Stem 101

second sem
play

Scene 1

Setting — SRCC Classroom (Card Giving Day - Afternoon)

Students and parents are seated beside the audience.

Adviser: Good afternoon parents, to not further delay the main agenda
for this event, we are now going to give the cards— All academic
reactions you will be having and topics that will be talked about
shall be conducted later. Please remain seated if your child's name is
not yet called, thank you. And students, you know the rule: No parent
or guardian, no card! We're going to start alphabetically. Please
rise-

Adviser: Girls first! — Ariño

Characters do so.

Aira is the 4th in the line. She falls in line hesitantly, because her
father isn't around. She glances from the entrance and exit doors,
hoping for her father's arrival. Her classmate, Monica, notices this.

Monica: Hey, Aira.

Aira: *still looking at the door* Hi, Monica. *looks at her and
smiles, then to her mother.* Good afternoon po, Miss Cortez.
Monica's mother: *smiles warmly* Good afternoon too, Aira. You're my
daughter's friend, right? She talks about you sometimes.
Monica: *embarrassed* Mother! Uh, Aira- your parents are coming?
Aira: Ah, yes! My father is coming. *looks at the door again* The
thing is, he still isn't here. *mumbles* I wish he won't come. My
grades are too low, I don't know what I'll say to him.
 Monica: Maybe he just got trafficked or something — I'm sure he'll
come.
Aira: Thanks, Monica.

While this conversation is happening her classmates in front of her

starts to lessen for they already got their report cards. Adviser
makes little talks with the parents. Other parents seems to smile as
they leave the room with their child looking prideful, some looks at
their embarassed and head-drooping child with disappointment. As she
goes closer, Aira seems to be panicking.

Finally, it is her turn.

Adviser: looks happily Aira- then disappointed where are your

parents?
Aira: Miss- uh, I...
Adviser: No parents?
Aira: No, miss. My father, he's coming. It just seems that he's late.
Adviser: No parents, no card today, Aira. I really need to talk to
your father concerning your grades. Are you sure your father will
come?
Adviser: Yes, miss. Am definitely sure.
that's so, I will wait for your father.
Aira: Thanks, miss. Thank you.

Goes out of the line and stays beside the door looking for her father-
this lasts for a minute or two. Then her father comes rushing through
from the other door. He looks for Aira and he finds her wating, he
goes to her hurrily. Aira notices her father and then they meet.

Aira: Father- where have you been?

Father: panting I'm sorry- There was a problem in work- Where's your
adviser?

Aira drags her father to the adviser-

 Father: Wait- let me catch my breath.

After the teacher gives the card to the person in line and bid them
goobye- she entertains Aira.

Aira: Miss Ramos-

Adviser: Ah- Sir Bueno, nice to meet you handshakes Good afternoon.
Father: Good afternoon, too, Ma'am.
Adviser: Aira, can you leave us for a while?
Aira: Why- Uhm, of course. *looks at her father and leaves*

Aira goes towards her friend-

Adviser: Mister Bueno— I am going to get straight to the point, hands

the report card I am sorry to inform you, but your daughter hasn't
been excelling or even getting satisfactory performance in class. This
is alarming knowing that she is a scholar of our school- the academic
affairs had a meeting and they are debating to remove the grant to her
due to her low grades. May I know if the child is going through
problems that might be affecting her academics?
Father: *embarassed and touches heart* Ma'am I'm sorry-- *closes eyes
and feels pain* As far as I can recall, Aira has no problem at all. I-
uhm *groans in pain* we've been left by her mother long ago- *loudly
groans*
Adviser: concerned Mister Bueno, are you alright?

Father falls to the ground in pain and is unconscious. Aira is shock

as well the others. Aira runs to her father.

Adviser: MISTER BUENO—

Aira: Pa! Father, wake up. What happened?
Adviser: Call the ambulance! Aira go to the clinic and grab the first
aid kit.
Aira: Okay, miss.
 Aira ran out of the room, but tripped onto something.

Aira: Ah!

Blackout.

Scene 2

Aira wakes up in a jolt and shock, with her alarm ringing on repeat.
Aira, in total panic, sits on her bed and looks for her phone. After
getting it from her nightstand, she shockingly gasps and stops the
alarm. She immediately stands up and walks back and forth.

Aira: Bad dream. Bad grades, though. But it was a bad dream. No. Yes!
It’s just a dream! Dad!

Father: *knocks on door* Aira, are you alright?

Aira: *look at the door mumbles* Father... I- rushes to the door and
opens it

Father: I heard you screaming—

Father was abruptly cut by Aira's hug.

Aira: You're still here. *Sobs*

Father: *looks surprised but still comforts her anyway* There, there,
sweetheart. *looks at the daughter's face directly* You had a bad
dream?

Aira nods. Father brushes her hair.

 Father: Everything is fine, sweetie. Don't worry. *smiles* Now, go
take your breakfast with me, okay? Go fix your bed, you still have to
go to school.
Aira: Yes, dad.
Father smiles sweetly as Aira closes the door and goes to check her
phone. Gets shocked that the date remained the same.

Aira: what the… what’s going on?!

Father: *heard at the distant* AIRA, BREAKFAST IS READY!

Aira: It’s still card giving day. I can change something. This is
meant to happen. I can save you, father, you won’t die. Not on my
watch.

Blackout.

In class, everyone is talking, minding their own businesses.

Class President: Attention! Everyone listen up, Miss Ramos, our

dearest adviser, wants us to clean the room because it's Card Day.
Now, everyone do as ordered for parents are already coming!

Everyone groans in displeasure. All stand up and cleans. Aira, on the

other hand, is seen looking at afar, as if dozing off, thinking about
something very critical. Her classmate, Clare, notices this.

Clare: Aira, clean girl! You're so unfair.

Aira: Shut up, Clare. I’m going to clean, I’m just figuring something
out.
Clare: What is it?
Aira: How to save a life.
Clare: Whose?
Adviser suddenly enters room and leaves bottle of water on the table.

Everyone: Good afternoon, Miss Ramos.

Adviser: Children, finish what you're doing. Your parents are already
here and I need you to put all of your bag at the back and all of you
stay there. Once your parents enter, guide them to your seats and let
them sit, okay? Everyone understand?

Everyone: Yes, miss.

Children do so. And their parents starts coming in. After everyone
settles down — the program starts. Aira sits on her chair and is
visibly bothered how everything is repeating itself from the day
before.

Aira excuses herself and is seen calling someone as she leaves the
room.

Adviser: Good afternoon parents, to not further delay the main agenda
for this event, we are now going to give the cards— All academic
reactions you will be having and topics that will be talked about
shall be conducted later. Please remain seated if your child's name is
not yet called, thank you. And students, you know the rule: No parent
or guardian, no card! We're going to start alphabetically. Please
rise-

Adviser: Girls first! — Ariño

Aira enters the room again
Characters do so.

Aira is the 4th in the line. She falls in line hesitantly, because
her father isn't around. She glances from the entrance and exit doors,
hoping for her father's arrival. Her classmate, Monica, notices this.
 Monica: Hey, Aira.
Aira: *still looking at the door* Hi, Monica. *looks at her and
smiles*
Uh, Aira- your parents are coming?
Aira: Ah, I don't know. Maybe not. Maybe. Depends if this day goes as
repeated *looks at the door again *
Monica: Repeated? Anyway, Maybe he did just got trafficked or
something — I'm sure he'll come.
Aira: Thanks, Monica.

While this conversation is happening her classmates in front of her

starts to lessen for they already got their report cards. Adviser
makes little talks with the parents. Other parents seems to smile as
they leave the room with their child looking prideful, some looks at
their embarassed and head-drooping child with disappointment. As she
goes closer, Aira seems to be panicking.

Finally, it is her turn.

Adviser: *looks happily Aira- then disappointed* where are your

parents?
Aira: Miss- uh, I...
Adviser: No parents?
Aira: No, miss. My father, he's coming. It just seems that he's late.
Adviser: No parents, no card today, Aira. I really need to talk to
your father concerning your grades. Are you sure your father will
come?
Adviser: Yes, miss. Am definitely sure.
that's so, I will wait for your father.
Aira: Thanks, miss. Thank you.

Goes out of the line and stays beside the door looking for her father-
this lasts for a minute or two. Then her father comes rushing through
from the other door. He looks for Aira and he finds her wating, he
goes to her hurrily. Aira notices her father and then they meet.
 Aira: Father- where have you been?
Father: panting I'm sorry- There was a problem in work- Where's your
adviser?

Aira drags her father to the adviser-

Father: Wait- let me catch my breath.

After the teacher gives the card to the person in line and bid them
goodbye- she entertains Aira.

Aira: Miss Ramos-

Adviser: Ah- Sir Bueno, nice to meet you *handshakes* Good afternoon.
Father: Good afternoon, too, Ma'am.
Adviser: Aira, can you leave us for a while?
Aira: Why- Uhm, of course. *looks at her father and leaves*

Aira goes towards her friend while fiddling with phone and seems to be
contacting someone-

Adviser: Mister Bueno— I am going to get straight to the point--

Father’s phone rings and he answers it for a while
Father: I am terribly sorry I cannot stay longer to hear the news, not
another second, emergency.
Adviser: Understandable, you may be excused.

--setting at home—

Father: I thought your granddad was here, what’s going on!

Aira: pa, hear me out please, im doing this for you.
 Father: No! what is going on! If it’s nothing important then I am
going to go back to your adviser and listen to what she has to say
then.
Aira is silenced and watches her dad leave without a word

BG Music of car engine starting and driving away

Aira is at home pacing and trying to solve things

Decides to lie down and falls asleep

BG Music of phone ringing

BG music ringtone for voicemail
Father:*this is recording* what happened *weak voice* you failed this
seme—

Car crash BG

Blackout.

Scene 3
Aira wakes up in a jolt and shock, with her alarm ringing on repeat.
Aira, in total panic, sits on her bed and looks for her phone. After
getting it from her night stand, she shockingly gasps and stops the
alarm. She immediately stands up and walks back and forth.

Aira: No- no, no, no! This is not happening. Why is the day not
moving?! It's still Card day!

Father: knocks on door Aira, are you alright?

Aira: look at the door mumbles Father... I- rushes to the door and
opens it
 Father: I heard you screaming—

Father was abruptly cut by Aira's hug.

Aira: You're alive. sobs

Father: *looks surprised but still comforts her anyway* There, there,
sweetheart. *looks at he daughter's face directly* You had a bad
dream?

Aira nods. Father brushes her hair.

Father: Everything is fine, sweetie. Don't worry. *smiles* Now, go

take your breakfast with me, okay? Go fix your bed, you still have to
go to school. *turns away from Aira but gets stopped.*
Aira: But—*holds her father's hand to stop him from leaving* I don't
want to go to school.
Father: Sweetie, you have to. *lightly laughs* Daddy is going to work,
and you are going to school. We've been doing this for forever. Now,
get your ass in the kitchen, so we can eat breakfast.
Aira: I feel sick.
Father: You are? *holds out hand to her forehead to check her
temperature, but Aira stops it beforehand*
Aira: Okay, maybe not. But you have to listen, don't go to school.
Father: It's your card giving day, of course I'll go to school.
Aira: No! They moved it next friday.
Father: Are you sure? I'll call your adviser—
Aira: Okay, okay! Maybe not. Just— Ughhhh! *frustrated*
Father: I recommend you take a bath, princess, and eat. Go to school,
okay! *leaves*

Door closes.

Aira: *exhales* That didn't work. Now, what do I do! UGH! Why is this
happening, for god's sake! *suddenly remembers* What if— What if this
 keeps happening, so I can change what will happen. Yes. Yes! Now—
how? I already tried making excuses. *walks to and fro, is thinking*
Something that will make him not come. Something that will make the
adviser not give the card... A bomb threat!
Father: *heard at the distant* AIRA, BREAKFAST IS READY!
Aira: I'll save you, father— If not only for that damned grades...
Coming!

Blackout.

In class, everyone is talking, minding their own businesses.

Class President: Attention! Everyone listen up, Miss Ramos, our

dearest adviser, wants us to clean the room because it's Card Day.
Now, everyone do as ordered for parents are already coming!

Everyone groans in displeasure. All stand up and cleans. Aira, on the

other hand, is seen fiddling with her phone. Her classmate, Clare,
notices this.

Clare: Aira, clean girl! You're so unfair.

Aira: Shut up, Clare. Give me a second- I'm going to clean, I promise.
*presses a few button* And... there. I hope this works.
Clare: What will work
Aira: Nothing— none of your business. May I borrow the broom? *grabs
broom anyway*

Adviser suddenly enters room and leaves bottle of water on the table.

Everyone: Good afternoon, Miss Ramos.

Adviser: Children, finish what you're doing. Your parents are already
here and I need you to put all of your bag at the back and all of you
stay there. Once your parents enter, guide them to your seats and let
them sit, okay? Everyone understands?
 Everyone: Yes, miss.

Children do so. And their parents starts coming in. After everyone
settles down — the program starts. Aira's chair is the only one left
vacant. She seems troubled.

Aira: Dad comes at 2:16. I hope she doesn't come.

Adviser: Good afternoon parents, to not further delay the main agenda
for this event, we are now going to give the cards— All academic
reactions you will be having and topics that will be talked about
shall be conducted later. Please remain seated if your child's name is
not yet called, thank you. And students, you know the rule: No parent
or guardian, no card! We're going to start alphabetically. Please
rise-

Adviser: Girls first! — Ariño

Characters do so.

Aira is the 4th in the line. She falls in line hesitantly, because her
father isn't around. She glances from the entrance and exit doors,
hoping for her father's arrival. Her classmate, Monica, notices this.

Monica: Hey, Aira.

Aira: *still looking at the door* Hi, Monica. *looks at her and
smiles*
Uh, Aira- your parents are coming?
Aira: Ah, I don't know. Maybe not. My father should come, but I hope—
think he won't. *looks at the door again mumbles* I wish he won't
come.
Monica: Maybe he did just got trafficked or something — I'm sure he'll
come.
Aira: Thanks, Monica.
While this conversation is happening her classmates in front of her
starts to lessen for they already got their report cards. Adviser
makes little talks with the parents. Other parents seems to smile as
they leave the room with their child looking prideful, some looks at
their embarassed and head-drooping child with disappointment. As she
goes closer, Aira seems to be panicking.

Finally, it is her turn.

Adviser: looks happily Aira- then disappointed where are your

parents?
Aira: Miss- uh, I...
Adviser: No parents?
Aira: No, miss. Uhm- I think so. He's probably busy.
Adviser: No parents, no card today, Aira. I really need to talk to
your father concerning your grades. Are you sure your father won't
come?
Adviser: Yes, miss. Am definitely sure.
Adviser: If that's so, you won't get your card.
Aira: Thanks, miss. Thank you.

Goes out of the line and stays beside the door looking for her father-
this lasts for a minute or two. Then her father comes rushing through
from the other door.

Aira: 3:15— No.

He looks for Aira and he finds her waiting, he goes to her hurrily.
Aira notices her father and then they meet.

Aira: Father- why did you come?

Father: *panting* I'm sorry- There was a problem in work- Where's your
adviser?

Aira stops. Aira stares at him, concerned.

 Father: Wait- let me catch my breath.

Suddenly, an alarm went ringing and there was a message being

delivered from the speaker.

Message: Attention to all, attention. Everyone, please go to the

ground floor, immediately. I repeat: Everyone, please go to the ground
floor, immediately.

Everyone is shocked and is asking why.

Message: We have received an alleged bomb threat. Please do not panic

and calmly go to the ground floor. Thank you.

Alarm is still ringing.

Adviser: Okay, everyone. Please do not panic —

Scene 4

Aira wakes up in a jolt and shock, with her alarm ringing on repeat.
Aira, in total panic, sits on her bed and looks for her phone. After
getting it from her night stand, she immediately stands up and walks
back and forth.

Aira: No- no, no, no! This cannot happen. I failed. It didn't work!
screams in frustration

Father: knocks on door Aira, are you alright?

Aira: look at the door mumbles rushes to the door and opens it
 Father: I heard you screaming—

Father was abruptly cut by Aira's hug.

Aira: immediately let go of the hug and looked at her father directly
Don't go out of the house. Don't go to school today.
Father: *confused* But why?
Aira: Just don't, okay! I'm begging you please.
Father: Are you this desperate?
Aira: Yes!
Father: I'm going. You're hiding something from me and I'm going to go
there.
Aira: No fathe—
Father: No, Aira! Get your ass to the kitchen right now to eat and go
to school.
Aira: No! All of this won't happen, if you don't come. You don't
understand! *frustrated*
Father: Oh, I will come. And don't you raise your voice to me. I am
still your father and you are in my house.
Aira: You don't understand!
Father: I don't understand what? Your stubbornness? It's early in the
morning and I did not wake up for this drama and I absolutely did not
raised a child raising her voice to me. *leaves*

Door closes.

Aira: No! Ahg, no! What do I do— What do I do now?! The bomb threat
didn't work. God's sake, why am I stuck in a loop. I don't know
anymore- I don't know stressed I have to stop this. I have to save
Dad. I don't care anymore. If I have to hurt someone, I will. Just to
get out of this hell.

Blackout.
 In class, everyone is talking, minding their own businesses.

Class President: Attention! Everyone listen up, Miss Ramos, our

dearest adviser, wants us to clean the room because it's Card Day.
Now, everyone do as ordered for parents are already coming!

Everyone groans in displeasure except Aira. Everyone stands uo and

starts cleaning, except Aira who is searching somethig from her bag.

Clare: Aira clean, girl! You're so unfair.

Aira: Shut up! I'm going to clean.
Clare: Are you alright? You look stressed.
Aira: No. Nothing— none of your business. *gets a packet of pills from
her
bag and leaves the room*

Adviser suddenly enters room and leaves a bottle of water on the

table.

Everyone: Good afternoon, Miss Ramos.

Adviser: Children, finish what you're doing. Your parents are already
here and I need you to put all of your bag at the back and all of you
stay there. Once your parents enter, guide them to your seats and let
them sit, okay? Everyone understands?
Everyone: Yes, miss.

Aira enters the room and goes to adviser.

Aira: Miss, Sir Pagudpon is asking you to go to the faculty ASAP. He

said he'll give something very important.
Adviser: Okay, I'm going. And please join your classmates, Aira.
Adviser leaves the room and Aira looks around. When she's sure no one
is looking, she grabs the bottle and hid it. Then, she pours the
powdered pill.
Aira: This won't effect immeditely, but enough to make her sleep at
the right time.

She went to her classmates and the adviser went in along with the
parents, including his father.

Aira looks shocked and does not know what to do.

Aira: Dad comes at 2:16! Why is he early?! This can't be happening.

she looks very stressed

Everyone settles and finds their place.

Adviser: Good afternoon parents, to not further delay the main agenda
for this event, we are now going to give the cards— All academic
reactions you will be having and topics that will be talked about
shall be conducted later. Please remain seated if your child's name is
not yet called, thank you. And students, you know the rule: No parent
or guardian, no card! We're going to start alphabetically. Please
rise-

As the adviser talks, Aira looks dead. At the back with her
classmates, she secretly puts all the remaining pills in her mouth and
drank it.

Aira: I have to try again!

Adviser: Girls first! — Ariño

After saying Ariño, Aira collapses with her bubbling mouth.

Children beside her screams.

 Father: Aira! Aira! Everyone aporoaches here.

Blackout.

Scene 5

Aira wakes up with a lot less panic than the previous days
Breathing heavily

Father: *from a distance* Sweetheart! Breakfast!

Aira starts to sob on her bed while lying on her back

Sits up
Has a breakdown
Tries to compose self
Wipes tears
Locks door

Grabs a pencil and paper, writes in a rush while trying to stop tears
Stops writing and sits on the floor
Hugs knees
Breaks down

While in a rush
Will look for something in the drawers
Making a mess and spilling pills on the floor

Suddenly stops before grabbing the object and observes as if

successfully finds what she has been looking for
 Aira holds the blade and grabs the letter

Aira: I can’t wake up another day to watch you fade away, because of
me, and I’m sorry if this is as selfish as it is but I’ll be the one
to go now. I love you, pa.

Aira kisses the letter

Sobs
Drinks a lot of pills
Puts blade closer to wrist while sobbing

Blackout.

Adviser: Good afternoon parents, to not further delay the main agenda
for this event, we are now going to give the cards—

Door slams

Enters Father with bloody clothes, letter in hand, slowly approaching

the teacher

Father: she said she did her best, at least that was the one in her
letter. She said she did her best but you expect her to do better. She
said she was exhausted. She was fucking tired! She failed her grades,
don’t ask me how I know or how she knows but I think I know well
enough while I was hugging my daughter’s lifeless body! She said I
couldn’t take her failure, that she tried again and again and she said
she failed me yet I want her to understand that the world failed her
terribly.

He falls on his knees

Parents and students try to help him

 Adviser: Mr.—

Father: was she a nice kid

Adviser: the kindest

Father: what was she like at school

Adviser: friendly and respectful, she loved to sing, and we enjoyed

hearing her sing.

Father: That’s my girl, my angel. *sobs* that’s my Aira.

Blackout.