One Act Play: Conflicting Personalities

Conflicting Personalities

(The scene starts with two previous high school sweethearts, Erica and James seeing each other again at a high school reunion six years later. Erica has been eyeing James from across the room. She wants to talk to him, but doesn’t know how to start the conversation. She finally starts to walk over to him as James was grabbing a cup of fruit punch.)

Erica: Hey James long time no see! (Erica hugs James awkwardly)

James: Oh hey Erica…

Erica: It’s so great to see our graduating class again. I miss a lot of people.

James: Yeah I guess so.

Erica: How have you been? It’s been almost six years since the last time I have seen you!

James: Umm... I have been good, what about yourself?

Erica: Pretty good

James: Oh okay that’s good. (James begins to slowly walk away)

Erica: Wait where are you going? We just started talking. I haven’t seen you in so long and you just decide to walk away from me? You haven’t changed one bit, now haven’t you? (Erica giggles)

James: Well you haven’t changed that much either you just got a little bit bigger.

Erica: What do you mean I have gotten a “little bit bigger”? (Erica begins to get teary eyed) That is extremely rude of you to say to your first love.

James: Erica you need to relax I’m only messing with you. Try not to be as uptight loosen up a little. (He gives her a friendly nudge on the arm) And first off what do you mean when you say that you were my first love? I mean yeah we dated and all, but it’s kind of demanding to say that I was your first love.

Erica: So were all the times you told me you loved me just a myth or something? (Now she begins to cry) I can’t believe you are telling me this.

James: Oh my god! I’m really not dealing with this. We broke up eight years ago. EIGHT YEARS AGO. I don’t understand why you are crying right now. I was just kidding once again. Why can’t you just take a joke?

Erica: I know, but it’s just rude to say that. You know I can be really sensitive sometimes. I’m sorry I know I need to loosen up. Its hard to tell if you are kidding sometimes!

James: Really I couldn’t tell?

Erica: Are you kidding me? Stop being an instigator to the situation. You are only making things worse.

James: Making things worse? What have I done? You were the one that walked over to me first I was pretty content not approaching you or talking to you tonight.  I avoided you for one reason and that was to not hear your annoying voice.

Erica: I walked up to you because I thought it was a friendly thing to do, but clearly you don’t know anything about being nice to other people considering you broke my heart. You know, I don’t think I could ever trust a man ever again all because of you.

James: We were in high school and dated for six months. I wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t trust a guy anymore. First off, who would even date you? You are really annoying and all you do is nag on and on.

Erica: I really hope you’re kidding when you say that. That really hurts my feelings. You just made me really upset. I can’t believe you James.

James: What did you expect when you walked over here? You are acting like a three year old. You always have to exaggerate everything.

Erica: I guess I’ll go if you want me too. Goodbye I guess.

James: Yes, I would love for you to go away!

Erica: Alright, I’ll just leave now.

James: GOODBYE!!! (James starts to walk away)

Erica: Wait James…

James: Erica goodbye.

Erica: I just wanted to say...

James: You wanted to say nothing because I’m leaving.

Picture Perfect Passage 6

My Special Place

         Sometimes I would just walk around looking for a place to sit and relax. My anger can just take over me and I need to calm myself down. I’m constantly looked down on and seem hated by everyone at my school. I have no friends, so I would just walk around town until stumbled upon this field off of a street. Now I come here often and just lie in the grass and gaze up into the sky. Here I’m able to just stop and think for a moment about what’s going on. I can talk as loud and as annoying as I want because I know no one is here and or listening to me. It helps me calm down so I don’t lash out. It distracts me from the harsh real world. The trees and the sky just make a peaceful environment. You see the true beauty of nature as the birds fly around, squirrels rustling in the bushes, and the sound of swaying trees in the wind. I try to make my way here at least once a day. Sometimes, I even sit there to do my homework. I come here to escape the constant nagging of people in my ear. I can be me and don’t have to worry about what other people are saying about me.  

Picture Perfect Passage 5

The City that Never Sleeps

          Julie always wanted to go to New York, but her family could never afford the expensive trip. She knew that constantly asking her parents to take her would just make her sadder because she knew she could never go. Julie had a job, but could never make enough. Her money was always going to help pay the bills. Her parents only made enough money for the family to get by, nothing extra. Julie’s dad recently got fired which put them in an even more financial struggle.  Soon enough he found a new job and they gave him a cash bonus to help his family. Julie’s family had enough money to actually spend on themselves for once. Julie wasn’t expecting to get the long awaited New York trip though, maybe just a pair of new shoes, but her parents had something else in mind. Her parents decided to surprise her by putting 3 plane tickets to New York into a box. When her parents called her down to the kitchen she was confused by the small box sitting on the counter.

“Sit down. We have a present for you.” They said while handing the box to her.

Julie opened the box and screamed.

“Thank you thank you thank you!” she said while hugging them.

Julie was filled with happiness. She didn’t think this day would actually come. She finally was able to visit the city, the Statue of Liberty, and so forth. 

Picture Perfect Passage 4

     

An Unforgettable Summer 

      It was the first night of summer and my friends and I all gathered around the campfire to celebrate. Everyone lays their chairs in a circle around the fire. We do this every summer, sitting by the fire for hours. We sat while the smoke made its way towards the sky, the smell of wood burning, and the hot air pressing on our cheeks. Endless laughter, talking, and singing were all to be heard. We shared stories and just talked about everything that was on our minds while roasting some marsh mellows. We shared past memories of our childhood and the memories created throughout the school year.  Moments like these are the ones you remember. We had all grown up with one another, so it was special. Soon enough it will all be over and it won’t be the same anymore. We are getting older now and we will be going our separate ways. All we can do is live in the moment and hold no grudges. Growing up with the people you call your best friends creates an unbreakable bond. We can’t even think about not being able to have our tradition anymore of sitting around the fire the first night of summer. Already I can tell that this summer is going to be an unforgettable one.

Picture Perfect Passage 3

The Last Drive

     It was a Friday night and Prom was going to start soon. Seeing all the pretty dresses, getting your pictures taken and, being with your friends is the best part. However, I didn’t know it was going to be the last time. Everyone has heard the stories of drunken prom drivers getting into fatal car accidents. You never think it could happen to you, but it happened to me. It all started with my date drinking before picking me up. We took pictures with our friends and he gave me a beautiful corsage that had red flowers on it, matching my dress. I knew he had been drinking, but I didn’t think anything of it because I just wanted to go to prom. Getting into the car was a big mistake I wouldn’t have if I knew my life would be taken from me. He seemed to be driving fine until all of a sudden he swerved and crashed into another car. We didn’t hit the car very hard, but I flew through the windshield and was killed in an instant. My life was taken from me while I still had a whole life ahead of me. If I could go back I would change everything about that night in a heartbeat.

Picture Perfect Passage 2

The Day My Life Changed

     I love touring different countries as often as I can. I have traveled many different countries in Europe, but I was saving the long awaited trip to Italy for last. I finally booked the flight and went. My hunger finally kicked in after my long dreaded flight, so I decided to get food at a local restaurant near my hotel. However, I didn’t know this would be the moment that changed my whole entire life. I walked in and sitting in the corner all by herself was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my entire life. She was sitting there reading a book. Her hair long and beautiful, her glowing skin, and her bright blue eyes just stood out. I wanted to approach her, but I was embarrassed so I went and sat at a different table in hopes she would notice me. Soon enough she paid her bill and got up from the table to leave, but I knew I couldn’t let her slip away. I ran out of the restaurant throwing my money on the table. Outside, I walked up to her and softly said

        “I couldn’t help, but notice you reading your book. May I ask what book you were reading?”

        “The notebook” she said softly with a slight smile.

  We walked for hours on end talking and I walked her home. I felt that i had been talking to my best friend. This was me telling you the story of the moment that changed my life. Three years later, today I am marrying the most beautiful girl in the entire world. 

Picture Perfect Passage 1

The Trail

      It was a hot breezy summer day in the middle of August. The wind was blowing in my hair as I walked down the trail near the ocean, while the beating rays of the sun warm me and change the color of my skin. The tall grass swaying with the wind and the sound of the waves with seagulls flying around filled the beach. People lying and playing in the sun. Children running around, making sandcastles and frolicking in the water. Different families make the memories that they will remember forever, capturing the special moments on a camera. There is nothing, but a smiles from ear to ear on everyone’s faces. The smell of freshness and salt in the air. It calmed me. I live for the summer and being able to walk the trail once again. We vacation at this very spot each year at the same hotel. Excitement fills me as summer approaches, so I can finally go on vacation. All I remember is the sounds and smells of happy people and the line of hotels that stretched on for miles. I recall all the past memories that we have made and rememeber the news one that we create. As soon as it’s over the thought of next year makes me even more excited.