MS. ANDRIE and MIKE OXBIG stand in the middle of the spacious backstage room of their high school theater, facing each other.

MS. ANDRIE: I'm sorry Mike, but you can't be Romeo.

MIKE: Why not?!

MS. ANDRIE: Well Mike, I'll be honest, it's because-

MIKE: It's because I'm too short, isn't it?!

MS. ANDRIE: No Mike, you're just.... not exactly the best actor.

MIKE: I know you're just trying to spare my feelings!

MIKE turns around, throws his hands in the air, and crosses his arms.

MIKE: Why does everyone have to be a Goliath in order to be successful in this world?

MS. ANDRIE: Mike, listen to me for just one se-

MIKE: I'm not even that short! I'm five feet with an extra six inches!!

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MS. ANDRIE: MICHAEL, SHUT UP!!!

MIKE hunches over and turns back around.

MS. ANDRIE: Listen Michael, I'm aware that you just transferred from a public school that doesn't have a theater program. You aren't experienced enough to play a main role. You're going to be the Apothecary.

MIKE: Ooh, isn’t that the guy that wanted to marry Juliet?

MS. ANDRIE firmly plants the palm of her right hand upon her forehead.

MS. ANDRIE: Look, all you have to do is remember four lines. Do you think you can do that?

MIKE: I could remember five lines, but I refuse to partake in this play! I'm going on strike!

MIKE turns his head to the clock and realizes there are thirty minutes left of class. He laughs nervously and looks back at his teacher, smiling.

MIKE: So uhh, see any good movies lately?

Transition to Room 402, forty minutes later. MIKE groans loudly. The surrounding students turn their heads to face him.

MIKE: I can’t believe we still have 50 minutes of detention left!

MR. ACE: Oxbig, shut up! Now, you’re all here because of something that you did. Whatever that something may have been, it is unacceptable! That is why I am going to pass out these pencils along with a blank sheet of paper. You are going to write an apology letter before you leave this room.

MR. ACE walks around the room, passing out paper and pencils to each of the students. MIKE turns to the audience and widens his eyes.

MIKE: That's it! I'll write my own screenplay. That'll show Ms. Andrie what I'm capable of!

MIKE turns his attention to the paper and pencil that had just been placed upon his desk. He pauses for a moment and begins looking up at the ceiling.

MIKE: I'm gonna need a name…

MIKE sits still for a moment, then begins to smile as he starts to write on his paper.

MIKE: The Misadventures of Ms. Andrie, by Mike Oxbig.