Annie Wilkes monologue from Misery

Annie Wilkes’s monologue

Annie Wilkes reveals her obsession with author Paul Sheldon and her madness when she discovers he’s killed off her favorite character.

I know I left my scrapbook out. I can imagine what you might be thinking of me. But you see, Paul, it's all okay. Last night it came so clear. I realized you just need more time. Eventually, you'll come to accept the idea of being here. Paul, do you know about the early days at the Kimberly diamond mines? Do you know what they did to the Native workers who stole diamonds? Don't worry, they didn't kill them. That would be like junking your Mercedes just because it had a broken spring. No, if they caught them, they had to make sure they could go on working, but they also had to make sure they could never run away. The operation was called hobbling.

Annie places a piece of wood between Paul's ankles

Paul Sheldon: Annie, whatever you're thinking about doing, please don't do it.

Annie picks up a sledgehammer

Paul Sheldon: Annie, for God's…

Shh darling, trust me.

Paul Sheldon: God's sake…

It's for the best.

Paul Sheldon: Annie, please!

Annie swings the sledgehammer at Paul's left ankle, breaking it; Paul screams in agonizing pain

Almost done. Just one more.

Annie swings the sledgehammer at Paul's right ankle, breaking it; Paul again screams

God, I love you.

I thought you were good Paul… but you're not good. You're just another lying ol' dirty birdy.

I'm your number one fan. There's nothing to worry about. You're going to be just fine. I will take good care of you. I'm your number one fan.

When I was growing up in Bakersfield, my favourite thing in the whole world was to go to the movies on Saturday afternoons for the Chapter Plays.

Paul Sheldon: (nodding) Cliffhangers.

(shouting) I know that, Mr. Man! They also called them serials. I'm not stupid ya know… Anyway, my favourite was Rocketman, and once it was a no breaks chapter. The bad guy stuck him in a car on a mountain road and knocked him out and welded the door shut and tore out the brakes and started him to his death, and he woke up and tried to steer and tried to get out but the car went off a cliff before he could escape! And it crashed and burned and I was so upset and excited, and the next week, you better believe I was first in line. And they always start with the end of the last week. And there was Rocketman, trying to get out, and here comes the cliff, and just before the car went off the cliff, he jumped free! And all the kids cheered! But I didn't cheer. I stood right up and started shouting. This isn't what happened last week! Have you all got amnesia? They just cheated us! This isn't fair! HE DID'NT GET OUT OF THE COCK - A - DOODIE CAR!

Paul Sheldon: (long pause) They always cheated like that in cl… chapter plays.

The swearing, Paul. There, I said it.

Paul Sheldon: The, uh, profanity bothers you?

It has no nobility.

Paul Sheldon: These are slum kids, I was a slum kid. Everybody talks like that.

THEY DO NOT! What do you think I say when I go to the feedstore in town, "Oh, now Wally, give me a bag of that F-in' pig feed, and ten pounds of that bitchly cow corn"? And the bank do I tell Mrs. Bollinger, "Oh, here's one big bastard of a check, give me some of your Christ-ing money?" THERE, LOOK THERE, SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!

Here's your pills.

Paul Sheldon: Annie? Annie, what is it?

The rain. Sometimes it gives me the blues. When you first came here, I only loved the writer part of Paul Sheldon. Now I know I love the rest of him, too. I know you don't love me, don't say you do. You're beautiful, brilliant, a famous man of the world and I'm… not a movie star type. You'll never know the fear of losing someone like you if you're someone like me.

Paul Sheldon: Why would you lose me?

Book's almost finished, your legs are getting better. Soon you'll be wanting to leave.

Paul Sheldon: Why would I leave? I like it here.

That's very kind of you, but I'll bet it's not all together true.

pulls out a gun

I have this gun.

pulls the trigger

Sometimes I think about using it. I'd better go now. I might put bullets in it.

Excerpt for study and audition practice. Read the full play for context.