On The Line

On The Line

ACT 1

SCENE 1: At the front of the stage stand six actors; from right to left; PAUL, he is a puny and smart looking young man; he is in his late teens, however under his nerdy exterior is a kind soul who just wants love; KATIE, a rather large seductively dressed girl, and a ferocious liar - she tries her best to fit in, but it never seems to work; DAN, who is a party animal, and a star athlete. He uses girlfriends like tissues and is also ADRIANNE's younger brother; ADRIANNE is the average cheerleader, she goes to parties, thinks every love will last forever, and is all about making new friends; CURT, who is a person who often goes under false names and likes to mess with people, although, by his actions, you would not know that he is actually a very kind person; and DAVID, a good looking openly gay guy who just wants someone to talk to. They are all standing in their own individual spotlight looking straight ahead.

KATIE AND PAUL: We all tell lies.
DAN AND ADRIANNE: We all hide who we are.
CURT AND DAVID: We all want to hurt others.
EVERYONE: We are all on the line. (They all bow their heads and the spotlights on all of them fade. The light above KATIE turns on and she looks to her right at PAUL.)
KATIE: Hello? (The light above PAUL turns on and he looks at KATIE)
PAUL: Hey, who's this?
KATIE: Katie, and who's this?
PAUL: Paul, do I know you?
KATIE: Do you go to Northridge?
PAUL: No, Brookdale.
KATIE: Then I don't think so.
PAUL: Oh ok, so what's up?
KATIE: Nothin' much, you?
PAUL: Same. (there is an awkward pause) I just finished working out, though.
KATIE: Oh? What do you look like?
PAUL: Oh, uh... Like, six feet tall and lots of muscles, you?
KATIE: that's hot; I'm about five and a half feet, pretty skinny.
PAUL: Wow, that's cool; do you have a picture or anything?
KATIE: No, do you?
PAUL: Yeah, hold on. (PAUL steps out of the spot light and a very attractive male with no shirt on, and muscles all over walks into the spotlight, he winks at KATIE, and walks away. PAUL walks back into the spotlight.) So... what did ya think?
KATIE: You're really hot!
PAUL: Thanks
KATIE: I... just broke up with my boyfriend.
PAUL: Really?
KATIE: Yeah, he got jealous because other guys kept looking at me.
PAUL: If you're as hot as I think you are, how could he blame them?
KATIE: Totally! So, are you taken?
PAUL: Nah, I haven't found the right girl yet.
KATIE: oh...
PAUL: Yeah... but that doesn't mean I'm not looking. (PAUL Winks at KATIE)
KATIE: Well, are you doing anything this Sunday?
PAUL: I don't think so, why?
KATIE: Wanna meet up at the park?
PAUL: Sure, how about noon-ish?
KATIE: See ya then. (The light over PAUL and KATIE fades away and they bow their heads. The light over DAN lights up and he looks over at ADRIANNE.)
DAN: Hey, who is this? (The light over ADRIANNE lights up)
ADRIANNE: Uh... someone, who is this?
DAN: I asked first.
ADRIANNE: ok, uhm, I'm Adrianne. Who are you?
DAN: That's a hot name.
ADRIANNE: Well, what's yours?
DAN: I don't really tell people online.
ADRIANNE: fair enough, I guess.
DAN: Wait, were you at Kelly's party last weekend?
ADRIANNE: Yeah, who wasn't!?
DAN: Oh, ok. I think I know who you are.
ADRIANNE: Really? Well, who are you?
DAN: Remember that guy you made out with?
ADRIANNE: Oh so that's you? Why haven't you called?
DAN: You never gave me your number.
ADRIANNE: Yeah, I did.
DAN: Serious? I must have lost it.
ADRIANNE: Hey, we should see each other again.
DAN: Maybe we could see more of each other than last time?
ADRIANNE: (Chuckles) I don't see why not.
DAN: So when do you want to hook up?
ADRIANNE: I dunno, how about Friday?
DAN: That's no good for me, I have a football game.
ADRIANNE: Really? Cool, my brother's on the football team too... But I bet he's not as good as you.
DAN: Well, I am basically the whole team.
ADRIANNE: Wow...
DAN: So, how about Saturday?
ADRIANNE: No good.
DAN: why?
ADRIANNE: Dance Practice.
DAN: Sounds fun, but I guess we'll have to wait till Sunday.
ADRIANNE: I guess so.
DAN: Where do you want to meet up at?
ADRIANNE: How about the park?
DAN: Sure, about Six, then?
ADRIANNE: Can't wait! (She blows DAN a kiss, then the lights over each of them fades. They bow their heads and the light CURT lights up. CURT looks at DAVID and puts on an evil grin)
CURT: Hey, David?
DAVID: What do you want, Curt? Let me guess, you're gonna make fun of me again?
CURT: No, in fact I wanted to apologize.
DAVID: Wait... are you serious?!
CURT: Yeah, all this time I've been harassing you for being gay, and I think it's because I might be gay.
DAVID: You?! Mister Macho?
CURT: Yeah, I can't explain it, I just know it.
DAVID: Well, when did you first feel this way?
CURT: When you came out to me.
DAVID: But you hit me and called me a fag.
CURT: I was just denying my own feelings for you.
DAVID: For me!? (CURT nods) Wow, this is a bombshell.
CURT: Sorry if it shocked you.
DAVID: No it's nice. ...You know, to have an old friend back.
CURT: What if I don't want to just be friends?
DAVID: Uh...
CURT: I mean you are pretty cute.
DAVID: Ok, I need to know, are you being serious now?
CURT: Dead serious.
DAVID: Ok, well who else have you told?
CURT: Just you.
DAVID: That's kind of sweet.
CURT: So how have you been, still with Greg?
DAVID: No... he had to move...
CURT: That sucks... so you're single now?
DAVID: More or less...
CURT: Cool...
DAVID: Yep... (There is an awkward pause) you seeing anyone?
CURT: Not yet.
DAVID: You should... explore the new open you.
CURT: Maybe... that is, if I found the right guy.
DAVID: Hey, I've got to cut this short. I have work in an hour.
CURT: Well before you go, do you want to do something this weekend?
DAVID: I'd love to.
CURT: How about Sunday?
DAVID: It's a date.
CURT: Kay.
DAVID: Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go.
CURT: See ya soon.
DAVID: Bye. (The light above DAVID fades, and he bows his head.)
CURT: Oh wow, what a fag. (The light above CURT fades and he bows his head.

CURTAIN


ACT 1

SCENE 2: The stage is now decorated with a bench and lamppost, KATIE is sitting down on the bench looking around for her date, PAUL. PAUL walks into the park and sits next to KATIE unaware she is the one he is looking for. The lighting should indicate it is about noon.

KATIE: Waiting on someone?
PAUL: Yeah, a girl... about five and a half; skinny. You know; attractive. Have you seen any?
KATIE: I've been the only one in the park all day.
PAUL: I guess not, then...
KATIE: (mumbling) C'mon Paul, when are you going to be here...?
PAUL: Did you just say my name?
KATIE: ...Paul?
PAUL: Katie!?
KATIE: Wait... was that you in your picture!?
PAUL: Uhh...
KATIE: You-... you liar!
PAUL: Well, you're not exactly what you said, either.
KATIE: At least I didn't steal someone else's identity!
PAUL: You still lied. (pause)
KATIE: So I cancelled my other plans to see a liar. Great.
PAUL: You?! What about me?
KATIE: Hah. What did you have planned today?
PAUL: Well, I could have planned something if you hadn't lied to me!
KATIE: Here we go again... (Pause)
PAUL: (chuckles)
KATIE: What?
PAUL: I just can't believe you thought that was me.
KATIE: Well, I'm sorry. I guess I just wanted to find someone to love.
PAUL: Tell me about it.
KATIE: I mean when you look like this you aren't exactly everyone's first choice.
PAUL: Come on, you're not... too ugly.
KATIE: Thanks.
PAUL: this might be out of line, but would you like to get something for lunch?
KATIE: Sure, I'd like that. (The two walk off stage holding hands and smiling, the lights along with the lamppost change to show a more evening setting. DAN walks into the park looks around and sighs. He takes a seat on the bench and waits. ADRIANNE doesn't keep him waiting long; she comes in very provocatively dressed and seems surprised to see her brother.)
ADRIANNE: Dan!?
DAN: Adrianne!?
ADRIANNE: Wait, what the hell is going on here?
DAN: So you...
ADRIANNE: You mean you were...
DAN: Oh my god!
ADRIANNE: We can not tell mom about this.
DAN: at least I agree with you there. (ADRIANNE sits next to DAN; there is a long awkward pause)
ADRIANNE: So you're the entire football team?
DAN: Oh and who was this guy at Kelly's party.
ADRIANNE: Look, it was a mistake; I thought it was going somewhere.
DAN: So he never called? (ADRIANNE shakes her head.) That sucks.
ADRIANNE: What about that girl from the party? Never worked out?
DAN: Not really. It was just a one night thing.
ADRIANNE: Have you talked to her since then?
DAN: I thought I was... (They both share a chuckle)
ADRIANNE: Well, it's getting late.
DAN: Yeah.
ADRIANNE: Hey, wanna get some hamburgers or something? My treat.
DAN: Sure, Mom isn't expecting either of us for a while.
ADRIANNE: What're we going to tell her?
DAN: How about, both our dates stood us up, and on our way home we saw each other and decided to get some food.
ADRIANNE: Ok, (ADRIANNE stands up and helps DAN get up) lets go then. (They walk off stage, the lights dim to show it is now quite late, the lamppost is where most of the light comes from. DAVID walks on stage and sits down, soon after CURT comes on stage)
DAVID: Curt! (DAVID stands up and walks towards CURT) I wasn't sure you'd come. (DAVID gets to CURT and goes to hug him but is met with CURT shoving him on the ground)
CURT: Ew, don't touch me you queer.
DAVID: What?
CURT: You heard me, keep your gay to yourself.
DAVID: But you-
CURT: But I what? Tricked you? That's what I'd expect from a queer. (DAVID stands up but is pushed right back down) No, you'll stay on the ground.
DAVID: So... so everything was a lie?
CURT: You betcha.
DAVID: Wow, that just hurts, man.
CURT: Oh, what, are you gonna cry, now?
DAVID: No, I just want to know why you did it. We used to be such good friends.
CURT: Then you turned all gay.
DAVID: No, I admitted I was gay.
CURT: Same thing.
DAVID: Why does it matter?
CURT: I didn't want everyone to think we where making out or anything.
DAVID: Why?
CURT: 'cause I'm not gay.
DAVID: You acted like it.
CURT: And you used to act straight.
DAVID: Touché... But that still doesn't explain why you had to lie to me just to try and hurt me.
CURT: Because I'm sick of you.
DAVID: Were you ever my friend?
CURT: Look, we had a friendship based on lies.
DAVID: If you had brown hair would you want people to treat you different?
CURT: That's a stupid question.
DAVID: Why?!
CURT: Because being gay is different than having a hair color. With hair you can shave it, dye it and change it.
DAVID: No, you can try. But you will always have brown hair!
CURT: Whatever, just shut up and take your beating!
DAVID: And what will beating me do!?
CURT: Hopefully, beat the gay out of you so we can be friends again.
DAVID: You can still be my friend, without beating me!
CURT: No dude, it's over.
DAVID: ...It certainly is. (CURT stands over DAVID as if about to beat him, CURT hesitates and freezes until the curtain falls)

CURTAIN