Script+Period+1+Rachel_Reb_Soo

//** The Long Ride Home **//

//Characters// MOMMY/KAREN, //caring and a good-natured mother// DADDY/LARRY, //foolish but silly// CHICHI (CHIQUITA), //6 year old daughter of LARRY and KAREN//

SETTING: //On one side of the stage,// //a car. On the other side of the stage, a hotel.// //AT RISE: On one side, CHICHI is in the hotel. On the other side, LARRY is in the driver’s seat of the car, talking as though he is highly educated but only it only makes him sound less intelligent; KAREN sitting in the passenger seat to the right. CHICHI is in front of the car addressing the audience.//


 * CHICHI**: (//stepping up and addressing the audience)// So, I was in the pool having fun, when I realized that my parents said that we were leaving soon. And when I went back up to our room no one was there. And all our stuff was gone. They left without me, but, to tell you the truth, I didn't miss them. This hotel is fun. There’s even a pool. And all the people do what you say. I got a foot massage! I wouldn’t mind living here. Nope, I wouldn’t mind living here at all. (//steps back to a corner and freezes)//

(//on the other side of the stage, LARRY and KAREN are in the car and right after CHICHI stops talking, start moving around)//


 * LARRY**: Did you hear how CHICHI talked to us?
 * KAREN**: Yes, dear. Why was she being so rude?
 * LARRY**: (//sighs)// hmmm... Do you feel like we forgot something?
 * KAREN**: (//pausing for a moment) OH.MY. WORLD. LARRY! LAR—//
 * LARRY**: My sunscreen! My sunscreen! We forgot my sunscreen!
 * KAREN**: Oh, Larrypoo! Not your sunscreen! We forgot Chichi!
 * LARRY**: CHICHI? (//Pausing and sounding confused)// Oh... Chichi!
 * KAREN**: Larry we must go back!
 * LARRY**: Oh c’mon. Let’s leave her at the hotel and teach her a lesson for being so rude. We could go to Home Depot and look at some awesome tools for a few hours, and then go back and get her. You always say Chichi’s a handful. Let’s take a break from parenting.
 * KAREN**: Larry, that does sound tempting. But this is our daughter we are talking about. You’re treating her like a dog.

(//LARRY and KAREN freeze right before CHICHI starts to talk)//


 * CHICHI**: (//stepping up and addressing the audience)// I’m kinda lonely here. Yeah I made some friends in the hotel, but still, I miss my mommy and daddy. Why haven’t they come back yet? Are they mad at me? (//Suddenly bursts into tears, then walks into a corner of the stage)//

(//LARRY and KAREN unfreeze)//


 * LARRY**: OK. Honey, we need to figure out a solution to this problem!
 * KAREN**: (giving Larry a don't-you-think-I-know-that-by-now look) But guess what, sweetie? All you're thinking about is having "fun" by going to hardware stores and looking at big chunks of lumber, but (abruptly raising voice) I am actually trying to convince you to turn the car around and pick up our daughter who is probably miserable by herself at the hotel right now. (lets out a muffled sob)
 * LARRY**: See how stressed you are because of Chichi? Don’t you think we need a break?
 * KAREN**: (suddenly angry) Larry, I don’t know how you can even think about leaving our poor daughter alone. For heaven’s sake! She still believes in Santa Claus. What if a kidnapper offers her some candy? This is no joke. Turn this car around right now or... or... face the consequences!
 * LARRY**: Oh, so now you’re using big words like consequences, Santa Claus, and joke? No time for vocabulary!

//(Scene shows CHICHI crying)//
 * LARRY**: She’s probably happy! She loves that hotel. There’s a pool and even an ice cream machine!

//(KAREN slaps LARRY)//
 * KAREN**: I am sick and tired of your “brilliant” ideas. Now turn this car around and-
 * LARRY**: (//recovering from KAREN's slap)// Okay. Okay. Okay. You're wrong, I'm right. I mean--the other way around. Yeah.
 * KAREN**: (still angry) Larry! Turn the car around. No joke. I am sick and tired of your stupidness and lack of beauty. You make me so mad! (//pauses//) Wait, what did you say?
 * LARRY**: I said okay.
 * KAREN**: Oh. Okay. Let’s go!


 * CHICHI**: So, I am waiting in the lobby and I hear my name being called. Finally, Mommy and Daddy are with me, looking so happy. While I am full of questions, they keep telling me that "it isn't the time for questions," and that "as long as we are together and safe, we are good." However, on the way back home, we have a really silly conversation...


 * CHICHI**: So Mommy and Daddy, what happened when I was gone? Were you guys really really scared and worried about me? What took you so long?
 * LARRY**: No, we didn't miss you that much. I wanted to teach you a lesson and also have some time with--
 * KAREN**: (//glaring at LARRY)// No, honey, we were stuck on the road with no way to turn back, but then Daddy came to the rescue and came to pick you up. Of course we were scared.
 * CHICHI**: (//sounding confused)// Oh. Oh well... that was one long ride home! I love you Mommy and Daddy! And I missed you lots.
 * KAREN and LARRY:** We love you too Chichi.
 * END**