three point chemistry

chemistry unraveled

Here's Act I, Scene II of Three-Point Chemistry, expanded to over 1,000 words with rich stage direction, character development, and dialogue.

---

ACT I, SCENE II

Setting:

The science lab at North Ridge Junior High. It's after school, just past 4 p.m. The room is sterile and quiet, except for the ticking of a wall clock. Beakers, flasks, and chemistry kits line the counter tops. Posters of the periodic table, famous scientists, and lab safety rules hang on the walls. A window lets in the fading afternoon light. The room smells faintly of bleach and burnt sugar.

At Rise:

AVA is already seated at the center lab table. She’s set up the equipment: test tubes in a rack, labeled solutions, safety goggles perched on her head. A spiral notebook lies open with color-coded notes, and a precise sketch of their assigned experiment. She checks the time, frowns, and taps her pen against the table. She’s been waiting.

AVA (muttering):

Four-oh-seven. He’s late. Of course he’s late.

(Enter TYLER, out of breath, gym bag slung over one shoulder. His hair is damp from practice, and he’s still in his team hoodie. He drops his bag near the door and jogs over to her.)

TYLER:

Okay, okay—I made it. Still alive. No explosions yet?

AVA (not amused):

Twelve minutes late.

TYLER (peeling off hoodie):

Coach made us run wind sprints. I almost threw up. You want me on time or upright?

AVA (without looking at him):

I want this project done before midnight. So sit.

(TYLER drops into the stool beside her. He glances over the setup, clearly trying to fake confidence.)

TYLER:

So… where’s the vinegar?

AVA (dryly):

Wrong experiment. That was last semester.

TYLER:

Cool, cool. I was testing you.

AVA (murmuring):

And failing.

(She slides a pair of goggles across the table.)

AVA:

Goggles on. We’re testing reaction rates—changing concentrations, measuring how fast the color disappears. You do the stopwatch. Try not to press the wrong button.

TYLER (putting on goggles):

You’re just full of faith in me, huh?

AVA:

Let’s earn some, maybe.

(They begin. AVA pours chemicals carefully. TYLER hesitates, fumbling the stopwatch. They run the first trial.)

AVA:

Start… now.

(Color swirls in the beaker. They both lean in slightly. After a few seconds—)

TYLER:

Time! …Forty-two point three seconds.

AVA (not impressed):

That’s slower than expected. Let’s adjust the concentration.

TYLER (watching her work):

You always this serious? It’s like lab is your version of a championship game.

AVA (without looking up):

Better to be serious now than blow it later.

TYLER:

You play basketball too, right?

AVA (glances at him):

How’d you know that?

TYLER (smirks):

I saw you. Last week. Gym 3. You were launching threes like Steph.

AVA (surprised):

You were watching?

TYLER (casual):

Was walking to my car. You hit like… four in a row. Pretty sick.

(AVA falters slightly, caught off guard by the compliment.)

AVA:

We were scrimmaging. It wasn’t serious.

TYLER (grinning):

Looked serious to me. You’ve got form.

(A brief pause. For the first time, Ava seems a little less guarded.)

AVA:

Thanks.

TYLER:

Why don’t you play for the school team?

AVA (shrugs):

I do. Girls’ team doesn’t get a lot of attention. No banners. No gym crowd. We just play.

TYLER (thoughtful):

That sucks.

AVA:

It’s normal.

TYLER:

Still sucks.

(A small beat of silence as they prepare the second trial.)

AVA:

Ready?

TYLER:

Yep.

AVA:

Start… now.

(They time another reaction. This one is faster.)

TYLER:

Twenty-nine point one. Boom—speed.

AVA (recording):

Much better. Your timing’s improving.

TYLER (mock bowing):

You have no idea how rare that compliment is from you.

AVA (pretending to check notes):

Cherish it. Might be your last.

(They share a small, real smile. The tension has eased a bit. TYLER fidgets with a pipette while AVA writes down the data.)

TYLER:

Hey, when’s your next game?

AVA (surprised again):

What?

TYLER:

Your team. I wouldn’t mind watching.

AVA (slowly):

Thursday. After school. Gym 2. We’re playing Jefferson.

TYLER:

Cool. I’ll be there.

AVA (skeptical):

Why?

TYLER:

'Cause you got form. And because if I gotta sit through three more study sessions with you, I might as well learn what you’re actually good at.

AVA (half-smiling):

You mean besides chemistry?

TYLER (teasing):

Oh yeah, I forgot—brainpower and a jump shot. Dangerous combo.

(They reset for the final trial. TYLER seems more engaged now. AVA seems more relaxed. They move almost in sync as they finish the experiment.)

AVA:

Final test. Ready?

TYLER:

Born ready.

AVA (smirking):

Doubt it.