Author’s Note: Dialogue in italics is in scene. Lines not so are to the audience.

The lights rise on Erica, who is sitting--no

lounging--on a bench

ERICA
People are fascinating. Every one of you. Not in the way you’re thinking. I don’t care about your
Transcendentalist “Poetry,” or your latest culinary adventure at McDonald’s. You’re fascinating
when you’re living your everyday life. Just trying to complete basic interactions. Take this lady
who’s been interrupting my nap in the science building, for example.
(Caroline, holding some books, walks from one side of the stage to the other behind Erica)
If you were walking past, you wouldn’t think twice about her.
(Caroline walks past again in the same direction)
But I’ve been here a good while, and something is drawing my attention to her.
(Caroline walks past again in the same direction)
Why is she walking past Dr. Meadow’s office over and over…
(Caroline walks past again in the same direction)
…and over? She’s never made any move to open the door, or look in the window, or slip
something underneath…
(Caroline walks past again in the same direction)
…and its not like she can be looking for any other room, because Dr. Meadow’s is the only
office on this floor, and all the classrooms are empty. Hence, my nap.
(Erica gets up and starts moving behind the bench)
Now, since I’m a Senior, I don’t have any classes today, so I’ve decided to let my curiosity take
hold. However, I can’t just walk up to her and ask why she was walking past Dr. Meadow’s
office over and over…
(Caroline walks past again in the same direction)
…and over. I don’t know her, I’ve never even seen her before. What would be the result of that?
Hey, why do you…
(Caroline stares at her like a deer in headlights, then runs off stage)
I could try to stand in front of her as she walked past, but that doesn’t seem like a promising
option, either.
(Eric tries to stand in front of Caroline tough-like as she walks across the stage this time.
Caroline bumps into Erica, looks up, and starts beating her with one of her books. She runs off
stage as she seeks cover behind the bench.)
The first angle I’ve decided to pursue is to see if Dr. Meadow was in her office. So I knocked on
her door, and…
(Dr. Meadow emerges from backstage)
DR. MEADOW
Yes?!
ERICA
Hello, Dr.--
DR. MEADOW
What do you want?
ERICA
(Pause)
I admit, I didn’t actually think this part through. So…I improvised…Uh, Dr., I was
wondering…what do you think of the situation in…China?
(Pause)
She did not seem impressed
DR. MEADOW
I am a biology professor!
ERICA
I had forgotten that. Luckily at this point, I was saved by…well, I think you can guess by now…
(Caroline starts to walk past, sees that Dr. Meadow is out of her office and runs away before
she is seen. Dr. Meadows huffs in Erica’s face and walks back to where she appeared from.)
Sometimes you just have to take what you’re given, and in this case, I know that I’ve confirmed
at least one thing. This woman…
(Caroline walks past again in the same direction)
…was indeed trying to talk to Dr. Meadow but didn’t seem to have the courage to do so. I didn’t
know why, but the good doctor’s own dramatic exit did present me with a clue.
(She pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket and unfolds it. Reading:)
“Summer internships! $30 a week or school credit.” So this is what my fellow scholar is hoping
for. If she could run into Dr. Meadow “by chance,” it would force herself to ask for the
opportunity to spend a summer groveling for a pittance and a line on her resume. Now, I may not
believe in them, but I know how much this kind of thing means for some, so I decide to be
generous. All I need to do is to force the situation she’s hoping for. I run back to my locker to
grab some books of my own.
(Erica runs offstage. Caroline walks past again in the same direction. Erica re-emerges, holding
some books.)
And I position myself against Dr. Meadow’s door, so that the next time she went past…
(As Caroline walks past again, Erica walks into her, causing them both to fall to the ground in a
big crash. Slightly louder than normal:)
Oh my god, I’m so sorry.
(Caroline tries to pick up her books as quickly as possible. Erica keeps switching the books,
prolonging the interaction.)
Oh, I’m sorry, here, let me help.
CAROLINE
That’s ok, I don’t need any—
ERICA
Wait, no, that one’s yours…isn’t it…wait…
CAROLINE
REALLY, I need to get going…
ERICA
It’s okay, I’m sorry, just a—
(Dr. Meadow emerges from backstage)
Perfect
DR. MEADOW
THERE YOU ARE, CAROLINE! Get in here!
ERICA
Maybe…not so perfect…?
CAROLINE
I’m so sorry, Dr. Meadow--
 DR. MEADOW
Copying and distributing exam answer sheets is not something to be trifled with.
ERICA
Shit.
DR. MEADOW
I expected you in my office an hour ago.
CAROLINE
I’m swear I didn’t do that, I’m sorry, I was waiting for my friend, who said she’d have proof that
I wasn’t the one--
DR. MEADOW
Enough! Come. I’m taking this straight to the dean.
(Dr. Meadow strides offstage with Caroline nervously at her heels. After a moment, slightly
shaken.)
ERICA
See. People are much more interesting when living their everyday lives than the bits they show
off to the world. However, perhaps its best that those parts of life stay…unshared…
(Looks to where Caroline exited. Lights out.)