Vega

            We hear the scratching of pen along paper. A little girl’s humming can be heard. She is YOUNG HEIDI.

            HEIDI (N.)

            I was twelve when I created… well…

            A magical poor can be heard, along with YOUNG HEIDI’S gasp.

VEGA (N.)

            You can say my name, Heidi.

HEIDI (N.)

Fine. World? Meet Vega.

VEGA (N.)

Also known as, the fun one.

HEIDI (N.)

Oh, really? Then why don’t you tell this story?

A shove can be heard.

VEGA (N.)

Will do! But,.. yes, I am Vega.

In the scene, we hear YOUNG HEIDI speak.

YOUNG HEIDI

Wow! A friend!

VEGA (N.)

Yeah.. she wasn’t very popular.

VEGA (I.S)

Yep, and the very best! Let’s go on an adventure!

The sounds of two feet can be heard running off.

VEGA (N.)

I’ve been a general…

The sounds of war can be heard.

VEGA (N.)

A vampire hunter…

Organ music can be heard along with a hissing noise, presumably of a vampire slain.

VEGA (N.)

And… sometimes… a distraction…

A male and female voice can be heard arguing…. Loudly. Young Heidi’s voice can be heard crying quietly.

VEGA (I.S)

Want to go on an adventure?

YOUNG HEIDI
Will this ever get better?

VEGA (I.S.)

Sure it will!

VEGA (N.)

Okay, I wasn’t lying. I did think it would get better. I truly thought it would. I didn’t expect Daddio to go running after some pretty face.

The sound of a car squealing out is heard.

VEGA (N.)

Okay… it wasn’t exactly like that. But it felt like it was. This is when the trouble started. She started talking to boys older than her…

VEGA (I.S)

Hey… is this safe?

YOUNG HEIDI

You’re gonna stop me?

VEGA (I.S)

Well… no… but… just be careful I guess….

VEGA (N.)

Yeah… I shouldn’t be a babysitter.

A new groovy soundtrack can be heard, along with coughing.

VEGA (I.S)

Whoa there… is that…?

YOUNG HEIDI

Pot? Yes. You have a problem?

VEGA (I.S)

Look, I let you get away with a lot. This seems a little grown up, don’t you think?

YOUNG HEIDI

Well it’s with Devin, and Mom isn’t stopping me.

VEGA (N.)

Yeah… Mom was checked out. And Devin was only trying to feel better. I mean, he was being a bad example, but he was trying to feel better.

A new gulping sound is apparent.

VEGA (I.S)

WHOA! Put that down.

YOUNG HEIDI

It’s just-

VEGA (I.S.)

It’s vodka. Mom’s vodka. She’ll kick your ass-

YOUNG HEIDI

What? Are you gonna tell?

VEGA (N.)

Yeah, she likes to rub that in my face  a lot. But she did get caught, and that did put a stop to that, for then.

A birthday tune.

VEGA (N.)

Then… Mom let loose on Heidi’s eighteenth birthday.

MOM

Heidi… look, just keep it in the house, okay?

VEGA (I.S)

WHAT?? MOM!

(Now Adult)  HEIDI

(ignoring Vega)

Thanks!

VEGA (N.)

Yeah, thanks Mom. Heidi was consistently high for three years straight. Three. That was… until Rose.

As soon as ROSE is mentioned, harp music appears.

VEGA (N.)

I mean… Heidi forgot about me. It was fine. I passed the time. My comedy career was nonexistent though.

Silence.

VEGA (N.)

What? No laughs? Fine..But… it felt nice. I wasn’t needed. She had Rose… and the cats.

A meow can be heard.

VEGA (N.)

Well… had.

A shattering noise.

VEGA (N.)

Two and a half years. An engagement. Down the drain. Heidi had already went to the mental hospital twice that year, and now this? I should’ve stayed by Heidi’s side more…

VEGA (I.S)

Uh… hey…

HEIDI

(audibly drunk)

What?

VEGA (I.S)

(concerned)

You doing okay?

HEIDI

What does it look like?

VEGA (I.S.)

Oookay. So that’s a no.

HEIDI

Why are you here?

VEGA (I.S)

I just wanted to help…

HEIDI

Yeah… sure. Help.

VEGA (I.S)

I mean… I know you’re hurting…. But there are other fish in the sea-- What are you doing?

HEIDI

(short)

Texting.

VEGA (I.S)

But why are you saying goodbye?... Heidi?... Look--- PUT THAT DOWN. You’re not thinking straight.

VEGA (N.)

I was always glad I was imaginary… until then. She’s done this before… but this time seemed final.

VEGA (I.S.)

HEIDI! Listen to me! This isn’t the end! Please!! HEIDI?

(guttural screaming)

HELP! PLEASE, SOMEBODY!

VEGA (N.)

(somber)

I tried to hit the walls… no sound. No one but Heidi could hear me… and she was already so far away.

But, we were saved.

A knock on the door is loud and commanding.

VEGA (N.)

I’m so fucking glad for cops.

Sirens are heard.

HEIDI (N.)

I’m glad they stopped me.

VEGA (N.)

But why didn’t you listen to me?

HEIDI

When you’re that far gone… you don’t hear.

VEGA (N.)

You fucking owe me. You scared me.

HEIDI (N.)

(a bit dejected)

I guess… I guess I didn’t realize.

VEGA (N.)

Heidi… I love you. I care about you, okay? So we have new rules. No drinking. No smoking. We are gonna get you out of this.

HEIDI

Thanks.

HEIDI & VEGA

I love you. 

FIN