Dramatis Personae 

 

Emily is an 18 year old who wants to spend a quiet night with her girlfriend. 

 

Hannah is an exasperated 18 year old who wants her sister to be safe, and also Emily. 

 

Linda MacDonald is the first queer Prime Minister of Canada who wants to change the world. 

 

Olivia is Hannah’s sister and she crushing on the new girl hard. She wants to keep her vigilantism a secret. She should be played by a trans actress. Karen/Chris

 

Alexis is the new girl in town who just moved into the local haunted house. She wants to be more than friends with Olivia. Madison/Mary

 

Notes: If this is performed with Rebellion and Riot then actors who played Emily, Hannah, and Linda should stay the same. Italics are the actors who should play the same characters. 

 

 

Lights up on a recently renovated basement. Most of the furniture is sleek, and new except for one antique drawer from the 80’s. Curled up on the couch together are HANNAH and EMILY. Sitting on the love seat with more space and a lot of awkward teenage crushing between them are OLIVIA and ALEXIS. They all sit slightly angled toward LINDA MCDONALD the first queer Prime Minister of Canada who is giving her first address to the nation. 

 

HANNAH (to Emily)

 

I can’t believe you didn’t want to go downtown to watch this. This is historic. 

 

EMILY 

 

I know. I know, but is it so wrong to just want to quietly enjoy this moment with you, and let the moment itself be loud? 

 

HANNAH 

 

You and quiet huh? 

 

EMILY 

​

I’m serious. This is where I want to be. I mean I thought we were going to watch from my basement, but when you said we had the chance to watch from the Wraith Women’s basement how could I refuse? 

 

OLIVIA

 

You aren’t going to tell the story of your first kiss again are you? 

 

HANNAH (to Emily)

 

Just remember you wanted to hang out with my sister and her friend. 

 

EMILY (To Alexis)

 

Thanks again for inviting us to your haunted house! 

 

HANNAH 

 

It is not haunted. You just wanted it to be. 

 

ALEXIS (nervous laughter) 

 

Yeah we learned about the urban legend after we moved in. Something about ghost witches right? 

​

Emily goes to answer 

 

HANNAH (to Alexis)

​

Do not get her started. 

 

EMILY 

 

Fine. You guys fixed this place up nicely. Last time we were here it was falling apart. 

​

ALEXIS 

 

Ugh, I know, but my dad needed a “project,” and so here we are: the after picture of a home reno show. 

 

Olivia laughs hard, and long. Longer then the joke really warrants. 

​

OLIVIA (awkwardly) 

​

Er. Anyway. It’s so cool to see a queer Prime Minister right? She’s awesome. 

​

EMILY 

 

Oh, she’s starting her speech!

 

LINDA 

​

Hello fellow Canadians. It is an honour to be standing before you today as Prime Minister of Canada. (The girls in the living room all cheer) I am aware that I  stand here as a symbol as much as I stand here as a person. I hope to be worthy in both respects. I stand here representing both women, and the queer community of this country, and the world–  I’m sorry, I’m getting a message from my security team. It appears there is some kind of disturbance outside. I ask you all to remain calm–  

 

OLIVIA 

 

I have to go! To, uh, the bathroom! 

 

Olivia exits

​

ALEXIS 

​

Olivia? Are you ok? 

​

EMILY 

 

What’s going on? What’s the “disturbance?” 

 

HANNAH 

 

I don’t know darling I’m watching the same thing you are. 

 

Oliva enters dressed as her superhero alter ego LIGHTSPEED. She approaches Linda and whispers something in the surprised PM’s ear before exiting. To create the effect of superspeed the other characters should move in slow motion while she is on stage. 

 

HANNAH 

​

Was that– 

​

EMILY 

 

Lightspeed! The vigilante! I thought they were pretty local. Sticking to downtown T.O. They made it to Ottawa fast. Though I guess that’s the party trick. 

 

LINDA 

 

I have just gotten confirmation from my security team that the confrontation outside has been handled by the vigilante called Lightspeed. While I am...grateful to this person for keeping us safe I would like to remind you all that the government has not yet changed its view on vigilantism. The continuing rise of people with the so called “Hero-gene” mutation getting powers is a priority issue for this country, and there is much we need to do. 

 

Olivia enters clothes askew, and her shirt on backwards. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Hey, what’d I miss? 

 

EMILY 

 

Oh My God! LS saved the Prime Minister. 

 

HANNAH 

 

Technically all we know is that the vigilante stopped a disturbance. 

 

OLIVIA 

​

Oh cool. I mean, as long as everyone is safe. 

 

ALEXIS 

 

That moment where she slowed down to whisper that thing to the PM was one of the only moments of her not, you know blurry from the running. I think she’s cute. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Wait what? 

 

EMILY 

 

If you guys could have superpowers what would they be? I’d want one of those mind powers like telekinesis. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Cute like puppy cute? Or I-want-to-hold-her-hand cute?

​

HANNAH 

​

You just want to be able to get stuff without getting off the couch. 

​

EMILY 

​

Hannah.

 

HANNAH 

 

Fine. I guess I’d pick flight. I always thought that’d be cool. 

​

OLIVIA 

 

Oh, um, oh if I had a  superpower. Um shapeshifting I guess?

 

ALEXIS 

 

Really? It seems a waste you’re already so beautiful. 

​

HANNAH (to Emily)

 

How come my sister gets smooth lines like that, but you weren’t anywhere near that level of sauve when you flirted with me? 

 

EMILY 

 

What wretched wounds– 

 

HANNAH 

 

Darling 

 

EMILY 

 

I don’t see what your complaining about. I mean here we are. 

 

HANNAH 

 

Yeah, here we are. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Um thanks. Thanks. What you about? I mean what about you? 

 

EMILY 

 

You were about that awkward. 

 

ALEXIS 

​

Oh I’d probably pick telekinesis. 

 

EMILY 

 

I already said that one. 

​

OLIVIA 

 

People can have the same powers. It's all hypothetical anyway. 

​

LINDA 

​

I know there are certain countries who in the wake of these superhuman mutations have required those with the gene to register. I am not a fan of this solution, and will be putting together a committee to explore other options for our country. 

​

ALEXIS 

 

Probably a good call. Historically putting people on lists and judging them for something biological has not gone well. 

 

HANNAH 

​

People do crazy things when they’re afraid. 

 

EMILY 

 

Well lets hope Linda Mcdonald paid attention in history. Oh, I finished my drink. They’re upstairs right Alexis? 

 

ALEXIS 

 

Yeah, do you want me to– 

 

EMILY 

​

No. We got it. 

​

HANNAH 

​

We do? 

 

EMILY 

 

Now who doesn’t want to get up off the couch? Come on. 

 

HANNAH 

 

I’m not so in love with you I do everything you  say. 

 

EMILY 

 

Ok. Are you coming? 

 

HANNAH 

 

Yes. Do you two want anyth– 

 

EMILY 

 

No I think they’re fine. Let’s leave them alone– I mean let's take ourselves upstairs. 

 

Emily and Hannah exit. There is awkward silence for Alexis and Olivia. 

 

ALEXIS 

 

Hey, Olivia I know I’m the new kid and all, and well, it meant a lot that you agreed to come hang out tonight. 

 

OLIVIA

 

Yeah I’m glad I could come. Though bringing my sister and her girlfriend may not have been the best strategy. 

 

ALEXIS

​

Strategy? 

 

OLIVIA 

 

To get you to kiss me. 

 

ALEXIS

 

Huh, well I think you’re doing pretty OK despite that. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

So if I– 

 

ALEXIS 

 

Kiss me. 

 

They kiss. It starts sweet before quickly getting hotter. Alexis lifts Olivia’s shirt over her head and Olivia breaks away in panic. 

​

ALEXIS (yelling)

 

Oh shit! You’re– 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Are you going to say trans or a superhero? And are either of those a problem? 

 

ALEXIS

​

Lightspeed. You’re Lightspeed. And no, not a problem. Shit. You’re her!

​

OLIVIA 

 

Yeah. Uh, yeah. 

 

Enter Hannah. 

 

HANNAH 

​

I heard yelling and not the good kind–  oh fuck. 

 

Enter Emily, carrying drinks.

 

 EMILY 

 

What? What happened? Oh. Cool. 

 

HANNAH 

​

Cool? Cool? My baby sister is– 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Could we maybe keep it down before more people come to investigate the yelling? 

 

HANNAH (angry whispering) 

 

Keep it down? Keep it down?!?! You’ve been running around Canada in some kind of spandex getup, breaking the law, getting into fights with dangerous people– 

 

EMILY 

 

Running around really fast. 

 

HANNAH and OLIVIA 

​

What? 

​

EMILY 

 

She’s been running around Canada in spandex really fast. That’s the trick right? 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Yes. I have superspeed from the “hero-mutation”. It happened a few months ago when I turned 16. 

 

EMILY 

 

You couldn’t come up with a better name than Lightspeed? 

 

HANNAH 

 

You’re really focusing on the name right now? 

​

EMILY 

 

I’m focusing on the part of this we can have input on. Your sister has the gene. That’s a thing. She has superspeed. Also a thing we can’t change or do anything about other than accept. The name and the costume on the other hand…

 

OLIVIA 

 

Look, please don’t tell Mom. I mean don’t tell anyone, but please, please, don’t tell mom. 

 

HANNAH 

​

The gene thing...I wish you had felt you could tell me Olivia, but I get it was your call, and I’m sorry you didn’t get to control how you told me. But this whole vigilante thing, you don’t have to do that. 

 

ALEXIS 

 

I don’t mean to intrude on this family moment, but I think it's up to her isn’t it? You just have to support her or not. 

​

HANNAH 

​

This is dangerous and illegal. 

​

OLIVIA 

 

It might not be illegal for much longer. Linda Mcdonald might change things. As for the fact that it’s dangerous other people can’t touch me. I get in and out of situations before people even realize I’m there. I’m saving people Hannah. I’m helping them. 

 

HANNAH 

​

I’m proud of you. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

What? 

 

HANNAH 

 

You heard me. And the name really does need work. 

​

OLIVIA 

 

You won't tell anyone. 

 

HANNAH

​

You should tell mom, but its not my place to. 

 

EMILY  

 

Hey Alexis do you have a phone charger I can borrow? 

 

ALEXIS 

 

Yeah in that old drawer. 

​

OLIVIA 

 

Well what name do you think I should have gone with? 

 

HANNAH 

 

Trust me, my girlfriend will have an alphabetized list for you by the end of the night. 

​

EMILY 

​

Um, I found an old watch, but not a phone charger. 

​

ALEXIS 

​

Huh, I’ve never seen it before. That set of drawers is one of the only things my dad kept from the house pre-renovating. 

​

HANNAH (coming up to Emily)

 

What is it?

 

EMILY 

​

It stopped ticking. 

​

LINDA 

​

The past is certain and finished. The future is ever uncertain and unfinished. It is only the present we can control. It is only in the present that we can make amends for the past, and take action to build a better future. I remember dreaming of this future in my past which is now the present. I hope that my future time in office becomes a past for Canada to be proud of. 

​

ALEXIS 

 

Hey, Olivia. Your secret’s safe with me too. I won't tell anyone. And,uh, here’s your shirt back. 

 

OLIVIA (blushing)

​

Thanks. 

 

EMILY (loud) 

 

Well I think I left something upstairs in the kitchen. 

 

HANNAH 

 

No I don’t think so. 

 

EMILY 

 

Pretty sure I left my phone. 

 

HANNAH 

 

You just plugged it in. 

​

EMILY 

​

Well let's go up and check anyway. 

 

HANNAH 

 

What are you... oh. Right. Listen you two– 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Do you really have the right to lecture us on making out in this house considering how you and Emily started dating? 

​

HANNAH 

​

Five minutes to “find Emily’s phone,” and then we’re working on some ground rules for this superhero thing. 

​

EMILY (dragging Hannah away)

​

And a better name! 

 

Hannah and Emily exit. 

 

ALEXIS 

 

How did they start dating? 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Before your family moved in this house had been abandoned for awhile. They snuck in on Halloween to find ghosts. 

​

ALEXIS 

​

Find any? 

​

OLIVIA 

​

Funnily enough that’s never the part of the story they tell. It’s always about how they kissed. 

 

ALEXIS 

 

Hey this might be a weird question but can I try on your mask? 

​

Olivia pulls out her mask and Alexis tries it on, doing a few superhero poses. 

​

OLIVIA 

​

It looks better on you. 

​

ALEXIS 

 

See, I was right. Lightspeed is cute. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

So I guess now you know I come with a lot of, uh, extras. 

​

ALEXIS 

 

I think I can keep up with you. 

 

OLIVIA 

​

I’ll slow down for you. I really like you Alexis. 

 

ALEXIS 

 

Well that’s a relief. Because I really like you too. 

 

Olivia pulls the mask off Alexis.

​

OLIVIA 

 

Do you think you could say that again? 

 

ALEXIS 

 

I really like you Olivia, and I’d kiss you again, but I think your sister was serious about that time limit. 

 

OLIVIA 

 

Worst. Strategy. Ever. 

​

The two settle closer together on the loveseat, and shyly hold hands. 

 

LINDA 

 

Thank you Canada for listening. That’s all for right now, but I for one am looking forward to tomorrow. 

 

Lights dim. 

 

THE END.