Never Felt Like This Before [Workshop]

[NARRATION]
When he’s done, he enters Nina’s room. She gazes at Benny, who’s fast asleep next to her. As Nina lies back down, Lincoln enters through the fire escape. Benny awakens and sees him. He begins getting dressed. Nina (?)

[BENNY]
Lincoln, Lincoln, I’ll just be a second

I don’t know what to say [BENNY] [LINCOLN] We can work this out Nina We don’t have to shout Nina We don’t have to work to wake the world up now Are you (?) try [BENNY]
Please let her sleep, you’re (?)
If you just breathe then we will leave (?)
Leave her be, you and me
You can see that I am no longer afraid
(?) I sleep in the bed I made
And you should know you weren’t betrayed because
Lincoln, I love her, Lincoln, I love her
(?) Please... anything

[NINA]
What’s going on? Lincoln, what’s going on?

[LINCOLN]
Benny was just filling me in
Telling me all about your night [LINCOLN] [BENNY] Now I don’t know where to begin Nina, Nina Making you fall for all his lies
He says he’s never felt like this before Please just wait [LINCOLN]
He’s known you all his life
But now, he’s suddenly in love with you
And shoving me out of your room
So is it true? Is it true?
[BENNY]
Lincoln
I’m only doing what you taught me
You told me to follow my heart and this is where my heart has brought me
This isn’t easy for me to say but I said it
So give me a little credit, I’m trying to be level-headed
Plus I never felt this way about anyone
The thought of romance used to make the old Benny run
And I’m sorry you found out this way but how do I say that
Nina’s what I need in the loudest proudest way?

[NINA]
Leave him alone
Lower your voice
Our mom is asleep
Promise to keep low

[BENNY]
I’m sorry

[NINA]
Lincoln, I’m sorry
This is my choice
Please understand
I love him
[LINCOLN]
I’ll go
I should go

[BENNY]
Lincoln, can you talk to me?

[LINCOLN]
Whatever makes my sister happy
But you should know...
Love isn’t something you feel for another
Or realize the night before
Love is a lifetime of hoping and wanting for someone...
That someone
And praying to God up in heaven above
Waiting for kindness from your secret love
But fucking around with Vanessa last night at the club

[NINA]
What?

[LINCOLN]
That isn't love [NINA] [BENNY] [LINCOLN] What are you talking about? Nina
Nina! (?) What did you mean dancing? I can explain A little more than dancing Lincoln’s only reeling you in When they were grinding out on the floor
His hands were sliding under her dress We were all too drunk last night, remember? Though she was riding him and caressing him (?) He’s the reason you couldn’t leave
Nina, please believe me
Please believe
I’ve never felt this way before Is it true? It’s taken all my life to say Why’d you do— I’m sorry You’re sorry? Yes. Yeah you’re sorry
You’re goddamn right you’re sorry. [NINA]
Just—
[BENNY]
The moment I kissed her, it felt wrong
I’d been drinking, I was thinking of you
Lincoln, you told me you didn’t want to see me
You knew all along, you knew all along

[LINCOLN]
Get the fuck out! Don’t blame the alcohol
You stumble in a room at 2am
And wonder how it all come back to fucking haunt you?
Benny, she doesn’t want you, she’s crying in the corner—

[BENNY]
Because of you!

[LINCOLN]
Because you broke her heart!
You played your little game and I hate you for it
Take the fire escape and go away before I make you pay for it

[BENNY]
Yo fuck you son!

[LINCOLN]
(?)

[BENNY]
You're lucky I don’t even fuck you up!

[NINA]
Benny
I’m not crying for you
I have known you always
I have watched you sleeping, creeping down hallways
Just to see you
Last night, I felt paradise
Lying in your arms
Whispering in your ear for you
I love you, I love you

I’m not upset, I’m really not
I don’t regret the precious little time we got
But I’m in pain and you can’t stay
Cuz saying "I love you" doesn’t make it go away
Don’t be mad at Lincoln
Because you’re being lied to
He’s the only one on earth who loves you more than I do
He’s totally in love with you

[NARRATION]
Nina reaches into her dresser and pulls out Lincoln’s songbook

[LINCOLN]
Where did you—where did you get that?!

[NINA]
“My secret love
I can’t pretend
You’re my best friend”

[LINCOLN]
(?)!

[NINA]
Well, I was stuck at home
And I was feeling bad
So I explored your room while I was grounded
And that’s when I found it
And what’s on his mind?
A valentine to Benny
And every single rhyme
And every written line
He’s memorized your face
“But I know I’m wrong for you
So I’ll stay strong and keep these feelings to myself”

[LINCOLN]
It’s not true! I mean, the—those songs are not about you!
I write songs, that’s what I do. I try to write songs from every point of view! I have to…
You don’t believe me?
I mean, you want to see em? Here!
You wanna read em, go ahead I—I’m not hiding anything
They’re stupid, you’ll—you’ll laugh. Read ‘em, my ridiculous songs

[LINCOLN]
Please, say something
Say something to me

[BENNY]
Nina, I—

[NINA]
Just go

[BENNY]
But you don’t understand I—
I love you

[NINA]
I know
I wish that were enough