Directed by Melissa Haines

Featuring Kelli Crump and Maryssa Wanlass

It’s after midnight on July 14, 1977. New York City is in the midst of a blackout. Michelle’s alone andrestless. Her apartment is lit with a lantern. A siren blares outside. Amy pounds on her door. She cautiously approaches, grabbing a shoe to use as a weapon.

MICHELLE: Who is it?
AMY: It’s Amy. I’m so glad you’re home!
MICHELLE: I don’t know anyone named Amy.
AMY: I live downstairs – apartment B. I’m usually wearing a tie and vest. Baggy pants, big hats.
MICHELLE: Oh, yeah. Sorry, I thought your name was Annie.
(Michelle opens the door and Amy bursts past her. She’s holding a cardboard box with holes on
the side)
AMY: Thanks! Michelle, right? I’m completely freaking out!
(Amy quickly settles in as though she lives there)
MICHELLE: Uh, please make yourself at home.
AMY: This blackout has me terrified, especially with Son of Sam on the loose. And the batteries in my
flashlight just died. Did I wake you?
MICHELLE: Who could sleep in this heat? I bet most of the city won’t rest until the power’s back on.
AMY: I don’t mind the heat. It’s looters and vandals I’m worried about.
MICHELLE: People are going crazy out there. I got a call from my sister in Bronx. She said a Pontiac
dealership got looted.
AMY: That’s awful! Wait, she called you? Aren’t the phone lines down?
MICHELLE: No, just the electricity.
AMY: That’s a relief! My phone rang but I was afraid to answer. I thought…this is embarrassing.
MICHELLE: You don’t have to tell me if you-
AMY: I thought it was a ghost! My grandma died during the last blackout in ’65. I owe her money, figured
she was calling to collect.
MICHELLE: I don’t believe in ghosts but anything’s possible, I guess. Not sure how she’d pick up phone,
being transparent and all.
AMY: Of course! Jeez, why didn’t I think of that? I’m such a spaz.
MICHELLE: Hey, don’t be hard on yourself. You just gotta keep on truckin’, you know.
AMY: I do, I do. Thanks for letting me hang. I’m so tense right now.
MICHELLE: Do you want some weed? A joint usually calms me down.
AMY: I’m already pretty stoned. It’s only heightened my paranoia.
MICHELLE: I see that. Try not to worry. The power will running again soon, I’m sure.
AMY: You’re right. And on the bright side, we have a chance to get to know each other.
MICHELLE: Yes. A lot of neighbors never go beyond exchanging meaningless pleasantries.
(They stare at each other blandly for a bit)
AMY: So much ground to cover. Where to begin? Nice pad. It’s bigger than mine
MICHELLE: Is it?
AMY: A little bit.
MICHELLE: Groovy…What have you got there?
(Amy picks up the box)
AMY: This is Graceland. I call it that because it’s where I keep Elvis.
(she pulls out a rock with googly eyes)
AMY: My pet rock. It’s weird but he makes me feel safe.
MICHELLE: No way!
AMY: We’re not allowed to have real pets in this building, as you know. Most people thinks it’s lame but –
where are you going?
MICHELLE: You just stay put. Elvis too.
(Michelle exits briefly and returns holding something behind her back)
MICHELLE: Are you ready to have your mind blown? I’d like you to meet…Donna Summer!
(she presents her own pet rock)
AMY: Far out!
MICHELLE: These pet rocks went out of style last year but I could never part with Donna. You’re the
only other person I know who’s into them.
AMY: I’ve never met anyone else who added eyes and named theirs after a celebrity.
(Amy places Elvis next to Donna)
AMY: They look good together, don’t they?
MICHELLE: Yeah.
AMY: Could you imagine if they were a couple?
MICHELLE: You mean the people versions of Elvis Presley and Donna Summer? That would never
happen.
AMY: I know but it’s fun to think about the Queen of Disco and the King getting together.
MICHELLE: She’s too good for him.
AMY: Excuse me?
MICHELLE: Have you seen him lately? He’s kinda let himself go.
AMY: There’s more of him to love.
MICHELLE: Oh, Donna feels love but not for Elvis.
AMY: They could still perform together.
MICHELLE: He doesn’t have the vocal range to keep up with her.
AMY: Don’t be cruel!
MICHELLE: I’m sorry to break it to you but Elvis isn’t the father of rock ‘n roll either. Musicians like Fats
Domino, Big Joe Turner and Chuck Berry were performing it before he came along.
AMY: He’s admitted that. And he may not be the father but he’s still the king.
MICHELLE: Well, rock ‘n roll is on its way out, anyway. Disco is where it’s at.
AMY: Oh please. I like that music but it’s a passing fad. I give it a year, two years tops.
MICHELLE: Disco will never die.
AMY: It’s only a matter of time before people start burning their disco records.
MICHELLE: Not me. I’ll be listening to them till I’m old and gray.
(Michelle’s phone rings and Amy gasps)
MICHELLE: Don’t worry. I don’t think your grandma has my number. Hello…shit! Have you called the
cops?…Okay…alright. Thanks for letting me know. Stay safe.
AMY: What’s going on?
MICHELLE: You know Mrs. Manero from across the street? She saw looters breaking into the corner
store.
AMY: No! Do you think they’ll try to loot apartments too?
MICHELLE: I don’t know.
AMY: I’m scared.
MICHELLE: Here’s the plan. If anyone tries to get in, we’ll pelt them with pet rocks.
AMY: Donna and Elvis?
MICHELLE: Only as a last resort. There’s plenty of others in my room. Come with me!
AMY: Right on!
The End

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