K'ski = Miss Krysenowski
Rayanne = Rayanne Graff
AngelaVO= Angela's voiceover
Angela = Angela Chase
Jordan = Jordan Catalano
Rickie = Rickie Vasquez
Graham = Graham Chase
Patty = Patty Chase
Danielle= Danielle Chase
Ernie = Ernie (from Sesame Street)
Bert = Bert (from Sesame Street)
Sheep = Sheep (from Sesame Street)
Amber = Amber Vallone
Brian = Brian Krakow
Sharon = Sharon Cherski
Bass = Bass player
Drummer = Drummer
Announce= Announcer at Vertigo
Woman = Woman at Vertigo
Aud Mem = Audience Member

Krysanowski
You have 33 days.
Rayanne
33 days to do what?
Krysanowski
No, it's an expression. In AA, it means you've been clean and sober for over a month.
Rayanne
Oh, yeah. I feel like, I feel like really good.
Krysanowski
I know you do. This is kind of a dangerous time. [Rayanne picks up a toy and plays with it]
AngelaVO
So Jordan Catalano and I had pretty much broken up, but he still knew the combination to my locker. [Jordan opens Angela's locker while she watches]
Angela
What's wrong?
Jordan
Nothing. Just--
AngelaVO
You need me. You must have me as your own. You can't live another second knowing others could possess me.
Jordan
I could kill Tino.
Rayanne
What'd you call that, that word? You said it last week. You know, when you feel the need to, like, eat.
Krysanowski
Hunger?
Rayanne
No, that thing, that thing you said I was.
Krysanowski
Oh! I wasn't actually saying that you're, um, orally fixated--
Rayanne
Orally fixated!
Krysanowski
when I--
Rayanne
That's such a cool word.
Krysanowski
You know, I was saying that you have certain--
Rayanne
Because I have this, like, theory of how that probably happened to me. You see, my mother, she, like, claims that she breast-fed me, but I just have serious doubts. And you should see her boobs. They are so firm. [Rayanne holds out her lollipop to Miss Krysenowski] Lolly?
Krysanowski
Sure. Um, look, Rayanne, I know that you've chosen not to continue these sessions with me right now. [Rayanne takes out a fresh lollipop and gives it to Miss Krysenowski]
Rayanne
Well, I only have to do--
Krysanowski
Thanks.
Rayanne
this therapy thing for a month and then it's optional, right?
Krysanowski
No, I know that, I realize that. I just need to know that you have a support system in place.
Rayanne
I don't need a support system. I got friends.
Krysanowski
That's exactly why I'm raising this. I mean, didn't you mention to me that you've had some feelings of distance from your friends since, you know... [She places an AA pamphlet on the arm of the couch next to Rayanne] the incident?
Rayanne
What incident?
Krysanowski
I'm talking about the night you nearly died, the night that Angela's mother rushed you to the hospital. Now didn't you tell me that since that night you've felt some distance between yourself and your friend Angela?
Rayanne
I never said 'distance.' I just don't see her that much. It's not 'cause a some incident, it's, it's 'cause she's got this guy that she's, like, involved with. Which she wouldn't even have if it wasn't for me.
Krysanowski
And you don't feel any awkwardness around Angela.
Rayanne
No. The thing with Angela is that even with this stupid obsession with this guy, she's, like, totally there for me.
Rayanne
So where's Angela?
Rickie
Hmm. [reading from the AA pamphlet] Whatever you do, don't take the first drink.
Rayanne
AA propaganda from Miss Crazy-nowski. What a wimpette.
Rickie
I thought you said you liked her. That she was sensitive.
Rayanne
Sensitive wears thin. Go ahead, keep it. I don't need it. So, she's with Catalano again, huh?
Rickie
Well, it is like the weirdest break-up in history.
Rayanne
She's the one that needs a shrink. [Jordan and Angela are standing under the bleachers]
Jordan
So he just said 'This isn't working for me,' then he threw his mike right into Joey's bass drum, and then he...left.
Angela
So he quit? Tino quit Frozen Embryos?
Jordan
Yeah. I don't even think we're allowed to call ourselves Frozen Embryos anymore, 'cause it was Tino's name. So now it's, like, off-limits or something. [Rayanne, a few yards away, is trying to get Angela's attention; Angela doesn't notice]
Angela
I'm really sorry. [She places her hand on Jordan's shoulder]
AngelaVO
I'm just really, like, low. I'll just find any excuse to touch him. [Rayanne comes over to them]
Rayanne
Hey. I'm sorry, am I interrupting?
Angela
No. Hi. [Jordan walks away] Oh, wait, no, you don't have to--
Jordan
Whatever. Later.
Angela
He's just a bit upset about this thing with Tino. Why am I telling you, you must have heard what's happened, right?
Rayanne
Oh, yeah. So what happened?
Angela
Oh, a-about Tino quitting Frozen Embryos. I mean, I only know 'cause he told me.
Rayanne
What, you think that bothers me that you know? Tino'd be telling me right now if he was, like, in school.
Angela
Right, I know.
Rayanne
So, Angelika, what's the deal? Do I ever get to see you again?
Angela
Oh, I-I know, I've just been--
Rayanne
Oh, just kidding. Get outta here! I see you too much, don't flatter yourself.
Angela
No, really. You should really come over, like after school.
Rayanne
Oh, is that cool with Pattycake?
Angela
Yeah, of course it is. Don't be crazy. She never comes home before six anyway.
Rayanne
Well, you know, maybe I will.
Angela
Mm-hmm?
Rayanne
Mm-hmm.
Graham
Careful. Don't break the egg yolk.
Rayanne
[standing at a table, separating eggs over a bowl] So you actually, like, teach people how to cook?
Graham
Yeah, I actually like do. Listen, I'm sorry that Angela's not home yet. [He takes a bottle of brandy down from a shelf] Do you guys have definite plans?
Rayanne
Like this?
Graham
That's perfect. You're a natural. [There is a knock at the front door] Ah, this must be her. [He puts the bottle on the table next to Rayanne's bowl and goes to answer the door] Oh, you're back.
Patty
I'm back. [Patty, holding grocery bags, comes in. She stands at the entrance to the kitchen and sees Rayanne look at the brandy bottle and put it back down] Hi.
Rayanne
Hey.
Graham
Hey, watch that chocolate sauce. I'll get the rest of the groceries.
Patty
Can I get you something to drink? Like a soda?
Rayanne
Yeah! Thanks. Anything with sugar and caffeine.
Patty
So where's Angela? [Patty takes the bottle and puts it back on the shelf]
Rayanne
I don't know. She's got better things to do, or what have you.
Patty
Well, it's great to see you. So, uh, you mean she's with, um-- I-I-I mean, I-I thought they were, uh--
Rayanne
Exactly. You figured it out. It's like watching a rollercoaster. Actually, I think they're the ticket line, like really close to the rollercoaster.
Patty
I see.
Rayanne
So, did Angela tell you? I got 33 days. I'm squeaky clean, like a rubber ducky.
Patty
No, no, Angela didn't tell me. Congratulations.
Rayanne
Thanks. [Danielle enters]
Patty
Hi, honey.
Danielle
Hello.
Rayanne
(belches)
Danielle
You're supposed to say 'Excuse me.'
Rayanne
Oh, right, sorry, 'scuse me. [Patty picks up a beer bottle on the counter next to the refrigerator and sniffs it. Graham comes in]
Graham
Oh my god, the chocolate sauce.
Patty
Oh, it's okay. It's, it's not bubbling.
Danielle
Ooh, chocolate sauce! Can I try it? [Patty, Graham and Danielle gather around the stove while Rayanne watches from across the room]
Graham
Here. Be careful! It's very, very hot.
Patty
Ah, just a taste. We're about to eat.
Danielle
Ahhhh!
Patty
Oh, Danielle. C'mere. Let me fix it. [Patty wipes Danielle's mouth]
Danielle
[struggles] No.
Graham
Hey!
Danielle
I have to wash my whole face now. [She leaves]
Patty
Good. Rayanne, why don't you stay? For dinner?
Graham
Yeah, Angela'll be back any minute.
Rayanne
No, no. I gotta go. You know, my mom's making dinner. Later. [She leaves]
Patty
You know, that girl never said thank you.
Graham
For the soda?
Patty
For saving her life.
[Sesame Street is on television]
Ernie
Oh, I can't sleep, Bert. I can't fall asleep.
Bert
Well, count sheep then, Ernie.
Ernie
Count sheep? Wh-what do you mean, count sheep? [Amber is making margaritas in a blender]
Bert
I mean just lie there and count sheep. Just imagine them one at a time til you get so sleepy you just fall asleep.
Ernie
Okay, I'll try it, Bert. Alright, let's see, counting sheep. [Amber pours herself a margarita]
Sheep
Baaaaa. [Amber, holding the margarita, sits on the couch next to Rayanne]
Ernie
Let's see, that's one.
Rayanne
So, when's dinner?
Ernie
Th-that's just my first sheep. Don't worry, Bert. Just go right back to sleep.
Amber
Oh. You're hungry?
Rayanne
I haven't eaten since breakfast.
Amber
You didn't eat lunch?
Rayanne
It's Tuesday. I saw my counselor today.
Amber
What counselor?
Rayanne
My drug counselor. Miss Krysenowski. Remember, I told you.
Amber
[looking in freezer] Okay, let's see what we got here. Egg rolls! Mini-quiche and, oh, pierogies!
Rayanne
I'm sick of appetizers. I want a real meal, with all four basic food groups, and just for once can it not be such an amazing surprise that I want to eat dinner like every other American on the planet?
Amber
Okay, what's up?
Rayanne
Nothing. Angela invites me over today, and when I get there, she's nowhere to be found.
Amber
Well, did you two have a fight or something?
Rayanne
No. [Amber puts down the margarita and hugs Rayanne]
Amber
Oh, okay. What did you do?
Rayanne
What'd I do?
Amber
Yeah, to make Angela mad at you.
Rayanne
Well, I didn't do anything. She's just with Jordan Catalano all the time.
Amber
Well, then you be with him, too. You hang out with her while she's with Jordan. You know Jordan's friends. I mean, become part of it, Rainie. That's not hard. Everyone loves you. [She looks in the fridge] Aaaaaaa! Look what we forgot we had. Leftover Chinese. Rainie, butterfly shrimp! [She feeds one to Rayanne] Now, see, a lot of your friends come and go and most of them I could have cared less about. Angela, she's special.
[Angela and Jordan are sitting in Jordan's car while it rains outside]
Jordan
What I still can't figure out...is why Tino even quit. That's what's so...frustrating. Can you imagine what that's like? To have to, like, sit around, trying to figure out what someone else is, like thinking. [Rayanne opens the door and gets into the back seat]
Rayanne
Hey, what's up?
Angela
Oh. Oh, Rayanne, hi. So my parents said you stopped by yesterday, but I sort of thought you said you weren't going to, so...
Rayanne
No problem! Guzzles a six-pack, 2 hits a ex, I was back to new! So Catalano, how's it going'?
Angela
Um. I was just saying how Frozen Embryos finally got a spot at this open mike night at Vertigo, that coffeehouse.
Rayanne
I, like, know what Vertigo is.
Angela
Right. Well. Um, they still don't have a lead singer, so if, like, um, you know, should they blow it off, or find somebody new by next Thursday, or...
Rayanne
So Tino's still being a lowlife, huh?
Jordan
Could you two, like, leave?
Rayanne
God. Angela, I just had the most unbelievable idea. I am, like, so brilliant. I, like, amaze myself. Me.
Angela
What about you?
Rayanne
I should be the new lead singer for Frozen Embryos. Well, come on, I'm serious. Talk to Jordan.
Angela
Rayanne, I just don't know if that sounds very realistic.
Rayanne
Aw, what sounds realistic? I just spent a month stone cold sober, that doesn't sound realistic.
Angela
I can't just tell Jordan Catalano something like that.
Rayanne
God. Angela, think of it. We'd have such a time. You, hanging out with the band. Me, being the band. Come on, on, he'll do it if you ask him.
Angela
No, he won't. It's Jordan Catalano.
Rayanne
Just promise you'll ask for me, 'kay? Angelika, please?
Angela
Sure. I promise. [Rayanne hugs her and runs off, whooping]
[the phone rings]
Danielle
I'll get it! I'll get it! I'll get it! [Angela and Danielle struggle to answer the phone] Hey, it's mine.
Angela
Hello? Yeah. It's your boyfriend, Ryan.
Danielle
He's not my boyfriend. He was, but we're keeping it loose. [Patty, Graham, and Angela all look at Danielle. Danielle puts the phone down on the counter] I'll take it in the other room. [She leaves]
Patty
Are either of them married yet? I mean, how much have I missed? I hope you can join us for dinner tonight. We never get to see you anymore.
Danielle
Somebody hang up!
Angela
That's what everybody tells me. Rayanne says that, you say that.
Patty
If Rayanne isn't seeing you and we're not seeing you, who is seeing you?
Graham
And how much of you?
Angela
Dad.
Graham
Oh, I'm sorry. I asked a question about your life, didn't I? Whoa, what came over me?
Patty
So, Rayanne seems to be doing okay.
Angela
Oh, she is. Of course she is. She was, um, actually seeing a counselor for a little while.
Patty
She was seeing her? I thought she told me she was still seeing her. [car honks outside]
Angela
Mmm, gotta go. Jordan Catalano's giving me a ride to school. Is that what you wanna hear?
Patty
Yes. And, um, am I ever gonna get a chance to meet him?
Angela
Dad met him.
Graham
I met him.
Patty
Wait a second, eh, are we the same person? Hmm?
Graham
Almost, but, uh--
Angela
Mom, I'm gonna be late for school. There're state laws. Anyway, it's completely over between me and Jordan Catalano. [She leaves]
Patty
Well, it finally happened. I've completely lost touch with her. [Danielle enters. Patty grabs her as she walks past] Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait wait wait wait wait. Who is this Ryan?
Danielle
Mom, I have to go to school. [She leaves] [Graham hugs Patty]
[Jordan and Angela are talking in Jordan's car]
Jordan
I can't even face rehearsal tonight. There's gonna be, like, this big empty hole where Tino used to be.
Angela
I'm really sorry. I mean, I'm sure it's gonna all work out. I mean, you'll find someone, somehow.
Jordan
Yeah, right.
Angela
So, listen, this is probably a really stupid idea, but would Frozen Embryos ever want, like, a girl? I mean, to sing? I-- Like, I don't know, Rayanne Graff or something?
Jordan
Rayanne? Graff.
Angela
Right, yeah. No, I-- psssh, I mean...forget it. [She opens the car door] I'll see ya. [She gets out of the car]
[Rayanne and Rickie are walking down the hallway]
Rayanne
So, did she talk to him? 'Cause I hear they rehearse tonight, so I guess I should probably be there, right? [They arrive at Rickie's locker]
Rickie
Rayanne, I don't think they-- you know, I-- [Rayanne opens Rickie's locker] I mean, I hear they're not even Frozen Embryos anymore. They don't even, like, have a name.
Rayanne
Well, that's perfect. Then I'll give them a name. It'll be a totally new era. [Brian arrives at his locker a few feet away] An era of me.
Rickie
Rayanne...if they don't want you--
Rayanne
Well, why would they possibly not want me? I mean, I'm cute, I-I-I'm a total exhibitionist, and I can certainly sing just as loud and obnoxious as Tino.
Rickie
Hey, I-I just want to make sure you don't make this into a bigger deal than it is.
Rayanne
What, you think I'm going to drink myself into some stupor over some stupid band?
Rickie
No! Of course not. I mean, it's just that I actually spoke to Angela, you know, and...I just don't think they're looking for a girl singer or something.
Rayanne
So did she ex-- so did she explain how good I am?
Rickie
Look, I-I wasn't there, I'm just telling you what she said, you know? I mean, maybe you should just go talk to her yourself.
Rayanne
Well, maybe I will. [She leaves] [Brian walks over]
Brian
What is it? What, what did she do?
Rickie
Nothing, yet. I mean, I've seen her like this, you know, excited about something? When she's excited like this...it's kind of dangerous.
[Sharon enters the bathroom]
Rayanne
[singing inside a bathroom stall] How to get to Sesame Street. How to get to Sesame [toilet flushes] Street. [She comes out of the stall and sees Sharon] What?
Sharon
That was you?
Rayanne
So?
Sharon
Nothing. Nothing. You just-- you have a decent voice.
Rayanne
I'm sorry, did I say you could listen?
Sharon
I'm sorry, I didn't know this was your private recording studio.
Rayanne
I'm sorry, it is. Look, so like, in your opinion I can sing halfway decent? Like, say, I can sing in front of people?
Sharon
Maybe if you dressed a little more normal.
Rayanne
Well, lemme ask you your opinion about something. Say one person finds out there's a way she can get into a band that, like, needs a lead singer, and say this person can sing--
Sharon
This is you, right?
Rayanne
Just listen. So she asks this other person to put in a good word for her, because this other person, like, hangs out with someone in the band--
Sharon
W-w-wait, what band?
Rayanne
Shut up! So, this other person is acting, like, all put out about this, like it's some big chore or something.
Sharon
Why? Because she wants to sing in the band herself?
Rayanne
No, that would be totally impossible. She totally could not attempt that. The point is, wouldn't she want to do this? I mean, if she was a real friend? I mean, if she really beleieved in me? I mean, her. Unless, I guess, she thought this person would make a complete fool of herself.
Sharon
So this is Angela, right?
Drummer
I'm just sayin', lower it. [Rayanne walks in, but the band members do not notice her]
Bass
Lower it? What are you sayin'? You think my bass is too loud?
Drummer
Yeah, and outta tune.
Bass
I'm not outta tune, man. What is this, Tino's gone, now you're gonna start telling everybody who's outta tune? You're the drummer, man, you don't know anything about who's outta tune.
Drummer
Yeah, I know when something sounds like crap.
Jordan
All right! Can we just get through this one song?
Drummer
I'm outta here. I gotta get some pizza.
Bass
Now you're gonna eat? That's all you ever do is eat, man.
Drummer
Hey, what are you, the new Tino? Throw that bass anywhere near my drums, I'll kill you.
Jordan
All right! Look at us! We're ridiculous! We're not a band anymore. We don't even have a name. [They notice Rayanne]
Danielle
Hello? Angela, telephone!
Angela
Hello?
Jordan
Hey.
Angela
Oh, hi! [Danielle is listening in on the hallway extension] Danielle, hang up! Danielle, I know you're listening, I can hear the TV. [Patty comes over and takes the phone from Danielle]
Patty
Danielle, come on, let's respect Angela's privacy.
Jordan
So, Rayanne Graff is here. [Patty is now listening on the phone]
Angela
Rayanne is there? Oh. What's she doing there?
Jordan
I don't know, I was sorta gonna ask you. I mean, no one even invited her. Now she's, like, coming on to my drummer, acting like she's high. [Rayanne takes the headphones from Drummer's head and puts them on her own] What does she want?
Angela
I don't know, I-- I don't have anything to do with it. So how's rehearsal going? [Drummer offers Rayanne a beer. Rayanne shakes her head 'no']
Jordan
Sucks. Right now everyone's basically just sitting around the loft drinking beer. [Graham comes over to Patty]
Angela
Danielle, hang up! [Danielle walks by the open door of Angela's bedroom] Um...
Graham
[whispers] Patty! [Patty, startled, hangs up, then puts her hands over her face]
Angela
So I'm really sorry, I mean, about Rayanne. I'm glad you called, though. I mean, this is the first time you've ever called me. [Rayanne gets into the hammock with Drummer] On the phone. [Drummer is still holding a beer can near Rayanne's face]
Jordan
I gotta go.
Graham
You were listening in on her phone conversation? Patricia, you disappoint me!
Patty
Oh, shut up! It's the only way I could get any information. And by the way, that was your close, personal friend Jordan Catalano. Seems that Rayanne is in a loft drinking beer. So much for her great sobriety.
Graham
How is Jordan? He send his regards?
Patty
All right. You met him for one minute. Stop lording it over me. You know, I-- I have to say, I'm, I'm worried about Rayanne.
Graham
Well, Angela seems to think she's doing okay.
Patty
Yeah, but would Angela even tell us if she was worried about her? I mean, she barely speaks to us. I have this feeling like, like she's in trouble. And w-w-what do I do? Do I talk to her mom? Can you do that--
Graham
Patty.
Patty
with people? No. Mm-mm. I know, I-I-I can't, it's... crossing the line.
Patty
You're right.
Graham
Uh-uh, I'm not right. You have to be awake to be right.
Patty
Oh. Sorry.
Graham
Mmm.
Patty
Why is that, though, do you suppose? I mean, why is it so taboo? Why, why is it that, that you can't speak to people honestly about their children?
Graham
Because-- I'm gonna kill you. Oh, Patty, it's like twelve- fifteen already.
Patty
I know, I know, I know. Okay, I'm gonna stop obsessing about this, starting now. 'Night.
Graham
'Night. Because. [Graham turns on the light] Because nobody wants to hear something like that. Nobody wants to hear they may have made a mistake with their kids. Nobody wants to be accused of not being a decent parent. I mean, it-it is, it is an unwritten law, whatever goes on in your family is your business, period. Nobody else's.
Patty
Do you mind? I'm trying to sleep here. Do you really believe that? I mean, you really believe that it would be that much of an intrusion to casually and non- confrontationally mention to someone that you happen to be a little concerned about their child?
Graham
Uh, okay, okay. How would you respond to something like that? You know, some friendly, well-meaning comment like that?
Patty
Poison dart. Ohhh.
Graham
Goodnight, Gracie.
Patty
You know, you're absolutely right. It would be an enormous mistake to speak to Amber about Rayanne's drinking problem, it would just...make matters worse.
Graham
Well, I love you, too. And please, shut up.
Patty
Oh, well. So, you wanna make love? I mean, you know...since we're up?
Graham
Well, speak for yourself.
Patty
Well, just close your eyes and be very, very brave. [She kisses him]
Graham
Oh.
Angela
Hi.
Jordan
Hi.
Angela
So, listen, I just wanna say that I had no idea Rayanne was gonna show up at the loft. And when I said that thing about her, y-you know, the idea of her being in the band, I just wanna make sure that you didn't feel, like, pressured or anything. Not that you would feel that way, but in case you did, I mean, you know, it's up to you, obviously, so--
Jordan
She's in.
Angela
What?
Jordan
She's in the band.
Angela
O-oh. You mean--
Jordan
It wasn't my idea. It was his. [Rayanne and Drummer are making out in the hallway nearby] This whole thing is getting too weird. I gotta go. [He walks away] [Rayanne sees Angela, jumps up excitedly and comes over to her]
Rayanne
Angelika, I'm in! I'm an Embryo! Oh, man! Or whatever you wanna call it.
Drummer
Hey, Rayanne!
Angela
Yeah, I heard, that's really great.
Drummer
Hey, Rayanne, you comin'?
Rayanne
I gotta go. I'll see you later.
[the phone rings]
Amber
What?
Patty
Amber! Hi, it's Patty. Chase. Angela's mom? Did I wake you?
Amber
No, I always sound like this. [coughs] Mm. Ah. I was just having a dream about Angela. Her and her boyfriend, and Rainie and me were in this, like, log cabin.
Patty
Oh, if you mean Jordan Catalano, he's not her boyfriend. They've decided just to be friends.
Amber
Yeah, right. So, anyway. So they were all in this featherbed, and I was making pancakes for George Bush, of all people. So, Pat, what's up?
Patty
Nothing. I just, I just wondered how, how things were going with Rayanne.
Amber
Well, she's on the wagon, so she's completely no fun anymore. I'm just kidding. I'm very proud of her. Ooh, did Angela tell you she's gonna be singing in Jordan's band?
Patty
Yeah, so I hear. So, um, you're certain that, that she's not drinking.
Amber
About as certain as you are that Angela and cutie-pie are just friends.
Patty
Y-I-ee-I-I think I hear my other phone.
Amber
What a coincidence. Me too. [hangs up]
Drummer
One, two, three, four.
Rayanne
[singing] Twenty, twenty, twenty-four [taps mike] It's not working. It's-it's not working.
Drummer
One, two, three, four. [Rayanne bops around without singing]
Jordan
Hey, Graff! Hey! What's up? You gonna sing?
Drummer
Let's go! Hey, Ruvent, turn your amp down.
Bass
What?
Drummer
Catalano, tell him to turn his amp down.
Jordan
Awwww...
Bass
Hey, don't tell Catalano to tell me, you tell me!
Drummer
I just told you.
Jordan
Forget it. This is exactly why Tino left.
Bass
Hey!
Jordan
Exactly. [leaves]
Bass
You know, maybe you should stop about me and try to keep a beat.
Drummer
That's it! [leaves]
Bass
Hey, I'm outta here, too, man. [leaves]
Jordan
Hey, Graff. The Vertigo guy called. Our audition's tonight.
Rayanne
What?
Jordan
Yeah. So we're trying to think of a name.
Rayanne
Forget a name. We're not ready.
Jordan
We'll do okay. Just, w-w-wear something tight.
Rayanne
That's your solution? Cut off my circulation? We need a real rehearsal.
Jordan
Look, you wanted this chance, you got it. Don't blow it.
Rayanne
So, can I still borrow the boots?
Angela
Oh, absolutely. So, I really hope I can come, it's just--
Rayanne
No, it's okay. If you can't, you can't.
Angela
No, I-I just, you know, I have this whole thing with school and all--
Rayanne
It's okay. Rickie invited, like, half the school.
Angela
Oh, seriously? Well, I'm definitely gonna try to go. So... what song are you singing again?
Rayanne
Angela. I don't know! They never told me! Oh. [Rayanne grabs the bottle of whiskey on the top of the dining room cabinet]
Angela
Rayanne. Rayanne, what are you doing? [Rayanne, shaking, begins pouring a drink] Rayanne, no, please no, no, it's not worth it. Please!
Rayanne
Just to get me through tonight. [laughs] You should have seen your face. [She pours the drink back into the bottle and laughs again] Bye!
Rayanne
[singing to her mirror] Bom-bom-bom-bom, ba-bom-bom-bom-bom, I wanna be sedated. Ba-bom-bom-bom-bom, ba- Amber &
Rayanne
[together] bom-bom-bom-bom, I wanna be sedated. Ba-bam-bam- bam-bam, ba-bam-bam-bam-bam, I wanna be sedated. [They both scream]
Amber
Oh, honey, is Angela excited?
Rayanne
Yeah.
Amber
Me too. Even more than when I served that B.L.T. to Bobby Dylan. He said I could call him Bobby.
Rayanne
And then he stiffed you.
Amber
C'mere, baby. Oh, honey, your little hands are like ice!
Rayanne
I know, my heart is beating, like, a lot. I can hardly breathe.
Amber
Oh sweetheart, are you all right? Oh, you're scared, aren't you? Oh, no!
Rayanne
No, I-- No, are you kidding? This is gonna be incredible. This is gonna be the most amazing night of my life. [They hug]
Patty
Anyway, that was the conversation. Y-I-I'll bet she doesn't even have a second phone.
Graham
So? Neither do we. [Angela enters]
Patty
Well, that's not the point, I mean-- [notices Angela] Hi!
Angela
There's this thing tonight at this coffeehouse, Vertigo, and I-I promised Rayanne I would ask if I could go, but I-I don't even really want to go, and I feel so guilty. See she's, she's singing, um, with this, this band that-- all right, fine, it's Jordan Catalano's band, but this has nothing to do with Jordan, or the fact that we broke up or, or anything, that's what's so weird, it's something between Rayanne and me...I-I can't even describe, but it's there, and it's been there for, like, a while, since that night w-when you had to drive her to the hospital. It's this thing that we never talk about. [She picks up a pile of clean laundry] So these are mine? Thanks, I was kinda low on clean socks. [She hugs Patty] Thanks for listening. [leaves]
Graham
It's okay. She'll ignore you for another month just to make up for it.
Patty
I know. [Patty gets up, sees the empty glass next to the whiskey bottle, picks up the glass and sniffs it]
Brian
[He enters the coffeehouse and sees Rickie] Hey.
Rickie
Hey. [They sit down at a table] What are you doing here?
Brian
What am I doing here? You, like, begged me to come.
Rickie
Oh! Oh, right, right. I had this fear that...that there would be, like, no audience. So I just started asking anyone.
Brian
Oh. Thank you. That-that really makes me feel wonderful. Are you, like, sick or something?
Rickie
Oh, oh, um, this always happens when I get nervous. I-I lose my voice.
Brian
Oh, so Rayanne's singing and you get the laryngitis?
Rickie
Listen, uh, when she starts singing, you can't talk, but like afterwards...applaud, but-but not too much, but, like, sincerely.
Brian
You're telling me how to applaud.
Rickie
Oh, shut up, shut up, shut up.
Announcer
Test, one, two, three, four, test, test.
Rickie
I'm sorry, I'm a little on edge. I gotta pray now.
Announcer
I'm just gonna, you know, introduce you, and then--
Jordan
[to another band member] Shut up!
Announcer
come on. [climbs on stage] Is this on? Ahem. Um. Welcome to, uh, Club Vertigo, uh, open mike night. The first group is, um called, um, um, Frozen, uh, this was-- What is this?
Jordan
Uh, th-that's not our name.
Announcer
Embers?
Jordan
We're, uh, between names.
Announcer
Between Names.
Brian
Heh.
Aud Mem
All right, Between Names.
Bass
Did you hear what she called us?
Announcer
I'm sorry.
Jordan
Just shut up.
Announcer
I'm sorry.
Jordan
Shut up.
Announcer
I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
Jordan
[to Rayanne] Go ahead and say hi.
Rayanne
Hey, every-- [she jumps back at the feedback from the mike]
Jordan
[into the mike] This is Rayanne's first time. I mean, singing with us.
Drummer
Three, four. [The band starts playing, but at first Rayanne doesn't sing]
Rayanne
Twenty, twenty, twenty-four hours ago, I wanna be sedated. [She loses her tempo] Nothing to do, nowhere to go, I wanna be sedated. --a plane. Hurry, hurry, hurry-- [she stops singing, looks dazed, then runs off the stage]
Rickie
Rayanne? Rayanne! [He runs after her; the band is still playing]
Jordan
[takes the mike] Twenty, twenty, twenty-four hours ago, I wanna be sedated. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, [Brian looks around] I wanna be sedated. Just get me in a wheelchair, put me on a plane. Hurry, hurry, hurry, before I go insane.
Rickie
Rayanne, you're okay. [Brian enters]
Rayanne
I'm not okay, and you know it. Now everybody knows it. And you all thought I would screw up, didn't you? Well, congratulations! You were right! [leaves]
Rickie
Rayanne, wait!
Brian
It-it-- Don't worry, I mean, there's probably nothing to worry about.
Rickie
No, there is.
[the phone rings]
Angela
Hello? Rickie? What is it? [Patty enters] Rickie, please calm down, I can't understand what you're saying.
Patty
[taking the phone] Rickie? It's Angela's mom. Start at the beginning.
[Patty knocks at Amber's door]
Patty
Amber?
Amber
Yes. [she opens the door]
Patty
Hi. Patty.
Amber
Hi.
Patty
Chase.
Amber
Yes!
Patty
Angela's mom?
Amber
I know who you are. You know? You don't have to keep reintroducing yourself.
Patty
I'm sorry. And I'm sorry to barge in on you like this. I tried calling, but, uh...
Amber
You know, I think we could be part of the same courasse. You and Angela, me and Rayanne, and Rickie.
Patty
Part of what?
Amber
A courasse. Courasse is a group of people who kind of get mixed up in each other's lives in order to do God's will. It was in "Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut.
Patty
Amber, um...Rayanne's been drinking again. Now, do you have any idea where--
Amber
She has not been drinking.
Patty
Amber, I found a glass on our bar with whiskey in it.
Amber
What'd you do, dust for prints? Run a DNA test?
Patty
That's...not the point.
Amber
You don't think I know my own kid? Hm. How well do you know Angela?
Patty
I know what Rayanne is missing. Rickie called me last night. He was hysterical. Listen, I-I know that this is completely inappropriate, okay? I-I know that it is not my place to tell you how to raise your daughter, but I can't help it. I'm involved, okay, whether, whether you like it or not, a-and you can hate me, but I can't just stand by and watch this girl destroy herself. [During Patty's speech, the tea kettle on Amber's stove begins to whistle, its pitch getting higher and higher]
Rayanne
[enters] Somebody gonna turn that damn thing off?
Patty
Rayanne? Oh, I don't understa-- I-I don't under-- Rickie said that you were gone.
Amber
She was right here, of course, where else would she be? We ate raw chocolate chip cookie dough, and we turned the phone off. [to Rayanne] You don't have to go to school today.
Rayanne
No, I want to. Hmm, poor Rickie, he probably had, like, fourteen heart attacks.
Patty
I could give her a ride to school.
Amber
I'll write her a late note. I'm a good mother. I'm a damn good mother, so you can just get right off your high horse. [Patty and Rayanne pull up in front of the school]
Rayanne
Just so you know, I, uh, I didn't drink yhat whiskey. I poured it back. You can ask Angela.
Patty
You haven't had one drink? Since that night in the hospital?
Rayanne
No. Swear to God.
Patty
Why didn't you tell me that you had stopped seeing your counselor?
Rayanne
I don't know. Maybe just 'cause I wanted you to think I was okay, so you wouldn't mind if I, you know, stayed friends with Angela.
Patty
I guess she means a lot to you, huh?
Rayanne
I guess that's, like, the one thing you and I have in common. [Rayanne gets out of the car] Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Chase.
Patty
Rayanne?
Rayanne
Yo.
Patty
Apparently you and I are in the same courasse. Call me Patty. [Rayanne leaves, then comes back]
Rayanne
Patty, thanks. For, like...for my life. [Rayanne is in the principal's office with her late note, and sees Rickie walk by outside]
Rayanne
Rickie! [Rickie sees her and walks past] Rickie, wait! [she puts her note on the counter] Here, I was late. [She runs after Rickie] Rickie, wait! Rickie! Rickie, c'mon, stop. Rickie, c'mon--
Rickie
Don't! Do not touch me.
Rayanne
Rickie, c'mon--
Rickie
No! I can't anymore. You don't know how scared I was. I thought you were dead. I was picking out the clothes I should wear to your funeral. [With each couple of words he gives her a shove]
Rayanne
Rickie, that hurt.
Rickie
Not enough.
[Rayanne is sitting outside on the fire escape. Angela comes out through the window]
Angela
Hi. I've never been out here before. So Rickie was really scared. I mean, I was, too. So, what, you're mad at me? Because I didn't get to hear you sing?
Rayanne
You didn't miss much, just me making a fool out of myself, and you've seen that plenty. Right? Anyway, I knew you wouldn't show. I can't stand these looks anymore.
Angela
What looks?
Rayanne
You and Rickie looking at me like I'm gonna lose control, like any minute I'm gonna go on some jag or something. I just can't stand knowing what you're thinking about me.
Angela
What? What am I thinking?
Rayanne
I'm messed up. That I'm too messed up for you to be my friend anymore.
Angela
Rayanne, that's not true. I never-- I'm still your friend. Nothing's changed.
AngelaVO
But that wasn't completely true either. And we both, like, knew it.
Rayanne
Maybe it was just easier, you know? You'd come to me for advice and stuff, like you used to before.
Angela
I should've been there. [Rayanne nods] Last night. I should've been there no matter what.
Rayanne
Miss you.
Angela
I know. I missed you, too. [Rickie enters; Rayanne hugs him]
Rayanne
Rickie, I'm sorry.
Rickie
I swear to God, I'm gonna kill you.
Rayanne
[as she and Angela are weaving through a line of people] Pardon me. Scuse me, pardon me. Scuse me, pardon me. Scuse me, pardon me. [to the people in line behind Rickie] We're not cutting, okay?
Angela
We were, like, here before.
Rayanne
He was, like, saving our place.
Rickie
God, I worship this movie.
Rayanne
Is James Dean an Italian?
Angela
Jordan Catalano is. Part Italian.
Rayanne
I told you not to mention him!
Angela
Okaaay.
Rayanne
I like Latin guys.
Rickie
Like me?
Rayanne
Like Andy Garcia.
Angela
Omigod. In that movie, where that girl is, like, blind?
Rickie
Oh, I know!
Rayanne
Oh, oh, what's his name, what's his name, what's his name? Luis! Angela &
Rickie
[together] Who is Luis?
Rayanne
You know, the, ther guy on Sesame Street, with the repair shop. [Angela and Rickie laugh] What? He's this, like, this genius, okay? He can fix, like, anything.
Angela
You are so crazy.
Rayanne
[in a Cockney accent] I don't care. I like Sesame Street. [in her normal voice] I still watch it every day.
Rickie
Oh, I used to love their song. What was that line? [singing] Sunny day--
Angela
[singing] Everything's-- no, no.
Rayanne
[singing] Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away.
Rickie
Sing it sister, all right!
Rayanne
[singing] On my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get, hoe to get to Sesame Street.
Angela
Woooo!
Rayanne
How to get to Sesame Street. How to get to Ses, Sesame Street.
Rickie
Come on!
Rayanne
Woooo! [the people on line applaud]
Rickie
All right, girl! [Rayanne takes a bottle of beer from a guy on line nearby and swigs it. Rickie and Angela are dismayed]