Stage 12

By Peter D Wilson

CONTENTS

BRIEF SKETCHES (written for specific occasions).

Independence Day (mini-drama; 2m, 1f; 10 minutes)
A teenage son is at the stage of leaving home, but his parents too find advantages in independence.

Perils of Travel (conversation piece; 2f; 10 minutes). Two young professional women, awaiting a flight to a meeting, discuss a missing passenger, security issues, and why not to travel in a business suit.

Crash (mini-drama; 2f; 8 minutes). A teenage girl, who may or may not be dreaming, is visited by a friend who may or may not have stolen the first's boy-friend, and has been involved in a horrendous road accident.

Inn Memory (mini-drama; 2f; 8 minutes). Why is the visitor alarmed by a completely peaceful rural scene?

ONE-ACT (mostly of competition length)

Good Intentions (comedy; 3m, 3f; 50 minutes). George means well but lacks won't-power, and events conspire against his good intentions. Fortunately he is shunted off the road so paved before reaching its proverbial destination.
Danube Moon (comedy; 2m, 2f; 30 minutes)
A disagreeable divorcee unexpectedly encounters her ex-husband on a river cruise, and quite against her intentions helps him out of a desperate situation.

Whitefly (drama; 2m, 3f, 1 either; 40 minutes)
An unscrupulous journalist causes disaster to a small community in her determination not to let the truth get in the way of a good story about a local project.

Nemesis (dark-grey comedy; 1m, 2f; 30 minutes)
"Hell is other people" said Sartre, but Alan, his wife and mistress find otherwise; and who has murdered whom, or doesn't it matter?

Coincidence (comedy; 3m, 3f; 30 minutes)
A series of outrageous coincidences reunites several old acquaintances.

Green Eyes (drama; 3m, 2f; 45 minutes)
Sally and Kevin are keen environmentalists. Kevin becomes unreasonably jealous of Sally's contacts with a specialist she has interviewed for the local newspaper and accidentally causes his death, with subsequent agonies of remorse. This drives them apart until his subsequent conduct enables him to forgive himself.

Fish out of Water (comedy mystery; 8m, 17f, 1 m or f; 60 minutes. Written for a large group of mixed ability.)
Among a mixed bunch of passengers on a river cruise, one is the object of particular interest for several others on covert business, but insists that he is not who they think; or is he?
Waiting (drama; 10m, 10f; 45 minutes. Again written for a specific group.)
A busload of passengers is left stranded and wondering why; the reason proves more drastic than they could have imagined, but to resolve some old problems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peter D Wilson
• Release date: Aug 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465721303

Peter D Wilson

Peter Wilson was born in Nottingham, England, in 1936. After education at Nottingham High School, where he changed course from classics to science because he couldn’t get on with Greek, he gained an open scholarship to St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, to be taken up after National Service (1955-57) in which he was a radio mechanic at the SHAPE military headquarters near Paris. At Oxford he gained first-class honours in chemistry, then took a PhD at Leeds University.In 1964 he was appointed to a research position at the nuclear reprocessing site at Sellafield in Cumberland (the north-western corner of England), then operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA) of which the relevant division became British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) in 1971. He remained there until retirement in 2001, mostly working on process chemistry development. For the last dozen years he was chiefly concerned with certain aspects of long-term waste management and related strategic issues, helping to form the company technical policy thereon and presenting its rationale in international discussions. He was also the technical member of a team representing the UK in gaining acceptance of an extension to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to cover a possible loophole. His book "The Nuclear Fuel Cycle" (Oxford University Press, 1996) has become the standard text on the subject. Following his retirement, BNFL set up and financed a "Peter Wilson Medal and Prize" for research and communication, to be awarded annually for ten years at Leeds University.He lived in Seascale, a coastal village near to the Sellafield site. His interest in amateur dramatics dated back to the 1960s and for many years he was an active member of the society based in Gosforth, the next village inland. His collection of stories, plays and film scripts along with some factual material may be found at https://peterdwilson.wixsite.com/peterwilsonscripts

Book preview

STAGE 12

A COLLECTION OF SKETCHES AND ONE-ACT PLAYS

BY PETER D. WILSON

Copyright Peter D. Wilson 2011

Smashwords Edition, Licence Notes

Thank you for downloading this e-book. Despite being available free of charge, it remains the copyrighted property of the author. Nevertheless, individual scripts with this page as preface may be freely copied for the purpose of considering or rehearsing a production, and as a rule no royalties are payable for amateur performance, although if possible the author should be notified of the intention. Otherwise no part may be reproduced, copied or distributed for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without his permission.

Copyright Peter D. Wilson 2011

If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copies at Smashwords.com.

Thank you for your support.

For permission to reproduce material from this e-book,

please apply stating extent and purpose of the request;

contact details may be found under About the author.

Disclaimer

Any resemblance to real persons in these scripts is coincidental.

Cover photograph: Roman theatre, Palmyra, Syria. Copyright Peter D. Wilson 2011.

CONTENTS

BRIEF SKETCHES (written for specific occasions)

Independence Day (mini-drama; 2m, 1f; 10 minutes)

A teenage son is at the stage of leaving home, but his parents too find advantages in independence.

Perils of Travel (conversation piece; 2f; 10 minutes)

Two young professional women, awaiting a flight to a meeting, discuss a missing passenger, security issues, and why not to travel in a business suit.

Crash (mini-drama; 2f; 8 minutes)

A teenage girl, who may or may not be dreaming, is visited by a friend who may or may not have stolen the first's boy-friend, and has been involved in a horrendous road accident.

Inn Memory (mini-drama; 2f; 8 minutes)

Why is the visitor alarmed by a completely peaceful rural scene?

ONE-ACT (mostly of competition length)

Good Intentions (comedy; 3m, 3f; 50 minutes)

George means well but lacks won't-power, and events conspire against his good intentions. Fortunately he is shunted off the road so paved before reaching its proverbial destination.

Danube Moon (comedy; 2m, 2f; 30 minutes)

A disagreeable divorcee unexpectedly encounters her ex-husband on a river cruise, and quite against her intentions helps him out of a desperate situation.

Whitefly (drama; 2m, 3f, 1 either; 40 minutes)

An unscrupulous journalist causes disaster to a small community in her determination not to let the truth get in the way of a good story about a local project.

(Adapted for the stage from an original written for television, given in the "Other fiction" section of the author's web site.)

Nemesis (dark-grey comedy; 1m, 2f; 30 minutes)

Hell is other people said Sartre, but Alan, his wife and mistress find otherwise; and who has murdered whom, or doesn't it matter?

In the author's opinion the best script of the set.

Coincidence (comedy; 3m, 3f; 30 minutes)

A series of outrageous coincidences reunites several old acquaintances.

Green Eyes (drama; 3m, 2f; 45 minutes)

Sally and Kevin are keen environmentalists. Kevin becomes unreasonably jealous of Sally's contacts with a specialist she has interviewed for the local newspaper and accidentally causes his death, with subsequent agonies of remorse. This drives them apart until his subsequent conduct enables him to forgive himself.

Fish out of Water (comedy mystery; 8m, 17f, 1 m or f; 60 minutes)

Among a mixed bunch of passengers on a river cruise, one is the object of particular interest for several others on covert business, but insists that he is not who they think; or is he?

Waiting (drama; 10m, 10f; 45 minutes)

A busload of passengers is left stranded and wondering why; the reason proves more drastic than they could have imagined, but to resolve some old problems.

About the author

**********

INDEPENDENCE DAY

A miniature domestic drama

Characters

Joan An over-solicitous Mum.

Eric Her husband, a harassed minor functionary, with a pedantic manner, inclined to clichés.

Bob Their teenage son, at the rebellious stage.

Set

A family sitting room, conventionally furnished with a settee roughly in the centre, otherwise at discretion.

Time

The present

*****

Opening

Joan is seated on the settee, half her attention on a holiday brochure. She turns the pages distractedly, anxiously consulting her watch from time to time. She repeatedly returns to a particular page, then with a regretful sigh and a shake of the head, puts it aside as an outer door is heard to open and close. After a pause, Eric enters, carrying a briefcase, and lightly pecks her on the cheek.

ERIC Hello, dear. Sorry I'm late.

JOAN It's all right. There's no hurry.

ERIC How's the day been?

JOAN Not bad.

ERIC Not good, either, by the sound of it.

JOAN I've been worried.

ERIC About Bob?

JOAN Yes. It's the first time he's been away from home overnight.

ERIC About time, too. A lad of his age ...

JOAN Yes, but you never know what these lads get up to. You hear such dreadful stories ...

ERIC Look, dear, you fret too much. He's a sensible chap, as they go, and for goodness' sake, he's only been staying with a friend after the concert. You wouldn't have wanted him trailing right across the town at God knows what hour. Let alone waking us up when he got in - or more likely keeping us up waiting.

JOAN I suppose you're right. But I didn't sleep anyway.

ERIC No, and you made sure I didn't either.

JOAN Get away with you. You were snoring like a grampus.

ERIC (with dignity) I do not snore.

JOAN How do you know? You couldn't hear it. Anyway, how about you? Had a busy day?

ERIC As always. Not over yet, either. (Indicating the briefcase, sighing) More papers to deal with.

JOAN Oh, really, it's too bad. You let yourself be put upon.

ERIC Well, it's got to be done. At least if I get these out of the way tonight, the weekend should be free.

JOAN It never used to be like this.

ERIC No, but with the no replacement policy, everyone's having to cram more in. It can't go on indefinitely, though. We're all getting worn out. No one was really awake this afternoon.

JOAN You need a holiday.

ERIC I know. Just haven't been able to take the time off, with so much going on. Still, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Things should slacken off for the summer in a week or two.

JOAN (hopefully) Really? We can get away then?

ERIC Don't see why not. Anywhere you particularly fancy?

JOAN Well, I was just looking at this brochure ... (Finding the page) Here - Special offer during July - two for the price of one. Cruise the coast of Asia Minor from Antalya to Kusadasi ...

ERIC Bit out of our league, isn't it?

JOAN Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. Spread your wings a little!

ERIC I don't know. Isn't that the firm that was criticised when one of their cruises had to be taken by coach because the water wasn't deep enough for the boat?

JOAN That was a river trip. No one's going to pull the plug out of the Med.

ERIC I suppose not. Let's have a look. (He studies the itinerary) Hm, might be quite interesting. And at that price ... yes, the budget would just about run to it. Two for the price of one. I like that.

JOAN But what about Bob? We'd have to pay full price for him.

ERIC Who said anything about taking Bob?

JOAN (stating the obvious) We can't leave him behind, can we?

ERIC I don't see why not.

JOAN But he's always taken his holidays with us.

ERIC You mean we've always taken him on holiday with us.

JOAN That's what I said.

ERIC No it isn't. It's a different thing altogether. You imply that he had a choice in the matter. If he did, I'm not at all sure that he'd have come. Most lads of his age are off with their own pals.

JOAN Yes, and look what they get up to. Drink ... drugs ...you know.

ERIC So that's what it's all about. Look, the longer you keep him on your apron strings, the more violently he's going to react when he does get the chance.

JOAN (bursting with a hitherto contained anxiety) Eric, I'm worried.

ERIC (wearily) So, what's new?

JOAN I was tidying his room today ...

ERIC Joan! You know how he hates that.

JOAN Yes, but he left the door open ... I couldn't help seeing what a mess it was in.

ERIC You might have just closed the door.

JOAN I suppose I might. But, anyway, I didn't. I found some magazines - horrible magazines.

ERIC What sort?

JOAN You know ...

ERIC No, Joan. I don't know. That's why I asked.

JOAN Vile pictures ...

ERIC I see, I think I can guess.

JOAN I threw them out, of course.

ERIC Joan! Do you really think that was wise?

JOAN Why ever not?

ERIC For a start, they aren't your property ...

JOAN You're not going to let a technicality like that bother you, surely!

ERIC ... and more practically, he'll know you've been snooping.

JOAN Snooping?

ERIC What else could you call it? And another thing, suppose anyone goes rooting in our dustbin, do you want them found?

JOAN (in disgust) Oh, really!

The outer door opens and slams shut. Bob, not a picture of elegance, breezes in, obviously just passing with no wish for more than the most perfunctory courtesies.

BOB Hello, Mum ... Dad.

ERIC Hello, son. How was the concert?

BOB Not bad. The amps could have done with pepping up a bit ...

ERIC Yes, I thought it must have been a subdued affair. We couldn't hear it - and it was only six miles away.

JOAN Dinner in a quarter of an hour?

BOB OK. (He withdraws)

ERIC What's it to be?

JOAN Irish stew. (With feeling) Oh, how I wish I could get away from all this!

ERIC (astonished) You mean, permanently? Doing a Shirley Valentine?

JOAN That's a thought - I rather fancy Tom Conti.

ERIC Some hopes!

JOAN No, I suppose it'll have to be just the usual fortnight in bloody Sidmouth.

ERIC It doesn't have to be bloody Sidmouth. Cornwall's quite nice ...

JOAN (scornfully) Cornwall!

Bob bursts in, thunderously and furious.

BOB Mum! You've been messing about with my room again!

JOAN I've tidied it, yes. It was such a pigsty ...

BOB I can't find anything now. How the hell do you expect me to put up with it?

ERIC Bob! That's no way to speak to your mother!

BOB Oh, don't be so bloody pompous. There are some books I borrowed from Tubby Gordon - he wants them back tonight ... or else.

JOAN And what sort of books would they be?

BOB (a shade embarrassed) Well ...

ERIC I think you may find them in the dustbin. Oh, don't worry - the liner was changed today.

BOB You've no right! Meddling with my things ...

ERIC (firmly) May I remind you that this is a family home. It isn't a hotel - however much like one you may treat it - and your mother and I are responsible for what goes on here. We won't have that sort of muck under our roof! Is that understood?

Bob is about to expostulate, but thinks better of it and goes.

ERIC Pompous!

JOAN (giggling despite herself) Well, you were just a shade.

ERIC It's no laughing matter.

JOAN Sorry, dear.

Bob returns, carrying magazines in a plastic bag, still angry but controlled.

BOB Right, that's it. You don't want these under your roof. You won't want me under it, either.

JOAN Bob!

BOB Joe Billings suggested weeks ago I should move in with him.

JOAN Move?

BOB I should have had the sense to take him up on it then. Well, better late than never.

JOAN What about your dinner?

BOB Stuff your ruddy dinner! And I hope it chokes you!

Exit. Stunned silence for a moment, then Joan starts weeping. Eric tries to comfort her.

ERIC Steady on, old girl.

JOAN I've got to stop him.

She moves to follow, but Eric restrains her.

ERIC No, dear. How can you? In any case, try to stop him now and you've lost him for ever. Let him go, and he'll probably come back.

JOAN You think so?

ERIC Probably not to live here. He's got to leave the nest some time. This may be as good as any.

Bob returns with a small bag. His anger has abated.

BOB Sorry I blew my top. I've just packed a few things for the night. I'll be back for the rest later. If you don't mind.

ERIC Of course not.

BOB Oh - (passing Eric a hand-written card) and here's the address.

ERIC (offering his hand) Good luck, son.

Bob hesitates a moment, then shakes hands, and with some diffidence hugs Joan. He leaves. Joan subsides rather tearfully on to the settee.

ERIC Well ...

JOAN He's gone. They all go sooner or later, don't they? Every family breaks up.

ERIC He's gone, yes. He needs his own space. But he left his address. He wouldn't have done that if he wanted to break with us, would he?

JOAN I suppose not.

ERIC Come on, cheer up. Let's think about that holiday.

JOAN All right. I'll try. What do you think?

ERIC Where's that brochure?

JOAN (passing it) Here.

ERIC Let's see. Antalya to Kusadasi. Two for the price of one. We could do it now.

JOAN So we could.

ERIC Yes, after all that, there's something to be said for being independent, isn't there?

CURTAIN

**********

Return to Contents

PERILS OF TRAVEL

Characters

Anne A capable, practical professional woman in her mid to late twenties, probably on the way to higher management. She normally keeps her feelings under close control, which however does sometimes slip.

Barbara A rather younger professional, competent in her speciality but less worldly than Anne, with whom she is nevertheless sufficiently familiar for a measure of light banter to be accepted.

Set

An anonymous international airport lounge.

Time

Late 2002.

*****

Opening

The Tannoy announces Will passenger MacDonald for Amsterdam please report to gate number 24 immediately, as the flight is now closing. Anne and Barbara enter, Anne smartly dressed as for a business meeting and carrying a briefcase, Barbara casual but with a laptop computer. They choose seats, then Anne stands briefly to peer at the departures screen on the fourth wall.

ANNE Thirty minutes' delay. Could be worse.

BARBARA At least it's a relief to get rid of the luggage.

ANNE Why on earth do you bring so much? It's only a three-day meeting.

BARBARA Yes, but you never know what sort of occasions will arise.

ANNE Somehow I don't foresee much in the way of glamorous evening entertainment.

BARBARA I don't want to miss out if there is any going. And in any case I don't want to turn up in a suit that looks as though I've been sleeping in it.

ANNE Choose the right suit, and it won't - even if you have.

BARBARA Well, I'm not the one who always nods off after lunch.

ANNE Always? Come off it. Once or twice, perhaps - after a heavy night.

BARBARA I don't think you realise how often it is.

ANNE Then for goodness' sake give me a prod any time you see me napping. It could be seriously embarrassing.

BARBARA (teasing) I shall, don't worry.

ANNE Anyway, to get back to the point, I don't like to be parted from anything I'll need at the meeting - I'd stick to hand baggage alone if it were possible. Remember that time in Vienna when the man from Brazil apologised for turning up looking like a lumberjack because his luggage had gone on a world tour and never caught up with him.

BARBARA That was exceptional. I've never had anything go astray.

ANNE Talk about tempting Providence! Remember the story Bill told us on Wednesday.

BARBARA I missed that. What was it?

ANNE Well, he was behind a particularly cantankerous customer at the check-in, giving the clerk hell. When his turn came he asked the girl where this character was going. Trinidad - but his luggage is going to Tokyo.

BARBARA I wouldn't say I was particularly cantankerous.

ANNE Far from it. But accidents do happen. I've been lucky - the only time my luggage was missing it had been put on the next flight to the same destination. You can't count on that.

The Tannoy again announces, more emphatically, Will passenger MacDonald for Amsterdam please report to gate number 24 immediately, as the flight is now closing.

ANNE Why is it always passengers for Amsterdam who seem to go missing?

BARBARA I did hear of one for Brussels once.

ANNE There must be something about the Low Countries.

BARBARA (almost giggling) I get a picture of a very staid New York couple, descended from the original Dutch settlers, heading back to some dreary ancestral town, and the husband deciding at the last minute that he'd rather kick up his heels in Paris instead.

ANNE MacDonald doesn't sound particularly Dutch.

BARBARA Perhaps it's his wife who's the old colonial.

ANNE That's possible. And maybe the husband's preoccupied with the whisky in the Duty Free.

BARBARA That sounds a lot more likely. Oh, will you keep an eye on my things for a while? Shan't be long.

ANNE Topping up your own supplies?

BARBARA No, just a precaution.

ANNE Only teasing. Go ahead. I've a couple of calls to make.

Exit Barbara. Anne checks her diary, then takes out a mobile phone and dials.

ANNE Sid? … It's Anne. Sorry to bother you, but in the rush to prepare for this trip I forgot that Bob was away when it was arranged, and didn't think to mention it yesterday. There's a section meeting tomorrow; would you give my apologies? … Thanks. You're a brick … Oh yes? The chance would be fine thing! Cheers. (She dials again.) Hello, Mum. … Yes, no problem. Traffic was pretty bad, but we'd left plenty of time. We're in the departure lounge now … A half-hour delay so far - could be worse. How are things with you? … But you need to get out more. Don't turn down an opportunity just because - … Oh yes, he said that was a possibility. Now look, you're not to worry … Yes, of course, but they wouldn't be sending him if they thought there was any real danger. I'm sure he'll be all right … Yes, I know the situation's different now, but it hasn't hotted up yet, and by all accounts it'll be months before it could - plenty of time to get him out in case of trouble … Yes, I will. 'Bye. (Barbara returns.) That was quick.

BARBARA No queue. Oh, and I think I've solved the MacDonald mystery.

ANNE What?

BARBARA The missing passenger. A rather elderly woman dashed out just as I got there and dropped her bag on the way. I picked it up for her - that was the name on the label. (Examining a finger) Damn! I've broken a nail. And my file was confiscated at the security check.

ANNE I did warn you. (Fishing in her handbag) Here, I've an emery board.

BARBARA Thanks. (She attends to the damage and returns the board.) But what use would a three-inch nail file be to any terrorist?

ANNE Hmm.