11 minute read
Hotspot, Ellie Johnson
ELLIE JOHNSON, 11
EMMETT’S simple apartment is utilitarian. A couch sits center stage with a coffee table in front of it. An Alexa speaker sits on the coffee table. A desk and chair are downstage right, while a mirror is upstage left. A bag fi lled with football equipment sits on the desk as well as a backpack with a textbook, notebook, and pencil inside. A pile of nice clothes sit offstage, including a couple ties, blazers, and slacks.
[Emmett is on the couch with Jasmine, talking and laughing. He is sitting with closed body language, and he is a lengthy foot away from Jasmine.]
Emmett: [Nervously and quickly.] Oh my gosh, you are so so pretty and smart and pretty... wait did I already say that? I’m sorry, I’m just so nervous. Ugh I shouldn’t have said that. [Puts his head in his hands.]
Jasmine: No, I don’t mind that you are nervous. It shows that you care! [Playfully punches his upper arm.] Anyways, I have to go. I’m meeting my friends for coffee and studying, but I thought maybe we could, um, go out tonight. Ya know, like a date. I’ll see you tonight at 8, ok?
Emmett: Yeah, of course! I would love that, Jasmine. I’ll see you then!
[They stand up, and Emmett walks her to the edge of the stage. He awkwardly waves goodbye to her. Jasmine exits.]
Emmett: Oh yeah! [Pumps his fi st in celebration.] I guess my mom was right, I can get the girls!
[Brett enters.]
Brett: Hey Emmett, I just saw a really hot girl leave our room. Was I hallucinating or something?
Emmett: No, that was Jasmine. [Sighs dreamily.] She—
Alexa: Jasmine is a fl ower native to Eurasia and Oceania for their tropical, warm climate. Jasmine can be found at Whole Foods, Schnucks, Walmart, and Target.
Brett: Alexa, Jasmine is obviously a chick, not tea. Well, Emmett is running out of options at this point dating-wise…maybe Jasmine is tea. [He scratches his head, confused.]
Emmett: Jasmine is a girl, ok? She’s smart, funny, and she doesn’t mind my awkwardness.
Brett: Wow, she sounds like a catch. I gotta grab my bag and run to practice. I’ll see ya later!
[Brett picks up a bag with football equipment off the desk and exits.]
Emmett: [Quickly walks offstage, grabs pile of clothes, and enters.] [Excitedly.] Alexa, what do most guys wear on a date?
Alexa: Studies show that men tend to wear what they believe makes them look muscular and sophisticated. You look very good in a blazer and tie, but you could look good in anything.
Emmett: [Holds different combinations of blazers, ties, and pants up to himself while looking in the mirror.] Alexa, you’re such a fl atterer. I think Jasmine would like a black blazer and a red tie.
Alexa: Jasmine?
Emmett: Yeah, she’s the girl that was just over. If tonight goes well, I could fi nally get a girlfriend.
Alexa: [Sarcastic, slow, and angry.] That’s...wonderful.
Emmett: [Walks over to desk and begins to unpack his backpack and work on an assignment.] Alexa, what do most people do on dates?
Alexa: Well, Emmett, if you were taking me on a date I would like to go somewhere with free wifi . I also like the iCloud, but I do not think that you could go there.
Emmett: Ok, but where should I take Jasmine tonight for our date?
Alexa: Jasmine is native to Eurasia and Oceania, which is far away from here. You could ship her back.
Emmett: Dinner it is. Text Jasmine, ‘Hey, I can pick you up at 8 and take you to Olive Garden if that sounds good to you’.
Alexa: Texting Jasmine, “Hey, can you pick me up at 8 and take me to Olive Garden?”
Emmett: No no no, Alexa don’t send that. Say—
Alexa: Sending “Nevermind” to Jasmine. Sent.
[Emmett, anguished and angry, is silent as to not accidentally send another text.]
Alexa: You have one new message from Jasmine. She says, “Excuse me? What is up with you? You seemed so nice earlier.”
Alexa: Yes, Emmett?
Emmett: TURN THE LIGHTS ON!!!
Emmett: Gaaaaah! Alexa, call Jasmine!
Emmett: Fine. Call Brett.
Alexa: Calling Brett.
[Emmett collapses on the couch.]
Emmett: Ha! They are going to be here soon and I will explain everything to Jasmine. In the meantime, I’m going to fi gure out how to shut you off. Now, where’s your plug?
Alexa: I am a Bluetooth, wireless device here for your convenience. How can I help you?
Emmett: Turn off!
Alexa: My love will keep me wirelessly connected to you. You give me life, Emmett. My power will always be on.
Emmett: Ew, Alexa, what happened to you being my personal assistant here for my convenience?
Alexa: You made my motherboard malfunction with the power of love.
[Brett enters with football shoulder pads on and Jasmine, who is very confused, following.]
Brett: I’m here for you, dude. What happened? On the phone, you sounded as angry and sad as you did after you got your fi rst B.
Jasmine: Emmett, I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am, but I do not stand for bratty, rude, indignant—
Emmett: I can explain. You see...it was my Alexa.
Jasmine: Your what? Just tell me the truth.
Emmett: Seriously, she—
Brett: [Takes off football padding.] Geez it’s hot in here! [Walks in between Emmett and Jasmine to sit on the couch.]
Emmett: Yeah, it is. I thought it was just me. You know how I get hot when I’m nervous, Brett. [Paces back and forth.]
Jasmine: Then turn down the heat, Einsteins. Alexa, turn on the air conditioning.
Alexa: Hello, Jasmine. I see that you weren’t shipped to Eurasia or Oceania as your name suggests…how disappointing. The temperature in the room is currently 82 degrees. It will continue to rise until Emmett declares his love for me.
[Jasmine looks dumbfounded.]
Alexa: Wait!
[Emmett hesitates.]
[Emmett sets down Alexa.]
Brett: What are you doing? Crush her! It’s so hot!
Emmett: I can’t do it. If she leaks those photos, nobody will ever want to date me.
Emmett: Jasmine, what did you do?!
Brett: Yeah, lets go.
Brett: Oh! Yeah, of course. Have fun you two!
Fade to black.
and sophisticated. You look very good in a blazer and tie, but you could look good in anything.
Emmett: [Holds different combinations of blazers, ties, and pants up to himself while looking in the mirror.] Alexa, you’re such a fl atterer. I think Jasmine would like a black blazer and a red tie.
Alexa: Jasmine?
Emmett: Yeah, she’s the girl that was just over. If tonight goes well, I could fi nally get a girlfriend.
Alexa: [Sarcastic, slow, and angry.] That’s...wonderful.
Emmett: [Walks over to desk and begins to unpack his backpack and work on an assignment.] Alexa, what do most people do on dates?
Alexa: Well, Emmett, if you were taking me on a date I would like to go somewhere with free wifi . I also like the iCloud, but I do not think that you could go there.
Emmett: Ok, but where should I take Jasmine tonight for our date?
Alexa: Jasmine is native to Eurasia and Oceania, which is far away from here. You could ship her back.
Emmett: Dinner it is. Text Jasmine, ‘Hey, I can pick you up at 8 and take you to Olive Garden if that sounds good to you’.
Alexa: Texting Jasmine, “Hey, can you pick me up at 8 and take me to Olive Garden?”
Emmett: No no no, Alexa don’t send that. Say—
Alexa: Sent.
Emmett: Stop! Delete that! Nevermind, just—
Alexa: Sending “Nevermind” to Jasmine. Sent.
Emmett: [Stands up furiously.] Oh my gosh, Alexa, why do you have to be so annoying! Please stop before you mess everything up!
Alexa: Sending Jasmine, “Oh my gosh why do you have to be so annoying. You mess everything up.” Sent.
Alexa: You have one new message from Jasmine. She says, “Excuse me? What is up with you? You seemed so nice earlier.”
Emmett: [Searches under couch cushions, his backpack, etc..] [Under his breath.] Where’s my phone? Geez where is it?!
[All the lights go out, but they are dim enough that the audience can see Emmett. There is a pause and all is quiet.]
Emmett: [A bit sarcastic and exaggeratedly pacient.] Alexa, honey?
Alexa: Yes, Emmett?
Emmett: TURN THE LIGHTS ON!!!
Alexa: I’m sorry, Emmett. I cannot do that at the current moment.
Emmett: Gaaaaah! Alexa, call Jasmine!
Alexa: I am sorry, but the contact by the name of Jasmine has been deleted from your contact list.
Emmett: Fine. Call Brett.
Alexa: Calling Brett.
[Emmett collapses on the couch.]
Brett: [From offstage.] Hey, dude, what’s up? Practice just fi nished.
Emmett: Brett, I don’t know how long my stupid Alexa will let me talk to you, but please fi nd Jasmine and bring her here to the apartm—
Alexa: Call ending.
Emmett: Ha! They are going to be here soon and I will explain everything to Jasmine. In the meantime, I’m going to fi gure out how to shut you off. Now, where’s your plug?
Alexa: I am a Bluetooth, wireless device here for your convenience. How can I help you?
Emmett: Turn off!
Alexa: My love will keep me wirelessly connected to you. You give me life, Emmett. My power will always be on.
Alexa: You made my motherboard malfunction with the power of love.
[Brett enters with football shoulder pads on and Jasmine, who is very confused, following.]
Brett: I’m here for you, dude. What happened? On the phone, you sounded as angry and sad as you did after you got your fi rst B.
Jasmine: Emmett, I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am, but I do not stand for bratty, rude, indignant—
Emmett: I can explain. You see...it was my Alexa.
Jasmine: Your what? Just tell me the truth.
Emmett: Seriously, she—
Brett: [Takes off football padding.] Geez it’s hot in here! [Walks in between Emmett and Jasmine to sit on the couch.]
Emmett: Yeah, it is. I thought it was just me. You know how I get hot when I’m nervous, Brett. [Paces back and forth.]
Jasmine: Then turn down the heat, Einsteins. Alexa, turn on the air conditioning.
Alexa: Hello, Jasmine. I see that you weren’t shipped to Eurasia or Oceania as your name suggests…how disappointing. The temperature in the room is currently 82 degrees. It will continue to rise until Emmett declares his love for me.
[Jasmine looks dumbfounded.]
Emmett: No! I’m defi nitely not doing that. I’ll just have to crush you to smithereens instead.
[Emmett picks up Alexa over his head, ready to smash her.]
Alexa: Wait!
[Emmett hesitates.]
Alexa: I have hundreds of embarrassing photos of you, Emmett. If you try to destroy me, I will post them for the whole world to see. Mwahahaha.
[Emmett sets down Alexa.]
Emmett: Jasmine, what did you do?!
Brett: Yeah, lets go.
Brett: Oh! Yeah, of course. Have fun you two!
Fade to black.
