Drama

CHAPTER ONE

THE CALL BOARD

Welcome to a new school year at the NYC Madison Whitney School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Orientation will begin promptly at 8:00 A.M. Review your code of conduct bylaws and sign the commitment form found at the back of your orientation book. No student will be permitted to attend any artistic curriculum classes without this signed form on file. Have great school year!

Madison Whitney School Code of Conduct

Bylaw I. Dress Code - Section One
In order to enhance that artistically enriched environment created at the Madison Whitney School, the uniform dress code enforced throughout previous school years is no longer in effect. Parents and members of the board of directors are of the opinion that students have a right to freedom of expression in their clothing choices. However, the MWS administration expects students to adhere to a strict standard of personal decorum in their choice of attire, practicing both discretion and taste.

Liz Strenton stomped down the aisle of the MWS auditorium in spiked heel vintage books. Her khaki skirt was an upcycled mocking of the dress code so despised by all the students in previous years. She'd had the dowdy, pleated uniform piece cut into an ultra-mini with the edges excessively frayed. A plain black skinny tee and vintage sixties sunglasses tangled in her golden-red hair completed the outfit. It was viciously retro-chic, and when many heads of the students gathered in the auditorium for orientation turned to take in her confident march into their midst, Liz's message was clear: Dress code bylaws be damned. Discretion is optional. Taste is essential.

Bylaw I. Dress Code - Section Two
Officially issued school name badges must be worn by students, faculty, and visitors at all times while on MWS property.

Liz's name badge was at home, hanging from the mirror atop her heavy antique bureau, where it had been since she'd received it as an incoming freshman, two years prior. Some of the anxious looking freshmen this year sat in their designated section, nervously fingering the stiff plastic tags that hung from nylon lariats around their necks. Liz cast them a general look of disdain; the pitiful little balls of enthusiasm and delusion wore those badges like some lame "hello, my name is..." sticker. As if anyone cares what their names are, anyway.

Bylaw II. Personal Etiquette - Section Four - Public Displays of Affection
Students will not engage in any public displays of affection while on MWS property. Kissing, excessive hugging, inappropriate touching, and suggestive comments will not be tolerated.

Liz approached a row of seats in the elite Junior Class section where she spotted her two best friends, Carly Rusk and Alex Rodriguez.

"Baby doll!" Alex cried, jumping up and laying a sloppy kiss square on Liz's berry stained lips. He stood to let her squeeze by, pausing for a moment for her to admire his pink striped Polo and his skinny jeans that were at least one size too small and clearly not made for men.

"Wow, Alex," laughed Liz, running a teasing hand across his chest. "Damn my luck that you don't like girls, you sexy piece."

"Piece of what, exactly?" Alex asked, feigning ignorance.

Liz bent down to Carly, kissing both of her cheeks and then wincing as Alex pinched her elevated rear.

"Someone did their yoga over the summer," he laughed.

"Pervert," mumbled Carly, slapping him playfully. "I swear I'll never understand you drama people and your total lack of boundaries."

"Oh yeah, because the dance department is a perfect bastion of chastity and moral rectitude, I'm sure," Alex quipped.