Waiting For Something

(Ariana is sitting on the bed and fiddling with her fingers, feeling anxious)

Ariana: Marc, he's been gone for almost an hour now. What do we do? We're gonna get our asses kicked if you don't act now.

Marc: I don't know... i just need to think of a plan. Just give me a second.

(pause)

Ariana: Let's just call him, we can't avoid him forever. He's definately going to find out one way or another.

Marc: No we can't do that. He'd kill us.

(Ariana stands up moving closer to Marc)

Ariana: Think about it Marc, he'd kill us either way. We've lost the boy. We've lost the job. The Boss doesn't tolerate this kind of stuff. That's why he hired us.

Marc: So what're we going to do? We can't tell him and we can't ignore him.

Ariana: I don't know... I can't believe he escaped. How could he anyway? This place is like a prison and there are barely any windows.


Marc: And he knew we had guns. He was a brave boy. He would've been a good addition to our group.

Ariana: Yeah, he would've.

(pause)

Marc: Okay so where is he most likely to be? He doesn't have any friends or family here... Well he doesn't even know where we are.

Ariana: He wouldn't've gone to the police. We would know by now. I mean Curt would've called us. Right?

Marc: Yeah. So that's off our list. And he can only be in this town cos of all the fences and security around here.

Ariana: So are we going to search for him? It probably won't take long. I mean, he can't go to the 'neighbours'.

Marc: (uncertainly) Yeah... Yeah we could do that.

(Ariana grabs her coat off the peg on the wall and heads towards the door)

Ariana: Come on, the longer we leave it the deeper we'll get in this situation.

Marc: But won't he be there? The Boss, i mean. He's waiting for us. We're already about (looks at watch) 10 minutes late. You know he doesn't tolerate that.

Ariana: (starting to get frustrated) Well i don't see you coming up with any great ideas!

Marc: I say we just wait. The boy has nowhere to go. He's bound to get scared and come running back.

Ariana: listen, why don't you stay here and wait while i go and look for him. Okay?

Marc: (uncertainly) yeah okay... don't take long.

(As Ariana reaches for the door, it bursts open. A man of around mid 40's stands there, gun in hand, aimed at Ariana. He shoots her right in the middle of her eyes and straight after shoots Marc.)

The Boss: (to the bodyguards on his sides) Dispose of the bodies.

The Right Balance.

(Both bound by their sheer insignificance, Edward and John are two tramps who have grown dependant on each others presence ever more by each passing day. They do not like each other; they do not hate each other. In a post lapsarian life where redemption is out of the question; they both scurry around the edges of society, trying to find the right balance. Both sleep insulated from the ground by a thin layer of cardboard.)

Edward: John?

(The sound of a lone taxi horn interrupts the silence)

Edward: John, John, John are you there John? Hello?

(John provides a feint rustle but this ceases to quieten Edward)

John: I’m here.

Edward: Oh. Good. Just checking.

(Silence acts as a catalyst for the atmosphere now brewing)

John: Sleep.

Edward: I can’t.

John: Try.

Edward: I have.

John: Well let me then.

Edward: I want to try something new.

(John wakes after denying his alertness)

John: Why? We’re safe. Maybe not warm, by no means comfortable (long pause) we’re safe.

Edward: Don’t you have family down this neck of the woods?

(Lengthy silence)

John: Dead.

Edward: Oh.

John: You really do seem incapable of recognising our situation.

(Pause)

Denial? No. You’re too docile.

(John intensifies)

Maybe you just need attention.

Or maybe you’re just scared.

Scared to realise the fact that you’ll never change.

Scared to realise without me you’ll slip even further down into the gutter of society.

Of course I long for change, but I’m far from capable of instigating it.

(Long pause)

Look at me.

Look at you.

Look at us Edward.

What do you really see?

Edward: I see two men. One mind. I see You, me and not much else.

(Moves on swiftly)

Maybe someday we’ll both be rich and get beautiful wives and we won’t have to worry about what time we need to eat and we won’t need to worry about what time we have to find a place to sleep maybe we won’t even need to stress about what time it is because we’d be rich and nobody would be able to stop us. Not even ourselves.

John: I couldn’t live like that. You couldn’t live like that. We’re only where we are because we have each other.

(Deep Breath)

You have your traits and I have mine. I may hate to love you and you may hate to love me, yet without each other we’d be no more significant.

It’s all about try to find the right balance between friendship and our narcissistic tendencies. Living as one may be somewhat restrictive; yet the other side of the coin seems somewhat hidden for our own good.

Waiting for Something

(A man is sitting alone at a table. He occasionally glances over at the wall to his left, muttering incoherently under his breath. Every few minutes or so, he drunkenly reaches for the whiskey bottle and ensures his glass is filled to the rim, but pays less attention to the golden brown droplets of spirit accumulating what looks like a “ring of fire” on the table. After emptying his glass, he staggers over to the corner of the room and removes the vinyl record of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” from the gramophone. He then sways back to his vacant chair, singing light – heartedly the hook of the song which he had just listened to. Silence. Brandishing the cross on the rosary beads hanging from his neck, he begins making the sign of the cross as he is praying.)

Noel: (In a drunken slur.) The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Answer me. (Turns to the painting of Jesus hanging on the bare white walls and points an accusing finger.) Reasons. It’s all I want. (Pause) And you call yourself Jesus . . . It looks like the Power of God, the Root of David is lacking answers. You know what, I’ve always wondered why, why people, ordinary people, have flocked to these places you call churches for hundreds of years? They’re not talking to God. No one has done and no one ever will.
(Juliet walks in on stage right and grabs a chair facing Noel at the far end of the table. She is holding a small wooden crucifix in her right hand. Noel ignores her and carries on talking.)

So what? I blaspheme. But only when I have a drink in my hand. (Waves the glass around enough to topple a little more whiskey onto the table.) Only when the demons in the whiskey take over my conscience. (Taps his head with his index finger.) I’m patient. I’ll wait. Or am I not worthy of your wisdom, Jesus? Am I too much of a heathen to be given the answers I’ve searched for my whole life? I must be a sinner. I must be. In the eyes of you, Jesus. But, in my eyes, I have done what any father would have done for their wife and child. You’re just too ignorant to see it. Ignorant. Ignorant. (He begins crying with his head in his hands. Juliet remains in her seat, surveying Noel.)

Juliet: I admire you.

Noel: (Recovers) That’s the best compliment you’ve ever paid me. (Smiles solemnly.) Even during our marriage, you never said why you stuck by me. You were just there. Never faltering. Healing my sores and relieving my pain. Making every day more bearable. I don’t think I ever said how much I appreciated your persistence. Your compassion. I suppose that’s what made you do it. That’s what made you end it all. Because I couldn’t buck up my ideas and be a man for once in my pathetic little life.

Juliet: What an understatement, Noel. What you went through doesn’t require you “bucking up your ideas”. It takes time and whole lot of strength. And you’re the living proof of that time. That strength. I didn’t make it. And the only very few times I felt strongest was when I was drugged up to the eyeballs with anti – depressants. The legitimate drug that’s just as bad as whatever drugs you get nowadays. That’s not strength. It’s the complete opposite. Weakness. But, against all the odds. You didn’t give up. You kept on going. And I’ve never met a man who can talk so much sense with a whole bottle of whiskey down them. (Laughs)

Noel: You call this “keeping on going?" I will do absolutely anything for a drop of this stuff. (Points to the whiskey bottle.) I am dependent. I am an alcoholic. Some nights, I get cold turkey. The agony is close to breaking – point.

Juliet: But, you haven’t “broken” yet, have you? You haven’t yet claimed the right to have your remains turned into ash, or your identity demoted to a few words on a gravestone. Like I have. You have been granted that second chance in life.

Noel: What if I don’t want that second chance?

Juliet: It’s your decision. Come with me. Or keep on fighting. I know which one I would choose.

Noel: Then why didn’t you choose it? Why aren’t I the one in that seat now?

Juliet: We both know why. I failed you before you failed me.

Noel: Yet, I still ended up failing you. I put too much on you. I made your problems worse. But you made mine better. I feel it’s now my time to repay you.

Juliet: If you loved me that much; if you loved Jesus that much - (Clasps the wooden crucifix in her hand.) you wouldn’t do this.

Noel: I love you too much. I love Jesus too little. The reason why I want to do it.

Task 42 Everything in its right Place

Emily guides Ava down the corridor to the closed door.

Emily: This is it. (Points to the door) Go in. They are waiting for you.

Ava: (Hesitates) Err… I can’t!

Emily: Excuse me?

Ava: I’m scared.

Emily: You’re scared. Don’t be so ridiculous! (Pauses) What are you scared of?

Ava: I’m scared of what’s going to happen to me.

Emily:It’s only a job review. They ask you a few questions; check
your progress, that’s all

Ava: Well, (pauses) that’s what they say.

Emily: And what’s that supposed to mean. (Looking unimpressed)

Ava: (snappily) so who’s in there? Who is reviewing me? Who is the ‘they’?

Emily: (confused) The Boss and the supervisor, Humans just like me and you.

Ava: I wouldn’t be so sure of that.

Emily: What are you talking about!

Ava: My friend, Melissa went in ‘there’ to get reviewed, and I never saw her again!

Emily: She probably got fired or even promoted. Was Olivia a beneficial worker?

Ava: How should I know? I’m not the type to interfere in other peoples businesses, and, how would they know if Olivia was a beneficial worker or not?

Emily: By looking at the progress reports!

Ava: Or is that what they want you to think!

Emily: Well how else do you think they find out? (Sarcastically) Mutant psychic powers?

Ava: Of course not, what a ridiculous thing to say! They have their ways. They have cameras everywhere, in the corridors, the canteen, even the toilets! Oh and not to mention behind the computer screen.

Emily: Behind the computer screens?

Ava: YES! They’re watching at what you’re typing, what you’re viewing. They are looking into your soul.

Emily: Don’t be so ridiculous.

Ava: I mean it.

Emily: Anyway. Are you going to go for it?

Ava: I am still shaking. Do I look alright? Everything has to be perfect. They wouldn’t want to hire a messy worker would they?

Emily: No they wouldn’t. Don’t worry you’re fine.

Ava: Ok

Emily: So... are you going in or not?

Task 42 Waiting For Something

Waiting For Something

(Carter starts walking along the side walk with Alex, now getting agitated)

Carter: Can we just go now?
Alex: No! We have to wait just a little bit longer.
Carter: (fussing) But we've been waiting for hours, it's no use I'm telling you!
Alex: (getting angry now) You know what you've been moaning the whole time, I just can't take it anymore. [Pause]
Carter: (stuttering) Well, I should never have some with you!
(silence surrounds the whole street, and then both Alex and Carter look at each other)
Alex: (with a sigh) Look I'm sorry, it's just nothing's shown up and I'm really tired.
Carter: (looking down at her bitten nails) Then why don't we just go home?
Alex: I know you want to go, and I know you're tired too, but we I mean I need to do this, and I need your support, because you're my sister. [pause]
Carter: (with a smile on her face) Come here.
(They hug whilst cars clutter around)
Alex: So you going to stay with me?
Carter: (Rolls her eyes and smiles) Always.
Alex: Thanks.
(They get up and walk around the street)
Carter: Well.. this does pass the time.
Alex: Yes, I.. I agree.
(A black Astin Martin sped right through, and dropped a package)
Carter: (looking suspiciously ) Hey! What's that!
Alex: (getting near carter) I.. I would leave it if I were you.
Carter: why?
Alex: You know what.. just let me look, ok.
(Alex gets near the package, clearly enough is written J.LP for AP- which stands for Alex Parkinson)
Carter:
(crowds near Alex suspiciously) Alex.. Alex what's the matter?
(silence)
Alex: (stumbles for words) I.. erm I think it's for me?
Carter: Here let me look. [pause]
Alex: (anxiously waiting) Well?
Carter: It does have your initials, but it might be for some one else?
Alex: (Getting excited) well lets open it, just to check right? I mean it won't do any harm.
Carter: (sighs for a second) Ok but be very prudent.
Alex: ('being very careful') Hold on nothing is in there.
Carter: (puzzled) Wait, are you sure there must be something, surely something?
Alex: (shaking her head in disappointment) Nope, nothing.
Carter: (sits back down on the edge) well, if this is what we were waiting for I got to tell you it was kind of a waste of time.
Alex: (putting her head down in shame) Yeah, your probably right- but?
Carter: (shaking her head in terror) Please no, we've had enough of your crazy ideas!
Alex: (Looking shocked) At least I came up with something!
(silence)
Carter: (looking down at her tummy) I'm hungry. [pause]
(Alex stared at her)
Alex: How could you think of food in a time like this?
Carter: In a time like what?
Alex: You know what? Just for-get- IT. [Pause]
Carter: (In a quiet voice) You know if you hadn't been shouting all this time maybe we might have found something instead of arguing.
Alex: (agreeing) I think I found some spare change in my purse maybe we should just forget the whole day, and finally eat.
Carter: (getting red) You mean to tell me... never mind.
(They walk slowly, with the package in their hands near a fish and chips shop)
Carter: This is so tiring, when is this road going to end?
Alex: (breathing heavily) Just a, just a few more blocks now.
(Just as Carter was going to warn Alex from a crack on the floor, CRASH!)
Carter: Yeah, I..I did try to tell you (giggle)
Alex: (nodding) laugh all you want. (But she started to giggle too)

(And they both walked into the mist of Carlisle Street, not really knowing what they would find.)

Waiting for something.

( Cheryl, a single mother of her only child Brian has grown sick of life in the city and wants to move to a nice village which she knows will do her son good as well, but her son is being very stubborn and refuses to leave the city. She finally decides to trick her son into it ).

Cheryl-: Brian, turn off the TV and come over to the car, I need you to help me with my shopping. Brian? Brian I know that you can hear me come here this very instant! BRIAN!

Brian-: Coming….. Mom….. Do you really need me to help you out? It can’t be that bad can it.

Cheryl-: Well, actually it is that bad, I will not be able to carry all the things and I need your help.

( Cheryl opens the door for Brian to enter the car ).

Brian-: So where are we going?

Cheryl-: I don’t know…. I need a lot of things… I will have to visit a lot of shops.

Brian-: ( Groans ) But why at this time of the day?

Cheryl-: Good question….

Brian-: Right. ( Pauses for a while expecting his mom to say more ) So do I get an answer that’s good enough?

Cheryl-: No. Just stop the questions, I also have some very important things to discuss with you.

Brian-: She told you didn’t she? I knew she would! She takes her threats very seriously! Now I am gonna be grounded for ages all because of that blabber mouth. All that I did was ring her door bell and run away. Why does she have to get all worked up for that. I am so gonna kill her in school tomorrow.. Jane you just wait!

Cheryl-: Errr… That was not exactly what I was going to talk to you about, but now that you say so, yes, I will deal with your mischief later. So back to what I was trying to say…. I have decided that the city…….

Brian-: You mean she didn’t tell on me? Awwwww that’s so sweet of her. I knew that I could…

Cheryl-: BRIAN! Can you PLEASE STOP cutting me off while I am speaking. I know that you are doing this on purpose. So just shut up and listen to me!

Brian-: Mom, I am not moving away from here and you cant make me!

Cheryl-: Brian, sweetheart listen to me… there are instances when some decisions are made without our consent even though they affect our lives very much. And this is such an instan…..

Brian-: I AM NOT MOVING!!

Cheryl-: LISTEN! As I was saying… this is such an instance. I have decided that you should move cities with me, and there is nothing you can do about it, but there are many good prospects in moving as well.

Brian-: Yeah right! Just a couple of hours back, I actually thought that you had changed your mind.
And good prospects? What do you mean? Oh sure , I really am gonna enjoy studying near a farm. Boy am I gonna love it or what? ( Puts on his most sarcastic expression).

Cheryl-: This is not a the time for sarcasm. And yes there are many things that you could take advantage of.

Brian-: ( Rolls his eyes ) Yeah? Like what?

Cheryl-: Well, you could build a whole new reputation. All the bad memories of you will remain only in the minds of some Londoners. The fresh air will make you healthier and…

Brian-: Whatever mom, I don’t care about my stupid reputation and ( looks out of the window)…. Mom?

Cheryl-: Yeah?

Brian-: I didn’t know that there were so many sheep in London.

Cheryl-: We are not in London anymore…

Brian-: What!

Cheryl-: This. This is your new home.

Eveything in its right place

David: Aah. Everything back to normal now. We can have it as it was. Jane? Jane talk to me. (Getting impatient and failing to disguise it)
Jane: (Looks blank) What do you want me to say David? Yes love everything’s going to be fine? Is that what you want?
David: Look woman. I know you’re having a tough time but she’s gone now and in capable hands.
Jane: She’s gone.
David: Yes she has. (Smiles)We can get back to normal now. She’s not our problem anymore.
Jane: She was never a problem.
David: She’s old enough to look after herself.
Jane: Obviously not if we’ve just shipped her off to the Looney bin.
David: That’s…
Jane: She will never stop being me baby sister…
David: Yeah and she treated you like shit. Throwing it all back in your face like that. Accusing me. Your husband of…I would never touch her. That’s disgusting.
Jane: She’s gorgeous.
David: But I’ve got you. (Moves closer towards her)
Jane: (Moves away)
David: Do you doubt me?
(Jane doesn’t answer)
David: You believe you’re mentally disturbed sister over me? (Patronisingly)
Jane: Why would she make it up?
David: Because she’s crazy! (Silence) I knew it from the start. She’s were she belongs. It’s just meant to be.
Jane: (Looks at him suspiciously) Excuse me?
(David looks confused)
Jane: She said to me that you said …You said it was meant to be… that you were meant to … (getting worked up)…you know...please tell me...no...you didn’t..(eyes start to well up)
David: No. No. Jane.
(Jane starts to cry)
David: Jane.
Jane: It all makes sense now. When you found out about her past, you wouldn’t let it go. Everyone makes mistakes but you weren’t having any of it. No..
David: Jane no please (He puts his arms around her)
Jane: Don’t touch me! Get away from me.
David: Keep your voice down…you’ll wake Gary and we’ve only just got him settled.
Jane: Don’t you dare!(shouts) Don’t you fucking dare.
David: Jane (firmly)
Jane: What?
David: Look babe Gary needs me.
Jane: What? Where were you when he was born? Too busy raping his aunty. You think I want him growing up with you as his father. I mean what a role model.
David: I’m not having another man raising my…
Jane: Just get out!
David: Jane we need to talk about this.
Jane: What is there to talk about? What you did…I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to be near you. Just go away Far away.
David: Jane you can’t do this.
Jane: Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. What you did?
David: We all make mistakes.
(Jane takes off her shoe and throws it at him. He narrowly misses it)
Jane: (screams) Get the fuck out of my house. Go now before I call the police. I swear to God I’ll call them and I’ll fucking kill you in front of them.
David: Jane? Jane I…
(Jane sits down and carries on crying. David looks at her, his surroundings and storms out of the house slamming the door behind him. Gary wakes up and cries.)

Everything in its right place

Everything in its right place

Sophie the 18 year old bride paces right to left, while a full church and her groom, Jason waits for her.

Sophie: (Frantically pacing with her notebook, talking to herself in a quick rate) Ah, ha! And sail the seven seas! No tick by that one meaning- I haven’t done that yet, or have I (pauses) let me check with myself. Self have you sailed the seven seas yet? No? I didn’t think so, so that’s another thing to add on my list. (Frenetically flipping a page of the notebook) Oh yes, I also I was planning on spending a year in Paris, drinking latte in one of those cute little cafes while the sun rises, and when the sun sets I’d be in the same café drinking wine! Done that yet? No! And while I’m on the subject of wine, let me add a little something here: Trip to French countryside to stay at a vineyard. Well I suppose I could do that with a husband, actually I could do all these things with a husband, but the real question is do I want to do all these with a husband?

(Pause)

Sophie: (puts the notebook down and taps her hand several times, waiting for an answer)
Well? Do I? (Thinks for a moment) Of course doing these things with a husband is good but do I really want to do these things with Jason? Oh god, why am I thinking this? Stop! I don’t want these thoughts lingering in my mind. (Starts talking to herself) Self think positive! I love Jason! He’s fantastic! He’s… he’s... beautiful… and he’s … daring yeah he’s daring… I think… and he is incredibly beautiful. NO! Said that already! (Sounding more certain of herself) He’s confident and caring and cool and sweet, oh and he’s funny and he is good fun to be with and that’s all that matters… hmmm…

Jason: (knocks on the door) are you ok babe?

Sophie: (whispers) Yeah, I’m good.

Jason: What? I can’t hear you, are you ok?

Sophie: (Louder this time) Yes! I’m fine!

Jason: Don’t mean to ask stupid questions but, what you doin’ Soph?

Sophie: (hides notebook) Ermmm-

Jason: Soph, Sophie?

Sophie: Yes?

Jason: Darlin’ there is a load of people in that church waiting for you to drift down that aisle!

Sophie: I... am …

Jason: What are you doin in there? Do you want me to come in?

Sophie: I’m not doing anything! Don’t come in!

Jason: But-

Sophie: No don’t come in, I don’t want you to see me in my wedding dress!

Jason: That just super…. Super what’s that word again?

Sophie: Superstition.

Jason: That’s the one! I’m coming in, ok?

Sophie: No! Don’t you dare, I mean it!

Jason: What’s going on, you got cold feet?

Sophie: Perhaps, no, I don’t think so… maybe, I DON’T KNOW!!!

Jason: Well your aunt said to check up on you. She said that you seemed a bit edgy.

Sophie: Me, edgy no!

Jason: Are you ok?

Sophie: Yes I’m fine!

Jason: Well you don’t sound fine.

Sophie: Well what makes you think that! I’m fine ok! Just fine.

Jason: Ok, but the wedding was supposed to start 30 minutes ago!

Sophie: Oh, I need a few more minutes, just to sort myself out.

Jason: Do you need anything, makeup, dental floss, anything?

Sophie: No, Jase, I’m ok.

Jason: It isn’t that time of the month, is it?

Sophie: No, um, Jason I having cold feet.

Jason: Oh don’t worry about it! I was getting cold feet last night myself!

Sophie: No seriously this is bad I can’t come out!

Jason: Calm down, it can’t be that bad!

Sophie: (takes deep breath) Remember that book I told you about,

Jason: Yes, I remember

Sophie: And I wrote everything in it, what I want to do before I get married and stuff like that.

Jason: Yeah…

Sophie: And that I lost it, (pause) Well I found it.

Jason: Oh that’s great!

Sophie: What? Did you say fate?

Jason: No! I said gr-eat

Sophie: Oh that’s weird because if you had said fate, it most likely to have been fate that I had
found it at this moment in my life… and…

Jason: Yes it’s G-R-E-A-T that you just stumbled upon it!

Sophie: I didn’t just stumble upon it; I tore the whole house apart looking for it…

Jason: Well at least you found it in the end.

Sophie: It’s not just that…

Jason: What then?

Sophie: (changes subject) what did you mean, earlier when you said you were worried last night?

Jason: I, what?

Sophie: A few minutes ago you said that you had cold feet and that you were worrying last night, what did you mean?

Jason: Oh, that. Just had the wedding worries, you know, the usual stuff.

Sophie: Like what?

Task 42:Waiting for something

August 15th-A mother is driving her daughter to school to pick up her GCSE results

Alison: But what if I don't get it?
Catherine: Good lord, child, stop worrying. You'll go prematurely grey.
Alison: But-
Catherine: Honey, quit it, will you? You revised your head off for those exams, you'll get great results, you and I both know it.
Alison: And if I don't?
Catherine: Ali, will you stop being such a pessimist? Relaaaaax.....
Alison: (sighs exasperatedly and slouches in her seat) Fine. Whatever.
Catherine: (shakes her head) You and all your split personalities. We're here now. Go and get those results!
Alison: Mm....but...
Catherine: Ali-go!
Alison: I'm going, I'm going...
Catherine: You'll be out with Charlotte the rest of the day right?
Alison: Yeah, I think so...
Catherine: All right, call me if you need anything. And let me know those results!
Alison: Yeah, yeah, okay. (She gets out of the car)
Catherine: Right, then. I'll see you later, honey.
Alison: Okay, mum.
Catherine: Good luck, sweetie.
Alison: Okay...thanks.
Catherine: Awww...my baby girl...(adopts a dreamy expression) I remember when you were-
Alison: O-kay, mum. You can go now.
Catherine: Hmm? Oh, yes, well, yes. Good luck! Bye, love.
Alison: Buh-bye now.

(Catherine drives off, waving. Alison wanders through the school gates.)

Charlotte: Ali!
Alison: Hey, Charlie!
Charlotte: Where you been, girl? You've taken ages!
Alison: What, 'ain't you got your results yet?
Charlotte: Was waitin' for you, honey.
Alison: Oh. Right. Sorry for taking ages, then.

(Both girls walk towards the main office)

Alison: (To the woman at the desk) Alison McKenna. And Charlotte Hayes.
Woman at the desk: (Sorts through a pile of envelopes) Here you are. Good luck (smiles)

(Back in the playground)

Alison: I'm not sure I want to open mine...
Charlotte: C'mon, I know I've done crap, yet I still wanna open mine.
Alison: You won't have done crap...
Charlotte: Don't start. All right, on three, yeah? One, Two, Three..
(They rip open the envelopes and read them)
Alison: Oh my...
Charlotte: What? What did you get? Lemme see! (Reads the letter over Alison's shoulder) Oh wow! 3 A*s! You geek! You've passed practically everything!
Alison: I got a D in Geography...
Charlotte: Yeah, but who cares 'bout Geography? Wow...you nerd!
Alison: Stop it. So, what did you get?
Charlotte: I, uh, you don't need to know. It' s a bunch of crap...
Alison: That's not true! Show me! (wrestles the paper out of Charlotte's hand)
Charlotte: Hey! Give it back!
Alison: I...uh...well...wow. (Pause) This is great, Charlie!
Charlotte: Riiiight...Science, D, Maths, E, English lit, D...amazing, right?
Alison: No, but, I mean, but-hey, you got a B in French! That's great!
Charlotte: Yeah, only 'cause my mum's French.
Alison: But still...
Charlotte: What am I gonna do with French? Move to France? I don't think so.
Alison: French teacher?
Charlotte: Moi? As a teacher? Yeah...like that'll work...
Alison: True point. But still...you did good overall...
Charlotte: You're a terrible liar, you know that?
Alison: You could always do a re-sit.
Charlotte: Nah, I think I'm done with learning.
Alison: What?
Charlotte: I'm not too bothered with it to tell you the truth.
Alison: But don't you want to go to college? Uni? Get a degree?
Charlotte: What am I gonna do with a degree? Either way, I'll probably end up stacking boxes in Asda.
Alison: But you could-
Charlotte: Listen, honey, I didn't pass my GCSEs. I don't care. C'est la vie.
Alison: But how could-wait. You what? Se lee vee?
Charlotte: C'est la vie. Its Français. For that's just life.
Alison: But that's not 'just life!' You could-
Charlotte: Ali. I. Don't. Care. Stop hounding me. Go phone your mum. Tell her 'bout them grades of yours.
Alison: But-
Charlotte: You arguin' with me, girl?
Alison: No, I'm just saying-
Charlotte: Shut it darlin'. Go phone your mum.
Alison: (Sighs, but dials her mums number on her phone) Hey, Mum?
Catherine: Ali? 's that you, love?
Alison: Yeah,
Catherine: Honey! So...tell me! I was right, wasn't I?
Alison: Yeah, I guess, yeah. I s'pose you were...
Catherine: Sweetheart! I'm so proud! What did you get? Hurry up and tell me, I'm driving, so make it quick.
Alison: 3A*s, 2As, 2Bs, a C and a D.
Catherine: Sweetie! That's brilliant! See? Didn't I tell you? I was right!
Alison: mm..
Catherine: I should go, but I'll have a surprise waiting for you when you get home, okay?
Alison: Mum, you don't-

(There is a squeal of brakes on the other end of the line)

Alison: Mum?

(There's a crash. The phone goes dead.)

Task 42 Testing the Water

Testing the Water

(Jerry timidly caresses the screen of his computer, revealing the shape of a feminine figure whilst Elisa sits with legs crossed in living room, doors closed)

Jerry: She does like me… doesn’t she? I mean she really does at least pay some sort of attention to me, right?

Elisa: Oh yeah… in the same way that a dog notices the cat its chasing is slightly cross eyed

Jerry: But you don’t understand, I’m absolutely sure that she has an infatuation with me, I mean look at her picture.

(Jerry points to the screen where a socialising website displays the figure posing with chin leant on her palms)

Jerry: That can’t be faked; she’s looking right at me.

Elisa: Hmph… In the same way a harlot smiles at a stranger

Jerry: Your wrong, you don’t-

Elisa: I’m wrong? I’m wrong?! Dear boy I’m only trying to steer you in the right direction, so don’t you go around this god forsaken planet accusing your one and only guardian angel of being “wrong” about this rather blunt, unrespectful and uneducated street licker!

(Jerry Shrivels back, and curls up slightly)
Jerry: No. But-

Elisa: More buts?! Do I have to spell out your life to you? Just in case you haven’t noticed, you are; a middle aged single man, you are balding, you have a beer belly the size of Vesuvius, and to top it all off you have the same angelic looks of a mangled gorilla.

(Jerry hangs his head in disappointment)

Elisa: You see? Even when the tables are turned against you in this world, I’m still here looking after your sorry, unwanted gluteus maximus. I am the only one whom cares for you.

(Door to the room bursts open and shouts of love pierce the thickened inhuman atmosphere that has pervaded the room)

Laura: Jerry! Jerry! What on earth are you doing here on your own?
Jerry: I’m not alone… Elisa is sitting right there

(Jerry points to bed which is empty)

Laura: Elisa? Who the…

(Laura looks around puzzled and bemused)

Laura: Jerry, there really isn’t anybody here, I think you might have imagined her…

Elisa: Don’t listen to her! She can see me perfectly well, she just wants to end close friendship. I’m the only one who truly cares about you.

Laura: Jerry, I think I should take you to the do-

Jerry: No! No! Leave me alone! Elisa and I are discussing some issues and we need our privacy. Just Leave Me Alone!

(Jerry stamps both feet on the floor and shakes his head wildly with what little hair he has left)

Laura: Jerry…

Jerry: Just GO!

Task 42: Waiting for Something

Jamie sits on a bedroom floor, playing with his teddy bear. A man sits next to him with a video camera in hand.

Jamie: Are we making this for Mummy?
Man: Yes, we are making this for Mummy.
Jamie: Will she like the video?
Man: I’m sure that she will, Jamie. (Smiles)
Jamie: What do I say?
Man: You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. (Looks at him) I’m sure that she’ll be happy just to see you again. (He smiles) In fact, if you don’t say anything at all, I’ll give you a big handful of Smarties. You like the red ones, don’t you?
Jamie: Yep. (He nods enthusiastically)

(The man switches his video camera on and off, testing it. Jamie watches him curiously)

Man: Do you want to try? (He offers the video camera to him)
Jamie: No, I’m cool.
Man: Would teddy like to try?
Jamie: His name is Milo.
Man: Would Milo like to play with the camera?
Jamie: No, (He forces Milo’s head to shake from side to side) Milo’s scared that he’ll break it.
Man: (Places his arm around Jamie) He won’t break it, Jamie, I’m sure. (Pause) Are you hot?
Jamie: A bit.
Man: Would you like me to hold onto Milo whilst you take your t-shirt off?
Jamie: Yes please. Make sure he doesn’t get on the floor. He doesn’t like to get dirty.
Man: Of course I won’t, Jamie. (He takes Milo)
Jamie: (He removes his t-shirt and takes Milo back) Is it hot where mummy is?
Man: (Pause) My guess is that it’s quite a cold place; mummy wouldn’t want her wings to get burnt.

(Silence)

Jamie: Can we start filming now?
Man: Where’s the rush, kiddo? (He nudges him)
Jamie: Mummy used the get really impatient, and I’m sure that she hasn’t changed. (Pauses) When she used to get really bad, she’d throw things around the living room and scream about how people don't change, even if they say they have. (Pauses) Me and Milo just sat in the kitchen crying, waiting for her to stop.

(The man fiddles with the buttons on his camera, switching it on and off again)

Man: People don’t change, Jamie.
Jamie: You’ve changed.
Man: I have?
Jamie: Yes. You used to scare me because you used to watch me all of the time in PE. I thought you (Giggles) liked me, or something.
Man: (Laughs)
Jamie: I-
Man: You are very good at football, Jamie. That’s why I chose you for the team.
Jamie: But, I can’t kick a football to save my life.
Man: That’s not true. (Gets up and walks to a camera stand by the bed. He stands there for a few moments) You ready then?
Jamie: (He gets up) Do I have to take my trousers off this time?
Man: It would be helpful. (He gestures towards the bed)
Jamie: What about Milo?
Man: Give him here.
Jamie: (Throws Milo) Shall I sit on the bed?
Man: Just make sure you’re facing the camera. (He smiles)
Jamie: We are making this for Mummy, right?
Man: Of course we are, Jamie. And do you know what? I think that Mummy will be very proud.

(He turns the video camera on)

Task 42: Scriptwriting

The Royal National Theatre on London's South Bank - the home of much of the world's best contemporary theatre

After some sonneteering and a piece of prose, I thought I would throw you into some scriptwriting again, a medium we haven't explored on wordvoodoo since early 2008!

Before I explain what I am looking for from this task, you MUST all read carefully the following three tasks first. With each one, look at the original task I set; and THEN have a browse through some of the students' attempts (and their comments). [I know a small number of you were on wordvoodoo when these tasks were originally set, but it would still be helpful for you to refamiliarise yourselves.]

The tasks are as follows:

• Task 22: Click HERE for the original task; and HERE for some student attempts (and comments).
• Task 23: Click HERE for the original task; and HERE for some student attempts (and comments).
• Task 24: Click HERE for the original task; and HERE for some student attempts (and comments).

Right. Have you read through all that now? Are you SURE? If you've done it properly, it will have taken you a while...

OK.

Task 42 is as follows.

PRODUCE THE SCRIPT FOR A SHORT (min. 400 words, max. 600 words) PLAY WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TITLES:

1. The Right Balance
2. Testing the Water
3. Waiting for Something
4. Everything in its right Place

Like Tasks 22-24, your script must:

• be both accessible and yet profound - and, above all, totally ORIGINAL (however you achieve this);
• use TENSION to create a powerful, effective and deliberate ENDING;
• employ CONVINCING, believable and engaging DIALOGUE;
• have plenty of SUBTEXT (i.e. room to 'read beneath the lines');
• be built around CONFLICT, the essence of effective drama, and explores that conflict in an original way.

Also, as with these tasks, you should make strategic, careful use of STAGE DIRECTIONS as and when appropriate.

However, it is up to you what sort of impression you are aiming for, and what reaction you are hoping for from your audience: laughter? confusion? fear? sadness? It's up to you...

As ever, I will attempt an exemplar myself in the next couple of days.

The deadline for this task is midnight on Sunday 27th September.

Good luck - and have fun! And, above all, stretch yourself with this one and do NOT post until you are 100% convinced that this is you at your COMPLETE best.