First Scene in 90 Page Theatre Play

ACT ONE – SCENE ONE: LOCKED UP SHELTER: NIGHT

The moon shines through the small barred window of what used to be a jail before the climax. The outside which used to bring the sound of far away cars, animals and people passing by now gives only never ending silence. Apart from the odd far away scream from either a poor person caught fowl or some horrible unknown creature. Inside a large metal door bars entry to the room. It has a large number of locks and chains across to keep any unwanted presences from trying to gain entrance.

On the floor lies seven makeshift beds made of torn mattresses and withered old blankets. Only three are occupied, two of the sleeping people have the blankets over their heads apart from one woman named MARINA. She is leaning against the wall with the shine of the moon coming down on her. She is staring into space with what seems to be an old book in front of her. Suddenly three slow bangs from the door emanate through the room. They are quiet at first. Marina lies down in panic and puts the blanket over her head. Again three bangs come from the door louder this time.

MARINA – Eddy...Eddy!

EDDY lifts his head from the blanket.

EDDY – I know.

The person on the other end named ANTHONY raises his head.

ANTHONY – Wait...

A few seconds of silence pass then five knocks in a rhythm ring out.

EDDY – It’s them!

All three rise up from their beds and run to the door. They untangle the chains and open the locks. Anthony grabs the big handle and pushes the door open. Four people, TONI, JULIAN, JOE and FARA rush in carrying big bags of what look like food and supplies. The set their bags down on their beds and sit down as the three others lock up the door.

MARINA – What in the hell was that!? You scared us half to death!

JULIAN – Sorry, sorry. This dick forgot the password again!

JOE – For God’s sake would you leave me alone!

TONI – You either remember or die, Joe!

MARINA – She’s right Joe, this is life or death! The least you can do is remember a fucking password for a door!

JOE – OK, OK, you’re right, always right.

There is an awkward silence between the group.

ANTHONY – Anyway... what did you find?

FARA – After about two days we found all of this in a community health centre. You know one of those early care places they had up.

EDDY – But... you’ve been away six days, what happened?

FARA – The route we took out was blocked coming in. They set a trap up counting on us returning. We spent days dodging them. It’s hard when they don’t make any noise. No tell when they could creep up.

MARINA – Man... did you see any of them?

JULIAN – One or two, they’re so fast.

ANTHONY – You know you can’t go back their right? Back to the aid centre.

EDDY – You’re right, that’s exactly what they’d be expecting.

JOE – There was so much stuff we couldn’t bring, there was literally rooms of the stuff.

MARINA – Exactly, just the thing to bring people back.

ANTHONY – We have to be careful guys, this is the best loot we have had. And that scares me.

JULIAN – He’s right guys, we have to be more cautious than ever now. We have to spread the rotation further every month.

There is a resounding sound of acceptance from the group.

EDDY – Anyways. Let’s get some of this out shall we! This is a time to be happy.

They all grab the bags and put them in the centre of the sitting group. They open them to reveal a lot of tinned and dehydrated foods. As well as medical supplies.

A few moments of silence from the opening of tins etc. Suddenly there is a huge bang that comes from the door. The sound of people running around and smashing of glass can be heard. The whole group rises to their feet in fear.

MARINA – They followed you!

JULIAN – No! We checked, we were so, so careful!

The sound outside stops for a few seconds. The sound of scampering feet can be heard outside the door, then a few gentle taps at the metal entrance from an unknown person.

TONI –Oh dear God.

Toni falls to the floor. Anthony and Julian go to help her and lay her on her bed.

MARINA – Go to your beds, they can’t get in, just make sure to stay silent.

They all go to their beds as the big handle of the door turns frantically.

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