ACT TWO

SCENE H

FADE IN:

INT. SCHOOL GYM – CONTINUOUS

Mae stands with Ariella.

MAE

I'm glad your parents let you come to the ball. Do you know how hard it is to hold a conversation with a mummy?

She looks over at the dance floor where a grooving mummy gives her a thumbs up. She returns it, clearly glad to get away.

ARIELLA

Actually, my parents don't know I'm here.

MAE

You snuck out?

ARIELLA

Only for a little while. I promised Ryan I'd be here, and I didn't want to let him down. Do you know where he is?

She searches the room and finds Ryan in a prince costume dancing with another girl.

MAE

Sorry, Ariella.

In another part of the gym, Caleb wanders around the room until he finds a girl wearing a crown.

CALEB

There she is.

He takes a deep breath and starts to walk over then spins back around.

CALEB (CONT'D)

What if she doesn't like me? But, I mean, she has to, right? Why else would she set this up? But what if I do something stupid that changes her mind? (beat) You're right. I'll never know if I don't take a chance.

He pats the back of a headless horseman.

CALEB (CONT'D)

Good talk.

He gathers his courage and approaches the queen.

CALEB

Finally, we meet. May I have this dance?

He takes a knee before her and offers his hand. Someone in a gorilla costume lumbers over. He takes off his mask. It's the footballer.

FOOTBALLER

Did you just ask my girlfriend to dance?

Stunned, Caleb rises back to his feet. He looks at his clue.

CALEB

I must have misread it. I am so sorry about that. I'm just going to—

He takes off and the footballer chases after him.

At the refreshments table, Ariella pours herself a cup of punch. Ryan comes over and also grabs a drink. It seems like he doesn't recognize her. 

RYAN

You don't look like you're having a lot of fun.

ARIELLA

I was really hoping I could dance with a guy I liked, but it looks like I'm too late.

RYAN

Will I do?

Ariella smiles and nods, her bat crown ears flapping. She takes it off and sits it on the table. Ryan takes her hand.

Caleb runs by. The gorilla charges after him, knocking the bowl of punch all over Ariella's dress.

Across the gym, Torin cackles.

TORIN

Disqualified. Somebody bat crown me.

On the verge of tears, Ariella runs out into the hall. Ryan tries to chase after her, but the other girl he was dancing with gets in his way.

Mrs. Shannon picks up the crown and candy.

MRS. SHANNON

You forgot your prizes!

She shrugs and helps herself to a piece of candy.

INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS

Ariella stands in the hall assessing the damage to her dress. Mae joins her.

MAE

Your dress. It's ruined.

ARIELLA

This wouldn't have happened if I would have stayed home like my parents told me to. They trusted me and I broke that trust. I'm going to go home before I get into any more trouble.

MAE

I'm going with you. It's lonely without my best friend.

Ariella's phone chimes like a church bell.

ARIELLA

(off Mae's look) It was the free ringtone of the day. I have fifteen minutes to get back home before my parents do. Let's go.

They run off and Ariella loses a shoe. Ryan runs after her.

RYAN

Wait!

He looks down and picks up the shoe. Ariella returns and takes it.

ARIELLA

Thanks.

She exits and a feather escapes her dress, floating behind her. Ryan catches it. Smiles.