"What the hell are you doing? Stop it, Kim, stop it!" I jump on her and we start fighting. She may not look it, but she can sure throw a punch.
"Why me? Why now?" She yelled.
"You're the one beating the crap out of yourself!"
"This shouldn't have happened. I don't understand!"
"What don't you understand?"
"Get off of me damn it! I need to do this!"
“Do what? I don’t understand what you’re trying to say Kim!”
“Just leave me alone Julia! I don’t need anyone!”
I punch her face and she stops the frantic fight. Her lip is bleeding but she doesn’t look like she cares.
“Tell me what the hell is going on.” I demand after a few seconds of silence.
“Nothing.”
“Liar.”
“Fine.”
I wait for her to go on but she doesn’t. “Well?”
“I’m not sure…I don’t know…it’s weird but I guess…” She keeps trailing off the end of sentences.
“What? Tell me. Trust me. Come on. You used to tell me everything. You can still talk to me. Talk. Kim. Talk.”
I can see that I’m pressuring her and she finally snaps shouting at me, “I’m pregnant alright?”
I stop and take a step back. My sister has always been more than careful. She assured me after the shock of her coming home and saying, “Jules, I had sex” that this would never happen. She’s always been so strong and at this moment she looks so venerable and weak.
“What are you gonna do?” I ask quietly.
“I need you Jules. We have to get rid of it.” She’s staring at me with such a penetrating gaze that I’m scared of what she would do if I said no.
“Why me?”
“You’ve always been here for me. You’re my sister.”
And with her simple answer, I’m in.
"I'll call a clinic for you. It'll be gone by the end of the week and we can forget it ever happened."
"I know I can always count on you Jules."
I realize just how much I love my sister. I love her enough to kill an innocent unborn child to keep her safe. Either that or I'm an idiot.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Forgetting - Part 4
It's been three whole days and Kim still hasn't talked to me. She gets up later than I do, and she takes her breakfast into dad's study. She stays home curled up on the couch in the basement watching sappy chick-flicks. I feel worse than I ever have. It's like we aren't related anymore. I don't know what I did really. I only want to know why she's acting this way.
The phone rings. My parents aren't home and I'm not going to relay on Kim while she's mad at me, so I answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey little sis!"
"Eric!"
"Which one of you am I talking to, and don't lie."
"It's Julia. Kim is...not herself today."
"Ah, I see. It's one of those things, is it?"
"No! She's a little sick." As I said that I hear footsteps in the hall, Kim's for sure, and the bathroom door closing. "How was the first year at Yale?" Eric is a journalism major.
"It was nice. I got a good spot on the paper." I can hear Kim hacking up in the bathroom. Maybe I was right, she is sick? "I'm in Paris today."
I forget about Kim and gasp, "Really? What's it like?"
"I can see the Eiffel tower from my hotel room. The cheese really is as pungent as rumored, however the people are not as rude."
"What'd you get me?"
"That is something you don't get to know until I get back. I go to Spain, Ireland, and Great Brittan before I get back to the U.S."
"Fine."
"Hey, I gotta go. I don't want to waste the minutes on my phone card. Tell Kim to get better for me. I love you, both of you."
"I'll tell her. I love you too."
"Goodbye."
"Bye."
I hang up and notice that Kim is still in the bathroom. I softly knock on the door when I hear her crying.
"Kimmie? Look, I know you're mad at me but you have to let me talk to you." I wait but she doesn't answer. "Please?"
She doesn't answer but I open the door anyway. Kim is lying on the floor, she threw up. I can tell because she didn't get it all in the toilet. I help her up and let her lean on me while we go upstairs. I leave her in her bed and go to clean up her barf. For some reason, I feel better that she's just sick. I guess that's why she flipped at me. Soon she'll be better and things will be back to the way they used to be.
This is what is going through my mind as I go back into our room. I stop dead in the doorway as I see Kim sitting on the floor and beating herself in the stomach. Her eyes are crazy and tears are running down her face. Under her breath she's saying "No" over and over again. What's going on? I'm scared of her.
The phone rings. My parents aren't home and I'm not going to relay on Kim while she's mad at me, so I answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey little sis!"
"Eric!"
"Which one of you am I talking to, and don't lie."
"It's Julia. Kim is...not herself today."
"Ah, I see. It's one of those things, is it?"
"No! She's a little sick." As I said that I hear footsteps in the hall, Kim's for sure, and the bathroom door closing. "How was the first year at Yale?" Eric is a journalism major.
"It was nice. I got a good spot on the paper." I can hear Kim hacking up in the bathroom. Maybe I was right, she is sick? "I'm in Paris today."
I forget about Kim and gasp, "Really? What's it like?"
"I can see the Eiffel tower from my hotel room. The cheese really is as pungent as rumored, however the people are not as rude."
"What'd you get me?"
"That is something you don't get to know until I get back. I go to Spain, Ireland, and Great Brittan before I get back to the U.S."
"Fine."
"Hey, I gotta go. I don't want to waste the minutes on my phone card. Tell Kim to get better for me. I love you, both of you."
"I'll tell her. I love you too."
"Goodbye."
"Bye."
I hang up and notice that Kim is still in the bathroom. I softly knock on the door when I hear her crying.
"Kimmie? Look, I know you're mad at me but you have to let me talk to you." I wait but she doesn't answer. "Please?"
She doesn't answer but I open the door anyway. Kim is lying on the floor, she threw up. I can tell because she didn't get it all in the toilet. I help her up and let her lean on me while we go upstairs. I leave her in her bed and go to clean up her barf. For some reason, I feel better that she's just sick. I guess that's why she flipped at me. Soon she'll be better and things will be back to the way they used to be.
This is what is going through my mind as I go back into our room. I stop dead in the doorway as I see Kim sitting on the floor and beating herself in the stomach. Her eyes are crazy and tears are running down her face. Under her breath she's saying "No" over and over again. What's going on? I'm scared of her.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Forgetting - Part 3
It's nine in the morning and Kim still isn't up. This wouldn't be strange if she hadn't gone to bed at 11 last night and never left the house. She hasn't gone out since the party at Jesse's a week ago.
I'm curled up on the couch with a book about the Grand Dutches Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. She fascinates me, always has. I am reading about the family's assassination and Anastasia's possible escape when Kim stumbles downstairs.
"Morning sunshine."
She grunts at me and makes a b-line for the coffee.
I wait for her to take a few long sips before asking, "Are you going out today?"
"Yeah. I'm going shopping for school stuff, you're coming right?"
"Of course."
Kim is going to study psychology at Brown University in the fall. I will be at Harvard for Classics and Classical Studies of literature. It'll be the first time we've been really apart since we were born.
We end up going to get sheets and towels. We're in an office supplies store looking for suitable notebooks when I lose my sister.
"Hey Kim what do you think of this?" I turn around with a thick black journal in my hand, but nobody is there to show it to. "Kim?" No answer. "Kimmie?" Still no answer. I now have to search the store for my flighty twin. Great. Luckily, she is my twin and I know exactly where she'll be.
I go straight to the section with the markers and poster board and paints. There she is, holding a container of glitter glue.
"What do you think my roommate would say if I painted all the walls of our dorm with glitter glue?" She asks, not looking at me.
"She would send the psychology major to a therapist." This makes Kim laugh. "Come on Kimmie, what's wrong?"
She still is silently refusing to look at me. "Nothing is wrong. Why would you think that?"
"Maybe because I know you. We've been gone all day and you haven't even called Jesse once. You haven't gone out anywhere in a week. Plus," I plucked the bottle from her hand, "You're talking to craft glue."
"I'm fine. Why do you always assume the worst if I just want to take it easy for a couple of days? What's wrong with me going shopping with my sister and not calling my boyfriend? Nothing is going on, okay? You can be so stupid sometimes! I'm not even talking to the glue, I was talking to you. Just because I'm looking at something doesn't mean we're having a conversation. Go read a book, it's where you belong anyway!"
She storms past me and leaves me dumbfounded in the middle of the isle. It takes me a minute to run after her, momentarily forgetting that she has the car keys.
When I catch up to her she's already starting the engine. Crap. I jump onto the passenger side of the car and hang on. I know she can't get far with me like that and the doors are locked. She's about to pull out of the parking lot when the lock clicks. I get in the car and we ride home in silence. There's nothing I can say, nothing I can do. She has never exploded on my like that. I feel like I've lost my sister entirely in one afternoon.
I'm curled up on the couch with a book about the Grand Dutches Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. She fascinates me, always has. I am reading about the family's assassination and Anastasia's possible escape when Kim stumbles downstairs.
"Morning sunshine."
She grunts at me and makes a b-line for the coffee.
I wait for her to take a few long sips before asking, "Are you going out today?"
"Yeah. I'm going shopping for school stuff, you're coming right?"
"Of course."
Kim is going to study psychology at Brown University in the fall. I will be at Harvard for Classics and Classical Studies of literature. It'll be the first time we've been really apart since we were born.
We end up going to get sheets and towels. We're in an office supplies store looking for suitable notebooks when I lose my sister.
"Hey Kim what do you think of this?" I turn around with a thick black journal in my hand, but nobody is there to show it to. "Kim?" No answer. "Kimmie?" Still no answer. I now have to search the store for my flighty twin. Great. Luckily, she is my twin and I know exactly where she'll be.
I go straight to the section with the markers and poster board and paints. There she is, holding a container of glitter glue.
"What do you think my roommate would say if I painted all the walls of our dorm with glitter glue?" She asks, not looking at me.
"She would send the psychology major to a therapist." This makes Kim laugh. "Come on Kimmie, what's wrong?"
She still is silently refusing to look at me. "Nothing is wrong. Why would you think that?"
"Maybe because I know you. We've been gone all day and you haven't even called Jesse once. You haven't gone out anywhere in a week. Plus," I plucked the bottle from her hand, "You're talking to craft glue."
"I'm fine. Why do you always assume the worst if I just want to take it easy for a couple of days? What's wrong with me going shopping with my sister and not calling my boyfriend? Nothing is going on, okay? You can be so stupid sometimes! I'm not even talking to the glue, I was talking to you. Just because I'm looking at something doesn't mean we're having a conversation. Go read a book, it's where you belong anyway!"
She storms past me and leaves me dumbfounded in the middle of the isle. It takes me a minute to run after her, momentarily forgetting that she has the car keys.
When I catch up to her she's already starting the engine. Crap. I jump onto the passenger side of the car and hang on. I know she can't get far with me like that and the doors are locked. She's about to pull out of the parking lot when the lock clicks. I get in the car and we ride home in silence. There's nothing I can say, nothing I can do. She has never exploded on my like that. I feel like I've lost my sister entirely in one afternoon.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Forgetting - Part 2
Two Years Earlier
It is 4 o'clock in the morning. I feel someone breathing on my face and I instantly know that Kim is home. I don't want to open my eyes. If I do then Kim will make me talk to her for hours. Summer was supposed to mean sleeping in.
Even though I don't open my eyes, Kim still knows that I'm awake.
"Jules, hey, I've gotta talk to you!" She whispers. I can feel her freaking lips on my nose. She has apparently never heard of personal space. When I don't answer she gets onto my bed and sits on my chest. She's thin and tall, but she is not exactly "light".
"Get the fuck off of me." I grumble. "I can't breath."
She gets up and I don't move. She is standing next to my bed and staring at me, I know it.
"Jules?" She waits. "Julia?"
Silence
"Are you asleep?"
No, I'm just lying in bed not answering at four in the freaking morning because it's fun. "What the hell do you think?"
"Well you're talking."
Grunt.
"Come on, I have to talk to you!"
I sit up and open my eyes. She is standing next to me and staring expectantly. "Why do you feel a need to share every second of your life with me?"
"Because you're my sister. Would you rather I didn't tell you anything ever?"
"Can't this wait till the morning?"
"It is the morning. I win."
She flicks the desk lamp on and sits on her own bed for a change. Tonight she has on a red dress and black pumps. Her hair is up in a twisted bun and she is in the process of taking off fake glitter eyelashes.
"You look like a whore." I tell her as she takes off her shoes.
"You look like me." She sticks her tongue out at me.
I can't even argue with that. Being an identical twin sucks sometimes. The only way to tell us apart is that I wear glasses and she has contacts.
"So where were you anyway?" I ask. Now I'm awake and curious as to where on earth she would go looking like this.
"A party at Jesse's. His parents are out of town this week."
"Oh really? Did you drink?"
"Nope! No boos allowed girlie. His parents don't even drink. I didn't smoke or do drugs either. It was a clean party so there."
"Then why do you look like that?"
"All my other party clothes are in our laundry. Unzip me."
I get up to get her zipper. "Did you tell Jesse that too?"
She turns to me and glowers. "Why must you always think the worst of me?"
"You didn't answer my question."
She turns as red as her dress and turns around. "Shut up. We didn't do anything tonight."
"Okay."
We are both quiet for a minute. Kim is truly a good girl. She doesn't do anything bad really. She's even responsible when she does...other things. We may be twins, but we are almost exact opposites.
She's what anyone would call "fun". She goes to parties or concerts almost every night and has had the same boyfriend for two years. Despite this, boys are still fighting for her attention all the time. Her grades could be better, but she's never actually flunked anything. I like to stay home and read. I have to drive to libraries out of town to get books now because I've read everything interesting in our town. I go on dates now and then, but I've never had a serious boyfriend. I've gotten straight A's since elementary school. I would give anything to be my sister for just one day.
"Scrabble?" I ask.
"What?"
"Well I'm awake now."
She smiles and nods. I pull out the game and we play until we both fall asleep on our bedroom floor.
It is 4 o'clock in the morning. I feel someone breathing on my face and I instantly know that Kim is home. I don't want to open my eyes. If I do then Kim will make me talk to her for hours. Summer was supposed to mean sleeping in.
Even though I don't open my eyes, Kim still knows that I'm awake.
"Jules, hey, I've gotta talk to you!" She whispers. I can feel her freaking lips on my nose. She has apparently never heard of personal space. When I don't answer she gets onto my bed and sits on my chest. She's thin and tall, but she is not exactly "light".
"Get the fuck off of me." I grumble. "I can't breath."
She gets up and I don't move. She is standing next to my bed and staring at me, I know it.
"Jules?" She waits. "Julia?"
Silence
"Are you asleep?"
No, I'm just lying in bed not answering at four in the freaking morning because it's fun. "What the hell do you think?"
"Well you're talking."
Grunt.
"Come on, I have to talk to you!"
I sit up and open my eyes. She is standing next to me and staring expectantly. "Why do you feel a need to share every second of your life with me?"
"Because you're my sister. Would you rather I didn't tell you anything ever?"
"Can't this wait till the morning?"
"It is the morning. I win."
She flicks the desk lamp on and sits on her own bed for a change. Tonight she has on a red dress and black pumps. Her hair is up in a twisted bun and she is in the process of taking off fake glitter eyelashes.
"You look like a whore." I tell her as she takes off her shoes.
"You look like me." She sticks her tongue out at me.
I can't even argue with that. Being an identical twin sucks sometimes. The only way to tell us apart is that I wear glasses and she has contacts.
"So where were you anyway?" I ask. Now I'm awake and curious as to where on earth she would go looking like this.
"A party at Jesse's. His parents are out of town this week."
"Oh really? Did you drink?"
"Nope! No boos allowed girlie. His parents don't even drink. I didn't smoke or do drugs either. It was a clean party so there."
"Then why do you look like that?"
"All my other party clothes are in our laundry. Unzip me."
I get up to get her zipper. "Did you tell Jesse that too?"
She turns to me and glowers. "Why must you always think the worst of me?"
"You didn't answer my question."
She turns as red as her dress and turns around. "Shut up. We didn't do anything tonight."
"Okay."
We are both quiet for a minute. Kim is truly a good girl. She doesn't do anything bad really. She's even responsible when she does...other things. We may be twins, but we are almost exact opposites.
She's what anyone would call "fun". She goes to parties or concerts almost every night and has had the same boyfriend for two years. Despite this, boys are still fighting for her attention all the time. Her grades could be better, but she's never actually flunked anything. I like to stay home and read. I have to drive to libraries out of town to get books now because I've read everything interesting in our town. I go on dates now and then, but I've never had a serious boyfriend. I've gotten straight A's since elementary school. I would give anything to be my sister for just one day.
"Scrabble?" I ask.
"What?"
"Well I'm awake now."
She smiles and nods. I pull out the game and we play until we both fall asleep on our bedroom floor.
Forgetting - Part 1
I'm not sure what I'm supposed to remember. My childhood? That's long gone. What do you want from me? My life story? That's not even possible anymore. I can only remember little things, unimportant things. I can remember wearing a red hat on the day of my brother's graduation, but nothing else. I can vividly see the shoes I wore to prom but can't remember who I went with. I can remember every word of a note I got from my best friend the day I got to college, but where I went and for what is a dizzy blur. I know I should know these things, but I just don't. What's wrong with me?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Do Right - Scenes 7 & 8
Scene VII
The song Remember When it Rained by Josh Groban is playing.
The train rushes away and we see Peter inside looking out a window at the falling snow. He holds the scarf up to his face.
Joey and Allie walk out into the falling snow. Joey has an arm around Allie’s shoulder. He bends and kisses her cheek.
A tent pitched in the snow, Peter sitting outside. He’s got the scarf on. He’s looking at a picture of himself, Allie, and Joey.
Allie is sitting alone in front of a menorah. All 8 candles are lit.
Joey is sitting alone around a Christmas tree with no presents opened.
Battle footage.
Allie and Joey are sitting in a living room around a radio. Allie jumps up to get the door. It’s a telegram that clearly reads, “I won’t be home this year. Sorry ladybug.” She falls onto Joey and cries.
Battle footage.
Allie opens a door and hesitantly takes a telegram. As she reads she puts a hand over her mouth and tears start to roll. She shakes her head, drops the slip of paper. The telegram boy mouths, “I’m sorry” but she slams the door and runs through the house. Joey gets up from the couch and follows her. She screams. She smashes a vase and knocks over pictures. She punches her bed and sinks to her knees next to it. She sobs uncontrollably into the sheets. Joey comes up behind her and pats her back. He is crying too. Fade to black.
Scene VIII
It’s fall, leaves are on the ground. Allie and Joey are standing in front of a grave. Flags are stuck in the ground on either side of the stone and bundles of flowers are laid on the dirt. Allie and Joey are holding a folded up flag together. There is silence except the birds and rustle of nature. The stone reads, “Peter Lloyd Caldwell, solider.”
Allie – He came home, and he won’t ever leave again.
Joey – Just like he promised.
The song Remember When it Rained by Josh Groban is playing.
The train rushes away and we see Peter inside looking out a window at the falling snow. He holds the scarf up to his face.
Joey and Allie walk out into the falling snow. Joey has an arm around Allie’s shoulder. He bends and kisses her cheek.
A tent pitched in the snow, Peter sitting outside. He’s got the scarf on. He’s looking at a picture of himself, Allie, and Joey.
Allie is sitting alone in front of a menorah. All 8 candles are lit.
Joey is sitting alone around a Christmas tree with no presents opened.
Battle footage.
Allie and Joey are sitting in a living room around a radio. Allie jumps up to get the door. It’s a telegram that clearly reads, “I won’t be home this year. Sorry ladybug.” She falls onto Joey and cries.
Battle footage.
Allie opens a door and hesitantly takes a telegram. As she reads she puts a hand over her mouth and tears start to roll. She shakes her head, drops the slip of paper. The telegram boy mouths, “I’m sorry” but she slams the door and runs through the house. Joey gets up from the couch and follows her. She screams. She smashes a vase and knocks over pictures. She punches her bed and sinks to her knees next to it. She sobs uncontrollably into the sheets. Joey comes up behind her and pats her back. He is crying too. Fade to black.
Scene VIII
It’s fall, leaves are on the ground. Allie and Joey are standing in front of a grave. Flags are stuck in the ground on either side of the stone and bundles of flowers are laid on the dirt. Allie and Joey are holding a folded up flag together. There is silence except the birds and rustle of nature. The stone reads, “Peter Lloyd Caldwell, solider.”
Allie – He came home, and he won’t ever leave again.
Joey – Just like he promised.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Do Right - Scenes 5 & 6
Scene V
Allie and Joey are sitting at a booth in a diner. Music is playing in the background. They’re both drinking cherry coke. They sit in silence for a while before anything is said.
Joey – They didn’t want me. I’m stuck here.
Allie – Why’s that Joey? They think you’ll blow up all of Europe?
Joey – Nah, well… I’m apparently unstable cause of the ADHD. Can’t have distracted peoples in wars ya know. No knowing what you think would be fun to shoot at. They think I’d get my own foot within hours. That ain’t ADHD, that’s just stupid.
Allie – Yeah. (She stirs her coke with the straw)
Joey - But now you get to keep me right here with you babe.
Allie – Uh-huh.
Joey – Hey, what’s on your mind sugar cube?
Allie – Nothin’.
Joey – Yeah right. I’ve known you since you were three feet tall little girl, I know something’s eatin’ your brain. (He moves next to her in the booth and puts an arm around her.) Talk to me Allie.
Allie – (Starting to cry) They’re taking him away Joey! It’s too darn close to Christmas. He’s shipping out tomorrow! (Allie sobs into Joey’s shoulder and her holds her tight)
Joey – It’ll be okay honey. He’s gonna come home soon, he said so himself. (Beat) He promised.
Scene VI
Allie, Peter, and Joey are standing on the platform of a train station. Allie is still wearing the scarf. Joey and Peter embrace.
Joey – I’m gonna miss you.
Peter – Same here.
Allie practically jumps on Peter. He swings her around in the air.
Allie – Please stay Peaty. I got a bad feeling about you leavin’.
Peter – I gotta go ladybug. It’s not up to me.
Peter puts Allie back on her feet. She’s crying again. He kisses her forehead.
Conductor – All aboard!
Allie grabs Peter’s sleeve. Her eyes are big and she shakes her head. Joey puts a hand on Allie’s shoulder. She takes her scarf off and gives it to Peter. The trains whistle blows. Peter turns and runs toward the door. He stops before getting on and yells back…
Peter – I love you! Both of you!
The train speeds away and the montage begins…
Allie and Joey are sitting at a booth in a diner. Music is playing in the background. They’re both drinking cherry coke. They sit in silence for a while before anything is said.
Joey – They didn’t want me. I’m stuck here.
Allie – Why’s that Joey? They think you’ll blow up all of Europe?
Joey – Nah, well… I’m apparently unstable cause of the ADHD. Can’t have distracted peoples in wars ya know. No knowing what you think would be fun to shoot at. They think I’d get my own foot within hours. That ain’t ADHD, that’s just stupid.
Allie – Yeah. (She stirs her coke with the straw)
Joey - But now you get to keep me right here with you babe.
Allie – Uh-huh.
Joey – Hey, what’s on your mind sugar cube?
Allie – Nothin’.
Joey – Yeah right. I’ve known you since you were three feet tall little girl, I know something’s eatin’ your brain. (He moves next to her in the booth and puts an arm around her.) Talk to me Allie.
Allie – (Starting to cry) They’re taking him away Joey! It’s too darn close to Christmas. He’s shipping out tomorrow! (Allie sobs into Joey’s shoulder and her holds her tight)
Joey – It’ll be okay honey. He’s gonna come home soon, he said so himself. (Beat) He promised.
Scene VI
Allie, Peter, and Joey are standing on the platform of a train station. Allie is still wearing the scarf. Joey and Peter embrace.
Joey – I’m gonna miss you.
Peter – Same here.
Allie practically jumps on Peter. He swings her around in the air.
Allie – Please stay Peaty. I got a bad feeling about you leavin’.
Peter – I gotta go ladybug. It’s not up to me.
Peter puts Allie back on her feet. She’s crying again. He kisses her forehead.
Conductor – All aboard!
Allie grabs Peter’s sleeve. Her eyes are big and she shakes her head. Joey puts a hand on Allie’s shoulder. She takes her scarf off and gives it to Peter. The trains whistle blows. Peter turns and runs toward the door. He stops before getting on and yells back…
Peter – I love you! Both of you!
The train speeds away and the montage begins…
Do Right - Scenes 3 & 4
Scene III
Allie, Peter, and Joey are walking through the door of a swing club. The music is loud and the dance floor is full of people, but not overflowing. All three are smiling wide as the hang up their coats quickly and accept drinks from a waiter. Allie puts her drink down on an empty table after a long sip and pulls Peter and Joey with her.
Allie – Come on!
The three dance with the music, smiling and laughing. They are clearly having the time of their lives. Suddenly the music stops.
Person 1 – Shut it! Quiet!
General – As you all must know, the United States of America has entered the war. It’s your job to assist your country in any way possible. What we need are men, men who can fight for what’s right. That means over 18, healthy, and brave. This is a draft people, and the time has come to serve.
The general leaves after tacking up a poster of “Uncle Sam” and there is silence. Allie is holding one of Peter’s hands and one of Joey’s. She squeezes their hands.
Scene IV
Allie and Peter are walking through a park. The sun is shining. It is clear that Allie has been crying. Allie is still wearing the scarf.
Allie – There’s no way to get out of the draft, is there?
Peter – No. I’m so sorry ladybug, I gotta go. Trust me, I don’t wanna, but I gotta.
Allie – I just can’t imagine you hurting anything. You ain’t a solider Peaty.
Peter – I know I ain’t, but that won’t change nothing.
Allie – (whimpering) You can’t leave me Peaty. I need you here, I always will. (She starts crying again. He pulls her into a hug)
Peter – When I get home, I promise that I’ll never leave again. I’ll stay right here, by your side.
Allie, Peter, and Joey are walking through the door of a swing club. The music is loud and the dance floor is full of people, but not overflowing. All three are smiling wide as the hang up their coats quickly and accept drinks from a waiter. Allie puts her drink down on an empty table after a long sip and pulls Peter and Joey with her.
Allie – Come on!
The three dance with the music, smiling and laughing. They are clearly having the time of their lives. Suddenly the music stops.
Person 1 – Shut it! Quiet!
General – As you all must know, the United States of America has entered the war. It’s your job to assist your country in any way possible. What we need are men, men who can fight for what’s right. That means over 18, healthy, and brave. This is a draft people, and the time has come to serve.
The general leaves after tacking up a poster of “Uncle Sam” and there is silence. Allie is holding one of Peter’s hands and one of Joey’s. She squeezes their hands.
Scene IV
Allie and Peter are walking through a park. The sun is shining. It is clear that Allie has been crying. Allie is still wearing the scarf.
Allie – There’s no way to get out of the draft, is there?
Peter – No. I’m so sorry ladybug, I gotta go. Trust me, I don’t wanna, but I gotta.
Allie – I just can’t imagine you hurting anything. You ain’t a solider Peaty.
Peter – I know I ain’t, but that won’t change nothing.
Allie – (whimpering) You can’t leave me Peaty. I need you here, I always will. (She starts crying again. He pulls her into a hug)
Peter – When I get home, I promise that I’ll never leave again. I’ll stay right here, by your side.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Do Right - Scenes 1 & 2
Main Characters
Allie – A girl, 17-18 years old. She’s dainty and polite, delicate.
Peter – Tall and kind, 18-19 years old. He’s always happy, always nice
Joey – Easily excitable, 18-19 years old. Has ADHD, preventing him from being enlisted.
Scene I
Allie, Peter, and Joey are sitting around an old fashioned radio. Sunlight is coming through the window. FDR’s voice is coming out of the radio, giving the Infamy speech. The three sit and react to what they’re hearing. Fade to black.
Scene II
Allie and Peter are standing outside and banging on a door. It’s cold out and there’s a bit of snow. A few multi-colored leaves litter the ground also. It’s early December. The sky is a deep blue, it’s probably between 11 and 12pm. Allie has a scarf on. This scarf is important.
Allie – (yelling) Come on Joey! I gotta be home before mamma wakes up!
Peter – (also yelling) We’ll leave without ya kid! I swear we will!
Allie – (giggling, quieter now) We can’t leave without him Peter. He’s the one with a car!
Peter – (pretending to think hard about this) I suppose you’re right ladybug. Guess we’ll just have to wait out here in the cold. (He sits on the steps. She sits next to him and he puts an arm around her shoulder)
Allie – You know I love you, right? (She stares up at him with wide eyes)
Peter – You know I think I have heard that somewhere. It’s a good thing, cause I love you too. (He squeezes her shoulder. The door opens and Joey steps outside. He rubs his hands together)
Joey – Jesus it’s cold out here! Get in the car and let’s go!
Allie – A girl, 17-18 years old. She’s dainty and polite, delicate.
Peter – Tall and kind, 18-19 years old. He’s always happy, always nice
Joey – Easily excitable, 18-19 years old. Has ADHD, preventing him from being enlisted.
Scene I
Allie, Peter, and Joey are sitting around an old fashioned radio. Sunlight is coming through the window. FDR’s voice is coming out of the radio, giving the Infamy speech. The three sit and react to what they’re hearing. Fade to black.
Scene II
Allie and Peter are standing outside and banging on a door. It’s cold out and there’s a bit of snow. A few multi-colored leaves litter the ground also. It’s early December. The sky is a deep blue, it’s probably between 11 and 12pm. Allie has a scarf on. This scarf is important.
Allie – (yelling) Come on Joey! I gotta be home before mamma wakes up!
Peter – (also yelling) We’ll leave without ya kid! I swear we will!
Allie – (giggling, quieter now) We can’t leave without him Peter. He’s the one with a car!
Peter – (pretending to think hard about this) I suppose you’re right ladybug. Guess we’ll just have to wait out here in the cold. (He sits on the steps. She sits next to him and he puts an arm around her shoulder)
Allie – You know I love you, right? (She stares up at him with wide eyes)
Peter – You know I think I have heard that somewhere. It’s a good thing, cause I love you too. (He squeezes her shoulder. The door opens and Joey steps outside. He rubs his hands together)
Joey – Jesus it’s cold out here! Get in the car and let’s go!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)