The Fight for a Parking Spot

CHARACTERS

Craig, a high school junior

Derek, Craig’s brother

Julia, a classmate

SETTING:  A high school hallway.

AT RISE:  CRAIG and JULIA ENTER stage left.  CRAIG walks quickly toward center

        stage.  JULIA follows, trying to catch up.

JULIA:  Hey!  I said wait up.

CRAIG:  [Stops and waits for JULIA to approach] Sorry.

JULIA:  You’re sure in a hurry this morning.  At least your brother—

CRAIG:  Don’t get me started about Derek.

JULIA:  Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good.

CRAIG:  We got into another one of our fights after breakfast.

JULIA:  [Looks CRAIG up and down] I don’t see any black eyes or broken bones.

CRAIG:  It didn’t have the chance to get that far.

[DEREK ENTERS stage left.]

JULIA:  [Softly] Speak of the Devil…

DEREK:  [Sees CRAIG and JULIA and approaches. He points at CRAIG.] Just so

        we’re perfectly clear, I’m going tonight. I don’t care what you say.

CRAIG:  I’m not going to start this again, Derek.

JULIA:  Going where?

DEREK:  We’re clear then?

JULIA:  Clear about what?

CRAIG:  We’re clear.

DEREK:  Good.

JULIA:  Would someone please tell me what we’re clear about?

CRAIG:  Just my brother trying to get himself suspended. And probably arrested

        for trespassing.

JULIA:  [Shocked] What?

DEREK:  Shut up, Craig!

CRAIG:  Prove me wrong.

DEREK:  I will.  Tonight.

JULIA:  What’s happening tonight?

DEREK:  A group of us have got a plan for Principal Harris’s office.

JULIA:  But that’s always locked.

DEREK:  So?

CRAIG:  Did I mention breaking and entering?

DEREK:  [Angrily to CRAIG] Look, just because you refuse to be involved in any

        prank, that doesn’t mean—

CRAIG:  It’s called the law, Derek. I didn’t make it up.

JULIA:  Wait. So what is the plan?

CRAIG:  You mean that one that’s going to get my brother kicked out of school?

DEREK:  Not if we don’t get caught. I swear, Craig, if you tell on us…

CRAIG:  I get the picture, okay? But a bad idea’s a bad idea; I don’t care if

        you’re told on or not.

JULIA:  So what’s the prank?

DEREK:  Harris has earned a new parking spot for his truck. Right in front of

        his desk.

JULIA:  No way!

DEREK:  He took his son’s word without even listening to mine after our fight

        last week. [To CRAIG] I told you I wouldn’t let him get away with it.

CRAIG:  That’s not a prank, Derek. That’s revenge.

DEREK:  Like you’re one to talk!

CRAIG:  Who was standing beside you at the end of that fight? I’m not the enemy

        here.

JULIA:  But to get the truck inside the office you’ll practically have to take

        the whole thing apart. Plus, Principal Harris always locks it up at

        night. It’s impossible to get to. People have tried.

DEREK:  There are ways.

JULIA:  [Skeptical] How?

DEREK:  Come with us tonight, and I’ll show you.

CRAIG:  [To DEREK] Now wait just a minute. What makes you think—?

JULIA:  When?

CRAIG:  [Surprised] What?

JULIA:  When?

DEREK:  Midnight. We’re meeting by the storage sheds on the east side.

CRAIG:  [To JULIA] You’re not really thinking—

JULIA:  Why not? It’ll be an adventure, Craig.

DEREK:  You in then?

JULIA:  I’m game.

CRAIG:  [Stunned] You’re kidding.

DEREK:  Face it, Craig. Everyone’s in but you.

CRAIG:  I don’t care who’s in.

JULIA:  [To CRAIG] Why don’t you just come with us? It’ll be fun.

CRAIG:  Getting suspended is not my idea of fun!

DEREK:  [To JULIA] Leave him. He has no idea of fun.

CRAIG:  We both know that’s not true.

DEREK:  Prove me wrong. [To JULIA] Come on, Julia.

[DEREK and JULIA EXIT stage right.  CRAIG calls after them.]

CRAIG:  It’s still a bad idea!

[Lights fade.  CURTAIN.]