A Second Chance CHARACTERS:
ALISON, A high school basketball player with average talent
COACH MIKE, The Arlington High Girls' Basketball Coach
MARTA, KIM, and BRITTANY, Alison's teammates

Stage Set: The high school locker room. The half-time break during the last game of the season.

(Alison and her teammates sit on the bench next to the lockers. Marta is consoling Alison, who looks disappointed, her shoulders slumped. Alison sniffles.)
COACH MIKE: (entering from stage left) Okay, girls (claps his hands three times). Up and at 'em. Half-time's nearly over, so let's get out there and give 'em our best! (He suddenly notices Alison, and his face hardens. He thinks it's part of his job to toughen these kids up so they can survive anything—the way his dad did with him.) Hey, what gives, Ali? (sternly) You know there's no crying in my locker room.
ALISON: (embarrassed, wiping her eyes) I'm not crying.
MARTA: (trying to be helpful) It's just allergies, Coach.
COACH MIKE: (Somewhat relieved, though he doesn't really believe her.) Well, it better be. Now, scoot! (Marta, Kim, and Brittany take off out the door, but Alison stays put.) You, too, missy. You're nobody special. Get a move on!
ALISON: (Shaking her head, so defeated she doesn't even fear Coach's wrath.) I can't go out there, Coach. I can't face that crowd again.
COACH MIKE: (angry) Yes, you can, and you will! I won't let your little tantrum cost us the game. You know we've used all our subs and three of our starters have fouled out. You need to be out on that court, and pronto . . . !
ALISON: (daring to interrupt him) You saw what that player did, how she purposely tripped me, and the ref never even called it! That girl made a fool out of me . . . !
(She stands now, getting in touch with her anger. Watching her, Coach's face begins to soften, as her justified anger reminds him of his younger self. He very nearly smiles, which is rare for him.)
COACH MIKE: (gently) Which is exactly why you need to get back out there, Ali. (He sits down on the bench and motions to her to sit beside him. She is breathing hard, upset, but his words calm her.) You don't want to look back on your high school days and regret this . . . believe me. The best way you can overcome this is to really show them—that girl, the crowd, your teammates, and me. Show them what you're made of. That one little fall on your face doesn't mean this much (snaps his fingers). You're a fighter; I know you are. If you stay in here and hide, then that little girl will have won. And you don't want that, do you?
ALISON: (Feeling strong now. Coach's words have really gotten to her.) No, sir, I don't! (She quickly pulls a sweatband over her right wrist and stands up to go. She wipes her face one last time and jogs out.)
COACH MIKE: (Grinning now—he can't help it. He stands up and looks in the direction Alison has just gone.) Atta girl, Ali. (Exits, stage left.)

What is one reason the stage directions are particularly important in this drama?

A.
They illustrate what a friendly guy the coach is and how easy he is on his players.
B.
They help the audience see the emotional changes the coach goes through.
C.
They show the audience what time of day it is and how much time has gone by.
D.
They help the actors memorize their lines and say them at the correct time.