• The Stars
    Azgalath

    Scene I
    Curtain rises to reveal a dark stage. The sound of a phone ringing is heard, and then a click as it is answered.
    Rebecca. (Answering phone) Hello?
    Jake. Hey Becca, it’s Jake.
    Rebecca. (Laughing) I recognize your voice by now. What’s up?
    Jake. Well it’s been kind of a boring summer, and we haven’t really hung out in a while, and I was wondering what you were-
    Rebecca. Of course you can come over. How many times do I have to tell you? You don’t have to call, just head on over.
    Jake. (Laughing also) I don’t want to seem rude. I’ll see you tomorrow then?
    Rebecca. Yeah, see you tomorrow.
    Right stage is lit to reveal Jake’s room. He is sitting at a desk at upstage right in a wheeled chair. There are some books and a phone sitting on the desk. Down stage of him is a bed, with Aaron sprawled out across it reading a book. As soon as Jake hangs up the phone Aaron looks up.
    Aaron. So you’re hanging out with Becca tomorrow? How long has it been since you last saw her? A month?
    Jake. Yeah, she’s been kind of busy. I didn’t have a chance to see her, so I guess I’ll go over tomorrow. (Slight Pause) Unless something comes up.
    Aaron. (Sitting up) Rabid dogs couldn’t drag you away from Becca, I know you. So are you gonna tell her tomorrow?
    Jake. (Feigning innocence) Tell her what?
    Aaron. (Imitating Jake) Tell her what? (Normally) Tell her how you feel you idiot. I know you’ve been meaning to all summer, and it’s not like you got much time left. We start school in two weeks, once the year starts you know all the guys are gonna be begging for her.
    Jake. (Sadly) I know. (Thinking) But I don’t think I really need to tell her quite yet.
    Aaron. (Shrugs) Whatever man, your loss.
    Jake just laughs quietly and leans back in his chair obviously lost in thought. Aaron goes back into his book and continues to read. Each does their own thing for a couple minutes, Aaron reading while Jake absentmindedly flips through the books on the desks or twirles a pencil in his hands. Finally Aaron looks up.
    Aaron. This is boring, let’s go for a walk. (He jumps off the bed)
    Jake. So soon? The sun hasn’t even started going down yet.
    Aaron. I can’t stand being in the same room as you when all you do is just sit there and think of her. You need to get out more. C’mon, we’re leaving now.
    Jake reluctantly gets up and follows Aaron off stage right, the lights over the room dim and the lights over center stage brighten.

    Scene II
    Lights brighten over center stage to reveal the front half a car under some trees. The stage is dim to give the effect that it is night time. Both Aaron and Jake walk on to center stage from stage right. Aaron runs ahead to the car and sits on the hood. He immediately lies down and looks up at the sky.Aaron. Isn’t amazing how different this place looks at night time? It seems to have the feel of some sort of fantasy setting or something.
    Jake grins and sits next to Aaron on the hood of the car.
    Jake. Yeah, I’m glad we found it (pauses) it’s a good place to clear your mind. (He lies down)
    Aaron. Still thinking about Becca?
    Jake. How can I not? I mean (thinks over his next words carefully) she’s always on my mind. It’s like even when I’m trying not to think about her she just-
    Aaron. (Cutting off Jake) You need to tell her this. Promise me you’ll tell her tomorrow? I hate seeing you like this man, you just seem so confused. How long have you felt this way?
    Jake. Ever since I first met her.
    Aaron. You should have told her a long time ago then.
    They both sit in silence staring at the stars.
    Aaron. It’s nice to look up and see them, isn’t it? The stars I mean. It gives you perspective on life in a way. You feel so small, but not in a bad way.
    Jake nods. They both continue to stare up at the stars.
    Jake. I’ll tell her.
    Aaron. Good.
    The lights dim

    Scene III
    Lights up over left stage, Rebecca’s room. It has little in it, like Jake’s room, but it is extremely scattered and messy. On her desk are several papers along with a couple books and a picture of her and Jake. On the floor are several pairs of jeans, some shirts, and her backpack from last school year. Rebecca walks onstage left. She looks around at the room while running a hand through her hair, and then she tries to hurriedly clean it up. She shoves several items under her bed and some papers into the drawers in her desk, but before she can finish hiding the mess the doorbell rings. She takes one last look around the room, and then runs off stage to get the door. Moments later she walks back on stage with Jake following her.
    Jake. Your room’s a mess.
    Rebecca. You should have seen it five minutes before you walked in.
    Jake. (Laughing) It’s good to be home. (He bounds to her bed and lays down) So, tell me how things have been going in your life.
    Rebecca. Nothing much has changed really. (She sits next to Jake on the bed) I mean it’s only been about a month. Oh, I did meet a guy.
    Jake’s head pops up from the bed and stares at Rebecca.
    Jake. Really? When?
    Rebecca. (Laughing) When we didn’t talk for that month I was working at the high school. I met him there, he had to practice with the football team.
    Jake. (Nervous laughter) So he’s a jock?
    Rebecca. I guess you could say that. He’s gonna come over today so you can meet him
    Jake. (Surprised) Really? Well I just remembered that I had to go do something with Aaron today, so maybe some other time.
    Rebecca. (Laughing) Whatever. (The doorbell rings) Oh, that’s probably him, you just stay here. I’ll go get it.
    Jake. (As Rebecca walks off stage he calls to her) What else would I do? (Once she is gone) A jock? That’s the best she can do?
    Rebecca walks on stage shortly later with Danny in tow. He is a tall teenager, muscular with short hair. He wears a letterman and walks stiffly. He glances at Jake, and then obviously decides this small person is of no threat to him. He wraps an arm around Rebecca, who looks slightly uncomfortable at his touch.
    Rebecca. Danny, this is Jake, my best friend. Jake, this is Danny, my boy friend.
    Jake. (Sputtering) Nice to meet you Danny. (He stands to try to talk to him, but Danny ignores him)
    Danny. Let’s get out of here; I don’t like staying in one place for too long.
    Rebecca. I thought that maybe Jake could tag along, you two could get to know each other, you know?
    Jake. No, it’s okay. You two go ahead, I don’t want to be a third wheel or anything.
    Danny. See? Problem solved.
    Rebecca. You sure Jake?
    Jake. Yeah, I’m sure. I’ll just stay here and clean your room.
    Rebecca. (Laughing) I’ll see you later?
    Jake. Yeah. (He heads out the door, but when the two are “occupied” [interpret however you want to] he grabs the picture of him and Rebecca and then walks off stage)
    Danny. So that was James?
    Rebecca. Jake. His name is Jake.
    Lights out

    Scene IV
    Lights up to reveal center stage. Jake is sitting on the hood of the car holding the picture he took. It is night time of the same day. Jake seems as though he has been crying. Aaron walks on stage left. He looks at Jake for several moments before Jake acknowledges him.
    Jake. I see you Aaron. You fail at hiding.
    Aaron. (Now walking into the light) No, I was waiting for you to want to talk to me.
    Jake. Well I want to talk to you now. How’d you know I would be here?
    Aaron. I dropped by Rebecca’s house because it was getting late. She asked me if I had seen a picture, but I see that you have it. She also told me that you were at her house for a grand total of five minutes. You didn’t tell her, you told me you would.
    Jake. She has a boyfriend Aaron. (He looks up from the picture) I was too late. Am I not supposed to be with her?
    Aaron. (Sighs and hangs his head) Look, dude, no one knows Becca better than you do. It’s like the two of you were made for each other.
    Jake. But you should have seen her. She didn’t fight him; she just let him say he didn’t want me around.
    Aaron. I’m sure she didn’t mean to. Becca would never want to-
    Jake. (Yelling) She all but kicked me out Aaron! She would rather be with some d**k than me!
    Aaron. You hardly even know the-
    Jake. (Still yelling) I don’t’ want to get to know him!
    Aaron. CALM DOWN DAMN IT! (Jake puts his head I his hands) She probably just doesn’t know how you feel.
    Jake. She never gave me a chance to tell her.
    Aaron. No, you never had the balls to tell her you coward.
    Jake. I thought you were on my side.
    Aaron. I am, but you deserve honesty.
    Jake. (Sighing) What should I do?
    Aaron. What do you think you should do?
    Jake. (Thinks for several minutes) Let her be happy. I won’t interfere, and when they break up I’ll tell her exactly how I feel.
    Aaron. (Laughing) I disagree.
    Jake. What?
    Aaron. (Now grinning) I think you should tell her exactly how you feel tomorrow night. Take her to the most romantic place you know and tell her everything.
    Jake. (Pauses) But (Pauses again) But that’s not… I couldn’t… That isn’t right.
    Aaron. All is fair in love and war my friend.
    Jake. (Sigh) What do you recommend?
    Aaron. Take her here. Look at the stars. Then when the time is right, gaze deeply into those deep blue eyes, (At this statement Jake mutters that her eyes are green) take her hands, and whisper to her-
    Jake. (Laughing) I get it, I get it. But not here. This is your place. Not mine.
    Aaron. No, this is our place. We found it together, and you can bring whoever you want here. Go to her house tomorrow and tell her to meet you at your house. Then, when the sun starts going down, take her here. Got it?
    Jake. (Sighs) I’ll do it.
    Aaron. You’ll do it?
    Jake. Yeah, I’ll do it.
    Aaron. Good. I’m going home to get some rest. (Checks watch) It’s almost ten, you should get home too.
    Jake. I will
    Aaron exits stage right. Once he is gone Jake looks down at the picture in his hands and sighs.
    Jake. What am I supposed to do?
    Lights out.

    Scene V
    Lights up to reveal left stage, Rebecca’s room. She is tearing her room apart apparently looking for something. She throws clothes around the room, scattering papers and books. She is interrupted from her searching by the sound of the doorbell ringing. She looks up and off stage left and continues to search. The doorbell rings again and she straightens up and runs off stage, calling to unseen parents, telling them that she’ll get the door. She is offstage for several seconds, and then.
    Rebecca. (Squeal of delight) Jake! You found it!
    Rebecca walks back onstage with Jake following close behind her. He is carrying the picture he took with him.
    Jake. (Mid-explanation) Yeah, I guess I just forgot to tell you that I was gonna take the picture and scan it into the computer, sorry about that.
    Rebecca. (Hugs Jake) I’m just glad you had it. That’s the best picture of us. I was worried it had gotten thrown away or something.
    Jake. No, I had it. Also, I wanted to ask you something.
    Rebecca. (Puts the picture back on the desk) What’s up?
    Jake. Well, I was wondering what you were doing tonight.
    Rebecca. I was going to hang out with Danny for a little bit today, but I think I’ll be done before it gets too late, why?
    Jake. I was wondering if you could come over at around eight, there’s something I wanted to show you.
    Rebecca. (Raises an eyebrow) Nothing too weird, is it?
    Jake. No, but you will have to walk for a little bit to see it.
    Rebecca. Okay, I’ll be by tonight.
    Jake. Awesome, I’ll see you then. (As he heads out the doorbell rings)
    Rebecca. That’s probably Danny, can you tell him to come up here for me.
    Jake. (Calling over his shoulder as he walks offstage) Sure.
    Rebecca sits on her bed for a couple seconds and then Danny walks on stage.
    Danny. What was Jessie doing here?
    Rebecca. His name is Jake and he was asking me to come over later tonight.
    Danny. You told him you were busy, didn’t you?
    Rebecca. I told him I’d be done by the time he wanted me to come over.
    Danny. Whatever. Why do you continue to talk to him? Do you think he actually cares about you? I know people like him; he just wants to be seen with you.
    Rebecca. No, Jake actually cares about me.
    Danny. Whatever, let’s go.
    Danny walks offstage first, and after a couple seconds Rebecca gets up to follow suit, but as she passes her desk she grabs the picture of her and Jake and stares at it for several seconds.
    Danny. (Calling from offstage) Are you coming or not?
    Rebecca. I’ll be out in a second.
    She puts down the picture and heads off stage. She looks over her shoulder at the picture as she leaves.

    Scene VI
    Lights up over center stage. There is the sound of rustling, and then James is seen leading Rebecca into the clearing. He has his arm around her shoulders; her hands are over her eyes. Jake is grinning, Rebecca seems a little nervous.
    Rebecca. Can I look?
    Jake. One more second. (He positions her in what he thinks is the perfect place to look) Okay, open them.
    Rebecca. (Looking around) Where are we?
    Jake. This is where I come to thing and talk to Aaron about life. (He sits on the hood of the car and pats the area next to him, she sits) Lie down and look up.
    Rebecca. (She does, and immediately gasps) The stars are amazing Jake, they’re so bright.
    Jake. We’re above the city, so the lights don’t interfere with the stars, come here.
    He leads her all the way down stage to the edge of the stage and the both look down
    Rebecca. (Exclaiming) That’s the city? It looks so small!
    Jake. I know, isn’t it amazing.
    Rebecca. Yes, it’s beautiful.
    Jake. (Smiling) I’m glad you like it.
    They both walk back to the car and sit on the hood.
    Rebecca. Why did you take me here?
    Jake. I wanted you to see it. It’s a huge part of my life, I mean I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have this place. I come here to clear my head, to think, to talk. To just (he trails off)
    Rebecca. To live?
    Jake. Yeah. To live.
    Rebecca. Which leads me back to my question, why did you take me here, this is obviously yours and Aaron’s place.
    Jake. I wanted you to see it; I thought you’d like it.
    Rebecca. And I do, but I think there’s more to it than just that.
    Jake. There is. (Pauses) But I want to wait a little longer to tell you.
    Rebecca. Okay. (Lays down on the hood, looking up at the stars) You and Danny don’t seem to like each other.
    Jake. (Laughing) No, I guess not. (He leans back and looks up at the stars) To be honest I think he’s kind of a p***k.
    Rebecca. (Also laughing now) He can come off that way, but he’s not all that bad.
    Jake. You know you could do better than him.
    Rebecca. (Grinning) Really? And who do you have in mind?
    Jake. I don’t’ know, but I’m sure there’s someone.
    Rebecca. (Sadly) I doubt it.
    They sit in silence for several minutes.
    Jake. I would be better for you.
    Rebecca. (Sitting up) I know.
    Jake. I think I love you,
    Rebecca. I know.
    She wraps her arms around him and pulls him towards her. They kiss. The curtain falls.