New Best Friends
Props: Candy, hall passes, backpacks.
Setting: Counselor's office.
(AT RISE: VANESSA is sitting in the office when RACHEL enters.)
RACHEL: What are you doing here?
VANESSA: What are you doing here?
RACHEL: (Waving a pass) I was summoned to the counselor's office.
VANESSA: Me, too. And I was here first so maybe you should 3 leave and come back later.
RACHEL: (Sitting down) I'll wait.
VANESSA: Why don't you wait outside in the hall?
RACHEL: Why don't you wait outside in the hall?
VANESSA: Because I was here first! You know, maybe they called us both down here for the same
reason.
RACHEL: And what reason would that be?
VANESSA: (Matter of fact) Because we hate each other and can't get along.
RACHEL: Well, no counseling session is going to change that.
VANESSA: You're right about that.
RACHEL: It'd be a complete waste of time.
VANESSA: You know what? I bet that Mrs. Warren told Mr. Richards about what happened yesterday.
RACHEL: Which was all your fault!
VANESSA: Hey, you started it!
RACHEL: I was just reacting to what you did!
VANESSA: And I was defending myself!
RACHEL: Well, you didn't have to throw Milk Duds at me!
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VANESSA: Maybe I thought you wanted one!
RACHEL: In my eye? Oh, sure!
VANESSA: You know what? I really can't stand you!
RACHEL: Well, that's one thing that we agree on, because I can't stand you, either!
VANESSA: And this counseling session is going to be a complete waste of time!
RACHEL: Unless ...
VANESSA: Unless what?
RACHEL: Unless we trick Mr. Richards.
VANESSA: How?
RACHEL: By making him think that we worked out our differences.
VANESSA: You mean, fake getting along with each other?
RACHEL: It sure beats one of those long and drawn-out lecture, that Mr. Richards is all too famous for.
VANESSA: You know what? That's a good idea. Anything to keep from being stuck in this room with you
for one more second more than I have to.
RACHEL: So, should we practice?
VANESSA: What? Practice getting along?
RACHEL: At being friends.
VANESSA: I guess. (Fakes a smile.) Mr. Richards, believe me Rachel and I have worked everything out.
RACHEL: I wouldn't believe you.
VANESSA: Well, it's hard to pretend that I like you, OK? (Takes deep breath.) OK, let me try this again.
(Fake smile) Mr Richards, would you believe it? Rachel and I are no longer enemies!
RACHEL: I wouldn't believe it. You're a terrible actress.
VANESSA: Fine! Then you try it!
RACHEL: OK. (Fake smile) Mr. Richards, Vanessa and I have come to the conclusion that our behavior has
been unreasonable and immature.
VANESSA: (Laughs.) You sound like a parent! Talk about not believing someone!
RACHEL: Well, it's hard to pretend you like someone that you actually hate!
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VANESSA: Believe me, I know!
RACHEL: Then I guess we'll get to sit in here for an hour, maybe two, and listen to Mr. Richards rant on
and on about how we should learn to get along.
VANESSA: I'd rather be in Math class!
RACHEL: (Looks at watch.) And what's taking him so long? I'm hungry!
VANESSA: Me too. (Digs out some candy and eats.)
RACHEL: I mean, I'm starving! (Watching VANESSA) Really, really starving!
VANESSA: Here! (Gives her some candy.)
RACHEL: Thanks.
VANESSA: Well, that was a first.
RACHEL: First what?
VANESSA: First time you ever said thank you to me for anything.
RACHEL: Well, that was the first time you gave me candy without throwing it at me!
VANESSA: Yeah. Sorry about that.
RACHEL: It's OK.
VANESSA: Here. You want some more?
RACHEL: Thanks.
VANESSA: Hey, we're actually getting along.
RACHEL: You're right. So maybe it wouldn't be a lie?
VANESSA: Let me try this again. (Deep breath) Mr. Richards, I don't hate Rachel.
RACHEL: You're lying, aren't you?
VANESSA: Stop it! I'm trying here!
RACHEL: Maybe we should try the truth! Mr. Richards, it's true, Vanessa and I don't particularly care for
each other, but I believe we can learn to get along.
VANESSA: Yes, if she doesn't talk to me and I don't talk to her!
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RACHEL: And if she gives me candy every day, I believe I can learn to tolerate her presence.
VANESSA: I'm not bringing you candy every day!
RACHEL: (Grabs a piece of candy from her hand.) It can be a peace offering!
VANESSA: Forget it!
RACHEL: Then I guess we're not going to get along!
VANESSA: I guess not! (Turn their backs to each other.) Oh! I hate you!
RACHEL: I hate you more!
VANESSA: (Short pause.) Wait a minute. Why do we hate each other?
RACHEL: (Turns to look at VANESSA.) Because!
VANESSA: Because why?
RACHEL: Because ... because we're both cute and there's always this competition thing going on
between us.
VANESSA: And we always seem to like the same guy.
RACHEL: And we're always fighting for his attention.
VANESSA: And half the time he's not even worth the time and attention.
RACHEL: You're right about that.
VANESSA: Then maybe we should team up instead of fighting.
RACHEL: I never thought about that, but that's a good idea. You know, I really don't have a best friend.
VANESSA: Me neither. And the two of us ...
RACHEL: We could have a blast! (They share a smile.) Mr. Richards, we've worked it all out.
VANESSA: Really!
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