Nancy and A.E enter. The house has an open layout with archways instead of doors. Antique wallpaper and landscape pictures cover the walls.
Everywhere is spotless.
NANCY
Grandma, I'm home!
Nancy and A.E walk into the living room. There is an antique couch and armchair, with an old box-television switched off in the far corner and a gramophone in the other. The bookcases either side of the fireplace are full with old hardback books.
A wood-fire is burning gently.
GRANDMA enters, wearing a long silk nightie and thick dressing-gown, with her grey hair in a bun and half-moon spectacles.
She stands awkwardly as Nancy puts her bag down and goes to sit in the armchair.
GRANDMA
Nancy?
NANCY
(turning to face her)
Yes?
GRANDMA
When was your last period? Because I haven't seen any of your sanitary towels in a while.
Nancy frowns.
A.E
(irritated)
We've not even sat down yet!
NANCY
I don't think that's any of your business...
Pause.
Grandma wrings her hands, preparing to ask her next question. Nancy sees this and shuffles nervously.
GRANDMA
Nothing's happened with a man, has it?
Nancy and A.E stare at Grandma with gaping mouths, speechless.
A.E breaks the silence first.
A.E
(to Nancy)
Tell her we're lesbians.
NANCY
I'm not even going to dignify that with a response.
GRANDMA
Because that might explain why you've been gaining weight recently.
A.E
Right! That's it!
A.E storms out, re-entering holding a large frying-pan. She raises it above her head as she comes up behind Grandma, about to swing.
Suddenly, Grandma turns–A.E ducks out of sight just in time-and walks towards a bureau, completely oblivious. She opens the top cabinet and she pulls out various leaflets that she holds out to Nancy.
GRANDMA
I got you some leaflets on contraception and the male reproductive system. I think you should read them very carefully.
A.E sits on the floor and puts her head in her hands with a groan of embarrassment. Nancy doesn't take the leaflets.
NANCY
Grandma, I'll say this once: I am still a virgin. Not that it's anything to do with you–but when I'm not, would you like to know all the details?
A.E looks at Nancy with raised eyebrows, both surprised and impressed.
GRANDMA
(obstinately)
Fine, but if you gain any more weight, I'm taking you to the doctors for a pregnancy test.
A.E NANCY
We're not pregnant! I've not been gaining weight!
Nancy runs out the room and up the stairs. Grandma looks at the leaflets in her hands, before casting her gaze upwards towards the ceiling with sorrowful regret. Behind her, A.E rises and follows Nancy, with the frying-pan.
A moment later, a door slams.
DISSOLVE TO:
YOU ARE READING
Alter Ego
General FictionMy first screenplay and my part of my A Level Film Studies coursework, for which I received an A: In a world where she feels utterly alone, high-school girl Nancy must realize everything will always seem against her if she can't learn to accept hers...
