Crooked Scene Lines

Directing Scenes 2025

Top of scene

Hi.

Hello.

I didn’t know we could eat out here.

We’re not supposed to.

Oh.

I just hate it in there.

Me too.

You could eat here.

Okay.

The security guard comes out here sometimes. I just hide beneath the bleachers when I see him.

You’re a rebel.

No. I’m just Maribel.

Laney.

You’re new, aren’t you?

Yeah.

Where’d you move from?

Madison, Wisconsin. But my mom grew up here.

I was new last year.

Yeah? Where from?

Nowhere. I mean, I didn’t move. I used to be home schooled by my Mom, but she got in trouble because she never got registered as a home school teacher or something, so now I go here.

Oh.

But I’m behind. I have to take some of my classes with freshman. It’s so embarrassing.

You don’t have any classes with me.

You’re probably in advanced classes. You look advanced.

I’m not. I’m not advanced.

You look advanced.

I’m not.

I wish I were advanced. But I’m remedial. Remedial is worse than being advanced. Remedial is like being retarded.

No, it’s not. It just means you need to catch up is all.

You’re nice.

Thanks

So, have you found a church yet?

Church?

Yeah.

No, I don’t go to church.

So, you don’t know about Jesus then?

What about him?

That he died for you. That he died for you to save you from sin?

Oh, I don’t believe in sin.

Why not?

I just don’t.

You’re kinda funny looking with your back and all.

Thanks.

Anyone talk to you since you came to this school?

The teachers. You.

Any other students?

No.

See. That’s sin.

Whatever.

Don’t feel bad.

I don’t.

…You think I’m a freak, don’t you?

No

Yes, you do. I can tell.

Well, yeah. You’re kinda freaky.

…and then you won’t have to face everlasting hell.

I don’t believe in everlasting hell.

…All the people in this school who ignore you will never get punished either.

That’s one way of looking at it, I guess.

Thank you. I think you’re very pretty anyway. I mean, even with the hump and all.

It’s not a hump.

What is it then?

It’s the muscles in my back. They’re working against one another. It’s called dystonia. Having a humpback is called kyphosis. I don’t have kyphosis. I have dystonia. It’s different. It’s temporary. I’m glad I have it.

You are?

Yeah. I’m glad I have it, because it has shown me how shallow people are here. At my old school in Wisconsin, where I used to go before my dystonia got bad, I had lots of friends, in lots of different groups. I was going to be on the Homecoming court. I mean, they hadn’t had elections, but everyone told me I was going to be on it. Not that I really wanted to be on it. Homecoming court’s kinda lame and all, but I would’ve been on it. Here, nobody talks to me. But I haven’t changed. My essential personality hasn’t changed. So I know the reason they don’t talk to me is because of my dystonia, and I’m glad I have it, because now I know how shallow people are. It’s a good thing to know, don’t you think?

…if you put your hair in a French twist. I could do it for you.

Maybe later.

I didn’t mean now. I meant for when you get elected. We’ll be on the Homecoming court together!

Except we’ll turn it down, because the Homecoming court is lame.

…Does it hurt?

Sometimes.

Can I touch it?

No!

…Sometimes Jesus chooses to make them feel better. Sometimes he doesn’t though.

Why is that?

…People used to gasp when they saw him. Does that happen to you?

No.

When Deedee Cummings pulled down my pants, the whole room gasped. Like they all took in one big gulp of air together. And then they laughed.

I meant to say, yes, I’ve had that happen.

Do you want to come to church with me on Friday?

I don’t know, what’s it like?

Well there’s a band. Piano, drums. My Dad’s the preacher.

He is?

Yeah, but he also sells cars, used cars like Hondas and Mitsubishis, because the church is small and can’t afford to pay his whole salary. What does your Dad do?

I don’t have a Dad.

Is he dead?

Yeah.

Do you miss him?

I don’t want to talk about it, okay?

Sure. But going to church, you know, it might help.

Okay. I’ll go.

Really?

Sure.

Maribel hugs me

It’s no big deal.