Press Play Lines

Cassy: “Just pick one, we got so much to do”

Stage Directions: Iris melts into her chair across the table from Cassy. A Box of casset tapes lays near Iris, and she digs through it. Iris pauses and scoffs, while music plays… (Cassy’s opening line of the film)

Cassy: “Let’s just listen to the radio”

Iris: “Yeah duh, that’s why we gotta pick a good one”

Cassy: “Yeah so let’s keep it that way”

Iris: “She never let us listen, please”

Cassy: “Listen on your own”

Meditation Voice: “Welcome to tape number one of our self help tape”

Cassy: “You act like she cared about me! Look, I get you’re upset, but I could care less. She was a terrible person and an awful mom”

Iris: “You’re heartless”

Cassy: “Really? Not once did I do anything to deserve how she treated me! You just had some special bond with her, didn’t you?”

Iris: “Screw you! She did care, she did. Maybe if you behaved she would’ve cared more”

Cassy : “Obviously? What do you mean?”

Iris: “I mean yeah we did, obviously”

Cassy: “She was unstable, and disrespectful! Why can’t you admit that?”

Iris: “Umm” (Cassy’s line cuts Iris off")

Cassy: “Fine, fine… Listen to those tapes yourself! Maybe it’ll help you be less of a b*tch! It’ll let you connect with your psycho family roots or whatever”

Iris: “Only to you. She never thought of you as really familiy! I got to see her when she was actually happy”

Cassy: “Cut it out. I’ve got plans tomorrow.

Stage Directions: Iris starts listening to the tape and stops moving. Cassy gets close to Iris and waves her arms, but Iris’ eyes are stuck forward.

Cassy: “Funny”

Stage Directions: Cassy removes the headphones from Iris’ head. Iris stutters back and gasps for air

Cassy: “I… just focus on your work”

Iris: “What is? That you have plans?” (Cassy scoffs and goes back to work) “Silence really? Just because of some stupid memories”

Cassy: "I’m sorry if I seem insesitive. I do care.. well I… I care about how you’re doing, and I’m still here for you”

Iris: “Sure thing boss” (Iris glares, and Cassy fakes a smile taking a deep breath)

Cassy: “You’re right. Regardless I do care”

Iris: “No you’re not. Why do you always try to act like you’re okay? Behind all that, you’re not.”

Cassy: “What do you got planned this weekend?”

Stage Directions: Cassy breaks a smile at Iris before moving to the far aisle. Cassy squints scanning book titles and shoves a book onto the top shelf (then…)

Cassy: “Oh with who?” (beat) “Don’t wanna give me an invite”

Iris (O.S.): “I was planning to go to that open skate”

Cassy (cont’d): “Iris? Okay… fine”

Stage Directions: Cassy clicks on the flashlight scanning the titles. Cassy pauses and looks up from her work, the room is silent

Cassy (cont’d): “Is the power out?”

Stage Directions: A faint hum begins and voices echo from the main room. Cassy extends out her arm up high shoving a book into the shelf. It falls to the floor and she fumbles with her flashlight.

Suddenly, all the lights shut off but the flashlight still glows. At the end of the aisle a dark figure stands ridged

Cassy falls back and lunges for her flashlight, she tilts it up but nothing is there.

Young Cassy: “Mom please stop…”

Mother Voice: “I think you need a reminder about why you’re still around”

Cassy: “No one is allowed back here”

Stage Directions: Cassy lights the shelves as stomping surrounds her. Books and boxes slam down.

Cassy pulls herself out of the aisle. She circles the room with her flashlight and passes a figure that disappears

Cassy inches to the lamp taking a short breath

Cassy: “Iris it’s not funny. Don’t call me that” (Cassy turns but no one is there)

Iris (O.S.) Mom: “Cassandra! Don’t touch my belongings”

Cassy: “Okay that’s enough! I can do my job”

Iris (O.S) Mom: “Silence! Get back to work. I need it to be pristine!”

Cassy (to herself): “Happy now…”

Iris (O.S) Mom: “Don’t talk back to me!” (Cassy enters the last aisle and uses her flashlight to scan each corner. Footsteps clatter around her followed by whispers) “Iris, aww you look just like me at your age”

Cassy: “Where have you been?”

Stage Directions: Iris ist at the table and pulls the ladle from the box. Cassy turns to see Iris

Cassy flinches back fumbling her flashlight. She stares adjusting her eyes

Cassy (cont’d): “Wait!”

Stage Directions: Iris stands motionless only the silhouette is visible. Cassy creeps forward taking a step then pausing

Suddenly Iris turns and glides out of the aisle

Cassy: “Your space? We decided to split up the work. What are you talking about?”

Iris (as mom): “Seriously Cassandra. Why would you leave my space like this? Haven’t you learned? Your sister would never!”

Cassy: “Okay okay… It’s been a long night. Let’s just get some rest and come back in the morning”

Iris (as mom): “I would never allow that!”

Cassy: *Audible gasp*

Iris (as mom): Not until you tidy up in here. It’s unprofessional”

(Cassy shuffles closer to Iris and reaches out her arm slowly. Iris smacks Cassy’s arm with the wooden ladle. Cassy yanks her arm back)

Iris (as mom cont’d): “Don’t touch me child!”

Cassy: “Iris mom sounded just like that … Please just cut it out!”

Iris (as mom): “Do I need to remind you why you’re still around?”

Cassy: “Mom?”

Iris (as mom): “Cassandra, you never suprise me with how worthless you are”

Cassy: “Screw you! I don’t need to earn permission for anything anymore!”

Iris (as mom): “You haven’t earned permission to say that today”

Cassy: “I hate you! You never once gave a d*mn about me! I tried for so long. All I ever wanted was for you to care, to be treated like… I don’t know… family, just like Iris”

Iris (as mom): “You’re a nobody Cassandra! You never were and never will be part of our family!”

Cassy: “I was happy you died!”

Iris (as mom): “You could never be family. I hate having you as my daughter! I hope you knew then and I’ll remind you now!

(Stage combat starts… Cassy leans down to Iris’ face listening, she shifts the headphones toward her ear. Suddenly Iris’ eyes open)

Iris (as mom): “What did I say?!”

(More stage combat ensues… Cassy picks up the ladle and slams Iris’ head down on the ground")

Iris (as mom): “You’re worthless”

(Cassy let’s go and Iris falls back to the ground. Cassy stares at the ladle in her hands tearing up)

Cassy: “Iris? Iris! No….”

(The headphones fall off and Iris is laying lifeless. Iris’ face is normal and her breathing stops. Cassy kneels down in shock, dread fills her eyes.)