Characters:
James - college student, age 19
Ameilda - college student, age 17, from Argentina
Lucia - college student, age 18, close friend of James
Luz - college student, age 18, from Mexico, close friend of Ameilda's
Robert - college student, age 19, close friend of James
Scene
Two scenes on the stage. On the right side is James' bedroom, with a bed, a desk and a few chairs, a small TV on a set of shelves, white walls filled with action movie posters. On the left side is Ameilda's Room, with a bed, a desk and a desk chair, and flower wallpapered wall with pictures of her country and posters of music bands and singers.
Time - Not too distant future
[Lights fade in on James' room as he enters with Robert. They set their book bags down on the floor by the desk as they go to sit in the chairs and watch the mid-day news.]
Robert: I bet the war in southern Asia is progressing well for the Allied Powers today.
James: Maybe so... wish it would end soon before they start drafting.
Robert: You think they government is going to draft people into the army to fight?
James: I certainly hope not, but I don't know.
Robert: I hope not too.
James: Well, I don't think it'll come down to that. Last I heard, we're getting new allies in this war.
Robert: Well, that's good to know.. I don't have any plans to go join the military any time soon.
James: Me neither. You know...
[Lucia enters the room, drops her book bag with the others.]
Lucia: Hey guys! I got the supplies to start working on the project, and the notes we needed from James' lover gal!
James: She's not my lover gal! [annoyed]
Robert: Oh? James has a special lass in sight eh? Do tell, do tell!
James: Its nothing! Lets drop the subject already and get to work on this project.
Lucia: [sighs] Alright, sorry bout that.
Robert: Dang man, we're just interested, that's all.
James: I know, sorry I busted out like that. As I was saying before your lover gal came bursting into the room [looks to Lucia and smiles], the war is going in the allies favor.
Robert: Oh really?
Lucia: Are you two talking about that war stuff again? Why do you boys always have to talk about the dark and gloomy stuff? Why can't you talk about things that are great, happy, and bright?
Robert: Like what dear?
Lucia: How can you say that? There's lots of good things going on right now! [slightly
annoyed by his response]
Robert: Like...?
Lucia: Us for instance! The three of us are still friends after so many years! Then there is you and I! Two years of going out, and our anniversary is next week! Don't tell me you forgot about that already Mr. Gloomy.
Robert: I didn't forget, [turns to James] Did I forget? I didn't forget did I James?
James: [turns to Lucia] No he didn't forget at all, why before you came in here we were actually talking about the huge plans he was making for you and him next week. [Robert gets slight angry with James' response]
Lucia: Oh really? Mr. Gloomy came up with something for next week huh?
Robert: Uh.. yeah I did, just for you. [continues staring slightly annoyed at James]
James: Yeah, something bout a big dinner and lots of flowers, and stuff like that.. I don't remember everything he told me but I'm sure he remembers, right Robert?
Lucia: Hmm, well, I'll be right back. I need a drink, [exits the room]
Robert: [looking to James] Thanks so much, look at the big hole you just dug me into!
James: Well, don't depend on me to save you from the holes you dig for yourself man.
Lucia: [enters with a glass of water, sets it down on the desk] So, big plans huh?
Robert: Yes, I've got big plans for you next week my sweet dear Lucy.. but now that its out, I gotta change my plans to something different so its more of a surprise.
James: I don't think you should, it's still a surprise to her, just came early, and now that you're changing it I think your new plans won't be as great as your other ones.
Lucia: Yeah that's true. His second ideas are more ideas that are just made up out of the blue and usually don't go according to his plans he made up a few minutes beforehand.
James: You're right, maybe he should stick to the original plans. The original is what everyone always comes back to after trying everything else, well most times anyways.
Lucia: Well, change of subject. I don't really like to keep bringing it up, but what about you James, when are ya going to ask her out huh? You've waited so long already.
James: I don't know, when the timing is right maybe.
Robert: So you haven't asked anyone out yet?
James: No, not yet.
Lucia: you've spent a year and a half wanting to ask this girl out, why don't you do that now?
James: Because it doesn't seem right just yet. Besides, I honestly don't know how to ask her out. We've been friends for so long... I mean... how do you spring that sort of thing on someone? Do you just say "hey I like you a lot, lets go out!"? How do you let someone know you like them after being friends for so long?
Robert: Well, just ask her out man. The worst she can say is "No" right?
James: Yes, that IS the worst she can do, something I'd prefer to avoid.
Lucia: Well, what to guys know hub? Don't just ask her out.. bring it up gently.. this is a sensitive subject you know?
James: Well, how did Robert ask you out?
Lucia: He brought me flowers on Valentine's Day, with a sweet poem and asked me out. Of course that was more of a straight forward approach. We kind of knew each other. Not as well as you know her.
James: Hmm... well how do you think I should ask this girl out? I don't like Robert's idea... that'll get a No for sure.
Robert: Hey, it was a great idea!
James: Yeah, and I'm King George.
Lucia: [laughing] Oh stop it you two. James, if I were you, and this is coming from a woman. I'd ask her how would she feel in general about dating a friend. Don't hint to her just yet that you have feelings for her. And if she's ok with dating friends, ask her out smoothly. Don't rush into it, and don't just burst out the question at any random time... Wait until the mood is right, when you two are talking and not in a hurry to go some were. Like, bring it up by saying, "hey would you like to go to the movies with me this Saturday?"
James: Ohh... well, I'll try that soon then. C'mon, we need to get to work.
[Lights fade out of James ' room and start fading in on Ameilda's room on the opposite side of the stage. Enters Ameilda -with her friend Luz, both slinging their book bags and other bags onto the her desk and fall back on the bed exhausted.]
Ameilda: That was a long walk.
Luz: Yes it was. But the longer the walk the better it is for the body.
Ameilda: True. I'm glad I could help out Lucia with the notes for the class project. I wouldn't want them to mess up the project because of bad notes. I have learned that Robert takes bad notes.
Luz: Yeah, and that other guy, what is his name again?
Ameilda: James.
Luz: Yes, James, he takes good notes I hear, but only in his head.
Ameilda: Yeah but he's usually good at remembering most times.
Luz: Yeah... so what's going on between you two lately? You've both been acting slightly strange around each other.
Ameilda: Who?
Luz: You and James.
Ameilda: Oh, nothing. Why do you ask?
Luz: I think he likes you.
Ameilda: I don't think he does at all. Why would he like me?
Luz: Oh, because you're a really nice girl, honest, very kind and generous.
Ameilda: Yeah but I'm not big chested and blonde... You know how American guys are, that's all they want.
Luz: Not always.
Ameilda: Maybe you're right. But still, I don't think he likes me at all.
Luz: Well, I think he does. And I think you know it.
Ameilda: How could I know?
Luz: I think inside you know that he likes you. Why don't you ask him out sometime?
Ameilda: I can't.
Luz: Yeah you can, just ask him.
Ameilda: I don't think I should. If he really likes me as you say, then he should ask me out.
Luz: Ok then. We need to start on this project.
Ameilda: Ok, hey, do you want to join my friend Jessica to the movies this weekend?
Luz: Sure, what movie are we going to go see?
Ameilda: Umm.. we don't know yet. We're planning to go Saturday.
Luz: Ok, sure I'll come. Why don't you ask James to come too?
Ameilda: I'm not sure bout that...
[Ameilda's phone starts to ring, lights fade out on Ameilda's room except over Ameilda who is now answering the phone, on the other side of the stage a light fades in on James on the phone calling Ameilda.]
Ameilda:Hello?
James:Hey Ameilda, this is James. How're you doing?
Ameilda:Hey James, I'm doing fine, and how are you?
James:I'm doing fine thank you. Hey ...[interrupted by Ameilda]
Ameilda:And how is your project going so far? I just got home not to long ago. We haven't even started on ours yet. I don't really want to work on this project at all.
James:Yeah, same here. I'm really not interested in the project at all.
Ameilda:Well, the professor did choose a boring project. I don't think the whole class likes it at all.
James:I bet.
Lucia [OS]:Ask her out already...
James:So, hey listen, there's something I've been wanting to ask you for a long time....
The End