Wanna be in my Gang...
Lasts approx. 4 1/2 mins. © John Boylen

CHARACTERS: SIMPLY A AND B. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE USE OF NAMES. THE SCENE IS SET AS ANY CHANGING ROOM

1 MALE IS ON STAGE ANOTHER ENTERS WHILE SAYING:

A: So what's your problem?
B: Excuse me? I'm not the one with the problem. You're the one with the cold shoulder.
A: What exactly is that supposed to mean?
B: Well for the last couple of months you've just been ignoring me and the others.
A: I have not been ignoring you or anyone else. I've called you, we've spoken.
B: But it's not like it used to be.......... you're not one of the boys anymore.
A: But I never was one of the boys was I? I was just a sheep following you around trying to be one of the boys.
B: You were one of us....we always took you with us.
A: And what did I always do? Stand outside and watch. I never got to join in with the main action. I just had to keep an eye out for anyone coming.
B: Yeah but it was an important job, you know what would have happened if we'd have been caught.
A: Yeah and muggins here would have been the f.. first one to have been seen.
B: Look no-one's forcing you to come along are they?
A: No......but.......oh......for once I'd like to be in there with the boys.
B: But that takes time, you can't expect to join up and be in the thick of it from the start.
A: Then when?
B: Well you've got to do a solo bit first you know? see if you've got what it takes.
A: What? you mean like a kind of audition or something?
B: Yeah you could call it that if you wanted.
A: But how long do I have to wait until I get this "audition" as it were.
B: Well it differs from person to person some get to it quicker than others.
A:Who is it that decides when I'm ready? You? James?
B: Well......it's not really decided by an individual, it's kind of a collective thing, we all seem to know when it's right to let someone else join.
A: But I feel ready now...... (STRESS THE "I")
B: Exactcly, YOU feel ready now, but the rest of us feel it's not time, not just yet anyways.
A: Well can't I at least do this audtition thing and surely the results of that will judge whether I'm ready or not.
B: Hmmm..... I suppose we could do that, but you do understand that if you should fail the audition piece you'll be on watch duty for a while.
A: Yeah I know, it's only fair I guess, but at least I know where I stand and I'll not be feeling that I should be in there with you and the others.
B: Okay, well I'll get that sorted for you as soon as possible........in fact, you could do it on Wednesday before we do our bit.
A: Excellent!!........are you sure it'll be alright with the others though?
B: Yeah I'm sure they won't mind delaying our bit for a short while.
A: Great!! at last I'm going to be in on the action......
B: Whoa....slow down there, don't get your hopes up, you've got to pass the audition first. Look you've been fairly patient up to now, just hang in there for a bit longer. You started to drift away for a while just because things were going a bit slower than what you wanted them to, weren't getting what you wanted quickly enough. You'll learn that life in the real world you'll not always get what you want when you want it. You'll face many disappointments, but you've got to be positive, whatever happens, where ever you fail, you've got to tell yourself that it's happened that way because there's something better ahead waiting for me. Keep that in mind and you'll do just fine.
A: You sound as if you've been rehearsing that...
B: No not really, it's just some good advice that was once given to me and I never intend forgetting it.
A: I don't think I'll forget it in a hurry either. Whoever told you that must be pretty clued up.
B: Yeah he certainly is, (LOOKS AT WATCH) tch, look I'm sorry, er, I wish we could carry on talking, it's just that I'm supposed to be meeting my mother.
A: That's alright, I'm gald we had this little talk, it's been quite educational, we'll talk more later, yeah?
B: Yeah sure no problem, just think positively..... okay?
A: Okay, great! I'll see you Wednesday then.
B: Yeah, see you then, later.
A: Bye.
(START TO WALK OFF IN OPPOSITTE DIRECTIONS)
A: Oh hang on......
B: Huh?
A: Er what do you want me to do for this audition?
B: Ah..yes... well I'm not sure actually, let's see....I know... "Walking in the Air" from "The Snowman" always goes down well with the boys. Will that be alright?
A: Yeah sure, it's a favourite of mine too.
B: Okay then, "walking in the air" it is.
A: See you on Wednesday and thanks.
B: Don't mention it, see you on Wednesday.
(B WALKS OFF, A LOOKS @ AUDIENCE AND....)
A: At last, a chance to be in the choir.
(A WALKS OFF)

THE END