Stop Interupting

A woman stands in her kitchen washing the counter. Her phone rings. She sighs, puts down her wash cloth and answers.

Woman: Hello?...Oh...no. No than...No I real...yes, fine go a hea...uh-huh...uh-huh...No. I don't think so...See I don't have the mon...no that won't be nes...Listen I'm trying to...I think you'd be better off calling some one else...Really I...Please, just...I don't want or need any of...I'm not going to buy, subscribe, join or listen anymore! Have a nice day! Goodbye!

She hangs up and sighs.

The tears of man will cease.

A young girl and her mother stand hand in hand in front of a monument with many names carved in it.

Young Girl: What are all these words?

Mother: Men's names. Ones who fought in a war.

Young Girl: Like Daddy?

Mother: Yes.

Young Girl: Will daddy get his name on a rock too?

Mother: I hope not.

Young Girl: Why not?

Mother: Because these men died.

Young Girl: Oh...[Pause] Why were the men fighting?

Mother: To make a change. For you. For me.

Young Girl: They didn't know me...

Mother: That's what makes them great, sweetie.

Cereal?

Two girls in their pajamas walk into the kitchen.

Jan: So...I have bagels, and cereal, and toast...

Fran: I like cereal.

Jan: Okay.

Jan goes to the cupboard and opens it while Fran takes a seat at the table.

Jan: So I have Honey Nut Cheerios...

Fran: Umm..I guess actually I'll have toast.

Jan holds the box of Honey Nut Cheerios and looks shocked.

Jan: Do you have a problem with honey nut cheerios!?

el concerto

Two students sit at a table. Fred is helping John with his Spanish homework. John slouches in his chair while Fred shuffles some flash cards.

Fred: Try them again. You have to know these by tomorrow.

Fred holds up the cards so that the English faces John.

John: El cereal.

Fred flips the card.

John: El meat.

Fred: No.

John: La meat.

Fred: No...

John: Well why not?

Fred: Not every Spanish word is made by putting an El or La in front of it.

John: It worked with cereal!

Fred: Well sometimes it works...

Could you help me, please?

A little sleepy eyed boy slowly peeks out his bed room door looking into the kitchen. He slowly walks into the kitchen and looks around he sees no one but sees the cookie jar on the shelf newly filled. he becomes excited and walks over to it. He reaches up but he is much too short. He looks upset. He looks around again, and still finds no one. He looks back up at the cookies. He Jumps and reaches but it far off. He tries again with the same result. And again. He becomes frustrated. He backs up and takes a running start and jumps but falls down and wines a little. He then gets up and pulls a chair over to the shelf. he climbs on to the chair and reaches but is still too short. He sits down on the chair with an impatient face and waits.

Aunts

First grade children playing outside at recess. Some commotion begins over in the dirt near the grass.

Long Haired Girl: Eeeewwww!!! I hate ants!! They are going to get me!

Nascar Shirt Boy: I'll get 'em!

He starts to stomp.

Buzz-Cut Light-up Shoes Boy: Stomp on their hill house. That'll get 'em good!

Long Haired Girl: Get them! There are so many!

Untied Shoe Pigtails Girl: STOP!

She runs toward the ant scene.

Untied Shoe Pigtails Girl: Stop stomping on those ants now! Ants are people too!

Nascar Shirt Boy: Ants aren't people!

Untied Shoe Pigtails Girl: Well stop stomping on them...or I'll stomp on you!

She raises her untied shoe up high. The Other children look slightly bewildered but walk away.

No...she wouldn't.

A young man walks down a path in a park, but ends up taking the same turns over and over again making a circle. He doesn't seem to notice. He mumbles to himself and walks at a fast pace.

Young Man: She wouldn't. She is too good for that...

He Changes direction but doesn't stray far from his circle.

Young Man: She wouldn't. We talk...she'd tell me if something...

He speeds up.

Young Man: She wouldn't. She is considerate and her reputation means something to her...She wouldn't.

Someone playing fetch with their dog throws a ball and it rolls right past his feet. He picks it up as the dog comes up to him. He holds the ball a little away from the dog and speaks reassuringly to it. Looking it right in the eyes and it looks back waiting for the ball.

Young Man: She wouldn't. She would not do that to me.

The dog cocks its head. Slowly the Young Man's shoulders drop. His face becomes soft and hurt. He hands the ball to the dog's mouth and the dog runs back to its master.

Young Man: She would.

I'm lost.

A young man walks into a shabby gas station and goes up to the counter looking a little sheepishly at the Counter Man who is wearing a too small shirt under a too small brown leather vest.

Young Man: Could you tell me how to get to the Pemberly Hall? I seem to have missed it...

Counter Man: Uhyupmer..Icnotat. Dowrn tird mrst steart, en..

Young Man: Excuse me?

Counter Man: Kerd. Dowrn tird mrst steart, en an tat righter dare en thener, fist oo, um, er...dorwn oo mlies er, an, ur dare.

Young Man: Uhhh thanks...

Young man walks out of the gas stasion looking back over his shoulder a couple times.

Oh my.

A woman stands washing a big picture window in her living room. All of a sudden a cat runs past outside. She only hardly notices. Then she notices a chicken run by outside. She looks and the resumes washing. Then two little chicks run along past. She smiles and continues washing. Three more chicks run past. She becomes a little more interested and puts her washing things down and looks out the window a bit. In a moment she begins washing again as nothing happened. immediately the cat runs past followed by the chicken chasing it. the woman drops her cleaning supplies and gets close to the window. All five chicks follow in pursuit of the cat. The chase goes on until finally the cat climbs up a tree. The Chicken and chicks bounce around the tree making loud clucking sounds until finally they walk off in single file. Woman slowly backs away from the window confused, yet amused.

Woman: Oh my.

Where is your heart?

A Guy and Girl stand together on a walk way leading to a restaurant. The Girl's arms are crossed and she doesn't look pleased but the Guy doesn't seem to be affected at all and looks like he's having a fine time.

Girl: You just really don't get it do you?

Guy: I guess not. What do you want me to get?

Girl: You don't know how to be serious do you?

Guy: Nah, who wants that?

Girl: You know what...just...I...Josh, where is your heart?

Guy: Well i think it is somewhere behind my ribs but...

Girl: You know what? Just nevermind.

Girl walks off to her car angry, upset and almost in tears. After a moment Guy looks like he has found his seriousness and looks regretfully after her. But she doesn't see.

I wish...

A full lunch room. A group of six students (SARAH, MOLLY, JOE, CHRIS, JULIE, TOM) fills a side table. They begin talking and eating.

JOE: I wish people would quit cutting in the lines.

MOLLY: Oh, I know! It is ridiculous.

SARAH: Julie! What is that you are eating?

JULIE: Turkey.

SARAH: I wish I had gotten that instead of grilled cheese...

JULIE: No. You don't. I wish we had better lunches here.

TOM: Nah, its alright, I just wish they gave you more, I mean, like, we don't all need to be on a diet.

MOLLY: Haha...yeah, but they need to give such small portions because of how much fat and calories are in them.

JULIE: Oh my word. Look. Teachers really need to think about the fact that they are teachers.

MOLLY: I know. I wish some of them would get over the fact that they aren't eighteen and dress their age.

Chris: I don't mind.

SARAH: Ew.

The bell rings and they start to get up, and clean up their things.

Joe: Already?

Chris: I really wish lunch was longer.

I miss you.

Mother holds Daughter's hand as she walks her down a walk way to a car away from a house were an older lady is waving. Daughter happily swings her and her mother's arm.

DAUGHTER: You came back a day early mommy!

MOTHER: I did. I missed you.

DAUGHTER: Why?

Mother is a bit taken aback and confused.

MOTHER: Well because you make me happy, honey.

DAUGHTER: Missing isn't happy, mommy.

MOTHER: Well...I guess...I miss you because you make me so happy that I can't be all the way happy without you.

Daughter smiles and Mother helps her into the car.

DAUGHTER: When you're gone I miss you too.

Mother touches Daughter's cheek and then climbs into the drivers seat.

Just don't tell please.

A girl and boy both stand outside a large building. It is cold. They are in coats and their faces are a little red. They stand a safe distance apart and do not look at each other. Both look like they are waiting for something or some one to arrive. Finally the girl turns toward the boy as though she can't take it anymore.

Girl: You know, maybe you should have just talked to me.

Boy: There is nothing to talk about.

Girl: Well it doesn't seem that way. You just had nothing to talk about with me, you had a lot to say to other people, even though it had to do with me.

Boy: It wasn't like that.

Girl: No?

Boy: No.

The boy looks as though he is finished with the conversation. The girl is hurt and trying not to cry, but her words come out a little aggressive in her attempt to not break down.

Girl: Well maybe if you had talked to me about it before, you wouldn't bee thinking what you are now, and we wouldn't be acting like this. Or we could at least be clear with each other.

Boy: You have no idea what I'm thinking. You can't assume you know what I think and why I do the things I do.

Girl: Well maybe you should think about what you just said and take it to heart instead of thinking you know why I act and think the way I do. Maybe before you decide to make decisions about my thoughts and feelings. That is why I wanted to talk. So you could actually know and so could I.

Boy doesn't acknowledge her. Girl walks off into the wind pulling her hood up over her head.

Cover your ears.

Two boys, Joey about 10 and Ralph about 5 lie in a bunk bed. Joey on top and Ralph on bottom. The room is dark except for a tall dim lamp that reaches up to where Joey is lying quietly. Both boys are awake but still. The door leading out of their room is closed but a crack of light is visible bellow. There is arguing outside the door and occasionally a shadow marches past the door. As the arguing escalates into yelling Ralph begins to cry quietly. Neither boy moves.

Ralph: Joey?
Joey: Yeah?
Ralph: When are they going to stop?
Joey: I don't know...[pause] Try and sleep.

Ralph tries to stop crying but he continues quietly. Joey speaks in an attempted reassuring voice.

Joey: Just cover your ears Ralphie.

Still crying a little Ralph takes his pillow and puts it over his head. Joey leans over and pulls the switch on the light. The room goes black except for the crack of light under the door. The arguing continues, eventually a door slams and it is silent.

Angela came early so she could see you and me before she left.

Samantha about 18 is bending over the kitchen table writing on a piece of paper. The kitchen is dimly lit. It is early morning. She finishes and straightens slowly, and then picks up her coat which had been laying on the table and proceeds to carefully and quietly put it on. She picks up a pair of shoes that were on a chair and places them on the floor beginning to put them on her feet, then thinks better of it stops and undoes any progress she has made with the shoes. She quietly walks down the hall and softly opens up a door into the bedroom of Jeanie about 11 and Sarah about 8. She walks to Jeanie's bed and carefully leans over her and kisses her on the top of the head. She Then moves to Sarah's bed and touches her arm looking at her, kisses her head and walks back to the door. She looks back in on them and whispers "I love you" and then softly closes the door. She walks down the hall back into the kitchen and puts on her shoes. She walks to the door that leads out of the house, takes a deep breath and walks out closing the door behind her. It is silent.
A soft rustling is heard and then Sarah peeks out of her bedroom door.

Sarah: Sammy?

Being around you makes my period come.

A girl Holly between 11 and 12 walks quietly down a hall in her pajamas carrying her clothes in her hands. a board creeks and she tops short and looks to the door she has just passed. Jess about 17's voice is heard from behind the door.

Jess: Oh no you don't!

Jess' door flies open and Holly sprints down the hall with Jess on her heals. Holly flings the bathroom door open and slams it shut just as Jess grabs the door nob. Holly locks the door and Jess pounds on it.

Jess: Holly come out here! I need to first!
Holly: I got here first!
Jess: I'm older! Come on Holly. You're hair takes you like two minutes, and it looks the same weather you shower first or last, so why can't you just let me go!
Holly: Leave me alone I got here first I'm going first.
Jess: You are such a pain.
Holly: Whatever.

Jess stands there for a minute and then walks back in to her room closing the door. In a minute Holly is heard from the bathroom.

Holly: Mom! [Pause] MOM!
Jess: [Yelling from in her room] She already left for work, this is her early day stupid!

There is a silence.

Holly: [From the bathroom] Jess!
Jess: [Opening her door and leaning out irritated] What?
Holly: Jess, would you please just come here?

Jess sighs and walks to the bathroom door.

Jess: What?
Holly: Come here.

Jess tries the door and it is still locked.

Jess: The door, Holly.

The sound of the door being unlocked is heard. Jess enters. Holly sits on a stool.

Jess: What?
Holly: I...I think I...

A look of understanding and sympathy crosses Jess' face.

Jess: Oh, Holls, did you...?

Holly nods a little. They both just look at each other. Then Jess sits on her knees on the floor.

Jess: Well...do you know what you're doing? [Holly looks uncertain and shrugs] Well here, I'll help you out. [Jess opens a cupboard looking for something] Well first of all make sure you always have supplies with you at school. It is no fun to be caught unprepared...

Jess smiles encoragingly at Holly.

I had the strangest urge to play the singing cow.

A woman stands bending over pulling weeds in a garden. Thomas almost 2 sits just outside the dirt of the garden on the grass. A couple yards away is a fenced in pasture where a few cows are grazing. Thomas soon becomes bored with just sitting and carefully stands up. he totters over to the fence and stands leaning with his hands on the lowest rung.

Thomas: Cow! [He points] Cow!

Thomas giggles and puts his hand back on the fence and watches the cows. In a few moments a cow leisurely walks closer to the fence. Thomas becomes very giddy.

Thomas: Cow!!! Moooooo! Moo!

The Cow stops about two feet from the fence facing Thomas and lets out a loud "Moo!" Thomas falls on to his bottom laughing. The cows stops and begins eating grass again. Thomas gets up and totters clumsily back toward the garden.

Thomas: Mama! Cow!

I'm sorry.

A little boy is walking through the park a little ways off from his parents. As they stroll along the paths they walk past a man blowing up balloons and tying them into different shapes (he is not a clown). The boy is very interested in the balloons.

Little Boy: Mommy can I have a balloon? Please?
Mother: No sweetie, mommy already bought lunch and I left my purse in the car.
Little Boy: Aww man...can I watch?
Mother: For a minute.

The Little Boy walks up to the balloon man and the crowd of people waiting for their balloons. He has trouble seeing the process and so squeezes his way through some people to get closer. He ends up however in a spot where he has a clear view but of the back of the balloon man. The balloon man finishes a balloon and takes a step back to get another balloon. As he steps back he steps on the Little Boy's toes a bit.

Balloon Man: Oh dear! I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?
Little Boy: Oh, no I'm sorry. I'm okay.
Balloon Man: Well here.

The balloon man takes a balloon and blows it up shaping it into a airplane and hands it to the Little Boy.

Balloon Man: Here you go.
Little Boy: Aw gee! Thanks!

The Little Boy is very happy. He skips off to his mother. Making swooping motions through the air with his balloon airplane.

I'm going to follow you, because none of my friends are here yet.

Two lines of kindergarten students file out of a school and on to a playground for recess. Jana is in the middle of her line and once outside she stops and waits while the other children disperse to various places on the playground. The second line comes to an end with Cody bringing up the rear. Once outside he begins to walk toward the swings. Jana follows him at a trot her curly pony tail bouncing. Cody climbs on to a swing and starts to swing. Jana goes to sit on the swing next to him but another child takes the spot, so she stands and watches instead. Cody begins to notice her watchful eye and slows down his swing. He gets off the sing and goes the the sand box, while Jana follows. Cody sits in the sand and uses a truck. Jana sits down too and smiles. She finds a truck and uses it. Cody looks uncomfortable. Jana smiles. Some boys on the other side of the playground in the grass call to Cody and ask him to come play football with them. Cody looks relieved. Jana's face falls. Cody gets up and starts to walk over Jana following with her eyes until the boys call back that they don't need him after all. Jana brightens and gets up to follow Cody again. Cody walks at a fast pace to the monkey bars and begins to climb them. Jana gets to them and looks nervous but after a moment she tentatively starts to climb up them again. Cody gets all the way to the top and looks scared that Jana will continue up, but she has frozen half way up and looks petrified. She tries to take a step down but can not make herself. Cody looks relieved for a moment and then begins to look guilty. In a minute or two Cody has climbed down to beside Jana and he starts to climb lower, and slowly she follows. Once on the ground Jana stares at Cody with pure admiration while he stands looking awkward. Just seconds after they have reached the ground the bell rings and Cody looks as though he were just saved and sprints back to the school.

I didn't see you.

In a room with little dainty tables and a buffet to one side men and women meander about in cocktail type dresses and suits. In a back corner almost hidden by being mixed into a group of people a Man is flirting around with a Young Woman. The Young Woman has a champagne glass in one hand and seems to have a bit of a buzz but is not drunk. A Woman begins to approach. They continue obviously flirting and step out into an adjoining hall as Woman comes closer. When she sees that they have stepped out she quickens her pace and turns into the hallway to see Young Woman and Man giggling and kissing a little. Man notices woman first and looks ashamed and doesn't know what to do. Young Woman stands looking dumb founded. In a moment Woman has shoved the wine glass she had been holding into Young Woman's hand and reached into Man's pocket. She pulls out the keys and speaks with a serious and disgusted face and tone.

Woman: I'm taking the car. Have fun.

She turns around and marches out of the room.

No one is home.

A girl about 15 bundled up from the cold with rossie cheeks pushes open the door to her house closing it quickly behind her. She begins to take off her outer ware.

Girl: I'm home!!

She listens momentarily for a response, but one doesn't come. She doesn't seem too bothered and continues taking off the rest of her outside clothes. Once she has finished she walks into the kitchen where a little black and grey kitten meets her. She pats the kitten and then goes to the refrigerator and pulls out the orange juice and brings it to the counter. She takes a cup out of the cupboard and then walks to the other side of the kitchen humming. She picks up the cat's dish and takes it to the sink. She places it in the sink and turns on the water. She then begins pouring her orange juice.

Girl: Helloooo! I'm home!

No response comes and she turns off the water just as the dish is filled. She places the dish back in its spot the kitten following her the whole way.

Girl: Where is she? Maybe at the store, huh? I hope so. [She pats the kitten] She wouldn't leave again. She just got back.

She goes and takes her orange juice off the counter and goes to sit at the table. She sits as she takes a sip and immediately notices a paper on the table. She picks it up to read it as the kitten jumps up on to the chair and then the table. The Girl places the paper down and pats the kitten.

Girl: Well i guess it is just you and me again tonight.

Here, sign the card for Theresa.

Man is standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes. A woman comes in and drops a manila envelope on the table.

Woman: I brought the papers. Would you please sign them.
Man: [Scrubbing a dish] Not now...
Woman: I brought them right too you. Right here. I even brought the pen [She tosses a pen on to the table as well] so no excuses. Just sign them. [Man keeps scrubbing harder] Jason, I've been waiting for weeks. Can't you just sign them?
Man: I don't want to...
Woman: I don't understand you. Our relationship has been terrible for months. You know that. [Man looks like he is about to say something to the dish in his hand but he doesn't] And to be quite honest most of it was my fault and I haven't been that good to you. Let's just put this behind us and move on. Most guys would be glad to be rid of this problem. Please just sign the papers.

The Man keeps washing dishes looking down past them. He places the dish he had been working on in the rack and starts on another. Woman is frustrated, exasperated, and confused.

Woman: Jason would you just sign the stupid papers!

The man pulls the dish up from the water and gently places it to dry and then lifts his eyes up.

Man: I married you because I love you.

Is she biting your toes too?

On a shelf there is a fish bowl with a little fish swimming around in it. There are two chairs pulled up near the shelf that two boys stand on to have a better view of the fish. One boy Robbie is about 3 the other Ted is about 7. They both watch the fish interested.

Ted: You know fish are very smart.
Robbie: What's he doin' in there?
Ted: He's swimming. The bowl is his home. Fish don't mind staying in their house their whole life because their house is like outside too. So they already have both.

The boys watch the fish swim carefully.

Robbie: Feed the fish?
Ted: I guess we can feed him.

Ted reaches over and grabs a container of fish food and takes a pinch of it in his fingers.

Robbie: No! I wanna.
Ted: No, Robbie. You have to feed fish carefully. They don't eat very much and you would dump it.

Ted proceeds to feed the fish while Robbie scowls at him. Then they both watch the fish eat.

Ted: You could pretend to feed the fish, Robbie.
Robbie: How?
Ted: Sometimes fish get confused a little, and if you put your finger on top of the water they think it is food and try to eat them. Do you want to try?

Robbie nods excitedly. Ted shows him how to place his finger on top of the water, and soon the fish nibbles on it a little. Robbie excitedly pulls his finger out of the water laughing.

They're good, I miss you guys, but they're good.

The stage is split in two with Jamie on the phone in her kitchen on one side and Ally one the phone in her living room. Outside Jamie's window it is sunny and outside Ally's it is snowing.

Jamie: So how is the basketball team doing?
Ally: Well every one wishes you were here obviously, but we are going 4-1 so far so not too bad I guess. Do they have a good team down there for you?
Jamie: Yeah, the coach really knows what she is doing, but when I came down here no one knew me and all that and I got put on JV...
Ally: That's stupid. They'll realize their mistake.

Pause. Both girls look a little sad and maybe a little uncomfortable.

Ally: Its snowing. It looks like the sticky kind too.
Jamie: Oh my word it is so weird to be in January with no snow. I miss it.
Ally: I imagine. You were always the one who shoved Chrissy and I out the door to make a snow man on the first day the snow fell.
Jamie: Did you do it? Did you make one the first day?
Ally: I wasn't...really up for it.
Jamie: Oh...

Jamie shifts in her chair and sighs a little. There is a heavy sad silence. Ally looks like she is almost in tears but controls her voice.

Ally: So how are the people up there? How are your new friends?
Jamie: Oh their good. I miss you guys, but they're nice.
Ally: [Voice cracking] That's good...
Jamie: [Strongly and seriously] None of them are half as good as you though.
Ally: Thanks...

A tear runs down Ally's face and there is another sad silence but it is lighter.

Jamie: Well I have to get to practice...
Ally: [Wiping her eyes] Yeah, I have chemistry work to do.
Jamie: Well I'll be calling again soon if that's alright.
Ally: Of course.
Jamie: Alright bye.
Ally: Bye.

Both girls hang up. Jamie pulls her legs up to her chest and just sits for a moment. Ally stares at the phone for a moment. Then at the same time Ally reaches for her chemistry book and begins doing her home work while Jamie grabs her sports bag and exits.

I like the piano.

A boy Vincent about 14 sits on a piano bench, his instructor sits in a chair beside the piano. Vincent plays part of Chopin piece, gets stuck and goes back, over and over again, while the Instructor watches carefully. Eventually Vincent flustered drops his hands to his sides.

Vincent: I practiced. I worked on this all week!
Instructor: I believe you.
Vincent: Why can't I get it?
Instructor: You can.
Vincent: It doesn't seem that way.
Instructor: You can. You just haven't yet.
Pause.
Vincent: I practiced...I don't know what is wrong with me...
Instructor: Nothing is wrong with you. Some times it just takes extra practice. This stuff isn't easy.
Vincent: [Almost to himself] I used to think I was pretty good at the piano.
Instructor: You are very good at the piano. Chopin is tough. [Vincent just sighs and stares at the keys of the piano] Listen Vincent, just because you aren't Beethoven, Mozart, or Chopin doesn't mean you aren't talented. Not musician is a prodigy; most people have to work hard to play how they do. Not to say the masters didn't work hard, but we can't all write symphonies before we hit double digits. Even the naturally talented still have to work. And some people don't even get it naturally. But that doesn't mean in any way that those people can't be talented musicians. It just means that they will work hard. And that they don't just like the piano; but they love it.

Vincent looks at the Instructor like he values her words and opinions. Like he trusts her.

Instructor: I want you to think about that when you go home. Think about what kind of musician you are, and if you like of love the piano. Because you can just go as you are and be a really good piano player, and people will be impressed. Or you can work very hard, and be a wonderful pianist that moves people.

You look like you just tasted something bad.

A 13ish year old girl stands in the bathroom brushing her teeth. She goes from side to side and in circles and brushes on the sides and in front. She spits and makes a face as she is about to put her tooth brush back on its rack. She happens to catch her face in the mirror, and stops. She tries to make it again but it isn't exactly the same. She drops her tooth brush in the rack and again makes the face perfecting it this time. She then leans on the sink thinking. She then straitens herself and makes another face. She continues with different faces adding in gestures and motions. She is enjoying herself. She adds objects from the bathroom to her poses and actions, all the while looking in the mirror and scrutinizing these faces and either approves of them or disapproves. When the latter happens the works on improving them until she has a different idea. Eventually she places all her bathroom props back in their places and calmly walks out the door turning off the light as she goes.

When would you suggest we do it? Come on every one is waiting on you.

A class room filled with 4th-ish grade students sit in their desks most looking at the teacher in the front writing a math problem on the board. The teacher having finished turns to the class.

Teacher: Who would like to try this next one on the board? [Some hands go up and some students say "me!"] Sarah, how about you. Here.

The teacher hands Sarah the chalk and she does a problem on the board. She then looks to the teacher for approval she knows she will get.

Teacher: Well what do you think class? Did she do it right? [They nod and say yes] Yes I'd say she did pretty well too. Good job Sarah you can sit down now. Who is next? [Again some hands are raised but the teacher looks at a boy David who sits in the middle of the class who slumps a little and has never raised his hand] David. David how about you come up and do the next one. [He stares back at her eyes wide] It isn't a really hard one. Come on. David?

He slowly gets up out of his chair and shuffles to the board. He begins to write the problem with many pauses in between every thing he writes. He finally finishes and glances at the teacher and then starts to quickly shuffle back but the teacher stops him.

Teacher: David, that part there is multiplication.

David quickly corrects his mistake and then quickly reclaims his seat and slumps downward and looks intently at the book on his desk.

You look tired. How did you sleep last night?

Mother in a kitchen. She is standing in front of the counter, her back to a bar with stools. It is earlier morning around 7. A little boy enters in his pajamas, he looks tired and a little pale. He sniffles. Mother glances at him briefly, then goes back to facing the counter and opens a cupboard pulling out a bowl.

Mother: Hey, Buddy, good morning.
Little Boy: [He croaks a little] Hi mommy.

Little Boy climbs up on to a stool and sits his chin in his hands. Mother opens another cupboard with cereal in it.

Mother: What kind do you want, hon?
Little Boy: [Somber and a little scratchy sounding] I don't know...

Mother turns around and looks at Little Boy carefully.

Mother: You're sick, aren't you? [Little Boy coughs] Mmm...[She walks over and sits on a stool next to him] How about...I make you pancakes? Would you like that? [Little Boy nods but doesn't smile] And...I could make soup. How about I stay home with you today and we make soup., and take a nap, and kick that sickness right out of you?

Little Boy smiles and nods. Mother gets up from the stool and kisses Little Boy on the forehead.

Here you go, Emmie Lou.

Mail boxes ona road. The mail person goes by putting mail in each one. After he/she has moved off, Alice about 18 walks quickly up her driveway to her mail box. Once she has reached her mail box, Sandra about 70 walks to her mail box as Alice frantically goes through her mail.

Sandra: Did it come?
Alice: Oh! You jumped me a little. [Finishing going through the mail a second time] No. The letter didn't come.
Sandra: [Taking out her mail and looking through it] Oh, don't worry, dear.

Pause. Alice puts her mail back into her mail box.

Alice: What if it doesn't come?
Sandra: You're a bright girl Al, they'd be crazy not to let you in. Of course it will come.
Alice: Yeah...
Sandra: [Looking up from her mail and at Alice] It will come, sweetie. Say it.
Alice: It will come.
Sandra: There now go back in the house and relax.
Alice: Okay...
Sandra: And make sure not to tackle the mail man tomorrow. You were better today, but I still worry for his safety.

Sandra winks and the two of them return to their houses.

Haha...you look cold.

It is late fall and a high school football game is going on. There are scattered people through out the bleachers but a Boy and a Girl sit next to each other on the bleacher closest to the ground watching. The boy more intently than the girl but they are both interested. the Girl is shivering some.

Boy: Did you see that pass?!
Girl: Mmhmm, Danny has always been a great player.
Pause as they both watch the game and the Girl begins shivering a little more.
Boy: You cold?
Girl: Oh, not much really.
Boy: Cause you could wear my...Girl looks hopeful but Boy trails off as something interesting happens in the game. Girl shrugs and looks back out at the game, still shivering.
Girl: Wow! This is awesome we might actually have a chance at this game!
Boy: I know it's so gre...[looking over at Girl] you look like you're frozen!
Girl: Well I...
Boy: [taking of his sweatshirt and handing it to her] Here.
Girl: Thanks.

Boy goes back to watching the game as Girl pulls the sweatshirt over her head. Once it is on she pulls the neck up to her nose and takes a deep breath in and resettles the sweatshirt smiling and returns to watching the game.

You're just returning?

A man sits in a black leather recliner in a sparingly but well decorated living room. He is reclined partially but not relaxing, he twiddles his fingers, glances at a book and at the clock. After a time a noise is heard out side the door, he sits up right and waits, but nothing happens. He leans back again. After some time of agitation he begins to dose off. Another noise outside the door is heard and he darts up. A scratch of a key in the lock is heard and he attempts to relax himself and look uninterested. The door opens and a woman dressed in heels a dress and make-up comes in. He looks hopefully at her and she gives him a half-hearted smile before digging through her purse as she walks into another room. The man's face drops and he falls back into his chair and rubs his face with his hands.

You look cold.

Two boys Mathew about 7 and James about 11 stand outside bundled up against the cold waiting at a bus stop for the school bus backpacks on. Some time elapses.

Mathew: I'm cold.
Pause.
Mathew: I'm cold.
James: I know.
Pause.
Mathew: How long have we been waiting for?
James: I don't know.
Mathew: Have we been waiting for 15 minutes?
James: I don't think so.
Pause.
Mathew: Do you think we missed it?
James: No.
Pause.
Mathew: How do you know?
James: How do I know what?
Mathew: That we didn't miss it.
James: Because we left on time.
Pause.
Mathew: James?
James: Hmm?
Mathew: Umm...I have to pee.
James: Mathew I told you before we left...
Mathew: I know but I have to go. Please take me, James.
James:[Taking his mittened hand] Come on, hurry up.

James and Mathew run up the road as fast as their boots will let them and the get a ways up before they hear the bus go by James whirls right around, but Mathew takes a few more steps before turning.

James: Oh man! Arg..
Pause.
Mathew: I guess we missed it.

Emily, the phone is for you.

People in a living room talking and eating, balloons are around and in an adjoining kitchen a mother bustles around a layered cake is on the table. A boy about eight comes from the living room to the kitchen and up to the mother who is looking for candles.

David: Mom can we start now?
Mother: David, we have to wait for your father.
David: When is he going to get here?
Mother: Any minute, sweetie.
Pause.
David: So we have to wait for him before I open any presents?
Mother: Yes. He should be here soon though, don't worry. Be patient. Do you want to help me with the candles?
David: Okay.
Mother: Here, now. Which color?

Mother holds out different colored candles and David looks them over. The phone rings. David jumps and skips toward it.

David: I got it! [He picks up the phone] Hello. Yup, that's my mom. Yup, one second. [Holding the phone out towards his mother] Its for you!

Mother comes over and takes the phone.

Mother: Hello? Yes, that's my husband. [Pause.] No. No, I don't think so, I think you made a mistake, my husband wouldn't have been going down that road. You must have the wrong name...yes that is my husband's name. Yes...

Mother hangs up the phone.

David: Mom are you okay?

Mother leans heavily on the wall, her voice is gruff and muffled a little. She doesn't look at David.

Mother: David, put your coat and shoes on we have to go...

Did you have a nice sleep on the couch?

Four girls about 12 years old, Mary, Pam, Sue, and Tina all huddle together on a couch. It's dark.

Mary: Come on guys we have to go to my room to sleep.
Pam: I'm not moving!
Mary: It was only a movie.
Sue: Yeah, come on Pam, I'm tired.
Tina: How can you be tired? I'm all jumpy now.
Pam: I'm with you. That was totally creepy!
Mary: But we have to get to my room.
Tina: I'll just sleep here...
Pam: And I'm staying with you.
Sue: You guys are ridiculous.
Mary: Okay, well are you ready, Sue?
Sue: Sure.
Mary and Sue start to get up Mary slower than Sue.
Pam: You're not going to just leave us are you?!
Sue: Oh, come on...
Pam: Seriously!
Mary: Well what do you want us to do?
Tina: Stay here and sleep with us on the couch.
Sue: You guys are so pathetic...do you never watch scary movies? [Mary sighs and climbs back on to the couch to Tina and Pam's delight] Mary, what are you doing?
Mary: Sleeping on the couch.
Sue: You're kidding.
Mary: Come on Sue, come back on.
Sue: There is no way we can all fit!
Tina: We'll all move over some.
Pam: And we can snuggle to keep safe.
Sue: Yeah because snuggling is really going to help. [Beginning to climb onto the couch] I can't believe I'm doing this.
Al the girls begin moving around settling themselves in to a comfortable squishy bunch, until they are all quiet. Pause. Sue lets out a yell. All the other girls scream and Sue laughs.
Pam: Sue, you are terrible.
Sue laughs and Mary turns on a lamp. Every one resettles and all is silent.

It's freezing! I wore my big coat, and I found gloves in the pocket!

Two girls stand ina school lobby beside big boxes with coats and a sign that says "Donate Coats To Help Those In Need This Winter". There is a line of people who are dropping off coats, the two girls show them which box to put them in judging by size and if it is for male or female.

Carla: We are getting so many coats donated! This is great.
Sarah: I know it seems like practically everyone in the school is getting into this stuff after all the different charities, community service and fundraisers that have been going on.
Carla: I know! And you've been involved in all of them haven't you?
Sarah: Yeah I have. I really like to see people help out, and I like to too.
Carla: Well it's working out great.
Sarah: Yeah, except for him. [Points to a boy with messy hair a very nice jacket and old shoes making his way through the line just to get by the people donating] He doesn't get into it at all. See? He just walked right past, didn't donate. He didn't with the canned goods either. Whatever. Some people just don't get it I guess, his jacket looks nice and expensive you'd think he could stand to donate.
Carla: [Seriously] That coat used to be my brothers. I donated it last year. Some people just don't have a coat to give. That's why we do this, Sarah.

I can finally play this song now. I practiced so you won't have to play them all this time!

BOY in soccer uniform runs up to a COACH standing on the edge of a field. Other players are about doing various things.

Boy: Coach! Coach, you can put me in today!
Coach: I don't think so, Ralph.
Boy: Coach I practiced real hard this week! You can put me in. I won't mess up. Please, Coach?
Coach: It's a play off game today.
Boy: I know that. I won't let you down I worked so hard! Please!
Coach: No, Ralph, we need this game.
Boy: But...

COACH sternly raises his hand and points to the bench looking hard at BOY. BOY walks toward the bench obediently but as his back turns to the COACH his face begins to contort a little in efforts not to show his emotions and disappointment.