Clara & Carmilla
Aidan Pauer
Scene 5
(Friday night inside a diner, Loud 80’s rock is playing, and pictures of rock stars both classic and modern hang on its walls. We see Clara (she/they), Levi (they/them), Mira, (she/her) and Jonny (he/they) sitting in a booth looking over menus.)
Mira
Okay we are definitely ordering the chili cheese fries.
Jonny
Last time I had those I was in the shit dimension, and didn’t leave the bathroom for an hour
Mira
It’s not my fault you have a weak ass stomach.
Levi
(Exasperated as if they heard this conversation many times) Just get one order of regular fries and one order of cheese. I can’t have chili anyway.
(Mira and Jonny look at eachother and agree with Levi. They all go back to the menu)
Mira
Okay but what about milkshakes. We need something to dip the regular boring fries into.
Jonny
(Actinglike Clara is royalty). Clara in your infinite wisdom and knowledgewhat delectableshaken milk should we choose?
(Clara doesn’t hear this. Her head is down. The other three stare at Clara trying to get them to notice the group. She does not respond. Finally, Levi taps them on the shoulder).
Levi
Clara are you with us?
(Clara shocked by the touch jumps and bangs her knees on the table. They let out a yelp.)
Clara
Ugh you scared me.
Jonny
How? They are literally sitting right next to you. There is no way you can be scared by that.
Clara
I just was, okay?
Levi
What is going on with you?
(They try to grab Clara’s hand but notice something)
Levi
You’ve got to be kidding me.
(They grab what she is holding, and places it on the table)
Mira
Are you serious?!
Jonny
You brought it with you?!!!
(On the table is a library book. It is old and looks like this is the first time it has been checked out. It is Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu)
Clara
Don’t put it on the table, that’s a library book, I need to keep it in good condition.
Jonny
Clara pages are falling out, it’s too far gone.
Mira
Anyway, isn’t your paper supposed to be on Dracula? Have you even started reading it?
Clara
No
Levi
Have you even picked up the copy of Dracula at the library?
Clara
I was going to but when I went down to get it, this book came flying off the shelf.
Levi
Not this again.
Mira
Books don’t fly.
Clara
This one did.
Jonny
(Under his breath) Okay that is kinda cool though
(Mira nudges him to stop talking, they look to her not understanding what he did wrong).
Clara
Listen this is the first real vampire story. And no one talks about it. No one even mentions it! Carmilla follows two women with immense attraction to each other. It’s a queer love story. It was and the real innovation of gothic literature, not Dracula. Carmilla was the first vampire.
Mira
I mean the author was what cis,white, and straight?
Jonny
Wow a triple threat.
Clara
(a little aggravated) That’s not the point.
Mira
I thought you hated reading the same stories over and over---
Clara
Oh, so now you’re quoting me--
Levi
Okay, okay
(Levi gestures for Mira to back off)
Levi
Listen sweetie, we’re worried about you.
Clara
What?
Mira
You are not getting any sleep. The bags underneath your eyes have bags.
Jonny
Yesterday in geology, you didn’t even take notes once, you were just sitting there reading. I know it’s a boring class, but still.
Levi
And you haven’t been spending any time with us. You’ve skipped out on our last three dates.
Clara
I’ve been busy
Levi
With what? Any time I see you, you have your nose stuck in that book.
Mira
Clara, you have been shutting us out. That’s why we all wanted to have dinner together.
Jonny
You’re obsessed with this book.
Levi
Is there something…
(A waiter comes back to take the groups order but Levi waves them off. Levi holds both of Clara’s hands)
Levi
Is there something else going on?
Clara
(Pulls back their hands from Levi) What?! No! I’m just really into this book okay. And it’s getting me aggravated that there is still history that no one knows about. Especially in literature. There was a gothic queer story right in front of us. This! (She picks up the book) This is what I should be writing about.
Jonny
Listen we get it. It’s upsetting when we find out there were old queer stories that have been hidden from us.
Mira
But Clara, you’re losing yourself to this. This can’t be where you put all your energy towards.
Clara
So, what am I supposed to do? Just let it go!
Levi
No…listen if you really want to write your paper about Carmilla, why don’t you bring it up to Professor Davis. I’m sure if you explain your feelings about this, he’ll understand.
Clara
Professor Davis doesn’t have feelings. There is no way he will let me write about Carmilla instead.
Mira
You don’t know till you try.
Clara
(softly) Yeah, you’re right.
Jonny
But until you talk to him can you like put down the book. Spend time with us. Do other work. Eat a fry
Clara
I do like fries.
Levi
Maybe actually follow through on one of our dates.
(They playfully nudge Clara, who in response gives Levi a kiss.)
Clara
I’m sorry for acting so strange. I’ll try and be better about it. And I will talk to Professor Davis about the assignment.
Mira
Good! Now please tell us what milkshake to order.
Clara
Chocolate obviously.
(The group orders their food, and enjoy a nice dinner together, as the 80’s rock kicks up again. While they talk the music becomes slightly distorted with a violin joining in with guitars. Behind this scene, we see the shadow that has been haunting Clara. She has long black hair, and her eyes are hidden by it. She wears clothes that are reminiscent of a traditional Slavic style. She stares at Clara as she puts the book away in her bag. The music becomes even more distorted. The woman stares at the others in anger. Clara looks out the window and notices the strange woman. Before Clara can say anything, she is gone.)
