AMELIA: (shouting at someone offstage as she enters) Are you actually kidding me Simon?

You know I was looking forward to this.

SIMON: (offstage – angry) I’m outta here! (slams door behind him)

AMELIA: Well Happy New Year to you too!

Cut to the sofa as the two sisters enter, giggling excitedly, one with bottle in hand, the other, her phone.

ELLA: Ok, last time I promise, just one more listen and we’ll totally drink the night away.

SOPHIE: Oh really? Again?

ELLA: Quiet down grumpy, I’m excited! (She presses a button on her phone to play the voicemail)

SIMON (on Voicemail): Good afternoon, this is a message for Miss Handley. It’s Mr Van Ewer here.

SOPHIE: (mocking) Oh Mr Van Ewer!

ELLA: Oh Sophie, he’s so fit!

SOPHIE: He sounds about fifty.

SIMON (Voicemail): I was extremely impressed with your interview today and I’d like to offer you the position of Press Assistant to start immediately. The news waits for no one, so if you can confirm that you’ve received this message, we’ll see you first thing in the morning. New year, new you! Welcome to the team and I look forward to seeing you.

ELLA: I look forward to seeing you!

SOPHIE: Now can we please get back to the party and celebrate your last night of freedom?

ELLA: WAITING FOR A TURNING POINT, WAITING FOR SOME HARMONY.

 

SOPHIE: Um, what?

ELLA: WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? TO FIND OUR DESTINY?

SOPHIE: Oh no, here we go again….

ELLA: THIS IS MY CHANCE IT SEEMS, MY OPPORTUNITY, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR!

SOPHIE: Next year? Next year is like minutes away!

ELLA: Yeah, it is. Why have you always got to put a downer on me?

 

SOPHIE: Well that’s what sisters are for, stupid.

AMELIA: JUST WAITING FOR LIFE TO KICK IN, JUST WAITING FOR DREAMS THAT DON’T BEGIN,  I’M WADING IN WATER DROWNING HERE. THIS TIME NEXT YEAR! 

Charlotte enters, talking on her phone.

CHARLOTTE: Oh sweetheart, I’m so sorry to hear that. I know you were looking forward to New Year’s at home. So where is she now? Well, if that’s the case, why don’t you get an early night, you have work tomorrow, and then we could meet up in the evening and you can offload? …Great, usual time, usual place? See you then. Oh and Simon… Happy New Year! Bye.

CHARLOTTE: I NEED MORE, NEED MORE TIME. TIME TO SCHEME, MAKE HIM MINE.

  MAKE HIM SEE AND FINALLY BELIEVE. THIS TIME NEXT YEAR!

(Charlotte and Amelia’s tunes overlap)

(Charlotte, Amelia and Ella’s tunes overlap)

SOPHIE: (grabbing Ella’s phone) Right, that’s it – I’m taking this and you can have it back tomorrow because it’s still THIS year and we are moments away from not only a brand new beginning but also midnight AND I WANT TO PARTY!

ELLA: No, what you want is to get it on with Martin – three dates and nothing to show for it. It’s so sad.

SOPHIE: No, what’s sad is sitting around dreaming about an old man on your voicemail.

ELLA: Oh my god, what is wrong with you?

SOPHIE: I – WANT – TO – PARTY!

Martin, Charlotte and the rest of the ensemble begin to filter into the space as part of the party.

ENSEMBLE: WE NEED MORE (TIME), THIS IS OUR (TIME), TO SEE THE WORLD OUR TIME IS NOW,  WAITING FOR, SAVING FOR DREAMS, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR! 

The chorus then start the countdown (shouted) with principal solo lines overlaid:

(Amelia starts her tune: JUST WAITING FOR LIFE TO KICK IN...)

ENSEMBLE: EIGHT! SEVEN!

SIX! (Charlotte starts her tune: TIME TO SCHEME MAKE HIM MINE...)

ENSEMBLE: FIVE! FOUR!

(Ella starts her tune: MY OPPORTUNITY…)

ENSEMBLE: THREE! TWO! ONE!

ALL: THIS TIME NEXT YEAR!