sage

(start scene 1)

hey. can i use this practice room? please? all the others are taken. i gotta work out how i’m gonna win this thing and start my real life.

your real life? nice.

you know what i mean. i gotta get out of the boonies.

are you ever actually content with where you currently are?

are you ever actually gonna stop being so cold to me?

cold? like bailing on coming home for thanksgiving when you haven’t seen your family in months.

my class made it to the finals of our a cappella competition. when else would i ever have a chance to perform in new york city? (pause) you were supposed to come to dad’s for winter break.

and leave mom alone on christmas?

i’m not the one who dropped off the face, okay. i sent you like a dozen hooks and you never responded.

thanks, i don’t need a pen pal. and it seems like you’ve got it all covered at your fancy new school.

at least i’m still trying. it’s not my fault you didn’t get in. (pause) c’mon, i don’t have time for family therapy. i need to figure out how to set myself apart tomorrow.

maybe just set yourself apart by being good.

you think it’s that easy? being good isn’t good enough. you wouldn’t understand the pressures of performing, you’re just s songwriter.

good luck tomorrow.

(start of scene 2)

okay yes, i am mildly in love with him, but in a stupid way that will become a great song later. not in a real way where i would ever focus on a guy i’m only gonna know for a couple weeks and divert my attention from a competition that could change my whole life.

i just asked how your day was, but okay. also, i knew it! i mean, hello, he told the whole class that your nose crinkles. he’s literally obsessed with you.

it doesn’t matter. he’s my competition. i would never. ps, you could’ve given me a heads up i’d be dancing next to beyonce.

who, madison?

why does she look so familiar?

she has like a kabillion followers. she basically sets the viral dance trends on social media.

wait, is she—?

maddie_the_baddie_412? yup.

baddie maddie! that is her. and she comes with her own backup dancers.

her cousins. in her posts, i always assumed they were ai generated. i still think they might be.

she actually seems nice.

i know. i hate her. speaking of baddies—

callie? don’t. even.

i’m not saying your brother’s cute. i’m just saying he’s not not cute.

ew. no. absolutely not.

hey, callie. i was wondering…clearly i’m not a dancer, so— any chance you give private lessons?

(yes)