The Clockwork Professor

By Maggie Lee

Professor Pemberton is a humble inventor, a quiet man of science. But as political unrest sweeps over the great city of New Providence, buried secrets from the past threaten to destroy everything that he holds dear, and perhaps even the Crown itself. From romance to royal airships to roving inter-dimensional portals, The Clockwork Professor is an action-packed adventure of fantastical science fiction with a steampunk twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mneme Press
• Release date: Sep 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386509424

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Copyright © 2018 by Maggie Lee

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publishers, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Mneme Press

http://mnemepress.org

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Book design by Rebecca A. Demarest

For Performance Rights Please contact Maggie Lee at [e-mail]

The Clockwork Professor

Note on Casting

Diverse, multicultural casting is strongly encouraged. While the rhythm and vocabulary of the dialogue may at times suggest a British accent, it is preferable not to employ any accents other than the actor’s natural dialect. Mr. Jervis and Mr. Sullivan are male-presenting characters, but cross-gender casting is acceptable for both parts. The Radio Voices can be performed by one or more actors, depending on casting needs. It is preferred that the radio broadcasts be performed live, but they may be pre-recorded if necessary.

Characters

Seamus Pemberton: Male, 30s. An inventor.

Matilda James: Female, 30s. The Professor’s assistant.

Lawrence Howell: Male, 30s. The Professor’s friend.

Sophie Park: Female, 20s. A young woman from another world. Also the Lady Sophia, the Royal Head of State of New Providence.

Jin Rubik: Male, 20s. Sophie’s Keeper.

Dr. Balthazar Higgins: Male, 50s–60s. The Royal Advisor to the Crown.

Mr. Jervis: Male or Female, 20s–40s. A strange fellow in a derby hat.

Mr. Sullivan: Male or Female, 20s–40s. A strange fellow in a derby hat.

Radio Voices: Announcer, Reporter 1, Reporter 2, Actor 1,

Actor 2, Resistance Protester, Announcer 2.

Setting

In and around New Providence, a large industrial city in an alternate steampunk universe vaguely similar to the Victorian era, but with a few significant cultural quirks and technological differences. There is a small sound booth off to the side of the main playing area for the radio announcements.

Act One

In the darkness, we hear the tinny sound of a stirring patriotic march over a crackling radio. Lights come up on the Announcer in a small sound booth, off to the side of the main playing area.

announcer: And once again, the citizens of New Providence are treated to the sight of the royal airship, The Benevolence. Those looking toward the heavens may catch a glimpse of our beloved Lady Sophia in her weekly radio address to our fair city.

Lights come up on the Lady Sophia on the bridge of her airship, waving to the crowds below. She is a charming young lady dressed in a regal gown. Dr. Balthazar Higgins stands just behind her. He is a polished gentleman with a silken smile, grasping a silver-tipped cane. The Lady Sophia picks up a glass of wine and sips from it delicately.

sophia: A toast to you, my dear New Providence, as we strive toward a brighter tomorrow! Those troublesome elements who seek to cause unrest in our fair city will not succeed. The Royal Guard is working tirelessly to flush these false cowards out of hiding. I know each of our good citizens will do their best to stay vigilant for the Crown. May you all–

Suddenly, she coughs violently into a handkerchief and is startled to see blood staining the cloth. Higgins puts an arm around her and quickly leads her away, motioning to cut the feed. Lights fade on the scene.

announcer: Thank you, Lady Sophia. We are informed that the Lady has been suffering from a touch of the tropical influenza, so please join us in wishing her a speedy recovery.

As the radio continues, lights come up on a cluttered basement workshop, crammed with haphazard piles of nuts and bolts, spools of wire, and crumpled paper diagrams. There is a short set of stairs leading up to a door to the ground floor, and narrow, dingy windows set high up at street level. A large, squat tool cabinet sits against the wall, overflowing with a jumble of every tool imaginable. An elaborate metallic hand is displayed prominently on the workbench, amidst many other half-finished contraptions. Nearby, a wood cabinet radio is broadcasting the address.

announcer: No doubt it was the unfortunate news of the Lady’s illness which recently triggered a small rash of Resistance incidents, including the raiding of a military supply train and a minor explosion at the South Gate barracks. Members of the notorious Squeaky Wheel organization were apprehended in the Crookback Narrows borough and will soon face due justice in the Royal Court. And now, in the Sporting world, the new bicycle polo league is really heating up this season… (ad lib, etc.)

Matilda James enters down the stairs with a tea tray. She is dressed simply in a crisp blouse and long wool skirt, her hair in a tidy bun. She is missing her left hand and wears a plain metal hook in its place. Setting the tray down, she snaps off the radio.

matilda: Professor? Excuse me, Professor?

Seamus Pemberton sits up from behind the workbench, looking sleepy. He is absent-minded and intense, dressed in a threadbare vest and rolled shirt sleeves, with a pair of large, owlish spectacles perched on top of his head.

pemberton: What’s that? Ah. Miss James, what can I do for you?

matilda: Dozed off on the floor again last night,