Brooke Archives - Goosebumps The Musical

Goosebumps (Reprise)

November 8, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Emile, Ms. Walker, Principal Stine, Tina, Zeke

BROOKE

DO YOU SEEK OUT THE SPARK

OF DANGER IN THE DARK

WHEN SHADOWS, COLD AND STARK, ARE ALL AROUND YOU?

ZEKE

DO YOU THRIVE ON THE THRILL

OF SHRIEKS SO LOUD AND SHRILL

AS TWISTS AND TURNS AND CHILLING SCARES ASTOUND YOU?

MS. WALKER

DO YOU CRAVE TALES OF CREATURES

THAT RECOIL FROM THE LIGHT?

ALL

THEN FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!

TINA

YOU FEEL A FLASH OF FEAR,

BRIAN

YOU THINK, “IS SOMEONE HERE?”

BROOKE

YOU TELL YOURSELF YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE ALONE.

MS. WALKER

BUT THEN YOU FEEL A SUDDEN JOLT!

EMILE

YOUR SKIN STARTS TO REVOLT!

BROOKE/BRIAN

YOUR FEAR BEGINS TO GROW,

ALL

AND THEN, BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW IT, YOU’VE GOT

GOOSEBUMPS!

YOU’RE COVERED HEAD TO TOE IN

GOOSEBUMPS!

EMILE

AND YET, YOU FEEL A STRANGE DELIGHT!

BROOKE

SO FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

PRINCIPAL STINE

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

ALL

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!

(curtain call)

ALL

GOOSEBUMPS!

YOU’RE GOING NUMB AND GROWING

GOOSEBUMPS!

MS. WALKER

AND YET, YOU FEEL A STRANGE DELIGHT!

PRINCIPAL STINE

SO FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

BROOKE

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

ALL

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT,

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!

END OF SHOW

The Phantom Unmasked

November 8, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Ms. Walker, Zeke

MS. WALKER

Well done, everyone! Brooke dear! You were transcendent. My great-grandmother would be so proud.

BROOKE

Have you seen Zeke?

MS. WALKER

No, I haven’t. He was rather remarkable tonight. But when you see him, let him know that we are going to have a little talk about rewriting the play on opening night!

(MS. WALKER exits. ZEKE enters in his Phantom costume, holding his head.)

ZEKE

Brooke!

BROOKE

Zeke! Where were you?

ZEKE

What? When?

BROOKE

Just now! During the show!

ZEKE

The show already happened? What? I was knocked out!

BROOKE

Well, someone did your part in the play!

ZEKE

Do you know who it was?

BROOKE

I think so. But… it couldn’t be. The song he sang? I think it was him. The boy from the first production. I think it was… the real Phantom.

ZEKE

Oh, man.

(THE PHANTOM ominously appears upstage and faces them.)

BROOKE

(to ZEKE) Hey! There he is!

(BROOKE runs up to THE PHANTOM and unmasks him. It’s BRIAN.)

Brian?

(The lights flicker… and go to black. Lights up. BRIAN is gone. ZEKE and BROOKE are standing there alone on stage. BROOKE holds BRIAN’s mask. Lights flicker as BRIAN’s ghostly voice fills the theater.)

BRIAN (V.O.)

Goodbye, Brooke.

(BROOKE instinctively grabs ZEKE’s hand as the stage fades to black.)

My Home Sweet Home

November 8, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Emile, Zeke

EMILE

ALL I EVER WANTED WAS A QUIET PLACE,

WHERE I COULD BE ALONE IN MY OWN LITTLE SPACE.

BUT THEN I LOST MY JOB, COULDN’T PAY MY RENT.

I LOST MY HOME AND HAD BARELY A CENT.

I WAS OUT ON THE STREET.

HAD NOTHING TO EAT.

THOUGHT I’D COME AND LIVE HERE ‘TIL I GOT BACK ON MY FEET,

KEEP TO MYSELF, AND STAY

OUT OF EVERYBODY’S WAY.

BUT THEN ONE DAY, YOU KIDS RUINED IT ALL WITH YOUR PLAY.

NOW, JUST LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE!

THIS PLACE ISN’T MUCH, BUT IT WAS THE ONE

THING LEFT THAT I COULD CALL MY OWN.

WHY COULDN’T YOU LEAVE IT ALONE?

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, JUST A DIRTY OLD COT.

BUT IT’S MY HOME,

MY HOME SWEET HOME,

AND IT’S ALL THAT I GOT.

Now, what am I gonna do with you? Can’t have you tellin’ people I’m down here.

ZEKE

We won’t tell a soul.

EMILE

No. I don’t imagine you will.

(EMILE takes a step toward the trio.)

BROOKE/ZEKE/BRIAN

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

BROOKE

Run!

(The trio runs away.)

EMILE

Wait! Wait! I didn’t mean… I—

BROOKE (to ZEKE and BRIAN)

Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!

(They keep running, twisting and turning through the subbasement’s labyrinth of tunnels.)

EMILE

Come back! Come back, please! I just want to speak to you—

BROOKE

Go faster!

(BRIAN falls behind and stumbles. BROOKE freezes in horror.)

Brian!

BRIAN

Brooke!

BROOKE

Wait!

(ZEKE is unsure whether to keep running or turn back.)

Zeke, go!

(ZEKE continues running toward the elevator while BROOKE runs back to help BRIAN. ZEKE reaches the platform, followed by BROOKE who helps BRIAN along. ZEKE tries to pull the lever. It won’t budge.)

No! Come on, come on!

(BROOKE fears that EMILE is catching up. The lever still won’t budge.)

Hurry up!

(Finally, the lever gives. The elevator ascends with a jolt. They scream. The elevator reaches stage-level and comes to a stop. They made it. Blackout.)

The Trapdoor

November 8, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Zeke

BRIAN

So… you guys want me to stay here and stand guard?

BROOKE

(installing the lever)

We’re all going down. See what we can find that might clear Zeke.

ZEKE

C’mon, Brian.

BRIAN

I don’t know about this. I’m not sure I’m comfortable—

BROOKE

Hey… come on—for me? I mean us. For us.

BRIAN

Ok. For you. (steps onto platform)

ZEKE

Seriously?

(ZEKE pulls the lever and down they go. Lights shift as the elevator descends.)

ALL

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

ZEKE

Don’t worry, Brian. First time’s the hardest. Feel free to scream some more if you need to.

BROOKE

Zeke!

BRIAN

I’m fine.

(the elevator comes to a stop)

BRIAN

What is this place?

Whodunit?

October 29, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Ms. Walker, Principal Stine, Zeke

MS. WALKER

Zeke Matthews! This time you’ve gone too far.

ZEKE

I didn’t do it. I don’t know how that got there. I swear!

PRINCIPAL STINE

Well if you didn’t do it, who did? And how did this paint can get into your locker?

ZEKE

Why not ask Tina? She’s the one who has access to the paint. Or Emile! He’s probably got keys to everything!

MS. WALKER

Who?

ZEKE

Emile, the night janitor.

PRINCIPAL STINE

What? There is no night janitor.

(BROOKE and ZEKE exchange furtive glances. They need to be furtive or the moment just doesn’t work. Like, at all.)

So Zeke, care to explain how this can of paint ended up in your locker?

ZEKE

I don’t know! You have to believe me!

MS. WALKER

Frankly, I don’t know what to believe. Zeke, you are out of the play until further notice.

ZEKE

But—

MS. WALKER

No buts! Principal Stine and I will be discussing this with your parents. And deciding if we have to cancel the play.

BROOKE

Cancel the play? No!

PRINCIPAL STINE

We may not have a choice. And, Zeke, we will also discuss what other punishments might be appropriate. If it’s proven you did this, you’ll be lucky if you don’t get suspended. Or worse.

(MS. WALKER, PRINCIPAL STINE, and TINA exit.)

ZEKE

Suspended? Or worse? What’s worse than suspension? Expulsion? Jail? I mean… what the… what?!?

I’VE GOT TO TAKE A STAND

BEFORE THIS GETS ME BANNED!

BROOKE

IT’S GETTING OUT OF HAND,

I MEAN, LIKE, VERY.

ZEKE

THE STORY’S GOTTEN SCARY.

MY OUTLOOK’S GOTTEN WARY.

BRIAN

TO PUT IT KIND OF BALDLY,

YOUR CONUNDRUM’S GOTTEN HAIRY!

ZEKE

NOW THERE IS BUT ONE SOLUTION

TO PREVENT MY PROSECUTION

BRIAN

RIGHT NOW, ALL ARROWS POINT TO YOU!

BROOKE

IT’S TRUE.

ZEKE

SO WE GOTTA THINK IT ALL THROUGH

AND SOLVE THE MYSTERY!

BROOKE

REVEAL THE PHANTOM’S HISTORY!

BRIAN

I know! LET’S MAKE A LIST TO RECONSIDER EVERY CLUE.

ALL

SOMEONE’S BEHIND IT ALL,

BUT WHO?

(During the following sequence, they generate sketches of the three suspects.)

BROOKE

Brian’s right. Let’s analyze the suspects. Number one: Emile, the scary fake night janitor.

HE’S CREEPY, WEIRD, AND VICIOUS,

AND WHAT’S EVEN MORE SUSPICIOUS

IS HE LIED RIGHT TO MY FACE.

BUT WHAT COULD BE HIS MOTIVE?

AND WITH ACCESS TO A LOAD OF

CLEANING STUFF, WHY LEAVE A TRACE?

ZEKE

To frame me!

BROOKE

HE MIGHT NOT BE INVOLVED.

THE EVIDENCE IS SLIM.

BUT UNTIL WE HAVE A BETTER SUSPECT,

ALL ARROWS POINT TO HIM!

BRIAN

He does seem like a likely suspect.

BROOKE

Yes he does, Brian. But let’s not forget about Tina.

BRIAN

I admit that Tina is a little high-strung. And obsessive. And mean. But she’s also very—

ZEKE

Brian is right! Tina is all those things!

BRIAN

But I also think she is rather committed to—

ZEKE

Good call, Brian. I think it could be Tina.

BRIAN

But—

ZEKE

Tina! Yes, it’s totally possible.

SHE’S ANGRY, NOT OUR BUDDY,

DOESN’T WANT TO UNDERSTUDY,

AND SHE’S GOT A VICIOUS STREAK.

BRIAN

IT FITS UNTIL YOU FACTOR

THAT TO BE THE LEADING ACTOR,

SHE’D NEED BROOKE KICKED OUT, NOT ZEKE.

ZEKE

SHE MIGHT NOT BE INVOLVED.

IT’S LESS PROOF THAN I’D PREFER.

BUT UNTIL WE HAVE A BETTER SUSPECT,

ALL ARROWS POINT TO HER.

BROOKE

Okay. So we have two suspects: Emile and Tina.

ZEKE

Yes, Brooke dear. But you’re forgetting one important fact.

BROOKE

What’s that?

ZEKE

In stories like this, it’s always the one you least suspect!

BROOKE

But in real life, I think we should probably investigate the person we most suspect.

ZEKE

But who is the person we least suspect? Ms. Walker? She’s been acting pretty strangely.

BRIAN

Brooke!

BROOKE

What?

BRIAN

Brooke is the one I least suspect. She has no reason to do it and there’s lots of evidence that she couldn’t be the Phantom. And I can’t imagine she would want to frame you.

ZEKE

That’s true. You make a good point, Brian. Maybe it could be Brooke…

BROOKE

Zeke!

ZEKE

Brooke, Brooke, Brooke!

STRANGE AS YOU MAY FIND IT,

OFTEN TIMES, THE ONE BEHIND IT

IS THE ONE YOU LEAST SUSPECT.

SHE SEEMS SO SWEET AND INNOCENT,

WHILE SCHEMING, DEEP WITHIN, A

SECRET PLAN TO HAVE ME WRECKED!

SHE MIGHT NOT BE INVOLVED.

SHE’S LIKELY NOT A CROOK.

BUT UNTIL WE HAVE A BETTER SUSPECT,

ALL ARROWS POINT TO…

No, this is stupid, it’s not Brooke.

BROOKE

Thank you, Zeke. That’s very big of you.

ZEKE

But I need to clear my name. Right now.

BRIAN

But how can you do that?

ZEKE

Investigate!

BROOKE

So…? Who should we investigate? What should we do?

BRIAN

I think the most obvious suspect is this Emile character. He is beyond suspicious.

BROOKE

There’s one other possibility.

ZEKE

A real phantom? Hmmm. Somebody is “haunting” this school. And it isn’t me. We need proof. And I think I know where to start looking.

BROOKE

You don’t mean—

ZEKE

Yep. This all started when we went down that trapdoor. We need to go back down that elevator, and get proof that there’s a phantom!

TO PREVENT MY PROSECUTION,

BRIAN/BROOKE

AND PROCURE YOUR ABSOLUTION,

ZEKE

I HAVE NO CHOICE,

IT’S CRYSTAL CLEAR WHAT I MUST DO:

BRIAN/BROOKE

IT’S UP TO YOU.

ZEKE

I GOTTA GUM MY OWN SHOE

TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY!

BROOKE

PROVE THE PHANTOM’S HISTORY!

BRIAN

BRAVE ANY TWIST OR EVIL PLOT THAT MIGHT ENSUE

ALL

TO PROVE THE PHANTOM TALE IS TRUE.

SOMEONE’S BEHIND THIS,

AND WE’RE GONNA FIND OUT WHO!

Is Somebody Down There?

October 29, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Ms. Walker, The Phantom, Tina

BROOKE

(sensing something strange)

Um…

TINA

“Is somebody down there?” That’s your line.

BROOKE

I know. It’s just…

(THE PHANTOM appears above the stage.)

BROOKE (to THE PHANTOM)

How did you do that?

MS. WALKER

That’s very close, Brooke. But the line is: “Is somebody down there?”

TINA

That wasn’t close at all.

BROOKE (to THE PHANTOM)

No. Really. What are you doing up there?

(Everyone turns to look. Lights flicker and THE PHANTOM swings down on a rope, and speaks directly to BROOKE.)

THE PHANTOM (in an ominous, altered voice)

Stay away! Stay away from my home sweet home!

(Lights flicker and everyone looks up. THE PHANTOM disappears. BROOKE collapses to the floor and everyone rushes to her, surrounding her.)

The Story of The Phantom

October 29, 2021

Lyrics

Brooke, Zeke

BROOKE

(to ZEKE) Ok. Put on your listening ears for five minutes. Got them on? Good. Now just LISTEN.

(We see the story play out upstage as BROOKE begins to tell it.)

BROOKE

LONG AGO, THERE LIVED A MAN,

HIS NAME WAS CARLO, AND HE RAN

AN ANCIENT THEATER WHERE HIS DAUGHTER WAS THE STAR.

With me?

ZEKE

Karla’s the star, yeah.

BROOKE

No! HIS DAUGHTER’S NAME IS

ESMERELDA, AND SHE’S FAMOUS,

PEOPLE COME TO HEAR HER SING FROM NEAR AND FAR.

ZEKE

Got it.

BROOKE

Good.

NOW, THERE’S A RUMOR GOING ROUND

THAT IN THE TUNNELS UNDERGROUND,

THERE LIVES…

ZEKE

Wait, I know, can I guess?

BROOKE

SURE, IF YOU CAN.

ZEKE

A mysterious phantom! Me! Right?

BROOKE

RIGHT, WELL, MOSTLY,

BUT THE TWIST IS THAT THIS GHOSTLY

EVIL PRESENCE ISN’T MONSTER, BUT MAN.

NOW, THIS MAN HAD BEEN BLESSED

WITH A GIFT HE POSSESSED:

MUSICAL TALENTS COMPLETELY UNMATCHED.

BUT, AS YOU OFTEN WILL FIND

IN EPIC TALES OF THIS KIND,

THIS GIFT CAME WITH A CURSE ATTACHED:

A FACE THAT WAS HIDEOUS

AND SO JARRING

HE WORE A MASK TO COVER ALL THE SCARRING

ZEKE

Cool!

BROOKE

AND LIVED UNDERGROUND INSIDE A HOLE.

ZEKE

Wait, a hole? Why a hole?

BROOKE

ALL HIS LIFE, HE’D BEEN TORMENTED, TEASED, AND TAUNTED,

BUT NOW HIS HUNTERS WOULD BECOME THE HAUNTED.

THE WORLD THAT ALWAYS MADE HIM FEEL UNWANTED WOULD HEAR THE TOLL:

THE SOUNDS OF A TORTURED SOUL.

ZEKE

Ok, so I was born with a lightning scar, got it.

BROOKE

No, no. Your typical, everyday scar.

ZEKE

Ohh, Scar like Lion King!

BROOKE

You know, you are actually the worst. Listen up, you’re gonna need to know this.

BROOKE

ONE DAY AT HIS PIANO,

DISTANT SOUNDS OF A SOPRANO

DRIFTED TOWARDS HIM FROM THE THEATER ABOVE.

ZEKE

K, so this hole has a piano?

BROOKE

(ignoring him)

SWEETER THAN A BIRD,

IN ALL HIS LIFE HE’D NEVER HEARD

A SOUND LIKE THIS, AND HE WAS INSTANTLY IN LOVE.

THE VOICE, OF COURSE, WAS CARLO’S DAUGHTER,

AND THE PHANTOM WENT AND SOUGHT HER

TO BECOME HIS SECRET STUDENT, AND HIS MUSE.

AND IF YOU THINK SHE FOUND THIS OH-SO-

ENIGMATIC VIRTUOSO

KINDA CREEPY, THEN I’VE GOT SOME SHOCKING NEWS:

BECAUSE SHE FELL, AND FELL HARD.

HE WAS BATTERED AND SCARRED,

BUT SHE COULD SEE THAT INSIDE, THERE WAS MORE.

SOMETHING ALLURING, SHE’D FIND

IN THE SADNESS BEHIND

THAT TERRIFYING MASK HE WORE.

ZEKE

Wait a minute, I’m your boyfriend? Are we gonna have to kiss? That’s gross, you’re like my sister.

BROOKE

Zeke, it’s called acting.

AND THOUGH HE WAS HIDEOUS,

AND SHE WAS PERFECTION,

THROUGH MUSIC, THEY FOUND THEIR CONNECTION,

A BOND BEYOND THEIR OWN CONTROL.

ZEKE

You better not get sick, I am NOT kissing Tina!

BROOKE

AND THOUGH HIS FACE TORMENTED HER AND CHILLED HER,

HIS COMPOSITIONS HAUNTED HER AND THRILLED HER.

HIS MESMERIZING MELODIES FULFILLED HER, MADE HER WHOLE…

THE SOUNDS OF A TORTURED SOUL.

ZEKE

She was beautiful, and he was hideous…ok so this IS Beauty and the Beast?

BROOKE

Zeke, less talking. More listening. ‘Cause here’s where it gets interesting.

BROOKE

EZZY HAS ANOTHER MAN, SOME

GUY NAMED RAOUL WHO’S TALL AND HANDSOME,

AND NOT ALL THAT PLEASED ABOUT HER LATEST BEAU.

ZEKE

Ah, always a triangle.

BROOKE

ANGRILY, RAOUL TRACKS HIM

TO HIS LAIR, WHERE HE ATTACKS HIM,

AND THEY BATTLE IN THE PASSAGEWAY BELOW.

ZEKE

Awesome!

BROOKE

AND WHEN HE TOOK HIS LAST BREATH,

THE PHANTOM WELCOMED HIS DEATH;

HE’D RATHER DIE THAN LIVE APART.

WHEN IT WAS OVER AND DONE,

RAOUL HAD KILLED HIM—HE’D WON,

BUT HE’D LOST ESMERELDA’S HEART.

‘CAUSE THOUGH HE WAS PRETTY, YES,

AND A KEEPER,

THE PHANTOM’S LOVE WAS SO MUCH DEEPER.

A LOSS THAT NOTHING COULD CONSOLE.

NO MORE, SHE’D SEE THAT FACE THAT ONCE HAD CHILLED HER.

NO MORE, SHE’D HEAR THAT MUSIC THAT FULFILLED HER,

AND PEOPLE SAY THAT THAT’S THE THING THAT KILLED HER, ON THE WHOLE.

She ran away and was never seen again. But get this:

WHEN THEY RETURNED TO FIND THE PHANTOM AND UNMASK IT,

THEY NEVER FOUND A BODY FOR THE CASKET.

THEY SAY HE HAD, DEPENDING WHO YOU ASK IT, ONE LAST GOAL…

ZEKE

One last goal?

BROOKE

TO THIS DAY, INSIDE THAT THEATER, OR NEAR IT,

IF YOU LISTEN VERY CLOSELY, YOU CAN HEAR IT:

THE SONGS OF A TORTURED SPIRIT’S FINAL ROLE.

THE SOUNDS OF A TORTURED SOUL.

That’s the basic plot, anyway.

ZEKE

So it’s about a person who died at a theater and then haunts it forever?

BROOKE

Yes.

ZEKE

Brooke! That’s just like the story Ms. Walker told! This play is just like the story of our school. That is so… meta. Man.

Babbling Brooke

October 29, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke

BROOKE

Oh! HELLO.

BRIAN

HELLO.

BROOKE

YOU’RE IN MY CHAIR…

BRIAN

NO, THIS IS MY CHAIR.

BROOKE

EXCUSE ME?

BRIAN

Oh! I’M SORRY, I MEANT….

I THOUGHT MS. WALKER SAID, “SIT ANYWHERE.”

BROOKE

Oh! Yeah, she… PROBABLY MEANT ANYWHERE OVER THERE.

I’VE SAT HERE NEXT TO ZEKE ALL YEAR.

BUT THERE’S AN EMPTY SEAT RIGHT HERE,

ON MY OTHER SIDE.

YOU COULD SIT THERE.

NEXT TO ME. I’D LIKE THAT.

I MEAN… IF YOU WOULD LIKE THAT,

I WOULD BE TOTALLY FINE WITH THAT, BUT UP TO YOU,

I mean, ‘CAUSE I DON’T CARE WHERE YOU SIT, OF COURSE…

(BROOKE aside)

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BOY

UNLIKE ANYTHING

I’VE EVER SEEN.

THOSE EYES…SO GREEN…

(Snapping out of it and turning back to BRIAN)

BROOKE! MY NAME IS BROOKE! Brooke!

BRIAN

ARE YOU BROOKE RODGERS?

BROOKE

Yessss….

BRIAN

I HEARD YOU GOT THE STARRING ROLE.

BROOKE

HOW DID YOU HEAR THAT ALREADY?

AND HOW DID YOU KNOW MY NAME?

I MEAN, ARE YOU, LIKE,

STALKING ME?

‘CAUSE THAT’S CREEPY.

SUPER CREEPY.

I MEAN….

BRIAN

No….I just overheard some kids talking on the bus…

BROOKE

Oh my gosh, I’m sorry.

I DON’T KNOW WHY I JUST SAID “STALKING”.

WHEN I GET NERVOUS, I START TALKING.

I CAN’T HELP IT. NOW YOU’RE GAWKING.

Please stop gawking?

AAAAAAAND IT SEEMS THAT I’M STILL TALKING.

Yeah…

MAYBE YOU COULD DO SOME TALKING.

BRIAN

Well— I’m Brian.

BROOKE

Hi Brian. I’m Brooke.

BRIAN

Yeah. You said. Brooke Rodgers.

BROOKE

Yeah… So Brian, you’re a double knot kinda guy?

BRIAN

What?

BROOKE

Your shoelaces. They’re double knotted. That’s cool.

(BROOKE aside)

OH MY GOSH, WHAT’S GOTTEN INTO ME?

Stupid, Brooke! Stupid!

I ALWAYS HAVE THE WORDS TO SAY,

BUT EVERY TIME HE TURNS MY WAY, WE SHARE A LOOK,

AND I TURN INTO A BABBLING BROOKE.

BRIAN

Sorry, what was that?

(turning back to BRIAN, trying to play it cool)

BROOKE

Uh, nothing! Nothing. Nothing at all.

SO, BRIAN, ARE YOU NEW?

BRIAN

AM I NEW?

Oh! YEAH! I’M…NEW.

OLD AND NEW.

BROOKE

Sorry, what?

BRIAN

SORRY, I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING.

FIRST DAY JITTERS. HAPPENS EVERY TIME.

I MEAN EVERY TIME I’M… NEW, WHICH IS… PRETTY HAIR.

I MEAN PRETTY RARE!

I— You know what? I’m gonna try that again…

(BRIAN aside)

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS GIRL

UNLIKE ANYTHING

I’VE EVER SEEN.

(accidentally out loud)

YOUR EYES…

BROOKE

My eyes?

BRIAN

OH! SORRY, I JUST MEAN…

I CAN SEE THEM REALLY WELL ‘CAUSE YOUR GLASSES ARE SO clean?

Just ignore me.

WHEN I GET NERVOUS, I START RUSHING,

BEFORE I KNOW IT, I AM GUSHING,

THEN I SWEAT AND I START CRUSHING.

No! Not crushing, blushing!

CLEARLY, I’M NO GOOD AT HUSHING.

(Urgently) You should talk now. Please talk?

BROOKE

Sure… um, where are you from?

BRIAN

Indiana.

BROOKE

Gross!

BRIAN

What?

BROOKE

I mean… Hey, I’m sorry about that. I don’t actually know anything about Indiana. I’m sure you’re lovely. I mean… I’m sure IT’S lovely! Oh my gosh…

BOTH

I’M NOT NORMALLY LIKE THIS,

BRIAN

PROMISE.

BROOKE

I GET MIXED UP, AND THEN I PUT

MY BIG MOUTH INSIDE MY FOOT. I… I mean…

BOTH

I DON’T NORMALLY DO THIS, HONEST.

BRIAN

AFTER YEARS OF ALL THIS YAP,

You’d think I’D LEARN TO SHUT MY TRAP.

(BROOKE aside)

WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?

(BRIAN aside)

WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?

(BOTH aside)

THE MORE I TRY TO STAY CHILL,

THE MORE I SPILL,

(BRIAN aside)

AND THE MORE THAT THEY SEE RIGHT THROUGH ME.

(back)

BROOKE

Sorry. You may have noticed that sometimes, when I get nervous, I talk a lot.

BRIAN

That’s probably good if you’re an actor.

BROOKE

Why’s that?

BRIAN

You know. Actors get nervous a lot. And then they have to talk a lot. It’s a good fit.

BROOKE

Is that how acting worked at your old school?

EACH TIME I BLURT THINGS I DON’T MEAN TO,

I THINK, “WHY CAN’T I JUST STAY CUTE?”

… I mean, “mute”!

… I mean… shoot!…

(BROOKE aside)

OH MY GOSH, WHAT’S GOTTEN INTO ME?

(BRIAN aside)

OH MY GOSH, WHAT’S GOTTEN INTO ME?

(BROOKE)

THIS IS SO NOT BY THE BOOK.

(BRIAN)

PLEASE TALK AND GET ME OFF THE HOOK!

(BROOKE)

SOMETHING ABOUT HIM’S SO APPEALING,

(BRIAN)

SOMETHING ABOUT HER HAS ME REELING,

(BROOKE)

BUT I MUST CONTROL THIS FEELING.

(BRIAN)

BUT I’VE ALREADY BEEN FAR TOO REVEALING!

(BOTH)

I MUST CONTROL THIS GABBLING,

THIS JABBERING, THIS RATTLING,

THIS PANICKED PRATTLING-UP-A-CREEK-WITHOUT-A-PADDLE-ING,

BEFORE THIS STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

BECOMES A FULL-ON BABBLING… BROOK!

(BROOKE)

I MUST CONTROL THIS BABBLING BROOKE!

A Super Scary Play

October 29, 2021

Lyrics

Brooke, Ms. Walker, Tina, Zeke

BROOKE

On a fall day this year, Ms. Walker, our esteemed drama teacher, announced there would be auditions for the Woods Mill Middle School fall show. And that it would be quite different than last year’s production of Guys and Dolls… though equally excellent.

MS. WALKER

This year’s show will be… scary.

BROOKE

And though no one had actually seen the ghost that was rumored to roam the halls, still, it made some students a little freaked out to be doing a scary play…in a haunted school.

ALL

SCARY?

BROOKE

SUPER SCARY?

ALL

IS IT MONSTERS, GHOSTS, OR CREATURES?

SCARY?

TINA

Like, how scary?

ALL

WILL WE SCARE OUR FRIENDS AND TEACHERS?

BROOKE

THE MOOD WAS GETTING TENSE,

THE BUS WAS BUZZING WITH THE NEWS.

TINA

WOULD WE GET PARTS?

STUDENT

HOW WOULD SHE CAST?

TINA

WHO WOULD BE LEADS?

BROOKE

HOW WOULD SHE CHOOSE?

MS. WALKER

Yes, this year’s show will be scary. The soft, the weak, and the overly sensitive, and of course the superstitious among you need not apply. There will be chills, and thrills, and suspense! And…a Phantom.

BROOKE

Zeke! LET’S AUDITION!

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

IT’S OUR CHANCE TO DO…

ALL

A SUPER SCARY PLAY!

BROOKE

It’s perfect! No one knows more about scary shows than us. It’s our big shot.

ZEKE

Hold up, Brookie. We like scary books. And scary movies. I don’t even know what a scary middle school play would be. Will it have vampires? Or possessed dolls? Oh! Are we doing Mac—

BROOKE

It’s called The Phantom… So I’m guessing it’s a… ghost story.

ZEKE

Totally. I’m auditioning for the ghost. That part will be mine!

MS. WALKER

Audition time!

(The other students audition for MS. WALKER in the background during the following.)

BROOKE

I USED TO GET THE FRIGHTS

WHEN I TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS.

SO MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS,

I TRIED TO BRAVE IT.

BUT CREEPY STUFF THESE DAYS

IS, LIKE, MY BIGGEST CRAZE.

NO MATTER MOVIES, PLAYS,

OR BOOKS, I CRAVE IT!

ZEKE

SCARY IS OUR FAVORITE!

BROOKE

SCARY IS THE BEST!

ZEKE

AND NOW WE’RE DOING A SCARY PLAY…

BROOKE

…AND I’VE NEVER BEEN MORE STRESSED!

MS. WALKER

Thank you very much, all who auditioned. I will be posting the cast list at 2:20 this afternoon.

STUDENTS

IS IT THERE YET?

IS IT—

ZEKE

NOT YET!

STUDENTS

IS IT THERE YET?

ZEKE

NO!

(STUDENTS)

IS IT THERE YET?

(ZEKE)

NO!

(STUDENTS)

IS IT THERE YET?

(ZEKE)

NO!

(STUDENTS)

IS IT THERE YET?

(ZEKE)

NO!

(STUDENTS)

IS IT THERE YET?

IS IT—

(ZEKE)

NO, NOT YET!

BROOKE

I can’t take it! I’m so nervous! When is she gonna put up the cast list?

ZEKE

Brooke! Look! There’s a note for you posted on the callboard!

BROOKE

Let me see!

(reading)

“Brooke Rodgers. Please report to Principal Stine’s office. You have been suspended from school.”

Oh my— But I— What is happening? Aaaah! Zeke! What do I do????

(ZEKE cannot control his laughter.)

BROOKE.

Wait a second! Did you write this and post it here?

ZEKE

Of course! Don’t be such a donut. Just a harmless prank to cut the tension.

BROOKE

Very funny, Zeke. (Beat) Why is this taking so long?

BROOKE

LAST YEAR, WE DID GUYS AND DOLLS,

AND ZEKE AND I BASICALLY HELD UP THE WALLS.

ZEKE

NOW, DON’T GET US WRONG,

THE ENSEMBLE’S NICE.

BOTH

BUT THIS YEAR, WE’RE GONNA WIN OUR SLICE

OF THE JUICIEST ROLES,

OF THE STARRIEST PARTS!

WE’VE HOPED AND WE’VE PRAYED

WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS

THAT THIS IS OUR TIME,

THIS IS OUR DAY,

‘CAUSE WE’RE FINALLY DOING

A SUPER SCARY PLAY!

BROOKE

Ms. Walker said she would have the cast list up by 2:20.

ZEKE

Well, what time is it now?

BROOKE

2:21!

ZEKE

Oh, come on! This is unacceptable!

BROOKE

Oh man, what if we get good parts?

ZEKE

Who cares?

(BROOKE stares at him, eyebrow raised)

I mean, of course I care. But the main thing is it’s scary! We could scare the whole school! With a play! And don’t get your hopes up. Remember Guys and Dolls? I was Man 4. It’s not even in the script.

BROOKE

I remember. I was Woman 6. But this is different. This is The Phantom! It’s supposed to be terrifying. And we have seen every scary movie there is. If Woods Mill Middle School is doing a scary show, we are needed. We are required. (dramatically) WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCARY!

ZEKE

And you were great as Woman 6. It was a definitive performance. But try to relax. A lot of people want to be the lead. I hear Tina may go nuts if she doesn’t get it. Like crazy, insane nuts.

BROOKE

I can’t take the anticipation! She could cast me so many ways. And I’d be happy to do anything, of course. But it would be fun if you and I were the leads in something truly terrifying and—

ZEKE

Brooke! You’re my best friend since kindergarten. You’re like my sister. But you’re making me crazy.

BROOKE

I FEEL NERVOUS,

I FEEL SCARED,

AND COMPLETELY UNPREPARED.

AND WHILE THIS FEELING’S RATHER THRILLING,

THIS NOT KNOWING IS JUST KILLING ME!

WELL, NOT LITERALLY KILLING ME.

BUT THIS ANXIOUS ANTICIPATION

CREATES THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE SENSATION!

(In the background, MS. WALKER appears and puts up the cast list. ZEKE, BROOKE, and the other STUDENTS fail to notice.)

ALL

AND THIS IS OUR TIME! THIS IS OUR DAY!

‘CAUSE WE’RE FINALLY DOING A SUPER SCARY—

MS. WALKER

Players, does anyone want to know who’s playing what in the show? The list is up.

(Beat)

(All slowly look at each other and then rush the call board.)

STUDENTS

Ahhh!!!

ZEKE

C’mon!

BROOKE

I can’t do it, Zeke! Will you go for both of us? You’re my best friend! You can do this.

ZEKE

(laughing) Ok. Wait here.

(ZEKE goes to the board and edges his way in. He yells excitedly.)

Woo-hoo! I’m the Phantom! Brooke, is that a good part?

BROOKE

Zeke! The play is called The Phantom! So the Phantom is probably a good part. Oh, you’re kidding.

ZEKE

And you’re Esmerelda!

BROOKE

(gasps) THIS IS OUR TIME!

ZEKE

THIS IS OUR DAY!

BOTH

BECAUSE WE’RE THE LEADS

ALL

IN A SUPER SCARY PLAY!

Goosebumps

October 23, 2021

Lyrics

Brian, Brooke, Emile, Ms. Walker, Tina, Zeke

BROOKE

DO YOU SEEK OUT THE SPARK

OF DANGER IN THE DARK

WHEN SHADOWS, COLD AND STARK, ARE ALL AROUND YOU?

ZEKE

DO YOU THRIVE ON THE THRILL

OF SHRIEKS SO LOUD AND SHRILL

AS TWISTS AND TURNS AND CHILLING SCARES ASTOUND YOU?

ENSEMBLE

DO YOU CRAVE TALES OF CREATURES

THAT RECOIL FROM THE LIGHT?

ALL

THEN FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!

EMILE

YOU FEEL A FLASH OF FEAR,

BROOKE

YOU THINK, “IS SOMEONE HERE?”

TINA

YOU TELL YOURSELF YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE ALONE.

ZEKE

BUT THEN YOU FEEL A SUDDEN JOLT,

ENSEMBLE

YOUR SKIN STARTS TO REVOLT,

BROOKE/BRIAN

YOUR FEAR BEGINS TO GROW,

ALL

AND THEN, BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW IT, YOU’VE GOT

GOOSEBUMPS!

YOU’RE COVERED HEAD TO TOE IN

GOOSEBUMPS!

ENSEMBLE

AND YET, YOU FEEL A STRANGE DELIGHT!

EMILE

SO FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

MS. WALKER

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

ALL

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!

EMILE

WHAT’S GOT YOU CRAWLING OUT OF YOUR SKIN?

EMILE/BROOKE

IS IT KNOWING SOMETHING’S OUT THERE, AND IT’S TRYING TO GET IN?

BRIAN

WHAT’S GOT YOU LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER?

BROOKE

WHAT’S GOT YOU FROZEN IN YOUR TRACKS AND FEELING EVEN COLDER?

ZEKE

IS IT AN ANGRY GHOST OR

MAYBE JUST A HAUNTED TOASTER?

EMILE

DOES SEEING BLOOD SEND YOUR HEART RATE UP A ROLLER COASTER?

BRIAN

IS DEATH THE THING YOU FEAR? OR

MAYBE SOMETHING IN THE MIRROR?

EMILE/BROOKE

OR THE THOUGHT OF SOMEONE CHASING YOU AND GETTING NEARER?

ALL

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP?

BROOKE/EMILE/ENSEMBLE

WHAT FILLS YOU WITH DREAD?

TINA

WEREWOLVES OR VAMPIRES?

BROOKE/EMILE/ENSEMBLE

SOMETHING UNDER YOUR BED?

TINA

Monsters?

ZEKE

Spiders?

BRIAN

Heights?

BROOKE/ENSEMBLE

THE DARK?

MS. WALKER

Curses?

TINA

Cats?

EMILE

THE CLOWN IN THE PARK?

ALL

OR IS IT POSSIBLE THE THING YOU FEAR MOST

IS MEETING UP WITH A GHOST?

(TINA screams)

BROOKE/ZEKE

DO YOU SURVIVE ON SCREAMS?

TINA

SEE DEADLY GNOMES IN DREAMS?

ENSEMBLE

HEAD FOR A HOUSE THAT SEEMS IT MIGHT BE HAUNTED?

BROOKE/BRIAN

DO YOU BEGIN TO BURST

WHEN CAMERAS MIGHT BE CURSED?

ZEKE

WHEN VAMPIRES START TO THIRST, ARE YOU UNDAUNTED?

EMILE

DOES A DEMON-LIKE DUMMY

MAKE YOU SCREAM IN DELIGHT?

MS. WALKER/TINA

THEN FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

ZEKE

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

EMILE

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT

ALL

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!

BROOKE

YOU DREAM A DREAM OF DREAD

THAT DRIVES YOU FROM YOUR BED.

ZEKE

IT’S NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE, THIS YOU KNOW.

TINA

BUT THEN YOUR STOMACH STARTS TO FALL,

EMILE

YOUR SKIN BEGINS TO CRAWL,

BROOKE

YOUR FEAR BEGINS TO GROW,

ALL

AND THEN BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW IT, YOU’VE GOT

GOOSEBUMPS!

YOU’RE GOING NUMB AND GROWING

GOOSEBUMPS!

EMILE

AND YET, YOU FEEL A STRANGE DELIGHT!

BROOKE

SO FOLLOW IF YOU DARE.

MS. WALKER/ZEKE

BUT ALL WHO DO, BEWARE!

ALL

FOR YOU MAY FIND A SCARE THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH FRIGHT

AND GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS IN THE NIGHT!