Stan stares out the window as the rain comes down in sheets.
Miriam
Ugh. Can we focus, please?
Miriam
This project is due tomorrow.
Stan
I think school will close.
Miriam
Seriously? Just because of a little bit of rain?
Stan’s really trying my patience.
I’m *this* close to straight-A's…
And then I get paired with Stan Springer for our class project.
He doesn’t take school seriously.
I’ve even heard him SNORING in class.
And now that I’m at his house to work…
He keeps checking the darn window!
Stan finally joins me at the table.
He looks at our poster and groans.
Stan
What a dumb project…
Stan
Why are WE teaching the class?
Stan
Isn’t that the teacher’s job?
Miriam
It’s to make it fun.
Miriam
Just gimme your sections.
He hands me 2 index cards.
Miriam
Stan, what are these?
Stan
It’s what you asked for…
Miriam
Yeah, but you only wrote 2 sentences!
Miriam
We need paragraphs!
Stan
You’re too critical.
Miriam
Someone has to be.
Miriam
Our grades are on the line—
Miriam
And I don’t think you care at all.
Stan shrugs and returns to the window.
If I stay here any longer, it’ll be a crime scene.
I roll up the poster and grab my coat.
Miriam
Fine. I’ll finish it myself.
Miriam
But God, you’re awful.
And a gust of wind shoves me back.
It’s followed by a rumble of thunder…
And instantly, I see an enormous bolt of lightning fill the sky.
The rain is so thick I can barely see through it.
Stan
Just like I thought…
Stan
I’m telling you. School is going to be closed.
Miriam
You don’t know that!
Shaking his head, Stan shuts the door.
I cross my arms in defiance.
Miriam
How do I get home?
Stan
You can’t drive home in this…
Stan
Just stay put for an hour or so.
Stan
Would it kill you to relax?
I've never spent this much time at a guy’s house before.
And I’m acutely aware of the fact that Stan’s parents aren’t home.
Miriam
My parents are expecting me.
Stan
Not in a hurricane warning.
Water is rushing down Stan’s driveway.
But that means I have to spend more time with Stan…
Miriam
This can’t get worse…
Just then, there’s another angry clap of thunder…
We’re plunged into darkness.
Miriam
Are you kidding me?!
Miriam
I can’t see a thing.
Miriam
YOU follow MY voice.
Stan
Why? I’m the one by the couch!
Ugh, he does have a point.
Miriam
Gee, thanks for the warning now.
As my eyes adjust to the darkness…
I see something glowing over by the couch.
Stan’s holding a lantern.
Stan
You got a scrape by your elbow.
Miriam
Must’ve happened when I ran into the table.
Miriam
Whatever. It doesn’t hurt.
Stan shines the light on the couch for me.
I take a seat, keeping my hands squarely on my knees.
Miriam
Why would I need one of those?
Stan
I don’t know, so you can relax.
Stan
There’s nothing we can do, Miriam.
Stan
You might as well get comfy.
And I can’t help but acknowledge that it’s kind of…sweet.
It does feel really cozy.
Stan’s being so thoughtful.
Why is he so careless at school when he’s actually like this?
I watch him from the cushy spot in the corner of the couch.
Miriam
Come on, have some blanket.
Miriam
Yeah. I’m not going to be the only one sleeping on the job.
Smiling, Stan sits beside me.
And I feel a thrill of excitement.
Miriam
Can I ask you a question?
Miriam
Why don’t you care about school?
Stan
I guess I don’t really see the point.
Stan
I mean, I’m not going to college, so…
Stan
Because I’m going to run my dad’s shop.
Miriam
You don’t think so?
Stan
I don’t know. It’s been in my family for generations…
Stan
So I don’t really have a choice.
Stan
It’s hard to take life seriously when someone else has decided your future.
But I never once tried to understand him.
Stan
What’s with the overachieving?
Miriam
My parents went to Ivy League schools…
Miriam
So I guess I’ve always assume that I’m supposed to do the same.
Stan stares at me with curiosity.
The lantern’s light dances in his eyes.
Stan
Is that what you want?
Stan's question seems to echo in the silence.
Stan
Well welcome to the club, Miriam.
Miriam
I’m sorry I called you awful…
Stan
I’ve been called worse.
Miriam
But you’re a cool guy.
Miriam
I wish…I could be more like you.
Stan
Don’t wish that, Miriam.
Stan
Because then you wouldn’t be you.
The space between our faces closes…
And then we sit in quiet companionship…
Until I slowly drift off to sleep.
An hour later, I spring awake.
Crap! Did we get too close?
The rain has stopped by now.
I’ll slip out before he sees me.
Stan
Ah! Sleeping Beauty is awake!
Stan
So I thought I’d finish.
He displays our poster proudly.
He’s completed the whole thing…
And expanded his sections.
Miriam
Listen, about what happened before…
Miriam
What does it mean?
And then Stan smiles warmly.
Stan
I think we both know…
That somehow, we make a perfect pair.
