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 A TEAM PLAYER 
 A short play
By
Dale Andersen27702 Crown Valley PkwySuite 117, D-4Ladera Ranch, CA 92694562-508-5820http://www.scribd.com/daleandersenandersen.dale@gmail.com  ©2005SynopsisHenry, a successful man, frustrated by the drift and  malaise in his life, weds Madeline, a woman half hisage because he wants to revive, renew, refresh,rejuvenate. But as the ravages of time conspireagainst him, Madeline is left alone to perform onefinal act of mercy.Character BreakdownCop………………………………………male, twenty-something Maddie………………………………female, early 40’sHenry…………………………………male, early 60’sTechnical RequirementsPolice uniform, wheelchair, softball bat, softball, 2softball mitts
 
 A TEAM PLAYER 2
(Bare stage. COP standing. Behind him,HENRY, in wheelchair, and MADELINE)
COP: At ten in the morning, Madeline wheeled Henry out tothe swimming pool. Like so.
(As he describes, MADELINE & HENRY comeforward and demonstrate)
Positioned him on the pool deck at the deep end. Likeso. Eased herself onto his lap, strapped herself in.She used one of those expandable belts, running itunder the seat and pulling it tight, securing it overher thighs, like so. Then she switched the motor onand they drove into the pool. They sank together.
(MADELINE & HENRY retreat upstage)
The coroner took one look. No sign of forced entry, nosign of violence. Called it murder/suicide. First murder in this town in fifty-one years. I grew up nextdoor to Henry. I recall before Madeline, there wasanother woman. Then one day, the other woman was gone.
(Beat)
Dad and I were in the back playing catch. And therewas Madeline, doing stretching exercises. I said in my six year old voice, “Are you the new mommy?” MADELINE:Yep, that’s me, little guy. I’m the new mommy.COP:She had a terrific laugh. She was really tall. And when she bent over to shake my hand, I thought Icaught the scent of the ocean. MADELINE: Nice handshake. He’s gonna be a little toughie.COP: My Dad said, “Yup. He’s my little baseball player.”She gave me her sweatband. MADELINE: All real ballplayers have sweatbands.
 
 A TEAM PLAYER 3COP:I thought, “Wow!” No one had ever given me a sweatband  before. She grinned. Great grin. Then she scrunched down next to me. MADELINE: When a lady gives a little boy a sweatband, that’s asign of a special friend. Are you going to be myspecial friend?COP:“Sure. You bet” And every year, until I was eighteen,I got a birthday present from Madeline and Henry. Itwas always from Madeline and Henry. Never the otherway around. And it was always athletic gear. Like whenI was ten, I got a chest protector. I was second string catcher on my Little League team. I noticed right away with the chest protector, I got moreinnings behind the plate. I started noticing Madelineat my games. Occasionally, Henry came with her. Butusually, it was Madeline by herself. She always satalone and she always watched the whole game. Not likethe moms and dads who only watched when their kid wasout there. Sometimes I’d get a note. Never signed, but I knew who it was from. MADELINE:Choke up, Benjamin, stop swinging for the fences.Benjamin, keep the ball in front of you. Use yourknee, Benjamin, use your knee to block the plate.COP:She came to my football and basketball games too.Including the big game against Immaculata. Mom and Dad weren’t there. But Madeline was. Right atcourtside. I’m matched up against a big dummy. I’m eating him alive. His coach’s giving him hell.Suddenly, five minutes into the second half, I’m onthe floor bleeding from my forehead. Blood in my eye blinding me. I feel Madeline pulling me to my feet. MADELINE:Flagrant foul! Eject him, ref! Get that hoodlum offthe court!
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lunaticscreenwriter

Good news. Team Player won first place in "The Writer Speaks" fest in LA in September. For more info, go to this link >>> http://www.thetrestage.com/THE-WRITER...

reply10 / 11 / 2010
daleandersen

thank you for the 5 stars!

reply03 / 07 / 2010
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