Yoshimitsu
Former Moderator
Warning: This is VERY long. Comes to 37 or so pages in size 8 font, Verdana xD
Scene 1, on the school field, beneath the trees.
Nicola: So, believe it or not, that's why Jonny dumped Bethy.
Jake: Nah, that's not right. I know guys like that, and he is definitely not one of them.
Sarah: I'm not sure, Jake. It's not always who you expect who turns out to be.
Jake: I know, but he's just a bit too… Well, y'know.
Damien: Jake has a point, yeah? Who would've thought Jonny was?
Lucy: Shame, really. He wasn't bad lookin'.
Nicola: You wouldn't have had a chance. I don't think he'd like anyone that butch.
Cody: Butch?
Jake: Masculine. Y'know, like how a guy acts and stuff.
Cody: Oh, right. So Lucy had no chance anyway.
Lucy: Oi, watch it Cody. You're a friend but I'ma not takin' any rubbish off anyone.
Damien: Leave the kid alone, Lucy. Just ignore her, Cody, alright?
Sarah: Lucy's harmless anyway. We all know she has a soft spot for the weak boys. Better watch out, Cody.
Nicola: (Giggles) Yeah. She likes to hit them, they usually fly further. (Winks to Cody)
Cody (Shifts away from Lucy): R-right...
Jake: Ahh, ignore Nicky, she's only messin'.
Cody (Laughing nervously): Alright, I'll keep it in mind anyway.
Lucy (Laughing): Nah, don't worry, Cody, like I said, yer a friend. I don't hit friends, end of.
Cody: That's good to know… Mum warned me, saying northerners were a bit…
Damien: Oh yeah, you're not from around here, are ya? What's your old school like?
Cody: Oh um… It was ok. Lot of people, not enough staff. Most of the staff left after a year. Most of my class were… well, monsters. Glad we moved up here. It's a bit colder but it's a lot nicer.
Jake: Didn't you come from an all boy's school? Somewhere in Essex or somewhere like that?
Cody: Uh… yeah… All girl's school down the road.
Jake: Mmm… I'da loved that. There aren't enough gay boys up here, mighta been more there.
Sarah: They'd all be straight. Just to spite you. What happened to being bi?
Jake: Oh, I am. (Grinning). You just don't get enough guy action around here though.
Lucy: S'all about action with you, innit?
Nicola: He's a guy. What did you expect?
Damien: (Suddenly points to Jake's arm) Where'd you get that bruise from?
Jake: (Adjusts his sleeve to hide bruise) Uh… nowhere…
Sarah: Oh please, if you're going to lie, at least say you full, or were hit by a bike, or got in the way of a rampaging elephant, don't just say "nowhere".
Lucy: Have ya been in a fight or somethin'?
Jake: No, s'nothin'. Just the family giving me a hard time. Y'know, whole alternative thing. They found out I'm bi the other day, and gave me hell for it.
Lucy: Want me to sort 'em out for you?
Jake: Nah. They'd just give me even more grief, knowin' them.
Damien: Dude, can't you go and live somewhere else? My mum's always tellin' me how she'd adopt you. The whole town knows about what your family do. 'Sides, my mom's in love with you. She thinks you're "really cute".
Jake: They'd track me down anyway. Trust me, I'm handling it alright.
Sarah: If you say so. I do think you should report this to the child care services. Wouldn't a foster home be better than where you are?
Jake: Doubt it. They might turn out to be the same. Anyway, I'm still here, right? I'm living. That's enough for me. (Forces a smile) So, how's school work goin'?
Damien (with slight reluctance): Eh. You know how it goes. Piled up with homework, just the week after we've finished out exams. Gits. We need a break!
Nicola: I know! Y'know, Mrs Smith's on the prowl even more now, catching people's uniforms more. She tried to catch me for my hair, but I blagged it. "The sun must have dyed it, miss! I swear I haven't!"
Lucy: Daft woman. You went from brunette to bright blonde! There's no way she could believe that. She must be senile.
Damien: I dunno, I'm not complainin'. Might go blonde m'self.
Sarah: Damien, dear, your hair is blonde.
Damien: It's not that blonde. Could be brighter.
Cody (quietly, slight grin): Only if you want to look like a streetlamp.
Jake: A gem of wit! Wonders never cease, eh? Y'know Lucy'll be nicer to ya if you can come out with stuff like that right back to her.
Lucy: Or I'll snap him like a twig for back-chattin' me.
Damien: Like you could snap a twig. (Wink to Lucy).
Nicola: Alright children, break it up. We'll have no rough housing in front of the new kid. Or d'you want to ruin our image for him?
Sarah (Checking her watch): Oh, it's already end of fifth period. So do we go to RS and think up some silly story, or just go?
Jake: Just go, can't be arsed with Elderson t'day. When've we next got RS?
Cody (checking timetable): Tomorrow second period.
Damien: Alright, meet ya here again tomorrow then. See ya guys.
(Exit: all)
Scene 2, in the classroom.
Just before the start of class
Cody and Sarah are sat on the desks next to each other
Nicola is with her 'popular friends'
Jake is sat in his seat drawing
Lucy is sat on the desk next to Jake's
Damien is sat on Jake's other side
Damien: So, whatcha drawin' today?
Jake: Dunno, haven't decided. Looks like a dragon so far though, doesn't it?
Lucy: You're too into all that fantasy crap, I say. There's a world outside yer sketchpad.
Damien: Yeah, but if he tries to muscle in on my territory I'd probably hurt him. Or something like that anyway.
Jake: Yeah, there's a reason I don't go outside often. It usually ends in Damien 'accidentally' hurting me.
Lucy: Ahh, you're terrible.
Sarah: So you don't have to re-sit the year?
Cody: No, I was in the top of my classes in my last school. Didn't have many friends, so I spent most of my time studying…
Sarah: That's not at all healthy. Social interaction makes the world go round.
Cody: Yeah, but I… well, I was… a little odd.
Sarah: Isn't everyone, though? So how were you odd?
Cody: Well… if there was a lesson I didn't like, I skipped it and spent the lesson on the school field, even in the rain. I never sat with anyone in lessons. I spent most of my time being silent.
Sarah: Like I said, that's not healthy at all. A little social contact can work wonders. How come you never talked to anyone?
Cody: I dunno… I was afraid people'd just pretend to be my friends or something… Like they actually didn't like me.
Sarah: Aww, that's horrible. I'm sure people weren't like that. You have us now, though. And we're not fake like that, I can promise you that.
Cody: Yeah… thanks.
Nicola: You mean he found someone that quickly?
Popular #1: I heard that's why he dumped her.
Popular #2: And his new other half is really cute!
Nicola: So how long's that been going on for? It's awfully sudden.
Popular #2: Well Bethy said that he'd been acting weirdly for about a month, so we figure that's when he figured it out.
Popular #1: But he only started avoiding her for about a week before the break-up, so maybe that's when he found the guy.
Nicola: How's she handling it all?
Popular #1: You know Bethy. She moved on to another guy after five minutes of moaning. She's stalking Damien now.
Nicola: I'll tell him to watch out then. (Catches Damien's eye)
Damien: So, got any plans after school?
Jake: Oh, the usual. Hide in my room and probably scribble in my sketchpad some more.
Lucy: Now that's no good. Come have a bit of fun with us.
Damien: I've got a free house for a few hours. Wanna come round? Mum restocked the fridge too, so we're full of food.
Lucy: I'm for it, yeah.
Jake: Alright, yeah. Straight after school?
Damien: Yep. I'll tell Sarah, Cody and Nicky. (Gets up and approaches Sarah and Cody)
Sarah: So what'd you take for your options, then?
Cody: Drama, Geography and Music. I was top in my class at Geography and Music, and I just liked my Drama classes. We had a really good teacher.
Sarah: Oh yeah, you're in my Geography. Are you in Jake's Drama class? What's it like?
Cody: It's really good. Everyone's really good at acting in it.
Sarah: Sounds fun. I'll stick to my academic subjects, though, thanks. Geography, Sociology and Business Studies.
Damien (sits down next to Cody): Heya. Jake and Lucy are coming to mine after school. Free house, food. You in?
Sarah: Of course. I don't have anything better to do. Cody?
Cody: Y-yeah, sure.
Damien: Good lad. Alright, gotta go ask Nicky. (Walks off).
Sarah (looks at Cody): What's wrong?
Cody: N-nothing… It's just… No one ever invited me round at my last school.
Sarah: Cody, dear, this is what having friends is about.
Nicola: It's a shame. He really was good looking.
Popular #1: I hear the other one's quite nice too.
Popular #2: Someone said it was Peter Morson though.
All three: Ewww!
Nicola: (pause, thinking) I doubt it. Jonny has standards.
Popular #2: Uh oh, the meathead's coming over.
Damien: Nice to see you too, girls. Nicky, my house after school? Everyone's going.
Nicola: Yeah, I'll come. How long for?
Damien: However long. Free house for most of the night. Should be good.
Nicola: Straight after school?
Damien: Yeah.
Nicola: 'Kay, gotcha.
(Damien bows and walks off)
(Bell rings, teacher walks in. Class get to their seats.)
Teacher: Morning, class. Today's lesson is about Trigonometry.
(Class groans.)
Scene Three, aka music references ahoy.
Damien's house
Everyone is sat in Damien's lounge
The TV is on the music channels
Nicola: Which channel?
Damien: Smash hits, definitely.
Sarah: No, go for B4.
Jake: Scuzz or Kerrang, I'd say.
Lucy: Is the Galaxy Chart on today?
Nicola: Not for another two hours.
Sarah: What about MTV Flux? They're pretty varied.
Damien: Ugh, too varied for me. I'm never putting that channel on, not since they put Barbie Girl on.
Nicola: Three times in an hour, wasn't it?
Damien: Something like.
Jake: I always liked the micky-take. Ugly Girl was a classic.
Sarah: I heard one where two guys slated Barbie because they fancied Ken. It was alright.
Jake: I heard that too. Bloody awful, my ears bled for weeks afterwards.
Damien: Hey, who put the Box on?
Nicola: What? McFly were on!
Sarah: I didn't know you liked McFly, Nicola.
Nicola: Not really, just a couple of their songs. Could be from spending too much time with you, though, Sarah.
Damien: Yeah, that's great but can we get this channel off before someone like Elliot Minor come on?
Cody (Quietly): I like Elliot Minor.
Jake: The kid has good taste. (Grinning)
Lucy: No he doesn't. We have to wash the emo off him with a hose now.
(Cody looks shocked)
Damien: We tried that with Jake, but it di'nt work.
Nicola: He was too far gone to be saved.
Cody: I don't see what the big deal is…
Sarah: Oh? What does that mean?
Cody: It's just a haircut and some clothes, isn't it?
(Everyone pauses to consider this)
Jake: I think Cody should pick the channel.
Sarah: For breaking all our brains with rational thoughts.
(Everyone laughs, Cody just smiles)
Damien: Alright Code, what channel?
Cody: (Pause to think) Three six one.
Sarah: Three six… Fizz?
Jake: Fizz?
Sarah: Two channels down from Scuzz. They play a good variety of music.
Nicola: I had Fizz on the other day. Really good music, actually. Nice choice, Cody.
(Cody smiles, embarrassed)
Jake: Isn't this Funeral For A Friend?
Lucy: Sounds emo enough.
Sarah: I quite like them, actually.
Jake: Their older stuff was better.
Nicola: Everyone says that about popular bands nowadays.
Damien: What d'ya mean, Nicky?
Nicola: Think about it, Green Day got really popular, but all their fans said he older stuff was the better. It's the same for loads of bands, FFAF, McFly, MCR…
Sarah: Everybody loves MCR's newer music though.
Nicola: Yeah, but still.
(Damien's stomach growls)
Damien: Food'sa calling!
Jake: I'll help. I'm starving.
Lucy: Yeah, me too.
(Exit: Damien, Lucy, Jake)
Sarah: So, what's happening with Damien and Lucy?
Nicola: You what?
Sarah: Damien and Lucy. Don't you think they're flirting, just a little?
Nicola: They're always flirtin'. No, Damien's going for Bethy, I think.
Sarah: Bethy? The one Jonny dumped?
Nicola: Yeah, that Bethy. I was listening to them in History. It was, like, Flirtsville there.
Sarah: I hope that's as far as it goes. Damien can do so much better than her.
Nicola: I don't reckon it will. Bethy's got a thing for that guy in Dami's P.E. class.
Sarah: The dark-haired one? Who's more brawn than brain?
Nicola: Yeah, him. Complete idiot. Bethy's type, definitely.
Cody: I think I know who you mean… he held up the dinner queue for about ten minutes when he was trying to pay. Couldn't add his money together right, but he refused help.
Nicola: Probably stolen cash too.
Sarah: He's a brute, forcibly taking money from younger, weaker or smaller people than him…
(Cody gulps)
Nicola: Don't worry, Code. He's terrified of Damien, and he knows you two are mates.
Sarah: Remember when he tried to pick a fight with Jake?
Nicola (Grinning): Oh yeah, he was insulting Jake's drawing. Jake just laughed at him.
Damien (Entering with a tray of food): Then I walked up and started talkin' to Jake.
Lucy (Entering with tray): I'm pretty sure 'e wet 'imself. He's a riot, though, for a cocky git.
Sarah: He looks like a fire hydrant.
Jake (Enters, without tray): Probably has the brains of one too. How come we're talkin' about Richard anyway?
Nicola & Sarah: No reason. (Avoiding each other's eyes, grinning)
(Damien looks from one to the other)
Damien: I'm gonna tell myself you two are planning a surprise party or somethin' like that.
Sarah: Good plan. (Still grinning).
Jake: Hey, what time is it?
Cody: (Check's watch) Quarter past six.
Jake: What?! Oh, oh no. That can't be right. (Obviously worried, panicking)
Lucy: What's wrong?
Jake: Dad said I had to be in by half five… Oh shit…
Damien: Jake, dude, calm down, just stay here tonight. Mum wont mind and dad's away with work.
Lucy: Yer dad prob'ly wont mind, Jake. I'd go with it.
Jake: Are you sure it's alright? You sure your mum wont mind?
Damien: Nahh, s'like I said, she's in love with you. She'll probably go out and buy you all sorts of shower gel and shampoo and god knows what else.
Jake: 'Kay… I'll phone my dad later, once he's had a few to drink.
Sarah: (Stands up) Actually, I'd best get going. Mum wanted me in the house tonight.
Cody: I'll head off too.
Damien: Alright, see ya you two.
(Exit: Cody and Sarah)
Lucy: You sure you don't want me to sort yer family out? I bet me and Damien could show 'em a thing or two.
Nicola: That's not a good move. They'd probably just blame Jake again and-
Jake: Guys, thanks but… Can we… not talk about this? Please?
Damien: You sure, Jake? You know we'll help any way we can.
Jake: I know, it's just… Well, I've gotta deal with it myself, I reckon. Thanks for the offers, though. I'll live through it. Only a couple of years now before I can move out, right? Let's talk about something else, 'kay? (Pause) So, uh… What're people doing at the weekend?
Nicola: Town with the girls. Haven't been with them for a while, and I'm really running out of cosmetics.
Lucy: Cousins are over on Friday, so I've gotta stay in, at least over Friday night. Nothing planned for Saturday yet though.
Damien: Considering inviting y'all round again. Mum and Dad are both away for the weekend, its their anniversary. I asked if I could have a party, they said "As long as you clean everything up afterwards."
Jake: That sounds pretty fun actually. Gonna go ahead with it?
Damien: Probably will, yeah. I've got four days to tell everyone.
Jake: Yeah, like that'll be a problem (Grinning).
(Phone rings, Damien answers)
Damien: Hello? … Yeah, she's here. … Ok, I'll tell her now. … Ok, bye."
Lucy: Who was it?
Damien: Your mum. (Everyone smirks) No, seriously, it was your mum. She says you're tea's gone cold and she wants you home now.
Lucy: Oh, alright then. I guess I'll see you in school.
Damien: You best had.
Nicola: I think I'll go too, then. Don't wanna be stuck with a coupla guys. No offence.
Jake: Only your "no offence" offends me. (Grinning, winks to Nicola)
Nicola: Charmin'! Well, I'll see ya.
(Exit: Nicola and Lucy).
Scene Four, a late night conversation...
Jake is on Damien's bed, Sarah is on her bed. They are on the phone to each other.
This scene can be done with or without the characters on stage.
Jake: Damien's in the shower right now. I'm sleepin' on the sofa. Like I said to
Damien, it's just plain rude for me to take his bed.
Sarah: I'm not sure, Jake. Your room at home… Well, sometimes I'm not even sure if it's fit to be called a bedroom. You sleep on a worn out mattress with no actual bed, and you have a sheet for a duvet.
Jake: Our family ain't rich though. Dad's the only one with a halfway decent bed. S'bin that way since Mum left us.
Sarah: Everything started going wrong when your mum left, didn't it?
Jake: I guess… Dad started drinking more. ..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />Adrian got rougher. Jeddy got more violent. Everything turned into a war zone, really. The house is always a mess, we barely have enough food to get by. Pretty pathetic life, really.
(If characters are on stage, Jake falls back on to the bed and lies, legs dangling off the edge)
Sarah: I don't know how you manage, sometimes. Everything in your life seems so… bleak.
(Sarah should start gathering books from her desk and put them in her school bag)
Jake: I try. I have you guys to keep me sane. And alive in some cases.
Sarah: You're our friend. We'd be pretty bad friends if we didn't help you out when you were in need.
Jake: I really appreciate it. Thanks a million.
Sarah: No problem, Jake. Heck, I'm sure even Cody would help you out, even though we've known him for about a week.
Jake: Ha, I doubt it. Cody is pretty cool though. As far as new kids go, y'know. He needs to come outta his shell a little though, doncha think?
Sarah: Definitely. He's so… inhibited right now. It might be why he took drama. All that rubbish about confidence building.
Jake: Hey, it's not rubbish. Y'know Alex? Remember what he was like before year ten?
Sarah: …No, actually. Why?
Jake: He was a total recluse. Sat in corners of classrooms and did nowt. Didn't talk to anyone or anything.
Sarah: So, how's this relevant?
Jake: Well, if you see him nowadays, he's one of the most sociable people in our year. He's not afraid of making a prat of himself any more, and he started actually talking to people.
Sarah: Oh. Well… that's…
Jake: Shocking, I know.
Sarah: Shocking? More like someone just ran into my with a truck. Repeatedly.
Jake: Naw, you can't be that surprised.
Sarah: Well, no. But I am surprised that someone can undergo that kind of change, just from walking about shouting and waving their arms.
Jake: Oi, I'll be having none of this drama bashing, thank you very much. There's more to Drama than acting like a bunch of monkeys.
Sarah: Yeah, you're allowed to pull faces at invigilators in exams.
Jake: Just one of the perks of being a drama student. (Grinning). Reminds me of some of the top things to do in an exam.
Sarah: That sentence fills me with equal parts of curiosity and pure fear. You find it funny. It must be terrifying.
Jake: Nah, you'll like this. Wear a white shirt and plain black pants to the exam. Halfway through, put on a mask and cape, stand up and sing "The Phantom of the Opera is here" at the top of your lungs.
(Sarah laughs)
Jake: Told ya you'd like it. (Smirking)
Sarah: It was pretty clever, for you.
Jake: I am to please.
(Stands up and bows, even though Sarah can't see him)
Sarah: You just took a bow, didn't you?
Jake: Don't be silly. I'm also not called Jake, I'm actually a fifty three year old balding woman called Margery.
Sarah: Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Jake. (Rolls her eyes)
Jake: It also happens to be my favourite. Gotta have a few quirks to ya, I reckon. Everyone has 'em.
Sarah: Oh really? Well, what are my quirks?
Jake: Oh, that's easy. You pick up on things that no one else does, and you're the top of your class without being a total nerd.
Sarah: I'll take those as compliments, then, shall I?
Jake: Well, yeah. I'm not the type to say stuff like that offensively. As far as I'm concerned, little traits like that are what make people interesting, unique and loveable.
Sarah: Well one of your traits is that you're too nice for your own good. You trust a little too much. That's not always a bad thing, but sometimes.
Jake: I know. He was a mistake though.
Sarah: I know, Jake. By the way, did you phone your dad?
Jake: Yeah. He didn't answer, though. Jeddy did.
Sarah: Oh? What did he say?
Jake: Not entirely sure. Every other word was swearing. Something like "You better effing stay the eff out tonight, or I'll smash your mother-effing face in".
Sarah: Ah, right.
Jake: I think that means Dad was too drunk to care, and those two are fine with me not being there.
Sarah: Well, that's good, I guess.
Jake: Could be worse. A lot worse.
Sarah: That's true. At least you're allowed to stay at Damien's.
Jake: Yeah. Oh, Damien's just got out of the shower. I'll see ya tomorrow, 'kay?
Sarah: Definitely. See ya.
(Both hang up simultaneously)
Scene Five.
Just before form period
Everyone apart from Cody is gathered
Damien: No forum tutor today, Nicky. He's ill or something.
(Leaning against the wall)
Nicola: Again? He's never in.
Jake: I wish our form tutor was never in. He always warns us about global warming, or sometimes he mocks what people have instead of science. Bloody science teacher.
Nicola: Ours is a drunk. We found a bottle of whiskey in his desk one time. He always drinks that weird looking mixed drink, too, if you notice.
Lucy: Hmm… Wonder if he'd consider sharin'?
Sarah: Not with you, Lucy. The whole school knows what happened last time you got drunk.
Lucy: Hey, I didn't lay a single finger on that kid!
Sarah: Oh, and I guess it was a ghost that knocked him down the stairs?
Lucy: He was just as bad. He probably fell down himself.
Jake: He might share with me. I'm a quiet drunk.
Nicola: You're a bloody drama drunk. You got up and started performing Shakespeare, throwin' in a few lines from your play really loudly.
Jake: I don't remember doing that at all.
Nicola: You were probably too drunk to remember.
(Smirk)
Sarah: I think we were all too drunk to be held accountable for our actions, to be honest.
Nicola: I wasn't. I was collecting blackmail on you all.
Damien: Oh really? So what'd you get on me, then, Nicky?
Nicola: A girl never tells.
(Wink and grin)
Jake: Not until she has to blackmail ya, that is.
Damien: (Points to door) We're goin' in, Nicky.
Nicola: We have Miss Walker? (Pause) …Well, ok. See ya, guys.
(Exit: Damien and Nicola.
Enter: Cody)
(Cody approaches the group with his head down)
Cody: (Quietly) Hey guys…
Sarah: Hi, Cody… What's up?
Jake: 'Ere, what's that on your face?
(Tries to look. Cody backs off)
Cody: Noth-nothing…
(Lucy grabs Cody's shoulder and face, and forces his head up. Sarah gasps)
Lucy: How'd you get that?
Jake: Nice black eye. You officially look like a panda.
Sarah: (Strictly) Thank you, Jake. Cody, what happened?
Lucy: Did someone punch you? Want me to sort 'em out for you?
Cody: It's n-nothing, I… fell…
Lucy: Looks like it hurt.
Sarah: Cody, I don't believe that. What happened?
Cody: (With uncharacteristic force) Nothing, just drop it.
Sarah: Cody, please.
Lucy: Code, c'mon. What happened?
Cody: Nothing happened! Just leave it!
(Cody storms off)
(Pause)
Sarah: I don't believe that he fell for even a second.
Lucy: Whatever happened must have really shook 'im up.
Sarah: Maybe he was attacked?
Jake: I'll go check on him during form. He wont go to form, I'll bet anything on it. Wont wanna be seen, I reckon.
Lucy: I don't see why he's so bugged about talking about it.
Jake: I do. I'll check on him.
Lucy: Let me know if he says anything, alright? I'm headed in now. See ya at break, you two.
(Exit: Lucy)
(Sarah gives Jake a scrutinising look)
Sarah: You know something, don't you?
Jake: Not for sure, no. I have a hunch though.
Sarah: What is it?
Jake: Wont say. If I'm wrong, I don't want anyone to find out and start spreading rumours. I don't think the poor guy can cope with that.
Sarah: No, I suppose not… (Pause) …Make sure he's okay, alright?
Jake: You know me.
Sarah: I do. Don't try to take his problems, though. You can't cope with someone else's problems on top of yours.
Jake: (Cold) Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Sarah: Still not going to tell me?
Jake: I would, but your form just went in.
(Jake points to Sarah's form)
Sarah: You weren't actually going to, were you?
Jake: Not as such, no. (Smirk)
(Sarah rolls her eyes, then leaves)
(Jake goes offstage. Cody is found in the toilets, hands placed on either side of a sink, hunched over and head down)
Jake: Thought I might find you here.
Cody: (Has been crying) What do you want, Jake?
Jake: Just came to check on you. Make sure you're okay. I know there's more to your injuries than just that eye.
Cody: (Coldly) I'm fine.
Jake: Don't give me that, Cody, I know you're not. I recognise that kind of bruise. It takes more than just a fall to give you a black eye that bad. I'm not gonna force anythin' out of you, Cody, I'm not like that. Just remember, we're all here for you. And we'll sort it if you want us to.
Cody: (Long pause) ... I've got a couple of bruises and some cuts.
Jake: Whereabouts?
Cody: Arms and chest.
Jake: I'm kinda surprised you're in school. Did it happen before you got here, on the way or in school, or…?
Cody: … Just before I got here.
Jake: So what happened? Were you jumped, mugged or what?
(Cody turns around and slides down the side so that he's sitting, still not looking at Jake)
Cody: … I was j-jumped. Not far from school… I'd taken a back route to try to get here quicker, a-and…
Jake: I can guess the rest. Who did it?
(Cody doesn't answer)
(Jake sits next to Cody)
Jake: It's alright, Code. If you wanna get it sorted in the future, let one of us know and we'll fix it, alright? Just let me know, 'kay?
(Cody nods. He is crying again. Jake hugs him, then stands up and makes for the exit. When his hand is on the door, Cody looks up).
Cody: It… It was… R-richard.
(Jake's hand tightens on the handles)
Jake: Richard?
(Cody nods)
Cody: Y-yeah.
At break.
Jake and Sarah are away from the rest of the group.
Sarah: Jake, what's up? You looked so angry in English.
Jake: I found out what happened to Cody. We were right, he'd been jumped and beaten up.
Sarah: Thought so. He's fragile enough as it is, he doesn't need that kind of treatment.
Jake: And Richard did it.
Sarah: What?!
Jake: I know. That bastard jumped Cody for no good reason. Probably just to get back at Damien.
Sarah: We have to tell someone. A teacher or someone.
Jake: You and I both know that wont work. Richard's a brute. He'll only respond to violence. I'll rip him to pieces myself.
Sarah: Jake, no. He'll squash you. We should tell Damien.
Jake: I hate him, Sarah. He's a sadist. He uses everyone just to get at Damien.
Sarah: I know, Jake. And I know he hurt you, but please. We have to tell Damien.
(Jake doesn't reply.)
Sarah: Please Jake! Just leave it to Damien. I'll tell him later, after school. Jake, promise me you wont do anything. Promise me.
Jake: … Ok, Sarah. If he does anything else to Cody today, though, I will kill him.
Sarah: Jake.
Jake: Fine. I wont. I promise.
Sarah: Thank you. Keep an eye on Cody today. He's so vulnerable right now…
Jake: I will.
(End scene)
Scene Six
In maths
Damien, Jake and Sarah are sat next to each other
The teacher, Mr Johnson, is patrolling, making sure everyone is doing their work
The scene can have other actors playing students.
Damien: I've told everyone who isn't a complete git to come round on Friday night.
Jake: Got any booze?
Damien: Someone said they'd bring some. It's basically B.Y.O.B, I reckon.
Sarah: What about music? It isn't a party without music.
Damien: Music channels, and you should know that I have a bigger music collection than most of the school put t'gether.
Jake: So who didn't you invite? I know whatcha like, you've probably invited nearly everyone.
Damien: Am I that predictable?
(Jake and Sarah look at each other)
Jake & Sarah: Yes. (Both grin)
Damien: Well, damn. Anyway, basically everyone in the year, apart from the 'geniuses' in my P.E. class.
Jake: Did you invite the D.T group and Music geeks?
Damien: Yep, apart from Richard. He wasn't in when I went into the D.T room. Not that I'd invite the idiot anyway.
(Sarah and Jake glance at each other. Damien opens his mouth to question this)
Mr Johnson: How much work have you done, Damien?
Sarah: Sir… is there any extra work?
Mr Johnson: Uh… well…
(Jake swaps his and Damien's books)
Try tackling the next exercise. So, Damien, how much work?
(He checks the book)
Well… Good work. Jake?
Sarah: Sir, there is no next exercise.
Mr Johnson: Oh… er…
(Jake swaps his book back)
Well, just take it easy for a bit, then. But keep your book open so you look like you're working and I don't get into trouble. Now, Jake? How much work have you done?
(Checks book briefly)
Well… yes, good work. Carry on.
(Mr Johnson walks off).
Jake: (Grinning) Moron. He falls for it every single time.
Damien: You think he'd've realised by now.
Sarah: Especially since your handwritings aren't even similar. And Damien has about a third of the work in his book.
Jake: How did he even get a job here?
Damien: Probably how I'll get my first job. Through threats and sexy intimidation.
Jake: Someone else must have leant him their sexy, then taken it back.
Sarah: Must have. I've seen sexier dead fish than him.
Damien: By the way, don't think I missed your little look earlier. What was that about?
(Jake looks hesitant, Sarah glances at Jake)
Jake: Well…
Sarah: It's…
Damien: What? What is it? (Pause) … Is it about Richard?
(Jake looks away)
Sarah: Damien, have you seen Cody recently? Like, at all today?
Damien: No, he wasn't around at break. Why?
Sarah: Well… he has the worst black eye I've seen since that kid ran into the pole on cross country, twice.
Damien: (wincing) Jeez, how did he manage that? Was he in a fight or something?
Jake: Not quite.
Sarah: Er… well, he was hit, that's for sure…
Damien: What does that mean?
Jake: That foul, irritable, miserable bastard Richard jumped him for no good reason.
Damien: What?!
Mr Johnson: Damien! Quiet down!
Damien: Sorry, sir. What do you mean, Richard jumped Cody?
Sarah: Damien, Cody came into school just after you and Nicola went into form. He wouldn't look at us properly. Lucy got him to show us his face, and it looked like someone had painted all around his eye with black paint. He wouldn't tell us what happened and stormed off. Jake went to find him during form to find out what happened.
Jake: He was a mess. He looked terrible. And I don't mean physically. Whatever Richard did, it shook Cody up something horrible. He wouldn't look at me when I asked him what happened. He wouldn't look at me when he told me. He couldn't tell me who did it at first, he just… it looked like he'd given up. He sat down with his face in his hands. Just when I was leaving, he told me who did it.
Damien: … that sick bastard. What the hell did he attack Cody for?
Sarah: Damien, isn't it obvious? He's doing it to hurt you! Everything he's done has been to get even with you for some stupid reason. Don't you remember what he did to Jake?
Mr Johnson: Still working, I hope! Sarah, try exercise 26C.
Sarah: Yes sir. (Sarah opens her book but doesn't even pretend to be doing the work)
Damien: He's… ugh, I can't think of a word to describe him. Just because I beat him at everything, he attacks my friends?
Jake: If he lays another finger on Cody, I'll kill him myself.
Sarah: Jake, no. He'll rip you to shreds. Damien, what are you going to do? Telling the teachers wont help. Cody isn't strong enough to stand up to Richard.
Damien: Jake's right. If he so much as thinks about hurting my friends again, I'll sort him out.
(Bell rings)
Mr Johnson: Alright class, off you go.
(Exit: All.)
Scene Seven.
Sarah and Cody are on the phone to each other, in their respective bedrooms.
Jake can be on or off stage at this point.
Sarah: So how's your eye?
Cody: 'Bout the same. Still black as coal and hurts when I blink.
Sarah: Have you tried putting ice on it? Or some cream of some sort?
Cody: Yeah… It didn't help much. Made it sting a bit.
Sarah: I'm surprised it hasn't faded, just through the day. He must have hit you harder than any of us realised.
Cody: Could be worse. Nothing's broken. Bruised a bit, but not broken.
Sarah: So, how much damage did he do?
(Cody doesn't answer)
It's okay, you don't have to tell me. Jake's worried about you, though. How understands just how you reacted.
(Cody falls back on to his bed)
Cody: It's just… it came as… a bit of a shock.
Sarah: I'll say. It isn't every day you get assaulted. Jake told us what happened, by the way. I hope you don't mind.
Cody: No, it's okay… Just… don't much wanna talk about it right now.
Sarah: Alright Cody. (Pause) Oh, I gave Jake your number so he might phone later, just to make sure you're okay. Is that alright?
Cody: Yeah, it's fine… you guys are really nice.
Sarah: Well, thank you. We try. Looking after each other is what friends do, after all. Which reminds me, you have Geography homework. Mr Grant said it's detention for anyone who doesn't do it.
(Sarah sorts through some books to find a sheet)
Cody: Really? Like I don't already have enough homework… What's the work?
Sarah: Just a sheet on weathering. You can copy mine, so don't worry.
Cody: Thanks a million, Sarah. I don't know how I'd keep up with all my work if it wasn't for you.
Sarah: Don't worry about it. Like I said, that's what friends are for.
Cody: Thanks…
Sarah: Anyway, I've got a few things to do before tomorrow. Phone me if you need someone to talk to, okay?
Cody: Okay… thanks again, Sarah.
Sarah: No problem. See you tomorrow.
(Sarah hangs up and goes offstage
Cody sits up, puts the phone beside his and buries his face in his hands
If Jake is on stage at this point, he should dial and phone Cody.
The phone rings. If Jake is offstage, he should come onstage with the phone to his ear.
Cody answers the phone)
Cody: Hello?
Jake: Hey Cody, it's Jake.
Cody: Oh, hi Jake.
(Cody swings his legs on to the bed)
Jake: So how're you holding up?
Cody: I'm okay… just been talking to Sarah.
Jake: Ahh, yeah. Sarah's really nice. She's always there to talk to, that's one thing I learned about her. She gets a lot of grief 'cause she's so smart but she's really a lovely person.
Cody: Yeah… you all are.
Jake: We try.
(Cody laughs)
Jake: What's funny? Dammit, I was beings serious for once!
Cody: No, it's just… Sarah said the same thing.
(Jake laughs)
Jake: That doesn't surprise me. Me and Sarah are like twins. We're always on th'same wavelength.
Cody: That's really cool.
Jake: We've known each other for ages. Before primary school, back when my mum was around.
Cody: When your mum..?
Jake: Was around, yeah. She left a few years ago. Since then, everythin' started going wrong for my family. It's like she held our family together, and now she's gone…
Cody: Jake… I'm so sorry…
Jake: What for? It's not your fault. You didn't make her leave. Anyway, that's enough about me. Let's focus on you.
Cody: On me?
Jake: No, on the invisible person next to you. Of course you. (Grinning) You only moved up here recently so no one really knows you, I reckon. So, tell me a bit about yourself.
Cody: oh, um… like what?
Jake: I dunno, anything. Favourite colour, food, band, your hobbies, that sorta stuff. Just about you.
Cody: Okay… um… Well… (Pause, thinking) …My favourite colour's red… I like all different kinds of music but my favourite band is… Madina Lake, I think… Er… (Nervous laugh) This is really hard!
Jake: (Laughs) Yeah, it can be pretty tough to talk about yourself. I do it by thinking what I put on my MySpace page.
Cody: Oh, right… (Pause again) Well… I don't eat much, but I really like burgers… I like drawing and painting…
Jake: See, I never would've been able to tell that. You're an inhibited child, aincha?
Cody: Um…
Jake: (Laughs) I'm not havin' a go at ya, don't worry. Is that why you took Drama? For confidence building?
Cody: Er… (Clearly embarrassed)
Jake: Thought it was. (Grinning still) Don't believe a word Sarah says, Drama really does build confidence. It's better for you than Sociology or whatever she took. Shame, really. She would've been good at Drama, I reckon.
Cody: Would she?
Jake: Yeah, 'cause she's really good at empathising with people. I can too, but only 'cause of my experience.
Cody: Experience?
Jake: Yeahuh. All the shit that people go through usually? I've been through it all once before. You get all these people who say that their lives are horrible and they hate the world and all that jazz, well, they're all a bunch of liars. I really have been through it all, and lemme tell ya, I'll be damned before I think the world hates me, 'cause I have the best friends anyone could ask for and they make everything worthwhile.
Cody: Wow… That's really…
Jake: Yeah, I know.
Cody: Jake… when you said everything… have you ever been…
(Pause)
Jake: Jumped? Yeah. A few times, actually. And something tells me you've been jumped more than once, too. Am I right?
Cody: … Yeah.
Jake: Thought so. And, y'know, just guessing here, but the first time you were attacked it was pretty traumatic.
Cody: Yeah… it just… brought back a couple of… bad memories.
Jake: Thought it might've. Hey, remember, we're always here for you to talk to. You're never alone, you don't have to keep it all to yourself. We'll share the load if you need us to, 'kay?
Cody: Yeah… thanks, Jake.
Jake: No problem. This is what friendship is about.
(Cody laughs again)
Cody: Sarah said that too.
Jake: (Grinning) Peas in a pod, eh?
Cody: You really are… (Smiling)
Jake: Anyway, I'm gonna make a start on our Drama homework. Phone me if you need any help or owt, or someone to talk to, 'kay?
Cody: Alright… Thanks, Jake.
Jake: No problem. See ya tomorrow.
Cody: See ya.
(Jake hangs up. Cody stares at the phone for a moment.)
(End scene)
Scene 1, on the school field, beneath the trees.
Nicola: So, believe it or not, that's why Jonny dumped Bethy.
Jake: Nah, that's not right. I know guys like that, and he is definitely not one of them.
Sarah: I'm not sure, Jake. It's not always who you expect who turns out to be.
Jake: I know, but he's just a bit too… Well, y'know.
Damien: Jake has a point, yeah? Who would've thought Jonny was?
Lucy: Shame, really. He wasn't bad lookin'.
Nicola: You wouldn't have had a chance. I don't think he'd like anyone that butch.
Cody: Butch?
Jake: Masculine. Y'know, like how a guy acts and stuff.
Cody: Oh, right. So Lucy had no chance anyway.
Lucy: Oi, watch it Cody. You're a friend but I'ma not takin' any rubbish off anyone.
Damien: Leave the kid alone, Lucy. Just ignore her, Cody, alright?
Sarah: Lucy's harmless anyway. We all know she has a soft spot for the weak boys. Better watch out, Cody.
Nicola: (Giggles) Yeah. She likes to hit them, they usually fly further. (Winks to Cody)
Cody (Shifts away from Lucy): R-right...
Jake: Ahh, ignore Nicky, she's only messin'.
Cody (Laughing nervously): Alright, I'll keep it in mind anyway.
Lucy (Laughing): Nah, don't worry, Cody, like I said, yer a friend. I don't hit friends, end of.
Cody: That's good to know… Mum warned me, saying northerners were a bit…
Damien: Oh yeah, you're not from around here, are ya? What's your old school like?
Cody: Oh um… It was ok. Lot of people, not enough staff. Most of the staff left after a year. Most of my class were… well, monsters. Glad we moved up here. It's a bit colder but it's a lot nicer.
Jake: Didn't you come from an all boy's school? Somewhere in Essex or somewhere like that?
Cody: Uh… yeah… All girl's school down the road.
Jake: Mmm… I'da loved that. There aren't enough gay boys up here, mighta been more there.
Sarah: They'd all be straight. Just to spite you. What happened to being bi?
Jake: Oh, I am. (Grinning). You just don't get enough guy action around here though.
Lucy: S'all about action with you, innit?
Nicola: He's a guy. What did you expect?
Damien: (Suddenly points to Jake's arm) Where'd you get that bruise from?
Jake: (Adjusts his sleeve to hide bruise) Uh… nowhere…
Sarah: Oh please, if you're going to lie, at least say you full, or were hit by a bike, or got in the way of a rampaging elephant, don't just say "nowhere".
Lucy: Have ya been in a fight or somethin'?
Jake: No, s'nothin'. Just the family giving me a hard time. Y'know, whole alternative thing. They found out I'm bi the other day, and gave me hell for it.
Lucy: Want me to sort 'em out for you?
Jake: Nah. They'd just give me even more grief, knowin' them.
Damien: Dude, can't you go and live somewhere else? My mum's always tellin' me how she'd adopt you. The whole town knows about what your family do. 'Sides, my mom's in love with you. She thinks you're "really cute".
Jake: They'd track me down anyway. Trust me, I'm handling it alright.
Sarah: If you say so. I do think you should report this to the child care services. Wouldn't a foster home be better than where you are?
Jake: Doubt it. They might turn out to be the same. Anyway, I'm still here, right? I'm living. That's enough for me. (Forces a smile) So, how's school work goin'?
Damien (with slight reluctance): Eh. You know how it goes. Piled up with homework, just the week after we've finished out exams. Gits. We need a break!
Nicola: I know! Y'know, Mrs Smith's on the prowl even more now, catching people's uniforms more. She tried to catch me for my hair, but I blagged it. "The sun must have dyed it, miss! I swear I haven't!"
Lucy: Daft woman. You went from brunette to bright blonde! There's no way she could believe that. She must be senile.
Damien: I dunno, I'm not complainin'. Might go blonde m'self.
Sarah: Damien, dear, your hair is blonde.
Damien: It's not that blonde. Could be brighter.
Cody (quietly, slight grin): Only if you want to look like a streetlamp.
Jake: A gem of wit! Wonders never cease, eh? Y'know Lucy'll be nicer to ya if you can come out with stuff like that right back to her.
Lucy: Or I'll snap him like a twig for back-chattin' me.
Damien: Like you could snap a twig. (Wink to Lucy).
Nicola: Alright children, break it up. We'll have no rough housing in front of the new kid. Or d'you want to ruin our image for him?
Sarah (Checking her watch): Oh, it's already end of fifth period. So do we go to RS and think up some silly story, or just go?
Jake: Just go, can't be arsed with Elderson t'day. When've we next got RS?
Cody (checking timetable): Tomorrow second period.
Damien: Alright, meet ya here again tomorrow then. See ya guys.
(Exit: all)
Scene 2, in the classroom.
Just before the start of class
Cody and Sarah are sat on the desks next to each other
Nicola is with her 'popular friends'
Jake is sat in his seat drawing
Lucy is sat on the desk next to Jake's
Damien is sat on Jake's other side
Damien: So, whatcha drawin' today?
Jake: Dunno, haven't decided. Looks like a dragon so far though, doesn't it?
Lucy: You're too into all that fantasy crap, I say. There's a world outside yer sketchpad.
Damien: Yeah, but if he tries to muscle in on my territory I'd probably hurt him. Or something like that anyway.
Jake: Yeah, there's a reason I don't go outside often. It usually ends in Damien 'accidentally' hurting me.
Lucy: Ahh, you're terrible.
Sarah: So you don't have to re-sit the year?
Cody: No, I was in the top of my classes in my last school. Didn't have many friends, so I spent most of my time studying…
Sarah: That's not at all healthy. Social interaction makes the world go round.
Cody: Yeah, but I… well, I was… a little odd.
Sarah: Isn't everyone, though? So how were you odd?
Cody: Well… if there was a lesson I didn't like, I skipped it and spent the lesson on the school field, even in the rain. I never sat with anyone in lessons. I spent most of my time being silent.
Sarah: Like I said, that's not healthy at all. A little social contact can work wonders. How come you never talked to anyone?
Cody: I dunno… I was afraid people'd just pretend to be my friends or something… Like they actually didn't like me.
Sarah: Aww, that's horrible. I'm sure people weren't like that. You have us now, though. And we're not fake like that, I can promise you that.
Cody: Yeah… thanks.
Nicola: You mean he found someone that quickly?
Popular #1: I heard that's why he dumped her.
Popular #2: And his new other half is really cute!
Nicola: So how long's that been going on for? It's awfully sudden.
Popular #2: Well Bethy said that he'd been acting weirdly for about a month, so we figure that's when he figured it out.
Popular #1: But he only started avoiding her for about a week before the break-up, so maybe that's when he found the guy.
Nicola: How's she handling it all?
Popular #1: You know Bethy. She moved on to another guy after five minutes of moaning. She's stalking Damien now.
Nicola: I'll tell him to watch out then. (Catches Damien's eye)
Damien: So, got any plans after school?
Jake: Oh, the usual. Hide in my room and probably scribble in my sketchpad some more.
Lucy: Now that's no good. Come have a bit of fun with us.
Damien: I've got a free house for a few hours. Wanna come round? Mum restocked the fridge too, so we're full of food.
Lucy: I'm for it, yeah.
Jake: Alright, yeah. Straight after school?
Damien: Yep. I'll tell Sarah, Cody and Nicky. (Gets up and approaches Sarah and Cody)
Sarah: So what'd you take for your options, then?
Cody: Drama, Geography and Music. I was top in my class at Geography and Music, and I just liked my Drama classes. We had a really good teacher.
Sarah: Oh yeah, you're in my Geography. Are you in Jake's Drama class? What's it like?
Cody: It's really good. Everyone's really good at acting in it.
Sarah: Sounds fun. I'll stick to my academic subjects, though, thanks. Geography, Sociology and Business Studies.
Damien (sits down next to Cody): Heya. Jake and Lucy are coming to mine after school. Free house, food. You in?
Sarah: Of course. I don't have anything better to do. Cody?
Cody: Y-yeah, sure.
Damien: Good lad. Alright, gotta go ask Nicky. (Walks off).
Sarah (looks at Cody): What's wrong?
Cody: N-nothing… It's just… No one ever invited me round at my last school.
Sarah: Cody, dear, this is what having friends is about.
Nicola: It's a shame. He really was good looking.
Popular #1: I hear the other one's quite nice too.
Popular #2: Someone said it was Peter Morson though.
All three: Ewww!
Nicola: (pause, thinking) I doubt it. Jonny has standards.
Popular #2: Uh oh, the meathead's coming over.
Damien: Nice to see you too, girls. Nicky, my house after school? Everyone's going.
Nicola: Yeah, I'll come. How long for?
Damien: However long. Free house for most of the night. Should be good.
Nicola: Straight after school?
Damien: Yeah.
Nicola: 'Kay, gotcha.
(Damien bows and walks off)
(Bell rings, teacher walks in. Class get to their seats.)
Teacher: Morning, class. Today's lesson is about Trigonometry.
(Class groans.)
Scene Three, aka music references ahoy.
Damien's house
Everyone is sat in Damien's lounge
The TV is on the music channels
Nicola: Which channel?
Damien: Smash hits, definitely.
Sarah: No, go for B4.
Jake: Scuzz or Kerrang, I'd say.
Lucy: Is the Galaxy Chart on today?
Nicola: Not for another two hours.
Sarah: What about MTV Flux? They're pretty varied.
Damien: Ugh, too varied for me. I'm never putting that channel on, not since they put Barbie Girl on.
Nicola: Three times in an hour, wasn't it?
Damien: Something like.
Jake: I always liked the micky-take. Ugly Girl was a classic.
Sarah: I heard one where two guys slated Barbie because they fancied Ken. It was alright.
Jake: I heard that too. Bloody awful, my ears bled for weeks afterwards.
Damien: Hey, who put the Box on?
Nicola: What? McFly were on!
Sarah: I didn't know you liked McFly, Nicola.
Nicola: Not really, just a couple of their songs. Could be from spending too much time with you, though, Sarah.
Damien: Yeah, that's great but can we get this channel off before someone like Elliot Minor come on?
Cody (Quietly): I like Elliot Minor.
Jake: The kid has good taste. (Grinning)
Lucy: No he doesn't. We have to wash the emo off him with a hose now.
(Cody looks shocked)
Damien: We tried that with Jake, but it di'nt work.
Nicola: He was too far gone to be saved.
Cody: I don't see what the big deal is…
Sarah: Oh? What does that mean?
Cody: It's just a haircut and some clothes, isn't it?
(Everyone pauses to consider this)
Jake: I think Cody should pick the channel.
Sarah: For breaking all our brains with rational thoughts.
(Everyone laughs, Cody just smiles)
Damien: Alright Code, what channel?
Cody: (Pause to think) Three six one.
Sarah: Three six… Fizz?
Jake: Fizz?
Sarah: Two channels down from Scuzz. They play a good variety of music.
Nicola: I had Fizz on the other day. Really good music, actually. Nice choice, Cody.
(Cody smiles, embarrassed)
Jake: Isn't this Funeral For A Friend?
Lucy: Sounds emo enough.
Sarah: I quite like them, actually.
Jake: Their older stuff was better.
Nicola: Everyone says that about popular bands nowadays.
Damien: What d'ya mean, Nicky?
Nicola: Think about it, Green Day got really popular, but all their fans said he older stuff was the better. It's the same for loads of bands, FFAF, McFly, MCR…
Sarah: Everybody loves MCR's newer music though.
Nicola: Yeah, but still.
(Damien's stomach growls)
Damien: Food'sa calling!
Jake: I'll help. I'm starving.
Lucy: Yeah, me too.
(Exit: Damien, Lucy, Jake)
Sarah: So, what's happening with Damien and Lucy?
Nicola: You what?
Sarah: Damien and Lucy. Don't you think they're flirting, just a little?
Nicola: They're always flirtin'. No, Damien's going for Bethy, I think.
Sarah: Bethy? The one Jonny dumped?
Nicola: Yeah, that Bethy. I was listening to them in History. It was, like, Flirtsville there.
Sarah: I hope that's as far as it goes. Damien can do so much better than her.
Nicola: I don't reckon it will. Bethy's got a thing for that guy in Dami's P.E. class.
Sarah: The dark-haired one? Who's more brawn than brain?
Nicola: Yeah, him. Complete idiot. Bethy's type, definitely.
Cody: I think I know who you mean… he held up the dinner queue for about ten minutes when he was trying to pay. Couldn't add his money together right, but he refused help.
Nicola: Probably stolen cash too.
Sarah: He's a brute, forcibly taking money from younger, weaker or smaller people than him…
(Cody gulps)
Nicola: Don't worry, Code. He's terrified of Damien, and he knows you two are mates.
Sarah: Remember when he tried to pick a fight with Jake?
Nicola (Grinning): Oh yeah, he was insulting Jake's drawing. Jake just laughed at him.
Damien (Entering with a tray of food): Then I walked up and started talkin' to Jake.
Lucy (Entering with tray): I'm pretty sure 'e wet 'imself. He's a riot, though, for a cocky git.
Sarah: He looks like a fire hydrant.
Jake (Enters, without tray): Probably has the brains of one too. How come we're talkin' about Richard anyway?
Nicola & Sarah: No reason. (Avoiding each other's eyes, grinning)
(Damien looks from one to the other)
Damien: I'm gonna tell myself you two are planning a surprise party or somethin' like that.
Sarah: Good plan. (Still grinning).
Jake: Hey, what time is it?
Cody: (Check's watch) Quarter past six.
Jake: What?! Oh, oh no. That can't be right. (Obviously worried, panicking)
Lucy: What's wrong?
Jake: Dad said I had to be in by half five… Oh shit…
Damien: Jake, dude, calm down, just stay here tonight. Mum wont mind and dad's away with work.
Lucy: Yer dad prob'ly wont mind, Jake. I'd go with it.
Jake: Are you sure it's alright? You sure your mum wont mind?
Damien: Nahh, s'like I said, she's in love with you. She'll probably go out and buy you all sorts of shower gel and shampoo and god knows what else.
Jake: 'Kay… I'll phone my dad later, once he's had a few to drink.
Sarah: (Stands up) Actually, I'd best get going. Mum wanted me in the house tonight.
Cody: I'll head off too.
Damien: Alright, see ya you two.
(Exit: Cody and Sarah)
Lucy: You sure you don't want me to sort yer family out? I bet me and Damien could show 'em a thing or two.
Nicola: That's not a good move. They'd probably just blame Jake again and-
Jake: Guys, thanks but… Can we… not talk about this? Please?
Damien: You sure, Jake? You know we'll help any way we can.
Jake: I know, it's just… Well, I've gotta deal with it myself, I reckon. Thanks for the offers, though. I'll live through it. Only a couple of years now before I can move out, right? Let's talk about something else, 'kay? (Pause) So, uh… What're people doing at the weekend?
Nicola: Town with the girls. Haven't been with them for a while, and I'm really running out of cosmetics.
Lucy: Cousins are over on Friday, so I've gotta stay in, at least over Friday night. Nothing planned for Saturday yet though.
Damien: Considering inviting y'all round again. Mum and Dad are both away for the weekend, its their anniversary. I asked if I could have a party, they said "As long as you clean everything up afterwards."
Jake: That sounds pretty fun actually. Gonna go ahead with it?
Damien: Probably will, yeah. I've got four days to tell everyone.
Jake: Yeah, like that'll be a problem (Grinning).
(Phone rings, Damien answers)
Damien: Hello? … Yeah, she's here. … Ok, I'll tell her now. … Ok, bye."
Lucy: Who was it?
Damien: Your mum. (Everyone smirks) No, seriously, it was your mum. She says you're tea's gone cold and she wants you home now.
Lucy: Oh, alright then. I guess I'll see you in school.
Damien: You best had.
Nicola: I think I'll go too, then. Don't wanna be stuck with a coupla guys. No offence.
Jake: Only your "no offence" offends me. (Grinning, winks to Nicola)
Nicola: Charmin'! Well, I'll see ya.
(Exit: Nicola and Lucy).
Scene Four, a late night conversation...
Jake is on Damien's bed, Sarah is on her bed. They are on the phone to each other.
This scene can be done with or without the characters on stage.
Jake: Damien's in the shower right now. I'm sleepin' on the sofa. Like I said to
Damien, it's just plain rude for me to take his bed.
Sarah: I'm not sure, Jake. Your room at home… Well, sometimes I'm not even sure if it's fit to be called a bedroom. You sleep on a worn out mattress with no actual bed, and you have a sheet for a duvet.
Jake: Our family ain't rich though. Dad's the only one with a halfway decent bed. S'bin that way since Mum left us.
Sarah: Everything started going wrong when your mum left, didn't it?
Jake: I guess… Dad started drinking more. ..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />Adrian got rougher. Jeddy got more violent. Everything turned into a war zone, really. The house is always a mess, we barely have enough food to get by. Pretty pathetic life, really.
(If characters are on stage, Jake falls back on to the bed and lies, legs dangling off the edge)
Sarah: I don't know how you manage, sometimes. Everything in your life seems so… bleak.
(Sarah should start gathering books from her desk and put them in her school bag)
Jake: I try. I have you guys to keep me sane. And alive in some cases.
Sarah: You're our friend. We'd be pretty bad friends if we didn't help you out when you were in need.
Jake: I really appreciate it. Thanks a million.
Sarah: No problem, Jake. Heck, I'm sure even Cody would help you out, even though we've known him for about a week.
Jake: Ha, I doubt it. Cody is pretty cool though. As far as new kids go, y'know. He needs to come outta his shell a little though, doncha think?
Sarah: Definitely. He's so… inhibited right now. It might be why he took drama. All that rubbish about confidence building.
Jake: Hey, it's not rubbish. Y'know Alex? Remember what he was like before year ten?
Sarah: …No, actually. Why?
Jake: He was a total recluse. Sat in corners of classrooms and did nowt. Didn't talk to anyone or anything.
Sarah: So, how's this relevant?
Jake: Well, if you see him nowadays, he's one of the most sociable people in our year. He's not afraid of making a prat of himself any more, and he started actually talking to people.
Sarah: Oh. Well… that's…
Jake: Shocking, I know.
Sarah: Shocking? More like someone just ran into my with a truck. Repeatedly.
Jake: Naw, you can't be that surprised.
Sarah: Well, no. But I am surprised that someone can undergo that kind of change, just from walking about shouting and waving their arms.
Jake: Oi, I'll be having none of this drama bashing, thank you very much. There's more to Drama than acting like a bunch of monkeys.
Sarah: Yeah, you're allowed to pull faces at invigilators in exams.
Jake: Just one of the perks of being a drama student. (Grinning). Reminds me of some of the top things to do in an exam.
Sarah: That sentence fills me with equal parts of curiosity and pure fear. You find it funny. It must be terrifying.
Jake: Nah, you'll like this. Wear a white shirt and plain black pants to the exam. Halfway through, put on a mask and cape, stand up and sing "The Phantom of the Opera is here" at the top of your lungs.
(Sarah laughs)
Jake: Told ya you'd like it. (Smirking)
Sarah: It was pretty clever, for you.
Jake: I am to please.
(Stands up and bows, even though Sarah can't see him)
Sarah: You just took a bow, didn't you?
Jake: Don't be silly. I'm also not called Jake, I'm actually a fifty three year old balding woman called Margery.
Sarah: Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Jake. (Rolls her eyes)
Jake: It also happens to be my favourite. Gotta have a few quirks to ya, I reckon. Everyone has 'em.
Sarah: Oh really? Well, what are my quirks?
Jake: Oh, that's easy. You pick up on things that no one else does, and you're the top of your class without being a total nerd.
Sarah: I'll take those as compliments, then, shall I?
Jake: Well, yeah. I'm not the type to say stuff like that offensively. As far as I'm concerned, little traits like that are what make people interesting, unique and loveable.
Sarah: Well one of your traits is that you're too nice for your own good. You trust a little too much. That's not always a bad thing, but sometimes.
Jake: I know. He was a mistake though.
Sarah: I know, Jake. By the way, did you phone your dad?
Jake: Yeah. He didn't answer, though. Jeddy did.
Sarah: Oh? What did he say?
Jake: Not entirely sure. Every other word was swearing. Something like "You better effing stay the eff out tonight, or I'll smash your mother-effing face in".
Sarah: Ah, right.
Jake: I think that means Dad was too drunk to care, and those two are fine with me not being there.
Sarah: Well, that's good, I guess.
Jake: Could be worse. A lot worse.
Sarah: That's true. At least you're allowed to stay at Damien's.
Jake: Yeah. Oh, Damien's just got out of the shower. I'll see ya tomorrow, 'kay?
Sarah: Definitely. See ya.
(Both hang up simultaneously)
Scene Five.
Just before form period
Everyone apart from Cody is gathered
Damien: No forum tutor today, Nicky. He's ill or something.
(Leaning against the wall)
Nicola: Again? He's never in.
Jake: I wish our form tutor was never in. He always warns us about global warming, or sometimes he mocks what people have instead of science. Bloody science teacher.
Nicola: Ours is a drunk. We found a bottle of whiskey in his desk one time. He always drinks that weird looking mixed drink, too, if you notice.
Lucy: Hmm… Wonder if he'd consider sharin'?
Sarah: Not with you, Lucy. The whole school knows what happened last time you got drunk.
Lucy: Hey, I didn't lay a single finger on that kid!
Sarah: Oh, and I guess it was a ghost that knocked him down the stairs?
Lucy: He was just as bad. He probably fell down himself.
Jake: He might share with me. I'm a quiet drunk.
Nicola: You're a bloody drama drunk. You got up and started performing Shakespeare, throwin' in a few lines from your play really loudly.
Jake: I don't remember doing that at all.
Nicola: You were probably too drunk to remember.
(Smirk)
Sarah: I think we were all too drunk to be held accountable for our actions, to be honest.
Nicola: I wasn't. I was collecting blackmail on you all.
Damien: Oh really? So what'd you get on me, then, Nicky?
Nicola: A girl never tells.
(Wink and grin)
Jake: Not until she has to blackmail ya, that is.
Damien: (Points to door) We're goin' in, Nicky.
Nicola: We have Miss Walker? (Pause) …Well, ok. See ya, guys.
(Exit: Damien and Nicola.
Enter: Cody)
(Cody approaches the group with his head down)
Cody: (Quietly) Hey guys…
Sarah: Hi, Cody… What's up?
Jake: 'Ere, what's that on your face?
(Tries to look. Cody backs off)
Cody: Noth-nothing…
(Lucy grabs Cody's shoulder and face, and forces his head up. Sarah gasps)
Lucy: How'd you get that?
Jake: Nice black eye. You officially look like a panda.
Sarah: (Strictly) Thank you, Jake. Cody, what happened?
Lucy: Did someone punch you? Want me to sort 'em out for you?
Cody: It's n-nothing, I… fell…
Lucy: Looks like it hurt.
Sarah: Cody, I don't believe that. What happened?
Cody: (With uncharacteristic force) Nothing, just drop it.
Sarah: Cody, please.
Lucy: Code, c'mon. What happened?
Cody: Nothing happened! Just leave it!
(Cody storms off)
(Pause)
Sarah: I don't believe that he fell for even a second.
Lucy: Whatever happened must have really shook 'im up.
Sarah: Maybe he was attacked?
Jake: I'll go check on him during form. He wont go to form, I'll bet anything on it. Wont wanna be seen, I reckon.
Lucy: I don't see why he's so bugged about talking about it.
Jake: I do. I'll check on him.
Lucy: Let me know if he says anything, alright? I'm headed in now. See ya at break, you two.
(Exit: Lucy)
(Sarah gives Jake a scrutinising look)
Sarah: You know something, don't you?
Jake: Not for sure, no. I have a hunch though.
Sarah: What is it?
Jake: Wont say. If I'm wrong, I don't want anyone to find out and start spreading rumours. I don't think the poor guy can cope with that.
Sarah: No, I suppose not… (Pause) …Make sure he's okay, alright?
Jake: You know me.
Sarah: I do. Don't try to take his problems, though. You can't cope with someone else's problems on top of yours.
Jake: (Cold) Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Sarah: Still not going to tell me?
Jake: I would, but your form just went in.
(Jake points to Sarah's form)
Sarah: You weren't actually going to, were you?
Jake: Not as such, no. (Smirk)
(Sarah rolls her eyes, then leaves)
(Jake goes offstage. Cody is found in the toilets, hands placed on either side of a sink, hunched over and head down)
Jake: Thought I might find you here.
Cody: (Has been crying) What do you want, Jake?
Jake: Just came to check on you. Make sure you're okay. I know there's more to your injuries than just that eye.
Cody: (Coldly) I'm fine.
Jake: Don't give me that, Cody, I know you're not. I recognise that kind of bruise. It takes more than just a fall to give you a black eye that bad. I'm not gonna force anythin' out of you, Cody, I'm not like that. Just remember, we're all here for you. And we'll sort it if you want us to.
Cody: (Long pause) ... I've got a couple of bruises and some cuts.
Jake: Whereabouts?
Cody: Arms and chest.
Jake: I'm kinda surprised you're in school. Did it happen before you got here, on the way or in school, or…?
Cody: … Just before I got here.
Jake: So what happened? Were you jumped, mugged or what?
(Cody turns around and slides down the side so that he's sitting, still not looking at Jake)
Cody: … I was j-jumped. Not far from school… I'd taken a back route to try to get here quicker, a-and…
Jake: I can guess the rest. Who did it?
(Cody doesn't answer)
(Jake sits next to Cody)
Jake: It's alright, Code. If you wanna get it sorted in the future, let one of us know and we'll fix it, alright? Just let me know, 'kay?
(Cody nods. He is crying again. Jake hugs him, then stands up and makes for the exit. When his hand is on the door, Cody looks up).
Cody: It… It was… R-richard.
(Jake's hand tightens on the handles)
Jake: Richard?
(Cody nods)
Cody: Y-yeah.
At break.
Jake and Sarah are away from the rest of the group.
Sarah: Jake, what's up? You looked so angry in English.
Jake: I found out what happened to Cody. We were right, he'd been jumped and beaten up.
Sarah: Thought so. He's fragile enough as it is, he doesn't need that kind of treatment.
Jake: And Richard did it.
Sarah: What?!
Jake: I know. That bastard jumped Cody for no good reason. Probably just to get back at Damien.
Sarah: We have to tell someone. A teacher or someone.
Jake: You and I both know that wont work. Richard's a brute. He'll only respond to violence. I'll rip him to pieces myself.
Sarah: Jake, no. He'll squash you. We should tell Damien.
Jake: I hate him, Sarah. He's a sadist. He uses everyone just to get at Damien.
Sarah: I know, Jake. And I know he hurt you, but please. We have to tell Damien.
(Jake doesn't reply.)
Sarah: Please Jake! Just leave it to Damien. I'll tell him later, after school. Jake, promise me you wont do anything. Promise me.
Jake: … Ok, Sarah. If he does anything else to Cody today, though, I will kill him.
Sarah: Jake.
Jake: Fine. I wont. I promise.
Sarah: Thank you. Keep an eye on Cody today. He's so vulnerable right now…
Jake: I will.
(End scene)
Scene Six
In maths
Damien, Jake and Sarah are sat next to each other
The teacher, Mr Johnson, is patrolling, making sure everyone is doing their work
The scene can have other actors playing students.
Damien: I've told everyone who isn't a complete git to come round on Friday night.
Jake: Got any booze?
Damien: Someone said they'd bring some. It's basically B.Y.O.B, I reckon.
Sarah: What about music? It isn't a party without music.
Damien: Music channels, and you should know that I have a bigger music collection than most of the school put t'gether.
Jake: So who didn't you invite? I know whatcha like, you've probably invited nearly everyone.
Damien: Am I that predictable?
(Jake and Sarah look at each other)
Jake & Sarah: Yes. (Both grin)
Damien: Well, damn. Anyway, basically everyone in the year, apart from the 'geniuses' in my P.E. class.
Jake: Did you invite the D.T group and Music geeks?
Damien: Yep, apart from Richard. He wasn't in when I went into the D.T room. Not that I'd invite the idiot anyway.
(Sarah and Jake glance at each other. Damien opens his mouth to question this)
Mr Johnson: How much work have you done, Damien?
Sarah: Sir… is there any extra work?
Mr Johnson: Uh… well…
(Jake swaps his and Damien's books)
Try tackling the next exercise. So, Damien, how much work?
(He checks the book)
Well… Good work. Jake?
Sarah: Sir, there is no next exercise.
Mr Johnson: Oh… er…
(Jake swaps his book back)
Well, just take it easy for a bit, then. But keep your book open so you look like you're working and I don't get into trouble. Now, Jake? How much work have you done?
(Checks book briefly)
Well… yes, good work. Carry on.
(Mr Johnson walks off).
Jake: (Grinning) Moron. He falls for it every single time.
Damien: You think he'd've realised by now.
Sarah: Especially since your handwritings aren't even similar. And Damien has about a third of the work in his book.
Jake: How did he even get a job here?
Damien: Probably how I'll get my first job. Through threats and sexy intimidation.
Jake: Someone else must have leant him their sexy, then taken it back.
Sarah: Must have. I've seen sexier dead fish than him.
Damien: By the way, don't think I missed your little look earlier. What was that about?
(Jake looks hesitant, Sarah glances at Jake)
Jake: Well…
Sarah: It's…
Damien: What? What is it? (Pause) … Is it about Richard?
(Jake looks away)
Sarah: Damien, have you seen Cody recently? Like, at all today?
Damien: No, he wasn't around at break. Why?
Sarah: Well… he has the worst black eye I've seen since that kid ran into the pole on cross country, twice.
Damien: (wincing) Jeez, how did he manage that? Was he in a fight or something?
Jake: Not quite.
Sarah: Er… well, he was hit, that's for sure…
Damien: What does that mean?
Jake: That foul, irritable, miserable bastard Richard jumped him for no good reason.
Damien: What?!
Mr Johnson: Damien! Quiet down!
Damien: Sorry, sir. What do you mean, Richard jumped Cody?
Sarah: Damien, Cody came into school just after you and Nicola went into form. He wouldn't look at us properly. Lucy got him to show us his face, and it looked like someone had painted all around his eye with black paint. He wouldn't tell us what happened and stormed off. Jake went to find him during form to find out what happened.
Jake: He was a mess. He looked terrible. And I don't mean physically. Whatever Richard did, it shook Cody up something horrible. He wouldn't look at me when I asked him what happened. He wouldn't look at me when he told me. He couldn't tell me who did it at first, he just… it looked like he'd given up. He sat down with his face in his hands. Just when I was leaving, he told me who did it.
Damien: … that sick bastard. What the hell did he attack Cody for?
Sarah: Damien, isn't it obvious? He's doing it to hurt you! Everything he's done has been to get even with you for some stupid reason. Don't you remember what he did to Jake?
Mr Johnson: Still working, I hope! Sarah, try exercise 26C.
Sarah: Yes sir. (Sarah opens her book but doesn't even pretend to be doing the work)
Damien: He's… ugh, I can't think of a word to describe him. Just because I beat him at everything, he attacks my friends?
Jake: If he lays another finger on Cody, I'll kill him myself.
Sarah: Jake, no. He'll rip you to shreds. Damien, what are you going to do? Telling the teachers wont help. Cody isn't strong enough to stand up to Richard.
Damien: Jake's right. If he so much as thinks about hurting my friends again, I'll sort him out.
(Bell rings)
Mr Johnson: Alright class, off you go.
(Exit: All.)
Scene Seven.
Sarah and Cody are on the phone to each other, in their respective bedrooms.
Jake can be on or off stage at this point.
Sarah: So how's your eye?
Cody: 'Bout the same. Still black as coal and hurts when I blink.
Sarah: Have you tried putting ice on it? Or some cream of some sort?
Cody: Yeah… It didn't help much. Made it sting a bit.
Sarah: I'm surprised it hasn't faded, just through the day. He must have hit you harder than any of us realised.
Cody: Could be worse. Nothing's broken. Bruised a bit, but not broken.
Sarah: So, how much damage did he do?
(Cody doesn't answer)
It's okay, you don't have to tell me. Jake's worried about you, though. How understands just how you reacted.
(Cody falls back on to his bed)
Cody: It's just… it came as… a bit of a shock.
Sarah: I'll say. It isn't every day you get assaulted. Jake told us what happened, by the way. I hope you don't mind.
Cody: No, it's okay… Just… don't much wanna talk about it right now.
Sarah: Alright Cody. (Pause) Oh, I gave Jake your number so he might phone later, just to make sure you're okay. Is that alright?
Cody: Yeah, it's fine… you guys are really nice.
Sarah: Well, thank you. We try. Looking after each other is what friends do, after all. Which reminds me, you have Geography homework. Mr Grant said it's detention for anyone who doesn't do it.
(Sarah sorts through some books to find a sheet)
Cody: Really? Like I don't already have enough homework… What's the work?
Sarah: Just a sheet on weathering. You can copy mine, so don't worry.
Cody: Thanks a million, Sarah. I don't know how I'd keep up with all my work if it wasn't for you.
Sarah: Don't worry about it. Like I said, that's what friends are for.
Cody: Thanks…
Sarah: Anyway, I've got a few things to do before tomorrow. Phone me if you need someone to talk to, okay?
Cody: Okay… thanks again, Sarah.
Sarah: No problem. See you tomorrow.
(Sarah hangs up and goes offstage
Cody sits up, puts the phone beside his and buries his face in his hands
If Jake is on stage at this point, he should dial and phone Cody.
The phone rings. If Jake is offstage, he should come onstage with the phone to his ear.
Cody answers the phone)
Cody: Hello?
Jake: Hey Cody, it's Jake.
Cody: Oh, hi Jake.
(Cody swings his legs on to the bed)
Jake: So how're you holding up?
Cody: I'm okay… just been talking to Sarah.
Jake: Ahh, yeah. Sarah's really nice. She's always there to talk to, that's one thing I learned about her. She gets a lot of grief 'cause she's so smart but she's really a lovely person.
Cody: Yeah… you all are.
Jake: We try.
(Cody laughs)
Jake: What's funny? Dammit, I was beings serious for once!
Cody: No, it's just… Sarah said the same thing.
(Jake laughs)
Jake: That doesn't surprise me. Me and Sarah are like twins. We're always on th'same wavelength.
Cody: That's really cool.
Jake: We've known each other for ages. Before primary school, back when my mum was around.
Cody: When your mum..?
Jake: Was around, yeah. She left a few years ago. Since then, everythin' started going wrong for my family. It's like she held our family together, and now she's gone…
Cody: Jake… I'm so sorry…
Jake: What for? It's not your fault. You didn't make her leave. Anyway, that's enough about me. Let's focus on you.
Cody: On me?
Jake: No, on the invisible person next to you. Of course you. (Grinning) You only moved up here recently so no one really knows you, I reckon. So, tell me a bit about yourself.
Cody: oh, um… like what?
Jake: I dunno, anything. Favourite colour, food, band, your hobbies, that sorta stuff. Just about you.
Cody: Okay… um… Well… (Pause, thinking) …My favourite colour's red… I like all different kinds of music but my favourite band is… Madina Lake, I think… Er… (Nervous laugh) This is really hard!
Jake: (Laughs) Yeah, it can be pretty tough to talk about yourself. I do it by thinking what I put on my MySpace page.
Cody: Oh, right… (Pause again) Well… I don't eat much, but I really like burgers… I like drawing and painting…
Jake: See, I never would've been able to tell that. You're an inhibited child, aincha?
Cody: Um…
Jake: (Laughs) I'm not havin' a go at ya, don't worry. Is that why you took Drama? For confidence building?
Cody: Er… (Clearly embarrassed)
Jake: Thought it was. (Grinning still) Don't believe a word Sarah says, Drama really does build confidence. It's better for you than Sociology or whatever she took. Shame, really. She would've been good at Drama, I reckon.
Cody: Would she?
Jake: Yeah, 'cause she's really good at empathising with people. I can too, but only 'cause of my experience.
Cody: Experience?
Jake: Yeahuh. All the shit that people go through usually? I've been through it all once before. You get all these people who say that their lives are horrible and they hate the world and all that jazz, well, they're all a bunch of liars. I really have been through it all, and lemme tell ya, I'll be damned before I think the world hates me, 'cause I have the best friends anyone could ask for and they make everything worthwhile.
Cody: Wow… That's really…
Jake: Yeah, I know.
Cody: Jake… when you said everything… have you ever been…
(Pause)
Jake: Jumped? Yeah. A few times, actually. And something tells me you've been jumped more than once, too. Am I right?
Cody: … Yeah.
Jake: Thought so. And, y'know, just guessing here, but the first time you were attacked it was pretty traumatic.
Cody: Yeah… it just… brought back a couple of… bad memories.
Jake: Thought it might've. Hey, remember, we're always here for you to talk to. You're never alone, you don't have to keep it all to yourself. We'll share the load if you need us to, 'kay?
Cody: Yeah… thanks, Jake.
Jake: No problem. This is what friendship is about.
(Cody laughs again)
Cody: Sarah said that too.
Jake: (Grinning) Peas in a pod, eh?
Cody: You really are… (Smiling)
Jake: Anyway, I'm gonna make a start on our Drama homework. Phone me if you need any help or owt, or someone to talk to, 'kay?
Cody: Alright… Thanks, Jake.
Jake: No problem. See ya tomorrow.
Cody: See ya.
(Jake hangs up. Cody stares at the phone for a moment.)
(End scene)
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