I'm Sorry by Debbie Lannen
CAST
Flexible male and female roles may be adjusted
7-18+ actors may be included depending on casting.
Jack (narrator) only actor who does not change parts
Actors may play multiple roles within the play or each role
individually assigned as an ensemble production.
PROLOGUE
Scene opens, bare stage. 7 actors scattered about stage. Tom, Marsha,
David all have hands folded in front of them and eyes closed.
Individual pools of light come on and illuminate each actor in white
Voice over recording or actors onstage begin lines plays as each light
comes on.
Voice 1
That's my stuffed animal. Give it back weirdo.
Voice 2
You can't sit here. Get out!
Voice 3
I saw you kissing a boy. I'm gonna tell!
Voice 4
Go to prom with you? (laughs)
Voice 5
What a fag!. Hey faggot, where'd you get those shoes? Fag!
Remaining 3 actors (Dad, Mom, Student) holding flowers or stuffed bear
or anything might be placed at memorial site. Eyes focused to ground.
Individual lights come up one at a time as each recite this line .
Actors
I'm sorry.
Individual lights on first actors turn red and then out as new actors
speak. Last light flashes but stays on for Jack. All lights fade.
Jack
(actor whose light remained on after flashing. He steps to audience.
As he speaks other actors bring out boxes with pre school toys and
large rug. Scatter C stage then sit and play)
They had no idea. No idea. (talks to audience) My name is Jack. Oh, I
know. You're sitting there thinking,"Oh geez! Another stupid
assembly. Great time for a nap. This will have nothing to do with me.
But I'm asking you, no I'm begging you. Just give me a few minutes and
I will bet all of you, yes even the teacher grading papers in the
back, or the student trying to text without being caught will
recognize someone or something. Let's ask ourselves a question, How
does it begin?" Would we have an answer? Are we born knowing how to
be mean? Are we born knowing how to make someone feel
bad about who they are? Are we born knowing how to hide our true
feelings? Or, are we taught to do it? Hmm. Quite a question. A
question we may never know the answer to but give me just a few
minutes. That's all I ask.
Actor walks over and joins others on the rug.
Teacher is walking around student sitting on rug. Joey gives Elizabeth
a toy.
Pre School Teacher Miss Janet
Good job Joey! You shared nicely with Elizabeth. That's the way we do
it here at Bluebird . You are such a fine young man.
Two girls are hugging each other.
Miss Janet
Girls, let's keep our hands to ourselves.
1st girl
But she's my best friend!
2nd girl
We love each other.
Miss Janet
I'm so glad you do girls, but we need to keep our hands to
ourselves. Can you do that?
Both Girls
(in unison)
Yes, Miss Janet.
Knock at door. Mother and daughter enter.
Mother
Excuse me. Are you Miss Janet?
Miss Janet
Yes I am. May I help you?
Mother
Yes. I called earlier this week. I'm Mrs. Ames.
Miss Jane
Oh yes, I've been looking forward to your arrival It's a pleasure
to meet you. (shakes hands) And you must be Amy. (kneels down to be
eye to eye) Hello Amy.
Amy hides behind Mother. A few of the kids playing stop to watch.
Mother
Amy, stop this. Excuse me, just give us a minute. It is going to be
fine. (back to teacher) She is a bit
nervous. (Mother bends down and with a stern but sweet voice tries to
reason with child) Amy, we talked about this. Look at how much fun you
will have here. See all the children,just like you.
(Amy looks around just as another little girl sticks out her tongue)
Miss Janet
Catherine, we don't do that here. You know better. Come over here and
say you are sorry.
Catherine slowly stands up and walks over to Amy.
Catherine
(very quietly) Sorry.
Miss Janet
I don't think she heard you. Please, say it again.
Catherine (louder) I'm sorry. (other children laugh at her for getting
in trouble)
Miss Janet
Gives other students a stern look. They all stop laughing.
Children! That will be enough!
Now Catherine, Please show Amy where to put her backpack.
Mother whispers to Amy and Amy follows Catherine off stage.
Miss Janet
Don't worry. She will be fine. It will just take her a bit of time to
get familiar with the other children. I'm sure she will make many
friends. She will fit right in before you know it!
Mother
It's just she is so shy. She isn't used to being around so many
children. Amy is an only child so she has never really had to share.
She's never been away from me before. We do everything together. I
know I'm being silly! She has to go to school sometime, right?
Miss Janet
I'm sure you took a lot of time in selecting Bluebird. We will take
good care of Amy. She will learn and have fun doing it! Now, since
this is her first day, it's probably best if you leave right after
she gets back. Give her a hug. Tell her you will be back, and then
make your way to the door. I am sure she will be upset, but you
mustn't look like you are worried. Try and be very positive. The
children and I will help her get settled. (Mother hesitates)Be back to
pick her up at 3 o'clock. Don't worry. She will be fine.
Amy returns from dropping off her things. Runs to Mother.
Amy
Mommy, I've changed my mind. I don't want to go to school I want
to gohome.
Mother
Amy, I will be back at 3'oclock and then you can tell me all about
your first day! I promise. I will see you at 3'oclock.
Miss Janet
It's OK Amy. Mommy will be back. Come with me.
Miss Janet puts out her hand. Amy takes it hesitantly.
Miss Janet
You have some new friends to meet.
Leads Amy over to other children and Mother walks to door takes a
look back and then leaves.
Children, this is Amy. She will be joining us. What do we say?
All Children
Hi, Amy.
Light fade on preschool. Lights up on Jack.
Jack
And that's how it begins. We've all done it. Made a face at someone.
Stuck out our tongue. Pushed someone out of line. Laughed behind their
back. When we were growing up we didn't think anything about doing
these sorts of things.After all, what did it matter. It was only a
face. Let's see how the rest of Amy's first day day goes.
Lights back up on children. Some are napping. Others are playing. One
child is off by himself. Building something with large blocks. Amy
walks over and sits down next to him. She tries to take something off
the pile of blocks.
Mark
DON'T TOUCH THAT!
Amy
Why?
Mark
DON'T!
Amy
But I only wanted
Mark
DON'T TOUCH IT I SAID! They have to stay just like this. You can't
change it!
Amy
But I
Mark
Leave me alone!
Amy
Ok
Mark
Get out of here!
Amy leaves Jack alone who goes back to building. Catherine comes over
to her.
Catherine
He's so mean. He doesn't share with anyone.
Amy
Why?
Catherine
I don't know. He's weird. He just plays by himself. And don't try
and touch his stuff. He will throw a big fit. He is such a meanie!
Come on, let's go play Barbies?
Amy
OK
Lights fade on preschool group except Mark who continues to play in
his own world alone.
Lights up on Jack.
Jack
He's weird. That's all it takes. Say it enough times and people will
begin to listen. Once they listen, it is only a matter of time before
they believe it. Once they believe it, well, that is the beginning of
the end for that young boy. He will be left alone alright. Absolutely
alone.
Kids all running around playing tag on front lawn. Including not it
and tag your it vocals. Mom and Tom appear as if from doorway of
house.
Mom
Kids, I don't mind you running on the grass, but please stay out of
the flower beds. Terry, don't swing on that branch. You might get
hurt.
(kneels down next to son) Ok, Sweetie. You have a great day at school.
I put your lunch in your backpack. Eat you apple, don't throw it
away! Remember we are going to Granny's for dinner tonight. I'll
see you when the bus drops you off. Now, go play with your friends.
Tom looks at other children running around playing. He doesn't
move.
Tom
I'll just wait with you.
Mom
No! Go on. Have fun. Run around before the bus gets here. (pushes him
out the door)
Kids are starting a new game of tag.
Everyone
Not it, not it, you're it.
All start running including Tom. He gets tagged instantly.
Brian
Tom's it.
They chase and Tom can't tag anyone. He is slow. He finally just stops
playing.
Brian
Hey, Tom. You're it! Come on.
Tom
I'm not playing anymore.
Brian
Why not, come on.
Tom
I'm not playing!
Sits down on grass.
Brian
What a baby. (all kids join in chant) Baby, baby.
Mom
Hey all of you. Stop that! Why don't you make someone else it for a
change. It isn't fair that Tom is always it.
Brian
Ok, I'll be it. Come on Tom. Come on back and play.
Mom
That's better Brian. Thank you. Go on, Tom. Go on and play. The bus
will be here any minute.
Tom stand up happy he isn't it.
Brian
I'll count to 3 then everyone run. Everyone ready?
All Children
Yes, were ready. Come on let's get going! (all ad bib urgings to get
game going)
Brian
One, two, three.
(immediately tags Tom)Tom's it! (everyone laughs.)
Tom
I quit. I hate you! I hate all of you!
Mom
Thomas Andrew. That isn't nice. We don't say that sort of thing.
Sound of bus is heard offstage
All kids except Tom
Bus! Bus
Tom runs gives Mom hug as other configure bus on stage
Tom
I'm sorry Mom. It just makes me so mad. I'm always it. It isn't
fair.
Mom
I know it isn't fair. Don't worry sweetie. You won't always be
it! Try and have a good day. I love you! Go on, you don't want to
miss the bus!
Chaos is everywhere. All are screaming as they board the bus. There is
pushing and shoving.
Bus driver
Come on. Get into your seats. I am not moving this bus until you all
get into your seats. Let's go!!
Everyone scrambles to get into a seat. Julie accidentally sits on
Marie's lap.
Marie
Get off me!
Julie
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Excuse me. Sorry.
Tries to work her way to an open seat.
Brad
Ooooh! You like girls.
Julie
No, I, it was an accident. Sorry
Other students chime in
Bus riders
(sing song laughing)
Julie likes girls, Julie likes girls!
Bus driver
All of you! Stop it this minute. Julie get in seat.
Julie wanders to back seat of bus. Kyle moves over so she has a seat.
Bus begins to move (students remain in seat and give appearance of bus
moving)
Kyle
Don't mind them. They're all just a bunch of jerks
Julie
I know.
Kyle
If it makes you feel any better, they don't like me either.
Julie
That really doesn't make me feel any better. (Sits quietly) Why are
they so mean all the time. I don't get it. I don't like girls. I
like boys. They know that.
Kyle
Of course they know that. Just ignore them.
Julie
That's what my Mom always says. "Just ignore them."
Kyle
My Mom says that too. It's probably where I got it from.
Julie
Ignoring them is easier said than done. They don't go away. They're
always teasing me. If I'm at my locker they knock into me as they
walk by. At lunch, they make sure there is nowhere to sit around
them, as if I would want to anyway. I'm afraid to raise my hand in
class because I might get the answer wrong and then they would tease
me about it. What did I ever do to them.(starts to cry but rubs her
eyes to stop) Oh who cares.
Both ride in silence for a few minutes.
Kyle
It will get better. I'm not sure how, but it will get better.
That's what my Mom and Dad always tell me. "Don't worry Kyle! It
will get better."
Julie
No it won't. They'll never stop. It will never get better. (pause)
They're so mean.
Lights out on bus. Light up on Jack. Students configure chairs to
represent audition for school play
Jack
Starting to feel a bit uncomfortable? Come on, admit it. You recognize
these people. I'm sure you do. Maybe you aren't the one that knocked
her into the locker out in the hallway, but you did see it when it
happened. Did you stop the ones who did it and help Julie? I will
guarantee you all remember a game of tag just like the one Mark was
involved in a few minutes ago. Or maybe you were Mark, the kid who was
always it? Or maybe you're the kid on the bus who told her it would
get better. Well, did it? Let's not stop here. We have a long way to
go.