When They Go Low (NHB Modern Plays) by Natalie Mitchell

Author:Natalie Mitchell [Mitchell, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788503082
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

9.

LOUISE and the GIRLS with their placards, at the protest. Despite there not being many people there, they are absolutely giving it their all, chanting their slogans, possibly even another performance of ‘Oh! Bondage! Up Yours!’ They are finally being heard and it is a huge moment – exactly what LOUISE imagined an empowered slut walk to be.

However, as some people look on, sneering, the joy the GIRLS initially felt begins to dissipate. They’re uncomfortable and self-conscious, especially as the sneering group begins to swell in size.

And when the group, led by SCOTT, rush the GIRLS with their faces covered, carrying flour/eggs/paint – there’s a moment as the girls realise what’s about to happen. Practically in slow motion, the walk is ruined as the girls are pelted with things, their placards stolen and broken. The whole thing is being filmed.

Everyone runs off except LOUISE, covered in stuff, and CALEB.

CALEB. Let me help.

LOUISE. I can do it.

CALEB. I know you can.

But sometimes it’s nice to have help.

LOUISE. Thanks.

Beat.

CALEB. Sorry.

LOUISE. Why? You didn’t throw this stuff at me.

Did you?

CALEB. No. But…

I’m just sorry it happened.

LOUISE. Does everyone in this school hate me?

CALEB. No! No way. Why would you think that?

LOUISE. I can’t go online without getting called every name under the sun and now this. Doesn’t suggest I’m all that popular.

CALEB. It’ll blow over.

LOUISE. Reckon you can tell me when?

Cos I’m getting a bit fed up with it.

CALEB. It’s probably like, I dunno. The same few people doing it all.

LOUISE. You think?

CALEB.…Yeah.

LOUISE. It’d just be nice if –

CALEB. What?

LOUISE.…Nothing.

CALEB. Go on.

LOUISE. It would be nice if someone stood up for me.

CALEB. Yeah.

The thing is you’re not, um –

LOUISE. What?

CALEB. Okay, well. I offered to join the march, yeah. And you said no.

LOUISE. Right.

CALEB. And actually you were kind of… rude.

LOUISE. I see. So just because a girl is forthright and confident, automatically she’s rude, right?

CALEB. No. You were actually rude.

It’s off-putting.

Beat.

Sorry if that upsets you.

LOUISE. No it’s… You’re right. You’re right.

I just… This is all new to me you know. I don’t know what I’m doing.

CALEB. Well… I still want to help. If you’d like?

LOUISE. Thanks. I would like that.

LOUISE heads off as SCOTT approaches from another direction.

SCOTT. Where were you earlier?

CALEB. I was busy.

SCOTT. Doing what?

CALEB. Promised I’d help my mum with some stuff.

SCOTT. Like?

CALEB. You know.

Stuff.

SCOTT. Right.

So I didn’t just see you with Louise then?

Helping her clean up.

That wasn’t you.

CALEB. Well –

SCOTT. Well?

CALEB. Yeah.

It was.

SCOTT. Why’d you do that?

She’s an idiot.

CALEB. Actually, Scott, she’s not.

SCOTT. Oh my God do you fancy her?

CALEB. No.

SCOTT. She’d be punching if you two got together. Bearing in mind she’s only a three.

CALEB. There you are – right there. That’s why I was talking to her.

SCOTT. Cos you feel sorry for her for being so butters?

CALEB. Cos she doesn’t deserve what you’re doing to her!

SCOTT. Yes she does.

She needs teaching a lesson.

CALEB. You already did.

So you can leave her alone now.

SCOTT. No – she’s still going on!

She – She thinks she’s better than me.

Always has.

CALEB. She’s just… trying to do something good.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.