Situation: Two friends working on homework. Victoria is reacting to what Veronica just said about Julie, a popular girl at school. Both girls are in Veronica's living room.
I feel really sorry for Julie. (Pause.) Do my ears deceive me? Did I just hear Veronica say that she felt sorry for Julie? (Pause.) I know, I know that is what you said. How could you possibly feel sorry for Julie? Wait, don't tell me. I want to examine the facts myself.
Stands up and walks over to another table and grabs a textbook.
Now, let's see shall we? Julie Donn, moved to town about three, no four years ago from downtown Toronto. She is the exact replica of a Barbie doll - pretty, slim with one of those personalities to die for. Not much in the brains department though. If she was a real Barbie, I would have to say that she would be Malibu Barbie because she is not smart enough to be the pet doctor one. And you can't forget that breathy voice. Oh darling, I forgot all about it. Can I copy your homework and hand it in? Please, give me strength.
Yeah, I know that what I just said deals with what we just see on the outside. So, what is your point? I'm guessing that you want me to dive into that sea of make-up to get to the inner person. Well okay. She is……
Wait, why do you feel sorry for the girl who waltzed into town and stole your boyfriend? The same person who is your lab partner but yet the only work that she does in class is file her fingernails. And don't forget the Jell-O incident where she was carrying a bowl over your head and "accidentally" tipped it and you got to walk around all day with green Jell-O in your hair. I know that you have been working at her house on your science project, but obviously you have been spending too much time over with the princess in her little castle.
Do I remember what you told me? You mean about her past? The part about her dad getting fired because he we stealing money, which if you ask me does not make sense because they are old money and were loaded to begin with. Or the part about her mom having a few affairs with high up politicians? Or about her brother being a drug addict and her twenty year old sister marrying an eighty year old man? Is that what you mean? Oh. I guess I was a little bit insensitive wasn't I? Okay a lot. I forgot about all of that stuff that she has to deal with, but that is no excuse to be mean to us. Alright, maybe I should be more considerate and consider what she is dealing with before I judge her. Never judge a book by it's cover right? Jeez, I hate it when you point out that I am being insensitive or wrong. I am not that mean! But you know who is really mean? A deep dark, I don't want to meet you in a dark abandoned ally kind of mean? Billy. That's right, Billy Vos. Hey, don't give me that look. Oh, I guess I am doing it again right?
C. Clarke
Original Published Scenes for High School Drama Students January 1998
Uploaded December 2016