"Vicious Cycle: Part One..."

Scene 1

(The year was 2000. Rosemary sat in her room typing up her GCSE History coursework. Her deadline was fast approaching but she remained calm as always. Academic practice was never an issue with her, she was naturally bright. She kept glancing at the time which seemed to be going 100mph but she calmly continued. She picked up her comb at the edge of her table and used the tail of it the scratch her hair. Her hair was long and curly. She picked up the mirror and stared at her reflection. Her light hazel eyes stared back, she always tried to count the freckles on her nose and around her cheeks. Her friends were always envious of her golden coloured skin, it seemed to glisten in the dim, grim light of her room. She got up and slipped on her converses. She brushed her hair and sprayed perfume. Her phone started to vibrate in the back of her jeans.)

Rosemary: Hey Jasmine!

Jasmine: Where are you? We are going to be late!

Rosemary: It is 6 o clock! The film starts at 8! Why are you rushing? Haha

Jasmine: I don’t want to miss the trailers! And the film just came out so I know the queue will be long!

Rosemary: hmmm. Ok ok. I’m coming.

Mum: Rosemary!

Rosemary: My mum is calling me, I’ll be there soon!

(Rosemary picked up her purse and ran downstairs. Her mum was curled up on the sofa comfortably watching Eastenders. Rosemary always envied her mother’s long dreadlocks, they stretched way past her shoulders. Her back faced Rosemary as she was focused on what she was watching.)

Mum: Where are you off to?

Rosemary: I’m going to watch X-Men with Jasmine. Where is dad?

(Her mum sat up and looked at Rosemary, then looked away. Her eyes were filled with anxiety and despair.)

Mum: He should be home soon, his colleague had a leaving do-

(The door swung open and Rosemary’s dad stumbled into the house. The smell of vodka and brandy followed him into the house. He looked up at Rosemary and his wife he stared at him. His blonde beard was rough and unshaven. He swayed as he tried to regain composure.)

Dad: Hello Princess Rosemary! You get more beautiful every day! I don’t think you got that beauty from your mother unfortunately that’s still a mystery.

(Rosemary shuffled awkwardly and stared at the floor. This was the third time this week he had come home drunk. He walked to his wife sat on the sofa.)

Dad: Stand up!

(She stood up and faced him, she held back her tears and looked over at Rosemary. Rosemary’s stomach sank as she saw her mother’s black eye.)

Dad: What is for dinner?

Mum: Your favourite, roast lamb and chicken with rice. There are some baked potatoes as well.

Dad: Bring it to me.

(He sat on the dinner table and unbuttoned his shirt. She brought his plate over to him.)

Dad: What is this? Where is the gravy?

Mum: Jonathon you said you don’t like gravy and-

Dad: What?! Are you questioning me?

(He got up and threw the plate across the room and it smashed into a million pieces. She let out a scream. Rosemary remained silent, she crept behind her father and slipped through the front door. As she closed the door she heard a loud scream and her father shouting. She put on her hood and proceeded to walk across the road.)

End Scene

Scene 2

Jasmine: You’re late! I’ve been waiting for ages!

Rosemary: Shut up!

Jasmine: You always do this!

Rosemary: Whatever, let’s just go and get our tickets.

Jasmine: Wait I want to go to that shop and get some snacks and sneak them in, cinema stuff is too 

expensive.

Rosemary: Ok, quickly.

(Jasmine and Rosemary walk across the road to the Costcutters, they purchase a few crisps and sweets. Jasmine walks ahead towards to the petrol station.)

Rosemary: Erm, Jasmine the cinema is this way.

(Jasmine smiles back at her slyly.)

Rosemary: Jasmine! You rushed me, now you’re wasting my time!

Jasmine: Haha! Shhh! Let’s go this way for once.

Rosemary: Hmm.

(They turn the corner and walk past the Chicken Cottage on the high road. A group of boys stare at them as they walk past. Jasmine stares and smiles back at the group, whilst Rosemary pretends to be on her phone.  A tall mixed boy signals to Jasmine to come into the shop, Jasmine yanks Rosemary’s arm and walks in the shop.)

Simon: Hmm Jasmine you’re looking good you know. Where you going?

Jasmine Don’t worry init, I saw you with that girl the other day.

Simon: Why you watching my movements? You feeling me yeah? Ight, Ight.

Jasmine: No babe it’s not that deep, I’m just saying don’t ask where I’m going if you got other chicks, I’m not dumb.

Simon: Kirsty is just my friend, I don’t have girls like that I just want to get these GCSE’s and hit college. I want to work in my Dad’s business after. When I get my license you can ride with me as well! Give me your number.

Jasmine: I have yours I’ll text your phone now.

Rosemary: Erm can we go, this shop stinks.

Martin: Yeah I agree it doesn’t smell that great haha. What is your name ?

Rosemary: Rosemary.

Martin: And you’re not going to ask me mine?

Rosemary: Jasmine can we go?

Martin: Rosemary?

Rosemary: Look I’m tired, I just want to go I haven’t got time to speak to boys right now.

(Rosemary coughs loudly to get Jasmine’s attention. She pulls her away from Simon who was whispering in her ears, Martin stares at Rosemary in awe as she walks away.)

Scene 3

(A few weeks later Jasmine lay back on the bed talking loudly on the phone. Rosemary couldn’t grasp how somebody could speak on the phone to somebody for more than an hour, especially to a boy. She turned up the volume on the radio to distract her.)

Jasmine: Rosemary! Im on the phone!

Rosemary: I didn’t come here to listen to you on the phone mate.

Jasmine: Simon we will talk later babe. Do you love me? Yes I know you do. Bye!

Rosemary: Yuck!

Jasmine: Whatever! GCSE’s are finished so I can spend time with my baby!

Rosemary: Again, yuck!

Jasmine: You are strange! Give Martin a chance, out of that batch he is a really nice guy. Not my type I like bad boys, guys with a sense of adventure.

Rosemary: Hmm I don’t know why you gave him my number. He always messages me rubbish.

Jasmine: Haha! What does he say? He writes poetry you know, I want to see how long it takes for him to write one for you.

Rosemary: Keeps saying how he likes me. I should give him a chance, he is different, he was raised well blah blah blah. Yuck, hate guys.

Jasmine: Lesbo! Oh yeah Craig texted me today! I told you he would come back but it’s too late for that loser now!

Rosemary: Wow! What does he want? But wait didn’t Jamal say he wants to take you out as well!

Jasmine: Yeah he did but I will let him take me out, I just want a free meal to be honest and he drives so he can take me home. Simon is my guy but he hasn’t got any money, not yet anyway.

Rosemary: Hmm. Becareful I saw Richard after violin lessons, he said he wanted your number, but I gave him the wrong one on purpose.

Jasmine: Why?!

Rosemary: Jasmine!

Jasmine: Gosh! Anyway it’s fine, just have to pay these guys at their own game.

(Jasmine’s mother bursts into her room. She is wearing a mini skirt, a low cut top  with a feather boa, Rosemary was always impressed by how young her mother looked. She was radiant, long brown hair with green eyes.)

Jasmine: Whoop! My mum is a hottie!

Dora: Thank you darling! You gonna baby sit your little brother for me? I’m going out with the ladies.

Jasmine: Yes mum!

Dora: Hope your ok Rosemary!

Jasmine: You going on the pull mum? Haha

Dora: Cheeky! I’m off!

(She walks out of the room.)

Rosemary: Does your step dad get mad when she goes out…like that?

Jasmine: He can’t say anything! They ain’t together anymore! He can’t tell me anything no man can tell me anything. Technically men are useless, that’s what my mum says. My dad left us when I was two, I’ve never seen him since, but sod them. I couldn’t care less about my Dad or step dad, I just do my own thing.

Rosemary: Your phone is ringing.

Jasmine: Oh hi Simon! Miss me baby? When you coming to see me?

End Scene

Scene 4

(Martin picked up his sister and put her on his bed, she crashed out. He smiled as she slept peacefully even though he was playing music from his laptop. He went back to his table and continued writing. Once he had finished he sat back and read it out aloud.)

Martin: Rosemary you’re the sweetest thing I ever saw,

Your sweet scent and sweet smile I adore,

Everytime I see you my heart skips a beat

Everything about you is so sweet,

I want to show you the world and more,

I really like you, just give me a chance,

We could do a dance , your beauty keeps me entranced and-

(Martin sighs and crosses out the last two lines.)

Martin- This is crap! I couldn’t give this to her she would laugh

(He hears a knock on his door.)

Martin- Come in.

(His mum and dad enter the room quietly.)

Mary: Your sister is fast asleep how did you get her to settle?! Never known a two year old to have so much energy!

James: Your better than me fella!

Mary: Haha. Its getting late, I’m heading upstairs.

(Mary picks up Lisa in her arms and heads upstairs.)

James: I’ll join you shortly.

Martin: Hey dad.

James; So how is your girlfriend?

Martin: I haven’t got one. The girl doesn’t like me, I give up, feels like I’m forcing it so much.

James: Women are hard work son, if it’s ever too easy then most of the time it isn’t worth it.

Martin: But Dad I really like her, but she doesn’t take me serious. She thinks I’m like other guys, maybe she likes bad boys.

James: Don’t be fooled, those boys are misguided, in the future they will be a mere memory. Just be kind and pleasant to her maybe she will see you’re genuine. Just be yourself, I and your mother raised you to be a ‘nice guy’ not a ‘bad boy’. Just be yourself, but if it’s not good enough then don’t worry, you will be fine. You are a good lad, stay focused, anybody would be lucky to have you. I would say your too young to think about women but the reality is when I was young I was also interested. Just remember to be kind and be yourself.

End Scene

Scene 5

Kevin: Oi Simon! Dad called!

Simon: Oi, I’m busy man one sec! Listen babe, my Dad is coming you have to leave you know. He wouldn’t like to see a girl in his house.

Rebecca: Aww but when am I going to spend proper time with you? You’re always busy!

Simon: Soon, soon.

(Simon leads Rebecca outside, she tries to kiss him on the lips but he turns so she kisses him on the cheek. She waves good bye to him. He shuts the door and heads back inside.)

Simon: Man I thought she wasn’t going to go man, that girl is too much man.

Kevin: I swear Jasmine is coming over? You’re learning from your big brother yeah? That my boy!

(Kevin puts Simon in a head lock and ruffles his hair, they both laugh hysterically. A few minutes later the front door opens, three men enter the house.)

Simon: Uncle J!

Uncle J: What’s up my boy? Which sly fox left the girl at the bus stop? You can’t even wait for her to get the bus?

(Uncle stares at Simon and Kevin with eyes filled with disappointment. After 20 seconds of silence the whole room erupts into laughter.)

Simon: You almost had me Uncle!

Paul: Simon! Is the game on?

Simon: Yes Dad.

(The doorbell rings.)

Kevin: Simon your friend is here.

(Jasmine walks past all the men confidently, she smiles at Simon and hugs him. He signals her to go upstairs.)

Paul: Haha. My sons do know how to pick all the pretty girls! You lot have a new girl here every week! Your still young anyway, have your fun.

(Simon smirks and heads upstairs, as soon as he enters his room Jasmine is waiting for him on the bed. She looks at him smiling from ear to ear.)

Simon: You miss me?

Jasmine: Yes, your attention is what I’ve been waiting for all week. Don’t keep me waiting again, your attention and company means so much to me

End Scene

Scene 6

(Rosemary walks across the park holding her shopping. She freezes as she hears a familiar voice calling her name.)

Martin: Rosemary! Wait! Wait!

Rosemary: Yes?

Martin: I’ve been doing some thinking, I’m not going to call or text you again. But I just wanted to let you know something. Here take this.

(Martin hands her a piece of paper.)

Rosemary: What is it?

Martin: Just read it when you get home.

(Rosemary looks in his eyes and can see the hope lingering in his eyes. She had shut him down over 100 times, she decided she would at least read the note when she got in.)

Rosemary: Thank you Martin, I will have a look when I get inside.

Martin: Thank you, have a good evening.

(Rosemary continued across the park towards her house. She kissed her mum on the cheek and rushed upstairs. She was actually excited to read the note. She pulled it out and read it aloud at her desk.)

Rosemary: You are unique and sweet in my eyes,

You are like a sunflower in a deserted land

You’re like the light that shines in darkest corner of the world

You stand out to me

I haven’t known you for long, but I want to know you forever

You’re a mystery, you’re an enigma I want to unravel, I want to discover you,

You have the key to the locked door, but you’re the door keeper I respect that

I want to get to know you properly but it’s all your timing

I don’t want to rush something that can last forever, I’ll patient

Just give me a chance…

(Rosemary sat and smiled at the note, she started to giggle as she re read it. Within five minutes she read it 10 times, observing each line and letter. She laughed at how neat his handwriting was. She called Jasmine to inform her, she called 3 times but she didn’t answer. 5 minutes later she got a text from her saying ‘Leave me alone I’m trying to sort things out with Craig’. She rolled her eyes and scrolled down to Martin’s phone number. She began typing a text to him.)

Rosemary: Hi Martin thank you for your lovely poem, maybe we should go cinema next week?

(Before she could send it she heard a crash come from downstairs. She hopped up and crept through the door, she looked above the stair banisters and saw her father strike her mother across the face. Tears streamed down her face as she saw her mother fall down to the ground. She ran back into her room and deleted the message she was going to send to Martin. She instead texted him saying ‘Leave me alone’ and pressed send. She rolled back on her bed and sobbed relentlessly.)

End Scene