(THURSDAY, End-of-the-day, TINO walks with CARVER)
CARVER: Ooh yeah! After tomorrow, school is out for Christmas break!
TINO: Winter break.
CARVER: Whatever. This is going to be sweet. it's like the LOOOONGEST weekend ever.
TINO: Except for Summer.
CARVER: Except for Summer.
TINO: And it's actually equally as long as Spring Break.
CARVER: Au contraire. There is exactly two extra days in Winter Break.
TINO: I see you've given this some though.
CARVER: Given thought to days off school? You better believe it!
(MOIRA walks by)
TINO: Hey Moira.
MOIRA: Hi Tino, Hi Jackass.
(SHE continues walking by)
TINO: Whoa. what's with Moira calling you a jackass Carver?
CARVER: Oh. Didn't I tell you? I broke up with her.
TINO: You did?!? When?
CARVER: A few days ago. I figured I'd've told you. I'm going out with someone else now.
TINO: Oh who?
CARVER: You know Christy?
TINO: That girl that's always so mean to you?
CARVER: No, no. That's Christie. This is Christy with a y. TINO: Oh. um. no, I don't know her.
CARVER: Well she's hot. She's only a Freshman though, which doesn't help my status.
TINO: Um. Carv. YOU'RE a Freshman.
CARVER: Yeah, but I'm a cool freshman, now here's my problem. See, Moira was an average Sophmore, and Christy is a popular Freshman, so I'm not sure which is actually better for my status. All I know is I really like Christy.
VOICE-FROM-BEHIND-THEM: Another white girl?
(CARVER and TINO turn around to see GAVIN, a rather short black kid with a bunch of his friends.)
CARVER: Excuse me?
GAVIN: First you go out with Moira, a white girl, now you go out with Christy, another white girl. and all your friends are.. surprise surprise white.
CARVER: Listen Gavin, I know you're an idiot, and I respect that, but if you could leave your racist comments to yourself, I'd appreciate it. Seeya. Let's go, T. (HE turns around.)
GAVIN: Me? Racist? YOU'RE the one who likes white people better than black people.
CARVER (turning back around): Look, you'd better back off man, I'm getting a little pissed here.
GAVIN: Oh yeah. You know what, you're right. I'm probably ruining your rep right? You wouldn't want to be seen talking to a nigger now wouldja?
CARVER: Listen you piece of-
TINO: Whoa, whoa, guys. Look, Gavin, Carver does NOT like white people better than black people, alright? So why don't you just leave him alone okay?
CARVER: No, I'm not going to have some moron talking shit about me?
GAVIN: Oh what? I'm a moron for not hating my race?
CARVER: Alright that's it!
GAVIN: Oh you want to go? Fine. Tomorrow afternoon, Bahia Park, we'll see how fuckin' tough you are, you whitey-lovin' piece of shit. Let's go guys. (GAVIN and company walk away.) TINO: Man, what a loser.
CARVER: You're telling me, next time I see that kid I swear to God I'm going to bust a capillary or something.
TINO: Well, good thing Winter Break's coming up, that'll give you a long time to cool down, you won't see him for a while.
CARVER: Yeah, I mean, after tomorrow afternoon I won't.
TINO: ...What? Don't tell me you're actually going to fight him?
CARVER: I'm not going to let someone talk shit about me and get away with it. Besides, I'll be okay, I'm bigger than he is.
TINO: That's not the point Carver. Have you lost your mind? You never know what kind of crazy thing that guy might do at a fight. What if he brings a knife or something?
CARVER: Oh. I didn't think of that.
TINO: Don't tell me you're going to do this.
CARVER: Look, Tino, I don't want to hear it right now. This is a matter of honor. I'm going home, I'll seeya tomorrow.
(CARVER leaves TINO looking dumb-struck)
(THURSDAY afternoon, TINO'S house)
TISH: So what's up Tino? Why did you call this emergency meeting?
LOR: Yeah, and why isn't Carver here?
TINO: Look, today after school Carver got into an argument with Gavin because Gavin said Carver liked white people better than black people, and their going to get into a fight tomorrow afternoon, which is really dangerous, because you know how Gavin is.
TISH: God, I can't believe Carver's being this stupid.
LOR: Didn't you try to talk some sense into him?
TINO: I tried! But he said it was a matter of "honor."
LOR: Honor? What is he, a knight or something? ... Dude, that'd be cool. TINO: So, anyway, what're we going to do? He won't listen to reason.
TISH: I think you need to go for the ace-in-the-hole, talk to your mom.
TINO: Tish, are you nuts? This isn't some stupid 'Carver-won't-do-his- diorama' thing. This is serious! If I tell on him my Mom'll have to tell his Mom, and then Carver'd be in trouble, plus hate me.
LOR: Look guys, maybe we should just have faith in Carver. I mean, we've known him for a long time, he's better than this.
TINO: Yeah. I hope you're right.
(FRIDAY, Lunch, TINO sits with LOR and CARVER)
TINO: Hey, so, Carver, I hope you're cooled down from that fiasco with Gavin yesterday.
CARVER: Yeah, I'm cooled, now my mind's focused on the fight, and with a level-head, I know I'll win it.
LOR: So you're still going to do it?!?
CARVER: Guys, would you just let me do this? He insulted me big time, and I can't forgive him for it, if I back down now my reputation will be ruined for life, plus I'll always have it hanging over my head. I'm sorry, this is the way it's going to be. Sorry. (He gets up and walks away)
TINO: We can't let him do this.
LOR: I know it.
TINO: Someone's going to have to follow him to the park to make sure he doesn't go through with it.
LOR: I know it.
TINO: It's going to be me, isn't it?
LOR: You know it.
(FRIDAY AFTERNOON, Bahia Park, CARVER, backpack in tote is walking, TINO is trying to stealthily follow him)
CARVER (setting down his backpack) : TINO! I know you're following me.
TINO (setting down his) : Aw man, I really got to work on my spying skills.
CARVER: Look T, you shouldn't be here. It's dangerous.
TINO: Exactly why YOU shouldn't be here.
(As they talk, another kid, RANDY, approaches them)
RANDY: Yo, Carver, fight's been cancelled man.
CARVER: Huh? What? Has Gavin chickened out?
RANDY: No, his brother got shot in another fight this afternoon. Gavin's seeing him in the hospital. (HE leaves, there's a long pause of silence.)
CARVER: Look, T, I know what you're going to say now, so don't even say it. I probably wouldn't even have gone through with it anyways.
TINO: I knew you wouldn't. But just know this, if anyone is racist against black people. It's Gavin. See, he's got into his head that you're only a real black person if you get into gangs and fights and stuff like that, which both you and I know isn't so. It's a stereotype a lot of have got into our heads, and Gavin, though he's black himself, doesn't seem to be an exception.
CARVER: Yeah. Look. Look, let's get some pizza or something. I'll get Lor, you get Tish. (He picks up a backpack and begins walking away.)
TINO (grayed out background): Well, all's well that end's well. Well. not for Gavin's brother. well. you got what I mean. I just hope Carver's a little wiser now. (He glances down, and looks at the back pack) Hmmm. (He unzips it and looks through the stuff) Oh, you know what this isn't mine. CARVER, YOU FORGOT YOU-
(He stops and slowly picks up a small gun that was in the backpack. he says nothing, and stares at it as it slowly fades to black.)
CARVER: Ooh yeah! After tomorrow, school is out for Christmas break!
TINO: Winter break.
CARVER: Whatever. This is going to be sweet. it's like the LOOOONGEST weekend ever.
TINO: Except for Summer.
CARVER: Except for Summer.
TINO: And it's actually equally as long as Spring Break.
CARVER: Au contraire. There is exactly two extra days in Winter Break.
TINO: I see you've given this some though.
CARVER: Given thought to days off school? You better believe it!
(MOIRA walks by)
TINO: Hey Moira.
MOIRA: Hi Tino, Hi Jackass.
(SHE continues walking by)
TINO: Whoa. what's with Moira calling you a jackass Carver?
CARVER: Oh. Didn't I tell you? I broke up with her.
TINO: You did?!? When?
CARVER: A few days ago. I figured I'd've told you. I'm going out with someone else now.
TINO: Oh who?
CARVER: You know Christy?
TINO: That girl that's always so mean to you?
CARVER: No, no. That's Christie. This is Christy with a y. TINO: Oh. um. no, I don't know her.
CARVER: Well she's hot. She's only a Freshman though, which doesn't help my status.
TINO: Um. Carv. YOU'RE a Freshman.
CARVER: Yeah, but I'm a cool freshman, now here's my problem. See, Moira was an average Sophmore, and Christy is a popular Freshman, so I'm not sure which is actually better for my status. All I know is I really like Christy.
VOICE-FROM-BEHIND-THEM: Another white girl?
(CARVER and TINO turn around to see GAVIN, a rather short black kid with a bunch of his friends.)
CARVER: Excuse me?
GAVIN: First you go out with Moira, a white girl, now you go out with Christy, another white girl. and all your friends are.. surprise surprise white.
CARVER: Listen Gavin, I know you're an idiot, and I respect that, but if you could leave your racist comments to yourself, I'd appreciate it. Seeya. Let's go, T. (HE turns around.)
GAVIN: Me? Racist? YOU'RE the one who likes white people better than black people.
CARVER (turning back around): Look, you'd better back off man, I'm getting a little pissed here.
GAVIN: Oh yeah. You know what, you're right. I'm probably ruining your rep right? You wouldn't want to be seen talking to a nigger now wouldja?
CARVER: Listen you piece of-
TINO: Whoa, whoa, guys. Look, Gavin, Carver does NOT like white people better than black people, alright? So why don't you just leave him alone okay?
CARVER: No, I'm not going to have some moron talking shit about me?
GAVIN: Oh what? I'm a moron for not hating my race?
CARVER: Alright that's it!
GAVIN: Oh you want to go? Fine. Tomorrow afternoon, Bahia Park, we'll see how fuckin' tough you are, you whitey-lovin' piece of shit. Let's go guys. (GAVIN and company walk away.) TINO: Man, what a loser.
CARVER: You're telling me, next time I see that kid I swear to God I'm going to bust a capillary or something.
TINO: Well, good thing Winter Break's coming up, that'll give you a long time to cool down, you won't see him for a while.
CARVER: Yeah, I mean, after tomorrow afternoon I won't.
TINO: ...What? Don't tell me you're actually going to fight him?
CARVER: I'm not going to let someone talk shit about me and get away with it. Besides, I'll be okay, I'm bigger than he is.
TINO: That's not the point Carver. Have you lost your mind? You never know what kind of crazy thing that guy might do at a fight. What if he brings a knife or something?
CARVER: Oh. I didn't think of that.
TINO: Don't tell me you're going to do this.
CARVER: Look, Tino, I don't want to hear it right now. This is a matter of honor. I'm going home, I'll seeya tomorrow.
(CARVER leaves TINO looking dumb-struck)
(THURSDAY afternoon, TINO'S house)
TISH: So what's up Tino? Why did you call this emergency meeting?
LOR: Yeah, and why isn't Carver here?
TINO: Look, today after school Carver got into an argument with Gavin because Gavin said Carver liked white people better than black people, and their going to get into a fight tomorrow afternoon, which is really dangerous, because you know how Gavin is.
TISH: God, I can't believe Carver's being this stupid.
LOR: Didn't you try to talk some sense into him?
TINO: I tried! But he said it was a matter of "honor."
LOR: Honor? What is he, a knight or something? ... Dude, that'd be cool. TINO: So, anyway, what're we going to do? He won't listen to reason.
TISH: I think you need to go for the ace-in-the-hole, talk to your mom.
TINO: Tish, are you nuts? This isn't some stupid 'Carver-won't-do-his- diorama' thing. This is serious! If I tell on him my Mom'll have to tell his Mom, and then Carver'd be in trouble, plus hate me.
LOR: Look guys, maybe we should just have faith in Carver. I mean, we've known him for a long time, he's better than this.
TINO: Yeah. I hope you're right.
(FRIDAY, Lunch, TINO sits with LOR and CARVER)
TINO: Hey, so, Carver, I hope you're cooled down from that fiasco with Gavin yesterday.
CARVER: Yeah, I'm cooled, now my mind's focused on the fight, and with a level-head, I know I'll win it.
LOR: So you're still going to do it?!?
CARVER: Guys, would you just let me do this? He insulted me big time, and I can't forgive him for it, if I back down now my reputation will be ruined for life, plus I'll always have it hanging over my head. I'm sorry, this is the way it's going to be. Sorry. (He gets up and walks away)
TINO: We can't let him do this.
LOR: I know it.
TINO: Someone's going to have to follow him to the park to make sure he doesn't go through with it.
LOR: I know it.
TINO: It's going to be me, isn't it?
LOR: You know it.
(FRIDAY AFTERNOON, Bahia Park, CARVER, backpack in tote is walking, TINO is trying to stealthily follow him)
CARVER (setting down his backpack) : TINO! I know you're following me.
TINO (setting down his) : Aw man, I really got to work on my spying skills.
CARVER: Look T, you shouldn't be here. It's dangerous.
TINO: Exactly why YOU shouldn't be here.
(As they talk, another kid, RANDY, approaches them)
RANDY: Yo, Carver, fight's been cancelled man.
CARVER: Huh? What? Has Gavin chickened out?
RANDY: No, his brother got shot in another fight this afternoon. Gavin's seeing him in the hospital. (HE leaves, there's a long pause of silence.)
CARVER: Look, T, I know what you're going to say now, so don't even say it. I probably wouldn't even have gone through with it anyways.
TINO: I knew you wouldn't. But just know this, if anyone is racist against black people. It's Gavin. See, he's got into his head that you're only a real black person if you get into gangs and fights and stuff like that, which both you and I know isn't so. It's a stereotype a lot of have got into our heads, and Gavin, though he's black himself, doesn't seem to be an exception.
CARVER: Yeah. Look. Look, let's get some pizza or something. I'll get Lor, you get Tish. (He picks up a backpack and begins walking away.)
TINO (grayed out background): Well, all's well that end's well. Well. not for Gavin's brother. well. you got what I mean. I just hope Carver's a little wiser now. (He glances down, and looks at the back pack) Hmmm. (He unzips it and looks through the stuff) Oh, you know what this isn't mine. CARVER, YOU FORGOT YOU-
(He stops and slowly picks up a small gun that was in the backpack. he says nothing, and stares at it as it slowly fades to black.)
