Table Read - Small Block Act Three

Episode Date: January 11, 2026

The countdown to eleven builds like a pressure valve. Dizzy waits in the driveway holding on to hope. Kev hides nerves behind jokes. P keeps tugging at a shirt that has never felt right on his body. Everyone is pretending this morning will fix something they are too scared to name.A car turns the corner and it is the wrong one. Dizzy breaks. Kev fires the blame at P. The friendship between them starts to shake. P disappears inside and comes back with a Sprite because it is the only comfort he knows how to offer at fourteen.Then the sound hits. Guitar blasting out of an engine that should not exist in a town this small. The DeLorean pulls in for real. Dizzy lifts his head. Kev goes silent. P feels the world shift. Miss World steps out with a sunflower in her hair and for a moment everything feels possible.She takes them on the ride they have been imagining all week. Kev laughs in the back. Dizzy shouts for more speed. P sits in the front seat trying to hold himself together. Miss World asks what they want from the future. Dizzy talks about cars. Kev talks about family. P cannot answer. Miss World waits. P finally admits he is afraid to look ahead. Kev jokes that P might not make it to adulthood. Miss World hears something deeper than the joke. She sees him.When they return, nothing is magically fixed. But something inside P cracks open. He cannot keep disappearing into other people’s expectations. Not after being seen this clearly, even for a moment. Act Three is the ride, the break, and the first honest step toward who P is becoming.SMALL BLOCK is a feature screenplay by Ashley Lauren, performed live and mixed like a feature film for your ears. From the award-winning team at TABLE READ / Manifest Media Productions.Content Advisory: This episode contains suicidal ideation, transphobic and homophobic language, and minor fatphobic language, used intentionally to serve the story and its period portrayal.New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe now.Cast (Full Feature): P – Levi Dafferner Kev – Kosi Eguchi Bex – Piper Kingston Dizzy – Deryck Hak Miss World – Lydia Tinsley Dad – Adam Pilver Mrs. D – Gemma Kyle Mom – Leah Zhang Britt – Eric Miller Tiff / Martha – Avery Norris Mr. Welch / Kev’s Dad – Eddie Aguirre Dan / Zach – Aidan Dick Jack – Kellen Rose James – Michael Amir Nash Rob – Jack Murphy Janet / Video Store Clerk – Sabrina Ariss Narrator – Paula TisoWritten by Ashley Lauren Produced by Jack Levy, Mark Knell, and Shaan Sharma for TABLE READ / Manifest MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Small Block, written by Ashley Lauren. Thank you for listening to Small Block. Please note that there is adult language throughout that is not suitable for young listeners. Furthermore, there are a few items that might be triggering for some readers. These include suicidal ideation, discussion, transphobic language, homophobic language, minor instances of fatphobic language. All phobic language is used intentionally for thematic reasons. It is not used without thought or due to either naivete or bigotry. Thank you again for listening to Smallblock.

Now, on to the show. Everybody got enough to eat? Yes. Does everybody have ice cream? Yes. Not yet. If you didn't have an ice cream, are you sad? Because everybody else had one?

Yes. Use that in the script. Use your disappointment. Yesterday did not go how I planned. The good? We ran into Miss World again, and she promised to give us a ride today. in her Dolorian. Also, I asked Bex to the homecoming dance, and she said yes, here's the problem.

I love her. Yeah, so that sucks. Apparently my best friend Kev's in love with her, and he doesn't know I asked her to the dance. How am I going to figure that one out? I have no idea. But I have a whole few hours to do it. Kill me, especially since we're so close right now. I mean, I just told him about the cabbage patch doll and about the gray and well.

I never really talked to anyone about that. Oh, yeah, I got into St. John's, which first of all, gross, and second means this is my last year at Pont Hill with my friends. Hopefully, Bex and I can be cool again before I go to that uptight, all-boys jerk factory. I also found out that my dad thinks I'm either a loser or I'm gay, or maybe both, but that's nothing new. Fuck it. Let's go to the DeLorean ride. Fuck yes. Finally! I need something fun and uncomplicated. Act 3

Interior Dizzy's Room Morning P wakes up alone. Q Lazarus's goodbye horses plays faintly. He looks at the TV. The dance scene from the silence of the lambs. Buffalo Bill, penis tucked, dances in his own skin. Noise outside. Peep holds back the curtains.

Kevin Dizzy play basketball. Back to normal. He checks the time 1045, only about eight hours till the dance. Exterior Dizzy's driveway minutes later. He exits the house with a Dr. Pepper. Dizzy, shirtless, tosses Keb the basketball. Kev misses. That's Kay.

You're a cock, motherfucker. Got a sec? After I exact my revenge? Bring it. I ain't leaving this driveway until I'm in a DeLorean. Dizzy swishes three. Looks to the road, checks his watch. Four minutes.

I love those doors, the weird-ass tail lights. The frame was actually inspired by a Lotus Esprey. It was going to have a rotary engine like the RX7, which would have been sweet. The car's underpowered, but whatever. Looks so goddamn cool. Three minutes. He shakes his arm, extending and curling his fingers.

Why is silence the lambs on? Kevin Dizzy laugh. You gets the part of a naked gun last night where Anna Nicole Smith had a dick? The fuck? You fell asleep. Full-on gonzo-nosed cock. Should have rented the crying game. Would have the trifecta.

Einhorn or Anna. Anna. Got those thighs and those boobs, thick ass. Dick or no dick, whatever. Of course, if she had a dick, y'all would never hear about it. I want to stop hearing about all the dudes pretending to be woman that you'd fuck. 1102, this is crap. Dizzy checks his watch, then the road.

Still no Miss World. Bet you didn't see anything like that in the penthouse. P glares at Kev as Dizzy wheels on P, angry and pleading. Dude, please, my dad will beat my ass! HONK! Dizzy's head turns excitedly. With a blip of the horn, Mrs. D pulls in the driveway. Perfect timing.

She lowers the window. She looks and sounds exhausted. Dizzy runs over. Mom, thank God you're here. Get in. I need your help. The color drains from Dizzy's space. Won't take long, I promise. Please, just hang out for a bit, and then I'll do whatever you need.

We can spend as much time as you want, just not right now. Uncle Chris. Mom, mom, for real, not now. You have no idea. Please, just stay for a bit. It's important, please. He looks to P and Kev for backup. They play invisible.

Mrs. D. Kills the engine. Dizzy knows to walk. walk over. Her dark-circled eyes gaze heavily up at him. I'm sorry to ask you, Philip. Dizzy knows he's lost. He snatches his shirt off the ground, mutters to P and Kev. Please keep the Delorean here as long as possible. He turns away as a tear rolls down his cheek.

He pulls the Judas priest shirt on. They leave. Can we talk about Bex? Inside. Ms. World will blast something heavy. We'll hear it. Kev walks inside. P watches Mrs. D's car, shrink away. Interior Dizzy's bathroom moments later, P enters. Kev has the penthouse. The white first aid kit sits on the counter. Kev turns to the toilet paper bookmark.

Debbie and her haksa. You like the lesbos kissing, huh? It's soft somehow, intimate. Not like a guy kissing a girl. Kev finds a picture of a guy sitting, legs spread, while a girl kneels almost in praise her head in his crotch. Kissing? How about some girls straight up worship?

your cock. Listen, about Bex, I want you to be happy. I want nothing more for everyone in the class to see you like I do, but I just... Keb juggles the magazine in his hands, feeling its weight. I'm gonna bring this to school. Blow everyone's minds, James, Rob, Zach, all those fucks. They'll be eating out of the palm of my hand. Britt might even give Ken a high-five, that stupid bitch.

You'll know my name, asshole. You're gonna ask you. dizzy his dad'll kill him my dad says asking forgiveness is better than asking permission peace stands in the open bathroom door craning his neck to hear don't take it dizzy over me huh imagine if you caught shit from your dad because of your friends kev looks peace straight in the eye that's every day of my life keb shuts the magazine I'm sick of being invisible why doesn't everyone see that I'm cool what's wrong with them you've only been here in one year it takes time

But listen, me and Bex... You think less of me, huh? For liking Bex? No, I... I know she's big, but if you could see her like I do, I gotta be me, bro. My mom didn't have anything to fall back on, but she left anyway.

I gotta be me. P leans on the counter to stabilize himself, but something pokes him. He moves the white first aid kit out of the way. You really never knew? P shakes his head. Thought you were all about Carla. You heard Tizzy.

Caller Lagugino is famous. I'm nobody. She's... That's for you guys. When I'm alone, I think about Pex. Can't stop thinking about Bex. At first, I think I was worried about losing you, so I kept comparing us.

And I was like, Why would P ever pick me over her? She's smart, sexy, so goddamn funny. She doesn't take shit from anyone. Ain't afraid of anyone. I mean, fuck! That's so hot.

She didn't care for one sex, what the guy said about her. She knows she's hot shit. Plus, you used to be super close with her and you... Well, that's hell of an endorsement. I thought maybe you two could be friends again if we weren't together. Kev paces nervously. Fuck it.

I'm going to ask her to dance. You think it's too late? She probably hates me. You think she hates me? She probably hates me. Maybe I should just ask her to dance when we're there, so it seems more spur of the moment. Would you put in a good word for me?

Uh, yeah. Yeah. Thank God. You fucked up your interviews, man. High school without you would be... I'm glad I can be myself with you, man. Kev grabs the penthouse. You mind? I got a shit.

Interior Dizzy's room moments later. P ambles into the room, dazed. He pulls the blinds, opens the window, cool breeze briefly rustles in. The driveway's empty, the air is quiet. P raises his pillow, yearbook and lyrics folder underneath. Yearbook first. He gazes at Bex's picture a lot of complex shit behind his eyes.

He looks at the wall shared with the bathroom. He shuts the yearbook, takes out the lyrics from last night. The breeze rustles the paper. Pee looks outside. Gray. He hums a melody, but it's not right. Something, something. I got to know the warmth to feel the sun. Covert love. Covert love pumps blood through chambers. My heart's a concealed gun. Fuck, that's terrible. Fucking awful.

He rolls onto his back, holding the page above him, searching. A dark spot shines through from the back. P flips it over. On the side, Dizzy drew a heart with Kev inside it. Whoa. Peas shocked. The toilet flushes. Peas head snaps to the door, then back to the heart on the paper.

He hurriedly gets another of Dizzy's notebooks from his desk. He inspects for drawings, hoping for a clean page. First page, nope. Second one, Kev and Dizzy. Third, both sides are clean. He tears it out and places the notebook far back on the desk. P copies the lyrics to the new page, crumples the original. Exterior Dizzy's driveway few moments later. P tosses the crumple paper in the trash can. Mrs. D pulls into the driveway. Dizzy hops out before the car is fully stopped. He rushes to P trying to remain calm. So? Kev exits the house as Mrs. D. D pulls away. Dizzy wheels. Mom, wait!

Mrs. D is already down the street. She came, bro. It was awesome. P. watches Dizzy's face subtly contort with emotion. She didn't come yet, man. You didn't miss it. Dizzy drops to his knees overcome. Bro, you ruined it. Dizzy looks up at Kev absolutely wrecked, quietly. Why'd you fuck with me, prick?

P's eyes move slowly from Dizzy to Kev. runs into the house. Come on, you still love me? Friends? Kev offers a hand to Dizzy who slaps it away. Dizzy pushes himself off the ground. He walks to the end of the driveway, looks down the street in case anything's new. After a few moments, he walks back, kicking a small rock. It lands in the center of the driveway. He exits with a sprite for Dizzy. Where's this bitch would get here? He throws his Judas Priest's tea down, grabs the basketball. I wish you'd stop being. a bitch. Eddie Van Halen's out the window cuts the thick air as the growling tandem of guitar and DeLorean turn on to the street. Dizzy's face bursts alive. He grabs his shirt from the side

of the driveway, pulling it on as he runs. The DeLorean stops. Miss World steps out, a large yellow sunflower clip in her hair. Me first, please. Miss World laughs. Let me meet your parents. Dizzy's face falls. He looks at him sympathetically. Interior, Delorian, short time later. The Delorian roars throatily as it hurls down the street. Scattered leaves Russell in its wake. Yeah! The boys scream excitedly.

P sits in front. Kevin Dizzy kneel in the small rear bulkhead. Miss World eyes them. P feels the car accelerate. Miss World focuses ahead. You want to see the future, boys? They laugh. If my calculations are correct, would this base?

Baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious shit. Faster! The DeLorean tears down the wide street of perfect runway. Engine strains louder. P watches the speedometer. 45, 50, 57. What do you want to see, Dizzy? My car collection.

Kev? With my son. The car zooms faster. P? P doesn't answer. 75P. P braces tense and nervous. I don't like to think about the future.

about the future. Worried about what you'd see? Probably worried he'll be dead. Pea and Miss World's eyes fly to Kev. The car decelerates sharply. Buffalo Bill is gonna murder him and turn him into a dress. Pei laughs like, you idiot. He only kills women.

You're gonna rub that lotion all over your skin. You don't want that, hoes. You're the one that wants to fuck Einhorn. Miss World's brows furrow. Boys. Buffalo Bill is a dude that's so skin clothing. Einhorn is a chick with a dick. Big difference.

Still a man. Really, let's not. Don't know, bro. It's in the name. Chicks with dicks. Chicks. Women. You wouldn't feel that way if you pulled off some girls' panties, and boom, massive dung in your face.

What's your dream car collection? Dizzy lights up. I'll have one of these for sure. P. looks at his reflection in the side mirror. Exterior Dizzy's driveway later. The Delorian returns. Metal blairs out the open windows. Miss World parks at the edge of the driveway.

The smiling boys exit the car. Time? 206. P shakes his arm, extending and curling his fingers. He tries to get Kev's attention. Miss World's still in the Delorian. She fidgets back and forth, chewing her lip with a conflicted look. You want to drink or anything?

She starts, jarred from her thoughts by Dizzy at the window. Where's the nearest gas station? About ten minutes from here. Miss World looks pained. She fidgets more in her seat. You got to pee? I can make a ten. minutes. She puts the car in gear. Dizzy's eyes widen.

Wait, don't leave. Please. I want to get a picture with it. I really have to go. I have a Polaroid. It'll be super quick. You can pee here. It's no problem. Please. My dad will think it's the coolest thing. She assesses him cautiously in an almost pained whisper he pleads innocently. Please. Slightly shaking her head as if it's a bad idea, Miss World gets out of the car. Dizzy sprints ahead, returns quickly with the Polaroid camera.

At the door, he points to the main bathroom. Guest bathrooms right there. Lots of different coaks in the fridge, Dr. Pepper, Sprite. Actual Coke, if you want. Miss World enters. Dizzy strips as Judas Priest's tea, throws it on the driveway. It lands on the small rock from before. Take my picture, P?

P. turns about to talk to Kev. Give me a second. He's about to leave. Now or never. Pee reluctantly leaves Kev. He snaps a couple picks of Dizzy. Get one with me and Kev. Kev joins Dizzy at the car.

P snaps one. One. Hold on. He steps backward, trying to frame up a little wider. His foot contorts around the shirt and rock. He falls hard, staring into the yellow Judas poking out from the black. Interior, Dizzy's kitchen moments later, an empty Band-Aid box being shaken, damp paper towel on his arm. P returns the box to the drawer. A small red spot grows on the paper towel. P checks, a couple other drawers, nothing. He remembers. First aid kit. He walks toward Dizzy's bathroom door, reaches the knob. He's about to grab it when he notices the doors closed, the lights on, and the fans running. Miss World. Peh shakes his head, smiles, close call. He turns to the other bathroom.

Maybe it also has a first aid kit. The paper towel's getting more red. Pei hurries toward the door, reaches for the knob. Interior, Dizzy's parents' bathroom continuous. Inside the bathroom, the door opens quickly. P steps in, stops dead. His face contours. in shock and embarrassment. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. He quickly shuts the door. Exterior Dizzy's parents' bathroom a couple minutes later. The door slowly opens a tiny bit.

A sliver of Miss World's face timidly peers through the crack. She sees Pee nearby. The door shuts quickly. I didn't know you were in that bathroom, I swear. No answer. After a few moments. Did you call the cops? What?

The door cracks open. Are you trying to keep me here until they come? P looks genuinely confused. Why would I call the cops? Come on, the crying game yesterday, and then all that stuff in the car about silenced the lambs and chicks with dicks? That wasn't a casual conversation you just have in front of someone you've just met.

P laughs him momentarily, but stops himself. No, that was just, my friends are idiots. He pauses, smile dropping. If you thought that we knew about you, why did you use the bathroom? The door opens more. I pee a lot now. Side effect. Why didn't use the other one?

It smelled. Pei hovers near the door. Miss World looks embarrassed and scared. Her voice is quiet. Pei? Yeah? May I please leave? Pea's mouth drops slightly open as he finally realizes he's inadvertently trapping.

her. Exterior Dizzy's driveway a couple minutes later. Dizzy talks to Kev by the Dolorian. Honestly, even in 81, there were faster and better cars, but the cool thing with the DMC12 is... The front door opens. Miss World walks directly toward the car but stops, noticing Dizzy and Kev. She moves away from the door, but not quite toward the car, unsure of where to go. Dizzy notices, he walks toward her. Damn, my stomach again. Kev exits. Miss World stiffens as Dizzy approaches, quickly wiping her wet eyes. He stands next to where they face the car. He eventually speaks, voice soft.

You never see these cars outside of the movies. They were only made for a couple years. There were three model years, 81 to 83, but production was only for two. Same time we were all born. And, you know, there's others out there, thousands of them, but you never see them in person. to the point where you wonder if it's all a joke. Like, there's just a few left, and you'll never, ever see any of them.

Dizzy gazes into Miss World's red-ringed eyes. Thank you. This was a really incredible day. Miss World exhales. Dizzy takes a final look at the Dolorian, running his hand gently over the angular lines of the steel. He walks to the basketball. hoop as Pee exits the house. Pee hands Ms. World a Dr. Pepper and a Kleenex.

For the road. I didn't mess with them or anything. She dabs her eyes with the Kleenex, then turns her gaze to the cool gray sky. She cracks the soda open, takes a long swallow. What's the hardest thing you've ever had to do, Pee? Live? Miss World closes her eyes. She removes the yellow sunflower clip from her hair. Breeze rushes through her freed curls as they fall to her shoulder, She opens her eyes slowly and meets P's gaze.

Same. Her eyes remain fixed on the cloudless gray expanse. I used to not like thinking about the future either. But here I am. Here I still am. Pea nods clearly affected as Miss World opens the DeLorean and steps mostly inside. You met the girl I like at the video store, Bex? She said yes.

Miss World stops, unable to move for a second. Her eyes well, the faintest tinge of a smile. Then she pulls the gullwing door closed with a thunk. Exterior Dizzy's driveway moments later, the DeLorean starts up. A thick rumble. Dizzy approaches P. What the hell did you say to her before? The Delorian drives away.

Yo, Pee, can we talk for a sec? Kev's in the doorway. P. runs over. Kev speaks. Quietly. Where's the penthouse? I don't know. Kev's still quiet, but louder than before.

Dude, where's the fucking penthouse? You showed it to him? Dizzy's behind them, trapping P between him and Kev. I told you to put it back. Why didn't you do it yet? He stares at Kev. Hey! I did.

You put it back? Thank God. Let it be, man. I thought you took it. I took it. But you knew how important. My dad, man. Kev turns to Pete.

And you know how important it is to me. His dad, dude. What about my fucking dad? I just... Listen, we'll come up with another plan for school. School. We saw how well your plan worked last time, so... You don't know, man.

What does school have to do with the penthouse? What don't I know? P. looks at Dizzy. What don't I know? What the fuck does school have to do with the penhouse? I was gonna show the guys! You were going to take my dad's shit to school without asking? Sorry, dude.

Nice. I was trying to throw you a bone. Kev pushes P. Throw me a bone? Don't touch me, dude. I need you to throw me a bone? When's the last time you saw his dad, man? Not everything is about you.

P tries to push past Kev, but Kev blocks him. It is for me! Let me through! P tries to brush past again, but Kev pushes him back. Let me through, bitch! P pushes faster this time, but Kev shoves him back. P stumbles backwards. He trips down the steps, smacking face first on the concrete.

Fuck! P lies motionless. P? P moans. Dizzy helps him roll into a seated position. P feels his forehead. Blood trickles out under the beanie. Dude, I'm so sorry.

P strains to his feet. He uses whatever strength he can muster to pull his shirt taut. He staggers to the doorway. He looks Kev in the eye. Kev steps aside. P goes into the bathroom. The cabinet's wide open. The contents on the floor.

Pete unclasps the first aid kid. He dabbs at his face with gauze as Dizzy enters. Kev watches from the doorway. Want to go to the dance, Dizzy? With you? I don't sing that way. Pea laughs painfully. I already have a date. You have a date?

Pei looks into the reflection of his bleeding face. A dark spot has formed on the purple beanie. Bex. But I was going to ask. her. Bex? I asked her at the game. She wouldn't have said yes to you anyway. Fuck you, dude. You wanted to go with Bex? She doesn't like you. Yeah? How do you know? She doesn't. All I wanted was a nudie Mac to take to school to finally, finally be treated like I deserve and not be hidden behind you. But no, Dizzy's dad might come back. Dizzy's dad, Dizzy's dad, Dizzy's dad. You want to know what would happen if Dizzy's dad came back? Nothing. Because he ain't coming back next week.

And even if he did, he wouldn't notice one magazine out of the massive stack of porno in there. But you took it away from me anyways. Let's keep Kev in his place at school. Can't let anyone see that Kev's cool. Nah. Set him up in front of the whole class and make him look like a fucking idiot.

You can't even let me go to the dance with Bex, even though you ditched her the moment I showed up. Of course, you weren't man enough to tell me you already asked her when I told you I loved her. Dizzy stares at Kev breaking. He rushes out of the cramped bathroom and into his room. I love her too.

Isn't that convenient? Noises through the walls, shit being thrown. It sounds like Dizzy's crying among all the crashes. You should apologize. Don't tell me who to apologize to. This is all fucked. I'm sorry, dude. Truly, I was going to tell you, but then you

told me you loved her and you're my best friend, man, and I'm yours. I'm still here for you. Anything that happens at school or with your dad or with your dad. God, my fucking dad. If you knew, man, if you knew, he doesn't hate you, you know? What? Dizzy bursts from the room crying audibly past the bathroom. That asshole loves you. Every day! Why can't you be like Pete? Pete's such a good athlete. Maybe he could show you some things.

Bring him around more. Toss the ball around. Pete's favorite food is sushi. Why don't you love sushi? Fucking prick! What the fuck is wrong with me? What's so much better about you? Maybe you should go somewhere else next year.

Pea looks toward the open door, then back at Kev. I got into St. John's. Sounds of a knob jiggling down the hall. You leaving? P nods, a trickle of blood running from his temple. I can't make it through high school alone. You gotta stay. Dizzy cares about you, man.

Yeah, well, Dizzy's never going to be you. Dizzy's sobs turn both P and Kev's heads. He stands in the doorway, a bundle of penthouses in his arms. He heard. Tears streamed down. his face he motions the penthouses to kev god here take them they're yours i'll tell my dad i took them or it'll be okay i swear it'll work it out here take them take them dizzy holds the magazines out sniffling kev laughs quietly maybe this is why my mom killed

herself he stares at kev while dizzy quietly cries interior Dad's car evening. He stares out the window. Small purple bandage on his temple, hair in a tight ponytail. He's dressed for a dance. Jacket, slacks, nice shoes. But a black, my-dying bride shirt

pokes through from underneath. He clutches a small yellow rose. After the dance, I'd love your opinion on the Wellington. Tester came out perfect if I do say so. P nods. Do you think I should have brought a piece for name- again. Bex, Dad. Bex. We were super close for like six years. Bex McDonald. Oh, MacDonald.

Marks her dad, right? Handsome guy. Strong. He was a tight end in college. You can tell by that wife of his. Well, good. Now remember, respect, respect, respect. Women always deserve your respect. They stop at a red light. P. spins the flower, examining it. Oh, look at this. Look at this. Pee looks up. A slightly plump woman walks in the crosswalk. Bet I know where that cow is going. Disgusting.

Dad motions to the other side. A pizza hut in a strip mall. P sighs. Shrinks into his seat. Dad turns to him, smiling. I know you wanted your mom to drive you, but I had to do the honors. My son, taking a beautiful girl to a dance is a big deal. He pats pee on the leg.

The light turns green. Remember what the man said. Be a mensch. Respect and dignity. Every woman deserves both. P scratches his chin here. He looks out the window as they pass a red light. Exterior becks his house, evening.

The red taillights flush with light as the car stops. He exits. He pulls his shirt taut. The same for his jacket. He climbs the steps, pulls his shirt taut again by the door. He shakes his arm extending and curling his fingers. Rings the doorbell. He glances at the car.

Dad gives a thumbs up. The door opens, Bex's radiant. She looks him over, smiles. Is that where we're starting? Oh, sorry. I'll do that again. The door opens. Bex's radiant.

She looks him over, smiles. Nice shirt. For you? P. extends the yellow rose. She takes it, admiring it. He smiles at her. She notices the bandage. The fuck happened to your face.

always wanted to hear you say that to me. You look beautiful. She gazes down. Before we go, I... You caught me off guard a bit yesterday. I was surprised and just... It was so out of the blue. I wanted to tell you for so long.

I want to go to the dance with you, but I'd like to go as friends. Peace smile falls. He glances at the car. Dad isn't looking. He pulls his shirt. jacket, taut. Bex puts her hand on his arm.

I know it wasn't cool that I kind of dropped out of your life. P. Hold on. I know it wasn't cool, but I won't do that again, I promise. Good. Because I want my best friend back. But it's not about you. Do you like someone else?

Not exactly. Do you like Kev? Bex laughs loudly. Kev? I'd rather eat a bag of dicks. Then who? Bex searches in his eyes. Finally.

I don't like guys. Peas blank. Then puts it together in a rush. You can't tell anyone. You're a lesbo-in? A lesbo-an? Really? At least I didn't shit my pants.

Bex giggles. You're an idiot. Don't tell anyone. Please. Swear. Wow. That feels good. Okay.

You want to do this? Peace studies Bex's happy, leave face. He gently rubs the purple bandage and smiles, but not out of happiness. I think I might actually stay in. Do you do it again. Do it again. Just one more time. Just, um. Correct lines. Yeah. Yeah. Come to grips with that. Yeah. This is, this is the end. I think I might stay in, actually.

You sure? I'm still going to go. So if you change your mind. P. nods. He turns toward the car. A tear carves down his face toward his chin. It runs by his short whisker, then plummets without turning. Bye, Bex. Interior dad's car moments later, P enters the car. Beck still stands in the doorway.

She gained weight. Interior P's bathroom later. A plate with a barely eaten piece of beef Wellington on the counter. The beef at the center looks perfect and preserved. Pea stands in front of the mirror. his jacket and slacks crisp. He judges himself. He opens the suicide drawer.

He places each item ceremoniously on the counter, notepad, pen, sunglasses, knife. The zippo gleams as P shuts the drawer with it inside. He writes with conviction in the notepad. Ring. The cordless phone illuminates. P checks the caller ID. Pont Hill School.

P clicks talk, loud music, and team. teenage voices blast out. Whole scene, only P is on screen. So you are at home? Yeah. Next looks hot. Yeah. A pause then. Thanks, bro.

It takes a real man to step aside like this. He doesn't answer. Look, I'm sorry for how today went down. Let's make the rest of this year the best we can before you've head to St. John's. Cool? Yeah. All right. I'm gonna go find Bex.

Wish me luck. He hangs up. He writes a final line in the notepad, puts down the pen. P pulls his tea and jacket, taut, eyes himself in the mirror. He shakes his arm, extending and curling his fingers.

He picks up the knife. He pulls open the longest blade, rotating the knife in his hands. Ring? The phone rings again. Caller ID, Pont Hill School. We're cool, Kev. Bro, thanks, bro.

I like totally deserve your best friendship and stuff. You okay? Yeah. Beck's waits. I'm okay. Hey, this might seem silly, but, uh... Who is that lady? Beck sounds somewhat coy and unsure for the first time.

Who? The tall one you talk to, with the curls and the VCR. The pretty one? Pease face shifts. He meets his reflection's eyes. P? A friend.

Beck sighs wistfully. She was cool. He hangs up. He looks himself up and down in the mirror, picks up the knife, brings it toward himself, snaps the blade shut. He gathers the notepad, pen, sunglasses, and knife, and exits the bathroom shutting the door.

The empty bathroom is quiet. The mirror's expanse is barren without a subject. P's been gone too long. Finally, the knob turns. Pete timidly opens the door. The door's mirror is visible displaying the Delorean poster perfectly. Standing at the sink, he's surrounded by his reflection in front of him and the Delorean behind. He drops a folded piece of paper on the counter.

He wears only underwear, black briefs, and a thin tank-style undershirt. A band of flesh between the briefs and the two short singlet. His exposed abdomen trembles in the soft light. He unfolds the paper. Debbie and Rehijica gently kiss. He studies them quietly, assesses himself. He slowly shakes his arm, extending and curling his fingers. It's new this time, light and fluid, graceful.

He looks transfixed as his arm moves with new life. he watches his arm lightly glide to his razor. He delicately shaves his lone whisker till his chin's completely smooth. He touches his face, examining his features softly. He gingerly removes the purple bandage. The dull purple bruise no longer bleeds.

He pulls the hair tie from his ponytail. His hair cascades out, a beautiful bounce of curls just above his shoulder. He presses his waist. inward to narrow it, feigning wider hips, a more feminine look. He strokes his smooth leg past the black briefs, that in this light with this pose looks undeniably like panties. Trailing fingers move delicately up his abdomen, the slight softness and give the smooth belly rebound effortlessly as the fingers glide past. He cups his slightly plump peck. It takes form under the thin shirt. The

echo of a female breast. He presses play on the CD player, skips to track two. Holes, Miss World starts to play. She continues to examine herself, mesmerized by the surprise her body offers. That's how we're right now.