Fireflies

Fireflies

         Scene: Two teenage girls, Marina and Calleigh, cousins, are lying on the floor in sleeping bags. There’s a cat lying on a fold-out chair in the corner, and an analog clock hanging on the wall that reads 7A.M.. The room is in an attic, with a half slanted roof. There is a skylight.

 

 

Calleigh: You awake Mina? Marina? [Nudges her.] You alive?

Marina: No. Go away. [Rolls over.]

Calleigh: Oh good. You’re awake.

Marina: Can you cover the skylight? It hurts.

Calleigh: I bet in another language the word ‘firefly’ means ‘skylight.’

Marina:…not possible.

Calleigh: Why not?

Marina: Because it’s not.

Calleigh: Maybe I’ll make my own language. A language where the word ‘firefly’ means ‘skylight.’

Marina: [Rolls back over.] It would have to have three speakers. Like how gangs have to have three members. [Marina opens her mouth to speak, glancing at the cat, and Calleigh cuts her off.] No. I don’t count, and neither does the cat.

Calleigh: I’ll find people…you know what I was thinking about?

Marina: Hmmm?

Calleigh: Next year. I mean, it’ll be 2010. I’m probably gonna write a date like 2-2-01. I mean you could just get rid of the last number. [Pause.] OH! Like significant figures in Chem! So it really is 01. I mean, I just came up with an actual reason! [Squeals with happiness. Marina rolls back over.]

Marina: It’s kinda like translating from English to Spanish back to English again. The words are bound to change…except in a more science-y way…

Calleigh: Exactly! Like firefly.

Marina: No, because that’s not valid. Oops, I meant English to Spanish to English to Spanish again.

Calleigh: It made me think of ‘skylight’ and ‘firefly.’ [Sits up and crosses her arms.] It is valid.

Marina: It’s not important. Good night, Calleigh. [Turns away from Calleigh.]

Calleigh:  It is important. [Slams hands down on lap and waits for Marina to answer.] It is important!

Marina: It’s insignificant.

Calleigh: You’re insignificant!

Marina: [Sarcastically.]No, I’m the greatest thing in the world. [Salutes Calleigh before making a face and sighing.]

Calleigh: [Laughing.] I think fireflies are better than you.

Marina: Actual fireflies, or skylights?

Calleigh:…the kind that fly. They’re both actual fireflies.

Marina: How do you figure they’re better?

Calleigh: Well…

Marina: Spit it out, Cal.

Calleigh: Does your a*s glow?

Author's Note

This is a real convo, just changed names and situation.
Questions? Concerns? Comments? Reviews? Appreciated:]