Footloose Lines (Chuck)

(snidely mocking)

"Ren!"

Shaw: Huh? Speak up! Let the Lord hear your voice!

Ren: Ren.

Hey, good-lookin'. (he and ariel kiss) miss me?

(Music for The Girl Gets Around starts playing, Ariel Enters)

Very funny. (He caresses her.) So. Who was that new guy in church?

Hey, Travis. Lyle. (gasps, turns to Chuck) Omigod. Did I interrupt your weekly poetry club meeting?

Should I be jealous?

Who...? Oh, him. He's our new classmate. (Playful.) A Chicago transplant with all the charm and sophistication that comes from living in a bustling metropolis.

(singing) Anything that I want

Hey, Cranston. Jus' what're you doin' with the preacher's daughter?

Ev'rything that she needs

Oh, yeah? What does she get out of it?

(CHUCK wags a finger at her and sings to his buddies.)

CHUCK

WELL, SHE'D LIKE YOU TO THINK SHE WAS BORN YESTERDAY

WITH HER INNOCENT LOOKS AND HER LITTLE TOWN WAYS

WHEN SHE'S SMILIN' AT ME SHE'S GOT ANGELS IN HER EYES

BUT I'VE SEEN HOW SHE MOVES AND THIS GIRL REALLY COOKS

SHE TAUGHT ME SOME TRICKS YOU CAN'T LEARN IN BOOKS

AND I'M STARTING TO THINK SHE'S THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE

CHUCK, TRAVIS & LYLE

THE GIRL GETS AROUND

SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE LIKES

HUNH!

I GOT WHAT SHE NEEDS

JUST WAIT'LL TONIGHT

WE'LL BOTH MAKE OUR MOVES

CHUCK, TRAVIS & LYLE

YEAH, WE'LL COVER SOME GROUND

15

CHUCK, ARIEL, TRAVIS & LYLE

THE GIRL GETS AROUND

AROUND AROUND AROUND AROUND AROUND

GOOD GOD, THIS GIRL GETS AROUND!

(ARIEL jumps into CHUCK'S arms as SHAW enters.)

Like you'd know.

extend hand Evening, Reverend.

Ariel? (All freeze. CHUCK puts ARIEL down.)

We were just on our way.

(to Ariel.) I went to The Burger Blast. Your friends suggested I might find you here.

What's a few more minutes?

(the Moore Home appears, Ariel runs on with Chuck. He is all over he, as she pushes him away, laughing.) Chuck! Stop! I don't want to be late!

Well, tell him to get used to it.

My Dad is still not crazy about my seeing you.

I will! (He starts toward the Moore Home.) Reverend Moore...

You tell him!

(Chuck strides in, furious.) Ariel, what the hell's going on? We had a date a half an hour ago.

Oh, God! I'm late. Chuck's gonna lose it.

I don't like you making a fool out of me.

Chuck, I'm sorry.

Shut up, Rusty.

And why would you? You do such a good job of it yourself.

(Chuck turns to Ren, looks him up and down, then contemptuously pushes him backward. Ren rolls away slowly. Chuck grabs Ariel by the arm and pulls her to one side.) When I say, "Meet me at eight," what am I - talking to myself?

Will you be joining these ladies for dinner?

Don't tell me to calm down! Don't - ever - tell me what to do. (Glances at Rusty, et. al.) I know what your friends think of me. And that's bullshit. I'm the best party in this town, baby, and those three dogs oughta be tied up under the porch. Let's go.

No. You're right. Calm down, honey.

Get in the truck.

No. (I'm the best party in this town, baby, and those three dogs oughta be tied up nder the porch. Let's go)

Excuse me?

(Get in the truck.) No!

(Fondles her.) Oh, when the preacher's daughter says "no," it just makes me hot. Say it again, baby.

I said, "No." What part of that don't you understand?

And I believe this is none of your godd@mn business.

I believe the lady said, "No."

Ariel, who invited this clown?

Ren don't...

Get your hand outta my face. And get your face outta my sight. (Chuck smacks Ren's hand away; Willard leaps up.

Oh, I'm sorry! We've never been formally introduced. (Extends his hand at Chuck's eye-level.) Ren McCormack.

(Chuck and Willard have a shouting match, which Ren tries to subdue. Others join in)

Aw, man let me nail him! I'll nail him...!

What? You think that's funny?

Not at all, ma'am. me and the guys were just discussing the comfort and safety of one of your valued customers. (Ariel and girls chuckle; Chuck turns on Ariel.)

(Chuck, humilated, has no graceful way out.) You haven't seen the last of me, McCormack. (He bumps Ren as he exits.)

Cranston! Your pick-up truck is in the handicapped parking, which is a space we reserve for people with physical, not emotional, disabilities.

Psst! Ariel! Ariel!

(start of scene 2 act 2, Chuck is outside, loudly whispering up to Ariel's bedroom window.)

(yelps, startled.) Oh...! Mrs. Moore.

She's not here, Chuck.

(fibbing.) Nope. Not at all. Did you tell Ariel that...

Did I scare you?

Thanks. I guess she's busy and all.

Yes, Chuck, I've told her every time you've called.

Really? I was just there. Wendy Jo said she left hours ago. With Rusty.

Mmmm. She and the girls went over to Wendy Jo's to study.

Evening, Reverend. I was just looking for Ariel.

Who is it, Vi? Mr. Cranston.

Yes, Sir. That's why I'm surprised she's not at home.

Isn't it a bit late, Mr. Cranston?

Yes, sir.

So am I. Goodnight, Mr. Cranston. And next time, please remember, we have a front door for guests.

We're outta here. (He turns, snapping his fingers.) Travis! Lyle! Let's go!

(scene 6B: The Churchyard: The kids gather to congratulate Ren, patting his back, shaking his hand, etc.., but they fall silent and step back when Chuck struts over to Ren and Ariel. After a tense face-off, Chuck sneers.)

Losers.

Uh.. could you maybe give us a minute here?