Latest Script

I mentioned before that between dress rehearsal and the show, I made several changes. Here is the version of the script that was edited to be like this right before the performance. As of yet, it is the most current one.

Things that are new or changed are in red.

STAGE MANAGER

I hope you’ve all been enjoying your tours led by our wonderful AIS student ambassadors. Please feel free to ask them any questions you may have about life here at Atlanta International School. As you’ve seen, our students are sociable, international, and very accomplished. Now if you all will please be silent and attentive for the next 10 minutes. Also, if you have any cell phones, switch them to off. We ambassadors have put together a special presentation.

Welcome to the cafeteria, a key stop on the tour. It’s a place that we all can connect to. One where many of us have been coming for years, whether at AIS or elsewhere. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. It will be here. Now, every space has its story. Watch as three graduating seniors tell you their cafeteria stories. (Subject to change)

AMELIA

(Seated alone at a cafeteria table [Not on top of it]. Nostalgic.)

I still remember being five. We used to all sit together for dinner. Mom would cook a roast or some stew and mashed potatoes. (Laetitia stands, acts as though she is stirring and then scooping potatoes) She always made me sit up straight as a rail, and if I ever tried to lay my elbow on the table (Pause. Laetitia turns to Ana Paula and raises her arm) You don’t even wanna know. But the cafeteria was a different story. (Laetitia Crosses Back to the Table where she sits across from Oliver. Ana Paula crosses back to in between the tables).

In kindergarten, I always sat alone. I thought maybe it was my imagination, but even when I’d get up and try to join a different table, everyone would just get up and move. Yeah, they would. My teacher told my mom that I chewed with my mouth open. She said it really grossed out the other kids (Laetitia and Oliver look grossed out/kid-like), and she wondered why my mother never taught me to chew with my mouth closed! You know, to this day my mom insists that I had perfect manners at home…I don’t know. I can’t figure it out. I just remember feeling small, scared to be at school eating all alone in that big, empty space (She looks around).

OWEN

Do you guys remember primary school? No work, no stress. Recess. Man, life was good.

ELOISE

Remember, I went to primary school in France, so we had plenty of work. But yeah, those were the days.

OWEN

Oh, right! I always forget that you lived there. When did you move here, again?

ELOISE

5^th grade, and I can still remember it.

ELOISE

In France, I went home for lunch every. Everyone did, really. So when I came here, it was hard. I had to separate myself from my home a little bit. (She stands up) Instead of sitting down at my kitchen table (Ana and Oliver Stand), I’d take a cold plastic cafeteria tray and (Now Ana and Oliver begin marching) march through the line. (Holding a tray)Even the food was different: tator tots, chicken biscuits, corn dogs… Ick! I could hardly bring myself to eat any of it(Laetitia sets down tray). I remember thinking how early lunch was in America. 11 AM. How could anyone want corn dogs at 11 AM? (Oliver and Ana should be seated at end of table by now) But the other kids loved them. They devoured them(Ana and Oliver devour). I remember seeing that as I would leave the cafeteria line, confronted with a sea of tables to choose from.

That was the one thing I hated about this place: all the unspoken rules. Oh, there were so many! In fifth grade, girls and boys did not sit together (Ana and Oliver Scoot apart). I had to learn that the hard way. During my first week of school here, I took my tray and sat down with some boys from my PE class. They were okay, but the girl’s table…when I went to sit with them the next day…they wouldn’t talk to me! Yeah, they shut me out. (Shakes head.) I’m glad that stage is over. I really don’t miss being the new kid. I really don’t.

OWEN

That must have been so weird to come here all the way from France. I can’t imagine it. (Pause) Hey, Amelia, you came in 10^th grade right?

AMELIA

Yeah, and even that seems like ages ago.

OWEN

Well if 10^th grade was so long ago, then I’ve practically been here since the Stone Age.

OWEN

It’s true that I’ve been coming to this room forever. I think I’ve probably eaten more meals here than at home (contemplates it) maybe not. But still, lots of meals. Lots of years, too. I’ve been at this school, in this cafeteria, all my life. Hey, they call me a “lifer” for a reason.

I still look forward to the Thanksgiving meal in here each year. I know it sounds lame, but there’s something kinda nice about doing the same thing every year (Moves forward towards audience excitedly). Yeah, Thanksgiving tradition. I mean, since I was in primary school the whole school has come together in here to eat cranberry sauce, turkey, and apple pie. (Pause) Who even likes cranberry sauce? But for Thanksgiving, it always tastes great. Even as seniors we all came in here this year just for the Thanksgiving meal (Ana Paula and Laetitia sit next to eachother smiling). We all crammed around the tables. Ate the same food we used to… It was like the old days. (Pause) I wonder if I’ll be able to come back for it once I go to college?

OWEN

It’s hard to believe that it’s been this long… Can you guys believe we graduate tomorrow? And college! It’s crazy.

AMELIA

I know! I mean, Eloise, you’ll be on your gap year in Kathmandu. That’s so far away…

ELOISE

True. I don’t know how well that’ll go. And I’m going to be missing out on a whole year of college. Anyway, I’ve gotta go. My whole family is coming in for graduation and I have to go meet them at the airport.

OWEN

(Sarcastically) Good luck with that.

ELOISE

Yeah, I’ll need it. I’ll see you guys tomorrow! (Owen and Amelia say goodbye. She exits cafeteria thru ASD doors)

AMELIA

God, just a few months from now everyone is going to be scattered all over the globe. Miranda’s going to be all the way in Nepal, you’ll be in California…

OWEN

Weird, isn’t it? Especially for me! Do you have any idea how long I’ve been going here (Repetitive)?

AMELIA

Too long, apparently.

OWEN

(Unnoticing) But seriously, at least we’ll all see each other tomorrow for graduation!

AMELIA

Yeah, for the last time…

OWEN

I guess so, but the doors to this place are wide open. We’ll come back.

AMELIA

You really think? Back here, to the cafeteria?

OWEN

Sure, why not?

AMELIA

Now that you mention it, we’ve known this space almost as long as we’ve known food. I mean, it’s a part of us.

OWEN

Exactly.

AMELIA

But at some point we really have to move on. Speaking of which, I’ve got to get going. Tomorrow’s a big day, and I want to get some sleep.

OWEN

Alright, fair enough. See you tomorrow then.

AMELIA.

Bye Owen. See you at graduation!

OWEN

See ya. (Watches her leave. Then turns to audience). Wow, it’s really over. (Pause as he examines the cafeteria for the last time) All these years…I guess it’s time I find my new AIS cafeteria. I'll come back. (Gets up and leaves)

STAGE MANAGER

That concludes our student tour of AIS. Please follow your ambassadors to the LPAC. We hope you have enjoyed the tour, and please feel free to ask your ambassadors any questions.

**Note: The "Memory" lines by the STAGE MANAGER were deleted