JON
(to LOLITA) You're a dream come true, Lolita! (to CHRIS) Touch her tits! Touch her.
LOLITA straddles CHRIS. She grinds him aggressively.
LOLITA
(whispering to CHRIS) Us school girls like to be spanked. Wanna give me a pat, sweetie?
CHRIS suddenly rises; LOLITA almost falls to the floor.
Fuck off.
CHRIS
Sorry!
LOLITA
You broke my heel, you loser.
The men in the strip club laugh at her. Defeated, she retreats to the shadows.
Lights change.
Scene 14
The locker room of the high school.
TERESA
Dee Close your eyes.
TERESA, along with ASHA, cover DEE's eyes and lead her to a decorated locker. They take their hands off of DEE's eyes.
DEE
It's not my birthday.
ASHA
Yeah, we know.
TERESA
Asha and I were discussing this and I decided that we wanted to do it sooner to make you happy.
DEE begins to tear up.
ASHA
Oh my God, that wasn't supposed to happen.
TERESA
She's crying out of happiness, Asha. Let her. It'll be a release or something.
DEE
Thanks so much, guys.
CHRIS enters. He is dishevelled and staring right at DEE. DEE cowers.
TERESA
Shit. Dee, go with Asha. (to CHRIS) What are you doing here? What do you want from her?
CHRIS
Dee. I need to speak with you.
TERESA
She doesn't want to speak to you. Look at her. Look at what your girlfriend did to her.
CHRIS
Dee. Please. I need to speak with you.
ASHA
Come on, Dee. Let's just go.
DEE is still and cowering.
TERESA
Dee?
Pause.
Dee?
DEE moves slowly towards her friends.
Scene 15
Lights change. A high-school dance. Balloons fall from the sky. A disco ball begins to turn, light twinkles on the walls. Celebration.
TERESA
Is everybody having fun? (cheers) I said, is everybody having fun? (cheers) As you can see, Asha over there…
ASHA enters, her arms overwhelmed with raffle tickets.
…has only a few raffle tickets left. It's five for five dollars or ten for eight dollars. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win the Canada's Wonderland two-for-one pass or the gently used iPod Shuffle. All proceeds go to this year's musical… Guys and Dolls… which I happen to be in. Okay.
TERESA begins looking for DEE in the crowd and spots her near the punch bowl.
Hey girl. How's the punch?
DEE
Non-alcoholic.
TERESA
Perfect. I knew I could count on you. You can dance, you know.
DEE
It's all right.
TERESA
No, really. You can look over the punch bowl and dance at the same time. I don't mind.
DEE
It's okay.
TERESA
(indicating DEE's eye) You can hardly notice, now.
DEE
I know.
TERESA
And she's all the way over there.
DEE
I know.
TERESA
By prom, this'll all be forgotten.
Pause.
I remember these three bullies. We called them the three Keishas because they were all big, they were all mean and they were all called Keisha. They gathered all the girls in grade five to stand around me in a circle and made everyone tell me why they didn't like me. So… what I'm trying to say is… I don't have a black eye like you, but I know how you feel. And you'll always have us.
ASHA, out of breath and still holding the raffle tickets, runs towards the girls.
ASHA
Oh my God! Oh my God!
TERESA
What?
ASHA
Dee, run to the washroom. Run!
TERESA
What the heck?
ASHA
It's Chris. He just came in.
DEE
Where?
TERESA
Crap! Dee, run!
DEE tries to push through the crowd. CHRIS enters.
CHRIS
De!
TERESA
Jeez! He's coming.
DEE is still, looking away from CHRIS but immovable.
CHRIS
Dee, could we talk for a minute?
DEE
(still looking away, stirring the punch bowl) I have to make sure no one puts alcohol into the punch bowl.
CHRIS
What?!
DEE
I'm… You know those Calabra brothers. They're always wanting to… do stupid things… Like last year's Under the Sea dance. It made a bad name for the dance committee just because of one cup of rum. I don't want anyone to get drunk. I can't take that chance.
CHRIS
Okay.
He begins to walk away.
TERESA
Holy awkward.
ASHA
He's like a stalker or something. Can you believe what just happen—
CHRIS suddenly re-enters and grabs DEE.
TERESA
Holy shit.
They kiss. It is a clumsy kiss through adult eyes, but a movie kiss to teens.
ASHA
Oh my God. They're going to do it.
TERESA
Shut up, Asha!
DEE
This is what it feels like to be kissed. His face comes closer. I can smell him. There's this space between my skin and everyone else around me. But now. But now he comes towards me and breaks the wall. I feel the cold tip of his nose touch mine before he closes the gap completely. I've dreamt of this. Of how our lips will lock. I find his upper lip between both of mine. And I'm burning inside. I'm burning. I hope I'm not shaking. The next thing I know is my eyes are closed. I never want to come up for air. And all I'm thinking is, this is what it's like to be kissed. This is what it's like to be led to the dance floor by a boy. His arms are around my waist, the lights dancing. We fit together. His cheek pressed against my forehead. He runs his fingertips along the back of my bra. I'm shaking. But this is what it's like.
Lights down on the scene, lights up on ANNA, slow dancing, looking downstage.
ANNA
Don't look at them. Look at me. Rule #15: Never look elsewhere. Never look at another girl. Especially while you're dancing with me. A girl walks by with a killer body. But you're with me. So you look at me. This is it, man. Us dancing. You know what's going to happen next, right? The way I'm letting you hold me. The way I'm letting you touch me. You know what's coming next. See this body? It's yours tonight. I knew that would get your attention. We can head over to the Bluffs and listen to music.
Pause.
I'm gonna go to the washroom. I'll meet you at the basketball court.
Lights down on ANNA.
Lights up on ASHA and TERESA, looking longingly at DEE.
TERESA
Rule #11: Never ask a boy to dance.
ASHA
A boy is supposed to ask you.
TERESA
I know I am a budding feminist and all, but I can't. I can't bring myself to ask. I stand here and sway.
ASHA
I stand here in my new dress. Pretending to listen to TERESA. And I wait.
I wait to meet eyes with a guy. But I can only look at my new shoes.
TERESA & ASHA
Maybe next time we'll be just as lucky.
Lights up on CHRIS, slow dancing, looking downstage.
CHRIS
It takes a lot to get here. Are they with another guy? Move on. Are they a loser, standing by the wall? Change directions. Are they special? (looks at DEE) Walk forward. Keep walking. Watch to see if they're avoiding eye contact. Do you want to dance? I ask them. Not looking at them. Just a hand extended.
TERESA, ANNA, ASHA & DEE
Sure.
CHRIS
Sure they say. As if they don't care. As if they're not jumping up and down inside. I can feel it. I can feel her shaking when I put my hands around her waist. But sometimes you find a girl. Then you breathe in. Just to smell her.
He approaches DEE.
DEE
What about Anna?
CHRIS
This is where I want to be.
They dance.
Lights up on ANNA. She's at the basketball court, her party dress still on but with a windbreaker over it. She's smoking and on the phone. Every now and then she spits.
ANNA
Okay, dude. Listen, just tell Mom I'm with Jessica. Yes, for the night. None of your business. Just tell her. Go fuck yourself.
She hangs up and dials another number.
Yo. Where are you? I'm here. At the basketball court. Behind the school, you fuck. I'm cold. Will you hurry up? Listen. I'm here waiting. You don't keep me waiting. Not when… fuck. Fine. No. Whatever.
She hangs up. She dials someone else.
Hey. It's me, Anna. I'm at the basketball court. Wanna see me?
Scene 16
Family Life class. SISTER GRACE places another transparency on the projector.
SISTER GRACE
"Excuses Your Boyfriend May Give You for Having Sex and Arguments Against It" #2.
"Baby, I need to have sex or I will die." The truth is, folks, what is known as "blue balls" can never kill a man. It will simply cause pain and discomfort.
student #2
Then why does it hurt so much when you don't have sex?
SISTER GRACE
All the more reason for you to find your life partner. Just think: Married couples can have all the sex they want with each other for the rest of their lives.
STUDENT #3
"Baby, don't worry. You can't get pregnant on your first time." Most girls have started their period before their first time having sex, which means they all ovulate. If the egg is there, and the sperm are there, there will always be a chance of pregnancy, whether it's the first time or the hundredth time. However, you cannot get pregnant as a result of rape. It is an act of hatred and violence. And God only creates children out of love, and sometimes lust.
Scene 17
Lights change. The guidance office. SISTER GRACE waters her plants as DEE enters. She puts down her watering can to adjust her habit.
SISTER GRACE
Have a seat. Go on. Sit down.
Pause. DEE obliges.
All of the staff here at St. Cecilia's feel you are meant to do great things. You have excellent marks. You're a volunteer at all of our masses. Well… except the last few. Lately, we've noticed a difference. We don't see you with Teresa or Asha much anymore. We're concerned.
Pause.
Do you know CHRIS de Sousa?
Pause. Lights up on CHRIS in the back seat of his car.
CHRIS
Why are you giggling?
Pause.
(indicating her bra) You can take that off, you know.
Pause.
What?
Pause.
Take it off. I want to see them.
Pause.
Please.
Pause.
Can I?
He unbuckles her bra with one easy move.
SISTER GRACE
We've noticed you're a couple.
CHRIS
Take it off.
She obliges, but then covers her breasts with her arms.
Let me see.
Pause.
You're so fucking cute. Stop giggling. Come on. Let me see.
Pause. She finally lets her arms go.
Shit.
Pause.
Shit, Dee. You're beautiful. They're beautiful. Don't cover them.
SISTER GRACE
He seems to have a lot of girlfriends.
Pause.
Dee, as you know, I am the teacher of Family Life here. I do that job with all of my heart. I do it because I want young women like you to mature in their bodies without the shame that sometimes comes with that maturity.
Pause.
Sometimes, the voice of God is overwhelmed by the voice of the body.
Pause.
Do you know what foreplay is?
Pause.
Sometimes it can be called "making out." You see, the prefix can be deceiving. It implies that it's what happens before the actual act but—
DEE
We didn't do it.
SISTER GRACE
Excuse me?
DEE
I'm still a virgin.
SISTER GRACE
But my point is…
DEE
I have a question, though, Sister Grace.
SISTER GRACE
I'm all ears.
DEE
When I was in your last class, we talked about the definition of foreskin.
SISTER GRACE
Uh-huh.
DEE
I guess I just can't visualize it. I'm a bit confused.
SISTER GRACE
Uh-huh.
DEE
You mentioned that in a circumcision, the foreskin is peeled back and cut off.
SISTER GRACE
Yes.
DEE
I'm just… well… is it like dead skin? Like… when it's cut off, does it grow back again?
SISTER GRACE
Well… no…
DEE
And what about guys who aren't circumcised? Like, what does it look like? Someone told me it looks like a turtleneck. Is that true?
Pause.
SISTER GRACE
I imagine so.
CHRIS unzips his pants.
CHRIS
You've never seen a penis?
Pause.
SISTER GRACE & DEE
No.
DEE
And you mentioned fornication.
SISTER GRACE
Yes.
DEE
I guess… I just want to know: Is it a sin… to… just think about it? Not to do it?
CHRIS
What are you thinking?
DEE
I mean… wouldn't God be really happy if I thought about fornication and didn't do it?
CHRIS
Do you think it's weird-looking or something?
SISTER GRACE
Thinking about it is doing it, my child.
Lights down on SISTER GRACE.
DEE
He pulls it out and I'm shaking. I don't know what to do.
CHRIS
Touch me.
DEE
I'm not thinking anymore. I'm doing. I am touching him. He's warm and hard. I don't know what to do so he shows me. And I do it. He closes his eyes like he's sleeping and smiling at the same time. My wrists hurt but I do it. I do it until he opens his eyes again. I'm different now. He hands me a tissue so I can wipe myself dry. He holds me. Satisfied. Every now and then we can see headlights flashing across the car windows. But no one
—not even God—can see us through the fog and the hard roof of his car. We are alone in here. Alive. Alive. Alive. Untouchable.
Scene 18
A school hallway. DEE is smiling while walking. TERESA stands watching her.
CHORUS
Rule #9.
Everyone knows
When a girl loses it
You can see it in her eyes.
The way she walks
And talks,
So loose
And knowing.
She knows something now,
Something you don't know.
A smile that says something.
TERESA
Why are you smiling?
DEE
Huh?
TERESA
You walked right by me. And I saw you smiling.
DEE
Maybe I'm happy.
TERESA
Okay.
TERESA begins to walk with her.
Are you coming to improv team tonight?
DEE
I'm with Chris.
TERESA
You're always with Chris.
DEE
He's my boyfriend. And it's Friday.
TERESA
Whatever.
DEE
Are you upset now? Teresa, it's not like I'm ignoring you guys. Stop being so silly.
TERESA
People are talking about you two, you know.
DEE
People are always talking.
TERESA
Is it true?
DEE
Is what true?
TERESA
That you guys did it?
DEE
Jesus, Teresa. I'm… I can't believe this.
TERESA
Why didn't you tell me? I'm one of your best friends. Well… I am your best friend and Asha is a close friend.
DEE
Tell you what?
TERESA
I should be the first person you tell when you finally lose it. I've been your friend since grade seven. He's only been your boyfriend for a month.
DEE
A month and a half. And I didn't, okay? I haven't lost it.
TERESA
Then what do you guys do? You're always late for class now and you're starting to look like Anna—
DEE
Listen, okay? There's a lot you can do before he puts it in you. And he hasn't had it in me. Okay?
TERESA
Okay.
She looks intensely at DEE.
DEE
What?
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