Play for project

John Norris

Playwriting 12

Three Scene’s about a Thief

Scene 1

A lone man walks onto the stage. It is a alley way with only a single lamp post. THe man is wearing a cloak and is quietly sneaking around. He glances around a few times checking his surrondings. He then looks at a watch on his wrist and approaches the lamp post. He stands there for a few seconds. A clock appears behind him and begins to ring loudly. It is 8 pm. The man in the cloak turns around and looks at the clock. Just then a man in a suit and a bowler hat walks onto the stage, he is followed by a big buff man. The man in the bowler hat approaches the man in the cloak, and takes out a small envelope and hands it to the man in the cloak. The man reviews the envelope and then places it into his coat pocket.

Thief

This is the last time I will ever work for this guild.

Bowler Man

(Brushes off coat. Britsh accent) My good man, this line of work is the only thing that you know.

Thief

No...(Beat) I have bought my freedom. I no longer have a need to continue this profession.

Bowler Man

(Surprised) Hmph. Well if that is truly what you want then retrieve the object, return to me with it, and then, (beat) well you can do whatever the hell you want to do with your pathetic life.

The thief (man in the cloak) looks up at the man in the bowler hat then begins to draw something from his cloak. At this movement the buff man begins to grab for his gun, until he notices that the thief is drawing out a piece of paper, which he hands to the bowler hat man.

Thief

This is my resignation from the Thieves Guild. I relinquish my position and status.

Bowler Man

(reads over the note) You will regret this decision. (Hands paper to buff man who folds it and places it in pocket. Pause) Just bring me the item then disappear. (Pause. Walks closer to the thief) You have dishonored this guild, your craft and me (beat) My son.

The thief backs slowly away staring intensely at the man with the bowler hat. He then turns around and walks off-stage. The man in the bowler hat then turns around to the buff man.

Bowler Man

If you would be kind enough to call the count and tell him he should be expecting a guest tonight.

The buff man makes a wide smile and then pulls a cell phone out of his jacket and makes a call. At this point the two men walk off stage and the lamp post goes dark.

Scene 2

The clock in the background rings again, this time it is around 8:30 pm. A single man is sitting in a living room. In one hand he is reading a book, in his other hand he is holding a glass of red wine. The sound of a phone is heard. The man is slightly scared by the noise but collects himself and walks over to the phone. He answers it.

Count

(British accent) Hello. (beat) Yes this is he. Who is this. (beat) What...(beat) Are you telling me that...(beat) Yes...yes I understand. Thank You very much (Beat) Yes I will get it done. Good-bye. (beat) Honor to the Guild! (Places phone back on holder. Then returns to seat and resumes reading as if nothing had just happened. Pause) It has been awhile since I’ve killed anyone. (takes a sip of his wine and then smacks his lips and laughs).

Scene 3

The clock in the background now sounds again. This time it is 9 pm. The scene returns to the count’s living room. He is still siting there reading his book and drinking his glass of wine. Out of no where the thief in the cloak pokes his head from outside the window and immediately shoots back down. The man looks down at his watch, puts the book down and starts walking off stage.

Count

(Yawns) Well, its getting to be that time once again. Like my father always said to me, “Early to bed, Early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” (Exits off stage)

A few seconds after the man has exited off-stage, the swift and nimble thief, who was spying inside, pokes his head up once more from the window, unlatches it and sneaks inside.

Thief

(Sneaking through stage) (Quietly) Hmmmm....now where did that old man put his treasure box? (Continues searching)

The thief continues searching for the mans chest in hopes of discovering his hidden stash of money and goods. As the thief is searching he knocks off the glass of red wine which falls to the floor and shatters. This awakes the old man.

Count (Offstage)

What the hell was that!?!?!? (Lights from offstage are turned on as if the man turned on a lamp) Whoever is inside my house had better get out because I will use my shotgun!

The thief quickly runs back outside the window.

Scene 4

The count enters on stage again carrying a revolver. He looks around, notices the broken glass, some of his belongs on the floor and then looks at the window and notices that it is open. The man walks over to the window gun pointed forward. The whole stage now does a 180 degree turn revealing a new stage that shows the outside of the house, a single oak tree and some bushes. The thief can be seen hiding behind the oak tree, trembling in fear.

Count

(Has his head poking outside of the window scanning the area) (Screaming) YOU HAD BETTER RUN YOU YELLOW-TAILED VARMINT!!! IF I EVER SEE YOU INSIDE THIS HOUSE AGAIN I’LL KILL YOU RIGHT ON THE SPOT!!!

The count gives one last scan of his yard, puts his shotgun down and then closes the window and leaves the scene. The thief upon hearing the window close now peers from behind the tree to see if the man has left.

Thief

Dammit...this is not good...if I don’t find that magical bean then I cannot leave the guild and start my life anew. (Beat. Looks around house) There has got to be some way that I can get back into that house. (Pause) (The thief gives an expression of thought) AH HA! I got it! (Gives a fist pump in excitement)

Scene 5

The stage now does another 180 degree turn returning to where it had started off. The stage is dimly lit except for a single lamp in the middle of the room next to where the man was originally sitting. A noise is heard from up above. Then another noise. Finally a huge crash is heard and the thief falls from above.

Thief (Falling)

AHHHHHHHHHHHH (Hits the ground) Dammit...Oh my god (Clutching body in pain) Jesus Christ... (looks up in annoyance) Now I’ll never be able to get that magic bean.

Just then the count is heard off stage and walks on stage with a smile on his face and his revolver in his hand. Lights from offstage are turned on once more.

Count

Ohhhh you are so dead now you little robber. No one tries to break into my house twice in the same day. (The man cocks his gun, sees the thief laying on the floor and then points the gun at him) You know its a good thing that I got a little tip about your visit tonight. (laughs)

Thief (Panic/Pain/Anger)

WHAT!!! You..you knew that I was coming. (Slams the ground) I curse my father and his betrayal. (looks back up at count) Please...Please sir. Let me live. All I want is to live a normal life. Not one ruled by contracts and secret meetings in alley ways.

Count

Are you kidding me. Your head is worth thousands. And god I have always wanted to kill the master’s son. (Smiles) Go to hell.

The stage goes dark, a gun shot is heard and along with the shot a flash of light quickly illuminates the stage. There is a pause. Then a single beam of light comes onto the side of the stage, the thief walks into the light clutching his hands together and looking downward. He then opens his arms up and looks into the light.

Thief

I throw myself at your mercy! (Drops to knees) (Pause) (Talking to audience) The moment you die, it is as if you have gotten into a crash where the lights of the car behind you and in front of you, begin to envelope your entire sight until there is that split second of conscious and all you can see is a bright beautiful light. Then, just as soon as it has graced you, it turns into black nothingness.

The stage goes dark again. Then the stage fills with light once more, with the thief on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood, the count standing above him, revolver still smoking from shot. The man bends over the thief, puts his hands over the thief’s eyes and closes them. The stage goes dark except for the clock in the background which now tones several times as it strikes 10 pm.

Scene 6

The scene returns back to the alleyway. The single lamp post is still in the middle of the stage. The man in the bowler hat walks onto the stage and is followed once more by the buff man. The two walk over to the lamp post. The man with the bowler hat pulls out a pocket watch and then looks at the time. The clock in the background strikes 11 pm.

Bowler Man

(Speaking to buff man) Hmm...it would appear that our contact is running late. (Pause) How rude.

The count then walks onto the stage carrying a bag. He proudly walks over to the bowler man. Bows in front of him.

Count

Hello Grandmaster. The task that you have placed for me is complete.

Bowler Man

Present some evidence to this claim my good man.

The count reaches into his bag and pulls out the theif’s cloak which is covered in blood. He hands it over to the bowler man who examines it and then motions to the buff man who takes the cloak from the count.

Bowler Man

(Adjusts himself) Hmph. You have done an excellent job. You shall recieve your payment as usual. (Beat) You have honored the guild.

Count

(Very happy) Ohhh Thank you thank you grandmaster. I am your humble messenger.

The count once again bows to the bowler man and then begins to leave. As he turns around the bowler hat man motions to the buff man who hands him a pistol. The bowler man points the gun and shoots it. The count falls to the ground and looks up at the bowler man in disbelief.

Count

(bleeding and speaking shakily and scared) What....What are you doing?

Bowler Man

(Somber and no remorse) This is for killing my son.

Count

FUCK YOU!!!!

The count attempts to take his own gun and shoot the bowler man. But just as soon as he tries this the bowler man shoots the count once more in the head. There is a pause. The bowler hat man hands the gun back to the buff man who stores it in his coat. The lamp post begins to flicker.

Bowler Man

(Wiping hands. Looks at the lamp) Well it appears as if have quite a mess here. (Pause. Talking to buff man) Remind me later to have someone fix this damn lamp. We can’t have meeting in a dark alleyway now can we. (Pause) And would you please get rid of this despicable man from sight.

The buff man nods and walks over to teh dead count’s body and picks it up and walks off stage. The bowler man follows him but then stops looks back up at the lamp and then takes off his hat and bows to the lamp post which shuts off.

FIN