An axe murderer is supposedly on the loose. Is this the day somebody will lose his/her head? A humorous take on a rather gruesome subject, but where all’s well in the end.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
By Michele Lourie c 2018
Actor 1 inside the triangle of a screen. Actor 2 rushes in.
A2: I’m soaked through. Aah! My shoes will be ruined.
Gets a fright when sees Actor 1.
You gave me a fright. I didn’t know anyone was inside here.
A1: Terrible weather isn’t it?
A2: The worst. I’ve come in here to get out of it.
A1: Yes.
A2: You too, I suppose?
A1: No. I’ve been here for a while.
A2: (a little uncomfortable) I guess I should keep going. I’m already so wet …….
A1: (interrupting) It’s the wind that’s the problem. I’ve watched quite a few pedestrians knocked over by the strong gusts. One cracked his head on a lamp post. Such a pity to hurt such a nice head!
A2: The wind is awful. I only had to walk from my school a block away and I was blown about like a leaf. Where do you go to school?
A1: Not around here. Why don’t you sit down?
A2: But it’s all wet.
A1: Isn’t that a newspaper in your bag?
A2: (pulls it out) I suppose I could sit on it. We could share it.
A1: Thank you, but I prefer to stand. I’ll just move my bag to give you more room.
(the 2 jostle a little and A2 sits slightly in front of A1)
A2: So what’s in your bag …. It’s such a strange shape, and you’ve already seen what’s in mine?
A1: My secret weapon.
A2: (laughs) You mean, if you told me you’d then have to kill me?
A1: Something like that.
A2: (looks down and notices the headline in the paper) Terrible about these horrible axe murders, isn’t it?
A1: If you move forward I could stand behind you and you’d have a lot more space.
A2: Listen to this! A witness came forward and gave a description.
(add description of A1 – height; build; colouring; tattoo of …… on arm)
A1: Mmmm, I’ve got one of those. (shows tattoo on arm)
A2: (standing up quickly) I must be going. My family will be worrying where I am.
They’re probably out looking for me now.
A1: In this weather. Surely they’ll assume you’ve taken shelter somewhere …..
A2: (Interrupting nervously) No, no, they’ll be terribly concerned that I’ve lost my head …. I mean ……
(A 2 runs off)
A1: Braver than I am, facing that storm. Anyway, (holds up bag) I have to keep this out of the rain or it might rust.
