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Script excerpt by Sam S
Lights up on Center Stage
Bennet sits on stage cube holding a video game controller. Cynthia stands outside his room.
Cynthia
Bennet? Are you up ? I’m sorry I didn’t wake you up sooner, I thought you would know what time to be up by now. Are you ready for school buddy?
Beat, Bennet doesn’t answer. Cynthia knocks a couple of time; no answer
Cynthia
Bennet, I’m coming in.
Cynthia walks into the room and stares down Bennet. Bennet has all his attention on his Nintendo switch.
Cynthia
Bennet! This is ridiculous. You’re not even dressed.
Cynthia grabs the switch from Bennet and crosses her arms
Bennet
Mom! What the heck! I was literally so freaking close to beating this level. I just had to -
Cynthia
I don’t care, you have to be out the door for school in less than fifteen minutes!
Beat. Bennet spaces out, there is silence for at least ten seconds)
Cynthia
Bennet?
Bennet snaps back to attention, looks around the room, becoming aware of his surroundings)
Bennet
What did you say ?
Cynthia
School. In ten. Let’s go.
Bennet
I’m not going.
Cynthia
What? You’re kidding! You love school Benny.
Bennet
I lied.
Cynthia
You lied to me ? Why would you lie to your mom buddy?
Bennet
If you wanna be specific, it’s called a “white lie”
Cynthia
Okay, okay. If this school isn’t a good fit for you, give me five reasons why.
Bennet
Okay
Beat
Cynthia
Go on
Bennet
One: the food isn’t good
Two: -
Cynthia
That doesn’t count?
Bennet
What do you mean?
Cynthia
Nobody likes school food.
Bennet
Doesn’t matter.
Two: I get bullied for being “special needs”
Three: I’m a freshman but in a class with a lot of elementary schoolers.
Four: I’m in a special ed class and I want to be with higher functioning/non autistic people.
I want to be in a normal class, I don’t want to be special, I want to be normal.
Cynthia
. . Honeybun. . . You’re not treated differently. . . you j-
Bennet
NO! You literally treat me like a baby, I have seen your browser history. You worthy about me like I am a toddler. I am fourteen mom, FOURTEEN. I am sick of being “special”
I am not stupid you know. I don’t need to review addition, I don’t need to be spoon fed. Just because I have autism does not mean you get to treat me like a baby.
Cynthia
Bennet . . .
Bennet
I just want you to take me more seriously. . That’s the only missing piece to my puzzle. You. You seeing potential in me that is my missing puzzle piece. um . . I just need some pace Mom.
Cynthia
Um. Right. Okay.
Beat. Cynthia starts to leave.
Bennet
Hey Mom?
Cynthia turns back to her son.
Bennet
I love you
Cynthia
Love you too hun.
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