Plays
The first play I ever wrote - The Prisoner - was performed and produced by the wonderful Frequency Theatre in Colchester after I saw an advert for new playwrights and decided to have a go. They were so happy with the play that they asked me to take part in an experiment - a script based on that week's news that would be written, produced and performed in just one week. I was so excited and thus The Reunion was born. Scripts of both plays are below but you can also hear them at http://www.frequencytheatre.co.uk/play/reunion/ and http://www.frequencytheatre.co.uk/play/prisoner/
The Reunion
SCENE ONE
THERE IS THE SOUND OF A ZIP BEING DONE UP, A DRAWER OPENING AND CLOSING AND THE SPRAY OF DEODORANT
JAMES: Right
HOLLY: Where are you going, again?
JAMES: The George – near The Strand. Pete's back from Thailand for a few weeks so he's organised a bit of a reunion
HOLLY: Oh okay
JAMES: I can't believe it's been ten years since we graduated. Ten years. It's mad
HOLLY: Is that the last time you saw them?
JAMES: Yeah – must be. We've stayed in touch, though. Pete's been away for the last year
HOLLY: Is that Pete Whitmore?
JAMES: Yeah – do you know him?
HOLLY: He added me on Facebook a couple of months ago
JAMES: Really?
HOLLY: Yeah – we both commented on your status after we'd got married and he added me then
JAMES: Oh right
HOLLY: I love his pictures – that baby elephant was so funny
JAMES: Haha, yeah it was
HOLLY: Who else is going tonight?
JAMES: Chris, Emily and Jess
HOLLY: I don't know them
JAMES: Emily's married and they've got a little girl. I think Jess is single – she's doing really well, though. Got her own art studio in Brighton
HOLLY: That's all right
JAMES: Yeah – that's what she wanted to do. Chris works in Insurance but he's always talking about writing a book
HOLLY: Gosh – Thailand, art studios and writers: you might not want to come home! They'll think we're really boring
JAMES: Of course they won't. Anyway, I've always wanted to be a teacher
HOLLY: I know
JAMES: I'd better get going, anyway – the train goes at half past
THE DOOR OPENS
HOLLY: Have a good time
JAMES: I'm sure I will
HOLLY: What time will you be back?
JAMES: Late I reckon so don't wait up – we've got loads to catch up on
HOLLY: Okay – see you later
JAMES: Bye
SCENE TWO
THE DOOR OPENS AND THERE IS THE SOUND OF CHATTER AND GLASSES CLINKING
JAMES: Chris!
CHRIS: James, mate – how you doing?
THEY HUG/SLAP EACH OTHER ON THE BACK
JAMES: Good to see you – it's been too long
CHRIS: Beer?
JAMES: Oh yes
THERE IS THE SOUND OF GLASSES BEING SET DOWN ON A TABLE
CHRIS: So, what have you been up to?
JAMES: Well, I'm a teacher now
CHRIS: Yeah, I saw that – English?
JAMES: Yeah. And I got married back in June
CHRIS: Holly, isn't it? I saw the pictures – it looked like a nice day
JAMES: What about you?
CHRIS: I'm in Insurance at the moment
JAMES: Mm
CHRIS: Yeah – I like it
JAMES: That's good
CHRIS: Yeah. Still writing sometimes too
JAMES: Cool
THERE IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND JAMES CLEARS HIS THROAT
CHRIS: How's the cat?
JAMES IS RELIEVED TO HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT AND PERKS UP
JAMES: Insane. Holly keeps saying it's all practice for when we have a baby but whoever heard of a cat not sleeping through the night? He's more demanding than any baby I've ever known... he keeps us entertained, though
CHRIS: It sounds like it
JAMES: Have you got any pets?
CHRIS: No, Kate's not really a fan of them
JAMES: Oh okay. How was your holiday? The hotel looked nice
CHRIS: Yeah it was – right on the beach
JAMES: Nice
CHRIS: Yeah
JAMES: Holly and I like our city breaks
THERE IS AN AWKWARD SILENCE AND THEN THE SOUND OF A SCREEN BEING TAPPED AND A BLEEP
CHRIS: Oh, I've been tagged: “Catching up with good friends at The George”
JAMES: It's got to be done
CHRIS: I was supposed to be somewhere else tonight – I told them I was having a night in. You can't hide anything these days
JAMES: Shall I untag you?
CHRIS: No, it's okay
THERE IS SILENCE OTHER THAN THE SOUND OF GLASSES BEING LIFTED AND PUT BACK ONTO THE TABLE
JAMES: There's Pete. Pete!
CHRIS: Pete – over here!
JAMES: He's got his earphones in – he can't hear us. Hang on...
PETE: Evening gentlemen
CHRIS: How you doing?
PETE: Great – I'm living in Thailand at the moment. I'm just back for a few weeks – catching up with a few mates, sorting a few things out
JAMES: Holly loves your photos
PETE: Yeah, I've been dabbling in a bit of photography while I'm out there
CHRIS: Oh yeah?
PETE: Just here and there – mainly landscape shots. I've sold a few online. Anyway, shall I get the drinks in? What are we having – beer and a shot for old times' sake?
CHRIS: Why not
JAMES: Let's do it
CHRIS: So...
JAMES: You're still writing, you said?
CHRIS: Now and then. My job takes up quite a lot of my time
JAMES: Really?
CHRIS: Well, we do quite a lot with our clients after hours. Dinner – drinks... you know...
JAMES: Yeah. Gosh, I couldn't spend any more time than I already do with my kids – I have enough trouble trying to stop them and their parents cyber-stalking me out of work. It's ridiculous – I really don't want to be telling Nathan Barnes off one minute and have him seeing pictures of me in my Batman outfit the next
CHRIS: No, you really don't
JAMES: Hey, speaking of your writing though – whatever happened to Hinchy?
CHRIS: Oh, Hinchy – God, I'd forgotten all about him
JAMES: Pete and I used to love sitting in our living room listening to the next instalment – pure genius. I've always thought I'll see your book in Waterstones one day
CHRIS: Haha – I haven't written about old Hinchy in years
JAMES: You should – you could give him a Twitter account, even. Det Inspc Hinch Esq
CHRIS IS CLEARLY UNCONVINCED
CHRIS: Maybe
PETE: Here we go – cheers!
THEY CLINK GLASSES
JAMES: My liver's not going to be happy – I haven't done shots in years
PETE: Hah – it's a regular thing for me in Thailand, fellas. It's a great lifestyle out there – so chilled
CHRIS: I can imagine
PETE: Yeah, I'm hoping to stay out there for a bit longer – carry on with my TEFAL, travel around a bit and then come back and do my teacher training here
JAMES: That sounds good to me, mate
PETE: Life is pretty good at the moment
CHRIS: It doesn't always turn out how you want it to, though
PETE: It sounds like you're doing well from your updates – you're a bit of a somebody in the world of insurance, aren't you?
CHRIS: Well...
PETE: There you go, then – you're sorted. Your girlfriend looks nice too. I'm seeing a Thai girl at the moment...
CHRIS INTERJECTS
CHRIS: But I don't put everything on Facebook – I don't want my whole life to be on show to people I hardly know
JAMES: But these people are your friends – you do know them
CHRIS: Are they really? Like you guys – I feel like we still know each other but we haven't spoken – actually spoken – for ten years
JAMES: No but...
CHRIS: Look at Pete – you've got something like 500 friends on Facebook
PETE: I've got a bit of a following on Twitter too – over nine hundred when I last checked
CHRIS: But do you really know five hundred people? Does anyone?
PETE: It's just people you meet over the years
CHRIS: But that's what I mean – do you really want some random who you once had a beer with on holiday knowing your every waking thought?
JAMES: I do love Twitter
CHRIS: I think it's creepy
PETE: Creepy?
CHRIS: Sharing your thoughts and photos with strangers. Stalking celebrities – feeling like you actually know them because you've seen a picture of their ironing board
PETE: It's the way the world's going, mate
CHRIS: Yeah – life in 140 characters
JAMES: Virtual meet-ups – you can hang out with someone whilst sitting at home. I love it – it means I can get my marking done at the same time
CHRIS: I'd rather go down the pub
HEELED FOOTSTEPS APPROACH THE TABLE
JESS: We're here!
THERE IS THE SOUND OF CHAIRS MOVING AND HUGGING
EMILY: Sorry we're late
JAMES: We've just been having a debate about social networking
JESS: Hah – I had a Facebook cull the other day and got rid of about thirty people. It felt good
EMILY: That's why we're late, actually – we arranged to meet outside but Jess was texting for ages when I got here
JESS: Sorry – he's called Tom... Friend of a friend
EMILY: Are you seeing him?
JESS: I haven't met him yet – well, we've Skyped but we're hopefully going for a drink at some point
CHRIS: See, that's exactly what I was talking about! Technology's actually made us more antisocial
JESS: You think?
CHRIS: We're all out together – you're texting someone you've never met, Pete was on his iPod when he walked in and James was on Facebook telling the world where we are. What happened to proper socialising?
EMILY: On that note, shall we get a drink?
JAMES: Jess hasn't changed
PETE: Nope – good for her
CHRIS: So she's not actually met this guy?
PETE: It's no different than a blind date
CHRIS: Except she can Google him
THE GIRLS RETURN AND SIT DOWN NOISILY
EMILY: How is everyone, anyway?
PETE: Yeah, good – living in Thailand now
EMILY: I know – I'm so jealous
PETE: Amelia's gorgeous though
EMILY: Oh I know – I wouldn't not have her
JAMES: What about you, Jess?
THERE IS SILENCE – JUST THE SOUND OF TAPPING ON A SCREEN
JAMES: Jess!
JESS: Wha...? Oh, sorry
CHRIS: Tom?
JESS: How did you guess? Sorry everyone
EMILY: I couldn't live without my phone. I think I'd rather go without food
CHRIS: Really?
EMILY: Yeah – the forums were a lifesaver when I first had Amelia. It's so good to know other mums are going through the same thing
PETE: I know what you mean – I couldn't have learned guitar without forums and YouTube
CHRIS: You could have had lessons
PETE: I'm not on a high-flying corporate salary, mate – can't afford luxuries like that
THERE IS THE SOUND OF GLASSES BEING LIFTED AND PUT BACK ON THE TABLE
EMILY: Anyway... How's the cat, James?
JAMES: Mad
EMILY: Your updates are so funny
JESS: And the Tweets
CHRIS: You Tweet about your cat?
JESS: Oh Chris, the cat's got his own account
CHRIS: The world's gone mad
JAMES: I was trying to persuade Chris to set one up for Hinchy – remember him?
EMILY: Hinchy! Whatever happened to him? Please tell me you're still writing about him
CHRIS: Not at the moment
EMILY: Work keeping you busy?
CHRIS: Pretty much, yeah
EMILY: I do miss the days of Hinchy sometimes
JAMES: Going to bed at six...
EMILY: … and getting up in the afternoon
CHRIS: Cider in the Union bar
JESS: Sitting by the river in the summer
PETE: Those were the days indeed
THERE IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS THEY REMINISCE
EMILY: Shall we have a photo? Hang on – Pete you've got the longest arms... that's it – hold the phone out...
THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND
EMILY: Ahh – lovely
CHRIS: Let me guess – it'll be on Facebook in a few seconds
EMILY: Chris – you used to be so chilled
CHRIS: I am chilled
EMILY: Really?
CHRIS: I just miss the days when we had to work harder for things
EMILY: What do you mean?
CHRIS: Everything's just so easy these days – if you want to hear a song you look it up on Spotify, if you want to know something you just Google it. You want to know what someone's up to, you check Facebook
JAMES: What's wrong with that? Pete's a cracking guitarist now – you must've seen his stuff on YouTube
PETE: Thanks
CHRIS: Yeah I have and that's all great but... it's made us shallow. Now we can socialise without actually socialising – I can see that Emily's had a baby whilst I'm queuing for a sandwich. A few years ago she would've rung to tell us
EMILY: It was easier to put it on Facebook – you don't get much time to do stuff with a baby
CHRIS: I know. I just find it sad, that's all. Even iPhones auto-correct things for us so we don't need to spell check any more – it's made us lazy
PETE: You think?
CHRIS: I do – we've become the auto-correct generation. We've got all this technology that we use on a daily basis but it's harmed us psychologically. Exams will be on Twitter soon – I guarantee it. Write an essay in twenty words...
JAMES: That's pretty scary
EMILY: I don't want to think about it
JAMES: Are you all right, Jess?
JESS: Yeah... sorry. I told Tom I'm out with some friends but he keeps texting me, bless him
PETE: I'd better be heading off anyway
JAMES: Yeah, me too
PETE: Great to see you all
THERE IS THE NOISE OF CHAIRS BEING MOVED AND SHUFFLING. EMILY YAWNS
EMILY: I'm coming too – I don't really do late nights these days
CHRIS: Ten thirty is early for me
EMILY: Oh, you and your posh dinners
CHRIS LAUGHS
THERE IS THE SOUND OF A DOOR BEING OPENED AND THE NOISE OF TRAFFIC
PETE: Thanks guys – great night
JESS: We'll have to do it again when you're back
JAMES: Definitely
EMILY: Yeah, and you'll all have to come and meet Amelia
JESS: We will!
CHRIS: See you, then
EVERYONE: Bye
SCENE THREE
THE DOOR OPENS AND FOOTSTEPS WALK INSIDE. THE TELEVISION IS ON AND THEN THE VOLUME IS TURNED DOWN
HOLLY: James? You're home early
JAMES: Yeah
HOLLY: Good night?
JAMES: Yeah it was – haha, look...
HOLLY: Yeah I saw the photo – it looked like you were having a good time
JAMES LAUGHS
JAMES: Hah, Jess has said: “Had a great night with uni friends – can't believe how old they all look, (joke!)”
HOLLY: Is she the blonde one?
JAMES: Yeah – she had pink hair at uni
HOLLY: How come you're home so early, anyway?
JAMES: You know what, Holl? It wasn't that great a night. We've all moved on – we feel like we still know each other but we don't really. Reading stuff online isn't the same as meeting up and actually talking
HOLLY: Well no
JAMES: You know, Pete's off in Thailand and that's all he cares about really, Chris has become all business-y and Jess was on another planet tonight. Chris said technology's made us more antisocial and I think he's right. All of us sat on our phones: all of us kept looking at the door in case someone more interesting came in. We're connected... but we're disconnected
HOLLY: You're probably right
JAMES: We won't see each other again
HOLLY: No?
JAMES: No. Whatever we had in common ten years ago has changed now – without the internet it would've just come to a natural end. Chris is right – we've got forced friendships now that aren't real friendships
HOLLY: That's funny – I forgot to tell you what happened the other day. I saw someone in Tescos and she totally blanked me, yet literally the day before I'd seen pictures of her three-month scan
JAMES: That's exactly what Chris was getting at. How many people would cross the road to avoid some of the “friends” they've got online?
HOLLY: Sounds like you've got more in common with him than you thought
JAMES: Ah well. Maybe I should message him and see if he fancies a game of pool sometime
HOLLY: Give him a call
JAMES: Oh... Phoning's a bit awkward sometimes, isn't it? I'll send him a message on Facebook. I'll do it tomorrow
ENDS
The Prisoner
SCENE ONE
HEAVY FOOTSTEPS WALK ACROSS A CONCRETE FLOOR AND THERE IS THE SOUND OF A LOCKER OPENING
GARY: Morning Rog
ROGER: Morning. Who you got this week?
GARY: Sutton
ROGER: Hah! Good luck... Wup – Governor...
GARY/ROGER: Morning Sir!
GARY: Old bugger
ROGER: Nine years until retirement, eh?
GARY: I'm counting them down. Full pension – mortgage paid off... Life of bloody Riley I'll have then
ROGER: Yeah
GARY: Only another week of being assigned to the little sods though. I still can't believe some bright spark thought it would be a good idea. What do I care about trying to 'counsel' and help them? I just want to do my job, get home and watch the telly. Is that too much to ask?
ROGER: It's pretending to be nice to them that gets me
GARY: I won't be able to pretend with Sutton. Governor calls him 'difficult': I call him a little thug
ROGER: That's because he is a little thug. See you at lunch
SCENE TWO
A METAL DOOR BANGS AND A CHAIR SCRAPES ACROSS THE FLOOR
GARY IS AUDIBLY AWKWARD AS HE TALKS TO THE PRISONER
GARY: So, how are you feeling today?
SUTTON: Fine. How are you?
GARY: Oh! I'm... fine
SUTTON: Great
GARY: Is there anything you'd like to tell me?
SUTTON: Are you a psychiatrist? Or a talk show host – trying to 'open me up'?
SILENCE
SUTTON: What's that newspaper you've got there? 'The Truth' – let's talk about truth then. Truth and freedom. Did they teach you about that on your little counselling skills course?
GARY: I'm free and you're not – that's the truth, mate, and that's all I've got to say on it! My daughter and her clever friends are setting up a newspaper called 'The Truth' – this is the first draft of it
SUTTON IS DISINTERESTED
SUTTON: Really. How... fascinating
GARY: Yeah. The only want to tell the truth – unlike most of the papers these days!
SUTTON: But what's the truth?
GARY: The truth is what really happens. My seven year old could tell you that!
SUTTON: Go on then. Tell me about this paper: this 'Truth'
GARY: Well, a few of them were sitting around talking about newspapers the other day...
SUTTON: Students?
GARY: And they all agreed how much exaggeration and spin they print. There's no truth in the papers any more – you can't believe anything you read
SUTTON: No one can print the truth – the definitive truth
GARY: So they decided that they'll launch their own paper and...
SUTTON: It won't work
GARY: Of course it'll work! As you can see it's called 'The Truth' – they're setting it up specifically to do that. To tell just the absolute facts
SUTTON: Like I said, you can't print the definitive truth. Your daughter will have her own opinion on what should go in the paper and so will her friends. It just won't work
GARY IS ANGRY BUT TRIES TO APPEAR CALM
GARY: Look, Sutton...
SUTTON: Okay, let's talk about something else. Let's go back to freedom – we didn't finish earlier
GARY: Look, this freedom nonsense is obvious – you're stuck in here and I'm not. I can get up and leave – walk out the building and do whatever I want – but you're a prisoner. I have freedom: you don't. End of story. Now...
SUTTON: But you won't
GARY: What?
SUTTON: You won't walk out of the door. Not until five thirty
GARY: Of course not – I'd lose wages and I'd be disciplined if I just walked out
SUTTON: Exactly. You don't have the freedom to just walk out because you'd lose your job
GARY: I still have freedom of choice. I can go home, put the telly on and eat my egg and chips. I can go down the pub with my mates – you can't do any of that
SUTTON: Who cooks?
GARY: The wife. She has my tea ready for when I get home at six – I don't have to worry about it
SUTTON: So it's egg and chips on a Monday?
GARY: Yep – my favourite
SUTTON: So you don't have the freedom to eat what you want when you want
GARY: I could grab a burger on the way home if I wanted
SUTTON: But you won't
GARY: What?
SUTTON: You won't. You'll get home at six and your dinner will be on the... well, tray I suppose and you'll eat it without question. You eat what and when your wife tells you to
GARY: It's the same for you – you don't have any choice over what you eat! You don't get egg and chips
SUTTON: I never said I was free – not in that way at least. It was you who said you had freedom. Freedom isn't just about a few bars stuck on a window – it's about how you feel in your head
GARY: Enough of this rubbish – I'm off for lunch. I'll be back later
SUTTON: At one, I'd imagine – when your lunch break is over. Well, I'll still be here
GARY: I know you will
SCENE THREE
SOUND OF CHATTER AND CUTLERY
DAVE: All right, Gary? Braving the canteen today?
GARY: Yeah
DAVE: There's a great choice of sandwich – cheese, ham or cheese and ham! Anyway I hear you've got Sutton this week?
GARY: Yeah – just my luck, isn't it? Only four more days...
DAVE: Well a few of us are off to the Queen's Head later for a game of pool and a few beers if you fancy it?
GARY: Nah mate, I can't tonight – the missus hates me going out in the week and she's got a list of jobs for when I get home. Seriously, Dave – how many times can you paint one fence? I'm not Alan bloody Titchmarsh
DAVE: Ah, Helen's the same – 'do this, do that, where's my cup of tea?' Honestly, I'm dreading retirement – I'll be worked harder than we are here!
GOVERNOR: One-o-clock – back to work, everyone
GARY: See you later
SCENE FOUR
THE SAME SOUND OF THE METAL DOOR AND CHAIR SCRAPING
SUTTON: Nice lunch?
GARY: Michelin starred. Now listen, Sutton – I'm not having any more of this
SUTTON: What does freedom mean to you, Gary?
GARY JANGLES HIS KEYS
GARY: This. This is what freedom means to me.
SILENCE
GARY: Look – let's stop all this talk. We both know who is and who isn't free. Let's talk about something else instead, like the footie or... I don't know...
SUTTON: The weather? Fine, let's talk about why I'm here, then – you guards seem to like that
GARY: All right
SUTTON: You see I committed a crime – so I'm a prisoner in the physical sense. But I chose my actions – I knew they would probably lead to prison and that was my choice
GARY: Now listen!
SUTTON: I stood by my principles. I made a choice
GARY: A choice that landed you here
SUTTON: Yes. I knew it could. But I'm free in my head. Are you? Who makes the decisions in your house? Who decides when it's time for you to buy the next round of drinks?
GARY IS AUDIBLY UPSET
GARY: I...
SUTTON: You even admitted that the papers print rubbish. What do you think about Simon Cowell?
GARY: I can't believe he's been...
HE BREAKS OFF, REALISING
GARY: You just wait, Sutton
SUTTON: What's your favourite TV programme?
GARY: I never miss The Simpsons. I'd ask you but you don't get to watch much, do you?
SUTTON: I'd hate my life to revolve around TV
GARY: I'd hate mine to revolve around lights on and lights off
SUTTON: I bet 'the wife' hates you watching The Simpsons
GARY: No...
SUTTON: I bet she tuts and huffs and you end up missing most of it because she's talking
GARY: We have a chat while we eat – what's wrong with that?
SUTTON: You do what you're told, don't you? Are you even allowed out to the pub?
GARY: I...
SUTTON: Thought so. And when you do your wife complains about the smell of alcohol on your breath and you're forced to sleep in the spare room...
GARY: Enough!
SUTTON: And even at the pub you can't bring yourself to get the next round in until someone tells you to
GARY: How do you...? No – look, Sutton. This isn't on! This isn't why I'm here
SUTTON: But why? I might be imprisoned physically but as far as I'm aware conversation is still free
GARY: This isn't conversation. Anyway, we're here to talk about you
SUTTON: Only because that's what you've been told. In a week's time you'll be back to normal – lording it over the inmates and walking around like you run the place. And we both know you don't
GARY: I...
SUTTON: It's true, isn't it? You're here because you have to be and because you'd lose your job if you weren't. You don't give a toss about how I feel or why I'm in here – you just want to do what the course told you to and get home to your nagging wife and comfort food
GARY: I'm going to leave now
SUTTON: Five thirty, is it? Off home for dinner at six? Ah – freedom, eh?
THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND SLAMS. GARY'S VOICE IS QUIETER AS HE IS NOW OUTSIDE
GARY: I'll tell you about freedom, mate – this is what it's all about
SUTTON: At least I stand by my principles. You won't see my family ordering me about
GARY: You won't see me stuck in the same room day after day. Behind bars
SUTTON: Not physical bars, no. But I don't know about that room – where have you been for most of today?
GARY: In here listening to you talking a load of twaddle!
SUTTON: You're going to be late. Mustn't keep Mrs Gary waiting...
GARY: She won't mind
SUTTON: But your tea will get cold and you'll miss your programme – you're even a prisoner of the telly, aren't you?
GARY: Sutton!
SUTTON: Bound by your wife, bound by the views of your friends and even what the papers print – we're both prisoners here, Gary
GARY: I'm going to stand against these bars tonight while you're behind them!
SILENCE
GARY: I'm leaving now. And I can choose what I do
SUTTON: But you won't
SCENE FIVE
THE SOUND OF LOCKERS OPENING AND CLOSING
ROGER: How did it go?
GARY: Oh, you know...
ROGER: Yeah. You want a lift home? The bus can't be fun
GARY: That would be great, cheers – I can't wait to get my car back. Oh, Julie's texted about her paper
ROGER: Yeah? How's that going?
GARY: Oh. She said it's not going to work – they sat down for seven hours and realised that they were trying to decide which side of a story to fall on, which isn't right. They wanted to print the truth but they had different ideas on what the truth was
ROGER: Ah. Sorry, mate. It was a good idea, though
GARY: Yeah. She said they realised they'd still be printing their own opinions
ROGER: So there isn't going to be a 'Truth'?
GARY: Nope. No 'Truth.'
ROGER: Shall we go, then?
GARY: Actually, Rog – you know what? I think I'll get the bus. Might even nip into McDonald's on the way home
ROGER: I thought you had egg and chips on a Monday? I wouldn't want to waste that – Trisha's got me on this low fat stuff at the moment. All stir-frys and natural yoghurt – I'd give anything for a plate of chips
GARY: Yeah, you're probably right. I'd miss the bus anyway. See you tomorrow, mate
ROGER: See you tomorrow
ENDS
In 2016 I started to delve back into the playwriting world with something new - it is still unfinished but here it is so far...
Souled
SCENE ONE
THERE IS THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS ON A PAVEMENT AND THEN A DOOR BEING UNLOCKED AND CLOSED
Tom: What the...?! Who are you?
Devil: I'm the devil
Tom: How did you get into my house?
Devil: Didn't you hear me?
Tom (shakily): Look, what do you want? I haven't got any money on me...
Devil: Money? I don't want money. It's the root of all evil... so I have plenty of course
Tom: Please! Please just take what you want and get out of my house
Devil: Well, that's what I'm here for
Tom: Then take it and get out!
Devil: Ah, so I have your permission?
Tom: Take whatever you want and go
Devil: I'm afraid it's a little more complex than that
Tom: Who are you?
Devil: I told you – I'm the devil
Tom: You don't look anything like the devil!
Devil: How am I supposed to look?
Tom: Oh, I don't know! Red with horns? Look, is this a wind-up? Am I going to end up on YouTube later?
Devil: Red doesn't suit me. Anyway, of course I don't look like that – we're not living in the dark ages any more. Do you still wear that green shell suit you used to have?
Tom: How do you...?! They were fashionable in the 80s
Devil: I quite liked them. Nice and flammable...
Tom: How do you know about my shell suit, anyway?
Devil: I'm the devil – I know everything
Tom: You just don't look like the devil. I didn't think you'd be so...
Devil (testily): So what?
Tom: Well... short
Devil: I'm not short!
Tom: Well, you are a bit
Devil: Do you know who you're talking to?
Tom: Yes, yes
Devil: I'm not short
Tom: And since when do devils wear Armani jeans and loafers?
Devil: What's wrong with loafers? I seem to recall you have three pairs...
Tom: It's just not what I'd expect a devil to wear
Devil: I'm not a devil - I'm the devil
Tom: You're just not that scary, to be honest
Devil (smugly): Do I not match up to your expectations, then?
Tom: And what the hell is that thing?
Devil: Are you talking about Posy? (Indulgently as if talking to a baby) Don't listen to the horrible man, precious – you're not a thing
Tom: Since when do devils like animals?
Devil: I'll have you know that she's a pure-bred Persian
Tom: Shouldn't you have a... I don't know... a bat or something?
Devil: A bat? What would I want with one of those?
Tom: It just seems more fitting
Devil: I like something to cuddle up to in the evenings... it does get so lonely sometimes
Tom (incredulously): I'm just... I...
Devil: Even company to watch X Factor with... you know?
Tom: This has got to be a joke. Come on, where's your camera?
Devil: I've told you...
Tom: Oh, for God's sake...
Devil: Excuse me?! Did you just...?
Tom: Haha, sorry
Devil: The absolute nerve... I've a mind to... Argh!
THERE IS A FLURRY OF NOISE AND A YOWL AS THE CAT IS DROPPED ON THE FLOOR
Devil: Get rid of it! Get rid of it! Get rid of it!
Tom: Er... you're sitting on me
Devil: Oh
THERE IS A SCUFFLING NOISE
Devil: Get rid of it!
Tom: It's only a spider. Surely you aren't scared of a tiny thing like that?
Devil (sulkily): Yes, actually. Evil creatures
Tom: Haha, who'd have thought it?
THE DEVIL STARTS TO COO AT THE CAT BUT IT HISSES AND SPITS AND THERE IS A LITTLE SHRIEK AS HE MOVES AWAY FROM IT. TOM BURSTS INTO LAUGHTER
Devil: I suppose you think this is funny, do you?
TOM CONTINUES TO LAUGH
Devil: You know, I could... I could... turn you into something
Tom: How exciting! I feel like I'm in Harry Potter
Devil: I could
Tom: Turn me into what? A frog? Ribbit!
Devil: Don't be ridiculous – frogs are outdated. No, like... a ballet dancer
Tom: A ballet dancer?
Devil: I do a little ballet myself, actually
Tom: Why doesn't that surprise me? Please don't demonstrate...
Devil: Hah, praying isn't going to help you now
Tom: No, I don't suppose it is
Devil: Anyway, it's awfully chilly here in your hallway – can we go through and have a cuppa to warm up? Then we can get down to the business of why I'm here
Tom: The devil in my house having a brew – who would have thought it?
Devil: Shall we?
Tom: I thought you'd be warm enough...
Devil: I'm not even going to dignify that with a response
Tom: You didn't bring any burning furnaces with you, then?
Devil: You know, most people are terrified when they see me!
Tom (doubtfully): Really?
Devil: All you've done is take the mickey. The youth of today aren't what they were...
Tom: I'm hardly a youth! And you have to admit it is quite odd
Devil: What is?
Tom: I'm still convinced it's a wind-up
Devil: Thomas, Thomas... just because I don't look how you expected doesn't mean you're on candid camera. Besides, I've never liked those shows – I much prefer a good drama. Everyone wants their fifteen minutes these days – everyone thinks the world wants to watch them eat
Tom: Or meet devils as they come through their front door, hah! You're right, but I definitely don't. I'm quite happy living my life without the world needing to hear all about it
Devil: Yes, I know. Although I bet you still have your Tom and Adam's Crazy Show videos upstairs... And Tom, I'm the devil
Tom: How do you know about that?
THE DEVIL SIGHS
Devil: Tom...
Tom: All right, all right – I get it. You're the devil: you know everything. I still have the videos but I don't intend on them ever seeing the light of day – it was just a couple of teenagers messing around
Devil: They were rather amusing
Tom: They were fun
Devil: Anyway, shall I make the tea? I know where everything is
Tom: Er... ok
Devil: You'll be having your Super Tom mug – cupboard on the left? - and I'll have the pink one. I make a great cuppa, me...
Tom: Right. I'll... er... go and sit down
Tom: It's a shame you don't talk, Posy – you could give me a heads up
A KETTLE BOILS AND MUGS CLANK IN THE DISTANCE
Tom: Bloody spoilt, fat lump of a creature
Devil: Here we are – a bit of milk and one sugar, just how you like it. I brought some biccies in too
Tom: Oh, you eat?
Devil: I certainly do. And I drink tea too. I've got a rather sweet tooth, although I really should be watching my weight at this time of year
THERE IS THE SOUND OF CUPS ON A TRAY AND GENERAL DRINKING NOISES AS THEY CONTINUE TO TALK
Tom: Oh, me too – I... oh, for goodness' sake! Listen to me!
Devil: It's never too early to get into shape
Tom: The only shape I'm getting into is a circle at the moment
Devil: No biscuits for you, then
Tom: Does it matter? Although having said that, if this is going to be my last meal I'd much rather have a pizza. And maybe a beer instead of the tea
Devil: Your last meal?
Tom: I'm guessing that's why you're here
Devil: Tom, I'm not Death
Tom: Oh. I'm not sure how it all works
Devil: I've not come to take you away – what a ludicrous idea
Tom: Ludicrous... right. So there's no such thing as Death, then?
Devil: Oh, he exists – he's on a coach tour in Scotland at the moment
Tom: A coach tour? Oh, I see – some poor old dear...?
Devil: No, no – he's on holiday
Tom: On a coach tour?
Devil: What's wrong with that? He's getting on a bit now – he's too old to be off gallivanting round Europe these days
Tom: Perhaps he'll be coming for himself soon if he's that old, haha! Or would he just need to look in the mirror? “I wonder if my hair's all right... dammit!”
Devil: You think you're hilarious, don't you?
Tom: Not really. Amy always laughs at my jokes
Devil: Yes, she does
Tom: So who else exists - Santa?
Devil: Don't be silly
Tom: How disappointing
Devil: Next you'll be asking about the Tooth Fairy and Peter Pan
Tom: Peter Pan's not real?!
Devil: You really are quite tiresome. Perhaps I should be visiting Amy instead...
Tom: Leave Amy alone
Devil: Happily – she's rather too orange for my liking
Tom: Better than being red
Devil: Tom, I'm sitting opposite you – you can clearly see I'm not red. I've already told you it doesn't suit me
Tom: True. Maybe I'll meet an alien tomorrow who hates the colour green
THE DEVIL SIGHS
Tom: So I am going to have a tomorrow?
Devil: I'm not here to take you away
Tom: I have a feeling I know where this is going now
Devil: We'll get onto that in a minute. Lovely cup of tea, if I say so myself
Tom: It's not bad
Devil: So...
Tom: I feel like I'm on a blind date
Devil: Oh, I had one of those a couple of weeks ago – what a waste of time
Tom: Really?
Devil: Well, it's always the choice between lying about what you do for a living or being honest... and then if you're honest it just puts people off...
Tom: I can imagine it would
Devil: You just think, if they got to know me, you know... A few months ago I met someone on Tinder...
Tom (interrupting): You're on Tinder? Seriously?
Devil: I was. How else am I supposed to meet someone?
Tom: Bump into them in a supermarket and steal their soul?
Devil: Anyway, I lied and said I had a normal job
Tom: What did you go for? Teacher? Plumber?
Devil: UKIP member. My date got up and walked out
Tom: Haha, you're probably more socially acceptable as the devil
Devil: Next time I'll say I'm a parking inspector
Tom: Or just be honest. You don't seem a bad bloke, as it goes...
Devil: No
Tom: So, I guess you'd better tell me why you're here
Devil: Okay. I'm actually nervous, would you believe – this is never easy...
Tom: I imagine you've had a lot of practice
Devil: Yes, but it's like public speaking – the apprehension...
Tom: Come on... I've just realised I don't know what to call you. Lucifer?
Devil: Luc is fine
Tom: Right. Well, Luc – let's just get this over with. If I'm not going to be taken away I'd quite like to see the Arsenal match later
Devil (disgusted): Ghastly
Tom: Tottenham fan, are you?
Devil: No I'm not. Why anyone wants to watch however many men running around a field in the rain and snow I'll never know...
Tom: Well, anyway – it starts in half an hour
Devil: All right, all right. Well, I'm here about your soul, you see...
Tom: I figured
Devil: I've got a choice for you
Tom: A choice? Well I'd like to keep if it that's an option
Devil: Well it is...
Tom: Okay then. Well, it was nice to meet you...
Devil: I haven't given you the other option yet
Tom: I quite like my soul – I don't want to get rid of it just yet
Devil: You like it? You don't know your soul
Tom: Oh God... sorry! (THE DEVIL GROWLS) Sorry! Oh goodness – don't tell me you're into cleansing and auras and all of that... I don't know my soul? Will I find it if I go on some sort of retreat and dance around wearing rags and waving my hands in the air?
Devil: I give up. I actually give up. I meant you don't know it – as in you've never met it. You wouldn't miss it, honestly
Tom: Well, I'd like to keep it, thank you all the same
Devil: Let me just tell you the other option
Tom: All right. Kick off's in fifteen minutes, though...