Bozeman - A Musical Read online

I love you

  Yes I love you

  Sarah: I'm so sorry, Landon.

  Landon: No. You did the right thing, it's just, I just-

  Mayzie: Sometimes it's hard to do the right thing. But we keep pushing. And we keep fighting for what's right, because the right thing will always be the best thing.

  Charlotte: Wait a second. We can fix this!

  Landon: What do you mean?

  Charlotte: We don't have to split up, you don't have to split up.

  Sarah: I'm not staying here. Not after I told you all.

  Charlotte: You wouldn't have to! It's the perfect solution.

  Everyone is clearly getting excited.

  Mayzie: Well?

  Madison: How do we all stay together?

  Charlotte: It's simple. We just tell the people who put us in foster care to keep us together.

  Everyone deflates. MAYZIE begins to get angry

  Mayzie: Please tell me you're kidding.

  Charlotte: It's easy! All we do is-

  Mayzie: Please tell me that isn't your idea.

  Charlotte: Why? What's wrong with it?

  Mayzie: Oh my god, you're serious.

  Charlotte: I'm confused.

  Sarah: Mayzie, she's new.

  Mayzie: So you just wave your magic wand and everything's fixed? That's how it is. Because it's not like any of us wanted to have our siblings taken away from us!

  Charlotte: You had siblings?

  Mayzie: Oh yeah. I had a sister. Annie had two brothers. But no, everyone gets a happy ending because you did.

  Annie: What she means is-

  Mayzie: Don't translate for me. You know why we're here, Charlotte? You wanna know? Because nobody wanted us. Nobody.

  Clark: Mayzie, I'm sorry you-

  Mayzie:

  Who could love me? Poor old Mayzie.

  What could they want?

  Been in the system for fourteen fucking years

  Who would I be?

  Who would I be if somebody wanted me

  If somebody wanted me

  I bet I'd be in a big white house with a perfectly painted fence

  And two parents who would love me even when I'm a mess

  And maybe I'd have siblings who'd tell me to behave

  But most of all I'd have a home to stay

  To stay

  Who would I be if someone had cared

  Who would I be if someone had dared

  Who would I be if someone had told me that everything would be fine

  Would would I be

  If somebody wanted me

  If someone had wanted me

  I bet I'd have a family who'd sit together once a day

  I bet I'd have a mom who knits

  And when it's getting cold outside she's pull out lavender sweaters

  Ad they'd always perfectly fit

  I bet I'd have a dad who was loving

  Who'd teach me how to change a car in an old dusty garage

  (Belting so loud, you can hear the pain and want in her voice.)

  He'd toss me the keys to my new used car

  And he'd teach me how to drive

  And we'd drive through all of Bozeman

  And we'd drive down Grand avenue

  Through all of Montana and then

  We'd stop for coffee and hit the road again

  From Troy to Baker across the whole of the state

  (Calming down)

  And we'd smile at each other in the silence of the car

  And suddenly the distance doesn't seem so far

  And we get back to Bozeman and we laugh in that dusty garage

  (She breaks, plopping down on the bed, realizing this elaborate daydream will never happen)

  But they didn't want me anyway

  They'd never want me anyway

  Who would I be if someone had cared

  Who would I be if someone had dared

  Who would I be if someone had told me that everything would be okay

  Would would I be

  If somebody wanted me

  If someone had wanted me

  If somebody wanted me.

  Charlotte: I don't understand?! They couldn't separate you guys! You're practically family.

  Mayzie: Don't you get it?! They don't care about us. They don't care about where we are, as long as they don't have to deal with us. They, the system, the evil friggin' system is corrupt.

  Charlotte: We can petition the courts!

  Mayzie: Do you have money for a lawyer.

  Charlotte: There has to be a way!

  Mayzie: But their isn't. And at some point you have to learn to live with that.

  Lights dim, spotlight is on CHARLOTTE

  Charlotte: Dear diary, I feel so powerless. I feel so stranded. It's like there's-

  The spotlights shine on whomever is speaking, but one is always on CHARLOTTE

  Mayzie: -Nothing you can do. Maybe you should learn to-

  Sarah: -Think about things logically before you say something, before you-

  Landon: -Get our hopes up about things that will-

  Mayzie: -Never happen. You're one of us now and you-

  Clark: -Are my sister. Now what if they split us-

  Madison: -All apart. We wouldn't be safe anymore. We would be-

  Charlotte: -Stranded. So you're planning on-

  Landon: -Stealing West's phone and-

  Mayzie: -Calling the police and reporting West-

  Sarah: -He could kill us, so we need to-

  Madison: -Be prepared to fight back but-

  Clark: -What if something goes wrong. What if-

  Charlotte: -He shoots us.

  Blackout

  Charlotte: Dear diary, I'm not sure what to do.

  End of Act I.

  Act 2

  Scene 1

  CHARLOTTE stands in the middle of the stage with the light only on her. She writes in her diary.

  Charlotte: Dear diary, the more I speak, the more tension builds. It's like everything I do is wrong. I'm scared of ripping the Willow Hills kids apart. I'm afraid that I'm the reason they're separating.

  Lights up on the Willow Hills kids in a circle, playing "Never Have I Ever"

  Landon: Never have I ever read a book over 300 pages.

  MADISON, ANNIE and MAYZIE clap their hands once and put a finger down.

  Charlotte: Wait! I'm still confused on how to play.

  Landon: I say something I haven't done. If you've done it, you clap and put a finger down.

  Charlotte: So if I've read a book over 300 pages I clap?

  Landon: Yes.

  Charlotte: Well duh. (She claps and puts a finger down)

  Landon: Gee, thanks.

  Madison: Never have I ever drank Gatorade.

  Everyone claps and put a finger down. Except MADISON.

  Clark: Oh my god, really?

  Madison: Yeah. We don't have that in England.

  Charlotte: Oh wow.

  Sarah: My turn! Never have I ever been out of Montana.

  CHARLOTTE and MADISON put their fingers down and clap. CLARK glares at CHARLOTTE.

  Madison: Really? That's just plain rude.

  Mayzie: Charlotte, I thought you said you've been in Bozeman all your life?

  Charlotte: (Flustered) I-um-I misunderstood the question! You said been out of Montana? I thought you said been in Montana! Whoops! I mean, why would I ever leave Montana, with all those-um-cows?

  Everyone is suspicious of CHARLOTTE but they let it slide.

  Landon: Mayzie, how about you go.

  Mayzie: Uh, okay. Never have I ever-uh-shoplifted.

  LANDON claps and puts his finger down

  Charlotte: Oh my god, are you serious?!

  Landon: Pre-foster care. I was 3. I stole a pack of batteries from a radio shack.

  Sarah: A radio shack? Who the hell goes to Radio Shack?

  They all laugh

  Landon: Clark, bud, why don't you go?
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  Clark: Never have I ever skipped class.

  ANNIE claps and puts a finger down.

  Sarah: What?! When?!

  Annie: Long story.

  Sarah: Your turn, Charlotte!

  Charlotte: Pass.

  Landon: (Not happy that CHARLOTTE passed) I guess I'll go then. Never have I ever...been called a slut. (He laughs)

  All the girls clap and put a finger down.

  Landon: What?! How?! Madison you're so young- Annie I know for a fact you've never-

  Charlotte: It's practically just life for girls. We're all just...sluts to everyone. No matter what. We all just get called sluts.

  Landon: (In disbelief) Never have I ever been catcalled.

  All the girls put their fingers down and clap.

  Landon: Never have I ever-

  Mayzie: Stop, Landon.

  Landon: You're lying, Madison. Please tell me you're lying.

  Madison: Why do you want me to be lying?

  Landon: Because you're thirteen, you're a child. Children shouldn't be catcalled, or-or be called sluts. That's just wrong.

  Charlotte:

  It's the norm, to be called a slut

  Even though you've never touched a boy

  Even if you're pure as hell you always-

  Sarah:

  Are a whore

  It's a norm to be called a whore

  It's a norm from the moment we're born

  Not a human just a-

  Mayzie:

  Piece of meat

  Rarely get respect from people on the street

  Like, hey cutie come take a ride in my car

  And I'm scared he might take me away

  From my-

  Annie:

  Home. Or what's left of it

  From my brother and sisters and school

  This home isn't much but he'll take me away

  For good. He'll take me away

  Madison:

  Forever. He'll take me away forever

  To the room in his basement

  Where he'll never let me see my room again

  So when he says "C'mon why are you running"

  I run like hell to the hills

  And I keep running

  Sarah:

  I don't stop running

  Girls:

  I keep running

  Because I'm afraid he catch me

  Because I'm afraid he won't leave me alone

  I am afraid of his hands on me

  Tonight

  Mayzie:

  And I am afraid he will find me

  And I am afraid of his mind

  Charlotte:

  I am afraid of his intentions

  His poor intentions

  Sarah:

  And he drives off in his explorer

  To attack some poor other girl

  And I am afraid of the girl and the man who will get her

  Annie:

  That poor girl could die today

  And I feel bad for being relieved

  But I'm safe

  And I'm home

  Still shaking

  Still scared

  Girls:

  But I'm home

  I'm home

  Still shaking

  Still scared

  But I'm home

  I'm home

  I'm home

  Landon: I-I had no idea. I feel so ashamed.

  Charlotte: It's not your fault, Landon. It's...I don't know who's fault it is, but it's not yours. It's not an "all men are responsible" thing. It's a "society is a bitch" kind of thing.

  Landon: I just- I don't know if I'm adding to the problem. I don't want to be the reason you run away scared. I'm scared of being your source of fear. I just-

  Sarah: Landon! Enough! You're fine! I promise.

  Landon: I just-

  Sarah: Landon.

  Annie: My dad once told me, when I was really little, that you're only responsible for the choices you make. The choices you are responsible for. That's it. That's all.

  Charlotte: Your dad?

  Annie: Yeah?

  Charlotte: You have a dad?

  Annie: I had a dad?

  Charlotte: Oh, I-

  Annie: What, because I'm a foster kid I can't talk about my parents? I'm not allowed to know about them, they just don't exist?

  Charlotte: No-I-

  Annie: Because they did. They were amazing. And they aren't something I'm just going to throw away because you don't want to hear about them.

  Charlotte: ANNIE. Please. I wasn't saying you weren't allowed to talk about your parents. I'm sure they were great. I just- I thought all foster kids hated their families and-

  Landon: Woah Charlotte?

  Charlotte: I'm new to this, okay? I've never been exposed to this kind of thing. This whole world of foster care.

  Annie: Most of us miss our families. Most of us would die to see them again. To relive that moment. The last time we saw them.

  I remember the last time I saw her

  Looking through her purse for her checkbook

  My mom

  I remember her telling me she'd be back in an hour

  I remember her telling me that'd I be just fine

  All alone

  In my home

  I remember dad telling me that mom was just stressed

  I remember him saying she'd be fine in an hour or 2

  If he only knew

  She picked up her purse and she headed out

  Dad followed behind and I started to pout

  Please don't leave

  Please don't leave

  And mom said, that'd it all be fine

  She kissed my forehead and looked me in the eye

  And smiled

  Oh that smile

  That last time I saw her smile

  She was headed out the door for the bank

  And I miss it

  The way her forehead crinkled

  I miss it

  The way she looked at me with her eyes

  Oh her eyes

  So she headed out the door and then

  I was alone.

  3 hours went by and I never got word

  I waited for hours as time was curved

  I waited by the door and I waited more time

  Until 2 cops arrived

  "I'm sorry little girl" They said

  "I'm sorry little girl" They said with solemn eyes

  They told me they died

  My parents had died

  They never caught the man with the gun at the bank

  And I cried

  Oh I cried

  And I thought to myself of moms smile

  Oh moms smile

  Oh that smile

  That last time I saw her smile

  She was headed out the door for the bank

  And I miss it

  The way her forehead crinkled

  I miss it

  The way she looked at me with her eyes

  Oh her eyes

  So she headed out the door and then

  I was alone.

  I'm always alone now

  I'm always afraid now

  I wondered what they'd say

  If they saw me today

  If they see me smile

  Today

  The last time I saw her smile

  She was heading out the door

  She didn't turn around after that anymore

  I wonder what they'd say if they knew I was here today

  If I could see her smile that way

  But now I have to pay

  For the choices that bastard made

  In the bank

  What I'd give

  To see her smile

  Again

  To see her smile again

  Charlotte: Oh my god, Annie. That's awful.

  Landon: We all have stories like that, Charlotte. We all lost our parents in some way.

  Sarah: Either they screwed up or died or...non
e of us have parents anymore.

  Clark: How did-you know. All of you-

  Madison:

  My family grew up in Wales.

  In a little town called Abercarn

  We would sit

  And we would play

  Then my mom started smoking

  It started with pot and then got worse

  Crack and Heroin were her best friend

  We were speeded closer to the end

  She wasted money on plane tickets here

  She flew and left us on the pier

  By the lake

  My last day

  She said I was stupid

  Our last days

  Said I was a mistake

  My last day

  Was nothing but pain

  All:

  Our last days

  Sarah:

  My mom had died when I was 3

  Dad took the risks to afford to raise me

  He started to drink and it got real bad

  When he got home from work he'd get mad

  He'd hit me

  And he'd beat me

  Like West still does today

  Between him and my dad

  I never caught a break

  And then I tried to fly

  From here to Idaho

  Called the cops

  One Sunday night

  And Dad told me to pack my bags and go

  My last day

  Was a wreck

  Anyone can atest

  I had a sister

  Who I can't find

  It's been years since I have seen her

  My last day

  Was so hard

  And it did me no good

  Now I'm stuck

  Always stuck

  To the same old tune

  Landon:

  My parents fought all day and night

  Every day they would always start a fight

  So one day I decided I was done

  Grabbed 50 bucks and to the train I'd run

  And I rode on that train

  'Till it stopped it Bozeman

  And I walked to this place

  Where a man could take me in

  I said I had no home

  And I wanted a family

  So they put me here

  And I've stayed right here

  Who knows where they are

  All:

  Our last days

  Were a disaster

  We remember the contents like the back of our hand

  And we think we'd go back

  Until we look again

  Our last days

  Were the beginning of the end

  Our last days

  Were the beginning of the end

  Charlotte: Jesus! Landon, Sarah, Madison- I-

  Landon: We don't need your sympathy.

  Sarah: It's honestly okay. I've come to terms with it.

  Madison: As have I. It's just- difficult to talk about. But it helps.

  Landon: It's a relief to talk about, to be honest.

  Annie: So why are you here?

  Charlotte: I told you, my mom was an alcoholic. (changing the subject) You all, Annie included are so brave. I- I feel so honored to have met you.

  Annie: Not honored enough to tell us the truth.

  Charlotte: What?

  Annie: You lied to us, from the start. You read Sarah's diary. You keep lying.

  Sarah: Annie, I'm not mad about her-

  Annie: We just told you our past, the most personal thing about us and you still don't have the balls to fess up and explain to us why you're here.

  Charlotte: I told you I-

  Annie: Do not lie to my face like that. Don't you fucking dare. I told you everything in hopes that you would feel safe enough to open up. I've held my tongue this whole time so that you would feel safe enough to open up. And what do you do? You spit on me. Your metaphorical spit is all over me. You lied to me. After I told you how my parents died. After I relived a traumatic event, for you. You, who is far too good to be here. You, who has to know everything about everyone, but you don't give us a clue as to who you are!

  Landon: Annie, breathe.

  Annie: And you, who comes in and tears our home apart, burning all these trails. All these forests that we've worked so hard to build. And you come in and light a match to every single one of them. People don't get here because of alcoholism, Charlotte. They just don't.

  Sarah: Charlotte, I think it might be best if you tell us why you and Clark are here. I feel it might be better for all of us.

  CHARLOTTE looks at CLARK and CLARK nods, signaling her to tell them.

  Charlotte: Okay. The night before I came to Bozeman, my mom, Clara Jones-

  Footsteps are heard trudging up the steps.

  Landon: Oh my god. It's West.

  Charlotte: Finally!

  The footsteps stop. We hear WEST pick up the gun. He cocks it.

  West: (offstage) Playing with guns are we?

  Mayzie: He cocked it. He's going to-

  Landon: He's going to kill us.

  Sarah: Oh my god.

  Footsteps get louder. He bangs on the door.

  West: (offstage) Where's the damn key?

  LANDON tries to open the window, but it won't budge.

  Landon: It-won't-open

  Sarah: Landon, hurry!

  ANNIE runs to the closet and gets a high heel and tosses it to LANDON. LANDON takes the heel and slams the window open with it.

  West: (offstage) The hell was that?!

  This scene can be done a variety of ways, video screening, creative set building. Use your imagination.

  LANDON climbs onto the roof, they are on the second floor. He takes SARAH's hand and they start to balance on the roof. The foster kids climb out one by one until only CHARLOTTE and CLARK are left.

  Landon: Charlotte, c'mon.

  Charlotte: I can't I- Landon I can't.

  Landon: He'll kill you Charlotte. Please.

  West: (offstage) Open! This! Door!

  Charlotte: What if I fall?

  Landon: I'll catch you.

  Clark: Charlotte, we have to go.

  Charlotte: I-

  Landon: You have to come with me. You have to trust me right now.

  Charlotte: I-I trust you.

  Landon: Please.

  CHARLOTTE climbs onto the roof and LANDON picks up CLARK and carries him. They go to the window next to theirs.

  Landon: This is West's room. It connects to the fire escape. If we go in