The following one-act play by Josh Martin ’16 was written and performed during NA’s 24-Hour Playwriting Festival on January 22, 2016. Josh was a finalist in the 2015 New Jersey Young Playwrights Competition and won 2016 Scholastic Silver Keys for Poetry and Short Story.
A Night to Remember
SIMONE: 18, senior, 12-16 weeks pregnant, can be feisty while also being very sweet,
TRAVIS: 18, senior, short tempered, lives in the moment, cares deeply about SIMONE, afraid of the future
JAMES: 15-16, junior, SIMONE’s date to prom, the little brother of the group, will do anything for his friends, afraid of the future
TIME:
8:00 p.m.
PLACE:
Outside, behind high school gym
(As the lights come up, “I Got a Feeling” is playing in the background. After a few moments, SIMONE, TRAVIS, and JAMES enter SL giggling and laughing. Unlike the rest of the school, who have come dressed up senior prom; these three are in casual clothes. TRAVIS is holding a bag in one hand and his other arm around JAMES.)
TRAVIS
Who ever created high school prom’s must of not known what a good time was cuz let me tell ya, anything would be better than this right now.
SIMONE
Oh lay off Trav. Don’t blame prom on the reason why no girls want to date you.
TRAVIS
Hey girls just don’t understand the complexities of a good man. Right James?
JAMES
Since when were you a good man?
(They laugh)
TRAVIS
Yeah well, I guess you guys don’t want any of these.
(From the bag, TRAVIS pulls out a six-pack of beer. After taking it out. JAMES immediately grabs for one)
Told you I was a good man.
JAMES
Well you got me believing it!
TRAVIS
Here Simone. Have one.
(Handing Simone one of the beer bottles)
SIMONE
Tempting, but I don’t think I should.
TRAVIS
Oh fuck that! One or two is not going to hurt you.
SIMONE
Yeah well that’s not what I’m worried about.
TRAVIS
Hey they say it’s better when they start at an early age. Plus it’s supervised drinking so that’s points for good parenting.
SIMONE
(Snatching the bottle from TRAVIS)
You’re horrible. You know that.
JAMES
Isn’t it times like this when we’re supposed to do like a cheer or something?
TRAVIS
Fuck cheers. Let’s just drink.
JAMES
Oh c’mon man. We gotta commemorate this moment somehow.
SIMONE
Sounds like a great idea James. Why don’t you do the honors for us.
JAMES
(Nervous or shyly)
Ok sure. Well first off, cheers to you guys, for getting into college. (they cheer) Um, cheers to making it this far with everything we went through together. Travis for being able to pass with a C- (they cheer) and Simone for being the glue that holds us all together and making sure we get our shit done (they cheer). And finally-
TRAVIS
(Slightly Annoyed)
Enough with the cheering!
JAMES
Last one, I promise…like I was saying, cheers to our friendship. How we are and will continue to be friends forever.
(Awkward pause. Finally the cheer but not very cheerful)
What’s wrong?
TRAVIS
Nothing to worry about man…listen, I think I forgot my watch inside near the food table. You think you can go get it for me?
JAMES
Yeah I can do that. I’ll be right back.
(JAMES runs off)
TRAVIS
Wait! James!
(JAMES runs back)
JAMES
Yea? What’s up?
TRAVIS
(Takes bottle from JAMES’ hand)
All right now you can go.
JAMES
Good call.
(JAMES exit. Brief silence. TRAVIS walks towards SIMONE)
SIMONE
There is no watch, is there?
TRAVIS
(Sarcastically)
Oh? How’d you know?
SIMONE
Trav…
TRAVIS
I know what you’re gonna say but this is important.
SIMONE
Shouldn’t you be thinking about high school stuff like finals? Prom?
TRAVIS
Shouldn’t you be thinking about clinics and doctors?
SIMONE
What does it matter to you? You’re not the one who-
TRAVIS
I’m just worried ok…look James got me thinking. It’s not like we got too much longer with each other. I just don’t think our last moments should be-
SIMONE
Us sitting outside of our high school prom, drinking while contemplating how fucked up our lives are?
TRAVIS
My words exactly
SIMONE
Thanks Trav, but I’m fine. Really.
(Beat)
TRAVIS
Are you gonna keep it?
SIMONE
I want to.
TRAVIS
I’ll help you.
SIMONE
Trav…
TRAVIS
I’m being fucking serious ok! I’ll help take care of it for you.
SIMONE
Trav, I love you. I do. But I ca-
(Enters JAMES running on stage)
JAMES
Hey guys! Sorry I’m late. I kept looking for the watch near the food table but I couldn’t find it so I had to ask around and nobody seemed to know where it was.
TRAVIS
Oh are you sure man? Somebody probably hit it off or something. My mom would kill me if I lost this watch.
JAMES
All right, well I’ll go check again for you.
(Runs offstage)
TRAVIS
(Calling out)
You’re the best!
SIMONE
Once again, you’re horrible.
TRAVIS
Why won’t you let me take care of you?
SIMONE
Look, I appreciate what you’re doing, but I’m ok.
TRAVIS
No you’re not ok. I want to be with you Simone. I want to help.
SIMONE
Ok and how do you expect to help Trav? What, by telling me I’m not fat when I’m 5 months in?
TRAVIS
(Irritated)
Well who’s going to take you to the doctor huh? Whether you keep it or not, I know that shit ex-boyfriend of yours won’t help and heaven knows how your parents feel about it already. Listen, I’m serious about you Simone…I lo–
(Enters JAMES running onstage)
JAMES
Hey sorry man. I totally couldn’t find it. I looked everywhere.
(Just before TRAVIS is about to flip out SIMONE cuts him off)
SIMONE
Hey James, could you do me one last favor and get me a cup of water? I’m getting thirsty.
JAMES
(Kind of reluctant)
Sure but this is the last thing ok?
(JAMES exits and TRAVIS begins to speak again but SIMONE stops him)
SIMONE
Travis, I love you as my friend. So please, let’s just move on and enjoy our fucked up version of prom? Please?
(Pause until JAMES enters)
JAMES
I brought the water. (Beat) Are you guys’ finish talking about Simone’s baby yet?
TRAVIS
(Surprised)
How do you know about?
JAMES
Oh c’mon. I’m not dumb. I know what’s going on.
(Beat)
Look, I know you guys don’t want me involved in this, but I already am. You guys are my friends so of course I’m going to know.
SIMONE
James…
JAMES
Why won’t you guys tell me anything?
TRAVIS
Cause this was supposes to be our problem man. You have the rest of high school to worry about. We didn’t want you to get caught up in our mess if we could help it.
(Beat)
JAMES
I want you guys to be 100% real with me.
TRAVIS
Of course man.
JAMES
Like no BS at all. I want the honest truth.
SIMONE
No BS whatsoever.
JAMES
Are we going to break apart because of this?
(For a while, there is an awkward silence. Nobody moves but only look at each other until finally JAMES breaks the tension)
JAMES
I just don’t want you guys to leave.
TRAVIS
It’s not like we’re leaving forever you know
JAMES
Yeah but it’s not going to be the same…you guys are all I have really.
(A brief moment of silence)
SIMONE
You know, we forgot to have a cheer for James.
JAMES
Wait, you didn’t answer my que–
SIMONE
(Raising her bottle)
Cheers to James! For being one of the most goddamn best friends a guy and girl can ask for. A best friend, I would hate to lose and a best friend I plan on keeping for the years to come. A friend that Trav and I love so much.
TRAVIS
I can raise my beer to that!
(Raises his bottle)
Well you’re the only one left man. You gonna cheer with us?
JAMES
When you put it that way, it’s hard to say no.
(Raises his bottle and they all cheer and laugh. A slow song starts to play in the background)
So are we all good?
SIMONE
Yeah, I think I’m good hanging out with you guys.
TRAVIS
As you should since we’re the best company you’ll ever have.
SIMONE
I should stay by myself then.
TRAVIS
All right smartass.
(Beat)
JAMES
Gotta say this was a prom to remember.
TRAVIS
You’re welcome
(SIMONE, TRAVIS, and JAMES joking kid around for a few moments until finally they notice the music playing in the background)
JAMES
Well how about it Simone? Care for a dance?
TRAVIS
Ah fuck that.
SIMONE
Well you wouldn’t too much of a date if you didn’t ask me out on the last dance.
TRAVIS
Well fuck, I’m not gonna have you guys leave me behind.
JAMES
Let’s make this a night to remember.
(They all laugh at the cheesiness but head towards the gym as the lights fade to back)