .......empty!
DAN: Yeah, I really have to put some pics up ya know, but, well.... I am only just unpacking.
MIKE: But you have been here a week buddy! Come on! Get them pictures of us and the baseball team up. Show the neighbours we are stars. HAHA!
RICH : Hey, can I use your bathroom?
MIKE: Did your mom not give you any manners Rich?
RICH: Hey, when you got to go, you got to go. I am soo sorry Dan, I knew we should’ve hit the bar after the game.
DAN: It’s this way!
MIKE: Hey Dan! I think he knows the way, WE DID SEE THE LABELS! On your doors! What’s that about?
DAN: Ok, just follow the labels Rich, but no peeking in my rooms........ It’ a joke, just got lost one night! Beer I guess.
MIKE: So, buddy, how is life on your own? Hey, I heard ya talkin’ to someone before i knocked, who was that? Secret admirer on the phone? Ha, you are a man with secrets. Hey, come to think of it, I do hope Rich don’t get lost, because the rooms are reversed downstairs. I don’t think they are the same layout after all… Hey, good job you got labels, hahaha.
DAN: What? They are! They must be.
DAN RUSHES OFF TO FIND RICH, RICH COMES FROM THE BATHROOM. CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM, HES SAYS, ‘I FOUND IT.’ DANNY COVERS THE DOOR HE DESPERATELY DOES NOT WANT HIS FRIENDS TO OPEN.
RICH: Hey, how about that guided tour? The bathroom is real cool; the living room’s great, but lets see the bedrooms. I am so gonna buy me one of these!
MIKE: Hey, you guys ok? Are we gonna have the grand tour now?
DANNY IS NERVOUS. HOW CAN HE STOP THEM GOING INTO THE ROOM HE PROTECTS? THEY WILL WANT TO SEE INSIDE AFTER ALL?
DANNY: Ok, lets start with this second room, it’s small but i kind of like it. The bathroom needs no introduction… The living room leads to the balcony, and this room is, well… we will check that next time. The doors a little sticky, ha, it won’t budge. There’s nothing to see anyway, its just the same as the second bedroom!
MIKE: Hey! Don’t be a fool! Out the way, lets see if I can work a little magic with a tough shoulder.
DANNY: Hey, no, I tried! It’s ok, hey, anyone fancy another beer??
RICH: Hey! Let me try !
DANNY: Guys please! There is nothing to see!
MIKE: Hey, Danny what’s up? You look a little pale fella, what you hiding? You got that secret admirer tied up?
Rich and Mike open the room, they stand back in amazement as they see trash, letters, labels, tin cans boxes; but all stacked and labelled and in order.
RICH: I think i am gonna be sick…
MIKE: I don’t know what this is, but it looks pretty strange to me. Look, there’s letters, labels, and that smell! Hey, Rich, you ok?
Danny is silent and looking defeated. He is pale, and staring lifeless at his obsession; his uncontrollable obsession. His friends are scratching their heads in amazement. His secret is out, years of collecting and hoarding useless junk just in case something bad will happen if he threw away the most trivial of items. A lucky ticket? Old labels? But how can he begin to explain to his pals? What will their reactions be?
MIKE: Hey, we better get going.
RICH:Yeah we......... got to catch up with Jay and his group. Thanks for the tour, hope to be neighbours soon.
MIKE: So long buddy, thanks for the beer. Oh.. here’s the bottle, you might want the label.
Danny is crushed by the situation , how can he explain?
