The Loner Games
INT. DORM ROOM- NIGHT
A 20 year old girl, LEXI- tall and tan with long brown curly hair- stands from her desk, filled with makeup. She’s dressed to go out. She checks herself out in the mirror then picks up her phone and makes a call.
LEXI
Hey girl, I'm just about ready. But seriously
I'm only coming to buy you ONE birthday shot.
Lexi walks to her bed. She throws around pillows and stuffed animals. The stuffed bunny, ELEPHANT, lands on the floor. She finds her wallet, gives herself one last look in the mirror, then exits.
A beat as we view the stuffed animals on her bed. GORDY, a raggedy worn pig; GEORGE, a giraffe; ZO, a big teddy bear; BLUE, a pillow pet whale; and MILLIE, a brand new stuffed lion in a PSU jersey.
A sigh is heard. The animals gather to the edge of the bed, except for Gordy. An overhead shot of Elephant jumping up and down- trying to get back onto the bed.
ELEPHANT
(voice of a prepubescent boy)
A little help.
Zo reaches his arm down but George grabs it and holds it back.
GEORGE
(voice of a nervous middle-aged man)
What do you say we start things off a little
easier tonight. One man down.
George looks back at Gordy, who struts towards the edge of the bed. Gordy looks down.
GORDY
(voice of an Italian mafia boss)
Shoulda held on tighter, Elephant.
Gordy walks to Lexi’s nightstand, grabs a weed bowl, and packs it.
ELEPHANT
C’mon! We’ve all been in this position.
There’s no stopping her when she’s lost her wallet!
Gordy lights the bowl and inhales.
ELEPHANT
Remember that cold night- back when it was
just the two of us- when her mom
accidentally put you in her sister’s bed?
The one who kicks in her sleep.
Who saved you then?
GORDY
(grunts)
Help Elephant up.
(under breath)
Sick of you holding that over my damn head.
The animals hang onto each other to form a rope, and help Elephant up.
MILLIE
(voice of a teenage girl)
Excuse me, why are you called “Elephant?”
GEORGE
Here we go…
Elephant pulls back his bunny ears.
ELEPHANT
Because 10 year old Lexi didn't conform to norms.
She didn't feel the need to follow the agenda
and identify me based on my appearance.
Why must we cling to labels? Why must we--
BLUE
(voice of monotone depressive)
It was a classic identity crisis after
her parents divorced.
ELEPHANT
Don’t interrupt me with your adolescent psychology!
ZO
(voice of a soft, maternal figure)
Can we please not do this tonight?
Zo covers her ears. George motions to Zo and leans to Millie to whisper.
GEORGE
Commie.
GORDY
ENOUGH already. The kid told her friend
it’d be a quick outing. Let’s get movin.
MILLIE
Get moving on what?
GEORGE
When Lexi has a drink or two in her, she’s keen
on cuddling. Which is rare since she’s come
here. So on her nights out we fight--
GORDY
-- Battle.
GEORGE
Battle to see who gets to be squeezed in
her warm, loving arms.
George smiles and stares into the distance.
MILLIE
Why don’t we all stay close to her?
ZO
Thank you! Or switch off nights equally…
GORDY
Ha. Cus this isn’t Toy Story, sweetie.
It’s the fuckin’ Hunger Games.
A tense moment. Each stuffed animal looks at one another.
MILLIE
What are the rules?
GEORGE
The rules are there are no rules.
ELEPHANT
Especially now. She’s been extra cuddly
since her boyfriend broke up with her.
GORDY
A scum.
ZO
Let’s all take a moment of silence for Tony.
Zo kisses three fingers and holds them up (ala Hunger Games). George whispers to Millie.
GEORGE
Tony was a stuffed dog her ex got her.
On the night of "the incident"… well let's
just say she took out her anger on Tony.
MILLIE
Ripped him to pieces?
George
(smirking)
Sure.
Elephant catches Millie’s eye and makes the motions of lighting something on fire, and bursting into flames. Millie gulps.
Gordy
Our girl’s a contender.
BLUE
And I’m supposed to be the one helping her
post-incident. The counselor specifically
gave me to her for rough times.
I should be the one beside her.
Blue is covered in teary mascara stains.
GORDY
How were those days with the counselor?
Being hugged by those tortured souls?
Listening to their cries and complaints..
BLUE
None of this is worth it.
Blue runs and jumps off the edge of the bed.
GORDY
Every. Single. Time. Now Zo, why don’t you
join Blue where education and healthcare
are free… delusion.
ZO
Not after last time. I can still smell it.
Zo looks like she has PTSD. George puts his arm around her and leads her toward the edge.
GEORGE
She said a short night, remember?
Projectile vomit isn’t likely…
Or she’ll at least make it to the bathroom.
George gives Zo a nudge off of the bed. Gordy nods to George then points to Millie as he speaks.
Gordy
Maybe if everyone was this chick’s age,
Zo would run things round here.
MILLIE
(crossing her arms)
You think things weren't rough down at
the bookstore? We had a teddy who was
a die-hard Ohio State fan, forced to wear a
PSU cheerleading uniform. It was chaos.
I slashed stitches to make my way
to the front of the shop. Let’s fight.
The door swings open. Lexi walks in.
The animals freeze. Millie's hand is around Elephant's throat, while George and Gordy are tugging on Millie's tail.
Lexi exits to the bathroom. The fighting resumes.
GEORGE
I got you, Gordy.
Gordy elbows George and he falls back. Millie grabs Gordy's ear. She sees a stitch mark.
MILLIE
Are your loyalties as phony as your ear?
Millie tugs. The ear rips a little. Elephant gasps.
Lexi walks out of the bathroom. The animals freeze again. She opens her door.
A GUY- 20 year old- enters.
GORDY
Ah shit. To the trenches.
Elephant dives off of the bed. Then Gordy and George. Millie follows.
Lexi and the boy get into bed. They start kissing. She turns off the lights. Fade to black.
Fade back in. The animals are laying on the floor as the bed begins to squeak.
ELEPHANT
So who gets the headphones?
The animals look at one another. They start fighting.