Serena Walks Home

Scene 1

(School bell rings.)

MOLLY
So, like I was saying, I was talking to Melvin about the...
(Stops, turning to look at the girl, who, until just a moment ago, had been walking beside her.)
Uh, Serena? Serena? Serena, where are you?
(Spots SERENA standing at the doorway of the school.)
Hey, Serena! Earth to Serena!

SERENA
(Still standing at the door of the school, daydreaming. Realizes MOLLY is waiting for her.)
Oh, I'm sorry, Molly. Were you saying something?
(Joins her at the foot of the steps.)

MOLLY
Wow, Serena, you're, like, on another planet today.
(They proceed down the steps of the school building together.)
Is there something on your mind?

SERENA
(In her mind, has vision of herself, happily eating a birthday cake as DARIEN hands her a present, with RINI standing by looking incredibly jealous. Shakes her head, coming back to reality, and decides not to tell MOLLY the truth.)
No, nothing really. Why do you ask?

MOLLY
You're usually louder than this.

SERENA
(Joking half-heartedly.)
Are you actually complaining about my silence?

MOLLY
(Laughs.)
You're right. I better enjoy it while it lasts!
(They stop at the sidewalk.)
Well, I have to meet Melvin at the arcade now, so I'll catch you later.

SERENA
(Waves as MOLLY crosses the street.)
Okay. 'Bye, Molly!

MOLLY
(Walking away.)
'Bye!

SERENA
(Watches her go, then looks around the suddenly-deserted school courtyard.)
All right. I'm bored, I'm alone, and... oh, I'm hungry. Man, what I wouldn't give for some lemon pie right about now...
(Sees a vision of herself eating a large piece of lemon pie, and opens her bag with the intense hope that there will be some food inside. Is so busy looking that she doesn't notice RINI and DIANA sneaking up behind her.)
Where's that candy I stole from Rini yesterday?

RINI
(Yells.)
Booga, booga, booga!

SERENA
(Screams, dropping her bag to the ground. Turns to face RINI and her talking pet cat, DIANA, who are both laughing at her.)
Rini! You scared me!

RINI
(Laughs.)
I know. I was trying to. Besides, that what you get for stealing my candy, "Meatball-Brain!"

SERENA
(Reprimanding as RINI picks up her bag for her.)
Well, that's not very nice. And neither is calling me "Meatball-Brain!"

RINI
No, but you have to admit, it's really funny!
(Laughs again as she hands SERENA her bag.)

SERENA
(Snatching her bag away from RINI.)
No, it's not!

RINI
It was to me.

DIANA
Me, too!

SERENA
(Adjusting her bag.)
IT still wasn't very nice. I think you should apologize.

RINI
Okay, "Meatball Head." I'm sorry.

DIANA
Me, too.

SERENA
(Enraged that RINI is still calling her names.)
Ooh!
(Their conversation is interrupted by the roar of a motorcycle. It's DARIEN.)

DARIEN
Hi, Serena. Hey, Rini. Hey, Diana. Want a ride?

RINI AND DIANA
Yeah!
(Cheer as they jump onto the bike and RINI struggles to pull a helmet over her pink hair, and nearly falls off the bike in the process. DIANA laughs at her pathetic attempts.)

DARIEN
(Laughing.)
Careful, Rini.
(Turns back to SERENA.)
Serena?

SERENA
(Indignant.)
I'd rather walk than ride with that little brat.
(Crosses her arms and turns away, then look s back and blows a raspberry at RINI, who promptly returns on behind DARIEN's back.)

DARIEN
(Shrugs.)
Have it your way.
(Drives away.)

SERENA
(Shocked.)
Huh? No, wait! Ooh, you little wretch!
(DARIEN, RINI, and DIANA leave her all alone on the sidewalk.)
Humph. I don't need you, anyway.
(Begins to walk down the street.)