Working to Instill Some Hope

By Abigail Beulke

Characters

CYNTHIA RECKIT: A highschool student who’s tried but never

belonged in a friend group. She's been searching her whole life
for a best friend, and this has turned her snappy and
aggravated.

ANGELO DUEPART: A highschool-aged intern at WISH who is

determined to get his clients’ wishes granted. He is quick to
panic though, yet loyal to his internship. He wants to become a
true employee of WISH.

MATTHEW RECKIT: CYNTHIA'S single father. He is supportive of his

daughter but doesn't understand her problem as he was
extroverted and one to always make friends.

WILLIAM FLEMING: A kind man and long-time employee at WISH who

has some words of wisdom for ANGELO. He has seen a lot but
hasn't let it get to him.

Scene 1

Setting: CYNTHIA’S bedroom. Present day. We can see that it is

almost night through a large window. A backpack is hung on the
bedpost, filled with school supplies. A picture of CYNTHIA and
another girl smiling sits on the nightstand by the bed.

AT RISE CYNTHIA is sitting on her bed, her legs dangling to

the floor. Listening to music through a small radio on the
windowsill, she looks deep in thought. Suddenly, her phone
rings, and she picks it up to her ear. We can hear the
other side of the conversation through a FEMALE VOICE.

CYNTHIA
Hey, what’s up?

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FEMALE VOICE (OFF)
(With fake sympathy)
Hey Cynthia! Just wanted to let you know I have to cancel for
tomorrow.

CYNTHIA
(Returning her fake sympathy)
Oh, that's too bad. I was really looking forward to hanging out
with your lying ass!

FEMALE VOICE (OFF)

What the hell are you talking about?

CYNTHIA
(Coldly, with laughter)
I'm not blind. You just don't want to hang out with me. You’ve
canceled nine out of the last ten times I’ve asked, and the one
time we did hang out, you pretended I didn't exist! No, really,
I get it, so consider this goodbye. Won’t miss you.

CYNTHIA hangs up and throws her phone down on her bed with
a huff. CYNTHIA then starts to cry, standing and picking up
the picture on her nightstand. With a wave of sudden anger,
she flings it across the room into the radio, which falls
and stops playing. She sits back on her bed, still
sniffling. After a short while, MATTHEW enters the room. He
looks concerned, and sits next to CYNTHIA and consoles her.

MATTHEW
Hey, are you okay?

CYNTHIA
What do you think? (Pause) I finally got rid of that monster.
You were right, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me.
It still sucks that I have to tell myself that she was a bad
person, you know? I kept telling myself that it was my fault we
didn't meet up, and not hers.

MATTHEW nods.

2
MATTHEW
I'm glad you finally rid yourself of her, and that you finally
realized the truth. You'll find someone. I know it, however long
it takes.

CYNTHIA
(With leftover rage from recent events)
But of course not! You were the popular kid in school, the
football star! Everything and everyone was handed to you!

CYNTHIA stands to face MATTHEW.

MATTHEW
(Keeping his composure)
I'm not saying that wasn't the case. (Pause) I understand where
you're coming from, everyone is different. Times are different.

CYNTHIA
No, you don't! Every time I've tried to make friends, it just
doesn't work out. Every time you've tried to make friends,
everybody wants to be with you!

MATTHEW takes a breath and thinks for a moment. He stands

over CYNTHIA.

MATTHEW
(Exasperated)
So what if I don't understand! Maybe I don't, but I've tried to
help you, and It’s all I can do. Yeah, living all your life
without a “best friend” isn't what happened to me, so I don't
know what to say. But I’ve been trying. Does that get me
nothing? If only your mom was here…

MATTHEW and CYNTHIA look at each other, both shocked.

CYNTHIA gestures to the door.

CYNTHIA
I think I need some time to myself.

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MATTHEW
It all came out- I didn't- (Pause) I love you, Cynthia.

CYNTHIA
I know. But please.

MATTHEW exits slowly, and CYNTHIA lowers her hand. She lays
on her bed, no longer crying. She stares at the ceiling.

CYNTHIA
Can I just have friends? A friend? I've been waiting for all my
life, and I don't know how much longer I can wait. I just wish…
I wish I had a best friend.

CYNTHIA yawns. She gets into her bed and falls asleep.

Curtain

Scene 2

Setting: The WISH office, a few minutes later. The office looks
like any other, filled with cubicles and a water cooler.
However, there is the word WISH in bold letters on the back
wall. A light murmur of office equipment and cordial chatter is
present.

AT RISE ANGELO is sitting in one of the cubicles, clearly

panicking. He is looking for something through the
scattered paperwork on his desk. A desk phone rings, and he
picks it up gingerly.

ANGELO
Hello! Yes, I just got it. (Pause) What do you mean? Of course
not! (Pause) I have it right… here!

ANGELO picks up a piece of paper on the desk, sighing

quietly with relief.

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ANGELO (CONT.)
Cynthia Reckit. Wants a… best friend, right?

ANGELO listens to the phone and furrows his brow.

ANGELO (CONT.)
(With Gusto)
Of course I can do it! Just because I'm new here, I can still
make people's wishes come true! That’s why I chose to take an
internship here, Working to Instill Some Hope!

ANGELO stands and points to the wall that has the word
WISH. ANGELO then hangs up the phone with a flourish. He
seems proud of himself for a glimmering moment, then
crumples back into his chair.

ANGELO (CONT.)
What have I gotten myself into? I can't do this!

After a short pause, WILLIAM enters from off stage and

leans over ANGELO. He clears his throat, and ANGELO sits up
with a jolt.

WILLIAM
First client jitters Mr. Duepart?

ANGELO
Yes, I mean no, Mr. Fleming. I-

WILLIAM
Please, call me William. It’s only Mr. Fleming when the boss is
around.

WILLIAM chuckles and ANGELO joins hesitantly.

WILLIAM (CONT.)
What should I call you then?

ANGELO

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Angelo.

WILLIAM puts his hand out to ANGELO, and he shakes it.

WILLIAM
Alright, Angelo. I would say welcome to WISH, but you’ve
probably heard that enough times already. Let's see your first.
I can still remember mine…

ANGELO hands WILLIAM the paper, and WILLAN reads it over

while ANGELO looks at him with panic in his eyes.

WILLIAM (CONT.)
(With mild surprise)
Big one for your first. How did you manage to get this? Who did
you impress… or tick off?

ANGELO
It’s just because I'm some new intern, they think that they can
give me impossible clients. I don't even know where to start!

ANGELO throws his hands in the air, and WILLIAM puts his
hand on ANGELO’S shoulder with a smile.

WILLIAM
Calm down. Your first client always seems impossible. Although,
a best friend?

WILLIAM trills his lips and ANGELO puts his head in his
hands.

ANGELO
(With a groan)
See! Even you can't think of how to start, and you've been here
for years. You're saying I'm doomed!

WILLIAM
I never said that. I've seen you running around the office with
coffee, taking everyones’ crazy orders. You were the one who

6
took the blame when the printer jammed, and you took it without
any strife. You were the one mopping the bathrooms, which I
thank you for. (He smiles. Pause) A lot of people would have
just up and quit with all the busy work they put you through.
But you've gone through all of this, to finally get your first
client!

WILLIAM shakes the paper at ANGELO.

WILLIAM (CONT.)
It’s what you've wanted from day one. I can still see you,
big-eyed, walking into the office for the first time. And now,
just because it's a little harder than you thought, you're going
to give up?

There is a short silence.

ANGELO
Thank you Mr. Fleming- William, You’re right. But how do I even
start?

WILLIAM
You’ll figure it out. I know.

ANGELO
(Smiling)
Yeah. I will.

WILLIAM exits, and ANGELO turns in his chair to his desk

and starts writing something down.

Curtain

Scene 3

Setting: The entrance to a high school, early the next day.

There are a few benches and a trash can next to a sign that
reads WELCOME TO LAKEWOOD RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL and another that

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reads BUS STOP. A few students and teachers walk in the
background, in each direction.

AT RISE CYNTHIA and MATTHEW enter. MATTHEW grabs CYNTHIA's

hand and turns her around. He looks at her for a second
before speaking.

MATTHEW
Have a good day at school, okay? Thanks again for letting me
drop you off so early.

CYNTHIA
(Dryly)
Yeah, no worries. I'll see you tonight.

MATTHEW
Do you-

CYNTHIA
(Cutting him off)
Yes, I have enough money to get home on the bus.

MATTHEW
I love you, Cynthia.

CYNTHIA
(Not listening)
Mhm. Love you too.

MATTHEW exits and CYNTHIA takes off the backpack she was
wearing and sits on a bench. She sighs and checks her
watch, then takes out her phone. After a short while,
ANGELO enters, wearing an oversized hoodie and baseball
cap, which he holds over his face. He sits at the bench
farthest from CYNTHIA. She doesn't notice him, and he
relaxes. He takes out a notebook and starts writing
something down, glancing at CYNTHIA periodically. After
some time, ANGELO and CYNTHIA lock eyes, and she crosses to
him. ANGELO stands and walks away from her quickly.

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CYNTHIA
Hey! I haven't seen you around before. Are you new to Lakewood
Ridge?

ANGELO stops but doesn’t face CYNTHIA.

ANGELO
(Hesitantly)
Yes. I'm new to the school.

CYNTHIA
Well, I would say welcome, but really, I should say good luck.
See you when I see you, I guess.

CYNTHIA starts to leave. ANGELO thinks for a moment, then

whips around.

ANGELO
(Gaining confidence)
Hey, actually, can you show me around? This place is so big.

CYNTHIA stops and turns around to face ANGELO. ANGELO takes

off his hood and hat underneath.

CYNTHIA
Oh, sure.

CYNTHIA motions to one of the benches and they sit next to

each other.

ANGELO
Thanks, Cynthia.

CYNTHIA
(Confused)
I never told you my name.

ANGELO

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(Flustered)
I- I saw it on your backpack. Names’ Angelo.

ANGELO and CYNTHIA sit in uncomfortable silence.

ANGELO (CONT.)
(Suddenly, trying to change the subject)
Anyway, do you have any tips for me to “survive?”

CYNTHIA pulls a binder from her backpack and opens it.

CYNTHIA
Well, Angelo, this is my schedule, yours will probably be
similar. Pray to God that you don’t get Mr. Hasenbern, he’s a
massive stickler for perfection. Ms. Kieler might seem mean, but
she’s actually a nice person…

CYNTHIA freezes and ANGELO stands. He is still for a

moment, then starts to panic.

ANGELO
No, No, no! I’m in so much trouble. Being spotted and lying?
This is going to be my first then last job! I can’t do this! I’m
done for!

ANGELO paces for a few moments, and we can hear WILLIAM.

WILLIAM (OFF)
And now, just because it's a little harder than you thought,
you're going to give up?

ANGELO
(Taking deep breaths)
Right. Right, I can do this. I can do this. Yeah, Yeah!

ANGELO sits back down.

CYNTHIA
(Resuming)

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…Whatever you do, don’t get on Mr. Lorbarth’s bad side, he has
favorites and you will hate life if you are not one of them.

ANGELO
(Distracted)
Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.

The toll of a bell is heard.

CYNTHIA
(Standing)
Well, you’re going to hear that a lot. You should head to the
admissions office to get your schedule. I’ll see you around,
Angelo.

ANGELO
(Also standing, Writing something down)
Here, take my number. I still have a few more questions, but
don’t want to take any more of your time.

ANGELO tears off a piece of paper from his notebook and

hands it to CYNTHIA. She takes it with a smile.

CYNTHIA
(Pointing)
I’ll call you when I’m home. The admissions office is down
there.

CYNTHIA exits. Angelo looks to where CYNTHIA pointed. He

takes a step, then stops.

ANGELO
(To himself)
Not a student!

ANGELO turns and exits in the opposite direction.

Curtain

11
 Scene 4

Setting: The WISH office, a few hours later. There is also

CYNTHIA’S bedroom next to it. Lights are focused on the WISH
office.

AT RISE CYNTHIA is sitting on her bed, doing homework.

ANGELO is sitting back in his cubicle, his desk now
organized. He looks to be reading something. WILLIAM enters
the office and crosses to ANGELO, who looks up at him.

WILLIAM
So how did it go?

ANGELO
(Wearily)
Well, I mean it was going well…

WILLIAM nods his head encouragingly.

ANGELO (CONT.)
…until it didn’t.

ANGELO stands and looks over the cubicle’s walls.

Satisfied, he sits and motions for WILLIAM to do the same.

ANGELO
(Rubbing his face)
I messed up. Not only did I come face to face with the client,
but I also had to lie to not arouse any suspicion. Double
whammy! I’m going to get fired and…

WILLIAM
Don’t beat yourself up. People make mistakes! My first jobs were
all messes. But look, I’m still here. You know why?

ANGELO doesn't respond.

WILLIAM (CONT.)

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(Grabbing ANGELO’S Shoulder)
I made up for them by finishing what I started and completing
the job.

ANGELO looks at WILLIAM with doubt.

WILLIAM (CONT.)
(His voice quiet)
No one knows this, but the higher-ups don’t care, as long as the
clients are happy and we’re not found out.

ANGELO
(Sitting up, defeated)
Don’t be ridiculous! I should just start packing my things.

WILLIAM
(Matter-of-factly)
I’m not playing you. I’m a professional deep-sea diver in
Scotland.

ANGELO
The hell you’re not!

All is still for a second, then ANGELO realizes something.

He stands with a smile. WILLIAM nods at him.

WILLIAM
Hell, I’m one of the reasons the rules are put there. I was a
bit more wild in the past.

ANGELO
You, wild? Please.

WILLIAM innocently shrugs, smiling, Lights move to CYNTHIA

as she finishes her homework. She puts her things away in
her backpack and stands. She opens the door out of her room
and pokes her head out. Seeing nothing, she steps back in
and closes the door. She picks up her phone and unfolds a

13
 paper from her pocket. She dials a number and puts her
phone to her ear. The desk phone at the WISH office rings.

WILLIAM
Someone’s needed. (Jokingly) Is it the boss going to fire you?

ANGELO
(Not amused)
Not funny.

ANGELO looks confused as he picks up the phone.

ANGELO (CONT.)
Hello? This is Mr. Duepart.

CYNTHIA
Oh, hello Mr. Duepart. Is your son Angelo around? He gave me
this number.

ANGELO
(Flustered)
Oh, hi Cynthia! It’s Angelo. Glad you called.

WILLAM, hearing this, motions to ANGELO and starts to exit.

WILLIAM
I’ll leave you two alone.

CYNTHIA
Sorry I called you so late, turns out I had a lot more homework
than I thought. You said this morning you still had some
questions?

ANGELO
(Dismissive)
Yeah, I did. But, it was nothing major, just stupid stuff…
You're probably busy, I’ll go.

CYNTHIA

14
Well, like I said, I am done with my homework. If you're not
busy, maybe we could just hang out?

ANGELO
Yeah, I'm free. Only if that's okay with you.

CYNTHIA
(Laughing)
Yes. It’s okay with me.

ANGELO takes a quiet sigh of relief.

CYNTHIA (CONT.)
So before Lakewood Ridge, where did you go to school?

ANGELO
(Scrambling)
Hell.

CYNTHIA
(With a small laugh)
Then you’ll fit right in.

ANGELO
What's so bad about it anyway?

CYNTHIA
Oh, it just sucks your soul, y’know? Each day it gets worse and
worse. Sure, some good things come from it, though nothing to
make it worthwhile. And the worst part is, you know it could be
better, but can’t do anything to fix it.

ANGELO goes to say something. A car can be heard.

CYNTHIA (CONT.)
(Cutting him off)
Hold on, I think my dad’s home.

15
 CYNTHIA puts the phone on her bed and stands. MATTHEW
enters and knocks on CYNTHIA'S door.

MATTHEW
Hey honey, I'm home. It’s pretty late, do you want me to make
dinner?

CYNTHIA
Sure, sounds good. (Pause) I still have some homework to do.

MATTHEW
Be down in about an hour. Love you.

CYNTHIA doesn't respond. CYNTHIA moves back to her bed and

they continue their conversation quietly. MATTHEW lingers
at the door.

MATTHEW (CONT.)
Oh, Cynthia, I would move the world for you to be happy. I would
do anything for you! Life’s given you a terrible hand right now,
and I know it sucks. Can you just pull through? For me, for the
future, for you.

MATTHEW slumps to the ground.

MATTHEW (CONT.)
(Disheveled)
I know you think that I don't understand, but I’ve tried! Have I
not? I know that life has sucked, and you’ve held up really
well. Just a few more years. Just a few more years. Just a few
more. Please.

MATTHEW stands somberly and exits.

ANGELO
(Still on the phone, laughing)
Well, it was great talking to you.

CYNTHIA

16
(Smiling)
Yeah, it was. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.

ANGELO
Sounds fun.

CYNTHIA
(With a small laugh)
Don’t get your hopes up.

ANGELO
Hey, I gotta go. Dinner.

ANGELO hangs up the phone. Lights fade on CYNTHIA. ANGELO

exits. After a moment, WILLAM enters, looking for ANGELO.

WILLIAM
(To himself)
What has this kid got himself into?

Curtain

Scene 5

Setting: The entrance to a high school, early the next day.

AT RISE CYNTHIA is sitting at one of the benches, visibly

happy. She looks around for something. ANGELO hurriedly
enters, sitting next to her.

CYNTHIA
(Smiling)
There you are. Not a good idea to be late on your second day.

ANGELO
(Rubbing the back of his neck, nervous)
Yeah, sorry about that, the admissions office had a really hard
time finding my name.

17
CYNTHIA
That sounds about right. I swear, the staff are just sloths
wearing suits and dresses.

They both laugh.

ANGELO
(Turning to face her)
Hey, I never asked, where did you go before Lakewood Ridge?

CYNTHIA
Oh, I moved from out of state, so just a middle school from
there.

ANGELO
Wow, why did you move?

CYNTHIA
(Sighing)
Can I lay something on you? We haven't really known each other
for a long time, but I can tell that you're a nice guy. I
understand if not.

ANGELO
(Sitting up)
Yeah, of course. Anything.

CYNTHIA
(Tearing a Little)
We moved because elementary school sucked. I just didn't fit in,
and I didn't really have any friends. Middle school was supposed
to be better, but it wasn't. There were people I hung out with,
sure, but it was nothing that worked. High school was supposed
to be my first good year, but that didn't happen. Then when my
mom died… We moved here.

ANGELO
Oh, No. I’m so sorry to hear that.

18
CYNTHIA
(Wiping a tear)
Sorry, I didn't mean to put that on you. You didn’t need to hear
that. Life’s kinda sucked for a long time now, and my dad can
only do so much…

ANGELO
No, no. It's okay.

CYNTHIA
(Nodding)
Yeah, it is.

ANGELO
I'm sorry about your troubles with school in the past. I kinda
understand. I was always one to be shy, so I never really had
any friends ethier.

CYNTHIA
(Scowling)
You’re not shy!

ANGELO
You think that?

CYNTHIA
I know it. You were the one to reach out to me for help, after
all.

ANGELO
Yeah, I guess so.

CYNTHIA
Thanks for letting me vent. You’ve done a lot for me. I should
be paying you!

ANGELO
Oh, don’t be ridiculous… Anyway, I’m finally a student of
Lakewood Ridge, that’s good right?

19
CYNTHIA
Please. Let’s see your schedule.

ANGELO takes a piece of paper out of his pocket and hands

it to CYNTHIA, who reads it over. She looks confused for a
second, then pulls out a paper from her backpack.

CYNTHIA (CONT.)
(Surprised)
Would you look at that! We have all the same teachers. What are
the chances?

ANGELO
(Nervous)
Yeah… Crazy…

CYNTHIA
Sure gonna be seeing each other a lot. Well, I guess I'm glad I
ran into you.

ANGELO
Me too.

Curtain

Scene 6

Setting: CYNTHIA’S bedroom, later that day.

AT RISE CYNTHIA is sitting on her bed, doing homework.

MATTHEW enters.

CYNTHIA
(Sarcastically)
Not going to knock?

MATTHEW
Sorry. Just wanted to ask you how your day of school was.

20
CYNTHIA
(Dryly)
Yeah… it was fine.

MATTHEW
Right.

MATTHEW turns to exit.

CYNTHIA
Someone new came to school yesterday. Name’s Angelo.

MATTHEW stops and looks back at CYNTHIA.

MATTHEW
Oh yeah? Did you get to talk to him?

CYNTHIA
Yeah, I guess. He’s okay.

MATTHEW
Does he have any siblings?

CYNTHIA
I don’t know! Why would I ask him that?

MATTHEW
(A little hurt)
Alright, then. Did you guys hang out at all?

MATTHEW sits next to CYNTHIA. She loosens.

CYNTHIA
…Yeah. We talked about our pasts, and school.

MATTHEW
That’s nice. Did you get his number?

21
CYNTHIA
Yeah actually. He wanted to ask me some questions, he’s kinda
weird in that way.

MATHHEW
What do you mean “weird in that way”?

CYNTHIA
(Staring into medium distance, smiling)
He said this morning that he was shy, but I would say quite the
opposite. He kinda had this face… it makes you trust him. I- I
talked about Mom with him. I don’t know why, it just kinda came
out.

MATTHEW
He sounds like a great guy.

MATTHEW stands.

CYNTHIA
(Realizing something)
Yeah, I guess it sounds like that.

MATHHEW
I’m sorry, should have asked if you were busy, I’m sorry I
walked in.

CYNTHIA
(Smiling)
It’s okay. I love you.

MATTHEW
I love you too. More than you will ever know.

MATTHEW exits the room and closes the door behind him. He
jumps and punches the air quietly, then exits.

Curtain

22
 Scene 7

Setting: The WISH office, a few minutes later.

AT RISE ANGELO is sitting in one of the cubicles, writing

something down. WILLIAM enters. ANGELO turns his chair to
look at him.

ANGELO
(Joyus)
Consider my first client satisfied!

WILLIAM
Congratulations! Who did you find? An old classmate? A neighbor?

ANGELO
Nope.

WILLIAM
Who?

ANGELO
You’re looking at him.

WILLIAM
What?

ANGELO
Turns out Cynthia is really a good person, just a little
misunderstood, and just needed to meet the right guy.

ANGLEO gestures to himself.

ANGLEO (CONT.)
…Also, I realized that I've been working myself to the bone
here, and haven't had any real time to bond with someone else
than HR. I still have my whole life in front of me!

WILLIAM

23
(Inquisitively)
Where are you going with this?

ANGELO hands WILLIAM the paper on his desk. WILLAM reads

it, surprised.

WILLIAM (CONT.)
You’re resigning? I just put a good word in for you! You were
going to be hired! This was your dream, dare I say, your wish to
be working here!

ANGELO
So what about a wish? What if my wish to work here isn’t my wish
anymore, what then?

WILLIAM
Not like this! Everything had been going perfect. All to plan!

ANGELO
What do you mean?

WILLIAM
Well, you did say that you wished to work here…

ANGELO
(Finishing his sentence)
…And someone was tasked with granting it. You!

WILLIAM
But, it's my duty to grant your wish, and if it has fulfilled,
well I guess it means I'm done here?

WILLIAM starts to exit.

ANGELO
Wait.

WILLIAM turns.

24
ANGELO(CONT.)
Thank you.

WILLIAM
(Winking)
I think you need to thank yourself.

THE END

25