As you may or may not know, this year I’m attempting to participate in ScriptFrenzy.  That means a lot of this month’s updates will be bits and pieces of a script, or if things don’t go quite as planned, multiple scripts. The first installment is today. So far I’m at 6 pages! Please forgive formatting; converting to HTML is a pain.


ACT I

SCENE ONE

(Stage is dark. An alarm clock sounds. Lights up to dim and a hand reaches out from under some covers to flail around on the bedside table. It finds the snooze button and the sound stops, lights go out. A few minutes later the sound starts again. Lights back to dim as the hand re-emerges and knocks the clock off the nightstand. The alarm stops and lights come up.)


NICOLE

(Sits up slowly in bed, yawning and looking grumpy. Eventually she puts her feet on the floor, rubs her eyes, and stands up. She picks the clock up off the floor, looks at it, and places it back on the nightstand.)

Christ it’s early. I knew shouldn’t have had that last shot last night.

(She prods the unmoving lump still in bed)

Hey, it’s time to get up.

BENJAMIN

Just one more snooze.

NICOLE

I think I broke the alarm clock. Besides, we’re running late already.

BENJAMIN

Is there coffee?

NICOLE

In the cupboard. Make me a cup while you’re at it.

BENJAMIN

Mmmph.

NICOLE

(Stares at BENJAMIN for a moment)

Well I’m going to get in the shower. I expect hot coffee when I get out!

(No response from the bed.)

NICOLE

I mean it!

(Still no response. NICOLE sighs dramatically and heads offstage to the shower. BENJAMIN rolls over and starts snoring.)

NICOLE

(Walking back onstage)

Did you pay the gas bill last week?

BENJAMIN

Mmmph?

NICOLE

Hey, get up! (Prods BENJAMIN again, this time more forcefully)

BENJAMIN

I’m up, I’m up!

NICOLE

Clearly.

BENJAMIN

I said I’m up! Look!

(BENJAMIN sits up, blinking)

NICOLE

So? Did you?

BENJAMIN

Did I what?

NICOLE

Pay the gas bill last week!

BENJAMIN

Of course I did! Jeez Nicole, what got your panties in a twist?

NICOLE

There’s no hot water.

BENJAMIN

Did you let it warm up?

NICOLE

I tried. It got as far as cold and then stopped.

BENJAMIN

The water stopped?

NICOLE

Yes Ben. The water stopped. I turned the tap to hot, and the water just stopped coming out.

BENJAMIN

Really?

NICOLE

No, dumbass! There’s plenty of water, just all of it’s cold! Come on, wake up. You know I have to get to work early today! I have a presentation I’m supposed to give at 8 and I want to get set up!

BENJAMIN

I’m sure you’ll do fine, sweetie. Is there coffee yet?

NICOLE

You were going to make it while I showered!

BENJAMIN

Oh, right. (Gets out of bed) Well then, you had better get to it. I’ll start the coffee now.

NICOLE

There’s still no hot water.

BENJAMIN

It’s okay, The coffee machine heats it up as it brews it.

NICOLE

For the shower! Remember the shower? The one I was going to take? Except there’s no hot water!

BENJAMIN

Oh right. Well, take a cold one. Thomas Jefferson swore by them!

NICOLE

Thomas Jefferson? The president?

BENJAMIN

Yeah, I think so. Why isn’t there hot water anyway? Didn’t you pay the gas bill last week?

(NICOLE stares at him)

BENJAMIN

You’re going to be late if you don’t hop in there.

(NICOLE storms offstage again. BENJAMIN walks over to the coffee pot and starts it brewing, then yawns, picks up a pack of cigarettes, and walks offstage. He walks back on a moment later, grabs a lighter, and walks back off. The coffeepot begins to overflow.)

BENJAMIN

(Walking back on, sees the coffee overflowing) Oh shit. (to offstage) Nicole? Do you have a towel?

NICOLE

(from offstage) What?

BENJAMIN

DO YOU HAVE A TOWEL?

NICOLE

Yes!

(BENJAMIN walks off and returns with a towel and starts to clean up the coffee. He pours a cup of coffee from what made it into the pot. A moment later NICOLE shows up with wet hair, looking unhappy.)

NICOLE

I thought I had a towel! I had to run to the closet to grab one while dripping from the fastest shower of my life! Jesus I’m cold! Is there coffee yet?

BENJAMIN

Yeah, here. (Hands her the cup he poured)

NICOLE

(Taking a sip) Bleh! What did you do, forget the filter? (She puts it down and starts making the bed)

BENJAMIN

(Taking a sip) It tastes fine to me. Will you make me breakfast?

NICOLE

We’ve got to get going. Can you pick something up after you drop me off at work?

BENJAMIN

I guess so. But I thought we were trying to save money.

NICOLE

I know but I’m in a hurry! (She looks at him for the first time since getting out of the shower) You’re still not dressed? What have you been doing?

BENJAMIN

I was making coffee! (He surreptitiously moves the cigarettes behind something)

NICOLE

Okay well hurry up. I’ve got to get there early to get ready for this presentation! My new boss is neurotic about time!

BENJAMIN

(mumbling as he walks off) He’s not the only one.

NICOLE

What’s that?

BENJAMIN

I didn’t hear anything. (exits)

NICOLE

Oh. Must have been the cat. Have you seen her yet this morning?

(No response from offstage. NICOLE bustles around, filling a bowl full of cat food, straightening the bed, etc. She finds the cigarettes and glares offstage before crumpling the box and throwing it away)

Seriously, where is that cat? Mittens! C’mere girl! Breakfast is served!

BENJAMIN

(Walking back onstage, dressed in mismatched pants and sports coat) Okay let’s go.

NICOLE

Have you seen Mittens?

BENJAMIN

No, but I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. She’s too stupid to have gone far.

NICOLE

Hey!

BENJAMIN

Sorry.

NICOLE

I don’t want to leave until I’m sure she’s safe. You know she’s not allowed outside!

BENJAMIN

I’m sure she’s not outside. How could she be? We haven’t left the apartment since last night.

NICOLE

I know, but…

BENJAMIN

Come on. We’ve gotta get you to work early!

NICOLE

What about Mittens?

BENJAMIN

She’ll be fine. She’s a cat! They’re resourceful!