We are in the midst of a huge rock concert, one that starts mid-afternoon and ends way past midnight. The sun shines behind the thin hazy fog. The crowd, dressed uniformly in too tight black pants, various colored suede blazers and skinny neck ties, sip from oversized plastic beer cups. They stiffly sway back and fourth to the faceless band on stage who is dressed to match their audience.

Jessie and Brittany, decked our in flowing skirts, paisley scarves, braids, shell shaped earrings, and flip-flops, stand out from the rest of the hipster audience. The only two obvious southern California girls, they push up against the lawn railing, the closest their tickets will physically let them be to the stage.

Jessie and Brittany share a cigarette, a Miller Highlife, and the same arm swaying dance move.

Jessie

(Screaming over the muffled Band)

Oh Shit! I looooove this song!

Brittany

Yeah

Jessie looks around for some acknowledgement from fellow concert viewers regarding the goodness of the song. Most people sit and try to avoid any eye contact with her by putting their heads in their laps or whispering something to their shaggy haired counterpart.

Jessie

Ah, this crowds so dead!

Brittany

Northern California Emo kids…having fun isn’t part of their style.

Jessie

Well they can suck my ass!

Both girls continue dancing, both pretending not to be totally self-conscious about being the only smiling faces.

A couple walks in front of them arm and arm. Middle-aged but still cool enough to be at the same concert as kids who could easily be their children. The woman whispers something to her man as they both giggle simultaneously, the funniest inside joke in the world. Brittany and Jessie separately stare at the couple.

Brittany

Seriously, after being together for so long, what could she be saying that’s so fucking funny?

Jessie

Ha, I dunno. Maybe they’re realizing how old they actually are.

Brittany

No Jess I mean really, it’s like they’re putting on a show for everyone else. She’s all “Oh, hunny this beer is goooooood!” and he’s all like “Yeah, good enough to get me laid tonight!”-Humor for bored married people. They’ve had that same conversation hundreds of times…

Jessie

Is that what you and Alex do?

Brittany

Yeah right, with all the shit we give each other, there’s never any lack of material.

Jessie

Do you miss him?

Brittany

Ah…I’m just so used to it by now.

Jessie

I don’t how you guys do it. I just couldn’t even imagine. I mean I don’t have to. I’ve done it, the whole long distance thing, and for me it’s just always ended in blood or tears. Usually both. It’s incredible how much you—

Brittany

(Interrupts)

…More beer?

She hands Jessie the cup

Jessie

Thanks, I mean really though, two people torn apart by so much distance. That’s got to create a mental space too. And all you have between you is that fucking phone. Oh my g-d! I tried having phone sex once, all I got was a soar neck and a really embarrassing lecture from my mom about how to let the rest of the house k

now when you’re going to be using the phone. But really the physical deprivation must be—

Brittany

(Interrupts)

Ok Jess. Look around…. Concert, dancing, fun. Did we drive all night and sleep in the dirt to stand around and debate the uselessness of phone sex?

Jessie

Sorry, you’re right.

Brittany

I know I am. C’mon finish that shit

Jessie Chugs the rest of the beer and lets out a huge burp. The girls next to them pause from taking pictures of the band for a moment and glare at the girls in disgust.

Brittany

You’re so pretty!

Jessie

I’ve learned from the best. Now if I could just get my farts to smell like rancid milk, we’d be about even!

Brittany pats Jessie on the shoulder. It’s more of a direct hit than a pat.

Brittany

Oh my sweet best friend. Remind me again why I ever leave you?

Jessie

Momentary lapse of craziness.

Brittany

(Mild sarcasm)

Speaking of, how you feeling?

Jessie

Nice, transition Britt! Ah. Yeah I’m feeling good. Sad, happy, mad, terrified, it’s all kind of happening at once. But I’m trying to allow it to happen. All of it.

Brittany

That’s great Jess.

Jessie

You’re such a bitch!

Brittany

What, I’m serious.

Jessie

Oh sorry, sometimes it’s hard to tell with people like us…I dunno. I really miss him though Britt.

Brittany

Well yeah, that’s totally normal. You just said goodbye to someone you love. It’s not all gonna be empowered woman escaping needy guy. You’re a person; you’re going to feel sad.

Jessie

I know, it’s just. Ah, I’m so confused. I feel relieved and happy to have done it not to mention really fucking strong but at the end of the day I’m lying in bed, alone.

Brittany

I know, but after everything’s been done, do you feel like you took care of yourself?

Jessie

Yeah, I mean my piece of mind; my soul and all that shit but I’m a girl and sometimes it’s nice to be told you know (voice gets lower like she’s telling a deep dark secret) that you’re like sexy and stuff.

Brittany

Jess, you can eat a whole t-bone in one sitting, if that’s not sexy I don’t know what is.

The band casually announces this will be their last song and some of the zombies in the audience stand up. A group of Red Bull fueled pre-teens pushes through Brittany and Jessie screaming “Ahhh! Yeah! Ah Yeah we love you!” at the band. All their hair has some form of pink in it and they all sport sweatshirts displaying the name of the band on stage.

Brittany

Perfect.

Jessie

Oh they’re so young. It seems like yesterday we were running around with our braces, soberly screaming for joy—

Brittany

I may have been thirteen but I was never the little shit that wore the bands sweatshirt to see them play; I beat up kids like that.

Jessie

Please, your right hook’s weaker than my grandma’s.

Brittany

You wore the bands’ sweatshirt to the shows, didn’t you?

Jessie 

No!

Brittany

Jessie…

Jessie

Just when I went to go see Blink-182! But I’m from Georgia,

that’s how the cool kids rocked it.

Brittany

Uh huh.

Jessie

Sorry Britt, not all of us came straight out of the womb wearing all black and smoking a cigarette.

Brittany

Okay can we take a time out to discuss how starving I am. All we’ve had today is rice cakes and cheep beer. That’s just not doing it for me.

Jessie

I know, I know but I refuse to pay $8.95 for some nasty nachos. I could use some nosh though.

Brittany

I could use a turkey.

Jessie

Yeah…that sounds good.

Brittany

No seriously, I could like eat a whole one by myself.

Jessie

Can I at least get a leg or something?

Brittany

It’s negotiable

Jessie reaches in her purse for a water bottle filled with dark red wine. She hands it to Brittany

Jessie

Here, we’ll just get drunk and forget we’re hungry.

The two girls take turns chugging the wine as the band announces they’re going to play one more song. The zombies rejoice.

Brittany

I thought they promised that was going to be the last song.

Jessie

Did you take a Ritalin today?

Brittany

No but I fucking should’ve. Tricking my body into thinking it’s full, thanks for the drugs Dr. Goldman!

Jessie

Yeah, that shit’s scary. Do you, I mean, do always—

Brittany

–No Jessie I don’t take it everyday and yes I always eat when I take it. If I didn’t maybe I could fit into my tight jeans and join in with the rest of the Emo freaks here.

Jessie

Britt…

Brittany

I’m kidding, Jesus!

Jessie

You’re perfect.

Brittany

What?

The bands final song fades out.

Jessie

(Louder)

Your body is beautiful. You’re perfect.

Everyone around pretends not to hear the comment Jessie just made.

Brittany

Thanks Jess, louder I don’t think the band could quiet hear you.

Jessie

Sorry…

Brittany

Well if everyone didn’t already think we were a bunch of drunk lesbians they do now.

Jessie

I’m sorry, I’m just trying to be open and honest with you…oh my g-d, are we dating?.

Brittany

Ha, I know right. C’mon we can finally sit down.

The girls walk over to their blanket placed on the lawn holding their purses, shoes, and an empty bag of rice cakes. All the zombies return to their respective blankets and break out food, drinks, and meaningless conversation. The couple to the right of the girls’ blanket is in mid conversation as they sit down.

Guy

–If she was trying to be post-modern than yes. But you can’t use rogue for th

e back lighting and call it classical.

Girl

Than what was the Chrtiav movement? Who was Erberger? How can you challenge that brilliance?

Guy

How can you toss those names around like volleyball. Context Claire, you have to put things within a framework of situational context.

The girls lay on their blanket silently giggling.

Jessie

What context isn’t situational?

Brittany

Words Jessie. The more words they use in a sentence, the more meaning it has.

Jessie

Dammit! I keep forgetting that rule.

Brittany

Try listening in class, that’s the kind of shit they’re teaching us.

Brittany takes a big gulp of wine. Jessie fumbles through the empty bag of rice cakes.

Jessie

Hmmm….rice cake crumbs! It’s like Christmas!

Brittany

You’re right, I am too drunk to remember how starving I am.

Jessie

Shut-up you’re reminding me! I’m so glad we got away this weekend Brit, we really needed this.

Brittany

I know I know. But the intellectuals-we can’t escape them They’re taking over!

Jessie

I know it’s like college conditioned me to pretend I like Descartes and deny that I love Seinfeld.

Brittany

(sarcastic)

Who’s Descartes?

Both girls laugh as muffled noise begins to come from the stage. It’s party time.

Jessie

You ready for another round champ?

Brittany

Been ready all my life.

The girls make their way to the front of the lawn. Sneaking between, around, and through the zombies. They ignore their resentful stares. The girls get right to the front.

Jessie

They’re just jealous that we have the balls to get up here.

Brittany

Or they’re pissed because our fat assess knocked them over. I think I killed one of the 42-pound blonde girls back there.

Jessie

Brittany…

Brittany

Jesus! So I’m not allowed to use humor if it is in any way insulting my body?

Jessie

Exactly

Brittany

You’re such a dork

Jessie

Who happens to be your best friend! So what does

that make you missy?

Brittany

Retarded

Jessie

You said it.

The band enters the stage and asks ‘”Are you ready to rock motherfuckers!” The crowd, for the first time all day, actually goes wild. Jessie leans in to Brittany’s ear.

Jessie

You are perfect you bitch.

Brittany

Shut up.

Brittany grabs Jessie’s hand and the two look at each other for a moment. The band starts up as the lights flare up over the crowd.

Fade Out

Painting: “Secrets” by Chelsea Leoba Dixon   http://chelsealeoba.com/