Right to Refuse, Scene #01
In the stillness of a late-night drive, a car full of teens, flush with the thrill of a party, cruises homeward. Among them, tucked into the backseat, is Amy, an 18-year-old wallflower, her best friend Heather by her side. Unlike Amy, Heather is all confidence and charm, engrossed in the attention of the boy next to her, while another takes the wheel. Their laughter echoes, memories of the night's escapades fresh on their lips. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts—a cop car pulls up, lights flashing, a stark interruption to their joyride. The driver, cool and collected, tries to smooth-talk their way out, but the cop's interests lie elsewhere. He requests the girls step out, his interrogation beginning with their ages, their whereabouts, and the contents of their car. Heather, quick to deny any wrongdoing, is caught off guard when Amy leans in, whispering a secret. The cop's gaze sharpens, honing in on Amy, who nervously confesses to the possibility of something hidden in Heather's purse. The night takes a dramatic turn as Heather is handcuffed, both girls now under the cop's command. The boys, shocked and scared, hand over Heather's purse and drive off, leaving Amy and Heather alone with the officer. Amy clutches the purse tightly, a prop that seems to hold more than just secrets. The stage shifts unexpectedly as the officer leads them not to a police station, but into a house. Confusion paints the girls' faces. "Where is the police station?" Amy asks, her grip on the purse unyielding. The officer, casually removing Heather's handcuffs, reveals they've stopped at his house first. Trusting they won't flee, he leaves them alone, an unsettling calm before the storm. Amy rushes to Heather, concern etched on her face. "This feels really weird, Heather. Why would a cop take us to his house? Why did he only arrest us in the first place?" Heather, despite her nerves, snaps at Amy to stay calm, reminding her that Amy's confession led them here. The cop returns, glasses in hand, offering them a beverage as if this were a social call. He removes his holster, placing it on the table, a stark reminder of his authority. The purse, still the center of attention, is requested. Amy, trying to assert her rights, questions the need for a warrant. Heather, eager to please, apologizes for Amy, opening the purse to reveal its contents—pills, taken from her mother's cabinet. The officer pockets them, his words laced with threat and promise. "Two eighteen-year-old girls caught with their mother's prescriptions. Not only will it get you in trouble with the law, but I would imagine your families will both be very disappointed in you when they find out." The performance unfolds, a dance of power and vulnerability. Amy, flushing red, buries her face in her hands, while Heather admits to their lies. The cop, slipping off his shoes, reveals the truth behind their stop—an alert on the boy's license plate. Amy's anger simmers, whispered accusations aimed at Heather. Desperate, Heather asks, "Is there anything we can do to get out of this?" The cop studies them, Heather trying to maintain her composure, Amy shrinking back, arms folded. He paints a grim picture of their future—a night in lockup, days before bail. Amy's tears fall, Heather's comfort cold against the reality they face. But there's a way out, the cop suggests, his gaze lingering. "I am a bit of a freak. What would you be willing to do to get out of this?" Heather's breath hitches, her offer laid bare—a blowjob in exchange for their freedom. Amy protests, but Heather insists, getting down on her knees, her negotiation stark and raw. The cop agrees, but only if Amy joins. The stage is set, the performance about to begin. Will Amy, the shy wallflower, step into the spotlight, her innocence the price for their freedom? Will Heather's boldness be enough to save them both? The night holds its breath, the climax of their late-night joyride now a twisted dance of desperation and desire. The purse, the pills, the power—all props in this dramatic act, where the lines between right and wrong, innocence and guilt, blur and shift. The question hangs heavy—just how far will these girls go to walk away from this night unscathed? The performance is about to begin, the curtain lifted on a scene that will change them forever.
