Take The Leap

Chapter 2: Back Home

Scene 1:

It's the next morning in our universe. Lynn just woke up.

Lynn: This feels better than sand.

[She doesn't realize her roommate, Stacy, is already up]

Stacy: Yeah. Why the fuck wouldn't it be better than sand?

Lynn: Shit! Jesus, Stacy.

Stacy: Where were you last night?

Lynn: Look, that's none of your business.

Stacy: You came after curfew.

Lynn: You heard me coming?

Stacy: Yep. I couldn't sleep, and you're not a very good tiptoer. And then you disappeared in the middle of the night.

Lynn: ... I disappeared?

Stacy: Yeah. I looked at your bed, and you weren't there. Where were you?

Lynn: I... Went to the bathroom.

Stacy: I didn't hear you getting up.

Lynn: Guess I am a good tiptoer, after all.

Stacy: You were gone for hours. I don't know what it is, but there's something weird going on with you.

Lynn: Whatever. I don't owe you an explanation, Stacy. Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna have some breakfast... (under her breath) Not that I want to. I'm really not hungry.

Scene 2:

Kaz just woke up.

Kaz: So that was quite the experience... What if it were all just an elaborate dream from my subconscious?... (touches his pocket) And those are gold bars. Holy shit, it was real.

[He gets up, and goes to the kitchen. Mom, dad and Lars are there. None of them look happy]

Dad: Well, look who decided to show up.

Kaz: Good morning, I guess.

Mom: Oh, not for you, young man. The principal called last night.

Kaz: Oh, no.

Mom: You're grounded. You're not leaving the house today.

Kaz: But mom!

Dad: Don't argue with your mother, Kaz.

Kaz: But I don't wanna stay here, all alone.

Mom: Oh. It's a good thing you're not gonna be alone. Lars is grounded as well.

Kaz: ... Wait, what?

Lars: I also got suspended yesterday, for sending some classmates to the nurse's office.

Kaz: You're such a copycat.

Lars: Oh, shut up.

Dad: Enough. Both of you!

Kaz: Mom, dad, you guys can't do this. Remember the pandemic, 3 years ago? You guys said it was a tragedy that we were locked at home, and kids like us really needed to spend time outside. Why can't you punish us some other way?

Dad: That's ridi... No, wait, kid's got a point.

Mom: Oh, balls! What do I do with you two, then?

Dad: They could do all the chores around the house.

Lars: Yeah. That seems reasonable.

Mom: Yeah right. There's two of them. They'd finish the chores in no time.