The Wishing Well

By Justin Blasdel

An old man sits by a wishing well and instructs people how to use it. Doesn't seem like it's a job that should exist, but he's living proof that it does. A few wanderers occasionally come by to use the well, make their wish, and then fall victim to the human tendency to talk to others. Our old man named Halbert hates this last part, but he helps how he can. Usually not at all. One gentleman questions the nature of a wishing well, one lady tries to throw away a small fortune to gain a larger one, and one man realizes that some wishes are just too stupid. Unlucky for Halbert, they all feel that need to tell him all about it. But what can he do? He is the wishing well man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justin Blasdel
• Release date: May 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463282021

Justin Blasdel

This is an attempt to make my works public. If you like them and want to produce them, please contact me first. Thank you.

Book preview

THE WISHING WELL

by

Justin Blasdel

541-816-0521

[e-mail]

Smashwords Edition Copyright by Justin Blasdel, 2018

CHARACTERS

HALBERT: Manager of the Wishing Well

JONATHAN: Novice wisher.

BARBARA: Regretful wisher.

MORTY: Fortunate wisher.

SAL: Unknown escort.

SCENE I

A wishing well.

A simple, small well is sitting openly for all those curious or desperate enough to make a wish. There is nothing particularly special about it, but there it remains against the ravages of time. A meager bench rests nearby it.

HALBERT sits on the rotting bench next to the well with his walking stick nearby and a bag underneath the bench. HALBERT is a man beaten down by life, but he has not been broken. His every breath takes concentrated effort, but he refuses to quit living. He has a purpose.

JONATHAN enters.

JONATHAN is green around the gills and too smart for is own good. Even the plain and simple are complicated decisions to be examined and analyzed until everything has been understood.

JONATHAN

This is...is that...it's a...

HALBERT

It's a well.

JONATHAN

A well?

HALBERT

A wishing well.

JONATHAN

A wishing well?

HALBERT

A wishing well. Yes.

JONATHAN

So...do I throw a coin in?

HALBERT

If you want it to work.

JONATHAN

How much do I throw in?

HALBERT

How much do you have?

JONATHAN

I thought...Isn't it supposed to be a penny?

HALBERT

A penny for a wish? If you want a penny's worth to come true.

JONATHAN

Everyone pays a penny.

HALBERT

Do you see their wishes coming true?

JONATHAN

No. Not really.

HALBERT

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

JONATHAN

It does. Does this even work?

HALBERT laughs.

JONATHAN

Why are you laughing?

HALBERT

It's a wishing well. What are you expecting?

JONATHAN

For it to work.

HALBERT

It doesn't work that way.

JONATHAN

It doesn't work?

HALBERT

It doesn't work that way.

JONATHAN

Then how does it work?

HALBERT stands up and procures a coin from his penny pouch.

HALBERT

You take a penny, you throw it in...

HALBERT throws the