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Act 2, Scene 2.5: "Tour and a Terrible Idea"
(Lights up in the hallway. Phoebe leads Leo past the crowded club booths. Tessa and Liam follow, munching snacks.)
Phoebe (pointing things out):
That's the science club. Avoid them unless you like being set on fire.
And that's the newspaper team — they're basically spies.
Leo (laughing):
Good to know. And... drama club?
Phoebe (grinning):
Our pride and joy.
(They reach a table with posters that say "Join Drama Club! Be the Star You Were Born to Be!")
Tessa:
They need fresh victims—I mean, talent—this year.
Liam:
They're holding auditions today. You should totally try out, Phoebe.
Phoebe (nervous):
Me? No way. I'm not exactly lead role material.
Leo (smiling):
I've never done anything like this before. Maybe it'd be fun?
(Phoebe glances at him — his wide, hopeful smile — and sighs.)
Phoebe:
Okay. You know what? I'll audition if you do too.
Leo (pretending to think):
Deal. But if I fall on my face, you're carrying me to the nurse.
Phoebe (laughing):
Fair.
Tessa:
You guys are gonna be amazing.
Liam:
Or amazing disasters. Either way, I'm filming it.
(They all laugh together as the bell rings. The group heads off toward the stage, buzzing with nervous excitement.)
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Scene End!
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Scene 3: Phoebe embarrasses herself at the audition
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The Audition Disaster
(Lights up on the auditorium stage. A line of nervous students wait their turn to audition. Phoebe, Tessa, Liam, and Leo are sitting together
Tessa (whispering):
You're gonna crush it, Phoebe.
Phoebe (panicking):
I can't even crush my cereal without making a mess. I'm doomed.
Liam (grinning):
Relax. Worst case, you become a meme.
(Phoebe groans. The drama teacher, Ms. Clarkson, calls her name.)
Ms. Clarkson:
Phoebe Carter, you're up!
Phoebe (to herself, muttering):
Okay, okay, just breathe. Pretend it's not real. Pretend everyone's naked. No, wait, bad idea.
(Phoebe stumbles onto the stage, clutching her monologue sheet. She stands there, frozen, blinking into the bright lights. A beat of awkward silence.)
Ms. Clarkson (encouraging):
Whenever you're ready, dear.
(Phoebe starts her monologue — supposed to be dramatic — but her voice cracks halfway through.)
Phoebe (dramatically, trying):
"Oh fair sun, why dost thou mock me—"
(She missteps, trips over her own feet, and falls with a loud thud. Papers fly everywhere. The auditorium gasps — and then bursts into laughter.)
Phoebe (still on the floor, mortified):
Can we pretend that never happened?
(Leo looks heartbroken for her from the audience, his face full of sympathy. Tessa and Liam jump up and start clapping wildly.)
Tessa (shouting):
Iconic performance!
Liam (cheering):
Give her an Oscar already!
(The crowd, still giggling, joins in with a few playful cheers. Ms. Clarkson smiles kindly.)
Ms. Clarkson:
Theater is about taking risks, and you took a big one! Well done, Phoebe.
(Phoebe, blushing but smiling, gets up and gives a small bow. She rushes offstage to her friends.)
Phoebe (groaning):
That was a trainwreck. No, it was ten trainwrecks.
Tessa (throwing an arm around her):
Are you kidding? You owned it!
Liam:
Everyone's gonna remember you now — in a good way.
(Leo walks over, still looking concerned.)
Leo:
Hey... for what it's worth, I thought you were really brave.
(Phoebe meets his eyes and laughs.)
Phoebe:
You're just saying that because I almost flattened myself in front of you.
Leo (smiling):
Exactly. I feel honored.
(They all laugh together, the awkwardness fading into pure fun. The stage lights dim slowly.)
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Scene End!
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