Birth of a Story in an Hour or Less

Part I: The Voice

A: I can’t believe you would do this to me.
B: I’m so sorry Julie. I wish I could take it back but…
A: No, you’re right you can’t. I gave you everything. Why? How?
B: I don’t know, it didn’t mean anything I swear!
A: How could you have sex with her and not even think of me! I hate you!
B: Please stop…stop. I want you. You are the one I love. It was a mistake. It will never happen again. Please give me a second chance. I’ll show you it will not happen again.
A: How could I ever trust you again? You cheated on me-you cheated on us. You and that slut deserve each other.
B: I messed up once Jules. I know I messed up big. I’m taking full responsibility for that. I need you. You are all I want…all I have ever needed. Please don’t throw it all away.
A: Me? Me not throw it all away? YOU threw it all away when you hooked up with that slut! Don’t you dare try to put this around on me. I did nothing accept love you for three years. I gave you everything. I would have given you the rest of my life. YOU are throwing us away, not me.
B: You’re right, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. Jules, I don’t know what to say to make you want to stay with me.
A: Honestly, I don’t think there is anything you can say. I hope that whore was worth it.
B: Please don’t.
A: You make me sick.
B: I know I make myself sick.
A: Remember that day when we were lying in the back of your truck looking at the stars? Do you remember what you said to me that night almost three years ago?
B: Of course I do. I told you I loved you and I would love you forever.
A: Then why? Why? How could you?
B: I do and will love you forever.
A: No, because if you really loved me you would not have done this to me. You would have not needed to be with someone else. I would have been enough for you, forever. Just like you promised. But I wasn’t and I’m not.
B: You are. You know you are. I messed up Julie. Not that it is any excuse, because its not, but I was drunk and I wasn’t thinking straight. It happened yes, but I regret it with all of my soul and it’s killing me to see you like this because of something I have done.
A: Well good. I hope you do feel bad.
B: You have no idea.
A: No, you have no idea.
B: You’re right, I don’t.
A: Yeah because I would have never done this to you, ever!
B: I know.
A: And even if I ever did want to be with you again, my family and friends will hate you almost as much as I do right now when they find out. They would never accept you into their lives again because of this.
B: I have thought of that as well. It would take a lot to rebuild their trust as well as yours but I am willing to try.
A: I just can’t believe this. I will always ask myself why. Why some random whore you met at a college party? Why such a meaningless person. I feel like you deliberately tried to hurt me.
B: You know I would never do that Jules.
A: I don’t know…
B: Do you still love me?
A: Yes…
B: Can you give me another chance?
A: …no.


Part II: Your Character’s Place in the World

These two characters are outside of Julie’s house standing on the sidewalk beside a black truck parked in the street. It’s almost midnight so it is dark outside, only the streetlights giving off some light down Julie’s street and throughout the neighborhood. It is September so by nightfall it starts getting cooler. Tonight is especially cool due to a light breeze that hits ever so often. Julie’s house is small but comfortable looking. It is a light blue color with white shutters and a big white front door. There are a few skinny trees scattered throughout the front yard. All the neighbors have gone to bed. Only Julie’s front light to her house is on.


Part III: Who are You?

Describe your character physically, from head to toe.
This character in about 5’7 with blonde curly hair. She is slender and has a warm smile. She is only17 years old so is very youthful. She is comfortably dressed in jeans and a gray loose sweatshirt. She has light make-up on but her tears have washed a lot of it away.

What relationships are important to your character? Why?
One relationship that was very important to her was the relationship she had with her boyfriend of almost three years. She met him when she was only fourteen. This is important to her because he was her first love and best friend. He was the one she could tell anything to and she put a lot of love and trust into him.

What does your character do? Profession? Pleasure?
Julie is still in high school. She loves to sing and dance. She does not have a job yet, her parents want her to focus on school right now and worry about a job later. She loves to enjoy life and live in the moment.

What is your character most afraid of?
My character is most afraid of losing those close to her. She lost her Father suddenly and unexpectedly when she was only thirteen so she has a fear of losing the people she cares most about.

What does your character want?
My character wants to be happy. She wants love. She wants a good future. But most of all she wants to move on.


Part IV: Making a Scene

Scene I—Before the Conversation

Julie is so in love with Jason. He is everything she has every wanted in a guy. It’s 2:30pm and they are meeting in the cafeteria after their last class to drive home together. They do this every day when school gets out. They meet each other with a kiss and walk out of the school hand-in-hand. Julie has just turned fifteen. Jason is two years older, a senor in high school. They have been together for a little over three months. They celebrate each month they have been together and give each other little gifts on the 13th of every month. As the walk out of the school they stop to talk to a couple mutual friends. There is a football game coming up this weekend and Jason is the star quarterback. He is very popular among all the entire school. All the guys wish they were him and all the girls wish they were with him. But he is with Julie, and he has never seemed happier. He opens the passenger door to his black Ford truck for Julie and she hops in. He then shuts the door and gets in through the other side. They kiss again and he starts the truck and drives out of the parking lot. After school they always go to Julies house for a snack and to just hang out and spend time together. Julie’s Mom always makes them a snack. She loves Jason. Although it has only been three months into their relationship, its like Jason is already a part of the family. They finish their snack of cheese and crackers and head downstairs to watch a movie. Julie is curled up in Jason’s arms tight. They share a few more kisses and tell each other how much they love one another. They have never been so in love.

Scene 2—During the Conversation

It’s the middle of the night. It’s cold out due to a brisk breeze in the air. Silence is cutting like a knife. Julie and Jason are standing next to his black ford truck. The same truck he had taken her to school in during high school. The same truck they were in the first time he told her he loved her and wanted to be with her forever. The same truck they shared love in, told each other secrets and even once argued in. Those arguments were petty and ended quickly with an, “I’m so sorry, I love you.” This time, this argument would not end like those. The tension was unbearable. Julie can’t stop crying. Jason is breaking down at the sight of her. She went from standing next to him to sitting on the sideway unable to stop shaking. She just heard the news. He told her. It was killing him to hold this from her for weeks. He cheated. As he told her she screamed. She was screaming out of pain, anger and because that was the only emotion that came out. Then shortly after the tears began. Those tears would not stop for hours. The wind against her face made the warms tears become cold against her cheeks. Jason kept trying to touch her, to hold her, but she wouldn’t let him. She did not want him near her, yet at the same time she was terrified at the thought of him being away from her. She was torn. He could see it. She was falling apart right there by that damn truck.

Scene 3—After the Conversation

Julie hates thinking. She hates wondering. She said no, she doesn’t regret that decision. She knew deep down she would never trust him again. She couldn’t allow him back in at the risk of him hurting her again. It’s been five months since that night outside her house, next to his truck. She thinks about him all the time. She feels alone. So alone. The anger is still there, lingering. The anger has not left but sadness has taken up most of her feelings. She wonders about him, his life now. He’s still in college, going out drinking. She hates the thought of him with another girl. She shouldn’t care, but she can’t help it. It consumes her mind all day and all night. The thought of another girls kissing him and touching him. In her mind, he is still hers. But he is not. He is free, she freed him. She sometimes begins hating herself for letting him go but then she remembers the pain. That pain he caused her. She knows she should never blame herself because it was his decision. She knows he is happy again. He probably has moved on which kills her. She has not even begun moving on. She hurts for him all the time. Her friends and family keep telling her it will get better in time. She wants to know when. Five months later and nothing has changed. She is losing hope. She is afraid; afraid she will continue loving him forever, just as she had once promised him.