"TEEN ANGEL" by D. M. Larson
- ISBN-13: 978-1511481557
PART 8 - "Closing Up Alone"
SONG: “Angel Baby” by Rosie Hamlin
(Lights come up on KATE in diner with ALICE)
KATE
Goodnight, Alice.
ALICE
You sure you’re okay closing up alone?
KATE
It’s not a problem.
(Smiles)
You have a date tonight.
ALICE
(A little embarrassed)
Nosey, aren’t we?
KATE
Sorry. Have fun with… whatever you’re doing?
ALICE
Thanks. Goodnight.
(Exits and KATE is alone cleaning up)
HEATHER
(Enters with friends)
So girls, who is our conquest for this week?
(Looks outside)
What about Rick?
(Looks at KATE)
Oh, but that’s right. Kate loves Rick doesn’t she?
KATE
Can I get you something, Heather? We’re closing soon.
HEATHER
(Looks around)
Hey, did Alice leave you here all alone? Just you and Ricky boy out there all
alone. Why is he always sitting out there anyway?
KATE
This is the last place he was before he was in that car accident. It was the last time he
saw his girlfriend alive.
HEATHER
(Sarcastic)
How tragic. Poor Ricky boy all dark and brooding about his loss. Maybe he could use
someone like me to cheer him up. That okay with you, Kate?
KATE
(Trying not to get angry)
Do you want some sodas?
HEATHER
I know you’ve got it bad for him. I see you out there giving him free sodas and fries.
(Knocks some cups on the floor)
KATE
I just cleaned the floor.
HEATHER
Oh, dear. Clumsy me.
(Knocks some straws on the floor. Her friends laugh and do the same)
KATE
Please stop.
HEATHER
(Starts tossing napkins)
What are you going to do? Get your boyfriend to stop me?
(HEATHER and friends start trashing the place)
KATE
No, don’t.
HEATHER
Oh, look. Special order for Kate.
(Throws some food on KATE)
Want some ketchup with that?
(Squirts KATE with ketchup.
KATE
(stands there and starts to cry)
Night, Heather. Been fun.
(HEATHER and her friends laugh and exit)
RICK
(Enters)
Kate?
(Sees her)
Are you okay? What happened?
KATE
(Crying)
Nothing.
RICK
I could see Heather and her friends messing up the place from my car. Did they hurt
you?
KATE
No.
RICK
I’ll help you clean up.
KATE
No, it’s okay.
RICK
Do you want to call the police? I’m a witness.
KATE
No, we can’t. Heather’s parents will really let us have it if we do that.
RICK
I’m not afraid of her parents.
KATE
But Alice is. They could have Alice shut down.
RICK
I guess they could. It’s not fair is it?
KATE
No…
RICK
Some people have all the power and the rest of us have to suffer so they can have it. I
guess that’s why we suffer. We’re meant to suffer. We’re the bungled and they
botched.
KATE
The what?
RICK
(Helps KATE clean up)
I’ve been reading Nietzsche. He says most people are the bungled and the botched,
going through life suffering. Heather and her family are the Uberminche. The super
race.
KATE
That sounds like Hitler.
RICK
Hitler studied Nietzsche too.
KATE
Well, Hitler wouldn’t be in here helping me clean up.
RICK
I never said I liked it or agreed with it.
(Smiles and helps her with cleaning up food off her face)
Beside, us bungled and botched need to stick together.
KATE
Thanks, Rick… for helping.
RICK
Any time.
(Pause. They look at each other a moment)
I like to help out nice people and you’re nice people.
KATE
Thanks, Rick.
RICK
Can I get you anything else?
KATE
No, that’s fine. I can get the rest.
RICK
See ya, Kate.
(KATE smiles and goes back to cleaning as lights fade on diner
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