Scene 3
(ARTEMIS and LUNA can be seen following SERENA as she proceeds down the sidewalk.)
LUNA
Well, Artemis. I hope you're happy.
ARTEMIS
What do you ever mean, Luna?
LUNA
This is all your fault.
ARTEMIS
What?
LUNA
If you hadn't opened your big mouth, I could be home eating right now.
SERENA
(The sudden rumble of SERENA's stomach stops her before a nearby cafe. The cats stop before she can see them.)
Man, I'm hungry. I could be home eating right now if it weren't for my pathetic excuse for a boyfriend.
ARTEMIS
(Sighing as SERENA Walks into the cafe.)
Like owner, like pet.
LUNA
(Not listening since she's watching SERENA so intently.)
What did you say, Artemis?
ARTEMIS
(Trots up beside her and looks inside the cafe.)
Oh, nothing... Should we go in?
LUNA
I think it'll be safe to just wait out here for her.
SERENA
(Takes a look around the crowded cafe. There are no empty tables.)
Dang it.
(Sees AMARA, MICHELLE, and TRISTA at a window booth.)
Hey, it must be my lucky day.
(Approaches the table.)
Hi, guys!
(Starts to get a little worried when the three look up at her silently.)
Uh... can I sit with you guys?
(No reply.)
I'll take that as a yes.
(Sits down next to TRISTA.)
So...
(Looks at each one of the other girls.)
What's up?
(The three open their menus, still not talking to her.)
Okay, guys. Ha, ha. Very funny. Let's all ignore Serena...
(Opens her own menu, not realizing that LUNA and ARTEMIS have come up to the window and have begun tapping lightly to get the girls' attention. As she continues to read her menu, MICHELLE happens to glance out the window, spying the cats.)
MICHELLE
(Gasps.)
Oh!
AMARA
(Whispers, staring at her from behind the menus.)
What's wrong?
TRISTA
(Seeing LUNA and ARTEMIS, mouths and tilts her head in the direction of the window.)
Look...
(The cats explain, in sign language, that they're planning a party and need them to stall SERENA. The girls nod as one and turn back to SERENA.)
SERENA
(Still engrossed in her menu.)
Well, I can play that game, too. Now, let's see. What to eat? What to eat?
WAITER
(Approaches the table.)
What can I get you, mademoiselles?
SERENA
(Thinks intensely as the other three order, having some inner dialogue about various menu items, even comparing one to RINI's head. Looks up and realizes that the waiter and the other girls are staring at her, waiting for her order. Makes her decision and slaps her menu onto the table.)
Do you have any doughnuts?
(Everyone but SERENA falls to the floor, drops of exasperated perspiration, AKA "sweat drops", on their heads, which confuses her.)
What?
WAITER
I'll...uh, see what I can do.
(Leaves, staring oddly at SERENA.)
SERENA
(To herself, as she looks at the others.)
So... Let's try this again.
(Takes a deep breath as she turns back to the others.)
Um... So, uh... Well...
(Stumbles for words, then thinks of something.)
Chased any heart-snatchers lately?
AMARA
(Flatly, staring out the window.)
You're not supposed to talk about that stuff in public, you know.
SERENA
(Cheers.)
Yeah! You're finally talking to me!
(Realizes what AMARA just said.)
Hey. Why not? You guys talk about it in public.
AMARA
(Turns and looks as SERENA as if she's stupid.)
First of all, we don't talk about it that loudly in public, and second of all, your voice carries like a train whistle.
SERENA
(Criticizing.)
Hey, that's not a very nice thing to say!
AMARA
(Turning back to the window.)
You're right. I shouldn't insult the train whistle.
SERENA
(Shocked.)
Oh! I can't believe you said that!
AMARA
(Getting annoyed as she turns back to SERENA.)
And I can't believe you're still talking like that!
TRISTA
(Looks out the window to see DIANA joining LUNA and ARTEMIS. The three cats exchange words, then turn to the window. LUNA nods, showing that the group is ready for SERENA. Nods as she turns back to MICHELLE, whispering to her.)
Hey, Michelle.
MICHELLE
Huh?
(TRISTA motions to the cats, who nod as one and walk away.)
SERENA
(Arguing.)
At least my voice sounds like a female!
AMARA
(Getting up.)
Oh, is that so? Well, if I screamed as much as you did, I'd probably have a voice like that, too!
TRISTA
(Trying to stop the argument.)
Hey, guys...
SERENA
(Also getting up.)
What do you mean, "scream as much as I do?"
MICHELLE
(Louder.)
Uh, guys?
(AMARA and SERENA continue to fight.)
MICHELLE and TRISTA
Guys!
(AMARA and SERENA stop and look at MICHELLE and TRISTA.)
MICHELLE
I'd hate to interrupt a perfectly good and civilized conversation, but, uh...
TRISTA
Could you maybe keep it down a little? The other people are staring.
(As SERENA looks at TRISTA, MICHELLE makes motions to AMARA to tell her that they can let SERENA go now. AMARA nods, showing that she understands.)
SERENA
(Looking around.)
They are?
AMARA
(Smiling as she settles back in her seat.)
So, what else is new? They always stare when "Moonface" goes by.
MICHELLE
(Through clenched teeth.)
Amara...
(Smiles at SERENA, as if apologizing. Shoves AMARA, harder than she intended to, causing her to land on the cafe floor with a thud.)
SERENA
(As TRISTA tries to hide her laughter and MICHELLE looks mortified.)
Now, who are they staring at?
AMARA
(Reaches up and yanks SERENA to the floor, pulling herself up in the process.)
Looks like you, again, "Moonface."
(Sits back down and looks up to see the WAITER has arrived back at the table.)
Oh, hi.
(Glaring at SERENA as she pulls herself back into her seat.)
Um, on second thought, could you make our orders to go?
SERENA
Huh? You guys are leaving already?
(Protesting as the other girls gather their things.)
But I just got here!
AMARA
(Grinning slyly.)
Exactly.
MICHELLE
(Trying to be nice.)
Well, Serena, we do have a lot of homework to do.
(TRISTA nods in agreement.)
SERENA
Homework?
(Laughs.)
Why's everyone so worked up about their homework? I never do mine, and look how I turned out!
(Beams.)
ALL BUT SERENA
(Groans.)
Oh...
(Once again, the "sweat drops" appear on the sides of their heads.)
(ARTEMIS and LUNA can be seen following SERENA as she proceeds down the sidewalk.)
LUNA
Well, Artemis. I hope you're happy.
ARTEMIS
What do you ever mean, Luna?
LUNA
This is all your fault.
ARTEMIS
What?
LUNA
If you hadn't opened your big mouth, I could be home eating right now.
SERENA
(The sudden rumble of SERENA's stomach stops her before a nearby cafe. The cats stop before she can see them.)
Man, I'm hungry. I could be home eating right now if it weren't for my pathetic excuse for a boyfriend.
ARTEMIS
(Sighing as SERENA Walks into the cafe.)
Like owner, like pet.
LUNA
(Not listening since she's watching SERENA so intently.)
What did you say, Artemis?
ARTEMIS
(Trots up beside her and looks inside the cafe.)
Oh, nothing... Should we go in?
LUNA
I think it'll be safe to just wait out here for her.
SERENA
(Takes a look around the crowded cafe. There are no empty tables.)
Dang it.
(Sees AMARA, MICHELLE, and TRISTA at a window booth.)
Hey, it must be my lucky day.
(Approaches the table.)
Hi, guys!
(Starts to get a little worried when the three look up at her silently.)
Uh... can I sit with you guys?
(No reply.)
I'll take that as a yes.
(Sits down next to TRISTA.)
So...
(Looks at each one of the other girls.)
What's up?
(The three open their menus, still not talking to her.)
Okay, guys. Ha, ha. Very funny. Let's all ignore Serena...
(Opens her own menu, not realizing that LUNA and ARTEMIS have come up to the window and have begun tapping lightly to get the girls' attention. As she continues to read her menu, MICHELLE happens to glance out the window, spying the cats.)
MICHELLE
(Gasps.)
Oh!
AMARA
(Whispers, staring at her from behind the menus.)
What's wrong?
TRISTA
(Seeing LUNA and ARTEMIS, mouths and tilts her head in the direction of the window.)
Look...
(The cats explain, in sign language, that they're planning a party and need them to stall SERENA. The girls nod as one and turn back to SERENA.)
SERENA
(Still engrossed in her menu.)
Well, I can play that game, too. Now, let's see. What to eat? What to eat?
WAITER
(Approaches the table.)
What can I get you, mademoiselles?
SERENA
(Thinks intensely as the other three order, having some inner dialogue about various menu items, even comparing one to RINI's head. Looks up and realizes that the waiter and the other girls are staring at her, waiting for her order. Makes her decision and slaps her menu onto the table.)
Do you have any doughnuts?
(Everyone but SERENA falls to the floor, drops of exasperated perspiration, AKA "sweat drops", on their heads, which confuses her.)
What?
WAITER
I'll...uh, see what I can do.
(Leaves, staring oddly at SERENA.)
SERENA
(To herself, as she looks at the others.)
So... Let's try this again.
(Takes a deep breath as she turns back to the others.)
Um... So, uh... Well...
(Stumbles for words, then thinks of something.)
Chased any heart-snatchers lately?
AMARA
(Flatly, staring out the window.)
You're not supposed to talk about that stuff in public, you know.
SERENA
(Cheers.)
Yeah! You're finally talking to me!
(Realizes what AMARA just said.)
Hey. Why not? You guys talk about it in public.
AMARA
(Turns and looks as SERENA as if she's stupid.)
First of all, we don't talk about it that loudly in public, and second of all, your voice carries like a train whistle.
SERENA
(Criticizing.)
Hey, that's not a very nice thing to say!
AMARA
(Turning back to the window.)
You're right. I shouldn't insult the train whistle.
SERENA
(Shocked.)
Oh! I can't believe you said that!
AMARA
(Getting annoyed as she turns back to SERENA.)
And I can't believe you're still talking like that!
TRISTA
(Looks out the window to see DIANA joining LUNA and ARTEMIS. The three cats exchange words, then turn to the window. LUNA nods, showing that the group is ready for SERENA. Nods as she turns back to MICHELLE, whispering to her.)
Hey, Michelle.
MICHELLE
Huh?
(TRISTA motions to the cats, who nod as one and walk away.)
SERENA
(Arguing.)
At least my voice sounds like a female!
AMARA
(Getting up.)
Oh, is that so? Well, if I screamed as much as you did, I'd probably have a voice like that, too!
TRISTA
(Trying to stop the argument.)
Hey, guys...
SERENA
(Also getting up.)
What do you mean, "scream as much as I do?"
MICHELLE
(Louder.)
Uh, guys?
(AMARA and SERENA continue to fight.)
MICHELLE and TRISTA
Guys!
(AMARA and SERENA stop and look at MICHELLE and TRISTA.)
MICHELLE
I'd hate to interrupt a perfectly good and civilized conversation, but, uh...
TRISTA
Could you maybe keep it down a little? The other people are staring.
(As SERENA looks at TRISTA, MICHELLE makes motions to AMARA to tell her that they can let SERENA go now. AMARA nods, showing that she understands.)
SERENA
(Looking around.)
They are?
AMARA
(Smiling as she settles back in her seat.)
So, what else is new? They always stare when "Moonface" goes by.
MICHELLE
(Through clenched teeth.)
Amara...
(Smiles at SERENA, as if apologizing. Shoves AMARA, harder than she intended to, causing her to land on the cafe floor with a thud.)
SERENA
(As TRISTA tries to hide her laughter and MICHELLE looks mortified.)
Now, who are they staring at?
AMARA
(Reaches up and yanks SERENA to the floor, pulling herself up in the process.)
Looks like you, again, "Moonface."
(Sits back down and looks up to see the WAITER has arrived back at the table.)
Oh, hi.
(Glaring at SERENA as she pulls herself back into her seat.)
Um, on second thought, could you make our orders to go?
SERENA
Huh? You guys are leaving already?
(Protesting as the other girls gather their things.)
But I just got here!
AMARA
(Grinning slyly.)
Exactly.
MICHELLE
(Trying to be nice.)
Well, Serena, we do have a lot of homework to do.
(TRISTA nods in agreement.)
SERENA
Homework?
(Laughs.)
Why's everyone so worked up about their homework? I never do mine, and look how I turned out!
(Beams.)
ALL BUT SERENA
(Groans.)
Oh...
(Once again, the "sweat drops" appear on the sides of their heads.)
