|
| READING ROOM | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| COMMUNITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| ABOUT GREAT WRITING | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| WORK AWAITING REVIEW |
|---|
|
| GW IS... |
|---|
|
Great Writing creative writing community is designed to prompt ideas
and provide inspiration and motivation within aspiring and amateur
authors. Whatever your topic; from love poetry to Doctor Who or Harry
Potter fan fiction, Great Writing's online writing group is where you
can make new friends and improve your creative writing. |
| WHO'S ONLINE |
|---|
| We have 2069 guests online and 3 members online |
| print friendly version | |
| I had to knock (scene 1 - 5) | |
| By Jellybean | ||||||||||||||
| 27 September 2007 | ||||||||||||||
|
This is the first play that i ever wrote - i have written two other plays since - but this one is special to me. The only reason it is split up is that i couldn't work out how the hell to put all of it on there at once without it all being mushed up into one paragraph. So please tell me what you think of it - any comments welcome!! Scene 1. Mrs Grey’s house and street. Naomi, a black teenager of 16, is standing outside the house, staring up at it. Naomi It all started that wet Tuesday afternoon, standing outside her house and not wanting to knock on the door. School was over and the streets had been deserted for half an hour. I could not put it off any longer. I had to knock. Naomi goes forward towards the front door. She pauses reluctantly, and then knocks on the door. An old woman, also black, opens the door and peers out. Mrs Grey Who’s there? Sees Naomi Who are you? Speak up child, I’m a little deaf. Naomi Er... I’m Naomi. My Mum sent me here. She said you knew I was coming. Mrs Grey Oh, so it’s you, is it? You’d better come in then. Opens the door wide and lets Naomi past. It’s a cramped living room and kitchen diner, with floral patterned sofas and armchairs, a coal fire takes up the back of the stage. I suppose you want a drink. Naomi Ok, thanks. Mrs Grey You’ll have tea, or don’t children drink tea anymore? I suppose you’ll want fizzy drinks. Naomi Tea will be great Mrs Grey limps over to the kitchen and starts to make tea Mrs Grey Sugar? Naomi No thanks Mrs Grey Don’t be ridiculous, you’re a child. You can’t do anything without it being bad for you. Smoking... Naomi I don’t smoke! Mrs Grey Drugs... Naomi I would never take drugs! Mrs Grey Beating people up... Naomi How is that bad for you? Mrs Grey puts the cups down on the coffee table and sits down in the armchair away from Naomi Mrs Grey Well, it can’t be good for your criminal record, especially with all the shoplifting charges already on there... Naomi I don’t have a criminal record! Mrs Grey isn’t listening Mrs Grey Why you wanted to come in the first place, I have no idea. Maybe to ‘do me in’ or whatever they call it these days. Or is it community service? Naomi I’m here because my Mum thought you’d like some company, that’s all. If you’re just going to moan about me, then I’ll go. Naomi stands up Mrs Grey Oh be quiet! Children were never this rude in my day. Naomi I’m not a child! Mrs Grey Sit down and drink your tea. Or I’ll tell your Mother. Naomi she hesitates Fine then! She sits back down. They sit and drink in silence both glaring away from the other. There is a knock at the door. Mrs Grey gets up to answer it and Naomi looks out the window. Three teenage boys – white - are outside, mucking about; pushing each other and laughing. They all have beer bottles in their hands. Tall Boy I bet she never makes it to the door! Boy I hope she does! Jason Why? Do you lurve her? Makes kissing noises Boy No, so I can see her shouting after us. Does impression of limping old ladies, all boys laugh. They see Mrs Grey coming and run to the side of the stage Mrs Grey Who’s there? Silence Anybody? Tall Boy It was us, you stupid black granny! Jason Are you blind as well as deaf? All run across stage and exit. Mrs Grey goes back inside. Mrs Grey See, living proof about how foul teenagers are. I hope you’re pleased with yourself! Naomi What? I wouldn’t do anything like that! Those were just idiot boys in my year. They’re really dumb. Mrs Grey It still proves... Naomi It proves nothing. Absolutely nothing! That was a gross misinterpretation of people my age. Most of us are absolutely fine and wouldn’t do anything of the sort! Mrs Grey I think you’d better go. Naomi Fine then. She walks out. Mrs Grey sighs and sits down on the armchair, rapping a woollen shawl around her. David, Mrs greys son walks on stage, carrying a suitcase. He knocks on the door. Mrs Grey Irritated. Who could that be? Gets up and answers the door. David! David Hey Ma! Mrs Grey Well come in then. David jokily Still the same old grouch then? They go into the sitting room. He sits on the sofa, putting the suitcase beside him. Mrs Grey Noticing the suitcase for the first time. Going somewhere? David What? Oh – yeah – work conference. Mrs Grey Unbelievingly. A work conference? David Yeah - in Paris. Mrs Grey Sighs and sits in the arm chair. She puts her head back and closes her eyes. David, if you want to go to Paris for a bit that’s ok. I don’t mind. David I’ll only be a couple of months. Mrs Grey Sits up. A couple of months!? David Disappointed. I knew you’d mind Mrs Grey Of course I mind. What am I meant to do for two months on my own? David Well… Mrs Grey I should have expected it really, you only think of your own convenience. David Bur Ma… Mrs Grey Selfish, I call it. David But what about that woman you met in the market? Mrs... Mrs Grey Snappily. Mrs Johnson. But it turns out I was wrong about her. She’s put her daughter on to me; an annoying little madam with no respect for her elders. David Cheekily - half challengingly. Maybe she’ll do you good. Mrs Grey Now don’t you start lecturing me about what will do me good. I know already. David You are the most difficult person I know, ma. Mrs Grey I’ll ignore that. Now, if you’re going to Paris, you’d better be going. David Standing, picks up bag. Alright. Well, take care Ma. He kisses her on the cheek. She hugs him and then they go to the door together. Mrs Grey Have a good time then, I suppose. David Bye! She turns and walks back into the sitting room. She picks up the shawl and starts to fold it. Mrs Grey Do me good…a stupid yob do me good?... wretched David…Why Paris of all places…a whole month….do me good! The shawl is folded, but she suddenly flings it down onto the sofa. I will not have an annoying, disobedient child visiting me! Do me good – or not! Exit through to stairs, slamming the door behind her. Scene 2
At Naomi's House
Mum is sat down on the sofa, watching TV. Naomi enters. Mum How was it, love? She stands. Naomi It was awful. She dumps her school bag by the table and slumps down on the sofa. What is this rubbish anyway? She grabs remote and changes channel. Mum Did you even try to talk to her? Naomi Yes, I was very nice to her. The lady herself though wasn't pleasant at all. I thought you said she was an ill old dear who needed a bit of company? Mum She is though. We had a long conversation at the grocers yesterday about how she wanted a bit more of a social life. Naomi Well, send her to bingo then! She hates teenagers. She thinks we're all raging drug addicts with knives up our sleeves. Mum Gently You've just got to put in a bit of effort. Naomi I did put in effort. She was the one insulting everything about me. She's a monster! Mum Sternly Now, that's enough, Naomi. I don't want to hear another lie about Mrs Grey. She's a very nice lady and my friend! Naomi Huh, well if she's your friend, you go and visit her then. Me, I'm sick of her already. I refuse to go and see her again. I've just had it!
Naomi storms off in a huff. Scene 3
Mrs Grey's house and street - two weeks later.
Jason saunters onto stage, in school trousers and a hoody, he leans against the side of the house and starts to play around with his lighter. A school bell rings. Naomi walks on with her bag over one shoulder, walking quickly. She glances up at the house. Jason Lazily Thinking of moving in, were you? Naomi Oh, go away Jason and stop being such an idiot. He stands in her way. Mrs Grey looks out of her window and starts to watch. Jason I will if you kiss me. She shoves past him, but he catches hold of her shoulder and pulls her round to face him. Oh go on, one snog blackie and then I'll leave you alone. Naomi I said it was over, didn't I? And don't call me that again. She tries to go again. Leave me alone! Jason You know you love me, Naomi. He kisses her on the cheek and then and moved slowly to her mouth. Naomi can't resist and they kiss. Naomi No! She pulls away but he pushes her towards the wall of Mrs Grey's house. Jason Come on, Naomi. Take me back. He starts to kiss her again. Mrs Grey comes out of her house. Mrs Grey Excuse me, Naomi. Can you come in here a minute? Jason backs away for a second and Naomi darts through Mrs Grey's door. (To Jason) I don't think that's quite how to treat a lady! She slams the door. (To Naomi) Now, a bit of advice for you: Don't let anyone like that near you in your whole life. Naomi You think I don't know that? And what do you know anyway? I thought you hated me. Mrs Grey Seriously, I know. I married one. She sits down. Naomi What? She sits too although somewhat reluctantly. Mrs Grey Now, I don't know much about that boy of yours, but I do know he isn't worth it. Someone like you needs a gentleman. Naomi Why do you care so suddenly? You hate me, I hate you. Life works that way. Mrs Grey I'm just trying to help you. If you don't want my help, you can leave and get harassed by him again! Naomi You can really help me to get rid of him? Seriously? Mrs Grey Absolutely. I'm positive this will work. You have to scare him, tell him you're going to tell on him. I know it sounds babyish, but if you say you'd go to the police or tell his Mother, I swear he would never bother you again. Naomi Tell on him? Are you serious? We're not at primary school anymore, and he didn't just put his paintbrush in my water without asking! Mrs Grey If you ask me, that's exactly what he's done, if you pardon the metaphor. Naomi Whatever, and seriously, things might have been different in your day, but now he won't be scared of his mum. He could just move out! Mrs Grey That boy doesn't have enough intelligence to boil an egg - I can't see him moving out any time soon! Take my advice - just try it - and if it doesn't work, what have you lost? You'll be in the same situation. If it does work, then great. Just give it a chance. Naomi Are you being honest? He wouldn't do anything to me ever again? Mrs Grey Yes. He wouldn't want to get in trouble. I'm certain of it. Naomi Ok, I'll try it. But I bet it doesn't work. Mrs Grey Why wouldn't it work? Naomi stands up Naomi You don't know Jason. And anyway, an old lady gave me the advice. She goes out the front door and exits. Mrs Grey watched her go then picks up her jumper on the nearby chair and puts it on. Mrs Grey Old lady? Huh! She exits through the house. Scene 4
Outside on the street
Jason, boy and tall boy are hanging around outside Mrs Grey's house. They're making loud remarks about her and are vandalising (graffiti) the area outside her house. Jason Draw a pair of glasses and put ‘you should have gone to specsavers!' by it. That'll upset the old bag. The others laugh Tall boy The can won't work! Boy Give it here Boy takes the can and they all try to get it working. Naomi walks in, wanting to visit Mrs Grey, she's carrying a basket. Tall boy Oh look who it is. Boy It's little black riding hood, coming to visit her grandma! Jason Leave it to me, boys. He saunters up to Naomi Hey Naomi. Come to grovel? I knew you'd come back to me in the end. Well, there's only one way that I'm gonna do it. Beg. Naomi You do that. She tries to push past but boy and tall boy are by her side, holding her. Get off me! Jason laughs nastily. Jason You listen to me, OK? If you don't argue with me, no one gets hurt. If you do...well, you don't wanna know. Naomi Get over yourself Jason, I don't care. Ok? I'm not here to ask you anything. I'm here to... here to see Mrs Grey. Jason Really? He pulls out a knife You say that again. Naomi remains silent. I think you want me now, don't you? Naomi I... Jason laughs and moves towards the held Naomi. Jason I knew you'd want me. Me and Naomi Johnson. Both of our Dads were shits and our lives are fuckin' hell holes. So together we make the perfect couple.... The other boys laugh. Naomi Quietly and thoughtfully. No. Jason What did you say? You want me to stab you? Did you hear that boys, she wants to be killed! Naomi More confident and stronger. No! I don't. Look, if you don't leave me alone now, I'll call the police. Or even worse, I'll tell the whole town how you treat me so no one will trust you or respect you ever again. I bet your Mum won't like that, will she Jason? Jason That's not really an option when I've got a knife, you know, but good try all the same.... All boys laugh again. Naomi Oh, really? So when you've killed me, I'm sure Mrs Grey will be glad to inform the police that it was you who killed me, and tell them about how you treated me beforehand. Harassment's a crime, you know. Would you like to do some hard time? They could give you some...cookery classes, and you could learn to...learn to...boil an egg! And your little friends here will get something for being an accessory in the murder of me. If I were you Jason, I'd run away and never come near me again. Jason looks confused and suddenly becomes agitated and stressed. Jason Drop her. Tall boy What? Jason I said drop her! Tall boy and boy stop holding Naomi Now, let's go. Come on! He walks quickly out and the boys glares at Naomi Boy He'll be back for you. This isn't over. Naomi I think it is actually. Now run, little boys, before I dial 999. They look fearful Tall boy Come on; let's go, before she calls the cops. Tall boy and boy run out stumbling over each other. The door of Mrs Grey's house opens and Mrs Grey is in the doorway. Mrs Grey I nearly came out at one point, but you seemed so on fire, I didn't like to interfere. Well done, Naomi. Naomi That was brilliant! I didn't think I'd see Jason look that scared. Mrs Grey It was priceless! I haven't laughed so hard in 80 years. Naomi I brought you cake. Holds up basket. We can celebrate! Mrs Grey Open basket Oh no, I love this cake, dear, but somehow the supermarkets never do it justice. Naomi Oh. I'm sorry. Mrs Grey Never mind though, it'll do for today won't it? Come in, dear, and have a cup of tea and a slice or five of cake. We'll make a real party of it.
They go through the front door and exit so the audience don't see. Scene 5 - In Naomi's house
Naomi enters and flops down on sofa and starts to read a magazine. Mum enters, looking excited.
Mum I've got some news, Naomi. Naomi Good news, or bad news? Mum Definitely good news. Naomi Well then...? Mum I've a boyfriend! Naomi freezes up Would you like to meet him? He's ever so nice, his name's Stuart. Come on, Stuart, come in! Nomi She doesn't turn round just stares at the TV. Stuart enters, grinning happily but some what nervously as well. Stuart Hi Naomi. I've heard so much about you.
Mum I'll make us a nice cup of tea. Exits.
Naomi Bliss. Stuart Oh, my daughter reads that. Naomi Right. Stuart She must be about your age, she's at University at the moment. Naomi I'm only sixteen. Stuart Oh I see. Strained silence follows. Naomi reads her magazine and Stuart looks around the room. Mum comes back in with a tray of tea. Nothing like a lovely cup of Earl Grey. Fabulous! Mum So, Naomi, why don't you tell Stuart about Mrs Grey? Naomi What about her? Mum Well, you two seem good friends now. Stuart Is this the Mrs Grey who your Mum tells me so much about? I think it's so good that youth today are doing community service. Naomi Looks up, surprised by his comment. What? Stuart I was just saying how unusual it is for someone your age to have an interest in helping the society. Naomi Whatever. I'm going out. Stands up. Mum Excuse me? Naomi I'm going out. I said I'd meet a friend. Mum Well, I think it can wait. I invited Stuart over so you two can bond. Naomi Cooley Oh really? Mum Yes. So you can sit down and drink your tea. Naomi I don't think so. I'm off. Goes out into hallway, pauses at door.
Stuart You shouldn't let her walk all over you like that. That girl needs to have a sharp lesson.
Only registered users can rate and write comments. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
||||||||||||||
This is not the first act - just the first scene of the play. Altogether there are twelve scenes. So, if i could work out how to put my work from word all at once without it all bunching up into one block of text, you would discover more about the girls character, and so on. I am new to the whole website and i am still discovering how everything works! I am soon going to add more scenes to that one...hope this explains more.
 Previous item
|
Next item
|
|---|