The Scar Boys V 1.0 4B

Scar Boys Scene 1

(Curtains open up with the Band on the center platform performing. All characters in this scene who are not in the band will be sitting on the floor “watching” the band.)

Harry: (raises fist into air, pauses) On the drums, give it up for the skateboarding prince of the grave, Richie McGill! (points, throws off hat) On the bass, the princess of pounding rhythm, Cheyenne Belle! (points, throws off wig)

(music stops)

Harry: And I am Harbinger Robert Francis Jones, the king of darkness and despair.(tears off clothing item)

audience gasps

Harry: AND WE ARE THE SCAR BOYS!

(Everyone freezes as Harry steps out to center stage)

Harry: I didn’t start out as cool as what you just saw. Heck I wasn’t even popular. To be completely honest I was a loser, but you don’t take my word for it I’ll show you. (Addressing people on stage) Guys, let’s go back to the beginning. (As Harry says the last sentence everyone unfreezes. The band members go off stage as Harry steps back into a circle of bullies becoming his younger self).

Bully 1: who the heck are you? (Harry stares at the boy scared.) I said who the heck are you? (Pushes Harry while saying so for emphasis.)

Harry: (so scared he can’t think so he shudders) I-I don’t know.

Bully 2: are you so retarded that you don’t even know your own name?

Bully 3: even retarded people can remember their own name.

Harry: ( offended into speaking) I’m Harry Jones

Bully 1: Well then you, Harry retard Jones, have been caught by the Sharks-that’s our team-and you’re our prisoner. (The other boys stomp in approval.) And what’s worse, you little air head, you’ve been caught cheating.

Harry: I wasn’t chea-

Bully 2: Shut up.

Harry: Honest, I wasn’t- (The boy punches Harry in the shoulder.)

Bully 3: Whaddya think we should do with him?

Bully 1: I think we should put him in jail.

(ALL BULLIES grab Harry while laughing and bring him up center to the lighting tree. Bully 3 hands off the rope to Bully 1 and they tie him up as Bully2 holds him down. Rain starts to be heard. From off stage you can hear the Bullies moms calling them in. they leave with Harry still tied to the tree abandoned.)

Harry: (realizing the Bullies are not coming back for him starts to call out for help. The more he calls the more desperate he becomes.) Guys… Guys! (as thunder is heard) MOM?!

(Stage goes dark and lighting strikes the tree where Harry is)

Scene 2:

(Entire ensemble comes onto stage and meanders around. Harry starts downstage right and progressively moves to center stage then downstage left)

HARRY:People talk about the resiliency of children, but those same people have never tied those same children to a tree during a thunderstorm to test the theory. In a lot of ways my life would’ve been easier if I’d received a direct hit. To be the boy almost struck by lightning was like finishing second in the big race. You ran, but no one cared.

BULLY 1: Freak!

BULLY 2:

Loser!

BILLY: Almost struck by lightning? Ha!

HARRY:I was even incapable of caring. Or doing just about anything. I went from doctor’s appointment (Lights come up on doctor who steps out of ensemble) to psychologist (Harry starts to the left. Doctor steps back, lights come up on psychologist who steps out of ensemble) to witch doctor (Harry continues to the left. Psychologist steps back, lights come up on witch doctor who steps out of ensemble) to treatment (Harry continues to the left. Witch doctor steps back, lights come up on nurse who steps out of ensemble) to hospital (Harry continues to center stage left. Nurse steps back, lights come up on coughing patient who steps out of ensemble) to neurologists (Harry continues to the left. Patient steps back, lights come up on neurologist who steps out of ensemble) and plastic surgeons (Harry continues to the left. Neurologist steps back, lights come up on plastic surgeon who steps out of ensemble); anything that could work really. I moved in a haze. Never really hearing or understanding what any of these faceless people said to me (Continues to downstage left). They had no effect. None of them. Until I met Lucky strike. (Lucky strike walks from ensemble to downstage left.)

LUCKY STRIKE: (Ensemble brings on chairs and sits around Lucky Strike making a presentation) The concentrated surge of energy eviscerates the nervous and autonomic systems. Our brethren, those souls fortunate enough to survive a lightning strike, often suffer terrible maladies such as headaches dizziness and vomiting. Sometimes much worse ailments. Many of which we will cover in the next session. Thank you for joining me for today’s session. I will be at the booth in the main lobby in fifteen minutes to answer any of your questions. (Crowd begins to disperse with murmurs and whispers)

HARRY:So of course I stayed to talk to the one man (Lucky moves to downstage right where a table has been set up) who might actually understand what I had been through. (Arrives downstage right) He explained what would have happened had I been directly struck. Now if you remember, I was only eight years old at this time. Most of the words he spoke went over my head, until he told this one story…

LUCKY STRIKE:Do you know, young man, what can happen when one little butterfly flaps its wings in China, all the way on the other side of the world? (Harry shakes his head.) When those little wings flap, (begins to flap his arms) they move little molecules in the air. Do you know what molecules are? (Harry nods.) Good, good. Now picture those molecules moving and bumping into other

molecules, which bump into other molecules, and so on and so forth. All these molecules affect the course of those that surround them, changing them, moving them in different directions, just because a butterfly flapped its wings. (Pauses to see that Harry understands. He doesn’t.) …So a butterfly flapping its wings in China in April can cause a thunderstorm in New York in July. One little thing can cause so many other things to happen. All these things that happen, if you don’t control them, will control you. (Harry nods. Lights fade as Harry walks to downstage center.)

HARRY:I don’t remember much else that he said. But I thought about that story a lot. And I still do. Was Lucky trying to tell me that my thunderstorm was caused by a butterfly in China? Or was he telling me that things like thunderstorms are so random there’s no point in trying to make sense of them? I’m not sure even to this day. I never saw him again. But that one phrase has always been in the back of my mind, waiting for its chance to come to the forefront again: ‘One little thing can cause so many other things to happen. All these things that happen, if you don’t control them, will control you.’ Lucky Strike was the last magic fix my mother tried before opting for more logical solutions to a problem that seemed to bother her more and more and bothered me less and less. (Lights fade.)

Scene 3 & 4:

HARRY:(crosses down stage center, Dr. Kenny's office set up in the behind Harry.) So here's how my first session with Dr. Kenny went.

DR. KENNY:Hello Harry, I'm Dr. Kenneth Hirschorn. (HARRY stares at DR. KENNY, standing still at the door) How are you feeling today Harry?

HARRY:Can I call you Kenny?

DR. KENNY:How about Dr. Kenny? (HARRY nods)

HARRY: (DR. KENNY freezes) Session 120

HARRY:I don't like it.

DR. KENNY:

Why not?

HARRY: Because it's stupid.

DR. KENNY: Why is it stupid?

HARRY: (Stands up, DR. KENNY freezes) We never really talked about the real reason I was here: Lightning. (Harry sits back down, scene continues)I don’t know. It hurts people.

DR. KENNY:Okay, Harry, the best way to avoid getting hurt by something is to understand it.

HARRY:(DR. KENNY freezes) Session 204

DR. KENNY:A lot of grown-ups use little tricks to calm themselves down. Sometimes they count to ten. How about you try making a list?

HARRY:List?

DR. KENNY:It’ll help you forget whatever’s bothering you.

HARRY:That works?

DR. KENNY:Just try it.

HARRY:(paces) Intracloud Lightning….Cloud-to-cloud Lightning….Heat Lightning….Ribbon Lightning…Streak Lightning….(DR. KENNY freezes) Session 284. (Flips through magazine)

DR. KENNY: How would you describe other people, Harry?

HARRY:Describe them?

DR. KENNY:Things they have in common, put them into groups. You know, kids in sports, or adults that yell too much. That sort of thing.

HARRY:(to audience, center down stage)I made categories based around my scar. I guess he meant how other people see them. Nazis: They saw my scars as a way to torment me. Faints. Faux Saints:They pretend not to judge me by my scars, but they do. Freaks: They enjoy looking at my scars, like they get some sort of pleasure out of it. Then the really rare breed, like Johnny Mckenna, he doesn’t seem to notice my scars at all, a friend. (Scene changes behind Harry’s narration, scene starts down stage right. Harry is eating a cupcake, bully snatches cupcake from Harry )

BILLY:Thanks, freak. (BILLY’s friends laugh and point at HARRY. HARRY looks away)I said thanks, freak....I said-

JOHNNY: That’s enough, Billy. Give it back. (stands with his hands on his hips)

BILLY:(exits) Whatever.

JOHNNY: Don’t worry bout him, he’s harmless. I’m Johnny.

HARRY:I’m Harry Jones.

Johnny: (sits down)What do you do for fun around here?Harry: I have to go home. (Stands up)

Johnny: (Stands up) I’ll walk with you!Harry: (nods, not sure what is happening) Okay.(they both slowly make their way to stage left)

Harry: I collect baseball cards. I have all the complete Topps set from 1973 forward. The best part is…

Harry:(Johnny freezes, Harry down center stage) Johnny didn’t judge me for my scars, he was my friend. So of course I had to introduce him to my parents. (Harry’s parents enter stage left,

with table and 4 chairs)

Johnny: Mrs. Jones (shakes her hand) Mr. Jones, it’s nice to meet you, sir. (shakes his hand) I’m Johnny Mckenna. Thank you for having me over.

Harry: (down center stage, Johnny and parents pantomime eating and talking) Johnny seemed to be getting along well with my parents, I on the other hand was zoning out. Wait! (runs back to

his chair, sits down)

Johnny: ...excited that Harry’s going trick-or-treating with me on Halloween.Ruth: oh! wonderful!

Ben: Best thing for him!Harry: Great.

(Harry and Johnny walk back toward center stage)Johnny: Awesome, Harry! It’ll be great! See you at school tomorrow!(Johnny exits stage right)

Harry:(walks back toward his parents, stops hearing them talk)Ben: What a nice young man.

Ruth:I’ll say, the two of them are lucky to have found each other.Ben: The two of them, Ruth? Harry’s the lucky one here.

Ruth: Ben! Be quiet, he’ll hear you!

Harry:(to audience)I heard him.

Scene 5Johnny: Harry, I want you to meet someone. This is Gabrielle.

Harry: (tongue-tied)Gabrielle: It’s nice to meet you Harry. I like your costume.

(Harry and Gabrielle step away from the group.)Harry: Thanks. I like your costume too, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle: Oh this? I just threw this together in the last minute.Harry: (laughing) I did the same thing.

Gabrielle: So what’s your favorite TV show? Mine’s Taxi.Harry: I like that one too! Have you seen the show WKRP?

Gabrielle: Of course who hasn’t?Harry: So what’s your favorite subject in school?

Gabrielle: Well I don’t totally hate history or English.Harry: Those are the classes I hate the least too. Math is such a boring class to me with all those

number and letters.

Gabrielle: You are so funny Harry! I have enjoyed talking to you. Oh no. We forgot to get some candy and Halloween is almost over.

Johnny: Let’s go Harry!Harry: I had a good time tonight, even though we forgot to get candy.

Gabrielle: Me too. See you at school tomorrow. Wait Harry.Harry: (already walking away, has mask in his hands) Yes Gabrielle?

Gabrielle: Never mind. Maybe I will see you later. But I doubt it. I have lots of work to finish for school. Bye. (Exit stage)

Johnny: Don’t worry about her. Her parents probably just won’t let her date yet.Harry: Yeah, sure. I guess.

Johnny: I have an idea. We should start a band!Harry: Sure, let’s start a band.

Scene 6

Johnny and harry are in CBGB having a conversation. Them and Richie both walk in together from offstage left into center stage.

Harry: I got A outfit of brown pants, a mauve smoking jacket, and a big burgundy hat with a floppy brim that would just about completely hide my face. I was planning to cap it all of with

my trademark sunglasses.

Johnny: no harry wear this.

*Johnny hands him his idea of a better outfit*

Johnny: You can still wear the hat and the sunglasses!

*Harry steps out and says*

Harry: I really didn’t want to cause anymore attention to myself than I had to but, you didn’t say no to Johnny McKenna.

Johnny was the kind of kid who been overindulged by his parents. You know these kids. They’re the little brats who hear daily how smart they are, how handsome, how strong, how fast how

funny, how kind, how considerate, how clever, how wise they are.

Johnny shows him the out fit for the gig black shirt, black pants, black boots; Johnny cash simple elegant cool

HARRY SHOWS THAT HE IS ANNOYED AND LOOKS AT RICHIE FOR SUPPORT

*Richie shrugs his shoulders and looks away from him*

Harry: I can still wear my sunglasses right?

Johnny: right.

Harry: and my hat?

Johnny: sure, I just think this combo will look good on stage.

*They all walk off stage right*

--lights off and dim back on when background change—

*everyones doing there own thing, just someone tuning his guitar, and harry was admiring the wall and writes The Scar Boys with a sharpie he finds next to the wall*

Johhny: He isn’t coming….. dave….he isn’t coming

*Everyone just stares at each other*

*Richie shakes his head stands up, spits on the ground and grabs some of his stuff and storms out*

Harry: what the hell, where is he

Johnny: His mom didn’t say why, hes home and wouldn’t come to the phone…he isn’t gonna show.

*disappointment filled in everyone’s faces*

--everyone puts their head down ashamed grabs their stuff and all walks out*

Scene 7:

Harry :(with difficulty) C G C …C G C

(light shifts from harry to parents who are standing behind him

On either side of him,he is still mumbling notes under his breath but audiable)

Dad: ( silent for a minute listening ) I don’t like this

Mom: you don’t like what?

Dad: nothing… (hesitant) this whole band nonsense

Mom: you should give him a chance, he is just doing what he loves…. Just a bit of fun you know

Dad: it’s not the good kinda fun

Mom: what do you mean its not a good kinda fun?

Dad: it could be damaging, (snappy) that’s all

Mom: to who?

Dad: ( firmly) to him

( simultaneously harry strums his guitar angrily when he hears him)

( light shift to harry again)

Harry: C G C….CGC

(light shifts back to parents, harry is still softly playing)

Mom: how?

Dad: it just is…… he is gonna embarrass himself

Mom: doing what he loves?

Dad: it doesn’t matter that he loves the band, it’ll just get his hopes then it’ll all crash down when

people laugh at him, and he will end up worse off than he even began.

Harry loses his note, huffs under his breath.

Mom: You have to give him a chance, he is finally doing better.

Harry finds his note and starts playing well.

Dad: Well yes but at what cost?

Mom: Harry is obviously willing to take the chance, he seems happy to have something to put

his energy in. He is actually being social.

Harry plays even better

Dad: Yes, good, more people to witness his failure.

Harry’s note falls flat

Mom: You don’t really care about him do you? You just want to save your own face!

Dad: No I-

Mom: Don’t deny it! Don’t you dare deny it like you have been for years!

Harry plays rapidly

Dad:… FINE. I won’t deny it! Yes, I don’t want him to be in a band where I will potentially

have to sacrifice even more than I already have! I have given up my life for this kid-

Mom: But he’s-

Dad: I know, our son! But since the accident, we have had to put our entire lives on hold from

him! I know you think you made all the sacrfices-

Mom: I do not-

Dad: But I have to! Do you know what it’s like going into work, seeing my colleagues brag

about how their son won the game, got the girl, got into Syracuse, and I can’t say anything! I

mean what should I say? Oh goodie Don, Harry stopped taking pain killers! What a joy! No, that

isn’t proper! The boy can’t do anything right, he is just a good for nothing, lazy-

Harry: FREAK

Harry slams down his guitar with frustration.

Light back to mom and dad. Mom looks horrified.

Dad: Honey, honey I’m-

Mom: Don’t. Just don’t.

Dad is left looking apologetically frustrated.

Back to Harry. Harry picks up his guitar.

Harry: C, G, C, G, G ,C

Scene 8Stage Directions: Band playing badly in the background

Harry covering his earsHarry: We had a rough start, I mean what do you expect? We were thirteen and had zero experience with anything involving musical instruments! But then something crazy happened, something no one

would expect; we got good.(Band turns around and Harry jumps into place as they finish the last two lines of a song, playing well)

Johnny: YEEEEAAAH(Harry steps back out of the band while they continue to play)

Harry: So good in fact, we got a gig. And not just your run of the mill two people passed out in an empty bar gig. The mother of all gigs. The Scar Boys were booked at CBGBs.

(Scene changes to CBGBs backstage, Dave walks off stage, Harry is sitting tuning his guitar, Johnny walks around nervously)

Johnny: Harry, A is flat lets get that under control…Harry: Okay.

Johnny looks around nervously for a minute, walks toward Richie who is sitting quietly practicing the drums

Johnny: Rich, in Girl Next Door, you always play the third beat of the chorus on the third beat.Richie:… I don’t know how to respond to that…

Johnny: It’s too togetherRichie: Too together?

Johnny: We can’t sound like a middle school orchestra, ya gotta loosen up.Richie: So play off the beat?

Johnny: Play what feels natural.Richie: What if what’s natural is on the beat?

Johnny: Well I don’t know how to respond to THAT.Johnny looks around again

Johnny: Where the heck is Dave?Harry: I don’t know

Richie: I’m sure he’ll be hereJohnny: He’s an hour late!

Harry: Bad traffic?Johnny: Ugh

Backstage Man comes inBackstage Man: Phone car for you guys, says his name is Dave?

Johnny: Thank God, give me the phone. Hey man where are you… Not coming… What do you mean not coming?...Well who gives a flying flip what they think, get over here… Yeah yeah I understand, that

you’re a traitor yeah I got it man, have fun kissing butts for the rest of your life.Johnny violently slams the phone shut.

Johnny: He’s not coming.Harry: What?

Johnny: He’s not coming. His parents don’t want him hanging around the “wrong sort”Both Johnny and Richie look at Harry.

Harry: Oh…

Backstage Man: Sorry guys, you’re out.

Scene 9

Harry: (As Narration down center stage) With CBGB’s so close our band became one member short. Johnny wasted no time; he put up posters all over school that read: “The scar boys are

holding auditions all over school at 55 Elberon Ave. -that was my house- bring your instrument and bring your chops.” (Steps back to stage left as Johnny enters stage right with other band

members)Johnny: Hey Harry, are you ready to hold auditions? I’m sure we’ll see a lot of great talent!Harry: Yeah, the line is getting long let’s get started. (Harry goes sit down with rest of band

center stage as Johnny goes to get the first person auditioning)Guy 1: Hello my name is frank and today I will be tap-dancing while burping the alphabet.

Johnny: Umm… very funny man. So where’s your instrument?Guy 1: What do you mean instrument? My body is my instrument.

Richie: Did you read the posters? This is an audition to be in our band not some weird talent contest.

Guy 1: You mean you have to play like a REAL instrument (mimes out playing an instrument)?Harry: Yeah.

Guy 1: And the Body doesn’t count?Johnny: No.

Guy 1: oh…… that’s alright. I didn’t want to be part of this lame group anyway. (Guy turns to leave)

Johnny: tell the next person to come in on your way out. (Guy 1 Exist as band members make exasperated faces at each other)

(Next person enters)

Girl 1: hello my name is Samantha and I will be playing the violinJohnny: (to Harry and other band members) At least this one can play an instrument.

(Girl starts to play and it sounds as if this is her first time ever picking up the instrument. She keeps taping her feet trying to get on a nonexistent beat until Johnny stops her.)

Richie: (To group) Looks like you spoke to soon huh John. (To girl) That was……. lovely, we’ll give you a call.

Girl: But I didn’t give you my phone number. (Starts to walk over to where the band is sitting)Richie: Don’t worry! ….. We’ll just look you up.

Johnny :( As girl is leaving) yeah or not!(Enter Cheyenne)

Johnny: (Exasperated by the last 2 cuts Cheyenne off as she begins to speak) yeah, yeah, yeah just go ahead.

(Cheyenne starts to play beautifully. All band members are startled out of their previous moods to watch her. They notice how good she looks)

Harry: can you wait there for a second?(She moves over stage left as guys move stage left into a huddle. Mumbling incoherent words

until Johnny says)Johnny: So it’s settled, no one can sleep with her!

(Motion Cheyenne over)All Band Members: You're in!

Scene 10

Harry and his parents are sitting down to a family mealDad: How are your grades Harry?

Harry: Fine dad.

Dad: Well that’s not what I heard. Your mother and I got a call from your principal this afternoon.

Harry: Oh.

Mom: Did you know that you’re failing two of your classes?

Harry: Sorry.

Mom: It’s alright dear; just try your best to bring those grades up.

Harry: I will Mom. I need to meet with the band tonight. Bye. (Is about to exit stage before he is forced back by his Dad)

Dad: This is about the band. You have been spending so much time learning to play that crummy guitar that you have been forgetting about school coming first.

Harry: Dad the band is doing really well we even got a new bass player. We actually sound like a good rock band.

Dad: Stop trying to change the subject. We are discussing your grades.

Mom: Harry will bring his grades up. This band is good for him. I’m so proud of you Harry. But you need find a balance between school and the band.

Harry: I guess so Mom. Johnny’s waiting for me at his house. We need to practice. Bye. (Harry exits stage)

Scene 11

Lights on Narrator and he is center stage

Narrator: From the moment Cheyenne joined scar boys, things had changed. Our rehearsals, our gig, our music becomes infused with a new kind of energy. everything seemed to go right when she was around. I broke fewer guitar strings, riche broke fewer sticks and Johnny hit notes beyond his range. Not only did

we do better, we got ten times better

Johnny: Harry what you are doing!

Harry: WHAT?

Johnny: Your disguise you’re taking it off!

Harry: I don’t know I mumbled to my feet….

Awkward silence

Johnny: huh?? You don’t get to make decisions like that.Johnny: there are to be no changes without my approval!

Harry ignores him and puts on his sunglasses and hat back on but Cheyenne cuts in.

Cheyenne: Harry you should leave them off, you have a beautiful face.

Johnny shrugs and turns away

Cheyenne: you should do what makes you feel comfortable! Johnny don’t listen to him!

Narrator: In 1986 February a little more than a year after chey had joined the band wed start to gain a small but legitimate following we were the first of four bands on the bill that night. We started at 8

o’clock

Song plays from the band group walks of stage

Announcer: we need you guys back on stage

Bands comes out to hear the loud applause

Jonny points the mic towards the crowd and everyone back stage yells “ONE OF THESE DAYS THESE BOOTS ARE GONA WALK ALL OVER You! They high five each other all around as they walk off stage with

there instruments when they see the wolfing cookies

Lights go on the wolfing cookiesThen back on the scar boys

Johnny wolfing cookies what a dumb name for a band !

And they say at the same time lets go on the road

Scene 12Harry, Johnny, Cheyenne, Richie

Johnny: So I think that performance was a success.

Richie: That crowd was singing along with us by the end. What a rush.

Cheyenne: That show was amazing.

Harry: We should go on tour!

(Everyone laughs at Harry’s remark, but Johnny was not amused)

Richie: What?

Harry: I was talking to the Woofing Cookies drummer before we went on tonight. Turns out they were on tour all the way from Georgia. We could go on tour like them.

Johnny: “Well, I didn’t tell you guys, but I’ve been offered a track and field scholarship to Syracuse and I accepted it. They’re paying my tuition. I mean, you guys applied to colleges too, right? C’mon, did you all

really think we were going to do this for the rest of our lives?

Harry: Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought.

Johnny: C’mon Harry, get real. Do you have any idea what a long shot this would be?

Cheyenne: Well I kind of thought we were going to give this a try for a while. (grabs Johnny’s wrist) What if this is like, our one chance?

Johnny: What about Richie?

Richie: The school ain’t going nowhere John. It will be there when I get back. Besides, I’m not in school over the summer.

(a few moments of silence in the car)

Johnny: I have an idea, lets do a tour this summer. What do you guys say?

Harry: Yeah we should go on tour.

Cheyenne: Yeah.

Richie: Sure.

Johnny: Then it’s settled. We’ll do a tour and be back by the middle of August so I can go to school.

Narrator: The band has decided to go on tour. But Johnny was being very stubborn about the idea of the tour when I first brought it up. Not until he was able to take my idea and make it his own, was he willing

to go along with it. Anyway, the Scar Boys are going on tour and we have so much work to do to prepare. The next day Richie, Johnny, and I went on a search for a van. We bought what we thought

would be a great van with only 40,000 miles and a good engine. Yet we would soon find out from Richie’s dad that it was a big waste of our money. The catalytic was gone. That meant the van would not

pass inspection. Luckily though, we were able to convince the inspector to let us drive it anyway.

13. Harry is standing center stage in the hallway getting his books out of his locker. The ensemble is walking through the hall. Mary Beth Tice enters from stage left as the ensemble exits

to both sides.Mary Beth Tice: “Hey! I heard your band is going on the road. That is so cool!”

Ensemble: (Echoes) “Hey! I heard your band is going on the road. That is so cool!”Harry: (Pauses without looking at her. Begins to walk away)

Mary Beth: (She looks at him confused) “Uh-Harry?”Harry: “Oh! I didn’t realize you were talking to me. Sorry.”

Mary Beth: “Do you know any other rock stars at this school?” (She says sarcastically.)Harry: “I mean Johnny and//Richie…”

Mary Beth: “//I was talking to you, Harry.” (She smiles then exits)Harry: “…Thanks.”

Billy: “Don’t talk to yourself, freak.(Class bell rings. The ensemble rushes across the stage. Harry crosses to downstage left.

Ensemble exits.)Harry: “Freak. Let me tell you why I hate that word. We’ll have to take a moment and go back a

couple summers ago. My mom, dad, and I were at Long Beach Island. This particular day we decided to go to the Barnegat Lighthouse. This was my favorite part of every trip. We went per

my request. I knew everything about “Old Barney” and took it upon myself to ensure that everyone else did too. I was in the middle of another fact about the Barnegat Lighthouse…

(Parents walk onto stage to join Harry at downstage left and are standing there listening to him)… The lighthouse's beacon remained a first-class navigational light until-Look at that!”

Mom and Dad: “What? Look at what?”Harry: “That dog!”

(Harry runs, parents go to follow then movement of mom and dad pauses Harry stops and steps downstage center)

Harry: “It was a beagle, mutt, something or other-I can’t remember now, and frankly it isn’t important. What was important was that I wanted to keep him; but my father felt otherwise. A

couple of things about my father. First, he resented me. And the accident. Ever since my parents found me tied to that tree I couldn’t keep my mother away and I couldn’t get my father to come close. My mother no longer had time for my dad. She spent all of her time fixated on me. My

dad hated it. But trust me, if I could’ve, I definitely would have shared. I would have done anything to keep from hearing them fighting. Mom always defending me; dad not so much. If you live in a happy home, consider yourself lucky. You just can’t know how much this sort of

thing sucks. The second thing is this: My dad hates dogs. You can see where both of these things might cause an issue. (Movement resumes) Isn’t he cute mom? Can we keep him? We have

room! And I’ll take care of him! Please, please, please?”Mom: “Oh! Aren’t you two just so cute together! Ben, honey, what do you think?”

Dad: “I’m sure it was just left here to wait by one of the families in the lighthouse. Just leave it there.” (Harry goes to pet the dog) “No! Do not touch that animal. You don’t know where it’s

been.”Harry: “I’m sure he’s fine. We can just take him with us until someone comes to claim him.” (To

the dog) “I think I’ll call you Blackie.”Dad: “Absolutely not. And do not name it. You’ll get attached. We’ll take it to a shelter but that is it.” (Tries to grab the dog. Dog backs away. Tries to grab at him faster.) “UGH! My back!” (Harry reaches out to help him up) “No! Don’t touch me. This is all your fault! Why do you

have to be such a FREAK?”(Followed by a long silence with light only on Harry.)

Mom: (Lights come back up) “Ben!”(Dad extends arm to Harry after a pause. Harry jerks the arm and kicks him in the mouth. Father falls to the ground. Lights go down. After a pause lights come back up and Harry is

center stage.)Harry: “But that’s not what happened.” (Walks back over and helps dad up from kneeling

position) “I helped him up. Avoided eye contact. And pretended nothing had happened. Helped him get to the car. Opened the door. Out of nowhere Blackie jumped into the car. My dad

groaned. We took the dog to the shelter.” (Mother and Father exit) “And we spent the rest of the vacation in our hotel. He apologized that first night after the incident. Sort of. He said, “Pain and stress can hijack a man’s soul and twist it out of shape, like my back.” And we never mentioned it again. But I will never forget that day. The word freak ringing in my head over and over every single time someone even glances in my direction. I guess you could say I was scarred in more

ways than one.” (Lights fade)

Scene 14

(starting out with harry standing next to his mother and father with

His bag next to him)

Harry: well… I guess this is goodbye

( he moves to hug his mom)

Mom: I’m so proud of what you have become harry, my little baby all grown up with his own band…..

(softly) going on his own tour and leaving us behind.

Harry: come on now ma… you stop crying right now.. I mean soon It’ll be over and ill be back to being

your boy again.

( harry’s dad steps up and sticks his hands out t harry, harry takes it hesitantly and shakes his hand)

Dad: (firmly) well good luck son

Harry: thank you

(scene shift to the band on stage in the middle of a song, they finish the song, and walk off stage in a

hyper manner. The lights shift over to side of stage where a table with four chairs is sitting to represent a

diner in Maryland. They walk over there, soft music is playing in backgrund)

Richie: (cheerfully) dude you were amazing

harry: (shyly) thanks

Cheyenne: not many people there, but amazing anyways

(Johnny puts an arm around her and harry frowns)

Johnny: (smiling) its was wasn’t it

(they eat fries and gravy with harry sitting next to Richie, and Johnny sitting next to chey)

Harry: this is good, never tried fries and gravy before

(the attention is shifted to the diner’s owner who is announcing the next band playing)

Owner: attention everyone…. Thank you for coming out tonight, but our entertainment is coming to an

end tonight

(everyone boos)

Owner: well lucky for you, we have one more…. (everyone cheers)…. Lets welcome on stage The Scar

Boys.

( the band goes on stage and plays a song, then they finish and go back to their seats)

Cheyenne: days like this make happy that I joined this band

Johnny: (putting his arms around her) yeah me too. So chey what made you chose to play the bass?

Cheyenne: because

Harry: because?

Cheyenne: because I can’t play the trumpet

Richie: (exasperated) the trumpet, why would you ever want to play that?

Johnny: (talks while gazing at Cheyenne) hey, be nice, there is nothing wrong with with the trumpet

Cheyenne: see Johnny understands (she says dazing at him)

Johnny: (mumbling) of course I do…..(more firmly) so why didn’t you learn how to play it…. The trumpet

I mean.

Cheyenne: braces

Johnny: braces?

Cheyenne: yeah I had them and they got in the way

Johnny: oh (he leans back, arm still around Cheyenne)

Cheyenne: yeah… well excuse me I have to go use the toilet

(she gets up and harry sighs)

Richie: so Johnny, what’s with you and chey (he says teasingly)

(harry frowns)

Johnny: what do you mean?

Richie: I don’t know, you guys were being real close is all

Harry: (mumbling but could be heard) can we move on

Johnny: (frowns when he hears harry) nothing is going on

(they all look up when Cheyenne walks back and she sits down)

Cheyenne: so harry what’s your story

Harry: what story?

Cheyenne: why do you like music so much

Harry: because it means everything to me

Scene 15

HARRY and RICHIE are sleeping in a hotel somewhere (JOHNNY is sleeping in the bathtub and CHEYANNE is in another room) in Virginia. It is in the early hours of the morning and HARRY cannot

sleep.LIGHTS UP

HARRYHey, Richie, you awake?

RICHIE*snore*

HARRY(mutters) Hey, where’s Johnny?

HARRY goes to STAGE RIGHT and pokes his head offstage

HARRYWhere is he?

RICHIE*snore* (turns over)

HARRYOh, well.

HARRY walks across the stage and EXITS STAGE LEFT*door opens*LIGHTS DOWN

*at this point, RICHIE exits STAGE RIGHT*

LIGHTS UPHARRY has gone outside and is wearing a jacket

*door closes*

CHEYANNE*giggles somewhere offstage*

HARRY*stops walking* (mutters) What?

On STAGE RIGHT, a dim blue light comes up and the audience can see the intertwined silhouettes of JOHNNY and CHEYANNE; HARRY stops and watches

HARRYWhat the HECK Johnny?!

ALL LIGHTS COME UP, JOHNNY AND CHEYANNE FREEZE IN WHATEVER POSITION THEY ARE IN

HARRY(now facing audience)

When Johnny and I were juniors, we were in the same trigonometry class and he sat behind me. One day, Johnny passed me a note that said “So, when are you gonna ask a girl out?” I said “Never.” He said,

“Why not?” I said, “You know why.” He said, “Okay, okay, but if you were to ask someone out, who would it be?” I didn’t reply, so I got another note a few minutes later that said, ”Well?” I replied with, “Well, what?” We went on like this for a while. Then I finally wrote, “Kristen Greenly.” He didn’t reply.

(starts walking to where JOHNNY and CHEYANNE are frozen) *shouts:* And guess who Johnny went on a date with 2 weeks later? *looks at audience smugly* Kristen Greenly. *looks at Cheyanne, brushes her

cheek* And now her. *circles around Johnny* He establishes with Kristen that he can get anything I couldn’t, but he still does it. *beat* (walks to the center of the stage) I’ve come up with some things I

can do about this, “remedies” if you will.#1: I can fill the bathtub up with water and drown or electrocute myself.

#2: Quit the band#3: Get drunk

#4: Punch Johnny in the face, but who am I kidding?#5: Talk to Johnny and Cheyenne. Nah.

But, honestly, I’m just going to pretend like none of this ever happened, like always. *walks to where he bagan the monologue* I’m just going to curl up in the tub where Johnny is supposed to be and just

sleep.

ALL LIGHTS GO BACK TO PRE-MONOLOGUEHARRY watches for a little while longer and then walks ostage. DOOR CLOSES, JOHNNY and CHEYANNE

look in the direction of stageleft and continue “doing the do.”LIGHTS DOWN

Scene 16

Scene begins drivingRichie is driving, Harry is in the passenger seat, Cheyenne and Johnny are cuddled up in the back seat. An unnatural sound comes from the car. Johnny stops the car, unbuckles his seat belt and starts to get

out of car.Harry: What’s wrong?

Richie: The cottoner pin.Harry: Wait, what’s a cottoner pin?

Richie: The clutch.Slams door and a boom of thunder is heard. Johnny wakes up.

Johnny: What the-Harry: It’s the clutch.

Johnny: Dang.Slams car door. Cheyenne is now awake and sits up.

Cheyenne: Stuck in a lightning storm, how poetic.Harry visibly flinches and clutches his hands.

Harry: One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi, five-Lightning is heard

Cheyenne: What are you doing?Thunder clap.

Harry: One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three miss-Cheyenne: Harry are you okay?

ThunderHarry: One Mississippi

BoomHarry: NO

Cheyenne: Harry?The wind noise picks up, Harry’s mothers voice is heard and calls from him frantically.

Mother: Harry? HARRY OH GOD!Lighting clap, Harry faints.

17.

Lights Up(Stage is separated by three areas of lighting. Stage Right downstage will be a living room area

represented by just a couch and maybe a small table. Center Stage upstage is the rock band area which for this scene will be their practice room. The next area is stage left downstage, a bedroom. The scene

will begin with Johnny, Chey, and Richie with overlapping dialogue that begins as soon as the scene lights begin to come on. After about 15 seconds this will wake Harry up who is in the bedroom at this

point sleeping.Chey

Johnny I don’t understand

JohnnyWe just can’t

CheyBut there’s no reason not to! We were doing so well. We can’t just stop!

JohnnyWell I don’t see what choice we have!

CheyLook Richie and I both think…

JohnnyWhat Chey? What does Richie think? Come on Richie tell us what you think

(Richie stays silent)

JohnnyWhat’s the matter Richie, don’t you have an opinion?

RichieI got nothing.

CheyRichie!

CheyLook I’m not gonna make it worse than it already is. It is what it is so were just gonna have to deal with

it.

JohnnyWell then it’s settled. Were gonna have to go back home... (Interrupted)

CheyNo. We need to at least wait till the end of the week.

(Johnny stares at her as if he’s shocked that she disagrees with him)Johnny

Well Richie? DO have an opinion on that?

(Richie looks back and forth between Chey and Johnny)

RichieI’d rather at least wait till the end of the week

JohnnyWell, look at that Chey. I guess were gonna wait till the end of the week.

Richie(Looks awkwardly at Chey and Johnny) Excuse me.

(Richie exits)

Chey(Long pause) Why Johnny. Don’t you care about our band anymore? About Me? What happened to you

Johnny? What’s the matter?

JohnnyWhat’s the matter? What do you think is the matter? We have a broken car, and no money to fix one or

buy a new one. That’s what’s the matter.

CheyYou know instead of complaining you could perhaps help?

JohnnyI don’t see how I could possibly do that. (Pause) Look, I don’t know about you but I plan on leaving. I

don’t know what you plan on doing but you need to come with me before I leave for Syracuse.

CheyWhat?

JohnnyI have five-hundred dollars. We could afford a bus.

CheyYou have five hundred-dollars!

(Harry begins to wake up)

JohnnyYeah. My parents gave it to me for emergencies.

CheyJohnny I’m not going back with you.

JohnnyExcuse me?

CheyI don’t want to go back. There’s nothing for me back there.

JohnnyWhat are you talking about?

CheyJohnny, this is where I belong.

JohnnyI can’t believe you’re being so selfish!

CheyOh give me a break!

JohnnyNo! All you’re doing is thinking about yourself right now!

(Harry wakes up and begins to move to other side of stage)

CheyWell look whose talking!

JohnnyYou make me sick.

(Johnny leaves the room passing by Harry as he enters. Chey is now sitting on the couch crying. Harry sits down next to her while she cries. They sit for a moment and she begins to speak)

CheyWe had a fight.

HarryOh

Chey(Wipes one eye) He wants us to leave, to go home. I told him we agreed to wait until the end of the

week, but he says he doesn’t care, he wants to leave now and I should go with him.

HarryMmmmm-hmmm.

Chey(Pause) He has money you know.

HarryNo I didn’t know.

CheyYep

HarryHow Much?

CheyLike five-hundred dollars. (Harry looks over) His parents gave it to him for “emergencies”.

Harry(Pause) What are you going to do?

CheyWhat do you mean?

HarryAre you going to go?

CheyTo do what? Spend a week following him around until he leaves for Syracuse? Then what? Follow him

there? He begged me to go, but I didn’t see the point.

HarryJohnny begged you to go?

CheyI guess that’s not the right word. He kinda ordered me to go. (Beat) I don’t know what to do Harry.

HarryI think I have an idea that will help us both.

(Harry gets up and grabs Chey’s hand and takes her out of living room. Lights fade for transition. When lights come up Richie, Harry, and Chey are in band room. Then Johnny comes from bedroom with

suitcase. Everybody stops what they are doing and stares at him. After an awkward moment Johnny continues to proceed to living room. Chey looks at Harry and Harry follows him into living room. Harry

enters the living room just as Johnny is about to leave.

HarryHey!

JohnnyI told you guys I was going to college.

HarryBut were jamming!

JohnnyHarry I think I need to leave now.

HarryI know, Chey told me, but why don’t you come Jam first?

JohnnyWhat, why?

HarryI dunno.

JohnnyIf you sure don’t know then I sure don’t know.

HarryCheyenne says you have money.

JohnnyIt’s none of your business.

HarryIt’s not?

JohnnyNo

HarryYou didn’t mind spending the money my dad gave me.

JohnnyThat was your choice Harry. Besides my parents told me this was emergency money.

HarryAnd the van breaking down wasn’t an emergency.

JohnnyMy emergency, not your emergency. And like I said, it’s none of your business.

Harry(pause) (quite indistinguishable mutter)

JohnnyWhat did you just say?(Harry remains silent)

You are such a coward (smiles)(Harry slaps him in face)

Did you just slap me?(Harry Leaves)

(As Harry walks back into band room Johnny walks offstage and lights dim on both the bedroom and living room but remain lit on band room.

CheyIs he coming?

HarryHe left

(silence)

RichieLet’s play a song.

(Everyone looks at each other awkward. Chey breaks silence by playing bass. Band then goes into full song. Harry begins to sing. As they end their song Chuck and Tony come into band room in pajamas and

ruffled hair as if they had just been asleep. The band stops playing.)

ChuckDo you have any idea what time it is?

RichieIsn’t it like ten?

TonyNo it’s like 7:45!

CheyOh. Well we can stop.

ChuckNo, you guys were great! We didn’t have any idea you were that good!

TonyWhere’s your other guy, the singer.

HarryHome. College.

TonyWell just forget about him, you guys should finish your tour.

HarryWell we’d like to but we can’t afford to fix our van.

ChuckWell buy a smaller car. They sell them for like five-hundred dollars over at the car lot right next door.

RichieBut between the three of us we only have like fifty dollars.

ChuckThen lets have a fundraiser!

CheyYou mean like a benefit concert

TonyYeah man we could have it here. We could get a lot of people here. It would be awesome!

HarryWell then let’s do it.

Scene 18

Harry comes in from stage right and is pacing around stage looking stressed and reads aloud the sign they made and Cheyenne walks in and he doesn’t notice and at the moment he is sitting down and she

sits right next to him.

Cheyenne: Hi

Harry: oh, hey

*Cheyenne paused and seemed to collect her thoughts for a moment*Cheyenne: all of this doesn’t seem right…

Harry: what doesn’t?

Cheyenne: Playing this party without Johnny….finishing the tour with him…being here…without him…

Harry: so what do you want to do? Do you want to go home?

Cheyenne: no, but it still doesn’t feel right

Harry: I think we sound pretty good as trio, don’t you think?

Cheyenne: we do! (smiling) ….somehow that makes it worse.

Harry: Look Chey if you want to go, we’ll all go. We’ll do whatever you want to do.

*Chey grabbed his hand and started to kiss Harrys cheek*

Chey: Thank you harry….thank you*puts head on shoulder*

Harry: for what?

Chey: for still being here…

*harry looks at her and they start kissing**They freeze kissing and narrator comes out and says*

Narrator: At this moment so many things were rushing through Harrys mind. Her lips were soft, softer than her hands, softer than anything in the world…he felt that they were the most wonderful things id

ever felt in my life.*Chey pulls away*

Chey: Harry im…im sorry

*she got up and walked off*

19.

Richie: Dude, do you think she followed Johnny home?Harry: (hesitates, thinking) I… I don’t know. (pauses, looks down) I hope not.

Richie: You okay? You seem a little worked up.Harry: (hesitates) Yeah… I’m fine.

Richie: You sure?Harry: Yes, I’m s… Cheyenne?

Cheyenne: why the long face? (fake laugh) We’ve got a show to put on.Richie: That’s not your call, Chey. Harry calls the shots now.

Cheyenne: (starts yelling, but stops herself) O… okay. (sighs) So Harry… are you ready for this?

Harry’s head in hands, hesitating

Cheyenne: Harry? ….. Harry? (louder)Harry: (looks up) You guys sure you wanna do this?

Richie: Of course. We’re a band. It’s what we do.Harry: but Johnny-

Cheyenne: Johnny’s not here! He’s gone!Harry: Let me get my costume. (goes offstage)

Richie: You sure you wanna go through with this?Cheyenne: Yeah. I’m sure.

Harry: (returning onstage) Let’s go.

They go to their gig, people are cheering, band members exchange looks.“Girl in the Band,” playing in the background.

Harry: (raises fist into air, pauses) On the drums, give it up for the skateboarding prince of the grave, Richie McGill! (points, throws off hat) On the bass, the princess of pounding rhythm,

Cheyenne Belle! (points, throws off wig)

music stops

Harry: And I am Harbinger Robert Francis Jones, the king of darkness and despair.(tears off clothing item)

audience gasps

Harry: AND WE ARE THE SCAR BOYS!

audience cheers, music resumes

20. Cheyenne, Richie, Tony, and Chuck are standing on a porch that is stage right. They all look very sad and distressed. Harry enters from stage left jingling keys around his finger and

whistling.Harry: (Without looking up Harry begins to speak) “I know we didn’t talk about this, but I took the

money we earned last night and I got us a van. I hope that’s ok… (Finally looks up to see Cheyenne crying) with you guys. What’s wrong? Why’s everyone on the porch? What

happened?”(No one responds. They shuffle their feet.)

Tony: “Uh, I don’t think it’s my place to tell you this, but your buddy, Johnny, got in a pretty bad accident.”

Harry: “What? No. That can’t be. He’s back at his cushy home with his parents. I’m sure he’s fine.”

Cheyenne: (Angrily) “No, Harry. He’s really hurt. It’s bad.”Harry: “I’m sure he’ll get over it.”

Richie: “Nah man. I think it’s pretty serious.”Harry: (Under his breath) “Serves him right.”

Cheyenne: “Excuse me?”Richie: “Dude…”

Harry: “I didn’t mean that…I-”Cheyenne: “-I need get away from here.” (Walks inside/exits stage right)

(Richie hits Harry on the arm)Richie: “Not cool, man.”

Harry: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. What actually happened?”

Richie: “Johnny was out on his nightly jog. I guess it was different since you weren’t there with him like you usually are. And he was just jogging down Alta Vista, you know, the usual. I guess he had a lot on his mind because he didn’t hear the car coming. Ronny Petrillo. Can you believe it? He had been out drinking. Someone let that idiot get behind the steering wheel of a car. He shouldn’t do that even when he’s sober. They said he didn’t even know what had happened.

They found Ronny just lying there. Not saying anything to anyone. Just staring off like he’d been the one staring into the headlights. He pinned Johnny against a tree. Right below the right knee.

It was barely hanging on by the time the ambulance got there. Only connected by some skin and ligaments. Completely broken. That pain. Damn. That pain. I can’t even imagine. He had to

get it amputated. Harry, the world finally broke Johnny McKenna.(Silence followed by the sound of Cheyenne throwing open the front door, pushing through them

all and wrenching the keys out of Harry’s hand.)Harry: “Cheyenne! What are you doing?”

Cheyenne: “I’m going to Johnny.”Harry: “What about me and Richie? What do you expect us to do?”

Cheyenne: “Call a cab. Walk for all I care. But I am not just going to sit here any longer. Johnny needs me. He needs us.” (Lights fade)

21. Harry standing downstage right. Lights only on him.Harry: “I needed to detox. So I went home. And Richie went home. I didn’t see him, or Johnny,

or Cheyenne. I actually didn’t see much of anyone. Guys like me have to keep moving. So I didn’t stop. I didn’t do music. I kept my mind off of everything and everyone. I moved along in a haze. It’s a lot like when I first got struck by lightning. Except I wasn’t the one in pain this time. I didn’t feel much of anything. Eventually my parents made me go back to see Dr. Kenny. (Lights come up stage left where Dr. Kenny is sitting at his desk.) It was different this time. There was a sadness about Dr. Kenny that hadn’t been there before. Like the world had beaten him down. It made me wonder if people, when they reach a certain age, forget how to be happy. I think I’d

forgotten. He told me that I should-”Dr. Kenny: “Call Richie. Call Cheyenne. Go see Johnny. They need you as much as you need

them. And you need the music. And they can give that to you. Stop feeling so down on yourself. Get over yourself, Harry. You’re shutting yourself off from all the things-maybe the only things-

that can help you move past this. Call them. And pick up your damn guitar.”Harry: “I-”

Dr. Kenny: “Time’s up, Harry.”(Harry stands up stunned. Leaves office stage right. Lights go down.)

22.Harry: (Walking around, reciting lists under his breath. Suddenly, he sees Cheyenne sitting on a

bridge, staring at a small waterfall)Cheyenne: (sighs)

(Harry approaches her silently, then stops)(Chey looks down, somberly)

Harry: (opens mouth, stops)Cheyenne: (is uncomfortable)

Harry: Hi Chey.Cheyenne: Not now, harry. Just leave me alone.

Harry: I-I just-Cheyenne: (coughs)

Harry: Chey?Cheyenne: (sits down on the nearby bench)

Harry: Are you ok, Chey?Cheyenne: (throws up onto Harry’s shoes)

Harry: (stares at Chey)Cheyenne: I’m perfectly fine, Harry. You don’t need to worry about me. (looks away)

Harry: Chey…I love you.Cheyenne: (gets up to leave)

Harry: Wait, Chey. (pulls her back into the chair) Chey, please, I’m sorry.Cheyenne: (looks back at Harry) No, Harry. I’m sorry.

Harry: (confused) For what?Cheyenne: For kissing you. (starts to cry)

Harry: Chey… (genuinely concerned)(pause)

Cheyenne: He won’t even see me.Harry: What?

Cheyenne: He won’t see me.Harry: Who?

Cheyenne: Johnny! Johnny won’t let me near him.Harry: (even more confused than before) Why? I thought you two were like (puts his hands

together) THIS close?Cheyenne: I don’t know why, (looks away) but I think he’s mad at me.

Harry: Did he know that you kissed me?Cheyenne: I don’t think so, but you aren’t allowed to tell him if he doesn’t already know.

Harry: Are you saying I should talk to him for you?Cheyenne: (hesitates) Maybe.

Harry: I… (looks down) I don’t know if he’ll see me.Cheyenne: (looks back) You mean you haven’t tried to see him yet?

Harry: I don’t want to see him… after I hit him…Cheyenne: Don’t let that stop you from trying! He knows you the best, and he need to see

someone!Harry: I-

Cheyenne: Go see him.Harry: Chey, I-

Cheyenne: You need to see him, Harry!Harry: I…(pauses) ok. I’ll go see Johnny.

Cheyenne: (gets up and starts to leave) Then go. Go see him.

Harry: Alright. I’ll go now.(Cheyenne waits for Harry to leave before she, herself, leaves)

Scene 23HARRY is seeing JOHNNY for the first time since JOHNNY left the band in Athens. Much tension.

LIGHTS UP

JOHNNY is in his bed, HARRY enters stage leftHARRY

(walks a few stes towards JOHNNY) “Hey, Johnny”

JOHNNY nods in acknowledgement, not looking up

HARRY(takes a few more steps towards JOHNNY) “How are you doing?”

JOHNNY shrugs in acknowledgement

HARRY*laughs*

JOHNNYJesus, Harry, did you come to just laugh at me?

HARRYNo, I just remembered a really funny joke! *beat* What did the stoplight say to the car?

JOHNNYWhat?

HARRYDon’t look, I’m changing!

BOTH share a good laugh

HARRYJohnny, I saw Cheyenne.

JOHNNYWhat about her? (hostile)

HARRY

She thinks you hate her.

JOHNNYGood.

HARRYWhat? I don’t understand.

JOHNNYListen, I don’t want her pity, and I don’t want her to be tied down to someone who isn’t even here!

HARRYI still don’t understand.

JOHNNYWhy?

HARRYIf you said you didn’t want to see any of us, why did your mom call us in Athens and tell us what

happened in the first place?

JOHNNYWho said I wanted to see any of you?

HARRYI don’t under-

JOHNNYYou don’t understand. So I’ve gathered. Look, I don’t remember if I told my mom to call you or if it was her idea. It was like, two days after my surgery. I was so full of morphine you could’ve, oh I don’t know, slapped me in the face and I couldn’t have felt it. And besides that, it wasn’t the band I wanted to get in

touch with, Harry, it was you! *shouts* Where have you been!?

HARRYI’m sorry Johnny, I thought you were mad at me because I hit you-

JOHNNYSlapped me.

HARRY…slapped you,

JOHNNYYou know, this isn’t as bad as a slap in the face. (motions to his leg)

HARRYBut wait, if you wanted to get in touch with me so bad, why didn’t you just call me?

JOHNNY*yelling* You were supposed to call me!

HARRYYou’re right, you’re right. I’m sorry. But Cheyenne loves you, man. You can’t just ignore her!

JOHNNYI’m doing her a favor. Do you think I like doing this?

HARRYThen don’t. Man you’re stubborn. I would do anything to have a girl like her. I would do anything to be

in your place!

JOHNNYLuckiest guy in the world? Look at me! This isn’t lucky! I’m a cripple, a freak! How would you know how I

feel?!

JOHNNY looks at HARRY and sees that he is the only person who knows how he feels

HARRYJust talk to her, okay?

*beat*Hey is that a new guitar

JOHNNYYeah, my parents got it for me as a “Hope you feel better” present. I haven’t touched it. Go ahead.

HARRY starts to play a Scar Boys song and Johnny joins in

JOHNNYYou know, this band name will make more sense now that there’s two of us.

BOTH laugh

LIGHTS DOWN

24.Harry: (on stage, alone)

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to accomplish when I decided to tell this story. Strike that. I know exactly what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted you to know who I am. That day in Johnny’s room was nearly six months ago. He never went to Syracuse and I don’t think he ever will. The four of

us still jam, and it’s great. I’m not sure where it will lead, but this time I understand that it’s not where I end up that matters, but how I get there.

I started out telling you I was a coward, and I probably still am. But maybe I’ve learned something else, too. I finally know who I am. I’m no longer the shy ugly kid with the scars. I’m

the shy ugly kid with the scars who plays the guitar, who loves music, and who has fiends. And you know what? That’s good enough for me.