Plot rough outline

The play opens with Ava in her bedroom and her mother in the kitchen (The “bedroom” and “kitchen” are just opposite sides of the stage, but based on the fact the characters act like they can’t see each other, the audience understands they are in two separate rooms).  Ava is writing, presumably doing homework. Her mother calls out to her, saying she’s going to the store and asking if Ava needs anything.  Ava shuffles her papers and reads off a list of items she wants. She then talks briefly about how she plans to do some of her homework  that night (Friday) and the next day, so that she can “schedule” herself some time to read and watch Netflix. She then looks at her watch and declares that it’s time to get a snack.  Somewhere in here, Zelda is introduced. She asks Ava to accompany her on some adventure, and Ava turns her down, explaining that she doesn’t have time.  There are a few more scenarios where Ava checks her watch and the time dicatates what she does, and then she goes to bed, removing her watch before she does so. 

The next morning, Ava wakes up and can’t find her watch. She freaks out and rips her room apart looking for it. She calls to her mom, who joins the search. Even Zelda is alerted to the missing watch (Ava calls to her from her bedroom window), but no one can find it. Finally, Ava decides to rely on her mother for time checks from the clock in the kitchen, and she sits down to do some homework.  Periodically, she calls out asking what time it is, and her mom responds. She switches from doing homework to reading, and when her mom says she’s baked cookies, Ava asks what time it is and says she still has eight more minutes of reading time before she can come get a snack.  Afterwards, Ava works on a friendship bracelet.  She calls out to her mom asking what time it is, but her mom isn’t there. She calls again, and gets no response. She doesn’t know how much time she has before she planned to do homework again, but she eventually decides to just start her homework and get it over with. After she finished it, she heads to the kitchen to get lunch, and realizes it’s earlier than she thought. Now she’s done her homework, though, and she has extra time before she planned to watch eat and watch Netflix.  She decides to see what Zelda is up to, and Zelda convinces her to go on a bike ride.  Ava’s mom returns and is surprised to find Ava gone.  When Ava and Zelda return, they’re both laughing and happy.  They tell Ava’s mom that they biked and got ice cream, then rode around town for a little while. Ava is noticeably happier than she’s been so far.  When she sees the time, she declares that she missed her lunch and Netflix time, but that it’s ok because getting ice cream and hanging out with Zelda was more fun. Ava’s mom suggests they all go to a movie that night, and Ava starts to protest, saying “actually, I can’t, I’m going to be...” but then she stops. “I can’t even remember what I planned to do then,” she says “so it obviously doesn’t matter.  So sure! A movie sounds like fun.”

Possibly she locates her watch at the end of the play, but decides she doesn’t need it or something. 

Della

VT

YWP Alumni

More by Della

  • Secondary characters

    Ava’s mom: an easygoing woman, she just wants what’s best for Ava. She worries about her daughter being so uptight, but she also knows Ava has to figure things out on her own. She loves to bake and garden. 
  • Characters

    My play really has one main character, Ava.  Ava is a high school sophomore, and she’s very disciplined and structured.
  • Intro

    Hey, I’m SUPER late to this but I did this workshop my seventh grade year and had a lot of fun. Right now I’m a sophomore and I thought I’d give it another go since I have some free time.