The October People’s Choice Award goes to…

The people have spoken… The October’s People’s Choice Award goes to Jediah Craig for his play Ratification Panic Room, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on October 21st live at the David Brower Center and simulcast via Vimeo Livestream. Congratulations, Jediah!

Courtesy of Jediah, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

Ratification Panic Room
by Jediah Craig

CHARACTER:

AIDE to an AIDE to a SENATOR Female. Her first job on Washington. Eager. Idealistic.
Determined to save American Democracy and protect the
voice of the American People.

LOCATION: UNITED STATES CAPITOL

DATE: JANUARY 6, 2021

AIDE ENTERS in a rush and a huff, frantic. She’s carrying
a MAHOGANY BOX. Panting, she sets the BOX on a
table. Catches her breath. Looks around. Takes in her
surroundings. Keep it together, girl! It’s OK. You can do
this. Remember, you’re doing this for your country.
BEAT.
Her iPhone RINGS.

AIDE
(what’s going on?)

Hello?
Where am I? Where are you?
You said–
No. I. When we were… No.
Yes, of course I have the box. But where are you?
But she told us to stay together.
No. Look. She said. “Grab the boxes. Stay together. Keep ‘em safe.” So I grabbed one
of the boxes, I left the floor, then turned left. When I looked back you were gone.
Where’d you go?
What do you mean you turned right? You never turn right. Where are you?
With all the Senators? Where?
Why can’t you say?
A secured location, really? Are you kidding me? I–
Yes, I’m sure it’s very nice.
…
No. I’m in a storage closet, thank you very much.

(annoyed)

Cos she said find a place no one would think to look!
…
Maybe because, I’m stuck by myself and you’re…hobnobbing with Senators.
…
Oh, Pelosi and the other Representatives are there too? Oh, I’m so glad.
…
I’m right outside Representative San Nicolas’ office.

BEAT

Michael San Nicolas?
San. Nicolas.
Yes. He’s the Representative of Guam.
Yes. We have a Representative from Guam.

Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on November 18th! For more info, click here!