Scene 1 - Jessica’s bedroom
[Jessica’s bedroom is a stereotypical girl’s bedroom,pink and purple shades everywhere,throw pillows and stuffed animals on the bed,a full length mirror on the wall. Jessica is looking into the mirror and Liz is sitting on the bed.]
Jessica: Liz,are you sure I don’t look ugly in this sweater? Sure as sure can be?
Elizabeth: Jess,I think you’re as pretty as a picture.
Jessica: Really? I think I look kinda gross. I swear I must have the skinniest legs in America - and the bumpiest knees too. What am I going to do? How can I possibly go to school looking like this on today of all days?
Elizabeth: What’s so special about today?
Jessica: You don’t know? Today’s the day of the PBA induction.
Elizabeth: PBA? Is that some kind of sandwich?
Jessica: Har de har. I’m talking about Pi Beta Alpha,our school’s resident sorority.
Elizabeth: Oh,right. But if you’re as ugly as you think you are,what’s that make me - Miss America?
Jessica: You always were the family comic. C’mon,let’s get downstairs before breakfast is cold.
Scene 2 - the car,on the way to school
[The twins’ car is a red Fiat Spider. It’s early morning as they drive to school.]
Jessica: Some people are so touchy,Liz. I make one dent in the drivers’ door and Mom acts like I got in a pileup on the San Fernando freeway!
Elizabeth: At least you didn’t have to take the bus to school.
Jessica: And ruin my reputation? No way,José! I’m almost an adult now.
Elizabeth: Well,try acting it,okay? If not for me,then for your friends,like Lila or Cara?
Jessica: You’re just as bad as the rest of them,Lizzie,but you’ll always be my best sister.
Elizabeth: Touché. So,you think you’ll get into PBA?
Jessica: Why wouldn’t I? I’ve got good looks,good grades,good friends,and good money. I’m a shoo-in! By the way,I nominated you in the unlikely case I don’t get in.
Elizabeth: (blows a raspberry)
Jessica: Did I say something wrong?
Elizabeth: I’m not exactly PBA material,Jess. I’m more an Oracle kind of girl.
Jessica: I hear you’re the new gossip columnist now! I’m sure I can tell you all the juicy stories.
Elizabeth: Keep it up and you’ll be worse than Caroline!
Scene 3 - in front of school
Jessica (as if continuing a conversation): By the way,Todd Wilkins called yesterday while you and Maria were at the Dairi Burger. He seems to be into you lately.
Elizabeth: He is a handsome guy,isn’t he,Jess? Are you planning to get with him? It wouldn’t surprise me.
Jessica (stage voice): Maybe. Hunky is as hunky does.
Enid (off): Liz,Jess,hey!
Jessica: Is that Enid Rubin? I didn’t know you knew her.
Elizabeth: You could say we’re friends - you know her?
Jessica: She lives next door to the Walkers. She’s kinda a nerd,isn’t she? Do you really wanna be seen with her?
Elizabeth: I’ll have you know she’s everything you’re not. See you at lunch,m’kay?
Jessica: Buh-bye!
Scene 4 - a school hall
[Students are milling around as Liz and Enid walk to their first class of the day,History. Enid has dark red hair,blue eyes,and is a little taller than Liz]
Enid: Elizabeth,you will never,ever believe who asked me out yesterday!
Elizabeth: Who?
Enid: Ronnie Edwards! You know,the new boy from Big Mesa? He’s not hunky like Todd Wilkins or rich like Bruce Patman,but he’s smart,and you know me,I like a smart guy!
Elizabeth: If that’s your criteria for a boyfriend,Enid,you could’ve asked out Winston Egbert a long time ago!
Enid (giggles): I’ve already told you,Liz,I like him as a friend! Besides,he’s more interested in - what’s her face,the pretty redhead who’s on the cheer squad?
Elizabeth: Helen Bradley?
Enid: That’s the one.
[Winston slips in between them. He is a dark-haired boy,a little on the handsome side,with glasses]
Elizabeth (happily): Speak of the devil! [She loops an arm around his shoulder]
Winston: I’m afraid your news is old and cold,Liz. I’ve moved on from Helen - it’s Tina Ayala my eyes are on these days!
Enid: Who?
Elizabeth: You know Tina,Enid - she’s Penny’s sister and a photographer for the Oracle. She’s a sophomore.
Enid: You guys should hire me sometime. I can write when I have the inspiration to.
Elizabeth: I’ll keep you and Winston both in mind!
[They all laugh]
Scene 5 - the Oracle office,after school
[The Oracle office is an untidy space full of the usual high school newspaper-related paraphernalia. Liz is seated at a computer. Across from her is Olivia Davidson,the arts editor,a pretty girl with frizzy dark hair.]
Olivia: So Enid’s going out with Ronnie? Lucky her - he’s handsome. [She licks her lips]
Elizabeth: He even asked her to next week’s PBA dance!
Olivia: Double lucky!
Elizabeth: I might be going with Todd Wilkins - what about you?
Olivia: Roger Barrett asked me yesterday.
[Cara Walker,a vivacious brunette with tan skin,walks in]
Cara: Hey,Liv,can I have Liz’s attention for a while? I’ve got a hot new item for her.
Olivia: Sure thing,Cara! Say,who’re you going to the PBA dance with?
Cara: My cousin Josh from Santa Victoria: he's a real hunk. [She walks over to Liz,who looks up expectantly at her]
Elizabeth: Yes,Cara?
Cara: Do you know who writes that new gossip column,Eyes and Ears?
[Olivia starts to speak up but Liz shushes her]
Elizabeth: Mr Collins knows but he’s not telling - unlike some people at this school,he knows to keep a secret!
Cara: OK. Well, would you pass it on to him? The hottest new couple in the whole school is your very own sister Jessica -
Elizabeth and Olivia: Jessica? [They both look at Cara like she just told them that aliens have landed in Sweet Valley]
Cara [chuckles]: Yes! Now, I'm not a columnist,but the item could say something like—‘The hottest new couple at Sweet Valley High is the co-captain of the cheerleaders and the captain of the basketball team!’
Elizabeth [still processing]: What?
Cara: See—they're both captains: that’s why it's so neat!