Going Home by Julie Ufema
ACT I
Scene 1
The light comes up in a girl's bedroom. There are
seven teenage girls, JAMIE, KRISTEN, BETH, SUSAN,
JENNIFER, ELLEN and SOPHIA lying on the floor with
pillows and sleeping bags. ELLEN is sitting with a
laptop on her lap. The background is a simple
black curtain. A four paned window hangs,
suspended from the ceiling, just to the left of
them.
JENNIFER:
I knew she'd make it one day. Cindy is the most
talented person I know.
ELLEN:
(pointing at the computer screen)
How cool! She even has her own Wikipedia page!
SOPHIA:
Awe, anyone can make one of those.
ELLEN:
(sticking her tongue out at SOPHIA)
Jealous.
SOPHIA:
Am not!
ELLEN AND JENNIFER:
(together)
Are to!
JAMIE:
I still can't believe it. This is so exciting!
KRISTEN:
I can. Cindy's been singing since she was, well, born!
BETH:
Yeah! Her sister too. Talent definitely runs in that
family.
JAMIE:
I bet they make her brother a back up dancer!
BETH:
(laughing)
That'll be the day. That boy definitely missed the
rhythm gene in that family.
JENNIFER:
He sure can play ball though!
SUSAN:
He's adorable. Hope they don't pull him out of school
permanently!
ELLEN:
You don't think all three of them won't be coming back?
SOPHIA:
Well the school year is almost over anyway.
JAMIE:
Hey! Now maybe one of us will actually have a chance of
winning the talent show this year.
BETH:
Ooh! Yeah. (singing poorly, arms outstretched) Maybe
it's myyyyy turn to be a staaaaaar!!!!
JAMIE:
Or maybe not.
BETH hits JAMIE with a pillow. SUSAN and KRISTEN
laugh and shake their heads. KRISTEN's cellphone
rings.
KRISTEN:
(excited)
It's Cindy!
JAMIE, BETH, JENNIFER, SOPHIA, ELLEN and SUSAN
squeal and giggle excitedly.
KRISTEN:
(cont.)
I wonder where she is???
JAMIE, BETH, SOPHIA, JENNIFER, ELLEN and SUSAN wonder.
Phone Rings.
KRISTEN:
(cont.)
I wonder if she's home???
JAMIE, BETH, SOPHIA, JENNIFER, ELLEN and SUSAN wonder.
Phone Rings.
KRISTEN:
(cont.)
I wonder what she wants???
Phone Rings.
JAMIE, BETH, SUSAN, JENNIFER, ELLEN, SOPHIA:
(simultaneously)
Then answer it!
KRISTEN:
All right, all right! (answering her cell phone) Cindy?
Is that really you? (pause) Wait, wait. Hang on. I'm
putting you on speaker. (puts the cellphone on speaker)
Oh, I can't believe it's you!
The lights come up on CINDY, a teenage girl,
standing just outside the window next to the
bedroom. She has large earphones hanging around
her neck.
CINDY:
Well of course it's me. I called you from my cellphone didn't I?
KRISTEN:
(dramatically)
Well, you never know. It might have been one of your
people, calling my people.
CINDY:
(to KRISTEN)
Oh please. You don't have any people.
JAMIE:
(pointing and laughing at KRISTEN)
Ha! True story.
KRISTEN hits JAMIE with a pillow.
KRISTEN:
Soooo??? Tell us everything. Where are you? What are
you doing? Have you met anyone famous yet???
CINDY:
I'm just singing, as always. I called to find out what
YOU guys are doing. What's going on at home??? Gimmie
the scoop (excited) and don't leave anything out.
JAMIE:
Ah, you know this place. Same ole, same ole. Although,
Hell must have frozen over just after you left cause
Susan was the first one of us to get asked to prom.
SUSAN:
(hitting JAMIE with a pillow)
Ah shut it Jamie.
CINDY:
That's awesome Susan! Who's the lucky guy? Anyone I
know?
SUSAN:
He's actually the son of my mom's best friend's
organist at her church.
CINDY:
Oh good Lord.
BETH:
Ha!
SUSAN:
(coyly)
But, ah, if your brother Jason still needs a date, I'd
be happy to change my plans.
CINDY:
Oh brother!
BETH:
Double Ha!
CINDY:
Speaking of prom…
JAMIE:
(jumping in)
Nope! He still hasn't asked anybody.
CINDY:
(feigning confusion)
He? He who?
KRISTEN:
Oh please! You haven't been gone that long. We still
know you better than anyone. Bryson McNeer, that's who.
CINDY:
(coyly)
Well… since you brought it up…
KRISTEN:
He's def going to be prom King so he better find a
date, and fast.
JENNIFER:
I heard he was going with Patricia Colby.
ELLEN:
I heard he was talking to Jenny Gilbert.
SOPHIA:
I heard he was talking to Holly Conway.
JAMIE:
(excited)
Well I saw him last weekend at the Donut Hut with
Marybeth Peters. They were sharing a chili dog!
SUSAN:
A chili dog? At the Donut Hut? Seriously, get your
story straight. I heard he's been studying with Robin
Baker!
BETH:
She tutors students taking the SAT's you guys. It's not
that scandalous.
JAMIE:
Oh. (making air quotes) Tutoring. So that's what
they're calling it these days.
CINDY:
(looking sad)
Oh.
BETH:
(whispering to the three girls)
Way to bum her out you guys. (cautiously optimistic)
Cindy there's still plenty of time. He could be
planning some epic way to ask you right now.
CINDY:
I doubt it. I haven't heard from Bryson since I left.
And I can't blame him. Who knows when I'll ever see him
again. Or you guys for that matter…
JAMIE, KRISTEN and SUSAN look sad and mumble under
their breath about how crappy the situation is.
BETH:
Don't be so dramatic! You said you'd be home for prom
even if you had to go alone. You promised!
CINDY.
Yes I did. (perking up a bit) And a promise is a
promise. I'll be there even if I have to be the (doing
the math) 9th wheel.
EVERYONE looks happy and hopeful.
A voice breaks the mood from off in the distance.
It's LAURA, Cindy's Manager and mother.
LAURA:
(Off stage)
Cindy! I said a FIVE minute break! Where are you???
CINDY:
(Yells at LAURA off stage)
Coming!!! (Back into her cell phone.) Uuugh. I gotta
go. Miss you like crazy.
KRISTEN:
Miss you too girl.
JENNIFER:
Can't wait to see you!
SOPHIA:
See ya soon
ELLEN:
We'll tell you if we hear anything!
BETH:
Love you.
SUSAN:
Say hi to Jason for me!
JAMIE:
Oh brother!
The lights go black.
Scene 2
A recording studio. Three microphones stand in a
row. The background is a simple black curtain. A
spotlight lights the scene. The lights come up on
a woman, LAURA PORTER, as she enters from stage
right. LAURA is about 40 and talking on a
cellphone.
LAURA:
(into the phone)
Of course we'll be there! Yes, yes. I checked their
schedule and we, they, just happen to be available that
night.