Play Draft 1

THE GUEST

By Ellen Valentine

CAST OF CHARACTERS

MR. MILTON, a father, works at the local real estate office

MRS. MILTON, a feminist and mother, works for a non-profit

ZACHARY MILTON, a 17 year-old son, unsure of his future, but a loving family member

CAROLINE MILTON, a 14 year-old daughter, focused on sports

THE GUEST, an unexpected visitor

SCENE 1

It is midmorning. CAROLINE and ZACHARY are in the yard passing a soccer ball between them. CAROLINE is wearing straight leg jeans with rips in the knees and fitted, but not tight, t-shirt. ZACHARY is wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The yard is to the side of the house, it should be clear that they do not live in an urban city. Light bird chirping is heard.

ZACHARY

Carrie. C’mon, pass the ball!

CAROLINE

Nope! You gotta come get it.

ZACHARY

(Smiling)

Seriously?

CAROLINE

(Running away with the ball)

Yeah. Seriously.

ZACHARY starts to chase CAROLINE. They run around for a while, lights dim very slightly, cricket noises, show that it is slowly turning to evening.

MRS. MILTON

(Walking on stage)

Kids, come on, the farmer’s market is closing in an hour. I don’t want to have to go to Safeway.

(Muttering to herself)

Stupid greedy corporations.

CAROLINE

(Whining)

But we’re practicing!

MRS. MILTON

Caroline! You have time to practice later, now go clean yourself up and be ready in five minutes.

ZACHARY

Come on, Carrie, we can practice more later.

CAROLINE

Fine.

CAROLINE walks off stage, annoyed. ZACHARY and MRS. MILTON follow her off-stage, rolling eyes. ZACHARY grabs the soccer ball. End scene.

SCENE 2

At the farmer’s market. There are a few stalls set up on stage. VENDORS are yelling things such as “Fresh apples here!” or “Organic honey, fresh from the hive!” with signs advertising their products. There is one other couple looking at a fruit and vegetable stand. ZACHARY, CAROLINE, and MRS. MILTON enter.

MRS. MILTON

Okay, Carrie, you get the apples, Zach, you can get the lettuce. Here, take some money, meet me back here when you’re done.

(Hands CAROLINE and ZACHARY each a few bills.)

CAROLINE

Hey, mom, we’re making pie tonight right?

MRS. MILTON

Why do you think I told you to buy the apples?

CAROLINE

Yes!

(Exits)

ZACHARY

Pie? Again?

MRS. MILTON

It’s your sister’s favorite, and it’s not bad, so we might as well.

ZACHARY

Yeah, I know. But really, every week?

MRS. MILTON

Yes! Now go get the lettuce before they close.

ZACHARY exits, MRS. MILTON looks around at the stands, buys a few things from one stand, and exits. End scene.

SCENE 3

In the Milton Household, MRS. MILTON is drying the last dish and stacking it on the counter, she exits, as if going to bed. The lights dim and cricket chirping is heard. It is made to look like night. This passes for about a minute, followed by a flash of lightning with the accompanying sound of thunder. THE GUEST is at the front door and pounds his fist on the door, loud enough to wake someone. MRS. MILTON is seen rushing in from off-stage, putting a dressing gown over her nightdress.

 .....

(there is a large time jump/more to be written before this scene)

SCENE #

It is midday outside of the Milton household. CAROLINE is wearing a button down blouse and her regular shorts or jeans. She is sitting by the tree in the front yard next to her cleats and soccer ball, reading, instead of practicing with ZACHARY. ZACHARY is dressed as he was in Scene 1, with added dirt and messiness. He still seems normal and is acting like his usual self.

ZACHARY

(walking from offstage towards CAROLINE)

Carrie. What are you wearing? Didn’t you want me to help you practice.

CAROLINE

I’m reading, Zach. Leave me alone. Chris said I should.

ZACHARY

Who the hell is Chris?!

CAROLINE

Seriously? I didn’t realize you were that unobservant. Gabe. The guy who’s been staying with us for three days now?

ZACHARY

Okay. Fine. Gabe, now, I guess. News to me. So where is this ‘Gabe’?

(THE GUEST enters from the off-stage, seemingly coming from the house.)

THE GUEST

Zachary, please, call me John. 

ZACHARY

(rolls eyes, fed up)

Whatever. Carrie, I’ll be inside if you need me.

(ZACHARY makes motions to go back inside)

THE GUEST

Zachary! Wait!

(ZACHARY stops, turns around, and walks over to THE GUEST)

Caroline, please excuse us, dear.

(CAROLINE picks up her book, leaves the soccer gear and exits)

Something seems to be troubling you. Talk to me, let me help you.

ZACHARY

(Sarcasm)

Really? You’re trying to ‘help’ me. Sir. You are the cause of the problem, so no, I don’t think you can help.

THE GUEST

Zachary, Zachary, Zachary. I can help, really. Can’t you see how I’ve helped your family so far? Look how happy they all are!

ZACHARY

That? That’s not happy. That’s soulless.

THE GUEST

Zachary, please, let’s be civil, shall we? Let’s start afresh. Introduce yourself.

ZACHARY

(Rolls eyes and scoffs)

Yeah. I’ll pass.

THE GUEST

(Sternly)

Now, Zachary. Let’s. Be. Civil. Introduce yourself.