Contraband
July 22nd, 2020
Starring: Stella (female, mid 30’s), Xavier (male, high school)
The band hall, morning. Xavier, a stringbean of a kid, has his backpack at his feet, standing with a large instrument case next to him. He’s in a staredown with Stella, the assistant band director.
...
STELLA
You want to come out with it?
…
Someone saw you.
XAVIER
Who?
STELLA
It doesn’t matter.
XAVIER
I think it does. Some people have it out for me. They want my spot.
STELLA
Who’s that?
XAVIER
Could be a lot of people.
STELLA
Second chair bassoon. That’s a spot people want?
XAVIER
Yeah.
STELLA
Really.
XAVIER
Yeah. And they’re willing to lie for it.
STELLA
I guess you are too.
…
You are not as important as you think you are, but we do need you. You are a part of a whole, and that means we can’t have stuff going around. Not just the stuff, but the rumors. The drama. That’s worse. This isn’t the place for that. We need everyone playing focused and clean, and if you are doing what you are obviously doing, I need to know about it. Right now.
...
If you tell me everything, this ends with me. I won’t send it up the ladder. Not to Tomlin or Gates or any administrator. This isn’t about you. This is about the team.
…
XAVIER
It was just the one time.
STELLA
What was it?
XAVIER
...Xanax.
STELLA
Where’d you get it?
XAVIER
My sister’s. I don’t know where she got it.
STELLA
Did she tell you to sell?
XAVIER
No.
…
Look, I’ve never even taken it. Pills aren’t my thing.
STELLA
Yeah, that’s clear.
Did it make you feel cool? X slinging X?
XAVIER
It was free money. And a favor.
STELLA
For who?
XAVIER
Why does it matter, we’re all fucking stressed.
If you cared about “the whole,” you’d let this slide.
This isn’t some huge operation, it’s just someone trying to cope.
I’m not doing it again, ok?
…
STELLA
Sure.
See you this afternoon.
…
XAVIER
Ok.
…
…
Thank you. Actually.
Xavier shoves the Bassoon in his band locker. He shoulders his backpack and walks to his first period class. Stella watches him go.