Lock-In: A Teen Dramedy (3)
Zoe (frustrated) I know! Leah (calmly) So how do you feel about him? Zoe To be honest, I’m really torn over the whole thing. I genuinely like Rob. He’s a good friend. He’s funny, a little charming, and unpredictable. Leah (amused) That’s putting it mildly. Would you date him? Zoe Maybe. But not with the way he feels about me. I’d only be hurting him in the long run. Leah I think you’re going to hurt him no matter what happens. Zoe (frustrated) I know! That’s what’s bothering me. I don’t know what to tell him. Leah I’m going to say the truth. It’ll hurt him less than if you pretend to like him that way for his sake. Zoe You’re right. But he’ll be crushed. Leah (with a deep look of concern) Yeah. He cares about you a lot. Zoe just looks at her. Leah looks at the floor, then sets her face, knowing her task. Leah But I’ll be there to help him through it. Zoe You won’t tell him what we talked about will you? Leah (shaking her head) No. I’ll send him to you and let you work it out. Can you handle that? Zoe Yeah. But y’know he’s not gonna be happy with you. Leah He’ll get over it. (Gets up to leave) And keep Maryruth out of this, she just makes things worse. Zoe (laughing) Asking Maryruth not to gossip is like asking her not to breathe. Leah That’s not a bad idea. They share a laugh. Zoe (getting up) I’ll see what I can do, but I won’t have much say in it. Leah Fair enough. C’mon I’ll walk you to your car. It’s getting dark. Zoe Ok. They exit the door that Ryan exited, and the doors open to let the audience know he’s not there. The girls make idle chit-chat about what they’re going to wear to the lock-in as they round the corner and through the double doors. However the camera makes an opposite turn and goes through the door that leads to Ryan who is standing behind it looking through the small window. Ryan That was close. He moves from behind the curtain and jumps off the stage, the camera following, as he moves to exit the theatre the long way. Ryan That was interesting. I myself wanted to know why Zoe’s been so hard on Rob lately. Maybe that whole thing this morning was just an excuse to break things of with Rob. It was pretty lame though and she knew it. (pauses) I wonder how Rob is going to react when Leah doesn’t tell him what he wants to know. I wonder how Mia is going to take a whole night with Maryruth. I wonder if Mike and Eddie are going to get through the nigh without smoking, or what will happen with Mike and Mia. I wonder about a lot of things for tonight. But we’ll just have to wait and see. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT (EVENING) Ryan walks out of the theatre and to his car. He opens the car door and starts to get in then, gets back out. Ryan Screw it. I hate waiting. (Snaps his fingers) EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT—MUSICAL SEQUENCE (NIGHT) At once it’s darker outside and “Dance Tonight” by Lucy Pearl begins to play. Cars are starting to arrive. The auditorium lobby is lit up brighter than Las Vegas, and there are many people running into the theatre. There are tons of groupies and parents, and just random people hanging around. The camera takes a brief look at it all, then goes back to Ryan who is grinning. Ryan (playfully pulls the camera toward his face) How do you like that? The camera goes back to the scene. Ryan (walking back toward the school) Power. Hard to come by and hard to keep. Especially in high school when you have to compete with so many people to get it. You can either work for it or take it. OR (pauses) sometimes you can inherit it. Like if your brother or sister was real popular when they graduated, their popularity can spill over onto you. Take Maryruth for example: At this point the camera cuts to Maryruth driving up. Ryan (V.O.) Maryruth’s sister was the resident gossip queen at our school last year. Every inviting tidbit or juicy rumor in school usually found it’s way to her. But when she graduated, Maryruth was next in line for the thrown. Ever since then she’s changed. She’s cold..manipulative…what is she trying to prove? Maryruth and her entourage are walking toward the school, dressed to kill, and talking about their clothing and making comments about the boys and such around. INT. THEATRE LOBBY (NIGHT) The camera follows the girls as they enter the theatre lobby waving to people as they pass. Here they encounter Ryan. Maryruth (running over to greet him) Hey Ryan! Ryan (embracing her) Hey. (Looking at her dress) You guys look great. Maryruth (casting a look back at the girls) Thanks. We picked these out together for tonight. In fact we were looking to— Eddie (entering loudly from the left with Mike) LOOK AT ALL THE SCATTERED BOOTY AROUND HERE! (walks around one of the girls in Maryruth’s entourage) Damn girl! You think you showin enough skin? (stands back) Look I got an idea. You’re all probably gonna get in trouble for wearing stuff that short, so all of you should take your clothes and give em to me. I’ll hide it for ya. Sarah (giving him the finger) Screw you. Eddie Sure why not. Ryan chuckles. Eddie looks proud of himself. Maryruth (to Eddie) Hey stoner piss off! Eddie (walking over to her) You know Maryruth I’ve heard of “dressed to kill”, but when you dress like this all I wanna do is throw up. Mike Covering up those legs would be nice too. Ryan is moving around the scene taking himself out of the picture slowly. Maryruth What are you doing in here? Eddie Nonunya business! (to Mike) What the hell are we doing here? Mike We’re waitin for Mia to show up. She said she’d be showing up at about 7:30. Everyone and the Camera look to the clock, which reads promptly 7:25. Eddie You gotta be kiddin me? What’re we supposed to do? Sit around and wait till she shows up? Mike (annoyed) Yes! Maryruth Yeah don’t you guys have to go smoke something? Eddie Evil bitch is right. I told Josh we’d smoke a cigarette with him before the lock-in started. Mike C’mon man wait 5 minutes! Eddie I don’t wanna wait 2 seconds in here with Satan (gestures to Maryruth). I’m out. (Starts to exit to the stairwell to his left) Mike (calling after him) I thought you quit smokin! Eddie (calling back) Yeah yeah. Mike sighs then follows Eddie. Maryruth God I hate that loser. Don’t you Ryan? Maryruth looks around for Ryan but he is nowhere to be found. The girls go inside the theatre. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL (NIGHT) The camera goes outside and around the corner where Ryan is watching a car drive up to the side. It’s Mia and Amy in Amy’s mother’s car. Amy’s Mother (as the girls are getting out of the car) Have a good time girls! The girls give her an affirmative and shut the door. They are dressed quite nice themselves but nowhere near as provocative as Maryruth’s group. The girls begin to turn… Amy’s mom You look really nice Mia. Mia Thanks Mrs. Whysample. She drives away. Mia and Amy stand outside the side entrance to the theatre as if they are bracing themselves. Sometime around here Deftones “Change (in the house of flies)” has started to play. Mia I hate it when your mom says that. I makes me depressed because she thinks I’m depressed. Amy That’s pretty messed up, Mia. Mia (exasperated) You know what I mean. (pauses) I dunno why you made me come to this stupid thing anyway. Amy Cuz if you didn’t I’d be worried about you being depressed. Now C’mon we’re goin inside. Mia (groaning) God I don’t wanna have to deal with Maryruth’s crap! Amy Sooner you stand up to her the sooner you won’t have to. Let’s go. The girls continue to chat as Amy pushes her toward the side door. Ryan turns around the opposite way but the camera follows the girls into the theatre. INT. THEATRE (NIGHT) There is a general hubbub about the theatre. Once again it is separated into separate cliques, people who are actually in the class mixed with people who are not. The dress ranges from fairly casual to short as hell. Mia and Amy make their way around a group near the door waving at a few people. Mia (looking around) Do you see Mike anywhere? Amy No. The girls look around them, then the camera on a side shot, comes into focus on Maryruth in a huge group people. She sees Mia and Amy together. Then Mia spots her. Possible slow-motion shot. All Maryruth does is smile at Mia, and give her a sadistic little wave. Immediately Mia grabs Amy’s hand and they quickly head for the back of the theatre. Amy (confused) Where are we going? Mia (walking faster) Bathroom. The girls reach the back of the theatre. As they open one of the double doors, they run smack into Rob and Janni. Rob (startled) Oh! Hey you guys. Where you headed? Amy (playfully sarcastic) The bathroom. Wanna come? Janni starts to comment. Rob holds up a finger to silence him. Rob Not particularly. Did you guys see Leah in there? Mia No. (beckons to Amy as she leaves) The girls exit. The camera now stays with the boys. Rob God! Where is that gir— Rob spots Leah getting out of a car directly outside. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL (NIGHT) Leah and Tyson, her boyfriend, exchange a kiss as she departs the car. Rob (coming to meet her) Leah! Leah (groaning) (to Tyson)I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Tyson Yeah, I’ll be here. They say their good-bye’s, then Tyson drives away. Rob Did you talk to Zoe? Leah (hesitating) Yes. Rob What did she say? Leah She told me to tell you, that if you want to know how she feels about you, you have to talk to her yourself. Rob Awww you gotta be kiddin me?! They are walking back toward the theatre entrance. Leah (stopping briefly) Have you got any idea how we’re going to do a skit tonight if you don’t talk to her? Rob I can’t talk to her, unless I know what she said to you. Leah I already told you what she said. Rob What?! That’s all she said…she just blew you off like that. Leah No. Rob Then what the hell else did she say? Leah Janni can’t you talk some sense into him? Janni tries to respond, but Rob again cuts him off. Rob Leave the German boy outta this. This is between you, me, and the girl I care about. Janni just gives Leah a shrug. Leah How much do you care about her? Rob You know how much. Leah (frustrated) Then talk to her dammit! Listen we’ll talk about this later. There’re too many people around now.(she continues walking) Rob But I can’t— INT. HIGH SCHOOL/THEATRE LOBBY (NIGHT) He hurriedly follows her inside with Janni. They enter the theatre. The camera turns and Ryan is standing there. He watched the whole thing. He walks into the lobby as the camera shifts focus to him again. Upon entering the school he heads in the direction of the bathroom. Specifically the girl’s bathroom. Ryan This (pointing to the door) is a girl’s bathroom. A refuge, or sanctuary if you will to the average high school girl. Here she can escape boyfriends, angry friends, teachers, and class work for large amounts of time and get away with it. She goes in, puts on some more make-up chats with a friend, cause they never go alone, which is why Rob believes that these are where the rumors start at school. The bathrooms. But actually… CUT TO: INT. GIRL’S BATHROOM Amy Goddammit, all she did was smile at you! Mia (whining) But don’t you know what that means? Amy That you need to get out there and stare that bitch down and smile right back! Don’t let her do this to you. The reason why she gets to you is because you let her. This isn’t like school, where you only have to deal with her 45 minutes at a time. We have to be here all night! Stop taking her crap; I don’t. I may be a freshman but I’m not going to let her walk all over me. Mia (rubbing her semi-teary eyes) I can’t be like you. You’ve got that wrestling mindset when it comes to stuff like this. (A pause) But you’re right. (Taking a deep breath) I’m not going to let her treat me like crap. Amy Good. I’m glad because— At this moment, Maryruth Company enter the bathroom. There is no sign of Ryan outside the door. Mia is leaning over a sink and Amy is standing behind her with her hands on Mia’s shoulders. They look toward the door. Maryruth (smiling) Hello girls. I hope I’m not interupting anything. Amy abruptly takes her hands off Mia’s shoulders. Amy We were just leaving. Maryruth Oh please don’t stop on my account. If you two want to continue your little lesbian thing go right ahead. The girls gather their things and head out. Amy goes first, following, Mia stops at the door. Mia God! What the hell is your problem Maryruth?! She walks out. Maryruth (heading after her) Oh no she didn’t! Zoe (grabbing her arm) Leave her alone Maryruth. Maryruth I can’t let that little freshman walk all over me like that! (smiling) How will I ever teach them respect? Zoe You mean fear. Maryruth (still smiling) One or the other. The girls giggle as they put their make-up and such on in front of the mirror. Maryruth (briefly halting putting on her lipstick) So how did your conversation with Leah go? Zoe (dropping her eyeliner pencil) How did you hear about that? Sarah I heard that Leah was supposed to talk to you after B lunch. Brenna And I saw Leah go into the theatre after school. Zoe picks up her pencil from the sink and continues putting on her make-up. Maryruth So what’d you two talk about? Zoe (playing it down) Nothing much, she just wanted to know if I was going to talk to Rob or not. Maryruth And you are right? Zoe Of course. Maryruth And that was all you talked about? Zoe Pretty much. Maryruth It’s ok if you don’t want to tell me. I just thought it’d be easier if I ask, before I find out on my own. Zoe I can’t really tell you anything. (a pause) At least not until I talk to Rob. Maryruth I understand. I’ll find out what I wanna know. Zoe just looks worried. INT. THEATRE (NIGHT) The scenes shift. A brief shot of the clock before the shot of the theatre. Everyone is sitting in the middle section of the theatre in their respective cliques again. There is pizza on the stage. Everyone is looking hungrily at it. Lifert and Curran come in the side entrance bringing in the last of the pizza. He then comes over to his desk. Liefert Welcome everyone to the annual theatre Lock-In. I hope you all came prepared to act, to deal, and to have fun. This class is especially friendly with one another so I’m looking forward to what will happen. At this point Maryruth gives Mia a look, which Mia returns. Rob glances at Zoe, who doesn’t look at him. Liefert With that said, you have two choices. We can start the improvs or you can eat first. All (simultaneously) Eat. Liefert Ok then. I’ll give you 35 minutes to eat and talk over your skits. Then we’ll get back together and perform them. Bon Appetite. Liefert has a pizza at his desk, he and Curran begin to speak about something and open the pizza to eat. Everyone gets up and begins to go the pizza on the stage. In their individual cliques, people grab boxes of food and begin to move off around the theatre taking napkins and whatnot. There is a mild buzz of chatter. Talking of skits and other stuff. Rob’s group goes to the left exit to eat in the small hallway at the back entrance to the stage. Zoe and Maryruth’s gang moves to the front of the theatre going for the pizza. Mia and Amy and Leah are eating on the stage itself. Mike and Eddie come to the stage to get some pizza just as Maryruth and co. are leaving. Eddie You know Maryruth, with a booty as big as yours you can stand to lay off the pizza. Maryruth That means there’s plenty of it for you to kiss. Eddie (as she’s walking away) You always were into that freaky stuff Maryruth! Mike (laughing) Whatever man. (They sit on the stage to eat) So wassup with you and the gossip column? Why do you two have “issues?” Eddie We used to go out. She used to smoke like we do. Then after her sister graduated, she started acting like she was too good for people. Called me a loser one day…I’d had enough. Mike So you dumped her? Eddie You damn Skippy. But I don’t wanna talk about that. Josh comes through the back entrance. Josh Hey Ed, I’m gonna smoke a cigarette. Eddie Alright I’m comin. (Gets up to go) You comin Mike? Mike Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute. Eddie Alright man. (Exits) Amy and Leah, on the other side of the stage, are silently prodding Mia to talk to Mike. Mike pretends not to notice sitting on the edge of the stage eating pizza. Mia (coming over) Hey Mike. Mike Hey. Wassup? Mia
Copyright © 2001 Robert G. Hagans |