HOUSEHOLD

HOUSEHOLD

[Adam turns off a hot shower. He goes down the stairs, and sits heavily at the table, where Sparkle is sipping on a tall glass of juice]. 

Adam: Hey?

Sparkle: You're looking bright today.

Adam: Not as bright as you - no doubt.[Frowns]Get me something to eat will you?

Sparkle: [Wants to object, but then shrugs]here.[Passes him her juice].

Adam: [Drinks it without a squeal].

Sparkle: You look terrible.

Adam: [Finishes the drink]What makes you say that?[Runs a hand over his face]Now, go and get me something to eat.

Sparkle: Do I look like a waitress to you?

Adam: [Glares at Sparkle]No?

Sparkle: Crowds make me nervous.

Adam: So get a job without crowds.

Sparkle: I have a body deterrent.

Adam: [Scowls]Well, fine - you just sit here, and watch TV all day.I'll get you everything you need.

Adam: [Leaves].


[Adam works through the day, he then returns home, and as he pulls into the drive he almost crashes into Pepper who's practising roller-blading.He bares his horn - Pepper gets out of the way, stumbling on the grass as she tries to hurry, Adam parks the rest of the way, and then angrily gets out and rushes up to Pepper].

Adam: What were you doing?I could have hit you!

Pepper: [Undoing her blades]I was practising.

Adam: Where did you get those?Did you steal them?

Pepper: No?

Adam: Well then where?

Pepper: I got them cheap.

Adam: Are you sure?

Pepper: Yes?. I don't steal. 

Adam: Oh?

Pepper: Fine don't believe me.

Adam: [Stalks Pepper, and then gets distracted when he's inside as Sparkle jumps in front of his face in a hideous outfit of pink and yellow skirt, and red overalls.]What are you wearing.

Sparkle: Clothes aren't these cute?

Adam: Overalls Sparkle?Where's the skirt?You can't get an interview with those kids clothes on.

Sparkle: What?They suit me fine.Anyhow, what do I care about interviews?[Scoffs and walks to the kitchen].

Adam: [Follows]You should. [Sees Pepper eating an apple]Both you girls should. You can't count on me every year.Or your mother. We don't have savings, you're putting yourselves in perilous positions. 

Sparkle: [Smiles].

Adam: Smile all you want - I'm serious.

Pepper: [Looks to her apple]Mum didn't get her first job until she was thirty.

Adam: Well you girls aren't your mother.

Sparkle: Act?

Adam: That's right?not many women can do what she does.She's one in six million.

Sparkle: [To Pepper]What's he saying.

Pepper: He's saying we're not sexy enough to live like her. 

Adam: Exactly.

Sparkle: I'm sexy!

Pepper: In those clothes?

Sparkle: Ugh!Don't be so on the surface Pepper!

Adam: [Frowns].

Champagne: I think the word is shallow Sparkle.[Waltzes inside in a mini skirt, and a tube top, and knee high boots, and jewellery, and heavy make-up.]

Adam: [Gapes, wondering where she got the money, and how she grew up].

Pepper: [Nudges Adam in the ribs].

Sparkle: My words are just fine.[Rolls her eyes and walks to watch TV.]

Pepper: [Gives Adam a final nudge and he grunts].

Champagne: Hi dad! Money?

Adam: Not today;

Champagne: [Rolls her eyes, and grabs an apple and goes to watch TV]


[The night passes slowly, the girls raid the Kitchen and find a packet of chips, and a box of sultanas for dinner.]

[Adam return that afternoon. Shopping in hand. He dumps the bags on the floor and then scopes out the house. Sparkle is watching television. The other two are nowhere in sight.

Adam: Hey Sparkle, where is everyone?

Sparkle: Pepper and Champagne went out for a walk.  We got munches.

Adam: They have money?

Sparkle: [Shrugs].

Adam: [Gets mad]I didn't raise you kids up to be petty thieves.

Sparkle: [Looks at him and blinks] 

Adam: [Sighs]There's food in the kitchen.

Sparkle: [Jumps up with a grin and runs to the kitchen and rummages through the bags]Eggs are broken.

Adam: [Grits his teeth].

Sparkle: Maybe I can just fry them up?I think I can save the goo.

Adam: Well, you do what you can?I'm off to shower.

Sparkle: Oooh!Twist Roll!Cinnamon!

[Adam has a shower. When he comes down Sparkle has made a huge herb pancake with the eggs and is devouring it. He takes a portion and layers cheese on top of it, then grabs a drink and goes to watch television.]

Adam: Don't eat that roll too fast Sparkle.

Sparkle: [Giggles behind him].

[Time passes and the other two girls still aren't home. Adam looks at his watch, and gets a bit feisty.]

Adam: Where are they?

[Sparkle showers, and dresses in her bed clothes, then goes to watch television].

Sparkle: The TV is mine until ten.

Adam: [Gives her the remote with a sigh.]You sure you don't know where they are?

[Just then two girls come giggling through the front door. They stop at the kitchen, and grab a bag of chips, before they continue on.]

Adam: [Jumps up].Where have you two been?

Champagne: [Drunk]Relax Daddy O.

Adam: [Sniffs the air]Are you drunk?

Champagne: Just let us pass?

Pepper: Yeah just let us move?

Adam: You're both drunk!

Champagne: Nah?we were just at a bar, and this nice young man offered?

Adam: I don't care about your stories!You are both too young to drink?well at least, you are Champagne!

Pepper: She don't look it?

Champagne: Yeah?I just had to say?oh I lost my ID?

[Adam gives Champagne a slap on the face].

Sparkle: [Goes to her room.]

Adam: Pepper!Get out of here!

Pepper: What you do that for?

Adam: Out!

Pepper: [Goes to her room.]

Champagne: I'm going too?

Adam: Oh no you don't.I've had it up to the ears with you!

Champagne: What's your problem?

Adam: My problem?You're disrespectful, you dress like trash, you go out all hours of the night?When was the last time you went to school.

Champagne: [Scoffs]There's nothing to do there?

Adam: You study, it's school.It's a place of learning?

Champagne: In theory.In practice?it's just a squatters hole.

Adam: [Sighs].I don't know where to go with you?Sometimes?[runs a hand over his brow]Sometimes it's as though?oh I can't say it?

Champagne: Say what?Come on - we're all mature here?well I am.

Adam: [Sighs]Sometimes I can hardly believe you were legitimately mine. 

Champagne: [Smiles]Am I supposed to be hurt by that?Everyone knows you have a hooker wife!Where do you think she goes during the day!

Adam: [Smacks her again]

Champagne: [Stumbles to the floor with agrumble, then laughs].

Adam: Don't laugh now?

Champagne: Why is it illegal?[Stands up, with a chipped lip]Now look what you've done!I bit my lip?

Adam: Get out of my sight.

Champagne: Why?Too hot to handle?[Smiles].

Adam: [Grabs her shoulders]Don't talk like that!You're not gutter trash!

Champagne: No?we've still got a roof over our heads?for now.But I will be in the gutter one day, if I follow your lead.

Adam: [Pushes her away]Go to your room, and stay in there!I'll not have you go out.

Champagne: [Stumbles to her room, where the others are peeping their heads out of the door]I wouldn't dream of it Daddy O?

Adam: And stop calling me that! 

[Adam looks to the other two girls who dive their heads back inside.Champagne stumbles inside, then the door is slammed closed].


[Adam tosses and turns through the night.He feels a little guilty about hitting Champagne, but even more concerned that his guardianship appears as though it is untrained.He decides to take two weeks off from work in order to make sure that his kids do things properly.]

[Pepper peeks her head out of her room early next morning].

Pepper: [Whispers]Coast is clear.

Sparkle: [Whispers]Then why are you whispering?

Pepper: Why are you?

Champagne: Guys quit it!Let's get ourselves munches and then hit the town market.

Sparkle: But we have no money?.

Champagne: [Rolls her eyes]As long as you have fingers, you have money. [Heads off to the kitchen].

Sparkle: [Frowns]What's that supposed to mean?

Pepper: [Groans and follows Champaign].

Sparkle: [Looks at her hands and then follows].

[The girls get to the kitchen and start a kitchen raid.They take out chips, candy corn, cake, and biscuits.]

Champagne: This should keep us up for the day?Sparkle, bag?

Sparkle: [Hands over her bag].

Pepper: [Sticks her head out from the fridge].Guys?freezer cones for breakfast!

Champagne: Here!

Pepper: [Tosses Champagne one].

Sparkle: I'd rather some biscuits?.[Opens the biscuit packet and digs in].

Champagne: Mmmm?.give me one![Takes a handful and dips it in the ice-cream.

Sparkle: [Eats some biscuit].

Pepper: [Sucks on a cone].

Champagne: Mmmm?do you guys think a string top will suit me?

Pepper: Does a fly have wings?

Champagne: [Blinks].

Pepper: Yes.

Sparkle: I doubt there's anything which wouldn't suit you.Unless it's a double D cup.

Champagne: [Wrinkles her nose]Well, maybe that'll be fixed one day.

Pepper: Yeah, when you've had five kids and are starting to get the droop.

Champagne and Sparkle:[Scream].

Pepper: [Smiles].

[Suddenly Ingrid stumbles through the door heels in hand.The girls freeze and look to each other, as Ingrid comes into the kitchen panting].

Ingrid:Hey?breakfast?[Grabs the cone off Champagne and suck on it with slurps]. What you girls doing here?Shouldn't you be at school?

Pepper: Sparkle and I don't go to school mum.

Champagne: I quit.

Ingrid:Quit?Don't you do that, otherwise you'll end up on your back for all your life.

Pepper: Isn't that where all girls end up?

Ingrid:Not the smart ones?

Sparkle: Were you smart?

Ingrid:Don't you get smart with me young lady!

Sparkle: I was just a question?

Pepper: You look great today Ingrid.

Ingrid:Yeah?I thought so?must be because of my luck?

Champagne: [Eats some more cookies.]You won?

Ingrid:I did.

Champagne: Where's the money.

Ingrid:Bet it all on seven on the walk over here.

Pepper: How much was it?

Ingrid:[Smiles].What's it to you?

Pepper: How much?

Ingrid:My money, my business.

Pepper: How much!

Ingrid:[Narrows her gaze at Pepper] More then you'll ever know of.

Pepper: [grows angry and sucks on her ice cream extra hard].

Ingrid:You're all rotten kids.[Sighs]I'm going out.See you girls tomorrow.

Pepper: The famous words of last week.

Ingrid:That's cause they come off my tongue.

[Ingrid leaves].

Sparkle: Why did she come home at all?

Champagne: To let us know we're not worth her time?

Adam: But you're worth mine.

[Girls gasp and glance over at Adam, who walks through another door.]

Adam: Junk for breakfast?

Pepper: It's the breakfast of champions.

Adam: I don't think so.[Glances to Sparkle]What's in you bag?

Sparkle: Uhm?Books?

Adam: [Smiles and snatches it off of her].Junk food?.

Pepper: Well you brought the food!Don't blame us if we want to eat it. 

Champagne: We've had worse for dinner.On several occasions we've just helped ourselves to a bag of sugar.

Adam: Well things are going to change - I am on a two week vacation.That means for two weeks you are going to be put under my guard.No more lay abouts here.

Champagne: Yeah right?Girls?I'm going out.

Pepper and Sparkle look to Adam, who scowls.

Champagne: You can't stop us Daddy O.What are you gonna do?Cage us in here?That's against the law - you do that and we'll sue the pants off of your fanny.

Adam: [Narrows his eyes].

Champagne: Come on girls?Pepper?Come on!

Pepper: [Shifts her eyes to Adam who's temper is red hot.]Well what do you expect us to do? 

Champagne: [Rolls her eyes]You are not serious!Pepper![Takes Sparkles hand].Come on, nothing is going to happen.

Sparkle: [Shuffles her feet along the tiles, cringing about Champagne's squeeze]. Well?

Champagne: Come on!

Champagne and Sparkle walk out the door, with an effective slam.Adam rolls his eyes to Pepper, who looks at him.

Pepper: Is this what you call effective parenting?You should have worked, at least you'd be earning money.

Adam: Pepper?go to your room. 

Pepper: [Grabs another ice cream]Yes sir?

Adam: [Rolls his eyes].

[Adam waits for the girls to come back.They don't arrive until late afternoon, a little after dusk.He meets them face to face in the lobby]

Adam: Girls.

Champagne: Oh look it's the new house warden.Great job by the way.[Holds up a few plastic bags to show that she's been 'shopping'].

Adam: Now that's enough![Takes the bags from Champagne].

Champagne: That's mine!I spent all day swiping it?

Sparkle: [Looks sharply at Champagne].

Champagne: I mean, shopping for it?

Adam: [Narrows his eyes].Why bother changing your words?You're already in deep.

Champagne: [Lifts an eye brow].

Adam: What's in these things?[Checks].Clothes?jeans?shirt?.stockings?jeans?a watch?[Smiles]Nice picks.

Champagne: [Smiles]I have taste.

Adam: [Smiles and then retreats with the bags].

Champagne: [Wipes her smile off her face and follows]Wait?what are you doing?

Adam: [Adam marches to the lounge area and throws the item onto a fire.It spits and roars].

Champagne: No! [Scowls at Adam and gives him a push]You bastard!Those things cost hundreds of dollars.

Adam: Now they're worth nothing.

Champagne: Are you crazy?[Gives him another push].

Adam: [Slaps her.]

Champagne: [Stumbles].

Sparkle: [Jumps as she watches from the kitchen entrance].

Adam: You want another you keep pushing for it?now get into your room!

Champagne: Screw you?

Adam: [Hits her again].

Champagne: [Stumbles, and laughs and looks to Sparkle who disappears into the kitchen].

Adam: Off to your room now you hear?

Champagne: [Laughs and stumbles to her room. Pepper who had been peeking through a crack opens the door and coddles her once she's inside].

Adam: Stay in there now.

Champagne: [Moves to put up her finger[.

Pepper: [Keeps it down and closes the door whispering].

Adam: [Narrows his gaze at the house].Sparkle? [Wanders to the kitchen where he finds sparkle clinging to the end of a phone.He goes over and pulls the chord out].No phone calls for a while huh?

Sparkle: I was just phoning up?a friend?

Adam: [Smiles].Did you go shopping too?[Picks up a bag by her feet].What's in here? [Looks].Baby clothes?

Sparkle: [Shrugs].

Adam: Get to your room.

Sparkle: [Runs off].

[Pepper is ready to let her inside, and she closes the door with a lock].

Champagne: Damn freak is crazy!Who does he think he is anyway? [Looks to Sparkle who comes in].Oh, let me guess?he got your bag?

Sparkle: Almost?[Takes out a small bag which she hid in her overalls.Its from a jewellers store].

Champagne: [Snatches it and takes out the items]Jewels?.

Pepper: Are those diamonds?

Champagne: Yes!Wow?it's the loot of the loot.[Looks to Sparkle]Well done.

Sparkle: [Shrugs].

Champagne: [Puts it in a hiding spot].No one is to tell him about this all right?

Pepper: As long as we all can wear them when we go out you have a deal.

Champagne: [Nods and then jumps onto her bed]. So, we'll be spending two weeks sleeping?I can live with that?[rolls over and goes to sleep.]

 
Later that night the girls get peckish.They whisper about going to raid the fridge, and take action.The pick up flash-lights, and then creep through the house.Adam is on the lounge asleep in the dark.The girls get inside the kitchen, and open the fridge door.

Champagne: What the hell?Where's all the food?

Pepper: I guess being at home all the time made Adam peckish.

Sparkle: [Hits the cupboards].Nothing!Not even a bag of chips!

Champagne: If he thinks he's going to starve us to death, he's got another thing coming.Come on!Let's go raid his wallet!

Sparkle: But he'll get angry again!You've already got bruises all over your face!

Champagne: It's just a skin sore?now come on![Takes Sparkles hand and leads her on]. 

Pepper: [Shrugs and follows].

[The girls creep to Adams roomvery quietly.Pepper creaks a board, and they freeze.They then continue on as the house remains dead silent.They open the door and peek around.]

Champagne: [Holds her breath and goes to the dresser drawers and rummages very quietly.]

Pepper: [Goes to the cupboard and opens it and looks around].

Sparkle: [Searches the floor, for dropped wallets or notes.]

[They girls are very quiet as they search].

Sparkle: [Moves around the bed and then scans her way back to the door.Once there she comes across a shoe.She goes to move it out of the way, when she realises that it is attached to a leg.She touches the leg to make sure it's real, she gets up to the knee, when she realises that it must be Adam.]Uhh?guys?

Champagne/Pepper:Shhh!

Pepper:Do you want us to wake him and get into trouble?

Sparkle:Uh, I think he's already awake.

[The light is turned on, the girls groan and cover their eyes until they get used to the light.]

Adam: Do I have to ask what you girls are doing?

Sparkle:[On the floor]We needed food.There's none in the kitchen.

Adam: So you were going to steal money in order to get food?

Champagne: That was the plan.

Adam: Shame on you girls.

Pepper: Shame on us?You're the one hiding the food?What are we supposed to live on?Water?

Adam: [Smiles].I'm shopping in the morning.Go to bed and sleep it off until then.

Champagne: Well where did all of the food go?

Adam: It was dealt with.

Champagne: Don't give us that!You ate it all didn't you?

Adam: [Smiles].Nice make up?I think you might have missed a spot.Stay if you want to fixed up.

Pepper: [grabs Champagne's arm]Come on?let's go?You'd better have food for us by morning!

[Champagne and Pepper step over Sparkle and head out.Sparkle is having trouble getting up due to the fact that Adam has a firm stamp on her pyjamas].

Adam: Don't I always keep my promises?

Pepper: I don't know, you've never made any before.

Adam: Well you should be excited.

Champagne: [Moans]Can't he order a pizza or something?

Pepper: Come on.

[The comes leave.]

Adam: [turns his attention to Sparkle].You having trouble hearing?

Sparkle: Your foot is on my pyjamas!

Adam: Then ask it to be removed.With the word Please.

Sparkle: Move your foot?.Please.

Adam: [Lifts it with a laugh].

Sparkle: You always going to be a jerk from now on?That's not really what a father is.

Adam: I think it is.But I'm not intending on being a jerk.

Sparkle: Well you are becoming one very successfully.

Adam: Should I get a medal.

Sparkle: You should get a tattoo.

Adam: [Laughs and then turns serious].You want to stay or are you wanting to go to bed.

Sparkle: I'm too hungry to sleep.Are you sure there's nothing to eat?

Adam: There might be something?.

Sparkle: I'll call you the best dad in the world if you give it to me.I'm really hungry, I'll be eaten out by morning if
 I don't get food in me now.

Adam: [Laughs]. 

Sparkle: I'm serious - I have a metabolism disorder.

Adam: Yes, I've noticed.

Sparkle: [Narrows her eyes]I mean I can't not eat.I have to eat every two hours.

Adam: So you're diabetic? 

Sparkle: [Shrugs - she doesn't know what that is].

Adam: Okay?you call me the best dad in the world and I'll give you something?

Sparkle: [Smiles and then wraps her arms around him and says]You're the best dad in the world Adam!

Adam: [Smiles]I wish that was sincere.{takes out a fruit roll from his pocket and gives it to her].There you go.

Sparkle: That's a lolly.

Adam: To last until morning.

Sparkle: [Rolls her eyes].You've got to be kidding? I hugged you

Adam: And I'm rewarding you.What the matter you don't like fruit?

Sparkle: [Frowns]I like it okay?[Takes the bar].You'd just better have some real food by morning.

Adam: Oh I will?

Sparkle: Okay?[Walks to her room].

[The next morning the girls spring out of bed and rush to the kitchen.On the bench they spy three bowls of muesli, in the fridge they see a carton of milk.]

Champagne: What's this?Where's the doughnuts?

Sparkle: Grabs the milk and takes a gulp.

Pepper: Hey!Hey!Hey! [Grabs the milk off her]This is for all of us?[She pours some on a bowl of muesli].

Champagne: [Closely studies a bowl]It looks like, grass seed.

Pepper: Well that's what it is?basically?

Champagne: No?I've found a sultana?It looks kind of dusty and weird though?[Takes it out and squishes].

Pepper: [Stares].

Champagne: What? I thought it was a bug?

Sparkle: [Takes out a spoon]Okay, I'm ready.Give me a bowl.

Pepper: [Passes Sparkle a bowl].

Sparkle: [Takes a mouthful, chews, and then lets it dribble out of her mouth.]

Pepper: You both have atrocious table manners!

Sparkle: [With her mouth half full]It doesn't taste like food?

Champagne: [Chews on a few dry pieces].It doesn't taste like anything.How's anyone supposed to live on this? Are we that poverty stricken?

Pepper: I think it's suppose to declare Adams commitment to making us well balanced people?

Champagne: By feeding us crud? [Crosses her arms]I'm going to complain.

Sparkle: Don't do that, he might hit you again.

Champagne: I don't care!I'm not called Champagne for nothing![Marches out of the room and to Adam's room.She bangs on the door, and then opens it].Hey Adam![She looks around and Adam's not there].Uh?[She walks out and back to the kitchen.]Adam's not here.

Pepper: What do you mean he's not here?

Champagne: I mean?he isn't here.

Sparkle: Where do you think he is?

Champagne: I don't know?[Walks back to her room]I don't care?[She grabs a jacket and goes back to the kitchen.]

Pepper: Why are you dressing?

Champagne: He's out?so?I am free to go.

Pepper: He won't like that.

Sparkle: Yeah he won't like that.

Champagne: I don't care.I'm hungry, I want breakfast.You losers can stay here and eat crud, but not me.[Goes to leave].

Sparkle: [To Pepper]Do you think we should go as well?

Pepper: [Scoffs]Are you kidding?We'll get in trouble.Leave the trouble for her, she seems to like it.

Sparkle: But?

Pepper: If you want to go you can?I'm watching television.

Sparkle: [Looks to the front door as it slams, then she goes to watch television with her bowl of food.]

[Ten minutes later Adam comes in with a few grocery bags.The girls hear then as he shuffles into the kitchen.They move off their asses to inspect].

Adam: [Puts the last bag on the ground].Hey girls.

Sparkle: Is that food?

Adam: Yes, all the food I could carry.

Pepper: they have home delivery service you know, you can use it if your hands aren't enough.

Adam: I'll keep that in mind.

Sparkle: Any cake?

Adam: [Rolls his eyes].

Sparkle: What?I like cake.

Adam: [Rummages through a bag].Here?fruit bread.

Sparkle: It's brown, and black?

Adam: It's healthy.

Sparkle: Well, did you at least get something with flavour?

Adam: Yeah?jam.

Sparkle: [Cringes].

Pepper: Chips?

Adam: No?bread and cheese.Better, healthier.

Pepper: Say that to those with yeast and dairy intolerances. 

Adam: [Smiles]Well, there's jam.

Pepper: [Rolls her eyes].

Adam: Choose and eat girls.[Starts throwing stuff inside the fridge]. 

Pepper: [Picks up a packet of muesli bars].Well it's the closest thing to chips? [Takes it to the television room].

Sparkle: [Rolls her eyes and follows with the fruit loaf].

Adam: Sparkle!

Sparkle: Mmmm?

Adam: Where's Champagne? She's yet to make her choice.

Sparkle: Oh? well maybe you can ask her when she comes back.

Adam: [Darkens]Back?

Sparkle: We thought the muesli was our great breakfast, and well?she didn't like it.She'll be back soon.

Adam: [Nods].

Sparkle: [Leaves to watch television].

The afternoon passes on.Champagne doesn't come back.Adam gets annoyed and frustrated, and constantly walks around the other two girls, as his mood becomes sour.The girls get used to him, and end up falling asleep on the lounge.When they wake they hear a scream.

Pepper: [Picks up]What was that?

Sparkle: [Looks around].I don't know?

[Adam and Champagne come into the lounge, Champagne screaming her head off.]

Adam: [Gives her a hit].

Champagne: [Throws up on the carpet].

Sparkle: [Cringes].

Adam: Look at you!Drunk?well that sure won't happen again.

Champagne: You just hit someone trying to be nice!

Adam: I hit a drunk, trying to get you drunk.

Champagne: You gave the barman my picture!

Adam: I'll give every bar in the universe your picture, so this doesn't happen again!

[Adam picks her up and drags her to the bathroom.Pepper and Sparkle listen as Champagne screams.Adam comes out drenched in water.]

Adam: [Breathing hard].

Pepper: Another parental move?[Spits and goes to Champagne].

Adam: [Sits down on the couch next to Sparkle].Hey?

Sparkle: Hi.

Adam: You like cleaning?

Sparkle: [Narrows her eyes].No!

Adam: [Nods]Me neither. [Shouts to Pepper]Hey Pepper since you're always so helpful why don't you clean up the vomit out here?

Pepper: [From the bathroom]Go to hell!

Champagne: To hell![Giggles].

Adam: [Looks to Sparkle].

Sparkle: No!

Adam: Well I'm charting duties, this can be included as this weeks?

Sparkle: No!

Adam: Well what if I tell you you have no choice.

Sparkle: I'm over eighteen I always have a choice.

Adam: [Smiles]Do you?

Sparkle: Yesss.

Adam: Sure?

Sparkle: Positive.

Adam: Well?I guess your mum and do it when she comes back.

Sparkle: You'll be waiting a century.

Adam: [Smiles]I've got myself right in the pickle jar here haven't I?

Sparkle: You should have left her at the bar.

Adam: I would have been a terrible father if I'd done that.

Sparkle: You're already a terrible father!Just cause you decide to dedicate two weeks to us, doesn't take that fact away.[Goes to her room].

Adam: Hey?

[Sparkle gets to her room without a glance back.]

Adam: Would a terrible father care?Would a terrible father have brought you food?I work my ass off for you kids.

[Pepper emerges with Champagne dangling off her. They rush to their room.]

Adam: Terrible?[Glances around].

[Adam sulks for a while, and then gets sick of the smell and goes to clear the mess up].

[Pepper fights to keep Champagne off her feet for a while.Champagne gets a little feisty, but settles down in the end - right after she's thrown up all over the floor.]

Sparkle: [Puts a hands to her nose].

Pepper: Champagne!Those were my best shoes!

Champagne: [Giggles].

Pepper: It's not funny!

Sparkle: [Looking down from her top bunk]Yeah it's not funny!

Champagne: Yes it is?[Wipes her mouth off on the sheet, and then turns over in the bed and snores until she finally gets to sleep.]

Pepper: [Goes to her side of the room, opens the window,and climbs into bed.]

Sparkle: [Tries to go to sleep, but the smell rides up her nostrils.]

Champagne: [Champagne snorts and throws up a little more on her sheet], 

Sparkle: Ugh![She Takes
 her pillow and climbs down from her bunk.She tip toes around the puddle of vomit, but still treads on a patch where it's scented.She goes to wash off her feet.Then moves to the lounge to try and get some sleep.But the vomit in the lounge can still be smelt as well, along with a chemical powder.Sparkle thinks about moving to the kitchen, but gets the bright idea of trying out the car for the night.She sneaks into Adam's room, and finds Adam asleep on the bed, with some moonlight lightening up the atmosphere.There is enough space for two - there's enough space for three = Sparkle changes her mind about the car, and opts for the bed instead.She slides in the blankets, and then gets comfy on the bed, using her pillow rather then the one there.]Mmm?comfy?[Sparkle looks to Adam who looks like he's asleep].Adam I'm spending the night here okay? [She blinks at him and gets no response.She smiles]I knew it would be okay.[She turns over and goes to sleep].

[In the morning Adam finds Sparkle next to him, and smiles.]

Adam: [Nudges her shoulder]I thought you said I was a bad father? 

Sparkle: Mhmm?[Dozes again].

Adam: [Gets up.Has a shower and then goes to overlook the place.He peeks in on the other two girls, and finds them asleep, but also find the vomit, and cringes as he inhales.]Someone's going to have to clean that up.[Looks to the two sleeping girls]I guess that someone has to be me.]

[Adam cleans up the mess, until there's a fainter scent of vomit, combined with chemical smell.He next takes out a vacuum and vacuums up the chemicals on the carpet in the lounge.He then washes his hands and finally goes to have breakfast.He chooses toast and jam and has five slices.He eats in silence, and then finally settles down to watch some television.]Now this is living.The girls are being good, and I have the house free to myself.I just won the father of the year contest - Score. 

[The morning passes and the girls slowly wake up.Champagne has a split headache, and cringes when she smells vomit all over the place.]

Champagne: Was I sick last night Pepper?

Pepper: Sick?No.Drunk?Yes.

Champagne: What happened?I don't remember.

Pepper: Adam collected you from the pub.He brought a picture to make sure that you were banned from drinking there.When he brought you home, you were screaming your head off.Then he punched you, and you threw up all over the place.

Champagne: So that's why my stomach is sore?[Pats it].I'm glad I threw up everywhere.Did he have to clean it up?

Pepper: You ruined my best shoes.

Champagne: Oh?[Looks to the carpet and sees dust covered shoes].Sorry about that.Maybe if you give them a good wash?

Pepper: [Rolls her eyes Champagne's way].

Champagne: Or maybe I'll just give you a new pair. When this army general has finally returned to work that is.

Pepper: [Smiles].

Champagne: Do you like flats or heels?

Pepper: [Thinks]I've never worn heels?

Champagne: What?Well you should!Heels compliment the figure!

Pepper: [Smiles].

Champagne: Maybe I'll get us a couple of dresses too?Sexy ones, ones you have to shave for.

Pepper: Don't you ever think about getting caught?

Champagne: No. I'm too sexy to get caught anyway.

Pepper: [Smiles and blinks].

[Sparkle wakes and then walks downstairs to get some food.She passes Adam, who is watching TV and with a yawn goes to the kitchen.She rummages through the fridge, and finds a packet of sultanas which she chews on until she finds something better.She scopes out the cupboard and gets her hand on a packet of crackers, and begins to munch.]

Adam: You're eating crackers?

Sparkle:[Jumps and turns around]What?There's nothing!

Adam: there are tomatoes, and some cream cheese?

Sparkle:[Looks at the crackers].I prefer these.

Adam: [Shrugs and then smiles].You know, for someone who hates me so much, you make an awfully warm bed mate.

Sparkle:[Shrugs]I needed a place to sleep where it didn't smell like vomit.It was either with you or in the car.

Adam: Oh?I see.

Sparkle:I'm going to sleep there tonight as well if the smell isn't gone.

Adam: [Crosses his arms]Well what if I don't want you there?

Sparkle:Well you have no choice.

Adam: I could lock my room?

Sparkle:It won't matter?I'll be in there all day anyway. [Takes the crackers and goes back to bed].

Adam: Don't eat in the bed please Sparkle.

Sparkle:Ughhu?[Goes into his room and hops into bed and eats.]

Adam: [Sighs].

[Pepper comes out].

Adam: Morning Pepper.

Pepper: [Scowls].

Adam: Are you not going to return a greeting?

Pepper: Are you going to hit me if I don't?

Adam: [Rolls his eyes].

Pepper: This whole place smells like puke!It's gross.

Adam: Well you know I'm not to blame for that?

Pepper: I think you are.[Crosses her arms].If you hadn't hit Champagne she wouldn't have puked up in the first place.

Adam: No I'm sure she would have.

Pepper: I doubt it?[Pauses]Nice cleaning job by the way, leaving vomit filled shoes on the floor and sprinkling them with cleaning powder.Genius.

Adam: I did what I did quickly and quietly.

Pepper: Well any idiot would have thrown them into a bin.

Adam: Why?You can wash them, wear them..

Pepper: I'm not wearing vomit stink shoes!

Adam: [Shrugs]Up to you?

Pepper: [Rummages through the cupboard and takes out some crackers and dried fruit].What is all of this?Diet food? 

Adam: Healthy food, for healthy brains.

Pepper: I haven't seen you eat any of it.I bet you have a store of junk in your room. [Narrows her eyes]Our old stuff has to be stored somewhere?you couldn't have eaten it all..[Drops the items in her hand and moves to rush into Adams' room].

Adam: [Follows].

Pepper: [Barges into the room and startles Sparkle.She then pounces on the cupboard and starts throwing things about].

Adam: [Comes in]Pepper![Looks to Sparkle]Sparkle!What did I say about eating in bed?

Sparkle: [Smiles].

Adam: [Gets distracted by the clothes being thrown out of the cupboard].Pepper!Pepper!

Pepper: It has to be in here somewhere![Throws some items at Adam as he charges in].

Adam: Stop it!I said stop![Gives Pepper a slap].

[There is a short tension lit silence.Then Pepper runs out of the room in tears.]

Adam: [Comes out of the cupboard and looks to Sparkle].

Sparkle: What's her problem?[Puts another biscuit inside of her mouth].

Adam: Sugar.

Sparkle: [Smiles]Ooooh!What?

Adam: No Sparkle?I mean her problem -it's sugar.

Sparkle: Maybe you should have brought some chips.That would shut her up. 

Adam: I can't believe you girls are so addicted to junk.

Sparkle: It's better then heroine.

Adam: [Scoffs].You're right there?[Looks to the doorway].

Sparkle: [Eats another cracker].

Adam: [Looks to Sparkle].I said not on the bed Sparkle! [Snatches the box].

Sparkle: [With her mouth half full of food] Where else am I supposed to eat?

Adam: On the floor.

Sparkle: [Swallows and scoffs]Like a beggar?

Adam: No?like a person who doesn't want crumbs in their bed.

Sparkle: Well that doesn't gel with me?I'm going to sleep.[Rolls over and covers herself in blanket.]

Adam: [Shakes his head and leaves her there].

[Adam walks downstairs = he hears Pepper yelling and whaling inside her room.He sits in front of the TV set and starts to watch;but eventually he falls asleep.When he wakes up Sparkle is staring at him, eating a packed of dried fruit.]

Sparkle: [Smiles]Man!You've really screwed up this time.

Adam: [Rubs his eyes] What?What are you talking about Sparkle?

Sparkle: Pepper and Champagne have run away. 

Adam: [Surprised]What?

Sparkle: I'm not sure if it was the slap or the chips that made herbrains crack.

Adam: Where are they?[Stands up and looks for his keys - they are in his pocket].

Sparkle: [Shrugs].

Adam: Well?looks like I'll have to look for them?[Eyes Sparkle who fills her mouth with more dried fruit].We'll have to look for them.I'm not going to have you run away too.[Grabs her arm].

Sparkle: But I'm not even planning on going anywhere!

[Adam drags Sparkle out to the car, and then they drive off.]

Adam: Make sure you keep your eyes peeled Sparkle?they could be anywhere.

Sparkle: [Rummaged through more fruit].

Adam: [Looks at her].Sparkle!

Sparkle: Hmmnn?[Looks at him with a vacant blink].

Adam: I said keep your eyes peeled.

Sparkle: [Puts a piece of dried apple in her mouth and starts sucking, as she looks out on the street.]

Adam: How far could they have gotten anyway?

Sparkle: Not far?unless they've taken
 the bus.

Adam: [Hits the steering wheel].I knew I should have put locks on the doors.

Sparkle: Uh-uh?a phone call to authorities would have stopped that practise. 

Adam: Then I would have taken out the phones.

Sparkle: You know what I think?

Adam: [Scoffs]What do you think?

Sparkle: I think you should have just left things as they were.

Adam: And let you girls run riot?Never!

Sparkle: Well it's not like we're wild?

Adam: No?but it's not like you're well grounded either.

Sparkle: [Smiles]I think grounded are all that we are?except for Champagne?she's a little more of something else.

Adam: Trouble I think is the correct word.[Sees a pub and parks by the side of the road.]I'm going in.You stay right here.

Sparkle: [Rummages through her fruit bag.]Mmmhmm.

Adam: [Goes inside the pub.He looks around.There's no one of interest there.He goes to the barman, and passes a picture.]These girls are runaways.Can you take a copy and call this number if you see them?

Barman: I'll just call the manager?

Adam: Thanks.[Waits and scans].

[Adam thanks the manager in having taken out his request, and then leaves.He goes to his car and sees that Sparkle's door is open.He looks on the street - there is no one about.]

Adam: Damn it![Races to his car and starts driving].He drives up the street, and sees his girls trying to get a fellow driver to give them a lift.He parks and jumps out, just as the girls are beginning to shuffle in.]Hold on there girls![Grabs Champagne and Sparkle's arms].

Champagne: Let go of me you creep!

Driver:[Thinks about hopping out].

Adam: [Speaks to the driver]These are under aged girls.

Driver:[Orders Pepper out].

Pepper: [Rolls her eyes and slides on out].

Driver:[Speeds away].

Champagne: [Bites Adam's hand].

Adam: [Grits his teeth].

Pepper: We don't have to come home with you!I'm not under aged![Walks up the street].

Champagne: [Gives Adam a kick.Adam lets go of Sparkle and takes Champagne to the car and stuffs her inside the back.]

Sparkle: [Hops in the front].

Adam: [Yells to Pepper]That's right Pepper!You are not under aged.I can't stop you from doing anything!So live and learn.You know where the house is if you need to come back!

Pepper: [Pauses and she looks to the dark streets ahead, and a few shifty characters.The idea of running away and doing whatever it takes to stay away seems less appealing without Champagne].

Adam: [Jumps in the car, and starts the engine].

Pepper: [Holds her chin up high and moves on].

Adam: [Eyes Pepper, and waits a little.]

Champagne: [As she sulks]She's not coming back.You shouldn't hit people you know.It's not right.

Adam: [Looks at Pepper, and beeps the horn].

Pepper: [Has tears in her eyes as she walks on].

Adam: That damn girl is going to get herself killed.

Sparkle: So go out and get her.Drag her butt inside the car.[Eats some more dried fruit which she had stuffed inside of her pocket].

Adam: [To Champagne]Whose idea was it to run away.

Champagne: [Shrugs]Hers I think, but I kind of made it seem like it'd be real sweet deal. 

Adam: [Rolls his eyes off of her]You would!

Pepper: [Glances at the car].

Champagne: [Goes to the window]Get your ass back in here bitch!You'll get stabbed on the street if you keep on walking!

Pepper: [Panics on a wakeup call and then runs to the car, and jumps in the back].

Champagne: [Hugs her].

Adam: Thanks Champagne.

Champagne: [Smirks a little].

Sparkle: Can we get some take away now?

Adam: [Rolls his eyes to her]. 

Sparkle: [Shrugs] Just asking?geese.[Stuffs more dried fruit inside of her mouth].

Champagne: I don't suppose an apology is in need here?Adam?

Adam: [Looks at Champagne and Pepper in the rear-view mirror then gazes back at the road].You were turning riot Pepper, you were throwing things about?if you weren't you wouldn't have been given a slap.

Pepper: Oh!So it's my fault?!

Sparkle: You were going a bit crazy.

Pepper: Well take his side!

Sparkle: I'm not!But you did throw a book at his head?

Champagne: [Chuckles]You threw a book at his head?

Pepper: [Shrugs].

Champagne: I would have given you a slap myself.

Pepper: [Ribs Champagne]. 

Sparkle: And Champagne?

Adam: Well?if you weren't?

Champagne: Yeah, yeah, yeah?I got my back when I threw up everywhere.If you want to truly say sorry, get us some take out!

Pepper: Yeah?

Adam: [Glances to Sparkle].

Sparkle: [Is chewing on a dried fig and grimacing every step on the way].

Adam: [Sighs]. Fine?

Champagne: [Cheers]Victory is ours.

Pepper: [Smiles].


[Adam picks up some burgers, fries, and dips, and mayonnaise salads and they get home and help themselves to a meal.]

Sparkle: [Bites into her burger].Mmm!I haven't had a burger in years!

Pepper: [As she's plating some salad].Sparkle, don't talk with your mouth full - just cause you like to eat it doesn't mean we like to see it.

Champagne: [With her mouth full of burger and chips].Shut up!It's not like she's spraying![Some food comes out of her mouth and falls onto Pepper's arm.

Pepper: You dick!You sprayed me!

Champagne: [Swallows her food.]Well it could have been worse.

Pepper: [As she's flicking the debris off her arm]How?

Champagne: [Digs into her potato salad and fills her mouth with potatoes and gravy].I could have done this![Debris flies in Peppers direction as she talk and Pepper squeals].

Pepper: [Takes a handful of coleslaw and spread it on Champagne's arm].There!

Champagne: [Takes a handful of gravy and wipes it on Peppers cheek].There!

[Pepper and Champagne get into a food fight, throwing salad, chips, gravy, and peas at each other.Champagne bumps into Sparkle and her burger, which she was holding in one hand while she ate some chips - falls onto the floor.Pepper screams and pours a whole bucket of chips onto Champagne, Champagne halves her burger and rubs mayonnaise covered meat patty into Pepper's face.]

Pepper: [Screams].

Adam: [Separates the two]You girls!You're going right to your rooms!I knew spending money on junk was a mistake.

Champagne: Well maybe if you had gotten some Thai instead of this junk?

Adam: [Drags them to their room, each girls screaming out their protests.He slams the door, and then bars the entrance with some furniture.]Your not coming out until tomorrow! [Thumps a hand on the door].

[Adam marches to the kitchen, and finds Sparkle on her knees, recovering her burger layer by layer.She picks up some fries and dips it in some fallen sauce and then eats it].

Adam: What are you doing?

Sparkle: Eating dinner?

Adam: Dinner's over.

Sparkle: Not for me it isn't?[Takes a bite out of her reformed burger, then goes to eat a couple of sauce tipped chips].

Adam: [Crouches down and squeezes the chips inside of his hand].That floor hasn't been washed in months.Your eating filth.

Sparkle: [Rubs her mush smeared hand on her clothes and moves to take another bite from her burger].

Adam: [Snatches it off her and then duly throws it in the bin].

Sparkle: I was eating that!

Adam: [Comes back to her before she picks up anything else].

Sparkle: [Smiles as he stares at her].This floor's clean enough to eat off?[leans over and licks up a smudge of sauce].

Adam: [Gets her up off the floor and standing within seconds, and then marches her to the bathroom right away].You brush, and then rinse your mouth out.

Sparkle: But I haven't hardly eaten anything!

Adam: Now Sparkle.

Sparkle: Okay;


[A rapping on the window catches Sparkles attention, and Sparkle sees Champagne give her a friendly wave from outside.  She goes to the backyard door and opens it.]

Sparkle: What are you doing?

Champagne: I climbed out the window.  What are you doing?

Sparkle: I am starving!

Champagne: Pepper was too much of a stiff nut to come out with me.  She'd rather feast on a bar of my chocolate!So I'm going to get something from the shops.  Want to come?

Sparkle: You mean you're going to steal something from the shops?

Champagne: No?I mean shop. [Smiles]Come on!It'll be fun!I haven't gone with you before.

Sparkle: That's cause I'm not that much into stealing.

Champagne: Come on?I'll get you a sandwich - a warm one.

Sparkle: [Smiles hesitantly].

Champagne: [Grabs her hand].Come on!

[Adam returns home and swears.  He crooks his head;]

Adam: Those girls are going to be grounded when they return home.