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Here are 2 of my one acts, the first one I wrote myself.
The play "Graduation Day " was a script I worked on with a very special lady. Her name is Sarah M. and deserves every bit of credit for the play as I do. So please let me know what you think.
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East meets West
By
Kyoske
[ The stage is black and none of the scenery can be seen, Mai is alone at center stage with a spot light on her.]
Mai: My heart was pounding! Here I was at the front step. The front step of what was to be my new home for the next 6 months. [Pause] I can remember so many things running through my mind. It was in an instant that these thoughts of all I had left behind flowed into me. My mother who had held me so tight her tears streaming down her face. She had held me till the last second before I was needed to board the plane. I wondered what my new mother was to be like. If she would have any qualities of my real mother. I thought about my sister, remembering how she was crying as I had left, and I wondered to myself “Is she still crying now?”. I wondered if my new sister would be like this when I was to return to Japan. I tried to remember everyone, and yet the only one of my family I couldn't remember was my father. All I could see in my mind was his face,[with rising anger] that vacant, emotionless face my father had as I had been getting ready to go. I wanted so much for him to say something to me, anything at all. I wouldn't have cared what he said as long as he cared enough about me to say it. All these images and memories of family and friends rushed through my mind and over my body at what felt to be a million miles an hour, but then it hit me. [Pause] I was alone, I was all by myself and at the front door of my new home. I realized it then. I had made it! [Pacing back and forth along stage with growing excitement] I mean here I was in America! and with it came a clean slate. I then knocked on the door and that was where it all started.
[Mai then runs off stage left. The scene is now able to be seen. It is the McDowell living room. Starting at stage right there is a kitchen door, from there a dining table rests. Exits are stationed at middle stage right which is the front door. Also the kitchen is an exit\entrance. Up stage from the kitchen is the parents bedroom. And up stage center the kid's bedrooms are down a hall. Decorations are set up to help welcome Mai to the McDowell home. Standing by the door the family is standing.]
Sarah: [ trying to make her family look presentable, and nagging] Peter straighten that tie! What have you done with you hair? [Sarah spits in her hand and combs it through Peter's hair to fix whatever problem she sees with his hair] Well that will have to do.
Peter: Mom! That's disgusting! Won't you just leave me alone? [Messing with his hair putting it back the way he wants it]
Sarah: You are so impossible! I am just trying to make us look nice for our visitor!
Peter: Then maybe we should have her meet someone else.
Diana: [whining] Ma-ohm! How long do I have to wear this bow in my hair? I look like a China doll!
Sarah: [pinching Diana's cheek] But you look so cute this way! Now stand up straight and SHUT UP!
[Diana goes back to standing next to her brother and still continues to mess with the bow in her hair]
Ethan: [in a very Arkansan voice] Sarah-dear! You're right. Kids you listen to your Ma now. I'm fixin to go work on some of my papers in the bedroom.
[Ethan tries to get away, but Sarah grabs his elbow and jerks him back into place]
Sarah: [gritting her teeth] Oh no honey! Your going to stand right here with the rest us and be the husband and father we all know that you are!
Ethan: But what the heck are we doin this for anyway?
Sarah: What do you mean! We are having a foreign exchange student staying with and she is coming today!
Peter: [very sarcastically] You think having an oaf as the father figure is a good thing for the exchange student to see when we are making our first impressions.
Sarah: [raising her voice] YOUR FATHER IS NOT AN OAF!
Peter: Your right there isn't a word in the dictionary that could describe him. Oaf was just the closest one I could find!
Sarah: [screaming] WILL YOU JUST SHUT-UP! I AM TRYING TO MAKE US LOOK LIKE A NORMAL FAMILY! NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE ARGUING! SO STAND THERE AND DON'T SAY ANOTHER WORD!
Peter: But mothe…
Sarah: [still screaming] NOT ANOTHER WORD!!!
[Knocking is heard]
Sarah: All right can we please do this. Just for today at least let's try and act like a normal family.
Ethan, Peter, and Diana: [groaning] All right.
[Sarah then opens the door and Mai walks in]
Mai: [bowing] Good evening. My name is Mayame Kisetsu. You can call me Mai if it please you.
Sarah: [hugging Mai] Welcome! My name is Sarah, but you can call me Mom.
Mai: You are my new mother?
Sarah: Yes, and this is your sister Diana.
Diana: [twirling her hair,] Yeah that's me!
[Sarah slaps Diana's hand to make her stop twirling her hair and pushes her out to hug Mai]
Diana: It'll be so nice to have a girl that's my age to talk to.
Mai: [Smiling] little sister I bring you gift from my country.
[Mai reaches into one of her bags and hands Diana a Japanese fan]
Mai: It is traditional Japanese fan. You like?
Diana: Yeah it's neat!
Sarah: This is your new brother, Peter.
Peter: [hugging Mai] Amerika ni yookosoo [Welcome to America]
Mai: [astonished] You speak Japanese?
Peter: Only a few choice phrases.
Sarah: How wonderful, now it might be easier for all of us to communicate.
Peter: It really is great to have you here Mai! You can teach me about your culture, and I can try and show you around mine.
Sarah: Anyway, Mai this is Ethan. He is the…
[Ethan extends his hand to shake her hand, but it is slapped down on Mai's falling to her knees on the floor and gets out a note card which she begins reading from.]
Mai: [trying to show as much respect as she possibly can] Oh kind and honorable sir. I am so very happy you allowed me to stay in your home. I will try not to disappoint or inconvenience to you anyway. You are such a good man to take me into your home.
[The whole family looks at Mai and then looks at each other and shrug]
Peter: [getting Mai up off the ground] Come with me Mai. I'll show you to your room.
[The lights go down and everyone exits. The clock is then changed to 6:15 am and the lights go up once again. Now Sarah comes from her bedroom wearing her robe, and other nightly attire.]
Sarah: [sitting down at the table and in exasperated voice] Another morning! Oh, and now I have that Chinese girl! Uhg, as if I didn't have enough to deal with! What do Chinese people eat for breakfast? Hmmm toast sounds good. After all don't they eat that everywhere? Well I better get started.
[Sarah starts to head towards the kitchen when Mai walks through the kitchen door carrying five plates]
Sarah: Oh! Mai, what are you doing?
Mai: I always make morning meal in Japan.
Sarah: [taking the plates and seating Mai] Here honey let me have those. You just sit right here, and breakfast will be ready soon.
[Sarah then walks into the kitchen, the second she walks into the kitchen Diana comes in a very hyper and confusing manner]
Diana: Oh good morning Mai! Did you sleep well? I didn't I just couldn't get to sleep. So I just tried on all my clothes, and finally found out something that looks totally fabulous! What do you think? Isn't it just the cutest thing?
[Diana spins around showing off her outfit]
Mai: Ahhh-yes it's very nice.
Diana: Thanks! Ma-ohm is breakfast ready yet?
Sarah: [shouted from off stage] IT WILL BE READY IN A MINUTE!
[Now peter groggily comes on stage dressed for school. He is about to walk into the kitchen when Sarah comes bursting through the door carrying a tray that has toast on it]
Sarah: [screaming once again] PETER BREAKFAST!
Peter: [staring at her in the face] I am right in front of you mother.
Sarah: Oh! Sorry I just figured you'd still be in bed. Well have a seat so we can start.
[They all sit and then the Father comes in.]
Ethan: [pointing at Mai] What is this?
Sarah: Ethan! You don't remember? It's our visitor from China. She will be living with us for the next couple of months.
Mai: [whispered] I no from China.
Ethan: [making a notion for Mai to move and said in a gruff tone] well get out of my chair then.
[Sarah remembering she had told Mai to sit there, moves Mai to another chair. The family all starts eating.]
Diana: [whining] Ma-ohm! Peter kicked me from underneath the table.
Peter: [said with voice heightening] I did not.
Diana: [said with voice heightening] You did to.
[Peter and Diana now start getting in a “I did not” “You did to”]
Ethan: [said in a gruff and growling voice] Both of you SHUT-UP and sit down. I don't want to see anything left on your plate. So eat it, eat it, EAT IT.
[ Peter and Diana return to eating ]
Ethan: So Mai, are the Japanese still mad about how we kicked there butts in WW II?
[Peter gets up from his chair abruptly and glares at his father]
Peter: Father! How dare you ask her a question like that! You can be such a moron sometimes! [turning to Mai] Oh Mai, I'm really sorry he said that. Come on we can go to school early today and I'll show you around the campus.
Sarah: But Peter dear, You also have to take Diana to school, and she is not done eating her breakfast. You can wait.
Diana: Yeah Peter! You have to wait for me!
Peter: [Trying to control his anger] No, I do not have to wait. You may walk to school today. Come along Mai we shall be taking our leave this moment.
[Mai looks at the family and then bows. She then runs off stage trying to keep up with Peter]
Sarah: [In total frustration] I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU JUST DID THAT!
[At this point Diana begins to cry and whine as she exits the stage]
Sarah: [raising from her seat] She is our guest Ethan! Tonight I am going to take both of our children to the Mall, and you are going to stay home and apologize to Mai!
Than: [Raising from his seat and trying to overpower her] Now look here you got no right to tell me what I'm gonna do!
Sarah: [Pushing him back in the chair] Your going to do it whether you like it or not and that is Final!
Ethan: No I'm….
Sarah: [pulling him so close to her face where all he can see are her eyes and said in a very dark tone] Yes you are.
[The lights black out and the clock is changed to 7:00 p.m. Sarah walks on stage followed by Peter, Diana, and Mai. After they reach center stage Ethan walks in from the bedroom]
Sarah: [smiling and seeming very happy] Ok kids let's all go to the mall!
Peter: [Monotone] Oh me oh my what a glorious day for we are going to the mall. What fun we shall have.
Diana: [beaming and doing cheerleader moves] Oh yeah! Whoohoo! We are going to the mall! Yes!
[Sarah, Peter, Diana, and Mai all start to go out the front door]
Sarah: Mai, you need to stay here. I think your new father has something to talk with you about.
[Mai looking confused nods yes and sits down on the couch. Sarah, Diana, and Peter all exit through the front door. There is a pause where Mai sits there and looks around. She then finds on of Diana's Magazines and begins to read it. Now Ethan emerges from his bedroom. He sees one of his family members are around and then looks at Mai. He walks up behind her and begins talking]
Ethan: [trying to make conversation] So where did everyone get to?
[Mai having been totally absorbed in the magazine is startled and jumps a little. She then tries to straighten herself up and quickly puts the magazine back where it was]
Mai: They went to Mall
Ethan: [giving an annoyed look] Oh, I see that is where they ran off.
Mai: [looking at him] Is that bad?
Ethan: [not knowing what to say] no it's not bad. Say did Sarah leave any food for us?
Mai: Umm no but I can cook for you.
Ethan: No that's okay I was just a little hungry I can wait till she gets back.
Mai: [Standing] Is no trouble. I make whatever you want.
Ethan: [standing and giving a smile] I've got a better idea, Why don't we just order in a lil somethin?
Mai: [confused] “Order in?”
Ethan: [Thinking of a way to explain to her what he means] umm have it delivered.
Mai: [getting what he means] Ohhh. What we going to get then?
Ethan: Well, how about I let you pick?
Mai: You have hard day so you pick.
Ethan: [sitting on the couch and laughing slightly] heh, ok well how about Pizza?
Mai: [sitting] Oh yes! I like pizza.
Ethan: Well that's good. What would you like on it?
Mai: It no matter to me.
Ethan: [in a playful tone] Well you are picking. Because it doesn't matter to me either.
Mai: [really quiet] How about cheese and pepperoni?
Ethan: [rising] Cheese and pepperoni it is. I'll go order it.
[Ethan leaves and Mai and goes into the kitchen. Once he is gone Mai hangs her head down and starts sobbing. Ethan returns and sees her and goes to console her]
Ethan: Mai! What's the matter?
Mai: [still upset] I don't want to go back. I want to stay here with you. Here I am someone special in the eyes of my family. Back home I am burden. Oh please don't make me go back!
Ethan: [consoling her] Mai, I want to look at me [she does] Your real family loves you just as much as we do. I'm sure they just have problems showing it. Now it's going to be all right.
[The lights fade down and the lights go black. Mai the walks center stage again with a spot light.]
Mai: That was how it all started. I told my new family all about my hard life in Japan, and with that they accepted me. Over the next few weeks I really got to know the McDowell's and I found out a lot of neat stuff about them. I helped Diana with her schoolwork and now she's got the top grades in her school. She helped me get some more American clothes, and now I fit in with my school more. Peter and I have really gotten to know each other more. He has helped me with my English a lot, and now I'm practically fluent. My new father and I spend one night a week with each other just the two of us. We normally order out, and now all he ever wants to eat is sushi. My new mother and I have worked out a system as well. We take turns on who cooks each night. It's nice to see her so much more rested, and she is a lot less stressed. It's funny if you saw them before and after they only thing that is really the same is that they all look the same. We've grown so close and now everyone seems real happy. Now is the time we've all been dreading for so long. I'm supposed to go back to Japan tomorrow, and no one knows just what to do.
[The lights go up and the clock says 4:30 p.m. The McDowell family is all lined up once again.]
Diana: [starting to cry] I don't want Mai to go.
Sarah: It's ok Diana none of us want her to go, but she still has to.
Peter: Will we ever get to see her again?
Ethan: Something tells me we shall see her again and probably a lot sooner than you think.
Sarah: Well maybe.
[Mai now walks into the living room from her room. She is carrying two suitcases and is now dressed in more American clothes with jeans and a T-shirt.]
Mai: [standing and staring at them] Everyone thank you, thank you for everything.
Peter: [smiling] Your welcome, and good luck Mai
Mai: [starting to cry] I'll never forget any of you or the time I've spent here. I…
Diana: [praying it is not true] Mai are you really going home?
Mai: [trying to explain it] Yes I have to my time is up.
Diana: [grabbing her and crying] No, I don't want you to!
Mai: [crying with Diana] I'm sorry I don't want to….
Ethan: [trying to make it easier] Come on you two let's not make it to difficult now. After all Mai, can't you come back and visit us if we send you the ticket and the money?
Mai: [very moved] You mean you would do that?
Ethan & Diana: [extremely shocked and happy] you would really do that!
Sarah: [giving Mai a hug] Yes of course, you are welcome to come back here.
Mai: I can't believe it. I love you all, and I will come back and visit you. I'll see you again. All of you.
[They all embrace for one last time, and they all exit. Mai closes the door and takes on last look rubs the tears from her face and closes the door. The lights go down and that is the end]
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“Graduation Day”
By
Kyoske and Sarah M.
Cast (In order of appearance):
Rhonda Walberg--- Mark's Mother
Mark Walberg
Harry Hawkins--- Darla's Father
Darla Ann Hawkins
Girl1/ Nurse 1
Girl 2/Nurse 2
Girl 3
Luke--- Darla's Boyfriend
Sam --- Friend of Mark
Robby --- Friend of Mark
Shelly --- Friend of Darla
Whitney --- Friend of Darla
Man--- announcer of valedictorian
Scene 1
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Rhonda (off stage): Hurry up and get dressed! It's almost time!
Mark: I know, I know. Just give me a few more minutes. I'll be right there.
(Over to Darla's room)
Harry (off stage): Only fifteen more minutes till graduation Darla. You're gonna miss Mark's speech.
Darla: (Regretfully) Well, all right. I'm comin.
(Both parents leave)
Mark: (looking at a picture of he and Darla as a child) I never dreamed my life would be as hectic as it is now. I mean here I am about to graduate high school-----
Darla: (picking up the conversation) And I am wishing I was still seven years old where the biggest decision was choosing the best place to hide.
(Flash Back)
(During each flashback the lights are taken off Mark and Darla's room. The lights are then centered on center stage. In this flashback Little Mark and Little Darla are playing hide and go seek. Mark is standing center stage with his eyes closed, and Darla is crouched behind a chair.)
Little Mark: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. (profoundly) Ready or not here I come!
(Little Mark searches around, and finally locates little Darla.)
Little Mark: (boasting) Hah I found you!
Little Darla: (taunting him) Yeah but you can't catch me!
( Little Darla runs around the room, and Little tries to catch her. He finally succeeds and they fall on the floor and laugh. Darla pauses and then puts her head in her hands and cries.)
Little Mark: What's the matter Darla?
Little Darla: OH it's just my allergies…really.
Little Mark: (pauses and then struck with inspiration gets a Kleenex out of his back pocket and hands it to Darla) Oh, well then here you go.
Little Darla: (looks up, and takes the Kleenex and then collapses into tears again. She says pulls herself back together) thank…you…(and then can't hold it anymore and continues to cry)
Little Mark: Darla your allergies have never been this weird before. Something has to be wrong.
Little Darla: (Insisting) NO!
Little Mark: (coaxing her into telling him) Yes there is. Now come on tell me.
Little Darla: (Trying to hold back tears) (Between her stuttering mark leans in a little more anticipating what she is going to say next) Well…I…I…I'm gonna…I'm gonna move away….and…and..I'll…never…ever…see…see you…AGAIN!!!! (Darla throws herself onto Mark and sobs. Mark is terrified and lets out a small yelp)
Little Mark: (Shocked at first, but trying to be strong Mark picks her up attempting to stand her on her feet, but she stays in a curled up ball. He places her off of him on the floor. He is still trying to be nice, but keeps his distance as he consoles her.) There there…we are going to be all right. (Looking her in the eye and softly whispers) I promise.
Scene 2
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(The lights have faded away on the center, and the lights have faded up on the two rooms again.)
Mark: (returning the picture to the bed side table, and putting on his graduation cap) School was different ever since she left. I never found anyone who connected with me the way she did---
Darla: (picking up) He knew exactly what I was going to say even before I opened my mouth. When I moved away, it seemed like there was a piece of me missing. Until that one special day………..
(flashback)
(Mark is sitting at the lunch table playing with his food. A group of girls walk by laughing. Simultaneously their glances shift to mark)
Girl 1: (saying it loud enough for Mark to over hear it) There's that loser! I think his name is Mark.
Girl 2: (To girl 3) I dare you to talk to him.
Girl 3: (nods, and then heads over to Mark's table. She then picks up his drink. Rudely) Hey, are you going to drink this?
Mark: (looking at her like she is an idiot) Uh, well, yeah.
Girl 3: (smiling) Ok, thanks! (She walks off with drinking Mark's Coke. Friends laugh with eachother.)
Girl 1: (As she exits) What a MORON.
(Mark is left on stage a lone. Then shortly Darla walks by with a lunch tray. She passes him, but pauses. She takes a second look and goes over to him.)
Darla: Mark? Is that you?
Mark: (not looking up, staring down at his lunch) WILL YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE? THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR YOU TO TAKE!!!
Darla: (Shocked) What?
Mark: (still not looking up) I SAID! (he looks up and noticing his error sheepishly says) Darla?…Darla! I can't believe it's you!
Darla: (flatly) What a welcome.
Mark: (nervously) Oh…uh…sorry. I thought you were someone else. I can't believe I didn't recognize your voice right away.
Darla: (Sexily showing herself off) Well I have matured a little since kindergarten.
Mark: (ogling over her) Yeah (clears his throat) I can see that.
Darla: What on earth are you doing here!
Mark: (sadly telling her the news) Well after my father died, my mom didn't want to live in Illinois anymore, so she decided that we should move here. I never dreamed I'd actually be in the same city as you.
Darla: Yeah I know! I guess it really is a small world.
Mark: It sure is. How did you even recognize me?
Darla: What do mean? How could I not recognize you? With those big brown eyes, your mismatched clothes, and your obvious over bearing odor of…
Darla and Mark: (Simultaneously) Peanut butter and jelly.
Darla: I cannot believe even in high school you still eat that for lunch.
Mark: (defending himself) Well everything else here tastes like Styrofoam.
Darla: Yeah no kidding.
Mark: (hitting on her) Well if you want. You can sit, and try to enjoy it with me.
Darla: (excited) Oh! I'd love to!----
Luke: (being extremely rude) Hey Darla! Come on! I've been waiting for five minutes it's time to go.
Darla: But I wanted too---
Luke: (snapping his finger) I said we are going NOW!
(Mark starts to get up from his seat, with anger)
Luke: You got a problem?
(Mark looks at Darla. Darla is giving him a look to sit down and not to cause a scene. Mark sits down calmly.)
Mark: (gruffly) no.
(Luke walks out)
Darla: (sadly) I'm really sorry, we'll have to do lunch some other time. (To Luke who has left) Hey wait up Luke! I'm coming.
Mark: (After Darla has left the stage. Mark all ready wishing Darla was back) I'm looking forward to it.
(Fade out)
Scene 3
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(Mark and Darla are in their respective rooms with their graduation robes on)
Darla: Oh yes…the unforgettable Luke. How could I resist that charming, popular, perfectly adorable…JERK!!!
Mark: Even though I could have smashed him to pieces he was still the only thing coming between me and Darla. With out warning that all changed.
(Flashback)
(The lights only fade up on Mark's room. Mark is now out of his robe wearing normal street clothes when Sam and Robbie bust through the door.)
Sam: (Cavalier) Come on man! We gotta go. The ladies await.
Mark: (Depressed) Do you really expect me to go without a date?
Robbie: (Ready to go) Ah! See he doesn't have a date. Let's go.
(Robbie starts for the door, and Sam catches him by his collar.)
Sam: (To Robbie) Come back here! (Sternly To Mark) We are not going to let you miss your senior prom.
Mark: I told you I'm not going to go.
Robbie: (In a very obvious whisper to Sam) It's because THEY are going to be there.
Mark: (loudly) No, No that's not it…yes, yeah well okay so it is!
Sam: Who cares if they are? You will still have a good time. Trust us.
Mark: (defeated) Why do I always let myself get talked into these things?
Robbie: (sarcastically) Because you have no self-respect and your will power is now down to zero. (Making a zero with his hand)
Mark: (Slapping the zero away) Shut up! (coming to his senses he picks up his tuxedo off the bed) Okay fine, I'll be there in a minute, (glaring at them) and I better have a good time!
Robbie and Sam: (simultaneously nudging each other and smirking) Oh! WE will make sure you have a real good time.
(Lights fade off of Mark's room, and come up on Darla's)
(Darla, sitting on her bed in her dress, sulking. Whitney and Shelley are in the room with her.)
Darla: (Frantically) What am I going to do? I've paid for my dress, my nails, and my hair, but now I don't have a date! (Getting up off of her bed in an uproar. She tears up a picture of Luke.) JERK!
Shelly: Settle down.
Whitney: Yeah. Luke's not worth it.
Darla: (Pacing) I know, but this is my senior prom, and I'll be sitting there all night while everyone else is having a great time.
Shelly: I'm sure there will be plenty of guys there who will want to dance with you.
Darla: Yeah right. They will only be paying attention to their own dates.
Whitney: Oh, I bet that Mark guy will want to dance with you.
Darla: I don't even think he's going.
Shelly and Whitney: (with that look in their eyes) Well, we know this for sure. You are!
(The 2 girls grab Darla by each arm and despite her resistance, drag her off the stage.)
(Lights fade off of Darla's room. They come up on the middle where there are a few prom decorations. You hear rhythmic music. Sam, Robbie, Shelly, and Whitney are all on the dance floor having a good time. Darla is sitting down when Mark enters. Mark is late. The couples note that the two have entered and Shelly and Whitney seize Darla. At the same time Sam and Robbie have gotten to Mark. The “loving” friends push Darla and Mark into each other. They both look at each other, then back at their “friends” then giving in to their true feelings for each other, they turn to look at one another again.)
Mark: (starting) Ahhh……I'm sorry.
Darla: (glaring at her friends and saying over the music) IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!
Mark: So where's Luke?
Darla: Probably dead in a gutter. (Smirking) I don't know, and I don't care.
Mark: (pleased) Yeah, well I hope he is. Say…you wouldn't want to dance, would you?
Whitney and Shelley: (cheering) WOAH! YEAH! GO FOR IT!!!
(Darla glares back at her friends, but her friends quickly turn away and pretend nothing has happened)
Darla: (Politely) I'd love to.
(The “friends” give each other thumbs up as Mark and Darla begin to dance. The song quickly ends, and the two share a long kiss when suddenly Luke enters pushing them away from each other.)
Luke: What are you doing with my girlfriend?
(Darla pulls away from Luke trying to free herself from his grip.)
Mark: Your girlfriend!? All you do is treat her like trash! She needs someone who will treat her like a lady, which is something you evidently never learned how to do.
Darla: (trying to intervene) Both you stop it! Please!
(Luke tosses Darla to the floor. Mark tries to go to her, but Luke pushes Mark out of the way.)
Mark: What's your problem!
Luke: (fuming) YOU ARE MY PROBLEM!!!
(Luke swings at Mark, but Mark ducks. Mark then delivers a punch to Luke's stomach and Luke falls over. All of the dancers have stopped dancing and stare at Luke and Mark.)
Man: (having watched all of this) All right that's enough! I want both of you out of here
right now!
(Mark and Darla walk off stage right, while Luke walks off stage left. The two guys never stop looking at each other with disrespect.)
Scene 4
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(The voices of Mark and Darla are heard off stage. Mark is driving Darla home.)
Darla: Thanks for standing up for me.
Mark: I couldn't just sit back and watch him treat you like that.
Darla: Hey keep your eyes on the road.
Mark: Don't worry about it. We'll be fine.
Darla: Mark, I'm not kidding!
Mark: (trying to relax her) Darla, just let me handle it ok?
Darla: Mark, we're gonna…Look out!!!
(The light completely covers the stage while we hear car horns be blasted, and then there is total darkness as the bone-chilling scream of Darla fills the room.)
(Lights come up on two cot/beds in center stage. A curtain divides them. There is a chair in each room. We see Mark lying unconscious in one bed with his mother Rhonda standing near him. In the other bed Darla is just coming to, Harry is sitting down in the chair at her bedside. There is one Nurse in each room.)
Harry: (to the nurse) Is she going to be all right?
Nurse#1: Yes she'll be fine.
Darla: (waking from her unconscious state) Mark? Where is Mark? Where am I?
Nurse#1: Just settle down and rest yourself. You've been through a lot.
Darla: No! Why can't I see Mark?
Harry: Settle down. Before you can see Mark, there is something you need to know.
(The lights shift to Mark's room. Mark is frantically dreaming)
Mark: Darla! Darla! I'm so sorry! Darla! DARLA!!!
Rhonda: (To Nurse) What's wrong with him? Why is he screaming like that?
Nurse#2: Don't worry. We are doing all we can right now. The only thing left to do is wait.
(Rhonda goes to Mark and strokes his hair as the lights fade down. Mark is silent)
Scene 5
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(The lights slowly fade up first in Darla Room. Darla is finally dressed)
Harry: Darla if you don't hurry up your gonna miss Marks speech!
Darla: I'm coming! (Darla gets up and starts to leave) I know Mark and I will never be the same. Even though I came to see him every day he was in the hospital we will never be able to go back to the way things used to be. (Darla walks out)
(Lights fade on Darla, and come up on Mark's room.)
Rhonda: (entering the room with his wheel chair) Mark you had better hurry up. Valedictorians are never late!
Mark: (who is finally dressed) I'm coming mom. (Mark looks at his paper that has his speech on it, and folds it up. After putting it in his pocket he sits in his wheel chair. During the car wreck Mark was injured, and is not able to walk very well. Through all of the proceeding scenes in which Mark and Darla have been remembering their life up until now Mark has had little or no movement due to his handicap. Mark leaves his room as the lights fade.)
Scene 6
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(Graduation music fills the room as the lights come up. It is high school graduation, and all of the students in the play are there. There is a man at a podium, and Mark is sitting behind him)
Man: Now will you give a warm welcome to our Valedictorian, Mark Walburg!
(Mark rolls up to a microphone and unfolds his piece of paper)
Mark: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am here today to make one important point. You never know what life has in store for you, for in it there are many up and downs. I have found however, no matter what life hands you it is always better to have a plan than to just go through the world without the sense of knowing who you are and who you are to become. After high school we will all change, some of us it will be for the better, but be prepared for you may not be so lucky. Today is a starting a point, for as we go off to college we have the potential to be whatever we want to be. But don't wait till the first day of college to make an impact on this world. Start right now for today marks the end of one chapter, and the beginning of a new one in our lives. For today is our Graduation day.
The End
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