ACT ONE (cont.)

(Lights Up. It's the hallway of JACK's old school. JACK walks on with his friend, CHARLIE. On the other side comes JACK's girlfriend, BETSY.)

Charlie: So this is your last week here. You're very last week! Man! This school is going to miss you.

Jack: Well, maybe not Rogers.

Betsy: I know one person that will miss you.

Jack: Oh, hi Betsy.

Betsy: I'm really going to miss you. (They embrace.)

Jack: I'm going to miss you even more.

Charlie: Yuck, true love. Sick, I tell you. I'm heading to English. (he exits)

Betsy: This school is going to be lonely without you.

Jack: I'll never forget you.

Betsy: (making a joke) You better not.

Jack: And just think, it was almost.almost.

Betsy: .paradise?

Music Starts, "Almost Paradise" (originally from the musical "Footloose")

JACK

I thought that dreams belonged to other men

'Cuz each time I got close

They'd fall apart again

BETSY

I feared my heart would beat in secrecy

I faced the nights alone

Oh, how could I have known

That all my life I only needed you

BOTH

Whoa-oa

Almost Paradise

We're knocking on heaven's door

Almost Paradise

How could we ask for more?

I swear that I can see forever in your eyes

Paradise!

BETSY

It seems like perfect love's so hard to find

I'd almost given up

You must have read my mind

And all these dreams I saved for a rainy day

They're finally comin' true

BOTH

I'll share them all with you

'Now we hold the future in our hands

Whoa-oa

Almost Paradise

We're knocking on heaven's door

Almost Paradise

How could we ask for more?

I swear that I can see forever in your eyes

Paradise!

JACK

And in your arms salvation's not so far away

We're gettin closer, closer every day

BOTH

Whoa-oa

Almost Paradise

We're knocking on heaven's door

Almost Paradise

How could we ask for more?

I swear that I can see forever in your eyes

Paradise!

(after the song ends, JACK leaves, with a check kiss on BETSY. BETSY begins to leave but is stopped by her best friend, TINA)

Tina: GGGGiiiiirrrrrlllll, I saw what happened and you love him badly, girlfriend. I mean, he's leaving and breaking your heart at the same time. Come on, just tell him and he'll.

Betsy: We've been going out since we were in the fifth grade. He can't do anything, he's moving! Does he need to spell it out for you. M-O-V-I-N-G! Get it, got, it, good!

Tina: (pause) Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed! And I'm not saying the left side, I'm saying you left your heart in San Francisco.

Betsy: Maybe it was meant to be this way. Not all relationships last forever.

Tina: But Betsy.?

Betsy: I need some time alone, Tina. (she leaves)

Tina: She loves him. BADLY!!!

(ROGERS enters.)

Tina: Look what the cat dragged in.

Rogers: Shut up! You know, I'm going to miss Dandy.

Tina: Really, huh?

Rogers: Yep, no one is as much fun to pick on as Jack. (he cracks up)

Tina: Ah, shut up!

Rogers: You know I think he deserves a good going-away party!

Tina: Putting sneezing salts in the party hats, making toothpaste the frosting, and soap as the cake isn't really a party, Rogers.

Rogers: It sure would be hell-a-funny.

Tina: Why can't you just follow the rules for once?

Rogers: I live on the top. Breaking rules is my specialty.

Tina: I know it is.

Music Starts, "I'm A Mean Ole Bully" (originally "Mean Ole Bully" from the musical "The Wiz")

ROGERS

Say what you wanna

But I'm here to stay

'Cause I'm a mean ole bully

You can go where you're gonna

But don't get in my way

I'm a mean ole bully

You'll be standing in a draft

If you don't hear me laugh

And if you happen to come around

Well, you best not make me frown

For I just might knock you down

I'm a mean ole bully

You know I'm ready to fight

And turn your day into night

'Cause I'm a mean ole bully

If you're half bright

You'll detour to the right

From a mean ole bully

All you strangers better beware

This is the king of the school here

And if I happen to let you slide

Don't just stand here

Run and hide

You just caught my better side

I'm a mean ole bully

Look,

You better beware

This is the king of the school here

And if I happen to let you slide

Don't stand here

Run and hide

You just caught my better side

I'm a mean ole bully

I'm a mean ole bully

(the scene shifts over to another part of the hallway. BETSY is alone.)

Music Starts, "Till There Was You" (originally from the musical "The Music Man"

BETSY

There were bells on the hill

But I never heard them ringing,

No, I never heard them at all

Till there was you.

There were birds in the sky

But I never saw them winging

No, I never saw them at all

Till there was you.

And there was music,

And there were wonderful roses,

They tell me,

In sweet fragrant meadows of dawn, and dew.

(In the background, a faint frozen sight of JACK is shown. He is unnoticed by her.)

There was love all around

But I never heard it singing

No, I never heard it at all

Till there was you!

(At the end of the song, the sight of JACK disappears as BETSY leaves. A school bell is heard. Blackout.)