Embedded Files
All Teched Up
All Teched Up
Sam Goggin & Ashton Walsh
(Spotlight up on Ghost)
Ghost: Hello everyone, I hope you’ve had a good day, because tonight we will take you into the rough life of a theatre technician, or Techie as they are usually called.... What's a techie you ask? Well, the term covers anyone back stage or behind the scenes. Sometimes there are hard lessons to learn. That’s where I come in: The Ghost of Techies Past (Ghost laughs, raises his hands, the curtain moves and the lights flicker on and off wildly until they settle in a blackout.)
Exit Ghost.
(Lights come up on the tech director and his two new techies who are just messing around. TD runs around barking orders to off stage techs. TD trips over an electrical cord and knocks over a light. Ghost should be hanging around the stage watching most of the show.)
TD: Aaaghh! Why isn’t this cord gaffed down?
Techie 1: Uhhh...
Techie 2: What?
Director: (Pointedly) Why is this cord not gaffed down? (Techs look at TD blankly.) Stuck. To the floor. So people don’t die. Ugh! Just fix it. I don’t have time for this! (TD begins to exit the stage but calls back.) Just FIX it!
(TD speed walks off stage and T1 walks over to the light on the floor and pokes at the wire.)
Techie 1: Man what in the world do they expect from us? Dude needs to chill. Hey I don’t think we’ve met. My name is (Insert real actor’s name).
Tech 2: My name is (actor name). I don’t know what their problem is. What the heck does “gaff” mean anyway?
Tech 1: No idea. I’ve never done this before. I’m just here because my dad and my sister did theatre and said it was fun and an easy A.
Techie 2: Yeah I'm here for the easy A too. I’ve been chilling in the corner on my phone most of the semester.
(Techs begin to poke around the stage.)
Techie 1: Everything back here is like gross. Look at it!
Techie 2: Look at all this dust and dried paint on the floor. I think I might have seen a loose screw when I walked in.
Techie 1: OUCH! I think I’ve found it.
Tech 2: You good on your Tetanus shot?
Techie 1: (sarcastically) Haha. On second thought, let me text my mom. (pulls out phone and begins to text)
Tech 2: Sooo… the light. See anything here to stick a cord to a floor?
Tech 1: I’ve got gum in my pocket?
Tech 2: That’s disgusting.
Ghost steps in and freezes the scene.
Ghost: Oooohkay guys let me introduce you to a tech’s best friend: Gaffer’s tape, or Gaff tape for short. It’s a special type of tape used for any wire that likes to attack those pesky ankles. But I guess no one ever told our Dynamic Duo about it. Seems to me like that should have been something the Tech Director should have seen too...
(Ghost snaps his fingers to unfreeze the scene, rolls the roll of tape over to them and walks into the wing.)
Tech 1: Hey! Think this will work?
Techie 2: Sure?
(Techs mess around for a bit but eventually stick the cord down.)
Tech 1: Hey, what else do you think we can find back here?
(Tech 2 shrugs and both exit the stage.)
TD enters with arms of food and various props. Crosses the stage and hesitates at the light, but notices the cord is taped down. Proceeds to the table and dumps the food.
TD: Okay I just got these for our run tonight. I hope they’ll work out and last. Jared! How many times have I told you? The sign in sheet is used for attendance, not to get girls’ phone numbers!
(TD runs off stage and the techies come back on from the wings.)
Techie 1: Oh dude, look! Someone brought snacks!
Techie 2: Oh sick! I'm hungry hungry hungry.
(Techs eat for a bit. Ad lib.)
Techie 1: Anyway, so I know we normally mess around and then like… get yelled at and stuff *munch munch*
Techie 2: Yeah.. *munch*
Techie 1: Well maybe tonight we should try to do something. That tape stuff was pretty neat.
Techie 2: Yeah. But what do we do? No one’s ever taught us. All the Tech Director does is yell at us. “Gaff the cord!” “Hook up the light board!” How does anyone know what any of that means?
Techie 1: shrugs
Techie 2: You know what we could do?
Techie 1: …..what?
Techie 2: We could join the football team! We wouldn’t have Sergeant Screams A Lot on our backs anymore.
Techie 1: No, just a 250 lb. defenseman. Honestly though, at this point I’d consider it...but maybe not football. Too much hitting and grunting. Let’s get on track instead.
Tech 2: Running? Just to run? Don’t think so.
Tech 1: Yeah, but at least we’d be ready for the zombie apocalypse.
Techie 2: I’d run for a hot ham and cheese sandwich.
TD enters yelling offstage.
TD: Andrew! How many times do I have to remind you to put the drill battery on the charger?
Andrew: (offstage) Sorry, insert TDs name here.
TD stops and sees the Techs eating the food.
Director: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? STOP! W-WHY!?? Those are for the show tonight. They are part of the show!
Techie 1: Oh umm well they were just sitting here…
TD: For the show!
Techie 2: Sorry, we didn’t know…
TD: That’s no excuse! You broke a cardinal rule of the theatre! “If it’s not yours…”
Trying to prompt them to finish the phrase. TD is met with blank expressions.
TD: “Don’t touch it!” Now I’ve got to go run and get some more! Clean up backstage, there’s sawdust everywhere. Then go up to the light booth and hook up the spotlights. Think you can do that? TD EXITS in a huffy rage.
Techie 1: But how do we...
Techie 2: Too late, he’s/she’s gone.
Techie 1: You know how to hook up a spotlight?
Techie 2: Nope. You really think the sawdust is that bad?
Techie 1: Naw, looks alright to me.
They Exit
Ghost: To the audience Tsk Tsk Tsk Stage sweeping isn’t a glamorous job, but it is an important one. Even a light coat of sawdust can be a hazard. It makes things really slick. You see, an experienced Techie is proud of a clean stage. With newbies, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Hopefully this one doesn’t come back to bite… Too late.
Actress runs across the stage and slips and falls on the dust. Limps off stage moaning for the TD.
Ghost: Once again, this was a lesson the TD should have been teaching.
Black out and time switch to later that night. Lights come up, but stay dim.
(TD comes in after lights go up and walks around in anger cause nothing went right)
Director: That was just fantastic! I can’t believe that dress rehearsal was so bad. What am I going to do? I have no lights, the lead actress might have a broken foot... Maybe I should just not show up anymore, they'll figure it out right??? Maybe I can transfer schools and pretend this “show” never happened? Stubbs toe on random clutter. Ahhh!!!
(TD sits down and puts his head in his hands)
Ghost: Hello there.
Director: Ahh!
Ghost: Ahh! (mocking scream but not really)
Director: Do I know you?
Ghost: Yoooo don’t do that you almost scared the sheet right off me.
Director: Oh uh i'm sorry???? but do i know you….?
Ghost: OOoh (the ghost makes the ooooo sound then coughs and mutters to himself about being too old for this) Definitely gotta stop doing that,... but yes you should know OF me.
Director: What? (sits for a moment while the ghost does wack stuff with the tech) Well maybe you do seem a little familiar.
Ghost: Keep thinking. It’ll come to you. What can I help you with my good old buddy friend?
Director: I don’t really need help. I am just sitting here.
Ghost: All alone???( waves his hands around to show that there is no one else here) In this big mess of a backstage? At 11 P.M.?
Director: Yeah, so what! I’m fine. Now who are you?
Ghost: Well you see, Old Pal, I'm the Ghost of Techies Past! I am every techie that has roamed these great curtains and more. OooOOOOOOOoo (spins around and then gets dizzy)
Director: Christmas was like two months ago, “Old Pal”, it’s a little too late to make some cheesy offbrand Christmas movie.
Ghost: Christmas PLAY!
Director: Wha- n-never mind, thank you for the kind offer but I don’t think I need help. Especially from a kid in sheets waiting to trip over something.
Ghost: Ooooh but I think you do.
Director: Who told you that?.. I, I mean there's really nothing going on...
Ghost: See you have already forgotten I already know what your problems are.
Director Oh … well I am just working out some kinks-
Ghost: (Cracks knuckles and goes in for a shoulder massage) Well in that case, I can help-
Director: NO STOP
Ghost: It seems I have misinterpreted the situation.
Director: You think!?
Director: Anyway I was working out some PROBLEMS (she says staring at the ghost and points at him) It will be ok they just need some more time to learn. Time I don’t really have much of... But
Ghost: Well have you ever thought about showing them how to do it?
Director: Not really... I wasn’t taught that way. I was just thrown in and told to “figure it out”.
Ghost: Did you like that?
TD: Well… no. It was really hard.
Ghost: Well you should want to do better. Be the reason why they love theatre oooooohhhh (fake, deep ghostly voice).
Director: What do you mean?
Ghost: Help them to appreciate it. Now you and I can appreciate a nice clean stage and wind the heck out of an extension cord, but to them? It’s still just busy work. They don’t see the value in it.
Ghost: I can see that something else is bothering you. Maybe something at home, maybe your grades or even something with yourself.
(Director looks down to the ground and then back up to the ghost and shakes his head up and down.)
Director: Yeah something like that… I just thought I’d be a better Director than this.
Ghost: Well it’s not too late. And you’ve got me The Ghost of Techies Past to help. Ready to make some changes?
(TD nods and both make their way off stage)
Blackout
Lights come back up to full.
Techie 2: SOOOOOOOO FUUULLLL…!!
Techie 1: Oh man... he/she is gonna kill us. Look at all this stuff from last night that we didn’t clean up.
Techie 2: Yeah dude this whole show is a mess. Did you see the spotlights earlier and the light trees? They didn’t even turn on.
Techie 1: Wait!!!... I think I just heard him/her come in.
Director: Hey guys what’s going on?
(The techies flinch like they are going to get yelled at)
Director: What are you guys doing here? Lemme show you where the brooms are and let’s clean all this up.
(The two techies shrug at each other behind the TDs back, get up and follow the director slowly as they do this the ghost comes from the side that the director came from and he pulls something small out of his pocket and puts his hand behind the curtain as he does this, another hand with a gray sleeve that looks like his hand comes from the other side of the curtains where the director and techies are headed and is holding three brooms.)
Director: Ok then here you go.(Picks up all three and hands two off to the techies)
Techies: Thanks?
(Techie 1 drops the broom cause he’s not doing it right or something so the director tries to help them.)
Director: Here like this. Can’t have another broken actress because of this sawdust. You’re now the superhero broom squad.
(And they start cleaning and sweeping up the mess as music plays because the ghost pointed to the sound board people and as a fourth wall breaker or something. They play a little bit and start having fun and maybe dance to the music. The montage then progresses to the TD showing them how to gaff a cord, hook up the light board, replace a bulb… whatever) By this point the audience needs to see that they are understanding what it means to be a techie instead of an “easy A” warm body.)
TD: Now that last piece. A Techie’s badge of honor: The uniform. Hands them black T-shirts. You are now stage ninjas. Now go change. Rehearsal starts in 20 minutes.
Techies Exit
Ghost: Well what did I tell you, told you it would work
Director: Well I can’t say you were wrong. To be honest, it was kind of fun. I forgot how fun it could be.
Ghost: Well at least you see things my way now, and now I know they will understand what it means to be a techie, a crucial part of theatre. (dramatically) The heroes of the stage!
TD: You’re a dork.
Ghost: I’m a Techie.
Director: I just hope they remember me when I graduate..
Ghost: Oh I think they will.. They are more like you than you know.
(the techies walk back sweeping and the ghost stands very still, and the director is still looking and talking to him and the ghost is nervous because he’s not supposed to be seen. Maybe he hides under a sheet or pulls the curtain and just his head pokes out.)
(techie 2 drops his broom)
Techie 1: (imitating the TD) Omg (techie 2’s actor’s name) did you just make another mess? How can you sweep the stage when the broom’s on the floor? Aggghhh!
Techie 2: My bad dude
Techie 1 and 2: JUST FIX IT!
(They both laugh and then pick up the broom.)
Director: Yeah, I see what you mean.
Techie 1: Who are you talking to?
Director: Oh, no one. Just a friend…
Techie 2: Kinda weird dude
Director: Anyway we need to get ready for tonight. Let’s get everything set up back here.
Techies: On it!
(All of them grab things and start straightening things up and the director grabs the bowls of chips. An actor/tech goes to start eating them. The director is about to tell the actor no when the two techies interrupt him.)
Director: Heeeyyyyy…
Techie 2: Hey dude.
Techie 1: Those are for the show.
Techie 2: You shouldn’t eat them.
Techie 2: If it’s not yours…
Techie 1 and 2: ...don’t touch it!
Techie 2: There’s sandwiches in the lobby if you’re hungry. We got you!
Actor exits.
(TD gives the Techies a thumbs up.)
(The ghost dumps a trash can over on accident and some trash spills out)
Techie 2: Broom!
(Tech 1 tosses 2 a broom)
Techie 1: Hey be careful I threw that screw in there…
Techie 2: OOUUUCCCHH!!
Techie 1: Found it! (laughs)
TD: (calling) Places in 5!
Techie 1 and 2: Thank you 5!
Techie 2: Hey, who is that? (Pointing to the Ghost who they now can see. The Ghost slides behind the curtains into the wings.)
Director: Who?
Techie 1: The weird dude! In the sheet! He was right there.
Director: Oh him? He’s just a techie like you. I think it’s good you finally see him too but let me tell you guys something… I couldn’t have pulled this show off if it wasn’t for you meddling kids.
Techie 1: Scooby-Doo? Really? And we were just starting to think you were cool.
Director: Hey, I am cool! Now go make sure everything is ready for the show.
Techie 1 and 2: Aye aye, Captain!
(They exit. Ghost slides back on stage.)
Ghost: You think they’re ready?
Director: They got this. Listen… Thank you. I don’t think…
Ghost: No, no, no. It’s my job. Now don’t you have a show to start?
Director: Oh, shoot! I have to go turn the lights off. Places!
(runs off)
Ghost: Allow me.
(Ghost snaps their fingers as the lights go off but a single spotlight on the ghost. He dips his hat/bows, smiles at the audience and snaps again to a blackout.)
Reverse Psychology
Reverse Psychology
Emerald Harris & Chloe Ortiz
Locations
Bedrooms
Classroom
Characters
Dallas Foster (M)
Cody (M)
Lauren (F)
Coach Wundt (M)
Randi (Gender Neutral)
Script
[There is a classroom of kids all sitting and writing something down, while a teacher is at the front of a class. It is silent, with only the sound of pencils scratching paper. Dallas is on one side while Cody is on the other. It is dark, and suddenly someone drops a book with a bang, the lights come up immediately. Cody looked over, clearly annoyed, and huffs.]
Cody: Way to interrupt class, nimrod
Randi: Whatever
[Randi sighs and goes to pick up their book,but finds that Dallas has already handed it to them]
Randi: … Thanks Dallas.
[Dallas smiled kindly and nodded]
Dallas: ‘Course, Randi.
[Cody huffed and rolled his eyes]
Cody: Oh, yeah. Mr. Nice Guy... (sarcasm)
[Dallas glares and just turns back to his paper while Lauren looks up from her page to look at Cody]
Lauren: Can you shut the hell up for ten seconds?
Dallas: Lauren-
Lauren: No, Dallas. You’re so nice to everyone and one kid can’t give you re- [respect]
Coach Wundt: Lauren!
Lauren: Coach Wundt!
[Bell rings]
Coach Wundt: Dallas practice tonight, don't be late! Kids, don’t forget to grab a textbook for tonight's assignment, Page 1879. I got a meeting to get to so I'm heading out, close the door when you leave
[Coach Wundt exits the stage. Students grab books and exit the stage. Cody and Dallas are the only ones left in the classroom and there is only one textbook- a psychology textbook- left on the shelf. Both Dallas and Cody go for the textbook at the same time, with each of them snagging half of it. There is a slight tug of war before they both stop]
Cody: What are you doing?
Dallas: Grabbing my textbook?
Cody: Your textbook? I grabbed it first, let go
Dallas: No, I definitely grabbed it first. Just take a different one, man
Cody: There isn't a different one. It’s not like you’re gonna read it anyways, (imitates Coach Wundt) Football practice, don’t be late!(Cody gives a harsh tug on his side of the book)
Dallas: Don’t pretend like you know. Give me the book, dude! (Dallas give a harsh pull on his own side, causing Cody to lurch forward before pulling himself back up straight)
Cody: Like you’re even gonna need it. I know you’re riding that football scholarship all the way to community college. I’m getting into Yale for a career I can actually rely on.
Dallas: More like, Daddy’s money is the only thing you can rely on. I have to work hard for what I get.
[Dallas clenches his jaw and his body tenses as he waits a beat before pulling on his side of the book very hard. This causes the book to rip in half. There is another beat of silence before Cody drops his half of the book]
Cody: What did you do!
Dallas: Hey, you’re the one who started it!
Cody: Now you’ve ruined it for both of us.
Dallas: I don’t have time for this. Coach is gonna make me run laps if I’m late again.
[They both snatch up their side of the book before storming towards the door]
Cody: Wait! What half of the book do you have?!
Dallas: You have the half with the assignment anyways. Isn’t that what matters? I gotta go!
[They lightly push each other as they get past each other off the stage]
[The next scene opens in the dark on bedrooms’ of Dallas and Cody. Each half of the book is strewn on the respective floor. Cody and Dallas are in the center of their own bedrooms, with a spotlight on Dallas]
Dallas: That Cody kid is such a jerk. He has this… he has this mindset that no one can be smart except for him, and treats everyone else like dirt. Just because I play football doesn’t make me some meathead and just because he’s a ‘nerd’ doesn’t make him all high and mighty. I’m tired of everyone thinking that just ‘cause I play football, that I’m gonna burn out by the time I’m forty. I have just as much of a future as everyone else. They all treat me like the dumb football player. That's all.
[Dallas sits at his desk and flips through his half of the book and the spotlight moves to Cody]
Cody: Who does that guy even think he is?! He ripped the only copy of that textbook in class! What am I supposed to do now? He’s too stupid to even realize what he’s done. I’m on my way to Yale and if someone gets in my way with their idiocy that’s on them. I just don’t understand why everyone is always coming for me. Even if they don’t care about what school they end up at, they don’t need to ruin my chances at my dream school. They’re just jealous. That’s all.
[Cody sits down and begins the psychology assignment with his half of the book. Cody and Dallas both fall asleep at their desks and the light goes down. The lights are down for a few seconds before two lights come up in two different colors. Very suddenly, the lights switch places, signifying that the boys have switched bodies]
[An alarm goes off. Both characters wake up sitting at their desks]
[Both actors take time to look around in confusion, analyze the room, examine their own bodies, realizing that they are not themselves.]
Both: (in unison) That’s not my body!
Dallas’s parent (off stage): Dallas!
Cody’s parent (off stage): Cody!
[Cody and Dallas each do a double take before they rush off stage and the lights go off. As the set changes in the dark, they walk across stage ‘getting dressed’. ‘Dallas’ is dressed more formal and uptight, while ‘Cody’ is more relaxed and messy. Curtain closes as they get their backpacks]
[School bell rings to signal start of day. Curtain remains closed. Enter Cody and Dallas.]
‘Dallas’: Hey! Psst! Dallas! Uhhhhh, I mean, Cody!
‘Cody’: Dude, is that you in there? What the hell is going on?!
‘Dallas’: Why would I know?! Just meet me after Coach Wundt’s class so we can figure this out!
[The scene opens back in Coach Wundt’s classroom with the school bell ringing]
Coach Wundt: Pop quiz today: Freudian Psychology! Pass back the papers and get to work.
[As he’s speaking, he passes a stack of papers to all of the students. Once all papers are passed out, Coach sits at a desk and plays on the phone while students work. Everyone works on their tests, and eventually Randi leans over to ‘Dallas’]
Randi:(whispers) Hey, Dallas, what’s the answer to number two?
‘Dallas’: Why would I give you the answer? This is a test.
[Randi gives ‘Dallas’ a weird look before turning back to their own test. A few seconds passes in silence before ‘Cody’ turns to Randi]
‘Cody’: It’s B, the one about the Oedipus Complex.
[Randi blinks in shock before they both look back to their papers to finish their work. Everyone passes their papers forward and Coach Wundt comes and collects them. He sits at his desk to quickly flick through papers before standing.]
Coach Wundt: Okay class! With the homecoming game coming up, I am very busy and you guys did very well on these- probably- so free day! Don’t be too loud.
[Quiet chatter until Lauren turns to ‘Dallas’ looking confused before poking his shoulder hard]
Lauren: Get dressed in the dark today?
[Lauren messes up ‘Dallas’s’ hair and unbuttons the top buttons of his shirt, causing him to glare and push her hands away.]
‘Dallas’: What do you think you’re doing?
Lauren: Fixing your hair? You look like my grandpa
‘Dallas’: Shows what you know
[Lauren gave him a critical and weird look before turning away]
Lauren: What’s gotten into you? Better knock back into shape before the game tonight
‘Dallas’: Uh..uh...
[‘Dallas’ froze in realization that the homecoming football game was later that night. He leaned over to shove ‘Cody’ lightly to get his attention They begin to stage whisper to each other]
‘Dallas’: Stay here after class after everyone leaves. We need to figure this-[gestures vaguely between the both of them]-out
[‘Cody’ nodded erratically with big eyes]
‘Cody’: Definitely
[There is a little silence before the bell rings.]
Coach Wundt: End of the day! Enjoy your weekend guys. Remember, big Homecoming game tonight! Meet me on the field in 10, Dallas! We're counting on ya!
[Everyone gets up to head home or wherever. Cody and Dallas are the only one left]
‘Dallas’: This is all your fault! I don’t know what you did, but this is all your fault!
‘Cody’: What are you talking about? This doesn’t make any sense so how would it be my fault?
‘Dallas’: Everything was fine until I fought with you yesterday about that stupid book!
[There is a moment of silence as they both realize the implications of what happened the day before in the classroom. They both look down at the bookshelf]
‘Dallas’ and ‘Cody’: The book!
‘Dallas’: So it is your fault! You ripped that book!
‘Cody’: Me? You’re the one that pissed me off! If anything, it’s your fault!
‘Dallas’: You know what, I don’t care. If you don’t figure this out, then I’ll be stuck as a loser forever. I have big plans and I can’t see them through in these conditions.
‘Cody’: Big deal. My scholarship is riding on this game tonight, so if we don’t figure this out I’m screwed!
[Announcement comes over the speaker calling all players to field]
‘Cody’: Aw man, you gotta go!
‘Dallas’: What? No! I don’t play football
‘Cody’: You do now!
[‘Cody’ shoves ‘Dallas’ towards the door as the lights go down. Set clears in silence and the lights stay down as a voice comes over the speakers]
Coach Wundt: Welcome Wildwood High! Tonight’s our Homecoming game against the Thorndike Hawks! We got our Quarterback, Dallas Foster number 32, varsity athlete, followed by Carl Rogers, number 87 (sound fades then picks back) Number 32, Foster-did he just drop the ball? Ladies and gentlemen this is a never before seen side of our star quarterback! Hawks’ Running Back, Number 48-Ericson snatches the ball downs it. We’re coming up on half time on a 15 to 30 loss, will the Bears be able to come back from this? Number 21 with the Hawks just got the thirty yard field goal bringing them up to a 33 point lead! Ten seconds left in the second quarter and-(buzzer noise signalling the end of the first half)
[Spotlight comes up on stage where ‘Cody’ is standing, on the phone with Dallas’s mother]
‘Cody’: Yes, yes Mrs. Foster, Dallas is doing. . . great. He just really needs you to come and bring the psychology book in his room, he really needs it to study- yes the one that's ripped in half. Please? . . . Thank you Mrs. Foster! (Cody hangs up the phone and puts it in his pocket)
[‘Dallas’ enters the scene and joins ‘Cody’ in his spotlight. He is very tired looking and looks almost bruised on his face. His football equipment is not on right]
‘Cody’: What are you doing out there! You’re losing the game for everyone!
‘Dallas’: It’s not my fault! I don’t know how to play football.
‘Cody’: You know what? I don’t care whose fault it is. But I’m fixing this. Your mom is bringing your side of the book and we’re going to make this work. (He pulls his half of the textbook from his backpack) You need to learn how to not be such a jerk all the time
‘Dallas’: Me? A jerk? I’m not a jerk.
‘Cody’: Yes you are! Why do you think no one ever wants to talk to you? Or work with you in class?
‘Dallas’: They’re- They’re intimidated! The only reason people wanna work with you is because you’re popular, the big football player.
‘Cody’: No dude! I’m nice to people. I’m smart. You push people down to feel superior. Maybe be a little nicer and you’d realize that. Haven’t you noticed people are actually talking to you now that you’re in my body?!
[There is a moment of silence as they both come to their own realizations]
‘Dallas’: People have been a lot nicer to you in my body than they ever have been to me. Am I really that much of a jerk…?
‘Cody’: Sorry, ‘bout it (sarcasm)
[‘Cody’ slowly nodded and patted him on the back. There's a knocking sound before Coach Wundt enters with the book, looking very confused at the scene in front of him. He hands ‘Dallas’ the book and shook his head]
Coach Wundt: Your uh, your mom told me to give this to you? We only got another two minutes before we’re back on. Hurry it up. (Coach Wundt smacks ‘Dallas’ hard on the back, causing him to lurch forward before Coach Wundt exits again)
‘Cody’: We gotta put this thing back together. Dude. I’m sorry for being half the reason we’re in this mess.
‘Dallas’: I’m sorry as well. For being a jerk the past four years. And for being partially responsible for ripping the textbook.
[They stick the book back together. Once it's together, ‘Cody’ just holds it for a moment before the lights suddenly go out. Just like how they switched bodies the first time, two differently colored lights come up on each side of the stage and switch back to where they’re supposed to be. The boys have returned to their proper bodies]
Cody: Did it work? (He quickly patted over his own body, feeling that it was his own) Yes!
Dallas: Now I gotta go fix this game!
[Dallas runs off stage, with Cody following behind him as the lights go black. Coach Wundt is over the speaker once again]
Coach Wundt: We’re getting to the end of the fourth quarter- the Bears back from a 18 point loss with a score of 45 to 33! It looks like the Bears are gonna pull together a win with senior number 32, Dallas Foster! Yes, yes! A win for the Bears homecoming game! We love to see it, folks! Good job to everyone, congratulations Wildwood High!
[Lights up on classroom. Cody, Dallas, and Lauren are all sitting near each other and chatting quietly before Cody speaks up]
Cody: So then I said, wait a minute, Sigmund Freud isn’t the father of psychology!
[Dallas and Lauren chuckle weakly, clearly very confused as they shoot each other a knowing glance]
Lauren: Annnyways. (She punches Dallas’s shoulder) A little birdy told me that you Mr. Dallas Foster have gotten a big fat scholarship to that big shot university you’ve had your eyes on
[Dallas laughed embarrassedly as he shrugged]
Dallas: Two scholarships actually. One for football and one for academics. They’re giving me a full ride.
Lauren: Woo! Yes Dallas!
[There is a beat of silence as they look to Cody, who looks undecided before smiling]
Cody: I’m proud of you, Dallas. And hey, I might see you there. Go Bulldogs!
[Dallas looked surprised before smiling big]
Dallas: Yeah! Go Bulldogs!
[Coach Wundt enters the classroom and picked up papers off his desk before handing them out to the students]
Coach Wundt: Feel free to help each other, this is just a worksheet so I can get my own work done.
[Coach Wundt begins doing paperwork while the students begin their papers quietly. Eventually Randy leans over to Cody]
Randi: Hey do you think you could help me on number three?
[Cody paused before smiling and nodding]
Cody: Yeah, I’d love to
[Lights fade out. End]
Idle Choices
Idle Choices
Josephine Looney
Characters~
Skylar/Sky: the bully
Violet/Vi: Sky’s best friend
Hazel: Skylar’s sister
Jackson: Skylar’s boyfriend
Luna: bullying victim, nerd
Mom
Doctor
(Scene opens up in the school hallway lots of chatter)
Hazel: Hey Luna! How did you do on the Human Anatomy test?
Luna: Oh hey Hazel, I did alright, I got a 96%
Hazel: A 96? I got an 81 on that test and that’s only because you helped me study.
Luna: Well how about before the next test we…
Skylar: Hey nerd! Haven’t you figured out that she only wants answers from you? She isn’t your friend, she doesn’t even like you. No one here likes you. Even the teachers think you’re a try-hard.
(Luna runs off crying, and Skylar laughs, Hazel walks toward Skylar)
Skylar: (laughs) Did you guys see the look on her face?
Jackson: Yeah, so funny… I gotta go babe. My mom needs me to do stuff.
Skylar: Oh okay, text me.
(Jackson exits quickly off stage after Luna)
Hazel: Thanks a lot Skylar, she was supposed to help me with my homework tonight so we could go shopping.
Skylar: Ha, you want to be friends with her? Grow up, sis.
Hazel: Whatever, I have a meeting to get to, don’t forget to pick me up at 3:30.
Skylar: Okay, well Violet and I are going to the coffee shop while we wait for you.
(Skylar & Violet start to walk toward the parking lot , Hazel exits stage opposite direction of everyone else)
Violet: Oh shoot, my bag! I’ll meet you at the car.
(Violet “runs” back to grab her bag as Skylar walks off stage, and as Violet is headed back toward the parking lot there is a loud crash, Violet freezes shocked before screaming)
Violet: Oh My God! Sky!!!
(Next scene opens up in the hospital room; Skylar's mom, Hazel, and Violet are around Skylar's bedside. Skylar rushes into the room unaware of what is going on)
Skylar: What’s going on? Why are we in the hospital? Guys? Hello?
(breaks through them to see herself in the hospital bed.. freezes)
Skylar: No. No. No. No. Is this a joke? That’s not me. I am right here. Why won’t you listen to me? Mom? Dad? Come on, it's me, your little skyline. Hazel, Vi, please someone talk to me!
(doctor approaches looking a bit nervous to tell the state she is currently in)
Doctor: We received our tests results that show that Skylar has intracerebral hemorrhaging, or bleeding in her brain due to trauma. This resulted in severe comatosis, however, only time will tell if she will wake up from the coma or not. The only thing we can do now is make her comfortable and wait to see if the bleeding subsides.
Mom: So you're telling me that my daughter was hit by a car and all we can do is sit and wait hoping that she wakes up?
Doctor: I am sorry ma’am. We can discuss the subject more in the hall if you want to. Then your daughter can be with her sister and best friend. This kind of information can cause coma patients additional stress.
Mom: She’s going to be okay though right? She’s my little skyline.
Doctor: Let's head to the hall to talk a bit more.
(doctor and mom leave toward the hall)
Violet: She’s going to be okay Hazel, I've never met anyone stronger than your sister.
Hazel: Thanks Vi, I know she is strong, but I am afraid she might have finally met her match. I love her and she’s the world’s best skyline, the best sister, but I can't bear to see her like this. Will you stay with her? (Violet nods)
Violet: It's okay Hazel, I'll stay with her and talk to her.
Hazel: Thank you Vi.(exits toward hall)
Violet: Hey Sky, I don’t know if you can hear me. I know you can’t really respond to me but I miss you. Remember when we were little kids and I got stuck in that tree? You were the only person that was able to help me get down. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help you. Maybe if I had.. No, what if I had…No don’t go there Vi, stay positive. I know it’s only been a few hours since the accident, but we are all worried about you. This shouldn’t have happened to you. You didn’t deserve to have this happen to you. I can’t believe that they would do this to you. I just want to talk to my best friend.
Skylar: I’m here Vi, I hear you…
(Luna and Jackson approach, Violet sees them and immediately gets mad)
Jackson: How is she doing Vi?
Violet: Don’t call me Vi! I want you to leave now, both of you.
Skylar: Violet! What is wrong with you?! That is my boyfriend! What did he do to you?
Luna: Violet just hear me out, please!
Violet: No, I don’t care what you have to say, I know what you did. And I will tell everyone if you don’t leave right now. And you (Jackson).. How can you even look at her right now after what she did? You witnessed it first hand.
Skylar: Tell everyone what? I am so confused. What did she do? Why is she here?
Jackson: It was an accident!
Violet: Are you referring to the car accident or are you referring to your relationship with her?
Jackson: How did you know?!
Violet: I didn’t know, but you just confirmed my suspicions. Besides, you took off after her in the halls today, did you think nobody would notice? Plus I saw you in the car with her after school.
Skylar: How could he? After all we’ve been through, all these years. I know we have our differences, but I love you. And I thought you loved me.
Jackson: You guys have always been so cruel to her. I just wanted somebody to be nice to her for a change, for her to finally have a friend...But then as we talked and I started to get to know her, I fell for her.
Violet: You’ve been awfully quiet Luna. You got anything to say for yourself?
Luna: I uh..
Violet: You did this to her. You deserve to be punished. (silence, as she waits for Luna to respond) You gonna say anything? Well?!
Luna: I can’t take it anymore. (breaks down emotionally)
(short pause of shock from everyone onstage)
Jackson: It’s okay Luna, you didn’t mean to hit her.
Skylar: Wait? She was the one that did this to me??
Luna: But what if I did? I mean, not actually. I only wanted to scare her, but I didn’t hit the brakes in time. I wasn’t going to actually hit her. I mean she has always been so mean to me, I just wanted some payback…Except not like this, I never wanted her to end up in the hospital. Oh my god! What if she doesn’t make it?
Violet: She better make it. She’s going to make it, no thanks to you!
(Jackson and Violet begin arguing in background, low volume, while Sklyar steps towards the middle of the stage)
Skylar: Guys! I am right here, right next to you. The doctor said that I will be okay. The doctor said as long as I wake up I should be fine. Except, I am awake... Only my body isn’t awake. What does that mean? I might actually never get to hug you again Vi, or tell my family that I love them, or even tell you (Jackson) that I am so done with you. They were right, Luna, this is your fault, you hit me with your car… But why? What did I ever do to you? I mean, I guess I was rude sometimes. Jackson even said I was mean…. Maybe I was. I guess I wasn't always the type of person I thought I was...I am the reason you hit me. I am not kind or caring to you; all I ever did was shoot you down when you seemed happy. This isn’t your fault at all, this is all my fault. I led you to do this to me. I really do deserve this.
(mom and Hazel re-enter the room)
Hazel: What is going on in here? We can hear all the arguing from down the hall.
Violet: Oh! Hazel, we were just…(Luna interrupts).
Luna: Hazel, I.. I’m sorry, this is all my fault.
Hazel: What do you mean this is your fault?
Luna: I..I.. was the one who hit her… I mean, I didn’t mean to actually hit her. I just wanted to scare her and get back at her after all these years of pain that she’s put me through. The things that she said to me...
Mom: Wait? You were the one that hit my daughter?
(muffed/ad libbed argument in the background)
Skylar: Mom, it’s okay.. She didn’t mean to do this to me, please don’t be mad at her. After all, it's my fault that she wanted to get back at me in the first place. I know that it hurts you all to see me this way, but I made my choices, now I have to live with them. Please don’t blame her. I would go back and change the way I treated her, if could. But I can’t now. I’m standing here trying to talk to you, trying to tell you it’s going to be okay, but it's not like you can hear me or anything. I will be okay, just promise me to do what is best. I love you. (start to bring in the heart monitor sound and gradually get louder, as the lights gradually get dimmer) Mom thank you for being such an amazing parent. Hazel you are the best sister a girl could ask for. Vi, oh Violet I am going to miss you so much, but please learn from my mistake and don’t be rude like I was. Be kind like Luna always was to Hazel. Jackson, I wish you would have told me how I was acting. Maybe we could’ve fixed this. And Luna... I forgive you.
(Complete black-out of lights, loud and long flat line and everyone else is silent)
Various: Doctor! Doctor please! Someone please help her! Please..(Luna breaks down and sobs/screams. Pandemonium ensues between everyone on stage and curtain close)
(Flash forward to one year in the future. Curtains remained closed and headlight shines on a headstone and Luna stands in front of the headstone with flowers in her hand)
Luna: Hey Skylar. I know it’s been about a year or so now since the accident, but I just wanted to let you know how things have been going. Hazel just got accepted into medical school, and plans on conducting research on coma patients so she can help other families who are going through the same thing as you. Violet just received her first major audition for a lead role at The Muny, and between you and me I think she is going to get it. I am thinking about going to law school after I graduate next year. I still have a bit of time to think about that. But I’ve had a lot of time to think about everything that has happened. I took the time to get help and process my guilt. I realize now that I never meant to hurt you back then, I was just so hurt by you all the time. However, I have started to realize that I need to just accept my responsibilities so I can help others not make the same mistakes as I did. I know now more than I knew then.
2020
2020
Braydin Hager
Aaren: (narration) My name is Aaren Cullen. It’s New Years Eve, 2019. I’ve been given twenty
minutes to go back in time from 2020 to warn my closest friends about the dangers to
come. Hopefully, they can be a voice of reason in the coming year, because when the
ball drops, the fun stops.
Opens on Aaren walking the streets, lugging a large duffle bag
over her shoulder as she makes her way to her friend’s party.
Hunter and co. are on the other side of the st age already there
Aaren: *takes a deep breath* Here goes nothing. *puts on mask and knocks on door*
Hunter: Coming! One sec! *goes to door*
Blythe: I thought everyone was already here. No one else had a tag-along, right?
Miles: Woah there Blythe. Renee is not a “tag-along”. She’s a possible girlfriend.
Blythe: Like you’d date a girl like her.
Miles: I never said she’d be a girlfriend for long.
Blythe: Miles!
Hunter: *opens door* Aaren? I thought your family wanted to do the countdown with you. And
did you change your clothes? Why are you-
Aaren: Sorry Hunter! No time to explain! *reaches into bag and pulls out masks* Everyone, put these on.
Miles: Uhm… Okay? *puts it on* This some kind of party game? And what are you doing back?
all put on masks
Blythe: Maybe they changed their minds- woah there. Aaren, what’s that for?
Aaren: *pulling out tape* Hm? Oh. Spread out. This’ll make sure you don’t get too close.
Hunter: This is a weird game… But okay! *spreads out*
*all spread out as Aaren puts the tape on the floor*
Aaren: Now stay in your boxes.
Renee: *enters* I got the- drinks…. What the heck are you all wearing? And when did
Little-Miss-Family come back?
Aaren: *holds out mask while pointing at a square* Put this on and stand in there.
Hunter: It’s a party game.
Aaren: No, it’s to protect you from a global pandemic. Now put this on.
Renee: As if! It’ll mess up my lipstick!
Aaren: Then at least stay in your square.
Renee: No way. *hands Miles a soda* Jeez. It’s almost as if she got weirder. And what is she
wearing? Her old outfit was way better, and it was still gross!
Blythe: Oookay. Let’s all just relax. Aaren, what’s going on? You’re acting strange. *leans
closer* Did the aliens get you or something?
Aaren: *leans away, reaching into her bag* Aliens? No. I’m from the future and I came back to
warn you all about this coming year!
Hunter: Uh… You know how weird that sounds, right?
Renee: *conspiratorially to Miles* She probably got ahold of some champagne or something.
Miles: *laughs* Oh my gosh, that’s great! Aaren. Hold up. Do your parents let you drink or
Something?
Aaren: What? No! I’m serious! I came back from 2020! They found a way to send me back in
time to warn you all! It’s highly experimentational. Very hush-hush.
Blythe: *pulls out pocket-journal and starts taking notes*
Renee: Yeaaaaah…. She’s drunk.
Aaren: I’m not drunk!
*awkward silence*
Hunter: Soo…. Let’s go outside for a bit and get some fresh air.
Aaren: No! The murder hornets will get you!
Blythe: Murder hornets? *scribbling notes still*
Aaren: Well, actually, I’m pretty sure those were just a hoax… But still!
Miles: Ew. Murder hornets? Making us wear masks? Global pandemic? Are you just tryin to
prank us or somethin?
Blythe: When has she ever pulled off a prank? Let alone one this big?
Miles: True. True…
Renee: Look, why don’t you just go back home and- *sets hand on Aaren’s shoulder*
Aaren: *pulls out spray bottle, pointing it at Renee* Back off! I’ll spray you!
Renee: *backs up* Woah! What the heck?! That water would ruin my makeup!
Aaren: Oh, no. This is sanitizing spray, and I’d only spray your hands. Actually….
Renee: *backing away* Oh no you don't. Look, I’m away. See? Now put that away. *mumbles*
Yeesh. She’s loony
Hunter: Uhm… How about some party games? I’ve still got some punch in the fridge we could
use for non-alcoholic beer pong.
Aaren: *shakes head* No good. We’d all be touching the ping-pong balls.
Hunter: Table tennis okay then?
Aaren: The paddles.
Hunter: What can we do, then?
Renee: Oh! We can make a TikTok!
Aaren: *laughs* A TikTok? Oh jeez. You need to move to a new app. That’s about to be banned.
Renee: *gasps* No way! They wouldn’t dare! And I have so many followers!
Aaren: But they would.
Blythe: *sarcastically* Oh, the tragedy.
Renee: I know, right?!
Blythe: I was being-. You know what? Nevermind. Now. *turns to Aaren* Tell me more about
2020.
Aaren: Gladly.
*the two go off to the side to talk*
Miles: Sooo… Hunter, what the heck is up with Aaren? She’s usually the smart one. Now she's
as looney as Blythe!
Hunter: What’s wrong with that?
Miles: Dude, each friend group can only have one loon. We can’t have two!
Hunter: Maybe she’s telling the truth?
Renee: Oh my gosh. You too? Miles. Let’s bounce. I’m totally over this place. You said it was
going to be an awesome party. Not a weird-fest!
Hunter: *dejected* Hey...
Miles: Yeah. Woah. Pals before gals. My man Hunter is throwing an awesome party. It’s not his
fault Aaren is a total loon.
Hunter: Hey! She is not!
Renee: She totally is. And if you can’t see that, then-
Blythe: *gasps* That’s horrible! *turns to rest of group* Hunter! 2020 is total chaos!
Miles: *groans* Not you too!
Blythe: No, seriously. It all lines up with my predictions! Well, mostly. That TikTok thing really
threw me for a loop.
Aaren: See? I’m not crazy. Blythe is pretty smart, and she agrees with me.
Miles: That’s true...
Renee: Seriously Miles? Eugh. Why would 2020 be any different than now?
Aaren: Just wait for March when you have to stay inside all the time.
Miles: What about sports?
Aaren: Eh. Some club sports still go, but they’re all very risky and stop for a while.
Miles: What?! We were gonna go to nationals this year!
Hunter: What about vacations? My family was going to go to Florida this summer.
Aaren: Nope. You’ll get stuck there if you go early.
Hunter: Dang it! We were gonna go to Disney World!
Renee: So you’re telling me that everything gets canceled, and the world comes to a screeching
halt.
Aaren: Pretty much.
Renee: I don’t buy it. And, Miles?
Miles: Yeah?
Renee: This was a cruddy night. Call me when you find out what a real party is. I’m out. *storms
offstage*
Hunter: That’s a coat closet.
Renee: *storms back onstage, flustered* I knew that! *storms offstage the other way*
Miles: *sighs* There goes a possible girlfriend…
Blythe: Hey. It’s okay. She was a jerk anyway. Let’s go finish up the night like we always do.
Miles: Oh! I’ll get the cake! *runs offstage*
Aaren: Huh?
Blythe: Did you forget? We started having a cake three years ago.
Aaren: Oh. Right… Wait, didn’t we have candles?
Blythe: Yeah. Why?
Aaren: Oh no…
Miles: *comes back with a cake and candles along with a match* Here we go!
Aaren: Woah! Hold on! *snatches matches* You could start a wildfire! Don’t you care about all
the wildlife? What about the plants! We need the trees, ya know.
Miles: … Yeah… This is weird. I’m gonna head home…. See you all tomorrow?
Hunter: Yeah. See ya man.
Aaren: Sorry about that. It’s just that there’s been a ton of fires, and-
Miles: It’s okay, future girl. Just learn to chill. See ya next year. *walks offstage, giving
Hunter the cake*
Blythe: Well, I guess it’s just us then. Good thing the countdown’s in two minutes.
Aaren: Two minutes?! I gotta go! I only had until 2020 to warn you guys and I need to warn my
family still!
Hunter: It’s chill. We’ll warn them for you.
Aaren: No. Seriously. I have to. See you all in the future! *runs offstage*
Both are silent for a few seconds
Blythe: So….
Hunter: Yeah…
Blythe: Guess I should head out too?
Hunter: Probably. See you tomorrow?
Blythe: Definitely. See you. *walks offstage*
Hunter: *sighs* Well, that was some party… Oh! I gotta go call my mom for the countdown!
*runs offstage*
Lights slowly go dark as curtains close
Aaren: (narration) As my friends all part ways and I try to get to my house in time, I know that I
did at least half of my job. Blythe will be able to warn her clubs about the atrocities to
come, and I know Miles will tell his teams. Hunter will probably warn me and my
family… Maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay for us… (Insert countdown sound effect ending with Happy New Year).
Invisible Secrets
Invisible Secrets
Riley Stolarski
Synopsis
Welcome to Eastcoast High School. Home of the highest performing athletes, academically acceding students, and high competition arts. There’s not any review online with less than 5 stars. But one specific student is skeptical of all the success of her high school. Valerie (17) is often discouraged for being nosey about if the students and faculty have things they simply refuse to fess up, but that doesn’t stop her from playing detective. After finding out everyone’s dirty little secret, she struggles to go back to her normal life, because she realizes the secrets were all in her head.
Characters
VALARIE: 17, w., sweet, curious girl who everyone knows but you wouldn’t describe her as popular. Quite the journalist. Once you get to know her, she’s really outgoing. Really nosey.
MR. WILLIAMS: late ’40s, m, Valerie's father. He’s a teacher at Eastcoast. dirty secret: an affair with the male principal
ZACH: 15, m., sketch kid who everyone is creeped out by. dirty secret: arsonist
AURORA: 17. w., sweet but psycho. Rachel Berry but a theatre nerd. dirty secret: got plastic surgery to fit the appearance of a character
JASON: 18, m., the most popular jock in the entire school. Typical douchebag. dirty secret: accidentally killed someone
MS. COLLINS (MRS. ACCARDI): mid 40’s, w., math teacher at Eastcoast High, kinda like Tina Fey’s character in Mean Girls. dirty secret: mafia wife
MR. PEREZ: mid 40’s, m., principal at Eastcoast High, pretty chill dude. dirty secret: hooking up with Valerie’s father
Setting
2010’s in the Midwest
Beginning of the school year
Eastcoast is a modern-looking high school with new lockers and modernized walls and flooring
One Act Setting: lockers across a wall w/ doors on each side representing classroom doors
Writer’s Notes
The characters need to act like they are the things that Valerie thinks. This is all in her head after all (i.e. Jason looking fidgety, Zach being weird around fire, Aurora looking at her face a lot, etc.). The audience needs to think that the crazy secrets are true and not in her head.
(The scene starts out with the school bell ringing, and students pour out of the classroom doors and wings of the stage. Each student has a personality of their own. The principal is seen rushing the kids to class. VALERIE is at her locker. AURORA gives out flyers for the upcoming musical. JASON pushes around ZACH as he’s simply just walking. As the students are walking from class to class, they freeze. JASON is in the pushing motion, ZACH is almost on the ground, AURORA is putting up a poster, WILLIAMS and PEREZ are whispering to each other, COLLINS is talking with a student. VALERIE moves down stage right)
VALERIE. Welcome to Eastcoast High School. Home of the best of the best. I’m Valerie Williams and I’m a senior here at Eastcoast. I’ve seen students and teachers here come and go as I drift through the hallways. Every student who steps foot in here is either a full ride athlete, an academic genius, or a competitive artist. Jason here is the star football player. Senior, adored by many. The kid he’s pushing is Zach, freshman. We don’t know much about him, just that he’s a little weird. The girl hanging up posters is Aurora. She’s the theatre kid; puts theatre before anything else. My best friend. The teacher looking like she comes home to a mansion is Ms. Collins, just a normal math teacher. Perez here is the principal, and he’s with my dad, Mr. Williams; he teaches history. Although they all look like regular people, I know that deep inside, they’re hiding a terrible secret. I know this school isn’t perfect at all, and I’m not going to stop until I know everybody’s little secret.
(Everyone unfreezes; JASON finishes the pushing motion, ZACH fully falls down, AURORA puts the rest of the poster up, WILLIAMS and PEREZ split apart, COLLINS finishes up with the student. VALERIE walks over to ZACH and helps him up)
VALERIE. You okay?
ZACH. Yeah, I’m fine. Him pushing me is sort of second nature at this point.
(VALERIE moves center stage while ZACH is at his locker)
VALERIE. Poor Zach. He always gets pushed around by Jason. He’s just a kid, he didn’t do anything wrong; or so we think. Something funny is going on with Zach here. I have Honors Chemistry with him, and the teacher made us lab partners. He wouldn’t stop playing with the bunsen burner. He just kept moving the flame between his fingers and was just mesmerized by it. The more he played with the flame the more I thought, “what is going on with him?”
(The school bell rings as ZACH moves center stage and VALERIE moves upstage right, behind him, as the lights change)
ZACH. I’m sick and tired of the pushing from Jason. Why me out of everyone else? It’s not fair. I just want it to stop. It’s tiring me everytime he pushes me to the floor. I have bruises on my legs because of him. I will get my revenge on him one day. (pulls out a cigarette) Ugh, I left my lighter at home. That’s probably a good thing. You see, I have a problem with fire. Ever since 6th grade I would set things to flames in the woods in my backyard to relieve my anger from being bullied back then. Not even punching walls did the trick. I guess it’s seeing things burn down to ash that makes the anger dissolve into nothingness. This is a huge problem that I cannot fix. Nothing else makes me feel better about anything. I stared and played with a bunsen burner in Chemistry right next to Valerie. She looked concerned, but I didn’t care much. I was just admiring the flame in front of me. If only it accidentally caught something on fire. That would've been interesting. Wish that could happen to Jason. No… I don't wish that on him… yeah, I do. But I can't let this get around. Valerie is the only person that knows. Nobody else. She knew by accident. I can’t let anyone else know about this. It’s too embarrassing. Everyone thinks I’m already a weirdo. They’ll think I’m an even bigger weirdo. I’m just trying to fit in, but if this gets out, that definitely won't come around. I can’t let that happen.
(WILLIAMS and PEREZ walk on stage as ZACH exits. As they are talking, you see JASON enter, listening in on their conversation and fidgeting. VALERIE pays attention)
WILLIAMS (newspaper in hand). Have you read the paper this morning?
PEREZ. No, haven’t got the chance to. These kids are pushing my limits today.
WILLIAMS. Well, I think you should see this.
PEREZ (takes newspaper from WILLIAMS, reads closely then has a horrified look on his face). Oh wow.
WILLIAMS. I know. Happened early this morning. They haven’t caught the guy yet.
PEREZ. That’s terrible.
(WILLIAMS and PEREZ said their goodbyes, and JASON runs off. WILLIAMS walks up to his daughter, VALERIE, who is now at her locker)
WILLIAMS. Hey sweetie, your mom is taking you home today so look for her after school. I have important things to do after hours.
VALERIE. Okay, that’s fine. I’ll see you at home!
(WILLIAMS walks away)
VALERIE. Jason fidgeting about something that happened last night? That’s really weird.
(AURORA walks in putting flyers in lockers and putting them up)
VALERIE (to herself). Speaking of weird… Hey Aurora, are those flyers for the musical?
AURORA. Yeah!
VALERIE. Isn’t the musical in 4 months?
AURORA. Yup!
VALERIE. Then why are you putting up posters and flyers so early? Did you let the director know you were doing this?
AURORA. No… I wanted to do this on my own
VALERIE. But why though?
AURORA. I wanted to see if this would up my chances of getting the lead.
VALERIE. Aurora, we both know this is not going to get you anywhere with that. The director is looking for talent, not how much you can advertise the show.
AURORA. I know, I just wanted to show her that if I’m promoting this early, then she’ll keep a close eye on me.
VALERIE. I know she already has a close eye on you. She’s had one for every production you’ve been in. I know you’ll get the part.
AURORA. I don’t know, she’s really not looking for a girl like me for the part, I look too different. I’m not like how the character is portrayed in the description in the script.
VALERIE. No, you don’t. Appearance shouldn't matter in a director’s eyes. I know I’m in tech but I know that a director shouldn’t have a certain look that they want for an actor to look like for a role. (glances at watch) Look, I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
AURORA. Okay.
VALERIE (stays where she is). Aurora is really upset about not looking like what the director wants. I really feel like she’s going to do something to her face if someone doesn’t stop her. I don’t want her to keep thinking that the director has a set image! She needs to get herself together and realize that looks don’t matter.
(VALERIE moves upstage right and AURORA moves centerstage. VALERIE pays attention to her)
AURORA. I don't believe Valerie at all. Don't get me wrong, she's a good friend, but she's probably only pitying me. The director really is only looking for looks. She wants someone who looks like the image in her head, and I know for sure, I’m not that image. My face is too messed up, and the character is supposed to have a perfect complexion. I definitely don't have that. I have under eye bags and my nose is too big. She probably thinks I look like a witch. That's why after school today, I'm going to the surgeon, and getting them fixed. I'll look so good with my new nose! She'll definitely cast me as the lead when she sees it. She’ll be like “Aurora, you look like Aurora! You're perfect for the lead!” Yeah, I was named after the princess, it's my mom's favorite. That's another thing. If I don't get the lead, then my mom would be so disappointed. She wants me to be the best of the best. I tell her that I try, but she really doesn't believe me. She believes I was destined for theatre, and that I need every single lead. She was disappointed in me the last three productions because I was a supporting role. I really want that lead. For me, for her, and the rest of my high school career. (In tears) I need this role, and this surgery is the one way ticket. I have to get it. I can't let the director not cast me as the lead. I can't let that happen.
(AURORA tries running off, but is met with JASON’s chest as she bumps into him. VALERIE watches them from her spot)
JASON (defensive). Watch it geek!
AURORA. Sorry!
(AURORA continues her path, JASON stays where he is, and VALERIE moves centerstage)
VALERIE. Jason has been super weird and sketchy all day. After I saw him fidgeting and being all weird when my dad and Perez were talking about what happened this morning, he started doing it AGAIN in 4th period. Someone asked him what he was up to last night, and he was stumbling over his words. I think he has something to do about last night.
(VALERIE hurries over to JASON, who is center stage left)
VALERIE. Jason! I have a question for you.
JASON. What do you want? Are you going to interrogate me?
VALERIE. No, it’s just a simple question.
JASON. What is it?
VALERIE. Where were you when this happened? (pulls out a newspaper)
JASON (gets nervous). What happened?
VALERIE. A guy from our rival school just got killed by getting hit over the head. Are you responsible for that?
JASON. Excuse me?
VALERIE. You know, were you the one who killed him?
JASON. Why would I do it? I’m too busy with other things.
VALERIE. Just answer my question, did you kill him?
JASON (getting nervous). No, no! I have nothing to do with that! Why would I be at his house? We don’t even know each other! I was just doing homework from 5 of my AP classes. I was nowhere near his house. (beat) Why are you still here? Get out of my face, loser!
(VALERIE walks over to upstage right once again and JASON is center stage)
VALERIE. Oh really? Yeah, right.
JASON (hyperventilating, fidgeting like VALERIE described). I did kill him, I really did. On accident! It was all an accident, I swear! I swear on everything I have, that I didn’t mean it. I went over to his house so we could have a drink because we were kind of good buddies, and we had a huge argument. I-I couldn’t control my temper, got mad, and hit him over the head with a chair. I didn’t think it would kill him! Yeah, I’m a jock and I’m strong, but I didn’t think I was that strong. This whole thing is stressing me out along with all the other things that’s going on this year. It’s my senior year, so I got football stuff, college scholarships, grades that I have to keep up with, and the list goes on forever. I have so much stuff and I have this accident on top of it. I couldn’t sleep last night. The picture of him laying on the floor will forever haunt me. I feel like I won’t get by a football game without seeing him there. I ruined my future from just getting angry. Nobody can find out about this. My whole entire life is in front of me. I’m in the middle of preparing for it. There’s a football coach from an Ivy League school coming to Friday’s game to watch me. I can’t let the word that I literally killed someone get to him. I have that, and graduation in the spring, then I can be in the NFL. I cannot let this horrible accident get in the way of any of that, I can’t let that happen.
(JASON turns and walks away but is stopped by COLLINS, VALERIE listens to their conversation)
COLLINS. Jason, shouldn’t you be in class?
JASON. Uh, yeah I was on my way there. Hey, where did you get all these clothes??
COLLINS. Oh you know, had some extra money in savings, sides hustles and all that…
JASON. What do you do as a side hustle?
COLLINS. Uh… I help out my husband on weekends and during the holidays.
JASON. What does your husband do?
COLLINS. He uh… has a business, and he’s the CEO which is a lot for him, so I help him out with all the finance stuff.
JASON. Right. Well, I’ll see you in 6th period.
(COLLINS stays where she is as the bell rings and students flood out of the doors, VALERIE moves center stage)
VALERIE. That sounded very sketchy if you ask me. Earlier today I was walking past the teacher’s lounge and heard teachers call her “Mrs. Accardi”. That’s a very Italian name. Sounds like her current last name “Collins” is a cover up name. Now her Italian husband has a business? She didn’t say what kind of business. Maybe the kind of business that hunts down people who wronged him? Maybe she helps him out! She has to be a mob wife, I’m calling it now.
(COLLINS moves center stage and VALERIE moves to her spot at upstage right)
COLLINS. I am a mafia wife. My husband is the leader of the Chicago italian mafia. He brought it back up after the decline in the 90’s. He wants to honor his dad after he died, so he got in contact with some old buddies. I don’t know if I like the crime life, but I sure do like the things it buys me. I’m always by his side at family dinners wearing a gown and pearls, like I had dreamed, but not in this context. Sometimes I help him out with jobs on the weekends. If he needs something from someone, I would be there in 10 minutes. I love my husband, but I don’t want him getting caught and ending up in jail like his great uncle. There were some close calls but they were all covered by his crew. I try to have people call me by my cover-up name, Collins, but sometimes the teachers slip up. I saw Valerie in the hallway once when a teacher called me “Accardi”. Her confused look sent me into a panic and I quickly corrected them. I can’t have the students finding out about this. They’ll think I’m a criminal, which I’m not. We never disclose the things we do in the Chicago Outfit, but things slip sometimes. I don’t want to be fired, and I certainly don’t want to lose the student’s trust. They don’t trust a woman who’s married into crime. I need this job and I need everyone to believe me. Nothing else can slip. I can’t let that happen.
(COLLINS stands in her place as WILLIAMS and PEREZ enter)
PEREZ. Crystal, do you mind filing a few papers after school for me?
COLLINS. Sure boss.
(COLLINS exits, but VALERIE stays where she is)
WILLIAMS. Do you think she suspected anything?
PEREZ. I don’t think so.
(They both move center stage and the lights change)
VALERIE. … Excuse me? Suspect what? Now that I think about it, they’ve been awfully close in the past few weeks. Always standing next to each other in the hallways, whispering in each other’s ear, and a whole bunch of other stuff. My dad told me that he was staying after school to do some stuff, but he always goes home with me because mom likes it when we’re both home at the same time. I’m afraid they’re going to do something.
WILLIAMS. We’ve been seeing each other privately for a while now.
PEREZ. We can barely keep our eyes off each other, even during school hours. I always go to his classroom during his free class period.
WILLIAMS. We just really get each other, nothing like our wives.
PEREZ. Yeah, we never think of our families when we’re together. They just slip our minds.
WILLIAMS. I always dread going home. My wife is always on edge and ready to stir up an argument when I get home.
PEREZ. My wife always wonders why I get home so late. I try telling her that I’m busy because it’s the beginning of the school year, but she doesn’t believe me.
WILLIAMS. And Valerie, she’s my girl. I don’t want to put all this pain onto her. If she finds out about us, she'll be disappointed, devastated. Since my wife isn’t being very nice, she’s the closest person in our family that I can rely on.
PEREZ. My kids wouldn’t talk to me for days, my wife would feel betrayed, and she would be right in the wrong way.
WILLIAMS. I don’t want us to lose our jobs either. I need this job, this is the only financial support I have for my family.
PEREZ. The boss would immediately fire us.
WILLIAMS. Between our families and the risk of losing our jobs, this is a whole mess.
PEREZ. But we have each other, and that’s all that matters. Nothing will tear us apart.
WILLIAMS. Nothing can
WILLIAMS & PEREZ. We can’t let that happen.
(Lights go back and VALERIE walks over to them)
VALERIE. What’s going on?
WILLIAMS. Oh, nothing. Just talking about the meeting we just had.
VALERIE. Oh, okay.
(The school bell rings and students flood the stage from the doors to leave, but VALERIE stays where she’s at. She stays there until everyone leaves)
VALERIE. Everyone kept denying everything, but I still have a strong belief that everyone here is hiding something. Zach has to be an arsonist, Aurora has to be getting plastic surgery soon, Jason had to have killed that guy, Collins is definitely a mafia wife, and my dad and Perez are definitely seeing each other! There’s no way around it. I have to find out about everything soon, or I’ll go crazy.
(VALERIE walks off stage as the lights go down, then come back up, going over to the next day, and everyone else enters)
PEREZ. Good morning students, please go to your lockers, then straight to class.
JASON. Why?
PEREZ. Because I said so. Now go!
WILLIAMS. You gotta stop being harsh on these kids, Aaron.
PEREZ. I’m just stressed out, David. They always push my limits.
WILLIAMS. Yeah, I get it.
(VALERIE enters and immediately notices AURORA’S face, which is in bandages. When this happens, everyone freezes and the lights change)
VALERIE. Oh my God, she actually got the surgery! I can’t believe her. I bet Zach set fire to something last night as well… and my dad and Perez did something after school! I have to call everyone out.
(As VALERIE moves over to AURORA, the lights come back up, and everyone resumes; JASON being a bully, Zach being the victim, AURORA handing out flyers, COLLINS helping a student, WILLIAMS and PEREZ talking)
VALERIE. Aurora, you know you don’t need to hand more flyers out, and you got the surgery when I told you not to? I’m very disappointed-
AURORA (cuts her off). Hold on, surgery? What surgery?
VALERIE. The plastic surgery you wanted so you could “look like the lead”, isn’t that what the bandages are for?
AURORA. No, Val. My brother hit me in the face with a baseball last night, I told you that. I immediately texted you that I was going to the ER. Are you doing okay?
VALERIE (freaking out at this point). Huh? What- are you sure?
WILLIAMS. Is everything okay over here? Valerie, what’s going on?
VALERIE. Aurora got plastic surgery for a character, I swear!
AURORA. No, I didn’t-
VALERIE. A-And Zach is an arsonist!
ZACH. Huh?
VALERIE. You were playing with a bunsen burner in Chemistry and was just so enticed with it!
ZACH. Yeah, ‘cause I was bored, it’s Honor’s Chemistry.
VALERIE. And M-Ms. Collins is a mafia wife! Her real name is Mrs. Accardi and she’s married to a mob boss! Collins is just a cover up name!
COLLINS. No, hun-
VALERIE. You have all these rich designer stuff because of the mafia! Your husband is the big boss man of the Chicago mafia and you married him knowing he is a criminal!
COLLINS. Valerie, Accardi is my married name, but my husband is not in the mafia, he’s the CEO of a local business. He’s not a criminal. I don’t go by my married name because it's my personal preference. My husband is a rich man, but not that type.
VALERIE. I-I don’t get it. Jason! Y-you killed the guy from our rival school!
JASON. Wait, what? I didn’t kill anybody dude, I told you that.
VALERIE. B-But, you’ve been fidgeting all day and lashing out.
JASON. Do you know how stressed I’ve been? I told you about my 5 AP classes, and I’m the star football player with a scholarship to fulfill. I’m super stressed so of course I’m going to be fidgety and irritable.
VALERIE. ...Dad?
WILLIAMS. Yes?
VALERIE. Are you sleeping with Perez?
WILLIAMS. No sweetie, no no. We’ve been best friends since pre-school. Mr. Perez is your Uncle Aaron, remember?
VALERIE. N-no? W-wait- I’m so confused.
WILLIAMS. Valerie, do you not remember what you have?
VALERIE (realizes). Oh no.
WILLIAMS. What’s happening up there?
VALERIE. I guess it’s my turn to rant.
(Everyone freezes as VALERIE moves center stage and the lights change)
VALERIE. No one has any secrets. Their defenses are completely true. It’s all in my head. I have a form of schizophrenia. I make things up in my head that aren’t true. Aurora really did get hit with a baseball. She did tell me last night, my mind just slipped. We’re best friends and I can’t believe I accused her of something like that. Zach isn’t an arsonist, he was just bored in chemistry. I really don’t know him, so I guess I pretended that I did. Jason did kill the guy from our rival school, he’s just really stressed about senior year. I can relate. Ms. Collins isn’t a mafia wife, just married rich. My dad and Perez aren’t seeing each other, they’re just life-long friends. I can’t believe I did it again. I haven’t done this in a long time. I was diagnosed at a young age and treated, and the doctors said that I was old enough to deal with it on my own, so they took me off the meds just a couple of months ago. I really thought I could do this on my own. I’m 17, I should be able to control my thoughts. Aurora and I have been friends since middle school, and she knows about my illness, but she and my family are the only ones that knew. Nobody else knew. I was so good at keeping it in and dealing with it when I was on my medication and going to my therapist every week, but now that they took me off the meds and stopped me from seeing my therapist, everything is shattering right in front of me. All because of brutal, horrible secrets that I made up in my head.
(The scene resumes)
WILLIAMS. When did this start?
VALERIE. A couple months ago, but it started going crazy when the paper came out. That’s when I started correlating Jason with the murder. Then I noticed Collins’ designer clothes and bags, then Aurora with the flyers, then you and Uncle Aaron.
WILLIAMS. Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve contacted your therapist so we can get it sorted out.
VALERIE. I didn’t know it was going to be this bad. And when I thought of the things, it seemed real, obviously.
WILLIAMS. Right. If you want me to, I’ll contact her tonight when we get home.
JASON (to AURORA). Is she psycho or something?
(AURORA hits his shoulder)
JASON. Ow! What?
AURORA. There is something wrong with her, jerk.
JASON. Oh geez, sorry.
ZACH. I still have no idea what’s going on.
AURORA. She has a mental illness where she makes up things in her head. It’s been this serious since she was a kid. I hope she gets better.
WILLIAMS. Actually, let's go home now. You deserve the day off and some time with your mother.
VALERIE. Okay. I’m sorry everyone.
AURORA. No, it’s okay. You never really know what’s reality and what’s not. We understand. Text me if you need anything, and I’ll be sure to nail that audition for you.
VALERIE (smiles). Okay.
WILLIAMS. C’mon. Let’s go home.
VALERIE. Alright.
(The school bell rings and lights fade to black)
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