Act II, Scene IV
959 Words
School dismissal)
(Students usher themselves out the gates. The usual pair of Eric and Philip are seen trekking in silence away from the mass to their usual routes where they often depart for home) you
Philip: (excited) The rehearsals are pretty nice. Mr. Clement said I could pitch in while I play with the choir. He told me to work on a piece that would accompany them. I guess you were right. Well, as for Jared (notices Eric's bland face) He said he’s quite undiscovered: a polite word for useless.
(Eric keeps mute. Philip taps him as he looks stranded: unresponsive. Philip then suddenly grips him by the wrist resulting to Eric giving him a look of tension and confusion)
Eric: What? How? What are we doing here?
Philip: It's all right. Seems like you're back now.
Eric: (sighs) Sorry I wasn't listening ( rubs over his head slowly)
Philip: Since you didn't catch on, I said you were right about me fitting into the rehearsals while Jared is ‘undiscovered’ (pauses and looks at Eric) according to Mr. Clement…(interrupted)
Eric: (cuts in with laughter) If you ask me, bro is just plain useless or he is just staying away from class. (chortles louder) That serves him right after how many people are gonna hear it from? I shoulda just told him
Philip: Its real brave of you to say this behind his back but anyway he lives around here. I don't want to be involved.
Eric: (Loud) I ain't whispering, am I?. Jared! You're piss and you can't do s**t about it. You heard?
Philip: Okay….Everyone has heard from you Mr Brave… I'm out (walks quickly)
Eric: There's no need to fear that trash. If he tries something to any of us, I'd crush him. Come to think of it..I'd have killed him if he wanted to have a go…
Philip: Then you'd have a ghost friend.. Good for you
Eric: I don't give a damn about a useless poltergeist….like they're real.
(Philip suddenly grabs Eric by the arm and pulls him close),
Philip: ( with a serious countenance) What makes you think…there’s a reason to say that?
Eric: (notices the tension) Bro …what crack are you on?
Philip: (stares intensely at him) Nevermind that ….. (pauses and looks around the surrounding)
Eric: (still tense) Oh, I know to stay the heck away from him. Well, if he wants trouble, definitely give it to him. But honestly, the world will make sense without him.
Philip: That's not your choice. (still studies the surrounding more intensely)
(Eric notices Philip gripping him tighter and he tries to break free)
Eric: (tensed) Take your freaking hands off me..you lunatic.
(As Eric struggles, Jared and Helen walk into the scene together in a suggestive rather audacious manner with Jared's arm around Helen's waist. They then respond to the awkward scene in a sort of jeer and snapping their finger at them)
Jared: (slowly) Gay…So this is where you do alone
Eric: (breaks from grip and glares at Jared) What's that one supposed to mean? It's like you are really stupid for saying crap like that.
Helen: Who are calling stupid, You that's gay (turns to Jared) No wonder they left you.
Jared: (Yells in agreement) No be lie oo ( To Eric and Philip) So both of you are….… sorry boyfriend and boyfriend…Or Eric na the woman for una relationship so na erm boyfriend and girlfriend
Helen: (tugs him) Let's leave them. They need their private time.
Eric: (annoyed) Alright that's enough.. I have reached my quota for hearing any rubbish (to Helen) Why the heck are you doing here ..you got no business here or even stay around….(interrupted )
Helen: (adamant) Come and force me. Homo, you want to have some alone time. You fag
Jared: (with emphasis) Homo.
(They share a loud laughter for a brief moment)
Eric: How long will gonna keep coming here? Are you seeing a relative? Or is it just. …(interrupted)
Helen: Is it your concern? Leave me and face your life … ‘your career in the making’ and your relationship. In fact are you my bodyguard?
Eric: That'll be most unfortunate to anyone foolish to take that role
Jared: Shut up. (to Helen) You dey listen to this homo.
Eric: (annoyed) it's like you want to pick up from where we left off.
Jared: (teases) Holy ghost fire (snaps his finger at Eric) No be me and you go pick anything (laughs)
(He then staggers in laughter towards Helen and they laugh together temporarily as Eric charges at Jared. Jared and Helen evades running in the same direction)
Jared: (yells) No come for me o. I no want.
(Eric chases them towards the bend while Helen escapes. As they near a bend, Eric trips and falls while Jared absconds. He remains on the ground: solemn)
Philip: (approaches) Are you all right?
Eric: (yells to Philip ) No no..You stay right there. You're unstable and sus as …( cut off) This was all your fault
(He stands up and walks for a short moment before stopping and staring in oblivion)
Philip: (calls out) It seems like you noticed.
Eric: It's gone.
Philip (approaches) You thought it would still be there? (Stops)
Eric: Well it's a good thing. I know I wasn't the only one creeped out by that.
Philip: ( a different countenance) What did you say about phantoms earlier?
Eric: ( looks at Philip indignantly) What?
Philip: ‘Like they exist’ Those were your words
Eric: What the heck, Philip. (yells) Where the heck is your tact? Do you need to say that right now?
Philip: ( approaches briskly while twitching) Like they exist…right?
Eric: (frightened, yells) Oh my God …..
(He runs away)
- Writer
