NOVEMBER PLAYWRITING CHALLENGE

November 5: 

This suggestion for a writing prompt comes from Threshold Theater’s managing director and co-founder, David Schlosser.  David is also a photographer so he often thinks in terms of images, which you’ll see a lot more of in previous years’ prompts from him. He also likes a good cliffhanger or unfinished phrase.  These two from his list both have to do with hands…

“I took her hand in mine, after a lifetime of living it was now frail and  warm and soft and felt like it was covered in tissue paper, I held it and said….”

**Note. This is a short one folks, this cold going around is no joke but the assignment is to write and that’s what I’ve done!!**

SCENE

(We’re in a park. In walks a person who is obviously in charge and a man and a woman. The man is in his early 30s. The woman in her late 20s)

REPRESENTATIVE

Thank you for coming in to help us out here in “Hands Across America.

TOM

I didn’t have a choice.

REPRESENTATIVE

…to those who had a choice in the matter. And even if you didn’t…you showed up so that means you’re here to do something for yourself and others.

STEPH

So what exactly is it you want us to do?

REPRESENTATIVE

Well…we’re in a park. Here’s a handy picking up stick.

STEPH

Is that really the official word for that?

REPRESENTATIVE

It is now. Listen just clean the park for the next 2 hours and get your hours in for whatever reason you need them and let me go sit over on that park bench smoking a cigarette and nursing my hangover.

STEPH

Are you going to dispose of your cigarette or will we have to?

REPRESENTATIVE

Still to be determined. Here’s your sticks. Here’s your bags. Have fun.

(REPRESENTATIVE walks offstage.)

STEPH

(Glances over at Tom. This is awkward.)

So I guess I’ll start over here and maybe…you start over there?

TOM

Sure whatever. 

STEPH

You’re man of prolific words huh?

TOM

I guess

STEPH

Another gem. So why do you have to be here?

(Tom doesn’t answer her but rather starts collecting trash from his side of the park/stage.)

Cool! Me? I’m trying to get some volunteering done for my grad school applications. I know it seems cheesy but you need to do your part in the world.

TOM

But you just said you were doing this for grad school applications so like is that really doing your part for the world or is it to look better?

STEPH

Well at least it’s good to know you’re listening I guess.

TOM

Well at least I’m being honest about needing to be here not wanting to be here. I drove my truck into the park gazebo so this is community service.

STEPH

(hushed tones)

Were you drunk?

TOM

No…not very. I saw my girlfriend in there with another guy and I guess I kind of snapped. That’s never happened to me. But I pleaded for no jail time so here I am.

STEPH

…did you kill her?

TOM

Do you really think if I killed someone they would let me off with community service? Even for a cis white dude that’d be pretty egregious.

STEPH

The patriarchy is real.

TOM

Yes I know the patriarchy is real. What grad schools are you applying to?

STEPH

Wow look who’s asking questions now!

TO BE CONTINUED