Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

HeadphonesAndLuck's Short Story

The Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

FALL IN LOVE THIS QUARANTINE: A Sweet Mock Trial

ACT ONE, SCENE ONE

372A HIGH STREET

The living room with furniture arranged to resemble a courtroom. Two study tables with papers scattered are facing the sofa, and in each, two kitchen chairs. On the sofa, in his full court attire, robes, and gavel, sits the judge, FORSETI. In front of him stands EDWARD DACE, eyes wide in disbelief.

EDWARD: (Internal monologue) A year and seven months into quarantine and everyone has completely lost their plot.

FORSETI: (Bangs gavel) Case dismissed.

EDWARD DACE flinches as the sound of the gavel fills the living room with dread and defeat.

EDWARD: (Mutters) I can't believe I lost my first case.

••• SEVEN-MINUTE SEMBLANCE •••

ACT ONE, SCENE TWO

372A HIGH STREET

Twelve hours ago, 7 o'clock in the morning. EDWARD wakes up to the sound of porcelain and glass being broken and shattered from the kitchen. He immediately jumps out of bed and rushes downstairs, his glasses askew on his face.

He encounters JOYEUSE at the foot of the staircase, watching the commotion with glee. LANCE and ARTHUR are fighting in the kitchen, screaming at each other's faces. FUTHARK tries to calm them down.

JOYEUSE (sipping his coffee): They've been at it for fifteen minutes now.

EDWARD: Anong nangyari?

JOYEUSE: Arthur accused Lance of finishing and throwing his jar of Nutella away.

EDWARD: And they're screaming at each other's faces because of that?

JOYEUSE: I have another reason in mind, Edward, but you're too young and innocent for it.

FUTHARK (storming out of the kitchen): Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ba sinusubukang awatin ang dalawang 'yon, matanda na sila!

JOYEUSE: Yeah, I don't even know why you're trying. Those two just need a time alone.

FUTHARK: Anong ibig mong sabihin?

JOYEUSE: It's a year and a half since we've been put into quarantine. I think they're suffocated.

EDWARD: With your presence? I get that.

JOYEUSE kicks Edward's knees.

FUTHARK: Pagkaalis nilang dalawa sa kusina, ipaghahanda ko na kayo ng agahan.

LANCE (walking out from the kitchen): Somebody knock some sense into Arthur's head and tell him I didn't touch any of his sweets.

JOYEUSE (with a mischievous grin): Not happening.

ARTHUR (following Lance): If you admitted that you ate my Nutella and buy me another one, I'd forgive all three hundred of the annoying things you did this year and last year.

LANCE (in disbelief): Now you're counting all the annoying things I do?

ARTHUR: I have REALLY good memory.

LANCE: Oh yeah? Sue me.

ARTHUR (stepping closer towards LANCE in a threatening tone): Oh, I will sue you.