ACT I
Scene 1 Graduation
(Students of Class of ’67 walk in and take their seats dressed in Graduation robes for the ceremony. Principal tests the microphone before specking.)
Principal
Welcome though of Class of ’67 and there parents. I hope that these past four years have been the best ones of your school career and I that most of you will be continuing your schooling at college or in the work place or what ever you chose. I hope that what ever you do with your lives you will think back on your days attending this school. And relive those happy days.
(He posses and looks at the other teachers that are picking up the diplomas, before continuing.)
PRINCIPAL
Now Class ’67 Please stand as we call out each of your names and you come and collect your diploma. James Abbot, Blanche Beaumont, Jenny Blake, Penelope Cain, Susan Danford, Johnathan Douglas, George Erickson, Betty Field, Charles Wendall Hennessey II, Dylan Jackson, Theodore King, Amy Lane, Kipp Lawrence, Wyatt Nelson, Elvira Page, Jean Pierce, Sandy Roberts, Maxwell Sanford, Gwenith Tyler, Sarah Walker, Johnny Walsh. So long class of ’67.
(Hats are thrown in the air and cheers. Passed students descend and wade through the crowds to their parents and friends.)
Enter KIPP LAWRENCE searching through the crowd.
KIPP
Jean, Jean where are you?
JEAN
Kipp, do you see my hand. I’m over here.
(He rushes towards her and kisses her. After the kiss he takes her hand as the go in search of their friends.)
KIPP
Have you seen the others?
JEAN
I did see Blanche and Oliver but there back that way. I’m sure well all find each other at some point. I need to find my parents.
KIPP
Alright, I’ll help you find them. I need to find mine too.
They head off into the crowd to find there parents.
Enter Charles Hennessey II, Theodore King, Wyatt Nelson and Johnathan Douglas. Looking for Kipp.
CHARLES
He must be around here somewhere.
WYATT
He probably went looking for Jean.
THEODORE
What’s so important that you need to talk to him right away? Where going out partying later, can’t it wait till then?
CHARLES
No, It can’t Theodore. I need to tell him so that he can sign up as well and maybe we could be sent to the same place.
WYATT
Well that very unlikely. You’ll probably be sent to another area.
CHARLES
Well at least we might be at Basic Training together. I won’t be with ether of you because you’ve joined the Marines and the Air force.
WYATT
Well I’m joining the Air force because Dylan Jackson is joining and he told me all about it. He really doesn’t want to go to Vietnam but he figures that it’s best to sign up and go then to be forced too. So he can come back and protest.
JOHNATHAN
Isn’t he a hippy or something like that? It’s good to see them going to war for there country.
WYATT
Yes, he is but he’s still human. They’re all human no different then you or me.
(Charles sees a fight brewing and buts in before a fight broke out.)
CHARLES
Come on well go find Kipp.
JOHNATHAN and Wyatt
All right, lets go.
Exit Charles Hennessey II, Theodore King, Wyatt Nelson and Johnathan Douglas head off to look for Kipp.
Enter Kipp, Jean, Jean’s parents and Kipp’s Parents.
Jean’s Parent
Why don’t we get a picture of you two together?
JEAN
All right.
Jean stands with Kipp holding up their Diplomas as their parents take pictures.
JEAN’S PARENT
There we go.
Kipp’s Parent
Kipp, will you be needing the car later on for the party?
KIPP
I’m not sure. I haven’t found any of my friends to ask them about it.
CHARLES, JOHNATHAN, Wyatt and THEODORE
Hay, Kipp.
KIPP
There you guys are we’ve been looking all over for you.
CHARLES
We have as well. I have something to tell you.
Enter an existed Gwen Tyler. She stands in front of Jean excited.
GWEN
Jean, Jean guess what?
JEAN
What?
GWEN
David has asked me to marry him.
JEAN
Really.
They huge smiling and having a girl’s moment.
GWEN
And I want you to be my Maid of Honor.
JEAN
Really, I thought that Penelope was your best friend. But I’m glade that you asked me.
GWEN
Well she is, but I’ve known you the longest.
JEAN
Well, I’ll be happy to be your Maid of Honor.
KIPP
Where’s David, I want to congratulate him.
GWEN
I left him with my parents. You can tell him later at the party.
KIPP
All right.
JEAN
Have you seen Dylan?
GWEN
No I haven’t.
WYATT
I talked to him before we spotted Kipp and you.
JEAN
Well he should come over to see me. He’s like my brother and best friend put together.
KIPP
Don’t worry I’m sure he’ll be over to see you. Isn’t he going to the party?
JEAN
Yes, but its not just that, he’s going to Vietnam. And I know that ever friend that I know will be going. I know your going.
(Kipp looks astonished and tries to come down an emotional Jean)
KIPP
How do you know I’m going? I’m not signed up yet.
JEAN
I know because it was going to happen at some point.
CHARLES
Well actually thats why we came to find you. I signed up for the Army and i was hoping you would to. Wyatt and Dylan have joined the Air Force. While Theodore and Johnathan have joined the Marines.
JOHNATHAN
The recruiting officer is walking around, well help you find him if you want to sign up.
(Kipp looks over at an upset Jean that waves him off before heading off with Gwen into the fading crowds.)
KIPP
I should go after her.
JOHNATHAN
Leave her; you’ll see her later at the party. So tell her that you’re sorry then.
(Kipp gave him an angry look. But let out a sigh as the group headed off to find the Recruiting Officer. )
End Scene 1
Act 2
Scene 2 Party
(Setting a small graduation party only consisting of friends Music is playing and some people are dancing to it while others are sitting and talking.)
Enter Jean, Gwen, Lily, Blanche
JEAN
Do you think that he will be here?
GWEN
I’m sure he will be here.
LILY
I’m sure he wanted to tell you about signing up but in privet not in front of all his friends.
JEAN
I know Lily but he never came after me.
BLANCHE
I’m sure Johnathan stopped him from leaving.
LILY
That boy needs to get lade.
(They all laugh at the thought.)
JEAN
Lets not go that far. I don’t think anyone wants to think about that.
LILY
Oh, look there’s Kipp now.
(They all turn to look at Kipp as he makes his way over to their group. He stands in front of Jean as he tries to come up with something to say for what happened earlier.)
KIPP
Jean.
JEAN
Kipp
KIPP
I’m sorry. That’s not how i depicted my telling you that I was going to Vietnam.
JEAN
I know. I was thought that you didn’t want to go.
KIPP
I don’t, but the way I see it I might be drafted if I wait any longer.
( Kipp pulls her to him and kisses her. Before holding her tightly.)
JEAN
Promise me something.
KIPP
Anything.
JEAN
Try not to get killed.
KIPP
I’ll try my best.
(He gives her a smile.)
JEAN
I know you will.
DYLAN
Hay, Jean. Jean.
(She turners to see her best friend with his girlfriend.)
JEAN
You for got to come see me before I left.
DYLAN
I know I’m sorry. But I’m here now.
JEAN
I know so give me a hug.
DYLAN
Okay, I can do that.
(They hug and start to dance just for fun before Kipp cuts in acting mad. But not really meaning it.)
JEAN
So when do you leave.
KIPP
I don’t know yet. But I know that Johnathan and Theodore are leaving sooner. They leave in two months. I think Dylan and Wyatt leave later towards the end of the summer. So I might be leaving before them.
JEAN
Oh, well we should live through this summer like it’s the last.
KIPP
Don’t say it like that.
JEAN
Well I’m saying it. It might come true you don’t know that enough to say that I wont lose you.
KIPP
I don’t want to here it.
JEAN
I know you don’t but it won’t make the thoughts go away. Or the reality that i could happen Kipp you need to understand that.
(She is becoming emotional upset with the situation.)
KIPP
Lets not talk about it.
JEAN
Fine, we won’t but the problem isn’t going to go away.
KIPP
I know it’s not. I just don’t want to think about it till it gets closer to the time that I leave for training.
JEAN
All right, well do that.
(She smiles but really is trying to hold back the tears.)
PENELOPE
Hay, Jean, Kipp. Dylan wants to know if you guys want to go hang out.
KIPP
I don’t know.
JEAN
Where would we be going?
PENELOPE
I don’t know? He didn’t really say. He just told me to come over here.
(Jean and Kipp noticed Dylan jump up onto a table.)
DYLAN
Hay, everyone can you be quiet.
(Everyone continues to talk. He clears his throat.)
Hay, can you guys shut the hell up for a few moments I have a few words to say.
(Everyone goes quiet and looks up at Dylan as he stares towards Penelope.)
Penelope Cain, I have something to say to you in front of all my friends. I hope that this is all right with you.
PENELOPE
It is Dylan, but what do you have to say to me from standing on the table.
DYLAN
Penelope, will you marry me?
PENELOPE
Did he just ask me to marry him?
JEAN PIERCE
Yes he is. What are you going to say to that?
PENELOPE
Yes, Dylan I will marry you.
(She rushes to wards him and jumps into his arms and kisses him.)
DYLAN
I’m glad that you said yes.
PENELOPE
Well there was nothing else I wanted to say, then yes.
DYLAN
I want to go tell my parents the news so lets get out of here.
PENELOPE
Okay lets go.
Exit Dylan and Penelope. Jean heads over to her friend lily and her husband Randall.
JEAN
So whens the baby due? Because I cannot wait to be an auntie.
RANDALL
Well who said you where going to be auntie?
LILY
Come off it Randy that’s not what you said. You said that Jean is the perfect auntie for our baby.
RANDALL
I know i did, can’t a man have some fun with his wife’s best friend once in a while.
LILY
No a man can’t. Jean is like my sister and don’t you go messing with her.
RANDALL
I wasn’t messing with her i was only joking.
JEAN
I know you where joking. So Lily come down do those breaths. Because I sure having an argument when your pregnant is not what a doctor would want you doing.
RANDALL
She’s wright you know.
LILY
I know she is. Well you’ll be an auntie in about three months.
JEAN
Good, good. I can’t wait. It will keep my mind off of Kipp leaving.
LILY
Don’t you worry about that boy I’m sure he will try everything to stay alive for you. Don’t you forget I’m always going to be here for you.
JEAN
I know you are, I’m not going to forget.
LILY
I know you won’t. I’m just reminding you.
Enter Charles and Elvira walk over to Kipp to find out how things had gone.
CHARLES
So are you two on better terms now?
KIPP
Yes we talked about it. But I know that she is still upset.
ELVIRA
Of course she’s upset Kipp, your heading to a place that any one would never want anyone that they love to go.
CHARLES
I know that you don’t want me to go but I’m sure Kipp and I will save each others backsides.
ELVIRA
Well I hope so.
KIPP
Well do our best.
ELVIRA
I’m sure of it. Do you know where Gwen is I wanted to say congratulation to her on her engagement. I already said my congratulation to Penelope already.
KIPP
Oh, i see her. Shes over there.
ELVIRA
Okay I’ll be back take care of Charles while I’m gone.
KIPP
I’ll do my best.
ELVIRA
Good, I’ll be back in a few minutes.
Exit Elvira.
KIPP
She’s good for you Charles she’s going to keep you in line and take care of you. We all thought that you would never find a girl.
CHARLES
Well your lucky to Kipp. Jean’s going to ride your ass for you to get things together. Are you going to ask her to marry you?
KIPP
No, I don’t think that it would be a good idea to do that. Its not that I don’t want to its just in case I don’t come back. I think that it would kill her. Well what about you?
CHARLES
I have the same reason as you. But you know it would kill them ether way.
KIPP
I know. At least well have someone to send letters to unlike Johnathan and Theodore. They’ll only be sending ones to there mothers.
(They laugh at the though.)
CHARLES
I know where lucky and I thank god for that.
KIPP
I do too. Well lets go get our girls.
Exit Kipp and Charles.
End Scene 2
Act 3
Scene 3 Leaving
Enter Kipp he walks over to Jean while she is on her lawn.
KIPP
Hi Jean.
JEAN
Hi, So what brings you over.
KIPP
I know when I’m leaving.
JEAN
Oh, whens that.
(she became upset at the thought of his departure to fight for something she was not sure was right.)
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