DISCLAIMER: I do not own "In A Heartbeat" or Caitie, Jamie, Val, Tyler, or Hank. I only own Mrs. Walters, Rachel, and Jeremy and of course, Theater Production's Plot.

Five

Jamie is sitting on the bleachers outside after seeing the castr list. Caitie approaches him.

Caitie: How could you not have gotten the part?!

Jamie: I wasn't good enough.

Caitie: No way. You were good. I thought Walters liked you.

Jamie: Walters? No.

Caitie: What?!

Jamie: My English grade isn't so good. A D. Out of a few decent grades.

Caitie: Jamie. You must be joking. I have C's in almost all my classes. And she gave me the part.

Jamie: Yeah, well, she's obssessed with your "indepent spirit".

Caitie: Should-should I drop out?

Jamie: Why would you do that? You got the part, it would give you a good grade, and a main role in a play is never bad. Unless you don't get it-

Caitie: Are you...jealous?

Jamie: Look, I don't really want to talk about it.

He gets up and starts to leave.

Caitie: Jamie!

He leaves before she can say anything else.

Meanwhile, Tyler and Hank are walking down a hallway inside.

Tyler: Caitie Roth! What is she-some gothic rebellion leading girl?

Caitie appears next to him.

Caitie: Pretty much. But compared to being an overacheiving jock, I'll take the title.

Hank: (not noticing Caitie) She also happens to be Val's best friend.

Tyler: Caitie Roth?! Do I look like I'd ever want anything to do with someone like you?! I mean, do you ever do anything other than slack off and complain about all things good?!

Caitie: Oh yeah. I see your point. We have absolutely nothing in common. Wow. I'm in shock, Tyler.

She stops off at a classroom and Tyler and Hank jog ahead.

Hank: At least she stands up for what she believes in. It could be worse, Tyler.

Tyler: How? I was expecting Val to try out and-

Hank: Val did try out.

Tyler: Wait-you mean...Caitie beat Val out of the part?

Hank: Tyler, do you really think Val would ever take the part away from Caitie?

Tyler: Well, I just-

Hank: Look, Tyler, this could be a lot worse. You just have to put it in perspective.

Caitie appears behind them.

Caitie: Well, if it isn't my esteemed costar again.

Tyler: Hello Caitie.

Caitie: Oh, being curteous, are you? That won't exactly work, you know. You just ruined a friendship for me by trying out for this play, and you're on the verge of ruining another one. You know, you're like this huge wrecking ball that goes around destroying people's lives-

Tyler: What are you talking about?

Caitie: You're not exactly, um, resourceful, are you?

She sighs disgustedly, quickens her pace and walks off.

Hank: All right, now I can see your problem.

Tyler: She meant Val, didn't she? This is bad.

Hank: Or that could be an understatement.

After school, Caitie is retrieving her stuff from ler locker. Val sees her and hurries over.

Val: Caitie, about this play...

Caitie: Ugh. Not you too.

Val: Not me too what?

Caitie: Jamie is jealous of me. Never thought that would happen. So, what, are you jealous?

Val: Well, maybe a little bit...but just because of all the extra time you'll be spending with Tyler. Of course I'm a little jealous.

Caitie: Trust me Val, it will not be quality time we spend. And you manage to see him all the time anyway.

Val: Listen, Caitie, I'm just really happy you got this part.

Caitie: Yeah, but how about you?

Val: I didn't get in.

Caitie: Tough casting. Well, of course unless you have a D in drama. Then you're in.

Val: Hey, come on. You'll have fun with this. And the good thing is it's just acting.

Caitie: Which should be a relief for you. And me.

Val: I just heard that tryouts start Wednesday.

Caitie: Tryouts start Wednesday. Warn me, Val. Does this get worse?

Val: Only if three weeks of daily rehearsals sounds bad to you.

Caitie: Which it does. Really bad.

Later Caitie is lying on her bed looking rather sullen, when her phone rings.

Caitie: (answering) Caitie here.

Val: (on the phone) Hi! I'm calling from the station.

Caitie: Oh yeah, you're once again on duty with the Super Squad.

Val: Cai-tie. What's going on at your place?

Caitie: Nothin'. It's leftover night, so everyone's scrambling to get some week-old spaghetti or some other such delicacy.

Val: Well, why don't you come over to the station?

Caitie: And interact with all of your overacheiving lackeys? I'd rather spare myself.

Val: Come on, Caitie. We'll talk, after all, I didn't see you much all day.

Caitie: We only have two classes together, Val. It causes some problems.

Val: Well, okay, Caitie. But-

Caitie: I'll come. Just...don't force me to learn CPR or anything.

Val: Cai-tie! We're hardly authorized to teach a CPR class without permission.

Caitie: Yeah. Bummer. I'll be over in five minutes.

Val: Okay, great, Caitie!

Caitie: Bye. (hangs up) Jeez, Val, sometimes you're more serious than my brother's peanut allergy.

Caitie's younger brother, Jeremy (more commonly known as "Germ") appears in the doorway. He's about eight with light brown hair.

Caitie: Speaking of which.

Jeremy: Hi, Caitie!

Caitie: Greetings, Germ. How's the fiasco outside?

Jeremy: Good. We managed to make a gigantic mess.

Caitie: It's a pity I missed it.

Jeremy: No, that's okay. Besides, you're in a play. Got to practice.

Caitie: Who told you that?

Jeremy: I have my sources...Mom and Dad.

Caitie: Well that's fabulous. Promote me why don't you? Well, I'm leaving. Save something for me...if that's humanly possible.

Jeremy: Okay, Caitie.

Caitie gets up and starts to leave.

Jeremy: Wait, wait! You know your friend Jamie?

Caitie: What about Jamie?

Jeremy: Well, he said maybe sometime we could throw IV bags off the roof at school, and-

Caitie: I'll ask him. Bye, Germ.

Jeremy: See you!

She leaves.

Caitie is walking across the lot in front of the station. She hurries into the station common room.

Caitie: Val.

Val looks up from the couch.

Val: Caitie, hi! I'm glad you're here.

Caitie: Yeah. You invited me. So, is Jamie here?

Val: Yes. Although he's working on inventory.

Caitie: Maybe I'll conveniently leave before he emerges.

Val: He's not the only one unhappy about who made it into the play.

Caitie: Yeah, I spoke with Tyler and you know, I think there was some sort of misunderstanding. He thought you were trying out for Ophelia or somethin'.

Val: Where'd you hear that?

Caitie: At school. Where most valuable information is discovered.

Hank and Tyler enter, not seeing Caitie and Val.

Tyler: So you're saying you really wanted this part?

Hank: Yeah. I did.

Tyler: So you mean you wish you'd gotten the part instead of me.

Hank: Look, I knew you'd get the part, Tyler. I didn't stand a chance. But I still wanted it. To be honest, I really wish I'd gotten it...a lot.

Tyler: Hank, it's not that simple. I didn't just say "Hey I'm Tyler and I'm trying out."-acting is work, Hank.

Hank: I know, but can't you just accept the fact that maybe I wanted the part just as much as you did?

Tyler: Yeah, if not more. It's okay. I wish you'd told me sooner-then I wouldn't be stuck with Miss I-Hate-Authority.

Caitie: (clearing her throat) Which is such a great thing to say because "Miss I-Hate-Authority" is here.

Val: Tyler, that wasn't necessary.

Tyler: I'm sorry-

Caitie: Um, no. If you were sorry, you wouldn't have said anything in the first place.

Hank: Mind if I interject here?

Caitie: Please don't. I have to leave anyway. Without reason or excuse.

Val: Caitie, I'll call you.

Caitie: Yeah. (sarcastically) I'll count on it.

Val: Caitie!

Caitie: Now someone else knows what it's like to be walked out on. Pity it wasn't Jamie.

She leaves the station.

Wednesday at school Caitie is walking around with Brianne.

Brianne: So what exactly happened with you and Jamie?

Caitie: Jealous. Of me. The play, remember?

Brianne: Oh yeah. I heard. Rehearsals with El Jocko.

Caitie: He might as well be the self-proclaimed king of the student body of juniors here.

Brianne: He practically is.

Caitie: Three weeks of rehearsals, Brianne. Does it get any worse?

Brianne: Don't say that. I'm helping with the costuming. At least you'll have one supporter.

The bell rings.

Caitie: Bye.

Brianne: Bye.

After tryouts, Caitie is at home in her room lying on her bed. Rachel walks in.

Rachel: How was the rehearsal?

Caitie: Horrendous. Or perhaps that's an understatement. I am stuck in a cast of preppy overacheivers who talk about nothing but pep rallies and football games.

Rachel: Well, how do you think the play's coming along?

Caitie: In two words-it's doomed.

Rachel: Hey, whatever happened with you and Jamie?

Caitie: He's jealous because I got a part in the play and he didn't.

Rachel: Let me guess, you haven't spoken to each other all day?

Caitie: And I'm guessing you have some wonderful sisterly advice to help remedy the situation?

Rachel: Well, it may not be wonderful. But you need to work this out with Jamie or you'll never get it off your chest.

Caitie: I'll think about it.

Rachel: Well, I'm off. Mom wanted you to pick up some groceries. I'd do it myself but I have work in twenty minutes. Germ's coming home around five from a friend's house, he'll be here when you get back.

Caitie: Right. Come home, drop off the grocery list and ditch Caitie.

Rachel: Come on, Caitie. Cheer up.

Caitie: I'm not really a cheery person by nature, Rachel.

The squad is at the station around 5:30 when the alarm goes off. They prepare to go.

Tyler: What do we know?

Hank: White male around eight or nine years old, allergic reaction to something.

Val: Who called?

Hank: The kid's sister. She was at work and he called her first. Then she called us.

Jamie: How serious is this? Do you know?

Hank: We don't have any further information, but if the kid's alone we should go right away.

They get into the ambulence and drive off.

Meanwhile Caitie is in the checkout line buying groceries.

Caitie: (checking her watch) 5:32. Why did I put this off for so long?

Meanwhile, the squad pulls up in front of a house.

Jamie: Wait-this is Caitie's house!

Val spins around and sees the house.

Val: Uh-oh.

Hank: Come on!

At the same time Caitie is driving home from the grocery store.

Caitie: (checking her watch) Please don't be home yet, Germ. Please. I don't need another speech on responsibility from Mom.

The squad enters the house and see Germ sprawled on the floor.

Hank: It looks like he's having trouble breathing. (he kneels down) Hi, my name is Hank and I'm a certified EMT-

Jamie: Hank, shut up! He's having an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Val: How do you know that?

Jamie: Caitie told me about his allergy to peanuts. It's really serious.

Tyler: Well, what are we supposed to do?

Hank: An allergic reaction to peanuts? Well, it seems like his airway is blocked.

Jamie: This is pathetic! We're all supposed to be official EMTs, aren't we?! And we can't even treat an allergic reaction?! If anything happens to him, Caitie will-

Tyler: We need some kind of injection, I've read about this.

Val: This is not good.

Jamie: You're stating the obvious and we're not even equipped with the right injection.

Hank: How do you know?!

Jamie: I've seen Caitie give it to Germ before.

Tyler: Germ?!

Val: It's his name-what are we supposed to do?!

Jamie: Why isn't Caitie here?

Hank: Look, standing around talking is not going to help. Let me take his blood pressure.

Jamie: That won't help, Hank! Don't you get it?! We just need to keep him awake and have someone call someone from Caitie's family?

Tyler: Uh-don't look at me.

Jamie: Val?

Val: Sure.

She leaves.

Jamie kneels down next to Germ.

Jamie: Jeremy, you're going to be okay. Just stay awake. And-

Hank: We need to find the right injection-

Caitie flings the door open.

Caitie: It's called an EPI pen. (she grabs an injection from the table next to the door) Great job, O overrated EMS.

Hank: Do you...do you know how to use that?

Caitie: Do you? (Hank doesn't say anything) That's what I thought. Now if you would kindly remove yourself from around my brother. This is urgent, okay?

Tyler: Wait, Caitie-what if something goes wrong?

Caitie: Tyler, everyone in my family knows how to use this. When you have a brother with a serious allergy you need to know how to use it.

Caitie gives Germ one EPI injection.

Jamie: Speaking of your family, Caitie...

Val: Yeah, where is everyone?

Caitie: Well, technically everyone crashes here around four, but Wednesdays are exceptions. If Germ could have eaten any nuts on the worst possible day, this is it.

Hank: So, what can we do?

Caitie: Oh yeah, with your super certified stethoscopes and-

Tyler: Caitie, we need to know.

Caitie: Don't interrupt my sarcasm. He'll be okay. You can't really do much else, but you are certified to give another injection. That's all though. If he goes into shock take him into the hospital, although there's not much chance of that because I got here in time and know about the allergy as opposed to Kingsport's oh-so-officient EMS Super Squad.

Jamie: (pointing at Germ) Is that-is that what we call shock?

Tyler: That's definitely shock.

Val: Caitie, we have to drive him to the hospital.

Caitie: Wait-this has never happened to him! He's-

Jamie: We have to take him now. You should call your parents.

Caitie: Just call my parents? You're telling me to do this as my little brother goes into shock and all of you who claim to be EMTs have no idea how to help? And Val, didn't you already call my parents?

Val: No, Rachel. Caitie, we know what to do. Trust us.

Jamie: We messed up. But-but we can make sure he gets help.

Jamie, Tyler, Hank, Val, and Germ are inside the ambulance.

Tyler: So...potentially how serious could this get?

Jamie: (looking extremely concerned) Caitie says-

Tyler: Enough with Caitie-she doesn't know anything about-

Hank: Let the man speak.

Jamie: Caitie's brother has a really serious allergy. It-it can take effect even if he touches a peanut. If he eats one-

Tyler: (starting to look concerned) I'm sure he'll be okay.

Jamie: He has to be. I have no idea what Caitie would do if he wasn't.

Jamie walks into Kingsport Hospital later that night. Caitie is just leaving the room where Jeremy is.

Caitie: Jamie! Where's the rest of your band of do-gooders?

Jamie: I came to see your brother.

Caitie: You came to see Germ?

Jamie: Yes.

Caitie: Well, the doctor says it's okay for us to come in-a guided tour, maybe?

Jamie: Sure.

They walk into Germ's room. Germ is asleep.

Caitie: Well, he's got the works-TV, reclining bed-among other trashy items stuffed into hospital rooms to (sarcastically)make the patients feel at home.

Jamie: Is he okay?

Caitie: Yeah. The doctor says they're just lucky his reaction didn't get any worse.

Jamie: So where's everyone else?

Caitie: The rest of the Roth clan's at home. I came later to make sure he was okay.

Jamie: He seems pretty happy.

Caitie: Sure. Loves the TV. He'll be out by tomorrow but they just have to keep him monitored by nurses until then.

Germ: (waking up) Jamie?

Jamie: (walking over to him) You okay?

Germ: Yeah. (examining his IV) What's this thing in my arm for?

Jamie: That is an IV.

Germ: So that's what an IV looks like! Do you throw the whole thing off the roof?

Jamie: No...just the bags. (He points to Germ's IV bag.) They're fun to throw off the roof at school...if you aren't caught by Carlson.

Caitie: The man's clearly evil.

Germ: Jamie...can you take me to throw the bags off your school? Once I get out? You promised.

Jamie: Maybe once you get out.

Germ: Promise.

Jamie: Okay, I promise.

A nurse enters the room.

Nurse: Okay, people, visiting hours are over. Get out before we have to drag you.

Germ: Let them stay for a few more minutes...please?!

Nurse: Sorry. Leave, please.

Jamie and Caitie leave the room and are walking out of the hospital.

Caitie: Talk about "Invasion of the Body-Snatching Nurse".

Jamie: I know.

Caitie: So whatever happened to not-talking-to-Caitie-because-Mr. Ego-came for a visit?

Jamie: Not ego, Caitie. I just wanted the part.

Caitie: So you're saying that your ego didn't just fly down to earth after Tyler got the part? It was the green monster who came for a visit?

Jamie: If you say so.

Caitie: If it's any consolation, which for you it won't be, I'm having the worst time at all possible with this play thing.

Jamie: So what's wrong?

Caitie: In a word-everything. And then of course there's the fact that Tyler and I aren't exactly what you'd call chummy.

Jamie: You should just work this all out with Tyler.

Caitie: Exactly what Val said.

Jamie: The reason you're not getting anywhere is because you aren't exactly trying-

Caitie: But, Jamie, do I ever try?

Jamie: Just think of this as some statement-a movement. I've got it-you need to prove to everyone that you can be just as good as all those other girls who wanted the part.

Caitie: Jamie-

Jamie: (in a hostile tone) Think about it. Bye.

He leaves.

Caitie: This is getting repetitive.

What did you think? Please review with any comments, questions, ideas, constructive criticism, etc. I really appreciate it!