Members:  Ama, Sakile, Danetta, and Meghan
This group is responsible for Act 1, Scene 2 and Act 2.

TNK: High School Edition

Two Noble Schoolboys

[Prologue]

We are going to tell you the classic story of two best friends and what happens when a girl comes between them. Although we will never be able to live up to the great Shakespeare, this is a modern rendition of his play, “The Two Noble Kinsman.” It starts out in the halls of Thebes Regional High School with two seniors named Arcite and Palamon. Stay tuned to witness the hurricane that will change this little town of Thebes for eternity. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[1.2]

Enter Palamon and Arcite.

Arcite

Hey Palamon, I was thinking about Coach Creon, and he has been getting on my last nerve. I want to quit the football team and I don’t have respect for him anymore. We would be better off on the basketball team. He makes get up at 4 A.M. and do crazy, insane drills. He’s been moody lately, and all he does is yell at us.

Palamon

Dude, I’m on the exact same page. Ever since he became the new head coach things have changed. Everyday I come home with new cuts and scratches. He treats us like we are a bunch of soldiers fighting on the battlefield. Like yesterday, he didn’t even believe Bobby when he said he was having an asthma attack!

Arcite

Wow, I didn’t think you felt the same way.

Palamon

Yeah. Let’s quit first thing in the morning.

Valerius enters and runs up to Palamon and Arcite.

Valerius

Palamon, Arcite, wait up! The Coach is calling a mandatory practice today.

Arcite

Why?

Valerius

Remember that quarterback who broke his leg last season?

Palamon

Yeah, Theseus. I remember him, he was insanely brolic.

Valerius

Well, he’s back and we are screwed for the game this weekend, so Coach is pissed.

Arcite

He’s nothing special. We can take him.

Palamon

[whispers aside to Arcite] Dude, let’s not quit so soon. We have to stay on the team to fight for our school. We may not have Creon’s back, but we have to ride or die for Thebes.

Arcite

Okay, we’re in. See you at practice.

Everyone Exits.

[2.1]

Enter Principal and Suck-up Student

Principal

[sighs] I am thinking about retiring soon, but before I go I need to talk to you about a couple of things. Even though I love this school, I have been working here, doing the same routine every day for the past twenty years, it’s time for me to move on while I still have the energy. The only thing that is holding me back is my daughter. I don’t know if she will be safe without me here to protect her. Will you watch over her for me?

Suck-up Student

Oh wonderful principal, I wouldn’t wish it any other way. Although I, as well as the rest of Thebes, would hate to see you go, I would love to keep your daughter safe.

Principal’s Daughter knocks on office door.

Principal

Okay, I think that’s her at the door, so we will have to talk about this later, but for now, do you promise?

Enter Principal’s Daughter

Suck-up Student

Yes, I do.

Daughter

What are y’all talking about?

Principal

Your classmate and I were discussing plans incase I retire soon, but that’s old business now. In the meantime, would you mind going to room 101 and getting my jacket, I left it there. Also, since you’ll be there anyways, will you check up on the boys in detention and make sure they aren’t fooling around?

Daughter

Sure, i’ll be right back.

[As the Daughter is walking to Room 101 she overhears two girls talking]

Girl 1

Yo, did you hear what Palamon and Arcite did to Coach Creon after the game this weekend?

Girl 2

No, tell me!

Girl 1

So Coach Creon was yelling at them after losing the game and told Palamon that he sucked, so Arcite went off on him and punched him in the face. And then when Coach Creon punched back, Palamon tackled him. It was crazy! I wish you had been there.

Girl 2

Oh wow, so can Palamon and Arcite not play in the final game today?

Girl 1

Nope, but the game is starting soon, so let’s go out to the field to get good seats.

Girl 2

Ok, good idea.

[Meanwhile in Room 101]

[2.2]

Palamon

How’s the black eye feelin’?

Arcite

It’s alright. Thanks again for having my back earlier.

Palamon

Always. You know we are bros forever, bros for life.

Arcite

Yeah, there is no one else I would rather be in detention with than you.

Palamon

Yeah same here, I wonder how Thebes is doing in the game. I am sad that we will never play on the team with our friends again, never again will we possess the honor of playing for our schools reputation, and never again will we hear the cheers of the crowd.

Arcite

And even worse, we won’t ever be able to find a girlfriend now that we don’t wear the varsity jacket…but it’s okay, because we have eachother. So, I say let’s not let this get us down, and make the most of it.

Palamon

How?

Arcite

Well you and I are no longer bound to Coach Creon’s rules and power. We have eachother, and we are more than just friends, we are family. We have a lot of years left together, and we may fight but we will always get through the hard times, no matter what. Don’t you agree?

Palamon

I do, I think it is possible for our friendship to never go away. It can withstand anything.

Palamon walks towards the window.

Arcite

You think even after college, we will stay friends?

Palamon gazes out the window.

Arcite

Palamon?

Palamon does not answer.

Arcite

Palamon?

Palamon

This detention sucks, how can we get out.

Arcite

Why? What’s the matter?

Palamon points out the window at a girl in a pink dress.

Palamon

That girl looks straight out of the magazines.

Arcite  looks out the window at the girl.

Arcite

Oh my gosh, you’re right.

As boys look out window, principal’s daughter enters. She grabs the jacket and leaves. The boys don’t notice.

Palamon

She is a model, Arcite.

Arcite

I want to get to know her better.

Palamon

No, that’s not fair, I saw her first, I have dibs.

Arcite

Yeah, but I am in love with her too, so I have just as much right to go after her.

Palamon

Aren’t you supposed to be my friend?

Arcite

Yes, I am, but you just agreed that we are best friends and family, so we share the same fears, joys, and griefs, so why won’t you let me be happy and love her too? Do you not think I am good enough for her?

Palamon

No you’re not, but if you go after her, when you know I saw her first, that’s not right.

Arcite

You are being crazy, I love her, and I will do anything to pursue that love, and that should be okay with you, because you are my friend.

Palamon

If we weren’t in school right now and instead out on the field, I would totally tackle you right now. You are being an ass hole, but let’s stop talking about this, i’ll deal with you later because I hear someone coming.

Enter Principal.

Principal

Hi boys, I hope you have been behaving. Arcite, your mom just called, and she did not tell me what is going on, but you are allowed to leave, there is an emergency.

Arcite

Okay.

Principal

Sorry Palamon, I am going to have to leave you alone in here.

Exit Principal and Arcite. 

Palamon

I wonder what the emergency is. What if he ends up being able to meet the girl in the pink dress? She would definitely like him, even though he’s being a bad friend lately he’s usually such a good guy. If only I had a chance to meet her, I would be the best boyfriend. I would treat her so well, and all the other girls would be jealous.

Enter Principal.

Palamon

I am sure she would love me. Hi sir, where did Arcite go?

Principal

He left, his mom picked him up, he’s gone for the day.

Palamon

He’s lucky he gets to leave detention, if only I could leave too and go see the girl in the pink dress at the football game.

Principal

I am sorry, I still need to keep you in here for what you did to Coach Creon, you need to think about your actions.

Palamon

Okay, but I hope you know I’ll be suffering the whole time until my detention is served.

Exit Principal

Arcite exits school.

[2.3]

Arcite

I wonder what this emergency is? Thank god I get to leave the detention, but now I can’t get to meet the girl in the pink dress. I am jealous of Palamon, he has the upper hand now that he’s still at school and can see her, but I can’t. I wonder if I should walk home and see what the emergency is, or go to the game. If I go, I get to see her, and that’s what matters most.

Arcite walks to the field and finds an open spot next to two fans from the opposing team.

Fan 1

Did you hear about the party tonight?

Fan 2

Yeah I heard its going to be at Theseus’s house if we win the game.

Fan 1 [to Arcite]

Are you going to the party?

Arcite

Who is Theseus?

Fan 2

[points to the girl in the pink dress] He is Emilia’s brother.

Arcite

Maybe I will stop by. What time will it start?

Fan 1

10pm. It will be on the corner of Shakespeare and Fletcher. See you there.

[2.4]

While principal’s daughter is adjusting her headgear in the mirror she begins to talk to herself

Principal’s daughter

Oh my gosh that boy Palamon looking out the window is so cute! We can never be together because my dad put him in detention. The first moment I saw him I feel in love with him. I can’t stop thinking about him. In my heart  there is only Palamon. If I was his girlfriend I would sing to him in the evenings and bring him dunkin donuts coffee in the morning. When he kisses me I won’t wash off my mouth. I need to figure out a way to get him out of detention then he will fall in love with me.

Principals daughter exits bathroom.

[2.5]

At Theseus’s house party.

Music and Shouts come from within.

Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia, and Arcite.

Theseus [to Arcite]

Hey aren’t you the quarterback for Thebes Regional High School? I haven’t seen you since our last game. Can’t say I missed you today though, you were a great player in the last game. Your team would have won if you played in the game today.

Arcite

Thanks.

Theseus

Are you a gentlemen?

Arcite

My father seems to think so

Theseus

Are you his only son?

Arcite

No I’m the youngest of 15

Theseus

Your skills on the football field must make your father proud. What else are you good at?

Arcite

I’m good at a little of everything.  I’m also very good at street racing, but I don’t like to brag about that. My greatest quality is that I am thought of as a soldier.

Theseus

You are perfect

Pirithous [to Emilia]

He seems like a really good guy

Emilia

I agree

Pirithous[ to Hippolyta]

What do you think of him?

Hippolyta

I have never seen anyone like him. He seems like a genuine person

Emilia

His face is hot, also.

Hippolyta

But his body is even better.

Pirithous

Even though he is very modest you can tell that he has a lot going for him

Hippolyta

I agree

Theseus[to Arcite]

Why did you decide to come here tonight?

Arcite

I heard about your party at the game and I wanted to meet the person that was able to defeat us in the last game. Plus this is the best party going on right now.

Theseus

I’m happy you came. Pirithous go show him around the house and introduce him to everyone

Pirithous[to Arcite]

I will introduce you to Emilia. It’s her birthday today and she will be so glad to meet you

Pirithous and Arcite walk over to Emilia

Arcite[to Emilia]

Happy Birthday, Beautiful. [gives her a hug] If anyone offends you tonight just tell me and I will take care of it

Emilia

Its okay Arcite. You don’t have to worry about anything.

Theseus[to Arcite]

Okay it’s almost 3am, we should start wrapping up this party. Emilia and I will walk you to your car

While walking him to his car.

Emilia

It was really nice meeting you.We should hang out sometime.

Arcite

Yeah that sounds good.

[2.6]

Meanwhile the Principal’s Daughter is hiding in the bushes outside of Palamon’s house.

Principal’s Daughter

I am so happy he is out of detention! I’m so glad my plan to pull the fire alarm worked out. Yay! I love him beyond love and beyond reason and I hope that he knows that. I don’t care how far I have to go because i’m desperate. I may have to break a few laws but I don’t care. I’m sad that he has not thanked me for what I have done for him. I hope one day he will consider me as more than a friend so we can move our relationship to the next level. Wherever he goes I will follow. I will be his shadow. I will leave my father because Palamon is the only thing that matters now.