everythings gnarly script

Lights up. A harsh white front light hits CENTER STAGE. “Everything’s Gnarly” blasts. Scarlett dances facing the audience — sharp, controlled, almost mechanical. The audience functions as the mirror.)

(Sirena stands STAGE LEFT beside a small table/stool with a clipboard, phone, and water bottle. She watches, half in shadow.)

Scarlett 

(music playing, then she abruptly stops herself mid-movement)

From the top. Again.

(Sirena presses play. Scarlett dances again, correcting herself, adjusting hair and posture toward the audience as if judging her reflection.)

Scarlett

(cuts the music)

No. No. No! That looked fake. I WILL NOT look like a fool in front of everyone. 

(She rolls her eyes, grabs her water, still facing the audience.)

Sirena

(quiet, mostly to herself, eyes on clipboard)

Its choreography… It's literally supposed to look practiced. Then you find the rhythm that's how all dancers do it

Scarlett

 (turns sharply toward Sirena, then immediately turns back to face the audience/mirror)

I'm not going on the stage just to look like I'm practicing. I'm performing with THE star girl group KATSEYE. 

(She crosses THROUGH Sirena’s space instead of around her — dominance.)

I'm not listening to a lowlife…..

Whose the star here Sirena? You or me? Because last time I checked I'm the head bitch in charge not you. Now what would you know about choreography, huh? Just look at you, you're in no place to say anything.

(She shoves past Sirena, returns to CENTER STAGE, presses play.)

Sirena 

(keeping her head down, voice controlled, staying STAGE LEFT)

You're right, You’re absolutely right Scarlett.  I'm just the assistant. I'm meant to stand in the background. What would someone like me know? 

(She checks her clipboard, then looks up.)

You have twelve minutes before the interview call. Twelve minutes before they start asking questions they already wrote answers for.

Scarlett

(laughing, performing for the “mirror”)

Tell them I’m too busy being relatable. I mean all this cardio is gonna have me looking like Kim Kardashian in no time. The masses wish they had a body like this.

Sirena

(exhales, flips a page, then takes ONE step toward center — stops herself)

Okay. Since you're trying so hard to appeal to the “masses”, let me ask you something real.  Why this song? Why “Gnarly”? And please don’t tell me the polished version but the real reason. Also try being relatable this time.

Scarlett

(mocking smile, still facing audience)

Well shit I don’t know Sirena maybe you should answer that question since you're a part of the masses. I mean look at the way you dress… you know it's embarrassing for my look, honestly.

Sirena

(takes a breath, lifts her head, firmer)

Scarlett… please. Just answer the question and not as the headline but as the person who's been rehearsing this song until her body gives out.

(She is no longer hiding behind the clipboard.)

Scarlett

(finally turns slightly away from the audience — discomfort begins)

(She explains the song.)

Well damn sirena chill your looking like Will before the notorious slap heard around the world. Well I guess since were being serious and stuff, its…. about corporations pretending to give two shits about people and I know coming from me its a shock since im the typical entitled spoiled daddy’s girl but truly Sirena being in this industry as long as I have you tend to see and do things you wish you hadn't. I guess 

This song is the only one that I can relate to.

Sirena

(steps another inch closer to CENTER) 

I get that. I do. But then why don’t you speak about what it truly means to you? Why dress it up with jokes and commentary. This isn’t a comedy, Scarlett. This is your life. Not a spectacle and certainly not a shit show.

Scarlett

(retreats toward STAGE RIGHT — avoidance)

Because thats how this all fucking works Sirena…. I make the noise and headlines and they decide what the people want to hear. 

(She shrugs while going to take a water break)

Sirena

(shakes her head, grounded)

And are you…okay with that?

With letting them decide which parts of you are allowed to exist?

Scarlett 

(Inhaling sharply)

If i wasn’t okay with it do you think I would fucking be here. And besides I don't get paid to be “okay” I get paid to perform and best believe that's exactly what i’ll do and you should do what ur paid which is to shut the hell up and be an assistant.

(Silence from the heaviness of the words spoken. The music plays faintly from the speakers.)

Sirena

(quiet, reflective; she sets the clipboard down on the table — FIRST TIME)

My mom used to say that too. Not the yelling part but the rest of it. That you don’t get paid to be okay. That survival comes first.. Then feelings.

(Gets rudely interrupted by Scarlett)

Scarlett

You know we're not trauma bonding right now right?

Sirena

Anyways.. She was a backup dancer. A really good one. She spent her whole life off to the side of the spotlight close enough to feel the heat of it but never be seen. 

(Lighting softens slightly.)

She always said that if she stayed quiet, stayed grateful and patient that things would get better. 

(beat)

They didn’t

Scarlett

Your projecting Sirena, its not a good look on you.

Sirena 

Maybe I am. But ive noticed something every time you rehearse this song, you stop right before the chorus. Every time.

Scarlett 

And? God forbid a girl wants her shit to be perfect.

Sirena

(steps fully into CENTER STAGE — CLAIMING SPACE)

You know that's not why Scarlett, it's because that’s where they say your truth, the one you live with everyday.

(Scarlett freezes. The harsh light feels heavier now.)

Scarlett

(backs away toward STAGE RIGHT)

Watch your tone. You have no idea what you're talking about.

Sirena

(steady, calm)

I do know what im talking about.

For once in my life… I really do

Scarlett

(explodes, pacing between zones, lost)

YOU DON’T THINK I KNOW THAT I'M BEING PACKAGED? THAT IM BEING SEALED AND DELIVERED ON A PLATTER TO THESE THIRSTY ASS EXECS AND CORPORATION WHO DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT ME UNLESS IT HAS TO DO WITH MY IMAGE AND WHAT IT BRINGS TO TABLE WELL WHAT ABOUT ME

(Beat as the realization hits Scarlett) 

What about the real me Sirena, everyday I'm left starving.

Scarlett

They tell me when to speak, when to cry when to shut up

(she shrugs)

And if I don't, there's always another girl waiting.

Sirena

(still, centered)

So you just… let them? 

You let them carve you up into pieces they can sell?

Scarlett

What choice do I have?

(she says sadly)

Sirena

(soft laugh, disbelief)

Girl, you're the one with the mic, you're the face that people see, not the stupid execs and managers and besides people care about YOU not them. 

(She gestures subtly to the audience — the “mirror.”)

So it seems to me you have all the power here. Why don't you use it?

(Scarlett turns, angry now)

Scarlett

(getting in Sirena's face)

You think that gives me power?

You think that fame gives you freedom? 

Honey clearly you've never had enough of it to understand.

Sirena

(gentle, unwavering)

Your right I dont know what its like but you do Scarlett and silence is exactly what they’re counting on.

(The phone on the table BUZZES loudly. Sirena looks at it, but does not pick it up.)

Sirena

A couple minutes ago, you said you wanted to be relatable, well go ahead and be just that.

Scarlett

(Rolling her eyes and being sarcastic)

Congrats Sirena. You’re relating a little too hard.

Sirena

Im serious.

 If you go on that call and soften their message... then this song means nothing.

(The phone keeps buzzing.)

Scarlett

You don’t understand what happens if I fuck this up. I can’t just go back running to daddy, I'm not that girl anymore.

Sirena

I understand but what happens if you don't?

Scarlett

(voice cracking, finally sits CENTER STAGE — surrender)

I'm tired , Sirena.

Tired of all the pretending, I just don't have it in me anymore to care.

Sirena

(quiet, grounding)

Then don't.

(A long pause.)

Scarlett

What if they pull the performance?

Sirena

(offers the phone, doesn’t force it)

Then at least it was yours that's something they'll never be able to take away from you.

(The buzzing stops. Missed calls.)

Scarlett

(small smile, looking at Sirena as an equal)

I guess I mean I'm already so controversial.

Sirena

Guess you're already Gnarly.

Scarlett

(stands, faces the audience again — but this time with intention)

From the top.

(Sirena presses play. The music grows louder and rawer.)