A/N: Six teens find themselves locked in a deserted classroom with a note on the board that says that three of them are dead and at the end of each hour they have to decide who are the ones dead or else the death toll will rise and the room will black out and take one(with a new message on the wall each time). In the end only two are left, one good and one evil, with just one able to live.

It's like Breakfast Club meets The Twilight Zone...

I'm making this into a short film for school, shooting it in September-ish(if everything works out-fingers crossed-). I'll keep you posted. If you live in the Santa Fe area and want to audition, pm me.

Characters-

MALEK

Reformed rebel who was once in juvenile hall for mysterious reasons. Despite what others think, he’s actually a noble guy who is a second parent to his little sister whom he’s overprotective of. He has a both hidden love and deep hatred for Heather, who he knows better than anyone.

HEATHER

Rich Queen Bee who is self righteous and cruel behind a beautiful face and fake kindness. She has a commanding presence and is manipulative and will stop at nothing to get her way. She, unbeknownst to all in the room, is the cause of the accident having been drinking before she drove into the bus. She also has a harbored crush on Malek.

MARION

Quiet and timid, she is too nice and submissive for her own good. People tend to not notice her presence unless they need to use her. She is also known as the school slut, deemed that title by the one and only Heather.

JEFF

A tough jock always feeling he has to prove himself. He feels compelled to impress and be the hero of the situation. He is also stubborn and doesn’t really listen to caution.

PETER

Analytical and refuses to believe what he can’t comprehend. Equally judgmental as Heather, yet isn’t as selfish. He constantly feels ganged up on being that’s he’s gay, and also tries to hard to make the situation funny and not serious, not having any fear of the outcome nor doubts that it isn't real.

CHARLOTTE

Dark, depressed, and once attempted suicide which was believed as an act for attention. She’s spoiled and actually has a good life with no visible reason to hate her life. Her façade fades quickly as she is the center of who everyone thinks should walk out the door(thanks to Heather).

Scene 1

Setting: a classroom

(MALEK opens his eyes, finding himself in a classroom with five others: HEATHER, MARION, JEFF, PETER, CHARLOTTE.)

MALEK

What happened? How long was I out?

JEFF

I thought was asleep too, why are we here?

PETER

Oh look, there’s something on the board. Who wrote that, was it you Charlotte my dear?

CHARLOTTE

Why do say that?

PETER

Read it.

HEATHER

“There was a crash, two of you are dead. You have two hours to decide who and at the end of each half hour, one must go out the door and be dead.” What the hell? What kind of sick joke is that Charlotte?

CHARLOTTE

I didn’t write it!

PETER

Sure, Charlotte. Whatever, I’m leaving.

(He gets up and goes to the door, which is locked.)

PETER

Charlotte, the key.

CHARLOTTE

I’m not behind this!

MALEK

Do none of you remember?!

PETER

So this is your doing?

MALEK

You’re going to blame me now?

HEATHER

You are the criminal among us.

MALEK

That was years ago. There really was a crash, at least I remember just being in one.

MARION

I remember too. We had a field trip and we carpooled with Jeff.

HEATHER

Jeff was driving, which makes it his fault.

JEFF

Wait a minute! You all can’t be serious?

MALEK

We’re locked in a classroom, on the board is some bizarre note, and we can’t seem to remember how we got here but do remember a crash.

JEFF

I remember we were hit and that I lost control.

HEATHER

Twisting the story are we?

JEFF

No, but this isn’t all my fault!

CHARLOTTE

We don’t know who is doing this, but maybe we should consider perhaps doing what the note says.

PETER

You actually believe this is for real?

CHARLOTTE

No, but I don’t want to take chances.

HEATHER

The suicidal case doesn’t want to take chances, how funny? So Charlotte, what’s the worst that could happen here, death? Hmm something you want?

CHARLOTTE

Shut up!

MALEK

I don’t remember you being in the car with us, Heather.

HEATHER

I was too.

MALEK

Somehow I don’t see you in my memory.

HEATHER

Whatever, so raise your hand if you think Charlotte should be the first one dead!

JEFF

Hold it! Who says we all are going to play along?

HEATHER

Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE

I just suggested it!

PETER

Maybe we should try breaking down the door first?

MALEK

I’m with him.

JEFF

Good idea

(He gets up. All three boys line up side by side in front of the door.)

JEFF

On the count of three. One……Two….Three!!

(All three run and kick at the door, each falling back.)

PETER

Since when are doors made out of steel?

MALEK

Let’s try the chair.

CHARLOTTE
This is stupid!

MALEK

I’ve never seen a classroom with no windows or vents.

PETER

Oh please, they exist. We’re at school, okay.

CHARLOTTE

Then why are we locked in here, just after a car accident?

HEATHER

You tell us Charlotte!

CHARLOTTE

Not when you could tell it so much better. I don’t remember you in the car with us either!

HEATHER

Funny because I don’t remember you there. Aren’t you the one who recently had a birthday and got a new car just days before. Why would you carpool?

CHARLOTTE

Why would you? I couldn’t drive the car because I’m not insured on it yet!

HEATHER

That’s not a good enough excuse.

CHARLOTTE

You never said yours!!

JEFF

Girls stop it!

HEATHER

If you want peace, then Charlotte should be the one to leave. Then we’ll know for sure if she’s behind it.

CHARLOTTE

Why not you?!

PETER

None of us should. Let’s just not do anything, just sit here and wait to see what happens.

JEFF

I agree. This is too stupid to argue over.

CHARLOTTE

It’s stupid not to! We don’t know for sure!

PETER

It won’t hurt to try.

CHARLOTTE

That’s the thing, we don’t know that it won’t hurt!

MALEK

Why don’t we just vote? All for waiting this out!

(Everyone but Charlotte and Marion raises their hands.)

MALEK

Then it’s settled.

Scene 2

(Everyone is sitting and looking up at the clock. Only a few minutes till the end of the hour)

CHARLOTTE

We’re going to regret this.

JEFF
Shut up, Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

PETER

Just a few more seconds.

HEATHER

Five, four, three, two….

(Suddenly the room goes pitch dark then lights up again. One is missing, JEFF)

MALEK

Where did Jeff go?

(MARION screams pointing at the board.)

CHARLOTTE
”Three of you are dead”, who did that?! Who changed the number?! Heather!!

HEATHER

Only the guilty point blame. You’re the closest to the board Charlotte.

PETER

Jeff is behind this! That’s it!

MALEK

I don’t think so.

HEATHER

Charlotte should be the one to go next. She’s the guiltiest. Was she not the one who specifically told Jeff that’s he’d be sorry?

CHARLOTTE

I didn’t mean it that way!

HEATHER

Sure you didn’t, yet it’s very interesting how Jeff disappeared right after you told him that. It seems more than coincidental.

MALEK

We should stop pointing fingers!

HEATHER

Fine, we’ll just decide who deserves to be dead. I for one think it should be the suicidal girl.

CHARLOTTE

I’m not suicidal!

HEATHER

Say’s the girl who tried to overdose on her mother’s pills just months ago.

MALEK

Both of you, stop it!

HEATHER

Who made you leader?

MALEK

Certainly not you.

HEATHER

So, how should we decide here who shall be a casualty?

PETER

I find it hard to believe that so-called God would want us to play him. Why do we get to choose who’ll live and die?

MALEK

I don’t know, because we as humans already determine other’s fate by the choices we make in everyday life, bad and good.

(he looks at HEATHER)

HEATHER

Whatever, I say we all take turns and give our reason why we shouldn’t die, and after we’ll vote. Malek, why don’t you go first?

MALEK

Oh no, after you.

HEATHER

No I insist.

MALEK

Well this is you idea, you should be first.

HEATHER

Fine then. I think I should live because in all of my life I have never done anything wrong, I’ve never been arrested, unlike some people, I’ve never attempted suicide, unlike some people, I’ve never slept around with random college guys, unlike some people. I’m the most innocent person in this room. On top of that, I go to church every Sunday, I always make the best grades, I have an acceptance to NYU, I donate 300 a month to charity, I’ve completed 60 hours of community service so far, and I’m the student body president. I have a great and successful future with a lot to contribute to this world. Me dying would rob this world of so much being that I am the most likely to succeed in life out of all of you, clearly.

CHARLOTTE

Fuck you!

HEATHER

What’s you reason Charlotte? If you have one.

CHARLOTTE

I do have one!

HEATHER

Oh this should be interesting!

MALEK

Heather, you gave your reasons not let her give hers!

CHARLOTTE

True, I may have had attempted suicide attempt in the past, but I’ve changed. All were in the moment rather than planned. And true, my parents are well off and buy me a lot, but that’s the thing, they only buy me gifts. They’re never there and try to make it up by gift after gift. And then they’ll give me guilt whenever I need their time. It’s like they use those gifts as weapons against me needing their love. I can’t tell you how alone I feel.

HEATHER

Oh boo hoo!

MALEK

Heather!

CHARLOTTE

I need to live because I can’t die not knowing what a loving relationship truly is. My life is too empty to end. I haven’t started living yet.

PETER

Seriously, did you get that from watching Oprah?

CHALOTTE

Yeah well what’s your reason?

PETER

Pass.

MALEK

Are you sure?

PETER

I’m not going to play along with this charade.

MALEK

Your choice man. I guess it’s my turn. I may have had a past and a record of it, but the crime I was charged for, I didn’t do, I took the rap for a close friend of mine(Looks to HEATHER). I may not have the achievements Heather here so proudly has, but I have a little sister who needs me. My father ran out when I was twelve, my mother is in a mental institution, my grandmother is not going to live for much longer, I’m all she has. If I die, she is alone to fend for herself and she’s far too young to do that, she needs a childhood. Christ, she’s only seven.

HEATHER

You’d be surprised at what an eight year-old is capable of.

MALEK

Like you’d know!

HEATHER

Marion has yet to go. I can’t wait to hear what the quiet little slut has to say. So what is it Little Mare? It better be good.

(MARION looks up at her, not hunching anymore)

MARION

I’m six months pregnant. Is that good enough for you?

(All are silent at this shocking revelation)

HEATHER

You little liar! I wish I could have thought of that!

CHARLOTTE

Seriously, you’re pregnant?

PETER

That baggy sweatshirt should have given it away.

MARION

Yes, I am.

MALEK

Who’s the father?

HEATHER

The college soccer team.

CHARLOTTE

Shut up Heather!

MARION

Think what you want, I’m not telling who.

HEATHER

Do you even know who?

MALEK

Leave her alone!

HEATHER

Protective, aren’t we? Is there a reason for that James Malek?

PETER

Will you drop it Heather.

MALEK

You sure you don’t want to give your reason Peter?

PETER

Like could I top Marion’s?

MALEK

Peter, could you just be serious about this for at least one minute?

PETER

I don’t see the point.

MALEK

Please.

PETER
Alright. I’m Peter, I’m a cliché gay guy. I live in a homophobic world, Cher is not my hero and I may not know how to dance or sing, but I do have a great taste in clothes. Don’t vote for me to die!

MALEK
Beautiful.

Scene 3

(Shot of clock moving)

CHARLOTTE
Who’s it going to be? Time’s running out.

MALEK

Marion’s out, at all costs.

HEATHER
The obvious choice is Charlotte.

MALEK

One more word about Charlotte and we’re pushing you out the door.

HEATHER

We voted three times and she was the one with the most votes.

MALEK

Voting just doesn’t work for this. We all had the same amount of votes, Charlotte only has one more. It’s just not enough.

PETER

I’ll go out.

MALEK

Are you serious?

PETER

I’ve never serious. Being serious makes life boring. I’ll go out the door, just because, it’s not worth getting worked up over.

CHARLOTTE

Thanks, I guess.

HEATHER

You have nothing to be thankful for, you’re next

(HEATHER whispers to her)

CHARLOTTE

You should have been the first.

HEATHER

Like you’re the right person to determine that.

CHARLOTTE

You were the reason why I attempted suicide. It was that cruel prank you schemed up against me. Laugh it up, the guiltiest dress the whitest and are the most proud of all. Here, wherever this is, all your acclaimed philanthropy means shit. Out of everyone in this room, you wear the horns.

HEATHER

Horned or not, you know I’m going to be the last one in this room.

CHARLOTTE

We shall see Dear Heather.

HEATHER

That we shall…

Scene 4

(Peter is standing by the door waiting the hour to end)

HEATHER

There’s no backing out!

PETER

I’m not afraid.

MALEK

One minute left!

PETER

I’ll be on cue, don’t worry.

CHARLOTTE

No hard feelings.

PETER

Yeah, sure. One thing though, there WILL be hard feelings if me doing this doesn’t spare Marion. If I’m going to die, it better not be in vain.

HEATHER

Ten seconds! Any last words.

PETER

Yeah, long live the Queen!

(He says opening the door and the room goes dark again but when it lights back up, only PETER is gone)

CHARLOTTE

The board is back to “two”!

HEATHER

Looks like you’re the last remaining boy, Malek.

CHARLOTTE

Only in your sick mind does him being a boy make him more guilty.

HEATHER
Where did Peter go Charlotte? You must know.

MARION

You don’t give up do you?

HEATHER

The innocent never do. Maybe you could teach me a thing or two about giving up so easily, you seem to be the expert.

MALEK

Leave her alone!

CHARLOTTE
I already vote Heather!

HEATHER
But you’re the one who could have been dead months ago by your own hands.

MALEK

I don’t know how we’re going to decide, but we have to.

HEATHER

It’s not that hard, look at her! She hates life, she’s suicidal, letting her live would be a waste! You can’t trust her.

MALEK

What about you?

HEATHER

Unlike her, I have a future. I try my best to live life to its fullest potential in the most honest way possible.

MALEK

Hmm….I don’t know, something in the way you act doesn’t really scream saint to me.

HEATHER

Saint or not, I’ve never, NEVER, attempted suicide.

CHARLOTTE

But you sure endorsed it.

HEATHER
Charlotte and I used to be hang out together when we were kids. I don’t know if you know this, but Charlotte was once diagnosed as a pathological liar times ten.

CHARLOTTE
You bitch!

HEATHER

What? He should know. Both of them should know in order to choose wisely.

MALEK

It wasn’t your secret to tell.

HEATHER

Some secrets need to be told. This situation called for it.

MARION

It still wasn’t right.

HEATHER

Either way, it explains a lot. What from her mouth is truth or lie?

MALEK

The same goes for you.

HEATHER

But I’m not diagnosed as pathological liar nor have I tried to kill myself.

MALEK

But you’re the biggest bully, which is worse. You drive people to lie and you drive them to hurt themselves.

HEATHER

Ah but you’re the one in the room who has actually has been arrested and imprisoned.

MALEK

Yet ironically, the only difference between you and me is that you just haven’t been caught yet. There’s more to being clean than just getting away without getting a spot on your good name.

HEATHER

How would you know what being clean is?

MALEK

Right, because nobody knows more than you about being clean.

CHARLOTTE

It has to be Heather!

HEATHER

Why me? Why not you?

MALEK

Both of you are questionable.

HEATHER

And you aren’t

MALEK

I served my time, and for someone else. And I have a helpless little girl who depends on me. True, it isn’t the same situation as Marion’s, but its close.

CHARLOTTE

I’m sorry but I can’t walk out while she stays here.

MALEK

We have to decide….somehow.

Scene 5

(CHARLOTTE is pacing the room.)

CHARLOTTE

I know I fit the profile of who should be the dead one, but….I don’t want to die.

(She says to MARION)

HEATHER

At the moment that is.

(CHARLOTTE glares at her before walking to MALEK)

CHARLOTTE
Listen, I’ll be the next one, but on a few conditions.

MALEK

Anything.

CHARLOTTE

One-I do not want to give up my life for that bitch, and Two-I want you to embrace me, hold me for awhile, so I could at least get a taste of what it’s like to be loved.

MALEK

Alright then.

(MALEK opens his arms to her and CHARLOTTE steps forward. They stand still in each other’s arms.)

MALEK

I could see why you felt you had nothing.

CHARLOTTE

Well, at least I’ll die having this.

(CHARLOTTE backs away from him in embarrassment. But to her surprise, MALEK steps closer and kisses her. She breaks away, looking like she wants to cry.)

CHARLOTTE

Strange to have my first kiss here, of all places and just minutes before dying. It’s like a fucked up fairy tale. Thank you I guess. If this crash didn’t happen, do you think we could of had something?

(CHARLOTTE says heading to the door)

MALEK

We did here. I don’t see why it’d be different there.

CHARLOTTE

I’m going to be leaving life with so many regrets.

HEATHER

She’s going out?!

(She over hears from across the room, happy)

CHARLOTTE

I wouldn’t be too quick to celebrate.

Scene 6

HEATHER

One slot left.

MALEK

I don’t know if I could go through this again.

(MARION suddenly pulls MALEK aside, away from HEATHER)

MARION

Promise me, no matter what happens, promise me you’ll see that my baby is alright. If I were to be the one, I don’t think they’d take the baby too.

HEATHER

You’re six months, you die the baby dies for it can’t be born at six months and survive.

(HEATHER interrupts)

MALEK

Ignore her. I’ll see to it that you’ll be the one living, even if it means I would have to die.

MARION

If that were to happen, I would look after Jenny and make sure she is safe.

HEATHER
As if you could do that with a screaming baby that would take up all your time and run you broke.

MALEK

You’re horrible.

HEATHER

Both of you are no better.

MALEK

Did I ever tell you just who I was covering up for?

MARION

No, why?

MALEK

You’re looking at her.

MARION

Her?

HEATHER

Yes me, but you’re the only one who’s going to believe him.

MALEK

I felt sorry for her, this girl had the lowest self esteem and felt compelled to shoplift in order to parade around as a rich girl. This girl always felt that she needed to crush others in order to feel big. And one day my pity led me to take the blame for her. And this happened more than once, it happened enough times to put me away.

HEATHER

Such lies.

MARION

You loved her.

MALEK

Why do you say that?

MARION

You wouldn’t have if you didn’t. If anyone knows, it’s me; I didn’t get into my condition by choice.

HEATHER
Holy shit.

MALEK

Don’t flatter yourself Heather.

HEATHER

All this time I had power over you.

MALEK

No, all this time I’ve been holding back. And now seems like the perfect time to stop.

HEATHER

You have nothing on me, nothing you could prove.

MALEK

I don’t need to prove anything to anyone, especially not you for you know better than I what you’ve done.

MARION

What else has she done?

MALEK

Something that’s enough to make her the next one.

HEATHER

Is this about Charlotte? You believe her crap story on how I caused her to jug down her mother’s pills?

MALEK

You have a choice, either you agree to be the next, being that it’s the least you could do to redeem yourself--

HEATHER

Or what?

MALEK

You could figure it out.

HEATHER

Ooh I’m so scared you’re going to tell Marion my big non-existent secret!

MALEK

This is you last chance to redeem yourself, either you go at the end of the hour or I’ll do everything in my power to bring you down. Even if it means my life, I will see that you get what you deserve.

HEATHER

And what if what I deserve, is to stay? What if out of all three of us, I’m the better one, the good one? Whose to say both of you are better and deserve to stay more?

MARION

I may be weak, I may have made bad decisions, and I may even be what you claim me to be, but my baby isn’t and I’m not going to let you think that you deserve life more. Who the hell do you think you are that you feel that you’re more innocent and worthy of life than a baby?

HEATHER

Who made you the Virgin Mary? And just who’s to say you child is going to grow up to better the world and do amazing things? Certainly not with the background you’re providing.

MALEK

So help me god, you’re going out that door!

HEATHER

As if he’s on your side.

MARION

You’re a monster.

HEATHER

I’m just myself, a god fearing innocent girl with nothing to be ashamed of.

MARION

Same difference.

Scene 7

(MALEK is pacing around MARION, while HEATHER, far from the door, has her feet twisted around the legs of the chair)

MALEK

We’re running out of time! How are we going to get her through that door?

MARION

There’s two of us and one of her.

MALEK

Yeah but you’re pregnant.

MARION

We don’t have a choice. Both of us have to go at her and force her out one way or another.

HEATHER

There’s no way either one of you is going get me through that door, not even if both of you try at once.

MALEK

We’ll see about that!

HEATHER

That you shall. These chairs are metal, proof that somebody is on my side.

MARION

There’s already two minutes left, we have to start now.

(MALEK walks to HEATHER)

HEATHER

Go right ahead, try with all your might.

(MALEK quickly crouches down and flips the chair down by its legs, causing HEATHER to loose grip and be thrown onto the floor. She crawls and grips the table legs while MALEK pulls her by the feet, trying to drag her. HEATHER sits up and bites his hand and kicks him.)

MARION

Malek! Time’s running out!

HEATHER

You think I wouldn’t put up a fight too? You think I would just let it happen like Marion!

MALEK

No I thought that even you would have some heart…some form of guilt. That you would try to make up for what you’ve done!

HEATHER

Well at least I’ve done something rather than let something be done to me! Is that a crime?! Is it sinful to fight for myself?!

MARION

Malek!!

(Suddenly the room goes pitch black and lights up, the one missing being the last one who should…MARION)

HEATHER

I wonder if they counted her for two.

(HEATHER says nonchalantly and unaffected. MALEK looks to her in dire hatred)

MALEK

You….you…

HEATHER

Monster?

MALEK

How could you?

HEATHER

How could I? How could you? If you really cared for her welfare, why didn’t you go out? This was more your fault than mine. You knew I was going to fight you.

MALEK

You asked if it was sinful to fight for yourself, and yes it is when fighting for yourself hurts and kills innocent lives.

HEATHER

Well it looks like only one of us is going to live thanks to you.

(The board has a new message on it)

MALEK

Look at that, “In the room, one is good, the other is evil. The good go to heaven, the evil to hell. Only one will go out the front door and live, while the other will go out the back door. You decide.”

HEATHER

It would make sense that I’m the good one.

MALEK

(Staring at the board) You weren’t in the car with us.

HEATHER

So, I wasn’t.

MALEK

I saw you.

HEATHER

Saw what?

MALEK

I saw you drinking right before the crash.

HEATHER

What does that have to do with anything?

MALEK

You caused the crash! You swerved your car right into Jeff!

HEATHER

Yes, everything’s my fault isn’t it?! It was my fault you got arrested! It was my fault Charlotte attempted to kill herself! It’s my fault Marion’s gone! And now the crash is my fault?! What else is my fault?! Is that what I am to you? The monster that caused everything to go wrong? The monster you and Charlotte put blame on when both of you can’t take responsibility for your actions or lack of them! You saw me drinking that morning before, so why didn’t you stop me from getting in the car? You saw me shoplift, multiple times, so why did you let me get away with it, why did you cover for me? It is really all my fault? If I’m such a walking hazard, why won’t anyone do anything to stop me?

MALEK

Because stopping you is beyond my power.

HEATHER

All it would take to stop me is for someone to take the risk needed.

MALEK

It’s more than that.

HEATHER
Is there?

MALEK

There must be a reason to why you are the way you are. That despite being a monster, you’re actually a victim, and I figured out now what it is you’re a victim of.

HEATHER

And that is?

MALEK

I know what you parents are like, your mother is weak, a lot like Marion, your father is loud and obnoxious, your older brother is the pride in their eyes, a lot like Jeff, and your younger sister is the beloved baby…and what are you? Or in better terms, what about you? You saw everyone in the room, saw the role they fit into, and then saw yours and to your horror, it was the same role you have in your family. You were the troublemaker, the jealous one, the problem child, all asking ‘what about me?’. It’s always about you with you, and you feel you have to fight to make it that way everywhere you go, because heaven forbid you being put last… heaven forbid you’re the inferior one.

HEATHER

Survival of the fittest, that’s what life’s about. It’s not about being a good person, but doing what you could to be the best, because if not the best, you get trampled by the herd and left for dead. There’s no time to stop and feel sorry, no time to help others. There’s no point in it really, no point in not moving on, no point in babying the weak.

MALEK

Spoken like a true predator.

HEATHER

It’s human nature, Malek.

MALEK

Has anyone ever done anything for you, and not out of fear?

HEATHER

What, like charity? What does that have to do about anything?

MALEK

More like in the means of sacrifice.

HEATHER

I guess you did once. Why?

MALEK

And look how that paid off. You hardly even remember it. It’s pushed back by all your negative memories. Someone does something nice to you, you forget and assume you deserve it, but if someone does something mean, you remember it forever and obsess over getting them back. Tell me, why do you hate Charlotte so much? I already know why you hate Jeff, Peter, and Marion, but not her.

HEATHER
She’s pathetic.

MALEK

I think there’s more. I think it’s because you see yourself in her.

HEATHER

I’m nothing like that whiny basket case whose mommy and daddy ignores her yet buys her the world. Bitch.

MALEK

Your parents never bought you anything?

HEATHER

Everything I own I earned. Those penny pinchers won’t spend more than a dime on me, so I have to work to spoil myself and the look the role.

MALEK

Roles, roles, roles, that’s all it is with you.

HEATHER

Nature’s nothing but roles and what is required of each.

MALEK

And pity you can’t change yours, huh?

HEATHER
It’s more of a pity for you. You role isn’t so hot either.

MALEK

It wouldn’t be, since you made my role. Tell me, does one just play their role, or do they become their role?

HEATHER

Only on a stage does one play roles, but in nature they become the roles.

MALEK

But life is a stage, especially for you. Is humanity really nature anymore, or is it now a play written by conformity within man’s social norms?

HEATHER

You tell me. Who really knows what life is, who really knows who should survive? All and all, we shall see very soon. I represent life as game of survival and you represent life as bettering society, loving, and all that crap--

MALEK
You forgot karma.

HEATHER

Whatever, my point is, who ever lives will reveal what life is. On what terms is good and evil.

MALEK

Such a nail bitter.

HEATHER

So what are you a victim of Malek?

MALEK

Myself.

HEATHER

Not me, huh?

MALEK

As if I would give you the pleasure.

HEATHER

You already have.

Scene 8

HEATHER

You know what’s interesting.

MALEK

What?

HEATHER

This is the last time I’ll see you. We’ll both be on two different sides.

MALEK

We already are on two different sides.

HEATHER

Yeah, but not split up.

MALEK

Your point?

HEATHER
No point, just an observation. Did you really love me?

MALEK

It was only a crush.

HEATHER

Your face tells me otherwise. I admit I once liked you too.

MALEK

I know what you’re trying to do here. I can tell when you’re acting. You can’t manipulate me anymore.

HEATHER

I act all the time, there’s no way you could tell when I’m not. You make me mad, you know? You make me mad with your damn will to always please everyone and do what’s best for others. I hate selfless people like you, selfless people who give up everything so easily for someone not deserving. I hate how you never once fought back even when you could easily win the fight.

MALEK

Do you hate me or envy me?

HEATHER

Both. The thing is, you don’t fight, because unlike me, you never need to. Unlike me, you could afford to give up everything, because no matter what, you’ll overcome the loss, you’ll survive. The truth is, I’m the weak one, and I need to fight. I can’t afford to play by the golden rules like you can; I can’t make the sacrifices necessary.

MALEK

You call that an excuse? I pitied you from the start, so you didn’t need to give me a monologue. Here’s the thing Heather, the real differences between you and me- My life isn’t about me, nor do I want to make it that way, while your life is nothing but you and you want to make everything about you. I want to be there for the ones I love, you just want to be loved. Your pride is the only one thing you care about more than yourself. Oh you make sacrifices alright, for pride you sacrifice more than what I ever could—your soul. You sacrificed that for nothing, for here in this room with only me, your pride means nothing. In the end all it really amounts to is your word against mine, and in the end, only the truth matters.

HEATHER
Is it my end or yours?

(MALEK rolls his eyes)

MALEK

I think you know.

HEATHER

I am what I am, and if that is a crime…so be it.

MALEK

Go ahead Heather, play this role to the very end, just don’t count on becoming it, for it isn’t in your nature.

(MALEK walks away from her)

HEATHER

Where are you going?

MALEK

I have nothing left to say to you.

Scene 9

(The clock shows two minutes remaining)

HEATHER

Few more minutes till the face-off.

(She heads to the front door)

HEATHER

Are you going to fight me?

MALEK
You really want me to, don’t you?

HEATHER
You know, your little sister really is better off without you. The loss of you will teach her to survive and be independent.

MALEK

Do you really think that you at eight survived losing your brother?

HEATHER

Despite the turmoil, his death made me stronger. It wasn’t like he was going to be there for me forever. Not even parents are there for their kids forever. It’s good that I learned that at an early age. He also taught me the greatest lesion in life. His death was his fault, he didn’t fight hard enough. I thought he was so strong, he was this golden hero. But in reality he was weak, so weak that he found his perfect life hell and not worth living. Everyone thinks he died from accidentally falling while rock climbing, but I saw what really happened. There he was this golden hero, on the brink of death, hanging on by one hand. I stood there, he didn’t see me. I saw him take out his knife and bring it to the rope, yet I stood there, silent. I didn’t even scream. I watched him let go of the ledge and it was then that I screamed, but it was too late. Nobody saw it coming, nobody could believe that he would do that, instead they came to the conclusion that I had distracted him and somehow caused him to break the rope and fall.

MALEK

You were only eight, it wasn’t your fault. No one ever blamed you. Then you were innocent.

HEATHER

I did nothing. I saw him and just stood there.

MALEK

Only because you weren’t sure of what you saw until it was too late. I saw you drinking, but I didn’t do anything because I second guessed what I saw.

HEATHER
Either way we both did nothing. I might as well have been the one to push him and you might as well be the one who bought me the liquor.

MALEK

Why did you drink and get into that car?

HEATHER

I didn’t drink that much! I had like half a sip! I need it these days to function.

MALEK

You know what, you’re right, Jenny could survive without me.

HEATHER

What?

MALEK

Jenny could survive without me, somehow, I know she would. But you, you couldn’t survive without me. And it’s ironic how we’re the final two and one of us has to die.

HEATHER

You don’t know what you’re saying. Don’t do this, don’t give up, she needs you! Fight me!

MALEK

No matter what happens to Jenny, whatever happens to me, we’ll be fine. But you, no, you won’t be.

HEATHER

Stop caring about me, and fight!

MALEK

You may deserve whatever is out of that door, but the thing is the real people who do the most good are the people who feel the guiltiest. Everyone deserves a second chance, even you. And this is one good deed you won’t forget, because the guilt in knowing that had part is putting a little girl through the same ordeal you suffered is enough to make you forever remember. You’re going to have your successful future and contribute a lot to this world. You’re going to live up to your every word on why you should live, your every lie and promise. And you’re going to live up to mine.

HEATHER

You’re insane! What kind of loving brother makes a choice like that? Chooses me and not her?

MALEK

You can’t talk me out of it.

HEATHER

Well I’m not going to stand here and do nothing! So what’s the real reason you’re giving up? Are you afraid of the future? Afraid you have no future? Feel that your record will prevent you from happiness?

(HEATHER is in front of the board and MALEK turns away.)

MALEK

You have a better chance at life, you could do whatever you want, me, I can’t, I’m pretty much a convict to anyone’s eyes regardless of what I do. Despite your character, your clean and can do so much more. I may be able to survive, but you, you’re able to make things happen.

(As MALEK is talking HEATHER changes the message)

HEATHER

You’re not a survivalist, not in the least bit. You never fight, not even for the ones you love. But you’re right. I do have more to offer being that I am the clean one. If dying for me is really your choice, then so be it. I must really be that special.

(MALEK heads to the front door)

MALEK

Remember, you owe me a lot.

HEATHER

Believe me, I know, and I’ll see to it that the tables will change and you’ll owe me for the good I’ll do your sister. Now go, there’s only a minute left!

(MALEK opens the door and HEATHER pushes him out and shuts it)

HEATHER(alone)

Like I said, I’m not going to stand and do nothing. You won’t fight, so I fought for you. Poor Malek, sure I make things happen alright, but for a price, a price that hurts others. Like you said, I’m a monster. I don’t really get things done, I just get what I want regardless of others. I was the survivalist, not you, never you. And so for once, for the sake of your sister, I had to make you survive. I had to do something. It’s in my nature. Oh well, whatever hell is, it can’t be worse than school.

(Goes to the back door and tries to open it, but finds it’s locked. HEATHER looks to the board which has a new message)

BOARD

The ones who gone ahead

Are they really dead?

And is the last one standing

Just the one who is demanding?

Who fought to be the one to decide

Because she had no good inside

Not enough redeeming worth

To bring herself forth

Only the evil remain

Until they can regain

What they’ve taken

From those forsaken