Young Writers Society

Act 1, Scene 1

ROSALIE is sitting in bed, holding a book.

ROSALIE

(reading from the book)

"Edward Simmons' eyes were like green caterpillars-" Green caterpillar eyes. That's an interesting phrase.

MOM

(calls from offstage)

Rosalie!

ROSALIE leaps off her bed, runs over to her desk and begins writing frantically on a piece of paper. MOM walks in, carrying a large stack of books.

MOM

I got some new books for you.

(sets the books down on the bed and starts rifling through them)

Astrophysics for Young People, The Expanding Universe, and-this one looks interesting-Death by a Black Hole.

ROSALIE

Thanks, Mom.

MOM

I got a Calculus workbook, too. I thought you might need it next year. I'm so proud of you, sweetie, for being so smart and driven-

ROSALIE

Mom.

MOM

I'm proud of you for following your passion and excelling at it. Is that bad?

ROSALIE

Mom!

MOM

Fine, I'll stop. On an unrelated note, have you finished packing?

ROSALIE looks at the audience, panicked.

ROSALIE

I-um-was too busy doing homework.

MOM

(smiles)

Just finish up soon, ok? We're leaving early tomorrow morning. Wouldn't want to miss your cousin's wedding!

Act 1, Scene 2

The stage has become the wedding venue. The bride and groom have not yet arrived, so the guests are milling about and talking, while young children are running around and screaming. ROSALIE stands in the corner, alone and clearly uncomfortable. An OLDER MAN walks over to her, with gray hair and an ocean-themed tie.

OLDER MAN

Excuse me?

ROSALIE is startled.

OLDER MAN

Forgive me for interrupting, but I couldn't help wondering- are you Rosalie Westlake? Did you win the National Science Fair Competition two years ago?

ROSALIE

I did.

THE OLDER MAN

Nice to meet you.

(They shake hands)

I'm a scientist too. I research marine life.

ROSALIE

That sounds fun.

OLDER MAN

It is. Quite fun, actually. Are you interested in pursuing a career in marine studies? Or do your interests lie in another area of science?

ROSALIE

Well, actually-

ROSALIE is interrupted by the sound of music playing. It is clear the wedding is about to start, so everyone takes their seats. ROSALIE and OLDER MAN are separated.

Act 1, Scene 3

The stage is now a reception area. There is a large dance floor in the center stage, where most of the guests are. The rest are sitting at tables around the edge of the stage. ROSALIE is one of those, sitting by herself and reading.

JASPER

May I join you?

ROSALIE is shocked, but nods. Seeing JASPER clearly elicits strong emotions.

JASPER

Are you the famous Rosalie? Your grandmother has been telling me all about your accomplishments.

ROSALIE blushes.

JASPER

I'm Jasper Haye, in case you were wondering.

ROSALIE

My cousin- um- he told me you were coming, actually. I didn't believe it, of course, because, well- you're Jasper Haye. You're the most famous actor of the twenty-first century.

JASPER

Are you a fan?

ROSALIE holds up the cover of her book, and JASPER nods in understanding.

ROSALIE

You were amazing as Edward Simmons. Everything about the character, and the way you brought him to life is so wonderful and-

(she stops herself)

I'm sorry. My cousin told me not to talk about Midnight.

JASPER

I'm used to it by now.

ROSALIE

Can I- do you mind if I ask why you don't want to talk about Midnight? Do you not like it?

JASPER

I don't have anything against Midnight. It's a great movie. But every time I walk down the street, someone points and says "Edward Simmons". Even though I've been in other movies, and my real name is Jasper Haye, I'll always be known as Edward Simmons, teenage heartthrob.

ROSALIE

I'm sorry.

JASPER

(chuckles)

It's not your fault. I signed the contract.

ROSALIE

Still, I'm sorry.

There are a few moments of uncomfortable silence. Neither one knows what to say.

JASPER

That's enough from me. Let's hear about you. How are you planning to win the Nobel Prize? Curing cancer? Or discovering alien life?

ROSALIE

I don't know.

JASPER

You don't sound very enthusiastic.

ROSALIE

(ruefully)

I win one competition and everyone thinks I'm the next Marie Curie.

JASPER

You are, aren't you?

ROSALIE

(softly)

It's just like you were saying.

JASPER

What was I saying?

ROSALIE

I do one extraordinary thing, and that's all that's remembered about me. I wasn't trying to win anything, I just wanted to please my science teacher. But now that one prize, that one medal- it's my whole life. And I'm not sure I want it to be. It's too late, though, isn't it? Can't take it back.

JASPER

It's never too late.

ROSALIE

(laughs softly at herself)

I wrote a play for my English class, and it was- it was really good. It was really, really good. The drama teacher used it for the school's fall production, and she actually paid me for it. Can you believe that? She paid me for it. It was that good.

JASPER

You must have some skill as a writer.

ROSALIE

(dismissive)

I do. But my achievements as a writer are nothing compared to my achievements as a budding scientist.

JASPER

I understand. Everything you do now seems insignificant next to what you've accomplished in the past.

ROSALIE

Exactly.

They go quiet again.

JASPER

God, we're depressing, aren't we? It's a wedding, for goodness' sake. Come dance with me, Rosalie.

ROSALIE

(All the color has drained from her face)

What?

JASPER

(rolls his eyes)

Now she turns into a fangirl. Rosalie, will you dance with me?

ROSALIE nods, speechless. JASPER leads her out onto the dance floor, where a soft, wistful song is playing. Everyone is slow dancing, and JASPER and ROSALIE do the same.

JASPER

Rosalie?

ROSALIE

Hmm?

JASPER

Are you dancing with Jasper Haye, or with Edward Simmons?

ROSALIE pauses and thinks for a moment.

ROSALIE

Can it be both?

JASPER

(looking down at ROSALIE, smiling faintly)

Yeah. It can be both.