Characters
Skye - female - initiator of questions thought throughout story, somewhat self-righteous
Darcy - female - Skye's best friend - dressed very high class
Xeres - male - older boy - dressed in baggy jeans, t-shirt, and hat
Casey - female - Cameron's younger sister - crushing on Xeres - dressed similarly in imitation
Caden - female/male - punk - crazy hair and clothes - always against "the man"
Corbin - female/male - goth - dressed in black - heavy black makeup - very sarcastic
Wylie - male/female - druggie
Brodie - female/male - outcast
Cory - male/female - jock/cheerleader - carries a helmet/pompoms
Taylor - female/male - prep - ditzy valley girl type
Harper - female/male - bando
Kyle - male/female - conservative
Lane - female/male - hippie/liberal
Cameron - female - yuppie - Casey's older sister
Teacher - female/male
Principal - male/female - dressed in business suit
Mom - Skye's mother - only heard from offstage
Mother - female - Wylie's mother - hassled, messy look
Parent - female - Cameron and Casey's mother - wears business suit
Children - Wylie's younger siblings
Waitress - female/male - dressed in black and white
Heartbroken - male or female - dressed in gray - nice clothes but slightly askew

Scene-By-Scene Synopsis
Act 1
Scene 1: Skye contemplates life
Scene 2: Skye confronts Darcy; Casey follows Xeres; Skye, Darcy, and Casey make evening plans; Teacher drags Wylie by collar; Skye does not exit
Scene 3: Harper and Taylor have run-in; Brodie enters and sits alone
Scene 4: Cory teases Taylor; Harper and Taylor hear end of scene; Skye exits
Scene 5: Skye and Darcy talk; Casey follows Xeres; Caden and Corbin talk to Skye and Mother and Children; Cameron interrupts Caden and Corbin
Scene 6: Lane and Kyle fight over views; Skye breaks up argument; Principal comments on childhood; Cory taunts Brodie; Harper and Taylor tell Cory off; Cory opens up to Brodie
Act 2
Scene 1: After school plans discussed
Scene 2: Skye enters restaurant; Darcy is late; Casey talks to Xeres; Casey gushes to Skye and Darcy; Parent and Cameron hassle Casey; Casey leaves sobbing; Parent and Cameron discuss money; Skye exits in a haze to think
Scene 3: Brodie comforts Casey; Xeres goes after Casey to find out why she was upset; Kyle and Lane talk to each other; Skye is thoroughly bewildered
Scene 4: Skye runs into Wylie; Skye and Wylie talk

Scene & Characters
Act 1
Scene 1: bedroom - Skye, Mom
Scene 2: hallway - Skye, Darcy, Teacher, Casey, Xeres, Caden, Corbin, Wylie
Scene 3: hallway - Skye, Taylor, Harper, Brodie
Scene 4: hallway - Skye, Brodie, Cory, Harper, Taylor
Scene 5: hallway - Skye, Darcy, Cameron, Xeres, Casey, Caden, Corbin, Mother, Children
Scene 6: hallway - Skye, Kyle, Lane, Principal, Brodie, Cory, Harper, Taylor
Act 2
Scene 1: hallway - Skye, Darcy, Xeres, Casey, Caden, Corbin
Scene 2: restaurant - Skye, Darcy, Xeres, Casey, Cameron, Parent, Waitress, Heartbroken
Scene 3: outside restaurant - Casey, Brodie, Xeres, Skye, Lane, Kyle
Scene 4: dark street - Skye, Wylie

Act 1

Scene 1:

(SKYE sits on her bed in her bedroom wearing pajamas and looks out the window as if watching the dawn sky)

Skye: (Brightly) Good morning, rising sun. Good morning, shining new day. (Pauses and then continues monotonously) Good morning, pathetic, monotonous life.

Mom: (From offstage) Skye, honey! Are you awake?

Skye: (Loudly) Yes, mother.

Mom: Good, honey. Breakfast is on the table. Hurry up. You don't want to be late for school.

Skye: Yes, mother.

Mom: And don't forget to shut your window before you leave the house today. In case the weatherman is right today, we don't want to flood out your bedroom if it rains today.

Skye: Yes, mother. (Slightly exasperated) Yes, mother. Thank you for reminding me to close my window. Heaven forbid I might forget. Except...(Pauses) Everyday is exactly the same. Wake up, shut the window, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to school. Blah, blah, blah. Life is so boring. (Pauses as she gets up and makes her bed) Am I the only one that sees that everyday is the same, that everyone is so different but all the same? I wish I knew why everyday I wake up and am the way I am. Just someday I would like to find an answer. Just someday I...(Stops and drops pillow)

Mom: Skye, you are going to miss Darcy is you don't hurry up!

Skye: Now that I seriously doubt. Anyway...someday I would just like to find...someday! Why not today! (Starts to exit but stops) Why not today? (Starts to exit but stops again) Why not today! Today was in my way, but I am off to find an answer. And nothing is going to stop me! Look out life! Here I come! (Standing self-righteously with hands on hips)

Mom: (Practically shrieking) Skye!

Skye: (Startled) Coming! (Exits at a run)

Scene 2:

(SKYE enters into a school hallway lined with lockers carrying a book bag and passes TEACHER who enters from opposite.)

Skye: (To TEACHER) Good morning, professor.

Teacher: Good morning, Skye. Aren't you here awfully early? Nice to see some young people still take pride in their education. (Crosses to exit)

Darcy: (Runs in shouting and almost crashes into TEACHER who is exiting) Skye! Hey, Skye! (Stops in front of TEACHER) Oops. Sorry, professor. Um, good morning.

Teacher: Watch where you are charging, young lady. Somebody could get seriously injured.

Darcy: (Embarrassed) Sorry, professor.

Teacher: Just slow down a little next time, Darcy. (Exits with a stern look)

Skye: (Turns around) Darcy?

Darcy: (Panting) Hey, Skye. Did you see that? (Pauses) Sorry I'm late. Did you see that? I just about ran into a teacher. That could have been a nasty situation.

Skye: (With mock surprise) Body slamming a teacher bad? No! (Pauses) Where were you this morning? I waited almost fifteen minutes. (CADEN and CORBIN enter and hang out in back near lockers)

Darcy: Sorry about that. Getting dressed took me a little longer than planned. (Begins digging around in book bag)

Skye: Why not set your clothes out the night before knowing you usually take a little longer than planned?

Darcy: (Still rummaging around in bag) Can't.

Skye: And why not?

Darcy: My trendy juices flow better in the morning.

Skye: Then why does it take you so long to get ready?

Darcy: (Absentmindedly) Because I have to look good.

Skye: You always look good. You even look good in shorts and an old t-shirt. Why don't you ever just throw on some jeans and a sweatshirt and leave the house on time?

Darcy: (Still rummaging around bag) Jeans and old t-shirts don't go with my look.

Skye: What look?

Darcy: (Looking up) My look.

Skye: What look!?!

Darcy: (Indignantly) My look.

Skye: What look? I saw you last night in shorts and a t-shirt. And you looked fine. Why didn't you just put something similar on this morning?

Darcy: I couldn't go out looking like that! I don't wear shorts and t-shirts.

Skye: Um, obviously you do.

Darcy: Not in public! (XERES enters with CASEY close behind and joins CADEN and CORBIN)

Skye: Right. Mustn't let them see someone who's not you. Nevermind. Forget I even brought it up. Just try not to be late next time. I hate standing around waiting for you by myself. I feel like such a loser freak.

Casey: (Bounces up to SKYE and DARCY but keeps an eye on XERES over her shoulder) Hi, guys! What's up?

Skye: Hi, Casey. Darcy and I were just talking. (Shoots DARCY a nasty look)

Darcy: (Rummaging around in bag again) Oh, hey, Casey. (Aside) Stalking Xeres again?

Casey: Nifty! I was just hanging out with Xeres.

Skye: Really?

Casey: Yea, I just love talking to him.

Darcy: The key word being "to."

Xeres: (From lockers to CADEN and CORBIN) Life isn't all fun and games, yes, but if it isn't the biggest joke ever, then I don't know what is. (CADEN and XERES laugh)

Casey: (With awe) Isn't he wonderful?

Darcy: (To SKYE) Wonderfully dorky.

Casey: What, Darcy?

Skye: (Shooting a look at DARCY) Nothing. Hey, we're going out tonight. Do you want to join us?

Casey: Dude! Really? That would be awesome! What time?

Xeres: I'll catch you guys later. (Exits)

Caden: Rock on!

Corbin: Whatever.

Casey: Dude! Gotta go! (Runs after XERES)

Skye: We'll meet you at eight, hun. (Laughs) Cute kid.

Darcy: You say cute. I say delusional. Whatever. Since when were we going out tonight?

Skye: Since you didn't show up this morning like you said you would. Hey, you weren't there so plans had to be made without you.

Darcy: Plans had to be made without me? You were by yourself!

Skye: So I was standing on the street corner talking to myself. Nothing wrong with that.

Darcy: Let me change that. Casey's cute. You're delusional. And that's just creepy. I now hang out with the creepy kid. Great. Oh, hey, speaking of street corners. (BOTH turn to watch as TEACHER drags WYLIE in by the collar)v Wylie: But I told you it wasn't me. Hey, guys! (Waves to CADEN and CORBIN) I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time again.

Caden: Stick it to her, Wylie!

Teacher: Again. Again! It's always the same story again and again.

Corbin: Because it is the same story again and again.

Wylie: Come on, teach. I didn't do anything.

Teacher: Maybe that's the problem, Wylie. You didn't do anything. You never do anything. Ever. Wylie, you are such a bright kid. Stop wasting your life doing the things you are doing and start using your intelligence in a positive manner.

Wylie: Ah, you don't know me.

Caden: Don't listen to her, man! She's part of the enemy.

Corbin: Everyone is the enemy to you, Caden. (CADEN and CORBIN exit)

Wylie: I guess you're gonna call my parents again, aren't you?

Teacher: See, Wylie, I told you you're intelligent.

Wylie: Smart kid, bad choices? (BOTH exit)

Darcy: (Still rummaging around bag) That Wylie is one great big paper full of bad news.

Skye: (Thoughtfully) Yea...

Darcy: Where is it? (Rummages around bag) I need to get to class. See you later, Skye! (Exits)

Skye: (To self) Or maybe just someone no one takes the time to understand...

Scene 3:

(As SKYE ponders, HARPER and TAYLOR enter from opposite sides running into each other and dropping books everywhere)

Taylor: Excuse you, loser. (Makes "L" for loser with hand)

Harper: Excuse me? You ran into me. You were traveling in my path.

Taylor: Like, whatever. You totally ran into me. (Bends down to pick up belongings) Dude, if my new backpack got dirty...

Harper: (Mockingly) Um, like, dude, look what you made me do. I dropped my books all over like the hallway. (Bends down to pick up belongings)

Taylor: (Standing up) Are you mocking me? (BRODIE enters and sits on floor by lockers)

Harper: (Fake giggles) The valley prep thinks I'm mocking her. You'd better just go home, Taylor.

Taylor: Why?

Harper: Because you just used up your one thought for the day. (Laughs)

Taylor: Whatever, band dork. Just don't like ever run into me again.

Harper: Go back to the valley so I won't ever have to run into you.

Taylor: Bite me, band geek. (Holding up backpack) You dweeb! You got dirt on my new bag!

Harper: Oh, go have your rich mummy and daddy buy you another expensive status symbol.

Taylor: (Slightly confused) What?

Harper: Ha! (Spitefully) No more thoughts.

Taylor: Oh, shut up! You...go! Just go!

Harper: Oh! (TAYLOR exits in one direction and HARPER, looking disgusted, exits in the opposite direction both leaving a book each on the ground)

Scene 4:

Brodie: (From back) Those two. (Enter CORY)

Cory: (Upset) Why do they have to fight all the time. (Realizes what BRODIE, who is scrambling to pick up her belongings and leave)

Cory: (Meanly) Those two what?

Brodie: (Meekly) Leave me alone, Cory.

Cory: (Walks over and picks BRODIE up) Or what? You gonna get all your friends to come beat me up?

Brodie: (Struggling to break free from CORY) Leave me alone, Cory.

Cory: Oh, wait. You don't have any friends. You're just the little outcast. No one likes you.

Brodie: (Trying not to cry) Cory, why do you have to be so mean to me?

Cory: Why do I have to be so mean to you? Why do you have to be so here? No one likes you. I bet your parents don't even like you.

Brodie: Leave me alone, Cory. Please.

Cory: (Mockingly) Leave me alone, Cory. Leave me alone, Cory. Please! What? Are you gonna start crying now?

Brodie: Cory, I never did anything to you. I never do anything to you. I never talk to you. I never bother you. I never come near you. Why do you always do stuff to me?

Cory: (Angrily) Shut up!

Brodie: (In tears) Leave me alone, Cory. (HARPER and TAYLOR reenter to pick up forgotten books but stop to listen to CORY)

Cory: (Shouting) I said shut up! You're right. You never do anything for me. No one does...(Stops mid shout and pushes BRODIE away) Get out of here.

(BRODIE runs off crying. CORY kicks a locker and exits. HARPER and TAYLOR look at each other, pick up last books, and exit. SKYE steps from the back to center, looks puzzled and confused, shrugs, and exits.)

Scene 5:

(DARCY and SKYE enter the hallway carrying books. CAMERON enters and stands in back by lockers.)

Darcy: I hate equations. I hate algebra. I hate math!

Skye: I hate numbers!

Darcy: That quiz was a killer. I bet you five dollars I failed it.

Skye: No more numbers!

Darcy: Don't let the math teachers hear you say that. They live for integers! (Laughs at own dumb joke)

Skye: Yea, like Cory lives to make Brodie's life miserable.

Darcy: (Begins rummaging through bag again) Huh?

Skye: Oh, Cory just made Brodie cry again. You know, the whole "no one likes you" routine again. Poor little Brodie seems so weak. Why does Cory have to pick on her like that? (XERES enters followed by CASEY and stops near CAMERON)

Darcy: Speaking of weak. (Sighing) That Xeres makes me weak in the knees. Isn't he dreamy? Poor Casey. Does he even know she's alive?

Skye: Of course he does!

Darcy: You're right. How could he miss something that has attached herself to his side?

Skye: Like you've never had a crush on someone.

Darcy: I never said that. I just would never suction myself to anyone else like she does.

Skye: Right you haven't. I still think it's cute.

Darcy: And I still think you are a bit off your rocker...and she so wants to be a bit on that rocker. (Laughs) I'll meet you in debate class. (Exits still laughing)

Skye: (Thinking out loud) She really is cute. (Sadly) But he's gonna break her heart.

Cameron: (Turning around to face SKYE) He's going to more than just break her heart if she lets him. I unfortunately know his type. (Walking over to CASEY) Casey.

Casey: (Reluctantly) Hi, Cameron.

Cameron: I hope you haven't made plans for tonight.

Casey: Why not?

Cameron: Mom called the cell during a break in her meeting. She wants us to meet her at "The Restaurant" for dinner.

Casey: But what if I already have plans?

Cameron: Cancel them. Mom said she has some news for us.

Casey: But Cameron...

Cameron: Just be there...for the sake of the woman who gave birth to you.

Casey: Fine. (CADEN and CORBIN enter as CAMERON goes back to her locker)

Skye: Hey, Caden. Hey, Corbin.

Caden: Hola, Skye! How's it shakin'?

Corbin: Caden, you are such a loser geek.

Caden: And you Corbin, you are a ray of sunshine in my otherwise rainy day. The butterfly fluttering above my gun. The silence on my stormy oceans...

Corbin: Don't get sappy on me, Starla. (XERES exits)

Casey: (To SKYE, CADEN, and CORBIN) Hi, guys! Bye, guys! (CADEN and CORBIN exchange looks)

Corbin: I apologize. Sunshine is acceptable so long as you aren't taken into the belly of the "perky monster".

Caden: Your cynicism is what I love most about you. (Enter MOTHER with CHILDREN) Oh, hi Mrs. Wylie's mom!

Mother: Hello, Caden, dear. How are you today?

Caden: I'm here. And yourself, Mrs. Wylie's mom?

Mother: Exhausted. Hello, Corbin.

Corbin: Good afternoon, ma'am. Do you need a hand with the kids?

Mother: (With relief) Oh, thank you! My babysitter cancelled at the last minute so I've been shuffling them around all morning while trying to work.

Corbin: No problem. (Takes CHILDREN by hands)

Caden: What brings you to our fine institution...of learning, Mrs. Wylie's mom?

Skye: One of the teachers caught Wylie again. (Slams hands over mouth) Oops. Sorry. Leaving. (Sneaks off to lockers)

Mother: (Looks surprised) What? Who? (To CADEN and CORBIN) Have you seen Wylie today?

Caden: Actually no. We haven't seen him. That's funny. We usually do by now.

Mother: Great. I got another phone call from the principal at work today, but the baby started crying so I didn't get to hear why. Who knows what it is this time! I just don't know what to do with my Wylie!

Corbin: I'll help you to the principal's office, ma'am. (Leads CHIDLREN off)

Mother: Thank you, dear. (Aside) Where did I go wrong? I tried to be the best mother, and father, for the kid. I let him be independent. I gave him his freedom. Doesn't he realize how hard I work to support him and his siblings? I just don't understand that child of mine! (MOTHER, CORBIN, and CHILDREN exit)

Caden: (To SKYE) One of the teachers caught Wylie again?

Skye: (Absentmindedly) Yea, this morning, before school started. (CORBIN returns)

Corbin: That poor woman. First she has to deal with the little ones by herself as well as working two jobs just to put food on the table, and then she has to deal with Wylie. Does Wylie even realize what he puts his mother thru?

Caden: I know. I can't believe we used to hang out with that bad banana. What were we thinking?

Cameron: You know, if Wylie was thinking, he wouldn't be wasting his potential like he does.

Caden: What?

Cameron: He has a good sense of business. But that's just my two cents. I guess Wylie does what Wylie has to do.

Caden: What are you talking about?

Cameron: Don't you know anything about Wylie?

Caden: Know what?

Cameron: Nevermind. Are you ready for that big debate next hour?

Caden: Don't remind me! (Exit CAMERON, CADEN, and CORBIN)

Skye: (Pondering) Yea...(Pauses and realizes everyone else is gone) Shoot! Debate class! (Runs out)

Scene 6:

(KYLE enters and stops at locker followed by LANE who begins to cross through)

Kyle: (To LANE) Hippie freak.

Lane: (Stops center and turns around) What?

Kyle: You heard me, hippie freak.

Lane: (Angrily) Did you just say what I think you said?

Kyle: (Snidely) Yes, yes I did, you hippie freak.

Lane: Where do you get off calling me a freak?

Kyle: Were you in class last hour, or is your mouth just programmed to ramble off incoherent and unfounded rubbish? (Sarcastically mock) "All the world needs is love, peace, and freedom. With love, peace, and freedom, life will be loving, peaceful, and free."

Lane: Excuse me?

Kyle: Oh, climb back up on your high horse and find some protest to partake in. Just be careful. One never knows when things might turn violent.

Lane: (Moves closer to KYLE) What did you say?

Kyle: You heard me again, hippie freak.

Lane: Are you threatening me?

Kyle: More like giving you a word of caution. The Age of Aquarius isn't quite upon us just yet.

Lane: Oh, what do you care? Why don't you find some little junior high kid to pick on?

Kyle: (Taken back) Now why would I do that?

Lane: (With fake surprise and a smirk) What! Weren't you in class last hour? I was under the impression that you were into overpowering the weaker for personal gain? And anyway, don't you have an "I'm the greatest and most powerful" image to maintain? Shouldn't you be scaring the preschoolers into awe and submission right now? (KYLE lunges at LANE as if to fight)

Skye: (Running in and separating KYLE and LANE) Hey, hey guys! Chill out!

Lane: (Glaring) I am chilled. Tell macho Kyle here to find the frozen food section.

Kyle: (Glaring) What would you know about frozen food? Go back to your nature lock orchard. (LANE lunges at KYLE)

Skye: (Holding them back from each other) Kyle! Lane! Kids! Agree to disagree and move on!

Lane: Tell monkey boy here to move on...and maybe up the evolutionary path.

Kyle: Why you little...(PRINCIPAL enters)

Principal: Lane? Kyle? Skye? Is there a problem here?

Skye: No, sir. Lane and Kyle were just going over something from class. Right, guys?

Kyle: (Pulling away from SKYE) Right. Whatever. Nothing's going on.

Lane: (Glaring) Yea, everything's fine. Peachy keen.

Principal: Good. And I expect you'll all be keeping the situation under control. We don't need any protests or massacres breaking out. Had enough of that back in the sixties.

Lane: (Mumbling) Yes, sir.

Kyle: (Mumbling) Yes, sir.

Principal: Too right you are. Now get to class. (Moves to back near lockers)

Skye: See, you're already agreeing. What next? Friends? (KYLE and LANE roll their eyes at SKYE and exit opposite) What! (Starts to exit but stops to listen when PRINCIPAL begins talking)

Principal: Kids these days. They have no respect for authority or each other. Always fighting over something...or for something. (Sighs) Well, I guess I wasn't anymore respectful. At least the youth in my day had an agenda: civil rights, feminism, peace. (Laughs) My friends and I were pretty rotten, weren't we? At least in the eyes of our elders. Oh, well. (Exits)

Skye: (After a moment looking shocked) Whoa! That was bizarre. The youth of his day? His elders? Weird, yet strangely familiar. (Enter BRODIE) Hi, Brodie.

Brodie: (Sits on floor near lockers) Um, hi. (Exit SKYE)

Cory: (Entering) If it isn't poor little crybaby Brodie all alone again.

Brodie: (Begging) Leave me alone, Cory. Please.

Cory: (Walking towards BRODIE) Not this again. (Mockingly) Leave me alone, Cory. Please.

Brodie: (Standing up) Cory, please leave me alone. You just go on your way, and I'll go on mine. And we'll leave each other alone.

Cory: Ooh, digging up some courage I see. I'll put you in the mud if you talk to me like that again. (Reaching for BRODIE)

Harper: (Running in) Cory!

Taylor: (Running in from opposite side) What are you doing! (HARPER and TAYLOR look at each other in surprise for a moment)

Harper: What is your problem, Cory?

Taylor: Why must you be so like mean? Leave Brodie alone.

Harper: Yea, what has Brodie ever done to you? Come on, Brodie.

Taylor: Yea, come with us. (HARPER and TAYLOR look at each other in surprise again and exit)

Brodie: (Starts to exit but turns around to face CORY) Why are you so mean? You said so yourself that I never do anything to you. That no one does.

Cory: (Slightly taken aback) What! I...I...

Brodie: What did you mean "no one does"?

Cory: I...I...oh, shut up! What do you care about me?

Brodie: I wonder the same thing. But obviously you care something about me. I mean, if I was such a friendless loser outcast, why would you bother messing with me? Unless...

Cory: Unless what! What do you know! I told you to shut up. Shut up and go away!

Brodie: Oh, get off it! I may be a freak, but don't think I don't see things or that I don't know things. I watch the people as they go by. I watch you as you go by. Why are you so angry? What does the sport idol have to be so angry about?

Cory: Brodie, leave me alone. Just back off and leave me alone.

Brodie: (Taking CORY and sitting down with CORY by the lockers) Cory, what are you holding in? What are you not telling anyone? You don't have to pretend with me.

Cory: What the heck do you know! You don't know what it's like to be me! You and your grades and your intelligence and your perfect unseen life! You don't know what it's like to have to pretend to be happy and perfect! You don't know what it's like to have to pretend that everything is okay. You don't know how hard it is to come to school with a smile and really not want to go home. You've never heard how she screams at him. You've never heard what he says to her. No one does. And no one ever will! I can smile with all these tears in my eyes and pretend there's no tomorrow!

Brodie: But why try to hide what's really there?

Cory: You wouldn't understand. You don't know what it's like being in the limelight all the time. No one would like me anymore if they knew how messed up my life is.

Brodie: Why do you think that?

Cory: Because I know they wouldn't! Who wants to be friends with something so dysfunctional?

Brodie: That's not true.

Cory: Yes, yes it is!

Brodie: I assure you it's not. If anything, people will admire you for being real, something they, for the most part, wish they could be. (Pauses) Why do you hate me if I never do anything to you?

Cory: I...I don't hate you.

Brodie: You sure act like it sometimes. Basically every time we're near each other.

Cory: I...I...

Brodie: And what did you mean by "no one does"? If no one ever does anything to you...

Cory: No one ever does anything to me, for me, with me. My parents hate each other and put me in the middle. I just want everything to be like it used to be. You know, perfect.

Brodie: But nothing is ever perfect.

Cory: I just...I just want to be you.

Brodie: What?

Cory: You're real. You don't have to hide how you are feeling or who you are. You're strong. You're you. I just want to be able to be like that. I want my life to be like it was. When everything was happy. I want to be like you. (BRODIE hugs CORY again then BOTH stand up and exit)

Skye: (Enters from shadows and steps to center looking confused again) When did the world get turned so upside down?

Act 2

Scene 1:

(SKYE and DARCY enter the hallway just as school lets out)

Darcy: Okay, so what are our plans for tonight that you made with yourself? Honestly, you are a nut.

Skye: Well, as I discussed with myself this morning, we decided to have dinner and hang out at "The Restaurant" tonight.

Darcy: (Rummaging around bag again) Works for me. What time?

Skye: Casey's going to meet us at...(CASEY enters) Still meeting us at eight tonight, Casey? (To DARCY) Eight, Darcy.

Darcy: Cool neat! I'll see you at eight.

Skye: And please don't be late.

Darcy: I won't! (Exits)

Skye: I'm sure you won't. (Enter XERES, CADEN, CORBIN)

Xeres: So, I guess I won't see you guys tonight?

Caden: Nope. Sorry, dude, but the band's got practice tonight.

Corbin: (Somewhat sarcastically but half seriously) Who knows? Maybe someday you'll get a paying gig. Or even just a gig.

Xeres: A gig would rock! Anyway,

Caden: Totally! We'll catch you later!

Corbin: And I assure you she/he will still be an unknown next time you see her/him.

Xeres: Later. (Exit CADEN and CORBIN)

Casey: (To SKYE after listening intently to the conversation) Oh, he doesn't have anyone to hang with tonight. (Exit XERES)

Skye: I'm sure he'll be...

Casey: I'll see you tonight (Takes off after XERES)

Skye: Fine...without you. (Shrugs shoulders and exits)

Scene 2:

(SKYE sits alone at a table in a restaurant that is furnished with two tables, a few chairs, and a bar with at least two stools waiting while the WAITRESS busies herself behind the bar)

Skye: Darcy had better be dressed to see the royal family or have an extraordinary excuse for being late tonight. (HEARTBROKEN enters, crosses to bar, and slumps onto stool)

Waitress: (To HEARTBROKEN) What can I get for you, sugar?

Heartbroken: Gimme some cheap wine to drown my sorrows, please.

Waitress: Coming right up, honey. (WAITRESS sets a glass of wine on the bar which HEARTBROKEN drinks from and busies herself behind the bar again)

Darcy: (Enters and sits at table with SKYE) Hey, Skye.

Skye: Nice look. And way to not be late next time.

Darcy: Sorry.

Waitress: (Handing them menus) Can I get you anything to drink tonight?

Darcy: Diet cola.

Skye: Water...with lots of ice. (WAITRESS goes back to bar and returns with two glasses) Thanks. (XERES enters with CASEY close behind)

Casey: (Excitedly) Did you read the poem I wrote?

Xeres: (Half-heartedly) Are you still writing?

Casey: Yes. I'm gonna be a writer just like...(Pauses) I left the poem at your house yesterday. Did you get it?

Xeres: (Both cross to bar and XERES sits on stool) Um, yea.

Casey: Because I thought you might like it. I wrote it for...(Stops and looks embarrassed but leans on bar and looks adoringly at XERES) Oh, I'll be right back! (Runs over to sit with SKYE and DARCY) Hey, guys! I was just talking to Xeres. I almost forgot we were going to hang out tonight.

Skye: Hi, Casey.

Darcy: Yea, hi. So, how is the wonderful Xeres?

Casey: (With renewed enthusiasm) Oh! Like I said, I just love talking to him. He is so wonderful. And so smart. And so artistic. And so musical. And did you know he writes his own music? Lyrics and everything. He is just so, so wonderful!

Darcy: He's something else. And so are you.

Casey: Huh?

Skye: (Cutting in) Yea, you two have so much in common.

Casey: Really?

Darcy: (To self) Yea. You're delusional if you think he's so perfect, and he's hallucinating if he doesn't realize you've attached yourself to his leg.

Casey: What Darcy?

Darcy: Nothing. I was just thinking how cute you are.

Casey: Really?

Skye: Yes. You are rather adorable.

Casey: Dude. Thanks. Speaking of cute, I'm gonna go talk to Xeres a bit more if that's okay with you guys.

Skye: (Laughing) Go right ahead.

Darcy: (To self) Yea, go right yourself in the head.

Skye: Darcy!

Darcy: What!

Casey: (Running over to XERES) Xeres, hey, Xeres. (PARENT and CAMERON enter and cut CASEY off)

Parent: Casey?

Casey: (Stopping) Oh, hi, Mom. Hey, Cameron. (CAMERON smirks)

Parent: What are you doing here, honey?

Casey: Skye invited me, and I was talking to Xeres. Why are you and Cameron here?

Parent: Why do you hang out with that boy?

Casey: What do you mean?

Parent: What does a pretty, intelligent girl like yourself see in him? He's nothing but a deadbeat.

Casey: No, he's not.

Parent: No, honey, listen to me. He's one of those lazy punk musicians.

Casey: No, he's not. You don't even know him. And he's not a lazy punk. He's really deep.

Parent: Honey, I know you think he's all great and wonderful, but you shouldn't be wasting your time with that trash. I love you, and you deserve so much better.

Casey: Don't call him that!

Parent: Honey, he's one of those boys that should be taken out with the rest of the garbage. He's just going to end up on the street anyway.

Casey: (Practically in tears) Shut up! You do not call him anything but wonderful! You don't know him. You don't know what he's like! I hate you! (Pushes past PARENT and CAMERON and exits)

Parent: (Aside) Someday she will realize I know what I am talking about more than she thinks.

Cameron: Honestly. That girl. What is wrong with her? (CAMERON and PARENT sit at other table)

Parent: And she used to have some common sense. The poor boy has her blinded and wrapped around his little finger. Before she knows, she will find herself living in a dilapidated shack with a flock of babies whose daddy refuses to marry her because of his artistic aversion to social institutions. (Waving) Waitress, can we get some menus over here? (To CAMERON) I had another important meeting with the manager of the head firm today. I haven't had a chance to eat since breakfast. I'm starved! (WAITRESS brings menus) Thank you.

Cameron: Does this big meeting mean more good fortune for you? For the family? (Laughs)

Parent: You bet, honey. My babies deserve the best. And in just a few years, you'll be going to the most expensive and best school. (Resentfully) I won't let your potential go to waste...unlike some parents who expect their children to pack some bags and get out of their lives once they reach eighteen.

Cameron: (Warmly) Oh, mom, forget about grandma. And dad. (Returns to usual icy manner) And don't worry. Unlike some people I know, my potential will be used to it's fullest. But hey, that's just my two cents worth.

Parent: And with inflation and rising interest rates, your two cents could be worth billions.

Skye: (With disgust) I don't believe those two!

Darcy: (Rummaging around in bag again) Who? What?

Skye: Casey's family. I know Xeres isn't perfect, but her mom doesn't need to call him a loser punk and practically tell her she's stupid for liking him.

Darcy: Skye, you worry too much about other people sometimes. Do you always have to care so much? Your concern drives me bananas sometimes. And you don't know the whole story. Maybe her mom has a point. Then again, maybe not.

Skye: What is wrong with the world today? (Stands up and starts to exit) What bizarre broken window am I looking through? What is wrong with the world today! (Exits)

Darcy: (To self) I think the world is fine today. But I think she seriously fell off her rocker and is plummeting headfirst out the door and down the front steps. (Returns to rummaging around bag) Ah-hah! Here it is! (Pulls a pair of dorky eyeglasses from bag)

Scene 3:

(CASEY, who is crying, and BRODIE run into each other outside the restaurant)

Brodie: (Catching CASEY) Casey! What's wrong?

Casey: (Through sobs) I...hate...them...all!

Brodie: Calm down, sweetie.

Casey: (Loudly) I can't!

Brodie: Why not? Who do you hate?

Casey: (Becoming increasingly angry) My family! My narrow-minded parents and stupid, interfering sister! I hate them all!

Brodie: (Both sit down) What do you mean? What happened?

Casey: He's not a deadbeat. I don't care what they say. I think he's wonderful!

Brodie: Who? What? I'm confused. Can you start from the beginning and fill me in on some details?

Casey: Xeres.

Brodie: Xeres? What about him?

Casey: He's not trash, and I'm not stupid. They're the trash, materialistic trash!

Brodie: Your family?

Casey: Yes! Mom, Dad, and Cameron! All of them! They just can't see past their shiny dollar signs to anything different or artistic. And why do they care if I want to spend time with him. It's my life. I don't tell them how to live their pathetic lives.

Brodie: (XERES enters and stands behind BRODIE and CASEY) Now, now. Be the bigger person.

Xeres: (Laughing) Bigger person? Small Case?

Casey: (Surprised) Xeres!

Brodie: (Smiling) I'll talk to you later, hun. (Whispers to CASEY) Maybe you're right. (Exits)

Casey: Right?

Xeres: What were you two gossiping about out here?

Casey: Well, um, just girl stuff. You know...

Xeres: Girl stuff. I see. (Sits down next to CASEY) So, why'd you run out of there so fast?

Casey: (Mumbles) I, um, I...

Xeres: Family problems?

Casey: (Looks up at him suddenly) What? How did you...

Xeres: I saw you talking to your mom/dad and sister. When you ran out looking upset, I just put two and two together.

Casey: Yes, family problems. You could say that.

Xeres: I just did. What about?

Casey: Just stuff.

Xeres: What kind of stuff?

Casey: (Pauses) My life. My future. (Pauses again) My crushes.

Xeres: (Smiling) I see. (Pauses) So, I did read that poem you left at my house.

Casey: You did? But I thought...

Xeres: Yeah, I did. I've just had kind of a bad day, you could say. I wasn't thinking earlier. But I did read the poem. (CASEY looks at him) It was very real. Both love and sadness. Not sappy but not suicidal. (Pauses) Have you written anything else?

Casey: (Blushing) Yes.

Xeres: (Standing up) We should get together and share sometime.

Casey: I would like that. (XERES exits) I would really like that. (Exits as SKYE enters)

Skye: (Muttering to self) I just don’t get it. Someone turned the bottle over. (LANE and KYLE enter from opposite sides and glare at each other while SKYE mutters to self)

Lane: What are you doing here?

Kyle: What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out growing soybeans and eating wheat germ?

Lane: What? So you can burn my fields and pillage my farmhouse?

Kyle: At least I would be doing something instead of sitting on my bum complaining. And I'm here for some dinner.

Lane: Great! I guess I have to find somewhere else to eat.

Kyle: Why?

Lane: So I don't loose my supper.

Kyle: Shove it!

Lane: I'm sorry, but I would prefer not to inflict violence on my fellow...well, other creatures. Then again, one never knows when things might turn violent. Am I quoting you right?

Kyle: Damn straight! And then what are you going to do? Let yourself be pushed around?

Lane: (Thinking) Well, no. (Angrily) But how is my retaliating in the same manner helping the situation? Huh? Use soap instead of honey to clean up a sticky situation.

Kyle: Now why would anyone use honey to clean stickiness? That obviously would make things worse for everyone involved.

Lane: Exactly. See what I'm saying?

Kyle: (Thinking) Well, I guess. (Assertively) Oh, yeah.

Lane: (Shrugging) Not all means are created equal. Point B can be reached directly from Point A, but, maybe...

Kyle: But, maybe the shortest path isn't always the best path.

Lane: And other roads lead travelers astray, adding additional obstacles while never quite reaching the zenith.

Kyle: And, I guess, more than one way could be best for the most desirable results.

Lane: I suppose that is true. (KYLE and LANE exit together)

Skye: (Stepping forward and looking bewildered) What street did I wander down? I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. (Continues to mumble and exits)

Scene 4:

(SKYE enters onto a dim and dingy street on which WYLIE sits under the only streetlight looking sad, dejected, alone, pathetic, washed up, etc...)

Skye: (Mumbling) So weird. So strange. So bizarre. (Looks up at streetlight) What street am I on now? (Almost trips over WYLIE)

Wylie: (Apathetically) Watch it. I'm sitting here. Oh, hey, Skye. How goes it?

Skye: (Shocked and confused) What? (Looks down) Oh, hi, Wylie. I was just wandering around. (Sits down) How are you?

Wylie: I dunno. Mom told me to get out of her hair or out of the house.

Skye: I'm sorry.

Wylie: Don't be. It's nothing knew. Ever since dad took off to "find himself," she's been threatening me with the door. Sometimes I wake up and think, "Good morning, world. Good morning, brand new day. Good morning, same old repetitive, boring, pointless life."

Skye: (Looking intently and slightly shocked at WYLIE) What do you mean?

Wylie: I just wonder what the point of it all is: waking up, going to school, trudging to work, thinking, breathing, living. (Becoming agitated) Why everyday is the same. Why people act like they do, say what they say, and think how they think. Why everyone is so freakin' different but all the freakin' same! (Calming down) Anyway, why is someone like you wandering down a street like this in the dead of night?

Skye: Oh, I was just wandering around thinking...about...stuff.

Wylie: What kind of stuff?

Skye: Just stuff. Life in general. Today has been fairly strange.

Wylie: What do you mean?

Skye: I woke up this morning expecting the world to be the same as yesterday.

Wylie: The bored but comfortable masses spilling out into the world just to trickle back into their monotonous, humdrum lives, back to their cubicle hells, back to their boxes? (Shrugs at SKYE's confused expression) At least that's what dad used to say.

Skye: Is that what you think?

Wylie: I don't bother much with the masses anymore.

Skye: Why not?

Wylie: It's really not worth getting too close to anyone.

Skye: Why is that?

Wylie: They tend to let you down. (Stands) The only person you can really depend on is yourself.

Skye: (Standing) You cannot really believe that, can you? (Pauses) When I woke up this morning, I thought today would be the same black and white as always. But, then, I actually stopped and looked at the people around me: what they said and how they behaved. I realized that everyday is not the same. They even are not all the same. I watched the people go by, all sorts of strange, interesting, funny, unpredictable people that I thought I knew.

Wylie: (Change in expression from apathetic to sarcastic) What garden have you been rolling in?

Skye: (Frowning) No, seriously. Life is not black and white. Life is not even a series of gray.

Wylie: Technicolor?

Skye: (Pacing) Maybe life does not have an exact meaning but instead must be perceived as though through each individual, unique window.

Wylie: (Looking around) What window?

Skye: (Stepping forward) However, while no one is exactly like anybody else, everyone is not that different.

Wylie: (Backing away) You're right.

Skye: I am? Yes, I am.

Wylie: Not everyone is the same. In fact, you have quite lost your marbles. Maybe you should go look for them in the nuthouse.

Skye: (Flabbergasted) Pardon?

Wylie: (Slowly) The first step is to admit that you have a problem. (Turns and begins walking) Man, and people tell me I need help. (Exits)

Skye: (Taken aback) Well, then. (Pauses) Maybe I was wrong. (Pauses) Oh, whatever. Enough with being profound. I'm going to bed. (Exits in a huff)