Original Script by meeee
Comments and critiques and criticisms greatly appreciated IF APPROPRIATE. Anything you think I should add? Delete? Rewrite? Please help, it's my final project which is the equivalent of a final exam. It is roughly four pages, but it should be a quick read.
All comments (none may be "anonymous") need to be recieved by 4:00ish on Wednesday, June 14 so that I have time to consider them and rework the piece. Thank you!
*Scene opens in Top Cat Cafe, early in the evening. Zepher Selene walks in and falls quickly into a discussion with a waitress, unaware that Kanika and Jett and sitting nearby at Table 1. A band has just finished playing, and is striking the set.*
Zepher Selene Excuse me, are you busy?
Waitress No, I can spare a few minutes.
Zepher Selene Alright, thanks. Is my usual place taken? No? Good. I think we'll need to pull another table over next to it.
Waitress Large group today?
Zepher Selene Larger than usual
Waitress How many?
Zepher Selene At least six, including myself. Here's a list of their names.
Waitress Alright, go on in. I think everything is ready to go, or getting there, but yell if you guys need anything. Would you like to order anything?
Zepher Selene Some pastries and water should be good, thank you.
*Waitress starts getting this together while Zepher rearranges the tables. Angelina and Kyle-Aden walk in together. Spotting them, Zepher waves to get their attention.*
Zepher Selene Hey, our table's ready! Come with me, please.
Kyle-Aden You sound like you work here.
Angelina Why would she work at all? I mean, her family's rich.
Zepher Selene I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
*Kyle-Aden gives Angelina a warning looks, which she ignores.*
Angelina Okay, so say she does need a job. I've heard many stories and watched a few reality T.V. shows where rich parents made their children work to earn their cash. But why would she work here? It's so low-class. If I were her, I'd--
Kyle-Aden You aren't her, and no one asked for your opinion on where to work. Drop it.
*Angelina pouts at him, then turns away*
Zepher Selene Thank you, Aden.
*They sit down as the Waitress serves ice water, then returns to her post by the door. Another band has begun bringing its equipment in.*
Kyle-Aden So, Selene. What's this pig surprise?
Zepher Selene I'm not telling. You'll see soon enough. *smiles innocently*
Angelina Why do you call her "Selene"?
Kyle-Aden She's asked me to call her by that name.
Angelina *snobbishly* Ah. Hey -- that's not! My sister?! With a hot guy?!
*Kali has walked in with Brogan. The Waitress escorts them to the table, and fills water glasses for everyone. Kali and Angelina glare at each other. Brogan drops his skate board under the table before leaning over and kissing Zepher Selene on the cheek.*
Brogan Hey, what's going on?
Angelina Zepher, you did this on purpose.
Zepher Selene Well, I want to share this surprise with all of my friends, not just some of them.
Angelina I'm leaving. I won't sit at the same table with her.
*She stands. Kyle-Aden, knowing she will not clime over or under the table for fear of damaging her reputation, does not move out of her way, preventing her from making a dignified exit. Furious, she sit back down and turns to the window.*
Brogan This happen every day?
Zepher Selene and Kyle-Aden Pretty much.
Brogan I can't believe you guys put up with this.
Kali They don't.
Kyle-Aden You don't talk much, do you? Not even in response to your sister's remarks?
Kali No, I don't.
Brogan Why not?
Kali No one hears me when I do talk, and when I do it starts arguments and even violence, which doesn't end until someone dies.
Kyle-Aden Doesn't end until someone dies? How many people have you known who've died because you spoke to them?
Kali Myself. Many times over.
Kyle-Aden Kali, you're not--
*Kali pulls back her sleeves, revealing arms covered with scars, scabs, and other cuts that almost seem to still be bleeding. The boys flinch away at the engraved phrases DEATH IS BLISS and PAIN IS LIFE.*
Angelina That's not the worst of them.
Kyle-Aden and Brogan It's not?!
Kali You couldn't handle the real ones, so don't ask.
Kyle-Aden *to Zepher Selene* How can you just sit there, unaffected? Did you know? How-- *he breaks off, shaking his head, stands, paces just out of sight of Kali's cuts*
Zepher Selene Do you really want to know?
Kyle-Aden Yes, I really want to know.
Zepher Selene No, I didn't know. But I suspected. I've known many cutters. I've known people who use blood in what they call magic rituals. I've had to watch people cut themselves. People who claim cutting is the only way to release their pain. No, I don't like it; I could never do it myself.
Kyle-Aden Why didn't you ever do anything?
Zepher Selene There is little I can do. Cutting is often as much an addiction as alcoholism, but has many fewer rehabilitation centers, and can be harder to break. Because to break it, the cause needs to be known. In the cases I've known, most just felt alone and neglected. And in those cases, they've managed to quit. But there are others with more complex reasons, and they are harder to help. So, Kali, pull down your sleeves and have some raspberry vanilla tart.
*Silence falls over the table as Kali covers her arms again and Waitress serves variety of pastries. Zepher Selene places a some of the tart in front of Kali, who attempts to refuse until she catches Zepher's steady gaze. No one notices that Angelina had at some point during the speech excused herself from the table. The boys attempt not to stare at Kali as Zepher continues to monitor her eating. The band has started to warm up. Awkward jokes are made in unsuccessful attempts to relieve the tension. Waitress escorts a young woman to the table who promptly orders a glass of strawberry wine as she deposits her various shopping bags. A cat pokes its head out of her purse before jumping into her lap.*
Zepher Selene Hey, Aunt Lavada. What's up?
Lavada Nothin' much, how about you all? You seem to be missing a person.
Zepher Selene Yes, she wasn't very happy to learn I invited her sister. Aden, you may sit back down again, by the way.
*Kyle-Aden starts at the idea, then resumes his seat. Lavada helps herself to some strawberry rhubarb pie.*
Lavada So Selene, we're going clubbing tomorrow night, right?
Zepher Selene Yes. Which reminds me, do you have time to come shopping with me tomorrow afternoon?
Lavada *Hesitates * I could try to get meet you for two o'clock, but I'm not entirely sure. Oh, by the way: where you aware that Kanika and her boyfriend are over at Table 1?
Zepher Selene *Flatly * No, but I don't really care, either. *Changing subject * So, what do you guys think of the band over there?
*Angelina saunters back over to the table. Kyle-Aden slides over to take the window seat.*
Angelina They're not really my style, but the lead guitarist is really hot.
Kali They aren't playing their own song. I know this song, and I know that this is a remake.
Zepher Selene I know this isn't their own song; they just like to use more familiar songs while they warm up.
Kyle-Aden Isn't this the band Markku was saying plays over at Life's Blood?
Lavada Yes, it's the same. They morph their vibe very well, blending to meet the request of the audience.
Kyle-Aden I thought they had a female lead singer? She's supposed to be really hot.
Lavada Oh, they do. You'll recognize her as soon as you see her.
Angelina *interested in spite of herself* Really? What does she look like?
Zepher Selene You'll see soon enough. Oh! Lavada, did you bring my stuff?
Lavada Yea, it's where you requested.
Zepher Selene Thank you so much!! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to use the facilities. *she excuses herself from the table and walks out.*
Angelina What stuff was she referring to?
Lavada Why is it your business?
Brogan Touché!
Kali So, does anyone know what this big "surprise" is? *Angelina and Kyle-Aden shake their heads* So, you two do, don't you? Lavada and - what's your name? - Brogan. You know what it is. Tell us!
*Kanika and walks over and sits down as Jett walks out.*
Kanika So, what are you all up to?
Brogan What are you doing here, Kanika?
Kanika Lina here invited me.
Angelina I did not! I only invited Jett. Where is he?
Kanika He went home. We broke up last week--
Lavada Then why were you two just seen together?
Kanika I saw him sitting there all by himself and decided to join him. Is there a problem with that?
Angelina That idiot! He got the day mixed up again, didn't he?
Kyle-Aden What's that supposed to mean?
Angelina I told him to meet me here at three tomorrow.
Brogan How do you know him?
Angelina We've met online. We've been dating for a couple weeks now. He's been good enough to come all the way out here to see me, so I didn't push it with him.
Kanika What?!
Angelina What are you doing here anyway? Why aren't you still out in Hicksville?
Kanika He cheated on me? With you?!
Angelina Well, yea. I mean, look at you. Of course he needs someone to look at to ease his sight.
Kanika Excuse me?
Lavada Kanika, go back to your own table before I call the manager.
Kanika Well, I had come over here to ask where Zepher is-
Brogan As if we'd tell you. After what happened-
Kanika I wanted to apologize!
Kali Kanika, I think it's a better idea for you to go jump off-
Kyle-Aden Kali!
Kali Sorry…
Kanika Wont you please tell me where I can find her? I really need to talk to her.
*The Cat which had been in Lavada's lap jumps up and hisses at Kanika, as if warning her away. Kanika takes an involuntary step backwards from the table.*
Brogan Kanika, I think you'd better go home now. You're upsetting the Cat. I'm sure you remember him?
Kanika *sets her jaw* I remember. But I'm not leaving until I speak with Zepher.
Kali She prefers to be called Selene.
Kanika What, after that stupid movie? Oh my god. I can't believe I'm putting up with you people. Why won't you let me talk to her?
*Zepher Selene reenters unnoticed, in a change of clothes, and joins the band on stage. She turns her back to the patrons and starts her warm ups.*
Kyle-Aden Hey, she must be their lead singer! Selene's going to be sorry-well, she'll be back, right?
Angelina Ha! She probably caught sight of this girl here and turned and left. I wonder what that girl's name is…?
Kali Whoever she is, she has a great voice. Even if she is ripping off another artists' songs…
Zepher Selene *over microphone* And now, we will begin with a song we call "The past (won't go away)."
*Song starts, and she keeps her back to the audience for another few seconds after she starts singing to get their attention before revealing her identity to her friends.*
All comments (none may be "anonymous") need to be recieved by 4:00ish on Wednesday, June 14 so that I have time to consider them and rework the piece. Thank you!
*Scene opens in Top Cat Cafe, early in the evening. Zepher Selene walks in and falls quickly into a discussion with a waitress, unaware that Kanika and Jett and sitting nearby at Table 1. A band has just finished playing, and is striking the set.*
Zepher Selene Excuse me, are you busy?
Waitress No, I can spare a few minutes.
Zepher Selene Alright, thanks. Is my usual place taken? No? Good. I think we'll need to pull another table over next to it.
Waitress Large group today?
Zepher Selene Larger than usual
Waitress How many?
Zepher Selene At least six, including myself. Here's a list of their names.
Waitress Alright, go on in. I think everything is ready to go, or getting there, but yell if you guys need anything. Would you like to order anything?
Zepher Selene Some pastries and water should be good, thank you.
*Waitress starts getting this together while Zepher rearranges the tables. Angelina and Kyle-Aden walk in together. Spotting them, Zepher waves to get their attention.*
Zepher Selene Hey, our table's ready! Come with me, please.
Kyle-Aden You sound like you work here.
Angelina Why would she work at all? I mean, her family's rich.
Zepher Selene I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
*Kyle-Aden gives Angelina a warning looks, which she ignores.*
Angelina Okay, so say she does need a job. I've heard many stories and watched a few reality T.V. shows where rich parents made their children work to earn their cash. But why would she work here? It's so low-class. If I were her, I'd--
Kyle-Aden You aren't her, and no one asked for your opinion on where to work. Drop it.
*Angelina pouts at him, then turns away*
Zepher Selene Thank you, Aden.
*They sit down as the Waitress serves ice water, then returns to her post by the door. Another band has begun bringing its equipment in.*
Kyle-Aden So, Selene. What's this pig surprise?
Zepher Selene I'm not telling. You'll see soon enough. *smiles innocently*
Angelina Why do you call her "Selene"?
Kyle-Aden She's asked me to call her by that name.
Angelina *snobbishly* Ah. Hey -- that's not! My sister?! With a hot guy?!
*Kali has walked in with Brogan. The Waitress escorts them to the table, and fills water glasses for everyone. Kali and Angelina glare at each other. Brogan drops his skate board under the table before leaning over and kissing Zepher Selene on the cheek.*
Brogan Hey, what's going on?
Angelina Zepher, you did this on purpose.
Zepher Selene Well, I want to share this surprise with all of my friends, not just some of them.
Angelina I'm leaving. I won't sit at the same table with her.
*She stands. Kyle-Aden, knowing she will not clime over or under the table for fear of damaging her reputation, does not move out of her way, preventing her from making a dignified exit. Furious, she sit back down and turns to the window.*
Brogan This happen every day?
Zepher Selene and Kyle-Aden Pretty much.
Brogan I can't believe you guys put up with this.
Kali They don't.
Kyle-Aden You don't talk much, do you? Not even in response to your sister's remarks?
Kali No, I don't.
Brogan Why not?
Kali No one hears me when I do talk, and when I do it starts arguments and even violence, which doesn't end until someone dies.
Kyle-Aden Doesn't end until someone dies? How many people have you known who've died because you spoke to them?
Kali Myself. Many times over.
Kyle-Aden Kali, you're not--
*Kali pulls back her sleeves, revealing arms covered with scars, scabs, and other cuts that almost seem to still be bleeding. The boys flinch away at the engraved phrases DEATH IS BLISS and PAIN IS LIFE.*
Angelina That's not the worst of them.
Kyle-Aden and Brogan It's not?!
Kali You couldn't handle the real ones, so don't ask.
Kyle-Aden *to Zepher Selene* How can you just sit there, unaffected? Did you know? How-- *he breaks off, shaking his head, stands, paces just out of sight of Kali's cuts*
Zepher Selene Do you really want to know?
Kyle-Aden Yes, I really want to know.
Zepher Selene No, I didn't know. But I suspected. I've known many cutters. I've known people who use blood in what they call magic rituals. I've had to watch people cut themselves. People who claim cutting is the only way to release their pain. No, I don't like it; I could never do it myself.
Kyle-Aden Why didn't you ever do anything?
Zepher Selene There is little I can do. Cutting is often as much an addiction as alcoholism, but has many fewer rehabilitation centers, and can be harder to break. Because to break it, the cause needs to be known. In the cases I've known, most just felt alone and neglected. And in those cases, they've managed to quit. But there are others with more complex reasons, and they are harder to help. So, Kali, pull down your sleeves and have some raspberry vanilla tart.
*Silence falls over the table as Kali covers her arms again and Waitress serves variety of pastries. Zepher Selene places a some of the tart in front of Kali, who attempts to refuse until she catches Zepher's steady gaze. No one notices that Angelina had at some point during the speech excused herself from the table. The boys attempt not to stare at Kali as Zepher continues to monitor her eating. The band has started to warm up. Awkward jokes are made in unsuccessful attempts to relieve the tension. Waitress escorts a young woman to the table who promptly orders a glass of strawberry wine as she deposits her various shopping bags. A cat pokes its head out of her purse before jumping into her lap.*
Zepher Selene Hey, Aunt Lavada. What's up?
Lavada Nothin' much, how about you all? You seem to be missing a person.
Zepher Selene Yes, she wasn't very happy to learn I invited her sister. Aden, you may sit back down again, by the way.
*Kyle-Aden starts at the idea, then resumes his seat. Lavada helps herself to some strawberry rhubarb pie.*
Lavada So Selene, we're going clubbing tomorrow night, right?
Zepher Selene Yes. Which reminds me, do you have time to come shopping with me tomorrow afternoon?
Lavada *Hesitates * I could try to get meet you for two o'clock, but I'm not entirely sure. Oh, by the way: where you aware that Kanika and her boyfriend are over at Table 1?
Zepher Selene *Flatly * No, but I don't really care, either. *Changing subject * So, what do you guys think of the band over there?
*Angelina saunters back over to the table. Kyle-Aden slides over to take the window seat.*
Angelina They're not really my style, but the lead guitarist is really hot.
Kali They aren't playing their own song. I know this song, and I know that this is a remake.
Zepher Selene I know this isn't their own song; they just like to use more familiar songs while they warm up.
Kyle-Aden Isn't this the band Markku was saying plays over at Life's Blood?
Lavada Yes, it's the same. They morph their vibe very well, blending to meet the request of the audience.
Kyle-Aden I thought they had a female lead singer? She's supposed to be really hot.
Lavada Oh, they do. You'll recognize her as soon as you see her.
Angelina *interested in spite of herself* Really? What does she look like?
Zepher Selene You'll see soon enough. Oh! Lavada, did you bring my stuff?
Lavada Yea, it's where you requested.
Zepher Selene Thank you so much!! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to use the facilities. *she excuses herself from the table and walks out.*
Angelina What stuff was she referring to?
Lavada Why is it your business?
Brogan Touché!
Kali So, does anyone know what this big "surprise" is? *Angelina and Kyle-Aden shake their heads* So, you two do, don't you? Lavada and - what's your name? - Brogan. You know what it is. Tell us!
*Kanika and walks over and sits down as Jett walks out.*
Kanika So, what are you all up to?
Brogan What are you doing here, Kanika?
Kanika Lina here invited me.
Angelina I did not! I only invited Jett. Where is he?
Kanika He went home. We broke up last week--
Lavada Then why were you two just seen together?
Kanika I saw him sitting there all by himself and decided to join him. Is there a problem with that?
Angelina That idiot! He got the day mixed up again, didn't he?
Kyle-Aden What's that supposed to mean?
Angelina I told him to meet me here at three tomorrow.
Brogan How do you know him?
Angelina We've met online. We've been dating for a couple weeks now. He's been good enough to come all the way out here to see me, so I didn't push it with him.
Kanika What?!
Angelina What are you doing here anyway? Why aren't you still out in Hicksville?
Kanika He cheated on me? With you?!
Angelina Well, yea. I mean, look at you. Of course he needs someone to look at to ease his sight.
Kanika Excuse me?
Lavada Kanika, go back to your own table before I call the manager.
Kanika Well, I had come over here to ask where Zepher is-
Brogan As if we'd tell you. After what happened-
Kanika I wanted to apologize!
Kali Kanika, I think it's a better idea for you to go jump off-
Kyle-Aden Kali!
Kali Sorry…
Kanika Wont you please tell me where I can find her? I really need to talk to her.
*The Cat which had been in Lavada's lap jumps up and hisses at Kanika, as if warning her away. Kanika takes an involuntary step backwards from the table.*
Brogan Kanika, I think you'd better go home now. You're upsetting the Cat. I'm sure you remember him?
Kanika *sets her jaw* I remember. But I'm not leaving until I speak with Zepher.
Kali She prefers to be called Selene.
Kanika What, after that stupid movie? Oh my god. I can't believe I'm putting up with you people. Why won't you let me talk to her?
*Zepher Selene reenters unnoticed, in a change of clothes, and joins the band on stage. She turns her back to the patrons and starts her warm ups.*
Kyle-Aden Hey, she must be their lead singer! Selene's going to be sorry-well, she'll be back, right?
Angelina Ha! She probably caught sight of this girl here and turned and left. I wonder what that girl's name is…?
Kali Whoever she is, she has a great voice. Even if she is ripping off another artists' songs…
Zepher Selene *over microphone* And now, we will begin with a song we call "The past (won't go away)."
*Song starts, and she keeps her back to the audience for another few seconds after she starts singing to get their attention before revealing her identity to her friends.*