Taken For Granted Act One

Scene One:

Fade in

There are four high school students sitting on a lawn under a tree which is more dirt then grass, and they are eating lunch. There are 2 girls and two boys, the girls are Monica and Liz and the boys are Kyle and Ray.

Monica:

So how was everyone’s spring break?

Liz:

Too Damn Short

Ray:

Oh guys I gotta tell you what happened to me and Kyle over break.

Liz:

(corrects)

Kyle and I.

Kyle:

Thank you very much Miss I got an A in English

(Sarcastic)

Ray:

Anyway so we picked up this hitch hiker dude right…

Liz:

(rolls Eyes)

This better not end up being perverted like your last

Hitch hiker story

Kyle:

Hey! How were we supposed to know he was a catholic

Priest?

Ray:

Anyway.. pause to see if anyone else is going to interrupt him)

So he got in the back and to repay us for stopping we lit up a joint

Monica:

Wow this story gets more interesting by the minute

Ray:

Just let me finish okay?

Monica shrugs and Ray looks at Liz to see if she has any comments, and Liz shrugs too

Ray:

Okay so Kyle was like talkin about how he could play these

awesome tunes on his harmonica right?

Kyle:

Hey that’s what we should call Monica from now on!

Monica:

Don’t even think about it Dick weed!

Ray:

Shut up HARMONICA!

Ray and Kyle laugh a laugh that is reminiscent of Beavis and Butt head

Kyle:

So then I realized that I couldn’t find my harmonica, and then

We dropped the dude off and found out he was sitting on it!

Ray:

Yeah man that was totally gay!

Monica and Liz look at each other

Monica:

So then what happened?

Kyle:

Nothing, that was the whole story

Monica:

And how much pot did you guys smoke over the

Break?

Ray:

Only a little…

Liz:

Only a lot

Kyle:

Oh yeah? What did you all do that’s so fucking

Interesting?

Monica:

Well, lets see, I slept and then I ate and then I went to a party

With Liz, and then last night I smoked a joint, watched TV

And Went to sleep

Ray:

You know you skipped like 7 days there

Liz:

Spring break is 7 days you idiot! She skipped more like 3

Ray:

I’m not an idiot…I’m just special

The other three pause and look at each other for a moment before Kyle breaks the silence

Kyle:

So what did you do those three days Monica?

Monica:

(Obviously lying)

Nothing…

Liz:

Come on! Tell us, hell even I don’t know what you did

For those 3 days.

Monica:

It’s really nobody’s business but if you must know I was

Getting some.

Kyle:

SCORE! (high fives Ray)

Monica:

I wish I would have never told you idiots that I was a lesbian

Liz:

What is your guys’ fascination with lesbians any way?

Kyle:

Well what’s better then a hot naked chick?

Ray:

Two hot naked chicks getting it on! (another high five)

Monica:

You guys need to get laid…BIG TIME!

Monica takes out a pack of cigarettes and takes one out and lights it before handing one to Liz and lighting it for her

Ray:

Dude Karma dude…KARMA!

Monica:

Yeah and when do you ever give me a cigarette?

Kyle:

When does he ever have one?

Monica:

Good point (Hands a cigarette to Ray, who reaches over and grabs

Her lighter)

Ray:

YOINK!

Liz:

Yoink?

Ray:

You know it’s one of those automatic pea uhs

Liz:

A word that describes a sound it an onomatopoeia…

Not what ever the hell you just said

Ray:

Well damn I’m sorry we all can’t be walking dictionaries

Like you!

In the background a woman who is in her early thirties approaches the group of four and stops about a foot away from them, she is Lilly Anderson

Lilly:

Enjoying your first lunch back at school?

Ray:

(Voice full of sarcasm)

Golly gee we sure are Ms. Anderson!

Liz hits him playfully, Lilly laughs a little and then makes eye contact with Monica

Lilly:

Are you going to stay after today and help me with prom

Decorations?

Monica:

Seeing as I am the only one on the prom committee

Why not?

Lilly:

Good, I don’t know what I would do without

Your help Moni. I’ll let you four finish your lunch

And Monica I’ll see you at 3:00 sharp

Monica:

It’s a date

(Big smile)

Lilly walks off and heads into the coffee shop that is behind them to their right. Monica sighs like she is totally love struck by Lilly.

Ray:

OOOOO Someone’s hot for teacher

Kyle:

Yeah! And she’s the hottest teacher in the school!

Monica rolls her eyes and snuffs her cigarette out on the sidewalk, a school bell can be heard ringing and the four turn their heads, pan to a wider shot where we see that the four are sitting on a lawn in front of the school by a busy street. Even though it’s a large plain looking building it’s obvious that it’s a high school because of the vandalized sign that says “GET HIGHSCHOOL”. An older man in his sixties steps out into the archway, he is very tall and skinny with gray hair and glasses, this is Peter McMillan.

Kyle:

Damn! That wasn’t even close to being a half hour!

Liz:

This coming from the guy who had trouble reading his

Digital watch.

Kyle:

(Looks down at his watch in mock confusion)

ONE…COLON…ZERO…ZERO…WHAT THE HELL

DOES THAT MEAN?

(Grabs his hair in mock terror)

Liz and Monica laugh at him and Ray just looked confused like he doesn’t get the joke. Liz and Ray put their cigarettes out and then stand up with Monica and Kyle and start to head towards the entrance to the school.

Peter:

It’s class time people!

He is shouting from the archway at other students who can now be seen running to get to the building from various places around the front of the school. McMillan speaks with an accent but it’s hard to tell what kind of accent it actually is.

Ray:

Stupid senile bastard

(Mutters as the four pass McMillan)

Peter:

What did you just say?

Ray:

I said…um…If I don’t want to be tardy then I better

Move faster

Monica:

(Whisper)

Nice save

Scene 2: Cynthia Brady’s class room

Monica and ray are sitting next to each other in a class of no more then ten students where the desks are lining the wall instead of being set up like a traditional class room. Cynthia Brady (Ms. Brady) is standing by her desk which is near the front of the room, she’s very tall and manly looking…looks like she could have possibly been a man at one point or another.

Cynthia:

Can anyone tell me anything about the

Reading assignment “A Modest Proposal” by

Jonathan Swift?

Monica:

It sucked ass?

Cynthia:

(Through clenched teeth)

No that’s not correct

Ray:

No it is…the assignment did suck quite a bit of ass

A girl in the corner of the class room who looks like she got dressed in the dark while her make up attacked her clears her throat and speaks up, she is Lora Anders.

Lora:

Why do you always have to be so immature?

Monica:

Because if I wasn’t immature then class would be

Boring

Ray:

I hear that!

The other kids in the class room start to chatter in agreement with Monica

Cynthia:

That’s enough! One more comment from you and you are

Out of here.

Monica:

Boo Hoo

Cynthia ignores that comment and turns to look at Lora

Cynthia:

Since you are the only one who seems to have actually

Read the assignment why don’t you tell the class what

It’s all about?

The other kids in the class groan in annoyance, like she’s the teacher’s pet, and a few wadded up balls of paper hit the wall behind Lora’s head.

Lora:

“A modest proposal” by Jonathan Swift was a sarcastic commentary

On a solution to the potato famine in Ireland, he facetiously suggested

That…

Monica:

The people of Ireland start eating children and babies…can

We just skip to the test?

Cynthia glares at Monica

Monica:

What? I read the assignment but I still think it sucked ass

Cynthia:

Alright out of my class! You get a cut

The rest of the class groans in disappointment that Monica is leaving while Lora smiles slightly and then sticks her tongue out at Monica slightly/

Monica:

Shut up!

Lora:

I didn’t say anything!

Monica:

I know it was in preparation for whatever comment you were

Going to make…saves time.

Lora:

That’s stupid!

Monica:

I maybe stupid but you are ugly, and I can always study harder

Cynthia:

Ms. Edwards! Do you want a date with the principal

Monica:

Not as bad as you do

The class OOOs at Monica’s good comeback as Monica picks up her stuff. She walks out of the classroom and stops in the doorway before turning around to face the rest of the class.

Monica:

Thank you very much I’ll be here all week!

Cynthia growls slightly before slamming the door in Monica’s face. Monica shrugs and heads down the hall as she takes a cigarette out of her pocket and puts it in her mouth.

Liz:

Wow! Looks like you lasted longer then ten minutes this

Time!

Monica:

It’s a new record…enjoying your free period?

Liz:

I am now

She holds out her hand to Monica indicating that she wants a cigarette

Monica:

You owe me!

Liz:

I don’t get paid till Friday and then I’ll buy you a pack okay?

Monica:

Sounds good to me

The head down the hall and they make it to the top of the stairs when McMillan appears around the corner and clears his throat loudly.

Peter:

Where do you think you are going?

Monica looks at Liz who smiles and then runs down the stairs to avoid any further confrontation, Monica looks annoyed but not surprised by her actions.

Monica:

I got kicked out of class

Peter:

Again?

Monica:

So what? It’s my life not yours!

She turned to leave when McMillan steps forward and grabs her arm firmly, she glares at him and tries to jerk it away unsuccessfully.

Monica:

(Through clenched teeth)

Let go of me

Peter:

Or what? (beat) Are you going to hurt me?

Monica:

No (beat) But I will do this…(Beat)

RAPE!

(Yells at the top of her lungs)

McMillan looks surprised that she would actually do that and lets go of her arm, she smiles at him, a very smart ass smile.

Monica:

Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go have a cigarette

Peter:

No…you got kicked out of class so you get to spend the rest of

The period in my office.

Monica:

Where the hell did you get that? You can’t just pull new rules out

Of your ass and expect me to obey them!

Peter:

I just did, so either you come into my office for the rest of the

Period or I suspend you.

Monica:

Whatever

He turns and starts to walk towards his office and Monica walks behind him moving as slow as she possibly can trying to delay having to go into his office. They enter his office which has red shag carpeting, a rotary phone and a type writer, there is exposed wiring in the ceiling where the lights should be and a dying plant in the corner. At the desk there is a very nice leather chair that is obviously something that McMillan spent his money on , by the door there is an old chair that looks like it’s been pulled out of a dumpster and then thrown up on…basically the room gives off the vibe that it got trapped in the 60’s.

Peter:

Have a seat

Monica looks at the chair and then back to him like he’s crazy

Monica:

I’ll just stand here

He glares at her for a moment before sitting down in his nice chair and getting to work on whatever stuff he needs to work on, Monica looks up at the exposed wiring for a moment.

Monica:

That’s a fire hazard you know

Peter:

(not looking up from his work)

You know very well that this school has better things to spend it’s money

On then light bulbs, the windows let enough light in here.

Monica:

No money for lights…just like no money for a lunch program,

Text books that were written before 1975, and more then one bathroom

Peter:

This school only has 60 students why would we need more then

One bathroom?

Monica:

The guys always leave the seat up

Peter:

Look, I didn’t bring you in here to complain

Monica:

Oh so you expected me to come in here and be quiet?

Peter:

Yes

Monica:

(Laughs)

I’ve been in the school for almost 3 years, when have you known

Me to be quiet for more then two minutes?

Peter finally turns in his chair and glares at her, he opens his mouth to say something but then the bell rings and she runs out of there shutting the door behind her leaving McMillan to stare at the door in a very bad mood.

Fade To Black

Scene Three: After school in Lilly’s room

Monica enters Lilly’s room which is the art room, there are tables arranged in a circle and in the middle of the circle there is a bowl of fruit set up, obviously for a still life or something.

Lilly:

Did the last bell ring?

Monica:

Yep

 

Lilly:

Did you lock the door?

Monica:

Yep

Lilly approaches her and they join in a passionate kiss for a moment or two before Lilly pulls back and looks at her, her hands are resting on Monica’s hips for the moment.

Lilly:

Is it just me or did today seem like it went on forever?

Monica:

No it’s not just you, the first day back after a break always

Seems to go on forever

Lilly and Monica kiss again before Lilly pulls away and with a teasing smile she turns and walks towards one of the tables where there are some supplies sitting out.

Lilly:

Well lets get to work

Monica:

Don’t do that you tease!

She smiles and walks after Lilly who turns and looks at her

Lilly:

(In a mock serious voice)

Young lady do you have any idea how much trouble we will be in

If we get caught having sex in the art room?

Monica:

Isn’t that what makes it so much more exiting?

She whispers that in a seductive voice before pulling Lilly into a passionate kiss, As Lilly kiss her back we FADE TO BLACK.

 

Scene 4: Next Morning

Monica, Liz, and Kyle are standing outside of the school smoking, it’s rather early in the morning. Monica looks very content with herself as she leans against the wall to the school.

Liz:

So how are prom decorations going?

Monica:

Cheap and Complicated

Liz:

But they look okay right?

Monica:

Considering the budget (Beat) They’re fine

Kyle:

Can we trash them after prom?

Monica:

What do I care?

Kyle:

Sweet

Liz:

After all the work you are going to put into those

Decorations you are going to let Kyle and his sidekick

Ray ruin them?

Monica:

First of all it wasn’t hard work, and secondly

It’s not like they will use them again

Liz:

I guess you have a point there

(Sigh)

How much longer do you have to stay after with Ms. Anderson?

Monica:

Till everything for prom is setup

Liz:

Knowing your Lazy ass that could take forever

Monica:

(Laughs and playfully hits Liz)

Oh shut up bitch!

Liz:

Whore

Monica:

Cunt

Kyle:

OOO keep talking dirty it’s turning me on!

Liz and Monica laugh as Lilly approaches the school from behind them on the sidewalk.

Lilly:

You are staying after school right?

(In Monica’s Direction)

Monica:

You know it!

Lilly smiles and nodes before heading inside and Monica sighs softly.

Liz:

Monica, if there were something going on between the two of you

You’d tell me right?

Monica:
Yeah, but nothing is going on, so don’t worry about it

Kyle:

Monica and Lilly…MAN that would be hot

Monica:

In your dreams

Kyle:

Every night

The bell rings and everyone groans and heads inside and up the stairs, Liz and Monica are ahead of Kyle talking softly.

Liz:

Tell the truth, what’s going on with you and Lilly?

Monica:

Nothing

(looks around then whispers)

I’ll write you a note

Liz:

I just love gossip

Monica:

This is serious you better not tell ANYONE

Liz:

What do I look like? I’d never tell any of your secrets

Monica:

Damn straight

Liz:

Besides you know too many of mine, and I can’t risk

Those being told.

Monica and Liz stop by a door

Monica:

Enjoy your free period…I have class

She waves goodbye to Liz and walks into the room that has science posters all over the wall, this is Mrs. O’Brien’s class room. There are four tables with four chairs at each one and lucky for Monica the only empty chair left is right next to Lora. She groans loudly and rolls her eyes before sitting down next to Lora defiantly.

Monica:

This is going to be a bad day

Lora:

Shut up

Monica:

You shut up!

Lora:

Make me!

Monica raises a fist like she is getting ready to punch Lora

Monica:

Don’t tempt me bitch!

Finally Mrs. O’Brien notices what’s going on and she turns to look at the both of them.

Kathy:

Enough! Both of you!

She walks over to their table

Kathy:

Monica stop picking fights with Lora

Lora sticks her tongue out at Monica

Kathy:

And Lora, stop acting like such a baby this is high school

For god sakes!

Monica smiles slightly, Kathy walks to the chalkboard and starts to write. Monica takes out a piece of paper and a pen and starts to writer her note to Liz. While Monica is writing we can hear Kathy speaking in the background…

Kathy:

For your final essay there will be three topics to choose from.

Your first topic is to debate the theory of evolution, and why

It should or shouldn’t be taught in public schools…

Lora:

(Loudly)

You shouldn’t be writing notes in class!

Kathy Looks up from the board and turns her head to look at the two of them.

Kathy:

Monica are you paying attention?

Monica:

Yes…you were just telling us about what our essay topics will be

Kathy:

Then you are paying attention

(To Lora)

Mind your own business

Lora folds her arms and pouts slightly and the rest of the class snickers at her along with Monica who goes back to writing her note. Kathy turns and continues talking as she is writing on the board and Monica smiles to herself.

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 5: Lunch Time

Monica steps into the student lounge before plopping down on the old looking couch next to Liz.

Monica:

YO!

She holds up a folded triangle piece of paper between her index and middle finger for Liz to take. Liz takes it and starts to unfold it, they are the only ones in the lounge right now.

 

Monica:

Don’t read it here, the walls have eyes

Liz:

No one is in here right now

Monica:

Just read it later…Please?

Liz:

Sure…whatever

(She slips the note into her pocket)

Liz:

You have every class with Lora don’t you?

Monica:

Yeah, I told you god hates me

Liz:

I feel sorry for you, thank god this is your last year

Here.

Monica:

Yeah…and she’s only a junior so she’ll have to suffer

Through next year all by her stupid self

(She pulls out her pack of cigarettes)

Wanna go outside?

Liz nodes and they both stand but as Liz stands the note falls out of her pocket and onto the couch but neither of them notice. After they leave Lora comes in there and sits on the couch to eat her lunch by herself when she notices the note. She picks it up and looks at it before unfolding it, off of her expression FADE TO BLACK.

 

 

Scene 6: Liz’s Free Period

Liz is walking down an empty hall towards a set of lockers that are near the end, as she walks she reaches into her pocket to get the note only to find that it isn’t there.

Liz:

SHIT!

She starts to frantically check and double check all of her pockets as she continues to walk slowly down the hall.

Lora:

(From behind her)
Looking for this?

Liz turns to see Lora holding up a piece of paper that is folded up like a swan, telling Liz right away that Lora must have read the note if she refolded it like that, she sees her name scribbled on the side of the swan.

Liz:

That’s not yours!

Lora:
Finders Keepers!

She laughs and starts to walk past Liz. Liz grabs her and slams her into the nearest wall with incredible force, she moves her face so it’s just inches away from Lora’s.

Liz:

Give it back you sneaky piece of shit!

Lora:

Ask nicely, and maybe I won’t give the copy I made

To the principal!

Liz:

Why you little bitch…

Lora:
Get off of me!

Liz:

GIVE ME THE NOTE!

Peter:

What the hell is going on out here?

Lora turns her head to see McMillan standing there looking very angry with his arms folded over his chest, Liz takes the opportunity to grab the note from Lora’s hand and slip it into her pocket.

Liz:

Nothing

She lets go of Lora and steps back. McMillan takes a few steps towards them.

Peter:

Then keep it that way! Lora get to class! And you

(he glares at Liz) Go do whatever you do on your

Free periods…and do it QUIETLY!

Lora:

Yes sir!

Lora glares at Liz for a moment before ducking into a near by class room, McMillan looks at Liz again before turning and walking off. Liz sighs in relief and runs off towards the lockers.

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 7: After School

In the hallway Liz runs up from behind Monica looking panicked

Liz:

Monica!

Monica:

What?

Liz:

Lora read the note…

Monica:
WHAT?! HOW?!

Liz:

It must have fallen out of my pocket and…

Monica:

LIZ!

Liz:

I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!

Monica:

(Deep breath)

It’s okay it’s not really your fault, Did you get the note

Back?

Liz:

Yes, but she said she made a copy of it

Monica:

Damn it…we have to get the copy before

She gives it to the principal/

Liz:

That’s probably going to be harder then it sounds

Monica:

I know…but we have to think of something and fast…

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 8: Monica’s Phone rings

Monica is sitting on her bed playing a video game with a cigarette in her mouth and a portable phone sitting next to the ashtray that she is using. The phone rings and she pauses the game, then she takes the cigarette out of her mouth and answers the phone.

Monica:

Bulimia Clinic you dump um we pump um

Liz:

(Laughs)

You know that’s not funny right?

Monica:
yeah sure…what do you want?

She picks up the controller again and starts to play her video game as she talks to Liz. She takes a final hit from the cigarette and snubs it out in the nearby ashtray.

Liz:

So did you hear the news?

Monica:

No…

Liz:

The school it up for federal grant money next year

Monica:

How do you know this?

Liz:
My mom works for the grant commission remember?

Monica:

So she finally talked them into possibly

Considering our shit hole of a school huh?

A lot of good that’s going to do for the seniors.

Liz:

Well the last month of school is going to be hell

Cause that’s when the committee comes to the schools

To decide who it worthy

Monica:

Why is it going to be hell?

Liz:

Because I’ve seen the list of things the school needs to

Improve on to even stay in the running, none of which include

Having an affair with the art teacher

Monica pauses the game and sits back against the pillows on her bed she opens her mouth like she is going to say something but then quickly shuts it.

Liz:

We have to get that letter back

Monica:

I know, but how? Where do we even start?

Liz:

That I don’t know

Monica:

I have to go, if you think of anything call me

Okay?

Liz:

Alright…just don’t panic Moni

Monica:

I won’t…I just want to be alone for a little

Liz:

I’ll talk to you later okay?

Monica:

Yeah

She hangs up the phone and pulls her knees up to her chest, she grabs a cigarette and lights it before she rests her head on her knees and sighs.

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 9: Next Day At School

About 60 different kids of various high school ages file into a multi purpose room. Some sit on the floor and some lean against the wall they are all chatting loudly. The seven teachers who work at the school walk in and sit down on chairs that are provided for them. McMillan walks in after them and stands in the front of the room and clears his throat but the kids keep talking. One of the teachers, the youngest looking one with short spiky blond hair stands up and whistles loudly. The kids slowly settle down and eventually become quiet.

McMillan:

Thank you Ms. Terrile, as for the rest of you the school

Is now in the running for possibly receiving federal grant money

For next year.

The students don’t appear to be very happy about it, they mostly just don’t appear to care very much.

McMillan:

Do any of you know that that means?

Monica and Liz walk in talking loudly between themselves causing everyone in the room to turn and look at them.

Monica:

What do I have something on my face?

McMillan:

Where were you two?

Monica:

Uh…not here?

McMillan:

Of course you…uh…just take a seat!

Monica and Liz look at each other and giggle before standing against a near by wall next to Kyle and Ray.

McMillan:

As I was saying, there are going to be changes around here

And I expect all of you to cooperate.

All of the students groan in annoyance

McMillan:

I don’t know if you know this but I have been running

This school for 15 years…

Shot of Monica mouthing his every word like she had heard this speech a million times before now, Liz giggles and hits her playfully trying to get her to cut it out.

McMillan:

Is something funny about the fact that I have put my blood

Sweat and tears into this school…and now we are finally

Up for the grant money we so truly deserve?

Monica:

No, I think that it’s funny that you use the same

Speech to lecture us for running in the hallway

The students start to laugh and then Jade stands up and whistles loudly again, slowly the group of students gets back under control.

McMillan:

Just…DON’T SCREW UP! This might be our

Only chance at receiving this grant money! Now

It’s class time people!

He leaves the room after glaring at Monica again, Cynthia follows him and glares at her too and as soon as Cynthia’s back is turned Monica sticks her tongue out at her. Then Monica, Liz, Kyle, and Ray start to head out of the room.

Monica:

I’ve had this Rod up my ass for 15 years…

(In a voice mocking the principal’s)

Ray:

And back in the old country we couldn’t afford

Lunch so we had to eat the roaches that crawled

Around our school!

The four of them laugh loudly as other students hurry past them in the hallway

Liz:

What country is he from anyway?

Monica:

He’s from the stereotypical old country

Where everything was a lot worse then America

Liz:

I better get to class, see you guys

She waves at them slightly and then heads off down the hall

Kyle:

You better watch out Moni, he would step on his

Own mother to get that grant money

Ray:

Not just step on her, he would kick her in the head

Till her brains leaked out onto the floor with his steel

Tipped boots.

Monica:

If he hasn’t already boiled them for food, I gotta

Get to class

She takes a few steps backwards and waves before turning and walking down the hall.

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 10: After School

Monica walks into the art room again and shuts the door behind her and then she locks it.

Lilly:

Leave the door open

Monica:
What the hell for?

Lilly:

I think we need to cool it before someone figures

Out what is going on between us

Monica:

Come on Lilly! We have been doing this for almost

Two years now, no one is going to find out!

Lilly:

Think of it this way, we have gotten away with it for

Two years so it’s only a matter of time before someone

Catches us in the act

Monica:

No one suspects us Lilly

Lilly:

Ms. Anderson

Monica:

You are a bitch you know that? Yesterday you tell me

You love me and now you want nothing to do with me

What the hell?

Lilly:

We need this grant money Moni

Monica:

It’s Monica

She looks at Lilly and her lower lip trembles like she is about to cry

Monica:

I can’t believe you care more about getting a raise

Then saving what we have between us!

Lilly:

There is no US anymore Monica

Monica shakes her head and wipes the tears away from her eyes angrily

Monica:

You think long and hard about what you just did…And tonight

When you go home to your psycho leach of a boyfriend, think

Of how I won’t be there to kiss it better when he beats the

Living shit out of you!

She turns and storms out of the room. Lilly sighs and sits back down at her desk, then she slowly puts her head in her hands and cries.

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 11: Monica’s Home

Monica walks into the kitchen in flannel PJ’s holding an empty carton of ice cream with a spoon in it, her eyes are red and puffy from crying. Her little sister Kathryn, who is about 14, is sitting at the kitchen table and it looks like she is doing homework.

Kathryn:

It’s 3:00 in the afternoon, why are you dressed like

That?

Monica:

Broke up with my girlfriend

Kathryn:

YOU had a GIRLFRIEND?

Monica:

Shut up

She throws the carton of ice cream away and tosses the spoon in the sink. She opens a cabinet ands gets out a bag of double stuffed Oreos. Then she opens another cabinet and gets out a glass and takes out the milk and pours it slowly.

Kathryn:

You know eating until you puke isn’t going to make

Things any better

Monica:

Shut up, you have no idea what I’m going through

Kathryn:

How would you know? You are never home!

Monica:

Just…leave me alone.

She walks out of the kitchen with her stuff and Kathryn shakes her head, Monica walks up to her room closing the door behind her with her foot and sits on the bed when her phone rings. Before picking it up she lights a cigarette.

Monica:

House of the damned…Monica speaking

Liz:

Good news! I got the copy of the letter back from

Lora!

Monica:

(Perks up)

Really? How did you do that?

Liz:

I jumped her after school and threatened to kick

Her ass if she didn’t give it to me

Monica:

Thanks, but it doesn’t matter much now…

Liz:

Why?

Monica:

Lilly ended it.

Liz:

That Bitch!

Monica:

Thanks for the support Liz, but I don’t really

Feel like talking right now, can I call you later?

Liz:

Sure, I’ll talk to you later then

Monica:
Thanks though, I don’t know what I would do

With out you

Liz:

You’d go insane

Monica laughs a little and then Hangs up the phone, she takes another drag from her cigarette before laying back on the bed and staring blankly out of the window.

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 12: Staff Meeting

All of the teachers are sitting around a large table that looks like it would be in the teacher’s lounge at the school, the clock behind McMillan says 3:30pm.

McMillan:

In light of the new information that Lilly had brought to the

Table, our first priority should be finding a way to keep

Monica Edwards from causing a scandal.

Kathy:

Are you sure we need to do that? I don’t think

Monica would risk her reputation too…

Cynthia:

Are we talking about the same Monica here or

Did I miss something?

Lilly:

Once she realizes she has the power to blackmail

Us then it’s all over

Marlena:

Not to mention the fact that she might create a

Scandal just for the fun of it

Jade:

Maybe we could offer to pay her off?

Kristen:

Good Idea, and then maybe we can write a letter

To the press describing how we bribed her to shut up

McMillan:

Lilly will you talk to her and see if anything can

Be done about this?

Lilly:

What would that accomplish? Besides I highly

Doubt that she is even going to talk to me after

Today.

McMillan:

Well none of the other teachers can talk to her or

She’ll know that something is going on.

Kathy:

How about we all go home and sleep on it,

Then we can talk about it at tomorrows meeting.

McMillan:

Good idea, we’ll talk about this tomorrow.

The Teachers get up and start to make their way out of the room leaving Peter McMillan at the table with his hands clasped and a look of deep concentration on his face. Off of his thoughtful expression we

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 13: Lilly’s Boyfriend

Lilly walks into her loft and on the couch is a tall muscular man laying asleep, this is Scott Truman. Lilly quietly sets her stuff down by the door and walks towards the kitchen area, her motions are slow and deliberate like she is trying very hard not to wake Scott up.

Scott:

How was work?

Lilly:

(Startled)

Oh it was...uh…interesting I guess.

Scott:

Why didn’t you stay late today?

Lilly:

Prom decorations are finished

She puts a kettle of water on the stove and then turns it on before turning to another cabinet to get out a tea bag and a ceramic mug.

Scott:

Or maybe it’s because you broke up with your secret lover

Lilly gets startled by that comment and knocks the mug onto the floor where it shatters, she instantly gets down and starts to pick up the pieces looking a little nervous.

Scott:

Relax I was joking

He gets up off of the couch and walks over to help her pick up the pieces of the mug.

Lilly:
Oh…I know that…I just thought I saw another

One of those roaches

Scott:

You work with tons of disgruntled kids every

Day and you are still afraid of roaches?

Lilly:

What? They are gross

She stands up and opens the door under the sink and dumps in the pieces of glass she picked up and Scott does the same before brushing his hands off on his jeans. She smiles at him slightly and then leans in kissing him on the lips.

Scott:

Are you coming to the art gallery opening

With me tonight?

Lilly:

No, I think I’ll just take a hot bath and curl up

With a good book

Scott:
Okay, just make sure your other boyfriend is

Out of the house by the time I get back

She smiles at him and the kettle begins to whistle she moves it off of the stove and gets out another mug where she starts to pour the water. She adds in the tea bag dunking it in and out a few times to get the whole tea process going.

Scott:

I’m gonna take a shower and get changed

Before I leave, Enjoy your tea

Lilly:

I will

She smiles and watches him walk off and then breathes a sigh of relief, she gets out a spoon and a container of sugar and as she adds some to her tea

FADE TO BLACK

Scene 14: Monica’s Dead

Monica is driving her car down a very empty and very dark road, there is a vehicle that comes up behind her but it has it’s headlights out so she doesn’t see it, not that she was paying attention to what was behind her anyway. Suddenly there is a loud pop as one of her tires blows, she loses control of the car for just a moment before slowing to a stop. She reaches into her purse and takes out her cell phone getting ready to call triple A. She gets out of the car as she is dialing, a cigarette in one hand and gets down to inspect the tire that just blew out. There is something in it, maybe razor or barbed wire but it’s obvious that some one put something there to stop her.

Monica:
What the hell…

The car that was behind her pulls over and parks but the driver puts the high beams on blinding Monica so she can’t see who it is. She turns her head and puts her arm up to block out some of the light, squinting so she can try to make out the occupant of the other car.

Monica:

Do you know how to change a flat…

Before she can finish her sentence there are two gunshots and she falls onto the ground with a bullet wound to her head, her eyes are open and staring right into the camera where the high beams of the car are reflected in them. We never see the killer but they do get back in the car and drive off as quickly as they came, a pool of blood trickles out from under Monica’s head.

FADE TO BLACK

End Act One