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#Post#: 12084--------------------------------------------------
The Underground
By: Walrus365 Date: September 14, 2014, 1:33 pm
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This is a short play I wrote and acted in for a program at my
school. The basic idea was to write, rehearse and perform a
play in 24 hours. Me and a friend of mine co-wrote this play
after about 2 hours of brainstorming and 5 hours of actual
writing. Its runtime is about 15 minutes, but I thought that it
came out well. I hope you guys enjoy reading it!
The Underground
By: Walrus365 and Meg H.
Policeman
Orphan Boy/Girl Jamie
Mr. and Mrs. Yungman with their child Casey
Marian Edwards
2 Extras
Stage Directions:
Stay away from British Accents, if one person can’t do an accent
nobody should (Meg said so)
Start:
It’s 1940’s London during the Battle of Britain. The curtain
opens onto an underground bomb shelter in the London
Underground. People come down frantically into the shelter, the
raid is unexpected because the time above is midday. Everyone
is chattering amongst themselves and those near them, except for
Jamie, who stands silent by himself/herself.
Policeman:
Keep filing down! Everybody take a seat! Oi! You! Stay in the
queue! (Points to an extra)
The chatter quiets down, everybody sits down except the
Policeman. People open up what parcels they have on them, and
begin to do things. The Yungman family sits together with
Marian to their right. Jamie sits apart to their left, slumped
in a seated position and remains quiet.
Mr. Yungman: “Those bloody Germans have no decency bombing
midday like this.”
Mrs. Yungman: “Oh Charles, settle down. At least we finished
the errands.”
Mr. Yungman: “If God knew I would be spending most of my life
underground, he would have made me a bloody mole.”
Marian: “Awful business isn’t it? But keep your chin up, it
can’t last long. Your boy/girl looks ready to lose it, staring
at the wall like that.”
Casey grimaces at Marian, then turns back to staring at the
wall. Sensing further interjection from Marian,s/he beings to
separate his/herself from the rest of the family and paces the
limited space of the shelter.
Marian: *Sighs* “Children are such handfulls. I have a boy
myself, and until he was born, I never knew such a small thing
could make so much noise!”
Mrs. Yungman looks uncomfortable that such a total stranger is
taking such an active interest in their conversation.
Marian: “Oh, I must have left my manners up top. My name’s
Marian, and may I ask yours?”
Mr. Yungman: “Delighted. I am Charles, and this is my wife
Edith.”
Mr. Yungman does not look the least bit delighted by Marian.
While the adults are talking, Casey looks to Jamie with a
curious glance, and begins to chat. They could trade shrapnel
or spent bullets. Casey talks enthusiastically, and after a bit
of coaxing Jamie begins to respond and nods his/her head.
Mr. Yungman scans the shelter, and then announces:
Mr. Yungman: “I’m famished.” Mr. Yungman turns to his wife.
“Did you happen to bring any food?”
Mrs. Yungman: “I did, but I’d rather we save it until later.”
Marian: “Nothing passes time quite like talking! Where are you
from?”
Mr. Yungman sighs
Mrs. Yungman: “ The west end, near Mayfair.”
Pause
Mrs. Yungman: “And you?”
Marian: “Well, I currently live in Cockney now, but I grew up
outside of the the area myself. I’m from the country, at heart.
I never quite got used to the city smell. My son’s living out
there now, with the bombings and all. He’s such a sweet boy! He
wanted to stay and take care of me, but I wouldn’t have it. Such
a brave, stubborn little boy! He was always at my heels, wanting
to help his mum. His father died when he was small. A sudden
heart attack, right out of nowhere. I worried for a while that
Henry wouldn’t get along well without a father, but he’s become
quite the young man. Thinks he’s invincible though. Always
wanted to fly planes.
Mrs. Yungman appears to have deeply regretted her response.
Jamie and Casey are now talking animatedly, and shiftily glance
at the Policeman and the supplies that he stands guard over.
They use frequent points and gestures to accentuate what they’re
saying. As Marian’s rant progresses, the Policeman takes notice
of the two scheming teenagers/children.
Policeman: “You lot better stay out of trouble! I got my eye
on the two of you!”
Jamie and Casey make their best innocent face to diffuse
suspicion. Mr. and Mrs. Yungman don’t take any notice of the
going ons of their child. The policeman begins to pace the
shelter. He is approached by two extras and hands out supplies
to the two of them. The extras take the supplies and return to
a seated position to unwrap them. Marian eyes the Policeman,
and then appears to attempt to start another rant as the
Policeman approaches her and the Yungmans.
Marian: “I told him...-”
Policeman: “I would advise your son/daugher to stay away from
that lone lad/lass over there.”
Mr. and Mrs. Yungman let out a collective sigh of relief at
being spared of yet another wall of text.
Policeman: “Apologies for intruding, but s/he always comes down
here during these alone, up to no good I always say! Is there
anything I can offer ya to ease yer stay here? “
Marian: “I’d take some water, if you would be-”
Policeman: “In a minute ma’am.” Turns to Yungmans. “Babbler
that one.”
Marian looks offended and angry. As the policeman talks with
the Yungmans and Marian, Jamie and Casey begin to edge towards
his abandoned pile of supplies, both sets of eyes fixed on the
air mattress.
Mrs. Yungman: “I appreciate your offer, but I doubt we will be
needing much. Charles and I have enough food for ourselves.”
Mr. Yungman, still famished, gazes wistfully at a can in the
Policeman’s supply pile, and Casey immediately freezes until he
looks away.
Mrs. Yungman: “Why don’t you stay and chat? Everyone else
feels like it’s a good idea.”
Marian misses the obviously barbed comment.
Policeman: “Oh, I don’t think it would be proper. I have work
to be doing…”
Marian: “It’s always good to talk with friends! I remember
when I-”
Marian is cut off a third time, this time by Mr. Yungman, and
gives him her most venomous glare. Mr. Yungman is determined to
keep the Policeman with them as long as possible.
Mr. Yungman: “l bet you’re a very popular man down here. How
much do you think you hand out?”
Policeman: “Oh, I would say about five thousand. Quite a bit
o’ work, but it gets done! Anything to help beat the Germans,
we all do what we can.”
Mrs. Yungman: “Amen.”
By this time, Jamie and Casey have inched close enough to snatch
the air mattress from out of the pile. They grab it and slink
back to their original positions, eyes carefully poised on the
Policeman and Mr. Yungman. Once they take a seat again, Jamie
unwraps the mattress and shamelessly begins to inflate it with
his/her mouth.
Policeman: “Oh, but it’s a good job. I can rest soundly knowing
I did my part. Gotta help my fellow men. My daughters a nurse,
you know. Our men come in blown to bits, and she stands and
bandages ‘um up. Scares me to think about, but she loves helping
her country. It’s a time do your part, you know. This is the
least I can do.”
A large explosion rocks the shelter. The Policeman realizes
that he’s been dawdling and checks his watch. His eyes widen as
he sees the time and quickly goes through a rushed yet proper
farewell.
Policeman: “Oh dear, I’ve spent too much time. I really must
be going, I really must. And if you need anything, Mr. and
Mrs…?”
Mrs. Yungman: “Yungman.”
Policeman: “Yungman, right. Anyways, if you need anything
remember to ask.”
The Policeman begins to hurriedly pace the compound once again.
The Yungmans give him one last meloncholy glance, and return to
the ordeal that is Marian.
Mirian: “My husband was like him. Very patriotic fellow. Smart
too, always got the best notes at school. Everyone was jealous
of him frankly. He was a real brainchild. I still remember the
first time I met him. We were at a dance. I was quite the dancer
back then. He just stood there staring at me, until he finally
he came over and told me I was the most beautiful thing he’d
ever seen. Always the gentleman. Henry’s just like him, always
knows what to say. His teachers say he’s a natural leader, much
like Churchill. But I always knew that. The way the younger
one’s followed him around, practically worshipping him. Always
had a plan for everything. Always giving advice. It’s no wonder
everyone loves him.”
The Policeman finally returns to his supply pile after making
his rounds. He glances at the pile, looks away, then does a
double take. He goes down on his hands and knees and sifts
through it and finally arrives at the conclusion that the
mattress is in fact missing.
Policeman: “Who took it!?”
The Policeman scans the shelter with vigor, and his eyes fixate
on Jamie, who may or may not still be in the process of
inflating the mattress. (Dunno how long it takes to inflate a
mattress by mouth)
Policeman: “You little-”
Casey holds a finger up to his/her lips, and jerks his head
towards his /her parents and Marian. The Policeman narrows his
eyes, but doesn’t interfere with what is occurring. Mr.
Yungman’s stomach rumbles (a stomach gurgle would be cool, but
isn’t necessary) and he gazes at it forlornly.
Mrs. Yungman: “Oh dear, it is getting late. Suppose we eat
now.”
Mr. Yungman’s eyebrows raise, and he looks quite a bit more
animated than he did moments ago.
Mrs. Yungman: “I made us all sandwiches. Here Marian, you can
share with Charles.”
Mr. Yungman shoots her a look.
Mrs. Yungman: “Oh hush dear, I was merely joking. Here’s
yours. Marian can share with me. Heaven knows I can barely eat
another one of these horrid things anyways. That leaves one for
Casey. Casey! Casey, where have you gone off to? Where is
that boy/girl? Oh well. Charles, take a napkin. Living in a
cave is no excuse to act like a savage.”
Mr. Yungman is in the middle of voraciously devouring his
sandwich, and responds with the noncommittal grunt of one with a
mouth full of food.
Marian: “Oh, dear, thank you! Henry used to make me cut the
crusts off the sides, no matter how many times I tried to force
him to. He’s picky that way, but always knew what he liked. He
was always steadfast, always found a way to get what he wanted.
People just couldn’t say no, and I always told him not to take
advantage of it. He worked his way into places. I always knew
he’d go far.
The Policeman is now full on staring at Jamie and Casey. The
air mattress should be fully inflated at this point. Casey and
Jamie grab the mattress and break into a full run at the
Yungmans and Marian hunched over their food.
Casey and Jamie: “Tally Ho!!!” (phrase common in british
airforce meaning the enemy is sighted)
The effect is devastating and should be planned out by the
directors. Some people could fall backwards in chairs, food
could go flying, everyone collapses. The Policeman should be
trying to prevent himself from laughing, but cracking because he
cannot suppress it. He breaks out into gales of hearty laughter
as the Yungmans, Marian, Casey and Jamie pick themselves off the
floor. The extras should point and laugh at this point as well.
Mrs. Yungman: “Young man/woman! That was incredibly rude and
completely uncalled for! I demand you apologize to the people
here at once!”
Casey tries to keep a straight face, but with Jamie, the
Policeman, Mr. Yungman (sandwich still in hand) and the two
extras having borderline fits, he cannot do it. Only Marian is
silent and stoic. Gradually, each individual at some point
falls from laughs to giggles, and eventually to silence as they
might see others staring at Marian, and they in turn stare at
Marian. When Marian speaks, her voice is labored and cracking.
Marian: “Tally-ho, I know that phrase. Henry once told me its
what the airmen say when they see an enemy. He wanted to be an
airman, y’see, ever since he was four years old when he saw a
plane fly over us in the countryside. Another mother might have
said tally-ho to that.”
Mrs. Yungman: “Marian?”
Marian: “Yes, tally-ho, I too saw what was coming on the
horizon, all mothers do when their children go to war. He was a
fine boy, a stupidly brave boy, but I’m sure a great deal of the
boys that go up in planes are fine boys, tally-hoing like a
group of lunatics as they fly into their dreams of glory. Of
course I was scared, every sane mother is scared, but he told me
he’d be fine. But I couldn’t stop seeing the planes, those
flimsy planes. I bet he said tally-ho. He must have said
tally-ho.”
Casey and Jamie are beginning to look guilty, knowing that it
was them who have touched this nerve. Everybody stares at
Marian sadly, and are in various states of standing and sitting,
but the theme is common. All are silent. Finally, the all-clear
siren can be heard, and everyone raises their heads to look at
the ceiling. After a pause, the Policeman clears his throat.
The Policeman: “All clear, time to go greet what’s up top.
Stay in queue, stay in queue…”
The End
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