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individulsong

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Scene One

It’s wintertime in New York. Frost is everywhere; people are bustling along busy streets wrapped up in warm clothing. As the narrator begins, we come across people’s breath freezing as they talk, a young man beginning his first day at the office, and then, the ending shot of a young girl emptying out boxes and putting things away in a run down apartment.

Narrator: The bustling city of New York. Cold, yet always burning with heat. Busy time slots to fill. Populated with bodies, going this way and that. The garbage capital, where it all happens to come together in a single swift of “you’re hired.” Ah, but sometimes it isn’t so easy, especially for those who are too innocent to realize the City’s harsh underbelly.

The apartment is small and the girl has long blonde hair. Her name is Stephanie Reynolds. She’s wearing a turtleneck top and long pants, listening to her iPod, and dancing as she unpacks her things.

Stephanie: (singing) Oh, no! They can’t take that away form me; no they can’t take that away from me! (twirls on her feet, big finish) Ta Dum! (Out of breath, phone rings) Hello? Switch shot to an elderly woman with graying hair, wearing a large Christmas sweater and spectacles. Mom?

Mom: Hello, dear.

Stephanie: Mom! Hi! I’ve been meaning to call (juggles a coffee cup and the kettle), but it’s been ridiculous at work.

Mom: (stern) Haven’t I told you to quite that job already?

Stephanie: I’m not gonna quite my job, mom. I like what I do.

Mom: If you want to be a writer, I suggest you start writing.

Stephanie: When the time comes, I’ll write. Right now, I’m happy being a back stage assistant.

Mom: And all you do is put makeup on actors, clean costumes, yadda yadda yadda. (sarcastic) What a great life you’ve created for yourself.

Stephanie: You didn’t call just to tell me my life was great. What’s up?

Mom: (fake sigh) Well, I suppose I ought to tell you. (Pause. Mom’s expression- eyebrows raised waiting for her daughter to ask what’s going on.)

Stephanie: Ok, mom. What’s going on?

Mom: Oh, nothing much down here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa… but a certain someone has come to pay a visit.

Stephanie: (cute laugh, is filling the kettle with water from a jug, coffee cup on the counter) Ooooo! Could his name start with an R?

Mom: (scoffs) No fair. You’ve always been good at guessing things. Well, Roger and I are getting married.

Stephanie: (drops instant coffee mix, surprised and happy) What?

Mom: Yes.

Stephanie: Mom, that’s great! When?

Mom: Not for a few months, we haven’t even set a date. (giggles)

Stephanie: I’m so happy for you!

Mom: Thanks, but, when are you going to find yourself someone?

Stephanie: (rolls eyes, putting instant coffee mix into coffee cup) I told you mom, I’m not interested in being in a relationship right now.

Mom: Oh, that’s right, you need to focus on your work.

Stephanie: (laughter) What would I ever do without you?

Mom: (laughing too) Just don’t pass anything up that could be a good thing.

Stephanie: I won’t, mom. But, I gotta go. (kettle whistles)

Mom: Alright. Don’t be afraid to call me once in awhile, oh, and I’ll mail you an invitation to the wedding!

Stephanie: Great! I love you.

Mom. Love you too.

Stephanie: Bye (clicks the off button on the phone. Puts a free hand through the tangled mess of her hair and blows air through her lips, looks at the clock, 9:45 am). Shit!