SCENE 7: THE PLAN - HARP HILL
Penny and Anjali sat in icy
silence in the library.
ANJALI
You know if they don't show up tomorrow, that
will mean automatic elimination and worse a
letter home from the Principal.
PENNY
Worse things have happened, Anjali.
ANJALI
They really are trying, Penny.
PENNY
They can't even be arsed to turn up to their
own rehearsal. We've waited for over an hour,
that's long enough. See you tomorrow.
Penny goes to leave when Pat and
Kevin enter, high from the
sighting.
PAT
Speak of the Devil's and they shall
materialise!
KEVIN
Where are you going Penny?
PENNY
Where am I going?
ANJALI
Uh oh.
PENNY
You know, it's one thing being nervous about
the presentation Kevin, I get that. But to then
leave me and Anjali sat here for an hour
waiting for you two to turn up to a rehearsal
that you organised.
KEVIN
But/
PENNY
/Just, don't be that person Kevin. See you
tomorrow.
She exits.
PAT
(Calling to Penny, off.)
Penny! We could rehearse now?
ANJALI
I think that ship might have sailed.
PAT
But we're here! We're here!
KEVIN
I'm sorry Anjali, we won't let you down
tomorrow, I promise.
ANJALI
I hope not. See you tomorrow, get some rest,
you look frazzled.
She exits. Silence until...
PAT
So, what do we need for the expedition?
KEVIN
We had better find something over there Pat and
please god we don't get caught.
PAT
We agreed. Camp out overnight by the fence in
the exact spot that you saw the entity. It's
just a matter of waiting.
KEVIN
I don't know, maybe this is all/
PAT
/Don't lose faith in me now, Captain. You're on
the verge of a truly momentous scientific
discovery, you just have to have the courage
to/seize it.
KEVIN
/Seize it, yes I know. But if we do find him,
what then? Thinking about it logically, there
is almost certainly a more reasoned explanation
for his existence than your split vortex
theory?
PAT
We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
KEVIN
I could learn from him, observe his movements -
imitate him even. Honestly Pat, if you could
have seen him, he was everything I'm not.
Pat is rummaging around for
something.
PAT
Right.
KEVIN
His confidence...if Penny is going to like me -
if I'm not going to humiliate us on stage -
then that's what I need. His confidence.
(Beat)
What are you doing?
PAT
I always thought something like this might
happen.
KEVIN
Did you?!
PAT
Yes. And so, many years ago, I hid a bag full
of useful equipment for just such an occasion
as this.
KEVIN
Of course you did.
PAT
I'm just hoping that, over the years, no-one
found it.
Pat goes to fetch his bag from a
secret hiding place.
PAT
BINGO! This should have everything we need for
an exploration into the unknown.
(Beat)
Go on, say it. You know you want to.
KEVIN
Say what?
PAT
I'm a genius.
KEVIN
You're mad.
PAT
A mad GENIUS!
KEVIN
Sure, why not.
PAT
When we get there, we'll get set up and then
you get your rest. You've got a big day
tomorrow.
KEVIN
And what are you going to do?
PAT
I'll keep my eyes peeled for the target and
take the night shift. O'Coughlan, moving out!
Pat runs off army style and Kevin
sheepishly follows, looking around
he conscientiously turns off the
lights before he exits as the
stage revolves to...
