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Act Two/Scene One
The next day in the music wing of CHS. KRIS and JEFF enter.
Kris: So that's what happened? That's how she fell?
Jeff: Yes.
Kris: And Cooper found her, lying there?
Jeff: Yes.
Kris: Was she badly hurt?
Jeff: Well, she was knocked out from the fall. Apparently she has a blow to the head. The doctors think she hit a stand on the way down. Other than a blow to the head, Ellen suffered a broken ankle and numerous bruises.
Kris: That's awful.
Jeff: I really don't have a good feeling about this.
Kris: About what?
Jeff: I don't know. Just a premonition, I guess.
Act Two/Scene Two
In the orchestra room at CHS. COOPER is standing there among the violins, violas, and cellos.
Cooper: This is the last time any actor will hurt anyone! She was just defending my honor, so I will defend hers and every other oppressed pit member anywhere!
COOPER picks up a violin in a similar fashion to the way Sweeney Todd picked up his razors when he was first reunited with them.
Act Two/Scene Three
The next day, in the large practice room in the music wing at CHS. KRIS, JEFF, KEVIN, JULIA, and TRICIA are gathered.
Tricia: He did what?
Kris: That's what people have been saying.
Tricia: How did he do that?
Kris: Well, after play rehearsal last night, he was just waiting there in the shadows. He was waiting for Vic but Vic didn't show. So, to compensate, Cooper just took out three of Vic's pals.
Tricia: But…how?
Kris: He smacked each of them in the back of their heads with a violin.
Kevin: I'm glad that he did!
Tricia: Kevin, that's terrible.
Kevin: No, I'm glad! They deserved it!
Kris: But taking people out like that isn't the answer. That doesn't solve anything!
Kevin: Thanks for providing the moral fibers of this plot, Kris.
Kris: No problemo.
Julia: You can't trust them. Any of them!
Tricia: That's not the way to think, Julia.
Julia: You can't trust anyone outside of your own group!
Jeff: Well apparently you can't trust anyone inside your own group as well.
Julia: Hmph!
Tricia: Is Cooper making any demands?
Kris: He said he wanted his violin back in its original condition and he wants Vic to be punished justly.
Meanwhile in the auditorium…
VIC and other ACTORS collect on stage.
Vic: He said he wanted me? Why?
Actor #1: You broke his violin!
Actor #2: You sent that pit girl over the edge.
Vic: So what if I did! I'm not afraid of this guy…are you?
Actor #3: Three actors are in the hospital now! How do you think we're supposed to take that?
Vic: You're going to stand by me, though, right? We're all in this together…right?
Actor #3: You're on your own, Vic. Sorry.
Other ACTORS exit, leaving VIC onstage by himself.
Meanwhile in the orchestra room…
COOPER, JEFF K, CARL, YAHN, and RUSTY (just for the hell of it) enter in a great hurry.
Jeff K: No, Cooper! You will not face this alone! Ellen's one of us. You're one of us! We are going to stick by you throughout this! We musicians must stay together! We're all we have.
Carl: We won't leave!
Yahn: We're ready to help! Right Rusty?
Rusty: Huh? (shrugs) Oh. Sure.
Yahn: Even Rusty's in on this!
Jeff K: Look, by sending Ellen over the edge, by destroying your violin, by taking a swing at your dignity they are destroying the integrity each and everyone of us. Not just us, but other musicians who cannot defend themselves.
Cooper: You make an interesting and convincing case. Yes, you can help me in my crusade of revenge.
All: Yay!
Jeff K: Cuba Libre!
All (except Jeff): What?
Jeff K: Oh, never mind!
Meanwhile in the band room…
Other ACTORS, CREW, and PIT members talk with TONY.
Erica: What do you think of this, Tony?
Tony: I am ashamed of my brother. He has gone way too far this time! I mean we've always joked about taking out other people, just like in the Jackie Chan movies. We have to save the American girl. But, I didn't ever think he was serious! Now, in three simple strokes, he has completely destroyed any peaceful ties we've had with other groups. I've worked so hard and now look! Gone! All gone! Now other groups fear us. They don't trust us! I get looks in the hallways now. It's horrible! It's one thing for me to get these looks, I'm his brother. But for the poor other innocent pit members to receive this kind of treatment without doing anything! It's just unbearable! If I get a chance, I would like to tell Cooper exactly what his "crusade for the pit" his actually doing to his fellow musicians.
Act Two/Scene Four
The next Friday in the auditorium lobby. KRIS, JEFF, TRICIA, JULIA, and KEVIN are all talking after school.
Tricia: I don't think I can stay in Chatham another day! It's just getting scary for us! After each rehearsal, another actor is knocked off.
Kris: I've heard that Cooper has a possy working for him now.
Kevin: Really?
Jeff: Who's in his possy?
Kris: No one knows exactly. Just other pit members, I suppose.
Julia: See? You can't trust any of them!
Tricia: I've got an idea! Why don't we take a trip into the city tonight? Right after rehearsal we'll leave.
Julia: If we don't get killed first.
Tricia: Well, if we get out alive, Julia, we can take the train over to Penn Station and just spend the weekend in the city.
Kris: That's a good idea, the Pit Possy won't be able to find us among everyone in the city!
Jeff: I'm not so sure if I can go guys. My parents wouldn't like it, they wouldn't let me go.
Kris: Don't worry, Jeff. This is only a really bad parody of a classic musical. It's fictitious; you're parents won't mind 'cause it isn't real!
Jeff: Oh! Well in that case!
Tricia: So since rehearsal ends at 8:30, we'll take the 8:51 train into Penn. Sound good with everyone?
ALL nod in agreement except for KEVIN.
Tricia: Something wrong Kevin?
Kevin: Um…I…can't go.
Kris: Why not? Your parents won't care.
Kevin: Oh, I'm not worried about my parents. I…uh…just have something to take care of. I gotta go. I'll see you guys later. See ya.
KEVIN exits.
Tricia: That's odd.
Julia: Yeah, it is.
Jeff: What's odd?
Tricia: Kevin's not one to turn down a trip to New York.
Kris: That is bizarre.
Tricia: (looks at her watch) It's getting late. I'm going to go home and pack a few things for later.
Kris: Yeah, here comes my mom. I'll see you later.
KRIS exits.
TRICIA begins to exit.
Jeff: Tricia, wait, can I get a ride?
Tricia: You mooch! Oh, well, alright. Hurry up.
JEFF and TRICIA exit.
JULIA sighs heavily and exits.
Act Two/Scene Five
Later that evening, on the train to New York. KRIS, JEFF, TRICIA, and JULIA enter.
Tricia: That's had to be one of the scariest moments of my life!
Jeff: It was so eerie how you could see the shadows of the Pit Possy but you couldn't hear them, or see them.
Kris: Let's hope that we don't have to face that again! I hope it clears up by the time we get home.
Julia: Come on, guys. Let's keep it moving. I want to sit down.
THEY search for empty seats.
Tricia: Hey, did you guys notice how Kevin wouldn't make eye contact with any of us?
Kris: You too? I thought it was just me. I thought I did something wrong.
Tricia: No, he wouldn't look at anyone of us!
Jeff: He could be hiding something.
Tricia: Like what?
Jeff: I don't know. Just another one of those odd, foreshadowing moments, I guess.
TRICIA shrugs her shoulders.
Julia: Why is this train so crowded? I've never seen anything so insane!
Kris: No, it's been worse. My friends coming back from the Dave Matthews Band concert had to stand from New York to Summit. There were no seats available in the car they were in! They were squished like sardines!
Jeff: (chanting in response to KRIS's comment) Sardines!
Julia: Don't start!
Jeff: Sorry.
Tricia: Well there are two empty seats right there. Kris and Jeff, why don't you take these seats and Julia and I will look in the next car.
Kris: No, ladies first. You take these seats.
Julia: Wow! Quite the gentleman. Well, we'll see you at Penn, then.
KRIS and JEFF cross into the next car.
Kris: Here are two seats, next to these girls. (to the GIRLS) Excuse me…(recognizing that he was addressing KATHERINE and SARA)…hey! We know you!
Katherine: Hey! Where are you guys going?
Kris: New York. You?
Katherine: Same. Oh, sit down.
Kris: Thank you.
THEY sit.
Katherine: What are you going to do in New York?
Kris: Well, we haven't decided yet. We're here with Tricia and Julia.
Sara: Where's Kevin? It's odd that he's not with you.
Jeff: He didn't want to come for some reason.
Kris: What are you girls going to do?
Katherine: We're going to TKTS to see if we can get into a show.
Kris: Well, what are you aiming to see?
Katherine: (nods toward SARA) What else?
Jeff: Really? Lucky!
Kris: What?
Sara: Ragtime, of course!
Kris: Oh, of course.
SARA and JEFF have a side conversation about Ragtime.
Katherine: That's really incredible.
Kris: What is?
Katherine: Well, that an actor and a crew person would get along so well.
Kris: You mean Jeff and Sara?
Katherine: Yes, there's virtually no animosity between them. I guess they have too many things in common to be at odds with each other.
Kris: But they only have one thing in common.
Katherine: I guess that's all it takes.
Kris: Well, it would be nice if everyone from all groups could get along as well. Maybe if everyone did, we could have a stellar performance when the musicals roll around.
Katherine: You're absolutely right.
Kris: Well…
Katherine: You say that often, "Well".
Kris: No I don't.
KATHERINE shrugs.
Act Two/Scene Six
Later that evening in the orchestra room at CHS. COOPER is sitting on the chair at the podium (the one that Mrs. Kuhn would sit in). YAHN, CARL, and RUSTY are keeping themselves occupied with something, probably playing random instruments. In the background one can hear the faint playing of "Emblem of Unity", the revolutionists theme. JEFF K enters, leading KEVIN in blindfolded.
Jeff K: He's here.
Cooper: Bring him closer.
Kevin: Why am I blindfolded?
Cooper: You are an actor, and hard to trust. How do I know if your offer to help us is valid? For all we know, you could be a spy for them. You are blindfolded so that you do not know where the location of our headquarters is. (to JEFF K) You may undo the blindfold now.
JEFF K takes off KEVIN's blindfold.
Kevin: (looking around) Um…Cooper…we're in the orchestra room.
Jeff K: Blast! He foiled our plans!
Yahn: I told you this place was too obvious! We should have picked the chorus room!
Cooper: Quiet! Why is it you've come?
ERICA enters.
Erica: Hi guys. I've just come to get my violin.
SHE crosses to the violin cases and searches for HERS.
Cooper: Answer me. Why have you come?
Kevin: Uh…well…I've…uh…
Erica: He wanted to say…
Cooper: Sshhh!
Kevin: I…um…er…uh…
Erica: I am here because I have to be…
Cooper: (to ERICA) Well congratulations to you! Now be quiet!
Kevin: I…I…I…I…
Erica: I am here for what is right….
COOPER snaps his fingers. JEFF K grabs ERICA by the wrist and throws her and her violin outside.
Cooper: There.
Kevin: I am here because you are right. What those actors did to you and Ellen is completely unjust and I am here to help right those wrongs. I know it must be difficult to trust me right now, because I am an actor, but you've got to believe me! I am here to help! I know how to blow things up!
Yahn: Really?
Kevin: Well, actually, no. I was just saying that, but everything else is true!
COOPER puts his fist to his mouth and sighs (just like Ben Blake!).
Cooper: I don't know why, but I believe and trust you. You are now are part of my possy.
COOPER extends his hand to KEVIN. As soon as KEVIN takes COOPER's hand to shake it, the theme from "The Magnificent Seven" is heard in the background.
Act Two/Scene Seven
In the hotel room of some run down hotel in New York the next night (Saturday night). There are two beds with a small table between them. On the table there is a telephone. KRIS and JEFF lie down on their beds, KRIS is reading some fantasy novel and JEFF is reading his script. JEFF puts down the book for a second.
Jeff: I'm thirsty.
Kris: Good for you.
Jeff: Is it safe to drink the water?
Kris: I wouldn't trust it.
Jeff: Hmmm… (reaches into his pocket and pulls out spare change) . Is there a soda machine on this floor?
Kris: I don't remember.
Jeff: I think I remember seeing one.
KRIS nods, still reading his book.
Jeff: Alright, I'm going out there.
HE begins to exit.
Kris: Oh wait! (reaches into his pocket and pulls out his Swiss Army Knife) Here. Take this to defend yourself. Just in case.
Jeff: (sarcastically) Thanks. That makes me feel a whole lot better.
JEFF exits. The telephone rings. KRIS answers it.
Kris: Hello? (short pause) Mom? (pause) Why? (pause) Is it serious? Oh my gosh! (pause) Seriously? Um…I'm not sure. We were going to leave here on the 6:13 p.m. train, leaving Penn. (pause) Well, I can check the schedule. The soonest one I can get would probably be the 8:26 a.m. train. (pause) Okay, I will mom. Okay…okay. I love you too. Goodnight.
KRIS hangs up. JEFF enters with a can of soda and looking as though he's been in a fight.
Jeff: (hand KRIS the knife) Here. Thanks.
Kris: What happened to you?
Jeff: I had a little problem getting the soda. Ah, but for a can of Tab, it was worth it!
Kris: You got in a fight over Tab?
Jeff: It was the only thing left in the machine.
Kris: Look, my mom just called. Apparently there has been some emergency at the school. She said Cooper has done something really crazy this time and the music boosters are having an emergency meeting right now.
Jeff: What's happened?
Kris: You know that room across from Mr. Bart's office that's filled to the brim with sheet music?
Jeff: Yeah.
Kris: It seems that Cooper and his Pit Possy have taken it by storm and are holding it for ransom.
Jeff: Oh my God!
Kris: I know. So my mom wants me to leave here first thing in the morning to try to help the situation.
Jeff: But what can you do?
Kris: I really don't know, but we'll find out, now won't we?
Act Two/Scene Eight
The next afternoon, in the CHS auditorium lobby. A crowd of people (including MR. BART, MR. CONTI, ERICA, and VIC who is fixing COOPER's violin) are gathered in the lobby holding vigil over the seizure of the music library. KRIS enters.
Kris: What has happened?
Bart: Cooper and his Pit Possy have stormed the music library. (shouts toward the music library) Cooper Ford! This is Mr. Bart! Do you hear me? Open up! We have Vic Avila here and he is restoring your violin! He will be justly punished! Please come out!
Vic: Actors should be grateful for what I'm doing!
Conti: (to Mr. Bart) What are you waiting for? You have the keys! Open up the door and suspend the student! Punish him! There are valuable pieces of music in there! The Overture to "Candide", "Of Sailors and Whales", and most importantly a medley from "Ragtime"!
Kris: Sir, I believe there is one person that Cooper will listen to: his brother, Tony Ford.
Bart: Someone get Tony Ford over here! Call him! Hop the fence if you have to, he lives two seconds away!
A PERSON in the crowd leaves to get TONY.
Conti: While, we're waiting for Tony, will you go in there, Kris, and try to coax Cooper out?
Kris: I'll see what I can do.
KRIS bangs on the door to the music library.
A voice: Who is it?
Kris: Kris Burfitt, let me in!
Another voice: Not by the hair on our chin-y, chin, chin!
The first voice: Quiet you.
There is mumbling inside. The door opens.
Act Two/Scene Nine
Inside the music library. COOPER, JEFF K, CARL, YAHN, RUSTY (again, just for the hell of it), and KEVIN are inside. KRIS enters.
Cooper: They sent you in here, didn't they?
Kris: Yes, yes they did.
Cooper: Well, it's not going to do anything. I'm quite determined to destroy everything in this place.
Kris: But why? Your demands are being met!
Kevin: It's not about the demands any more!
Kris: Kevin?! What are you doing here? Is this what you were hiding from us?
Kevin: I'm no longer one of you, Kris. I'm one of them (nods towards the POSSY).
A knock on the door. CARL crosses to the door.
Carl: Who is it?
Tony (from offstage): Tony Ford!
Cooper: Tony? Let him in!
CARL opens the door and TONY enters.
Cooper: Did they send you in here too?
Tony: Cooper what are you doing? I have worked for the longest time so that the actors, crew, and pit may work together in peace! Look at what your recklessness has cost us! Everyone fears us now! What have you done?
Cooper: I'm fighting for the rights of all oppressed pit members everywhere!
Tony: But that's not what you are achieving! By hurting and threatening others, you have completely destroyed any inkling of peace!
Cooper: I'm sorry, Tony. But this is what I have to do. This is my destiny.
Tony: But you are not accomplishing anything! You are only going backwards for our kind!
Jeff K: Don't listen to him Cooper. He's trying to persuade you the wrong way! What about everything we've fought for? What about Cuba Libre? What about all of the oppressed pit members everywhere that we are fighting for? The pit members that are enslaved by the actors? I have only one thing to say to the actors out there, "Let my people go"!
EVERYONE just stares at JEFF K.
Cooper: Thank you, Moses.
Tony: Cooper, listen to me. I wouldn't come in here unless it was going to help our kind. You have to understand. I would never come in here to help the actors unless it was to help us too! Cooper, think about what you are doing. Look at the rest of the pit. Look as they walk through the hallways during school. See as actors spit upon them. This did not happen prior to the "incident". They are suffering childhood trauma!
Jeff K: I'll tell you what childhood trauma is!
Tony: Do you want your recklessness to cause more oppression of your kind?
Cooper: (deep sigh) No.
The POSSY looks concerned.
Tony: Then, follow me and surrender yourself. You, just like Vic, will be justly punished. I promise nothing rash will befall you.
Cooper: I don't want my fellow pit members to be harmed. I want to be the only one to take the fall.
Kevin: No! You cannot do this Cooper! You cannot just give yourself up like this! You said we would all go free or we all would die!
Cooper: No I didn't.
Kevin: Oh. Well, then, never mind! But you still can't go out there! We cannot give up like this!
Cooper: Well, I will need a hostage. But otherwise, you are right Tony. I cannot let my own pride destroy the lives of my fellow musicians. I will stop this insanity right now.
Tony: You are a good guy, Coop. You really are.
TONY exits.
Kevin: How could you do that?
Yahn: Now we've really lost!
Jeff K: We looks like whimps by doing this!
Carl: We're going to look weak! Right Rusty?
Rusty: What? Oh, yeah, right.
Jeff K: We aren't leaving, Cooper. We've lost, we've all lost.
Cooper: I don't believe that. We actually won. Now we've been noticed. Now we have been recognized as an actually entity of the theatre department. We can't be called pushovers anymore. We've made everyone stop and listen to us! We have achieved all of our demands! My violin is being restored. Vic is being justly punished. And everyone has finally acknowledged our presence. We won, my friends, we won!
Kris: That's fine and all, but, how are you going to get your followers out of here without being punished?
Cooper: I will need a hostage. (COOPER puts his hand on KRIS's shoulder) And since one actor looks like another…(COOPER turns towards KEVIN)…I will send Kevin out as the hostage.
Kevin: What? No! I'm staying here.
Cooper: Kevin. For me, go. I don't want to see you get punished in any way.
Kevin: No!
Cooper: Kevin! Go or I shall have to hurt you.
The POSSY (with KEVIN grumbling) quickly exit in order to escape the heavy hand of the law (or, rather, the rules of the school).
Cooper: I guess this is it. Thank you.
KRIS nods. COOPER opens the door, slowly at first and then throws it open. A group of people tackle HIM and drag him down to the floor. A great struggle ensues and a large booming voice (most likely the Assistant Principal) says "Cooper Ford, you are hereby suspended from this school for a month!"
Act Two/Scene Ten
ALL enter. JEFF steps forward.
Jeff: The era of isolation between the different groups had ended. Just as if history were no more than the curtain call played by the pit. But we did not know that then…
KEVIN steps forward.
Kevin: After Cooper Ford's suspension, Kevin ran for student council. After being elected for office, he was the most noted officer to fight for the rights of each and every student.
ERICA steps forward.
Erica: The signs of a peaceful theatre community were evident everywhere. Once this miracle occurred, Erica realized that being backstage would actually be more fun than calling the show in the booth. But it was too late, she was already the assistant director.
TONY steps forward.
Tony: Tony continued to work for a more peaceful theatre community. After seeing his work done with the theatre department, he worked to try to form a peaceful bridge between the Arts Department and the rest of the school. Sadly, Tony graduated before he was able to accomplish this.
JULIA steps forward.
Julia: Julia graduated. At last, peace and quiet.
TRICIA steps forward.
Tricia: Tricia's other show enjoyed a successful run. While she was pleased that she was able to add another theatre company to her résumé, she was still saddened by the fact that she did not support the school and perform in its musical production. What was truly devastating to Tricia was that during her absence, she lost her love, Jeff, to none other than Kevin Chupka (although neither Jeff nor Kevin will admit it).
KRIS and KATHERINE step forward.
Kris: If we really wanted to stay true to the story, we (he indicates himself and KATHERINE) would get together and then get married after we graduate.
Katherine: Rest assured, that will not happen. No offense, Burf!
Kris: None taken, don't worry! But the theatre department turned out happy. All three groups took the hint after seeing that Sara and Jeff were friends. Soon afterwards everyone was friends with everyone and we had the best musical production ever!
COOPER and ELLEN step forward.
Ellen: Our dream came true. Our integrity was maintained and no harm ever came to another pit member.
Cooper: And so closes this cheesy parody of a classic musical. We hope that through this blatant disgrace of such a fine piece of art you were able to see the few moral fibers that were thrown in here. Just like in the movie "Pleasantville"! Well, we also hope that you've enjoyed yourself and now go home! Go west! Go back where you came from!
The End
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