Stephanie – Rehearsal Tracks, Sides & Lyrics

STEPHANIE: Side 1 ( from Act 2 – Scene 1 )

CHRIS

Stephanie, listen to me. You’re still a little unsettled from the medication. I want you to get back into bed and get some rest now.

They start to walk together, but Stephanie violently wrenches free, lunging toward Greg’s bed.

Chris catches her and resumes guiding her back to her bed.

Stephanie flails furiously, crying out at Greg.

STEPHANIE

It’s all your fault! Why did I ever listen to you? Nothing bad ever happens to you! Everything happens to me!

Neal and Lorca leave their beds and move quietly over to help.

Chris waves them away and gets Stephanie into the bed.

Sitting up in bed, Stephanie continues to rant at Greg, even though he’s not there.

STEPHANIE (CONT’D)

Why did I listen to your stupid ideas anyway? Eat, drink, and be merry. Yeah, tomorrow we die—but that’s not the end! Oh no, no, no! That’s just the threshold. Hear that, Greg? That’s just the threshold! Then guess what? Step over. Surprise! Oh my! Look! There’s Eternity.

(mocking Greg’s voice)

‘But I don’t believe in Eternity.’ So eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die? But what about the day after tomorrow, huh? Oh God! There’s The Judge!

(in Southern preacher style)

So choose carefully, my friend! Consider well what path you take, for this pathetic world is not all there is, and what you choose here echoes down the corridors of Time! And all the progeny we never had will weep because they never were… and all because of forbidden food highly recommended by a very convincing snake!

Chris prepares a syringe with sedative and steps closer to Stephanie.

CHRIS

Let me remind you, Stephanie, that you made the choice to go. You are accountable for your own actions.

STEPHANIE

Aw, can’t I blame him?

CHRIS

No. You sow…

(she injects Stephanie)

STEPHANIE

Ow.

CHRIS

…You reap.

STEPHANIE

But I’d rather blame Greg.

(her voice starts to trail off)

Now I have nothing… no husband, no babies… I’m never going to get married. I’m going to die a virgin… it’s not fair. G’night, Dr. C…

CHRIS

Good-night, Stephanie.

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STEPHANIE: Side 2 ( from Act 2 – Scene 5 )

GREG

Wait! That’s not how it goes. It’s not ‘poop,’ it’s ‘you don’t know sh—’

STEPHANIE

It’s poop to me. I don’t want to say the other word.

GREG

It’s just a word! Come on, Stephanie, say it. Here, I’ll help you. Repeat after me: You—don’t—know—shi—

STEPHANIE

No! I won’t, and you can’t make me!

Greg is laughing.

STEPHANIE

Why do you find that so amusing?

GREG

Because you won’t say that word.

STEPHANIE

I believe words can give life or death, and I want mine to help, not hurt. It’s a principle—it’s how things work—like sowing and reaping. There are consequences to what we say and do. You seem to prefer doing whatever you please regardless of what it may do—to you or to someone else.

GREG

I don’t like fences.

STEPHANIE

Sometimes fences keep you safe, like guardrails on a mountain road in the fog in the dark.

GREG

I like to live dangerously. It’s more thrilling. I like to have fun. No boundaries. Pushing the envelope. Taking it to the edge. Breaking out of safe little boxes. It makes you feel alive.

STEPHANIE

Oh, like when we sneaked out for pizza? Remember that, Greg? How alive did I feel after that? Maybe it works for you, but I’m not you. I don’t want to be you. And if I keep a rule because it makes sense to me, that’s my right. I don’t deserve to be ridiculed or put down for it.

GREG

But always following the rules? Baa. Just another sheep going along with everyone else, doing what they’re doing so you don’t have to think. You’re such a goodie-goodie.

STEPHANIE

What’s that supposed to mean?

GREG

Have you ever been in trouble? Detention? Restriction? Ever cheat at Solitaire? You’re always trying so hard to be good.

STEPHANIE

I’m not trying to be good. I’m choosing to do what I think is best. For example, when I keep the rules, it helps Dr. Carey know if she’s on the right track. Or not. Either way, she’ll know more than she did before. In this small way, I’m contributing to the future of other DeShores kids. And so far, by the way, that little pizza fiasco is painful proof she’s right about some things, and I got to be Exhibit A.

GREG

Yeah, but, I mean, it’s like you’re sleeping through the last days of your life. Wake up, Stephanie. Life isn’t safe. It never was. This is your last chance to break out of your—

STEPHANIE

That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard! Have you ever considered there might be a better way to live besides yours?

GREG

What’s better than freedom?

STEPHANIE

Wisdom.

GREG

Oh my! That sounds so exciting…

STEPHANIE

You’re so afraid you might get trapped that you’re always running. Or fighting. Or trying to control other people because you feel so out of control yourself. That’s not freedom, Greg. That’s chaos. You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind. I know. I tried your brand of freedom. No thank you.