Scene:  Random Act

Location: Public Pool in Philadelphia, PA 1977.  

A bi-racial girl with long curly black hair is arguing with a white girl with long curly black hair over a kick board.

BRG:  I was using it first give it back to me.

WG:   I found it by the side of the pool. You weren’t using it so I took it.  It’s mine.

BRG:  No, it’s not.  I put it by the diving boards on purpose because I had to practice my diving, now I need it back, it’s mine.

WG:  Finders keepers

BRG starts to grab the kick board away from the white girl, the WG loses her grip with one hand, but still has one hand on the board as they struggle they both fall into the water.  The lifeguard blows his whistle, points at the girls and tells them to stop fighting.  He throws the BRG out of the pool.  BRG is outraged and insists it’s not her fault the WG took her kick board she was using it first, etc.  The lifeguard isn’t swayed by her argument and BRG walks away from the pool hurt and humiliated.

End Scene.


Scene 2

Location: The Planet  

Carmen, Shane, Tina & Angelica in a Baby Bjorn, Bette, Alice & Dana are sharing a table.  There are coffee cups, juice glasses, and plates with breakfast items in front of everyone except Dana who has just come in from training and is sweaty.  The Planet is busy with people and Kit doesn’t have time to sit with them but she takes Dana’s breakfast order personally.  Alice is all lovey-dovey and happy to see Dana.  Tina is cooing to the baby.  Carmen and Shane are sitting next to each other and holding hands.  We hear the roar of the espresso machine, plates clanking, and chattering and jazz music in the background.

Dana:    Kit, I’ll have a protein shake and a vegetable egg white omelet, no toast or potatoes. [Emphatically rejects the carbs.]

Kit:    I know I’ll get Lara on it, but girl, stop acting like a piece of toast is gonna kill ya.

Bette: Where’s Jenny?  We haven’t seen her in a while.

Tina:  Yeah, how come she wasn’t at the baby naming?

Carmen looks at Shane.

Shane: Well, ah, Jenny’s been away she needed to get some help.

Bette: Help with what, her writing?

Shane: Ah no.

Lara comes out and personally serves Dana her omelet.

Lara:  Hi everyone.

Carmen, Tina, Bette and Dana say hi back simultaneously.

Lara:  Dana let me know if you need anything else.  [Big smile.]

Bette: Lara, I just want to say what a great job you’ve been doing in the kitchen, Kit is really happy and the place is packed!

Tina nods her head in agreement, Angelica coos.

While Bette complements Lara on the good work she’s done in the kitchen Alice makes a “see what I’ve been dealing with face” at Shane.  Shane shakes her head no.  Carmen looks confused.

Lara takes her leave and Bette and Tina look at Shane awaiting an answer to their question about Jenny.

Alice is no longer touchy feely with Dana and once Lara takes her leave she wipes the fake smile from her face.  Alice pushes her plate of food away; she can no longer eat.  Dana digs in hungrily.

Bette: Shane, you were saying.

Shane: Oh yeah, right, um Jenny is getting help for some other problems

Bette gives Shane a questioning, eyebrow raised look.

Shane:  Some stuff from childhood that she needs to work out.

Tina:  Is she okay?

Shane: She will be.

Everybody starts leaving to start their day and they say their goodbyes.  Dana and Alice remain.  Dana notices Alice unhappiness; Alice is fidgeting with her napkin.


Dana:  Al, what’s wrong?

End Scene.