DEAD LIFT

A terrible play in one act

By Adam Sampieri

2014 by Adam Sampieri

1219 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27707
919-416-2676
sampieri@ncssm.edu

CHARACTERS
JOHN

An athlete. Consumed with himself and his

appearance. Early 20s.

SALLY

A personal trainer. Strong, smart, with a razor sharp

wit. Late 20s.

DEAD LIFT by Adam Sampieri

SETTING
The city of Durham and surrounding areas.

TIME
The fall of 2001.

DEAD LIFT by Adam Sampieri

ACT 1
SCENE 1
(The YMCA gym. There are free weights and
various machines scattered around in the dim light
of morning. Were it not such a filthy, ringwormladen pit, one might think it a bit romantic. SALLY
is warming up. After a few stretches, JOHN enters.)
JOHN
Hello there Sally!
SALLY
Get lost, John.
JOHN
Are you still mad about last night?
SALLY
(With venom)
More than you will ever know!
(JOHN begins doing pushups and generally trying to impress Sally
with his herculean feats of strength.)
JOHN
What do you think of this?
SALLY
This play? Its terrible.
JOHN
(Straining to lift a barbell)
No, I know that. I meant my rippling bicep.
SALLY
I wasnt paying attention to either.
JOHN
Burn!
SALLY
I know. I sure can be harsh with my razor sharp wit.

DEAD LIFT by Adam Sampieri

JOHN
No, my arms, theyre burning!
SALLY
Oh no! Youre right! Your arms are on fire!
JOHN
And now my legs are burning too!
SALLY
And your torso!
JOHN
What did I do to deserve this? I must have lifted too much
SALLY
And the friction caused your appendages to spontaneously combust! Stop, drop, and roll
John!

JOHN
Its too late for that now. Im done for. I always loved you, Sally. Goodbye.
(John dies.)
SALLY
Noooooooooooo!
(Pause)
Hes gone forever, and I never told him how I really felt. Oh well. The dead lift strikes
again!

(END OF PLAY)

DEAD LIFT by Adam Sampieri