A year in the day 
Or 
Stupid Girl

Dramatis Personae
Right Path staff
Gary Edwards: (46): Acid tongued caseworker 
Tiffani Martin (23): Talkative and sex deprived. Right Path’s coordinator. 
Penelope McClintock (47): Opinionated caseworker 

Right Path clients
Olivia Tate (19): Unemployed waitress, suffers from crippling shyness
Bill Adams (24): unemployed former soldier
Alison Petersen: (23): unemployed administrative assistant
Daphne Scott (48): Unemployed cleaner who is a smoker
Scarlett Wilson (19) Unemployed waitress, not very academic
Stevi Cooper (18) Unemployed shop assistant, loud

Other characters
Lucy Stone (23): Accident prone estate agent/ Alison’s friend from primary school
Tyler Flack (25): Introverted eccentric sales assistant/ Lucy’s ex boyfriend 

(Busy street, in a non descript town. Alison hurrying along street, listening to Ipod and sipping a coffee. She passes Waterstones and it’s open)
Alison: Oh crap! (She speeds up, balancing her coffee as she crosses road, heading for the large grey building opposite. Before entering slips Ipod back into bag, and then runs to lift. Man holds it for her)
Man: What floor?
Alison: Third floor please (glances at him, then back to sipping coffee) 
Man: (presses button) Do you work there?
Alison: (smiles a little embarrassed because he’s cute) It’s my first week. (Glances at the buttons. He’s pressed 4) what do you do? (Hopes he doesn't see she's spilt some coffee)
Man: Sell internet advertising (The doors open on floor 3 and Alison steps out) See you later (Third floor full of people sitting on the stairs, and leaning against walls. Alison makes for Bill who stands alone)
Alison: Hey (smoothes her hair)
Bill: (smiles as removes baseball cap) Hey. Did you…
Penelope: (opens doors) Come on then (People push inside) Morning Alison
Alison: (takes off her coat) Morning (sits down at empty desk and switches on computer)
Bill: (hovers for a moment. Then goes to sit with Scott)
Penelope: Papers? (She looks at Gary who sits opposite her) did you forget, you dopey idiot? (Smirks)
Gary: (Switches on his computer not looking at her) Me? It’s your job to pick up the papers Penny.  (Shifts his attention to clients, as they get louder) We’d better get started, before the rabble revolt. 
Alison: I’ll go for the papers. The induction packs are ready to go (she slips back into her coat and ditches coffee) Back in a few minutes
Penelope: Okay thanks (Heads over to the long tables where clients sit)
Alison: (leaves, taking the stairs instead. Ipod playing as she gets into street, heads for newsagents) Hi I’m here for Right Path’s newspapers. (Scratches dog’s ears as it sits at her feet)
Newsagent: Ah right. Thought they’d forgotten. There’s two lots. (Voice quiet as newsagent in back of shop) Can you carry them? (Returns with a large stack of papers)
Alison: (Sighs) yeah I think I can manage. (Gathers papers into arms) Thanks (Bell rings as she exits)

Daphne: (Using phone when Alison returns) I’m ringing about the temp cleaning job. 
Alison: (dumps papers on her desk.) Penelope do you have scissors?  Thanks (Penelope hands them over, as Tiffani walks by) Tiffani can you sign me in?
Tiffani: (sets down coffee cup before she leans over) Sure. (Swipes mouse) At least you switched it on this time. (Smirks as she types)
Alison (flushes as she smiles) See I’m learning! (Keeps cutting the job pages out) 
Tiffani (laughs before going into her office) only took you a week!
Daphne (finishes on phone) Hiya Alison
Alison (smiles) Hi. Did you get anywhere with it? 
Daphne (dumps the advert in Alison's bin) not really. Apparently it's out of date
Alison: Sorry (stands) I'll get rid of it. (Strides towards board. Doesn't see bag) Damnit! 
Man: (Laughs) Didya have nice trip?!
Alison: (flushes) Yeah great. Don't need to book my holiday now. (Pushes self upright again, leaning on table. Bill smiles at her)
Penelope (glances at clock) It’s time for break so I want you all out
Man: Why? (Others gather their stuff)
Gary (mutters so only Alison can hear) because we need a break from your ugly mug halfwit
Alison (struggles to hold back laughter) Okay I’ll see you later
Daphne (waits for her outside door) We’re gonna head down to HMV (gestures to Stevi, Bill and Scarlett) You gonna come?
Alison (smiles at Bill) Yeah sure

(Inside HMV Bill and Alison check out films) 
Bill (notices her checking price on Titanic) Please don’t tell me you like that! It’s shit!
Alison (sets it down) Oh I know but I love it. I’m a sucker for a guilty pleasure.
Stevi (shouts) Titanic’s great! I’m not usually a girly film fan but Leo’s hot! (Customers stare)
Scarlett (also shouts) I know but I liked the Italian bloke too!
Daphne (whispers) Do you think she knows she’s shouting?
Security guard (approaches) Can you keep the noise down?
Stevi (shouts) What?!
Daphne: Guess not
Bill (steps towards them) Let’s go. We’d better get back
Alison (laughs in embarrassment as they leave)

Alison (sits down still listening to Ipod) 
Tiffani (taps her on shoulder) What are you listening to?
Alison (removes earphones) Oh just a bit of Coldplay
Tiffani (takes one ear phone) I love them. Give us a listen would you?
Alison (leans back to give Tiffani more space) Ow! Damnit! (Chair tips back, spills her to floor)
Tiffani (laughs before helping her up) You alright?
Alison (flushes as she looks at Bill) Yeah I’m fine (Ignores the gales of laughter)
Tiffani (laughs) I wasn’t expecting a girl to fall at my feet today!
Gary (peers from behind computer) You need a bloke on his knees to break that dry spell. Not our wonder WEP. 
Tiffani (sits down next to Gary’s desk) It ain’t a dry spell. I’m in the Sahara. (Laughs) I need someone who knows what they’re doing, to get me going again. (Sighs)
Gary: Well don’t look at me. I’m happy with Lee. (Stands to put a folder away) Besides you couldn’t handle what I’m packing. (Smirks)
Alison (flushes, a little embarrassed)
Penelope (returns to desk) on that note it’s time to collect the sandwiches for the options lot. Alison would you get them?
Alison (stands, grabs coat) Yeah course. Do you have the list?
Penelope: We already phoned it through
(Alison’s phone rings as she leaves) Hi?
Lucy: Hi Ali! Just wondered if you wanted to meet up tonight. I’ve not seen you for ages.
Alison (avoids dog mess) Yeah I know. I’d love to meet up but I’ve gotta meet Tyler first. (Pauses as Lucy sighs) Sorry I just… I said I’d meet him and Olivier for a swift drink
Lucy (softly) right. (Phone rings on Lucy’s end of line) Gotta go, that’s the boss ringing on the company phone
Alison: Right I’ll meet you at the Strawberry,  say about eight?
Lucy: Yeah right. Bye
Alison (slips phone back into pocket and enters sandwich shop) I’m here to pick up Right Path’s sandwiches.
Woman: be right with you
Alison (steps to side as family enter) 
Mother: No you can’t have two
Boy: But Mum!! I can eat two!!
Father: you heard your mother. Pick one
Woman (hands Alison a bulging carrier) there you go
Alison: thanks (leaves and dials Tyler’s number)
Tyler’s mum: Hello?
Alison: Hello um it’s Alison. Is Tyler there?
Tyler’s mum: No he’s gone out, and if you’re calling for that Lucy you can stop ringing him, because I’m sick of the pair of you
Alison (snaps phone shut in surprise)

Alison (hands over sandwiches to Penelope) Are you alright Alison?
Alison: Yeah. I’m fine thanks (Penelope leaves)
Bill (approaches with his coat on) You coming for lunch? (smiles nervously)
Alison: Of course. Where’s Daphne? (looks round)
Bill: She’s gone down with Stevi and Scarlett. (Alison leans down to grab bag, and Bill checks her out)
Alison (straightens) Let’s go (Bill follows her into lift) So have you found anything to apply for?
Bill: Nah. I’m looking into going back to college. (He presses button) I want to be a architect
Alison (surprised):  Oh really? I didn’t think it was an easy thing to get into
Bill: It’s not but it’s better than going back into the army (head out into the sunshine)
(Alison’s phone rings) sorry (Sees its Tyler’s number and hesitates) Hello?
Tyler: You phoned?
Alison: Yeah um…I can’t make it later. Sorry something’s come up
Tyler: What?
Bill: Come on Alison. I’m starving (goes over to Greggs)
Tyler: Who’s that? (Surprise in his voice)
Alison: A friend. I’ve gotta go. I’ll phone you later (presses button to end call, sighs in relief)

(Grab a couple of pies and sit on bench)
Daphne (calls) There you are (She, Stevi and Scarlett emerge from WHSmith)
Stevi: Budge up (all squash onto bench)
Alison: Did you… (Feels splat and then hears laughter)
Daphne (chuckles) you’re having a proper shit day ain’t you? (Hands over tissue)
Alison (forces a smile) understatement, I’m just relieved it hadn’t had a full meal. (Wipes her face) God I need a coffee and sugar fix. You lot want anything? 
Daphne: Yeah I’ll come with you. (Others shake heads. So walk away) I think you have a admirer
Alison: What? (Glances back to meet Bill’s eyes) Oh he’s probably just horny (slight blush colours her cheeks)
Daphne: I doubt it
Alison (smiles intrigued. Turns to barista) I’ll have a mint mocha thanks (turns to Daphne) what do you want?
Daphne: A cappuccino ta
Barista: Take out? (Both nod)
Alison: Do you think he really likes me?
Daphne: Oh I think you can pretty much count on it. (Laughs) Any bloke who can check a girl out, when she’s just been shit on, not to mention one as clumsy as you, must really like her. (Takes her coffee and the two leave)
Bill (still waiting but other two gone) can I have a sip? (Gestures to Alison’s coffee)
Alison (hands over her cup) it’s time we get back I guess (three head back up hill)
Bill (hands back coffee after sip) so that person you were chatting to? Is that your boyfriend?
Alison: No. No. He’s a friend. I don’t have a boyfriend (Daphne snorts) Do um… do you have a girlfriend?
Bill: No. Completely single at the minute. (They cross road) Do you want to get…?
Alison (distracted by phone) Hiya Luce. 
Lucy: Hiya Ali. Sorry I was so abrupt before.
Alison: It’s fine. I can actually meet you earlier if you want. I’m not meeting Tyler anymore (Bill pulls her away from dog mess)
Bill: Watch it! (Smiles gratefully at him) 
Lucy: Yeah okay. I’ll meet you at the Strawberry at six. (Lucy hangs up)

Back at Right Path
Alison: (dumps coat) did you have a nice lunch? (Smiles at Gary)
Gary (nods as drinks coffee) Yeah thanks (swallows noisily) did you?
Tiffani: She had a bit of afternoon delight (sits down at side of Gary’s desk)
Alison: What are you talking about?
Tiffani: We saw you and Bill leave together
Alison: We went for lunch with Daphne, Stevi and Scarlett. Nothing earth shattering
Penelope (lets other clients inside) Come on you lot!
Gary: Oh come on Ali. He fancies you (laughs at her expression) everyone knows that
Alison: He fancies Olivia. (Moves mouse, brings screen to life) 
Bill (walks in with Olivia) Hi (Olivia smiles nervously at Alison)
Tiffani: (suggestive drawl) Hey Bill (smiles cheekily) 
Bill: (glances back at Alison before sitting next to Olivia) 
Tiffani: Oh he doesn’t fancy you at all! (laughing as takes coffee back into office)
Gary: Have you done your personal job search yet?
Alison: No. I’ve got to put these out though (waves the thick stack of job vacancies)
Penelope: No you’ve got to do your job search. Sit yourself down with the rest of them.
Alison: Okay. (Makes way to tables, sitting next to Olivia) Hey. (pulls paper towards her)
Olivia: Hello (Buries self back into book)
Alison: What are you reading?
Olivia (Shows spine of Orwell’s down and out in Paris and London) It’s my favourite book
Alison: Mine too, I used to take it on every train journey. 
Stevi: I don’t get that. Why would you read a book?
Scarlett: Because she’s dull. (Scarlett gathers stuff) Tell them I’ve got a meeting with my JSA adviser. (directs order at Alison, and leaves)

In the Strawberry Gardens’ beer garden 

Lucy: She did what?
Alison: Dispensed her orders and buggered off. (Sips her drink) God I could have slapped her! 
Lucy: I would have done. (laughs) sounds like you had a really shit day. 
Alison: Yeah, well there was one bright spot.
Lucy: (notes the smile on her friend’s face) Must be a bloke.
Alison: How did you know? (Sets down her drink)
Lucy: We’ve been friends since we were five. I know it’s always a bloke with you. (Sips from her beer) So who is he?
Alison: Bill. He’s a ex soldier. But a bit of a flirt, keeps flirting with another girl at Right Path.
Lucy: Is he the one who was with you when I phoned the second time?
Alison: Yes. He and I spent most of the breaks together. 
Lucy: He stuck with you when you were covered in bird shit?
Alison: Yeah. 
Lucy: It must be love!
(Alison’s phone goes off and she answers it)
Bill: Hi. 
Alison: Hi Bill
Bill: So are you up for meeting me for a drink? (words come out in a rush as he’s nervous)
Alison (glances at Lucy, who smiles) Yeah that’d be good. 
Bill: (laughs) Great. See you tomorrow at Right Path and we’ll decide on a time. (hangs up)
Alison: (laughs) I just hope tomorrow isn’t like today!