Love Is Blind: A Modern Drama. (Script By Taylor Nieuwdorp)

Love is Blind

Written by Taylor Nieuwdorp

A Modern Drama

Drama 20

May 22, 2012

Taylor Nieuwdorp

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*******, *********, Canada

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Phone: **********

Email: ***************
 

CHARACTERS

JulieA high school girl, she doesn’t want any special treatment.  An average girl who just wants to be normal, she’s worried that no one will ever love her because of her blindness.

CynthiaThe most popular girl in high school, not very intelligent, easily distracted.  Not very nice or friendly, dating Matt.

HannahCynthia’s bully in training.  Just wants to be popular.  She puts her values  behind her to be popular.  She’s secretly very nice, and she puts up with Cynthia to keep her social status.

MattA well rounded boy, dating Cynthia.  He is family friends of Cynthia and he’s only dating her because his parents approve of her.  He’s good in school, and good-hearted.  Secretly likes Julie.

DanaJulie’s mother, cares about her daughter and her well-being.  She wants to send Julie to a specialized school for blind students.  She feels bad about what is happening to Julie, but she doesn’t know how to make her feel better because she can’t relate to her.

Headmaster Browning Headmaster of Browning’s School for the Blind.  He was blinded as a child,

and has dedicated his life to help children who suffer the way he suffered, having to go to a normal school where he was ridiculed.

AmandaA blind girl. Goes to Browning’s. Julie’s roommate. Has a very interesting story.

SCENE OUTLINE:

Scene 1:  Blind

Scene 2:  Special Treatment

Scene 3:  Damaged Goods

Scene 4:  Dreams

Scene 5:  Let me Help You

Scene 6:  Dear Diary

Scene 7:  Don’t I Know You?

Scene 8:  Give Me a Kiss

Scene 9:  The Call

Scene 10:  The Invisible Necklace

Scene 11:  A Daughter’s Agreement

Scene 12:  Browning’s

Scene 13:  Amanda

Scene 14: Late Night Journey

Scene 15:  Home Sweet Home

Scene 16:  Mind if I Sit Next to You?

Scene 17: Crash

Scene 18:  Irony

STORY OUTLINE:

Julie is a blind girl who is constantly bullied by the girls at her school, Cynthia and Hannah.  They trip her in the hallways, call her names, and tell her that she’ll never be able to find anyone to love her because of her blindness.  Julie thinks about this all the time and starts to have nightmares about it.  One day, after being tripped in the hallway, she meets a boy named Matt who helps her pick up her books.  She starts to like Matt and talks more and more to him.  Matt turns out to be the boyfriend of the mean girl at school Cynthia.  Julie is devastated, and decides to switch schools and go to Browning’s School for the Blind, which brings much happiness to Julie’s mother, Dana, who had been pressuring her to go there.  Julie meets Headmaster Browning who tells Julie that Browning’s is a school for people that have nobody in their lives who can help them. She also meets Amanda, a young blind girl, who has a story of her own.  Julie then realizes that Matt cares about her and when nobody else at Browning has the same privileges as her, she rushes back to her old school to find him, only to find out that he moved schools as well. Julie finds Matt at their special park and they both realize they cannot live without one another. Matt decides to take Julie to dinner, which is their first date as a couple. But on the way, they get into a car crash, where Matt is blinded by shards of glass.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 1:  Blind

(Julie is sitting on a bench in a park.  Birds can be heard.)

CYNTHIA

That movie Matt took me to was awesome!  Hammer 5.  Have you seen it?

HANNAH

No, but I hear it’s really scary.

CYNTHIA

Oh, it is!  It gave Matt a chance to act all tough and macho and (uses air quotes) protect me.

HANNAH

Cynthia…isn’t Hammer 5 rated R?

CYNTHIA

Yeah, so what?  (noticing Julie).  Hey, isn’t that the blind chick from school?  What’s she doing here?

HANNAH

Julie? (Motioning to Julie)  What do you mean what is she doing here?

CYNTHIA

She’s blind Hannah.  Why would she come to a park?

HANNAH

I don’t know.  I think she comes here to listen to nature…or…something.

CYNTHIA

That’s lame.  Who goes to a park to listen to nature?

HANNAH

Blind people?

CYNTHIA (angrily)

Whatever!

HANNAH

Why does it bother you so much?

CYNTHIA (Angrily)

Because!  She’s blind!  This park isn’t for blind people!  And why does she go to our school anyway?  Shouldn’t she be in some blind school?  She shouldn’t be allowed to go to the same school as us. Or the same park!

HANNAH (Noticing Julie listening)

Cynthia?

CYNTHIA (Angrily)

They should deport her to blind island or something so that we don’t have to look at her.

HANNAH

Cynthia!

CYNTHIA (Angrily)

What?

HANNAH (Quietly)

I think she can hear us.

CYNTHIA

Don’t be stupid Hannah. She can’t hear us –

JULIE (Angrily)

I’m blind, not deaf!

(Julie gets up and leaves)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 2:  Special Treatment

(In a quiet living room, Julie’s mother, Dana, is sitting in an armchair reading a book.)  (Julie storms in, fumbling to slam the door behind her and then she falls to the floor crying.)

DANA (Runs to Julie)

Oh honey!  What’s the matter?

JULIE

It’s nothing mom, really!

DANA

What happened?

JULIE

I just overheard some girls from school at the park.  Some of the things they said … I hate people!

DANA

See?  This is why I suggested you go to Browning’s.

JULIE (Angrily)

Mom!  I’m not switching schools!

DANA

At Browning’s they know what you’re going through.  They can help you.  And you can be friends with people who you can relate to.

JULIE

I don’t want any special treatment.  I just want to be normal!  Everyone gets bullied as a kid.  I’ll be fine.

DANA

I respect that decision honey.  Just think about it okay?

JULIE

Okay, I’ll think about it. (They hug)

Scene 3:  Damaged Goods

(In a hallway at school, Cynthia and Hannah are talking.)

CYNTHIA

So Matt and I were thinking about going to Hawaii over the summer, but my parents were total jerks.  They said that I couldn’t go to Hawaii with Matt because we’d be alone together.  Can you believe that?  This isn’t the 50’s anymore! It’s like they don’t even want me to have a life!

HANNAH (Sarcastically)

Yeah, that’s super lame of them.

CYNTHIA

Are you being sarcastic?

HANNAH (Changing subject)

So, Julie was pretty mad at us the other day.

CYNTHIA

(Laughs) She’s just sensitive.  The poor thing can’t take a joke!

HANNAH

You were joking?

CYNTHIA

Well…no…but …(Seeing Julie enter) Oh! Speak of the devil (Walking over to Julie).  Hey Julie!

JULIE

Cynthia?

CYNTHIA

Uh huh!  Hey Jules, listen.

(Cynthia places a hand on Julie’s shoulder.  Julie flinches at her touch.)

CYNTHIA

You know I was just joking the other day, right?

JULIE

Of course you were.

CYNTHIA

Good.  I can’t let it get out that I said those things.  Some people wouldn’t like it, and I have a reputation to uphold.

JULIE

Which is?

CYNTHIA

To be loved by everyone of course!

JULIE

…Right…

CYNTHIA

Are you being sarcastic?

HANNAH (Changing the subject)

So Julie, do you have a boyfriend?

JULIE (Surprised)

Oh…uh…no…why?

HANNAH

Just making conversation.

CYNTHIA

Oh my gosh!  Have you ever had a boyfriend?

JULIE

Well, no… I…

CYNTHIA

Oh, I get it.  You’re a lesbian!

JULIE

I’m not a lesbian. I’ve just never had a boyfriend.

CYNTHIA (Laughing)

That’s sad and just a little pathetic.

JULIE

I get how you wouldn’t understand.  You’ve probably had more boyfriends than you can count!

(Cynthia gasps.  Julie heads to her locker.)

CYNTHIA

Did you hear what she said to me?  How rude!

HANNAH

Yeah, I Heard.  I was here.  I heard everything that you heard Cynthia.

CYNTHIA

Are you being sarcastic?

HANNAH (Changing subject)

So, how weird is it that Julie’s never had a boyfriend?

CYNTHIA

I know right?  So weird!

HANNAH

Right?  I mean…she’s pretty.

CYNTHIA (Laughs)

You’ve got to be kidding me.  She’s blind.

HANNAH

Yeah.  So?

CYNTHIA

So, who would want to date a blind girl?  Poor girl will never find anyone to love her.  Guy’s don’t want damaged goods.

(Cynthia and Hannah leave)

JULIE (Aside)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 4:  Dreams

JULIE (Over speaker)

People always ask me if blind people can dream.  I know I do.  I was born blind, so I don’t have any memories to base things on…so I don’t see much.  But I dream every night.  I even have nightmares.

PEOPLE (Ad-lib)

Blind girl!  Blind girl! It sucks you can’t see anything!  You’re life is going to suck!  What do you think you look like?  You’ll never find work. You can’t see me! You’re nothing but damaged goods!

Scene 5:  Let Me Help You

(Cynthia and Hannah are in the hallway) (Julie enters with her school books, Cynthia trips her)  (Books fly everywhere.  Julie bends down to try and pick them up, but can’t find them). (Cynthia runs off.  Hannah hesitates, but leaves)

(Matt enters, notices Julie, and walks up to her)

MATT

Whoa!  What happened here?  Are you okay?

JULIE

Yeah.  Somebody tripped me.

MATT

What?  They tripped you?  Why?

JULIE

I don’t know…because I’m blind.

MATT (Pause)

That’s no reason to trip someone.  Here (Starts picking up books), let me help you.

(Matt picks up books and hands them to Julie)

MATT

Here you go.

JULIE

Thanks.

MATT

Don’t mention it.  And hey, don’t let people get to you.  They’re rubbish if they’re going to treat you that way.  You’re better than that.

(Julie smiles, nods and leaves)

MATT

Wait! You didn’t tell me your name!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 6:  Dear Diary

(Julie is sitting on the bed in her bedroom with a tape recorder.)

JULIE

Dear diary.  I met someone today…someone really nice.  Lately I’ve been thinking that people suck.  But today, a boy helped me pick up my books.  I didn’t catch his name and I’ll probably never talk to him ever again…but it’s good to know that there are good-hearted people out there.

(Knock on bedroom door)

JULIE

Come in.

DANA (Enters bedroom)

Hey honey.  I know you’re still thinking about Browning’s, so I brought you something.

(Dana hands a brochure to Julie)

DANA

It’s a brochure for Browning’s School for the Blind.

JULIE

Mom, you know I can’t read this.

DANA

It’s written in Braille.

JULIE

Of course it is.

DANA

Just take a read.  You don’t have to decide right away. (Leaves room)

(Julie opens the brochure)

JULIE

I guess it couldn’t hurt to read this.

(Julie runs her fingers over the brochure)

JULIE

Wow.  This does sound pretty nice.  But I can’t. Not when I know there are good people out there that can treat me like an equal.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 7:  Don’t I Know You?

(Julie is sitting on a bench in the park.)  (Matt comes behind the bench.)

MATT

Excuse me.  Can I sit here?

JULIE

Go ahead.

(Matt is texting someone on his cell phone.  He laughs at a message he’s received.)

JULIE

What’s so funny?

MATT

Oh, I just got a text from someone with a funny picture.  You want to see?

JULIE

I can’t… (Holding up her walking cane)

MATT (Embarrassed)

Oh, I’m sorry.  I didn’t know. (Recognizing her).  Oh, I’ve seen you before.

JULIE

You have?

MATT

Yeah, I helped you pick up your books at school.

JULIE

Oh, that was you?  Well thanks again, you really made my day.

MATT

Don’t mention it. (Pause).  I’m Matt by the way.

JULIE

Julie.

(Julie reaches out for handshake)  (Matt shakes her hand) (Lingers)

(Julie shakes Matt’s hand.)

(They continue shaking hands.  It is very awkward and lengthy.)

JULIE (Breaking the silence, pulling away)

So what are you doing at the park?

MATT

It’s a little embarrassing.

JULIE

Oh, come on. (Bumps him with shoulder)

MATT

Promise you won’t laugh?

JULIE

I promise.

MATT

Sometimes I come here…just to…you know…listen to nature.

(Julie is silent for a moment, then she laughs out loud)

MATT

Oh come on!  You promised!

JULIE

Sorry.  It’s just that I thought I was the only person who did that.

MATT

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 8:  Give me a Kiss

(Cynthia and Hannah at a party muffled base music playing in the background and extras are doing stage business behind them.)

CYNTHIA (Annoyed)

He hasn’t texted me for hours and he was supposed to be here!  What could he possibly be doing?

HANNAH

Maybe his phone’s dead?

CYNTHIA

Maybe. (Notices Matt enter) Oh, there he is. (Goes to Matt).  Hey Matt!

MATT

Hey…Cynthia

CYNTHIA

Don’t give me that.  I’m mad at you.

MATT

Why?

CYNTHIA

You haven’t texted me in four hours!  Where were you?

MATT

I was with a friend okay?

CYNTHIA

What friend?

MATT

You don’t know them.  Just drop it.

CYNTHIA

Whatever!  You just can’t ignore me for four hours.

MATT

Listen Cynthia.

CYNTHIA

You’re my boyfriend Matt.  You’re supposed to care about me!

MATT

I do care about you Cynthia. (Looks at Hannah)

HANNAH (Awkwardly)

I think I’ll just go now. (Leaves)

CYNTHIA

Matt, this isn’t fair –

MATT

Cynthia, I think we need to take a break.

CYNTHIA

What?  Why?

MATT

There is this girl…you don’t know her.  I kind of like her but things are…complicated.  It’s not fair to you if we’re dating and I have feelings for someone else.

CYNTHIA

You’re just confused.  We’ve been dating a while Matt.  Our parents went to school together and we’re both going to go to Law school together.  We’re perfect for each other.  I don’t want to break up.

MATT

But Cynthia…I told you…it’s not fair to you.

CYNTHIA

Well I don’t care about that silly girl you think you like.  Just think about the girl I know you love… Me.

MATT

You’re right.  I’m sorry Cynthia.

CYNTHIA

So we’re not breaking up?

MATT

No, we’re good.

CYNTHIA

Good.  Now give me a kiss.

(Cynthia leans in for a kiss but Matt turns his head and she kisses his cheek)

CYNTHIA (Awkwardly)

Now clean yourself up.  We’re going to dinner tonight.

(Matt leaves)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 9:  The Call

(Matt is sitting at home.  He is wearing fancier clothes, ready to go to dinner with Cynthia.)

MATT

Dinner… with Cynthia.  Again

(Phone rings.  Matt answers it.)

MATT

Hello?

CYNTHIA (Offstage)

Hey babe.  You ready to go yet?

MATT

Not yet.  I need a little more time.

CYNTHIA (Offstage)

All right, but hurry up!  Even my grandpa is ready to go.  And we have reservations at Mange Bein in half an hour.

MATT

You got it Cynthia.

CYNTHIA (Offstage)

Okay, well call me when you’re ready.

MATT

Okay.  Bye Cynthia.

CYNTHIA (Offstage)

Bye baby—.

(Matt hangs up phone, interrupting her.)

MATT

(Sighs) If I love Cynthia…why am I so bummed about having to go to dinner with her and her family?

(Matt picks up the phone and dials a number.)  (Phone rings.)

(Lights up on Dana on center stage.)

DANA

Hello?

MATT

Hi… Is Julie there?

DANA (Distracted)

Yes.  She’s here.

MATT

Great!  Can I talk to her please?

DANA

Oh!  Oh, yes of course. (Places phone on chest so Matt can’t hear her)  Julie!  The phone!It’s a boy!  (Runs off stage with phone)

(Lights up right extension.) (Julie is sitting on her bed.)  (Dana runs into Julie’s bedroom with the phone and hands it to Julie.)

JULIE

Thanks mom. (Dana passes phone to Julie)  Hello?

(Dana exits)

MATT

Hey Julie.

JULIE

Hey…Matt?

MATT

Yeah.

JULIE

Oh, hey.

(Long pause)

JULIE

Is there something you wanted Matt?

MATT

What?

JULIE

Well…you called me.

MATT

Oh…right.  What are you doing right now?

JULIE

Nothing really.  Why?

MATT

I was wondering if you wanted to see a movie or something.

JULIE

…Matt…

MATT

Oh…sorry.  Do you want to go to the park?

JULIE

Yeah, I’d like that.

MATT

Great!  I’ll see you there…in say…15 minutes?

JULIE

Okay!

(Matt and Julie exit)

Scene 10:  Invisible Necklace

(Julie is sitting on a bench in the park.  Matt enters and sits down beside her.)

MATT

Hey Julie!

JULIE (Startled)

Oh!  You startled me!

MATT

Oh, I’m sorry.  Um… I’m going to hug you now.

JULIE (Laughing)

Okay.

(Matt and Julie hug.)  (Julie feels that Matt is wearing a tie.)

JULIE

What’s this?

MATT

Oh…it’s a tie.

JULIE

Why are you wearing a tie?

MATT

Oh, no reason.  I was supposed to go out to dinner tonight.

JULIE

Why didn’t you go?

MATT (Smiling)

I realized that I had better places to be tonight.

(Long pause)

MATT

Julie?

JULIE

Yes?

MATT

You look really beautiful tonight.

JULIE

I do?

MATT

Yeah.

JULIE

Well thanks.  I don’t hear that a lot…probably because I’m not.

(Pause)

MATT

I got you something.

JULIE

You did?

MATT

Yeah.  It’s a necklace.  Here, I’ll help you put it on.

(Matt reaches as if to put a necklace on Julie.)  (Julie lifts her hands to her neck to feel for the necklace, but she can’t find it.)

JULIE (Confused)

I don’t understand.

MATT

It’s an invisible necklace.

JULIE (Laughs)

Well thank you.  It’s beautiful.

MATT

Do you understand now?

JULIE

Yeah!  (Pause) No… not really.

MATT

You said the necklace was beautiful, even though you couldn’t see it.

JULIE

Yeah….

MATT

Don’t you understand?  When I say that you’re beautiful, you don’t believe me, because you can’t see it for yourself.  But you said the necklace was beautiful, even though you can’t see it.Julie, you don’t need to see your reflection to know you’re beautiful…because you are.  (Pause)  You don’t have to see something to know it’s beautiful.

JULIE

Matt, that’s the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me.

(Long pause)  (Matt looks at Julie)

MATT (Joking)

You know…that necklace looks pretty good on you.

(They laugh)

JULIE

You know, I’ve never met anyone quite like you before.  You treat me like any other normal person, not like some sad blind girl who’s going nowhere in life.  I really like spending time with you.

MATT

I don’t see you as just some blind girl Julie, but I don’t see you as any other normal person either …you’re not like everyone else.

(Julie starts to pull away)

JULIE

Well…if that’s how you feel then –

MATT

You’re not like everyone else Julie—you’re better.

JULIE

What?

MATT

You heard me Julie—you’re better.

JULIE

You don’t mean that!

MATT

I mean every word!  You don’t see me as just some guy at school.  When I’m with you, I feel like I’m so much more than that.  I feel like myself when I’m with you…and when I’m not with you, I think about you constantly and—

JULIE

(Shushes him)  Just stop. You’re going to make me cry. (Laughs)

MATT

Sorry.

JULIE

You know…you’re really quite handsome.

MATT (Laughs)

How could you possibly know that?

JULIE

You don’t have to see something to know it’s beautiful.

(Matt brings his hand to Julie’s face)

MATT

I’m going to kiss you now.

JULIE (Laughing)

Okay.

(Matt leans in for a kiss, but before their lips touch, Cynthia runs in.)

CYNTHIA (Angry)

There you are Matt!  I’ve been looking for you everywhere.  You never called.  I was worried!

JULIE

Cynthia?  Is that you?

CYNTHIA (Upset)

Matt, what’s this?  What’s going on?

MATT

Wait.  You two know each other?

CYNTHIA (Angry)

Well of course I know her.  She’s the one blind chick at school.  Why wouldn’t I know her?  Why are you hanging out with her anyway?  She’s so annoying!

MATT

Don’t talk about her like that Cynthia.

CYNTHIA

Well, why the hell—Oh…I see.  This blind chick is the slut you’ve been seeing behind my back isn’t she?

MATT (Standing up)

I told you not to talk about her like that!

CYNTHIA (To Julie)

Does that make you feel good?  Huh, blindy?  Whoring around with someone else’s boyfriend?

(Cynthia walks up to Julie and slaps her in her face)

MATT

Cynthia!  That’s it!  We’re over. (Goes to comfort Julie)

CYNTHIA

But Matt!  She was just trying to steal you from me!  Can’t you see that?

MATT (Angry)

Get out of here Cynthia!

CYNTHIA

Fine!  (Storms off)

MATT (To Julie)

Are you okay?

JULIE (standing up)

Boyfriend?

MATT

What?

JULIE

You were dating her this whole time?  But you were with me?

MATT

Julie…it’s—

JULIE

No Matt!  I mean…Cynthia is terrible…but I thought you were better than that.  Those things you said to me…

MATT

I meant every word I said Julie!

JULIE

What about Cynthia Matt?  What about the things you said to her when you were really with me?  Did she believe your excuses and lies?  Did you mean those words too?

MATT

Julie, don’t be like this.

JULIE

I thought you were different Matt, but you’re just like everyone else!  You treated me like a sad blind girl.  Someone you could take advantage of…just because I couldn’t see the lies that were going on right in front of me.

(Matt is speechless)

JULIE

Get out of here Matt.

MATT

But Julie…I…I.  Please don’t do this.

JULIE

I said get out of here!

(Matt goes to leave)

JULIE

Wait!  Matt.

MATT (Slightly hopeful)

Yeah?

(Julie mimes taking off her invisible necklace.)

JULIE

Take this stupid necklace with you!  (Throws invisible necklace at Matt.)

(Matt mimes picking up the necklace.)

MATT (Sad)

(Pause)  Bye Julie.

(Matt leaves)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 11:  A Daughter’s Agreement

(Julie walks into her bedroom and goes to her bed.  She lies down and starts to cry.)

DANA

(Rushes in)  Julie?  (Goes to Julie)  What’s wrong dear?

JULIE

Is it too late to go to Browning’s?

DANA

Of course it’s not sweetie. Headmaster Browning has a spot lined up for you. You can start on Monday, dear.

JULIE

Thanks mom.

DANA

No problem honey. (Leans down and kisses Julie’s forehead.)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 12: Browning’s

(Julie walks into Browning’s with a suitcase and a uniform. Headmaster Browning is waiting for her.)

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Hello Julie.

JULIE

Headmaster Browning?

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Yes dear.

JULIE

I read in the brochure for Browning’s that you’re blind…how did you know it was me?

HEADMASTER BROWNING

I know all my students and teachers dear. The sounds of new footsteps never cease to fool me.

JULIE

That’s…very impressive sir.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Please, call me Headmaster. So how do you like Browning’s so far?

JULIE

Yes, it seems very nice. I met a lot of people on the way down the foyer.  People here are very friendly.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Yes dear. That’s because they know how it feels.

JULIE

How what feels?

HEADMASTER BROWNING

To be in your position. You’re brand new here, as everyone here once was. You just arrived here from a dark place in your life, and just like everyone here, you’re trying to find a better way. Everyone here has a story.

JULIE

I’m not sure my story is a very good one.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

(Laughs) Every story is a good one. Would you like to hear mine?

JULIE

Sure.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Take a seat dear.

(Headmaster Browning guides Julie to a school bench and they both take a seat.)

HEADMASTER BROWNING

This school is very close to my heart. I feel like I have a responsibility to help others who have gone through what I went through as a child. You see…I wasn’t born blind like you were. I lost my vision when I was a young boy. When I was eleven, I was friends with a group of boys I probably shouldn’t have been friends with. The popular boys I suppose. One day, they invited me to set off some fireworks in the old school field. I probably shouldn’t have gone…but I was so obsessed with being accepted…so I went. I had never seen fireworks before…they were beautiful. I will never forget it. I wanted to try setting one off myself. But when I set it off, something…went wrong…and it exploded back at me. I should have died that night, but I guess some higher power had other plans for me. Instead of dying, plastic shrapnel lodged into my eyes. Quite the coincidence I’d say. At first I thought it was a curse. When I returned to school that September, my old friends would have nothing to do with me. None of them wanted to be friends with the blind boy. I was harassed all throughout my school years. When I graduated, I realized that instead of a curse…my blindness could be a blessing. I had a new lease on life. I decided that I couldn’t let other children suffer the way I had, so I founded this school on the belief that every person is equal, and that they all deserve a chance to learn in a safe environment where their needs are met. Somewhere they can be happy. (Pause) So what’s your story?

JULIE

Well I don’t think I can follow that.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

(Laughs) Well one day, your story will be heard, don’t worry.

JULIE

Thanks Headmaster.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Don’t mention it dear. Why don’t you go and find your room, it’s about time you’ve met your roommate.

Scene 13:  Amanda

(Julie walks into her room, her roommate Amanda is sitting on her bed.)

AMANDA

Hello? Is someone there?

JULIE

Oh…hi.  I’m Julie…I’m your new roommate.

AMANDA

Oh! Hey! I’m Amanda

JULIE

So…Amanda…what’s your story?

AMANDA

What do you mean?

JULIE

Headmaster Browning said…

AMANDA

Oh! Yeah, don’t mind him. He means well. But the whole everybody-has-a story thing is just an excuse for him to tell his own story. He really likes telling it. He’s a nice man though. My story…is pretty standard.

JULIE

Standard?

AMANDA

Born blind. Put up for adoption by my parents who weren’t ready for the commitment of a blind child. In and out of foster care. You know…the usual.

JULIE

The usual? Is that the usual around here?

AMANDA

Pretty much. How about you? Same thing?

JULIE

Yeah…something like that.

HEADMASTER BROWNING (Offstage)

All right students. It is now the scheduled bedtime. I advise you to go to bed.  There’s another long day of learning tomorrow.

JULIE

Well I better get to bed. It’s been a long day.

AMANDA

Yeah. Night Julie.

(Julie finds her bed and lies down)

JULIE

Night.

AMANDA

And Julie?

JULIE

Yeah?

AMANDA

Welcome to Browning’s.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Scene 14: Late

Night’s Journey

(Both Julie and Amanda are in bed. Julie wakes up and then leaves her room) (Lights come up on centre stage)  (Headmaster Browning is sitting on a school bench. Julie enters)

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Julie? What are you doing up so late?

JULIE

I couldn’t sleep.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Why’s that?

JULIE

It’s a long story.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

You know I love stories.  Have a seat.

(Julie sits next to Headmaster Browning on the bench)

JULIE

I feel like my story is not good enough.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Your story will never be worth telling if you don’t believe it’s good enough to tell. 

JULIE

I feel like I don’t belong here—in this school.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

What makes you feel that way?

JULIE

Don’t get me wrong.  People here have been very accepting.  But I feel like everyone else has a heart-breaking story and they deserve to be here.  But I feel like my story isn’t bad at all and that I don’t have anything to complain about.

HEADMASTER BROWNING

Everybody has his or her own troubles Julie.  It’s not about who’s troubles are worse.  This school is here to benefit all blind children.

JULIE

But don’t you think it could benefit somebody else more?  Somebody that’s been through a lot more than I have?

HEADMASTER BROWNING

I suppose.  But what makes you luckier than the other children here?

JULIE

I have people in my life that care about me.  Sure, I have a few people that treat me badly, but it’s nothing compared to what the other students have gone through.  Coming here has made me realize that I haven’t appreciated the people who have made an impact in my life.  Because of that, I feel that I should leave this school and give someone else a chance to be cared for the same way that I have been. 

HEADMASTER BROWNING

That is one of the best stories that I have heard from a student in my school.  Whether you leave or not is up to you Julie.  That is your own decision.  Something I teach my students here in this school, is to make their own decisions, and not to let their blindness affect the decisions they make in their life because they feel that it is somehow holding them back.  You have grasped that concept in less than a day here.  If you still wish to leave, I will call your mother to come and pick you up.

JULIE

Thanks Headmaster.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 15:  Home Sweet Home

(School hallway, Cynthia and Hannah are talking)

CYNTHIA

So Garret and I were talking about going to see that new movie Pelicula that’s coming out next week, and he said that he got an advanced movie-screening pass.  Isn’t that cool?

HANNAH

Yeah, that’s really cool.

(Julie enters)

CYNTHIA

(Noticing Julie) Well, would you look who it is!

JULIE

Cynthia…What a lovely surprise.

CYNTHIA

Are you being—

JULIE

Sarcastic?  Yes…I am.

(Hannah laughs.  Cynthia lightly slaps Hannah on the arm and gives her a look telling her to stop laughing.)

JULIE

I don’t have time for this Cynthia.  I’m looking for Matt.  Do you know where he is?

CYNTHIA

Actually, no I haven’t seen Matt.  And if I had seen him, I wouldn’t tell you.

JULIE

This is more important than us fighting right now Cynthia.  Can you just tell me where I can find him?  It’s really important.

(Cynthia grunts and crosses her arms in front of her chest, saying nothing.)

HANNAH

He moved schools.  Nobody’s seen him.  He doesn’t hang out with his old friends any more.  If I did know where he was, I would tell you…but I don’t know.  Sorry.

JULIE

Okay, thanks for your help Hannah…Cynthia.

(Julie leaves)

CYNTHIA

What did you think you were doing just then?  Why were you being so nice to her?  We hate her.

HANNAH

No Cynthia…you hate her.  I think she’s really nice.  And frankly, I’m tired of putting up with you.  I spend all of my time putting on a fake smile, pretending to be interested in what you’re saying.  But the truth is, you have nothing nice or intelligent to say…ever.  I’m tired of smiling and nodding through your long rants about pointless things.  I’ve had enough of you. We’re not friends anymore.

CYNTHIA

But Hannah, you’re like my little apprentice.  I’m teaching you how to be popular.  You need me! Don’t do this to yourself.

HANNAH

If being popular means following you around and acting like your rude little clone, then being popular isn’t worth it. (Storms off)

CYNTHIA  (Yelling after Hannah)

Fine!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 16: Mind if I Sit Next to You?

(Matt is sitting on the bench in the park.  Julie enters behind the bench.)

JULIE

Excuse me?  Do you mind if I sit next to you?

MATT

(Turns to look at Julie)  Julie?

JULIE

Hi Matt.

MATT

I thought you were at Browning’s?

JULIE

Not any more.

(Julie sits down on the bench beside Matt)

MATT

How did you find me?

JULIE

I had a feeling that you’d be here.

MATT

I thought you didn’t want to speak to me ever again…

JULIE

I had a change of heart.

MATT

Oh?  Why’s that?

JULIE

At Browning’s, I met a lot troubled people…people who had nobody in their lives to care about them and support them.  All of the people I met struggled to find somebody who’d treat them like a normal person…the way that you treat me.  When I’m with you, I feel like myself, but when I was at Browning’s, I just felt like one blind girl in a sea of other blind people.  You taught me that I was special and that I’m better than all the people who choose to put me down.  I’ve had a change of heart because I’ve realized that I can’t survive in the real world without you.

MATT

I thought I’d never see you again.  It’s only been a short while, but it’s felt like a lifetime.  We’ve both been through so much.  New schools…new friends…new everything.  I thought by making a