January 3 - "Ms. Rhinebeck's Announcement"

A classroom. A class rehearses “Grease.”

STUDENT #1

Hey Doodie, where’d you get the guitar?

Bell rings.

MS. RHINEBECK

Okay everyone, good work today. Michael, do you think we need to do a line-through tonight?

MICHAEL

Your call, Ms. Rhinebeck.

MS. RHINEBECK

Let’s have a line-through at seven-thirty in the auditorium. Oh, and before you all go, I have an announcement. Maureen has a boyfriend. That’s right, MAUREEN has a boyfriend!

Everyone gasps. Some people cheer.

MS. RHINEBECK

I know, right? It feels like just yesterday that she was makin’ out in the prop room with Marko.

Everyone gasps.

MS. RHINEBECK

Oh fuck, that was a secret!

MARKO

Hey, you know why it feels like last week? Because it WAS last week. What the hell, Maureen? I thought we had a thing goin’ on.

MAUREEN

I found someone who loves and cares about me.

MS. RHINEBECK

And his name, we have learned, is Benny. Just like in “Rent.” Oh my, how fitting!

MARKO

You’re a dick, Maureen. I should have known.

MARKO exits, followed by MS. RHINEBECK and the rest of the class.

MAUREEN

Well, I’m glad I know enough about that cunt to get her fired if I need to. That was incredibly rude.

MICHAEL

Even worse? You know why we’re doing the line-through tonight?

MAUREEN

Why?

MICHAEL

To prevent you from seeing him.

MAUREEN

That cunt! I’ll show her. (MAUREEN pulls out her cell phone, dials.) Hey, sweetie, wanna come to rehearsal tonight?

Blackout.