• Character list:
    Torri: A teenage girl, her parents are divorcing and she is hardly at home. She dyed her blond hair black and cut it short with her own pair of scissors. She has reserved steel gray eyes, and wears fingerless gloves up to her elbow. Most of the time she has no coat but wears a large thick baggy sweater, and boy’s pants.
    Luke Green: Goes to the same school as Torri, but hardly even knows her. He lives in an upper middle class family in a comfortable apartment. He has thick brown hair, blue eyes and plays the violin.
    Mrs. Green: Luke’s mother, a warm welcoming woman who loves baking cookies and sweets for Luke and his siblings. She is a lawyer but always finds time for family.
    Mr. Green: A generous man he is also a successful lawyer and owns his own law firm. Loves to meet new people and enjoys chess.
    Sarah: Luke’s younger sister, a chirpy girl who likes Torri, even with all the other girls’ anger. She enjoys volunteering at charities during break.















    Nighttime at the city, Christmas lights glow in every window, store and corner. It is eight still early for last minute shoppers and others heading home. The streets are still moderately busy but not heavy. Torri walks quietly kicking at the ground, she has a overly large sweater on, and baggy pants. She wears boots that are scuffed up from many uses and a cap on her head. Her hands are curled up at her sides, and she looks down.
    From the opposite direction Luke walks with his violin in hand. He has obviously just come from practice, and heading home. His thoughts were elsewhere, not on where he was going. As Torri and Luke approach a truck can be heard some distance off, and several cars drive slowly. Almost to the point of passing each other a truck begins to skid, its horn going off. Torri freezes, panic enters her eyes. Luke trying to react starts to push her out of the way but instead of pushing her out of the way both of them are hit head on by the heavy truck.
    A white light engulfs them both, and a voice begins to speak
    Voice: Two have died, only one was meant to pass on to the other side.
    Torri: So what? Who are you?
    Luke: What is going on? Where are we?
    Voice: I am God; I am the creator, the ruler of the universe.
    Torri: and I’m the President of the United States! Get real!
    Voice: Do you presume to know everything? Do you presume to know who is who in this world? I am the creator, therefore I am God.
    Torri: Like hell you are, god is dead!
    Luke: he gasps. You just insulted God!
    Torri: So what? He is dead; he died the day he was crucified!
    Luke: Why do you say that? Why do you insult him?
    Torri: Why not? What has he done to stop people from being evil? What has he done to stop crime, or poverty, or famine, or anything else? Why doesn’t he intercede when things go wrong? Why does he allow evil to happen? Why does he let people hurt each other? Why does he allow genocide? She has gone on a rant, letting out her emotions.
    Luke stands there silently, his eyes wide and mouth agape.
    Voice: Why do you question my decisions? Why do you judge me without judging yourself or humanity? Do you have a right to judge others when you yourself contemplated a grave sin? Are you God?
    Torri: No! Nor do I want to be!
    Luke: Stop it, don’t fight like that! You do not know what you are saying!
    Torri: Yes, I do! You don’t know me, do you? I know what I am saying, I know myself best! Don’t go saying what I know or don’t know!
    Voice: Enough! I have a proposition to make; only one was meant to die, and two died instead. So I will give you one week, one week to decide who lives and who dies. You will share a life – neither of you may leave the other and both must carry the burden of the others emotions. When one week passes one of you must return, to this spot. The other will live while one will die. Choose wisely.
    Luke: Huh? We have to live together for one week? Then it hits him, the meaning of this proposition, head on. What! I can’t do that! What will our parents say? What do we tell the school when we stick together and skip a class to be together? Not only that but the rumors that will be spread about us!
    Torri: With certainty. Fine, I accept your terms. I’ll stay with the boy and his parents.
    Luke: What? You cannot just say that without asking! What if I do not want to have you at my house? I live in an apartment!
    Torri: Well hell, at least you have a nice place to go, I don’t! And I sure ain’t having you over to my home!
    Luke: Why not?
    Torri: Because…because…because we have cockroaches!
    Luke: blinking several times, uh hu. Really? Fine stay with me, but do you have clothes you need to get?
    Torri: No, these are all I really have. Mom’s too busy to buy new clothes for me.
    Luke: I’ll lend you some, My sister is about your size. She will let you borrow some if I ask her too.
    Torri: Are you sure? It…wouldn’t bother her, would it? I do not want to cause unnecessary trouble for all of you.
    Luke: No problem, look my family can afford to let you wear some extra clothes, don’t worry about it, okay?
    Torri: If you say so. What’s your name? I know it sounds out of place, but I need to call you by something.
    Luke: Luke.
    Torri: thanks, I’m Torri.
    As they talk the back ground changes back into being the city street, they begin to walk to Luke’s house. Torri is back to being the tough girl. She doesn’t want Luke to think she is weak, or helpless. Luke doesn’t say anything, his silence only aggravates Torri. She doesn’t like the awkwardness of the whole situation. She feels embarrassed for no reason. She has her guard up, as usual.
    Luke: So, Torri, what were you doing out here at this hour?
    Torri doesn’t say anything for a minute, she stares at the ground.
    Torri: Just walking. A wave of guilt washes over her, Luke can feel it.
    Luke: ignoring the guilt she tries to have a conversation. Oh, late Christmas shopping? My mom is like that too, she forgets about the presents until last minute and has to go out frantically to find things.
    Torri remains silent, Luke is dumbfounded as to why. He begins to think she hates him.
    Luke: I do my shopping early in October, that way I get everything I need. Do you know that last year the store ran out of Christmas lights? We had to go without tree lights. Then my dog, Pepper, ate the Christmas Yule log cake and was sick for weeks afterwards. This year we bought them before anyone else, of course it would have helped if mom bought presents then too, and not last minute.
    Torri: Shut up, already! Do you have to constantly talk?
    Luke: I was trying to ease the silence, you know. If we cannot get along it won’t work, we might as well as split up. We might die but then we won’t be fighting like this. Life is not something to throw away, like, like trash! Look I do not like this either, but I am trying to get along!
    Torri: WTF! Don’t go all…Enlightened on me! I know that already, stupid!
    Luke: Can’t you be nice? Are you always so hateful?
    Torri: It doesn’t matter, it’s not as if we’ll be together for long, just one week, surely you can take it for such a little time?
    Luke: Why can’t you be nice?
    Torri: Because I’m a b***h.
    The scene ends with the camera trained on Luke’s shocked face; he can’t believe she just said that.
    The next scene shows the two at Luke’s apartment, Torri is dressed in female pajamas, a long sleeved shirt, pants, and her cap. Pair of thick socks are on her feet, and she has just washed up- her hair is wet. She looked cleaner, and a slight glow entered her cheeks. Luke sits in the kitchen with his parents as Torri enters. Mrs. Green gives her a bright smile, full of warmth as she hands her a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
    Mrs. Green: Hello, dear, Luke just told me that you need a place to stay for a week. You’re welcome to stay here; Sarah has invited you to sleep in her room with her. The two of you are similar size even if she is a year younger. Please feel free to ask for anything you need.
    Torri: Thank you, Miss. I’ll try to behave.
    Luke: okay, we can go together to school tomorrow- oh wait it’s Winter Break!
    Mr. Green: Well, you could always show up – of course no one will be there. Today is Sunday, I still have work but you guys can go watch TV or something for a while. Just keep it clean.
    Torri: I haven’t watched TV for a few years – ours broke and we cannot afford a new one. Father just keeps buying alcohol. She suddenly shuts up, realizing she said something about her private life, something she wanted to keep hidden. A blush creeps up her bright cheeks.
    Mrs. Green: Alright, why don’t you two go into the living room; we have several DVDs and other movies. I’ll pop you some popcorn and microwave some of the left over pizza. Luke you lead Torri over there, I’ll bring you some stuff in a minute.
    Luke: Thanks mom, I’ll show Torri where we can go. Sarah can join us if she wants, she doesn’t have school either tomorrow.
    Torri: Thank you, Luke can you lead the way?
    The camera watches the two walk down a small hallway and they take a left into a small room. The walls have couches pushed up against them, a flat screen TV hangs from the wall and speakers are hidden throughout the small space. A glass coffee table stands low to the ground at the center of the room. Torri sits down on a seat, and Luke sits across from her.
    Torri: so what do you have, rich boy?
    Luke: We have several good Classics. What do you like?
    Torri: Anything that’s good? You’re one of the upper class so tell me what the lower class is missing out on.
    Luke: Well, how about comedy? We have The Producers, Arsenic and Old Lace, Harold, some other random ones.
    Torri: Comedy is for people who don’t like to use their brains, how about a thriller?
    Luke: Hum, I think we have a few of those- give me a sec to find them.
    He walks up to the DVD case and begins to ruffle through the movies
    Torri: So what do your parents do for a living? Leech off of society?
    Luke: Look, my parents are not bad people; they are letting you stay here, aren’t they?
    Torri: Maybe I have nothing against them exactly; I have a problem with the upper class in general, most of you people are rude jerks. None of you care about the less fortunate or those who are near poverty. It’s like you don’t see.
    Luke: My Parents are both successful Lawyers. They defend any class of people. Mother loves to be generous and so does my father. Somehow she is able to make room for the family. Every day when I get home from school I come in to the smell of fresh cookies. She is a wiz at cooking.
    Torri: Huh, I didn’t know mothers could be like that. So how is your father?
    Luke: Pretty much like my mother – minus the cooking. He loves chess and board games like Risk.
    Torri: Better than my family. Hey how are those DVDs going? Found anything yet?
    Luke: yep, Solstice, The Attic, The messengers, and a few others. Want to watch one?
    Torri pauses for a moment, she knows that she is lucky to be in such a warm place with no troubles, yet she is still resentful. A little bitter, she doesn’t want to lighten up on her sarcasm yet, or on her bitchy behavior.

    Torri: The Attic, it looks fun. How much did all these DVDs cost? Accumulated together they probably cost a couple hundred. If I had that money I would spend it on something worthwhile.

    Luke: It’s not like we waste money, just because we have some extra cash here and there doesn’t mean we spend it all on things we don’t need. We are not flippant about spending money for no reason.

    Torri: raises one eyebrow. Really? I see no reason for anyone to have to buy so many movies. It only makes you sit there being lazy and obsolete.

    Luke: No, actually movies bring the family together. It is a time where everyone can sit down and relax together. My own family has grown closer because of them, it allows us to spend time together doing what we all enjoy. Movies even give us some common ground to discuss thing, to have a conversation.

    Torri: That pretty speech has not convinced me one bit. If anything it only makes me sick. Family is never like that description. I have never seen a family happy and close because of a movie. In fact everyone just argues about what movie to watch.

    Luke: Not every family is like that, Torri. Maybe your is tough but many are not. I am not saying every family is perfect but many are close to being so. I’ll prove it to you this week.

    Torri: with a bitter laugh. It will take more than a week to convince me, Luke. You’ll have to try very hard.

    Mrs. Green begins to walk in the room, she hasn’t heard their full conversation, just the end, she keeps quiet about it though.

    Mrs. Green: Here you go, don’t stay up to late, you still need sleep. Luke, your father and I will be going to bed now. Even though it is winter break for you two we still have work.

    Luke: We won’t stay up too late, mom. Torri and I will go up when the movie finishes.

    Torri: I may go to sleep sooner though, depends on how interesting the movie is.

    Luke: You’ll enjoy it. It has the kind of mind-boggling you seem to like.

    Torri: I hope so; I still say DVDs are a waste of money.

    Mrs. Green: Well I’ll leave you two alone for a while. See you later, Luke, Torri.

    Mrs. Green exits the room; the camera watches her until she turns the corner. Torri looks back at Luke, her face reserved.

    Torri: Well, she’s…different.

    Luke: Changing your mind already? I thought it would take you much longer. He grins, and two dimples appear on each cheek.

    Torri: Not even close, rich boy, not even close. Let’s go watch your worthless DVD.

    The camera fades slowly, the last you see of them is Luke setting up for the movie and Torri sitting on the couch.

    Scene Three:

    Torri lays asleep on the couch for ten seconds before her eyes suddenly open. She sits bolt up on the couch, her eyes wide. She has forgotten where she is, until Sarah walks in. She is wearing faded jeans, a simple T-shirt and uugs. She smiles at Torri, showing dazzling white teeth. Her blond hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail. Torri reluctantly smiles back.

    Sarah: Hey, sleepy head, its morning already. Luke is in his room dressing, so I thought you might like to pick out something to wear.

    Torri: And what would you have that I would like? For some reason she can’t quite be mean to Sarah, her normally snappish comments come out much softer, not as harsh as usual. I don’t wear what you usually wear by the looks of it.

    Sarah: Oh, I’m sure you’ll find something, if you don’t we’ll raid Luke’s closet together to put an outfit together. Mom might even have something for you to wear too. We’ll check it out.

    Torri: I feel uncomfortable wearing other people’s clothing.

    Sarah: Don’t be, we are all fine with it, so you should be too.

    Grabbing Torri’s hand she leads the girl into her room. The camera follows them go down the hall into a smaller room.

    Sarah opens her closet, which reveals a huge selection of clothing items.

    Torri: Wow, I have never seen so much clothing in such a small space!

    Sarah: Ha, ha, I can’t seem to throw any of it away. So I have a lot of stuff from when I was in grammar school until high school.

    Torri: Oh.

    Sarah: hum, here’s a shirt you can wear, it has short sleeves but we’ll be inside so you won’t be cold. I’ve got another pair of jeans here for you, and some socks and bras over here.

    Torri: I want a sweater. I always wear a sweater, even in summer.

    Sarah: What! Summers too hot for you to be wearing a sweater!

    Torri: uncomfortable, she fidgets a little. No, I’m not hot wearing them during the summer. I always do. I guess I am just comfortable wearing them that I notice when I am not more than when I am.

    Sarah: All right I’ll get you a sweater.

    Torri: Thanks, Sarah. Normally I would not accept charity, you know, so don’t think I am leeching off you.

    A pause, Sarah ruffles through her closet, while Torri stands there. Sarah tosses several items over her shoulder. They land in the room on her bed.

    Sarah: HA! Found the perfect thing for you, Torri! She holds up black and pink sweater, the sleeves are slightly too long for Torri, but she like it.

    Torri: Okay, I’ll wear that over a shirt. I just need a bra and underwear and socks. Can you give me those?

    Sarah: Duh, I am not having you walk around the house without them.

    Torri dresses quickly with what Sarah gives her, it all fits well on her. Sarah looks away for the most part, but as Torri begins to put on the sweater she turns around. Torri doesn’t realize Sarah turned around yet, her wrists are visible and a slight discoloration of the skin is visible, like many small thin crisscrossed scars.

    Sarah: All done?

    Torri: nods, so now what? Do we go do something?

    Sarah: Depends on what you want to do. I thought that maybe I could take you shopping with me. Luke can stay home and practice his violin at home.

    Torri: No! I want to stay indoors today, maybe I can listen to Luke play his Violin.

    Sarah: Don’t need to go all snappy on me, Torri; I am trying to be friendly.

    Torri: Sorry, Sarah, I did not mean that, it’s only that everyone will be doing last minute Christmas shopping today and stores will be over crowded. I hate crowds; they’re to noisy and angry. Everyone pushing and shoving, you have to fight to go anywhere.

    Sarah: Understandable, crowds do suck. Fine, we can bother Luke.

    They walk out of the room, Sarah leads Torri to Luke’s bedroom where they barge in unannounced. Luke is taking out his violin; a music stand is already erected in the room. Torri stands uncertain in the doorway, and Sarah just makes herself at home on his bed.

    Luke: Why don’t you just walk in to every neighbor’s apartment and make yourself a cup of coffee. Sarah, how many times have I told you to knock before you enter? Next time you barge in I might be dressing or something!

    Sarah: You always say that and it never happens, Luke. It takes you precisely five minutes to change and ten minutes to prepare in the bathroom. I know your routine in the morning and I never fail to know when you are dressed. So, no I will never walk in when you are not fully dressed.

    Luke: Sarah, it is still rude. What if I barged into your room in a huff over something and you were unprepared? You would not like that.

    Sarah: That is different. I am a lady and you are a male so therefore it is not very gentlemanly to walk into a lady’s room announced. You would never do that, Luke, you are too much of a gentlemen. So I have nothing to worry about.

    Luke: Will you ever learn, Sarah? Anyway onto another subject, what are you doing here?

    Torri: Spying on you, rich boy. You’re our entertainment for today.

    Sarah: Play us a song, a good song. Torri has yet to hear you play, amaze her with your boundless talent.

    Luke: Oh great, I have to entertain two Ladies. I was just about to practice anyway, sit down anywhere you want. I am still setting up, so you’ll have to wait for a few minutes.

    Torri: Take your time; I am sure you can buy more time with all your money anyway.

    Sarah leans back against the wall as she sits on her brother’s bed. Torri joins Sarah, her legs dangle off the edge of the bed. She lies back on the mattress. Luke shuffles around a little, preparing his instrument.

    Luke: I’ll be playing some older classical pieces first. I find them soothing to play them in the morning and evening.

    Torri: Just get on with it, we don’t have all day.

    Luke carefully holds the violin, and slowly he begins to play. Sound fills the small room, Torri closes her eyes letting it sooth her. As Luke plays his expression softens and becomes relaxed. He loses his stern expression and his gaze becomes far away. Torri opens her eyes to see his face, and for a minute she is awed. When Luke finishes the song Torri sits up with a peculiar look on her face.

    Torri: Why do you play, Luke? Why do you love music so much?

    Luke: taken back from the question. To me, music is part of me, it’s something I can be passionate about. When I am mad…or upset, I turn to music, that way I don’t hurt anyone else but myself. Without music…I don’t think I would have found my dream, or found anything worthwhile…worthwhile to spend so much time on.

    Torri: Does everyone…have a passion? Torri almost asks inaudibly, she is confused.

    Luke: Yes, I think everyone does. It may take…sometime for someone to find their passion, but they will eventually…eventually find something. You can’t go through life without passion.

    Torri: I have no passion; I never will have a passion. What is there to be passionate about? Not everyone has the time to be passionate about something, Luke. Not everyone is rich enough to have the time or the money to pursue their passion. Not everyone is rich like you.

    Sarah: Everyone has a passion, everyone has something they love – she stops when she sees Torri’s face. Torri are you alright? Did something upset you?

    Torri: No, I am fine; I don’t need your sympathy, Sarah. I’m not a weak lady who needs to be shielded from the harsh realities of life.

    Torri stands up and runs from the room, they can hear her running to the living room. The two siblings look at each other, confused. Luke can sense Torri’s anger, which quickly turns to depression.

    Luke: That girl has some problems.

    Sarah: Yeah, that girl has mega issues. I guess she has had a tough life. Should I check up on her?

    Luke: No, leave her alone. Torri needs some space now; crowding her won’t help. Look in on her in an hour or so. Hopefully she will be able to calm down.

    Sarah: She seems to have emotional issues; my guess is it will take her some time – more than an hour.

    Luke: Then we give her all the time she needs. I can’t help her, Sarah, she’s confusing. One minute she is fine, the next she is not. Can you understand that?

    Sarah: No, I honestly can’t. This isn’t normal girl behavior that I am used to; I am too confused to even try to understand.

    Camera fades. The next scene is takes place in the evening. Luke and Sarah are talking with their parents in the kitchen. Torri is in another room.

    Mrs. Green: Hello, Luke, Sarah, How was your day?

    Luke: Good, I played violin for the girls this morning.

    Mrs. Green: Oh, how did Torri like that?

    Luke: Um, well, I’m not sure. She listened to me play one song, and then asked me an odd question. When I gave her my answer she got mad and stormed off.

    Mrs. Green: What was the question?

    Sarah: She wanted to know why Luke played the violin.

    Luke: with a shrug. I didn’t mind the question, it’s just her reaction was confusing.

    Mrs. Green: I don’t know what to say, but I wouldn’t press her to explain right now. She is going through a rough time and what I’ve heard her slip it doesn’t seem like she has had a good home life.

    Sarah: I really like her, but Torri is one confusing girl. She’s tough on Luke, almost harsh like she hates him, but acts pretty much normally around me.

    Luke: I don’t mind at all, not really, it may just be she doesn’t get along with men as much as she does with women.

    Scene fades with all of them standing around, thinking about Torri.

    Scene four:

    The next day in the afternoon, the three of them are playing a card game in the living room. Torri sits between Luke and Sarah. The TV is on but is only a muffled noise. Torri sips at a cup of hot chocolate.

    Torri: You know this is my first time having hot chocolate in years. I had forgotten how much I loved it until now. Actually I’ve missed out on a lot, now that I look back on it.

    Sarah: What do you mean?

    Torri: Well, when your family is going through some…rough times; you usually lose quite a bit of normalcy. Like I stopped watching TV in the evenings because the mood did not allow for me to sit there in front of a screen while my parents…she trails off into silence.

    Sarah: While your parents…? Sarah tries to prompt her to continue to speak.

    Torri: While my parent, nothing. I don’t want to go into details. It is not very pretty.

    Luke: leans in a little. Maybe talking about it will help you to feel better.

    Torri: No it won’t, I have already tired that with the school shrink.

    Sarah: You never know, just try to say what’s on your mind. Sometimes talking to your peers is easier than talking to adults.

    Luke: I know I have to talk about stuff to feel better about it; a lot of people are like that. It’s nothing to be ashamed about, we won’t judge you.

    Torri: Stop being like nosey old people! This has nothing to do with you! It’s my business, not yours!

    Sarah: wow, Torri, calm down! We are not being nosey, we are just concerned. Friends are supposed to be concerned for each other.

    Luke: Yeah, We don’t like to see you upset. So can you please just calm down? We don’t know how to handle you, or help you.

    Torri: Then why are you acting like it’s for you own benefit? I don’t see why you have to know; I do not talk about my private life to strangers.

    Luke: Torri, look, why the h—do you have to be a b***h?

    Torri: Like I said before, because I am a b***h. Get over that fact, rich boy.

    Sarah: Honestly, Torri? Is that the only insult you have? Can’t you be more creative?

    Both Luke and Torri look at her, stunned.

    Luke: What?! Are you taking her side?

    Sarah: Not really, I am just tired of her insult. It gets boring after a while if you use the same name over and over again.

    Torri: You’re one nice sister, aren’t you? Telling me to be more creative in insulting your brother, that’s a little cold.

    Sarah: Look who’s talking. You’ve been an uncooperative brat since you stepped into the house. You won’t let us help you, you won’t let us understand you, and you keep putting up walls. Why won’t you allow us to help? Why do you keep shoving us away like we mean nothing to you?

    Torri: That’s none of your business.

    Sarah: See, you did it again. Can’t you let it go? Can’t you just allow us to reach out to you?

    Luke: Sarah, don’t force her, leave her alone like mom said. Pushing her around won’t help.

    Sarah: Stop! Luke, you are only making things worse! Taking her side in this does not help her or us! Just because Mom said to leave her alone doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do. She’ll only continue to act selfish! She turns to Torri, Look I really like you as a person, but you are being a complete B-I-T-C-H. Knock it off.

    Torri: I’m sorry, but I don’t like people nosing around in my business. I am not trying to nose around in yours, or asking you stupid questions, so don’t do it to me. I may be a b***h sometimes, but I am an honest b***h.

    Sarah: Why the f—do you act like that? Even now you are pushing us away, farther and farther. Do you just not like us?

    Luke: SARAH! Stop it, stop this right now! Can’t you see that Torri is upset right now? What good is your fighting if you aren’t getting anywhere?

    Sarah: Luke, stay out of this, all right? You’re just being an enabler, Luke. By telling her it’s okay to act the way she is will only enforce in her mind that’s it is okay to be a brat! Next thing you’ll be doing is following her orders like no-brained idiot!

    Luke: I don’t care Sarah; you’ve stepped over the line!

    Sarah: Leave me alone Luke, You should be yelling at Torri, not me!

    Luke: Why? She’s not doing anything wrong! She told us she does not want to talk about it; we shouldn’t pry into her personal life!

    Sarah: Fine! I’ll let you to morons go back to playing your game! See if I decide to try to be helpful next time!

    Sarah storms out of the room, hurt and angry. She doesn’t understand why Luke has taken Torri’s side. She can be heard going down to her room and slamming the door shut.

    Torri: I’m sorry, I should apologize to her. I really did not mean to hurt her feelings. I just really don’t like people getting into my personal life.

    Luke: Don’t worry about it; you have nothing to apologize for, if anything Sarah has to apologize to you. She shouldn’t have begun to fight like that anyway. Mom told us to leave you a lone about your personal life anyway. She chose to step over the line of being concerned to being a jerk.

    Torri: No, I should not have yelled back, it was uncalled for.

    Luke: Don’t worry about Sarah. She’ll come out of it eventually.

    Torri: I have to talk to her, Luke; I don’t want her to be angry with me.

    Torri stands up and walks out of the room, the camera follows her down the hall and to the closed door of Sarah’s Room. She knocks on the door, a little hesitantly.

    Torri: Sarah? Sarah? I want to talk to you. Can I come in?

    Sarah: No!

    Torri: Sarah, please? I know what I said was wrong; I should not have lost my head like that. I’m sorry for being completely rude to you.

    Sarah: after a pause; Come in, shut the door behind you.

    Torri enters the room, inside Sarah is lying on her bed face down. The shades are shut tightly and the lights are off. Torri sits down by Sarah, uncomfortable.

    Torri: I want to explain myself to you, maybe you’ll understand, maybe not. I’m not sure you will; you have a loving family, which makes all the difference. You mother and father work hard to support you, they love you to death. You have money to spend on nice things like DVDs and clothes, you have what every girl wants. Torri’s voice is quiet, a mere whisper, yet it carries throughout the room.

    Sarah: Go one, Torri, tell me. I’ll listen.

    Torri: in the same voice. All right, but under one condition, you do not tell anyone, not even Luke or your parents.

    Sarah: Why? We don’t judge others; we are not that kind of family.

    Torri: Promise, Promise me that or I won’t tell you.

    Sarah: I promise to keep my mouth shut about all of this.

    Torri: Good, at least don’t tell them until Sunday. By then I’ll be gone.

    Sarah: Okay, deal. I can hold your secret for that long.

    Torri: Where to begin…I guess the simplest way to start is by stating that my Mother and Father hate each other. Mother gave up her dream when she learned that I was on the way. She wanted to travel the world; I guess that she resents me for that. Father is an alcoholic; there is no getting around that. He loves his drink more than his family. My parents met when they were young, and married young too. At the time they did not know what they were getting into, you know? Mom had high ambitions and Dad had a steady job. To them their future was bright, too bright. Then at age twenty, Mom learned about me… she had to quit school to have me and never went back, there went her goal of being a lawyer or a doctor. Dad took on a second job on weekends to support all the doctors’ visits my mom required. Then over the years things went downhill. They began to fight and argue…then dad found his new love- cheap wine. He spent all his money on it, down to the last drop. Well, they had no time for me and never have ever since middle school. It’s better that way, when they remember me somehow I am dragged into the fight. Then when things get really bad, Mom will disappear for days to weeks on end. Dad will drink twice as much as usual, no surprise, and I am left alone. Yeah, I’ve had to get my own job at a department store as a part time employee. I work during the weekends and evenings until ten. She stops and looks at Sarah, her face guarded from emotion. So I guess you could say I don’t have it to bad, because at least they don’t beat me or abuse me, but honestly the emotional climate is terrible. They want a divorce but have no money for a divorce. They can barely talk to each other in a civilized manner. So I have done my best to cope.

    Sarah: Wow, I never knew. I’m sorry; I should not have yelled at you…I thought you were like that for some stupid reason, not because of all that.

    Torri: Don’t think about it, Sarah. You don’t need to apologize; it’s not your fault. You did not screw them up; they did it to themselves.

    Sarah: if you say so, I need time think this over, to take it all in. You did not tell me everything, did you?

    Torri: No, just enough so you understood, I can’t tell all of it just yet either. You’ll know soon enough.

    The camera fades as Sarah sits on her bed and Torri walks out of the room.

    Scene Five:

    The next afternoon, Mrs. and Mr. Green have the afternoon off. The family sits at the coffee table playing scrabble and Torri sits with them. After her talk with Sarah the two have become close friends, the change is surprising. Luke watches the two girls carefully from time to time, they sit next to each other with grins on their faces.

    Mrs. Green: Well, Torri you sure do know how to play hard.

    Mr. Green: Might have you play a game of chess with me, you seem like a good opponent.

    Torri: Sure, Chess is always fun, I’ll play with you.

    Luke: You better watch out, Dad never loses at the game. He’s a dedicated player.

    Mr. Green: Nonsense, I’m average. You are just no good, Luke.

    Sarah: Dad! You’ve won several championships! Don’t be so modest.

    Mr. Green: Well, you sure know how to stroke a man’s pride, Sarah.

    Sarah: That’s because I know you well enough. I know exactly how many games you’ve won over the years in championships.

    Mr. Green: Still, it makes me feel great that you still love your old man. Most girls your age are distancing themselves from their parents.

    Mrs. Green: Not our Sarah, I’m glad she is willing to be seen in public with me.

    Sarah: Mom, Dad! Stop that, mom you know you’ll never embarrass me. You always dress appropriately for your age and job. Dad, you are just to fun to be around for me not to like you. Just as long as you don’t embarrass me in front of boys.

    Luke: Like you even pay attention to boys, anyway!

    Sarah: she sticks her tongue out. I know all of my friend’s dads have had the sex talk with them and their boyfriends. It sounds mortifying!

    Luke: You’ll never get a boy friend, Sarah. So don’ worry about dad having that talk.

    Mrs. Green: That’s enough of that. Talk about something more appropriate.

    Mr. Green: yeah, like how about your plans for tomorrow. Do you have any?

    Torri: I do, I want Luke to play his Violin for me.

    Luke: Oh, you sure? You got pretty upset last time I did.

    Torri: I am totally sure, I don’t want any regrets, and if I don’t listen I will have them.

    Sarah: Luke play for us tomorrow. If you do we can do anything you want in the afternoon.

    Luke: If you say so…

    Mrs. Green: I think it’s a lovely idea, Luke.

    Mr. Green: You can play them the few pieces you made.

    Luke: blushing slightly. Okay, I’ll play.

    Torri: Good, then we’ve decided.

    Luke: I guess, but don’t freak out on me again.

    Sarah: She won’t if she does I’ll tackle her.

    The scene ends with every one laughing, Torri is blushing furiously.

    Scene six:

    Luke is playing his violin in his room. Torri and Sarah are sitting around him both quiet. Torri has a peaceful and sad look on her face; her eyes are closed and she leans back against the wall. Luke finishes and she sits up straight, wiping a few tears from her eyes before anyone notices.

    Luke: Did you like it? I made that one a year ago, when I first saw you in school Torri. You were sitting alone in the cafeteria in the corner. I remember you had such a sad look on your face, It made me almost cry. You were so still, so quiet I felt like if I were to touch you, you would shatter into a million dark pieces. That day you inspired me to write this song, I had forgotten about it until now.

    Torri: You saw me in school? I would have remembered seeing you, I’m sure I would have.

    Luke: No you would not, I took those special classes the school has for geniuses in the west wing. You know the outstanding students in music, art, or sports that do all those competitions? Well we got our own wing in the school so we could study our classes privately and continue with our talents and not fall behind.

    Sarah: So that would explain why Torri did not recognize you. She would never have seen you in normal classes.

    Luke: I forgot about that until now too, But Torri you just reminded me with that look on your face, it was the same one you had when I saw you in the cafeteria. This one was much more…peaceful but the sadness was there too.

    Torri: Oh, I never knew you could be this…deep.

    Luke: I normally don’t show this side. I tend to take things in and not always give things away.
    Sarah: It’s one of his flaws. Most of the time he is not like that though, I have never seen him get angry or yell either. Actually coming to think of it, he’s never once said anything mean to any one!

    Torri: I’m not surprised, from what I’ve seen of Luke he is not that type of person.

    Luke: Stop talking about me as if I am not here, please.

    Sarah: Sorry, Sorry, did not mean to do that.

    Luke: Don’t apologize, just don’t do it.

    Torri: You two get along very well, I’ve never noticed before. Every sibling pair I’ve met tend to bicker about everything, you two don’t.

    Sarah: she shrugs, not very impressed. We have learned to get along, you have too when both of your parents are lawyers and yell at you if you don’t behave they’ll use the law against you. When you are little you tend to believe them when they say they’ll find a way to shove you in foster care or something like that.

    Luke: How about the boarding school one? I remember being terrified of that one- you never knew who would be there. There could be a serial killer or something like that.

    Torri: Really, Luke? Isn’t that a little too wild of an imagination?

    Sarah: It was, but understand a little child’s imagination, Torri. They go wild when frightened or excited. When I was little every little noise that they had me running to my parents’ room at night knowing a monster was out to get me.

    Torri: I was never like that; actually I remember being scared of my parents more then monsters. What if they started to yell at me?

    Sarah: When we were little monsters were real, they were as real as you or me. To me I felt that monsters were everywhere and the only place we were safe was at home. I used to hate school even, so sure the other children were evil bogeymen or evil spirits.

    Torri: I can’t imagine being like that. Sounds difficult being a child.

    Luke: All children are like that, I’m sure you were too.

    Torri: No, I was not like that. I was never scared of the things that go bump in the night.

    Sarah: Did you watch kiddies’ horror? Like “Scooby Dobby Doo”? Or what was the other one? Oh yeah, “Sleepy Hollow”, the cartoon had me screaming whenever I saw a shadow in my room. Once I even watched “Sixth Sense” with my parents, I can’t remember fully how old I was- I think maybe six at the time- but I peed in my pans throughout the whole thing. I had to finish watching it though; I had to know the end.

    Luke: I was at a sleep over that time wasn’t I? Down the street a little near those expensive homes. I think I was with Bobby, remember Bobby? His parents were brain surgeons.

    Sarah: Yeah, good ol’ Bobby, I remember him. What happened to him anyway?

    Torri: Wasn’t he the one the middle school football team who broke his spinal cord? Isn’t he now like paralyzed from the waist down?

    Luke: Nope that was Thomas Smith, He disappeared in freshman year. No, Bobby moved after eighth grade because his dad got a better job offer in a private hospital for rich people.

    Torri: Oh, so he turned into one of them.

    Sarah: It was only Mom, Dad, and I at the time I watched that movie. Now I love Horror movies, can’t get enough of them, but don’t get scared stiff. Not really surprising, now that I have grown older.

    Luke: What was the scariest movie you’ve ever seen, Torri?

    Torri: she pauses for a minute, lost in thought. I can’t really say. For me no horror movie is very frightening at all. You can usually guess what is going to happen and when, no big deal. The plots are all very similar- not to mention boring. You can pretty much see how all movies end if you know the formula.

    Sarah: But that’s what makes it so much fun, you know what’s going to happen yet it still surprises you.

    Torri: Not me, it never surprises me.

    Luke: Are you sure? How about what was your favorite movie ever?

    Sarah: you have to have a favorite movie Torri, everyone does, unless you live under a rock.

    Torri: Hum, I can’t decide, there are so many good ones. I find I like older movies better than the newer ones though. I loved “Arsenic and Old Lace”, a classic. Then “The Mummy” – the one done in 1999, or rather around then. Lastly “Harvey”- another great Classic.

    Luke: Never knew you would be into those old black and white types of films. Though I have to agree, those are classic movies. You can never go wrong in watching them with others.

    Sarah: I’m not sure I watched them, have you?

    Luke: Some time ago, I liked them pretty well. Nothing wrong with them if you love comedy and a little horror and suspense mixed together. “Harvey” Was just plain funny- nothing scary about it at all.

    Torri: It’s my all time favorite when I need to lift my mood. It gets you laughing pretty hard.

    Sarah: I’ll have to watch it sometime soon. Do we own it? We have so many movies I lose track of them.

    Luke: No we don’t, I meant to buy them but never got to do it. Okay actually I did buy them but before I opened them I had to use them as a hasty birthday gift for a friend of mine, I have not found the time to buy them again.

    Sarah: You are a complete idiot!

    Luke: I know, don’t need to remind me.

    Torri: Looks like you need reminding every so often.

    The scene ends with them laughing. The camera fades out, leaving darkness and a second more of laughter.

    Scene seven:

    The Green family sits in the living room, Torri and Mr. Green play chess.

    Mr. Green: Torri, you sure do know how to play.

    Torri: beaming. Thank you, I taught myself.

    Mr. Green: Really? How did you manage to do that?

    Torri: I played against myself in the middle school library. Then some time the librarian would play with me.

    Luke: Was that Mr. Moss?

    Torri: Yeah, he played a mean game. I learned more from him than half my teachers.

    Sarah: Was he the tall one? The one with the beard, and quiet eyes?

    Torri: Yeah, that was him, he was really quiet. His eyes looked sad a lot of the time. I remember him because he was always nice to me.

    Sarah: I liked him well enough, I just never got the feeling he liked me.

    Luke: I think he had favorites, but it was always hard to pinpoint.

    Torri: He liked me well enough. Always let me check out my own books and never limited me on how many I could take out at a time.

    Mr. Green: Isn’t that against the rules?

    Torri: Sure it was, but who was going to tell?

    Mr. Green: Is he still working at the library?

    Luke: I think so, I have not heard of another librarian taking his place yet.

    Mr. Green: I would enjoy playing a game with him sometime soon, see if he really is as good as our Torri says he is. He beams at Torri, Torri blushes in reply.

    The scene ends with the screen fading.