Lunchroom Dynamics

Remember that scene in "Mean Girls" where navigating the cafeteria felt like deciphering a secret code written in faded highlighter? Welcome to the lunchroom labyrinth, where finding your spot is an endurance test through a massive gauntlet.

Picture this: You're the new one, and the lunchroom is a maze. It's like everyone has a PhD in lunchroom politics, and you're over there in the corner just hoping you don't accidentally sit at the Plastics' table.

But fear not, my friends, let me be the first to tell you that the quest for your place, your true place, in the social circus is like a comical game of musical chairs. You might start off doing the awkward lunchtime shuffle, but eventually, you'll land in a seat that screams: “This is where I belong!"

And let's talk about those dynamics within the context of a classic film – it's basically a real-life game of Mean Girls Tetris. You're the square peg in a giant world of round holes, wondering if sitting with the art club is the equivalent of wearing pink on Wednesdays. But hey, life is not a fetch quest; it's more like a comedic improv show with a series of totally unexpected plot twists.

Expect the overenthusiastic friend trying to recruit you for a club that involves knitting and/or conspiracy theories, a combo even the Plastics wouldn't dare. But hey, why not embrace the chaos and resist judging a book its cover? You might discover a hidden talent for knitting and unraveling the mysteries of cafeteria intrigue.

In this journey of finding your place, channel your inner Tina Fey and sprinkle humor like confetti. Whether you're the class clown or the master of witty comebacks, humor is the Regina George of social interactions – it rules the lunchroom with a sassy smirk.

So, my fellow lunchroom survivors, dance through the awkward, laugh off the drama, and know that finding your place is a lunchtime adventure filled with comedy, mishaps, and lots of memories. After all, life's too short to wear sweatpants every day - unless you want to wear sweatpants every day. Cheers to stumbling upon your daily adventures and making every lunchtime faux pas a memorable moment!

---

Return to Monologues.

The Ultimate Goal

Have you ever felt like you were standing still and everyone on earth was rushing past you? Heading to some goal that's completely invisible to you? I feel like that a lot of the time. Or. . .I used to. I did. I felt like the loser who didn't get the joke. Or even worse- sometimes I felt like I was the joke. But then finally I got it! I saw what they were going for and I wanted it. I wanted it bad. Just like the rest of them, I wanted to be liked. So I headed for it, one foot in front of the other. Soon I was moving like the rest of them. The wind in my hair, my body set on cruise control. Man I was HOT! I was getting what I wanted. Not only that, it was handed to me on a silver platter. My life was great. That's when the bad stuff happens. You know, when life is great. When you're not expecting it. When you're not looking. When you're so blinded by happiness you can't see it coming. And then -WHAM!- it hits you. You're walking along with the rest of them, heading toward your ultimate goal and then it happens. . . KAPOW! You step in gum. BAM! You stub your toe. KABLOOWEE! You trip and fall flat on your face. Or in the worst case, when life hits the toughest, roughest roads. . .you step in the biggest, smelliest pile of dog sh- anyway, it's bad. You freeze up. You don't know what to do. And everyone's zooming past you, seemingly dodging the crap life throws their way. Sure. They're dodging it, while you get a double whammy on the bottom of your new beloved Nikes. And you're back where you started. Or so you thought. You see, I've learned that you enjoy life much more if you just roll with the punches. Take what life gives you, and deal with it. Wipe off the bottom of your shoe, and keep on cruising. Because if you're standing still, everyone's going to zoom right past you. Set your own ultimate goal in life and go for it, because if you don't, you're left in the dust.

Stephenie Griggs

Originally Published Scenes For High School Drama Students 

1998