Changing Paths (a definir)

CHARACTERS:
LUCAS
MRS. GRAHAM
JAKE/FRED the intern
DR.GRAHAM / Zoologist ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ/ Producer Johan “Shellback” Shuster
LILY/Body

SCENE 1 - LUCAS’S ROOM

(Lucas/ Mrs. Graham/Lights out. Voices take turns until they start overlapping
leading to scream. Lucas could just be in the middle of the stage holding a blanket
standing up. Theres are two bean bags/pufs to sit on and some clothes lying around
the room and a little cage on the side with a hamster.)
Computer Female Voice en Off: What do you want to do when you finish high
school?

L: (en off) -I want to wanna be a lawyer

-I want to wanna be a musician

-I want to wanna travel the world and live adventures (voices starts overlapping)

-I want to be a dentist

-I am going to study abroad, maybe some foreign country….

-I am going to take a year off gap year, figure out what I want to wanna do….

-(louder) No! I am going to be a doctor, just like my father and his father before him,
and his father before him…

(Lucas wakes up screaming and gasping covered in a blanket. Could be a funny one
that later gets revealed.Sponge Bob? Power Rangers?As alarms clock beeps)

L: Ahhh!!!!!!!!

(Breathes agitated Claps twice and alarms clock stops.He suddenly becomes aware
of the audience and screams)

L: AAAAHH!!! Oh hey! … I didn’t see you all there! I apologize! That was so rude of
me, not to imagine that there would be an entire audience in my room… watching
me sleep… pretty normal right? (realizes he is still wearing “pajamas”)
.. excuse me for just a second! (Walks to the side of the stage and throws the
blanket he was holding) There we go! What was I saying?Oh yes! Well, let me tell
you… Things have been totally pretty out of control in my life lately, so I have grown
have been growing used to the side effects I have been under so much pressure
lately, that I guess I'm starting to have some side effects..

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… headaches, tremors, anxiety… (referring to audience) visions… Well, yes, I might
be overreacting a tiny bit but…you have no idea how hard it is to….

M-LUCAS!!!

L-Here we go…

M-Oh my, LUCAS!!! (Mrs.Graham enters the room) Oh dear! Were you not aware
unaware that your mother was in distress?

L- (snaps, to the audience, she freezes) My mother… A wonderful creature. She is a

full time expert on finding things to complain about. Her favorite pastime pass time
is to gossip about the neighbors (she adopts position 1 as he says it) and visiting
the hair saloon salon (position 2). She does do make a great lasagna though, I must
give her that. (position 3) (snaps)

M- (unfreezes) Well… now that I finally have your attention I must say it’s been a
most dreadful day!

L- (starts picking up clothes) That’s fine mom… I am not really not interested in…

M- (interrupts and takes the clothes from him and starts folding it herself) First of all
I had to go all the way to the supermarket downtown because they did not have my
shampoo in the store on the corner. I have been a regular customer for years! Isn’t
that just nonsense?

L- (nods) Outrageous….

M- (the worst the bigger she smiles) All of that, only to get back and see that Mrs.
Denver, from next door, has decided to throw a party! (whispers as in danger of
getting heard) There was no space so…

L- So you had to park the car down the block…

M-SO I HAD TO PARK THE CAR DOWN THE BLOCK!

L- Okey… So, do you want me to go help you carry the groceries?

M- (fixes puffs) Well, you took such a long time to answer that I had to do it have
already done it… by myself… every single bag… and you know that I have weak
wrists!

L- All right mom… then is there anything else I can do for you? I have to get ready,
Jake is coming over and….

M- Again? (with a big fake smile)

L- Yes, again! We are going to hang out and then maybe work on a song…

M- Mmm Mmhh… No.

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L - What do you mean no?

M- (laughs) Oh, I apologize…. I meant… NO

L- But mom!

M- Lucas, I am sorry darling.. but you know how I feel about that kid. I really don’t
think he is the right kind of… influence for you… Every time he comes over you two
spend all day playing video games and I am not saying it again: (she freezes, to the
audience)

L- Of course… she said it again:

M/L- You finished high school months ago and you still have no idea what you want
to do with your life.

L- Wow! Great! Thanks for the reminder!

M- You haven’t even managed to clean your room! Look at this mess! Are you even
considering medical school?

L- I cleaned my room!!!!

M- When?!

L- Last …month?

M- Oh my! I don’t even want to imagine the creatures that could be crawling
under…!!!

L- (interrupts) Mom please! You know Jake has been my best friend since
kindergarten. I will clean the room later! Okey? I promise. (she looks unconvinced) I
might even take the trash out… put the rubbish out, do the dishes….maybe even..
do the laundry?

M- (very interested) The laundry?

L- The laundry! Do we have a deal? (extends his hand)

M- All right… Deal (shakes his hand)(She exits. He talks to the audience)

L- (says as he sits down lazily on the couch) And this is nothing compared to the
things that I have to deal with everyday, (maybe even eats chips)… Oh.. My name is
Lucas by the way… (ironically) welcome to my life…

(TRANSITION MUSIC)

SCENE 2: Still Lucas’s Room. Lucas and Jake are sitting down in two puffs, chilling
and playing Halo 4 on the xbox. They can also have a bag of Doritos.We can see the

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image of Halo 4 projected on the wall. The room is still messy with clothes all
around. There is a little cage on the side with a hamster.(SCREEN IS ONGOING
GAME)

J- No! Run! Run!

L- Uh! That was close!

J- So… how did you get your mother to change her mind?

L- Well… It was a very hard task that needed to be treated with extreme care and
professionalism

J- So.. you lied?

L-No!! No!! I.. I presented some alternative facts!

J- So you lied!

L- Okey, I lied. But you know what how my mother can be like once she starts
complaining… and to be fair, it didn’t have anything to do with me. Honestly! It was
our neighbour's fault! Mrs. Denver. As far as I’m concerned… Mrs. Denver should be
cleaning this room AND doing our laundry!

J- (silence. Lucas looks at J) What? Sorry… I wasn’t listening. What did Lily say? Was
she coming?

L- Yes, she said she was coming later because she had to study for her admission
exam.

J- Oh… that sucks… Watch out! There's someone behind you! (L looks back. Realizes
he is talking about the game, loses and sighs)
(SCREEN GOES TO LOADING….)
L- What? Oh, Damn it!

J- It's okay! It happens to the best of us!(Stand up looking for something. JAKE
FREEZES)

L- (snaps, to the audience) Sorry! Almost forgot about you for a second! This is my
best friend and partner in crime, Jake. Jake is a rockstar slash casanova! (Position 1)
He is Bon Jovi’s (o alguien popular en el momento) number one fan and a great pool
player. (position 2) Though he might not be the smartest person in the planet… and
he can be annoying… he is always tapping his feet… and he has that face… (J looks
at L) he is a great person! (L snaps)

J-Hey, do you still have that hamster with the weird name?

L- First of all, it's not a weird name! I told you It says in wikipedia it means warrior in
german! And second of all, Schnuffy is right there so be careful with what you say.

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J: Dude.. He It is a hamster. So as I was telling you, I have some very interesting
news for you my friend (taps with his feet)

L- (gets annoyed at tapping) …I am listening

J- I know… I am just creating the right climax…. Okey… Are you ready? I found it
online… it's an open call for a tv show… they are looking for all types of talent and I
was thinking… We could go! We could even win this thing! Right? RIGHT!?

L- Whoooaa!!! Hold on there for one second… What?

J-Which part didn’t you get? Or should I just start over? (rapidly) “I found it online..
it’s an open call for a tv show… they are looking for all types of talent and I was
thinking…”

L- Oh no! No, No! Wait a second! Is it one of those tv shows where people go and
make complete fools out of themselves on live television? and then they get their
video uploaded their video to Youtube with a title like “The most pathetic audition
ever!” so that the entire world can play it over and over while they and laugh at
their humiliation?

J- Yeah!! But listen… Not only it would it be a great chance for us to grow as a
group… AND get great exposure… AND a great opportunity to bond…BUT it would
also AND….

L- Get to the point

J- Ok, the winner of the day earns a $5000 reward…. in cash… Are you sure this
thing is alive? (Hamster squeaks loudly)

L- Of course he is! He is fine!

J-So… what do you think?

L - Look… I don’t know if I can dedicate that much time to the group right now, you
know?

J - What are you talking about? You are not working, you are not studying.

L-I do a lot of things!!!

J- Oh, yes? Really? Like what?

L- ..I! …I! I cleaned my room the other day!

J- WOW!!! You must be so tired! Do you want me to bring you a glass of water?

L- Ha ha, very funny! I’m serious, man! There’s a lot of stuff to do here around the
house!

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J- Lucas! We both know that ever since we finished high school, you have just been
here… playing Halo…. eating junk food… sleeping the day away..just laying
around…. Wait.. Why am I against this, again?

L- Ok! But what for?

J- To win the Competition?…To get $5.000? Have you not been listening to anything
that I've been saying?! We could use that money to record an album! Launch our
career! Or we could do a music video, and then we put it on youtube and start
getting subscribers… I definitely think it would be a smart idea to have an
Instagram account too! Facebook I don't know…I heard it's slowly dying…

L- Jake! If I don't make up my mind soon I will have to end up going to medical
school! And I don’t think my music skills are gonna help me much there.

J- Again with that Medical School thing? You don’t even like that, you like music.

L- Yeah.. I guess. Try saying that to my parents though. You know my dad:

(SPOT ON DAD THAT APPEARS ON THE SIDE)

L/D: “To be a doctor is to be an intermediary between man and GOD. It's the perfect
balance between being a helpful human being and a successful professional an
effective professional. And you will be honoured to be one like your father, and my
father before me, and his father before him…. and his father before him…

L-…(they say the last text together) and his father before him.

J - Oh come on, it can't be that bad right? Watch out, it's about to start!

(SCREEN GOES TO GAME)

J- Be careful! Run! Run! He is gonna get you!

L-Cover me!!! Cover me!!

J-Behind you!

L- Oh my god! He’s….

(SCREEN GOES DARK)

L- WHAT HAPPENED?!!? Did we lose the internet connection? Turn it back on!

J- I don't know what happened!

M- (with a gigantic forced smile and a plug on her hand) Oh! I deeply apologize! I
must have accidentally unplugged the tv! How are you doing today Jake? Such a
wonderful kid! Wonderful! Wonderful!

L- Mom! I can't believe you just did that! It had taken forever to load and…

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M- (smiling like crazy) Would you care to explain to me dear, why I come back to
find this. I thought we had a deal. This room… Is a total mess. Actually… This I
could have expected… the dishes I could have expected… but… the laundry Lucas?

L- I am sorry mom, but I never specified WHEN I was going to do it so taking into
account that I WILL clean it up later… technically.. I didn’t do anything wrong.

M- No! I've had enough with this situation! Sit down!

L- But mom…

M-(Stops smiling) SIT…. DOWN.

J- Uuuuuhhhhhhh…..

M- (To Jake) You too…(To Lucas again) I am utterly disappointed son. What is
happening to my wonderful prince? You have been lazy, disconnected and now…
this? Lying to your own mother?

L-Mom, I am sorry!

M-(dramatically) Say no more!

L- I wasn’t going to. I was done.

M- You don't begin to wonder can’t imagine how much I regret doing this Lucas but
I’m going to have a talk with… your father. And tonight at dinner, we are going to
have a conversation about your future. (extremely serious)TIME IS UP, Lucas (She
exits the room sobbing. Silence)

J- (wearing something as a mask)Lucas… I am your father

L- Stop that! It's not funny! She looked pretty serious. I wonder what she meant with
by “TIME IS UP” (M appears on the side and says it)

J- Man! You worry too much! She probably just meant “TIME IS UP” like… you have
no more time to enjoy your life.. and that you actually need to get a job instead of
playing video games all day.

L- Are you kidding me?

J- Or maybe she meant time is up as in now you have to go to medical school like
your father!

L- Ok. You are really not helping. I have a really bad feeling about this.

J- The good thing is that you can just explain to them that you are already
developing a career as a musician and you have technically won a tv show!

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L- That has not happened

J- So much for alternative facts, huh?

L- Oh my god… I am really starting to think the worst… I have trouble breathing…

Can I have some water? Or… Can you open the window? (he breathes heavily while
he fans himself with something. Jake just stares at him) Wow…Thank you man!
Don't worry too much for me!

Li- Hey guys! How are you doing? I am sorry I am so late! I've been studying non
stop! (Lucas fixes his attitude right away and smiles forcefully) Your mother let me
in! She looked extremely happy to see me! I think she really likes me! What are you
guys up to?

L- (He snaps.They all freeze except Lucas. To the audience) This is Lily. In case you
haven’t noticed the most beautiful girl that has ever existed. Period. She wants to
go to college to become an architect. Lily spends hours folding and refolding her
clothes until it's done perfectly well. Her favorite hobby is to write music and of
course, to study. Ironically, Lily’s favorite flowers are roses.(He snaps)

Li- So… I had this great idea for a song…Oh is this Schnuffy? (She gets close but it
squeezes loudly) Ahh!!

L- Schnuffy! No! Sit! Sit!… I can get it out for you if you wanna pet it!

Li- No! I think I’m all good! Thank you!…Anyway, I’ve been having some great ideas
for a song and I thought of these harmonies, I just need to find the time to sit down
and actually write the music down…

L- (Interrupts her) Lily, I am so sorry but we are dealing with a situation here. You
don't have to be alarmed, I don't want you to be scared, everything is fine…but this
might be the last time you will see me alive!

Li- (really alarmed) WHAT?

L- Well I might be exaggerating a little bit but I might have pushed my luck with my
parents just a tiny bit too far and now…

J-(interrupting dramatically) And now we have to win this competition! Or Lucas is

DONE, do you understand?! Finished!! Caput!!!

L/Li- What?!

Li- What competition?

J- Guys, I'm gonna need you to keep up with me(he snaps). Don’t you see it? If we
take part in this tv show and we win we can prove to everyone that Lucas has a
future after all! That he is going somewhere with his life! Performing live on this tv
show will be taking destiny into our own hands!!! And of course we are also getting
would be getting $5000.

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Li- Wait, is it one of those tv shows where people go and they make fun of the
contestants how they look? And everyone laughs at them, but then in the end when
they sing they have an amazing voice and everyone ends up clapping on their feet
and crying, and then they do it again every time?

J-Yes! This can only be a good thing! If we win we get the money, if we lose then…
who cares? All we need is to rehearse as much as we can, and guess what? We have
a whole month to do it! So… ! We have nothing to lose!

Li- Weirdly, It does seem like it makes sense…

J- (to Lucas) All you gotta you’ve got to do is say YES and I will take care of
everything!

L- All right I guess…

(TRANSITION MUSIC)
SCENE 3: DINING ROOM
Lucas, Mrs. Graham, Dr. Graham is wearing his lab coat and stethoscope (he always
does). They are all sitting at the table, Lucas is in the middle. They are both staring
at him as he eats uncomfortable. Every text message makes a pop up sound.

L- Mmm! The food was really good! You’ve definitely outdone yourself this time
mom!
POPS ON SCREEN: Chat: You, Jake and Lily (sound with every message)
Lily: Did they say what they wanted?
Jake: WHAT HAPPENED?!
M- Well darling, even though I will take that compliment, we have more urgent
issues affairs to discuss. Wouldn’t you agree? So please leave your phone…

L- (casually) Mom, if you are talking about what happened today….

MESSAGE POPS ON SCREEN: Jake:🤡 qu emoji sería???

I think you are looking too much into it! You can’t just expect things to…

M- No, no. No, no. Arthur?…. Arthur? Dr. Graham?

F-Yes? Yes! Your mother is right. This situation has reached its limit.

M-Do you really need to wear your coat lab for dinner?

F-Once a doctor… Always a doctor! (He freezes)

L- (snaps)This is, of course, my dad… His name is Arthur Graham but he only
responds to Dr. Graham. He thinks emotions are for the weak and his favorite thing
to do is to observe his tie collection and to give a diagnosis to people when they
haven’t asked for it.(L snaps)

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F- This type of behavior is unacceptable. And now lying as well, as if you where
suffering from some sort of pathological mythomaniac behavior. It worries me! This
is not what your mother and I raised you to be. For the last 6 months you have been
there playing “heilous”…

M- (interrupts sobbing) I don't even know what to say to the neighbors when they
ask me anymore! Mrs. Denver said: how come I never see him leaving the house for
work? or school?

F-Who is Mrs. Denver?

M- The neighbor! The lady who lives next door! The one who’s whose daughter is
always coming home late! The one with the big circles around her eyes! bags under
her eyes

F- Oh… Yes,Yes. I think she might be showing some sings signs of insomnia, a
possible side effect of depression!

M- Look honey, we thought you just needed some time to figure things out but..
time is up.

F- You have until the end of the month to figure out what you want to do with your
life and if you don't make a choice by then… we will cut you off.

L- Wait… what? You will cut me off?! (he writes text message)

F- You heard me Lucas. As the most qualified person in this house to have an
opinion on a matter regarding your health I will tell you this: you have until the end
of the month to do something about your life or else and then, you are not getting a
single penny more from me or your mother! After that you can forget about going
out with your friends, eating out, going to clubs or whatever you did that implied
spending money.

L-You wouldn’t do that to your own son!

POPS ON SCREEN: Chat: You, Jake and Lily
You: THEY ARE CUTTING ME OFF!!
Lily: What!?!?
Jake: ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!?!?!?!?!�

M-This depends on you and no one else. But if you stay here doing nothing, you
know where you will get? Nowhere. Do you wanna be 40 years old, and still live at
your parents’ house, uh? surrounded by trash? mice all around you? Is that what
you want for yourself? Is that what you want from life?

MESSAGE POPS ON SCREEN: Jake: NOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Jake:�
Jake:��
Jake: ����
L- NO!!!

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M- (points at him as if her point has been proven) Exactly! Then, you have to work
for what you want. That being said… There is this place. It’s called the CAC. Career
Aptitude Center (Gives him a brochure) They are dedicated to helping lost young
people lost children like yourself! Susan took her daughter last week and they are
extremely satisfied with the results. It’s just a little exam! They will ask you some
questions and then they will be able to tell which career paths you have aptitudes
for!

L- How would they know? Just by by just asking me some questions?

M- Well… they do have the latest technology!

F- And not only that! These people are specialists. Doctors who have studied the
way the human brain works. You need to trust them. Doctors know more than
regular people!

M- But that is not all everything! To help you make the perfect choice, after you get
your results, you will get to experience first-hand your top three jobs careers with
qualified professionals! You will spend one day trying out each job one!

L: But… (They are smiling a lot) Do I have a choice?

F/M: NO.

MESSAGE POPS ON SCREEN: Jake:�

L: All right… I guess.

M- Excellent! Then it’s all set! Your appointment is ready for tomorrow morning 9:00
am!

L- Great!

SENDS MESSAGE: You: I’M DEAD

You: �

(TRANSITION MUSIC)
SCENE 4:
Mrs.Graham and Lucas. CAC - Career Aptitude Center . Everything is white and
bright, very robotic.

M: Alright sweetie pie! I will come back to get you by the time your results are out! I
might make a quick visit to the beauty salon, maybe get my nails done! Do you
think you are going to be all right?

L: (smiling) Yes, mom! I will be fine! After all, what could go wrong? (she freezes, to
�
the audience) Or maybe they realize that I have no skills, and that I wouldn’t really
be good for any job career so I don't pass the test and they never let me out again
and I’m forced to stay here forever and work for them until….What if they realize

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that I have no skills, that I’m not good for any job. Maybe then I never pass the test
and I’m forced to stay here and work for them, forever. yes, I know. I took it too far
right? Anyway…(snaps)

M- Alright! Enjoy your exam! (as she exits)

L: Yes! As if that is something that anyone has ever done! (takes a couple steps
entering the Center)

WOMAN ROBOTIC VOICE EN OFF: Hello! Welcome to CAC. The Career Aptitude
Center. Please indicate your last and first name.

L- I’m Lucas…I mean Graham, Lucas!

C- Welcome Mr. Graham. We have been expecting you.

L- …Cool

C- We are going to ask you a series of questions. Please answer as honestly as you
possibly can.

L- All right! I promise I’ll try! (A loud beep sounds. Lucas jumps)

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C:Are you more content with your day when
A:YOU MOSTLY ALLOW IT TO UNFOLD B:YOU MAKE SPECIFIC PLANS

L- Well, I would have to say that I do like to make specific plans to take long naps
throughout the day… but I also might be able to allow it to unfold if there is
unexpected hunger and I have to improvise a second lunch… So, I would have to go
with… A! Allow it to unfold!

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C: In general, which is worse?

A:BEING TOO OBJECTIVE AND ACCEPTING B: BEING TOO SKEPTICAL AND
CRITICAL

L- So… which is worse? Being my mom or being my dad? Uh,That is really a tough
one. I guess I would have to say… my dad, cause my mom at least cooks really well.
So B! The skeptical one!

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C:In general, would you more likely compliment someone for
their
A: COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS B: INSIGHT IN BUSINESS MATTERS

L- Compassion for animals! Next question! I think I might actually be good at this!

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C:In general, do you consider the notions of a dreamer to be

A WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY INSPIRATIONAL AND ENLIGHTENING

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L- ….. what? Oh… wow… the notions of a dreamer… I guess… I would have to say…
B. Inspirational and enlightening?

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C: In general, do you find you are more

A: CARING B: OBJECTIVE

L- Oh come on! The first ones where easier! Caring or objective? Caring or
objective? Caring. No. Objective. No. Caring. No. Yes! Caring! Caring!

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C: 10. What do you consider yourself more?

A: A CREATIVE SPIRIT LOOKING TO CREATE B: A SOUL THIRSTY FOR
KNOWLEDGE

L- Well, I would have to say that, if “thirsty for knowledge” means reading a lot of
books, and studying day and night without taking a single break… that's definitely
not me… creative spirit definitely feels more like it.

APPEARS ON SCREEN: C: 10. Do you consider yourself a person that likes to focus
on
A: WHAT IS B: WHAT COULD BE

L- It’s obviously A because…. I don't think I spend a lot of time thinking of what
could be. If I did then I would just say it, I would chose a option B and then the exam
would have a different result than… (back to the machine) so yes, my answer is B …
what could be.

C- CAC The Career Aptitude Center thanks you for trusting us with your future. Your
results will be ready shortly.

L- All right…That wasn’t that bad. (A loud beep sounds. Lucas jumps. Takes phone
out and texts. Reads out as he writes)
POPS ON SCREEN: Chat: You, Jake and Lily
You: Coming out of the exam!!!
You:That was really crazy!
: You :
Lily:�
Lily:I am sorry you had to go through that!
You:Thanks�
Lily: You’re welcome� ��
Jake: I was trying to take a nap.
Jake: Thanks you for waking me up guys!!!
Jake: ��

M: Hey there my little love bug! How was your exam? Am I late? I am so sorry but
really, the traffic was crazy and people these days! Everyone is driving like a
maniacs! Feel my heart! It’s still beating out of my chest!

L: Oh! It’s okey mom! Just breathe! They haven’t even given me my results yet.

C: Mr. Lucas Graham, your results are ready.

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M: (screams dramatically) Oh my goodness!!

L: Mom! Can you please calm down? It’s just a test.

M: I know I’m sorry, It’s just that…this is really nerve wracking. (they get closer to
the screen)

C: Mr. Graham. We are pleased to inform you that we have reached a conclusion
regarding your situation and you have shown good aptitudes for the following
careers:

POPS ON SCREEN: Congratulations! You’re your top three career options are:
1- Animal Specialist
2- Doctor/Caregiver
3- Singer/Musician
C- 1- Animal Specialist (they appear as they are being said by computer)

M- What? Really?

L- Oh! I guess that doesn’t sound that bad at all! I do like animals a lot… being
outdoors out in the nature… enjoying nature the wild. Schnuffy never complained!

M- Well, we will see what else the lady machine has to say!

C- 2-Doctor/Caregiver

L- What?! Really??

M: Yes! I knew it! Just like Daddy! Oh my! (she grabs his face) I am so proud of you
my little sappy sugar plum!

L- Mom please!

C- And your third career path is: Singer/Musician

M/L- What?! Really? M- Oh Lucas, Would you care to explain?

L: (Casually) Well, you know I have been working with Jake and Lily on music! I just
mentioned that I am into music, that I am creative and… (M stares as if she is going
to kill him) and now I want to die.

M- (laughs frenetically) Oh no darling, yes of course! And I think it’s wonderful! I just
never thought of it as a possible career for you! Wouldn’t you agree?

L- Well, not entirely… Apparently now we have a great opportunity coming up! We
are gonna be part of a talent competition on tv and …

M- Well isn't that just wonderful news?! You will be are going to be taking part in a
talent competition! Well… you still have to try out these other careers before you

Page 14 of 34
make up your mind! Right? (laughs nervously) Remember! You don’t want to make
the wrong decision and ruin your future forever, do you now?

L- (laughs fakely) No! Of course not!

M- Oh believe me Lucas! It’s going to be a wonderful adventure! (freezes)

L- (to the audience) For some reason, I wasn’t so sure about that!

(transition music)
SCENE 5 - LUCAS’S ROOM
(Lucas, Lily and Jake. Mrs. Graham) They are going through some music sheets
sheet music and reviewing some harmonies. They just finished seeing Lily’s latest
material.

Lily- and then you go.. and I go…(sings a little bit) I know it's not perfect. I have
been studying a lot for my admission exam so I couldn’t put as much time as I
would have wanted to… So what do you guys think?

J- I think this is awesome! And it will be perfect for the tv show! Speaking of which…
I have some excellent news! I took the liberty of sending a video audition of us
singing from our last rehearsal and guess what! We are in! We are going to be live!
On tv!! In two weeks!

Li- Wow! That is amazing! Jake, I can't believe it! (they hug) Lucas! Aren’t you
happy?

L- Yes! Of course I am! I mean.. What could be better than the idea of singing live in
front of millions of people, a song material that we have never rehearsed before?
Ahhh... and just in a couple of days‼ matter of days? Absolutely nothing!

Li- Come on! You have to trust in yourself! (She gets close to him and grabs him by
the shoulder) You second-guess yourself too much, you have no idea how gifted you
are.

L- Wow… Thank you.. thank you so much (they stare at each other for a second too
long)

J- AWKWARD!

L- Shut up, Jake!

J- Yeah sure! Anyway, I say we just stay up rehearsing all night until the sun comes
out, maybe we can play a couple Halo games in the middle …for inspiration to
come, we can get some pizza…

M- Or maybe… Just maybe, we are gonna can call it a night! You know… As much
delighted as I am to have your presence at in our house day after day after day
after day….

Page 15 of 34
L- Mom?

M- (keeps talking as if that didn’t happen)…tomorrow is a very important day for my

sweety-pie. I’ve just received this letter from the Career Aptitude Center! It has
instructions on your first meeting! (She has a green envelope)

L- Great! Can’t wait!

M- Isn’t it just wonderful? You will have a one-on-one experience with (trying to
read the card) Robertou Roudrigueiz!!! Wild life specialist and zoologist, specialized
in expert on endangered species!!!

POPS ON SCREEN: JAKE:

(L gives him a look)
M- And you will be working with him at an animal conservation center….
Tomorrow!!! (silence) TOMORROW!!!

L- (He snaps. Everyone but Lucas freezes. To the audience) When I heard animal
specialist I imagined something a little more… exotic you know? Like… traveling to
Africa and performing surgery on an injured lion who needs me to save his life! Not
spending all day next to a weird guy cleaning poop (Snaps. To his mom ironically)
Wow, yes! I’m so excited. We need to rehearse though, for the talent competition
that I told you about.

M- Oh yes! (fake smile) The Talent competition! Isn’t it wonderful? Well, some other
time! You can stay just a little longer and then… fiu fiu! See you later love bugs!

L- So… That’s how I die.

Li- How?

L- Of boredom! By listening to some guy talking about animals that I don’t even
care about! (Schnuffy squeaks) not you... my dear I'm not talking about you
Schnuffy!

Li- (Lucas looks depressed) Are you okay, Lucas?

L- I don't know…I feel like someone has reached down my throat, grabbed my
intestine, pulled it out of my mouth and tied it around my neck!

J- Dorito? What’s the problem man? You are just gonna spend all day in the zoo. Just
go.. get some popcorn… OR ice cream… OR a hot dog… OR a..

Li- Why don't you just tell your parents that’s not what you want to wanna do?

L- Oh yes! They would be so happy. That would mean that I would have to go going
with option 2… which is being a doctor!

Li- I thought there was a third option which was being a musician.

Page 16 of 34
J- Yeah! And what about the band?

Li- Your mom seemed really happy about the talent competition!

L- Believe me, they might act all happy! The truth is my parents would go crazy if I
decided to be a musician.

J- Well they are not going to have a chance! When they see you in the talent
competition they will love you!

L- Or they will just take me out of the will, and give me up for adoption.

J- Just relax man! You think too much! I have to head off out but take my word! We
will be a success! Big things are coming! I am telling you, brother! Just be patient!
(Jake leaves)

L- I am done

Li- Jake is not completely wrong. How do you know that you won’t go and have a
blast?

L- I don’t?

Li- (getting closer to him) Exactly! So… as far as you know you could go tomorrow
and have a great time, right? Maybe even realize that you want to dedicate your life
to taking care of animals, helping some small innocent little panda … (SCHNuFFY
SQUEAKS REALLY LOUD)
L- Oh I'm sorry! Schnuffy is very possessive!…. Uh…. It's kind of late …. So…

Li- (a little offended) Oh… Yes. I am sorry I didn’t realize it was this late. I will see
you next rehearsal then. Bye.

L- Have a good nigh…! (She is gone)

(to the audience) What was that?! I know… I know! Well, don't judge me! I am the
one who is making the calls here and I am the one who has to deal with the
consequences. It's easy to judge from your sit seat! And you know? I accept it…that
could have gone better… BUT it could have also gone much worse, right? No? You
are right…that was LAME…. She was so close… and I got… nervous…that was
terrible… And for some reason I have the feeling that tomorrow is not going to be
any better. (transition music)

SCENE 6- ANIMAL CONSERVATION CENTER

Mrs Graham/ Lucas/ Roberto Rodriguez

M- Lucas! Hurry up! Mr. Roubertow Roudriguez will be waiting for us next to the
Clinic 2 and I don't want him for a second to think that we could be late! to be a
second late.

L- I am coming! See? He is not even here!

Page 17 of 34
R- (whispers.) I’ve been expecting you…

L- Who said that?

R- (he appears from the side, scares them) WELCOME amigos… I am Roberto
Rodriguez, but the animals know me as Roberto I am known as Roberto… mucho
gusto!

M- Oh! Mr. Roudriguez Roubertos! (laughing) You almost gave me a heart attack!
And I do have a really serious condition that makes my heart weaker than regular
people’s hearts! very weak heart‼

R- I am sorry but in a place like this you have to be prepared for everything. Nature
is unexpected, it doesn’t warn you. When you least expect it …it ATTACKS!!!! (jumps
at her)

M- All right pumpkin! Something tells me you are going to have a wonderful day!
Enjoy it and I will see you at dinner! Sul Sul!

L- Wow, thanks mom! SUL

m- See you later, darling. Speak properly.

R- You shouldn’t worry little cub. Her reaction was a typical survival instinct
behavior. It's very common in the wild for some mothers to abandon their offspring
if they realize they are in imminent danger, or if the creature has some sort of
(looks at L) unfixable flaw…weakness or if she wants to mate with a new..

L- That's good! I think I get it!

R- You have nothing to worry about though… because today you are with Roberto,
and Roberto has your back! (grabs his back)

L- You are a little too close….

R- And when Roberto has your back… nothing can go wrong!

L- Does this have anything to do with animals?

R- (Looks at him) This has everything to do with animals! Today you will be helping
me to take care of one of the most majestic, mysterious and dangerous creatures
that god has created! Constant care and awareness are a must. Death is practically
imminent.

L- I thought nothing could go wrong!

R- Well… you did sign those papers when you got here, releasing me and the zoo
from any responsibility if anything happened, right?

L- Yes?

Page 18 of 34
R- Then nothing can go wrong! (serious) Follow me…

L- Look… I don't know what they’ve told you but I am not sure I am fit suitable for
this…I even think this might have been some mistake of the computer! I don't have
any previous experience with animals…. I do have Schnuffy but I don't think giving
seeds to a Hamster really counts as animal care experience!
(Snaps/ Freezes. To the audience) Have you ever found yourself caught in a situation
that does not seem to have a way out… and yet you can't seem to be able to
answer the simple question: How the heck did I get here?(snaps.unfreezes)Look, I
really don't feel comfortable with the idea of going into a lion's cage… or a bears..
or whatever you had in mind…

R- Oh! I could take you to the lion’s cage… Lions…Golden-mane exhibitors, with
their massive muscular structure… Ferocious vigilants of the Savannah….

L-Dude, Come on! So it's not lions? It better not be bears!

R- Oh! I could take you to the bears! Oh bears! Teeth baring trophy hunters! With
their shaggy fur and pelaje shaggier than fur!! But claws sharper than the the
mightiest mounta…

L- Dude! Stop it! For real! What are we doing?

R- Worry not my friend! This is a conservation center. We usually only have

endangered species but every once in a while we assist special guests in need of
medical aid! Are you ready?
L- Okey…

R- Excellent. Your task today is to clean the habitat to please our creature’s needs
and …helping with whatever else is needed. And if you are good…who knows… you
might even meet her!

L- Her?

R- Now… Without further interruption (brings a cage)…let me introduce to you…

Marissa The Skunk!

L- (nothing happens) … Are you serious?

R- Well… She was run over by a bike a week ago, so Good old Marissa might still be
feeling a little tired…

L-So, I'm going to be here all day cleaning the cage while it takes a nap?

R- First of all, it’s she. HER And second, of all YES! But don't worry! I will be back for
you to take you to your next assignment shortly! Who knows where the next
adventure awaits for you! One of the okapis ate something that has upset his
stomach has eaten something that upset his stomach and we need to do some
cleaning in that installation enclosure as well!

Page 19 of 34
L- Great…

R- And remember to stay alert! Anything can happen when you open the door TO
NATURE! (He gives him a rag)

L- Great! Thank you! I will try to remember that. (Roberto leaves, leaving Lucas
alone in the room. He starts texting. Reads out loud)

POPS ON SCREEN: Chat: You, Jake and Lily

You: Guys! You have no idea how bad this is!�
You: I have to clean a skunk’s cage, can you believe that?�
Jake: Get to work buddy! �

You: Jake… this is serious

Jake: �
Jake: �
You
: :
Jake
: :
You: That is a koala
Jake: I know. They have no skunks
Lily: I am sorry about that Lucas! (L: Oh! Lily)
Lily: �
Lily: Do you guys think we will be able to rehearse today?
(looks around) You: Sorry! Probably not!
Jake: Take a picture!
You: No!!! �
Lily:Yes! Send a picture!
You: Okey! �
(he starts taking a selfie. We can see the skunk slowly peeking out of the little box
in the corner of the stage as Lucas dangerously steps close to him while trying to
get the best angle for the selfie?
Lily: Is that the skunk next to you? �
(Lucas reads the message and realizes he is really close to the skunk, he screams
and takes a step back. At the same time Roberto is coming back in to scare him)

R: NEVER put your guard down! (Lucas jumps scared and steps on the skunk who
squeezes and sprays them, and hides again. It could be funny if we can have
something like a bottle with a spray inside of a skunk toy so that it actually sprays.
Uno de los actores puede manejarlo desde la pata )
R: Marissa no! Bad girl! Bad girl!

L- Oh my god! I can't believe she just did that! Look at me I am all covered in … I
don't even know what this is.

R- Well, I am glad you asked! That yellow-tinted oily liquid is a mixture of sulfur-
containing chemicals and is released from two anal scent glands located under the
tail…

L- That was not a question!

Page 20 of 34
R- Don't worry young amigo! Things like this are perfectly common when treating
with the complicated matters of mother nature! Just the other day I was assisting
helping this mother rhino give in birth and I was completely covered in amniotic
fluid! Practically from head to toe!

L- Well sir, I am sorry but I can't tell you right now that being covered in animal
fluids does not sound like the ideal career for me. I appreciate all your help, here is
your broom and you can tell the people from the Career Aptitude Center that I said:
Thank you… but no! (he leaves)

R: Hey! Mr. Lucas come on!! Don't be such a chicken! Don't run away like a cheetah!
Attack like a bull!! Answer me… like a parrot!!! …eh…That’s all I got.
(Transition Music)

SCENE 7 - THE LAST DINNER

(Dr. Graham, Mrs. Graham and Lucas having dinner at the table. They are both
staring at Lucas who looks really down, with huge smiles on their faces assuming he
will chose choose medical school)
M- So, my little sappy honey-bun! How was your appointment today with Mr. Rubirto
Rodriguez? I can’t wait to hear everything about it!

F- Oh yes, please, son! Go ahead! Don't spare us the details! We want to hear
everything!

L- Well… It started off…

M- IT WAS TERRIBLE! I KNEW IT! And I am so sorry you had to go through that
experience my little dreamy eye candy, but ever since the “animal specialist”
career came up on that list I had this feeling right here in my chest! And I knew: This
is not what he wants. This is not for him. I know what's best for him. I am his
mother!

L- But how did you know that I had such a terrible day?

M- Well darling, It wasn’t very hard to figure out… look at your clothes… and that
smell, look at your hair… just look at you…

L- Well…either way, It wasn’t that….

F- Son… sometimes in life certain things are meant to happen! I had a patient the
other day with a lump on his neck. His wife discovered it just in time for him to
come to my office and get it removed.

L- (worried) And if not he would have died?

F- Well… not really. It was actually just a hair that had grown inwards creating a
capsule of fat and tissue, to protect…

L- Okey! Gross! What does this have to do with anything?

Page 21 of 34
F- All I'm trying to say, Lucas, is… Don't grow that impatient yet… Just breathe…
Yes, that’s it… (he seems to be relaxing) Breathe…There are other professions that
you still have to try out…

M- (screams out of control) AHHHHHHHH!!!!! (silence) Sorry, I got a little bit too
excited.

F- Tomorrow is a very important day for you my son. Maybe the most important day
of your life.
POPS ON SCREEN: Chat: You, Jake and Lily
Lily: Hey guys!
Lily: I am starting to get a little nervous�
Lily: Can we please rehearse this weekend?

M- Well… we do not want to put any pressure on you. Any pressure at all.
POPS ON SCREEN: : Lily :
L- And you’re doing a great job!

M- All I'm going to say is… Give it a chance tomorrow and see what happens…You
know, I'm proud of you already…(whispers) My little surgeon!

SCENE 8
WEIRD MUSIC/ DREAM WITH MIRROR. DR. GRAHAM ENTERS THE STAGE WITH
MIRROR FRAME WITHOUT MIRROR LUCAS IS STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM AND THEY
ARE FACING EACH OTHER. LUCAS STARTS MOVING HIS HAND AND HIS FATHER, AS
HIS REFLECTION DOES THE SAME THING. HE MOVES THE OTHER HAND AND HIS
FATHER IMITATES THE MOVEMENT AGAIN. HE GETS CLOSER STARTS MOVING
AROUND THE MIRROR, THEY FACE EACH OTHER AS THEIRE PACE GROWS FASTER,
THEY KEEP CIRCLING THE MIRROR UNTIL SUDDENLY AN ALARM CLOCK WAKES
LUCAS UP AS HE YELLS)

L- no, no, NO!!!!!

(Change of lights, back to reality. Alarm clock beeping. Lucas claps twice and it
stops)

L- Oh hey there! How are you doing? Good! Me too!…Yes, I was just having a dream
you know?… I was um… running a marathon… and I won! Yup… First place…
What?.. Yeah! That's why I was screaming.. I was like: no, no, No!!!! I feel so bad for
the other competitors who lost!

M- Lucas!!!!

L- Anyway… If you excuse me for just a moment, I need to go get my head drilled

M- Oh, darling! How many times do I have to scream your name to get an answer?

L- You just called me once…

Page 22 of 34
M- (Interrupting) But you know what, my sassy love bug? You shouldn’t bring the
mood down! Because today is a very important day! Today is the day.. when your
destiny unleashes in front of your eyes… Today is the day you become… a doctor!

L- Sharing a day with a doctor hardly qualifies as becoming a doctor mom…

M- Well, yes… and No.

L- So, are you going to come with me?

M- Oh, no….I just wanted to give you a hug before you left! I have a very important
commitment appointment! (getting emotional) I’ve had to schedule an emergency
visit appointment to the hair salon. There is a terrible situation going on!!! With my
hair!!! Can you see it? Uh? Can you see it?

L- Mom! No, I think you look the same as always!

M- (slaps his hand) How dare you?!

L- I…I meant as good as always!

M- Oh my little angel! Anyway, today is not about your mother …or the terrible
struggles that she bravely endures…By herself! It’s about you.Here is envelope
number 2! (she gives him a blue envelope) The address is inside of course! And ..I
think there might be a special surprise for you today!

L- What do you mean? (she freezes. To audience) I hate surprises!

M- Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise! And you love surprises right?

L- (smiles fakery) I guess…

M- Well, here is the envelope! Good luck honey bun! Enjoy while you discover the
true meaning of your existence!

L- What happened to the “no-pressure part”? (M shrugs. Exits. L Opens the

envelope. Reads information then speaks to audience) All right! (Ironically) Let’s go
discover the true meaning of existence!
(Transition music)
SCENE 9- DOCTOR’S OFFICE
(Lucas/Dr Graham/Fred, the intern)
(There could be again a lot of white light. A cross projected maybe .There’s a bed on
the side with a body sleeping)

L- (Enters looking at the blue letter) So… this is the address…Hello? Is there anyone
here? What kind of hospital is this? (to the audience) I think hospitals are really
creepy, right don’t you? Reminds me of the walking dead/one of those apocalypse
movies in which when you see the whole city has been destroyed… and you see the
empty hallways in the hospitals..until suddenly … you hear a noise …and a zombie
appears from the si….

Page 23 of 34
F- Hey there!!! (lucas screams) Sorry! You must be Lucas! (He is extremely hyper
active and talks very fast)

L- Oh, hey! Sorry Doctor!

F- Oh! Thank you! Thank you so much.. I don't hear that very often

L- Are you not a doctor?

F-I am an intern… we are in the bottom rung of the medical chain health care
ladder. We are the unpaid soldiers that do the dirty work.

L- Wait.. you don’t get paid?

F- Well…The experience is considered payment in itself so…

L- Wow… Well it's probably only for a couple months, right?

F- Well… it depends on your specialty… AND where you are doing your internship…
AND where you studied..

L- (interrupts) You remind me of someone I know…

F- (Starts checking the patient) For example, I want to be a Cardiothoracic surgeon.

So my residence is going to last for about… 5 years

L- What?! And… how many years did you study to get here?

F- 6 years…

L- And this is what year of your residence?…3?…4?

F- One!(starts fixing the patient checking the info and more)

L- One! And you still have to wait like maybe 5 more years to actually…!?

F- Well… That depends. If I wanted to get a masters after, then I could study 4 more
years…

L- Oh.. no please, stop! Look, it sounds like a lot of work…

F- It is.

L- You do look like you have a lot of energy though..

F- COFFEE… I love coffee… It's the only way you can do it, you know? I haven’t slept
in the last (looks at his watch)… 29 hours

Page 24 of 34
L- What?! That is insane! I cannot go through a day without having a good… 10… 11
hours of sleep…

F- ….Sounds like a dream!

L- So, what's going on with him over there? (he starts playing with the body while F
looks at the chart)

F- I was just checking his chart… (while he looks very concentrated to the chart) Oh,
before I forget, the Doctor will be coming soon…

L- Oh, I thought you were the professional I was supposed to meet!

F- Me?! Wow…thanks! (He looks at him. He pretends not to be messing with the
body) I appreciate that… but no. (Goes back to the chart. Lucas grabs the body leg)
If only! Still a long way to go! I am sure Dr.Graham will be here soon.

L- Oh, okey! No problem… Wait (drops the leg) … Oops.. Sorry… Did you just say
Dr.Gra…?

Doc- (he enters) Surprise son!!!

L - Dad! What are you doing here?(silence)

F - Dr. Graham, I think your son is talking to you.

D- Oh yes! Such a wonderful experience. Son… Today is the day…

L- Wait… What are you doing here?

D- I might have had a little talk with the people from the career aptitude center and
we agreed on arranging this! What place could be better for you to experience the
life of a real doctor, other than the hospital where your old man works? So I pulled a
couple few strings, I also had a talk with that lady from the Institute… a very
precise, robotic, disconnected lady.. which could be a clear sign of obsessive
compulsive disorder… (F takes notes of everything he says as if he is learning
something)

L- Dad, she is a computer.

D- And here we are now! I am very glad you are here, now let's get down to
business. So… You will of course refer to me as Dr. Graham as everybody else in this
hospital does and I shall refer to you as intern 2, since Intern 1 is already taken.
(Fred waves his hand excited)

L- Yes, Sir! (Silence.Fred coughs) Yes, Doctor Graham.(Fred nods)

D- Now… Let's get hands to work! We are dealing with our first patient of the day.
Mrs. Burhes. Intern 1, can you please brief me on her situation?

Page 25 of 34
F- (Getting overly excited) YES! YES….

D- So.. Mrs. Burhes is in an induced comma which is…

F- An induced coma, also known as a barbiturate-induced coma, is a

temporary coma, a deep state of unconsciousness, brought on by a controlled dose
of a barbiturate drug, usually pentobarbital or thiopental.

D- Very well… very well… What is it used for?

F- (says loudly as memorized from a book) Medically induced:. This type of

temporary coma is used to protect the brain from swelling after an injury.The
patient receives a controlled dose of an anesthetic, which causes lack of feeling or
awareness. (gasps)

D- Exactly… often using drugs or extreme hypothermia induced by exposure to a

cold environment to halt blood flow entirely and permit surgery on the aorta.

F- (interrupts) Because shutting down function can give the brain time to heal
without the body performing radical triage by shutting off blood flow to damaged
sections.

D- Yes! Excellent Intern 1! Intern 2?

L- …What?

D- How long until the induced comma becomes dangerous for the patient?

L- (F raises his hand in the air) Uh?

D- How safe are druged induced comas?

L- Winners.. don't do drugs! (F keeps raising his hand)

D- How does a medically induced coma differ from a natural coma?! Are there after
effects?!

L- I don't know! The natural one just happens, and ..I pass? (F is dying to answer)

D- Pathetic….

L- Hey!

D- Well, I am sorry son, but if you are going to understand how competitive being a
doctor is, you have to be treated like everyone else here! Intern 1?

F- (takes a long breath) In most cases, a coma is induced from a few days up to two
weeks! The main difference is a Coma is a natural phenomenon which can occur
due to shock or brain injury or accident and an Induced Coma is a temporary coma
brought on by a controlled dose of a barbiturate drug.

Page 26 of 34
One of the consequences that we do know of is an increased risk of infection. Chest
infections are particularly common, since a coma greatly affects the cough reflex,
which helps to clear secretions from the lungs.(D claps slowly)

L- I can't help but feeling this competition is a little bit unfair.

D- Well …Intern 2! As you can see you still have a lot of things to learn! But don't
worry! We will get there! All in due time! Who knows? Maybe in the next 10 or 12
years I will see you here, working by my side… Dr. Graham Junior!

L- Well…(nervously) There are still a lot of things to think about, things to be

considered. 12 years is a very long time! sounds like centuries to me‼

D- (interrupts) Ever since you where a kid I have known would look at you, and I’d
know: This is my little surgeon right here! Right? Remember you would always
dress up with in my lab coat and pretend to be a doctor like me! It was your dream,
Do you remember?

L- Yeah.. I guess…

D- And now here you are. All right. That is enough “girl talk” for today! Intern 1 and
2, please, start preparing the patient for surgery.

F- Right away Dr. Graham!

(Dr. Grahams beeper sounds. We can hear through the speaker the nurse’s voice)
NURSE OFF: Dr. Graham, you are needed with extreme urgency in OR 1. Dr Graham,
please, OR 1.

D: Excuse me! I’ll be back! (They both stare at him as he leaves. F with extreme
admiration and L with incredulity)

F- Wow…There he goes again…saving lives.. He is something, isn’t he? And he is so

proud of you!

L- You are kidding me right? He is clearly not understanding what I am going

through! And I don't see myself doing this, you know? (Starts walking around the
room looking at things and eventually sits on the bed) Studying for years and
years…Memorizing tons of information and technical vocabulary… reading
thousands of books. Working day and night without even being able to sleep? No,
this is not for me. This is definitely not for me! (the arm of the body starts stiffly and
slowly raising. F starts looking and eventually pointing at the moving arm in shock)
And what if down the road I realize I don't like it? What do I do with all the time I
have already wasted? Of course you are probably too old then to go back to
studying.. (notices F pointing at him) What? I know right! You hadn’t thought of
these things before! And I am sorry to be the one who bursts you’re your bubble my
friend but..

F- (whispers) Behind you…

Page 27 of 34
L-What?

F- Behind you!

L- What??!! (looks behind him as the hand grabs his face) AAAHHHHH!!!! (He
screams as he runs away from the awakening body. The stiff hands gets a little
softer and quickly goes back to the initial position) What was that?! What has just
happened?! I thought she was in a coma and could not wake up!

F- An induced comma! Look at what you have done! You sat on her IV and
interrupted the flow of the anesthetic!

L- Calm down all right? She is fine! (He gets closer) She is sleeping again, you see?
(Pokes her slowly) She is fine! (Pokes her again. The arm moves violently and she
groans. She grabs him by the arm and won’t let him go) Ah!! Let me go!! Let me
go!! (finally manages to let go of her hand)

F-You see?! I am telling you right now, I will not be held responsible for this! If
anything goes wrong Dr. Graham will know that..

L- (starts getting his things) Look, I will deal with my father later….

F- What are you doing? You can’t leave! This is a once in a lifetime experience!

L-Yes! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience! Never again!I don't want to do this.
This is not for me. This is not what I want to do with my life! (starts leaving)

F- And what should I say to Dr.Graham when he comes back?

L- Tell him I almost got eaten by a zombie lady…I am sure he will understand.

F- (Stays in silence staring worriedly at the door. Woman in bed groans loudly one
last time. He screams and runs away)(transition music)

SCENE 10- LUCAS’S ROOM

(Lucas, Lily, Jake, Mrs. Graham. Jake has a box with which he uses for
instrumentation. They are rehearsing. Lucas looks completely disconnected. They
are finishing running the song and it doesn’t sound very good)

Lily- No, no, no, no. Come on guys! What is going on? I might be overreacting a little
bit.. but the show is tomorrow, we are going to appear live on tv, in front of millions
of people, and I really don't want to become one of those viral videos on youtube, in
which we go out there sounding horrible and everyone is secretly asking: Why are
they here? Are they not aware of their lack of talent? What makes them think they
can do this?

J- Yes! You are over reacting! Yes it's true, We are not sounding very good right now
but all we need…

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Li- We sound like three pigs squealing for their lives. Even Schnuffy sounds better!
(Schuffy Squeaks)

J- But all we need is to rehearse some more! And then we will win! I am telling you!

Li- (Looks at Lucas) And you? You have nothing to say?

L- What?… Oh.. I don't know what to tell you guys. I am not feeling this. If I must be
honest with you, To be honest, I don't think we should go to the show.

J/L- What?!
J- Woooow! Wait a second? What are you talking about?

L- We don't know what we are doing… we have only rehearsed this a couple times,
and really, what are we even doing this for? It makes no sense…I don't want to
waste my time, and I don't want to waste your time anymore. I am sorry guys.

J- You have to be kidding us… What are you saying Lucas? Come on! This is your
passion! This is what you like…

L-No, I don't know what my passion is! What is the point? I am tired of searching
and not finding anything! And what for? To make money? To make someone else
proud? I am not going to do it! (awkward silence. Realizes he opened up a little too
much) I think you guys should go now.

J- Oh, come on!

L- I am serious. I think you should leave now.

J-(he starts leaving) We are going to be there tomorrow, and I know you are going to
make the right choice too! The studio address is 77 Spring St. (gives him a piece of
paper from his pocket) We are going to go to that show, and we are going to be
amazing, and we are going to win. (nobody answers. He leaves) See you tomorrow,
guys.
(Lucas stays seating down. Lily is there looking at him. He realizes she is still there
when she talks)
Li- Why do you do this to yourself Lucas?

L-Lily.. I am sorry..

Li- (gets closer to him) I am not the one who you should apologize to. You do this to
yourself, and you know you deserve better.

L- I don't know about that…

Li- Of course you do! You are a great person! You deserve anything you want in this
life (gets closer)(They are staring at each other very close. She freezes)

L- (to audience) OH MY GOD!!! What do I do? What do I do?! I can't deal with this
right now, I still have to deal with my parents, and the fact that I still don't know

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what I want to do with my life, and the show, and …(looks at her in silence) No, I
can’t kiss her… Or.. Can I? No I can’t… (he snaps and she unfreezes)

Li- (Getting even closer) I don’t know why you seem to forget that so often. You are
lucky I am here to remind you…

L- (they get close almost to the point of kissing and in the last second Lucas draws
out)
AAAHHHH I AM SORRY.
Li- What is it?! I like you… I know you like me! What are you so afraid of?

L- I don’t know…

Li- You know what I know? That when you want something you have to work hard
and fight for it. If not, you are certainly going to lose it. (she exits.)

L- Wait…(to the audience) Don't even say anything!(Lucas sits down and starts
playing Halo again)

M- (laughs frenetically) I certainly hope that what I'm hearing is just a side effect of
my anti-stress medication and not the sweet, tender sound of your xbox!

L- Mom, I am really not in the mood right now…

M- (interrupts) specially after that little scandal you made the other day at the
hospital!

L- (he claps and the screen goes off) I’m listening.

M- (sees how sad he looks) Oh come on! Change that gloomy face! We just received
another envelope from the institute! Envelope 3! (opens the red envelope)
Tomorrow you are going to meet a professional of the music world. A world renown
music writer and producer who works for theater and television! And even though…
I must confess, I was not the most excited about this career path, I do think you
should test out your options.

L- (As he grabs the envelope) Really?

M- Well… your father and I of course want what is best for you… don't get me
wrong! It has been more than obvious in various situations that we consider that the
medical career would be the one that we would prefer…

L-Mom!

M- (very hard for her to say it) What I am trying to say is that… ultimately.. what we
care about is your happiness. This is your life and whatever you decide to do, we
want you to be happy doing it.

L- Wow… Thank you mom. You have no idea what those words mean to me.

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M- And also… the people from the career aptitude center told us that this is a highly
successful professional! Apparently this man does very well for himself! Maybe you
will be like him someday! Who knows?

L- Yes.. you are right! (to the audience) Who the heck knows?

SCENE 11
Lucas / Johan “Shellback” Schuster producer
(Lucas is getting to the address reading the envelope looking at the numbers/TV
studio)

L-…. 77 Spring St…. 77 Spring St…. Wait a second… Why does this address sound
familiar?
O.h… (He takes out the paper Jake gave him with the information of the tv show and
realizes it's the same address)

S: Hey there kid! You must be Lucas! I am Johan “Shellback” Shuster, nice to meet
you.

L- Oh! Mr Shellback, it's an honour to meet you. I’ve googled you and I see you have
worked with some huge artists! Britney Spears, Adam Lambert, Pink…La Sole (o
damas gratis, o algun grupo que sea popular en el momento o en el lugar) It is such
an honour to meet you sir.

S- Very good! You have done your research! Yes, I have been producing music for
many many years now, and I am have been working a lot with on television as well
lately. It's quite the a life, I must tell you that!

L- I wish my parents were here. They don’t believe you can And to think that my
parents said you couldn’t make a living out of music!

S- I believe it's not what you do, but how much heart you put into it. If you are doing
something with passion, and you are doing it from a true passionate place , then
you are probably going to do it well! So, what do you want to do, kid? Are you a
musician?

L- I guess…. I am part of a group.

S- Oh! Well I am glad you are here today because I am working with this tv show
right now, we are going to be auditioning people live and I want you to check out
the talent with me! People come from all over the country. There are these three
kids who perform together who are really amazing. I definitely want you to see
them. One of them sent a video…

L- Uh… I am sorry… Are their names by any chance Lily, Jake and Lucas?

S- Um.. Yes, how did you know?

L- Well…It's a very long story and I am only here by chance or destiny or… I am
Lucas

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S- What? You are part of the group? That is amazing! That is such a surprise! How
come? You guys have something really good going on! You have a great future
ahead! But… If you are part of the group what are you doing up here? You are
supposed to be going live in 5 minutes…

L- What?! Um, then, I am sorry, I have to go! I’ll see you later I guess! (runs away)

S- You better be a fast runner kid! Studio 5! … millennials…

SCENE 12
VO- And now presenting a local young group who writes and sings their own music,
let's give a big round of applause to Jake, Lily and Lucas!

(Lily and Jake enter)

Li- Hey everybody! (whispers to Jake) You said he would be here!

J- Well.. I was sure he was going to come! What are we gonna do!? What are we
going to do?!? Oh my god I’m going to faint!

Li- No Jake, it's okey! Just breathe! Breath and keep smiling. Keep smiling. (they
both smile forcefully and wave)

J- Okey wait I got this… I got this! Hey guys what’s up? How is everyone doing? I bet
everyone wants to hear a joke about ghosts right? That’s the spirit! … And you know
those little Russian dolls? I am really starting to hate them because they are so full
of themselves… Do you know why the bike couldn’t stand on its own? Because it’s
two tired… You get it? Cause it has two tires? No? …A sandwich walks into a bar. The
barman says ''Sorry we don't serve food in here’’.. a seal walks into a club…

Li- Alright Jake this is not working!

L- (enters gasping. Says between his teeth) Guys! Guys! I am so sorry! It took me
such a long time to decide but now I am here! We have nothing to lose…Let’s do
this! (they look at each other)
SONG (applause)
VO- That was amazing! Congratulations on such an amazing performance! Is there
anything you want to say before we see the final results? People are already voting!

L- Yes! I just want to thank my friends Jake and Lily. We wouldn't be here if it wasn’t
because of them. (Looks at Jake. The tv show could play some dramatic music) They
always put up with me, even when I don't even know what I want for myself, (looks
at Lily) and I want them to know that I will be brave to fight for what I want (She
smiles. Music grows louder) and… Is that music really necessary?

VO- Well, Thank you very much for those touching words! Now I think it’s time! The
people in the studio have decided! Remember, you have to get at all the green
crosses to win the competition and the prize of $5000!

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(We can see projected on the screen 5 crosses in grey. Maybe other contestants as
well with crosses some green, some red. The crosses light up green one by one,
until all are green)
Congratulations!!! You have won the competition and the prize of $5000! (They
celebrate with each other. Lucas hugs Jake and then goes to Lily. He stops in front of
her, they look to each other for a second and they kiss)

J- Is this supposed to happen? Is this part of the show?

VO-Congratulations once again to our new winners! It’s time for us to say goodbye
but we will see you once again soon to discover more talent together! Stay tuned!
(Show lights go off. Mrs Graham and Dr. Graham enter the stage. He is still wearing
his doctor coat)

L- What are you doing here? Were you here the whole time?

M- Of course! Did you think we were going to miss the chance of seeing you on tv?!
You kids were amazing! Really! I can’t wait to tell all my friends about you! My son
the tv star! I am so happy to know that you have found what you want to do and…

L- Well mom, the truth is… I really enjoyed doing this but this is not what I want to
do.

J/M- WHAT?!

F- That is amazing! I knew it! You have finally decided! You are going to be a doctor!
Just like your father!

L- I don't think so.

M- But, then… what are you going to do?

L- I haven’t figured it out yet, but I know I will. I know that I am going to look for it
and I will find it. I also know It’s okey not to know. You can’t find before you search!
And this time I am going to do it for myself, not to please anyone, because this is
my life, and like you once said mom, If I don't do anything, I won’t get anywhere…
And there are a lot of places that I want to go! (Everyone freezes)

L- (to audience) And who would have known? Believe it or not… Don’t hate me! One
day I became a neurosurgeon. Yes.. After everything I became a doctor, Dr. Graham
Jr…just like my father and his father before him and his father.. and I am happy!
Turns out when I allowed myself to look into it without all that pressure, I realized it
actually fascinated me! You never know which path is going to lead you where, all
you can do is be honest to yourself and go for it! (Lights on each character as he
talks about them) My mom joined a yoga class and became a buddhist. She made a
vow not to to gossip about anyone else ever again, she breaks it every day(she
exits)…My dad tried to convince me for years to put a clinic together. I ended up
saying yes. I never regretted it. (he exits)Jake moved to the beach where he works
as a surfboard instructor… We still talk every week… He is still annoying… (he exits)
and Lily… We have been together ever since… She became an architect like she

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wanted (she goes to him) and every day she is a reminder that it’s worth fighting for
what you want. You never know where life is going to take you, so sometimes, when
it’s not ok, it’s ok. And this is my story…What’s yours going to be?

THE END

Ever since Lucas finished high school he has been slacking off and, much to his mother’s
disappointment, playing video games for most of the day. However, Lucas has now received an
ultimatum from his parents. They will cut him off if he doesn't figure out what he wants to do
with his life before the end of the month.
At the Career Aptitude Center, where he is forcefully taken, they identify the 3 career
paths at which he is more likely to succeed. Besides, the Center organizes meetings with
professionals of each career and Lucas will have to try out three jobs to be able to make the
perfect choice!
At the same time, he is trying to find the time to rehearse with his band for a talent
competition happening before the end of the month, but the time never seems to be enough.
Will Lucas be able to find his path? Will he give in to pressure from his father to become
a surgeon? Will he be brave enough to face the girl that he likes? The only way he can figure out
is by…CHANGING PATHS!

MORAL: Be true to yourself and brave to follow your dreams!

Sometimes on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one.

Choose your own path, not the one others want you to.

Choose your path and set your compass. Then, start walking.

If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.

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