Original Date of Post: 11/08/2009
Narrator: It’s Showtime at the Apollo…I mean in Pallet! Ha-ha!
Marisa: No way.
May: But you look so cute!
Marisa: Why must you lie to my face? I look like a chocolate bar with a pepto bismol wrapper around it.
Winona: You look fine!
Marisa: I detest wearing this atrocity!
May: So I’m to assume you’re no longer mad about the bridesmaid dress I made you wear at my wedding.
Marisa: Don’t push your luck.
Daisy: F.Y.I. little one, they’re not going to be paying attention to you!
Marisa: People won’t pay attention to you either! Misty’s the one who’s getting married, not you. (Misty walks out)
Misty: You guys better not be arguing again! (They stare at her) I swear, you two can’t ever get along!
Marisa: Wow Misty…
Winona: Your dress…
May: It’s so…
Daisy: Hideous!
All: Huh?
Daisy: All wrong! All wrong! First of all, the shoes do not go with this kind of dress. Secondly, skinny straps really don’t suit you well. They look like they’re being swallowed by your shoulder fat!
Misty: Shoulder fat?!
Winona: What are you talking about?
Marisa: That dress is perfect!
May: It’s so pretty!
Misty: And I like it too! So let’s have a vote; all in favor of this dress raise your hands! (They raise their hands) Sorry Daisy, it’s three to one.
Daisy: Don’t say I didn’t warn you! (Lily walks up)
Lily: Ladies, we need to figure out how many of these games we need for the bachelorette party.
Misty: Why are we planning the bachelorette party now? It’s not going to be for another couple of weeks
Lily: It’s never too early! Ew…Misty, who picked out your dress? It does not look good on you.
Marisa: What? Who died and made you the new Tim Gunn!
Lily: Hey, we just want our little sister to look her best. Make it work!
Marisa: Please don’t say that! Huh? Hmm… (Pulls out a notebook)
Lily: What are you doing?
Marisa: Who wants to know?
Daisy: Keeping it for your diary.
Marisa: No and it’s none of your business. (In the dressing room)
Winona: So how are you going to afford the wedding dress?
Misty: My parents.
May: Sounds like a good setup you’ve got.
Winona: I only wish my parents were as generous as yours.
May: Have you heard from Steven lately?
Winona: I did get a letter from him last week.
Misty: Ah-ha! And I bet that when he returns, he asks you for your hand in marriage. (Winona blushes)
Winona: Oh my!
Misty: And then it’ll be your turn!
Marisa: And done! See you guys later.
May: Where are you going?
Marisa: No where…not in particular! I just have an appointment to go to.
Misty: Okay. Don’t forget, we have a rehearsal tomorrow.
Marisa: I’ll be there. (The next morning at Marisa’s house)
Marcus: How long has she been in there?
Tracey: Since we came home last night. (Sighs) Man, what a disaster!
Marcus: Did she bomb?
Tracey: She was funny, no doubt about that…it’s just that…the audience was…Well, do you remember that one night where Kramer from Seinfeld was doing stand up?
Marcus: Oh my God!
Tracey: She didn’t go nuts and call everyone cracker…but something similar happened. (Knock on the door) Let me get that. (Opens the door)
Misty: Okay, where the hell is she?
Tracey: I assume you’re talking about Marisa. She’s in her room.
Marcus: She won’t come out.
Misty: Why? What the hell is going on? She was supposed to be at our rehearsal today!
Tracey: It’s something that happened last night.
Misty: I don’t even know where she went last night.
Tracey: A stand-up gig!
Misty: Stand-up? How in the world did she…?
Marcus: Well you see…remember that one night in Vegas? She got up on stage and started doing drunk stand-up. Well, these guys from Vegas found her and want to give Marisa all these opportunities to do stand up.
Misty: That sounds like something she would jump to.
Tracey: And she did! Well last night was her first official gig. She was doing great at first…but then she got a few drunk hecklers in the audience and soon enough there were so many disruptions in the act that Marisa just gave up.
Misty: How awful!
Marcus: She didn’t cry, did she?
Tracey: I didn’t hear her. I told her not to hold it in so it’s not my fault if she gets sick. (Michelle walks by)
Misty: Hello Ms…Whoa! What happened to your eye?
Tracey: She beat up one of the drunk guys.
Michelle: Oh please. He couldn’t fight worth a crap!
Marcus: She got into a fight? Dang, I missed everything! (Knocks on the door) Little buddy! Mind if we come in? (He opens the door) Little buddy?
Michelle: Do you want to eat anything? (Silence)
Tracey: Um…Marisa, the cat is on your legs. Marisa? (Pokes)
Misty: Check to make sure she’s still breathing.
Tracey: You’re feeling like crap after last night I assume.
Marisa: (Sighs) I really thought I found my calling. I mean my writings and paintings can only get me so far…But when I learned that I was noticed for being funny, I was on top of the world. But then I hit the pavement because of drunken idiots!
Michelle: Toothless, drunken idiots!
Tracey: Marisa, what the hell is wrong with you? I’ve known you all these years and through that time, you would never get bogged down by trivial matters like that.
Marcus: He’s right! You never let people’s words get to you before!
Michelle: Hey now. You’re very funny! It’s not important what those idiots thought! The important thing is if you think that you’re funny.
Marcus: Yeah and you know your jokes have enough power to lift us out of a crappy mood.
Tracey: You are very observant!
Misty: And just a real stitch!
Michelle: So what do you say?
Marisa: I say…All of you are wasting my time.
All: Huh? (She picks up the cat and gets up)
Marisa: I’m going for a walk now. (Walks out of the room)
Marcus: Well that didn’t work. I haven’t seen her this upset since Tracey cheated on her.
Tracey: (Annoyed) Do you have to keep bringing that up?
Misty: Well he does bring up a good point. She’s been pretty depressed for a while now. Like she has nothing left to live for.
Tracey: (Sighs) No it’s because she’s getting bored with her life.
Michelle: Excuse me?
Tracey: Well you see it was about a couple of weeks ago when I confronted her about it.
Marcus: Some boyfriend!
Tracey: You didn’t know either so shut up! But anyways, she started to get down on herself. She told me it’s because she was kind of in a rut.
Marcus: Is that why she started posing nude for your art class.
Michelle: No that was for the extra money Marcus. But I see what you mean Tracey. I mean she’s been noticing all of you getting opportunities slowly and she’s been coming up dry. I mean Ash and Misty are getting married, Tracey has his own place, Brock’s graduating, and Marcus is moving up with acting gigs.
Tracey: And I told her that nobody is going to think less of her if she’s still living with her mother and working in retail. We’re all still young!
Michelle: Yeah well I can’t get through to her. I spent 21 years and she just shuts out any kind of reason.
Marcus: But what I’m wondering is if she wanted some sort of change, why didn’t she accept your marriage proposal Tracey? That’s the biggest change she could have gotten!
Tracey: It’s because she wasn’t ready for marriage.
Marcus: But accepting your marriage would have taken her out of that crappy rut of hers.
Tracey: I suppose you’re…No Marcus! You should have seen her when she found out she’d been discovered by someone of famous stature. I’ve never seen her that happy in such a long time. I wish there could be something we could do to drag her out of this funk. (A little later at Daisy’s house)
Misty: Hmm…Okay, now it’s starting to make sense. (The door opens) Huh? I thought you were out shopping.
Daisy: We were.
Misty: Well could you go outside for a couple of more hours? I want some peace and quiet so I can finish studying.
Daisy: Can’t you just study with me in the house?
Misty: Only if you promise to be quiet.
Daisy: I don’t see why you can’t study at the library or at your own place.
Misty: The library is under construction over at the school and Winona’s watching her kids at the apartment.
Daisy: Any more thought in you and Ash having little tykes of your own?
Misty: I don’t want to talk about it! (Growls) Especially when I’m studying for finals! Get out of the room Daisy! You’re ruining my concentration! (At Suzy’s apartment)
Brock: Ah! Suzy, where are my books for my Bio course?
Suzy: Here, stop being such a scatter-brain!
Brock: If I can just wrap my brain around this then maybe… (Knock on the door) TOO MUCH NOISE! TOO MUCH NOISE!
Suzy: Just ignore it. They’ll eventually give up and stop trying.
Ash: (Shouting) It’s me!
Brock: Ash?! Oh God, he’ll never go away! Tell him to get lost, will you babe? I’m busy with this! (She opens the door)
Suzy: Hi Ash, Brock’s a little busy with his school work.
Ash: Brock, I want to give you your…
Brock: Not now Ash! Wait until I’m finished with this paper.
Ash: Don’t forget! Friday night, Misty and I are having a party.
Brock: Yes, fine, bye! (She shuts the door) That kid! He doesn’t have to go to school like some of us. Back to work! (A couple of days later at the college)
Misty: I passed! I passed! I get to graduate!
Marisa: (Bitterly) How fortunate for you!
Marcus: Come on don’t be so hostile. Misty worked so hard for this.
Tracey: He’s right. Misty, you’ve accomplished so much! I mean moving out of your parent’s, working at the diner, being a part-time baby-sitter, and going to school at the same time. If only we could all have your stamina! (Misty blushes)
Marisa: Geez Tracey, why don’t you say that she’s a freakin’ God while you’re at it?!
Marcus: Um…little buddy?
Marisa: (Sighs) Yeah I know. I’m sorry Misty, I didn’t mean to be so snappy. It’s really great that you’re graduating.
Tracey: See, now was that so hard to say?
Marcus: Yeah, you’ll graduate college one day. (She growls) Eh…At least be thankful that you passed your classes this term. (She sighs)
Tracey: Remember, I’m not graduating this year either and Marcus is a college drop-out.
Marcus: Okay Trace, no need to say that out loud.
Tracey: Didn’t I tell you before that everyone goes at their own pace?
Marcus: Besides…Only a small margin of people who entered four years ago are going to graduate. I mean so many flunk out in their first semester. Not to mention, the economy is in the toilet, most people can’t even afford the tuition. What are the chances of any more of our friends graduating? (Harley, Brock, and Nando walk up)
All: We’re graduating! (Marisa gets up)
Tracey: Marisa…
Marisa: I’m going for a walk. (Tracey gets up) SIT! I’m going alone. (She walks away)
Nando: What’s up with her?
Marcus: She’s on her monthly! She’ll be back to normal in a few days!
Harley: You don’t have to lie to us. I know she’s not graduating like the rest of us, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Tracey: That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her. (Sighs) She can be really hard-headed at times.
Marcus: I got something in store for her.
Tracey: Say what?
Misty: Let us know!
Marcus: (Chuckling) Patience people! Good things come to those who wait.
Brock: Good because it’s not cool to see her depressed. I’m used to seeing her smiling with a blunt instrument in her hand. (A little later outside the student center)
Tracey: Um, Marcus…I would like to know what you’re planning.
Marcus: Oh that.
Tracey: Yes that.
Marcus: It’s simple really… (Silence)
Tracey: Are you going to tell me or are you going to just stand there like an idiot?
Marcus: You know the dinner tomorrow night? The one that Misty and Ash are throwing to celebrate her graduating! Well keep in mind we’re having dinner next door to the theatre.
Tracey: Convenient…but what does that have to do with Marisa?
Marcus: After dinner, I was going to treat everyone with one of my rousing songs. Sort of my chance to practice before our big production of Phantom in a few months! But after I go up, I was thinking Marisa can go up and do a bit of a stand-up.
Tracey: Interesting! So when do we tell her?
Marcus: I figured sometime tomorrow night. (Marisa walks up)
Marisa: Boys? (They turn around)
Tracey: Oh…Are you…? (She smiles)
Marisa: It’s okay. I just had to cool down. That’s why I took the walk by myself. I’m okay now.
Tracey: Say, are you’re still coming to the party tomorrow night right?
Marisa: They got an open bar at this thing right?
Tracey: Open bar? You hate to drink…I mean ever since Vegas you swore off drinking completely!
Marisa: I know what I said. But I know I’m gonna be depressed with all the good cheer tomorrow. I need to find something that’ll drown out everything and make me forget as much as possible. (Tracey sighs)
Marcus: Oh this ought to be good! (The next night at the dinner)
Brock: Grace…you look more beautiful than ever!
Grace: Save your breath you pervert. I already told you I’m not interested in you.
Brock: I’m only kidding. I of course came with Suzy.
Suzy: Hi there.
Grace: You two are still together?
Brock: Yup!
Grace: Wow Brock, I’m impressed you were able to keep her for so long. (Brock groans) But I guess everybody needs love sometimes.
Marcus: Grace…my good buddy!
Grace: Marcus, haven’t seen you in a while.
Marcus: Just you tonight? None of the other Musketeers I presume!
Grace: We’re not attached at the freakin’ hip you know. Well if you must know, Erika is back in rehab…AGAIN!
Marcus: And…?
Grace: And Kelly went away to live with her father somewhere up in Canada!
Marcus: Oh she did? Hmm…
Grace: Don’t tell me you still have feelings for…
Marcus: (Blushing) Absolutely not! I’m perfectly happy with my new girlfriend Duplica.
Grace: Oh…she is cute! She’s a keeper just as long as you keep the old husband beater away from her.
Marisa: Who are you calling a husband beater, you bible thumper!
Grace: (Laughs) Oh you are always one for fun name-calling!
Marisa: Now where’s the bar?
Grace: Now don’t start getting into the booze like an artist on payday!
Marisa: Bad analogy when you’re talking to an artist. But I’m actually playing a drinking game tonight.
Grace: What kind?
Marisa: Every time someone says the word “graduation” I’m going to take a shot.
Grace: I take it she’s not grad…
Marcus: Not even close to that point! (Tracey walks to the bar)
Tracey: She’s cut off! Just give her a Shirley Temple and say it’s a Bloody Mary. (Back at the table)
Duplica: No way!
Marcus: Yes way!
Duplica: There’s no way you could have known the pop singer Erika!
Grace: Do you wanna bet? We were all in high school together.
Marcus: Yup and those two were the best of friends.
Duplica: Wow!
Grace: Yeah, well the friendship died when she decided to grow up overnight into a heathen!
Marcus: Hey, no need to go all biblical!
Grace: Marcus, you have no idea what kind of crap I went through with that girl. And then when she started hanging out with those party whores and framing people…I had to draw the line somewhere.
Winona: And to think she used to be a sweet girl in high school!
Grace: Are you talking about the same Erika I am?
Marisa: She’s right! For as long as I’ve known her she’s been a tyrant…and an obsessed one to top it!
Misty: Oh yeah, those were the days.
Ash: It’s a shame she went completely downhill after her first CD.
Duplica: I know. I remember having to see all the drama on the news.
Grace: Well seeing it on the news and seeing some of it for real are two different things. I had to be there for when she had a breakdown, several interventions, and when she went on that one show to figure out who the father of her baby was.
Daisy: Better than having a sister in rehab!
Misty: What are you talking about Daisy? No on in the family is in rehab.
Daisy: I was talking about Lame-ette over here. (Lanette growls)
Lanette: At least I don’t dance topless at Merry XXX-Mas!
Marisa: Ooh, burn!
Duplica: Well you know it’s that way for some celebrities. Things can either go up for you or it can go down for you.
May: Well at this rate, I’m not looking forward to what’s ahead. I forgot how sleazy everything is with being famous.
Drew: I guess we have a long road ahead of us. (Banging on glass)
Ash: Guys, I’d like to say few words. (Silence) First of all, it’s great to see this many of our friends and family members together in the same room. I’m also happy to see that none of you have tried to kill anyone. (Hesitant laugh) But in seriousness, we’re here tonight to say congratulations to all of our friends who are graduating this year. (Marisa takes a sip) Misty, Harley, Grace, Brock, Nando…you guys have indeed busted your butts to get where you are. I for one am proud of you all. (Clapping)
Theresa: May your lives be great and may you all be prosperous with your budding careers and whatnot! (An hour later)
Marisa: I am so not feeling a buzz.
Marcus: What’s the matter?
Marisa: The bartender must be mentally retarded because there’s no alcohol whatsoever in this drink.
Marcus: How can you tell?
Marisa: For one thing, if this had alcohol in it, I’d be acting like a jackass because I already went through three glasses. Plus I still have the ability to form sentences.
Marcus: So the drinking game was an epic failure.
Marisa: You got that right and now I have to pee. (She walks away)
Marcus: That was a risky gamble, my friend.
Tracey: Yeah well do you really want to see her drunk? (Ash belches)
Ash: Boy that dinner was so good!
Drew: Excuse you!
Brock: Hey be glad it came out of his mouth. You should see this guy when he has fried beans. Now that’s a paint-peeler!
Misty: So Marcus, you wanted to do something after the dinner.
Marcus: Oh yeah. But in order for me to give you this, you’ll have to walk with me next door to the theatre. (A little later outside)
Daisy: We’re not going to watch some boring musical are we?
Misty: No Daisy and mind your manners.
Duplica: Marcus, who is that chick with the blonde hair? Because I’m about ready to shove my fist down her throat!
Marcus: Don’t mind her. She’s not that open-minded about anything!
Theresa: Wow, I’ve never seen the outside of this place at night.
Marcus: Yeah, it’s really pretty. You should see the inside. It’ll knock your socks right off.
Suzy: You must be a big theatre buff, huh Marcus?
Marcus: Sure am!
Brock: So what’s the surprise?
Marcus: You will all see once you get inside.
Grace: I just hope this doesn’t end up with our heads chopped off in a weird twist of fate.
Marcus: Nah, I’m saving that for when Sarah Palin gets inaugurated as president.
Suzy: Please tell me he’s joking!
Brock: You know, it’s hard to tell anymore. (Inside the theatre)
Misty: Wake up Daisy!
Daisy: What? You mean it’s not over yet?
Misty: Just please shut up!
Ash: Are we getting treated to a play?
May: Probably.
Drew: You’re right. I don’t see Marcus anywhere. And I don’t know where Marisa, Tracey, or Duplica are either. So they could be giving you guys a send off message on stage.
Harley: (Sighs) How I miss the theatre. Sometimes I wonder if I should have stuck it out as an actor instead of a dancer. But I guess these legs were made to dance!
Nando: That’s not all your legs are made for. (Purrs)
Harley: Ooh, Nando you tease!
Brock: I didn’t need to hear that. (In the front of the theatre)
Marisa: (Sighs) I better get back inside. (Opens the door) Oh…Tracey…
Tracey: Come on. Let’s have a little chat.
Marisa: I don’t feel much like talking.
Tracey: Feeling depressed huh?
Marisa: More than ever. (He embraces her)
Tracey: Everything you want to happen will happen. You just have to stay positive and take things one step at a time. Not everything happens over night and you ought to know that first hand.
Marisa: I get what you’re saying Tracey…it’s just that…This sort of pain isn’t something you can get rid of with just talking to someone. I mean, why do you think I’ve been in therapy for two years now? Thanks for the words though! (He sighs) Well we better get to our seats.
Tracey: Oh. Um, Marcus asked specifically that you go and watch the performance from backstage.
Marisa: Say what?
Tracey: Well…he told me that he’s singing for everyone and he asked that you stay backstage and watch it from there. Gives him some sort of level of comfort.
Marisa: I think I can buy that. Let’s go see. (In the tech booth)
Duplica: Okay, I think we’re already for show time! (Turns down the house lights and puts a spotlight on stage) Here we go! (Marcus walks on stage and applause)
Marcus: (Singing)
Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses
Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor.
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night...
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness that you know you cannot fight
the darkness of the music of the night.
Let your mind start a journey
through a strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before!
Let your soul take you where you long to be!
Only then can you belong to me
Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night
You alone can make my song take flight
Help me make the music of the night (Cheering and applause)
Marisa: He truly has improved this song from when he sang back in high school. (In the audience)
Suzy: (Tears up) That was so beautiful.
Theresa: I hear that.
Misty: I haven’t heard such a powerful voice since Drew.
Harley: That was of course before parenthood came and snatched him!
Drew: Shut up Harley! (Back on stage)
Marcus: But the surprise isn’t over yet folks!
All: Huh?
Marcus: I have another gift. The gift of comedy!
Marisa: (Thinking) No ****ing way!
Marcus: I know after finals and having to go through the aching time of graduation, we all could use a good laugh.
Marisa: Is he trying to get me to…?
Tracey: Go on now!
Marisa: But don’t I need some written material?
Tracey: When have you ever needed written material?
Marisa: Good point! You’ve got me on that one.
Tracey: Just go out there and slam a lot of things you love to hate.
Marisa: Thanks Tracey.
Tracey: One more thing! (He kisses her on the lips) A kiss for…
Marisa: Tracey!
Tracey: Break a leg. Sorry, I always forget about that one theatre tradition.
Marcus: Give it up for the comedy stylings of Marisa! (Cheering and clapping)
Theresa: I didn’t know she was a comedian.
Brock: More like an amateur!
Harley: Hey she’s funny! Give her some credit! (She walks out on stage)
Marisa: (Sighs) Thank you all so much. Man, I never wanted a drink so much in my whole life. And honest to God, after finals we all would love to have a drink. Makes everything in the world seem a lot more fun! Alcohol has the power to turn ugly people into something prettier! Oh alcohol makes you feel all sorts of emotions! And you’re just having the time of your fucking life! And then the morning comes! Suddenly you find yourself in a bed that doesn’t look familiar to you. You look on the wall and you see an ugly portrait of a couple. (Laughing) Look over to your right…and you see the creature you slept with. (Laughing) He is your average looking ugly male. Mixture of black and gray hair, reeking of the smell of booze, and has a total of three teeth in his mouth. (Laughing) “What the hell was I drinking last night? I leave the club with Denzel and I wake up the next day next to an ugly-ass Morgan Freeman!” Thankfully, that never happened to me…No comment about some of the girls I know. (Laughing)
The last time I drank any alcohol, I should have just come with an instruction manual for my friends to read over. (Laughing) You know, just have the shit say WARNING: You are about to feed Marisa alcohol! Warning number one: She will periodically punch you in the back of the head. Don’t be alarmed, that’s just her way of making sure you’re not dead. (Laughing) Warning number two: She will dance around a pole thinking she’s a strip dancer. Warning number three: Projectile vomiting WILL occur! I swear I’m like the drunk exorcist after pounding a few. And then the headaches…You know what? The headache never drove me nuts because for some strange reason hangover headaches are a lot more peaceful than my period headaches. (Laughing) Now don’t get me started on periods! I am the real definition of a bitch for five days out of the month. I am like Rosanne on fucking steroids! I’m loud and ready to kill anyone in my way! (Laughing) “Get out of my way! (Roars) Where are my ****ing bon-bons? WHY DON’T THESE PANTS FIT ME!” (Laughing) That would be one scary sight if Rosanne Barr were actually on steroids. Although I do have an image! Put Rosanne on steroids and you get Rosie…O’ Donald! (Laughing) Oh I kid! I love Rosie for real! I have mad respect for anyone who can stand up to that loud talking hair-piece, Donald Trump. I’m sorry pal but that hairstyle of yours… (Laughs) Not enough words in the English language to describe Donald Trump’s hair. Old ladies I see in church have him beat hands down in that category! (Laughing)
Oh church! The biggest butt-numbing moment of the week! (Laughing) I was brought up Baptist. So you know I was dragged to a hotter than southern Texas little church every fucking Sunday. And you would sit there for three ****ing hours! (Laughing) Oh y’all laughing now! You never had to live through this ****! And when you’re a little kid, everything is uncomfortable for you. First of all, you’re in this little pink fru-fru piece of **** dress you hate! Your mother is all… “Aw…Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Make **** worse, your mother’s in that exact same dress, only adult sized! (Laughing) Mommy-daughter dresses should be outlawed! You feel like you’re the ****ing ghetto version of the Olson twins. (Laughing) Years later, my father came into the picture and then we had to start coming to church like an hour before the service. My father wanted to suck-up to all these people who attended the church. Oh and then the sermon. The most painful three hours of your life! It’s somewhere on a painful list. I would say somewhere between child birth and sitting through a Britney Spears movie. So anyways, the church would always be like 20 degrees hotter than it is outside. No matter what season it is! And then everybody in the church got one of these little fans. Yeah trust me that **** don’t work! You’re just fanning hot air back and forth. Oh and the only entertainment you get throughout the whole three hours is from the preacher. He’s like a mixture of Billy Graham and James Brown. Boring as Billy but then starts screeching and moving around like James Brown. Every time I see him, I swear he’s going to breakout and sing I GOT ANTS IN MY PANTS! (Loud laughter) AND I JUST GOTTA DANCE! (Starts to dance around and everybody laughs and claps) Hey, thanks a lot everyone.
Harley: Oh that girl has gotten funnier over the years!
Theresa: She’s the new Queen of Comedy!
Ash: Oh you guys should have seen her in Vegas! She’s the best drunk!
Misty: Hey at least she can be funny with or without liquor. (Backstage)
Marisa: So how was that? (Tracey hugs her) What, I asked for a comment out the mouth!
Tracey: You feeling better!
Marisa: I really do. Making other people laugh until they pee their pants seems like such a fun thing to do.
Marcus: Hey love-birds! Hate to break up the love fest but there’s a man over there who wants to speak to Marisa.
Marisa: That’s my agent! How did you find me?
Man: I came by your house and your mother told me you were at that restaurant near here. But y’all were gone when I came in. Luckily a nice waitress told me a group of people came here. And here I am! (They walk to a corner)
Marcus: I am a miracle maker! This really lifted her spirits right up!
Tracey: Yeah. I’m very happy for her. (Nearby)
Marisa: San Francisco?
Man: You’ve got it babe! I know things weren’t the best at your last gig, but I have faith you can pull this off at the next one.
Marisa: You’re really putting all of your eggs in one basket. No wonder you were screwing around in Las Vegas. You’re pretty much a hard core gambler.
Man: I have a lot of faith in you. One thing I’m good at is seeing the talent in people. Now working a room in California is big time! This ain’t no small time arena, this is big!
Marisa: I hear you.
Man: Hmm…So are you up for the challenge?
Marisa: I am. (The following week in an arena)
Bertha: Congratulations graduates! You have survived your time in college and are now entering the world with the knowledge and information you learned here. Never forget where you came from. Never forget the best of times you’ve experienced here. Good luck to you all. (A little later after the ceremony)
Marcus: Smile for the camera! (Camera flashes)
Harley: Oh I’m definitely wearing this tonight during our roleplay!
Marcus: I didn’t need to hear that!
Ash: Okay Mom, get a shot with me and the graduate!
Delia: You’ve got it!
Misty: (Gasps) You made it! (Marisa and Tracey walk up) How was California? (Marisa hugs her) I take it you had a fun time!
Marisa: They loved me! I’m just glad I got on an early flight to see your graduation.
Misty: (Sighs) I’m kinda relieved graduation is over.
Tracey: That just means it’s time for you to get ready for the wedding! (Delia starts to cry)
Ash: Mom, please stop crying! Oh please stop crying!
Marcus: Hey you happy group, smile for the camera! (Camera flashes)
Misty: (Thinking) First graduation…and now my own wedding? I’m on top of the world!
~*Preview*~
Tracey: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join Ash and Misty in holy matrimony! In our wedding chapter, we count down the different surprises that come our way, all leading up to the wedding we’ve waited so long for. Any objections? Speak now or forever hold your peace. Next time on Romance 102, Chapter 48…See you next time!
Song(s) used
*Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera