Averting a Tragedy

Question

A. Gautam

LILY, a seventh grader
CASH, a seventh grader
ANGELLE, Cash’s best friend
RAUL, Cash’s best friend

Scene I

[School night. Curtains open to Cash and Raul in Raul’s room. Raul is helping Cash with Algebra.]

CASH: [Checking his phone and gasping] Oh no. No. No. No. No.

RAUL: [Puts the books aside] What’s wrong?

CASH: Angelle sent me a text, and I think I sent it to Lily instead of Lyla. Lily’s going to spread it like wildfire. It’s all over. I can see the ashes of our friendship. Angelle will hate me now. Why was I so--

RAUL: [Gets up] What's the text?

CASH: A picture of her arm. She thinks there’s a weird discoloration, and she wanted Lyla to take a look.

RAUL: Lyla as in Doctor Lyla? You never told us she was your sister.

CASH: Why would I? Everyone in school would ask me to ask her about their skin. I can’t do that. Angelle is my best friend. I couldn’t say no to her. What’s going to happen now?

RAUL: Why do you even have Lily’s number?

CASH: Who doesn’t have her number? You need to know who’s spreading gossip. [Paces back and forth as curtains close]

Scene II

[Curtain opens to school gym.]

RAUL: It’s all good. I called Lily and went over to her house and did her Algebra homework for her. She let me delete the text and deleted the folder where the photo was saved.

CASH: I owe you, buddy.

RAUL: Please pay attention next time. It’s not just a toy, you know.

CASH: Not now. I’m already half dead with guilt. You are punching a fallen soldier.

RAUL: Why. [Throws arms in the air] Why do you have to talk like that? [Quickly gathers himself] Oh, here she comes. Hey, Angelle! [Smiles big]

ANGELLE: [Hugs Raul and points to Cash] Can I talk to you in private? [Watches Raul go to the balcony] Why are you shaking like a leaf about to fall off? Are you okay? [Feels his forehead]

CASH: I need to beg for your forgiveness. I accidentally did something terrible. Raul fixed it, though.

ANGELLE: Oh, the picture you sent to Lily? She told me about it. We’re cool.

CASH: [Turns pale as a ghost] What do you mean she told you?

ANGELLE: Lily’s not as bad as you think. I know it was an accident. She has deleted it. She told me about how bad you felt and how quickly you took action. She was so jealous that I have friends like you and Raul.

CASH: So, you aren’t mad at me?

ANGELLE: [Tries hard to seem serious and bursts out laughing] Well, you could help me memorize my lines for the play. I'm sure you know yours already.

CASH: Let me catch my breath first. [Pretends to gather strength, breathes deeply, and smiles] Okay, I'm ready. [Curtain closes.]

Answer 1

Averting a Tragedy
By A. Gautam

Scene III

[CurtaIn opens to a classroom. A few students are gathered around desks, some chatting, others working on their projects. Cash, Angelle, and Raul are sitting at one of the tables. The tension of earlier is now lighter, and the students are excited for the upcoming play.]

CASH: You know, I was really worried that I had messed everything up. I just couldn’t handle the thought of losing you as a friend, Angelle.

ANGELLE: [Grinning] You really thought I would hold that against you? Honestly, I appreciate you even more for caring so much! Besides, it gave me the best story to tell!

RAUL: [Leaning back in his chair] Can you imagine? “The Great Text Mix-Up.” I should write a screenplay for that!

CASH: [Rolls his eyes] Let’s not turn my life into a drama.

ANGELLE: [Teasingly] Oh, come on! It’s already dramatic enough, Cash. You’re just lucky it had a happy ending.

RAUL: Speaking of happy endings, we should totally practice for the play later. Angelle, your lines are going to steal the show!

ANGELLE: [Flashes a confident smile] Thanks, Raul! With you guys by my side, I’m sure we’ll do great.

CASH: [Nods enthusiastically] Yeah! And I’ll be your cheerleader. [Pretends to do a cheerleading dance] Go Angelle!

[The other students laugh, and Angelle playfully blushes.]

ANGELLE: Stop, you’re making me embarrassed!

[Suddenly, the classroom door swings open, and Lily enters with her bag slung over her shoulder. The room goes silent for a moment as everyone looks at her.]

LILY: [Slightly nervous but determined] Hey, everyone! Is it true that the play rehearsals are tonight?

RAUL: [Waves] Yup! In fact, we were just talking about it!

CASH: [Feeling a bit tense again, but hides it] Yeah, we could use all the help we can get!

LILY: [Steps forward with a friendly smile] I don’t want to intrude, but I’d love to come and watch. I promise not to yell “line!” I’ll just be supportive.

ANGELLE: [Brightening] The more, the merrier! We’d love to have you there!

CASH: [Surprised, then smiles awkwardly] Sure! Just... make sure my lines are off-limits for teasing.

LILY: [Laughs] No promises!

[The atmosphere lightens and the group begins to chat and share the excitement of the play.]

RAUL: [Nudging Cash] See? Things turned out fine. Just remember to watch where you send your texts next time.

CASH: [Chuckles] Lesson learned. No more texting in a panic—only rehearsing!

[They all laugh together, feeling a sense of camaraderie. The sound of laughter echoes as the curtain starts to fall.]

Scene IV

[Curtain opens again to backstage during the play’s rehearsal. The energy is buzzing as the students get in costume and prepare for their scenes. Angelle is in her costume, practicing her lines.]

ANGELLE: [Running the lines] “Fair is foul, and foul is fair…” [Pauses and turns to Cash] What do you think?

CASH: [Nods supportively] You’re nailing it! Just remember to project your voice a bit more!

[Raul, dressed as a supporting character, chimes in.]

RAUL: And don’t forget to add some feeling! What’s your character’s motivation?

ANGELLE: [Considers] Right! Fierce determination to save her kingdom! [Raises an arm dramatically] “I will not rest until justice is served!”

[Everyone else backstage giggles, and the mood is light and jovial. A commotion starts as more students arrive, and the excitement builds.]

CASH: [Grinning at Angelle and Raul] Look at us! We’re a real team.

[As they prepare for the play, the pre-show jitters kick in, but there’s a camaraderie that assures them they can face anything together, including past misunderstandings.]

[Curtain closes.]