I love you
Yes I love you
Sarah: I'm so sorry, Landon.
Landon: No. You did the right thing, it's just, I just-
Mayzie: Sometimes it's hard to do the right thing. But we keep pushing. And we keep fighting for what's right, because the right thing will always be the best thing.
Charlotte: Wait a second. We can fix this!
Landon: What do you mean?
Charlotte: We don't have to split up, you don't have to split up.
Sarah: I'm not staying here. Not after I told you all.
Charlotte: You wouldn't have to! It's the perfect solution.
Everyone is clearly getting excited.
Mayzie: Well?
Madison: How do we all stay together?
Charlotte: It's simple. We just tell the people who put us in foster care to keep us together.
Everyone deflates. MAYZIE begins to get angry
Mayzie: Please tell me you're kidding.
Charlotte: It's easy! All we do is-
Mayzie: Please tell me that isn't your idea.
Charlotte: Why? What's wrong with it?
Mayzie: Oh my god, you're serious.
Charlotte: I'm confused.
Sarah: Mayzie, she's new.
Mayzie: So you just wave your magic wand and everything's fixed? That's how it is. Because it's not like any of us wanted to have our siblings taken away from us!
Charlotte: You had siblings?
Mayzie: Oh yeah. I had a sister. Annie had two brothers. But no, everyone gets a happy ending because you did.
Annie: What she means is-
Mayzie: Don't translate for me. You know why we're here, Charlotte? You wanna know? Because nobody wanted us. Nobody.
Clark: Mayzie, I'm sorry you-
Mayzie:
Who could love me? Poor old Mayzie.
What could they want?
Been in the system for fourteen fucking years
Who would I be?
Who would I be if somebody wanted me
If somebody wanted me
I bet I'd be in a big white house with a perfectly painted fence
And two parents who would love me even when I'm a mess
And maybe I'd have siblings who'd tell me to behave
But most of all I'd have a home to stay
To stay
Who would I be if someone had cared
Who would I be if someone had dared
Who would I be if someone had told me that everything would be fine
Would would I be
If somebody wanted me
If someone had wanted me
I bet I'd have a family who'd sit together once a day
I bet I'd have a mom who knits
And when it's getting cold outside she's pull out lavender sweaters
Ad they'd always perfectly fit
I bet I'd have a dad who was loving
Who'd teach me how to change a car in an old dusty garage
(Belting so loud, you can hear the pain and want in her voice.)
He'd toss me the keys to my new used car
And he'd teach me how to drive
And we'd drive through all of Bozeman
And we'd drive down Grand avenue
Through all of Montana and then
We'd stop for coffee and hit the road again
From Troy to Baker across the whole of the state
(Calming down)
And we'd smile at each other in the silence of the car
And suddenly the distance doesn't seem so far
And we get back to Bozeman and we laugh in that dusty garage
(She breaks, plopping down on the bed, realizing this elaborate daydream will never happen)
But they didn't want me anyway
They'd never want me anyway
Who would I be if someone had cared
Who would I be if someone had dared
Who would I be if someone had told me that everything would be okay
Would would I be
If somebody wanted me
If someone had wanted me
If somebody wanted me.
Charlotte: I don't understand?! They couldn't separate you guys! You're practically family.
Mayzie: Don't you get it?! They don't care about us. They don't care about where we are, as long as they don't have to deal with us. They, the system, the evil friggin' system is corrupt.
Charlotte: We can petition the courts!
Mayzie: Do you have money for a lawyer.
Charlotte: There has to be a way!
Mayzie: But their isn't. And at some point you have to learn to live with that.
Lights dim, spotlight is on CHARLOTTE
Charlotte: Dear diary, I feel so powerless. I feel so stranded. It's like there's-
The spotlights shine on whomever is speaking, but one is always on CHARLOTTE
Mayzie: -Nothing you can do. Maybe you should learn to-
Sarah: -Think about things logically before you say something, before you-
Landon: -Get our hopes up about things that will-
Mayzie: -Never happen. You're one of us now and you-
Clark: -Are my sister. Now what if they split us-
Madison: -All apart. We wouldn't be safe anymore. We would be-
Charlotte: -Stranded. So you're planning on-
Landon: -Stealing West's phone and-
Mayzie: -Calling the police and reporting West-
Sarah: -He could kill us, so we need to-
Madison: -Be prepared to fight back but-
Clark: -What if something goes wrong. What if-
Charlotte: -He shoots us.
Blackout
Charlotte: Dear diary, I'm not sure what to do.
End of Act I.
Act 2
Scene 1
CHARLOTTE stands in the middle of the stage with the light only on her. She writes in her diary.
Charlotte: Dear diary, the more I speak, the more tension builds. It's like everything I do is wrong. I'm scared of ripping the Willow Hills kids apart. I'm afraid that I'm the reason they're separating.
Lights up on the Willow Hills kids in a circle, playing "Never Have I Ever"
Landon: Never have I ever read a book over 300 pages.
MADISON, ANNIE and MAYZIE clap their hands once and put a finger down.
Charlotte: Wait! I'm still confused on how to play.
Landon: I say something I haven't done. If you've done it, you clap and put a finger down.
Charlotte: So if I've read a book over 300 pages I clap?
Landon: Yes.
Charlotte: Well duh. (She claps and puts a finger down)
Landon: Gee, thanks.
Madison: Never have I ever drank Gatorade.
Everyone claps and put a finger down. Except MADISON.
Clark: Oh my god, really?
Madison: Yeah. We don't have that in England.
Charlotte: Oh wow.
Sarah: My turn! Never have I ever been out of Montana.
CHARLOTTE and MADISON put their fingers down and clap. CLARK glares at CHARLOTTE.
Madison: Really? That's just plain rude.
Mayzie: Charlotte, I thought you said you've been in Bozeman all your life?
Charlotte: (Flustered) I-um-I misunderstood the question! You said been out of Montana? I thought you said been in Montana! Whoops! I mean, why would I ever leave Montana, with all those-um-cows?
Everyone is suspicious of CHARLOTTE but they let it slide.
Landon: Mayzie, how about you go.
Mayzie: Uh, okay. Never have I ever-uh-shoplifted.
LANDON claps and puts his finger down
Charlotte: Oh my god, are you serious?!
Landon: Pre-foster care. I was 3. I stole a pack of batteries from a radio shack.
Sarah: A radio shack? Who the hell goes to Radio Shack?
They all laugh
Landon: Clark, bud, why don't you go?
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Clark: Never have I ever skipped class.
ANNIE claps and puts a finger down.
Sarah: What?! When?!
Annie: Long story.
Sarah: Your turn, Charlotte!
Charlotte: Pass.
Landon: (Not happy that CHARLOTTE passed) I guess I'll go then. Never have I ever...been called a slut. (He laughs)
All the girls clap and put a finger down.
Landon: What?! How?! Madison you're so young- Annie I know for a fact you've never-
Charlotte: It's practically just life for girls. We're all just...sluts to everyone. No matter what. We all just get called sluts.
Landon: (In disbelief) Never have I ever been catcalled.
All the girls put their fingers down and clap.
Landon: Never have I ever-
Mayzie: Stop, Landon.
Landon: You're lying, Madison. Please tell me you're lying.
Madison: Why do you want me to be lying?
Landon: Because you're thirteen, you're a child. Children shouldn't be catcalled, or-or be called sluts. That's just wrong.
Charlotte:
It's the norm, to be called a slut
Even though you've never touched a boy
Even if you're pure as hell you always-
Sarah:
Are a whore
It's a norm to be called a whore
It's a norm from the moment we're born
Not a human just a-
Mayzie:
Piece of meat
Rarely get respect from people on the street
Like, hey cutie come take a ride in my car
And I'm scared he might take me away
From my-
Annie:
Home. Or what's left of it
From my brother and sisters and school
This home isn't much but he'll take me away
For good. He'll take me away
Madison:
Forever. He'll take me away forever
To the room in his basement
Where he'll never let me see my room again
So when he says "C'mon why are you running"
I run like hell to the hills
And I keep running
Sarah:
I don't stop running
Girls:
I keep running
Because I'm afraid he catch me
Because I'm afraid he won't leave me alone
I am afraid of his hands on me
Tonight
Mayzie:
And I am afraid he will find me
And I am afraid of his mind
Charlotte:
I am afraid of his intentions
His poor intentions
Sarah:
And he drives off in his explorer
To attack some poor other girl
And I am afraid of the girl and the man who will get her
Annie:
That poor girl could die today
And I feel bad for being relieved
But I'm safe
And I'm home
Still shaking
Still scared
Girls:
But I'm home
I'm home
Still shaking
Still scared
But I'm home
I'm home
I'm home
Landon: I-I had no idea. I feel so ashamed.
Charlotte: It's not your fault, Landon. It's...I don't know who's fault it is, but it's not yours. It's not an "all men are responsible" thing. It's a "society is a bitch" kind of thing.
Landon: I just- I don't know if I'm adding to the problem. I don't want to be the reason you run away scared. I'm scared of being your source of fear. I just-
Sarah: Landon! Enough! You're fine! I promise.
Landon: I just-
Sarah: Landon.
Annie: My dad once told me, when I was really little, that you're only responsible for the choices you make. The choices you are responsible for. That's it. That's all.
Charlotte: Your dad?
Annie: Yeah?
Charlotte: You have a dad?
Annie: I had a dad?
Charlotte: Oh, I-
Annie: What, because I'm a foster kid I can't talk about my parents? I'm not allowed to know about them, they just don't exist?
Charlotte: No-I-
Annie: Because they did. They were amazing. And they aren't something I'm just going to throw away because you don't want to hear about them.
Charlotte: ANNIE. Please. I wasn't saying you weren't allowed to talk about your parents. I'm sure they were great. I just- I thought all foster kids hated their families and-
Landon: Woah Charlotte?
Charlotte: I'm new to this, okay? I've never been exposed to this kind of thing. This whole world of foster care.
Annie: Most of us miss our families. Most of us would die to see them again. To relive that moment. The last time we saw them.
I remember the last time I saw her
Looking through her purse for her checkbook
My mom
I remember her telling me she'd be back in an hour
I remember her telling me that'd I be just fine
All alone
In my home
I remember dad telling me that mom was just stressed
I remember him saying she'd be fine in an hour or 2
If he only knew
She picked up her purse and she headed out
Dad followed behind and I started to pout
Please don't leave
Please don't leave
And mom said, that'd it all be fine
She kissed my forehead and looked me in the eye
And smiled
Oh that smile
That last time I saw her smile
She was headed out the door for the bank
And I miss it
The way her forehead crinkled
I miss it
The way she looked at me with her eyes
Oh her eyes
So she headed out the door and then
I was alone.
3 hours went by and I never got word
I waited for hours as time was curved
I waited by the door and I waited more time
Until 2 cops arrived
"I'm sorry little girl" They said
"I'm sorry little girl" They said with solemn eyes
They told me they died
My parents had died
They never caught the man with the gun at the bank
And I cried
Oh I cried
And I thought to myself of moms smile
Oh moms smile
Oh that smile
That last time I saw her smile
She was headed out the door for the bank
And I miss it
The way her forehead crinkled
I miss it
The way she looked at me with her eyes
Oh her eyes
So she headed out the door and then
I was alone.
I'm always alone now
I'm always afraid now
I wondered what they'd say
If they saw me today
If they see me smile
Today
The last time I saw her smile
She was heading out the door
She didn't turn around after that anymore
I wonder what they'd say if they knew I was here today
If I could see her smile that way
But now I have to pay
For the choices that bastard made
In the bank
What I'd give
To see her smile
Again
To see her smile again
Charlotte: Oh my god, Annie. That's awful.
Landon: We all have stories like that, Charlotte. We all lost our parents in some way.
Sarah: Either they screwed up or died or...non
e of us have parents anymore.
Clark: How did-you know. All of you-
Madison:
My family grew up in Wales.
In a little town called Abercarn
We would sit
And we would play
Then my mom started smoking
It started with pot and then got worse
Crack and Heroin were her best friend
We were speeded closer to the end
She wasted money on plane tickets here
She flew and left us on the pier
By the lake
My last day
She said I was stupid
Our last days
Said I was a mistake
My last day
Was nothing but pain
All:
Our last days
Sarah:
My mom had died when I was 3
Dad took the risks to afford to raise me
He started to drink and it got real bad
When he got home from work he'd get mad
He'd hit me
And he'd beat me
Like West still does today
Between him and my dad
I never caught a break
And then I tried to fly
From here to Idaho
Called the cops
One Sunday night
And Dad told me to pack my bags and go
My last day
Was a wreck
Anyone can atest
I had a sister
Who I can't find
It's been years since I have seen her
My last day
Was so hard
And it did me no good
Now I'm stuck
Always stuck
To the same old tune
Landon:
My parents fought all day and night
Every day they would always start a fight
So one day I decided I was done
Grabbed 50 bucks and to the train I'd run
And I rode on that train
'Till it stopped it Bozeman
And I walked to this place
Where a man could take me in
I said I had no home
And I wanted a family
So they put me here
And I've stayed right here
Who knows where they are
All:
Our last days
Were a disaster
We remember the contents like the back of our hand
And we think we'd go back
Until we look again
Our last days
Were the beginning of the end
Our last days
Were the beginning of the end
Charlotte: Jesus! Landon, Sarah, Madison- I-
Landon: We don't need your sympathy.
Sarah: It's honestly okay. I've come to terms with it.
Madison: As have I. It's just- difficult to talk about. But it helps.
Landon: It's a relief to talk about, to be honest.
Annie: So why are you here?
Charlotte: I told you, my mom was an alcoholic. (changing the subject) You all, Annie included are so brave. I- I feel so honored to have met you.
Annie: Not honored enough to tell us the truth.
Charlotte: What?
Annie: You lied to us, from the start. You read Sarah's diary. You keep lying.
Sarah: Annie, I'm not mad about her-
Annie: We just told you our past, the most personal thing about us and you still don't have the balls to fess up and explain to us why you're here.
Charlotte: I told you I-
Annie: Do not lie to my face like that. Don't you fucking dare. I told you everything in hopes that you would feel safe enough to open up. I've held my tongue this whole time so that you would feel safe enough to open up. And what do you do? You spit on me. Your metaphorical spit is all over me. You lied to me. After I told you how my parents died. After I relived a traumatic event, for you. You, who is far too good to be here. You, who has to know everything about everyone, but you don't give us a clue as to who you are!
Landon: Annie, breathe.
Annie: And you, who comes in and tears our home apart, burning all these trails. All these forests that we've worked so hard to build. And you come in and light a match to every single one of them. People don't get here because of alcoholism, Charlotte. They just don't.
Sarah: Charlotte, I think it might be best if you tell us why you and Clark are here. I feel it might be better for all of us.
CHARLOTTE looks at CLARK and CLARK nods, signaling her to tell them.
Charlotte: Okay. The night before I came to Bozeman, my mom, Clara Jones-
Footsteps are heard trudging up the steps.
Landon: Oh my god. It's West.
Charlotte: Finally!
The footsteps stop. We hear WEST pick up the gun. He cocks it.
West: (offstage) Playing with guns are we?
Mayzie: He cocked it. He's going to-
Landon: He's going to kill us.
Sarah: Oh my god.
Footsteps get louder. He bangs on the door.
West: (offstage) Where's the damn key?
LANDON tries to open the window, but it won't budge.
Landon: It-won't-open
Sarah: Landon, hurry!
ANNIE runs to the closet and gets a high heel and tosses it to LANDON. LANDON takes the heel and slams the window open with it.
West: (offstage) The hell was that?!
This scene can be done a variety of ways, video screening, creative set building. Use your imagination.
LANDON climbs onto the roof, they are on the second floor. He takes SARAH's hand and they start to balance on the roof. The foster kids climb out one by one until only CHARLOTTE and CLARK are left.
Landon: Charlotte, c'mon.
Charlotte: I can't I- Landon I can't.
Landon: He'll kill you Charlotte. Please.
West: (offstage) Open! This! Door!
Charlotte: What if I fall?
Landon: I'll catch you.
Clark: Charlotte, we have to go.
Charlotte: I-
Landon: You have to come with me. You have to trust me right now.
Charlotte: I-I trust you.
Landon: Please.
CHARLOTTE climbs onto the roof and LANDON picks up CLARK and carries him. They go to the window next to theirs.
Landon: This is West's room. It connects to the fire escape. If we go in