All-Nighter
Cast: Kay, Jackie, Irving, Misa, Jeffrey
Four friends (RACHEL, EMMA, DAVE, IRIS) are sitting in a group with their textbooks/notebooks/laptops. Another friend, JOHN, sits a little apart from them and is starting to pack his things up to go home for the night. RACHEL, EMMA, DAVE, and IRIS are whispering to each other.
Rachel:
Should we do it?
Emma:
I really want to.
Dave:
Guys, last time I tried this it was so great. Like, oh my god.
Iris:
Sure, I’m down. I honestly do this all the time, I’m surprised you haven’t tried it before.
Rachel:
Hey, should we ask John if he wants to…?
Dave: (waving John over. John has just finished packing his things and is standing up to leave)
Hey John!
John:
What’s up guys?
Iris:
John, we’re about to pull an all-nighter, want to join?
Emma:
I’m so excited.
John:
An all-nighter? Like, studying all night?
Dave:
Yeah, you haven’t tried it before? Trust me dude, it’s awesome.
Rachel:
What is it? You need your beauty sleep?
John:
No, umm, I’ve just never done it before, and I was kind of ready to leave…
Iris:
Come on John! Think of how much better you’ll feel tomorrow with all that extra studying.
John:
But sleep…
Emma:
Look, Rachel and I have never done it before either and we’re doing it. Do it with us!
Rachel: (chanting)
Pres-sure. Pres-sure. Pres-sure. Pres-sure.
John: (pauses)
Well, okay. It can’t be that bad just once right?
Dave:
It’s only bad if you do it too often.
John:
Okay, I’ll do it.
Dave:
Yeahhh, that’s what I like to hear.
John sits down and moves his chair closer to the group. All characters begin quietly studying for a long minute.
Emma:
Oh my god, is it only 3am?
Rachel:
I’m not tired yet, I’m not tired yet. (repeats a couple more times, quietly)
Dave:
Just push through it, you’ll get to the good part.
Another long, quiet minute of studying. Some of the characters are beginning to degrade.
Iris:
Woo, 4am guys! I feel great.
John:
I don’t know if I’m gonna make it guys… I might go home now…
Dave:
No, don’t go home now, John! You only have five more hours to go!
John:
Okay I’ll try.
Another, shorter minute. Characters appear to get more and more tired.
Emma: (starts giggling hysterically)
Iris:
5am…
Dave:
Emma, what’s so funny?
Emma: (still hysterical)
Heeheeheeheehee I don’t know!! This part of my textbook says “A force characterizes the action of one body on another…” isn’t that so funny? Hey watch this! (puts book on head and starts walking around)
Rachel: (suddenly begins crying)
I know nothing. I don’t know anything. I’m not going to be ready for this. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I’m. So. Stupid.
Dave and Iris: (look at each other, then simultaneously)
Shit.
Iris goes to comfort Rachel and Dave goes to calm Emma. Both of them appear to calm down and Iris and Dave go back to their chairs.
Iris:
6am.
Dave:
We should have done this with energy drinks! All-nighters are always better with energy drinks.
John: (not really asking for an answer)
Would that really have helped that much?
Characters continue to degrade.
Iris:
7am.
John:
I feel terrible.
Rachel:
We’re almost there.
Beat.
Iris:
8am.
John:
I guess I’ll go to my exam now.
Emma:
Yeah me too.
Both get up to leave. Speak to each other as they are leaving.
Emma:
Kind of wish I hadn’t done that.
John:
Yeah, that wasn’t really my thing. Why did you guys make me think that was a good idea?
Emma:
Whatever, too late now. Hope we don’t fail.
Both exit.
Dave:
Whatever, they don’t get it.
Iris:
Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.
Rachel falls asleep. Can fall off her chair or something else comical. End scene.
