Four Heart, One Roof

One: The Mix-Up

[Scene: A sunny afternoon in late August. The exterior of a modest apartment building in a college town. Four young men approach from different directions, each carrying suitcases and boxes.]

Aiden: (muttering to himself, clutching a potted plant) Apartment 4B... 4B... Oh, this must be it.

Marcus: (approaching confidently, sunglasses on) Hey there! You moving into 4B too?

Aiden: (startled) Oh! Um, yes. I'm Aiden. Nice to meet you.

Marcus: Aiden. Looks like we're roommates! Need a hand with that plant?

Aiden: (blushing slightly) Thanks, I've got it. It's my lucky bamboo.

[Leo approaches, carrying a neatly organized box]

Leo: Excuse me, is this 4B? I'm Leo, I should be moving in today.

Marcus: (confused) Wait, you too? I thought it was just me and Aiden here.

Leo: (frowning) That's odd. The housing office specifically said—

[Jace saunters up, guitar case slung over his shoulder]

Jace: Yo! This the party for 4B? I'm Jace, your new roomie!

Aiden: (eyes widening) Um, how many roommates are supposed to be here?

Marcus: (laughs nervously) Yeah, this is getting a bit crowded.

Leo: (sighing) I think we need to call the housing office.

[They all fumble for their phones]

Jace: (grinning) Or we could rock-paper-scissors for the rooms?

[The others stare at him]

Jace: (shrugging) Just a thought.

[Cut to: Interior of the apartment. It's a decent-sized space, but clearly not meant for four people. The boys are crowded in the living room with their belongings.]

Housing Office (on speakerphone): I'm so sorry for the confusion. It seems there was a glitch in our system, and all four of you were assigned to the same apartment.

Marcus: (exasperated) So what do we do now? Sleep in shifts?

Housing Office: Unfortunately, all other units are fully booked. The best we can offer is a discount on your rent if you're willing to make this work for a semester. We'll prioritize finding alternative arrangements, but it might take some time.

[The call ends. The four look at each other uncertainly.]

Leo: (pragmatically) Well, I suppose we could make it work temporarily. There are two bedrooms, we could share.

Aiden: (quietly) I don't mind sharing. I'm a quiet sleeper.

Jace: (enthusiastically) Dude, it'll be like one big slumber party! I call top bunk!

Marcus: (sighing) There aren't any bunk beds, Jace.

Jace: (undeterred) Details, details. We can build some!

[They start to explore the apartment]

Leo: The kitchen is quite nice, actually. I enjoy cooking, so that's a plus.

Marcus: Dibs on taste-testing everything you make!

Aiden: (shyly) I could set up a small art studio in the corner of the living room if that's okay with everyone?

Jace: Only if you paint me like one of your French girls, Aiden.

[Aiden blushes furiously, Marcus laughs, and Leo looks confused]