LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Drama Submission 2003

What’s her problem?

Concept Sentence: Students speculate about what could be wrong with their fellow classmate, ultimately resulting in a misdiagnosis and confrontation resulting in a resolution.

Characters:

Jessica

Robin

David

Dr. White

Corrie

Laurie

Scene: In a university classroom the students are seated in desks that are set up in a circle.  Jessica, Robin and David are sitting next to each other at the front of the room, which is near Dr. White.  Laurie and Corrie are sitting in the back of the room, diagonal, yet across from Jessica, Robin and David.  The narrator is off-stage. 

Narrator:  Before Class (lights flip off and on, prompting the beginning of the play)

Jessica:  “Hey, Laurie.”

(Laurie, her chin resting in her hands, looks towards Jessica, but doesn’t reply.  Jessica walks past her and sits next to Robin.)

Jessica:  “Wow, what’s her problem?

Robin:  “I don’t know.  Why, what’s up?”

Jessica:  “She didn’t even say ‘hi.’  Does she have something stuck up her butt or something?”

(David leans in to eavesdrop.)

Robin:  “Maybe she’s having a bad day.  I noticed she wasn’t in our LIT class this morning.”

Jessica:  “So, she can still acknowledge my presence can’t she?”

Robin:  “Who knows?”

David:  “Yeah, maybe she’s PMSing or something.”

Robin:  (Robin looks directly at David.) “If I were you, I would shut up right about now.”

(When Dr. White begins talking, everyone directs their attention toward him.)

Dr. White:  “I guess we’ll go ahead and get started.”  (Coming in late, Corrie walks over to sit next to Laurie.)  “Oh, hi Corrie.”

(Perturbed, Laurie moves her things, making room for Corrie.)

Corrie:  “Sorry, can I sit here?”

(Laurie, propping her head up with her right hand nods awkwardly.)

Dr. White:  “Let’s go ahead and take the quiz.  Answer one question from each chapter.” 

(Dr. White begins to hand out papers.)

Corrie:  (to Laurie) “I woke up early this morning but I fell back asleep so I didn’t get my reading done.”

Laurie:  “So.”

Narrator:  Break Time (lights flip off and on, marking the passing of time.)

(Laurie is still holding her chin.  Jessica, Robin, David and Corrie get up to talk, but Laurie doesn’t move.)

Corrie:  “Hey Laurie, you want to come with me to get a coke?”

Laurie:  “No.”  (Laurie buries her head in her arms on the desk.)

(Corrie exits.  Robin, Jessica and David are standing a few feet away.)

Robin:  (to Jessica) “I think I am going to see if there is anything wrong.”

Jessica:  “Go right ahead.  I’m not going to waste my time on someone who can’t even say ‘hi’.  I’m gonna go outside, see ya in a few.”

Robin:  “Okay.”

(Jessica and David exit.)

Robin:  (walking over to Laurie, Robin bends down)  “Laurie is something wrong?”

Laurie:  (talks loud enough to make her voice clear)  “What does it matter?”

Robin:  “You missed class this morning and Jessica said that you don’t seem to be yourself.”

Laurie:   “Yeah, I’m ignoring her.  She’ll get over it.”

Robin:  “Is there anything I can do?” (A slight pause. With concern in her voice she continues)  “What’s the matter?”

Laurie:  (Laurie looks up, revealing her chin for the first time.) “I’m in my freak’n 20’s and I have a zit!”

Robin:  (begins to laugh, but notices Laurie’s serious look)  “Oh.”

Laurie:  “I’ll be fine, I just don’t want to be here.”  (Laurie covers her chin again)

Robin:  “Okay, I’ll leave you alone.”

(Corrie, Jessica and David come back in the room.  Robin walks over to them.)

Robin:  “Ya’ll, Laurie is upset because she has a pimple.”

David:  “So, I get’m all the time.  What’s the big deal?”

Jessica:  (High-pitched and melodramatic) “Oh my gosh, she was rude to me because she got a pimple?”

Robin:  “Be nice.  Maybe there’s more to it.”

Corrie:  “I knew she was stressed about the group project in Dr. Minter’s class…”

Jessica:  “Oh, my gosh, I didn’t send her the notes she needed to do her presentation!  She’s probably ticked at me because she has to present in our next class.”

David:  (sarcastic tone) “Uh, yeah!  Maybe that’s why she’s snubbing you!  Way to go!”

Robin:  “Well, if I were you, I’d apologize before she rips your head off.”

(Walking meekly over to Laurie, Jessica sits down across the table from her.)

Jessica:  (apologetic tone)  “Laurie, I just realized I didn’t send you the notes for the presentation.”

Laurie:  “Yeah, well I stayed up all night and missed my class this morning putting it together.”

Jessica:  “I’ll talk to Dr…”

Laurie:  “Don’t bother.  I finished it already.  I’m not going to rat you out, but I want you to know (Laurie uncovers her chin, pointing to the blemish) that I named this little mountain of puss after you.”  

Theme Sentence: People’s attitudes and intentions are often misunderstood.  However, with a little concern, the truth is often revealed.