Eclipse: The Play - Adapted By: Elena Two (free ebook reader for iphone txt) 📗

Act 1 Scene 1
Charlie: What did I do wrong?
Bella: You’re supposed to take the lid off first, Dad. Metal’s bad for the microwave.
Charlie: Did I get the noodles right?
Bella: Stirring helps. (Pause) So what’s this all about?
Charlie: Don’t know what you’re talking about.
Bella: Um, did I miss something here. Since when do you make dinner, or try to make dinner I should say.
Charlie: There’s no law that says I can’t cook in my own house.
Bella: You would know.
Charlie: Ha! Good one.
(Pause)
Bella: I don’t know why you read the news, Dad. It only ticks you off.
Charlie: That’s why everyone wants to live in a small town, ridiculous!
Bella: What did the big cities do wrong now?
Charlie: Seattle’s making a run for murder capital of the country. There are five unsolved homicides in the last two weeks. Can you imagine living like that?
Bella: I think Phoenix is actually higher up the homicide list, Dad. I have lived there before.
Charlie: Well you couldn’t pay me enough. (Pause) You’re right! I did have a reason for doing this. I wanted to talk to you.
Bella: You could have just asked.
Charlie: Yeah. I’ll remember that next time. I thought that taking dinner off your hands would soften you up a little.
Bella: It worked; your cooking skills have me as soft as a marshmallow. What do you need, Dad?
Charlie: Well it’s about Jacob.
Bella: What about him?
Charlie: Easy Bells. I know you’re still upset that he told on you, but it was the right thing to do. He was being responsible.
Bella: Responsible, right. So, what about Jacob?
Charlie: Don’t get mad at me, okay.
Bella: Mad?
Charlie: Well, it’s about Edward too. (Pause) I let him in the house don’t I?
Bella: You do, for brief periods of time. Of course, you might let me out of the house for brief periods, now and then. I’ve been pretty good lately.
Charlie: Well that’s kind of where I’m going with this.
Bella: I’m confused, Dad. Is this about Jacob, or Edward, or me being grounded?
Charlie: Sort of all three.
Bella: And how do they relate?
Charlie: Okay. So I’m thinking maybe you deserve a parole for good behavior. For a teenager, you’re amazingly non-whiney, if you know what I mean.
Bella: Seriously? I’m free?
Charlie: Conditionally.
Bella: Fantastic.
Charlie: Bella, this is more of a request than a demand, okay? You’re free. But I’m hoping you’ll use that freedom…judiciously.
Bella: What does that mean?
Charlie: I know you’re satisfied to spend all of you time with Edward-
Bella: I spend time with Alice, too.
Charlie: That’s true. But you have other friends besides the Cullen’s, Bella. Or you used to. (Pause) When was the last time you spoke to Angela Weber?
Bella: Friday at lunch.
Charlie: Outside of school?
Bella: Grounded remember? And Angela spends all her time with Ben. Maybe we could double date.
Charlie: Okay. But then… You and Jake used to be joined at the hip, and now –
Bella: Can you get to the point? What’s your condition exactly?
Charlie: I don’t think you should dump all you other friends for your boyfriend, Bella. It’s not nice, and I think your life would be better balanced if you kept some other people in it. What happened last September…? (Pause) Well, if you’d had more of a life outside of Edward Cullen, it might not have been like that.
Bella: It would have been exactly like that.
Charlie: Maybe, maybe not.
Bella: The point?
Charlie: Use your new freedom to see your other friends, too. Keep it balanced.
Bella: Balance is good. Do I have specific time quotas to fill, though?
Charlie: I don’t want to make this complicated. Just don’t forget your friends… particularly Jacob.
Bella: Jacob might be difficult.
Charlie: The Blacks are practically family, Bella. And Jacob has been a very, very good friend to you.
Bella: I know that.
Charlie: Don’t you miss him at all?
Bella: Yes, I do miss him. I miss him a lot.
Charlie: Then why is it difficult?
Bella: Okay, okay, balance.
Charlie: And Jacob.
Bella: I’ll try.
(Bell rings at front of the door)
Scene 2
Bella: Hey.
Edward: How was your afternoon?
Bella: Slow.
Edward: For me, as well. (Pause) Good Evening, Charlie. I brought another set of applications. There are still a few open deadlines. And a few places willing to make exceptions. Shall we?
Charlie: Speaking of college applications, Edward. Have you decided where you’re going to school?
Edward: Not yet. I’ve received a few acceptance letters, but I’m still weighing my options.
Charlie: Where have you been accepted?
Edward: Syracuse, Harvard, Dartmouth and I just got accepted to the University of Alaska Southeast today.
Charlie: Harvard? Dartmouth? Well that’s pretty that’s something. Yeah, but University of Alaska, you wouldn’t really consider that when you could go Ivy League. I mean, you father would want you to…
Edward: Carlisle’s fine with whatever I choose to do.
Charlie: Humph.
Bella: Guess what, Edward?
Edward: What Bella?
Bella: I just got my acceptance to the University of Alaska!
Edward: Congratulations! What a coincidence.
Charlie: Fine. I’m going to go watch the game, Bella nine-thirty.
Bella: Um, Dad? Remember the very recent discussion about my freedom?
Charlie: Right. Okay, ten-thirty. You still have a curfew on school nights.
Edward: Bella’s no longer grounded?
Charlie: Conditionally. What’s it to you?
Edward: It’s just good to know.
Scene 3
Angela: Alice! Alice?
Edward: Is it naptime already Alice?
Alice: Sorry. I was daydreaming I guess.
Ben: Daydreaming is better than facing two more hours of school.
Mike: I just replaced the batteries.
Edward: Maybe it’s the cables?
Mike: Maybe. I don’t know. I just don’t have the money to take it down to Dowling’s.
Edward: Maybe I could take a look at it.
Mike: Uh, not now. Maybe some other time.
Edward: Absolutely.
Mike: See ya.
Bella: What was that about?
Edward: Just being helpful.
Alice: You’re not really that great of a mechanic Edward. Though, for Mike’s car you’ll do. It’s only within some finer tunings of a good Italian sports car. And speaking of Italy and sports cars that I stole there, you still owe me a yellow Porsche. I don’t think I can wait until Christmas for you to get me it.
Edward: See you later Alice. Light homework load tonight.
Bella: Mmm.
Edward: Do you suppose I’m allowed in again?
Bella: Charlie didn’t throw a fit when you picked me up for school.
(Go upstairs to Bella’s bedroom)
Edward: Are we a little impatient today?
(Kiss)
Edward: Ah, Bella.
Bella: I’d say sorry, but I’m not.
Edward: And I should say sorry that you’re not sorry, but I don’t. Maybe I should go sit on the bed.
Bella: If you think that’s necessary.
Edward: Tell Renee I said hello.
Bella: Sure thing.
Scene 4
Edward: What did you do to this?
Bella: It didn’t want to come out of the dashboard.
Edward: So you felt the need to torture it?
Bella: You know how I am with tools. No pain was inflicted intentionally.
Edward: You killed it.
Bella: Oh well.
Edward: It would hurt their feelings if they saw this. I guess it’s a good thing you’ve been on house arrest. I’ll have to get another one in place before they notice.
Bella: Thanks, but I don’t need a fancy stereo.
Edward: It’s not for you I’m going to replace it. (Pause) You didn’t get much good out of you birthday presents last year. (Pause) Do you realize these are about to expire?
Bella: No. I’d forgotten all about them, actually.
Edward: We could go since you refuse to go to the Prom with me, why don’t we celebrate your freedom this way?
Bella: By going to Florida?
Edward: Well? Are we going to see Renee or not?
Bella: Charlie will never allow it.
Edward: Charlie can’t keep you from visiting your mother. She still has primary custody.
Bella: Nobody has custody of me, I’m an adult.
Edward: Exactly.
Bella: Not this weekend.
Edward: Why not?
Bella: I don’t want to fight with Charlie. Not soon after he’s forgiven me.
Edward: I think this weekend is perfect.
Bella: Another time.
Edward: You aren’t the only one who’s been trapped in this house, you know.
Bella: You can go anywhere you want.
Edward: The outside world holds no interest to me without you.
(Bella rolls eyes)
Edward: I’m serious.
Bella: Let’s take the outside world slowly, all right? For example, we could start with a movie in Port Angeles.
Edward: Never mind. We’ll talk about it later.
Bella: There’s nothing left to talk about.
(Edward shrugs)
Bella: Okay, new subject. (Pause) What did Alice see today?
Edward: She’s been seeing Jasper in weird places. She thinks it’s near his former family. But he has no intentions of going back. It’s got her worried.
Bella: Oh. Why didn’t you tell me before?
Edward: I didn’t realize you noticed. It’s probably nothing important in any case.
Scene 5
Charlie: That was great Bells.
Bella: I’m glad you liked it. How was work?
Charlie: Slow, dead slow really. Mark and I played cards for a good part of the afternoon. And then I was on the phone with Billy.
Bella: How is he?
Charlie: Good. His joints are bothering him a little.
Bella: Oh. That’s too bad.
Charlie: Yeah. He invited us down this weekend.
Bella: Cool.
Edward: Charlie.
Charlie: Yeah?
Edward: Did Bella ever tell you my parents got her tickets for her last birthday?
Charlie: Bella?
Bella: Yeah they did.
Charlie: No, she never mentioned it.
Edward: Hmm.
Charlie: Was there a reason you brought it up?
Edward: They’re about to expire. I think it would hurt Esme’s feelings if Bella doesn’t use her gift.
Charlie: It’s probably a good idea for you to visit mom. She’d love that. Though, why didn’t you say anything about it?
Bella: I forgot.
Charlie: You forgot that someone gave you plane tickets?
Bella: Mmm Hmm.
Charlie: I noticed you said they’re about to expire. How many tickets did your parents give her?
Edward: Just one for her… and one for me.
Charlie: That’s out of the question!
Edward: Why? You just said it was a good idea for her to see her mother.
Charlie: You’re not going anywhere with him, young lady!!!
Bella: I’m not a child! And I’m not grounded any more, remember?
Charlie: Oh yes you are, starting now!
Bella: For what?!
Charlie: Because I said so.
Bella: Do I need to remind you that I’m a legal adult, Charlie?
Charlie: This is my house! You follow my rules.
Bella: If that’s how you want it. Do you want me to move out tonight? Or can I have a few days to pack? Now I know you know that I have every right to see mom this weekend. Would it bother you if I took Jacob?
Charlie: Yes. That would bother me.
Bella: You’re a rotten liar.
Charlie: Bella.
Bella: Are you implying something about Mom’s ability to look after me?
Charlie: I’m not happy about this.
Bella: There’s no reason for you to be upset. I’m going out. I’ll be back before ten-thirty.
Charlie: Where are you going?
Bella: I don’t know.
Edward: We’re going out?
Bella: Yes. I think I’d like to speak to you alone. (Pause) What was that?
Edward: I know you want to see her. You’ve been worrying.
Bella: I have?
Edward: But clearly you were too much of a coward to deal with Charlie.
Bella: You threw me to the sharks!
Edward: I don’t think you were in any