ACT 1, SCENE 1
OVERTURE – Riding the 4th Wave
Curtain stays closed. Spotlight follows a boy, TEEN ANDREW, entering STAGE LEFT dragging an acoustic guitar and puts his knee on a chair CENTERSTAGE. Six boys wearing jackets that say "THE RUDIES" enter STAGE RIGHT and stop slightly right of Andrew. Andrew pauses a moment, then clears his throat and begins to sing and play.
SONG: "KEASBEY NIGHTS"
ANDREW
It was the summer of '95
RUDIES
So what?
ANDREW
In the backyard, shaving the old plies
Feeling so strong
RUDIES
Strong!
ANDREW
Something went wrong
RUDIES
Wrong!
ANDREW
Straight into my finger
What a stinger, it was so long
I still remember that day like the day that I said that I swear,
"I'll never hurt myself again"
But it seems that I'm deemed to be wrong to be wrong
So I've gotta keep holding on
They always played a slow song
ALL
When they come for me, I'll be sitting at my desk
With a gun in my hand, wearing a bulletproof vest
Singin' my my my how the time does fly
When you know you're gonna die by the end of the night
ANDREW
I still remember when we were young and fragile then
No one gave a shit about us cause times were tougher then
Feeling so good
RUDIES
Good!
ANDREW
Cruising the hood
RUDIES
Hood!
ANDREW
Straight into the real world rich kids never understood
But I don't care, I can fade away to anywhere
Don't stop cause you might get dropped
And if you do, who's gonna pick you up, well I won't
Well I won't
They always played a slow song
ALL
When they come for me, I'll be sitting at my desk
With a gun in my hand, wearing a bulletproof vest
Singin' my my my how the time does fly
When you know you're gonna die by the end of the night
(repeat until end)
Andrew and the Rudies stay frozen until fade out. Curtain opens to a high school classroom full of rowdy kids. They yell, throw papers, and make a ruckus, for the teacher isn't at his desk.
A student, TOM, sits on a desk just left of CENTERSTAGE, and his friend, SCOTT, sits in the seat, arguing.
TOM
I'm telling you, Scott, this time it's gonna work!
SCOTT
Tom, that's what you've been trying to tell me for three years. I just don't think there's enough ska in this town left to start a band.
TOM
Come on, just trust me! I need you...you're the best guitarist I know!
SCOTT
Dude, I'm the only guitarist you know...you practically live in marching band, for God's sake!
TOM
Hey, don't start with the –
Tom is interrupted by a girl, KRISTINA, who runs over to them from STAGE RIGHT. She is wearing a plaid skirt and a Reel Big Fish shirt.
TOM (nervous)
Kristina!
Upon Kristina's arrival, Tom nervously falls off the desk and sits on the floor at Kristina's feet.
KRISTINA
Hey Scott, did you hear? Ali's coming back!
SCOTT (astounded)
What?! ...No way! But I thought she was at college?
KRISTINA
She was, but her band got a record deal and she dropped out.
SCOTT
Whoa! Big City Secrets got a deal! Did you hear that, Tom?
TOM (stutters nervously)
K...K...Kristina...
KRISTINA (looks down)
Oh...hi Tom. Uhm, are you looking up my skirt?
TOM (laughs uneasily and rises)
What? O-of course not!
A door opens STAGE RIGHT and the teacher, ANDREW, storms in and slams the door.
ANDREW
Alright, alright, I know I'm late. Just settle down and take your seats.
The class takes their seats and the mumbling ceases. Tom sits in front of Scott, and turns back to talk to him.
TOM
Looks like Mr. Dillon's late...again. What is this, like the third time this week?
SCOTT
I know! Maybe he's got another hangover...hey, do you think he knows about Ali?
ANDREW
Boys, quite already! I didn't have the greatest of nights, so I'm not in a very good mood. Please don't make me angry...now, today we'll be learning about –
The bell rings, cutting Andrew off. He groans and waves the class off, who scampers out via the door.
ANDREW
Whatever, I'll be here tomorrow. Class dismissed. (once class is empty, to himself) That dream keeps coming back...will my memories ever stop haunting me?
TEEN ANDREW and THE RUDIES suddenly enter STAGE RIGHT and run across the classroom, exiting STAGE LEFT. Andrew hangs his head, and the scene fades out.