The Bad Change
Scene 1
(The English teacher, Mrs. Jacobs, is standing in front of a small classroom of about 15 students. A girl wearing a tight black crop top and tight black pants with a silver chain around her waist comes in through the right door.)
Mrs. Jacobs: Class, please welcome Veronica Roberts to our class. (Some boys in the class yell things like “Yeah, fine lookin’ mama!” or “Come here baby, I can welcome you anytime!”) Veronica, you’ll have to excuse some of the rude, immature juniors in this class. Anyway, Veronica just moved here, to the sunny state of Florida, a few days ago. She comes from New York. So please make her feel comfortable.
Veronica: (Smiles) Thank you Mrs. Jacobs.
(As Veronica goes to take an empty seat in the back of the room, most of the guys look at her and blow her kisses. In a flirty way, she winks and smiles back at them.)
Veronica: (Sits down and looks at the girl next to her. Mrs. Jacobs tells the class what page to turn to in their books.) The guys in this school are lookin’ pretty hot. But they can’t compare to the ones in New York. I must have crushed on about 50 guys and gone out with like 40 of them in one year!
(The girl next to Veronica tries to ignore her and listen to what the teacher’s reading.)
Veronica: So what’s your name?
Girl next to her: (whispers) Jessica
Veronica: You can speak up ya know? It’s not like your name’s a secret.
Jessica: (speaking a little louder) Jessica
Veronica: Nice to meet ya Jess. It’s okay if I call you Jess right?
(Jessica looks at Veronica and then down at her book)
Veronica: I should have known. I’ve dealt with people like you before. You don’t wanna talk much with me ‘cuz you think I’m one of these snobby popular girls and you’re kinda scared of me. (Laughs) Well, I guess I am. But I know what you want. You wanna be popular don’t you? Be honest, it’s between you and me.
Jessica: (Sad expression on face) Yeah, I guess.
Veronica: (Laughs) I’m here for ya babe. We’ll hang out sometime and I promise, the whole school will know who you are in no time.
(The bell rings)
Veronica: (Looks at Jessica’s arms) What happened to your arms? Why are they all cut up like that? (Jessica puts her arms behind her back as she stands up and looks around the classroom) Well, whatever. I’ll catch ya later.
(Most of the class is out of the classroom while Jessica is left packing her books. The curtains close.)
Scene 2
(Jessica is to the left side of her large, lilac-colored living room playing a song from Beethoven’s collections on a large, white piano. She is interrupted when the doorbell rings and gets up to answer the door.)
(As Jessica slowly opens the door, Marie quickly runs inside.)
Marie: Oh my gosh! Jessica, are your parents home? Are they? Huh?
Jessica: Ha! That’s suppose to be a joke right? You know they’re never home. But anyway, what’s the hurry?
Marie: You’ll never guess who I found out broke up!
Jessica: Who?
Marie: (sits on the couch and so does Jessica) Okay, I’ll give you clues. He’s on the football team, he’s got the bluest eyes you’ve ever seen, and you’ve had a crush on him since grade school. Ugh, what the heck, it’s Nick Timmons!
Jessica: (A huge smile comes to her face) No way!
Marie: Yes way girl! Now’s your chance! The guy you’ve been crushing on for, what is it? 7 years? Well, he’s finally broken up with his longtime snobby girlfriend and you can finally ask him out! Ah! This is great!
Jessica: (Her face saddens) Yeah right. Nick Timmons, the cutest and most popular guy in school would actually want to go out with the most ugly, geeky, not-popular girl in school. That only happens in movies Marie.
Marie: Stop putting yourself down like that! I hate it when you do that! You’re a beautiful, smart girl with wonderful piano playing skills and guys happen to love that in a girl. You’re also my best friend and I won’t let you talk like that.
Jessica: (Rolls her eyes) Whatever.
Marie: (Rolls up Jessica’s sleeves) Look at this! You told me you’d stop cutting yourself Jessica! Look how bad your arms look! You promised you’d stop and I promised I wouldn’t tell.
Jessica: Hey, I never promised anything. I told you I’d try to stop. And I already told you, cutting myself is the only thing that calms me and makes me forget stuff. (Puts sleeves down)
Marie: You’ve taken this popularity thing too far. Being popular isn’t everything Jessica! Who cares if you don’t have many friends? Who cares if you’re 16 without a boyfriend? Who cares if-
Jessica: I do! I care! It’s easy for you to say. You’ve got good friends you can hang out with during the weekends. You’ve actually kissed a guy before. You’re invited to parties and have people that like you.
Marie: But-
Jessica: But nothing. Admit it, I’m a nobody. I have to be popular.
Marie: You need help Jessica, and I’m saying this as a good friend.
Jessica: And what you need is to get out! (She stands up, walks towards the door and opens it)
Marie: Please don’t do this. (Tears in her eyes) I’m trying to help. I’m your friend. (Gets up)
Jessica: What you are is an idiot who needs to leave me alone! Get out now!
(Marie goes out of the door crying as Jessica slams it. She goes to the kitchen, next to the left side of the living room, opens a cabinet and takes out a knife. Lights go out.)
Scene 3
(The school bell has just rung. Veronica is seen standing to the left outside of a door that says “Biology Room 124”. She finishes up talking to Nick Timmons when Jessica comes out of the room.)
Veronica: Hey Jess! What’s up?
Jessica: (sighs) Absolutely nothing.
Veronica: You know something? I know just what you need, so come with me.
Jessica: (worried) What? Where are we …I have to …the bell’s about to ring!
Veronica: (pulls her arm and pulls her towards the bathroom right across room 324) I know that! We’re cutting class Jess. (opens bathroom door)
Jessica: But I can’t! It’s against school rules and we’ll get in trouble!
Veronica: Oh hush already! Learn to have some fun. No one’s gonna catch us. I’ve been cutting classes all of my life. If there’s anyone who knows the most about skipping classes it’s (points to herself) Veronica Roberts. (Tears begin to run down Jessica’s face) Oh no, please don’t tell me you’re crying just ‘cuz we’re cutting.
Jessica: (wipes tears from cheeks) No, it’s not that.
Veronica: What is it then?
Jessica: No, I can’t.
Veronica: You know hon, you should start talkin’. Everyone thinks you’re some type of weirdo and it’s ‘cuz you’re a mouse. (Jessica begins to sob) No don’t cry! I know deep inside you’re a beautiful, open-minded girl who’s tons of fun to be around. You just need to open up. (touches Jessica’s shoulder) And I’m the one to help you do it. (makes Jessica sit down on one of the plastic chairs in front of a large mirror) Hmm …lemme see what we can do here. (takes off Jessica’s glasses and gasps) You have such pretty hazel eyes. No one would ever know under those big ol’ glasses.
Jessica: (in a low voice) Thanks. But they can’t compare to your sparkling emerald eyes.
Veronica: You know, you should stop comparing yourself to other people. (loosens Jessica’s hair from a bun) Look at this beautiful brown hair!
Jessica: How can I when everyone’s prettier than me?
Veronica: You know, I figured out why your arms are all cut up. You wanna be popular so bad and it’s the only way to forget your worries. So you slice your arms every now and then. (Takes out a brush from her own black bag and brushes Jessica’s hair) You should stop.
Jessica: You know what? You shouldn’t be assuming things. How do you know-
Veronica: (throws brush on floor) (screaming) My friend went from being a cutter to committing suicide and she was just like you okay?! I was a cutter myself so I think I should know a cutter when I see one.
Jessica: Oh God, I’m so sorry.
Veronica: No, I’m sorry. (picks up brush and puts it in bag) I shouldn’t have gotten so angry. (Takes out a pink lipstick color) Look, my friend was the type of shy, lonely girl who wanted to be popular just like you. She’d cut herself because she felt like her life was just un-perfect. We’d hang out and I’d try my best to make everyone get to know her. It just wasn’t working. (applies lipstick to Jessica) Then one day she was found dead on her bedroom floor. (closes lipstick) She- (tear runs down her face) shot herself with a gun she somehow managed to get. (wipes tears)
Jessica: (Looks as if about to cry) Oh that’s so sad.
Veronica: (laughs) You know what she didn’t get? No one’s life is perfect.
Jessica: Why did you cut yourself?
Veronica: Family problems. (takes eye shadow out from bag and applies it to Jessica’s eyes) My mother hates me. My father left us when I was 10. My older brother’s in jail for drug abuse. And no one loves me. My dad loved me. I loved him so much. I still do.
Jessica: So why don’t you see him?
Veronica: (takes out blush and applies it on Jessica’s cheeks) Umm …you know, lets not talk about this anymore. The thing is, I stopped cutting myself because it was useless. It wouldn’t make anyone love me and you should stop too.
Jessica: (rolls eyes) Whatever.
Veronica: Well enough about myself. Tell me about you. (takes out scissors, makes Jess stand up, and cuts Jessica’s ankle-length skirt to 2 inches above her knees)
Jessica: (gasps) Oh …my …God.
Veronica: (laughs) I know what I’m doing. You do want Nick Timmons to like you, don’t you?
Jessica: Huh? Who ever said-
Veronica: Oh c’mon Jess! It’s obvious the way you look at him in class and stuff. Now tell me, what do you like to do?
Jessica: Well, I like playing the piano.
Veronica: (laughs) No way! I should have guessed! Jess, pianos are for wimps. It’s pathetic. (makes Jess stand up)
Veronica: Look at yourself. (Both looking at Jessica in the mirror) You look amazing girl!
Jessica: (smiles) I do! I do! (hugs Veronica) Veronica, thank you so much!
Veronica: (smiles) Don’t thank me yet. Let’s go see Nick.
(Bell rings. As Jessica and Veronica open the bathroom door, the curtains close.)
Scene 4
(Mrs. Maury and Mr. Maury are sitting down on a couch in the living room with Marie right next to Mrs. Maury. They all have anger and unpatient looks on their faces. They hear a door open and Jessica comes out from behind the left side curtain wearing lots of makeup, tight black pants and a tight crop top)
Mr. Maury: (screaming) Jessica Rose Maury, you report here right this moment young lady!
Mrs. Maury: We have lots to talk about young lady!
(Jessica enters the living room and stands in the middle of the room facing them)
Mrs. Maury: (gasps) What are you wearing?
Jessica: What you see is exactly what I’m wearing! Now what is it you wanna talk about? You better make it fast, I’ve gotta go meet someone. And what the hell are you doing here Marie? I thought I made it clear that I didn’t ever wanna see you again.
Mr. Maury: (stands up and points a finger at Jessica) Don’t you dare talk to your mother like that! The nerve of you…
Jessica: (rolls eyes) Yeah, yeah cut the crap. I told you I’ve gotta go-
Mrs. Maury: meet someone. (stands and puts hands on her hips) And who might that be, hmm? Let me think…could it be your all-star-#1 quarterback of the football team boyfriend Nick Timmons? Or the so-called slut of the school Veronica Roberts?
Jessica: (narrows her eyes at Marie) You told didn’t you?! You little…go to hell! You had no right-
(Marie begins to silently cry)
Mrs. Maury: Had no right to tell us the truth? Is that it? She had no right to tell us that you’ve been going out with that guy Nick for four weeks? That you’ve been hanging out with Veronica the slut? And that worst of all, (pulls Jessica’s sleeves up), you’ve been cutting yourself? Jessica, honey, what’s wrong with you? This isn’t the same sweet, shy, straight A’s student Jessica we knew before. Look at you. You’re dressing, without a doubt, like your so-called friend, hurting yourself and you’ve stopped playing the piano. Jessica-
Jessica: You know what mom? Just shut up okay? You and dad never cared about me or noticed me. You’re always busy with work. You never noticed that I was unhappy with my life just four weeks ago and now all of a sudden you care? I mean, I’ve been cutting myself for years, you never noticed that. I’ve been dressing differently for four weeks but of course you didn’t notice that since you always come home at like 12 A.M. I’ve stopped taking piano classes for four weeks, I bet you didn’t have a clue about that. Just face it, you guys don’t care about me. I thought that by getting high grades, playing the piano and by doing everything you wanted me to do, you would both be happy and maybe, just maybe make you realize I exist.
Mr. Maury: (sighs) Listen now-
Jessica: No you listen. I’ve finally found a boyfriend who loves me, a friend who’s made me popular and the person I want to be. I’m finally happy and you wanna take that away from me?
Marie: (in low voice) Jessica, you might seem happy now but you won’t be later. I just found out Nick is cheating on you and got a few girls pregnant in the past. And Veronica talks about you behind your back.
Jessica: (loudly groans) Damn you all! You know what? I’m leaving that’s what I’m doing. I have Marie who has a jealousy problem and parents who must be in insane. I can’t stand this anymore!
Mrs. Maury: No Jessica! Where are you going? We really have to talk. (Jessica storms out of the room and goes behind the right curtain)
Jessica: (from behind) To pack! I’m leaving.
(Mrs. Maury and Marie sit down and cry while Mr. Maury just sits there. Curtains close.)
Scene 5
(Jessica is found sitting on a bench in a train station. She looks as if she’s been crying. Two large bags are on her sides. Nick and Veronica come out through the left side of the stage where on top there’s a sign that says “Middle Staircase to train B, E, and F”.)
Veronica: Hey Jess. How ya doin’?
(Nick and Veronica are also holding large bags and suitcases)
Jessica: (stands up and hugs Veronica, then Nick) Guys, I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Veronica: (laughs) We know.
Jessica: (sits back down and so do Veronica and Nick) I mean, when I called you both to tell you I was running away, I had no idea on where to go. And now-
Veronica: We’re off to New York City baby!
Jessica: Yeah. (smiles) You know, I was scared at first, over the phone, when you told me we should all run off to New York. But now that I know my best friend and boyfriend will be there, it’s great.
Nick: (hugs Jessica) Baby, you made the right choice. You don’t need your stupid ol’ parents. I’m 17, and living fine without mine. I’m free to do anything I want.
Veronica: (touches Nick’s knee and gives him a flirtatious smile) He’s right Jess. You know, you’re lucky to have Nick in your life. He’s a free guy. And free guys definitely know how to have fun.
Nick: (smiles) I’ve been to NYC before. Aw, it sure it awesome there. Watch, I’ll open you up to totally new things babe.
Jessica: (Frowns and pulls away from Nick. Looks down at her hands) Nick, can I ask you something? It might sound a bit stupid but-
Nick: Shoot.
Jessica: Do you love me?
Nick: (smiles) Now, you know there’s no one else in this world I love more than you. You’re my only girl, my only rose, my only shining star, my only love, k?
Jessica: (smiles and hugs him back) You are such a sweetheart. I love you so much.
(Veronica silently snickers)
(The sound of a train coming is heard. Veronica, Nick and Jessica stand up and exit through the right of the stage, where the “train” is suppose to be. The curtains close.)
Scene 6
(Jessica and Veronica are seen inside a bedroom of an old and dirty apartment. Veronica is packing to leave. She has an opened suitcase on the bed and is taking clothes out of a drawer right next to a big, unmade bed. Jessica’s standing on the opposite side of the bed.)
Jessica: (crying) You fraud, you liar, you imposter, you scum, you…ugh! I hate you! I hate you!
Veronica: (still packing) Oh stop your whining Jess. No wonder Nick never really loved you. No wonder he’s leaving you and running off with me.
Jessica: My God! I can’t believe you’re both doing this to me! How can you? (slowly sits down) It’s been six months since I left my home to live in this filthy, good for nothing apartment with you and Nick. Six months since I last heard my parents. A few days since I found out I’m pregnant. And just now I learn Nick’s been cheating on me with you. I thought he loved me.
Veronica: Ha! Loved you? You are such an idiot. Nick never loved you. He’s never loved any girl he’s gone out with. He only loves me and uses the others.
Jessica: Oh you slut! I can’t believe I ever trusted you. My parents were right ..and so was Marie..(stands and starts pacing around the room while she continues to cry)
Veronica: Well, I’m all packed. (sits down) Nick should be back any minute and then we’re off to Vegas baby.
Jessica: What am I suppose to do now huh? I can’t afford to go anywhere. I’m pregnant, I can’t get a job. My parents won’t take me back after the way I treated them.
Veronica: Who cares? You messed up your life, so you find a way to answer your questions. (Car horn honks) There he is, gotta go. (stand up and takes her luggage)
Jessica: Veronica! You can’t do this to me.
Veronica: I can and I will. Bye Jess. Have a nice life. (Exits through the left curtain)
Jessica: (gasps) I’ve ruined my life. Oh my God, I’ve completely ruined my life. (lays down on the bed and cries)
(Curtains close)
The End