Scene #1

Shelia throws pebbles against Skylars window

Shelia:
[Whispering] Skylar! Skylar!

Skylar opens the window and looks out to see Shelia and Rachel
in her backyard.

Skylar:
What is it? Its almost midnight.

Shelia:
[Smirking] I got booze.

Rachel:
Come with us! Itll be fun.

Skylar mulls over this offer by her window. She had a bad day.

Skylar:
[Hesitant] I dont know about this, you guys. Its kinda late.

Shelia:
Come on! Itll be fun! I promise.

Rachel:
Yeah, Skylar, come on! Dont be a blitz!

Skylar turns around and looks at the clock. Maybe a night out for a
few hours wouldnt be so bad.

Shelia:
Yeah, dont be a blitz! You already missed out on that party in
Gregs house.

Skylar:
Guys, its late. I need to go to bed.

Rachel:
 Go to bed?! That is so yesterday.

Shelia:
Come on, Skylar, its gonna be like old times. Its gonna be you,
me, and Rachel against the world.

Skylar:
[Reluctantly] Alright, alright, Ill go. Happy?

Shelia:
Thats my girl!

Skylar:
So what kind of booze you got?

Rachel:
Vodka, baby.

Skylar:
Nice.

Shelia:
Hell, yeah, girl!

The three girls walk off the stage. The stage goes dark.
 Scene #2

Rachel is awoken by the loud knock on the door. She opens the
door to find two policemen standing in front of her.

Rachel:
[She wipes the sleep off her eyes and grimaces from the light]
Can I help you, officer?

Officer #1:
Yes. Are you Rachel Shoaf?

Rachel:
Yes Is there a problem, officer?

Officer #2:
We want to ask a few questions. May we come in?

Rachel:
Of course. Please, come in.

Officer #1:
Are your parents home?

Rachel:
No, they just left for work.

Officer #1:
Okay.

Rachel:
Can I get you some coffee, officer?

Officer #2:
No, thats fine.

Rachel:
Please, have a seat.

Officer #1:
 This is going to be hard, but...we just got a report that a friend of
yours, Skylar Neese, is missing. No one has seen her since July.

Rachel freezes.

Rachel:
Oh, my god

Officer #2:
At this point, were doing everything we can to look for her. But for
now, we got some questions for you.

Rachel:
Okay, sure.

Officer #1:
When was the last time you saw Skylar?

Rachel:
A few months ago, I guess? In this guys party.

Officer #2:
Do you think Skylar has a few problems with certain people?

Rachel:
No, I dont think so. Shes always friendly with people.

Officer #1:
Are you sure?

Rachel:
Well, there was that one time when she was kinda angry with this
chick about a guy or something? But I guess that wasnt a big deal.

Officer #2:
How close are you with Skylar?

Rachel:
I knew her from a few years back. We were pretty close, but she
had always been closer to Shelia.

Officer #1:
 Is this Shelia Eddy youre talking about?

Rachel:
Yes.

Officer #2:
Well, I guess thats it. Well update you if there is any progress.
Thank you for your time. Its best for us to leave now.

Rachel walks the two officers to the door.

Rachel:
Officer, is she going to be all right?

Officer #1:
We dont know. But were trying our best.

Rachel:
Okay, officer. Have a good day.

Officer #2:
You too, Miss.

Rachel closes the door. She leans against the wall and sinks to
the floor. She starts crying.

She calls her boyfriend.

Rachel:
Where are you? Can you come here? Just come here, please. I
need you.

Then Mikinzy walks in and finds Rachel sobbing uncontrollably.

Mikinzy:
Babe, whats wrong?

Mikinzy lifts her up from the floor and puts her on a nearby chair.

Mikinzy:
Babe. Rachel. Whats wrong? Is everything all right?
 Rachel wipes the tears.

Rachel:
Its Skylar!

Mikinzy:
Whats with her?

Rachel:
She went missing!

Mikinzy:
What?! What happened?!

Rachel:
Two cops just came in and told me no one has seen her since July.

Mikinzy:
Look, dont worry, babe. Theyll find her. Everythings gonna be all
right. Now why dont you get some rest and Ill draw you a bath.
 Scene #3

Christmas dinner. The Neese has invited Shelia and Rachel for
dinner.

There is a knock on the door. Mrs Neese opens to find Shelia and
Rachel.

Mrs Neese:
[Hugs them] Hi, girls! Im so glad you can make it.

Shelia:
Hi, Mrs Neese. I brought wine from my mom.

Mrs Neese:
Thank you so much. Please, come in.

Mrs Neese takes them to the living room.

Mrs Neese:
Make yourself at home. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Would
you guys like some garlic bread?

Rachel:
Oh, no, its alright. Well wait until dinner.

Mrs Neese:
Oh, no, its okay, dear. I always make these anyway. Skylar loved
it.

Rachel notices Mrs Neeses face darkens at the memory of Skylar.

Rachel:
Are you okay, Mrs Neese?
 Mrs Neese:
[She wipes the small tears from her eyes]
Yes, Im okay, dear.

Mr Neese wobbles into the living room. Hes drunk.

Mr Neese:
Hello, girls. Its glad to have you here. Its been very quiet here
nowadays.

Shelia:
Hi, Mr Neese. How are you?

Mr Neese:
Oh, yeah, Im fine, Sheila.

Shelia:
Its Shelia, sir.

Mr Neese:
Okay, Shelly. By the way, have you girls tried the garlic bread? Its
pretty good.

Mrs Neese walks into the living room carrying a plate of garlic
bread.

Mrs Neese:
Here you go, girls.

Rachel:
So, how are you these days, Mrs Neese?

Mrs Neese:
[Sighs] Im okay, I guess...But its been tough.

Shelia:
We know how you feel. Its been hard for us too.

Rachel:
Yeah, shes our best friend.
 Shelia:
We hope shes okay out there.

Rachel:
[Stutters] I-Im sure...Im sure everything will be a-all right. Excuse
me for a sec.

Rachel goes behind the wall, and takes several deep breaths to
calm herself down. Shelia follows Rachel.

Shelia:
[Angry] Hey. Pull your shit together.

Rachel:
I...I cant do it! I cant do this anymore!

Shelia:
You have to. You wanna go to jail for the rest of your life??

Rachel:
This is wrong! Its...its just not right.

Shelia:
Doesnt matter! Whats done is done. The bitch deserved it
anyway.

Rachel:
I still cant do this, Shelia.

Shelia:
[Shelia caresses the side of Rachels face] Baby, I know its hard.
But do it for us. Please.

Rachel and Shelia comes back to the living room to find Mr Neese
looking at pictures of Skylar with a bottle of Jack Daniel in one
hand, while his wife comforts him.

Mrs Neese:
Honey, its okay. Shell come back to us.
 Mr Neese:
Shes a good girl, Mary. Shes a damn good girl. Why did she have
to go? Why her?!

Mrs Neese:
God works mysteriously, honey. He has a plan for all of us.

Rachel:
Oh my God...Mr Neese, I have something to tell you.

Shelia:
Dont do this.

Rachel:
Its the right thing to do, Shelia.

Shelia:
Think about what youre doing.

Rachel:
Mr Neese, I -

Shelia slaps Rachel hard against her face.

Rachel:
[Shouts] I cant do this anymore!

Rachel experiences a mental breakdown. She hyperventilates, the

world is spinning, shes lost control of her thoughts and actions.

Rachel:
P-people c-cant stop

Mrs Neese:
Rachel. Rachel. Calm down. Please.

Rachel:
T-t-talking about it.

Mrs Neese:
About what, sweetheart?
 Shelia takes her phone and starts calling Mikinzy.

Shelia:
Mikinzy? Its Shelia. Shes gone mad. Were at Skylars house.

As Rachel goes through a breakdown, seconds later Mikinzy walks

in.

Mikinzy:
Rachel. Rachel. Can you hear me?

Rachel ignores Mikinzy, crying and panting.

Mikinzy:
Its a bit late, anyway, why dont we take you home and we can
Netflix and chill.

Mikinzy takes off his jacket and wraps it around Rachels trembling
body.

Mikinzy:
Come here, babe. Everythings okay. Everythings okay. Lets just
go home.

They slowly stand up and walk away from the scene.

 Intermission

Stage background changes. Costume, hair and makeup as well.

Scene #4

Mikinzy walks into Rachels room in the psychiatry ward, holding a

bouquet of flowers. He sees her laying in her bed, her back facing
him.

Mikinzy:
Hi, Rachel.

Rachel rolls to her other side and looks at Mikinzy wearily.

Rachel:
Hi.

Mikinzy:
I brought you flowers. Theyre lilies. Your favorite.

Rachel:
Thats nice of you. Just put it on the table there.
[She points to the bedside table]

Mikinzy puts the bouquet on the table, and sits on the edge of her
bed.

Mikinzy:
 So, um...whats up?

Rachel:
Nothing much, I guess. You?

Mikinzy:
It gets pretty lonely without you.
[Small laugh]
People are missing you, you know.

Rachel:
Pfft...I doubt it. They dont want me anymore.

Rachel sits up and looks at Mikinzy with sad, teary eyes.

Mikinzy:
Hey, whats wrong?

Rachel:
Nothing.

Mikinzy:
Come on, tell me. I know when somethings wrong.

Rachel:
Nothing, its just...I have something to tell you. And you might not
like it.

Mikinzy:
What is it?

Rachel:
I did it.

Mikinzy:
What did you do?

Rachel:
It was me.

Mikinzy:
What do you mean?
 Rachel starts to cry.

Mikinzy:
Babe, whats going on?

Rachel:
I killed her, Mikinzy.

Mikinzy:
No. No, youre lying.

Rachel:
Im not. I swear to God, Im not lying!

Mikinzy:
This cant be true. This is not you. This is not you talking. This is
them trying to manipulate you.

Rachel:
But I did it.

Mikinzy:
[Disappointed] But...why? This is not the girl I once knew. Shes
sweet and kind. What the fuck happened?

Rachel:
Her. Shelia. I...I loved...I loved her.

Mikinzy:
Loved?

Rachel:
Yes! Just like I loved you.

Mikinzy takes a deep breath.

Mikinzy:
Okay. Lets slow down here a bit. Tell me what the fuck is going on.
 Rachel:
I didnt want to do it at first. But...but...shes so charming. I couldnt
help it.

Mikinzy:
But why did you do it?? You didnt have to!

Rachel:
I know, babe. I know. But...Shelia convinced me Skylar was a
threat. She told me we wouldnt be together, because she was on
the way. Maybe now, I think, I was wrong. Which is why Im doing
the right thing tomorrow.

Mikinzy:
Wait. Hold on. You have to think how this will affect us. How this
will affect your family.

Rachel:
I know, but I deserve it. I killed her.

Mikinzy:
You dont have to do this. I still wanna be with you. In spite of
everything, I dont want them to take you away from me.

Rachel holds Mikinzys hands.

Rachel:
Babe. Its all right. Maybe this is Gods plan all along.

Mikinzy:
No! Its not all right!

Rachel:
Why? Its my life anyway, not yours!

Mikinzy:
Because...because...I love you.

Silence for a few seconds.

Rachel:
 Thats the first time youve ever said that to me.

Mikinzy:
I love you, Rachel. From the moment we met until today, I love
you. And I wont stop loving you just because of this stupid thing.
So dont do this to me!

Rachel:
Its not about you. Its about doing the right thing.

Mikinzy:
The right thing is to not mess up your life.

Rachel:
Well, Im already here so...theres nothing out there for me
anymore.

Mikinzy:
Im out there for you. Everyday I think about you. You may think
that the world has abandoned you, but I havent. Im here for you
whether you like it or not.

Rachel:
Maybe this is it. I mean, have you seen Skylars dad? Have you
seen her family? I took everything from them. If doing the right
thing means ending this, then so be it. Because I deserve it.

Mikinzy:
So I mean nothing to you? Are you seriously gonna do this to me?

Rachel:
Its not about you, Mick!

Mikinzy:
No, its about me. I thought were partners. I thought its us against
the world?

Rachel:
No, Mick. No. Not this time.
 Mikinzy kneels down on both knees and grabs Rachels hands
tightly.

Mikinzy:
Dont do this. If you still love me, dont do this. Please. Im begging
you.
[Mikinzy starts to cry.]

Rachel kneels down, tightening the grip on Mikinzys hands.

Rachel:
I still love you, bu

Mikinzy:
Then dont do it! Why is it so hard?

Rachel:
But I cant live with myself anymore. I have to do it. If you dont
want to do this with me

She walks to the door and opens it.

Rachel:
...then go.

Mikinzy looks at Rachel before dropping his eyes to the floor. He

holds back his tears as he stands up and walks towards the door.

Mikinzy:
I just want you to know, whatever happens...I will always love you.

Mikinzy goes through the door, and Rachel quietly shuts the door.
She sits down on the edge of her bed, buries her face in her
hands, and sobs.
 Scene #5

Rachel enters the stage with a lawyer.

Bailer:
All present please arise.

Judge enters the stage.

Bailer:
Please be seated.

Judge:
We are here this morning in the case of state West Virginia versus
the defendant, Rachel Shoaf, in this case number 13FA8. This
matter is set for sentencing. The record will reflect the presence of
the state of West Virginia by Marsha Ashdown, prosecuting
attorney, and the presence of the defendant. Rachel Shoaf in
person, and by council John Angotti. Are all the parties ready to
proceed? Ms Ashdown?

Ashdown:
Yes, Your Honor.
 Judge:
Mr. Angotti?

Angotti:
Yes, Your Honor.

Judge:
Thank you. Part of the hearing of the court has received various
documents which I will outline at this time. First I have received
and reviewed a precinct investigation submitted June 13th, 2013
under the probation office.
Ms Ashdown, have you received a copy of the precinct
investigation report and have the opportunity to review it?

Ashdown:
Yes, Your Honor.

Judge:
Mr. Angotti, have you also received a copy of the precinct
investigation report and have the opportunity to review it with Ms
Shoaf?

Angotti:
Your Honor, on behalf of the defendant, yes.

Judge:
Thank you. In the process of reviewing that did you find anything
that need to be corrected or otherwise modified?

Angotti:
There is no addition, revision, or correction.

Judge:
Okay. That report is going to be accepted and submitted. Mr
Angotti, do you think that you wish to offer by way of testimony
Proffer or statement in person stating this matter?

Angotti:
Rachel would like to speak to the court first, and I would like a
follow up after she finished with her statement.
 Judge:
Very well. Ms Shoaf, I would like to advise you at this time. It is
your right to allocution. Simply state that as your right to make any
statement that you wish the court to consider before passing
sentence in this matter. If you speak at this time, you can remain
seated, if you want.

Rachel stands up.

Rachel:
Im so sorry. I dont know theres a proper way to make this
apology, because there are not even words to describe the guilt
and remorse that I feel everyday for what Ive done. The person
that did that wasnt through me, not the person I am, not the
person Im made of, and not what I believe in. I dont think I ever
thought this would actually happen. I became scared and caught
up in something I did not want to do. I never realized the gravity of
my actions and how many people Ive hurt. I hurt the Neese family
and those who love Skylar. I hurt my parents and shamed my
family. I hurt my extended family and all my friends who love me. I
hurt my teachers and those who believed in me. I hurt my church
family, my community and those who trust me. And I hurt my Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. May God bring eternal peace to Skylar
and the entire Neese family. Again, Im so sorry, and I pray each
day for everyone involved. And I pray each day for forgiveness.
 Scene #6

The police comes in with Shelia cuffed. Shelia sits down in front of
Rachel. Silence.

Shelia:
Hi, Rachel. How are you?

Rachel:
[Pissed.]
You have no right to ask that.

Shelia:
[Calm and unaffected]
Well, I hope youre doing fine. Its been tough for me too, you
know?

Rachel:
Really? Its tough for you? Is that all you can say? [Shouting] Do
you know how it feels to have everything you have taken away
from you?!
[Cries]
 Shelia:
I never meant it. I thought we could be together just like what
weve always wanted.

Rachel:
No, you wanted it, Shelia. It was you!

Shelia:
But you said yes when I asked.

Rachel:
Dont try to turn this on me!

Shelia:
Im not blaming you. I thought you wanted us to be together?
[Her eyes teary]
I thought you love me?

Rachel:
Love? You call that love? We were just confused. I love Mikinzy,
you...you were just -

Shelia:
Just what? A mere distraction? I loved you! I would do anything for
you! I even killed for you!

Rachel:
I didnt want that to happen. You forced me to!

Shelia:
I only did it because of us. I thought we would be happier. That
bitch was in the way.

Rachel:
[Screaming]
That bitch was our friend! She loved you like a sister! What we did
was wrong, Shelia.

Guard:
Whoa, calm down! Calm down, Shoaf. Sit down.
 Shelia:
Why cant you understand what we did was good?

Rachel:
Good?! Good?! Look at Skylars mom and dad! Theyre a mess
because of us!

Shelia:
But look at us now, Rachel. We are together, and theres nothing
anyone can do about it.

Rachel:
Shelia, I know we had good times, but I dont think we understand
what we did. To be honest, I was just confused. I didnt know who I
am.

Shelia:
So all of that meant nothing to you? So Im just nothing more but a
tool for you?!

Rachel:
No. You were my best friend. Maybe I loved you, but not the way
you love me.

Shelia touches Rachels hand and starts to cry.

Shelia:
What do you mean? I thought we love each other, Rachel? What
happened to that night when we laid together? Your skin is so soft.
Your eyes were glowing. It felt like...heaven. Youre so pure.

Rachel quickly pulls her hand away.

Rachel:
Dont touch me. That was a long time ago.

Rachel walks away. Shelia watches her leave. She looks down
and wipes her tears. The light goes dark.
FIN