7-11 with Joe and Kim Day 4/31

7-11

by Michelle Lane

                                                            JOE and KIM sit out side a 7-11

                                                            JOE

So they told you no.

                                                            KIM

I’ve gotten them from here before.

                                                            JOE

I don’t believe that.

                                                            KIM

Oh yeah?

                                                            JOE

Yeah.

                                                            KIM

Well you’re wrong.

JOE pulls out a pack of cigarettes. There is only 2 left. KIM holds out her hand, expecting a cigarette.

Joe pulls one out and puts the pack away.

KIM

Jackass.

                                                            JOE

You told me you could get me more. I’m not supporting you without some compensation.

                                                            KIM

Whatever dick.

                                                            JOE

Well my place is closed. You were supposed to “hook me up.”

                                                            KIM

I’m aware Joe.

JOE takes a drag, then passes it off to KIM who also takes a drag. They sit like this for a bit.

JOE

Wish cigarettes were like condoms.

                                                            KIM

What?

                                                            JOE

You know. Out in the open and shit. They got them all locked up behind them. Why can’t they be like condoms or chips or something, where I can easily jack them?

                                                            KIM

Cause then no one would buy their packs.

                                                            JOE

Does anyone buy their chips?  Chips are out, but people buy them. Only some packs would be out for kids like me who can’t afford this habit.

                                                            KIM

If you can’t afford it why continue?

                                                            JOE

Cause it takes the edge off and shit. I don’t know.

                                                            JOE takes a thoughtful drag on his cigarette.

We should rob this place.

                                                            KIM

You wouldn’t dare.

                                                            JOE

You wanna try me?

                                                            KIM

Do it.

                                                            JOE

Nah, you got to come with me.

                                                            KIM

I’m not doing that stupid shit. You can get your ass arrested.

                                                            JOE

Every hero needs a sidekick. You can be my Wonder Woman.

                                                            KIM

She wasn’t even a sidekick.

                                                            JOE

My Robin then.

                                                            KIM

Alright whatever, but I’m running when I get the chance.

                                                            JOE and KIM walk into the store. We see them walk around the store. They’re inside though, so you can’t hear anything.

They make one lap around the isles. Then JOE gives off some sort of signal to KIM, both walk to the counter. JOE grabs the store attendant by the collar and makes a fist, acting real tough-guy-ish. KIM stands idly by trying her best to look like a bad-ass sexy sidekick.

The attendant pulls a gun out and points towards the both of them. They back off and run back outside.

KIM

Smooth idiot.

                                                            JOE

How in the hell should I’ve known he had a gun!

                                                            KIM

Should never have gone in with you.

                                                            JOE

Yet you did

                                                            KIM

Whatever dick.

JOE pulls out his last cigarette, lights it and shares it with KIM.  

LIGHTS OUT.

                                                           

                                                            

So About Mom--Day 3/31

So about Mom.

By Michelle Lane

KATHLEEN and MARY sit at a kitchen table drinking coffee neither talks for a few moments.

KATHLEEN

So I found a new cake recipe last night. I thought about using it for Henry’s birthday party. Does he like red velvet?

                                                            MARY

I have no idea Kathleen.

                                                            KATHLEEN

Well he is your son…

                                                            MARY

Kathleen.

                                                            KATHLEEN

I just thought as a mom.

                                                            MARY

Do not bring up mom. Don’t even say that word.

                                                            KATHLEEN

That’s a bit harsh Mary.

                                                            MARY

And you’re not? Kathleen, I can’t believe you would suggest that.

                                                            KATHLEEN

Mary, damn it. You see her once every two weeks. I am with her day in and day out. You have no idea what it’s like.

                                                            MARY

There’s nothing even wrong with her Kathleen!

                                                            KATHLEEN

Every morning she forgets where she is. She forgets that dad died. She doesn’t remember that she lives with me. Asks me where you are and when we’re leaving for Maine. She asks me questions about Rick.  And every damn day I’m the one who has to remind her.

                                                            MARY

She’s old, of course she forgets things.

                                                            KATHLEEN

Then she starts getting crabby. Then she gets sad.

                                                            MARY

Mom is fine Kathleen!

                                                            KATHLEEN

She’s depressed!

                                                            MARY

She was fine today!

                                                            KATHLEEN

And what about tomorrow Mary? What about two weeks from now? A month? A year?

                                                            MARY

That’s it. She’s living with me from now on.

                                                            KATHLEEN

You? With the kids? And Shawn? And the dog?

                                                            MARY

It’ll be fine. She’ll be better with me.

                                                            KATHLEEN

It won’t change anything!

                                                            MARY

I’m not killing off my mother Kathleen! She is our mom, our family, the only thing I have left! She might be depressed but I’m not having her take some be-all-end-all pill! She will be fine! She has to be fine! And even if she’s not, we will not, I repeat NOT putting her down like she’s some DOG.

                                                            KATHLEEN

She wants it Mary. She wants to die.

                                                            MARY

Then she can tell me that, because I wont believe some mother-killer like you!

MARY stands and walks off stage to their mother’s room.

KATHLEEN

Let her rest Mary damnit.

MARY

Mom, I know you’re asleep, but this is something very important…Mom? Mom wake up. Mom…

                                                            MARY re-enters the kitchen

Is she still on that sleeping pill?

                                                            KATHLEEN

No.

                                                            MARY

She isn’t getting up.

KATHLEEN remains at the table drinking her coffee while lights fade on MARY running back and forth from the rooms, on her phone, panicking.

31 Plays 31 Days--Day 2 34 Miles

This is an idea that I've been tossing around for awhile. Its crap right now, but I'm definitely looking into re-writes. I like the source of conflict and would like to play with it more. 

31 Plays 31 Days day 1 post- Shopping Cart

Here is my first play for 31 Days 31 Plays! All comments are welcome.

Shopping Cart By Michelle Lane

A WOMAN and her CHILD stand in a grocery store isle. The CHILD stands or sits on the floor picking at something on the ground—chilling, as small children tend to do. The WOMAN compares products further away from the cart.

The WOMAN picks her product, and walks back towards the cart, and notices the CHILD on the ground.

WOMAN

Oh no sweetie. We don’t play on floors. They’re dirty.

She picks up the CHILD and puts him in the shopping cart. They begin to walk down the isle. The CHILDbegins to cry.

WOMAN (over the sound of the child)

Shh…Shh…It’s okay. It’s okay sweetie. We’re almost done alright? Alright? Just stay quiet for mommy for a few more minutes okay? Okay? Shh..Shh Its fine.

CHILD continues to cry, WOMAN tries to calm him down.

An OLD MAN begins walking down the isle toward the mom and her still screaming child.

OLD MAN

You should try a teething ring. Had three of my own, the only thing to get them quiet was something in their mouths!

                                                            WOMAN

Oh he’s too old for binkies and things like that.

                                                            OLD MAN

Oh no! He’s fine! Mine held onto theirs for almost 4 years! Each! Keep ‘em quiet ‘swhat I always say.

                                                            WOMAN

Well thank you for the advice. Maybe I’ll try to pick one up while I’m here.

                                                            OLD MAN

Oh sure sure! Any time young lady.

The child noticing the old man now begins to coo and point and try to reach the old man.

OLD MAN

Hey there little guy.

                                                            Child keeps wiggling and reaching for the man.

Oh? What do you want? Yeah? Yeah? Would you mind dearie?

                                                            WOMAN

I’ve never seen him like someone so fast.

Would you mind just keeping your eye on him while I run to the next isle?

                                                            OLD MAN

Oh sure sure! Come here little guy, come to Old Joey.

                                                            WOMAN

I’ll be right back sweetie.

WOMAN walks towards the next isle, leaving the OLD MAN completely alone with the CHILD.

The CHILD then begins to coo and reach towards things around him. He reaches for a wine bottle, a glass jar, anything fragile, which the OLD MAN laughs at and quickly pulls him away from. A bottle cracks on the floor. The OLD MAN and CHILD look down, the CHILD laughs, points at the bottle, and then points at another.

OLD MAN

Oh you like breaking things don’t you? Your mommy wont be too happy little guy.

                                                            WOMAN returns from around the corner.

                                                            WOMAN

Did he do that? Jesus. Damn it Justin. Would you mind staying here while I look for the manager?

                                                            OLD MAN

Sure sure. He just knocked into it, I’m sure it’ll be okay.

                                                            WOMAN

We hope right? What did I say Justin? No touchy! No touchy!

At the WOMAN’s approach, the child starts crying, harder this time.  The OLD MAN easily calms him.

OLD MAN

Why don’t you see about that manager, I got him here.

                                                            WOMAN

Right. Yes. I’ll be right back.

The CHILD calms down as the WOMAN turns the corner. He reaches again for a bottle. The OLD MAN watches as he breaks another. Then another. Soon the OLD MAN is laughing and breaking bottles alongside the CHILD. The CHILD breaks a final bottle, points at it, and then points towards where his mother exited. The OLD MAN nods in some sort of understanding.

WOMAN turns the same corner.

WOMAN

Apparently he’s on his…woah. Did he do all that too?? Whatever it doesn’t matter. Shouldn’t have that stuff so high up anyway. The manager’s on his way. Had to fix a fridge or something. He’ll be here soon. Thanks so much for watching him. He seems to love you.

                                                            OLD MAN

Oh Sure. Sure. Not a problem. Cute kid.

                                                            WOMAN

Thanks. Well it was nice speaking to you.

                                                           

                                                            OLD MAN

Likewise

WOMAN takes her CHILD back and places him in her cart. The OLD MAN picks up a bottle and walks behind her. He slams the bottle on her head. She collapses, and the OLD MAN picks up the CHILD. They quickly leave the store.

The MANAGER turns the corner and lays eyes on the scene.

THE END. 

10-14

Monday- read Alexis's 1st draft 

Tuesday-gave Alexis comments on first draft (on drive)

Wednesday- read 2nd draft gave comments (on drive)

This past week

Monday- started working on my study guide for finals. which also means reading some plays that I missed, like Angels in America. I read up to scene 3, my first impression is how fast everything seems to move. No one talks about a topic for more then a few lines, and in Roy and Joe's case, there is an entire 2+ pages before roughly 5 lines of dialogue about Roy asking Joe about Washington. Even what seems important is neatly hidden away into the text. And right now I'm curious to see how the Rabbi and religion will play into the play, right now you can see Christian and Jewish over tones

Tuesday- Made some corrections and notes on Alexis's thesis. You can see them on the google doc. This is also the link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mkRu9OKE0IUv1lf2auTPDLP2Ivq6aHSNinnw8tvczAw/edit
You have to look back in revision history just to see some notes because I was on my phone at the time, but they are there!

Wednesday- read Marjorie's play that I will be working on over the summer and made some director notes and stuff (my printer is being annoying and I cant SCAN them, also you know its 11:42. I'm a senior I'm done lying. I forgot about journals, pictures of the work I did coming here tomorrow to prove I did something.) Right now my main concern is casting. Margie is using this as a role for herself which is all well and good, but I dont see her as the character she's writing for. But thats subject to change since the script is an early revision. Secondly, I dont understand what happens yet, its a lot of people yelling at each other over some girl's apparent death, hopefully this gets cleaned up in the next draft. Thirdly, its a play right now. Which means I get to translate this into a screen play to help the cinematographers. I think it would help visually clear up what is happening also the sequence of events could change just to make things more interesting. I would love to sit down with margie and work it together.

Thursday- stayed after school for a film meeting with Margie, Rowen, Ashley, and Hayley. Not sure if that counts as a journal but I think it should. I will forward the report to prove we accomplished some stuff.

Friday- more Angels in America reading.
Read up to Scene 5. Again with how quick topics can change. Joe talks to Harper for a few lines before the scene changes again to Prior and Louis, talking about something seemingly insignificant, his grandmother passes away (which should be significant!!!) to Prior having KS which means AIDS and he blows it off easily., then Louis even doesnt have the reaction I'd expect. Everyone seems so unfazed by their surroundings. Then Harper and Joe discuss them moving to Washington, and again, they talk for a line or two then out of no where, TOPIC CHANGE. Harper doesnt want to leave yet, whats funny is how quickly she decides. If you know you know, but its a split second after she decides to think about her decision.

This weel (4/2-4/5)

Monday- no school (HUZZAH)

Tuesday- went to Barnes and Noble and explored their (very small) Performing Arts section. Now after geeking over Wicked and such, I started pulling any 10 minute play books I could find, most were slightly older and some were like rehearsal scenes/audition scenes just taken from plays. Like duh, I could do a scene from Twelfth Night, but I'm not going to B&N, cause thats silly. Finally I found a book called "20 10-minute plays (Volume 3) For teens by teens." At least its age appropriate.

Wednesday- Skimmed through all 20 plays, actually read about 10, Chose about 3 as possibilities, chose 1 as an actual contender. Then I went back to look at my list of plays on the google doc, and re-read those. Eliminated 2, and now I have 2 contenders, 1 1M 1F, and 1 2F. Covering all my bases.

Thursday- called Ohio about my waitlisted Talent Scholarship (they told me to keep waiting). Called them again to discuss my mom's change in job status. Filled out that form with my mom. Hopefully they give me more money. Then called BU and asked about my financial package (spoiler alert, it came on Friday) and if there were scholarships that had to be applied for to receive  They said no unless i'm going into pre-med or something else equally as not theatre-y as pre-med.

Friday-Apothicary Trip yay!