The Urge A ‘Scripts Ahoy’ Collaboration 1 SCENE 1 - [Liam Paternott] A street at night, just outside of a house party - music and the occasional laugh and shout can be heard in the distance. Andre paces in a small circle, tapping his foot to the beat every once in a while. He alternates between gazing into the distance and looking at his phone. Rose and Jay stumble on stage, looking backwards and giggling before noticing Andre. JAY: Andre! ROSE: Andre… How are you feeli - JAY: So, this is where you’ve been hiding. Not feeling the best? ANDRE: No, I’m fine, I’m fine. Just… tired, I guess. JAY: And you think standing out in the cold by yourself is going to help with that? You should come back inside, I’m sure we’ll be better at waking you up than that wind. ANDRE: I just wanted a bit of space. Jay is silent, Andre begins pacing again, away from Jay and Rose. ANDRE: How come you two are out here? ROSE: Wanted some fresh air. JAY: And I ordered food. Should be here soon. ROSE: [To Andre] Did you hear everyone screaming the lyrics to Hey Ya? ANDRE: Pretty sure the whole street did. Was that you doing the high note? ROSE: Definitely not, I don’t think I could even talk after that. ANDRE: Wasn’t you, was it Jay? Jay looks at him coldly before checking his phone while Andre and Rose laugh. JAY: [sighing] I think he took a wrong turn, back in a sec He leaves ANDRE: Having an alright time? 2 ROSE: Yeah… I mean, it’s just weird being out again after so long. It’s like I have to relearn how people work. I haven’t seen them in so long - well, online doesn’t count - and it’s like I’m meeting them again for the first time. There’s that awkward trepidation, moments where people are waiting for each other to say something and I know it’s been a while but I’m sure that isn’t how things were. ANDRE: [pausing briefly as if waiting for her to finish] I know what you mean, I keep on accounting for lag or people’s computers fucking up. ROSE: Like when you paused just then? ANDRE: [laughs slightly] Not the first time that’s happened tonight. I think the real reason I came outside was just to reload my brain. This just isn’t what I imagined it being. ROSE: We can’t be the only people feeling like that. Some people got wasted way quicker than usual, I think they’re compensating. ANDRE: That’s not a bad idea… ROSE: Will you come back inside? ANDRE: [stammering] I mean - it’s - just - ROSE: You’re not doing yourself any favours standing out here, it’s cold and I’ll head back inside when Jay grabs his food, so you’ll be all by yourself. People are excited to see you again too you know. ANDRE: I was excited to see people too, but it wasn’t supposed to be like this. ROSE: We’ll get past the awkward stage soon - ANDRE: I imagined what going out again would be like - ROSE: It will get easier - ANDRE: [talking to himself more than Rose at this point] Maybe I’m just always like this. Is it really something new? - Maybe I should just get an Uber or… Rose looks away and takes a couple of steps back. ROSE: Sorry, I should give you some space. - It would be a shame for you to go so early. Just give it another shot. 3 Jay enters with a bag JAY: You two could have gone back in, you know. There are parties going on all over the street now. The corner sounds like an awful mashup of reggae and noise rock. And who blasts The Swans? They’re trying to piss people off at that point. ROSE: Get your food fine? JAY: Yeah, chased him down. Seriously, why are you still outside, it’s freezing? ANDRE: I was thinking of - ROSE: We were just chatting. Haven’t seen each other for a while. JAY: Haven’t seen anyone for a while. The sound of commotion off stage, as if Holyfield just won the fight. Jay, Rose and Andre are shocked. Jay quickly runs in. Rose follows, looking back at Andre who then joins them after a pause. SCENE 2 - [Lucas Rindt] The interior of the house is rather hazy, likely from the smoke machines present. The loud music is mingled with the concerned chatters of the partygoers. There’s a small crowd of individuals gathering by the front entrance. They talk amongst themselves, fixed on something unknown that is outside. Andre, Rose and Jay approach on-stage to the back of the crowd. ROSE: [Flustered] Why’s there such a big crowd outside? ANDRE: I guess people really are attracted to The Swans, huh... JAY: I doubt that they’d ever attract such a large crowd in the first place. Besides… This looks like some pretty serious shit. ANDRE: W-Well, it looks like-- JAY: [Cutting Andre off] Look at those crowds of people outside of their own houses too! Hey, ain’t that Rudy’s place? Those guys never come outta their house…! Fuck, I still can’t see what’s going on, though. 4 ROSE: Did you see anything on your way here…? I mean, you were out there for quite some time… Maybe someone mistook you for a burglar. JAY: Yeah, because all burglars love to steal soggy fish-and-chips on a Friday night. ROSE: Hey! I was just trying to lighten the mood here. This is seriously weirding me out, y'know. Like, what if it’s an alien invasion? We’re probably getting abducted as we speak! JAY: For your sake, I hope you’re still trying to lighten the mood… A long silence from the three friends, as they are drowned out by the indistinct chatter and music. The silence is broken by Andre, who speaks up after being cut off. ANDRE: I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this. JAY: Thanks Captain Obvious. ROSE: Jay… JAY: What? Just trying to ‘lighten the mood’... The silence is longer the second time around, Andre looks away from the two, and Rose gives a deep sigh. JAY: [Groans] Look, sorry, alright? It’s not everyday a house party attracts large crowds of people out the front lawn. It could be a murder for all we know! ROSE: Jay! JAY: I know! I know… Look, let’s just ask one of our mates. I think I see Breana, Charlie and a couple of others outside. ANDRE: I’m not sure they’ll be able to hear us back here… JAY: Well then… We either wait here or push through that crowd. Another long silence. ROSE: … But aren’t you curious to see what’s outside? JAY: My thoughts exactly. ANDRE: I am extremely curious. JAY: Well then! I guess it’s decided. 5 Without a beat, Andre, Rose and Jay now try to push past the crowd, squeezing through the front door. JAY: S’cuze us -- Sorry -- Oop, sorry about your drink… Andre is left behind whilst Rose and Jay successfully push their way through the crowds. Once at the front, Rose and Jay stop… their mouths opening in shock at the sight that the audience cannot see. The music intensifies. ANDRE: [Struggling] H-Hey!! The hell’s going on? Jay? R-Rose? What can you see? The chatter dims to a silence. Andre is still seen trying to get past the crowd, but his anxiety stops him from going any further. ANDRE: Fuck… Guys! C’mon, just shout it out to me. Andre gives up after a few seconds, the silence from the others is deafening. He retreats back into the house and offstage. Outside, we still see Jay, Rose and the others starting at this unknown event occurring outside the house. But in a split second, the crowd turns back into the house, with the last person slamming the door behind them. There is no chatter whilst this happens, and apart from the music, it is completely silent. SCENE 3 - [Adiba Mamadolimova] Inside, Andre decides to grab a beer and then suddenly sees his old friend, Kyle from high school. KYLE: Yo, Andre! Wassup man, haven’t heard from you since high school. ANDRE: Oh heeey Kyle, didn’t know you were in Melbourne! KYLE: Yeah moved here a while ago, Adelaide is an old people’s home. Almagul walks up to the group. KYLE: Andre, this is my girlfriend, Almagul. Almagul shakes Andre’s hand. ALMAGUL: Nice to meet you. How’re you finding the party? Andre: Yeah, nice to meet you too. It’s good. Just feels a little weird, you know? 6 Kyle: What do you mean? Andre: It feels like I’ve been in the desert for so long, looking for water, and now I have like a whole litre. [PAUSE.] But, like, I don’t want it anymore? Kyle: Man, I’m the opposite. I can’t get enough of this shit! Been partying like there’s no tomorrow. Getting beers with the boys every single night - Andre smiles, but his eyes look sad. KYLE: Anyways, we’re gonna get back to the party, but nice seeing you mate. ANDRE: Yeah same here, take care. Kyle and Almagul walk away, backstage. Suddenly Andre sees Jay coming back from outside.