INT. Dorm Kitchen. Noon
CAST
Clara- A freshman who’s life is baking and doesn’t care much about school. Sister of Klein.
Klein- A senior who cares more about his sister’s future than his own. Brother of Clara.
Scene 1
Klein is sitting at the kitchen table looking at their end of second trimester report cards eating a cookie that Clara had just baked from scratch.
Klein
Disgusting.
Takes a bite out of the cookie
Clara
What?
Klein
This is disgusting.
Takes another bite
Clara storms over, eats Klein’s cookie.
Klein
Oih, I was eating that!
Clara
But you said it was disgusting!
Klein
I meant your grades... How are we going to improve them by the end of this marking period! They told me that even as my sister they would kick you out if there isn’t any improvement by then end of the third marking period. We have like what, two weeks? Damn it Clara! What am I supposed to do with you!
Clara
I don’t know Klein! Just send me off to baking school! Or cooking school! I would do so much better there!
Klein
Actually... I doubt you would. Your inability to commit yourself to a language would be a problem. You’ve gone through French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Greek, Latin, and you want to switch back to French? Just to go to baking school? You’ll have to start from the beginning and you’ll have to be committed. And you’ll have to remember that I won’t be there to help you.
Clara
But, still. I don’t even put one tenth of the effort I put into baking ---
Klein
Which is exactly why I am prohibiting you from baking for two weeks. For these two weeks I am tutoring you, you will be studying only.
Clara
I can’t do that! You don’t understand! Baking is---
Klein
Useful in making people gluttonous.
Clara
But---
Klein
Clara. You will be raising your marks this trimester. Or else you will be home schooled by me. Which means I will have to drop out of school myself.
Clara
Fine! But I hate you. I hate this. I hate how you’re making me give up the only thing in the world that means anything to me for school! For memorizing formulas that I’ll never use again, for reading books I’ll never remember, for wasting my time on useless things.
Clara EXIT, Klein sighs.
SCENE END
Scene 2
INT. Klein’s Dorm. Around midnight.
Clara and Klein are studying in Klein’s dorm past midnight. Clara yawns and dozes off.
Klein
Clara! Wake up! You need to study!
Shakes her
Clara
Oh, what? Sorry Klein, could I just go to my dorm and sleep now?
Checks phone
It’s already past 11 Klein, I’m going to sleep.
Rises from her chair
Klein
What? You’re going to sleep? No, you need to study. You need to memorize these formulas, and read the next two chapters for English. Clara! Come back here!
[Reminder: It’s 11pm]
Grabs her and stands in front of her.
Clara. Just concentrate for one more hour.
Clara
One more hour Klein? One more hour? Klein. Do you know how hard it is for me to concentrate on this stupidity when all I want to do is bake? Do you know how much I baking means to me? Of course not, there isn’t anything you want in life. Nothing. Because you’re perfect Klein, perfect student, athletic, fairly handsome, fairly popular, everyone loves you Klein, BECAUSE YOU’RE PERFECT. And then of course, there’s me. A stupid klutz who can’t even walk down the hallway without tripping, doesn’t even know the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, I can’t compare to you Klein. So why, why can’t you let me go? Why can’t you let me do the things I want to do Klein? Because I’ll never be the perfect little sister you want. I’ll never be a mini you. I just don’t get this stuff! So please, just let me go.
Klein
Runs hand through hair
I’m sorry Clara, the one thing I want is for you to be happy. But I can’t see a happy future in you baking, and being a pâtissier. I see only a happy one in studying and going to college and becoming a doct---
Clara
Sighs
You’ve been sucked into their world brother. Those aren’t your dreams. Those are what society wants from you. Klein, do you really want to major in medicine and law? How boring is that? Why not be an actor or an artist or a writer even! I’m sorry Klein. No matter what you say, no matter what you do. I’m leaving. I’m going to become a person you hate. Because baking is the thing I love. And I’m not going to lose it for you. “I’m the one that has to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to.” Isn’t that what Jimi Hendrix said? Thanks for taking care of me and everything instead of our parents. Don’t feel like you’ve failed yourself because I know you were trying to help me be happy, but in the end this decision was mine. I knew what made me happy, and I know I’ll be happy. Adieu brother.
Kisses Klein on the cheek.
Clara EXITS, Klein continues to stand there.
SCENE END.
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