Challenge #26 - Kidnapping/Reunion
[SYLVIA is caught in a Scooby-Doo style trap, banging on the bars, trying to get out. FORREST enters, cackling like a super villain, because he is.]
FORREST
I see you have fallen into my trap! What poor unsuspecting victim have I caught-
[Sees SYLVIA]
Oh! Sylvia? Is that you?
SYLVIA
How do you know my name?
FORREST
It’s me, Forrest. I was your lab partner in Chemistry.
SYLVIA
What? I don’t think so…
FORREST
I had kind of longer hair then, to here. And, of course, I was more of a wimp. Didn’t work out like I should have. But this work really helps with that. I hung that cell you’re in myself.
SYLVIA
But my chemistry partner was so kind.
FORREST
And what did that ever get me? I never got invited to parties. No girl ever went to a dance with me. I got picked on by the stoners and the athletes. High school was hell. So now I bring hell to everyone else.
SYLVIA
I see. You’re a “nice guy”. Just because you were on the surface polite, you expected girls to fall all over you.
FORREST
No, don’t put that on me! I’m not some incel wannabe. I never “got the girl” but it was the bullying. And the bullying didn’t stop after high school. In college, once I got a job, everyone thinks because they are bigger, stronger, older, richer, they can just do whatever they want. I’m just righting the scales.
SYLVIA
By kidnapping people at random?
FORREST
Oh, you have notes?
SYLVIA
I mean, what you’re doing right now isn’t going to change the status quo.
FORREST
You don’t know that.
SYLVIA
Oh, don’t I?
FORREST
Setting these traps are a lot harder than you might think.
SYLVIA
Work smarter, not harder.
FORREST
I don’t remember you being this annoying in high school.
SYLVIA
To be fair, I don’t recall you holding me against my will in high school. I’d tell you to ask Griffin what I was like to someone who did try that in high school but…
FORREST
What?
SYLVIA
Well, he had that unfortunate accident a few years out of school and didn’t make it.
FORREST
What are you implying?
SYLVIA
Only that if you value your life you won’t keep me in here much longer. Oh, and also that being the change you want to see in the world isn’t just about taking action. It’s about taking specific actions with specific targets. Not acting indiscriminately against whoever is walking in the woods on a given day.
FORREST
I…
SYLVIA
“-am deeply sorry for any trouble I caused you and am letting you go now. Please, please don’t hold it against me. I promise I will plan my schemes better in the future.”
FORREST
…yes. That.
[The cage opens. SYLVIA walks out]
SYLVIA
Good boy.
[passes him a business card]
Once you figure out your “thing” reach out. Maybe I can help make it happen. See you at the ten year reunion if not.
[She walks away, FORREST is awestruck. End of scene]