One Act Play

Maria Mancera
Lets play a Game

Characters:
Man at the Door/Jack:
Edward: The nephew of the viscount, He has been overseas for 5 years going to college to get
his psychology degree.
Viscount: A man in his forties that is very rich and an important figure in society.
Elizabeth: The wife of the viscount.
Butler:
Maid:
Noble 1:

*Act 1, Scene 1*
Scene: The scene takes place in a large ball room of the Viscount. There is a storm going on but
that doesnt stop anyone from enjoying themselves. The Viscount is celebrating the return of his
beloved nephew(Edward), who has been off at seas for five years and has returned. There are
many nobles crowding every part of the ballroom, discussing matters on high society. The
butlers and maids stand watch at the doors awaiting those who are invited. Edward goes over to
a bar where his uncle awaits to greet him.
Edward:

Uncle, I am pleased to meet you again, but you didnt need to go to these lengths
to greet me.

The viscount and Edward give each other a warming hand shake.
Viscount:

Nonsense, It is my pleasure, you have just come back and you need to fit right
back into society, what other way is best than a ball? There are a lot of nobles here
that you can make connections with, you will fit right in.

Edward:

Uncle you know that I have never been a person to get along with the standards of
the nobles.

Viscount:

Foolish boy, in this world there are those with power and those without, and in
order to have power in this world you need to make as many connections with
those who do have power. That exact line of thought got your father killed for
Christ sakes.

Edwardss expression drops a bit, for the topic is a fragile one to the boy. There is a slight pause,
where the conversation drops, the viscount searches for the words to take back what he has said
but cant find them. Elizabeth joins them for a drink of wine at the bar. Edward forgets what his
uncle said and greets his Aunt with a kiss on each cheek.
Elizabeth:

Its so nice to see you again Edward!

Edward:

The feeling is mutual Aunty.

Elizabeth:

Its been quite slow without you here to make a scene with the rest of the nobles.

The Viscount gives a chuckle remembering the subject of the conversation they just had. Edward
looks at his uncle with sharpness in his eyes, while directing his next sentence to his uncle.
Edward:

Well Aunty, we cant all follow the tails of others.

The Viscount is angered by the quote, and gives a huff of anger.

Viscount:

Why you..

He is cut off by Elizabeth.

Elizabeth:

Now, Now boys, we will have time to discuss these matters when the ball is over,
but now its time to celebrate.

Elizabeth moves away from the bar, and leaves the Viscount and Edward to make amends.
Edward:

Well uncle, we will just have to agree on disagreeing.

Viscount:

On that I agree.

They both shake hands, and take a drink. Edward looks up at his uncle from his cup.
Edward:

Now, uncle, have you heard of what has been going around in the newspapers
lately.

Viscount:

Hardly son, I dont have time to look at the preposterous things that get circulated
in the papers.

Edward:

Well you should be worried about what has been happening lately.

The Viscount stares at his nephew with a look of disinterest.

Viscount:

And why is that?

Edward brings out a newspaper that was in his back pocket, and opens it to the top story.
Edward:

Right here, you see,( he points to the paper) there has been an escape from the
Asylum. He is said to be one of the worst attendees of the Asylum. In his past he
is said to have ripped open the stomachs of many animals. While doing this,
eyewitnesses heard him relating the animal victims to that of humans. Now in the
five years that I was studying to become a psychologist I have met a few cases
just like his, and there is no way around it, they are mad men that are a danger to
mankind. I swear it uncle.

Viscount:

Edward this has nothing to do with me. I have no relations to this man.

Edward:

Uncle I believe it does, the man is wandering around the very city that you live in.
You should be cautious.

Viscount:

Cautious, Ha, I laugh at that Edward, this whole conversation is preposterous.

The Viscount leaves Edward at the table to steam off what his uncle just said. Edward sits there
rather displeased with what his uncle said, but he already knows his nature to topics that dont
include his self. The room is very loud, and full. It seems that all the visitors are there. There is a
loud bang at the door. The butler goes to the door to open it.
Butler:

Can I get your coat for you (gunshot).

The butler slumps to the floor. Screams and cries fill the ball room at the scene that they have
just witnessed. Three gunshots are then shot in to the air as the man at the door walks in.
Man at the Door:

Now now, if you dont want to end up like that man over there (pointing
at the butler with the gun in his hand) I need you to be as quiet as you can.

The room quiets down and is filled with silence.

Man at the Door:

Thats right, nice and quiet, good. Now, lets get to business, I have come
here today to propose we play a game..

The Man at the Door is interrupted by Edward who speaks out on who the man is.
Edward:

Youre the man in the paper, Jack. Am I right? Yes, the one who escaped!

The Man at the Door is quite pleased that a person has recognized him. There are murmurs
around the room that define the word fear. The Man at the door smiles at how much fear he
incites.
Man at the Door:

Yes that is me, my boy, Im glad you know that but if you interrupt me one
more time there wont be a next.

The room silences again, the mood is thick and tense awaiting what the man will say next.
Jack:

Now that the room has silenced once more, as I said, I propose we play a
game. What kind of game may you ask, how about one that has risks? I
was called here today by one of the people in this room. If you can find
out who called me, I will let you all go; if you cant you all die here. Oh,
and one more thing to make the game more fun, if you make the wrong
decision an innocent man will die here, and the accuser will have the same
fate as the accused.

There is a pause, the room of people is soaking in the level of danger this game will cause.
Edward:

And how long do we have to play this sick game of yours?

Jack staring at Edward now. With a smile.

Jack:

You have until the storm passes. Now go to your rooms and deliberate.
You bunch (He points to the rest of the butlers and maids) stay here I will
need your help getting them back into the room.

They all move off stage to their rooms in fear. Jack stays in the ball room. The Viscount and his
Wife move out together, mortified at how their ball has turned. Edward and Jack meet eyes;
Edward is more disgusted in the man than scared. Jack knows this look too well; he gives
Edward a smile, as he walks off stage. Everyone is off stage except Jack; Elizabeth then comes
back on stage.
Jack:

Youre supposed to be in your room.

He points the gun at her. Elizabeth walks up to him and grabs the tip of the gun, and takes it
away from him. She holds it in her hands and then gives it back.
Elizabeth:

Dont worry, they wont figure it out. They have the brains of rats, all scurrying to
the safest place to save themselves.

Jack:

Im not so sure of that, your Nephew seems to have a sharp eye to him.

Elizabeth:

Ha, you dont have to worry Jack,(She touches his cheek with a hint of
promiscuousness, throws her hand back, and walks away while cleaning the hand
she used to touch him, with her dress) the boy has made bad amends with each of
the nobles here today, he will be the first chosen against. I promise you theyll
ostracize him, and torture him into keeping him quiet. Our fun wont end short.

Jack:

You better be right Elizabeth, Remember I dont have to take you with, I can
leave you with the rest of these damn people to burn in hell.

Elizabeth is annoyed at this comment, and stops silent. She knows that what he says is true. She
turns to him.
Elizabeth:

Well Jack, you might just find out that I am the biggest asset to you.

Jack smiles a devilish smile at Elizabeth. Elizabeth walks off stage. Jack is left on the stage.
Jack:

We will see Elizabeth. (He points to the butlers and maids in the room) Not a
word is to be spoken of this to the others, if you do speak out you can only guess
what your fate is.

The butlers and maids nod and follow the instructions that Jack gives. He points back at them.
Jack:

Bring them back in here.

The butlers and maids file out to fetch the nobles. As they come in most of the nobles walk to the
right side of the room. Elizabeth walks in with the viscount hand in hand. Edward and a few

others are left on the left side. The right side of the room seems to have a hazy idea of who has
called jack there, Jack catches on that they may have an idea as to whom has called him there.
He laughs to himself with the thought that his fun is starting to begin.
Jack:

I am well assured that you know why I have called you back into this room, does
anyone want to speak up.

Edward:

And if we dont speak up?

Jack:

(rather annoyed) And if you dont? Hmm lets see, how about there is no if , your
only choice here boy is to answer.

Edward stops his pestering due to the level of scared murmurs that surround the room, he
realizes the level of danger his question has put everyone in, as well as the panic that he has
caused. In the back a maid is struggling to keep calm. She is fidgeting with her apron. She looks
like she is about to be sick. Someone recognizes her level of anxiety.
Noble 1:

Are you alright?

He touches the shoulder of the maid. She huffs and screams out.
Maid:

IT WAS E (gunshot)..

The maid slumps to the floor, screams fill the room. Another gunshot fills the room, and quiets
down the room. A Sudden realization hits the left side of the room. They stare at Edward now;
they have seemed to get their answer to their hypothesis on who called Jack there. Jack smiles,
and is satisfied that Elizabeth was right.
(End of Act 1, Scene 1)