"Trying to work on a script and developing an artsy-fartsy attitude telling meself that "it feels too early to slip into that writing mood." Not cool to feel that it's "right" to create in that 2-3am world. Need more discipline to be able to write at any time."
The above was a facebook status post. I'm thinking that it's just the atmosphere that I'm writing in: American Idol in one ear and being distracted by it and feels like there's just too much light. In short, I'm not in that zone. I don't think it's a matter of being focused, but more so that I don't have the discipline yet to be able to slip into that zone. Zone: that place (kind of like where I am now) where I have that skill to block out everything around and actually get lost in the world that I'm creating.
Discipline also means that I should block out WRITING TIME every day so that when I do slip into these distracted moments, I know that I can automatically slip into that Zone. Well, I'll have to work on that as well. Being a writer shouldn't be easy at every second when you want it to be. Let's go!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Taking Your Play for a Test Spin: The Un/Staged Reading
Stories High 12 Reading Cast of Thicker Than Wine (l:r-Patrick Silvestre, Rob Trinidad, Alan Quismorio, Aaron Niles, Gemma Calderon, and Aura San Miguel)Ooooos Ahssss And Hahahas are what hooked me into the Theater game in the first place, but those audience reactions were always a by-product of seeing a story brought to life on stage. One of my favorite audience moments was during the reversal scene from my play, BORDERS. In it, a woman discovers that a flirtatious guy sitting at the next table in a cafè isn't whom she (or the audience) thinks he is. "Oh my God," was caught from an audible whisper of the person next to me as I watch the scene unfold from my back row seat at the old (current Boxcar) Bindlestiff Studio Blackbox Theater.
Sometimes I get so caught up in being solo in writing a story that I tend to over intellectualize it. From dissecting the level of conflict, flow of dialogue, to character names, especially in during the incubation of a play can be a very personal and sometimes lonely journey. But the light at the end of the tunnel appears when I finally get that story in front of a real AUDIENCE during an un/staged reading. I'll define audience as consisting of a sample size of more than 10 strangers "off the street" type.
What I love about writing for the stage is, duh, the ALIVE audience! If they're asleep, you fail. Bored, looking around, reading the program, talking on a mobile - all the same. Fail. That's why the value of these pre-produced readings is Gold!
I recently had one of these readings produced by Bindlestiff Studios for my newest play, THICKER THAN WINE. I've already heard my play hundreds of times in my head, so I know it's good, but that judgment isn't worth spit if the people I'm writing for aren't engaged in the story I created.
There is a caveat to this though: don't let the audience change the core of the story. Their reaction can cause you to re-write the entire play, but the core/theme/message chose you to write. I've been down that road with THE GIFT. After a reading, I re-wrote the whole script with new characters and setting! Lesson learned: Don't do that again. But I did learn from that audience reaction from this staged reading.
Look for these opportunities to get your play seen in these types of readings cuz you'll def learn so much from them. I did!
Sometimes I get so caught up in being solo in writing a story that I tend to over intellectualize it. From dissecting the level of conflict, flow of dialogue, to character names, especially in during the incubation of a play can be a very personal and sometimes lonely journey. But the light at the end of the tunnel appears when I finally get that story in front of a real AUDIENCE during an un/staged reading. I'll define audience as consisting of a sample size of more than 10 strangers "off the street" type.
What I love about writing for the stage is, duh, the ALIVE audience! If they're asleep, you fail. Bored, looking around, reading the program, talking on a mobile - all the same. Fail. That's why the value of these pre-produced readings is Gold!
I recently had one of these readings produced by Bindlestiff Studios for my newest play, THICKER THAN WINE. I've already heard my play hundreds of times in my head, so I know it's good, but that judgment isn't worth spit if the people I'm writing for aren't engaged in the story I created.
There is a caveat to this though: don't let the audience change the core of the story. Their reaction can cause you to re-write the entire play, but the core/theme/message chose you to write. I've been down that road with THE GIFT. After a reading, I re-wrote the whole script with new characters and setting! Lesson learned: Don't do that again. But I did learn from that audience reaction from this staged reading.
Look for these opportunities to get your play seen in these types of readings cuz you'll def learn so much from them. I did!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Launching a career as a Playwright
One of the things I learned from the Anthem Salgado's workshop on Blogging was to have a "search-friendly" Blog Post title. Hopefully this will be the first of many posts that will bring more insight on what's the goings on as I really do launch into this career that I've always felt was my calling and have honestly took for granted.
I've been writing plays since 1995 and I believe the exact moment that set me on this path was hearing an audience laugh at a line during the PCN (Pilipino Culture Night) Play I wrote for Samamhang Pilipino at CSU, Sacramento in 1995. I remember when everyone was off to the Union at the reception after the final bows, I was left cleaning up the Music Recital Hall where the production was performed. I sat down in one of the seats of the auditorium, and soaked in every moment of that night. People actually cared about the story I remember handwriting in the bed of my old pickup after having the different characters' stories intertwine during the life of a marketplace (palengke) in the Philippines. Back then, I didn't know what drama, conflict, structure, or a dénouement was. I just had a story that needed to be told. And by golly, I did it and an audience reacted to it. It also taught me how much working in a production can't be done on it's own. I "directed" it, but I knew how much each individual person would bring to the role. I felt bad because I had to re-cast one of the roles, well, the actor missed A LOT of rehearsals without explanation, but other than that, I've been hooked on storytelling for a live audience ever since.
It's 16 years, and quite a few plays later, and I'm now ready to make that leap into trying to turn this into a career. A career? Like actually trying to make a living at this? I'd love to, but it's also a comfort to know that I have a really good day-job to fall back on as a Web Developer. But it's still nice to dream. BIG!
I've been writing plays since 1995 and I believe the exact moment that set me on this path was hearing an audience laugh at a line during the PCN (Pilipino Culture Night) Play I wrote for Samamhang Pilipino at CSU, Sacramento in 1995. I remember when everyone was off to the Union at the reception after the final bows, I was left cleaning up the Music Recital Hall where the production was performed. I sat down in one of the seats of the auditorium, and soaked in every moment of that night. People actually cared about the story I remember handwriting in the bed of my old pickup after having the different characters' stories intertwine during the life of a marketplace (palengke) in the Philippines. Back then, I didn't know what drama, conflict, structure, or a dénouement was. I just had a story that needed to be told. And by golly, I did it and an audience reacted to it. It also taught me how much working in a production can't be done on it's own. I "directed" it, but I knew how much each individual person would bring to the role. I felt bad because I had to re-cast one of the roles, well, the actor missed A LOT of rehearsals without explanation, but other than that, I've been hooked on storytelling for a live audience ever since.
It's 16 years, and quite a few plays later, and I'm now ready to make that leap into trying to turn this into a career. A career? Like actually trying to make a living at this? I'd love to, but it's also a comfort to know that I have a really good day-job to fall back on as a Web Developer. But it's still nice to dream. BIG!
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Batmobile
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/mis/2161327767.html
Location: Chevron on 41st
Me: Cute girl driving black Civic - my friend gave you a thumbs up :)
You: I think you're Batman, but I need to know for sure. You drive what's known around here as the Batmobile. I've seen your car around before, but today I got to see you through those skinny windows. I liked what I saw.
To be honest, your car really turns me on. I'd love to go for a ride sometime. Let me know if you're interested. ;)
=================
The Batmobile
by conrad panganiban
GABRIELLE
So how long have you had the car?
BRUCE
Not that long. People really call this the Batmobile?
GABRIELLE
Well, maybe just me and my friends. You're new here, aren't you?
BRUCE
Not that new. You just never saw me before.
GABRIELLE
Right. The skinny windows.
BRUCE
Right.
GABRIELLE
So. You gonna take me out for a ride?
BRUCE
Depends.
GABRIELLE
Depends on what?
BRUCE
If you're worthy.
GABRIELLE
Worthy?
BRUCE
Yeah.
GABRIELLE
Trust me. I am.
BRUCE.
Not in that way, Gabby.
GABRIELLE
It's Gabrielle, and how'd you know my name?
BRUCE
Well, then excuse me, Gabrielle, but not in that way. I was talking about something you can do for me.
GABRIELLE
What I can do for you?
BRUCE
I need the keys to your dad's shop.
GABRIELLE
What are you talking about?
BRUCE
You said that you wanted a ride?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, but…
BRUCE
Well, how much of that ride do you want? Or is it, how much do you want to drive it?
GABRIELLE
I told you, the car turns me on.
BRUCE
350 dual-cam carburetor with a
GABRIELLE
500 cubic manifold intake valve.
BRUCE
It's 550.
GABRIELLE
You might want to check again. So what do you want from my pop's shop?
BRUCE
Does he still have the three-quarter Edge Spring for the '66 Chevy Firesnake?
GABRIELLE
A '66 Firesnake?
BRUCE
I guess you're not very interested in the Batmobile anymore.
GABRIELLE
It's a Prius compared to a Firesnake. No offense.
BRUCE
I wouldn't say Prius. More like Mustang… but definitely not a Prius.
GABRIELLE
You know what I mean. So… how'd you get the other one? Since there were only...
BRUCE
Can you get me the Edge Spring?
GABRIELLE
He's gonna notice it's gone.
BRUCE
Of course he would. But by the time he'd notice, we'd be long gone too.
GABRIELLE
We?
BRUCE
The people I work for would appreciate your line of expertise, Gabby. A lot more than your father does.
GABRIELLE
How much more? And it's Gabrielle.
BRUCE
Let's just say that the Edge Spring isn't for my car. It'd be for yours. Trust me. The best thing to ever come out of this rinky dinky town is you, but if you wanna stay rinky dinky, you can stay right here taking orders from your old man who'll keep you trapped swapping oil underneath Soccer Wagons and Priuses forever. Call me crazy, but I'd think that working on Lamborghinis, Bugattis, or a Koenigseggs would be a step up.
GABRIELLE
A Koenigsegg?
BRUCE
The Agera, Trevita, and I almost forgot, the CCXR. You think you can handle those?
GABRIELLE
I… uh.
BRUCE
We don't have time for "uhs", Gabby. 1:23am. In the back of your pop's shop. You're there with the part, and we're gone. If not… then I'll be. I'll see you soon… Gabrielle.
THE END
Location: Chevron on 41st
Me: Cute girl driving black Civic - my friend gave you a thumbs up :)
You: I think you're Batman, but I need to know for sure. You drive what's known around here as the Batmobile. I've seen your car around before, but today I got to see you through those skinny windows. I liked what I saw.
To be honest, your car really turns me on. I'd love to go for a ride sometime. Let me know if you're interested. ;)
=================
The Batmobile
by conrad panganiban
GABRIELLE
So how long have you had the car?
BRUCE
Not that long. People really call this the Batmobile?
GABRIELLE
Well, maybe just me and my friends. You're new here, aren't you?
BRUCE
Not that new. You just never saw me before.
GABRIELLE
Right. The skinny windows.
BRUCE
Right.
GABRIELLE
So. You gonna take me out for a ride?
BRUCE
Depends.
GABRIELLE
Depends on what?
BRUCE
If you're worthy.
GABRIELLE
Worthy?
BRUCE
Yeah.
GABRIELLE
Trust me. I am.
BRUCE.
Not in that way, Gabby.
GABRIELLE
It's Gabrielle, and how'd you know my name?
BRUCE
Well, then excuse me, Gabrielle, but not in that way. I was talking about something you can do for me.
GABRIELLE
What I can do for you?
BRUCE
I need the keys to your dad's shop.
GABRIELLE
What are you talking about?
BRUCE
You said that you wanted a ride?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, but…
BRUCE
Well, how much of that ride do you want? Or is it, how much do you want to drive it?
GABRIELLE
I told you, the car turns me on.
BRUCE
350 dual-cam carburetor with a
GABRIELLE
500 cubic manifold intake valve.
BRUCE
It's 550.
GABRIELLE
You might want to check again. So what do you want from my pop's shop?
BRUCE
Does he still have the three-quarter Edge Spring for the '66 Chevy Firesnake?
GABRIELLE
A '66 Firesnake?
BRUCE
I guess you're not very interested in the Batmobile anymore.
GABRIELLE
It's a Prius compared to a Firesnake. No offense.
BRUCE
I wouldn't say Prius. More like Mustang… but definitely not a Prius.
GABRIELLE
You know what I mean. So… how'd you get the other one? Since there were only...
BRUCE
Can you get me the Edge Spring?
GABRIELLE
He's gonna notice it's gone.
BRUCE
Of course he would. But by the time he'd notice, we'd be long gone too.
GABRIELLE
We?
BRUCE
The people I work for would appreciate your line of expertise, Gabby. A lot more than your father does.
GABRIELLE
How much more? And it's Gabrielle.
BRUCE
Let's just say that the Edge Spring isn't for my car. It'd be for yours. Trust me. The best thing to ever come out of this rinky dinky town is you, but if you wanna stay rinky dinky, you can stay right here taking orders from your old man who'll keep you trapped swapping oil underneath Soccer Wagons and Priuses forever. Call me crazy, but I'd think that working on Lamborghinis, Bugattis, or a Koenigseggs would be a step up.
GABRIELLE
A Koenigsegg?
BRUCE
The Agera, Trevita, and I almost forgot, the CCXR. You think you can handle those?
GABRIELLE
I… uh.
BRUCE
We don't have time for "uhs", Gabby. 1:23am. In the back of your pop's shop. You're there with the part, and we're gone. If not… then I'll be. I'll see you soon… Gabrielle.
THE END
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Standing... Blind writing
What I mean about blind writing is that I began writing this script, Standing Above Pajaro, about two years ago and while I have my notes a out the play on my home computer, which I'm currently away from, I'm rewriting what I have of the script from memory. It's going pretty well but now I'm near the climax of the story and it feels like it's kinda falling apart because I don't have my notes on what's going to happen next.
But overall, I'm happy with the pacing of the dialogue, which is more my style. Which is to say that, I'm incorporating the LaBute quickfire overlapping (using his same script shorthand / at the point of overlappage) while paying close attention to how much to reveal and Jeanie's rules of what every line needs to do: 1) push the story along, 2) describe the charter and 3) show/infer action. If the line does neither of these three, kill it!
So hopefully, I can present this at a Wordy Word to hear this skeleton script: how it fits together before adding flesh/soul/meat to the play.
My goal on this vacation is to finish this one as well as a re-write of Boys Don't Bake Cake.
Ciao for now!
But overall, I'm happy with the pacing of the dialogue, which is more my style. Which is to say that, I'm incorporating the LaBute quickfire overlapping (using his same script shorthand / at the point of overlappage) while paying close attention to how much to reveal and Jeanie's rules of what every line needs to do: 1) push the story along, 2) describe the charter and 3) show/infer action. If the line does neither of these three, kill it!
So hopefully, I can present this at a Wordy Word to hear this skeleton script: how it fits together before adding flesh/soul/meat to the play.
My goal on this vacation is to finish this one as well as a re-write of Boys Don't Bake Cake.
Ciao for now!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Trickier Than Wine
I finished the latest draft of Thicker Than Wine in October and I'm going to revisit it since there's finally another deadline of Dec. 14. I'm a little apprehensive about revising it again for fear of overediting. then again all playwrights have the right to edit their plays when they wish. just don't want to over think it. you know what it is? it just might be that I think that I had a pretty good last reading of it and I don't want to do anything else to wreck it! but it doesn't hurt to look at it from a fresh perspective.
onto the topic of adaptations. the lesson was GREAT! but at the same time very constricting in the fact that I'm afraid to share this in fear of getting a cease and desist order. I love what I've come up in spite of the play time duration. maybe I should just contact the author to get her blessing. I mean, I should have in the first place, but then again I didn't even know that it would work out so well, cuz I was hecka strugglin'! should ask Allan first.
I need to write.
onto the topic of adaptations. the lesson was GREAT! but at the same time very constricting in the fact that I'm afraid to share this in fear of getting a cease and desist order. I love what I've come up in spite of the play time duration. maybe I should just contact the author to get her blessing. I mean, I should have in the first place, but then again I didn't even know that it would work out so well, cuz I was hecka strugglin'! should ask Allan first.
I need to write.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Boys Don't Bake Cake - Script
Boys Don’t Bake Cake
A short play by conrad a. panganiban
Version: 2010/09/25
Cast of Characters
Malou Gaspar: 23. Female.
Karen Gaspar: 21. Female. Kristine’s sister. Malou’s cousin.
Kristine Gaspar: 22. Female. Karen’s sister. Malou’s cousin.
Justin Basa: 24. Male. Malou’s BFF.
Setting
Malou’s apartment dining room.
Lights up revealing the apartment dining room of MALOU GASPAR. A “Congratulations” banner hangs on the back wall. A table with 3 chairs is on stage.
ENTER MALOU, KAREN, and KRISTINE carrying flowers and gift bags. MALOU is still in her graduation gown.
KRISTINE
I’m telling you, he’s so in love with you.
KAREN
It’s so obvious.
MALOU
Guys, give it a rest. Just put those over there. Thanks. I told you, we’re just friends.
KAREN
Did you see his sign?
KRISTINE
Who could miss it?
KAREN
Those posterboards must have cost a fortune!
KRISTINE
I know. How many letters are in CONGRATULATIONS MALOU GASPAR, YOU ROCK exclamation point, exclamation point, exclamation point. That’s like, one, two, three… a lot of letters.
MALOU
I barely noticed, Kristine.
KAREN
How could you have not? They were hot pink big cards with gold letters.
KRISTINE
And they were glittery.
KAREN
Glittery?
KRISTINE
Yup. Glittery.
KAREN
Glittery! You could see your name from outer space!
MALOU
It was nice.
KAREN
Girl, you got him whooped.
MALOU
Karen. I told you. Justin’s just a friend.
KRISTINE
What kind of friend could convince (counting with her fingers) a lot of people to hold up each of those letters for you.
MALOU
A good friend.
KAREN
A good friend with benefits?
MALOU
(laughing)
Shut up…
KRISTINE
Just how good are those benefits?
MALOU
Guys! Stop it!
KAREN
He is cute.
KRISTINE
A lot cuter than Monté.
KAREN
Ew. Malou’s crush in elementary school.
MALOU
Middle school.
KRISTINE
And he dresses better than Howard.
KAREN
Ulk. Howard the Duck.
MALOU
Now, that’s just mean.
KRISTINE
Malou. For reals. Didn’t you think that his lips look like a duck?
KAREN
Yeah. How did you kiss like…?
MALOU
Guys.
KAREN
Sergio?
KRISTINE
Yes! Oh my God! Sergio! Trying to get him to even say hi was like pulling a tooth! Remember at Papang’s 90th birthday?
KAREN
Exactly! (to Malou) You would go around to the family introducing him. And all he would do is move his head up and grunt.
KRISTINE
So embarrassing.
MALOU
What’s so wrong about the quiet type?
KAREN
Quiet like a stalker.
MALOU
Okay. I haven’t had the best record with men lately?
KRISTINE
We’re not hating on you, Malou.
MALOU
You sure?
KRISTINE
It’s just that we see this really cool person who is so obviously in love with you and you can’t see it. We just want you to be happy.
KAREN
Yeah.
MALOU
I am happy. I’m ecstatic! I just finished 5 years of college and I’m finally heading out into the real world.
KRISTINE
Alone.
MALOU
Independent.
KAREN
Well, wouldn’t you want Justin out there in the real world with you?
MALOU
Have you been talking to my mom?
KRISTINE
Well, she did say something to our mom, and you know how sisters are.
MALOU
Yeah. Always meddling.
A knock is heard. MALOU gets up and heads to the door.
KAREN
(to MALOU) But it’s out of love. (to KRISTINE) Right?
KRISTINE
(like duhhh…)
Yeahhh…
Enter MALOU with a bouquet of flowers with JUSTIN right behind her carrying a cake box.
MALOU
They smell so fresh.
JUSTIN
That’s because I got them from the campus garden.
MALOU
Dummy. You could’ve got caught.
JUSTIN
You only graduate once. And I know that they’re your favorite.
KAREN & KRISTINE
Awee…
MALOU
Shhh… And you remember my cousins. Kristine and Karen.
KAREN & KRISTINE
Hi.
KAREN
Loved the sign!
JUSTIN
Thanks.
KRISTINE
Must’ve taken you forever to make it.
JUSTIN
Just a couple of weeks. Had to sneak it in between finals. Plus had to make sure she never knew about it. Did you?
MALOU
Total surprise. Thank you.
JUSTIN
And that’s not all.
JUSTIN holds out the cake box.
MALOU
Uh…
JUSTIN
Just open it.
As MALOU opens the box, KAREN and KRISTINE gather around to see what’s inside.
KAREN
Wow.
KRISTINE
That’s a lot of letters.
JUSTIN
I’m getting better at piping.
KAREN
You didn’t? This?
JUSTIN
Red Velvet with Buttercream frosting and filling.
KRISTINE
(to MALOU) Your favorite?
MALOU nods as JUSTIN puts the cake box on the table.
JUSTIN
Please dig right in. There’s clean plates and forks still in the dishwasher cuz this one doesn’t know how to use it. Lou, there’s fresh towels in your bano?
MALOU
Just put them up this morning.
JUSTIN
Cool. We can leave when you’re ready. If you’ll please excuse me. Enjoy!
JUSTIN exits. KAREN exits to get three forks.
KRISTINE
If you don’t take him, I will.
MALOU
I told you. He doesn’t like me in that way.
KAREN re-enters with forks in hand and sits at table with KRISTINE. BOTH take turns eating the cake through this scene.
KAREN
Woman, he baked you a cake? Not a Twinkie. Not a Ho-ho. Or that other thing…
KRISTINE
Suzie-Q.
KAREN
Thank you, Ate. Yeah. Not a Suzie-Q. A cake!
KRISTINE
And boys don’t bake cake!
KAREN
He’s so in love with you.
KRISTINE
So in love.
MALOU
No.
KAREN
Yup.
MALOU
Can’t be.
KRISTINE
He’s got it bad.
MALOU
Bad?
KAREN
He baked you a cake!
KAREN takes another bite of the cake.
KRISTINE
(imitating JUSTIN)
I’m getting better at piping.
KAREN
(with her mouth full of cake)
And it’s SO GOOOOOD!
MALOU
Justin?
KRISTINE and KAREN nod their heads as their mouths are full.
Enter JUSTIN. As JUSTIN says his lines below, MALOU begins to walk over to him.
JUSTIN
I fixed your bathroom lock again. Just remember to lift it up a little with a little jiggle as you press the…
MALOU is about to give JUSTIN a kiss… when he stops her.
JUSTIN
Malou. What are you doing?
MALOU
I… Uh… I just thought.
JUSTIN
Remember Greg?
MALOU
Yeah.
JUSTIN
Well, we’re getting back together. I was going to tell you.
MALOU
Oh. Oh… well. That’s uh… That’s uh… great. That’s great news. You guys look great together.
JUSTIN
Oh, honey. Whatever gave you the idea that…
MALOU looks over at KAREN and KRISTINE. BOTH look down at the cake.
KAREN
Butter cream frosting? Yummy!
KRISTINE
So moist.
MALOU
It’s just. I’m scared okay. School’s finished and now I have to face the real world alone.
JUSTIN
(hugging MALOU)
Silly Willy. You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.
Holding out his pinky.
BFF’s?
MALOU intertwine’s her pinky with his.
MALOU
BFFs.
MALOU and JUSTIN hug.
MALOU
I’m sorry.
JUSTIN
Real love is never having to say you’re sorry, or some other stupid saying like that. Capiche?
MALOU
Capiche.
JUSTIN
So, are you ready to go?
MALOU
The party? Right. I forgot. My cousins are here and we’re…
JUSTIN
Well they’re, I mean, Karen, Kristine, you’re invited to come as well.
MALOU
It’s alright. They flew here for the graduation and we were just catching up. Sorry.
JUSTIN
Hey! Remember what I said about having to say sorry. But that’s great. Family together time. Cute. It’s all good. Still on for brunch tomorrow?
MALOU
Like every week.
JUSTIN
It was great seeing both of you again.
KAREN & KRISTINE
Bye. Thanks for the cake.
MALOU
I’ll walk you to the door.
MALOU and JUSTIN exit. MALOU re-enters. KAREN holds up a fork. MALOU takes the fork, sits between her cousins, click their forks together to say “cheers” and MALOU takes a little bit of the cake. KRISTINE and KAREN just watch her while KRISTINE brushes the hair out of MALOU’s eyes and KAREN strokes her back.
Lights fade.
THE END
A short play by conrad a. panganiban
Version: 2010/09/25
Cast of Characters
Malou Gaspar: 23. Female.
Karen Gaspar: 21. Female. Kristine’s sister. Malou’s cousin.
Kristine Gaspar: 22. Female. Karen’s sister. Malou’s cousin.
Justin Basa: 24. Male. Malou’s BFF.
Setting
Malou’s apartment dining room.
Lights up revealing the apartment dining room of MALOU GASPAR. A “Congratulations” banner hangs on the back wall. A table with 3 chairs is on stage.
ENTER MALOU, KAREN, and KRISTINE carrying flowers and gift bags. MALOU is still in her graduation gown.
KRISTINE
I’m telling you, he’s so in love with you.
KAREN
It’s so obvious.
MALOU
Guys, give it a rest. Just put those over there. Thanks. I told you, we’re just friends.
KAREN
Did you see his sign?
KRISTINE
Who could miss it?
KAREN
Those posterboards must have cost a fortune!
KRISTINE
I know. How many letters are in CONGRATULATIONS MALOU GASPAR, YOU ROCK exclamation point, exclamation point, exclamation point. That’s like, one, two, three… a lot of letters.
MALOU
I barely noticed, Kristine.
KAREN
How could you have not? They were hot pink big cards with gold letters.
KRISTINE
And they were glittery.
KAREN
Glittery?
KRISTINE
Yup. Glittery.
KAREN
Glittery! You could see your name from outer space!
MALOU
It was nice.
KAREN
Girl, you got him whooped.
MALOU
Karen. I told you. Justin’s just a friend.
KRISTINE
What kind of friend could convince (counting with her fingers) a lot of people to hold up each of those letters for you.
MALOU
A good friend.
KAREN
A good friend with benefits?
MALOU
(laughing)
Shut up…
KRISTINE
Just how good are those benefits?
MALOU
Guys! Stop it!
KAREN
He is cute.
KRISTINE
A lot cuter than Monté.
KAREN
Ew. Malou’s crush in elementary school.
MALOU
Middle school.
KRISTINE
And he dresses better than Howard.
KAREN
Ulk. Howard the Duck.
MALOU
Now, that’s just mean.
KRISTINE
Malou. For reals. Didn’t you think that his lips look like a duck?
KAREN
Yeah. How did you kiss like…?
MALOU
Guys.
KAREN
Sergio?
KRISTINE
Yes! Oh my God! Sergio! Trying to get him to even say hi was like pulling a tooth! Remember at Papang’s 90th birthday?
KAREN
Exactly! (to Malou) You would go around to the family introducing him. And all he would do is move his head up and grunt.
KRISTINE
So embarrassing.
MALOU
What’s so wrong about the quiet type?
KAREN
Quiet like a stalker.
MALOU
Okay. I haven’t had the best record with men lately?
KRISTINE
We’re not hating on you, Malou.
MALOU
You sure?
KRISTINE
It’s just that we see this really cool person who is so obviously in love with you and you can’t see it. We just want you to be happy.
KAREN
Yeah.
MALOU
I am happy. I’m ecstatic! I just finished 5 years of college and I’m finally heading out into the real world.
KRISTINE
Alone.
MALOU
Independent.
KAREN
Well, wouldn’t you want Justin out there in the real world with you?
MALOU
Have you been talking to my mom?
KRISTINE
Well, she did say something to our mom, and you know how sisters are.
MALOU
Yeah. Always meddling.
A knock is heard. MALOU gets up and heads to the door.
KAREN
(to MALOU) But it’s out of love. (to KRISTINE) Right?
KRISTINE
(like duhhh…)
Yeahhh…
Enter MALOU with a bouquet of flowers with JUSTIN right behind her carrying a cake box.
MALOU
They smell so fresh.
JUSTIN
That’s because I got them from the campus garden.
MALOU
Dummy. You could’ve got caught.
JUSTIN
You only graduate once. And I know that they’re your favorite.
KAREN & KRISTINE
Awee…
MALOU
Shhh… And you remember my cousins. Kristine and Karen.
KAREN & KRISTINE
Hi.
KAREN
Loved the sign!
JUSTIN
Thanks.
KRISTINE
Must’ve taken you forever to make it.
JUSTIN
Just a couple of weeks. Had to sneak it in between finals. Plus had to make sure she never knew about it. Did you?
MALOU
Total surprise. Thank you.
JUSTIN
And that’s not all.
JUSTIN holds out the cake box.
MALOU
Uh…
JUSTIN
Just open it.
As MALOU opens the box, KAREN and KRISTINE gather around to see what’s inside.
KAREN
Wow.
KRISTINE
That’s a lot of letters.
JUSTIN
I’m getting better at piping.
KAREN
You didn’t? This?
JUSTIN
Red Velvet with Buttercream frosting and filling.
KRISTINE
(to MALOU) Your favorite?
MALOU nods as JUSTIN puts the cake box on the table.
JUSTIN
Please dig right in. There’s clean plates and forks still in the dishwasher cuz this one doesn’t know how to use it. Lou, there’s fresh towels in your bano?
MALOU
Just put them up this morning.
JUSTIN
Cool. We can leave when you’re ready. If you’ll please excuse me. Enjoy!
JUSTIN exits. KAREN exits to get three forks.
KRISTINE
If you don’t take him, I will.
MALOU
I told you. He doesn’t like me in that way.
KAREN re-enters with forks in hand and sits at table with KRISTINE. BOTH take turns eating the cake through this scene.
KAREN
Woman, he baked you a cake? Not a Twinkie. Not a Ho-ho. Or that other thing…
KRISTINE
Suzie-Q.
KAREN
Thank you, Ate. Yeah. Not a Suzie-Q. A cake!
KRISTINE
And boys don’t bake cake!
KAREN
He’s so in love with you.
KRISTINE
So in love.
MALOU
No.
KAREN
Yup.
MALOU
Can’t be.
KRISTINE
He’s got it bad.
MALOU
Bad?
KAREN
He baked you a cake!
KAREN takes another bite of the cake.
KRISTINE
(imitating JUSTIN)
I’m getting better at piping.
KAREN
(with her mouth full of cake)
And it’s SO GOOOOOD!
MALOU
Justin?
KRISTINE and KAREN nod their heads as their mouths are full.
Enter JUSTIN. As JUSTIN says his lines below, MALOU begins to walk over to him.
JUSTIN
I fixed your bathroom lock again. Just remember to lift it up a little with a little jiggle as you press the…
MALOU is about to give JUSTIN a kiss… when he stops her.
JUSTIN
Malou. What are you doing?
MALOU
I… Uh… I just thought.
JUSTIN
Remember Greg?
MALOU
Yeah.
JUSTIN
Well, we’re getting back together. I was going to tell you.
MALOU
Oh. Oh… well. That’s uh… That’s uh… great. That’s great news. You guys look great together.
JUSTIN
Oh, honey. Whatever gave you the idea that…
MALOU looks over at KAREN and KRISTINE. BOTH look down at the cake.
KAREN
Butter cream frosting? Yummy!
KRISTINE
So moist.
MALOU
It’s just. I’m scared okay. School’s finished and now I have to face the real world alone.
JUSTIN
(hugging MALOU)
Silly Willy. You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.
Holding out his pinky.
BFF’s?
MALOU intertwine’s her pinky with his.
MALOU
BFFs.
MALOU and JUSTIN hug.
MALOU
I’m sorry.
JUSTIN
Real love is never having to say you’re sorry, or some other stupid saying like that. Capiche?
MALOU
Capiche.
JUSTIN
So, are you ready to go?
MALOU
The party? Right. I forgot. My cousins are here and we’re…
JUSTIN
Well they’re, I mean, Karen, Kristine, you’re invited to come as well.
MALOU
It’s alright. They flew here for the graduation and we were just catching up. Sorry.
JUSTIN
Hey! Remember what I said about having to say sorry. But that’s great. Family together time. Cute. It’s all good. Still on for brunch tomorrow?
MALOU
Like every week.
JUSTIN
It was great seeing both of you again.
KAREN & KRISTINE
Bye. Thanks for the cake.
MALOU
I’ll walk you to the door.
MALOU and JUSTIN exit. MALOU re-enters. KAREN holds up a fork. MALOU takes the fork, sits between her cousins, click their forks together to say “cheers” and MALOU takes a little bit of the cake. KRISTINE and KAREN just watch her while KRISTINE brushes the hair out of MALOU’s eyes and KAREN strokes her back.
Lights fade.
THE END
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