Simply Skiing 2nd and Final Version

Simply Skiing

[The scene lights up to four teenagers in a ski chalet with oak siding. NATE sits at a large fireplace staring thoughtfully at a small fire towards the back of the stage. PAUL and WILL are playing cards on a lunch table that is seated in the middle of the room. TENA is laying on her stomach on the floor reading a book. All are wearing under-armor, sweat pants, and other warm clothes. Lying underneath the table and in one of the corners are multiple backpacks and athletic bags of various sizes. WILL glances over at NATE.]

WILL
Nate why are you staring at that fire anyway?
NATE
[Without looking up]
I’m just thinking.
WILL
Weeellll…? Come on man what are you thinking about?
PAUL
Dude, you know what he’s thinking about. It’s not everyday the guy gets asked to a dance. Actually, it’s never happened before!

TENA
[Shoots up excitedly from her book to look over at NATE]
You mean Joy actually asked you? Wow I’m impressed! It had to happen though eventually. [Notices NATE’s nervous look] Aren’t you excited at all Nate?

NATE
[He raises his head]
Well I haven’t exactly told her my answer yet. I don’t want to be in a relationship and I don’t want to hurt her feelings.

TENA
Just go as friends then. I mean you’ll have to talk to her sooner or later.

NATE
That’s probably my biggest problem.
[Both WILL and PAUL burst out in laughter; nudging each others’ sides at NATE’s fate]

PAUL
Didn’t you just say the other day that you’re not afraid of anything? The guy wouldn’t blink an eye if he had to jump out of a plane, but have him talk to a girl and he’ll run in the other direction.

[NATE throws a glove in PAUL’s direction but instead hits WILL. This triggers an onset of back and forth throwing of each other’s gloves and hats]

WILL
Coward!

PAUL
Whoos!

NATE
At least I got asked!

PAUL
I wouldn’t want to go anyway. [He laughs and raises his fist in the air as a glove hits his target]

TENA
Boys…[She sighs and returns to her book]
[The guys end their friendly banter and continue with their conversation from before]

WILL
Anyways man, are you going to say yes or no?
NATE

I already told you, I don’t know.

PAUL
Do you like her?

NATE
Yeah but-

WILL
Then what’s the problem?

NATE
[NATE moves over to sit next to PAUL and begins to bang his head against the table slowly but with little force]
I…[bang]…just…[bang]…don’t…[bang]…know…[bang].

TENA
Nate it’s your senior year. Besides you don’t even know if she likes you more than a friend. Stop being such a drama king.

NATE
[He rolls his eyes]
Thanks. That’s true though. Maybe-

[JOY suddenly enters and everyone jolts with a start. NATE jumps so hard he falls off of his chair and flies to the ground. The playing cards WILL and PAUL were playing with earlier explode into the air and float to the ground. In her haste to act normal, TENA slams her book closed. JOY is frozen in place still not fully inside of the chalet. Everyone is staring at JOY while JOY merely looks from one face to the next.]

TENA
[With a slight stutter she breaks the silence]
He-he-hey Joy. What’s up?

JOY
[Suspicion is evident in her voice but her expression is neutral as she answer.]
Nothing…anything going on here?

TENA
[She laughs loudly…too loudly]
Of course not. What would make you think that?

JOY
[Glances over at NATE who is still on the ground and PAUL and WILL who are picking up the cards that have finally settled.]
Just a guess. Well anyways I actually came in here to let you know that Coach is wondering why you guys aren’t out on the course skiing.

PAUL
Yeah we’ll be out in a bit. Once we pick up all these cards Will dropped I’ll be able to get my stuff on. [Glares at Will.]

WILL
Hey don’t get on my back just because Nate here couldn’t help but jump at the sight of-

[Before Will can finish his sentence NATE is already over to his spot putting a hand to his mouth.]

NATE
What he means is…that ah…that I was…that I was surprised that the door opened so…suddenly.

JOY
[Looks at WILL who has pushed NATE’s hand away and wipes his mouth off with disgust and then brings her attention back to NATE]
Yeah. I can see that. Well I’ll meet you guys outside.
[JOY hurries back outside and even before the door closes WILL and PAUL begin to laugh and return to their original seats. TENA pretends to be occupied with putting her book away but her smile is evident. NATE stands in the same spot hitting his forehead with one fist.]

NATE
[He stops the abuse on his forehead and looks at his friends who have finally stopped laughing.]
Finished now? It couldn’t have been that funny.

WILL
That’s not even half of it. Paul knows what I’m talking about, right?

PAUL
Right. How in the world are you two going to dance?

NATE
What’s that supposed to mean? I haven’t even said yes!

TENA
You know you’re going to, you just need to let her know of that. They do bring up a good point though Nate. [Begins to speak in a voice with a hint of sarcasm] I know it’s hard to believe but even if you just slow dance you will be touching. You need to talk to Joy enough where you both feel comfortable touching each other.

NATE
Hardy har har. You all think you’re so clever. Lets not all fail to remember the story of Will’s first slow dance.

PAUL
One word: Frankenstein.

[The gang, minus WILL, begins to laugh. NATE stands up and begins to imitate what WILL must have looked like. NATE’s arms are straight out in front of him and he moves his body stiffly from side to side. However WILL can’t help himself and goes up to PAUL and puts his arms on PAUL’s shoulders to help the group get the image of the memory. COACH enters.]

COACH
What are you guys doing in here? The race is starting soon! I want you all dressed and ready in five minutes! [Coach leaves.]

[PAUL and WILL go behind a wall to change. They are still laughing while TENA is getting her hat and mittens together.]

TENA
Nate, I think you should do whatever you want, but I really do think that you’d enjoy going.

[Suddenly WILL’s voice carries across the room from their changing area]

WILL
Hey Paul if you take me plus you we’re practically naked!

PAUL
Shut up Will!
[NATE and TENA share a laugh but nonetheless move a couple feet away the sound]

NATE
I think you’re right though. I’m going to go talk to her right now actually. [Exits]

TENA
Of course I’m right. [Picks up her jacket and exits]

[WILL and PAUL come back from their changing area. As WILL walks to the middle of the room PAUL sneakily exits]

WILL
Soooo, mister macho Nate are you ready to eat some of my freshly skied snow? [He begins to bend on one knee and flex his arms in strongman poses. Soon however he glances around] Hey where’d everyone go?

COACH
[Sticks his head from outside and yells at WILL]
Will let’s get a move on it!

WILL
Nice to see you as well general!

[WILL salutes COACH while walking towards him and leaving to go outside. COACH rolls his eyes and follows right after him; the stage goes dark]