The January People’s Choice goes to…

The people have spoken… The January People’s Choice Award goes to Christian Wilburn for his short play, BETRAYAL AT THE ZONE OF DEATH, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on January 18 on Zoom. Congratulations, Christian!

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

BETRAYAL AT THE ZONE OF DEATH
By Christian Wilburn

(Note: All the characters have an air of the old-timey
melodrama and camp. It would be cool if they could do
transatlantic accents but not necessary)

NARRATOR – Thirties to fifties, any race. A classic like
old-timey thriller narrator: Serious to the point of camp.
Think Twilight Zone or the Shadow or Hitchcock on whatever
show he used to say “Good Evening” for.

RICK—Male, thirties, any race. Husband of Melissa.

BOB—Male, thirties, any race. Husband of Judy.

MELISSA—Female, thirties, any race. Wife of Rick.

JUDY—Female, thirties, any race. Wife of Bob.

In some small yet lavish corner of the stage the narrator stands. Perhaps he is wearing a suit. 

NARRATOR: Murder, sex, betrayal! Do I have you attention now? Good evening. I am Weenius Pennyfeather and welcome to the Pennyfeather Thriller Hour. Tonight, what started as a trip between old friends turns into a tale of betrayal, lust and revenge. I take you now to the sublime serenity of Yellowstone National Park in tonights episode: Betrayal at the Zone of Death! 

The setting shifts to Yellowstone National Park. Rick and Bob are there in full camping gear (or as much as we can get). 

RICK: Well here we are, in the Zone of Death. And it is beautiful! 

BOB: You sure are right Rick. Yellowstone National Park sure is wonderful! Especially when it’s just us. Just the fellas.

RICK: No ball and chain am I right? 

BOB: Nobody telling us to do the dishes! 

RICK: Or take out the garbage! 

They both laugh heartily. 

BOB: I think my wife’s going to leave me Rick. 

RICK: Judy? Really? 

BOB: Yeah…We’ve been dealing with our troubles for awhile. I thought it was just a rough patch, but I think. I think it might really be over. 

RICK: I’m so sorry to hear that. You always seemed so happy together when Melissa and I came around. I’m shocked. 

BOB: Well, sometimes you need to keep secrets. Isn’t that right Rick? 

RICK: Right… 

Beat. Rick seems unsure what to do. 

BOB: Do you know why they call this the Zone of Death, Rick? 

Bob pulls out a gun and points it at Rick. 

RICK: Jumping butterballs Bob! What are you doing? 

BOB: I’m going to kill you! 

RICK: You what? 

BOB: I know about you and Judy. I know you have been seeing each other for years behind my back. 

RICK: How–how did you know? 

BOB: I found one of your letters. You’re love letters to her. My wife Rick? How could you? 

RICK: But Bob those were from years ago. They were from when you and Melissa were both stranded on separate deserted islands. We didn’t think we were ever going to see you again. When you returned we promised never to do it again. 

BOB: But you did do it again didn’t you? You’ve been meeting up in secret for lustful canoodling. 

RICK: We promise that we won’t do it anymore, but our attraction it’s-it’s primal, we can’t control it! 

BOB: I don’t want to hear it! You betrayed me! Since my return from the deserted island my relationship with Judy has been slowly unraveling like an evil ball of yarn. 

RICK: I’m so sorry for what I did Bob. But murder isn’t the answer. You’ll be caught! 

BOB: Well, that’s why we’re in the Zone of Death! In this part of park, due to a couple of legal loopholes, you can get away with any crime… Including murder. 

RICK: What? Is that true? That can’t be true. 

BOB: It is. You can Google it right now.
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Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on Monday, February 15 on Zoom  choose your own favorite! Click here for more info!